SKÜDRA

 

Spoken languages:

• Thnétos (Common/Human Language)

• Szaghāl

Demonym: 
Sküd

History:
Throughout all recent history, Sküdra has been under the rule and law of their church, overseen by their Grand Chancellor.  The Grand Chancellor is always chosen from Sküd civilians who live within the country, so that they never forget the masses from whence they came, and is elected into the position by Bishops within the Faith. It has been said that in times of dissension, that the earthly embodiments of their monotheistic Archenism, the Themata, have descended upon the people of Sküdra, leaving divine retribution in their wake. Following this, the next Grand Chancellor is blessed with a country of unusual prosperity and obedience, in each case rebuilding their nation stronger than before...
Prosphoron and Sküdra were once closer allies than they are currently. When the Palaiologos Autokrator and his family took over Prosphoron, ties between the two nations became strained. The past century has seen conflict across their border, going as far west as Cylene. The past few decades have seen this land firmly in the hands of Prosphoron, much to the anger of many Sküds. 

Ethnic Ratios:
84%     Anthrôpoi Bloodlines
7%    Therion Bloodline
6%    Entomon Bloodline
3%    Other Bloodlines

Climate and lifestyle:

Sküdra is a country that cannot be defined by one type of climate. The land experiences different weather depending on the areas someone finds themselves in. The northern region of Sküdra enjoys a moderate climate with hot, humid summers and cool, dry winters. The mountainous and foothill regions have an arid climate, which turns cold and windy in the south. The southernmost parts of Sküdra are regularly buffeted by heavy storms made of rain and snow. 
The Sküd diet relies heavily on the main agricultural products of the region – cereals and livestock. Fruit and vegetables are much less developed in this region's harvest and include locally grown onions, carrot,
horseradish, turnips, pumpkins, beets and, in small quantities, cucumbers and cabbage. Fruits are limited to orchards in the northern regions and  include apple, cherries, raspberries, and currants. The forests of Sküdra are a source for wild blackberries, walnuts, hops, cow parsnip, sorrel, mint, and leeks. Cattle and sheep provide beef and mutton, both equally popular among the different regions and classes. Horse meat is eaten boiled, salted, and cured. Milk is used for curds and soured cream. Poultry such as hens and geese are cultivated on farms, eggs are a popular dish in Sküdra, eaten in various forms. Beekeeping in the forest-steppes belt produces honey in limited amounts for local consumption.

Society:

Sküd names: Adele, Agnija, Aino, Ana, Anja, Anita, Anika, Artur, Carolin, Cerafin, Dana, Erik, Elena, Elge, Evan, Gabriel, Geron, Gisil, Ilona, Iosef, Ilmaren, Irena, Isaac, Jaska, Jyri, Kasmir, Larissa, Leksandra, Naum, Pavel, Platon, Sige, Tatjana, Varvara, Vera

The country has a very structured social system, it is a Theocracy. Only the most devout (Favoured by the Church) are given permission to marry and care for children. A couple wishing to marry or care for children (their own, or those of others) must ask the permission of the Grand Chancellor before doing either of these things. This is because they have proved their union with another will not interfere with their duty and faith toward their Deities. Those given this permission make up the Sküd ‘Nobility.’ In Sküdra, the marriage bond between two beings is for life, and is taken very seriously. Those who are given permission need not marry to care for offspring together, but those who are not given permission are forbidden to do either. Children produced from those who have not received the Grand Chancellor’s blessing are given an upbringing in the country’s care, as this is a violation of the agreement between the Citizen and Sküdra as to what is expected in return for unlimited basic care for  their well being.
Children are given new names in a coming of age ceremony at the age of 16. the people of Sküdra believe the name will protect them from malicious magic during their adult lives. 

Citizens of Sküdra are provided for by their governing body, and those choosing to settle within the country’s borders are given the essentials to live. In return, they are expected to be loyal to their superiors, and provide for their country in some way, whether by providing service, goods, or valuable information that will benefit their superiors. Sküds are taught never to want for more than what they have been given, as it creates disease (known as Nazar), war, and disharmony.
Nazar ( translated into the Thnétos tongue meaning ‘The Evil Eye’) is believed to be an illness of magical origins, similar to a curse. It is caught from someone else's jealous compliment or envy being projected onto a person who is better off. A person who has caught the Nazar usually feels bad physically and psychologically. In this case, a Priest must say a special prayer to release not only the person in pain from the bad effects of the projection, but also the person who projected it. Representations of The Eye are hung, worn, and carried as Talismans prolifically in Sküdra as a form of protection against it’s influence.
 
