Vinland

Vinland, a more Scandinavian America

The **Kingdom of Vinland**, or just **Vinland**, is one of the many nations of Usonia in the Usonia System. Unlike most of the other nations in Usonia, this nation is a constitutional monarchy that has no outside connection other than affiliated with the United Confederacy of Exiles.

## History

Not much is known about Vinland, or this version at least, but has some historical roots related to Vikings. According to a few records (possibly fake), Vinland was discovered by Leif Erickson in 1000 A.D. and have made roots in this new land. The people cultivated grapes and butternuts to produce wine as they look over sheep. Many of these settlers made contact with the Native American tribes as they bring in buffalo hide and tobacco. Both of these people also brought in creatures and beings to help create a new civilization with respect for the land.

Yet conflict arose when many of the Norsemen started to take up Christianity on 1050 A.D. Those that did started to insult other gods of both sides and even started creating inquisitions that started persecuting many mythical creatures and destroying many shrines. People of Vinland started to get angry and started a holy war. The whole war lasted for only 25 years with Prince Canute declaring a truce between those of different faiths. The prince negotiated a peace treaty that all religions would be recognized and people are free to worship whatever god they want with no persecutions and no discrimination. Pope George III of the Christian faith, Priestess of the Norse Pantheon named Thurid, and Hanksa who represents the tribes came to the prince's castle to negotiate. However, not everyone was in agreement of a peace as Pope George III says that worshiping other gods is intolerable. But Prince Canute, as a Christian, managed to convince the pope as he reminded him about the teachings of Jesus about tolerance and "treating people as thyself". Pope George III agreed with Thurid and Hanksa as well.

Advancements in terms of technology are rarely made as Vinland is a high fantasy nation that takes pride in hard work, magic, their gods, and much of their ways. The only form of advancement is the magic being used with much of Vinland looking like the Industrial Age, but without the industry.

In truth, they just appeared on Usonia as other nations arrived to stake their claim. This include being close to New England, the American States of Japan, and the Pineland Commonwealth. Some of them try to trade some of their technology, but Vinland turn them down since none are magical in nature. So instead, some of the surrounding nations trade in magical items and materials for some enchanted runes.

## Government

The government of Vinland is a constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary system with the Cnutsson Royal Family at the head. Yet the royal family has some limits to their authority. The Council of Ministers is the executive branch of Vinland that create new laws and be in-charge of many functions of the kingdom. There are two ministers per function such as agriculture, mining, economics, etc.

The Assembly of Vinland is the legislative branch that is comprised of representatives being led by a duke or duchess that acts as a senator when in the Assembly. There are five representatives for each province behind the duke/duchess with two comprised of trustworthy noble houses and three to represent the common people. The Assembly of Vinland has the power to vote or veto the laws made by the Council of Ministers. The Assembly is being led by the Prime Minister.

The High Court of Foresti is the judicial branch of Vinland. In this court, a statue of Foresti watches over the court and has a set of mystical eyes that can tell if the guilty party is innocent or not. There are smaller statues of this god of justice but they aren't as efficient.

## Society & Culture

Much of the culture is based-on a combination of Native American and Norse yet has a few Christian elements in it. It is a high fantasy, low-tech nation with clothes and buildings akin to that of the Industrial Age, yet without the industry. They all co-exist with various mythical creatures of both Norse and various Native American creatures and even along species that are the same species as their gods such as Aesir and Vanir. There isn't much in terms of technology except for cannons and some rifles but they do look more like something out of a fantasy with the way their design with cannonballs and ammunition having runes that can cause some sort of magical damage such as fire, ice, and ivy.

Despite it's industrial age look, people are very connected with nature as there are plenty of flora around such as large trees and many flowering plants. Yet the trees are magical in nature as they provide energy that give light that can be switch on and off as well as provide cooling during hot summers. Many of the flowers give off some form of magical energy that are used to convert a great deal of carbon dioxide into oxygen if the carbon dioxide levels are higher than normal. The magical energy of the flowers can also be harvested pending on the type of flower it is. Roses are used to give off a pleasant aroma that eliminates smells, sunflowers are used to emit light in lanterns, anemones are used to create pure water, etc.

The Aesir race that aren't part of the pantheon are found as security forces, in military services, and can also be seen leading the charge against any invading forces. Yet there is a small number of them that can be found manufacturing weapons in smiths. The Vanir that aren't part of the pantheon however, can be seen in schools, hospitals, and at farms. They can also be found at the many shrines as well as participate in ceremonies along with Native American mythical creatures. Despite the peace between the two, they can also be seen arguing with each other and some take part in competitions.

Even there is peace between the Norse humans and the Native American humans, many prefer to live in country sides or out in the wilderness rather than urban areas. There are a small number of them but many prefer to be more connected with nature as a way to be more connected with their gods. Christians make up the majority of the inhabitants in cities with a small number of other faiths living within. This includes a small number of mythical creatures as well.

