I was struck by how damned ugly the faces are in the game. And then I thought about it and realized that people probably were pretty rough looking back in the 9th century.
These NPCs are also pretty stocky looking. I know it's popular to think of Vikings built like bodybuilders but I would expect people to have been a bit less buff in those days. Wiry, lean, and strong but not looking like they go to the gym and lift every day. LOL.