Sverrir

## K'la Kashkab (formerly Sverrir)

K'la Kashkab (formerly Sverrir) is a coastal nation which spreads along the new south coast. Its primary inhabitants are the Sverrin, a race of hybrid humanoids with Orca-like features. The people of K'la Kashkab hold close ties to the nation of Khutuc; with whom they share a common language, as well as to the Kjevros (the people of Yvros), who, after the events of the KjEdystx Enlightenment, they began to view as holy saviors, and as the mentors who will lead their nation to a brighter future.

The nation of K'la Kashkab, which formerly operated as an Egalitarian theocracy, Adopted a new system of Religious Autocracy after the signing of a peace treaty with their conquerers and missionaries from Yvros, known as the K'la Kashkab accord. This treaty entailed the establishment of the nation as an autonomous colony of Yvros, as well as setting in place a number of laws regarding which religious practices were henceforth forbidden within the nation.

K'la Kashkab was allowed to maintain the majority of it's religious beliefs under this agreement, however they were to be modified somewhat so as to better fit with KjEdystx culture. The changes made by the K'la Kashkab accord are listed below.

* The capital of Sverrir is to relocate from Ag'Sverrir to Brea'Sverrir.
* Several name changes are to occur; including the nation's official name from Sverrir to K'la Kaskab. The name of it's new capital is to change from Brea'Sverrir to Qozimlanzh. The anglicised kjEdystx names for all cities and provinces are to be recognized as official names.
* K'la Kashkab (formerly Sverrir) is to recognize and accept the kjEdystx religion, although its people hold no formal oath to practice it.
* The Authority of the religious leaders of K'la Kashkab (formerly Sverrir) is no longer to be recognized as absolute; instead a "Lord Director" of kjEdystx descent is to be placed as the country's formal leader, allowing for consultancy from former religious authorities.
* K'la Kashkab is to recognize its new flag (below left) as the official colours of the nation, and no longer fly \_\_\_ (below right).

(beware, no updated information beyond this point!)

Agsverrir, formally the capital of Sverrir, was renamed \_\_\_. \_\_\_ being the spiritual home of "The Children of Uma," it is a place of great spiritual resonance to the people of K'la Kashkab, although it is no longer a place of religious fanaticism as it once was. Uma being the goddess of the sea (as per Sverric belief), she was once seen as the place from which all life originated and will one day return. Under the new Religious Autocracy put in place by KjEdystx sovereignty, Uma is now said to be a mere manifestation of \_\_\_, the KjEdystx deity of \_\_\_.

To an onlooker, the average Sverrin appear to be mostly humanoid in shape with adaptations that give them an orca-like appearance. Instead of hair, a singular tendril trails from their head, reminiscent of a whales tail, and their skin is closer to that of a rough hydrophobic hide, with the extremities such as their hands and feet all being webbed to assist with swimming. Given this adaptation, they show a preference for coastal living and avoid straying too far inland so as to not be too distant from Uma and her grace. Most Sverrins live in sheltered pools, under simple structures of wooden arches and painted canvas placed over a submerged abode. Sverrins prefer to rest in water and will generally avoid sleeping on dry surfaces whenever possible.

During the time of expansion, the borders of Sverrir extended to the borders of Vlides Galaria to the West and the Khutuc to the East, and the untamed lands to the North, thus far they have shown little interest in extending further beyond these historic borders, instead placing their efforts towards cooperation with their immediate neighbours and allies along the New South Sea Coast. To this date, the nation of Sverrir possess five principle cities, the nations capital Arg'Sverrir and Merra'Sverrir lie within the province capital province, the city of Aur'Sverrir within the Aves'Osa province and the cities of Brea'Sverrir and the rediscovered Rah'Sverrir within Telleks'zah.

Basic Statistics

## History

#### Prehistory

The Sverrir Folk ( or Sverro'Orcinus or Sverrin), first settled on the New Southern Coast during the time when the Empires to the East we're in the midst of the Iron Age. Using their natural swimming abilities, the Sverrir Folk managed to survive as hunter gathers, using their natural swimming abilities to excel at catching small fish and harvesting wild root vegetable and native fauna to supplement their diets. It was not until the arrival of the Voice that everything would change, as the Sverirr folk found themselves given new purpose under the teachings of the enigmatic sea goddess Uma. Encouraged by their prophet they began to wander further from Sverrir in hope of spreading the Voice's teachings and protecting Uma's domain. To the South, they met their Khuta people, who through early interactions aided the Sverrir in the refinement of their language and to write a common script. To the North they met the Vritlamaenn, to which the Sverrir initially referred to as the Weaver people, out of a fascination for both their embroidered wares and the stories of gods both familiar and new to the Sverrir nation. The Sverrin could not have hoped for better neighbours after the foundation of their first coastal settlement Argsverrir.

