GURPS Classic: Vikings

131 Pages·2002·17.359 MB·English

by  Graeme Davis

“From the fury of the Norsemen, oh Lord, deliver
us!” So prayed the Irish monks.
To the victims of a Viking raid, the Norsemen were
bearded giants with bloody axes. But the Viking was
much more. He was a skilled navigator and a brave
explorer and trader. He was a fighter to whom honor
and reputation were far more important than life. He
was a free man in an age of petty tyranny. He was a
dreamer whose songs and stories live even today.
And yes, he was a bloody-handed sea rover who took
what he wanted!
This book is a complete guide to the Norse world.
GURPS Basic Set, Third Edition
It includes maps, historical background, and details
Revisedand Compendium Iare
on society and religion. A separate chapter discusses required to use this book in a
GURPScampaign. Compendium II
Norse magic and runes. This new edition also
is also recommended to those who
provides templates for playing the magical races of want detailed rules on sea battles and
mass combat. The historical and
Viking lore as player characters, and expands the
campaign material on Vikings can be
number of campaign options available. used with anygame system.
You can game any sort of Viking campaign, from Written by
Graeme Davis
fully realistic to magical and cinematic. Create a
Edited by
historical campaign, with sea battles, duels and Scott Haring
bloody raids – or become a legendary berserker for Cover by
Alex Fernandez
mythic adventures with Thor and Odin!
Illustrated by
Paul Daly,
You may live, you may die. No man knows his fate. Shane L. Johnson,
Garry McKee,
But act bravely and the skalds will sing of
Klaus Scherwinski, and
your deeds forever.
Michael S. Wilson
SECONDEDITION, FIRSTPRINTING
PUBLISHEDNOVEMBER2002
ISBN 1-55634-512-7
9!BMF@JA:RSTPQWoY`Z]ZgZnZ`
Printed in
SJG02295 6042
the USA
“From the fury of the Norsemen, oh Lord, deliver
us!” So prayed the Irish monks.
To the victims of a Viking raid, the Norsemen were
bearded giants with bloody axes. But the Viking was
much more. He was a skilled navigator and a brave
explorer and trader. He was a fighter to whom honor
and reputation were far more important than life. He
was a free man in an age of petty tyranny. He was a
dreamer whose songs and stories live even today.
And yes, he was a bloody-handed sea rover who took
what he wanted!
This book is a complete guide to the Norse world.
GURPS Basic Set, Third Edition
It includes maps, historical background, and details
Revisedand Compendium Iare
on society and religion. A separate chapter discusses required to use this book in a
GURPScampaign. Compendium II
Norse magic and runes. This new edition also
is also recommended to those who
provides templates for playing the magical races of want detailed rules on sea battles and
mass combat. The historical and
Viking lore as player characters, and expands the
campaign material on Vikings can be
number of campaign options available. used with anygame system.
You can game any sort of Viking campaign, from Written by
Graeme Davis
fully realistic to magical and cinematic. Create a
Edited by
historical campaign, with sea battles, duels and Scott Haring
bloody raids – or become a legendary berserker for Cover by
Alex Fernandez
mythic adventures with Thor and Odin!
Illustrated by
Paul Daly,
You may live, you may die. No man knows his fate. Shane L. Johnson,
Garry McKee,
But act bravely and the skalds will sing of
Klaus Scherwinski, and
your deeds forever.
