Jorvs

The Jorvs (rarely called the Norrborne) are a subdivision of the human race. Due to the climate of their homeland, the Jorvs posses some distinctive characteristics such as enchaned cold-resistance. They originate from a realm even more northern than the Far North. This realm was commonly referred to as Norrheimr.

## Appearance

The Jorvs are initially taller than regular humans. They've mostly blonde hair (rarely red/dark-haired) with blue or gray (rarely hazel) eyes. All Jorvikingr (Jorv raiders) wear their beards in long braids. They are only allowed to braid their beard after a victory. All braids are only cut when a Jorvikingr is defeated in battle, an act through which he lets the world know his shame.

## History

The worlds of Rathnir and Eldham know little of the Jorvs. The only legend, that historians consider a truth, was the legend of Bergljot.

### Legend of Bergljot

*"A long time ago, there was a Kingdom, far to the north, it was ruled by a gruesome leader, but stood strong. One day, a soldier called Bergljot deserted from the kingdoms army after a battle with a rebellious clan and found himself lost in some woods. He wandered about, but couldn't find the exit anymore. Without food, nor water, the soldier collapsed, partly to his wounds, partly to dehydration. "This is how I die" was what he thought. Everything went black. The next thing he remembers is the sound of heavy boots coming near him. He forced his eyes open to see what was approaching him. It was a massive knight in black armor with glowing red eyes. "Do you seek to live?" was what the knight spoke. "Yes", answered the soldier. "Are you willing to give me everything in return?" The soldier nodded before losing consciousness again. The black knight stretched his arm towards the soldier and blood dripped upon the lying man. The next morning came and the soldier was reinvigorated again, stronger than he had ever been. He was unsure what had happened, but he remembered the stranger that must have helped him. He gathered courage and walked back to his kingdom. He was captured and sentenced to death upon his arrival, but against all expectations, he didn't die when the axe came down to cut his head off his shoulders. He lived and a voice in his head made him go berserk. The soldier overthrew the old kingdom, got rid of all the corruption and established his own realm, establishing the Blood God as the dominant religion. In honour of the knight that had helped him survive."*

- The legend of *Bergljot, the only written story that describes the Norrheimr. It's engraved on the largest Jorv longship called "Hjalmar".*

### First raids of Drakesland

Although this is only a legend, the veracity of which cannot yet be proven, it is a fact that Bergljot I was a Jorv King, with no aristocratic status, who rebeled against King Arnfinn II "The Bad" and initiated many crusades to forcefully convert other Jorvs to the Blood God faith.

During his rule the kingdom thrived and prospered, but this wouldn't last. Bergljot died of old age and with time, the faith in the Blood God declined. The kingdom fell apart, splintering into different Jarls vying for power. One of the stronger clans, was the Arrow Clan. They had fierce warriors and remained strong believers of the Blood God. Droughts hit the land and early winter winds made the crops die. Food was scarce and even though it cost them manpower, the Arrow Clan's leader Acki Jarl and his cousin Bedaer gathered a group of devout followers of the Blood God and decided to send them south, among these was the descendant of the old king. They set out to find a new home and to either establish their own nation, or to prepare a settlement if others would follow them. Overcoming the troubles of different seas, they reached the shores of Eldham. The Jorvikingr raided the coastlines of the Drakesland for a while, until they finally set foot in the Katan lands. After having fought multiple battles with the natives, they established a city that would henceforth be known as Jorvick. Sadly, during the battles their leader Acki was killed and his cousin Bedaer, now known as Bedaer Jarl, took over the Jorv forces. In order to maintain peace and to ensure their survival the new Jarl had to bend the knee to Mugen. The Jorvs quickly established themselves in the region, making their presence a splinter in the sides of their neighbours after winning the Battle Of Jorvick during the War of Drakaen Succession.

### Second raids of Drakesland

It is unknown what happened in Norrheimr during the first raids of Drakesland and the establishment of Jorvick, but in the end, the Jorv civil war ended with The Arrow Clan winning the throne and the faith of the Blood God being the most dominant over the other Jorv clans. Years later, other unknown events led to mass emigration from Norrheimr and the current monarch at the time had to act. King Halvard I "One-Eyed", son of Bergs, captain of the legendary longship "Hjalmar*"* and leader of the Arrow Clan send an inquiry to Jorvick to know if the place is safe for his people. Sadly, the fierce warriors that had settled in Drakesland soon were no more. They became numb, intermingled with the locals and assimilated into the Drakaen culture. Sharing the hardships and failures of these cursed people, the Jorvs suffered heavily.

King Halvard gathered an expedition of hardened northern warriors who arrived at the shores of Katania to reclaim what was rightfully theirs. Once the land was secured, the King returned to gather the rest of the Jorvs.