The Grand Duchy of Grant was a small island nation to the north of the primary continent of Berserk, with the island itself being named Grant as well. Nordcapity was the capital city of the nation.
It shared a border by sea with the Tudor Empire, and so found itself in direct conflict with its imperialist neighbor. It is notably the land from which Grunbeld hails, and is the primary setting for the novel Berserk: The Flame Dragon Knight.
Background[]
The Tudor Empire, hostile towards Grant, made several attempts to capture strategic locations within the duchy, particularly the plain at the southern tip of the island where the Tudor fortress, Chester, stood. However, Nordcapity never fell, largely due to its difficult terrain and strong fortifications.
Geography[]
Grant is an island small enough to traverse from tip to tip on horseback in three days. Shaped by volcanic activity, the island resembles a giant basin with a vast caldera at its center, which legends say is home to a slumbering dragon. This caldera occasionally spouts fire, reinforcing local legends. The capital city, Nordcapity, is located in the center of the basin. The rugged and mountainous outer rim of the caldera forms a natural defensive barrier around the capital, making it difficult to attack.
Economy[]
Despite its northern location, the Grand Duchy had several ice-free ports which are crucial for trade. The economy was supported by the mining of valuable minerals found in the caldera's outer rim, fishing, and livestock farming, with cattle and sheep thriving on the inner slopes of the crater rim.
Military[]
The geographical features of Grant played a significant role in the defensive strategy of the Grand Duchy. Notable fortifications include the Fire Dragon's Lair, a bastion fort located at a strategic corridor leading to Nordcapity. This fortification was equipped with cannons, archers, and crossbows, making it nearly impregnable.
Society[]
Once a seafaring nation known as the Sea Bear people that endured a history of suffering, the people of Grant slowly and gradually changed their ways over the ages. One remnant of the old ways were the ethnic minority known as the northern ocean hunters. A "clan of the bear and the wolf" is also mentioned. Still, the Sea Bear blood continued to flow within all inhabitants of the island to some extent. Grant was also home to various noble houses, such as the influential House of Olsen (the wealthiest in the entire Northern Frontier), the House of Ahlqvist, and the House of Johansen, all governed by the Grand Duke and Duchess of Grant. Halvorsen is also mentioned as royalty. According to legend, the House of Grant descended from a hero, with the other houses were founded by warriors from tribes all over the island. The incumbent Grand Duke of Grant was supported by the Shadow Hands, a force of assassins and spies that was compared by some to the Bakiraka in terms of killing capabilities.
Religion and Folklore[]
Unlike other surrounding nations, Grant's population worshipped a polytheistic pantheon which was seen as heretical by the Holy See. These gods were served by priests and priestesses, and could be depicted as statues. The chief Northern god was known as the one-eyed sage, and believers claimed he could offer supernatural boons. The fabled dragon linked to the island's volcanic activity was seen as a god of woe.
As for priesthood, the members were a privileged class. According to legend, the first priestess was a princess who became a sacrifice to appease a dragon. Old chief priestesses were assisted by younger ones. Secularization was possible. An old high priestess could conduct purification rituals by sprinkling water on another lesser priestess. This priestess would then enact ceremonial dances of offering, or a holy dance which could vary depending on the audience. When in front of aristocrats, the holy dance would not feature provocative movements. Priestesses could also conduct divination rituals for a person by drinking a potion made of hallucinogen mushroom and waiting for an oracle. This was seen as a way to hear the voices of the gods with heightened clarity. After drinking, the priestess would perform a dance handed down for generations. It was understood that, by approaching her physical limit, the entranced priestess' soul would separate from her flesh with ease and link her to the three maidens who spun the threads of fate, with the youngest one presiding over the future. Priestesses could live in temples that also doubled up as gathering places, and children could be entrusted to them. One such place was the Temple of Extinguishment, a wooden structure with ornamentation fashioned after the prow of a ship. It was geographically placed between Nordcapity and the Fire Dragon's Lair. This temple housed a head priestess and dozens of younger ones.
This religion was spread across the general populace, from nobles like Grand Duchess Fulda or Countess Euphemia to commoners and military, but was not followed with the same strength. It is noted that, outside of priests, only eccentrics faithfully applied certain principles to their everyday lives. Still, these beliefs were strong enough for a kid to stick to them even in the face of an enemy. Religious compulsion was also used as a political point of contention between Grant and Tudor, leading to noble adherents to the old faiths to conspire to assasinate Haakon, the by-then current Grand Duke, as he wanted to adopt the continental ways of the Holy See and Tudor.
This religion held different tenents, such as ones concerning life after death. People who knew how to use a sword yet lived a shameful life would never enter the Hall of the Gods. Only the brave would, be it by battle or not. The gods of the island would never see blood spilled in battle as unclean, being instead a proof of bravery and a noble offering that would make the believers gather in the heavens as warriors of the gods. Death was for an instant, but the soul would go on forever. Thus, a coward's dishonor would become a hardship after death.
According to Northern folklore, valkyries carried those who died heroically to a land of the dead. Heavens were to be found across the sea.
Trivia[]
- Grant shares aspects with Scandinavian territories, as it is stated to be a small volcanic island located north of the primary continent of Berserk and is not the in-universe analog to Great Britain. Additionally, the people of Grant's beliefs resemble those of old Norse religion.
- The style of armor seen on the male statue in the Temple of Extinguishment also shares features with common depictions of Norse warriors.