Michael S. Wilson
SECONDEDITION, FIRSTPRINTING
PUBLISHEDNOVEMBER2002
ISBN 1-55634-512-7
9!BMF@JA:RSTPQWoY`Z]ZgZnZ`
Printed in
SJG02295 6042
the USA
By Graeme Davis
Edited by Scott Haring
Cover by Alex Fernandez
Illustrated by
Paul Daly,
Shane L. Johnson,
Garry McKee,
Klaus Scherwinski,
and Michael S. Wilson
Additional illustrations by Carl Anderson,
Topper Helmers, and David McKay
Cartography by Mike Naylor
GURPS System Design Y Steve Jackson
Managing Editor Y Andrew Hackard
GURPS Line Editor Y Sean Punch
Project Administrator Y Monique Chapman
Art Director Y Mia Sherman Historical Consultation:Mike Hurst
Production Artists Y Justin De Witt and Lead Playtesters:Devin Ganger and Steph Pennington
Playtesters:C.J. Beiting, Frederick Brackin,
Alex Fernandez
Stephen Dedman, Peter Dell’Orto, Leonardo M. Holschuh,
Print Buyer Y Monica Stephens John Macek, Matt Riggsby, Allen Smith, Brian C. Smithson,
Chad Underkoffler, the great playtesters at Pyramidonline,
Sales Manager Y Ross Jepson and the Baker City New Year’s Eve crew
Errata Coordinator Y Andy Vetromile Special Thanks:www.arttoday.com
GURPS,Warehouse 23, and the all-seeing pyramid are registered trademarks of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated.
Pyramidand the names of all products published by Steve Jackson Games Incorporated are registered trademarks or
trademarks of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated, or used under license. GURPSVikingsis copyright ©1991, 2002 by Steve Jackson Games Incorporated.
All rights reserved. Some art copyright www.arttoday.com. Printed in the USA.
ISBN 1-55634-512-7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
STEVE JACKSON GAMES
C
ONTENTS
INTRODUCTION Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 MASSCOMBAT ..................46
...........4
BYZANTINES ....................23 Cavalry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Typical Byzantines . . . . . . . . . . .24 Berserkers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Vikings and Norsemen . . . . . . . . .4 Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Siege Engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
1. T V INUITS ........................24 Amphibious Attacks . . . . . . . . . .46
HE IKING
MEDITERRANEANCHRISTIANS ......24 Loot! ......................46
W 5
ORLD ................. LAPPSANDFINNS ................24
2. C 25
NORSESOCIETY ..................6 HARACTERS .......
Social Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Trades and Lifestyles . . . . . . . . . .6 APPEARANCE ...................26
Height and Weight . . . . . . . . . . .26
The Word “Viking” ............6
Hair Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Social Dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Eye Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
The Social Classes ............7
Clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Viking Proverbs ..............8
Beauty and Ugliness . . . . . . . . . .26
Social Ideals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
House-Burning ...............9 CHARACTERTEMPLATES ...........27
Craftsman/Tradesman . . . . . . . . .27
AStingy Host ...............10
Enchanter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Dying Well .................10
Farmer/Hunter/Fisherman . . . . .28
VIKINGLAW ....................11
Mystic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
The Legal System . . . . . . . . . . . .11 THEWHALE-ROAD...............47
Priest, Christian . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
AViking’sLife...............11 SHIPTYPES.....................47
Priest, Pagan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
ADuel.....................12 The Drakkar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Seaman/Merchant/Explorer ....30
Duels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 The Knarr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Skald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Feuds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 The Faering .................48
Warrior/Berserker . . . . . . . . . . . .31
GEOGRAPHY ....................14 Grave-Ships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Non-Viking PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Scandinavia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 SHIPHANDLING .................49
Animal Berserkers ...........31
Denmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Iceland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 NAMES ........................32 Performance ................49
Patronymics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Greenland and Vinland . . . . . . . .14 Wind ......................50
Nicknames .................32
Ireland, Scotland, and the Isles .14 Tonnage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Historical Nicknames .........32
Climate ....................14 Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Personal Names .............33
England and the Danelaw ......15 Handling Under Oars . . . . . . . . .51
Normandy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 ADVANTAGES,DISADVANTAGES, Sea Battles .................51
Eastern Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 ANDSKILLS ...................34 SEAVOYAGES...................52
Not the Viking Way ...........34
VIKINGSETTLEMENTS ............15 Routes .....................52
Quirks .....................37
Farmsteads .................15 Shares in a Voyage . . . . . . . . . . .53
Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
AViking Longhouse ..........15 Sea Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Hnefatafl ...................37
Map:The Viking World .........16 RIVERTRAVEL ..................55
Map:The Western Voyages ......17 ECONOMICS,JOBS,ANDWEALTH ....38 Routes .....................55
Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 River Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Social Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Ring-Forts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 4. H 56
FRIENDSANDFOES ...............19 Jobs .......................39 ISTORY .............
