Valaskar
Settled and conquered by whalers, Valaskar (Children of the Skar) serves as a buffer between the Sversan Inner Kingdom and the Wailing Steppe. It's people have a mixed reputation. To the south in the Nyztalene Empire their Skeinners, warriors named for their curved skinning blades, are respected and feared as and elite unit and hold the honor of royal bodyguards to Emperor Solon. To the north on the Skar Islands of the Leviathan Sea, the Valaskar are seen as soft pets that have forgotten the old ways of the sea.
Structure
Village Chiefs swear loyalty to the Jarl of Valagird sending taxes and reports of local events. These village Chiefs act as the Jarls representatives enacting the Jarls laws while at the same time seeing to the growth and development of their appointed villages.
Jarl
The Jarl of Valaskar holds sovereignty over the village Chiefs. The Jarl makes the laws of Valaskar, appoints and commands new village Chiefs, and in times of war sees to the defense of Valaskar. The Jarl names their successor (often the eldest child) but in the event a successor is not named, the village Chiefs gather at Valagird and decide among themselves who would be the new Jarl. The Jarl of Valaskar also carries a dual title, recognized by the Nyztalene Empire, of Sentinel of Norresh. This title recognizes the Jarl as a military ally of the Nyztalene Empire and affords additional rights beyond standard diplomatic envoys within Nyztal.Ryars
Ryars are accomplished individuals that have impressed the Jarl with their loyalty and skill. When a Ryar is appointed the Jarl does so with a command to accomplish nearly impossible tasks. To aid them in their endeavors, the Jarl bestows upon Ryars authority seconded only to the Jarl themselves. The title of Ryar lasts until the appointed task is complete or until the Jarl becomes dissatisfied with the Ryars progress. The past Ryars have served various functions ranging from architectural engineers and diplomats to regent Jarl and spiesChief
Chiefs maintain order over their appointed villages. Officially they maintain the village defenses, collect taxes to been sent to the Jarl, and with the counsel of a Runecarver mediates legal disputes. Unofficially they also aid in the construction of new buildings, they are the frontline diplomats to foreign dignitaries, and oversee the cultivation of the farms and ranches surrounding their villages.Rostars
Often a Chief is ill suited for some of their unofficial duties and must appoint a Rostar. These Rostars act on behalf of the Chief and fulfill the duties appointed to them. Varying widely between each village some Rostars make it a point to welcome new dignitaries while others command masons in the building of new dams and watermills.Assets
Hartheim is the bread basket of Valaskar. It provides barley, honey, and especially beef to not just Valagird but to all of Valaskar. The the northern forests supply the shipyard at Novor. Second only to Rollag, Novor builds many river boats and ladens them with lumber to travel down the Norresk. In Svarheim silver and tin from the nearby mountains is smelted into ingots and sold to the Sverse and the Nyztalene. Meanwhile companies of Skeinners are trained in Mysk. Some to go to the Nyztalene Empire to serve their three years while the rest make their way throughout the rest of Valaskar and serve village Chiefs.
History
Into the Mouth of Hell
In ages past, the Hellgate a gaping maw of whitewater barred the entrance into the Norre Mountains. Protected by the rapids and cliffs none were able to sail from the Leviathan sea into the Norresk River until the Skarrans appeared. Island whalers from Skar sailing on longboats designed by Hroth the Navigator pierced the tumultuous waters and made landfall. Scouting the area they stumbled across the town of Auxtrum nestled among the tall evergreens of the Vana Wood. Making their way back to their ship the Skarrans spoke excitedly of this new lands wealth of gold and most importantly lumber. When they returned the following year they laid waste to Auxtrum loading their ships with gold and lumber. Auxtrum would be the first of many raids by the Skarrans along the banks of the Norresk. Eventually, the Skarrans tired of taking the spoils of raids and began to take the very land. Settling near the mouth of the Norresk and on the ruins of Auxtrum, the Skarrans built the towns of Hellport and Novor. It was there at Novor that the Skarrans would finally come to meet their new neighbors, the Nyztalene.A Clash of Lions
It was the Emperor Atreus, Lion of the East, who sailed the Norresk River to do battle with these invaders from the sea. After his campaign against the Khagan, his Toxotai were battle hardened and ready to protect the borders of Nyztal. Five hundred ships left Norresh to Hellport where Atreus met the Skarran fleet led by Sturl. Striking several decisive blows against the Skarrans at first it seemed the Nyztalene would easily win but with skills honed on the Levithan sea the Skarrans managed to sink the Nyztal fleet. Rallying what remained of his troops Atreus called a challenge to Sturl to meet at Novor where this dispute could conclude. Atreus then marched his troops through the Vana Wood and began planning how he would meet Sturl. Sturl took what remained of his forces and began to draw battle plans as he