Republic of Fanhorim-Dûr Compendium

Fanhorim-Dûr's founding traces back 307 turns ago to this date, when the first settlers escaped captivity in Emanisis upon stolen ships. The original settlers fled into what is now the forests of Fanhorim-Dûr. They were able to outwit their pursuers on account of the thick forests which afford very low visibility and many hiding spaces on top of the fact that the guard charged with their capture were slowed in heavy armored and were not well educated in tracking. Several years after their freedom was captured, the Republic of Fanhorim-Dûr was officially founded, with the Council of Six being chosen to govern together with wisdom and in fairness to all.


Emanisis was a horrible despotic monarchy across the western oceans where the Fanhorim originally hail from. While the original Fanhorim had escaped the clutches of Emanisis, they were sympathetic to those who were left behind and occasionally groups of operatives would make the voyage back to rescue others and steal what they could on stolen ships, knowing that Emanisis could not risk retaliation so far from home against the Fanhorim's defenses. On turn 46, one such group of operatives returned with news of Emanisis' destruction and a small handful of survivors. The survivors told of how the conditions in the kingdom had been growing worse until eventually it boiled over into an all-out revolt that lasted months. Corpses lined the streets and much of the kingdom was in ruins, the king himself and his royal family swung in the breeze of the capital square. Most of those who survived the bloodbath took what they could and left to settle new and unspoiled lands.

Rough Timeline of Significant Fanhorim events:
(subject to additions and minor changes)
-5: Escaped Emanisis.
0: Fanhorim founding.
1: First celebration of Veggog.
7: First Vurth.
10: First council formed.
13: Rinalas Architecture created.
15: First Ljoroth and Alvlarth.
46: Emanisis destruction.
80: Refinement of mill power.
154: Arcane Guild created.
158: Okkuminavis Construction start.
172: Okkuminavis finished.
280: Drugoyvia Start.
282: Received missive from Khrom to join first moot.
282: Kurnnoth Plague.
284: First Moot.
289: Aldrmond Discovered.
292: Eintondylmer refined.
291: Snowgolem Incident
298: Merchant Guild created.
303: The Vörlr Revolution
306: Present (3/7)

While individuality is encouraged and intellectual debate is a common practice in Fanhorim-Dûr, there is still a code of ethics that prevails throughout Fanhorim society, many of these ideas having stemmed from our roots in Emanisis.

Egalitarianism is the most prevalent of the Fanhorim philosophies. It is understood that through cooperation and the combination of our strengths, together we can create something ever more grand than anything we could have accomplished alone, and every one of us has a duty to the other to do their part. It is heavily frowned upon for those who have more to not give those who do not have enough to get by. This virtue is taught even at an early age where Children sing ominous rhymes of the consequences of selfishness and play games pretending to be the Greedy King who is ultimately defeated in various ways determined by the creativity of the child imagination. In severe scenarios where a Fanhorim has broken this foundational law of Fanhorim ethics, the individual is punished severely either by binding or banishment.

Being small in numbers, it's important to the Fanhorim that everyone receive a proper education. Even if one does not devote their life to studies and research of this world, a foundation of practical knowledge and deductive reasoning will serve even your average laborer well to achieve the most efficient ends for their means. All in Fanhorim can at the very least read and write basic Dûrrish.

If it's worth doing, then it's worth doing well - An old Fanhorim adage that holds true for many ways of life. Except in cases of necessity, Fanhorim prides quality in their ways of life. If you need to cut down a tree for space to put a building, you will ensure it is as beautiful as the tree was to not diminish the forest and built to stand for generations. Crafts are made quality to serve you better in your works for far longer than shoddy craftsmanship would afford. A shop in Fanhorim-Dûr would not be in business long if they sold low quality goods for cheap.

All in Fanhorim are taught the art of combat and warfare from a young age. The lessons are typically provided by family members, neighbors, your brother-in-law's cousin who works for the fighter's guild, or anyone in particular. As Fanhorim-Dûr does not have a formal military, there is no strict curriculum regarding strategies and weapons which results in a wide variety of preferences, but the Fanhorim know how important it is to be able to defend yourself and your home in times of need. Regarding wars, the people have little interest in the lands outside of their forest and do not look outwards for expansion as other nations might and would prefer to settle any differences over agreements and deals. However, if the horns of war sounded and violence was on our doorstep, every man, woman, and child would fight however they could to ensure that the city would not fall to those who would see us burn.

While holding strong egalitarian views, the Republic of Fanhorim-Dûr is a Merchant Republic rather than a socialist one. While everyone supports each other in times of dire need, your prosperity will be determined by your own labors. Of course as is elsewhere in the world, being rich is something that most strive for, for the decadence and social status that comes with the wealth.
Property and businesses are largely owned by individuals as opposed to the state and if one wanted to make a large purchase they would need to use savings of their own or seek a loan at Arken Glin Exchange.

- Taxes -

Taxes in Fanhorim-Dûr are collected each fall of the turn from landowners. Each land or business owner is obligated to give a portion of their earnings for the council tithe excepting in dire cases such as famine or disease. The other large portion of taxes the council receives is that of donation. It is considered by all to be an exceptionally good deed to donate to the council and fund public works. The more rich of society make contributions as a way of showing how well they are doing and to be more well-regarded by their peers. Larger public works have engravings commemorating an individual for their donation so that they may be acknowledged for as long as the building stands. This is considered one of the most prestigious ways of writing your legacy in Fanhorim history - in a way that serves your fellow Fanhorim for a time that far exceeds your own.

