Västødland

Pronunciation: /vest: ɔd: lɐnt/

THE PLACE

Quick Background
Västødland is one of few lands untouched by early Enojan expansion. The western finger of the Herosian Forest and the now-extinct elvish kingdom of Th'Sali provided plenty of buffer space separating Västødland from the Enojan Empire. Moreover, Västødland's geography is far from appealing due to its arctic climate. The country was imagined in part by a chieftain named Oður the Hungry. Oður united a number of tribal groups and pushed east into what is now Hotten, but the Herosians successfully kept him at bay, never letting the Oðish occupy land past the Valvasfjólt.

The word Odish comes from the name Oður and is now used to describe the people of Västødland and the languages once spoken by the occupants of the Herosian Peninsula (Västødland and Hotten). The word Västødland is derived from Old Odish meaning "Western Oðish Land." The Odish primarily speak Keshe notwithstanding a few minor pockets where individuals still speak a dialect of West Odish; the marshy region of Grœnheiðr is one such location wherein occupants still speak this otherwise dead dialect.

Environment
Västødland spans from a subarctic to arctic region. In the north, bordering the Herosian Forest, summer months are fairly short with cool to cold temperatures, and in the south the temperatures are almost always cold. Winter months last the longest and receive the most precipitation and temperatures typically remain at or below freezing. Västødland is bordered in the north by dense coniferous forest, making it difficult for overland travel into the interior of the continent. As part of the Herosian Peninsula, access to the sea is found on three fronts. Access to the Bloodmoon Sea and especially the Broken Sea comes by means of various fjords scattering the elevated coastline of Västødland. Most of Västødland's population resides along these coastal fjords.

Politics
Västødland is controlled by an absolute monarchy and every king can claim relationship to Oður by blood or marriage. Future monarchs are always eldest sons, though a small military council exists to anoint a new monarch in the event there is no son. Normally a close cousin is crowned if no male heirs exist within the immediate family.

The laws of the land are not as strict as in many other parts of the continent. While murder is not legal, killing is under appropriate conditions, and if compensation is paid to the family of the victim. For example, if Gert is slain by Bjarni, Gert's family must be paid monetary compensation by Bjarni. If Bjarni slays Gert and denies the killing, or goes on the lamb, he will be charged with murder and either executed or exiled. Admitting to the killing and paying monetary compensation to the victim's family is considered honorable, and as long as the victim's family is in agreement, no charges will be filed against the slayer. If an agreement is not settled then the victim's family may exact revenge for the death. Most of the time monetary compensation is paid, but if there is no agreement then a kinsman of the victim may challenge the killer to a duel. No matter the outcome of the duel, the debt is considered squared after it takes place. Dueling may still occur in rural parts of the country, but for the most part they are shunned in urban settings.

What are considered crimes in most countries are handled internally in Västødland between the antagonists and their would-be victims. For this reason there is no real system of policing the cities and hinterlands of the country. A small volunteer force in every hamlet or metropolis handles patrolling the surrounding region and apprehending fugitives.

Religion
The Odish for the most part are devout Daylics. It is generally believed among historians that Bard the Progressive, a great grandson of Oður the Hungry, adopted the Daylic faith sometime in the early second century A.E. (After Empire). Since then the faith has been strong in Västødland and has provided home to the Vardonic Chapter of the Knights Sacellum. There is some controversy, however, regarding the origins of the Daylic faith and its relationship to Västødland. Some sociolinguists believe that the name Dalyan is derived from a translation error from Odish to Keshe. It is said by these few that Dalyan was originally the Odish Þall, with [Þ] mistaken for [d]. The addition of yan, according to these few linguists, is merely a suffix derived from Old Enojan meaning "arbiter."

THE PEOPLE

Physical Characteristics
The men and women of Västødland are slightly taller than those of the north. The average height of males is roughly five feet and nine inches, though some males reach upwards of six feet and three inches. Women are slightly shorter, averaging around five feet and seven inches. Fine physical specimens, the Odish appear to have the perfect fat/muscle ratio for keeping their body temperatures stable throughout the cold years in the arctic south. This means both males and females tend to be a stocky sort. Odish people are fair-skinned with blond, brown and red hair. It is not common but Odish with darker hair are seen occasionally; eye color normally remains between various hues of blue and green.

Culture
Because the Odish live in an arctic region they are a hardy people. They work diligently during the short summer months but remain mostly dormant during the winter. Although present-day Odish society is more akin to Keshe society, a few antiquated social traditions remain intact. The most noteworthy tradition is hospitality, as it is engraved into Odish society. Almost any family will invite a stranger into their home, providing both food and shelter.

Mostly bordered by sea, the Odish have become proficient sailors, sustaining a strict and almost exclusive maritime tradition of trade. Although their navy is not the strongest, the Odish have helped their closest ally of Kedesh design better war vessels. Furthermore, Odish sailors are the only capable of negotiating the Broken Sea. Any person(s) wishing to do so hires an Odish sailor to get the job done.

Above all the Odish come from a warrior heritage. Only oral tales exist of Oður the Hungry and the exploits of his people, as written language did not appear until several generations later, brought to the peninsula by Bard the Progressive. (The word and class bard comes from this name.) Some of those oral tales were recorded but for the most part they remain among myth and legend. Regardless, all tales, both oral and recorded, speak of Västødland populated by skilled warriors. Despite this stereotype, the Odish make up a small number of the mercenary population. However, the link to a warrior history manifests in Odish attitude. Most Odish say what they mean and do what they say. They are a people of few words, but those words are always backed by action. People of Västødland tend to have witty yet dry senses of humor.

Native Tongue: West Odish

Origins: Herosian Peninsula (Västødland / Hotten)

Usage: Once spoken throughout the Herosian Peninsula, the language eventually divided into two distinct dialects: West Odish and East Odish. West Odish was spoken in Västødland until the adoption of the Daylic faith, after which the language died out in favor of Keshe. Nevertheless, a scant few rural communities still speak West Odish. East Odish was spoken in Hotten and continued long after the people of Västødland converted to the Daylic faith. Wishing to remain in contact with their neighbors, the Herosians eventually favored learning Keshe, though East Odish is still spoken in the political arena. Both dialects use the Keshe alphabet for writing purposes.

Kingship: Both West and East Odish are sibling tongues, though there are minor phonetic differences. Some have claimed the Serjz language is related to the Odish tongues, yet no extensive linguistic research has been conducted. Until any concrete connections to the Serjz language can be drawn, the Odish language is restricted to the Herosian Peninsula.

Restrictions: Since West Odish is not widely spoken, it cannot be learn by conventional means. East Odish is only known by upper-level clergy in the Miloran faith, though clerics of that faith may know enough to get by if exposed to it. Starting with either language is subject to GM approval.