The land of Ehris: Ehrisian Society

Ehrisian society refers to the general populace of the land. Unless otherwise stated, it excludes the ruling factions of the world (Dom’ae, Templars, H'landaaran Protectorate and the Queen).

Ehrisian society is stagnant, suffused with immutable tradition and a religious canon that borders on vassalage. The people of Ehris live their lives according to the mandates of the Arlith. From the time they are born they are taught to fear the world in which they live, and to embrace the one thing that can save them — Law. The Great Doctrines establish the tenets that need to be followed in order to survive the brutality of the world.

Such an existence exacts a heavy toll on society. Isolation, distrust and betrayal have become commonplace among the people of Ehris. They have lived in a constant state of fear for so long that they do no know anything else. The smallest offense to the established rituals, the slightest hint of anything but complete devotion to the Arlith and its teachings is unforgivable. Adherence to the laws of the Great Doctrines is a matter of survival; if even one person deviates the results could be catastrophic.

The people of Ehris are in a constant state of rebuilding. In any given era, the first few periods are spent reconstructing what was destroyed during the last Nhal’riun. The latter periods are spent preparing for the coming Nhal’riun. The people of Ehris are forced to witness the destruction of their accomplishments time and again, having no recourse but to salvage the tatters of their lives and start over. Ritual provides a way for the people of Ehris to cope with their continual loss in an unforgiving world.

The Ehrisian people are enshrouded by ritual. Their daily lives are filled with devotion to the Arlith, and preparation for Nhal’riun. There exist many forms of rituals on Ehris, from simple daily prayers to the Arlith to massive worldwide events like the Great Migration. These rituals establish order in a world of chaos, and they keep people on the path of righteousness in the eyes of the Arlith. The keepers of the rituals are the Ærium, the Templars, and the enforcers of the rituals are the Dom’ae.

Ehrisian society is primitive.
Ehrisian society has not been given a chance to evolve, so prescribed is the way of life. The ascendancy that the people of Ehris are subjected to, coupled with the continual state of survival they are forced to live in, causes them to relive events over and over. Change is a concept that many on Ehris do not even know the meaning of.

The only cities that can be found on Ehris are those that are protected by the Queen. A few towns can be found here and there throughout the land, but they are few and far between. Most settlements do not last long enough to be of the size necessary to be considered a town.

All learning, adaptation and evolution came to a halt log ago. There has been no technological progress for millennia. The raw materials used by the people of Ehris are ephemeral, nothing more advanced than stone. Often, simpler materials are preferred because they are easier to rebuild. Not much time is spent looking for better ways to do things, or more permanent means of working with materials. Houses, when built, are simple and plain made mostly out of wood and thatch. The tools and materials used by the inhabitants of Ehris are always handmade and only when there is need.

Ehrisian society is socialistic.
The Queen controls the Ehrisian economy, with goods and services provided by the government in a manner deemed fitting by the ruling classes. Everything the people of Ehris need is provided for them. Trading and bartering is allowed to better disseminate the goods among the people, but this trading is almost always local as travel between provinces is rarely done and never consistent.