Vittmark

Federal Kingdom of Vittmark Vittmarkarnas Förenade Länder
Flag	Coat of arms
Motto: For Vind, through all eternity (För Vind i Tiden)
Anthem: March of the Elephant Riders (Snabelryttarnas Marsch)
Locator map
Capital city	Östervallen
Largest city	Östervallen
Official language	Wortsproke
Other languages	Aldsay, Stoldic, Jennem, Härska
Ethnic group
Religion	Mellanhand Orkanan
Demonym(s)	Vittmarker
Government
Government Type	Federal constitutional monarchy
King	Asgar av Kulla av Vittmark
Prime Minister	TBÅ
Legislature	Förbundsting (Federal parliament) Förbundsdag (House of States) 'Folkets Rådsförsamling" (House of People)
Establishment
Treaty of Nisipari	7564
Area
Total	313,377 km2
Water %	1.6%
Population
Total	29,709,790
Density	94.8/km2
Economy
Economy type	Free market
GDP (total)	Ꞡ TBA
GDP per capita	Ꞡ TBA
Currency	New Crown (く)
Inequality index	TBA
Development index	TBA
Other information
Time zone	+0
Driving side	right
Calling code	+TBA
Internet code	.vm
Nation number	{{{nation number}}}

Vittmark (officially the Federative Kingdom of Vittmark) is a constitutional monarchy in Anaria, located on the northern shores of the island Stoldavia. The nation was formed in 7564 in the aftermath of the Pan-Anarian War mainly under foreign pressure. The formation of a coherent nation is seen as a way to bring lasting peace and stability to the region. The fact that Vittmark triggered the Pan-Stoldavic War which ultimately led to the Wolgos Scourge indicates that it took a much longer time to achieve that goal.

After the reforms of 7XXX Vittmark consists of 12 more or less symmetrical member states, with a special status for federal territories as well as key assets of the Bengtist and Fjällsta stifts.

It is a nation with large differences in landscape and development, ranging from the prosperous post-industrial state of Liden in the northeast to the almost agricultural mountain region of Sörmark in the south.

Since its formation in 7564 the heads of state have been coming from the royal House of Kulla, which used to be the oldest remaining line marriage within the region. Current head of state is King Asgard of Kulla of Vittmark.

Etymology

The name Vittmark refers to a region from the Orkanan Realm of Stoldavia. The region Khwītrzamarzkō or Hwitrmearko (depending on the spelling of the era) was used for an area in the south of present day Liden and Ådalen where the alluvial plains transform in a gently rolling hillside landscape as a demarcation towards the Blue Mountains.

It is a common misinterpretation that the name literally would mean "white land" or "white ground", referring to the limestone bedrock that can be found on the surface of this region. In that case, the name would have been spelled as Vitmark (with one t) though. Vitt- is thought to have a similar meaning as vittring (weathering), which also occurs as a natural phenomena in the same area. The region is rich in legends involving mythological creatures, often small and invisible beings living under the ground. The word "mark" also refers to a border region: during the Orkanan Realm the area was the borderland between the coastal and mountainous regions.

The name was chosen at the Conference of Nisipari because of its central location and lack of historical baggage. The last 2000 years there hasn't been any territory using this name as a governmental name, while it still was in use as a global reference to a wider area. It was spelled Hwittmark in the local language before the spelling reforms that created Wortsproke.

History

The territory which at present forms Vittmark has a long and rich history, where glory days and dark ages have occurred. The first tribes entered Stoldavia from Jörveh some XXXX years ago. There they separated in two distinctive groups, one specializing in herding and a nomadic lifestyle, the other trying to combine animal husbandry with agriculture in semi-permanent settlements. This agricultural group, which is a predecessor to the Dölmer people, moved with the climatological shifts during prehistoric times

First Stoldavic Empire

The region played an important role during the Orkanan Realm. It was in the hillsides of (current) Liden that the Dölmer people successfully managed to develop a system of rotating agriculture, adapted to the climatological cycle in the area. The Dölmer managed to combine crop rotation with refertilizing the soil during the process. This agricultural revolution resulted in them becoming the dominant factor in the colder temperate regions. This agricultural revolution laid the foundation of the Orkanan Realm of Stoldavia.

The empire was at the height of its power in the 5500s, during which it increasingly turned outside Stoldavia and attempted to expand its influence abroad. Together with the empire, the Orkanan religion got a foothold all over Stoldavia and the northern coasts of Thultannia and the Anarian mainland. During the late 5600s and early 5700s the already weakened and destabilized Orkanan Realm suffered from a series of invasions by southern peoples from across the sea as part of the Migration Period that caused it to finally crumble.

Migration Period

After the collapse of the Orkanan Realm, the area entered a period of decline and stagnation, which lasted for almost two centuries. During this time, much of the heritage of the Orkanan Realm was being reused as building material in the new circumstances. Even the proud capital of Skiöldavik was demolished and building material was used in nearby settlements.

Roaming bands of armed mercenaries and attempts by nomadic people to retake the territory resulted in small settlements needing to defend themselves with systems of walls and towers. Most of these villages and towns were self-sufficient, although periods of famine occurred as well. Even though the agricultural techniques never vanished, the lack of trade with regions with a more moderate climate resulted in a badly functioning agricultural rotation. Villages were vulnerable to attacks and failed harvests. Curiously enough, the region wasn't affected by the waves of migration taking place in other parts of Anaria.

Union of Skara

The coastal town of Skara managed to develop out of these dark ages as a trading hub in the 6500's. At the crossroads of land routes, a river mouth and coastal sea trade, the merchants of Skara became influential people in a larger region. Skarans built warehouses in nearby towns, and with the wealth acquired they were able to buy properties in more far away coastal towns and river towns. This way, Skara became the focal point of a loose alliance of trading cities and towns, which dominated northern and eastern Stoldavia for many centuries. The legacy of the Union of Skara (Skara Samverkan) can still be felt today, even outside Vittmark. For example, Sunnist Orkanan spread through the Union to western Stoldavia.

