The Scandinvans
10-01-2007, 03:39
Index:
History
Government
Society
Geography
Major Cities
Trade
Technology
Religion
Population
Military
Coinage
History:
In ancient times the Valgardians where a signal tribe that wondered across the glaciers unto they reached a large lush river valley where they decided to settle. The river valley was sustained by volcanic activity that kept the air and water warm. The river itself was feed by volcanic springs and the water melted from the glaciers that surrounded the river valley. They had reached the river valley in about 11,000 B.C. and from the start they had begun to start their own culture. In the isolated valley they enjoyed good life as they survived off of the food they could gather from the earth. With the life they enjoyed they often would not have children until they were middle age. In this process each generation had children later and later causing their life spans to increase due nature keeping them around longer in order for them to have children. After each generation the longevity gene became more pronounced and as a result they lived longer and longer.
At about 4000 B.C. they set a date requiring all people to marry at age 120 (35 years old physically of a Valgardian) and after this law was made the people began to build their first houses of stone and wood. As well they began to make pottery more refined and more decorated. 40,000 Valgardians live in the valleys.
3800 B.C.-3000 B.C.: Weapons begin to emerge that were forged of copper and bronze. As well a fairly advanced writing system that was runic emerged throughout the river valley. Also armor made of leather and cloth began to be used in warfare. At the end of the period there are 100,000 Valgardians in the valley.
3000 B.C.-2400 B.C.: The runic writing system of 250 characters is perfected and is the one that will be used throughout the history of the Valgardians. Pottery begins to be decorated with runes and gold is now forged into elaborate jewelry and decorations. The first weapons made of iron are produced and also the first bronze swords appear. Population at the end of the era is 150,000 Valgardians.
2400 B.C.-2000 B.C..: Iron tools and weapons become dominate over bronze and coppers based ones. Hunter begins to leave the valley to hunt migrating reindeer, musk ox, and caribou. Population of Valgradians reaches 180,000 at the end of the period. The first wars between the clans emerge at the closing years of this period.
2000 B.C.-1750 B.C.: One man unites the clans of the northern valleys and unites the whole of the valley and all the Valgardians are under him this man receives the crown as emperor-lord of the Valgardians. During this period bronze and iron armor emerged due to the need in the wars between the clans. The first city and only city that would ever be built in the valley is completed. Mining of gold, silver, and precious stones are first mined in great amounts. The population of Valgardians reaches 200,000. The great fall in which the Valgardians lose their long life spans and their life spans shrink by many times.
1750 B.C.-1400 B.C.: The first emperor passes and his son succeeds thus founding the line of emperors that continues until modern times. The new emperor further builds up the city and begins to make the buildings out of marble. Under his reign Valgardian warriors begin to journey out of the valley and enslave the neighboring hunter gather tribes. Strict laws are enacted in order to persevere the pure Valgardain blood. Farming and cattle herds become the dominate source of food for the Valgardians and these help to increase the lives of the Valgardians even further that what they used to be. Valgardian population reaches 240,000 individuals.
1400 B.C.-1100 B.C.: First scale and chain mail armor is created during this period. Also iron shields, both circular and sqaure, start to be used widely. Iron swords become the most widely used weapons of the Valgardians. Plate mail begins to be tested and produced in limited numbers, but is not widely know about or used due to the fact that is usually fairly weak. The number of Valgardians is 270,000 people.
1100 B.C.-900 B.C.: Stronger iron smithery is created and quickly becomes used in all weapons, armor, and tools. The Valgardian population reaches 310.000 individuals.
900 B.C.-400 B.C.: The Valgardian army conquers a large costal and gains access to oak forests. Using the oak forests the Valgardains begin to build a great navy and using this navy they conquer the whole of the Scandinavian Peninsula and colonization of Iceland, later lost due to harsh conditions. The smiths of Valgard adopt metal casting and use it to increase the strength of their weapons and they closely guard this secret from outsiders. The Valgardian army adopts a professionalized structure and discipline. Population of the Valgardians increase to 350,000 individuals.
