Sigurd

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Sigurd decided not to run for reelection in spring 2015 preferring that one of the able bodied new folk take his place. Bones, his then feral, succeeded him as marshal.  
 
Sigurd decided not to run for reelection in spring 2015 preferring that one of the able bodied new folk take his place. Bones, his then feral, succeeded him as marshal.  
  
In the next year Sigurd focused greatly on lore and worked with Ghanima to kindle a ogre cultural revitalization. At Oktoberfest 2015 Sigurd underwent the first structured shaman rites for the ogre race led by apprenticed to Ghanima. Afterward he took on the title of Shaman of Utezni and continues to add depth to ogre culture.
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In the next year Sigurd focused greatly on lore and worked with Ghanima to kindle a ogre cultural revitalization. At Oktoberfest 2015 Sigurd underwent the shaman rites (the first structured rites for his species) organized Ghanima. Afterward he took on the title of Shaman of Utezni and continues to expand ogre lore and culture.
  
=Lore=
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As shaman, he devised and implemented chieftain trials and named Gorlock chieftain of the Karanduawn, the first official ogre chieftain.
  
==Ancestry==
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Ribbs, tribemate of Bones, was Sigurd's second feral.
 
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===Geirmund Harraugar's Saga===
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When King Alrek ruled in Omerdale he received a vision of the shining god Balder the Good. He thereafter erected great temples to Balder across the district and held celebrations every year in the god's honor. Alrek's Balder cult became so widespread that he forbid the worship of Odin, Thor, and the other gods. The people of Ormerdale objected to these decries. The bonders gathered a host against King Alrek. The King in turn sent out his warriors against them. Many farms and homes were burned throughout the district until the bonders relented.
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Not long after a great orm called Girkad Gleaming-Eye began to raid farms stealing livestock and killing bonders. King Alrek sent out his hirdsmen to hunt the dragon but never led them to the field himself and the dragon's lair went unfound.
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Vikar Trételgja was a landowner with little wealth who made his living as a forester and carpenter. Vikar was a quiet man who kept no slaves or servants and rarely contacted his neighbors. Vikar spent most of his summers in the mountain forests beyond Vestfold felling trees and returned to his forest cabin called Vikarstadr in Raumarike. Vikar knew the forests well and all the caves along the mountains.
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For months Girkad raided until a flight of arrows wounded him. Girkad took shelter in the mountains near Vikar's summer logging slopes. After that Girkad took to attacking neighboring farms along the lower hills. Vikar was a large mam, tall, fairhaired, and the best in the district with an axe.
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When King Ketil still ruled as lesser king of Vestfold his kingdom came under assault from a great orm - dragon. The king fled the land and no man ruled. Vikar sought to aid his neighbors and with the help of his friend Alrek who own a nearby farm he was able to slay the dragon at the cost of his legs. His sons were Geirmund Harraugar and Torvi Vikarson. Geirmund was a good warrior and fond of raiding. It is said he raided in Ireland and returned very wealthy. Geirmund married a woman of a good family name Liv. Their sons were Vikar, Bjorn, Amund, and Bjarni who were born in the time when Halfdan the Black ruled Raumarike, Vestfold, and the Vik. Vikar chose to settle in Sweden and lives a solitary life. Bjorn was took after his father. He was good at all sports and with all manner of weapons. Bjorn became a raider and sailed often with Giermund and was rarely at home. Amund and Bjarni were also skilled warriors. During their youth they journeyed to Telemark and became trusted men of the Hersir Bjorn One-Eye sometimes called Old Bjorn and went raiding with him to Ireland. There Amund was crushed beneath a horse laming him. Forever after he was called Amund Limp. While they were away Giermund Harraguar and Bjorn Giermundason were lost at sea during a storm. When Amund and Bjarni returned home Amund came into possession of his father's land and the wealth of his raids. Amund established himself and Bjorn stayed with him to oversee their bondsmen.
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Despite his wound Amund remained active and was a respected warrior and hunter. Amund also excelled in carpentry as his grandfather did. One winter the snows fell for twenty days shutting all in doors. Late in the night while all were asleep Amund grew restless and went to the door to look out into the storm. Lightning illuminated the darkness outside and Amund saw a figure some distance from the door struggling to walk. The stranger, as Amund found, was a woman of great height and strength - an ogress named Dala. Amund helper her inside and granted her guest rite. Dala was very cold and Amund offered to share his bed with her. By the morning the snows had lifted and Dala disappeared.
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Dala was the daughter of Rjodbrand and Svala whose father was Vask'on of the Thurs Ogre Tribe. The Thurs once prospered in the deep woods of Scandinavia but were pushed high into the mountains by mankind. The humans regarded them as "trolls" to be feared and respected. Sometimes families would placate them with sacrifices, other times ogres would pillage farms and kill travelers. The delicate balance was broken when Fat Rjodbrand attacked and killed three men who were hunting near the mountains. These three were the sons of a local hersir. Angered the hersir solicited his neighbors and formed a strong war band to attack the ogres for retribution. The locals, tired of the ogres and the threatened by them were happy for the chance to destroy their enemies. Vask'on was the Shaman of the Thurs and was forewarned of the attack thanks to his magic and alerted the Thurs Chieftain, Jol'ur. The tribe's warriors assembled and met the far larger human war band in a narrow gorge. In the fighting Jul'or killed the hersir and his neighbors before succumbing to his wounds. Many of the Thurs' warriors were slain but the humans were slaughtered. The battle happened while Hálfdan Hvítbeinn ruled over Ruamarike.