Technology is very limiting in Vinland with a small number of advance technology that can be found within. However, they do have many devices made by using magic.

## Economy

Much of Vinland's economy derive from four things: agriculture, mining, smithing, and magic. There are plenty of farmlands in Vinland that are home to many vineyards and butternut farms that are moved to wineries along with a large variety of berries that are fermented into a large quantity of wine. But the farmlands also produce a vast quantity of corn, maize, butter-squash, cranberries, potatoes, carrots, onions, lettuce, and many other foods. There are many European livestock such as chickens, sheep, cattle and pigs. Yet there are also a great deal of llamas, alpacas, turkeys, and even American buffaloes.

There is some mining operations being done yet on a smaller scale...on the surface. Larger operations are done in dwarven mountain halls. Much of the mining and smiting is done by dwarves and weresnakes as they delve deep into the mountains with the weresnakes providing their sense of smell to detect any sort of changes in the atmosphere and sensing ore while use their bodies to perceive vibrations in order to sense danger. Dwarves refine many metals and minerals found deep beneath the mountains as their mountain cities are the only known industries in Vinland. Weresnakes live alongside the dwarves in burrows that are warmed by the forges they sleep in. There are also Dokkalfar (Dark Elves) living within these dwarven cities that also assist with building and mining with their great hearing that can sense the slightest sound, able to use their magic to assist in creating magical weapons and create curses to ward out intruders and thieves, and can greatly assist in combat when dealing with monsters in caves.

Magic reigns supreme in Vinland as many wizards, shamans and clerics can wield it with great ease. Even Christian priests and nuns can use them to summon angels to protect people. However, there are a multitude of magical items that can be found that are trade with for other magical objects and resources. Most people prefer to use the ammunition that have runes on them that can be used to set targets on fire, wrap enemies in ivy, cause ice to form in the wound, etc. Although some people prefer to use objects with runes on them such as a faucet that can heat water and make it clear as crystal no matter the water source as well as remove any toxins and bacteria. That is just one of many objects that uses magic and they even use magical mirrors that act like televisions that can intercept any television studio transmission if you ask nicely. Magic mirrors are intelligent and can be quite temperamental if you disrespect them.

If you are an adventurer on a journey on a fantasy world, stop by Vinland to obtain many magical items, potions, blessings and much more.

## Military

The **Vinland Military** is the main military force that have five branches; Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Yggdrasil Navy. It is a hodgepodge of various species that work together and to ensure Vinland's future.

The Yggdrasil Navy is actually the main space forces that are comprised of ships that look like they're made of wood, similar to the ships of the Juraian treeships from the Tenchi series. However, they have a more of a Celtic and Norse design to them as they travel towards the stars. The name of this navy comes from the mythical tree, Yggdrasil. A tree that connects all of the Nine Realms together. Yet these spaceships aren't as powerful as the Juraians, but they do have incredible magic power to them that can create powerful shields.

The Vinland Army all wear uniforms similar to the Scandinavians during the Industrial Age. However, the uniforms are green in color with all the gold parts being black. The helmets many of the armed forces wear are actually Norse design with a few feathers at the top that look like a mix of both Viking and Native American. The guns they use are a bit of the low-tech side as they look like something from World War 1 and older. This includes the Lee-Enfield 303, the Spencer Model 1865 Carbine, the Lewis Machine Gun, and many more. Yet the ammunition they use are magical and pack powerful punches. Some prefer more archaic weapons and armor such as spears and dwarven armor. Others prefer to wear in traditional warrior garbs that make them fitted for the scout role. They don't have much in terms of vehicles yet have a great deal of horses that are given magical gear that makes them faster, stronger and can go on with no fatigue or exhaustion.

The Vinland Navy is very powerful that look like modern-day ships and armed with many cannons. Make that a LOT of cannons. Cannons that can level an entire city from three ships due to the cannons being enhanced by magic. Radar and sonar systems are even magically made that can detect the slightest movement and sound and can even identify what it is. Canoes are also used as scouting ships. These canoes have their underside looking like a piece of a log that the canoers can flip the canoe upside down to disguise themselves in order to sneak in long as no one looks underneath.

The Vinland Marines are terrifying. They run head long into danger while armed with magical weapons that can destroy thick walls and many of the marines acting like berserkers. The reason being is because they went through rigorous and grueling training regiments that can kill normal people and many claim that they can swim up to 15 miles in less than an hour.

The Vinland Air Force isn't the most technological branch in the military. They use mounts such as dragons and Thunderbirds to attack. They lack the quick maneuverability and speed of modern air planes, but they do make up for it with their devastating power such as fire breathing and lightning strikes. Despite the lack of planes, they do have a large number of dirigibles that are used to transport troops and supplies. Many of these flying balloons use special generators that release heated wind to make the dirigible fly while also making them fireproof.