Norroenirlund [IN PROGRESS]
Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 3:36 pm
(Starting out, no where near finished, feedback appreciated.)
As one of the furthermost northern outposts of the Eyropian Empire, the land of Norroenirlund is considered by many to be a harsh, cold, cruel and unforgiving land. Populated by larger than life people, creatures and magical phenomena, the land is severe and harsh to the prepared, and deadly to the fool. Any traveler that goes to this harsh land should beware if the creatures don't kill you, the local populace more than likely will.
Geography and People - Norroenirlund is mainly comprised of what was known as Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The land before the Changers War was hard and mountainous, but able to support some forms of farming and livestock. After the Changers War the land became much harder, with the Animals having to evolve into larger and fiercer creatures to survive, and the local fauna having to evolve as well, making the people of these same lands adapt or die. Before the Changers War, the land was cold with a brief summer of three months followed by a month long fall, a seven month long winter, and a month long spring. A note on the winter. The winter is not severely cold as in negative below, but the water does freeze, Glaciers do form, and what makes the winter hard is it's length. The sun isn't bright, and the land exists in a state of twilight during the winter. Snow does fall, but it only reaches around 1-3 feet deep. During the summer, the land itself blooms, and the plants come in full force. As the people of the land go to make and harvest crops, the animals are in full force, trying to get the plants they have been deprived of. There exists a fierce competition between Clans and animals for greenery.
The people of these areas were avid hunters, fishermen, raiders and warriors. Known before the Changers War as Vikings, they were feared in many Northern Countries. Always known as tall people, they predominately ranged from 5'9" to 5'11" before the magic unleashed in the Changers War drastically changed them, meaning the average male from Norroenirlund ranges in the 6'2" to 6'5" range, but some have been known to top 6'8" or taller. Many of them grow long hair and beards, which are usually braided in intricate designs to denote ones clan, kills, or occupation. They call themselves "Vikung" now, as the believe they are like their ancestors but different. Being men of exceptional size, strength, and martial prowess, they believe themselves to be natural born warriors, to the point that the first gift a Norroenirlund male is given after birth is an knife, and if the new born babe does not grasp the hilt strongly, they are put to death. The Vikung believe only the strongest survive, and they start this belief at the youngest age. The predominant hair colors of the Vikung is red and blonde, and the predominant eye color is blue or green.
Animals of importance- The animals of importance to the Clans are not as many as one would think.
The Cave Bear, with it's thick, luxurious, black fur is important to the trappers and hunters, as it fetches a high price in the markets.
The Auroch, which is bigger and larger tahn most cattle, is one of the only species of animal that can be kept domestically in the North, and is a huge source of income with its milk, meat, and leather.
The Cradon is the large aggressive mountain goat that is raised by the Winter Bear clan for its meat, milk and hide. Almost double the size of most mountain goats, many a Vikung shepherd has met his death at being butted from the mountain edge by a Cradon.
The Brago are the modern era descendants of Orcas, ranging in size closer to a blue whale than their ancestors. Fierce predators of the ocean, they are hunted for their meat, blubber and teeth by the Bloody Maw clan, and the killing of a Brago by any less than 5 warriors is considered an accomplishment of great skill and bravery.
The Fenri are the great wolves of the forests, and the sometimes pets of the Black Wolves. Standing two foot tall at the shoulders, they have blocky heads with an amazing amount of biting power, able to snap a mans leg. More clan wars have been started over a Fenri eating another clans food animals than anything.
The Shadun are sea turtles hunted by the Bloody Maw, useful for their meat and shells. The Shadun measures 5 feet from shell side to side, and 5 feet from top to bottom. The bloody Maw have been known to use these as shields, for they are almost impenetrable, and the only way to kill a Shadun is net it and knife the head.
The Bees are one of the greatest of the Black Wolves resources, for with them they make honey, beeswax, and mead. It is also believed that the reason the Black Wolves crops grow well is the bees being there to help pollinate the plants.
