Guide to Otan
| Genre | Medieval Fantasy (with quirks) |
|---|---|
| Inhabitants | Humans, Ælfes, Dweorgs, Grendel, Ungir, etc. |
| Universe | Lands of Otan Fantasy Novel Series, Dungeons & Dragons 5e Campaign |
| Military | Otan militaries |
|---|---|
| Language | Otani languages |
| Botany | Otani botany |
To its residents, Otan is a world bounded only by the sky. To them, Otan is the entire world. To an observer of the globe, however, Otan is a northern continent, a land mass of some three million square kilometers. This is a mixture of a variety of climates and landscapes ranging from ice covered mountains to desert, grassy plains to jungle, deciduous forest to barren tundra.
The geography of the globe, which residents also refer to as Otan is made up of a set of continents separated by ocean. The continent of Otan is predominantly confined to a single land mass with the exception of a few small islands, most of which make up the western nation of Araldar. As of the year 261 IM, no Otani soul has been witness to lands outside of their home continent.
Humans of Otan
Humans exist in every known corner of Otan. Save for places with conditions too extreme to sustain human life, humans can be found everywhere else. Humans are extremely likely to speak the common Otani language, which is spoken nearly to the exclusion of other languages in the six nation states populated predominantly by humans.
Republic of Batis
Batis, the westernmost nation of Otan is also its only true democracy. First Citizen Joseph Sawdageri is the current elected head of state. Batis and the Batistiktar people have lived in an economy of abundance, thanks to the excellent soil and ideal conditions for the production of food.
Matriarchy of Karazalik
Karazalik is the southern neighbor to Ontustik. It has a holistic culture in which its politics and religion interwoven into every aspect of life. Lines are blurred between religious and political leaders. The blend has resulted in a largely matriarchal society, with surprisingly little political in-fighting. The capitol city of is Karazalik's port capitol of Ademi.
Caliphate of Ontustik
Ontustik is the southern nation of Otan and controlled by a matriarchal religious aristocracy. The acolytes of Aspan, the sky god, form the country's government, appointing a hierarchy to run each of the country's settlements. Ultimate power resides in The Ninth Lotus, High Priestess of Aspan, who rules the country from her temple in the capitol of Anar.
Tsardom of Ortalyk
Ortalyk, the centre-most state is a tsarist autocracy. The current leader is Tsar Batil Zhurek, the nation's largely benevolent monarch. The people of Ortalyk, though mostly of Ortalykshilar descent, are an amalgamation of all the (human) people of Otan. Further, Ortalyk boasts the largest populations of half-orcs, half-elves and half-any species with which humans can interbreed. It has become de facto melting pot of Otan.
Sigis Empire
Sigis, the easternmost state of Otan is also a feudal monarchy led by Emperor Judiric of Temir, the current regent of the Iron Dynasty. The people of Sigis, the Sigis Turgindari have a reputation for trading and valuable and rare commodities from gems to fine crafts.
Kingdom of Soltustik
Soltustik, the northernmost state is a feudal democracy. Led by Queen Kara Muz, he rules with a cold and iron hand from his self titled capitol of Muz. The people of Soltustik seem to thrive in cold weather. This nation state is also home to many non-humans who also tend to prefer snow and ice to warmer terrain.
Human factions
There are various organizations of predominantly human makeup that run independent of national borders.
- Council of Nine - a group of three human and six as yet unknown spellcasters who formed a concord to bring peace to Otan.
- Temple of Woden - a religious sect dedicated to spreading the word of the Book of Woden.
Non-Humans of Otan
Ælfes
It is said that Ælfes were put on Otan by Woden himself when the world began. Since then the Elves have divided themselves into three distinct factions, the Wodælfes, Dunælfes and Friggælfes. Their differences surround that which is aesthetic.
The Kingdom of Ælfwode
Ælfwode Home of the Wood Wodælfes.
The Council of Ælfgarad
Ælfgarad Home of the Friggælfes and most of the Dunælfes.
Aydahar
The Aydahar are a race of draconic infused humans originally of human origin, but who's ancestors and sometimes parents are of a draconic lineage. When it was learned that dragons and humans could produce offspring, the races of the Aydahar and the similarly draconic blooded Ungir soon came into being. The Aydahar eventually banished their Ungir cousins from their lands, choosing to cohabit and comingle more readily with full-blooded dragons... at least those dragons who are gregarious enough to put up with other creatures.
