Vikland
The Northern Clans
Ages ago, the gods created man from the seas and rivers. The gods taught men to fish, hunt, sail, survive, and live properly. All were at peace, however Horka, the trickster, convinced some humans of alternate ways of living, confusing humanity and separating them by language and people. To punish Horka and his follwers, the gods created the Viklanders.
The Northern Clans
Ages ago, the gods created man from the seas and rivers. The gods taught men to fish, hunt, sail, survive, and live properly. All were at peace, however Horka, the trickster, convinced some humans of alternate ways of living, confusing humanity and separating them by language and people. To punish Horka and his follwers, the gods created the Viklanders.
High Mediator of the Clans:Hög Medlare (High Mediator) Rothgar of Holstem
High War Chief: vacant
Chief Meeting Ground: Theodar's Grotto
Government: Tribal Confederacy
Population: 1.2 Million
Official Religion: Viklander Pantheon
*Important RP Info*
The Viklanders are not truly a unified political body. It is possible to make agreements with one clan but be fighting the other. The Viklanders are raiders and mercenaries by trade. They don't usually form long term alliances. It is possible to pay them not to attack for for prolonged periods of time. They dont usually make true war, only raids and mercenary activities. They have no qualms fighting each other if they are on opposing sides in a war. Also the activities on one clan are not usually reflective on the activities of another. If you are being raided by one clan, fighting a different one wont do anything.
Government: The Clans are governed by a council of elders that gathers once a year to mediate disputes between clans, assess the current state of affairs, delegate aid where needed (if possible) and agree on the terms for that year's raids and mercenary activities. The council is headed by a Hög Medlare, a life time position held by the representative from the current "strongest clan", who is chosen by election and by duels from the strongest warriors from each clan.
A High War Chief is selected from the clans in times of dire crisis to all the clans. very rarely does the council pronounce a general war (Folks Krig - People's war), but when it does, all Viklanders are subordinate to the will of the High War Chief, who holds the position till the end of the war, or for 5 years, which ever comes first.
Each clan is headed by a Chief and governed by an assembly of warriors. The Chief acts as the mediator of disputes within the clan, leads the clan in battle, and divides the spoils of war amongst his people. The position of Chief is hereditary in some tribes, and based on merit in others.
There are five main clans -
Gunnhild - The most mercenary of the clans, the Gunnhild will take any excuse to fight and make some gold in the process, making them very, very good mercenaries for very cheap prices. Their low cost comes at a price however, and that price is loyalty. Gunnhild mercenaries will change sides at any given moment if presented with a better offer than they are currently under. Seek them out for short campaigns or battles, because the longer they are in someone's service, the more they must be kept content. In battle they are formidable foes and will usually not retreat unless ordered to do so. They are prone to plundering and pillaging when fighting against an enemy.
Chief: Eric the Victorious
Torhild - Pirates and raiders, that is a sufficient description of the Torhild. They are the finest seamen among the clans, and posses a large fleet of warships in addition to the standard raid ships. If a trade ship is waylaid in the northern waters, the Torhild are likely candidates for blame. If a coastal village is found sacked for no particular reason, the Torhild are likely to blame. Torhild Captains are amongst the finest naval mercenaries in the world and serve as captains for many ships from many nations. The Torhild often hire-out their navy as opposed to their warriors.
Chief: Sweyn Forkbeard
Gunnvor - The more honorable of the clans, Gunnvor mercenaries will get the job they have been paid to do done and done well. They are very loyal once hired, since they usually charge a great deal of gold for their warrior's services. They are also great craftsmen and forge some of the finest weapons and armor in the north. Gunnvor warriors tend to be better armored than their counterparts in other clans and favor the two handed ax.
