The Northern Jarldoms of Allvellyr, Gallia, and Norlund.
What are you so afraid of? It's only death!— Rorik Thorgnyr, first King of Gallia
Although modem history of Hauth belongs to the human and humanoid races, orc, giant, kobald, gnoll, and goblinoid cultures have been established in the hill and mountain regions for nearly twenty-seven centuries. Only in the last five centuries has the region achieved any security from these raiders. In Norlund, the monstrous clans still prey on frontier homesteaders and remain an omnipresent threat.
The Kingdom of Gallia
The ancient house of Hvall, technically the protector of the Hauth region after The Godswar,
treated the mainland as a rich treasure house to be pillaged for the gain of the rulers alone.
The monarchs of Hvall’s ancestry were petty and took wealth and power giving little in return.
Five decades ago Jarl Rorik Thorgnyr ‘the Just’, refused to pay the increasingly burdensome tribute demanded by his cousin, King Krumr of Allvellyr. Rorik spoke for all the Jarls of Gallia,
and every Jarl stood by him, refusing to deliver the tribute. The outraged King of Allvellyr sent his Jarls against the rebellious Galliaers, and the young nation endured a decade of punitive raids wreaking great havoc up and down the coast of Hauth and spilling into nearby Ethigoviel.
The direct opposition led to the Allvellyrers' siege of Norrvik. The siege ultimately failed. Nearly a decade after the refusal, the ships of Rorik Thorgnyr and his allied Jarls trapped the besieging forces in the Battle of Bridenfjord. King Krumr was captured and forced to sign a treaty acknowledging the sovereignty of the new Kingdom of Gallia and Rorik was promptly crowned the first King of Gallia.
The Norlund Jarldoms
A poor land of marshes and rugged coasts plagued by gnoll, kobold, and Allvellyr raiders, and
frequent misrule of many petty Jarls, Norlund is the weakest and most backward of the
Northland nations. Norlundsè jarls have always been quick to sell one another out to the highest bidder, and reluctant to risk their own resources to protect a neighbor. Consequently,
the hills and mountains of Norlund are dangerous wilderness, seldom traveled by men.
Caravans on the Overland Trade Route must look to their own guard escorts for protection.
Only fifty years past, the region’s Jarls met at the Council of Norlund where, after much bickering and scheming, the Nordhartat Defense League was formed. This body is comprised of all the jarls of Norlund, who meet every six months to consider laws and affairs of state. The
League has signed mutual defense treaties with other kingdoms including Gallia, hoping to discourage Allvellyr’s policy of ignoring its clan raids on Norlund. However, none wish to risk war with Allvellyr so the raids continue while Allvellyr’s official position is to politely disavow knowledge of such raids.
In the recent past, The Defense League has made a push to make
the Overland Trade Route safe for caravan traffic by sending mercenary expeditions to patrol
the trade route, pursue raiders into the hills and mountains, and to locate and destroy gnoll
and kobald strongholds.
Allvellyr
The Northlands cultural tradition has continued in this region unbroken since the earliest
human settlers came here towards the end of The Godswar, their culture evolving into the original Northlanders, the first men of the North. For this reason, Allvellyr is the most
traditional of the three major divisions in the Dominion of Hauth. Allvellyr retains many of
the ancient house of Hvall within the noble and honored Horodr, Kolskeggur, Skalladrym,
and Steinar clans established by his children.
Hvall was a powerful warrior and a competent general during the Godswar, with a sure grasp of both land and sea tactics that exploited his people’s skill with the longboat and inspired their devotion to his leadership. When House Kin was granted the lands around Temenoi Tepe after the war House Hvall was granted the northern reaches. His children, unfortunately, did not inherit their father’s sense of duty and the Dominion of Hauth suffered under their petty rule, rage and political ramblings for centuries. Many left Hauth for The Frontier during the Clan Wars that erupted between his children upon his death. Gudrid, the new queen of Allvellyr, was every bit as shrewd a diplomat and counselor as her husband was a warrior. They established the pattern that was to sustain their dynasty and nation to the present day. House Hvall has
always relied on strong leadership as the core of their power. In heredity monarchies, this
is sometimes an uncertain prospect. The royal offspring may be idiots or weaklings, or they
might marry for romance or lust rather than political advantage. The Hvall exploit the practice
of fosterage, rather than relying solely on succession by birth.
Kings Royal Court
The finest young nobles of all the clans formed by Hvall’s children are invited to live in the
Royal Compound, where they form the King‘s Royal Court and Personal Guard, known collectively as the “Royal Household”. From this hand-picked assemblage, the ruler of
Hauth finally selects and adopts his successor, although often it is the natural born child
of the monarch who is chosen it has not always been so. This heir is considered just as
much of “royal blood” as if he or she were born of the current king and queen. The Court also attracts many heroes, adventurers and young nobles with poor prospects of inheritance. Those who distinguish themselves in some way; in contests, in heroic feats, or through skald enhanced reputations, are occasionally offered the hospitality of the Royal Clan. Once in the Royal Court or Personal Guard, the chances of personal and political advancement are good. The king’s Personal Guard is a nine hundred man elite brigade, comprised of the finest nobles and warriors of Hauth.
The Brothers of the King, the king’s twenty man honor guard, are the hand-picked cream of this crop. These warriors are often in the main hall at royal feasts, and they enjoy the King’s protection. This makes them, practically speaking, above the law. No more arrogant or scornful group of warriors are you likely to find anywhere in the North. One out of every three in this force is female, proud warrior women who have proven their mettle. The king fancies having a force of Valkyrie shield maidens.
The Queen’s Court boasts the finest skalds, fairest maidens, shrewdest scholars, and craftiest schemers in Hauth. There is an endless shuffling of position as alert courtiers and nobles seek to understand and get closer to the Queen.
A decade ago the then rulers of Allvelyr, King Hallgrim Steinar, and Queen Rhora Aevardottir were typical of the Hvall Clan Monarchs. Hallgrim was in his prime, a fearsome berserker, veteran of many adventures, raids, and experienced general. He led several warbands against Ethigond, Ethigoviel as well as Gallia and Norlund campaigns when necessary. But Hallgrim hoped to raise his own child to his throne, an acceptable route when a child proves worthy, but not something a monarch could plan for. However, Rhora died in childbirth, with the child lost as well, Hallgrim’s interest in rule waned. In his depression, King Hallgrim’s political power began to slip into the hands of others. Recently he was maneuvered into marrying, and a new player has entered the political game, Queen Freya Surtursdottir.
Queen Freya has a vision that promises unprecedented change to the people of Allvelyr, Hauth, and the Northern Dominions as she consolidates her power.
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