The Races of Men

Danes: The Danes are a loose confederation of tribes ruling over many of the islands in the Baltic Sea, as well as the peninsula of Jutland (modern Denmark) and the Kingdom of Skane. They are a sea-faring folk, struggling with Franks and their Frisian allies for control of the Baltic and the lucrative river route to the City of Byzantium (or Miklagaard as the Danes call it). Danish heroes are celebrated in many poems recited in the eastern kingdoms of the Saxons, particularly East Anglia and Northumbria.

Eriuish: The men of Eriu are the last remaining people of pure Celtic heritage. They speak a form of the Celtic language called Goidelic, rather than the Brythonic spoken in the Cymbrian kingdoms. The Eriuish have descendants throughout the Cymbrian kingdoms, especially in Gwynedd and Dyfed. In the north of Britain, the Skotti are descendants of the Eriuish, as are the men of the Kingdom of Dalriada. Supposedly the entire island of Eriu is governed by an overking from a fortress at Tara, the Mound of Kings. Famous saints include St. Patrick and St. Columba.

Franks: The Frankish kingdoms are founded on the ruins of what was once the Imperial province of Gaul. These kingdoms are traditionally centered on the important cities of Rheims, Orléans, Paris and Soissons, but the most important regional divisions are between Neustria (in the west), Burgundy (in the south central region), and Austrasia (in the east). The Franks are named for the throwing axe they typically use before entering battle (the francisca). They are a strange and violent people. A Frank will murder his cousin or even brother over a plot of land, but at the same time tirelessly pursue vengeance against a stranger who has harmed that cousin or brother.

Frisians: The Frisians are a coastal people whose cities are to be found north of the Franks near the area of modern Holland. They are an ancient sea-faring people who have traditionally controlled the Baltic shipping lanes and the North Sea. Although these people hold their pagan traditions dearly, they are the allies of the Franks, and closely related to them.

Geats: Hygelac and Beowulf are the most famous heroes of this Scandinavian people, allies of the Danes. Their homeland is on the southern tip of the Scandinavian peninsula, where the Danes support them as a buffer against the Swedes in the east. Proud and warlike pagans, they can often be found on Danish and Frisian ships serving as mercenaries.

Jutes: Formerly the strongest tribe on the peninsula of Jutland (modern Denmark), the identity of the Jutes has been lost through attrition and absorption by other people. Their famous leaders Hengist and Horsa were among the early leaders of the Saxon confederation in Britain. Their descendants remain in the Kingdom of Kent and the Isle of Wight (now controlled by the Kingdom of Wessex).

Picti: Perhaps the remnants of a pre-Celtic race in Britain, the Picts were named by the Romans for their woad body paint. They are a small, dark people, living now in the far north of Britain.
Skotti: Descendants of Eriuish raiders in north Britain, the Skotti have spread across many kingdoms of the Old North. There they struggle with the Picts for control of the rugged, windswept highlands.