Fantasmal Government
The Fantasmal Government is the global governing body of Mendala. It handles any and all legislation that has global impact; controls the global economy and commerce practices; validates the existence of all countries and independent cities; and enforces global policy; and handles matter of international crime or terrorism.
The Fantasmal Government answers only to the Epouranal Council which admittedly does no official monitoring of the governments activities unless absolutely necessary.
The Fantasmal Government is specifically prohibited from interfering in the internal matters of country or independent city except when that country or independent city is not recognized as an official country or city or when that country or city is engaged in illegal activities as defined by global legislation (such as slavery).
The Fantasmal Government also does not interfere in matters of war, unless one of the nations is [Sunnitarian] or all waring parties petition for mediation.
Origins
The Fantasmal Government was founded in 1 TS by [Marius Fantas]. For several hundred years prior, many nations and cities had been clamoring for some form of world leadership. Several attempts had been made but all had failed. On multiple occasions people pleaded with the epouranal mages to establish such a government as they were the highest prophets of the land, but the epouranals refused, citing that it was not their responsibility to govern, but to be prophets. However, this did not stop the constant petitioning so the epouranals spent several months in prayer and meditation, seeking Elohim's guidance for an answer to the people's request.
On the 3rd Erphorder of Zinidrin, the 12 epouranal mages gathered outside the estate of Raymond Rensfield, a wealthy landowner who lived west of the [Crystal Sands Desert], in the area currently known as [Weavers Road]. Each epouranal had been in prayer and meditation in their own separate places, but they were all led to that estate on the eve of the new year for the same purpose. At midnight of the new year, they entered the estate under the light of a new moon, bright yellow, which would be called Normenia.
When Raymond heard that the twelve epouranals had come to his land seeking the man who would lead Mendala, he immediately went to greet them, thinking that he had been chosen, for many had thought he should attempt to form a world government. He was surprised, however, when the epouranals asked to see Marius Fantas, who was a slave in Raymond's estate.
Marius's family had been enslaved for so long, that his surname was "Fantas," which meant "servant." He along with his wife Ester, and his young daughter Sarah, all worked in the Rensfield estate. They were extremely poor and were not even trained in basic mentus, but Raymond treated all of his slaves very fairly and made sure they were well taken care of.
The twelve epouranals took Marius from the estate that very night and told him that he had been chosen to lead the new world government. Marius was skeptical of this pronouncement, despite the fact that all twelve of the highest prophets of the land agreed. To prove to Marius and the world that he was to be the new world leader, the Epouranals used their combined power to transport Marius to the tallest mountain on Mendala, in the Lumarian mountain range and they left him there saying that he was to move the mountain to the isthmus between Candovia and Lumaria and that would prove that he was to be the leader of the world.
Of course, such a thing was unheard of. No single person, not even an epouranal, could perform such an action using mentus, and Marius was not even skilled in mentus. However, he was a man of great faith and spiritual conviction. So, being faced with the impossible, Marius prayed to Elohim and his prayer answered, some say it was a messenger of Elohim, but many texts purport that the actual voice of Elohim spoke these words. "Marius, if you have faith even as small as a grain of sand, you can speak to this mountain and command it in my name to move, and it will do so. That is the power that you, and anyone you teach, can have. But you shall be the greatest of them all. You shall no longer as Fantas, a mere servant, but from hence forth you will be known as Fantasma, My Greatest Servant."
Marius obeyed what he was told and, knowing the ancient Mendalian language, spoke "Mittius Mandamus Mocomon Levrious Tacktorinate," which means "In the name of Elohim, I command this mountain to move." To his great surprise, upon these words, the mountain heeded his command and was instantaneously transported to where the isthmus between Lumaria and Candovia.
This event was so phenomenal that mentants around the world sensed it but could not figure out what force had moved the mountain because no mentus had been detected. The epouranals used their superior mentus powers to proclaim throughout the mentant realm, that Marius Fantas was now the Fantasma, leader of Mendala
Many people, like Raymond Rensfield, did not hesitate to send envoys, servants, money, and other means of support to the mountain to aid the Fantasma in establishing his new world government. Several countries and cities also sent representatives, but not everyone was pleased with the seemingly arbitrary selection of a mere servant, not skilled in any form of government or leadership, as the world leader. Many governments would not submit to the Fantasma, and there was a great deal of opposition.
The most pronounced was from the Warrior Guild an international organization devoted to training people in combat in battle. Many excelled through the Warrior Guild and went on to become leaders and politicians. This system had been in place for several thousand years and though the guild could be brutal, it had always been seen as the most equitable way to advance. All were welcome at guild. In some cases even slaves were allowed to use the guild to raise themselves out of debt.
A large army came to Fantasmal Mountain to force the Fantasma to relinquish his claim as world leader. They surmised that no one man, even one reported to be as powerful as an epouranal, could stand against an army of thousands. Fantasma proved this theory wrong. He stood at the top of Fantasmal Mountain in a hollow chamber and proclaimed, "You claim that you should have authority because you have power. You've come here to back up your claim by using your weapons and mentus against me, but Elohim has made me the leader of this planet, and He gave me the power to backup that authority. If ‘might makes right' is all you can understand, then let me show you my might." He spoke one mandamus command and the armies were scattered to the corners of the planet. The hollow chamber at the top of the mountain was named Echo Cavern because from that location, the Fantasma could use mandamus that affected the entire planet.
