Everyone Has A Story...

Everyone is running from something, or so it seems. A place to get your life back in shape or take advantage of any opportunity that might come along. That's Helsgaard Keep. You can meet the people of Helsgaard and get an inside view of who they are and what drives them.

Lozen (Pronounced LOH-zen)

The conjugal product of an Aelfinn mother (Anyael, later known as Anja) and a Dwarf/Human father (Rylen), she was handed over to an Aelfinn Elder and family friend named Faelar to raise as her own but was instead raised by foster parents.

She learned all the skills taught to Aelfinn children, including etiquette, poetry, and mathematics, and she excelled at archery. Despite her stocky build, she could creep in silence and was seldom seen.

As she grew older, her Dwarfinn traits became more prominent, further setting her apart. Unlike other Aelfinn children, she was shorter and stocky, and her ears were noticeably smaller. These features reinforced the perception that she was "just" half-Aelf, accentuating her sense of otherness.

Exiled from the Aelfinn community at the age of 13 for “not fitting in,” she survived by living on the streets of various human towns. Using her innate stealth and agility, she stole food and other valuable items to sustain herself. Over time, she earned the moniker "Shadow Archer" for her daring thefts from wealthy merchants, redistributing the spoils to the poor. However, her actions unintentionally stirred unrest, sowing seeds of dissent that brought some communities to the brink of revolution.

Her exploits eventually caught up with her when a Ravnborg Guard apprehended her. Faced with a stark choice—imprisonment for theft and sedition or service in the King's Royal Intelligence Operative Service (RIOS, pronounced REE-os)—she chose the latter. Her assignment sent her to Helsgaard Keep, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

She has natural archery skills and surprising stealth capabilities for a half-Aelf. She also learned ground-fighting techniques on solid ground and mud pits under Rohand's sadistic instruction. She so challenged her instructor he swore to give her a "special" training plan, having never had such a challenging student.

Traumatized by being taunted as a "Dwaelf" as a child, it became an emotional trigger that still unleashes a maelstrom of violence, typically resulting in the immediate death of whoever calls her a Dwaelf either by a throat punch or by a sword through the throat. Human, Aelf, Whatever - it doesn't matter - just don't call her that. She gives several warnings, so anyone who continues the taunts swiftly earns just rewards for their indiscretion.

The local Witch Doctor, Alva, stalked Lozen and insisted she was the "Chosen One" who would bring peace to the warring factions. Lozen dismissed the prophecy as a campfire story told to children, yet later realized the truth as her actions brought peace between the Aelfs and the Humans.

A typical behavior is telling people how "ruuude" they are, emphasizing the "u." Her hobbies include archery, physical training, survivalism, and watching the sunset while listening to nature.

Rohand came from a poor (impoverished) family in Unter Ravnborg (the Ravnborg ghetto). The family had no political connections, ruling out school or politics for their son. He didn't believe what the local teacher was saying about religion, so the clergy was out as well. They didn't have friendly political relations to apprentice him into a trade such as blacksmithing, carpentry, or farming. His only life choice was to join the Warrior Service.

Sporting long black hair in the typical Norse ponytail and a close-cropped beard, Rohand quickly rose to Lead Melee Combat Trainer at 20. He was dedicated to the King's Warrior Service at age 13 and promptly mastered melee combat with pikes, axes, knives, and hand-to-hand combat. He takes an unusual delight in reinforcing lessons with pain, often stating, "Pain is an excellent teacher." It is rumored that he has punched every warrior in Helsgaard in the ribs to illustrate how vulnerable they are to a knife attack.

His training techniques border on the psychotic as he takes sadistic pleasure in training warriors, encouraging them to think outside the box. "Better to hurt in the Keep than die in battle," he says. "I do not want to build your funeral pyre."

He has been stationed in Helsgaard Keep for almost 10 years. He started as a low-level warrior but was adept at stealth and sudden aggression, so he could sneak up on an enemy and be within striking distance before the enemy was any the wiser. This gave him the reputation of being an assassin. Once Lozen gave him a war booty sword and taught him how to use it, he became an ardent fan of the weapon.

A common behavior is his infamous knife hand, which he usually uses within someone's personal space, and his straight (knife) hand is in their face. Hobbies include carving wooden ducks, parkour, and weapons maintenance. He is a member of Hrolf's Warrior Clan.

