Post by warwick on May 13, 2023 21:34:20 GMT
Dev-blog 6 - The Nords of Fort Hallvatlar
"And in Tahlberl I first came across a Nord knight, or thegne in their language, who went by the name of Sigegar - who had settled there on the baron's behalf alongside a beaten and bloodied band of refugees, whom he claimed leadership over. I soon found myself growing close to this man, who, despite the great pains which he had endured, was still able to match me drink for drink in a famed Nordic beer-drinking competition. Sigegar thereupon proclaimed me his sole living drinking partner, or félagi... his three prior ones had perished either in battle or of various illnesses... failure of the liver chief amongst them..."
Hello everyone! This week’s faction spot-light is on Fort Hallvatlar. Hallvatlar is a small fortified settlement nestled between dense forests located in the northernmost part of the Elain Valley. Established by remnants of the old Thanedom of Aleden, Hallvatlar is built entirely from the wood of the surrounding forest, and its people’s knack for woodwork has enabled them to trade and survive in Elain, though they remain wary of their status as outsiders.
Cruelty and hatred exist beyond Elain Valley, as the plight of the Nords of Hallvatlar reminds one – once they lived amidst their own kind further north, under the father of the man who now bears the title of Thane among them. Rumored to have been driven away during a multi-generational feud with their Jarl, the people of Hallvatlar formerly settled nearby under a neighbouring baron before finding themselves driven away and coming to Elain Valley to seek their future. The fort itself is a freshly founded structure Although it was only erected a year and a half before current events, the settlement itself is a vibrant and thriving mainstay of the timber trade throughout the region.
History
As previously mentioned, inhabitants of Hallvatlar descend from the north, more precisely from the western shores of the Nordic kingdom, the community of Aldelen. A community which, since the beginning of the XIIIth century, had experienced rapid economic and cultural development, thanks to the open-minded policies of Thanes and the influence of the Maker's church. From the late Xth century onwards, these lands were governed by the ancestors of the shaping house Aldelen, who paid their homage to the Jarl of Hrus and were subject to his jurisdiction. The situation between the vassal and overlord was stable until the mid-XIIIth century, when Aldelen rose in open revolt against the rule of Hrus, leading to the doom of the town and most of the household.
Faced with the threat of a siege and a certain sack of the town, some inhabitants decided to flee, heading south. At first, the clueless mass of terrified refugees acted and moved without any cohesion, causing even more havoc around Aldelen. At last, Sigegar, the youngest son of Asmund, has taken over the guidance and leadership of the crowd, as he and his small retinue also intended to abandon Aldelen to its fate. On his initiative, much of the family's riches and relics were escorted out of the city, along with the refugees. It is known that Aldelen fell after a brief siege, was indeed sacked and the surviving inhabitants were sold into slavery. The refugees led by Sigegar had to live off petty theft and poaching on the tracts, also often evading bands of deserters, robber knights, and marauders on their way. The journey itself lasted numerous years and claimed many lives, whether from hunger, disease, or extreme poverty. Most of the family's gold and relics were sold off to various merchants in exchange for food or basic tools. One of the more peaceful episodes of this exodus was an attempt to settle around Tahlberl, which, however, failed.
Eventually, they met the merchant Gasterbitz, who, taking an interest both in the industriousness to survive of the Nords, and their peaceful and downtrodden background, funded their resettlement in the Elain Valley. Ever since then, they have lived relatively quietly and peacefully, peddling in their timber and selling off their flax to Gasterbitz and any other merchant who deigns to travel along the old roads of Tilbaut...
Faction Relics & Economy
• The Book - dated to the first half of the eleventh century, most likely created by a scholar named Zosimus. As for the author, nor the full title, however, there is no certainty, as the first few pages were permanently damaged, as a result of neglect and the hardships of the journey. The book itself, in an unknown way, found its way monastery near Praven, where local monks took care of its restoration and translation. In the spring of 1072, it was captured during a Nordic raid led by Hallad, son of Hreidar and great-great-grandson of Asgeirr the Eagle. For several decades the book was on display in Aldelen's great hall, only for its rich ornaments and opulent appearance. This changed during Thorgaut's reign when Vlandian merchants and scholars began arriving in Aldelen. The scholars who were engaged in recovering lost knowledge from the book were only able to determine a portion of the title which read “... pr..v...iarum ..b...s procuratio”. After years of work, a full translation was given to Boemund, the first Makerist ruler of Aldelen, the son of Thorgaut's brother. The book speaks of the art of effective government and principles of lawmaking, although due to the vast differences between the Imperial system in which the book was written and the Nordic realities, much of the knowledge contained in it cannot be effectively reflected in reality. In 1250, during the Sack of Aldelen, the original version of the book was rescued at Sigegar's behest, along with the rest of the family relics, and is now housed in Hallvatlar. Unfortunately, the translation was lost during the assault on Aldelen and the knowledge contained in the book is restricted to only a handful of people who understand High Calradic language.
