Pohjan Pojat

The Pohjan Pojat, or Sons of the North, are a Karelian religious military order established on Saaremaa in 643 AFE, and are the second oldest Suomenusko military order still active, behind only Ukko's Chosen.

Originally formed to protect Karelian settlers migrating to Siirtomaa in the Rift, they quickly became renowned across the Archipelago for their fighting skill, tenacity, and religious fervour. They played a major role in the Great Raids, and were present at the Siege of Kleinesburg in 692. They experienced a brief period of persecution under the Wilhelmist Taavi II Karjalainen, but were aided and financed by his successor, Kauku the Sailor. They have since gone on to compose a vital heavy infantry detachment of the Karelian military, and played a major role in gathering support for the Rukousristeily.

Their current leader, or Suurmestari, is Kalev Lehtonen (since 728), who has led multiple raids against the southern tribes, helped to defend against several Norse raiding parties in the aftermath of the Great Raids, and personally commanded a force at the Battle of Satala, despite being 63 years old.

Founding and Early Years
The Pohjan Pojat were established in Valjala, Saaremaa in 643, with the original goal of protecting migrant settlers sailing to the Rift amidst the Deluge. The original 33 founding members of the order dedicated themselves to Turisas, the god of war. With the blessing of the leaders of the temple to Turisas on Saaremaa, the order spent the next several years defending against Norse raiding attacks on settler vessels heading to the Rift, slowly acquiring more members and influence. However, the colony of Siirtomaa was quickly declining as the rival Norse colonists began to make ally themselves with the Riftic kingdom, culminating in the Fall of Siirtomaa in 661. During this, the Pohjan Pojat helped to defend against the Norse-Riftic army and organise the evacuation of its citizens, earning them a significant degree of respect.

With their original purpose no longer viable, the order began to organise retaliatory independent raids against Norse and Riftic territory, receiving an influx of recruits from bitter survivors of Siirtomaa.