Rohand (Pronounced ROH-hahnd)

Hrolf (pronounced with a trilled R)

Mission Commander Hrolf, with long red hair fading to gray, is a grizzled man with a battle-scarred face and a slight limp from a battle wound. He studied Latin and the ways of Latin warfare, which was difficult as Latin culture and influence were collapsing. He spent most of his life in the north, serving the current and previous King Valdissen.

He is in charge of the Keep's day-to-day mission operations. He's a good tactician but not very good at strategy, which is his bane. Unfortunately, he rose through the ranks through attrition—the person above him would die, retire, or transfer, leaving him in charge.

After a few cycles of attrition, he found himself in a bad situation where his incompetence was apparent, and he was sent to Helsgaard Keep, where he wouldn't be a problem or a liability in the war with the Aelfs.

Best known for his no-nonsense mannerisms and dismissing meetings with "You are dismissed" (emphasis on "are"), he can pivot and quickly change tactics, and when gaps are discovered, assign action items to responsible parties.

Rapidly arriving at the "too old for this shit" phase of his life, he typically assigns a hersir (squad leader) to each mission and expects a high level of performance, which seems at odds with his career of incompetence.

He is also the Housefather for the Warrior Clan, comprised of all the Keep's warriors. They all live in one longhouse.

Günther (Pronounced GUE-nth-er)

Helsgaard Keep Commandant Günther, about 50 years old, was born into an average family with average community and political connections in an average neighborhood in Ravnborg. He had a choice between the Warrior Service and the trades. He felt the trades required hard labor from sunup to sundown, often sweating all day in the heat or at a forge, and seeing warriors drink at the tavern at night, he opted for the Warrior Service instead. He soon realized the folly of his choice, as the Warriors were either fighting or practicing combat from sunup to sundown, sweating in the sun, sometimes without the benefit of a bath at the end of the week.

A seasoned veteran of the ongoing 18-Year Aelfinn War, he worked his way up the ranks to Mission Commander. He was in line for promotion to Field Commander but had a vocal and public dispute with the Scene Commander. He was subsequently relieved of his command and sent back to Ravnborg. King Valdissen reprimanded him and decided the best way to teach Günther a lesson was to promote him so he could see what it was like to be a Scene Commander, but not trusting him enough to command warriors in the field, sent him to Helsgaard Keep.

As the Helsgaard Keep Commandant, his role is primarily administrative. He oversees day-to-day operations, logistics, and communications with the King in Ravnborg. He steps in and guides Hrolf as needed to help him with strategy. A standard behavior is to sit back and listen to those around him.

He is the housefather of the Höfn Clan, composed mainly of Keep inhabitants who don't fit into the other three houses, Warrior, Trade, or Merchant & Mercantile.

A complex and intriguing character whose past is shrouded in mystery. She hails from a nomadic tribe of trackers and hunters who roamed the wilds near the Aelfinn border of the Kingdom of Eldoria. Her people were known for their deep connection to nature, keen senses, and unwavering loyalty to those they deemed worthy.

Always dressed in tight, form-fitting, and sexually-provocative black, she always appears at the most inconvenient times and is well known for saying, "A mouse doesn't skitr (crap) in Helsgaard Keep without me knowing how many turds it dropped."

As a teenager, Bryn's community was destroyed by a band of marauding Aelfs. Even though the tribe had no stake in the war, they were all killed because they were blonde and had round ears. She was the sole survivor, left to fend for herself in the harsh wilderness. Driven by grief and a thirst for vengeance, she embarked on a quest to track down and eliminate the Aelfs responsible for her tribe's deaths.

Her journey led her to Ravnborg, where she encountered an agent of the Royal Intelligence Operatives Service (RIOS, AKA the King's Intelligence Service) and was recruited as an operator. Her first assignment was at the Aethel Monastery in the Aethel Mountains, where she learned poise, mental balance, patience, forgiveness, and martial arts. Her next assignment was at Helsgaard Keep, where she developed a reputation for Helsgaard Warriors "falling" unexpectedly when she was around.

Over the years, Bryn has become an invaluable asset to Helsgaard Keep. Working for RIOS, which reports directly to the King and not the Commandant, creates tension, as she operates independently from the Keep, sometimes sharing information, sometimes not. Loki's final taunt has Bryn monitoring the performance of two Aelfs delivering an archery training program to ensure positive results. A typical behavior is dressing in black form-fitting clothing and showing up when least expected or wanted.

