Fjarda
Geography
Though not so large as Kör, Fjarda is the most affluent of the nations of Arvendell, owed to the wealth of riches that are mined out of the Fjardic mountains to the west. The province occupies all territories north of the Svennja and west of the Gravann, and is bisected by the river Vörssre, which begins high in the mountains before running into Lake Vöst, and then continuing into Lake Weissa. The land is warmer and awash with hot springs that feed into its rivers, owing to the volcanic activity still taking place deep under the roots of the mountains. The lush climate has no doubt allowed for the growth of large forests and wildlands along the western feet of the mountains, and the incredibly tall pine trees make for excellent lumber, one of the region’s most important exports for construction and shipbuilding, both among the Arven Kinship and beyond its borders. Out of the many forests that dot the landscape, two are the largest and the most impressive, each with their own unique merits. North of the Vörssre, in the region of Rossa, is the colloquially named Winterglade forest. It's name is derived from a natural phenomenon where condensation from the northern sea-wind settles on its upper-canopy and catches the moonlight on clear nights in just such a way that there appears to be always a layer of frost so called for the upper branches, even in the temperate summer months. The people who live and work around the forest are superstitious, and few choose to venture too deep beyond the treeline. Those who spend the night within its depths are said to come back changed, and though many over the years have done so, records of their ventures vary wildly from the wonderful to the nightmarish.
To the south of the Vörssre, in the region of Eschen, are the Nightwoods. Though the name would suggest otherwise, it is considered far safer than the Winterglade forest, and the verdant landscape and tall trees make for excellent hunting of game, as well as the growing industry of forestry. The name is instead derived from the fact that, for much of the day in the winter months, the forest sits under the shadow of the mountains. Perhaps because of their proclivity to darkness, some animals and wildlife can be found to possess a slight bioluminescence, the pelts of which are highly sought after.
Fjarda literally translates into 'ice' in Vordjanna, though the lowlands of the country are not nearly as cold as the name suggests. Instead, the name is derived from the Fjardessa. Known to some as the Frozen Clouds or the Ice Clouds, the Fjardessa drift high above the mountains, refracting sunlight in prismatic colours across the white peaks. A cause for worship by those of several different faiths, and a cause for study by educational institutions the world over, no one knows for certain what exactly the Fjardessa are, or how they came to be. Despite protestations by traditionalists in Arvendell, with the invention of dirigibles and through a joint effort between the governing powers of Estamere and Fjarda, studies have begun revealing the properties of the so-called clouds. Though apparently made of ice, the material is harder than steel and melts only at incredibly high temperatures, remaining cold to the touch even when exposed to naked flames. There are some who believe that the clouds are the drifting bodies of long dead elemental beings or gods, creatures who shaped the world in the elder-days. For a thousand years, pilgrims from Glennich, Arvendell and Eidel have come to pay homage to the Fjardessa. In the last few years, against much protestation, private groups have gained mining rights to harness the ice, known as Arkales, for its many applications, especially as insulation and coolant in the factories of Eorland.
Towns and Cities
The capital of Fjarda is the city of Blackstone, and it lives up to its name. The architecture is constructed out of volcanic stone quarried from the nearby mountains, and gothic architecture gives it an ominous, however magnificent appearance. The old town retains most of the original wall, though the sprawling nature of urban development has doubled the size of the city in the last hundred years alone. Underneath the city are a vast array of catacombs,
barely traversed given the dangerous and twisting nature of the tunnels. Those that have been mapped out have acted both as access to clean, fresh water to all the locals as well as sewers, and as such the city has the reputation of being historically one of the cleanest (and least foul-smelling) cities in the western hemisphere. The catacombs were also used as tombs for Lords and Nobles in ages past, and were instrumental in allowing practitioners of magic escape persecution after the Black Wing Heresy in the year 569.
North of Blackstone, as the road turns east and across the Gravann into Skalbaard, is the town of Rhudaar. The people of Rhudaar are spiritual and superstitious, given no doubt to their proximity to the Winterglade forest. They are among the few that are willing to exploit the forest for resources, though do so with great care and maintain a sustainable relationship with the land, even in the modern age. They also mine out of the northern hills, rich with iron, and their insular nature has made them distrustful of outsiders. They’re beliefs are unique and their unwillingness to convert to the Eos pantheon would have led to their being ostracised by the rest of Fjarda and Kör, were it not for the wealth they bring. That said, their relationship with the Skalbaardic people is stronger for their vehemence to the old ways.
