Ahh so you want to learn about the glorious nation of Asgard. I am so glad! I will give you the facts of Asgard and that is it, you must find out everything else on your own.

Silly me I forgot to introduce myself. I am Jokkum bard of Asgard. I have been around for a very long time and have collected quite a bit of information on the most wonderful nation of Asgard. I will share all that I with you now. Please be seated and read my little bit of information I have for you. If you wish a more detail version please check out my works in the Anar Bardic Library.
Capital:
Anar
Population:
105,000,000 (85% Human, 4% Half-Elf, 3% Hobbit, 2% Dwarf, 1% Elf, 1% Kender, 3% other)
Government:
Feudal
Ruler:
King Eldrin and Queen Anrial
Religions:
Othodox All Father, the only religion endorsed by the government. (Think the Middle Ages where before church and state was separated)
Imports:
Grain, Vegetables, Textiles, Ale
Exports:
Tobacco, Turkey, Lumber, Fish, Pigs
Asgard is the largest nation in terms of both land size and population, it is also one of the oldest nations in Ny Verden. Asgard had its humble beginnings back before the race wars and back before the time of the Necromancer. Asgard was found by a group of fisherman. These brave men were constantly being attacked by the Vikings of Yggdrisil and the Pirate of the Silver sea.
The leaders of the nine fishing towns came together and formed a council that took responsibility for ruling their towns. When doing so their main purpose was to create an army to defend their towns from the raids and destruction that was being rained down on them. As time went on and as their cities grew so did their little nation of Asgard.

Five hundred years after the council meet for the first time the nation got officially recognized as a nation by the rest of the world. It was at this time that a current member of the council decided he was to rule the nation by himself In a coup that lasted three weeks and had a death toll of over 100,000 citizens N'kadir took control and established his leadership over the
Fishing Nation. He ruled with a black iron fist, cruel and evil he was the bane of all the citizens. For 20 years he ruled supreme, until Asgard as simple Ranger decided he had enough and started to speak out. Soon he had a whole army behind him and he charged N'kadir's house and demanded that he surrender. In about 1 hour Asgard had N'kadir arrested and thrown in jail. Within the week the people voted him as their next ruler. When he died and his son became the next king, the nation earned its name Asgard in memory of their liberator and great ruler. The people hoped that all who ruled would remember Asgard and rule as he did, just, pure, and humble.

Up until the race wars Asgard's line sat upon the throne of Asgard. Only twice did nation have a ruler who did not remember Asgard's way of ruling. In both cases the people revolted and put another heir on the throne instead. During the race wars Asgard's line was wiped from the face of Ny Verden. In the battle for Anar the last battle the nation of Asgard fought with the Orcs the entire line was killed. The people needing a leader turned to the kings best friend and general of the army to lead them, he however would not. He knew that soon he would die and that his son should not rule. He put it out of his mind as he had a battle to win. As his army took over Anar and marched on to take Minas Hísië, the Orcen castle, he got his answer. Eldrin, a simple ranger who somehow convinced Thorondor Lord of the Eagle, to let him ride the mighty Eagle became the King. The short of the story is that Eldrin single handily killed Vrong the Lord of the Orcs and his Nightmare steed. This defeat caused the Orcs to panic and flee before the army even got to the gates of Minas Hísië. The people of Asgard agreed with the general and Eldrin was made king.

By some miracle Eldrin has live some 200 years after the race wars and still is king of Asgard. No one knows how this is possible that a human could live so long, and those that have seen him think he will live another 200 years. Eldrin has made a great nation out of Asgard, turning it from a small nation into the most prosperous and powerful nation in all of Ny Verden. He also has made friends with the Elves and Dwarves, some even say he is considered a friend by those two races. The other mystery are the Eagles that circle around his tower high up in Minas Hísië. The Eagles there are large enough to hold two human upon their back and have a wing span of over 50 feet. It was upon one of these Eagles that he killed Vrong and to this day he still rides on the back of one when he enters into battle.

