NationStates Jolt Archive


Kesshite Factbook

Kesshite
11-01-2007, 11:44
[The information here overrides any information given on the NS website.]

Kesshite (Keh-/jzh/eet)


http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/kesshite.jpg ~~~~~~http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/2909/basickesshitemapvp5.gif


Government:
Kesshite has an elected monarchy; the heads of the military and temple choose a scion of royal blood to rule for life. The current Jade Inhi is Milsandre L'Oris.

Foreigners sometimes characterize Kesshite as a theocracy due to the royal line claiming to descend from a prophet and the main religious organization having a large amount of domination over the civil government. On the other hand, the Inhi are not considered divine or a direct representation of the divine, while the church of the Emerald Mother is technically separate from the state.

Tech Level: Renaissance

Magic?: Yes
Species: Aminites, Anselu, Constructs, IIuman, Oruk, Hindermen,

Population: 20 million [pop. capped for RP]

Major Cities: Atzco o Tzauh (Capital); Atzco o Acahco (City of Ravens); Atzco o Axquautca (City of Silver); Atzco o Inqaic (City of Wolf)

Geography:
Kesshite is a peninsula with an area of approximately 537,470 sq. km. (207,518 sq. miles.) The topography consists of hills and densely forested mountains, with level land covering no more than 20%. Mountains account for 40% of the area, with smaller hills accounting for 40% and tropical forests 78%. The northern part of the country consists mostly of highlands and the Silver River Delta. Acahcotenango is the highest mountain in Kesshite at 3,143 m (10,312 ft). The south is divided into coastal lowlands, Minyain Chain peaks, extensive forests, and poor soil. Comprising 5 relatively flat plateaus of basalt soil, the highlands account for 16% of the country's arable land and 22% of its total forested land.

Kesshite has a tropical monsoon climate, with humidity averaging 84 % throughout the year. However, because of differences in latitude and the marked variety of topographical relief, the climate tends to vary considerably from place to place. During the winter or dry season, extending roughly from November to April, the monsoon winds usually blow from the northeast along the coast and across the Gulf of Huautqaut, picking up considerable moisture; consequently the winter season in most parts of the country is dry only by comparison with the rainy or summer season. The average annual temperature is generally higher in the plains than in the mountains and plateaus.

Economy:
The economy of Kesshite could be considered communist or capitalist depending on one's viewpoint. It is important to realize, however, that both of these terms arise from modern times and are based on the working of industrial societies.

The majority of people in Kesshite are farmers and the majority of internal trade is still done via a barter system. The farmers of Kesshite use a system called chamana based on the practices of the tribal-clans of the old era. In a chamana[/a], there is a large, communal farm overseen by a chief, this position tends to be hereditary. Farmers work the land together and send a tribute each year to the domyno of their province.

Strictly speaking, all the land is the property of the royal family and the farmers are considered 'tenants' who must pay 'rent' for the land. The farmers are free to use the land however they see fit and can replace a chief if they wish. Other than their tribute, the village may 'spend' the rest however they see fit.

In cities, barter is far less common and there is a verity of different work available. Major industries include stoneworking, ceramics, herbals, cloth and clothing, and jewelry and metal works. Cities have a guild system that pays taxes to the Minister. These guilds tend to be major powers in cities and often harass and injure those who they believe are cutting in on their livelihood.


Technological Failure:
Due to the enormous currents of magical energies in and around Kesshite, many technological objects malfunction or simply cease working. Cell phones go dead, engines sometimes explode before they lose power, and even simple timepieces may malfunction - randomly slowing down, speeding up, or running backwards.

Magic has rushed in to fill many of the gaps created by an absence of technology. Cold fire orbs line the streets of the major cities, lighting up the night. Stone and metal golems toil in mines and construction, providing strength and endurance beyond that of a living creature. Shamans ritually bless the land, increasing the yield and nutrition of plants. Moreover, the magic of the area has left its touch on the flora and fauna, giving Kesshite a wide range of unique and useful biological resources.

