Snefaldia

Snefaldia is a smallish, snowbound country, almost entirely surrounded by mountains. Most of the country is perpetually covered in snow, with few exceptions. A conglomeration of allied tribes and cities, the national government is led by a Council of Elders, with one Elder elected to leade the council for a six-year term.

The largest city in Snefaldia is Sham-Bemash, which surrounds the hot-water lake of Erum-Erom; it is also the capital of the nation. There are only five cities in Snefaldia, and each one is located around one of the hot-water lakes in the nation. For the most part, the people live in either nomadic tribe-villages, or dig deep into the snow and ice to make subterranean homes.

Climate

Snefaldia is perpetually cold, and does not thaw. However, certain parts of the nation are colder or warmer than others; most notably around the hot-water lakes in the nation. Flora is limited to species of evergreen trees, which thrive in the warmer areas. Hardier varieties of the tree survive buried in the snow, poking their branches out of the ground to take the sunlight.

The mountains surrounding the nation are almost completely impassable by foot, indeed the best way to leave the country is by air. In the mountainous regions, it is so cold that environment-suits and heated transports are needed to travel, otherwise death by freezing will occur.

Large hot-water lakes, called Eroms, exist in some places. Heated by deep-surface thermal vents, these lakes are extremely hot, and are enough to melt the permafrost and snow. The only permanent cities are built around these lakes, where the land is exposed for miles around.

Society

The inhabitants of Snefaldia are hard-working, intelligent people, and are either considered City-People or People of the Snow, depending on where they live. They believe strongly in the established order, and take active part in the democratic process which elects their Elders.

Names in Snefaldia reflect the environment or part of nature, sometimes involving an animal or an aspiration for greatness. Young people are not given a name until they turn 16, before that point they are simply called "First Son" or "Second Daughter." The current head Elder of the country, Cuts-the-cave-bear, was given his name after he killed a white cave bear that threatened his mother.

Politics

The government is comprised of two branches- the Council of Elders, and the Arbiters. The Council of Elders is composed of one representative from each tribe, city, or holding in the nation, and one Elder is elected to lead them. It functions as a legislature and executive branch. The current leader is Elder Cuts-the-cave-bear.

The Arbiters form the judiciary branch. Each Arbiter is elected from his place of birth to serve in that area as legal guide, they are confirmed by the Council.