Bjornling
The Bjornlings are a tribe of Norsca. [1a]
They are an adaptable people who live by fishing, raiding and trade. They are also contemptuous of the southern peoples. Known for their wanderlust, many find themselves unable to settle for long without wishing to explore further. The Bjornlings consider themselves blessed by the ocean spirits. [1b]
Contents
History
After Emperor Hasso created a strong navy to defend against Norse raiding, the chieftains of the Bjornling, Sarl and Skaeling signed a treaty to cease raiding at the Althing of Trktatsey in 765 IC. [1a]
Losteriksson, a Bjornling seafarer, became the first Old Worlder to land on Lustria in 888 IC. [1a]
End Times
They joined the Glottkin aboard the fleet of Gutrot Spume to attack the south.[2]
Locations
The Bjornlings inhabit the Bjornling Coast coast, at the westernmost extent of Norsca where the Sea of Claws and the Sea of Chaos meet. [1c]
- Skjold: Captial of the Bjornling lands, it sits high above the Sea of Claws. [1e]
Notable
- Erik the Lost: A reaver who sailed from Oseberg, venturing past Bretonnia and Estalia and onwards to Araby and the Badlands before venturing into the Great Ocean and then finally home. [1d]
- Hrothgar Olveksan: A well traveled jarl and challenger to King Grondal. [1f]
- Losteriksson: Son of Erik the Lost, [1a] he made crude maps of Albion's coastline before finding his way to Lustria. [1d]
- Ulfric Grondal: King of the Bjornlings. [1f]
Religion
The Bjornling pantheon includes not only the gods of Chaos but also many from foreign lands including Dazh, Taal and Olric. The Bjornlings view the Dark Gods as inevitable figures rather than beloved ones. They name them as follows: [1e]
- Bloodwulf: Khorne. [1d]
- Crow Father: Nurgle. [1d]
- Great Schemer: Tzeentch. [1d]
- Shornal the Wanton: Slaanesh. [1d]
The Bjornling port of Skjold houses the Seafarers' Shrine, housed within a sea cave that floods during the high tide. The Bjornlings honor a large number of deities and idols here, including ones plundered from other lands, under the belief that you never know which god's favor you might need on the high seas.[1g]
- Manann: Worshiped using a candle-covered statue stolen from a temple in Hargendorf.[1g]
- Stromfels: Worshiped using a carved wooden skull crowned with a shark's jawbone.[1g]
- Mermedus: A Skaeling sea daemon, honored through offerings of whale eyes.[1g]
- Bloodwrack: A Daemon Prince of Khorne who manifests to aid in sea battles when enough blood is shed in his name.[1g]
- A golden statue of a froglike creature stolen from Lustria. In actuality this is Tzunki, the Old One of the waters.[1g]
- Odrall: A Manannite priest, honored through a reliquary said to hold his nose.[1g]
- A rotting, periodically repaired straw-and-kelp effigy of a forgotten deity.[1g]
Unlike other Norse tribes, the Bjornling do not tolerate Mutation. Mutant children born among them are thrown from the cliffs; most die, but some survive and are raised by other Mutants in hidden coves. [1d]
Relations
The Bjornlings loathe the Graelings who live to the north, whom they view as savage animals under the shadow of Chaos, and who frequently plunder and raid Bjornling lands. The Graelings are also their main rivals at sea; the Bjornlings are better sailors, but the Graelings are fiercer raiders and warriors.[1d]
The Bjornling trade with the Skaelings and occasionally join them on raids, but it is a fragile relationship. [1d]
Trade
They enrich themselves by trading with far-flung ports such as L'Anguille, Hargenfels and Marienburg. [1d]
Gallery
Skjold
Sources
- 1: Sea of Claws (book)
- 2: Warhammer: Glottkin: Book I: Chapter I, pg. 13