#### The New South Sea Swarm (Week 20 Ritual)

##### Background

After a particularly warm spring, the swarm emerged and devastated farmland across the coast of the New South Sea, resulting in widespread unrest and fear of famine. Several days after the swarm, a just as sudden schooling of bioluminescent fish also appeared off the coast around the sea. Just as leaders across the region were planning for the worst, fishing ships began pulling in net after net filled with the fish, which were quickly preserved on a massive scale and distributed throughout the country. While many still went hungry, the disaster and subsequent response solidified belief in many governments' abilities to care for their people and united the disparate nations and tribes of the New South Sea for a time.

##### A test of faith

Given the Sverrir folks pescatarian diet, the arrival of the locusts was not felt as pronounced as it was for its neighbours, whilst the rice paddies and the nearby vegetation were ravaged, what stores they had of dried fish was enough to sustain the capitals population at least in the short term. Nevertheless, the locusts was deemed an ill omen, and as famine set in the smaller neighbouring tribes congregated to the capital in search of aid. Indeed many Sverrin’s believed that the locust swarm would preclude the arrival of a tempest. A belief that Uma’s more tempestuous aspect Uma’ra was succeeding over her mirror Uma’ro.

It was when things seemed to be at their most critical that “The Voice” Uma’Lasker decreed a day’s fast at the capital, in a display of faith to their sea goddess in a bid for salvation for the other coastal tribes. Whether it was by intervention or coincidence, the following day large shoals of bioluminescent fish appeared throughout the coast’s waters, making for easy prey. Perceived as a blessing from Uma many Sverrin took to the water to fish up the bounty so as to provide for the tribes seeking aid. Once the tribes were fed and sufficient aid offered, in a show of gratitude the Sverrins used the scales from these unusual fish to create new trinkets and symbols as a show of both respect and gratitude for Uma’s mercy.

Indeed, every man, woman and child, gave up a personal trinket of sentimental value as a votive offering to Uma in thanks for bounty, although it remains to be seen whether this was indeed a merciful act or yet another test. For there are some who believed that the fish shoal was not a blessing but a test by Uma herself, one which some feared, the Sverrins may have failed. Was the shoal truly a bounty offered by Uma, or was she testing the Sverrins resolve to resist temptation? Only time will tell if the Severin’s choice was one that helped secure future prosperity or one that would invite a future tempest to the coast.

Sensing concern amongst the faithful, It is said that Uma’Lasker spent the next fortnight, in deep meditation listening to the waves, seeking a portent from Uma for what future come may come to pass. Was our faith recognised? Did Uma truly bless us? Or did we misunderstand the test? Will the future present calm waters or a future tempest?

Sadly the answer came soon enough as Uma'Lasker, Uma's voice found themselves straddling the border between life and death. For in her meditations Uma'Lasker fell deep into a trance. It is said ahe swam the oceans of the spirits to contact Uma, and ended up drowning. Entering into a deep coma, the people of Sverrir grew ever worried of their status with the gods...

##### The Silence

For the Sverrin, a death by drowning is often a rare occurrence, given the races aquatic adaptations to coastal living and being from the sea itself, for a Sverrin to drown was usually a case of considerable misfortune or poor planning. But for the Voice, Uma’Lasker to be found on the edge of death along the coastline from drowning, that was an ill omen if there ever was one.

It was the current Uma’khan, Arjhan’tellek who was the first to discover Uma’Laskers unconscious and broken form not far from her sanctuary, to which her body was recovered and returned to her chambers. Arjhan’tellek was appointed Uma’s consort by the voice when she had come of age, as is tradition, when the current Uma’Lasker passes away, the search begins for her reincarnation, the next Sverrin to bear her soul and to maintain their link with Uma. Of course no one rules alone, and it was tradition that when the new voice Uma’Lasker reached they’re 20th year, that they were expected to appoint a new Consort to preside over matters of state as Uma’s appointed champion. Arjhan’tellek had been appointed the new consort 30 years ago, his duty was to be a point of counsel for the voice and ensure the protection of her reincarnation into a new consort could be selected, whilst handling the matters of state that would distract her from her sacred duties. But nothing had prepared for a situation such as this. Uma’Lasker was alive if barely, but unable to speak or share Uma’s words, Uma’s voice was silent.

It would only be a matter of time before the nation would know what had become of Uma’Lasker, and Arjhan’tellek wasted no time in calling the council of fifteen.

