Cherek

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Cherek is a fictional nation in the David Eddings book series The Belgariad (and its sequel The Malloreon) located in the Cherek peninsula west of Drasnia and north of Sendaria. Its people are known as the Chereks.

Cherek is named after its founding ruler, Cherek Bear-shoulders, formerly the King of Aloria, and father of Dras Bull-neck, founder of Drasnia, Algar Fleet-foot, the founder of Algaria and Riva Iron-grip, the founder of Riva.

Cherek is a nation renowned in making ships and controlling the Western seas. Cherek warships are feared by all sea-trading nations in the world, particularly Tolnedra.

In large-scale strategic battles with other armies, most Chereks form the navy, carrying out off-shore bombardment and ferrying their allies to enemy shorelines. They are well-versed in the art of portage, although Durnik helped refine this to involve less sweating and swearing. The rest of the Chereks form small, irregular infantry units armed with heavy axes and swords.

Cherek is a brother nation to the Alorn countries Algaria, Drasnia, and Riva. The current King of Cherek is Anheg.

Based on the descriptions of the Chereks as wearing furs, having beards and braided hair, being expert sailors and fierce warriors, and their Northern origins, the Cherek nation would seem to be inspired by or equivalent to Vikings.