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Hyperborean Realm ca. 1500

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After a couple years of slow going, I've finally completed another map. Most of my more recent endeavors have been too ambitious and although I have the ability to make a 12,000x12,000 pixel map, I simply don't have the time or patience. I applaud those of you who do.

This is my take on Vinland, or the Norse colonization of North America around 1000 AD. Point of divergence was the initial interact between Thorvaldson, Leif Erikson's younger brother, and a group of Beothuk Indians on the northern shores of Newfoundland. Instead of attacking them, Thorvaldson initiates trade with them and sets an important precedence for future Norse settlers. Likewise, Thorfin's 250 settlers don't come into conflict with the natives of the St. Lawrence River and they permanently settle around modern day Quebec City. Words spreads to Iceland and Norway that a New World has been discovered and Norse settlers begin trickling through. Between 1000AD and 1400 AD, close to 150,000 settlers made the journey across the north Atlantic, making pit stops in Iceland and Greenland.

Around 1350 AD, the Little Ice Age and migrating Inuit tribes forced the Norse out of Greenland, with about 5,500 of them settling in Vinland. By 1400, the traditional route around Iceland and Greenland has become to hazardous with ice to traverse and Europe is decimated by plagues for over a century. For about a century, the Norse of Vinland develop on their own, independently of Europe. 

When they were "discovered" by an Italian explorer, hired by the English, in 1497, the Hyperborean Realm was a thriving empire of trade networks and alliances.

Random details:
- From Hyperborea to Europe flows a steady supply of furs, walrus ivory, whale oil, timber, corn, wheat, tobacco, raw minerals, and slaves, captured by their allies.
- There are four primary political bodies that govern separate regions of the Realm: Vinland, New Norway, Eldingland (a native confederacy), and Saerland (a native confederacy to the west).
- For the most part, the Norse ally with Algonquian-speaking peoples and make war against Iroquois and Sioux speaking peoples.
The greatest enemy of the Realm is the aggressive Kwedechic Empire to the south, similar to our Iroquois League.
- The Realm is predominantly Catholic, with some aspects pagan aspects from Scandinavia and Native Americans having been incorporated over the centuries. Most of the natives within the Realm converted long ago to ease the flow of trade goods.

If I remember anything else, I'll make sure to add it here later. It's like 3 AM right now. I just really wanted to finish this. 
Image size
7222x6225px 5.05 MB
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Comments55
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Aleksandr-2's avatar
This is a great Scenario!