Otika

Note that the information on this article is extremely outdated and not-entirely reliable. It will be updated soon.

Free State of Otika
Status	Independent
Capital	PZMNY
Religion	Sky Worship
Demonym(s)	Otikan
Government	Direct democracy with military junta

The Free State of Otika is composed of separatists, former prisoners, anarchists, and native villagers living in the titular Otika Mountains, far north and frigid. Made in the 1990s after the collapse of the Trans-Sastovian Commonwealth, when civilians tired of oppression by the government broke free and led and declared independence from Vertansk, gathering followers and promising freedom from tyranny.

Each town in Otika is a direct democracy, voting for a representative that gathers in the PZMNY to vote on various matters. Legislation and other affairs are brought up in gatherings, and whatever option is decided on is sent to the Otika Junta for approval. The majority of people live in small towns that are all fairly isolated, but there are repurposed mines and tunnels that are used too. They’re fairly underdeveloped technology-wise, and most of their new technology is very rugged and intended to last in extremely cold temperatures. Survivalism and self-sustainability are important aspects of their culture. The complexes in Otika are a mixture of repurposed mine shafts, old military bases, and specifically excavated for living.

Kakistopol is a city on the edges of Otika, destroyed during the collapse. Otikan scavengers (commonly known as “vultures”) trek to Kakistopol frequently to pick through the bones of the city and bring back valuables or materials.

PZMNY is the capital of Otika, based out of a massive sprawling military complex - theorized to be a former command center of the People’s Republic of Vertansk, intended to be used in the event of nuclear war. It is laid out in the form of multiple bunkers connected via tunnels. Although disuse has resulted in some tunnels collapsing, dedicated Otikan engineers work on excavating those tunnels.

Geography

Otika has a climate similar to many regions in Siberia, with long harsh winters and short summers. There are only around 1 or 2 months above 10C, with the coldest months sometimes being as cold as -38C. In the two months of summer (often known as Satan’s Breath,) the areas of Otika not in the mountains get swampy and marshy, due to the melting ice sheets. It rarely if ever rains in Otika, and it experiences permafrost. In the summer, the sun can be seen at the local midnight. The average annual temperature is -7C.

The average temperature in January is -28C, and in July it’s 10-13C. In 1981, the record temperature of -70C occurred at one of the northernmost villages for four nights in a row.

Otika has a lot of valuable materials buried in the mountains. Nickel, cobalt, platinum, palladium, coal, iron, gold, diamonds, manganese, lead, zinc, uranium and molybdenum are among the resources that can be found. Otika has some of the largest nickel-copper-palladium deposits in the world, with around 1.9 billion tons of it found in the area.

Flora

Snezhnaya muka (“snow flour”) is a large flour producing fungus that's tough to eat and known for its meaty, somewhat earthy taste. More importantly, snow flour grows with a thick rind that is somewhat starchy, and is inedible raw. The rind is generally peeled off and dried, before it gets crushed into flour. The peeled snow flour lobes can also be dried and ground for a more filling meal, and is normally used like cornmeal or flour.

Metel orekhi, or blizzard nuts, grow in the Otika mountains and surrounding areas. It grows large, sweet-tasting and starchy legumes underneath its evergreen shrub, in large numbers. They grow similar to peanuts, but they are packed together - similar to peas, with 4-8 blizzard nuts in every 'pod.' When eaten raw, the blizzard nuts are savory, fatty, and rich, but they are normally used to make oil. Mature metel orekhi grow vines that spread around it, that later separate into a "daughter plant." Blizzard nuts get pressed and strained multiple times to make oil, which is used in cooking.

The main staple of Otikan cuisine is the tundra root (“koren’ tundry”) that grows in the mountains. The plant is orb-shaped and firm to the touch, only softening when rotting. It only grows in the hostile environment of Otika, and is very used to the freezing temperatures up north. So much, in fact, that it cannot grow in warmer environments. It is used for many things in Otika, ranging from food, to alcohol, to kindling, to production of sugar.

