Ostfold
| |
| Nation | Ostfold |
|---|---|
| Planet | Disparatus |
| Government | Parliamentary Socialist State |
| Motto | "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity." |
| National color(s) | Blue/White |
| Population | Approximately 215 million |
| Demographics | 98% Human, 2% Other |
| Location | Northernmost Continent of Disparatus |
| Primary Languages | |
| Founded | 1455 AE as the colony of Ostfold ; 1839 AE as the nation of Ostfold |
| Capital | Jotunheim |
| Owner | Jared (Formerly Seth) |
Overview
The nation of Ostfold is overwhelmingly human, with only a small population of other races mingled in.
The land itself is snowy almost year round in most parts of the country. The very southern tips experience a soft spring and short summer. The country is rich in hardy wood forests and natural resources, such as coal and oil. The population depends on the exports of these products for their livelihood.
The country is a socialist state, with rules and regulations being enforced by the few large companies owning the mining and logging industries. Almost everyone works for these companies. The police force and the armed forces are all funded by these enterprises. The thought of the population is what is good for the big corporations is ultimately good for the general population. When the companies do better, the standard of living for all employees rises. As Ostfold has banned private corporations and companies own, the workers and cities, on average, up to 80% of a company's share.
Education is closely and strictly monitored at state run schools, with the exception of a few private schools ran for the children of the wealthy executives and higher ups in the corporations.
Military
The standing military is small, only large enough to handle any emergencies should the police force be unable to do so. In times of war conscription for the local populations is heavily endorsed to bolster numbers.
Foreign Relations
As an offshoot of the United Provinces, Ostfold enjoys diplomatic ties with its parent-state and shares many of the same views. It has cooler relations with other foreign nations due to the liquidation of its corporations.
History
Founding
Years ago the great Northern Continent of Disparatus had not been explored since its former inhabitants were wiped out long before. After getting a handle on the resources and lands available to them, the United Provinces sent an expeditionary force to see if the lands to the frosty north could yield anything of use. What they found was a treasure trove.
Several large companies from the United Provinces bought rights to harvest the resources to sell to the government since the government did not have the means to organize such operations itself. The plan was for the companies to get the resources and sell them to the government, who would then use it to fund governmental actions, use it in international trade, or sell it to private buyers.
As the years passed, the companies grew and ate other companies until only four or five remained. The large population of workers who moved for the job and land opportunities had families. There was a large need for an educational system to be put in place, a health care system, everything that is needed for a society to function. Because this was a venture of private companies, however, the United Provinces did not feel the need to pay and initiate such social institutions. The companies put in these needed facilities and facets of life in order to keep their working force happy and supplied.
Eventually, the culture and social institutions placed by the corporations became so different from the mainland counterparts, there was a movement by the populace to break off from the United Provinces and become their own nation. After working out an agreement with the United Provinces, the nation of Ostfold became a reality. With the resolution of their independence, Parliament hurriedly passed laws to absorb the private companies into the regional commonwealths. This, of course, has caused foreign corporations trepidation to enter the Ostfoldian economy. The iciness of foreign business relations has begun to thaw as the Prime Minister has made it clear that foreign markets are welcome in Ostfold.
Culture
Inhabitants
The inhabitants of Ostfold are a hardy bunch. Typically warm and receiving to guests due to the promoted communal well being, they have been hardened and toughened by the perpetually cold atmosphere of their nation. While on the surface they may not be the most caring and receptive population, it is rare for a traveler to ask for a place to stay and be refused. Get on their bad side, however, and one will be faced with a very unforgiving group.
Religion
Ostfold is mainly an atheistic nation, concerning itself more with the wellbeing of those on the planet than worrying about what happens in the afterlife. What religion there is, however, is practiced by extremely devote followers.
The most common religion has pantheistic view, where the gods are many and have varying personalities.
Due to the ease of immigrating into Ostfold, there are small foreign religious groups that are becoming fervent in their beliefs, with sporadic arguments forming between the groups.
Entertainment
There's a large movie industry in Ostfold. As such, there are large complexes that house cinemas. Typically entire malls are built around a gigantic cinema, including shops, places to eat, and arcades.
Out of sports, only hockey is popular or even able to be played by the general populace due to the perpetually cold atmosphere.
Education
Education is strictly handled by the state. All students are given the same education, with the option for higher schools of education for those who score well enough. Graduation of lower educational schools is mandatory. If students do not score well enough to move onto secondary education, then they are sent to a vocational school to prepare them for their job working for one of the businesses.
Noteworthy Locations
- Jotunheim: The capital of Ostfold where all the central offices of the resource companies are located. It's the only place in Ostfold that could truly be called a metropolis or a sprawling city scape. Located on the Southern Coast, it is one of the warmest places in Ostfold, though that isn't saying much. It is still cold the majority of the year and experiences a long harsh winter.
- Gastropnir: A town in the northeastern part of Ostfold. It's home to many forms of entertainment, including the booming Ostfold movie industry. Casinos and arcades line the streets, and it's also home to the largest sports stadium in the country.
- Tao-Lan: A city on the nearest coast to Handora, Tao-Lan features a high amount of influence from Handoran culture, meshed unusually with Handora's style of entertainment focus.
- Hammond: A small town along the northwest coast of Ostfold. There is a large geological survey station located here researching seismic activity under the northern seas, and the nearby mountain range has its own observatory.
- Viadahn Ruins: The long-abandoned ruins of the Orkan city of Viadahn. Over the years it has had anything of value stripped by looters, leaving it an empty shell of its former self.
- The Waste Lands: The very northern parts of the country are uninhabited by people. Things are said to lurk and live in this harsh perpetually sub-zero regions. It is rumored that there are large deposits of minerals and oil in these northern climates, but what expedition parties that set out to explore this region have never come back.
