Midgard Character Pasts

Katveig's first memories were of sweet combat. After emerging from the valknut she was immersed in battle, whereupon she took up a short sword and began fighting. Her first orc kill splattered blood across her face, and she savored the taste. She must have more. She continued hacking and slashing until all the orc foes were slain.

At the combat's end she saw a shimmering figure astride a powerful beast, circling the carnage. The woman landed near her and alighted with supernal grace. "You slew this foe," she said pointing to her last kill. "Was he brave?" the glitterer queried? Katveig tasted the blood of the corpse. "No. He was foolhardy." "And what of this one?" Another taste. "He was afraid." "And this last one?" A lick, and then a sip. "The closest yet, but still no true courage."

"Ah," the gleamer sighed, "you have the taste. It is your fate to become a Valkyrior, if you so choose." "And what is a Valkyrior?" "Hah! That is a question with many answers. All are choosers of the slain, but for you I think it will mean a drinker of blood." Strange and powerful urges shook Katveig's body. "Then I want to be one."

Under the Valkyrior Lofn's tutelage Katveig became knowledgeable in the ways of Valkyrie combat. She followed a marauding band of elves (the Svartmorder) around as they waged war on the neighboring orcs, and learned the ways of stealth and thievery, as well as relishing in the pure war unleashed. She also learned to use the whip after witnessing a brave orc hold off his enemies with the device. But all too soon the carnage ended.

In this lull the Lofn charged Katveig. "You have seen combat but as yet no bravery. You will not see me again ere you taste a truly brave warrior, one worthy of the halls of Valhalla." With that her armor flared, and she was gone.

Elves are reborn from smoke contained in a valknut, a large tetrahedral construction were elves are rebirthed. Their remains are burned using coal, and after seven wakes the smoke coalesces into a new elf.

Ragrydd's mother, Snotra, is a powerful wizard and has long desired immortality. She made a pact with a troll to become a vampire, and discovered an integral part of the process was to bear a child. The troll further warned her: "If your son is harmed by your actions then everything is for naught." But her lust for power overcame her disgust and hesitation.

She sought out a powerful orc tribe, the Red Eyes, and raped the chieftain. After his purpose had been served she slew him and then ate his corpse. The pregnancy was arduous and difficult, but eventually the brat was born. She gave Ragrydd to the Red Eyes and warned them that if he was slain she would destroy the entire tribe. (Wow. And we think we have family problems... :-)

The boy's youth was fraught with abuse. The orcs hated him for the doom they knew he would bring on them. At last when he was old and strong enough, he decided to win his place in the community by slaying a foe and stealing a woman. He did so quite easily and returned feeling triumphant.

But his brief feeling of joy was swept away when he saw the devastation of the Red Eyes. The entire tribe had been wiped out, their bodies sucked dry of blood. There was little doubt in his mind who the culprit was: Snotra. All his life the bitch had been nothing but trouble for him, and he vowed that he would kill her.

As a half-orc barbarian, Ragrydd does not need lardale for sustenance; the regular slaying of creatures and the co-opting of their life force is enough to nourish him.

The Red Eye coming of age ritual is to slay a foe and steal his mate.

Orcs reproduce sexually. Their females must consume flesh during the birth; they also excrete and have strange cravings during this period. Women are a measure of wealth and prowess.

The Island of Colors, a peaceful Modsogner holding, has a small difficulty. Surrounded by water as it is, it needs a constant supply of purine, a copper / silver / greenish ore which can purify the water. Fortunately, a small handful is enough to keep the water bright and clear for years; unfortunately, it is extremely rare and can only be found on Midgard.

The Island of Colors is normally "separate" from Midgard, though it periodically comes into contact with it. Once per year the normally placid and topologically closed Steam Lake gives off billows of steam, which allow passage between the two realms. This is mostly the cause of the island's unusual serenity; i.e. infrequent contact with mainstream Midgard. The contact point on Midgard also moves, but in a regular fashion.

But there is another reason. The entire realm is protected by the Defenders, a group of mortals who have taken up residence there. The Modsogner have made a pact with these brave people: if every Defender will search for at least five years on Midgard for a quantity of purine, then they will allow them to continue living there. Even those who fail serve a useful purpose, limiting the search for future Defenders.

Ehoredarm comes from a staunch line of Defenders, the youngest of a proud heritage. (Remember! This doesn't actually mean familial relationship here.) Armed with an Amulet of Detection and adorned with a flash of Defender blue, he has set off to find a chunk of purine.

The amulet allows for the detection of purine; it gives a tingle near the presence of purine, and will glow blue when touched to it.

All Defenders were blue as part of their standard.

Astrid was rebirthed in Fallersholm and from the very first it was clear she was destined to be a magic-user. Her piercing mind and compelling personality made her a natural for the Order of Understanding, the organization of mages which performs research on the world trying to comprehend its numerous facets. So promising was she that she was assigned to Hauk, the most brilliant of the magic-users.

