The Union of Vralgard
I have seen some of the most beautiful land the Known World has to offer. From the wisteria blossoms of Fulwa and the cherry blossoms of Shaola, to the crystal domes of the Nouklo, the forges of the Dwarves, and the fields of wheat in the heart of the Iron Republic. I have never seen something quite like the ice flats of Vralgard, and the many colored sails locked into them. The stark white combined with the rainbow of colors....I don't know, just spoke to me.
-Atezka Tlalli, speaking of his visit to Vralgard
Structure
The High Jarl: Overall ruler of the Vralgardi, the High Jarl is voted in by their peers during a meeting known as a Moot that is gathered when the current High Jarl has passed.
The Jarls: Once individual kings in their own right, they now are second to the High Jarl.
The Kingbreakers: The descendants of the clan that established the monarchy of Vralgard, they now stand as an extra-governmental agency to protect the office as well as keep it from being abused.
Assets
- Lucalt veins in the Ice Flats
- The Jotunn Forges
- Yyg Trees
- Military capacity is unknown, as every clan provides their own troops, vehicles, and ships
History
There are few people that have managed to wrankle the powers of the world for as long as the clans of Vralgard have managed, and still stand tall as a nation. The last of the raider nations, Vralgard sits on the northernmost continent of the known world, using the cold, ice floats, and their fleet to keep their copious amounts of enemies at bay. A nation of sailors and warriors, they still capture trading ships to this day and they often rent out their services as mercenaries and guards, their reputation for martial prowess and straight-up grit holding up to this day. The clans of Jotunn and humans that have made up the Vralgardi people have existed since long before the clans formed their nation. Some scholars theorize that the Jotunn people were created during the Age of Titans, the sons and daughters of some frost or ice Titan that survived off of their brute strength and their surprisingly high-quality craftsmanship. The humans that have been present within the Vralgardi people, however, are a bit harder to pin down. Ancient runestones make reference to man as far back as the Age of Dragons. Where exactly they originate is a mystery, unfortunately.
The Formation of the Union of Vralgard can be traced back to the age of exploration, where their raiding and pillaging had finally caught up to them. In 63 of the Age of Exploration, all four of the Sighe courts united under the Court of Four Seasons, ending centuries of civil war. To celebrate and enforce that peace, a joint military operation was proposed. An invasion to remove the Vralgardi from their frozen home. Gathering their remaining military assets, the Sidhe could field an army numbering 120,000 men, outnumbering the Vralgardi's 32,000. Any other army would dread the approach of an enemy army that outnumbered theirs in such a way, but not the people of Vralgard. To hear that an army was sailing towards them, sent the Vralgardi into a frenzy. Jarls held feasts in preparation, others kindled old rivalries and made bets as to how many enemies the could slay themselves. Once their preparations were done, they loaded into their dragonships and sailed to meet the enemy on the sea, racing each other to be the first into battle. This excitement and lust for battle would bring their victory and the downfall of the time of free clans. Jarl Finnleik Wavebreaker found this to be a perfect opportunity for what he had in mind. He knew that the world was changing. That the Vralgardi people could not remain divided and expect to survive into the future. The Sidhe forces sailing toward them were evidence of that. For his people, he knew that a central government had to come into power, directing the Vralgardi clans and keeping them from tearing each other apart. In secret, he had gathered as many clans as he could, forming the bedrock that the Union would stand on eventually. Once the two fleets met in battle, in the Straights of White Fingers for which the battle is named, Wavebreaker carefully maneuvered his loyal jarls into position. Committing just enough to make it appear as if he was legitimately participating in the battle, but holding enough back to enact his plan. Because of his reserves being held back, the initially confident Vralgardi started to be pushed back. The Sidhe's advanced cannons and rifles destroying dragonship after dragonship, the clans taking huge casualties. Just as the Vralgardi were about to break, Jarl Wavebreaker committed his reserves and seized command of the fleet at large. Through a masterclass of strategy, all the pieces fell into place. The Sidhe fleet was destroyed, despite their superior numbers and technology. Wavebreaker proved himself to many of the Jarls, earning their support, and by hold reinforcements from certain points in the battle, removed the Jarls that he knew would not listen to him no matter what he said. With a simple act of restraint, the Union of Vralgard was born.
