Dev Blog & Trailer: Introducing the Nords
Greetings Warriors of Calradia!
In this War Sails developer blog, we’re turning our prow toward the untamed North to introduce the Nords. We will trace their backstory, culture, and highlight what defines the kingdom — covering architecture, equipment, troops, and more. Stick until the end to get a glimpse at the pirates that will prey on Calradia’s waters. As always, please note that some details may still change as we get closer to the release.
Join us in watching the new trailer showcasing the Nords!
The Nords
In Calradia’s far-northern reaches, long before a single crown united the Nordvyg, each settled fjord kept to its own — relying on the sea for survival. The local chieftains had their longships sail south bearing walrus ivory, whale oil, and fish to sell – then return to the fjords laden with plunder and captives.
Until recently, southerners could take comfort that the half-dozen so-called "kings" of the Nordvyg each controlled little more than a shrine or slave market surrounded by a wooden palisade. A generation ago, however, Volbjorn the Hungry returned from a decade in the empire's Vaegar Guard with great riches. He used this wealth to bend the northland to his will, forcing its chieftains through blood and bribery to pledge themselves as his jarls.
Today, his son rules, and though the bonds holding this new realm together are weak, they may be strengthened by turning their vassals' attentions to conquest. Volbjorn’s son, Halthdar the Golden of clan Throsniring, now rules from Thronderlag. He is a seasoned warrior who would otherwise be beloved by all who followed him into battle and feasted alongside him, but he is a king in a land still unhappy to be a kingdom. Many blame him for his father’s sins and would gladly return to the old days when they answered to no one.
Halthdar “the Golden” Throsniring In-Engine Cinematic
Nord Homelands
On the map, Nord lands run from the Jumne River in the east across Nordvyg to the isle of Beinland in the west, with four towns — Hargard, Thronderlag, Gretysfjord, and Hvalvik. Hargard, for example, stands on a rocky bank of the Jumne River, founded by Nordic tribes from the western fjords several generations ago. Today, it serves as the meeting place of Nords, Vanni, and Sturgians, all harvesting the wealth of the river valley to sell to the peoples of the south.
Hargard Town
Here and throughout the North, life follows the old ways — longhouses serve as home and council hall, shipwrights turn pine and oak into longships, and each clan keeps its own sagas. Across the land, the Nordvyg is built of timber and turf, with mossy thatch, curved roofs, and dragon-headed beams. The walls of Nord towns and castles follow the lay of the hills, their lines bending with the land. Timber or stone towers rise above sturdy palisades, the logs set atop foundations of solid stone.
Nord Gatehouse Levels Concept Art
Past the palisades, the tavern greets friend and stranger alike — nets on the beams, a hearth at its heart, and long tables carved with the marks of many feasts. Higher still rises the keep, where the jarl’s high seat faces the hall, and chambers lie just beyond a screen of wood and wicker.
Nord Tavern and Keep
Yet beyond these halls lies the true breadth of the Nord realm — the northern frontier, where the land itself shapes every path and battlefield. Along the coasts, rugged peaks rise steeply above the waves; inland, dense green forests close around the road; and farther still stretch wide, stony fields with only scattered trees.
Northern Battle Terrains
Nord Equipment & Troops
Nord warriors arm themselves for the sea and the hard ground alike. Their round shields may be plain, painted, or decorated. They wield hand or long axes, and spears in the shield wall, with javelins and throwing axes to hurl before the clash. Straight-edged swords hang at their sides, while the finest among them carry the Atgeir — a long-hafted blade for the strongest arms. Their armor ranges from padded coats and tough leather to mail shirts, with cloaks thrown over the shoulders against harsh weather. Helmets are made to give clear sight and easy breath, for a man must keep his wits when the deck creaks beneath him.
Nord Shields Concept Art
A Nord warband begins with the Younglings — men barely old enough to grip a shield, armed with little more than a hatchet and courage. From there, the path divides.
Those who take up the bow train as huntsmen of the woods and coasts, growing into seasoned archers in mail, able to loose volleys across a clearing or a ship’s deck.
Those who stand in the shield wall start as Drengr, before branching into the axe or spear traditions. The axe path leads from hard-bitten warriors to the fearsome Berserkr or the mighty Skjaldbrestir. The spear path climbs toward the wolf-cloaked Ulfhedinn, wielders of the deadly Atgeir.
Regular Nord Troops In-Engine Cinematic
As in every land, warriors of higher standing follow their own road to war. They begin as Aettlingr, young fighters trusted with their first shield, and rise to Thegn, proven arms in their jarl’s service. From there, they serve as Jarlsmenn and Hirdmenn, each step bringing finer mail, sturdier steel, and shields worthy of their rank. Only the fiercest and most loyal earn the honor of bearing the decorated round shield of a Huscarl.
Noble Nord Troops In-Engine Cinematic
At this point, forgive us for jumping out of in-universe “talk,” but there was no other option! With the arrival of naval battles, we are also adding new troops — mariners. For these warriors, the roll of a deck and the creak of timbers are second nature, and unlike others, they suffer no penalty when the fight moves to sea or river. Among the Nords, every warrior is a mariner, giving their warbands greater readiness for battle on the water. The Khuzaits have no such troops, while others field only a handful of dedicated mariners. Soldiers untrained for ships see all their skills diminished when battle shifts to the deck and sail. Mariners fight well on land too, though their lighter gear — suited for speed aboard ship — can leave them at a disadvantage against heavier foes ashore.
When the fighting moves inland, Nord captains rally their warriors beneath new battle banners. Their flags follow the classic Viking shape — a quarter-round cloth hung from a crossbar, fringed along the curve, and crowned with a carved beast’s head. As with other cultural banners, each design brings its own effect in land battles — some reduce the horse’s charge damage, while others rattle enemy morale.
Nord Battle Banner Cinematic
Character Creation
When you launch a new War Sails playthrough, the culture choices will now, of course, include the Nords. As a seafaring folk, they sail faster on rivers and in coastal seas, as well as acquire more loot from raiding villages, villagers, and caravans. That said, their armies suffer from greater cohesion loss when on land.
Next, you will be greeted by the appearance selection screen. A host of new options — 19 in total, including fresh beards, hairstyles, and tattoos — await you here to help shape a face fit for the high seas and battlefield alike.
New Tattoos, Hairstyles, and Beards
After choosing the Nord culture and your appearance, you will be greeted by the family background screen adjusted to the Nordic ways — one of several game systems we have integrated Nords into. Your choices here draw from Nords' history and tradition, making each starting path feel true to their lore. We extended the same care to other game systems, such as child education, which now includes Nord-specific prompts and outcomes. As with every culture, joining the Nord kingdom earns you a gift from the king, and victory in their tournaments brings culture-specific rewards. We also introduced 14 new Nord-themed banner icons — with the Nord faction emblem remaining exclusive to the Nords.
New Nord Banner Icons
Pirates
Once you take to the seas, it won’t be long before you cross paths with pirates. They roam the waterways much like looters on land, sailing in bands of two or three light and medium ships, and haunting busy ports in search of unprepared travelers. A hard fight can leave their hulls splintered and crews bloodied, yet given time, they always return replenished to menace the trade routes again. In the southern waters, you may encounter Corsairs — their look drawn from the pirates of the Barbary Coast, with new gear crafted to match. Their ranks rise from Corsair to Corsair Warrior and finally Corsair Chief. In the northern waters, you will face Sea Raiders, the shipborne version of their land counterparts.
Corsairs In-Engine Cinematic
And that wraps up another War Sails developer blog! Drop any questions you might have in the comments below, and join us on our socials where we continue to share development updates.
