Valtheim Hold
The forest covered the ridges and mountains around the valley, but the lowlands were all bare, having been harvested long ago by the Northmen for their building and farming. Most of the fields were empty, dotted by the cut off stalks of the recent harvest; however, there were a few fields bearing gourds, pumpkins, and squash, waiting to be harvested. On the slopes of the ridge below them were vineyards, their ancient vines twisting around trellises, bunches of grapes ready to be plucked, pressed, and fermented into wine.
All in all, it looked suspiciously like there had been no rebellion, and certainly like there was no siege or battle in progress. No pennants flew over the great hall, no banners decorated the stone wall that surrounded the city, when there had once been the Valtheim sigil adorning each broad, low, square tower that buttressed the walls.
It didn't feel right.
Thunderbolt, Chapter 7History
As with all of the holds in the Northlands, Valtheim is named after its capital city. It is the largest of all the provinces, with the highest population as well, owed to the fact that its climate is the least harsh in the kingdom. It is said that every road in the Northlands leads back to Valtheim, and it is very likely true; there are few places remote enough that one cannot return to the capital within a fortnight, less if one is on horseback.
It was during the rule of Torbjorn, the Bear of the North, that all of the holds of the Northlands were prophesied to be united under a single banner. While Torbjorn was selected as the rightful King of the Northlands, several of the other lords objected to his rule. Many years of war followed, and though Torbjorn was slain in battle before the final holds were conquered, his son Hjalmar finished what he started, and finally overthrew Tiefuhr, the last rebelling province, bringing the first Northern Civil War to an end.
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