Ӧrӕfyn

Map of Ӧrӕfyn

## Common Knowledge

Ӧrӕfyn, officially known as the ‘United Delegacy, the Dominion of Ӧrӕfyn’ (UDDO), is the name of the Kaltyc nation that controls a large swath of land in the north. Originating from the northernmost island, Jökull, it spread down through the northwestern peninsula of Orelisle, conquering the land and peoples there until hitting the Andron mountain range. It is a nation of humans that have adapted to the extreme cold and find it hard to live in warmer climates, thus called Kaltycs. They wish to spread further into Orelisle but have been stopped by the mountains and the warmth, for now at least.

## Topography and Climate

Ӧrӕfyn’s territory stretches from the Andron Mountains, on the border with Adirondicka, to the islands at the tip of the northwestern peninsula of Orelisle and beyond to the original land of the Kaltycs, called Jökull.The main island within the Ӧrӕfyn territory is mostly covered in a giant glacier and has constant snowstorms and subzero temperatures. The smaller islands at the northern point of the continental portion of Ӧrӕfyn emulate this with slightly less volatile weather which slowly becomes warmer as the land moves south. The most southern parts of Ӧrӕfyn are often cold but not frozen, winter being the only time where it gets below zero degrees. The south of Ӧrӕfyn is forested and fertile from past volcanic activity in the Andron Mountains, which are now dormant. Despite the general coldness a majority of the peninsula, starting from the Andron mountains and moving north before tapering off, still experiences the four seasons though they are at least a few degrees colder than those of more southern countries.

The peninsula, called Hylthar, has three mountain ranges. The southernmost one, the Andron Mountain Chain, forms the southern border of Ӧrӕfyn which is shared with Adirondicka and Marujai. The mountains on the border with Adirondicka are extremely treacherous and steep, the mountains get smaller and less hazardous after the transition to the border with Marujai but it is still very difficult to cross them. The Hámarky Mountain Chain is the smallest and runs southeast from the midpoint of the western coast for a little bit and does not connect to the Andron mountains. Even though it is the smallest range the mountains are very sheer and rocky so climbing them is practically a death sentence. There are a few passes carved through the mountains that people may use if needed. The Kletta Mountain Chain is the northernmost range and between the other two size-wise. It runs westsouthwest from the eastern coast and nearly traverses the entire width of the peninsula. It is the easiest of the ranges to climb and has a lot of mines due to the rich amount of ore held within them.

The major rivers and lakes on the peninsula of Ӧrӕfyn:

The Orku Lake is a lake in the north which feeds the Vatn River, it sits just north of the Hámarky Mountain Chain. The Vatn River flows north from Orku Lake past Hӧfn and into the Fryst Sea. The Fjáry RIver is a small river that flows from the western point of the Hámarky Mountain Chain to the west coast of the peninsula, due to an odd mineral deposit in that area of the mountain chain the Fjáry River runs black. This makes it unsafe to drink and no water-life lives in this river, thus the river is only really used for transporting goods.

The Sterkur River flows from the Kletta Mountain Chain to the east coast with other smaller rivers joining up to it, the Gefa River and the Nýtt River. It is located in the middle of continental Ӧrӕfyn, nearly bisecting the peninsula into northern and southern halves. The Gefa River feeds the Sterkur from the north; it flows from the Hámarki Mountain Chain. The Nýtt River feeds the Strekur from the south, originating from the southern point of the Kletta Mountain chain.

The Gígur Lake is the lake at the base of the Andron Mountains. Due to chemical reactions the lake fluctuates between red and green seasonally, red in autumn and winter while green in spring and summer. Despite this odd colour the water is safe to drink but may stain teeth, nails, bones, and even hair if drunk for long enough.The Skypta River flows from the Gígur Lake to the west coast of Ӧrӕfyn. Like the lake itself this river runs red or green. The Ryfa River flows from the Skypta River to the border with Marujai and through Marujai until the coast. Though it comes from the Skypta River, this body of water quickly changes from the odd red or green to a more common clear blue of freshwater.

## Population

The majority of the population is a subspecies of humans that have adapted to the cold so well that warmer weather is difficult to live in for them, they call themselves Kaltyc. Ӧrӕfyn is home to about 5,000,000 Kaltycs. There are also other races that have a small percentage of the population like Dryads, Lesser Spirits, Lesser Demons, Humans, and various Elves. Other races can be found here as well but they are in such small numbers that it isn’t a significant enough number to count as part of the overall population.

