Add Halvar backstory draft

_drafts/halvar.md

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+---
+     tabtitle: "Character Write-up: Halvar"
+     title: "Character Write-up: Halvar, Rune Bearer"
+     topics: [writing, gaming]
+     pub: "2018-01-27"
+     short_desc: "The backstory for my first character in a new 5th Edition
+     Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Meet Halvar, a brash young warrior looking
+     for glory!"
+---
+
+# Halvar, Rune Bearer
+
+The boy stirred. A movement in his room brought his senses to him. It moved like
+a shadow, hunting across his wall, and he feared he was the prey. Slipping
+quietly from his blankets, he reached under his bed, and swiftly brought forth
+the shield his father had given him. None too soon, as green flame erupted from
+the shadow, streaking across the room. The boy raised his shield, as the flames
+crashed upon him. In the same moment it was over, the boy standing among the
+scorched wood, his shield glowing brightly from the runes inscribed on its face.
+The shadow stepped forward, no longer a monster but a human figure, and bowed
+deeply.
+
+“You have within you the secret of the runes,” it said in a voice impossible to
+place. Shifting in tone and pitch, the boy was uncertain if he was watching a
+woman or a man. He was starting to think it was another entirely.
+
+“The gods are not dead, nor is magic. Your sword, your blood, is proof enough.
+Your destiny calls you, Halvar. Take forth your sword, and learn its true name.
+Reveal the secret of the runes. You, Halvar, you will--”
+
+A loud belch erupted from the man next to him.
+
+“Give it up, Halvar! We’ve heard your tale a thousand times. It’s a good story
+but a better lullaby once we get into the mead!”
+
+Laughter sprung up, and Halvar leaned back into his chair. The dark bedroom
+faded from his mind, replaced with the warmth of the nearby fire. The inn was
+empty, save them, and it felt vast compared to his memories. After a long drink
+from his cup, he spoke.
+
+“Alright Baldur, I see I may talk you children to sleep with my tales of
+greatness and destiny. Come then, you tell us one!”
+
+As others rallied the cry, the door to the inn was thrown open, and a figure
+stumbled in. Dressed in the armor of a town guard, he glanced around the room in
+a panic, before focusing on the hearth and the gathering of men there.
+
+“The road! Wolves! The caravan is under attack!” He shouted.
+
+Halvar rose without hesitation, as those around him looked to him.
+
+“Baldur, watch closely. This is how legends are made!”
+
+He ran from the inn, reaching to his hip and finding his sword. He hadn’t
+remembered putting his belt on earlier. He must have done so without thinking.
+
+_Too eager for song and drink!_ He mused.
+
+As he neared the edge of the village, several others joined with him, and
+together they began down the road. Howling could be heard on the wind, and the
+woods were lit with the dancing light of torches.
+
+Halvar turned to the others. “I will go first, and draw their attention. Ivar,
+try to target the ones in the back with that bow. Tad, you go for the wagon. Our
+goal is to draw them from the caravan. Once they’re away, get the wagon moving!”
+
+He turned, then, and ran, not waiting for his companions replies. He knew time
+was short, and greatness lay only around the bend.
+
+Running fast, sword in hand, he came upon the caravan. The horses were frenzied,
+but still harnessed. A small blessing, he thought, then regretted, seeing the
+first of the dead. To his left he could see two wolves in the brush, and he
+guessed three more must be near his flank. He turned his back on the two,
+taunting them, as he moved past the wagon. His simple farce worked, and the
+wolves made to pounce. The first wolf fell to his blade, as the second danced to
+his side. From behind, he heard movement, then a yelp. He dared a glance, and
+saw two more wolves. One was laying on its side, an arrow from its neck. The
+other began to circle.
+
+A sudden crack of reins drew his attention away to see the cart lurch forward.
+The distraction was enough, and one of the circling wolves lunged. It caught
+Halvar’s empty arm, and pulled him off balance, to the ground. Slashing wildly,
+Halvar quickly recovered. His arm was mangled, the blood dripping from his hand
+as the spittle dripped from the wolves mouths. The second wolf then lept, but
+was caught mid flight by an arrow, and fell to the ground lifeless. Now
+outnumbered, the remaining wolf retreated to the darkness of the woods.
+
+Ivar was upon him then, supporting him as they quickly made after the caravan.
+His arm burned, his chest pounded, and his head swam with anticipation of
+Baldur’s face, when he shared of his glory.
+
+“Good shooting, Ivar! That’s two for you and two for me! Wait until Baldur--”
+
+In a white blur, Ivar was torn from his side. Stumbling slightly, he turned to
+see a great white wolf, the size of a small horse, with Ivar’s neck in its
+teeth. With a snarl, it ripped the life from Ivar, and as blood dripped from its
+mouth, it spoke in the common tongue.
+
+“You will die this night, rune bearer. You cannot be allowed to live.”
+
+Halvar took up his stance. His left arm useless, he put it between him and his
+enemy. The wolf then bellowed an unearthly howl, which echoed in the woods and
+was joined by more voices.
+
+_Unfortunate_, he thought, _This would make for a great tale. And not a single
+skald around to watch!_
+
+The two circled. The great wolf snarled a laugh of sorts.
+
+“Do you know of me, manling? I am a daughter of Fenrir. I am to join my father
+in Ragnarok. I will feast upon your gods carcasses, and drink of their blood!
+You are not a god. What hope have you against one as great as me? Bare your
+neck, and I will end your life quickly.”
