Norks

## History and Origin

Norks are native to the Far North within the continent of Orbis. They are the largest ethnic group within all of the Far North, and are considered to be the first settlers within the region. During the Migration Age, settlers from Humania migrated south in search of more hospitable lands. The Tribes that remained in the Far North eventually separated into several smaller groups. The largest of these being the Norks, Vics, Vandians, Vaedesians, and Astragoths. Throughout the centuries a majority of these groups would either merge with one another or go extinct all together. The Vandians and Astragoths had either merged with the larger Norkis, Vicish, and Vaedesian populations by the late 1260s A.T.F or went extinct. The Norks mostly inhabited the Northernmost Shoreline of The Far North, but also had a large presence within the borders of The Northern Mountains. The Norks would go on to explore, trade, and pillage their way all across Nara; reaching lands as distant as Eastern and Western Danika thanks to their advanced seafaring capabilities. At their populations height, the Norks inhabited much of The Far North, Northern Orbis, The Southern Islands of Reichland, and Eastern Danika in the millions. The Norks remained the dominant population of The Far North weathering several catalytic events throughout the centuries, however by the early 1580s one particular catomylistic event known as The Northern Crusade, would see the genocide and complete social and cultural reconstruction of Norkish Society. This Crusade was launched primarily to put an end to the large scale Norkish Headhunts, that began to make a resurgence decades prior. The Norks would be responsible for the creation of various empires throughout their existence including The Northman Empire, The Realm of Karkos, and The Kingdom of Avoria.

## Culture and Customs

**Before The Northern Crusade**

Norkish Culture was always deemed "primal" by outsiders, this stereotype even carried on after the reconstruction of Norkish Culture after The Northern Crusade. Norkish Culture was community based and a warrioristic lifestyle, which emphasised strength and comradery. From a young age the children of Norkish Society were designated into societal roles typically orchestrated by gender. The boys were expected to learn how to fight, hunt, camp, sail, fish, and forage by the age of 12. While girls were expected to be builders, craftswomen, armourers, cooks, and seafarers by the age of 10. Although Women were still regarded as second class citizens, the Norks put more trust and value into their women unlike many of the cultures around them that were outright misogynistic. This was considered odd to outsider cultures who would have expected the Norks to treat their women like slaves instead of near equals. Norks hunted and fished year around, and oftentimes would go on large expeditions to stock up and prepare for the winter months.

Norks tended to prefer to live in smaller towns and communities, oftentimes working best in small tight knit communities. To avoid being overwhelmed by opposing forces, these villages would oftentimes confederate or make treaties with other villages to form tribes and small kingdoms. As time progressed, cities would inevitably form and although as a whole Norks as a whole generally prefered their village lifestyle, they were quick to adapt. Rural Norks tended to take on more unorganized and individualistic labor, oftentimes acting as independent farmers, foragers, fishers, raiders, and mercenaries. While Urban Norks typically took on more organized jobs such as town laborours, ship crews, warrior enlistment, and trading amongst the general populace. When the work was done, Norks mostly spent their free time Hunting, Drinking, Swimming, and Community Games such as Tug-of-War and Wrestling. Norkish lifestyle was all about being both fit and active, a trait that would earn them a reputation for being a stout and hardy people.

Before the Northern Crusade, The Norks had a terrible reputation for being "Savages and Barbarians". This was mainly due to the Norks socially acceptable and culturally encourage warlike attitude. The Norks became famous for their various raids and expeditions that reached as far as Eastern and Western Danika during their height. Although a majority of Norks were not seafaring raiders, the sizeable minority that were garnered the Norks a harmful stereotype for several centuries after the Golden Age of Norkish Raids. The Largest of these raids were called, "Head Hunts" which were a Crusade Sized event where an innumerable amount of Norks would pillage the Southern Lands of Orbis in an united effort to decapitate as many heads as possible. Upon returning to the Far North, the heads gathered would be deposited in an enormous bonfire in honor of the Norkish God Wondaz. These raider practices and the Norkish religion were stamped out shortly after The Northern Crusade. Though the ramifications from these raids, would continue to add fuel to the ethnic tensions between Norkish and Southern Orbisians.

Contrary to popular belief that a majority of Norks were raiders, Norks actually specialized in mostly trading. While there was a sizeable minority who were efficient in seafaring raiding and pillaging, the Majority of the Norkish population were renowned traders and craftsmen. The Norks achieved this legendary status, mainly due to their ability to excel in early ship building, which allowed the Norks to reach other sea faring civilizations very early on in their history. Various other cultures such as The Chinikans, Romikkans, and Acrabians, sought out Norkish made leather and fur. Citing the Norkis leather works as being "some of the finest outfitters in all of Nara". This was thanks to the culturally instilled work ethic that many of the craftswomen women followed, which over time would help further elevate women within the Norkish Hierarchy to a point of true equality.

