[center][b]The Blood Eagle[/b][/center]

[hider=Foreword]
~ This is an alternate take on the Great Heathen Army's invasion during the Viking Age, 865 A.D - 878 A.D. Instead of simply a Danish army, it will comprise of an even larger army of unified chieftains from all over. There are some slight twists and additions to norse mythology, and there will be a slight mythological presence of the norse gods in this roleplay. With that said, lets get on with it. [/hider]
[hider=Prologue]
 From Götaland to Österland, the earth quakes and rumbles, the waters thrash about in an unseamly manner. A wicked trickster hell-bent on devious plots heads way unto a festival of the gods. In Ægir's hall these gods laugh, sing praise, feast and drink merrily. For unbeknownst to them, a reckoning is approaching. A vile trick that would morph the creeds of prophecy for the coming of the ages.

Meanwhile, a Geatish king ventures into Svealand and prepares for a declaration of peace. In the great hall known as Guldsten, a Swedish king does the same. An indescribable feast of wonderous occasions is laid out, the servant girls prancing around flirtatiously, the skalds preforming tunes of such elegancy. It is a celebratory time in Uppsala, peace has been declared, and with it breeds a new age of coming battle and war.

~

In Ægir's hall, a different story plays out. The gods cry out so loud that Yggdrasil shakes and trembles. Mjölnir, the hammer of Thor, has been absconded with. Gungnir, the spear of Odin, has also vanished. And Freyr's boar, Gullinbursti, was spotted by the entrance with it's guts strung up along the walkway. The hall was in uproar, that is, until Odin decided to give chase. Thor, Freyr and Loki followed, spreading out amongst the lands to catch the vile being.

And there he was, caught in an open field near Ægir's hall. Útgarða-Loki, cornered by the four gods on all sides, was bound to his knees and beaten severely. With all their strength and rage combined, they drug him through miles of jagged, rocky terrain and muddy plains. A wooden platform was erected upon the entrance of Asgard, where the giant was strung up by his wrists. The gods casted stones upon him, and he spit upon them in return. Indeed, the giant was too big for conveying a normal means of the execution planned for him. Thus, Odin tied enormous ropes to a sharp, serrated blade, two large axes, and two large hooks. These ropes were fastened over a massive wooden beam lumbering over the head of Útgarða-Loki, and the execution was under way.

The first rope was pulled, and a blade sharp as a razor sliced along the jötun's spine up to his neck. Blood seeped down upon the platform and into the soil. Two more ropes were yanked and pulled as if ringing a church bell, two massive axes cutting away along his back in unison. As Odin called forth a flock of Valkyries, they attached the hooks into the giant's rib cage through his back. With a powerful downward thrust on the last rope tied to the hooks, Odin broke, bent and spread backwards the jötun's ribcage along his spine so as to resemble the folded wings of an eagle. Thor and Loki climbed up the giant's back, tearing out his lungs and pinning them to his shoulders with spears. As the giant roared and shouted in horrendous pain moments before his death, Odin grinned and ordered his body burnt to ashes.

Útgarða-Loki's screams were heard all the way to Jötunheimr, even thunderous storms bellowed over the ancient lands of Sweden and the Jutland Peninsula. Although with this trickster slain, the gods knew they were at a disadvantage. For they would require new weapons, new artifacts of which to give them an edge at Ragnarok. In Valhalla, Odin sat upon his throne and realized he would need many more einherjar for the coming of the end times if he were to overcome prophecy's foretellings. He sent down one of his sons to the mortal plane to relay a message to his people.

~ 

In the grand halls of Guldsten, all were nearly blinded by Baldr's appearance. As he approached the two kings and their people, he spoke and they were in awe. His voice vibrant and assertive.

"[i]A blood eagle soars over the lands, amass your warriors and prepare for battle...sail west, my brothers and sisters, for the Allfather commands it.[/i]" 

As he left their presence, he proceeded to visit the Danish king along the Jutland Peninsula and utter the same phrase. Soon, chieftains from every corner of the northern lands reportededly had seen and heard Baldr himself. It was time, the largest gathered army of northmen would assemble and raid west.

In nearly one month, a conglomerate of chieftains hailing from all across the northern lands feast, sing, dance and drink in the grand halls of Guldsten. They discuss the strengths of their clans, strategies for further raids upon the Saxon's lands, and various other future plots. It is the dawn of the year 865 A.D, and on the morrow they march for the hamnstad on the western coasts of Svealand. The Great Heathen Army has been assembled, and they will sail towards England's demise.
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[hider=Character Creation Info]
[center][b]Forging your clan and creating your chieftain.[/b][/center]

-[b] Homelands,[/b]
-- [i]Österland[/i], a harsh and frozen land to the far north. It is filled with hunters, fishers, and some nomads. Some of these clans are not quite home to the best warriors that the northlands have to offer, but they are certainly most acclimated to volatile weather conditions. [b]Demonym[/b]: Östermen

--[i] Norrland[/i], this exceptionally cold area isn't exactly marked by boundries but rather is the bulk of area contained just north of Svealand. The wild forests, wide rivers, and unexplored wilderness make it a sparsely populated location. Many hunters come from these lands, and proud people as well, and they make some of the finest bowmen in the lands. [b]Demonym[/b]: Norsemen/Swede (Generally they are similar to swedes, or even are swedes that migrated further north.) 

