From its humble beginning as a religious compound, Yozellin has grown into a thriving city complete with financial, political and civil institutions. It upholds its reputation as the centre of golem research, with a comprehensive library and state-of-the-art facilities in its laboratories and observatory. Scholars and clerics are regularly invited to seminars and events that celebrate intellectual discourse; academics are deeply respected and treated with great honour. It is currently a semi-autonomous region that is ruled by a council of 27.
geography
Yozellin is situated at Korun Valley and is surrounded by lush vegetation and forests. At the peak of the mountain lies an observatory for astrologists. Its main port is Port Mirmallaz, which also lies along the Deera River. The city experiences all four seasons, with prolonged springs.
politics
Yozellin remains subject to the Shafa's rule, and it has to obey royal directives as well as pay taxes to the capital city of Tamazar annually. However, most domestic decisions are undertaken by local government agents.
The Council of 27 (Tywecca)
The Tywecca is a council of 27 members that rules over affairs such as taxation, transport, labour or foreign policy. 13 of its members are from the Yozellin School, while the remaining 14 are taken from various groups, including representatives from Tamazar. The decisions that they make directly affect the city of Yozellin, and they prioritise issues that affect citizen well-being, such as trade, security and foreign policy. Their official komne representatives are the Yozellin City Komne.
The Yozellin School of Golems
While the Yozellin School is technically not allowed to meddle in affairs outside of the school compounds, the fact that Yozellin started as an academy grants them immense influence in the political sphere. It is no exaggeration to say that they hold equal sway to the Tywecca. The Yozellin School makes most of the decisions related to golems and research, such as the issuing of meister licences; hence, meisters remain under the supervision of the Yozellin School even after graduation. The Yozellin School prioritise the advancement of golem research, expeditions that are related to the Lost City, and education, caring little for other fields.
Komne
Civilians in Yozellin can organise themselves into a komne, which is something like a cross between a union and a guild. The leader of a komne, the komnad, negotiates concessions and benefits for its members with the Tywecca and the Yozellin School. Members of a komne can enjoy all the benefits that the komne is entitled to at a price of a monthly membership fee; the komne thus functions like a clan that supports its members. Continued negotiations between komne and the other two major political bodies ensure that the citizens of Yozellin can also influence matters in the city.
The Council of 27 (Tywecca)
The Tywecca is a council of 27 members that rules over affairs such as taxation, transport, labour or foreign policy. 13 of its members are from the Yozellin School, while the remaining 14 are taken from various groups, including representatives from Tamazar. The decisions that they make directly affect the city of Yozellin, and they prioritise issues that affect citizen well-being, such as trade, security and foreign policy. Their official komne representatives are the Yozellin City Komne.
The Yozellin School of Golems
While the Yozellin School is technically not allowed to meddle in affairs outside of the school compounds, the fact that Yozellin started as an academy grants them immense influence in the political sphere. It is no exaggeration to say that they hold equal sway to the Tywecca. The Yozellin School makes most of the decisions related to golems and research, such as the issuing of meister licences; hence, meisters remain under the supervision of the Yozellin School even after graduation. The Yozellin School prioritise the advancement of golem research, expeditions that are related to the Lost City, and education, caring little for other fields.
Komne
Civilians in Yozellin can organise themselves into a komne, which is something like a cross between a union and a guild. The leader of a komne, the komnad, negotiates concessions and benefits for its members with the Tywecca and the Yozellin School. Members of a komne can enjoy all the benefits that the komne is entitled to at a price of a monthly membership fee; the komne thus functions like a clan that supports its members. Continued negotiations between komne and the other two major political bodies ensure that the citizens of Yozellin can also influence matters in the city.
major komne in yozellin
Yozellin is home to a number of komne, but the two most powerful komne are the City Komne and the Traders' Komne.
