Paarmeib
Paarmeib, called Paarmi by its native inhabitants, is the northernmost piece of land on Zada. It is a frigid place, perpetually shrouded in mist, getting thicker the further one moves from the shore. The Paarmiut who call this nation home have pale skin from lack of sunlight, and many of them still live in primitive tribal communities. Paarmeib was rarely visited in times past due to the challenges of crossing the Muhyara Sea, but in modern times steamships make regular visits to the northrn continent.
Culture
The Paarmiut are a secretive people, who desire isolation, but somewhat paradoxically value honesty and community. The World-King, in his mercy, allows most Paarmiut communities to remain largely autonomous, asking only that they follow his laws, and provide taxes to support the infrastructure of Paarmeib. Not all Paarmiut are xenophobic, however, and some have migrated to the trading towns established by Marceddi and Rihalite explorers in times past, adopting elements of their cultures.
While the Paarmiut of the coastal trading hubs are more civilised, their tribal cousins continue to practice a more primitive culture. They live mainly in wooden or stone hillforts, using primitive forms of agriculture, hunting, and foraging to sustain themselves. These backwards practices often mean that the World-King must send them food aid in times of famine, but in his generosity he allows them to continue their ways. These tribal Paarmiut detest untruths, which naturally brought them into conflict with early Marceddi explorers and merchants. While their individual communities are largely isolated from each other and the outside world, within them is a strong sense of camraderie and loyalty, which unfortunately does not always extend to the Empire as a whole.
History
Paarmeib was isolated from the rest of Zada for many centuries. Even after the World-King unified the other nations, only occasional voyages were made to the lands of mist by the bravest of Marceddi explorers. This began to change in the early fourth century, when Marceddi shipwrights began to construct vessels capable of reliably crossing the Muhyara to reach Paarmeib. Trading posts were established along the coast, and military forces were deployed to protect them from occasional raids by treasonous Paarmiut. After a small number of minor punitive expeditions, the Paarmiut submitted entirely to the World-King.
By the late fifth century, steamships allowed for even more interaction between Paarmeib and the rest of Zada, and railways began to be constructed along the coast of Paarmeib, connecting the largest trading settlements. The interior of the continent remains largely isolated, however, and expeditions into it are rare as the World-King, in his mercy, allows the Paarmiut the isolation they desire.
Territories
Paarmeib is a cold, dark, and swampy land. Scientists are as yet unsure why the continent is constantly covered in mist, which never dissipates even in the height of summer, when the sun scarcely sets. The interior of Paarmeib is mountainous, while nearer the coast forests dominate the landscape. All regions see much snow during the winter, though it is particularly severe in the northern reaches of the island.
Type
Geopolitical, Protectorate
Capital
Alternative Names
Paarmi
Demonym
Paarmiut
Leader
Related Ethnicities
Comments