Skara managed to monopolize the trade in certain goods, like trunkbull wool and timber. They prohibited the building of saw mills, for example, so that timber had to be shipped to Skaran mills in the valley basin of present day Ådalen. Even though Skara can not be seen as a direct predecessor of the Greater Stoldavic Empire, it certainly has influenced it even before it became an imperial province.

Greater Stoldavic Empire

The starting date of the Greater Stoldavic Empire is clearly marked by the marriage of Prince Råger of Mellanhand with Princess Caroline Varen of Ostburg in 6934. They declared the establishment of the second Stoldavic Empire, after the first Orkanan Realm. It started a phase of fast expansion by conquest, absorbing the surrounding kingdoms and making its way south, east, and west. In Tellan 6940, the Kingdom of Thronreich sought to align itself with the new Stoldavic Empire. A dual capital was formulated for the Empire, where the city of Hoffnung governed the south and Östervallen the north. Thanks to the growing wealth and well functioning navy, the Empire was able to explore foreign coasts as far as western Altaia and start modern trade towns.

The empire lasted about two centuries, decline started rapidly when the south declared Stellist-Orkanan as the official religion in 7151. A war between the Stellist-Orkanan Helreich and the traditional Mellanhand Orkanists of the rest of Stoldavia was the result. The war escalated toward Aedeland, which wanted to take the opportunity to secede. The Greater Stoldavic Empire suffered from the damages of the continuing civil war, eventually breaking up into many smaller kingdoms. The defenestration of Östervallen in 7204 is generally marked as the end date of the empire.

The Lands

After the collapse of the Greater Stoldavic Empire, several warlords started to get control of consecutive territories, forming the backbone of new nations. Countries like Liden, Hagen and Ådalen were formed this way. By appointing local noblemen with approval of the foreign conquerors of the Stoldavic Empire, they were able to build new governments based on a strong noble class leadership. Autonomous city states in border regions between these countries became free havens of trade and innovation. These former nations still form the backbone of Vittmark, also in cultural and political respect.

Pan-Anarian War

The area now forming Vittmark was heavily affected by the Pan-Anarian War. At first many of the member states stayed outside the conflict, but got involved through supplying to any of the opposite sides in the 7520's. Shipbuilding was an especially after sought trade. The demand for raw material made the iron mines of Hagen and the copper mines of Kopparbruk strategic objects. With the Wolgos occupation of Mörenburg in the 7540's Hagen, Liden and Ådalen became logistic carrier routes to the south. The large-scale war was used as a way to extend the realm of these nation states, as well as for dependencies to steer towards more independence. Much of the leadership had been killed in the latter days of the war, even through local uprisings.

Three Way Conflicts and the formation of Vittmark

• See Also: Treaty of Nisipari

At the end of the Pan-Anarian War there were already ideas to create a more stable situation in northern Stoldavia. Central Anarian powers wanted to secure access to raw material present in the area.But after the war, internal and border conflicts continued and Anarian nations felt it necessary to intervene several times. This era from 7553 to 7564 is known as the Three Ways Conflict.

It took until 7564 to unite the troublesome areas during the Conference of Nisipari. The first step was to turn the bristle cease-fire into a situation where modern administrations anbd economies could be built. For example, much of southern Hagen was pacified by neighboring Aedeland, while Hagenite forces themselves occupied about a third of Ådalen, as well as a large part of the southern territories. Liden had invaded Ådalen from the east, occupying about a quarter of it. In the meantime, the former border region between Ådalen and Liden was pacified through a corridor by Auresian and Hallish military, who even occupied a valley in Ådalen in order to secure supplies to Nelvesdalia. Laxholm, Dunsvik, Mivö and Kulla had taken the opportunity to create more autonomy. In the case of Kulla this even extended outside their own area, with Karl av Kulla serving as governor of the Nelvesdalia occupied territory. The outer territories of Friställen (Stella Ferris) and Uppförsbackar (Bachae Anterior) however were managed directly by Anarian forces, although there was a large degree of regional autonomy. This also resulted in military presence from Ådalen, Hagen and Liden in the south; all three were considered illegal forces in the region though.

The almost total military defeat of Ådalen and the rush for raw materials south of the Blue Mountains created a situation in which a new solution should be formulated quickly. With all three major sides largely overstretching their military capacities and the already present foreign military from Aedeland, Halland, Auresia, Anisora and others made it possible to implement the solution as well.

In the Treaty of Nisipari, the region was placed into the custody of the Royal House of Kulla, a noble house which had been very influential during the Greater Stoldavic Empire. All Central Anarian occupation zones were put within the new nation, including the southern regions which used to belong to the sphere of influence of Mörenburg. The remaining Mörenburger population, who weren't a party in the negotiations, largely left the area. This created a local power vacuum as well as mass destruction of production means. After this third wave of destruction in the south, the population was literally decimated compared to the situation before the Wolgos occupation, with only about 250,000 souls present.

Pan-Stoldavic War

King Karl av Kulla got the task of uniting the nation under Orkanan principles, but with a neutral and non-aggressive international policy. The chosen political constellation was that of a decentralized federal semi-parliamentary monarchy. The process was supported through the presence of international peacekeepers. However, a year after his inauguration as leader of the new nation in 7566, King Karl and his son Crown Prince Thomas were killed in a separatist attack in the capital of Östvallen.

