Nation/Kingdom Name: The Distantpeak
Government Type: Shamanistic Council
Coat of Arms or Banner:
An Eclipsed Sun rising from behind a mountain
Capital:
Memories of Winters Passed-
A great city carved from ice upon a central rise in the Distantpeak cauldron. Never melting, it is often called the jewel of the north for on a clear day it can be seen glistening high above the world from afar.
Ethnic Groups/Species:
55% Ursun (bearmen), 35% Minotaur, 10% dwarf
Religions: Hearers of Ursolan (Bear god of the Moon), Speakers of Ammunal (Sun God), dwarf shrines exist but are not considered official religions of the area.
Hallmarks:
Cities are carved from ice and stone by the shaman of the land and have many natural defences.
Old lava caverns house the dwarf populace
The land is considered prosperous, but simply by virtue of the fact all is shared and poverty does not exist as a result.
Signature Weapon:
Ursun - Crystal Great Maul
Minotaur - Great Billhook
Dwarf - Axe and shield
National Dish:
Simple Stews, there are many kinds and all are argued to be the best.
The Distantpeak sits (as the name suggests) quite far away from most of civilisation and other mountains.
The nation was first settled by the immortal Ursun after their great god cooled the volcano known as “The Crystal Forge” for his chosen children.
The minotaur who have always had good relations with the Ursun eventually began to settle the region and eventually a council of sun and moon was made by their great shamans. Dwarves settled in the lava tubes of the peak in more recent times, but were welcomed.
Fishing, hunting and more simple pursuits are what usually take place within the idyllic, albeit often frosty, landscape.
Characters of the Distantpeak:
High Speaker Atol Hunts-At-Dawn - The High priest/shaman of the sun. A patient minotaur, his understanding of fire and growth have led to many great harvests
First Hearer Echoing-Cry - High Shaman and Priest of the moon. The oldest of the Ursun (in the most literal sense of being the first), kind, wise and a good military leader. This great scarred polar bear of a being has always put the safety of his people first.
Societal quirks:
The Ursun rarely give their children names, often leaving them to select one from the world around them for themselves. What is chosen is always something taken from nature that they see or hear.
(Swift-Stream, Lasting-Rain, Diving-Hawk)
As a people, it is almost completely unheard of for the Ursun to put themselves out for mercenary work. They may aid those in need out of kindness, but have no faith in sellswords or acting as one. “Loyalty to Father Bear above all” echoing within each and every one of their people.
Places of Interest:
The Crystal Forge - a great crystal dome that none can claim to have made, within the forges of the Ursun sit. Here they make their great weapons with precious stone, shaping them using water and tempered flame
The Sun’s Rise - here the Speakers of the Sun gather every first day of the week to proclaim the rising of a new part of the year. Little work is done on this day as it is often given over to drinking and small celebrations.
The Lava Tubes - the dwarf home upon the mountain, natural tubes have been built upon to make roads and homes within the mountains. Many murals and carvings litter the ceilings and are considered fine works of art.
No true formal army exists for the Ursun and Minotaur. However, whenever a threat arises both peoples will rouse themselves and bear their arms to defend their land or that of their allies.
All learn to fight from a young age, for a simple reality of the world is that death may be thrust upon you regardless of when you are born.
The dwarves naturally have guards and are more given to order and have been known to try to muster patrol volunteers on top of the watchmen the other two races put out by default. It is met with varying levels of success.