DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Paper Warriors
HTML https://paperwarriors.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: WiP Writings
*****************************************************
#Post#: 150--------------------------------------------------
A Complete History of Forevik
DIR By: Aggressivenutmeg
Date: January 11, 2013, 8:39 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]A Complete History of Forevik[/center]
[center]By Cedric Bårdsson[/center]
[center]Table of Contents[/center]
[center][center]1. Forward
2. Prehistoric Forevik
3. The Bronze Age
4. The Early Iron Age
5. The Late Iron Age
6. Medieval Forevik
7. Early Modern Forevik
8. Enlightenment
9. Industrialisation
10. Colonisation and Empire
11. The Birth of the Republic
12. The Great War
13. The Long Peace
14. Decolonisation
15. The Modern Age
16. Recent History
17. Forevik's Future
18. Forevik's Sagas
19. Maps
20. Appendices[/center][/center]
NOTE: I will post the maps and sets relating to each chapter
here in the OP until I make the maps and appendices posts.
Current map of Forevik
HTML http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/4135/forevikmapnewnamed.png
Map of Neolithic sites
HTML http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/443/forevikmapnewneolithic.png
Map of Bronze Age sites
HTML http://imageshack.us/a/img805/3568/forevikmapnewbronzeage.png
Map of Early Iron Age sites
HTML http://imageshack.us/a/img204/6627/forevikmapnewironage.png
#Post#: 151--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Complete History of Forevik
DIR By: Aggressivenutmeg
Date: January 11, 2013, 8:40 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Forward[/center]
This book details the history of the nation of Forevik, its
people, culture and religion. It touches on several other
nations, which have affected the history of Forevik and its
people in some capacity. The information present in this work is
based on current consensus of what constitutes fact. Where
appropriate, I will attempt to provide alternate views on the
subject. History is a science, and like any science, will adjust
its view according to the information available, as such, as
time goes on, these facts will become out dated as new
information is discovered and consensus changes. There are, of
cause, some things which we will never know. In these instances,
I shall present my own point of view based on the information
available. I have included foot notes for a variety of reasons;
1. To provide background information on individuals mentioned,
yet not pivotal to the chronicle, 2. To indicate the various
sources used and give some accountability to my opinions and
writings, and 3. To give readers off-topic information, or point
them to parts of the book containing the information they need.
I would like to acknowledge all those who loaned their
assistance with this work, but primarily professor Ælred
Akselsen, for editing the manuscript and tutoring me in the
field of history for many years.
Cedric Bårdsson
23rd September 2021
#Post#: 152--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Complete History of Forevik
DIR By: Aggressivenutmeg
Date: January 11, 2013, 8:40 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Chapter One
Prehistoric Forevik[/center]
[center]1. PALAEOLITHIC AND MESOLITHIC FOREVIK[/center]
The Palaeolithic extends from the time that the early ancestors
of modern humans first began using stone tools. The first
evidence of stone tool use has been dated to some 2.6 million
years ago; 2 million years after Australopithecines first walked
out of the jungles of Krisberg. The fossil record shows no
evidence for early hominines in Forevik until the end
Palaeolithic period. At this time the country was covered in
thick forests in the mountains to the south and north and
freezing moorland in the east. Inhabited by large herds of
mammoth, deer, snow horses, woolly rhinoceros, bears and
Saber-toothed cats; Forevik was teaming with wildlife, ripe for
colonisation by the new species evolving in the south.
The first evidence of humans in Forevik is dated to
approximately 800,000 years ago. These hominines, Homo Erectus,
were the first Forevikians, living the thick mountain forests of
the south, hunting deer and other game and fishing from the many
rivers and lakes that dot the mountain valleys. Very little is
known about the way Erectus lived, judging from stone tools
discovered at Erectus sites it can be deduced that they were a
society of hunter gatherers, living off what they could kill or
find. Tools included hand axes and spears and not much more.
About over the next 300,000 years or so, Homo Erectus dominated
Forevik, after which they began to disappear and be replaced
with a new species; Homo Kysrigradensis1. Kysrigardensis was
technologically stagnate, making little advances to the
technology inherited from Erectus. Kysrigardensis remained the
dominate hominine species in Forevik for the next several
hundred thousand years.
[center]2. THE ICE AGE AND THE EVOLUTION HOMO
FOREVIKIUS[/center]
When the last Ice Age began some 40,000 years ago, Homo
Kysrigardensis disappeared from Forevik and much of the area
covered that where covered by the glaciation. Although much of
Forevik became inhospitable at this time, small groups of
Kysrigardensis clung on. They adventually adapted to their new
climate, evolving into the most iconic of all our hominine
ancestors, Homo Forevikius2.
As Forevikius quickly spread across the Northern Hemisphere,
being uniquely evolved to cope with the Ice Age climate,
Forevikius remained technologically primitive. This has led to
the belief that Forevikius was somewhat unintelligent. In
reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Forevikius was
perhaps the first hominine species in which we see a display of
creativity; cave paintings left by Forevikius are dotted across
the Northern Hemisphere. They depict hunts, animals and strange
occurrences, such as a strange bright light in the sky, commonly
thought to be a super nova3. Forevikius also developed advanced
hunting techniques, particularly when dealing with herds of
large animals. Stalking and ambushing would have been common
practice for hundreds of thousands of years, but Homo Forevikius
was the first to use the lay of the land to their advantage.
