Arquebuse
Chieftain
I wouldn't call settling the Nordland useless; iron and black sticky stuff that we don't have a use for yet.
The Great Union of the North
- Thread starter Arquebuse
- Start date
I wouldn't call settling the Nordland useless; iron and black sticky stuff that we don't have a use for yet.
adhiraj.bose
Deity
Compared to Estonia and Finland the North is useless !
Manuss
Sleeping man
Algaut
Interesting how the Byzantines conquered Italy. Very historical.
Interesting how the Byzantines conquered Italy. Very historical.
Arquebuse
Chieftain
The Jarls Select Algaut as the Next King of the North!
Injald- 0 votes
Sporsnjall- 1 vote
Algaut- 4 votes
Olof Trätälja- 0 votes
Injald- 0 votes
Sporsnjall- 1 vote
Algaut- 4 votes
Olof Trätälja- 0 votes
Arquebuse
Chieftain
The Reign of King Algaut
Algaut quickly arrived in Stockholm from his kingdom in Götaland. He entered the great hall and found that most of the other jarls had already gathered. They were talking in worried tones, about a dead king and a new king. What man does not wish to avenge his grandfather's death? The Nordland is useless, there are greater riches in the east. But who else could be king? Anund is dead and he had only one son, Injald. Algaut still had no idea what was going on, he pulled aside the jarl closest to him, What is going on here, who is dead? Our king, King Ingvar is dead. Algaut let go of the man and took a minute to take in what he heard. King Ingvar is dead, meaning that now next in line is his cowardly grandson Injald. Algaut knew that Injald as a king would lead the union into ruin. Injald's opinions and wishes were very different from those of the other jarls and if he were to be king, many kingdoms in the union would surely secede. Something had to be done to prevent Injald from becoming king. King Hálfdan of Södermanland stood up on the table and called out, Quiet, quiet, we need to discuss, not gossip. The room quieted down and one of the other jarls shouted out, Injald cannot be the king of the union. The crowd responded with approval. Hálfdan reasoned, But the people love Injald, if we kill him we may have a rebellion on our hands. Besides, who would be the next king? The crowd began to call out again. I should be king! No, I! Hálfdan should be king! Algaut stood up on the other end of table. King Hálfdan is right. We cannot let Injald be king, but we cannot make it look like we staged a coup. Who is next in line after Injald? After a long pause Hálfdan spoke up, Your wife is the eldest granddaughter of King Ingvar, so that would make you next in line Algaut. Algaut took a pause too before speaking, Well then, what I was going to suggest is we kill Injald on his return to Stockholm while he is still out at sea. Under the cover of night, we sink his ship and him with it. It will be assumed that pirates killed him and sovereignty will calmly pass to... me. Hálfdan saw Algaut's worry and assured him, You should not be afraid of being king Algaut. We all agree with you, about Finland and keeping the union strong. You need not worry about a coup. Algaut stepped off the table and walked across the room. All eyes were on him as he walked up to the throne and sat down. Hálfdan turned to face the other jarls and called out, All hail Algaut, king of the union! The crowd responded, All hail King Algaut! There was no time to celebrate; Hálfdan approached the new king, My liege, how are we to kill Injald without raising suspicion? A smirk came upon Algaut's face as looked down on Hálfdan, I have two assassins in mind. Later that day, Algaut and Hálfdan left the hall with a small sack. They walked to the edge of Stockholm and into a small blacksmith. The smith bowed, My lords, to what do owe to this visit? Hálfdan pointed to two middle-aged slaves hunched over a furnace in the back of the shop, I will pay you five hundred pennings for the two slaves there. The smith responded, Of course my lord, thank you. Hálfdan set down the sack of coins and the smith pulled the slaves over to the two jarls. Hjorleiv, Hreidar, these men are your new masters. The slaves bowed before the jarls. Algaut spoke up, That is not necessary, now let's go. The four men left and returned to the now empty hall. Now in privacy, Algaut asked the slaves, Tell me, who was your father? The two looked at each other and Hjorleiv answered, Sölve the sea-king, but we are not- Algaut cut him off, Do you wish to avenge the death of your father. Speak the truth to your king. After a pause Hjorleiv stood up and looked Algaut in the eyes, Every man wishes to avenge his father's death. Algaut's mouth curled into a smile, Good, I can help you." Six days later, the defeated army returned to Stockholm mourning the loss of two kings. King Hálfdan, asked one of the soldiers, Where is King Injald? The man responded with a sorrow face, Dead my lord. He ship was sunk by pirates while he slept. And what of the pirates? They were sly. They escaped before the crew noticed the ship was taking on water. Hálfdan wore a mask of sadness, but when he entered the hall, the mask came off. They were successful, my liege, You are now the true king of the union.
