The High Kingdom of Jørdheim, or Det Høye Kongedømmet Jørdheim (ᚼᚯᛦᛂ ᚴᚮᚿᚵᛂᛐᚯᛘᛘᛂᛏ ᛁᚯᚱᛐᚼᛂᛁᛘ) is a theocratic high kingdom situated in the eastern half of Teer. It is centered around the holy city of Jordtræd built into the branches of a 4500 meter tall world-tree called Jørðaskr (ᛁᚯᚱᚦᛆᛋᚴᚱ).
After the end of the Realmshatter when the new world tree was nurtured by Moðr and Jordträd was founded, a high priest was appointed for the religion. Later on, after eons of petty kingdoms fighting each other, the high priest took on the new title of 'Fylkir' and asserted his divine right onto the entire continent, transforming it into a consolidated theocratic monarchy under his leadership.
The Branchkeepers, also known as the Greinverðir, are the largest druidic circle of Abmarah and essentially the theocratic government of the High Kingdom of Jørdheim. Branchkeeper druids protect the sacred Jørðaskr World-Tree and the capital city of Jordtræd built within it. Additionally, the Branchkeepers maintain the natural harmony of Teer and can even control the weather to maximize agricultural gain without creating more farmland. All woodcutting, hunting, mining, road-building, and other industrial activities within Jørdheim must be approved and overseen by a Branchkeeper to maintain harmony with the natural world.
The circle is led by the archdruid and monarch "Fylkir" of Jørdheim, who also acts as the religious head of Meiðrism appointed by the god of war and realms, Moðr. In addition to many sub-circles of druids, the Branchkeepers also include life clerics who worship the god of nature, Dýr. Together, the circle members are both clergy and religious police within Teer. Generally most members of the circle are considered equal, with an unofficial hierarchy based on age and individual accomplishments.
Much of the eastern expanse of the kingdom is the inhospitable Tåkevidda, where magical mist and fog permeates the entire land. It used to be a part of the Kingdom of Anheim and the Kingdom of Jórvík but was taken by the fog in the Omniborn Crisis.
The kingdom is divided into various Jarldoms (Jarlsdómr) ruled by Jarls that serve the Fylkir. Most of them used to be kings of their own right before the second era. The feudal hierarchy of the high kingdom is as follows:
⬤ Fylkir of the Jörðaskr (House of Ysaakingar)
Jarl of Anheim (House of Olvingar)
Hersir of Kjempensgrav
Hersir of Vitristein
Hersir of Lysøy (House of Yuvongar)
Hersir of Himmelfortet
Jarl of Goldörr (House)
Jarl of Appal (House of Honningar)
Hersir of Ysaakstead
Hersir of Trevik (House of Trevik)
Jarl of Dogaskr (House)
Jarl of Nyhus (House)
Jarl of Helgard (House of Nidhoggungar)
Hersir of Ysaaksfortet
Rumors and conspiracies talk of a secret sect of shadow-druids within the Branchkeepers, who worship Nárja and go to extreme lengths to protect the world-tree. This group is infamously known as the Rataverðir, named after the mythological squirrel that traveled up and down the cosmic world tree. Most do not believe that this sect even exists, and most Branchkeepers are not aware of its true existence.
"The tree must survive, the tree must rule, the tree must spread, the Rataverðir will make sure that it does."
TBD
TBD
The Branchguards or Greinherjar are the military division of the Branchkeepers circle and the High Kingdom of Jørdheim and fight in the god of war Moðr's honor. They usually employ non-druids as soldiers, guards, and police for traditional combat and operations that the druids are not needed for. The strongest of them become guards of the Fylkir himself. Greinherjar are usually led by Shieldmothers and Shieldfathers, the equivalent of generals in Teer.
The military structure is as follows:
TBD