They would herd Mammoth, Snow horses and woolly rhinoceros of
cliffs. While it may seem cruel, this method of hunting was
extremely effective and allowed Forevikius to stockpile enough
food to survive even the longest winters.
When the Ice age came to an end, around 20,000 years ago,
Forevikius remained the only hominine species in the north,
hunting and gathering, as they always had. However, the melting
of the ice sheets caused a dramatic change in sea levels. It is
thought that this is responsible for the “population explosion”
of Homo Forevikius, more likely that Forevikius tribes were
forced to migrate further inland as sea levels rose; covering
the land they once called home. This increase in population
density seems to have led to violence between Forevikius tribes
and several skeletons have been found with grievous wounds
caused by stone weapons.
[center]3. ARRIVLE OF HOMO SAPIENS[/center]
Following the end of the ice age, a new species of Hominine
began to migrate across the North, Homo Sapiens. At first, human
tribes settled in the forests of Forevik, their interaction with
Forevikius would have originally been cautious, perhaps even
violent. However, soon after the arrival of humans, we see a
sudden decline in the number of Forevikius. Whilst it was
previously believed that Forevikius was wiped out by the new
species looking to dominate the area, new evidence that has come
to light since the sequencing of both the human and Forevikius
genome suggests that humans and Forevikius bred with one
another.
Forevikius gradually became extinct as humans replaced them
across the world. This most successful of all life would have
spread to almost every landmass within the next thousand years.
Homo Forevikius however would die out, the last one ever living
dying in a cave overlooking the coast in Norvik, 14,000 years
ago. But every Forevikian has some Forevikius genes in us. Pale
skin, blue and green eyes, blonde and red hair are all traits
that originated in our most famous of ancestors.
[center]4. NEOLITHIC FOREVIK[/center]
The Neolithic period began in Forevik in 4500 b.c.e. The
shortest of the Stone Age periods, the Neolithic saw a sudden
explosion in the technology being discovered and invented by
mankind. Bows, arrows, axes and even primitive knives were all
produced in Forevik at this time. Not only technology, but the
Neolithic was the formation of Forevikian culture and the
development of the Proto-Forevikian language, religion and
society.
At this time, Forevikians lived in large tribes of ten-twelve
extended families. Agriculture was introduced to Forevik in the
early 4th millennium b.c.e. and soon caught on with many coastal
and plains tribes. Barley was the staple crop of these farmers,
which soon became a favourite food for the herds of mammoth. The
Farming tribes became very attached to their lands, as within
fifty years of agriculture’s introduction we find evidence of
the first burrows and burial mounds. These ancient humans were
buried with their positions; primarily tools and jewellery.
The Neolithic saw, not only advances in stone tool technology
and the development of agriculture, but also the development of
trade routes between Forevik and regions to the South, primarily
the area of modern day FUTAN and Sarrust. These early merchants
traded in a variety of goods, furs, amber, gold and flint. This
startling development shows just how intelligent and imaginative
these early Forevikians where. To travel to far distant lands
and barter goods shows a remarkable level of social development.
Far from the image of fur clad people hunkering down in a cave
that is commonly present of these Stone Age people.
The Neolithic saw the first permanent settlements erected in
Forevik. The earliest excavated Neolithic settlement is located
at Uffrith in Fjordland. The settlement at Uffrith is the most
intact Neolithic sight in the world; it is an excellent display
of the living conditions of Neolithic Forevikians. Being
sheltered by the high mountains surrounding the Fjord valley,
the settlement was largely constructed of wooden huts with stone
foundations. Fire pits were commonplace in almost every home, a
clear sign that the climate was similar to that of present
Forevik. The farming terraces cut into the mountain side show a
high level of technological capacity and will power, it would be
a tremendous effort to dig terraces with only stone tools.
Perhaps the most iconic monuments left by our Neolithic
ancestors are the many standing stones and stone circles left
dotting Forevik and parts of Red Tears. Carved with depictions
of dragons, griffons and other fantastical creatures, these
standing circles are some of the greatest mysteries of the
Forevikian Neolithic. Their purpose can only be speculated at,
however, they were most likely built for religious purposes. It
is speculated that the early Forevikian tribes worshiped either
the sun or the moon, and at certain times of the year, the sun
and moon are aligned with specific points in the stones
monuments.
---------------------------------------------------------
1. Named after the University of New Kysrigrad in Sandria, where
H. Kysrigradensis was first discovered
2. So named as they were first discovered in Forevik by
Professor Erik Karlsson
3. There are a multitude of theories as to what these symbols
actually are; some speculate it was a gamma ray burst from a
nearby black whole, although there is no evidence to support a
black whole being anywhere near our star system. Others believe
that it depicts the lights of an alien craft, although most
archaeologists dismiss this as pure fantasy.
