Improving realism: Norway

[Tordenskjold]

This game is great and I play with the RC4 - 1.7 and 2.7 and hopefully this means I am 100% up to date. It seems the team behind Stainless Steel aims to get as close to reality as possible in every aspect. Playing Norway has relieved some peculiarities that hence deserve correction. Some of you have probably heard the tune “A boy named Sue”, and in this game there is a guy named Ingeborg! That is a very female name:o) Inge on the other hand is and Old Norse mans name. This was just an example. It can not be easy for the team covering 24 factions and make everything correct.

A part from that many of the Norwegian names are actually Danish. I hope that can be changed, and since I am a rather big fan of history, I have read books that give me the opportunity to contribute.
Many of the Norwegian kings also got strange names and the city of Bergen is called Trondheim. So, it is some things to dive into.

The Norwegian king list from 1100, with their “nicknames in Norwegian letters” that might be used in the game (since I am Norwegian I can translate the nicknames, though it is probably better to drop them if it interferes with the language policy of the mod):
• Magnus III Berrføtt (1093–1103)
• Olav Magnusson (1103–1115)
• Øystein I Magnusson (1103–1123)
• Sigurd I Jorsalfare (1103–1130)
During civil war in Norway
• Magnus IV Blinde (1130–1135)
• Harald IV Gille (1130–1136)
o Sigurd Slembe demandet the crown 1136-39
• Sigurd II Munn (1136–1155)
• Inge Krokrygg (1136–1161)
• Øystein II Haraldsson (1142–1157)
• Håkon II Herdebrei (1159–1162)
• Magnus V Erlingsson (1161–1184)
• Sverre Sigurdsson (1177–1202)
• Håkon III Sverresson (1202–1204)
• Guttorm Sigurdsson (1204)
• Inge II Bårdsson (1204–1217)
• Håkon IV Håkonsson (1217–1263)
The civil war ends
• Magnus VI (Håkonsson) Lagabøte (1263–1280)
• Eirik II Magnusson (1280–1299)
• Håkon V Magnusson (1299–1319)
• Magnus VII Eiriksson (1319–1355)
• Håkon VI Magnusson (1343–1380)
• Olav IV Håkonsson (1380–1387)

Several of the kings ruled parts of the country simultaniously.

Calmar union consisting of Norway, Sweden and Denmark, til 1523.
The Danish period where Norway was in a union with Denmark. Lasted til 1814 when Norway went into a union with Sweden, lasting til 1905.

Cities:
Trondheim did not excist as a name back then and it is placed where the very important city of Bergen is located. The Kings seat for many years. Bergen was back then called “Bjørgvin”.
Eikundarsund is historically correct.

Norwegian nobles
Typical Norwegian first names from that time is often similar to the first names of the kings, but here is a bunch of historical names on Norwegian nobles that might be used too:
Håkon Jarl, Oggmund Krøkedans, Andres Nikolasson,
Alv Erlingsson, Olav Ugjæva, Hallkjell Krøkedans,
Audun Hugleiksson, Tore Håkonson, Eiliv av Naustdal,
Bjarne Erlingsson, Gaute fra Tolga, Andres Pålsson Plytt,
Jon Brynjolfsson, Lodin Lepp, Gaute av Talgje,
Isak Gauteson, Olav av Stein, Vigleik Audunsson,
Skule Bårdsson, Jon Raude, Grim fra Nidaros,
Gudbrand Skavhoggson, Erling Alvsson, Audun Tovesson,
Ravn Oddson, Tord Krytter, Aslak Skjenker

More can be provided.

Most sons, took their fathers first name to their last name adding «son» They also got nicknames to a great degree as the list above shows. The daughters added «datter» to their fathers first names.

Hope this information can be used to enhance the realism in the game.

[Lemming69]

it was bergen in ss originally i dont know why they changed it

[Tordenskjold]

Yes, I remember that playing SSteel some time ago. Do not know either why it was changed. In that period Trondheim was called Nidaros also.

[Th3_DeadlyVirus]

I'd love if they expanded the maps more northwards and added more cities both in Norway, Sweden and Finland. Possibly Iceland too, since a lot of Norwegians settled here and could improve Norway's relatively weak start situation.

And someone please fix those voices! I just can't listen to it! Being a Norwegian and listening to Norwegians speaking in Russian dialect and saying ''Da'' just breaks my heart...

[Tordenskjold]

I'd love if they expanded the maps more northwards and added more cities both in Norway, Sweden and Finland. Possibly Iceland too, since a lot of Norwegians settled here and could improve Norway's relatively weak start situation.

