Faction Preview: Noršvegr
Among dense forests, high mountains and numerous fjords, Noršvegr is a dawning kingdom shaped not only in, but by its hostile land. Merciless winters and warring neighbors leave no room for the weak and unarmed, and thus the people in these parts have learnt fortitude and
self-reliance the hard way. Still, the fierce surroundings force the Norsemen to seek community for survival, the fundament of any would-be kingdom. The Norse spirit of hospitality and aggression is evident in their customs: If a landowner fails to accommodate
a wanderer with ale during his visit, he may be righteously slain by the guest.
The long coasts makes seamanship ideal, and traders have traveled along the Whale Road to far-away regions. Recently, population growth has provided the realm with more men than farming alone can support, and so the need for expansion is present. Dominate the seas, and your prey will be unable to strike back. The naval capability and unmatched Norse shipwright
skills of Noršvegr renders dominion on waves possible.
King Hįlfdan hinn mildi (King Halvdan Eysteinsson the Generous), is a renowned warrior and viking king. He has managed to gather a petty kingdom concentrated in Vingulmark, but there is a strong potential for expansion. His son, Gušrǫšr veišikonung (Gudrųd the Hunter, not to be confused with the Danish king) is 8 years old at this point, but is already destined to perform great deeds as king.
As an embryonic kingdom, Noršvegr must plunder to fuel its expansion. Journey a-viking across the great seas, and bring home riches to pay your warriors. Ireland is divided by warring tribes and clans, and will not be able to resist raids at first, and the land is littered with wealthy churches and fat monks. The Anglo-Saxon and Gaelic kingdoms could prove easy targets as well. Wherever the dragonships go, the Hebrides should prove useful for further raids in the western lands; its Pictish natives are weak and backwards. Absorb the
surrounding Norse petty kingdoms by whatever means necessary, and be sure to strengthen your borders; the Danes are the greatest threat at hand, and are already aware of Noršvegr as a potential rival. Your eastern neighbors, the Geats, are primitive forest folk, but could quickly pose a threat if united with their Swedish rivals. The Swedish kings are of the same house as the kings of Noršvegr, so hostilities are unlikely for now.
Long have the local kings ruled the land divided without hope of uniting it, but that time has now come. Sail, trade, pillage, conquer, and settle new lands! A passive king will surely be vanquished in these lands...
Strengths
Excellent units vs cavalry. long coastline making swift expansion easier and sending
reinforcements to challenged regions will be fast.
Weaknesses
Poor cavalry. A long coastline also demands a big fleet to protect it from invasions
and pirates.
Starting Regions
Vestfold
Želamörk
THE FAMILY TREE
Hįlfdan hinn mildi
The Norwegians starts out with king Hįlfdan hinn mildi (King Halvdan Eysteinsson
the Generous), born circa 750. When the game starts, he'll be 35 years old.
He is renowned as a great warrior, and acted generously towards his men.
He often pillaged and gathered much warbooty.
He is be strong in Command, has decent honour, as well as some fitting traits to
go along with it.
Gušrǫšr veišikonung
The prince (Heir), Gušrǫšr veišikonung (Gudrųd the Hunter) is 5 years old at
this point (give or take 1-5 years).
Hįlfdan svarti
The next prince is Hįlfdan svarti (Halfdan the Black, nicknamed for his hair),
born circa 810, is more of chivalric fellow. He was well liked by the peasantry,
and later, after his death, even worshiped by local peasants as a god of fertility.
He became the father of Harald Finehair.
Haraldr hįrfagri
Haraldr hįrfagri was born around 850, and was known as the first king to unite
Norway. He was a great commander, and a stern ruler.
From what we know today, he allegedly had 22(!!) children with seven women!
Many of these were most likely bastards, but this guy sure was fertile.
Three years before his death, he chose Eirķkr blóšųx (his oldest son) as heir,
although he is not very important for the Ynglinga dynasty.
Unique Units
Ślfhéšnar
Barbarians, Pagans, Religious fanatics, these are all names the mighty
Ślfhéšnar have heard many a time.
The Ślfhéšnar are feared for the ability of entering into a fit of rage
known as the berserksgangr or berserker-path.
Chosen by the gods, these somewhat unhinged warriors wear into battle
the skins of wolves, thus earning the name Ślfhéšnar or men clad in wolf skins.
Despite having light amour and carrying little more than the spears in their
hands, the Ślfhéšnar have earned to reputation of being ferocious warriors.
No one knows what exactly causes them to enter into the Berserksgangr,
some say it was drink, others drugs, some even say it was because they fear
nothing but fear itself. Whatever it was, one things for certain, no warrior
could compare to the power of an Ślfhéšnar going berserk.
"It fits not young Fridgeir
To fight with this warrior,
Grim gnawer of shield-rim,
By his gods who doth curse.
I better may meet him,
May rescue the maiden;
Full fearsome he stareth,
and fey are his eyes."
- Chapter LXVII, Egil's Saga
Atgeirmenn
In Brennu-Njįls saga the atgeir is known to be the preferred weapon
of Gunnar Hįmundarson, the great 10th century Icelandic chieftain.
To wield such a strange and unique sort of weapon requires a strange
and unique sort of warrior, and none are more strange and unique than
the Atgeirmenn.
It is believed that the atgeir was a type of polearm used for cutting and
thrusting, and the name itself is usually translated as halberd, although
its said to resemble more a bill or glaive.
The Atgeirmenn are heavily armed, armored and well drilled, using their
Atgeirs, its takes minimum effort to kill a horse or foolish warrior, and
thanks to their mail, they can even survive well in one on one combat, but
remember, the strength of these warriors is in the impact of a direct
enemy charge. However, despite their ability, they are slow moving and
that could be their downfall.
"Shields and hard skulls
Were both cleft
By the hardy blows
Of the Norsemen's lord,
In the island of battle
Where the kings dyed
The bright ramparts of shields
In the blood of warriors." - From the saga of Haakon the Good
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Originally Posted by Recon