No one knows much else about him, and the people don't care. Since he has ruled all he has brought to Asgard is happiness and wealth. The nation has grown and the people love him. He has two sons, Melestan and Laban, and one daughter, Krysta.

Life and Society

Under the rulership of Eldrin this nation has grown to a new height. After the race wars while other nations were struggling to survive, Asgard grew. Many of the nations that existed after the war could not pull themselves out of the destruction that riddled their nation. Eldrin sized the opportunity and annexed allot of these nations. This move by him almost broke the nation, however in a couple of years the added wealth, trade, and taxed these new cities brought in catapulted Asgard above its neighboring Nations. This new wealth and new mix of people changed Asgard.

The once proud costal, human only nation quickly becoming a diverse nation. Still predominately human in population it is the most diverse nation of Ny Verden. The new ideas, trade, and desires of this diverse nation have caused the nation to grow. Once a small nation with only one ruler managing about 10-15 town, Asgard now rules too many cities to count. As a result Asgard's political structure has changed. The king now rules over the entire country and is the law maker, yet he had Dukes, Marquess, and even some Knights running city's and states for him now. Asgard is broken up into 11 different states all varying in size. Each state is headed by a Marquess or a Duke who then gives Knight or Mayor control over towns. The people in each state work for the local Marquess or Duke in return for safety. Each citizen manages a plot of land that the Duke gives them, they are to do whatever they want with that land, however they must bring the Duke a tax three times a year. The tax is different for each person. For the farmers the tax is given in food or cattle that they raise, for craftsmen it is money, for business men it too is money, and for soldiers they are exempt from having to pay a tax. If a land owner works hard enough he can eventually buy the land from the Duke and it now becomes his. Once the citizen has bought his land he is now only required to pay a tax once a year based on the value of the land and the product the land produces. Very few citizens ever get to buy their land and so are stuck working another man's land for their food.

The citizens of Asgard have grown accustomed to this way of living and don't mind it that much. The King's laws are very strict for the Dukes. Any abuse of their power or any knowledge of the Baron's mistreating his workers and the king revokes their right to privilege and "sells" the land off. Of the 11 states only 2 have ever been sold off and both were bought by the people of that state. These two states are now run by a council instead of a Marquess or Duke. Because of this arrangement a very defined caste system has developed. There are those of Nobility and those who aren't. The Nobles are anyone who was born of a Noble or who the king grants nobility to. Everyone else is considered a commoner.

The Nobility is even broken down into a caste system of its own, with the King being at that head. As I said the King is the head of the Nobility with the Queen and the royal family right under him. Next in line are Dukes, followed by the Marquesses, and then the Knights. Then there is the lesser nobility which is composed of Earls, Baron, and Counts, in that order. Dukes and Marquesses have earned their titles through hard roads and mostly military conquests. In order to be a Duke or Marquesses you must already be of noble birth and then you granted your new station based on your deeds. Most Dukes and Marquesses were either Knights or Counts before they earned their new title. Knights are very well respected and distinct class. A knight must earn his knighthood through many years of service and duties. Once a man has earned his Knighthood he is forever considered a noble unless he disgraces his oath and his code of honor. Earls and Barons are commoners and vassals that have raised vast amounts of wealth and bought large areas of land and set up very small cities. If they prove they are worth of a noble title they are granted it, the difference between the two is little but most due to who they know and how much land they own. Counts are bards of children of bards that graduated at the top of their class and as an award were granted nobility for their endeavor. Their title is passed on to the eldest son only upon death. They are the lowest of the noble class and have no real power within the nobles. However being above a commoner and a vassal is some all dream of, and they are still granted the respect their station gives them. Each sect of the Nobility had their own rights and responsibilities, however common to them all was the vow of Chivalry.
Once a nobleman took this oath he was held to it by the strict of laws, and braking his vow meant death. The vow of chivalry was created by Eldrin based off the old code of Gondor to keep his nobleman pure and to make sure they did not abuse their power. Life for the nobleman was actually quite easy. They just had to control their lands and make sure in times of war the king was provided with enough soldiers to fight, and that the tax the king set was delivered and given to him.

