Berk

Mist covers a collection of small islands surrounding a larger island. The light of the new dawn begins to break the cloud-like cloak. The islands have homes of wood and stone with many carvings in them. Some pillars of ice rise from the harsh looking island.

"This is Berk. It's twelve days north of hopeless and a few degrees south of freezing to death. Located solidly on the meridian of misery. Our people have lived here for seven generations going into the eighth."

The settlement rises with the jutting island. Crops and herds of sheep are on low and wide grassy tiers. A massive dock stretches out at the bottom of the jutting island, the length of which has homes and shops. The sounds of people begin to rise with the sun. Many are massive with horned helmets and carry many large and brutal weapons.

"It's been a wild ride really. Over the past few years we ended serval feuds through diplomacy and a bit of force every now and then. Drago Bludfist invaded, but we pushed his army back and the guy drowned in the waters here. 'How have we done this' you may be asking. Well where some people have pikemen, archers, or mages…we have dragons."

Several roars echo as dragons soar over the city. On their backs ride armored warriors. Their leader is atop an extremely fast black dragon with a red prostatic tailfin and leads them to the largest building on the landmass. The man dismounts with dark brown hair, green eyes, and wears black scale-like armor. His prostatic leg tings on the stone of the great hall as he and his fellow riders are greeted by those within. He returns the greetings before going to a more secluded table with his companions around him looking at the map of the far north.

"But even with this prosperity we've got problems. Drago's army may have been broken but they still have strongholds within the archipelago. They harass us and hunt our dragons. Their raids of our ships make our people grow hungry, and they seem to have a backer from the south."

The man takes a sack they took from a counter attack and looks at the papers within. The words are different from what they are used to but the man is as much a scholar as a fighter.

"Weaseltown? What kind of name is Weaseltown?" one warrior barks. Some laugh along, but many are grim.

Even more so when the man slams a knife into the map at the point written as Wesselton. His eyes become hard and the black dragon snarls.

*Cut to black*

A large port town begins the process of closing for the day. Lights from candles and oil lamps glow as the sun's light wains. Ships in the harbor pull into port. Some more barbaric looking traders bring crates of dragon hide and bones before a small bald man with a mustache. He greedily wrings his hands while his guards smirk. He nods and a large chest of gold is offered.

"The southern kingdoms have seen us as barbarians. People of myth to scare children to be good. They have no idea who we are or what we are capable of."

The horses in the local stables begin to bray and stamp in fear. The stable master tries to calm the animals but they won't have it. The commotion stirs an old guard in a lookout point near the docks. His eyes peer through the last light to see a mass of ships on the horizon. Ships with dragons on their sails. In a panic, he rings the warning bell and the town in garrison rushes to the docks.

On the bow of one ship a blond-haired warrior, wielding a large axe, signals with a torch in her left hand.

"Now!" she yells as the catapults on the ships lob their payload.

They smash into ships, buildings, and men; setting them ablaze. The town guard scrambles to form up a defense but the ships land and their warriors are charging their lines. The poor defenders are swept aside by large axes and blades wielded by their massive attackers. Crossbows down some of them, but they form a sturdy shieldwall. A loud, high pitched roar sounds in the twilight.

"Nightfury!" cries one of the traders in pure terror.

Suddenly a shot of plasma destroys one of the towers sending it crashing to the ground. The flapping of wings ushers the arrival of dragon riders. The rider cut down men while their dragons breath fire. The firelight making the battle more demonic looking.

"I was merciful once to people like Drago. It cost me my father. The south has become soft if they think it's okay to anger a tribe of Vikings. Especially if they are working with our enemies."

The mustachioed man has his guards carry the crates and they flee to leave the town. However, they are stopped by the black dragon and his rider, now wielding a burning sword. The guards drop the crates and attack, but are cut down by his merciless skill. One tries to flee yet the dragon pounces him. The man tries to grab a crate but is smacked aside. Seeing the contents of the crate he grabs the little man by the ankle, kicking and screaming into the heart of the last fighting.

