[Emhain]

To the honourable representative of the Crown Estate Commission,

We, the Nírenethil (Marsh Elves) community of Emhain wish to apply for the designation as a Holdfast.
We are but poor pacifist agrarian Elves that have called The Marshes our home for generations, however we sense the changes in the wind and fear our time in self-imposed isolation has placed our community in great risk. We implore that you grant us the status as Holdfast so that we may be granted the ability to defend our homeland. Our economy has still much to grow, however we do herd and milk our Kasogonagás (Giant Capybaras), forage for swamp berries, peat, swamp metal ores, fungi, and honey, and even grow our own lotuses and edible reeds. We also have a highly developed chandlery industry and would be excited to trade with the other holdfasts, once ties have been established. Our Mounted blowpipers and bolas warriors are specialized in wet-terrain shock & retreat combat. Our small reed-made homes float atop the marshes.



Our history
We ousted our enslavers from this land countless years ago in the Great War of the Marshes. Unfortunately, we do not have records before we were enslaved for our captors forbid us to even speak to our progeny. However, thanks to the heroic acts of our men, women, and hijras we were able to carve out our own refuge; in which peace, meditation, free love, equality, kindness, and shared-ownership may prosper under the guidance of our divinely-inspired matriarchal priestesses.
Our traditions revolve around celebrating our ancient fertility goddesses Satjananaïa's and Kutjananaïa's embrace and love for each other. Their imunu gives life to all things under the Sun and Moon.



We normally lead peaceful lives where we enjoy the simple things in life. Our way of life can be described as Hedonistic-Altruism and was prescribed to us by one of the leaders of our revolt, Šoon Nunoku Venahu.


 


The Council of the Matjis
The Matjis are our matriarchal community leaders, and are chosen by the community for their kindness, arbitrational skills, gentility, and devoutness to Kutjananaïa and Satjananaïa. The Matjis and their apprentices serve as communal judges and ceremonial leaders. They also lead the full-moon meditation dances every month. 
In times of strife, the Matjis may select either a Toki (War-leader) and/or a Loñko (Strategy-maker), who may temporarily make any rules or changes to the community until the Matjis deem the threat over. 


Population
We number at 42.821 according to our latest census, with about a 1/3 of the population living in their own floating islands in close proximity to the main floating island of Sassaleïagorana (14.653). While Faleïagorana, Moreïagorana, Findeïagorana, and Gureïagorana are the other main floating reed islands. 

Military
We can safely rely on 350 expertly trained mounted blowpipers & bolas warriors, 650 archers, 1200 spearmen, and a 280-strong guild of defensive architects that specialize in creating traps in the marshes.

Natural and Processed Goods
Kasogonagás (Giant Capybaras; "Swamp Horses") = 1 point
Agricultural foodstuffs (Marsh berries, Lotus flowers, Edible Reeds, honey, oysters) = 1 points
Kasogonagási Yoghurt, Reed Bread biscuits, Fermented honey wine = 2 point
Wicker baskets & Wicker furniture= 1 point
Salt (Food Preservative) & Peat (Fertilizer) = 1 point
Exquisite Wax Candles = 2 points