Hauk and she became fast friends and comrades in exploration. His mental agility was unbounded, and Astrid was constantly stimulated by him. He was the one who figured out that the stars above were pieces of luminice stuck in the ceiling, which glittered due to compression waves passing through. He chiseled some pieces from the ceiling and gave Astrid a necklace made from the stones, after her namesake.

His project was also bound to revolutionize the world. He was intensely examining the ways in which bodies underwent the rebirthing process, with an eye to toward creating new bodies, in much the same fashion that the gods had. But during the Scourging of the Serpents he died defending the city, and was reborn as Uther, a hulking mindless brute.

Astrid railed that his brilliance should be lost in such a fashion, and started a project of her own. If people could only retain their memories from their past incarnations, then rather than constantly rediscovering the wheel they could become masters of their environment...

Carries around a star necklace made from luminice.

Crystal Shard = Same as magic missile, but with niftier visuals.

Earth Scry = L1, R6"+1"/L, D Lrd, AE 10' radius window, C VSM, CT 1s, ST N/A

Allows the caster to look through earth as if it were transparent.

Protection f/Chaos = Same as Protection from Evil (i.e. -2TH +2 Saves)

Lodbrok was the founder of Fallersholm and Fhorek was his right hand man. The two were the staunchest protectors of the town during its early years, their swords flashing side by side. When Uther was rebirthed, it was a great honor for him to be assigned to Fhorek's fold. The brave warrior taught him all he could about combat, making Uther a first-rate fighter.

But then came the Devastation of the Dinosaurs. Huge marauding beasts trampled the town, and overwhelmed the city's defenses. Lodbrok and Fhorek were the linchpins which held the settlement together, and both were slain in a cataclysmic combat with a Tyrannosaurus Rex. (BTW, it was during this epoch that Sigurd rose to power.)

Yet after all was said and done, Lodbrok's name was revered and Fhorek's was lost. No one seemed to recall that he was just as important to the city's survival. Uther has sworn that he will not fade as his mentor did. He will found a new settlement, making a safe haven for people, and perhaps his name, too, will be remembered.

Uther carries around a 2-Handed sword given to him by Fhorek as a tooth gift. Which sword, you ask? `The Big One'.

Thorgrim hails from Draupcleft, a well-established Dwarven stronghold defended by a staunch group of Protectors which ensure the city's safety. It has always been his dream to become a full Protector, and given his natural talent and dedication it would seem the perfect match.

But there is a small difficulty. Thorgrim is a reborn from the body of The Nameless One, a dwarf of incredible combat prowess and rumored brutality. During combat he looses his congenial nature and his eyes become feral, almost wild in aspect. Often he will loose perspective, slipping into near berserker fury as he tries to eradicate his foes with methodical precision.

Yet this alone cannot explain his recent exile. On a combat patrol with his mentor, Vagn, after slaying his foe he performed a victorious axe flourish. Vagn was instantly mortified and pressed him where he learned the salute; Thorgrim replied nowhere, it just felt natural. Upon return to the city Vagn called the council of Elders together and with uncharacteristic speed had him exiled from the city. As he left Vagn called to him: "For so long as you have fury in your heart, you shall not pass these gates again."

Bewildered at his sudden ostracism, WildEyes feels he must master his berserker side before he can be accepted back into Draupcleft. He has heard of a powerful feral warrior, Hroald, who has learned to master berserk rage and channel it in combat, without loosing his wits. He seeks him out in Fallersholm for help...

After Thorgrim is wounded he will go "berserk", gaining a variable +TH and +D, and will be determined to slay his foes until the effect wears off.

A clone of Ehoredarm's past (above).

A clone of Sleiran's past (below).

Mordfjarn was born into a horrid life, a gnome in an elven world. Abused and mistreated, the mild-mannered intellectual was constantly forced to perform menial labor in the mines. His constant inquisitiveness often got him into trouble, but his need to know compelled him to persevere despite the punishments. One of the few things which sustained him during these times was his belief in Frigga, after a comrade gave him a holy symbol of the goddess of freedom.

One wake he came across a dying gnome who was still lucid and coherent, and saw this as a great opportunity to learn about the fleeing of life from the body. An elf foreman came Mordfjarn and pressed him into work. "Just a moment, this is important." At which point, the elf slew the gnome, beat Mordfjarn, and then grueled him in the mines for hours on end.

After his shift was over, Mordfjarn didn't return to his hovel but instead fled the encampment. His absence was soon noticed and he was pursued. Exhausted, he fell to the ground, and soon the elves overtook him. But as fate would have it, a combat patrol from Fallersholm happened upon the scene, led by the gnome Elga Silverfist. They beat back the elves and rescued Mordfjarn as he slipped into exhausted oblivion.

Thus began a new life for him. When he awoke he was treated with care and respect, and after his intellect became apparent assigned to the Order of Understanding, where he quickly became learned in the ways of magic-using. He came to know the most brilliant of the magic-users, Hauk, before his untimely death soon afterward. Mordfjarn then adopted his project, to try and create new bodies.

