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Kjerag is a snowy, isolated nation atop Terra's central mountain range, the highest civilization has reached. Long closed off, it is changing quickly as it sends envoys abroad more often.
Its ancestors fled Catastrophes into the harsh mountains. Legend says the goddess Kjeragandr pitied them, creating hot springs, fruit trees, and "wind and snow that would freeze Catastrophes in place," allowing the first settlement. Excavations confirm no significant Catastrophes there for at least a millennium—unsolved in Terra. The ancients deemed this divine, making Kjerag a theocracy. Before sleeping, the goddess gave her flesh, pelt, and bones to three clans. Kjerag's tribes organized into clans with commoner–noble divisions; the Silverash, Browntail, and Paleroche clans of the Kjerag Basin became strongest, forming the Tri-Clan Council system.
Kjerag stagnated for centuries until the 1060s, when some nobles called for reform, notably Olafur, Silverash leader. Other clans resisted, fearing loss of divine protection. Olafur and his wife Elizabeth died in an automotive accident variously attributed to divine punishment, political framing, conspiracy, or mere accident; the Silverashes stayed silent, reform stalled, and the clan nearly collapsed.
Olafur's son Enciodes returned from Victoria in 1090, became clan head, founded Karlan Trade, and rejoined the Council. In 1097 the Tri-Clan Council convened and, witnessed by the Karlan Saintess, the clans compromised.
Kjerag's dual system comprises the secular Tri-Clan Council and the religious Vine-Bead Court led by the Karlan Saintess. There is no formal legal system until 1097 and no standing army; Enciodes built the first professional force, nicknamed "Tschäggättä." He imported Victorian mining equipment and corporate management. Olafur built a high-altitude railway—Terra's highest—that other clans now support after buying shares. The clans specialized: Paleroches in grain, Browntails in furs, Silverashes in minerals. Mining exports via Karlan Trade dominate; tourism has surged since the railway opened. Faith in Kjeragandr binds the scattered settlements, with the annual Grand Ceremony now a largely secular festival.
A margin note by "mechanist" warns that this account comes from Kjerag's official report, which "simplifies" the Snowcap Incident into a comforting fairy tale of peaceful resolution.
Kjerag is a distant, snowy land atop a tall mountain range in the center of continental Terra, the highest altitude civilization has reached. This geography kept it isolated for a long time, so other nations know little about it, and many circulating rumors are specious at best. Kjerag is often imagined as a religious nation blanketed in year-round snow, worshipping its own deity and deliberately cut off from the continent. Recently, however, as Kjerag has sent envoys abroad more frequently, people have realized the country is changing—quietly but quickly.
Like many of Terra's tribes, Kjerag's ancestors fled the destructive power of Catastrophes and were forced into the harsh snowy mountains to fight for survival. In the legends passed down there, the benevolent goddess of the snowy mountains, Kjeragandr, took pity on these victims, creating hot springs, fruit-bearing trees, and "wind and snow that would freeze Catastrophes in place." Under her protection, the survivors established their first settlement. These stories come solely from Kjerag's people, and their veracity is difficult to ascertain. Recent excavations by academic teams invited by Kjerag demonstrated that for at least a millennium there have been no significant Catastrophes in the snowy mountains—an unsolved mystery. The ancient people explained this as divine, so the first power structure was an institution of divine authority, and Kjerag became a theocracy.
Myth also holds that the goddess eventually retreated into deep sleep, marking the end of the Holy Mountain era and a shift toward the modern era. Before sleeping, she summoned the leaders of the three "bravest, most sincere" clans and gave them her final instructions, granting them her flesh to speak to the land, her pelt to speak to the beasts, and her bones to speak to the mountains.
Realistically, even if immune from Catastrophes, Kjerag's society was still shaped by harsh natural conditions. Tribes of a single race centered on fixed settlements remained independent, separated by perilous mountains. Settlements were organized into clans around blood ties, producing a simple social structure with a division between commoners and nobility. Individuals and clans showing excellence in their work, superior communication skills, or dominance in contests of strength earned respect and noble status, gaining responsibility and authority as de-facto leaders of their settlements—a tradition persisting today. The Silverash, Browntail, and Paleroche clans in the Kjerag Basin enjoyed favorable conditions and became most powerful, laying the foundation for the later Tri-Clan Council system.
