öflugir

Öflugir is a term used in the fictional world of Norhavn to designate a semi-formal coalition of elites who hold political, economic, and spiritual influence. The name derives from the local word öflugr meaning powerful; the plural form is öflugir. The group first coalesced in the early medieval era during a prolonged period of factional strife and established a chartered council that advised the monarch and governed important sectors of society.

Organisation and functions: Membership is hereditary within five noble houses, each with a defined domain: governance, commerce, defense, learning, and religion. The Öflugir convene to approve major laws, set taxation levels, and coordinate security and infrastructure projects. While the monarch remains the formal head of state, royal authority is constrained by the council’s consent and by customary law. In practice, the Öflugir exercise broad influence through patronage, appointments, and the sponsorship of guilds, academies, and temples.

History: They brokered peace after the War of the Cleaving, supervised the construction of key fortifications, bridges, and universities, and negotiated trade accords with neighboring realms. The Great Charter of 12XX formalized limits on royal prerogative and codified the privileges of the five houses.

Modern status: Today the Öflugir remain a powerful but contested institution. Constitutional reforms aim to increase transparency, limit hereditary privilege, and strengthen popular oversight, while supporters argue that the Öflugir provide long-term planning and stability. Critics see the body as an entrenched oligarchy that can impede reform.