Lore

Vikings were farmers, traders, blacksmiths and craftsmen. They raided towns close to the coast due to the easy accessibility. Their ships could quickly land on the shore, raid the town and then set sail before there is even a remote chance of reinforcements arriving. Their reach was vast. There is evidence that reaches thousands of miles away. Raiding wasn't a full time thing for some of them, but it was profitable enough to make many of them to turn to it full time. Viking were skilled at what they did. They were great tacticians, excellent farmers, skilled blacksmiths and craftsmen, superb shipwrights, and fierce warriors.   Their ship were state of the art for the time because they were capable of not only sailing on rivers, but they were also capable of sailing over the open ocean. No other ships at the time were capable of doing that. They were some of the best navigators on the open ocean due to their innovative technique that involve a sun stone and a sun compass, as well as using more natural things such as birds and whales. Their main vessel were called Long ships and a larger vessel was called Dragon ships.   Vikings raided for a variety of reasons such as the following:   1: Lack of farmland for their growing population   While it wasn't a primary reason, it did play a small role in the start. As the populations began to grow, they sought out more land to farm.   2: Finding land for their younger sons.   As with how they handed their property down through inheritance, the younger sons received nothing. This lead them to seek out land for themselves, as well as making a name for themselves.   3: Wealth from easy to to hit wealthy choice.   Due to rules of other lands, most religious building weren't frequently attack by their own kind. This lead to no need to protect them very often. So when the Vikings came, they were easy targets and gave them vasts amounts of treasure due to the church having more money than even some kings.   4: Retaliation for unfair trading practices between other civilizations and the Vikings.   Not all vikings immediately went to attack all of the time. They found willing traders and would trade with them. However, if they felt they were frequently being taken advantage of, they would retaliate by attacking them.   5: Competition between rival chieftains.   Raids on rival Viking Chieftains were common as they would seek out more fertile land and their treasure.   6: The lure of adventure in foreign lands.   Vikings were brave and believed that if they died during battle, it was not just honorable, but they'd be personally escorted to Vahalla by Odin himself. Due to these beliefs, they were willing to risk their lives in order to seek out treasure and fame. Once the first raid was completed, others saw how profitable it was and were quick to join the next raid.   Conversion from one religion to another   While during the early Viking age, conversion was mostly peaceful. Primarily because it wasn't a full conversion. The Viking traders noticed the difference between how their trades were in comparison to how those who shared the same religion. Due to this, they tended to wear symbols associated with the other religion while trading and switch back to their own symbols before arriving back home with the goods. Later on, it became apparent that this was being caught on to and they were getting unfair trades once more. So they'd raid them to get their products. After a while, this started turning more and more violent. The other side started to push for them to fully take on their religion which was met with violence.   Viking Culture   Vikings were a predominantly male run society, but women had certain amounts of power depending on status. If the men were away for any reason, women would take up both their own jobs and the men's. Women were important to the society and it would bring shame upon your family if you harmed one as a male. Women for the most part were for the domestic duties. This doesn't mean all women were. There were several who fought along side the men and were known as Shieldmaidens. These women were just as fierce in battle as the men, sometimes even more.   Viking history and beliefs   The center of their universe is Yggdrasil, the world tree. An eagle lives at the top, while the dragon Nidhogg lives at the bottom and chews on its roots. The squirrel Ratatosk runs up and down Yggdrasil’s trunk, carrying rude messages to the other. Branching off of this is the nine worlds. Asgard and Vanaheim is where all of the Gods and Goddesses live. Midgard is where the Humans live. Jotunheim is where the Giants live. Alfheim is where the Elves live. Svartalfheim is where the Dwarves live. Niflheim is the primordial world of ice. Muspelheim is the world of fire. The last world is Helheim, the land of the dead.   Viking Symbols   Vikings used symbols as a way of passing on their heritage. These symbols were called Runes. Some runes were magical, if they were made by the right people and with the correct rituals. Few people knew the ins and outs of these magical runes.   Valknut symbolizes the afterlife and is usually found around grave sites.     Aegishjalmr, also known as the Helm of Awe or Terror. This was commonly associated with illusions and to hide people from being found.   Mjolnir (Thor's Hammer) was a revered symbol by warriors. It is commonly associated with warriors, and elemental magic of Thunder and Lightning.   Weapons and Armor   Swords were some of the most expensive weapons because of the time it took to make them. Only the rich owned them.   Axes and Spears were the most common weapons.   Bow and arrows were used as well. Crossbows were used, but not as frequently at first.   Shields were used by all.   Leather armor was the most common as any other armor was expensive. Only the rich could afford armor such as chainmail and iron helmets.   Law and Government   There was really no formal government for the Vikings for a good portion of their existence. Instead, they were run by a strong noble family in each community who were called Jarls (Yarls). These Jarls made up the laws for their community and each community's laws were different. Traditions were passed down through oral stories and occasionally with runes. Normally when the Jarl died, the position passed to his oldest son. However, sometimes they lost their power when one of their subjects felt they could rule better. This was settled with a Holmgang. This was a duel to the death with the victor taking the spoils. If the ruler lost, the winner would take over control and he'd be accepted as the ruler due to winning. In most cases the ruler's family were exiled (well normally killed, at least according to the TV show Vikings, but not in my game). Occasionally they were allowed to stay, but rarely. Even though the ruler lost, he was given a proper send off due to him dying in combat. If the ruler won, the same would be done with the loser's family.   