Selna (SELL-ner) is essentially identical to Selamen. The two nations are in very close contact, and really form one nation. The people are the Selatiki (sell-er-TEE-key). Its coast is on the Holy Sea.

The southern island of the three that compose Selamen (SELL-er-men) is the Holy Isle, revered by the other peoples of the northeast, who all share the druidic religion. These are Cath, Danaw, Fian, Ruad and Westerness.

Each King (and there are many tribes, each having its own King) is elected by the tribal council. His responsibility is to lead his tribe in war. It is possible, but rare, for the King to be female. Civil matters are settled by the mother of the King, or, if his mother is dead, by his senior wife. Foreign policy is decided by a council of these Queen Mothers, but is announced by the High King, elected by a Council of Kings from amongst their number.

That is the theoretical structure, but in fact the priests, who have no civil power, but a great deal of authority, often make decisions. It would be a bold Queen who would ignore the priesthood.

The women farm and the men hunt: mostly deer, but also wild boars, bears and buffalo. They also trap and hunt wolves, but do not eat them. They seem a primitive people, but in fact their civilization is old and sophisticated. Their Kings are great lords living on dirt floors: proud, courteous and barbaric.

Nearly everyone is a warrior. Even Druids have had the basic training given to all children.

There are three basic punishments: a fine, exile, burning alive. Foreigners who commit a crime may be given a choice between going through an Enchanted Entry back to the mainland (and never returning) or being burned. If anyone at all in the tribe considers their crime to be serious rather than mere ignorance or high-spirits, they are burned.

"We are the People of the North Wind, horse lords, bull lords, wanderers across the world. No one of us is other than free, and it is our priests who unite the north. The very Gods love us to be free, so their yoke lies more lightly upon us than upon any other people.

"During your life, you will be given many choices. Listen to your heart, and choose always the brave way, the honest way, the path of the old soul. But do it with laughter. If you are captured, laugh in your enemy’s face until he gifts you with death.

"If you do all these things, you will be reborn as a Druid, rich, powerful and loved. If you do some of them, you will be reborn to the People of the North Wind. If you do a few of them, you will be reborn to foreigners. But if you do none of them, you will be reborn as a slave."

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