The leadership of the still fragile nation now fell into the lap of Princess Anna Karlsdotter av Kulla, the then 26 year old daughter from Karl’s second marriage. She continued implementing the Treaty of Nisipari further, dividing legislative from executive government and splitting the legislative into a federal parliament and House of Lords. She also acknowledged two non-territorial units as member states. This period also saw many disruptions, like the secession attempt of Ådalen in 7569 and an attempted coup d'état against Queen Anna in 7572.

The first international clash occurred in 7574, when Vittmark actively and fiercely opposed the effects of the Common Tariff. Seven Anarian nations tried to monopolize sea travel through the straits they jointly had some form of jurisdiction over. The following Treaty of Gadalhem (7579) led to a rift between Anarian nations, where both Auresia and Anisora sided with Vittmark. The conflict led to an expulsion of several Gadalhem signatories from their port concessions, after Vittmark unilaterally withdrew from the Treaty of Nisipari, the foundation of Vittmark as a nation state.

It also led to a Häverist revolution in Aedeland in 7581, resulting in Vittmark becoming sandwiched between two Häverist nations. The refugee streams into Vittmark put the nation in a peculiar situation, since it opposed both the old and new regime. But the states of Hagen saw an opportunity to start training the refugees for incursions into technate territory. These rebellions became more and more successful and resulted in a full-out civil war in eastern Aedeland around 7590. With foreign aid, the opposing forces were able to liberate much of the Austland province of Aedeland, which led to the Häverist Commonwealth rushing to the Technate's aid with military support. This led to the request from the liberators for military back-up. Much to the surprise of the international community, Vittmark not only delivered that support but entered Austland and founded the territory of West Hagen.

This resulted in a series of conflicts now known as the Pan-Stoldavic War, which roughly had the Häverist sphere combatting the joint democratic and loyalist nations of Anaria. During this war, the Wolgos saw an opportunity to extend the territory of The Bind, at first in eastern Altaia where it occupied islands that were part of the Vittmarker member state of Fisks. This betrayal led to Vittmark being unable to administer its overseas territories at all. In the end these ended up under the governance of Kamura and Sokoku.

When the Wolkos invaded Rissland in an attempt to re-create Dhownolgos, the focus of the war changed completely and turned into the Wolgos Scourge. Events like the breaking up of Anisora and Auresia as well as the Häverist reforms into Orderism in Aedeland and Helreich can all be traced back to Vittmark opposing the Straits Cartel. But the threat of the cartel and especially the Häverist technate in Vittmark finally united the people of Vittmark against a common enemy, thus creating the basis for the federative monarchy it is today.

Recent history

At the end of the Wolgos Scourge in 7625, Vittmark had already undergone a state reform, including the former Aedelish territory of West Hagen into the federation, as well as outlining the tasks and responsibilities between the member states and the federal level. The former states of Kletudderland, Kram and Kopparbruk merged in one, as well as Mivö and Staden Skara. Kulla, however, remained a state. Even the non-territorial states for the Bengtists, Fjällsta and Kakuri were terminated. The impopular reform was carried out by Queen Tovemor after Queen Anna's abdication in 7XXX. Soon afterwards, Queen Tovemor abdicated herself and appointed her half sister Iduna as her successor in 7XXX.

TBC

Geography

Vittmark is a nation of contrast, with extremes like plains and mountains, fertile ground and rocky fields, dark forests and wide open horizons. Due to the Orkanan religion, the bond between the Vittmarkers and their lands is very intense. This shows for example in the toponymy, which form the basis of (extended) family names.

Geology and landscape

The most prominent feature dividing Vittmark in two separate regions is the Blue Mountains (Blååsarna in Wortsproke). With only a handful of mountain passes, none of them under 2800 meters above sea level, this truly is a watershed divider. The geological processes that have formed these mountains are also responsible for the rich findings of metals and coal on both sides.

The southern region is rich in coal and iron, which is an unusual combination at these short distances. The south geographically belongs to the Upper Reiki Bassin, which also has high mountain chains towards the southwest and northeast. Valleys are deep which outside the industrial pockets results in an agricultural society still based on animal husbandry. Vittmark's highest peak, Stortoppen, is located on the border with Mörenburg in the deep south and measures over 6900 meters in height.

Even north of the mountains there are rich finds of iron, especially in Mellersta Haga. Here, the valleys are wider and more suitable for growing crops. The central region (mostly in Ådalen) has a limestone basis, which has given the area and nation its name: the white lands. A lot of the chalk has been transported by the many rivers to the fertile plains of the coast. This landscape is characterized by elongated hillridges, still recognizable even when covered with clay and sand.

The coastal region is characterized by cliffs and (former) islands. In the west it's the peninsulas of Nabbe and Kobbe. More centrally it's the sandstone island of Mivö. The northeastern peninsula of Östra Haga is covered with moraine blocks and lacks large rivers.

Nature

Due to the variations in landscape and climate there is a wide biodiversity in Vittmark. Where other nations focus on wildlife preservation, Vittmark treats man-made landscapes and environments as a contribution to natural wildlife as well. This is clearly visible in the approach in the National Parks of Vittmark. The common idea is the conservation of wild nature or culturally unique landscapes for posterity and as a symbol of national pride.

Vittmark is the only country where the wooly mastodont still is roaming freely through its habitat. Almost driven to extinction in the 72nd century, a special religious order has protected the animals during their yearly trek between feeding grounds on both sides of the Blue Mountains. The amount of mastodons has risen from 200 to just under 2000, which is about the ecological capacity of the relatively small area the animals still can use. Selective breeding programs in zoos are used to avoid in-breeding.

