Normark

Kingdom of Normark Kongeriket Normark
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto: For Fedrelandet og Gudene ("For the Fatherland and the Gods")
Anthem:
Map versions
Capital	Elijah's Rest
Largest city	Nordiskehjem, Alattio, Dragevik
Official language(s)	Norse, Istvanistani, Reinish, Elw, Babkhi
Official religion(s)
Demonym	Norse or Normarker(s)
- Adjective	Norse
Government	Constitutional Monarchy
- King	Fredrik Michael Tarjeisson
- Prime Minister	Ragnar Filip Tarjeisson
- Legislature	Nordisketing
Establishment	1563 AN (as the Grand Kingdom of Normark) 1656 (as a Natopian demesne)) 1678 (as an Elwynnese autonomous republic)) 13.XIII.1703 as an independent kingdom
Area
Population	12,471,328 (1721)
Currency	Norse krone
Calendar
Time zone(s)	CMT +7
Mains electricity
Driving side
Track gauge
National website
National forum
National animal	Unicorn
National food	Mutton
National drink	Mead
National tree	Oak (symbol of Einhorn) Conifers (symbol of the nation)
Abbreviation	NO, NOR

The Kingdom of Normark is an independent country in northern Keltia, established in 1563. It was an autonomous country of Elwynn (1678–1703) and a demesne or territory of Natopia (1615–1678)

The Kingdom considers itself the spiritual successor to the Grand Kingdom of Normark (1563–1604). As such, it follows the Einhornist ideology and culture of its predecessor.

Geography

Normark borders the Green throughout most of its territory. The exception is the Haifo-Pallasican Bassarid enclave of Jangsong (under Norse/RP blockade) and the long eastern border with Mercury.

Climate

Normark experiences cold winters and mild summers. Much of the coastline turns to ice in winter, and the average extent of the Arctic pack ice reaches the northern tips of Normark.

Political geography

See Bailiwicks of Normark

Bailiwicks of Normark

Normark is divided into fifteen municipalities or bailiwicks (Norse: fylke, pl. fylker). Most of them are rural but they are named after their largest city or settlement.

The Norse bailiwicks are:

Bailiwick	Population
Aderstein	96,103
Alattio	87,704
Åvik	270,921
Baldersborg	137,847
Boazodoalloguovlu	103,784
Dragevik	166,432
Drønderlag	71,033
Eikbu	316,528
Elijah's Rest (Konungsheim/Konungshjem)	1,765,603
Elkheim	272,223
Frystekapp	93,384
Gnu	17,815
Gråheim	12,057
Hagbard	205,107
Høgmarken	67,672
Inver	86,507
Jelsinga	609,680
Johansstrand	230,344
Kongsviken	393,593
Los Bananos	TBA
Mellomhånd	65,863
Mjøs	75,880
Nathansborg	438,807
Nattøya	20,927
Nordiskehjem	1,010,979
Østersand	153,175
Revby	12,023
Riddersborg	258,755
Sandtun	97,031
Sårensby	792,764
Signe	123,929
Sjøsborg	601,333
Skrubbebør	70,558
Slevik	589,956
Sørum	110,629
Storesund	774,045
Tverland	406,418
Vestkote	90,311
Vidda	73,218