#Post#: 153--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Complete History of Forevik
DIR By: Aggressivenutmeg
Date: January 11, 2013, 8:41 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Chapter Two
The Bronze Age[/center]
[center]1. METAL COMES TO FOREVIK[/center]
The Bronze Age came late to Forevik. The civilisations around
the eastern sea had discovered how to make bronze tools and
weapons some time before 3300 b.c.e., almost 1500 years before
the first bronze tools were brought to Forevik buy the Neolithic
traders. Forevik quickly proved to be pivotal to the growing
continental bronze trade, due to its rich deposits of tin and
copper. According to current archaeological evidence, the first
Bronze using community in Forevik was a small settlement in the
Greypeak Mountains named Osrung. A small farming community,
bronze jewellery and tools found at Osrung have been carbon
dated to 1700 b.c.e. Smithing became a highly prized skill and
was the techniques used in smithing developed quickly in
Forevik, partially due to the introduction of techniques from
other parts of the world, but mainly due to the skill and
ingenuity of Forevikian smiths.
Bronze revolutionized Forevik, bronze axe heads allowed farmers
to clear land far more easily, forests were felled and
agriculture rapidly expanded. This increase in agriculture was
followed by a population explosion as the Neolithic villages
grew into towns. The increase in population irrevocably changed
Foreviks social dynamics, for the first time we see evidence of
hereditary rulers4; usually characterised with some status
symbol, often a prized bronze axe in the early era of the Bronze
Age but later pieces of gold jewellery such as crowns and
torques as bronze tools became more readily available.
There is archaeological evidence from Sarrust and Reichana to
suggest the Forevikian bronze-work was highly prized, as they
have discovered bronze axe heads, and much later swords, marked
with proto-Forevikian runes. The suggestions of Forevik being at
the heart of an international bronze trade seems ludicrous,
until you take into account one of the most amazing inventions
of the period; the sail.
[center]2. THE SAIL AND THE BIRTH OF THE SEAFEARING
NATION[/center]
With the invention of the sail in 1200 b.c.e., in area around
Kirkwall, Bronze Age Forevik became the heart of international
trade. Its rich deposits of copper and tin, the main metals used
in the smelting of bronze, were traded to other areas making
Forevik incredibly wealth for the time. The ore trade brought
gold and other precious metals as well as gems and new
innovative technologies from distant lands.
The Sail bought, not only trade, but also allowed Forevik to
access a new resource; fish. The ability to fish far from the
shore allowed Forevik’s fishing villages to expand greatly in
population, much like those in agricultural areas a thousand
years before. The sea was forever more was one of the most
important parts of Foreviks culture; particularly for the
coastal clans. By the late Bronze Age we find evidence of the
first raids by Forevikians into other coastal areas. At an
excavation in Norvik, Archaeologists found a large haul of
Palernian gold, dated to 1007 b.c.e., buried alongside a Thane
of the ancient Nor clan.
[center]3. THE LATE BRONZE AGE CLAN CONFLICTS[/center]
As the Bronze Age carried on, Forevik’s cross clan interaction
changed dramatically. Traditionally, Forevik was a rather
peaceful part of the world. In the Eastern Sea area, the “cradle
of civilisation”, the great city states were constantly at each
other’s throats. By contrast Foreviks clans interacted rather
peacefully with very few disputes and even less resulting in
violence. However, sometime around 900 b.c.e. the clan’s
relations changed dramatically.
The cause of this radical change in inter-clan relations is
still unknown to us; the most likely cause would be some form of
minor climate change, likely that the region underwent a period
of cooling, resulting in extensive permafrost, making much of
Foreviks eastern planes inarable and the seasonal sea ice of the
North Ocean extend to the coast. This drove the clans to compete
with one another over the few remaining resources.
Inter clan conflicts were mainly fought in a series of
skirmishes between warbands. It was particularly vicious,
forensic Archaeology has uncovered evidence of grievous wounds
caused from swords and axes. From this time comes the legend of
Thane Eadric Askaström, leader of Skald clan. Askaström lead a
dearing attack on his nemesis, Thane Swiðhn Losensen of the
Dannol clan. His warband of some hundred warriors scaled the
mountains around the Dannol clan’s power base of Carlon in
Fjordland. They managed Carlon in Fjordland. They managed to
raise the town and scatter their enemies to the hills. They
presude Thane Losensen and won a victory over his larger force
at Uffrith5. Clan warfare would carry on in a similar way for
the next two hundred years.
[center]4. LANGUAGE AND WRITING IN THE BRONZE AGE[/center]
Since the first developments of the Proto-Forevikian language in
the late Neolithic, the language continued to evolve to
something much like it was today. These first traces of what
would become Old Forevikian by the early Iron Age, was nearly
universal across the region that would become Forevik and
western Reichana . The benefits of a common language allowed the
Forevikian tribes to work together, and later, to easily
negotiate after conflict.
The late Bronze Age also was the development of the ancient
Forevikian alphabet; one of the earliest writing systems in the
world. Simply written as horizontal lines diverging from a
single vertical line, the alphabet was carved on the walls of
barrows and standing stones. This early writing recorded names
and titles of those buried in the barrows, on the standing
stones; they record events, legends and the worship of the gods.
The invention of writing pulled Forevik out of prehistory and
allows us to discover what the world of the Bronze Age
Forevikians was like.
Forevikian polytheism grew out of the Bronze Age. The exact
origin of the mythos is unknown; however, it is likely an
evolution of the nature worship practiced by the Neolithic
Forevikians. The nature spirits were instead given names and
human forms; while still retaining their role in Forevikian
Spirituality.
---------------------------------------------------------
4. This is may not be strictly true. Early Forevikian myths tell
of several chiefs whose fathers had ruled before them, however,
being orally re-told tails; it may well be possible that the
idea of hereditary rule was included once it had become the
norm.
