TheofBridge

the
×
Da mned
Sudmark Gazetteer
×

by Thor Olavsrud
 Sudmark
Gazett× &eer
×
TheofBridge
the
Damned by
Thor Olavsrud
 Credit Due
Torchbearer Concept
Thor Olavsrud

Torchbearer Design
Thor Olavsrud and Luke Crane

Bridge of the Damned Concept Layout

Thor Olavsrud, D. Koch Radek Drozdalski
and Arthur Lahey
Art Direction
Sudmark Gazetteer Concept Luke Crane
Thor Olavsrud
Art
Bridge of the Damned and Kurt Komoda: Cover, frontis piece
Sudmark Gazetteer Design Matt Smith: Banners
Thor Olavsrud Greg Shipp: Maps

Bridge of the Damned Playtesters

Development
Luke Crane, D. Koch,
Arthur Lahey and Topi Makkonen
Sudmark Gazetteer Development
D. Koch and Topi Makkonen
Connor Bell, Shane King, D. Koch,
Andreas Daugstad Leonardsen, James
H. Miller, Jay Miller, Rich Soto, Sam
Weber, Jonathan White, Jordan Yost
Editing
James Case and Topi Makkonen

Sudmark and Bridge of the Damned © 2020 Thor Olavsrud.

Published by the Burning Wheel, New York, NY 11102

First Edition | First Printing | Autumn 2020

www.TorchbearerRPG.com | www.burningwheel.com

In Tenebris Lux Extra Rotam Nulla Salus

 Table of Contents
Sudmark Gazetteer
Sudmark Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Clans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
The Saxalings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Saxatoft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Personalities of Saxatoft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
The Runungs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Jernkloster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Innsjøborg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
The Cult of the Dragonslayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

The Bridge of the Damned

Adventure in Middarmark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Background for the GM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Weather & Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Twists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Bridge of the Damned Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Map Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Monster Appendix
Monsters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

3
4
 Sudmark
Gazetteer
And it came to pass that dell and heath, hill and swift-running stream trembled
with rolling thunder at the passing of Hincmar, chieftain of the House of
Saxa, and his ridders. Their horse-hair plumes streaming and razor-tipped
lances glimmering in the sunlight, they rode unto the very banks of the mighty
Vimurelva, the Runungs fleeing in terror before them.
 — from Saxalingsmal (The Lay of the Saxalings)

S udmark is the name given by the

Gotts1 to the southern stretch of the
Gottmark 2, roughly following the Vimur
boast only middling soil for crops, but
the region provides excellent pasture for
Gott cattle and horses.
River 3 , which flows from the Nidfjoll Of old, the land on both sides of the river
Mountains 4 to the west and empties was held by the Sakki5 people. However,
into the Vargstrondfjord to the east. The they were driven deep into the Ironwold6
Sudmark’s rolling hills and river plains by the Bjorning7 people long ago. The
mounds of their crypts dot the landscape
1 See Gott(s), Middarmark, pages 14,48, 52.
2 Name the Gotts give Vanskrdal. A region in the northeast of the Middarmark. See Vanskrdal,
Middarmark, page 23.
3 T he river that forms the border between the Gottmark and Vargstrond.
4 Mountains that form the northern spine of the Middarmark. See The Nidfjoll, Middarmark,
page 19.
5 See Sakki, Middarmark, pages 49, 53.
6 See Ironwold, Middarmark, page 18.
7 See Bjorning(s), Middarmark, pages 13, 48, 52.
 while their fell shrines moulder in hidden
groves and lost grottoes. It is said their
shades still haunt the Ironwold and
monsters frequently emerge from that
forest to raid, slay and devour—guided,
according to Bjorning folktales, by Sakki
witches.
Twenty years ago, the Saxaling clan
served as vanguard of the Gott Warhost
in their conquest of the Bjorning jarldom
of Vanskrdal. Riding under the banner of
Grev8 Tescelin, one of Warchief Otkell’s
five companions, the Saxalings overran
the holdings of the wealthy Runung clan
of the Bjorning tribe.
The Gotts were poised to sweep into
Vargstrond and perhaps even further
south when their advance foundered.
Gerd, the Bjorning jarl of Vargstrond,
hired a band of dwarven mercenary
sappers to sunder the Jotnarsbru: a
stone bridge, made in ancient times
by an unknown people, that spanned
the Vimur River to connect Vanskrdal
and Vargstrond. Unable to cross the
river and hampered by Bjorning naval
power, Otkell and his Gotts were forced
to consolidate what territory they had
already seized.
The Bjorning survivors captured by the
Gott host were forced into thralldom.
Many of them found themselves working
fields they had once called their own,
but now on behalf of new masters. Little
changed for the Bjorning’s cottars 9
and thralls 10 , the Grælings 11, other
than substituting one set of overlords
and masters for another. South of
8 Gott high nobility that serve as companions to the warchief. Equivalent to a jarl.
9 A n impoverished free person that does not own land or stock (cattle, horses or oxen) and so
must live as a tenant and labor for someone else.
10 A slave.
11 See Græling(s), Middarmark, pages 14,48, 53.
the Vimur River, in Vargstrond, the
remnants of the free Runung clan clung
to the lands that remained to them,
eventually establishing Brugard as their
clan seat, with Dageid Mjollsdottir as
their chieftain.
Yet the Jotnarsbru’s breaking had even
further-reaching consequences. Now,
a terrible curse has fallen like a shroud
upon the steadings, villages and towns
on both banks of the Vimurelva. A
potent sorcery was placed on the bridge
at its creation, powered by a river spirit
imprisoned below the bridge. Once, the
enchantment lured people from far and
near to use the bridge and pay the toll to
do so. Trade flourished. But the bridge’s
breaking warped that enchantment so
that it casts a pall of despair across the
entire region, luring people to drown
themselves in the river’s waters and
become sea-draug. The spirits of the
dead are likewise drawn by the curse’s
siren call—they become trapped in the
icy waters, unable to move on. Truly, it
is the Bridge of the Damned.

6
 Runungs, keeps her hall here, though

Locations it is considered shabby and backward by

most visitors from wealthier lands.
Blodferge Dauro
A small outpost and ferry operated by the
A fortified guard tower erected by the
monks of Jernkloster12. The infamous
Saxalings to defend against an incursion
road known as the Blodveien13 begins
from Innsjøborg and monsters from the
at Jernkloster, though its true dangers
Ironwold. Until the recent raid on the
don’t manifest until one enters the
Saxaling village of Saxatoft, Dauro has
Ironwold proper. Since the Jotnarsbru’s
seen little of the former. The Bjorning
destruction, anyone attempting to use the
warrior-monks at Innsjøborg have
Blodveien to travel north must make a
been content to hold to their sacred
detour upstream along the Omveien to
duty to keep the Blodveien open. Most
the outpost. The ferry takes passengers
raiding between the Bjornings and the
north across the lake to Innsjøborg far
Gotts has occurred to the east, across
upstream, where the bridge’s curse
the Vargstrondfjord. Gotts required to
weakens and the sea-draug don’t swarm
serve garrison duty at Dauro generally
in such great numbers. However, the ferry
consider it a punishment posting. In the
doesn’t operate at night, when the dead
wake of the recent raid, Fulk, ridder14 of
are most active. The ferry keepers spend
Saxatoft, is pleading with his chieftain,
their nights behind Innsjøborg’s walls.
Ishildis, to supply more warriors to invest
Brugard Dauro.
A Runung town grown up in the ruins
Eskitoft
of an ancient Sakki ring fort near the
A Runung village on the Blodveien
southern end of the Jotnarsbru. Though
several days north of Jernkloster and
this part of Vargstrond once bustled
south of Brugard. Like many of the
with trade with Vanskrdal, today it is
villages in the north of Vargstrond, it
little traveled, and the town of Brugard
once thrived on the trade that flowed
struggles to sustain itself. It mostly
across the Jotnarsbru to Vanskrdal. With
survives by supplying monks traveling
that trade now cut to a trickle, it has seen
between Jernkloster and Innsjøborg,
better days.
as well as those merchants desperate
e n o u g h to b r av e t h e B l o d v e i e n . Fastan
Little by little, the young people of A Saxaling steading between Saxatoft
Brugard slip south to Bodnyheim or and Kviholl. Like many settlements
Jernkloster seeking better fortunes. on both banks of this stretch of the
Dageid Mjollsdottir, chieftain of the Vimurelva, it suffers under the curse of
the Jotnarsbru.

12 See Jernkloster, Middarmark, page 26, 55.

13 See Blodveien, Middarmark, page 17.
14 A knight. Low Gott nobility.

7
 Forlorn Hills deceased relatives, as well as Sigbjorn
A camp established by the escaped the Lord of Victory16, Freydis the Lady
thralls of Saxatoft in the hills just of Reaping17 and Hrym the Lord of
within the Ironwold. The people here Undeath18. It is not unheard of for some
are dirty, hungry and desperate. The among the celebrants to succumb to the
dread of hiding within the Ironwold is curse and throw themselves into the
taking its toll. Some of the refugees no waters. Fewer of the Runungs attend the
longer sleep and others jump at the least ritual with each passing year.
shadow, convinced the trees mean them
harm. Many had to leave their children
Innsjøborg
A small fort maintained by the monks
and elders behind at Saxatoft when they
of Jernkloster on the northern side of
fled. Now the people are divided: some
the lake. Here, the Ironwold encroaches
say they should surrender. Others insist
on the banks of the river. When the
they should mount a raid on Saxatoft
sea-draugs’ numbers grow too great in
to claim their kin. The camp was built
the nearby waters, the monks organize
near an ancient forest shrine to the
sorties to drive them downstream.
Disir15, haunted by Sakki ghosts and
These efforts typically require support
perhaps even older things. Some among
from Jernkloster to bolster the monks’
the refugees have been performing
numbers, but as of late, that support
sacrifices to the Lords of Fate at the
has become harder and harder to come
shrine in hopes that Fate will grant them
by. Grandmaster Ring Boarhound has
deliverance.
been diverting the order’s warriors to
Holvik mercenary work supporting his cousin,
A ruined, haunted steading on the Jarl Una the Cat of Vargstrond, in raids
banks of the Vimur River. Holvik was on the Gotts across the Vargstrondfjord.
abandoned in the wake of the curse While the grandmaster maintains that
of the Jotnarsbru. Having drowned the revenue from these raids is necessary
themselves in the frigid waters of the to keep the order operating, many in the
Vimur and returned as sea-draug, many order, particularly those who serve at
of Holvik’s former residents regularly rise Innsjøborg, believe the mercenary work
from the river to seek their homes and is a betrayal of the order’s purpose. The
families, only to find cold hearths. Once whispers of dissent grow louder. A few
each year, the bravest and most pious of the monks at Innsjøborg are openly
of the Runungs at Brugard make their adherents of the hero cult of Bjorngrim
way to a shrine at the outskirts of Holvik. the Dragonslayer19.
There, they light a great fire to warm
the sea-draug and make offerings to their
15 A collective name for the Lords of Plenty and Want and the Lords of Fate, particularly Sigrun,
Freydis and Ondurdis.
16 T he Bjorning name for the Immortal known as Sigtyr to the Gotts. See Sigtyr, Lord of
Victory, Middarmark, page 37.
17 See Freydis, Lady of Reaping, Middarmark, page 36.
18 See Hrym, Captain of the Dead Ship, Middarmark, page 37.
19 See Bjorngrim the Dragonslayer, Middarmark, pages 36, 77.
8
Jotnarsbru
A n ancient, for tified stone bridge
that once crossed the Vimur River,
connecting the Jarldom of Vargstrond
on the southern bank with the Gottmark
on the northern bank. Jotnarsbru was a
marvel of a lost age, made by a forgotten
people with knowledge of engineering
far in excess of any humans in the
north today.
Some scholars who consider themselves
experts on such things say it was created
by the Ylfarings20, the mysterious First
People. Others say it was the work of
bergrisar, stone giants hailing from the
Nidfjoll Mountains to the west. Whatever
the truth, the stony bones of a giant lie
half in the icy waters of the Vimur River
and half on the northern bank, the
skull’s crown forming an island in the
river beneath the bridge.
The graceful stone bridge once enabled
trade between the jarldoms of Vanskrdal
and Vargstrond. That ended 19 years
ago, when Jarl Gerd of Vargstrond,
great-aunt of the present jarl, Una the
Cat, paid a band of dwarven mercenary
sappers to slight the central span
rather than allow the Gott Warhost
that had invaded Vanskrdal to spill into
Vargstrond. Survivors of the conquest
of Vanskrdal still speak bitterly of the
bridge’s destruction, which trapped
many of the newly conquered people
on the northern side of the river, where
they were forced into thralldom by the
conquering Gotts.
Jotnarsbru is broken and mortals can
no longer pass along its length from
one bank to the other. None alive today
know how to repair the bridge, and
20 See The First People and The Lost Ages, Middarmark, page 6.
its breaking had terrible effects on the
Otherworld nearby. Now, mortals are
lured to drown themselves in the waters
of the river, and spirits find the waters
both trap and torment.
Kviholl
The hall of Ishildis, chieftain of the
Saxalings. Prior to the Gott invasion,
Sk yhol l, t he ha l l of Gr i ma—t hen
chieftain of the Runungs—stood nearby.
He and many of his household burned
here while Hincmar and his warriors
held the doors to keep them from
escaping. Even 20 years later, nothing
grows in the blasted ring atop the low
hill where Skyholl stood, and many say
the shades of Grima and his huskarls
haunt the place. Ishildis has built a wall
of stone, iron and salt around it and
established a shrine to Hrym there to
offer propitiatory sacrifice in hopes of
keeping the ghosts in uneasy slumber.
Omveien
A byway, little more than a footpath,
along the banks of the Vimur River. On
the northern side, the Omveien leaves
Innsjøborg and cuts through the Ironwold
to connect with the Blodveien. That part
of the path is particularly dangerous, and
most merchants hire additional guards at
Innsjøborg to see them along the route.
Those seeking such work must offer a
donation to the monks at Innsjøborg
to be deputized as lay members of the
order.
Saxatoft
A Saxaling village near the Jotnarsbru
on the northern bank of the Vimur
River, recently devastated by a Bjorning
raid. The manor and several fields have
9
 burned and many of its thralls have fled.
The village’s survival now hangs by
a thread. Its ridder, Fulk, has gone to
his chieftain at Kviholl to beg for help,
while the village’s lady, Clothildis, seeks
to organize the survivors.
Ulvestrøm
A stream that feeds the Vimur River
b efore it e mpt i e s i nto t he Va r g -
strondfjord. The Ulvestrøm is free of the
curse of the Vimurelva.
Vimurelva
T h e Vi m u r R i v e r, w h i c h d i v i d e s
Vargstrond in the south from the
Gottmark in the north.
Clans
In the Middarmark, an ætt, or clan, is a
group of people that share a common
ancestor and who are all bound to
a common ancestral spirit. A clan’s
ancestral spirit is its ættir.21
The Ættir
For all intents and purposes, the ættir
is the clan. As the spirit fares, so does
the clan, and as the clan fares, so does
its ættir. The ættir is a minor deity with
her family serving as her worshipers.
She serves as the conduit between
the living members of the clan and the
ancestor spirits.
The clan worships both the ættir and
the ancestors, with the clan’s chieftain
making offerings and sacrifices to the
ættir and ancestors at the four great
seasonal blots.22
21 See Ættir, Middarmark, page 91.
22 H oly days and festivals that culminate in one or more sacrifices. See Holy Days of the
Middarmark, Middarmark, pages 37-38.
10
To thrive, a clan and its ættir requires
three things:
Y Folk. The larger and more
powerful the clan, the stronger
its ættir. The smaller the clan, the
weaker its ættir.
Y Regalia. These clan treasures—
items of significance to the
ancestors, like a banner, piece of
jewelry, weapon, article of clothing
or relic of some kind—exist in
both the physical world and the
Otherworld, forming a bridge of
sorts between the living members
of the clan and their ancestors.
Y Devotion. The ancestors and ættir
support and protect the clan. In
turn, the clan must support them
with regular offerings and sacrifice.
The clan must also act in ways
that are familiar and pleasing to
the ancestors. Altering or breaking
a tradition requires the clan
chieftain to convince the ættir,
and the ancestors by proxy, that
the new way is better. This would
be required, for instance, before
a clan could make peace with an
ancient enemy.
If any of these three pillars of a clan are
damaged—folk are slain or betray their
kin, regalia is lost or destroyed or devotion
to ancestors and traditions lapses—the
threads that bind the clan and its ættir
begin to fray. If the situation becomes
dire enough, such as the destruction of all
clan regalia, the familial bonds will come
undone entirely, the ættir will “die” and
the clan will dissolve.
Such cla nless folk of ten consider
themselves cursed. Other people tend
to instinctively distrust them; after all,
one can’t properly swear an oath without
one’s ættir and ancestors to bear witness.
Likewise, if a clanless person commits a
crime or other offense, there is no clan
to sue for redress or seek vengeance
upon.
The More You Hurt
An ættir’s Nature rating is determined
by the power and prestige of the clan it
represents, as follows:
Clan Size Nature
A single household (3–15
3 A clan’s ættir lives in the clan regalia.
people); unimportant
A steading (16–45
4 the bearers of the regalia, and the spirit’s
people); local prominence
Several steadings (46–
200 people); regional 5
prominence
Multiple steadings and
villages (201–600 people);
6
prominence in a jarldom
or kingdom
Many steadings and
settlements (601–several
thousand people); a
7 can use a piece of regalia to commune
leading clan in a tribe
(Bjornings, Gotts,
Grælings, etc.)
While the above ratings represent the
ideal, the ættir’s actual Nature rating
can fluctuate if regalia are destroyed or
if devotion is not successfully given.
Y An ættir’s maximum Nature is
limited by its regalia. The most
powerful clans have at least seven
treasures as regalia. The ættir’s
Nature rating is reduced by 1
for each treasure that is lost or
destroyed. Regalia can be replaced,
but doing so is difficult.
Y An ættir’s Nature is reduced by
1 if the clan defies its ancestors
or fails to perform the sacrifices
during one of the blots. This
lost Nature can be regained by
making peace with the ancestors
or performing the sacrifices at the
next blot. Otherwise, the losses are
cumulative—if a clan fails to perform
the sacrifices multiple times in a
row, or continually defies the will of
its ancestors without making things
right, it will quickly tear itself apart.
Clan Regalia
The ættir can communicate directly with
existence and power are bound up with
the artifacts.
Clans guard their regalia jealously. One
of the more terrible harms one can inflict
on an enemy is to destroy or steal their
regalia, for that is an attack on the very
bonds that tie a family together.
Any recognized member of a clan—
whether by birth, marriage or adoption—
with the ættir, which requires an Ob 3
Ritualist test. When in communion, the
ættir can speak through the character’s
mouth in furtherance of her belief or
instinct. Likewise, she can provide help
to characters that have performed the
ritual, so long as they remain in contact
with the regalia. She can help only within
the context of her Nature descriptors and
if her belief or instinct apply.
Joining a Clan
There are three ways to join a clan: birth,
marriage and adoption.
11
 Birth
Being born into a clan is simple enough.
One must be born to a member of the
clan and then presented to its ættir
and the ancestors for recognition and
naming. While the presentation is
traditionally made within seven days of
birth, the lays and sagas are rife with
tales of heroes stolen or enslaved before
their presentation who return to their kin
as adults to be embraced by the ættir and
ancestors.
At the presentation, the ættir gives her
new kin a name. Among some clans, the
new member receives a tattoo of the clan
mark on the face, hand or breast.
Some clans trace lineage through the
mother and others through the father,
and no few number trace their lineage
through both parents. Regardless, it is not
unusual for people to claim membership
in both their parents’ clans.
Marriage
Among the folk of the Middarmark,
marriage is not simply the binding of two
people; it is the binding of two families
and the adoption of ancestors as well as
kin. While it is not unheard of for two
people within the same clan to wed,
such kinship is considered quite close
and is generally frowned upon. Most
marriages are therefore between people
of two different clans.
Marriage is a form of adoption. The
clan member presents their betrothed
to the ættir and ancestors, and the
a nce stors mu st b e conv i nced t he
betrothed is worthy. Before those to be
wed exchange their vows, the betrothed,
the ættir and ancestors must exchange
vows of their own, through which the
12
betrothed accepts the ancestors as their
own. This adoption through marriage is
not a forfeiture of one’s original clan; the
new clan member keeps membership in
their original clan as well.
Adoption
This process is quite similar to marriage,
except the new clan member binds
themselves to parents within the clan
rather than a spouse. In at least one
instance, recorded in the Herulingsmal,
a person was adopted by the ancestors
of a clan that had no living members,
bringing the clan back to life.
The Saxalings
The Saxalings are a Gott clan that
owe fealty to Tancred the Fair, greve
of the Sudmark—the southern march
of the Gottmark. During the Gott
conquest 20 years ago, the Saxaling
Chieftain Hincmar and his warriors
seized most of the Runung clan lands
north of the Jotnarsbru, including
Kviholl, the personal holding of the
Runung chieftains.
The Runung Chieftain Grima and his
household were caught unaware by
the rapidity of the Saxaling advance
through their lands. Grima and many of
his huskarls were slain, and much of the
Runung regalia fell into Saxaling hands.
The Saxalings adopted some of those
seized treasures as part of their own clan
regalia.
Ishildis, daughter of Hincmar, is now
the Saxaling chieftain and rules much
of the land along the northern bank of
the Vimur River from her hall at Skyholl,
formerly called Kviholl by the Runungs.
For nearly two decades, the Bridge of
the Damned’s curse has prevented easy
passage across the Vimur River. As
a result, most skirmishes between the
Gotts and the Bjornings have taken place
at sea, where the Bjornings hold the
advantage, leading the Saxalings to grow
slack in guarding their southern border.
Recently, Bjorning raiders managed to
evade the curse and cross the river. They
attacked the nearby village of Saxatoft
while its lord, Ridder Fulk, was away
at Skyholl. The raiders plundered and
burned Fulk’s manor and stole the Eagle
Buckle, a precious gold object once part
of the Runung regalia, now part of the
Saxaling regalia. The theft has damaged
Saxa Horse-Killer, the Saxaling ættir,
and the Saxalings are desperate to take
back the artifact.
Saxa Horse-Killer,
Ættir of the Saxalings
Abilities Might: 5 Nature: 4*
Descriptors: Protecting, Prophesying,
Binding and Cursing
Conflict
Banish: 4
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Clan
Convince: 5
Attack: +1D, Visions of the Future
Defend: +2D, Matriarchal
Capture: 6 Effect: Relic for Tongue of the Lord of
Attack: +1D, Visions of the Future
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Clan
Battle: 9
Maneuver: +1s P
 rophetic Warnings
Defend: +2D, Rallying Cry
Armor: Spiritual Armor (as Chain)
Belief: War is the path to honor and glory
for my Saxalings.
Instinct: Protect my bloodline.
Special
The ættir is the embodiment of her bloodline
and can speak in dreams to those who share
her blood. She lives in the clan’s regalia—a
banner, piece of jewelry, weapon, article
of clothing or relic of some sort—and can
communicate with the bearer of the regalia
directly.
* Note: Before the loss of the Eagle Buckle,
Saxa was Nature 5. Her current Nature
4 reflects the loss of regalia. Should the
Saxalings recover the buckle, her Nature
wou l d b e re s tore d, a n d her conf l ic t
dispositions would increase.
The Saxaling Regalia
Described below are several representa-
tive pieces of the Saxaling clan regalia.
The Eagle Buckle
This gold buckle to a girdle or baldric
depicts an eagle in intricate knotwork.
It was taken by the Runungs and
made part of their clan regalia when
they first seized these lands from
the Sakki several hundred years
ago. Hincmar took the buckle from
Grima’s hoard and made it part of the
Saxaling regalia to commemorate the
taking of the Runung lands.
Beasts. Birds of prey have a tendency
to bring gifts to the wearer in the form
of bloody gobbets of small mammals,
birds or fish they have hunted. These
morsels aren’t usually enough to make
a meal, merely messy tokens of esteem.
Inventory: Belt/worn 1
Type: Relic jewelry
13