Worships Frigga.

Earth Breathe = L1, R Touch, D 1T/L, AE One Creature, C VSM, C 3s, ST None

The recipient may breathe pure, clean air while in contact with the ground.

Identify Ore = L1, R 6" + 1"/L, D 1rd/L, AE 1" path, C VSM, C 1s, ST None

The caster may spend a round a) identifying the presence of a particular ore, b) potential properties of an ore so discovered and c) sensing the amount of ore present.

Mending. Works on all strand, haft, and igneon but nothing else.

Sleep

Unseen Servant

While hanging upon the world-tree Yggdrasil in the final stages of rebirth BlackRune was altered by the divine. The Death Goddess Hela came wandering the groves searching for him and scribed powerful runes into his flesh with a wand of purest black. The scribing took almost the whole wake, and after the task was complete many witnesses swear she smiled.

Upon rebirthing BlackRune was overcome with pain, sharp feelings from the runes overwhelming his sensations. He was assigned to the monastery in Fallersholm, to learn mastery of his body and perhaps learn to control the power of the runes. Early in his teachings he accidentally slew his mentor Gizvuld, and has since decided he must master the runes.

The runes themselves seem to pulsate with a life of their own. Normally they are pure black, but in proximity to magical ores a subset glow in a characteristic color. This detection ability has made him hyper-alert to his environment, fostering an extreme interest in magical ores. Furthermore, if the ore is touched to the appropriate runes then it slowly dissolves, apparently absorbed into the flesh. This disjunction ability gives him an almost forbidden pleasure...

As a small child Sigurn was selected by the Norns to be a Valkyrior. Urn spoke to her and said it was her fate if she chose it. Thence began a series of exercises designed to hone her skills to the utmost limit. This training occurred both wake and sleep, melding reality and dreams into a coherent fusion. Her instructors were wide and varied, hooded valkyries, traps, terrain, and visions.

One wake she decided that if her fate was to be a choser of the slain, she must know her charges. She paused in her incessant instruction to consider this. All her training would be useless if she failed in this one task; at that moment she chose to go to Midgard. In a flash her reality changed, and she heard an approval from Urn: "Excellent. You have passed the first test."

Perhaps in the world of mortals can she learn more about humanity... and herself.

Sigurn occasionally receives symbolic dreams from the gods. For what purpose, who might say?

Glum has had a hard life. He is the union of a human male raping his orc mother, during the destruction of the orc Skull Cracker tribe by the Red Swords. His mother survived the massacre and found her way to another tribe, the Death Skulls, to begin anew as an orc's mate. But after the birth of the hideously deformed Glum (by orc standards), she was shunned and outcast.

Glum was abused and ridiculed as a youth, but slowly earned the respect of his peers. This was due in no small part to his great size and also great intellect (also by orc standards). Yet his might and cunning were of no avail the second time the Red Swords struck. As the tribe was obiliterated Glum fled at the urging of his mother.

But the two did not get far before a few Swords overtook them. One of them slew his mother while the other two nearly killed him. Both were small, puny things; but they coordinated their combat (a new thought for an orc). Glum learned a painful but valuable lesson that wake, when he was left for dead by his opponents. He realized the tyranny of the Red Swords would continue until orcs could learn a similar fighting technique, and he has set out to master this new thing: fighting in a group.

As a half-orc barbarian, Glum does not need lardale for sustenance; the regular slaying of creatures and the co-opting of their life force is enough to nourish him.

For a long time Joggle County has been a major halfling haven, a fun place in a bleak world, but now it has a serious problem. The watercourse from which they draw sustenance has shifted, slowly flooding the painstakingly crafted warrens. Within two weeks, three at most, the entire county will be submerged.

Worse yet, Joggle is home to the Power Drill, the device central to the county's success. This magical item can blaze through coral, drilling perfect tunnels in a fraction of the time it would take by hand. During the migration from Joggle to a new home, the Power Drill must be stored somewhere for safety. Perhaps the blood at Faller County would be able to help...

Halflings are reborn from pools of water, and need water to sustain them, as opposed to lardale. They commonly refer to water as the Godfadyr.

They typically live in Counties, which are warrens of small passages drilled from the coral. Halflings from a particular County usually employ a slang lingo when speaking.

Leifen The Searcher

Newly born from a stream of water, Leifen is new to the world. He seeks the halfling settlement from which he was spawned.

Halflings are reborn from pools of water, and need water to sustain them, as opposed to lardale. They commonly refer to water as the Godfadyr.

Bariaur The Legionnaire has served as protector to Neynunas, a disciple of Donblas the Justice Maker, for many cycles. Neynunas made a pact with some Trolls to attempt a resurrection of his mentor, and Bariaur was sent to guard him during this time. However, the Chaos Lord Arioch learned of the plot, and fearing the wrath of an unfettered Law Lord, he massed a huge force to slay Neynunas. After a titanic struggle in which Bariaur used all his might, Neynunas was killed.

