Northern Alliance

The Northern Alliance is an alliance of Humans, Ice Kindred, Dwarf, Naiads and various other creatures fighting for the forces of good in the icy north of Winterlands

About

Far away from the eyes of Basilea, the halls of the Dwarves or the Kingdoms of Men, the Winterlands are an almost forgotten part of Pannithor. It is a land blasted by chill winds and carved from ice. For most of Pannithor’s history it has remained hidden but now stories are drifting south of an alliance of men, Elves and other creatures that could rival even the greatest powers in Pannithor.

Travellers have reported that the Winterlands are ruled by an exiled elven prince called Talannar Icekin. His great magic has created a beautiful city – known as Chill – with towers of glittering ice that shoot skywards. Many who live just south of the Ice Mountains have flocked to his banner, intrigued by the strange rumours surround Talannar’s rule.

Perhaps the most worrying aspect for those in the south is that there are whispers Talannar has discovered something of incredible power. It isn’t clear if Talannar is protecting it for his own use or whether he’s trying to stop whatever he’s found from spreading southwards. There are countless rumours: another Abyss, a portal to the Ways and even the body of a Celestian or ancient god. Whatever it is, those who guard it are willing to die to keep its true identity a secret.

However, life in the North is hard and resources are scarce. Since the battle with the Abyss and the Green Lady’s hard-fought victory over the denizens of this forsaken place, more and more sightings of the Northern Alliance have been reported. Warbands of fur-clad fighters are scouring the countryside for whatever resources they can find: food, weapons, fuel and more fighters. They are clearly preparing for something….

Background

It began with a few ogres. Purchasing thier aid with several precious objects, Talannar began building his first settlement. A safe haven from the harshness that was northern life. And from thier, Talannar began to recruit. Calling out to the outcasts and hopefuls of the world to become part of his new nation. People he would eventually call his clansmen.

The first of course were the humans. There were many differing tribes of humans that had occupied the northern lands long before Talannar had arrived. The various tribes hunting, traveling, and fighting the beasts of the north and each other. Despite centuries of rivalry though, Talannar was able to sway many of these tribes to his cause. All of them gladly uniting under his banner. Even humans from other lands began to join. Citizens of the various kingdoms of men, Basilea, and other human societies coming to start a new life in a young nation full of opportunity.

There were also elves. Some from the southern lands who were disaffected by the strict life of the elves, but also other elves known as ice kin. Elves who had adapted to the northern climes and thus sported shocking white hair and were much more rugged of feature then their southern kin. Although of a rougher look, at least by elven standards, they had lost none of the skill and grace that makes elves such deadly combatants.

With the aid of ice kin and human hunters, the young nation soon began to gather the beasts of the frozen north to their cause.Tundra wolves, vicious beasts that hunt in packs across the north are prized for their thick fur, but if a hunter is lucky enough to find a few pups, they can become loyal hunting companions.

Snow foxes, a favorite of ice kin hunters, are smaller and weaker then tundra wolves but are a tad bit more clever and are able to distract the enemy till their partner can come in to strike the finishing blow. Frostfangs are ancient and primordial forms of the gur panther. Unlike the sleek and graceful forms ridden by the sisterhood convents of Basilea, these beasts are heavy set and powerfully built. With claws that can go through heavy plate with ease. Only the bravest and craziest try to ride them and even then, they are only capable of pointing the beast in the direction of the enemy.

Many clan lords choose to hunt the solitary beast known as the ice chimera. The three headed monster is extremely deadly, but if the lord is able to subdue it, they earn a loyal mount and a powerful symbol of authority. When times are desperate for the alliance, they can employ the use of cavern dwellers. Blind horrors that inhabit the deep caves of the north, they are usually ambush hunters that can go for years without food waiting for its prey. When used for battle , they are starved to madness, then unleashed on the enemy. The rampaging monsters killing many before it is eventually put down.

Besides being excellant hunters, the ice kindred have also mastered the temperamental and difficult to maintain magic of ice. This magic is powerful, as many claim it feels much more natural and raw then any other form of magic. Although whether there is any truth to that will have be left to the more magical of scholars. Either way, those icekin who master it become known as ice queens, able to freeze enemies solid and summon powerful blizzards. They can also call forth ice elementals to aid their warriors in the battlefield. Rare in the warmer climes of Pannithor, for obvious reasons, the magic of the icequeens allow these elementals to fight in even the warmest of climates.

The northen alliance are not the only elves with ice magic. The elves of the bitter lands are also capable of wielding this force. Although whether that knowledge was stolen, or Talannar gifted it to Tyris is unknown. It should be no surprise that half-elves are also accepted with open arms into the northern alliance. Half-elves have an unfortunate place in the world of Pannithor. In elven society, they are treated as outcasts. A living symbol of, at least in the opinion of the elves, thier downfall. In human society, there treatment is better, technically. They are seen as desirable and enigmatic. However it soon becomes obvious most humans see half-elves more as prizes to be won then people.

