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'''Fjorden''' is a theocratic nation state on [[Sel]]. |
'''Fjorden''' is a theocratic nation state on [[Sel]]. The people of Fjorden are called the Fjordell.{{book ref|elantris|2}} |
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Strict and militaristic, Fjorden is the dominant country of the continent. |
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.{{book ref|Elantris|Glossary}} |
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== Geography |
== Geography == |
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Fjorden and its client states encompass 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]].{{book ref|Elantris|Glossary}}{{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}} |
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Fjorden exists on [[Sel]]. To the east or Arelon separated by the Atad (Aonic name)/Dathreki(Fjordell name) mountains. {{book ref|Elantris|Glossary}} |
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=== Notable Features === |
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Fjordell’s tend to have dark black hair and are very wide of build. {{book ref|Elantris|Glossary}} |
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Ambition is a cardinal Fjordell attribute. {{book ref|Elantris|21}} |
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== History == |
== History == |
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For centuries, the Fjordell working class lived and died under feudal system, which treated them worse than farm animals. They did not rebel, as they were raised to it, and to them, the feudal system was the only system.{{book ref|Elantris|8}} |
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⚫ | 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. {{book ref|Elantris|Glossary}} |
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Fjorden didn’t know better—to them, the feudal system was the only system.{{book ref|Elantris|8}} |
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⚫ | About three hundred years ago, Wyrn Wulfden the First converted to the Derethi religion, and within a generation all of Fjorden had done likewise. Thus, Fjorden was reborn -- this time, as a theocracy. For the next three hundred years, the Wyrns have been blatantly altering their country’s own histories and literature to make it seem as if the empire has always been a manifestation of divine purpose. Poetry and lives of kings were all rewritten to remove any outdated references - after all, they couldn't have it sounding like their greatest historical king was a pagan.{{book ref|Elantris|43}} |
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⚫ | |||
Over the past three centuries, the Wyrns have used their new theocratic power to expand and spread, conquering numerous surrounding states by the means of religious conversion. By the time of the [[Reod]], the Wyrns were more powerful than even at the height of the Old Empire's power.{{book ref|Elantris|5}} |
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After the Elantrian fall, Fjorden started pushing the boundaries of its influence again, this time instigating the collapse of the Duladen Republic. {{book ref|Elantris|8}} |
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After the fall of |
After the Reod and the subsequent fall of Elantris, Fjorden started pushing the boundaries of its influence again, this time instigating the collapse of the [[Duladel]] Republic. {{book ref|Elantris|8}} This was successful, albeit bloody, and after Duladel's fall, Fjorden once more set its sights on [[Arelon]], as well as their ally, [[Teod]].{{book ref|elantris|3}} |
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They began by sending [[Hrathen]] to attempt to convert Arelon to [[Shu-Dereth]], and thus make it submit to Fjorden. Should this prove impossible within three months, Fjorden would send armies to destroy every living being in Arelon's cities.{{book ref|Elantris|3}} They also lent financial support to [[Telrii]], an Arelish follower of Shu-Derethi who wanted to take the Arelish throne, and sank king [[Iadon]]'s merchant fleets.{{book ref|elantris|15}} |
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In Teod, in turn, they forced king [[Eventeo]] to convert under threat of invasion, and removed the Teod ambassadors in Arelon.{{book ref|elantris|18}} Finally, they threatened to kill Eventeo's daughter, [[Sarene]]. |
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The Wyrns are more powerful now than they were centuries ago, even at the height of the Old Empire’s power. {{book ref|Elantris|5}} |