Government and administrative divisions

The federation is a logical climax of the basically bottom-up structure of government built in Orkanan traditions. The structure of the federal government has been outlined with modern insights on national government from mainland Anaria. On a basic (local) level, Vittmark has a highly democratic form of government. Stims are the main local gatherings, where all members having reached adulthood can get voting rights. The right to vote is something that must be earned, often through kinship (family ties), remarkable virtues or by paying local taxes.

Political culture

See also: Political parties of Vittmark

Within the federation, the state level is still considered to be the most important administrative level. But since the application of a new election system, where only half the seats in parliament are allocated through regional affiliation, more minority political parties have been able to establish themselves in the political landscape. But even today, a lot of the electorate chooses based on regional (state level) association instead of political ideology.

At the local level, basic democracy is functioning as an egalitarian movement with large influence by active individuals. Even on the level of socken, the influence of the individual or a group still can be felt. Local government is formed by groups of sockens nowadays, since the socken level was considered too small-scale to cope with present day challenges.

Since the latest government reforms, the interests of ethnic, cultural and religious minorities are safeguarded by a People's House. Even at state and local levels, many elected boards and councils have a similar advisory board where minorities can influence decision making. It is however a delicate balance between safeguarding the way of life of minorities and pushing more individual interests by people who happen to belong to such a minority.

Legislative

The legislative has been divided into a Federal Parliament called Förbundsdag, a House of States called Förbundsting and a People's House called Folkets Rådförsamling.

Federal Parliament has 201 seats and members are chosen through state level and federal representative elections. 100 seats are allocated through the 12 member states. Smaller states like Kulla only have one representative, while large states 9 to 11 and Liden even 18. Kulla, Ådalen and Liden still apply a district level election with a first past the post system, whereas the other states appoint their representatives based on the state level election results. All the votes that have not been represented on the district or state level are added into a national total, upon which the remaining 100 seats are allocated. The reigning monarch is the chairperson of federal parliament on paper and as such the 201st member, but most often the role of chair is delegated to one of the 200 other members.

At this moment there are 7 political parties represented in federal parliament: Progressive Artisans' Guild (43 seats), Heritage Revival Party (41), Innovation Nexus (37), Equality Syndicate (28), Unity Connect (23), Harmony Bloc (21) and Western Alliance (8). At this moment PAG, IN and UC form a centre-left coalition government.

The House Of States has 12 seats, with one deputy being appointed from the state level. The House can not make its own legislation, but will only make decisions on proposals from parliament. A supermajority of 8 (previously 9) seats is needed for legislation to pass. Even though the task of the House is to control for internal consistency and the relation with the constitution, it is not uncommon that regionalist political aspects play a role in decision making. The House is however allowed to formulate a task for parliament to come up with a proposal for legislation. When it comes to budget allocation, the House has a veto right. As such, budget proposals will get anchored at the state level at a very early stage. Officially the deputies don't have a party affiliation because they represent the state, but usualy a deputy will be appointed from the largest state faction.

After the reforms of 7XXX the non-territorial states for the Bengtists and Fjällsta lost their status. At the same time, the large minority of Aldsay people in West Hagen became a factor in politics as well. As an extra safeguard for their interests, budget proposals and decisions on legislation also need to pass a special People's House. The task of this House is to minimize the effects of federal government decisions in continuing the lifestyle of these recognized minorities. The People's House has 8 seats, 2 for each minority and two representing the Mellanhand, Dölmer majority. Decisions in the People's House need to be unanimous, which is defined as "no one opposing the proposal". This leaves room for deputies to lay down their vote, not supporting or opposing a proposal and still reaching unanimity.

Executive

The federal parliament appoints a First Minister with the task to form an executive cabinet. The number of ministers can range from 6 to 12, although these numbers are not bound by any legislation. Ministers will also be the head of Federal Departments, who in turn direct Federal Authorities (Förbundsstyrelse) and Federal Works (Förbundsverk). The Departments are all gathered in the capital, but many of the Authorities and Works have been spread out across the country in order to have important federal institutions in all member states and avoid a too large concentration of federal civil servants in one place.

Subdivisions

Vittmark has a bottom-up style of government, where the stim (clan, guild, extended family) is the basic and smallest unit of organization. The stims choose allegiance with a socken, which is the lowest level in the (territorial) organization. Each stim has a representative in the socken. Many sockens have enclaves and exclaves, and their composition can change due to the formation or merger of stims. Traditionally, sockens were led by Orkanan alfs and wayhands, but nowadays socken councils are democratically chosen and the executive board is appointed by that council. Each state has a limited number of sockens, which prevents stims splitting off from sockens and start self rule.

Sockens are gathered in Hundreds and Stifts. The Hundreds are strictly worldly administrative divisions and as such subdivisions of the member states. They mainly have administrative and judicial duties. Stifts deal with regional and internal matters. The states of West Hagen, Mivö and Skara, Kopparland, Kulla and Sörmark have the Hundreds and Stifts gathered into a single regional unit. In those states, Stifts only deal with matters of religion within Mellanhand Orkanan.

The federation is formed by 12 member states, where the states are subdivided into Hundreds and Stifts. Before the formation of Vittmark it was possible for a Stift and Hundred to switch states, but since the Constitution of 7574 this is no longer possible.

• Austland West Hagen (Austland Västra Haga)
• Dunsvik
• East Hagen (Östra Haga)
• Kopparland
• Kulla Crown Domain (Kulla Kronområde)
• Laxholm
• Liden
• Mellersta Hagen
• Mivö and Skara
• Sörmark
• Östervallen
• West Hagen (Västra Haga)
• Ådalen

Foreign relations

Even after three generations, the way Vittmark evolved from a bristle, unwilling coalition with much internal unrest into a cohesive nation state capable of successfully invading a neighboring country and withstand combined Häverist military pressure still has its effect on international relations.

