Norland

Greetings Traveler, if you buy me a beer you might get to know something you never ever heared of before...

Well thanks.

Have you ever heard of Norland? No never? Well you will...

Norland is a realm in the very north of Atamara. Only the regions of the Barony of Makar are further north than this home of the Vikings, and might even not be there for long anymore... Yes, Traveller ...Vikings! Tall muscule-bound men with blond hair and big beards - funny helmets.

Very impressive.

they stood up against the Barony of Makar some days ago. They already captured Uforth and turned it into their region.

The realm was birthed from the Realm of Hasland. It has since rebelled against Hasland and has made a name for itself. The noble Vikings of Norland wiped the Hasland name from the Map. Well they had allies, the Barony and Tuchanon I think.... - but I am old and forget a lot.

By now they have a lot of allies. Eston and Minas Ithiel for example. But in the war against the Barony there are also the Ash Sea Islands and the Cagilan Empire as well as Southasland.

Before that there were a long period of peace, getting those axes out of shape... But they are pretty much in shape now!! After splitting the first Makary heads they really got back to there most important tasks. Drinking, fighting and enyoing life as much as possible.

The old men laughs out loud and holds his stomach

Sorry traveller, but I just had to think about Krypton the Bold - the actual ruler - fighting in this pink dress. But you only laugh until its your head splitted by his impressive and unforgiving axe.

By now they have a very strong group of nobles up there. They helped their allies to defeat Tuchanon II some month ago and a lot of Tuchanon II leaders were attracted by the nobleness of this folk. So a lot of them joined Norland.

If you get there you can speak out really without fear. They respect honour and anyone who is willing to step up and make suggestions - as long as it is for the good of the realm and not for the personal fame or to do some kind of politics.

Yes, yes

the old man is nodding to him self

They are noble and tough. And they expect everyone else to be. A real paradoxon of discipline and wildness, those guys.... I guess as long as you prove that you are willing, they will treat you with far more respect than any other folk in Atamara.

As I mentioned before, the ruler of that republic is Krypton the Bold a former General. Blood Bath was the famous General up there for quite a while, but evil witchcraft has taken him away from us all... So that a really young guy - Sir Raud - became General. He is a kind of Greenhorn for a General but I think that his ideas are great. He seems to be really wise for his age. Anyway I am a simple man... who am I that I will judge on nobles?

After taking a huge sipp of his beer he continous

If you get there you should step by. Especially the ale is great....and the squirrel - they even have a order for that- and those warriors are definitly a must see. If you think honour is more than a word they will like you and you will like them.

The old man is lifting his beer for a toast. Some people - which you recognize have carefully listen - in the tavern, as well as the noble warrior join him:

HAIL NORLAND

---

Recent events (2005):

Norland's involvement in the war between Falasan and Tara

Norland aided Falasan in their war against Tara and her allies. Results of this war were:

- Nazgorn (Taran region) was given to Falasan

- Tarasac and Sauvia (Taran regions) were given to Darka to allow them to repair their equipment and cash bonds

- Drachenwald took over Galadia and Alaise when the regions went rogue as a result of Falasan's war exhaustion

The campaigns against Tuchanon III (officially Southasland)

Norland sent an army to help Falasan and Minas Ithil defeat Southasland. The campaign had been postponed several times due to the war between Tara and Ash Sea Islands, in which the Eastern Alliance pushed the agressors back several times. The attack was successfull, but the siege had to be lifted, because once again, Ash Sea Islands needed help. Norland did not participate in the second campaign (due to the war against Eston), which resulted in the takeover of Tucha by Falasan and the destruction of Southasland.

The war against Eston

"Hail, Warriors and Nobles of Norland! Now is a most crucial time in Norland, where the loyal and dedicated shall be known. WE ARE AT WAR WITH ESTON! History has proven that, above all realms on Atamara, indeed above all realms I have ever seen, Norland is THE most dedicated, cunning and coordinated military force. We have not the resources of others, yet we, through careful planning and a trust in one another that is literally unknown in this world, have achieved all our goals. There is but ONE shining goal yet to attain.

It is our burden, nay our DESTINY to be a lynch-pin in the great war-machine that will free all Atamara from the brutal oppression of the NA. So I task you all, as I have been tasked. Take this burden, this birthright. It is yours, Norland. Embrace it. Embrace your place in history. For when our task is done, all the world and all history will know your names. Immortality is ours, my brothers. Sieze it!"

- Krypton the Bold, Prime Minister of Norland

So far Norland has taken control of Ashmoor and Moramroth, and managed to break Eston's takeover attempt in Moramroth.

Darkan and Talerian soldiers have been seen on Eston soil, helping defend Eston against two small realms whose combined size is still smaller than Eston. Both Darka and Talerium have participated in offensive actions against Norland's army and both have entered our lands (but only lands that previously belonged to Eston).

"Eston just threw her honour away... and we're about to gain it for ourselves."

Later on Eston had managed to get both Ashmoor and Moramroth back from Norland with the help of Darka and Talerium. Once the borders were back to 'status quo' the foreign armies left, leaving mighty Eston having to fight its own war against the two viking realms. With Eston's allies gone, Norland successfully annexed Ashmoor with the help of the Barony of Makar and a few days later the people of Moramroth decided to rebel against their realm and join Norland instead. In the meantime Eston armies attacked Wispen (the only region of BoM they have borders with) and looted it.

It does not seem like the war will end any time soon...

After I came back from the 9-day search for the Gummy Yeti King in Moramroth, Norland took over Elost too. I know little about the circumstances, but I haven't heard anything extraordinary apart from that "Griff smells like coconut and cotton candy" (Gandor) for a change :)

In the fights that followed Norland invaded Amdor and Belegrond, but soon lost it due to domestic problems and overstretched supply-lines.

(edited by Peny Estrall, the new realm mentor and historian)