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[[File:Norsca.jpg|350px|thumb|right|'''Norsca''']]

'''Norsca''' is a peninsula located to the north of the [[Old World]], a harsh mountainous land surrounded by the sea. A land of cold and unforgiving winters and its dense [[forest]]s are haunted by many dangerous beasts, notably [[Troll]]s and [[Giant]]s. {{Fn|8}}

It is bordered in the south by the icy [[Sea of Claws]], in the north the [[Kraken Sea]] and the [[Chaos Wastes]], in the east the [[Frozen Sea]] and steppes of [[Kislev]]. In the west of the peninsula lies the [[Great Ocean]].{{Fn|8}}

==History==
===Prehistory===
Around -1000 [[IC]], the [[Norse Dwarf]]s began trading with the less violent Norse tribes. As they learn of the religious beliefs of the manlings, they restrict their commerce to a few trusted tribes that do not worship the [[Chaos Gods]]. {{Fn|4a}}

===Time of Sigmar===
The Norsii invaded the lands of the [[Cherusen]]s and the [[Taleuten]]s around -8 [[IC]] whose tribes looked to King [[Björn]] to aid them in the coming battles. {{Fn|5a}} An alliance of the three tribes defeated the Norsii, Björn killing their king before falling to his champions {{Fn|5b}} and then in the Spring, his heir [[Sigmar]] attacked and defeated them again, burning their fleet with fire arrows and [[catapult]]s as it attempted to flee north. {{Fn|5c}} The few survivors gathered under [[Cormac Bloodaxe]], the dead kings son. {{Fn|5d}}

In 3 [[IC]] Cormac Bloodaxe and [[Azazel]] led their wolfships to plunder the settlements of the [[Roppsmenn]], capturing their leaders and women and demanding their warriors serve them for the forthcoming season to ensure their safety. Then they and the Norsii began raiding the [[Udose]], {{Fn|5e}} killing Count [[Wolfila]] and his family and burning his castle, leaving the bodies of the family crucified on the remaining tower. {{Fn|5e}} He assembled a fleet of nearly 400 wolfships and gathered a great host of Chaos worshipping tribes. {{Fn|5f}}

Cormac Bloodaxe defeated [[Emperor]] Sigmar at the [[Battle of the Northern Ridge]] and forced the Emperor to retreat to [[Middenheim]], hoping to draw the invaders to him and buy time for the other Counts to raise armies and march to his aid. {{Fn|7a}} Cormac Bloodaxe wanted to burn and loot his way through the rest of the new [[Empire]] which was far less defended but [[Kar Odacen]] demanded that he assault the stronghold to destroy Sigmar and he summoned a great horde of [[Beastmen]] to aid Cormac. {{Fn|7b}} In ensuring the [[Siege of Middenheim]] the northlanders were defeated.{{Fn|7b}}

Sigmar drove the Norsii away from his new Empire from its northern coasts. He pursued them all the way to their own lands and told them to remain there and trouble his people never again. Unfortunately this was taken as a challenge by the Norscans, as those who resist their raids are seen as worthy foes.{{Fn|8}}

===Time of the Empire===
Norscan raiders sacked [[Marienburg]] in 632 [[IC]]. Emperor [[Hasso]] of the Empire began the [[Imperial Navy]] in response. {{Fn|4a}}

Treaty of Traktatsey is signed in 765 [[IC]] where the Bjorning, Sarl and Skaeling tribes agree to cease raiding [[Nordland]] and Marienburg. {{Fn|4a}}

In 888 [[IC]], [[Losteriksson]] of the [[Bjornling]]s landed on [[Lustria]]. {{Fn|4a}} He created a new colony which he names [[Skeggi]] in honour of his daughter, the first child to be born in the new land. {{Fn|6a}}

Raiding the [[Westerland]] by the Norcans resumed in 1109 [[IC]] and Marienburg was occupied by the Skaelings under [[Snorri Half-hand]]. They abandoned the city in 1111 [[IC]] when the [[Black Plague]] began. {{Fn|4a}} 

Marienburg was sacked again in 1850 [[IC]] as raids accross the Sea of Claws once again increased. {{Fn|4a}} 

===Great War against Chaos===
C. 2270 [[IC]] [[Chaos Champion]] [[Frydaal]] the Chainmaker invaded [[Westerland]]. Over the course of three years, she devastated [[Hollum]] and [[Aarnau]] until [[Elector Count of Marienburg|Sea Empress]] [[Elspeth Magritta VI]] gathered a [[mercenary]] army to defeat the invaders, resulting in the [[Battle of the Ruins of Hollum]]{{Fn|10}} 

