Frijuhaim

The Eightfold Manifest of Valkyria Frijuhim Atufaldu Aengi Frijuhim Walgoriu ᚨᛏᛟᚠᚨᛚᛞᛟ ᛁᛜᚲᛁ ᚠᚱᛁᛃᚢᚻᚨᛁᛗ ᚹᚨᛚᚷᛟᛁᚨ
Flag
Motto: ᛊᚨᛞ ᛉᛖ ᛒᚨᚷᚱᚨᚦ, ᛊᛟ ᛉᛖ ᛉᚨᛈᛇᚦ Sat ze bagrafi, so ze zapaethi As she creates, so she destroys
Anthem: ᚦᚢᛉᛟᚾᛞ ᛇᚷᛞᚱᛁᛊᚨ ᛇᚾ ᛟᚾᚨ Thuzont Aegtrisa aen Ono "The Thousand Yggdrasils in One"
Map of Frijuhaim, as of 1628.
Status	Independent State
Capital	Dalerlan
Official languages	Himer
Religion	Asatro (Norse Paganism)
Demonym(s)	Himer Fraehimer
Government	War Games Society
• Valkyrie Penultima	Calpurnia Dalsdottir
• Soothsayer Divine	Aengwi Wotunsdottir
Establishment
• Foundation	Year 0
• Departure of the Eight	Year 160
Area
• Total	24,000 km2 (9,300 sq mi)
Population
• 1631 census	83,768
Currency	Buckspelt (BP)
Date format	ddd/yyyy
Driving side	left
Calling code	+33
Internet TLD	.fh

Frijuhaim, or Frijuhim, depending on the dialect, is a small nation in Sparkalia along the northern coast of Pythia, centered on the canyon and fjord created by the confluence of the Wintry Ocean and the river Dal. It consists of eight traditional cities, each led by a "Gadedra". It shares no land borders, and this appears to have been an intentional choice by the founders, known as "The Eight Maidens". The location for the colony was chosen for its rich farmland, easily defended outcrops in the walls, and remote position, along with being on average a good deal warmer than the surrounding climate due to its position in the bedrock. It is one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world, though it prefers to keep these innovations within its borders, being very secretive about the source of their technical prowess. Nevertheless, mineral deposits that have been surveyed via radiological data and analysis of the Fenrisaelfr Crater in the area suggest this prowess is due in part to the presence of Rare Earth Metals, especially Thorium, Uranium, Americium, Curium, and Plutonium, metals which are afforded by the crater's presence.

Etymology

Frijuhim's name comes from Frijo, the goddess of fertility, love, war, mineral wealth, and foresight. Frijo is the patron goddess of Frijuhim, and it is said that she herself gave birth to the eight maidens immaculately. "Him" or "Haim" comes from the old Himer "Haimaz", meaning roughly 'home', or 'place of belonging'.

History

Prior to Ragnarug, known to the rest of the world as the great reshuffling, little is known. Old sources tend not to refer to the time, and the Eight Maidens themselves may have even been unsure or unwilling to report what occurred. What is known is the events approximately a few months after this occurred.

Post-Ragnarug

Frijuhim was said to be created after Falhala was destroyed following Ragnarug, that is, the end of the world said to have been brought about by the crater. The river itself was said to have been carved by the youngest of the Eight Maidens, Dal, in order to save some part of the world. In the aftermath, the Eight Maidens were said to have settled and began families using magic given to them by Frijo. These families became the eight cities. However, after some time, the number of Fraehimers was capped at a certain number, since their immortality could lead to war. After Dal had her last child, all of the Eight Maidens are said to have gone into the beyond to start a new Falhala in 160. The eight cities were left to their own devices, along with a set of instructions, the Skraudo Ahto ("Scroll of the Eight"). The Skraudo Ahto became the guiding tome for all future ventures within the land.

After this, the first war occurred between the Upper Dal and Lower Dal. Of over eighty thousand souls, only a little over ten thousand remained. In the aftermath, the two cities on opposite sides of the mouth of the Dal united under the youngest leader, Calpurnia, a mere 21 when she started in 182. Soon, the other six cities, while choosing to remain independent, concluded their struggle and deferred to Calpurnia. The few people who remained from Wotunlan, the eastern city at the mouth, became distributed throughout the empire for their gifts as soothsayers and scientists, dedicating themselves to the good of the whole community. The position of Soothsayer Divine was established, and Ingvi Wotunsdottir first occupied this role. Peace was officialized in 184, on the condition that it may be broken at any time, per the guidance of the Skraudo Ahto.

The First Great War

The First Great War came on the back of the first and last economic crisis in the land. Inflation ran rampant, and with no economic growth, the economy contracted. Many rebellions arose in the Upper Dal especially, and required quashing. These in turn led to rebellions at home. The war began in 254, and ended in 283, two whole generations having fought, and more still. Many achievements and breakthroughs in weaponry were had at this time, including using thorium as a slow poison.