And someone please fix those voices! I just can't listen to it! Being a Norwegian and listening to Norwegians speaking in Russian dialect and saying ''Da'' just breaks my heart...

Very much agree with you! Nidaros (Trondheim) should be included and of course Iceland. During the period called "Norgesveldet" when Norway reached its maximum power in the 12. centuary Orknøyene, Shetland, Man, Hebridene, Iceland and Greenland was Norgwegian. It would be nice if there was towns on some of these places and that the map was expanded as you say. But if dragonsign is correct, it seems the limit of provinces is reached...

[Navajo Joe]

My best SS game to date was playing as Norway, I like to take a small country, build their economy and then go kick the big boys arses. The Norwegian roster is also great, I love Viking Raiders and Viking Mercenaries.
My favourite tactic was draw the enemy infantry to my spear wall, engage them, just as they start to waiver, withdraw my spearmen, send in the psychos with the axes.
Also when I am Norway I can never bring myself to attack the Danes, always allied to them, because I saw them as my brethren, if that makes sense.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

Also when I am Norway I can never bring myself to attack the Danes, always allied to them, because I saw them as my brethren, if that makes sense.

But can that particular alliance hold. Those two factions are naturally in each others path of expansion. Oddly enough as the Byzantines I allied with Hungary which ate Venice and {with my support} was overrunning Italy. what is one to do? They apparently loved me perfect relations etc, empty adjacent settlements, etc. Scrape your winning conditions and see where it goes..??? Or stab your unsuspecting stalwart brother in the back....Cain killed Able...Nespa...

[Navajo Joe]

Mega Tortas,
I allied in the first five turns and we were allies for the entire campaign, 269 turns if I remember correctly. We fought alongside each other, I was always careful not to step on their toes and gave then occasional monetary gifts. Supported them miltiarily and diplomatically against their enemies, particuarly France and England. In the entire campaign not once did HRE ever cross swords with us. I guess the AI knew if Denmark was attacked, Norway would come to assist, least that it what I hope.

[dragonsign]

I'd love if they expanded the maps more northwards and added more cities both in Norway, Sweden and Finland

max number of regions already taken =/

I still play 6.1 so Bergen is stil there.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

dragon....

Bergen is still there in 6.2 as well....

In the entire campaign not once did HRE ever cross swords with us. I guess the AI knew if Denmark was attacked, Norway would come to assist, least that it what I hope.

Perhaps we should ride these immaculate conceptions out til the end then and screw the winning parameters. As you said the ally genuinely seems to care for us...

[Th3_DeadlyVirus]

If you have Point Black's RR/RC compilation, Bergen is Trondheim.

[Awellesley]

Thanks for the info Tordenskjod. Anyway that realism can be inhanced is useful. Re Trondheim-my call and it may incorrect but it was based on information like this:

Trondheim was named Kaupangen (English: market place or trading place) by Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997. Fairly soon, it came to be called Nidaros. In the beginning it was frequently used as a military retainer (Old Norse: "hird"-man) of King Olav. It was frequently used as the seat of the king, and was capital of Norway until 1217

It's location on the map will be corrected in futre versions.

[Tordenskjold]

Thanks for the info Tordenskjod. Anyway that realism can be inhanced is useful. Re Trondheim-my call and it may incorrect but it was based on information like this:

Trondheim was named Kaupangen (English: market place or trading place) by Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997. Fairly soon, it came to be called Nidaros. In the beginning it was frequently used as a military retainer (Old Norse: "hird"-man) of King Olav. It was frequently used as the seat of the king, and was capital of Norway until 1217

It's location on the map will be corrected in futre versions.

Hi, yes, Nidaros was the name. And this was an important city especially when it comes to religion. The bishop of Nidaros was the religious "master" (my English is limited) of the whole "Norgesveldet". The latter commented in another reply.
Bergen was capitol of Norway till 1314 from about 1100.Your are quite right about Kaupangen and Olav Tryggvason that founded Nidaros in 997.
Great that you will correct the map.

[Lemming69]

if i feel that a settlement hasnt been represented i just place a stone fort there haha just for aesthetic purposes on the map

[JorisofHolland]

@Tordenskjold: there are many tutorials about changing/adding names. If not in the Medieval II workshop, at least in the Rome workshop. You can use these, as the coding concerning names hasn't changed.

[Sebastos Abdes Pantera]

You can always change the city name for yourself, if your that bothered. Just bring up the details of the city and then click on the part where the name is. A cursor should come up, just type in what you want.

[Tordenskjold]

You can always change the city name for yourself, if your that bothered. Just bring up the details of the city and then click on the part where the name is. A cursor should come up, just type in what you want.

Really? I give it a try, thanks!