Norsean Empire

The Norsean Empire's vast holdings stretch from Kaldrland across the seas. As such the organization of the empire is somewhat decentralized in nature. Norsea has always been ruled by a council of Jarls, with the role of High King being decided through Elective Succession. The Empire is no different, though any colonies, duchies, or kingdoms within it now have a representative on the Valgråd. The High King sits at the top of the structure, with a council of Jarls and kings, or representatives below him. And these lower kingdoms or duchies answer to the High King.

Cultural Roots

The Norsean Empire's culture is ancient in many ways. Even before the time of the Aeran Empire, the ways of the ancient Kalderlanders were of strength, trade, and glory. These are the lands of one of the oldest Human civilizations. The First Norsean Moot in 7777 BGC was a part of Humanity's Spring, and inspired many disparate clans and tribes of Humans to organize. Due to this there is a culture of great pride for Human history, but the Humans of Kaldrland were close with the Dwarves as well. After the Battle of the Red Fields many Orcs also settled here. This mixing of Human, Dwarf, and Orc culture has forged the Norsean culture seen today in many ways  

Cultural Traditions

There are countless Norsean cultural traditions. The mixing of Human, Dwarven and Orcish traditions has led to Norsea being a place of strength in all things. Strength in body, strength of soul, and strength in family. And honor in all things as well, honor to oneself, honor to one's family, and honor in battle. The Norseans had a culture of craftsmanship, building beautiful keeps and forging sturdy weapons with ornate runes. Massive temples to Odeus, Grunjar, and Ulm-Dolmar boasting some of the best stonework in the Known World. A simple walk through the countryside could lead you to stumble upon ancient shrines, standing stones, and monuments. Ancestral tombs going back to the Archaean Age burrow into the ground under hills and mountains. The stories of ancient history, myth and legend are transcribed in ancient sagas. The entire history of the Norseans can be found in these texts and writings that have been written since the days of old. War and combat were also important to the Norseans. They prided themselves on their martial capabilities. Sometimes the "Lov om Utfordring", or Law of Challenge was invoked by a thane if they had evidence and reason to believe their Jarl was unfit to rule. If the Jarl accepted the two would be given one sword, one shield, and would fight till death or yielding. The Jarl could refuse, but if it was an honorable challenge refusing was worse than losing in battle.   Norseans were not only fierce warriors but also master traders, taking their wares across oceans to sell in markets where furs and iron ore were rare. Many port cities across Aeris have permanent Norsean trading posts, leading Norsea to in some cases become vital in economies overseas. Norseans were not simply a people of strength in battle and trade overseas. They were also poets, artists, singers, diplomats, actors, shamans, healers and dancers. As the old saying goes "Don't ever put a Norsean in a box, they will break it every time".

Backing the Norsean Empire is literal tons of gold. Boasting one of the largest navies in Aeris, and armies of excellent soldiers. Their strongholds combine Human ingenuity, Orcish practicality, and Dwarven strength.