Norse traders had been using the Byzantine Christian calender for decades, but it was only in the early years of King Algaut's reign that the Christian calender was adopted by the union government. The decision was at first simply an effort to ease relations with the Byzantines, but farmers found the Christian calender more suitable with its two extra seasons. From there it caught on with the general public.
As promised by King Algaut, the territory of Finland was incorporated into the union. The younger brothers and sons of kings were given fiefs in the new territory where they could establish their own kingdoms. King Sporsnjall of Nerike of given the title of King of Finland and left his Swedish kingdom to his oldest son and moved to his new kingdom of Helsingfors.
Another Hunnic warlord arrived to the Byzantine frontier from the north. The explorers in the area again tried to help defeat the invaders, but this warlord was too strong. The scouts were never heard from again.
Algaut brought Scandinavia its first era of peace since the time of Eadgils. He also dissolved a precedent set forth by the first king. No longer did the king of the union need to be a Yngling, or even the king of Stockholm; he could come from any part of the union. But like all great things, Algaut's reign had to come to an end. Sadly, his end was as violent as his predecessors. Algaut had one son, named after his old friend Hálfdan, and one daughter, named Åsa. While Hálfdan was fit to be a king and possibly even the king of the union, Åsa was always a little different from the other princesses in the court. From her youth Åsa was fascinated with dead animals and would beg Algaut to take her out on hunts. Her parents assumed she would grow out of it, then again they also assumed she would never kill another person in cold blood. On her nineteenth birthday she was married to Guðröðr of Scania. Only a month into their marriage, Åsa convinced her husband to kill his brother Hálfdan of Södermanland. Guðröðr convinced Hálfdan to come to his hall in Scania, where his guards murdered the unsuspecting Hálfdan. As soon as her brother-in-law was killed by the guards, Åsa pulled out a knife and stabbed her husband in the throat. She immediately fled Scania and went to her father in Stockholm. Algaut hid her from the world in Stockholm for the next year. During that year, Hálfdan's son and the new king of Södermanland, Ivar raised an army and began to march on Stockholm to avenge the death of his father and uncle. When Algaut heard of the army coming for his daughter, he took her and fled north to the secluded town of Ræning. Algaut thought that his daughter would be safe from harm, this far north, but Ivar had been tracking them the whole way. On the night before Algaut left to return to Stockholm, Ivar assaulted the town. The small force of guards with Algaut were outnumbered and slaughtered. Ivar entered the town's hall and found Algaut alone dressed in full armor. Ivar charged the man and the duel commenced. Swords clashed and the fight drew on for what seemed like hours. Algaut was surely the more experienced warrior, but he was old, slow and tired. Ivar disarmed the king and knocked him to the ground. Ivar approached and put his sword up to Algaut's throat. A scream came from above head and Ivar turned around just in time to skewer the falling Åsa on his sword. Algaut saw the knife fall out of his dying daughter's hand and lunged at Ivar and put him on the ground. Algaut sat on Ivar's chest and began beating him senselessly. Ivar's face became covered in blood, but he could not resist as his arms were pinned to his sides. Ivar eventually choked on his own blood and gurgled out his last breath. Algaut let out a roar, but suddenly stopped and grabbed his chest. Ivar's men stood around, dumbfounded by the events unfolding. Algaut fell to knees, keeled over and took his last breath.
