Sormark

Sormark

Government
Oligarchy / Feudalism
Capital
Stjordvik
Cities
Jurva, Olfjorby, Viborg, Resoborg
Major Worship
Beory, Erythnul, Olidammara, Pholtus, Ulaa

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Climate
Warm and humid
Exports
Drugs, herbs, pelts, salt, seafood, rice
Imports
Beer, cheese, cloth, glass, horses, weapons

Though no longer a true frontier nation it still has much of that feel. Outside of the larger cities and main roads you are as likely to come across a small farming village as wandering band of humanoids.

As can be seen by the below table, the populace has a proclivity for giving their rulers nicknames that tend to stick.

Barony	Ruler	Location
Frooyla	Eyolf the Bold	River West
Arvaal	Malena Hagsdottir	River East
Svinik	Raknar the Crayman	Coastal
Namverg	Nev Wolfsblood	Central
Hoeskal	Avalanche Gunnbjorn	Mountain
Udvjor	Bryn Shield	South

 

 

Government

This polity consists of six independent baronies which signed the Accord of Aarvik, thereby setting down the exact borders and making it so that any harmful action committed by one barony against one other automatically is an attack against all the others. By the same vein, any harmful action by any foreign entity against a barony will be seen as an attack against all.

Though there are no national laws, all baronies are Sormark through and through, so their laws are all quite similar. And criminals don't have to hope for any inter-baronial jurisdictional issues; any time a representative of law and order comes to collect a suspect, they are handed over without any further ado.

This has been the situation for some time now, and while it has lead to a stable country it also has led to some stagnation and the increasing influence of merchant houses, those of Fir Lanear in particular. Taxes in the country are on the low end, most of the recent improvements have been funded through taxing the increasing international trade.

Magic

Abjura Dolana isn't as highly respected here as in the heartlands but the rulers, in all their wisdom, did conclude that it would be a good idea to have an organization powerful enough to deal with rogue mages as a part of their baronies. And thus any arcane spellcasters wishing to cast spells are to buy a license at the border or at a lodge building, for the low price of 7.5 gold pieces. Those so licensed are allowed to cast spells 'in a reasonable manner', what that entails is up to the local magistrate. Sormark is quite a religious country and thus divine spellcasters are not in any way curbed.

Religion

The people in Sormark very much believe in 'the right deity for the right occasion'. And thus they don't solely worship one god or goddess but whichever is the most suited to the occasion. This means Osprem whenever going out to sea, Beory when farming, Olidammara when reveling, etc. Pholtan priests are very respected as judges in most parts of the country.

One blemish is the Erythnul worship that keeps cropping up. Sormarkers are a hardy and tough people and believe in testing themselves against the elements. Often groups of Sormarkers will go out into the wilderness for a time to 'strengthen their bonds with the land'. Usually they return the better for it, but every so often a group is gripped by The Many's madness and then they go find 'worthy' candidates to battle and kill. Fortunately they usually consider the weak to be below their attention.

Geography

The eastern part of the country consists of coastal wetlands, beaches, and barrier islands. The higher and contiguous hill lands of the west consist of prairie and some woodlands as it runs up to the Giant’s Crown Mountains Range.

The Copis river, the northern boundary to the Reuel Woods, flows along a very deep ridge to the west. Legends say it is where Dendar the Night Serpent emerged from the earth. The river transports water from the Sarodin Sea all the way to the ocean and its slow current allows for much waterborne trade.

The southern border is formed by the Endless Mire. This swamp has resisted all attempts over the centuries to drain it or otherwise curtail it.

Kaleido Reef

Meandering along the coast of much of eastern Sormark, is a chain of many reefs and tiny islands. It is home to an incredible diversity of fauna, from a multitude of species of whales, dolphins, porpoises, turtles, fish, octopi, and snakes to over a hundred species of birds. Local legends say the reef was created when a fallen star flew over and shed its trail.

Namar Mudlands

In the Hoeskal barony, at the foot of the Giant’s Crown Mountains one can find a large concentration of hundreds of small mud volcanoes. Here many ancient tools and rock carvings have been found, traces of what some consider to be the oldest signs of intelligent civilization in the world. Also found here is the Tantan Sten; when this big, two-meter-long stone is struck with smaller rocks, it makes a hollow, ringing sound.

Ecology

Rabbits, squirrels, armadillos, opossums, raccoons and deer are plentiful here, as is a large breed of boar called Sernas. When it comes to land-based predators there are brown bears and panthers but by far the most common, and dangerous, are the large packs of wolves. They are so ubiquitous that it is said that every tenth Sormarker has to be a werewolf.

Many types of birds make their home in Sormark. Quail, turkey, woodcock, and ducks are popular game birds and their numbers have been on the decline because of this. Quite a few species of songbirds can be found all over and along the shore and in the wetlands pelicans and egrets are a usual sight. Eagles, ospreys, vultures and owls are the most widespread raptors.

Numerous species of turtles, many unique to this area, can be found around the coast and river areas. Amphibians and reptiles are more than abundant though chameleons have become rarer, due to their value to spellcasters. A special mention should go to the crocodile; these armored monstrosities grow over 6 meters in length and ambush anything they consider prey, and they consider everything prey.

Between the Sarodin Sea coast and the Copis river, many species of fish and other water creatures can be found. Most notable are bass, bream, catfish, cod, crayfish, mollusks, mudfish, oyster, shrimp, snapper, trout, and ‘wineskin’ (named for their appearance). Dolphins and sharks not only congregate along the coast but can be often be seen many miles upriver.