5. According to the legend of Askaström, he used his magic spear
to slay Losensen’s bodyguard, a giant 12 feet tall who wielded a
club bade from a tree branch and a boulder.
#Post#: 154--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Complete History of Forevik
DIR By: Aggressivenutmeg
Date: January 11, 2013, 8:41 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Chapter Three
The Early Iron Age[/center]
[center]1. THE ARRIVAL OF IRON[/center]
Sometime around 800 b.c.e., a trader wondered into Forevik from
the south. Perhaps he was returning home from a long journey, or
perhaps he was a visitor to Forevik, come to trade for furs and
amber. Despite his origins, this trade brought with him the next
great technological leap; Iron and the knowledge of ferrous
metallurgy. This new material was much stronger than bronze,
being a more brittle and tougher metal, it held a sharpened edge
for much longer.
Slowly, the softer bronze tools and weapons were done away with
in favour of the new metal. Copper and tin mining in Forevik
slowly stopped, and was replaced with Iron mining7. Foreviks
trade of bronze dried up and soon enough the wealth that had
flooded into Forevik during the Bronze Age slowed to a trickle.
This would have dire consequences for the World and Forevik
later in history8.
Soon, this new techniques were discovered for forging Iron, in
the south, it was discovered how to turn iron into steel making
it even stronger. By 750 b.c.e. iron was replaced with steel,
yet the Iron Age continued.
[center]2. CLAN CONFLICTS INTENSIFY[/center]
During the Iron Age, clan conflicts intensified. The precise
reason is not known to historians; however, I speculate that it
was a combination of two things; a desire to control what little
trade Forevik still had with the outside world, and the desire
to settle ancient grudges and feuds. As the conflicts become
more frequent and violent, there was a shift in tactics. Instead
of a series of raids and skirmishes, the goal of this type of
war was to either displace your enemies or absorb them into your
clan.
During this period it was common for the average farmer to own
weapons, often passed down through the family, and to have the
skill to fight for their clan, when war came; they would be
levied by the Thane. Typically, the Thanes would keep a small
forces of professional warriors; the Huskarls. By 700 b.c.e.
Each clan had constructed their own hill fort, which acted as
the Thanes palace and the governing centre of the clan. The hill
forts, known as kastels, were typically constructed close to the
historical centre of the clan and were the largest population
centres, some housing up to a thousand people9. The best
preserved of these hill forts is Kastel Virkie, built by the
Wulfing clan, just south of what is today Virkyre. Typically the
hill forts were simply a town built on the top of a hill – or in
some cases, several hills – with walls following the hills
natural contours. The walls were low earthworks crowned with a
high wooden palisade. The right to live inside the hill fort10,
was granted to the thanes immediate family and the families of
his huskarls.
During the Iron Age inter-clan wars, Forevikians created some of
the technology that would go on to dominate warfare for the next
few hundred years. Chainmail was a Forevikian innovation; the
oldest known piece of chainmail armour was found at an
excavation outside Unst, dated to 612 b.c.e. Chainmail was the
premier armour for much of the world for the next thousand
years, as the invention spread from Forevik across the planet.
However during the early Iron Age, it was extremely difficult to
produce and thus, expensive. Only the wealthiest could afford
it, meaning thanes and rich merchants11.
[center]3. CLAN CONFLICTS ON NORLAND[/center]
At this time, Norland was rather distant from the rest of
Forevik. They didn’t speak old Forevikian, instead they spoke
Nor12. Although similar to old Forevikian, the language barrier
did hamper communication between the two groups, and caused the
cultural divide that remains today. Despite the differences, the
clan structured society did move to Norland and the small island
witnessed the most brutal fighting of the Iron Age wars.
The Nor clan began its campaign against the Col clan in 467
b.c.e. Halbarád Elrosson, Thane of the Nor clan, led an army in
excess of 3000 warriors against the Col. The casus belli for the
conflict is unknown, however according to the Saga, Blóð in þe
Norðr (Blood in the North), Thane Halbarád marched against Clan
Col for raids on the village of Raevik and other transgressions
committed over a century before. Regardless of the cause of the
conflict; the Nor-Col war was one of the bloodiest conflicts in
Foreviks ancient history.
Following the levying of 3000 fighting men, Thane Halbarád led
his army south to Colvik, the seat of power of the Col Clan.
Colvik was the first hill fort built in Norvik and the
settlement there dates back to the Bronze Age. His army was met
by 1000 Colsmen. The Thane of the Col Clan; Arág Hérsen, had
already fled from Colvik, knowing he lacked the numbers to
achive victory in battle. The Norsmen laid siege to Colvik after
their first assault was unsuccessful. The siege continued for
three days while Thane Arág gathered levies from the country
side. He returned to Colvik with another 600013 men forcing the
Norsmen to withdraw. The first clash in Colvik was followed by
the Battle of Bunder’s Brook; after waiting for reinforcements
to arrive from Norvik, Thane Halbarád’s force, now swollen to
some 10,000, once again marched on Colvik, this time, they were
met by 7500 Colsmen at Bunder’s Brook. The battle was short and
fierce, with the Norsmen breaking the Colsmen with few losses.
