Archive:Laefevia

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Laefevia
Flag of Laefevia Coat of arms of Laefevia
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Template:Laefevian (Wáittara mihhéleu!)
‘Dream infinity!’
Anthem: Template:Laefevian (Jômalind)
‘Mountains' voice’
Location of Laefevia (dark green) on Ešgal.
CapitalSolténna
Largest city Nóminjel
Official languages Laefêvëši
Regional languages Irǧeret, Gathrírn, Gutiskar, Saitlaa, Settaka, Tainiren
Minority languages Edievian, Nithalos, Xynder
Demonym Laefevian / Laefêvëši
Government Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
 -  Empress Aurôlind Êriasont
 -  Grand Chancellors Hjakkusi Eredinin, Wanáoin Ešírinirnē
 -  Wise Chancellors Réðálf Mérvígsun, Vallínd Iskârinirnē
 -  Archchancellor Hwemni Lathor
Legislature Imperial Dyad
Area
 -  Total 2,008,752 km2
775,583 sq mi
 -  Mainland 1,885,361 km2 (727,942 sq mi)
 -  Oversea Territories (total) 123,391 km2 (47,642 sq mi)
Population
 -  2015 census 175,733,627
 -  Density 87.48/km2
226.6/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2015 estimate
 -  Total $9.148 trillion
 -  Per capita 52,056
GDP (nominal) 2015 estimate
 -  Total $9.91 trillion
 -  Per capita 56,392
Gini (2013)20.3
low
HDI (2013)0.989
very high
Currency Laefevian sênam (ß) (SEN)
Date format dd.mm.yyyy
Drives on the left
Calling code +21
Internet TLD lf

Laefevia, (English pronunciation: /ˌl.əˈfɛviə/ or /lˈfviə/; Laefêvëši: Template:Laefevian Laefêvitti [laeˈfɛːʋitːi]), is a nation on Ešgal (Sahar), located on the continent of Miraria. Part of the country leis on the Isthmus of Meliku on the Šarkunen peninsula. Laefevia borders on several countries; on land it borders on Edievia, Hux Kham, Nithalosia, Riyana, Suenia and Yerlan; and on sea it borders on Sanpo, Vemou and Xynderland. The country is among the most technologically advanced countries, and ranks as one of the richest countries on Ešgal. Laefevia is also a member of the Šarkunen cultural and historical region, and is a member of the Union of Šarkunen Nations (UŠN), along with other Šarkunen countries. As a result of its history and location, there are more than ten languages spoken in Laefevia, six of which are recognised regional languages - thus multilingualism is a major part of the education system, and most Laefevians are fluent in at least three languages.

Laefevia is divided into Laefevia Mainland and four Oversea Territories: Kunnordia, Sivrekia, Tairryria and Ostillia. The first two of the Oversea Territories are inhabited while the last two are intended for research (they are polar territories).

Etymology

The native name of the country, Laefêvitti, is composed of two parts: the stem laefêv(i)- and the suffix -(i)tti. The suffix is used to indicate the name of a country, so it can be translated as “country” or “land” (the actual Laefevian words are šaíz and tjêr, respectively, and it is plausible that the suffix is derived from the latter). The first part of the name, laefêv(i)- is a compound by itself, namely from the word illáef “element” and [to come soon lol gotta find the notes]

History

Prehistory

The area of present-day Laefevia has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with central Laefevia (Irrésken Province) being the most important part, thanks to its low elevation, flat area and abundance of water (lakes and rivers). Evidence from excavations indicates that nomadic modern human hunter-gatherers settled in central Laefevia around 110,000 years ago.

Agricultural revolution

Around 9,000 years ago (approximately 7,000 BCE), the cultures living on the Greenwater Plain (Laefêvëši: Skauáili igés) along the rivers and lakes in central Laefevia transitioned from a hunter-gatherer society to an agricultural society - an event generally referred to as the Šarkunen Agricultural Revolution. From here on, agriculture slowly spread throughout the Šarkunen Peninsula and other nearby areas in Miraria. The first domesticated plants were emmer, einkorn, and barley.

First cultures

File:Vihtibili pottery.jpg
A red pot from the Vîhtib culture.