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Just before the restoration of [[Elantris]], they started on a quest to convert/conquer [[Arelon]] and [[Teod]]. First by sending Hrathen to Arelon with a small deadline to convert and submit them {{book ref|Elantris|3}}; then by sinking Iadon’s merchant fleets and supporting financially [[Trelii]] who would already be converted when he becomes the new King {{book ref|Elantris|15}}. And in Teod, by pushing King Eventeo to convert under the threat of invasion, removing their ambassadors {{book ref|Elantris|18}} and finally with the threat of killing Sarene. |
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Their plans fell through when [[Elantris]] was restored, and the Elantrians recovered their power. During the restoration, the Fjordell were cast out of Areleon, {{book ref|Elantris|62}} and latter out of Teod as well.{{book ref|Elantris|63}} |
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=== Government === |
=== Government === |
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The modern Fjordell empire is governed by a militaritic theocracy. Both the church and the empire are ruled by the [[Wyrn]], although the [[skaze]], [[splinter]]s of [[Dominion]], also have a direct influence on Fjordell politics.{{book ref|elantris|3}}{{wob ref|4641}} |
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⚫ | 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 Windor.{{book ref|Elantris|Glossary}} |
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The second Fjordell empire was governed by a militaristic theocracy, the national religion of [[Shu-Dereth]] commanded its followers to adhere to a rigid chain of command with with the leader of both the church and empire (who was believed to commune directly with their god, Jaddeth) at its head. {{book ref|Elantris|12}} |
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The national religion of [[Shu-Dereth]] commands all followers to adhere to a rigid chain of command, reminescent of ancient Fjordell feudal system. At the top of that chain is the Wyrn, who's believed to commune directly with [[Jaddeth]]. This allows each person in the empire to serve Jaddeth, even though only the Wyrn is holy enough to do so directly.{{book ref|Elantris|12}}{{book ref|Elantris|8}} |
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⚫ | Wyrn is |
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The Derethi founders realized the power of 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. {{book ref|Elantris|Annotations 33}} |
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=== Military === |
=== Military === |
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{{quote |
{{quote |
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| The pagan nations of Arelon and Teod have been blackened scars upon my land for long enough. |
| The pagan nations of Arelon and Teod have been blackened scars upon my land for long enough. |
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| |
| Wulfden the Fourth {{book ref|Elantris|3}} |
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}} |
}} |
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For the Fjordell, religion and war are almost the same thing.{{book ref|Elantris|20}} The military serves the Wyrn and will crush entire civilizations for him.{{book ref|Elantris|3}} Their conquests are quickly soldified by the arrival of Derethi priests, who strive to convert the entire population to Shu-Dereth.{{book ref|Elantris|21}} The Fjordell believe that with all mankind united under Wyrn's rule, Jaddeth could rise from His throne beneath the earth and reign in glorious majesty upon the world.{{book ref|Elantris|3}} |
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For Fjorden, Religion and war are almost the same thing. {{book ref|Elantris|20}} Where Fjorden rules, Shu-Dereth teaches. {{book ref|Elantris|21}} |
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The conventional armies are augmented by the users of Fjordell magic, the [[Dakhor]]. Those monks, trained in the [[Dakhor Monastery]], undergo rigorous physical training, becoming warrior monks.{{book ref|Elantris|31}}{{book ref|Elantris|50}} A few months after a boy is initiated into the Dakhor order, his bones start to grow and twist, adopting strange patterns, reminescent of Fjordell symbols. These symbols grant the Dhakor priests various powers, most of them battle related.{{book ref|Elantris|63}} The prayers and incantations used to create Dakhor monks are secret; even the gyorns, high-ranking priests, don't know them.{{book ref|Elantris|58}} |
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The military serves Wryn and will crush entire civilizations for it. {{book ref|Elantris|3}} |