Later on, someone would feel they could rule the country as a whole and would declare themselves the king of the country. This would require all of the Jarls to accept them as king. It rarely was successful at the early stages, but it did eventually become normal practice.   All legal disputes were brought before the King or the Jarl (if not in the same place as the king or there was no king). These disputes were handled in something called The Thing. It was where everyone would gather up, celebrate and bring all of their disputes before the ruler. The Thing would last for days and would be a festive environment for the most part. Food and drink would be served to everyone. While this is where the disputes were handled, it wasn't up to the Jarl to carry out the sentence. That was the responsibility of the winning side of the dispute. The Thing was also where marriages were arranged, alliances were made, news and gossip were spread, and friendships established or renewed. Each community had their own and occasionally multiple communities held a big one.   Religion   Religion was a big thing for the Vikings. Their most holy place was the Temple at Uppsala. Once every 3 years (have yet to find anything that gives a timeframe for this) all Vikings would make a movement to Uppsala to worship their Gods. There was no violence allowed at these events and anyone responsible for it would be severely punished. Many sacrifices were made, including humanoid. Each community would sacrifice someone, and it was always by volunteer. It was considered an honor to be sacrificed to the Gods.   Funerals   Vikings were buried or burned in boats, if possible, due to their love of the sea.   Hygiene   Most Vikings were cleaner than most of the other civilizations around them. They were known to keep their hair and beard trimmed, clean their ears, and bathe at least once a week.   Marriage   Marriages were mostly arranged by the families. Women would be married at age 18 (12 in real life, but yeah, no.). The groom's family would pay a price for the wedding, and the wife's family would bring a dowry at the wedding to give to the groom's family.   Creation of the world in Viking Lore   Before the world as they know was created, there were only two world. Niflheim and Muspelheim. They were separated by a void known as the Ginnungagap. Where the elements of the two worlds met was steam and within that steam the first two beings were forms. Ymir, the first Jotun (Giant), and Audhumla, the first cow. Due to them being the first beings, it was quite boring. Ymir spent his time drinking Audhumla's milk and Audhumla spent her time licking a salt lick. The salt lick would eventually become Búri, the first of the Aesir. Buri had a son named Bor, who in then had three sons: Odin, Vili and Vé.   The 9 Worlds   Outside of the first two worlds, the remaining worlds were built from the body of Ymir after Odin, Vili and Ve killed him.   Niflheim: The Realm of Fog and Mist   One of the first worlds, Niflheim is the darkest and coldest of the worlds. It is located in the northern most area of the Ginnungagap. This is also where the oldest spring in the worlds is located. It is called Hvergelmir, or "Bubbling, Boiling Spring" and is protected by a huge dragon named Nidhug. It is believed that all cold rivers originate from this spring. It is also believed to be the source of the Eleven Rivers. They believe that the spring is the source of all life and life will always return to it.   Muspelheim: The Land of Fire   The world created at the same time as Niflheim is, Muspelheim. It is the southern most world. It is the hottest of the worlds that is filled with lava, fire, sparks and soot. It is the home of fire giants, fire demons and ruled by the giant Surtr. He hates the Aesir and will do everything he can to disrupt their plans. When Ragnarok, the end of the current world and beginning of a new one, comes he intends to be leading the charge.   Asgard: The home of the Gods   Located in the middle of the other worlds and much higher than the others is the home of the Gods. Vahalla is located here as well.   Midgard: The home of the humans   Located directly below Asgard and connected by a rainbow bridge called the Bifrost. It is surrounded on all sides by a huge, impassable ocean. The world is surrounded by a huge sea serpent called The Midgard Serpent. The first two humans to inhabit the world were created by Odin, Villi and Ve with logs. They were named Ask and Embala.   Jotunheim: Home of the Giants   Jotunheim is a land of rocks, boulders, and dense forests. It is extremely snowy and lays in the outermost reaches of the ocean. It is the home of the Jotnar (or Giants), who are sworn enemies of the Aesir. They survive solely off of the fish in the rivers and the game in the forest. Therefore, there is no fertile land in their world. The Jotnar and Aesir were in constant conflict, but occasionally there would be those from each side to fall in love with the other. There was a huge stronghold there called Utgard that was so tall you couldn't see the top. It was built with snow and ice and the feared Jotnar king named Utgard-Loki lived there.   Vanaheim: Home of the Vanir   Magic originates from Vanaheim because their gods were masters of Sorcery and Magic. They were prolific with divination, seeing into the future to be precise, magic.   Alfheim: Home of the Light Elves   The inhabitants of this world are considered to be guardian angels. They are minor gods a nature and fertility. They're known to help and hinder other worlds with their magic. They're also responsible for the arts and music, especially with poets or bards.   Svartalfheim: Home of the Dwarves   The inhabitants of this world live under rocks, in caves and underground. The inhabitants of this world were master craftsmen and passed along their knowledge, to an extent, to others. The Gods received several magical items from these people, such as the magical ring Draupnir and Gungnir, Odin’s spear.   Helheim: Home of the dishonorable dead   Those deemed unworthy of going to Vahalla or Folkvangr (similar to Vahalla but is controlled by Freya), come here. They could be murderers, thieves, rapist, or deemed not brave enough. They will never feel joy or warmth again. The world is one of the coldest and darkest. It is controlled by the Goddess Hel, Loki's daughter. She intends to use the dead to attack the other Gods and Goddesses during Ragnarok.