Chief: Tróndur í Gøtu
Sigrid - The Sigrid tend to be a more "civilized" people, having adopted aspect from many of the more settled cultures. They tend to build large castles and fortresses, and prefer large cities to villages. They operate much like a more settled culture as well in that they are not simply uncaring mercenaries, but take sides in a conflict and have set foreign policies and goals. They are skilled traders and their merchant fleet sails throughout the world. Their conflicts tend to be with rival trading nations, and they seek to preserve an economic balance in the world for their goods. They are merciless capitalists however, and seek dominance of trade almost anywhere they go. If paid to fight, it is usually the nation that will go to war as opposed to small bands of mercenaries hired for a job.
Chief: Rurik Holstem
Gudrun - A powerful clan that makes use of its large populace to accomplish a great deal of things. Gudrun Chiefs tend to hold a great deal more power than in other clans and governing of the clan is more centralized than the others. The Gundrun are the primary farmers and craftsmen of the clans. They are neither very loyal and expensive, nor cheap and avaricious. They are more reserved in taking contracts but still enjoy the thrill of battle as much as any Viklander.
Chief: Ingólfur Arnarson
Society: Very tribal and family oriented. Outsiders are looked down upon, and committing crimes against them is perfectly acceptable, hence the reason Viklanders act like rouges and pirates against other peoples. Interestingly, murder against another Vikalnder is forbidden. Feuds and disputes are settled by the Chiefs or, if one party is still not satisfied, a duel is started with the terms of combat and the terms for victory set before hand. These duels very rarely result in death. Viklanders are peaceful at home, and carry out their lives fishing and herding cattle and goats, however, from they are small they are trained to kill outsiders. A common phrase regarding Viklander warriors is that it "seems as if they were born weapon in hand."
Warriors: Each tribe boasts different warrior types and specialties, but the most common are ax-wielding warriors in chain mail with a wooden shield. Warrior bands are called Throngs and usually number around 500. All men in any given tribe are considered warriors and are trained to fight from birth, however most of these are another trade and will only fight when called upon, many warriors of the clans are warriors by trade, living by fighting and training constantly. Most Viklander warriors are available for hire.
Military Overview: Extremely Elite Infantry, Formidable Navy, Mediocre Archers, Almost Non-existent cavalry
Warrior Types
Viklander Ax man
Wear's chain mail, leather padding under the mail, cloth padding over it, and carries an ax and shield usually. This is the standard warrior attire. Axemen are strong and brave. Axemen will often times form the shock troops of Vikland throngs. Some have small throwing axes.
Berserkers
These are among the most fearsome warriors on the planet. Only the most aggressive and powerful warriors are given the title of a berserker. They are said to possess no fear in battle and thus, sometimes wear almost no armor except the pelts that mark them as Berserkers. Prior to battle they pray to the gods of war and chaos to go through them, and as part of the ritual they drink a concoction of extremely strong alcohol, mixed with mushrooms and bog myrtle. They are kept in reserve until a weakness is seen in the enemy or morale is needed amongst the men. Their blind rage and strength incite fear in enemies are courage in friends.
A berserker in combat (ignore all the fantasy stuff)
Viklander Raiding ship
Raiding ships are built in a variety of sizes but they all share the feature of a very low draft and large sail. This low draft technology, is kept well guarded and Viklander shipbuilders are highly respected for their craft. These boats allow Viklander raiders to strike deep inside a vulnerable territory by using rivers that all other ships would deem inaccessible.
Viklander Spearmen
Do to am almost complete lack of cavalry, the Viklanders prize their spearmen. Spearmen are generally professional soldiers who train constantly and are considered amongst the better warriors of the clans. They carry large shields that they use for Phalanx type formations. There are very few Spearman only units, because lines of spearmen are found in standard infantry units. When threatened by a cavalry charge, the front line of swordsmen or ax men will crouch low and raise their shields to strike at the feet and bellies of the horses while the spearmen behind them will form a phalanx and harry the cavalry. During melee, Spearmen try to avoid direct combat with a foe, preferring to strike at enemies already engaged with a swordsman or axman. They also will stand on the flanks of a unit engaged in melee to help protect from flanking attacks. While in formation, the spearmen will have their shields on their backs. When the formation breaks or when on the flanks of a formation, they will use their shields.
