Anëhtoma

The organization of Anëhtoma was simple: each clan had a right to a single representative within the yearly gathering, where rules, laws and justice was settled, fairly and openly, among peers. Within the assembly, no one was considered more powerful than the rest, at least such differences were not recognized in any official manner. Their judgements, however, concerned every individual belonging to a clan within the Assembly's reach.

Merienti sages had a unique part to play within the Anëhtoma as advisors and mediators. Though deeply respected for their wisdom and knowledge, no sage had a vote in matters of laws or other rulings until a tie breaker was required. Then all of the gathered sages could vote one way or another, as a singular entity.

The Merientei had seen the cost of life in Ullonwï without some organized force to keep peace, and came to believe that theirs was the best way to settle things. They believed every clan should have a voice within the Anëhtoma, and that each clan who participated had also a responsibility to obey the laws and rules decided during the gathering.

Anëhtoma did not intervene in matters of the clans themselves, but kept themselves to issues which concerned multiple clans. To them, each clan should be able to handle their internal matters on their own, and should only come before the assembly with larger issues, such as disagreements on land usage or accusations of theft or other crimes thrown across clan borders.

Anëhtoma was born during a chaotic period in the early days of the Merientei known as Ullonwï Upset. It began as a meeting to bring peace and seize the endless violence plaguing the clans, and evolved into a yearly gathering on top of the hill where the Upset began. Over the years, it became the main ruling power of the region, and a frightful force to any who would wish harm to its members.

Though humble in its origins, Anëhtoma was a beginning of larger organization between clans, and a predecessor to the first Merienti nation which would later come to follow.