Bjarne Norrelnevarkson History

Bjarne's Family

Bjarne was born to a family of cloth merchants in a large Vendel village. He had the look of the Vesten though, and early on his parents realized their son had the gift of the old blood. As Bjarne has no interest in becoming a merchant, his parents sent him off to apprentice to the town doctor. However the call of his older blood was too much for Bjarne and several times he ran away from home to the nearby Vesten village to learn about the heritage of his people. During these trips he learnt more about the legends and runes of his people

Unfortunately, Bjarne’s family’s reputation suffered as a consequence of his connection to the Vesten and his parents business began to falter. Bjarne wasn’t as concerned as his family about this, as he was still fighting for the right to learn the older Vesten ways. Ironically, Bjarne’s luck changed when a group of Vesten raiders arrived to attack the Vendel town. Bjarne managed to stop them by using his knowledge of runes to dampen their blood lust and calm their spirits. The raiders agreed to leave the town intact, but only on condition that they take Bjarne with them. The townsfolk, although grateful to Bjarne, are more than happy to hand him over and not even his family are sad to see him go. Bjarne gladly returned with the raiders and spends the remainder of his youth living amongst the Vestenmannavnjar.

During his sojourn with the Vesten the young man became a proficient skald and rune caster. Once past his apprenticeship, Bjarne moved with his teacher from community to community. The medical skills that the young skald had were well received by many communities, although they were not openly acknowledged.

Having spent so much time living in both the Vendel and Vesten worlds, Bjarne came to the realization that he can act as a "bridge" between the two sides of his divided people. He decided that one can live with modern ideas such as medicine and astronomy, without giving up one's faith, that legends and science can coexist. Needless to say, many of the Vesten communities rejected his ideas and the few Vendel communities he visited viewed him with scepticism and scorn. Bjarne eventually lost faith in his ability to heal his people. It seemed that the scars and wounds ran too deep for one man to heal. Disillusioned by this self-imposed divide amongst his people, Bjarne decided to travel beyond the Vesten/Vendel lands and see Théah.

Out in the world Bjarne discovered prejudice was still rife wherever he went. Most other nations saw him as a savage, and the only ships that will accept a skald with his strange beliefs aboard were Vesten raiders and the odd Avalon trader.

During one voyage aboard a Vesten ship, they engaged a Montaigne merchant ship in combat. An Avalon privateer emerged from the mist during the battle and a three-way fight ensued. None of the ship could truly be counted as the victor in the fight. All three were damaged very badly, and most were destroyed. Bjarne was forced to abandon ship as it began to sink. He swam for one of the longboats and found the Avalon ship's beautiful lieutenant aboard. Shortly after he climbed in, a Highlander joined them from the Montaigne vessel. The three strangers spent several longs days in the longboat before they eventually reached dry land. During these three days Bjarne fell head over heals in love with the beautiful Avalon Lieutenant, a girl called Meg. When they reached land the three companions promised to meet again in three years time in Carleon. Meg left on her own and Bjarne and Angus travelled together for a while.

During his travels with Angus, Bjarne encounters a group called the Explorers Society. Their research into ancient mysteries fascinates him, and he joins as an associate member. He agrees to join them as a full member in three years time as he has other obligations to attend to, that obligation being his meeting with Meg in Carleon.

Bjarne spends the next few years acting as ship's surgeon and peacemaker. Having learned how to behave in ‘civilised’ society, his choice of ships becomes a little wider. His reputation as a negotiator grows, but the restless Vestenmannavnjar in him refuses to settle down until he has found a way to unite his people. Now, three years have almost passed and Bjarne has just heard news of Angus' ship being close to an attack by the Crimson Roger. Following rumours of survivors, Bjarne arrives in a small village in Montaigne occupied Castille

Description

Bjarne is of average height for a Vesten with bond hair and brown eyes, ruggedly handsome features of a man who has spent many years outdoors. He wears simple clothes, except for a patchwork cloak of many colours. Despite being softly spoken, his words carry across a crowded room when he so wishes. He has been described as a gentle giant, especially by those who receive his medical aid for free (as well as a few jennys at various ports)