*Cut to black*

The rider plants the man on a rock. He sees the blond warrior woman.

"Astrid, care to do the honors?" he asks.

The woman turns from helping the non-combatants from the town clean up. She grins at the quivering man. Said non-combatants throw insults and curses at the man. They had been informed this attack was his fault, him and the nobles.

"With pleasure," she sneers.

"We aren't monsters though. I wouldn't bring our rage onto the people only their leaders."

She raises the axe above the man's neck. Everyone is looking, not daring to turn away from the man's final moments.

"I am Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III. Chieftain of the Vikings of Berk. Attacking my people is an occupational hazard."

The rider gives her a grim nod and she swings.

Overview-From the far north the isles that make up Berk have cultivated a fierce and hardy people. During the age of Vikings, Berk had raiders go south for plunder along with other Viking people, however because of their war with the dragons that populate the archipelago they've been cut off from most of the goings on in the rest of the world outside of some few and brave traders. With their taming of the region's dragons the Vikings of Berk have become avid explorers that maintain their brutal warrior culture making them an imposing force to be reckoned with on their own. Their access to dragon resources lets them have access to unique armor and weapons. Their past, and present needs, have them being excellent raiders, taking more than other factions who raid but are kind enough not to leave people to starve. They are immune to navel attrition/seasickness. They have superior heavy infantry, axmen, ships, and siege weapons, many units have the fear trait to demoralize enemies. They have access to berserkers, nightmare fuel launchers, fire wizards, dragon riders and epic dragons (can only recruit three of them at a time). Lacking in light infantry, spear units, cavalry, and some ranged units.

Faction leader-Chieftain Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III

Faction hero-Hiccup has always been an unusual Viking. Smaller than most, lanky, and intelligent were not the sort of things his people valued. That was until he found the secret to understanding dragons, including his friend Toothless. Since then he has brought the knowledge of dragon taming to many in the archipelago and made the people of Berk strong. Forced to take over as chief of Berk after Drago killed his father, he has made to advance the relationship between dragons and Vikings while also advancing the technology of Berk itself. His passive ability of alpha gives a bonus in defense and armor to all units, especially dragons. He has Nadder gas fire bombs that can be thrown into enemy ranks. Riding on Toothless causes terror and allows for a precision plasma shot. Hiccup can either be married to Astrid or unmarried to be open to diplomatic marriage with another faction.

Fire magic-Among the many branches of magic, fire is the most recognizable with many aspiring mages and wizards being synonymous with fireballs. For the people of the far north fire is the difference between life and death. While fire is destructive, the northmen also see it as a shield against the biting cold. Fire magic can be used for offensive (single or multi-target), barrier, augmentation of weapon, and behavior spells.

Unit Spotlight: Dragon Riders-Mankind has always dreamed of flying and these warriors are of the rare few who understand what it means to leave solid ground. A top their powerful reptilian companions they can explore farther and faster than any ship, and provide an aerial advantage that most other civilizations do not possess. However, to be a dragon rider is more than simply having a dragon itself. Both rider and dragon must work as one and train as one. It is this emphasis on the bond between them that makes these riders a potent force to be reckoned with. Their presence on the battlefield can easily turn the tide of battle and incur terror amongst enemies. Species of dragons also influence the battle as while many breath fire, some breath lightning or sonic booms for different situations in a fight.

Unit Spotlight: Epic Dragons-Even during the times of the dragon hunts by Berk, there were some dragons that maintained a flee/hide on sight. Most of these dragons were the extremely old and extremely large breeds that could sometimes hold sway over other smaller dragons. Now that the hunts have ended, some dragon tamers have taken on the challenge to tame the so call epic dragons for prestige and honor. The few epic dragons of Berk are truly a sight to behold and even more so when unleashed onto their opponents. Their wings cast a long foreboding shadow and their breath can eliminate entire regiments of enemy soldiers. Some armies will gladly retreat from battle at the mere sight of such a monster from their sheer primal presence, like that of an angry god.