Grimaföld

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**Grimaföld** (/gri:mäfœ̝ʷl̪d̪/, Grimoskåld: "Land of the people"), is a country in the northwest of the western continent, on the false coast. It occupies the province of Bloodrock with Onuren to the east and Akala on the western border. The country is named after the Grimoskåld word for people. The capital is Gälmafjerd.

Grimaföld is ruled by four councils, each with different fields of jurisdiction, and rules for who gets to be on the council. Non of which is set in stone. The council that settles disputes and legal issues is the Kjögloting (Grimoskåld: "Council of clans"), in which all clan leaders and their heirs may participate. Who inherits the title of clan chief is decided individually by each clan. The League of the three cities settle their own disputes though, and is considered the second council. The Kjögloting is headed by the leader of the Gälmokjögli (Grimoskåld: "The large clan"), a designation given to the clan from which the current vånegölna comes from. The third council, the Vånoting (Grimoskåld: "Moon council"), heads all religious activity, and make sure the moon is sated. The council is quite cult-like, with members being taken at a young age and trained in their duties away from civilization. The leader of the council is the Vånatrål (Grimoskåld: "Moon servant"). This title is inherited alternatingly by the oldest and the youngest council members. The last council, and the de facto most influential, is the Göloting (Grimoskåld: "Chosen council"), to be accepted into the council one must have been proclaimed a vånegöl (Grimoskåld: "Chosen by the Moon") by either a majority vote from the Vånoting or a recommendation from five members of the Göloting, as well as the Vånegölna (Grimoskåld: "First-chosen by the moon"), who is the leader of the göloting. The Vånegölna is succeeded by his designated heir, who can be voted out of the position after a year. If he is voted out, the vånegöl then compete for the position by performing "great deeds", which are judged by the göloting and the vånoting. The one year rule applies to the winner as well. If one year passes unchallenged, the title is for life.

Only one title is above the others Vånegländra (Grimoskåld: "Moon child"), a title only ever held by three people in history. The Vånegländra is de facto leader of all four councils, and only elected on consensus from all councilmembers off all three councils.

Grimaföld is inhabited by the Faragrim. The Faragrim, a race of bearded and horned giants, with twice the height and twice the girth of humans are a powerful force to be reckoned with. Luckily, most are content in life, preferring the intricacies of civil discourse over the violence of the battlefield. The Faragrim devide into two groups: The Våna and the Grimnå. The våna are an ancient order of priests, who isolate themselves from the rest of society and have their ow culture. The grimnå are the rest of the Faragrim. Although Grimnå also can refer to citizens of Grimaföld, which may cause some confusion. The Faragrim can live up to 1400 years in most cases, although most die on hunts before their 900s. Most grimnå, when they reach the age of 1000, become so decrepit that they can barely function on their own, which is why many choose to die on hunts or in duels. But some don't seem to age past a certain extent. These are known as the endless, and only two are known of except unconfirmed legends: Orogelf the Tyrant and Frykti the Elder.

## History

The Grimnå of Grimaföld have long inhabited the northern coasts, but it is impossible to trace them to any specific location. The oldest banners and songs all speak of different origins. Some place their ancestral homelands far to the south, in lands long forgotten, where Grimnå lived in slavery until they escaped north. Others tell of frozen lands across the northern ocean and the brave explorers who traveled over treacherous waters in search of more fertile lands to settle.

Grimnå history is in general very vague until Vaan took power and the first songs of the Grimaföldafani were embroidered.

### Pre-History

The prehistory of Grimaföld is an umbrella-term for everything that occured before the last war and the signing of the treaty of Grimaföld. Unfortunately, as the grimnå’s obsession with record keeping hadn’t been born yet, much of this history is lost, but some things are known from the ruins and songs left behind.

The oldest known history of the Grimnå actually stems from Hvirsokata, the region to the east of Grimaföld. While the most common prehistoric artifacts are ruined ringforts and burial mounds, some strange graves have been found in that region. The most famous of these being the Ornadyrd - the round grave. The ornadyrd was found on the western slope of gälmarös. It was a circle of thirteen stones set into the ground with even spaces. As the grave was excavated, remnants of an ancient kingdom were found including jewelry, coins and weapons. Unfortunately, the nature of this civilization has been lost to time.

### The old kingdoms

The first certain history is that of the three old kingdoms. The three kingdoms dominated many centuries of history, where they struggled against each other with various degrees of success. It is from this period most ringforts in Grimaföld were constructed. The mightiest of the three was Barsakager. Barsakager ruled the northern shores from Grimaföld to Akala and was a mighty kingdom ruled by an absolute monarch. Traditionally, seven artifacts were needed to rule the nation, each one representing a different part of the nation. Unfortunately, the ring meant to nominate a successor was stolen, and the kingdom fell to obscurity. Still, even to this day, the northern clans profess their allegiance to Barsakager first and Grimaföld second. One of the clauses in the treaty of Grimaföld even states that the northern clans have the right to secede if a successor is ever nominated. Barsakager is also the kingdom that left the most behind, the Order of the Wilting Rose being a living example.

The second kingdom, and the only one to actually fall, was Sjånali. Sjånali, a kingdom encompassing the southern clans, was by far the weakest of the three, simply because of their smaller population. Yet they still managed to dominate the region from time to time by constructing Arm Gịvenäng, by far the largest ringfort at the time and until Farakạger, the fort at Gälmafjerd, was built.

The third kingdom wasn’t really a kingdom, instead being ruled by a council that would come to inspire Vaan’s kjögloting. The council was called the Gårating, and was more of an alliance between the central clans than an actual nation. The Gårating was known to be devious and dishonorable, something they proved to be true when they stole the bleeding seal - the ring meant to designate Barsakagers heir. Gårating still remains today, although more as a loose alliance between clans than the nation it one was. The bleeding seal is, to this day, passed from leader to heir in the gårating, ironically serving much the same purpose as it did in Barsakager.

### The last war

While a lot of Grimnå history before the rise of Vaan is vague and contested, some things can be established by studying the songs embroidered onto the older banners. One of the first documented events that are sure to have happened, even though the exact details are varying, is the last war ever fought between Grimnå.

The conflict was an all out conflict between the three old kingdoms. It began as a conflict between Sjånali and Barsakager. Sjånali managed to press uite far into Barsakager but were ultimately halted, and a truce was declared. But when the surviving soldiers of Sjånali returned to their hunting grounds they found Gårating occupying them. The Sjånali and Barsakager soon realized what had happened, and an unstable alliance was forged between the now two weakened clans, yet it didn’t last long. The army of Sjånali was trapped on a hill by surrounding flames ignited by the Gårating. So many soldiers died there that the population of the southern clans hasn’t recovered to this day.

Unknowing that their allies had been exterminated, Barsakager marched on the fortress of Går Gälma, the largest fort in Gåratingan territory.

The battle was hard fought. Many grimnå fell to spear and bow, but Barsakager was weary from their previous battles and began to waver. As it seemed like they were about to lose, miraculously, the Gårating blew the signal for retreat. The fort had been taken, Orogelf the tyrant slain, and the enemy commander captured. As what remained of the two armies watched he was executed on a small hill and his banner burnt.

In the aftermath of the war, the hierarchical structure of clans collapsed. There weren’t enough resources or grimnå left to impose it, nor enough hunters to worry about overlapping hunting grounds anymore. Grimnå society slowly began to collapse.

### Vaan Vånegländra

It was in the burning wake of the last war that Vaan was born. Vaan’s background is a mystery. No clan can claim him as their member with anything more than shallow evidence. The most likely reason for this is that he was one of the Våna. The mysterious priesthood that coexists with the clan structure of Grimnå society. This would also explain his apparent good terms with them when they had given previous leaders nothing more than a cold shoulder. Information about Vaan’s life before the songs of the Grimaföldafani is scarce, not because he wasn’t mentioned, but because Vaan was at the time a common name and too many Vaan’s are mentioned.

#### The first Kjögloting

The songs of Vaan begin with him speaking to an elder tree, and because of this, the elder is now the symbol of Grimaföld. The elder tasks Vaan with uniting the clans under one banner, and making sure a tragedy like the last war never happens again.

Backed by the Våna, Vaan began traveling around Grimaföld, inviting clan leaders to a meeting, in which the future of all Grimnå would be discussed. While it seems unlikely that all leaders would have accepted an invitation given by a nobody, the fact that the mysterious Våna were backing him made them curious enough to attend.

The meeting was held on the same hill where the execution had happened, in a grove of elder. As the chiefs of the Grimnå gathered an old woman was introduced to them as the Vånatrål, a title they would not have known existed. As they digested the fact that the Våna were far more organized than they would have ever believed, she declared Vaan to be Vånegländra, the moon’s child.

Not every chief was open to the reforms proposed by Vaan, and dissent grew among them. Vaan proposed that instead of each clan ruling themselves, all chiefs would collectively rule through a council. But many, especially the stronger clans, saw this as relinquishing too much power. For once, the stronger clans united. If any clan were to join this new council they were cut off from any protection. Despite the threats, multiple smaller clans voiced interest.

#### The first Göloting

None of this surprised Vaan, as it had been predicted by the elder, and therefore he had a plan. While he didn’t have the support of the chiefs, he knew from his travels that he had most people on his side. In other words, he had to find a way to remove the chiefs from their position. He would not stoop to assassinations, and he didn’t have the support needed for a war. But in grimnå society, there are ways of eliminating a clan chief in other ways. Hendroskåld. A duel sanctioned by the moon herself.

But Vaan had no experience in fighting, he was a scholar, not a duelist. Most chiefs had likely won multiple Hendroskålds of their own though. Therefore, he and an entourage of Våna, including the Vånatrål, set out on a second journey. This time though, they only went to chiefs who had voiced interest in the council.

What they were looking for were hunters who still followed the old ways of the path. Rare in the times of Vaan, but not completely gone. In most cases they only found rumors, tales of great warriors who strangled bears and tore wings from wyverns. But as word spread, more and more hunters began making their way to his side. As they joined, the Våna would determine if their deeds were great enough for their souls to return to the moon when they died. And those who were, gained the title of Vånegöl.

Among the hunters was a woman who is simply referred to as Reikavigårin, the wyvern-slayer. Reikavigårin became a representative for the hunters who had sworn themselves to Vaan, and the first to be named Vånegölna. She became the leader of he göloting.

#### Hendroskåld

The next step was to bait the chiefs into challenging the vånegöl. Each vånegöl used their own methods. Some sowed dissent among the clans until the chiefs grew too restless to let them be. Others barged right into clan meetings and insulted them to their face. Some played on the fact that the chiefs claimed to be the strongest in their clans, and boasted about their own deeds. In the end, most of the targeted chiefs were baited. But when the vånegöl were challenged, they didn’t accept the normal rule of fighting to first blood. They all answered the same way. They were vånegöl, they didn’t fear death. They were already chosen by the moon. The duels would be to the death, and nothing else. The clever thing to do, would be to swallow their pride, and take back the challenge. But most of the chiefs relied on a facade of strength to keep their position. For the largest clans, denying the duel might even cause the clan to break apart as power hungry family heads saw it as a moment of weakness.

And so it was that twelve of the top clan chiefs found themselves facing duels to the death with the mightiest hunters of the time. Out of the twelve, eight were killed and one mortally wounded.

The clans began to break apart after this. Families fought over the now empty position of clan chief, and some vånegöl stoked the fire by claiming the position as their own. In the midst of this, Vaan called the second kjögloting. Unlike last time, the clans scrambled to be part of the council, as having a family member on it would mean having a candidate for the clan chief position backed by the våna.