Not only is their treatment in society an issue, but also their very temperament. The natures of elf and human are very different. And the combination of the two within a half-elf can be rather chaotic. Their emotions can be riled easily and they are quick to make rash decisions. But within the northern alliance, half elves are given the respect they deserve and further, are taught to hone their emotions and finally control them. Some use this control on the battlefield. Becoming the famous half-elf berserker warriors the northern alliance is famous for. The most skilled of them become known as iceblades. So deadly are they, many suspect that it must be something beyond simple training that is at work. Although stories of strange rituals, magics or pilgrimages are yet to be proven.

Many free dwarves have also emigrated to the northern alliance. Whether refuges from the Halpi Mountains or those escaping the reach of the dwarven King Golloch, they have chosen to make this place their home. On the battlefield, they are tough and resolute warriors. Fighting as hard for the alliance as they would for any clan hold. Beyond war, they are also artificers. Crafting the arms and armor of the entire alliance.

The snow trolls of the northern alliance are far more intelligent then their southern kin. Able to understand orders with relative ease and willing to wear armor instead of having it forcibly nailed onto their hides. Although civilized, at least compared to other trolls, in battle they still tend to pummel things to the ground with whatever heavy object is nearby. The smartest of their kind are even known to understand topics such as tactics and strategy and are promoted to the rank of prime. Leading their snow trolls into battle with far more skill then what is usually expected from what is seen as a simple and savage race.

Talannar has also allied himself with the trident realm of neritica. Specifically, the realm of Myrhimm and is able to call the aid of the naiads if needed. These naiads, adapted to the old of the north, are vital in any battle near coastal waters and help protect the ocean routes of the nation from any sea borne threats. As Talannar began incorporating all these disparate peoples, he knew he had to organize them in order to make them truly effective. And so, he chose adopt the military and social hierarchies of the northern human clans. Essentially making a tribe of an entire nation.

Under Talannar are the chiefs and clan lords of the various tribes across the frozen north. They all serve on his witan. His council which meets once or twice a year to discuss political and military issues and make important decisions for the entire alliance. Each lord has a personal champion, called a skjodcarl. The strongest and most skilled of the lords warriors who can also act as a general in the lords army when needed.

Below them are the Thegns. Also serving under the lord, they each command large portions of a lords military forces and communities. To rule them effectively, a Thegn will pick the strongest of thier warriors to become huscarls. Huscarls take many forms in a northern alliance army. They can form elite units specialized for particular roles or serve as bodyguards for the thegns. But many command small groups of warriors, performing a role similar to sergeant in any other army. Although the alliance had a common structure, Talannar knew that the nation needed a common identity, and a shared culture. And thus, he ensured that the role of the skald became an integral part of the northern alliance.

The skalds, in the northern clans, are the keepers of the clans history. Their oral traditions, legends, and stories. As such, they often serve as teachers, scholars, diplomats, and any other duties that maintain the structure of a clan. A practice they continued with their integration into the northern alliance. Travelling between the settlements to ensure recent news and laws are spread quickly, or in the case of one particularly famous skald named clarion, spreading the message of the northern alliance to any who would hear it in the southern lands.

With his people united, all Talannar needed was a home. And that came about in the most dire of times for the fledgling alliance. With the success of this new nation, however, comes unwelcome eyes. For the abyss sees this new nation as both a potential threat and a mystery. The wicked ones suspecting a hidden secret within Chill that allowed such a young nation to so quickly gain in strength. Soon enough, this symbol of hope may find itself beset by an enemy who will do anything it can to see it destroyed.

Army List

Heroes		Infantry		Cavalry		Special
Named Heroes	Orlaf the Barbarian Clarion Hrimm, Legendary Ice Giant Serakina, the Ice Queen	Basic Infantry	Human Tribesmen Dwarf Clansmen Half-Elf Berserkers Ice Naiad Hearthguard	Basic Cavalry	Tundra Wolves	Swarm	Snow Foxes
Named Heroes		Ranged Infantry	Pack Hunters Elf Clansmen Ice Kin Hunters			Swarm	Snow Foxes
General Heroes	Thegn Thegn on Frostfang Lord Skald Ice Blade Ice Kin Master Hunter Ice Queen Snow Troll Prime	Heavy Infantry	Huscarls			War Machine	Ice Kin Bolt Thrower
		Large Infantry	Ice Elementals	Large Cavalry	Frostfang Cavalry	Monster	Cavern Dweller
		Monstrous Infantry	Snow Troll	Large Cavalry	Frostfang Cavalry	Titan	Frost Giant
2nd Edition Units (Retired Units)
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Formations

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File:Kings of War 3 minute army primer - Northern Alliance

The Northern Alliance Armada

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