The Foraz are basically ice serpents. Growing in an excess of 25 feet, they are much like the ancient worlds anaconda. There is no record of them in the lands before the Changers War, but they are there now for certain. They feed on anything, and are white like snow. They hide in the ice and snow, waiting to trap and squeeze victims to death. They hibernate in the summer months, as they are much easier to see without snow. They are armored, with a thick snake skin hide. One of the greatest animals to hunt and kill for a warriors rite of passage is this. There are rumors that the World Serpent Clan breed and worship Foraz, but it has never been proven.
Economy- Much of the economy is derived from raiding. One of the skills that the Vikung have retained over the years is the building of Longships and raiding the coastlines, going through the Northern Ocean and raiding as far away as Tian Xia. Through this they gain many precious items, and then the traders of Norroenirlund, known as the "Rusk", travel to other parts of Eyropa and trade exotic items for needed goods.
The longhsip of the Vikung is different than the Longship of the Viking. Due to the magic used after the changers war, many of them are carved with runes for protection, speed and whatever else the Captain decides. They all have a shaman on board to direct magic into these runes for whatever use they have. The modern long ships have metal rams on the front under water for ramming other ships, and the "neck" of the dragon headed bow has armor plating with sharpened edges in case the ship sails into an ice floe. Being of larger design to accommodate larger men as well, the longships are wider, but no deeper, which makes them still able to sail up rivers. A powerful enough shaman with a good enough ship can make the ship faster, propelling through the water at double some speeds, and a ship with proper concealment runes and a shaman can become veiled from sight for however long the shaman can support it. For these reasons, a shaman will be protected until every member of the crew is dead.
Another way the people boost the economy is they hire out mercenary armies to the highest bidder. Many of them believe the only honor in death is in a death from Battle, and therefore relish a fight. Anyone boating of having money to spend for their fight, could do no better than to hire Norroenirlunddr mercenaries. This is not to say that they will fight though, as the Vikung adhere to a strict code of honor, and if they believe a cause is unjust or not worthy of them, they may refuse to fight for it.
The furs of many of the animals in Norroenirlund are thick and luxurious, and wanted by the wealthy of many for various reasons, as well as furs, teeth and bones for alchemical use in mage work. Therefore, many of the Vikung are also expert hunters, trackers, and trappers. Instead of the warriors, the hunters are usually known as having the most dangerous jobs of all the Vikung males. Many of the most maimed and disfigured Vikung males are hunters, and many rites of passage are centered around killing or trapping certain animals.
The Clans of Norroenirlund- Much of Norroenirlund is divided into territories controlled by large Clans. Great Clans have smaller offshoots of Clans that pay them tribute for protection and to live in that certain territory. All of the Great Clans have certain physical or mental characteristics that are apart of them, and since many lesser clans are descended from the Great Clan they pay homage to, part of the lesser clans as well.
Winter Bear Clan- A fair-sized clan, they and their descendant clans claim much of the area formerly known as Southern Norway, in the mountain range there. Due to the harsh land they live in, they are some of the toughest of Vikung, and the most understanding of fortifications and fighting from on high falls to these warriors. They have a few physical characteristics, which include over-sized canine teeth, giving them the appearance of vampires almost. They also are the only clan that births sons with Black Hair, and have fingers that are usually longer than most of their brethren. They also have deep basso voices, and are capable of roaring in an inhuman way. The mental characteristic of the clan is they produce more Beserkr than any of the other clans, warriors capable of falling into an intense rage that helps them work through pain and wounds until they should be dead many times over. When the rage goes, they finally succumb to their wounds. They are one of the few clans that practice the art of tattooing, and the easiest way to recognize one of this clan is a braid that runs from the center of the chin, ending in a silver ring around the last bit of it. The Winter Bear Clan grows hardy corn and beans on the mountainside during the summer months, and trades some of it to other Clans for their greens. They raise mountain goats, herding and caring for them. They use the goats milk to drink and make cheese or butter with.
