Uténas

U is for Uténas in our 20th installment of the Deepest Seas, A-Z.

Geography
Uténas is a small country located at the southern end of the southern continent, south of Brémdy, located on on a portion of the Shallow Sea commonly called the Bay of Barbarians by others.  This part of the Shallow Sea freezes in the winter, limiting access to the port towns of Uténas and to Chénez as well.  The terrain of the country is relatively rugged, particularly as compared to Brémdy, with a small range of mountains running east to west, separating Uténas from the Nords to the North.

Population
Uténas is a country of Barbarians, at least by the standards of the Nords and Laténs.  Populated well after the fall of the Empire, the territory was never occupied by the Elves in any numbers, and was rough and harsh.  Consequently when later waves of human migrants came out over the plains, they found a nearly virgin land, well suited to the warriors of the East. Over time the warriors settled down, and be came the hearty farmers, eking out a subsistence life on the fur and timber trade.

The people of Uténas have their own dialect of the Barbarian language group Phinic.  The language is heavily influenced by Brémdic, and has a few loan words from Franka as well.

Elves are very rare in Uténas, and are viewed with suspicion and hostility by the less educated, particular in the countryside. Elves are often suspected of cattle rustling, or unnatural acts with livestock.  Dwarves are rather more common, and there are a few small settlements in the mountains working mines and the like.  They are viewed with much less hostility, but still are an object of suspicion for most people.  Many think that they are greedy to the point of theft when shown gold (false), or that they eat their bread with stone dust (true on certain days).

Law
Like the people of Uténas, the law of the land is harsh and decisive.  What constitutes crimes is well understood, and enforcement is handled by village hetmen.  The few trials that are needed are heard by the hetman and decided on the spot.  Typically, punishments are divided into death, slavery, or a fine, depending on the severity of the crime.  Fines of course often result in slavery, or indentured servitude, since cash is rare amongst the lower class.

In Uténas, superstition and tradition have equal weight with other more formal types of law.  Being accused of casting the evil eye for instance, is neigh on a death sentence.  Showing the dirty soles of one's boots to a child is a crime in Hawkitai, and for good reason too, since soles and souls are linked in the minds of the locals. The punishment is a hefty fine, equal to the price of the child on the slave market.

Cities
Hawkitai
The primary city of Uténas, located slightly inland from the sea on a river.  Economy is based on fishing, the meager grain crop, and timber production. Population 2500 households
Vaarjivé
The primary port of Uténas, Vaarjivé is located on the Barbarian Bay (locals call it the Bay of Vaarjivé) Has the most trade interaction with other nations, as well as the long distance fishing fleets, which sail out into the Shallow Sea seeking cod. Population 2100 households
Antéo
Antéo is a small town in the mountains, close to the pass to Brémdy.  The economy is trade and mining based, and there is a small population of dwarves living here in a fortified quarter of the town.  Fur trappers operate out of here as well.  Population 1100 households

Tomorrow, more Deepest Seas A-Z with Vaults.