She is a member of the Höfn Clan, as spying doesn't fit into the functions of the other houses.

Bryn (Short for Brynhildr)

Alva is in her 60s, with grey hair and red eyes. The red eyes indicate she faced death and has returned from the dead. She has extensive knowledge of Chinese warfare strategy, as she claims to have known a specific Chinese General and quotes Sun Tsu. Sun Tsu and Alva are separated by 1000 years, so she is unlikely to have known him. She also knows Latin and has experience in the Far South, where Latin is spoken.

She is a necromancer, but her philosophy is rooted in maintaining balance—a principle she learned in the Far East, making her unique in this region. Unlike others who might wield necromancy for dark purposes or conquest, she chooses to harness its power for the benefit of others, striving to use her abilities as a force for good to balance evil.

Curiously, her name, Alva, is the Norse word for Aelf. Her ears are hidden beneath a cowl, leaving her true heritage a mystery. While her height and build are typical for a human woman, casting doubt on the possibility of her being an Aelf, she possesses an uncanny knowledge of Aelfinn lore and customs, further deepening the enigma surrounding her.

She is a counselor and sounding board for Hrolf, Lozen, and Littendrage. Through this relationship, she manipulates local events, including negotiating with the Wyverns, Aelfs, Humans, Dwarfs, and the Orcs. ("Local" is a relative term, as her machinations span Norðrlönd.) Her talents in communing with the dead allow her to predict specific events, including the demise of key figures, and she sometimes tries to interfere with destiny with mixed results.

She often speaks in riddles, but she's never wrong.

Alva, the Witch Doctor

Anja (Pronounced AHN-yah)

Anja is her assumed name in Ravnsríki. She was born in Eldoria as Anyael (pronounced AHN-yay-el) and is about 40 years old. She has greying platinum-blonde hair and long, pointed ears. She is a skilled Aelfinn archer, a woman of quiet strength and unwavering resolve, and was born and raised in the heart of the Elowen Forest of Eldoria.

Anyael's ambitions extended beyond the confines of her forest home. She yearned to explore the world beyond the trees, to experience different cultures, and to test her skills against new challenges. When King Valdissen sent a diplomatic mission to the Aelfinn territories, Anyael saw an opportunity to fulfill her dreams.

Her natural talent for socializing quickly propelled her through the ranks of society, earning her the role of Junior Emissary under King Aelrindel (whose death remains shrouded in mystery). Later, under the reign of his radical successor, King Aethor, she accompanied Senior Emissary Faelan to Ravnborg to negotiate a Peace Treaty. King Valdissen assigned her a bodyguard, Rylen, a Captain of the Guard of Human and Dwarf heritage.

Over the months of the negotiations, Rylen and Anyael fell in love, with one thing leading to another, and they sheathed the sword, so to speak, resulting in her becoming pregnant.

The illicit affair was tactically exposed by Senior Emissary Rielon on the day of the treaty signing, resulting in a major scandal and the start of what would be known as the 18-Year Aelfinn War. The ruling Aelfinn faction - Aethor's radicals in Council placed a death bounty on her head.

As unions of this nature were strictly forbidden by the Aelfinn decree and punishable by death, Anyael made the heart-wrenching decision to give up her baby to a trusted family friend, the Aelfinn Elder Faelar. Fleeing for her life, she knew that being constantly hunted by her people was no life for a child. Upon reaching Ravensríki, she adopted the name Anja, a phonetically similar variation in the Common Tongue, to conceal her identity and start anew in the Trade Clan.

Rylen

Rylen is a Dwarf/Human mix in his early 40s. He is a man of humble origins but an exceptional talent who rose through the ranks of King Valdissen's court due to his unparalleled skill with both weapon and tongue. He was more than a mere warrior; he was a tactician, a strategist, and a charismatic leader. His unwavering loyalty to the crown earned him the King's trust and respect, leading to his appointment as a Captain in the Royal Guard.

Rylen's duties extended beyond protecting the King. He was often tasked with leading scouting missions into hostile areas of Eldoria, negotiating delicate treaties with the Dwarfinn Kingdom of Dûrgath, and quelling rebellions within the realm. His courage and tactical acumen earned him numerous victories, solidifying his reputation as a kingdom hero.