World Serpent Clan- The most secretive of the Great Clans. Hailing from the area formerly known as Sweden, these are the lithe assassins of Norroenirlund. Some of the smallest Vikung have come from this Clan, many not ranging over 6'2" and topping 220 pounds. They are thoroughly trained in the arts of espionage, assassination, and they kill for pleasure. Taking their name from the ancient evil Jormungdur, they wear armor made of scale plates, and they keep pet snakes found on their world travels as raiders, mercenaries and assassins. The greatest Characteristic of the World Serpent people is their cold, calculating, serpent like minds, and their physical "runtness" as it is said by the other Vikung. The greens that the World Serpents grow is unknown, for they do not share them or their growing location with anyone.
Black Wolves Clan- The Black wolves clan are tall and dark, with cooper colored hair and dark green eyes. They fight exclusively in groups, and hunt in groups as well. Out of all the Vikung, they are the only ones who do not have a physical characteristic, only their pack mentality. These are the most sought out of Vikung mercenaries, being that they follow orders well and are used to fighting in a squad group. The territory the occupy is the Northern tip of what was once known as Denmark. The Wolves grow corn, wheat and barley. They brew beer with the barley, and sell it to the other clans. They also keep bees for honey, selling some honey to the other clans and using the rest of it to make mead, which they export to the south and other clans. They also raise wolves as pets, and some are closer to their wolves than anyone else in the world. The only other clan that uses tattooing, they have been known to tattoo wolf paws and swirling lines on their bodies, believing it will grant them powers and camouflage them in the forests.
Bloody Maw Clan- The Bloody Maw Clan are warriors, and the only people of Norroenirlund that do not have a permanent land based territory. They live on boats off the coast line, having house boats they can pull onto land so they can ride out storms or the winter. They gift whatever they can, usually fish onto the ruling clan for permission to use these areas for their boats. They harvest seaweed, flavoring most of their foods with it, and selling it to other clans to enrich the harsh soils they grow their food in. They sell the most of this to the Winter Bear Clans. The reason they are known as the Bloody Maw Clan is they paint their faces with a red ochre going into battle, and are famous for biting the throats out of their enemies in hand to hand combat.
Raging Auroch Clan- Occupying what is thought of as the best regions of what was once Finland, the Raging Auroch Clan may not be the tallest, but they are definitely the broadest. Their life is easy enough that some of them are known to grow fat. They receive enough good sun and land in their farms that they grow corn, tomatoes, beans, and other assorted greens. They sell these at great coast to the other Clans, making them the most fought Clan, for all the others want a piece of their land to grow on, or they just want to steal the stockpiled greens they have. While many of them can grow fat, they are still the Vikung men, and almost of are swordsmen. Trained well in the use of sword and shield wall, they have become masters at fighting off invasions, and made a deal with Winter Bear Clans to fortify their villages in exchange for greenery. They are also cattle raisers, raising the Auroch cattle of the North, hardy, strong, a lot of meat, and very sturdy leather.
Shaman of Norroenirlund- Before the Changers War magic was practiced in the North through Runes and Singing. It was mostly considered a "womanly art", but during the Changers War many men tapped into the magic as well. Now, it is an important part of the culture, with different Clan shaman being able to give powers and blessing to their people, and the Shaman-Gunnar, the Warrior Shamans, walking the world and helping defend Clans in need. Almost every long ship has a shaman, who uses Runes for the betterment of the boat and crew. A healer Shaman can use herbs, carved runes or runes drawn in blood, and songs of healing to heal grievous wounds and to craft tonic like health potions. Magic is excepted as a part of daily life in the North, and many see it as a gift from the Gods, or in the Clans that only believe in Asathor the Changer, as a gift from him.
The Althing, the Law- Once a year, each Clan hosts their own Althing, where all the people of the Clan that can come will. If any man has done another wrong, they will bring their case to the Althing, where someone agreed upon by both parties will arbitrate for them to try to bring about a peaceful resolution. IF they cannot agree, the arbitrator will take the case before the elders, and those involved will have to use their wits to present their case to the elders, with witnesses and others who will speak for them, their cause and their character. The elders will then decide what the fees and penalties for compensation will be.
The most severe of crimes equate in being outlawed, harried by all good men and loved and cared for by none. If an outlaw is killed, no compensation is paid to his family for his death.
