A Needed Change

[Junoix 2301]

Nevaehlen and the Mali’ame culture are struggling with the current format of leadership amongst the nation, a majority of its citizens unsatisfied with how Nevaehlen currently is. We propose a return to how the wood elven nations of old were set up, in line with tradition, but with a carefully crafted series of checks and balances, and the addition of guilds in government in theme with Nevaehlen’s unique culture. To deter tyranny, every decision made by Nevaehlen must be voted upon by the Greenblades in Omentahu. Leaders must also be voted in through Omentahu, and can similarly be voted out: even the Viridian Voice. This ensures that Nevaehlen enjoys the benefits of having a defined Head of State, but also that the people still benefit from freedom and democracy.

◈ The Viridian Voice

✾ Leader of the Nevaehli

The face of Nevaehlen and guide of the people, responsible for overseeing preservation of Nevaehli culture, the enforcement of its law, diplomacy with foreign leaders, and the safeguarding of the Nevaehli people.

 

🞚 The Triumvirate

The Triumvirate act as the foundation which supports Nevaehlen, directly aiding the Viridian Voice in the varied affairs required for the community to prosper.

 

⛣ Head of Faith 

A High Priest of the Wild Faith, responsible for overseeing the circulation and cultivation of elnarnsae’ame.

⍟ Head of Military 

The leader of the Halerir’elame, responsible for overseeing all offensive and defensive military endeavors.

⭗ Head of Stewardship 

The leader of the Stewards, responsible for indoctrinating new citizens and regulating housing.

 

◇ The Guilds

🙝 Head of the Iron Antler 

Responsible for the daily livelihood of the Nevaehli people, the Iron Alter handles food supply, agriculture, and common festivities. Manages the tavern, fishing, farming, and common festivities.

➶ Head of the Tree Singers 

Responsible for the artisan productions of Nevaehlen, the Tree Singers create everything from trinkets to weapons to boats. Manages shop stalls and trade regulations.

🕮 Head of the Cedar Archive 

Responsible for domestic affairs and record-keeping, the Cedar Archive oversees the library, gathering knowledge and keeping track of history. Occasionally handles assorted internal affairs, such as aiding in diplomacy, when required.

✤ Head of the Verdant Whisper 

Responsible for the clinic and apothecary, the Verdant Whisper ensures the medical and alchemical needs of Nevaehlen are well-circulated and always in supply. Prepares means of treatment for both the Nevaehli people and visitors in need of medical care.

⛯ Head of the Thorned Compass 

Responsible for expeditions, hunting, and handling miscellaneous domestic concerns, the Thorned Compass serves as the adventurer’s guild of Nevaehlen. Helps regulate monster threats, as well as organizing bounties and quests from both citizens and the other guilds.

❖ The Vigilant Council Overview

The Viridian Voice, the Triumvirate, and the Guilds exist to ensure the prosperity of Nevaehlen’s community, working together alongside each other to ensure smooth operations. The Nevaehli people may be members of as many guilds as they please, as well as be stewards and members of the military at their discretion, so long as they meet the personal requirements of each group they wish to partake in.

Each council member may only represent exactly one position within the nine-person council that forms Nevaehlen’s leadership. Council members may not hold more than one seat in the council, any unfilled seats being left open until an independent individual can claim the seat, or if a member of the council changes from their current seat to the vacant seat. Temporary means of regulation may be performed by the council, but there should be an active search for a new council member whenever a seat on the council is vacant.

 

The Viridian Voice, the Triumvirate, and the Guilds all hold the right to check the other council groups to ensure they’re doing their job properly. Council discussions are to be held in civil regards and remain orderly at all times, and are always open to the Nevaehli people and visitors alike to spectate unless specifically stated otherwise. All council members must be voted in by the Greenblades in Omentahu. Their leadership may also be called into question at an Omentahu, and they may be voted out by the Greenblades. These rules also apply to the Viridian Voice.

 

Spoiler

 

A visual display of the voting strength of the different parts of the council.

 

⬥ The Nevaehli & Greenblades

Nevaehlen is, first and foremost, a community rather than a country. Nevaehlen’s people, the Nevaehli, are its heart and soul, thus meaning Nevaehlen is wherever the Nevaehli are. While all members of the community are kin of the wilds, only those who truly embrace the way of the wilds are permitted to influence the future of the community. These members of the community are known as Greenblades, those who are vowed to the wilds. Greenblades are permitted to own housing without paying tribute, vote in Omentahus, and become members of the Nevaehlen Council. For one to become a Nevaehli, they must first embrace the wilds, taking a vow of choice to acknowledge their sincerity.

❖ The Wild Vow | Ceremony of the Wild-Hearted

The first step in joining Nevaehlen, the Wild Vow, is a ceremony hosted by either a steward or a member of the Council and consists of two parts. The first is speech of recognition, during which the vow-taker will publicly elaborate on the individual to take the vow, offering them words of encouragement and congratulations. After this has passed, the to-be Nevaehli will proclaim a personal vow to the wilds, consisting of an oath to defend the natural world and a declaration of a creed to live by.

 

This personal creed is to be based on a select fauna of the vow-taker’s choice, and ought to represent the values and lessons that can be gleaned from them. One may declare their willingness to become stalwart and resilient in the name of the tortoise, or cunning and witful in the name of the fox. Another might proclaim themselves to pursue wisdom and patience, tempering themselves akin to an owl in the hunt, while another may seek to hone their leadership and responsibility, akin to a wolf who leads the pack. This vow ought to hold sustenance, reflecting the individual’s intent to grow and refine themselves rather than a statement of what they’ve already achieved.