Vikland Swordsmen
The backbone of most of the Vikland throngs, Vikland swordsmen are fierce warriors. The are armored exactly like axemen with the only difference being weaponry. Vikland swordsmen form the front ranks of most throngs and use their large round shields to form solid walls. The Vikland swordsmen will either stay behind their shields while the spearmen stab at enemies or will tightly march together till within decent range then charge their foes. Vikland swordsmen are quite skilled with their medium swords that can either thrust or slice.
Example Sword
Viklander Archer
Many warriors will carry a short bow and a few arrows into battle to fire at enemy soldiers as they approach, however a few men do consider themselves to be committed archers. These warriors are armed almost exactly like standard infantry, except they lack spearmen in their ranks, and tend to not have a shield (although a small buckler is common). They wield short-medium range bows but are best at closer ranges where their hunting contributes greatest to their archery skill. After expending their quivers, the archers convert to infantry. Their units are usually kept in reserve however because a decent Viklander Archer is hard to come by.
Sigrid Soldiers
The Sigrid soldiers are perhaps nothing like the rest of the Vikland warriors. They prefer heavy armor and fight entirely differently than the other clans. The employ heavily armored pikemen, crossbowmen, and are the only vikland clan to field any cavalry at all (heavy cavalry). They also have perfected the use of the longbow, as opposed to the other vikland clans that prefer regular medium to short range bows. The Sigrid army is organized much like the Imperial Armies of old. Crossbowmen take the front ranks, pikemen in the middle, longbowmen behind them, and Heavy cavalry in reserve. Their army is highly professional, trains year round, and is a standing army.
Sigrid Pikemen
Sigrid Crossbowman
Sigrid Lowbowman
Sigrid Knight
History
Taken from the opening of the alþýðabók (Book of the people)...
The clans have always existed, brought forth from the seed of Theodar to punish the peoples of Horka. As they took to the earth the people carved a place for themselves. They learned war and life. Finally they let their scourge upon the earth. The peoples of Horka feared them.
As the empire began to the grow, the people could not be defeated. Battle after battle, the empire tried to conquer the people but failed. So the empire took advantage of the People's eagerness for battle. They bought them as a whole, a nation of mercenaries. The people fought valiantly for the empire, serving on the front lines and helping to carve it out from its early days. The people grew wealthy and strong. But as the empire began to crumble, so too did the fate of the people. Without anyone to pay them, their coffers dried up. But all was not lost, Theodar reminded them of their original purpose, to bring misery to the people of Horka. The people began their dreaded raids across the land and once again their coffers were filled with gold. That is how the people came to be, Forever fighting, forever punishing Horka.
Religion
Religion plays a large part in the lives of Viklanders. No official hierarchy or church exists, but individual shamans, priests, and druids carry tend to the gods in shrines and grottoes. Many people carry out their rituals and prays individually or with their families as the ritual demands. Many gods exist, but adaptation of foreign gods is prohibited as they are viewed as fallacies brought about by Horka the Trickster. Circles and Grottoes are very important to many of the deities of the Viklanders.
Theodar - Chief god of the Viklander pantheon. His aspects are Fire, War, and Victory. He grants victory to viklanders who please him and who are doing is bidding. Warriors pray to him before battle for victory. Favorite weapon is the sword. His animals are wolves, which he often takes the aspect of. Seeing a wolf before a battle is a sure sign that Theodar has blessed you. He created the Viklanders from his own seed to punish Horka and his followers.
Horka - Villain of the Viklander gods, Horka tricked the mortals into abandoning the ways of the gods and had them expelled from Valhalla. It is said that he continues to pull at the strings of mortals, trying to bring them to ruin. All non-Viklanders are thought to be the minions of Horka and his kin and thus meant to suffer the wrath of the Viklanders. He is said to be a shape shifter and has many forms, but is usually represented by a Raven.