Persons of Interest:
[I]Jade Inhi, Milsandre L'Oris - The current ruler of Kesshite, the young Milsandre gained the throne after the assassination of her brother. Her brother Hugo ended the centuries long isolation of Kesshite from the rest of the world and Milsandre continues his work as best she can. Pale, demure, and innocent of much of the world, Milsandre is beloved by her subjects but does little actual ruling. She shows a natural showmanship but appears only for political ceremonies, rarely allowing for private audiences or leaving her palace.

High Ahta, Taagvar - The current leader of the military of Kesshite, Taagvar spent the majority of his service on the northern borderland wall, fighting the demonic peoples and beast of the shadowlands. After the assassination of Inhi Hugo, Taagvar's predisesor committed ritualistic suicide out of same, leaving the country without two of its most powerful members. Often called the Iron Fist of the Throne, Taagvar is a hard, bitter man with little warmth or humor.

High Achci, Cyrus - The Achci are the wizard-lords of Kesshite. Their base of power is the Grand Academe d'Ars where any youth of skill can join and spend decades learning the crafting of magic. Wizards consider themselves especially blessed by the gods and therefore the natural rulers of normal men. Cyrus has held the position of High Achci for over 23 years.

Minister Havez - A moderately powered Achci of noble birth. He served as magistrate of the Kalyym province for years before Kesshite opened its borders. As Atzco o Acahco is the largest port city in Kesshite, he had more dealings with outsiders than any other magistrate and was a natural pick for Minister of Forgein Affairs when the position was created.


Products of Note:
Huautli - Amaranth, a high protein grain
Incaiqi - Lit., Black Petal, a plant whose leaves are an analgesic with morphinomimetics properties, which can also produce euphoric and synaesthesia effects.
Kesshite
11-01-2007, 11:45
Current Events:

(01-18-07) For reasons unknown, a small plane verged off course into Kesshite airspace. The plane's engines began to stall as an elderly woman passenger with a pacemaker began to complain of chest pains. The pilot was unable to send out a distress message has his electronic systems began to break down.

The pilot was able to make a level water landing. One passenger appears to have suffered a concussion and died during or soon after the crash, while the rest suffered scrapes and bruises. The pilot and the passengers were rescued by a fishing fleet, and the elderly, female passenger has since stabilized.


(01-15-07) 100,000 refugees have come to Kesshite this year from the Moroccan war zone. The influxes of immigrants has divided opinion and caused hostilities to flare up in the major port cities. In Atzco o Inqaic, a makeshift Christian church was set aflame in an act of ethnic violence. The city militia is still searching for the perpetrators.

(01-12-07): The Nautilus has returned from war torn Allanea. The ship left carrying foodstuffs and medicine for the people of Allanea but was rebuffed at port. Speculation among council members is that continued relations with Allanea are unlikely.

(01-11-07): One of the small pirate ships that have recently caused troubles for the nation of Vetaka (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=513544) tried to avoid detection by hiding in a small cove off the eastern coast. As they approached, their technology began to malfunction and eventually their engines died. After drifting for over an hour, the ship is smashed against rocky outcroppings and the hull is breached.

Three days later, a group of fishermen encounter survivors who have made it to shore. Using a galley, the government was able to tow the pirate ship to the nearest bay where it was later stripped and broken into scrap metal.
Kesshite
11-01-2007, 11:46
OOC Questions and Answers:

Have any questions about my nation? Ask and I'll do my best to answer them.

Nouns:
I've received a few inquires on how to properly label Kesshite and its people.

The country is called Kesshite. While NS labels it 'The Theocracy of Kesshite,' none of its citizens, government agents, or official documents call is such.

The word Kesshite is commonly used to refer to the country, its people, a citizen of Kesshite, and something of Kesshite. So, "I am a Kesshite," "He saw a group of Kesshite," "The Kesshite culture," and "My honored Kesshite friend," are all acceptable.

