Normandy [Setting]

The region of Normandy lies on the northwestern shore of West Francia, north of The Ilse de France, east of The Dukedom of Brittany, and west of Picardie/Champagne. It is famous for its dramatic coastal cliffs, long stretches of beaches, various castles, and plentiful farmland. The native people there are of Gallo-Frankish descent and speak the French d'Oïl language. The economy is heavily reliant upon agriculture, with cattle breeding being the most important facet. Traditionally the region has been under the direct control of the Karling Dynasty of West Francia, with the duchy title being granted to siblings or close relatives of the kings to keep it in the family. The capital of Normandy is Rouen, built along the river Seine, and is the seat from which it has traditionally been governed. It is home to a large fortress simply named Castle Rouen.

Under the reign of King Bero III the duchy of Normandy was granted to his younger son, the prince Vaefar, who had proven to be a successful military commander. He was stationed there officially by his brother, King Dietrich IV, in order to keep out invading Norsemen, which he did with little trouble for a time. Many years passed and a marriage contract was arranged between the Duke and Princess Genevieve of Wessex, which helped to quell the attacks for nearly four years. However, a freak frost broke out the fourth year and was followed in quick succession by a famine and later plague all across the European continent. Being agriculturally dependent, Normandy's defenses were greatly crippled by these events, and so the Viking invaders were able to force their way South towards Rouen. The mighty stone fortress of Castle Rouen was the only thing left standing between the invaders and the Frankish people there, but it held true to its purpose for many months.

Towards the end of Winter a missive arrived in the early hours of the morning that both King Dietrich and his young son had both perished to the sweating sickness that held Paris in a chokehold, and so the Duke of Normandy was now King Vaefar I of West Francia. What's more, the council was making preparations for reinforcements to rescue their new king. This joyous news was short-lived when screams signaled that the invading forces had somehow broken through and were pouring inside the fortress like ants. In the confusion, Veafar quickly dressed and armed for battle, but was slain in his own courtyard by a Viking's blade. Luckily, Queen Genevieve and a small portion of their household were able to escape the siege with all the belongings their hands could carry.

In order to sue for peace, Queen Hildegarde, The Queen Mother to the new king of West Francia (also mother of the previous two) surrendered the duchy of Normandy on behalf of her young son, Adalman II. Part of the agreement included that the hand of Dietrich's widow, a woman of proven fertility, would be offered to a leader among the Viking forces; though, she's since fled to the Duchy of Champagne. A large portion of the population fled south to Paris or to other surrounding regions, though many remained and were enslaved by their conquerors. It remains to be seen what will come of the holy places and their inhabitants there, though the ones in Rouen were notably ransacked. Shelter and food have been offered by the Duchess of Champagne to any refugees that managed to escape, in exchange for serfdom.

Northmen settlements are slowly creeping their way South in the former duchy with various clan leaders declaring themselves jarls and the like, though no official leader has been chosen. Among the Vikings are Danes from the settlement of Northumbria and Norwegians from the settlement in Jorvik Britain. There are also those present from the mainland areas of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. The natives are wary of these foreigners, but too fearful to react or rise up against them. What remains of West Franconian forces have proven to be enough to prevent further colonization, but not enough to stop raids altogether.