400 B.C. - 0 A.D: The Valgardian armies invade Scotland and Ireland in this period and enslave the local inhabitants, did not occupy. Steel if first created. Valgardian explorers travel to Greenland and North America where they survey the local land and return bearing news of what they have seen. With the news they deliver Valgardian colonist travel to these lands and set up colonies where they rely on fishing, cattle herding, and farming in order to supply themselves with food. Using their steel weapons and armor they easily destroy the native they encounter. The natives they do not drive away or kill are enslaved where they are used on the farms as slaves. Population of Valgardains reaches 400,000 in their homeland.
0 A.D.-to present time: Valgardians begin to develop trade with people in North America and the rest of Europe. As well in France, England, ancient Canada, and Spain the Valgardians launch raids on settlement in their search for slaves and booty. The Valgardians begin to travel up and down both American and European coasts searching for new lands to colonize, settle, enslave, and raid. In the land they have conquered the Valgardians begin to establish colonies and cities. The population of the Valgardian grows to 470,000 individuals.
Government:
The Valgardians are the ruling warrior class of the Valgardian Empire. The emperor is the autocratic ruler of all the lands held under the sway of the Valgardians. As well there is a House of Lords, which has 470 members, where the leaders and governors of Valgardians land meet in order to discuss where soldiers should be sent or where money should be sent, but the emperor has the final say in the larger matters of government and can override any decision made by the House of Lords without any reason why. As well all warriors have sworn an oath of unending loyalty to the emperor.
Each colony of more ten thousand Valgardians is headed by a governor chosen directly by the emperor, but with communities and colonies smaller then that the people elect their own leaders and as well elect their own people to send to the House of Lords. These smaller communities though still have to pay tribute to the emperor.
Society:
The society of the Valgardian Empire is very strict for non-Valgardians and often oppressive to non-Valgardians. The main divisions of society, from lowest to highest, are: slaves, workers, freeman, artisans, tradesmen, common Valgardians (all other classes of Valgardians that not listed here), Valgardian warriors, Valgardian Knights, Valgardian nobles, members of the Houses of the Emperors of Valgardians, Princes of Valgard, Emperor of the Valgardian.
The non-Valgardian castes are expendable to Valgardians and if they often any Valgardian they face death or torture without even a trail. While if there is dispute between Valgardians they either go to court or fight in a fight to whoever is the first down loses the dispute.
People of non-Valgardian descent are forever bound to that trade, but a Valgardian can advance to any other position save a Prince, member of the House of the Emperors, or gain the role as emperor. The different castes are often infighting amongst themselves, but the slaves are constantly working for their Valgardian master making their masters’ lives easier and more luxurious through their all their labors, as do all non-Valgardian castes.
Geography:
Scandinavia the mountains dominate the interior making it cold generally year round while on the coast line it mild and wet most of the years. As well that is more most of the flat fertile lands are located. In the mountains there are many rivers and forests that are the main feature there save the mountains. Though in Demark the land is much flatter and more mild then the lands north of it.
Major Cities:
Valgard: Is the homeland of the Valgardians and is where the emperor resides. Yet this term often refers to the river valley and as well as the city itself. The city of Valgard is the greatest in the empire and one of the greatest in the world. Yet by law only Valgardians can enter and if any others do they will be instantly executed.
Valdra: This is the main port city on the Scandinavian coast and the port to Valgrad. This city is a bustling metropolis where much trade goes and many ships enter harbor daily that are either bound to different parts of the Valgardian Empire of to different parts of Europe.
Trade:
Denmark: Wood, amber, wheat products, other kinds of grains, and slaves.
Norway: Cod, salmon, furs, wood, manufactured products, textiles, nickel, iron, bronze, and copper.
Sweden: A few diamonds (obtained from Russian colonies and secret slave mines), gold, textiles, silver, copper, iron, furniture, jewelry, furs, slaves, and wood.
Technology:
Due to the long lives of the Valgardians they have been able to spend much more in a lifetime to prefect technologies then any other peoples. This has given them a great technological advantage over many other civilizations. As well they have perfected metal casting, paper, making of steel, the compass, hollow bows, siege technologies, advanced writing system, flexible steel, forged blades, overlapping plate armor, light steel, advanced building techniques, and a number of other technologies. Overall they are a quite advanced civilization for their time period and are more advanced then any of the peoples they have encountered.
