The Nordmenn are a hardy group of Humans who found themselves migrating into the icy landscapes of the frozen North. And, despite the frigid weather and inhospitable environment, they managed to eek out an existence and even over time, found ways to thrive. While the hunting was tough, the seas provided them with a constant source of food as they were plentifully stocked with the cold water fish of the north. And while the North eventually became their home, their journey there was far from easy.

 

After the Rift, a group of humans came to the consensus that the only place they would be safe would be in the North. To them they saw the bitter freezing winds and the craggy mountains as perfect protection against the ever present threat of the Trolls. So it was decided that a group would head north, into the white frozen unknown.

 

And as you would expect, their journey was not an easy one. For months this rugged group of humans ranged north further and further into the unknown. The weather steadily getting worse. The land turning to iron beneath their feet. The cold wind biting a little deeper each day.

 

One particularly freezing evening the air was so cold that the fires would not start. They had nothing to soothe their brittle hands or warm their watery soup. The last of their horses were freezing where they stood. The light of hope was slowly being extinguished. They huddled in groups under their furs cold, hungry and despondent. No one expected to see the dawn.

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As the snow whiplashed around them with vicious force, Jarak Noord stirred from his light slumber. He was sure he'd heard something coming from out in the darkness. They'd ended the Troll sentries three days back, as the nights were just too cold to stand out there alone. They'd lost three men that night, frozen solid, like ice, The ground too cold to bury them, they left them where they stood.

 

He held his breath and strained his ears against the howling of wind. Was it delirium or had he actually heard the voice of a woman singing? The seconds passed like years as he listened again. And yes, there is was, a voice. Light and melodic, shifting like the strange green lights that sometimes lit up the skies. And it was getting closer! He peered out from under his frozen furs, into the deep infinite darkness. No one else in the small camp stirred. Could they not hear this beautiful melody? Despite the raging wind, the gentle voice seemed unaffected by its power, almost as if it wasn’t sound at all, but something more profound. And there in the inky gloom a slight movement. A shift from black to something slightly less black. Jaraks face was turning numb with the cold, ice began gathering in his beard. But still he looked into the night.

 

Suddenly emerging from the void, there she was. A woman of middle years, maternal and caring staring directly into Jaraks eyes, singing, though her mouth did not seem to be moving. And despite the furious tempest that was on top of them her loose robes hung limp on her body, unaffected by the wind. Jarak didn’t know how long he lay there watching this mysterious woman, time seemed to have come loose. Eventually she slowly turned and began walking away into the thick gloom. Jarak knew this was a sign. He knew they were to follow this woman. She was sent to help them.

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And so he took to waking up and gathering together everyone in the camp. After quickly explaining what he had heard and seen he explained that they needed to follow him. He would lead them to safety. He could still hear the beautiful melody over the wind but quickly realised that no-one else could. After a heated discussion the camp reluctantly agreed and followed him into the night.

 

He followed the voice and his campmates followed him into the night for what seemed like an eternity. They eventually came across a fork in the trail. To the left was wide pathway leading down into a valley, to the right led to a craggy, treacherous narrow passage. The voice was leading them through the narrow pass. No one wanted to go, the best route was clearly the route into the valley, but Jarak insisted that they needed to follow the voice. Again, he got his way and led the people through into the unknown. No-one knows why they followed him into the unknown the way they did that night, but some that were there say his words carried a resonance. A magic. They contained hope.

 

As they climbed higher the snow got deeper and the progress slower. Eventually the sun came up lighting the way and the voice began to grow more distant. As they crested a narrow ridge, the land dropped away below them revealing a vast sheltered basin, protected on 3 sides by high mountains and open to the sea on the fourth. As he turned to his people to tell them they were home, Jarak Noord caught sight of the mysterious woman once more. She nodded her head and was gone.

 

The Nordmenn had found their home.

 

They now worship the mysterious woman who saved their people. She is known as Frelser.