Algaut quickly arrived in Stockholm from his kingdom in Götaland. He entered the great hall and found that most of the other jarls had already gathered. They were talking in worried tones, about a dead king and a new king. What man does not wish to avenge his grandfather's death? The Nordland is useless, there are greater riches in the east. But who else could be king? Anund is dead and he had only one son, Injald. Algaut still had no idea what was going on, he pulled aside the jarl closest to him, What is going on here, who is dead? Our king, King Ingvar is dead. Algaut let go of the man and took a minute to take in what he heard. King Ingvar is dead, meaning that now next in line is his cowardly grandson Injald. Algaut knew that Injald as a king would lead the union into ruin. Injald's opinions and wishes were very different from those of the other jarls and if he were to be king, many kingdoms in the union would surely secede. Something had to be done to prevent Injald from becoming king. King Hálfdan of Södermanland stood up on the table and called out, Quiet, quiet, we need to discuss, not gossip. The room quieted down and one of the other jarls shouted out, Injald cannot be the king of the union. The crowd responded with approval. Hálfdan reasoned, But the people love Injald, if we kill him we may have a rebellion on our hands. Besides, who would be the next king? The crowd began to call out again. I should be king! No, I! Hálfdan should be king! Algaut stood up on the other end of table. King Hálfdan is right. We cannot let Injald be king, but we cannot make it look like we staged a coup. Who is next in line after Injald? After a long pause Hálfdan spoke up, Your wife is the eldest granddaughter of King Ingvar, so that would make you next in line Algaut. Algaut took a pause too before speaking, Well then, what I was going to suggest is we kill Injald on his return to Stockholm while he is still out at sea. Under the cover of night, we sink his ship and him with it. It will be assumed that pirates killed him and sovereignty will calmly pass to... me. Hálfdan saw Algaut's worry and assured him, You should not be afraid of being king Algaut. We all agree with you, about Finland and keeping the union strong. You need not worry about a coup. Algaut stepped off the table and walked across the room. All eyes were on him as he walked up to the throne and sat down. Hálfdan turned to face the other jarls and called out, All hail Algaut, king of the union! The crowd responded, All hail King Algaut! There was no time to celebrate; Hálfdan approached the new king, My liege, how are we to kill Injald without raising suspicion? A smirk came upon Algaut's face as looked down on Hálfdan, I have two assassins in mind. Later that day, Algaut and Hálfdan left the hall with a small sack. They walked to the edge of Stockholm and into a small blacksmith. The smith bowed, My lords, to what do owe to this visit? Hálfdan pointed to two middle-aged slaves hunched over a furnace in the back of the shop, I will pay you five hundred pennings for the two slaves there. The smith responded, Of course my lord, thank you. Hálfdan set down the sack of coins and the smith pulled the slaves over to the two jarls. Hjorleiv, Hreidar, these men are your new masters. The slaves bowed before the jarls. Algaut spoke up, That is not necessary, now let's go. The four men left and returned to the now empty hall. Now in privacy, Algaut asked the slaves, Tell me, who was your father? The two looked at each other and Hjorleiv answered, Sölve the sea-king, but we are not- Algaut cut him off, Do you wish to avenge the death of your father. Speak the truth to your king. After a pause Hjorleiv stood up and looked Algaut in the eyes, Every man wishes to avenge his father's death. Algaut's mouth curled into a smile, Good, I can help you." Six days later, the defeated army returned to Stockholm mourning the loss of two kings. King Hálfdan, asked one of the soldiers, Where is King Injald? The man responded with a sorrow face, Dead my lord. He ship was sunk by pirates while he slept. And what of the pirates? They were sly. They escaped before the crew noticed the ship was taking on water. Hálfdan wore a mask of sadness, but when he entered the hall, the mask came off. They were successful, my liege, You are now the true king of the union.