The 8th millennium BCE is the time when the first permanent settlements appeared on the Greenwater Plain. Several distinct cultures seem to have been present on the plain between approximately 7,500 BCE and 6,000 BCE. The pottery excavated at various sites throughout the plain comes in a variety of different coloured patterns, although the overall style is generally the same or similar, which possibly indicates a larger macro-culture that diversified into several smaller cultures. The macro-culture is often referred to as the Vîhtib culture (Laefêvëši: Vîhtibili jibíhd).

A smaller climate change seems to have taken place during the 6th millennium, consisting of two phases. The first phase is characterised by reduced rainfall between 6,000 BCE and 5,400 BCE. During this period, several long-lasting droughts took place, and the settlements moved closer to the rivers and lakes. Many settlements farther away from the main sources of water were abandoned, and remnants of possible early small-scale irrigation systems have been discovered as well. The overall population dwindled, and pottery remnants became scarce.

The second phase began sometime between 5,400 BCE and 5,350 BCE, and ended around 5000 BCE. It is characterised by a quick reversal of the climate conditions in the region; the persistent dry climate quickly became wetter as more rain started to fall in the Greenwater Plain and the surrounding areas. Since the weather conditions changed so rapidly over a geologically short period of time, the population decreased even further. This is attributed to increased rainfall, which caused crops to fail. Settlements moved farther away from the rivers, which may have flooded up to several times per year, thus reducing the habitability in the immediate vicinity of the rivers. Another cause for the decrease of the population can also be attributed to disease. Analyses of bones excavated from the graves around permanent settlements indicate shorter lifespan and an increase of various chronic diseases. Several communities seem to have practically disappeared, and pottery fragments became almost non-existent by the end of the 6th millennium.

File:Asadra pottery.jpg
A plate from the Asádra culture.

Once the climate became stable again, agriculture resumed and by 4,900 BCE the population mostly recovered. Around the same time, a new pottery style emerged, which is attributed to a new culture, as well as extensive cultivation of millet. The culture is referred to as the Asádra culture (Laefêvëši: Asádraili jubíhd), after the city of Asádra where it was first discovered. The northern Greenwater Plain, along the southern coast of Lake Altái (Laefêvëši: Altáili jêrs), is believed to be the origin of this culture, which gradually spread southward and by at least 4,600 BCE, the culture dominated the plain.

File:Yttysk pottery.jpg
Distinctly painted pottery jug from the Yttýsk culture.

Distinctly painted pottery appeared along the western coast of Lake Yttýsk (Laefêvëši: Yttýskili jêrs) in the Munkéd Plain (Laefêvëši: Munkédili igés) around 3,900 BCE, belonging to the Yttýsk culture (Laefêvëši: Yttýskili jubíhd). The distinct style of its pottery quickly spread throughout the plain, becoming the most important culture in the plain within a century or two. Additionally, Yttýsk pottery has been found in sites belonging to the Asádra culture, and vice versa, indicating a well-developed trade between the two cultures.

Both cultures came to an end sometime between 3,400 and 3,200 BCE. Pottery items from both cultures dropped significantly, and the cause of that is currently unknown. Analyses of lakebed sediments from the Greenwater Plain and the Munkéd Plain show pollen changes, indicating a possible climate change affecting the areas. Many settlements show sings of fire, and appear to be have become abandoned after that. A well-supported theory currently is that the changes were caused by the arrival of a people or peoples from Miraria's inland, which was possibly triggered by climate change. Another competing theory is that with the growing number of permanent settlements in the plains, along with a slight shift to a drier climate, some of the cultures began attacking other nearby cultures for resources, which escalated and spread throughout the region. A third theory is currently on the rise, which claims that the changes were caused by both internal strife between the settlements and arrival of a people from north-east.

Nonetheless, the inhabitants of the plains quickly recovered, and by 3,100 BCE, new kinds of pottery emerged, as well as first items made of bronze.

Early city-states

Pre-dynastic period

Early Dynastic period

Old Dynastic period

Middle Dynastic period

Late Dynastic period

Republic of Laefevia

Meritocracy of Laefevia

Modern history

Geography

Geology

Lakes and rives

File:Laefevian Hydronymy 01.png
Major lakes in Laefevia, along with names of the surrounding seas and bays.

