Otteun

Otteun

Government
Militocracy
Capital
Midtal
Cities
Botunn, Martell, Rasstul
Major Worship
Ancev, Beory, Nerull, Pholtus, Ulaa, Zargos

---

Climate
Cool
Exports
Copper, fruit, horses, mercenaries, potatoes, pottery, vegetables
Imports
Cheese, cotton, grain, leather, weapons, woodcraft

The country is bordered by Da'Hashim to the west, Dolac to the North, the Giant's Crown Mountains to the northeast, Fir Lanear to the east, the Godfall to the southeast, and Kasar to the south.

Centered around the Tal River, this country is widely considered to be the most powerful in the world right now. The inhabitants of the country are stoic and industrious people, said to be descendants of the Mount Grabb mountain folk.

Government

The large standing army (the Ott) has been keeping a wary eye on Kasar all these centuries and the military has taken full control of government. There is no national ruling body other than the Chief Council, not to be confused with the Council of Chiefs, which is a meeting of the same people but on military matters. Locally, government is left to civilians most of the time though the army vets anyone wanting to participate and they set the agenda with edicts from above.

The rulers are always quick to say that commoners pay no tax at all in Otteun. What they are less quick to say is that the wages in the country are low and people have to work long and hard to make enough to survive on. And those that do get taxed, business owners, landholders, etc, they pay quite a bit; and the majority of that goes to military spending.

Yes, they have kept the country safe from any foreign invaders, but it's also true that no one has tried to invade since the forming of the country. They also like to claim that they keep the cities safe and this is true enough, for the richer neighborhoods. Military Police patrols (there is no town guard) aren't all that common a sight for those struggling to make ends meet.

While most of the populace just try to live their lives as best they can, there is a vocal minority that wants to see change. Unfortunately for them the Ott is quick to arrest them, and with almost all judges being pro-government they are usually found guilty.

Magic

Abjura Dolana claims to be a-political and while they might have certain issues with the Otteun government, this hasn't stopped them from being an integral part of the country's workings. If there's something Otteuns are good at; it's paperwork. At all border checkpoints Abjura Dolana mages are stationed to inspect everyone coming into the country. All arcane spellcasters are to buy a license for 10 gold pieces and part with a single strand of their hair or they won't be allowed into the country. They are to carry the license at all times and it spells out that any (property) damage caused by the casting of spells is to be paid for, twice over. Divine spellcasters are asked to wear a holy symbol of their deity in plain view at all times. The same rules apply for locals.

Religion

Pholtus used to be the most popular god in the country. However, the Ott got into more and more conflicts with the church and over time Pholtans were sidetracked in the Ott and worship of the god was subtly discouraged. They even went as far as outlawing the Order of Saint Rabban within their borders, when the paladins interfered with army operations once too many. Nowadays the judges are no longer Pholtan priests, though any new judges are vetted by the church, as a token gesture. It has been a long time since any appointee was declared unfit however.

The Otteun are industrious workers and so it comes as no surprise that Ulaa worship is common here. This is helped by the fact that the government encourages her worship quite actively. The Ott see her as a 'safe' goddess and a good way to increase productivity. Beory worship is common in rural communities and encouraged by the Ott for the same reason.

Nerull worship is a real problem in Otteun, particularly in the capital. It is unclear what exactly the attraction is, but the fact remains that cold-blooded killers seem to congregate with some regularity. Even more problematic for the government is that a good number of them are Ott soldiers.

Not all dangerous cults worship Nerull, or even a god, but there are quite a few of them and every time the Ott destroy one, it doesn't take long for another to crop up.

The Ott

The army has become a caste to itself and have placed themselves outside of society quite a bit. They have their own laws, their children go to military academies. Most live in permanent army camps; these can be a neighborhood inside a city or a complete military town.

The army divides most its forces into three main areas; border security, military police (the Ott polices both the military and civilians), and training. Soldiers are usually rotated between these three disciplines every five years or so.

There are a few branches that function differently; administration and civil affairs (includes local and national judiciary), logistics (almost a merchant house to itself, Abraxis Combine is seen by some as their civilian extension), general staff, special forces (often unofficially referred to as Kill Company), engineering and magic (spellcasters can also be found in all other branches, though not in large numbers), and intelligence services (split into the Ott Interior Bureau and the Foreign Surveillance Service).

Also of note is that the army owns most of the farms in the country. These extremely large farms (paffars) are worked by local civilians.

