I tend not to isolate my view to some classical canon of vikingdom. Sure, we can say Danes, Swedes, Norwegians are what most historians rely on for literature. I can appreciate such a purist view, but after all, Valheim is a fantasy game.

Now, when we expand our thoughts to celts, such as picts, where the classical historian view of 'normans' are coming a bit later to the scene.. there could be some deep rooted fey culture. Tuatha, Tir na nOg, Seelie and unseelie.. there is a lot of additional lore to be held to. I mean, iirc scandanavia was inhabited by neanderthals for some time period when ♥♥♥♥ sapien sapien were starting to migrate north..

So what magic lives in our imaginations? What lore and tales spin the yarn of pre-viking history? Dwarves, after all, are quite a Gaul-ish invention, yes? Their version of fairies, not dissimilar to Shintoism, but giant and unseen. So, sure, why not magic?

No, I don't mean the romanized druish sacrifice or 19th century anglicized wicca. The sea-faring folk who lived in western europe long before vikings, who were eventually overrun with anglos, saxons, and normans.. I am talking clear back to the times of Kemet and Iberia.. don't you buy into the idea that some ancient sleeping fae exist within that misty unknown?

Just offering the other viewpoint. There are plenty of hard-lined players out there who want that normalized historical viewpoint. Sword and board. By the book. I am sure we have not heard the last of "Vikings are this and that" from experts in this thread. Heh. For me, it will continue to be just a game though. It is a helluva lot of fun!

Troll on, my dudes and dudettes.