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The tribe now decimated turned to their Shaman Vask'on for guidance. Vask'on who had survived the battle but was badly wounded and near death. Rjodbrand attempted to assume leadership but was ill regarded since he was fat, lazy, and did not participate in the battle. The few remaining ogres scattered preferring a wandering life over Rjodbrand's rule. Those that remained were old and generally ignored Rjodbrand. Vask'on was saved by Svala's herblore but was no longer able to walk. Aging and crippled Vask'on convinced Svala to mate with Rjodbrand to preserve the tribe's future. The result of their mating was Dala.
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Rjodbrand was a cruel mate to Svala and a worse father. Dala reached maturity and fled the hut where Svala, Rjodbrand, and Vask'on still dwelt. Svala shortly after drove Rjodbrand from the area. That winter was the winter when Dala found Amund's farm. For reasons unknown Dala mated with Amund. Dala had a difficult pregnancy alone within the forests but gave birth a large infant ogre she called Svarr - "large" in the G'rot Tongu of the ancient ogres. Unable to care for him Dala surrendered the child to Amund who named him Sigurd. Sigurd was widely regarded as a "half-giant" due to the events testified by Bjarni who met Dala and knew the circumstances of Sigurd's birth.
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==An Ogre Among Men==
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As Sigurd grew he soon towered over the other children his age and became very strong. It became clear to everyone that Sigurd would one day be a valuable warrior so Amund sought to foster him. In nearby Vestfold in the valley of Ormerdale lived Dag Ormseeker whose grandfather was King Hendil. His hall was named Ormsgard. Dag was a hersir of wide renown as a wiseman, wizard, and skald whose poetry was unmatched. In his youth Dag had preferred a traveling life moving from hall to hall as a skald but as he became infirm he took up residency in his grandfather's lands and become well respected there as a leader. Amund took Sigurd to stay with Dag for the winter and was well received. In spring Amund brought up the possibility of fostership and Dag accepted. Sigurd would spend half his time in Ormerdale and half his time with his father in Raumarike. From Dag he learned great wisdom, rune and lore craft while still training with all manner of weapons. As Sigurd grew older he felt less and less content at home and spent much time wandering the wilderness learning from the rocks, trees, and birds. He was known to be a skilled hunter and guide sought after by all manner of people including King Harald Fairhair who had made himself king over all of Norway.
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Rjodbrand had been terrorizing the country of Vestfold for some time. He had been driven down to the lowlands by the storm that brought Dala to Amund's house. The people became aware of him and kept close eye of their kin and livestock but Rjodbrand was strong and often broke into these places killing many men. Finally the hersirs call a meeting of the landowners and freedmen to decide a course of action. Thorgeir Grimason, the son of a wealthy farmer and well armed, spoke most often claiming he could slay Rjodbrand. Many agreed that killing the "troll" would be best but debated who should lead the band. Stout Grim proclaimed his son as leader and thea assembly agreed on the condition that they chose his companions. Ten strong men skilled in arms were named including Visund Alrekson, descendant of Alrek the Farmer. Sigurd had remained silent this whole time. Dag asked Sigurd why he had not volunteered. Sigurd replied that he very much doubted the leadership of Thorgeir which insulted the man greatly. Dag would not allow any fighting at the assembly and declared that nonetheless Sigurd would go as he is well known to be a good guide in these lands.
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Thorgeir, Visund, Sigurd, and nine others set out hunting Rjodbrand. They followed his sizeable trail from his last killing to his lair - a large pit roofed with logs. Thorgeir demanded Rjodbrand come out and meet justice despite Sigurd's recommendation of a quite approach. Rjodbrad appeared carrying a massive sword called Ithrund. He spoke shortly before leaping forward and cutting Thorgeir's head from his shoulders. The other men lost heart and fled but Visund charged Rjodbrand. In two swings of his massive sword, Rjodbrand had shattered Visund's shield. Visund struck at him with his sax but the blade shattered on Rjodbrand's skin. Dismayed Visund bodily grabbed the ogre and was able to take him off his feet. Rjodbrand dropped Ithrund as he fell and struggled with Visund, who was very skilled in glima or body wrestling and very strong. Sigurd ran forward and picked up Ithrund. He drove it throng Rjodbrands chest and 3 feet into the ground pinning the ogre there. Shortly later Rjodbrand died and Sigurd and Visund gained much renown. Sigurd claimed the sword seeing as only he was large enough to wield it and kept it at Ormsgard among his gear there.
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===The Great Army===
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At this time Sigurd was eighteen and fully grown. Sigurd came to Dag and asked him for the means to travel abroad reasoning, 'men are considered dull if they know only their home hearth.' Dag approved and offered him great wealth for his journey which Sigurd refused. 'I know not how I would handle so much wealth, instead I will take only a little.' Dag said he was wise in this decision. Sigurd wean to the Vik and bought a half share of a raiding ship from Old Bjorn. Old Bjorn filled his skeid with 100 warriors, it was a handsome vessel painted above the water line. Old Bjorn also had two knorrs fitted and packed with goods: timber, fur, antler and other rich items for trade. A month after Sigurd's arrival they set off for England and Thorstein Bjorn's son accompanied them. Sigurd harried in Scotland but won little wealth. Then Old Bjorn sailed for Dublin and Sigurd raided in northern Ireland taking wealth from a monastery there and several villages. He then made for Dublin and reunited with Old Bjorn there who had sold his trade goods for great profit. Altogether Sigurd was accompanied by fifteen men. Among them were Red Ragnar - a giant slightly larger than Sigurd himself, Thordis a shield-maiden, White Eirik a skilled archer, Black Hrafn who had keen-eyesight, Visund the Bull descendant of Alrek, and Old Hrafn who was sea-wise.
