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| -Mythology |
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In the old days many hordes lead by powerful chieftains, jarls and kings struggled in an endless war for their beliefs and worshipped strange gods. These struggles ended with the forming of an alliance between many hordes and shamans. They all agreed to elect a high king that where to rule from this althing to the next. So at the Raven Rune stone the old Raven king and his faction managed to get their pretender for the position elected. Swearing to the assembled and towards Odin, the high king agreed to abide by the laws set and recited on the althing. Thus took Sölvarr Svartholtr the position as the first high king of the combined realms.
Years passed on and the jarls and kings from the first meeting grew old or died. New chieftains, jarls and kings gained power and took seat in the alliance. All fighting for their own ideas and pursuing personal goals. Over time the worshipping of Odin weakened and groupings formed inside the alliance. Some of the young lords tried to put forward pretenders to be elected and take hold of the high king seat but each time the old high king managed to stay in control. The struggle to keep the eager lords in rein and satisfy the growing numbers of kings and new village jarls became a huge task. Thus did the high king undertake the construction of a new town to hold the court of the high king to come and to avoid the splitting of the alliance when he one day where high king no more.
Many kings doubted the wisdom in moving the seat from Grimsborg to a new town. After all the old idea where to move the court to where the high king lived but Sölvarr said that this where handled by the althinga placement at new locations every 4th year. This new town and its huge castle were to be the nobility's main court place for almost twenty years after its completion. Althinga where still held around the realm at various hordes but still many kings and jarls came to the high king during the in between period.
One such visitor was a young lad from a razed village in southern Skogsland. Guided there by a handsome lord sent to aid by Odin this young lad was soon to partake in a long quest to many hordes, shamans and strange places. He also gained insight in many of the world's deepest secrets. Over time he also mastered the skills of war, and the mixing of herbs and the secret rune carving too. On his final travel to retrieve the legendary Dragon Axe he managed to slay the dragon guarding it and on his travel homewards he uncovered the foul men that had razed his village of birth. Dealing with the men he discovered plans for a great invasion that was building up.
Hearing that the high king where at his home town in Grimsborg he traveled there as fast as possible. Running through the gate of Grimsborg, up the stairs and pushing open the main hall doors he rushed in and kneeled before the high king. Then he dropped the dragonhead on the floor, saying. "Sire I have completed my quest and stand here before you to claim my title as jarl of Grimsborg. But I have also arrived to bring you disturbing news of an invasion'.
Then he noticed the assembled kings and jarls stepping forth from their places in the shadows. The high king stood and walked to stand in front of him. Looking tired beyond belief but with a smile in the corners of his eyes the high king spoke. "You have caught me here at home when I was making grand plans for your arrival at our castle. And with news as this we better get our things moving more swiftly and with less glamour than I had planned. Thus does I Sölvarr Svartholtr pronounce you as Jarl of Grimsborg in your own right but that is not all my young friend. The alliance has agreed to honor your deeds fully and thus do I name you the next high king of the Isles".
Saying the last words he placed his crown on the kneeling youngster and the crowd cheered out loud. Then the former high king kneeled down saying, "Rise sire, and may we and the Dragon Axe aid you greatly in the troubled times to come."
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As winter turned into spring life where slightly returning to normal in the isles. The new high king is working hard to restore the nobility whom had been severely crippled in numbers. Many noble houses had been razed and bloodlines lost forever crippling the legal system to a degree of pure chaos. Instating war-heroes as new chieftains, jarls and kings and handing out trade concessions to the loyal supporters of the alliance is a major task taking most of his time and focus.
Never before had so many men been lost in a single war. The casualties and mayhem were so immense that it is no longer clear who had stayed loyal and who had grasped for swift power. But as the memories of the slaying are still fresh in the minds of farmers and nobility alike, the high king has decided to let it rest. After all the war was won at the final battle of Grimsborg Plains were the united hordes stood against the enemies. It was the mightiest clash ever seen in the realm but the victory had its price. The Grimsborg Guard, the Barbarians, the Headtaking Berserkers, The Draugr Riders and many other hordes where as good as extinguished.
Remnants of the former enemy and small bands of thugs are still scattered around in the mountains and deep woods, and at times they comes forth and plague and plunder the villagers. This turns daily life into a struggle for the farmers, fishermen, craftsmen and hunters alike. And with long distance, maybe too long, to the towns and village leaders and their protection, many youngsters take it upon themselves to guard the farms and hunt the enemies and beasts roaming the lands.
Will you undertake the path and role of such a brave youngster eager to set out for glory or clean the land of evil and foul creatures knowing that quests and ridding the lands are a dangerous task claming many and rewarding few. The path to restore the dreams of the old, the security of the high king's court and the laws of the Rune stone alliance is at your feet.
So can you restore it -the Legend of Grimsborg!
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