#### Grimaföld

During this council certain things were established. There would be no more fights over territory and hunting grounds. To make sure of this, the göloting would take over the responsibilities of all hunters. Essentially separating each clan from their hunters. The clans would be designated territory to call their own, but all land should be open to all grimnå. The vånoting would have representatives in each clan, to teach people the ways of the forest, eliminating the need for rigid hierarchical structures between clans for protection. If any clan had any dispute with another, it would be settled yearly at the kjögloting through discourse and debate. Most clans agreed, as the losses of the last war still held on in their hearts. Those who didn’t were forced to accept, either to secure their position as clan chief, or because they didn’t want to be the only clan not in the union. As the new laws were meant to make all the land a home for all people, the resolution was named Grimaföld. A new nation was born.

#### Vaan's death

Unfortunately, Vaan died young. Or perhaps, he was already old when he came to power. As tradition would have it Vaan died not in his bed, but on a hunt. According to most songs Vaan died in a spear fight with a bear, his body laid to rest on the northern shores.

While this could have had dire consequences for the fickle order established between the clans, it didn’t. At this point the Kjögloting was well established, and the threat a clan would face if they left far outweighed any potential benefits. As for the oaken throne, it remained empty, until it one day would be claimed by a new Vånegländra.

### The first city

As time moved on so did the grimnå. The grimnå are long lived, and while they hold strong grudges, they prefer the peace and simplicity of a stable life unaffected by war. Yet sometimes things change. A new ringfort named Farakạger was built around the hill where the councils resided. As the entourages converged, so did the traders, and with time a city was founded around the fort, Gälmafjerd. This new way of living also brought change. The grimnå who settled no longer followed the traditional path of hunting and gathering. Instead they farmed for food. Suddenly there was a large influx of commodities such as cloth and milk, and while the traditional grimnå disliked the settled, a balance was born as the hunters sold food and bought otherwise inaccessible wares.

### The great expansion

As the grimnå population grew once more hunting grounds became sparse again. As new conflicts threatened to arise, the councils issued two decrees. The first was a reformation of the hunting grounds. Whereas earlier the Kjögloting distributed the grounds among their clans, further action was taken to remove the clans influence over the grounds. Huntsmasters were designated to each ground and given full authority and responsibility over them. The clan’s were only allowed one hunting ground each, the clan leader being the de facto huntsmaster. For the remaining grounds the huntsmasters were not allowed to be part of an existing clan. As expected many weren’t happy to have their clan’s land taken, but as it passed through the Kjögloting, most relented. In time this led to each huntsmaster forming their own clan, passing the title down to their chosen successor. But it also ensured that no clan held more than one hunting ground. The second decree was to order expeditions. Grimaföld needed more land. Even with the new huntsmaster system in place there simply wasn’t enough space for each family to hunt. Soon scores of families were ready to move, and the first settlers headed out.

#### Hvirsokata

The Grimnå first ventured south east, as contact with the Akalans had been established and the Grimnå didn’t wish to impose on their hunting grounds. The new lands were promising. While hillier than Grimaföld these new lands were fertile, and many animals and plants roamed and grew there. To the south they found the tallest hill in all of the local area, Gälmarös. A shrine to Våne was built there and the Våna claimed it as their personal hunting grounds. An old ringfort on the hills northern slope became their base, and for the first time ever the Våna had a place to call home. The grimnå found these new lands to be wild and untamed compared to their home, naming it such. Hvirsokataföld - The wild hunting grounds.

#### Mylnaföld

While there now was space to live, not all grimnå were satisfied. Some had gotten a taste of travel and could not settle, others had ventured south and been enthralled by the open vastness and large animals of the prairies. Some of these people were the Mylneros clan. A small clan formed by a huntsmistress in northern Grimaföld. The Mylneros were falconeers by trade, and traveled where the birds flew, eventually bringing them to Gälmarös and beyond. South of the hill they found the prairies and the many hunts they offered. Stricken, the huntsmistress ordered a lodge to be constructed. They had found a new home. Mylnerosaföld - Land of the Mylneros.

#### Vịrafjärmar

As time went on and more clans reached Mylnaföld some began to explore further out. One such person was Hathagaumrig, huntsmistress of the Vịrosjạ̈na clan. An old woman from before the huntsmaster reforms. Initially from southern Grimaföld she was unhappy with the land given to her clan and set of south. Among the first to reach Mylnaföld she was also one of the first to leave it, traveling west with the intent to find the source of the Gälmafjärmarin. A task she completed within the year. Stating that the clear water agreed with her old knee joints she set up a lodge overlooking the river just north of the source. The land was named Vịrosjạ̈nafjärmar - Vịrosjạ̈na’s river.

#### Vạ̊naejra

As grimnå expansion reached its peak the Våna also began to make plans to acquire more land. A Våna priest named Frykti the Elder was named leader of a small party of settlers. Their goal was to find good lands for young Våna to train their crafts and knowledge. Frykti traveled southeast, over Othenian lands before reaching a small valley between the forest and the prairies. Seeing as it was a peaceful spot he ordered a temple built and named the surrounding land Vạ̊naejra - The home of the Våna.

#### Rumogöl

The last migration during the Great expansion occurred later that century when things began to settle again. Rumagarv, a recently uprooted clan hailing from the valleys of Hvirsokata began a journey south having heard stories of great roaming bison. As things were, they got trapped just north of Vịrafjärmar during winter, and had to wait the snow out in a cave. As the snow melted and spring blossomed the clansmen fell in love with the scenery, and claimed it as their own. They named it Rumagarvogöl - Rumagarv’s choice. This marked the end of the great expansion. While new lands were lucrative, the risks began to outweigh the benefits in the minds of the grmnå. Rumagarv became a famous story, a cautionary tale as they had lost half the clan in the cave. The Grimnå had the space they needed to hunt again, and they were satisfied.

### Grimoli

As the people of Grimaföld settled comfortably and internal conflict died down, the gaze of the Grimnå naturally fell on the surrounding nations. Many thought the grimnå had grown complacent and become bogged down by tradition. Grimaföld was, after all, both technologically and economically falling behind its neighbors. Many began questioning the involvement of the Våna in the government. As stability in the nation quickly fell, a new religious movement was born: Grimoli. Grimoli - The people’s faith - its followers denounced the Våna as the intermediate to Våne, instead worshiping on their own terms. Ironically, this only served to anger other Grimnå, the Våna actually seeing this as a step in the right direction.

To solve the rising crisis brewing in his nation, Vånegölna Brugstrågen performed a ritual, even going so far as to sacrifice one of the Vånegöl in a duel. The goal of the ritual was to ask Våne for her guidance, to see which way of worship was ideal. Yet the touch of the goddess proved too much for Brugstrågen. While he gained knowledge not meant for mortal minds and the ability to see spirits and their secrets, he lost his normal sight. With time he stopped speaking, afraid he wouldn’t be able to keep them. Yet his followers still proclaimed him Vånegländra, a title unheard since the time of Vaan. While this didn’t stop the unrest completely, it did slow down enough for things to stabilize. At least for a few years.

### The Protectorate

Not long after Brugstrågen gained enlightenment, disaster struck once more. A plague swept through the continent. While Grimaföld and Hvirsokata remained relatively unharmed, the southern outposts in the prairies were hit hard, and the balance of power shifted once more. The grimnå in the north did not believe it to be their problem, while the grimnå in the south died in droves. Yet as civil war threatened to break out, Irinoslwen came to the rescue. Grimaföld would become a protectorate. While this would ensure the safety of the Grimnå, and Irinoslwen promised to preserve grimnå culture, it would also compromise their integrity, as foreign influences would flow in. Yet with war on the horizon, the nation saw little choice.

At first, Grimaföld retained its sovereignty, the councils still reigning supreme in Grimaföld, yet the power balance slowly shifted. As the economy bloomed unde Irinoswen, Grimaföld slowly faded, becoming not much more than a subject. Yet argued it was better this way.

#### The Free cities

While the de facto power laid in the hands of Irinoslwen, the king didn’t do much with Grimaföld except recruit for his armies. Yet under his rule commerce with the outside world blossomed for the first time and three cities came to be. The cities were predominantly inhabited by Nolghas, yet soon enough Grimnå merchants congregated in them. The cities, in which Grimoli flourished, became known as the Free cities, as they didn’t swear allegiance to the councils but only to the Irinoslwenian king himself.

##### Thorumarth

The first city to be built was Thorumarth. Irinoslwen realized that many grimnå, rooted in their traditions, were not happy with the influence from Irinoslwen. As such, they constructed a new port city that would be a hub of trade and diplomacy. This ensured Irinoslwen had a foothold in Grimaföld, yet left the grimnå capital uncompromised. To further demonstrate their will to cooperate, the city was given a name in the emerging pidgin dialect: Thoru being lightning in Nolghashin and marth being city in Grimoskåld.

##### Grimnåryfel

The second city was Grimnåryfel. The city was placed further inland in order to access trade with Tzitlasen and the southern clans. This introduced shipbuilding to the Grimnå, who did most of their traveling by foot, as well as laid the foundation for Vịrafjärmar to become a center hub for trade.

##### Onistera

The last city was Onistera, yet unlike the other two, the city claimed all of Onisrös, the land surrounding it, as well. As Brugstrågen called those lands his home, Onistera soon became a hub both for trade as well as for Grimoli. To Irinoslwen, the region proved fortunate, as iron deposits were found. As the grimnå got most of their iron from bogs and lake sediments, mining was another technology brought to Grimaföld. Soon Grimaföldian steel powered the NEIAn war machine.

### The Rebellion

But Irinoslwen underestimated the stubbornness of the grimnå. As word spread through Grimaföld of Irinoslwens mining operations in Onistera, so did dissent. The grimnå care not from where their laws come, nor about foreign influence as long as they are left alone. But to harm nature is another issue completely. Under Orogelf the Younger, son of Orogelf the Tyrant and Reikavigårin, the grimnå rallied. Red banners flew across Grimaföld that day as the cries of the warhorns cried out over the forests. The Faragrim were marching to war.

#### The battle of Mạ̊rakạger

The war efforts went well at first, Irinoslwens armies were occupied on other fronts, and soon the province of Grimaföld was in grimnå hands once more. Yet the luck ended there, as the well oiled machine that was Irinoslwens armies went to work. Systematically the rebels were pushed back. For the first time, the forces of Irinoslwen set foot in grimnå cities, and their banners hung from grimnå walls. It didn’t take long before the last of the rebels were trapped in the fortress of Mạ̊rakạger. A mighty ringfort, six hundred meters wide and four tiers tall. The grimnå were vastly outnumbered, yet they did not give an inch. The siege was long and hard fought, many more Nolghas died then grimnå, yet they also had more to spare. In the end, the rebels gave up. Attrition had taken its toll, and even if they wished to fight, they had not the strength to do so. Orogelf was captured and executed, and Grimaföld was no more.

### Annexation

During the annexation, things in Grimaföld improved. Irinoslwen, fearing another rebellion, promised to uphold grimnå culture, even going so far as to leave the throne of Vaan unclaimed and open for if an heir would ever emerge. Yet while some hoped, no one dared believe that that day would ever come.

### Vụrymakatagrim Vånegländra

After about a century of Irinoslwenian rule, the king grew old and frail. He was surrounded by enemies and many tried to claim power. As the longevity of the grimnå was made apparent, they soon realized they could never be ruled by people with shorter lifespans than themselves if they wished for stability. Life under Irinoslwen has been kind to most, yet not satisfying. Yet voices of reason win out in the end. Memories of those who died at Mạ̊rakạger still ran strong through Grimnå veins, and no one wanted another tragedy.

Yet hope was born once more, but not among the grimnå. The Våna were marching, and they bore banners of blackened linen. Rumors spread like wildfire. Barely whispers at first yet the words were clear, for there could be no mistake: a new king had been born.

Under the gaze of Våne the grimnå and våna gathered at Farakạger. Black banners adorned the walls and the three ting’s had gathered outside the Ọrnasala, awaiting their leaders. As tension rose the massive gates swung open. A woman sat on the oaken throne, the banner of Grimaföld draped over her knees. As the three tings bowed before their rightful ruler there could be no mistake. Vạan’s heir had claimed her throne. Vụrymakatagrim - Dragon slayer - was her name.

