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Atlas: Aradis

Grovna Map

 

 

GROVNA

The Jarl of Grovna is home to the Skyan presence most in the Dunrach experience.Lying far to the east and south of their traditional lands, this Red Skyan faction has established this realm as an outpost for trade and raiding.While not officially a Kingdom, the ruling Stendahl clan claims featly to the King of Evolond.

Grovna geography is dominated by the fens and wooded islands that lie at the mouth of the Grovna River.These marshes have isolated the settlement from the horse nomads of the S’Kree plains as well as other inland raiders.The shallow water of many of the tributaries limits access by deepwater boats that do not share the shallow draft of the Skyan ships.

Fair agricultural land is found on many of the islands and along the Grovna River that carries rich mineral deposits on its long trek south.The more exposed islands have poor soil and farming is more difficult.The forest provides good timber for homes and the fine ships built by the Skyan boat masters who have immigrated to Grovna from the north.

While Grovna technically extends all along the banks of the River, few dare live so isolated.A small trading post lies below the last cataract, and another exist on the northern side of the Culdi Pass.These holdings are very isolated and unprotected.Only the bravest sort and those who seek a high return for their services live this far out.And even these people often fall prey to the various raiders and tribes of the north.

 

HISTORY

The inky mist of the Ceoltric shrouds the earliest years of the Grovna region.The area fell under the sway of the Wot Karachi, and many of their ruins are found along the inland borders.During the time of the Great War, the skalds claim that the Foromer, the Northern Giants who sided with the Dominions against the First Ones and their allies, ruled the region.Most people avoid Foromer sites.They consist of large stone block constructions that have tumbled down into the surf on the more outlying islands.

After the Age of Legends passed, the human settlers who arrived from the Beryl Sea overran the area.They were the forefathers of the Llynerians.The more barbaric clans are often referred to as the Low Llynerians, and many of them migrated along the northern coastline into the region.One group, the Nuoan, remained along the marshy coast.They are a fierce people, who fight with stealth and ambush.No open battle has ever been reported against the Nuoan.This was always a good strategy against the larger Sudd and Kelma tribes that claim parts of the territory to this day.

The town of Grovna or Grovnaheim was founded at the mouth of the Grovna River on the northwestern coast of the Ceoltric.While the region had been settled by the Low Llynerian

Tribes collectively called the Nuoan; the Skyan quickly established a camp here.Founded in 45 AF, the camp was called Oselhahl and acted as a winter camp for traders down through the Culdi Pass and Viking raiders who preyed upon the people inhabiting the Ceoltric and Dunrach coasts.

The leader of Oselhahl was Kholbi Grafson of the Red Skyan, a fearsome Viking who led the first expedition through here.The Viking chief attracted many followers among them the descendents of the six clans that live in Grovna.Since the Great War chief died in a raid on an Abbey in Llynern in 52 AF, his son Sten Kolbison became the founder of the Clan Stendahl and the first to establish the Jarldom of Grovna.From this time on, Grovna became a major player in the maritime trade and wars of the Ceoltric and Dunrach Seas.

While often feared as pirates, the Skyan of Grovna has fought as mercenaries in many of the important wars of the age.Never was this more obvious than their involvement in the Second Philemon Crusade.After the loss of the City of the Prophet to the Ji-Hassa, the High Empire found itself short of troops.This was during the Balanni dynasty and the nobles had withdrawn much of their support from the bureaucratic oriented government.A general call for aid against the infidel went out and Alric of the Clan Rorgan put together a force to retake Philemon.This was in spite of the fact the pagan Skyans were even more feared than the Ji-Hassa.The success of the Alric’s army was the influence the Abagzabar Dwarves offered with the Dracostanni.While the southern Dwarves were often at war with the Ji-Hassa, they held little affection for the Caldensian High Empire.The short-lived alliance formed with Alric and his forces were enough to win control of the Rhunaz River.For their effort Clan Rorgan was made Earl of Rhunanon now called Rhunur in the Skyan tongue.It remains a fief of Philemon and the High Emperor.Most of the Skyan adventurers converted to the Caldensian faith, a condition of holding title.It also helps in Sabrynne where the Caldensians follow the Ji-Hassa practice of paying a special tax, the Kharaj, for non-believers.

During all of this period, the Skyans continued to practice their form of raiding called Viking.Sweeping in from the sea in their sleek dragon ships, the Grovna Skyans terrorized towns and villages throughout the known world.Even as far as the isles of Anconia and Augora as well as the coast of Eye, the dragon ships heralded death and destruction.The cities of Anconia itself burned at the hands of the Vikings.Who then sailed west instead of east as expected.The navies of Eltz and Palandryd were out maneuvered.Some

Of the members of this expedition later returned to Grovna from the north bringing with them tales of wonder from their trip around the Point of the Day.