The original Kingdom of Norsea was founded in 7777 BGC during Humanity's Spring. This kingdom fought against the Elves alongside their Dwarven allies who were native to the mountains of Kaldrland. The newly formed kingdom of Dwarves and Humans would continue to establish itself until 6099 BGC when Moraphan attacked Kaldrland. The Norseans fought hard but in 6094 they fled to Novoton, where the Novoto people took them in. This moment would establish positive relations that last to this day. Novoton held out through the Long Night until Sylra Vereth broke their siege. The Novoto and Norseans were wary of these liberators at first, but agreed to add their throngs to Vereth's army. The Norseans would participate in the Battle of the Red Fields, and joined the Aeran Empire in 6005 BGC under Sylra's rule. They felt unimpeded by the Empire, and enjoyed the peace they found themselves in, able to look inwards and improve the lives of their citizens under the yoke of the Aeran Empire.   Under Calen Vereth's Green Reign they suffered however. His Empire meddling with their traditions and laws, but this was fixed by Empress Elyssandra Vereth. She was regarded by the Norseans as the greatest Aeran leader to ever rule, and to this day the Norseans still honor her. But when the Empire was reorganized, Norsea was suddenly free of imperial oversight. But only a few centuries later the Great Collapse would rock Kaldrland as it did the world.   In the aftermath the Norseans would aid their continental neighbors in Alea by helping to build Zen-tsu's wall. Their cooperation would lead to strengthened ties to the Shang-Do ruling dynasty, but unhappy Jarls believing this foreign aid a waste of money and resources rose up. The year 235 AGC saw the beginning of the Norsean Civil War which went till 240 AGC. Grogad the Red, a Dwarven Jarl, seceded from Norsea along with 6 others. They fought Erik the Blade, High King of Norsea. A 5 year long conflict saw the rebellion put down. As a response to the uprising in Kaldrland, Erik doubled down on his allyship with the Shang-Do Dynasty. Re-educating the former rebels, and even sending them to Alea to meet the people they were allied to now. The alliance was signed into place in 241 AGC. Little did the new allies know, a mere 16 years later, their alliance would take part in the second largest, and bloodiest war in Aeris' history.    As time went on, the Knosis-Kari Alliance, and the Kaldrland-Alea Pact began to rub against each other more and more. Disputes started in 252 AGC, but when two ships from each alliance were sunk in the year 257 AGC, war was quickly declared. Lasting from 257 AGC - 293 AGC, the Great Alliance War was waged. Both sides levied the entirety of their respective kingdoms. The Knosis-Kari Alliance knew they would need backing from another nation, as they were two island nations, and while they were formidable together, the combined forces of the Shang-Do and Norseans would’ve spelled disaster. In order to even the odds, a diplomatic envoy was sent to the Elves of Tol Ador. It took much convincing, but the Elves were willing to aid the Alliance. Meanwhile the ancient allies of the Norseans, the Novoto, agreed to aid the Pact. The Praetoran Empire was warmongering as ever, and so decided to aid the Knosis-Kari Alliance. Some say they just wanted to look good in front of the Elves. Afraid of the Praetoran’s bloodthirsty nature, and close to the Norseans and Novoto, the Kingdom of Anglica joined in on the side of the Pact. In Sarasarada the Dzugaar Khanate pledged to send supplies to the Alliance. The Tabaxi rebels took this opportunity to rise up against the Khan. The other Val’Karan kingdoms not already involved declared war on the Praetoran Empire to try and circumvent any gains And so the entire world became embroiled in the biggest war since the Age of Blight, and even more so the wars with Moraphan. When the war finally ended all had nearly forgotten it’d started with the simple disappearance of two ships. There wasn’t so much a clear winner or loser so much as all losing, some more than others. And Kaldrland lost much, but thanks to years of hard work on the part of it's citizens, the Norsean Kingdom was able to recover better than some. But once again Norsea was plunged into another bloody war. The Shadow Wars came in 410 AGC, and would last over a period of 308 years of darkness and war.   After those 308 years the sun finally broke through the clouds, and Aeris' people could breath again. The Great Leap came next, with massive advancements in society and technology. And it would be the Norseans who would begin the Age of Empires in 811. All the art and technological progression over the prior century had been a beautiful celebration of life, but with that grew nationalistic movements that started to catch on in many nations. They saw the new tools before them, and were waiting for a chance to use them. The Norseans began the age by invading Val’Kara in 811 AGC. They targeted the weak Praetoran Empire, which quickly folded, leaving Norsea new territory on the continent. They sailed for Novoto in 818 next, offering submission to their old allies. The Novoto joined the Norsean Empire in that same year, thus also ceding Esla to them. This was a massive expansion, but in 834 the Norseans would come up against another empire: the newly returned Elven Eldari Empire. After losing Esla in 841, the Norseans declared war on them once again, breaking the 5 year peace treaty and sparking the War of the Colossi from the year 842 AGC - 901 AGC. It was a long drawn out war between the two giants that ended in an uneasy white peace. Into the new millennium the Norsean Empire stands strong with a foothold in Val'Kara and Novoton. They're witnessing the declining situation in Val'Kara, and encroaching Eldari, what happens next could change the course of history.

The Norsean Empire is mostly Dwarf, Human and Orc. But due to imperial expansion, many more peoples have joined the empire.

From Kaldrland, to Novoton, to the islands around Kaldrland and even Val'Kara, the empire stretches

The Norsean army is one of the strongest in the world, it's warriors were strong, and it's technology mighty.

Norsea is advanced, with some of the best Dwarven advancements.

The Norseans worship the High Gods, but worship Telera, Odeus, Grunjar, and Ulm-Dolmar most

The Norsean Empire boasts good relations with Alea and Novoton, old allies holding strong. In Sarasarada the Norsean Empire did much trade, and were looked on positively. The Kari and Knosis Minotaurs are wary of the Norseans. on top of that the Kari were a rival expansionist empire. The free Val'Karan nations too were wary, with the Norseans recently claiming a foothold on the continent. And the Eldari held a hatred of the Norseans, the Elves remembering the Great Alliance War.

Norsea is an empire of great Dwarven industry and strong agricultural infrastructure. Farms and mills dot the rivers and countrysides across the empire.

Norsea has always been known for it's vast trade empire. Trading furs, jewels, and precious metals across Aeris.

Education is limited to the upper classes.

The infrastructure of Norsea is strong. A combination of Human, Dwarf, and Orc styles has led to buildings and roads that has stood the test of time for thousands of years.