When the elected elders selected from across all of Sverrir congregated to discuss the crisis at hand it was dismaying for Arjhan’tellek to witness his brethren in a state of panic and mistrust. One priest doubted chastised the Sverrins who fished the sacred shoals, another questioned if the Sverrins act of aid was proof that Sverrir was stronger alone. It was only when speech turned to the heretical that Arjhan’tellek spoke up.

“We should have turned away the tribes who came seeking food” cried one of the elder “by taking on their burden we have damned us all!”

*“Kensa duna konsona Uma’s Sver’kond”* responded Arjhan stepping up from his seat amidst the council “We are Uma’s children, and we are all equal above the waves, have we become so blind with fear to have lost sense of Uma’s tenets? What would Uma’Lasker make of this”.

There was a palpable pause within the chamber, idle chatter ceased as Arjhan allowed the weight of his words to sink in, it was the same elder Arok’kohn who responded.

“And what if Uma’Lasker never wakes? If this is not a sign from Uma then what is it? Is it not clear to year that we are damned Uma’khan?”

Arjhan chose his next words carefully “It is true that Uma’Lasker no longer speaks to us, she is alive but silent, but I have not given up on her. We have talked a great deal of having failed a test by Uma, but did ever occur to us that we are still being tested further?”

Arjhan took a few paces towards the center of the room council chamber “I for one do not regret what we did help the neighbouring tribes and I for one I am not prepared to easily abandon Uma’s teachings out of fear of retribution. This council speaks of tests of faith, well I believe that we are still being tested” Arjhan gestured outside the council chambers towards the Voices Sanctuary “Uma’Lasker continues to commune with Uma as we speak, and right now she requires our solidarity, if faith is the test, then faith, is the answer.”

Arjhan allowed a moment for the murmurings of the council to settle before issue his decree “We shall reinstate the fast as before, no Sverrin shall touch these glowing shoals. I want all the fisherman who took scales from the fish to surrender their trinkets and offer them to the sea, our priests will join the people in prayer, to both Uma and for the recovery of Uma’Lasker”. Arjhan strode back towards his seat before facing the council again, “I decree this as Uma’khan”.

There was another pause, before one of the elders asked the question that was on everyone’s lips “And what if Uma’Lasker never wakes up?”. Arjhan looked upon the elders and in attempt to instill confidence smiled and said “Then I will perform my duty as Uma’khan and protect the next Uma’lasker, and I pray that the Sverrir will be more united through our endeavours to endure this silence.”

“We will ride out the storm, no matter how long the tempest, calm waters will return again.”

##### Aftermath

As the Silence endured and without Uma'Laskers guidance, the Sverrir folk found comfort under Arjhan'telleks direction, as the populace continued to observe the ritual fasts, the Sverrir folk gained a new wariness of the gods and strove to prepare for the time of Uma'ra. The experience had been a humbling one by the time Uma'Lasker awoke once more the nation had undergone change. The Sevrrir folk were now a more united people then before, more determined to survive in an age of unpredictable gods. The Sverrir folk would determine their own fate.

Ritual result: +1 RITR, + 7 Will.

#### The Beginning of new era (Week ???)

*It had been two decades since the last Uma'Lasker had passed on and had reincarnated anew, and now as the new scion reached their third decade they had finally come of age and a coronation for the new Voice of Uma was on the horizon. A new era was dawning in Sverrir, but the preists remained wary of the Trials that Silence had wrought not so long ago and many remained troubled. The new Uma'Lasker was an able student yes, but unlike they're previous incarnation they were appeared significantly more receptive to the will of Uma, but their decrees appeared to be increasingly foreboding and appeared to portent a much graver future then anticipated. In private, a number of preists quietly assembled and with an offering a hundred silver eyed pearls made an offering to safegaurd the new Uma'Lasker to Uma directly. In a desperate hope that the terror of another silence may be avoided and that the future would be one of cooperation and peace, and not one of strife and terror. The offering of pearls were crushed into a fine powder and cast out into the sea. Only time would tell if the preists tribute would be in vein. Would the gods produce a sign of hope? Or an Omen of doom?*

