Elloria

Life in Elloria revolves around a few simple facts. The lifeblood of this nation is a mix of merchants and religion, caravans and holy men. In some ways the most liberal of societies in Darisia and in other ways dangerously conservative, Elloria is an exotic land where the east meets the west in a peculiar melting pot.

Capital

Now located on the edge of the Encroaching desert, Tisbah is a large trade city of variable character. Foreigners are common in this city, and little prejudice is shown to anyone, as long as they do not cross certain boundaries (see Social Structure).

The inner city of Tisbah is a section separated by walls and gates. It is here that the Holy Order of the Stars and the government of the nation have their home. The streets of this section are patrolled by the Shissewea or Holy Guard, making it an unpopular place to be for those without reason to be there.

Social Structure

This trade nation has a very open and accepting view of outsiders, due in equal parts to their religious beliefs and the fact that the constant merchant traffic has innurred them to the differences between people.

The one thing that is likely to offend a person in this nation is to imply that your beliefs are better or more correct in any way than the beliefs of another person. To the average Ellorian truth is a completely relative thing and one persons views are as valid as any other persons. What matters most is being true to one's self.

Among those who live here status is almost completely based upon wealth. Professions are looked down upon because of the relative lack of wealth of their practitioners, and not for any moral or religious reason. The only mitigating factor in this wealth makes right society is the Holy Order of the Stars, which might be because the Holy Order controls all wealth in the nation, able to take or give at any moment.

For this reason holy men, the particularly devout, and priests of all sorts are treated with utmost respect, and occasionally even worshipped themselves. Even people who would be spit upon in other countries are treated with at least passing respect here. The possibility that any person you meet might be worthy of worship has led to an extraordinarily tolerant society. The usual fawning and grovelling occurs before the obviously wealthy and powerful, but the spurning so common of the poor or the weak is much subdued. Scorn and disfavor are carried on much more subtle strings in this nation.

Political Structure

The Holy Order of the Stars is the political structure of Elloria. The High Pontiff of the Order, the Malleusseate, is King and High Priest and his decision is final on all matters. At the practical level most decisions are made by the Conclave, the close advisors of the Malleusseate. In true Ellorian form, there is a constant power struggle within the Conclave, and political infighting is expected as long as it does not spill over in such a way as to affect the power of the Conclave over the nation in general.

The Shissewea are the strong arm of the Conclave, and these priests of the law stand supreme over most any person they meet within the borders of the country, making them highly feared. The conclave also appoints other priests to carry out a variety of functions. Some act as clerks while others have truly religious jobs.

Religion

The Holy Order of the Stars is a strange and inclusive religion. The Doctrine of Transferrance stands central to their beliefs. This doctrine holds that one need not worry about worshipping the "correct" being. Rather, one need only make sure that there is a "line of transferrence between oneself and the true god or gods.

A line of transferrence is merely a chain of worship. If a common man worships a priest and this priest worships the Malleuseate and the Malleuseate in turn worships a divine being which worships the true god or gods then everyone one in the line will be "within the divine good will."

In practice the Holy Order of the Stars is large and varied. The Malleusseate and the Conclave appoint many priests to many duties, praying to many different gods, spirits, and idols, as well as creating great works of art and other less spiritual tasks.

Economics

Elloria has few products of its own that are highly valuable. There are some stone and lumber sources to the northeast, but for the most part Elloria survives on trade between Darisia and the East, to which it is the only portal.

The standard currency of Elloria is the Mallus. Bearing the image of the current Mallusseate, this large silver coin has the same weight as a Shurran, but the edges are smooth, not knurled. Because of this many merchants take to shaving the edges of the coin, causing it to weigh less than it should. Because of this merchants who do not have scales handy typically discount the Mallus about 50%, though this amount varies greatly.

The only smaller currency is the Beshit, a medium sized brass coin worth a hundreth of a Mallus.

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