While other countries developed—empires rising and falling—Kjerag spent centuries in quiet isolation. Not until the sixth decade of this century did voices for change emerge among the nobles, some having seen outside developments and realizing Kjerag would inevitably collide with the future. The most vocal was Olafur, then leader of the Silverash Clan, who intermingled with nobles from countries such as Victoria. His innovations caused concerns among other clans: if the people abandoned the old ways, would they still enjoy the goddess's protection? Then Olafur and Elizabeth suddenly died in a tragic automotive accident. The case remains an unresolved mystery: some elders rumored it a calamity sent by Kjeragandr against blasphemers; the Browntail Clan called it "political framing," accusing the Edelweiss Clan, which went into exile; outsiders suspected the other two clans had conspired to assassinate the reform-minded couple; and official reports in recent years call it nothing more than an accident. The Silverash descendants maintained silence. The reform stalled and the Silverash Clan nearly faced complete destruction.
Enciodes, Olafur's eldest son, returned from Victoria in 1090 after his studies, became head of the Silverash Clan, and founded Karlan Trade Co., Ltd. Under his advocacy, the three clans returned to the negotiating table, and in 1097 the Tri-Clan Council convened, reaching a compromise witnessed by the Karlan Saintess.
Geographically, the mountain range runs north–south across the western middle of the continent, with the Core countries to the east and Columbia to the west. Settlements are spread widely across the habitable plateau, with Turicum the largest city. Kjerag broadly understood is the plateau's largest basin, home to the three most prominent clans, the Vine-Bead Court, and Mt. Karlan—the heart of Kjerag. Snowmelt nourishes dense forests and lush lakes, some of Kjerag's more pleasant habitations.
Outsiders glimpse Kjerag mainly through religious envoys called "Devotees," representing the highest religious authority, the Vine-Bead Court, led by a council of elders and the Karlan Saintess, representative of Kjeragandr. The Court appears to wield significant secular authority too, though in reality secular affairs are governed by the Tri-Clan Council, more a consultative organization than a permanent institution. Nobles often communicate informally outside Council and share results afterward.
Kjerag's frigid climate preserves dairy products, and the people separate curds and whey to make cheese, melted into fondue. Cheese pot became a sensation across Terra after Kjerag opened up, with restaurants everywhere, though gourmets still seek the original taste. The pot itself must retain heat and be strong enough to serve as a helmet—a practice rooted in ancient mountaineers who used a single container for food, melting snow, clearing obstacles, fending off animals, and head protection.
Secular governance is aristocratic, organized around family units led by clan Chiefs. Each year during the Grand Ceremony, the three great clans hold formal discussions on Mt. Karlan under the Vine-Bead Court's auspices, reviewing the past year and planning the next. The Council and Court operate as parallel secular and religious power structures, justified by doctrine claiming Kjeragandr transferred part of her power to the three clans centuries ago—showing, in a sense, that Kjerag's people are pragmatists. Kjerag recognizes no conventional territory or borders, organizing instead around family territories. Highland tribes, nominally under the three families, once rarely interacted beyond barter and taxes; since modernizing began in the 1060s, they have become more involved, strengthening national unity.
Kjerag had no formal legal system until 1097; disputes were resolved through negotiation, clan patriarchs or matriarchs, or the Court, following Kjeragandr's moral code. It had no standing army until Enciodes sent private militiamen abroad for modern training and weaponry; this elite unit was feared and named "Tschäggättä" (Ghosts of the Snowy Mountains).
Olafur had devised a high-altitude, long-distance railway, viewing it as the first step of reform. Completed, it ranks near the top among Terra's railway systems in length and quality—an engineering marvel at Terra's highest elevation. It greatly boosted Silverash productivity but sparked resentment from rival clans and was even thought to have triggered Olafur's and his wife's deaths. Today the other clans access it by purchasing shares and support its expansion.