As the pearl dust settled into the ocean, it marked a path, the priests saw this and spent days travelling along the coasts edge to find what they could only assume was an answer to their prayers. The trail ended at the edge of sverrin territory, and pointed towards Brea'Sverrir. Taking the hint, they began searching the land, travelling beyond the borders of Brea'Sverrir, before discovering an ancient shrine. Upon the shrine, markings depicting Uma'ra could be seen surrounding it. They investigated the shrine without further hesitation. Upon entering, they discovered a group of Sverrins kneeling before a statue. The priests walked forwards, and all bowed before the statue. The statue depicted Uma, holding out a hand to a fallen sea titan. The priests were startled as the soldiers all turned around. "We have devoted our lives to protecting this shrine. For you to find it, you must have recieved the blessing of Uma." The priests nodded and recalled their story of worry and doubt "The will of Uma supercedes all, we shall join you, and show you the old plains." The priests followed the 5 soldiers, who brought them to a fallen city of old. "When Uma disagreed with our ways, she moved further from us. We have devoted our lives to her forgiveness, and we are all that remain. Surely her guidance has led you here, and that can only mean one thing." The group all stood proudly, chanting in unison "She has forgiven us!" The priests scoured the remains and found nothing of use aside from pre existing architecture. It would be a nice place to have a town, they would surely use it in the future, but nothing that would advance their knowledge was found. The priests brought back the warriors, knowing that whatever Uma's plan was, it would surely be fulfilled.

Ritual Result: +1 city (Rah'Sverrir) & +1 ARMS

## Geography

The coast of which the Sverrin live is a temperate environment, with wide open beaches that meet a dense forest the further inland you go, The vegetation and fauna within the area is fairly typical of the region. The Sverrins settlements are built relatively close to sea level, their cities expanding along the coastline and up towards the forest areas. Past the forests and beyond the stretch of cliffs lie the great plains of the north an area that the Sverrin have seldom explored other then as a means to source the wild Oryza plants that grow there.

## Languages

The first language of Sverrir is Sverrir-Khuta a langauge shared with the Khutuc nation, the Sverrirn's adopted fairly early on in their history and the settlement of Agsverrir. In the past Sverrins were believed to have communicated via echolation when the race was in its infancy, a method that was only possible underwater. Upon arriving upon the surface a new means of communication was needed to be adopted and as such they adopted the language of the nearest tribes to form their own dialect.

Common phrases

*Dun Lasker (The Voice), Dun Uma’khan (The Consort / Uma’s Champion), Khan (Leader/Champion), Mere’vesko eso Uma ne’exan kos (Blessings of Uma be upon you), Ne kima dun aves’osa (Be like the still water). Kensa duna konsona Uma’s Sver’kond (We are all Uma’s children).  Kensa duna konsona esquan a’vasse dun tem’osa (We are all equal atop the waves).*

## Politics

The Sverrin are ruled by a Theocratic Council, to whom Uma’s Voice *(Uma'Lasker)* and Champion Consort the the *(Uma'Khan)*. With the Voice acting as the Spiritual leader of Uma’s Children and the Consort as the appointed head of state.

The role of Uma'Lasker is a post for life, there can only ever be one Uma'Lasker, and it is their reincarnation that takes over the position upon the death of their predeccesor. When the Uma'Lasker passes away, the search for their reincarnation begins immediately, this usually being the first known female newborn within Sverrir at after the time of death. Until the child reaches an age where they can act as they can adopt the role in the full the Uma'Khan continues to rule the state as before with the council's guidance before stepping down for a new Uma'Khan to be appointed once the new Uma'Lasker has come of age. The Uma'Khan as a post can be held by anyone and whilst the title suggests a marital link to the Voice this is in fact not the case, for it is not considered a union with the Voice, but with Uma with the voice’s appointment of a Champion being Uma’s decree. The Voice is free to elect any Sverrin to serve as Consort and once appointed they’re expected to leave their former life to act as Uma’s Champion, until a time when they’re permitted to retire, and usually granted an honorary position on the council of elders.

The council of Elders always consists of fifteen elders, who operate alongside the council of sages to form a governing body of thirty advisers. When a vacancy arises candidates can appeal to citizens for votes who are prepared to support their claim to become an elder. When sufficient support is amassed it is then down to the Voice to decide whether they will be permitted to join the council or if it is against Uma’s wishes. Regardless of the vote, the Uma'Laskers decree is final. Political factions often jockey to have their own candidates appointed when an Elder position comes up, as being able to have a direct channel to the Uma'Lasker can potentially grant significant influence. It is the responsibility of the Uma'Khan to oversee the Council of the Elders, ensuring that their concerns over civic interests are both heard and handled accordingly.

Unlike the Council of Elders, their counterpart the Council of Sages, consists entirely of members of the Preisthood of Uma's Children, who like the Elders consist elected members. The Council of Sages, represent the most skilled theologians amongst the Preisthood and it is their duty to serve as both guardians and advisers to the Uma'Lasker and ensure that the actions in the National Interest do not stray from Uma's teachings.