Laefevia has a fair number of big lakes. The biggest lake is Lake Yttýsk (Yttýskili jêrs), not counting Lake Altái (Altáili jêrs) since it is shared with Hux Kham and ?. Three other lakes are shared with Riyana: Lake Kíggičin (Kíggičinli jêrs), Lake Tônčin (Tônčinili jêrs), and Lake Peícus (Peícusili jêrs). Most of the lakes are located in the Greenwater Plain (Skauáili igés) and the Munkéd Plain (Munkédili igés).

Climate

The climate of Laefevia is diverse since the country is rather stretched. It ranges from warm sub-Mediterranean climate along the coasts of the Várta Sea and Árkilta Sea, and oceanic in western Laefevia, to continental in the majority of the continental part of the country, with mountain climate in highly elevated areas.

Biodiversity

Politics

Government

File:Aurolind Empress.jpg
Aurôlind Êriasont, the Laefevian empress.

Laefevia is a constitutional monarchy with the empress Aurôlind Êriasont (full name: Template:Laefevian Aurôlind Êriasont Saltíndirsent Ráskirinirsent Laefêvittinli (pronounced: [au̯ˈɾɔːlind̥ ˈɛːɾi̯asont salˈtiːndiɾsent ˈɾaːskiɾiniɾsent laeˈfɛːʋitːinli])) as the head of the state. The role of the monarch (either an empress or an emperor) is mostly limited to ceremonial and representative functions, however, the monarch still has the power of veto when it comes to passing bills.

Grand Chancellors
Hjakkusi Eredinin and Wanáoin Ešírinirnē.
Wise Chancellors
Réðálf Mérvígsun and Vallínd Iskârinirnē.

The government is known as the Imperial Triad (Laefêvëši: Template:Laefevian Šáutrili ljánda), consisting of two main parts (discussed below).

Legislative power is vested in the bicameral Imperial Dyad (Laefêvëši: Template:Laefevian Šáutrili vránda). The Imperial Dyad consists of two chambers: Imperial Grand Council (IGC) (Laefêvëši: Template:Laefevian Šáutrili wámlos) and Imperial Wise Council (IWS) (Laefêvëši: Template:Laefevian Šáutrili ýmlos). The IGC consists of 40 people; 36 of which are elected representatives from each province (four per province), they are known as Provincial Representatives, and the other 4 people are called Perspectivists, who are tasked with providing a different point of view to any suggestion brought forward by the Provincial Representatives. The IWS consists of a variety of academics and experts from various fields, who provide the IGC with advice and recommendations regarding any proposed bills. Before a bill is passed, it needs to be approved by both councils.

File:Hwemni Lhathor.jpg
Archchancellor Hwemni Lathor.

Executive power is exercised by the Imperial Monad (Laefêvëši: Template:Laefevian Šáutrili sánda), which consists of the Imperial High Council (IHC) (Laefêvëši: Template:Laefevian Šáutrili dǿmlos), chaired by the empress, along with four chancellors, the latter having been elected from the Imperial Dyad councils, and known as the Grand Chancellors and the Wise Chancellors. Part of the IHC is also the Imperial Cabinet Council (ICC), which consists of ministers, who are appointed by the IHC from the members of the IWS. The IHC also has the final say in legislature - any bill, after being approves by the Imperial Dyad, is sent to the IHC, reviewed by it and then either approved or denied. The final decision is then upon the monarch, who needs to sign the bill for it to take effect. If the monarch does not agree with the bill, despite having been approved by the rest of the Imperial Triad, the monarch can veto the bill.

Laefevia is also one of the few meritocracies in the world. By that, all government positions, appointments and responsibilities are given based on demonstrated talent. The meritocratic power is exercised by the Imperial Merited Council (IMC). The IMC approves the candidates who want to become members of the IGC, and reviews applications of the candidates who want to become members of the IWC and later selects and appoints new members. The IMC is chaired by an elected arch-chancellor.