Religion:
The Valgardians practice a variation of Odinism and also practice sacrificing animals to him, but they never scarf ice humans because they view that as the ultimate sin is to kill a person in cold blood. Most of their subjects practice this religion as well, but huge numbers of them practice Christianity.
Population:
Valgardians: 1,260,000
Non-Valgardian Free Peoples: 3,680,000
Slaves: 4,520,000
Military:
The Valgardian army is highly trained and disciplined in order for the preservation of the Valgardian Empire. Every Valgardian Must Serve in the army regardless of rank so that the army always is large enough. Currently the army numbers at 80,000 Valgardians and 40,000 Freemen.
Valgardian Forces:
10,000 Valgardian Knights (War Horse, Plate Mail, Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 20 by 42 in pointed rectangular steel shield, 100 in Ashen Lance, 45 in Steel Long Sword, 18 in dagger, 26 in long knife, Pembridge Helm, and 24 in single edged axe)
20,000 Valgardian Men-at-Arms (Plate Mail, Leather Armor, Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 78 in Oak Spear,66 or 50 in long sword, 30 in single edged axe, 20 in dagger, Pembridge Helm, and 25 by 40 in rectangle shield)
20,000 Valgardian Spearmen: (Scale Mail, Leather Armor, Chain Mail, 90 in Beech Spear, 42 in long sword, 28 in short sword, 14 in dagger, Spangenhelm, and a 28 by 52 in rectangle shield)
8,000 Valgardian Pole Arm Men: (Plate Mail, Leather Armor. Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 68 in Pole Arm or a 70 double-edged axe, 32 in short sword, 20 dagger, 24 long knife, Spangenhelm, and a 10 by 16 in buckler)
12,000 Valgardian Longbow men: (Scale Mail, Leather Armor, Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 80 Hollow Steel Longbow, 42 in Long Sword, 32 in short sword, 16 long knife, Spangenhelm, 14 in dagger, and a 15 by 18 in buckler)
10,000 Valgardian Musketeers (54 in oak and iron musket, Leather Armor, Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 42 in Long Sword, 32 in short sword, 16 long knife, Spangenhelm, and 14 in dagger)
Non- Valgardian Forces
5,000 Men-at-Arms: (Scale Mail, Leather Armor, Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 58 in long sword, 24 in dagger, 28 single edged axe, Norman Conical Helm, and a 24 by 45 in pointed rectangular shield)
5,000 Spearmen: (Scale Mail, Leather Armor, Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 92 in Ashen Spear, 36 in short sword, 16 in dagger, 18 in long knife, 27 in single edged axe, Norman Conical Helm, and a 24 by 50 in rectangular shield)
10,000 Longbow Men: (Leather Armor, Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 75 in Steel Longbow, 48 in long sword, 12 in dagger, 18 in long knife, 28 in single edged axe, Norman Conical Helm, and a 14 by 15 in buckler)
20,000 Musketeers (50 in beech and iron musket, Leather Armor, Chain Mail, 48 in long sword, 12 in dagger, 18 in long knife, 28 in single edged axe, Norman Conical Helm)
Drao: Gold coinlargest coin, and the most valuable of the coins, about twenty seven days' wages. 11 grams of gold, 6 grams of silver, 7 grams of copper, and 16 grams of bronze.
Currency:
Eri: Silver coin and second in value, nine day's wages. 2 gram of gold, 7 grams of silver, and 9 grams of bronze.
Meit: Copper coin and this most valuable of the more common coins, three days wages. 3 gram of silver, 10 grams of copper, 1 gram of brass, and 6 grams of bronze.
Zio: Bronze coin, fairly large, equal to about day's wages. 1 gram of silver, 3 grams of copper, 4 grams of brass, and 16 grams of bronze.
Lieto: Brass coin, very small coin, and about a fifth of a day's wages. 2 grams of copper, 3 grams of bronze, and 6 grams of brass.
OOC: The average Valgardian stands between 6’2 to 6'6" which is the reason why they use such large weapons in my army. As well for a non-Valgardian to enlist they have to be at least 5’10. The average appearance of a Valgardian is tall, fair skinned, blonde hair, blue or grey eyes, and they are nearly always a beautiful people.