In regards to the Law, enforcement is carried out by appointed Sheriffs who handle local disputes and in times of grief and with approval of the priesthood are able to create militias to put down civil unrest. Given how most Sverrins have some basic martial training as part of their education, this system has thus far proved reasonably effective thus far. However as times have changed so has the governance of Sverrir continued to develop. At the civic level, new city polities made up of elected officials play an ever increasing role within the nations operations, mirroring similar structures to the Theocratic Council. With the cities High Sherriff and High Priests working in tandem with the city polities and local priesthood respectively to ensure that taxes are collected and that the local economy is fairly regulated.

## Religion and culture

### Moral values and principles

The Sverrin people live in an egalitarian society under the watchful guidance of the Priesthood, as Children of Uma, they understand that life is fleeting and should be lived to the fullest. Sverrins prefer to seek experiences as opposed to materialistic pleasures in life and are taught from a young age to be grateful for the bounties provided by nature and the sea. Those that would take more than their due are typically looked down upon and excessive gaudiness in fashion is usually deemed distasteful unless it can be linked to a story of discovery, experience or achievement. It is customary for Sverrins to show their dedication to Uma by providing offerings of trinkets that they have created or come across, in hope that good tributes will invite good fortune in the future. But that said, Sverrins are not soft, and whilst they will always be patient with outsiders and try to encourage calm waters, they will be very much prepared to invite the tempest when pushed too far. In the event of war, Sverrins will defend themselves with the same zealousness that they will protect the coast, as there can be no mercy for those that would despoil Uma’s domain.

### Traditions

Sverrins have always taken to seafaring, and activities such as boat races, swimming and diving are the most popular leisure activities. In addition so as to assist with defence, every Sverrin child is encouraged to take up a single martial pursuit so as to help repel raiders in the event of a crisis. As such tournaments where Sverrins can show off these skills have gained an interest and summer tournaments in archery, spear throwing and duelling are now an annual occurrence.

Full Moons are always observed as points where Uma’s influence in the world can be most felt and in recognition of the day, Sverrins gather to the coasts where Priests provide material votive offerings followed by feasting. These lunar gatherings are important dates in the Sverrin calendar and often act as key meetings for communities and officials. It is not uncommon for weddings, funerals and other major declarations of state to be made at the time of the full moon.

### Religion

The Children of Uma is unquestionably the dominant religion in Sverrir. Uma herself being the Deity of the Sea, to which all Sverrin people believe life to have originated from and to one day return. Much like the Ocean, she is presented as an unpredictable deity, whose personality can change as quickly as the tides. These aspects of Uma are referred to as that of Uma’ro and Uma’ra. Uma’ro the Mother, being the state of Uma when the deity is at rest and is nurturing to her children, providing bountiful catches of fish across calm and pleasant waters; and Uma’ra the Tempest, the Storm bringer who wipes away that which laid before, sinks ships and demands respect.

The Sverrins worship Uma by following the tenets set out by her Priesthood, who serves as the nation's rulers. The leaders of the faith have remained since time immemorial “The Uma'Lasker” and “The Uma'Khan”. Uma'Lasker is Uma’s will made flesh, the only who can interpret Uma’s will and directs religious matters and the Uma'Khan, the partner of the Voice who implements said interpretations into state law and offers direction to the nation.

It is the belief of Sverrins that when someone dies, their soul returns to the sea to be with Uma, and that if they were particularly devout or had performed great deeds, that they will be reincarnated as a Sea Titan so as to enact her will more faithfully. It is because of this that whales are deemed sacred to the Sverrin people, and to kill one is a great sin. Uma’s holy symbols include the teeth of sea creatures, disks that resemble the full moon, and wood carvings of sea titans.

### Uma's Tenets

Uma's wishes are communicated through the Voice, who interprets her whispers to set out the values that the Children of Uma are to follow. The tenets, as they are colloquially known rarely change and it is rare for a voice to introduce a new decree that violates those before them. At present the current tenets are as follows.

*We are all Uma’s children; All life originated from the sea, and one day we all return.*

*We are all equal atop the waves; Uma cares not for riches or personal glory, but only that you are faithful, to think yourself above another invites the Tempest.*

*Ride out the Storm; no matter how long the tempest, calm waters will return again, do not allow others to churn the waters.*

*Be like the sea, not the glacier; Rigidness brings stagnation, be open to change and the ideas of others.*

*Water is patient and inevitable; those that would attack her children will feel her waves crash upon their shores.*

*An attack on the sea is an attack on Uma; the bounty Uma provides must not be taken for granted, to despoil the coast is to harm Uma and invite the Tempest*