Um-Ulum State

The Um-Ulum State, was a meritocratic oligarchy ruling over the north-western part of Miaotir. It was founded in 3280 AA, after the Council of Mastavimmia that laid foundations for its organisation and political structure.

Um-Ulum
Official Name	Gresin Um-Ulum Varaits (Rule of Ulum over all People and the Forest)
Capital	Mastavimmia(3280-3653) Eptulum(3653-3711) Ummastum(3711-...)
Official language
	Arnisium
Government
	Meritocratic Oligarchy
Religion
Miaopiaoism	Ulum Fundamentalism
Currency
	Copper Tridisc

Timeline

Society and Government

Philosophy

Um-Ulum was founded on a unique set of principles, the foremost being the cyclical nature of time. Time is seen as an ever-repeating sequence of three distinct cycles. This philosophy called Ulumset. Even if in the early days Ulum was seen as a divinity, after 3711 it was more seen as the universe in its globality. At key junctures, choices can be made to guide time into one of these cycles, influencing the path forward. The three cycles are commonly referred to as: Sheushirbas, Telyuas, Shestas. Literally meaning: Stability, Submission, Volition. They form the foundation of all political decisions made by the government. However, the cycles are not regarded equally. Shestas(Volition) is considered the ultimate goal of the Um-Ulum state. Sheushirbas(Stability) is viewed as a compromise and an acceptable outcome, while Telyuas (Submission) is seen as undesirable and to be avoided no matter what.

Another key tenet of Um-Ulum philosophy is the pursuit of a homogeneous world, as Eternal Shestas is believed to be attainable only when everyone follows a unified will. To achieve this, three guiding principles—Unity, Peace, and Uniformity—were established. It was decided that the most effective way to uphold these principles was through a strong government, a shared culture, and a mixed population. This mixing of people stemmed from the fact that Um-Ulum was founded by those freed from the rule of the Magocracies, whose rigid hereditary systems had caused countless wars throughout history. As a result, personal ownership and inheritance were seen as unjust and divisive, and were minimized in Um-Ulum society.

Umimi

After the treaty of Mastavimmia in 3280, Ilummia and high rankings officials wrote a set of laws to create a state that followed the will of Ulum. This meant ensuring constant mixing in the population and a fair meritocratic system. The first action was (forcefully)separating and equally distributing the native and settled populations, throughout the land secured by Ilumma. The land was then split in Umimi and the central rule was given to the Ilummian Elite. These communities acted as semi-independent, however they had to pay a tax to the central government and were most frequently highly specialized. Some Umimi had a special status: Mages, Government, Military, Academies and Merchants. Different large reforms were taken between 3280 and 3711. The Um-Ulum state adopted a stable structure, described here.

Every adult citizen of an Umimi had an assigned profession. This profession was assigned at the moment of integrating the Umimi. It could only rarely be changed afterwards, most commonly after an accident. However this role in the Umimi was usually not extremely specific and one individual could do very different tasks while maintaining his profession. For example somebody could choose the "Food Production" profession; and could farm, cook, hunt... To organize this most Umimi were organized in groups of the same profession (Treuveurmi). These groups usually chose a representative (Liretifer) based on merit or with an election. The representatives, composed the Umimi Council (Leusimimi). The Leusimimi, decided the production objectives of each Treveurmi and held absolute judicial power over the Umimi citizens and anyone passing through the Umimi territory. The Leusimimi also directly oversaw commerce with other Umimi and merchants. All currency was held collectively by the Umimi and the Leusimimi decided how to spend it. Members of the Merchant Umimi, were the only individuals that could hold currency and exchange goods between Umimi and with other nations. The bigger Umimi had fixed positions to assist the Leusimimi, mainly to help in the accounting, communication and logistics. Contrary to the central government, any decision made by the Leusimimi could be challenged by a majority vote of all the Umimi citizens.

