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Law, Government and Military
The
Dalmite people are led by the Naiir al weh Teila, or the Spirit of
the Forest. Although born with a birth name, when a woman ascends to this
position, her name is changed to Teila and she holds that name
until she dies or until she hands her title to her daughter.
If the Teila dies without an heir or the heir is unable to
lead, the Council will choose the next Teila.
Although in the past, the leader could be challenged for
her position, this is very rare today. If a challenger does come
forth, he or she usually disappears prior to the battle or strange
illnesses said to be brought on by Kainna herself causes the
challenger to withdraw. All Teila’s are said to be descendents of Llecilia, the
earliest known leader of the Dalmites.
The
Elder Council is made up of Teila and the Four Daughters of Teila,
or the four clan leaders. Also
included in the Council are the Naiir al Dal, the Cae Gwea.
Often, other trusted advisors are asked to sit in on
Council meetings although they do not have voting rights.
Teila makes all final decisions, however, in recent times,
it is unusual for her to go against the wishes of the Council.
It is her desire to keep the Nation united and to protect
the Dalmite people from extinction. The support of the other Clan
leaders is essential. The
Council sets policy for the Nation and settles disputes between
clans. Disputes that
cannot be settled by the clan councils are often brought before
the Elder Council for resolution.
Any violations of policy that affect other nations are a
matter for the Elder Council.
The Council meets at least twice a year in Tilitha although
not all the clan leaders can be present at every meeting due to
distance.
Each
clan consists of approximately 10 tribes although some have more
or less. The Namril
Gwea presides over a Clan Council, which consists of the tribal
leaders of her clan. This
council settles local disputes, organized trade within their
territory, and handles punishment for tribes who violate the Elder
Council Policy. If
the clan councils do not deal effectively with renegade tribes
within their territory who violate nation-wide policy, the Elder
Clan will step in. Within
the clan, the Namril Gwea and her clan council set policy and laws
that do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Elder Council.
Tribes
usually consist of several family units and are led by a Gwea, or
tribal chief. The
Gwea first deals with all internal matters within the tribe.
Those between tribes or those not resolved by the Gwea can
be brought before the clan council.
The Gwea sets all tribal laws and policy not covered by the
Clan council or the Elder Council.
Each
tribe has its own warriors and these warriors are pledged to the
clan during times of strife.
In turn, clans pledge their warriors to Teila and the
Dalmite Nation. While
the individual Cae Gwea or war chief retain control their
individual unit, the Cae Gwea of Tilitha coordinates the united
clans during times of war.
Renegade
tribes have been common throughout most of Dalmite history.
These tribes have for some reason severed their
relationship with Tilitha and do not follow a clan leader.
Most of these tribes live peaceful existences deep within
the woods. A few
cause trouble, raiding towns and settlements and going against the
policies of the Council. These
tribes are often dealt with harshly by Teila and the Elder
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The Clans
Led
by the Naiir al weh Teila, the Spirit of the Forest, four
individual clans occupy the forests of Adellion.
These clans are referred to as the Daughters of Teila and
were named for the daughters of Llecilia, an early and influential
leader of the Dalmites.
Each
clan occupies different territories within the entire range of the
Dalmite Nation. Due
to their locations and distance from Tilitha, each clan has its
own individual personality and has developed its own customs and
traditions in addition to the ones retained from the culture as a
whole.
Renegade
tribes, which refuse to pledge to any clan or to Tilitha, do exist
within the forests. Many
of these tribes arose out of conflicts with policy set in Tilitha.
Some contain outlaws and cult members who emerge from their
hiding places in the forests only to cause trouble and have
gathered others. Other independent tribes remain peaceful, living in remote
areas of the forests. Renegade
tribes are usually ignored unless they violate the policies of the
Nation and then they are dealt with harshly by Teila and the
Council.
Kisami
Clan
The
clan leader of the Kisami clan is also Teila, the leader of the
Dalmites. The clan leaders reside in Tilitha within the Aenik Tribe and
other tribes wander and settle the forests of Mataril Woods and
Tiaral Woods. Far
from the war torn regions of the south, these tribes tend to live
peaceful lives, trade with each other and more recently with the
Salan settlements, and are devoted to Teila and the Dalmite
Nation. Throughout
history, the Kisami clan has been relatively cohesive, gathering
in Tilitha frequently.
