G
Gossamer
Guest
Original poster
The Past
Most popularly known for it's deathly cold winters and hardy farmers as harsh as the snow, Norboro grew with time primarily because of the peoples mysterious success in farming and trade, their most valuable products being potatoes and pelts. Although initially an Anarcho-capitalist state, as time went on and farms grew, Norboro's government evolved into Feudalism. The wealthiest farms took charge, exchanging food and shelter for protection. This allowed the countries military strength to grow vastly over the years.
In the beginning, Norboro's knowledge and use of magic was completely null, until Elven merchants, farmers and traders arrived for the first time from Ketweland in hopes of making a profit after word of Norboro's wealthy farms had reached their land. Bewildered at the sight of elves and magic, out of fear and ignorance, Norborin's forbid any trade, and prohibited elves from entering their farms and land.
Word of the mysterious elves and their magic spread throughout Norboro, striking fear into many as a lack of understanding only brought about paranoia and irrational thinking. In the midst of this confusion, the government and people elected a General, whom sought to learn everything there was to learn to know about magic and whether or not it posed a threat to society, as King. Since than, Norboro has remained a monarchy.
Throughout the years, the King would send outfits of warriors to kidnap elves for interrogation, dissection, and examination. This was a fruitless effort, yet one that persisted until the day came when dwarven wayfarers from Draivance arrived to Norboro for the first time in history, curious how the farmers prospered so well, even in the intense cold of the north. These wayfarers, upon arrival, were sent straight to the King. In exchange for Norboro's farming secrets, he asked that the dwarves return, providing as much information on magic as possible in the form of books, scrolls, tomes etc.
This eventually led to a prosperous relationship between Norboro and Draivance, and a healthy relationship between Norborin's and dwarves in general. Settlers from Draivance spread throughout the north, opening shops, selling all types of foreign wares. As time went on, Norboro prohibited elves and magic alike into their country, welcomed all dwarves alike, and generally tolerated the Inguz and Orcish if they happened to pass through.
The Present
Industry
Although farming was initially Norboro's main source of income and wealth, mining is also a prominent factor throughout the nation. Farmers, miners and blacksmiths prospered famously all over the land, followed by tailors. There is a consistent flow of ore and wood between Norboro and Kalico, paving the way for lumberjacks, carpenters and innkeepers alike. Despite the frostbite worthy weather, Norborin delicacies such as food and pastries have grown with popularity in recent years thanks to various ingredients only found in the most intense cold.
With time and prosperous trade, Norboro grew famous throughout the land for their mastery work in blacksmithing and crafting. Their unique, one of a kind weapons and armors embedded with jewelry, emeralds, stones, silks and fabrics from various cultures could only be found in the nation's wealthiest cities, although replicas have been sold in the past to those ignorant enough to purchase. Norboro's capital is home to some of Ellira's most skilled blacksmiths, who provide weapons and armors specifically for the King and royal guard.
Government
Norboro has remained an absolute monarchy since the day a General was elected to be King by the people, who all unified in his ideals and goals to learn everything there is to know about magic and keep it as far from their borders as possible. Rather than rule by heritage, the King will appoint a General as heir to the throne exactly one year after he has taken the throne. If the King happens to die or goes missing before that time, the Chamber of the North, a council of the highest ranking Generals in the Kings army, will take charge until the King is found or a new King is appointed to the throne after a unanimous decision by the Chamber. If a new King is elected, this decision is irreversible.
Norboro's government is heavily military-oriented and revolves entirely around that aspect. Each city is ruled under a Duke, elected by the Chamber of the North and confirmed for said role by the King, who will always ultimately have the final word. The Duke reports to the Chamber of the North, and governs their designated city or town much like the King does by appointing a council of Lords and Lady's made up of noblemen and noblewomen who live within each town or city. Lords and Lady's are some of the wealthiest people in the land. Each cities council is designated as the Chamber of (insert city name)
Each Duke is appointed their own personal militia, comprised of soldiers from the city guard. Only soldier's part of the Dukes personal militia may advance to royal guard status. It is possible for a soldier in either the army or guard to reach direct royal guard status if they achieve enough accolades and recommendations.
