Kingdom of Norland

Kingdom of Norland Norlandic Coat of Arms Capital: Vjardengrad Languages: Common Old Norlandic Lakian Jalfmarr'tal Agnesa (regional) Sveasspråk (regional) Demonym: Norlander Religion: The Red Faith Government: Theocratic Quasi-Hereditary Monarchy King: Balon Eiriksson Ruric Queen: Hilda Freysson Ruric Heir: None Appointed Hand of the King: Baldr Edvardsson Ruric Master of War: Hilda Freysson Ruric Currency: Norlandic Mark Rathonian Agra (Regional) Historical Era: Coalition War (1590 FA) War of Grudges (1607 FA) Third Crusade (1638 FA) Atlas Coalition War (1657 FA) War of Two Emperors (1715 FA) Rubern War (1740 FA) Sutican War (1776 FA) War of Three Kingdoms (22 SA) War of Wigs (53 SA) Cartref Mor Uprising (86 SA) Preceded by: Duchy of Morsgrad Earldom of Nordengrad Principality of Dreadlands

The Kingdom of Norland (Old Norlandic: , Agnesa: Rìoghachd na Nortiann, Sveasspråk: Kungariket Norrland), also known simply as Norland, is a theocratic quasi-hereditary monarchical kingdom made up of primarily Humans and home of the Red Faith. Located in the Northwestern reaches of Nyrheim, also known as Almaris. Norland is also an ancestral home to the ancient Rurikkid Clans and a multitude of other ancient clans and families. The current capital of the Kingdom of Norland is the city of Alisgrad, established after the Svarlings destroyed the old capital of Varhelm.

In 1749 FA Godric Edvardsson Ruric fell ill which left Chadmyr Edvardsson Ruric to become Regent of the Duchy of Morsgrad until Godric's son Caedric Edvardsson Ruric could take the throne. In 1760 FA Chadmyr signed the Treaty of Novellen thus ending the Duchy of Morsgrad's participation in the Rubern War. The following year saw Caedric's coronation as Duke of Morsgrad. After the dissolution of the Kingdom of Norland forty years prior, one of Caedric's first acts as Duke was to issue the Declaration of Norlandic Pride which reconstituted the Kingdom of Norland, marking the fifth reformation of the Kingdom.

History

Thales

Directly after the Thalian genocide of the snow elves, Vykk Volaren, a local ship captain lays claim to their abandoned city, founding the first Norlandic city. Volaren focuses the cities values on justice, peace, and racial equality, quickly gaining many citizens of all races. Volaren brings the city back to life, purchasing livestock and farming materials from his own pocket. Volaren also recruits citizens to work the land and enlists the Black Water Trading Co. to revive trade within the city. After only a few months, soldiers from the nation of Haelun'or arrive outside the city gates and threaten military action unless Norland vassalized beneath them, they are easily repelled by the ragtag militia of the Norlandic peoples.

The land of Thales eventually began to turn on its inhabitants, with harsh winters lasting longer and longer, with eventually even the summer months blanketing the lands in massive snowfalls. A mass exodus is prepared by the Descendant races, including those of Norland. A great Norlandic fleet is made with the capital ship being made in the image of a whale, also preparing and cooking whales for consumption by the rest of the Norlandic fleet.

Athera

The people of Norland landed on the shores of Athera, immediately heading off in search of new land to call their home and quickly discover the clay mountains of the north, deciding to build a settlement there. The people of Illica arrive at the settlement looking for shelter, the Norlanders take them in with open arms, allowing them a place to stay for the winter. However, in the coming months, the Norlanders realized the benefits of the greater number of citizens and combine to create an even greater Norland.

Friction begins to build between the southron Illician peoples and the Northern Norlanders as two leaders rise to power, Thoromir Ruricsson Armahnk and Theodosius Visconti, the latter naming himself the ruler despite any formal vote or representation of the people. Further strife is born when the Illician people begin to demolish buildings built by the Norlandic peoples. In response to outside pressures, Thoromir Armhank begins construction on a massive wall, encompassing the entirety of Norland and the surrounding mountain tops, finishing the project in only three years. The wall is later nicknamed the “The Shield of Polaris.” Thoromir would later go on to make a total of three walls surrounding the city and one surrounding the entirety of all of Norland’s lands.

