See Faction: Clan Ravnulv
See Glossary of Terms at bottom of page.
The Kingdom of Ravnulv[]
Founded by King Jötren “Jarlslakter” Odinssen, the Kingdom of Ravnulv is a realm within the lands of Vylkland. It lies along the Western Coast of Vylkland, and is made up of multiple Jarldoms who pledge fealty to its King. The size of the Kingdom rivals the realms of Tirgoth and Wërgun of the Vylk Sagas, and it stands as one of the few examples of successful Vylkish Kingdoms.
Jyrdenheim, Capital of Ravnulv[]
Jyrdenheim is the seat of Clan Ravnulv. Originally built by Jyrden of Clan Ravnse; prior to the formation of Clan Ravnulv. Jyrdenheim started as a small respite from the harsh Vylkish winter, but soon expanded into a hub of trade for the surrounding region.
It's positioning, at the end of a long fjord, allows Jyrdenheim direct access to the sea, as well as the many rivers which wind through Ravnulv, which lead to some of the Jarldoms. Many make port in Jyrdenheim to gain access to items from greater Vylkland. It is also a hub for whalers, who ply their trade amongst Vylkland's Northern glaciers.
Crime in the Kingdom[]
Criminals in Ravnulv are dealt with much the same way it is done in the rest of Vylkland. Crimes, disputes, etc are all dealt with/settled by the Jarl of the region the crime occurred. Punishments range from fines, jail time, execution, outlawing and exile - all of which are for the Jarl or someone appointed by them to decide.
Given the nature of Vylkish justice, organised crime is rare in the Jarldoms, as repeat offenders are often dealt with more permanently. The only exception to this, is Jyrdenheim. Given it’s size in comparison to the other Jarldoms, criminals have formed an underbelly - as the city is too large for the guards to be everywhere at once.
The only criminal organisation with Jyrdenheim are known by their moniker, the ‘Poor Fish Pedlars’. They operate a crime ring within and around Jyrdenheim, which extort, smuggle, bribe, steal, and commit many other crimes. As the name suggests, they are believed to make use of fishermen and whalers as a front to ply their trade.
Jarldoms of Ravnulv[]
Ravnulv is made up of three other main Jarldoms, with Jarls who have sworn oaths to the King - thus making up the Kingdom of Ravnulv. These Jarldoms hold land in different regions of Ravnulv.
- The Jarldom of Ulvehule - A forested Jarldom which lies in the heart of Ravnulv amongst the Bloodwood. It is known for its shifter population, and acts as Ravnulv's spiritual capital. Many seers, priests, etc call Ulvehule home. This Jarldom is ruled by Jarl Knut "Sjøhest" Halfdanssen, of Clan Blodfang.
- The Jarldom of Stormvegg - A mountain Jarldom which lies in the north of Ravnulv, among the Mountains of Iron & Storms. Stormvegg is home of the Stormwardens, an elite warrior-group of huscarls, who protect the jarldom. Stormvegg has a large population of dwarves living among the populace. Stormvegg is ruled by Jarl Ingar 'Tordenhjerte' Ragnarssen, of Clan Stormhjort.
- The Jarldom of Ensomildsted - A formidable Jarldom once belonging to Clan Brannbjørn. Ensomildsted - which lies in the Kingdom's west at the foot of the great volcano 'Ruinensmunn' - is known for its geysers and population of 'Draugr', who haunt the many burial mounds that now littler the landscape. Following the Brannbjørn rebellion, Ensomildsted's rule fell to a new Clan; Clan Fjelbjorn of Isvakt who took charge of the Jarldom, and began the process of rebuilding.
Other smaller towns exist within Ravnulv, and these towns are ruled by Chieftains - who are more or less landlords. A notable example of one such town is the chiefdom of Ravnhøyden.
The Brannbjørn Rebellion[]
The Brannbjørn Rebellion was a recent conflict occurring within Ravnulv, in which the once loyal Brannbjørns of Ensomildsted began a war for independence and territory from Ravnulv. The war began when the shifter-Jarl Olaf Bjørnekjeve and his son unleashed themselves on the annual Jarlsmøte Althing (a political meeting of the King, the Jarls, chieftains and their adult family); killing the Queen and many others in the chaos. This civil war lasted three years, and ended in the year 651MR, when Jarl Olaf was killed at the Siege of Ensomildsted.
Notable History[]
565MR Felling - Birth of a King: Jötren "Jarlslakter" Odinssen, future first King of Ravnulv, is born within the lands of Clan Ravnse.
583MR - The Pharidae War ends: While the rest of Vylkland rebuilds, two rival clans by the name of Clan Ravnse and Clan Ulvefødt to war once more - straining their already tired people.
584MR Rime - End of the Last Clan War: The Clan War ends when the two rivals reach a stalemate, bringing about an uneasy peace.
Siege of the Storm Wall: Jarl Magnus Dengrønne of Clan Ulvefødt turns his attention North, declaring another war - this time on the Jarldom of Stormvegg; breaking a centuries long unbroken peace.
585MR Sowing - Beginning of Jøtren's Uprising & the Fall of Clan Ravnse: Tired of ceaseless conflict brought on by Ulvefødt & Ravnse in the lands of which he lived, Odinssen stokes dissent and amasses followers. After gaining enough influence among the people of Clan Ravnse, Odinssen travels to Jyrdenheim, where he openly challenges Jarl Gudrun of Clan Ravnse to single combat - and wins. Jötren is made Jarl.
Abandoning the Siege: Jarl Magnus, hearing tell of the death of his rival Jarl Gudrun, quits his war on Stormvegg for a time, and returns home with his army to Ulvehule to celebrate. Soon, he invites his new neighbour to join in the celebrations. Stormvegg, meanwhile, prepares for a counter-attack.
