Nornall

Life and Society:

Nornall is a kingdom rich in history and culture but conflicted. The people of the smaller villages and towns spread throughout the islands and mountains live much the same life they have for generations. Fishing, crafting, and raiding as many do in Jotunar. Their lives have been improved significantly of late by the increased production of magical tools and weapons coming out of Brekt, for those willing to embrace these new boons. The heart of the kingdom though is Brekt, a city growing and becoming increasingly multicultural as foreigners come to trade and settle there. The opening of The College of the Six Paths was a controversial decision, upsetting the long tradition of how galdramadur magic has been taught for generations. The Warbreaker clan, those responsible for the great betrayal, are still present in Brekt but have fallen from grace since the first Allthing. They seek to regain the prestige and glory their clan once held when they ruled the city. The other two cities Gauntletthrynne, and Iron Hold are much closer to each other than they are to Brekt. These two cities share a lot in common both geographically and culturally, and while they skirmish from time to time when new ore veins are found, especially Adamantine and Mithral, they always support each other in times of struggle.
The trading in Brekt and along the Steelhead River, as well as the rich veins of ore found in the Orevein mountains, makes Nornall the richest of the five kingdoms. Because of this Queen Aeslaug Trollbreaker relies heavily on mercenary clans to protect and expand Nornall. The loss of Swordbreaker Island to Bresklin several years ago was a blow to the kingdom’s ego but they have been hesitant to retaliate, still aware of how the other kingdoms view them from the first Allthing. The steady export of ore from the Orevein mountains has also created a long-running and strong smithing tradition in Nornall. The finest weapon and armor smiths, as well as metal workers, can be found in Brekt and some of the weapons are even exported through Brekt to the continent and beyond. The combination of wizards and craftsmen has led to a new tradition of artificery and magic weapon production on a large scale in Brekt, making the warriors of Nornall some of the most potent and dangerously armed. These weapons are put to hard use since Nornall has lost control of both the Bay of Wymrs and Seal Bay to its neighboring kingdoms. Its northern border is relatively secure, with the Glitterpeaks, the Wailing Peaks, and the Great Pine Forest all making natural barriers to invasion. Iron hold also discourages invasion with its dominating view of the Valley of the Lost.

Major Geographical Features:

Orevein Mountains: 

The Orevein mountains are one of the only significant sources of iron, adamantine, and mithral to be found in all of Jotunar. For generations, the dwarves of Gauntletthrynne and the surrounding villages have mined the mountains delving deeper and deeper chasing ore. When the humans built IronHold both to protect the Valley of the Lost and to give them a foothold in the mountains, there was a short but brutal war. By the end of it the humans had taken control of the northern third of the mountain range, with the dwarves holding the rest of it. This tenuous peace was solidified with the Treaty of Seven Peaks which gave the rulers of IronHold control of the northern third of the mountains in perpetuity, or for as long as they could hold it. The mountains are also home to several fire giant strongholds that war fiercely with the dwarves of humans who make the mountains their homes. It is also said that an ancient and powerful red dragon makes its home in the heart of the mountains, though few who go seeking it come back with anything but disappointment if they come back at all.

Surah and Norah Rivers: 

The twin rivers that flow from the Orevein mountains are well traveled by both dwarven and halfling merchants bringing goods to and from the dwarven villages and cities in and around the mountain range. Trading and fishing villages also dot the banks of the river, where it isn’t running through fjords.

Steelhead River: 

The Steelhead River is the lifeblood of Brekt. It is a wide and slow-flowing river compared to many of the other rivers of Jotunar. This ease of navigation is what originally drew people to Brekt, after Odin founded the city, if the rumors are to be believed. The river’s shallow points are believed to have been the inspiration for the development of the Drakkar. The river is named for Steelhead Pike, a magical species of fish created by Loki. These fish live in the river eating anything and everything they can get their jaws on, up to and including people. These fish can grow up to 15 ft. long in the deepest parts of the river. They got their name from their ability to eat metal ore from the mountains. This ore then solidifies, through a magical process on the tops of their heads giving them not only a devastating bite but a terrifying head-butt. The largest of these fish have been known to sink ships by ramming them. Many of the villages along the river hunt these fish and bringing in particularly large specimens can be a great show of courage and skill.

Valley of the Lost:

The valley between the Orevein Mountains and the Wailing Peaks has a sinister reputation. This densely forested valley has been the doom of many an adventurer, raiding party, lumber camp, and small village. It seems no large group of people can live in or travel through the valley for long without meeting a terrible end. Some believe one of Niddhog's terrible children lives in the forest. Others believe a clan of wild elves make their homes deep in the forest and kill all who cross into their territory. Still, others say that a curse has been put on the valley by the Vanir as revenge for their war with the Aesir. Whatever the reason, there are dark secrets and great treasures to be found in the valley for those brave and foolhardy enough to seek them out.