Thoromir's Prayer being answered by the Father

A violent uprising of armed men, led by Thoromir Armahnk, ran through the city in search of Theodosius Visconti, realizing his impending doom, Theodosius Visconti stabs himself in the heart to rob the men of their justice. approximately 5000 Visconti loyalists leave the city in response to Visconti’s death. The size is dwarfed by Armahnk supporters numbering in the thirty thousand. Thoromir Armahnk realizes the benefits of a formal military over a militia and orders the creation of the Polar Wache, Norland’s first military order.

A number of years later, a large mercenary company named The Covenant of Mar joined Norland, offering their services to the Kingdom in return for Fort Sarrowglek, a keep on the outskirts of Norland’s territory. The Covenant of Mar, led by Zagoth Unkai would go on to fight on the behalf of Norland for a period of ten years before relocating to Orcish lands. His keep was swiftly given to Snow White (one of Guz Volaren’s Aliases) the brother of Vykk Volaren. Snow would go on to become a legendary fire evocationist and sire many children from many different wives, all of which becoming capable fire evocationists. Men from House Winter would later try to arrest Count White on orders from Voron Rovin, King of Aesterwald. Bringing Count White before the court on charges of murder, banditry, illegal use of magic, and the murder of a child. All charges were proven false and Count White was released. This event would lead to a massive rift between the people of Norland and the Aesterwaldian Kingdom.

Norland later would go on to sign a treaty with the Holy Orenian Empire, solidifying their friendship and confirming their independence and sovereignty. Soon after, Aesterwald would rebel against Oren with the help of dwarven and orcish allies, conquering Petrus and many other settlements. Norland proudly declares their support for Oren, leading to the Norlandic lands to be seized by the nearby Kingdom of Aesterwald. The people of Norland, oppressed by the Aesterwaldians, secretly help the newly founded Kingdom of Akovia against the Schismatic League, later going on to openly help the Akovians meet the Schismatic league in combat, outnumbered three to one, they emerge victorious time and time again. After several successful battles, the Schismatic League fractures and the Schism War ends soon after. Post-war, Norland is unable to gain much of its lands.

With their homelands lost, the Norlandic people begin to wander, many forming large mercenary groups and clans, the most notable being The Stormswords. The Stormswords were led by Vorne, a middle-ranked member of the Polar Wache, yet a very capable leader in his own right. The Stormswords would notably go on to fight in many battles and bring much honor and glory to the Norlandic peoples. Eventually, the Stormswords would be forced to disband, as the lack of war led to a lack of minae, and the Norlandic peoples would disperse across the land until after the great Atheran exodus.

Vailor

The Norlandic people began to truly rise to prominence during their time in Vailor. Settling upon the Island of Avar relatively early, the Norlandic people’s lengthy isolation upon the island compounded with a degree of inherent stubbornness and independence resulted in the development of early traces of Norlandic culture. Developing into fiercely independent folk, the Norlanders established the Kingdom of Norland upon the island of Avar. This, of course, is achieved with the assistance of wealthy heartland merchants seeking to hide their wealth from the Imperial administration. This first Kingdom of Avar was established by Edvard Thorsson Ruric, now commonly referred to as ‘the Terrible’ due to the events of his reign.

A painting of a Lord Purifier

Edvard is the first of the Rurikkid Clans that can be properly referred to as a King in his own right, though not as grandiose as the heartland houses his ability to foster loyalty garnered him an impressive following for such a small realm. It was here that the famous, or rather the infamous Red Brothers were established by Edvard, with the assistance of Bjorn 'The Berserker' Rayeckson. The Red Brothers serve as the incarnation of what it means to be a Norlander. Embodying a savage, vigorous life philosophy that fed off of the constant warfare and raiding of the times. It was at this time that the Norlandic peoples decided to assist the Dwarven Empire of Urguan in their defense against the Orenian conquest of the southern portion of Vailor. It is here that consensus divides. Some claim that the Norlandic people were hired as mercenaries, utilizing a dated contract signed by the Grand King as evidence of the agreement. In short to exchange martial service for land to settle. Others contend that the Norlanders were to be vassals to the Empire of Urguan. As the war dragged on and Dwarven defeats began to pile, infertility and low morale of the dwarves resulted in a steadily decreasing war contribution on the part of the Dwarven Empire. As a result, the Norlandic peoples felt they were shouldering an unjustifiably large portion of the war effort, despite their small size relative to the clashing titans heading the conflict. Edvard, believing that he had completed the terms laid out in the contract, withdrew his people from the conflict. Declaring the Kingdom of Norland to be a neutral state. The Dwarven Empire became openly hostile to the Kingdom of Norland, consistently harassing them and accusing them of being traitors. Edvard fled believing himself to have failed his people. His younger brother Eirik stepped forth, declaring himself King despite the existence of Edvard’s male sons. Who under the traditions of Norland should have inherited. This prompted the formation of the three branches of the Rurikkid Clan. The Lineages of Edvardsson, those descended from Edvard Thorsson Ruric, the Lineage of Eiriksson, those descended from Eirik Thorsson Ruric, and the lineage of Frey, those descended from Frey Thorsson Ruric the youngest son of Thoromir and youngest brother of the three.