History
Government
Society
Geography
Major Cities
Trade
Technology
Religion
Population
Military
Coinage
History:
In ancient times the Valgardians where a signal tribe that wondered across the glaciers unto they reached a large lush river valley where they decided to settle. The river valley was sustained by volcanic activity that kept the air and water warm. The river itself was feed by volcanic springs and the water melted from the glaciers that surrounded the river valley. They had reached the river valley in about 11,000 B.C. and from the start they had begun to start their own culture. In the isolated valley they enjoyed good life as they survived off of the food they could gather from the earth. With the life they enjoyed they often would not have children until they were middle age. In this process each generation had children later and later causing their life spans to increase due nature keeping them around longer in order for them to have children. After each generation the longevity gene became more pronounced and as a result they lived longer and longer.
At about 4000 B.C. they set a date requiring all people to marry at age 120 (35 years old physically of a Valgardian) and after this law was made the people began to build their first houses of stone and wood. As well they began to make pottery more refined and more decorated. 40,000 Valgardians live in the valleys.
3800 B.C.-3000 B.C.: Weapons begin to emerge that were forged of copper and bronze. As well a fairly advanced writing system that was runic emerged throughout the river valley. Also armor made of leather and cloth began to be used in warfare. At the end of the period there are 100,000 Valgardians in the valley.
3000 B.C.-2400 B.C.: The runic writing system of 250 characters is perfected and is the one that will be used throughout the history of the Valgardians. Pottery begins to be decorated with runes and gold is now forged into elaborate jewelry and decorations. The first weapons made of iron are produced and also the first bronze swords appear. Population at the end of the era is 150,000 Valgardians.
2400 B.C.-2000 B.C..: Iron tools and weapons become dominate over bronze and coppers based ones. Hunter begins to leave the valley to hunt migrating reindeer, musk ox, and caribou. Population of Valgradians reaches 180,000 at the end of the period. The first wars between the clans emerge at the closing years of this period.
2000 B.C.-1750 B.C.: One man unites the clans of the northern valleys and unites the whole of the valley and all the Valgardians are under him this man receives the crown as emperor-lord of the Valgardians. During this period bronze and iron armor emerged due to the need in the wars between the clans. The first city and only city that would ever be built in the valley is completed. Mining of gold, silver, and precious stones are first mined in great amounts. The population of Valgardians reaches 200,000. The great fall in which the Valgardians lose their long life spans and their life spans shrink by many times.
1750 B.C.-1400 B.C.: The first emperor passes and his son succeeds thus founding the line of emperors that continues until modern times. The new emperor further builds up the city and begins to make the buildings out of marble. Under his reign Valgardian warriors begin to journey out of the valley and enslave the neighboring hunter gather tribes. Strict laws are enacted in order to persevere the pure Valgardain blood. Farming and cattle herds become the dominate source of food for the Valgardians and these help to increase the lives of the Valgardians even further that what they used to be. Valgardian population reaches 240,000 individuals.
1400 B.C.-1100 B.C.: First scale and chain mail armor is created during this period. Also iron shields, both circular and sqaure, start to be used widely. Iron swords become the most widely used weapons of the Valgardians. Plate mail begins to be tested and produced in limited numbers, but is not widely know about or used due to the fact that is usually fairly weak. The number of Valgardians is 270,000 people.
1100 B.C.-900 B.C.: Stronger iron smithery is created and quickly becomes used in all weapons, armor, and tools. The Valgardian population reaches 310.000 individuals.
900 B.C.-400 B.C.: The Valgardian army conquers a large costal and gains access to oak forests. Using the oak forests the Valgardains begin to build a great navy and using this navy they conquer the whole of the Scandinavian Peninsula and colonization of Iceland, later lost due to harsh conditions. The smiths of Valgard adopt metal casting and use it to increase the strength of their weapons and they closely guard this secret from outsiders. The Valgardian army adopts a professionalized structure and discipline. Population of the Valgardians increase to 350,000 individuals.