Geography

The western part of the country where it borders Da'Hashim is only sparsely settled and consists mostly of prairie. Going further east we come to Mount Grabb; an ancient volcano flanked by a number of smaller ones, they have not been active since before the Collapse. The volcanic soil has given rise to many orchards growing apples, pears, cherries and other fruit. Going south towards Kasar, one finds hilly terrain dotted with small forests, pig farming is the main agricultural activity here.

Further east the Tal river valley bisects the country vertically. The river clay fuels an extensive brick and pottery industry and is also well suited to potato and other vegetable farming. The ample grassland on either side is where many of the famous Otteun horses roam. Around Midtal and further south a number of large copper deposits have given rise to colossal open-pit mines.

The land rises again to its eastern border with Fir Lanear. Here one finds more forests and plains and also the Lenns stonelands; a large area of sharp rocks that are said to be of extraterrestrial origin.

Lenns Stonelands

Southeast of Midtal, near the border with Fir Lanear one can find one of the stranger regions of the country. The area is mostly rock with many of them sticking out of the ground at odd angles and running to a sharp point. This type of stone isn't found anywhere else so it is said these are of extraterrestrial origin. The caves here contain a species of bat not seen elsewhere; the chin bat, smaller than most bats and known for their acidic saliva.

Honey Drop Hills

Named for the fact that in summer, when the yellow flowers growing on them are in bloom, they resemble honey drops, these almost thousand small hills in the center of the country have many myths surrounding them. One claims it is a bulette graveyard with new hills appearing any time one of these land sharks dies. Another says that the hills are the tears of a titan who wept for the death of their beloved.

Ecology

In the parts of the country that contain farms, orchards and other industry the number of species has dwindled quite a bit but on the plains and in the forests dotted around, plenty of animals can still be found. Rabbits are abundant as in most countries on the continent. Squirrels, hedgehogs, and shrews are quite common as well. One of the few species unique to Otteun is the lemming, known for their mass migrations. Another thing the country is know for is the myriad bat swarms that appear from the abundance of caves around, swarming the night sky.

Larger animals to be found are species of deer and moose, boar surprisingly less so, they are hunted to protect the domesticated pigs. Jackals, lynx, and wolf are the main predators, there are also quite a few black bears, brown bears are prevalent around Mound Grabb. Grass snakes, adders, and vipers are the most frequent snakes found, the green lizard the most common reptile, frogs and toads are plentiful as well.

Loons and storks are the most prevailing of the larger birds, songbirds of many assorted species can be found; swallows, shrikes, flycatchers, finches, etc. Among birds of prey different kinds of eagles and kites, cat owls and other owl species are seen most.

In and around the rivers and waterways of the country one can find species such as the Tal desman, turtles, ducks, geese, beavers, small crabs and more. Mount Grabb has its own ecology with some animals not seen in the rest of the country; the ibex, marmots, rock ptarmigans, and wolverines.

Monsters

A few parts of the country are virtually devoid of monsters as the Ott uses those regions to train their troops, often training exercises consist of exterminating a monster population. In the less settled parts of the country many kinds of monsters can still be found, including the ubiquitous Restless (undead).

Axe beaks are often seen in the western part of the country. In many forests large spiders and ettercaps can be found, usually not at the outskirts if there is a village nearby. On rare occasions mammoths wander in from Fir Lanear. Golems and other constructs are more common than elsewhere as many were built by the Ott centuries ago in experiments to supplement the army, but these were eventually abandoned. Different kinds of fey creatures can be encountered in the eastern part of the country. One of the most dangerous common monsters is the bulette, any sighting of them will trigger an immediate armed response from the Ott.

Mountain trolls are seen at the border with Kasar, most people in the area claim the monsters are released into the country on purpose. A clan of beholders is said to be living on or in Mount Grabb but as these things go, actual evidence of this is more than elusive. The same can be said for the claim that a society of neogi live in or under the Lenns stonelands.

History

At the end of the Kasarian Conflict there was much uncertainty about the true motives of Kasar, especially among their direct neighbors. Would they really be content to receive their levy every year or was there another war in the offing?

Before the Collapse there had been anywhere between ten and twenty countries and fiefdoms in the area between what is now Kasar and Dolac. Right after the Kasarian Conflict there were fourteen, some of them hit harder than others but most had come through relatively unscathed and with comparatively low levies; as the conflict went on, newer conquered countries were levied more.

