Jarl: Arne "The Bloody" Arnesson
Path: Way of the Warrior
Household: Sindra Torsdotter (spouse), Erika Vasdotter (concubine), Arne Arnesson the Young (son of Sindra and Arne), Leif Admundsson (Head Thane), Tor Borkasson (Thane)
Dynasty Bio: Arne, son of Arne, comes from a long line of nomadic coast hunters that have inhabited small frozen islands in the North sea for generations. They follow the path of violence and greed, taking what they could not sow, take what women they needed to breed, and steal what gold they needed for arms. Arne (meaning "Eagle"), became the head of the roaming coastal hunters at the age of seventeen, when he led his most trusted men in a raid against their sworn leader Fritjof Dunklasson after being stranded on an island due to miscommunication between the ship mate and the cartographer on the Chief's boat.
What started as a mere skirmish, came to a full fledged civil war as the different tribes and families came to clash in what would later be known as the Battle of Floating Ice, the succession war involving more than three thousand combatants. For three days the slaughter endured, with only a third surviving the ordeal, and Arne standing on top as victor after personally ending the life of Chief Fritjof, Thane Birger Olafsson and each of their most skilled champion in arms. Rumours, heavily encouraged by Arne himself, says the twin braided bearded warrior sent over two hundred brave clansmen into the abyss personally, though a more realistic figure would probably end at around twenty. As he stood on top of the corpses of his fallen foes, he proclaimed himself chief, and declared that their nomad life would be over.
Arne earned his nickname a month after the battle, when he still hadn't washed his face or beard from the gore of his enemies.
Province Name and Number: 5, Black Amber Islands
Fiefdom Bio: After Arne gained the appraisal and fear of his opposing clans, he led them towards the Gothraik colony of Black Amber Islands north-east of Norseland. Coming upon the rock, they saw it was barren, yet, thriving from the amount of trade it was making with its homeland. Arne, however, saw it as an opportunity, amazed by the harsh black volcanic rock, its steep falls and razor sharp cliffs, and the monstrous Triton Gates of iron blocking the north and southern inlet to the island's inner sea. So vast they were, it controlled the traffic between the islands, and forced the raiders to climb the wild steps on the southern shore of the northern island. The campaign became so overwhelming and grim, where more men were lost due to the elements and the inhospitable land with its many deep crevices and blow-outs of volcanic hot steam, than in the actual fighting that ensued.
Map of Black Amber Islands
Instead of leaving, Arne decided to conquer it and proclaimed himself Jarl by rights of the sword. Ordering the massacre of the brave Gothrans and enthralling those willing to surrender, giving each warrior of his own a thrall woman to take as wife or concubine. The secret to the colony's success and self sustainability was the large congregation of families of whales just outside the islands shores. Hundreds and thousands of dolphins, humpbacks, bowheads and orcas, which would ordered by Arne to become his peoples main course of nourishment. Afterall, the meat and blubber from a single whale could feed a thousand people for months, and its skin, teeth, marrow and bones made excellent sources for exports to the continent.
The Great Hunt occurs in spring and winter, when the families flock to give birth and breed, where whalers may be able to gather as many as a hundred whales per month. They're driven inside the Triton gates, and by the end of a week of hunt, the water streaming out between the islands, is tainted by a deep ruby red. During the slow period in summer and fall, the people instead take to raiding, trading, or fight for comfort in a land that has none. Its long lasting nomadic feel has fostered a restless and ruthless culture, measured only by the strength of one's arm. After the king of Norseland died, Arne has been quiet whether to pitch for himself at the clans moot, or if he'd rather take a council's position, or claim the crown or titles by violent means. Life is short in Whalers Bay. What exactly is there to lose?
