Njord'volk

Njord’volk or Njord’s as they are simply called by others is the far northern people of the Nordic region of Western Eyumel. They are robust and strong folk and are quite proud of their ways. They vary in lifestyle being that they hunt, farm, fish, and on occasion pillage and raid. The land they hail from is harsh and frozen most parts of the year. This limits their farming ability to a sparse timeframe and limited suitable land. Hunting and fishing make up the rest of the diet of these people.

They are possibly the most socially diverse group of Humans as they are led by regional leaders appointed by the community through elections called Fings wherein votes are cast of nominated leaders among the various clans. But these leaders aren’t all-powerful in governance. If another leader of a clan feels a current Jarl (regional leader) is not worthy of title and post, they may challenge them to ritual combat called Gungar. This is issued by throwing an axe onto or above a person’s door with the public proclamation of intent. If the axe is returned to the owner then the challenge is denied but the person denying it loses face and is deemed cowardly. However, if the axe is kept the challenge is accepted and the contest of strength will be held in a public space for the view of the whole community.

This challenge is not given lightly and is not to be rescinded once issued and accepted. It is a sacred matter to the Njord’volk that separates the weak from the strong and the worthy from the unworthy. This is a battle to the death. By the end of the fight 1 lays in the right, and the other on the ground. If the challenger wins, it is as legitimate as a Fing, and by sacred law is to be honored thusly. If the current Jarl wins, they retain power and status while being able to claim a trophy of 1 thing the challenger owned. In the past, this ranged from a favored weapon to armor piece, to money, servants, and even land. The Val’Maer faith is known to these people but they have their cultural faith called Hroli. In Hroli there are seven Gods and there is also heavy ancestral worship.

**The Gods are as follows:**

Hroth, the God of Forges

Rol, the God of the Sun

Nemana, Goddess of the Moon and Stars and sister to Rol

Scafti, Goddess of the Forest and Nature

Njolld, God of the Sea

Hagalath, Goddess of Death

Oran, Chief God of Kings and Warriors

Beyond that lay the Rangarl, or “Honored Dead” which are the ancestral spirits of clan mates past. Njord’volk offers sacrificial animals and votive offerings to the Gods and food and drinks to the Rangarl. Sacrificial rites are public and hold deep meaning to the Njord’volk people. With most sacrifices being animals it is not unheard of that sometimes Human sacrifice occurs, albeit rare and mostly in dire times. Holidays and festivals dot the calendar of the Njord’volk with the major ones marking the turning of the seasons. All of which have feasts held and games thrown. Njord’volk is the best mariners of the continent, without question.

Their longships are designed for long voyages at sea and for taking the worst of the sea’s fury. This has allowed them to become savvy maritime tradesmen, dealing in just about any good and service from textiles to slaves and offering mercenary work to guardsmen duties. They are also accomplished, warriors. They are frankly some of the fiercest warriors on the continent. They fight with axes and shields mostly but also spears and swords. The war tactic of the Njord’volk is the berserker and raider methods. The berserker is a warrior incensed with battle and bloodlust, to whom harsh wounds are little more than scratches to them in the heat of battle. They offer their kills to Oran and themselves should they fall. They charge the front line of any battle and annihilate any that come before them. If they fall they believe they will join the Rangarl with Oran in a Great Mead Hall, Jorallan, as true warriors.

The raider, on the other hand, is a two-fold method and occupation. The method is to sail along a coastline looking for vulnerable targets and making a quick landfall to raid and pillage and make a hasty run when done. The occupation refers to those that do this more often than not in the Njord’volk society. Not all of them are raiders, only a few and very skilled are. Raids tend to happen when supplies are short or riches are sought. The same mentality of the berserker carries for the raider. If they die in battle they believe they join the greats in the hall. But unlike the berserker, the raiders use tactic and cunning and aren’t afraid to fight dirty to win. Relations with others in the lands are fair most times, but this folk tends to keep to themselves as they few other “softer” folk as weak and not ready for the war that is always lurking around the corner to them. Proud and stalwart, the Njord’volk is the Northern wall that stands ready to fight in the Nordic regions.