Norngard

Springtime Follies, Norngard

Species: Human, Frost Giant, Trul, Ice Elf, Dwarf

Era: Feudal

Paths: The Northern Sea, Jotunheim (Mountains)

Contacts: Eosium (Trade), Byth (Trade), Dvalinn (Trade)

Government: Limited Monarchy, King Adhel Ottarrson

Capital: Heorot

Enemies: Hansaic Federation (Rivals), Thyïlea (Open War)

Typical Encounters: Hunter, Man-at-Arms, Warlord, Dire-Bear, Dragon, Giant Eagle, Hag, Troll, Dire Wolves

Keyword Qualities: Land of the epics, winter is coming, giants and giant men, lords of the ice and seas, longboat raiders

PC/NPC's: Arrow-Odd, Angrod Gristlegrim, Ivar Skalligrimson

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The North!

Wild and untamed, land of great heroes and black-hearted villains, stout warriors and wizened runeseers steeped in mysteries. Here destiny is forged with fire and sword, and quarter is rarely asked for and even more rarely given.

Legends among the Nornishmen tell of the northern lands being forged from the body of a fallen frost giant, and looking upon it's icy peaks, valleys and fjords it's easy to imagine the flesh and bones and blood of a giant as the landscape of this realm.

Everything is bigger here- the Nornishmen of the southernmost coast stand at least a head taller than those found elsewhere, and to the north in Jotunheim can be found true giants of 10-15ft or taller.

Even the flora and fauna of Nordgard is large- from ancient pines which likely stood since the Saurian Age, to massive elk with antlers as large as the length of a man, to dire wolves the size of small horses, and snow white bears the size of small houses. The trollkind dwell in this place (a particularly hearty form of ogre), and it is said that the mountains are home to dragons who greedily guard caches of ancient treasures.

Legends speak of a great Elvish city that lies above the boreal winds, and vast caverns that host the reclusive dwargar, guarding their gold and offering their crafts to those that seek them out- but always for a hefty price.

Settlements here rarely rise above a simple village - a single longhouse usually marking the home of the local chieftain. Only two great cities mark the southern coast: to the west is Heorot, home of the Yngvin Dynasty of Nornish kings, and Aranaes, great fortress and trade city on the southeastern coast.

Note that the terms 'trade' and 'piracy' seem relatively interchangeable among the Nornishmen, as both terms applicable when one refers to 'go a-viking' - a local term for those who go abroad to seek fortune and adventure. Nornish traders/raiders can be found piloting their longboats as far south and east as Eosium, Yr and Sallust, and there are even stories of ships reaching as far east as Oyashima and Xinjou.

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Although the mighty Nornishmen fear few men or beasts, tales of the undead draugar of the northern sea between Norngard and Thyïlea can fill even the most stalwart heart with dread. Stories tell of men and even entire ships being lured and/or dragged down into the icy waves where their undersea city dwells, never to be seen again.