Baltharn

Balth people

## History

....

It became practice to exile criminals to the north, to either live in a harsh enviorment or to die by it. In particular, shifters were always subject to this punishment whether they were proven criminals or not.

...

Baltharn became a nation of explorers, experts at both shipbuilding and navigation. They were the first to visit the Isles of Dedecus and became prominent trading partners.

But as the ages past, the nation of Vasheedas rose from the exiles once sent there. They survived by making pacts with demons, living of the few resources available. And then they began their expansion southwards. In response to contain the demonic threat and protect the rest of Reth'car, it was declared that Baltharn would be the bulwark against Vasheedas. Their age of exploration ended as they in an act of tragic defiance had their boats destroyed, vowing to only properly rebuild once the threat had ended.

## Geography

The nation is cold but rich in both forests and mineral resources. Its forests are primarily confiers. During winters, the nation recieves layers of snow that commonly reaches depths of 1 meter, and 3 meters during notable years.

It is rich in iron, silver, lead and salammoniac.

## Culture

### Dogs

Dogs are rare in the nation, as they highly value the free wolf. They pity dogs as misbred tools.

### Adulthood

As all children are trained in atleast one weapon from the age of 6, when the child turns 16 she is given her weapon of choice in a ceremony as a token of adulthood that she is now ready to defend the world against Vaashedas.

### Honoring dead

Its a custom in Baltharn to make the corpses of heroes into statues.
Soldiers often during campaigns play music and sing songs about fallen comrades and their achievements in life.

### Guardians

If there is something every country know is that the wolfs of Baltharn are not normal. They are treated with great respect in Baltharn. The people often take it as a omen of good fortune if ￼they see a wolf, and every village has a place for weary wolfs to rest and recuperate if they want too.

### Names

Balth are not born with a last name. Rather it is taken when they have found something they want to dedicate the life to, commonly in their teens. This is accompanied with a small feast.

### Food

Common forms of food preservation are freezing(by leaving frost-resistant vegetables outside during the winter), pickling, cheeses, smoking, fat storage(beef tallow) and milled grains.

## People

The balth people are very conservative, accepting new ideas very slowly. They value loyalty, bravery and responsibility.

The typical balth soldier is well-equipped due to the rich ammount of metals available in the nation. While they are impressive as individual combatants, they are too independant to hold formations for long during battle. Despite the harsh conditions they face during winter, a surviving balth soldier will not die from being seperated from their compatriots due to their familiarity with the terrain and unyiedling spirit.

## Relations

Baltharn is trading partner with Cidarn, Isles of Dedecus and Yuan. It sells iron to Yuan. It buys food and crafts from Cidarn, and magical resources from the Isles of Dedecus.

## The seven orders of Heirounous

The First order is the Order of the Heart. The First and Second Orders are tasked with communing with the Heirounous. Its sigil is a flame.

The Second Order is the Order of the Spirit or the order of contemplation and enlightenment. The First and Second Orders are tasked with communing with the gods, as well as acting as missionaries. Its sigil is a open hand.

The Third Order is the Order of the Mind. They act as the map-makers, scribes and librarians of the state. Its sigil is a book and a quill.

The Fourth Order is the Order of Direction. They vehemently suppress dangerous religions and followers of said religions, including people touched by The Dark. Its sigil is an Eye.

The Fifth Order is the Order of the Body. They are the healers of the country. Its sigil is a slab of stone.

The Sixth Order is the Order of Defence. They are warrior monks who safeguard the faithful. Its sigil is a blind warrior.

The Seventh Order is the Order of the Arcane. They use magic for the betterment of the country. Its sigil is the thunderbolt.