Editing WS:Brondheim (section)

==LIFE IN BRONDHEIM==

Survival can be a hard business for the weak in Brondheim. Fortunately, the men and women are strong, sturdy, and selfreliant. Even the children are taught at an early age how to survive the rigors of the wild alone. Brondheimers are capable outdoorsmen, hard workers, and ferocious warriors.

Brondheim is not as technologically advanced as its southern neighbors. Such items as plate armor, books, and steel plows are true rarities. Those found in Brondheim are most likely the spoils of a raid rather than the fruits of barbarian ingenuity. The average Brondheimer makes his living either hunting, fishing or trapping. Though most families plant a small garden for the short growing season, the climate is just too harsh to make farming pay. Because of this, the population of Brondheim has remained relatively small.

Many coastal clans use raiding to help support themselves. In spring, after the winter storms have subsided, Viking longships set sail from the fjords, with villages' entire population of battle-ready men aboard. These ships travel southward, sacking small coastal villages in Daria, Ambria, and sometimes even Irolo. Some, of course, are lost to storms and enemy warships, but enough return in the autumn of every year to make the raids worthwhile.

Each clan (a village-sized unit of 50-1,000 people) is ruled by a chieftain. The chieftain is responsible for governing the clan on a day-to-day basis, leading war parties, and performing marriage ceremonies. The only other individual of equivalent importance is the clan shaman, who conducts religious rituals, blesses warriors before going on a raid or into battle, and presides over funerals. Once every five years, the chieftains of each clan meet in Halbad for the Jarlspeln (King's games). The Jarlspeln is a series of competitions which test physical strength, endurance, combat prowess, and cunning. The Jarl acts as host and head referee, even though he may compete as well. The overall winner of these games becomes the new Jarl. Normally only clan chieftains are allowed to participate, although a non-chieftain Brondheimer may participate, with the Jarl's permission (this might make an interesting adventure for PC barbarians).

Brondheimers worship a Norse-style pantheon, headed by Odin, the Storm King. Other major gods include Tyr (god of war) and Loki (god of evil mischief). Magic is normally restricted to shamans, though warriors can employ magic weapons, shields, and armour.