“In the north, golden-haired, blue-eyed barbarians, descendants of the blond arctic savages, have driven the remaining Hyborian tribes out of the snow countries, except the ancient kingdom of Hyperborea, which resists their onslaught. Their country is called Nordheim, and they are divided into the red-haired Vanir of Vanaheim, and the yellow-haired Æsir of Asgard.” – The Hyborian Age
Capital: Wolfraven (Asgard)
Current Ruler: King Tyr
The Æsir are based on Vikings, as their name suggests: in Howard’s mythology, the Æsir would be deified in Norse mythology as their gods. The Æsir are blue-eyed, blonde barbarians, and are more fitting with modern mythological conceptions of Vikings than later Norsemen: they wore horned helmets and seemed a lot less concerned with their hygiene and appearance than their descendents. Being in close proximity to Hyperborea has made them slightly more civilized than their barbarian neighbours, although they continue to sustain a hunting and foraging culture as opposed to agricultural.
Asgard is in the unfortunate position of being stuck between three mighty foes: Cimmeria, Vanaheim and Hyperborea. They have a grudging mutual respect with the Cimmerians, insofar as they would not attack each other often, although some Cimmerians have joined the Æsir on war parties, and it’s likely some Æsir have done the same. Hyperborea will likely make rapid slave raids, and Vanaheim will try to wipe their old enemies from existence. Even the Ice is proving an enemy: in the late game, the Arctic Ice will start to travel south, triggering a massive exodus of the Northmen, which will undoubtedly devastate the southern kingdoms.
Units
https://img58.imageshack.us/img58/52...enughl6.th.jpg
Oxmen (Axemen)
Every man in Nordic society knows how to wield a shield and axe, and when times are grim kings will summon these farmers and craftsmen from their homes to defend their land. They are not particularly well trained nor well equipped, but very well motivated to battle, and they can use their trusty household handaxes to good effect so long as they are not committed to the hardest fighting.
https://img66.imageshack.us/img66/56...dsmeje6.th.jpg
Hirdmen (Swordsmen)
Hirdmen are the sworn companions of mighty Nordic chieftains – great fighters loyal to the death to the nobleman they serve. They are stalwart warriors in either attack or defense, but excel in the dense and almost unbreakable shield-wall. Like the Huskarls, these men are handpicked veterans given the best that their lord’s generosity can provide.
https://img217.imageshack.us/img217/...taxecs2.th.jpg
Huscarls
The Huscarls are the elite forces of the great Nordic kings and athelings. Veteran warriors, hand picked, given the very best equipment and fed from the lord’s table. They swear the mead-bargain with their lord, giving loyalty to the death in return for mead, wealth and land. It is considered the greatest disgrace to live if your lord dies, and such men will be condemned to live as exiles. As a result, these units have exceptional morale, and will fight to the death rather than retreat unless their lord orders it.
https://img58.imageshack.us/img58/65...taxewi2.th.jpg
Berserkers
Dedicated to Ymir, the Frost-Giant of Nordic mythology, these men are an elite among the Nordic warriors, set aside for war. They protect themselves with little other than animal pelts and an unshakeable belief in their own invulnerability, hurling themselves against the enemy line in reckless fury. They are best used to shatter enemy defensive lines before the warbands pour in behind them, for they can rarely be held back long enough for any sustained defense.
https://img58.imageshack.us/img58/51...sug1rm5.th.jpg
Jarls
Jarls are the closest thing the Nordheimir have to a nobility: the chiefs and sons of chiefs who commit their tribe's forces to their local King's army. They are the most well-equipped of the Nordheimir, and act similarly to a general's bodyguard. They wear heavy scale mail, the heaviest armour available to the barbarians at the start of the game, but through conquest or alliance can gain access to plate mail in the campaign.
