Predallen

__**Predallen**__ is a small island nation that is relatively unknown in the world, not involved much in world trade or politics. It was started in antiquity by Odin's dedicating two nature spirits to guard the island: the Spirit of Fire, which we know as Tatemae, and the Spirit of Ice, which we know as Honne. Together they set up a human civilization and helped it grow. They were given physical bodies and protected the island from outside contact. The Island of Kings became a sacred place, with areas for burials, Crowning ceremonies, and the initial Dedication of Tatemae and Honne to Guardianship. Several major events happened at the time of the Comet: Honne supposedly went crazy and attacked her sister, Tatemae. The current (and last) king and many others sided with Honne, while others sided with Tatemae. Honne lost the civil war that resulted, and she was banished from the island as a traitor to the nation of Predallen. The Island of the Kings was desecrated, and Tatemae refused to rebuild it, instead using it as a lesson in history and in orthodoxy to her rule. With the royal bloodline gone, Predallen is now ruled by a Ruling Council. The people believe, at least the public statements and confirmed by the absolute belief by a young acolyte, is that Loki corrupted Honne, and she corrupted many others. All believe that Tatemae will eventually defeat and cure Honne and all will be well again.

Further information (from the Gremlin (liar?)) suggests that Tatemae built Predallen's culture and government, while Honne spent more time off-island. Tatemae made sure that they were really loyal to her, more than to her sister. Honne founded the Free Traders (see starting nations) and used them so Predallen could trade with the rest of the world while no one would learn of Predallen's existence. Tatemae later founded an organization of pirates to be the Free Trader's strong arm, though neither Honne nor the Free Trader's knew that. The pirates kept other nations from gaining strength while attacking the Free Traders just enough to allay suspicion. The civil war started when Honne realized that Tatemae had double-crossed her and had all the reins of power in her hands, not in theirs.