If you want to be grammatically correct, - most people in Kesshite aren't as there is little formal education - Kesshite refers to the country and a citizen of Kesshite, while Kesshii refers to its people, a group of citizens, and something 'of Kesshite.'

Thus, "I am a Kesshite," "He saw a Kesshite," "He saw a group of Kesshii," "The Kesshii culture," and "My honored Kesshii friend."

If you want to be excruciatingly correct, - just so you know, being overly formal is considered offensive to Kesshii, as is being overly casual - you'll want to put the prefix na'- at the beginning of a direct object but not an adjective.

Therefore, "I am Na'kesshite," "He saw Na'kesshite, " "She saw a group of Na'kesshii," "The Kesshii culture," and "My honored Kesshii friend."
Cotenshire
12-01-2007, 00:26
To the Appropriate Official of Kesshite for Answering Royal Queries,

His Majesty would like to ask those in Kesshite who might know, why they have in place their current succession law.

These laws, which you have presented, are no doubt in contrary to the Lex Salica and indeed the fundamentals of the Law set down by Our Lord God, in that on only a lawful monarch's primogeniture is it bestowed the privilege of a divine mandate. His Majesty has also told me that he would like to take this opportunity to let you know that many a realm has instituted an elective law to smother dissidence, only to result in unlawful and unjust rulers mounting the throne.

Signed,
The Rt Hon. Jan Sebastien, Lord Chancellor
Kesshite
12-01-2007, 07:29
To The Rt Hon. Jan Sebastien, Lord Chancellor,

Pleased is this humble servant to answer any questions from the Lord Chancellor of the great nation of Cotenshire. Even in this small and backward nation of Kesshite, we have heard of Cotenshire's fine horses and its pious and lawful people. Sadly, I have never been enlightened by this Lex Salica of which you have spoken but shall make every effort to obtain a copy when I next travel.

In answer to your inquiry, the selection of a new Jade Inhi is an ancient one. In it, each candidate is presented to before the temple, the priests call up to the heavens for guidance, and we are blessed that the most holy messengers communicate which of the children is to be the next ruler.

While many times this is the eldest son, the eldest son is not always most favored by the divine. Was this not true for Abel? For Joseph, Jacob, and David?

I hope this satisfies the Most Righteous Lord Chancellor. If you have any other inquiries, I would be pleased to serve.

Minister Havaz
[Seal of Kalyym province]
Midian State
14-01-2007, 09:48
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/7468/midianstateflagmedar0.png
Official Inquiry to the Government of Kesshite

Due to the unique nature of the City-State of Midian in correlation to the rest of the world, many nations have attempted to ostracize the Midianite population from the rest of the world for - among many other things - religious purposes. Abrahamic faiths attempt to crusade on our territories, unique cults have attempted to undermine the Midianite Traditions, and various political organizations have attempted to cite the unique culture of Midian as one that is counter-productive to the current state of the world. However, the people of Midian have continually prevailed over these forces in order to preserve our rights and our Faith and Traditions.

For this reason, the Sanhedrin (clergy-lead executive council) have chosen the Elected Monarchy of Kesshite for non-Abrahamic-affiliated information research. On the Sanhedrin’s behalf, I wish to request as much information as possible on the religions of Kesshite and their play in Kesshite society - especially in relation to the ‘magical’ nature of Kesshite society.

We hope our request will be met soon.

Sincerely,
Haziri
Secretarial Hierophant of Midian and the Faith
Kesshite
14-01-2007, 13:00
Minister Havez strode briskly down the corridors separating the Palace's Grand Library the Council Chambers, orange robes billowing in the breeze he made. Behind him, two civil acolytes with their clean-shaven heads struggled to keep up while balancing reams of scrolls, maps, letters, and a few books. Lastly came Rayyat, Havez's bodyguard in a chainmail shirt. He had to slow down his long, steady strides in order to stay behind the acolytes and often scooped up the various papers they dropped then returned them to their pile.