Because of the numerous varieties of dragon, there are also numerous varieties of Aydahar. At least a dozen known variants of the Aydahar race exist on Otan, most of which are identified by the nature of their draconic ancestors.
The Aydahar Confederation
The Aydahar Confederation is a country populated by the draconic-blooded Aydahar and every manner of dragon on Otan. The country is made up of ten regions, five of which roughly represent a chromatic dragon (red, blue, etc.) and five which represent metallic dragons (gold, silver, etc.). About 80% of the Aydahar people bear the strong features and colors of their dragon progenitors. The rest of the country is made up of mixed colors, and features of varied and interesting combinations.
Dweorges
The Dweorges are a race with a predilection toward mining. A short conversation with a Dweorg will reveal their life's philosophy, which can be reduced to a simple motto; "Treasures await beneath." Genetic and cultural compulsions aside, this motto alone tempts the Dweorges to dig.
The League of Dweorgen Miners
The League of Dweorgen Miners is country with more residents underground as above ground. Well rewarded are those tasked to stay above ground to grow crops and raise livestock to supply the ones below.
Garis
Garis legend speaks of a time when the Garis did not inhabit Otan, but travelled through the heavens. Always looking to the stars, they have survived and even thrived on Otan, but never feel at home. It seems that endless internal conflict and factional disputes will keep them grounded indefinitely.
Garis Variants
There are three distinct variant races of Garis which is most readily noted by the shape of their muzzles. The peace loving Beybitsilik variants have the shortest snouts of the race with a pronounced lower jaw resembling that of a hyena. The war mongering Ustemdik have more lupine features with a shorter snout and a menacing visage. The orderly Akimsilik have more vulpine features, with a medium sized snout and less pronounced jaw.
The Garis Triumvirate
The Garis Triumvirate is the only country under Garis control and exclusively governed by the Garis. They possess one of the most unusual governmental systems in all of Otan. Their tribal nation, naturally divided them into three factions, features one seeking external conquest, one seeking internal and external peace, while the last seeks only to administer, regardless of which of the other two factions has the most sway. This latter faction, sometimes referred to as the Garis Administrati are made up nearly entirely of Akimsilik.
Grendel
The Grendel have little patience for human politics and have set out on several occasions to destroy all that is human. Encouraged by the half-human, Half-Grendel warlock Zoranthar Zhanat, the Grendel made war on Ortalyk and Soltustik with varying degrees of success. Only the Accord of Kala Astanals stayed their hands from seeking more human blood.
Hordes of Maercland
Maercland sits on the northern coast, with the Ungirsi Federation on their southern border and the nation of Soltustik to the west.
Hellspawn
They Shuwalu were simply a variety of humans who had taken to sprout antlers. Speculation and rumours soon followed and they were labelled with the epithet Hellspawn. Having fewer numbers than their otherwise unaltered human tormentors, they embraced the Hellspawn epithet as their racial designation. The thrust behind this decision is that the Hellspawn name tends to inspire fear before it inspires derision, giving their people a survival advantage.
The Brotherhood of Shuwalu
The Brotherhood of Shuwalu is surrounded by sea and borders the human nation of Soltustik to the southwest. Shuwalu and Soltustik have not had border clashes since the Concord of Kala Astanals and the two countries largely keep to themselves.
Kuulik
The Kuulik love a bargain and their location is a great place for bargaining. Situated between human and grendel territory, they have a knack for serving both sides during times of war and peace alike.
The Kuulik Trade Company
The Kuulik Trade Company is a peninsula and set of islands situated between the human nation of Ortalyk to the south and the grendel occupied nation of Maercland to the north.
Sweardælfes
What can one say about Sweardælfes that isn't already said?
The Protectorate of Kiskentay
The Protectorate of Kiskentay is a coalition of humanoids both smaller in stature and in number than their taller human cousins.
Ungir
The Ungir are a humanoid race or human variant with a number of variations that alter its appearance from humans. These include a diminutive size, leathery skin, a long and pointed proboscis and jawline, taloned feet and a prehensile tail. Like the Aydahar they possess draconic blood and share a language and heritage with dragons.
The Ungirsi Federation
Populated by more than 1.6 million of the diminutive Ungir race, the Ungir currently control a single nation on the Otan continent; dubbed the Ungirsi Federation.
