Thrull
Within western Grarjord lies the land of Thrull, a
forbidding land dotted with icy peaks and frozen
forests. While the land shows hints of green from
afar, its soil is of poor quality for farming. Thus
those who live there feed themselves the only way
they can—by taking from other lands. Upon the
island of Holgar lies their capital, the harbor city
of Tyburn, a central port for longships.
Thrull is currently under the rule of the clans of Rune, Sýr, and Völgr
Structure
Thrull is a province ruled by druids, who maintain
a spiritual link with the primordial forces of the
world. While the three chieftains of the clans
maintain some independence, they generally bow
to the will of the Prismatic Circle, making Thrull a
de facto theocracy.
The people of Thrull regularly raid other
settlements outside their lands, particularly those
in Kandar. The druids ritually sacrifice slaves
and captives beneath sacred trees, all to deepen
the slumber of the Great Wyrm. Travelers from
Thrull tell gruesome stories of forests where
skinned and gutted men hang from the boughs of
ancient oaks.
At this time, the leader of the clans is Chief
Nolgr Magnusson of the Völgr, Keeper of the
Three Tribes. Magnusson enjoys the approval
of the Circle, and cannot be easily dislodged
from his position through force of arms alone.
A warmonger, Magnusson is more interested
in earthly rewards and regularly sends raiding
parties to attack Kandar towns and cities.
History
Three clans settled on the island of Holgar: the
Rune, who embody elemental magic best; the
Sýr, great metalsmiths; and the Völgr, a warrior
society. Though the three feuded time and again
over land and grazing rights, they generally
maintained cooperative ties with each other.
The disappearance of Thorgard, left the clans
with a power vacuum. Warlords immediately
began vying for control of Grarjord. But one
individual took a different course. On Holgar, an
elemental druid named Kybard gained power by
advocating a strange belief: that Gormadraug still
lives but sleeps beneath the earth and sea. Should
it awaken, it would bring about the end of the
world. To keep it in slumber, the Valikan must
follow the time-honoured traditions of Thorgard:
war, raiding, and bloodshed.
Though originally met with opposition, Kybard’s
teachings found adherents among the clan
leaders. The three largest clans—the Rune,
the Sýr, and the Völgr—joined together under
Kybard’s banner and called their province Thrull.
Of the three great clans, Clan Rune is the most
adept at magic, creating runestones that store
spells that they can activate during combat.
Their chief, Ordun, remains outwardly loyal to
the Prismatic Circle but is intent on pursuing
independence from their rule.
Clan Sýr is focused on expanding their economy,
and has heavily invested in slaves to man
their forges. Their weaponsmithing is famous
throughout Grarjold.
Finally, Clan Völgr is the most loyal to the
Prismatic Druids. They regularly provide captives,
slaves, and criminals as human sacrifices for the
Circle’s rituals. At times, the rivers of the land
run red with the blood of these victims.
Trade & Transport
Most of the Thrull economy is derived from their
traditions of raiding and slavery. The Thrull
have perfected the art of raiding: longboats carry
small contingents of warriors aided by druids.
The druids command the tides to carry the ships
swiftly through the sea, and allowing them to approach their victims under cover of fog.
Etharian ships and ports have learned to fear the
coming of the sea mists.
Fishing, hunting, smithing, and whaling round
off the list of the Thrull industries. Trade is
kept within the three clans: the Rune produce
elixirs and enchanted runestones, the Sýr forge
weapons, shields, and armour, and the Völgr train
fighters. A black market exists for trading with
other nations, but this practice is forbidden by
the druids, who want to maintain the Thrull’s
isolationist stance.
Type
Geopolitical, Vicekingdom
Capital
Government System
Theocracy
Parent Organization
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