Vithinja: Difference between revisions

[[Nogeath-Gogaul Mythology]]

[[Noborea]] was once settled by some [[Noborea Aboriginals|native culture]] that there are little remnants of, with so little evidence of their existence leaving room for people to consider that they may have been [[celts]], [[geats]] or even [[coscovians]]. They were practically extinct by the year 1000, with their numbers never having exceeded fifty thousand at their largest expanse by most estimate.

The modern people living in Noborea and most of the [[Vithinjan Isles]] came sometime in the 8th century from two separate origins. These origins are surrounded by myths and legends, but thanks in part to a few more reliable records made by the group some suspect to be the origin group for the [[Caerics]]. What is known for certain is that the [[Nogeaths]] who settled western Noborea came from the north western coast of [[Ultmar]], somewhere west of [[Faneria]]. Meanwhile, the origins of the [[Gogauls]] who settled eastern Noborea is more uncertain, but are believed to have emigrated from settlements along one of the major rivers of modern [[Fiannria]] or the lands to it’s east. These settlements are also a possible origin point for the Caerics, explaining the cultures great similarities. It is believed that the Gogauls arrived at least 25 years earlier, and were the dominant culture group in most of Noborea for at least 100 years, thanks in part to their ability to settle the best lands. This was especially true for the Vithinjan Isles, which remained almost exclusively celtic for 300 years, only starting to gain a proper Nogeath minority after [[The Viking Contentment Period]] really got going.

Thanks to the mixing of the seafaring culture of these two migrant groups after many decades of tribal conflicts, the consolidation of smaller tribes into larger ones and general population growth the peoples of the north, especially those living on the Noborea mainland started to run into a simple but motivating scarcity: A near total lack of a stable food source. While some agriculture could be maintained and the both fresh-and saltwater fish were plentiful, the fish was not nearly enough to survive on alone and the harvests were incredibly variable depending on how harsh the harsh the years winter ended up being. These factors would all lead to a region-defining cultural shift that would spread from the west-most Nogeaths all the way to the east-most Gogaul: The raiding of far away, wealthier lands. Although most early raiding was done internally, the harsh resistance that was often met combined with lacking resources worth stealing lead raiders to start sailing further and further. By the early 800’s they idea of sailing south, to lands inhabited by much weaker and richer peoples started spreading like wildfire, in part thanks to the seafaring leading to a strong interconnectivity among the northern tribes. Based on the Nogeath title for one of these seafarers a new threat started to menace far beyond their Noborean homes: The Vikings.

[[The Viking Age]] is generally broken up into five periods, The Reaver Period, The Invasion Period, The Consolidation Period, The Viking Golden Age and finally The Viking Contentment Period. While each of these hold a massive amount of history within them, we will only shortly discuss the most imporant aspects of each here.

[[The Viking Reaver Period|The Reaver Period]] (~810-950) is named after the main term used for the viking raiders by the northern successor kingdoms of the Holy Levantine Empire. This period is mainly defined by the fast and vast expansion of raided areas. Throughout mid to late 800’s the vikings went from raiding along the nearby modern Fanerian north coast and among the island of modern Sorhaithe to targetting the entire North Ultmar coast, and travelling far along the rivers into the Ultmar mainland. While raiding a number of raiders set up conquered viking realms, with the largest of these period being the first of the Reaver kingdoms, settling along the coast running eastward from Noborea. Despite the vikings of this period remaining relatively decentralized it still saw a slow centralization of power. This took it’s final shape in between the 910’s and 950’s when a number of so-called viking lords rose to power, maintaining the fealty of vast numbers of tribes among large territories. The nature of these tribal federations were however still very decentralized, leading to modern historians usually not referring to these realms as tribal kingdoms. In the end, what finally ended up causing the next large-scale change among the viking cultures was, ironically, the exact same issue that started their marauding ways: All the new resources that they had successfully plundered and brought back lead to prosperity in their homelands, which caused a population boom that tripled their population over the course of the century. A great tribal chieftain who had united most of the western Ruthan tribes caused this next great change, by announcing, preparing and leaving their homelands at a massive scale, in a huge migration to conquer and settle the more prosperous lands their raiding peoples already dominated.

[[Ultmar Christian Consolidation|The Christian Consolidation]] started with the arrival and success of [[Caergwynn]], one of the most vital rival powers in Vithinjan history. Through the use of a powerful navy and a well centralized highly militarized realm so close to the viking homeland the Caerics successfully pressured many concessions and treaties from the various viking tribes north of them. Although some attempts were made at both subjugation and devastation the Caric knights quickly found that the best relations they could hope for were tributes and allies, as the northern Viking cultures could not easily be quelled or destroyed. This forced the viking raiders to travel farther and target new regions, which helped to find new targets for the Viking migratory invasion as well. This consolidation was further worsened thanks to a combination of the successfully revitalized realm of Cuhlfros in addition to a number of stronger tribal federations forming along the western side of Northern Ultmar.

[[The Ruthinjan Unification]] describes the rise of The first unified kingdom in Noborea. It also saw the real first step for christianity spreading into Noborea, with the new Ruthinjan kingdom being formed by the first Viking Lord to ever baptise himself. He could howevernever put an end to the marauding traditions of his people.

[[The Viking Golden Age]] (1100-1275) would see almost all the greatest achievements among the Viking cultures in exploration, architecture, art, science and dominance. These Would include the first Levantine discovery of Koskovina and great Kirav as well as an expedition that is thought to have reached Soirwind. It would also see the first Vikings reaching the southern city of Urceopolis. It would be the start of standardized raiding in the Vandarch as one of the main targets of Viking raids. The Vikings would also settle numerous islands including Insul Weiss, Vonein, Eryksisle and numerous others. In the end however, these longer distance expeditions together with most other civilisations greatly improving at defending against their raids would lead to the death of the old Viking profession, replaced by a new Viking: One who was well known and respected not just among the Noborea cultures but among most of Ultmar and parts of Levantia... As far-going tradesman. Some believe that the ideas for the highly interconnected trade empire That Burgundie successfully achieved took their founding ideas from these trading Vikings and perfected it.

==Geography==

Vithinjas varied geography is both a blessing and a curse. Although large portions of the lands are difficult to impossible to inhabit, they hold some of the most beautiful landmarks to be found in the world. Between the innumerable fjords covering the coast to the northern villages surrounded by the sights of huge tall mountain ranges, large glaciers that glimmer in the sunlight and if any visitor is lucky, the wondrous northern lights. This would make it a better tourist location if the temperature didn't drive most foreigners away.