Posts by Ingolf Norhreski

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• Culture
  • Candle-stumps

    
    

    • The candle-stump tradition is summarized here in the form of the IT text: a letter from the local Northheim-Merchant, Thaelin Colton:

Quote

My dear cousin

You may recall that I had our important business meeting here in Northheim today, and I am sad to report, that it almost went sour. The reason? I apparently had failed to understand some important, local customs. Do not get me wrong; the business deal was never in any real jeopardy – they aren’t that easy to insult after all. It wasn’t, however, the best of starts either.

You see, they have this peculiar custom concerning visitors bringing small stumps of wax candles. I know – it seems crazy. Apparently, the tradition originates in the poor district of Northheim, known as ‘Lower Quarter’. During the dark winters, many find light sources scarce, and therefore bundle together in the larger homes, to be as many persons per light as possible. To avoid the ones with the biggest homes, having to bear the cost of shedding light alone, it grew into a custom to bring small stumps of candle when visiting, to contribute to the enlightenment.

Over the course of a few years the elite picked up on this custom and adopted it. From there, the craftsmen, traders and other sections of the middle-classes soon picked it up. They did, however, change it slightly. While it remains a custom to share only stumps of lights, and not wholly new candles, the quality of the candles varies greatly. While the poor continues to only pass forward tiny stumps of poor candles, the rich often pass on highly decorated stumps, and some have even expanded upon it further, to pass on stumps from candles, that burned down during special occasions, such as during a romantic dinner, or an important business meeting.

A few candlemakers, who specialize in decorative candles, have started to design the candles in such as way, so the last section of the candle works as a decoration, instead of looking simply as the last fraction of a larger whole. This remains, however, a fringe trend, and for most, this contrasts with the spirit of the original intention. The most common thing by far, even amongst the elite, still is to pass on small stumps of entirely normal candles.

Their customs don’t end there, however. While the guest offers candle-stumps to his or her host, the host in return presents his guests with his cupboard of vices. A ‘cupboard of vice’ is a small chest, box or piece of furniture, that contains a series of luxuries, which are then offered to the guests. The type of luxuries may vary greatly. For the nobles this can often be expensive cigars or fine wine, while for many soldiers, it’s a single bottle of schnapps and his collection of nude “art”. Even the poorest of citizens try to maintain a cupboard of vices. For them, it can often be things such as beef jerky. In their eyes, a small bite of spiced meat, is one of the greatest luxuries one can offer a guest.

This leads me back to my meeting with Master Hendricksen today. He presented to me his cupboard of vices, from which I accepted some fine tobacco for my pipe, but I hadn’t though of bringing him a candle-stump! I hadn’t really noticed this was a problem before I had to take my leave later that evening. Usually, Hendriksen places his left hand on my shoulder, while we greet, but this time, he gave me nothing more than a simple handshake! As I said; it isn’t disaster. But it is an example, of his view of me having worsened.

I’ll have to make amends; he will guest me the coming weekend, before which I’ll have to acquire a cupboard of vices myself. Hopefully, he will find himself impressed.

I will keep you updated.

Your cousin

Thaelin Colton

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Political Status

Northheim is a strategically important city in Lunorth, serving as the political capital of the protectorate. As one of several earldoms, it has a unique political status within the larger Lunorthian system. While the earldom was previously vacant and Northheim was under the administration of the Lord-Protektor, it now has a new earl, Ingolf Norhreski, who also serves as the Commander of the Dragon Legion, the Protectorate Guard of Lunorth. As is customary in Lunorth, the earl holds an honorary title, which in this case is 'Hétman'.

Despite being an earldom, Northheim has not yet established its own set of earldom-laws. Instead, it tends to follow the general tendencies of the Protectorate, with the Hétman playing a key role in introducing laws in the Protectoral Demesne. However, Northheim does have some important exceptions to this rule. The various embassies and consulates based in the city operate under agreements that ensure their staff and representatives are not subject to Lunorthian or Northheimer law. Similarly, the Academy of the Arts, a protectoral institution funded directly by the Lord-Protektor, is exempt from any earldom-laws.

Overall, Northheim's political status is shaped by its role as both an earldom and the political capital of the protectorate, and by the unique agreements and exemptions that exist within the city.