Laefevia is also a social democracy, providing free and universal welfare, healthcare and eduction.

Administrative divisions

Laefevian provinces and prefectures.
The provinces and their capitals
Laefevian prefectures.

Laefevia is divided into provinces (Laefêvëši: wíhd [ˈu̯iːxd̥], plural: wída [ˈu̯iːda], which are further divided into prefectures (nýkset [ˈnyːkset], plural nýkseta [ˈnyːkseta]), these to counties, and further into municipalities and localities.

There are nine provinces, which generally correspond to historical kingdoms. There is a total of 65 prefectures. Each province is composed of a different number of prefectures, the lowest is two prefectures per province and the highest is 17 prefectures per province.

Laefevian provinces and prefectures
Provinces Number of
prefectures
Laefevian name Native name Native script
Ajlísken 6
Gaþínnel Gathrínel 6
Gúttisel Gutiskland 4
Irrésken 17
Ixéssem Wiḫedil Irǧerenti وخدل ئرغرنت 7
Sáelkem Saitlahör 사잍짜헐 8
Séttokem Settakes 2
Taérinel Tainirenda たいにれんだ 4
Unnésken 11

Foreign relations

Laefevia upholds a defence-only policy towards conflict, meaning it holds neutral relations with almost all countries and only acts with conflict in response to a necessity for defence.

Union of Šarkunen Nations

Laefevia is one of founding nations of the Union of Šarkunen Nations (UŠN) (Laefêvëši: Šárkaerittili máenda [ˈʃaːɾkaeɾitːili ˈmaːenda]), along with Edievia, Nithalosia, Riyana, and Xynderland, in 1978. The UŠN presently consists of other members as well, namely Sanpo, Haraku, Mettat, Lesidea, Suenia, and Amerhan, and Laefevia maintains peaceful and friendly relations with all the member states.

Travelling abroad

An example of a Laefevian ID card (left: obverse, right: reverse)
An example of a Laefevian passport (left: regular, right: diplomatic)

As per the policies of the UŠN, travelling to and from its member states is free and requires only a valid national ID card. This includes the following states: Amerhan, Edievia, Haraku, Lesidea, Mettat, Nithalosia, Sanpo, Riyana, Suenia, and Xynderland.

Citizens of Lhaveres and the Fals Empire need only a valid passport to enter the country, and there is no limit to how long they can stay.

Citizens of Ammia, Yerlan, Eliposi, Tabiqa, Caelys, Algador, Nevira, Caesillania, Jute and South Jute need a valid passport to enter the country, but their stay is limited and a visa is needed after 90 days.

Citizens of Tomeria, A'i, Tuanmali, Veridia, Lons, Barradiwa, Ebo Nganagam, North Zindarr and South Zindarr, Yutte Basi, and the Lahiri Empire cannot obtain pre-applied visas before entry to Laefevia; instead, they need to apply for one at the border when entering the country. Due to the economic and political circumstances of the aforementioned countries, a medical examination is required. Should the examination produce negative results, visas will be automatically denied. If the medical examination produces positive results, applicants may proceed with their visa application. If an applicant cannot produce a valid identity document from their home country, they will be denied visa as well. Typically, a 15-day visa is issued (in special cases it can be extended to 30 days).

Citizens of Yahara and Heoroma cannot enter Laefevia.

Citizens from all other countries not mentioned beforehand are required to have a pre-applied visa, which is valid for 30 days (valid from and including the day of entry). Such visas expire within one year from the day of application.

Military

File:Military emblems Laef.png
Military emblems: navy, air-force, and ground force.

Laefevian military is used for defensive purposes only. The military consists of highly-skilled professionals and uses high technology, including drones, aeroplanes and various types of missiles, and undersea defences along its border. It is divided into three main sections: the navy, the air-force, and the ground force.

Economy

Time zones

File:Laefevian Timezones.png
Laefevian time zones: EŠT/VLJ is blue, CŠT/HLJ is green, and WŠT/SLJ is yellow.

Laefevia stretches through three times zones, which follow the provincial borders.

