Caelan
Though recorded on maps as TNX-423, the inhabitants of the innermost planet in the Mrinal system called it Caelan. The centralized government of Caelan bounced from strong socialist governments to militant anarchy and back, often with bloody and prolonged wars accompanying each successive government. Following a coup in 2870, a strong central bureaucratic government [as oxymoronic as it may seem] headed by James Jordan took control of Caelan. By 2876, he had torn it apart with a civil war which eventually completely crippled all factions--anarchists, bureaucrats, and dictators alike. Caelan 's citizens were so wary of political systems by that point that they all retreated to separate villages and cut off communication to all others. It was this fact that made the planet so interesting to interspace-cultural anthropologists--each village, armed with its experiential and education-induced knowledge and completely isolated, chose its own form of government.
Several of the villages have exclusively elderly female village councils--indeed, the only matriarchal societies in the entire galaxy are to be found on Caelan. Others chose a mayor to make all major decisions. Still others send a representative from each family to be part of a congress. Some of the smallest villages have no formal government at all, but instead merely have strict social rules by which all abide or face exile.
Such varied governmental systems and each village's strong sense of individuality would make for an extremely disunited planet, if not for its unifying religion. An inhabitant describes the religion on Caelan as such: "Our main deity lives in Heaven, and it is sacrilegious to say Its name aloud. We're each whispered Its name when we come of age. Each village has at least one minor god or goddess. He or she plays an integral role in each family; we consult him and the Unnamed about major decisions, but they pretty much let us do what we want. They're not very interested in worship, and promote a sense of individuality within the normal confines of society."
Each family in the village is visited each evening by that village's god. The deity is typically dressed in dark maroon pants that flare at the bottom and an off-white shirt. These visits are mostly social in nature, but the deity also has a brief conversation with each family member--even infants. These conversations are strictly private, but often deal with the villager's difficult decisions or worries.
The economy of Caelan has changed greatly since the wars had all ended. Whereas before it had been a major galactic player due to the rare mineral deposits found all over its landmasses, now the economy is largely agrarian. The value of Caelan's currency had fluctuated so frequently and apparently without cause during the course of the recent power struggles, that most of its inhabitants distrust paper and coin money completely. Instead the economy utilizes the barter system almost exclusively.
Each village meets annually to discuss its economic plan for the coming year. These meetings frequently last for hours. Each family agrees to what it will contribute to the village, barring any major catastrophe. As the meetings are presided over by the village god or goddess, the families are generally honest; however, each village has a few families about whom the rest frequently mutter. There is no set tax, and the village cares for those who cannot produce enough food to support themselves, such as unmarried villagers with children and widows or widowers, communally.
Each village's eight-day week revolves around the market day. The market usually takes over the town square and often spill out beyond. In the heart of the market, the wealthier merchants sell their wares in permanent stalls, while the poorer spread theirs on blankets or bare pavement. They sell everything from fresh produce to clothing to blankets to services. It is here that the villagers socialize with each other, spread the latest gossip, and find potential partners.
Inhabitants are not considered marriageable until they've been kynaed. This "coming of age ceremony" is quite unique. Children are chosen to participate around age fifteen. The exact criteria are not known to outsiders, but it is assumed that they have something to do with physical and emotional maturity. Families are notified that their child will be kynaed when the village's deity dresses in special kyna regalia and marches around to the children's homes.
The children who have been chosen are now called bena--some sort of honorary term that identifies them as preparing to be kynaed. A child named Baedden would now be called bena'Baedden. The benas all attend classes once a week; precisely what is taught is also off limits, but the general theme is what the benas' places will be in the village after the ceremony.
The actual ceremony takes place in a midsummer-- the date is different each year, but is dictated by the deity. For a week ahead of time, the benas fast and do special "cleansing" rituals in preparation. On the day of the Kyna, the benas wear the clothing that has been specially prepared and will never be worn again. They are called up one by one onto a stage. They recite the village's creed, swear allegiance to the village's deity and the elders, and make an individual speech they have prepared for the occasion. On completion, the god or goddess whispers the name of the Unnamed god to each of the benas. The village then feasts for days.
All of these factors make Caelan one of the most interesting planets for scholars and space-hobbyists alike.