North of the Winterglade is the heathland of Horrenheim, a wide and open land. On the west is the Gulf of Rossa, where the fortress-city of Skulafbaad protects Fjarda, and indeed most of Arvendell, from possible naval excursions from Glennich.
In the west, nestled into the Fjardic mountains is the Suraffen Glacier, feeding into the lakes in the highlands. Up here the high city of Ulffencrest is the base of operations for Skymining.
Though there are a great number of towns and villages dotted across the landscape of Eschen, the largest city is Svegar. Centrally located, it is a central market hub for trading across the region, and has a reputation for being one of the more culturally adept cities in Arvendell. Throughout its history, many havesought fame by taking their barding to the inns of Svegar, as a constant stream of travellers from across Eschen, and indeed across Arvendell altogether, has made it a lucrative, if competitive hub for music. Since then schools and universities dedicated to the arts have abounded in the city, most notably the Svegar-Handolf Conservatory and its world famous orchestra.
On the southern shores of Lake Vöst is the industrial town of Aaronshelm. The city, grown in the last century from a small town sitting on a rich iron deposit, has become the centre for industry in Fjarda, smelting a large amount of the metal produced, as well as creating weapons and machinery for dissemination across Arvendell.
The Eschen lands surrounding the Valley of Vörssre are good farmland, where igneous sediment has been carried down from the mountains to feed the land. This is where most of the wheat, hops and barley are produced in the country and, needless to say, the town of Elkshorren has grown a profitable industry of brewing ale, mead and whiskey.
Structure
Fjarda is ruled by a council of Lord Electorates, representing both their familial and subsidiary clans, as well as cities and provinces. Though independently ruled, Fjarda is a member of the Arven Kinship, dictating certain laws concerning human and trade rights, as well as certain aspects of foreign policy.
Public Agenda
Fjarda is the wealthiest of the Arven nations due to its abundance of natural resources moreso than an innate desire to bolster its economy. Far from static, the nation embraces change without exclusively driving it. There are those in the north-east who follow a more traditional approach to Arven life, but many of the more temperate cities favour artistic endeavours more so than warmongering or hunting.
Assets
Fjarda is home to the Fjardessa, and a significant portion of its recent wealth is directly tied to the exploitation, both commercial and scientific, of this landmark.
Demography and Population
Due to its more temperate volcanic environment, the low-lands of Eschen are by far the most densely populated region in all of Arvendell. The population spreads thinner in the northern regions and is almost non-existent in the north-west, save for a handful of small towns and cities. Population density is increasing at an alarming rate, and the city growth is keeping pace. Class division and hardship, especially due to difficult working environments and poor sanitation in densely populated areas creates disparity in the distribution of wealth, though advances in modern medicine and the formation of a rudimentary national healthcare system have improved mortality rates, especially among babies and children.
Territories
Fjarda is loosely divided into the regions of Eschen, Horrenheim and Rossa.
Military
Most of Fjarda's military power is tied up in the militarised Arven Constabulary, though it does have its own small standing force, the Undunweis. Functioning as both a National Guard and a Marine Corp, the Undunweis originated as infamous coastal raiders, targeting Glennich and Darwych for centuries before being brought under the official banner of the Electorate Lords.
Technological Level
Fjarda is an early-industrial era nation.
Agriculture & Industry
The bulk of Fjarda's industry are based in forestry and mining, with other industries ranging from brewing in the south and whaling in the north.
Trade & Transport
Fjarda does not yet have a functioning railway network, and instead relies on a system of canals that run throughout the lowlands of Eschen.
Founding Date
-210
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Demonym
As-Fjarda, Fjarden
Government System
Electocracy
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Vektörmark
Major Exports
Lumber, Iron, Steel, Weapons, Machinery, Musical instruments, Whiskey, Ale, Fur, Coal, Oil, Arkales, Whale oil
Legislative Body
Lord's Council, Arven Kinship
Judicial Body
Arven Constabulary
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
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