Multiracial Diaspora
Multi-racial variants in Otan are increasingly numerous. Individuals who's genetics are made up of two or more races can find themselves in awkward circumstances, feeling as though they neither belong to the culture and heritage of one race or the other. There are two safe places in Otan where those feel (or literally are) outcast. These are the country of Araldar and the unclaimed territory known as the Free States.
Multi-Racial Variants
 An Half-Ælf |
 An Half-Aydahar |
 An Half-Dweorg |
 An Half-Garis |
 An Half-Grendel |
 An Half-Kuulik |
 An Half-Misik |
 An Half-Ungir |
Protectorate of Araldar
Araldar is an island nation, consisting of an archipelago off the coast of Otan. The country's political power is maintained via its massive navy, which in turn relies on constant recruiting. Anyone able to push a mop will find themselves work in the Araldar navy. This makes it an ideal, if not perfect, escape for multi-race persons who immediately feel acceptance within their ranks... or at the very least, a lack of hostility.
The government is controlled by a naval stratocracy, with the head of state being of the rank of admiral. Jonas Draktar is the current state leader holding the title of Lord Admiral. When he's not on the high seas, runs the state from the port city capitol of Jagalik.
The Free States
The Free States are a collection of independent city states and are often home to half-humans who do not feel a sense of belonging with either their human or non-human kind. Apart from half-humans, one can expect to find political and religious dissenters of every stripe in the Free States.
Jalinjeri Protectorate
Founded by the arch-mage Hedgewind Jalinbeti, Jalinjeri, is a new nation in central Otan formed from the former Ortalyk Kiywar Territory and portions of northern Karazalik. The people of Jalinjeri, though largely of Ortalykshilar (human) descent, are an amalgamation of several Otan races.
The Religions of Otan
There are several Otani religions, generally divided along racial lines, however, humans seem to possess a knack for creating new religions and the various human clergies compete for the hearts and souls of humans and non-humans alike.
Aspanism
Aspanism is a form of sky worship. The major deities of the religion, however do not make up the bulk of the clergy. Rather the Aspanists worship the goddess Suu. Aspanism is not a bookish religion and all the tenets and beliefs are passed down via oral tradition.
Baksism
Baksism is an animistic religion in which any creature, or geographic feature such as a river or mountain might be considered to possess a divine soul. The central figure of this religion is the creator, Ana, who gave birth to Otan. She then gave birth to seven children or Baksi, each with a specific role, to watch over the people and other creatures of the land.
Cult of Personality
The Cult of Personality is not a single religion, but a compilation of many religions, some so obscure as to have little more than a single adherent. Most of the cultists, adherents, worshippers, warlocks, druids or others who follow in this faith tend to fixate on a single being, a form of lusus naturae, part human, part otherworldly creature. Individual personas in the cult include such figures as Æski and Bloncamann.
Janwarism
Janwarism is an animistic religion practiced nearly exclusively in the Republic of Batis and neighboring areas who trade with that country. The Janwarist gods all manifest in the form of anthropomorphized animals that are common to the region.
Mujitism
Mujitism is another animistic religion practiced nearly exclusively in Araldar and on the nearby coastal areas of countries who trade with the Araldar.
Wodenism
Wodenism is a pantheistic religion that involves the worship of Woden and a series of other and largely less powerful gods. The philosophy and tenets of Wodenism are thoroughly described in the Book of Woden.
A Brief History of Otan
The Otan Calendar
The Otan calendar is the measure and passage of time in Otan is calculated by days measuring one rotation of the planet (roughly 24 hours). A year is measured as one rotation of the sun, typically 367 days. The days are divided into 12 months of 30 days each followed by a six or seven day Holy Week.
Before Erasure
Before Erasure or BE refers to the historical period before written history or any form of recalled memory. It is not known whether this loss of memory was a series of events or one cataclysmic event, however, it is known throughout Otan as the Great Erasure.
In Memoriam
In Memoriam sometimes abbreviated to IM is the current year in Otan. The year 1 IM indicates the first moment of recorded history on Otan. Sorcerers and philosophers alike have been unable to divine any information about the period before 1 IM. People existed in this year, some of them of advanced age, but no recorded memories or histories exist before this time. Thousands of years of history can certainly be inferred from year 1 IM, but not a single written record or recalled memory of beasts who lived before that time have ever been made known.
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