Welcome to Valenfrost. One of, if not, the most dangerous places to end up at. Made up on countless islands, the nation of Valenfrost covers most of the northern hemisphere of Azura. Its history is mostly shattered and forgotten, since most clans here are nomadic and distant with each other. Still there is some sort of unity. The north is the most stable, with Redyr ruling most of it. The Lumen Kingdom also has some stake in some islands, such as Norum and a couple of outposts.
Like I mentioned before, history has been a confusing thing. Since Valenfrost is made up of mostly nomads, history and records are usually passed along orally rather than written down. That results in hundreds of versions of events and stories, leaving an unreliable history of this nation. Still, there are some consistent facts. That is, relating to the last fifty years.
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Notable History
THE OUTSIDER WARS
One of the longer wars in recent history. This is going to be a bit of a long one, so strap in.
Decades ago, the tensions between the Nomads in Valenfrost and the Lumen Kingdom were strained to their limits. No one knows what started it, or why it did. Some speculate that the goddess Delphine herself ordered it while others believe that it was the result of Kjor’s and Yorn’s small war. Either way, all anyone knows is that the Lumen Kingdom started their invasion in the north, taking over Norum and slowly working their way into Valenfrost.
Falrick’s notes
YEAR 1
In the initial year of the war, Lumen forces clashed with the clans of Valenfrost. Norum was overrun and taken in under a day, sending all the clans in Valenfrost into a fury. Most of the major clans decided then and there to put aside differences and unite. Everyone who fought for Valenfrost did so under the Halvorson and Redyr banner, the two most powerful clans at the time.
The first year of the war was devastating, taking countless lives and causing unnecessary suffering. I’m not sure of the truth behind the rumors but there are stories of Lumen Knights committing senseless murders, torturing prisoners, and even pillaging/burning whole villages down. All of this cemented a certain hatred for the Lumen Kingdom, the stigma lasting up to present day.
THE BARBARIANS
However, the war’s focus would soon change not even two years after it started. Far south, barbarians from Atrox had decided to make their move. No one is sure what exactly happened but most theorize that the clans from the south continent had all decided to join together to attack and pillage the north. This included both Lumen land and Valenfrost waters.
The Barbarians were arguably worse than either the Valenfrost Alliance or Lumen Kingdom, as they did nothing more than pillage and burn whatever they liked. They ravaged towns and cities, taking little to no prisoners, and stole what they wanted. They were like raiders but worse in the way that they numbered in thousands and were equipped with decent to good gear.
FORCED TRUCE
For a couple months after the barbarians joined in on the conflict, both the Valenfrost Alliance and Lumen Kingdom were still at each other's throats. However, it became clear to both sides that fighting a two front war was tandem to suicide. Barbarians were exploiting their strained efforts and attacking at random. Their reach grew with every week, taking more lives and resources from the two sides.
Eventually, both sides called a truce and even formed what was supposed to be a temporary alliance.
This truce was obviously controversial. Many people hated it and a couple clans left the alliance outright. Regardless of how most looked at it, no one can deny the fact that this truce saved Valenfrost for the better.
THE HECTIC YEARS
Even with the truce in place, with both the Valenfrost Alliance and Lumen Kingdom no longer enemies, the war was far from over. Barbarians had taken so much in both gold and weapons that they were just as well equipped as knights and wealthy enough to hire more raiders to their effort.
The war would go on to last well over a decade, with both sides taking heavy casualties. One of the main reasons why this war was so long, was due to the sheer size of Valenfrost and its numerous islands. To clear it all was a nigh impossible task, especially with how dug in the barbarians were and the brutal tactics they had employed to stave off attacks.
Thankfully, with the combined efforts of the Alliance and Lumen Kingdom, the barbarians were driven out of Azurvale and Valenfrost for good. Still it wasn’t without heavy consequence.
AFTERMATH
Thousands dead. Even more displaced. Valenfrost had taken a much harder hit than Azurvale, with a good chunk of their islands razed to ash and cinders. Many notable clans had been reduced to nothing, their territory nonexistent. I’m not sure the extent of the damage, but it was enough to affect Valenfrost for the years to come. Even now, there are still lingering effects of the war.
Including that of the fall of one of the biggest clans.
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Clan History
The islands of Valenfrost were once all united under four clans. At least, as far back as anyone could recall. Redyr, Halvorson, Blyth, and Falk were once the powerhouses of Valenfrost. Their history goes back decades, back to when Halvor the Great (The original Halvorson) was still alive. When these four clans ruled, there was at least some sort of unity and peace. It was probably the closest Valenfrost had ever come to peace.
When his father died, Kjor Halvorson took over the clan. He ruled as a warlord throughout Valenfrost, wiping out smaller clans and butting heads with his allies. It had gotten to the point where everyone had declared him as public enemy number one.