In the Umimi, people usually lived alone or in seasonal couples. Housing was standardized in most Umimi (but not between them). In general, most services were communal. There were assigned professions to prepare food, wash clothes... Each Umimi had at least a Caretaking House, where children were raised. The Caretakers who worked there as a fixed position, raised and schooled them. After the age of 11, children who were judged adept enough, could go live and work outside the Caretaking House. However they weren't required to do so (in most cases). By law the Umimi had to educate every child in fundamental knowledge. This was provided by a set of books issued to each Umimi by the state. It's contents focused in writing, basic math and the history of the Um-Ulum state.

Upon reaching the age of 20, the young inhabitants of each Umimi were required to leave it (they were called Sestasher). They took on a journey to find their new (and permanent) Umimi; in most cases they departed on the first day of spring. All the Sestasher from a same Umimi traveled together (for at least a year). They traveled flying from Umimi to Umimi where they were given hospitality. When they arrived in a Umimi they could try to integrate, by choosing a profession and by participating in some challenges. These challenges (called Nulievarin) varied between Umimi and profession. Only the best from each Sestasher group was taken in the Umimi, the Nulievarin can be tried every three years inside each Umimi. Academy-Umimi were located throughout the territory. There, Sestasher could be integrated for a three year period, during which time they trained to pass the Nulievarin for the most prestigious Umimi professions. Everyone could be a Sestasher for a maximum of 9 years, afterwards if they weren't accepted in any Umimi they were integrated by default to the Military or Merchant Umimi.

The Academy Umimi, in addition to their education role, also served to create and share knowledge between Umimi. Any inhabitant of an Umimi, could (no more than once a year) go to the nearest Academy Umimi to communicate any progress or newly acquired knowledge. Moreover, if an innovation was decided to be important enough for the state, the person having brought it, could be asked to stay in the Academy to develop it. The highest status int the Academies were the "Pseuyer", they led the education of the Sestasher, the transmission of knowledge and the integration of advancements to all the Um-Ulum State. The Nielivarin for Pseuyer could be taken by anyone passing in the Academy, even if they were citizens of another Umimi. The Academy Umimi also supplied the Umimi with specialized labor for emergencies, construction, planning (the Military Umimi could also give such services); these people usually lived in the destination Umimi for some months to help with the problem and then returned to the Academy. However in some cases they could be stationed for longer periods of times, for example architects and engineers, when new Umimi were built. The Mages Umimi, functioned in a similar way that the Academy Umimi. There were only two of such Umimi, one in Palfion and one in Farexum (moved there from Mastavimmia in 3654). Both were led by their respective Archimage.

Government

The Government Umimi, called Ashe-Sumneimimi, was composed of a variable number of lower functionaries (Ashsash) that acted as counselors, and the Ilummian Elite (Ashe-Ilummin) that held the power. The Ilummian Elite was composed of 23 members, at the beginnings of the Um State, no fixed roles were assigned, however during the centuries that followed each one of the 23 had specific responsibilities that would be passed to his successor. The Ashe-Ilummin, contrary to most other roles in Um-Ulum society, could be joined even after one was already a member of another Umimi. To join it, any Um citizen could challenge an Ashe-Ilummin for his post. The Nulievarin for these titles varied across the centuries. After 4000, it consisted first in a series of advanced knowledge tests followed by a test of physical aptitude. After these screening trials, the true test began. First, with a competition between the claimant and holder, using skills relevant to the role. Afterwards, the holder and claimant fought to the death/surrender, the winner taking the post. In the case of surrender, the loser usually became an Ashsash.

In 4000 the 23 Ashe-Ilummin titles were:

• Admiral of Palfion : controlled the fleet of the Tmia Ocean
• Admiral of Narevet: controlled the fleet of the Gelid Sea
• High Warden of Um: responsible of the interior security of Um-Ulum, led the Military Umimi with the Marshal of the Armies
• Marshal of the Armies: responsible of the expansion and exterior security of Um-Ulum
• Governor of the Lartemun: led the Umimi in the Lartemun province
• Governor of the Lazemun: led the Umimi in the Lazemun province
• Governor of the Mountains: led the eastern Umimi
• Keeper of the Forest: managed the Dark Forest and all natural resources
• Keeper of the Treasure: managed the economy, had right to order the displacement of funds from any Umimi to another
• Keeper of Justice: managed disputes between Umimi, or inside the Ashe-Ilummin
• Keeper of Sestasher: managed the movements of the Sestasher
• Keeper of Knowledge: managed all the Academy Umimi and centralized knowledge in the capital's library
• Great Cycles Historian: studied history and the cycles, was responsible to determine the current cycle
• Great Waymaster: managed the Merchant Umimi, was responsible of the roads
• Archimage of Farex
• Archimage of Ulum
• Great Ambassador of Um-Ulum: responsible of exterior diplomatic relations
• Chancellor of Unity: responsible of the cohesion of all Umimi
• Chancellor of Peace: responsible of the interior and exterior Peace
• Chancellor of Uniformity: responsible of uniformity of culture and traditions between all Umimi

