Gelgassa


"Of what greater measure is character than one's dedication to the temple of one's body?"
King Seleukus II - Comissioner of the Arena of Sovereigns


History

Ethnically Galosean, Gelgassa is a monarchy that controls a large portion of the peninsula to the South West of the The Apostatic Caldera. When The Lashing occurred it split a large region of the Galosean lands into cliff-bound islands

The country and geographic region have also sometimes been referred to as Gelgassium, usually in more archaic texts, and sometimes (both in a jokingly friendly or deragutory manner) as the land of 100 kings.


Government

The country is split into many Polis, each ruled by a king. The title of king in Gelgassa not being strictly familially inherited title. Rules of succession vary greatly polis to polis. At the death of the current King of Kings, or their annunciation of abdication, the Polis Kings gather at the Arena of Sovereigns to appoint a new ruler of all Gelgassa. Members will put forward a champion that they believe would be most fit. It is rare that a champion is put forward by a single king. Usually they are championed by a cadre of kings with common cause. The whole process involves a great deal of bombastic theater, posturing, grand speeches, and deal making in the backrooms and lockersof the arena, and occasionally an actual brawl in the stands.
The process continues until a champion is submitted who gains a majority of votes from the assembled rulers.

Culture

While not being the only Galosean nation, it would be fair to say that Gelgassan culture does not stay far from the greater Galosean culture, so one may refer to said codex article for more reading.
Specific to Gelgassa there is a traveling tournament that makes a continuous circuit through the country year long. When it comes to town, locals have the chance to challenge the current reigning champions at their specific event, and should they win, can then tour with the tournament as the new champion. The longer an athelte can maintain their status in the tournament, the more status and wealth for them and their sponsors comes their way. Many Gelgassan politicians are retired champions.