Reginnsþjóð (ˈrɛijɪnːsˌθjouð)

"And the one who brings back the greatest treasures shall have the greatest glory!" - Bjornvidr, the Eldráðr of Reginn

The raiding parties of the Eyjamaður have long been a threat to ships and communities of the Northeastern Region. But in the last few decades, the formation of the Reginnsþjóð has cast a shadow across every island within reach of their longships, as the legendary Drekkamen have led their cohorts on a holy quest to bring all the world's treasures back to the horde of the dragon-god Reginn.

Thirty years ago, the great volcano Reginnsfjall erupted. It made the region around the holy city of Eldshamrar even less hospitable than it had been previously, and the priests of Reginn found that they had to continuosly import food in order to support themselves, at great expense. They called upon the Drekkamen, who are the berserk-dedicates of Reginn, to acquire the wealth needed to sustain the city and temple of Reginn. They formed the Reginnsþjóð, or Host of Reginn, in order to carry out this mission.

Composition

Vehicles

At the heart of the Reginnsþjóð are the longships they travel in. They are graceful craft, with shallow drafts capable of sailing up most rivers. They are equipped with both sails and oars, and can land at almost any point along a coastline. While there are many designs of longship in the Reginnsþjóð, the most popular is one known as the Dreki. These are larger than other longships, with at least thirty pairs of oars, and are named for the fearsome dragonhead prows they bear. The sight of a fleet of Dreki is terrifying enough that cities have been known to offer a tribute of wealth to the Reginnsþjóð when they appear, without even attempting to mount a defense.

Structure

Many of the Drekkamen come from the powerful ættir of Eyju, and can call upon at least one longship of raiders to aid in their quest. Each Drekkamen noble operates independently, competing with each other to bring back the most treasure for Reginn's horde. While they can and do work together, there is no official command structure that can coordinate actions across the Reginnsþjóð.

The best known and most feared of the Drekkamen raiders is Jarl Gunnar Bloodaxe. He commands a huge fleet and has become known as the plague of Ynys. Most recently he sacked and burned Dunwych, the capital of Deira, plundering the city and leaving it in ruins.

Tactics

The raiders of the Reginnsþjóð rely on hit-and-run tactics. Their longships are fast and mobile, and able to strike their targets when they least expect it. Some of the most powerful of the Drekkamen command fleets of dozens or even hundreds of vessels, able to threaten even the largest cities. They appear unxpectedly and attack, siezing everything of value and then vanishing again before their victims can respond effectively. Additionally, they have cultivated such a fearsome reputation that many defenders simply flee when they appear, leaving their valuables behind in the hopes that the Drekkamen will not pursue them.

Type

Raiding parties

Used by

• Drekkamen

The Kingdom of Suðya

The island of Löngeyja is the closest Eyjamaður territory to the large island of Ynys, a major target of raids by the Reginnsþjóð. The Kingdom of Suðya rules Löngeyja, and has been friendly and hospitable to the ships of the Reginnsþjóð. According to rumors, the King of Suðya has made a pact with several of the more prominent Drekkamen to provide supplies and support. In return, the Reginnsþjóð will attack specific targets of Suðya's choosing. Many people believe that Suðya intends to invade northern Ynys, and is using the Reginnsþjóð to smoothe their way to victory.

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