Serpent Knife
A broad, heavy, single-bladed knife
with a hilt of horn and serpents
engraved along the blade. The blade,
nearly a sword’s length, belonged to
Saxa in life and is traditionally worn
by the chieftain, or given temporarily
to messengers to show they speak
in the chieftain’s name. Such an
appointment is considered a high
honor among the Gotts.
Effect: Relic for Evocation of the
Lords of Battle. Once per conflict the
Serpent Knife can bypass leather or
chain armor.
Inventory: Belt/worn 1 or Hand/
carried 1
Type: Magical relic weapon
Auda’s Horse Blanket
A finely woven saddle cloth of scarlet
with white knotwork swans and a
yellow fringe. The blanket was a prize
taken by the Saxaling hero Auda
Herlevasdottir from the hoard of the
Wyrm of Tannborg in Gottland.
Effect: Relic for Loom of the Disir.
Grants +1D to Rider in armed conflicts.
Inventory: Pack 6 (or worn by horse)
Type: Magical relic equipment
Saxatoft
This once-bucolic holding is currently
a battle-scarred mess in the wake of a
recent Bjorning raid. The manor has
burned along with some of the fields,
many of the stock animals have been
driven off or slain and numerous thralls
have taken to the hills. The holding must
be set to rights before it can be used
14
as a settlement. Most of the people of
Saxatoft are Bjorning and Græling
thralls owned by several Gott peasant
families, all overseen by Gott nobles of
Fulk’s family.
Life in a Ruined Village
At the start of the adventure, Saxatoft
is not a functioning settlement. The
Bjor ni ng ra id t hat k icked of f t he
adventure was effectively a disaster,
preventing the village from being used
for a town phase. Ridder Fulk and Lady
Clothildis, who hold Saxatoft in fief, are
doing their best to keep their people
alive and rebuild the village, but they
could use help!
Though Saxatoft can’t currently be used
for the town phase, it can be used as a
camp location.
Persistent Results
Some of these results are persistent. If
a building collapses, there will be no
shelter until it is rebuilt. If the well is
fouled, the water will remain poisonous
until action is taken to remedy the
situation. If the same result is rolled again
on a subsequent visit, things should get
even worse.
We Can Rebuild It
W hen t he players first encou nter
Saxatoft, the village is still reeling from
the raid. As a result, all camp event rolls
are at -1.
Getting Saxatoft back on its feet requires
three things:
Y The manor and outbuildings must
be repaired (skills like Carpenter,
Laborer and Stonemason may
come into play; Steward might be
used to organize work parties).
Ruined Village Camp Events—Saxatoft
Roll 3d6
Abandoned. The conditions in the village are too miserable. The survivors quietly
2
slip away in the night, abandoning the town to ruin.
Collapse. The flame-licked structure you’re squatting in comes down on your head
with a relieved groan. Camp ends and remaining checks lost; structure destroyed
3
and cannot be used further as a camp. All must choose: Make a Dungeoneer test
to get to safety or Laborer tests to save packs and gear.
Terror. This place is haunted by those recently slain by violence. They emerge
4 howling from your nightmares. Camp ends and all remaining checks are lost. Test
Will to remain resolute. Suggested failure result: afraid condition.
The recent death and misery in the village has lured corpse-eaters into your midst.
1d2+1 ghouls investigate the pyres to see if any meat escaped the flame; finding
5 none, they look for fresher flesh. Spend a check to make a test or engage in a
conflict to avert the disaster. If failed, in addition to the resulting twist or condition,
camp ends and all remaining checks are lost. If successful, camp continues.
Raid! 2d6 bandits (the village’s escaped Bjorning and Græling thralls) fall on the
camp to take supplies and the children they had to leave behind when they fled.
6 You can spend a check to make a test or engage in a conflict to drive off or capture
the thralls and avert the disaster. Otherwise, camp ends and all remaining checks
are lost.
Fouled well. The corpses of humans or animals were dropped into the well during
7 the raid, fouling the water. The well water is undrinkable (anyone who drinks it is
automatically made sick).
Barren lands. The game in this area has been driven off by the fires and the land
8-9 has been foraged clean by the survivors and escaping thralls. There’s nothing edible
to be had for miles. No Hunter or Scavenger tests possible in camp.
Smoking pyres. This place is full of ghosts. Recovering spells and purification in
10
camp is impossible.
Leaky roof or flooded room. It begins to rain if it is not raining already. Water
11
seeps into your gear ruining: 1–3 torches (d3), 4–6 rations (d3).
12 Safe camp!
13 Midden. +1D to Scavenge for town items in this place.
14 Sympathetic children. The local village kids bring you rations of food and wine.
15 Fell off the wagon. Roll once on the Gear loot table.
Overhear a whispered conversation about: 1–2 a cult, 3–4 a local secret or 5–6
16
a political matter.
Fruit-bearing trees. The orchard or briar has fruited. Collect 2d6 portions
17
of forage.
Something valuable buried beneath the floorboards or flagstones of the structure
18 you’re squatting in. Roll once on the Treasure and Valuables loot subtable
(page 145).
Volunteers! Neighbors hear about the dire straits of Saxatoft and come to
19 volunteer help. Roll 1d6: 1–2 laborers, 3–4 craftsfolk or artisans, 5–6 A ridder
and their retinue.
15
 Y The village must be repopulated
(either the thralls that escaped to
the hills in the raid must be found
and recaptured or the adventurers
might convince people from other
settlements to move to Saxatoft).
Y The village’s stock animals must
be replenished (perhaps by
raiding other nearby settlements
and herding the animals back
to Saxatoft or by purchasing
some breeding pairs from
other settlements).
If the adventurers successfully perform
one of the above actions, they eliminate
the -1 to the camp events roll. If they
successfully perform two of the above
act ions, t hey receive a +1 to t he
camp events roll. If they perform all
three, Saxatoft once again becomes a
functioning settlement that can be used
for the town phase.
Each time the players make an
expedition away from Saxatoft and
return, there is a small chance that
Clothildis and the survivors she leads
will have performed one of the actions
themselves. Roll 1d6. On a result of 1,
they have taken action to get Saxatoft
back on its feet.
Town Rules
If Saxatoft is rebuilt and once again
becomes a functioning village, use the
following:
Type: Remote Village
Skills: Peasant, Rider, Steward
Traits: Pragmatic, Proud
Haggling: Ob 3
Telling Tales: Ob 3
16
Available Locations
F l op ho u s e, Ho m e (e q u iv a l e nt to
Flophouse), Inn, Market, Manor (burned),
Shrine, Stables, Street, Tavern
Saxatoft Laws
Y Frightening a mare that is with
foal is a criminal act. Punishable
by whipping and a fine (Ob 2
Resources test).
Y Defamation of the Gott overlords
is a criminal act. Punishable
by whipping and three days in
the stocks.
Personalities
of Saxatoft
Ridder Fulk
Fulk Fridwaldsson is a Gott ridder and
hereditary lord of Saxatoft. He is in
the service of Ishildis, chieftain of the
Saxalings. A proud man, he strives
to be a good lord in the Gott fashion.
While not particularly cruel, he does
not think overmuch of the plight of his
thralls and cottars. In his view, Fate has
decreed they were born to serve and he
was born to be served. He will defend
them against raiders and monsters
because that is his duty, but will swiftly
and severely punish even the hint of
disrespect or slothfulness. Adventurers
confuse him because they do not fit
neatly into his structured world. In status,
they are little better than thralls, but he
suddenly finds that he has need of brave,
capable people.
Gott Ridder
Stock: Human (Gott) Class: Warrior
Raw Abilities Town Abilities
Nature: 4 Resources: 3
Will: 4 Circles: 3
Health: 5 Might: 3
Descriptors: Boasting, Demanding, Riding
Fylgja: Swan (Preening, Flying, Swimming)
Skills: Fighter 5, Rider 4, Hunter
3, Scout 3, Commander 2,
Steward 2
Wises: Horse-wise, Lance Charge-wise
Traits: Elegant (1), Heart of Battle (2),
Proud (1)
Armor: Chain, Helmet
Weapons: Spear, Sword, Shield
Lady Clothildis
Clothildis Odalricsdottir is a Gott ridder
and the niece of Chieftain Ishildis. She
is a stern and handsome woman who
considers rule her due. Still, she has
a lighter hand with the servants and
thralls than her husband and many
love her. She is a valiant warrior but a
better administrator. Much of the day-to-
day operation of Saxatoft is due to her
able stewardship.
Gott Lady
Stock: Human (Gott)
Raw Abilities Town Abilities
Nature: 4 Resources: 3
Will: 5 Circles: 3
Health: 5 Might: 2
Descriptors: Boasting, Demanding, Riding
Fylgja: Fox (Tricking, Learning, Stalking)
Skills: Steward 5, Fighter 4, Rider
4, Hunter 3, Persuader 3,
Commander 2
Wises: Fief-wise, Horse-wise
Traits: Brave (1), Generous (1), Sly (2)
Armor: Leather, Helmet
Weapons: Spear, Shield
Notker
Notker Wisigardsson is Fulk’s cousin and
huntsman. While loyal to his cousin, he
is a kind-hearted soul who hates to see
others suffer. He is well aware of the
thralls’ camp in the Forlorn Hills, as
the tracks left by their flight were not
hard to follow. He has said nothing of
this to Lady Clothildis and has secretly
left game where the refugees would
find it while ostensibly searching for
their whereabouts. He grows ever more
conflicted between his desire to help the
refugees and his loyalty to his cousin and
lady, who is growing more desperate to
retrieve the thralls to save Saxatoft.
Gott Huntsman
Stock: Human (Gott)
Raw Abilities Town Abilities
Nature: 5 Resources: 2
Will: 3 Circles: 3
Health: 6 Might: 2
Descriptors: Boasting, Demanding, Riding
Fylgja: Ox (Hauling, Grazing, Herding))
Skills: Hunter 5, Scout 4, Fighter 3,
Rider 3, Persuader 2
Wises: Game-wise, Trail-wise
Traits: Kind (2), Pragmatic (1),
Steadfast (1)
Armor: Leather
Weapons: Bow, Knife
The Runungs
The Runungs are a once-prosperous
Bj or n i n g cla n who s e we a lt h a n d
influence has waned considerably since
the destruction of the bridge and the loss
of Vanskrdal.
Prior to the Gott invasion of Vanskrdal,
the Runungs lived in steadings and
villages on both sides of the Jotnarsbru
17
 and their chieftains were welcomed
in the halls of the jarls of both lands.
It was Runung warriors that held the
fortifications of the bridge and collected
tolls from those who would cross.
That all ended with the arrival of the
Gott Warhost. Many of the Runungs in
Vanskrdal were caught unaware by the
rapid conquest, and many others were
trapped on the northern bank by the
destruction of the bridge. Those that
managed the crossing occupied the old
ring fort of Brugard on the southern
bank and were given succor by those
clan members already living on that side
of the river.
Runa has told her descendants in
Brugard that many of their relatives
survive as thralls in the north, in most
cases tending lands they once called
their own for their new masters.
Runa the Battle-Wise,
Ættir of the Runungs
Abilities Might: 5 Nature (Spirit): 2*
Descriptors: Protecting, Prophesying,
Binding and Cursing
Conflict
Banish: 3
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Clan
Convince: 4
Attack: +1D, Visions of the Future
Defend: +2D, Matriarchal
Capture: 5 mangle board that once belonged to clan
Attack: +1D, Visions of the Future
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Clan
Battle: 7
Maneuver: +1s P
 rophetic Warnings
Defend: +2D, Rallying Cry
18
Armor: Spiritual Armor (as Chain)
Belief: The Runungs will rise to greatness
once more!
Instinct: Protect my bloodline.
Special
The ættir is the embodiment of her bloodline
and can speak to those who share her blood
in dreams. She lives in the clan’s regalia—a
banner, piece of jewelry, weapon, article
of clothing or relic of some sort—and
can communicate with the bearer of the
regalia directly.
* Note: When the Runungs were mighty and
influential, Runa was Nature 6. Her current
Nature 2 reflects the diminished state of the
Runungs, with many clan members slain
and much clan regalia lost or destroyed.
Should the Runungs once again grow
to prominence, her Nat ure would be
restored and her conflict dispositions
would increase.
The Runung Regalia
Much of the Runung clan regalia was
lost when the Gotts overran Kviholl, the
hall of the Runung Chieftain Grima. The
only pieces that were saved are a chariot
used to drive idols of the Immortal Lords
during ceremonial processions, a silver-
chased drinking horn, the Golden Fiddle
of Vimur (which was recently stolen)
and a fraying tapestry that depicts the
conquest of Rimholm.
Those Runungs trapped in the Gottmark
and forced into serfdom managed to
hide one piece of their clan regalia: a
ancestor and ættir Runa the Battle-Wise.
They guard the secret of its existence, for
they can use it to commune with Runa.

