Name of the Kingdom: The Northern Reaches
Current Ruler: King Eyvindr II
Dynasty: The Ragnvaldr dynasty
Flag:[hider=History] Founded approximately 1000 years ago by the Hrothgar of the Felbjorn dynasty, the Northern Reaches has long established itself as masters of the ocean, conducting vital interkingdom trade through their large number of ships. Exiled with his household and supporters from the region of Chalewiel after an attempted uprising due to cultural differences and Hrothgar's lust for power, the exiles arrived in the lands of Wund. Encountering an apparently bleak land, filled with foreboding at the fact that omens along the voyage had not been king, he nevertheless persevered and began to establish his kingdom where he disembarked (the large claim area), naming the place Valheim. Having arrived just as spring was starting, the populace was fortunate enough to have scavenged seeds before leaving, allowing them to sow the fields with crops that would be ready by the time winter came. To their surprise, the land's fertility surpassed that of their home in Chalewiel despite the apparent barren state of the land.
By the time winter came, construction of many buildings approached completion. Desperate, the worked faster, scavenging most of their remaining ships to finish the construction before the snows came. If the decision had gone differently, the exiles would have been claimed by the fierce blizzards that roared constantly during the winter, breaks far between yet of length enough to allow work. Looking longingly back to the sea, construction began once again on the fleet which had been destroyed in their ploy to survive. Slowed by the winter, ships were built slowly, the first few being completed the following autumn. With not enough time left for any journey of length, ships were sent up and down the coast, exploring the land. Villages were founded in fertile areas, spreading the burden of the population. Seasons came and went, and within a hundred years the Northmen had spread through much of the peninsula, even discovering an island off to the northwest. The Felbjorn dynasty grew in power, but as power comes, so do those that covet or despise it. In the Year after Founding 157, a group of nobles banded together and forced the king to abdicate. Despite earlier agreements to form a council of nobles, they fell to fighting amongst each other. While such chaos was occurring on the mainland, one of the nobles on the settled island, Arnnor the Wise of Wodanz, solidified his position, ensuring that those others on the island were behind his lead firmly. Advancing with an army behind him, Arnnor swiftly defeated the remaining nobles, executing them for treason against the king. No member of the Felbjorn dynasty was left alive, leaving the position open. Arnnor claimed it as his own, beginning the rule of the Wodanz dynasty.
A fair ruler in most matters, he became beloved by the people for his compassionate nature, yet was hated by the surviving relatives of the rebellious nobles and their allies. Discontent remained in the land as they lived yet the faith of the people was unshakable so long as Arnnor lived. Upon his death, a series of weak kings followed, landing the kingdom in debt and reducing much of the fleet to destitution. At this point, YF 601, another uprising took place once again, this one more covert in nature. Assassinations and bribery became common. a silent war in the midst of the people. The jarl of Valheim, Asmund of Ragnvaldr, maneuvered his way into the graces of many of the noble families, establishing himself as a friend to many, enemy to few. Upon the death of the king, as no viable heir was left, tensions threatened to break into a civil war. Using his strings, Asmund secured the throne for himself through a series of opportune marriages, trade contracts, and bribes of his own. Gaining the throne in YF 609, the Ragnvaldr dynasty worked to become friends of both the people and the nobles so as to ensure the continued support of the entire nation.
In the current year, YF 900, Eyvindr II sets his sights on expanding the borders of the Northern Reaches into southern territory, the first proposed large foreign excursion since the inception of the kingdom. Such plans are kept secret among a few people, yet a tension rests in the air that is difficult to ignore if focused on. With the full support of the people behind him, Eyvindr hopes to establish a Northmen hegemony over much of the world. Having access and general control of the world's premier naval force, Eyvindr plans to exploit this fact in both a military and economic fashion, the Northmen having already established themselves as deadly raiders and sought-after cargo bearers due to their famous ships.