Prices .....................39
Anglo-Saxons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Technology .................19 JOBTABLE .....................41 THEDAWNOFTHEVIKINGS ........57
Typical Saxons . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 3. COMBAT AND The Time is Right . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Maritime Technology . . . . . . . . .57
Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 C . . . .42
OMMERCE Population Expansion . . . . . . . . .57
FRANKS .......................20
Internal Strife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
GAELSANDSCOTS ...............21 WEAPONSANDARMOR ............43 Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Typical Gaels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Axe .......................43 Non-Causes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
PICTS .........................21 STwhroorwdi n. g. .S .p .e .a .r . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..4433 THELRinAdIDisEfRaSrn.e .a.n.d. E..a.rl.y. R..a.id.i.n.g. .. ..5588
Typical Picts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Viking Combat Training .......43 Target Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Fighting Spear . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Denmark Storms
Literary Picts ...............21
Francesca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 the Market ................58
SKRAELINGS ....................22 Bow .......................44 The High Seas . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Typical Skraelings . . . . . . . . . . .22
Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Improvised Weapons . . . . . . . . .44 THETRADERS...................59
Helmet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Archaeological Evidence . . . . . .59
SLAVS.........................22 Helmet,Horns,and
Typical Slavs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
History ...................44
Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Armor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
ARABS ........................22 Shield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Typical Arabs ...............23
2 C
ONTENTS
Halfdan Was Here . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 CAMPAIGNTHEMES . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
THECONQUERORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 SPELLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 The Vinland Settlement . . . . . .102
England and the Danelaw . . . . . .60 Rural Spellcasters . . . . . . . . . . . .76 Home Fires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Ireland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Mystics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 Troll Wars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
The Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Priests and Devout Followers . . .77 The Curse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
THEEXPLORERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Enchanters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 The Fugitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
A Rus Expedition . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Lapps and Finns . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 CROSSOVERCAMPAIGNS . . . . . . . . . .110
Iceland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Nonhuman Spellcasters . . . . . . .77 CINEMATICCAMPAIGNS . . . . . . . . . .110
Greenland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Spells from GURPS Magic . . . .77 Genres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Founding a Settlement . . . . . . . .61 Spells from GURPS Spirits . . . .78 SILLYCAMPAIGNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Vinland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Spells from GURPS Undead . . .78 THECLICHÉCAMPAIGN . . . . . . . . . .111
Central Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 SHAPESHIFTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 Ten Things You Thought You
THEENDOFTHEVIKINGAGE . . . . . .62 RUNEMAGIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 Knew About Vikings . . . . . . . .112
TIMELINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 The Futhark Runes . . . . . . . . . . .78 The Juxtaposed Campaign . . . .113
Casting Rune Magic . . . . . . . . . .79 The Juxtaposed Character . . . . .113
Runestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 WRITINGASAGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
MAGICITEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 The Naming of Things . . . . . . .114
Divine Possessions . . . . . . . . . . .79 Kennings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
5. R Sample Rune Spells . . . . . . . . . .80 The Volsung Saga . . . . . . . . . . .114
ELIGION AND
Possessions of Heroes . . . . . . . .82 ADVENTURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
M . . . . . . . . .65
AGIC Enchantment Spells . . . . . . . . . .82 HISTORICALADVENTURES . . . . . . . . .115
6. N B .83 AWinter at Home . . . . . . . . . . .115
ORSE ESTIARY
THENORSEDEITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 ATrading Voyage . . . . . . . . . . .115
Thor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 ARaid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
ALVAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Tyr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 AVoyage of Exploration . . . . .117
Alvar Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Days of the Week . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Vinland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
DWARVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Odin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 ACase for the Thing . . . . . . . .118
TROLLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Lesser Aesir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Trouble Brewing . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Troll Sub-Types . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
The Valkyries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 FANTASTICADVENTURES . . . . . . . . .120
Troll Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Loki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Grim’s Mound . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
GIANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Hel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Witch Hunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
SPIRITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
The Norns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Kidnapped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Guardian Spirits . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
WORSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 MYTHICADVENTURES . . . . . . . . . . .122
Domestic Spirits . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
TEMPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Stop the War! . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Forest Spirits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Rus Priests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Head of Wisdom . . . . . . . . . . . .123
River Spirits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Festivals and Services . . . . . . . .71
An Icelandic Temple to Thor . . .71 Merfolk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89 GLOSSARY . . . . . . . .124
DRAGONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Sacrifices in Hedeby . . . . . . . . . .71
Serpents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
“Odin Has You!” . . . . . . . . . . . .71 SHAPECHANGERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . . .125
BURIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
UNDEAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Boat Burials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Mound Burials . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Draugr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 INDEX . . . . . . . . . . .127
Haugbui . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Flat-Grave Burials . . . . . . . . . . .72
Vorthr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Grave Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Sendings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Rus Burials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Basic Norse Undead . . . . . . . . . .93
Rune-Stones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
DIVINECREATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
Jormungand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
Fenris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
Pets of the Aesir . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
The Inhabitants of Yggdrasil . . .94
Minions of Hel . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
NATURALCREATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Domestic Animals . . . . . . . . . . .95
Wild Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Vinland Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
7. T V
HE IKING
C . . . . . .99
AMPAIGN
MAGICLEVEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
THENINEWORLDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 VIOLENCELEVEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
The Beginning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Dare-Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
The End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
CAMPAIGNSTYLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
CHRISTIANITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 Thoughtful Historical . . . . . . . .101
The Spread of Christianity . . . . .75
Thoughtful Fantastic . . . . . . . . .101
Churches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Thoughtful Mythic . . . . . . . . . .101
Burials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Action Historical . . . . . . . . . . .102
MAGIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 Action Fantastic . . . . . . . . . . . .102
SPELLCASTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 Action Mythic . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
C 3
ONTENTS
I
NTRODUCTION
About GURPS
Steve Jackson Games is committed to full
support of the GURPSsystem. Our address is
GURPS Vikingsis about the Scandinavians of the Dark Ages and the
SJ Games, Box 18957, Austin, TX 78760.
early medieval period. It is also about the stories that were told – and are
Please include a self-addressed, stamped enve-
still told – about these people. In history, the Vikings span a 300-year peri-
lope (SASE) any time you write us! Resources
include: od from the 8th century to the 11th; their mythology goes back to the begin-
Pyramid (www.sjgames.com/pyramid/). ning of the world and forward to its end. And the heroic exploits of the
Our online magazine includes new GURPS Norse sagas seem to occupy a time and space all of their own.
rules and articles. It also covers Dungeons and “From the fury of the Norsemen, oh Lord, deliver us!” So prayed the
Dragons, Traveller,World of Darkness, Call monks when the dragon ships were sighted. Over a thousand years later, the
of Cthulhu, and many more top games – and Vikings are still a byword for fearless, invincible barbarian warriors.
other Steve Jackson Games releases like In
Ancient chroniclers speak with horror of their savagery, modern
Nomine, Illuminati, Car Wars, Toon, Ogre
moviemakers love them for their blood-and-thunder image, and fantasy
Miniatures, and more. Pyramid subscribers
barbarians everywhere owe them a vast unpaid debt.
also have access to playtest files online!
All of which would amuse the average Viking immensely. In a world
New supplements and adventures. GURPS
continues to grow, and we’ll be happy to let where even the gods were doomed to die, the only truly lasting thing a man
you know what’s new. A current catalog is could have was renown. To live well and die well, and have his saga told
available for an SASE. Or check out our web- and retold till the end of the world – what more could a Viking ask?
site (below). GURPS Vikings lets roleplayers visit three Viking worlds. You can
Errata. Everyone makes mistakes, includ- become a Viking from history, hoping to rise to the rank of Jarl or even
ing us – but we do our best to fix our errors.
king, command your own ship, and raid or trade as the mood takes you. Or
Up-to-date errata sheets for all GURPSreleas-
you can step into the world of sagas, battling trolls and witches, sailing
es, including this book, are available from SJ
through untold perils to new lands. Finally, you can step beyond sagas to
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load them from the Web – see below.