To reach the status of Noble, one must have either served a decade in the army and retire as a veteran, or accumulate a certain amount of wealth and submit a request to the Chamber of (insert city name) if approved, he or she will be of Noble status, which is the first qualifying step in order to become a member of the Chamber of (insert city name)
Although it is up to the Chambers, Dukes and Kings to appoint laws and policies, there are factions within Norboro that may influence these decisions, such as the Green of the North, a faction made up of all the farms landlords. The King has absolute power, but the farmlands are not his property. Even so, if a landlord were to intentionally abuse his ownership privileges, this will be seen as a direct act of treason. Another faction, the Hammer of the North, is made up of the wealthiest and most prestigious blacksmiths in the land. The third and final faction, the Dwarves of the North, consists entirely of dwarven citizens within Norboro. Dwarves were granted their own civil rights only a few short decades after initially trading their knowledge of magic for Norboro's farming secrets. The King may have the final word, but if two of the three factions protest against a new law or policy, this act must be revised.
Economy
Since the birth of the nation, Norboro has always sustained an admirable economic climate with its high quality and quantity of plants, vegetables, meats, pelts and ores, along with various components such as copper, bronze, iron and steel, along with an occasional wave of emeralds, silver and gold. With time, trade and improved relations with other countries, the economy has only grown in size, production and selection. As blacksmiths began to make a name for themselves and dwarves began to open up shops across the continent, the economy only doubled in size. Weapons, armors, furniture, decor and clothing entered the trade flow. Towns and cities grew along the nations coast paving the way for ports and naval trade between other countries. Hundreds of caravans move in-between the borders every day. Dwarves have become a large factor in Norboro's economic strength, making up 1/4 of the nations wealth.
Although the nations economy is thriving, the merchant class has little influence over the government, as it is mostly maintained by dwarves. Any attempt to influence the government using coin would have to be done within the three factions. Even so, the possibility of bribing Lord's and Lady's is not unspoken of, and has been accomplished in the past. Norboro's currency varies between copper, silver and gold coins, with the occasional bars being distributed among some of the more wealthy citizens. The currency works as follows;
In recent years, Norborin citizens have began to exchange parts of weapons and armors (hilts, blades, scabbards, helmets, gloves etc) as a form of currency as well, the value depending on the item itself (i.e. an iron hilt embedded with emeralds, a silver plated arm and glove) Due to the geographical climate and location, as well as the nations prejudice towards elves and generally stalwart citizens, tourism is a scarce trend throughout the year. Although Norboro's economy thrives, trade is its main attraction. Even so, it is not uncommon for the number of tourists to spike significantly during festival seasons, a time of year most shop owners and innkeepers heavily prepare for.
Most popularly known for it's deathly cold winters and hardy farmers as harsh as the snow, Norboro grew with time primarily because of the peoples mysterious success in farming and trade, their most valuable products being potatoes and pelts. Although initially an Anarcho-capitalist state, as time went on and farms grew, Norboro's government evolved into Feudalism. The wealthiest farms took charge, exchanging food and shelter for protection. This allowed the countries military strength to grow vastly over the years.
In the beginning, Norboro's knowledge and use of magic was completely null, until Elven merchants, farmers and traders arrived for the first time from Ketweland in hopes of making a profit after word of Norboro's wealthy farms had reached their land. Bewildered at the sight of elves and magic, out of fear and ignorance, Norborin's forbid any trade, and prohibited elves from entering their farms and land.
Word of the mysterious elves and their magic spread throughout Norboro, striking fear into many as a lack of understanding only brought about paranoia and irrational thinking. In the midst of this confusion, the government and people elected a General, whom sought to learn everything there was to learn to know about magic and whether or not it posed a threat to society, as King. Since than, Norboro has remained a monarchy.
Throughout the years, the King would send outfits of warriors to kidnap elves for interrogation, dissection, and examination. This was a fruitless effort, yet one that persisted until the day came when dwarven wayfarers from Draivance arrived to Norboro for the first time in history, curious how the farmers prospered so well, even in the intense cold of the north. These wayfarers, upon arrival, were sent straight to the King. In exchange for Norboro's farming secrets, he asked that the dwarves return, providing as much information on magic as possible in the form of books, scrolls, tomes etc.
This eventually led to a prosperous relationship between Norboro and Draivance, and a healthy relationship between Norborin's and dwarves in general. Settlers from Draivance spread throughout the north, opening shops, selling all types of foreign wares. As time went on, Norboro prohibited elves and magic alike into their country, welcomed all dwarves alike, and generally tolerated the Inguz and Orcish if they happened to pass through.
The Present
Industry
Although farming was initially Norboro's main source of income and wealth, mining is also a prominent factor throughout the nation. Farmers, miners and blacksmiths prospered famously all over the land, followed by tailors. There is a consistent flow of ore and wood between Norboro and Kalico, paving the way for lumberjacks, carpenters and innkeepers alike. Despite the frostbite worthy weather, Norborin delicacies such as food and pastries have grown with popularity in recent years thanks to various ingredients only found in the most intense cold.
