Ragnarr the Fatherless's page

Ragnarr is a towering, broad-framed brute, standing six and a half feet tall and weighing 265 lbs. Given the cold climate of Norvanbard and his fear of deep water, Ragnarr seldom bathes and thus only rarely removes his loose-fitting, threadbare peasant garb or winter furs and studded leather armour. His arms and legs are like tree trunks, and his torso, seldom seen unclothed by others, ripples with sinewy muscles. As a result of endless hours spent under the midnight sun or roaming windswept pastures with his flock of sheep, Ragnarr’s skin has taken on a consistency reminiscent of burnt clay… but smells much worse.

Ragnarr has a high forehead with a prominent brow, jutting jaw, flat nose with wide nostrils, and stone grey eyes sunk deep in his skull. Long wisps of stringy, matted blonde hair fall away from a balding crown to the middle of his back. A scraggly beard grows in uneven patches along his jaw line. His bestial laughter reveals unusually long and pointed teeth. Although he is but in his early 20s, Ragnarr’s actual age is difficult to judge by appearance alone.

Ragnarr basically lives out on the land with his flock, and thus carries all his personal belongings wherever he goes. The hilltop silhouette of a monstrous shepherd with a wooden staff in one hand, and great axe and short bow slung on his back, is well known around Raudurfoss.

Ragnarr spends most of his time roaming the hills and pastures to the north of Sturla’s homestead, a few miles outside of Raudurfoss. Although he is a member of Sturla’s clan and does crave the company of others, discomfort and awkwardness quickly set in when he is amongst his “siblings” and other relatives, and especially in Sturla’s company. He only ever feels truly comfortable in the presence of his mother, Eyja. Ragnarr knows that he was not fathered by Sturla, but has never learned the truth of his heritage. When he used to ask his mother about his father, pain and sadness would cloud her eyes and she would quickly change the subject. It is rumoured, however, that Ragnarr’s father was a descendant of the legendary monster, Grendel, who once laired in the heart of Norvanbard until he was slain by the great hero, Beowulf. Eyja also suggested that Ragnarr’s remarkable strength has marked him as favoured by Thor, and that he is destined to perform great deeds of his own. His name means “shaker of the world.”

Yet thus far, the most Ragnarr has accomplished in his short life consists of successful livestock raids (his favourite pastime) on other homesteads in the Mosfell region and defending his clan’s honour in an on-going blood feud with clan Yngvarr. Ragnarr has the “privilege” of being clan Sturla’s “executioner.” The little bit of gold he has, he acquired through some of his assignments (whether by looting the bodies of the dead, or as reward from Sturla). Still, given his mother’s predictions, Ragnarr hopes for a greater purpose in life. This might also help him win the heart of Ragnhild Hrafnsdottir, the secret object of his desire who, as fate would have it, also has caught the eye of Black-Heart Egil.

In order to better comprehend his place in the world, as well as the will and blessings of the gods (especially Thor), Ragnarr has gone to great lengths to learn Norvanbard’s oral history and myths from kindly and wise Unn the Deep-Minded, one of the few people in the fiefs of Mosfell (aside from his mother) that he can trust and that does not view him with fear or suspicion. He constantly recites poems and family genealogies when alone amongst his sheep. Indeed, Unn told him that if he proved himself dedicated enough and uncovered the Words of Power within the tales of the gods, then he might someday earn additional gifts from the gods, and might even become one of the island’s respected skalds.

Ragnarr is fascinated by music (he’ll usually forget about what he was doing the moment he hears someone playing an instrument and will seek out the source of the music) and enjoys riddles (as all skalds should), though he is not particularly talented at either.

Despite Ragnarr’s crude manners and gravelly voice, when he speaks, folk usually pay attention to what he has to say, if only because he conveys his ideas with passion and conviction. Those who dismiss him summarily risk life and limb, for his temper is short, unpredictable and extremely violent. The simplest of jokes can send him rolling on the floor, laughing like an innocent child, but moments later a perceived insult might launch him into a killing rage. The only thing that Ragnarr truly fears is drowning.

. Backpack (location: back; weight: 2 lbs.)
. Short bow and 19 arrows (location: back; weight: 5 lbs.)
. Dagger (location: sheath/belt; weight: 1 lbs.)
. Great axe (location: sheath/back; weight: 12 lbs.)
. Quarterstaff (location: hand; weight: 4 lbs.)
. Studded leather (location: worn under cloak; weight: 20 lbs.)
. Bedroll (location: backpack; weight: 5 lbs.)
. Traveler's outfit (location: worn; weight: 5 lbs.)
. Winter clothes (location: worn or pack; 7 lbs.)
. 10 candles (location: backpack; weight: --)
. Flint and steel (location: belt pouch; weight: --)
. Whetstone (location: belt pouch; weight: 1 lbs.)
. Waterskin (location: backpack; weight: 4 lbs.)
. 3 day's rations (location: backpack; weight: 3 lbs.)
. 2 belt pouches (location: belt; weight: 1 lbs.)
. 2 sacks (location: backpack; weight: 1 lbs.)
. 5 torches (location: backpack; weight:5 lbs.)
. 3 hunter's traps (location: backpack; weight: ???)

. Greypelt cloak -- +1 circumstance bonus to initimidate checks
. 5 doses of barbarian -- duration: 1 hour, extends rage by one round
. 1 silversheen (coats 1 melee weapons or 20 missiles, gives properties of silver)
. 2 bear's endurance fish draught
. 2 magic weapon oils
. 1 protection from evil charm (break it for it to work)
.

Total weight: 77 lbs. (incl. coins)

Encumbrance: Light: 0-86 lbs; Medium: 87-173 lbs.; Heavy: 174-260 lbs.[/b]

cp: 3
sp: 5
gp: 151
pp: --

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