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Together they sailed to Wales where Ubba Ragnarsson was raiding. They met the warlord there and were well received. Sigurd stood a head above other men and Ubbe had met Dag Ormseeker in his youth. They spoke together often and became friends. During the winter Sigurd and Old Bjorn stayed with the Viking army and plundered in Wales. Ubba answered Guthrum the Old's call and attacked Devonshire with 23 ships and 1200 men. Ubba invited Sigurd to join him and Sigurd accepted. Marching east they trapped a force led by Odda of Devonshire within a fort along the coast and besieged it. The Vikings made camp and Sigurd ordered half his men stay aboard his ship and the other half stay with him on land. With him was Red Ragnar. At dawn the Wessexmen attack the unprepared Viking army. Sigurd armed himself with sword and shield and went into battle barefooted only wearing pants. The fighting was hard and the Vikings had the worst of it. Sigurd found himself on a high place and saw the sacred raven standard of Ubba, around it his hirdmen fought alongside their warlord. Sigurd and Ragnar who fought with a great two-handed axe fought their way to Ubbe desiring to go where the fighting was thickest. When they met with Ubba the warlord's shield was split and he bled from many wounds, any one of which could have killed a lesser man, including a blow to the neck and a arrow in his right leg below the knee. They fought with fury and killed man men but the Wessexmen pressed and many of the Vikings began to flee. Ubba and his hird fought on defending the Raven standard until its bearer was cut down. A spear pierced through Ubba's byrnja and drove deep into his chest and killed him. Sigurd and Ragnar took hold of Ubba's body and made for the sea. Thordis plucked them from the waters with a oar. Many ships were abandoned there and only a few escaped.
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They met at a nearby isle called Puffin Isle. Old Bjorn had survived the battle but lost his two trading vessels and all the wealth they carried as well as half his men. Besides Sigurd and Ragnar no man that had stayed ashore that night had survived. They laid Ubba with rich grave goods and buried him there. Afterwards the ship captains met to discuss their next move. Sigurd was of the opinion that those able should move to join Guthrum as planned to seek vengeance for Ubba's death. Many were disheartened and did not wish to go, others thought this the best idea and joined him. The fleet now was of five ships and three hundred men. The arrived near Guthrum's position and pulled the ships onto the beach leaving twelve men to watch over them.
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At the place of Egbert's Stone, the Saxon king Alfred rallied men to battle against Guthrum and had a great force. They brandished the captured Raven banner against the Vikings and Sigurd grew wroth at seeing it in Christian hands. Alfred formed a shield wall and marched against the Vikings. Sigurd and the survivors of Ubba's army fought hard against the Wessexmen. It is said that Sigurd became like a wolf biting at all men wildly running at the enemy. Sigurd fought toward the banner killing a man, cutting the leg from another, and finally the arm from the man who held it. Sigurd reclaimed the banner and returned to his men. Despite this Alfred strived hard against the Vikings causing them to retreat to the fortress of Chippinham and besieged them there. In the battle against Alfred, Old Bjorn and his son Thorstein were slain.
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Unable to break out to gather supplies the Vikings sought to surrender and offered hostages to Alfred. The Saxon king refused them and would only allow safe conduct under the condition that Guthrum and his remaining men convert to Christianity. Then they would be allowed to return to East Anglia unmolested. Of Ubba's army only one hundred men remained. Bjorn's crew elected to follow Sigurd. Sigurd, unwilling to convert to Christianity took his men by darkness of night and escaped. When the returned to their ships they found a small Wessex force watching over them who killed those that Old Bjorn had left to watch over the ships. Sigurd attacked them and killed many men himself. They took three alive and a priest. Sigurd tore the throat out of the priest with his teeth and killed two of the other prisoners before releasing the last to tell the king Alfred of his deeds.
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===Orks, Dwarves, and Birdfolk===
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Sigurd possessed himself of Old Bjorn's ship and wealth. This ship and his own were crewed while the other men cracked the hulls of the remaining ships so that no man would find use for them. A man named Einar was chosen as captain of Old Bjorn's ship while Sigurd remained on his own. After that they raided in Ireland through the summer and winter. In the early winter Sigurd was raiding on the west coast of Ireland. A storm of peculiar character swept up and the sea grew choppy. Water poured into the ships so that the men had to bail water continuously or be drowned. Sigurd told his men not to fear and stood at the prow looking off into the darkness. He spoke there to the storm for some time until the rain let up and seas grew calmer. In the morning they determined that the ships had been blown far west and south and saw that Einar's ship was no where to be found. They sailed east for a several days and then north hoping to find Iceland, which was being settled at this time. On the eighth day Black Hrafn and White Eirik were looking ahead of the ship and sighted a ice berg with two black figures clinging to it. Sigurd ordered to pass near it seeing as, according to the old custom, things found at sea ought to be picked up by those that find it for good luck. The crew assumed the figures would prove to be seals and hoped to kill them. One of the figures was a dwarf, Argun Barkûn. The other was a larger person with blue skin who at first became immediately hostile toward them as he was dragged aboard. Sigurd ordered him tied to the mast until he decided what should be done with him. Some of the men though him a blauman from far south where the sea has no tides that some men speak of, others thought him a Russian. From Argun they learned that he was a orc named Guv, who he had done battle with and become stranded on the iceberg. Argun asked to have his throat cut. Sigurd waiting until evening before he spoke with Guv. After some time Sigurd untied him and allowed him to sit at the stern of the ship while Argun sat at the prow. Both Argun and Guv recognized Sigurd as an ogre.
