The Band of Arrick, a group of indviduals that are bound together in their goal of survival in a land of cruelty and hardships. The land is sworn to protection by it's settlers, an oath held in blood. Those who call the land of Arrick their home, are those labeled as savages by the other groups around them, their raids leading to the downfall of many smaller groups in their surrounds. The Band of Arrick found their roots long ago as settlers escaping a land in which they could not thrive, in search of a new home. Their homeland is found on the coastal scape of the Uncharted Territories, surrounded by the open waters and fjords that they sail upon. Nestled around their settlement upon a cliff, they are protected from the land by thick forests, islands making up a majority of their non-main land habitats. Stories of the Warbound raiders scare off most who would seek them out, the rumors of their berserk rage scaring away the weak-hearted and cowardly. Only those who have the will and strength to survive will thrive in the lands and seas they call home.

The Vikings of Arrick's first encounter with some of the citizens of the Beyond was when a group of their own, thought to be bandits, invaded and tried to live within the lands of a group called Alithis Evgenis, the group falling not long after an inevitable battle with the bandits. Taking over the land when it was disbanded, The Vikings were quick to expand their borders and alert their home fleet. Coming to land, the Vikings were quick to set up camp and begin their new lives in their newly conquered lands. The leader of the bandits that had caused the downfall, was a Viking by the name of Avanti Sihlmahria, glory and bounty arriving to their group under the raiders' lead. This itself was a merit allowed to her to lead this Band, until she was taken down in an assassination by her own brother, Felix Sihlmahria. Under his rule, the Band struggled with bad harvest, battles in which they lost numbers, and general distaste for the Drotten. Soon to their surprise, would once again arise the fallen woman Drotten, returning to put an end to his horrid reign and to lead the Band back to prosperity.

The Band of Arrick has always followed the Norse and Pagan Gods. These gods have become their Patron Gods whom they worship throughout their lives, and dedicate sacrifices to. More than one individual may worship or follow a God. The marks of the God are carved into a wooden pillar within each individual's home, or into a shield that is hung on display within or outside of their home. Runes of the God's name or symbols of the God, is carved into an aspen bark tag that is worn into battle, where they may smear blood into the runes and speak a prayer to their God to keep them safe. In marriage, a couple will respect the God that their spouse worships and may also offer dedications to their spouse's God. Below is a list of Gods and Goddesses. (The list is not a comprehensive list, feel free to worship Norse God/esses that are not yet listed!

The land that the Band calls home is a landscape of thick forests and steep cliffs that fall down unto the starving seas. At the base of these cliffs are rocky formations caused by long ago storms, structures that have wrecked many a ship caught in treacherous currents and winds, driving them to smash up against the cliffs and rocks. The land itself is sliced through by many water ways, with bogs and wetlands spreading far and wide. The only solid ground is found in meadows, heathlands, and heavily forested ground where the trees reach unto the skies, deposits of minerals found deepest inland where the coast and forests give way to mountainsides. The forests are wild and mixed, the meadows and heathlands often filled with the grazing livestock that the Band raises for food and fur, many an herb found in the forest and grasses of the Band's land. Below is a list of what the Band has to trade, and what grows within their territory as well as the livestock they care for.

JORMUNGANDR'S THROAT -- ᛟ ᛟ ᛟ ᛟ
The tallest and steepest cliffside within the acknowledged territory of the Band of Arrick, where upon the cliff itself is a carving of The World Serpent, Jormungandr. Upon this clifftop, lies an altar where the Band comes to make sacrifices and hold executions. At the base of this cliff lies a fearsome rock formation in the shape of a serepent's open jaws. It is believed that throwing sacrifices into the maw of the "Serpent" allows their bodies to be given to the Gods and their spirits freed to Valhalla. It is considered a good sign if the sacrifice is to land on the fangs of Jormungandr, and bad if they land outside of the jaws.

NJORD'S BEACH -- ᛟ ᛟ ᛟ
The lowest point of the land of the Band along the cliffs, where the longships of the Band are docked, the broadest opening to the sea. Along this stretch of land lays a stone and sand beach, where the Vikings can come down to shore for any matter of things. Few brave the water's edge and live upon the beach, the location in which many of the ravens of the territory come to roost. The coming of age celebration of the young men and women of the Band is held here, where they are to climb the cliffs and befriend a raven of any age.

FORSETI'S HALL -- ᛟ ᛟ ᛟ
A hall made from the lumber of the birch trees that grow within the Band's lands. This is where most celebrations and events are held, where rewards are given following a raid, where oaths of loyalty are sworn to the Drotten, and meetings are contained. Following raids, feasts will be eaten in this hall, and this is also where legal proceedings occur. Known as the Drotten's Hall.