400 B.C. - 0 A.D: The Valgardian armies invade Scotland and Ireland in this period and enslave the local inhabitants, did not occupy. Steel if first created. Valgardian explorers travel to Greenland and North America where they survey the local land and return bearing news of what they have seen. With the news they deliver Valgardian colonist travel to these lands and set up colonies where they rely on fishing, cattle herding, and farming in order to supply themselves with food. Using their steel weapons and armor they easily destroy the native they encounter. The natives they do not drive away or kill are enslaved where they are used on the farms as slaves. Population of Valgardains reaches 400,000 in their homeland.
0 A.D.-to present time: Valgardians begin to develop trade with people in North America and the rest of Europe. As well in France, England, ancient Canada, and Spain the Valgardians launch raids on settlement in their search for slaves and booty. The Valgardians begin to travel up and down both American and European coasts searching for new lands to colonize, settle, enslave, and raid. In the land they have conquered the Valgardians begin to establish colonies and cities. The population of the Valgardian grows to 470,000 individuals.
Government:
The Valgardians are the ruling warrior class of the Valgardian Empire. The emperor is the autocratic ruler of all the lands held under the sway of the Valgardians. As well there is a House of Lords, which has 470 members, where the leaders and governors of Valgardians land meet in order to discuss where soldiers should be sent or where money should be sent, but the emperor has the final say in the larger matters of government and can override any decision made by the House of Lords without any reason why. As well all warriors have sworn an oath of unending loyalty to the emperor.
Each colony of more ten thousand Valgardians is headed by a governor chosen directly by the emperor, but with communities and colonies smaller then that the people elect their own leaders and as well elect their own people to send to the House of Lords. These smaller communities though still have to pay tribute to the emperor.
Society:
The society of the Valgardian Empire is very strict for non-Valgardians and often oppressive to non-Valgardians. The main divisions of society, from lowest to highest, are: slaves, workers, freeman, artisans, tradesmen, common Valgardians (all other classes of Valgardians that not listed here), Valgardian warriors, Valgardian Knights, Valgardian nobles, members of the Houses of the Emperors of Valgardians, Princes of Valgard, Emperor of the Valgardian.
The non-Valgardian castes are expendable to Valgardians and if they often any Valgardian they face death or torture without even a trail. While if there is dispute between Valgardians they either go to court or fight in a fight to whoever is the first down loses the dispute.
People of non-Valgardian descent are forever bound to that trade, but a Valgardian can advance to any other position save a Prince, member of the House of the Emperors, or gain the role as emperor. The different castes are often infighting amongst themselves, but the slaves are constantly working for their Valgardian master making their masters’ lives easier and more luxurious through their all their labors, as do all non-Valgardian castes.
Geography:
Scandinavia the mountains dominate the interior making it cold generally year round while on the coast line it mild and wet most of the years. As well that is more most of the flat fertile lands are located. In the mountains there are many rivers and forests that are the main feature there save the mountains. Though in Demark the land is much flatter and more mild then the lands north of it.
Major Cities:
Valgard: Is the homeland of the Valgardians and is where the emperor resides. Yet this term often refers to the river valley and as well as the city itself. The city of Valgard is the greatest in the empire and one of the greatest in the world. Yet by law only Valgardians can enter and if any others do they will be instantly executed.
Valdra: This is the main port city on the Scandinavian coast and the port to Valgrad. This city is a bustling metropolis where much trade goes and many ships enter harbor daily that are either bound to different parts of the Valgardian Empire of to different parts of Europe.
Trade:
Denmark: Wood, amber, wheat products, other kinds of grains, and slaves.
Norway: Cod, salmon, furs, wood, manufactured products, textiles, nickel, iron, bronze, and copper.
Sweden: A few diamonds (obtained from Russian colonies and secret slave mines), gold, textiles, silver, copper, iron, furniture, jewelry, furs, slaves, and wood.
Technology:
Due to the long lives of the Valgardians they have been able to spend much more in a lifetime to prefect technologies then any other peoples. This has given them a great technological advantage over many other civilizations. As well they have perfected metal casting, paper, making of steel, the compass, hollow bows, siege technologies, advanced writing system, flexible steel, forged blades, overlapping plate armor, light steel, advanced building techniques, and a number of other technologies. Overall they are a quite advanced civilization for their time period and are more advanced then any of the peoples they have encountered.
