Difference between revisions of "Fjorden"

Strict and militaristic, Fjorden is the dominant country of the continent. About three hundred years ago, their leader, the Wyrn, converted to the Derethi religion, and within a generation all of Fjorden had done likewise. Now, instead of sending troops across the continent, Fjorden sends priests, and it's said that much of Fjorden's vast power comes from conversions obtained — or forced — by them.{{bookglossary ref|Elantris|GlossaryF}}

Fjorden and its client states encompass the vast majority of the continent of [[Opelon]]. Fjorden itself is the largest and northernmost of them, lying along the long shore of the [[Sea of Fjorden]], while to the west, it's bordered by [[Atad Mountains]] (or Dathreki, as they are known to the Fjordell) and the country of [[Arelon]].{{bookglossary ref|Elantris|GlossaryD}}{{map ref|Opelon}}{{map ref|Arelon}} From South and East, Fjorden is bordered by its many subjugated nations -- going West-to-East, those are [[Duladel]], [[Jindo]], [[Jaador]], [[Hraggen]], [[Geant]] and [[Svorden]]. [[Hrovell]] is another subjugated state, although it lies south of Hraggen and Geant, and doesn't border Fjorden directly.{{map ref|Opelon}}

Fjorden nation has many fortified cities.{{book ref|Elantris|8}} The most notable of them is [[Widor]], the empire's capital.{{bookglossary ref|elantrisElantris|glossaryW}}

The original state reigning over Fjorden was the Old Empire, also known as the First Empire. Over three hundred years ago, it nearly conquered all of Opelon—only Arelon, with the help of Elantrian magic, stood against it. Eventually, the Old Empire fell because of administrative problems—it conquered more than it could hold. {{bookglossary ref|Elantris|GlossaryF}}

Wyrn is both the title of the Fjordell emperor and a religious title indicating the highest priest in the Derethi religion. His official title is "Regent of all Creation", referring to his state of rulership until [[Jaddeth]], the Derethi god, rises to build his Empire. He's also referred to as the Prophet of Shu-Dereth and Ruler of Jaddeth's Holy Kingdom.{{book ref|elantris|3}} The current Wyrn is Wulfden the Fourth; he lives in the Zigareth, a palace in Widor.{{bookglossary ref|Elantris|GlossaryF}}

Wyrnig is the Fjordell gold coin.{{bookglossary ref|Elantris|GlossaryW}} It is stamped with the profile of the Wyrn.{{book ref|elantris|15}}

| Lord Jaddeth can only return when all men are united beneath Fjordell rule.

| Hrathen to Dilaf{{book ref|Elantris|9}}

Though Dereth's ideas were originally rejected in his native [[JinDo]], they were embraced by the Fjordell. The founders of Shu-Dereth realized the power of the religion. They decided that if they could get the nations of the East to believe in a single religion – with that religion centered in Fjorden – they would have power equal to, or even greater than, the power of the Old Empire. At the same time, they wouldn’t have to worry about rebellion, or even bureaucracy. The people of the other nations would govern themselves, but would give devotion, loyalty, and money to Fjorden.{{bookwob ref|Elantris|Annotations 332072}}

Wyrn Wulfden the First converted, and so, therefore, did most of his people. Since that time, Shu-Dereth has been the official religion of Fjorden, and has spread to all of the eastern nations. Fjorden’s militaristic society stratified and organized Dereth’s teachings into an almost martial level.{{bookglossary ref|Elantris|GlossaryS}}

Fjordell tend to have dark black hair and be very wide of build.{{bookglossary ref|Elantris|GlossaryF}} Their language is called the Fjordell; according to their doctrine, it's Jaddeth's own chosen tongue, and thus holy, while other languages are considered profane.{{book ref|Elantris|12}} The native Fjordell accent is thick and melodic.{{book ref|Elantris|5}}