Northmen
Children of the North
As their name suggests, the Northmen are a people who call the northern lands of Sol home, particularly the ancient woodlands and frigid mountains of Kjarra. A race of humans, they arrived with the initial wave of settlers from Elysium thousands of years ago, settling along the northwest coasts, displacing the indigenous Elves, Goliaths, and other inhabitants of the ancient northern lands. Though they came from elsewhere, the Northmen believed only they were able to survive the wild land of Kjarra. Its mighty rivers, unforgiving tundras, and arcing mountains leave many around the continent unimpressed, but the Northmen have learned to call it home and find beauty even in its harshness. They gained dominion of this land through plow and axe. The Northmen have always been extremely proud and attached to their homeland, being shaped by its cold embrace. To this day, their people have a closer connection to the natural world than their human counterparts in Ayrith and Shanrao. Northmen take pride in their ability to hunt and survive in the wilderness and regularly take spiritual retreat to be away from urban life, spending time around nature and its spirits.Warriors and Seafarers
Often thought of as a warlike people, the Northmen have earned a reputation as ferocious warriors and fearsome raiders on the seas. For Northmen, prowess and bravery in battle, thrill even during the heat of combat, and an eagerness to gloriously die in battle are all virtues which feature heavily in their culture, art, and lived experience. Their culture places a heavy emphasis on honor, valor, and glory. A Nordic warrior is not remembered for how she lived, but for how she died. A deathbed passing is considered a shame for an old warrior. This obsession with valor has made the Northmen powerful both on the battlefield and in their unshakeable will. While the inland regions have placed a greater emphasis on the warrior tradition, the western coastal lands have instead maintained strong traditions of seafaring, naval raiding, and navigation. Throughout the continent, Northmen often find work in martial and seafaring occupations. Whether on land or sea, the Northmen find meaning and honor in battle. Struggle and violence are considered accepted parts of Nordic life, not a tragedy.Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Old-fashioned
These names are more common among Østlanders, though more traditional Vestlanders may also use them. Nidbjorg, Astrid, Thora, Oddbjorg, Bjorg, Isgerd, Styrlaug, Tola, Katla, Helga, Skuld, Ingegärd, Audhild, Ingulfrid, Sigrunn, Herkja, Frida, Sigrid, Bergthora, Melkorka, Gyda, Hallbera, Ingunn, Yngvild, Brynhild, Holmlaug, Hedinfrid, Siv, Asa, Arnora, Valgerd, Thkatla, Torhild, Hrefna, Grelod, Ragna, Þuriðr, Ljot, Una, Bothild, Runa, Ingirun, Salbjorn, Ljufa, Hrafnhild, Fridgerd, Jarngerd, Jorunn, Signy, Torgärd, Ashild, Arnkatla, Hildirid, YrsaNewer
With the rising influence of Drothic culture, especially in the Vestlander maritime settlements, their names are becoming more common, sometimes with a northern variant such as the Drothic Hannah becoming the Nordic Anja.Masculine names
Old-fashioned
These names are more common among Østlanders, though more traditional Vestlanders may also use them. Agmundr, Hosvir, Sigguatr, Einar, Haakon, Hundolfr, Thorbjorn, Holmstein, Orri, Arn, Brynjolf, Sven, Grettir, Torsten, Gudrik, Hragnelf, Thorfinn, Ubbein, Bjorgulf, Häming, Thorvard, Sigeweard, Singasven, Ingimar, Kjartan, Hallgrim, Kollsvein, Skorri, Ketilbjorn, Hroald, Asgrim, Throst, Hagi, Firthgest, Frodi, Sigurd, Gyrd, Skapti, Halldor, Varin, Käre, Arnbjorn, Ragnar, Gunnhautr, Trud, Bolverk, Sigemær, Iri, Magnus, Gunnvild, Ornulf, Havard, Osvald, Ljot, Andvett, Øpir, Bjarki, Steinthor, Gunnstein, Svalfi, Olaf, Hafgrim, Floki, Alvi, Styrmir, Sigbjorn, Øystæin, Thorgrim, Vigi, Bjorn, Rollo, Gulli, Swein, Austmathr, Jokul, Sigmund, Hjorvarth, Klakkr, Bui, Eydis, RagnvaldNewer
With the rising influence of Drothic culture, especially in the Vestlander maritime settlements, their names are becoming more common, sometimes with a northern variant such as the Drothic Oswald becoming the Nordic Ásvaldr.Family names
Instead of a conventional family name, most Northmen add dottir or son to the end of their parent's name to make a second name. So the daughter of Arni would be called Arnidottir and the son of Bjorn would be called Bjornsson. Among Vestlanders, taking family surnames that pass patrilineally is becoming common.