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The Derethi priests were trained in the infamous monasteries of Fjorden, where they were required to undergo vigorous physical training. They become warrier monks {{book ref|Elantris|31}}{{book ref|Elantris|50}} |
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The prayers and incantations used to create Dakhor monks were secret; even the gyorns didn’t know them. A few months after a boy was initiated into the Dakhor order, his bones started to grow and twist, adopting strange patterns. Somehow, each of those patterns gave its bearer abilities, such as heightened speed and strength. {{book ref|Elantris|58}} |
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⚫ | Fjorden is a rich country. It has strong trade with Teod and Arelon, as well as all of their current territories. They are wealthy enough to use money to control foreign politics, like the support from [[Telrii]] in Arelon.{{book ref|Elantris|15}} They also infamously known for capitalizing on other’s city’s chaos.{{book ref|Elantris|43}} |
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== Culture and Social Structure== |
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Strict and militaristic, the Fjordell live by the Shu-Dereth. The Fjordell will do anything to carry themselves higher. That is a very Fjordell thing to do—ambition was the one emotion Jaddeth would accept as readily as devotion. {{book ref|Elantris|3}} |
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== Culture == |
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The Fjordell God is [[Jaddeth]], and he rules through His servant Wyrn Wulfden the Fourth, Emperor and King. It was a basic tenet of Shu-Dereth that only one man could serve Jaddeth directly; the religion was very regimented, and its structure was reminiscent of the feudal government that had once ruled in Fjorden. One served those above him, who served those above him, and so on until it reached Wyrn, who served Jaddeth. Everyone served Jaddeth’s empire, but only one man was holy enough to serve God Himself. {{book ref|Elantris|8}} |
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{{for|Shu-Dereth}} |
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{{quote |
{{quote |
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| Lord Jaddeth can only return when all men are united beneath Fjordell rule. |
| Lord Jaddeth can only return when all men are united beneath Fjordell rule. |
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| Hrathen to Dilaf |
| Hrathen to Dilaf{{book ref|Elantris|9}} |
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}} |
}} |
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Fjorden's religion is the [[Shu-Dereth]], founded by Dereth. Shu-Dereth interprets Keseg’s teachings to mean that all men must be united beneath the rule of one nation. Dereth taught that once all men bow before a single monarch, proving their unified nature, god would come to live amongst them.{{book ref|elantris|9}} Said god is [[Jaddeth]]; only one man can serve him.{{book ref|elantris|8}} |
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Though |
Though Dereth's ideas were originally rejected in his native [[Jindo]], they were embraced by the Fjordell, and when 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.{{book ref|Elantris|Glossary}} |
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Strict and militaristic, the Fjordell live by the Shu-Dereth. Fjordell will do anything to rise in ranks — ambition was the one emotion Jaddeth would accept as readily as devotion.{{book ref|Elantris|3}}{{book ref|Elantris|21}} As per Shu-Dereth's basic tenets, only one man can serve Jaddeth directly, and so the religion is very regimented. Any believer serves the ones above them, who in turn serve their own master, and so on until it reaches Wyrm, who serves Jaddeth himself.{{book ref|Elantris|8}} |
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They believe that with all mankind united under Wyrn’s rule, Jaddeth could rise from His throne beneath the earth and reign in glorious majesty. {{book ref|Elantris|3}} |
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=== Language === |
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Fjordell was Jaddeth’s own chosen tongue—it was holy, while other languages are considered profane. {{book ref|Elantris|12}} |
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The native Fjordell accent is thick and melodic. {{book ref|Elantris|5}} |