Time zones of Laefevia
International name Local name SCT offset Provinces
Time zone Abbreviation Time zone Abbreviation
Eastern Šarkunen Time EŠT or EST Vételaefêvili ját VLJ +1 Gútissel, Ixéssem
Central Šarkunen Time CŠT or CST Héjelaefêvili ját HLJ +0 Ajlísken, Gaþínnel, Irrésken, Unnésken
Western Šarkunen Time WŠT or WST Sálelaefêvili ját SLJ -1 Sáelkem, Séttokem, Taérinel

The local names of the time zones translate as "Eastern Laefevian Time", "Central Laefevian Time", and "Western Laefevian Time".

The prime meridian, according to which the international time zones, or the Sahar Coördinated Time, have been calculated, runs through Okállea, the capital of the Gaþínnel province.

Currency

The official currency of Laefêvia is called the Laefevian Sênam (Laefêvëši: sênam [ˈsɛːnam]). The symbol of the currency is ß or (the former is usually preferred due to coding issues with the latter symbol), and the code is SEN. The value of Sênam (against the US Dollar) is SEN 1 = USD 2.65 or USD 1 = SEN 0.38. An online currency converter is available on this page.

The Sênam is broken into 100 units called Essáms (singular: Essám) (Laefêvëši: essám [eˈsːaːm]), and the symbol used is ʃ. Natively, the Essám is delimited from the Sênam by a comma; for example, five Sênams and seven Essáms would be written as 5,07ß (the currency symbol follows the number), or as 5ß and 7ʃ. It should be noted that when only Essáms are used, they are usually written with both symbols, eg. 0,50ß would be written as 50ʃß.

There are seven banknotes with the following denominations: ß5, ß10, ß20, ß30, ß50, ß100, ß200, and ß500. In addition, there are also eight coins: 1ʃ, 2ʃ, 5ʃ, 10ʃ, 20ʃ, 50ʃ, ß1 and ß2. See the tables below for the specifications of both the banknotes and the coins.

Transport

Transportation in Laefevia
A simplifed map of the Laefevian maglev network.
Major Laefevian motorways.

The most important part of the Laefevian infrastructure system is a network of high-speed maglev trains, which connect the capitals of the provinces. The trains regularly exceed speeds of 500 km/h. Networks of slower trains, but still high-speed trains, connect other major cities in the country. These trains reach the speed of up to 300 km/h, although the actual speed is usually lower, around 200 km/h to 250 km/h, due to frequent stops between the departure station and the destination station.

A very well-developed network of motorways also exists in Laefevia, which connects all provincial and prefectural capitals. The network is part of a larger trans-Šarkunen motorway network. A bridge also connects Laefevia and Xynderland.

Laefevia also has a national airline, known as Laefark, which flies between all provincial capitals, and between a provincial capital and the prefectural capitals within that province. Laefeark also flies to various destinations worldwide. Several other private and semi-private smaller airlines exist in the country, which fly between various prefectural capitals and other cities.

Energy

Science and technology

Tourism

Demographics

Ethnic groups

Laefevia is ethnically very diverse. Ethnic Laefevians are the biggest ethnicity. Other native ethnicities are Irgheretians, Gutiskarians, Saitlaens, Tainirenians, the Settakese, Gathrirnians, and Kalchelians. Of these, only Kalchelians have never had their autonomous historic political entity and are split between two provinces.

Urbanisation

Language

Laefevia ranks as one of the most lingusitically diverse countries on Sahar. There are several languages spoken in the country, some of which have their own writing systems as well.

Languages of Laefevia

File:Laef languages.png
A map showing the languages spoken by more than half of the population in Laefevian prefectures.

The official language of Laefevia is Laefêvëši (or Laefevian). It is also the most widely spoken language in the country. The language is natively spoken in three provinces (Irrésken, Ajlísken, and Unnésken), and is the predominant language in Gaþínnel as well. There are six other native languages of Laefevia, which are also recognised as regional languages in the other six provinces.

Languages of Laefevia
Province Regional language
Ajlísken Laefêvëši
Gaþínnel Gathrírn
Gútissel Gutiskar
Irrésken Laefêvëši
Ixéssem Irǧeret (ئرغرت)
Sáelkem Saitlaa (사잍쨔)
Séttokem Settaka
Taérinel Tainiren (たいりねん)

In southern Laefevia, in the province of Gaþínnel (Gathrínel), two minority languages are spoken: Edievian and Nithalos. However, only Nithalos is recognised as a minority language. The number of speakers of Edievian is too low to be granted official recognition.