If a duel challenge is issued, the two combatants will fight the duel on a white cloth, 12 feet by 12 feet. Unless specified, the duel will be fought until first blood is drawn whereas the loser will have to pay the winner compensation, and if fought to the death, the losers family must pay compensation, though they can take a case to the Althing for their family members death.
Not paying compensation can result in a duel, outlawry, or being killed on sight by those slighted.
During the Changers War-
A powerful Changer had come out of Norroenirlund, named Asathor. Many thought him the son of the Norse Deity Thor, as this changer could manipulate lightning and was amazingly strong. Weilding a great hammer, he united the entire Northern Tribes and was poised to take control of the world, raiding and killing, until he met with Theogios. Here he saw a man who could better the world, making it a place that all could live in, in the eyes of Asathor. Asathor pledged his magic and his people to Theogios, and the Eyropian Empire.
During the Changers War, the armies that fought against Eyropian Empire forces learned to fear the Varyargs, the men of Norroenirlund who willingly formed regiments for the army of Theogios. Bellowing war cries and killing without mercy, the Varyargs were some of the most feared forces, to the point that mages spilled forth the worst horrors they could to try and destroy them. Ragnar Bloodaxe is one of the greatest Varyarg heroes of this time, his name still spoken today. He led what came to be known as the 4th Legion, and was personally thanked by Theogios for his bravery and valor. The Varyargs stayed when Asathor was killed in combat by the Changer Setkhantos in battle, and if anything they became more fierce. Almost all of the Varyarg Legions were destroyed in the last battles of the War, and the magical energies put forth are what mutated the last survivors of the legions, giving rise to the Great Clans as they returned home and became leaders.
Many of the Clans see Asathor and Theogios as deities, Theogios being renowned for military skill, valor, and his abilities beyond the battlefield, his diplomacy, caring and love for his people. Asathor is seen as a God of War, Battle, and destruction of enemies. Many of the people of Norroenirlund believe that when the Seal breaks, Theogios and Asathor, along with the other changers that fought with Theogios will come back to the world in pure forms, to govern it in peace and prosperity for their people.
As one of the furthermost northern outposts of the Eyropian Empire, the land of Norroenirlund is considered by many to be a harsh, cold, cruel and unforgiving land. Populated by larger than life people, creatures and magical phenomena, the land is severe and harsh to the prepared, and deadly to the fool. Any traveler that goes to this harsh land should beware if the creatures don't kill you, the local populace more than likely will.
Geography and People - Norroenirlund is mainly comprised of what was known as Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The land before the Changers War was hard and mountainous, but able to support some forms of farming and livestock. After the Changers War the land became much harder, with the Animals having to evolve into larger and fiercer creatures to survive, and the local fauna having to evolve as well, making the people of these same lands adapt or die. Before the Changers War, the land was cold with a brief summer of three months followed by a month long fall, a seven month long winter, and a month long spring. A note on the winter. The winter is not severely cold as in negative below, but the water does freeze, Glaciers do form, and what makes the winter hard is it's length. The sun isn't bright, and the land exists in a state of twilight during the winter. Snow does fall, but it only reaches around 1-3 feet deep. During the summer, the land itself blooms, and the plants come in full force. As the people of the land go to make and harvest crops, the animals are in full force, trying to get the plants they have been deprived of. There exists a fierce competition between Clans and animals for greenery.
The people of these areas were avid hunters, fishermen, raiders and warriors. Known before the Changers War as Vikings, they were feared in many Northern Countries. Always known as tall people, they predominately ranged from 5'9" to 5'11" before the magic unleashed in the Changers War drastically changed them, meaning the average male from Norroenirlund ranges in the 6'2" to 6'5" range, but some have been known to top 6'8" or taller. Many of them grow long hair and beards, which are usually braided in intricate designs to denote ones clan, kills, or occupation. They call themselves "Vikung" now, as the believe they are like their ancestors but different. Being men of exceptional size, strength, and martial prowess, they believe themselves to be natural born warriors, to the point that the first gift a Norroenirlund male is given after birth is an knife, and if the new born babe does not grasp the hilt strongly, they are put to death. The Vikung believe only the strongest survive, and they start this belief at the youngest age. The predominant hair colors of the Vikung is red and blonde, and the predominant eye color is blue or green.