Eirik's reign is recollected with great fondness by the Norlandic people. Upon the desertion of his brother he immediately vassalized to the Empire of Oren. His vassalization gave the Emperor an additional front on which to attack the Dwarven Empire. With the removal of the Norlandic fleet blocking the Avarian Sea, Imperial troops were able to flood the Island and push the front lines even further towards the Dwarven capital. Eventually, Eirik decided to relocate the Norlandic people to the Archduchy of Lorraine. Where the Norlandic culture was slowly leached from the people of Norland as they were exposed and inundated with Imperial heartlands tradition and culture. Following the death of Eirik, Sven rose to prominence inheriting his father’s responsibilities. Soon he and his son, Thomas, decided to relocate their people to their ancestral homeland of Avar. Soon after this, the administration of Lorraine attempted to take them to the Imperial court, claiming that the Rurics were their de jure vassals and could not relocate themselves. Their claim was overturned as the Rurics were established as direct vassals of the Imperial Throne and therefore were not under the jurisdiction of the Lorraine in the first place. Back in Avar, the Rurics quickly rose to prominence, Thomas Eiriksson Ruric established the Nortruppen and recruited massive levies, establishing a large force of soldiers. Soon after the establishment of the Nortruppen, a group of bandits began consolidating in the south of Vailor, establishing the Principality of Dreadlands in concert with various other mercenary groups, the Dreadlands began raiding the Empire, focusing primarily on the frontier territories of the Rurikkid Clans. Believing that his people were shouldering too great a burden for a county while the Archduchies and Kingdoms of the Heartlands contributed nothing to the general war effort, Thomas marched his forces to the Imperial Palace, requesting an audience with the Emperor, John Sigismund. He was denied as it was believed he was in the process of orchestrating a coup. Once the turmoil had died down he returned to the Imperial Palace once more, alone hoping that the Emperor would hear him out. Thomas requested that if his family was to shoulder the majority of the fighting then they are granted additional lands and incomes to support their efforts. The Emperor ordered his right knee smashed, then had him imprisoned. It was soon after this that a cadre of Elite Dreadlandic warriors stormed the palace. Four heavily armed soldiers facing down an entire palace of guardsmen and levied soldiers. The Dreadlandic warriors cut them all down before rescuing the crippled Norlander from the dungeons of the Imperial Palace. This was the beginning of the Ruric Rebellion. The Rurics raised their banner in support of the Dreadlands, declaring war on the Imperium with the intention of removing the Emperor. The Norlandic army clashed with the Imperial army in the Avarian Sea, halfway on the way to the capitol as Thomas had made a bold plan to strike directly for the Heartlands instead of taking the overland route. The Ostovarian Manhood leading the Norlandic Fleet met with an Imperial ship along the way where a dead whale floated up between the two ships before two giant wurms appeared and eat the Ostovarian Manhood, leaving the Orenian ship undamaged. This supernatural event crippled the Norlandic fleet and allowed the Holy Orenian Empire to attack Seahelm directly.

Eventually, the Imperial forces gained the upper hand, pushing the Norlandic fleet and ground forces back to the Ruric capital of Seahelm. Following their naval defeat, the city of Seahelm was sacked by Imperial forces with Thomas Ruric and his kin being heavily wounded by managing to escape with a portion of their forces on the Ostavarian Manhood. However, the sacking of Seahelm is the single worst event in the history of Norland. With over half the population losing their lives during the burning of the city. Thomas retreated to the Dreadlands and remained there with his kin until the coming of Axios.

Axios

After witnessing the destruction of their homes at the seams, the remaining Norlandic peoples under the banner of Hakon Eiriksson Ruric embarked upon the NSS Hervor and departed the ruined realm of Vailor with the rest of the Descendants. After several months at sea, the Descendants finally emerged through the other side of the portal, marking their entry into the realm of Axios.

