Saor

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=======Saor=======
===[nation]===
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**Pronunciation**: (SAY-or)\\
**Continent**: [[Saoirse]]\\
**Related Geography**: [[The Weisewald]]\\
**Land Area**: 1,068,000 square miles\\
**Length**: 550 miles north to south\\
**Width**: 3,350 miles east to west\\
**Coordinates**: 73° N to 43° N, 57° W to 144° E\\

~~TOC~~
Comprised entirely of the forests of [[The Weisewald]], Saor is the native home of the baumeni and home of the First Tree, a colossal tree the baumeni hold sacred.

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==== Cities ====
  * [[Birken]] - Ancient grove of birch trees
  * [[Birnaum]] - Ancient grove of pear trees
  * [[Espe]] - The First Tree
  * [[Feigel]] - Ancient grove of fig trees
  * [[Kastan]] - Westernmost coastal city of Saor 
  * [[Keife]] - Inner fjord city
  * [[Kirshl]] - Ancient grove of cherry trees
  * [[Lorb]] - Saor's largest port and face to the Ulfar and the world
  * [[Rottan]] - Outer fjord city
  * [[Tann]] - Southwestern city on the border of the great forest

==== Related geography ====
  * [[Cheile Bay]] - Bay in eastern [[Saoirse]], location of coastal cities, [[Lorb]] and [[Akarn]]
  * [[Edelstei Lake]] - Lake in the Saor forests, source of the [[Hallstadt River]] 
  * [[Eilc Sea]] - Central sea between [[Saoirse]], [[Aimsir]], and [[Inis]]
  * [[Ewin Island]] - Western island of a pair off the western coast of [[Saor]]
  * [[Felsenmeer Mountains]] - Range in northern Saor next to the ice shelf
  * [[Hallstadt River]] - Runs north from [[Edelstei Lake]] to the northern [[cymyl|Cymyl Ocean]]
  * [[Jung Lake]] - Lake in the eastern forests of Saor
  * [[Kokili Mountains]] - Northernmost range in the northwest of Saor
  * [[Letzte River]] - Runs north from [[Quellen Lake]] to the northern [[cymyl|Cymyl Ocean]]
  * [[Obronach River]] - Runs south from the forests of Saor to the [[Istigh Seas]]
  * [[Quelle River]] - Runs south from [[Quellen Lake]] south through [[Lorb]] to the [[Eilc Sea]] 
  * [[Quellen Lake]] - Largest lake on terra in the forests of Saor
  * [[Rhand Mountains]] - Range between Saor and [[Teagh]]
  * [[Rinn Island]] - Eastern island of a pair off the western coast of [[Saor]]
  * [[Thuaidh Sea]] - The main sea to the north of [[Teagh]]
  * [[The Weisewald]] - The massive forest covering the eastern half of [[Saoirse]]
  * [[Witwe River]] - Runs west from western Saor, through [[Kirshl]] and out to the [[Thuaidh Sea]]
  * [[Wohn Lake]] - Lake in the forests of Saor northwest of [[Lorb]]
  * [[Zehnte River]] - Runs north from the forests of Saor through [[Keife]] to the [[cymyl|Cymyl Ocean]]

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==== History ====

**Timeline**
  * **111M BCE**: [[Baumeni]] population reaches five thousand
  * **98.0M BCE**: [[Baumeni]] and [[Ulfar]] develop sustained diplomatic contact
  * **74.0M BCE**: [[Baumeni]] population reaches ten thousand
  * **38.9M BCE**: The [[Baumeni]] join the war against the [[Sehti'Ahkha'tar]] empire
  * **34.5M BCE**: The [[Baumeni]] plant the second great tree on [[Aimsir]] in the [[Flaithiuil Forest]]
  * **15.8M BCE**: [[Baumeni]] plant the [[Birken]] and [[Birnaum]] sacred groves
  * **4.64M BCE**: Saor provides safe haven for a portion of the [[Ulfar]]
  * **3.2M BCE**: Saor removes [[Jhua'nen]] colonies and cities from [[Saoirse]]
  * **2.8M BCE**: [[Kilig]] is declared by Saor to be an independent nation
  * **1.288M BCE**: The [[Baumeni]] collaborate with [[Teagh]] on trade and establish [[Iaran]]
  * **1.844M BCE**: The [[Kirshl]] grove is planted in western Saor
  * **1007 CE**: The [[Feigel]] grove is planted in eastern Saor

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==== Government and laws ====
Saor has very little in the way of government, or really of anything resembling large scale society. The oldest baumeni, aptly called the "Elder", is responsible for presiding over the gatherings, councils which take place roughly every ten years. At these meetings, there are reports of the state of the outside world brought forward personally by the more nomadic baumeni. After this the reports and any necessary actions are discussed, though action is rarely deemed necessary. Beyond involvement in these meetings, the Elder has few duties