#### Independance

As to avoid open conflict for as long as possible, a letter was sent to the dying king of Irinoslwen. No one expected independance to come from it, yet it served as a way for the new Vånegländra to gather support. Yet to their surprise, the king granted them independence. And the Vånegländra backed by her three councils began work to stabilize the nation for a new era. First of all by finding allies among the powerful nations surrounding Grimaföld. Once again the grimnå were surprised. NEIA, the alliance of Irinoslwen, offered an invitation, and Grimaföld could do nothing but accept.

### The League of the Free Cities

Yet as Grimaföld flourished, not everyone was happy. With power back in the hands of the clans, trade once more became difficult, as every clan a merchant passed through would demand tariffs. And the free cities began to starve. Unwilling to stoop to smuggling, a common practice among many guilds in Grimaföld, they made a deal with the Kjögloting. The Free cities formed a council of their own, dubbed the league of the free cities, they would make sure the territories of the free cities functioned like Irinoslwen, and would pay a tax to the Kjögloting if they’d opened up tariff free roads through Grimaföld. Routes that later would be known as the golden roads. The Kjögloting accepted, and with time the League became a part of Grimaföld, operating as a fourth council unde the Vånegländra.

### The Seven high seats

Even though Grimaföld flourished, in big part to the commerce of the League, not everyone was happy. With infrastructure introduced by Irinoslwen, the divide between those who followed the traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle and those who lived on agriculture and in the cities deepend. Some cities even out right banned the traditional grimnå, seeing them as lesser. To mitigate this, the Vånegländra decreed that seven high seats would be established. Each seat would correspond to one of the hunter's virtues. A city declared a high seat, would be given some more lenient taxes, and would always be open to the nomadic grimnå.

#### Garmagårasathin

The first city to be given this honor was Vånanora, the home of the Våna. This came as a surprise to many, as the city had always been closed to the grimnå, yet supporting the Vånegländra’s decision, the city was opened to all Grimnå. The city was renamed to Garmagårasathin - The high seat of Courage.

#### Sjathagårasathin

The second city was given to the largest city in the prairies. As the Grimnå of the prairie cities are much closer to their traditional brethren, this was a given. The city was named Thrụrtakagårasathin - The high seat of Confidence.

### The Akala Crisis (Week 46)

Unfortunatly, the Vånegländra's plans dind't reach fruition, as disaster struck once more. Grimaföld's closest neighbour, Akala had long been under the rule of foreign nations and the people had suffered from it. Yet its most recent occupier, Tzitlasen, decided to offer the province to Grimaföld. Hoping peace under NEIA would be better for the Akalaet people. Considering existing claims on the province the queen and the four councils elected to take special measures regarding the Akalaet people and their province. Firstly, the Akalaet would be allowed to rule themselves, although as a subject of Grimaföld and under their protection. Products created by the people would be reinvested to increase the Akalaet quality of life, as well as to safeguard their culture and their home. And finally, enforced by both Grimaföld and the NEIA, military activity should not take place in the province until treaties nullifying or appeasing existing claims were agreed upon.

#### The Akalaet tribes

While the province of Akala is the capital province of the Akalaet peope, tribes existed outside of the province. Yet with the increased stability in the region, they decided to seek the same protection Grimaföld offered Akala. The first to join were the tribes of Botaeq. The League quickly took interest in the art crafted by these tribesmen and began investing and soon a new league city name Gonxel stood where once only tribes roamed.

Seeing the successfull integration the tribes of Axel soon followed. They were given the same treatment and soon the city of Kankejat flourished.<

### The Seven high seats 2: Electric Boogaloo

With the tribes settled and the safety of the Akalaet secured the designation of hiigh seats continued.

#### Krạgagårasathin

Third was Krạgagårasathin. With the death of Hathagaumrig, the Vånegländras old master and teacher and most trusted advisor, except Frykti the Elder, her old home town was named a high seat. The city became Krạgagårasathin - the high seat of stability, named for the security she felt growing up there.

At the same time, the league built forts in the two Akalaet tribes and in Onistera. Three forts were built. In the lands of the Akalaet mighty buildings were raised with stone walls that towered above their surroundings. In their capital the league built a grimaföldian ringfort, with a mighty Irinoslwen castle in its center.

#### Elskugårasathin

The fourth high seat was once again owned by the Våna. To the south, where the prairies met the forest, the Våna have long trained their young priests. Supervised by none other than Frykti the elder, it was no wonder that the town soon became a seat of power. Named Elskugårasathin . The high seat of Wisdom.

At the same time, the League continued their expansion. The city of Grimnåryfel was fading, and so they decided to build a fort there. Same went for Thorumarth, allthough this happened in conjecture with expansion of the port to allow for more ships and trade. The construction didn't end there though, as Noveos and the Akalaet worked together to connect the Akala capital with Noveos, expanding trade with the Free cities.

#### Jötakạ̊lagårasathin

The fifth high seat was really just a small outpost to the south, but in an attempt to invigorate the pariries, the Vånegländra designated it Jötakạ̊lagårasathin - The high seat of Steadiness. The plan worked, and soon grimnå hunters from all over were srawn an the city flourished.

Yet at the same time it made it harder for the city. As a high seat, there were some expectations. Primarily to be able to defend oneself. As such the leaders of Jötakạ̊lagårasathin, Krạgagårasathin and Thrụrtakagårasathin convened, electing to help eachother built a series of mighty ringforts across the souther border and through their cities. At the same time, workers were drawn to the east, where the eastern waterway was being constructed by Argentan workers. Work was good, and fulfilling, and soon Grimaföld stood closer with their allies than ever before.

#### Margagårasathin

The sixth city was Margagårasathin. And not by choice of the Vånegländra. A hendroskåld had been called, the leader of the Gårating slain and the bleeding seal claimed by an heir to Barsakager. Yet as the northern clans declared their allegiance, the heir declared he would continue to serve under Grimaföld, allthough as an independant subject, much like Akala. Yet he still constructed a mountain of a ringfort outside the city that would be known as Margagårasathin - The high seat of Fury. The fort became known as Går Kartabard, it stood over 1300 meters wide and over 7 tiers tall. Dwarfing the previous largest fortress Farakạger which only stands 630 meters wide and 5 tiers tall. Times were uncertain, but a treaty signed between the Vånegländra and heir assured a unified Grimaföld, at least until the other six artifacts could be recovered.

At the same time, the League lost a major foothold. Grimnåryfel had fallen, not to plague or invaders, but with better ships, no commerce happened anymore as traders just sailed down to Onistera instead. But hope was not lost. While Jötakạ̊lagårasathin constructs a ringfort, the League builds a ort in Gälmafjerd. Increasing their trade network into the capital.

#### Pạ̊rakagårasathin

The last of the high seats is designated to a small fishing community on the banks of the Bördafjärmarin. The village is home to Orogelf the Tyrant, one apparantly fated to be endless like Frykti the Elder. To honour the old warrior, his town is named Pạ̊rakagårasathin - The high seat of Caution.

### The Great Fortification

Unfortunatly, war tore through the world once again. And as such the councils, the Vånegländra and the Heir decided they must fortify the waterways into the country as well as gain control of the sea. As such a port is built in Margagårasathin, and a port and ringfort in the city named Rånagrård on the mouth of the Bördafjärmarin is constructed. A fort was also built on the canal from Irinoslwen, and as tariffs begin to flow this fort soon becomes the center of a city named Ärynakạger.

Lastly, the league acted as well, building a fort on the river through Akala on the Tzitlasen border in a small village called Montepak. They also fortify the city of Arkatos on the northwestern corner of Akala, finally securing the oceans around Grimaföld.

### The End of an Era

May the spirits weep, for once more the children of Våne will hunt their own kind.

For millennia now, not only the grimnå but all faragrimkind has lived united under the treaty of Grimaföld, imposed by Vaan in times immemorial. Yet all things must end. In the north, Barsakager has returned, the ancient kingdom risen from the ashes with the return of a true heir. In the south of the province of Grimaföld, voices of rebellion stir. The Sjånali, an ancient confederation of clans predating even the Våna, wish for independence, citing the ancient laws of the three-fold covenant for their claim. To the south the Våna stir. For many ages they have served as the bridge between Grimnå and the divine, yet the Grimnå are forever ungrateful. Allying with the strange clans of the Red cape and the Withering Isles they have convened and elected to leave the nation behind, wishing to unify the clans under a strong religious rule. While the nation fractures all around, in the centre of the nation, the Gårating strives for vengeance. Slighted by the heir of Barsakager they wish to crush the northern clans, bringing them under a centralized and disciplined rule. Watching the nation burn, the League and their newfound allies in Akala distance themselves from the conflict, electing instead to focus on new ways to make money. To the south, on the vast prairies, rumours spread. Orogelf the Tyrant, one of the endless, has returned. What he will bring no one knows, but the scent of smoke and blood lingers just past the horizon.

Yet one thing kept the fractured nation united, Vụrymakatagrim Vånegländra, the queen they’ve all sworn to serve. Yet unlike the endless, all things must die, and the queen is no exception. Hunting wyverns in the south has seen her to her doom. Yet the grimnå do not weep, for her death was a good one, and surely, she feasts in the halls of Våne now.

Winds of change once more blow through the forests of Grimaföld, and no one can foretell what they will bring. Yet one thing stands clear, the treaty of Grimaföld has been broken, and for a new one to be forged it must come drenched in blood.

## Geography

### Grimaföld

Grimaföld is located on the shores of the fake coast. Most of the land is covered in dense temperate deciduous forests with small patches of grasslands to the south. The regions topography varies slightly, with the south and northeast being mostly flat, but the west being elevated into smaller hills.

Grimaföld is divided into two by the river Gälmafjärmarin (Grimoskåld: "The large river"), with the west being the most explored, as that is where the city of Gälmafjerd was founded. The west, Yrlönaföldin (Grimoskåld: The Westlands), being on the inside of most river bends, is home to many large beaches perfect for fishing. The flat forest floor is unfortunatly quite infertile, due to the weather-resistant bedrock, leading to quite inhospitable stretches of infertile earth. Despite this, a layer of brown earth has still managed to form, making berry bushes and fruit trees not too uncommon. The east, Katamårain (Grimoskåld: "The hunting grounds") lies on the outside of the river, features a lot harsher erosion. Sharp banks dot the riverside, and in some places to the south, the river has cut into the hills, causing steep ravines to form. Unlike the west, the hills are made of limestone, leading to fertile soil and a richer wildlife. On top of the hills rain and the percolation of ground water have washed most of the nutrients to lower ground, leaving patches of dryer areas on higher altitudes that only host hardier trees and shrubs. The valleys beneath on the other hand, feature nutrient rich groundwater that form streams flowing towards the main river and rich, fertile and farmable soils created from the easily weathered limestone in the are. Katamårain also hosts far more animals than Yrlönaföldin. Mainly because of Grimnå hunters preferring the mellow flats to the steeper hills and consequently eradicating large swaths of local wildlife.

### Hvirsokata

Hvirsokata (Grimoskåld: "Wild hunting grounds"), while not mountainous, is far hillier than Katamårain. Located to the southeast of Grimaföld, the region of Hvirsokata was claimed by Grimnå hunters travelling along the coast in search of bigger prey. As they reached the river of Bördafjärmarin (Grimoskåld: "Border river"), they headed south, finding grassland hills and valleys, teeming with wildlife.