NJÖRÐR - God of the sea. Given dominon of the seas and rain by his father, but tried to extend his control over to the land. As such he was punished to forever be a serpent. He is a spiteful god to those on land and must be properly honored to secure safe passage while sailing. He constantly tries to take control over the lands through massive storms and tidal waves but since he cannot survive outside of the water for long, must always return. He creates storms at sea to claim the lives of things from the land. His animals are snakes who venture the land for him gathering information on people and the land for his next attempt to claim the land.
ÓSVALDR - God of Winter and the forests, given domion of these by his father Theodar. He put winter on the world to test Viklanders and to kill Horka's minions. Viklanders must be strong to survive Osvaldr's test every year.
VOLUNDR - God of Battle. His Aspects are Battle, Bravery, and Strength. He delights in combat and struggles. His priests are the elite berserkers who pray to him to give them strength and bravery before they go into battle. Common soldiers [ray that he will bless them also. He does not care much for sides in conflict, only in shows of strength and valor while fighting. As such warriors will pray to him for strength and bravery while to his father Theodar for victory. His favorite weapon is the ax.
Economy
The Vikland Economy is largely subsistence with small scale trading and bartering for other goods and necessities for living. The sale of timber also supplements the national income. The trading of the Sigrid mostly, and to some extent other clans, brings in the foreign goods that are needed and wanted and sells Viklander goods internationally. Vikland weapons and armor are highly prized for their brilliant balance between weight and utility. While these are the more standard modes of clan economy by foreign standards, the Vikland economy is truly driven by raids, pillages, and mercenary activity. They are heartless in their actions and prey upon weak targets.
National Income:
Population: 1,200,000
Demographics: 80% Poor, 15% Middle Class, 5% Upper Class
Tax Income: 4,800 Gold (Poor Tax), 1,800 Gold (Middle Tax), 600 Gold (Upper Tax) = 7,200 Gold
Trade Income: Lumber x 4 (25 Gold/each) = 100 Gold
Total Income: 7,300 Gold
Exports: Weapons, Armor, Warriors, Lumber
Imports: Iron, Gold, Silver, Precious Stones, etc.
The Vikland Military
Total Professional Warriors Available: 12,000 (1%)
Total Professional Warriors Armed: 10,440 (87% of Available troops)
Maintenance Cost: 7,216
Available Funds: 84 Gold (84 Gold/week)
Combined Forces -
2,910 x Swordsmen (sword, shield, armor, helm)
1,590 x Spearmen (spear, shield, armor, helm)
1,040 x Axemen (battle axe, armor, shield, helm)
1,100 x Axemen (battle axe, armor, helm)
840 x Archers (not longbow, armor, short sword or knife)
200 x Crossbowmen (medium crossbow, armor, sword, helm)
800 x Pikemen (pike, armor, shield, helm)
100 x Heavy Cavalry (Lance, armor, shield, sword, helm)
100 x Longbowmen (longbow, armor, short sword or knife)
92 x Longships (17m long; crew of 41 men, crew=fighting men) [Ability to transport 3772 Troops]
13 x Cogs (50m long; crew of 30; 60 soldiers) [Ability to transport 780 Troops]
2 x Hulks (60m long; crew of 40; 80 soldiers) [Ability to transport 160 Troops]
Gunnhild Clan Warriors
Population: 220,000
Total Warriors: 2,200 (1%)
Cost: 1320 Gold/week
Base Mercenary Price: .7 of the maintenance cost [Cheap but prone to switch sides for better offers]
1000 x Swordsmen (sword, shield, armor, helm) - .6 Gold/week/each - 600 Gold
500 x Spearmen (spear, shield, armor, helm) - .4 Gold/week/each - 200 Gold
500 x Axemen (battle axe, armor, shield, helm) - .5 Gold/week/each - 250 Gold
200 x Archers (not longbow, armor, short sword or knife) - .6 Gold/week/each - 120 Gold
15 x Longships - 10 Gold/week/each - 150 Gold (warriors above serve on the ships, total crew = 615)
1 x Border Fort (simple palisade construct with a ditch) - 30 gold
Torhild Clan Warriors
Population: 200,000
Total Warriors: 2,010 (480 Infantry, 1530 Crew) (1%)
Cost: 1,358
Base Mercenary Price: .5 Maintenance Price [They are usually paid per attack however as they like to raid rather than engage in pitched battles. They expect plunder. Good to harry enemy trade]
350 x Swordsmen (sword, shield, armor, helm) - .6 Gold/week/each - 210 Gold
50 x Spearmen (spear, shield, armor, helm) - .4 Gold/week/each - 20 Gold
80 x Archers (not longbow, armor, short sword or knife) - .6 Gold/week/each - 48 Gold
30 x Longships - 10 Gold/week/each - 300 Gold (Total crew = 1230)
8 x Cog - 75 Gold/week/each - 750 Gold (Crew = 300, Space for 480)
3 x Outpost (simple look out station) - 30 gold
Gunnvor Clan Warriors
Population: 240,000
Total Warriors: 2,400 (1%)
Cost: 1,350
Base Mercenary Price: 1.3 Maintenance cost [Very loyal to their paymasters.]