Chariot of the Lords
A wooden chariot with brass fittings
and a fine oxhide cover painted
with an image of Yngve the Lord
of Sowing23. This chariot is used to
promenade the wooden idols from
the shrines of the Lords of Plenty and
Want on their holy days. It is kept and
maintained by the folk of Eskitoft.
The Runungs seized the chariot in the
early days of the Bjorning conquest
from a Græling clan far to the south
known as the Hennings.
Effect: Relic for Reaper’s Round and
Plow Blessing.
Inventory: N/A
Type: Relic vehicle
Golden Fiddle of Vimur
This nine-stringed fiddle is made of
black alder, with a fingerboard and
tailpiece faced with horn and inlaid
with bone, gold and mother of pearl.
The scroll at the top of the pegbox is
carved in the shape of a dragon. The
Runungs seized the Golden Fiddle
from the Sakki that inhabited these
lands when they conquered it. They
believe the fiddle once belonged to
Vimur, spirit of the Vimurelva.
Effect: Relic for Balm of the Lords of
Serenity and Chant of the Lords of
Valor. Spirits and animals that hear
music played on this fiddle are mes-
merized. Those entranced by the
sound will seek out its source and lis-
ten until the song ends. Test Peasant
vs. Will or Nature of the targets (if the
target’s Might is higher than the play-
er’s, the player suffers -1s per point of
difference). Victims who lose the ver-
23 See Yngve, Lord of Sowing, Middarmark, page 37.
sus test are drawn to the music for one
turn. Additional successes increase
the duration so long as the musician
keeps playing.
Inventory: Hand/carried 2 or Pack 3
Type: Magical relic equipment
Horn of Kare
A silver-chased drinking horn given to
the Runung hero Kare Arngrimsson
by High Queen Sigrun herself after
the Battle of the Gull Pass long ago.
Effect: Relic for Gift of Hospitality.
Inventory: Pack 1
Type: Relic container (1 draught
of liquid)
Skyholl Tapestry
This fraying and singed tapestry was
saved from the flames of Grima’s hall
when a nameless Saxaling warrior
a l lowed B eiga n, t he chief ta i n’s
nephew, to flee despite orders to
spa re no one. T he you ng b oy,
wearing only his nightclothes and the
tapestry placed upon his shoulders
as his mother’s final act, was the
last person to stumble across the
Jotnarsbru before its destruction,
though he was badly burned in the
fire. The tapestry was woven in High
King Bjorn’s time and depicts the
conquest of Rimholm.
Effect: Relic for Breath of the Burning
Lord and Hallraiser’s Call.
Inventory: Pack 6
Type: Relic treasure
19

Runa’s Mangle Board
This marvelous walnut mangle board
for pressing linen on a roller features
intricately twined acanthus leaves in
high relief and a handle in the shape
of a mermaid. Made by the master
woodcarver Sæunn Helgasdottir of
Rimholm, it was given to Runa as
a bride gift by her husband, Mani
Bardsson. The mangle board was
stored in the loom house at Skyholl
and so spared the flames. Mæva, one
of the young Runung girls of Skyholl,
managed to hide the treasure from
the conquerors before being taken as
a thrall. She and her fellow Runung
t hra lls keep it hidden from t he
Saxalings to this day.
Effect: Relic for Hearth Rune and
Wisdom of the Mother. Adds 1 to
Precedence when in the possession
of a recognized leader of a steading
or settlement.
Inventory: Pack 3
Type: Magical relic equipment
Brugard
The lonely town of Brugard has grown
up in the ruins of an ancient Sakki
ring fort near the southern end of
Jotnarsbru. This part of Vargstrond
once bustled with trade, but today it is
little traveled, and the town of Brugard
struggles to sustain itself. Little by little,
the young people of Brugard slip south
to Bodnyheim or Jernkloster seeking
better fortunes. Chieftain Dageid of the
Runungs keeps her hall here.
20
Town Rules
Type: Walled Town
Skills: Carpenter, Peasant, Weaver
Traits: Hungry, Conservative
Haggling: Ob 3
Telling Tales: Ob 3
Available Locations
F l op ho u s e, H o m e (e q u i v a l e nt to
Flophouse), Inn, Market, Runung Hall,
Shrine, Stables, Street, Tavern
Brugard Laws
Y Brawling is a criminal act.
Punishable by public humiliation.
Y A tax (1D of cash per person)
must be paid to support the needy
and unfortunate when visiting the
market. Those who can’t or won’t
pay may not enter the market.
Personalities of Brugard
Chieftain Dageid
Dageid Mjollsdottir is a woman watching
her clan slowly disintegrate before her
eyes. Although one of Grima’s huskarls,
she was patrolling the chieftain’s lands
on the night of the Saxaling attack and
so did not die in the burning hall. She
managed to get several survivors to
the bridge and held the line while the
dwarven sappers completed their work.
She was acclaimed chieftain by the clan
as the result of her heroism. But the years
since have not been kind. Her feelings
of helplessness grow as she watches the
clan’s young people either succumb to the
curse or flee it by slipping south in search
of hope and opportunity. The theft of the
Golden Fiddle of Vimur has left her in
despair, as she fears its loss will be the
clan’s end.
Bjorning Chieftan
Stock: Human (Bjorning) Class: Warrior
Raw Abilities Town Abilities
Nature: 4 Resources: 4
Will: 5 Circles: 3
Health: 5 Might: 3
Descriptors: Boasting, Demanding, Sailing
Fylgja: Sigrun, Lady of Battles
(Conquering, Marching, Inspiring)
Skills: Fighter 5, Hunter 4, Scout 4,
Persuader 3, Steward 3,
Rider 2
Wises: Clan-wise, Shield Wall-wise
Traits: Brave (1), Champion (1),
Tough (2), Heart of Battle (2)
Armor: Chain, Helmet
Weapons: Battle Axe, Spear
Jernkloster
The temple-fortress of Jernkloster sits
squarely in Vargstrond, not Sudmark, yet
its ties to Sudmark remain deep.
About 70 years ago, the Bjorning High
King Haakon Haraldsson wanted to
expand trade with the dwarves of Frost-
fast Hall24. The dread and impenetrable
Ironwold forest lay between Rimholm25
and Frostfast Hall. The only real option
merchants had was to take a ship to the
port city of Høytvann in Vanskrdal and
follow the Vanskr River west into the
mountains. The journey was long and
the many waterfalls and rapids along the
Vanskr’s length meant a great deal of
portaging.
High King Haakon was determined
to cut a road through the Ironwold to
make a direct connection with Frostfast
Hall. It was a time of relative peace in
the Middarmark, and the high king set
his warriors and their retinues to the
24 See Frostfast Hall, Middarmark, pages 26, 55.
25 See Rimholm, Middarmark, pages 27, 56.
task. The sortjern trees native to the
Ironwold, hard enough to blunt axes and
stubbornly resistant to flame, made the
task extremely difficult. The trolls, goblins
and other monsters and spirits that lurk in
the wood made the task extremely deadly.
It took Haakon’s warriors 15 years
and rivers of blood to complete the
road, called the Blodveien. By the end,
Haakon’s grandson, Stein Sigurdsson,
had been elected high king. To honor
his grandfather and the sacrifices of the
warriors that carved the road through
the dread forest, High King Stein estab-
lished a great fortified temple complex
in Vargstrond, called Jernkloster, as an
ossuary and mausoleum where those
who gave their lives to the effort would
be honored like the heroic ancestors
they were. The high king vowed that
the survivors, too, would have a place in
the catacombs beneath the temple when
their time came.
The high king founded a fighting order of
warrior-monks called the Order of Kara
to perform sacrifices for the honored
dead and charged them with a holy
mission: To keep the Blodveien free of
monsters and spirits and to defend the
people of the Middarmark from them.
High King Haakon’s dream was never
fully realized. Even with the order
regularly patrolling the Blodveien, it
remained a dangerous road. Trade
through the road was wildly lucrative,
but only the bravest and most foolish
merchants were willing to risk it over
t he slower, more lab or iou s route
through Høytvann.
21
 The Blodveien and Adventurers and mercenaries looking for
the Jotnarsbru such work must make a donation to the
Jernkloster sits on the southern terminus order to be deputized as lay members.
of the Blodveien in the foothills of the
Nidfjoll Mountains. In Vargstrond, the
The Order of Kara
Blodveien mostly skirts the outer edges
(Karalings)
The order is named for its ættir, Kara
of the forest, following the path of the
Storm-caller, a great hero of the early
older Post Road, which crosses the
battles to lay the Blodveien. Members
Vimur River at the Jotnarsbru and then
of the order are often referred to as
cuts east along the river and around
Karalings. The order is a special sort of
the forest before turning north through
clan; traditionally, one joins the Karalings
the grasslands to Høytvann. On the
through adoption, with the honored dead
northern side of the Jotnarsbru, the
of the Blodveiensaga becoming one’s
Blodveien splits from the Post Road,
ancestors. This does not negate one’s
heading northwest through the depths
previous clan ties. The Karalings do not
of the Ironwold.
have any particular vows of chastity or
When the Jotnarsbru was broken to celibacy, so some are born into the order
stop the Gott invasion, it seemed at first as in other clans.
that trade with Frostfast Hall was lost
The order has been in continuous decline
for good. Høytvann had fallen to the
since its founding slightly over 50 years
Gotts and the bridge the Blodveien used
ago. While High King Stein was devoted
to cross the river was lost. Faced with
to its cause, his successors have seen less
the loss of their mission, the warrior-
value in it. The order has mostly survived
monks of Jernkloster acted quickly. They
on tithes paid by the merchants who brave
determined the Vimurelva’s curse was
the Blodveien. However, its fortunes
weaker at the lake to the west and placed
have taken a slight turn in recent years.
the Blodferge ferry and Innsjøborg fort
Grandmaster Ring Boardhound has
there, nestled between the northern
begun accepting mercenary work from
part of the lake and the Ironwold. The
his cousin Jarl Una the Cat of Vargstrond.
fort’s position, though exposed to the
Ostensibly, the order warbands serve to
Ironwold, makes it nigh impossible for
guard Vargstrond from Gott aggression,
the Gotts to bring their cavalry to bear,
but more commonly, they are simply
so the Gotts have settled for building a
sent on raids north into Gottmark across
fortified guard tower, called Dauro, to
the Vargstrondfjord.
keep the order contained.
Many in the order say this mercenary
The warrior-monks have cut a short
work is a betrayal of the order’s purpose.
path north from Innsjøborg through the
The ancestors have made clear their
Ironwold to meet with the Blodveien
displeasure at this disregard of tradition.
proper. If anything, that path is even
more dangerous than the Blodveien itself.
Most merchants seek to hire additional
guards when passing through Innsjøborg.