-- [i]Svealand[/i], although still a rather cold area in the north lands, Svealand is relatively warmer compared to most other places. Regardless, the land is home to some of the most honored, long-lived clans of the northmen. While Norrland and Österland comprise mostly of small villages and sizeable towns, this province is home to entire cities and trelleborgs. In the capital of Uppsala, the mighty hall of Guldsten resides, and is practically a national monument surrounded by oak carved statues of Odin, Thor, Freyr and Baldr. Svealand is home to some of the best warriors in the northlands comparable only to Götaland, their only main advantage being the higher population and sheer number of warriors they have over the Geats. [b]Demonym[/b]: Swedes, Svea.

-- [i]Götaland[/i], with deep forests, relatively flat lands and sandy coasts, it is an almost unique region joined by a small island to the immediate east. For many years this province fought for control both from the north and from within it's own borders. Having recently stabilized and focused oppresive action upon Svealand, the conflicts and bloodshed only continued until a recent pact of peace was worked out. With not much progress made on either side, the Geats sent their king to accept the terms and band together to raid west. They are a class of people raised in war and battle, and are an often violent and rowdy, if not mentally questionable bunch. Their warriors are plentiful, although not quite as numerous as the swedes, and make up for it by having an increased number of warriors known by many as '[i]berserkers[/i]'. Fabled warriors who fight with reckless abandon and devastating force. [b]Demonym[/b]: Geats.

-- [i]Jutland Peninsula[/i], one of the flattest lands in the northern viking area, filled with plains and bogs and only slightly higher rocky terrains and hills to the east. It's people are arguably the most proud, religious and mythical when compared to other regions. Many rune stones dot the landscape and more pagan rituals are preformed here than the other provinces. It is rumored that the gods favor the Danes, and on rare occasion have miracles happened in their battles. [b]Demonym[/b]: Danes.

- [b]Chieftain Interests[/b] (Choose 2 out of 6)
-- [i]Gold and treasures[/i]
-- [i]Fame and glory[/i]
-- [i]Honour and battle[/i]
-- [i]New lands for settling[/i]
-- [i]Ascension, proving yourself to the gods[/i]
-- [i]Adventure and thrill[/i]

- [b]Chieftain's Favored Weapon[/b]
-- [i]Axe[/i]
-- [i]Sword[/i]
-- [i]Bow[/i]
-- [i]Dual Wielding Blades or Axes[/i]
-- [i]Two Handed Blades or Axes[/i] 

- [b]Chieftain's Title[/b]
-- [i]King[/i], an often disputed title, three kings of equal measure inhabit the few provinces and are currently at an uneasy truce so long as the gods declare it. They reside power and control over Jarls, however the Jarls almost always have a say in matters. The weight of such opinions only as strong as their king allows it. (Only allowing 3 kings, one Swede, one Geat, and one Dane.) (Generally, this title means you'll be able to command just about every grouping of warriors loyal to your province, and you might even have your own small warband of warriors in a unit with you.)

-- [i]Jarls[/i], while under jurisdiction of a king, jarls often have many loyal supporters and followers under them. They control many plots of land and have a wide array of troops to command. (I'll be allowing up to 6 jarls.) (This is a more lax controlling title, you'll have your unit of warriors under your control, and perhaps a few others as the situation warrants, however a king may, can, and probably will choose to override your orders from time to time.)

-- [i]Huscarls[/i], often bodyguards or loyal warriors under a king or a jarl, these men and women are highly skilled and trained at what they do. (Players who want to opt out of big control positions can pick this and essentially be a free form character. Communicate with other players who wish to be jarls or kings and see if they'll take you under their wing. You wont quite be in a position to bark out orders, but a jarl or king may choose to hear your opinion on current situations, strategies, tactics and so on)
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[hider=Application]
[b]Application Sheet[/b]:

[i]Chieftain's Name[/i]:
[i]Chieftain's Appearance[/i]: (Go ahead and include gender and relative age or exact age in here.)
[i]Chieftain's Title[/i]: (King/Queen, Jarl, Huscarl.)
[i]Chieftain's Interests[/i]: (Please pick only 2 out of the six options.)
[i]Chieftain's Favored Weapon[/i]: 

[i]Homeland[/i]: (On top of your homeland, feel free to research any one province within your land or even make up a town or village or city that you live in or rule over.)

[i]Brief History[/i]: (Include how you rose to power or hardships you've overcome. Perhaps collaborate with other players on previous relationships, although it is not necessarily required. A good 3 paragraph minimum will do.)
[/hider]
[hider=Norse Terms, Names and Meanings]

~ I plan on this list expanding as time goes on.

- Guldsten; Goldstone, a fictional hall in the province of Uppsala in Svealand.
- Jötun; Another word for giant or frost giant.
- Ægir, a sea giant whom holds extravagant parties for the gods in his hall.
- Einherjar; fallen and slain warriors on the battlefield who have been taken to Odin's hall of Valhalla. They feast and train in the hall until Ragnarok, where they will fight alongside Odin.
- Skalds; another word for poets of the viking age.
- Trelleborgs; round, circular viking forts.
[/hider]