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The language prefers guttural sounds. ‘U’ sounds, ‘F’ sounds, ‘H’ sounds, and ‘G’ sounds. It has a ‘Y’ sound in the form of a ‘J,’ and placed emphasis on the ‘Hr’ combination. From this language, we get names like Dilaf, Jaddeth (pronounced yah-death,) and Sycla. {{https://brandonsanderson.com/books/elantris/elantris/languages-of-elantris/}} |
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⚫ | Although no |
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These symbols grant the Dhakor priests various powers, most of them battle related. |
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=== Economy === |
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⚫ | Fjorden is a rich country. It has strong |
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=== People and language === |
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Fjordell tend to have dark black hair and be very wide of build.{{book ref|Elantris|Glossary}} Their language is called the Fjordell; according to their doctrin, 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}} |
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== |
=== Magic === |
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{{for|Dakhor}} |
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It is known that beings called [[skaze]], similar to the [[seon]]s although more malevolent in nature, have an interest in Fjordell and may directly influence Fjordell politics.{{qa ref|590|45|Why did Wyrn want Elantris?|date=Jan 10th, 2011}} |
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⚫ | Although no-one of Fjordell heritage nor anyone residing in Fjorden may be taken by the [[Shaod]], they do have their own magic system, the [[Dakhor]], known only to the Derethi priests of the Dakhor Monastery. It causes their bones to grow harder and twist into what are thought to be Fjordell symbols.{{book ref|Elantris|63}} These symbols grant the Dhakor priests various powers, most of them battle related. |
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== Notes == |
== Notes == |
Revision as of 00:24, 19 September 2019
Fjorden | |
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Ethnicity | Fjordell |
Capital | Widor |
Region | Sycla (Opelon) |
World | Sel |
Universe | Cosmere |
Fjorden is a theocratic nation state on Sel. The people of Fjorden are called the Fjordell.[1]
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.[2]
Geography
Fjorden and its client states encompass 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.[2][3][4] 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.[3]
Fjorden nation has many fortified cities.[5] The most notable of them is Widor, the empire's capital.[6]
History
For centuries, the Fjordell working class lived and died under feudal system, which treated them worse than farm animals. They did not rebel, as they were raised to it, and to them, the feudal system was the only system.[5]
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. [2]
About three hundred years ago, Wyrn Wulfden the First converted to the Derethi religion, and within a generation all of Fjorden had done likewise. Thus, Fjorden was reborn -- this time, as a theocracy. For the next three hundred years, the Wyrns have been blatantly altering their country’s own histories and literature to make it seem as if the empire has always been a manifestation of divine purpose. Poetry and lives of kings were all rewritten to remove any outdated references - after all, they couldn't have it sounding like their greatest historical king was a pagan.[7]
Over the past three centuries, the Wyrns have used their new theocratic power to expand and spread, conquering numerous surrounding states by the means of religious conversion. By the time of the Reod, the Wyrns were more powerful than even at the height of the Old Empire's power.[8]
After the Reod and the subsequent fall of Elantris, Fjorden started pushing the boundaries of its influence again, this time instigating the collapse of the Duladel Republic. [5] This was successful, albeit bloody, and after Duladel's fall, Fjorden once more set its sights on Arelon, as well as their ally, Teod.[9]
They began by sending Hrathen to attempt to convert Arelon to Shu-Dereth, and thus make it submit to Fjorden. Should this prove impossible within three months, Fjorden would send armies to destroy every living being in Arelon's cities.[9] They also lent financial support to Telrii, an Arelish follower of Shu-Derethi who wanted to take the Arelish throne, and sank king Iadon's merchant fleets.[10]
In Teod, in turn, they forced king Eventeo to convert under threat of invasion, and removed the Teod ambassadors in Arelon.[11] Finally, they threatened to kill Eventeo's daughter, Sarene.
