Jarldom of Sigurík
The powerful Jarldom of Sigurík and the fierce rival of its southern neighbor Holvika
Culture
Sigurík is a land built on the belief that might makes right, the people of the realm spend their lives almost wholly devoted to the pursuit of raiding and pillaging to keep their land prosperous and populous. Describing it as a martial culture would not do it justice as any nation can claim to hold martial values but nearly none can claim to be able to mount their people on great longships and take as they please. Rowdy, intense and willing to do what needs to be done, the people of Sigurík are not to be angered lest you wish to awake to a fleet of dragon boats parked outside.
Public Agenda
Prosperity and survival of the people and their lands.
The downfall and conquest of Holvika
The downfall and conquest of Holvika
History
Along the crimson shores of Sighalda, a good sword arm is as valuable as a merchant's treasure trove. For with a dozen or so good sword arms, you can take the merchants valuables, chain him up and make him bring you more. That is the mentality that dominates the land of Sigurík. Founded by Vandir Bloodeyes after him and his family's exile from Herlathorp, one of the villages further south now under the rule of Holvika. Vandir initially built his keep atop rocky cliffs and started a raiding company, not a village. From the loot gained by the ax, Vandir attracted the refuse of Iola, all the refugees of war, the widows, the veterans, the sick, dying, orphans, and castaways. Vandir's new settlement came to be a place of safety for those who never had it and slowly began to become a place where those who had nothing stood to gain everything back once again. Feuding with Holvika began after a skirmish south turned bloody and Vandir's two sons Alrik and Heiden were killed and he swore eternal enmity on the city and its people. Ever since, the two Jarldoms have been constantly in conflict with one another with each trading curses and family slaying. More recently, a war between the two ended with a clash in the mountains north of Holvika which saw the oldest son of Jarl Sarogr slain and sent home missing his eyes, tongue, hands, feet, and a message tied around his neck stating that now the Jarl's son was as useful as the Jarl himself. Today, while a signed peace is in effect, this has only prevented the two sides from making true war on each other, continued raiding has not ceased and these two lands seem intent on bringing the other down with them at the end of days.
Territories
Lands of Sigurík stretch from north of the Vík mountains which is the border between itself and Holvika, from here the lands keep to the shore until the "Norðurskarð", or Northern pass into Drauheim where the Rókuri of Rǫðula dwell. The Rókuri are strange and isolated people with quite different beliefs and cultures from the southern Iolans. In Rǫðula, fur trapping, sheep herding, and coastal fishing give them something in common with their southern neighbors but in the far north, giant reindeer are preferred mounts and sources of food and tools. The reindeer also are used as gifts for the giants of Drauheim who can only be found here.
Military
Sigurík lives and dies by its armed populace, a bad raiding season is felt by the entire Jarldom. However, Sigurík rarely has a bad raiding season due to their professionalism in the act and their growing emphasis on trade, bargaining contracts with thrall merchants, and their growing domestic industry.
An Axman does not row
Founding Date
324 A.E
Type
Geopolitical, Duchy
Capital
Alternative Names
Siguri
Formation Type
Training Level
Semi-professional
Veterancy Level
Experienced
Leader
Leader Title
Government System
Stratocracy
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
The Pennigar
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
On and off raiding of one another with Sigurík being the more aggressive party
Long has there been a rivalry between the two powerful Iolan Jarldoms, Holvik and Sigurík are as opposite as they come as Holvik builds up and makes itself a destination of trade and immigration, Sigurík is a land ruled by warfare, an Iolan tradition as old as time.
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