Vaenirheim (Vahn-Eer-H-eye-m)
Vanirheim is based largely on old norse culture, but it is almost entirely landlocked, this is a culture of forest and mountain folk. Largely human but also Dwarf, Goliath, Stout halflings, Fir bolg and others. Many druids dwell among the dense evergeen forests and among the mountains. Here, somewhere, dwells the portal to Ysgard. The Western border follows the River Norn down to the lake Volsunga, where there are a pair of cities at the mouth of the lake. The Vaenirheim city is Munin, the Kullervo Kulainn side is Hugin. Munin is home to a great university of the arts, huge open air auditoriums and massive temples to Iun, the Raven Queen and Sarenrae. The nation is divided into holds, each with a Thane at the head. The High King Snorri is a Human the High Queen Skadi the Huntress is a Goliath.
Dwellers of the Faewild often come up through the northern reaches of the Autumnal Expanse, including the Saint who is said to dwell among the forests here; Seidr the Vale. She is a hero to those who believe strongly in the preservation of the natural world and the balance of wilderness and civilization. To those who value more what they can take from the land, she is a monster who lays waste to whole settlements with the wave of a hand.
Vaenirheim is not densely populated, but is home to a few large cities. It's capital city of Hrunting is nestled into foothills of the Terasalan Talas mountains, and boasts two walls to its defnse; the Ring Wall and the Bone Wall. The Ring wall is made of large stones piled high around a wooden structure, and the Bone Wall is made from the bones of Giants, said to have been the founders of the city, the oldest buildings of which are certainly larger than life.
The chief values of Vaenirheim are those of combat prowess, family/community, knowledge and creativity, with bards and poets having particular importance and skill with word play being a lauded skill.
Vaenirheim bury their dead in barrows, often the largest barrows are for whole lineages or entire communities and can go quite deep into the earth; skyrim style.
Structure
Vanirheim is ruled by a Monarchical heirarchy of Thanes, who are elected into position and the High King/Queen can either be challenged by a Thane who has enough votes of other Thanes to usurp the position or elected when the current elected Monarch is dead. This is also true at the Thane level. Thanes rule over Holdfasts, and remote villages not quite part of Holdfasts will often elect an Arl, which is a local leader who has no power beyond their represented territory.
In the case of a challenge, the incumbent gets to decide what form the challenge will take, be it a duel, a test of knowledge, a poetic battle or even a drinking contest.
Thanes will live in the Longhouses of their home, and the High King and Queen live in the GreatHouse of Hrunting.
Culture
Vaenirheim has a strong emphasis in its culture for knowledge, martial prowess and skill of craft. Basically if you do something well they tend to like you. This is not always so, and people who are too different often find themselves on the outskirts of society, particularly those who practice arcane arts too far removed from the High magic of the gods
Public Agenda
High King Snorri is looking to stabalize his nation in peace, rather than expanding through war.
History
Vaenirheim was founded by Ymir Titansdottir
Demography and Population
The largest portions of the population are Goliath, Human and Dwarf, respectively. Other populations include the Stout Halflings native to Tauber, the Aarokokra of the mountains, and Elves and half Elves. There is also a not-insigificant population of Earth and Air Genasi, Orcs, Fir Bolg Goblins and other Faewild diaspora.
Technological Level
In the cities technology tends to be well developed, much less so in the more secluded areas.
Infrastructure
The infrastructure of the two most notable cities is as follows:
Munin:
Watermills generate energy for much of the city - they are largely contained within the sewer system but both Hugin and Munin are largely powered by The Great Mill at the mouth of Lake Volsunga. The Twin Cities have electric lights and steam heated streets and buildings, even some steampunk aspects to their construction like large buildings having elevators and electric street cars and such.
Hrunting is heated by means of underground hot springs, the hot water of which is pumped up into the hollow walls of the older, larger stone buildings. For newer parts of the city there are communal bonfires to keep people warm, perpetually burning peat.
Founding Date
Heroes: 2921
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Parent Organization
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
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