Skothika

### Legislature

Jarlsmoot (Yearly gathering of all Jarls and their high seers, held in Skaghammar)

## Demographics

### Races

55% humans, 22% dwarves, 12% goliaths, 5% giants, 6% other

### Religions

Divine Host Pantheon (primarily Katagidos)

Skothika is a union of tribes under the authority of one King. Many of the tribe's within the King's claimed lands do not bend to the king's authority, but as long as they remain within their reserved space, they don't risk reprisal from the king and his allies. Tribes maintain their own taxes, and the only thing they owe the king is soldiers during wartime in trade for protection from Ealdermen, enemies of the state, and monsterous incursion.

### History

The Kingdom of Skothika was formed in the spring of 1279, when the treat of Ludanian invasion became too eminent to ignore. The southern half of the Nordland continent formed the Kingdom of Skothika, while the primarily giant and dwarf inhabited north remained independent, slowly joining through the 14 and 15th centuries.

### Geography

* Exports: Fur, whale oil, walrus ivory, fish
* Imports: Crops, horses, textiles
* Resources: Ore, lumber, wildlife, sealife
* Placement: Impervious to land invasions from the south, due to a narrow mountain pass that spans over a hundred miles, and sea invasion due to high cliffs and fjords on the west, and frigid seas with strong winds to the east. Very few opportunities for trade, prompting large sea raids on Ludania.

### Religion

* Primary Religion: Divine Host
* Primary Deity: Katagidos, Eleftos
* Practices: Burn large mammal sacrifices for good fortune for the whole tribe (whales, mammoths)
* Myths: Seers and druids are the god's messengers and prophets, and always deserve a place of prestige in the tribe, but should be kept on the fringes of society, due to their mysterious nature

### Achievements

* Art: Dwarvish craftsmanship and giantish strength combine beautifully in their massive statues and keeps carved into the faces of mountains. Massive statues of Katagidos and Eleftus guard the enterance to the fjord at Skaghammar. Legend has it that the statues will become the avatars of the gods they represent if the city is ever invaded.
* Literature: The most praised piece of literature in Skothika is the story of a demigod son of Katagidos, and his herculean ventures (author unknown)
* Agriculture: The dwarves of Hearn and Gvilir Revliv have discovered a way to grow successful tuber crops in the cold hearts of mountains, lit by the dull glow of Brightcap mushrooms
* Science: The Skothik longship has the capacity to carry hundreds of soldiers through massive ocean waves, as well as 3ft deep rivers with ease the wide, shallow body, and multiple forms of locomotion make it one of the fastest and most advanced ships to brave the Centersea.

### Politics

* Officials: King Ovan Joretson - a powerful goliath warlord - rules the kingdom from Skaghammar, while Prince Rastos Ovanson - his half-goliath son - defends it from the fortress of Mundenjord.
* System: Confederate monarchy (king handles foreign policy, military draft, and provincial protection, jarls set their own laws, taxes, and trade).
* Legislature: Jarlsmoot meets yearly to discuss foreign policy, to debate universal laws, and to settle disputes between tribes.
* Exchange: Hereditary transfer of Jarldoms and the title of King from father to son at death or resignation.

### Economics

* Expensive Resources: Textiles, spices, horses, livestock
* Cheap Resources: Ore, weapons, fur, lumber, stone
* Trade: Acquire livestock and horses from the goblin Khinates in exchange for lumber, and textiles through Olean in exchange for ships and metal.
* Wealth: Average income 5sp/day
* Currency: The Skothik Skjold, a gold coin with a shield-bearing warrior (probably Katagidos) on one side. Worth 1gp.

### Society

* Ethnic Groups: 30% Skoths, 20% Nords, 5% Andols & Gallocans, 22% dwarves, 12% goliaths, 5% giants, 6% other
* Higher: Soldiers, seers, druids
* Lower: Farmers, hunters, slaves
* Interaction: The soldiers often hold prestigious positions in society, and are the only ones besides jarls who can own land. Druids and Seers are given plots of land for their circles to live on (just outside of a village). Farmers, hunters, and artisans must provide resources to their Jarl as tax, and slaves work in trade for their life.