For obvious reasons, the relation with Aedeland can still be defined as somewhat chilly. The same goes for the Stoldavic Commonwealth. Within Vittmark there still is opposition against top-down Orderist principles, as well as other top-down planned economies. On the other hand, the way Vittmark acknowledged the rights of indigenous people in former overseas territories and let go of these possessions has created a lot of goodwill, especially with Altaian and Darunian nations. But in just over a century, Vittmark has transformed from the weakest of Anarian brother nations into a respected regional power, even though this is partially due to nations like Aedeland, Anisora and Auresia becoming a lot less dominant in Anarian geopolitics.

Military

During the Pan-Stoldavic War, the Vittmarker military was modernized and restructured. After not having been allowed an air force in the Treaty of Nisipari, it quickly built up an aerial artillery capacity after it left the Treaty itself. Today, Vittmarks develops fighters and transporters together with XX, YY and ZZ. The majority has been built within Vittmark, but these days Vittmark is acquiring directly from its military allies as well.

With a lot of Vittmark's welfare depending on foreign, maritime trade, the navy has always played an important role. It took until the Pan-Stoldavic War to fully integrate all the naval units into a single force. But the tradition of being able to operate on a small scale with short chains of command proved pivotal during the war. During the war the navy specialized in asymmetrical warfare, which still is the main basis of the naval philosophy. Many of the vessels are small corvettes and frigates, often with limited aerial or amphibious capacities.

The federal army is however the largest of the military branches.

Palace Security forms a special unit within the military, which also functions as a military police force.

\\ Demographics

Ethnic groups

The vast majority of the inhabitants belong to the Dölmer ethnic group, which is the dominating ethnicity on Stoldavia. Many Vittmarkers will not identify themselves as such, but identify themselves more with the member state they're coming from, like Hagenite, Lidenish or Odalish, or even city state, like tölp (Talpeå), vallbo (Östervallen) or Skaran.

In the state of West Hagen, there is a large Aldsay population. For the untrained eye, it is difficult to impossible to see the distinction between these highly related ethnicities. The differences are more cultural and linguistical.

Religion

The majority follow a Mellanhand style of (interventionist) Orkanan, but within this Mellanhand tradition, the followers are divided into several larger and smaller congregations that exist next to each other. These mainly follow the old borders from before Vittmark were formed, of which Månsta, Iunsala, Hagen, Fjällsta and Kulla are the largest. Fjällsta Stift does not have a territorial history and is a more recent addition to the Mellanhand congregations, dating back to 7567.

In coastal cities and West Hagen, there is a large minority following Sunnist Orkanan. This congregation predates Orkanan and is characterized by pre-imperial rites, but generally speaking has a more egalitarian approach when it comes to gender or the support of royalty and nobility.

Furthermore there are nearly a hundred registered smaller Orkanan congregations, of which Stellism is the only one with a presence outside Vittmark. Most of these smaller congregations have been able to survive modernization in remote mountain valleys in southern Sörmark state.

Language

Vittmark has two official languages: Wortsproke with Aldsay as recognized minority language. The languages are related and with some effort can be interintelligible. Wortsproke is an artificially constructed common language, formulated shortly after Vittmark formed in 7567, replacing the language variations used in Hagen, Ådalen and Liden. These variations still live on as dialects, but are not considered languages.

Aldsay was added as an official minority language when West Hagen entered the federation. In this member state, a majority of the people are using it. Most people are however bilingual, even the Wortsproke population which will have some ability to speak Aldsay. The official status includes that in Hundreds or Sockens with a large enough language minority (5%) the local population will have to be offered official government communication in Aldsay. The version of Aldsay used in West Hagen is however so much different from "standard" Aldsay as used in Aedeland, that it is referred to as Eastern Aldsay there.

Some Stoldic is spoken in the mountain valleys of Sörmark by a remnant population of Mörenburgers that did not move out after the Pan-Anarian War. Sockens with Stoldic speaking stims use it as a second language, but at a state level it has no official status yet. Discussions are ongoing about the issue.

Two language variations that are not interintelligible with Wortsproke or Aldsay have been recognized, but they only have a local status. This applies to Jennem which is spoken in the small Hundred of Genomhagen on the border of West and Mellrsta Hagen. The other language is Herska, spoken in a remote valley of Sörmark, which even has its own writing system. Until the reforms of 7XXX the Kakuri language had a similar local status, but with the overseas island where it is spoken no longer being a part of Vittmark, that status was ended.

Education

After the war, a public school system was implemented in all states, which ended the traditional home schooling and higher education given by Orkanan clergy. Education is compulsory from age 6 to 15, where the school system is divided into a basic, middle and junior high school. Most often, pupils already enter the pre-school education at an earlier stage, although this is more or less a form of educational daycare enabling the parents to be economically active. Most of these pre-schools are organized on the stim or socken level, often quite informal.

The compulsory education is aiming at teaching a standard curriculum through different methods. Class lectures only form a small part of the education, most often it is problem solving in groups or physical activities in their own surroundings that stimulates pupils to absorb and use information. Over 97% of the children aged 15 can read and write proficiently, even though a part of the population shows signs of dyslexia.

Parallel to formal, public education, stims train their members still as a form of early vocational training. At age 15, education is taken over by vocational simen, while a part of the pupils continue in higher education. This education is only available on invitation, but while it traditionally was confined to the own stim, it is much more open these days. The craftsmen select promising pupils for training in the necessary skills for the trade of the stim. While this was originally a system upheld by craftsmen, it is currently in place for most professions.

Science

Science in Vittmark still falls under the Mellanhand scientific school, where expanding knowledge is seen as an almost holy task. There is a huge emphasis on hands-on science and experiments, based on creative concepts and theories. Understanding the complex and seemingly chaotic nature of things is a preferred way to contribute to Vind's Master Plan. Scientific research usually is interdisciplinary teamwork.

