Kuningarndom of Edhruin

An empire on the Southern Continent of Fjordal.

Royal Banner Of Edhruin

## Edhrufolk Government

The rule of Edhruin rightfull belongs to the crown of the Kuningarn, but this authority is partitioned among the heads of the various noble houses within the country, such as noble houses Kuskaw and Hralgr. Every single settlement within the Kuningarndom falls under the management of a member of one of the noble houses, of which there are two titles: Akar, meaning "Chieftain in Edhruspeak, the standard governor of individual cities, and Heihrann, meaning "Lord" the heads of the noble houses. While the Akaren act solely as local governors, the Heihrannen, along with anybody else appointed by the Kuningarn, make up the central governing body of the nation, the Royal Court. While still subject to the will of the crown, the Royal Court, alongside the crown, take part in the decision making for and governance of the nation.

## Edhrufolk Peoples

The Edhrufolk are an ancient race native to the wintry wastes of central Fjordal, or as they coloquially refer to it "Ældrejth." The Edhrufolk are broadly known for their intensely pale skin, and often times long black hair and beards. Being natives to the gray wilds of the south, the Edhrufolk have a natural, inbuilt resistance to the cold, and conversely suseptible to higher temperatures. They are also set apart by their ability to consume high amounts of fat. This comes from their reliance on sea based food, such as small whales, fish, and seals, due to a lack of most domesticated farm animals found in northern regions. While they are primarily a human race, there can also be found among the Edhrufolk, certain minority races which have intermixed with them over time, such as the Paqiskfolk, a race which can be found in all parts of the world, but with higher concentrations and even their own partitions of land within Edhruin. Traditionally, the Paqiskfolk are short, human-like folk with brown skin, who have cat-like features, namely cat-like ears, cat-like tales, and even cat-like paw pads on their hands, after which they are named. The Edhruinir Paqiskfolk keep these features, but because of intermixing with the Edhrufolk for centuries, hold some of the traits of the Edhrufolk, such as cold resistance, and an ability to consume high amounts of fat. They also have a lighter brown skin tone, thought to have come from the mixing of the two original races.

## Edhrufolk Culture

Culturally, the Edhrufolk have always been to the outside world, a shadowy and unknowable people. This comes in part from centuries of a tribal lifestyle which cut them off from other nearby developing peoples, but it also comes from the fact that the Edhrufolk are and have been highly reclusive and suspicious of all things foreign. In recent years, since the founding of the Kuningarndom of Edhruin, the Edhrufolk have been known to be more diplomatic, often being the ones to reach out and establish diplomatic relations with neigbhors, however, the broader Edhrufolk people still retain their old xenophobic sentiments.

Inwardly, the Edhrufolk are a completely different sort of poeple than they would appear outwardly. Although they appear to most to be shifty, cunning, and mysteries, an inside view of Edhruin will reveal a festive, warm, and folkish people, with a love for food, drink, and a deep passion for their traditions. Additionally, the Edhrufolk are known for an eager friendliness to those whom they already consider to be allies, or to those who share their faith. It has even been said by some that to be a friend of the Edhrufolk is to be one of the Edhrufolk, but statements such as these tend to slightly exaggerate their keen hospitality for their guests and allies.

As for the general traits of the Edhrufolk culture, the people of Edhruin have been known to be highly in touch with nature. This shows in their inventive survivalist exploits, which stem from their extremophilic nature, their famously skillful hunting, and their tendency to mix nature into their urban spaces. They have also been known to be an extremely religiously zealous culture, with their entire modern identity being built around the formation of their religion, the Salunan faith.