Jörundia

## Overview

Jörundia is the northernmost country on the continent of Suilis. It is currently undergoing an industrial revolution along with their neighbor to the south Lachier. Jörundia has 4 provinces: Hoyvik, Svalbard, Nuuk, and Olso each run by their own Duke and/or Duchess. All of Jörundia is run by it's king, King Magnus Anderson VI.

## History

Jörundia’s past is surrounded by tales of avid adventures traveling and exploring the lands; charting uncharted islands and discovering new exciting areas. These areas are mainly the islands that are now a part of Jörundia. Most writing is dated back to the early 1500’s just before the war. Some writing goes back farther, however when King Magnus Anderson I was chosen to lead in 1537, this is seen by scholars as the start of  Jörundia. They started as multiple small settlements led by their king. The population slowly grew overtime especially during the Iconoclasm, when people that wanted to avoid the war would immigrate to Jörundia to stay out of it. During the war Jörundia started to expand and grow quickly in population size, choosing to stay out of the war, grow, and explore mostly uninhabited neighboring islands and claim them as their own. Modern day Jörundia was founded in 1714. Soon after its establishment, dukes and duchesses were chosen by Treskin and their political structure began to change to what it is today and close relations with Lachier, when they were established, started.

## Religion

### Official Religion

Jörundia does not have an official religion as worshipers of all the aspects can be found. While Treskin is the most commonly worshiped aspect in Jörundia, they are not the only one worshiped. Some people even worship multiple aspects. Temples to all the aspects can be found here, though temples to Treskin and their branches are most common.

### Treskin/The Grove

Located in the foothills of The Cobalt Peaks in Olso a large tree can be seen from miles away. A thick luscious evergreen tree stands high above the clouds. It’s bark is impenetrable and a large forest surrounds it. This forest, the Tiveden Forest, is very special due to its ever changing nature. You may be following a path, then turn around and see the path that you followed isn’t there. For this reason many people request guides to go into the forest for various reasons, typically a pilgrimage. Treskin is the aspect of fertility, nature, the harvest, and the wilderness and has chosen to manifest themselves as a tree. It chooses the leaders of Jörundia through giving them visions. This process is aided by clerics of Treskin receiving visions. So while some people may not worship Treskin, they are generally respected amongst the public. Treskin is their colloquial name, though some people outside of Jörundia, it is generally referred to as The Grove by non-native Jörundians. Treskin is a popular aspect so temples to them can be found almost anywhere.

### The Branches

Their is a minor pantheon in Jörundia following descendants of Treskin. There are four Branches Zephryn, Sahir, Rorakin, and Minarian. They have domain over wind, growth, decay, and shade respectively and they are symbolized by driftwood, a sapling, lichen or moss, and the Dusk to Dawn Daffodil respectively. Temples to the branches can be found all throughout Jörundia. Sometimes they are combined with a temple to Treskin, sometimes there is a temple to just one branch, sometimes all 4, any combination can be found. The branches are mainly worshipped in Jörundia and known about in Jörundia, though some parts of the world have heard of them through missionaries.

## Society

### Culture

Jörundia is best described as Scandinavian in culture. They are known to throw many festivals and it’s a large possibility that when someone visits there could be a festival happening. Each province and cities have different festivals for different reasons and sometimes there's country wide festivals as well. Their modern architecture is very colorful. Important buildings typically use columns and older buildings may be less colorful. Despite its small size there are many big urban cities mainly in the mainland areas of the provinces of Hoyvik and on the island of Nuuk. That’s not to say there aren’t large cities on the islands as well. Jörundia’s main exports are fish, lumber, and different jewels and metal from the mountains. Some cultural things in Jörundia that have widespread effects are BABA and Oski.

### Magic and Tech/Artifice

The power of steam is typically utilized in most places and can bee seen in their trains, certain factories, and boats. Jörundia also utilizes ariships as a common method of travel despite most ariship docks only being in the capitals. Steamboats are the most common method of travel in the Sjorin Islands. When steam is not being used coal is typically used instead. In non-urban areas the technology might not be as widespread though the country is working on it as it is currently undergoing an industrial revolution. Artfice, while not in abundance, can also be seen being used in conjunction with some of Jörundia's technology. Magic, however, is fairly common in Jörundia, especially in the larger cities. It's common to see magic street performers in some bigger cities or a new induction of a court mage. Most of the time, the impressive magic users are the ones seen holding higher positions of power so it's quite exciting for citizens to see guild members using their magic, especially higher level.

### Government and Leaders

Jörundia is an oligarchy/monarchy. The title of king/queen no longer holds the power it once held before. The king and the other members of the oligarchy all make decisions together. The king can still knight people and the title is still passed hereditarily. There are 5 members in total each a duke or duchess of a province of Jörundia with this title also being hereditary. Dukes are also chosen by divine right if their line ends. There are still elected leaders on a minor scale such as mayors. Leaders are also elected to help aid the dukes and duchesses with their province-wide decisions in a similar manner to the dukes and duchesses helping the king make country-wide decisions. The country is led by King Magnus Anderson VI and the dukes and duchess: Duchess Astrid Johansen of Svalbard, Duke Jörgen Tufjord II of Nuuk, Duke Soren Nilsen III of Olso, and Duchess Thora Sundvik VIII of Hoyvik.

## Geography

### Overview

Jörundia is most closely associated with the taiga biome. There can be heavy snowfalls in the winter but in the summer it can still warm up to about 70 degrees F. The flora and fauna reflect this. So think arctic foxes, snowy owlbears, coniferous trees, etc. Some things are only native to Jörundia like The Dusk to Dawn Daffodil a flower commonly found there. It is a rare sighting in other parts of Meia. The flower only blooms during the first hour of dusk and dawn. During dawn it is a bright yellow color and dusk is a deep purple bloom. Also due to it's geographical location the Aurora Borealis is a popular tourist attraction.

### Sjorin Islands

The Sjorin Islands are one of Jörundias most notable features and are a popular tourist attraction. They are comprised of many islands of many sizes. More and more islands are still being found today though they are typically quite small. They all have names, however, they're more colloquial. The only name that has caught on is Nuuk, the largest island located in the province Nuuk.

### Mainland Jörundia

Mainland Jörundia isn't extremely diverse. There are plenty of coniferous forest and rivers as well as some hills. In Olso the Cobalt Peaks mountain range come to an end. While in Lachier they are below the tree line, the farther north they go the taller they get leading to some very tall mountains in Jörundia. The coastline of Jörundia is littered with peninsulas as fjords making for a very diverse coastline.