Important Sites:

Brekt: 

The largest, richest, and most diverse city in Jotunar, Brekt is a melting pot of people not only from all over the island but the continent as well. It is said that Brekt was settled by Odin and his wife Frigg who found the hill overlooking the Steel Head river so lovely they settled there for a full season simply enjoying the valley and each other. Brekt and its citizens have a complicated relationship with the rest of Jotunar. On the one hand, it is the most prosperous and modern city in all of Jotunar, talked about well not only on the island but on the main land as well. Its architecture is unique among the cities of Jotunar as it has influences from Ralendall, Bhrtaine Mor, and beyond. On the other hand, it is the location of the greatest betrayal made by mortals in the history of Jotunar and still bears the scars both literal and societal from the great tragedy. There are still clans of elves and dwarves who will not enter or even trade with the city, the wounds still fresh to those whose lives are measured in centuries not decades. Despite this hostile and tumultuous relationship with much of the rest of Jotunar, Brekt continues to thrive and grow.
The city is ruled by Queen Aslaug Trollbreaker, but she is heavily beholden to the Council of Seven. The council consists of the six leaders of the warrior clans that live in and around Brekt, and its newest addition Coblyn Dewines the founder and headmistress of the College of the Seven Paths. Her addition to the Council in recent years was met with much controversy, rumors swirled about her relationship with Queen Aslaug and despite a rather ruthless counter-campaign they persist. The queen's control is perilous at best, and she spends much of her time placating the whims of the council. The six clans that are on the council are The Raven Clan, The Shieldshaker Clan, The Wavespirit Clan, The Cavebear Clan, and The Bowsprit Clan. The Warbreakers have been removed from their place on the council, a slight that has not been overlooked by its current leader.

 

Gauntletthrynne:

The second largest and best fortified Mountain dwarf city, Gauntletthrynne is truly a wonder to behold. Located in and on Jernfjell mountain, the city of steel belches black smoke and sparks night and day. The forges of its weapon smiths, smelters, and metal workers rarely if ever fall truly silent. From a distance, it looks as though the mountain is a volcano and on feast days it has been known to belch fire. Rumors have it that the forges are heated by an imprisoned Wyrm in the heart of the mountain, but no outsider has ever confirmed this. The craftspeople of the city are fed and maintained by a large network of smaller villages both above and below ground. The King of Gauntletthrynne trades favorably with the queen of Brekt and while nominally he is a vassal of Queen Aslaug, she is unwilling to push the issue and Gauntletthrynne operates with relative autonomy. Their first allegiance is to Grimplegrin with whom they have an alliance sealed by marriage. The city itself is a true wonder with almost every building sporting adornments of iron, steel, and adamantine. These features, along with the constant heat of the forges make the city a stifling place for outsiders unused to the constant heat.

Ironhold: 

While not as artistic or expansive as Gauntletthrynne, Ironhold is nonetheless a city of great craftspeople. Many of the weapons that make Nornall rich and dangerous are made within its walls and it’s much more stable relationship with Brekt makes it an important city for the safety and stability of the kingdom. The city sits right on the edge of the mountains overlooking the Valley of the Lost. Its forges are fed by a large number of mining villages throughout the claimed mountains in the north of the range. The city’s defenses are impressive with high stout walls and towers, as well as several fortified towers on the surrounding mountains giving a commanding view for miles around. Due to its location betwixt hill and mountain, it is also used often as neutral ground for meetings between the hill and mountain dwarf clans that call Nornall their home.

Kysttarnet: 

This small village is little more than a fortress and its auxiliary buildings. Its job is to watch over the mouths of both the Norah and the Surah rivers. It is best known for its fortified and well-sheltered harbor that boasts an impressive number of Drakkar standing at the ready to strike out into Seal Bay at the first sign of trouble.

Sorpunkt: 

This fortress is quickly expanding as more and more trade from the continent to the south stops here rather than make the trek upriver to Brekt. A lucrative business of ferrying goods upriver has sprung up with several halfling clans taking lessons from the river clans of Sealgrimm and Bresklin and making their money as porters for goods. The recent addition of an enchanted lighthouse with glass enchanted and imported from Peloch has made the city a literal beacon on the southern tip of Jotunar. Frequent sacrifices to Njord, Ran, and Aegir are made by the shamans of the city to keep the worst of the weather from battering it.