Rylen's role in court also involved advising the King on matters of war and diplomacy. He was known for his sharp intellect and ability to see through political machinations. His counsel was often sought after by the King's advisors, who respected his insight and experience.

Despite his accomplishments and accolades, Rylen remained a humble and approachable figure. He was beloved by the common folk for his kindness and generosity, and his fellow soldiers admired him for his leadership and bravery. However, his unwavering sense of justice and refusal to compromise his principles often put him at odds with the more opportunistic court members. This clash of ideals ultimately led to Rylen's downfall. His relationship with Anyael, an Aelfinn Emissary during the tensions preceding the 18-Year Aelfinn War, was seen as a betrayal by the King's advisors. They accused Rylen of treason and conspired to have him exiled from the Kingdom, hoping to eliminate a potential threat to their power.

He and Anyael fled for their lives and ended up in Helsgaard Keep, which was so desperate for warriors that few background questions were asked, and he would have fit right into the Warrior Clan, but he went with Anja to the Trade Clan to stay together.

Others in the Stories

Aelfs

King Aelrindel - The Progressor King of Eldoria, led with vision and strength before the dawn of the 18-Years War. He initiated a delegation to Ravnsríki to build peace with the Humans. Agents of Aethor are believed to have assassinated him.

King Aethor - Hardline conserver Aelfinn ruler during the 18-Years War. Believed to be responsible for Aelrindel's assassination. He advocates for isolation from humans and urgently calls for them to vacate the forest, where their relentless tree-cutting poses a grave threat. The 18-Year War erupted over serious disputes related to the Northern Aelfinn Forest, highlighting the need to protect valuable natural resources.

King Aelric - The Aelfinn ruler, distinguished by his silver hair and eyes reminiscent of a winter sky, is poised to succeed King Aethor. As he steps into power, a palpable sense of anticipation surrounds his plans to re-establish diplomatic relations with Ravnsríki and bring closure to the long-standing 18-Year War. His commitment to championing social reforms to foster inclusivity has inspired hope among the people, as he boldly declares, "A half-brother is still your brother. A half-Aelf is still an Aelf." The future promises to be transformative, and many are eager to see how his vision unfolds.

Rielon - The lead Eldorian emissary to Ravnsríki and advisor to King Aelrindel, stands on the brink of pivotal decisions. Years ago, as he prepared to navigate the complex peace negotiations, he remained conflicted about the path ahead. In the following months, he uncovered Anja and Rylen's clandestine love affair, a secret he leveraged to disrupt the treaty signing ceremony. He set off a chain of events that reshaped the future. Eighteen years later, with the whispers of change growing louder, he led the Aelfinn invasion force against Helsgaard Keep, potentially becoming the source of inspiration for the Helsgaard Ranger's chant "Who's next?" as the tides of conflict stir.

Faelar - An Aelfinn Council Elder and friend of Anyael's family, she promised to care for Lozen, the child born of the unsanctioned love between Anyael and Rylen. She betrays their trust by turning the baby Lozen over to a foster family. When Lozen is 13, she exiles her from the Aelfinn Community.

Elros - An Aelfinn scout who defected to Ravnsríki, bringing crucial information about the impending Aelfinn invasion. He sought refuge in Helsgaard Keep, where tensions mount, and the future hangs in the balance. What will unfold as the warning reaches the ears of the Ravnsríki leaders? The fate of both realms could change with his arrival. He later becomes an Archery instructor for the Helsgaard Rangers and an apprentice healer under Lozen.

Humans

King Valdissen - Inherited ruler of Ravnsríki Kingdom, seeks alliance with the Aelfs. Currently rules Ravnsríki from the city of Ravnborg.

Blacksmith Torsten - Somewhat an out-of-the-box thinker who spent time in the Far South with the Spaniards but has settled in Helsgaard Plateau. He is the Housefather of the Trade Clan, including blacksmith apprentices and clothing and boot repair tradespeople.

Elara - A merchant and seamstress from Ravnborg who wanted to escape the hustle and bustle. She is the Housemother for the Merchant and Mercantile Clan, and as Helsgaard grows in popularity, she is taking on the local ranchers and supplies-receiving teams.

