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Worlde Arcane: Aniada: Skylding Hall
 Much has changed in the land of the Skylds. If it is for the better, none can say but that yew must decide. So listen here to what I tell ye, traveler. Watch yer back, keep yer sword close to hand, but be not the first to draw else to yer grave ye be committed. Six Clans co-exist in Skylding Hall. These are the clans: Fyre; Olvasford; Rhoona; Osterlo; Vamgard; and Ranviki. A seventh Skylding clan, the Lursak, are a people without a Clan Hall, traveling the seas, raiding coastal villages for supplies. They have recently been returned permission to dock at Skylding Hall. It was after the events of the Ice King that an eighth clan appeared at our gates. The Clurlok! Fierce warriors, they had been banished three decades before, after a failed attempted to take the throne from King Rijuine, of the clan Osterlo. After the death of Emperor Ynvar, the successor of Rijuine, also of the clan Osterlo, and the defeat of the Ice King; Syuta, now the leader of the Clurlok after her father, capitalized upon the weaknesses of the Skylds. Battle weary and unprepared, the seven clans could do little to stop the fierce desert bandits from entering the city. But odd events do not cease there my friend. No, in fact they become stranger and the sun rises and sets once more. Syuta, a woman as beautiful as she is ruthless, stood before the seven clan leaders and those closest to them, and proclaimed her right to the throne. Much arguing ensued, I assure ye, but firm she stood in her resolve. It was then that her trusted advisor, an odd Uman from unknown parts, appeared. A strange air of dark silence surrounded him, and his unusual skills dumbfound others. We knew not what to make of him, but in our hearts we felt the tiniest tinge of fear. But when we had thought all lost, Strykar the High Priest of Odin, did appear. To our surprise, but relief as well, he too made claim to the throne. It was then the strangest events occurred. For Strykar attacked the usurper Clurlok with magicks never before seen among our people. Lightening was thrown carelessly about, Men and women, servants and warriors alike ran for cover. Indeed we all prayed to Odin for mercy! But the warrior woman, Syuta, stood her ground; meaning to fight for her claim. We had thought she would surely die, and we did truly welcome it. When Strykar tossed her easily across the hall with his magick, we knew then the fight was over (though fear still gripped our hearts). Slowly he chanted words that I cannot even recall, but I remember the sight well. A mass of fire, sparking as it grew, was lifted over his head. He proclaimed himself winner, and wished Syuta a good death. But that would not be! Lo and Behold, Odin’s favor did rest on the young warrioress! For there before Strykar stood the beautiful figure of a fierce Valkyrie. Her words were short and simple. No one could elude death, not even a high priest – for truly, he was a ghost – and then she and the dead priest Strykar were gone. In their wake, death was left. The clans of Fyre, Ranviki, and Vamgard, had lost their leaders and those whom would have been chieftain after. Olvasford, Rhoona, Osterlo, and Lursak had lost sons in the fight. But at the throne stood the whole of Clurlok. Syuta would be the Empress. That is not to say all the clans support her. Far from it. Behind closed doors, in the deep woods, and on the ships at sea the Osterlo raise support against her. The Fyre and Vamgard have thrown their support in. But still four clans back the Empress, if for no other reason then that they fear what rage Odin might unleash on them should they protest! But does the mighty Odin back the empress? Or has magick fooled us, the great warriors of Skyld? Ye Traveler, are yew Brave enough to enter a realm where Norse magicks run strong and others wane? Where the frozen winters and cool summers breed harsh Men, who are not quite Uman? The once forest area surrounding Skylding Hall has now been cleared in order to build a large wooden wall about the village. There are now limited ways to enter the village, and all gates are guarded. One can enter through the Main Gate, the Port, or a secert trail. And there is always the option of falling from the sky. |
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