Animals of importance- The animals of importance to the Clans are not as many as one would think.
The Cave Bear, with it's thick, luxurious, black fur is important to the trappers and hunters, as it fetches a high price in the markets.
The Auroch, which is bigger and larger tahn most cattle, is one of the only species of animal that can be kept domestically in the North, and is a huge source of income with its milk, meat, and leather.
The Cradon is the large aggressive mountain goat that is raised by the Winter Bear clan for its meat, milk and hide. Almost double the size of most mountain goats, many a Vikung shepherd has met his death at being butted from the mountain edge by a Cradon.
The Brago are the modern era descendants of Orcas, ranging in size closer to a blue whale than their ancestors. Fierce predators of the ocean, they are hunted for their meat, blubber and teeth by the Bloody Maw clan, and the killing of a Brago by any less than 5 warriors is considered an accomplishment of great skill and bravery.
The Fenri are the great wolves of the forests, and the sometimes pets of the Black Wolves. Standing two foot tall at the shoulders, they have blocky heads with an amazing amount of biting power, able to snap a mans leg. More clan wars have been started over a Fenri eating another clans food animals than anything.
The Shadun are sea turtles hunted by the Bloody Maw, useful for their meat and shells. The Shadun measures 5 feet from shell side to side, and 5 feet from top to bottom. The bloody Maw have been known to use these as shields, for they are almost impenetrable, and the only way to kill a Shadun is net it and knife the head.
The Bees are one of the greatest of the Black Wolves resources, for with them they make honey, beeswax, and mead. It is also believed that the reason the Black Wolves crops grow well is the bees being there to help pollinate the plants.
The Foraz are basically ice serpents. Growing in an excess of 25 feet, they are much like the ancient worlds anaconda. There is no record of them in the lands before the Changers War, but they are there now for certain. They feed on anything, and are white like snow. They hide in the ice and snow, waiting to trap and squeeze victims to death. They hibernate in the summer months, as they are much easier to see without snow. They are armored, with a thick snake skin hide. One of the greatest animals to hunt and kill for a warriors rite of passage is this. There are rumors that the World Serpent Clan breed and worship Foraz, but it has never been proven.
Economy- Much of the economy is derived from raiding. One of the skills that the Vikung have retained over the years is the building of Longships and raiding the coastlines, going through the Northern Ocean and raiding as far away as Tian Xia. Through this they gain many precious items, and then the traders of Norroenirlund, known as the "Rusk", travel to other parts of Eyropa and trade exotic items for needed goods.
The longhsip of the Vikung is different than the Longship of the Viking. Due to the magic used after the changers war, many of them are carved with runes for protection, speed and whatever else the Captain decides. They all have a shaman on board to direct magic into these runes for whatever use they have. The modern long ships have metal rams on the front under water for ramming other ships, and the "neck" of the dragon headed bow has armor plating with sharpened edges in case the ship sails into an ice floe. Being of larger design to accommodate larger men as well, the longships are wider, but no deeper, which makes them still able to sail up rivers. A powerful enough shaman with a good enough ship can make the ship faster, propelling through the water at double some speeds, and a ship with proper concealment runes and a shaman can become veiled from sight for however long the shaman can support it. For these reasons, a shaman will be protected until every member of the crew is dead.
Another way the people boost the economy is they hire out mercenary armies to the highest bidder. Many of them believe the only honor in death is in a death from Battle, and therefore relish a fight. Anyone boating of having money to spend for their fight, could do no better than to hire Norroenirlunddr mercenaries. This is not to say that they will fight though, as the Vikung adhere to a strict code of honor, and if they believe a cause is unjust or not worthy of them, they may refuse to fight for it.