Out of the corner of his eye, Havez spotted a telltale swirl of deep blue robes and red hair, "Ah, Lady Cyrus," he called.

The lady did so, arching her eyebrow imperiously. "I assume something requires my attention," she said.

"Great Lady Achci Cyrus," he said as he clasped his hands together and bowed. The acolytes copied the move as best they could while Rayyat saluted. "I received a letter from the City-State of Midian in regards to the religions of Kesshite and wondered if you would desire to answer it. In such and important matter, I know only you have the depth of understanding to truly explain the nature of our beliefs."

"I see," replied Cyrus, "You were wise to bring this to my attention. Send the letter to my manse this evening along with a summery of our information on the Midian City-State. Is that all?"

"Yes, my most gracious Lady," he said with another bow as she walked away. Now all there was to do was gather information on Midian, summarize it in a way that would please her ladyship, and finish this before her supper. Oh, and the other thirty things he had to finish.

"I should have known this would mean *more* work instead of less," he muttered as he continued bustling to the Council Chambers.

***

Three hours later, the Minister sat at his desk sipping his bitter hot xhocolate and hunched over the single bit report he had found on Midian. It was a handwritten account of film circulating on outside news networks. As he read on, Havez's brown face began to look paler…and paler…

He stared at the sandy colored wall of his office for five minutes, his brain absorbed in intricate predictions of action and response. Afterwards, he pulled out a fresh sheet of vellum, inked his fine brush, titled the paper Aye Symmery ovf the City-State ovf Midian for Hygh Achci Cyrus, and calmly began to write a work of complete and utter fiction.

[[One week later, this letter is sent out. Lady Cyrus' response would be about thirty pages long, but I'm going to just give excerpts.]]


Blessings of the Green Earth upon you Haziri, upon Midian, and upon her people. May she be the city that stands against a thousand years, whose walls never fall to the unclean, and whose people's song reach even to the furthest star.

I am Cyrus, born first daughter of House Bleeding-Jaguar, appointed High Achci by the Tower of Dawn, and blessed to be a priestess of the Emerald Mother, called Minyain, Gaia, Tergenia, Teheran, and Protametre. Within this letter, I have placed the basics of Kesshite's many religions for your pleasure and education. May these words be my gift to you and may it be the first link of a silver chain forged between our nations.

<snip>

Kesshite is a land of a thousand-and-one spirits. From the day she was raised from the sea, this land has welcomed all peoples seeking sanctuary and each people have brought with them their gods and worship. These religions are broken into six groups: The Old Ones, The Living Gods, The One, The Thousand Spirits, and The Endless. Though certain cultures, races, regions, and bloodlines (or ethnic groups as they're called outside) within Kesshite may favor a pantheon from one of these groups, few outside of the religious caste understand the history of the various religions, their assorted pantheons, and the differences between these groups.

The majority of Kesshite's people worship pantheons from within The Living Gods group and of these, the worship of the Emerald Mother and her consort are foremost in their hearts and government. The prophetess Deride, our first Jade Inhi, brought the worship of the Emerald Mother to Kesshite.

<snip>

…called simply The Goddess. Her worshippers invaded our shores over a thousand years ago murdered all who would not convert to her worship. They believed it was their holy duty to spread The Light and eventually established a large foothold in our southernmost region. They were like a golden tide washing forward over the land over the course of three years, their religion fever mixed with their greed for our rich land pushing them forward.

This lasted until they reached the Yuni, the deep, swamp forest of the Anselu, or yautqaitl, or wood people. As they were, and for the most part still are, a group of primitive tribes, they had little defense against the Goddess Worshipers' war machines. However, as the Anselu intermingled with them, virulent plagues began to travel through the Goddess Worshipers' cities.

Six out of every ten died while those who did not die became so weak they could hardly lift sword. The land was soon reclaimed but a few of their descendents still occupy the southern region and worship their Goddess of Light.

