Abingdon

Abingdon, also known as the Theocracy and officially the Theocratic Community of the North Star, is a state in northern Galessia. A member of the Alliance of Overmyre, it is bounded in the north by the Sea of Storms, in the west by the Protectorate of Highvale, in the south by the Kingcity of Herdskeep, and in the east by the Estorian realm and Bowlorn. Founded by the storm goliaths after their migration from the mountains, Abingdon is a monoreligious state devoted to the deity known as the North Star, and ruled by its chosen representative, the Pol Aaris, in its stead. The current ruler is Pol Aaris Paavi Toivolainen.

History

Abingdon was founded by storm goliaths following their forced migration, after the Ancient Dwarven Empire conquered their homeland in the Galespine Mountains and displaced all the native goliath populations. Where the frost goliaths headed northwest and the cinder goliaths further east, the storm goliaths were drawn northward to the Sea of Storms: in their faith, it was common to make a pilgrimage there when one came of age. During their travels, they discovered a lone hill where the charge of the storms' lightning was strongest. Believing this to be a sign of connection to their divine, the choice for their new home was easily made, and thus, the storm goliaths founded Abin Don, Giantspeak for "Lightning Hill". Over the many centuries since, the common name slowly transformed to Abingdon.
According to the oral history of the Abingdonians, exactly nineteen years after the founding of the settlement, a pious man was struck by an immense bolt of lightning on an otherwise clear day. This man claimed this was a message from the North Star, choosing him to lead his people into the future. Styling himself the Pol Aaris, "Star's Chosen", the man whose name is lost to history set in stone the Astral Decree, divine commandments which form the basis of the strict rule of law in Abingdon to this day. Many years passed, and another denizen of Abingdon was struck by similar lightning: this person became the next Pol Aaris. So it would continue for many generations: being struck by lightning on a clear day became a sacred honor, and a clear sign of favor. However, not all of these chosen would become the next Pol Aaris: others claimed the North Star informed them to be its champion and travel the world in its name.
Throughout almost its entire history, Abingdon remained neutral on the strife and conflict that surrounded it, and never interfered unless its own safety was threatened. The warband of Usko Gutcutter took issue with this permanent neutrality which they saw as weak, and defected, eventually leading to the creation of the anarchist city of Bowlorn in the eastern reaches of Abingdonian territory.
During the Meeting of the North in Herdskeep, which would later form the Alliance of Overmyre, the Pol Aaris was reluctant to engage, claiming that he had not received any word from his deity on the matter. However, on the last day of the meeting, a thunderstorm crossed over the city, which the Pol Aaris claimed to have received an answer from. He agreed to join the Alliance, on the condition that the participation of Abingdon in the current conflict would remain exclusively non-combative. Thus, despite joining the alliance which was specifically made as a response to the Zenith War, Abingdon never saw combat in it, instead supplying healers and priests to the Alliance's camps.

Geography

Abingdon's domain lies pressed against the Sea of Storms, a body of water known for being extremely dangerous and impossible to traverse. Due to this, despite its immense coastline, Abingdon does not exploit the ocean nor possess any ports. The terrain is rough and hilly, with sudden crevasses and ravines dotted all over the landscape. The coastline is jagged with many cliffs and drops.
The region receives little snowfall in winter, but temperatures do reach very low. Summers are short, and agriculture is limited in the region: food supply comes mainly from hunting. The Abingdonian domain also includes the Mute Forest, a woodland home to trees with blue leaves, and charged with a strange energy that renders any sound inaudible to anyone within its reach.

Politics and society

The Theocracy is ruled by Pol Aaris Paavi Toivolainen, acting as material representative for the North Star. Laws are set in stone by the divine and not argued against, and as a consequence, the rule of law is harsh, swift, and unforgiving. Inquisitors are numerous, and hunt down transgressors and evildoers without quarter. The Pol Aaris resides in the Windlight Sepulcher, the holy sanctum at the apex of the city's hill. They may hear out citizens' pleas, or shun them entirely outside of religious services, depending on the current Pol Aaris's personal style. Diplomatically, Abingdon is infamous for staying neutral, until their recent participation in the Alliance of Overmyre. Even there however, they remain cold, closed off, and often uninvolved.
This region is known for its common heavy thunderstorms, which form the foundation for the local belief system. Thunder is seen as the sound of the divine, and lightning as its favor. Sites struck by lightning are often transformed into shrines, and trees split by lightning are used for their construction. Anyone being struck by lightning is always a major event in the city. If they live, they are considered a chosen of the North Star, and often become the next Pol Aaris or a paladin or cleric for the deity. If they die, the people of Abingdon declare that the North Star saw evil in their heart and struck them down.
Abingdon is almost exclusively populated by storm goliaths, who have long abandoned their kin's predisposition to nomadic roaming, and have as such become the most numerous among the goliaths. Other peoples can rarely be found within the domain. Following the religion of the North Star is considered unofficially mandatory for citizens of Abingdon, as worshipping other divines within the city is forbidden and punishable. Despite this, some hamlets in the territory of the Theocracy maintain secret shrines to Talos and Umberlee, hidden from the prying eyes of the inquisitors.

Theocratic Community of the North Star

Symbol of the North Star

Ruler
Pol Aaris Paavi Toivolainen

Armed Forces
Allied Armies (part of the Alliance of Overmyre)