While it used to be that the Jarls would jostle for position and power through feats of skill and trails by combat, those same acts are used to gather support for the Moot. The Moot is a meeting of the Jarls where they vote on the next High Jarl, who will rule over the others. The Jarl with the most votes is given the crown, and is expected to rule with the best interest of everyone in mind. Of course, there is no guarantee that the Jarls will respect the Moot, nor that the selected ruler won't abuse their power. In the case that someone breaks either, clan Wavebreaker steps in. Now known as clan Kingbreaker, they remain neutral in the face of Vralgardi politics, making sure that their people doesn't commit cultural suicide by separating.
One might be surprised to learn that the Vralgardi still have not stopped their raiding ways, with pretty much the same amount of success they did in the past. Of course, the tools they use have changed, with modern naval ships replacing the old longboats. In fact, the increase in technology has only driven them to greater feats of skill. Many a captain has been caught off guard by the sudden appearance of Vralgardi raiders on what looked to be a clear day. The fleets maintained by every clan are impressive in scope, both to enrich themselves and protect themselves from the other clans.
Of course, now that High Jarl Harlus is getting into his later years, all this might change. Tensions are rising between the clans as they attempt to gather support for their own bids for the crown. Somethings different this time...more violence has been breaking out on the street, the clans seem more willing to directly oppose each other than they did in the past, some even going so far as to start circling Clan Kingbreaker.
Demography and Population
The population is split between the Vralgardi, a human ethnicity, along with the Jotunn, who are a cousin to giants.
Military
Every clan provides their own military assets. Men, vehicles, and mages are all recruited and built by their respective clans. This leads to a strong sense loyalty to their birth clans, obfuscates the exact military strength of Vralgard, and continues to enforce inter-clan borders and rivalries. King Harlus has attempted to remove these, by centralizing the military through the absorption to other clans, but that has only built two opposing sides in what seems to be a coming conflict.
Religion
The Vanagarian Pantheon is one that is more in-line with a druidic faith than a celestial one. Many gods are representations of nature, such as
Mythology & Lore
It is said that the first of the Vanagarian gods were the twins, Gærhialm and Una. Worn from the ice of Vralgard, Gærhialm was chipped from an iceberg by a cold northern wind. His sister, Una, was carved from the first of the spring winds, warm and energetic. While they were brother and sister, they could not be more different. Gærhialm is driven to find knowledge, often appearing unconcerned with anything else, though that was far from the truth. Una would dance around the sun, bringing warmth to the world and spending all of her boundless energy celebrating the simple act of life.
They would not be alone for long, as they soon met another pair of twins, that mirrored themselves. Orri and Asa. Each twin was immediately taken by another of the other pair. Gærhialm fell in love with Asa, who shared his love for knowledge, though shared his sister's warm nature. Una fell in love with Orri, who loved to revel as well, though was more reserved than Una herself. From there, the two clans of Ur and Ragn, were born.
The clan Ur, considered the more cerebral and, for lack of a better term, cold of the two Vanagarian clans is often followed by those with an interest in knowledge or those that take no joy in battle, but fight for another purpose. Clan Ragn counterposes Ur, being followed by those that celebrate life and revel in all things, from family to celebration itself, to battle. Whatever it is, it is followed by a smile and a warm breeze.
There are many epics born of these clans, like Hjort Orrison 's slaying of Hridvelt the Earth-Serpent. Or Naddod Ragnson forging the ring Marglóð, which could draw gold from thin air. But those can be discussed another time.
Founding Date
63. Age of Exploration
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Vralgardi Shilling: Newly introduced during the reign of High Jarl Harlus, it is a white note with golden trim. On one face is a trio of dragonships, in profile. On the other, there is a depiction of the Straight of White Fingers.
Official State Religion
Related Ethnicities
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