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new products as well as updated printings of one eye . . .
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About the Author
Internet. Visit us on the World Wide Web
at www.sjgames.com for an online catalog,
Graeme Davis discovered Vikings and roleplaying games at about the
errata, updates, Q&A, and much more.
same time, as an archaeology student at Durham University, England, in
GURPS has its own Usenet group, too:
rec.games.frp.gurps. 1979. Since then he has written for GURPS, Warhammer Fantasy Role-
GURPSnet. This e-mail list hosts much of play, Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, and Vampire: The Masquerade,
the online discussion of GURPS. To join, among others. He makes a living designing games for the Internet, and to
e-mail [email protected] with “subscribe his father’s chagrin, he shows no signs of growing up and getting a real job.
GURPSnet-L” in the body, or point your web Graeme lives in Colorado, with his long-suffering wife Gina and two very
browser to gurpsnet.sjgames.com. pampered cats.
The GURPS Vikings web page is at
www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/vikings/.
Page References
Vikings and Norsemen
Rules and statistics in this book are specif-
It should be pointed out from the start that the title of this
ically for the GURPS Basic Set, Third Edi-
worldbook perpetuates a misnomer. During the “Viking Age,” the
tion. Any page reference that begins with a B
refers to the GURPS Basic Set – e.g., p. inhabitants of Scandinavia did do other things than raiding, pil-
B102 means p. 102 of the GURPS Basic Set, laging, and looting. Strictly speaking, the term “Viking” should
Third Edition. Page references that begin only be applied to an early medieval Scandinavian who is
with CI indicate GURPS Compendium I. involved in such pursuits. This was actually a very minor part of
Other references are CII for GURPS Com-
Norse culture, no matter what Saxon chroniclers and Hollywood
pendium II, M for GURPS Magic, RU for
moviemakers would have us believe. However, the image of the
GURPS Russia,SPI for GURPS Spirits,and
Viking raider has such power, even today, that most people apply
UN for GURPS Undead. The abbreviation
the term to all early medieval Scandinavians.
for this book is VI. For a full list of abbrevi-
ations, see p. CI181 or the updated web list Besides, GURPS Early Medieval Scandinavians wasn’t
at www.sjgames.com/gurps/abbrevs.html. nearly such a good title.
4 I
NTRODUCTION
C O
HAPTER NE
The Viking World
T V W 5
HE IKING ORLD
The Vikings are often seen as simple barbarians, but this is far from
The Word Viking the truth. Their society, and the nature of power within it, differed from
“ ”
those countries that had been shaped by Roman domination, but the
medieval Scandinavians had most of the qualities by which we measure
The origin and meaning of the word Viking
civilization: towns, long-distance trade, specialist craftsmen, a cash-
have been hotly debated by scholars, and there is
based economy, and a degree of literacy. Very few were full-time war-
still no total agreement on the matter.
riors.
Some say that Viking must be a word of
The Norse culture was, in fact, a strong and stable one. It is ironic
Scandinavian origin, since other peoples use dif-
that it is best remembered through the writings of people who never saw
ferent words for them. The Franks called them
the homelands, but only the raiding dragon-ships.
Normanin(men from the north; the part of France
N S
where they settled was called Normandy), while
ORSE OCIETY
the Germans called them Ascomanni(“ash-men,”
perhaps referring to the ash tree-trunks which they
used as masts for their ships). The Anglo-Saxons Norse society was not highly structured, but in many ways was a
called them Dani (Danes); the vast majority of good deal more democratic than its contemporaries. To western
Scandinavians who visited England were from European eyes, it seemed like dangerous near-anarchy.
