Varghelm

(Kingdom of the Varg, the Varg, Varghelm)

-While not officially recognized by many others as a kingdoms, the Reiver Kings of Varghelm can trace their heritage back to the first explorers of the eastern continents, though many doubt the legitimacy of their claims. Raiders of the sea and land, the Norse culture of the Varg is one of trials by combat, lordship by conquest, and the hardships of the cold north sea. It is said that the Varg are born with salt in their blood, and return to salt when they die.

-The northern regions of Averhelm are constantly on the lookout for Varg raiders, and the garrison of each town grows exponentially as you move further up the coast.

-The Varg are often described as naught but savages, but to say such would be to discount much of the rich history of their culture. What “civilized folk” would call savagery, the Varg consider to be simple rites of adulthood, celebratory fighting, or even simply a way to feed their families in a land which will grow few crops.

Military

-The Varg have never had a formal military, or any way to form one. The tribes constantly war with one another, which one man claiming kingship for a week until he is slain in ritual combat or a drunken brawl and replaced. While each Varg warrior is a terrifying berserker in combat, it is unlikely to find groups of more than 100 following any particular leader. This is lucky for the southern kingdoms, as a force of Varg of equal numbers to an Averian army with any shred of discipline would could wipe out the southerners for good. That is, if they could remain sober long enough to turn up for a pitched battle.

-The Varg navy, like their army, does not exist in specific terms. A village may have a small fleet of 2-3 ships with which to pillage the southern towns from the sea, and several fishing vessels not worth mentioning for combat. The Varg navy’s greatest strength is the veteran experience of their sailors, which double as their warriors and marines, and the grit of their captains in maintaining control of their vessels. Each sailor knows that mutiny during a pursuit by an Averian vessel means death for all aboard.