Hurmu

Hurmu

Official language	Hurmu Nordic, English
Capital	Huyenkula
Largest cities	Huyenkula
Forum	http://z9.invisionfree.com/stormark/index.php?showforum=29
Number of citizens	11
Number of active citizens	6
Date founded	8 January 2003
Government	constitutional monarchy
Current leader	Queen Aoife, Chairman Vali Ri av Silmahamnum
Map versions	5.5.4 - 6.4.0, 7.0.3 - 8.0.1, 9.3 - ???

Hurmu is a small country based mainly around the Holy Lakes of northern Lyrica (Lake District)and the small district of Lontinien on the mainland of Apollonia. It is a protectorate, meaning that Babkha and Stormark are responsible for Hurmu's foreign affairs and defence, with Hurmu remaning fully autonomous for its internal, cultural and governmental affairs.

The Queen of Hurmu is Aoife, holding a ceremonial role. Real power lies with the Senate and its chairman, Vali Ri av Silmahamnum.

Geography

Consisting of two parts, the Lake District and Lontinien, Hurmu enjoys a variety of climates. The Lake District, on northern Lyrica, is a hilly area with many lakes, rivers and grasslands. Lontinien on the other hand is mostly steppe with deserts in the western parts of the district.

The Lake District, on Lyrica, experiences cool summers and mild winters, but in Lontinien the summers can get very hot, up to 40 degrees Celsius, and the winters down to 20 degrees below freezing.

Famous Attractions

Hurmu's proudest attraction is the Holy Lakes. For Hurmudans, the lakes symbolise life, death and the circle of life. Traditional legends say that the Lakes were made by a giant meteor fall: one meteor for each lake. In time the craters became lakes, being filled up with rain. Another tail says that the lakes that are high in saline concentration became salty because of the tears of Hurmu. The water from the Lakes is considered sacred and crystal bottles of the water are given as traditional gifts expressing sympathy or wishes for happiness.

Although a rather small city, Huyenkula, the capital of Hurmu, has an architecture worth noting. The northern parts of the city was built during the Menelmacari era, when Hurmu was part of Menelmacar. The style of this area focuses on the harmony between nature, stone and wood. The main attraction here is the Palace of the Elenaran, a grandiose building that today houses the Queen and the Senate of Hurmu. In the southern parts of the city, the feel is more Germanic, with merchant shops and the Temple of the Lakes. The old Parlerment can be found here, now a museum.

From Huyenkula one can travel westwards across the Lake Cashma, where an island is. Traditionally it was here that the old chieftains of Hurmu met as a neutral ground for the different tribes.

Lontinien is very different from the Lake District. The people here do not rely on Hurmu traditions, but rather more nomadic and Mongoloid traditions. There is not much to be seen here, except for the vast steppe and the deserts. Still, the area is small but sparsely populated.

Famous Produce

Hurmu is famous for its cuisine whichis generally vegetarian, but also fermented drinks can be found here. Hurmu mead, for example, is very prized in Stormark, while wine from Liderai can be found popular in parts so far away as Elwynn.

Water from the Holy Lakes are also famous. When going abroad to visit guests, Hurmudans often take water from the Lakes in crystal bottles to give as gifts. In Elwynn, once part of Hurmu's domain, pools of lake water can be found by runestones.

Runestones are also an important aspect of Hurmu culture. It is an ancient tradition to raise runestones to commemorate different milestones in life, such as birth, marriage, death, and other events; or as memorials. Many people in other parts of the world order, or copy, Hurmu runestones to be produced.

Cultural Tips

• Import or possession of products from dead animals is prohibited in the Lake District. Be careful not to upset the local population by doing this. Likewise, the killing of insects, however annoying, is generally frowned upon.

• Remember that many people find the Lakes holy. Even if the majority of Hurmu's population is irreligious and secular, there is a deep-rooted sense that the Lakes are to be respected. The old legends go that it was from these lakes that all life sprang up.

• Lontinien is a more of a nomadic society very different from the Lake District. Many Lontinians take pride in their lifestock, but will consider it rude if one were to ask them how many cattle they own. Doing that can be equated to asking a Shirerithian how much money he has in the bank. Also remember that the nomads actually live in tents.

• Do not under any circmstances remove runestones from where they are. Doing this will result in heavy fines. Remember that runestones are a cherished aspect of Hurmu culture. Do not deface them. Taking pictures of them, on the other hand, is encouraged.