Mercenary Army app

[b]Leader Name:[/b]
Sigbjörn "Bláserkr" Ivarsson

[b]Faction Name:[/b]
The Blue-Shirt Army (Old Norse: [i]Bláserka Hirð[/i])

[b]Map Province:[/b]
Currently in Diocesis Pontica, scouting for employment opportunities and trading


[b]History/Bio:[/b]
The Norse peoples first entered into history following their numerous raids across the North and Baltic Seas. Taking advantage of the chaotic state that the Huns and migrations of Germanic peoples had left the region in. Though Frisia and Britannia had been common targets, a favorite was the Baltic, which was now grealy weak and in complete uproar after the migration period. Various Swedish tribes took advantage of this weakness to begin raiding and colonizing the Baltic Coast, gaining access to the complex river system that let the explorers travel further inland, and opening up direct trade routs with the Roman Empire via the Daugava and Dneiper Rivers leading to the Black Sea. 

Trade has Made Sweden one of the Dominant Powers in Scandinavia, alongside Denmark to its south; but while Denmark trades with and raids the West, Sweden looks east to the Rivers leading it to Rome. A particularly powerful tribe being the Rus, who have begun extensive trading missions from the Baltic, selling their goods and their services as mercenaries. One of these mercenary bands are the Blue-Shirts, known as the Bláserka Hirð, or simply the Bláserkar in their own language. Founded by the nobleman Ivar Blueshirt of Sweden, this band of mercenaries, around 3-4 thousand strong on average, consisted of Ivar's most trusted companions, including his own son, Sigbjörn. Well known among the kings of Europe, the Blue Shirts have earned their reputation as fearsome warriors and well trained soldiers, who are worth their price to hire. 

With the death of Ivar only 11 years ago, Sigbjörn has taken control of his father's land and titles, including the constituents of the Blue-Shirt army, who currently spend most of their time in the Baltic at home, tending to their farms and trades until a call is made to them for employment.