Hvirsokata can be said to be divided into two parts: The flatter, coastal region to the north, as well as the hills of the south. Just like in Katamårain, the top of the hills are not as rich as the valleys, where groundwater from the higher altitudes form rich streams. Hvirsokata is only partially covered in forest unlike Grimaföld. The forest creeps along the coast, being replaced by more and more hills and grasslands the further south you go. The valleys can be divided into three main drainage basins. The eastern valleys with streams flowing to the east and Gälmafjärmarin. The western valleys with streams flowing towards Bördafjärmarin and the west. As well as the few flowing towards the coast. In the centre of these three basins, almost at the southernmost parts of Hvirsokarta, lies the highest peak in Grimaföld. A peak called "Gälmarös" (Grimoskåld: "Large hill"). Standing almost 1500 feet tall, it towers over the surrounding grasslands. From here most of Hvirsokarta can be seen.

Both Grimaföld and Hvirsokata are climate-wise fairly temperate, with milder temperatures and a fair amount of precipitation. With most rain falling on the peninsula to the east, Grimaföld lies in a slight rain shadow, but it is practically unnoticeable.

### The southern Prairies

To most, these lands would be the northern prairies, but not to the Grimnå. As the name suggests it is a large flat landscape, dominated by grasslands. Not many Grimnå live there, as they often prefer the forests, but the ones that do are often counted among the best hunters, as they have to contest with bears and bisons to succeed in their hunts.

### Geology

The geology of Grimaföld can be divided into three main areas: The western flatlands, the hillier eastern lands and the flood plains in between. Geologically, these three regions couldn't be more different. The flatlands lay on a bedrock shield of crystalline igneous high-grade metamorphic rock. The shield mainly consists of hard and weather resistant rocks such as granite, gneiss and granitoids, but also contains streaks of softer rocks, such as diabase and gabbro. The weather resistance means the soil isn't very fertile. The soil is also rich in sand and larger rocks, unsuitable for cultivation and ploughing. Despite this a fairly substantial layer of brown earth has still managed to form under the dense foliage. The hills on the other hand, consist of much softer limestone. This has lead the local soil to contain high amounts of calcium carbonate, both boosting the local fertility as well as the local acid neutralization capacity. It has also lead to a large quantity of aggregate illite rich clay, creating almost perfect conditions to cultivate a good farmable and ploughable topsoil. Unlike the other areas, the floodplains aren't as much defined by its bedrock, as it is by its soil. While technically located on the same shield as the flatlands, the flood plane is slightly lower than the surrounding lowlands. This is the result of the erosion from many years of flooding. Unlike the unfertile soil of the flatlands, the floodplains contain silts, clays and nutrients deposited by the river during floods. The flood plain cumulates in a small lobe shaped, wave-dominated delta.

The geology of Hvirsokata is quite similar as it mainly consists of the same hill formations as eastern Grimaföld. The biggest difference lies in the Bördafjärmarin delta. While having very similar sediment contents, Bördafjärmarin is a smaller river with less flux. This means that the delta formation doesn't have enough power to resist the waves, instead forming an arcuate delta rather than a lobe shaped one. The floodplains are also forested, providing a fertile deciduous forest with thick layers of brown earth as well as humus.

### Fauna

Grimaföld are home to most of the animals living in both the Northern prairies as well as the northern temperate forest. Most famously, at least among the Grimnå, the Grimaföldian heartlands house predators such as the Red prairie bear and the drakes. Along the coast there are many types of crabs including the bull crab, the strider crab and the common nesting crab. The northern shores are also famous for their bioluminescent algae, illuminating the shores with a bright blue on summer nights. During summer the rivers fill with salmon and the skies fill with birds of all sizes.

#### Terrestrial

Being located in a deciduous forest Grimaföld has a rich wild life. The forests are brimming with rodents such as mice, voles squirrels and beavers. There are multiple types of giant deer and hunters such as wolverines. foxes, lynx and wolves. Wild boar tear at roots with their tusks and musk ox roam the forests. To the south, on the prairies, large beasts such as the Red prairie bear and wisent roam. To the Grimnå, the most important animals are the one's who can put up a fight. Hunting isn't just for food, it is for the challenge. Some grimnå will actively put themselves in harms way simply to earn glory on the hunt.

##### Red prairie bear

The red prairie bear (Grimoskåld: "Rånabrug") are large bears who inhabit the northern parts of the northern prairie as wells as the sparser regians of the northern temperate forest. With a shoulder height of almost 6 feet, these giants can reach an astounding 12 feet when standing up, making them one of the most fearsome predators on the prairie. With their characteristic red-brown fur it is easy to spot them from afar. Luckily, they are mostly scavengers, but will not hesitate to engage in combat if threatened or if their territory is encroached on. During summer males will venture out of their territory in order to mate. During this time they will attack anything large enough to prove a threat without hesitation, this includes the Grimnå. To the Grimnå the bears are the ultimate hunting challenge. Even killing one by sneaking up on them is seen as a worthy accomplishment and will immediately grant the title of Vånegöl, as their hides are to thick to pierce in any conventional way. The current Vånegölna, Brugstrågen, earned his name and title by strangling one to death, loosing a horn and an arm in the process. Red prairie pelts are a sought after item due to how difficult they are to acquire and how durable they are. According to the oldest banners, three such pelts were included in the delegation to establish friendly relations with Akala. A substantial treasure at the time. Red prairie blood is just as rare, and traditionally fermented and drunk before duels between Vånegöl in order to harness the bears strength and go berserk. Red prairies have long been an important part of Grimnå culture, the third letter of the Grimoskåldic runic alphabet, Aur, supposedly is designed after the bear that Haviek, one of the Grimnå Vånegölna of legend, slew in battle.

##### Drakes

Drakes (Grimoskåld: "Höggner") are the lazier, land dwelling counterpart to the Wyvern. Native to the northern prairies, they can usually be found digesting food while sun-bathing. While deadly predators who can sprint at almost 15 mph, they are commonly seen lying on warm rocks under the sun. Even though quite similar to the komodo dragons to the south, the drakes are distinguished by a large sack like pouch under their chin. After eating, this pouch fills up with methane, allowing the drake to seemingly breathe fire. While a fearsome hunting opponent for the Grimnå in the south, they are quite easy to handle once they run out of burnable gas. According to the old songs, the first Vånegölna Vaan, once killed one by stabbing it in the neck and shoving a torch down it's throat.

##### Wendigo

While fairly uncommon in Grimaföld, a Wendigo (Grimoskåld: "Vidahärn") clan has set up a den in the far east of Hvirsokata. As it is well hidden within the forest the source of the beasts has not yet been found, but three Grimnå clans - the Storknug, the Ruvförand and the Sjärgåsöla - have sworn to eradicate the beasts due to the casualties they have caused, killing all and any Wendigo on sight. Unlike most predators, the Grimnå have no respect for the Wendigo and see them as demons, sent to oppose the moon. Unlike all other kills, dead Wendigo are not celebrated and trated with respect. Instead they are burned to ash and used as fertilizer.

#### Microbial

While there are a lot of different microorganisms in forests, only one is culturally important to the grimnå. To the north, of the coast, lights make the waves glow in a strange blue colour. Commonly referred to as ocean fire (Grimoskåld: "Agirapyr"), this phenomena is caused by the presence of bioluminescent algae in the water. To the grimnå this has another meaning though. In order to fulfil their Ädra, souls not yet ready to ascend to Våne must wait for the other people important to their Ädraskåld to die in order to reincarnate at the right time. During this time grimnå souls are thought to take the shape of blue lights in the ocean.

### Flora

Grimaföld lies in a deciduous forest with large floodplains and calcite rich soil, leading to a naturally rich ecosystem with high variation and biodiversity. Agriculture is not that developed by the Grimnå due to their semi-nomadic lifestyle, and is restricted to a few plants local to the region. Most Grimnå instead rely on hunting and gathering, and have developed multiple ways to get fruit, mushrooms, berries, fish and meat to last over winter. Due to their importance to Grimnå culture and survival, wild sources of medicine and food are meticulously documented. It is also believed that these trees and plants host spirits, resulting in rituals often being carried out during harvest.

#### Trees

As most of the Grimaföldian heartlands are covered in fertile deciduous forests, many trees are local to the area. As a deciduous forest, most of the trees are leafed, with only a few conifers scattered about. There are also a large number of fruit-bearing and nut-bearing trees important to Grimnå survival. The Grimnå distinguish between greater trees and lesser trees.

##### Greater trees

The great trees (Grimoskåld: "Gälmavode") are trees with special importance to the grimnå. Great trees are usually larger than the surrounding trees, with wide canopies that shadows large parts of the forest. The area around said trees are usually barren of life as not enough light can reach the ground. Some of the great trees have even been described to release toxins into the ground around them to make sure no other plants can grow there which allows the tree to monopolize nutrients from quite the large area. Great trees often have berries, flowers or fruits that are beneficial for the Grimnå. Timber from these trees is also said to last longer. According to Grimnå tradition, the spirits of the Great trees act as caretakers in the forest, and offerings are often left at the trees during hunts and religious ceremonies. Great trees are separated into noble and common great trees. Noble great trees often appear as named characters in old songs and legends while the common ones appear in folk tales and are important in rituals.

###### Oak

Traditionally, the first amongst the trees is the oak (Grimoskåld: "Ås"). The oak, often referred to as the leader of the forest clan, is revered by the Grimnå as great spirits. As a Grimnå would never dare to cut one down, oak wood is only collected when a tree dies or it loses a branch, making it a highly valuable resource. Many Grimnå traditions revolve around oaks, larger specimens often serving as waypoints and gathering points for Grimnå hunters. Most of the older oaks in Grimaföld have a name and a caretaker, a Grimnå well versed in the duties of a hunter and a priest. The guardian serves as a protector for the tree. He also collects any fallen branches and harvests acorns. Acorns serve as food and are one of the things a Vånegöl preparing for a duel is allowed to eat. The oak is a sign of strength, the throne of Vạan being carved out of one. Oaks are often depicted as great warriors, or the reincarnations of great men from the past. Their defining characteristic is their strength.

There are two types of oak that inhabit the forests of Grimaföld. The true oak and the grapeoak. The grapeoak distinguishes itself from the common oak with its thinner leaves and acorns that grow in clusters.

###### Gean

Gean (Grimoskåld: "Bickärå") are traditionally seen as just one level below oak, and the same rules about collecting wood still apply. Unlike oak, gean trees aren't revered in the same way. Some traditions require branches from the tree, but there are no caretakers designated to the historically important trees. Unlike oaks, geans have a relatively short lifespan. So while there are oaks mentioned in old Grimnå legends that still stand today, there are no such gean trees. The berry itself is often collected by the Grimnå. It is usually served fresh but can be fermented, salted, dried or turned into either a drink, a jam or so called berry leather. Gean trees are often depicted as female hunters, who can lead those who seek glory in dangerous hunts. They are often depicted as courageous. Gean branches are also often used in fertility rituals.

There are three variants of gean. True gean, which have small berries with a more concentrated taste. They are usually dried or served fresh. Great gean, with berries which are almost twice the size at about an inch in diameter. As they have less taste, Great gean are often stored for winter, either in salt or through fermentation. The last kind is the sweet gean, which are about the size of great gean, but have a sweeter taste. Sweet gean is easy to distinguish from Great gean as the pulp is very loosely attached to the core. These are often used for drinks and jams where a sweet taste is desired.

###### Elder

Elder trees (Grimoskåld: "Fulebom") are the third and last of the noble great trees. Elder tree spirits are often depicted in songs and legends as old and wise with prophetic properties. Vaan, the first vånegölna is said to have followed the directions of an elder tree when he unified the many clans under one cause. The Grimaföldafani, the banner that depicts all of Grimnå history, begins with Vaan speaking to the elder tree; this is usually used as a symbol for Grimaföld during diplomatic missions. Elderflowers are often collected and made used in the making of drinks. The berries themselves are poisonous, but sometimes boiled and used in drinks and jams. Sometimes, unripe berries are used to make a less sweet jam, depending on personal preference. The elder is defined by its wisdom.

