Halian lore!
Greater Halian Cooperative
The Halian race is actually evolved from sea slugs from the ocean deep. Many centuries ago, the first evolution of what is the current Halian race emerged. Much shorter than what they are now (due to water pressure), they were noticeably different as they had endoskeletal structure, and the ability to breathe air. Their slug ancestors deemed this evolution to be an abomination, and resolved to have any of these offspring killed. Luckily enough, few were willing to kill their own children, and the modern Halian race (shor’vattara in their own language, meaning endowed children) evolved in secret. Eventually the old halians discovered their fledgling civilization, and declared war on them. A brutal war ensued, and heavy losses were taken by both sides.
The shor’vattara had had enough. Their military ruling council determined that the only way to win was to employ biological weapons. They unleashed this weapon, known only as “Kal malach” or “Great Destroyer”, upon their foes. However, they did not expect it to evolve and turn against them, infecting their own forces. As anarchy consumed the seabed, a small enclave of survivors fled the carnage, and established a settlement on the coast. They named this settlement after themselves, as they reasoned that this civilization should reflect their people and species as a whole. Their elders also ruled that they would circumcise their gills, rendering them unable to survive underwater. Even to this day, it is considered a rite of passage amongst all halian adolescents to have their gills removed. Even now, some halian children are being born without gills at all, much to the delight of their parents.
The Executor and Presidium (government)
The cooperative’s government is a fusion of the military and civilian lifestyles. While civilians fill domestic department positions in the Presidium, the executor, and other military officials, have direct power over international relations, law enforcement, and military functions. The executor is the highest attainable military rank in Halis, reflected in his far-reaching power. An executor must be appointed by the Presidium, thereby preventing a total military dictatorship. Although an executor is now a politician, he is also still a military leader, often directing battles from field command posts or even from the frontlines themselves. While the latter is highly discouraged by his staff and the presidium, he may still do as he wishes.
The presidium is the civilian ruling council. All members serve a twelve-year term, and represent a specific branch of the 5 branches of civilian government. These five branches are construction, farming, mining, logging, and finance. In order to be elected, they must have been circumcised, never been a member of the military, and be of sound mental health. They are expected to reflect the interests of the majority of their constituents, instead of furthering their own agendas. Any presidium member found to be ignoring their constituency may be recalled at any time. Luckily, this has never happened in the history of the cooperative.