Jenedai, the troll who had made the agreement, was less than pleased. He stripped Bariaur of his armor and power, and banished him to Midgard to learn how to become a better guardian. Along these lines, he life bonded the Threll to a mortal; if the mortal dies, then Bariaur does as well. On the advice of his friend Gangu he also placed him under Word Law; he must obey the commands of Valodinain The Chosen.

Bariaur, of course, has sworn undying vengeance upon the trolls and plots his return to his nethersphere.

Thrells are a servant race to Trolls, filled with power and muscle but not too much subtlety.

A magic-user in the Order of Understanding of Fallersholm, Skuld has been perpetually intrigued by the existence of polarized dichotomies in the world. In life there is Law and Chaos, Good and Evil. In magic there is Cold and Heat, Light and Dark. Is all of existence composed of nothing more than the interaction of antitheses? If so, it might be possible to simplify the world along these axes... more experimentation is clearly needed.

Read Magic

Crystal Shard = Same as magic missile, but with niftier visuals.

Earth Scry = L1, R6"+1"/L, D Lrd, AE 10' radius window, C VSM, CT 1s, ST N/A

Allows the caster to look through earth as if it were transparent.

Protection f/Dichotomy = Half Strength Protection from Evil (i.e. -1TH +1 Saves), but which works on all extreme alignments.

Flash = L1, R6" +1"/L, D L1d4+Lrd, AE 1 Creature, C VSM, CT 1s, ST OM Negates

Temporarily blinds a single foe with a directed flash of light

The Killing Order, a select group of fighters and assassins, forged an agreement with Fallersholm soon after its formation. The specialists would train fighters to become consummate warriors in return for protection by the city. Thorn was a prodigal talent, perhaps even good enough to become a Sensei, and trained there exclusively.

Despite his easy mastery of the techniques, Thorn was troubled. The Savage Association would often poke fun at the katas and forms the order practiced, and the youth took their tauntings to heart. Thorn felt there was an element of truth to their derisions; after all, when he fought real foes they don't follow the rules, don't do what he expects.

Thus, he feels the only way to truly master the short sword is to fight with it under all conditions, and that means outside the Order's walls...

Kensai of The Killing Order has custom swords forged. Until he becomes a master, Thorn refuses to use anything except a plain, unadorned practice sword.

Sleiran The Shadow

Elves possess a dark side with a mean streak, Sleiran learned early in life. Without his consent, he was life bonded to Lorg, one of sons of Garm, the guardian hound of Hel. Lorg contract with the elves was simple; he would turn his apprentices into consummate stealth fighters, or they would die trying.

At first things weren't so bad, slink here, steal that. But killing halflings and feeding them to Lorg became a bit gruesome. And lately the training has become even more intense, with people living or dying by the slightest of margins. One day Sleiran became fed up with his mentor and attacked the wolf-hound, shearing a lock of his fur away in the tussle. Sleiran fully expected to die for his temerity.

Instead Lorg laughed long and loud. "Hah! The pup has teeth!" Tongue lolling Lorg considered his impudent apprentice. "You are the first student I've had in awhile which possessed any fire in him! I tell you what. Would you like to know some real secrets, and not the useless drivel I teach the others?"

Sleiran was stunned. "Well, sure!"

"Good!" Lorg snorted in laughter again. "If you live for a week longer, I will begin your training in earnest. If I catch you in that time, then you're dead. Now run!" With a growl, Lorg leapt forward, but Sleiran had already sped away.

If he lives, Sleiran may be taught new and unique stealth combat abilities. Or he might just be eaten.

Kelmain is a good fighter which has always received short shrift. Early in his career he was identified as a "second-string" warrior because of his small size, and thus trained as fodder, leaving his natural talent untapped. When Fallersholm was attacked by a band of hill giants, even the enemy refused to give him any respect. But that would soon change.

In the combat he was cornered in a small passage by the half-drunk giant Grugnak. "Bwah! Look at runt! Grugnak need tiny skull... round out my collection," he said, fingering the skulls he has hanging around his belt. He swung wildly at Kelmain, his sword momentarily sticking in the ground. Kelmain ran between his legs, and in the process of unsticking his sword Grugnak speared himself on a stalactite.

But the giant was not dead. He screamed in pain as Kelmain realized his opportunity. "Take my head, will you!" he bellowed to the helpless giant. He hacked at his foe, who was trying to dislodge himself from the wall. "No! No more!" Grugnak cried. Just as he freed himself, Kelmain dealt him a killing blow.

Kelmain emerged from the passage with the giant's head and sword as trophies, and instantly won respect from those who had heard the conversation. He was reassigned to Fhorek, the most powerful fighter after Lodbrok himself, and began training in earnest. But even then troubles plagued him. Despite his good performance, he was always overshadowed by Uther, Fhorek's star pupil. And in his heart of hearts he knows that if the giant hadn't been drunk... hadn't met misfortune... he would have killed him in an instant.