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The next day Black Hrafn and White Eirik were looking ahead of the ship and sighted land which had the character of black, volcanic rock as they had heard Iceland has. As they approached they found not one island but a chain stretching to the east, the largest being in the west. Sigurd was cautious and ordered that they sail around the largest isle until they knew the manner of country they had come to. The land was barren of trees but dominated by tall grasses. Several creeks and rivers came to the sea and there were several sheltered inlets suitable for landing. In the back of a large bay the Norse saw their first sign of settlement. A cluster of buildings made of mud with smoke rising from chimneys. Sigurd moved down the coast before sinking the mooring posts and tying his ship off shore. He was hesitant to land not knowing the character of these inhabitants. Twenty men waded ashore with Sigurd, all were armed with shields and their weapons; Red Ragnar, Thordis, Black Hrafn, Visund, and White Eirik were among those who went with him. They were greeted by people covered with feathers like a bird. Disturbed many of the men sought to flee but Sigurd would not allow it.
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After a while the [[Birdpeople]] acted peacefully toward them and brought out goods to offer to them. Sigurd allowed the men to bring ashore trade goods of antler, fur, and timber but forbid the trading of steel or weapons which the Birdpeople were greatly interested in. After the trading the Norsemen were led to the village to feast with the elite birdpeople. They remained there for a week and replenished their supplies. Sigurd intended to depart to explore the island but remained within the village to sleep. A young, plucky birdman came to him that evening and warned him that he was going to be betrayed. Sigurd thanked the birdman and sent him away. During the dark night the birdmen rose and armed themselves intending to to kill the Norse in their sleep but they found them awake, armed, and in battle formation. The fighting was brief since the birdfolk's weapons could not bite through the Norsemen's maille byrnja. The bird folk fled and the Vikings pillaged and burned the village taking a few birdfolk prisoner. With the help of the prisoners, Sigurd raided the islands until he found a settlement of birdfolk who plucked precious gems from the river and mountain and there he found much plunder. He executed two of the prisoners and allowed the third to go ashore unharmed.
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===The Hafgufa and the Return to Norway===
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They left the strange islands and sailed east still and then northeast for five days before another great storm came up and churned the waters. Several times the ship almost capsized. Argun was almost tossed overboard three times. The crew begged Sigurd to do something as he did before but Sigurd was reluctant. Again they begged but Sigurd refused once again. After several hours Sigurd walked to the prow of the ship and bravely stood on the wolf head prow gripping it. Then as lightning tore the darkness the crew saw a great beast before the ship named hafgufa, the leviathan - the kraken. The men were terrified but again as before Sigurd told them not to fear and shouted out into the storm. The creature began to swim away from the ship and Sigurd called to Old Hrafn who stood clutching the rudder to follow it as best he could. Hrafn refused but eventually agreed and Sigurd directed him behind the sea beast. It led them until they could see the edge of night where the black clouds ended and sunlight laid beyond. After that the leviathan sank beneath the waves never to be seen again. Sigurd told Old Hrafn that they would come to Iceland by the evening, after they spoke Sigurd slept.
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It came to be as Sigurd said and they landed in Iceland later that day. They traded there a short time before sailing for Orkney. There they asked for word on Einar's ship and were told that it had indeed survived the storm and was traveling to the Vik in Norway. After a time they made for the Vik and found Einar who had presumed Sigurd and his men to have been lost in the storm as Geirmund Harraugar had been. They had come to Vik to deliver the news to Amund but were happy that they no longer had to. After this Sigurd sailed to Telemark and found Old Bjorn's son who was called Sveinn. Sveinn welcomed Sigurd well and invited him to stay at his father's hall and Sigurd accepted. As they feasted Sigurd told Sveinn of Old Bjorn and Thorstein's deaths and great exploits and presented him with his father's ships and all the wealth that remained after their defeats including a share of the gems which Sigurd had plundered from the birdfolk. Sveinn said that Sigurd's actions were well done and he was grateful to have the goods and the two parted as friends. Einar and many of the men of Telemark were allowed to return to their families. After a few weeks Sigurd departed for the Vestfold with what men still followed him.
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===The Spirits' Guidance===
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====The Raven====
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Sigurd remained a short time with Dag his foster father. During this time the dwarf took up position there and crafted beautiful objects and weapons. Guv was released and eventually took up a cave in the high mountains. He remained there during the following events and killed several people. Since he was known as one of Sigurd's crew he was forced to pay compensation to the families of the dead.
