North Sea Empire

The North Sea Empire (Norðri seempirer in Norse), is an empire situated in the North Sea in Norway, Denmark, and Iceland.

## Geographical

### Official\_language(s)

Norse

The North Sea Empire was once torn in half by civil war between the Christian south and the pagan north. The North Sea Empire was later reunited under the rule of King Mark-Halvar Ivarsson and full conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy as a result.

## History

### Pre-Civil War

The North Sea Empire was once a confederation of the different states under the former king, King Ragnar Asgersson, who himself was a proclaimed Christian, but also worshipped the pagan gods as well to appease the Christians and pagans. But he was considered weak and upon his death, a seer told him that his empire would fall apart, but then reunite under "the man with a blood soaked axe". A few days after hearing the prophesy, King Ragnar died at the age of 72.

### Civil War

Soon, the Christian started to blame the pagans for the death of Ragnar, as the pagans at the same time, blamed the Christians for his death. Riots broke out in the streets and soon, the North, led by Bard Haraldsson and his brother, Floki Haraldsson. While the south rose with Harold Sigurdsson as their king. The Norse Civil War officially began in October 31, 1666, when pagan armies attacked and invaded the south, slaughtering Christians and burning down a monastery with everyone inside. Soon, the pagan north saw a coup and Bard was murdered by his brother Floki for bring "weak minded".

### Crusades and Reunification

The pagan north was starting to lose steam as Floki was a leader of "no surrender", which led him to seek constant attacks the Christians during agreed ceasefires. Eventually, one ceasefire killed the king of the south and gave rise to Mark-Halvar, who declared a crusade immediately against Floki. Floki faced an embarrassing defeat at many of the battles since his troops were use to fighting the Christians defensively and his bloated ego led to many being killed when Mark-Halvar ordered tactical retreats. During the 2nd Northern Crusade, the pagan army and most pagans were expelled to Iceland, where conditions there were harsh. Floki became less of a king, but more of a dictator. Ordering children to become part of the army out of fear that eventually, Mark-Halvar will come for him, the day did come in the 3rd Northern Crusade, where Floki was captured, beheaded, and his body thrown into a volcano. Iceland eventually was conquered and depaganized in May 8th. 1699 under King Mark-Halvar Ivarsson.

### Unification with the Geats

King Mark-Halvar's fame spread into Sweden and the Geats sought to make a good ally or even a union with the North Sea Empire to protect them from the Swedes. Jarl Gizur invited King Mark-Halvar to his Hall. King Mark-Halvar agreed and visited Hrefnesholt, where Mark-Halvar fell in love with Princess Alva. Describing her beauty as such:

> *"Her eyes shown like the Baltic Sea at midnight and her hair waved in the wind like the waves of the North Sea. Her giggle was but a gift from God and her body molded by Archangel Gabriel himself."*
>
>

after the two were married, the nation gathered around the Lake Vänern and were baptized into the Orthodox faith, destroying of idols was commenced and the expulsion of pagan priests who refused to convert was done. A small uprising started, but it was quickly disbanded and destroyed by the North Sea Army.