As a consequence, the Giant-Slayer feels the need to prove himself a true warrior.

Has a blue-tinted 2-Handed Sword of unknown manufacture, "The First Of Many." Also has a skull helmet. Will collect a number of other trophies as the game progresses.

Sometimes a god will Choose a mortal for a particular purpose, known only to them. Valodinain has long been a Chosen of Odin, in his current and previous incarnations, all one-eyed like the All-Father. Like all Chosen he has been given a particular gift, in this case the unswerving loyalty and support of Sigfinna. The two wear bands, the Chosen around his neck and Sigfinna her wrists, which bond the two, melding them together almost to the point where they are a single person. Each rebirth the two are speared together to the Yggdrasil.

It appears that Valodinain's destiny is to become a leader during a crucial period of human history. Every oracle performed over his rebirths have received the same answer:

"Know your place, Know your power, When you face, Your <worst> hour.

At the head, In the van, Stop the dead, From <transforming> man."

The only difficulty is that oracles are always in pure Norse, and while most of the words are unambiguous, two of them in Valodinain's reading have multiple interpretations. <Worst> can mean: hardest, darkest, grimmest, etc. <Transforming> has even more alternatives: changing / altering, consuming, destroying, etc.

Sigfinna has but a single goal in life: to protect the Chosen at all costs. Who can say whether this will be the incarnation which will be man's leader and savior? However, given their unique relationship this means preserving herself as well, since quite literally if she dies he dies too. In the unsavory event that she lives when he dies, it is her utmost duty to return their bodies to the tree, spearing herself to his heart in her last moment of life.

Valodinain and Sigfinna can exchange hit points instantaneously and at will. However, each must retain 1hp in order to remain alive; if their total is reduced to below zero, they both die.

Sometimes a god will Choose a mortal for a particular purpose, known only to them. Valodinain has long been a Chosen of Odin, in his current and previous incarnations, all one-eyed like the All-Father. Like all Chosen he has been given a particular gift, in this case the unswerving loyalty and support of Sigfinna. The two wear bands, the Chosen around his neck and Sigfinna her wrists, which bond the two, melding them together almost to the point where they are a single person. Each rebirth the two are speared together to the Yggdrasil.

It appears that Valodinain's destiny is to become a leader during a crucial period of human history. Every oracle performed over his rebirths have received the same answer:

"Know your place, Know your power, When you face, Your <worst> hour.

At the head, In the van, Stop the dead, From <transforming> man."

The only difficulty is that oracles are always in pure Norse, and while most of the words are unambiguous, two of them in Valodinain's reading have multiple interpretations. <Worst> can mean: hardest, darkest, grimmest, etc. <Transforming> has even more alternatives: changing / altering, consuming, destroying, etc.

The clergy of Odin have decided to do what they can and prepare the Chosen for any alternative. Thus, Valodinain is equally conversant with being a leader as with being a cleric, since it is clear that he will need such skills in the future.

Valodinain and Sigfinna can exchange hit points instantaneously and at will. However, each must retain 1hp in order to remain alive; if their total is reduced to below zero, they both die.

The Short Hair Tribe holds a unique place in orcish history, being one of the three main Orc tribes formed during the creation of Midgard. These initially gentle people were taken under the wing of Idun, who taught them the secret of agriculture to help them flourish. She also gave them a shrub from her own grove, which was sacred to the early Short Hairs.

Years passed, and when she returned to the tribe the goddess had found it much changed. Heavily influenced by their brethren, they Short Hairs had become wild marauders who pillaged others for their livelihood. The copse was dying, neglected, and the Shrub of Life had been destroyed.

Idun was wroth and pronounced a terrible punishment on the tribe. "In this finger span of time you have forgotten your duties, turned from the cycle of life. I shall teach you and arms length of diligence. You shall seek out a human infant, a babe born from the womb of a woman, and nourish her until her hair is as long as mine. If she is harmed ere that wake, ever orc will loose their moulTAK." She paused and looked at the filthy, tangle-haired orcs. "None but the hair of your shaman shall grow until you have completed this task."

Thus began the Idun Quest, when the tribe split into several clans and scoured Midgard. For decades they looked, until the Bald Head Clan finally found a human infant. They named the babe Idundaug, and for fifty years they carefully raised her until she became a girl. The orc elders waited patiently, teaching her the ways of Idun, until her hair grew long and lustrous.

The orcs had learned their lesson, and now stand clearly with the cycle of life. But Idundaug herself stood as a painful reminder of generations' long pain they had suffered. Thus, soon after it was clear their debt had been paid, she was cast out from the tribe, a burden finally ended.

Idundaug knows a lot about orcish settlements, but very little about human ones. She knows orcs do not need lardale for sustenance; the regular slaying of creatures and the co-opting of their life force is enough to nourish them.