Weapons constructed during this time completely flattened the land. New healing methods were developed, but once again, populations at times reduced to a thousand. The war was Calpurnia's first fought with an army. Few veterans remain from this war, those who do speak of its horrors. Toxic gases, magical torture, mind-flaying devices, and utter cruelty were common themes. Widely regarded as the era when the philosophies were used to harm. At this time, a return was made to the Skraudo Ahto, and laws were laid down to war.

For many years, those who survived resented Calpurnia, who fought off many assassins. During this time, she became known, especially as her subordinates fell, as "The Aurochs". For three centuries, she fought off assassins, until retiring for a short period to the lands beyond the hills. It is said she gained much wisdom during this time, before returning in 541. She vowed never to return another blow, and all the nation vowed never to strike her another blow, each carving it in blood.

The Wars of Defiance

Though Calpurnia remained popular, time began to wear on her. When she was born in 160, the language was one, the people were one, and the instructions remained clear. Younger peoples had minds of their own. The youth rebelled, but Calpurnia crushed those who defied her until first capitulation. She then trained with them, and molded them into her personal army. This angered the elite, who saw this as a betrayal. Calpurnia instead lead the youth to destroy their foremothers. At the end, few once again remained. But Calpurnia still did not lay a blow.

One soldier defied the oath she swore. She stood defiantly at the battle of Milriu, and asked of the veteran, "Have you no courage in you still, daughter of the gods?" before attempting to end Calpurnia, who instead swiftly dispatched the assailant. That was the end of said wars. Ever since that day, in the spring of 842, Calpurnia has never struck another blow of her countrypeople but that which are dealt to her. She is considered most merciful among the Gadedra.

Geography

The territory of Frijuhim is not well-defined, but broadly is understood to encompass up to the headwaters of the river Dal, at the Spring of Frijo. The river carves precipitously through the landscape, creating an estuary along with temperate zones along the river for farming. Since it carves through continental flood basalt, it is rich in micronutrients and the grains and plants along the river valley and estuary are excellent. This flood basalt is radio-dated to about 1600 years old, in the same timeline as the location was settled, thus it is assumed it occurred as a result of Ragnarug.

Climate

Broadly, the landscape surrounding Frijuhim is a cold desert, and Bristlecone Pines, Cedars, and Firs dominate the landscape. Surface-level temperature vary wildly from winter to summer, peaking typically around 50°C, and plummeting to -20°C in the winter, some of the wildest variation on Earth. The vegetation and animal life, as a result, tend to be quite hardy. Native to the southern parts of the forest is the Aurochs and Elk, and to the north, hardy Rams dominate, also descending into the cliffs, along with the Northern Dragon, one of the largest lizards on the planet. Rainfall is less than a quarter of a centimeter per year.

Within the confines of the cliffs of the canyon and fjord that comprise the populated centers of Frijuhim, temperatures tend to go no colder than freezing, and no warmer than 20°C, due to the absence of wind and the relatively constantly sunny weather.

Biodiversity

Frijuhim is home to over 16,000 unique animal species and 15,000 unique planet species. Conservation of its natural flora and fauna are considered a priority among its scientists and a source of national pride.

Flora

Trees in the Himer Desert tend to be Fir closer to the mountain treelines, and then lower down Cedar, and lower still and especially close to the cliffs, Bristlecone Pines. Additionally, Yew trees are common in the lower depths of the fjord. Flowering plants that are most common include the Edelweiss, Delphinium, and Poppy in the fjord, while above, Cacti, such as the Saguaro and Prickly Pear, are more typical. The Resurrection Plant is also a notable plant in the area, being a favorite national symbol as well. Many rare herbs and plants are found in the fjord's cliff faces as a result of diverse climatic conditions.

Mammals

Mammals tend to be more common than other animals in the desert, but no mammals are native to the fjord, other than mice. Desert mammals include the northern hare, the aurochs, the fjord ram, and the white fennec. All such animals have adapted to the harsh climate of the area, and as a result are often kept as pets. The white fennec in particular has been domesticated for generations as a companion and mouse hunter. Not native, but rather bred in the area, is Wotun's Cat. The coastal regions are also home to congregations of seals of all varieties.

Land Animals

The Northern Dragon, the world's largest lizard, inhabits the low-lying coastal regions, where it feasts on weak and juvenile seals for the part of the year in which they are there, and hibernates in coastal caves the rest of the year. Many migratory birds pass through the area, especially the albatross (a favorite target of hunting) and the canada goose. However, year-round birds are rarer, being limited largely to the cliff-dwelling Himdal Eagle. The cliffs of the fjord have some of the highest insect and arachnid biodiversity in the world, comparable with rainforests due to the highly variable conditions and diverse flora.

Government and Politics

Frijuhim is governed uniquely exclusively by its founding document, and then by the judgements of Calpurnia herself, wherein she refers to precedent as the high justice of the land, most sage in her wisdom by virtue of experience. However, in practice, this is subregulated to individual entities. The military is effectively the government and also the family structure. After the eight cities, each city is divided into 100 centuries of about 100 valkyries each. Within this, pairs of valkyries bond for life, occasionally trios. This is considered the most basic unit of the family, of government, and of general structure in society.