Olmara
Olmara is a planet similar to Earth, with mild seas and wide fertile plains. Its axial tilt of about eighteen degrees creates clear seasons without extreme phenomena.
Morphology
Olmara has three main continents,
- Velda in the north,
- Thalma at the equator,
- Orety in the south. A large sea, the Lastor Sea, dominates Thalma, with the densest cities gathered around it. The Azure Spine mountain range generates strong winds and rainstorms, while wide steppes are cultivated through irrigation. Two small moons, Isa and Delme, create mild tides and bright nights depending on their phases.
Human Geography
Urban zones are strictly fenced and controlled, inhabited by citizens such as Navek Derel and Ariel Tenn. Veteran farm zones operate under state licenses, like the farm of Herman Raskel. Transport networks rely on skaff vehicles and river routes for grain and livestock feed.
Thalma, the Equatorial Continent
Thalma is the equatorial continent of Olmara.
Countries
- Lastor, located in the northeast of Thalma, a maritime power with dense urban centers around the Lastor Sea. Known for its authoritarian parliamentary governance, strong industrial base and advanced surveillance systems.
- Coritha, positioned in the northwest, an aristocratic oligarchy governed by clans through the Council of Clans. A militarized society with complex internal politics and refined culture.
- Daskor, farther south beneath Lastor and Coritha, a land of steppes and small deserts with oases and many islands. Its political system resembles that of Lastor and much of its population is devoted to the Commoners Great Hall.
Velda, the Northern Continent
Velda is the northern continent of Olmara. The climate is harsh, with frozen fjords, cold plains and mountain ranges that block prevailing winds. The Olmara Planetary Council is based there, in Veldary, the capital of Veldara. Velda is known for international summits, pragmatic diplomacy and strong techno infrastructure. Almost all inhabitants belong to a branch of the Seven Gods faith known as the Heroes Great Hall.
Countries
- Veldara, a maritime power with frozen fjords and smart harbors operating year round. Governed technocratically, it offers excellent infrastructure for international organizations. The OPC is headquartered in its capital, Veldary.
- Iskera, a mountainous country with wind towers and difficult passes. Its conservative elite keeps negotiations secret and strikes hard binding agreements.
- Athelen, wide fertile but cold plains scattered with colossal wind reservoirs. Known for diplomatic skill, often mediating crises.
- Khevrin, misty coasts, fleets sailing cold waters and strict silence codes in diplomacy. Its intelligence services have a strong reputation.
Religious Background
The Heroes Great Hall tradition in Velda is imposing yet austere. Entrances bear discreet reliefs of ancestral gates, symbols of passage. In some places abstract signs of the Orvan appear, shapes resembling a blade or a wave. Official OPC ceremonies begin with the Ennead Silence, nine slow breaths before the presiding officer speaks.
Orety, the Southern Continent
Orety is the southern continent of Olmara. Less densely populated, with fertile river valleys along its northern edge and harsher drylands farther south. Societies are smaller, more inward looking and often organized in federations of cities. Orety is rich in rare minerals and trade hubs but vulnerable to climatic fluctuations and external influence.
Countries
- Tirvos, a federation of cities in river valleys, thriving through agriculture and mineral trade. Known for guild politics and pragmatic alliances.
- Morathis, a country at the desert rim, structured around fortified oases. Skilled in water management and desert navigation, with a culture of resilient caravans and fortified refuges.
- Selkaris, a coastal confederation of port and resort cities, a go between for Orety and the other continents. Cosmopolitan but vulnerable to external influence due to trade dependence.
Olmara Planetary Council, OPC
The Olmara Planetary Council is an intergovernmental organization coordinating trade, environmental protection, public health, planetary security, interplanetary navigation and treaties across Olmara.
Calendar
The Ennead, the nine day week
The nine day week is called the Ennead. Names of the days, optionally with the suffix Day in everyday use,
- Shade
- Wind
- Earth
- Water
- Seed
- Forge
- Law
- Light
- Flow. Each month has four Enneads.
Work Rhythm
- Working days, from Shade to Forge, six days.
- Law, day of administration and markets, partly working.
- Light and Flow, days of rest, art, worship and community.
- Average rhythm, six working, one semi working, two resting. The weekend is the pair Light plus Flow, known as the Duo day or the Twin Days.
Public Use
- Schools and public services follow the Ennead.
- The Equinox Days are official holidays.
- Business pays by the Ennead and balances close on Shade.
Seasons and Months
- Bloomy, Stemy and Sprout
- Heaty, Solstice and Scorch
- Dusty, Dryreach and Dustfall
- Harvesty, Wither and Sowing
- Coldy, Mist and Frost
Climatic Cycle
- Bloomy, spring, rains, moderate temperatures, sowing.
- Heaty, warm but tolerable season, water storage.
- Dusty, dust winds and midday stillness.
- Harvesty, harvest and transport period.
- Coldy, clear sky, cold nights, light rains.
Year
- Three hundred sixty five days per orbit.
- Ten months, each with thirty six days, four full Enneads, total three hundred sixty days.
- Five Equinox Days added at the end of the year, outside months and weeks.
Equinox Days
- Light Day, light and markets
- Water Day, rivers and cleansings
- Wind Day, travel and exchanges
- Earth Day, harvest
- Seed Day, oaths and new works The Ennead cycle continues uninterrupted after the Equinox Days, keeping the year symmetrical and ceremonial.
Flow of the Year
- The year begins with Light Day.
- Each month includes thirty six days, four Enneads.
- After the ten months, the five Equinox Days follow, a long festive period.
- The new year begins again with Light.
Day and Night
- One day equals one full rotation, twenty six segi.
- Average equatorial daylight, about fourteen segi light, twelve segi darkness.
- Seasonal deviation, plus or minus one segi.
- In narrative, the natural terms day and night are used.
Cycle
Cycle is a flexible time frame for shifts, appointments and schedules.
- Typical standard, three segi.
- Adjustable by organizations or contracts.
- Examples, shift of two cycles, meeting in half a cycle, delay of one cycle.
Practical Notes
- Local measurement, twenty six segi per day.
- Devices such as the plex and the wallcast can display the classic twenty four hour form for technical needs but daily life uses segi, numi and ticki.
- Law Day brings increased movement at gates and checkpoints, often useful as cover for travel.
- The windturn marks a short transitional period of winds and dust, scarab drones fly higher making underground or covered routes preferable.