## Exports and Trades

They export ice, from Jökull, and alchemical components as well as large game and ore, from the peninsula. They are often hunters, farmers or warriors. There are a few people who practice magic but not many. Their currency is Binturian Stone and trade can still be done through bartering, but Stone is the primary currency.

## Government

This country is ruled by a government of publicly elected officials organized under a singular President, the Kjörinn, and Noble Families who hold nominal sway with the government (for more info see Social Hierarchy and Culture section). The Kjörinn is elected every 6 years and can serve for two terms consecutively or three terms non-consecutively. Elected officials serve 6 years as well, but are split into three sections that will be cycled through elections during the Kjörinn’s 1st, 3rd, and 5th years in office. Citizens must be officially an adult, 19, to vote.

## Military

Though Ӧrӕfyn has no standing military, it has more than enough guards to ensure the safety of its citizens, and more than enough border guard to ensure that no one violates the closed border policies.

Ӧrӕfyn also relies on a vast and skilled network of secret agents, spies, and espionage experts in order to maintain internal political peace. This group, known as “Stormur Sjáandy” or literally “Storm Seers”, manipulates the nobility to preserve the peace of the commoners, monitor the borders, investigate insurgents, and generally answer only to the state.

## Social Hierarchy and Culture

### Social Structure

The majority of the Ӧrӕfyn populace lives in relative comfort, at a standard many developed nations would consider middle-class. The country’s president and other elected officials enjoy a great deal of power and responsibility, for which they receive respect and influence. The nobility sits squarely between the commoners and the state in terms of respect, both respected and envied by the average citizen, while maintaining the appearance of luxury. While the concept of poverty and just barely surviving is very well understood due to the Kaltyc’s history, there is no one actually living in poverty because of the government's efforts.

### Manipulation of Nobility

Elected officials engage in a massive operation designed to secure their own positions of power and keep the general populace content, at the expense of the noble clans and families. Through taxation, literal theft, and powerful methods of coercion, the wealth of the nobility is taken in its entirety by the government and redistributed; first in a massive sweep of wealth over the general populace, then in large chunks to the noble groups which the government favors. Naturally, this earns the government massive favor with the Ӧrӕfyn public, to the point that any noble family endorsed by the government receives massive political influence as a result.

The government achieves this feat by using intricate espionage networks to ensure that noble families are bled dry of their liquid assets and resources. Nobles tend to keep their very nice houses, servants, much of their property, and so on, but those are financed to the exact degree of necessity by the state. In actuality, the costs of maintenance, food, travel, and other minute fees are artificially inflated over large areas and lengths of time to drain the nobles’ coffers back into the government’s greasy hands. Generally, nobles can purchase one luxury on their own coin, on a good year. Even the massive displays of extravagance and wealth, such as banquets, balls, feasts, and the occasional water-bound outing, are paid for by the government to maintain the illusion that the nobility still wields the power they once did ages ago. In order to maintain this enormous facade, two methods are used: artificially-crafted noble infighting, and so-called “shell nobilities”.

Once the state distributes the majority of wealth to the general populace, and some fraction to themselves for governance, large chunks of that wealth are assigned back to the noble families from which they originated. This wealth, however, is distributed in both size and priority to those noble families whom the government most favors. This blatant preferential treatment ensures that noble families are constantly competing amongst themselves for the influence of the government in order to survive, maintain their status, and possibly obtain that same power for themselves. As an added bonus, this ensures that the only nobility with any power are the same ones who have a vested interest in this very system’s continuation. If no true noble house is currently in favour of this system, then one of the “shell nobilities” may be endorsed for the job. More likely than not, however, dissenting groups are “removed” from political influence.

In order to present the image that the noble families still hold cultural and economic sway over the general populace, the government maintains a number of medium-sized “shell nobilities”: organizations masquerading as legitimate noble families to further government manipulation of the larger, true nobility (whew!). These shell nobilities appear to act as surrogates of the noble families themselves, but in truth serve the government. Many buildings and tracts of land owned by these shell nobilities act instead as bases of operations, secret military installations, and retirement homes for present or former government officials.

### Disinterest in Magic

Though many Kaltycs have an affinity for Elemental magic, especially ice magic, very few actually practice magic. This is partly due to the absence of any written magical knowledge earlier than 7,000 years After Beast, but also due to general cultural disinterest. Most Kaltycs in Ӧrӕfyn prefer a simple life to the complexity necessarily associated with the study of magic. Dedicated magic-users are often druids, military, or state-sponsored magical experts.