According to ancient scriptures, the three clans divided the basin's land, forests, and minerals: the Paleroches produced grain, the Browntails furs and clothing, the Silverashes minerals and tools. Mountain tribes practiced subsistence farming, hunting, and weaving with no clear division of labor. Imported Victorian mining equipment and specialists later caused an explosive increase in output, driving external trade; since Enciodes established Karlan Trade, mining exports have been Kjerag's most important trade avenue, supported by modern transport, ports, and small to mid-scale industrial Originium facilities.
The railway also opened tourism: pilgrims, tourists, and adventurers traveling to Mt. Karlan for the Grand Ceremony sharply increased, and a new service sector has risen. Delegations are sent abroad to learn and attract foreign merchants.
Kjerag's scattered settlements are bound together not geographically but by shared faith in Kjeragandr, after whom the range is named. The Vine-Bead Court sent Devotees to spread teachings, and the Court is deeply revered; even the most powerful nobles respect the Saintess. The doctrine seems not overly strict, with no mandated prayer times; the Grand Ceremony has evolved into a largely secular festival, and honoring the goddess may take many forms. Kjeragandr is portrayed as a benevolent guardian, and the Court often mediated during the Silverash reforms, since she does not wish her children to turn swords on each other. The ice that once froze the Snow Realm has begun to thaw, and the people of Kjerag have taken the first bold step toward the future.
One margin note by the reader labeled "mechanist" claims this narrative comes from Kjerag's official report, which "simplifies" the Snowcap Incident, presenting a comforting fairy tale in which the revolution was resolved through peaceful negotiations.
KJERAG
Kjerag, the nation of the Snow Realm—I must confess to you that even I, upon writing this name, felt like a bit of a stranger. The words, "Snow Realm", always seem to do a better job of describing that land, evoking within people a wonderful imagery of those towering mountains. It is as if pure snow has been the master of this nation between heaven and earth, undisturbed for thousands of years. Indeed, for the people of Terra, Kjerag is far too tall, and far too distant. And so since that day, when Kjerag suddenly became active right before everyone's eyes, it immediately attracted my gaze, just like snowflakes in midsummer. O mysterious country atop the mountains, what surprises will you bring to this land?
The distant and mysterious land of snow, Kjerag, sits atop a tall mountain range in the center of continental Terra, the highest altitude that civilization has reached. These geographical restrictions have kept Kjerag in a relatively isolated state for a long time, causing other nations to know very little about her, and many of the antiquated rumors circulating the land are specious at best.
Myths and sporadic gossip about Kjerag often takes this form—a religious nation blanketed all year-round in snow, worshipping her own unique deity, deliberately shutting herself off from the rest of the continent. However, in recent years, as Kjerag has increased the frequency with which she sends envoys abroad, people have begun to realize that the country atop the mountains is changing—quietly, but quickly.
Like many of Terra's tribes, Kjerag's ancestors witnessed firsthand the destructive power of Catastrophes, fleeing across the land from that scourge. This group of refugees, seeking shelter from the Catastrophes, were forced into the harsh snowy mountains by the disasters that pursued them, forced to fight for their lives in this harsh environment.
Fortunately, the towering snow-capped peaks seemed to harbor an infinite amount of warmth towards these disaster-weary victims in comparison to the Catastrophes that tore away at their life-threads. Thus, in the myths and legends passed down from generation to generation in Kjerag, the kind and benevolent goddess of the snowy mountains, Kjeragandr, took pity upon the plight of these victims and extended a helping hand to them, unable to bear seeing them wandering and rootless any longer. The goddess created springs from which hot water flowed, trees from which fruit would be borne, and most importantly, "wind and snow that would freeze Catastrophes in place". Under the protection of this goddess, the disaster victims were finally able to establish their first settlement.
These warm, dreamlike stories come solely from the accounts of Kjerag's people, and just as with the religious texts that have been preserved to date, their veracity is difficult to ascertain. Recently, Kjerag invited a large number of academic teams from all over the land to carry out extensive excavation and research. The results demonstrated that for at least a millennium, there indeed have been no significant Catastrophes in the vast snowy mountains, a mystery throughout Terra that remains unsolved. The ancient people of Kjerag explained this phenomenon as being divine in nature; therefore, the very first power structure to emerge in Kjerag was an institution that represented this divine authority, and Kjerag became a theocracy.
