World Building: Edda

Putting the “Geography, Civilization, Factions” formula to use in a Norse mythology inspired space-fantasy setting.

Geography

Remote foothills of the mighty Red Ridge Mountains.

Pockets of industrialized mining operations are isolated by large swaths of woodland.

The air is dotted with vessels, like the waters near a harbor. On the most level plateau, the towering trade city, Everheim stretches high into the clouds.

Civilization

Advanced magic allows for near a near-future level of industrial output.

Space travel allows for extra-planetary colonization and mining.

Similar to modern day Eastern Europe, the lands are scarred by war on almost every level.

From the looming Brutalist architecture, to the eroded bomb craters pocketing memorial parks, past horrors linger on.

Factions

  • Aesir

The dominant government of the solar system, it rules over its citizenry with open and hidden forces

O.D.I.N, the Observation and Defense Intelligence Network, is an AI used by the Aesir to gather information abroad and at home

The Einherjar, resurrected super soldiers, act as the brutal hammer of the Aesir government

  • Midgir (Aesire sub-faction)

Local governments of the various sectors controlled by the Aesir.

The nature of their decentralized power is designed to keep the Midgir from uniting in rebellion A matter most are familiar with, and fewer wish to repeat

Aesir governance overrules Midgir, and Aesir officials outrank Midgir in almost every scenario. Analogous to feudal lords in terms of power and influence

  • Jutonnar

Extra-system invaders, the Jotunnar are an alien force of raiders

Not much is known about their governance, other than a propensity for abduction. From the few survivors of Jotuun attacks, tales of towering soldiers and brutal efficiency abound

The immense size and weight of abandoned weapons and vehicles give these tales disturbing credence

The Aesir government does all it can to cover up these findings. Most attacks are blamed on pirates and rebels

  • Cult of Ragnarok (Jutonnar sub-faction)

An underground doomsday cult that worships the Bifrost, the source of magic and power in the solar system. They believes all life will come to an end when, “the sons of Surtr return to avenge Ymir”

Covered up discoveries of ancient tombs and facilities all across the nine worlds have revealed that the prophecy might be more than myth, and that the Jutonnar are likely these returning sons of Surtr

Midgir and lower ranking Aesir, who stumble upon these remnants, are silenced. Those who aren’t either incite revolt, or are driven to mad savagery by the revelation, joining Ragnarok’s call to endless destruction

  • Vanir

The junior power of the solar system, though few have ever heard of them. After being ousted by the Aesir in a civil war now stricken from Aesir records, the Vanir government prioritizes secrecy and avoidance.

Midgir who know of the Vanir often defect to their cause, but those who remain loyal to the Aesir government might find enrollment into higher ranks as reward. Though most never hear from them again, some theorize they are inducted into the ranks of the Einherjar

Vanir forces have been known to more openly engage the Jotunnar, but it is not known if they are also aware of the Cult of Ragnarok