22
Kara Storm-caller,
Ættir of the Karalings
Abilities Might: 5 Nature (Spirit): 2*
Descriptors: Protecting, Prophesying,
Binding and Cursing
Conflict
Banish: 5
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Clan
Convince: 7
Attack: +1D, Visions of the Future
Defend: +2D, Matriarchal
Battle: 12
Maneuver: +1s P
 rophetic Warnings
Defend: +2D, Rallying Cry
Armor: Spiritual Armor (as Chain)
Belief: The evils of the Ironwold must be
driven from the land.
Instinct: Protect my order.
Special
The ættir is the embodiment of her order and
can speak to those who share her bond in
dreams. She lives in the order’s regalia and
can communicate with the bearer of the
regalia directly.
The Karaling Regalia
Described below are several representa-
tive pieces of the Order of Kara’s regalia.
Gangrbane
This polished ash spear has a foot-
long pattern-welded blade and a
socket inlaid in silver with whorls of
clouds. It was the spear Kara used
to slay the troll Gangr, who had
killed many of her fellow warriors
before the hero arrived in the north.
The spear is ceremonially given to
the grandmaster of the order upon
accession to that position. The spear
is sometimes given to the leader of
a delegation from the order to show
that the person speaks with the
grandmaster’s voice.
Effect: +1s to Attacks and Feints
against creatures with Troll type.
+1 Precedence when dealing with
anyone who respects the order.
Relic for Sigrun’s Voice of Thunder
and Evocation of the Lords of Battle.
Inventory: Carried 1
Type: Magical/relic weapon
Landøythan
A battle-stained and torn triangular
banner of white silk featuring an
open-beaked raven. Landøythan,
or Land-breaker, was High King
Haakon’s personal banner, sent with
his warriors to demonstrate his faith
in their efforts.
Effect: Relic for Inspiring Aura and
Chant of the Lords of Valor.
Inventory: Carried 1 or Pack 4
Type: Relic gear
Innsjøborg
A small fort maintained by a dozen
warrior-monks of Jernkloster, along with
their families and those who provide
services to the few merchants who pass
through. The monks defend the fort
from the Gotts and monsters from the
Ironwold. They do their best to keep the
lake free of the sea-draug, organizing
sorties to drive them downstream. The
sorties are increasingly rare, though, as
they depend on support from Jernkloster
to bolster the monks’ numbers, which
of late has been harder to come by.
Grandmaster Ring Boarhound has
been diverting the order’s warriors to
mercenary work supporting his cousin,
Jarl Una the Cat of Vargstrond, in raids
on the Gotts across the Vargstrondfjord.
23
 The mercenary work has caused rumbles
of dissent throughout the order, but
especia lly a mong t hose stat ioned
at Innsjøborg.
Town Rules
Type: Borderland Fortress
Skills: Haggler, Scout, Theologian
Traits: Devout, Tough
Haggling: Ob 3
Telling Tales: Ob 3
Available Locations
F lop ho u s e, Ho m e (e q u iv a l e nt to
Flophouse), Shrine, Stables, Street, Tavern
Innsjøborg Laws
Y Belonging to a Chaos Cult is a
criminal act. Punishable by death.
Y Failure to report for watch duty
is a criminal act. Punishable
by whipping.
Y All young people ages 10–16
must train in spear and shield.
Punishable by public humiliation.
Personalities
of Innsjøborg
Birna Ragnasdottir
Birna Ragnasdottir leads the monks at
Innsjøborg. She considers herself loyal
to the grandmaster, though privately
she agrees that the mercenary work
is a betrayal of the order’s purpose.
She’s turned a blind eye to the growth
of the Cult of the Dragonslayer at
Innsjøborg and their increasingly vocal
denouncements of the grandmaster.
Beigan Burntlegs
Beigan Bur nt legs, nephew of t he
former chieftain, Grima, has never quite
recovered from the ordeal of the torching
of Skyholl, and much of his lower body
is covered in scars from the burns he
suffered that night. Nor has he forgotten
24
the loss of his friends and family. He has
made a great oath that the Saxalings will
suffer as he has.
Ever since he arrived at Brugard as a
boy, half dead, the spirits and Immortals
have whispered to him. Some say that
the voice of Vali, Lord of Slaughter,
speaks to him the loudest. He has sworn
himself to the Order at Jernkloster and
now serves at Innsjøborg, though he
splits his time between the fort, Brugard
and patrolling the Omveien.
Beigan is more interested in revenge than
his sacred duty of keeping the Blodveien
open. He has long argued that Jernkloster
should work with the Runungs to mount
an assault on Dauro and the Saxaling
lands using Innsjøborg as a base.
He was the first in Innsjøborg to openly
join Bjorngrim’s cult and has convinced
several of the others to follow his lead.
Bjorning Theurge
Stock: Human (Bjorning) Class: Theurge
Level: 3 (L1: Postulant, L2: Armored,
L3: Acolyte)
Raw Abilities Town Abilities
Nature: 4 Resources: 2
Will: 5 Circles: 3
Health: 5 Might: 3
Descriptors: Boasting, Demanding, Sailing
Fylgja: Boar (Charging, Goring, Rooting)
Skills: Ritualist 5, Fighter 4, Scout 3,
Survivalist 3, Theologian 3,
Healer 2, Scholar 2
Wises: Fire-wise, Revenge-wise
Traits: Fierce (1), Scarred (2), Touched
by the Gods (1)
Armor: Chain, Helmet
Weapons: Spear, Sword, Shield
Relics: • Mantle embroidered with
the Lady of Valor (Inspiring
Aura)
• The spear of Alar (Evocation
of the Lords of Battle)
 • A
 shield painted with
Sigrun’s runes (Sigrun’s
Voice of Thunder)
Creed:  pstanding people never
U
compromise when it comes
to justice.
Belief: I am the instrument of revenge
for my kin.
Goal:  I will open the way to make war
on the Saxalings.
Instinct: Never allow the slightest evil to
pass unremarked.
The Cult
of the
Dragonslayer
Bjorngrimsmál (The Lay of Bjorngrim),
is perhaps the most widely popular
section of the Bjorningsaga, replete with
tales of adventure and desperate stands
against terrible monsters. Bjorngrim
and his doughty companions journeyed
throughout the Middarmark, from the
Skera Strait26 to the Endless Ice27, from
the depths of the dvergar kingdom of
Nidavellir28 and the Gates of Helheim to
Fjalar’s very peak29. Skalds throughout
par ts of the Middarmark r uled by
Bjornings regularly recite portions of the
Lay to thrill their audiences.
While Bjorngrim is widely revered by
Bjornings and even some Grælings,
they seldom make offerings or sacrifice
to him directly. Instead, he tends to be
worshiped together with his mother,
26 See Skera Strait, Middarmark, page 21.
27 A realm to the north of the Middarmark that extends into the Otherworld and the Jotnar
homeland of Jotunheim.
28 See Nidavellir, Middarmark, page 20.
29 See Fjalar, Middarmark, page 20.
30 See Sigrun Shieldbreaker, Lady of Battles, Middarmark, pages 36, 76.
Sigrun Shieldbreaker, Lady of Battles30,
or among the multitude of the Lords
of Valor.
As the patron of monster-hunters,
lost causes and heroic last stands, the
cult of Bjorngrim the Dragonslayer
cla i m s few ad herent s. T hos e few
tend to be advent urers and ot her
thoroughly disreputable vagrants. As
such, communities in the Middarmark
generally despise the cult unless they
find themselves beset by a draugr, giant,
wyrm or similar foe. While dwarves do
not worship Bjorngrim, many among
them respect his memory and his cult.
I n hu ma n la nds, on ly t he temple
complex of Jernkloster boasts a temple
to the Dragonslayer. The merchants
who brave the Blodveien and depend
upon Jernkloster to keep the road
clear of monsters are among the few
who contribute to the offerings and
sacrifices that maintain the shabby
temple. Valuables, arms and armor are
all prized offerings to Bjorngrim. The
heads, teeth, claws, scales or other
trophies from defeated monsters are
also welcome offerings. Bjorngrim finds
sacrifices of wolves, eagles and bears
pleasing. The people of Jernkloster
venerate Bjorngrim highly, but few of
them are dedicated members of his hero
cult. Those that are openly affiliated
gain a whispered reputation as unstable
fanatics. Stories claim that another
temple once stood in Nidavellir at the
25
 terminus of the Perleveien31 before the
Gates of Hel. Whether it still stands is
anyone’s guess, for no word from the
dvergar kingdom has reached the surface
in many a year.
Organization
T he cu lt ha s l it t le i n t he w ay of
organization or hierarchy. Status within
the cult is informal and determined by
deed and boast. Members are expected
to give aid and succor to fellow members
when possible. Those lucky few born
with Bjorngrim as their fylgja32 receive
deference from other members and are
expected to achieve great things. The cult
has no real political power, though many
believe that High King Stein Sigurdsson,
founder of Jernkloster, was a member of
the cult. If true, it was not an association
maintained by his successors.
Shrines
Shrines to Bjorngrim are usually found
in the wilderness, at the site of a heroic
deed. Some consist of a simple horgr—a
heap of stones piled atop each other.
More elaborate shrines feature an image
stone that depicts the deed performed
at the site. In many cases, one or more
horgr are placed around the image stone.
Given their placement in remote and
often dangerous places, the shrines
rarely receive regular upkeep. Visitors
may find the stones tumbled, the site
overrun with weeds, the paint on image
stones faded or the site turned into the
lair of a monster or beast. In addition
to making offerings or sacrifice, cult
members who come across such shrines
31 See Perleveien, Middarmark, page 20.
32 A guardian spirit or fetch, usually in the form of an animal, that accompanies a person and
guides them toward their destiny. See Calling upon Your Fylgja, Middarmark, page 59.
33 See The Death of Bjornar the Grim, Middarmark, page 7.
26
in the wilds are expected to do what they
can to maintain the site before moving
on.
Many shrines contain relics or other
items connected with Bjorngrim that
could be used as relics or sacramentals
for invocations. These items might
include the hilt of a sword that once
shattered in Bjorngrim’s hand, a scale
torn from the hide of Ofnir the Black
Wyrm33, the still-roving prophetic eye
Bjorngrim plucked from the head of
Groa the troll seeress and so on.
Joining the Cult
Membership in the Cult of Bjorngrim
is not exclusive. Members continue
to worship the Lords and can join
other hero cults if they choose. Any
member of the Cult of Bjorngrim can
initiate new members. Postulants can
approach cult members and convince
them to initiate the postulant into the
mysteries. Devotees of the cult agree
that membership requires unusual
strength of character (or stubbornness)
and will need to be convinced to admit
the postulant (generally via a Persuader
test or convince conflict). If the cult
member is convinced, they prepare an
initiation ritual. Initiation requires the
postulant to make a Ritualist Test, Ob
2 (though an Evil GM Factor might be
appropriate here).
In Brief
Y Find a cult member to initiate you
into the Mysteries. Persuader test
or convince conflict.
Hero Vættr
Abilities Might: 4 Nature (Spirit): 3
Descriptors: Declaiming (ancestral lore),
Defending, Scouting
Conflict Conflict
Banish: 3
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Lith
Convince: 4
Attack: +1D, Lore of the Ancestors
Defend: +2D, Pride of Heroes
Capture: 5
Attack: +1D, Lore of the Ancestors
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Lith
Battle: 7
Maneuver: +1s H
 eroic Stature
Defend: +2D, Rallying Cry
Armor: Spiritual Armor (as Chain)
Instinct: Protect my Lith.
Special Instinct: Protect my Lith.
The vættr is the embodiment of its lith and
can speak in dreams to those formally
inducted into the adventuring band. It lives in
the lith’s regalia—a banner, piece of jewelry,
weapon, article of clothing or relic of some
sort—and can communicate with bearers of
the regalia directly.
Y Perform the initiation ceremony.
Ritualist test, Ob 2.
The Mystery of Lith
Adventuring bands sometimes seek
initiation into Bjorngrim’s cult because
of a closely held secret: The Rite of Lith.
Closely related to Sigrun’s Hird Rite,
used by nobles to form a retinue, and
Hlin’s Rite of Ætt, used by kin to form
a new clan, the Rite of Lith formally
creates a lith, an adventuring band
bound to a vættr, a spirit that serves as
the lith’s guide and protector. The ritual
is similar to forming a clan, but cements
the bonds in an adventuring band rather
Bear Vættr
Abilities Might: 4 Nature (Spirit): 3
Descriptors: Climbing, Hunting (and
Fishing), Smashing
Banish: 3
Maneuver: +2D, F
 ed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Lith
Convince: 5
Attack: +2D, Terrifying Rumble
Defend: +1D, Relentless Stare
Capture: 6
Attack: +1D, Razor Sharp Claws
Maneuver: +2D, F ed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Lith
Battle: 10
Attack: +1s, Berserk Fury
Feint: +2D, L
 ow Cunning
Defend: +1D, Massive Bulk
Armor: Spiritual Armor (as Chain)
Special
The vættr is the embodiment of its lith and
can speak in dreams to those formally
inducted into the adventuring band. It lives in
the lith’s regalia—a banner, piece of jewelry,
weapon, article of clothing or relic of some
sort—and can communicate with bearers of
the regalia directly.
than a family. The Rite of Lith is only
known to the cult’s initiates and is their
most valuable secret. Only veteran
members of the cult know the rite;
those with this knowledge are especially
suspicious of newcomers seeking to join
the cult and difficult to convince.
Binding a Vættr
The first step to forming a lith is to seek
out a vættr to represent your new family.
Animal vættr are the most common:
eagles, wolves, bulls and such are popular.
Elemental spirits like rock-brothers, and
the spirits of dead heroes are sometimes
called upon as well.
27
 Bull Vættr
Abilities Might: 4 Nature (Spirit): 4
Descriptors: Defending, Goring, Hauling
Conflict Conflict
Banish: 4
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Lith
Convince: 3
Attack: +2D, Seeing Red
Defend: +1D, Stubborn
Capture: 5
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Lith
Battle: 7
Maneuver: +1s, Ferocious Charge
Defend: +1D, Massive Stature
Armor: Spiritual Armor (as Chain)
Instinct: Protect my Lith.
Special
The vættr is the embodiment of its lith and
can speak in dreams to those formally
inducted into the adventuring band. It lives in
the lith’s regalia—a banner, piece of jewelry,
weapon, article of clothing or relic of some
sort—and can communicate with bearers of
the regalia directly.
The spirit must be approached and
convinced to join the band via a convince
conflict or riddle conflict. In exchange,
the spirit will demand a price: Regular
offerings of milk, honey, mead, wine or
valuables are common prices, as is the
sacrifice of arms or armor to bogs or fire.
Sometimes animal sacrifice is requested.
The offerings must be made at each of
the four seasonal blots.
By default, the spirit will demand offerings
worth the equivalent of its Might in cash
dice. Coins, gems, rugs and tapestries,
silverware and plate, jewelry and objects
d’art are worth their value in cash dice.
28
Eagle Vættr
Abilities Might: 4 Nature (Spirit): 3
Descriptors: Inspiring, Seeing, Soaring
Banish: 3
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Lith
Convince: 4
Attack: +1D, Incisive
Defend: +2D, Towering Pride
Capture: 7
Attack: +1D, Swiftness of Wind
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Lith
Battle: 5
Maneuver: +1D, +1s, Spirit Wings
Defend: +2D, Rallying Cry
Armor: Spiritual Armor (as Chain)
Instinct: Protect my Lith.
Special
The vættr is the embodiment of its lith and
can speak in dreams to those formally
inducted into the adventuring band. It lives in
the lith’s regalia—a banner, piece of jewelry,
weapon, article of clothing or relic of some
sort—and can communicate with bearers of
the regalia directly.
Other items are worth 1D if they require
an Ob 4 or higher Resources test to obtain
or 2D if they require an Ob 8 or greater
Resources test to obtain. If an item requires
an Ob 3 Resources test or less to obtain, it
has no cash value as an offering.
However, the price can be modified by
the level of compromise in the convince
conflict. If the players convince the spirit
to join the lith with no compromise, they
can reduce the price to appropriate items
with no cash value.
The players convince the wolf spirit
Hrothvitnir to be the vættr of their lith.
The players won the conflict with no
Wolf Vættr
Abilities Might: 4 Nature (Spirit): 3
Descriptors: Harrying, Smelling, Teaching
Conflict Conflict
Banish: 3
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Lith
Convince: 4
Attack: +1D, Devious
Defend: +2D, Wolfish Pride
Capture: 5
Attack: +1D, Sixth Sense
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Lith
Battle: 7
Maneuver: +1D, +1s, Terrifying Howl
Defend: +2D, Pack Coordination
Armor: None
Instinct: Protect my Lith.
Special
The vættr is the embodiment of its lith and
can speak in dreams to those formally
inducted into the adventuring band. It lives in
the lith’s regalia—a banner, piece of jewelry,
weapon, article of clothing or relic of some
sort—and can communicate with bearers of
the regalia directly.
compromise. Hrothvitnir’s Might is 4,
so normally the players would have to
make a seasonal offering worth 4D of
cash to keep Hrothvitnir fed. Because
the players won with no compromise,
they can instead offer four items that
have no cash value: Perhaps two swords
taken from vanquished foes, a splintered
shield and a jug of wine.
The spirit will not be pleased with useless
trash. The items should be appropriate
to a warlike and heroic being. An animal
sacrifice can also replace 2D worth of
value. In this case, the officiant collects
Rock-Brother Vættr
Abilities Might: 4 Nature (Spirit): 3
Descriptors: Carving (stone), Dreaming,
Throwing
Banish: 3
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Lith
Convince: 7
Attack: +1D, Rumble of the Mountain
Defend: +2D, Stubborn as Stones
Capture: 4
Attack: +1D, Lore of the Ancestors
Maneuver: +2D Fed with Regular
Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Lith
Battle: 6
Attack: +2D, Hurled Boulder
Maneuver: +1s, Gigantic Strides
Defend: +2D, Tough as Rock
Armor: Spiritual Armor (as Plate)
Instinct: Protect my Lith.
Special
The vættr is the embodiment of its lith and
can speak in dreams to those formally
inducted into the adventuring band. It lives in
the lith’s regalia—a banner, piece of jewelry,
weapon, article of clothing or relic of some
sort—and can communicate with bearers of
the regalia directly
the animal’s blood and sprinkles, on the
participants before the meat is boiled and
eaten by the participants.
If the players win the convince conflict
with a major compromise, they can
reduce the price by 3D (to be replaced
with appropriate items with no cash
v a lue). If t he player s w i n w it h a
compromise, they can reduce the price by
2D (to be replaced with appropriate items
with no cash value). If the players win with
a minor compromise, they can reduce
the price by 1D (to be replaced with
appropriate items with no cash value).
29
 If the spirit wins the convince conflict with
no compromise, it refuses to join the lith.
If the spirit wins with a compromise,
the GM can either choose to have the
spirit join the lith but raise its price by
the level of compromise (1D for major
compromise, 2D for compromise, 3D
for minor compromise) or have the
spirit set the players on a quest or task
to prove their valor. The difficulty of the
task should be commensurate with the
level of compromise.
In Brief
Y Find a spirit to be the vættr of
your lith.
Y Convince it to join via a convince
conflict.
Y By default, vættr will demand
the lith make seasonal sacrifices
with a value equivalent to their
Might in cash dice.
Y The price can be modified
according to the level
of compromise in the
convince conflict.
Sacrifices Must Be Made
The band must agree to make the
appropriate offerings and/or sacrifices
at each of the seasonal rites to keep the
vættr happy. Offerings or sacrifice to
the vættr requires a Ritualist test with
an obstacle equal to the spirit’s Might.
Failure taxes the spirit’s Nature by 1.
Meeting the obstacle keeps the spirit fed
and empowered. If the spirit’s Nature is
taxed, meeting the obstacle restores 1
point of tax. Margin of success restores
additional points of taxed Nature on a
one-for-one basis. If the spirit’s Nature is
taxed to zero, the spirit is destroyed and
the lith dissolves.
30
In Brief
Y At each of the seasonal blots, the
lith must make a sacrifice to its
vættr. Making the sacrifice requires
a Ritualist test with an obstacle
equal to the spirit’s Might.
Y Failure in the Ritualist test taxes
the spirit’s Nature by 1. If the
spirit’s Nature is taxed to zero,
the spirit is destroyed and the
lith dissolves.
Y Meeting the Ritualist obstacle
restores 1 point of taxed Nature.
Additional points can be restored
by the margin of success on a one-
for-one basis.
The Vættr’s Regalia
The Rite of Lith must be performed at
one of Bjorngrim’s shrines. The founding
members of the lith must each present an
item that will serve as their connection to
the vættr and provide a physical home
for the spirit. Weapons, armor, jewelry,
fine tools, the masthead of a ship and
similar items are frequently used. These
items form the lith’s regalia. The loss or
destruction of a piece of the lith’s regalia
taxes the spirit’s Might by 1 for each
item lost or destroyed. Lost items can be
recovered. Consecrating a new item to
replace a destroyed one requires an epic
quest. Recovering or replacing the item
restores the taxed Might.
As each member in turn presents their
item, they pronounce the goal of their
new adventuring band. The goal might
simply be to attain wealth and fame, or it
could be to perform some great deed or
right some terrible wrong. Whatever the
goal, the vættr will take it up as its own
and dedicate the lith to that goal until
the lith is destroyed or it accomplishes connected, the vættr can speak to that
that goal and dissolves. The GM should character in furtherance of its belief, goal
write an appropriate belief for the vættr. or instinct. Likewise, it can provide help
to characters that have performed the
In Brief ritual, so long as they remain in contact
Y Each founding member presents with the regalia. It can help only within
an item that will serve as part of
the context of its Nature descriptors and
the vættr’s regalia.
if its belief, goal or instinct applies.
Y Loss or destruction of a piece of
the vættr’s regalia taxes the vættr’s In Brief
Might by 1. Y Binding the vættr requires a
Y Lost items can be recovered. sacrifice. Ritualist, Ob 4.
Destroyed items can be replaced Y Each winter, the vættr’s Nature
with an epic quest. Recovering the increases by 1, to a maximum of
regalia or replacing it restores the Nature 6. When a member of the
vættr’s taxed Might. lith reaches level 7, the vættr’s Might
Y While binding the vættr, the new increases to 5. When a member
members of the lith state the goal reaches level 10, the vættr’s Might
of their band. That goal becomes increases to 6.
the vættr’s goal. Y A member of the lith who is
touching an item of the vættr’s
The Binding
regalia can connect to the vættr
The leader of the rite must then perform
with a Ritualist test, Ob 3. When
an animal sacrifice to cement the pact,
connected, the vættr can speak to
sprinkling the blood on the members,
the character or provide help to
their items and the shrine’s horgr. the character with in the context of
Making the pact requires a Ritualist test, its Nature descriptors, so long as its
Ob 4. Conditions like Afraid, Injured or belief, goal or instinct applies.
Sick are appropriate consequences for
failure. Twists should be suitably strange
or dire. Look to the Magic Twists and
Invocation Twists in Torchbearer for
inspiration if you need it.
Each winter, so long as the lith continues
to exist, the vættr increases its Nature by
1, to a maximum of Nature 6. When the
first member of the lith reaches level 7,
the vættr’s Might increases to 5. When
the first member of the lith reaches level
10, the vættr’s Might increases to 6.
Any member of the lith can use a piece
of the vættr’s regalia in a ritual (Ritualist,
Ob 3) to connect with it. When so

31
 TheofBridge
the
Damned
I
n the north stands a wonder of a lost age: a graceful, fortified stone bridge that
spans a raging river. Legends say it was built by giants, but its history has been
lost to the mists of time.
Once, it connected two thriving jarldoms. Rich offerings were made to the spirits
of the bridge and waters. Trade poured across it, and tolls overflowed in its vaults.
That was long ago. Now the bridge lies ruined, slighted in a desperate effort to repel
an invading war host. Though the invaders were stymied, the bridge, once a living
wonder, was left broken and desolate.
In the years since, the folk of the nearby town of Brugard say the bridge has become
a haunted place, full of ghosts that lure the unwary to their doom. They call it the
Bridge of the Damned and make the sign against evil should their gaze fall upon the
cursed place. More recently, bandits have occupied the ruined bridge and used it to
secure their ill-gotten treasure.
Persistent stories claim that a lost trove lies hidden, unclaimed somewhere in the
bridge’s vaults. They speak especially of a golden fiddle that plays music so sweet it
could make a stone weep.

32

Adventure
in the
Middarmark
T he Br idge of t he Da m ned is a n
adventure set in the Middarmark, but
it can be adapted for any Torchbearer
campaign that features two warring
nations, tribes or peoples separated by
a mighty river. While The Bridge of the
Damned can be played as a standard
dungeon-bashing, treasure-taking romp,
the players can also choose to involve
themselves in the tragic cycle of violence
consuming two clans. The choices they
make might even affect the delicate
balance of power between two warring
nations in the Middarmark.
The Bridge of the Damned is a 2nd-level
adventure. It makes a great follow-up to
the Dread Crypt of Skogenby or the
other intro adventure. It intentionally
presents no clear-cut good or evil faction;
everything’s a matter of perspective.
Even a potentially antagonistic character
like Beigan Burntlegs thinks he is doing
the right thing, no matter how harmful
his actions are to his kin
Background
for the Game
Master
The Jotnarsbru is haunted because
its long-forgotten builders performed
a ceremony to trap a spirit, a nykr, in
a secret chamber below the bridge.
While the bridge was whole, the spirit’s
magic drew people to the bridge, subtly
encouraging them to use it for trade.
When the bridge was destroyed, it
disrupted and warped this magic. Now
the nykr’s loneliness and sorrow draw
people to drown themselves in the
waters below the ruined bridge.
Undead sea-draug now teem in the river,
making it near certain death to attempt
to cross the river by boat. Anyone that
really must cross either travels west to
take the ferry between Blodferge and
Innsjøborg or travels east to cross at the
Vargstrondfjord.
The adventure opens after a group
of Bjorning bandits steal two relics:
a golden fiddle taken from a Bjorning
village on one side of the cursed river
and a jeweled buckle raided from the
clan shrine in a Gott village on the other
side. The bandits have now holed up in
a fortified bridge, the Jotnarsbru, that
once spanned the haunted river, though
it can no longer be traveled, as nearly
100 meters of one arch and roadway
have crumbled away.
Both clans consider their treasures
priceless, even beyond their worth in
gold. Though the buckle once belonged
to the Runung clan of the Bjorning
people, it was taken by the Saxalings,
a Gott clan, when they conquered
the Runung lands north of the river.
Both clans claim the buckle as part of
their clan regalia—treasures critical to
worshiping their ancestors, known as
ættir. As the golden fiddle is part of the
Runung regalia as well, the Runungs lay
claim to both treasures.
One thing that both clans can agree on
is that the bridge is cursed. They also
speak of the vault that lies within. Stories
33
 A Story of Ancient Times
The nykr’s name is Vimur, the spirit of the river. In a previous age, the sky tribe
of Hræsvelg the troll-eagle and the bergrisar, or mountain giants, of the Nidfjoll
mountains made war upon each other. Pretending to be vexed by the ceaseless
storms and earthquakes, the mysterious First People known as the Ylfarings
demanded that Vimur, with friends among both tribes, make peace between the
warring peoples.
Vimur could soothe anyone with his fiddle and soon it was agreed: Hildr the swan
maiden, daughter of Hræsvelg, would wed Gilling, son of the queen of the bergrisar,
Hlodyn. The wedding would take place at the Jotnarsbru, where the land and sky and
water meet. Gilling was known for the depth of his craft, and he made a beautiful
golden buckle in Hræsvelg’s shape as a bride-gift for Hildr.
But the Ylfarings had a secret plan. When Gilling and Hildr stood before Vimur to
pledge themselves to one another, the Ylfarings slew Gilling as a sacrifice. They
bound Vimur within Gilling’s skull using a chain forged from Hildr’s voice, stolen
when she uttered a cry of horror. They then anchored the invisible chain to Vimur’s
fiddle, the buckle crafted by Gilling and the jeweled snood Hildr wore over her hair
in her bridal costume. The earth still shakes on occasion and the storms still come,
but folk from far and near are drawn to carry their goods across the bridge—or they
were drawn while the bridge was still intact.
Some say Hildr still lurks nearby, voiceless and grieving. Others say that if one listens
carefully in the dark of night, one can hear Vimur’s sorrowful lament.

from both sides of the river say this vault
is filled with treasure collected as tolls
when trade still flowed across the bridge.
The players may just want to grab loot
and hare off to some happier place.
But if they see the adventure through
to its conclusion, they’ll likely have a
choice to make: Keep the treasures for
themselves, aid one of the clans over
the other, find a compromise between
the two clans, aid Beigan and Harek or
aid Vimur and Hildr. No single ending
is intended to be the true conclusion to
the story—whichever choice the players
make, it will have lasting consequences
for Sudmark and its folk.
The Jotnarsbru
The Jotnarsbru is a stone bridge that
spans the Vimur River, connecting the
Jarldom of Vargstrond on the southern
bank with the Gottmark (formerly the
Jarldom of Vanskrdal) on the northern
bank. The Jotnarsbru is a marvel of a
lost age, made by a forgotten people
with knowledge of engineering far in
excess of any humans in the north today.
Some scholars who consider themselves
experts in such things say it was created
by the Ylfarings, the mysterious First
People. Others say it was the work of
bergrisar, stone giants hailing from the
Nidfjoll Mountains to the west. Whatever
the truth, the stony bones of a giant lay
half in the icy waters of the Vimur River
and half on the northern bank, the
skull’s crown forming an island in the
river beneath the bridge.