The University of Östervallen (Lärosäte i Östervallen) is one of the oldest institutes for science and higher education in Stoldavia. It was the foremost scientific institute during the Greater Stoldavic Empire and has since been a major seat of learning for science based on Mellanhand Orkanan philosophy of science.

Another influential university is the renowned Siutton University of Talpå. It has earned its name thanks to the 17 faculties that jointly form the university, each faculty being managed by a different stim and named after its Exemplar. The university was founded as such in 7483, but individual academies date back to the 70th and 71st centuries. Siutton is a model organization for similar academies in other Vittmarker cities, opposing the 'single school' model applied by the Östvallen University.

A rather young university is Äs Polytechnics, where Vittmark has gathered most modern scientific education and research.

Culture

Values, identity and symbols

Most of the values and morals in Vittmark are related to Orkanan as a religion. Even though most Vittmarkers have a secular lifestyle, Orkanan principles still are the cornerstone of Vittmarker culture.

Group affiliation in the form of stims, clans, extended families or guilds is still pivotal. Individualism isn't as widespread as in other non-Stoldavian Anarian states.

Creativity and creation are seen as the highest virtues, because it mimics Vind's creation of the universe. In the post-industrial society this is also applied to services. Many innovations stimulating efficiency have their roots in Vitmark, like XX.

Self determination, especially on a group level, has led to a pretty liberal attitude within society. As long as your actions don't interfere with the needs of others, it is generally tolerated. The bottom-up structure of society, with a pretty limited federal government and even state government, can be seen as the result of this attitude.

Most Vittmarkers identify themselves however at the state level, people consider themselves Hagenite, Odalish or Lidenite first, then Vittmarker. This can also be seen in the use of identifying colors, where Hagen uses yellow and purple, Ådalen bright red and blue, while Liden is defined by dark red and dark green. The federal colors orange, black and white are associated with Kulla Crown Domain, the royal family and the federation as a whole.

One symbol the Vittmarkers have in common is the trunkbull. Vittmark is the only nation with trunkbulls in a half natural setting, migrating with the seasons from the mythical highlands of Gäddedevida to the forest hills of Hagen and Ådalen.

Literature and Art

The strongest tradition in literature are the biographies of Orkanan Exemplars. A biography that tells the life experience of an exemplary person, usually formulated by a number of writers and using several sources is pivotal to gain the status of Exemplar. Traveling clergymen have written down accounts for centuries, usually eye-witness accounts, anecdotes or short stories. Combining these accounts could result in a biography, but there are also collections of stories with a certain theme or from a certain region being published.

Vittmark also has a strong oral tradition of storytelling, where legendary persons or mythical creatures play an important role. Storytelling is considered an artform, which includes poetry as a styleform and with storytelling on music as a separate art. Story improvisation on music is considered a higher artform. There is a thin line between storytelling and performing, especially in the case if the storyteller picks up the role as witness or main character in the story. Storytelling by 2 or 3 people occurs as well, which can be labeled as performing arts and plays.

Although Vittmark has a rich imperial tradition in painting and sculptures, many of these skills have been lost during the recent decades of unrest and the preceding centuries of scattered development. Therefore relatively new artforms like photography, lithography, videography are the most important cultural expressions today, together with music.

Architecture

Houses in the rural countryside used to be grouped in a typical Stoldavic manner, which includes a main house, two wing buildings and an entrance building facing the public road. This creates a private yard, while at the same time the roads are lined with elongated buildings that make transportation of cattle more easy. This gathering of buildings is the usual residence of the extended family or stim. In urbanized areas, this basic building form has been transformed into the closed quarter building block, usually consisting of 4-6 of these stim yards. Buildings facing the streets contain workshops and stores. Living areas tend to be built on second and third floors. This building concept is still being used after almost 2000 years, even though the dimensions and ammenities have been modernized considerably.

Hardly any buildings from the Orkanan Realm have survived, because most of the building was done in timber. Stone structures like stone forts still remain, but few can be found in populated areas. One of the more accessible examples of Realm architecture can be found in the foundations of the Dämmanö fortress in Östervallen. Even though the fortress itself is an example of early Imperial architecture, the foundation is a structure dating back to the latest stage of the Orkanan Realm. The realm capital was hoverver completely destroyed by XX, the unbuilt area Helags direct south of the Old Town contains the covered foundations of the early capital.

Fortified mantalhus from the Migration Age and Union of Skara can still be found all over the country. Typical examples include the almost cubicle houses in the south, like the royal Blåkulla mansion. Buildings from the age of the Union of Skara can be found in the city of Skara and in the Old Town of Östervallen. But even in Skara itself, most of the buildings from that era have been replaced or rebuilt.

Examples of Imperial architecture can be found in Östervallen as well, for example the Royal Palace complex with the adjacent Trossamfundssala and Borgö Castle which houses the city state government. While most of the New Town was built during the Imperial age, much of the original buildings have been demolished during the several wars the city had to endure. The urban structure is however still in place.

Industrialization meant a new type of buildings in the urban fabric, but also the foundation of new towns at railway crossings, sawmills and reservoirs. These planned towns were often hastily erected but with a well thought-through lay-out. The city center of Månsta is however an example of how old fashioned military concepts like walled towns led to very densely built up areas with poor living conditions that were built in this era.

After the formation of Vittmark, an ambitious rebuilding plan was carried out to modernize the cities. Especially the railway stations and airfields were built during this era. In Östervallen, a building project called The 11 Sisters was built to connect the areas on both sides of the Klippan cliffs into one urban fabric. Many railway and road bridges had to be built in order to accommodate growing traffic. Large structures like Östvallen station (where the different railway lines were connected) and Gårdarna Museum are prime examples of the architecture of this age.