The Norlandic peoples, being no stranger to seafaring, expertly navigated their ship along the western coast of the southern continent of Asul. Within moments, they made landfall, and with their Dreadlandic brethren, immediately set about the construction of an immense stone fortress, one that would come to be known as Fort Dunamis, in honor of the famed mercenary company that had gained much renown during the period upon Vailor. For several years, the Norlandic people, with the Principality of the Dreadlands, continued the war against the Holy Orenian Empire. During the early stages of the war, there were several border skirmishes and encounters upon the plains near Johannesburg, with the Dreadlandic forces claiming much success. However, no ground was able to be gained, on any front of the war. The war would then devolve into the use of Fort Dunamis as a base of operations to launch raids upon the northern continent of Tahn. Eventually, as the Holy Orenian Empire began plans for an invasion of the Isle of Asul, the Principality would then dissolve due to internal strife. Afterward, the Norlandic peoples with no home of their own fled into the thick forests of Northern Asul.

For several years, the Norlandic peoples remained in hiding in the Asulian Forest. When they had received word that King Tobias Staunton of Courland was rallying support from Courlandic sympathizers and refugees, the Norlandic peoples joined the fray, once more taking the fight to the Empire. After several years and when the dust settled, the Norlandic peoples had fought and earned their right to be a sovereign nation once more. Artyom Eiriksson Ruric proclaimed himself King of Norland and Chieftain of the Norlandic peoples and led his people in a mass exodus to the west of Tahn. There, they settled upon the longest island of the offshore archipelago, naming their capital the Krag. The Krag stood as an island fortress that jutted hundreds of meters above sea level. Separating it from the mainland would be a wide ravine littered with jagged rocks and carnivorous sea beasts at the bottom. The only entrance to the Krag would be a wooden rope bridge, and if the bridge was to be severed, the Krag would have all the provisions necessary to endure multiple years of siege.

These defenses would be put to the test when Dwarven aggression was ramped up against the Norlandic peoples under the Urguani Grand King Bastion Ireheart. While King Artyom fell into a deep coma, his distant cousin, Donovan Freysson Ruric ascended to the throne, leading the front against the Dwarven invasion. Tensions rose between the two kingdoms, and what was once small settlement raids turned into all-out field battles. The Dwarves, initially backed by the Horde of Dunamis, the Orcs, and the Teutonic Order, quickly swept through the Norlandic countrysides, pushing the Norlanders all the way back to the Krag, where they would make their last stand. With their backs to the wall and a Dwarven battleship blockading all flow of goods in and out of the Krag, the Norlandic peoples dug in. Vastly outnumbered and out-geared, the Norlanders lay in wait, just across the ravine. Midway through the war, the Norlandic peoples mustered all the mina they had left and put their chances upon the mercenary company of Dunamis, whom the Dwarves deemed not worth the money. This decision would pay off in the long run as the Norlanders and Dunamians fended off wave after wave of Dwarven, Orcish, and Teutonic onslaughts upon the stone walls of the Krag. However, each attempt proved futile, resulting in many attackers falling to their watery graves, hundreds of meters below. Dwarven siege engines combusted upon themselves and attackers pushed on and were routed in a series of attacks. With Dwarven Coalition casualties skyrocketing, they were forced to pull back after nearly three years of siege. As a result, the waters around the Krag were nicknamed by the stalwart defenders as Bloater Bay, due to the number of waterlogged Dwarves that lay at the bottom of the ravine.

With the siege lifted, the Kingdoms of Urguan and Norland signed a white peace, ending ten years of constant warring and bloodshed. From there, the Norlandic peoples would know peace once more, beginning a period known as the 'First Golden Age of Norland' where King Artyom awoke, there was a massive cultural revolution, spike of national unity and patriotism, and marked the reinstatement of the old Ruric banner force, the Ashguard. Norland thrived with Arytom as their King, but soon the Norlandic people began to grow tired of Arytom's reign of peace, deciding that he was incapable of leading the Norlandic people any longer. Eventually, Arytom stepped down, giving up the throne to Javier Eiriksson Ruric. Javier quickly built capital to the east of the Krag, naming the new Norlandic capital Vjorhelm. Javier felt that it was beginning to get crowded within his newly built city, so he decided to expand Vjorhelm creating more houses for his people to live in. A few months into his reign Javier was faced in conflict with House Romstun, Which was supposedly sent to attack Norland and weaken them by the Holy Orenian Empire. A year into the war The Orenian Empire declared war upon House Romstun, Javier made no mistake and quickly involved Norland into the war, This war was known as the Phillips war. Ending after one Field battle, House Romstun forces were routed, seeing no need to continue to fight, They all went into hiding, or were captured or killed. Javier's people now at peace, decided that it was time to make a new military force, by the name of the Ruric guard.