History

First Shestas (3278-3317)

The events that brought to existence the Um-Ulum began in the Atmian Islands. In this archipelago, the Magocracy of Palfion ruled until 3278. It had direct power only on the islands, however its fleet was second only to the Amestin and Malacin Empires. It was also joined to the fleet of the Melmu Magocracy. Which fled to the Atmian Islands, after the Urris Magocracy conquered southern Gram in 3277. In 3278, the priests of Ulum staged a revolt against the archimage, beginning the Palfion Magomachy. During the revolt, Ilumma a ship captain, took control of the fleet; helping the priests. After the Archimage had been subdued, Ilumma imposed himself as the ruler of the Atmian Islands. A replacement for the Archimage of Palfion was also chosen, who was renamed Archimage of Ulum. Ilumma had been a fervent follower of Ulum and sought to to unite all its followers. With the priests of Ulum, they devised a plan to obtain a new territory to rule under the name of Ulum. They chose the Dark Forest (north western Miaotir) as their destination. Because, Farex the divinity of the forest shared a close connection with Ulum in their beliefs; moreover Farex being the divinity Support it was believed the Dark Forest was the perfect place to establish a nation. Another factor for this choice was the dacadent state of the Mulmac Magocracy and the weak Archimage that was in power. After the preparations had been made, part of the fleet of Palfion set sail towards southern Mimia. There, part the Safmi tribes (who followed Ulum), where taken aboard. The fleet then sailed North to the territories of the True Muccin tribes. Some of which where recently converted to the cult of Ulum. There they were joined by the rest of the fleet carrying refugees from southern Gram in 3279. Ilumma organized the allied tribes, creating the Um Army (literrally army of the people). Some time after, the Archimage of Ulum killed the Archimage of Muludin. Thanks to this, the troops guided by Ilumma quickly conquered the Mulmac Magocracy and the northern Amast principality. After the war, in 3280, the main leaders discussed the organization of the new Um-Ulum state; during the Council of Mastavimmia. This council led the foundations for the organization of the Um-Ulum State.

In the same year the Um-Ulum chosen successor to the Archimage of Muludin, discovered the research on the Dark Forest made by the Archimages of Muludin, subsequently he was named Archimage of Farex. With the help of this newfound knowledge the Um-Ulum State quickly subjugated the Lisgao kingdom (3285), the Varast principality (3287) and conquered part of the Mulbur and Nivom kingdoms in 3307. In the following years Um-Ulum continued the offensive towards the Umii Mountains Reigns, conquering the Duchy of Irist in 3316.

First Telyuas (3317-3370)

However Um-Ulum could not control the territories of Irist, the population hid in the mountains and raided the Um-Ulum outposts. This triggered the first Um-Miao war in 3317, won by the Miao Empire in 3320. The Second Um-Miao war, started in 3328, the Um advanced to Nadimmia but could only hold the territories behind the mountains in 3333. The third Um-Miao war, starting in 3340, the Miao Empire lost Cltrip to Um-Ulum, but won part of the territories beyond the mountains (Vurtis, Nipris, Muludin). The war ended in 3349 with the treaty of Muludin in 3349. Um-Ulum could not effectively control Cltrip with its weakened armies, Um-Ulum effectively reorganized the Cltrip territories in accordance with its law. However Cltrip had made a deal with Um-Ulum. The city gave its territories to Um-Ulum, but kept its independence under an Oligarchy. In spite of this, in 3364, Um-Ulum decided to take the city under its control, but was unable to do so. Cltrip stayed in a state of siege, because Irpidir fleet blocked Um-Ulum access to the bay of Cltrip. Thus Cltrip was still free to trade. This is until 3370 when Cltrip Oligarchy was conquered by Irpidir Principality. Irpidir also took back parts of Cltrip territory from Um.