Building materials used in cities can differ considerably by region. Östra Haga and coastal cities on the mouths of slow flowing rivers are dominated by brick buildings. Inland towns and cities are still dominated by wooden structures, which is the traditional building material. In forested areas timber stocks used to be applied as building material, but in the more urbanized regions the main building technique is that of a timber framework with plank walls. The latter has become the prevailing building method, since it uses the building material more effectively. Even today, most residential buildings are built out of timber. In most of Vittmark standing panels are used for outside walls, but in Ådalen there is a preference for horizontal panels.

In the post-war period, concrete became a preferred building material as well. Due to war damage, an ambitious program was carried out to build one million new dwellings. Semi high rise estates became a new type of cityscape, but the building height often wasn't more than 3-6 floors. Building higher required more space, if a healthy standard of living was to be achieved. As a response to this residential building program, architecture developed more into an artistic expression, where standardized materials and units were used to create buildings that fitted both purpose and local character.

Music

Most traditional music in Vittmark has its roots in Orkanan beliefs. There are however large differences between the several regions. The ingenuity of people has led to the development of variations of instruments, adapted especially for the type of music played in a region.

The south of the country has a tradition of folk music with many different instruments and relatively small performing groups. The music tells about Orkanan legends and myths, as well as local folklore, with or without text sung by vocalists. Many vocals are in double or triple harmonies. Typical instruments are the 8-string violin, mandolin, key harp (nyckelharpa) and 6-string fretted viol, as well as hand drums.

A region like Mellersta Haga has a large vocal tradition, both in the form of traveling singers, as well as large choirs. It is of no surprise that the other end of the country, Östra Haga, knows a similar tradition.

Ådalen has a very distinctive traditional musical culture, which is based on mass participation and mass experience. Music from Ådalen is loud, distorted, pompous and rhythmically advanced. Characteristics include the frequent use of the minor key, dissonant harmonies, syncopations and progressions known as riffs. Music is played quite fast (up to 160 bpm) and is making use of multiple violins, cellos, guitars, clarinets, oboes and reeded copperhorns.

The musical tradition of Liden has similar roots, but a completely different execution. Shuffle notes, grooves (4/4 played as 12/8) and double bass drums accompany riffs here. The more industrial background of Liden has resulted in different instrumentation, like guitars, violins and cellos. Bass versions of violins, balalaikas, guitars and mandolins are used as well.

During the last century, modern music has arisen from these traditions, but then without the regional variation. Electrical amplification made it possible to perform for larger crowds, which both in worldly and religious context was a welcome feature. But amplification also led to a more uniform approach in choice of instruments, where cello's, guitars and keys have become predominant. The ingenuity of Vittmarker musicians has also led to modern innovations, like the use of synthesized keyboard sounds and the use of sound samples.

The so-called classical music if the Imperial Age is still present, but more as a niche manifestation. This type of music is studied and played more often outside Vittmark than within.

Competitive activities

Several forms of competitive physical activity exist within Vittmark, most of them with a long history. These are not only applied to develop physical abilities (training) but also play a role in Stoldavian and Orkanan culture. The large emphasis on group rituals has created a social context in which sports are a reoccurring routine. The most popular ones are usually team activities, which also provide entertainment to participants and spectators.

Stickball is the most typical Vittmarker sport, which has spread globally.

Classic athletic track & fields are also practiced in Vittmark, but even here the group results are more important than individual ones. For instance in decathlon meetings, where teams of athletes compete against each other in different events, resulting in a team total.

Vittmark however refuses to participate in international sporting competitions where the Wolgos are allowed to compete as well. Through controversial actions, Vittmark has made clear statements that they are only interested in more level playing field events without the Wolgos present. The fact that Vittmark does not recognize a Wolgos nation state complicates the matter further.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Vittmark is as varied as the country itself, thanks to its historical and natural differences.

Mellersta Haga is known for its wide variety of sausages, thanks to the combination of grassy plains and the mining industry. Traditionally, leather has been used to haul ore through shafts from the several mines in the south. This led to a yearly trek of bovines towards the mining cities, where meat was a by-product of the much higher valued leather. In order to be able to store and transport meat products, a huge sausage industry has arisen in many of the mining towns. Even with many of the mines now depleted or closed due to no longer being profitable, sausage making has remained as a typical Hagenite trade.

Ådalen's coast is famous for its many dishes including fish and seashells. Where in most other fishing ports the impact of fishery is local, in Ådalen it has reached a national status at state level.

During the last decades, a more standardized Vittmarker cuisine has developed, partially because of post-industrial urbanization, partially because of people having less time to create elaborate dishes. Vittmark is known for its so-called one-pan dishes, for example mashed potatoes, vegetables (leak, kale, carrots, etc), cheese and nuts or beans with ground meat and vegetables. Sausages on bread with extras are considered whole meals as well. Most of these dishes follow seasonal produce.

Beer is considered the main beverage in Vittmark, even here with large local varieties. There is a difference between beer with low alcohol content (1-3%) which is produced on an industrial scale, and beer with high alcohol content (6-12%), which still is the domain of ritual Orkanan breweries. Low alcohol beer is the staple drink of the nation, while high alcohol beer is only used in combination with meditation, Orkanan gatherings, festivities and holidays. Ales, stouts, wheat beers and lagers are all produced and consumed in Vittmark.

Economy

Agriculture, forestry, fishery

Within Vittmark, Liden is considered the main agricultural area. 75% of the fruit and vegetable produce, 65% of the cereals and 40% of the sugar are being produced here. Mellersta Haga is the heartland for animal husbandry, with just under half the meat dairy production taking place here. West Hagen is an agricultural mainland as well, but with a mix of functions like cereals, vegetable produce and dairy.