IDUN'S HALL -- ᛟ ᛟ
A hall made of oak, the place where most if not all banquets and feasts are held, with other uses being made by the public. trading and such can be found within the doors of this hall, where when winter comes, there are attempts to grow crops, and the tools of the farms are stored away safely. Known as a Feasting Hall.

HEIMDALL'S HALL -- ᛟ ᛟ
A hall made of alder lumber, a place otherwise known as the guildhall, where the Vikings of the Band may post jobs within the group, where slaves are traded and sold between members. This hall is home to the weapons-makers and keepers of the Band, where repairs are made and weapons are crafted. This place is known to be the bustling hub of trades-skilled folk, and where merchants may be found if they are not within Idun's Hall's walls. Also known as the Guildhall.

THE HORN OF SKADI -- ᛟ ᛟ
A giant horn that is blown once to signal meetings and feasts. It is blown twice in the event of a raiding party being sent out and a blown thrice when danger has come upon the Band. It stands beside Forseti's Hall.

RUNESTONES -- ᛟ ᛟ ᛟ ᛟ
An encirclement of stones inscribed with red-filled runes of many kinds, with many pillars of smaller stone being settled in by families. Bonfires are held within this circle, and where death rites are recited, where the body is buried until a ship can be readied for the dead to be sent out. The dead will always be given a ship, regardless of if rich or poor, the only exception would be that of the death of a slave.

The hierarchy of The Band of Arrick is as follows, with ranks and standing as easily as the day. The Drotten is that of similar standing to a European king, but there is no passing through blood. They are more or less accepted as Drotten through their merits and capability to lead, defend, and fight. They may be killed by any of those within group if they grow discontent with the Drotten. It is encouraged to compete amongst one's selves to see if there are any potential folc to raise up the ranks.

DROTTEN -- [1/1] (HP)
The leader of the group. Head of political matters, internal and external. Considered like a warlord, can be replaced by a challenger that kills them.
Avanti Sihlmahria played by teef

SKEPPARE -- [0/1] (HP)
The second in command, or chief of the fleet. They are more or less responsible for preparing the Band for harsh seasons and for training their members to fight in raids. They may raise up to Drotten, but they may also be unable to take the rank, depending on if they lose in a competition to the Drotten or to others seeking the position.
CHARNAME played by RPER

FREA -- [0/1] (HP)
The wisest of The Band, responsible for the health of the Band, and ensuring their injuries are tended to. The Frea are the practiced and trusted doctors of the Band, sometimes called witches or warlocks by those who are afraid of them. They are privy to commune with the Gods.
CHARNAME played by RPER

FREA HIMTHIKI -- [0/1] (sHP)
The Frea in training, taken in under their master's wing and living with them until they step down, retire, or die. The Frea Himthiki may under special circumstance, also take the title of Frea before their Master passes on. The Frea Himthiki may travel once they have been acknowledged by their master.
CHARNAME played by RPER

THEGNAR -- [0/2] (sHP)
The senior-most warriors of The Band. These are the two most proven combatants of The Band, known as berserkers who give in to feral animal rage and fury. They are most often the individuals that lead The Band into battle. Singular individuals are known as Thegn.
CHARNAME played by RPER
CHARNAME played by RPER

DROENGIAR -- [unlimited]
The basic warrior, a rank belonging to the warrior-class of The Band, those that have chosen to leave the common rank of Folc, to fight for and defend their Band. Singular individuals are known as Drang or Dreng.

HIMTHIKI -- [unlimited]
The apprentices of the Band, in training to be Droengiar. These are Folc children and young adults, seeking a different purpose or career.

FOLC -- [unlimited]
The basic rank of the Band, known as the commoners, and the rank one receives when they are sworn in. These people are considered the farmers, merchants and common-folk of The Band.

THRALL -- [unlimited]
Those known as traitors, slaves, and spoils of war. Thralls are owned by any who can afford them, and are usually of aid in battle or agriculture. They can be made of traitors, and are able to be sold and traded for other goods. They are considered disposable, but may win their freedom by killing an enemy if they follow their masters into battle. Their children for up to four generations are seen as of impure ancestry.