Titles for the Nobility are as follows
King - King
Queen - Queen
Duke - Duke / Duchess
Marquess - Marquess / Marquise
Knight - Sir
Earl - Earl / Earla
Baron - Baron / Baroness
Count - Count/Countess
Any noble male other than the King may also be called Lord
Any noble female other than the Queen may also be called Lady

All titles are passed down through the 1st born male child. If no male child is granted to the family then the line ends there.

Life for the commoner however is not an easy life. They are the work horses of the nation and also don't have as many rights. Commoners have to provide their tax to their Lords and each male commoner upon turning 16 must serve within the nations military for 3 years. After which they are considered men and allowed to work and if they earn enough money to own land. After they leave the
military they give up their right to bear arms in public. They may own one weapon to defend "their" land but may never travel with it.

Major Geographical Features

Asgard has many awe inspiring features and land marks. I however will only be sharing with you 5 of them. I chose these 5 partially cause you needed to hear about them and part of me has a special place in my heart for each of them. Before I get too emotional on you let me tell you about them. They are Minas Hísië the kings castle, the Kings Valley a valley hidden within the mountains of Jotunheim, the river Rána the river that splits Anar in half, the river Sírëtelemna called the "River of Silver", and The Forgotten Forest a hidden forest that is said to hold creatures from the legends of old.

Minas Hísië

This is the fabled castle of King Eldrin. Up in the mountains of Sandar west of Anar sits the mighty Minas Hísië. Minas Hísië is a huge castle created with more splendor and glory than any other castle has been. Created originally by Elves and Humans back before the Age of the Necromancer it has stood ever since. The original rulers were defeated and overrun by Orcs during that age. From then
to the race wars the Orcs ruled from its mighty ramparts. During the Race Wars Eldrin killing Vrong caused the Orcs to panic and flee giving the castle to the waiting human army below. Since then Eldrin has ruled from there, overseeing all from the great white tower. The tower reaches about 1 mile up and is higher than even the mountains around it. From there a scout can see for miles in each
direction and spot an approaching army before they get close. Standing from Anar all you can see is the top of the great hall and the white tower. The rest of the castle is covered in a mist that seems to float permanently around the castle.

The Kings Valley

A hidden and long forgotten valley that few have seen. Those that have don't talk much about it. I was once there and all I can say is this. To find the valley is to find a place clothed in more splendor than you have seen in your lifetime.

Rumored to be in the valley is a castle of pure mithral created long ago by all the races. This castle is said to be the key in defeating the Necromancer, much else about it is not know. Many adventures search for the valley in hopes of the treasure that is rumored to still be locked in the vaults of the castle, to this day no adventure has come back successful.

The River Rána

The River Rána is the river that splits the capital Anar in two. It is a river that flows down the mountain and into the sea of Silver. The strange thing about this river is that it is a hot spring. Running down the river it creates a warm front that melts the snow and ice of the area around it as it travels southward. This heat combined with the cold air around Anar is what causes the mist
to float around Minas Hísië. Special boats with metal bottoms have been created so trade could come to and from Anar via this river. This river creates a natural warmth around the city of Anar keeping the city continually warm through out the year. The river's hot water also acts as a secondary defense mechanism for the city of Anar, as very few ships are built to travel up and down this river.

The River Sírëtelemna

The River Sírëtelemna, or the River of Pure Silver, runs down Mount Shant and into the Silver Sea. The river has earned its name due only to its color. When the sunlight shines upon the river a deep bright silver is reflected back to anyone who peers into the surface. Many blacksmith's say that to look upon Sírëtelemna is to see what pure silver should look like. The river itself has no silver
in it and no one can say why it looks like it does, while that mystery is being solved many just travel to the river to look upon its beauty.

