History
The kingdom of Vargor is a frigid land consisting of a chain of icy islands and the surrounding ocean. Due to its location near the South Pole, it is generally excluded from much of the political intrigue that takes place on Avryn.
The earliest known history of the Vargorians is marked by a series of conflicts and alliances between neighboring island kingdoms. One of the most notable of these conflicts was the War of the Three Isles, in which the three dominant clans of the Frostwatch Isles, the Draugar, the Ulfhednar, and the Vargor, fought for dominance over the region. Beginning in the year 138, the war lasted for 7 years, with no faction able to gain the upper hand. This changed however, when legend has it that Frath himself appeared to the Vargorians, and bestowed his power on the legendary warrior chief, Eirik Frostborn, who was then were able to subjugate the clan's rivals and sieze control over the Isles. This victory solidified the Vargorians' dominance in the region and established them as a powerful force to be reckoned with.
With the consolidation of their power, the Vargorians began to expand their territories, proceeding to conquer many of the minor city states of the region. During this time, however, Eirik became secluded, and his public appearances became less frequent. Rumor has it that he became enamored with his own powers, and, 4 years after he won the war, he declared himself Godking, and changed his name to Frath.
Over the next century, Vargor saw many victories, completely dominating the Isles and even expanding onto the mainland. Frath's focus on military might saw the expansion of many military technologies, specifically with regard to their seafaring capabilities, which became among the best in the world.
Modern Day
In modern times, Vargor is a militaristic society with a strong emphasis on tradition and loyalty to the godking, Frath. Though the Vargorians insist that Frath is immortal, and that their current ruler is the same man who won the War of Three Isles, it is commonly believed among by other nations that Frath is simply a title passed down from father to son.
Though Vargor remains relatively small compared to other countries in the area, they remain highly militaristic, and are known for their seafaring skills and fierce warrior tradition. In fact, it is commonly believed that Vargor has the best navy in the world, surpassing even the Araxia's in skill and naval technology.
The people of Vargor are generally seen as zealots by outsiders, and do worship Frath vigorously in most communities. While few outlying settlements continue to practice the older tradition of ancestor worship, any who openly do not worship the godking are usually outcast from Vargorian society.
Though relationships with other nations are strained due to their militaristic nature and position on the continent, Vargor is generally able to get favorable trade deals, as it controls the southern pass around the tip of the continent. Most countries generally maintain a fairly neutral attitude about the kingdom, as they do not really see it as a major threat. Vargor has favorable relations with Araxia, and has allied with them for several small scale operations in the past, a fact that worries some leaders in the area. However, the best course of action at this time is thought to be to maintain a strong trade relationship so that they have no incentive to aid the Empire. The only kingdom that is truly antagonistic toward Vargor is Xerian, as the two have been locked in a war for decades, with the icy kingdom gradually annexing more and more of the loose collection of city-states.
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