_pr0fit

Vykk hopes for continued peace between the Vannites and the Skanarri, the old man whispers a prayer to the All-Father, beseeching the great paragon Eirik. The old man tosses a smooth wood carved totem into the fire "May our Kin-Tribe continue to be friends and not enemies."

_pr0fit Vykk #936

A rigid construct slowly ambulates about, focusing and unfocusing its ocular modules before finally resting on a comfortable setting for reading "What- goes on in nnnnnnnnnnooooorland." the vocalizer module pours out, the construct not quite used to its own voice quite yet.

"A Tragedy." Vykk shakes his head, a wave of anguish washes over him "The Father will have his hands full with her." he lofts a sorrowful chuckle, pouring himself what was left of his Ashwood spirit. Grigori says nothing, he stands in the corner, completely motionless, to all outward appearances, he would be dead. He sat there silently, waiting....

"I do not Think I could sum up a more accurate example of my point exactly, so thank you stranger, you have proved me correct in my assumptions."

♫♫♫ I know what you want the truth to be. You want the world to believe that the brave men, women, and constructs who left did so out of petty anger—that they were upset Vali did not become king, or that they were jealous of the Norns, who scramble over each other like dogs begging for scraps of victimhood, desperate to make this exodus about themselves. But the truth is, it doesn’t matter. I have no energy to throw accusations at you, nor do I imagine you have the time to respond to petty missives like volleys of arrows across a field already abandoned. What has broken will not be mended. What has fractured cannot be put back together. This parting was inevitable. If it had not been the Moot, it would have been some other catalyst. It was not a sudden betrayal, nor a moment’s rage, but the slow unraveling of a thread worn too thin. I have come to accept that Norland is not what I wanted it to be—just as I have come to accept that it is not mine to deem worthy or unworthy. It is simply no longer my home. I know that the events of the moot shook you. That this exodus has weighed on you, just as it has weighed on those who chose to leave. It is a wound that will not heal easily, I hope you can understand why we responded the way we did, and I do not blame you for lashing out in response. I only hope that, in time, you will come to understand why we made this choice. Every man, woman, and child of Norland was born free. It is what sets us apart from the Southlanders. To condemn those who chose to walk a different path is to deny the very spirit of Norland itself. You may not agree with their choice, but it was theirs to make. Accept whatever truth you must to make Norland what you want it to be, I relinquish it, it is yours to watch over now. I say these things not to reignite old wounds, but so you understand that this is not anger speaking. This is not hatred. This is the simple truth. And so, for what it is worth, I offer you absolution of guilt—or at the very least, my own forgiveness. Vykk Volaren

"Escape, like a child fleeing a cruel father," Vykk murmurs, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Enjoy your freedom, and may our paths cross again upon the open road." With a final glance at the letter, he releases it to the wind, watching as the parchment flutters and twists in the icy gusts before vanishing into the white expanse. He does not reach for it, nor does he look back. Instead, he pulls his scarf higher against the biting cold and marches forward, leaving only footprints behind.

"The Gylldenes are a powerful clan. I am sure they will be missed, and their loss felt strongly." Vykk exhales a heavy sigh, his breath curling into the frigid air. Feelings of guilt and absolution wash over him as he trudges through the snow, his feet sinking deep with every footfall.

Vykk's eyes trace the words of the open letter, each line carving another wound into an already aching heart. A dull, stabbing sorrow courses through him, but he steels himself, forcing the pain into the depths of his resolve. He had made his choice. The right choice. And with every kinsman who followed, a grim sense of vindication took root. "I mourn what we leave behind," he murmurs, voice heavy with the weight of loss. "But the All-Father knows—what is right is never what is easy." With a slow breath, he pulls his coat tighter, his scarf drawn high over his face. His gaze hardens against the cold, against the past. "We've lost our home before. But Norland never dies..."