Norse traders had been using the Byzantine Christian calender for decades, but it was only in the early years of King Algaut's reign that the Christian calender was adopted by the union government. The decision was at first simply an effort to ease relations with the Byzantines, but farmers found the Christian calender more suitable with its two extra seasons. From there it caught on with the general public.
Spoiler :
As promised by King Algaut, the territory of Finland was incorporated into the union. The younger brothers and sons of kings were given fiefs in the new territory where they could establish their own kingdoms. King Sporsnjall of Nerike of given the title of King of Finland and left his Swedish kingdom to his oldest son and moved to his new kingdom of Helsingfors.
Spoiler :
Another Hunnic warlord arrived to the Byzantine frontier from the north. The explorers in the area again tried to help defeat the invaders, but this warlord was too strong. The scouts were never heard from again.
Spoiler :
Algaut brought Scandinavia its first era of peace since the time of Eadgils. He also dissolved a precedent set forth by the first king. No longer did the king of the union need to be a Yngling, or even the king of Stockholm; he could come from any part of the union. But like all great things, Algaut's reign had to come to an end. Sadly, his end was as violent as his predecessors. Algaut had one son, named after his old friend Hálfdan, and one daughter, named Åsa. While Hálfdan was fit to be a king and possibly even the king of the union, Åsa was always a little different from the other princesses in the court. From her youth Åsa was fascinated with dead animals and would beg Algaut to take her out on hunts. Her parents assumed she would grow out of it, then again they also assumed she would never kill another person in cold blood. On her nineteenth birthday she was married to Guðröðr of Scania. Only a month into their marriage, Åsa convinced her husband to kill his brother Hálfdan of Södermanland. Guðröðr convinced Hálfdan to come to his hall in Scania, where his guards murdered the unsuspecting Hálfdan. As soon as her brother-in-law was killed by the guards, Åsa pulled out a knife and stabbed her husband in the throat. She immediately fled Scania and went to her father in Stockholm. Algaut hid her from the world in Stockholm for the next year. During that year, Hálfdan's son and the new king of Södermanland, Ivar raised an army and began to march on Stockholm to avenge the death of his father and uncle. When Algaut heard of the army coming for his daughter, he took her and fled north to the secluded town of Ræning. Algaut thought that his daughter would be safe from harm, this far north, but Ivar had been tracking them the whole way. On the night before Algaut left to return to Stockholm, Ivar assaulted the town. The small force of guards with Algaut were outnumbered and slaughtered. Ivar entered the town's hall and found Algaut alone dressed in full armor. Ivar charged the man and the duel commenced. Swords clashed and the fight drew on for what seemed like hours. Algaut was surely the more experienced warrior, but he was old, slow and tired. Ivar disarmed the king and knocked him to the ground. Ivar approached and put his sword up to Algaut's throat. A scream came from above head and Ivar turned around just in time to skewer the falling Åsa on his sword. Algaut saw the knife fall out of his dying daughter's hand and lunged at Ivar and put him on the ground. Algaut sat on Ivar's chest and began beating him senselessly. Ivar's face became covered in blood, but he could not resist as his arms were pinned to his sides. Ivar eventually choked on his own blood and gurgled out his last breath. Algaut let out a roar, but suddenly stopped and grabbed his chest. Ivar's men stood around, dumbfounded by the events unfolding. Algaut fell to knees, keeled over and took his last breath.
Arquebuse
Chieftain
The Fourth Election of the King
Hálfdan Hvitbeinn-
Son of Algaut and the King of Stockholm and Sweden. Looking back on his family's history, he has seen how destructive war and death is. He wants to restrict raiding to the weak coastal towns in the Baltic and focus on improving life within the union by building libraries.