History

• 1563: Normark united and established by Johann I Einhorn
• 1582: Collapse of the Norse state, death of Johann I
• 1584: Restoration of the Norse state as the Nordic Union by Johann's son Tarjei Einhornsson
• 1592: The Nordic Union joins Elwynn
• 1598: Normark independence from Elwynn after the Jacobus Loki ceases power in Elwynn by electoral fraud, causing Tarjei Einhornsson to lose his rightful place as Prince of Elwynn. Tarjei dies shortly after, succeeded to head of state of Normark by his sun Amund.
• 1598: Normark hosts the funeral for Elijah Ayreon, erects his Tomb in what is now Elijah's Rest
• 1599: Normark hosts a state visit from Hurmu
• 1600: Normark's government collapses
• 1610: Amund Einhornsson found dead in Konungsheim.
• 1615: Athlon takes charge of Konungsheim and calls it Elijah's Rest, more expansions further on as Norse people begin to unite under a government
• 1649: The Elian Union is established as a Natopian super-demesne to include "City of Elijah's Rest, Normark, the Kingdom of Leng, the Viceroyalty of The Two Martyrs, and the Duchy of New Aquitane".
• 1655: War of the Harpy sees conflict erupt between the Natopian port of Elijah's Rest and the Haifan port of Jangsong, marking the spread of the War of Lost Brothers to northern Keltia.
• 1656: Natopia attempts to isolate the Haifan garrison in Jangsong by expanding further into the territories that once comprised the Grand Kingdom of Normark with the intent of blocking the northern exit to the Strait of Haifa - prompting a furious response.
  • Since 12.VIII.1656 the Natopian revival of Normark has been opposed by the Dragevik Insurgency, built from criminal networks operating out of Jangsong. Whilst Bassarid forces would continue to remain a threat in the eastern reaches of Normark and the Gulf of Jangsong the failure of the Natopian and Bassarid empires to agree as to the parameters of the conflict, still less to its conclusion, would see it remain - appropriately enough for the climate - a frozen conflict.
• 1657: Normark established as a demesne in Natopia.
• 1677:
  • 11.XIV.1677: The Nationalist and Humanist Party makes a pact with the Norse Reform Party and and the Reinherders' Association to push for a referendum to restore the Norse union with Elwynn (lasted 1592–1598), citing the close ethnic, cultural, religious, military, geographic and commercial links between Normark and Elwynn. Normark's ruling Norse Independence Party, along with the pro-Natopian Free Juice and Bagels Party, condemn the pact as treason against the Emperor, anachronistic ("the union only lasted 6 years some 80 years ago"), and an invitation to the Stripping Path to strip Normark from its path to prosperity.
  • 18.XIV.1677: The prime minister of Normark, Valdemar Olavsen, meets with the Queen's Executor (the officer who exercises the duties of the Queen during her minority, as under the Constitution), Prince Aldin. Mr Olavsen requests to be relieved of his office as Prime Minister. Prince Aldin grants Mr Olavsen's request on the condition that the relieving is suspended until the Nordisketing has confirmed a successor.
  • 20.XIV.1677: The Ayreonist Party, the Nationalist and Humanist Party, the Norse Reform Party, and the Reindeer Herders' Association announce that they have formed a proposal for a new minority coalition government in Normark with the view of holding a referendum on Normark's integration with Elwynn. After a few hours of horse-trading, the Bovic Brotherhood of Elijah's Rest agrees to support the coalition (without taking part of it) with promises of increased fundings for the various monastic orders in Elijah's Rest. The leader of the Ayreonist Party, Aud Laaland, is nominated as prime minister.
  • 21.XIV.1677: Prince Aldin, Queen's Executor, meets with Ms Laaland, Mr Olavsen as with the other parliamentary leaders. Finding that the candidacy of Ms Laaland will meet a plurality in the Nordisketing, he nominates her to Prime Minister of Normark.
  • 22.XIV.1677: The Nordisketing votes to elect and confirm Ms Aud Laaland to Prime Minister of Normark.
  • 23.XIV.1677: The new Laaland cabinet enters office.
  • 19.XVI.1677: The Nordisketing passes a bill to hold a referendum on the question of Normark's integration to the Elwynnese Republic. If the referendum passes, the government will be empowered to negotiate with the Natopian and Elwynnese governments a treaty of accession of Normark to the Elwynnese Republic. The referendum will be held on 19.III.1678. Eligible voters are Natopian citizens, 18 years and over on the day of the referendum, who are resident in the territory of the Kingdom of Normark, and who have a combined period of residency in Normark of at least three years.
  • 19.III.1678. Status referendum. The people voted first to change the constitutional status of Normark, and then to reunite with Elwynn.
  • 23.IX.1678. Normark transferred from Natopia to Elwynn.
• 1681: Normark is expanded with full annexation of the bailiwicks and islands of Aderstein, Gnu, Gråheim, and Nattøya.

The Vanic disintegration

In 1685, the Vanic Web, consisting of Stormark and, to a lesser degree, the Franco-Batavian Empire, disintegrated. The Storish state completely dissolved into anarchy, while the Franco-Batavian Empire split into the kingdoms of Amokolia and Batavia. Close to Normark was the Duchy of Østfold, a former Norse duchy that Stormark had occupied from 1624 onwards. The population and culture of Østfold had remained steadfastly Norse during the time of Storish occupation, and despite the Vanic hegemony, Stormark was given little support in the area. As such, when the time of the disintegration of the Vanic Web occurred, many people in Østfold rallied to rejoin Normark.