###### Maple

First among the common great trees is the maple (Grimoskåld: "Mösurtra"). Maple is often seen as a distant cousin of the lesser birch tree, due to how similarly the sap is handled. The maple is often seen in legends as a guardian spirit, and when a Grimnå is born a maple is planted. The Grimnå will drink from their maple’s sap before their first hunt and before duels. It is seen as a bad omen if the tree dies before the first hunt.

There are two kinds of maple local to Grimaföld. True maple, while having a sweet sap, is usually not used for sugar. The most common use is to ferment it, either with or without honey to make a mead-like beverage. The small maple, or valley maple, is similar but usually doesn't grow bigger than a large bush. These are not used for sap or any religious practices. Some grimnå scholars have placed it closer to the birch in relations due to it seemingly being useless.

###### Linden

Linden (Grimoskåld: "Linn") is the second among the common great trees. The softness of the wood makes it perfect for woodworking, and a lot of grimnå use it to carve or to make furniture. It can also be used to weave durable baskets. When Linen blooms, it produces so much nectar that it sometimes drips out of the flowers. A grimnå who wishes to know who they will marry should drink three such drops before sleeping under an elder tree. If they've done it right the spirit of the Linden, often depicted as a young maiden, will beseech the elder to tell her who it is and relay it through a dream. Linden flowers can be boiled to make medicinal tea and the winter buds can be eaten raw. An old linden with a trunk that a grown grimnå can't reach around is said to be a meeting place for spirits. Lind wood is traditionally used for grimnå arrows, as it is light enough to make into the size needed for a grimaföldian bow.

In the forests of Grimaföld, there are two types of linden. The great linden and the common linden. The main difference between the two is that the great linden has larger leaves.

###### Elm

The elm (Grimoskåld: "Helem") is seen as a mysterious tree, and is often depicted as skulking or sneaking. Grimnå children are told to be weary around them, as no one spreads rumours like an Elm. Giving someone an Elm branch can be seen as rude, as it symbolizes mistrust. Even though it has a reputation of being a trickster, wishing something over an elm-branch is said to make it come true. Just think about how the wish is formulated, as it may have dire consequences. Elm leaves and seeds are often eaten by grimnå, sometimes the small fruits as well, but only before they turn yellow. Bows crafted from elm are according to tradition better than most and supposedly have a spirit of their own.

There are two types of Elm. Great Elm has larger leaves and thicker branches. This is typically the one used when making wishes. The lesser elm has smaller, gray leaves and thinner branches. It almost exclusively grows around streams and rivers.

###### Ash

The Ash (Grimoskåld: "Sjånali") is not the greatest among the common great trees, but is often recognized for its great spiritual strength. Runes carved into ash are said to have amplified strength and its sap is said to be the drink of the spirits. Unlike the other great trees, ash usually isn't depicted with a grimnå shape and personality. Usually it is depicted as a medium through which spirits can be contacted. The small ashen fruit can be eaten as a nut and is said to heal stomach problems, it usually isn't eaten unless necessary though, as you risk infuriating the spirits. Traditionally, spears made from ash are said to be sentient and stronger than other weapons. Vaan carried a spear of ash in some of the songs, but whether this is true or not has been lost to history.

###### Hornbeam

The hornbeam (Grimoskåld: "Avål") is quite a rare tree in Grimaföld, and mainly grows in the Bördafjärmarin river valley. The hornbeam is unpredictable and clever, but not in a negative way like the Elm. It doesn't appear often in legend, but when it does it always takes the shape of a young child with clever and crafty advice. The hornbeam is also known to take revenge. Due to this the tree is often not used for much, but chewing on a branch is said to help with ideas.

###### Beech

The beech (Grimoskåld: "Nöka") is the last of the great trees and the most elegant. With its long sleek trunks and fairly bright bark it is easy to spot in the forest. Unlike the others, Beeches aren't given much personality in legend. They usually appear as an omen when the hero of a song does something wrong, but they never say anything, they only observe. The exception to this is in the songs of Galmfries, where a host of beeches force Galmfries to see the errors of his ways and send him on a journey to right the wrongs of his past life. In the song the beeches take the role of judges, who determine who has the right to be returned to the moon and who will reincarnate. It is also a beech who shows him mercy when he has been forced to experience the life and death of every person he killed as Galmfries, and convinces the jury to let him ascend. While not eaten, tar made from beech is said to treat bad skin conditions and water pressed from beech bark is used to treat wounds. Sometimes, the tar is used to brew alcohol, but not often.

##### Lesser Trees

The other trees local to the region are of less cultural importance to the grimnå than the great trees. That does not mean that they aren't important though. Timber and firewood are often taken from these trees. Other than that the grimnå also collect a lot of food from trees. Some of the more important trees and what they're used for include birch, from which spuds are eaten in winter. During summer, leaves can be boiled into tea and the sap used in the same way as maple sap. Another tree, or sometimes shrub, is the juniper which has berries that can be used as spice in food and drink. Juniper isn't the most common conifer, that honour goes to the spruce. Spruce sprouts are often eaten or turned into drinks, often in combination with elder flowers. Grimnå hunters are also known to chew spruce resin, as it is flavourful. Another lesser tree that is used for a lot is the Hagberry. Pieces of hagberry bark has a very strong smell which keeps rats and other rodents away from stored food. The berry can be eaten and is often used in mead. The flowers are sometimes also used for drinks. The second most common conifer is the pine tree. This tree is more common in Hvirsokata, where higher altitudes and dryer soil makes it harder for deciduous trees to survive. New pine needles are often eaten raw by hunters and older ones are boiled in water, especially in winter. The resin is chewed as well, although it isn't as common as spruce resin because of its texture. It is more common to use on wounds, as the resin has antiseptic properties. Pine roots are one of the things vånegöl preparing for duels are allowed to eat, although some hunters eat them in the wild as well. Grimnå often, especially in spring, make bread from the inner bark. It is also fairly common to find hazel, and hazelnuts are commonly eaten by grimnå hunters. Rowan is commonly left until the first night of frost before the berries are harvested. The berries are usually dried and used as spice, but sometimes eaten by hunters who enjoy the bitter flavour. The last lesser tree that is commonly used is the wild apple tree that populate the area, but the uses of that doesn't need explanation. Worth noting though is that wild apple trees are thorned. Another tree important to the Grimnå is the satsuma. While the most cold hardy citrus, it only manages to grow in the most-southern reaches of Grimaföld. The fruits are used both as food, but also as a source of citric acid in Rụma - a non-alcoholic beeverage.

#### Plants

Out of the vast amount of shrubs and herbs that populate the northern forests, the grimnå have actually only domesticated five. But just like with trees, the grimnå use wild berries and plants in all manner of ways to produce both food and beverages to last them through winter.

##### Domesticated plants

For the most part, the grimnå are content with their semi-nomadic hunting and gathering lifestyle. But the residents of Gjälmafjerd, the few grimnå who challenge the norm of the hunters path as well as the older members of society, have begun the cultivation of some plants. Ironically this cultivation began to stave off boredom during spring, when the snow had melted but the first flowers had yet to awaken. Now however, these plants are all important parts of society in Grimaföld. A fickle balance has been established where the hunters rely on the city-dwellers for pigments and fabric and a place to stay during winter, while the dwellers rely on the hunters for food to survive winter. In general, the spirits said to inhabit domesticated plants are seen as weak, and are counted as Mylne. But harvest festivals still aim to appease the spirits, just in case.

###### Flax

The first plant to be domesticated was flax (Grimoskåld: "Linår"). The knowledge of flax domestication has existed since long before Vạan. The first banner was made from flax. Tradition stated that the flax used had to be gathered from the wild, but this was no longer sustainable when every clan began weaving their own banners and even less so when each family followed suit. Luckily, the floodplains was perfect for the cultivation of flax. Nowadays, the grimaföldian floodplains turn into a sea of blue during summer, when the flax blooms. While most grimnå, especially the hunters, still dress in pelts and hides, they still rely on flax for their banners and the thread with which they embroider.

###### Cattail

The second plant to be domesticated was the cattail (Grimoskåld: "Losärva"). As trade with the neighbouring nations picked up and the city of Gjälmafjerd became more and more established, the city could no longer sustain itself on what the hunters brought in and what could be gathered from the local area. That was when the cultivation of cattails began. Further down the river, almost at the delta, grimnå dugout ponds and irrigation systems. The delta was turned into a patchwork of ponds, only a few feet deep. These ponds were then filled with cattails. As most of the cattail is edible, this was the perfect plant for the area. As boring as cattail may sound, almost every part is edible, leading to a large variety of possibilities. Edible parts include the roots, the cob on which the down grows, the pollen can be used to substitute flour, the shoots, the stalks and the leaves can be eaten while green. Combine this with the harvests from the wild plants in the area and you can sustain a city. Furthermore, the grimnå collect the down and use it to fill pillows and mattresses. The pigments were also mixed with charcoal and resin to make colourful tattoos.

###### Pigments

The grimnå then began growing plants for pigments. While most banners were left the grey colour of linen, or red from tormentil, the threads used for embroidery were usually coloured with the use of wild flowers and berries. As time went on, and colouring the banners themselves became more and more popular, the demand for dyes grew. Woad (Grimoskåld: "Råvaörd"), was the first dye to be planted in the fertile valleys to the west. As blue dyes were the hardest to come by, the domestication of this plant sparked a period where most banners were dyed a dark indigo blue. The second plant, also indigenous to the region, that became domesticated for its dye was weld (Grimoskåld: "Gylnajäs"). The yellow dye became almost as common as indigo. The two were also combined to make green. The last plant to be domesticated, Rose madder (Grimoskåld: "Rånaörd"), was to produce red, which later became the most common dye for the banner, with other colours being used to embroider on top. The plant also became popular due to it being an evergreen, and grimnå began planting them all over the city.

###### Sugar beets

Sugar beets (Grimoskåld: "Kråmna") are an important part of Grimnå cuisine, not as food, but for drinks. The root is cultivated along the banks of Gälmafjärmarin, but wild variations of the plant, albeit with less sugar, are common. The root is boiled in water, which extracts the sugar in the root. The solution of sugar water is then used in the production of Rasa, a non-alcoholic beverage, both popular for its taste and as a way to preserve fruits and berries.

###### Potatoes

While they exist wild in Grimaföld, potatoes (Grimoskåld: "Tỵrekạ̊r") are one of the few plants grown domestically for food. While eaten, it is more common to extrat starch from them and use in drinks and soups to make them thicker and more sating. The potato is a popular crop as it can survive in very infertile conditions, allowing the Grimnå to grow them away from the floodplains.

##### Wild plants

A large amount of plants still remain untamed, yet a ripe source of food, medicine and resources for grimnå hunters. As trade blooms they also serve as goods with which they trade. The different ways in which grimnå preserve food serve as exotic food for many people in foreign land.

###### Bushes

As the hunters travel the ancient paths they are bound to stumble across a plethora of bushes, many of which serve an important purpose when it comes to survival. Berries, leaves, roots and medicine are all gathered and properly taken care of. Here follow some of the important ones and their uses.