Sigurd Hring-
The newest king of Södermanland. Ivar's childhood friend who seized his kingdom after his death at Ræning. Sigurd wishes to launch new raids into Western Europe to build up the union's coffers, but believes that a larger army is not necessary and agrees that Hálfdan's library projects are best for the union.
Haraldr Hilditönn-
King of Roskilde and Denmark and the greatest warrior in the union since Ingvar. He lead the Danish army against invading Saxons form the south as well as partaking in almost twenty raids throughout the Baltic and Western Europe. Haraldr wishes to extend the union's power into the Mediterranean by capturing Southern Italy and building the army larger.
Hálfdan Hvitbeinn-
Son of Algaut and the King of Stockholm and Sweden. Looking back on his family's history, he has seen how destructive war and death is. He wants to restrict raiding to the weak coastal towns in the Baltic and focus on improving life within the union by building libraries.
Spoiler :
Sigurd Hring-
The newest king of Södermanland. Ivar's childhood friend who seized his kingdom after his death at Ræning. Sigurd wishes to launch new raids into Western Europe to build up the union's coffers, but believes that a larger army is not necessary and agrees that Hálfdan's library projects are best for the union.
Spoiler :
Haraldr Hilditönn-
King of Roskilde and Denmark and the greatest warrior in the union since Ingvar. He lead the Danish army against invading Saxons form the south as well as partaking in almost twenty raids throughout the Baltic and Western Europe. Haraldr wishes to extend the union's power into the Mediterranean by capturing Southern Italy and building the army larger.
Spoiler :
adhiraj.bose
Deity
Hálfdan Hvitbeinn After that violent crisis of succession, we need to settle down. More importantly, we need to beeline for civil service to get the berserkers. That means toning down on raids and expansion and focussing on science.
TheNoob
Dank Memes
Hálfdan Hvitbeinn
CaterpillarKing
Conqueror of Cacoons
Haraldr, our empire is small and too regional. we must expand our borders to all of Europe!
Manuss
Sleeping man
Hálfdan Hvitbeinn
Libaries for the win.
Libaries for the win.
Arquebuse
Chieftain
The Jarls Select Hálfdan Hvitbeinn as the Next King of the North
Hálfdan Hvitbeinn- 3 votes
Sigurd Hring- 2 votes
Haraldr Hilditönn- 2 votes
Hálfdan Hvitbeinn- 3 votes
Sigurd Hring- 2 votes
Haraldr Hilditönn- 2 votes
Arquebuse
Chieftain
The Reign of King Hálfdan
In the great hall of Stockholm a great debate was brewing. By tradition the kingship of the union should pass to the next in line of the King of Sweden. This would have automatically made Hálfdan Hvitbeinn the king of the union. This did not settle well amongst many of the non-Swedish jarls, especially the Danes. Once again the union had the possibility of secession on its hands. Almost half of the kingdoms were threatening to secede if the crown passed to Hálfdan. The debate in the hall was intensifying, everyone was yelling and some of the more high tempered jarls were gripping the hilts of their weapons, prepared to draw. Most of the Danish jarls were backing their king, Haraldr Hilditönn, who was yelling at the red-faced King of Finland and insulting his kingdom. Hálfdan's other competitor was Sigurd Hring, a lesser, but popular king from southern Sweden. He had the support of many of the other Swedish kings as well as most of the Norwegian ones. Hálfdan was still trying to make sense of the chaos when King Haraldr stormed up to him followed by his Danish comrades, You Swedes think you own the throne of the union just because you live in the capital. Well this union is more than just Sweden. We do all the work fighting off the Saxons in the south and then you have the audacity to complain about our lack of participation in raids. If you do not even give the chance for the king of the union to be Danish or Norwegian or anything other than Swedish, the Kingdom of Denmark will secede and let you fight on your own. Hálfdan did not say anything and just calmly looked Haraldr in the eyes. Well? Haraldr spit out. Hálfdan, still looking him in the eye, stepped up onto the table and yelled, Quiet! I need to speak. The noise died down almost immediately. The image of Hálfdan up on the table brought back memories of his father doing the same. I know most of