The Colsmen withdrew to Colvik, mounting a desperate defence
against the overwhelming number of Norsmen. The battle lasted
three days, and resulted in a victory for the Norsmen. Colvik
was raised to the ground and the survivors of the Col clan fled
to Culvik where they set about rebuilding the Clan.
Despite the shattering victory over Clan Col, Thane Halbarád and
the Norsmen left the Col Clan shattered, Thaneless and
defenceless before returning home. It would be another 300 years
of blood before the Col clan was subjugated by the Nor. Conflict
between the three clans of Norland would continue well into the
4th Century c.e.
[center]4. CLAN CONFLCITS IN FJORDLAND[/center]
Fjorland’s clans had been fighting one another since the Bronze
Age14. The Skald and Donnal clans had been fighting on and off
for over a thousand years. Warfare here in the high mountains
was different to fighting in the lowlands. Due to the terrain,
the armies were made up of numerous small warbands called
“dozens” the small forces could move around more freely than a
large army. The dozens raided and scouted enemy territory and
would rally together when preparing for a large battle.
The fighting was primarily minor skirmishes between the clans.
Due to the Dannol clans defeat at the hands of the legendary
Thane Askaström, they would pose little threat to the dominance
of the Skald clan (and they would not for another several
hundred years15). The fighting in this part of the country was
mainly over the valuable deposits of iron in the region. Since
the end of the bronze trade, Foreviks wealth generated from
mining copper and tin had dried up. Iron, being only found in
the mountainous parts of the country was in high demand in
Vesterland, Austerland, Norland and the Shivering Isles. The
only other region to supply iron was the under populated
Greypeaks16. The wealth from the Iron mining was something worth
fighting over. After almost the Skald clan was able to establish
control over the trade by forcing the Dannol, Gunn and Dornoch
clans to pay them a percentage based tribute of the wealth
created from the iron trade. The Skald clan would rule Fjordland
as a nation from 723 b.c.e. This was a time of relative peace
for Fjordland; however, the subjugated clans would often rise in
rebellion.
[center]5. CLAN CONFLICTS IN VESTERLAND AND AUSTERLAND[/center]
Vesterland and Austerland’s Iron Age politics were driven by a
series of political alliances, conflicts, betrayals and civil
wars; the perfect setting for the great Sagas. Indeed, early
Iron Age Vesterland is where the vast majority of Foreviks early
literature was composed, the Great Sagas, such as; þá giedd se
Edric Ðyngebeorð, a legend of the great hero Edric the
Stormborn, who rescued the daughter of Dærik Haakonsson, Thane
of the Viken Clan, from a dragon. The clan wars in Vesterland
and Austerland would never see the establishment of a single
dominant clan like in Fjordland, or later in Norland. Instead
the clans would continue to fight one another for hundreds of
years after the end of the early Iron Age period.
The precise reasoning for the conflict is, like those in
Norland, unclear. As far as historians and Archaeologists can
discern, there is no obvious reason to fight; no trade to
control, no riches to mine and no even that would drive conflict
over limited resources. From what we can tell from the Sagas
written in Vesterland at the time, the wars were primarily
fought over honour, laws and line of succession to the Thaneship
of various clans. The Saga; Ædwulf þærebeaðu (Ædwulf’s war)
chronicals the war of Thane Ædwulf Dansson, ruler of the Orrock
Clan, against the Agder and Yngling Clans over the supposedly
illegal succession of Arnþorr Donarsen to the Thaneship of the
Agder Clan.
[center]6. CLAN CONFLICTS ON THE SHIVERING ISLES[/center]
The Shivering Isles have always had their own unique language
and culture. During much of the Forevikian Iron Age, the
shivering Isles were still in their Neolithic period. There was
no bronze age. Instead, Iron was brought to the Isles by traders
from what is now the North coast of Reichana in 591 b.c.e. The
Island clans; Verbaak, Frisian, Vlaam and Flevian17, frequently
fought one another over control of the Islands even before the
introduction of metallurgy. In the two centuries since the
introduction of metal and the end of the early Iron Age in 400
b.c.e., the rule of the islands changed hands nearly forty
times. Writing was only introduced into the Islands in 532
b.c.e., making knowledge of these ancient conflicts largely
unattainable.
[center]7. THE KUBLA-KESHIN[/center]
In 702 b.c.e. Austerland was revenged by an enemy that swept
down from the plains of Reichana. The Kubla-keshin18 were once a
nomadic people who began to settle down in cities during the
early bronze age, expanding across the tundra occupying most of
what is today Reichana. Eventually, these cities merged together
forming an Empire. This Empire would produce some of the
brightest military minds of the age, their revolutionary
military tactics and practices revolutionised warfare. The
Keshin Empire would cause trouble for Austerland for the next
thousand years.
Initially, contact between the clans of Austerland and the
Keshin was peaceful. They would trade with one another; fur,
various crops, amber, precious metals and technology were all
valuable commodities that changed hands. The Kubla-keshin were
the first peoples outside Forevik to adopt the use of chainmail,
which they outfitted their entire military with. However, the
Keshin soon took advantage of Austerlands lack of unity. In 702
b.c.e. Czar Afonasei, launched a campaign to conquer Forevik.
