Olia Provinces
The Olian Provinces are the collected States and cities under the Dominion of the Empire as agreed to under the Peace Concord of 601, confirmed by the Grand Electors conclave. Outside are the Free Elector cities, and the Wild cities of the far North ruled by barbarian wildmen.
The Olian lands are the Western Skaag, The central Jarga and eastern Terhom.
The Olia lands are Taiga- Close growth conifers and fast growing decidous trees. The ground cover is lichens, mosses, some grasses and shrubs. The short growing season days are long and cool to warm. Winters are long and very cold, the days are short, and a persistent snowpack is the norm. There are boggy muskeg swamp and glaciers with drainage plains. In the Terhom is more plains and ice desert.
The Olian lands are the Western Skaag, The central Jarga and eastern Terhom.
The Olia lands are Taiga- Close growth conifers and fast growing decidous trees. The ground cover is lichens, mosses, some grasses and shrubs. The short growing season days are long and cool to warm. Winters are long and very cold, the days are short, and a persistent snowpack is the norm. There are boggy muskeg swamp and glaciers with drainage plains. In the Terhom is more plains and ice desert.
Structure
The traditional Olian governance and structure remains largely in-place but responsive to and influenced by the Imperial Governors and Dominars.
The Basic citizens are Thell: skilled workers in wood, horn, cloth and fabrics, clays and materials. Thell may be miners and laborers but do not have a land connection. Fishermen and sailors are Thell class. This class may also form Thanes- paid protector fighting orders who have a land obligation and typically supernatural / fantastical creature type totems (unicorn, gryphon, manticore).
Landesmin: These are farners, herders and foresters with smallland holdings. They may lease or loan to Thell but are actively connected to their lands. Landesvaetir of wood, of field of herds, of brewery and bees (typically women). Chiefs are typically appointed by the clans or elected by community.
Karls: Leading subclan Landesmin who are removed from their lands are landlords and nobles of towns and villages. As landlords to Landesmin they owe the lower classes protection and support for the local area lands and peoples who are typically of associated Clans. Karls are typically subclans to the main Totem clan.
Jarl: These are the high lords of the Clans, effectively the rulers of the Totem clans. The clans have Things: twice annual meetings to settle issues and disputes and determine leadership and representation in the Deliberative Council.
The Grand Elector is selected every 2 years as high executive by meeting and election of Clan heads and sub Clan leaders. Druids may not hold this office. The Grand Elector may be male or female, lolak or quol, and is frequently head of Clan and house- though sometimes houses will nominate another ranking figure.
The Basic citizens are Thell: skilled workers in wood, horn, cloth and fabrics, clays and materials. Thell may be miners and laborers but do not have a land connection. Fishermen and sailors are Thell class. This class may also form Thanes- paid protector fighting orders who have a land obligation and typically supernatural / fantastical creature type totems (unicorn, gryphon, manticore).
Landesmin: These are farners, herders and foresters with smallland holdings. They may lease or loan to Thell but are actively connected to their lands. Landesvaetir of wood, of field of herds, of brewery and bees (typically women). Chiefs are typically appointed by the clans or elected by community.
Karls: Leading subclan Landesmin who are removed from their lands are landlords and nobles of towns and villages. As landlords to Landesmin they owe the lower classes protection and support for the local area lands and peoples who are typically of associated Clans. Karls are typically subclans to the main Totem clan.
Jarl: These are the high lords of the Clans, effectively the rulers of the Totem clans. The clans have Things: twice annual meetings to settle issues and disputes and determine leadership and representation in the Deliberative Council.
The Grand Elector is selected every 2 years as high executive by meeting and election of Clan heads and sub Clan leaders. Druids may not hold this office. The Grand Elector may be male or female, lolak or quol, and is frequently head of Clan and house- though sometimes houses will nominate another ranking figure.