you do not want me to be king. Many of the jarls grunted in approval, including Haraldr. So I will let vote for who will be the next king of the union. We will hold an election, like the Greeks, to determine the next king. Some of the jarls laughed and Haraldr called out, That has got to be the worst idea I have ever heard, let the people vote for the king. Ha, I bet you want to let the slaves vote too. The other Danish kings laughed with him. Hálfdan faked a chuckle, No, only the jarls will vote for the king. Besides, this is your chance to be king Haraldr. Haraldr's smile faded away, Alright, he got up on the table next to Hálfdan, Anyone here disagree with the vote? A few of the older jarls raised their arms. Haraldr laughed and called out to them, Well too bad, this vote is the only fairness that ever existed in this union. Hálfdan explained how the election would work, Whomever gets the most votes from the jarls gets to be the new king. Simple. One of the Danish kings called out, I nominate King Haraldr! The other Danish kings cheered and Haraldr smiled proudly. The King of Norway yelled out louder, I nominate King Sigurd of Södermanland! More cheers rung out as Sigurd got up on the table next to the other two. One of the minor Finnish kings then called out too, I nominate King Hálfdan! More cheers followed. Hálfdan let the crowd die down, Any more nominations? The jarls mumbled to each other, but none called out any more names. Alright, now someone take a tally. The vote of each and every jarl was taken and it seemed like it was going to be a close election. When all the votes were accounted for, Hálfdan had won the election with only a few more votes than the other two men. Hálfdan's supporters yelled and hollered in triumph. Haraldr opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself and angrily stepped down from the table. He had lost fairly and knew it. Sigurd did not seem to care that he had lost; he congratulated Hálfdan and stepped down from the table as well. A big smile came across Hálfdan's face as he was the first king to be officially elected by a popular vote. This election would set a precedent for every other issue of succession to come.
Hálfdan's library projects were begun in both the kingdoms of Sweden and Finland. Hálfdan made the libraries his top priority and personally oversaw the construction of the library in his kingdom of Stockholm.
Travelers from a far off empire who call themselves the Pala stumbled across one of the kingdoms on the Finnish frontier. The encounter was short, but it was learned that the Pala people followed a pantheon of gods somewhat similar to ours. The travelers went on their way into the unknown.
Ingvar's invasion and destruction of Lutetia Parisiorum had led to the collapse of the Merovingian Empire in Francia, but it was soon replaced by the Carolingian Empire. Scouts in the west made contact with the new empire and its king, Charlemagne. The Carolingians brought Christianity from the Byzantine Empire and spread it throughout Francia. The size and power of the empire may be a hindrance to future raids into Western Europe.
Hálfdan was able to continue his father's era of peace. After the election, tensions between the kingdoms in the union died down. The union would now be safe from a civil war for centuries. Hálfdan also decreed that from his reign forth, all kings of the union would be elected by the jarls as he had been. Not only was there peace within the union, but he also prevented more wars abroad. Hálfdan kept his promise and no raid was launched west of Holstein. Despite his peaceful policies, King Hálfdan personally lead many raids around the Baltic. Later in his life he focused more on overseeing the construction of the library in Stockholm and the neighboring kingdoms. Hálfdan was the first king of the union to die a peaceful death in his home in Stockholm. His funeral was also the most grand: his burial ship was entirely filled with gold. To add to the grandeur, Hálfdan brought ten slave girls with him into his tomb, more than any king in Norse history. Seven days after the burial, the dead king's sjaund was celebrated with all the jarls from the union gathered together in the capital. When the men sobered up the day after, the election of the next king was held. Three new kings were nominated for the chance to take the throne.
