Sweden

The Kingdom of Sweden is a Catholic Monarchy that borders the Norse kingdoms of Norway and Denmark and the Suomenusko Pagans of Finland and Sapmi

Lore
"The Kingdom of Sweden is somewhat of a pariah in Scandinavia. The first of the former Viking homelands to convert to Christianity, the Norwegians and Danes both glare upon their neighbour suspiciously. Undoubtedly, the poor reputation Sweden has accrued as the first realm to betray the old ways of Norse paganism has severely impacted her place in the world. Atop all of this, a reliance on the Germans is becoming too much of a burden for the aristocracy.

As well as economic struggles, Sweden’s army has been largely under-utilised to any significant degree for well over a century. Most conflicts have been largely local affairs, and those against foreign powers have been near-exclusively against Viking raiders and Finnish warbands. Much of the army leadership has become complacent, with ranks bought and sold at the whimsy of nobles who have never even swung a great-axe. In response to this, there have been many calls from veteran soldiers and the King’s inner circle to take action against the growing corruption. Then again, perhaps a brutal defeat on the field is what the Swedes require to get their footing once again.

With the Holy Roman Empire beginning to enter what may very well be its death throes, and the normally isolationist Danes and English setting their sights on greater borders for their crowns, Sweden may have an important part to play soon enough. As the old order crumbles away ever so slowly, the revitalisation of Sweden proves to be the most critical of matters rapidly piling up on the King’s lap. Should he succeed, the Kingdom of Sweden will surely shine like the Northern Lights; a beacon of Christendom in the otherwise frigid far north of Europa. However, if Sweden fails to sufficiently prepare, the Kingdom will likely fall to assailants on all sides as the cross is shattered by countless marching heathens."