Saaramurya

Saaramurya is a province of Lamaria located to the north of the Thanvils and the east of the Velgen mountains. It is home to the kelte, and is dominioned over by the goddesses Kaastenmui and Torvonyyn.

## Toponomy

*Saaramurya* is said to have been the wordation of the sound made as the first kelte came into being, the sound of the breath that birthed them. Those ethereally placed would later say to have heard a sound like a quick wind moving a veil or curtain, a brief gust that came, shuddered, and left just as quickly. Though most had a different interpretation of what such a noise sounded like, Saaramurya was eventually accepted as the common name for their land.

Saaramurya is a wide land and difficult to cross, and thus it took a long time for this name to become common. Other interpretations of the sound such as Sasharua, huuvallya, Safloore, Oulerasaal, and Ahshillya were once used in regions of the land, but are now largely obselete.

## The Pillar of Saaramurya

The Pillar of Saaramurya was raised during the aftermath of the Vaahnetiin, the first of the Sul Lemaarin. In the reconcilliation between Kaastenmui and Torvonyyn, Kaastenmui carved the Pillar with enough care to make up for her actions. Then she plucked a strand of wind from the sky and wove it into a fibre, fine, pure and white. Seven more times she did this, choosing with the utmost care the perfect breeze to catch and lace. When all eight were gathered, she tied one end to the strand around the top of the Pillar, and placed one end upon the top of the iosa that overlooked the city. She did this with all eight strands, placing one upon each of the clifftops. And to anchor the strands, upon each ridgetop she placed a single pearl from her necklace.

## History

### 1000-2000

* 1000 - To mark the millenia, Torvonyyn and Kaastenmui place the first kelte on Lamaria. Torvonyyn placed 67 in each valley, and these became known as the Heimul. Kaastenmui placed 67 on each iosa, and these became known as the Vaahne. 1072 were placed in all.
* 1450 - The Vaahnetiin, the first Sul Lemaarin.
* 1502 - The Erovolk Synilvaan, the first Kar Lemaarin
* 1874 - Ilvaan i Kaltilvaan Synnen, the second Sul Lemaarin

### 2000-3000

* 2257 - The Leviathan Cataclysm
* 2258 - The Helkalaala Risku, the third Sul Lemaarin
* 2470 - The Cladless Twins, the second Kar Lemaarin

## Governance

Due to the uneven nature of the landscape, there are several different ranks of goverance that give rule and adjudication over seperate elements. Like most lands, the overruler holds the title *Skard*. The title of Skard has switched bloodlines once since politics were established due to the family dying out. Skardship then passed to the closest friend of the then-Skard.

### Skard

The Skard holds reign over Saaramurya. Though it is established the role of the Skard is determined by bloodline, they are surrounded by a circle of eight who hold court and council with them called the Okktoor. Each political discussion is held between the nine of them, and it is the Skard's role to chair and if necessary cast judgement upon prospective action. The Okktoor are elected, and there is one from each iosa. Very often, they are promoted from Iosatoor or Taivaltoor to the role. The eight represent the iosa whilst the Skard represents the Pillar, and by extension, Vaahnehein.

### Iosatoor

Toor, from the Saaramuryan *Leader*, the Iosatoor each govern one of the eight ridges that emanate from Vaahneheim. Each Iosatoor answers to a specific Okktoor, and every full moon the eight Iosatoor meet with the eight Okktoor and Skard to hold council to discuss progress and issues.

### Taivaltatoor

The taivaltoor each govern one of the eight valleys. They answer to the Skard and Okktoor every new moon. Whilst traditionally they reside in the gatehouse by the capital, it is more common for them to move to more central steadings within their province.

### Laarkentoor

Each lake, or Laarken, has a lakemaster who has charge of the lake, and any land within a 500m radius of it. The main focus of the Laarkentoor is to manage the fishing and fisheries around the lake. Laarkentoors are often leading or retired fishermen who have a nailed-on grasp of the occupation.

### Pallin

A Pallin is the mayor or chief of a large township or city. Though there is no standardised education in Saaramurya, most Pallin's will ensure that a common cirriculum is taught, since in the larger cities they can afford to teach more generalised materials. They are responsible for keeping track of the farming, trading and city development.

