Vitmark

== General ==
Vitmark is a country created by u/LeStump for Solos. It is divided into 3 geographical regions. Vitmark (the mark) is a land of great beauty and great peril. The land is home to mighty (albeit small)
forests, snowy plains and tundras, pleasant lakes, majestic rivers and rocky shores. Major population centers are on the rivers and
lakes and the coastline.
Litemark: is the island due west of
Vitmark's mainland in an inlet sea . The geography is very similar
but the weather and water conditions are more pleasant given it's
shelter from the sea.
== People ==
Vitmark is a land of humans and Gwerin. The humans have light skin and long hair and are typical very tall and fit. The Gwerin (dwarves) are fair creatures with big, black eyes and pale skin that burns in the sun. Hence they stay either underground or only come out at night or cloudy days (most days) fill it out if it is your nation.
== Settlements ==
There are several cities, towns, and villages throughout the Mark. The central area of any city is the port, and the town springs up around it. Once reaching a certain size, the earth ramparts of small villages are replaced with stone and a castle is eventually constructed. Seeking better prospects, a settlement may also be found across the sea. These towns are small and are not considered actual territory, but are often traded at. One day perhaps they will grow into prosperous cities.
There are also a few Gwerin city states within the country. These are closely allied with the Mark and are
considered de facto territory of the Kingdom.
== Government ==
The Mark is governed by a loose conglomeration of Jarls and Barons that rule over individual provinces/cities. All of these noble men are loyal to the King.
== Culture ==
A deep mariner culture. Almost everyone
knows how to at least crew a boat, it is the main mode of
transportation from boating through the river Lope or sailing across
sea to seek fame and fortune.
There are 5 social classes: peasants,
warriors, merchants, clergy, and lords. It is not uncommon to move
between these classes. Most peasants own a sword or an axe and may
become warriors if they want to take up arms. Years of hard work may
pay off, and a peasant might acquire their own ship and become a
merchant, or they might do extremely well and become a lord through
some means. Many people retire to a quite life of a monk. Out of
these classes, the only ones that are considered 'free' are those
that own their own ship, merchants and lords.
In the Mark, everyone is either on
their way up, or somebody is plotting their fall. All this fluidity
between the classes does not make for the most stable government.
Most serious issues are dealt with between local Barons and Jarls
with the King only displaying authority in his capital, or when
summoning people to war. Because of this, relations between various
provinces can be turbulent. The King has been trying to reign in the
nobility with varying degrees of success.
The men of the Mark yearn for the call
of the sea, and welcome exploration and those beyond their own
shores. Depending on the contact, they will either be looking for a
good trading partner, a place to settle, or a place to pillage...
Men of the Mark place a high emphasis
on personal honor attained through battle. A strong military record
is expected of every noble. Should a man be faced with death, he will
sell his life dearly.
Women are often seen as less capable as
men culturally, but there is no legal barrier to keep them from doing
anything a man couldn't do. There have even been ruling Queens in
Vitmark in days long past.
== Military ==
Vitmark only has a formal military it
times of war. Usually any hostile action is the work of some lord or
warrior that wants to go pillaging. The equipment of a warrior
depends on their wealth. The weapons of a warrior (sword and axe
etc.) are made of high quality steel. But they often forsake heavy
armor for fur to stay warm, preferring to take only a shield for
defense.
Because of this, the military focuses
on quick in and out pillaging and naval raids and is virtually
unmatched at sea. Getting bogged down in a siege is also not common,
preferring to assault a position if it cannot be starved out.
Military technology and tactics are aggressive, where offensive
technology has vastly outpaced defense technology. Cavalry is used,
but it is uncommon as many people don't own horses.
== Faith ==
It is said there is one God, Havardr,
the traveler god. He crosses the realm of the living and dead, and
the vast distances of the world with grace. He protects travelers on
the road and sea, and shepherds souls to the land of the dead. Luck
is also an area of his responsibility. He is non violent, and
achieves all his mythic deeds peacefully. His appearance is that of a
sailor, clad in fur with a short beard and his magic wand. For
warriors, it is difficult to reconcile their violent lifestyle with
Havardr's example.
=== Path of Havardr ===
Worship of the Traveler God is very casual. Given his nature, he has no temples. Only sacred stones scattered throughout the Mark dot the Path of Havardr. A pious man will complete the Path at least once in his life. He need not fear, for Havardr protects all the penitent wanderers.
There are other stones dotted throughout the land. They typically stand about the height of a man, and they recount the mythic deeds of Havardr.
He is known as Havardr Raskvises, the swift appearer. He fills the minds of the blessed with visions and grants powerful enchantments of fortune upon the worthy.
The stones are a place of sacred sanctuary, it is forbidden to kill anything within 100 feet of a stone.
In death, souls wander to a stone, and wait for Havardr to come collect them and show them the way to the eternal land.