jirga
| | A gathering of an entire clan for the purpose of choosing mel or melma, or for discussing actions to be taken by the entire clan. Jirga also applies to tribes in much the same way. Jirgas are only official meetings, attended by as much of the clan or tribe as possible. Decisions of the jirga do not have to be unanimus, but should represent a consensus. Often new clans will be formed as ‘opposition’ to the line adopted by a Jirga.
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mel
| | Chief of a clan, selected by a clanic jirga. Mels are not permanent positions and can be removed by a new jirga.
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melkya
| | Chieftain of a tribe, selected by a tribal jirga. Melkyas are more permanent than mels, but can also be removed if they have lost enough support. Within a tribal jirga to select a melkya each clan is given one vote.
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melma
| | Sub-chief of a clan. Melmas are sometimes selected by jirga, they are more often simply the most respected warrior within clan below the mel; or perhaps the mel’s right-hand-man (or woman). Melma is the most fluid of tribal positions.
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qan
| | King of the Five Tribes. Qans are selected by a qurlitay (or another qan) and keep their position for their entire life. Thr rights of the qan are unspecific at best, but is considered to be the leader of all Caers and afforded corresponding rights.
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qurlitay
| | A sacred council including the leaders of all of the Five Tribes. As many clanic and tribal leaders should attend, as well as general population. The qurlitay meets to discuss matters of national importance and its decisions are considered binding law to all Caers. When each of the Five Tribes acts in unison they are considered to have the power of a qan, and therefore have the ability to select a qan. Each tribe has one vote (to be delivered by the melkya), and the vote must be unanimous.
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syz
| | The nomadic variant of a mel. Syz is used by the Durgan tribe as well as the Jom people of Woppleland. Nomads are much looser in social configuration so their leaders have less sway and are easier to remove. Unlike with syzkyas, a clan always has a syz.
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syzkya
| | The nomadic variant of a melkya. The free nature of nomadic life means that quite often there is no active syzkya, but are quickly selected in times of crisis and warfare. In peacetime the institution is almost ignored.
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vassalage
| | The principle by which if one clan defeats another soundly in battle and can kill its mel, the victorius clan may choose a new mel from within the ranks of the vanquished clan. This principle is important during jirgas and qurlitays as being able to control votes of the vanquished clan or tribe.
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