### Torpallin

Take rule over hamlets or small townships. Each answers to the Pallin of their nearst or associated city. It is the Torpallin's job ensure that the town's quotas and laws are being met, and thus their job to organise farming rotations, policing, tradeposts, education and job allocation. There is no standardised education in Saaramurya, so it falls to the Torpallin to decide what the town most needs and educate to that end. In the smaller settlements, a kelte's eea will help determine their occupation, and it is down to the Torpallin to decide what not only an individual, but their eea can bring to their community.

## Cities and Townships

### Cities:

* Maariahne (c)
* Eloviin Avi
* Siaska Nieni
* Syyneheln Tul
* Lylyery
* Laarkenkiin Avi
* Erypola
* Kairotulten

### Townships

* Apprina
* Ruuhi
* Vintisiiki
* Porivuulu
* Aarlour Loka
* Haviytar
* Rhomery
* Vallan's Eryn
* Findehaava
* Vuri
* Ahrys
* Kelbery
* Papamooli

### Landmarks

* Latavo Raiken
* Forgotten Valley
* Kollnottr Ruin
* Nordsondre Landing
* Otaerr Alehouse

## Iosas, Valleys and Lakes

The iosa refers to rising elevations of land between the valleys of Saaramurya. There are eight Iosan ridges that rise above Saaramurya in the shape of a spiral. Many are named after the river or rivers that flow alongside them. Others are translations of significant features or individuals.

* Talvessa (named after Talvessa River)
* Latava (Name, of naming)
* Hin (Hot)
* Thanvil (named after Thanvil Mountains it leads into)
* Lylypaivan (Singing Stones, homage to the rock it's made from)
* Nyksii (Sea, descends into Nordsondre Bay)
* Ero (White)
* Aarlour (High, tall)

Though the tops of the iosas are rarely greatly populated, their exposed banks are often rich in ores or precious rocks, and therefore cities are commonly built against the ridges.

### Valleys

There are eight valleys, each sitting between an Iosa. Though not named outrightly, each is referred to by the name of the predominant river or lake that flows through it. These are:

* Latavo Laarken (High Lake)
* Siaska Nieni
* Lamment Kasken (River to Lamment)
* Thanvil Kasken (River to Thanvils)
* Taivalta i Dholdrir (Valley of the Dholdrir)
* Jalavari (Name of river)
* Saariselke Laarken (Saariselke Lake)
* Lalli-Oulu
* Eloviin-Aluna Laarken (Eloviin-Aluna Lake)

### Vaahneheim

Vaahneheim is the capital of Saaramurya, and is the eye of the helix. There is a gateway cut through the mountains giving access to each valley from the capital. The Pillar was raised here. Most valleys have some sort of village, town or gatehouse to monitor those they allow into the city. Each gateway is narrow and guarded in the event of an attack. The main landmarks of the city are the Pillar and the Maariahne palace.

## Geography

### Natural Features

The iconic spiral of iosa and valleys is the largest landform in Lamaria, and is quite unique due to the nature of its origin. Many of the Iosa converge with or join mountain ranges of their own and continue out of Saaramurya, Thanvil and Ero Iosa that become the Thanvil range and the Velgen pass respectively. The rivers from the ridges converge in lakes or escape into neighbouring provinces with rivers or subterrainian tunnels. The Jalavari and Saariselke empty into the Nordsondre Bay.

### Climate

Saaramurya experiences a slightly different climate in each of its eight valleys. The southern valleys are very warm and jungle plants from the azaurian Riverlands encroach into the valleys. The westerly valleys bounded by the Velgen Mountains experience frequent snowfall, especially towards their perimeter, whilst the north is unprotected from the weather that blows in on the seafront.

### Plants and Wildlife

#### Flora

Despite the number of regions, there remains a very low population density meaning that wildlife can thrive. The valleys of the Saarislke Laarken, Taivalta i Dholdrir, Latavo Laarken and Lamment Kasken are largely untouched by kelte meaning that wild foliage has truly taken ahold. The Siaska river feeds the marshlands of the azaurians, and from there tropical trees and plants can thrive and they survive all the way up to Papamooli. Firs cover the westerly ridges and valleys and stay evergreen against the snows. The colour of vegetation grows less vibrant the further north, as the jungle turns to forests, turns to grasslands, turns to the rock, sand and soil of the bleak bay.

#### Fauna

Saaramurya is a haven for wildlife who run with the eea and help them shape the land. Bears and wolves are those most notable, though most land mammals found on Lamaria are represented in at least some capacity. Roe and elk roam the grasslands whilst foxes and small rodents are abundant throughout. The fir forests in the west are hives for owls and raptors.