Vinterheim

Vinterheim, the frozen and unforgiving realm to the north, is a land where the harsh winds howl and the earth is scarred by snow and ice. Unlike the more orderly kingdoms of the south, Vinterheim is a collection of tribal lands, each ruled by its own Jarl, chieftain, or warlord. These leaders have direct control over their people and territories, but there is no singular authority that governs the entire region. Vinterheim’s people live by a code of honor, strength, and survival, with raiding and warfare as vital parts of their existence.
Vinterheim is a land where only the strong survive. The winters are long, with snowstorms that rage for weeks, and the mountains are treacherous, filled with wild creatures and dangerous cliffs. The land is as harsh as its people. In such a brutal environment, only those with the courage and strength to endure can thrive. The people of Vinterheim are hardened by their environment, becoming fierce warriors and formidable hunters. They live by the blade, raiding southern kingdoms and striking fear into the hearts of those who dwell in the warmer, more fertile lands.
The people of Vinterheim are raiders, and they are feared throughout the southern lands. For centuries, their longships have terrorized coastal villages, pillaging and burning with relentless fury. Their warriors, known for their brute strength and battle prowess, are fierce and unyielding. Vinterheim’s armies are made up of men who are trained in the art of Combat from a young age. The Vinterheim warriors are skilled in the use of axes, swords, and spears, and their brutality in battle is legendary.
Once, long ago, Vinterheim was united under a High King, a rare occurrence in the fractured world of the north. The High King was chosen during The Great Moot, a gathering of all the Jarls, to settle disputes and appoint a ruler who could lead the tribes. This unity, however, did not last long. Under the reign of King Richard of Aeritain, Vinterheim’s raids became too much for the southern lands to bear. The kingdom had long struggled to keep the barbarians at bay, but the raids had escalated, and the southern kingdoms of Aeritain and Floren decided to unite against the threat.
The war was brutal, and the southern forces, joined in strength and purpose, fought back fiercely. After many bloody battles, the southern nations succeeded in driving the Vinterheim invaders back, forcing the High King of Vinterheim to sign a peace treaty in blood. The treaty decreed that Vinterheim would cease its raids on the southern lands for 77 years, an oath that would bind their people for over three generations. The southern realms, exhausted by the war and the destruction, welcomed this peace, hoping it would end the years of terror brought by the Vinterheim raiders.
Now, more than 77 years later, rumors are once again circulating about the return of the Vinterheim raiders. Sailors on the high seas whisper of longships sighted on the horizon, and travelers in the remote parts of the world claim to have met Vinterheim warriors in the farthest reaches of the land.
The people of Vinterheim are a proud, rugged, and independent people. Their culture is built on strength, honor, and the harsh realities of their land. Though they are feared by many, they see themselves as survivors, not invaders. They follow the old ways and honor their own gods, with rituals and sacrifices performed to ensure their favor in battle and survival through the cold winters.

"To survive in Vinterheim is to live by the sword, to be bound by the cold, and to embrace the rage that fuels the storms of the north."