The first expedition plunged right into the heartland of
Austerland. Following the River Deuer, the Keshin were met by
forces from both the Ryger and Syger Clans. These Forevikian
forces were easily defeated by the Kubla-keshin’s superior
tactics and discipline. However, the Keshin general made the
mistake of dividing his forces. One half was sent to besiege
Kastel Mædín, the second half continued the march up the Deuer
and destroy the Syger power-base of Sygvik. Whilst the First
half succeeded in capturing - or rather, destroying - Kastel
Mædín, the second half was ambushed in the Ærningskogen. The
first force was then met by a force of Syger warriors at the
village of Kervik; the Keshin army was destroyed. However, this
was not the end of Czar Afonasei’s campaign.
The Second expedition was made up of three times as many as the
first, some thirty thousand men. The expeditionary force had
only one objective, destroy Sygvik and break the resistance of
the Syger and Ryger clans19. This second force of 30,000 men was
much more successful than the previous expedition; they also
bought with them two dragons20. They successfully defeated all
Syger and Ryger forces they met. When they reach Sygvik they
burnt and sacked the town, before proceeded south and sacking
Valsgarth. The Keshin consolidated their position in Austerland,
founding the city of Deuerheim at the location of the destroyed
Sygvik. The territories of the Syger and Ryger were formed into
the Province of Westmännerland21.
In 699 b.c.e., the third consecutive year of campaign was
launched. The 30,000 men that had previously conquered the Syger
and Ryger, were sent north, into Fjordland. Fjordlands unity
under the iron fist of the Skald clan presented a unique
challenge to the Keshin. The divisions of the Syger and Ryger
had hampered them working together to defend themselves,
however, the terrain of Fjordland allowed the dozens of the
Fjordland clans to fight a guerrilla war against the invaders.
With three months of the campaign launch, the Keshin had
returned to Deuerheim.
[center]8. THE CLAN PEACE AND THE GREAT RAIDS[/center]
In 510 b.c.e. the clans of Vesterland, Austerland, Fjordland and
the Greypeaks gathered at Holdale on invitation from the Holder
clan. The aim of this gathering, the first Folkþing, was to
negotiate a treaty between the clans; a treaty to establish and
maintain an everlasting peace. The treaty negotiations were
successful, surprisingly, and resulted in the hosting of an
annual Folkþing. The location for the Folkþing was chosen to be
the small village of Kirkwall, which remains the seat of the
federal government today. Alongside this annual meeting, the
treaty imposed a set of laws dictating the settlement of
inter-clan disputes; single combat between champions was to
determine the result of the dispute, should diplomacy fail. This
treaty maintained peace between the clans for almost six hundred
years.
Following the Treaty of Holdale or as it is known in old
Forevikian; Þé Friðriþsibb(The Agreement of Great Peace),
ushered in a new era of prosperity for the clans of mainland
Forevik. This era of peace lead to a substantial increase in
overseas raids, which bought tremendous amounts of wealth into
the country. The primary targets for the raids were Keshin
cities along the coast. As the raids escalated, most captains
would sail there ships further and further away from home.
Eventually leading to raids on the cities of what became the
FUATN and Rathos. The tale of Godwín Frisksen, captain of a
three-hundred oar longship named Færí, tricked the leaders of
the Pelernan city of Argolikós into opening the gates by
pretending to have lost half the crew to starvation and making
themselves out to be traders. The tale remains a popular
children’s story.
---------------------------------------------------------
7. Iron mining was not as lucrative for Forevik as the mining of
tin and copper had been. Although Forevik has large deposits of
iron, it is far more common than tin and thus, many regions have
no need to import it.
8. See Chapter 3.10 and Chapter 6.X
9. By this time the clans were no longer familial based tribes,
but had evolved to become petty kingdoms.
10. If the hill fort had living space; many were simply a
fortification, with a town built bellow the hill.
11. It was, at first, more of a status symbol than anything
else.
12. As the language is known today, primarily through the
dominance the Nor clan exerted over the Col and Len clans.
13. While the numbers seem small compared to many medieval
battles, the population of Forevik at this time (and
particularly Norland) was relatively small.
14. See Chapter 2.3
15. See Chapter 4.3
16. The Greypeaks have the riches deposits of Iron in the
nation. Due to the low population of the region, little of this
was mined.
17. The Vlaam and Flevian clans reside on Laange Island, ceded
to Reichana after the Forevik-Reichana war of 1989.
18. I shall henceforth refer to them as the Keshin.
19. With the destruction of Kastel Mædín, the Ryger were
Thaneless and easily absorbed by the Syger clan.
20. The Keshin were the first peoples know to ride dragons into
battle. For more on dragons see the Appendices.
21. The Keshin called the Forevikians Westmänner meaning “Men of
the West”.
#Post#: 155--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Complete History of Forevik
DIR By: Aggressivenutmeg
Date: January 11, 2013, 8:42 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Chapter Four
The Late Iron Age[/center]
[center]1. THE BREAKING OF THE PEACE[/center]
After enjoying six centuries of peace with only some minor wars
between clans, the peace was shattered with the ascension of
Eínðarr Ínvarrsson to the Thaneship of the Asrin Clan in 102
c.e. His claim to the Thaneship was weak. The previous Thane
Hallí Æddarðsson had died childless; Einðarr was the son of
Hallí’s youngest brother, Ínvarr. The throne should have passed
to Oddr, the middle brother, however Einðarr and his men
murdered Oddr and his family in the dead of night. Oddr wife was
the daughter of the Thane of Dusker clan and the spilling of her
blood demanded justice; Einðarr's life. The Asrin would never
surrender the last of their Royal line, so the Dusker, along
with their allies, the Orrock and Knar clans, made war on the
Asrin. Through a complex system of treaties and marriages, this
sparked a chain reaction drawing almost all the clans into the
war. Only Fjordland and Greypeaks, being politically isolated,
were spared from violence. The war was soon over, however, Þé
Friðriþsibb was in tatters, new grudges had been formed and old
ones remembered. Few of the clans would trust one another, and
even fewer would work together again.