As the [[Great War against Chaos]] began in 2302 [[IC]], A Norse fleet was defeated by a fleet from [[Kraka Ravnsvake]] at the [[Battle of Skapa Fjord]]. Shortly after, [[Valmir Aesling]] attacked [[Kraka Drak]] with a mighty host, beginning the [[War in the Mountains]]. {{Fn|4a}} 

The Aeslings captured Kraka Drak in 2390 [[IC]], even after the [[Dwarf King]] [[Silverbeard]] ordered the mountain be toppled on them. {{Fn|4a}} 

[[Necromancer]] [[Hela Half-dead]] invaded the Troll Country with the [[undead]], only to be defeated by army of trolls and monsters led by [[Throgg]] the Troll King. {{Fn|4a}} 

===Age of Karl Franz===
In 2502 IC the Norse raiders invaded [[Nordland]] and one of the first actions of newly-elected Emperor [[Karl Franz]] was to ride north to reinforce [[Elector Count of Nordland|Elector Count]] [[Theoderic Gausser]]. The Norse were defeated with gunpowder and magics of the [[Celestial Order]]. {{Fn|9a}}{{Fn|9b}}

In 2513 [[IC]] reprisal attacks of [[Oleg von Raukov]] of [[Ostland]] ravaged the coastal Norsca. One of the towns destroyed was [[Ulfennic]]. This enraged Lord Mortkin who once had called it his home. The Chaos Lord invaded Ostland in 2515 [[IC]] and died after avenging Ulfennic at [[Slaughter at Volganof]].{{Fn|11}}

===End Times===
{{Incomplete}}

== Society ==
[[File:Norsca TW.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Inhospitable Norsca''']]
This savage land breeds hard men and the '''Norse''' are fierce and hardy barbarians and adventurers.{{Fn|8}}  They have a fair skin and most have red or blond hair. Clad in fur and warlike, they are considered [[Chaos Marauders]]. However they are relatively far from the [[Chaos Wastes]] and the least favoured by the [[Chaos God]]s. {{Cite This}}

Many Norscans are touched by [[Mutation]]s and often display animalistic features or even [[Ulfwerenar|shapeshifting]].{{Fn|8}} 

Most Norse live as [[pirate]]s and yearly raid the shores of the softer southern lands. Their [[longship]]s are a dreaded sight on the coasts of [[The Empire]], [[Kislev]], and [[Bretonnia]]. Many Old World nations maintain coastal garrisons to protect their people. They also raid the shores of [[Ulthuan]] and [[Albion]].{{Fn|7b}}{{Fn|8}} 

But not all are just raiders. Being also great explorers, others take long journeys far away from their cold lands and establish colonies in more habitable lands. In [[Lustria]] they loot the ruins and temple cites of the [[Lizardmen]]. Here they have established the colony of [[Skeggi]]. Other known colonies are [[Manannheim]] in [[Nordland]], [[Skajadholm]] in Bretonnia and [[Erengrad]] in Kislev. {{Fn|7b}}{{Fn|8}} 

While the most common view of the Norse is as pirating reavers and pillaging marauders, looting and destroying everything they reach, not all Norsemen are bent on rapine and slaughter. Many deal with their neighbours honestly and fairly. Part of this "civilised" behaviour stems from Marienburg's efforts to establish mercantile inroads to the frigid lands of Norsca to increase their trading influence. Marienburgers hope to cultivate a buffer state against the Kurgan tribes and the more savage Norsemen.{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|8}} 

Some Norse emigrate into the [[Old World]], usually working as [[mercenaries]] and bodyguards. Most, if not all, find their first steps in the Old World to be in the city port of [[Marienburg]]. 

