Jarvik

**A storm had hit the great Southern fleet.**

All hope was lost as men drowned by the dozens. Ships clashed as Thor lit the skies with thunder, leaving behind only a sea of panic and death. Men took for cover, and could only hope to live as the waves clashed, ripping ships apart as if they were weightless.

After the waves had calmed down, there was nothing left. Some ships got lost, some were flipped to their side, many were sunk. Out of the fleet strong of a thousand men, the Jomsvikings were left with only half a dozen ships, manned by a handful of soldiers that had survived the storm. They knew they had to keep going, or otherwise history would repeat itself, and they would not survive a second time.

They left behind anything that would slow them down, anything not essential to their survival, and they sailed away, continuing north, praying to find land.

Their prayers were answered.

Prologue

**Home.**

After days at sea, a shoreline was sighted by one of the men on board. They hurried to the paddles and squeezed the last bits of their strength in an effort to reach it. They were successful.

The remains of the Southern fleet had disembarked on the shore of a place they called 'Varden'. Apparently it was a familiar sight to some.

They decided to set camp further inland, near a river, and a village east of them. The group's elected leader, and a former diplomat, Halfdann Thormarsson, had sent Steinar Grimmosson, his right hand man, to speak with the villagers, and to ask about the area.

Luckily, they were friendly people, and understanding of their situation. They helped the Jomsvikings gather enough resources to build a few cottages near the sea shore, as temporary housing until the rest of the fleet could find them.

As time passed, their hopes of returning home dwindelled. They hadn't seen a single ship, or anyone familliar to them. Halfdann's final decision was to turn the camp into a settlement, a place where they could also repair their remaining ships.

Many days had passed, the settlement, then called Varden, grew larger, into a town, and later, into a city. The Jomsvikings recruited men from the nearby village, aswell as hiring wanderers to fill the ranks and help the shipwrights.

There was no more hope of returning, they all knew it; All they could do now is start from scratch, and keep moving forward.

The city had grown large enough to attract newcomers, people who wished to make a legend of themselves. Ofcourse, only few people were really capable of matching the skill of the Jomsviking warriors, but anything was better than nothing.

After they replenished their troops, and fixed up two of their ships, Halfdann decided it would be the perfect time for exploration. He sent the smaller ship of a dozen expeditioners south, into the sea, in the hopes of finding new lands.

The trip was a calm one, the waters were gentle, and the skies were clear. The anger of the Gods faded away ever since they were last on sea.

Not a day after departure, the men spotted something. It was a rocky island, with a tall, white mountain. It was close to the port of Varden, but the mist blocked any sight of it. The men turned the ship around and hurried, telling of the new discovery to Halfdann.

The island was naturally impenetrable, the coast was very rocky, and hard to land on. The mountain would offer them a layer of defense against any attacks that were to come. It was settled, they would sail there, and set up a military outpost.

The initial landing was successful, but the ships been damaged on impact with the tough terrain. It would take atleast a week to get back without losing anything.

The harsh nature of Jarvik delayed any development on the island, and everything took much longer than it should've. Steinar left a handful of his trusted me on the island, to guard the supplies they brought, and the rest sailed back to Varden.

As the mist went away, the island of Jarvik could be visible from the port. It was a frightening sight, the island was in its most natural form, having never been conquered before. The Jomsvikings were the first to ever settle.

**A new power rose in the west.**

A nation that threatened the influence of Jarvik. The Iscalic Empire claimed territory very close to the Kingdom, and that ultimately threatened the security of Jarvik.

An ultimatum was handed out several days later, it stated that the Iscalic Empire must scede most of their territory to sue for peace. If the ultimatum was to be refused, a declaration of war would be the next course of action.

Tensions started to grow. Halfdann called to raise the fyrd for men to gather and defend what they have built.

You could cut it with a knife. Everyone was ready to unleash hell upon eachother, war was almost inevitable. Luckily, Halfdann had given one last chance for peace. He sent a messenger with a new document that stated for the Iscalic Empire to be subjucated, or they would face utter distruction.

It was accepted.

With the new lands subjugated, and the tensions gone, the people would live to see their families once more.

The Iscalic Province, formerly known as the Iscalic Empire, would live on to become a stable, loyal vassal of the fully established Kingdom of Jarvik.

The men celebrated day and night for their first true victory.

With the peaceful ending, the Kingdom continued to prosper. Varden was developping, and Jarvik's supply storage was filled. Raids were held across many lands, and many brought back valuables.

At this age, the Kingdom of Jarvik was in its most powerful form.

The Kingdom had become a large mercenary power, able to offer services towards many nations, across far lands.

Their warriors became renown for their combat prowess, and even if the prices were high, the customers were many, nations across all of Iaddithis offering to pay the Kingdom to help enforce and execute their greed towards the world...