[center]2. THE WARS OF ÐONAR SVERRIRSEN[/center]
In 312 c.e., Ðonar Sverrirsen, son of the debilitated Thane
Sverrir Haakonsson of the Drenth Clan, launched a campaign to
place the Drenth as the dominant clan in Vesterland. Ðonar was a
man of potent intellect, ambition and cunning, a ruthless
opponent in both war and politics. By arranging marriages for
himself and his siblings, he solidified alliances with many of
the Austerland clans. Ensuring they would be open to the Ðonar
seizing power on the other side of the River Strom.
His first war began in 330 c.e., an army of eight thousand men
marched south against the Agder Clan. His army was met at the
village of Kárrð by ten thousand Agdermen. The battle was
largely won by Ðonar’s vanguard, before the main force of either
side could arrive; the Agdermen retreated to the hill fort
Kastel Þårrbr. Knowing he lacked the numbers to storm the fort,
Ðonar began to pillage the countryside, forcing the Agder to
face him in open battle; which they did. They met just outside
of modern Foula, the bulk of Ðonar’s forces, the infantry, were
drawn up in open ground waiting to meet the perusing Agder army.
They were on a top of an east facing hill overlooking a shallow
steam, the agder were drawn up on the west; they would be forced
to attack through the steam. Ðonar’s cavalry were placed in the
woods to the North, preparing to circle around the main Agder
force and take their rear. Although the Agder knew they had the
numbers to overwhelm the Drenth forces, they were cautious after
their defeat at Kárrð. Despite their caution they failed to
properly reconnoitre the woods in the north, completely missing
the Drenth cavalry there. While the Agder advanced, they were
met with arrows from the Drenth infantry, once the builk of the
Agder force was on the move, the three thousand cavalry
attacked. The Agder became trapped; as simultaneously the Drenth
infantry forces counter-charged and cut down the Agder
attempting to cross the stream. The battle quickly became a
rout. Thaneless and broken the Agder quickly bent the knee to
Ðonar. When the village of Eekvik resisted, they were quickly
put to the sword.
By 350 c.e., much of north Vesterland had come to accept the
Ðonar and the Drenth as their overlords; albeit in much nicer
terms. In 358 c.e. Ðonar, now the Thane of the Drenth following
his father’s death, prepared for the campaign south. Forty
thousand men, one of the largest hosts ever mustered in
Forevik22, marched south against the Scylding and Toten clans.
This massive force was comprised of men from all the clans under
Drenth rule; the thanes of each clan maintained command over
their own men, Ðonar’s son, Cerdic Ðonarsson, commanded the
Agdermen. The army was met on the field a total of seven times
during the campaign. Unlike Ðonar’s first war against the Agder,
there was no one decisive battle. Instead, Ðonar’s massive force
marched on skeld and sacked the town, before besieging the hiss
fort; Kastel Scylvik. The Thane of the Scylding quickly
surrendered to Ðonar when it was obvious he would not survive if
they committed to resistance. The host proceeded to then move
wast against the Toten. Their first clash came at Haldane, where
most of the Toten force fled after seeing the mass of Ðonar’s
troops. Quick to recover, Thane Eadwig Osgársson rallied his
forces at Helgibe, before fleeing to the country side. Unable to
determine Eadwig’s location or destination, Ðonar divided his
forces to harry the countryside and draw Eadwig into combat.
With the division of the host, Eadwig saw his chance. He drew
the inferior forces of Thane Leofríc Branðrsen of the Ludin clan
into combat. A decisive victory for the Toten; the bulk of
Leofríc’s forces were scattered. Ðonar immediately altered his
tactics to counter those of Eadwig. He regrouped at Helgibe and
marched back out into the countryside. He burned, looted and
killed his way through Toten territory. Eadwig knew he would
have to face them in open battle at some point, but Eadwig would
make sure it was on ground of his choosing. Through a series of
raids and guerrilla attacks on Ðonar’s main force, he drew them
to battle at svarthæð; a narrow river valley between steep,
high, forested hills, where Ðonar’s army would have a hard time
manoeuvring. Ðonar knew this, yet there was no other option but
to commit to battle, a withdrawal would have allowed Eadwig to
escape back into the countryside. After six hours of combat, the
last thousand men of Eadwig’s force surrendered.
Ðonar would continue to rule Vesterland for another ten years;
he died peacefully in 362 c.e. His son, Cerdic Ðonarsson, took
the Thaneship of the Drenth upon his father’s death. Seeing that
the new Thane was weak, the other clans threw off the shackles
of subjugation and once against, Vesterland was plunged into
inter-clan war.