Denmark. The Irish called them Gall(“stranger”)
S C
or Lochlannach (“northerner”) – the latter was OCIAL LASSES
often qualified with “white” for Norwegians and
“black” for Danes, perhaps reflecting the predom- There were three classes in Scandinavian society: the jarl or
inant colors of their shields, or the nature of their “earl” class, the carl or freeman class, and the thrall or serf class. The
dealings with the Irish. The Byzantines and Arabs carl class was most numerous by far.
called them Rus – the word seems to have been The Jarl Class
borrowed from the Finns via the Slavs, as the
Finnish name for Sweden was Ruotsi, perhaps The jarls were the nobility of Viking society, and it was from this
meaning “the land of the oarsmen.” class that the king was drawn. In many ways, the jarls were not much
If the word “Viking” is of Nordic origin, it different from the earls and barons of Christendom – in war they
may have one of two derivations: from the word formed the officer class, commanding troops drawn from the farmers,
vig, meaning “battle,” or from vík, meaning while in peacetime they saw to the smooth running of their lands.
“inlet,” which was also applied to fjords. Thus, it Because of the nature of power in Norse society, however, they tended
might mean “warrior,” or it might mean “dweller not to be so autocratic as their counterparts in England, France and
in an inlet or bay.” It was once suggested that the elsewhere.
word originally meant people from the region of
The Carl Class
Vik, around Oslo, but the conventional term for
people from this area was Vikverjaror Vestfalding,
The free farmer and fisherman was the backbone of Viking soci-
and this derivation is no longer widely accepted.
ety, just like the medieval yeoman of England. Tilling the fields or ply-
An increasingly popular theory derives
ing their nets in peacetime, the carls formed the rank-and-file of the
“Viking” from an Anglo-Saxon word wic, which
Viking war machine and the crews of the feared dragon-ships. Those
is ultimately derived from the Latin word vicus.
who found the farming life tedious could aspire to becoming huscarls
The Romans applied the word vicus to small
– “house carls” – in the retinue of their jarl, acting as household staff
towns and trading-posts, like those that grew up
in peace and the jarl’s personal bodyguard in war.
around their major forts. The Saxon word wic
seems to have a slightly more specialized mean- The Thrall Class
ing, indicating a shallow-water trading port on a
The thrall occupied the lowest level of Viking society. Some were
navigable waterway. Several English place-names
bond-slaves, and others were captives brought back from Britain and
have wic as a significant element: for example
the Baltic, or bought in the markets of the “civilized” world. The
Ipswich, Norwich, and Eoforwic – the Saxon
Vikings conducted huge slave-raids among the Slavonic peoples, and
name for the city of York.
some scholars believe this resulted in sclavus replacing servus in
If the wic theory is correct, “Viking” might
medieval Latin as the word for a slave – ultimately finding its way into
mean “trader” – ironic for a name which has
English. Killing a thrall was regarded as destruction of property rather
become synonymous with violence! Archaeology
than unlawful killing.
has established that the Scandinavians were great
traders as well as pirates and explorers. Modern T L
RADES AND IFESTYLES
scholars agree that the historical record is biased
because raids were more newsworthy than trading
So much emphasis has been placed on the raiding and exploration
voyages, and tended to be mentioned in European
of the Norsemen that other aspects of their lifestyle have been almost
chronicles more often.
forgotten. The image of the raider overshadows the reality which
faced most Scandinavians during this period – of making a living from
the land, or the sea, or by some craft in a town.
6 T V W
HE IKING ORLD
Farmers and
The Social Classes
Fishermen
An Icelandic poem called the Rigsthula(“The Story of Rig”) gives an allegorical
The overwhelming majority of
view of Viking society.
Scandinavians during the Viking
Rig (who is identified with the god Heimdal) is wandering through the country-
age were farmers and fishermen.
side when he comes upon a poor cottage occupied by a ragged couple called Oldefar
They spent almost all their lives
(great-grandfather) and Oldemor (great-grandmother). They give him what meager
winning a living from the land and
hospitality they can, and nine months after he leaves Oldemor bears a son, Trael (serf)
the sea, and only took up arms when
–acoarse, ugly and hardworking boy. Next, she has a daughter, Tis (wench) – again,
commanded by their jarl. Mainly,
unlovely but hardworking. These two produce many children, who are given such
this was in time of war, although
names as Clod, Clumsy, Hunchback and Awkward, and who are given the hardest,
some jarls had a stronger penchant
dirtiest and most menial work.
for Viking adventures than others.
