The Northlands

Balidoun is a frigid and rocky body of land that has no countries or holdings. It is simply known as the North. The Capital City of Balidoun is Two-Dogs

Overview of the North
The North is a large expanse of woods, mountains, and frozen tundra that is not known as anything but The North. There are no set countries or holdings, with the land split up among a countless number of clans led by a chief, the greater the warrior, the bigger the clan. There are anywhere from 15-20 major clans, each with their own standard and keep, although keep might be a bit of an misnomer. The largest clan caps out at a few hundred individuals, with buildings made of stone and wood, never above three stories.

The weather is unforgiving so farming is nearly impossible, save for greens like lettuce and spinach, and roots like potatoes and radishes. Animal husbandry is the most reliable way of food, wooly cows and pigs being plentiful. The North is home to several mineral deposits that are near impossible to find anywhere else in the world, The Jointed Provinces desire these minerals and have established trade routes for Northern crafted goods like weapons in recent years.

The Northern people are as you would expect, pale and hearty. Strength is important to Northerners, they follow it as they depend on it to survive. It is a bloody country, wars and feuds between clans are constant and there is constant fear of bandits and brigands. It is not completely violent, there are definitely towns and areas that are relatively peaceful, but to ensure protection, often they will hire a group to protect them. Strength is priority, if you aren’t strong then you can’t keep yourself and others safe. The strongest are flocked to and their numbers grow.

One who is Named is considered strong and deserving of respect, someone who has earned their name through special circumstances, something that sets them apart from others. Example: Cleftjaw (broken jaw during a big battle), Frother (a particularly crazy son of a bitch), Thunderhead, Keepburner, Savage, Gutripper, etc. A person has their true name, example: Orlud or Tork. Children take their parents first name as their surname. (Mackrai Ashenson or Vanadi Mjolldottir) until they earn their own name.

History of the North
Northern people believe that in the Old Times, their ancestors were enslaved by orcs. They were cattle to the creatures, their source of manual labor as well as food. It wasn't until Halvor Houndmaster came and taught them to fight back and take their homeland back from the creatures.

Halvor formed unified the clans and began flatten out the land for farms and road, ushering in a time of peace that was unknown to the Northerners. To a people that knew only war and suffering, they were maladjusted to this life style and some grew restless. Halvor's closest advisors, the leaders of the clans, began to bicker and fight and over the course of a summit all hell broke loose and Halvor was slain along side several others.

There have been several notable people who have attempted to bring the north together but none have ever succeeded with more than a handful of clans and ultimately they meet their end at the point of a sword. Most recent was Edric Splinter during the last war with the Provinces when they took Dourland and now The Prince of Peaks has begun his conquest.

Historical Climate
The Jointed Provinces and the North had been at odds ever since the beginning of time. There are many ways into the North (or down to the Provinces depending on how you look at it), but the terrain makes it difficult to move any sort of large military. Several “wars” have been fought at the border, very rarely lasting more than several months. The most recent war took place 150 years ago when the Provinces took Dourlund, which now serves as the border between the North and Provinces, a duchy of cold, rocks, and heavily wooded areas. Raiders from the north come down every few months or so to wage raids on the outlying towns, never straying too far in and always leaving before the levees are raised. As far as numbers and equipment go, Northerners are severely outmatched but they make up for it with their basic survival knowledge, the fact that most warriors have killed someone before, and their generally hard life style.

In Expansion:5662 A Northerner calling himself Orix Deathsong appeared seemingly out of thin air with an army of the undead. Wielding sinister magic he began a campaign across the North which became known as The Cabal Wars

The Prince of Peaks has taken it upon himself to try and unite the clans once again and he seems to be doing a decent job. Already he has taken a few of the large clans, either through force or deal but it is unknown exactly how far his actions will go.

The Rise of Skórdilaw
In the years following the “Aggression of Agralan” Bjorn Nightslayer took control of the city of Two Dogs. With the aid of the Ice-Rails, he united the two Clans under the banner of Skórdilaw.