After this fantastic display of power, no one else dare challenged the rule of the Fantasma and many more countries began to send delegations and representatives to the mountain. Ironically, it was one of the leaders of the army, [Leonard Timpson], that formed the [Fantasmal Knights] and helped eventually reform the Warrior Guild under the Fantasmal Government.
Since then, there have been only a handful of serious attempts to oppose the Fantasmal Government.
Functions
The main purpose of the Fantasmal Government is to create and enforce international legislation and policies. It also regulates global economy, commerce, and trade, tightly monitoring merchants to prevent fraudulent activities which is easy to do with mentus and mandamus. The Fantasmal Government controls the Warrior Guild, the [Lostram Bank], the [Clock Of Mandoria] and [Weather Mountain] among other things.
The Fantasmal Government levies taxes against countries, independent cities, merchants, private banks, and the Warrior Guild in order to pay for everything necessary to run the agencies within. Because of this, the government is never in debt, and also stopped accepting private donations of any kind in 473 TS, to prevent even the hint of impropriety.
Major Components
The Fantasmal Government is composed of several organizations and agencies, some more prominent than others including:
The official timepiece of Mendala. The Clock of Mandoria is the way that mentants are capable of telling time in the mentant realm. Because of its significance and importance, the Fantasmal Government loosely controls and protects the clock and the [Time Keeper]. The Time Keeper and staff are responsible for the maintenance of the clock and creation and distribution of [Mandorinites].
Fantasmal Court
Officially the second highest court in the world, (the highest court being the Epouranal Council), in almost all but the rarest of circumstances, any and all judicial disputes stop here. The Fantasmal Court is composed of 7 guardians, selected by the Fantasma. They hear cases that cannot be resolved within the confines of a city or country's regular judicial process or judicial issues that cross international lines. Depending on the judicial issue in question a case can be heard by one, three or all seven of the court guardians.
The military and armed forces of the Fantasma incorporating the [Fantasmal Knights], the [Sunnitarian Guard], the [Oceanic Protectorate], and the [Mentus, Mandamus, & Mettle Military Forces] or MM&M.
The most comprehensive set of libraries in the world. This library not only includes a copy of almost every book ever written but also copies of all public melivian recordings whether they are news, dramatic performances, or just short announcements. The libraries contain copies of every legal document both public and private and contain copies of all records generated for purposes of government or commerce, including meeting minutes, memorandums and even order forms.
The libraries also house every known ancient scroll, all known epouranal texts (originals or copies), and an abundance of ancient and priceless artifacts.
Fantasmal Staff
All those who work for the Fantasma which incorporates all of the healers, summoners, quickeners, mind mages, and mandants who do special tasks and errands throughout the mountain and the world as well as the persons who work in hospitality and the support staff who take care of the mountain. The entirety of the Fantasmal Staff is headed by the [Fantasmal Mind Mage].
Global Trade and Commerce Authority
This agency deals with merchants, trade, and commerce throughout Mendala. Merchant activity is tightly monitored because of the ease of fraud using mentus and mandamus. In many cases a first offense can result in extremely high fines, revocation of licenses, or even jail. The T&C Authority also deals with the regulation of [Fantasmal Merchants] and commercial quickeners.
Guardian Council
The Guardian Council is composed of 12 guardians who are selected by the Fantasma. They are responsible for distributing guardians all across Mendala to various people and places. They receive regular reports from guardians in the field and monitor guardian actions. The council is also responsible for controlling the training and mentoring of potential guardians and recommending such potentials to the Fantasma.
House of Tellus
This includes representatives from all recognized countries. The council deals with issues and legislation specific to countries.
House of Vurbis
This includes representatives from all recognized independent cities and deals with issues and legislation specific to those cities.
The global banking system. All private banks communicate and exchange currency through the Lostram. The Lostram is also responsible for controlling currency value in relation to centars as well as creating and distributing authentic currencies and granting the ability to produce [Fantasmal Gold] for the purposes of creating currency.
Special Investigation Services
This organization deals with crime on a global scale including terrorism, governmental corruption, and organized crime. The SIS incorporates the [Fantasmal Marshals] who pursue and transport criminals that cross international lines, the [Special Agents Of Mendala] who deal with high level organized crime and terrorism, and the [Governmental Investigation Agency] which deals with political or government corruption including the Fantasmal Government itself.
A long standing institution that existed before the Fantasmal Government. The Warrior Guild is a place where people learn to fight and can use this to improve their standing in their communities. The Warrior Guild is only loosely regulated by the Fantasmal Government but death matches are strictly prohibited. The guild is responsible for a large amount of the money used to run the government.
Responsible for the balance of weather across the planet. Because of its significance and importance, the mountain is loosely monitored and protected by the Fantasmal Government. However it is run by the Commander Of Weather and the staff of the mountain. The Commander of Weather is responsible for the regulation and control of all weather masters/mistresses across the planet.
Have questions, comments, or need more information about something in the libraries?
Please feel free to visit the Fantasmal Libraries Board in the Mentant Realm | 
