Eroch
They say that nothing ever changes in Eroch, that the world could be burning down around them and they could be feasting and fighting as they always do. As always, "they" are not entirely correct, but neither are they entirely incorrect.
Structure
Erochan life is primarily centered around the clan. These clans are small groupings of families that remain fiercely independent from all outside influences. Erochans who live outside of the clans are simply not Erochan at all.
Each clan elects the worthiest among them to serve as clan-father or clan-mother. This person serves the clan more as a guide than a true leader. Their primary duty is to represent the clan at the Clanmoot, a meeting among all clans.
The Clanmoot takes place in Andreggen, the only city in Eroch and neutral ground for all clans. These take place every five years, or in times of great need. As with all meetings of Erochans, they are very loud, often violent affairs, and very few true decisions are reached.
History
The first Erochans were a collection of mercenary companies exiled from the Kingdom of Mandia for crimes now lost to history. They were condemned to live in the harsh, orc-infested forests north of the mountains.
There one of the mercenaries, a man named Raine, wanted to not only live, but thrive. He wanted a place that was more than a home, so he built a fortress where he could feast and drink to his heart's content. Others followed suit, creating their own fortresses, which would become the great mead halls of the Erochan clans.
As these companies became clans, they started seeing the need for communication among them. Due to their rivalries, none could decide where their meetings would take place. Eventually, they decided (with a lot of difficulty) to meet at a neutral location. This they called the Clanmoot, where the city of Andreggen would eventually be built around.
From there, not much changed for millennia. The clans fought the orcs, struggled with their own rivalries, and feasted endlessly. In the end, all it took to change the famously static Erochan lifestyle was just one act of defiance.
Since their first exile, the life of an Erochan woman was hard. They lived as servants and worse, while the men were warriors for the glory of the clan. Then, a daughter of Clan MacRaine, Alda MacRaine dreamt of more. She passed her clan's right of passage and became a warrior. Her victory was rewarded with exile.
However, even disowned she still fought for the glory of her clan, and her brave deeds earned her the respect of her fellows. After the death of her father, her clan considered her to replace him. After a very energetic debate, she lost.
When the elven tyrant Ansarien Ill'conter invaded from the south, Alda rallied her people. They fought together with Eldain Mal'atre and his Mandian rebels and drove the madman out. After a victory in Whiteriver, the victorious Erochans returned to their homeland.
But life didn't go on quite as it always had. A woman had proven her worth, not only to the men of Eroch, but the women as well. For the first time in Erochan history, girls were training with swords, and women were fighting orcs alongside their male counterparts.
Life had changed forever, but only once. The Clanmoot still meets, the snows still fall, and orc blood is still spilt.
Demography and Population
Even though the whole of Erochan society is centered around the mead halls, a majority of the population lives in Andreggen. Those in the clans hate to admit it, but the mead halls are far from self-sufficient.
The city provides most of the food (except for game hunted by the clans) as well as weapons, armor, and cloth. Almost everything needed for life is provided to those minorities that live in the distant mead halls.
Military
As a loose confederation of independent clans, Eroch has no formal military. However, the clans strongly emphasize might in combat. This means that most clan members are warriors, and the dangerous and unforgiving land in which they live makes them very talented warriors.
Conversely, Erochans despise magic. They see it as a tool of those too weak or wicked to take up arms. However their lack of magic also leaves them with an intense superstitious fear of it. Their lack of magic is not absolute, as occasionally one of their skalds is capable of wielding bardic magic. This is the only example where magic use is celebrated.
Arcane magic isn't completely absent in Eroch, either. There is one group who studies and uses magic: the Coven of Crow Maidens. The Erochan fear of magic is on full display in their interaction with these witches, as fear is the only reason their presence is tolerated at all. Still, the Crow Maidens serve as dedicated protectors of Eroch as well, and any who threatened it would have to stand against their magic.
Religion
The Erochans don't have true religion, making clerics and paladins nearly unheard of there. This is not to say that they lack spirituality competely, however. The rugged and savage lands the clans occupy are home to a great many beings both ancient and powerful.
These powerful beings are archfey and protectors of the deep wilds. The Erochans do not worship these beings, but they do grant them a respect that nears worship. In exchange, their protection of their home often extends, at least in part, to the clans that live there as well.
The nature of their veneration varies, but usually includes a few rites, and often games in their honor. Due to their connection to the wilds, some few Erochans honor their patron fey by becoming druids. Warlocks are also not unheard of, but they are very rare, and are shunned by others.
Foreign Relations
The Erochan people don't interact with other peoples very often. Mostly this involvement is their conflict with the local orc tribes, who they have been fighting for as long as they have lived in their lands.
Even though they don't interact with other nations, they are not shy about welcoming individuals to their lands. In fact, Erochan hospitality is legendary. After they announce themselves, visitors to the mead halls are celebrated as if one of the clan's own had returned, as the clan drains a great many tankards of mead in honor of their guest.
Trade & Transport
The road between Andreggen and Gate Town is rarely used and mostly overgrown to the point that it can barely be called a road. This is because there is only one import the Erochans care about, and only one export desired by the rest of the world.
The only thing the independent Erochans want from the outside world is iron. For such a fierce warrior culture, they need a great deal of metal for the creation of weapons and armor. Eroch lacks both mines and miners, so importation is the only thing that satisfies that need.
Aside from their skill in battle, the people of Eroch are also renowned for the production of mead. Every hall has their own beekeepers and creates their own mead. These meads are highly sought after down south, with some nobles collecting bottles as many others collect wine.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Demonym
Erochan
Government System
Democracy, Representative
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Traditional
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
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