[hider=Torr 'the Wolf' Valgard]
[b]Name[/b]:  Torr 'the Wolf' Valgard

[b]Physical[/b]:  Like many Varan hailing from the north, the young Torr stands high among men and his toned shoulders echo his ability as a warrior.  His long, rugged, black hair hangs down to just below his shoulders, and his black beard hangs down to his chest.  Cold, dark blue eyes are set upon his cold face, complete with a fierce demeanor and strong chin.

[b]Equipment[/b]:  Torr wears chainmail over his torso, covered by a padded tabard, while a black belt wraps around his waist.  He wears black, iron-plated gauntlets complete with gloves, and iron greaves cover his black boots.  A cloak of wolf fur hangs over his shoulders.  In battle Torr wears an iron helmet modeled in the shape of a wolf's head.  Most of his apparel is dyed black with dark blue accents, with the emblem of a white wolf's head.

Torr carries an iron-braced, wooden round shield, a longsword, a hand-axe, and his family's ancestral blade.  He is a master swordsman and has been regarded as one of Asgeir's finest warriors.  He prefers to use his longsword and shield together, resorting to his hand-axe when necessary.  His family's ancestral blade is an ancient weapon, and never used; a dark-colored, rune-scribed blade comes forth from its wolf's head hilt.  Some would say the runes hold magical power, although Torr does not believe so.

[b]Background[/b]:  Torr is the son of Tarro, the jarl of Valland.  Like all Varan, Torr was brought up as a warrior and would one day take his father's place as jarl.  Although he has battled bandits, raiders, and pirates, Torr longs for a real challenge.  When news of the Sylver Empire's encroachments reached Asgeir, Torr took up his sword and marched south with ten of his best men.

[b]Faction[/b]
[u]Valland Hold, Asgeir[/u]
Far to the north lies the realm of Asgeir.  It is a land of harsh winters, abundant forests, vast mountains, and chilled valleys.  Rivers and tributaries run from the slopes of snow-covered peaks, winding through the dark forests and icy hills before emptying into the seas and lakes.

The High King of Asgeir rules from the capital of Stormhold, the oldest and largest city in the kingdom; Stormhold is also the extent of his power, as the realm is largely governed by independent lords called jarls.  Each jarl rules a jarldom and is responsible for its maintenance and protection.  Valland Hold is one such jarldom, long ruled by the Valgard clan.  The Valgards are capable swordsmen, perhaps the finest in Asgeir.  In times of war the Valgards can raise the Wolfguard, legendary horsemen who double as excellent infantry.

The Valgards rule from their walled town of Valland.  Their land consists of rolling hills, perfect for grazing and farming, and thick forests which allow forestry and hunting.  Winding rivers provide fresh water and fish.  The Valgard clan symbol, and thus the symbol of their soldiers, is a dark blue field with a white wolfs head.

[b]Asgeir Military[/b]
A jarl may levy the men and women of his province to form a warband, personally led by the jarl himself.  All able-bodied men and women are expected to heed the call, although it is usually the head of household and his oldest sons who pick up arms to fight for the jarl.  Shieldmaidens are common in Asgeir and can account for 45% of the nation's military.  Because of this levy system it is law for all individuals living in Asgeir to own a weapon and shield.  Fathers and mothers train their sons and daughters to fight from a young age, guaranteeing a capable military force in times of war.

Asgeir is a vast realm, and the towns and settlements can be spread across vast distances.  Therefore horses are almost required to trek the long distances.  Horses are also used to work the fields, herd the cattle, and transport necessary food and supplies to other locations.  This has led to an equestrian-based society, and almost all families own horses.  It is no surprise then that when levied many warriors ride into battle atop their beloved steeds.

Asgeir produces fine horsemen.  They may not be as heavily armored as a knight, nor as fast as other riders, but they strike a middle ground and can fulfill a multitude of rolls.  When dismounted they double as excellent infantry.  The wealthiest warriors ride barded horses and wear chainmail or iron armor, wielding round shields and either axes or swords, along with a lance.

Those men who have lost their horses or otherwise do not own one act as infantry.  They bring with them chainmail armor, iron helmets, a round shield, and a melee weapon of their choosing.  Infantry are expected to form shieldwalls, which allow them to absorb enemy charges and deflect arrow volleys, so all warriors must bring a shield.

Varan tactics revolve around charging and breaking enemy formations with their cavalry, and then finishing them off with the support of their infantry.  Otherwise they absorb the impact of the enemy charge with their infantry, and seek to flank with their cavalry.  They lack in missile units, and only a few jarldoms supply dedicated archer units.

[b]Varan Military[/b]
The Varan military can be divided into two portions: infantry and cavalry.  The Varan are excellent riders, but double as excellent infantry, lacking in archery and artillery.

[b]Command[/b]
[u]10 Wolfguard[/u] - The Wolfguard are elite warriors from Valland Hold.  These chosen champions are hand picked by the jarl himself, serving as his bodyguard in times of war.  There are no finer warriors in Valland, and few others in Asgeir can match their prowess in battle.  Generally, the Wolfguard are wealthy lords living in Valland who can afford warhorses and maintain a sufficient arsenal; they have thus sworn sacred oaths of loyalty to the jarl, and will fight and die in his name.  Some Wolfguard begin as local strongmen who have proven their worth and are granted lands and titles.

The Wolfguard wear iron armor, wolf cloaks, and fearsome helmets meant to instill fear in their opponents.  They carry iron-braced, wooden round shields, and an assortment of chosen weapons: greatswords, battleaxes, longswords, maces, etc.  Each Wolfguard has a mighty warhorse, protected by barding.  While they can act as sufficient cavalrymen, the Wolfguard prefer to fight on foot, utilizing age-old tactics like shieldwalls.[/hider]