Next is blood sugar, (“sakhar v krovi”) which is the main way Otikans get sugar. Similar to blizzard nuts, it grows above ground, though blood sugar berries grow on vines that often latch onto rock. These berries are used to the cold and hardy, spreading quickly by latching onto solid surfaces. Blood sugar berries are sweet to eat and sprout in the closest thing Otika has to summer, and is often used in dishes and in wine. However, the main purpose of it is to make sugar, as it has a fair amount of sugar in it. The berries are crushed and boiled, and the extracted sugar is dark red - hence the name.

The main item smoked by Otikans is not in fact tobacco, though is still sees quite a use. Known as “sun leaf” or Svakeyr's Hand, it’s a plant that grows around above the ground in dark green bushes, and is very prolific in their society - when ground up, it can be used as a medicinal salve and can be eaten raw for a mild soothing effect. However, the main use of it is for smoking - when dried, they often get stuffed in pipes or wrapped in paper. Just as when it is eaten, it has a soothing effect on the consumer. It does not smell awful when it is burnt, and some people burn it to inhale the smoke for the same purpose. Along with the soothing effect, it is a mild painkiller in all forms. It is known as sun-leaf for the fact that the flowers of the plant are bright yellow in color. Some of those who live aboveground farm it en mass, and those living underground work on a way to have it grow. It’s not as irritating as normal cigarettes. Most men in the military smoke, as do hunters. Vultures (the scavengers) are known for being prolific chainsmokers, and some overdose on it when overconsumed. People who stay in crowded areas try to avoid excessive smoking, especially underground.

Politics

The leading party in Otika is the Party of Free Men under the Leadership of the Junta, or “Partiya svobodnykh lyudey pod rukovodstvom khunty.” There is also the United Party of Otikan-Integrated Towns, the Federal Party of Business and Labor, and the National Populist Party of Otika and Relevant Areas.

NPPORA is narodno-narodnaya partiya Otika i sootvetstvuyushchiye oblasti. 

FPBL is federalnaya partiya bizneza i truda. UPOIT is Ob`yedinennaya partiya Otikan Integrirovannykh Gorodov. Political demographics of Otika:

Freemen: 33 percent 

UPOIT: 27 percent NPPORA: 25 percent FPBL: 12 percent Independent: 3 percent The FPBL is smallest, but has quite a lot of political clout due to a large amount of influential businessmen in it.

UPOIT and NPPORA are more interested in the "down to earth" things, such as the lives of everyday townsfolk. The Party of Free Men takes a more "generalized" approach, and rationalizes that by improving the state itself, the lives of citizens will be improved as a whole.

The majority of soldiers are part of the “Party of Free Men under the Leadership of the Junta”. Merchants and businessmen, along with independent vultures, are the main people in the FPBL. The NPPORA consists of mainly people living underground, and the UPOIT consists of those living in towns. UPOIT is more right-wing than NPPORA, but as Otika is fairly conservative, it isn’t saying much.

NPPORA is the most left wing, as they focus most on raising the standard of living throughout Otika. UPOIT focuses more on expanding towns and the prosperity of those towns, and FPBL primarily acts to improve the economy. Vultures who are not in the Party are almost universally a part of FPBL.

Military

There are 3 branches of the Free Military, each of varying competence and number. The Federal Militia act as a mixture of law enforcement and garrison for every town. Although they protect towns from bandits, many militamen are undertrained and underequipped. The Federal Otikan Guard (commonly shortened to the Otikan Guard) are the conventional military of Otika, which focuses strongly on quality over quantity, and is harder to get into. Their special forces are the Otikan Rangers (many of which former special forces who wished to flee from Vertansk), who act as special forces and can live for years in the snowy mountains due to survival techniques. Each town has a militia assigned to it, with Guardsmen operating out of military bunkers scattered throughout the mountains.

Federal Militia/Civilian Weapons:

Meniks-49 - A 7.62 chambered semiautomatic rifle, holding 10 rounds. Easy to make and a good weapon for conscripts to handle. Some rarer variants are chambered in 7.92x33 caliber.

