Introduction to Jankaping

[DM B]

The northernmost and poorest of the Taelshore kingdoms Jankaping is a land divided by internal strife. There is conflict between sovereign and jarl, nomad and city-dweller, Emerald Spiral and Oaken Grove. Jankaping was a traditional nomadic realm well up into the 13th century HC when a series of strong kings began the slow process of turning nomads into townsfolk. King Alnor was the last of these civilizing kings. Never a strong and wise ruler he was thrust into a position that would have broken far better men than he – things were coming to a head and there was naught to be done about it. So Alnor drank and whored right up until his sworn man Thorgrim murdered him and took the throne. In turn Thorgrim was defeated by an alliance of tribesmen and settled led by then Jarl - now King - Thornul.

The coast of Jankaping is dominated by endless open stretches of cold and forlorn moors. It’s not quite the tundra found further north – the warm waters of the Taelshore are just enough to breathe a little extra life into the land. Inland the ground rises and becomes more broken, although not as much as in Halskapa. Hills, moors and woodlands overlap and intermingle. Streams and lakes dot the landscape. It’s a rough land, but one of undeniable beauty. This is nomad country – kings and jarls may claim it as their own, but it’s the tribes who are the real lords here, save for some isolated permanent settlements along the coast and interior lowlands.

Further inland the landscape offers much of the same, but the ground is flatter and more hospitable to man and beast. Sheltered by the coastal highland to the north and the great forests to the east the provinces of Stangajord and Harlskaang make up the core of the King’s lands. It is here that civilization has gained its strongest hold. Agriculture and husbandry have replaced the nomad way of life. There are roads and villages. Traders and toll stations. Stone keeps and walled towns.

To the south and east the land becomes less settled again. In the south marshes, moors and woods dominate – the tribes are strong here also. This could be good land for settled Rjurik, but civilization has not yet wormed its way to Jurva and Jokkajoen. In the east the mighty dark forests spill into Jankaping. It is here that the rogue thegns have their seats, as far away from the king and the tribes as they can possibly get. It’s a poor and dangerous country – the thengs’ subjects have to work hard and fight hard merely to stay alive.

The town of Stangafjord is Jankaping’s only port of notice. Compared to nearby Skapa Hjarring it fares poorly, being little more than a ferry point and harbor for local fishermen. Jankaping’s small and neglected navy calls Stangafjord home. Stornomark is Jankaping’s fortified capital. Located well inland – rare for a Rjurik capital - the city signals the ocean’s lack of importance to Jankaping. The capital is the only real city in the realm. Due to its isolated location it sees less trade and has fewer resident foreigners than most Rjurik cities. The Roeleveg passes through Jankaping on its last leg towards Aaldvika; from the banks of the Hjarring River, by way of Stornomark, then north along the forests edge before winding the final miles across windswept moor and hills. The road is in very poor repair, especially beyond Stornomark – but it’s still much better than any other road in the realm.

[DM B]

SOVEREIGN

Thornul, King of Janakaping (b. 1490 HC, r. 1531 HC): Male Rjurik; Very high level Fighter; Reynir, weak, 15; LG. Hailing from the rural province of Jokkajoen Thornul is well versed in both tribal and settled life – his settled clan had extensive dealings with the local nomadic tribes. Under the rule of King Alnor Thornul was a minor jarl – but a great warrior and captain. When Alnor’s right-hand man, Thorgrim, usurped the throne with the help of Jarls Bjark and Olam, Thornul managed to get support from the clans and turned the tables on Thorgrim. He was, however, not able to bring Bjark and Olam to justice, and the two continue to rule their lands on the eastern border. The tribes are also as independent as ever, leaving Thornul with little real power outside the capital.

LORDS

Ulthar the Old, Chief of the Olthrugaard Tribe: Male Rjurik; Very high level Fighter; Azrai, minor 18; CN. Chieftain and warleader of the feared Olthrugaard Tribe. Resists all attempts to civilize or influence his clan – be it in the form of the King, the rogue Thanes, or other tribes. The Olthrugaard tribe has winter quarters in the northeastern forests of Rjutaffel. In summer they head down to the coastlands of Rjutaffel and Draaska. The Olthrugaard controls the old Roele Way and sometimes demand a toll, however few traders use this route – most rely on the sea for transportation.

Rjannka, Chief of the Fryggvaal Tribe: Female Rjurik; Very high level Ranger; Masela, minor, 26; NG. Helped Thornul put down Thorgrim the Kingslayer, but remains fiercely independent and unwilling to accept the overlordship of the King. Skalds link her romantically to the King – although they can never be a pair, it makes for good storytelling. Darker tales put Rjannka under the spell of the White Witch. The Fryggaal spend their winters in Jurva and Jokkajoen. In spring they make a lengthy trek to the coast of Froylaad.

Bjark, Thane of Aaldvaar: Male Rjurik; High level Fighter; Masela, minor, 20; CN. Bjark is one of the rogue thanes that supported Thorgrim’s rise to power. His domain now exists as an independent thegn. Bjark enjoys some support from such diverse sources the White Witch and the Emerald Spiral. The White Witch tries to use him to gain power in Jankaping, while the Emerald Spiral is willing to support his independence as long as it keeps the king weak. The White Witch and the Spiral are no on friendly terms of course, so that complicates matters quite a bit. Bjark must also contend with having the Olthrugaard tribe on ‘his’ lands. Bjark’s life is not easy!

Olam, Thane of Aaldnjor: Male Rjurik; High level Fighter; Anduiras, weak, 12; CN. Olam’s position is much like Bjark’s. His only consolation is that ‘his’ tribe, the Fryggvaal, is less hostile than the Olthrugaard. Unfortunately the Fryggvaal are also more politically competent and it’s female chieftain is said to have links to both the King and the White Witch. Olam’s life is not an easy life!