Norseland & Finmark
Isaland, Norge, Sverge, Danemark, Lapland, Kalevala, Karelia
Most outsiders know the inhabitants of the Norseland as fierce raiders, however at home they are primarily independent free-holders and craftsman, though they, like other peoples, have there lords and slaves. Nonetheless individual freedom is greatly prized by the Norseman, and tyranny is not tolerated. The Norseman of Isaland have done without Kings all together. A body of elders known as the Allthing rules them.
The Norseman may be so fierce in part due to the rugged, wintry land that they come from. And the great forest and glaciers of this land are not only home to the Norseman, but many other races as well. High elves and their fierce snow kin as well as one of the greatest kingdoms of dwarves, all make their home in this region. Also, all to common, are trolls and other giants as well as other beasts, even dragons it is said.
The Norseman have a little "native" magic: the lore of their skalds, the divine magic of their priests, and the mysterious power of the runes. A sorcerer from this region probably learned his trade from his Celtic or Finnish neighbors. In rare cases they may learn magic from local elves, and will be known for it. In the rare case a wizard is met, they will almost certainly be an elf.
Finmark is an isolated land, where the days and nights seem to go on without end. A land where spirits are common, and people are not. Some say this is home to the greatest bards, others say shamans, or is it sorcerers. Home to heroes that walk with the gods. Though no one has met one. But very few have been to Kalevala, or Pohjola, those lands of heroes and their enemies. Not very many people have met a Lap shaman either. Or even ridden in a Karelian reindeer sledge. But they are there, in the distant north.
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