First Sheushirbas (3370-3437)

In the period of peace that followed the first Academy Umimi were created, in response to the technological lag that caused the loss of the previous conflicts.

Second Shestas (3437-3451)

In 3437, Um-Ulum conquered Narevet and the Pulvur Kingdomin 3451. Expanding its territories and population.

Second Telyuas (3451-3472)

These northern territories were particularly difficult to hold for Um-Ulum. The local population were, as always, dispatched in Umimi throughout the country. However, they were still able to organise. This rebels helped indirectly by the Cltrip Principality and the Miao Empire were able to enter in Mastavimmia. However the government was still able to raise an army and by 3472 the rebels were subjugated.

Third Shestas (3472-3625)

This rebellion prompted a renovation of the government and the military with the Growth Reform in 3472. Most importantly the strategy to annex new territories to Um-Ulum was changed. A transition phase was created, when the new peoples adopted the Ullum ways. While staying in their territories, being able to have some independence. These were called the Growing Regions, the government decided when these liberties were no more necessary. Using this strategy Um was able to expand even more North. In 3610 Um-Ulum invaded the Solov Principality, starting the fourth Um-Miao war, the Um armies burned the city of Solov. They then proceeded South conquering the capital of the Miao Empire, Miaftri, and sacrificing the Emperor to Ulum in 3611.

Third Telyuas (3625-3651)

In 3625 Um-Ulum clashed in Limidmiao with Cltrip and Amestin armies, who had conquered the south-eastern Miao Empire. Following this the Miao empire was able to push them back behind the mountains in 3634.

Fourth Shestas (3651-3653)

The fifth Um-Miao war started when the Miao Empire started raiding Um-Ulum northern coast, triggering another invasion by Um-Ulum in 3651. In 3653 the Ashe-Ilummin reformed the state philosophy. It announced that Ulum was not to be considered a divinity and its worship was useless. It also officially declared that Altam texts were only legends and not to be considered in any decision. Lastly it stated that the cycles could only be decided by state decisions. The capital was moved to Eptulum. These decision were prompted by the fact that the sacrifice of the Miao Emperor was seen as the tipping point between the third Shestas and the Third Telyuas. The Emperor having been sacrified by the the Um Army in a frenzy after their victory, and in the name of Ulum.

Fourth Telyuas (3653-3675)

The reform generated some discontent in the armies, this helped the Miao (allied with Lompuxiao) to stop the Um-Ulum advance. However the war still lasted until 3675 when Um-Ulum was completely pushed back and Miaftri took back all its territories while also conquering others.

Second Sheushirbas (3675-3752)

Um-Ulum was mostly at peace between 3675 and 3752. It also made its first trade treaties with the Miaolti Republic (Two Ocean Trading Company) and the Gram Republic. It also (mostly) peacefully annexed some northern tribes. In 3711, the Ashe Reform made some changes to the central government institutions. A new capital, called Ummastum was built. The Academies were also reorganized and more were built across the Um-Ulum territories. The road network was expanded and paved. These changes facilitated cultural and material exchanges between Umimi.

Fifth Shestas (3752-3760)

In 3752 the Miao Empire attacked Um-Ulum, starting the sixth Um-Miao war, however they were pushed back. Um-Ulum took back Narevet and pushed east until the mountains in 3754. In 3759 Um also took part of the northern Cltrip principality. The war ended in 3760 when a peace treaty was signed with the Miao Empire.

Third Sheushirbas (3760-?)

Fearing another Telyuas the Ashe-Ilummin signed the Peace of Urris in 3796, as most nations. The peace of Urris lasted until the year 4000. However even during The Two Year Winter, the Um-Ulum state globally was thriving, thanks to its organization and excellent logistics. During these times a lot of tribes of the Umar mountains migrated South and were integrated in Um-Ulum.