VARIOUS TOPICS BURIAL Burial in Torvaldsland has ceremony. One of two ways of burial was found in Marauders of Gor: burning on a ship and entombed with offerings. CALENDAR Due to the vast importance of the Stream of Torvald, the Torvaldsland calendar numbers its years from the time of this gift from Thor. The Spring Equinox is used as their New Year, like most Gorean cities. The Rune Priests are the ones who keep the calendars. As the events of Marauders of Gor begin, it is the year 1006. This year would equate to the normal Ar reckoning of 10,122 C.A. COINAGE AND TRADING The only mint within one thousand pasangs of Torvaldsland is in the city of Lydius. Thus, some jarls coin their own money. They stamp small rectangles of iron or gold with their seal. Ring money is also used but it is not stamped by a jarl. Many transactions in this area are done with pieces of gold or silver, broken off from any item. They do not care about the artistic beauty of such items. To them, they care only for its monetary value based on the type of metal of an item. Trading is done with the southlands to obtain certain items as well. Salt is an important trade commodity. It is often obtained from seawater and the burning of seaweed. Raiding is their primary means though of acquiring wealth, traveling up and down the coast in their serpent ships. COMMUNICATION Signal horns are often used for communication during times of peace and war. They are commonly curved, bronzed horns and there are about basic forty messages used. These messages include such matters as "attack," "heave to," "regroup," and "communication desired." Shields may also be used for signaling though their use is much more limited. Two common ones are a red shield denoting war and a white one denoting peace. KURII One threat north of Torvaldsland are the Kurii. In Torvaldsland, the term "kurii" means "beasts." Most of the kurii that live in the north are the degenerate remnants of the kurii, those who have gone native. They are not a part any longer of the Steel Worlds. Many of these Kurii are white furred. They seldom hunt too far south into Torvaldsland. The men of Torvaldsland respect and are cautious of their power and ferocity. Thus, they usually try to warn them off instead of kill them. They often try to send the kurii toward an enemy's lands. LEADERSHIP A jarl is a leader in Torvaldsland, often of an area or group of warriors. It is a similar position to that of Ubar. Svein Blue Tooth is the High Jarl of Torvaldsland, the region's highest ruler. Svein is a large man, blond haired and blue eyed. His hair descends to his shoulders and he also is bearded. He has a knife scar under his left eye. Like a Ubar, he wears a long cloak of purple- dyed sea sleen fur. His companion was once Bera but near the end of the events of Marauders of Gor, he chooses to enslave her. Jarl is also the title by which all free men of Torvaldsland are addressed by slaves. In that way, it is akin to the term "master." SKALD Those who tell the tales of Torvaldsland are known as skalds. A skald is a combination singer, poet and bard. They are highly respected and talented men. During the fest-season of Odin, a primary holiday, a good skald is difficult to find due to their popularity. The people must bid for them and the bidding gets quite high. Sometimes though, a skald may be kidnapped for the holidays. He will be released once the fest-season is over and will be compensated with great wealth for his efforts. Entertainment is important in Torvaldsland and takes several other forms as well. |