Heorot

Overview

Heorot was founded by then Duke of Makar Ender Neill, the lords of his Duchy, and a band of other like minded Vikings who felt that the Barony of Makar had grown too involved in the affairs of the south. Seeking purification in the traditions of old, Heorot exists to encourage the Viking culture of raiding, looting, and heavy drinking while eschewing traditional methods of battlefield formation fighting and tricky diplomacy.

While Heorot is a tyranny under the rule of the one Dread Lord (Who serves until he enter's Odin's Hall in Valhalla) it is the right of every Viking to speak their mind and have their opinion considered by their fellow warriors. Heorot is primarily a militaristic realm where able bodied Vikings are strongly encouraged to train constantly for raiding and battle while allowing other tasks to be left to those no longer capable of fighting.

The Founding

Some say it happened because of mead. Others whisper in the night that Ender had sought a throne for himself all along. Other still say it was formed after years of Ender and Sordnaz disagreeing over the direction the Barony was taking culturally and in the affairs of the south. All anyone knows for sure is that the day Dread Lord Ender announced the formation of Heorot the streets of Makar ran scarlet and gold with spilled mead and the blood of those who did not celebrate the secession from the Barony of Makar with enough enthusiasm.

Viking Rule

Heorot is ruled by one, managed by four Vikings who represent the key areas of realm maintenance, and kept alive by all of the Vikings who take part in the many day to day processes and decisions that must be made in a Viking community.

The Dread Lord The final word on all Vikings affairs and foreign diplomacy, the Dread Lord rules Heorot from his massive mead hall situated at the heart of the frozen city of Makar. The first and last Dread Lord was Ender Neill of Makar.

The Law Father (Law Mother) Head of all things relating to Viking Law, the Law Father tends to the written laws and manages Heorot dark, bloody dungeons. The first Law Father was Thorstein Brynjulvson Galle of Makar. Several others would take up the mantle as assassins tried to kill them one after another. Law Father Einherja Blackmore was the last to stand in the position.

The War Thane Responsible for all of Heorot's hordes and coordination of the raiding parties.The first War Thane's name is lost to history. Several others would take up the mantle as assassins tried to kill them one after another. War Thane Godfrid Janssen, serving with Marshal Maduin Eirikr, was the last to stand in the position.

The Keeper of Coin More than just the Viking responsible for keeping the gold flowing at home, the Keeper of the Coin also tends to all trading affairs for the realm. The first Keeper of Coin was Gorian Belios of Lamia. Several others would take up the mantle as assassins tried to kill them one after another. Keeper Knut Janssen was the last to stand in the position.

The End

Mere weeks after the founding of Heorot, one southern realm after another declared war on the Viking realm until, in the end, eight realms marched on Heorot for fear that allowing a true Viking realm to exist would spell certain doom for their southern wives and valuables. As southern troops died in the thousands, the truest Vikings found Valhalla one by one until Heorot was no more and the legendary Viking realm's survivors spread to the far flung corners of the world to carry on the true Viking traditions.