Telantha
Clan
Occupying
the far north territory located within the Gailmai Woods, the
Telantha clan is deeply religious.
They have always cherished their shamans who have risen to
great power within the Dalmite society.
Isolated from much of the conflict to the south, the
Telantha clan has developed unique and valuable skills and has
flourished in their peaceful forests.
Trade is important among the Telantha tribes and they have
recently opened up trade with the Salans.
They have maintained most of the traditional Dalmite
rituals and ceremonies and have added beautiful songs and stories
to the lore.
Aerthilye
Clan
Located
within the Bloodland regions and occupying the Kilaral Woods, the
tribes of the Aerthilye Clan are much different from those further
north. The Bloodlands
are a lawless land and are occupied by people of many cultures.
Although the Bloodlands are considered neutral, there are
frequent skirmishes between the various factions, including the
Tarians whose border lies to the south. The tribes here are more militaristic than those to the north
and due to their exposure to other people, cultures, and
religions, they have lost many of the traditions and customs of
the Dalmites. Some of the Bloodland tribes consider the northern Dalmites
to be antiquated, resistant to change, and too cautious. A movement exists among the more vocal tribes within the clan
to fight for lands the Dalmites can call their own.
Since
the most recent conflict with the Tarians, the Aerthilye clan has
been very outspoken about ridding the southern forests of Tarians.
They have pledged their support to the southern clans and
have gathered their warriors to assist them if needed.
Duissa
Clan
Almost
decimated by the recent Tarian war, the Duissa clan struggles to
regain its presence in the Venar Woods.
Their towns, settlements and outposts were razed and due to
the Tarian military presence in the forests, they have been unable
to rebuild. Instead
they have become entirely nomadic, traveling under the cover of
the deep forests, hiding from the Tarians and planning their next
move. Frequent raids
by the enemy and a deep prejudice against the Tarians which stems
back several generations have made the tribes of this area very
warlike. In spite of
their tenuous existence, they are deeply religious.
Teila’s assistance during the recent battle has cemented
their relationship with Tilitha and they have renewed their pledge
to the Dalmite Nation.
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Trade
and Commerce
Many
years ago, when the tribes began to become less nomadic and create
more permanent settlements and outposts, they also began to produce
surplus goods for trade among their fellow Dalmites.
Trading routes were established between the outposts linking
the northern tribes with the tribes of the far south.
The outposts of what are now known as the Bloodlands became
the trading center of the Dalmite Nation.
Various
wars in the south have kept trade there from gaining the foothold it
has in the other regions. However, during the reign of Fiandra as the clan leader of
the Duissa, trade flourished. The
recent war with Tariana has destroyed the southern outposts and
settlements and forced the clan to return to its nomadic roots.
Swawor,
in the Bloodlands has become the most important trading center
outside of Tilitha. Located
in a neutral region and near Caeril, Swawor has gradually come to
reflect the independent, non-traditional ways of the Aerthilye Clan.
Traders of other cultures are welcomed into Swawor more than any
other Dalmite settlement. Although
a rugged and unrefined trading post, Swawor has become especially
important to the southern Dalmites who travel there regularly to
obtain goods unavailable in the south.
Many
of the regions and settlements in the forests have developed crafts
and skills that have provided a way of life for the local Dalmites
and have also become valuable for trading. In the far north, canoes are crafted from trees, horses are
bred to be sure-footed in the forests, and rich resources of clay
are used to create beautiful pottery.
In the Mataril Woods, hardened wood products are created
along with horticultural wonders, which thrive in the rich soil.
Trained animals along with the furs, feathers, and hides from
forest creatures are traded in some of the forest communities nearby
and in the Tiaril Woods.
Gradually,
trade is opening up within the northern regions to the Salan towns,
which lie along the borders of the forests. Salans value the finely
crafted wood products, healing potions and salves, elaborate pottery
creations, and rich dyes and textiles created in some Dalmite
settlements.
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