• Hryggbrjótur - an axe forged around the tenth century, from the forge of the eastern Calradian empire. Legend has it that this axe belonged to a Calradian nobleman who defied his lord, the doux of today's Reindi. Asgeirr, an ancestor of the present-day Thane of Hallvatlar, was said to have acquired it in battle while serving as a sergeant of a mercenary company in the service of the doux. The axe itself is of considerable size, forcing the user to wield it in two hands, and the shaft is richly ornamented with silver lining and inscriptions in Norse. The weapon was brought back with Asgeirr to Aldelen and was used to kill his brother Holmgeir in a duel. The axe was subsequently wielded by Asgeirr's descendants, including Varin son of Ubbe, and Hallad, known as the Wise. After the Makerisation of Aldelen, to move away from the old customs, Boemund established the role of custodian, whose job it was to protect the Thane and the legacy of house of Aldelen. This tradition continues to this day.
Hallvatlar’s local economy is presently dependent on their proximity to Elain’s densest forest, which has allowed the settlement to spring up rapidly within a matter of months. This easy access to timber, combined with their control of the sawmill, will allow them to expand and develop their settlement more quickly than their neighbours. Their dependence on timber is also reflected in their productive capacity - Hallvatlar hosts within its walls a carpentry and a fletchery both able to utilise the forest to their advantage. The main economic choice Hallvatlar faces is whether to continue their policy of exploiting Elain’s forests, or instead to diversify into other methods of production. In such an endeavour, they may be helped or hindered by their close neighbours; the miners of Blackstone.
"And in Tahlberl I first came across a Nord knight, or thegne in their language, who went by the name of Sigegar - who had settled there on the baron's behalf alongside a beaten and bloodied band of refugees, whom he claimed leadership over. I soon found myself growing close to this man, who, despite the great pains which he had endured, was still able to match me drink for drink in a famed Nordic beer-drinking competition. Sigegar thereupon proclaimed me his sole living drinking partner, or félagi... his three prior ones had perished either in battle or of various illnesses... failure of the liver chief amongst them..."
Hello everyone! This week’s faction spot-light is on Fort Hallvatlar. Hallvatlar is a small fortified settlement nestled between dense forests located in the northernmost part of the Elain Valley. Established by remnants of the old Thanedom of Aleden, Hallvatlar is built entirely from the wood of the surrounding forest, and its people’s knack for woodwork has enabled them to trade and survive in Elain, though they remain wary of their status as outsiders.
Cruelty and hatred exist beyond Elain Valley, as the plight of the Nords of Hallvatlar reminds one – once they lived amidst their own kind further north, under the father of the man who now bears the title of Thane among them. Rumored to have been driven away during a multi-generational feud with their Jarl, the people of Hallvatlar formerly settled nearby under a neighbouring baron before finding themselves driven away and coming to Elain Valley to seek their future. The fort itself is a freshly founded structure Although it was only erected a year and a half before current events, the settlement itself is a vibrant and thriving mainstay of the timber trade throughout the region.
History
As previously mentioned, inhabitants of Hallvatlar descend from the north, more precisely from the western shores of the Nordic kingdom, the community of Aldelen. A community which, since the beginning of the XIIIth century, had experienced rapid economic and cultural development, thanks to the open-minded policies of Thanes and the influence of the Maker's church. From the late Xth century onwards, these lands were governed by the ancestors of the shaping house Aldelen, who paid their homage to the Jarl of Hrus and were subject to his jurisdiction. The situation between the vassal and overlord was stable until the mid-XIIIth century, when Aldelen rose in open revolt against the rule of Hrus, leading to the doom of the town and most of the household.
