Norsemen

Long recognized as the Icelandic barbarians of ages long past, Norsemen were famous in the first and early second Eons for their raids on towns and cities. They'd regularly steal, plunder and burn towns but rarely take captives. Norsemen are also famous for their attachment to nature and alcohol. While most cultures use alcohol in lieu of water during plagues shortages or other major events, Norsemen drink on an almost hourly basis making them not only the biggest consumers but the biggest producers of alcohol. It is believed that their closeness to nature allowed them to harness and access alcohol more easily.
Their close bonds to nature may be a result of the influence of their druids. Druids are unheard of in other races and species leaving them to be a unique influence on Norse life.
When comparing Humans to other Humans, all comparisons are to assumed to be against Emporians unless otherwise stated. Information provided by the Emporian Ministry of Historical Records.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Hallgrim, Hedinfrid, Ljufu, Thorgærd, Valborg, Vigdis, Thoroddottir, Thora, Siv, Gyrd, Jofrid

Masculine names

Hosvir, Thoraldr, Hjorvarth, Hallkel, Ketilbjorn, Styrmir, Lambi, Raudebjorn, Hrein, Skidi

Family names

Hjalkarsson, Hareksson, Bjalkisson, Jarlabankisson, Glumsson, Gunnleifsson, Bjorgulfsson, Sigericsson, Bersisson, Guthormsson, Balkidottir, Olædottir, Bjorgulfdottir, Selkollrdottir, Sorlidottir, Koldottir, Valthjofdottir, Gaukdottir, Svalfidottir

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Norse language survived five eons of kingdoms, empires and dominions. It is the oldest and longest lasting language among the Human, Demi-Human and even the Elves. In the first Eon, there were three main dialects of spoken norse while the written is believed to have never varied. After the first Emporian Dominion, the norse dialects merged into one through associated internal power struggles and skirmishes among clans.

Shared customary codes and values

Norsemen for the longest while retained their status as a collection of clans. Most of the clans were family name oriented. Groups of families lived together and usually the largest or the most dominant family was the chief family. Chief families served the role as rulers, commanders and planners. Chieftains rarely took to plows or fishing unless done so as a relaxation ordeal.

Common Dress code

Norsemen show the largest change in dress code out of everyone. While much of the fancier clothing they had or still have was mostly stolen, they used it in their weddings, funerals and other social gatherings. Normal every day tasks would be ragged or worn cloths that they wouldn't mind dirtying.

Art & Architecture

Norse architecture features a heavy usage of wood and thatch. Steep roofs minimize snow accumulation which was a huge issue for most if not all of the Norse clans. While Dragons have long been disregarded as myth, Norse architecture has a huge fascination with dragons. Roofing will feature dragon heads coming out from either side and other pieces like lamp posts or banners will have dragons, usually snake or gecko like in design, which hold the lanterns at night or the banner during conflict.
Norse art often depicts battle harden warriors holding their weapons high in victory while the bodies of their fallen foes lay beneath their boots. Artistry was not a very popular thing among the norse culture due to it being deemed a "needless" endeavor. However, retired females, usually ones who've miraculously reached their fifties and beyond, would take up artistry as a hobby to occupy their time while their husbands would continue the fight or do something a little more involved.
Additionally, these women would paint other pictures as well. While most were of victory and glory on the battlefield, others would be depictions of grave sites, large murals and mourning the lost or even just strangely relaxing forest views.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Norse children were baptized in ice water due to the lack of oil in the frozen north. The ice water bath is believed to harden their body and soul as preparation for their life as a member of Nordic society. If nothing else, it's a memory that is never forgotten by the child which serves as a punishment equivalent when associated with Helheim.

Coming of Age Rites

Norsemen sustain a

Funerary and Memorial customs

Norsemen on the ocean fronts often sent their dead out to sea via a small one-man sail boat which would be bombarded with fire arrows, burning both the corpse and the boat, though rarely in their entirety.
Inland, where large bodies of water were extremely rare, Norsemen turned to underground cemeteries. When a person dies, their body is adorned in their armor and large nails are driven into the feet. It is believed that these nails prevent the arise of draugr.

Common Taboos

Norse culture is the only known culture to actively discourage polygamy. While Emporians, and Aldail (High Elf) just passively pretend such a subject doesn't exist by keeping their children ignorant of the thought process. Norse Culture recognizes polygamy as a betrayal against the bondage of marriage even if the person married all of their polygamy partners. It is also seen as treason to the clan which often then expels the person from their home and familial ties.

Common Myths and Legends

Dragons may never have made contact with the world, it never stopped the Norsemen from believing that they would eventually visit. It is believed that when the dragons appear, death will come to all who inhabit the planet. This event is suspected to come around the Sixth Eon but Historians have all agreed that the sixth Eon will never come about

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Men: Tattoos, battle scars, large and thick beards, unfurled or braided beards
Women: Braids or dreadlocks in their hair, unshaven body hair, battle scars

Gender Ideals

When it came to gender, Norsemen kept it simple, male and female and they often shared the same collection of roles until a child was involved. Once a child was present, the mother would hang up her weapons for about eight to ten years when she'd switch places with the father who'd then raise the child from there to adulthood.
Cross dressing for men was a rare occurrence within Norse settlements due to the seldom presence of actual female clothing. Most clothing, even by fifth Eon standards is still very masculine. Though by most standards, women in men's clothing is considered a form of cross dressing, the Norsemen are exempt from that due to their development or lack there of the female mindset.

Relationship Ideals

Unlike Gnolls and other Humans, Norsemen preserved a very beautiful and elegant way of life. Outside of their violent and thieving practices, they observed a very personal connection with their gods, nature and even local wildlife.
With that in mind, they treat relationships on a more opinionated level than any other group of people. One of the main things that ties a family together is not the name or legal contract but rather the mental and emotional bond. Almost nothing in their culture is written down but everything is spoken thus presenting a strong lack of legal bindings for marriage. This makes the mental and emotional bond, perhaps with a little familial influence, a much more predominant factor.

Warriors of the cold. They've got more guts in one arm than one legion. All they need is a little organization and some direction. ~Conquerer Reman Fidelis, 1E1879

Encompassed species

• Human

Related Organizations

• Emporian Ministry of Historical Records

Related Locations

• Randstad, Ashua
• Uskor