+
+Halvar smiled. “Do you know of me, pup? I am Halvar, son of Haakon, son of
+Eirik, son of Odinson. I carry the secrets of the runes, and will herald the
+return of the gods! You dare impede my destiny?! You will serve only to further
+my legend!”
+
+With renewed vigor, Halvar attacked. Sword was met with fang, as blow after blow
+was traded. The great wolf, no stranger to the weapons of man, danced around the
+blade. As each grew bloodied, they parted, panting and weary.
+
+“You fight well, for a runt.” Halvar managed between breaths. “Tell me your
+name, great wolf. No warrior should live in legend unknown!”
+
+The wolf bared its teeth, perhaps mimicking a smile. “I am called Ísstonn, ice
+fang. A vetrgarmr. Daughter of Vetrkona, Daughter of Hati Hróðvitnisson.”
+
+A crushing of snow behind him signalled more wolves. Halvar knew his time was
+over.
+
+Never a skald around… He began, then was interrupted by a yelp and a thud. He
+glanced over his shoulder to see one of the two wolves laying still, an ax in
+its side. From the woods, a figure emerged.
+
+“You’re not a skald, but you’ll do!” Halvar shouted, a grin now upon his face.
+His father stepped forth, drawing the handax from the wolf, and moved to join
+him.
+
+“Father and son shall fall by my fangs!” Ísstonn barked, and the fight resumed.
+
+Once more, sword met fang, and blows were traded. Halvar and Haakon fought the
+winter wolf, as other wolves howled in the dark woods. The bravery and skill of
+the two was too much for the great wolf, and before long she lay bloodied and
+defeated on the snow.
+
+“You fight with conviction, Haakonson,” she spit, as blood ran from her mouth.
+“Beware my father’s fang, manling. He will devour your gods.” The light faded
+from the great beast, as the last fog of its breath faded into the cold night
+air.
+
+The two men made haste to the village. The night now silent.
+
+“Halvar, what happened tonight, no one in the village may know of it.” Haakon
+said, as he bandaged Halvar’s arm.
+
+“Surely you joke! What happened tonight is a story to rival the legends of old!
+Ow!” Haakon squeezed Halvar’s arm tightly. Tears welled in his eyes, as he
+stared with an intensity Halvar had not seen for many years.
+
+“Halvar. You indeed have a great destiny before you. This village is in danger
+if you remain. You must leave here, and find your legend beyond these fields.”
+
+Haakon then stood, and dared clear his eyes with his sleeve. After a brief
+pause, he went and retrieved a small chest. He heaved the heavy container onto
+the floor besides Halvar, and beckoned him open it.
+
+Within, Halvar found a suit of chain mail, polished and oiled. Beneath it, a
+leather tunic, and nestled next to it all, a helmet.
+
+“This was your grandfather’s, and his before him.” Haakon said. “If the stories
+are to be believed, this mail saw many battles, some during the great war.”
+
+Haakon then placed two hand axes next to the chest. “These are yours now. Muninn
+and Huginn, named for the All Father’s favorite ravens. May they serve you well,
+as they do him”
+
+Finally, he laid Halvar’s sword upon his lap. “And this, you know of. What you
+may not know is the legend of this sword. Here, a drink and our final toast.”
+Haakon handed a cup to Halvar, and they drank.
+
+“Ages past, when myths were made, and magic was commonplace, the keepers of the
+runes used their powers to gift man with powerful weapons and armor and other
+trinkets. This sword is one such weapon. I know not its true name. My father
+told me it was called  Eljunvegr (Enduring Hope), as I have told you, but there
+is another name, lost to time. These runes, they are more than just decoration,
+as you well know. Legend says, in the time of the great war, this sword was used
+by a great berserker of Odin. Odin’s ritual to save humanity would destroy any
+and all around him, and Odin commanded his men flee, to live. This berserker
+refused the command of the god, and fought alone to protect the All Father,
+ensuring his victory. He fought with this sword, as you now will.”
+
+Haakon then helped Halvar don his armor, and brought to him a pack. They then
+went outside, to meet the dawn. Haakon led to Halvar a horse, and then returned
+to the house. Before entering, he turned.
+
+“You do honor to your family, Halvar. Never forget that.” With that, Haakon
+moved inside, and closed the door.
+
+As Halvar neared the edge of the village, there stood two men. He recognized one
+as Baldur, and after a moment recognized the second as Tad.
+
+“Leaving so soon? Surely you’ve tales of your daring rescue last night?” Baldur
+said, stifling a yawn. “We heard you were to leave. It looks like you ride to
+war!” He chuckled.
+
+“You saved this village last night. That caravan had food and medicine.” Tad
+chimed in.
+
+“We saved the village, Tad. You, me and Ivar. We did.” Halvar replied, his voice
+lacking in it’s usual bravado.
+
+“Well, seems your adventures were a bit humbling. I admit, I fear what an actual
+adventure will make you!” Baldur laughed. “Every great warrior needs a shield,
+Halvar, and despite my jabs, I always remember the shield you told me of, the
+shield that saved you that night many years ago.”
+
+From his side, Baldur lifted a round shield. It was expertly crafted, and
+perfectly balanced. Upon its face, a rune was burned into the wood, and gelded
+in silver.
+
+“Take this too, it’s from my family.” Tad held forth a horn, carved of bone with
+a steel mouthpiece.
+
+“Consider them a reminder: your legend started here. Now go, your father will
+have our beards if we’re seen with you.”
+
+With a nod, Halvar rode from the village. He knew not to where he went, but he
+knew his destiny would not let him stray far.