Ragnarok Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Hey folks. As some of you know already, I am running a Norse-themed fantasy campaign in the Spring. I need your suggestions on different social/political structures for the various clans and races. I'd like to remain historically accurate with the human clans, but pretty much everything else is fair game. What I've got so far: -the Norse noble system (King>Jarl>hersir>thane>bonde>thrall) -basic chieftain system (chieftain>seer>warriors) -basic monarchy -tribal system (shaman/warlord in absolute control) Any other suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killer Shrike Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Re: Norse Campaign: Social/Political Structures needed. Machtig, particularly Castes and Culture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris-M Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Re: Norse Campaign: Social/Political Structures needed. No socio-political structures per se, but my advice would be to make sure you've read up on things like weregild, the Thing (no, not Ben Grimm, but the yearly council by which even kings could be lawfully deposed), the right of hospitality, the importance of generosity for leaders and gift-giving in general, the role and importance of verse in general and skalds in particular, customs and laws about the granting (and taking) of land (for that matter, just reading up on their ideas about crime and justice are really fascinating). Also, the roles of men and women and how they related were, of course, different from ours in ways that I think are particularly interesting. Speaking of which, also check out the difference in prestige between völva and seiðmaðr. To me, this is the kind of stuff that, if you can find ways to organically work it into your presentation of the setting and roleplaying of the NPCs, will give your campaign a feeling of really being different than your standard faux-Medieval Europe D&D-style fantasy, and I think it will be much more engaging to your players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtelson Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Re: Norse Campaign: Social/Political Structures needed. Easy enough for one group to take the idea of the "Ting" or assembly to the next level and be an actual democracy. Probably be viewed as a culture of madmen, to be shunned and avoided or an abomination to be destroyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markdoc Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 Re: Norse Campaign: Social/Political Structures needed. Hey folks. As some of you know already, I am running a Norse-themed fantasy campaign in the Spring. I need your suggestions on different social/political structures for the various clans and races. I'd like to remain historically accurate with the human clans, but pretty much everything else is fair game. What I've got so far: -the Norse noble system (King>Jarl>hersir>thane>thrall) -basic chieftain system (chieftain>seer>warriors) -basic monarchy -tribal system (shaman/warlord in absolute control) Any other suggestions? Minor comment: the norse breakdown (King>Jarl>hersir>thane>thrall) leaves out about 90% of the population I'd suggest adding Bonde (freeman/farmer) between thane (a household servant, often a warrior/guard) and thrall (a slave) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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