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Sigurd began to wander alone again, often gone for weeks at a time. Sigurd was in Oppland when he happened across a large man, near as large as Sigurd, girded well in arms riding down the road. When he sighted Sigurd he called out to him and offered that they share the road. Sigurd accepted. As the traveled together that day Sigurd learned the man was a Swede called Leikr and he was on his way to his wedding. Sigurd thought it odd for a groom to travel alone. As night came Leikr claimed that he knew of no farms nearby and that they would have to camp that evening and offered Sigurd food and ale. Sigurd accepted and built their fire. As they drank Leikr spoke, 'I have never known another who could put my head down with a horn.' Sigurd replied, 'I have known girls bigger than you and more skilled with the horn.' At that Leikr grew angry but continued to drink. When he saw that Sigurd did not tire of the ale Leikr feigned weariness and went to sleep girded still in his brynja, a broad shield, and langsax. Sigurd wore a heavy cloak and had his grandfather's sword sheathed at his side. Sigurd finished his ale and was about to turn in when a raven perched in the tree above him. It croaked, 'Svarr is doomed if his head slips beneath the horn, the weapon-player seeks his father's father's sword.' Sigurd thought it queer to hear the talk of birds but knew enough to listen being familiar with the old ways. He sat awake all night watching Leikr as he slept but as the sun began to lighten the sky Sigurd allowed himself to sleep thinking that the raven had lied. Leikr had been awake awaiting Sigurd's folly and now raised himself. It was considered poor to kill a man in the night so Leikr waited for the sun to rise before drawing his langsax. Just then the raven coarked a final warning that awoke Sigurd. Sigurd leapt up and kicked at the lower edge of Leikr's shield which kicked up and broke the man's jaw. Sigurd brought free his grandfather's sword and exchanged blows with Leikr. After a long fight Sigurd had been wounded several times but ever time Sigurd's sword bit at Leikr he saw that the steel did not bit him. Sigurd decided Leikr was a berserk who steel could not harm. With a worthy blow Sigurd split Leikr's shield to the boss. Leikr wrenched the sword free of Sigurd's hand and tossed the shield aside taking his langsax in two hands. Sigurd tossed his cloak over Leikr and tangled him in it. Leikr struggled against the cloak in such a way that his head and neck became free first. Sigurd sprang on him and pushed off Leikr's helm before biting at his neck. In this way Leikr parished.
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Sigurd went then a mile down the road and found a rich farmstead where dwelt and old man named Herleif. Herleif saw Sigurd covered in blood and asked about the nature of his wounds. Sigurd told him of Leikr. Herleif was immediately good natured and invited Sigurd in. After Sigurd had cleaned himself Herleif gave him meat and ale before explaining that Leikr had came to the farm demanding the hand of his daughter and only child. Herleif was a rich man and intended for his daughter to marry well and Leikr was not the quality of man suitable. Leikr grew angry and challanged Herleif to a duel that was supposed to take place that day but Sigurd had killed him saving Herleif's life since he was an old man and unskilled in battle. In thanks Sigurd was awarded silver along with the arms of Leikr. After this Sigurd wandered again for some time.
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====The Wolf====
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Sigurd turned his path toward the high mountains. He became aware that he was being hunted by wolves lead by a great beast. Sigurd was brandished his spear at the wolves that pursued him for many miles with cunning. While stepping over a rock Sigurd's foot fell into a hollow and he fell. Instantaneously the red wolf was upon him taking Sigurd's arm in his jaws. Sigurd fought the beast and found his short sax, Bautabitr. Managing to free it he stabbed at the creature until it died. Sigurd's flesh was torn in many places and he no longer could fight. Just then loud horn blew and an towering old ogress named Svala came upon the wolves.
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===Svala===
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The ancient ogress used exploding powders to drive off the wolves and rescued Sigurd. Later she explained that a raven came and warned her that an ogre warrior would come to this place requiring help. The wolves howled and told me that you were there. Sigurd than learned her name and lineage. Then Svala explained that the raven also told her that the warrior would be her grandson, Svarr. Sigurd learned much about what has already been recounted and remained with Svala until spring. Svala recognized Sigurd's potentials and instructed him on how to read the land, control flame, understand animals, and many rituals for the ogre gods. Later when Sigurd departed she gifted him with an amulet of protection made from Vask'on's finger bones and the pelt of the wolf Sigurd had killed. Both he wore often and prized above all else. Sigurd then returned to Vestfold and spoke to Dag Ormseeker who was not surprised to hear these tidings for ravens had been speaking to the old wizard.
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===A Berserk===
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It was during this time that Haraldr Hárfagri was making himself sole king over Norway. News came in from the south land that the people of Hordaland and Rogaland, Agder and Telemark, were gathering, and bring together ships and weapons, and a great body of men. The leaders of this were Eirik king of Hordaland; Sulke king of Rogaland, and his brother Earl Sote: Kjotve the Rich, king of Agder, and his son Tore Haklang; and from Telemark two brothers, Hroald Hryg and Had the Hard. Now when Harald got certain news of this, he assembled his forces, set his ships on the water, made himself ready with his men, and set out southwards along the coast, gathering many people from every district.
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Haraldr was kin to Dag Ormseeker who gathered a force to join the king. Dag was at this time old and incapable of going with the war party. Sigurd was given command and five ships including his own. With him went his crew and his uncles Bjarni and Vikar. They sailed far from land to avoid the gathering fleet of King Eirik and eventually found King Haraldr's forces. The king greeted Sigurd well and the men sent by Dag, his kinsman. Then he spoke to Sigurd who had become a respected fighter since his battles alongside Ubba Ragnarsson and his fight with Leikr the Berserk. Sigurd was also known as wise in magics and a skin changer. The king was seeking twelve berserks to be his 'Wolf-Skins', those berserks called Úlfhéðnar, to be his prow-men. King Haraldr offered Sigurd a space and Sigurd accepted saying, 'My luck and the luck of my family will go the way of the king's. It will matter little where I stand in the steel-storm.' Sigurd gave command over his ships to Visund and his uncles.