Economy

In the primary sector of economics, Northheim and its surrounding territory is primarily split between a booming timber-industry, providing much-needed lumber and firewood for the citizens of the capital, as well as a strong agricultural industry with a primary focus on horse-breeding. The horses have traditionally been used solely for military purposes, but in recent years they have also increasingly become a staple food. In industrial terms Northheim primarily exceeds in the smithing industry, handling the process of turning ores into workable metal, as well as providing everything ranging from solid weapons to luxurious jewelry.

Military

In military terms Northheim serves various roles. and houses very different types of military forces. As an earldom it has the right to establish a local military force, but as of yet, this hasn't been necessary. This is because of Northheim's role as the military center of Lunorth, housing the headquarters of the Lunorthian Protectorate Guard, 'The Dragon Legion', as well as the administrative center of the United Lunorthian Army. Housing the Legion's head-quarter, the city has protectorate guards patrolling its streets, manning its walls and watching the gates. Centered around the Protectoral Residence, however, is a small elite force of Honour Guards sworn directly to the Lord-Protektor himself.

This is under development

Quote from "Lunorth: From Hamlet to City, pp.8: 'Northheim'. A topographic description" [IT]

𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘶𝘣 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘢𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘴 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘻. [...] 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴' 𝘘𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥-𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘘𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥-𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘓𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘳𝘮𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥-𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘬𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘝𝘪𝘬𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘒𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦, 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘘𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘶𝘣 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘛𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘵, '𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘘𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳', 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 "𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵". [...] 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳, 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦 𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳-𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨.

Geography

Quote from Nobles' Quarter

The Nobles' Quarter of Northheim is a place of prestige and power, where some of the most influential people in Lunorth reside. While it is not the largest section of the city, it holds a weighty influence over the politics and social affairs of Northheim, as well as Lunorth as a whole.

The centerpiece of the Nobles' Quarter is the Protector's Manor, where the protectoral couple has their official residence. The manor is an impressive structure with a grand facade, surrounded by well-manicured gardens and fountains. It is the seat of power in Northheim, where the Protector holds court and makes important decisions that affect the Protectorate. The Protector's Manor is guarded by a small contingent of highly trained soldiers, who maintain a strict watch over who enters and exits the premises.

The nobles who call the Nobles' Quarter their home reside in townhouses and manors that line the streets. These homes are built in the traditional Northern style, with sturdy timber frames and steeply pitched roofs that protect against the harsh winters. While these residences are not as large as the estates found in other parts of the realm, they are nonetheless opulent and well-appointed, featuring fine art, elegant furniture, and ornate details that speak to the wealth and status of their owners.

In recent years, a section of the Nobles' Quarter has been developed into a Diplomatic District, which serves as the home for embassies and consulates from other protectorates, as well as from political entities outside the Northern Realm. These embassies are identified by banners and other cultural markers from their respective homelands, which lend color and diversity to the streets of the Nobles' Quarter.

While the Nobles' Quarter is known for its political and social power, it is also a place of beauty and refinement. The streets are lined with trees and small parks, where the elite can stroll and socialize with one another. In the evenings, the mansions and townhouses are aglow with the light of candles and hearths, casting a warm and inviting glow over the streets.

The Nobles' Quarter is separated from the rest of Northheim by a small wall, which surrounds the perimeter of the quarter. This wall is a symbol of the nobility's desire for privacy and exclusivity, as well as their status as protectors of the realm. Within the Nobles' Quarter, there are no public markets or shops, as the residents do their shopping in the Central Market located in the Trading Quarter.

In summary, the Nobles' Quarter is a place of prestige, power, and refinement. It is the seat of political and social power in Northheim, where the wealthy and influential reside in opulent homes and attend exclusive events. Its Diplomatic District is a hub of cultural exchange and diplomacy, while its small wall serves as a symbol of the nobility's status and desire for privacy.

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Quote from Trading Quarter

The Trading Quarter is the bustling commercial heart of Northheim, where merchants and craftsmen come together to trade their wares. The quarter is home to a variety of markets, including the Central Market, the Farmers' Market, and an area for craftsmen.

One of the most prominent landmarks in the Trading Quarter is the Temple to the Elements. The temple is a small yet beautiful temple dedicated to the worship of Ignis, Terra, Aeris, Aqua, and Magicka. It is a simple structure, with a single central chamber where the faithful gather for worship and rituals. The temple is not particularly grand or elaborate compared to other temples in the region, and its influence outside of Lunorth is limited.

Despite its humble size, the Temple to the Elements is an important spiritual center for the people of Northheim. The temple is staffed by a small group of dedicated priests who oversee the daily operations and maintain the holy grounds. They perform the necessary rituals and offer guidance and support to the faithful who seek their aid.

