Our encyclopaedia is vast and detailed. That's why this page was designed to give you the basic lay of the land for the Ostjörð territories. On this page you'll find key terminologies, basic political, climate and economic information and the land census, with links to all current in-play and open characters within Ostjörð. Most of the information below will also direct you to other pages where you can read up on the topic in more detail. If this handy overview is still not getting you where you need to go, please don't hesitate to contact a member of our staff team on site or on our Discord server. Table of Contents LIST ONCE CONFIRMED Maps and Aesthetic MAP ONCE CONFIRMED
INSERT SAMPLE VISUALS FROM VISUALS PAGE General Climate INSERT FROM LAND PAGE Method of Rule INSERT FROM LAW PAGE Social Tolerance Ostjörð has only one religion and one way of life but they are not particularly intolerant of those who stray from custom. Strangers from other lands are greeted with cautious curiosity and amusement more than prejudice. Those of Ostjörð birth, on the other hand, must respect the social frameworks of honour, strength and courage. Those who do not are failures as celts and often socially ostracized and emasculated. Ethnics and skin colour are not considered significant to the Ostmaðr though people of dark skin might be given curious glances simply because their appearance is less common in the northern territories.

The list of terms below are taken from different, Ostjörð-specific pages of our encyclopaedia and copied here for your convenience.

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Currency INSERT FROM TRADE PAGE

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Forms of Address Getting the right form of address is important in Ostjörð. Not only does it keep the immersion of our era in tact, but it saves your character making a costly social faux pas.

Whilst there is no golden rule on when it is acceptable for a character to slip into informal address, a good rule of thumb is the measurement of two social ranks. The Ranks below are listed in order. If your character is just one or two ranks lower than the person they are addressing, it may be suitable for them to use an informal mode of address. Any lower and you are safer sticking with the formal.

Kónungr (King)	Formal: Great King Informal: My Liege
Dróttning (Queen)	Formal: Great Queen Informal: My Liege-Lady
Kónungrson	Formal: Great Kingson Informal: Lord First-Name
Kónungrdottir	Formal: Great Kingsdaughter Informal: Lady First-Name
Royalty	Formal: Great Kingskin Informal: Lord or Lady First-Name
Battle Master	Formal: Master First-Name Informal: My Lord / Lady or Jarl First-Name
Fugara	Formal: Great Speaker / Walker Informal: Speaker / Walker First-Name
Jarl	Formal: My Lord / Lady First-Name Informal: Sir or Mistress
Common Peerage	Formal: 'Sir' (male) or '(Shield) Brother' (to a fellow fighter),'Mistress' or '(Shield) Sister' (to a fellow fighter). Informal: First-Name Only

Below is a quick overview of the open canons, wanted ads and in-play characters in the Ostjörð land, specifically the characters currently occupying positions of power and which are still open to be filled by original characters.

Ruling Powers Ostjörð is a collection of tribal monarchies. Each sippe (clan) is ruled by an absolute monarchy. Laws are made and governed by the Kónungr. Most legal decisions, rulings and practices are conducted in public tribunals, to keep the Kónungr honest and fair. But, unless they are challenged for their crown, they hold superior and ultimate power within their sippe, regardless of their popularity. Immediate Royal Family The 'immediate royal family' includes all living parents, children, spouses, or siblings of the current monarch of each sippe. These relatives do not hold their own political power but they are treated with a level of superiority or respect socially. Relatives of each monarch are listed under the Royal Members section in the sippe listings below. Royal and Noble Families The 'Houses' of Ostjörð are neither royal nor noble. They are sippes (clans). Within each there are multiple levels of society: common, noble and regal. Social status within a sippe is determined by your personal position, class or birth family, not simply the sippe itself.
Provincial Leaders Provinces in Ostjörð are fluid and ever changing, depending on raids and invasions. The main towns of each sippe are mostly in the northern Osthøj lands. Areas in Valland are appointed based on reward for battle efforts. Any man or women appointed the management of land or people is known as a Jarl. They are considered nobility but their families are not. There are no Noble Houses in Ostjörð.

Below is a table copied from our World Contribution page. Any provinces that are indicated as 'Open' can be claimed by new characters if a member wishes to create a new Jarl (Lord/Nobleman).

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Military Leaders Each Ostjörð sippe has three military commands: Ship Master, Blade Master and Master of Warriors. These ranks are all equal to each other and below the sippe's Kónungr. They rule over their particular expertise (boats, weaponry and fighters respectively) and above all other soldiers. Certain fighters in a Master's unit may be given additional duties or expected to act as a sort of deputy or lieutenant. These men are shown greater respect by other warriors but do not hold formal title or rank. All Battle Masters are given the rank of Jarl and often appointed land for their efforts. If they are not already of the royal family, they are considered Nobility within the sippe.

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Full Peerage The entire populace of Ostjörð includes royals, nobles and common folk from across Valland and Osthøj. All open canons, open wanteds and in-play characters, from all classes of life, are listed below:

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