Fornois

The County of Fornois was a independent feudal state located in north-western Syltör. Its last ruler was Count Yeetus Christ III of Fornois. It was a founding member of the Syltörean Confederacy, along with the Kingdom of Norfthorn.

History
In lore, the area of this country was inhabiteted primarly by Bjørnians before its founding, which still live in this region to this day, this country was formed after the elven raids on Old Olvænguard and this culture is made up of southern inhabinates that claimed the land after the founding of the Velande.

Although it has been inhabited for many centuries by several ancient peoples, very little is known about them, and all the information we have comes from later Fornoisan sources. They were agrarian people, and followed a traditional pagan religion, with several sacred sites and sanctuaries, especially one on the hill of Montbégny, previously called Harberk or Herberk. These ancient people may be the ancestors of the villagers of Fornois.

The establishment of the county followed the construction of a first wooden castle on the hill of Montbégny, later rebuilt with stone, by the newly arrived Fornoisan people. This people, formerly known as the Sevans, migrated from the east, where they were established along the sea, and conquered the land, naming it Fornois. They destroyed most of the native sanctuaries, especially the one on the hill of Montbégny, which was replaced by a chapel to the Fornoisan gods. The chief of the Sevans, Yeetus Christ I, was crowned as count of Fornois, marking the beginning of the dynasty of Fornois, to which the last count Yeetus Christ IV belongs.

Count Yeetus Christ III has contributed to a number of changes that have built current day Fornois. Along with King Haggly of Norfthorn, he established the Syltörean Confederacy, in an attempt to promote peace on the continent, thus involving the county with the larger politics of the area. The count, himself very keen on literature, also promoted writing in the county, in the hopes of creating a flourishing hub of culture, erudition and literature in Syltör.

However, count Yeetus Christ's reign hasn't only brought prosperity and peace. Indeed, king Himo of Andorn settled the town of Genvergier, now known as Volkorchard, as a means to secure his rule over the region, his capital having been settled in the nearby city of Areska. King Himo then demanded the town and the lands surrounding it to be officially ceded to Andorn. The county being a poor, underdeveloped and underpopulated nation, the count knew a war would be disastrous, and signed a treaty ceding the town and the surrounding plain. This peace was very fragile, as Himo, with his ambition and expansionist endeavors, might have wanted to take advantage even more of the weak nation. However, there was no war with Andorn. Fornois was slightly involved in the Bardonian wars of conquest, against Bardonia, although there was no fighting.

Yeetus Christ III died under suspicious circumstances, and was buried in a tomb under the hill of Montbégny. In his will, the count donated his lands and possessions to the Velereth of Aurlûnor, whom he saw as his friend. This includes the county of Fornois itself, thus marking the end of the county's independence.

Culture and religion
The Fornoisan people speak the Fornoisan language. For reasons unknown, although probably due to an ancient migration, it is heavily related to the language spoken in Reyllea. Fornoisan culture rewards tolerance, generosity, honesty and humility. It is very oriented towards erudition, peace and art.

The official religion of Fornois was a bitheism, revolving around two gods commonly known as the Lord of Sun and Stars, sometimes referred to as the Lord, and the All Mother, that complement each other. It is believed that most other religions of Rathnir actually believe in either of these two gods or both, but only see a limited incomplete version of the truth and worshiping wrongly. For example, according to the Fornian religion, G0NF is actually an envoy (or a physical incarnation, depending on the interpretation) of the All Mother.

In server history
The county was established by yeetus_christ after he founded Montbégny, on November 10th 2020. It was disbanded on January 30th 2021 as yeetus_christ left the server. The successor of the county, the province of Alvada, is governed by yeetus_christ since he came back on May 18th 2021.