Osmia
"Land of Light by Matron's Might"
Overview
Osmia is located in the center of Kaherr, separated by the Bloodwine Chasm to the east and the Western Steppes to the west. Osmia, being at the center of the continent, therefore contains the majority of the mountain ranges in Kaherr. This leads to many rolling highlands and treacherous mountain passes like the Darkrock Mountains - the longest mountain range in all Kaherr - and the Fiery Heights, named for their highly volatile volcanic peaks.
Fed by the River of Ashes, Asmuth's Channel and Stormend Run, the grassy fields of the Great Northen Savanna make for lush and rich soil perfect for farming and agriculture of all kinds. South of the Savanna, the endless sands and rocky wastes of the Sylth Deadlands between Risad and Merithas, make for a nearly uncrossable segment of Osmia. In the far north, evergreens of the Slumbering Wood and Listless Wilds dominate the area. And to the south, through Baylam's Pass, are the vast Shiliport Fields.
Osmia divides the continent, leading to a precarious place in the global politics of Kaherr. With Fosai to the East and Corasa to the west, Osmia must ensure positive relations with both nations simultaneously, which could prove difficult if not for the copious amounts of natural resources to which Osmia lays claim. To Corasa, their primary export is the metals and ores mined from the various mountain ranges in central Osmia. This makes up a bulk of their wealth as a nation.
Origins
During the Age of Wandering, as many mortals were left sick, houseless, or starving, Alestir Osmin and his family began to perform miracles. They claimed power by way of the Divine Mothers wielding strong healing magics that could cure nearly every disease, even claiming they possessed a cure to the Silent Necrosis. Even their 3 children - Berun, Merida, and Karlana - seemed to possess divine power at such young ages. Many people heard of these miracles far and wide and found their way to the Osmin family, who had decided to remain near a vast a beautiful lake we now call Deshar Loch. After many individuals and families had congregated nearby, building tents and communal spaces, the Osmin family decided to name their humble settlement "Risad" after Alestir's wife, Risa. This was done in honor of the Divine mothers and acknowledgement of their Matriarchal splendor. Thus the city grew and grew, many more making pilgrimage to that tiny town to seek healing after years of suffering
In the second year of the new Era, after several decades of caring for and growing the people around them, the Osmin family was declared a holy family. Alestir and Risa reluctantly took a leadership position among the people of Risad and declared the foundation of a new nation which would be called 'Osmia'. Their children had grown up serving the needs of the people and were tasked with expanding the nations borders.
Therefore, Berun and Karlana would travel North, thorugh the peaks of pride, and Merida would travel east through the desert to heal those who needed the love of their Diving Matrons. They were to settle for 10 years, form new cities and then return to Risad. As Berun and Karlana traveled, Karlana would fall ill after passing through the swampland. She and Berun agreed she would remain there to recover. Once she had recovered, Karlana called this new place "Grensing" after the lush greens of the Basin and Forest nearby. Berun would continue north, passing through the mountains he deemed the "Peaks of Pride" for the pride of his mother and father who raised a young boy capable of traversing this mountain pass. He then turned west and crossed the plains calling them "Blessed" for they were vibrant with grains and beans that sustained his travels. Eventually he would settle along a place where the water met the sea, calling it "Barewich" (meaning Berun, giver of gifts) as he was one man sent to bestow the gifts of the Mother's.
To the east, Merida had long been wandering through the desert under a scorching sun. She prayed to the Mother's as she went, recognized there was no place for life among the dunes. As she neared the end, she called it "a land of dead things" and praised the Grave Keeper Sylth thanking her for allowing her to pass through this dead land alive and unharmed. Once she reached what is now called the Bloodwine Chasm, it is said that she sat for a whole Tenday drinking of its waters. Upon this spot she settled, calling it "Merithas" (meaning Merida's divine blessing) as she had been given these waters by the Mother's.
Thus, in the after 10 years of healing and leading, the three Osmin children along with their newly formed families, returned home to Risad. They brought great honor to their family, and proclaimed the breadth of their new nation, regaling the populus of their journey. The day of their return, the 18th day of Reshoa, is marked and celebrated as the Osmian Founding.
Identity
The peoples of Osmia are as varied as the topography. Humans, Dwarves, and Halflings make up the largest segments of the population, while Elves, Orcs, and Gnomes and are far less numerous. Those born of supernatural blood - such as draconic, celestials, infernals, and titans - are far less numbered and may not be seen in major cities, mainly keeping to smaller communities where they are able to be known personally, rather than stereotyped by larger groups. Many of these groups have grown accustomed to living among eachother, while some - such as the Dragonborn - still have trouble integrating into the greater population. Much of Osmia is religious, primarily following the beliefs of the Order of the Quartet. Still, some worship Aeosa as their prime deity. While not much conflict is born of this difference, there are some zealous enough to self-select into distinct communities, separate from the greater whole.
Osmia, as a whole, generally believes its birthright is to spread light and healing in any form. They represent a beacon of hope and life among a world wrought with fear and darkness. Many of the people in Osmia see themselves as significant because they have been given prime access and to beautiful lands and boundless fortune due to their geographic location.
There are a few national holidays recognized by the Osmian government. The most widely celebrated of which being the Osmian Founding on the 18th of Reshoa, followed by the new year's celebration of Evercrest and the Harvest Festival on the 30th day of Lesoa.
Structure
Osmia is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. The ruler of Osmia is the King or Queen, who serves as the head of state but legislative power lies primarily with the elected parliament and the prime minister. National governmental leadership is centralized in Risad, but some decentralization is allowed to enable local control, making for more effective rulership. Osmia is divided into four provinces - North, South, East, and West - each with its own elected officials and local government. These provinces are divided geographically and are largely theoretical. Each province contains a major city where power for that region is centralized. Risad controls the Central province which encapsulates Grensing Basin to the Fiery Heights. Barewich controls everything north of The Peaks of Pride and west of the River of Ashes including the Radiant Forest. Merithas controls the Sylth Deadlands, Archwild and the eastern half of the Great Northern Savanna. And Shilliport controls everything else south of Rakshem, including the Western Steppes.
The nation's military is responsible for defending Osmia's borders and protecting its citizens, but they are heavily regulated to prevent abuses of power.
The primary directive of the Osmian government is to serve and protect the interests of the Osmian people. Their current objective is to rebuild and recover from the Grensing Flood, as well as to address issues of inequality and injustice within the nation.
Official Title
The Osmian Empire
Demonym
'Osmian'
Founding Date
18th of Reshoa, 34th year RE
Capital City
Risad
National Religion
The Order of the Quartet
Government
Constitutional Monarchy
Ruling Body
The Osmin Family Line
Legislative Body
Osmian Parliment
Settlements
Western Province
- Risad
- Grensing
- Hatham
- Padham
- Basafield
Northern Province
- Barewich
- Penwich
- Torham
- Hiliben
- Fellstead
- Futhmar
Eastern Province
- Merithas
- Obedale
- Gaurdbury
- Silore
Southern Province
- Shiliport
- Garetar
- Masifolk
- Rakshem
- Kumikoa