The so-called Barbarian Kingdoms of Northrun are actually small geographic jarldoms ruled over by the most powerful freeholder in a given area from long established Hearths built near, around or upon a hearthstone that is the most valuable and visible symbol of a Clan's authority. Each clan member shows his allegiance to their Hearth by the Weave. This Weave is used to trim their tunics, decorate their belts or blankets, or to make up the scarfs or the leg wrappings that bind their trousers.
That Jarl rules by the acclaim of his fellows and takes oaths of allegiance from the freemen living closest to him. Note that the members of a clan may or may not be related to each other by blood or by marriage. In some cases, the present ruler of a Jarldom has little or no relation to the original clan which settled the area, if that clan is even still known or has any living descendants. The clan boundaries are not permanently drawn and wax and wane according to the strength of the clan.
The clansmen of the lowlands or Myrrheim attempt to make their way through sustenance agriculture and sheep or goat herding. The clansmen of the highlands or Issheim eke out similar lifestyles, sometimes supplemented by whaling or mining, but also sometimes given to raiding. The harsh conditions of Issheim and its extended winters, often means having to take to the sea in search of plunder.
The Land of Northrun boasts a highly mobile society both in terms of social class and geographic location. Because it is built on the voluntary association of free men, many of whom are not land holders, it is not unheard of for a lower born man to belong to more than one clan in a single lifetime. Additionally, first cousins, brothers, and even fathers and sons, may all belong to different clans, though they share a common lineage. Much moreso than in the Land of Westrun, wealth, prestige and power can be won and lost and rewon in a single lifetime. In that sense there are no true nobles as men of Westrun understand the term.
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