Norkish Hierarchy was structured both by birthright and by gender. Although women were kept at a higher standing within Norkish Society compared to others, women were still barred from a majority of the political inner workings of Norkish Tribes and Kingdoms. Women were able to own land, and on occasion vote on particular issues and matters within Norkish Society, and during war and times of desperation would be drafted to fight amongst their male warrior compatriots. Men were able to take on any position within Norkish Society, but were typically barred from the higher leadership roles if they did not possess noble birth right or had a strong claim. Men were able to own land, vote on and issues that required a tribal vote, and peruse any commercial, industrial, or militaristic job they saw fit. Most Norkish societies had Tribal Villages that were typically administered by a local Chieftains. These Chieftain's would answer to Jarls who were Lords assigned to administer a collection of villages or cities by a King. Kings were the most powerful of all within Norkish Society and would require a strong claim and noble lineage for any man to take or inherit the throne, the only position higher than the King was the legendary title of "High King". Within Norkish History, there never was a universally recognized High King, as the title required the claimants to be the dominant force within all of The Far North. However several contesters took this title, with the two most famous claimants being Odin Afruthul and Karkos The Conqueror.

Norkish Kingdoms typically relied upon their Jarls to levy and muster what forces they could for whatever campaigns they were needed. Norkish Armies earned a reputation for being unruly, unorganized, and brutal in battle. Norkish Armies mainly earned their title as "unorganized" thanks to a lack of standardization in both tactics and weaponry. While later pre-gunpowder Norkish Armies would eventually begin to use formations such as Shield Wall and Spear Walls, during the Crisis of The Tenth Century, Romikkan Historians described Norks in battle as "unyielding axe swinging maniacs". Norkish Armies prodemily fielded Light & Heavy Infantry and Archers, while sparsely using cavalry for mostly scouting purposes. The Norkish Warrior Class typically dawned chainmail, thick leather or fur hides, and carried swords, one handed/two handed axes, and round shields, with much of their equipment being made by themselves, looted from previous battles, or bought from town blacksmiths. While the peasants and farmers known as, "Karls", would typically use farming tools, wood cutting axes, and spears, alongside hastily made gambison or fur outfits. This lack of standardization would later change by the late 1700s post-gunpowder age during The War For Orbis, where most Norkish Armies would use brown coloring for their regimental coats, and light blue for their elite counterparts.

**Cultural Changes after The Northern Crusade**

After the Northern Crusade had concluded, The Norkish Kingdoms that remained were barred from initiating or allowing Head Hunts (Even though Head Hunts by this time period were looked down upon and outright condemned by a majority of the Norkis Population), and were required to persecute any remaining followers of The Norkish Old Gods. The Patriarchy also forced the Norks to adopt The Church of Titus and its teachings, and ordered all monuments dedicated to the Norkish Old Gods to be destroyed. Furthermore, The Patriarchy also ordered that women be barred from owning land and participating in battle. And finally The Patriarchy requested heavy reparations from the remaining Norkish Kingdoms. The Results of this Crusade saw the wide spread depopulation of Norks from The Far North, and a large exodus of Norkish Peoples to Southern Reichland. Nonetheless, their hearty nature allowed the Norkish Populations to recover, and by the early 1730s the damages caused by the Crusade a century prior had subsided.

## Appearance

Norks typically possessed pale white skin, or light white skin. Norkish hair color varied, the most dominant being blonde, followed by a small amount possessing grey or even red hair. It was common sight for Norks to possess both long hair and beards, though it was still frequent for some Norks to have short hair or to shave their heads outright. Most Norks were usually tall in stature being on average 5.9 in height and with many Norkish Men easily reaching 5.11-6.1. Norkish eye color was typically blue, hazel, or green, all of which having a light color. Norkish people were characterized by their thin lips, non-prominent cheekbones, dolichocephalic and mesocephalic skull types. Average Male Norkish Citizens wore Tunics, Belt Held Trousers, and Fur or Tatchy Shoes. It was noted that there wasn't much coloring to these outfits, as many of them were mixes of brown or tannish coloring as the Norks Cared little for style. This Style of Dress for Male Norkish Citizenry would continue even well into the later 1800s U.O, as the Southern Gentleman's Look never gained traction up north. The Norkish Women would wear Strap Dresses and Harnesses Dresses, or would dawn the same apparel as the men. Norkish Womens outfits were slightly more colorful sometimes sporting blue dye coloring or red dye coloring, though this was still uncommon to see. Both Men and Women would dawn Cloaks and Fur Coats during the winter months. The Rich would typically wear more expensive clothing, made from finer wool, furs, and hides. These outfits would also always be colored red, green, or blue to show status; and would also be accompanied by jewelry such as necklaces and rings. The Norkish Nobility, unlike their lower class counterparts, would eventually adopt the Southern Gentleman's Style of clothing.

## Language

The Norks speak a language called Northern Basic, it is a mix between Standard Narian Basic and Northern Languages. The Language is understandable to those who speak Narian Basic, though there are some words that sometimes require translation.

## Society

Norks preferred a free style of living, possessing a free spirited and adventurous personality around their people. Norks were regarded as a hardy people who were easy to get along with those they respected, and even easier to hate those they did not respect. The Norks sport this adventurous personality by being a seafaring people, always on the move, with either mass migrations being conducted, or expeditions to explore new lands.

## Religion

Most Norks were followers of The Norkish Old Gods, a religion that was made up of several gods. With it's two main figureheads being Thessolcana and Wondaz, however after The Northern Crusade. The worship and practice of this religion was outlawed, and was heavily persecuted by The Patriarchy. By 1700 A.T.F a majority of the Far North, including the Norks, followed The Church of Titus. The only remnants of The Norkish Old Gods could be found in Norkish Societies that settled in Southern Reichland.