In eastern Laefevia, there are two recognised minority languages - Xynder, in the westernmost prefecture of Gútissel province, and Yenä in eastern Gútissel along the border with Yerlan.

Names and surnames

Laefevians have a unique way of forming surnames. Instead of using a family name being inherited from a parent, a system of both patronymic and matronymic surnames - a child usually carries two given names and two surnames. Patronymic surnames are based on the first name of the father, while matronymic names are based on the first name of the mother. The matronymic surname comes first, followed by the patronymic; when shortened, only the matronymic surname is used.

The matronymic name is formed by using the possessive adjectival form of the mother's first name (ending in -iri or -ir- when shortened), and the patronymic name is likewise formed by the possessive adjectival form of the father's first name. Onto that, the suffix -nē is added for daughters (from inê “daughter”) and the suffix -nyl is added for sons (from nýl “son”). Recently, however, two gender-neutral suffixes have gained prominence and are increasingly used: -nir (from níor “child”) and -sent (from séint “descendant”).

Example:

  • mother's first name: Irói
  • father's first name: Éamlind
    • daughter's surname: Iróirnē Éamlindirnē
    • son's surname: Iróirnyl Éamlindirnyl
    • gender neutral: Iróirnir Éamlindirnir or Iróirsent Éamlindirsent

Once a child reaches adulthood, they usually pick yet another surname of their choosing. Toponymic surnames are among the most common types of such surnames. Toponymic surnames are typically formed by adding the suffix -(i)nli to a place name, eg. Solténna would become Solténninli. A surname like this is declined like a relational adjective (because the suffix -(i)nli comes form both the possessive suffix -iri and the relational suffix -ili, originally being -irili and then shortened to -irli, later becoming the current suffix).

Below is an example of the Laefevian naming system (shortened names are in bold):

Example of a Laefevian family tree
Áisont Sitýst Igérrinirnē Óastirnē ÝhtelinliSkáidō Lislínt Káltirnyl Juvéstirnyl UáielinliMaltínd Ihánrin Ōllǿdirnē Îkundirnē ÚellinliLóinend Maítō Døtârinirnyl Kágrinirnyl Úellinli
Irói Jávan Áisontirnē Skáidirnē SolténninliÉamlind Aeklávi Maltíndirnyl Lóinendirnyl SolténninliTîmō Wanáoin Maltíndirnē Lóinendirnē Eilíndentinli
Vallínd Neatvênt Iróirnir Éamlindirnir SolténninliIskârin Ʒérend Iróirsent Éamlindirsent Solténninli
Example of a Laefevian family tree (in the Laefevian script)
Template:LaefevianTemplate:LaefevianTemplate:LaefevianTemplate:Laefevian
Template:LaefevianTemplate:LaefevianTemplate:Laefevian
Template:LaefevianTemplate:Laefevian

Education

Healthcare

Religion

Culture

Calendar

Skaljêrili trêat, or the Laefevian calendar, is the calendar used in Laefevia. It is a solar calendar with 365 days in a common year and 366 days in a leap year. There are 12 months of 30 days and one month of 5 days. Each of the twelve 30-day months consists of five 6-day weeks. The calendar is fixed on the spring equinox, or 20th March in Gregorian calendar. The calendar was created in 2359 BCE and took effect in 2357 BCE. Therefore, the current year is 4372 AT, which is also the 1061st leap year.

Heritage

Elder Trees

Elder Tree is a title given to the central tree of a settlement in parts of Laefevia. The tree is usually old and large, often the oldest and the largest, and such a tree usually grows in the main square or a park nearby. This tradition is most prominent in areas populated by ethnic Laefevians, but the practice has spread to other Laefevian cultures as well, especially in the Gutiskar province. Historically, the Elder Tree played an important role in the settlement's reputation and influence, as well as serving as the centrepiece for festivals, holidays and other events; something that is still true today, nonetheless, and Elder Trees are seen as a symbol of their settlement. A similar practice exists in Xynderland as well, where the trees are called City Trees.

