The Tundlaheim Saga
23 april
Pirate types
The Daughters and Sons of Tundlaheim are those who trace their lineage through blood to the group of people who were among the first to settle Nivaris (Tundlaheim). They are deeply religious and followed their faith across the sea of Ödesvattnir, where they discovered the Pearl Islands.
They lived on these islands until over 140 years ago, when the islands fell to the Draconic fleet, supported by the Lôr in the west. Today, the remnants of this once-mighty lineage remain just as devout and mostly keep to themselves, especially concerning their faith.
Of the once-proud cities of the Children of Tundlaheim, only Tronskilde—a small outpost maintained on the island of Kovbard—remains. Together with a few smaller and less distinguished free ports around the world, Tronskilde represents the last vestige of this mysterious people's way of life. It is from here that the true Children of Tundlaheim sail today. Each captain is the monarch of their ship, but governance on Kovbard follows a traditional model, where every captain anchored in the city has a vote in the ruling body, the 'Hall of Captains.'
The Children of Tundlaheim now view freedom and the fight against the kingdoms as their birthright. They often speak of the dream of reclaiming Tundlaheim, where "self-reliance" prevailed, and the land once again provided for those who worked it. They sail with great determination, navigating weather and winds like no others. With salt in their blood, hardened minds, and unyielding pride, those who call themselves the "Daughters and Sons of Tundlaheim" stand firm aboard ships where the strong lead with an iron hand.
Daughters and sons
of Tundlaheim
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Roamers
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When the Children of Tundlaheim returned to the continent and joined the Anchors of Freedom in their fight against the kingdoms, it marked the beginning of the golden age of piracy. During this era, the seas became untamed territories where pirates could plunder almost unchallenged, as the naval forces of the kingdoms were too limited to control the growing problem. This freedom attracted others to serve under the black flag—individuals who were greedy, ruthless, dishonest, or simply desperate. Their lack of integrity and ideals quickly put them at odds with both the Anchors of Freedom and the Children of Tundlaheim, who struggled to trust their new allies. They were given the name "Roamers" as a constant reminder that they did not truly belong to the seas.
Today, the presence of Roamers on the seas is largely accepted, and they are welcomed in most free ports. However, a quiet mistrust still lingers between the Roamers and other pirates, who harbor lingering prejudices, accusing them of cowardice and treachery until proven otherwise. The motivations for a Roamer's life of piracy vary—often driven by a lack of ideals or income, though occasionally more noble reasons emerge, such as rebellion against the harsh yoke of life under oppressive rule.
A Roamer is, therefore, someone who has chosen to abandon life in one of the kingdoms to join a pirate crew.
A brief history of piracy in Tundlaheim
The first to earn the title of pirates were the Anchors of Freedom, originating from and based in the fishing nation of Damméro in the east. After a long period of war and tyranny, the order of the Anchors of Freedom gained strong traction when news of the Högvallen massacre spread across the continent. It was the year 762, and although fishermen along the coast had engaged in piracy as rebellion for decades, it was this singular event—when thirteen thousand freedom fighters were murdered and desecrated—that united the ten most notorious Damméro pirates under a shared code, officially founding the order of the Anchors of Freedom.
However, it would take time before pirates became a force to be reckoned with. Although the relatively small number of Anchors of Freedom thrived on their trade and inspired many legends in taverns as far away as Drachmér, they were only a minor annoyance to the great powers. In Damméro itself, the Anchors were not hunted at all; instead, they were allowed to roam the three jarldoms, spending their stolen coins freely.
It wasn’t until two centuries later, in 879, that piracy’s true stronghold emerged. This was when the forgotten people, the Children of Tundlaheim, returned from beyond the Veil to reunite with their former homeland and its inhabitants. They discovered, however, that the kingdoms were inhospitable and found kinship only with the pirates. Thus, the Children of Tundlaheim quickly became scourges and allies in the ongoing fight for justice that the Anchors of Freedom had waged for over 200 years. The Children brought with them advanced knowledge of ships and sailing, unknown on the continent, and with their mighty vessels, the Pearl Frigates, and access to the secluded Pearl Islands, they soon spread a new kind of fear across the seas.