[center]3. THE CHAOS[/center]
The three centuries between the death of Ðonar Sverrirsen in 362
and the beginning of Æddard Þórensson wars of unification in
652, is known as “The Chaos”; a long period of conflict between
the clans that saw the rise and fall of many petty kingdoms. The
Chaos saw an end to the Skald clan’s dominion over Fjordland,
the fall of the Kubla-Keshin Empire and the independence of the
Westmännerland province.
In Fjordland, the Skald clan that had ruled the region for the
last thousand years was overthrown by a rebellion of the Dannol
clan. The Dannolmen were led by the charismatic Thane Eadgar
Vírðrsen, and being the most populous was easily able to drive
the skald out of their territory. However, it was a common
belief among the leaders of the Dannol clan, that the only way
to ensure their independence was to completely annihilate the
Skald clan. Thane Eadgar was swayed by their arguments and set
about building a coalition with the Gunn and Dornoch clans.
Together, with an army of some 17,000 men, they marched on the
town of Skaill, the stronghold of the Skald clan. The Skald
Thane, Eofórwin Sígrunsson was only a child; the Thane-Regent,
his uncle, Tryggír Ðanesen was, by all accounts of the time23, a
man of poor intellect. He chose to march out and meet the
rebellion head on. The battle of Mount Stören is still taught in
Forevikian military schools as an example of a terrible battle.
On both sides casualties were high, over fifteen thousand are
estimated to have been killed or wounded. The Skald made an
assault up the side of the mountain against an entrenched rebel
position; the result was, of cause, a catastrophic loss for the
Skald. The rebel position on the mountain was later turned into
Forevik's first stone fortress, Kastel Stören.
The Kubla-keshin Empire had ruled part of Austerland for almost
as long as the Skald had ruled Fjordland. However, under
pressure by invaders from the east and internal strife, the
Keshin Empire collapsed and withdrew its garrisons from the
province of Westmännerland. The Forevikians that had lived there
were now clanless; indoctrinated into the all-encompassing
culture of the Keshin. Instead they formed their own kingdom;
adopting the name Westmänner as their own. The first king of the
new Kingdom of Westmännerland was ruled by Fírmin I Oswinsson,
of House Thornheyrir. The Westmänner adopted a primitive fudal
system, instead of clans; the kingdom was dived up and ruled by
wealthy and prominent families. The kingdom was almost
constantly at war; Foreviks clans raided their villages, their
noble families fought one another and the petty kingdoms of
Reichana marched west seeking to reconquer the Keshin Empire.
However, the Westmänner were able to weather the storms. They
would not be conquered until the wars of unification.
[center]4. THE UNIFICATION WARS[/center]
In 652, a young and idealistic man ascended to the Thaneship of
the Wulfing clan; Æddard Þórensson dreamt of a land united; by
culture, language, religion and king. He would forge this nation
through bloody conquest and polite diplomacy. While Æddard
himself would not live to see the nation as one; his sons and
grandsons would for fill their fathers dream. It would take
nealry two centuries, but Forevik would be made whole for the
first time in its history, through the will of a single man.
Æddard’s legend is recounted in a series of epic sagas. The
first saga; Þé Cniht og Byrnsweórð (The Boy and the Burning
Sword), tells of Æddard’s accent to the throne and the
acquisition of his magical blade; Ærmorlædend (Dawn bringer).
Every Forevikian knows the tale of Æddard and his flaming sword,
however, one must remember that the sagas are just that; tales.
That is not to say that there is no truth in the Sagas. It is
likely that Æddard did indeed tame a Sea Griffin and rode him in
combat; we have multiple sources form later dates recording the
wealthiest of nobles riding griffins and dragons in war. What we
can say for certainty about Æddard Þórensson, is that he lived
between 624 and 698, he inherited the Thaneship of the Wulfing
clan from his cousin, Osmund Haakonsson, and went on to unite
the clans of Forevik creating the nation. The sagas accounts of
demons, burning swords and witches belong solely in the realm of
fiction.
[center]5. THE CAMPAIGN IN AUSTERLAND[/center]
[center]6. THE CAMPAIGN IN VESTERLAND[/center]
[center]7. THE CAMPAIGN IN THE GREYPEAKS[/center]
[center]8. THE CAMPAIGN IN FJORDLAND[/center]
[center]9. THE WAR AGAINST THE WESTERMÄNNER[/center]
[center]10. THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE NOR[/center]
[center]11. UNITY AND THE END OF THE FOREVIKIAN IRON
AGE[/center]
---------------------------------------------------------
22. This record remained unbeaten until well into the Middle
Ages during the Forevik-Trader wars. See Chapter 5.X
23. Keep in mind that these accounts were written by members of
the Dannol clan and are likely to be bias.
#Post#: 156--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Complete History of Forevik
DIR By: Aggressivenutmeg
Date: January 11, 2013, 8:43 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Chapter Five
Medieval Forevik[/center]
#Post#: 157--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Complete History of Forevik
DIR By: Aggressivenutmeg
Date: January 11, 2013, 8:43 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Chapter Six
Early Modern Forevik[/center]
#Post#: 158--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Complete History of Forevik
DIR By: Aggressivenutmeg
Date: January 11, 2013, 8:44 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Chapter Seven
Enlightenment[/center]
#Post#: 159--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Complete History of Forevik
DIR By: Aggressivenutmeg
Date: January 11, 2013, 8:45 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Chapter Eight
Industrialisation[/center]
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 3
DIR Next Page