Otikan Self-Assembled Firearm, AKA the "Scrapper" gun - The OSAF is a staple weapon of Vultures and Militia members, crude and quickly assembled but reliable. Basic metalworking facilities can make a "Scrapper" in 3-5 hours, and more advanced facilities can make one in less time. Made out of stamped metal and loaded in 9mm rounds, Otikan media is fond of depicting the "Scrapper."

Double-barreled shotguns - You know what this is. A staple weapon among Otikans, due to the extreme simplicity of production, use and maintenance.

Federal Otikan Guard Weapons

Oretch Avtomat-53 -A steel and wood rifle, with select fire capabilities. A successor to the Meniks-49 in the sense that it is supposed to be easily maintained and operated by illiterate conscripts. It was produced en mass and stocked in the armory of the gulag. The SturmLanze-51 was a direct inspiration for it. Variants today are direct copies of the original rifle.

Korvin Subautomatic Pistol. While not as common as the Bastard due to higher manufacturing costs, it boasts a higher firing rate and a more refined look.

Lebedev Compact Pistol - The standard pistol of Federal Guardsmen, the LCP is a 9mm pistol small enough to be placed in someone's pocket. It's light and accurate, holding 10+1 shots.

Oretch Heavy Machine Rifle - a larger variant of the OA-53, with more shots and better accuracy when mounted. While a proper LMG in its own right, it makes up for where it lacks in maneuverability.

Otikan Rangers Weaponry:

MRv-Om - Standing for "Machine Rifle variant, Oretch modern," the MRv-Om is one of the most sought-after weapons in Otika. This weapon is only found in the hands of the elite Rangers, as it is not present in large enough numbers to make a difference elsewhere. While harder to manufacture than the OA53, it's seen as a direct upgrade in every other way, being more accurate, lighter, easier to field strip, and more customizable. It is loaded in the 5.45 caliber.

Lebedev Special Operations Pistol - Another Lebedev designed pistol, the LSOP is a heavier .45 caliber firearm, intended for use by special forces. It's bulkier, but packs a much bigger punch. Weapons in this caliber are fairly rare in Otika, and Vultures would spill blood to get their hands on it.

Korvin Machine Rifle - Similarly to the rest of the weapons used by the Rangers, the KMR is found mainly in the abandoned bunkers of PZMNY. Holding over a hundred 7.62 caliber bullets when loaded with a standard magazine, it's expensive to fire for more than short bursts at a time.

Oretch Marksman-97 - A large sniper rifle intended to be used in disabling tanks and other vehicles, now used to exterminate humans if need be. Loaded in .50 caliber bullets, it blows grapefruit sized holes in flesh, with experienced Rangers trained in taking shots at an extreme distance.

Lebedev Slug Rifle - One of the most unique weapons in Otika, the LSR is similar to a shotgun loaded with titular slugs. As extended use of slugs can wear out less refined shotguns, Lebedev decided the best course of action was to make a rifle meant for heavy projectiles that could withstand more force. The normal shotgun slug weighs around 0.875 oz compared to a 30-06 bullet, at 0.34 oz. Otikan Rangers train to use this as a budget battle rifle-sniper combination.

The armor system of Otika is known as FL/FM/FH system. That stands for Federal Light/Medium/Heavy, though the Federal Light Helmet is actually just a padded cap. Otika, when not re-using equipment they find, manufactures armor for their guardsmen. Militiamen only receive FL armor, if they do at all - their coats have inserts for armor plates, thankfully. As basic knowledge of manufacturing is common, a lot of militiamen make their own steel armor plates.

Soldiers using the F-L/M/H system often get called “tin men” because of the metal. Their helmets are called tinpots. The FM3 (Federal Medium version 3) is an armor that strikes a balance between protection and mobility. The FM3 is noted for having neck protection, though this interferes slightly with movement.

The FL2 doesn’t have neck protection, and has thinner playing for maximum mobility.

The FH5 is known for being of high quality compared to other armor used by Otikans. The Federal Heavy version 5 is an extremely heavy duty set of armor, known for being rugged and capable of taking enormous punishment. While the armor doesn’t fully protect the entire body, it provides unprecedented protection in the front, as designers assumed it was the most likely target of enemy fire.