- Glin -

The Fanhorim primary currency is Glin. Glin is crafted in a council-owned foundry and made of copper, iron and gold. They are flat and round with a hole in the middle so that they may be easily carried on a chain. They are typically adorned with reliefs of Dûrrish for the year they were minted and aspects of nature. The standard conversion ratio for glin is 1 gold to 8 iron, and 1 iron to 8 copper. Spoiler: While sensible to have some wealth in reserve, it is considered unwise for one to have a hoard of glin. In excessive amounts, glin would be better spent contributing to taxes or investing at Arken's Glin Exchange.

- Trade -

Given the high-quality and often skilled labor requirements of most Fanhorim crafts, trade with other nations is uncommon, but not unheard of. The overseas patrons of Fanhorim crafts is largely that of the nobility of other states as they are the ones capable of affording the high prices Fanhorim charge for craftsmanship. Such exports include intricate tools and jewelery as well as processed foods like wine, rum, cheese, and jams. Regarding imports, Fanhorim are largely uninterested in trading for low-quality crafts of other states but will purchase raw materials and are especially keen to acquire foreign literature so they may expand their knowledge and the fill the shelves of Okkuminavis as well as private collections.

The Fanhorim use a numbering system in sets of eights. While it is something that the Fanhorim are accustomed to, it tends to create confusion in foreign trade. More veteran merchants are sometimes referred to as "number linguists" for their ability to translate the amounts of each nation for transactions with ease.

In it's prime, Emanisis was a very powerful nation that was intent on expanding its' territory as much as possible. Many peoples were conquered under its' banner before its demise. Given this, there is a degree of variation in the physical traits of the Fanhorim. Their skin color ranges from a pale cream to a soft brown and all shades in-between. Hair generally has a degree of curl to it and can be found in shades of brown, blonde, orange, green, and red. Very rarely you may see someone with hair so blonde it appears almost white, browns so dark they might be black, or greens that almost appear to be blue. Compared to the other nations of Drugoyvia, what sets a Fanhorim apart the most physically is their eyes. Fanhorim have extremely large irises - such that unless they are looking as far as they possibly can to one side or another, you would be unable to see the whites of their eyes. Combined with their lack of perceivable pupils, this makes it extremely difficult to tell where a Fanhorim is looking other than the direction they are facing. While the Fanhorim do have body language to compensate for this, it may be a unsettling to those of other nations with smaller irises. Fanhorim eye colors are most commonly brown, yellow, green or blue but can rarely be found to be grey, orange or purple. A lesser known fact about Fanhorim eyes is that they contain tapetum lucidum, which marginally assists in seeing in lower-light conditions. The difference is not great but it does make their eyes almost appear to glow in low-light conditions. This does cause some issues when attempting stealthy nighttime mischief.

- Tattooing -

The Fanhorim are an artistic people, appreciating color and beauty in all things. It is common practice for the Fanhorim to engrave ink of all colors onto their skin as a way of expression and beautification. Many of the tattoos of Fanhorim are stylistic interpretations of key events or aspects of the beholder's life, most commonly motifs relating to the spirits and natural elements. To account for the common practice of tattooing, many fashions found in Fanhorim are made particuarily to accent ones' tattoos and it is not entirely uncommon to encounter individuals in Fanhorim wearing very little at all in the warmer season.

- Clothing -

Fanhorim clothing is often very colorful and accented. While aesthetics are of interest to the Fanhorim where fashion is concerned, it is rarely taken to such extreme for garments to be a hindrance in ones ability to function properly - such as moving or breathing. Many clothes also feature woolen hoods which assist in keeping dry during the near-constant rains. Accessories to a Fanhorim wardrobe also include nature motifs - nods to plants or animals being the most common. The accessories that feature animal horns and antlers have sparked a misconception among foreigners that some Fanhorim actually have horns. While jewlery is not uncommon, it follows the same practicality as that of garments and is never worn in excess. Since it is considered uncouth for a Fanhorim to flaunt their wealth, jewelery is not worn excessively as a status symbol as it would be in other nations.

The mild climate in Fanhorim nurtures a rich diversity of seasonal crops, contributing to a vibrant culinary landscape. Amidst the abundance, certain ingredients and recipes hold a special place in the palate of a typical Fanhorim resident.

Traditionally, Fanhorim meals prominently feature a variety of grains or potatoes. One popular staple is the airy pita bread, generously filled with an array of ingredients, often sourced from whatever is readily available at the time of preparation.

Sweet indulgence is a beloved aspect of Fanhorim cuisine, with honey and sugar infusing a sweetness into a myriad of dishes. Berries and fruits flourish in personal gardens and public spaces as well as dedicated farmland, ensuring a bountiful harvest. All excess is preserved into candied treats and jams.

- Drink -

In contrast to the expansive array of food options at the disposal of the Fanhorim, the beverage selection leans towards simplicity, offering a choice between water and or fruit juices. The locally crafted alcoholic beverages, comprising rum, mead, and wines are usually blended sweeteners like sugar, juice, or honey.

- Bees -

In the heart of Fanhorim-Dûr culture, bee-keeping assumes a vital role. Bees not only pollinate the region's flora but also yield an array of invaluable products. Foremost among them is honey, a versatile essence that finds its way into beverages, desserts, meats, and glazed vegetables. It plays a pivotal role in mead production and serves as a natural preservative for perishable foods during the winter months.

Beyond honey, beeswax emerges as a versatile resource, finding application in the creation of soaps, candles, polish, and waterproofing solutions.

The bee's bounty extends beyond the culinary realm, as both honey and various byproducts are harnessed for medicinal purposes. The Fanhorim employ them as ingredients to address nearly every sort of ailment and apply them as protective layers over wounds before bandaging.