The Norlandic people lived in peace, and prospered under Javier's reign, Although peace would not last. Tensions between the Frostbeards and the Grand Kingdom of Urguan rose, eventually leading into a war, Norland joined the Frostbeards, Orcs, Santegia, and other nations in the fight against The Grand Kingdom of Urguan and The Holy Orenian Empire. The first battle was fought in the fields of the Kingdom of Haense with Javier leading the infantry into battle against the Urguan and Orenian forces. The Coalition becoming victorious before marching on to capture a Dwarven fort, blocking the way for the main army to pass through to get to the Urguani capital. The siege ended in days, the Coalition forces stormed the fortress, only having a few Orenian Footmen to kill. Urguan dismissed Oren from the war after this battle, Leading to The Grand Kingdom of Urguan surrendering to the Coalition.

Javier decided that it was time for the Kingdom of Norland to seek revenge upon the Holy Orenian Empire for their actions years ago at a battle known as the Sack of Seahelm. Javier rallied the banners of Norland in the capital city of Vjorhelm. He called upon the Coalition leaders to support him in this war, many answered. After all the coalition was rallied, Javier set out to the Imperial capital Adelburg with a large army at his back. Just on the road to Adelburg, Javier was met with Imperial resistance, the coalition easily cut through the Imperial soldiers in a battle known as the Battle of the Bloody Road, the coalition armies made a siege camp outside the city of Adelburg. Javier later received news from a courier, that King Aurelius Horen had just staged a coup d'etat within the city. Javier not wanting to start a war with the Kingdom of Renatus, pulled the men of the coalition back, and soon after the coalition was silently disbanded. During his march back to the capital city of Vjorhelm, Javier was informed that a Crusade had been declared upon Norland and that the Crusader army was rallying in Adelburg, Javier sent his son Jevan Eiriksson Ruric. Jevan rallied a small force and marched out to meet the crusaders, this battle would be known as the Battle of Rochdale where the Norlandic forces were crushed by the Crusader army. Jevan retreated back to the capital and begun to discuss battle plans on how to defend Vjorhelm. During the times of war, Arthas Edvardsson Ruric, called a moot to be rid King Javier from the throne. The day after Arthas proposed the moot, King Javier marched back with 2,000 mercenaries. He walked into the grand hall and found his son making battle plans for the siege. Moments later, Javier abdicated to Jevan.

Jevan was put into a tight spot, his officers informed him that removing the faith would give the Crusaders no reason to fight, others disagreed. Jevan took a vote, the vote was in favor of removing the Red Faith. Soon after the vote, Jevan removed the Red Faith from Norland. claiming that Norland is going to be a multicultural and secular Kingdom. Arthas grew angry with Jevan's action, and brought a force of 40 men to the Grand Hall of Vjorhelm, claiming that he was there for a moot, Though Jevan's spies told him otherwise, not being able to trust Arthas, Jevan rallied a few armored knights and pushed out of the Grand Hall, cutting down the invaders. After the small force was taken care of, Jevan was informed that many of these men were from small mercenary companies. Jevan's knew that the siege was about to come, so he quickly prepared defenses upon the isle of the Krag, and Vjorhelm. Another moot was called, this time Jevan agreed to go through with it. Though during the moot Jevan and his men believed that Arthas had the moot rigged in Exander Edvardsson Ruric's favor. Jevan decided that he shall not participate in a moot that is rigged, so he simply left and made his way back to the capital city of Vjorhelm. Norland was in ruins, fighting off a crusade, as well as a small civil war. The Crusaders finally arrived, a sieged the capital of Vjorhelm, the battle would be known as the Siege of Vjorhelm, a Crusader victory, Vjorhelm was burned to the ground after the Crusaders took over. Another moot was called, this time the crown being rested upon Jory Eiriksson Ruric's head. Jory thought in order to save his people from annihilation, that he must vassal under Empire of Renatus, and that he did. Soon after he was crowned, Jory went into a secret meeting with Leitsieg and agreed to vassal under Renatus. Avalon Silversteed disliked the idea and held a court in Silverholt plotting to start a rebellion.

