Elektivoud

Elektivoud is a fictional city and piece of allegory found in Tiperyner folklore dating back to the 12th century. It is described as a bustling metropolis in the forested mountains of Haukvirth, with structures built into the trees and its swinging between them. The name Elektivoud was originally derived from veins of that permeated the city's trees and would glow when struck by nightly thunderstorms. The city was prosperous and isolated from early humanity. But, their hubris grew to be too great, fueled by their own belief that they were God's favorite people due to the trees he gifted them. As a result, they fell out of favor with God, and he banished the city from the mortal world.

However, the character of the Elektivoud legend has changed over time. More recent tellings originating in the 19th century also describe the city's trees as themselves radiant sources of electricity. The trees directly powered street lighting (as either a blue electric flame or, later, lightbulbs) and electric trolleys which were coming into widespread use at the time.

The Elektivoud legend is generally interpreted as an representing humanity's natural reliance on the fruits that God left for it and the corresponding need to be forever thankful and humble. In the original telling, lightning striking Elektivoud's trees to provide flameless light at night was seen as a direct act of God. The trees are often related to the fertile soils and fair climate that God blessed Tiperyners with. It was also used to teach lessons of, and likely informed values such as a specific Tiperyn policy of maternalist colonialism as opposed to the more brutal regime of Agrana y Griegro.

Later tellings credit God with phenomena such as electricity and the underlying mechanics of new technologies, like the internal combustion engine. In this manner, the hubris angle of the allegory shifted from being about religious and racial superiority to also include a technological component. From the early 20th century, a key lesson from the Elektivoud legend has been to not allow rapidly advancing technological sophistication lead humanity to believe it is more powerful or more wise than God. It also reinforced the racist idea that Tiperyners were inherently more technologically superior than the peoples it colonized, and the peoples that successfully deterred or resisted Tiperyn colonialism (such as Kaya and Theyka) did so because of their technological prowess.

A small but violent Tiperyner workers' movement from the 19th century based on an borrowed from the Elektivoud legend to represent their plight. In some cities, the oak tree with lightning shooting out from its branches became a symbol for anti-industrialization in Tiperyn and is now commonly used by anti-automation and labor rights organizations.

Religious humility
In Tiperyn tradition, the tale of Elektivoud is often told to teach children lessons of humility, both relative to God and other people. The self-destruction of the arrogant and their negative impact on society as a whole is commonly interpreted as a secular moral value instilled by the Elektivoud legend. It also supports the religious doctrine that God is the creator of all things and that humanity must not let its worldly posesssions distract from that belief. Although not typically taught in a church setting, illustrated versions of the story are common as children's picture books and plays.

Environmentalism
The banishment of Elektivoud is sometimes interpreted as a tale encouraging stewardship of the natural world. Under this interpretation, the trees are the lifeblood of the city representing the bounties of the natural world. But, Elektivoud perceived itself to be superior over all other cities for the gifts God gave it (i.e. the trees and lightning) without acknowledging him, claiming the city was of their own creation to exploit and flaunt. It has been argued that the Elektivoud legends makes it humanity's duty to act as the stewards of the world that God gave them as if it were a precious gift given by a loved one.

Maternalist colonialism
During the age of discovery and colonialism, the Elektivoud legend was and still is related to Tiperyn's role as a colonizer. Under this interpretation, it is believed that certain peoples were blessed with certain gifts from God (such as technological intellect and natural resources). In a, the peoples who are entrusted with the superior gifts have a moral obligation to rule in God's name for the betterment of the peoples under their care. However, to be physically placed under their care, in line with God's will, imperialist processes must occur. This interpretation supports Tiperyn's policy of, whereby it culturally sees itself as a long lost mother finding her child once more and resuming her maternal guardianship.

Maternalist values have been criticized as a deeply racist perspective that infantilizes the indigenous peoples that Tiperyn has colonized, as well as the Goidels of Western Tiperyn who do not have the full rights and privilieges of ethnically Tiperyner and Anglic citizens. They argue that the colonized under the care or rule of the Tiperyners would not have been able to achieve safety, security, or prosperity without their moral guidance. But, at the same time, it has been argued that Tiperyner colonialism was generally less brutal than the more oppressive philosophies of Agrana y Griegro and the Ovancian Empire as a result.

Ironically, it has been argued that Elektivoud as a maternalist allegory draws opposite lessons from interpretations centered on humility. In a sense, through a maternalist lense, the perception of superiority was not the deadly sin of the people of Elektivoud, but their resulting neglect of inferior cities.

Industrialization and automation
From the onset of mass industrialization in Tiperyn, the Elektivoud legend has been used by workers groups to oppose technology that made their trades redundant. This has been carried into the modern day, with the lightning trees of Elektivoud being a common symbol representing resistance to the automation of industry and services. The lesson drawn from the tale is that technology (i.e. the trees and the amenities they powered) made humanity arrogant and pulled them away from God.