Union of Lurh

Bandarikin Lurh The Union of Lurh is a personal union between the three great Kaurh houses of the Far North. The three main houses of Lurh are the Ironskolds of Rhayn, the largest and most powerful house, the Rotjells of Gwynden, who possess the most fertile lands and the main trading hub, and the Hascanars of Drei, whose reputation as warriors is unmatched. The northern fringes of the union are populated by nomadic tribes that raise reindeer, hunt in the valleys and live in caves. A third group of Kaurh lives in the Eastern Wastes (Austermarhk) by the frozen inland sea called The Blanket (Lakana). These kaurh live in sedentary or semi-nomadic clans that hunt marine mammals and alternate between small-scale farming and gathering. Among them are a small group of Kerites that have adopted their language and customs and live deep in the woods east of the Antler (Tjorhven). Both the northern nomads and eastern clans are to varying extents subjected to the rule of the Union.

Territories

Main regions and cities: 1. Hyartaland – Hvitir Borgin (The White Keep) 2. Hyartaland – Rhayn 3. Hyartaland – Kundra 4. Gwynden Dalr – Gwynden 5. Gwynden Dalr – Virki Lurh (Fort Lurh) 6. Gwynden Dalr – Skrhim 7. Gwynden Dalr – Graarhchen 8. Raudh Dalr – Drei Vassals: 9. Northern Tribes – Kaldsya (Coldwatch) Austermarhk: 10. Nuvek 11. Amarok 12. Khutun 13. Aarluk Kingdom of Pasi: 14. Pasi 15. Jariks Kloar (Jarik’s Claw)

Foreign Relations

Relations between Lurh and Austermarhk have been mixed and there have been several moments of outright hostility. The Kaurh of Lurh tried to invade Austermarhk and were able to burn down Somiks, the cultural and political heart of Austermarhk, before being defeated in the Battle of the Ice. Despite their victory, Austermarhk never recovered, even after moving the yearly meeting place from Somiks to Nuvek. Trade relations have been established over time and several Lurh Kaurh have settled in the Wastes of Kivuk (Kivuks Obigdhir). The encroachment however has caused tensions and cross-border raids are growing more frequent. Austermarhk Kaurh and Pasi Kerites will occasionally work as mercenaries for the jarls of Lurh although their services are often framed as the obligation of a vassal to their lord.

Trade & Transport

Lurh has isolated itself for much of its history and as a result the vast majority of its trade is internal. Drei provides iron, Gwynden provides grain and textiles and Rhayn provides gold and other raw materials. Pelts are bought from the northern nomads via the outpost of Kaldsya while the eastern clans provide ivory, whalebone and sealskins.

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Feudal state

Economic System

Barter system

Legislative Body

The Union itself is divided into three jarldoms each ruled by one of the main houses. The jarls of Rhayn, the Ironskolds, also bear the title of King of Lurh (Lurhskonungar) and rule from the White Keep (Hvitir Borgin). The jarls’ territories are dotted with villages and hamlets, with the occasional town ruled by a thane. Power isn’t absolute in Kaurh culture and even the king is to some extent accountable to his jarls and thanes. People will regularly hold an Althing in the local mean hall where political, legislative and judiciary matters are discussed among the freeborn men. The Althing is always presided by a lawspeaker (lagmadhur) or a local elder to make sure that all rulings are in accordance with laws and traditions. Althings held by kings and jarls will also include the thylar, a class of orators and philosophers that preserve the ancient knowledge of the Kaurh. Due to the harshness of the Austermarhk climate, most clans regulate their own internal affairs, independently from one another. However once a year they meet in Nuvek to discuss larger matters. The region’s spiritual centre is the fortress of Khutun, one of the few stone structures in the region. Unlike other parts of Sartaldia, selkies are common, especially in Aarluk, and are honoured members of society due to their critical role in the yearly migration. As winter approaches, selkies scout around the Blanket to see where the ice is thickest and once a secure path has been found, the Austermarhk Kaurh migrate en masse to a rocky island where they find refuge from the cold in a network of caves. The Kerites from Pasi, while sharing both language and customs with their Ulkin neighbours, do not participate in the migration but instead build large palisades around their settlement to keep out the cold winds out.

Judicial Body

The somewhat egalitarian nature of Kaurh society can be seen in the practice of the holmgang, a duel where any freeborn man, regardless of status, can challenge another if his honour has been offended. That being said, many of the egalitarian customs do not apply to slaves (thrallar) and outcasts (nithingar).

Official Languages