34

A Note for the Game
Master on the Ylfarings
T he nat u re of t he Y lfa r i ngs i s
purposefully left mysterious so you
can use them as needed to make
the Middarmark yours. It’s possible
that, in fact, Middarmark scholars
have mistakenly lumped numerous
peoples of different cultures and
levels of technological development
to get her a s Y lfa r i ngs. Cu lt u ra l
anthropology is not a rigorous science
in the Middarmark.
In my games, the actual Ylfarings (as
opposed to other forgotten peoples)
were techno-magically advanced—
think Atlantis, Hyperborea, Thule,
Agharta and the like. The things they
left behind are weird to the people of
the Middarmark. When introducing
Ylfaring things, I try to think about
t he mo der n- day st r uct u re s a nd
conveniences that we take for granted
and describe them without context or
reference to modern analogs.
The graceful stone bridge once enabled
trade between the jarldoms of Vanskrdal
and Vargstrond. That ended 19 years
ago when Jarl Gerd of Vargstrond, great
aunt of the present jarl, Una the Cat,
paid a band of mercenary dwarf sappers
to destroy the central span rather than
allow the Gott Warhost that had invaded
Vanskrdal to spill into Vargstrond.
Survivors of the conquest of Vanskrdal
still speak bit terly of t he br idge’s
destruction, which trapped many of the
newly conquered people on the northern
side of the river where they were forced
into serfdom by the conquering Gotts.
Jotnarsbru is broken, and no one living
today knows how to repair it. Mortal
people can no longer pass along its
length from one bank to the other.
For spirits, it has become a trap and a
torment.
Beigan’s Plan
Beigan Burntlegs is a Bjorning theurge
and member of the Order of Kara
stationed at Innsjøborg. He is one of
a very small group of renegade monks
connected to Innsjøborg, all members of
the Cult of Bjorngrim the Dragonslayer,
that have taken it upon themselves to
break the curse on the Jotnarsbru in the
hopes of convincing Jarl Una the Cat
of Vargstrond to repair the bridge and
restore trade along the Blodveien—the
order’s divine mission. Beigan has played
a key role in convincing the cabal to take
action, but he has a secret motivation.
Beigan is obsessed with getting revenge
on the Saxalings, which means ending
the curse that makes it all but impossible
for the Bjornings and the Gotts to wage
war on one another. To this end, Beigan
has come up with a plan to disrupt the
magic that imprisons the nykr. He
has learned that three treasures—the
fiddle, the buckle and the snood—are
connected to the trapped spirit and
believes that destroying the treasures
in a special ritual will free the spirit
and end the curse. Beigan’s plan will
severely harm his clan, but he’s decided
his revenge is more important.
As a Runung, Beigan can’t interact with
two of the treasures himself— those
belonging to the Runung clan’s regalia—
as the clan’s ættir, Runa the Battle-Wise,
will recognize her own clan member’s
touch upon the treasures. Thus, he’s
hired an old companion, Harek Bear-
killer, to lead his lith—a mystically
bonded company—in retrieving the
35
 fiddle and the buckle. While Harek
and his Band of the Great Bear hunt
the treasures, Beigan has turned all his
attention to finding the last item, the
one not part of his clan’s regalia, Hildr’s
snood. Only he and his cabal know that
his ultimate purpose is to renew open
warfare between the Gotts and the
Bjornings.
The lith stole the fiddle first, taking it
from Eskitoft in the dead of night though
a few people were killed in the process.
With the fiddle, the lith were able to
mesmerize the ghosts and sea-draug that
haunt the river so they could sail across.
They next raided Saxatoft to seize the
buckle. Now, they’ve holed up in the
bridge’s central tower, waiting for Beigan
to find the snood so they can retrieve it
and perform the ritual. If they succeed,
both the Saxalings and the Runungs will
be weakened, the Runungs severely so.
The ættir of both clans know where
the treasures are. Saxa, spirit of the
Saxaling clan, is connected to the
buckle, while Runa, spirit of the Runung
clan, is connected to both the buckle
and the fiddle. Neither can act through
the treasures unless they’re held by a
member of their clan, and while the
spirits aren’t aware of exactly what
Beigan plans, they can hear anything
said in the presence of their bonded
treasures.
Setting Up the Adventure
The characters could pick up tavern
rumors about the treasures or the vault in
the bridge, or they might be approached
by the Saxaling chieftain to recover the
buckle or by the Runung chieftain to
recover both the fiddle and buckle. Either
chieftain would offer a hefty reward (12D
36
of cash or an equivalent boon—even
adoption into the clan) and could point
the characters in the direction of the
Jotnarsbru, directed there by their clan
ættir’s ability to sense their regalia.
The characters could also be Harek’s
allies—maybe Beigan even approaches
them to aid in his revenge rather
than calling on Harek. Although this
scenario assumes the raids on Eskitoft
and Saxatoft to secure the treasures
have already taken place, you could
start with those raids if the characters
are Beigan’s allies or hirelings, though
you’ll have to do a bit of the heavy lifting
in those scenes as they are not detailed
here. Even with the fiddle and the
buckle accounted for, Beigan still needs
someone to retrieve the snood once he
locates it.
Rumors and Clues
Here are a few suggested rumors with
which to tempt your players to explore
t he br idge. Pick one or ma ke up
your own.
Y Legends say a great treasure is
hidden somewhere in the haunted
ruins of the Jotnarsbru bridge.
People say no one has ever found
it because everyone fears the curse
that lies upon the ruined bridge.
Y A band of adventurers that call
themselves the Band of the Great
Bear have been terrorizing the
Sudmark region in recent weeks,
raiding villages from a base in the
ruined Jotnarsbru bridge.
Y A Runung clan treasure, the
Golden Fiddle of Vimur, was
recently stolen from the village of
Eskitoft by raiders who have holed
up in the ruins of the Jotnarsbru
bridge. Dageid Mjollsdottir,
chieftain of the Runungs (a
Bjorning clan), is offering a hefty
reward for its return.
Y A Saxaling clan treasure, the Eagle
Buckle, was recently stolen from
the village of Saxatoft by raiders
who have holed up in the ruins
of the Jotnarsbru bridge. Ishildis,
chieftain of the Saxalings (a Gott
clan), is offering a hefty reward for
its return.
Leveraging Enemies, Friends and
Mentors
O n e s te p y o u c a n t a k e to d r a w
players into your adventure is to insert
characters’ enemies, friends and mentors
into the mix.
You could replace a member of Harek’s
Band of the Great Bear with an enemy,
adventuring friend or mentor. Perhaps
one of them is helping (or tak ing
advantage of ) folks in Saxatoft or
Eskitoft. Maybe they were present in one
of those places during the raids. If the
characters are helping Dageid, chieftain
of the Runungs, recover the treasures,
maybe Clothildis or Chieftain Ishildis of
the Saxalings have enlisted someone
related to the characters.
Inserting one or two relationships into
the mix, especially if this introduces
characters whose goals are at odds
with the player’ goals, can make the
adventure much more engaging.
34 See Seasons and Weather, Middarmark pages 68–73.
Goals
Instruct the players to write their goals
now or choose from our examples:
Y I will recover the golden buckle for
the Saxalings.
Y I will recover the golden buckle
(and/or the fiddle) for the Runungs.
Y I will break the curse on the bridge.
Y I will steal the treasures for myself!
Y I will learn the truth about the
haunted bridge.
Y I will plunder the vault in the bridge.
Weather
& Time
You can set this adventure during any
season 34 in the Middarmark though
autumn is particularly well suited.
Determine the weather at the beginning
of the adventure and then determine
new weather after every three camp
phases, after every three days traveling
or after every town phase. The weather
conditions affect the characters whenever
they’re outdoors.
Darkness & Light
Many locations in this adventure are
outdoors or otherwise exposed to the
sky. As might be expected, the light
available in these locations varies
with the time of day. In general, these
locations are in bright light during the
day. They are in dim light at dawn and
dusk. At night, they’re in either dim light
or darkness, depending on how bright
the moon is.
Y By default, the adventure begins
several days before the new moon.
37

Twists
Here is a list of suggested twists for failed
tests. You can use these or invent your
own.
Y The dreadful lure. The river’s
curse attempts to overcome
the characters.
Y Bjorning huskarl patrol.35 1d3+2
mounted Bjorning huskarls riding
patrol on Runung lands. While
mounted, Bjorning huskarls are
Might 3.
Y Gott ridder patrol.36 1d3+2
mounted Gott ridders riding patrol
on Saxaling lands. While mounted,
Gott ridders are Might 3.
Y Hildr the crone. The troll-
woman (see Area 15) wanders
the northern bank of the Vimur,
leaving offerings to the dead and
giving food to the sea-draug.
Y Sea-draug. 1d3+2 sea-draug
seek to lure the adventurers into
their embrace.
Y Sprikken. The bridge haunts, Sisu
and Suvi (see Area 14), wander
up and down the river keeping an
eye on Hildr. They’re bored and
more than ready to waylay the
adventurers, rob them, prank them
or trap them in a riddling contest.
Y Trolls. 1d3. This close to the
Ironwold, trolls are an ever-
present danger.
Y Damaged gear. Some important
bit of gear—rope, grappling hook,
lantern, backpack, etc.—breaks,
rips or is damaged.
35 See Bjorning Huskarl, Middarmark, page 92.
36 See Gott Ridder, Middarmark, page 92.
37 Folk chosen by their communities to settle disputes, lead in raids or defense, perform the sacred
rites and organize and manage a community’s labor.
38
Using the Twists
Use this list as inspiration if you need a
twist for a failed test, but don’t hesitate
to use a twist of your own if you have
a better idea. Treat this potential twists
as a guide rather than as a prescriptive
list. Also, make sure to throw in a few
conditions here and there. Conditions
often hurt, but they keep the action
moving by allowing the characters
to continue making progress. Try to
find a healthy balance between twists
and conditions. If you focus too much on
conditions, players will feel that they’re
constantly getting beat up and ground
down. If you focus too much on twists,
players will feel that they never make any
progress.
The Dreadful Lure
The curse can tempt the adventurers
at any time, unless they can hear the
fiddle playing. Each affected PC should
make an Ob 4 Will test to resist the
drowning curse.
Suggested failure results
Twist: The character does everything in
their power to drown themselves in the
river. Drowning characters must make
an Ob 4 Health test. If successful, they
break free of the compulsion.
Condition: They become afraid and
break free of the enchantment.
Bjorning Huskarl Patrol Twist
These huskarls serve Chieftain Dageid or
the Runung hersir37 of a nearby village
or steading. They’re on the lookout for
bandits, monsters or Gott raiders south
of the Vimur River. They might confuse
 14 13 4 3 2

14 13 4 3 2

Light Key
11
5 Daylight
Dim light
or darkness
Dim light

Darkness

Lantern

8 7 Light for
12 + additional
person
6

17 16
9 10
18
15

39
 the adventurers for the former, but they Sprikken Twist
might also be persuaded to lend the Sisu and Suvi are always fun. They are
adventurers aid if the characters are mischievous, amusing and terrifying by
persuasive enough. The huskarls will be turns. Think goblins, but strong enough
extremely suspicious if the adventurers to be scary and always on the lookout for
have one or more Gotts among them. easy money or a laugh. They have only to
amuse themselves to have a good time.
Gott Ridder Patrol Twist
That said, they have a soft spot for Hildr
These ridders serve Chieftain Ishildis.
(they were going to be her bridesmaids)
They’re on the lookout for bandits,
and will seek to tear to shreds anyone
monsters or Bjorning raids north of
who even looks at her funny. They know
the Vimur River. They might confuse
the answer to the riddle inscribed on the
the adventurers for the former, but
stone arch in Area 7. They also know
they might also be persuaded to lend
how the enchantment was placed on the
the adventurers aid if the adventurers
bridge.
are persuasive enough. The ridders
will be extremely suspicious if the Trolls Twist
adventurers have one or more Bjornings Troll haunts creep out of the Ironwold all
among them. the time. With high Nature and a Might
of 5, trolls are incredibly dangerous.
Hildr the Crone Twist
A low-level party that jumps into a kill
Hildr is harmless unless attacked but a
conflict with them could all die. That
terrible foe if provoked. See the Swan
said, they are vulnerable to sunlight, and
Maiden in the Monster Appendix. She
they find riddling contests irresistible.
spends her days wandering up and
Adventurers who seek to trick them
down the river, caring for the sea-draug
or drive them off stand a much better
as if they were her children. She has no
chance of surviving.
voice but can attempt to communicate
via expressions and gestures. She won’t Damaged Gear Twist
be rude, but she’ll grow distraught if kept Damaged gear is an excellent general-
from her duty to the sea-draug for too purpose twist. It’s especially relevant any
long. time the players fail a test that relies on
a useful bit of gear.
Sea-Draug Twist
The sea-draug come looking for warmth
a n d comp a n ion sh ip. T hey’re not
intentionally murderous, but death is
frequently a consequence of interacting
with them. Play the sea-draug up as
tragic, horrible figures. They don’t really
understand that they’re dead. They want
warmth and food and cheer, but they’re
dead and feel only cold and emptiness.
They desperately want to fill the void.