Orcs reproduce sexually. Their females must consume flesh during the birth; they also excrete and have strange cravings during this period. Women are a measure of wealth and prowess. Many orc clans keep a few animals around for their females to eat; a few orc clans have their women eat corpses.

Furthermore, orc corpses are buried and do not rebirth as other races do. However, they do nourish an exotic life form, known as a plant, which feeds off their bodies. Many orcs, especially from the Bald Head clan, see it as their duty to spread plants across the world.

The Short Hair Tribe holds a unique place in orcish history, being one of the three main Orc tribes formed during the creation of Midgard. These initially gentle people were taken under the wing of Idun, who taught them the secret of agriculture to help them flourish. She also gave them a shrub from her own grove, which was sacred to the early Short Hairs.

Years passed, and when she returned to the tribe the goddess had found it much changed. Heavily influenced by their brethren, they Short Hairs had become wild marauders who pillaged others for their livelihood. The copse was dying, neglected, and the Shrub of Life had been destroyed.

Idun was wroth and pronounced a terrible punishment on the tribe. "In this finger span of time you have forgotten your duties, turned from the cycle of life. I shall teach you and arms length of diligence. You shall seek out a human infant, a babe born from the womb of a woman, and nourish her until her hair is as long as mine. If she is harmed ere that wake, ever orc will loose their moulTAK." She paused and looked at the filthy, tangle-haired orcs. "None but the hair of your shaman shall grow until you have completed this task."

Thus began the Idun Quest, when the tribe split into several clans and scoured Midgard. For decades they looked, until the Bald Head Clan finally found a human infant. They named the babe Idundaug, and for fifty years they carefully raised her until she became a girl. The orc elders waited patiently, teaching her the ways of Idun, until her hair grew long and lustrous.

Gracor met Idundaug when she was an "old" woman. The Red Sword clan, a marauding band of humans, has been slowly gaining power over the last decade. They have destroyed and ruined several orc clans. Gracor is the product of a rape of a female orc by a human male, and was looked on with suspicion. While he was growing, Idundaug befriended him, and the two became close companions.

The orcs eventually learned their lesson, and now stand clearly with the cycle of life. But Idundaug herself stood as a painful reminder of generations' long pain they had suffered. Thus, soon after it was clear their debt had been paid, she was cast out from the tribe, a burden finally ended. Gracor has left the tribe and followed her, feeling the need to act as her protector.

As a half-orc barbarian, Gracor does not need lardale for sustenance; the regular slaying of creatures and the co-opting of their life force is enough to nourish him.

Orcs reproduce sexually. Their females must consume flesh during the birth; they also excrete and have strange cravings during this period. Women are a measure of wealth and prowess. Many orc clans keep a few animals around for their females to eat; a few orc clans have their women eat corpses.

Furthermore, orc corpses are buried and do not rebirth as other races do. However, they do nourish an exotic life form, known as a plant, which feeds off their bodies. Many orcs, especially from the Bald Head clan, see it as their duty to spread plants across the world.

Being a paladin on Midgard isn't easy. The gods often takes notice of these holy warriors, which makes their lives interesting to say the least. Right before Val's rebirth, when it was clear that he would become a paladin, he came to the attention of Loki and Baldur.

Baldur spoke to his fellow deity: "What a fine warrior this one will make!"

"Bah!" Loki replied. "When will everyone learn that combat isn't the only skill necessary to survival? That brains as well as brawn are necessary to prevail?" The Trickster pondered a moment. "I agree. Let's see what type of fighter this one becomes, once I've linked his life to all others, making the damage he deals his own!"

"A great jest," Baldur responded. "But pain, like many things, can be overcome. I like the looks of this one [noticing Val's latent charisma]... From that same connection to all life I grant him a fount of healing. One need not strike as a sword; to protect as a shield is equally important in combat. Perhaps he will learn the wisdom of this ere he dies."

"Hrumph. I doubt it," Loki grumbled. [Noting Val's wisdom]

Val's Lay On Hands ability regenerates once per turn, not once per wake. He takes the same amount and type of damage that he deals to others.

Grenard is a flamboyant member of the Exploratory Order, a group formed by decree by Jarl Sigurd. In older times it consisted of trailblazers and mappers as well as scouts and spys. But since the formation of THE MAP, it has become mostly a group of spelunkers specialized in getting Elga SilverFist into hard to reach places.

Grenard is particularly agile and adept; he is often called "Grenard Of The Slender Fingers." He is one of the best explorers to come by in awhile, probably capable of solitary pursuits and surviving. Unfortunately, his ego is just as large as his skill, and will likely be his downfall.

One application of Sticky is like a Spider Climb spell, and lasts for 1t. It can, of course, be used as a glue as well.

Up until recently Hjaldeig was an instructor in The Training Order, the group responsible for the educating the mass of people in Fallersholm in combat techniques. The most promising students eventually are assigned to the great fighters for personal training; some have such talent as to be appointed from the cocoon. The rest pick up what they can from the instructors.