Atlas

The Descendants arrive in the isles of Atlas, Avalon's rebellion was finally put in place, soon after landing, Avalon took a large force of Silversteed men, and made camp far away from Norland. Before the construction of Ruriksgrad, Jory learned of Avalon's rebellion, he sent small retinues of Ashguard to block the roads from any supplies going into Evermoore, the new Silversteed capital. The Kingdom of Arbor, which the Silversteeds ruled, fought off few Ashguard winning only a small portion of the battles. After the construction of Ruriksgrad, Jory challenged Avalon to a duel, Avalon accepted the duel, thinking that he had the upper hand in the fight. Jory came out the victor in the duel, slaying Avalon in front of all of Norland and Arbor. After the reign of Jory, his son would ascend to the Throne. Having next to no men to work with, Godden Eiriksson Ruric would rebuild Norland from the ground up, once again finally making it great again, although this would all be for naught as the Kingdom would be thrown into yet another seemingly religious war with the Crown of Renatus-Marna, resulting in an absolute Norlandic defeat. The Kingdom would emerge for less than a year under the reign of Torsten Eiriksson Rosik, where he would proclaim himself King during the Third Atlas Coalition War.

Arcas

After having betrayed his older brother Doran, Alvar Freysson Ruric would vassalize the Norlandic peoples under the Empire of Man, leading to the next five years being seen as some of the peaceful years the Norlanders has ever seen in power. Although peace did not last forever, as Joseph I, Holy Orenian Emperor proclaimed himself Holy Orenian Emperor, and crowned himself in Reza after the abdication of Antonius I, Emperor of Man, whilst Godfrey III, Emperor of Renatus would crown himself as Emperor of Renatus, thusly marking the beginning of the War of Two Emperors initially the Norlandic peoples and Alvar were conflicted on which sides to join,

A King and a Grand Prince, circa 1780 F.A.

having many defects to the Kingdom of Haense. Alvar would finally reach a decision and join alongside the Renatians in the war. As the war progressed Norland found itself a new home in Dunharrow, it would remain here until a moot elected Edvard II Edvardsson Ruric in 1717. He would hold the title King of Norland until 1721 where he would dissolve the Kingdom of Norland altogether after seeing it fall into inactivity. After ordering for the complete destruction of Dunharrow, Edvard ordered to build a new smaller town by the name of Pinemarch. Just four years later the town would be abandoned and the city of Morsgrad would be built in the far north with Edvard II as its Earl. In 1733, Edvard would become violently ill, being bedridden for most of the year. With his health in decline, Edvard called for an emergency moot session. However, it would not last long before his cousin Vladimyr Eiriksson Rosik, son of the late King Torsten Eiriksson Rosik, would challenge the ill Earl to an honor duel. A fight would commence where the two men were at a constant duel with neither side budging. However, Edvard’s strength was nearly non-existent as the Earl was struck in the ribs by a fatal blow, with the little strength he had left he slashed the neck of Vladimyr, severing the man's throat. The final moments of Edvard's life would be spent surrounded by those he loved. Though, with the death of the Earl, many unknown secrets were brought to light. It was discovered that Godric Edvardsson Ruric was the secret son of Edvard being kept under the custody of Aeyn, when Edvard II had him he was merely nineteen and not responsible enough to look over children. The two would fall to the ground and begin to bleed out. After the death of Edvard II his son Godric would take up the mantle as Earl of Morsgrad in 1733, Godric notably founded the Alliance of Independent States, this alliance would fight the Holy Orenian Empire in the Rubern War shortly after its establishment. In 1749 Godric fell ill and Chadmyr Edvardsson Ruric began to act as regent until Godric's son Caedric Edvardsson Ruric would be able to take the throne. In Chadmyr's time as regent, he notably ended the Rubern War in 1760 with the Treaty of Novellen. In 1761 Caedric's would take the throne ending Chadmyr's regency, soon after in 1764 the Declaration of Norlandic Pride was issued reforming the Duchy of Morsgrad into the Fifth Kingdom of Norland. After the Kingdom of Norland was reconstituted, Caedric married Katyusha Willow, going on to have his son Halvar Edvardsson Ruric and a number of other children. After various economic and diplomatic ventures, the stress took a toll on Caedric's health to the point where it was interfering with his abilities to lead the nation. On the 16th birthday of Halvar, Caedric abdicated the throne in favor of his son, bypassing the previous tradition of Kingsmoot. Though the new King was young, he was bright, and with the help of the King's Council, Halvar was able to lead the Kingdom of Norland into a war and help secure the Coalition's victory in the Sutican War.