People using LMGs, flamethrowers, grenade launchers, rocket launchers, or automatic shotguns are classified as “heavy infantry” by the Junta. Heavy infantry get the FH5, and receive training that strikes the balance between Guard and Ranger exercises

There’s normally one light infantry and one heavy industry in a squad. Light Infantry scouts ahead, or provide marksman support, and Heavy Infantry provide covering fire, attract attention, or cause explosions.

Culture

Food

People living above ground normally hunt and scavenge for food. Mushrooms are farmed en mass underground to feed so-called "underworlders." Otikan cuisine emphasizes “hearty” foods, due to the cold weather. Decades-old military rations and hardtack are consumed in famine, and are stockpiled when food is plenty.

When Otikans don't have a lot of food, they're forced to eat "PITAN" bars, which are normally around 20-30 years old and full of preservatives. The one that's supposed to taste like chocolate tastes like chemicals. The fruit flavored one tastes like battery acid. The peanut butter one is the best tasting one (which means that people aren't tempted to vomit), but it needs to be gnawed on for long periods of time because it's too thick and hard to chew normally.

"Pitan" is short for "pitaniye", which means food. There are also "bread cylinders," which are full of vacuum-sealed chewy imitations of actual bread, and packed full of preservatives to not rot.

Hardtack is made en mass to ensure people don't starve during famines. Hardtack is flour backed into a cracker, basically. They are softened by crumbling them into coffee, or frying them with animal fat. Sometimes, weevils get into the hardtack, but they eat them anyway because it doesn't really affect the taste. They ignore this fact by eating in the dark.It lasts a long time, but it's awful to eat. Just like the peanut butter PITAN bars, they need to be gnawed on for a long time to break off an edible piece, and then washed down with water. It can be made with flour and water. If they're lucky, salt.

The main kind of coffee people are familiar with is powdered. Same for milk. Tea, however, can be fairly easily made with pine needles.

"Poddelka coffee", or simply fake coffee, is made with roasted blizzard nuts and blood molasses. Chern-podd or ChPo coffee is a variant of Poddelka coffee, brewed with roasted tobacco/sun-leaf and blizzard nuts, which is good for keeping people up at night.

Vultures

Vultures are a large part of Otikan society, as they are the ones scavenging and looting from Kakistopol and unexplored bunkers in PZMNY. Many of them are heavy smokers of sun leaf as it keeps them calm. Veteran Vultures can get a little unhinged, as they spend long periods of time isolated, even for Otikans. Vultures adhere to a “jack of all trades” philosophy, being expected to know basic construction, first aid, combat techniques, and how to use electronics.

Due to spending so much time in isolation, many of them are blunt or crude in their manner of speaking and day to day operations, because “time is resources.” After spending months out in the tundra, most aren’t used to social trends and may unintentionally (or intentionally) offend people after spending a long period of time away from society. 

Vultures communicate with each other out on the field using symbols, similar to the “hobo code.” For example, they have symbols that signify an area is dangerous, or that there are wolves in the area. They also use symbols to show areas that would make for good shelter, or areas that have been cleared out already.

Three slash marks signify an area is dangerous. Two arrows in one direction mean to get out fast. A “U” symbol that looks similar to an open square signifies shelter. A triangle with a line in the middle means “be ready to defend yourself.” A circle with an X in the middle means it’s cleared out.

Vultures have an interesting relationship with bandits (deserters of the regime or ex-prisoners who decided to stake it out on their own. Although some vultures work with them, the vast majority mark bandit camps and report them upon return.

Vultures are very hard to understand, as they have thick accents. The state-sponsored vultures (who make up around 80 percent of vultures and get training) are fairly well respected, though independent ones less so. Independent vultures do not receive training, but are not required to turn in a portion of their findings to the government. Independents have much more risk, but can get a better award. It's generally seen as unnecessary, though. Mainly thrill seekers and people associated with criminals become independent vultures, and are seen as drunken jackasses or dashing rogues.