TITLES & REWARDS
Jotnar - the elite, proven warriors, often found leaping headfirst into battle (dagger)
Heathguard - those who protect their homeland or defend their groupmates in battle (oxen drinking horn)
Shepherd - those who tend the land and are caretakers (scythe)
Berserkers - those with aptitude for battle and often spearhead raids (bear fur)
Ulfhednar - those who are skilled in espionage (wolf fur)
Hirdman - those who show promise to gain further ranking within the group. prominent or active individuals

WEDDINGS & DIVORCES --
Weddings are held on Fridays as they are Frigg's Day. The ceremony is held within Forseti's Hall, where the Drotten approves the marriage before the couples' patron god(s) with either the sacrifice of an animal or dedication. The groom is to give the bride his ancestral sword, and she is to give him a sword, thereafter are rings and vows exchanged. The bride's first piece of jewelry is kept to be given to the first-born girl and the groom's ancestral sword is kept for the first-born son. Following the ceremony, the couple heads to Idun's Hall, where the groom would help the bride over the threshold before plunging his sword into a wooden pillar. The deeper the blade goes, the more luck and children would the couple receive. In the case of divorce, both parties were brought before the Drotten and would express their cases or desire for the divorce, where the Drotten would divide the belongings of the couple and express that they were now separate.

RAIDS & WAR PAINT --
Raids are held whenever the group desires, and the head of the raid need only confirm with the Drotten where they are going to raid. The only groups not allowed to be raided are those listed as Allies. A raid is a good way to earn honor and merit, wherein the Drotten will share the spoils of victory with their Band, usually handled within Forseti's Hall. It is encouraged to take any treasure found, and to capture those who could not escape. Raids may be held at any time, for most any reason, though the most common is to secure food and medicines. Raids will vary between groups, as it is not wise to strike a group twice so quickly. War paint is applied for raids, and reflects a line for each rank. The lowest rank is that of Thrall and they are given a small line of blood smeared over their face. The highest rank is Drotten and they are given 3 lines upon each shoulder with 2 lines over their face. The other ranks are given lines in accordance across their face or shoulders as they desire.
Current Targets: group, group, group

OATH SWEARING --
Oaths are how one joins the ranks of The Band of Arrick; one is to kneel before the Drotten in Forseti's Hall, where they are to swear their oath of fealty to the Drotten. Upon the acceptance of the oath, a feast is held to welcome the newest member to the Band, where the Drotten bestows upon them the rank of Folc, where the one to join may further request the ranks of Dreng or Himthiki.

RAVEN'S NEST --
A coming-of-age ceremony where the youngsters at the age of eight months must climb the hills around Njord's Beach up to where the ravens and other birds nest. Here, they must make friends with the raven chicks and once they've earned the chick's trust, they are to take the chick back to the main settlement of the Band where they introduce their chick to the others with a name they feel fits it. The raven chick will be raised by the youngster, taking the chick everywhere they go and creating a tight bond with it. This raven will become their companion in life.

SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS --
[b]Dísablót - celebrated in February. Honors all female figures, a celebration of new beginnings and preparing the land for planting.

May Eve - celebrated on the 30th of April. Celebration of love, fertility, and the coming of spring. Mothers and Fathers will be celebrated on this day as well as Husbands and Wives.

Midsummer - celebrated on the Summer Solstice. Celebration of the brightest time of the year with bonfires, feasting, music and dancing with the burning of corn dolls.

Freya's Feast - celebrated in August. A thanksgiving feast for the first harvest. Loaves of bread are baked as an offering to Freya

Fall Feast - celebrated on the Autumn Equinox. Honors the second harvest, a secondary type of thanksgiving. Frey's Feast may be ignored in favor of hosting the feast at this time. The winter preparations begin.

Samhain - celebrated in the last week of October with a big feast on the night of the 31st. This is the end of harvest, and hunting is to start. Offer prayers to the deceased and celebrate.

Yule - celebrated from December 20th to the first day of January. It is the darkest time of the year, and for twelve nights, feasts are held. It is not uncommon to believe to have seen the gods and goddesses during this time as they are close to Midgard, or the Middle Earth. A grand hunt is held in the last day of the feast, reminiscent of The Wild Hunt. Sun wheels are made, set fire, and rolled down a hill in an effort to coax the sun to return. Yule logs are made from large pieces of oak and decorated with carved runes as well as yew, holly, or fir. The night of January 1st, the log will be lit as the first fire of the new year.

ALLIES - none

NEUTRALS -- none

ENEMIES -- all groups

ANY GROUPS NOT LISTED ARE CONSIDERED NEUTRAL/ENEMIES. FEEL FREE TO ATTACK THOSE THAT ARE NOT LISTED AS ALLIES.