### Religion

The main religion was developed from an ancient worship of war and sea gods that over time became the current state religion of Ofbeldy. The main god is a two-faced god/goddess of war called Stryth when speaking of both faces. The male side alone is named Skjöldur. The female face alone is called Svero. The ancient goddess Undyna is also worshipped as part of Ofbeldy.

There is a great beast god called Elg’vördur, literally “Moose Guard”. There is also a nature/agricultural god called Ræktandynn who is thought of as more of a conscious force than an actual being.

There may be other minor deities that come and go.

### Culture

Unlike many countries where there is a strong patriarchal or even matriarchal society, Öræfin does not separate by sex. Males and females are completely equal and descrimination because of sex is harshly punished, especially compared to other “equal” societies. Öræfin is also extraordinarily accepting of any race, except for humans. Due to their rather long and violent past with humans, the Kaltycs have a strong hatred for Humans. While the descrimination was more enforced in the past there are still very strong restrictions on Human citizens and travel within the borders and they are treated as just barely qualifying as sapient beings with rights. While violence against Humans for being Human is not technically legal, many rural areas will let such things slide while the law is strictly enforced in urban and other highly regulated areas. The only place where Humans are treated slightly better is in the city of Höfn where they have always been able to live peacefully after the Kaltyc annexation.

### Language

The Kaltycs had their own language developed during their 7000 years of isolation called Ködtala. They also know a version of common from those living in the peninsula. The language now is a mix of that and Common learned from those of the peninsula. The language has no ‘I’, ‘W’, or ‘Q’ so ‘V’ is used instead of ‘W’ and ‘Y’ in place of ‘I’. The sound produced by ‘Q’ is not used at all, unless in words adopted from Orelisian Common. There are a few other pronunciation differences, the most notable being the fact that ‘J’ functions and sounds the same as a Common ‘Y’ while a Kaltyc ‘Y’ functions and sounds like an ‘I’. Vowels with accents are also common and the specific pronunciation of these can vary by region.

If needed, Ködtala is very similar to that of IRL Icelandic.

### Celebrations and Holidays

There are many other various regional festivals that don’t span the entire country.

#### Vannvynna Day

Also known as “Victory Day” it is to celebrate the completed conquest of the peninsula in 7023 AB. Involves parades and feasts.

#### Hjartast

A celebration of peace, relationships, happiness and love. People will carve small statues out of magically preserved ice from Jökull and give it to people they have a strong relationship with, personal or other. Held in Winter, because strength to get through and survive together and shit.

## Cities, Towns, and Villages

### Byrjun

The Capital city of Ӧrӕfyn, located on Jökull, and is the center for governmental and religious aspects of Kaltyc life. The city is half built into the stone caverns of the actual island and half in the carved out caverns of the giant glacier that covers nearly the whole island. There are entrances to the surface of the glacier but those can easily be snowed over by the near constant blizzard over Jökull. There are also entrances that go directly into the surrounding sea either by boats on the water surface or underwater tunnels. Special design of the tunnels and some magical barriers allow for the prevention of flooding from those water entrances.

### Höfn

A port city on the tip of the peninsula used for fishing and trade. Only city where regular humans are allowed to live due to their valiant defensive efforts and successful defense against the first landing party of Kaltycs. They kept much of their culture and beliefs while integrating those of the Kaltycs as well.

### Eldfjall

This is a giant city at the base of the Andron mountain range. It is the agriculture center with farm and livestock fields stretching from the base of the Andron mountains to the Sterkur River and from west coast to east coast. A complex system of roads, water and teleportation allows for massive production and transportation to feed the entire peninsula. They developed special flowers from the ones naturally growing around Gígur Lak. Through selective breeding and some neat magic they created a flower which takes on the odd colour shifting aspect of the lake, called Lytaskypty Flowers. These flowers do not survive for more than a day when picked and are often used in funeral rites as they are associated with the beauty of life and the swiftness of death.

### Sygra

Settled near Orku Lake and is a fortress city. During the continental conquest this city held out the longest from a siege but was not successful in their defense after a month due to dwindling supplies and morale. Everyone in the city was slaughtered and the infrastructure was occupied by the Kaltycs and became a solid base of operations for the following battles. Its central location and natural defenses allowed for an easier conquest of the southern peninsula. It remains a military stronghold and now has a military academy along with a standing guard of a few hundred.

### Velja

Settled on the Sterkur River, this is the other major trading city. While Höfn focuses more on the fishing and hunting trades; Velja focuses on material trades such as jewelry, weapons, armour, minerals and ore, agricultural surpluses from Eldfjall’s lands, etc.

