The Black Lion
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
After nearly three decades of constant war on a galactic scale, as well as having earned six consecutive battlefield promotions, Thirdas Heavenshield had sought to retire indefinitely when he and
Nida Heavenshield
got married and settled on Midvinter as humble farmers. His warring days behind him, Thirdas instead devoted himself to raising a family and making up for lost time with his wife, whom he had loved since a teen but, for one reason or another, Fate had kept apart for the vast majority of their adult lives. The former Ranger Colonel and ex-vigilante had hung up his rifle, and buried his axe for the forseeable future.
Until one night, an act of nature forced his hand. A pack of direwolves targeted their farmstead, slaughtering their livestock and threatening his family. Awoken by the commotion and frightened cries of his children, Thirdas ripped open the floorboards and retrieved his battleaxe, then rushed out into the cold, dark night. Wearing but a nightgown, the born warrior faced the entire pack and brought low each one with brutal efficiency. When pounced upon by the leader beast — a truly massive black wolf bearing its full weight down on him — Thirdas held its jaws shut with one hand whilst grabbing hold of the scruff of its neck with the other, and tore its entire head off.
Returning to his family drenched in blood and gore, he knew in his heart he could never be just a farmer; his children had witnessed the carnage, and seen the savagery of their father. The galaxy might have shaped him into a killer, but now he understood he could use those same skills to protect others like he'd just safeguarded his family. Thirdas gathered to him his fellow farmers, millers, cattle ranchers and shepherds, suggesting that they form a new militia to better combat and coordinate against threats such as hostile wildlife and banditry. As news of the direwolf attack had spread throughout the community in the lead-up to this gathering, it was decided that they name this militia after the slain beasts, and that Thirdas should lead them.
While loathed to accept another position of leadership so soon following his retirement, he relented after consulting his family, with even his young children agreeing he should accept. Thus, the Black Lion was named the first Great Wolf of the West.
Traditionally, all Valkyri boys are taught how to defend themselves, as well as many girls, though not all are trained warriors. It fell to the experienced soldier and the few veterans found amongst the volunteers to turn his countrymen, none of whom were men of great lineage or scions of noble houses, into a competent fighting force capable of taking down even the largest and fiercest of predators, as well as outthink sentient attackers. These men are not professional soldiers; they tend to their farms, drive their cattle, and break in horses for a living. Each member volunteers their time as they see fit, attending Wolf Moots and joining organised Prowls whenever able.
Working in close coordination with his father, Thirdas and his Ulfhednar regularly stalk the forests and plains of Westmark, operating independently of royal patrols and off the beaten paths to even the most remote towns and villages, earning them a reputation as watchful protectors of the lowborn. It also should be stated that their independence frees them to take actions deemed too clandestine for the High King to undertake himself, such as espionage and other covert operations.
Earning their fame through hardship and their fierce loyalty to the plight of the common man, the wolf-clad warriors of the West have since their humble beginnings become one of the most famous warbands on the planet, owed in no small part to the Great Wolf leading them — his warrior's saga not yet done.
- Intent: To form a warband led by Thirdas Heavenshield.
- Image Credit:
- Role: A warrior order dedicated to patrolling the frontiers and safeguarding remote villages.
- Permissions: N/A
- Links:
- Unit Name: Ulfhednar (native spelling, meaning 'wolf-clad warriors': Úlfhéðnar)
- Affiliation: Thirdas Heavenshield
- Classification:
- Description:
- Unit Size: Medium
- Unit Availability: Unique
- Unit Experience: Trained
- Equipment:
- Combat Function:
- Force Abilities (Force User Units Only): N/A
After nearly three decades of constant war on a galactic scale, as well as having earned six consecutive battlefield promotions, Thirdas Heavenshield had sought to retire indefinitely when he and
Nida Heavenshield
got married and settled on Midvinter as humble farmers. His warring days behind him, Thirdas instead devoted himself to raising a family and making up for lost time with his wife, whom he had loved since a teen but, for one reason or another, Fate had kept apart for the vast majority of their adult lives. The former Ranger Colonel and ex-vigilante had hung up his rifle, and buried his axe for the forseeable future.Until one night, an act of nature forced his hand. A pack of direwolves targeted their farmstead, slaughtering their livestock and threatening his family. Awoken by the commotion and frightened cries of his children, Thirdas ripped open the floorboards and retrieved his battleaxe, then rushed out into the cold, dark night. Wearing but a nightgown, the born warrior faced the entire pack and brought low each one with brutal efficiency. When pounced upon by the leader beast — a truly massive black wolf bearing its full weight down on him — Thirdas held its jaws shut with one hand whilst grabbing hold of the scruff of its neck with the other, and tore its entire head off.
Returning to his family drenched in blood and gore, he knew in his heart he could never be just a farmer; his children had witnessed the carnage, and seen the savagery of their father. The galaxy might have shaped him into a killer, but now he understood he could use those same skills to protect others like he'd just safeguarded his family. Thirdas gathered to him his fellow farmers, millers, cattle ranchers and shepherds, suggesting that they form a new militia to better combat and coordinate against threats such as hostile wildlife and banditry. As news of the direwolf attack had spread throughout the community in the lead-up to this gathering, it was decided that they name this militia after the slain beasts, and that Thirdas should lead them.
While loathed to accept another position of leadership so soon following his retirement, he relented after consulting his family, with even his young children agreeing he should accept. Thus, the Black Lion was named the first Great Wolf of the West.
Traditionally, all Valkyri boys are taught how to defend themselves, as well as many girls, though not all are trained warriors. It fell to the experienced soldier and the few veterans found amongst the volunteers to turn his countrymen, none of whom were men of great lineage or scions of noble houses, into a competent fighting force capable of taking down even the largest and fiercest of predators, as well as outthink sentient attackers. These men are not professional soldiers; they tend to their farms, drive their cattle, and break in horses for a living. Each member volunteers their time as they see fit, attending Wolf Moots and joining organised Prowls whenever able.
Working in close coordination with his father, Thirdas and his Ulfhednar regularly stalk the forests and plains of Westmark, operating independently of royal patrols and off the beaten paths to even the most remote towns and villages, earning them a reputation as watchful protectors of the lowborn. It also should be stated that their independence frees them to take actions deemed too clandestine for the High King to undertake himself, such as espionage and other covert operations.
Earning their fame through hardship and their fierce loyalty to the plight of the common man, the wolf-clad warriors of the West have since their humble beginnings become one of the most famous warbands on the planet, owed in no small part to the Great Wolf leading them — his warrior's saga not yet done.
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