The City Komne is backed by the Tywecca, and exists to maintain law and order between golems, meisters and ordinary civilians. They dispatch patrol golems on a regular basis, solve human-golem disputes, and even contain golem dust. Its primary interest is in social order, harmony between humans and golems, and the interests of the Tywecca. Its current komnad is Naco.
The Traders' Komne is an alliance of major merchants whose interests lie in promoting trade and commerce in Yozellin. They negotiate affairs such as tax concessions, port grants and facilities, as well as building projects for its members. They maintain close ties to both the Tywecca and the Yozellin School to ensure commercial stability in the city. The current komnad is Rihan.
A third komne that has a considerable amount of political influence is the Artisans' Komne, which seeks to promote the interests of artisans and craftsmen in Yozellin. Despite their high membership, they are not as influential as the Traders' Komne as the latter possess more wealth and persuasive power. However, members of the Artisans' Komne can still enjoy benefits such as workshop and credit facilities. Its current komnad is Vainamon.
The City Komne is backed by the Tywecca, and exists to maintain law and order between golems, meisters and ordinary civilians. They dispatch patrol golems on a regular basis, solve human-golem disputes, and even contain golem dust. Its primary interest is in social order, harmony between humans and golems, and the interests of the Tywecca. Its current komnad is Naco.
The Traders' Komne is an alliance of major merchants whose interests lie in promoting trade and commerce in Yozellin. They negotiate affairs such as tax concessions, port grants and facilities, as well as building projects for its members. They maintain close ties to both the Tywecca and the Yozellin School to ensure commercial stability in the city. The current komnad is Rihan.
A third komne that has a considerable amount of political influence is the Artisans' Komne, which seeks to promote the interests of artisans and craftsmen in Yozellin. Despite their high membership, they are not as influential as the Traders' Komne as the latter possess more wealth and persuasive power. However, members of the Artisans' Komne can still enjoy benefits such as workshop and credit facilities. Its current komnad is Vainamon.
major sites in yozellin
The Yozellin School of Golems
This is the oldest and most important compound in Yozellin. Reflecting its early origins as a temple compound for clerics, the older parts of the school are reminiscent of cathedrals with winding courtyards and elaborate doors and windows. The temple where Yazul and his comrades sought refuge in is part of the school compound, and is considered an important site of heritage. Towers such as the Iszmerald Tower or the Trinity Tower are distinctive features of the Yozellin landscape. As the school has come to offer other subjects such as nursing or navigation in recent times, it has its own laboratories and health clinics. All the libraries in the city of Yozellin are also part of the school compound, with the Trinity Tower serving as the central library in the city.
The Yozellin City Komne Building
This is the headquarters of the City Komne. The Yozellin City Komne Building is an impressive four-storey building made of stone. Council meetings are also held here.
Chymoz Museum
The Chymoz Museum houses the most complete (though it is actually very modest) collection of Esirite artefacts. It has a library dedicated to books that are related to the lost city. Seminars, debates, and other academic events are held here.
The Twilight Inn
The Twilight is one of the oldest inns at Yozellin and serves both human visitors, meisters and their golems. Their prices are fairly steep due to their convenient location at the City Square. It frequently shelters visitors from all around the Golem Meisters world.
Yozellin Golem Centre
The Yozellin Golem Centre is one of the first stops for unsupervised golems – golems who stay in Yozellin without their meisters. Golems are able to receive meister care here. The Golem Centre is jointly managed by the Yozellin School and the City Komne.
Artisan Street
Artisan Street is one of the main commercial hubs of Yozellin. This is where craftsmen and smiths from all disciplines open their workshops. Daily necessities such as food, clothes, medicine or travel provisions can also be obtained here.
City Square
The City Square lies in the older part of Yozellin that connects to Artisan Street. It is flanked by shops and buildings on one side and a spacious public garden on the other. Bazaars and entertainment-related events are typically held here.