Nyrheim

The Norlandic peoples were some of the first settlers of Nyrheim, also known as Almaris by the native Brev, founding the first settlement on the continent Camp Olaf. After the disaster which had lead to the great migration from Arcas to Nyrheim, the Norlandic peoples settled in the Northwestern highlands and built the great city of Varhelm. A small succession crisis did occur in 20 SA as Donovan Freysson Ruric cited ancient

Painting of Halvar Edvardsson Ruric

Norlandic tradition and called for a Kingsmoot just before King Halvar Edvardsson Ruric announced his resignation from Kingship and announcing the Crown Prince Sven Edvardsson Ruric as King. This was easily resolved by the mediation of the High Keeper and the King's Council. During an attempt to cleanse the Norlandic crypts of an infestation of danûngol, King Sven II was swept away by a massive spider. Using a lantern, King Sven II ignited a pocket of gas, killing himself, the spider, and the remaining danûngol. After the death of King Sven II and the lack of a willing heir, the ancient rite of Kingsmoot was announced, and a year later Vane Freysson was crowned king of Norland.

Culture and Society

Norlandic society is normally tolerant of most races but the Norlandic people are often very close in regards to their ethnic unity diverging into many Clans, which has helped them survive hundreds of years in the harshest conditions the world has to offer. On top of that, Norlandic society contains a large warrior caste, with many of the populace enlisting in the Northguard or various other military entities. There is a common belief in Norlandic society that if you die, it should be with a weapon in your hand.

A common misconception of Norland is that they worship the Ashwood Tree. While the tree is very significant to Norland, it is not for religious reasons. The Ashwood Tree in fact serves as a symbol of Norland and is featured on the heraldry of the Rurikkid Clans. The tree is also highly regarded in Norland for its sap's alcoholic properties.

The Father in battle

Religion

The Red Faith, also known as the Faith of the Allfather, is a major human religion and the primary state religion of the Kingdom of Norland. The followers of the Red Faith are most commonly Highlanders of Norlandic heritage however Elves, Dwarves, and even a Kha have been found to practice the Red Faith.

The Allfather is the central deity of the Red Faith, who is believed to be the incarnation of growth and order. The Red Faith revolved around the Three Tenents, Suffer not the Unworthy, Spread the Flame, and Stand against the Long Dark. The Red Faith commonly uses symbols depicting flames surrounded by darkness to represent the figurative and literal eternal struggle against the Long Dark. Under the guidance of the Allfather's Three Tenents the Red Faithful commune primarily with those ancestral members of the Red Faith who had performed extreme acts rendering them worthy of the All Father’s favor known as Paragons. Each Paragon is representative of a different aspect of the world, be it fieldwork and agriculture, defense and will, or mysticism and the unknown, as such these Paragons may be invoked in support of a relevant cause. Each Paragon has their own group of dedicants as each member of the Red Faith is required to select a patron Paragon upon their cleansing and official indoctrination into the Red Faith.

Language

The primary language of the Kingdom of Norland as it stands is Common. Old Norlandic is spoken, generally as a second language, by the Keepers. Among the Gorundyr the language of Jalfmarr'tal is spoken primarily. The Lakian dialect can also be found among the Norlandic population in small numbers. The Agnethe Language (Òraid a Tuath) can be found spoken in the South, by the Jarldom of Dùnrath located in southern Rænrland.

Art

All arts were considered useless and to serve no purpose until the Reign of King Eirik Thorsson Ruric, during which period all arts were promoted within the Kingdom. With this encouragement of the arts - including the work of Bards - Eirik's own son Sven Eiriksson Ruric later went on to become a renowned bard and eventually was decreed as the Paragon of Music and Poetry within the Red Faith. In Nyrheimian Norland during the reign of King Halvar Edvardsson Ruric the arts had once again blossomed in the spirit of the Norlandic people leading to multiple songs and shanties being created.

Politics

The Kingdom of Norland is ruled by a monarchy with subsidiary Dukes, Jarls, Burghs, and Hesirs lording over vassal lands. Since Caedric Edvardsson Ruric's Declaration of Norlandic Pride the government has been split into three pillars, the Throne, the Faith and the Swords. Each pillar is charged with its own roles and responsibilities, with the Throne acting as the ultimate leader of the Kingdom of Norland, the High Keeper acting as the chief judiciary, and the Sword swearing itself to the enforcement of both the Throne's edicts and the Faith's judgments. Traditionally, the King of Norland has been chosen by Kingsmoot, a vote by all members of Rurikkid Clan. Every legitimate King of Norland to date has belonged to the lineage of Ruric.

