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Shra - government

Government

Austria Imperial crown jewels

Statehood

The units of 'states' in Shra are the oases. Each one takes pride in its independence. Several smaller ones are to some degree vassals of larger neighbors, though in theory fiercely independent. Politically most oases are oligarchies, with a handful or sometimes a single family dominating politics year in year out.
There are a number of exceptions:

Like on Earth, money and good connections play a major role. On Shra there is the additional element of shwu, which is hoarded by the rulers, who try to keep it from the greater population. Their intelligence enhanced by the shwu, they almost always manage to outwit their opponents. Most rulers fall only when outside disasters like extreme weather or disease strike and the society is turned upside down, which is rare.

Law and customs

Most law in Shra is determined by custom, which changes little over the years. Some have lawbooks but most rules are transmitted orally. An exception is Tagadur, where a caste of priests maintains the Grand Tome of Law, a thick book with hundreds of rules written in obscure Lah, interpreted by the priests only.
All settlements have strict rules concerning water and food management. In other areas they vary and sometimes weird taboos and customs pop up. For example in Tighram is forbidden to eat camel meat; in Hasasd there is a list of 49 words that can be written but not be spoken, on the penalty of death; in Gaffa people are allowed to look from one eye only, covering the other with a patch.
The oligarchs who rule in most oases act as both lawmakers and judges; there is no trias politica in Shra. However they need to keep the traditions and the sentiments of the common people in mind, who will riot when the people in power transgress to far. A handful of places, like Ruxima, operate by trial by peers.

Feuds

Disputes and grievances frequently lead to violence in Shra. This will call for retribution, because the people of Shra value their honor. Often this descends into a spiral of revenge and counter-revenge: a feud. Feuds can rise up between families or even whole settlements. The rivalry between the humans of Axidir and the surre of Zenj is centuries old and infamous.