With a long coastline on the Stoldavic Sea, it is of no surprise that fishery is an important source of food and income. Hagen is by far the largest fishing nation within Vittmark, but the coastal towns of Ådalen also contribute to a large extent to fishing. Most of the fishing happens in coastal waters, the long periods of unrest are the main reason why the fishing fleet does not have any larger vessels.

Forestry is widespread within Vittmark, with Östra Haga, Mellersta Haga, Liden, Ådalen and Sörmark as almost equal contributors to the national production. The region has a long tradition of avoiding clearcuts, as well as active reforestation in natural surroundings. Pine and birch are the main species, but commercial exploitation of oak, spruce, aspen, alder and beech are also present. Due to the large production of lumber and related industries like sawmills, paper mills, furniture production and building, there is a large surplus of wood as energy source.

Mining and energy

While coal mining has played an important role in developing Sörmark as an equal nation state within Vittmark, nowadays most coal mines are no longer viable and are being closed one after another. However the mining of other metal ores continues on a large scale in this state. This can't be said of the iron mines of Mellersta Hagen, which were closed after being mostly depleted after the war or economically no longer profitable due to the remaining ore being more difficult to extract.

As mentioned above, residue from the wood industry is an important part of the energy mix. Other biologically based energy sources include willow, reeds and even more modern crops like corn being used for the production of ethanol. Rest products from agriculture are an important source of energy, both directly (like flax furnaces) and indirectly (methane production).

Hydropower and biopower make up the majority of the energy production. Vittmark is one of the few developed countries that does not use nuclear power. It lacks the raw material to keep plants operational and it doesn't want to be reliant on foreign powers for uranium in a continuously shifting geopolitical landscape. It has led to an emphasis on energy efficiency, especially on the consumer market, under the motto "the cheapest energy to produce is the energy we don't use". Heat-cold storage is an excellent example of Vittmarker ingenuity when it comes to supplying energy.

Transportation and infrastructure

There are two critical transportation relations on federal and state levels, an east-west relation connecting the coastal cities and the relations between the coast and inland regions. The latter is especially visible in the Blue Mountains Railways, which forms the backbone of internal relations between the northern and southern half of the country. Traditionally, the states of Sörmark and Kulla have belonged to the zone of influence of Mörenburg, but were included into Vittmark in 7564 to secure post Pan Anarian War access to the natural resources of the region by the Central Alliance. Establishing a rail connection was one of the first infrastructure projects carried out in the new federation. Even today this connection between Lovis Bruk and Östervallen is the transportation backbone of the country, both for passengers and cargo. The opening of the Friställen Railway in 7675, creating a direct connection to Äs as well, has made the relation less vulnerable for disruption. Road links are highly unreliable in this relation, but there are about six useful mountain passes for road vehicles.

Even on the east-west relation, electrified railway lines are the main infrastructure between the harbour cities. With transportation companies applying a hub-and-spokes model more often, cargo routes between major ports have become more important. Fisks, for example, uses the eastern city of Hinnårum as one of their few exclusive ports of entry in Stoldavia, which creates cargo flows to the est through Månsta, Skara, Kletudde, Östvallen, Äs, Vinborg and Ormserum. Kletudde has developed into a dedicated port for steel and steel products thanks to its direct cargo line to the south. But the major port of the nation is Talpå, while Östervallen comes a close second.

For passenger travel, transportation within the own urban area is pivotal with most external connections aiming at a three hour radius. It is within this time frame the vast majority of transportation needs occur and the state and federal government have invested in those accordingly. The main east-west connection is a broad gauge high-speed railway with stops about every hour. At the moment, the federal government is investing in extending this network to more inland destinations. Urban rail networks are mainly light rail with stops every 5-10 km with additional tramways and metro's with more frequent stops. Even in the countryside, most travel between settlements is done by light rail connections with stops every 10 km. A good example of this is Herrkullabanan between Kronsta and Herkulla in the state of Kulla.

While the rail infrastructure is publicly owned, transportation opportunities for cargo and passengers are divided among privately owned companies through a tender system. Vittmark therefore does not have a federal rail company, but through legislation it has the opportunity to start operating one as soon as the private companies no longer are able to provide these interstate connections.

The main airport is simply called Vittmark International and opened halfway between Östervallen and Kletudde in 7684. The working name during planning and construction was ''Östervallen Svartsjö'' but that name was impossible to pronounce for international travellers and their agents, so it got a more generic name. It has regular shuttle train connections to other cities than Östervallen as well. The old Rusting airport within the city is still used for domestic travel and military preparedness. Even Talpå and Hinnårum-Hagneå have international airports.

Road networks are built and maintained at the state level, with the federal government only providing funding for road bridges between states on important regional relations. Most state roads have a gravel surface with one lane in each direction and a speed limit varying from 70 to 100 kph. Through roads passing towns have become problematic because of dust, traffic hazards and noise pollution, but the alternative in the form of bypasses has proved devastating for local economies. So most states now are working at creating suitable through roads that don't bypass the towns and don't create impassable barriers either.

A typical transportation niche still commonplace in Vittmark is that of the aerial cableway. It is an excellent complementary way for passengers to cross older cities with dense building or demanding geography. In mountainous areas they are used both for cargo and passengers. The best example is that of the Högdala - Karlsgruva cableway, connecting the Blue Mountain Railways with the upper valleys of eastern Sörmark by a 114 km long cableway that combines open bucket ore transports, cargo cubes and passenger units. By slowing down the operational speed at night, it becomes a perfect overnight connection between the town of Karlsgruva and the backbone railway.