The navies of the kingdoms were pushed back from their dominance over the waves, and pirates freely took what they desired, secure in their power. Soon, piracy became an appealing career for many across the continent—individuals who perhaps lacked the righteousness of the Anchors of Freedom but possessed even greater greed and brutality. The Children of Tundlaheim and the Anchors of Freedom named these untrustworthy brothers and sisters "Roamers."
For over 300 years, life flowed like this. The kingdoms grew in power, developing increasingly sophisticated artillery, heavy ships, and even heavier cannons, yet they could never truly dominate the seas. The pirates, numerous and fortified by the hidden refuge of the Pearl Islands, remained unconquered. However, it was through a grave betrayal—later revealed to have originated within the Children of Tundlaheim themselves, in the form of Ismunder the Cunning and Ylvrunn Throllsätt—that the golden age of piracy began to fade.
The secret of the Pearl Islands was sold to the Dragon of the West, and the largest fleet ever assembled, composed of ships from Mandrak and Hinside-Lôr, set sail to claim the cherished homeland of the Children of Tundlaheim. A desperate struggle ensued, as all the mighty ships of the Children returned home to defend their islands. These numerous and powerful vessels, imbued with all the wonders and mysterious powers attributed to the Children, were ultimately not enough. After a bloody war, the power of the Children was broken, and Mandrak claimed dominion over the mystical and valuable islands.
The 140 years that followed saw pirate strongholds uprooted faster than they could be established, as the navies of the kingdoms became increasingly relentless in their pursuit of piratekind. Today, Tundlaheim is a harsh place for those who call themselves pirates—a world where only the cunning and cautious survive for long. Yet hope still lingers for a new era of piracy, an age when the mighty Pearl Frigates will once again sail the seas and the decaying order of the Anchors of Freedom will shine once more with righteous pride.
- Interested in the history of piracy? Read more in Pirate Captain Blåtand’s summary of the origins of piracy here!
The Tundlaheim Saga places a strong emphasis on pirates, their way of life, and the relentless struggle that defines existence under the black flag. Here, you can explore the three core concepts of Tundlaheim's pirates, as well as a summary of the history behind how piracy became such a prominent force in the world where our events take place.
Innehåll:
- Anchors of Freedom
- Daughters and sons of Tundlaheim
- Roamers
- Tundlaheims brief pirate history
Anchors of Freedom
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In the eastern fishing nation of Damméro, the first pirate movement arose in the year 762 as a response to the horrific genocide carried out by Mandrak to quell the uprisings in Bjärke. These pirates were notorious freedom fighters, determined to save humanity from the tyranny of the kingdoms. It was said that the members of these crews were anchored in the idea of freedom, that they carried a "freedom's anchor"—thus becoming known as the Anchors of Freedom.
And so, the Order of Anchors of Freedom was born, evolving into a powerful and organized pirate force throughout the golden age of piracy. Over 140 years ago, when Mandrak seized the Pearl Islands and the pirate dominion fell, the Anchors of Freedom fragmented and today operate as nearly independent ships, much like other pirates. The remnants of the organized Anchors of Freedom movement are now known as the “United Confederation of Inner Collectives of Pirates,” or simply “The Confederation.” In 1399, efforts were made to remold the decayed movement using an old framework, and a few crews now work feverishly to rediscover the lost codex and restore some of the Order’s former glory.
To this day, many of the ideals live on among the Meéran pirates, including the dream of liberalizing the existing societal structures. A thirst for revenge also marks these sailors more than others; their crews are often driven by personal vendettas against the ruling powers and a deep hatred of slavery. At the same time, they are typically connected to wealthy families within society, meaning few wish to entirely dismantle the existing order. On a true Anchor of Freedom ship, direct democracy reigns, and captains are always elected or deposed by vote.