Monsters

Quite a number of flying monsters make Sormark their home; blood hawks, cockatrices, griffons, harpies, manticores, and stirges can all be encountered here, though most stay away from any areas of civilization.

Bands of bugbears and/or hobgoblins frequently make incursions into the country; some have even permanently settled. Then there’s the gnolls who have been here longer than anyone can remember. Their presence might explain the Erythnul worship in the country, or it could be the other way around. In either case, try and kill yourself before you let yourself be captured by gnolls.

Barghests led goblin tribes have occasionally caused trouble as well. A number of territorial hag covens are scattered throughout the country; in the past they used to have whole villages under their sway, that seems to be no longer the case. And then there’s the werewolves; it’s hard to estimate how many stories about them are just folklore and how much should be taken seriously.

Legends tell of an ancient and huge dragon turtle called Eika that often swims up and down the Copis River and considers it ‘her’ river. Firsthand accounts of her seem impossible to come by though.

History

Much of the history of the area from before the annexation by the Miforan Empire has been lost, mainly due to the empire’s atrocious “One Empire“ directive. Sormark was defeated during the Red Branch Campaign in the latter days of the empire, culminating at the Battle of Seven Larches. King Aethelfrith was killed on the field, his claymore, Hlarskvung – the symbol of the monarchy, never to be found again.

Once this bountiful territory was gobbled up by the empire, investors from Mifora increased fishing, pelt hunting, rice cultivation, and salt winning to never before seen levels and cities began to grow. Then word of the agreeable climate caused a boom of ‘winter mansions’ to be built along the coast.

When the empire fell two centuries later it didn’t take long for the administrative divisions to turn into little fiefdoms. Through warfare and marriage they slowly formed into the six baronies we recognize today. The Accord of Aarvik brought internecine strife to a halt and a relatively stable country emerged.

Culture

While the country is mostly human, many half-orcs can be found here, mostly in the eastern part of the country. Halflings are a smaller minority and tend to be found more to the west. Half-elves are about the same size minority but are found all over. After the Collapse a contingent of dwarves moved to Hoeskal and settled there, their descendants can still be found here. Gnomes aren't very populous anywhere but seem to be more common here than in most countries.

Sormark is famous for the great salt pans on the banks of the Sarodin Sea. These vividly colored ponds, some red as ruby, are where much of the world’s salt comes from.

Houses in areas that deal with regular flooding are built on top of 'overflow cellars'. The buildings are all about half a meter off the ground, on stilts, with a basement dug below to hold any water that might come their way, giving the cities are very distinctive look.

Music is a big part in the life of many Sormarkers, especially in the barony of Svinik. Many bards have traveled to Stjordvik over the centuries and while there is no formal college there, this has led to all kinds of new music styles that are slowly gaining popularity all over.

In most inns and taverns you can play 'Sandy Table', a game where small wooden discs are slid across a table towards a scoring zone.

For the last century or so, drugs have been cultivated on a large scale in the countryside. While a lot of it is exported this has led to a systemic addiction problem within the country.

Food

In much of the food here you can still see the influence of Miforan cuisine, though pastry is much less common and everything is a lot ‘messier’. Rice is the basis of many meals; corn is also used quite often. The abundance of herbs such as celery, parsley, bay leaf, green onions, and various peppers, allows for Sormarkian meals to be quite aromatic.

It is customary for meat to be seared heavily, often grilled entirely black. One such popular dish is Sernas Back; the boar’s back meat is coated in salt and then seared till it’s very crispy. It usually served with fried ‘headless’, a local vegetable.

Sausages are often stuffed with a mixture of meat or seafood, rice, vegetables and herbs. Some are smoked whereas others merely dried. Blood is added to certain varieties, giving it their distinctive red coloring. A local favorite is Chamot; a boar’s stomach stuffed with the animal’s meat and herbs and then smoked. Head cheese is a staple on menus in the eastern baronies.

Aside from the many species of fish, other forms of seafood are quite popular as well. Mollusks, oysters, and crayfish are usually fried in lard and eaten in large quantities. Bullfrogs are boiled whole and then fried. 'Altogether' is a perennial favorite; a mixture of sausage and seafood, with vegetables and rice, all boiled and simmered in a stock.

'Kabees' is a much-used condiment; a brown sauce made of various mushrooms.

Beer and spirits (mostly corn based) are drunk in such quantities that it’s surprising demand can be met, or that anyone can get up in the morning.

In the papers

Passing Wind

The papermills in the Hoeskal Mountains are operational again. As everybody knows these mills operate seasonally and produce the highest quality paper in the country. Hoeskal paper is highly sought after by writers, libraries and government mages. This means that the Hoeskal Mountains will be passing wind again. The katabatic winds carry the sulfur smell of the papermills down the mountain, causing the smell of farts in the province.

Sandy Table Legalization

The hugely popular tavern game Sandy Table was up for abolition by the government. While gambling in itself isn't illegal in Sormark, the combination of gambling and drinking often lead to trouble. Fights and huge gambling debts caused the government to step in. However, Sandy Table has a strong tradition in Sormark, and kids are brought up with the game. So with a small change in the rules, Sandy Table remains legal to play.

Stjordvik Art Contest!

With the yearly celectarion in mind Stjordvik is holding an art contest. If you are proficient in arts then you are invited to participate. Your goal is to create the best portrait of Baron Raknar. The winning entry will net the artist a handsome sum of coin and the painting will be displayed in the grand hallway of his castle. Entries are to be sent, with name and age, to Norbana's. Include return postage should you want your entry back, in case you don't win.

- Excerpts from articles in the The Mifora Bulletin