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: Shestas, Telyuas, Sheushirbas. Literally meaning: Stability, Submission, Volition. They form the foundation of all political decisions made by the government. However, the cycles are not regarded equally. Sheushirbas (Volition) is considered the ultimate goal of the Um-Ulum state. Shestas (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 important aspect of Um-Ulum philosophy, is the strive for an homogenous world. Ulum is seen as being everything everywhere. is the mixing of population. This is considered important because
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. 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.
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 Sestasheren 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 Sestasheren 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, Sestasheren 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 Sestasheren 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.
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 all 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
- Admiral of Narevet
- High Warden of Um
- Marshal of the Armies
- Governor of the Lartemun
- Governor of the Lazemun
- Governor of the Mountains
- Keeper of the Forest
- Keeper of the Treasure
- Keeper of Justice
- Keeper of Sestasheren
- Keeper of Knowledge
- Great Cycles Historian
- Great Waymaster
- Archimage of Farex
- Archimage of Ulum
- Great Ambassador of Um-Ulum
- Chancellor of Unity
- Chancellor of Peace
- Chancellor of Uniformity
History
The Um-Ulum state took origin 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 Magocrac. 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. 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, being named 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 Army of Um (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.
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, saw 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, city 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, the 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.
Um-Ulum was at peace, until 3437, when it conquered Narevet and the Pulvur Kingdomin 3451. 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. This rebellion prompted a restructoration of the government and the military with the Growth Reform. 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.