Initially, the Norse government, echoed by the Elwynnese central government, was caution of these developments. It supported the immigration of Norsemen and -women to Normark. Many Østfolders, in fact up to 300,000 of them, applied for residency papers in the first few weeks after the disintegration of the Vanic Web. It became clear to the Norse government, and to the Elwynnese one, that to simply give up on regaining the territory, with an existing functional infrastructure and economy (albeit disintegrating along with the Web), would cost Normark more (as it would have to deal with rehousing all Østfolders instead of integrating their homes into Normark). The Norse government thus petitioned the Council of Eliria to annex the north-western parts of Normark (where infrastructure existed and where ties to Normark were the strongest). The southern parts remained recalcitrantly Vanic, and thus, Normark and Elwynn decided to respect that by not engaging with it.

On 24.IX.1685, the Council of Eliria approved the bill to annex the northern Østfold area, and established the Commission for the Reintegration of Østfold to oversee the reintegration. On 8.12.1685, the Council of Eliria and Nordisketing jointly adopted a law designating the new Østfold bailiwicks as Storesund, Jelsinga, Galvø, and Slevik. At the same time, in the south-east of the country, the bailiwick of Revby was formed, which immediately secured a border with Mercury.

Second Elwynnese Civil War

During the Second Elwynnese Civil War, Normark saw no fighting on its own territory. As such, it was the only part of Elwynn with increased economic output (largely financing the war machinery of the Loyalist Side). The Einhorn Society, officially affiliated with humanism, became the only legal party in Normark, and began a gesture of influencing all aspects of Norse society.

Political commissars were placed in all organizations and companies, public as well as private, to advance the Einhornist–Humanist policies and uphold Elwynnese patriotism during the rupturing civil conflict. This included all media organizations.

Pensioners' organizations began collecting clothes and tents and other aid measures for displaces persons in "the motherland" (as propaganda sent it). Any ideas of Norse independence or integration with Hurmu was quashed and denounced as unpatriotic and borderline traitorous.

With the economy of Normark actually booming, people largely stayed off from protesting the war or the government one-party state. When the news of the Scouring reached Normark, state media took a careful approach in reporting of the nuclear devastations of Eliria, Islus, Kingsgate, Dragonskeep, Glenfiddich, Vijayanagara, and Tephal, at one hand condemning the rebel atrocities and on the other hand regretting that the bombings of the cities in rebel-held areas was necessary to bring an end to the loss of life in Elwynn. Vigils were held across Normark lamenting the many deaths.

Former Storish citizens living in the Green or in Østfold were quickly recruited as "cannon fodder" during the war, and was seen by opponents as a way of ensuring population control in the Einhornist state.

Post War Changes

Following the war, Sigrid Årud, the political leader of Normark, agreed (although not entirely enthusiastically) to the findings of the Congress of Chryse regarding the formation of the Benacian Union. She attempted to suggest the name "Benacian–Norse Union" but this was quickly shot down. As such, Normark is not part of the Benacian Union, nor does the Benacian Union exercise any kind of jurisdiction over Normark.

In public, however, she emphasised the Union as both a nationalist union (the union with Elwynn staying intact, the former UGB having basically been Elwynnese in its leadership and organisational structure) and an ideological union. The union was necessary to fight off the perceived notions of corrupted Ayreonism across the world (a term used for Ayreonism in Normark where Elijah Ayreon remains honoured as a saviour of mankind), which also, in the Norse government's view, had begun to infect other Raspur Pact nations, particularly singling out Sanama and Shireroth in name.

Independence

In the beginning of 1703, Normark's government, having experienced confusion on the international stage with regard to Normark's status with the Benacian Union and the Elwynnese Realm at large, declared that it had assumed all such foreign affairs and military matters that belonged to the Elwynnese Realm prior to its Benacian territories' entry to the Benacian Union. Normark appointed then its first defence minister and first foreign minister, heading the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs respectively.

The Union Defence Force in Normark was declared to have been placed under the authority of the Ministry of Defence.

