Liking the council idea, and the emphasis on unity of the realm. However, if we all do put down our axes and park up our longships in the garage, would we be likely to come up against a significant NPC threat from outside? Or would we just be RPing the running of the kingdom until someone decides the King needs replacing? 

Personally, I think I'd have a lot of fun playing a Jarl even if there was no war to be fought. The sheer amount of political scenarios are almost limitless in number during peacetime, and for me it's about writing a quality story rather than winning a game of any kind. 

Anyway, looking forwards to this. Should be a good run; I'd advise asking Meeky if he's interested if you need to make the numbers. He likes NRPs, and can write like a banshee on crack.