The Heuländer Empire is the northernmost realm on the continent of Auskvande. The Empire gives way to tundra and The Shrouded Sea to the north, and other realms to the east and south. The land to the west of the mountains remains unmapped.

Political Structure

The Emperor is elected by the Council of Zeiverns. The Emperor can declare someone his/her heir, but the Zeivern can technically elect anyone regardless of the declaration. But the declaration is usually obeyed, and power traditionally shifts between the nobility's more powerful families. The Emperor has always been someone with at least the rank of Dräker(in).

The Zeiverns are in turn elected from the existing Dräker(in), and serve until death at which time a replacement is elected. They are also called upon more frequently than Dräker(in) for political engagements, and are the first to be considered for appointment to Emperor.

A Dräker(in) title is passed to the eldest child, or the next closest blood relative.

The Emperor holds relatively little power. Auvdeilun are governed almost entirely by their respective Dräker(in) or Zeivern. But the Emperor has the responsibility to write common law, participate in numerous religious ceremonies, and direct the Empire's combined military forces (which are fairly limited).

Auvdeiluns and Cities

Each Dräker(in) and Zeivern holds dominion over one of the Empire's thirty-one auvdeiluns. Power and area varies widely, with some auvdeiluns comprising a single city, and others dozens of miles, some packed full of civilians, and others populated only by sparse villages.

The most populous cities are in Dugavenz, a coastal mountain range protected from the worst weather. The cities also act as a valuable trading post between other nations.

Settlements and castles are often carved out of the mountains, where people can retreat during summer and winter. The best example of this is the capital, Norvauger, which includes a castle built out of one of the mountains, and people living in the mountains themselves. Settlements in the flatlands are usually built on any available hills, and all have some kind of ditch system in order to mitigate flooding damage from storms. In addition, most crops are root vegetables, as the storm winds tear flowering crops to shreds.

Churches and castles are valuable features in a village. Churches serve as sanctuaries for those without suitable shelter in harsh weather, and besides farming or crafting, are the center of every civilian's life. Castles/manors, besides being the home of the respective Dräker(in) or Zeivern, are equipped with strong stables to house goats, sheep, chicken, and horses in harsh weather. Citizens have a strong dependency on their lords and castles.

Structures are made primarily of stone and brick. Castles and churches especially are characterized by thick walls, round arches, massive columns, narrow doors and windows, and other stuff.

Society

Each settlement is ruled by a lord from their manor (though in the capital of the auvdeilun, the lord would be the respective Dräker(in) or Zeivern). Each lord has a small company of knights in their employ to protect their auvdeilun from raiding parties, intervene in serious crimes, and/or to serve in the Emperor's military if necessary (needs updating). Families of knights pay lower taxes and may live in the castle in winter.

Men and women hold equal social status. Everyone does an equal amount of work in every respect--working in the fields, cooking, making trips between villages, etc. Men or women can serve as knights if they prove their skill to their lord.

Tradesmen circuit the Empire in autumn and spring. There is also a small class of craftsmen, though only 30% of the population can usually afford to regularly buy from them.

Religion

Veuzhelle is a warrior-matron goddess of fire and light, and Zhaboden is a god of snow and darkness who attacks humanity from above the sky. The months/seasons of the Heuländian Calendar are based on the eternal conflict between them, beginning with Zhaboden's Slumber, progressing through Veuzhelle's Fall, Zhaboden's Reign, Veuzhelle's Ascent, Zhaboden's Descent, and Veuzhelle's Victory. Years are referred to as "kreiz", singular and plural.

When not in battle, Veuzhelle resides in any form of fire, light, or warmth, and Zhaboden retreats to the darkness past the sky.

The Veuzhellian Church holds much influence in the Empire, socially and politically (to be updated).