Bjorn was named Warlord by the now-frail Ashen Grizzlyfire who also turned the leadership of his clan, the Wavebreakers to his son, Mackrai Bonedust before passing away in Seascrape.

Warlord Dredge Ramhead had vanished, hunting Gimmersvin, along with a War Party from Caraway. With Dredge’s son abandoning the North years before, Ramhead’s Disappearance led to a struggle with no capable leader left in Caraway. The people fled from the Gimmersvin to Two Dogs, where they were taken under the protection of the Skórdilaw. With the aid from Two Dogs, Caraway was reclaimed in less than a month, and the clan pledged it’s allegiance to Two Dogs.

With concern over the growing power of Skórdilaw, the Wavebreakers, Steelstone, and Moonhowler clans convened at a Moot in Two Dogs, with the fear that Warlord Nightslayer was becoming a new Prince of Peaks. To their surprise however, they were offered an open hand. Nightslayer had no interest in a unified North, however he would not allow the smaller clans to live unprotected from the horrors that now reside in the world. He offered the clans, a place in Skórdilaw. Not as rulers, but to serve and protect Balidoun. Though the Moonhowlers rejected the offer, they left the moot satisfied with the promise, that this new Pact would not compromise their clan, or the traditions of the North which they had fought to protect. The Wavebreakers and Steelstone Clans accepted the offer, and the dominion of the Skórdilaw Pact has yet to be challenged.

Icerails (Merged into Skórdilaw)
Once one of the largest clans of the North, the Icerails were forced to relocate after their home, the Dourlands was taken by the Jointed Provinces 150 years ago. Since the loss of the Dourlands the Icerails slowly fell to one of the smaller of the Clans as they were forced up. They are now a Nomadic clan which travels across near the border. Though they dream of retaking their home back, they refused to join The Prince of Peaks.

Moonhowlers
Led by a Cheiftain chosen by ritual, and a Shaman known as the Moonspeaker, the Moonhowlers are fiercely independent, and considered to be the Black Sheep among the North. They are settled in the furthest reaches of the North in a large city known as the Crag. The Moonhowlers declined membership into Skórdilaw, prefering their old ways. With the return of magic, the Howelers have turned to Druidism and other Dark Magics. Clans of Balidoun are concerned, but the Moonhowlers continue to keep to themselves.

Steelstone
Led by Warlord Aldor Blackeye, The Steelston Clan is famous for their smithing and engineering innovations in the north. Considered to be the most Technologically Advanced Clan, they are among the largest contributor to Skoridlaw

Wavebreakers
Led by Chieftain Mackrai Bonedust, the Wavebreakers are among the oldest of the clans. Situated in the village of Seascrape, the Wavebreakers are relatively peaceful. The Wavebreakers under the leadership of Ashen Grizzlyfire were instrumental in overthrowing the Prince of Peaks: Bregiv Bearcleaver, and forming the Unified Resistance against the Godking during the Battle of Cortesia. After Ashen's death, leadership of the Clan passed to his son Mackrai, who has led the Wavebreakers to the leadership of Skórdilaw. In the years since magic has returned to the world, the Wavebreakers have returned to old practices, including what was once known as "Savage Magic" or Druidism.

Carraway (Merged into Skórdilaw)
A once smaller clan which grew ten-fold during the aftermath of the Cabal Wars after Dredge Ramhead became Cheiftain and later named himself Warlord. Carraway was renowned for their warriors.

Skórdilaw
The powerful ruling faction of Balidoun. Skórdilaw has united some of the most powerful clans of the North under one banner. Led by High-Warlord Bjorn Nightslayer, Skórdilaw has raised fears in the Jointed Provinces of a renewed attempt to retake the Dourlands. Despite this superstition, Skórdilaw has been a ruling of Peace. Dimplomatic relations have been established with the Jointed Provinces and with the Hydra Isles. If anything, some see Skórdilaw as a growing more industrious kingdom. And many are not sure if it's a good thing or not.