Very few baumeni within Saor live within cities, less than a third of the population. Most live in small family units which dwell in the forest. Some of these families are nomadic, though many will live in the same region for up to a hundred years. Even in major cities, there is very little organization necessary

Saor has very few formal laws, though foreigners find the lack of laws does not prevent them from running into trouble. The baumeni simply live out their values, which leaves little need for official rules. Foreigners can usually manage by following the simple rule: "Do no harm"

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==== Society and culture ====

**Sacred Groves**\\
Saor's four groves are an important cultural fixture in [[baumeni]] life. The groves are planted and supported by ancient trees which embody the spirits of extraordinary baumeni. [[Birken]] and [[Birnaum]] were the first to form, doing so naturally. The cherry trees of [[Kirshl]] were planted by baumeni after the discovery of the ki spirit quietly embodying a cherry tree in western Saor. [[Feigel]] is the youngest grove, and the only one planned in advance by the baumeni, immortalizing the previous Elder

Many baumeni travel to the groves to meditate and commune with the ancient spirit within the grove. Visiting all four of the groves in order is a rite of passage for young baumeni once they are old enough to understand the visions experienced when communing with the great trees

**Values**\\
The baumeni value a peaceful life that involves communion with nature and an active family life. Baumeni develop what resemble human families, despite a lack of direct procreation. The family bond that develops is stronger than most human families. They also cherish a stable life, often living in the same area of the great forest for many hundreds of years. Nomadic baumeni and adventuring baumeni often find travelling companions, to whom they are fiercely loyal

**Dress**\\
Baumeni do not often wear clothing within Saor. Baumeni that go abroad will sometimes wear clothing, usually preferring close fitting but flexible clothing. It is not uncommon to see baumeni embedding gemstones or crystals into their barky skin

**Food**\\
Large scale agriculture is not practiced in Saor, food is gathered through a mixture of foraging and smaller gardens, usually kept by family units near or in their dwellings. Diets usually include vegetables, fruits, roots, nuts, flowers, and some dairy. The baumeni also supplement their diet with sunlight, having the ability to photosynthesize.  Visitors to Saor find the food to be simple but wholesome. Dishes are not a priority, but stews are common enough. Mead is the most widespread alcoholic drink, and less commonly wine is also produced, though the baumeni are not given to drinking in excess


**Music and Arts**\\
Music in Saor is typically played on drums, flutes, harps, and other stringed instruments. Melodies are slow, graceful, and enchanting. Dance is a common form of expression, done in private just as often as in public. Performances are usually between two or more, without choreography. The dacne develops over time as a reflection of the performer's intimacy, allowing for a synchronized improvisation which makes for very enjoyable performances

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==== Flora and fauna ====
  * [[fauna#Deer]] - Throughout [[The Weisewald]]
  * [[fauna#Bear]] - Found throughout [[The Weisewald]]
  * [[fauna#Behemoth Spider]] - In the caves of the [[Kokili Mountains]]
  * [[fauna#Bumblebee]] - Found across [[the Weisewald]]
  * [[fauna#Cat]] - Primarily found in and around the cities of Saor
  * [[fauna#Cougar]] - Found throughout the nation's mountains and forests
  * [[fauna#Duck]] - Migratory bird that lives on the lakes of Saor
  * [[fauna#Falcon]] - Found in small clutches throughout the forests
  * [[fauna#Frog]] - Found on the shores of [[Wohn Lake]]
  * [[fauna#Gaelen Blue Jay]] - Found throughout [[The Weisewald]]
  * [[fauna#Lemur]] - Found rarely in the canopy of [[the Weisewald]]
  * [[fauna#Llama]] - Found in the [[Rhand Mountains]]
  * [[fauna#Marmoset]] - Found rarely in [[the Weisewald]]
  * [[fauna#Northern Raven]] - Found commonly throughout [[the Weisewald]]
  * [[fauna#Penguin]] - Found in the northern reaches of Saor, and on the ice shelf
  * [[fauna#Polar Bear]] - Found in the northern reaches of Saor and on the ice shelf
  * [[fauna#Polar Hound]] - Found in the northern reaches of Saor and on the ice shelf
  * [[fauna#Porcupine]] - Found throughout the eastern regions of [[the Weisewald]]

  * [[flora#Giant Redwood]] - Common in the heart of [[the Weisewald]]
  * [[flora#Kane]] - Found in central and eastern Saor
  * [[flora#Silver Fir]] - Common in [[the Weisewald]]
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