40

Map Key
1. The River of Mists
Gloomy mist shrouds the swift-
running Vimur River nearly day and
night, and a chill permeates the
air even at the height of summer.
There is a roar of rushing water.
When the mist clears, great, jagged
pale rocks can be seen jutting from
the river, causing turbulent white
water. A tarp-covered ship has
been pulled onto the bank near the
southern bridgehead. A mound of
rocks is piled near the ship.
The White Rocks
If one stares long enough, the white
rocks resolve into the skeleton of a
giant. The crown of the giant’s skull
can be seen above the water, beneath
the central span of the bridge. Extreme
disorientation is common the first time
one recognizes the rocks to be enormous
bones.
In the rare event that the mists clear, one
can make out the lonely hovel in Area 15
across the river on the northern bank
near where the skeleton’s feet emerge
from the water.
Under the Bridge (south bank)
There is a karve—a broad-hulled oared
ship—dragged onto the bank near the
abutment. The ship is about 50’ long
and 10’ wide with a very shallow draft.
It has a single mast and space for 10
rowers on either side. The mast and oars
have been stored within the boat, and a
sail has been stretched taut over the top
and tied down like a tarp. There are no
rowing benches or sea chests in the ship.
38 See The Order of Kara (Karalings), Sudmark Gazetteer, page 24 for details.
Scavenging for some items here is a
Good Idea: sailcloth, oars, rope, pitch
— anything similar that makes sense to
you. Other things, like Carpenter tools
or a sunstone (used for navigation) could
be worth a Scavenger test if sought.
Mound of Rocks
Anyone who looks at the mound of rocks
will recognize it as a freshly built cairn.
Within lies Egil Drengisson, a Karaling38
theurge and member of the Band of the
Great Bear. Egil was one of Beigan
Burntlegs’ sworn brothers. He was
wounded in the raid on Saxatoft and
died during the return across the river.
The nykr’s curse has turned Egil into a
haugbui, a risen corpse trapped in his
grave. Egil has been trapped for several
days, grow ing hungr ier and more
distraught with each passing hour. He
spends his days moaning and gibbering
to himself, feeding on the stray beetles
and worms that pass his mouth. If he
hears the adventurers, Egil will beg them
to come closer. He desperately wants
rich red meat and beer and will beg for
them if he hears anyone moving about
outside his grave.
Egil will ask anyone who listens to let
him out of his grave and will attempt to
bargain for food and drink. He knows
the secrets of Beigan’s plan and will
attempt to sell those secrets for heaps
of food and drink. If he is uncovered,
his hunger may get the best of him and
force him to attempt to eat those who
freed him.
41
 Loot
Egil’s grave goods include:
Y A damaged shirt of chain armor
(worn/torso 1); Ob 2 Armorer test
to repair
Y A sword (carried 1 or belt 1;
wielded 1), shield (carried 1 or
worn/torso 1, wielded 1) and
helmet (worn/head)
Y A wool cloak (worn/torso 1,
carried 1 or pack 2)
Y A very fine silver brooch in the
shape of a knotwork boar 4D
(worn/cloak1 or pocket)
Y A blue ship’s pennant embroidered
with a stylized gull (pack 2); acts
as a relic for the Njor’s Breath
invocation
Corrupted Magic
The corr upted magic of the spirit
imprisoned under the bridge has turned
this place into an alagablettur: a place
where the Shroud Between Worlds has
torn. Here, not only can spirits manifest
corporeally in the world but people
can also accidentally cross into the
Otherworld as well.
Slipping into the Otherworld
St u mbling into t he O t her world is
extremely dangerous at the best of
times. Few who do so can find their way
back again. The Near Reaches of the
Otherworld are a surreal reflection of the
mortal realm, like looking into a cracked
mirror. The experiences of all the senses
are heightened in the Otherworld, to an
almost painful degree. Colors are more
saturated, sounds are sharper, smells
more potent. Spirits lurk everywhere,
especially the dead, who roil in the
waters of the river, drawn like flies to the
warmth of flesh and blood.
42
Even if one doesn’t consciously move
after stumbling into the Otherworld,
there is a “current” here that drags one
toward the spirit waters. The longer one
waits before attempting to cross back
to the physical world, the farther one is
dragged from the alagablettur. It’s like
falling through the ice on a swift-running
river. One must find their way back to
the hole to escape or be trapped under
the ice. Finding one’s way back to the
physical realm may require a Theologian
test (using the Cosmological Knowledge
factors) to spot the right markers or to
interact with the spirits here (Entity Type
+ Action factors).
The Dreadful Lure
The river is infested with sea-draug who
attempt to lure anyone that hears their
song to the water to drown themselves.
Spending any time near or on the river
makes one subject to a sea-draug’s
memories of home effect (see the Sea-
draug in the Monster Appendix). When
the adventurers approach the banks,
ask their players to name someone their
character loves who has died. A sea-
draug takes on that form. In the case of
orphans, these spirits take the form of
the character’s deceased parents.
2. Tollgate Ruins
As one approaches the bridge from the
southern bank, a curl of wood smoke
hangs in the air, streaming from the
middle tower in the center of the bridge.
Tumbled stones are all that remain of
what was once a proud gate and tower.
The ruins have been scarred from some
terrible battle, and some of the stones
have melted and run like butter. A rude
wooden gate has been erected on the
bridge just beyond the ruins; it stands
open. A shrine with an image stone at
its center is just outside the gate.
Two warriors with mail shirts, in their
hands and swords at their hips are half-
heartedly poking through the ruins
and chatting.
The Pickets
The two are Saga and Leif, 1st-level
human warriors and members of Harek’s
lith. They’ve been left here as pickets to
warn the others if anyone approaches,
but t hey’re bored and not pay ing
attention—they don’t expect anyone to
brave the curse. If surprised by visitors,
they’ll lose a moment to shock before
attempting to retreat through the gate,
secure it and alert the rest of their band.
Surprise allows the adventurers to make
one test or take an action unopposed
before Saga and Leif react, though the
two will defend themselves if attacked.
Leif carries a horn with which to sound
the alarm if necessary.
They won’t stand and fight unless they
have no other choice. If the adventurers
aren’t immediately hostile, the guards
will get behind the gate and then ask the
adventurers their business. If necessary,
they’ll summon Harek to negotiate with
them.
The Ruins
The ruined tower and gate once served
as the tollgate for the bridge. Here,
Runung warriors garrisoned the tower
and collected tolls for crossing. Persistent
rumors claim there’s a vault where
much of the collected treasure was held,
hidden somewhere in the ruins or in the
middle tower.
The Dragonslayer’s Shrine
The shrine consists of a tall image stone
that depicts a battle between a human
warrior and a dragon. The image stone
is surrounded by three altars of piled
stones, known as horgr. The plain,
battered hilt of a broken sword, covered
in moss, sits atop a flat rock in front of
the image stone (see The Broken Sword
heading below).
The Image Stone
The image stone is a 4’-tall boulder,
vaguely pyramidal in shape, painted
with a scene of Bjorngrim shattering
a sword on the scales of the black
dragon, all wreathed in flame and
smoke. While most wilderness shrines
to the Dragonslayer are ill kept, this one
shows signs of recent care. There are no
weeds to be seen, and the image stone
has been freshly painted.
Learning More
Any character with Bjorngrim-wise, Cult
of the Dragonslayer-wise or a similar
wise will recognize this site without
needing to test. Otherwise, characters
trying to determine the nature of the
shrine should make an Ob 2 Theologian
test. Characters trying to establish the
history of this place should make an
Ob 3 Scholar test.
Theologian: Shrines like these can
be found in the wilderness at the sites
where Bjorngrim performed heroic
deeds. They tend to be run down, and
members of Bjorngrim’s hero cult are
sworn to take some time to maintain a
shrine they come across before moving
on. This shrine must be where Bjorngrim
fought Ofnir the Black Wyrm for the first
time. The broken sword is Heidr (see
The Broken Sword heading below), a
43
 relic holy to devotees of the Cult of the
Dragonslayer. Alar, one of Bjorngrim’s
companions and a hero in his own
right, was slain here and watches over
this shrine.
Scholar: T his was the site of the
first battle between Bjorngrim the
Dragonslayer39 and Ofnir the Black
Wyrm nearly 300 years ago 40, and
Bjor ngr im t he Dragonslayer. T he
tower was destroyed in the fighting, but
the Bjornings were unable to rebuild
the tower. In it’s place, they erected a
wooden gate here, though it has not
been maintained for years.
The Broken Sword
The hilt is all that remains of Bjorngrim’s
first sword, Heidr, which shattered in his
hand as he brought it down on Ofnir’s
scales. If the moss is cleared away, the
jagged remains of the iron blade are
revealed to be nearly entirely eaten away
by rust.
The hilt is a relic for the Inspiring
Aura, Cloak of the Lords of Forges and
Wrath of the Lords of Law invocations.
However, devotees of Bjorngrim’s cult
may react poorly if they notice the hilt
in the possession of someone who is not
a member of the hero cult.
The Hero Alar
Alar, a member of Bjorngrim’s lith, was
slain in the battle with Ofnir. Afterward,
the lith gathered what ashes they could
find and scattered them upon the horgr
here. Alar’s spirit stands watch over the
shrine from the Otherworld. A PC with
the Between Two Worlds, Touched by the
Gods or Wizard’s Sight traits can sense
the Otherworldly presence here. Those
39 See Bjorngrim the Dragonslayer, Middarmark, page 36.
40 See The Death of Bjornar the Grim, Middarmark, pages 7–8.
44
with access to a spell or invocation that
allows them to peer into the Otherworld
can use it to see and converse with him.
Alternatively, one could slip into the
Otherworld at the alagablettur by the river
and seek him out. He is strongly anchored
to the shrine, but even he feels the pull
of the river’s curse. The hero knows that
one day he will succumb and slip into the
Otherworld’s waters, and he fears that
fate, though he struggles to hide it. He
supports efforts to break the curse and
undertake heroic tasks to defend the weak
and help the helpless.
Alar sees all that passes by the shrine.
Some things that Alar knows:
Y Beigan Burntlegs is a devotee of
the Cult of the Dragonslayer. He
comes frequently to maintain the
shrine, as do some of his fellows
from Innsjøborg. He is obsessed
with vengeance.
Y Beigan brought Harek and his lith
here. They made a sacrifice to
Bjorngrim together.
Y Harek and his lith have been holed
up in the middle tower for days.
Y Harek has a magical fiddle that
charms the sea-draug. He has several
musicians that take turns playing it.
Several days ago, they used the fiddle
to keep the spirits away from their
karve as they took it across the river.
When they returned, one of their
number was dead. They made a cairn
for him beneath the bridge.
Y Each month, on the night of
the new moon, the gate to the
spirit prison in the giant’s skull
opens and the sea-draug become
especially active.
Alar could be convinced to become a
lith’s vættr41. Use the Hero Vættr’s stats
to represent Alar.
3. Southern Span
A gracefully arching stone roadway
connects the tollgate ruins with the
middle tower. Despite years of neglect
and weather, the stone is a pristine
white. Just barely, over the sound of
the wind and rushing water below, the
strains of a fiddle can be heard.
The Band of the Great Bear has strung
a tripwire trap to a heavy mallet just
inside the wooden gate. If someone
walks across the tripwire, the mallet
will hammer on a drum, alerting the
guards atop the turret (see The Guards
heading in the Middle Tower in Area 4)
to the intruders.
Tripwire Trap
These simple traps provide those who
set them with an early warning of
intruders. They are typically hard to
spot, especially if the lighting conditions
are poor.
Trigger
Y Walking into the tripwire
automatically triggers this trap.
Y Detecting this simple trap requires
an Ob 3 Scout test, but only if the
players search for traps. Disarming
it requires an Ob 1 Sapper test
to cut the wire, though stepping
over it is also effective (just don’t
stumble into it later). Failing the
Sapper test triggers the trap.
41 See The Cult of the Dragonslayer in the Sudmark Gazetteer, page 27.
Trap Effect
Y When triggered, the trap sounds
the alarm, alerting the guards
in the turret in Area 12 that an
intruder is about.
4. Middle Tower
The roadway continues through an arch
in the middle of a single, square tower
in the center of the bridge. There are
heavy portcullises of gleaming steel on
the northern and southern entrances
to the arch. A steel stair winds along
the outside of the tower to a gate one
story above. The bright, clear notes of
a fiddle can be heard above the sound
of rushing water coming from below.
Harek’s lith has occupied this tower as
they search for the snood. The turret in
Area 12 sits at the top of the tower with
a the two guards on duty, Geirmund and
Modolf (armed with bows), would have a
perfect view of characters approaching
the tower if they weren’t busy playing
dice. While the wind, music and sound
of rushing water make it hard to hear,
they’ll notice an extremely loud sound.
The Guards
Like the rest of the lith, Geirmund and
Modolf have grown lax in their duty
through a combination of their own
efforts to resist the lure of the river’s
curse and their belief that no one in
the region will dare come to the bridge.
Even with the musicians playing Vimur’s
Fiddle (see the Golden Fiddle of Vimur
item in Area 5) all day and night, the idea
of leaping from the tower into the waters
below remains seductive, and much
of Geirmund and Modolf’s attention
45
 remains fixed on keeping themselves
and their companion distracted from
the temptation.
The music is loud enough that even a
fight at the tollgate ruins in Area 2 won’t
get Geirmund and Modolf’s attention,
though they notice if Leif sounds his
horn or if the tripwire trap in Area 3
hammers the alarm drum. They also
remember their duty if roused. Once they
notice intruders, they’ll call a warning
to their companions in the tower below
and challenge the strangers to identify
themselves and their purpose. They’ll
only attack as a last resort, but surprise
visitors will put them on edge. If the
adventurers aren’t immediately hostile,
they’ll send for Harek to negotiate
with them.
The adventurers could attempt to blunt
any suspicion by posing as Kara and
Leif (the pickets from the tollgate ruins
in Area 2), especially if they have their
armor and clothing. Doing so would be
a Good Idea, but only two adventurers
would be able to use the disguise.
The Arch
The roadway passes through a wide
arch in the middle of the tower. The
arch is designed so it can be secured
from either end by portcullises. Murder
holes in the ceiling can be used to attack
enemies attempting to pass through the
arch. The murder holes can be accessed
via the common area in Area 5. The
portcullises are raised and lowered
via chains attached to winches in the
common area (see The Winches in Area
5). The portcullis on the northern side is
currently lowered, while the one on the
southern side is raised. Years of neglect
46
have allowed the chains to rust, and the
mechanisms will not function without
serious maintenance.
The Stair
A metal gate with a complex locking
mechanism (secures a steel stairway that
winds around the outside of the tower
to an entrance one story up Picking the
locking mechanism requires an Ob 5
Criminal test. Harek also keeps the key
to the gate on a leather thong worn
around his neck. Anyone attempting
the stair would be vulnerable to attack
by attentive guards on the turret above.
The stair terminates at a heavy oak
door leading into the tower. The door
does have a bar, but the lith members
within haven’t bothered to set it, as they
feel the lock on the metal gate is secure
enough. The use of so much metal for a
common stairway, especially good steel,
is shocking to people of the modern
Middarmark.
Rushing the Stair
If the adventurers do alert the turret
guards and provoke them, violence may
ensue. The guards are armed with bows,
and given their defensive position, the
adventurers aren’t poised to engage
them in a kill or drive off conflict. If the
adventurers choose to retreat or rush up
the stair into the tower, prompt them to
test a Health vs the guards’ Fighter. Save
the conflict for when the adventurers
burst into the tower’s common area.
+
5. Common Area
This large, square room is filled with
trestle tables and benches where
several Bjornings sit eating, drinking
or playing chess. An extremely weary
looking skald sits on a stool nearby and
saws at a gleaming fiddle of polished
wood and gold, the song a sweet
serenade. A stone staircase spirals up
in the northeastern corner of the room
and a fire burns merrily in a hearth
set into the northern wall. There are
heavy winches on the northwestern and
southwestern sides of the room. They
are attached to chains that emerge
through holes in the floor.
This is the common area of the tower
where the lith sleep, socialize and take
their meals when not on duty. There
are murder holes in part of the floor
that could be used to attack an enemy
force moving through the arch under the
tower. A trapdoor is set in the floor near
the western wall. When opened, a ladder
leads down to a storage room in Area 6.
The People
The musician is Finna the Skald, who
has been taking turns playing the golden
fiddle day and night with Toki the skald
and Hall the magician to keep the curse
at bay. All three are exhausted and won’t
be able to go on much longer. The others
here are Toki and Trygg the thief. All
are level 1.
Unless Geirmund and Modolf (see
The Middle Tower) have sounded the
alarm, everyone in this room is likely
to be startled if strangers enter. The
adventurers will have the opportunity
to make one test or other wise act
unopposed before the people in the
room react, though the inhabitants will
defend themselves against violence.
Everyone here is eager to be away from
the tower and the cursed river. They
know their leader Harek is waiting for
the night of the new moon to perform
a ritual intended to break the curse. At
least, that was the plan before their
theurge, Egil Drengisson, was killed in
the raid on Saxatoft. Harek has sent two
of their number—Ljufa and Signy—to
fetch Beigan Burntlegs from Innsjøborg
to perform the ritual, though they were
supposed to have returned a day ago.
Everyone is feeling a bit tense.
The Winches
T he w i nche s a re lo ck i ng r atchet
mechanisms connected to massive
chains. Twenty years of neglect have
left the chains horribly rusted, making
both winches inoperable. The northern
portcullis is stuck in the lowered position,
and the southern portcullis is stuck in the
raised position. The mechanisms could be
set to rights, but it would require a great
deal of specialized labor.
Golden Fiddle of Vimur
This nine-stringed fiddle is made of
black alder, with a fingerboard and
tailpiece faced with horn and inlaid
with bone, gold and mother of pearl.
The scroll at the top of the pegbox is
carved in the shape of a dragon.
E f fe c t: Spir it s a nd a n i ma ls who
hear music played on this fiddle are
mesmerized. Those entranced by the
sound will seek out its source and listen
until the song ends. Test Peasant vs the
target’s Nature. When comparing results
against a target, the musician suffers -1s
to their result for each rank by which
the target’s Might exceeds theirs. Victims
who lose the versus test are drawn to
the music for one turn. Each margin of
successes increases the effect’s duration
47
 by one turn, so long as the musician
keeps playing. In Vimur’s hands, the
fiddle’s music mesmerizes folk as well.
Inventory: carried 2 or pack 3
Type: Magical equipment
6. Storage Chamber
A sturdy steel ladder descends from the
trapdoor above to a small, grimy room
thick with dust. Much of the dust in
the center of the room has been swept
into the corners. Twelve sea chests are
arranged in the swept area, along with
several sacks, one of which appears to
have split a seam and spilled rye flour
onto the floor. There are also a few
casks. There are tracks in the dust of
the unswept part of the room.
The Sacks and Casks
There are two large sacks of flour
(carried 2 or pack 6). One portion of
flour acts as supplies for Cook tests
(the flour can’t be eaten uncooked. The
full sack contains six potions; the other
contains only four portions as the rest
has spilled onto the floor. The split in
the seam must be repaired with an Ob
1 Peasant test before the sack can be
shifted, or the rest of the flour will spill
onto the floor). One of the casks (carried
2 or pack 4) contains pickled herring (4
portions of preserved rations). The other
two contain beer (4 draughts each).
The Sea Chests
These sea chests belong to the members
of the Band of the Great Bear (though
Harek’s is in his chamber in Area 11
above). The lith mostly carry their wealth
on their persons; the chests are full of
spare clothes, bits of gear and the like.
48
Taking clothes is a Good Idea. Scavenger
test can be made as normal to find other
things in the chests.
Tracks in the Dust
Anyone who checks out the tracks in
the dust before their companions begin
walking around the room will notice that
they lead to and from the northern wall.
Anyone who notices this is likely to
deduce there is a secret door here. A
character that searches the wall with Ob
3 Scout test will discover a panel that,
when pressed, causes a portion of the
wall to recess and slide aside, revealing
the secret shrine in Area 7. Only Beigan
and Harek are aware of this secret room.
The rest of the Band of the Great Bear
know nothing about it.
7. Shrine to the Lords
of Valor and Terror 
A weird, charged feeling vibrates
from the chamber, causing hair on
the arms and back of the neck to
stand on end. The small chamber
could fit maybe three people if they
stood uncomfortably close together. A
niche, roughly 8’ tall and 3’ wide, is
set in the northern wall, and is filled
with a strange, shimmering blue light.
The stone arch above the niche bears
an inscription. Two wooden, painted
cult statues of the Lords of Valor and
Terror, much newer than the room
itself, stand to either side of the niche.
There is a brown, sticky stain on the
floor before the niche — dried blood.
The niche is the gate to Vimur’s prison.
The blue light is a force field. Anyone
who attempts to touch it experiences a
powerful shock of static electricity, more
surprising than painful, and is repelled.
Objects also bounce off it. The force field
disappears from nightfall to sunup on the
night of the new moon each month or if
one utters the answer to the riddle in the
inscription. Nothing will pass through it
until that time.
When the force field disappears, it
reveals a short passage.
Cult Statues
The statues are traditional, modern
representations of the Lords of Valor
and Terror, obviously placed here long
after the construction of the bridge.
Natives of the Middarmark will recognize
them instantly. However, someone who
inspects the statues closely with an Ob
3 Theologian test to recognize that the
bloody spear and sword crossed in the
Lord of Terror’s hands are specifically
meant to depict Vali the Kinslayer,
Lord of Slaughter. Moreover, someone
has performed a sacrifice to the Jotnar
Immortal here recently.
A character that peers into the recent
past with the Eye of Omens spell or the
Vision of the Lords of Chaos and Law
invocation will see a Bjorning theurge
with long-healed but terrible burn
scars on his arms and legs, sacrificing
a lamb and pleading to be shielded
from responsibility for the death of kin
at Eskitoft.
If they have met him, the characters will
recognize the man as Beigan Burntlegs.
Beigan came here to perform a sacrifice
to the kinslayer when Harek and the
Band of the Great Bear left for their raid
on Eskitoft to steal the golden fiddle.
The Inscription
The inscription is in a strange language
but can be deciphered with an Ob 5
Scholar test. Alternately, the Wisdom
of the Sages spell (Ob 4) will allow a
magician to read the script. It reads:
From home I went, from home I made
my way, I saw a road of roads, and
a road under them, and a road over
them, and a road on all sides. Guess
my riddle.
The answer is “river.” If players come
up with the correct answer, it’s a Good
Idea. Otherwise deciphering the answer
requires an Ob 4 Lore Master test.
Halflings’ Riddling Nature would also
allow them to make an Ob 3 Nature test
to decipher the answer—though only if
they don’t have the Lore Master skill.
8. Well
The passage leads a few feet north
before it ends at a landing in front of a
6’-diameter shaft that descends into the
darkness below. A disc of shimmering
blue light hangs in the shaft. The air
here is humid and redolent with the
scent of mud and rotting barnacles.
The disc is similar to the force field that
guarded the passage, though it does not
repel in the same way. If one or more
people step onto the disc, it will slowly
descend the shaft until it reaches the
tunnel opening in Area 9.
9. Tunnel
An archway to the south opens into a
wide tunnel with a path of gleaming,
polished stone. The walls and ceiling
of the tunnel are a hard, transparent
substance. The river is above and all
around you. The tunnel leads toward
a massive, gleaming white skull—the
giant! In fact, it leads directly into its
mouth, past its stony teeth.
49
 Play up the weirdness here. Fish and
other riverine life can be seen flitting
here and there, refracting unnervingly
in the light of the adventurers’ torches
or any sunlight or moonlight filtering
through the water. The alien substance
that makes up the walls and ceiling can’t
be scratched or marred, no matter what
is brought against its surface.
10. Nykr Prison
This chamber is a dome of yellowing
ivory. A wide, calcified ring of ancient
coins, some blackened silver, others
gleaming gold, dominates the center
of the chamber. Within the ring, a
very handsome young man dressed in
strange but very fine clothes sits cross-
legged with a sad, resigned face, singing
softly to himself. He seems to shine
with faint blue light around the edges.
Just outside the circle is a wicker frame,
upon which rests a snood—a hair net—
made of pearls and shimmering gold
wire.
The “man” is Vimur, a nykr and the
spirit of the river that bears his name.
Vimur has been imprisoned here, in his
friend Gilling’s skull, for untold ages. He
desperately desires to be free to lure the
prettiest youths into his watery embrace
so he can keep them forever. He is
dreadfully lonely and wants his fiddle,
which of late he can hear but not reach,
which frustrates him greatly.
Vimur can share the story of the tragedy
that befell Hildr, Gilling and himself,
though some of the details have grown
foggy for him over the ages. He has little
knowledge of what has transpired since he
was trapped, though he was vaguely aware
of the various peoples who have held the
bridge during that time. The destruction
of the bridge was a blinding pain that
continues to cause him torment.
He k nows t he snoo d t hat sit s so
tantalizingly close is one of the fetters that
binds him, and he has a fair idea that its
destruction would be harmful to him. He
will attempt to persuade or trick them to
leave it alone, perhaps by suggesting that
it would be dangerous to them or that it
will draw the wrath of Hlodyn, Gilling’s
mother and queen of the bergrisar, upon
them.
Dealing with Vimur
Vimur can be dealt with in several ways:
Y Beigan has discovered a ritual that
can destroy the spirit. Performing
requires an Ob 4 Ritualist test and
destruction of the Golden Fiddle,
the Eagle Buckle and the Snood
of Kjosa must all be destroyed
as part of the ritual. Successfully
performing the ritual will break the
chain that binds Vimur, Hildr and
Gilling’s spirit and cause all three
to burn away into nothingness as if
they’d never been.
Y Breaking the circle of coins that
traps Vimur will release him. As
soon as the circle is broken, he will
seek his fiddle and seize it by force
before leaving the bridge for the
river. The sea-draug will no longer
be trapped in the river. Freed, they
will seek out their families and
attempt to spend time with them…

