Editing Illivere (section)

== Culture ==

=== Class Status ===
[Golem Artificers] comprise the nation's elite class. The golem-obsessed culture as created in the upper class a drive to improve the nation, if only through the production of more high-end golems.<ref name=":2" />

Not owning a golem is a sign of poverty in Illivere. There are institutions in place to provide food, lodging, and work for the poor.<ref name=":2" />

=== Gladiatorial Combat ===
The crafter-states of Illivere pit combat golems against one another in a yearly competition called the Test of Mirrhen. It is meant to pit the designs and workmanship of the Crafters of the different states against one another. The winning state receives funds, prestige, and may make a case to use their designs to improve Illivere's golems, having their innovations added to other workshops. The old Testing Champions are greatly respected and enshrined when they are destroyed or cease functioning.<ref name=":1" />

The Testing operates like a tournament. Golem matches are selected via random lottery, and then the winners would face off, until one finalist emerged victorious. As it is a competition of designs, the weapons used are unenchanted, and attack spells and others like [Haste] are forbidden. The winners of the previous Testing have an advantage as they still have their Golem, even if it's damaged, which they can immediately improve upon instead of having to create a new golem entirely like the losing states, giving them a head start on the competition. It is possible for a state to forfeit during the match when the outcome looks obvious to save their golem. There is time to repair the golems between matches.

Due to the popularity, gladiatorial combat with golems continued, and they also forced criminals to fight golems in arenas. This was to test their killing efficiency and entertain bloodthirsty citizens.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2021/05/11/8-22-he/ Chapter 8.22 HE]</ref>

=== Education ===
Illivere possesses a standardized education system available to every citizen. Their academies enrol thousands of students each year, though schooling is not compulsory and the tuition is free of charge up to a certain level, where a modest admission fee was charged. This practice is not adopted by most nations due to a perception that it reveals the secrets of a trade while lacking the specialized long term apprenticeship of some trades and splitting classes with [Student], but it allows the next generation have a wider pool of knowledge when pursuing a trade, gain uncommon Skills in those trades, and to avoid being trapped in a class that doesn't suit them.