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King Eirik heard of King Haraldr's movements when he came south of Stad; and having assembled all the men he could expect, he proceeded southwards to meet the force which he knew was coming to his help from the east. The whole met together north of Jadar, and went into Hafersfjord, where King Harald was waiting with his forces. The night before the battle the Úlfhéðnar danced and performed what rituals were known to them and Sigurd made sacrifice to Ugangi god of fire. At dawn he took his place at the prow of the ship and tied the Raven upon the dragon's neck so that it would fly before him. He was girded with his sword, shield, and a fine long hafted axe with his wolf skin as his coat. Also at the prow was Thorolf, son of Kvedulf, Bard the White, and Olvir Hump and Eyvind Lamb, the sons of Kari from Berle. The king himself fought from the stern.
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A great battle began which would go both long and hard, and there were heavy casualties on both sides. Always King Haraldr took his ship to the fore and thick of the battle and fought bravely defending the stern. During the battle Sigurd spotted the painted hull of Sveinn Bjornson's ship. Sveinn had followed his king Tore Haklang to this battle. At the prow of the ship stood Sveinn who was tall, handsome, and girded in arms that had been his fathers including a brynja, broad shield, and sword. Einar who had sailed with Sigurd to the Isle of Wind and Bone was at the rudder. Sveinn saw Sigurd and spoke, 'It is a shame that we friends would meet this day.' Sigurd called back in reply, 'We have chosen our sides may the steel-storm claim who it will.' Might blows were struck by both men, Sveinn with his sword and Sigurd with his axe. Without describing these blows Sigurd defeated Sveinn when with one blow his axe split Sveinn's shield to the boss and the upper horn cut through Sveinn's brynja and collar killing him. As Sigurd struggled to pull free the axe Sveinns body was pulled from the ship, fell betwixt the ships and sank. Sveinn's body was never recovered. After this the Úlfhéðnar cleared the ship and Einar was struck down.
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A man named Onund brought his ship alongside one board of Tore Haklang's ship and King Haraldr pulled his alongside the other board. Tore was the greatest berserk and the stoutest of men; so the fight was of the fiercest on either side. Then Haraldr cried on his berserks for an onslaught and when they set on nought could withstand them. Sigurd fought forward crying out 'Ugangi, Ugangi, Mi Oh Shi Ah' which to the manfolk sounded like no words. The other men grew fearful of him and pulled away all save the Úlfhéðnar who knew no fear. Tore defended against them very stoutly, and fell in all hardihood on board his ship; then was it cleared from stem to stern, and cut from the grapplings, and let drift astern betwixt the other ships. So spoke Thórbiörn Hornklofi:
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    I'll ask of the berserks, you tasters of blood,
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    Those intrepid heroes, how are they treated,
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    Those who wade out into battle?
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    Wolf-skinned they are called. In battle
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    They bear bloody shields.
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    Red with blood are their spears when they come to fight.
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    They form a closed group.
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    The prince in his wisdom puts trust in such men
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    Who hack through enemy shields.
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Thereafter the king's men laid their ship alongside Onund's, and he was in the forepart thereof and fought manly; then the king's folk said, "Lo, a forward man in the forecastle there, let him have somewhat to mind him how that he was in this battle." Now Onund put one foot out over the bulwark and dealt a blow at a man, and even therewith a spear was aimed at him, and as he put the blow from him he bent backward withal, and one of the king's forecastle men smote at him, and the stroke took his leg below the knee and sheared it off, and forthwith made him unmeet for fight. Then fell the more part of the folk on board his ship; but Onund was brought to the ship of him who is called Thrand; he was the son of Bjorn, and brother of Eyvind the Eastman; he was in the fight against King Harald and lay on the other board of Onund's ship.
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Many a mighty blow could be seen there. Many and great deeds were done there in a short time, with blows and spear thrusts along with fierce stone throwing. Before long many men fell on both sides. There King Eirik fell, and King Sulke, with his brother Earl Sote. Then King Kjotve fled to a little isle outside, on which there was a good place of strength. Thereafter all his men fled, some to their ships, some up to the land; and the latter ran southwards over the country of Jadar.
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After the battle, when King Harald's troops were checked they found many of them killed and others seriously wounded. Thorolf was badly injured, and Bard even worse, and none of them from the fore of the ship came through unscathed apart from the berserks, whom iron could not bite. The king had his men's wounds treated, thanked them for the courage they had shown and presented them with gifts, singling out praise for the men who he felt deserved it and promising them greater honor. He mentioned the skippers of the ships and then the men in the prows and others who had been aforeships. For Sigurd he gifted a mighty axe and silver rings, he then confirmed his father Amund in his lands and Dag who was the King's kin as chieftain over his district. Finally Sigurd was given the painted ship of Old Bjorn. All these gifts Sigurd accepted with thanks before departing.