In the great hall of Stockholm a great debate was brewing. By tradition the kingship of the union should pass to the next in line of the King of Sweden. This would have automatically made Hálfdan Hvitbeinn the king of the union. This did not settle well amongst many of the non-Swedish jarls, especially the Danes. Once again the union had the possibility of secession on its hands. Almost half of the kingdoms were threatening to secede if the crown passed to Hálfdan. The debate in the hall was intensifying, everyone was yelling and some of the more high tempered jarls were gripping the hilts of their weapons, prepared to draw. Most of the Danish jarls were backing their king, Haraldr Hilditönn, who was yelling at the red-faced King of Finland and insulting his kingdom. Hálfdan's other competitor was Sigurd Hring, a lesser, but popular king from southern Sweden. He had the support of many of the other Swedish kings as well as most of the Norwegian ones. Hálfdan was still trying to make sense of the chaos when King Haraldr stormed up to him followed by his Danish comrades, You Swedes think you own the throne of the union just because you live in the capital. Well this union is more than just Sweden. We do all the work fighting off the Saxons in the south and then you have the audacity to complain about our lack of participation in raids. If you do not even give the chance for the king of the union to be Danish or Norwegian or anything other than Swedish, the Kingdom of Denmark will secede and let you fight on your own. Hálfdan did not say anything and just calmly looked Haraldr in the eyes. Well? Haraldr spit out. Hálfdan, still looking him in the eye, stepped up onto the table and yelled, Quiet! I need to speak. The noise died down almost immediately. The image of Hálfdan up on the table brought back memories of his father doing the same. I know most of you do not want me to be king. Many of the jarls grunted in approval, including Haraldr. So I will let vote for who will be the next king of the union. We will hold an election, like the Greeks, to determine the next king. Some of the jarls laughed and Haraldr called out, That has got to be the worst idea I have ever heard, let the people vote for the king. Ha, I bet you want to let the slaves vote too. The other Danish kings laughed with him. Hálfdan faked a chuckle, No, only the jarls will vote for the king. Besides, this is your chance to be king Haraldr. Haraldr's smile faded away, Alright, he got up on the table next to Hálfdan, Anyone here disagree with the vote? A few of the older jarls raised their arms. Haraldr laughed and called out to them, Well too bad, this vote is the only fairness that ever existed in this union. Hálfdan explained how the election would work, Whomever gets the most votes from the jarls gets to be the new king. Simple. One of the Danish kings called out, I nominate King Haraldr! The other Danish kings cheered and Haraldr smiled proudly. The King of Norway yelled out louder, I nominate King Sigurd of Södermanland! More cheers rung out as Sigurd got up on the table next to the other two. One of the minor Finnish kings then called out too, I nominate King Hálfdan! More cheers followed. Hálfdan let the crowd die down, Any more nominations? The jarls mumbled to each other, but none called out any more names. Alright, now someone take a tally. The vote of each and every jarl was taken and it seemed like it was going to be a close election. When all the votes were accounted for, Hálfdan had won the election with only a few more votes than the other two men. Hálfdan's supporters yelled and hollered in triumph. Haraldr opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself and angrily stepped down from the table. He had lost fairly and knew it. Sigurd did not seem to care that he had lost; he congratulated Hálfdan and stepped down from the table as well. A big smile came across Hálfdan's face as he was the first king to be officially elected by a popular vote. This election would set a precedent for every other issue of succession to come.
Hálfdan's library projects were begun in both the kingdoms of Sweden and Finland. Hálfdan made the libraries his top priority and personally oversaw the construction of the library in his kingdom of Stockholm.
Spoiler :
Travelers from a far off empire who call themselves the Pala stumbled across one of the kingdoms on the Finnish frontier. The encounter was short, but it was learned that the Pala people followed a pantheon of gods somewhat similar to ours. The travelers went on their way into the unknown.