Faced with the threat of a siege and a certain sack of the town, some inhabitants decided to flee, heading south. At first, the clueless mass of terrified refugees acted and moved without any cohesion, causing even more havoc around Aldelen. At last, Sigegar, the youngest son of Asmund, has taken over the guidance and leadership of the crowd, as he and his small retinue also intended to abandon Aldelen to its fate. On his initiative, much of the family's riches and relics were escorted out of the city, along with the refugees. It is known that Aldelen fell after a brief siege, was indeed sacked and the surviving inhabitants were sold into slavery. The refugees led by Sigegar had to live off petty theft and poaching on the tracts, also often evading bands of deserters, robber knights, and marauders on their way. The journey itself lasted numerous years and claimed many lives, whether from hunger, disease, or extreme poverty. Most of the family's gold and relics were sold off to various merchants in exchange for food or basic tools. One of the more peaceful episodes of this exodus was an attempt to settle around Tahlberl, which, however, failed.
Eventually, they met the merchant Gasterbitz, who, taking an interest both in the industriousness to survive of the Nords, and their peaceful and downtrodden background, funded their resettlement in the Elain Valley. Ever since then, they have lived relatively quietly and peacefully, peddling in their timber and selling off their flax to Gasterbitz and any other merchant who deigns to travel along the old roads of Tilbaut...
Faction Relics & Economy
• The Book - dated to the first half of the eleventh century, most likely created by a scholar named Zosimus. As for the author, nor the full title, however, there is no certainty, as the first few pages were permanently damaged, as a result of neglect and the hardships of the journey. The book itself, in an unknown way, found its way monastery near Praven, where local monks took care of its restoration and translation. In the spring of 1072, it was captured during a Nordic raid led by Hallad, son of Hreidar and great-great-grandson of Asgeirr the Eagle. For several decades the book was on display in Aldelen's great hall, only for its rich ornaments and opulent appearance. This changed during Thorgaut's reign when Vlandian merchants and scholars began arriving in Aldelen. The scholars who were engaged in recovering lost knowledge from the book were only able to determine a portion of the title which read “... pr..v...iarum ..b...s procuratio”. After years of work, a full translation was given to Boemund, the first Makerist ruler of Aldelen, the son of Thorgaut's brother. The book speaks of the art of effective government and principles of lawmaking, although due to the vast differences between the Imperial system in which the book was written and the Nordic realities, much of the knowledge contained in it cannot be effectively reflected in reality. In 1250, during the Sack of Aldelen, the original version of the book was rescued at Sigegar's behest, along with the rest of the family relics, and is now housed in Hallvatlar. Unfortunately, the translation was lost during the assault on Aldelen and the knowledge contained in the book is restricted to only a handful of people who understand High Calradic language.
• Hryggbrjótur - an axe forged around the tenth century, from the forge of the eastern Calradian empire. Legend has it that this axe belonged to a Calradian nobleman who defied his lord, the doux of today's Reindi. Asgeirr, an ancestor of the present-day Thane of Hallvatlar, was said to have acquired it in battle while serving as a sergeant of a mercenary company in the service of the doux. The axe itself is of considerable size, forcing the user to wield it in two hands, and the shaft is richly ornamented with silver lining and inscriptions in Norse. The weapon was brought back with Asgeirr to Aldelen and was used to kill his brother Holmgeir in a duel. The axe was subsequently wielded by Asgeirr's descendants, including Varin son of Ubbe, and Hallad, known as the Wise. After the Makerisation of Aldelen, to move away from the old customs, Boemund established the role of custodian, whose job it was to protect the Thane and the legacy of house of Aldelen. This tradition continues to this day.
Hallvatlar’s local economy is presently dependent on their proximity to Elain’s densest forest, which has allowed the settlement to spring up rapidly within a matter of months. This easy access to timber, combined with their control of the sawmill, will allow them to expand and develop their settlement more quickly than their neighbours. Their dependence on timber is also reflected in their productive capacity - Hallvatlar hosts within its walls a carpentry and a fletchery both able to utilise the forest to their advantage. The main economic choice Hallvatlar faces is whether to continue their policy of exploiting Elain’s forests, or instead to diversify into other methods of production. In such an endeavour, they may be helped or hindered by their close neighbours; the miners of Blackstone.