Succession

The Kingdom of Norland follows two systems of inheritance, depending on the status of the Kingdom at the time. The succession of the Crown is maintained in the Rurikkid Clans, which themselves are derived from Edvard Thorrson Ruric, Eirik Thorrson Ruric, and Frey Thorrson Ruric whom derive their lines from Thoromir I Ruricsson Armahnk, King of Norland. Therefore, the Rurikkid stems from the direct line of the Prophet, Thoromir.

Primogeniture

The first and most common practice throughout history is through male-preferenced primogeniture succession, with all children of the monarch able to inherit with preference given to their sons. The son of the reigning King is the heir-apparent. Should the King bear no sons, then the monarch's daughters shall inherit. If there are no daughters, then the monarch's brother shall inherit, and his sons and daughters after him. If the monarch has no brothers, then his sister shall inherit, and her children henceforth. If the reigning Rurikkid Root Clan should go extinct, then the Crown shall put up for Kingsmoot.

Kingsmoot

The second and current system of succession which is entirely unique to the Kingdom of Norland is the process of Kingsmoot. All children of Thoromir bear the Herald's Blood and, therefore, are eligible to wear the Crown. The process of a Kingsmoot is one time-honored and often used in times of great strife. Each Chieftain of the Rurikkid Clans will gather and elect those who would nominate themselves for the position. After a vote is had the Clans then crown and celebrate the new King.

Military

The Royal Norlandic Ashguard, often only referred to as the Ashguard, is an organized military organization of the Kingdom of Norland tasked with the protection of the Kingdom and her citizens from internal as well as external threats. It acts as the sword and shield of Norland, protecting its people, territory and interests as well as uphold law and order within the Nation. In the past, its ranks consisted of conscript soldiers, ready and willing to give their lives for King and Country. Today, the Royal Norlandic Ashguard serves as a much less martial capacity but as a cultural enterprise composed of the brave men and women within the Kingdom, paying due respect to their ancestors. The Royal Norlandic Ashguard reports directly to the King of Norland and his direct subordinate, the Marshal of Norland.

King's Council

The King's Council is the executive council of the King of Norland, with the members being chosen by his Royal Majesty the King of Norland. The Hand of the King acts as the head of the King's Council, and advises the King on appointments to it.

The Current King's Council is as follows:

• Hand of the King- Baldr Edvardsson Ruric
• Master of War - Hilda Freysson Ruric
• High Keeper - Ellenore Eiriksson
• Master of Coin - Io Anarore
• Master of Keys- N/A
• Chamberlain - N/A
• Advisor - Ciaran Vildr
• Advisor - Ailis Sutharlainn

Chiefsmoot

The Chiefsmoot is the legislature of the Kingdom of Norland, with all recognized clans holding a seat on it. The Chiefsmoot serves as the representation of the Clans to the King. The Chiefsmoot's primary function is petitioning the King to adjust laws and policy within the Kingdom. Any Chief of a Clan may hold a seat and cast a vote, likewise, they may propose law and make statements to the King and his Council. The King of Norland is not beholden to the petitions or policies suggested by the Moot. The Chamberlain of the King presides over the Chiefsmoot and are responsible for maintaining order and holding votes.

Economy

The majority of Norlanders make their fortune by hunting and gathering, with very few produced goods originating from Norland itself traditionally. On top of that, the Kingdom does have a relatively large agricultural and fishing base due to fertile lands and its history of being located near great bodies of water. The Norlandic people in their past, and still today, find fortune as warriors and mercenaries, fighting in wars to bring glory to their name and clan, and Kingdom.

Notable Clans, Families, and Houses of Norland

Edvardsson - Barony of Krew
Eiriksson - King of Norland
Freysson
Clan Faretto
Clan Volaren
Clan Camian
Clan Kvitravn
Clan Vildr
Clan Sutherland - Jarl of Rathonia

Geography

The geography of the Kingdom of Norland consists of varying terrain ranging from rolling hills, thick forests, small islands, and most notably steep cliffs jutting several hundred meters above great bodies of water. It is upon these great cliffs that the Norlandic people place their stronghold cities with historical examples being Seahelm, the Krag, and Morsgrad. It is these great stronghold cities that are the center of the Kingdom of Norland, with crops and meat being brought to them from fertile stretches of land around it.