This declaration did not find favour with the UDF garrison there.

The threat of a coup was however averted when the Civil Executive in Ardashirshahr signalled its acceptance of the measures subject to appointing to the State Council those individuals who would exercise "delegated" powers in defence and foreign affairs for Normark on behalf of the Elwynnese Realm.

On 13.XIII.1703, the Congress of Chryse issued an Amicable Grant, which bestowed independence and sovereignty upon Normark under Tarjei Thorgilsson, within it named King of Normark. Tarjei's first act was to appoint Arnold Christianssønn Einhorn prime minister, pending new elections in 1704.

On 24.XIII.1703, the Nordhær conducted a torchlight parade through Elijah's Rest.

In 1705, Normark joined the MTO and the MTO's treaties on the laws of the seas, the common court, and the international commission. Its first MTO ambassador was Waldemar Thorgilsson.

The Fanghorn campaigns

In mid 1706 AN the King surprised the prime minister and his cabinet by announcing his intention to expel Knotaric, the heretical black-sheep of the family, from his stronghold in Fanghorn before the end of the year. Whilst the Nordhær had, since the new year, begun gathering in armaments, reorganising its strength, and mustering new levies of troops, it had not been expected that an expedition into the interior would be conducted as soon as the same year that these preparations had commenced.

The first expedition into the wilderness disappeared, as did two subsequent search parties dispatched in 1707 AN and 1708 AN to discover its fate.

Following the 1707 Nordisketing election the King proclaimed that a second expedition would set forth into the interior, with himself at its head so that there could be no doubt as to its fate, during 1710 AN. This expedition also failed to depart, calling the entire enterprise into doubt.

Ostland

On 22.XIV.1711 AN, the government, with the support of the King, agreed to establish contact with the barbarian kingdom of Ostland, which had arisen from the ruins of Nova England. The 1711–1714 Ostland Expedition, which would depart from Revby, was allocated some of the horses, vehicles, and provisions that had been earmarked for the abandoned 1710 AN expedition to Fanghorn.

The Long Nordisketing

The Nordisketing, elected in 1707 AN, passed resolutions in favour of dispensing with the need for general elections in 1711 AN and 1715 AN. The King, thoroughly satisfied with his loyal legislators, paid them generous donatives on both occasions as a reward for their continued service to the realm.

Reform of the Peerage

In 1717 AN the King issued letters patent restricting the blood nobility to the House of Einhorn, and restricted the right to sit in the House of Lords to the living progeny born of a reigning sovereign. In consequence the moribund and largely theoretical House of Lords, which had not formally sat since the period of Natopian rule, was reconstituted as the Court of Princes. The right to sit in the Court of Princes would not be transmissible to the heirs of the title holder, who would instead receive the hereditary rank of knight and the choice between a commission in the Nordhaer or a licence to reave in the Green of Keltia.

"Northern Mist"

• 17.XIII.1726 AN: With immediate effect from midnight on the morning of the 17th, all adult male subjects of Normark between the ages of sixteen and forty-five were prohibited from leaving the country. Concurrently, all male members of the House of Einhorn between the ages of fifteen and sixty-five were instructed to return to Elijah's Rest within seventy-two hours of the issuance of the general summons being made.
• 18.XIII.1726 AN: Previously designated border crossings points between Cerulea and Normark are blocked by detachments of the Elian Militia. Ostensibly the closures are to prevent violations of the travel bans instituted on the previous date. Notably these measures were not however implemented on the border between Normark and Mercury.
• 19.XIII.1726 AN: Further declaration of a "National Emergency". The Chief of Operations of the Nordhær instructed 38,417 telecommunications employees and 19,208 postal workers across the realm to send out news of the declaration to the 159 second and third line regiments scattered throughout the far north of Keltia to begin mustering their reservists. The Nordhær requisitioned from Jernbanekompaniet i Normark and Trans-Keltia Railways 5,700 locomotives, 12,500 passenger coaches, and 153,700 freight cars. The mobilisation transports started moving immediately upon their assembly at railway marshalling yards. Effectively disrupting the operation of the Trans-Keltian Express within Normark. Einhorns received at Elijah's Rest by the King: Stefan Einhorn, Valde Einhorn.
• 20.XIII.1726 AN: Amnesty offered by the crown to those living descendants of Riccard Amundsson who would present themselves to the crown as part of the summons of the Einhorns, excluding the sons and daughters of Knotaric, who remained attainted as traitors.
• 21.XIII.1726 AN: Hitherto quiet about events in Stormark, the Cerulean government began mobilising its own forces along its long borders with the Green, but with extra focus along the border with Normark and adjacent border areas. Commissar for foreign affairs, Ilia Abram Shvets, decried the Norse provocations and urged calm and peace, as well as a return to the fruitful cooperative atmosphere that Normark and Cerulea achieved around the time for the Cerulean Extradition.

