The Jikad
| The Jikad | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||
|
Overview
Duties
The Jikad acts as the head of the nation in diplomatic matters, and also serves as the high priest for the Temple of the Blue Sun.
Election
Elections for The Jikad occur when the current Jikad passes on. When The Jikad dies, a council, known as the Council of the Blue Sun, choose a number of clerics from within the Temple. These clerics then campaign across the nation, informing the masses of what direction they plan to take the Temple in. A mandatory national election is then held to elect the next Jikad out of these clerics.
Costume
The Jikad, while looking like a bird-man, is entirely human. The Jikad adorns the mask of the blue eagle, the national animal, and sacred bird of the Nemat religion. The Jikad wears dull green shoulder pads, resembling the green on the national flag, which represents longevity in Nemat culture. A metal breastplate is worn over the left side of The Jikad to protect the heart. Below the breast plate, a dull yellow garb is worn. In Nemat culture, dull yellow represents prosperity. Finally, blue ribbons are crossed against The Jikad's chest, which represent equality for all under the Blue Sun.
Past Jikads
Zek Nass
Zek Nass was not the first Jikad in the Temple, but was the first Jikad to also serve as the head of the nation of Nemat. Before Nemat became a nation, the Temple of the Blue Sun was just a church like any other church. After the recent civil war, the Nemat people were able to break free from their opressors and form their own nation. The previous Jikad of the Temple was assassinated during the war. After claiming independance, the Council of the Blue Sun quickly nominated a handful of clerics, and the people of Nemat chose Zek Nass to be the successor. One of Zek Nass's first decrees was the addition of a breast plate to the Jikad attire. The breast plate is more of a safety precaution than a decoration. Zek Nass served a healthy term, and not only kept the Temple of the Blue Sun in order, but also helped mold the nation of Nemat in its first years. Zek Nass passed away at the age of 92, after serving for 50 years, and was succeded by Claud Temir.
Claud Temir
Claud Temir slightly won over Vincent Nass, the grandson of Zek Nass. The older citizens of Nemat knew what to expect with Vincent Nass, who was much like his grandfather, but the younger generation wanted a Jikad closer to their age. At the time of the election, Claud Temir was 35, a whopping 17 years younger than Vincent Nass. Claud Temir has served now for 20 years, and has recently passed a law that make tampering with the rain forrest illegal, which is the home to 80% of the nation's sacred blue eagle. Another law passed recently by Claud Temir, is the sale of body organs. Claud Temir believes in the Temple's doctrine of natural death, and donating organs to prolong life is not natural. Unlike the Nass family, Claud Temir believes in the spread in the Temple of the Blue Sun.