Kjerag's main currency is the Franc. Of the many innovations Olafur Silverash introduced to Kjerag, only a few were readily adopted by other clans, and the new coinage was one of them. "Gold always shines."
Yet even mythology must admit that even the most beautiful blessings cannot last forever. The goddess of the snowy mountains, after establishing an excellent environment in which Kjerag's Ancients can thrive, had to retreat into a deep sleep—in essence, a denouement for the end of the Holy Mountain era, a prelude to Kjerag's first major shift away from ignorance and into the modern era. The people who were
about to lose the protection of their goddess required a new way to live.
Before falling asleep, the goddess of the snowy mountains summoned the leaders of the three "bravest, most sincere" clans and gave them Her final instructions.
... Henceforth, my flesh belongs to thee. Take it and speak to the land, and the land shall love thee just as it loved me; Henceforth, my pelt belongs to thee. Take it and speak to the beasts, and all creatures shall revere thee just as they revered me; Henceforth, my bones belong to thee. Take them and speak to the mountains, and the rocks will obey thee just as they obeyed me; ...
-Excerpts from Kjerag's religious text, Kjeragandr
This, of course, is a myth. Realistically speaking, even if the people of Kjerag were miraculously immune from Catastrophes, the formation of their society is still affected by harsh natural conditions all the same.
Kjerag's tribes are based around a single race and centered around fixed settlements, but because transportation through the plateau regions is inconvenient and the tribes are separated by perilous mountains, they are forced to remain independent. Within these independent and closed-off systems, settlements consisting of multiple groups are organized into clans around blood ties. A simple social structure emerged, and along with it, a separation between commoners and nobility.
Generally speaking, individuals and clans who exhibited excellence in their line of work, superior communication skills, and/or dominance in contests of strength were more likely to earn others' respect and therefore ascended to noble status, and other clans were often willing to recognize their leadership. From that point, nobles gained the responsibility and authority to conduct affairs both internal and external, and became the de-facto leaders of their settlements. The simple social framework that developed in this manner became tradition, and persists to this day.
Population Distribution in the Central Kjerag Basin
Paleroche Silverash Browntail
The Silverash, Browntail, and Paleroche clans located in the Kjerag Basin benefitted from favorable climate and environment, and therefore became the most powerful. It was only natural for them to establish their own territory as the heart of Kjerag, and this paved the foundation for the Tri-Clan Council system that would later be formed.
Isolated from the rest of this great land, Kjerag spent centuries alone in the highlands in peace and quiet. During the same time period, however, the other countries across Terra never slowed the pace of their development. Empires rose and fell, dynasties flourished and withered, yet the power of change seemed to be something forgotten by the nation of the Snow Realm.
No matter how much the outside changed, the people of Kjerag clung to their old ways from atop the mountains. It was not until the sixth decade of this century that voices for change began to emerge among the nobles who held true power in
Kjerag—some among them had seen the developments taking place across the land outside and realized that even if Kjerag stood still, she would inevitably collide with the future. Rather than wait for the pending tragedy of that coming day, the children of the snowy mountain would be better off rushing forth to face it.
The most vocal representative among these nobles was Olafur, then leader of the Silverash Clan. He was the first to intermingle with nobles from other countries such as Victoria, and saw for himself the importance of change. He brought up many innovative ideas before the Tri-Clan Council, but this caused concerns among the other clans: whereas Kjerag originally enjoyed divine protection from Catastrophes, and the people of Kjerag maintained peace for countless years by adhering to their traditional way of life, the same could not be said for the other countries across the millennia. Why, then, should Kjerag follow their way of life? If the people of Kjerag no longer adhered to the old ways, would they still enjoy the protection of their goddess? If no one can say for sure what kind of future Kjerag would have, then should Kjerag take that step in the first place?