<snip>

… only fragments remain.

Their scriptures say that in the time before time, the old gods and their demon brethren fought a war and the demons cast down and killed the gods. In the age that followed, a warrior turned poet named Vith-Amon was the first IIuman to ascended to godhood. Ma’alot was an Oruk that sided with the demons in their war of ascension. After the war, he declared himself lord of the earth and reigned for a thousand years. He subsisted only on the flesh of his fellows and at the end of his reign was rewarded by his masters with godhood…

<snip>


…set fire to the church. This was due to a misunderstanding over the terms "drinking the blood" and "eating the flesh," which I am to understand is metaphoric as they instead imbibe wine and bread. While it's not surprising that this group is sensitive to what they perceive as cannibalism, the law was forced to find several Daena religious leaders guilty of deliberate arson and they are currently serving time. As such, tensions between the Daena and Christians in the region are enormous.

<snip>

I have sent with this letter a copy of Caichih Tlainauh inco Axpatla, or Word of the Emerald Mother. This is one of the first fifty copies in English, so please forgive any errors.

Cyrus


((OOC: Was that what you were looking for?))
Midian State
15-01-2007, 07:35
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Official Inquiry to the Government of Kesshite

The Potentate and the Sanhedrin would like to thank Lady Cyrus for the provided information and all of those who helped her in her gathering of information for a nation at such a far-flung place on Earth. The Faith, the Sanhedrin, the Acolytes, and the various Servitors to Those Who Dwell Beyond and the Great Old Ones, would like to thank the Nation of Kesshite for such information about her culture and tradition.

We hope this will be the first of many letters of correspondence between our two countries - both of which have suffered under the boot of Abhramic fundamentalism and political idolatry. Thus, in an attempt to educate the Kesshite people of our culture, the Sanhedrin is wishing to open an “Old Ways monastic institute” - or monastery - in your nation. With the dawning of the new era and the birth of global communications, the Faith has once again began to grip the world in its ways. The Old Ways are once again being taught to young children, the youthful, and even the aged. Thus, if it is to be the will of the Kesshite government, we hope that a monastery of our Faith could be constructed in a remote - yet accessible - region of your country.

Blessed are those that follow the Old Ways and bow before the Dreaded Daemon Emir.

Sincerely,
Haziri
Secretarial Hierophant of Midian and the Faith

(OOC: That's exactly what I wanted. If you happen to have MSN or AIM, could you telegram me with your buddy-name/MSN-name? I think Midian and Kesshite should open more relations.)
Kesshite
16-01-2007, 08:44
It would be my honor and my pleasure to open Kesshite to one of your monasteries. There are a number of locations I believe you would find suitably remote yet accessible to those who desired to make contact with you. However, before I send a list of possible locations, I would need more specifics.

To what extent are your monasteries self-sufficient? Within many provinces, the governing ztomyno provides religious orders with their basic needs in exchange for the order's willingness to educate and provide medical services for the surrounding area. There are monasteries that are currently abandoned and could be renovated for your use, or a new monastery could be built to your specifications.

Cyrus


((OOC: I've added you to my buddy list and am TGing you my AIM. I'm rarely on so if you want to chat, you'll have to pick a time.))
Midian State
16-01-2007, 22:37
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/7468/midianstateflagmedar0.png
Official Inquiry to the Government of Kesshite

The Faith thanks you for your cooperation, and would like to state that a previously constructed monastery will do fine - so long as we can renovate. We are also willing to educate the surrounding areas and offer medical aide if necessary.

Once again, we thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,
Haziri
Secretarial Hierophant of Midian and the Faith
ElectronX
17-01-2007, 04:49
OOC: Nice factbook. I tried dabbling in magic once, but damn if I don't have the time between a half-dozen nations.
Kesshite
19-01-2007, 01:29
((It has its pleasures though integrating it into the majority of NS roleplaying can be difficult.))