Culture
Olian culture is deeply connected to the land and spirits. The Clans are linked to patron Totems. Totems link the families and offer protection and support. Landsmen owe thanks and respect to the local spirits of land, crop and game. The Druids assure the spirits are contented and satisfied and will continue to provide for the needs of the people. Feasts and celebrations are held frequently to thank the spirits, and there is typically a special place in Giftings for thanks to spirits and ancestors. The Empire allows this pagan practice so long as the Gods and Emperor are given their dominant due. Perhaps due to the protection of the spirits, the Olian lands have a lower rate and less severe Warp Storms. The Frontier provinces are largely inhabited by Olia herders of the Ice Deer which forms the basis of wealth and production as a source of meat, milk, draft and sledge pulling as well as hides and wool. The herders will migrate between summer and winter quarters.
Territories
The Provincial capitals of Chanmonren, Migny and Srolun are of the Skaag, The central Jarga and eastern Terhom respectively and are all southern coastal cities. Grimsund is a port on the western frontier facing the Strait and the Isles of the Teeth and The Harrowland in the Bay of Grimsund. Borezieville on the Boury river is the capital of the Central frontier and Noliverdines is the capital of the Eastern Frontier and a major growing area with wide grasslands in the summer. Far eastern Poillere is the largest city of the Wild lands and supplier of "Free Olia" rebellion equipment and encouragement along with Aurneuflans at the foot of the Icehorn Mountains.
Drannes in the Jarga province is the current capital and seat of the Grand Elector.
Drannes in the Jarga province is the current capital and seat of the Grand Elector.
Religion
The traditional religion is animism worshiping Totems and local spirits that impact herds, crops, hunting, fishing and weather. With Imperial annexation the figure of the Emperor was installed above the local and clan spirits and officially the State Religion, The Order of Heaven, places the Gods as Totems for humans. This is not widely practiced or followed, though attendance and offerings are made to appease the Imperials. The Imperials consider Olians primitive pagans who ape civilized religion, pay scant heed to the natural strata of society and engage in undignified coarse trading.
Beastmen are favored slaves with the Beast-type of the clan and viewed as special servants of the Totem and house.
Within the Clans are The Mask Dancer Societies: Matriarchal guardians of the Clan masks and favored of the totems. As each clan is descended from marriage of mortal and Totem the Mask Societies honor and memorialize the unions. Men may take lower ranked support positions within the Mask Societies. Mask Dancers may call upon the Totem to bestow blessings or grant Totem related powers.
Beastmen are favored slaves with the Beast-type of the clan and viewed as special servants of the Totem and house.
Within the Clans are The Mask Dancer Societies: Matriarchal guardians of the Clan masks and favored of the totems. As each clan is descended from marriage of mortal and Totem the Mask Societies honor and memorialize the unions. Men may take lower ranked support positions within the Mask Societies. Mask Dancers may call upon the Totem to bestow blessings or grant Totem related powers.
Trade & Transport
Agriculture is limited to cleared areas, small farms and a short, cold growing season. Significant fishing, whale, Dragon whale and Selog hunting occurs along the coasts. Furs, mines, horns, scrimshaw and woodworks from more inland. Bark and rod basketry, bark fiber clothes- like the traditional poncho, and fine leathers may come from the more inland Provincial towns. Ghost Deer hide, cheese, dried meat, and other products from the frontier. The Taiga and wetlands produce large amounts of peat coal and bog-iron which are exported or used locally.
In addition to the markets, every few days, there are the Giftings and trade Fairs nearly every month from one group or another.
In addition to the markets, every few days, there are the Giftings and trade Fairs nearly every month from one group or another.
Education
The Clans will see that members of families get basic education in mathematics, reading and writing. Because trade is a significant feature of the society it is important to be politically aware and able to keep track of books and accounts. The Olia Gifting Ritual is decended from a pre-literate accounting and documentation - investing agreements, status and debts in public functions.
Many clans have taken to paying the Imperial temples to form Temple schools for general education. This satisfies Imperials demanding obedience to the Order of Heaven with religious education. Students must be taught to read the texts and understand the orders. They also teach basic math and Imperial history. The Clans give money and resources that make the Olia churches some of the most wealthy in the Empire. Church leaders are frequently honored guests or officials in Giftings, which further strengthen bonds between the church officials and Clan leaders.