As a result of this new era of prosperity the Norse have slowly returned to the ports of the Old World, signing on as mercenaries or even as [[merchant]]s, selling whale oil, ivory and lumber among other goods.{{Cite This}}

===Tribes===
There are no major [[city|cities]] in Norsca and there is no single ruler. Instead the Norse are divided in a variety of tribes, these larger tribes are further divided into the Southern and Northern.{{Fn|8}} 

'''The Northern tribes include:'''
*[[Graeling]]er
*[[Aesling]]er
*[[Varg]]s

The tribes of north are closest of the Norse to the dread Chaos Wastes and the roving [[Kurgan]] tribes of the steppe, hence they are the most warlike of the northmen, for they are forever tainted by the shadow of the [[Realm of Chaos]]. [[Mutation]] is common among these tribes and they are often at the forefront of [[Chaos incursion|incursions]], driving the way for the Kurgan tribes, willingly or not. They are a brutal and bloodthirsty lot. Merciless, they kill for the love of killing.{{Fn|1b}}{{Fn|8}} 

'''The Southern tribes include:'''
*[[Bjornling]]er
*[[Skaeling]]er
*[[Sarl]]
*[[Baersonling]]er

The southern tribes are somewhat milder than their northern counterparts. While they raid and plunder like the rest of their kin, it is from these tribes that the new efforts for peaceful communications originate. They raid when necessary for survival, but are more interested in acts of heroism and adventure over the carnal slaughter embraced by their savage kin. More civilised as they may be, they still fight with rival tribes. In fact, the Bjornlings are fierce rivals of the Graelings, and the Sarls regularly fight the Aeslings and the Baersonlings.{{Fn|1b}}

That said, during the Chaos Incursions, these southern Norse banded together to wage war against [[the Empire]] as it was demanded by their Gods. Refusing the call of battle is grounds for annihilation.

The lesser tribes of the Norse are gatherings of people that share common ties, be it familial, martial or religious.

Currently there are three know smaller tribes:
*[[Snaegr]]
*[[Sortsvinaer]]
*[[Ursfjordinger]]

'''Distant Tribes'''<br>
Long ago many Norscans set sail to the mysterious jungles of Lustria, seeking to pillage and plunder their temples, some stayed and founded the great settlement of '''Skeggi''' and thus the great [[Skeggi]] tribe was formed.

===Religion===
Nose religion is dynamic and complex, featuring a very broad pantheon. Norse venerate mainly the [[Chaos Gods||Dark God]]s using bloody sacrifices, animal or [[human]]. These Dark Gods include [[Chaos God]]s [[Khorne]], [[Nurgle]], [[Slaanesh]], and [[Tzeentch]]. Yet they also worship the old gods of men. {{Fn|8}} 

The Norse have many names for these gods, but also worship other beings (many seem to be either [[Daemon]] or [[Daemon Prince]]s) and spirits of ancestors and heroes. There also seems to be other Gods, which might be Gods that are not related to Chaos. Even the gods of the Old World are being venerated by the Norsemen, further broadening their already impressive pantheon and causing no small theological headache to the civilised people of the south.

Main themes for Norse pantheon include: War, Desire, Decay, and Hope. Their pantheon rarely features just a single God per theme, rather they may have several. {{Cite This}}

The Skaeling tribe worships a God named [[Mermedus]] (believed to be a dark reflection of [[Manann]], himself already a fickle and irritable deity), who dwells beneath the [[Sea of Claws]]. {{Cite This}}

===Shamans===
{{Main|Norse Shaman}}
Norse society doesn't have official priests and their holymen are called usually [[Norse Shaman|Vitki]], Seer or Shaman. Sometimes [[Chaos Sorcerer]]s also take this role. Norse may use different names for their holy men, like "Bloodfather"...etc. Among them these holy men are viewed with fear and they are basically untouchable, because Norse fear the wrath of Gods.{{Cite This}}

An important distinction is to be made of the Vitki and the terrifying Chaos Sorcerers: Admittedly most Norseman spellcasters are Sorcerers, [[Witch]]es and Warlocks.  All of these mystics draw their power from the [[Winds of Magic|Winds of Chaos]], but in a more condensed form because of the relative closeness of the polar rift, they channel [[Dhar]] to suit their needs.{{Cite This}}

In addition to this there is an older tradition, that places emphasis on divination, healing and prophecy. Whilst being often included in the pantheon of corrupt [[Daemonology|Daemonologies]], the Vitki are not blatant servants of the Ruinous Powers, as the Chaos Sorcerers are wont to, instead working their magic to aid their people.{{Cite This}}

==Norse Army==
{{Main|:Category:Norsca units}}

*[[Berserker]]s - warriors who are able to enter a state of ferocious battle rage becoming very dangerous opponents, immune to fear or terrors of battle. Berserkers also hate [[Giants]].{{Fn|3}}
*[[Norsca Fleet]] 

==Notable==
* [[Erik Redaxe]]
* [[Magnus the Mad]]
* Several of the mighty [[Chaos Champions]] have originated from Norsca, such as [[Wulfrik the Wanderer]] and [[Egil Styrbjorn]]