50
Y Vimur can be forced through
the Shroud of Worlds into
the Otherworld with a banish
conflict. However, this is only a
temporary measure. Even if the
conflict is successful, Vimur will
remain trapped by the circle in
the Otherworld. While in the
Otherworld, the curse will fade and
the sea-draug will be released. But
after a year and a day, he will slip
through the Shroud once more as
a materialized spirit.
Snood of the K josa
This shimmering hairnet is made of
pearl and gold wire and worn by the
Choosers of the Slain as they perform
their duties.
Effect: The wearer can look into the
heart of a person and see who they truly
are. Test Will vs the target’s Nature. If
successful, the game master reveals
the target’s creed or belief (wearer’s
choice). This test does not cost a turn.
The wearer must witness or participate
in a battle, skirmish or other contest
to the death before this effect can be
used again. As a piece of jewelry, the
snood is worth 8D.
Inventory: worn/hear or pack 2
Type: Magical jewelry
The Prison Circle
Vimur’s prison is made of ancient gold
and silver coins, solidified into a giant
mass. Breaking up the mass that forms
the ring requires an Ob 4 Laborer test.
Doing so will break the ring into 10 slabs
(3D, pack 3 each). The slabs are worth
3D each. However, an alchemist could
melt and refine the slabs in a crucible to
separate the gold from the silver. Refined
gold slabs (pack 1) and refined silver slabs
(pack 2) are worth 3D each. Breaking
the circle will immediately free Vimur.
11. W
 arleader’s 
Chambers
Inside this square chamber is a straw
pallet with rumpled bedclothes and
a desk with a sheaf of parchment on
it. There is a beautiful, oak sea chest
with a heavy lock next to the desk. The
chamber is lit and heated by a brazier.
The stair continues to spiral up to
another floor.
The stone staircase leads down to the
common area in Area 5 and up to the
turret in Area 12.
Harek Bear-killer
Harek Bear-killer, leader of the Band of
the Great Bear, has taken this floor as his
chambers and will be here unless he has
been lured elsewhere or is responding to
an alarm. Harek is an adventurer and a
mercenary who kills without compunction
when he feels it necessary, but he doesn’t
take joy in it.
Harek considers himself a hero and
believes he is working to free the land
from a terrible curse. He hasn’t really
considered that the Runung clan, a
storied Bjorning clan, may be destroyed
by his actions. Of course, it goes without
saying that breaking a curse may come
at great cost.
Harek is a member of the hero cult of
Bjorngrim the Dragonslayer, and Beigan
Burntlegs is his oath-brother. He is loyal
without fault to the members of his lith.
If he is aware of the adventurers having
killed any members of his lith, Harek will
51
 attack them without mercy. If not, his
first instinct is to attempt to enlist them
to aid him and Beigan in breaking the
curse, especially if there are no Gotts
among them. His friend, the theurge Egil
Drengisson, was supposed to perform
the ritual but died from wounds sustained
during the raid on Saxatoft.
Harek may also ask the adventurers to
help him discover what happened to
several members of his lith. After they
returned from the Saxatoft raid and
Egil died, Harek sent Ljufa and Signy
to Innsjøborg to retrieve Beigan. They
should have returned more than a day
ago, and he’s starting to worry.
Beigan and the lith have been trapped
in Innsjøborg by a great number of sea-
draug. They’ll need to be driven off
before the group can leave the fort.
The Desk
The sheaf of parchment on the desk
consists of a map of Sudmark and details
of the curse-breaking ritual that Beigan
made for Egil Drengisson. Harek took
the parchment from Egil’s things before
the Band of the Great Bear laid Egil to
rest. Harek knows the ritual requires
the Golden Fiddle, Eagle Buckle and an
item known as the Snood of Kjosa. The
lith have the first two items, but they
have not yet located the snood, though
he and Beigan believe it to be hidden
somewhere in or near the bridge.
The Curse-Breaking Ritual
The parchment details the ritual and
the story of the bridge’s enchantment. It
notes the force field in Area 7 fades on
the night of the new moon. Performing
the Ritual requires an Ob 4 Ritualist
test and the destruction of the Golden
52
Fiddle, the Eagle Buckle and the Snood
of Kjosa while chanting an incantation.
Successfully performing the ritual will
break the chain that binds Vimur, Hildr
and Gilling’s spirit and cause all three to
burn away into nothingness as if they’d
never been.
The Sea Chest
This fine, oak sea chest (pack 8)has rope
handles on the ends and doubles as a
rowing bench on a longship or boat. It
features a heavy padlock with a poison
needle trap. Harek keeps the key to
the chest in his belt pouch (not to be
confused with the gate key around his
neck). The Eagle Buckle is inside.
Eagle Buckle
This gold buckle to a girdle or baldric
depicts an eagle in intricate knotwork.
It was taken by the Runungs and made
part of their clan regalia when they
first seized these lands from the Sakki
several hundred years ago. Hincmar
took the buckle from Grima’s hoard
and made it part of the Saxaling
regalia to commemorate the taking
of the Runung lands.
Effect: The buckle is a relic for the
Tongue of the Lord of Beasts invocation.
Birds of prey have a tendency to bring
gifts to the wearer in the form of bloody
gobbets of small mammals, birds or fish
they have hunted. These morsels aren’t
usually enough to make a meal, merely
messy tokens of esteem.
Inventory: belt 1
Type: Relic jewelry
Needle Trap
This lock rotates. Safely opening the
lock requires rotating it 90 degrees
sunwise before turning the key (or
picking the lock).
Triggering the Trap
Y Putting the key in the mechanism
or picking the lock without rotating
it automatically triggers this trap.
Y Detecting this concealed trap
requires an Ob 3 Scout test.
Disarming it requires an Ob 4
Sapper test to jam or disassemble
the mechanism. Picking the
disarmed lock requires an Ob 2
Criminal test.
Trap Effect
Y When triggered, a spring-loaded
razor-sharp needle hidden within
the mechanism jabs into the
hand of the person manipulating
the lock. The spring is powerful
enough to drive the needle through
thick leather gloves. Anyone who
is character pricked by the needle
must make an Ob 3 Health test.
Y Suggested condition: They become
sick from the poison.
Y Suggested twist: They are
paralyzed for a number of turns
equal to the margin of failure.
12. Turret
A brazier filled with red-hot coals stands
in the center of this square chamber at
the top of the tower, providing some
light. Two guards are crouched by the
brazier sharing a skin of drink and
playing dice. They’re clearly meant to
be keeping watch on the approach to
the tower through the arrow slits set
into the walls, but they’re shirking.
The two guards, Geirmund and Modolf
(see The Guards heading in Area 4), are
here, trying to keep warm by drinking
and playing dice (Harek would be furious
if he knew their condition). They’re
not paying attention and won’t notice
anything unless fighting breaks out in
Harek’s chamber below, Leif from Area
2 sounds his horn or the tripwire trap in
Area 3 hammers the alarm drum.
13. Northern Span
The bridge ends abruptly here. About
a hundred yards of the roadway are
missing, tumbled into the frothing
waters far below. On the northern
side of the gap rests the charred
remains of the northern tower. On
the other stands the middle tower.
A weathered runestone, roughly 4’
tall, stands at the edge of the broken
roadway on the southern side.
Nearly twenty years ago, the dwarven
mercenaries hired by Jarl Gerd of
Vargstrond, great aunt of the current
jarl, destroyed this span to stop the Gott
invasion. This is the spot where Dageid
Mjollsdottir, chieftain of the Runungs,
heroically held the bridge until the
sappers completed their work.
The Runestone
Reading the inscription on the runestone
requires an Ob 1 Scholar test. It states:
“Here Dageid Mjollsdottir held back the
Gott tide while dvergar of the Stone
Teeth Company sundered the bridge. I,
Fride of the House of Yngvi of Frostfast
Hall, write this on behalf of Gerd, jarl of
Vargstrond.”
53