### Setjast

A small settlement on an island that is grouped with the peninsula but located the closest to Jökull. This was the first landing point of the Kaltyc invasion and was an important place for communication and supply lines to the Kaltyc military on the peninsula. It is largely abandoned now, with only a few fishing settlements among the crumbling fortifications.

### Other Settlements

#### Manna

A settlement near Höfn which was devastated in the invasion and ultimately helped to defend Höfn from the invasion. Has since been rebuilt and thrives under A settlement near Höfn which was devastated in the invasion and ultimately helped to defend Höfn from the invasion’s protection.

#### Fridur

A settlement near Höfn which was devastated in the invasion and ultimately helped to defend Höfn from the invasion. Has since been rebuilt and thrives under A settlement near Höfn which was devastated in the invasion and ultimately helped to defend Höfn from the invasion’s protection.

## Alliances

They have no formal alliances and operate with closed borders.

## Enemy Countries

They have no formal enemies but many countries near them are wary of them because of their past history of successful conquest and their known desire to continue to expand.

## Founding and History

This is a compacted list of the major events over the thousands of years of Kaltyc history

* Sometime BB: Population didn’t want to get involved with the invasion of Binturia
	+ Were forced out to an inhabitable glacier island by the humans around them
	+ This started the resentment towards humans
* 0 AB: the magical backlash from the ritual caused those on the glacier Island to mutate enough to thrive there
	+ Had been slowly dying of hypothermia and starvation
	+ They developed high cold tolerance and a more efficient metabolism
* 0-7000 AB: the people of the glacier island develop their own culture and society
	+ It is a culture based in war and survival
	+ Elders are highly respected because they have survived for so long
	+ The ocean is also highly respected; they worshipped Undina
	+ Develop an intricate infrastructure made of ice tunnels
		- Their cities are a sight to behold
	+ They have never forgotten what those of the mainland did to them
* 7000 AB: they sail on the mainland to try and reclaim their stolen lands
* 7023 AB: they have finished conquering the land up to the Andron Mountains
	+ There is still small pockets of dissent and resistance but all major settlements have been taken and the rest will fall eventually
	+ There was only one settlement, Höfn, that successfully pushed back the first attempted invasion and thus it has more freedom than others
		- Though it is still under Kaltyc rule
	+ They give the combined mainland and island the name Ӧrӕfyn
		- The laymen just use the distinction “Peninsula” or “Island”
		- The island’s individual name is Jökull
		- The mainlands individual name is
* 7027 AB: The story of Elg’vördur became widely spread as did sightings of the Great Moose Guard
	+ The story originated from Höfn as the origin story literally took place there
* 7038 AB: The first government was established
	+ Originally a meritocracy which quickly devolved into corruption and nepotism
* 7038-7146 AB: period of unrest, war, pillaging, and corruption
	+ The government ran wild and many suffered
	+ The Kaltycs ultimately left governing to the original settlers there because that may ease resentment against them, which devolved quickly as those leaders took advantage of any and everything
* 7146 AB: Kaltyc leaders from Ӧrӕfyn Island began to retake control
* 7149 AB: Most areas again under strict Kaltyc rule
	+ The government went into a major rehaul and democracy appeared to be established (see Social Hierarchy and Culture for more info)
* 7149-8091 AB: Development
	+ Building infrastructure
	+ Developing land and mines
	+ Secret recon forays into surrounding countries
		- Info stored but not in use
	+ Etc.
* 8092 AB: Started to truly enforce the closed borders due to many outsiders entering and interfering with the balance
	+ Had a few instances during the Development period where outsiders either upset the balance of a town, tried to start a rebellion, or just cause disturbances
	+ This wasn't all outsiders, but enough for the closed border policy to become more strict
	+ Only specific vetted merchants are allowed to even attempt trade
	+ Most of the disturbances were instigated by human outsiders which just exacerbated the already tense view of them
* 9032 AB: A vetted merchant betrayed the interest of Ӧrӕfyn after years of faithful partnership
	+ The borders were completely shut off from outsiders
	+ There is no trade going in or out except by ice traders from Jökull who are run by the government
	+ Outsiders are not welcome, the few who are able to enter can never leave again and are treated almost like a criminal until they prove their intentions
	+ Those that decide to leave Ӧrӕfyn are never allowed back
* 9033-10020 AB: Isolation and internal peace for a thousand years (+/- a decade or two)
	+ May have had a small incident or two but nothing major
* 10021 AB+: present day Ӧrӕfyn

## Further Information

* Kaltyc
* Ofbeldy
* Old Binturia