Elder Trees are also sometimes known as Spirit Trees or Soul Trees, depending on the area. This is related to Lilatvaism (Laefevian belief system) whereby the tree was considered to encapsulate and embody the settlement's spirit or soul by absorbing some spirits of the entire settlement (of both animate and inanimate entities). By extension, Elder Trees were thus also seen as protectors and guardians, and they were sometimes even worshipped. If the tree was healthy, it also meant the people in the settlement were healthy, prosperous and happy. If the tree fell ill or withered and died, it was seen as a bad omen, foreshadowing future hardships.

In the past, if a person in a settlement damaged their own Elder Tree, it was seen as an act of disgrace (and/or treason in some areas) and the person damaging the tree was subject to trial. If a person cut down their own Elder Tree, it meant death penalty for the person and immediate and permanent banishment of their family (usually only the immediate family, but sometimes even other relatives), as well as repossessing the family's assets and sometimes even complete destruction of their homes. Burning one's own Elder Tree was seen as an act of utter disgrace and high treason, bringing bad luck and misfortune upon the entire settlement. In such cases, the person responsible for the burning and their immediate family were burnt alive in their own homes, with other direct relatives permanently banished from the settlement.

Damaging or cutting another settlement's Elder Tree was considered an attack on the settlement and every person living there – essentially a declaration of war. Historically, it was quite a common practice to cut a branch off an Elder Tree during an attack or a long-lasting dispute. Some settlements also prided themselves in the number of Elder Tree branches collected. Rarely, however, were Elder Trees actually cut down because it was seen as risking the anger of the spirits in the tree, which could follow the attackers home and cause them misfortune. Burning another settlement's Elder Tree was, however, a taboo act and highly discouraged. It was believed that a such an act would not only mean disaster for the attacked settlement, but it would also spell doom for the attacking settlement by invoking the wrath of the spirits in both settlements. There are records of only a handful of such burnings, and in each case the person in charge of the burning was subsequently disposed of by their own people.

Despite all this, Elder Trees have always been regarded with high respect and reverence by everyone. Because of their great sentimental and emotional value, they are seen as anchors of one's birth and a source of protection and good fortune. Seeds or blossoms of Elder Trees are always collected and saved, kept save at homes. When departing one's settlement, it is common to take a leaf from the Elder Tree in the settlement, dry it and then preserve it and keep it to provide protection and benevolence of spirits wherever one may go.

When an Elder Tree dies of natural causes (old age, mostly), it is usually replaced by a younger tree or a seedling from the old tree. This way, the settlement's soul or spirits do not die but continue to exist in the new tree. The same happens if an Elder Tree is toppled or uprooted by a storm or other natural phenomena. In both cases, however, a period of mourning often follows the death of the Elder Tree.

Seedlings of a settlement's main Elder Tree are often taken and planted in people's gardens or yards. These are known as Household Elder Trees (or just Household Trees for short) and they provide additional protection against bad spirits and misfortune. Another version of these is called Home Trees, which are trees grown in containers (bonsai), either indoors or outdoors. These are often intended as personal protection (which can span generations).

Since Elder Trees are seen the symbol of their settlements and also symbolise endurance, it is very uncommon to change the species or type of the Elder Tree, because changing it would mean changing the very heart of the settlement. It has been done only rarely, and usually when the inhabitants of the settlement want to break their ties with the past, or historically when a new ruler came to power and wanted to indicate a change – this was largely unsuccessful and once the new ruler was gone, their Elder Tree was replaced with one belonging to the species of the old one.

Architecture

Literature

Art

Music

Theatre

Film

Two film posters, a space opera (left) and a fantasy romance (right).

The film industry is quite popular in Laefêvia, and it regularly produces its own films. The most common film genres are, by far, fantasy and science-fiction (space opera and parallel universe are very common), and, followed by documentaries, historical films, and epic films. Action and adventure films are also often present, along with some comedy and romance films. Animated films are also extremely popular.

Cuisine

Sport

Symbols

See also