14. Ruined 
Gatehouse
The blackened ruins of a once-graceful
tower, much like the one that still
stands in the middle of the bridge,
stands a lonely vigil on the northern
end of the bridge. The twisted remains
of a portcullis, no doubt bent by a
heavy battering ram, thrust forth from
the arch in the tower like mangled
teeth. A sagging line has been strung
between two of the jutting iron spikes,
from which hang sopping gray rags.
This tower was the twin of the Tollgate
Tower on the southern end of the
bridge in Area 2. It was assaulted by
the Gotts twenty years ago and held
just long enough to allow the mercenary
dwarven sappers to destroy the northern
span of the bridge. The furious Saxaling
w a r r ior s, d e n ie d t he i nv a s ion of
Vargstrond, gathered a great store of
wood and burned the tower.
The Bridge Haunts
Two sprikken, Sisu and Suvi, have
recently taken up residence in the ruined
gatehouse and are using the twisted
portcullis to dry their laundry. They
spend their days snatching fish from the
river and trying to come up with a plan to
cross the broken northern span and find
the treasure they believe is hidden in the
middle tower. As immortal fey creatures,
the river’s curse barely affects them.
They knew Vimur of old and think
that he has become a dull and morose
fellow. He was much more entertaining
in the old days when he used to travel
up and down the river and trick folk
into drowning themselves. Though that
was great sport and fun, the sprikken
54
are bored now, meaning they’re more
than happy to waylay the adventurers,
rob them, prank them or trap them in a
riddling contest. They know the answer
to the riddle inscribed on the stone arch
in Area 7. They also know how the
enchantment was placed on the bridge.
Only Hildr and her fate wring any
tenderness from them. They mourn
for the eagle’s daughter and leave
baskets of fish near her hovel where
she’ll find them. Anyone who threatens
her or causes her more grief will earn
their wrath.
15. Lonely Hovel
A squalid, turf-roofed hovel squats on a
grassy promontory by the river. A large
cauldron bubbles away on a smoky fire
before the entrance. The rotting hulk of
a boat lies upon the bank, one end still
jutting into the water. Piles of heaped
stones litter the bank, most with small
bundles left before them.
Heedless of the ghosts and sea-draug,
an old crone named Hildr, half-deaf,
mute and nearly blind, lives here. The
riverbank is littered with heaped horgr
where the crone leaves offerings to the
drowned, generally in the form of food
and drink.
The folk of Saxatoft know of the old witch
who lives down by the river, though they
don’t know her ancient history. Most fear
her, and many Saxaling children have
been told the old crone will find them
and eat them if they’re ill-behaved. The
thralls of Saxatoft, however, know she
is a gentle soul, if a bit skittish. They
sometimes seek her out to soothe their
scrapes and bruises. She never says a
word but offers a sad smile to those who
are kind to her.
The Hovel
The hovel consists of a single room with
a dirt floor kept carefully swept. Drying
herbs and flowers hang in bunches tied
to the rafters, along with feathers, bones
and other knickknacks. A straw pallet,
almost nest-like, is visible with neatly
folded bedclothes atop it. Beside the
straw pallet and seemingly out of place
is a wicker frame displaying a cloak
of purest white feathers stitched with
gold thread.
The Swan Maiden
Hildr is a troll-woman, the daughter of
Hræsvelg the troll-eagle, chieftain of the
Sky Tribe. She can appear as a crone
or a beautiful maiden. With her cloak of
feathers, she can become a swan. Once
a great spear-maiden of the Sky Tribe,
she has been here tending her grief since
time immemorial. She was betrothed to
the giant, Gilling, whose skeleton lies in
the river and whose skull forms Vimur’s
spirit prison. The Eagle Buckle was a
gift that Gilling intended to give to Hildr
as part of her bridal costume. But Gilling
was slain, and the buckle was used as
one of the fetters to bind the spirit. It has
bound her too. She cares for the spirits
of the drowned—the sea-draug—as
if they were her children. Hildr knows
the snood, formerly part of her bridal
costume, remains near Vimur. She
should have the adventurers free Vimur
if they are willing.
Swan Mantle
This cloak of purest white swan
feathers is stitched with gold thread.
Effect: The mantle allows the bearer to
pull the cloak tightly about themselves
a nd ta ke t he for m of a swa n. To
transform, make an Ob 3 Will test. This
test does not take a turn. If successful,
you take the shape of a swan and assume
its Nature descriptors (Preening, Flying,
Swimming). Suggested twist: A bird sees
you donning Hildr’s cloak and reports
the theft to Hræsvelg the troll-eagle.
You can end the effect at any time by
removing the cloak.
Inventory: worn/torso 1,carried 1 or
pack 2
Type: Magical clothing
16. Saxatoft
A burned manor house stands on a hill,
surrounded by ruined village, trampled
fields and scattered and slain livestock.
The village of Saxatoft has certainly seen
better days. The vast majority of Græling
and Bjorning thralls who kept the village
running have fled to the hills in the wake
of the raid, leaving behind only those
too elderly or too young to survive in the
unforgiving wilds.
Fulk and one of his ridders have ridden
to a neighboring village to plead for help,
leaving Clothildis and another ridder,
Notker, to try to organize the few Gott
tenant farmers and the remaining thralls
to put Saxatoft back to rights. The folk
will soon go hungry, and there is no
shelter from the elements to speak of.
55
 Winning the Clothildis’s Favor
Offers to hunt game to feed the survivors,
rebuild houses or bring back the escaped
thralls will win Clothildis’s gratitude. She
can’t offer much in the way of reward
except the future hospitality of her house
and her husband’s patronage should his
fortunes recover.
She especially tries to convince the
characters to retrieve the Eagle Buckle
from the bandits on the bridge. She
promises that Ishildis, chieftain of the
Saxalings, will reward them handsomely
if they do.
17. Forlorn Hills
Several small camp fires are burning
fitfully surrounded by lean-tos. Dirty,
miserable, sunken-cheeked people sit
sheltered by the lean-tos or wrapped in
blankets on the bare earth. Few even
bother to look up as you approach.
T he s e are t he e s c ap e d t hra l ls of
Saxatoft. They are mostly Bjornings of
the Runung clan who have been held
in thralldom, though there are some
Grælings among them. They are hungry,
cold and frightened. Several of their
number have been taken by trolls. Their
ultimate goal is to escape across the river
to their kin, but they are terrified of the
curse and don’t know about the Karaling
fort at Innsjøborg.
Leaders of the thralls
Most of the people of the Forlorn Hills
look to Mæva as their leader. Mæva is
trying to convince everyone to gather
what weapons they can to make a raid
on Saxatoft to rescue their children
and elders (and get vengeance on their
42 See Disir, Middarmark, page 9.
43 Sortjern are a species of tree unique to the Ironwold. They are knotted and twisted, with venous
bark as black as night. They blunt axes and resist flame.
56
masters as an added bonus). She has
been making sacrifices to the Disir 42
at the forest shrine in Area 18 in the
hope that the Lords of Fate will deliver
her folk. She has also been communing
with the Runung ættir, Runa the Battle-
wise, through a mangle board (see
Runa’s Mangle Board in Area 18), the
piece of clan regalia that she’s hidden at
the shrine.
A small but significant group of the
t hra l ls i nstead look to Fara ld for
leadership. Although he was eager to be
free, Farald is terrified of the Ironwold.
He no longer sleeps because of the
oppressive nature of the forest, and he
constantly sees monsters behind every
tree—understandable since he saw his
own brother dragged off by a troll just
the other day. Farald thinks they should
give up and go back to Saxatoft, and
some of the refugees are coming around
to his way of thinking. The only reason
they haven’t left yet is they’re afraid to
leave the camp on their own.
A third thrall, Reidarr has not persuaded
anyone to follow him yet, but he is
convinced the refugees should abandon
their kin left at Saxatoft, risk the sea-
draug and attempt to cross the river.
For now, the refugees are arguing
in circles.
18. S
 hrine 
in the Forest
The sour smell of death hangs heavy in
the air. The gloomy glade is surrounded
by towering black sortjern 43 trees,
branches festooned with rotting ropes
suspending the decaying carcasses of
animals hung by the neck. Ancient
bones lie in piles beneath the branches
and scattered among the roots. A heap
of moss-covered stones shaped like
a table dominates the center of the
clearing. A long oblong bundle wrapped
in oilcloth lays atop it.
This place is an ancient shrine to the
Disir where the Sakki came to make
human sacrifice to the Lords of Fate
before the Bjornings drove them deeper
into the forest.
For years after, the Runungs shunned the
place as haunted. When the Saxalings
came and enslaved the Runungs north of
the river, the newly made thralls began
coming to this place in secret to make
offerings to the Disir in hopes of altering
their fate. The bundle is Runa’s Mangle
Board, a lost piece of the Runung regalia
that Mæva and her fellow thralls have
kept hidden for the last twenty years.
Y This place feels ominous and
oppressive, as if ancient, fell
powers are watching and hating.
Y Even at noon, the glade lies in
shadow—dim light during the day
and darkness at night.
Y In late spring and throughout the
summer, anyone entering the
glade is beset by biting black flies.
Apply +1 Ob to actions taken while
plagued by the flies, if relevant.
Y The animal carcasses are relatively
recent. Some are fresh enough
that their flesh is crawling with
maggots—the source of the
black flies. Others are weeks or
months old.
Y The ancient bones are human.
Y The bundle wrapped in oil skin is a
beautiful, carved wooden mangle
board. It is one of the Runungs’
lost regalia; to the clan, especially
Chieftain Dageid, it is a treasure
beyond price (see the Runa’s
Mangle Board item below).
Fymir the Troll
In ages past, the troll,44 Fymir, was
closely allied with the Sakki people who
worshiped here. He’s bitter at their loss
and has maintained this grove as a shrine
to their memory. He holds an abiding
hatred for Bjornings and is happy to stalk
and kill them out of hand, but he was
charmed by Mæva the first time he set
eyes on her, though he has never let her
see him. He watches her from afar but will
seek to come to her aid if she is harmed or
he thinks she might be harmed (whether
his perception is accurate or not).
He will not think twice about taking and
eating people who she is close with.
Runa’s Mangle Board
This marvelous, walnut mangle board
for pressing linen on a roller features
intricately twined acanthus leaves in
high relief and a handle in the shape
of a mermaid. Made by the master
woodcarver Sæunn Helgasdottir of
Rimholm, it was given to Runa as
a bride gift by her husband, Mani
Bardsson. The mangle board was
stored in the loom house at Skyholl
and so was spared the flames. Mæva,
one of the young Runung girls of
Skyholl, managed to hide the treasure
from the conquerors before being
taken as a thrall. She and her fellow
Runung thralls keep it hidden from
the Saxalings to this day.
57
 Effect: The mangle board is a relic
for the Hearth Rune and Wisdom of
the Mother invocations. It increases
the bearer’s Precedence by one then
possessed by a recognized leader of a
steading or settlement.
Inventory: pack 3
Type: Magical relic equipment
18. Innsjøborg 
In recent weeks the sea-draug have
been gathering in great numbers in
the lake. Birna Ragnasdottir, master
of the Karaling monks at Innsjøborg
sent messengers to Grandmaster Ring
Boarhound at Jernkloster asking for
help forming a sortie to drive them
back into the river, but no response
has arrived. Now the sea-draug have
begun to mass near the fort’s gate. The
residents are trapped inside.
To get into Innsjøborg, the players will
have to figure out a way past groups of
1d3+2 sea-draug lurking in the waters of
the lake and outside the gates of the fort.
Getting to Innsjøborg
To get to Innsjøborg from the southern
bank, the characters will either have to
get access to the Golden Fiddle to pacify
the sea-draug so they can cross the river,
or travel to Blodferge and negotiate
with the ferryfolk to take them across
the sea-draug-haunted lake. All things
being equal, the ferryfolk would prefer
to wait until a sortie from the Order of
Kara drives the sea-draug back to the
river before attempting the crossing.
Use the Sailor stat block in the Scholar’s
Guide to represent the ferryfolk.
Beigan Burntlegs
Beigan has a home in the Order’s
barracks at Innsjøborg, where he has
58
been studying old accounts to tr y
to determine the location of the last
treasure, the Snood of Kjosa. Harek sent
Ljufa and Signy—two members of the
Band of the Great Bear—to Innsjøborg
to retrieve Beigan after Egil died. They
fought their way past the sea-draug to
get inside, but are now trapped in the
fort with Beigan.
While they have not yet worked up
the courage to attempt to break out of
the fort and win past the undead, the
new moon is drawing nigh and Beigan
is growing desperate to see the curse-
breaking ritual through.
The Snood
None of the accounts Beigan has studied
have given a clear account of what
happened to the snood after the Ylfaring
ritual, but Beigan has come to suspect
that it is hidden somewhere in the bridge
itself—probably in Vimur’s spirit prison.
Where to Go
from Here
Whatever choices the players make
in this adventure will ultimately have
consequences. Destroying Vimur or
releasing him will end the curse of the
Bridge of the Damned. The river will
no longer lure everyone in the region to
drown themselves in its waters, though
Vimur may still drown a steady stream
of young people if freed. However, the
end of the curse may cause even more
danger in the Sudmark:
Y The sea-draug will no longer be
trapped in the river. They will be
free to leave and attempt to reunite
with their living families. This will
be upsetting for their relatives.
While sea-draug do not possess
murderous intent, their desire to
hold their loved ones close to feel
their warmth frequently leads to
the deaths of those loved ones.
The sea-draug will have to be
dealt with.
Y The end of the curse on the river
will allow the war between the
Bjornings on the southern bank
and the Gotts on the northern
bank to reignite. While the curse
persisted, the war was primarily
a cold one, with occasional raids
across the Vargstrondfjord. With
the curse gone, warbands will be
able to take the shorter crossing
across the river. If the bridge can
be repaired, even in a makeshift
fashion, it may pave the way
for invasion.
Y If he survives, Beigan Burntlegs
will continue to agitate for
vengeance against the Saxalings,
whatever it costs him or his kin.
Y The rot within the Order of Kara is
coming to a head. Whether Beigan
was successful or not, a great rift
has likely opened between the
factions at Innsjøborg, and it may
soon spread to Jernkloster itself.
Y If Hildr was destroyed, Hræsvelg
the troll-eagle will want an
accounting. The king of the
sky tribe will not quickly forgive
anyone who brought about her
end. All the feathered folk of the
Middarmark owe him fealty, and
he will send them out as spies to
find her killers.
Y There are still ruins to explore: The
haunted steading of Holvik and
the blasted hilltop where Skyholl
once stood both likely hold secrets,
treasure or both. The Shrine in the
Forest near the Forlorn Hills may
hold yet more Sakki secrets.
 Monster
Appendix
Haugbui
Sometimes the dead simply do not wish
to stay dead. A haugbui is a risen corpse
affected with great hunger that lives in its
tomb or grave. Unlike draugr, a haugbui
cannot initially venture from its resting
place. Instead, it moulders there, feeding
on beetles and worms, gibbering to
itself and descending into madness until
someone passes by its grave or enters its
tomb, at which point they pursue richer
meat.
Haugbui
Abilities Might: 4 Nature (Undead): 4
Descriptors: E ating the Living, Murdering
Tomb Robbers, Gibbering
Mad Truths
Conflict that if one approaches a nykr properly
Kill: 10
Attack: +2D, Ragged Nails
Maneuver: +1D, Insatiable Hunger
Capture: 8 will dance to the tune. Nearly as often,
Attack: +2D, Ragged Nails
Maneuver: +1D, Insatiable Hunger
Flee: 3
Feint: +1D, +1s, Shower of Maggots
Maneuver: +1D, Insatiable Hunger
Trick: 5
Feint: +1D, +1s, Terrifying Madness
Maneuver: +2D, Disturbing Mutterings
60
Armor: D
 ead flesh (equivalent to leather
armor).
Instinct: A lways trap trespassers within my
tomb so, I can feast on their flesh!
Special
Haugbui cannot be driven from their resting
places. Players at tempting to engage
Haugbui in a drive off conflict engage in a
kill conflict instead.
Nykr
A nykr is a water spirit who delights in
tricking the unwary to their deaths. It is a
mercurial shapeshifter, often appearing
as a handsome young man dressed in fine
clothes and playing an enchanting tune
upon a lyre or bone flute. The stories say
and with appropriate sacrifices, it can be
convinced to teach one to play the harp
so finely that even trees and waterfalls
it appears as a powerful white stallion
on foggy days; if someone attempts to
mount it, it races to the nearest river and
attempts to drown them.
Nykr
Abilities Might: 4 Nature: 5
Descriptors: Tricking, Playing Enchanting
Music, Drowning
Conflict Conflict
Banish: 11
Attack: +1D, Haunting Music
Maneuver: +1s, Slippery
Defend: +2D, Haunting Music
Convince: 6
Maneuver: +1D, Mercurial
Drive Off: 9
Feint: +1s, Form of Water
Maneuver: +2D, Water Horse
Kill: 4
Attack: +1D, Drowning Grasp
Feint: +1D, Malicious Pranks
Maneuver: +1D, Slippery
Instinct: 
Always pull my victim’ heads
underwater.
Special
A nykr can be “killed,” but it will reform
over time. In addition, nykr musicians are
without peer. When one plays its lyre or
flute, anyone who hears the song must
test Will test vs the nykr’s Nature. Those
who fail are lured into the water where it
attempts to drown them. This forces a kill
conflict in which the spirit has a disposition
of 11 rather than 4.
If a nykr is convinced to teach a person music,
that person gains a “heroic skill” when
performing music with the Peasant or Orator
skills (3-6 indicates a success rather than
standard 4-6).
Sea-Draug
These spirits of the drowned long for
the warmth and comfort of hearth and
home that is forever denied them. They
lack the sheer malevolence of other
draugr, but their terrible loneliness draws
people wounded in heart and spirit like
a lodestone, where they, too, succumb
to the embrace of the waters. Sea-draug
are revenants: rotting, bloated, blue- or
black-skinned corpses with flesh picked
over by fish and crustaceans.
Sea-Draug
Abilities Might: 4 Nature (Undead): 4
Descriptors: Haunting, Drowning,
Seeking Warmth
Drive Off: 9
Attack: +1D, +1s, Monstrous Strength
Defend: +2D, U ncontrollable Longing
for Warmth
Feint: +1D, +1s, Aura of Delirium
Maneuver: +1D, Stench of Death
Trick: 7
Attack: +1D, Bewitching Whisper
Defend: +2D, Aura of Delirium
Feint: +1D, Bewitching Whisper
Kill: 5
Attack: +1D, +1s, M
 onstrous
Strength
Defend: +1D, Unfeeling Flesh
Feint: +1D, +1s, Aura of Delirium
Maneuver: +1D, Stench of Death
Flee: 3
Attack: +1s, Tireless Swimmer
Feint: +1D, +1s, Aura of Delirium
Maneuver: +1D, Stench of Death
Armor: None.
Instinct: 
A lways warm my cold flesh by
embracing the living until they
grow cold.
Special
Memories of home. Sea-draug lure the
living to their doom with their bewitching
whispers. Outside of conflicts, test the sea-
draug’s Nature vs the target’s Will.
Suggested failure results:
Y Twist: They do everything in their
power to approach the sea-draug,
even if it means drowning. Drowning
characters must make an Ob 4 Health
test. If successful, they break free of the
compulsion before suffering harm. If
failed, the game master can apply an
appropriate condition.
Y Condition: Afraid and the character
breaks free of the enchantment.
Y Condition: Sick from sucking down
a lungful of water, but the character
breaks free of the enchantment.
Unliving flesh. All piercing and slashing
weapons suffer -1s to Attack and Feint
61
 actions against sea-draug. A religious
amulet used against sea-draug in drive off
or kill conflicts grants +1s to Attack actions.
Once per session in which it appears, the
troll-squirrel may double its Nature for a test
that would help it obtain a secret.
Sprikken
Gnarled and twisted fey creatures with
sharp, lean features and mottled gray
skin, sprikken are often mistaken for
some offshoot of the goblin bloodline.
Sprikken speak a heavily accented form
of ancient elvish—in addition to other
languages they have acquired over
their long lives—and possess both a
malicious sense of humor and an inflated
perception of honor (easily affronted, but
their word is rarely kept). As fey, they
possess several innate magical traits.
In the times before time, dark elves
employed sprikken enforcers as body-
guards. Greedy and prone to fits of
pranking when bored (i.e., not fighting
or stealing), sprikken in these days are
found amidst ruined battlements, old
stone causeways, abandoned fortress-
es and within dark bowers. Seeking
amusement and riches, they delight in
waylaying travelers, posing impossible
questions or moral imperatives and be-
ing the most dangerous of nuisances.
Such is the plight of the underemployed!
Sprikken usually travel in groups of two or
three.
Rarely more, never alone. Sprikken are
also often called Bridge Haunts.
62
Sprikken
Abilities Might: 3 Nature (Fey): 5
Descriptors: Robbing, Blighting, Guarding
Conflict
Kill: 8
Attack: +1D, Surprising Strength
Trick: 6
Feint: +1D, Low Cunning
Maneuver: +1D, Fey Secrets
Flee: 4
Maneuver: +1D, Slippery
Convince: 10
Defend: +1D, Slippery
 lways torment travelers for coin
Instinct: A
or amusement.
Armor: H elmet, Leather armor. Some
well-heeled sprikken may have
chainmail armor.
Special
Like elves, the sprikken are long-lived and
do not require sleep. When irked, they
can summon storms to ruin moods, crops,
shelters or supplies.
Growth: During kill, capture and drive off
conflicts, sprikken are able to inflate to
immense sizes (+1 Might per subsequent
round of combat past the first; maximum
of Might 6; size increase persists for the
duration of the fight).
Special weaknesses: Like other fey creatures,
sprikken are allergic to cold iron (+1s to any
Feint or Attack with piercing, cutting or
stabbing weapons made of iron). If attempting
to trick or drive off the sprikken, turning one’s
clothing inside out grants +2D to any Attack
or Feint—but no armor other than a helmet
may be worn to gain this advantage.
Swan-Maiden
T he s e bat t le-ma idens a re m ight y
warriors of the Otherworld and agents
of the Disir and the Lords of Victory.
They are often found where armies
clash, choosing the victors and claiming
the heroic dead for the Shining Realm.
Some revel in gore and death and take
the form of Swans of Blood—ravens.
In human guise, they can be achingly
beautiful, strikingly horrible or wizened
and ancient as they choose. Many
tales tell of Swan Maidens struck like a
thunderbolt with love for a mortal upon
first sight. Just as many tell of mortals
overcome with love for a Swan Maiden
when first laying eyes on her. Few of
these tales end in anything but tragedy.
Swan-Maiden
Abilities Might: 5 Nature (Troll): 6
Descriptors: Choosing the Slain,
Prophesying, Spinning Fate
Conflict The Band of the
Battle: 13
Attack: +1D, +1s, Immortal of Battle
Maneuver: +1s, P
 rophetic Warnings
Defend: +2D, Prophetic Warnings
Kill: 8
Attack: +2D, Magic Spear
Maneuver: +1D, Magic Spear
Maneuver: +2D, Winged Steed
Trick: 5
Feint: +1s, Loom of Fate
Defend: +2D, Loom of Fate
 lways seek out heroes on the
Instinct: A
battlefield.
Armor: None
Special Egil Drengisson, a theurge, recently died
Swan mantle: Swan maidens possess a
cloak of swan feathers. When worn, swan
maidens may take the form of a swan and
assume a swan’s descriptors (Preening,
Flying, Swimming).
Prophecy. Swan maidens have the gift of
prophecy. If they speak a person’s doom
and that person rewrites their goal to reflect
the prophecy, any actions taken toward
fulfilling the prophecy are considered to
be within that character’s nature until the
prophecy is fulfilled or the goal changes.
Accomplishing the goal earns the character
two persona points rather than one.
Thrall
Stock: Human (Bjorning) Thrall
Raw Abilities Town Abilities
Nature: 4 Resources: 0
Will: 2 Circles: 1
Health: 4 Precedence: 1
Descriptors: Boasting, Demanding, Sailing
Skills: 
L aborer 5, Peasant 4, Cook 2,
Scavenger 2
Wises: Hard Labor-wise
Traits: 
Rough Hands (1), Weary (1)
Great Bear
The Band of the Great Bear are a band
of Bjorning adventurers led by Harek
Bear-killer, a 3rd level warrior. They
have performed the Mystery of Lith,
binding themselves to each other and
the spirit Arkto, who is their guide and
protector in the Otherworld. As a sworn
band, they are as close as kin. They care
for and watch out for each other, though
they also squabble like siblings at times.
There were 13 members of the lith, but
of wounds he took during the raid on
Saxatoft. The band deeply mourns the
loss of their friend and ally. They built a
cairn for him in Area 1.
Arkto is the lith’s vættr and watches
over the members from the Otherworld.
Harek Bear-killer wears a bearskin hood
that is part of the lith’s regalia. He can
use it to communicate with Arkto and
Arkto can provide him with help as
long as he wears it. The adventurers are
only likely to encounter Arkto directly
if they venture into the Otherworld. He
generally stays close to Harek.
As adventurers, all the human members
of the Band of the Great Bear are
Might 3.
63
 By location, the members of the
Band of the Great Bear lith are:
Otherworld
+ Arkto the bear Vættr
Area 1
+ Egil Drengisson, L2 theurge
(deceased)
Area 2
+ Leif Friggsson, L1 warrior
+ Saga Friggsdottir, L1 warrior
Area 5
+ Finna the Red, L1 skald
+ Hall the Foolhardy, L1 magician
+ Toki Toothgnasher, L1 skald
+ Trygg the Silent, L1 thief
Area 11
+ Harek Bear-killer, L3 warrior
Area 12
+ Geirmund Baldpate, L1 warrior
+ Modolf the Hairy, L1 warrior
Innsjøborg
+ Ljufa Hareksdottir, L1 warrior
+ Signy Blacktooth, L1 warrior
Arkto the Bear Vættr
Arkto is a brown bear spirit with human
eyes and majestic mien. He speaks in a
rumbling basso that seems to come from
everywhere and nowhere at once.
Abilities Might: 4 Nature (Spirit): 3
Descriptors: Climbing, Hunting and
Fishing, Smashing
Conflict L2:  Brawler. When you are unarmed
Banish: 3
Maneuver: +2D, F
 ed with Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Lith
Convince: 5 hands and thus do not suffer the
Attack: +2D, Terrifying Rumble
Defend: +1D, Relentless Stare
Capture: 6
Attack: +1D, Razor Sharp Claws
Maneuver: +2D, F ed with Sacrifice
Defend: +2D, Bound to Lith
64
Battle: 10
Attack: +1s, Berserk Fury
Feint: +2D, L
 ow Cunning
Defend: +1D, Massive Bulk
Creed: T  hose who embody strength,
courage and ferocity are truly free.
Belief: My wisdom and guidance is all
that stands between my lith’s
impulsive recklessness and
disaster.
Instinct: A lways stop for honey
Goal: I must end the curse of
the Jotnarsbru.
Armor: Spirit hide (equivalent to leather
armor)
Special
The vættr is the embodiment of its lith and
can speak in dreams to those formally
inducted into the adventuring band. It lives in
the lith’s regalia—a banner, piece of jewelry,
weapon, article of clothing or relic of some
sort—and can communicate with bearers of
the regalia directly.
Harek Bear-killer
Stock: Human (Bjorning) Class: Warrior
Raw Abilities Town Abilities
Nature: 4 Resources: 4
Will: 5 Circles: 4
Health: 5 Precedence: 0
Descriptors: Boasting, Demanding, Sailing
Skills:  ighter 5, Hunter 4, Sailor 4,
F
Commander 3, Persuader 3,
Survivalist 3, Mentor 2, Rider 2
Wises: Leadership-wise, Drinking-wise
Traits: Heart of Battle (2), Tall (1), Tough (1)
Armor: Helmet, chain armor
Weapons: Battle axe, spear, shield
in a fight, you do not suffer the
-1D penalty to all actions. If
disarmed in an ongoing fight, you
automatically switch to your bare
-1D penalty. Bare hands do not
provide a bonus to any actions.
L3: Endurance. You’ve suffered much
hardship and it has given you a
certain toughness. Endurance
grants +1D to recover from
exhaustion.

Creed: T  hose of true worth stand by
their friends regardless of the
circumstances.
Belief: T he strength of my sword arm and
the power of my wits is all that is
necessary to win fame, fortune
and position.
Instinct: A lways watch out for my daughter,
Ljufa, when there’s danger about
Goal: I will help my friend Beigan end
the curse so he can get vengeance
for his family.
Bjorning Magician
Stock: Human (Bjorning) Class: Magician
Raw Abilities Town Abilities
Nature: 4 Resources: 0
Will: 4 Circles: 3
Health: 4 Might: 3
Descriptors: Boasting, Demanding, Sailing
Skills:  rcanist 4, Lore Master 3,
A Will: 4 Circles: 3
Pathfinder 3, Alchemist 3,
Cartographer 2, Orator 2,
Scavenger 2, Scholar 2
Wises: Enchantment-wise, Drinking-wise
Traits: Skeptical (1), Wizard’s Sight (1)
Armor: None
Weapons: Dagger
Spells: Arcane Semblance, Celestial
Music, Supernal Vision
Bjorning Warrior
Stock: Human (Bjorning) Class: Warrior
Raw Abilities Town Abilities
Nature: 4 Resources: 0
Will: 4 Circles: 3
Health: 4 Might: 3
Descriptors: Boasting, Demanding, Sailing
Skills:  ighter 4, Hunter 4, Sailor 3,
F
Survivalist 3, Commander 2,
Mentor 2, Persuader 2, Rider 2
Wises: Raid-wise, Drinking-wise
Traits: Tall (1), Heart of Battle (1)
Armor: Helmet, chain armor
Weapons: Spear, shield
Bjorning Skald
Stock: Human (Bjorning) Class: Skald
Raw Abilities Town Abilities
Nature: 4 Resources: 0
Health: 4 Might: 3
Descriptors: Boasting, Demanding, Sailing
Skills:  rator 4, Lore Master 3,
O
Manipulator 3, Fighter 2, Peasant
2, Persuader 2, Scholar 2 Scout 2
Wises: Poetry-wise, Drinking-wise
Traits: T houghtful (1), Voice of
Thunder(1)

Bjorning Thief Armor: None

Stock: Human (Bjorning) Class: Thief Weapons: Sword

Raw Abilities Town Abilities

Nature: 4 Resources: 0
Will: 4 Circles: 3
Health: 4 Might: 3
Descriptors: Boasting, Demanding, Sailing
Skills:  riminal 4, Scout 4, Manipulator
C
3, Cook 2, Fighter 2, Haggler 2,
Sapper 2, Steward 2
Wises: Steading-wise, Drinking-wise
Traits: Jaded (1), Devil May Care (1)
Armor: Leather armor
Weapons: Sword, bow
 $15
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