Graslendi

The knights of Aethilcour are fine riders and they certainly look impressive when they sit atop their mounts dressed in shiny armor, but if you want to see true master riders you should visit the graslendi. I've seen a mounted graslendi archer hit an apple three times in a row from 200 meters while in full gallop. The same rider then managed to navigate an obstacle course while guiding the horse with only her knees. It's no wonder they managed to conquer the rest of the realms.

— from "Memories of a Caravan Guard" by Clais Hiltprandt

The graslendi clans live in the far north on the western part of the imperial continent in the land sharing their name. They are known as accomplished riders and warriors. In the past the different clans would often raid each other or the lands directly to the south, but would generally not venture further south expect to trade. This all changed when the great jarl Solbjoern Argeirson managed to unite the different jarls under his own banner. The united clans then proceeded to conquer the rest of the lands of the western imperial continent and founding the Graslendi Empire.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Typical female names include Gunvoer, Katla, Solveig and Thyra.

Masculine names

Typical male names include Havdur, Arndor, Ingmar and Valdemar.

Family names

The Graslendi do not use family names but instead the custom of taking the name of the father and appending -son or -dottir depending on the gender.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

The Graslendi place great value on individual achievement and self sufficiency. Only a few people in a village are dedicated hunters or warriors. Instead both boys and girls are taught from a young age how to shot a bow and wield a weapon so they can help hunt and defend the village. In their daily life they strive to excel at their chosen profession whether it is tending horses, working a farm, or smithing. If more than one person in a community works in the same field this strive to excel often evolves into friendly competition as each person strives to outdo the others. Likewise, neighboring villages will often hold competitions during the feast weeks where champions from each village compete in contests of strength and skill. This competitiveness is also evident on a larger scale where neighboring jarldoms will raid each other from time to time, trying to capture horses or supplies.

Born riders

All graslendi are taught how to ride from an early age. While they are children they will only be allowed to ride ponies and it is a great pride and joy when they are given their first real horse as part of becoming adults. The bond between a rider and horse is considered sacred to a degree that most outsiders do not realize. It is often said by the graslendi that you can tell the worth of a man by how he treats his horse.

Coming of Age Rites

When a girl or a boy turns 15 they are expected to prove themselves by making a trip alone to the wilderness. The area they travel to is dependent on the area of Graslendir they live in. In the north they go to the Isvatn Tundra, in the east they go to the Ice Spire Mountains, in the west they sail out to the uninhabited island off the coast. The child must manage on their own for at least a week, hunting and foraging and collecting trophies such as seal skin or wolf fangs to show their skills. Some children choose to stay significantly longer than the required week to try and prove they are better than their peers, but this is typically considered foolhardy as knowing when to push on and when to turn back is also valuable skill. When the child returns from their trip, a ceremony is held where they show off their trophies after which they are rewarded with their first horse.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Scars are seen as the mark of an accomplished warrior for both men and women but it can become too much. One or two is pleasing and considered desirable, but many scars are seen as a failure to protect oneself and therefore also the inability to protect others.
Red hair is considered a mark of favor from the gods since it supposedly indicates a fierce will and strong determination.

Gender Ideals

Men and women are considered equal among the graslendi. Actions and accomplishments determine worth, not gender.