The furs of many of the animals in Norroenirlund are thick and luxurious, and wanted by the wealthy of many for various reasons, as well as furs, teeth and bones for alchemical use in mage work. Therefore, many of the Vikung are also expert hunters, trackers, and trappers. Instead of the warriors, the hunters are usually known as having the most dangerous jobs of all the Vikung males. Many of the most maimed and disfigured Vikung males are hunters, and many rites of passage are centered around killing or trapping certain animals.
The Clans of Norroenirlund- Much of Norroenirlund is divided into territories controlled by large Clans. Great Clans have smaller offshoots of Clans that pay them tribute for protection and to live in that certain territory. All of the Great Clans have certain physical or mental characteristics that are apart of them, and since many lesser clans are descended from the Great Clan they pay homage to, part of the lesser clans as well.
Winter Bear Clan- A fair-sized clan, they and their descendant clans claim much of the area formerly known as Southern Norway, in the mountain range there. Due to the harsh land they live in, they are some of the toughest of Vikung, and the most understanding of fortifications and fighting from on high falls to these warriors. They have a few physical characteristics, which include over-sized canine teeth, giving them the appearance of vampires almost. They also are the only clan that births sons with Black Hair, and have fingers that are usually longer than most of their brethren. They also have deep basso voices, and are capable of roaring in an inhuman way. The mental characteristic of the clan is they produce more Beserkr than any of the other clans, warriors capable of falling into an intense rage that helps them work through pain and wounds until they should be dead many times over. When the rage goes, they finally succumb to their wounds. They are one of the few clans that practice the art of tattooing, and the easiest way to recognize one of this clan is a braid that runs from the center of the chin, ending in a silver ring around the last bit of it. The Winter Bear Clan grows hardy corn and beans on the mountainside during the summer months, and trades some of it to other Clans for their greens. They raise mountain goats, herding and caring for them. They use the goats milk to drink and make cheese or butter with.
World Serpent Clan- The most secretive of the Great Clans. Hailing from the area formerly known as Sweden, these are the lithe assassins of Norroenirlund. Some of the smallest Vikung have come from this Clan, many not ranging over 6'2" and topping 220 pounds. They are thoroughly trained in the arts of espionage, assassination, and they kill for pleasure. Taking their name from the ancient evil Jormungdur, they wear armor made of scale plates, and they keep pet snakes found on their world travels as raiders, mercenaries and assassins. The greatest Characteristic of the World Serpent people is their cold, calculating, serpent like minds, and their physical "runtness" as it is said by the other Vikung. The greens that the World Serpents grow is unknown, for they do not share them or their growing location with anyone.
Black Wolves Clan- The Black wolves clan are tall and dark, with cooper colored hair and dark green eyes. They fight exclusively in groups, and hunt in groups as well. Out of all the Vikung, they are the only ones who do not have a physical characteristic, only their pack mentality. These are the most sought out of Vikung mercenaries, being that they follow orders well and are used to fighting in a squad group. The territory the occupy is the Northern tip of what was once known as Denmark. The Wolves grow corn, wheat and barley. They brew beer with the barley, and sell it to the other clans. They also keep bees for honey, selling some honey to the other clans and using the rest of it to make mead, which they export to the south and other clans. They also raise wolves as pets, and some are closer to their wolves than anyone else in the world. The only other clan that uses tattooing, they have been known to tattoo wolf paws and swirling lines on their bodies, believing it will grant them powers and camouflage them in the forests.
Bloody Maw Clan- The Bloody Maw Clan are warriors, and the only people of Norroenirlund that do not have a permanent land based territory. They live on boats off the coast line, having house boats they can pull onto land so they can ride out storms or the winter. They gift whatever they can, usually fish onto the ruling clan for permission to use these areas for their boats. They harvest seaweed, flavoring most of their foods with it, and selling it to other clans to enrich the harsh soils they grow their food in. They sell the most of this to the Winter Bear Clans. The reason they are known as the Bloody Maw Clan is they paint their faces with a red ochre going into battle, and are famous for biting the throats out of their enemies in hand to hand combat.