Throughout, the Stendahls ruled Grovna.The Grunnal Rebellion threatened from the Jarldom within.In 250 AF, Wulf Oberson the Stendahl Jarl took the throne.At the time he was considered hale if brash, but that is rarely a fault among the Skyan.After only three years on the throne his mind became troubled.It has been rumored that his wife poisoned him after he slew their eldest son in a disagreement.The rest of the children of Wulf fled into exile The Theng of Grovnalond worried at the loss of leadership and the erratic behavior of Wulf Stendahl.Attempting to hold the Jarldom for the remaining heirs the Theng appointed Larseer of the Grunnal to act as Regent and the Jarl was placed under house arrest.After only a few months Wulf Oberson died of poisoning, as did his three wives.News came that some of the heirs had been killed as well even in exile.A thrall was charged with the crime and he confessed that it was under the direction of Larseer.This threw the Thanes into open conflict, with Grunnal openly claiming the throne.After the return of Freyhdy Wulfson, the Grunnals were defeated and their holdings taken.In Exile the Grunnals fled into to the Dhudleigh Island of the coast of Llynern.They have since carved out their own petty kingdom.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

Presently Grovna finds itself isolated from the world it has preyed upon and facing raids from the Moredon Protectorate.While many of the Red Skull Pirates were Skyan, the betrayal at Handsdown Isle by the Vanasari has led to the cry for war.But Moredon has few coastal settlements and its interior is too difficult to raid for Grovna.

GOVERNMENT

Grovna is divided into four thanaals, each ruled by a great clan.Most people who live in a thanaal are related however distantly to the ruling clan.Such as, the majority of inhabitants of Grovnaheim are Stendahls.

Within its own Thanaal, the clan rules without much interference from the Jarl.A council of elders called the Thangaad decides the direction for each clan.Membership on this council is open to men with at least three wives, restricting it to the wealthiest and most powerful clan members.As such, they are rarely over twelve men.Each Thangaad has the right to elect a Clan Chief or The Valhkar.These men are usually the best war leaders of a clan, but more often than not the title goes from father to son.

All free clansmen in a thane have the right to speak at the clan meetings or Thengs.These gatherings are at the discretion of the Valhkar and usually undertaken to gather consensus of the clan for some endeavor. They also serve as a formal court of appeals to the Valhkar’s rulings in criminal matters.

The major clans are Stendahl, Rhorlief, Volund, and Ochreson.The second tier clans are Rorgitte (a skion of Rorgan of Sabrynne), Siggryd, and Halfdake.The Priestly clans are Hjemgar and Lonigswye.The Grunnals are in exile and the Volund and Ochreson split their thanaal.

VENDETTA LAW

Skyan law is essentially “an eye for an eye”, with the exception the dept can be paid in silver.Like all Skyans, Grovna’s legal code revolves around the ancient tradition of Vendetta Law.The Dwarves of Abagzabar taught this code to the people of the north.A rough type of justice, it acknowledges that the injured party or the family is entitled to compensation that is established by mutual agreement.The concept of Wergeld or man-gold determines the worth of the loss.But other than force there is no way to insure that the payments are made.In this cases feuds can emerge.

WERGELD TABLE
 
Social Class 

Of Victim
Killed

(sp)
Maimed

(sp)
Jarl 
25,000
12,500
Heir to Throne
6500
3200
Vahlkar, major
12,500
6500
Vahlkar, lesser
7500
4000
Huscarl Commander
2500
1000
Priest of Woten
2500
1000
Jarlgaard Captain
2100
875
Clan Guard Captain
1250
440
Jarlgaard, Officer
675
300
Jarlgaard, Warrior
500
250
Clan Warrior
300
150
Skilled Thrall
100
50
Unskilled Thrall
50
20
Women and Children
50% 

THE JARLDOM

There is no equivalent to a royal plutocracy in Grovna.But in most cases members of the Stendahl clan perform most of the functions of chancellor, chamberlain, and even royal tax collector.The Jarl has always been the current Vahlkar of the Stendahls, which gives him legal rule over his Thanaal.The other Thanes are dealt with almost as equals.Politics and power are all that allows some central rule.

The Jarl also rules with the help of the Jarlraad a council made up of representatives from all of the clans, even the lesser one.They concern themselves with external affairs and any inter-thanaal disputes.

THE ECONOMY

While there are crops and livestock to be tended, fishing, sealing, trapping, and trade are the major sources of income.

Taxes are based upon tribute, collected by each clan of its members and then from the Thanes by the Jarl.Within a Thanaal, tribute is based upon a head tax, and any fees for trade or craft titles.Head taxes range from 8-16sp annually.Some Vahlkar’slevy toll and bonding taxes.The trade up and down the Grovna River requires a tribute to the Stendahls.

