Halceren
SOCIETY
Utaran society is organized into three classes: freepeople, who are landowners; jarls, who were wealthy nobles tasked with maintaining the well being of their subjects; and thralls, who are bondspeople, the latter having to work for other Utaran’s until they could pay their debts. The Kingdom of Utara is made up of landowning chieftains and clan heads, their retainers, freepeople, and any energetic young clan members who sought adventure and booty overseas. At home these people were independent farmers, but at sea they were raiders and pillagers. During the early raiding period the Utaran tribes and clans seem to have possessed a practically inexhaustible surplus of manpower, and leaders of ability, who could organize groups of warriors into conquering bands and armies, were seldom lacking. These bands would negotiate the seas in their longships and mount hit-and-run raids at cities and towns along the coasts of Alteria and Pallidon. Now, the people are very much focused (for now) on trade and exploration. On Halceren, there is a deep respect and regard held for Minimus; a blue dragon of legendary status for Utaran culture.
ETYMOLOGY
The word “Halceren” traditionally is traced back to the Utaran word “halce”, meaning creek, inlet, or bay, plus the suffix –“ren”, which roughly translated to serpent. Hence a Utaran from this chain of islands was a person who came from or frequented the inlets of the sea.
An alliterative poem found at the Honor Hall tells the story of the flight of a large group of Utarans long held by raiders of the Corsair Fleet as prisoners. It elaborates on their crossing of the Arin Sea, much in the style of a heroic epic. It further goes into how the survivors of the journey made a temporary encampment at what is now the settlement of Halceren.
Government
Monarchy (Kingdom of Utara)
Industry & Trade
IMPORTS
Livestock, grain, silks, and alchemy/medicines
EXPORTS
Furs, lumber, literature, and books/tomes
TRADE AND COMMERCE
Halceren is the southernmost settlemt in the Kingdom of Utara. As like with most settlements in Utara, each household produces most of what its members need to sustain themselves, and the average person possessed few luxury items. Even before the Raider Age, however, a limited degree of domestic trade existed as well, primarily in the form of seasonal rural markets. Now, bought goods and materials such as silver, silk, spices, wine, jewelry, glass and pottery are sold in the Bright Market. Vendors here sell a variety of items like honey, tin, wheat, wool, wood, iron, fur, leather, fish, whale bone, and walrus ivory.
Guilds and Factions
Tibers – Are members of a high-ranking class in Utaran cultures. Tibers are societal leaders as well as legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals and political advisors. Their name may have come from a Celtic word meaning “knower of the oak tree.” The Tibers generally leave no written accounts. While many are literate, they are believed to show preference toward a spoken history compared to recording their knowledge in written form. All Tibers can cast Earth Magic and strive to better their abilities for the betterment of those around them. Elder Tibers are considered som of the most powerful users of Earth magic on the shard. They also tend to an active role in the development of many young people, who go to them for instruction. If difficult situations or matters, Utaran leaders with go to Tibers and request they judge public and private quarrels, to include the decree penalties.
History
Halceren is a small settlement located on a series of islands that extend between Utara and the northwestern portion of the Free Cities. Considered to be a remote and resource-rich location, the Tibers of Utara have made Halceren their training grounds. The Grand Tibers that reside here hold the dragon Minimus in high regard, often researching ways to find and communicate with the legendary dragon. Tibers claim texts from Minimus allowed Utarans and the Tiber organization to make great strides in the affairs in the shard. The famed Honor Hall maintains a massive mural of Minimus and their interactions with the people of Utara.
Many travellers come to Halceren to speak with the wise Grand Tibers, who are often considered excellent advisors due to their strict adherence to fairness and impartiality. Adventurers are often seen within Halceren, patiently waiting for the opportunity to see and arrange a time to meet with a Tiber. They will leave gifts of sustenance for the legendary organization. They begin their travels to the remote area via Lucrom or Nordlog. There are dangers along the way: a variety of wolves, generally in packs, as well as the occasional Bear, Snow Bear, Troll and other dangerous creatures reside on the islands with the Tibers.
Points of interest
Honor Hall - An ornate timber and brick building, decorated with wrought-iron décor and large murals. It contains a large meeting hall and several smaller rooms used by the senior members of the Tibers.
The Stormspire - A spire of hewn crystal, engraved with columns of strange glyphs. Each time the spire is struck by lightning, it vanishes for exactly nine hours. Each time it returns, some of the glyphs have changed. When this occurs (usually 2-4 a year), it is believed that a boon has been granted by the dragon Minimus.
Geography
Halceren is situated amongst a chain of islands south of the continent of Utara. The island chain begins at the northeast corner of Utara and extends down to off the western coast of the Three Ladies, with its southern point nearly adjacent to Mount Versay.
Type
Village
Population
47
Inhabitant Demonym
Mixed – Mostly Human, Oathsworn, and Wylderkin
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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