==Norse Dwarfs==
The [[Norse Dwarf]]s are related to the [[Dwarf]]s of the southern strongholds. The separation over the years has led to the development of cultural differences. The Norse Dwarf have taken on some more wild characteristics compared to the mainstream of Dwarf society. In many ways they resemble the Norsemen in expression, arts, and temperament.{{Fn|2a}}

The capital of the Norse Dwarfs is [[Kraka Drak]] with its own port Sjoktraken, [[Kraka Dorden]], [[Kraka Ornsmotek]], [[Kraka Ravnsvake]].{{Fn|2b}}

==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
File:Norse Warriors CC1.jpg|Norse Warriors (1st edition)
File:Norse Longship SoC.jpg|Longship
File:Norse Knarr SoC.jpg|Knarr
File:Norsca Ice Wolves TW2.jpg|[[Ice Wolf|Ice Wolves]]
File:Norsca 02 TW.jpg|Norcan army in [[Total War Warhammer]]
</gallery></center>

==Notes==
{{Trivia}}
*Norsca are heavily influenced by Vikings of Scandinavia.
** In 4th Edition [[Citadel Journal 8]], the Norse even worshipped gods like Thor taken directly form Scandinavian mythology.
*[[Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay]] (WFRP2) supplements [[Tome of Salvation]] features a Lesser Ulrican order called the '''Order of the Winter Throne''', whose followers are simply called [[Ragnarites]]. There are secluded monasteries also in Norsca where a legendary cave-system where mysterious Throne of the Snow King is located.
*Norse religion is featured in the [[Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay]] (WFRP2) supplements [[Tome of Corruption]] and [[Tome of Salvation]]. Also [[Liber Chaotica]] features Chaos Gods.
*Norse Dwarfs are featured in the  Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (WFRP1) supplement [[Dwarfs: Stone and Steel]] and also in the (WFRP2) supplement [[Tome of Corruption]].

==Sources==
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay: Tome of Corruption]]
**{{Endn|1a}}: pg. 139
**{{Endn|1b}}: pg. 140
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Dwarfs: Stone and Steel]] by [[Alfred Nuňez. Jr]] and [[Hogshead Publishing]]
**{{Endn|2a}}: Chapter Three: Dwarf Holds, pg. 42
**{{Endn|2b}}: Appendix C: Gazetteer of the Dwarf Realms (2510 IC)
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Warhammer 1st Edition - Volume 1: Tabletop Battles]], pg. 11
* {{Endn|4}}: [[Sea of Claws (book)]] 
** {{Endn|4a}}: Sea of Claws Timeline, pg. 6-7
* {{Endn|5}}: [[Legend of Sigmar (anthology)]]: [[Heldenhammer (novel)]]
** {{Endn|5a}}: Heralds of War, pg. 126-127
** {{Endn|5b}}: Eleven: The Grey Vaults, pg. 166-167
** {{Endn|5c}}: Fourteen: Vengeance, pg. 203
** {{Endn|5d}}: Fifteen: Union, pg. 227
** {{Endn|5e}}: Thirteen: A Warning Unheeded, pg. 519
** {{Endn|5f}}: Fifteen: The Price of Betrayal, pg. 539-540
*{{Endn|6}}: [[White Dwarf 309 (UK)]]
**{{Endn|6a}}: The Norse of Lustria, pg. 73
* {{Endn|7}}: [[Legend of Sigmar (anthology)]]: [[Empire (Novel)]] 
** {{Endn|7a}}: Chapter Seventeen: Wolves of the North, pg. 573
** {{Endn|7b}}: Chapter Seventeen: Wolves of the North, pg. 577-578
* {{Endn|8}}: [[Warhammer: The Old World Rulebook]]: The Wolves Of The Sea, pgs. 82-83, 224
* {{Endn|9}}: [[Warhammer Armies: The Empire (8th Edition)]]
** {{Endn|9a}}: Reign of Karl Franz, pg. 14
** {{Endn|9b}}: Timeline of the Empire, pgs. 16-17
* {{Endn|10}}: [[Arcane Journal: Warriors of Chaos]]: Saga of the Chainmaker, pgs. 13-19
* {{Endn|11}}: [[Warhammer Rulebook (8th Edition)]]: Slaughter at Volganof, pg. 452-467

[[Category:Nations]]
[[Category:Norsca| ]]
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