Among the most common and important bushes, both for survival and spiritually, are the members of the Rubus genus. By the Grimnå referred to as Slåne, which is the name of more powerful plant spirits. Slåne, are believed to be the descendants of the spirits of great bears and oaks throughout history. In a sense these bushes could be considered great in the same sense as the great trees. Their spirits are seen as warriors, not as great as the oak, but still ferocious. In order to appease the spirits it is important to replant at least one blackberry bush per season as well as leave an offering to either an oak or a bear consisting of a blackberry branch. **Blackberries (**Grimoskåld: “Gälmaslån”) grow on bushes that like to climb high against trees or form low shrubs in the underbrush. The berries are collected in late summer and turned into drinks, jams and berry leather, a process in which berries are crushed and dried into flat sheets. The leaves, while usually not eaten, are boiled into a tea. Blackberries usually grow in drier areas. **Arctic Bramble** (Grimoskåld: “Måraslåne”) is often considered second among the bushes. It is not common in Grimaföld, mostly growing along the coast or on higher altitudes, but it is widely sought after for its taste. The berry is most often used in drinks but also used in the same ways as blackberries. **Raspberries** (Grimoskåld: “Rånoslåne”) are distant relatives of blackberries. The berries are treated much in the same way as blackberries. A difference lies in that the leaves are eaten, usually when quite small. Just like their darker relatives they can be found in drier places. **Dewberries** (Grimoskåld: Salmaslåne) are another common Rubus. The berries are sour compared to their sweet relatives, so usually only used in drinks and jams. Branches of this plant are said to chase away nightmares if placed under your pillow. **Stone Bramble** (Grimoskåld: “Glanaslåne”) Is the rarest of the rubus used, not necessarily because it isn’t common, but because the berries are very small. Usually it is used to eke out jams and drinks. The last, and probably the most sought after rubus is the **Cloudberry** (Grimoskåld: “Nårtaslåne”). Unlike most of the berries endogenous to Grimaföld, cloudberries don’t actually grow on the fertile hills. While the pH raising properties of the limestone hills is good for most bushes, cloudberries prefer lower pH-levels. Because of this they often grow in bogs and wetlands to the west of Gälmafjärmarin. Cloudberries are often used in jams and drinks and their leaves are used in herbal teas.

Besides rubus there are many other bushes that inhabit the fertile lands of Grimaföld. But none are as important. These could be considered the lesser bushes, and the spirits inhabiting them usually are appeased as long as they’re replanted. These spirits are considered to be Mylne.

**Sea-buckthorn** (Grimoskåld: “Thurna”), is a bush that produces small yellow berries. It mainly grows along the northern coast. The berries are processed in the same way as most berries but also used as spices. Before the cultivation of pigments, the plants and fruits were sometimes used for yellow colouring.

**Roses** (Grimoskåld: “Tymla”), despite having pretty flowers, are mostly cared about for their hips. The hips are dried or eaten raw. Other than that they're treated like berries. This includes drying, salting, fermenting, pressing, turning into drinks both alcoholic and not, making jams as well as the production of berry leather. Younger children who just started on the path of the hunter will sometimes crush the hip core, as this produces a very potent itching powder. Rose petals are sometimes used in the production of drinks as well.

**Bog myrtle** (Grimoskåld: “Skorn”) is a bush that tends to grow in wetter areas. Bog myrtle is often used instead of hop to make beer as well as a spice for alcoholic beverages and meat. Branches are sometimes potted and placed in homes due to their pleasant smell, a smell that also repels insects. Hunters will therefore often rub the raw plan on their skin in order to repel mosquitos. Before it became more common for food processing to be left to the city dwellers, the plant's bark was used in the tanning process. The actual parts used in food are the leaves and fruits, which both usually are dried.

**Sloe** (Grimoskåld: “Sjölsa”) grows in some parts of Grimaföld, usually along the northern coast. The berries are treated like other berries, but most commonly used to flavour alcohol. Traditionally, just like with rowan, the berries are left until the first night of frost. The freezing turns the sour tasting berries sweet. A bit more of a peculiar use is that the thorns often are used to seal the ends of sausages.

**Lilac** (Grimoskåld: “Limatråg”) is often planted near houses, due to their sweet scent. Grimnå hunters will often use the flowers in the brewing of non alcoholic drinks. They're sometimes sucked on due to the sweet taste of nectar.

**Bog bilberry** (Grimoskåld: “Drönregor”) grows in most of Grimaföld. While hunters can tell the difference, the people they guide often mistake the berries for bilberries and get disappointed by the bland taste. The berries are sometimes picked and treated as other berries but most commonly ignored, as the more common bilberry has a sweeter and stronger taste.

**Hop** (Grimoskåld: “Surma”) grows in some parts of the forests. Hop is used to brew beer, and the stalks are sometimes boiled and eaten. Tea brewed from hop, lavender and lemon balm is used as soporifics.

###### Herbs

Where there aren't any bushes, there are herbs. And herbs are in many cases more important for hunters than bushes. More popular herbs are kept track of quite sternly, in order to make sure they aren't driven extinct. A list of common herbs and their uses can be found below. All herbs are considered Mylne except bilberry berries, which are considered to be part of the moon, and therefore sacred.

**Tormentil** (Grimoskåld: “Smärtra”) was one of the first herbs to be used for colouring. As the hides tanned with the help of the root turned red. Tormentil red was once the most common colour for banners. While it doesn't taste like much, the root can also be eaten. Sometimes the herb is used to give flavour to spirits, which also turns the drink red. For hunters tormentil is one of the most important herbs to have around as it is effective against a plethora of illnesses. Most commonly it is used as a blood stopper.

**Bilberries** (Grimoskåld: “Vånebrän”) are the most common berries in all of Grimaföld. The berries mainly grow in wetter areas, but can be found practically anywhere. The berries are treated the traditional berry way, often turned into a jam with raspberries. Leaves from the plant can be eaten or boiled into a tea. Before pigments were domesticated, the plant was sometimes used to dye a red shade of purple. The plant is also useful against bruises and sore throats, although hunters would rather use it for food than to rub it on bruises that will heal anyways. As they are thought to be part of the moon they are considered sacred and used in rituals. Fortunately, the moon requires no sacrifices and the Grimnå can pick as many of the berries as they want without fear of retaliation.

**Nettle** (Grimoskåld: “Rejnaföl”) is another common herb. The nettle, while the cause of some nasty burns, has very nutritious and tasty leaves. The leaves are often boiled into soup or eaten as is. The parts of the plants that aren't eaten are stored in water for weeks which then is used as fertilizer. Unlike the other lesser spirits, nettle is said to be mischievous or even evil. A song sung by the Mylneros clan tells the tale of how a guardian was tricked by nettle and had his oak stolen. As such, nettle is not treated with respect, most guardians actively remove them from the vicinity of their oaks.

**Chicory** (Grimoskåld: “Vårna”) is another common herb. Chicory leaves are nutritious and tasty and usually treated as a form of salad. The plant mainly grows along smaller streams.

**Broadleaf plantain** (Grimoskåld: “Länkablod”) is another one of the important medicinal plants used by hunters. The leaves and seeds can be eaten, and the leaves can be turned into tasteful drinks. The leaves are pressed over wounds as they contain antiseptics and other useful substances. It is commonly used in poultices with other herbs.

**Wood sorrel** (Grimoskåld: “Grumla”) often grows in shadier places in the forest. The plant is often picked and eaten as a snack by hunters but most commonly used as a spice. Sometimes it is turned into a drink, often with elder or spruce. The herb can be dried and crushed into a powder. When mixed with water the powder acts like an instant flavour additive. It is also used to calm the stomach.

**Cow parsley** (Grimoskåld: “Honagråv”) grows all throughout the forests. The root has a nice bitter taste and is often stewed with meat. Hunters are careful though, as the plant looks a lot like hemlock, fool's parsley, cowbane and hogweed which are poisonous.

**Lavender** (Grimoskåld: “Sjäntra”) , while not that common, occurs in Grimaföld. The herb is used as spice for meat as well as sometimes as an insect repellent. Lavender are often moved from their local habitats to fields of cultivated plants to repel insects.

**Lemon balm** (Grimoskåld: “Kjog”) is about as common as lavender and also used as spice. Unlike lavender it is also used to make drinks, often in the same batch as wood sorrel, elder and spruce.

**Mints** (Grimoskåld: “Friska”) are common across Grimaföld. The plans, each subspecies with a slightly varying taste, are often used as spice or to make drinks. It can also be dried and added to jams for extra taste. Tea brewed from mint is often thought of as calming and cramp alleviating.

**Liquorice** (Grimoskåld: “Nörgel”) is another herb often used in drinks. The root, and sometimes the leaves and stem, are often chewed for their sweet taste. Tea brewed from liquorice is used to alleviate coughs.

**Wormwood** (Grimoskåld: “Skamtra”) is another herb used as spice, often for alcohol. The plant is often eaten, or brewed into tea and drunk, to fix stomach problems.

**Perforate St John's-wort** (Grimoskåld: “Lungra”) , while being a mouthful in English, is also quite the useful herb. The flowers are used as spice in alcohol and for meat. The herb also functions as a mild anti-depressant and is used for sleeping related problems and anxiety. Placing flower buds from the herb in oil, causes the oil to turn purple. This oil is used to treat cut wounds.

**Chamomile** (Grimoskåld: “Pilkoskäl””) is another herb with calming effects. Tea brewed from the herb is said to cure all manner off different ailments, but is most commonly used for fevers.

The **greater burdock** (Grimoskåld: “Gälmafålg”) is another herb. The burdock is often eaten raw, and the root becomes sweet if boiled for a short time. The herb is also used to treat skin diseases.

**Ground elder**, (Grimoskåld: “Krokås”) , while said to have medical properties, is more commonly used as a salad. The leaves are eaten raw when the plant is young. Sometimes it is used to treat gout and arthritis. Specimens that grow close to elder trees are considered blessed by the spirits.

**Crowberry** (Grimoskåld: “Lioabrän”) is another blue berry that is eaten by hunters. While nutritious, it isn't very tasty, and just like bog bilberries, it is often ignored for the more common and tastier bilberry. When they are picked, they are usually turned into berry leather with a combination of bog bilberries and bilberries. It is often used to make drinks, on the other hand,

**Orpines** (Grimoskåld: “Sinna”) are another type of fairly common herb. The young plants can be eaten raw, but older plants have to be boiled to reduce the bitter taste. Despite this it is more common to use them in poultices, especially for burns. It is also traditionally used as an offering together with blooming branches of elder for love divination.

**Lingonberries** (Grimoskåld: “Rånabrän”) are the second most common berries, after bilberries. While you can eat them raw, it is more common to make jam or drinks out of them as they are very sour. The berries can also be dried, or just used as is, and used as a spice. They are also used to treat infections.

**Heather** (Grimoskåld: “Munge”) is also a common flower, although mainly in dryer areas. The flowers are often used to make tea, an effective treatment for kidney ailments.

Another herb used as spice is **Shepherd's purse** (Grimoskåld: “Stomla”). Tea brewed from this herb is often used to treat chills during fevers.

**Sweet violet** (Grimoskåld: “Sylta”) is a herb that often is eaten by hunters on longer journeys. The flowers have a sweet taste, and the stalks can be eaten for their nutritional value. The flower is often used to brew a type of wine and tea from the flowers is used to treat sleeplessness.

Another herb that thrives in the shadows of larger trees is the **garlic mustard** (Grimoskåld: “Brägna”). It tastes vaguely of garlic and is often used as a spice. Tea brewed from the herb is diuretic. During the first year, the root is edible, and the dried seeds are eaten as well.

**Sea rocket** (Grimoskåld: “Öljasnår”) , is another herb used as spice and salad. The herb tastes vaguely of mustard. The root can be dried and turned into a flour-like substance. Something very valuable as the grimnå haven't domesticated wheat yet.

**Dandelions** (Grimoskåld: “Gylnemyln”) are another edible herb. During spring, before they start growing flowers, the root is harvested and eaten a bit like carrots. The leaves can also be eaten early on in the year. The flowers are also edible. Sometimes the flowers are turned into wine or syrup. The wine is not popular amongst the finer folks in the cities as it has a status similar to mash. Hunters have no qualms with it though. Teas brewed from different parts of the plant are diuretic, stomachic and bile producing.

**Fireweed** (Grimoskåld: “Pyra”) is another common herb. The rot is edible, albeit not very tasty, as are the shoots. Leaves are sometimes dried and used to make tea. The herb is a good treatment for blisters and treats stomach ailments. Other than that, the leaves are a tasty salad.

Another herb often used as a spice is **woodruff** (Grimoskåld: “Smattra”). Woodruff grows in the shade, and has a pleasant sweet scent that is amplified when dried. Tea made from it is believed to be a pain reliever. If too much is consumed it can cause a headache though.

