Northern Lords Achievements: Viking Conquests and Beyond
The Northern Lords DLC immerses players in the Viking Age, bringing with it a set of achievements that celebrate the daring raids, seafaring prowess, and cultural impact of the Norse peoples. These achievements often involve establishing new kingdoms, converting to new faiths, and leaving a lasting legacy.
The "Canute the Greater" Achievement (Revisited)
While mentioned in the hardest achievements, this is a prime example of a Northern Lords achievement. To unlock it, you must hold the Kingdom of England, the Kingdom of Denmark, and the Kingdom of Norway simultaneously. This requires a strong focus on naval power, effective raiding to fund your wars, and careful management of your vast northern domains. You'll need to be adept at both offensive warfare and defensive consolidation to hold these disparate kingdoms together.
The "Gregarious" Achievement
This achievement requires you to have 10 different cultures in your realm. This is best achieved by playing as a Viking ruler who is actively raiding and conquering diverse territories. Focus on integrating conquered populations and utilizing marriage alliances to bring different cultures into your court. The "Migratory" government type can also be beneficial for this, as it allows for easier cultural assimilation. Be prepared for potential cultural unrest if you don't manage your diverse realm effectively.
The "Viking Blood Eagle" Achievement
To earn this, you need to perform the Blood Eagle execution on a character of a different faith. This requires playing as a Norse pagan ruler and having access to the Blood Eagle decision. You'll need to capture an enemy ruler of a different faith and then use the "Perform Blood Eagle" decision. This is a brutal but effective way to instill fear and gain prestige. Ensure you have a strong military to capture prisoners and that your faith allows for this specific execution.
The "Founding of the Rus'" Achievement
This achievement requires you to start as a Varangian adventurer and establish the Kingdom of Rus'. This involves sailing east from Scandinavia, conquering lands in Eastern Europe, and forming the new kingdom. You'll need to be skilled in naval invasions and warfare in unfamiliar territories. Focus on securing a strong foothold and then expanding your influence. The "Migratory" government type is often beneficial for these early conquests.
The "Norse Mythology" Achievement
This achievement requires you to have a Norse ruler who is a Norse Pagan and has reformed their faith. This involves playing as a Norse pagan, surviving long enough to gather the necessary piety and resources, and then reforming the Asatru faith to your liking. Focus on gaining piety through raiding, holy sites, and religious buildings. The specific reforms you choose will impact your realm's strengths and weaknesses, so choose wisely based on your playstyle.