Spoiler :
Ingvar's invasion and destruction of Lutetia Parisiorum had led to the collapse of the Merovingian Empire in Francia, but it was soon replaced by the Carolingian Empire. Scouts in the west made contact with the new empire and its king, Charlemagne. The Carolingians brought Christianity from the Byzantine Empire and spread it throughout Francia. The size and power of the empire may be a hindrance to future raids into Western Europe.
Spoiler :
Hálfdan was able to continue his father's era of peace. After the election, tensions between the kingdoms in the union died down. The union would now be safe from a civil war for centuries. Hálfdan also decreed that from his reign forth, all kings of the union would be elected by the jarls as he had been. Not only was there peace within the union, but he also prevented more wars abroad. Hálfdan kept his promise and no raid was launched west of Holstein. Despite his peaceful policies, King Hálfdan personally lead many raids around the Baltic. Later in his life he focused more on overseeing the construction of the library in Stockholm and the neighboring kingdoms. Hálfdan was the first king of the union to die a peaceful death in his home in Stockholm. His funeral was also the most grand: his burial ship was entirely filled with gold. To add to the grandeur, Hálfdan brought ten slave girls with him into his tomb, more than any king in Norse history. Seven days after the burial, the dead king's sjaund was celebrated with all the jarls from the union gathered together in the capital. When the men sobered up the day after, the election of the next king was held. Three new kings were nominated for the chance to take the throne.
Arquebuse
Chieftain
The Fifth Election of the King
Ragnar Lodbrok-
Son of Sigurd Hring and the King of Södermanland. Ragnar is also the newest King of Sweden after the kingdom adopted the same succession process as the union. He wants to save soldiers for a large raid on either Francia or the western isles as they are growing quickly and should be ready for another invasion soon. He wants to conscript and train an army of slaves in preparation.
Horik I-
Son of Haraldr Hilditönn and the King of Denmark and Zealand. Horik wants to keep the era of peace in the union; he does not want to begin or even prepare for future raids. He also wants to incorporate the Nordland due to its rich furs and large amounts of iron.
Gudfred-
Danish King of South Schleswig. One of the best military leaders in the union. He has led mass invasions against the Saxons that led to the annexation of Holstein. Gudfred wants to attack the Carolingians in Paris in order to keep them from growing too powerful. Instead of incorporating the Nordland, Gudfred plans to save the settlers in case an opportunity for a more ideal settlement comes along.
Ragnar Lodbrok-
Son of Sigurd Hring and the King of Södermanland. Ragnar is also the newest King of Sweden after the kingdom adopted the same succession process as the union. He wants to save soldiers for a large raid on either Francia or the western isles as they are growing quickly and should be ready for another invasion soon. He wants to conscript and train an army of slaves in preparation.
Spoiler :
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Horik I-
Son of Haraldr Hilditönn and the King of Denmark and Zealand. Horik wants to keep the era of peace in the union; he does not want to begin or even prepare for future raids. He also wants to incorporate the Nordland due to its rich furs and large amounts of iron.
Spoiler :
Gudfred-
Danish King of South Schleswig. One of the best military leaders in the union. He has led mass invasions against the Saxons that led to the annexation of Holstein. Gudfred wants to attack the Carolingians in Paris in order to keep them from growing too powerful. Instead of incorporating the Nordland, Gudfred plans to save the settlers in case an opportunity for a more ideal settlement comes along.
Spoiler :
adhiraj.bose
Deity
Ragnar Lodbrok - Lets conquer England
CaterpillarKing
Conqueror of Cacoons
Gudfred, so we have a holding on continental Europe.
adhiraj.bose
Deity
@CK - England is a contested province, not much area of continental europe has contested region. England is also an island province which can be well defended after its conquest and it is food rich. We can develop it through forced labor relatively quickly. France is strong, while England starts out weak, we can overwhelm them quickly if we have berserks, or even without them. Furthermore, it can provide us a staging post for the colonization of the Americas which can yield even more power and wealth in time. That will then give us the power to conquer most of Northern continental Europe with ease.