Rig continues in his travels, and comes to a hall with its doors closed. Inside he
Townsmen
finds a couple called Bedstefar and Bedstemor (grandfather and grandmother). Nine
months after Rig leaves them, Bedstemor bears a son called Bonde (peasant) – a
Archaeological excavations at
strong, well-favored boy, who loves his work breaking oxen, raising barns, making
Hedeby in northern Germany,Birka
carts, and so on. In time, a bride appears for him, bringing a good dowry. The children
in Sweden and York in northern
of his line have names like Free, Warrior, Smith, Settler and Weaver.
England have yielded evidence of
Rig travels on, and comes to another hall, grander than the last. Here he finds Far
every trade and craft one would
and Mor (father and mother), and nine months after he leaves, Mor bears a son named
expect from a thriving medieval
Jarl. He grows up into a fine youth, hunting, riding and shooting, and Rig meets him,
city. Craftsmen worked in metal,
teaches him runes, and gives him estates to look after. Jarl becomes a great warrior,
wood, bone, and leather; there were
and in his turn fathers a son named Kon (king), among many other children with
shipbuilders, cartwrights, weavers,
names like Noble, Swain and Heir.
dyers, tanners and many other
This story is probably not intended to be taken seriously as an origin-myth (these
crafts. Merchants traded in live-
will be examined in Chapter 5), but it gives a good idea of the shape of Viking socie-
stock, slaves, cloth, foodstuffs, and
ty and the relative status of the three classes.
manufactured goods of every kind.
The life of the Scandinavian towns-
man was a far cry from the image of
In theory, consensus would prevent the law being misused by
the marauding pirate.
would-be tyrants; in practice, lack of consensus often led to
Sailors and Traders problems of enforcement.
Like most other European nations at the time, the Scan-
dinavians did not content themselves with the home market.
Goods of Scandinavian manufacture appear throughout west-
ern and central Europe, and into the Islamic world; the slave
trade has left less distinct remains but documentary sources
show that it was widespread and profitable. Coins from as far
afield as Byzantium and Arabia have been found in treasure-
hoards buried in Sweden and Denmark.
The Thing
S D
OCIAL YNAMICS
Viking law was based upon the Thing (pronounced
“ting”). This was the local assembly of free men, at which all
Norse society functioned on more than one level, and
disputes and legal proceedings were heard. Each district, or
was held together by a number of balances and compromises.
herred, had its own Thing. Denmark was divided into some
The main balancing act was between the supremacy of
200 herreds; Iceland had 13 herreds, split between four
the law and the freedom of the individual – something every
herdingeror provinces. The word herred may be derived from
society must deal with at some time. In Norse society, not
haer, meaning “army,” possibly implying that this adminis-
even the king was above the law,and the law was articulated
trative unit was also used as the basis for conscription.
through a network of assemblies, called Things. These took
The law was based on a mixture of statutes and prece-
place at various levels, from local to national, and the Althing
dents, and it was the duty of the older members of the Thing
of Iceland survives (albeit in a changed form) as the govern-
to remember these and ensure that they were passed on to the
ment of that island to the present day.
next generation in an oral tradition. While a Thing could hear
The idea of democratic assemblies handing down a law
disputes and pass judgment, enforcement was up to the victor
that bound everyone seems at first glance to be completely at
–in a dispute between a strong family and a weaker one, the
odds with the image of the independent freebooter. In fact,
weaker family might find it impossible to enforce a judgment
this was the other side of the balance – there was a real need
in their favor.
for consensus, or laws and judgments simply would not work.
