Faarin
Located just west of Hjerim, this settlement of the Nordengaard Kingdom prides itself for its bounty of the hunt. Though every settlement has its own ways of honoring tradition and the heritage of the Nordenfiiri kind, Faarin is one of those few beyond the Capital that speaks primarily Fiirevik. The Faarin people are excellent hunters, trappers, and skinners, providing for Nordengaard when the winters are long and prey is scarce.
The Jorn of Faarin, presently a man named Erik Larsson, upholds the sacred pact with the Pale King - a massive white ox who shepards the herds of prey animals across the tundras to the Sanctuary to rest, give birth, and rejuvinate upon the rare grasses and greenery of his small kingdom. The people of Faarin protect the Sanctuary and hold an annual festival to pay tribute to the Pale King. Without this sacred pact and the health of the Pale King's herds, many Nordenfiir (as well as the other peoples of Eretejva) would likely starve and die.
Overview
Demographic
Entirely Nordenfiirs- Faarin has only a very, very low tolerance of outsiders- and keeps a close, watchful eye on them. The mutual mistrust of outsiders has led to a very low visitor rate, to the point that Faarin sees it as a point of pride to keep outsiders and non-Nordenfiir out, especially so close to Sanctuary.
Designation
Hunting and fur-trapping colony.
Description
A smaller settlement focused on a constantly revolving door of regular Nordenfiir visitors, Faarin is known for its furs, meats, excellent hunting in the surrounding areas, bountiful fishing in the seas to the northeast, and its ability to provide for hunting parties that come from all over the tundra to bring the much-revered meats back to their homes.
Architecture
Primarily wooden structures, with the most notable being the Great Hall that lays at the center of the settlement, housing the Jorn and his council. Small hunting lodges, built to house hunting parties over the course of weeks, operate similarly to inns found throughout any given land. These hunting lodges are often used year-round, depending on the prey desired.
Points of Interest
Hunting lodges operate as inns, and businesses have responded to the needs of the Hunters over the length of time, from blacksmiths to fletchers that provide the hunters with every possible piece of gear that they would need to be successful.
The center of the settlement houses the official buildings- the hall of the Jorn, and the licensing building, and located outside is a well-established hunting lodge, The Solid Spear, specializing in sending experienced hunters and guides out with groups who have not been outside Faarin's boundaries before.
The northeast of the settlement extends to the coast where a port of trade can be found. Nordenfiir ships crafted in Sittekaar spend their days running the trade routes along the east coast of Eretejva, carrying steel and supplies from as far south as Withereach, while fishing ships brave the tumultuous seas for their bountiful harvest. Despite being better known for its hunting, Faarin also supports a healthy business of fishing.
The center of the settlement houses the official buildings- the hall of the Jorn, and the licensing building, and located outside is a well-established hunting lodge, The Solid Spear, specializing in sending experienced hunters and guides out with groups who have not been outside Faarin's boundaries before.
The northeast of the settlement extends to the coast where a port of trade can be found. Nordenfiir ships crafted in Sittekaar spend their days running the trade routes along the east coast of Eretejva, carrying steel and supplies from as far south as Withereach, while fishing ships brave the tumultuous seas for their bountiful harvest. Despite being better known for its hunting, Faarin also supports a healthy business of fishing.
History
Background
After the decline of sea-faring trade, Faarin was established several hundred years ago close to the Sanctuary Valley, taking advantage of the massive prey herds that dominate the landscape outside of the settlement. Over time, Faarin was established as the premiere spot for hunting parties to stay- an advantageous position, given it's proximity to sanctuary.
Faarin, upon it's first few years of existence, nearly wiped the prey herds out to the point that they would not leave the Sanctuary Valley. As a response, Jorns established offices and positions, to ensure that they would not be hunted as they were previously- and well regulated.
Faarin, upon it's first few years of existence, nearly wiped the prey herds out to the point that they would not leave the Sanctuary Valley. As a response, Jorns established offices and positions, to ensure that they would not be hunted as they were previously- and well regulated.
Lore
The people of Faarin are hearty and reserved, and mistrusting of all those who do not share their Norden blood. Very rarely will outsiders be let to stay at any of the lodges, inns or purchase supplies. The only surefire way to get a person from Faarin to accept an outsider is if a Norden accompanies them. The town of Faarin itself is fairly safe, mostly due to it's small size and distance from the other settlements- during it's existence, Faarin has never known war or strife. Not to say that the people are weak, but no invaders, outsiders, or even rival Norden would dare interfere with the livelihood of Faarin, or dare to venture so far away from the other settlements.
Every year, the city hosts a festival- celebrating the Pale King, the guardian of the prey herds that dwell within the Sanctuary Valley. The Pale King provides protections to them, and in turn, the people of Faarin and the other settlements pay tribute to him through offerings left out in the wild, and celebrations hosted within the city. The city celebrates him for three days, and goes out on a great hunt on the third. The Great Hunt is not as great as it was, and is mostly ceremonial- what was once cart-fulls of prey, now has become a few carcasses brought back. The Festival of the Pale King also attracts many prominent Nordenfiir, coming to pay their respect to the Pale King.
Violation of the laws and rules of the land of Faarin, results in a particular punishment- not only exile, but being marked upon the back of one's right hand. The mark is simply the seal of Faarin- the Pale King. The mark dignifies them as someone who does not care for the Nordenfiir people, or the laws of the land. To receive a mark is not only painful, but incredibly painful. It is common for any first meeting, for people of Faarin to remove any gloves they may be wearing to shake hands, to show the other person. While the last person to receive the mark was none other than the previous Jorn- and the first person to receive it in over 100 years, the tradition and custom carries on, mostly out of superstition.
Every year, the city hosts a festival- celebrating the Pale King, the guardian of the prey herds that dwell within the Sanctuary Valley. The Pale King provides protections to them, and in turn, the people of Faarin and the other settlements pay tribute to him through offerings left out in the wild, and celebrations hosted within the city. The city celebrates him for three days, and goes out on a great hunt on the third. The Great Hunt is not as great as it was, and is mostly ceremonial- what was once cart-fulls of prey, now has become a few carcasses brought back. The Festival of the Pale King also attracts many prominent Nordenfiir, coming to pay their respect to the Pale King.
Violation of the laws and rules of the land of Faarin, results in a particular punishment- not only exile, but being marked upon the back of one's right hand. The mark is simply the seal of Faarin- the Pale King. The mark dignifies them as someone who does not care for the Nordenfiir people, or the laws of the land. To receive a mark is not only painful, but incredibly painful. It is common for any first meeting, for people of Faarin to remove any gloves they may be wearing to shake hands, to show the other person. While the last person to receive the mark was none other than the previous Jorn- and the first person to receive it in over 100 years, the tradition and custom carries on, mostly out of superstition.