Griffin Keeper Astrid - A wiry woman with wind-chapped cheeks and eyes the color of a stormy sky. She doesn't like people very much but loves Griffins. She developed the ability to communicate telepathically with the Griffins, which guarantees her a place wherever they roost. As one might expect, her gift doesn't fit into the three well-defined houses, so she's in the Leftove Clan.

Hans - A teenager in the Warrior Clan and the King's Warrior Service, he has a mild speech impediment and is gearing up for exciting opportunities. As a Junior Warrior, he eagerly assists Günther and Hrolf, performing errands, low-risk roving patrols, and gate guard duty at Helsgaard Keep. Although he has yet to complete the challenging Helsgaard Warrior Training with the mud pits, anticipation is building for the day he faces this rite of passage and embraces the adventure ahead. Nobody knows what happened to his family - he just arrived at the gate one day.

Master Kai - Mentor to Rohand and Lozen during their internship at the Aethel Monastery. He is poised to wield the Aethel Stone, also known as Ísdolkr or the Crystal Dagger, in a pivotal moment to neutralize the Necromancer's Darkstone. The anticipation builds as this confrontation approaches, and the fate of their world hangs in the balance.

Master Ken - Master Ken came from another monastery and joined Aethel. He was apprenticed to his Sensei, Master Kai, and brought with him years of training in Bullshido.

Elder Master Anora - Senior Monk in Aethel Monastery. Oversees the Elder Council for governance and handling requests made of the monastery.

Elder Master Corvus - Senior Monk in Aethel Monastery. Oversees the Elder Council for governance and handling requests made of the monastery.

Portal Gatekeeper - There's a sense of intrigue surrounding the mysterious portal operator, who will periodically appear at various portals across the Peninsula. As she undertakes the vital task of maintaining the communications orbs, anticipation builds among the residents. These stationary portals in the Aethel Monastery, in each city and town of Ravnsríki, and a new one being constructed in Eryn Lasgalen (Eldoria), are poised for significant moments ahead. What updates or revelations will accompany the operator’s next visit? The future holds exciting possibilities, as their presence hints at forthcoming developments!

Dwarfs

Dúfa - Leader of the Dwarfinn Army.

Durgrin Ironbrow - King of Dûrgath.

Orc

Not much is known about the Orc (yet) other than they love to hunt and kill and seem to be pissed off at everything. Fortunately, so far, they are isolated from Norðrlönd by mountains and the sea.

Sentient Non-Humanoids

Griffins - Several Griffins call Helsgaard Keep home. They are not beasts of burden; instead, they choose to assist humans and sometimes decide not to. Requests are made for their services, and they don't take orders. They don't speak any Human Tongue but can communicate telepathically with those in tune with their sixth sense.

Stormchaser (Griffin) - The color of stormy clouds and one of the slower Griffins in the stable.

Skyfire (Griffin) - The color of gold and the fastest Griffin around.

Aella and Zephyr (Griffins) - First Griffins to battle the Draugar and kill a Necromancer. They had the unpleasant task of returning their dead human comrades to Helsgaard Keep.

Wyverns (AKA Dragons) - The Wyverns took up residency in the volcanic plain far west of Helsgaard Keep. They generally choose to avoid Humans due to persecution a thousand years ago. This area was uninhabited by Humans and provided a lush forest filled with yummy critters to chase and eat. The volcanic plain held a large cavern warmed by active lava flows. A hundred years ago, humans discovered the area, and seeing the Dragons disappear underground, they assumed they had found Hel, which was believed to be in the north (where they are) and underground (where the lava tubes are). They named it per the Norse Myth regarding Hel.

Littendrage (Wyvern) - The leader of Hel's Wyvern Clan, whose name translates to "Little Dragon," stands on the brink of significant change. Although his size surpasses that of a modern horse, he represents the first of a new generation of hatchlings born from smaller eggs, suggesting a shift in the lineage. He hopes to usher in a peaceful era and strategizes using political leverage to compel the Humans to vacate their hunting grounds permanently. As tensions rise, all eyes will be on the unfolding events and the potential for a transformative future in the region.

Ignis (Wyvern) - The oldest Wyvern with scales the color of smoldering embers. The prime suspect for stealing the rancher's cow, Bessie.

Azurea (Wyvern) - Another of the OG's with scales the color of blue sky.

Skyfire (Wyvern) - A young Wyvern with scales the color of twilight.

Verdant (Wyvern) - Named after his vibrant green color.