Seamus' notes
Yorn would start up his own clan, taking up the Bear heraldry his grandfather used. With the help of his grandfather’s allies and some new friends, Yorn would build up his clan and slowly take back what was rightfully his.
He even gained the support of the other big three clans, such as Redyr, Falk, and Blyth. With their help, Yorn managed to launch a full scale attack on Kjor’s keep. The battle was hard fought and at the end, Yorn came out on top. Kjor’s death would mark an end to his terror and a beginning of a new legend.
However, it was the beginning of the end for the four big clans. Blyth, clan of the wolf, would be first to fall. From the information I’ve managed to gather, they became valuable after some conflict long ago. Because of this, it left them vulnerable to a foreign kingdom from further south. They ransacked and invaded Blyth’s territories, killing countless innocents and taking even more as slaves. It all had happened so fast that none of the other clans were able to assist properly. In the end, all that was left were burnt islands.
The second to fall was Falk, clan of the falcon. It actually used to be a thriving clan, with many rich merchants from Areno and Kasan. It had even become one of the richest and most powerful clans in Valenfrost history. Unfortunately, their rise to power was short-lived. Apparently, Falk had ignored the gathering of orcs and barbarians in the south and east, which resulted in their trading ships soon becoming nothing more than targets. Their power and influence quickly fizzled out soon after, resulting in their clan being nothing more than a couple of islands and a handful of ships.
Falrick's Notes
The third and latest to fall was the Halvorson Clan. Yorn Halvorson had made himself a name in Valenfrost and Azurvale, putting fear in both Lumen soldiers and barbarians alike. His territory after the Outsider Wars extended across Valenfrost, both north and south. However, it wouldn’t last. The Marauders of the North, led by Deimos, had been carefully and methodically taking over Halvorson territory. Bit by bit, they took over islands and made their way to Yorn’s central fort, where he himself lived with his family.
No one knows how he did it. I’m not even sure there’s a reasonable explanation. All anyone knows is that Deimos had raided the Yorn’s fort and home, somehow getting past his alarm totems and veils. His marauders killed almost anyone they came across, taking women as trophies and capturing innocents to make them slaves.
Yorn Halvorson died that night, covered in arrows and spears. Deimos beheaded him and since then, has been slowly growing in power.
Redyr, clan of the reindeer, is the last of the big four to still rule over the north. It’s Jarl had died some years ago, leaving his wife to act as Frue and rule over his remaining territory. Still, Redyr is far from the powerhouse it used to be. They had lost territory during the Outsider Wars and had been forced to give up islands to Lumen control in the aftermath. They are still a force to be reckoned with, however, since they have the biggest armada of ships in Valenfrost.
Currently, the better known clans in Valenfrost are as follows.
Factions
HALVORSON (THE BEAR CLAN)
STATUS: FALLEN
Formerly the biggest clan in Valenfrost. Once led by the infamous Yorn Halvorson. His son Seamus Halvorson is the sole survivor.
FALK (THE FALCON/HAWK CLAN)
STATUS: ACTIVE
Led by Jarl Ivan Falk. While small, there are reports that Jarl Ivan is gaining more territory in south and west, his reach slowly growing into the east. Possible enemy of the White Raven Clan. Be wary.
OLAFSON (THE SERPENT CLAN)
STATUS: ACTIVE
Led by Jarl Lars Olafson. His son, Daven Larsson, is his emissary and heir. Territory is limited in the south and east. Smallest of the current powerhouses. Forced ally of the White Raven Clan.
VILLTUR (THE BOAR CLAN)
STATUS: ACTIVE
One of the strongest clans behind Redyr. Led by Jarl Lukas Villtur. He controls the east and central islands. Below Redyr territory and above Olafson territory. Forced ally of the White Raven Clan. Be wary.
VULPESSON (THE FOX CLAN)
STATUS: ACTIVE
Led by Jarl Vulpesson. His son, Siegfried, is an emissary and heir to his throne. Controls the western islands and some of the north. Forced ally of the White Raven Clan. Be wary.
REDYR (THE REINDEER CLAN)
STATUS: ACTIVE
A remnant of the past but still kicking. Led by Frue Margeret Redyr. Clan is powerful but at odds with rival clans and Lumen control. Potential ally? Still be wary.
HOLTER (THE WHITE RAVEN CLAN)
STATUS: ACTIVE
Led by Jarl James Holter, this clan is small but growing. It recently caught the attention of everyone last Midsommar, due to the actions performed during the Battle for Vindis. Its growth has since exploded, its territory growing over a few islands and outposts in the southern-eastern edge of Valenfrost.
This is my clan. The one I started last frost. It is an ally to anyone who seeks refuge and safety. That is, as long as you are not associated with the goddess Delphine or her Lumen Knights. The reason why? Well, we’ll get to that another time.