Entry 16: Polarity

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Entry posted by whiteshark365 · January 8, 2023

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April 6, 2006
Population: 5,123

Throughout the years, growth and prosperity have reined supreme among the communities of Kanin Fjord. The facade of financial opportunity is only skin deep, however. Beneath the surface, a clash of Titans is brewing. Conflicting ideologies and political aspirations began to leak through the veneer, and clouds started to appear in the silver lining, threatening the dissolve the financial glue holding the region together.

A Clash of Religious Ideologies

By 2006, approximately 40% of the region’s population followed Norse beliefs, while almost 50% followed some form of Christianity. Norse believers are concentrated in the old village, while Christians were commonplace in New Kanin Fjord and Nolborg.

For centuries there had always been a truce between the two sides; however, rapid immigration into the region was threatening to change that. Despite the truce, both sides never really trusted one another. Christian’s viewed Norse followers as unclean Pagans and witches, while Norse followers had resentment against Christian’s conversion attempts, feeling that all Christian’s wanted to do was assimilate them and oppress their faith. As a result, a sort of unofficial segregation was forming between the two towns, with members of each holding a disdain for one another.

After the construction of Kaninfjorden Church just to the north of New Kanin Fjord in 2005, the church’s leaders encouraged members to try and convert the local Norse population. This just added fuel to a smoldering fire. By early 2006, resentment among both sides was starting to boil over, even to the point of where it was starting to affect local commerce and even posed the unimaginable threat of violence.

Tensions reaching a tipping point on February 25, 2006, when the old village’s only church was set ablaze overnight. Fortunately, the fire was put out quickly, and no one was injured. Still, this was the town’s first documented arson. Over the next few days, small protests erupted in New Kanin Fjord over the fire. The protests eventually ended after 3 days without any incident, but the agitation between members of both beliefs still remains high.

In response to the fire and subsequent protests, town leaders began enacting laws to discourage another such occurrence. The local police force was increased in size by 50%, ordinances were passed limiting areas that Christians could canvass for conversion, and religious activities (both Norse and Christian) were banned from occurring in public spaces without a permit.

While the new laws did little to quench the animosity between either side, at least the laws did send the message that the government would not tolerate any type of religious violence and would take necessary steps to ensure peace.

Governmental Consolidation

New Kanin Fjord has overtaken Kanin Fjord as the most populous town in the Kanin Fjord micropolitan area. As of April 6, 2006, the municipal limits of Kanin Fjord contain a population of 2,239 and New Kanin Fjord has a population of 2,360. Still, neither town has an official city hall, and local resources are unevenly divided between the two towns. Kanin Fjord has the major shipping ports, while New Kanin Fjord has a productive industrial sector and direct access to the railroad.

On April 1, 2006, government and business leaders from both towns along with representatives from the Norwegian government met to discuss the future of the region. While negotiations are still ongoing, the following key issues are being discussed:

Consolidation of the two towns into a single governing body with each town being designated as a subdistrict.
Sharing of tax revenue. This includes possible income and sales tax increases.
Final location for a city hall.
Construction of an automotive bridge across Hjortfjorden.
Financing an upgrade to Kanin Fjord’s South Port.
Creation of a local bus service.
Formation of a planning and zoning council that will manage future residential commercial, and industrial expansion to the town.

Deliberations are not expected to be complete for several months, and any terms agreed to could still subject to approval by voters.

Sea Monster Sightings

In recent months, several citizens and fisherman have been reporting sightings of a large and strange creature in Ekorn Fjord, a small inlet branching off of Hjortfjorden. The creature has been described as being grayish green in color, roughly 15 to 20 feet long, with most of the body being beneath the waves, and a single large hump visible several feet above the waterline. In total, 14 sighting have been reported.

Local officials are denying the existence of any monster in Ekorn Fjord and are attributing the sightings to misidentification of natural phenomena. Floating logs are being attributed to most of the sightings. Additional explanations also include a small whale or large pinniped that may have swum into the fjord. Of course, no one has a photograph of what they saw, and the sightings are adding intrigue to local Norse legends.

Kaninfjorden Church

Local Norse Temple

Aerial view of New Kanin Fjord

New Kanin Fjord viewed from the bay.

New Kanin Fjord Coastline

New industrial development along the waterfront

Industrial Pier

Grain storage, loading, and processing facility.

Gravel and concrete processing plant.

Large complex of mid-rise apartment and condominium buildings, providing higher density housing along the waterfront. Several docks and a boat ramp are constructed to provide citizens with access to the fjord.