Nothrund

**Nothrund**

The northern realms of Nothrund are bitter lands where most subsist on hunting whaling and raising livestock.

Nothrundians are descendants of the northern kingdom of Iskramír, a land where the days are long and the night skies are illuminated by magical celestial lights. Iskramír is said to be the original home of all men. Nothrund is unique in its blend of

*The Nothrundians were a fierce looking sort. Unlike the other attendees, they had remained in their armour- all mail and plate painted night-black as a protection against the cold climate of Nothrund. Their shoulders were surmounted with thick furs, further belying the harsh region from which these men hailed .*

*Beredin's men's faces were concealed behind sheets of chainmail which hung from the front of their iron helmets, protecting their faces.*

*The thick accents which they spoke with was called "iskrami", a reference to the origin of the northern Valnarians- Iskramir, the cold isle beyond the northern shores of Nothrund.*

Iskramír culture is defined by geometric patterns, highly stylised art depicting maritime animals and the revered muskoxen they herded.

Human settlements comprised 10-20 houses surrounding a central communal area. Homes were usually made of hide layered over a frame of whalebone surrounded by a perimeter wall, also made of whalebone.

The arrivers had little interaction with the native Brehir due to the latter finding little reason to settle the harsh tundras of Nothrund. Thus, Nothrundian culture has a distinct flavour.

The northern region of Nothrund bears a unique culture, being descended from the seafaring tribes of north Valnar. The people are recognisable for their dark hair and tall height. The realm was split between various warring kings for many generations, and during the Age of Desolation were largely hostile to the rest of Valnar. Nothrund also retained several traditions including the keeping of thralls (family slaves, though able to buy theit freedom).

Nothrund reunited under two petty kings, who were at war over dominion of the region; Aslef "the Boar" (on account of his battle standard) and Yrik "the Raven King" (on account of his violent and bloody rule, as one poem put it: *"leaving much fare for the ravens, did Yrik rule the northlands."*). Aslef settled a treaty with Yrik, under the pretext that they unite against Westermark and divide the spoils between them. The treaty of Northmarch ensured the Eastern Nothrund forces did not invade Westermark.

However, Yrik- already an aging king- died, leaving Aslef without an ally and Nothrund in a vulnerable situation. Arthagon, king of Westermark, struck at the weakened Aslef and conquered Nothrund, bringing the northern rebels to heel.

When Yrik died, it is said a vast company of crows gathered on the battlements of Ravenstar, causing a great noise for around an hour.

House Crawan, a baronial landholder with familial ties to King Yrik, were granted the Dukedom of Nothrund and made Ravenstar their seat of power. Aslef's seat of became the barony of

Nothrund thralldom, outlawed as part of the treaty with Westermark.

Thralls were essentially slaves, bound to a particular family. Thrall and cattle raids between Northmarch and Nothrund ventually forced the Marcher Lords to side with Westermark during the War of the Realms.

*The Dukedom of Nothrund is ruled by House Crawan*

Ravenstar *population: 3,712* (High Seat of Nothrund, ruled by Duke Allister and Lady Cressida Crawan)

Kingsport (formerly Slavetown)

Direhold

Gravefield

Highfield

Ulthrand (northerly town infamous for its penal colony)

Freeharbour

Windhall

Gorethrand

Thrall's Rest

Crakefell