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Among those men that had come from Romerike Old Hrafn had been slain by a spear thrown toward the rudder of the Wet Wolf. After him Young Hrafn took his position. So too were slain Vikar Sigurd's uncle who was burned upon a pyre before being burried in a howe with rich grave goods.
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Sigurd sailed at once to Telemark and found there the only surviving son of Old Bjorn called Young Bjorn. Young Bjorn knew of his brother's death and greeted Sigurd in arms. Bjorn spoke, 'Three of my kin have sailed that ship and never returned. You have returned twice having one one occasion been the bane of my brother. What now do you offer in compensation?' Sigurd replied, 'I offer the ship that had been your brother's and your father's so that you may flee this country. The king will take none of who stood against him at the battle. Also what silver can be carried in a chest you agree on.' I accept the silver as compensation but deny the ship whose painted boards are stained with the blood of my kinsmen. That you may keep. Let it be a curse to you and your kin, Sigurd.' Sigurd took the ship out into the fjord then threw a stone through its hull sinking it there. He spoke words over it so that the curse Bjorn had placed on it would not follow him. At once Sigurd sailed from that place.
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Bjorn took the silver he had been paid and purchased two knorrs. These he filled with his wealth, possessions, family and any who would follow him. He sailed to Iceland and colonized there being made chieftain over the people who came with him.
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==The Horde==
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Progress was slow since Gϋv who had suffered a wound during the battle. It was decided Argun and Visund would continue on and find a healer leaving Sigurd to stay with Gϋv. That was when the Horde found them. [[Ursyne]], a dire bear, was the first to realize Sigurd was not fit for eating. Later, [[Gorlock]] recognized Sigurd for an ogre and taught him his ogre heritage. Together Gϋv and Sigurd became ferals. Some months later Sigurd was ready to complete his Prana'kai of Awakening and become a blooded member of the Horde army. He wrestled the Dire Bear Ursyne throwing him down in the third round and defeated a pair of his tribe-kin, Inanna Skyhook and Gorlock Storm-bringer, before finally facing High General Izareth. After those victories Sigurd cast aside his former ties to the world of men and became a true ogre.
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He remained with the army for only a short while before departing back to Norway to track down his lost mother. Men in the land now saw him as a colossal savage in strange garb from a motley of cultures, painted with strange patterns, and blood thirsty. None shared his road. Sigurd first enlisted the aid of his childhood friend, Visund, who had returned to Norway from the Baltic. Then Sigurd sought out his father Amund who told him of his mother. He had found her during a winter storm near frozen in the moors. She was a large woman and powerfully built but also comely (in certain lights). Still weak from near death, and hesitant to engage a season warrior alone, the ogress did not kill Amund. In fact they grew somewhat near to friends during the long winter and eventually shared a bed. In spring she disappeared but two years later returned with a young child in tow who was Amund's son. She named him Svarr which in the tongue of the old Northern Ogre Tribe means 'massive, solid'. She was reluctant to keep him due to the hectic nature of her lifestyle (also since his abominable half-breed status would bring him great strife among ogres) and so left Svarr with his father. Amund chose to call him Sigurd in order to help his integration to normal Norse society.
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Sigurd parted from his father and wintered in the moors, roaming the mountains hoping to find sign of his mother's tribe but had little success until luck - or something else - guided him to a small hut near a mountain stream. Inside was an old crone ogress named Svala who recognized Svarr immediately as her grandson. Svala was the daughter of the Old Tribe's shaman and had inherited his gifts. She bred with Rjodbrand to produce one daughter, Dala, who was Sigurd's mother. This of course makes Rjodbrand - the ogre whom Sigurd had slain with Visund - none other than his grandfather. The revelation troubled Sigurd greatly but Svala reassured him since Rjodbrand was a lazy, fat, useless ogre no one would care that he had been slain.
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Sigurd stayed long with his grandmother before ravens came to them baring tidings of war. Away east and south the warlords were gathering. Many of Sigurd's tribe and the Horde's warriors were flocking to the banner of High Izareth. Sigurd's feet began to itch for the war trail and he would not be left behind. He joined the Blood Valley Horde with four of his kin on the long march south to General Izareth's banner and fought against the knightly armies of the north, west, and east. The Horde was fast and did much killing but the treachery of the other armies and the broad shields and long flails wore the monsters down. In the battle Sigurd slayed a fire giant with nothing but a jagged rock. Despite stealing all the supplies and riches of their enemies the Horde was defeated. Moral remained high and the monsters marched home bellowing war chants and rude songs the whole way home.
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During the march Sigurd separated from the war party and found himself wandering alone for some time. One evening Sigurd met an elderly ogre dressed in tattered garb. The strange elder named himself G'roddim and spoke with Sigurd all night. The night stretched on and on. Sigurd slept and woke always to darkness. G'roddim continued to tell Sigurd of many things long forgotten by legend: rituals, spells, the secrets of totems and runes, the G'rot Tongu, and stories beyond count. At long last dawn sought to break the long night and G'roddim said he would have to depart. The elder then took a small pouch from within his cloak and passed it onto Sigurd. Sigurd looked within and saw the many finger bones and instantly recognized their significance. When he looked up to speak to G'roddim the sun was high in the sky and the elder was gone.
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==The Shaman==
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=Lore=
  