Many questions remained unanswered, but the leaders of the Silverash Clan, Olafur and Elizabeth, suddenly passed away in a tragic automotive accident.
The case surrounding this incident is seen as an unresolved mystery by many. Back during that time, there was a rumor circulating among some of Kjerag's elders that the accident was actually a calamity sent by Kjeragandr to take the lives of those who had blasphemed; the Browntail Clan attributed the accident to a “political framing”, accusing the Edelweiss Clan and causing the latter to go into exile; outsiders concerned about the situation brewing in Kjerag pointed their fingers at the other two clans whose conflicts with the Silverash Clan had been deepening, believing that they had conspired to assassinate the reform-minded couple; and according to official reports released by Kjerag in recent years, this “accident” was indeed nothing more than an accident. Yet the descendants of the Silverash Clan, closer to the heart of this incident than anyone else and more deeply affected by it, maintained silence during all subsequent interviews... And in the end, the situation in Kjerag turned on its head, brought the reform to a standstill, and almost resulted in the complete destruction of the Silverash Clan.
However, the Silverashes had not given up. Olafur's eldest son, Enciodes, returned from Victoria in the year 1090 after completing his studies. Subsequently, he would become the next head of the Silverash Clan, found Karlan Trade Co., Ltd., and return to the Tri-Clan Council as per tradition.
Under Enciodes's strong advocacy, the three major clans finally returned to the negotiating table, and in the year 1097, the Tri-Clan Council convened as scheduled. Witnessed by the Karlan Saintess, the three major clans finally reached a long-awaited compromise. Presumably, Kjerag will take her first steps towards development and progress, and show a brand new side for the rest of Terra to see.
The geographical area where Kjerag is located can be said to be one of the most unique places in continental Terra. The tall mountain range runs north and south across the western part of the middle of the continent, like a wall that partitions off the continent's northern reaches. Its altitude is so high that many summits are still nigh impossible to climb. On the east side of the mountain range are the Core countries, and to the west is Columbia. The mountains of Kjerag are extremely perilous and difficult to climb—the climate is cold and
unforgiving, and so the settlements of the Kjerag people are spread widely and sporadically across the habitable areas of the plateau, with Turicum being the largest city among them.
The Kjerag region, as broadly understood by people, actually refers to the largest basin in the plateau. The three most prominent clans in Kjerag, the Vine-Bead Court, as well as Mt. Karlan can all be found here—the area that makes up the heart of Kjerag. The numerous snowmelt runoffs coming from all sides nourish the basin's dense forests and lush lakes, and the regions occupied by the latter two are some of Kjerag's more pleasant habitations.
Such harsh environmental conditions make it easy to understand why Kjerag was isolated from the lands outside for such a long time. Even interaction among the clans scattered across the plateau was scant.
■ Kjerag is dotted with settlements across its highlands, but the central basin has the most favorable climate, and is thus the most densely populated.
According to Kjerag's traditional texts, 'The clouds Her feathers, the wind Her wings. The mountains Her bones, the rivers Her tail.' The Kjerags believe that Kjeragandr is the Holy Mountain itself, with the central basin cradled in Her embrace.
Outsiders know very little about the mysterious country of Kjerag. The few glimpses they get come from religious envoys emerging from the snowstorms. These heralds, known as "Devotees", represent Kjerag's highest religious authority—the Vine-Bead Court. Based on the Court's own written accounts, many have speculated that the Vine-Bead Court also wields significant secular authority, overseeing most affairs in Kjerag. The Court is led by a council of religious elders and their supreme leader, the Karlan Saintess, who serves as the representative of the goddess of the snowy mountains, Kjeragandr. This unique power structure has shaped Kjerag's image as a theocratic nation, where all authority stems from the goddess and Her appointed emissaries.
In recent years Kjerag has begun opening up to the outside. Through secular diplomatic exchanges and official statements, a clearer and more authentic image of the nation has gradually emerged.
In reality, Kjerag's secular affairs are governed by the Tri-Clan Council. The "Council" is more of a consultative organization than a permanent governing institution. Nobles often communicate informally outside of Council, discussing cross-territory issues privately and sharing the results with others afterward.