Raging Auroch Clan- Occupying what is thought of as the best regions of what was once Finland, the Raging Auroch Clan may not be the tallest, but they are definitely the broadest. Their life is easy enough that some of them are known to grow fat. They receive enough good sun and land in their farms that they grow corn, tomatoes, beans, and other assorted greens. They sell these at great coast to the other Clans, making them the most fought Clan, for all the others want a piece of their land to grow on, or they just want to steal the stockpiled greens they have. While many of them can grow fat, they are still the Vikung men, and almost of are swordsmen. Trained well in the use of sword and shield wall, they have become masters at fighting off invasions, and made a deal with Winter Bear Clans to fortify their villages in exchange for greenery. They are also cattle raisers, raising the Auroch cattle of the North, hardy, strong, a lot of meat, and very sturdy leather.
Shaman of Norroenirlund- Before the Changers War magic was practiced in the North through Runes and Singing. It was mostly considered a "womanly art", but during the Changers War many men tapped into the magic as well. Now, it is an important part of the culture, with different Clan shaman being able to give powers and blessing to their people, and the Shaman-Gunnar, the Warrior Shamans, walking the world and helping defend Clans in need. Almost every long ship has a shaman, who uses Runes for the betterment of the boat and crew. A healer Shaman can use herbs, carved runes or runes drawn in blood, and songs of healing to heal grievous wounds and to craft tonic like health potions. Magic is excepted as a part of daily life in the North, and many see it as a gift from the Gods, or in the Clans that only believe in Asathor the Changer, as a gift from him.
The Althing, the Law- Once a year, each Clan hosts their own Althing, where all the people of the Clan that can come will. If any man has done another wrong, they will bring their case to the Althing, where someone agreed upon by both parties will arbitrate for them to try to bring about a peaceful resolution. IF they cannot agree, the arbitrator will take the case before the elders, and those involved will have to use their wits to present their case to the elders, with witnesses and others who will speak for them, their cause and their character. The elders will then decide what the fees and penalties for compensation will be.
The most severe of crimes equate in being outlawed, harried by all good men and loved and cared for by none. If an outlaw is killed, no compensation is paid to his family for his death.
If a duel challenge is issued, the two combatants will fight the duel on a white cloth, 12 feet by 12 feet. Unless specified, the duel will be fought until first blood is drawn whereas the loser will have to pay the winner compensation, and if fought to the death, the losers family must pay compensation, though they can take a case to the Althing for their family members death.
Not paying compensation can result in a duel, outlawry, or being killed on sight by those slighted.
During the Changers War-
A powerful Changer had come out of Norroenirlund, named Asathor. Many thought him the son of the Norse Deity Thor, as this changer could manipulate lightning and was amazingly strong. Weilding a great hammer, he united the entire Northern Tribes and was poised to take control of the world, raiding and killing, until he met with Theogios. Here he saw a man who could better the world, making it a place that all could live in, in the eyes of Asathor. Asathor pledged his magic and his people to Theogios, and the Eyropian Empire.
During the Changers War, the armies that fought against Eyropian Empire forces learned to fear the Varyargs, the men of Norroenirlund who willingly formed regiments for the army of Theogios. Bellowing war cries and killing without mercy, the Varyargs were some of the most feared forces, to the point that mages spilled forth the worst horrors they could to try and destroy them. Ragnar Bloodaxe is one of the greatest Varyarg heroes of this time, his name still spoken today. He led what came to be known as the 4th Legion, and was personally thanked by Theogios for his bravery and valor. The Varyargs stayed when Asathor was killed in combat by the Changer Setkhantos in battle, and if anything they became more fierce. Almost all of the Varyarg Legions were destroyed in the last battles of the War, and the magical energies put forth are what mutated the last survivors of the legions, giving rise to the Great Clans as they returned home and became leaders.
Many of the Clans see Asathor and Theogios as deities, Theogios being renowned for military skill, valor, and his abilities beyond the battlefield, his diplomacy, caring and love for his people. Asathor is seen as a God of War, Battle, and destruction of enemies. Many of the people of Norroenirlund believe that when the Seal breaks, Theogios and Asathor, along with the other changers that fought with Theogios will come back to the world in pure forms, to govern it in peace and prosperity for their people.