Politics

Normark is administered as an Einhornist-Humanist state via legacy institutions, accountable to the Civil Executive in Ardashirshahr for matters pertaining to defence and foreign affairs.

The influence of the Raspur Pact over Normark is maintained by the network of bases and facilities operated in the country by the Keltia Command.

The precarious strategic position of Normark, assailed by Bassarids and lacking safe navigable routes to international waters, means that the state of siege established during the War of Lost Brothers has been maintained.

The military establishment supported the subsequent Humanist takeover of the cultural and educational sectors of the nation, from 1685 onwards, in order to ensure that no slide into Ayreonist tendencies undermined national unity or preparedness. Indeed the quietude of Normark during the Second Elwynnese Civil War demonstrated the effectiveness of this policy.

Government

The government of Normark is based on the Constitution of Normark, which was issued in 1664 by King Vidar of Normark. The Constitution established Normark as an autonomous kingdom in Natopia, and was amended in 1678 to make it an autonomous republic of Elwynn. In 1703, the Constitution was amended once again to create an independent Einhornist kingdom.

The Constitution establishes the Kingdom of Normark as a free, independent, indivisible, and inalienable state with an Einhornist, constitutional, and democratic government under one king. The king has executive power and is advised by a council chosen by the king from eligible Norse citizens. The council consists of a Prime Minister and at least five other members. The king also has the power to appoint state secretaries to assist members of the council with their duties.

Legislative power in Normark is vested in the Nordisketing, which consists of two chambers: the Congress and the House of Lords. The Congress is composed of members elected by the people, while the House of Lords is composed of hereditary members. Both chambers have the power to propose and pass laws, and the king has the power to veto laws. However, the Nordisketing can override the king's veto with a two-thirds majority vote.

The judicial power of Normark is vested in the courts, which are independent and impartial. The Constitution guarantees the right to a fair trial and the right to legal counsel. The highest court in the country is the Supreme Court of Normark, which has the power to interpret the Constitution and decide on constitutional matters.

Overall, the government of Normark is a constitutional monarchy with a strong parliamentary system. The king holds executive power, but the Nordisketing has significant legislative authority and the courts provide judicial oversight.

Foreign affairs

See also:

Foreign affairs of Normark

Normark is an active and supportive member of the Raspur Pact.

Outside the Raspur Pact, Normark has good relations with Mercury, its only sovereign neighbour, and with Hurmu.

In 1705, Normark joined the Micras Treaty Organization, and acceded to to the Convention on the Establishment of a Common Court, the Convention on the Laws of the Seas, and the Treaty to Establish the International Commission.

Economy

The economy of Normark is diverse, with a mix of agriculture, industry, and services. Agriculture is a major part of the economy, with crops such as rye, barley, and wheat grown in the southern regions, and root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots in the north. Reindeer herding is also a significant part of the agricultural sector, providing meat, leather, and bone products. In addition, the country has a large fisheries and whaling industry, with marine mammals such as whales, seals, and sea lions providing meat, oil, and fur.

Normark's industrial sector is highly developed, with key industries including manufacturing, machinery, and arms production. The country is also known for its snow vehicles and hovercrafts, which can navigate both ice and water. The processing and preservation of food, including fish and meat, is another important industry in Normark.

The so-called "Green sector" is a significant part of Normark's economy, and refers to the country's economic relationship with the neighboring Green. This includes trading with Green communities, as well as funding scavanging missions to recover resources from the ruins of former states in the Green. These resources include metals, minerals, and medicinal products.

The service sector is highly developed in Normark, with a state-funded healthcare system supplemented by private alternatives for those with means. The country is known for its music and exports a range of processed and frozen foods, including fish and game. Normark also exports machinery, arms, and hovercrafts, as well as pelts and furs.