The interior of the temple is adorned with beautiful tapestries and intricate carvings, depicting scenes from the lives of the elements and their powers. The central altar is a simple stone structure, where offerings of flowers, food, and other items are placed by the faithful.

The temple also serves as a place of quiet contemplation, where one can come to seek guidance, peace, and understanding. It is not a place for spectacle or grandeur, but rather a place where the faithful can connect with the elements and their power in a more intimate and personal way.

The Central Market is a massive open-air bazaar, filled with vendors selling everything from exotic spices and rare textiles to precious gemstones and magical artifacts. The market is a lively and colorful place, where haggling and bartering are the norm.

The Farmers' Market is a smaller, more specialized market, focused on the sale of locally grown produce and livestock. In addition to fruits and vegetables, the market is also known for its horse sales, with breeders from all over Lunorth coming to sell their finest steeds. The craftsmen's area is a collection of workshops and studios, where skilled artisans ply their trades.

The area is famous for its smiths and jewelers, who produce some of the finest metalwork and jewelry in the Northern Realm. Many of the craftsmen also produce weapons and armor, catering to the needs of the Lunorthian military and the Protectorate Guard.

Overall, the Trading Quarter is a vibrant and bustling part of Northheim, where commerce and industry thrive. Whether you're in the market for rare and exotic goods or simply want to soak up the sights and sounds of this bustling commercial district, the Trading Quarter is not to be missed.

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Quote from The Military Quarter

Northheim's Military Quarter is a formidable sight to behold, as it serves as the beating heart of Lunorth's military might. The district is home to an array of different types of military forces, from the elite Honour Guards of the Lord-Protektor to the powerful Dragon Legion, the Protectorate Guard of Lunorth. The Legion's imposing headquarters tower over the surrounding buildings, and their soldiers can be seen patrolling the streets and manning strategic positions throughout the city.

Beyond the Legion's presence, the Military Quarter also plays host to the administrative center of the United Lunorthian Army. From here, strategic decisions are made and orders issued that will affect the entire Protectorate. While the city has yet to establish a local military force, the Military Quarter is more than capable of defending Northheim and the surrounding lands from any threat. The Hétman of Northheim, also known as the Earl, serves as the military chief of the Protectorate Guard, and often introduces new laws and regulations to the Protectoral Demesne. This makes the Military Quarter a hub of activity, as soldiers and officials come and go, making preparations for battles that may be looming on the horizon.

As you wander through the Military Quarter, you can't help but feel a sense of both awe and trepidation. The soldiers here are among the finest in the realm, trained to fight and die in the service of their lord-protektor and their people. And with the looming threat of war on the horizon, their skills and bravery may soon be put to the test.

Tucked away in a corner of the Military Quarter, you'll find a sprawling area of stables and paddocks. Here, the horses that serve as the backbone of Lunorth's cavalry are housed and trained. The stables are a hive of activity, with grooms and stablehands bustling about, tending to the horses and preparing them for battle. The sound of hooves on cobbled stone is a constant presence in this part of the city, as riders take their mounts out for exercise or training.

In the other end lies the Visitors' Area, an open space that serves as a temporary campsite for allied forces visiting the city. Here, troops from other earldoms or allied nations can set up camp and make use of the facilities provided. The area is bustling with activity, as soldiers set up tents, cook meals over campfires, and prepare for battle. Despite the chaos, there is a sense of camaraderie here, as soldiers from different lands come together for a common cause. And while the Visitors' Area may be temporary, it serves as a symbol of the unity and strength of the Protectorate as a whole.

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Ingolf Kleindorf, Commander of the Dragon Legion, arrives at the manor with a small escort of Protectorate Guards. He is clad in a long, black wool-coat, trimmed by furs dusted with gold. On his chest sits a golden sigil showing the dragon symbol of Lunorth, with three distinct stars above it. His hair is covered by a wool hat, also trimmed with fur, and adorned with several large feathers, strutting from its' front.

Upon arriving at the manor, the Commander dismisses his soldiers with a short nord, before turning his attention to posted guardsmen at the manor, He eyes them carelessly, not feeling a need to introduce himself to the soldiers of the Honor Guard.

"I am ready to be shown to The Most Esteemed Lord-Protector and the rest of the banquet." he states in a quick manner, eyeing the guards with his chin raised high.