Hjaldeig also has a reputation for taking no guff. The other instructors pass onto him the most troublesome of the lot, which he whips into shape. Over the years he acquired the epithet `The Tamer'; it became so common, especially among his former students, that many just call him "Tamer Hjaldeig".

However, last year things changed dramatically. The city was attacked by a group of wights, and Hjaldeig was drained severely in the combat. Previously a Swordsman (L3) he is now just a Veteran (L1) once again. He continued training but has come to the hard realization that he has lost his edge (one which was often necessary to keep the unruly in line).

This loss has come to a head just recently. His most obstinate charge, Kargil The Untamed, has been a perpetual thorn in his side. In a fit a belligerence Kargil said, "Who are you to train me? I could take you in a fight!" and the truth of the brash youth's words struck home. Hjaldeig now seeks to increase his prowess through the quickest means: adventuring on Midgard.

Thrain The Weaponsmith ostensibly runs the Training Order, though in reality he spends most of his time making weapons.

You may want to consider making up a simple history for your first and second level adventures. If you do, give me a copy of the info.

Dotsig originally hails from the Island Of Colors, a peaceful Modsogner holding which is normally "separate" from Midgard, though it periodically comes into contact with it. Once per year the normally placid and topologically closed Steam Lake gives off billows of steam, which allow passage between the two realms. This is mostly the cause of the island's unusual serenity; i.e. infrequent contact with mainstream Midgard. The contact point on Midgard also moves, but in a regular fashion.

Surrounded by water as it is, it needs a constant supply of purine, a copper / silver / greenish ore which can purify the water. Fortunately, a small handful is enough to keep the water bright and clear for years; unfortunately, it is extremely rare and can only be found on Midgard.

The entire realm is protected by the Defenders, a group of mortals who have taken up residence there. The Modsogner have made a pact with these brave people: if every Defender will search for at least five years on Midgard for a quantity of purine, then they will allow them to continue living there. Even those who fail serve a useful purpose, limiting the search for future Defenders.

Unfortunately, the Defenders have mayhap done their job too well, as reasonable peace has reigned on the island for several years. Recently a gnomish faction formed which advocated replacing the combat training of young gnomes with more intellectual pursuits. The staunch old guard resisted, and the conflict was eventually arbitrated by the Modsogner. "Send intellectuals to Midgard for one Steam Cycle; if they survive and return and still believe that gnomes can get by without combat training, then change the curriculum."

Within hours after being deposited the gnomes ran afoul a band of gnolls, who promptly destroyed them all. The gnomes attempts at negotiation and then flight were tantamount to worthless. Dotsig herself would have died along with her brethren, except that she tripped while the group was travelling, and was overlooked by the gnoll horde. She luckily made her way to Fallersholm, where the next steam portal will appear, but as yet have not decided whether she will return.

All Defenders were blue as part of their standard.

Phantasmal Force

Change Self

Change Object = L1, R 6" + 1"/L, D 1d6t + 1t/L, AE One object, C VS, CT 1s, ST None

Sensation = L1, R 6"+1"/L, D 1rd/L, AE 3" rad globe, C VS, CT 1s, ST Neg

Cannot cause visual / auditory sensations.

Numbers = L1, R 6" + 1"/L, D 1rd/L, AE Group of same object, C VS, CT 1s, ST None

Duplicates or reduces the number of items by a factor of (11-L)! inverted. Cannot be reduced below one.

From the first Kargil realized that if you want something, you have to speak up. And if you want to get something, sometimes you have to take it. Very early on he earned the name "The Untamed" because of his strong-minded attitude (and brute strength to match).

Sparks flew from the first time that he met the combat instructor Tamer Hjaldeig. The fat dwarf presumed the he knew what he was doing and Kargil didn't (it was that type of prowess that got him drained by a wight!) Kargil didn't believe that Hjaldeig was any better than he, and he set out to prove it by competing with the elder warrior. Most of their competitions have been near things, with the mentor only slightly beating out his younger adversary.

Thorvald has been plagued his entire life with nightmares. In a past life he was the ruthless Adversary Hagbard who ruled the nation of Aggersborg, from which Fallersholm would one day form. Buttressing Hagbard's rule was the Council of Spirits, a group of powerful clerics of various denominations.

As years passed, the Council became increasingly concerned over Hagbard's lust for power and control. Initially his <ahem> enthusiasm was a benefit in uniting the first real nation on Midgard in a vast bloodbath, but they were a hindrance in effective rule. Still, he was a powerful warrior and a central celebrity, whose power and influence were sorely needed, despite his perverse faults. The holy men sought to reason with him, then temper him, and lastly to limit him.

Hagbard rankled at any restraint, and plotted to remove the Council permanently. During a minor goblin incursion he saw his chance and deceived the clerics, convincing them they needed to split in order to meet multiple threats. He personally slew over half the council, while the goblins took care of the rest.

But Hagbard made a fatal miscalculation; the goblin force was just an advance column for a Goblin Horde, which swept Aggersborg off the map. Had Hagbard and the Council stood together, the assault would probably have been turned. Tens of thousands of humans died, and Aggersborg was no more.