Many clans have taken to paying the Imperial temples to form Temple schools for general education. This satisfies Imperials demanding obedience to the Order of Heaven with religious education. Students must be taught to read the texts and understand the orders. They also teach basic math and Imperial history. The Clans give money and resources that make the Olia churches some of the most wealthy in the Empire. Church leaders are frequently honored guests or officials in Giftings, which further strengthen bonds between the church officials and Clan leaders.
Ethics
Shamanistic Druid Magic is seen as right and proper. It recognizes connections, duties and respect owed to the spirits.
Sorcery is suspect but marginally tolerated. Dealing with otherworldly beings and driving "deals" with force and bindings is unreliable and dishonorable.
Hemetic magic is frowned upon. The forceful claiming and control of the spirit powers without respect or understood obligation is arrogant, abusive and insulting.
Dragon Line magic is seen as acceptable. It is harvest and direction of natural currents and flows, like a stream or trees. Respect for the source is expected in this "Eastern" magic. ( Olia traditionally had little interaction with Golam and are unfamiliar with Dragon Lines magic practice in the West.)
Necromancy is unclean and breaks the natural cycles. It is a. path full of corruption.
Blood Magic is corrupted and evil.
Sorcery is suspect but marginally tolerated. Dealing with otherworldly beings and driving "deals" with force and bindings is unreliable and dishonorable.
Hemetic magic is frowned upon. The forceful claiming and control of the spirit powers without respect or understood obligation is arrogant, abusive and insulting.
Dragon Line magic is seen as acceptable. It is harvest and direction of natural currents and flows, like a stream or trees. Respect for the source is expected in this "Eastern" magic. ( Olia traditionally had little interaction with Golam and are unfamiliar with Dragon Lines magic practice in the West.)
Necromancy is unclean and breaks the natural cycles. It is a. path full of corruption.
Blood Magic is corrupted and evil.
Type
Geopolitical, Province
Judicial Body
Imperial citizens may appeal to Imperial law and investigation by Magistrates rather than Olian law.
Within the Clans each clan leader is the law giver and judge. Issues between Clans may be settled by ruling from a Thing gathering Jorga when the Jarls gather to hear and settle issues twice yearly. These are typically hosted Gifting by the most powerful or influential clan and they typically will be presiding judges with tie breaking power. All Jarls take part in hearing and judging at these events. Leading up to this the clans will hold Giftings to establish status and rankings, giving gifts and favors to put others in their debt.
Monthly The local Karls will hold Jorga hearing for crimes involving issues of personal life and liberty. If a lower Jorga has judged someone guilty of bond debt the Karl confirms this and passes sentence.
Weekly the local Chiefs of towns and villages will hold Jorga with the High Druid settling small disputes and issues. Theft, vandalism, damage to property or similar petty crime. Vagrants and persons of no home residence are looked upon as shady and unworthy. Chiefs also witness duels as dispute settlements.
Within the Clans each clan leader is the law giver and judge. Issues between Clans may be settled by ruling from a Thing gathering Jorga when the Jarls gather to hear and settle issues twice yearly. These are typically hosted Gifting by the most powerful or influential clan and they typically will be presiding judges with tie breaking power. All Jarls take part in hearing and judging at these events. Leading up to this the clans will hold Giftings to establish status and rankings, giving gifts and favors to put others in their debt.
Monthly The local Karls will hold Jorga hearing for crimes involving issues of personal life and liberty. If a lower Jorga has judged someone guilty of bond debt the Karl confirms this and passes sentence.
Weekly the local Chiefs of towns and villages will hold Jorga with the High Druid settling small disputes and issues. Theft, vandalism, damage to property or similar petty crime. Vagrants and persons of no home residence are looked upon as shady and unworthy. Chiefs also witness duels as dispute settlements.
Related Ethnicities
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