Vinterföld

*Page Status: Accepted Canon*

## Current Status

Under the control of: The Jarldom of Vinterföld

Fiefs: Sørbyen, Svelgard, Ørstad, Strøndholm

## Town Features and Geography

The town of Vinterfold is located in the southern region of Forsvar, perched on the coast of the Eastren Sea to the east. The town is flanked by the Suovirke Mountains to the north, a river channel to the west and south, and sea to the east. Freezing temperatures are cyclically brought down from the north via the Eastren sea currents which cause it to snow frequently in Vinterfold.

The town's pristine village-scape and its spacious, free spread of traditional Forsvarian homes across the plateau is well recognized by travelers of both north and south.

## Culture

Vinterföld is home to many culture groups although most Vinterians originate from the brutal lands of Svearia. The people of Vinterföld are natural warriors and sailors, learning to fight and sail from a very young age. War is an integral part of both Vinterian culture and life, and death in combat is held as the highest honor, with those warriors being slain in battle said to be raised in the afterlife to the halls of the gods. In the Forsvar, raids frequently occur during the summer, and every man capable of wielding the axe that he chops his firewood with is levied to fight and defend his home.

Vinterians swear their loyalty to their jarl, who in return ensures law and order in his realm as well as protection from foreigners.

**The Assembly**

The Vinterian Assembly is held at the heighest honor, in the assembly the Jarl announce events such as wars, raids and celebrations. The Jarl solves disputes and punish criminals, each citizen is given a vote in such matters.

**The High Assembly**

In the high Assembly the chiefs and notables advise and discuss with the Jarl matters of realm management and governing. The High Assembly is a closed event only for people who recive an invitation from the Jarl.

## History

### Skardoving Era

Vinterfold was founded by Skard Rolfsson, a part Vestrian part Svearian warrior from the lands of Svearia, nine years after the fall of the high kingdom. Skard had to kill his friend in ritual combat in order to become the Jarl of this new town. Through the years under Jarl Skard's leadership, Vinterfold developed quickly. During these years, a freeman from Vinterfold named Fenvik established the Chiefdom of Strondholm as a vassal to Vinterfold's Jarl. With great skill and dedication, Fenvik was able to rebuild and populate the ruins of Strondholm. 23 years since the fall of the high kingdom, when new conflict rose in the south, Nivoa hired the Vinterian warriors to fight on their side. This turned to be a bloodshed and was the last the northern warriors ever trusted a contract with the Southerners. This marked a turning point for Jarl Skard and his warband. That same year the Jarl married Queen Dagmar Jerrick Kodota securing an alliance between the two nations.

The years that followed the bloodshed in the South, Vinterfold became a regional hegemon in the lands of south Försvar and North Thelesia. Every summer the warriors of Vinterfold carried out raids on the southern towns and villages, but in the year 24 marked a great sacking. Under the command of Jarl Skard Rolfsson, the warriors Vinterfold attacked the grand city of Ilios. The city was pillaged and burned, leaving a permeant scarring that marked Vinterfold and Skard Rolfsson in the pages of history. Through great success against the grand city of Illios, Vinterfold grew great confidence and wealth. Soon turning its wrath elsewhere.

In the year 25, Vinterfold engaged in combat with Suiris and Grimsburg, with grand success across the board due to the leadership of Jarl Skard and Hersir Finnr. Vinterfold vassalized Miðfjall and conquered Grimsburg from the success of the campaign.

Ambition grew and the hunger for power begin to starve Jarl Skard, soon forming a split in the warband. With no one to trust and no where to go, Skard only did what he was born to do. In the year 27 Jarl Skard Rolfsson is killed by the Nivoans when he headed south to raid and fell into a trap. With his death, Vinterfold shattered. This led to Hersir Finnr Truelsson becoming Jarl of Vinterfold and Fenvik the elder becoming the Jarl of Strondholm.

In the time that followed the death of Skard, Vinterfold lost Grimsburg to a rebellion, and Strondholm broke its oath to Vinterfold and declared independence. Through the years that followed these events, Jarl Finnr Truelsson led Vinterfold and continued to hold it in a place of prosperity and power in the region. He kept peace with Strondholm and kept in touch with Fenvik up til his death and continued to do so with Fenvik's nephew, Torstad Venjarsson. In the year 49, Jarl Finnr is slain in ritual combat by the son of Skard, Sigurd Skardsson.

In the year 51, Jarl Sigurd Skardsson marched the armies of Vinterfold to Strondholm seeking to reclaim the traitorous town. Torstad Venjarsson is killed while leading the defense of Orstad Fields, The Vinterians forced them back to the walls of Strondholm only to suffer heavy casualties when assaulting the walls. This mistake pushed the Vinterians out from the outskirts of Stronholm and Orstad.

Ten years after this defeat, Jarl Sigurd pacified rebelling chiefs and regathered the Vinterian strength. Before Sigurd could have strike again, Strondholm took action and laid siege onto Vinterfold, hoping to force the hand of Sigurd for negotiations. The siege lasted for a year, Strondholm underestimating the spirit of Vinterfold. This siege is soon broken by the Vinterians and the Strondians were pushed out of Vinterian lands. Jarl Sigurd is killed in ensuing chaos of the pursuit after overextending his forces.

In the year 64, a wedding is held between Strondholm and Vinterfold in a potential union between the two towns, but this only led to utter bloodshed by those involved. Both clans being all but slaughtered.

The years that followed this, Vinterfold fell into a power struggle that led to the rise of Jarl Bjorn Colbornsson, the grandson of Finnr Truelsson.