The gods were severely displeased. The first true civilization had been destroyed. Many powerful clerics, direct channels to divinity, were no more. And perhaps most damaging, tens of thousands of humans lost forever. All because of one man's lusts and deceptions. The gods pronounced a terrible punishment, that the essence of Hagbard would live in each of his rebirths, and that each one would suffer.

Since then all the incarnations have been paladins, incapable of lying. Every sleep they are visited with gruesome visions of the betrayal of the Council and the destruction of Aggersborg. The dreams would break a normal man, filling him with fear or dread; perhaps only a paladin is able to survive such constant torture. Perhaps if Thorvald can atone for the crimes of his past self can he be free of these nightmares...

Eleanor (pronounced El-ay'-en-or) is an aged elf from the World Of GreyHawk ®. Once a powerful fighter and wind mage, he withered away to a shadow of his former power during his long quest to help the last surviving comrade from his adventuring party: Khrul.

Khrul used to be a dwarven fighter and thief. Ages past, he stumbled upon and disrupted an important ceremony performed by clerics of Loki. The Trickster promptly polymorphed him into a mouse, "the better for you to sneak around."

Since that time TigerFang has searched in vain for a way to reverse the change. Just recently he concluded the only way to change Khrul back was to apologize to Loki and hope the capricious god would take pity on him. This prompted the transport into the Midgard.

Unfortunately, magic on Midgard works nothing like magic on Greyhawk, and the two find themselves trapped on this world! Thus, the mission has become twofold: find Loki and apologize, and understand enough about this world's magic to cast a return spell.

However, the pair did luck out in some ways. They landed in Fallersholm, which took them in and sheltered them from the new world. Furthermore, the pure light on this orb seems to invigorate Eleanor, rejuvenating him both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, in his giddiness at his newfound vigor, he ignores much of the wisdom and experience he gained through long years as a sedate elder.

Look at both character sheets! Languages, encumbrance, etc.

You may want to use common words that I have been avoiding. Day, i.e. when the sun shines; night, when the moon is out, etc. Stress how different Midgard is from "normal" worlds.

Read Magic

Light

Air Lancet = Same as magic missile, but with niftier visuals.

Obscure, as Ill Wall of Fog

Earth Breathe = L1, R Touch, D 1T/L, AE One Creature, C VSM, C 3s, ST None

The recipient may breathe pure, clean air while in contact with the ground.

Black 3 is part of the Right Hand of Ozurr, one of the crack cadres of female warriors which served under Sultan Ozurr. The Sultan held together the settlement of Greipyulf for many years, through force, wit, luck, and the long reach of his Hands. Greipyulf was an orderly nomadic camp, avoiding trouble where it could and fighting where it couldn't. While Ozurr and Jarl Sigurd weren't quite friends, they definitely weren't enemies. Fallersholm and Greipyulf never came into conflict, and would sometimes even help each other out.

However, the balance of power in the area has shifted. A powerful cleric of Sif named Gisla has been steadily accruing a band of devoted followers for a couple decades. This force, called the Red Swords (by the distinguished short sword they bear), is now vast and has recently made several bold strikes in acquiring smaller settlements.

Eight days ago Greipyulf was attacked by the Red Swords, and it became clear that the Sultan's forces were doomed. By luck they were camped near Fallersholm, and Ozurr sent his Right Hand to go there and beseech Sigurd's aid. However, he made it quite clear that he expected everyone would be dead by then; he preferred the corpses to go to Sigurd than to Gisla.

The Sultan's final order was explicit: serve Sigurd and help him destroy Gisla. Perhaps his remaining Hands will reach beyond the grave and break the Red Swords...

Vermin are a constant threat to the rebirth process. Small and difficult to catch, they gnaw at bodies which hang on the Yggdrasil. Orm The Deformed knows this well, as his face was partially gnawed away by rats while he was gestating. Only his obvious skills kept him from being immediately "recycled"; he has dedicated his life to eradicating vermin and keeping the bodies safe.

The main way Fallersholm keeps these pests under control is by using iguana, a small fast lizard which hunts down and consumes all manner of vermin. These critters have the added benefit that they will regenerate wholely if any flesh remains on their bones. They are also well trained to ceaselessly pursue the vermin.

Unfortunately, three days ago catastrophe struck. Some other predator has entered the area, one which consumes iguanas, leaving behind just a pile of bones. During this time half the lizards have been destroyed, permanently! This fiend (or perhaps fiends) must be eradicated, and new lizards must be found.

Iguana [20] (AC 7: MV 15"**6": 1HD: AT#1: D 1-4 bite)

An half-orc with a human mother raped by an orc. An outcast when he grew up. Recent his barbarian tribe was split by internal strife, and he was cast out on his own.

Soon afterward he was rescued by Thundarr the Barbarian, and follows him around hoping to learn from his guidance.