This is the oldest and most important compound in Yozellin. Reflecting its early origins as a temple compound for clerics, the older parts of the school are reminiscent of cathedrals with winding courtyards and elaborate doors and windows. The temple where Yazul and his comrades sought refuge in is part of the school compound, and is considered an important site of heritage. Towers such as the Iszmerald Tower or the Trinity Tower are distinctive features of the Yozellin landscape. As the school has come to offer other subjects such as nursing or navigation in recent times, it has its own laboratories and health clinics. All the libraries in the city of Yozellin are also part of the school compound, with the Trinity Tower serving as the central library in the city.
The Yozellin City Komne Building
This is the headquarters of the City Komne. The Yozellin City Komne Building is an impressive four-storey building made of stone. Council meetings are also held here.
Chymoz Museum
The Chymoz Museum houses the most complete (though it is actually very modest) collection of Esirite artefacts. It has a library dedicated to books that are related to the lost city. Seminars, debates, and other academic events are held here.
The Twilight Inn
The Twilight is one of the oldest inns at Yozellin and serves both human visitors, meisters and their golems. Their prices are fairly steep due to their convenient location at the City Square. It frequently shelters visitors from all around the Golem Meisters world.
Yozellin Golem Centre
The Yozellin Golem Centre is one of the first stops for unsupervised golems – golems who stay in Yozellin without their meisters. Golems are able to receive meister care here. The Golem Centre is jointly managed by the Yozellin School and the City Komne.
Artisan Street
Artisan Street is one of the main commercial hubs of Yozellin. This is where craftsmen and smiths from all disciplines open their workshops. Daily necessities such as food, clothes, medicine or travel provisions can also be obtained here.
City Square
The City Square lies in the older part of Yozellin that connects to Artisan Street. It is flanked by shops and buildings on one side and a spacious public garden on the other. Bazaars and entertainment-related events are typically held here.
golem legislation
Yozellin believes that golems should never attain a higher status than humans, although golems supervising low-skilled work done by humans are common in various parts. Still, the following laws serve to curb their rise in the social hierarchy.
All golems crafted in Ud are required to have their own 'passport', including the golems of Yozellin. This document records who they are, their meister, and other important details about the golem. Golems from places that do not require them to have proper identification documents must obtain one before they are permitted to enter the country. This document is typically authorised by Tamazar. Golems without proper verification are arrested or deported out of the country.
Unsupervised golems -- golems who arrive in Yozellin without a meister -- are not allowed to share accommodation with humans. They are typically housed in golem centres that are run by the City Komne. Golems who have lost their meister are either destroyed or drafted into the City Komne.
Golems are not allowed to own or accumulate assets beyond basic savings in a bank. Golem meisters are also not allowed to bequeath land or money to golems; such assets will be re-distributed accordingly by the Tywecca and the City Komne.
Should an accident occur between a human and a golem and the case cannot be resolved peacefully between the affected parties, judgment will always be given in favour of humans. However, golems can enjoy a slight concession in that any transgression made on their part is also the responsibility of their meisters. Hence, meisters are the ones liable to make compensations.
All golems crafted in Ud are required to have their own 'passport', including the golems of Yozellin. This document records who they are, their meister, and other important details about the golem. Golems from places that do not require them to have proper identification documents must obtain one before they are permitted to enter the country. This document is typically authorised by Tamazar. Golems without proper verification are arrested or deported out of the country.
Unsupervised golems -- golems who arrive in Yozellin without a meister -- are not allowed to share accommodation with humans. They are typically housed in golem centres that are run by the City Komne. Golems who have lost their meister are either destroyed or drafted into the City Komne.
Golems are not allowed to own or accumulate assets beyond basic savings in a bank. Golem meisters are also not allowed to bequeath land or money to golems; such assets will be re-distributed accordingly by the Tywecca and the City Komne.
Should an accident occur between a human and a golem and the case cannot be resolved peacefully between the affected parties, judgment will always be given in favour of humans. However, golems can enjoy a slight concession in that any transgression made on their part is also the responsibility of their meisters. Hence, meisters are the ones liable to make compensations.