With time and prosperous trade, Norboro grew famous throughout the land for their mastery work in blacksmithing and crafting. Their unique, one of a kind weapons and armors embedded with jewelry, emeralds, stones, silks and fabrics from various cultures could only be found in the nation's wealthiest cities, although replicas have been sold in the past to those ignorant enough to purchase. Norboro's capital is home to some of Ellira's most skilled blacksmiths, who provide weapons and armors specifically for the King and royal guard.
Government
Norboro has remained an absolute monarchy since the day a General was elected to be King by the people, who all unified in his ideals and goals to learn everything there is to know about magic and keep it as far from their borders as possible. Rather than rule by heritage, the King will appoint a General as heir to the throne exactly one year after he has taken the throne. If the King happens to die or goes missing before that time, the Chamber of the North, a council of the highest ranking Generals in the Kings army, will take charge until the King is found or a new King is appointed to the throne after a unanimous decision by the Chamber. If a new King is elected, this decision is irreversible.
Norboro's government is heavily military-oriented and revolves entirely around that aspect. Each city is ruled under a Duke, elected by the Chamber of the North and confirmed for said role by the King, who will always ultimately have the final word. The Duke reports to the Chamber of the North, and governs their designated city or town much like the King does by appointing a council of Lords and Lady's made up of noblemen and noblewomen who live within each town or city. Lords and Lady's are some of the wealthiest people in the land. Each cities council is designated as the Chamber of (insert city name)
Each Duke is appointed their own personal militia, comprised of soldiers from the city guard. Only soldier's part of the Dukes personal militia may advance to royal guard status. It is possible for a soldier in either the army or guard to reach direct royal guard status if they achieve enough accolades and recommendations.
To reach the status of Noble, one must have either served a decade in the army and retire as a veteran, or accumulate a certain amount of wealth and submit a request to the Chamber of (insert city name) if approved, he or she will be of Noble status, which is the first qualifying step in order to become a member of the Chamber of (insert city name)
Although it is up to the Chambers, Dukes and Kings to appoint laws and policies, there are factions within Norboro that may influence these decisions, such as the Green of the North, a faction made up of all the farms landlords. The King has absolute power, but the farmlands are not his property. Even so, if a landlord were to intentionally abuse his ownership privileges, this will be seen as a direct act of treason. Another faction, the Hammer of the North, is made up of the wealthiest and most prestigious blacksmiths in the land. The third and final faction, the Dwarves of the North, consists entirely of dwarven citizens within Norboro. Dwarves were granted their own civil rights only a few short decades after initially trading their knowledge of magic for Norboro's farming secrets. The King may have the final word, but if two of the three factions protest against a new law or policy, this act must be revised.
Economy
Since the birth of the nation, Norboro has always sustained an admirable economic climate with its high quality and quantity of plants, vegetables, meats, pelts and ores, along with various components such as copper, bronze, iron and steel, along with an occasional wave of emeralds, silver and gold. With time, trade and improved relations with other countries, the economy has only grown in size, production and selection. As blacksmiths began to make a name for themselves and dwarves began to open up shops across the continent, the economy only doubled in size. Weapons, armors, furniture, decor and clothing entered the trade flow. Towns and cities grew along the nations coast paving the way for ports and naval trade between other countries. Hundreds of caravans move in-between the borders every day. Dwarves have become a large factor in Norboro's economic strength, making up 1/4 of the nations wealth.
Although the nations economy is thriving, the merchant class has little influence over the government, as it is mostly maintained by dwarves. Any attempt to influence the government using coin would have to be done within the three factions. Even so, the possibility of bribing Lord's and Lady's is not unspoken of, and has been accomplished in the past. Norboro's currency varies between copper, silver and gold coins, with the occasional bars being distributed among some of the more wealthy citizens. The currency works as follows;
- 1 Copper coin - 1 unit
- 1 Copper bar - 20 units
- 1 Silver coin - 5 units
- 1 Silver bar - 50 units
- 1 Gold coin - 20 units
- 1 Gold bar - 100 units
In recent years, Norborin citizens have began to exchange parts of weapons and armors (hilts, blades, scabbards, helmets, gloves etc) as a form of currency as well, the value depending on the item itself (i.e. an iron hilt embedded with emeralds, a silver plated arm and glove) Due to the geographical climate and location, as well as the nations prejudice towards elves and generally stalwart citizens, tourism is a scarce trend throughout the year. Although Norboro's economy thrives, trade is its main attraction. Even so, it is not uncommon for the number of tourists to spike significantly during festival seasons, a time of year most shop owners and innkeepers heavily prepare for.
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