Jopj Combine

Jopj Combine Kelatwemad Jopj
204 CE–1700 CE
Capital	Toloupum
Common languages	Jopj, various indigenous languages
Government	Absolute monarchy
Historical era	Antiquity
• Indigenous unification	204 CE
• Dissolution	1700 CE
Succeeded by Pavonistade
Today part of	Pavonistade

The Jopj Combine (Jopj: Kelatwemad Jopj, tr.) was a large indigenous civilization that, at its maximum territorial extent, controlled all major Pavonistadian islands. It additionally established human presence on 95% of all islands in vicinity of the Pavonistadian mainland. It was the first nation or polity to encompass all of the Pavonistadian mainland.

The combine was created after its direct predecessor, the Hals'se Combine, unified the Pavonistadian indigenous. A military campaign started by Ebom successfully did so in 204 CE, prompting the development of a new nation under the succeeding leader, Chief Osieamah. In centuries, the Jopj Combine experienced advances in social, economic, political and technological fields at a gradual pace. The nation also made contact and traded with foreign nations.

The government of the Jopj Combine was an absolute monarchy or autocracy, but the Chief had the power to convene with a council representing different indigenous groups and regions. Toloupum served as the capital of the Jopj Combine and may have been one of the most important cities in the nation.

There is little dispute that the Jopj Combine has influenced Pavonistadian history. An example is that government decentralization in Pavonistade, a concept originating from the Jopj era, occurred in the contemporary period. Various other cultural aspects survive into present day, such as jewellery styles and components of Jopj law. Currently, Jopj and indigenous descendants number in the thousands.

Etymology

The word Jopj translates to "overall" in the Jopj language and may be referring to the unity of the Jopj and other Pavonistadian indigenous, considered to be vital in Jopj culture. The word Kelatwemad translates to "combine", so it is believed that the word is also pertaining to the union of all Pavonistadian indigenous groups in the Jopj-led community. "Combine" has since been used to refer to sizable Pavonistadian indigenous communities regardless of the naming of other indigenous combines.

Geography

The Jopj Combine had documented various landscapes and geological features on mainland Pavonistade, as well as islands of the Pavonistadian archipelago. As most geological features (e.g. lakes and mountain ranges) underwent subtle changes throughout millennia, Jopj geographical documentations allow distinctions to be made between historical and modern landscapes.

At the time the Jopj Combine ruled over much of Pavonistade, the Naz Lake was reported to be larger and certain currently-extinct volcanoes erupted in a recurrent manner. The Jopj had also recorded eruptions of Mount Ulieses, though these eruptions were far from devastating compared to its 10000 BCE eruption. In addition, the Jopj described locations of present-day cities and settlements to be occupied by extensive forests and jungles. This enabled modern experts to analyze centuries of human activity and further predict historical geography.

Interest is particularly concentrated in the geographic descriptions and names recognized by the Jopj government. The climate experienced on the Pavonistadian islands more than two millennia into the past may be inferred from the preserved works of certain Jopj meteorologists. However, it is determined that changes in climatic conditions from the past were insignificant. The average temperature experienced during the Jopj Combine's reign was anticipated to not exceed 30°C, which is also typically expected in present-day Pavonistade.

Government

The government of Jopj Combine is generally described as a hereditary absolute monarchy.

The leader of the Jopj Combine, the Chief, was invested with near-limitless power and held a life tenure. The edicts that the Chief issued may come into effect at a time period of their desire, including immediately. However, the Chief was obligated to "maintain the interests and integrity" of all provinces of the Jopj Combine and uphold certain decrees. The order of succession was primarily composed of the family of the Chief, with the eldest child of the Chief being heir to the title and position of Chief. The Chief had the ability to arbitrarily designate another individual as heir, especially if the Chief was childless, altering the order of succession.

The Jopj government also consisted of the Auditorium, a body of thirty individuals selected by the Chief. The Chief may consult the Auditorium on matters of importance to the government or the Jopj Combine, though the Chief was not obligated in any manner to consult Auditorium members or follow their recommendations. Council members were appointed, dismissed and replaced by the Chief without advice. Generally, individuals appointed to the Auditorium held substantial influence or merit. The Auditorium also fulfilled the judicial function to a limited extent, assisting the Chief in clarifying past decrees, resolving certain disputes and imposing penalties upon perpetrators of crime.

Culture

Most religions in the Jopj Combine were polytheistic, with their tenets based around the principle of multiple deities. The Jopj religion, Xiorla, was the predominating religion of the Jopj Combine. Xiorla had an emphasis on achieving harmony in the mortal world and with the gods, and it also involved spiritual and shamanistic elements.

Activities thought to bring tranquil to participants, such as meditation, were frequent in the Jopj Combine. Jopj records have reported that substances such as marijuana were often consumed or used as incense during meditative rituals.