Structure and Values
Anthologica Universe Atlas / Universes / Archaeron / Meisylvan Culture / Structure and Values

Meisylvan culture has always had two faces. Officially they are governed under the Imperial structure above them, which is dominated by naisylphs. Below that is an internal tribal structure, with a meiki naiar (Grove chief) and his trusted advisors ruling the sylphs of their territory. Unofficially, meisylphs’ liberty and independence varies wildly. At times, under some governors, they can enjoy something like the rights afforded by the official structure. Other times they suffer atrocities under brutal naisylvan regimes. At such times meisylvan tribes fracture into smaller units led by patriarchs and matriarchs and strike back at their oppressors.

In modern times such militarized organization is becoming more and more common. Most tribes now have predetermined military structures in case of rising tension and the meiki naiar is only a peacetime leader. This forms a complex web of political maneuvering, which is rarely obvious to the outsider. When a tribe is threatened, however, the politics end and they fragment into mobile cells governed by chol naia (War Chiefs).

In peacetime, meisylphs are primarily individualistic. They tend to worry mostly about their personal territory and property, resenting any sort of centralized control. Meiki naia largely exist to settle disputes between tribesmen, organize temporary militias to deal with serious lawbreakers, and act as the face of the tribe to naisylvan officials.

The values of Meisylvan culture largely derive from druidic philosophy – individual, mutual respect and general harmony. When possible, wood sylphs have always tried to demark their own territory and honor each others’.

Their centuries of intermittent oppression have bred a fiercely defensive streak into them, however. More than ever, meisylphs are growing highly militarized on every level. They have always prized innovation, and now they have grown to value the sort of vicious cunning required for extended guerilla warfare above most other virtues.