Government Structure

The head of the Isles is the Lawspeaker, or Þawðungar - Elected official of the commonwealth. Elections take place every three years. Has no formal power, but he would often be appointed as an arbitrator in the frequently arising disputes and chair meetings at the annual Beørirfeyn (Literally place to speak).

Law

In terms of law, Orkfjarr is often seen as a rather outdated on the mainland - certainly in regard to their fear of magic, which is entirely outlawed on the isles. The enforcement of laws came under the juridiction of the Langækur, or Landowners, ruling essentially as the Jarls did in the time of the High-King, the Langækur enforced the laws of the land in their lands. However, due to this somewhat federalist approach, small differences in the enforcement and procalivity of such laws differ from region to region, as do the sentances of lawbreakers.

Slavery is legal and common. The lowest members of society, often victims of slavery taken from abroad, they are forced to do the grunt work in Orkfjarr that no one else wants to do. It is possible to become a Nøajari from being dishonourable and or breaking the law, they serve the person which they dishonoured by committing a crime. If the crime was against the nation itself if the action was no singular person, then they will be drafted into the servitude of whatever project needs them most. However, they can be freed by their masters at any time or it is possible to buy their own freedom from the state or owner and become a citizen or leave the nation entirely. The vast majority of traded slaves come from Reynesse and Scyltheld, and it is not unknown for free-men to take home women to be their slave-wives.

Thralls do not have many rights, but the owners of Thralls can be compensated for any harm that may befall them as a result of another’s actions.

The women of Orkfjarr, unlike the rest of Poseia too have some degree of freedom, being able to divorce their husbands should they be subject to beatings or adultery. Additionally, it is not uncommon, or illegal for women to take up arms.

However, like the rest of the nations of this world, inter-sex relationships are significantly frowned upon, but do occur. With each having a punishment dependent on the opinion of the Landowner passing the sentence. Typically, for men this involves castration, whereas women are either decreed as witches or forced to sleep with the landowner to be cured of their ‘disease.’

Having spoken on this, I must note that the Orkfjarric hold one law above all else, that of an Oath. The swearing of an oath between two individuals is a sacred bond, often in the name of the Gods. It can be seen as weddings, religious fesitvals or in pledges of allegiance of a freeman to a landowner. The sacred, and important nature of this bond means that Oathbreakers are often executed, exiled or indentured for their crimes. The importance of the Oath cannot be understated, as the society of the Orkfjarric rely on Oaths to ensure the continuation of their Commonwealth, as the reliablity of one man’s word to another to defend his family can often be the difference between destruction and prosperity.