sailed along a branch of the Norresk to Novor. Expecting Novor to be conquered by the time he was able to get to Novors port Sturl prayed that his ships were fast enough to meet the Nyztalene army before they began a siege. It was instead to his great surprise that he found Atreus waiting for him at a table set for a meal and messenger on the river bank telling Sturl that he was invited to the Emperors table to talk. Sensing a trap Sturl looked at the Nyztal army and seeing that only five Toxotai stood guard over the Emperor while the rest of his forces stood in ranks some hundred yards behind him Sturl ordered his Skeinners to disembark and hold the banks while he and five of his best Skeinners met the strange Emperor. Many things were said over the course of that meeting. Sturl spoke of the harsh Skar Islands barren of any forest, of having made ships of what drift wood floated to shore, and of the tenacity of its whalers who hunted the Leviathan whale on ships little better than rafts. Atreus spoke of the light of civilization, of duty to a cause, and most of all Atreus spoke of an enemy to the south far stronger than either of them. At the conclusion of this meeting it was decided that the Nyztalene would give the Norre mountains and the lands surrounding it to Sturl and the Skarrans would provide troops to serve in the Nyztalene army for three year tours in payment. By doing so they would become allies and provide support against each others enemies. They sealed this accord at Norresh. Sending messages to the Skar islands for more people to settle and make homes within their new land Sturl Named this new country Valaskar and set its capital at Norresh now named Valagird. Sturl did what he could to ease tension among the Jarls of Skar about his new title "Sentinel of Norresh" and many did call off their cries of treachery and vengeance but resentment still lingered. A resentment that carries to this day.A New Home
With more lands now opened before them the Valaskarrans moved further south and settled the towns of Hartheim on the edge of the Wailing Steppe and Mysk in the Notch. As farms were built around Hartheim, Bands of Skeinners were trained at Mysk to be sent to fight on behalf of Nyztal. Before long these recruits were given their chance to prove their worth. Za'arib were rallying at Kardu to attack the Nyztal. In the Kardu foothills Toxotai and Skeinner met Za'arib. On that day the Skeinners expertly wielded their skein blades and harpoon tipped spears while Toxotai rained death from the sky and forced the Za'arib back into their mountains. After the battle the Emperor Atreus impressed by the skill and discipline of the Skeinners made them his royal guard. Embolden by the success at Kardu, Sturl cast his gaze to the western slopes of the Norre mountains and to the Sversan Inner Kingdom. Having already fought skirmishes against the Sversans before the Norresh Treaty the Valaskarrans called on their new ally as they made their way further into Sversan territory. It wasn't until after conquering the vale of Svarheim that the Nyztalene could go no further and cautioned the Valaskarrans against over extending themselves. Paying no heed to these warnings the Valaskarrans push on only to meet the Auram charioteers. Despite fighting valiantly the battle was fought to a draw and the Valaskarrans agreed to a peace deal with the Sversans. For a while much of Valaskar knew peace. their brethren across the Leviathan Sea traded whale oil and bone for Valaskarran lumber while Sversans traded wool and bronze for Skarran bone combs. Their new settlements of Svarheim, Hartheim, and Mysk grew prosperous while Novor and Hellport became major trade hubs. undoubtedly it was this wealth that attracted the Bulga. A tribe of the Khagan Nomads, the Bulga began to raid Hartheim and smaller settlements on the edge of the Wailing Steppe. sitting on the furthest edge of Valaskar and with much of its forces fighting against the Amanni Za'arib, Valaskar can do little but fight defensively as it tries to maintain the integrity of its border.A note for Players and GMs.
Playing a Valaskarran.
Aerra is based on a homebrew setting using D&D 3.5 edition rules. Humans born and raised within Valaskar follow these rules in place of the standard rules for Humans. Shipwrights, Foresters, and Carpenters: Since the establishment of Valaskar its people have logged and milled Valaskars forests. Whether for ships, homes, or other crafts any local of Valaskar is more than familiar with woodcraft and earns a +2 to any woodworking skill check. Hale and Hearty: Combining an industrious lifestyle along with ample food sources has been a boon to the Valaskarrans. This lifestyle gives Valaskarrans a +2 to their Strength and Constitution abilities at character creation. Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Skeinn: Valaskarrans remember their history. Keeping close ties to the Skar Islands, Valaskarrans teach their children how to wield the Skeinn blade.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Formation Type
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Experienced
Demonym
Valaskarran
Leader
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Barter system
Location
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
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