For six centuries, I have stood as a servant of Norland. I have fought for it, bled for it, watched over it through times of war, peace, triumph, and hardship. But never—never—have I felt such disappointment in this once-proud nation. I do not recognize what stands where Norland once was. No king sits upon the Ashwood Throne. No Ruric has ruled in eighty years. The bloodline of Thoromir, the very heart of Norland, has been severed from the crown, and with it, our nation has lost its soul. The great line of Ruric, the line of kings and warriors, has been reduced to mere subjects, addressed as "lords" by those who should serve the Faith, not rule it. The High Keeper—the guardian of our Faith, the steward of our people’s spirit—has failed this nation. Whether through greed, ineptitude, or cowardice, the Faith has become a tool for politics rather than a guiding light. Once, the Hearth burned bright, unshaken by the schemes of men. Now, it is dimmed by manipulation, twisted to serve the ambitions of those who see power as their true god. I have watched as the High Keeper allowed dark sorcery to fester within our lands, its corrupting influence creeping through the cracks of our weakened kingdom. Our ancestors fought and died to keep such vile magic from our home, yet now, it is tolerated—if not embraced—by those who should stand against it. And while I have no quarrel with the Solgaardians, I have seen the High Keeper bend too far to their whims, prioritizing their favor over the well-being of Norland’s own people. The duty of the Faith is to protect Norland and its sons and daughters, not to appease those who would see our traditions diluted for the sake of political convenience. The Norland I built is gone. Its history is being erased, rewritten for the benefit of rulers who see truth as an inconvenience. Its culture is being twisted, molded to serve ambition rather than honor. Even the Faith itself has been warped, its sacred teachings altered to fit the shifting tides of politics. I am tired. Tired of watching everything I fought for be twisted beyond recognition. Tired of watching Norland be reshaped into something lesser, something unworthy of its name. The land may still be called Norland, but what now dwells upon it is a mere shadow of what once was. And so, I leave. Not in defeat, but in mourning. The Norland I loved is no more. Perhaps, in time, a new generation will rise to restore what has been lost. But until then, I will watch no longer. Vykk Volaren Founder of Norland

"300 mina!" Vykk exclaims "A mighty prize!"

"The time of Freysson will once again be upon us!" Vykk says triumphantly

A Thesis on the Analysis of the Paragons of the Red Faith and their Influence on the Evolution of Norland The paragons of the Red Faith serve as guiding figures in Norland, embodying the ideals and virtues that have shaped the nation's identity across generations. As symbols of leadership, culture, warfare, and faith, their selection reflects the shifting priorities and challenges faced by the Norlandic people. From the foundational paragons who laid the groundwork for the nation’s survival to the modern paragons, each era introduces new figures that highlight Norland’s growth from a fledgling society to a thriving civilization. Analyzing the progression of these paragons provides valuable insight into Norland's cultural development, revealing how its values have adapted to meet the demands of changing times while remaining rooted in tradition and faith. The first paragons reflect Norland’s formative years, when survival, governance, and unity were paramount. The focus during this era was on leadership and structure to form the nation, as seen in paragons such as: Thoromir, Edvard, Eirik, and Vykk. This era highlights Norland’s initial struggle for survival and identity, focusing on leadership, loyalty, and unity. It suggests a people focused on building a strong, self-sufficient nation. These early paragons show that Norland initially valued pragmatic and martial virtues to establish itself as a sovereign entity. This period is characterized by a blend of ambition and structure, seeking to balance internal unity with external assertion. As Norland expanded, new paragons reflected the need to defend and solidify its presence, both militarily and culturally. This era saw an increasing focus on protection, knowledge, and celebration of Norlandic heritage. Paragons such as Myro, Bjorn, Sven, and later Donovan marked this Era as one transitioning from survival to consolidation, valuing both martial might and cultural expression. It suggests Norland had become confident enough to celebrate its identity rather than solely fight for its existence. The presence of cultural paragons like Sven and Myro indicates that Norland began to see itself as more than a warrior nation—it had stories to tell, traditions to uphold, and a unique identity to nurture. Additionally, Arthas and Tyr were added, this transition to a stronger spiritual foundation suggests Norland moved beyond mere survival and expansion; it now sought meaning and deeper cultural identity through religious fervor and expansion, as well as ideological unity. The most recent additions to the paragon roster reflect a matured, complex society that values law, trade, family, and innovation. This era marks Norland’s transition into a structured, interconnected world. Edward and Alisa were paragons that portrayed value in structured law and order, while Caedric was A sign of progressive attitudes, balancing tradition with necessary change, and fostering national pride in new ways. And Finally Olaf, marking A recognition of economic expansion and the importance of trade in the sustained growth of Norland and influence of the Red Faith across the world. The emphasis on justice, reform, and trade suggests Norland is evolving into a balanced society that respects tradition while embracing economic and social development. The inclusion of paragons like Olaf signals a shift toward viewing wealth and commerce as vital parts of national identity, signaling a nation ready for long-term sustainability. The evolution of Norland’s paragons mirrors the growth of the nation itself—from a fledgling society built on survival and strength to a mature civilization with rich cultural, spiritual, and economic dimensions. Each era's paragons demonstrate an evolving understanding of what it means to be Norlandic, balancing tradition with progress and spirituality with pragmatism.

To start a war then cry foul is the most desperate and cowardly of acts, like a schoolyard bully who cries to teacher when his victim punches back." Vykk shakes his head "And not to add salt on a wounded animal, but they use the same old act of 'the pagans are coming for you next, they want to kill our god!' well, I suppose when one has nothing smart to say, return to the classics, no matter how tired and see-through they are."

It shows