585MR Goldyn - Long Road to Ulvehule: Accepting Gudrun's invitation, Jarl Jötren begins a journey to Ulvehule. On his way, however, he takes a detour and travels to Stormvegg. There, he meets with Jarl Ragnar of Clan Stormhjort - and forms a secret alliance to crown Jötren king.
Jötren continues his journey to Ulvehule, and soon joins Magnus for the feast. Ragnar, following close behind with an army of Stormwardens and Odinssen's forces, who travel through the Stormvegg mountain ranges to evade the bulk of Ulvefødt forces.
The Grand Feast of Ulvehule: Magnus holds a grand feast in Ulvehule, celebrating the life & death of his rival. In an attempt to seize more power, Magnus dishonours himself and attempts to have Jötren assassinated. The attempt fails.
The Fall of Ulveødt: After the failed assassination, Jötren joins Ragnar & the combined forces, and besieges Ulvehule. Soon after, Jötren slays Magnus the Green, and earns the name 'Jarlslakter'.
585MR Felling - King of Ravnulv: Jötren, having killed his second Jarl, is crowned King of the lands of Ulvehule, Jyrdenheim & Stormvegg. Jötren names his clan and the Kingdom, 'Ravnulv'. Upon the creation of his new kingdom, Jötren selects a new Jarl for Ulvehule - one loyal to him. He chooses Halfdan 'Rødklo' Gormssen of Clan Blodfang.
585MR Rime - The Brannbjørns: King Jötren turns his attention West, to the Jarldom of Ensomlidsted. He extends and invitation to Jarl Harald Halvhånd for him to join Ravnulv. Harald accepts.
626MR Goldyn- The Raven-Wolf and the Mountain Bear: Many years after the founding of Ravnulv, Son of the King, Valken Skjoldhånd is promised to a daughter of Clan Brannbjørn. However, he soon falls for a daughter of the lesser clan, Clan Fjelbjorn. Valken marries this daughter, after she is found to be with child. This decision draws the ire of the Brannbjørns.
628MR Rime - The Storm Bride: King Jötren marries his daughter, Freyja Solkriger to the new Jarl of Stormvegg, Ingar Tordenhjerte. Strengthening the alliance between the two clans, and again, weakening ties with the Brannbjørns.
629MR Rime - Death of King Jötren: King Jötren is killed in a raid. Soon thereafter, his son Valken Skjoldhånd is crowned king.
649MR Sowing - The Brannbjørn Independency: The Shifter Jarl Olaf Bjørnekjeve, son of Jarl Harald, decides to break off his allegiance with Ravnulv - as well as steal more land for himself.
649MR Goldyn - The Jarlsmøte Althing Massacre: Olaf, along with his son Ivar Krigmaw, announce their breaking away from Ravnulv at the annual Jarlsmøte Althing (meeting of the King, Jarls, Chieftains, and their adult family). Met with outrage, Olaf and his son consume a Shifter's Lament, and unleash themselves on those gathered. Many are killed, including the Queen.
649MR Felling - The Brannbjørn Rebellion Begins: Olaf returns to Ensomildsted to gather his army, and leads them in a war against Ravnulv. Jarl Ingar, and King Valken return to their respective homes to gather their forces. Meanwhile, Jarl Knut of Ulvehule is left with the sons of these two men, to hold back the onslaught of Brannbjørns while the armies are gathered.
Stormskjul: Hjalmar Ingarssen of Stormvegg is grievously wounded by a forward Brannbjørn shifter in defence of one of the King's sons. He and another warrior by the name of Tormund - who did not survive - manage to hold the shifter back long enough for the King's son to alert the defenders of Ulvehule of the impending attack. This deed earns Hjalmar the name 'Stormskjul'
649MR Felling - The First Siege of Ulvehule: Immediately following the Stormskjul incident, the first battle of the war begins. The Brannbjørns attack the city of Ulvehule, but are soon repelled by its defenders.
649MR Rime - The Second Siege of Ulvehule: Jarl Ingar's army of Stormwardens arrive in Ulvehule, and soon thereafter, the Brannbjørns make another attempt at taking it. The attack is repelled again. Following this, Jarl Olaf's sons Ivar & Sten break off from the main attacking force, and move south into Ravnulv lands.
649MR Rime - The Third Siege of Ulvehule, & the Fall of Ulvehule: To be added
650MR - The Battle of Førstefort: To be added
650MR - The Battle of Ingvar's Pass: To be added
650MR - The Retaking of Ulvehule: To be added
651MR Rime - The Siege of Ensomlidsted & The End of the Brannbjørn Rebellion: The Brannbjørn Uprising is put to an end when Jarl Olaf is killed in battle by Jorlund Angjeger, son of the King. Olaf's son Ivar is never found, but presumed dead.
Present: Tired of warring against each-other, many in Ravnulv return home. Others, however, itch to return to the old ways, and join the Clan Ravnulv Warband in travelling Weftward - for Geld & Glory.
Glossary of Terms[]
Below is a list of terms & translations to help better understand the content of this page:
Althing: ‘General Meeting’
Drengr: A word with positive connotation, which means a person of great courage who is ready to face whatever comes along or a great warrior.
Jarl: Viking equivalent of a lord or an Earl
Jarldom: The territory controlled by a Jarl
Jarlsmøte: ‘Jarl’s Meet’
Seer: A person who sees visions of the future
Skald: A composer of poems which honoured heroes & their deeds
Credits[]
The Lore for Ravnulv was written as a collaborative effort by Caleb Lennane & Glenn Culhane. It is all our original ideas and visions.