 

To qualify to become a Greenblade, one must complete at least 3 of 6 Greenblade Proofs and be an active member of at least one guild. Once the proofs have been completed and a member is recognized as by the Vigilant Leader of at least one guild, they may become a Greenblade by taking their Wild Vow, a ceremony in which the to-be Greenblade takes a personalized oath. Upon the completion of their vow ceremony, the community member shall be recognized as one who has truly incorporated the wilds into their way of life.

 

❖ Greenblade Proofs | Complete at least 3 of 6

🗸 Lead a Hunt.
Lead a hunting party to hunt for an animal of choice with regards to proper hunting practices.

🗸 Become a Green Priest.

Complete the Priesthood Trials of the Wild Faith and become Oathbound to a Mani.

🗸 Host a Celebration

Any form of celebration does, whether it’s a tavern night, a cultural festival, or a miscellaneous party.

🗸 Guide a Lesson

Teach the others within the community in any fashion, whether it be crafting, combat, culture, etc.

🗸 Train with the Halerir’alame

Hone your skills in combat by joining combat training or sparring a member of the military.

🗸 Protect the Wilds

Participate in guarding the natural world against darkened forces alongside other Nevaehli.

 

❖ Be a Guild Member | Help the community flourish

All Nevaehli may join guilds as they see fit, but partaking in them and leaving a mark on the community is another story. For this step to be completed, one must be recognized by at least one leader of the five Vigilant Guilds for their efforts. Recognition may be granted for any means of effort so long as the Guild Leader believes the member to be sincere in doing their part.

 

❖ The Rite of Family | To Embrace the Community

The final step in becoming a Greenblade, a ceremonial rite in which one is formally acknowledged for their efforts and oathed to the community. Led by a member of the council or a steward, the rite of family consists of three parts. The first is a speech acknowledging the individual and their efforts, after which any attending individuals may offer their words on the soon-to-be Greenblade’s character. Afterwards, the members will carve their name  upon the wall of the Memorial Room, where all Greenblades take their oaths. The final step in the rite is to mark a weapon with one’s blood, staking it into the ground of the rite room to display one’s willingness to protect the community’s way of life, as well as the wilds which they thrive within.

 

Those who have earned the right to be a Greenblade are to stand proud, but must know well that they are still Nevaehli. Greenblades are expected to be model members of the community, upholding the way of life within Nevaehlen and encouraging others to do their part as well. Greenblades are to guard their kin and ensure the well being of the community, as well as seek to ensure the prosperity of Nevaehlen moving forward. Those who defile the integrity of the Greenblade’s Code may be revoked of their status by a 90% vote from all current Greenblades.

Reasons one may be revoked of their status as a Greenblade include, but are not limited to, exploitation of the community, becoming condescending to kin over ‘status,’ ignorance of duty, or violation of one’s vow. The situation will be case-by-case basis, and should a Greenblade be brought to attention for removal of their status, then a public trial will be held where the Council, the community, and the Greenblade accused of misconduct may voice themselves on the matter. The Council will keep order within the trial and during the voting period following its conclusion, after which they will declare the verdict and enforce the decision..

[Pengin 387]

An elderly norn stood before the missive, huffing once as he finished reviewing it. "Eh much needed change indeed... we're disorganized, stagnated, slowly withering away n' losing purpose. Th' vigilant do their duties, but 'et's too haphazard ta keep proper tabs on things. We ne need some fancy ruling class, nor do we require any outrageous means of keeping our people in line, but we require some amount of direction to remain in-touch with what our community requires."

Clasping his hands behind his back, he'd start to pace away. "Eh matriach ta guide th' Nevaehli n' protect our way of life, 'es well 'es represent our people... th' triumvirate ta handle our internal affairs... n' th' guilds te ensure our people remain satisfied and well-displayed in our current ways."

His stroll continued on, the norn descending into the depths of Faerie Hollow. "I wish ta see our kin flourish again... to do more than just exist... we just need 'eh spark 'eh change ta ignite us once again."

[Toffee 2843]

An elder Mali'ame from ancient days pondered over this missive from deep within an aspen grove. On paper, all seemed well. Sensible, organised, structured. Yet when was nature ever so? Unless a tree was bound and subdued from when it was a sapling, it was wont to grow where it would, roots curling in unpredictable patterns, trunk adorned with swirls and markings of uneven, imperfect beauty. What strange and wonderful patterns would this tree grow in?

 

Illynora penned her thoughts, particularly on the title of Matriarch, and slipped it into the box.

[jqsmlne 460]

A mali'ame approaches the notice board at the heart of Nevaehlen, a lantern in hand casting a warm,  flickering light. The evening air is cool, and the soft rustling of leaves accompanies her as she studies the missive pinned to the board. Her eyes scan the words carefully, and she occasionally tilts her head, the light catching the faint frown of thought on her face.

 

 

“Hmm,” she murmurs to herself, nodding faintly at certain passages. “There’s wisdom in this... but perhaps it needs a touch more consideration.”

 

Her gaze lingers on a particular section, and she purses her lips before glancing back at the surrounding community. Suddenly, an idea sparks in her mind—a way to address the concerns while preserving the core values Nevaehlen holds dear.

 

[Cally 1080]

An 'ame, no older than thirty; had things to express. . . Likewise a vote, much like Illynora's is cast amongst the box of concerns. Penning her thoughts in hope that her oathbound family had the mind to listen.