The Nords are a collection of human tribes inhabiting the harsh northern regions of Ea, where survival itself requires strength, adaptability, and a willingness to confront constant danger. Unlike the more “civilised” descendants of the Old Dominion, the Nords never fully adopted imperial structures, and thus were less affected by its fall.
Their society is organised around kinship groups known as ættir, each led by powerful individuals who command loyalty through strength, reputation, and divine favour. Leadership is fluid and must be constantly reinforced through action rather than inherited authority alone.
The Nords maintain a close relationship with the supernatural. Their lands are home to creatures that other cultures would consider mythical, and these beings are not merely threats but integral parts of the ecosystem. Some are revered, others hunted, and some are bound into service.
Religion among the Nords is immediate and practical. Their gods are not distant figures but active forces that shape daily life. Rituals, sacrifices, and personal feats are all means of interacting with these powers.
Historically, the Nords have engaged in cycles of raiding and migration, driven both by necessity and cultural expectation. These incursions bring them into frequent conflict with southern factions, particularly the Hundred Kingdoms.
Despite their reputation as barbarians, the Nords possess a complex social fabric. Honour, obligation, and reputation govern behaviour, and violations can have severe consequences. Their worldview is shaped by the inevitability of conflict and the belief that one’s worth is proven through action.
Tags: Honour, fate, saga, gods, beasts, raiding, kinship, strength, myth; names are Old Norse-inspired, short and strong, often tied to deeds, ancestry, or physical traits.