  
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-Prelude III: Plowshares into Swords<br>
 
-Prelude III: Plowshares into Swords<br>
 
-Oktoberfest 2015<br>
 
-Oktoberfest 2015<br>
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-Melcaorme<br>
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-Prelude IV<br>
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-Oktoberfest 2016<br>
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-Melcoarme<br>
  
 
[[File:Sigurd'swolf.jpg|200px|right|thumb|The wolf, one of Sigurd's symbols.]]
 
[[File:Sigurd'swolf.jpg|200px|right|thumb|The wolf, one of Sigurd's symbols.]]

Revision as of 17:17, 8 August 2017

Sigurd Thur (Svarr Hav'thur)

Sigurd at Okfest 2015
Sigurd at Okfest 2013

Other Titles:

  • Shaman of Utezni
  • Svarr among ogre-kin
  • Shit-Storm
  • Marshal of Tir Asleen (2013-2015)
  • Jarl of the Húskarlar (formerly)

Race: Ogre, Norsemen

  • Instructed by Ghanima Shaman of Una, proven Shaman of Utezni at Oktoberfest 2015

Realm: Tir Asleen
Unit: Horde

  • Awoken Friday, October 10th, Year of Blood at Oktoberfest 2014
  • Scarred at Oktoberfest 2014 with Blood-Brother Alachi
  • Enlightened at Oktoberfest 2015

Other Affiliations:

Weapons of Choice: Greatsword, Club/Sword and Board
Fighting Since: Fall 2012

About: Sigurd has a way with names and lore and has come to know many more people than even more experienced fighters. Sigurd is always willing to learn how to better his combat and arsenal. He is a loyal warrior. Like any good Norseman (and ogre apparently), Sigurd ignores the cold.

I'm pretty sure if you complete the "jump a glaive" ceremony, it means you're married, right?

Sigurd first learned the sport of Bel in Tir Asleen. Originally he was entirely devoted to the red sword but eventually found love for sword and board (which he is much better at). He was elected Marshal (secretary) in the Spring of 2013. That fall, first Ursyne then Gorlock convinced Sigurd of his ogre-ness. Shortly after Gorlock offered a sponsorship into Horde. Finally after Spring Wars 2014 he accepted and completed his Prana'kai of Awakening at Oktoberfest 2014. His challenges included wrestling Ursyne and defeating the pair of Gorlock and Inanna. During that final fight Sigurd kicked Gorlock's boot and broke a toe. The same day he fought a exceptionally long day of heralded battles with Alachi to complete his Prana'kai of Blood. In the coming weeks he recruited Bones - a golbyn - as his feral.

Sigurd decided not to run for reelection in spring 2015 preferring that one of the able bodied new folk take his place. Bones, his then feral, succeeded him as marshal.

In the next year Sigurd focused greatly on lore and worked with Ghanima to kindle a ogre cultural revitalization. At Oktoberfest 2015 Sigurd underwent the shaman rites (the first structured rites for his species) organized Ghanima. Afterward he took on the title of Shaman of Utezni and continues to expand ogre lore and culture.

As shaman, he devised and implemented chieftain trials and named Gorlock chieftain of the Karanduawn, the first official ogre chieftain.

Ribbs, tribemate of Bones, was Sigurd's second feral.

Lore

Sigurd and Alachi at Oktoberfest 2014.
Sigurd using Sword and Board: Melcaorme XI 2013

Events Attended

-Oktoberfest 2012 forever remembered as Sucktoberfest
-Eriador Halloween 2012
-Wolfpack Opener 2013
-Spring War 2013: the year of the Fiat battle and the love of the Montana Lady.
-Melcaorme XII: Birth of the Güv Log.
-June Eriador Event
-Prelude I
-Oktoberfest 2013
-Eriador Halloween Event 2013
-Wolfpack Opener 2014
-Spring Wars 2014
-Melcaorme XIII
-Bear Brawl 2014
-Prelude II
-Oktoberfest 2014
-Eriador Halloween Event 2014
-Hyboria Opener 2015
-Beltain XXI Warlords, Rock Tournament Champion
-Melcaorme Q
-Monster Mash
-Prelude III: Plowshares into Swords
-Oktoberfest 2015
-Melcaorme
-Prelude IV
-Oktoberfest 2016
-Melcoarme

The wolf, one of Sigurd's symbols.
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