The isolated environment of the Kjerag mountains and its limited natural resources have shaped the region's way of life. However, the abundance of hardy vegetation has allowed residents to raise cattle, sheep, chickens, and other livestock, which has profoundly influenced the local cuisine. One of Kjerag's most iconic dishes is the cheese pot, which has recently gained immense popularity across Terra.
Kjerag's cheese is unique. Kjerag's frigid climate helps preserves dairy products but also causes them to freeze when left outside for any length of time. The Kjerag people use this to their advantage, separating the curds and whey. The curds are then processed to make cheese. They melt the cheese to make fondue. The flavorful cheese fondue gives ordinarily bland ingredients an extra kick. This dish became a sensation shortly after Kjerag opened up to the outside; cheese pot restaurants started popping up all over Terra. The flavors of cheese pots vary greatly depending on the location. Many chefs from other countries use different cheese formulations. Yet there remain discerning gourmets who persistently seek out the original taste of Kjerag cheese.
There's even a bit of history behind the pot used for the cheese: it must retain heat well to keep the cheese from re-solidifying and be strong and durable enough to serve as a helmet in a pinch. While this might sound like a joke, it has historical roots. In ancient times, Kjerag mountaineers carried only one container on their journeys, which they used to hold food, melt snow, clear obstacles, and fend off wild animals, and yes, when necessary, they wore it as a helmet.
■ An authentic Kjerag cheese pot that is recommended by Miss Lara of Rhodes Island.
Both the Tri-Clan Council and daily theological discussions are held in the main hall of the Vine-Bead Court, while the Saintess's private residence, located behind the hall, is rarely open to anyone.
Supplementary Material
Kjerag's secular political system is a simple form of aristocratic governance, organized around family units led by clan Chiefs. The more powerful a noble family, the greater its influence over national affairs. For a long time, the dominant forces in Kjerag have been the three great clans of the Kjerag basin: the Silverash, Browntail, and Paleroche clans. Each year, during the annual Grand Ceremony, these three clans, under the auspices of the Vine-Bead Court, hold formal discussions on Mt. Karlan. They review the affairs of the past year and outline plans for the coming year.
Included in Kjerag's official reports is a photograph from the 1097 Tri-Clan Council, the first time this gathering was captured on film. The official report describes the meeting as a peaceful dialogue, though from the photo, it appears the Kjerag people are quite used to conducting their "peaceful" discussions with an intense, confrontational energy—befitting the hardy children of the snowy mountains.
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On paper, the Tri-Clan Council represents Kjerag's secular nobility and shares power with the Vine-Bead Court.
However, in modern Kjerag, the Council and the Court operate as two parallel power structures (secular and religious) in Kjerag. This unique dual-system is justified by religious doctrine, which claims that Kjeragandr transferred part of Her power to the three great clans centuries ago. This event is recorded in the Vine-Bead Court's religious texts and is well-known to all citizens of Kjerag. In a sense, this shows that at their core, the people of Kjerag are pragmatists.
Due to its geography, Kjerag lacks distinct regional divisions and does not recognize "territory" or "borders" in the conventional sense. Instead, the country is organized around family territories made up of individual settlements.
In the past, only the three great clans in the Kjerag Basin maintained close ties with each other. The highland tribes, though nominally under the authority of the three families, rarely interacted with them, beyond basic bartering and tax payments. Their Kjerag identity was more rooted in religion than geography. Each territory operated in a largely self-sufficient and independent manner, with minimal interference from the others.
Since Kjerag began modernizing in the 1060s, the outlander tribes have traveled more frequently to the Kjerag Basin and become increasingly involved in national affairs. As a result, Kjerag has developed a stronger sense of unity and identity.
Kjerag, having long functioned as a clan-based society, neither had nor required a formal legal system. Most disputes were either resolved through negotiation, mediated by clan patriarchs or matriarchs, or settled by the Vine-Bead Court, with the people following Kjeragandr's moral code and teachings in their daily lives. This simple system of governance, supported by Kjerag's relative isolation and independence, remained stable for a long time. It wasn't until 1097 that a true legal framework began to take shape.