Their plans fell through when Elantris was restored, and the Elantrians recovered their power. During the restoration, the Fjordell were cast out of Areleon, [12] and latter out of Teod as well.[13]
Politics
Government
The modern Fjordell empire is governed by a militaritic theocracy. Both the church and the empire are ruled by the Wyrn, although the skaze, splinters of Dominion, also have a direct influence on Fjordell politics.[9][14]
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.[9] The current Wyrn is Wulfden the Fourth; he lives in the Zigareth, a palace in Windor.[2]
The national religion of Shu-Dereth commands all followers to adhere to a rigid chain of command, reminescent of ancient Fjordell feudal system. At the top of that chain is the Wyrn, who's believed to commune directly with Jaddeth. This allows each person in the empire to serve Jaddeth, even though only the Wyrn is holy enough to do so directly.[15][5]
Military
“ The pagan nations of Arelon and Teod have been blackened scars upon my land for long enough. ”
— Wulfden the Fourth [9]
For the Fjordell, religion and war are almost the same thing.[16] The military serves the Wyrn and will crush entire civilizations for him.[9] Their conquests are quickly soldified by the arrival of Derethi priests, who strive to convert the entire population to Shu-Dereth.[17] The Fjordell believe that with all mankind united under Wyrn's rule, Jaddeth could rise from His throne beneath the earth and reign in glorious majesty upon the world.[9]
The conventional armies are augmented by the users of Fjordell magic, the Dakhor. Those monks, trained in the Dakhor Monastery, undergo rigorous physical training, becoming warrior monks.[18][19] A few months after a boy is initiated into the Dakhor order, his bones start to grow and twist, adopting strange patterns, reminescent of Fjordell symbols. These symbols grant the Dhakor priests various powers, most of them battle related.[13] The prayers and incantations used to create Dakhor monks are secret; even the gyorns, high-ranking priests, don't know them.[20]
They are also wealthy enough to have a huge navy, large enough that they could beat Teod by sheer numbers.[21]
Economy
Fjorden is a rich country. It has strong trade with Teod and Arelon, as well as all of their current territories. They are wealthy enough to use money to control foreign politics, like the support from Telrii in Arelon.[10] They also infamously known for capitalizing on other’s city’s chaos.[7]
Wyrnig is the Fjordell gold coin.[2] It is stamped with the profile of the Wyrn.[10]
Culture
Religion and social structure
“ Lord Jaddeth can only return when all men are united beneath Fjordell rule. ”
— Hrathen to Dilaf[22]
Fjorden's religion is the Shu-Dereth, founded by Dereth. Shu-Dereth interprets Keseg’s teachings to mean that all men must be united beneath the rule of one nation. Dereth taught that once all men bow before a single monarch, proving their unified nature, god would come to live amongst them.[22] Said god is Jaddeth; only one man can serve him.[5]
Though Dereth's ideas were originally rejected in his native Jindo, they were embraced by the Fjordell, and when 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.[2]
Strict and militaristic, the Fjordell live by the Shu-Dereth. Fjordell will do anything to rise in ranks — ambition was the one emotion Jaddeth would accept as readily as devotion.[9][17] As per Shu-Dereth's basic tenets, only one man can serve Jaddeth directly, and so the religion is very regimented. Any believer serves the ones above them, who in turn serve their own master, and so on until it reaches Wyrm, who serves Jaddeth himself.[5]
People and language
Fjordell tend to have dark black hair and be very wide of build.[2] Their language is called the Fjordell; according to their doctrin, it's Jaddeth's own chosen tongue, and thus holy, while other languages are considered profane.[15] The native Fjordell accent is thick and melodic.[8]
Magic
Although no-one of Fjordell heritage nor anyone residing in Fjorden may be taken by the Shaod, they do have their own magic system, the Dakhor, known only to the Derethi priests of the Dakhor Monastery. It causes their bones to grow harder and twist into what are thought to be Fjordell symbols.[13] These symbols grant the Dhakor priests various powers, most of them battle related.
Notes
- ↑ Elantris chapter 2#
- ↑ a b c d e f g Elantris chapter Glossary#
- ↑ a b Map of Opelon
- ↑ Map of Arelon
- ↑ a b c d e f Elantris chapter 8#
- ↑ Elantris chapter glossary#
- ↑ a b Elantris chapter 43#
- ↑ a b Elantris chapter 5#
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Elantris chapter 3#
- ↑ a b c Elantris chapter 15#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 18#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 62#
- ↑ a b c Elantris chapter 63#
- ↑ Tor.com Q&A with Brandon Sanderson
— Arcanum - 2011-01-10# - ↑ a b Elantris chapter 12#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 20#
- ↑ a b Elantris chapter 21#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 31#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 50#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 58#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 47#
- ↑ a b Elantris chapter 9#