Nordern

Category	Empires
World	Bal-Kriav
Region	Troll Bogs, Lands of Purity
Government	Theocracy
Capital	Fathom Two
Capital	Fathom Two 792 - present Hadal One 734 - 792
Population	350,000+
Races	Eenkai 65% Tragaran 15% Merfolk 10% Diiv Kiir 5% other 5%
Alignment	lawful good, lawful neutral
Deities	Bahamut, Phalgas, Tempestant
Enemies	none
Established	16 Artifice 734
Map	Chen'gom

In the First Epoch, the Eenkai intellectuals, known as the Intellectual Creed, fled their homeworld of Throndar. They traversed the Hollow of Tarsilja, leaving one star system for an adjacent one. As an advanced civilization in terms of technology, they crossed the Void in colossal voidships powered by Tarsilja Lattice engines. A few months after settling on the world of Geb's Rain, they established the nation of Nordern on 16 Artifice 734.

The Northern civilization of Geb Rain, similar to the Eenkai one on Throndar, were not practitioners of magic. Hailing from a world devoid of magical prowess, they had never been exposed to its wonders. Moreover, they were atheists, relying solely on raw technology to fulfill their needs. Some of this raw technology was the remnants of the Lost Ages, such as the Hollow of Tarsilja. On Geb Rain, they were free to explore the arcane and gain the attention of the higher powers. Eventually, the Eenkai came to worship one of their own, a renowned speaker known as Tempestant.

The Norderns constructed their habitations atop extensive coral reefs on Geb's Rain. The proliferation and solidification of the reefs, augmented by natural scientific expertise, produced elastic membranes to cover their dwellings. These transformed their living quarters into submersible structures, offering them some safeguard against the periodic asteroid threats that plagued their world.

The coral islands are a marvelous spectacle. Colossal walls surround the coral foundation, with beautifully colored walls serving as an extension of the coral base, making them formidable for defense. Beyond these walls, canals and harbors accommodate the ships that ply the waterways and return with provisions for the inhabitants of the Nordern island-cities. These cities vary in size, none with fewer than 20,000 citizens. The Nordern priests and most devout worshippers utilize various aquatic creatures as mounts. These "blessed" Norderns exhibit mutations, with the duration of devout worship dictating the extent of their transformations. The most pious are equally at home in the water or on land, able to swim with their webbed extremities, breathe through gills in their neckline, and soften their bones and organs for deep dives.

When the orbit of Geb's Rain approaches the Belt of Geb, a cataclysmic event strikes portions of the planet. It is subjected to relentless meteor storms. In 1692, Nordern civilization was nearly annihilated, with only 40,000 people surviving from the original 110,000 after the Bombing of Geb.

In 1692, Geb's Rain was struck by an immense meteor shower. The already pitted and cratered terrain suffered an onslaught greater than any witnessed previously. The Eenkai had endured minor meteor displays for numerous centuries and adjusted accordingly. This was due to Geb's Rain's orbital path intersecting the asteroids of the Belt of Geb, resulting in the world being pelted by raining rocks, devastating expansive regions.

Jolarmi, a distinguished professor at the College of Rumakarrûs, authored the seminal work "History of the Eenkai"

The Bombing of Geb devastated Geb's Rain. The land heaved from the impacts, and the seas churned with tidal waves and undersea earthquakes. The coral island-cities of the Nordern sank into the waters, protected by their air domes, descending into the depths to escape the rock storms occurring above. Even at 5,000 fathoms, some of these cities were struck and suffered catastrophic losses. The people implored Tempestant for guidance and safety, but she was powerless to halt the meteor assault. Tempestant, an occasional lover to Phalgas, beseeched him for assistance. Phalgas granted her request, but only on the condition that she would one day return the favor. Tempestant was torn between saving her people and being bound by a promise that might ultimately prove detrimental. The destruction of several more Nordern island-cities compelled her to ally with Phalgas. Phalgas harnessed the powers of the Web of Magic and opened three watery rifts to the Bog Sea. Through these tears in the Web, the Nordern cities departed Geb's Rain and came to the world Bal-Kriav.

The Norderns approached this new land with caution. They were enclosed by the shallow waters of the Bog Sea or the narrow channels leading to Mephigax, and surrounded by formidable beasts and flying serpents never seen on Geb's Rain. The people dispatched their vessels across the Bog Sea to the shores of the Lands of Purity and the distant realms of Brucrumus, Gorejun, and other continents. Trade flourished between Nordern and the esteemed nations of Ivory Asylum, Malacost, and Grimmarsveinn.

In the Buruthran War ( 1824 - 1829 ) , the Norderns joined the Luran Alliance, fighting alongside the Tragarans. The cordial relationship between the Norderns and the people of Rumakarrûs led to a treaty wherein the Norderns would garrison the cities and fortresses while the armies of the Luran Alliance crushed the barbarian hordes. After the war had concluded and the Divine Empire was established, the Norderns were welcomed as esteemed citizens of the Divine Empire. In turn, the Norderns graciously granted citizenship of the Divine Empire to their own nation.

In the Year 1829, the Norderns completed the Mephigax-Bog Channel. This temporary channel enabled them to relocate two floating cities, Bathyl and Biomechallum, from the Bog Sea into the open seas beyond.

Architecture

The Northern cities are of immense proportions, featuring broad thoroughfares and light-filled structures. The foundation of these cities consists of buoyant islands of living coral. On the planet Geb's Rain, it is said there are hundreds, if not thousands, of these floating coral landmasses spanning the open waters. Additionally, the Northern cities possess the capability to submerge, a practical adaptation to the hazards of Geb's Rain. During submersion, they become shielded from the ocean depths and most attacks by a magical, elastic membrane. These urban centers are highly vibrant, reminiscent of a thriving coral reef. Submerged, they serve as a beacon for marine life, often trailed by vast schools of fish.