Kjerag originally had no standing army; in times of need, the young and able-bodied members of each family served as its primary armed forces; the larger the tribe, the more people it could muster. Some powerful nobles maintained private militias, but these soldiers had no formal military training and were not organized like a modern army.
The first in Kjerag to raise a professional army was Enciodes of the Silverash Clan. He sent a squad of his private militiamen abroad for modern military training and provided them with state-of-the-art weaponry. By the time they returned to Kjerag, they had transformed into professional soldiers. The Silverash Clan's new army was lightyears ahead of all the other Kjerag militias. This elite unit was so feared by other families that they gave it the ominous title of "Tschäggättä" (Ghosts of the Snowy Mountains).
Mr. Enciodes Silverash is both the successor to his parents—who were the primary driving force behind Kjerag's modernization—and a forward-thinking entrepreneur in his own right. His crowning achievement was his founding of Karlan Trade Co., Ltd., commonly referred to as "Karlan Trade".
Upon his return from Victoria, he introduced many new ideas to Kjerag, including advanced corporate management systems. At the time, the people of Kjerag were largely unfamiliar with the concept of a "company", much less corporate management methods. However, the relatively high wages and stable work environment quickly enticed many locals to go work for Karlan Trade, where they gradually learned to adapt to the company's regulations and structure.
The inefficiency of manpower and pack animals has long restricted the transportation of raw materials and products, especially in the rugged terrain of the mountainous mining regions. Faced with this challenge, Olafur devised an innovative solution: a high-altitude, long-distance railway system. He viewed the railway's construction as the first step in Kjerag's reform. He invested considerable resources and energy into its completion.
When the railway was finally built, it became one of the few fully completed railway systems in Terra, ranking near the top in both overall length and the quality of its infrastructure. Its location at Terra's highest elevation made it nothing short of an engineering marvel. The railway, combined with Kjerag's unique immunity to Catastrophes, significantly enhanced the Silverash Clan's productivity. However, this success also sparked resentment from rival clans and was even thought to have triggered the deaths of Olafur and his wife.
Today, under the leadership of Enciodes Silverash, things are far less contentious. The other two great clans have gained access to the railway by purchasing shares in it. After experiencing the benefits of efficient transportation, they now actively support its expansion, which is still ongoing.
The tracks laid down by the father now benefit all the Kjerag people in his children's era.
Kjerag's mountainous terrain is varied and complex. The nation is scarcely inhabited, and her forestry and mining resources remain largely underdeveloped.
According to ancient scriptures, the three great clans divided up the arable land, forests, and minerals of the Kjerag Basin amongst themselves. Each clan developed highly specialized, if somewhat primitive, agriculture, mining, and handicraft trades. The Paleroches produced grain, the Browntails specialized in furs and clothing, and the Silverashes provided minerals and tools.
Beyond the basin, the mountain tribes engaged in subsistence activities such as farming, hunting, and weaving, organized at the clan level, with no clear division of labor. Due to the difficulty of transportation, trade between these tribes was rare, preventing the development of fully established industries.
Overall, Kjerag's economy was self-sufficient, with low levels of productivity and a simple but highly specialized industrial structure.
The previous head of the Silverash Clan introduced new production techniques, importing outdated Victorian mining equipment and specialists. This led to an explosive increase in mining output in the valley, far surpassing what Kjerag could consume internally. To resolve this imbalance, the Silverash started developing Kjerag's external trade. Ever since Enciodes, the current head of the Silverash Clan, established Karlan Trade, mining exports have been Kjerag's most important avenue for trade. Modern transportation infrastructure, trading ports, and even some small to mid-scale industrial Originium facilities have emerged to support this trade.
Supplementary Material
In the early days, Kjerag's only external communication channel was Devotees sent out by the Vine-Bead Court. These Devotees helped spread Kjeragandr's teachings, both within Kjerag and beyond. Through hard work, they cultivated a small but loyal group of Kjeragandr followers outside of Kjerag.