Agriculture and Herding

• Cerials
  • Rye
  • Barley
  • In the southern/warmer regions, also
    • Wheat
    • Maize
• Reindeer herding
  • Meat
  • Leather
  • Bone products
• Sheepherding
  • Meat
  • Dairy/Cheese
  • Wool > textile industry
• Root vegetables
  • Potato
  • Carrot
  • Beetroot
  • Sugarbeet
• Cabbages
  • Can't list them all

Fisheries/Whaling

• Marine mammals (so fisheries is a bit of a misnomer)
  • Whales
    • Meat
    • Oil
    • Bone
  • Seals
    • Oil
    • Fur
    • Meat
  • Sea lions
    • Oil
    • Fur
    • Meat
  • Other cetaceans
    • Oil
    • Fur
    • Meat
• Other marine vertebrates
  • Duck
    • Egg
    • Meat
    • Feather
  • Goose
    • Egg
    • Meat
    • Feather
  • Fish
    • Flat fishes mainly
      • Halibut, etc.
    • Salmon
    • Cod
    • Herring

Industry

The industrial sector is highly developed.

Main industries:

• Manifacturing
  • Machinery
  • Arms
  • Snow vehicles
  • Hovercrafts (i.e. ships that can go both over ice and clear water)
• Processing/Preserve of foods
  • Fish
  • Meat
  • Starch
  • Jams

The Green sector

A portion of the economy is the so-called Green sector, which refers to Normark's economic relationship with the Green:

• Trading with Green communities
  • Pelts
  • Furs
  • Handicraft
  • Textiles
  • Raided products from ruins
• Normark-funded scavanging missions
  • Scavanging or raiding ruins of former states (in particular Caputia, Stormark, etc) in the Green
    • Copper
    • Iron
    • Steel
    • Rare-earth minerals
    • Medicinal products
    • Cement, concrete
    • Military equipment

The Green Trade is heavily dominated by the branch of the Einhorn family which established itself beyond the bounds of Normark in the aftermath of the War of the Harpy.

Services

The service sector is highly developed.

• The health care service sector is largely state-funded, though large fully private alternatives exist for those with means

Imports

• "Exotic" fruits and vegetables
• Spices
• Tea
• Cars, airplanes, tractors, airships

Exports

• Machinery
• Arms
• Processed food
• Frozen food (mainly fish and game)
• Music
• Hovercrafts
• Pelts and furts
• Processed/refined metals and rare-earth minerals

People and demographics

The total population of Normark is, as of the census from 1703, 10,770,940 inhabitants.

Ethnic groups were as follows:

Ethnicity	Percentage
Norse	85%
Reinish	6%
Tapferite	3%
Elw	1%
Others	4%

During the Natopian days

Before Normark's accession to Elwynn, census registration was based on ethnicity. If one is a foreigner with a non-Natopian or non-Normark ethnicity, one is classed as "foreigner". A small proportion of the Norse population have nationality in Elwynn and enjoy the Raspur Pact rights of free movement in their ancestral homeland.

The Norse ethnicity constitutes a clear majority in all of Normark. They share their ancestral homeland with that of the Reinish people, also known as Reindeer Herders. The Reinish are a nomadic people, with only up to a quarter of its total population having urbanized.

The Norse people speak the Norse (det norske språk) and the Reinish speak Reinish, though most also speak Norse as a first or second language. Elw is the most common foreign language studied in schools.

	Elijah's Rest	Proper	All Normark
Norse	613 710	4 301 760	4 915 470
Reinish	5 846	83 923	89 769
Other Natopian	267 138	251 371	518 509
Foreigner	23 104	160 755	183 859
Total	909 798	4 797 809	5 707 607

Or as percentages:

	Elijah's Rest	Proper	All Normark
Norse	67.46%	89.66%	86.12%
Reinish	0.64%	1.75%	1.57%
Other Natopian	29.36%	5.24%	9.08%
Foreigner	2.54%	3.35%	3.22%

Railway

Railways are managed by Jernbanekompaniet i Normark ("The Railway Company in Normark") and cooperates with Mercury on the Trans-Keltian Express.

Education

See Higher education in Normark