Valkheim

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the Northlands » Hogunmark » Valkheim

Arms of Valkheim

Valkheim (1/6) is in the dangerous position of being the province that shares its border with both the Blood Skull Barony and the realm of the White Witch. For this reason, Hogunmark sees it more important as a strategic land to control, than one to settle.

There are only two permanent settlements. The village, Eriksgaard, which contains the military headquarters, and the old settlement, Varrik, which tries to maintain itself as a place for travellers and traders.

[edit] Population

During winter, the Aegilsgaard tribe stay in Valkheim. However, the few families that live in Varrik and Eriksgaard historically have links to the Halskorrik, Jarnkasspel, and Aegilsgaard people. This is not regarded as a problem by their nomadic cousins. The main tribal disputes come between the locals and visiting warriors from other provinces.

The traditional home of the Jarl of Valkheim is in Varrik but with the extra space and closeness to the roads, Eriksgaard has a greater population.

[edit] History

The military importance of Valkheim has been recognised for many years. According to the Story of Varrig, Varrig of the Halskorrik tribe believed that the best defense for Gundviir would be to build a defensive point in Valkheim. He promised to the nomadic tribes that he only wanted a permanent trading post and fort to fend off goblins and other dangers, not a settlement. He won their support and that of the Hogun king. He settled at what is now known as Varrik. After his community survived two winters, he was made the Jarl of Valkheim.

The Jarl has changed many times over the years. Eventually, the regent of Hogunmark took the jarldom directly under their banner so as to be able to better control the military and development within the province. So currently, there is no Jarl of Valkheim. Instead, there is a steward who maintains the province for the regent. This stewardship has been passed down within the same family for over a hundred years.

[edit] Places

[edit] Eriksgaard

Eriksgaard is ...

• the largest settlement in Valkheim
• the main military headquarters, because
  • the Regent of Hogunmark thinks that Varrik can defend itself?
  • there have not been many major raids in the last few years
  • the Pine Walkers don't work with fortifications and this is really their headquarters
  • the Pine Walkers prefer being close to their families
• on the east side of the Bjark River
• "road" north to Kingspawn in Sjaruud
• "road" west to Wulfsdatter in Gundviir through Loki’s Pass in the Gundholm Hills
• has been "destroyed" a number of times during raids as it only has rudimentry defences
• located on more open land, so allows for expansion and farming better than Varrik
• has drawn the traders away from Varrig due to its location and size
• home to 150 families? around 700 people?

[edit] Varrik

Varrik is ...

• settled "opposite the best route east into Gundviir".
• mainly as a fortified trading post, but not a guild holding
• now primarily seen as a waypoint for travellers, or protection during emergencies
• the fort is positioned on a rocky outcrop on a small hill that can look down on the trading route, see Eriksgaard in the distance and send signal fires to Gundviir and Sjaruud
• regularly visited by the Aegilsgaard, rather than them visiting Eriksgaard
  • still debating about this... it's a case of what place has got more historical significance to them, vs which is more convenient for their deer and camps.
• 4? hours ride west of Eriksgaard
• traditionally the home of the Jarl of Valkheim
• currently, the home of the Thane/Steward of Valkheim and 15 other families? around 75 people?
  • Also debating where I should house the Steward and a good reason why the military *isn't* using the fortification (see below)

[edit] Military forces

Eriksgaard is the local headquarters to Queen Freila's scouts, though they are rarely seen there. Most of the time, these Pine Walker's are out patrolling from Jarnborg to Hjolgrun. The scouts are mainly locals to the areas which they patrol.

Occasionally a unit of archers are sent to Valkheim from their normal garrison at Bjarkheim or Fjoltyr. This sometimes results in various disputes. While the locals are pleased for the added protection, their remoteness means that the visiting warriors do not welcome the loss of the comforts they are used to.

The leader of the archers tends to outrank the leader of the Walkers, but is in turn outranked by the Steward. This can cause some tension and breakdowns in the chain-of-command. An outstanding dispute between the command of the Walkers and the Hogun military is the fact that the military doesn't control the fortifications in Varrik. The Walkers want it to stay that way as they have little need for such things.

[edit] Important figures

• Steward of Valkheim
• leader of Varrik
• leader of the Pine Walkers
• leader of the people of Eriksgaard
• local druid (Emerald Spiral)