The Forgotten Forest

The Forgotten Forest is said to run somewhere in the middle of Asgard all the way up to Alfheim. A forest this big is bound to be found by many adventures, and yet only few have ever set their eyes upon this mysterious and yet wonderfully magical forest. The forest is considered to be the oldest forest in all of Ny Verden, and the envy of many Elves. Within its borders are said to lay many secrets
and some even say treasure. The forest has faded from the memories of Man, and only a few history books even reference it any more. However the Elves and Dwarves remember it quite well and are probably the only 2 races on Ny Verden that could find the forest again if they wished. The few that have found it, tell stories of great beasts that could devour a man in one bite, of dragons, and of trees that
talk. Weather or not their stories are true or not the forest does exist and a few people still come to Asgard to try and find it.

Factions in Asgard

The Council of Nine

The Council of Nine is a council of 9 merchants who gather through out the year to set the prices for the different items of trade in Asgard. They decide on the market import and export prices for anyone belonging to their group. Though no illegal in Asgard many people are growing upset with them since they can set the market price of any item that the people might need. They have been known
to take great advantage of the common people when ever they can. There are very few large businesses that don't belong to their faction, those that don't soon find "hardship" knocking on their door.

Black Hand

Black Hand is a spy network of Jadvingi that operates in Asgard. Not much else is know about them. They work quietly and efficiently to their own ends, whatever those might be.

Bards of Asgard

Ahh the Bards of Asgard, I could write many a pages on the glorious bards, but I will keep it short. Please see "The Curse of the Song : A telling of the Bards of Asgard" by yours truly Jokkum for further information. Anyway, the Bards of Asgard are one of two guilds in all of Ny Verden that train young men and women to the glorious profession of barding, The Bards of Gondor is the other guild. The
guild in Asgard is the largest, oldest and the most prestigious of the two. The bards are the history keepers and lore keeps of the land. We travel around singing and telling the stories of old so all will remember the great deeds and honor many have sacrificed and gained for Ny Verden. Bards are taught at a young age how to sing, fight, and see the world in a new and different way. A desire for knowledge
is driven into the young bards at an early age that as they grow they never can leave it be, and so we bards continually wander the lands of Ny Verden picking up any information we can on the area or areas we are in. Doomed forever to wonder and learn, wander and teach, and always search for that answer we don't yet have.

The Knight's Valor

The Knight's Valor is an oath many of the knights of Asgard take. Upon taking this oath they are then permitted to join the Knight's Valor. The Knight's Valor is a selective organization of many knights within Asgard. They hold on to the values of the old way and knighthood very seriously. They also help the King's Guard provide peace and justice through out Asgard. They are known around as
strict and demanding. Their code is one few others follow and yet they seem to expect everyone around them to abide by the same rules as they do. They are bound by their honor and will do anything to protect it. One thing is for sure they may be stuck in their honor but they do not lack the skill to defend it. In fact many of these knights hold the records in the world tournament.

The Kings Guard

The Kings Guard are the kings personal police force and body guards. They are specially trained knights and soldiers that are found all over Ny Verden. There is always a handful of them where ever the King is and they act as his escort and bodyguards. The rest are disbursed through out Asgard to keep peace and hold the laws. At least two are in every big city and the really big cities have a regiment or
more of the Guard permanently stationed there. They ride great white steads, like the knights and wear the kings seal upon their chest and their shields. They are the final law in each city if the local city can not solve the problems, and are the only authority if the criminal caught is considered a national threat. The kings personal bodyguards all ride upon great eagles. To see them flying in formation
is a sight you would not want to miss.

Closing

There is allot more that can be told of Asgard but hopefully you have found this document to be a good introduction to the wonderful city in which you live, visit, or have questions about. If you really wish to know more about Asgard come and visit us and see for yourselves.

Jokkum Bard of Asgard