Culture:
The earliest attested cultures of Sküdra date back to ancient times. With its geopolitical position, Sküdra has influenced the culture of not only Prosphoron, but also Aeonia and Tyritáke in varying degrees. The health of Body and Soul falls to its clergy. They preach, conduct the rituals and look after the spiritual welfare of the Sküd people as their primary objective. The corporeal and incorporeal body are equally important, and need to be protected.

Clothing:
The clothing of Sküdra, like it’s climate, can vary by region. While the textile and patterns may vary however from hemp to silk, leather to fur, the overall look of a Sküd remains relatively similar. Those of a feminine persuasion wear long-sleeved dresses which fall to the ankles and include a fairly high modest collar. While the men sport deep V-necked wool or hemp tunics, with light undershirts, and slack trousers tied at the waist with belts. Similar to Prosphoron, embroidered cloth is most commonly seen worn by the wealthy and powerful, along with delicate fabrics, some even incorporating metallic thread.  In public, the head is adorned with a wide variety of potential headdresses, including veils, fur caps, and even simple cloth tied in the style of a turban, with circular sewn wrappings.
Footwear includes sandals, mid-calf high boots and slippers. To the people of this country, shoes seem to be very important in the indication of rank, as the nobility of this land have been seen not only with shoes of a high-quality make and bright colour, but sporting gilding, intricate patterns, or even studded with gems.

Religion: 

Main religion of Sküdra: Archenism (Anthrôpic Monotheism)

In Archenism, the main aspiration is that Anthropos and Ecclesia created the race of Mankind, and the Kthonos for them and their descendants to dwell upon. The four Themata, act walking Virtues reflecting the edicts that humanity is expected to live by. The Sküd lifestyle has evolved to incorporate these edicts into their day-to-day lives.

Anthrôpos, Father of Humanity 
Ekklêsia, Mother of Faith
Dunamis, Theme of Strength 
Teleia, Theme of Completion 
Katharos, Theme of Purity 
Tapeinos,  Theme of Humility

Places of Note:
Cyzicus (Capital)
Cyzicus is an important religious, economic and political centre in Sküdra, making it the country’s Capital.  The Temple of Anthropos and Ekklesia here is adorned with a golden chain hanging from the gables of the building. Due to the landscape where the temple was built; it is surrounded by hills and echoes sound into the surrounding area like an Amphitheatre. 

Bozidar (Small Town)
A small Village near the Prospheron/Sküdra border, the borders between this town and Cylene have changed hands several times. The last time was during the succession war which placed the Palaiologos into power, and Sküdra’s decision not to answer the call for aid forced them to lose not only one of the Heirs to a noble house, but the sister town of Cylene. This disrupted the route for Sküd pilgrims, some of whom were severely put out by needing to follow foreign protocols in a place that was once a holy site of their country. 
Milvojen (Fortress)
Defending the Sküdran border, Milvojen is the home of the Sküd warlord Rouan Karl. Somewhat ostracised, Karls’ devotion to the Old Ways has lost him many followers. Enough remained however for him to lead a formidable host for Sküd benefit when required, and for this, they tolerate his presence. Many see him as a prodigal, and patiently await his return to the fold. 

Dómsalir (Large City)
While not exactly a focal point on it’s own, Dómsalir is the end-point of the annual Sküd Pilgrimage, which skirts the border territories. It is said to represent hardship on the path Mankind must follow as he carves his own way through life. The route traverses the most extreme regions the Sküdra has to offer, from the hot arid North, to the frigid icy South. Dómsalir is the city that boasts much of Sküdra’s best houses of healing, theatre and libraries. Scholars that choose to make the Pilgrimage seem to always learn something new.

Golmårdan (Forest Ruin)
The site of much speculation, this forested region is said to have been the former territory of a tyrannical Bishop, with stories written on how the cruel ruler met his end, pecked to death under the beaks of vengeful crows. The tales claim the crows were sent by the Divine as a punishment for the barbarous treatment of those Anthrôpoi who lived under his care. The Forest contains the ruins of an abandoned tower where the Bishop met his end. The people of Sküdra consider the area the area heavy with the influence of Nazar, and abstain from entering the place.

 

 

 

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Please note:

Because Sküdra is a foreign nation to Prosphoron, which is our main country setting, the above has been written according to the knowledge and viewpoint of a Prosphorian person. Sküd natives will have information which is not available in this guide.