T V W 7
HE IKING ORLD
Viking Proverbs
Before going into a hall, look at all The good of life is in life itself. Misfortune visits the rich, but it
the doorways. You never know where Make sure you enjoy it and leave a visits the poor twice.
you might find an enemy. good name behind you. The best thing When the sausage is too long, the
A man can carry no better load is to be alive and happy. cure is easy.
than too much good sense – and no Acoward thinks he will live for- Everything has an end, except
worse than too much drink. ever if he avoids his enemies, but no sausages, which have two.
Praise not the day until evening man escapes old age, even if he sur- Crumbs are still bread.
has come; praise not a woman until she vives the spears. Ambition and revenge are always
is burnt (i.e., until her funeral); praise Avisitor must leave in time, and hungry.
not a sword until it is tried; praise not a not outstay his welcome; even a friend Poverty does not force one to
maiden until she is married; praise not becomes annoying if he stays too long. steal, nor wealth keep one from it.
ice until it is crossed; praise not beer Never move an inch from your The house of the mocker frequent-
until it is drunk. weapons when out in the fields; you ly burns down.
A man of note should be quiet, never know when you will need your In an agreement, be sure one does-
thoughtful, and brave in battle; every- spear. n’t have the sword and the other the
one should keep happy and cheerful A lame man can ride a horse, a sheath.
until the end. man without hands can still herd When eating cherries with the
Be a friend to your friends. Meet a sheep, and a deaf man can still kill; it is great, one risks getting hit in the nose
gift with a gift, a smile with a smile, better to be blind than burned on a by the pits.
and a lie with a pretense of not notic- funeral-pyre. The dead can do nothing Closer to the king, closer to the
ing. at all. gallows.
A man without a friend is like a Better to be a free bird than a cap- Two can lie until a third hangs.
naked fir tree, without bark or foliage, tive king. The land is ruled by the mouth,
lonely on a barren hill. but the sea is ruled by the hand.
The Landthing
without the consent of the other jarls, and his role in legisla-
tion was mainly to ratify their decisions. Iceland and Green-
The Landthingformed the next administrative layer; each
land did without kings altogether.
region or province held its own Landthing. This assembly
Kinship
made all major decisions, choosing kings, declaring wars and
fixing peace terms, and debating fundamental questions of
The extended family was of enormous importance to the
law. The Landthing also acted as a court of appeal for those
Vikings. Aproverb counts kin alongside gold, cattle and rep-
who were dissatisfied with judgments given in the local
utation as one of the truly valuable things in life.
things. Such appeals were not made lightly, however, for if
A Norseman’s kin were his refuge in times of trouble.
the Landthing found against an appellant he was automatical-
They would side with him in a dispute, care for him if he were
ly banished.
sick or injured, raise his children if he died, avenge him if he
The Althing were murdered, and back him up in all his dealings. Aman
without kin – alone and far from home, or an outcast – was in
In Iceland and Greenland, there was one further assembly a very weak position. Any man might kill him with impunity,
– the Althing, which met for a fortnight each summer. Both for there were no kinsmen to avenge the murder. Because of
these lands were sparsely settled, so the Althing helped keep the loose nature of Viking society and the problems of enforc-
society together in addition to its legal and religious functions. ing legal judgments, the family was a strong – and vital – pro-
Norway, Sweden and Denmark did not have Althings – per- tection for the individual.
haps because it was impractical to arrange a national assem- The relationship between individual and family was two-
bly in this period when representative democracy was edged. As the family supported the individual, so the individ-
unheard of, and perhaps because their kings took on some of ual must support the family, coming to the aid of kinsmen in
the same functions. need and willing to place his life on the line for his family if
The King a feud should erupt. The honor of the family was a higher pri-
ority than the honor of the individual, and many stories fea-
The king of a Scandinavian country was in a very differ- ture conflicts of loyalty where family ties force an individual
ent position from his Western European counterparts. Drawn to turn his back on a friend, betray an ally, or break an oath.
from the jarl class, he was first among equals, ruling by the As difficult as family duties could be, none resented
consent of his peers rather than by divine right. Far from them, for the alternative was a life as an outcast, cut off from
being above the law, he could not even pass laws of his own all support and goodwill. Even after death, ties to family were
8 T V W
HE IKING ORLD