Stormark
| High Realm of Stormark | |||||
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| Motto Fra havet, hæder English: From the sea, glory | |||||
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| Capital | Haraldsborg | ||||
| Language(s) | Storish, English | ||||
| Religion | Storish Ancient Ways | ||||
| Government | Constitutional monarchy | ||||
| High King | |||||
| - 1474-1685 | Harald Thorstein | ||||
| Legislature | Althing | ||||
| History | |||||
| - Established | 1474 | ||||
| - Disestablished | 1685 | ||||
| Currency | Storish króna | ||||
The High Realm of Stormark was a constitutional monarchy on Micras between 1474 AN and 1685 AN, which claimed to be the spiritual successor to a great but long-lost globe-spanning empire known as the Valtian Free State. Stormark was inspired by both Valtian and Viking culture and lore as well as the Ways of the Vanir, and followed the Storish Ancient Ways as the state religion.
Stormark was a massive, multicultural empire with holdings on all of Micras' continents, which thrived in its faith, its creative arts, its food, and its love-making. Its inhabitants lived fulfilling lives doing as they pleased within in the spacious confines of society. Stormarkers did still work in various forms, obviously, but said work was claimed to look nothing like it did in the Outland, that is, the rest of Micras.
Stormark collapsed in 1685.
Etymology
Stormark meant "great land" or "great country" in the Storish language. It was the nickname of the Valtian Free State for the better part of its existence. This name was said to have been picked by the goddesses Frigga, Freyja, and Idunn during a visit to the island of Grand Arcadia to attend the negotiations which would lead to the Pact of the Heartland.
History
The High Realm of Stormark was a significant power on the world stage of Micras from its founding in the late 15th century AN until its sudden collapse in 1685 AN. This article examines the history of Stormark from its origins through its period of expansion and influence to its ultimate downfall, drawing on primary and secondary sources to analyze key events and factors in Stormark's development and decline.
Origins and Early Expansion
Stormark traces its origins to the conquests of Harald Freyjugjöf in the region known as the Heartland in the 1470s AN. According to Storish religious tradition, Harald was promised rule over this land by the goddess Freyja. Leading a small force from his home in the Mysterious Isles, Harald gradually conquered most of the Heartland, uniting the warring tribes under his rule. The pacifist Hurmu people in the north were granted independence, establishing a precedent for Stormark's complex relationship with Hurmu that would persist for centuries.
Harald was crowned as the first High King of Stormark, establishing a system of government based on Vanic religious principles. The early years saw rapid expansion and development, with Stormark becoming one of the richest and largest empires there ever was. However, this period also saw internal challenges, such as the rebellion of the Harkalegar faction, which Harald ultimately defeated.
Period of International Influence
As Stormark consolidated control over its home territories, it began to exert influence internationally. Harald and his descendants pursued an expansionist foreign policy, establishing colonies and protectorates across Micras. Stormark became involved in the affairs of other nations, including Hurmu, Elwynn, Natopia and Shireroth.
The relationship with Hurmu was particularly significant. While initially independent, Hurmu came under various forms of Storish influence over the centuries, alternating between protectorate status, personal union, and periods of separation. This complex dynamic reflected Stormark's growing power as well as the limits of its ability to fully incorporate culturally distinct regions.
Stormark's involvement in Shireroth, including Harald's brief tenure as Duke of Elwynn (renamed Froyalan), demonstrated its reach into the affairs of other major powers. However, these entanglements also sowed the seeds of future conflict.
Decline and Collapse
By the late 17th century AN, Stormark had reached the height of its power but was showing signs of internal decay. The reign of Harald, by now ancient but sustained by "Idunn's Apples," was marked by decadence and mismanagement. Power increasingly fell to regents and other family members as Harald retreated into drug-fueled indulgence.
Several factors contributed to Stormark's rapid decline:
- Economic mismanagement: Stormark's autarkic economic policies and lavish spending habits created systemic weaknesses.
- Overextension: Support for client states like Francia strained Stormark's resources.
- International isolation: The Auspicious Occasion in Shireroth, 1651, and Stormark's belief in its own superiority led to diplomatic isolation.
- Moral decay: The ruling class became known for "sexual debauchery" and corruption.
- Trade imbalances: Stormark developed an unhealthy economic dependence on Senya.
The final blow came in early 1685 AN when Senya raised import taxes, triggering an economic collapse in Stormark. This sparked a revolution that quickly overwhelmed the decaying state structures. The death toll was immense, with tens of millions of people perishing in the chaos.
The collapse of Stormark reshaped the political landscape of Micras. New states emerged from its former territories, including a restored Hurmu. The legacy of Stormark lived on in these successor states and in the memory of its former power and influence.
Names
Aside from the name of High Realm of Stormark, which was mandated by the country's constitution, Stormark had, over the years of its existence, accrued many poetic names and nicknames. Twelve of those were granted official status by means of the Act on the Names of the High Realm of Year 11 and were used in Storish government documents:
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Government of Stormark
At the apex of Storish Government were said to be the Fulltrui of the Storish Ancient Ways, the Goddesses Frigga, Freyja and Idunn from whom all authority in the Lands of the Longships Throne was said to be derived; as such, the Ancient Ways were the state religion.
Imperial government
The central government of Stormark exhibited separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The executive power of the imperial government was vested in the High Council of the Realm, the legislative power was vested in the Althing, and the judicial power was vested in the Court of the Realm.
Subdivsions
Jarldoms
In Stormark's quasi-federal system of government, there were, below the imperial level of government, twenty-six jarldoms. Each jarldom was headed by a jarl appointed by order of the High King in council and also had a legislature, the composition of which was determined by local law, custom, and tradition.
Jarldoms were fully autonomous on all matters not conferred upon the central government. The jarldom of Gularike was vested in the High King, who also reigned over those jarldoms whose executive was vacant or indisposed.
Traditional Districts
Each jarldom except Haldarsvik was further subdivided into Traditional Districts, which were cultural sub-regions that constituted the third level of Storish administration. All Traditional Districts were claimed to have deep historical roots and many of them were petty kingdoms before the Conquest of the Heartland. They were often defined by geographical features.
In most jarldoms (excepting the Arbor Isles, The Isles, Normandie, Port Chloe and the Providence Plantations, Thingeyri, and Tiundarike) the Traditional Districts were referred to as yeorlskapp (plural yeorlskapper), the executive of which, appointed by the jarl, was known as a yeorl (or yeorla if female). Each Traditional District also had a legislature, which was known (except in the jarldoms named above) was known as a yeorlsthing. The duties, powers, and functions of the govenor and the local assembly differed from jarldom to jarldom.
Tribedoms
Several Traditional Districts were, for historical reasons or due to size, subdivided further still into Tribedoms, which were cultural sub-regions of those Traditional Districts that constituted the fourth level of Storish administration.