A fear of Kasar united them all and old differences were soon forgot. At first six nations decided to band together, also due to the influx of dwarves from the Godfall, who were viewed with much suspicion. Laws were changed so as to be able to support a large army, and usually to the detriment of civil liberties, as limited as they already were. Trade and production picked up a lot as the new army started to gear up and soon a number of the other nations joined, spurred on by this economic miracle. The original rulers were more and more sidelined over the decades and centuries, always with the same excuse; that an army this size could only be led centrally. The last three nations eventually joined but it is fair to say they were not given a choice at this point.

At the time, some jealous voices claimed that those original fourteen countries were hardly hit at all, paid little tribute, and had, in all but name, been an ally of Kasar. There is no actual proof for all of this, though the fact remains that after the Kasarian Conflict, Otteun emerged as one of the most powerful new nations. Though it was part of the Miforan Empire for a while, it returned to being an independent country without as much as a hiccup.

Culture

While most of the Otteun are human, dwarves have been a large minority here, ever since the Collapse. They still face prejudice though, which can be said even more for half-orcs who are a smaller but still significant minority in the country. Halflings are quite rare here and gnomes even more so.

While the country is hardly overflowing with bards, music is quite popular here; most villages and neighborhoods have their own amateur orchestras and usually play every week on home built instruments. Most music performed is by famous composers from Otteun's storied past; Tressa Onnellm, Liruk Ravenheart, Chalan Ariss.

Books are quite popular, especially those set in other countries, depicting a different way of life. Which is something the Ott isn't happy about, they would like the people to read books that celebrate the Otteun way of life. They go so far that every so often the Decency Commission outlaws a novel as subversive; copies are then collected and publicly burned. All this has done is created an underground book trade, often taking place in the many bookshops that can be found around the country.

Paintings are ubiquitous but this is mostly because the Ott commissions many. They all depict happy scenes of Otteun people working or enjoying their free time, these are then hung in all public buildings. Only a few art styles are approved for these paintings and other styles, while not outlawed, are definitely looked down upon by those in charge. People who own more experimental style paintings usually display them somewhere only their closest friends will see.

Food

Agricultural technology is quite advanced in Otteun, their yields are much higher than in most countries. Potatoes are the staple crop, the local species have been cultivated to produce a very large size red potato. These are most often sliced and then pan-roasted but can also be boiled or mashed. Carrots, cauliflower, turnips, spinach, peas, beans, onions, and cabbages are the most grown vegetables and often served boiled as a side dish. The many orchards produce mostly apples, pears, stone fruits, and berries; any not eaten fresh are turned into jams and compotes.

Pigs are, by far, the most bred farm animal. Cows are hardly found here except for some in the northeastern part of the country. Sheep and goats can be found in the southeast. Chickens are kept by most farmers but in small quantities and mostly for eggs.

Meat is a large part of the diet, much more so than in most countries, starting at breakfast which often features different cold cuts. The country's most famous and most popular meat product is the Bay Rib. It was invented in the last century of the Miforan Empire by Nerthus Hewer when she made a sauce of apple, bay leaves, pepper, potato starch, and vinegar. The pig's rib was then marinated in the sauce and she sold them on the street as an easy to eat snack. Deep-fried pork rinds are also quite popular. The Tal and other rivers are a source of many fish; salmon, trout, pike, carp, and perch are the ones most often found on the menu.

Cider is the most popular drink by far and consumed in large quantities. Brandies made of fruit are more expensive but quite common. Beer and wine are hardly produced and thus have to be imported. Another favorite drink is Tikk; a hard liquor distilled from potatoes, usually served with a piece of fruit in it.

A common meal in the rural parts of the country is Pork Knuckle; the end of the pig's leg, just above the ankle and below the meaty ham portion is marinated for days and then roasted at low temperatures for two to three hours. It is usually served with roasted or fried potato parts and boiled cabbage and/or carrots.

In the papers

Otteun Government Cracks Down On Popular Play

A new play that has been sweeping the nation of late has gained the ire of the Ott, the army of the country and its de-facto ruler. The play, titled 'Centuries of Peace', and penned by one 'I. Charge', tells a story of a fictional country suffering under the rule of a king who fears an invasion from creatures of the sea and his measures and taxes to combat this supposed threat cause quite some suffering for the populace.

It is not hard to draw parallels from this story to Otteun and the Ott, and their running of the country. The play has been staged in many a town and village by the citizens themselves and this didn't go unnoticed by the Decency Commission. They soon decreed the play illegal and the Ott have since been going round, collecting any copies they can find.

- Excerpt from article in the The Mifora Bulletin