Northmen (WAR Lore)  

Northmen are hardy, but savage, folk that live in the northern parts of the world. They are human, but often only barely, their society a barbaric and nomadic one, and their culture primitively primitive.

Being what they are, the Northmen are often drawn to the Chaos Gods -- particularly Khorne. But all of the chaos gods count a number of supporters among these folk. When hosts of Northmen march with the armies of Chaos, they are known as Marauders.

Northmen who feel the pull of Chaos more strongly than others may become Chaos Warriors, Chosen, Magi, Zealots or even attain the revered position of Everchosen.

Northmen Tribes

The various tribes of Northmen can be divided into three races, each consisting of numerous individual tribes, and each tribe consisting of many individual groups. Each race is visually and culturally distinct from it's neighbours. A tribe that is the same race as another is more likely to have friendly relations with it, though this is by no means guaranteed as all northmen tribes are barbaric and warlike.

Hung

The Hung are an oriental race, shorter and squatter than the people of Cathay but otherwise resembling them. The Hung inhabit the Chaos Wastes to the north of Cathay and Naggaroth in the New World. The Hung are horsemen par excellence, and they breed tough, small horses on their cold mountain slopes which would survive where larger southern warhorses would starve. They ride these into battle when they attack the more civilized (if such can be said in the case of the Dark Elves) lands to the south. The Hung are modeled in many ways on the Mongol tribes of the Middle Ages.

Tribes that make up the Hung include:

• Dreaded Wo
• Chi-An
• Kuj
• Man-Chu
• Mung
• Tong
• Tu-Ka
• Wei-Tu

Kurgan

The Kurgan are a black-haired, olive skinned people who inhabit the Chaos Wastes north of the Dark Lands and the Eastern Steppes, and also to the north of Norsca. Kurgan are the most numerous race of northmen, and are highly nomadic being equally capable fighters and travellers on horseback and on foot. Despite this they are less often seen in the Old World (both in peacetime and when invading) than the Norse as they are much further North. The Kurgan are modelled on the Huns, the people of Central Asia and the people of Northern Asia.

Tribes that make up the Kurgan include:

• Aghols
• Avags
• Dolgans
• Gharbars
• Khazags
• Kul
• Tahmaks
• Tokmars
• Yusak

Norse

The Norse are a fierce race who inhabit Norsca to the north of the Old World. The Norse are a tall powerfully built race who clad themselves in furs and sail the Oceans of the world in dark longships, raiding and pillaging in the name of the Chaos Gods and for their own wealth. They are the most likely Chaos Warriors to be found attacking the Empire due to their close proximity to it. Because of their explorations, including a Norse colony in the New World called Skeggi, the Norse are the most "civilised" by far of the northmen and are the most likely to be seen trading with southerners in peacetime. It should be noted that the further north in Norsca one travels, the more Barbaric the Norse become, and they should never be considered trustworthy or merciful by any standards. The Norse are modelled on the ancient people of Scandinavia - specifically the Vikings.

Tribes who make up the Norse include:

• Aeslings
• Baersoglings
• Bjoenlings
• Gfaelings
• Kvelligs
• Hastlings
• Sarls
• Scaelings
• Vargs