Other names
It is common for Northmen to be given a title or nickname such as Strong-Axe, Frost-Blood, the Kind, or the Tall. This can change or be dropped throughout life.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Their Nordic language has two main branches, Vestlander and Østlander, spoken in the western and eastern lands of Kjarra, respectively. Vestlander carries more influence from Drothic, spoken in Central Sol, due to historic cultural and commercial ties, though this is more pronounced among urban Northmen. Østlander has minor influences from the Snow Elven dialect of Elven.
Shared customary codes and values
The Northmen value strength both in combat and in personality. It is considered virtuous to be brave, bold, and assertive. Traits like shyness and passivity are considered bad form. Overall, the strongest value in the culture is a sense of honor, a Northman can earn honor through hard work, honesty, prowess in battle, and feats of bravery. Even those of an evil bent can be considered honorable in the eyes of a Northman if they conduct themselves with an upfront sense of honesty about their misdeeds.
Common Etiquette rules
Northmen are assertive and honest, preferring to deal in plain speech and simple terms.
Common Dress code
Northmen of all classes typically adorn themselves in furs of local animals like bears, wolves, and foxes. It helps keep them warm in the harsh cold of their homeland. They typically dress in simple clothes with layers, often keeping weapons on their person at all times. A typical commoner may be seen with a hammer, axe, and dagger all at the same time. Wealthier folk may carry swords instead.
Art & Architecture
While they are often thought of as simple folk, their art simply differs from other cultures. While they lack paintings and marble sculptures, they appreciate other forms of expression such as stonecutting, woodwork, and illustration. The warrior poet is an important figure in Nordic culture, he or she is someone who can not only show prowess on the battlefield but in the art of poetry. They have been described as those with a sharp blade and a sharper tongue. A warrior poet is very honored in their society, when Northmen sit around the fire, swapping stories of battle and lifting their mugs and spirits, the warrior poet tells the story of his war band's valor, victory, and loss. They are also called skalds.
The architecture of the Northmen, unsurprisingly, is meant to be functional instead of opulent. A typical home can support up to fifteen or more people as they are very communal in style. Mostly built out of lumber and stone. They often prefer to build wide homes that remain short, sometimes even a single floor. Those such as jarls or kings may live in more elaborate palaces, but lesser rulers often live in more common buildings. The keep of a common ruler such as a governor or jarl of a small hold may be only a few floors and relatively small on the outside.
Foods & Cuisine
Given the climate of Kjarra, raising crops is a trial few can bear. Potatoes are their main crop of choice. Vestlanders have a diet that mainly consists of fish while the more inland and east one travels, the Østlander diet of meat, especially beef, lamb, goat, venison, and potatoes, is prominent. In both regions, boars are considered a delicacy and are often associated with feasts where they serve as a primary meal.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
When a Northman is born, their parents will rub salt on their face and then splash them with water from a lake, the sea, or a river, to signify that all men belong to the land and to the sea.
Coming of Age Rites
Nordic children are often given wooden swords and shields to play with. When they reach the age of nine, they are given their first weapon of real material, most often steel. Boys are often given weapons while girls receive shields.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Northmen of note may be buried in elaborate family tombs known as 'halls of the dead'. Though only the most honored such as jarls and heroes are given a burial at sea, being placed in a ship with their favorite weapons and treasures to be taken to the afterlife. Often, a king will have one of his slaves slain and placed on the ship with him to accompany him in the hereafter. Though, for the common Northman, burials are rather typical.
Common Taboos
To break an oath is considered an extremely grave offense that can rarely, if ever be forgiven. Breaking an oath, especially one of importance, can get someone punished as a criminal in many northern settlements.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
For both men and women, beauty is connected to the length of their hair and the size of their facial features. Those with stronger features and very long hair are considered the most beautiful. Such features are seen as signs of vigor, youth, and divine favor.
Gender Ideals
Virtues like bravery, courage, tenacity, strength, and independence are expected of both men and women. Nordic culture is rather egalitarian though traditionally hunting is seen as being for men while women would stay home and protect the household while the man was away.
Courtship Ideals
In Kjarra, life is considered short and cold, therefore, courtship is a very speedy process. People prefer to get to marriage as quickly as possible. Someone looking for a match will wear an amulet of Seraphina to let others know they are available.
Relationship Ideals
Northmen are very family-oriented, as such, it is expected for couples to have big families, which they view as divine favor. Sacrifices of are often made to a particular god of the couple's choosing to ask for children. As for unions themselves, the Northmen have a fairly laissez-faire attitude to things like divorce, extramarital affairs, adultery, and so on. As well, for those who can afford it, polyamory is not uncommon.
Major organizations
They form the majority and ruling class of the Kingdom of Kjarra as well as pluralities in surrounding lands such as Mistvall and Asvathas.