The CURRENCY is 

Lev (Ag) = 2sp

Stotki (Be) = .5sp/5 bp

Stotkili (Cu) = .05sp/ .5bp/ 5 cp

TRANSPORTATION

The marshes, woods and fens make Grovna a difficult place for roads.Boats of all sizes are the main mode of transport.On land most walk, and due to the broken nature of the ground horses are quite rare.A few men use horses and mules for the climb through Culdi.

RELIGION

While the Skyan gods are still strong, many of the faiths encountered along the coast of the Dunrach are found here.The largest non-Skyan faith is Caldensian.Though some pay heed to the darker cults, and a few Vanasari have been uncovered.

For the Skyan gods, Priest comes from two minor clans, the Hjemgar and the Lonigswye.The Hjemgar provide Priest for mainly for Woten.Clan Lonigsway is dedicated mainly to Baldur and Freya, but they also provide dedications for all the rest of the pantheon. 

The Skyan pantheon was adopted from the Elves and Dwarves encountered in the north.That is why many of them possess the same attributes as the Valar.In addition the Skyan god fo the Mountains and Storms is a bearded man with a war hammer.Much taller than the Dwarves’ Mahal, the likeness is still there.Of these gods, the All-Father or Woten is the strongest force and the one most reveared.He is the god of warriors and clans.A Priest of Woten will be encountered for about every long ship and in every village.In Grovna they come from the Hjemgar clan.The other gods have a few rites associated with them and are called upon for specific areas of influence

Before the Skyans met the Elves of Edheldor and the Dwarves of Abagzahar, they practiced an older more totem-based religion.This one focused on the great spirits of the ancient trees of the north.The sacred groves and shaman rites have beenforgotten by many, but there are always of a few who turn to these old and mysterious powers.In Grovna, an sacred grove is kept by

THE GROVNA THRANS

The following list is of the major settlements in the Jarldom.

WALDGIR

Clan: Rhorlief

Tribute: Stendahl

Population: 5,000

Founded in 85 AF by Orgund Fellson Rhorlief, this thane is the major source of ship timbers in Grovna.Located on the mainland, Waldgir is one of the most exposed of the major Grovnan holdings.Leading up to the Grunnal Rebellion, the Rhorliefs of Waldgir tried to act as peacemakers between the other houses.Since then their loyalty has always been suspect.The current Vahlkar, Mynar Rhorlief is extensively fortifying the stronghold in anticipation of more attacks from the Sudd and Kelma.Mynar is a man of great appetites, stout and married to four women.He has seven sons to help hold the forest and fields.

JOSELHEIM

Clan: Volund

Tribute: Stendahl

Population: 6,000

A rich farming thane, Joselheim was settled first by the Allanar Clan who passed it on to the Volunds through marriage back in 210 AF.Located on several islands and marshy tracks to the southeast of Grovnaheim, Joselheim has recently been the site of several night attacks by mainland barbarians.The present Vahlkar is Helda Freytoter Volund, who took over leadership after the death of her husband in 305 AF.While this is rare, Helda now in her sixties is a former sheildmaiden and has led several responses to the farm burning attacks in her thane.She has four daughters and only a grandson to inherit the title.

GRUNNALOND

Clan: Ochreson

Tribute: Stendahl

Population:

Grunnalond was the former thane of the Grunnals, now exiled from the Jarldom.During the Rebellion, the Ochreson’s took most of the thane.They rest of the former holdings were granted by the Jarl to the Siggryd for their faithful service.Located to the north of Grovnaheim, Grunnaland also has holdings on the Foro Trail, the name for the river and land passage north.At present all of the Grunnals have either left or passed into thrall.Vahlkar Darggrun Ochreson is very suspicious of outsiders, afraid of a return of the Grunnals.Every couple of decades, Viking raids by the exiled Grunnals have kept the people of this thane on their toes.

GROVNAHEIM

Clan: Stendahl

Tribute: Evolond (Skye)

Population: 13,000

GM Note:Use the Vulenheim write up in the Menglana Kingdom Module.

1. GREAT HALL/ VATHRAN

The seat of power for all of the northern Ceoltric.By Skyan standards the place is a mighty structure.Built of stone on 244 AF by Lanker II, the hall is currently occupied by Erick Stendahl, the Jarl of Grovna.Guarded by 5-10 Jarlgaard, more can be called from the nearby Barracks.


2. JARLGAARD BARRACKS

Located to the east of the Vathran, this long series of buildings are connected by narrow covered porches.Three companies of the Jarlgaard are quartered here, as royal protectors of the Jarl of Grovna.Each company has 25 men each and Horm Stendahl, a huge and brutish berserk, commands them.One company is on Duty at all times, manning the watchtower, the Great Hall, and patrolling the High Town.

