Editing Belladarian (section)

==Politics and Religion== 

Political and religious powers and affairs are rigorously separated in Belladarian life.   The ruling governing body among the Belladarians is the "Great Circle."  This august political body is comprised of the most ancient of the members of each subspecies.  Members are replaced only upon the death of a sitting member of the Great circle and can only be held by a member of the same subspecies. In this way, each of the Subspecies receives the same level of governmental representation.

Lesser Circles are established on a local level and are comprised by all members of a community or region that have attained the "Age of Sitting." As the various subspecies age and mature at different rates, there is no set calendar age set that is uniform for the species as a whole. Once a Belladarian reaches the "Age of Sitting" they are entitled to join in the political discussion and decision-making policies of their local Lesser Circles.  Lesser Circles are called as frequently or infrequently as needed to handle and administer the areas in which the members live.

At any level of Circle, decisions are democratic, and follow the rule of majority. Only in instances of a tie, can the most ancient of all the Belladarians cast a second vote to establish policy. In the last three thousand years, this has only happened twice and so is a very big event when it must take place.

The greater Circle is considered by outsiders to be slow to reach a decision. This is usually attributed to the advanced age of their membership. 

===Ceremonial Religion=== 

The average life span of a Belladarian is roughly 150 standard years.  The oldest member of species is currently 237 standard years of age.  The most ancient of the Belladarians, those serving on the great circle have become sedentary by nature.  They have chosen to remain firmly planted in the Great Circle. While they are capable of movement, they will do so only at times of the greatest peril. Because of their status as venerated leaders, the Belladarian people place a great prestige upon the refreshing ceremony in which they put forward an offering of freshly prepared high-nutrient soil for their leaders. In one way, this can be seen as a form of Oligarchic worship, but the Belladarians deny such claims.  

The Belladarians on each continent reunite bi-annually, at the summer solstice and again at autumn equinox.  The location of the Gathering is considered sacred, and its location has never been revealed to outsiders.  

In the center of the Sacred Grove, reside three petrified trees, complete with leaves.  Geologically they are 65 millions years old, and were estimated to be roughly two hundred years old at the time of their petrification.  Despite the passage of time, earthquakes and other geologic upheavals and earthquakes, they are in excellent condition. 

Around these trees, the Belladarians built an enormous coliseum.  Here the families group together and the collective masses chant in a manner reminiscent of those used by Tibetan monks.  The ceremonial songs begin before sun up and end at sunset.  This ceremony would take place at a different time of the year on each of the three continents.