Midgard Burns

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Area Knowledge

Suebi

Semnones (Alemanni), Langobardi, Reudigni, Aviones, Anglii, Varini, Eudoses, Suarini, Nuitones, Hermunduri, Naristi, Marcomanni, Quadi, Marsigni, Buri

General Nature of the Alemanni

I have made some generalizations and taken some liberties to give an idea of the Alemanni people and to set the stage for our game. In short, nothing was ever as clear cut as presented below.

They wanted to keep to themselves. Did not partake in defeating the Roman Empire. Worshipped the old gods while those to the south and west were turning to Christianity. Human and animal sacrifices. Pagan rituals.

Allied with the Huns who were trying to establish a non-Christian empire and to avoid the influence of Christianity (Romans, Franks). They also must have had a deal to exist peacefully under the Huns rule. Largely Romanized, living in Roman-style houses, tools, and fashion. While they are more urbanized in the 5th Century, they are of a semi-nomadic heritage.

Each tribe in the confederation largely ruled itself, with an over-king simply providing military leadership in times of trouble (a system very similar to that used by the Roman republic).

Historically, Gibult will unify the Alemanni in 470 AD. (This may or may not happen in our game.)

Had slaves from conquests. Non-slave men would wear a braid in their hair. Alemanni didn’t call themselves Alemanni. They called themselves Suebi, “one’s own” people. Alemanni was a term used by outsiders as the Alemanni were made up of multiple tribes.

Locations

Strasbourg (Argentoratum) - sacked by Huns in 451; 22,000 population

Suebi Kings

  • High King Godobald (Strasbourg) - Prince Gibuld
  • High King Walrap (Augsbourch)
  • King Artaud (Basel)
  • King Sergius (Mainz)
  • King Oderic (Worms)
  • King Chlotar (Stuttgart)
  • King Evroul (Nuremberg)
  • 20 Petty Kings
  • 100 Lesser Nobles (can raise 50 warriors)

Frankish Kings

King Marevech (deceased) - Defeated Atilla the Hun (and the Alemanni) at the Battle of Catalaunian Plains, Allied w/ Romans

King Childeric I

Roman Rulers & Generals

Emperor Valantinian III

General Flavius Aetius - Defeated Atilla the Hun (and the Alemanni) at the Battle of Orleans, Ally w/ Franks

Introduction

In iron age Germania (451 AD), Suebi Barbarians are one of the last remnants that still worship the Old Gods.

2-3 Metonic Cycles Ago

about 50 years ago

A confederation of German tribes, calling themselves the Suebi (“one’s own” people) in and around the Black Forest are one of the last remnants in Central Europe that still worships the Old Gods. Their cousins the Franks have abandoned the Old Gods in favor of a single “Almighty” God. The two people were, in all respects, the same except in religion. The Suebi worshipped certain trees, the waters of rivers, hills and mountain valleys, in whose honor they sacrifice horses, cattle and countless other animals by beheading them, and imagine that they are performing an act of piety thereby. The Suebi strictly reject the wandering Roman and Frankish missionaries into their territory as they know it will lead to an abandonment of what makes them their own people and a subservience to Rome, the Pope, and a central authority. They destroy and plunder Christian churches wherever they were found.

Atilla and his Huns have pushed the Suebi and many other Germanic tribes from north of the Danube into mostly uncontested Roman territory. The Roman Empire to the south is weakened by constant raids from “barbarian” tribes and recent attacks in the heart of the Empire by the Visigoths and the Vandals. The Suebi accept the dominion of Atilla as they promise the establishment of a non-Christian empire, in addition to accepting their rule as they are an obvious overwhelming force.

3 years ago (451 AD)

Atilla attacks the Franks and other tribes to the West. The Suebi joined the Huns to fight against the Christianized Franks. The Franks are joined by other tribes and Roman General Aetius and his army of Romans who defeat Attila’s army of Huns and other Germanic allies, including the Suebi .

2 years ago (452 AD)

Atilla turns his eyes towards Rome but is convinced not to attack by Pope Leo I.

Last year (453 AD)

Atilla dies and divides his Empire into three to his three sons.

First Quarter Moon, Harvest Festival at Waxing Gibbous (454 AD)

Far away, at the Battle of Nedao, the main Hun army is defeated and with it, Hun dominance over the Germanic tribes, including the Suebi. The Hun armies have retreated from the lands and have not been seen for months. The Suebi are once again in the hands of tribal kings, this time with no over-king to command their armies. A meeting of tribal kings is set to take place in Baden-Baden (Roman name: Aquae Aureliae) to discuss the current affairs of the Confederation and the repercussions of the Hun army’s defeat.

Starting Character Info

Character Points

150 CP + GM Granted abilities, skills, etc. Attribute Cap of 12? Nothing crazy high? (for now).

Suebi Skills (ideas)

You are free to take whatever skills you like, but as a historical (based) game, you should have realistic skills for an Iron Age Germanic Pagan.

Historically, most people led mundane lives with daily routines revolving around the maintenance of crops and livestock. Those skills include:

  • Animal Handling (farm animals)
  • Area Knowledge (a city, not much larger)
  • Farming
  • Fishing
  • Gardening
  • Herb Lore
  • Naturalist
  • Weather Sense
  • ...and more.

On the other hand, nobles were afforded the leisure and opportunity to follow other pursuits. Those skills could also include:

  • Administration
  • Animal Handling (equines, dogs)
  • Area Knowledge (a city, or even larger)
  • Connoisseur
  • Current Affairs (nobility, politics)
  • Diplomacy
  • Games
  • Heraldry
  • History
  • Leadership
  • Merchant
  • Propaganda
  • Religious Ritual
  • Savoir-Faire
  • Strategy
  • Survival
  • Tactics
  • Theology (Paganism)
  • Tracking

Equipment

Typical equipment for an Iron Age Germanic Pagan.

  • $700 (base starting wealth if Status 0)
  • Hatchet, Spear, Axe, Medium Shield, Short Sword, Knife
  • Helmet, Cloak, Leather Armor
  • Bow, Arrows, Javelin
  • Jewelry (used as currency)

Languages

  • Germanic Languages: High German (Alemanni, Lombards), Middle German (Franks), Low German (Saxons, Thuringi, Frisians, Jutes)
  • Old Norse (Danes, Swedes, Gotar, Nords)
  • Gothic Languages: Vandalic Gothic (Vandals), Burgundian Gothic (Burgundians), Goth (Visigoths, Ostrogoths)
  • Latin (Roman, Soissons)
  • Andalusian Arabic (Moors)

Alemanni Names from History

Gilbuld, Chnodomar (Gundmar), Westralp, Urius, Ursiein, Serapion, Susmar, Hortar, Chrocus, Mederich, Agenarich, Ur, Agenarich, Suomar, Gundomad, Ursicin, Makrian, Rando, Hariobaud, Vadomar, Vithicab, Priarius

Frankish Names which were the same race and culture as the Alemanni can be found at: http://tekeli.li/onomastikon/Europe-Medieval/Franks.html

Status

Note: You will probably have to take corresponding Wealth to afford Status.

  • -2 Slaves, Serfs
  • -1 Poor Citizens
  • 0 Freeman, Apprentice, Citizens
  • 1 Merchant, Priest, Doctor, Councilor, Squire
  • 2 Landless Suebi Warrior, Mayor
  • 3 Landed Suebi Knights, Guild Master, Big City Mayor
  • 4 Lesser Nobles (100 lesser nobles)
  • 5 Petty Kings (20 petty kings)
  • 6 Royal Family, Kings (5 kings)
  • 7 High Kings (2 high kings)
  • 8 N/A