Religion:
The Valgardians practice a variation of Odinism and also practice sacrificing animals to him, but they never scarf ice humans because they view that as the ultimate sin is to kill a person in cold blood. Most of their subjects practice this religion as well, but huge numbers of them practice Christianity.
Population:
Valgardians: 1,260,000
Non-Valgardian Free Peoples: 3,680,000
Slaves: 4,520,000
Military:
The Valgardian army is highly trained and disciplined in order for the preservation of the Valgardian Empire. Every Valgardian Must Serve in the army regardless of rank so that the army always is large enough. Currently the army numbers at 80,000 Valgardians and 40,000 Freemen.
Valgardian Forces:
10,000 Valgardian Knights (War Horse, Plate Mail, Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 20 by 42 in pointed rectangular steel shield, 100 in Ashen Lance, 45 in Steel Long Sword, 18 in dagger, 26 in long knife, Pembridge Helm, and 24 in single edged axe)
20,000 Valgardian Men-at-Arms (Plate Mail, Leather Armor, Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 78 in Oak Spear,66 or 50 in long sword, 30 in single edged axe, 20 in dagger, Pembridge Helm, and 25 by 40 in rectangle shield)
20,000 Valgardian Spearmen: (Scale Mail, Leather Armor, Chain Mail, 90 in Beech Spear, 42 in long sword, 28 in short sword, 14 in dagger, Spangenhelm, and a 28 by 52 in rectangle shield)
8,000 Valgardian Pole Arm Men: (Plate Mail, Leather Armor. Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 68 in Pole Arm or a 70 double-edged axe, 32 in short sword, 20 dagger, 24 long knife, Spangenhelm, and a 10 by 16 in buckler)
12,000 Valgardian Longbow men: (Scale Mail, Leather Armor, Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 80 Hollow Steel Longbow, 42 in Long Sword, 32 in short sword, 16 long knife, Spangenhelm, 14 in dagger, and a 15 by 18 in buckler)
10,000 Valgardian Musketeers (54 in oak and iron musket, Leather Armor, Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 42 in Long Sword, 32 in short sword, 16 long knife, Spangenhelm, and 14 in dagger)
Non- Valgardian Forces
5,000 Men-at-Arms: (Scale Mail, Leather Armor, Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 58 in long sword, 24 in dagger, 28 single edged axe, Norman Conical Helm, and a 24 by 45 in pointed rectangular shield)
5,000 Spearmen: (Scale Mail, Leather Armor, Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 92 in Ashen Spear, 36 in short sword, 16 in dagger, 18 in long knife, 27 in single edged axe, Norman Conical Helm, and a 24 by 50 in rectangular shield)
10,000 Longbow Men: (Leather Armor, Chain Mail, Padded Clothe Armor, 75 in Steel Longbow, 48 in long sword, 12 in dagger, 18 in long knife, 28 in single edged axe, Norman Conical Helm, and a 14 by 15 in buckler)
20,000 Musketeers (50 in beech and iron musket, Leather Armor, Chain Mail, 48 in long sword, 12 in dagger, 18 in long knife, 28 in single edged axe, Norman Conical Helm)
Drao: Gold coinlargest coin, and the most valuable of the coins, about twenty seven days' wages. 11 grams of gold, 6 grams of silver, 7 grams of copper, and 16 grams of bronze.
Currency:
Eri: Silver coin and second in value, nine day's wages. 2 gram of gold, 7 grams of silver, and 9 grams of bronze.
Meit: Copper coin and this most valuable of the more common coins, three days wages. 3 gram of silver, 10 grams of copper, 1 gram of brass, and 6 grams of bronze.
Zio: Bronze coin, fairly large, equal to about day's wages. 1 gram of silver, 3 grams of copper, 4 grams of brass, and 16 grams of bronze.
Lieto: Brass coin, very small coin, and about a fifth of a day's wages. 2 grams of copper, 3 grams of bronze, and 6 grams of brass.
OOC: The average Valgardian stands between 6’2 to 6'6" which is the reason why they use such large weapons in my army. As well for a non-Valgardian to enlist they have to be at least 5’10. The average appearance of a Valgardian is tall, fair skinned, blonde hair, blue or grey eyes, and they are nearly always a beautiful people.