Many of these acolytes, as well as some tourists and adventurers, have made it their life's goal to make a pilgrimage to Mt. Karlan and join in The Grand Ceremony. In the past, reaching Kjerag was a daunting task, as travelers had to brave snow-blocked mountain passes and treacherous peaks—a journey few could complete. As a result, only a handful of visitors made it to Kjerag each year.
However, with the opening of the Kjerag railway, transportation has greatly improved. Seizing this newfound accessibility, the three great clans have heavily promoted tourism, leading to a sharp increase in visitors to the snowy region. People from all over Terra now seek to witness the majestic Kjerag landscape and gaze upon the towering snow-covered peaks that protect its people.
■ A Kjerag souvenir, which has been blessed by Devotees from the Vine-Bead Court. Some Kjerags believe these stones carry Her divine will. In the past, when few people traveled to Kjerag, these stones were simple tokens of devotion. Pilgrims would pick up stones along the way, carve images of the snow mountain into them, and then ask the Devotees of the Vine-Bead Court for a blessing. Now, with tourism booming, workshops have been set up to craft these stones, and the Devotees have grown accustomed to blessing them en masse.
Today, the tribes of Kjerag have reached a consensus: Kjerag must present a fresh, united face to the other nations, and collaboration is essential. The three great clans have spearheaded large-scale economic reforms, which has led to the rise of a new service sector focused on tourism.
At the same time, Karlan Trade continues to expand its operations, aiming to export more of Kjerag's products to other nations. With the support of the company, the great clans have sent delegations to various foreign countries to learn from their experiences and attract foreign merchants to trade with Kjerag.
Due to the harsh terrain and difficult transportation, the scattered settlements of Kjerag find it nearly impossible to unite geographically. What truly binds them together is their shared faith in the goddess of the snowy mountains, Kjeragandr, after whom the mountain range is named. The people of Kjerag are devoted to Kjeragandr in ways outsiders find difficult to comprehend; nearly all highlanders believe that the goddess has performed miracles. You can ask any Kjerag, from elders to children, and they will eagerly recount myths and stories about Her. This is thanks to Kjerag's religious institution, the Vine-Bead Court, and its sacred text, Kjeragandr.
For a long time, Kjerag's culture was entirely intertwined with its religious faith. The Court would send Devotees to every settlement to spread Kjeragandr's teachings and read sacred passages from Kjeragandr. If commoners wished to learn more, they usually had to join the Court and become Devotees themselves, continuing the cycle of spreading Kjeragandr's teachings. As a result, the Court is deeply revered in Kjerag society. Even the most powerful nobles, despite their authority, show great respect to the highest religious leader, the Saintess of Kjerag.
Although the full extent of Kjeragandr's teachings is not known to outsiders, it seems that Her doctrine is not overly strict and does not heavily interfere with secular matters. There are no mandated prayer times; the annual Grand Ceremony is the customary time for pilgrimage and celebration, during which the basin clans convene the Tri-Clan Council. Over the years, the Grand Ceremony has involved into a largely secular festival.
Moreover, the teachings do not specify how to honor Kjeragandr—writing and editing scripture, offering prayers, or just working hard, are all are considered ways to bring glory to the goddess of the snowy mountains. Kjeragandr is portrayed more as a benevolent guardian, watching over the people of Kjerag as they build their lives in the highlands. Because of this, when the Silverash Clan faced backlash for pioneering reforms in Kjerag, the Court often acted as a mediator, aiming to maintain peace. Kjeragandr, after all, does not wish for the children of Kjerag to turn their swords on each other.
The mysterious and sacred snowbound nation of Kjerag has finally unveiled the face long hidden beneath the veil of wind and snow. The ice that once froze the Snow Realm in an ancient era has begun to thaw. Reforms require courage, leaving behind comfort requires courage, and forging a path from the present into the future requires even greater courage. The people of Kjerag, high in the towering mountains, have taken the first bold step toward that future, driven by boundless bravery. If the goddess of the snowy mountains, Kjeragandr truly exists and still watches over the children of Kjerag with Her infinite love, may She welcome this proud rebirth alongside the rest of the lands.