1,100 x Axemen (battle axe, armor, helm) - .4 Gold/week/each - 440
500 x Swordsmen (sword, shield, armor, helm) - .6 Gold/week/each - 300
500 x Spearmen (spear, shield, armor, helm) - .4 Gold/week/each - 200
300 x Archers (not longbow, armor, short sword or knife) - .6 Gold/week/each - 180
20 x Longships - 10 Gold/week/each - 200 (warriors above serve on the ships, total crew = 820)
1 x Border Fort (simple palisade construct with a ditch) - 30 gold
Sigrid Clan Warriors
Population: 200,000
Total Warriors: 1430 (1200 Land Troops, 230 Naval Crew) [0.7%]
Cost: 1580 Gold
Base Mercenary Price: 1.5 Maintenance Price [Usually paid to go to war as a nation however, rather than individual soldiers, hence totally loyal]
200 x Crossbowmen (medium crossbow, armor, sword, helm) - .5 Gold/week/each - 100
800 x Pikemen (pike, armor, shield, helm) - .6 Gold/week/each - 480
100 x Heavy Cavalry (Lance, armor, shield, sword, helm) - 2 Gold/week/each - 200
100 x Longbowmen (longbow, armor, short sword or knife) - 1 Gold/week/each - 100
5 x Cog (50m long; crew of 30; 60 soldiers) - 75 Gold/week/each - 375
2 x Hulk (60m long; crew of 40; 80 soldiers) - 100 Gold/week/each - 200
1 x Stone Castle (stone castle, one main wall and central keep) - 125 gold
Gudrun Clan Warriors
Population: 290,000
Total Warriors: 2,200 [0.8%]
Cost: 1450
Base Mercenary Price: 1.0 Maintenance price [Neither highly loyal nor disloyal, nor expensive.]
1000 x Swordsmen (sword, shield, armor, helm) - .6 Gold/week/each - 600 Gold
500 x Spearmen (spear, shield, armor, helm) - .4 Gold/week/each - 200 Gold
500 x Axemen (battle axe, armor, shield, helm) - .5 Gold/week/each - 250 Gold
200 x Archers (not longbow, armor, short sword or knife) - .6 Gold/week/each - 120 Gold
25 x Longships - 10 Gold/week/each - 250 Gold (warriors above serve on the ships, total crew = 1025)
1 x Border Fort (simple palisade construct with a ditch) - 30 gold
Other Clans
Population: 20,000
Total Warriors: 200 [1%]
Cost: 128 Gold
60 x Swordsmen (sword, shield, armor, helm) - .6 Gold/week/each - 36 Gold
40 x Spearmen (spear, shield, armor, helm) - .4 Gold/week/each - 16 Gold
40 x Axemen (battle axe, armor, shield, helm) - .5 Gold/week/each - 20 Gold
60 x Archers (not longbow, armor, short sword or knife) - .6 Gold/week/each - 36 Gold
2 x Longships - 10 Gold/week/each - 20 Gold (warriors above serve on the ships, total crew = 82)