3. STEN’'S BARROW

The burial site of Sten Kolbison Stendahl, the fist Jarl of Grovna.Descending through the Culdi Pass, Stahl created the first settlement and enriched it through Viking along the Ceoltric.The tomb contains his long ship, three of his four wives, as well as a reputable large amount of his wealth.Two or three members of the Jarlgaard keep vigil at the barrow.Monthly things are held in the open area beneath the barrow; none may stand upon the mound.

4. WATCHTOWER

A forty-foot high beacon tower made of wood was built atop the highest part of the town.Always manned by 3-4 guards.Since the land is so flat they can see very far.

5. THRALLHUD (Clan Stendahl)

6. TEMPLE OF VODIN (Clan Hjemgar)

7. SIGGRYDHUS 

8. CLANHUS HALFDAKE

9. ROTHUS (Stendahl, formerly Grunnal)

10. VOLUNDNHUS 

11. RHORLIEFHUS

12. HIRDMAAND HALL

Contains the council chamber, mead hall, and some accommodations for members who are passing through to trade.

13. HJEMGAR HOUSE

14. CLANHUS LONIGSWYE

15. RORGITTE HOUSE

16. OSTLER

Dasen provides stabling services for the mounts of travelers.Even though Grovnans travel across the northern plains, most would rather walk than ride.He is a skilled breeder and trainer and has many horses for sale.His prices are high but the quality is good.

17. CHAPEL ST. PADRAA

Monks from the Isle of Gulea off the coast of LLynern originally founded the Caldensian Chapel.Since then, orthodox priest from the High Empire have taken over. Their present leader is Father Armunda of Philemon.6 monks of lesser rank and fourteen paladins of the Order of Caldes Fire accompany him.They and a guard of men at arms are barracked next door (17a).Armunda spent time among the Skyans of Rhunor and knows the language and culture.Since arriving he has kept a low profile.His men are respected among the Skyans as well.

18.FRAAYSBY

19. THE BOARDWALK

At high tide the cove is under several feet of water. The walk allows for citizens to cross over to Vulensby village. The marsh at the east end of the cove is quite dangerous and the mud and sands will not release their hold if you step into them. It was an old Viking tradition to toss a portion of one’s loot upon returning into this part of the water. While it is considered hallowed ground, many low towners sneak into the area after coin.

20. THE TIDE STAKE

The common site for executions, victims are chained to the stake at low tide and then drown as the water rises. During such times the boardwalk mentioned above gets very crowded. Eleven years ago the walk collapsed during an execution and eight spectators drowned as well.

21. THE WARBOAT INN

Kedrin Hadoson Feraald, head of a small clan, operates the inn.He pays an annual license to the Hirdmaand of 80d. Food is good and the prices fair. Games of chance and strength are the common past times in this inn.

22. SHIPWRIGHT

23. SAILMAKER

24. BONDING HOUSE

25. PHYSICIAN (Gelda Girdal Siggryd)

Gelda is the town’s only healer. She dabbles in Herbs and a little alchemy. She follows the Woodway in the Elder’s Grove is the injury is so serious.

26.MERCHANT'S MARKET

Owned by Gender Maarson, he pays an annual fee of 500d to rent stalls in the open market.The market is open from dawn to dusk every day of the week.A popular even every halfmoon is the "Beast Sellers Auction" where every manner of creature, livestock and even thralls are for sale.

27.GAOL

28. INN OF THE WHITE BOAR

Prices are average and the rooms are very good. Most of the wealthy traders stay here if they are not guest at one of the Clan Houses.While he has only four daughters to help him run the inn, they are all shield maidens and can defend themselves easily.

30.TEMPLE OF THE GODS

31. TEMPLE OF THE NEW PROPHET

After the last raid on Waldgir by forces loyal to Moredon, the temple was attacked by a mob. The Jarlgaard had to be called out to quell the violence. Since then the Vanasari have kept a very low profile. Brother Fegul is a Cobari Priest, but there are several missionaries placed within Grovnaheim in case he needs help.

32. BATH HOUSE (Malker Hjemgar)

For half a Stokilitti, Malker will offer a hot bath and a sauna. Malker is also the local contact for a group of smugglers out of Cettle down in Raglar.

33. STALLION RAMPANT (Allil A’Harad)

Allil is a Ji-Hassa who came to Grovna as a slave.After rendering a special service for the Jarl, he was given his freedom and a reward. After some time spent building up his money, he married a local girl and set up shop at this inn.

34. TIDE MILL

35. ELDER'S GROVE

This is a hold over from the old ways. Here the acolytes of the Temples tend the God Stones and carved pillars called Watchers. While only a few still come here, the Jarl is careful to express his pubic faith here. All ships and expeditions seek the support of the Gods in this dark place, believing the cruel lords are closer here. There will usually be a cleric about or at least an old man or woman who remember the way things was.