Nordanvald
Forged in conquest and strength, and tempered by the freezing winters and cold summers, Nordanvald is not exactly anyone's first choice for a vacation home, but it is a hardy and strong kingdom driven by Norse determination and grit.
Forged by the now famous first Har-Konungr and Mikil Norstefnr, Joakim Lovdahl, in the early Third Age Nordanvald has always been somewhat separate from the other nations of Kalin. The lands harsh winters and unfriendly summers combine with the fierce beasts and still existing Gir-An raiders to create an environment where the ability to defend ones home and hearth through strength and willpower are rewarded more than ones ability to research and philosophize. It is a land where strength and survival often surpass the desires of knowledge and civilization, though these things are not absent there.
Due to this difference in how its people live, Nordanvald rarely gets involved in the power struggles of the continent. It is content to work towards keep its people safe, and dealing with its own internal power plays, rather than feuding with the other nations on the continent. The only exception to this is in its treatment of magic users. Unlike many of the other nations, Nordanvald is not a signatory on the Magical Registry Compact, and as such mages and wizards are free to use their talents without tracking or control in its lands. This has irritated the southern nations, but no one is really willing to do much about it beyond bluster and talk.
This has the side effect of the nation having quite a few more wizards and sorcerors per capita than any other Kalin nation, especially since Nordanvald has a lower population as is. Stereotypes in southern nations say that the Norse of Nordanvald don't respect spellcasters since its a skill set that isn't just whacking things with large weapons, but as the saying goes in Nordanvald "Strength is strength whether it be strength of body or strength of mind."
History
Nordanvald was forged in the early Third Age by the first Har-Konungr (High King) and Mikil Norstefnr (Strong Norse Uniter), Joakim Lovdahl. It was originally formed from the broken lands of the raiding Gir-An, the land which Joakim came from and had sworn in his youth to bring to heel. From there, it also grew to incorporate the land of Holriad, and later the so called "Northern Tribes." Mere centuries after the norse had split, they had been united once again.
Demography and Population
Strength is all to the people of Nordanvald, which means that as a society they're relatively egalitarian. No matter what race or creed you are, as long as you are strong in some manner you are treated as an equal. This does mean though, that those that are weak in some way (disabled, mentally or physically for example) are often treated with disregard or outright disgust.
The nation is primarily made up of the Norse people, Humans known for their tall and strong statures. Though the nation is also home to a surprising amount of Dwarves. Other races can be found in small pockets as well.
Territories
Nordanvald controls the old lands of the Gir-An, with the exception of the Isle of Bones, which has proved so infected with dark magics that it is nearly impossible to conquer. It also consists of the old kingdom of Holriad, and the Northern Tribes. Most of this territory, minus the river valley in the tribal lands, is cold and inhospitable, making farming and agriculture difficult.
Military
The military of Nordanvald is the last remaining one on the continent to be based on a feudal system. The various Konungr's and Drottning's all maintain their own level of companions and soldiers in their lands, and when the Har-Konungr calls for war, each Konungr or Drottning is expected to heed the call with their forces. This means troops can vary wildly in equipment and training between each individual Konungr and Drottning, though the Nordanvald reliance on strength usually means the army will not be weak.
Technological Level
While Nordanvald isn't huge on educating its populace on a state level, nor in building or advancing the sciences, the freedom of magic users to practice their arts without supervision means that a surprising amount of freedom desiring mages call the nation home. Their research, and abilities, are often called upon by the local Konungrs and Drottnings.
Religion
Nordanvald is a surprising mish-mash of religions. Many Norse follow the old shamanistic ways , especially in the core lands of the old Gir-An territories and the eastern Tribal lands. But worship of The Mantle is also very common, especially around old Holriad. Other religions can be found as well, with no true preference found at a state level. Generally the philosophy is whatever god or spirit grants one the strength to continue is worth that person worshiping them.
Agriculture & Industry
The lack of arable land outside of the river valley in tribal lands means that food can be scarce. For this reason Nordanvald maintains good relations with its southern neighbor the Kingdom of Aurelia, which is more than happy to export food to Nordanvald in exchange for continued good relations and resources found only in the frozen north. Industry is also lacking in Nordanvald, with factories and the like not exactly being optimal in the frozen lands, not to mention the social stigma against people who build such factories due to them lacking "real strength" of any kind. What industry and agriculture that does exist is usually local to each Konungr's lands.
Education
Nordanvald doesn't put a premium into education. Most education, if it exists, is taught in local mantle churches. Otherwise, education is usually informal and related to survival or a families trade.
Loyal Until the Mountains Fall
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Alternative Names
Norseland, The Frozen Kingdom
Demonym
Norse
Leader
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Nordanvald Krona
Legislative Body
Unlike the more "civilized" nations of Kalin, Nordanvald still holds to its older routes in terms of governance. The Har-Konungr (High-King) or Har-Drottning (High-Queen) holds absolute legislative and judicial power in theory, but the support of the other Konungr's and Drottnings (Kings and Queens) is integral to any Har-Konungr's rule. The Konungr's and Drottning's all control territory usually granted from Joakim's original conquest in the early Third Age, and collectively they make up the Storting, or Assembly. Whenever the last Har-Konungr dies, the Storting elects a replacement. The only exception to this is the eastern lands of the old Northern Tribes, which are still primarily tribal in nature, and relatively autonomous in rule.
Judicial Body
The Har-Konungr or Har-Drottning has supreme control over the laws and their interpretations in Nordanvald. On a practical level though, its up to local Drottnings and Konungr's to make judicial decisions and interpretations of the land's laws. And in the lands of the Tribes to the east, the laws are loosely held to by the tribe chieftans and elders.
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
Comments