**Wood avens** (Grimoskåld: “Limnatråg”) is another common herb. Tea made from it is said to be pain relieving and the plant is supposedly a valid disinfectant. Not all hunters agree on this though. If cooked, they're edible, but they don't taste good raw. Most grimnå won't bother as there are other herbs that taste better and have the same effects.

**Horseradish** (Grimoskåld: “Härjart”) is another common herb. The root is usually harvested right before winter. It has a strong peppery taste and can be eaten raw or cooked. Horseradish is believed to be good for treating colds.

**Ginger** (Grimoskåld: “Kord”) is a herb similar to horseradish. The root is sometimes eaten raw, but most often dried and used as a spice. Ginger is an important medical herb and helps with nausea, as a pain reliever, colds, migraines and it is anti-inflammatory.

**Wild garlic** (Grimoskåld: “Krunta”) is a fairly uncommon but popular herb to use as a spice. Unlike garlic, it is the leaves that taste, and they are usually harvested in late spring. The strong taste is commonly used with meat by hunters. The entire plant, including the root, is slightly antibiotic in nature.

The **purple archangel** (Grimoskåld: “Hörtragårn”), or red dead-nettle, is another herb commonly used in salads. Both the leaves and flowers are edible. Poultices made from the leaves are an effective skin treatment.

**Yarrow** (Grimoskåld: “Tråg”) is another spice and medical herb. The leaves are used both as spice and insect repellents. When eaten or brewed into tea, yarrow is a pain reliever, rheumatism, tooth aches, cramps and fevers. It is also used as an abortifacient.

**Wintercress** (Grimoskåld: “Hvirsohvis”) is another common herb. As it is an evergreen, many hunters will remember where they grow and return in winter if they or a client show signs of scurvy or if they are running low on supplies.

**Sweet cicely** (Grimoskåld: “Krusadil”) is another herb. The herbs leaves and seeds can be used as a spice in both food and alcohol. Even if quite hard to find, hunters can return to the same spot every spring and pick them there. The entire plant is edible, and very sweet, which makes it one of those plants hunters snack on when they come across it.

Another plant often snacked on by hunters is the **common polypody** (Grimoskåld: “Lakrasylt”). Common in wet, shaded areas and on rocks, this little fern has a delicious root. If picked and rubbed until green, the root tastes like sweet liquorice. If boiled in water it can be used against colds. The root is often used to make drinks in tandem with elder, spruce and the others.

**Sea aster** (Grimoskåld: “Agiralen”) is another fairly common herb, if you know where to look. The herb commonly grows along the shoreline, and makes a good spice for fish. It can be used to treat irritated skin and eyes.

**White goosefoot** (Grimoskåld: “Karmosin”) is another important edible herb. The entire herb is edible, but the stem gets a bit woody for many hunters' taste and is often left behind if they don't want something hard to chew on as they travel. The herb seeds are easy to string off and can be used as something that resembles quinoa. The leaves are often eaten as salad.

**Daisies** (Grimoskåld: “Druna”)are another common and edible medicinal herb. While entirely edible and nutritious, it is far more common to either eat them or drink tea made from them for medicinal purposes. Daisies are effective against cramps, coughs, phlegm, pain and are astringent. They are also effective against fevers, eczema and wounds. Unfortunately, they aren't as effective when dried, so hunters will either remember where they grow or simply find them when needed as they are quite common.

**Chickweed** (Grimoskåld: “Guldra”) is another important medical herb. The entire plant is edible and nutritious and can be harvested until the first snow falls. By making a poultice and putting it on abscesses, wounds, insect bites, sunburns and bruises, they can be treated. Tea made from it is diuretic and anti-inflammatory. The tea can also be used to some degree in treating coughs and asthma. A wise hunter knows not to drink too much though, as the plant is known to be a slight laxative.

**Meadowsweet** (Grimoskåld: “Almabog”) is another common herb. The herb is often used to give taste to alcohol or other beverages. The leaves, when rubbed, give of a pleasant scent and the city dwellers often use this as a sort of perfume. The flowers can be used to make drinks in the same way as elderflowers, but not together as elderflowers give a mellow sweet taste but meadowsweet gives a stronger bitter taste. The herb is often used as a painkiller, against fevers and to drive sweat out of the body.

**Sorrel** (Grimoskåld: “Äsjöla”) is the last herb on this list, although many more are known and used by the grimnå. Sorrel is often eaten as salad or put in puree. The herb's fruits and roots can be used to make a sort of flour, but this isn't common. Crushed leaves or poultices are often used on open wounds.

#### **Moss and lichen**

Moss and lichens are also common, and in some cases important for hunters. Mosses grow practically everywhere on the forest floor, while lichen usually grow on trees and other exposed areas. Mainly lichen are eaten, and not often. It is far more common to use them for medical purposes.

Most mosses are very absorbent and have antiseptic functions. Therefore, they are often dried and put on open wounds. The dried moss then absorbs any blood or buss, and protects the wound from sepsis. Most commonly, different types of peat mosses are used.

While many species of lichen inhabit the lush forests and thrive in the moist environment, mainly three species are used as food and medicine. These are Iceland moss (Grimoskåld: “Rynagryn”), horsehair lichen (Grimoskåld: “Pyragryn”) and Lasallia (Grimoskåld: “Batra”). All three are very bitter until boiled in water or lye. As other foods are more abundant and taste better, most grimnå don’t eat lichen, instead they use it as medicine. Lichens function much in the same way as moss, and are dried to be put on wounds. Both mosses and lichen are considered Mylne.

#### Fungi

Many types of fungi inhabit both Grimaföld and Hvirsokata, many of which also are edible. Although many mushrooms are edible, only a handful actually taste good enough for grimnå hunters to actively search for them. Mushrooms are usually dried, pickled or cooked. They aren’t seen as spirits like plants, instead they are seen as spirit tracks, some being tracks of greater spirits while others of lesser.

##### Chanterelles

There are only two types of sought after chanterelles that inhabit Grimaföld. The golden chanterelle and the pale chanterelle. The Golden chanterelle (Grimoskåld: “Gylnasant”) is the most famous of the two as it is more common and grows until late autumn, while the pale chanterelle only grows until late summer. On the other hand, the pale chanterelle (Grimoskåld: “Hvisasant”) is often thought of as tracks left by great spirits, as they often grow under great trees.

##### Hydnums

Only one hydnum is sought after by the grimnå, the sweet tooth (Grimoskåld: “Själtrast”). The sweet tooth grows until autumn, and also has a greater spirit related reputation. The reputation stems from the fact that it often grows in groups forming circles or irregular lines, which are seen as the tracks of greater spirits.

##### Sparassis

Also known as cauliflower mushrooms. Yet again, only one is considered tasty enough to be sought after. The so-called cauliflower fungus (Grimoskåld: “Sektakry”) grows until early autumn, and is popular among the grimnå. Due to its shape, it is often drenched in water or vinegar in order to make any insects hiding in it crawl out.

##### Russulas

Four russulas are commonly taught as edible to hunter apprentices. This of course doesn't mean others aren't, it just means the others aren't as flavourful. The oaken brittlegill (Grimoskåld: “Åsasant”) is the first one, and it commonly grows close to oaks. Due to this, it is thought to be tracks of the oak spirit and consequently one of the things vånegöl preparing for duels are allowed to eat. The gilded brittlegill (Grimoskåld: “Gylnasant”) is the second one. It grows until early autumn. Unlike many red capped brittlegills, it isn't poisonous, which means a hunter searching for this mushroom also needs to know the poisonous ones in order to be safe. The entire russula (Grimoskåld: “Helgasant”) is the third one. It grows until autumn, often under spruce trees, it is popular due to its slightly nutty taste. The fourth one is the crab brittlegill (Grimoskåld: “Baradasant”). It grows until autumn, and is notorious for smelling like boiled crustacean.

##### Boletes

There are three sought after boletes. The first one is the pine bolete (Grimoskåld: “Bryggaråk”) which, incidentally, often grows under pines. It is also common under beeches, which has given it a reputation of being beech spirit tracks. It often grows until autumn. The second one is the summer cep (Grimoskåld: “Dagaråk”), which coincidentally grows during summer. It often grows under oak, linden and beech, which has given it a similar reputation to the others that grow near great trees. It is distinguished from the pine bolete by the fact that it has a slightly downy cap. During its early stages it can be mistaken as the bitter bolete (Grimoskåld: “Syrgaråk”). Which is considered too bitter to eat. The last one is the penny bun (Grimoskåld: “Brölaråk”). It is very common after warm summers, and grows until autumn. This one is also easily mistaken for bitter bolete.

##### Agaricuses

Two agaricus are sought after in grimaföld. The first one is called the Prince (Grimoskåld: “Grova”). It is often described as having a nutty smell. Same goes for the other one, which is called the horse mushroom (Grimoskåld: “Hägerasant”). They both grow until autumn. Unfortunately, they are very easily confused with the so-called Destroying Angel (Grimoskåld: “Hvisodrot”). A common mushroom that is deadly for humans. Grimnå are larger than humans, and therefore have a higher likelihood of survival. Sadly, many younger hunter apprentices are the ones who make the mistake, at an age where they are more vulnerable.

##### Latariuses

Also known as milk caps, they are common in Grimaföld. Of these, three are considered above the rest. The saffron milk cap (Grimoskåld: “Gylnakep”), so called because of its colour. It grows until autumn and often under pine trees. The weeping milk cap (Grimoskåld: “Birkakep”) grows during the same time. It got its name from the thick liquid it secretes when broken. It smells and tastes like fish. The final one is the bloody milk cap (Grimoskåld: “Blovakep”), so called due to the crimson colour on its inside. It grows until autumn, but only on the limestone rich hills of Hvirsokata.

##### Craterelluses

Only two craterelluses are considered worthy by Grimnå hunters. Yellow foot (Grimoskåld: “Rutmasant”) and the Horn of plenty (Grimoskåld: “Svärtasant”). Both grow until autumn but their uses are different. While the yellow foot, like most mushrooms, usually is cooked and eaten, it is a lot more common to dry the Horn of plenty and use as a spice. It often grows under oak and hazel and is therefore surrounded by superstition.

##### Hygrophoruses

Also known as woodwaxes, only one is sought after. The sooty waxcap (Grimoskåld: “Sutrakep”) grows until autumn, but is very rare. It only grows on higher altitudes. Its black colour has given it a reputation of being the tracks of evil or corrupt spirits.

##### Macrolepiotas

Just like the hygrophoruses, only one macrolepiota is actively sought after. The parasol mushroom (Grimoskåld: “Plynasant”) is a common and popular mushroom that grows during autumn. It is possible to confuse it with the destroying angel, it is harder though than with the agaricuses. A common way to distinguish them is that the parasol has dark scales on a white cap, while the angel has white scales on a dark cap. This doesn't always hold true though, as the angel varies wildly.

##### **Psylocybes**

Only one hallucinogenic mushroom grows in Grimaföld. The liberty cap (Grimoskåld: “Synnakant”) which grows in most of the more fertile parts. Due to its hallucinogenic properties, it is believed to be the tracks of extremely powerful spirits not from this world. The liberty cap is one of the few things Vånegöl preparing for battle are allowed to eat. While it isn’t eaten often, most hunters will have a few dried liberty caps on hand, as the hallucinogenic properties are seen as visions from the moon. Many religious rituals involve their consumption. While they are often consumed, addiction is not seen as a good thing. As spirit magic is believed to be detrimental to the soul. Addiction being the sign of to much contact with the spiritual.

## Languages

### Grimoskåld

Grimoskåld ("Song of the people") is the dominant language in Grimaföld. Grimoskåld is an ancient language and due to how songs are taught and the general longevity of the Grimnå it hasn't changed much. It is related to other languages along the northern coast.