With these services, Jarvik managed to become a very respected and feared military and economic force in the world of Iaddithis.

Although, the future of the Kingdom was uncertain. The king had gotten sick prior to the subjugation of Iscal, and his health was worsening by the day. He needed an heir, and he needed one fast.

One could only wonder.

The king was on his death bed. The chances of recovery were slim, and he was still in need of a capable heir.

Halfdann called for his right hand man, Steinar, and arranged for him to be the next leader of the Kingdom. He entrusted him with everything he had built up until that point, with the hope of continuing his legacy incase he succumbed to his sickness. And so, Steinar becomes the young successor, and with him, a new era begins for the Kingdom.

Halfdann miraculously lives, after endless days of battling his sickness; But his old age and overall physical state limited him from properly managing his realm, and so he decides to step down and give his crown to the recently appointed heir, and becomes his advisor.

Steinar ruled with an iron fist. In spite of Halfdann's advice, he instituted martial law, meaning that anyone caught breaking his sacred laws would be punished with hard labour, and those less fortunate, with death.

In search of glory, Steinar looked to the south, and planned a swift attack on the Freehold of Pagonia, with the aim to eradicate their army, capture Flux de Carroway and subjugate his Kingdom . He gathered his council, and formed a plan to naval invade Frostfell, and capture the garrison situated there. He raised the fyrd, gathered his troops and set sail for the Freehold.

    **Greek fire**.

A new invention: a combustible substance created by Southern lands to help defend against sieges. It sticks to anything, clothing, wood, stone, metal and even floats above water; The heat it produces can melt flesh down to the bone. It wasn't expected by the forces of Jarvik.

Someone close to Steinar had been paid to talk, and talk he did.

Hell unleashed from the strongholds of Frostfell; Steinar's ships burst in flames and his men fell to the dragon's breath. The screams of his warriors could be heard from lands far away. His attack had failed and total retreat was imminent. Men flee the battle in panic; Some manage to sail away with the survivors, some cling to the ice on the surface, and try to swim away.

No matter how you look at it, Steinar's attack was a failure, and his biggest mistake was appointing a junior officer, Gobi. With his quick decisions came consequences and the people called for him to step down, their anger justified. Steinar decided that the best course of action was to bend the knee to the Second Republic of Ferea as to avoid any further damage incase a lowborn stole the crown.

And so it was set in stone. Steinar along with his council would be integrated into the government of Ferea, and their lands would be under official control of Dimitris Duchos di Albi and the Republic, with Jarvik retaining regional power.

A garrison would be set southeast of the Capital, at an outpost, to act as guards for the Dominatos incase of an attack. Steinar also sent supplies to aid in the settling of Jarvikian citizen in the new Capital.

With the settlement being a success, the integration of Jarvik helped refill the storage halls, and revive the economy.

The Republic was weakened, having recently come out of a bloody war against the Qamari Sultanate. Their expenses were crippling, and the citizen were looking to get revenge for what they've lost. With their newfound military streght thanks to the Unification, the council of Ferea decided to hand the Sultanate an ultimatum, to pay the reparations, whether it be in money, or in blood.

Talks had begun with the Qamari council, and since stakes were high, both sides were willing to negotiate on the reparations. As they came close to an agreement, the talks were cut short by a swift but anticipated "No.".

**War.**

Full mobilization had been declared by the Republic, the men armed themselves and marched for Al Janubia. They set up camp close to the northern Qamari gate and waited until nightfall to attack.

When night came, the ferean forces moved to an outpost to the west, with the Jomsvikings leading the way. They swiftly took down the small force garrisoned there and took up defensive positions waiting for the inevitable. The night passed without a single sight of retaliation;

But as the sun rose, it revealed the great Qamari army in its full glory, and in front stood it's lord commander. His armor glistened from the hot sand below the feet, his sharp scimitar was tucked at his hip, and a wall of men behind him, all loyal to their Sultan. The earth felt like it was shaking with every step they took, and their chants made your knees buckle.

Their army contained a contingent of Pagonian mercenaries, and a small party of Myrians sent according to Qamari military agreements.

As their army approached, the Fereans said their last prayers, drank one final brew and hurried to their equipment.

The battle that took place was no less than breathtaking. Men from both sides clashed like waves in the sea, and it soon turned into a moshpit. They fell by the dozens, and the once golden sands were now a sea of blood and guts.

A small party of Jomsvikings had separated from the battle in the early stages, and found themselves outnumbered, and surrounded from all sides. At this moment in time, the sheer combat prowess possessed by these men, and their years of experience were in full action. They valiantly stood their ground, and even though some fell to the enemy, they managed to escape and regroup with the main force.

Although the Sultanate held a number advantage, it was not enough to score a victory against the Republic.