## Politics

Politics in Grimaföld are practically non existent. While the different tings in theory hold authority over the various hunting grounds and their claimants, in practice, they will find it hard to enforce anything outside the limited sphere of influence surrounding their ringforts. As it is, the land is loosely divided into hundreds of hunting grounds. Each belonging to a clan or family and overlapping with all others in the area. Each hunting ground is ruled by a huntsmaster. The huntsmaster must know everything there is to know about their hunting grounds, including to but not limited to the flora, fauna, geology and climate. While the huntsmaster necessarily isn't the family head, they usually are. In most cases except threats that threaten all Grimnå, the huntsmaster is the highest leader that matters.

## Religion and culture

### Traditions

As stated in previous tangents, there are the hunting trials. They begin very early with the first one simply being to catch a fish. It becomes harder and harder with time though when the targeted animals grow bigger and the weapons go from ranged weapons to meleé weapons to bare hands. The reason this lifestyle is popular is because completing all trials guarantees being chosen.

Another tradition is the Fanilåtj - the banner tax. This will make more sense if you read the art section first. Each family takes their greatest deed of the year, embroiders it,  and gives it to the clan banner. Each clan does the same but gives it to the village or city banner, each of these gives it to the national banner. This happens on the first day of spring, which is when the new year is celebrated. Consequently, this means not all years are the same length.

Worth mentioning is also how names are given. Each Grimnå has four names. A personal name, his/hers father’s/mother’s name, the family name and a clan name. The Vånegöl have a fifth name based on the deed that made them chosen.

The hunter is often seen as the "best version" of a grimnå, and there are seven virtues a grimnå hunter should have: Stability of the mind like the oak, Courage like the gean, Wisdom like the elder tree, Fury like the bear, Stability of the body like the wisent, Confidence like the falcon and Caution like the elk.

### Religion

Gälmoli is the belief that people who do grand things in life can ascend and join the stars in the court of the moon, the Våneting. Each star being a great person (a Gälmagrim or Vånegöl) and each constellation being one of the moon's retainers. The sun being Vaan, the greatest star and first king of the Grimnå. Those who haven’t done anything great enough to be acknowledged are instead reincarnated. The Vånegölna is the first among the Vånegöl and acts as the religious leader. He is the one who determines who is a Vånegöl, other than that he doesn’t have much religious power. Each village and city will have a Våna who acts as a priest, but they are not subordinate to the Vånegölna. It is seen as prestigious if a Våna is blessed by the Vånegölna though. The Våna have a seperate culture to the Grimnå and usually act through secracy. Mailny, they act as shamans. The creation myth states that the moon created the world out of loneliness, sacrificing her own power to create humans and the world so that they could interact, learn and develop personality. When they were ready she would then recall them to her side. Sometimes they come back to visit though, carrying green banners (northern lights, assuming the place I have chosen is far enough north). The myths surrounding the moon aren’t written down, but passed down by song and dance. The most famous one is the Gälmevån, detailing when the last person has been chosen and the moon finally returns to her full power and can eradicate the forces of darkness that surround the court. It is usually sung during the winter solstice. During the winter solstice and summer solstice there are grand feasts in honor of the moon. Traditionally there is also celebration on the first day of spring, both to bring a good harvest, as well as to celebrate the day Vaan died and presumably returned to the moon.

### Moral values and principles

The goal of every Grimnå is to be chosen. The easiest way to achieve this is by becoming a warrior. While the Grimnå don’t value killing other people, there are multiple sacred and traditional hunting trials in place. According to tradition, the trials are based on the deeds of Haviek, the son of Vaan. Other than these trials warriors often duel each other, but other than duels between Vånegöl’s, these duels end at first blood. In the end it doesn’t matter what you dedicate your life to, as long as you dedicate it.

In general the Grimnå are nice people, welcoming to those who have lived as neighbors with them, if a bit secluded. BTo outsiders they can seem disrespectful. This is due to how they treat strangers as equals, rather than with extra politeness as is common when speaking to a stranger. This comes from a belief that everyone is equal under the moon, and is why they don’t partake in war or slavery, unless it is directed at them.

### Art

#### Architecture

Grịmaföldian architecture is in many cases simple and underdeveloped, as most Grimnå still live nomadically. What architecture exists is often based on the tents used by the nomadic Grimnå and vạ̊na. These are the round Ọrnaval, quite similar to yurts, that are used by the Grimnå and the horseshoe shaped Kvạ̊l, used by the vạ̊na. Most Grịmaföldian buildings are built from wood, often birch or aspen, which is abundant in the area. Only some buildings utilize stone. Usually those owned by larger clans.

##### Ringforts

By far one of the most recognizable Grịmaföldian buildings, as well as the rarest with only a few still in use. As the Grimnå haven’t fought in any wars since the times of Vạan, the need for forts has decreased. Once common across Grịmaföld, as every clan with enough resources to warrant guarding them had one. It is now more common to find ruins of them than maintained ones. The ruins are still used though, as the large flat area is perfect for setting up tents. Some clans still use them to store food and resources, which has led to many ruined ringforts becoming small towns during winter, as the Grimnå settle in where the food is stored.

The forts are constructed on hills, often in the vicinity of a water source. A rope is used to measure out a perfectly circular area. This area varies in size, the largest being the fort of Går Kartabard, with an inner diameter of 1300 meters, and the smallest one being the Grạmasjälm ruin, with an inner diameter of 90 meters. The area is then flattened by moving soils from the highest point to the lowest. A ditch is dug around the flat area, the soil being used to raise the flat circle even higher. To keep the soil in place, a retention wall of stone is built around it to keep it in place. A second wall is then built on the flat surface, traditionally with four gates, one in each cardinal direction. As a last step, the ditch is widened, deepened and, if the topography permits, flooded. The fort always has the main and largest entrance to the north, with a large bridge built over the moat and a ramp built through the retention wall behind a heavy gate. Larger forts have bridges in all four cardinal directions, while smaller ones relly on ferries.

Later versions of ringforts often have tiers of retention walls and ditches, the largest one, having seven.

##### Turf houses

Where Grimnå settle, they sometimes use turf houses that are partially or fully submerged underground. This is due to the Grimnå unwillingness to ruin nature, allowing it to thrive on their houses. A circular hole is dug, and the removed earth piled around it. On the floor, stone slabs are placed, and tree trunks used as pillars. The walls are made out of wattle and daub, before wood is placed as structural support. The roof is round with a hole for smoke at the top. When the roof has been constructed, it is covered with soil. A bowl shaped lid is used to block out rain. Sometimes, the front of the house is left clear. As the house is submerged and largely made from wood, it often needs maintenance or reconstruction. This has led many Grimnå to favor smaller versions of roundhouses.

##### Roundhouses

Roundhouses are, in essence, large round buildings used by the Grimnå as halls to feast and display wealth. Many variations exist with different extensions, although the main hall always is circular. The grandest roundhouse is the Ọrnasala. The roundhouse in the center of the Gälmafjerd ringfort, used by the Kjögloting. The roundhouse is built out of elder, gean and oak. On the inside, pillars and walls have been carved into intricate ornaments and every wall is painted in depictions of stories from the songs of Vạan. This is where the Grịmaföldafạni is displayed, although most of it is rolled up. This is also where the Vạanagårasathin, the throne of Vạan, stands.

Roundhouses are not actually round, but octagonal. Wooden pillars are set up in each corner, before stone slabs are placed, serving as both floor and foundation. Four more pillars are built in the center. Walls are then built between the outer pillars before beams are placed in. On top of this, a conical roof is placed, with a hole and lid in the center like the turf houses. The center is occupied by a fire pit, with tables placed around it. In roundhouses that are lived in, a wooden platform is often built to the side, to raise the inhabitants off of the cold stone. The flat walls are often painted with stories from the songs depicted on the banner of whoever owns the house.

##### Temples

Unlike the other buildings, that in some sense are based on the ọrnaval tents, the temples used by settled vạ̊na are shaped after the kvạ̊l. If viewed from the back, a temple could be mistaken for a large roundhouse, the roof being the only thing that differs. Where one of the walls would have been on a roundhouse, there is instead an opening into a yard as the temple is horseshoe shaped. The center of the actual building has a firepit. Although the roof is gabled, a hole and lid is used for the smoke here as well. The ends of the horseshoe, where heat has a harder time reaching, is often built lower and used for storage. The yard is used by the resident vạ̊na to grow herbs and receive guests. Oftentimes, a great tree grows in the center of the yard.

#### Body art

Different forms of body art and modifications are very common in Grịmaföldian society. Most Grimnå and Vạ̊na use it as a form of identification, with so many details that their social standings and large portions of their lives can be discerned by simply observing the patterns on their skin.

##### Tattoos

The most common form of body modification practised by both Grimnå and Vạ̊na is tattoing. The traditional way of tattooing does not involve black, instead combining red, blue, yellow and green in intricate patterns. Each colour symbolises different things and is used on different parts of the body in different ways.

Blue symbolises the spirit, and its element is water. Tattoos in blue are usually placed on the arms, torso and neck. Common depictions using blue are names, deeds and heritage. It is also common to use flowing patterns in blue to connect tattoos on different parts of the body.

Yellow symbolises the body, and its element is earth. Yellow ink is commonly used on the legs, back and hands. Yellow tattoos mainly consist of runes and sigils meant to strengthen and protect.

Red symbolises the temper, and its element is fire. It is commonly used on the front of the torso, upper arms and legs, necks as well sides and back of the head. These usually depict hunts and duels, with more successful hunters often having more red. It is also in red that animals are depicted, especially the four guardians of the animal kingdom. Some hunters who favour hunting styles related to a certain temperament might have large tattoos dedicated to that guardian.

Green symbolises the mind, and its element is wind. Green tattoos are usually placed all over the body, with a higher density at the end of limbs. Green tattoos often depict plants and landscapes, often favoured by guardians and hunters who prefer the forestry side of a hunters duties.

Facial tattoos are only used by Vạ̊na. The most standard variation is a curved line under each eye that goes up to the temple, and another line connecting this to the corner of the mouth. Colour is up to individual choice although green and blue are the most common.

##### Scarification

Scarification mainly occurs among the Vạ̊na. There are two kinds, cutting and branding. Both mainly take the shape of runes along the spine. Scarification can either be a form of punishment or a voluntary action. In the first case the runes spell out the crime and the punishment. In the second, it is usually a song written about the deeds of the wearer. All in all, this is the rarest type of body modification. Grimnå who are scarred in battle sometimes extend the scars into intricate patterns.

##### Painting

Paintings are just as common as tattoos. Body painting is temporary though, and usually only worn on special occasions. The same rules for colour apply, although the face and horns also are painted.

##### Horn carving

Grimnå and vạ̊na both have horns in many different shapes and sizes. While they often are painted, it is even more common to carve patterns into them. Unless carved too deep, this is painless. Patterns include runes, lines and riveting. It is up to the individual to design them. It is also common to hang jewellery from the horns if their shape allows for it.

##### Teeth colouring

Teeth colouring is mainly performed by the Vạ̊na, in an attempt to get them closer to the spirits who are said to have black teeth. Common colours include black, red and blue. Although the other colours aren’t exactly rare either.

##### Hair colouring and styling

While not that common, hunters will sometimes douse their hair in limewater. A process which gives it a hard, horse hair like texture, as well as a white colour. Hair is usually worn long, either braided or loose. Some grimnå shave the sides, or the sides and backs of their heads. Usually to show tattoos.

#### Embroidery

The main things embroidered by the grimnå are their banners, but they also make tapestries hung across their great halls depicting songs of old.

#### Songs

The songs of the Grimnå are their way of preserving knowledge. Each song is embroidered into their banner and follows specifik lyrical patterns. The pattern devide the beat into threes and twos. For example, the songs of Vaan follow a repeating pattern of three threes, two twos, one three, two twos and finally two threes and two twos. Essentially creating a beat of thirty over eight.