Like Many things in the North, History and Mythology often intertwine, one such Myth to those of the South, but truth to those of the North, was the coming of Torvald, creator of Glorious Torvaldsland, touched by Thor himself. Another which was slowly becoming Myth was the coming of Thorfinn...

        "Perhaps it is true, as they say, that you are the warrior brought every thousand years to Gor - brought by the Priest-Kings to change a world..."

        Tarnsman of Gor, page 174

        Only it was no mission by the Priest-Kings, there is no way they could have possibly created such Destruction, such Power, such Venom and Annihilation within the Body of One Man. The creation of this powerful Northmen was rumoured to be the work of Odin, the Father of Gods, the God of Death, Battles and Knowledge. Those factors, theoretically, are what brought the Myth of Thorfinn's creation into being by those who witnessed Thorfinn with his Ax and his sword, roaring into the Thassa, almost Challenging Aegir's reign upon the Water with maddening eyes, standing atop the prow of his Fearsome looking Serpents that owned the Northern Seas.

        The Giant Blonde haired, blue-eyed Man was first seen walking from the Direction of the Torvaldsberg, where the rumored resting place of Torvald lays. Could this have been a factor in the stories that traveled the distant seas and lands of the world as we know it? None had seen him before, none knew of any family, none knew where he could have possibly lived for the Land was well cared for by the Farmers and Men of the North, yet, here, was a Full Grown Male, built like a Warrior, standing over 7ft 5" of pure muscle, though he moved with the agility and grace of a wild Larl, stalking through the land, commanding the energy around him with the kind of looks that were surely not deserving for such Killing Machines as he.

        It was at the time of the Calling of the War Arrow, and again people wondered how he could have heard, none from any of the Villages said to know of this Man, yet he appeared along with the rest who took up the Calling and fought alongside the Great Warriors of the Era in defeating the Massive Kur Invaders that sought to travel through their Lands unbidden. Many reported seeing His Great Ax swing one way, his Long Sword the other, slashing and hacking, becoming red with the warm blood of Beasts, how many he killed, noone knows, perhaps not even he knew, overcome with the Frenzy of Odin, a Beast himself, set on fulfilling his need and lust for Blood, and whenever a Beast fell, his Ax ensured their death as the Arc of the wicked Blade swung down through the center of their skulls, splitting them in two with great venom and force. And when it was over, he again vanished into the night never to be seen for many years. They named him "The Skullsplitter".

        Over the years, things changed, various Jarls appeared, the High Jarls changed, there seemed to be discontentment within the North as Gor seemed to Rage War upon itself, and again, The Man appeared over the hills from the Direction of the Berg, only this time, he did not come alone. At his right side was a Man, equally as powerful as he, perhaps even the fewest of inches taller than he, one who later came to be known as "The Heartripper", Brother by Blood, perhaps another Son of Odin, and at their backs Marched groups of Men, all hardened Warriors who had spent many years at sea, behind the Oar and at War, and as they Marched toward the Hall of the High Jarl, not even his Men dared to stop them, their eyes, all of them, were full of maddening rage, and the stories of The Skullsplitter that had been told over the years instilled a sense of Fear within those that remembered.

        As he entered the Hall, followed by the Men, his brother striding up the center of the Hall with him toward the High Table, they stopped and looked around the Benches and furs of the High Jarls Men.

        "Tal, I am Thorfinn, I am now High Jarl of the North." And as the High Jarls second rose to his feet, charging toward him with his Ax drawn, Harkon, the Brother, simply reached out, gripping the arm of the man, shattering it with the strength of his hand, laughing loud, manically before thrusting his long knife into the chest of the man, stabbing deep before withdrawing the blade and stabbing him again in the stomach, leaving the blade there as to everyone’s horror, his fist punched deep into the chest wound, shattering the rib cage until he gripped the heart of the man and pulled it from it's arteries, holding it up high, still booming with evil laughter as it echoed around the Hall.

        "Would anyone else like to contest?", Thorfinn stated before looking around the silent Hall, "Or has Harkon stated enough?"; he nodded to his Brother who withdrew his knife and bit into the heart, chewing on part of it as the warm blood dribbled down his chin, a wicked grin on his features as he tossed the remainder of the heart to the floor, the body slumping with it.

        "I would not be High Jarl if I could not defend My position," stated the large Leader of Men and with this, Thorfinn nodded, it was how things were in the North and though the fight was brief, the Skull split and shattered within 3 strikes and exchanges of the Ax, Thorfinn sensed pride within himself for his kinsmen, knowing that the Man was indeed brave and deserving of his title, even if he had begun to run his people into the Ground.

        And so it came to be, the North united under one Banner again and the ships of Thorfinn and Harkon ruled the Thassa, daring to even injure fleets as far South as Cos, Tyros, and Port Kar. The Night Raiders seemed invincible and as they pillaged and burned Coastal Towns, none had the speed to catch the Northern Ships despite their superior armory should Battle be done with the Ramships of the Island and City Fleets.

        One such Captain of Port Kar who sought Thorfinn's head was Bolt Sarakai, a brave Warrior and Pirate who dared sail even to the North. Welcomed into the Hall was he, under truce. They shared Mead and stories and much laughter. A bond had been formed, but as night fell deeper and after a long Ahn of silence, jen'nai{Thorfinn} struck the bell behind the High Seat of the Hall and then Bolt and Thorfinn strode silently to the Inlet, the Oarsman taking them both to the one of the Skerries.

        "Such duels, commonly, are held on wave-struck skerries in Thassa. Two men are left alone; later, at nightfall, a skiff returns, to pick up the survivor."

        Marauders of Gor, page 145

        The skiff returned in the morning and found both men slumped upon the rocks as the waves crashed and rolled against the skerries. Both had many injuries, but both were alive. Ahn's of fighting had passed and there still was no Winner, in the end, they became Sword Brothers and swore to avoid each others Fleets and Companies should Warring be done and as Thorfinn and Harkon began a Truce with the Captains of Gorean Shores, they used the Tavern as a means to Scout the City Safely. More and more time was passed in the Tavern as they began to Raid from Pot Kar itself, reaching even further South and bringing more trophies and wares back to the North and one day, Thorfinn decided to allow another to be High Jarl. Perhaps, as before, his time was done, he had helped again to shape the North and now he would enjoy his time with the Warriors of the Gorean Shores by entering the Competition for a First Sword and as he battled various warriors, surprised by their skill, he realized this was a place for him after Kyoto of Port Kar had given him one of the hardest fights in the Final Match of the Tournament, surrounded by Gorean Men he swore allegiance to the place that had one who was once his enemy and now Brother by Sword, he did not care if he was declared victor or not. Both Men became Lieutenants of the Shores for a time, and Thorfinn himself became a Captain but in that time something was missing. The bond between the Captains of GS did not exist and all disappeared leaving Thorfinn with the difficult decision of attempting to rebuild a home he knew little of practically alone, or to return to the North. In the end, a disagreement with the other remaining Captain meant that Thorfinn did indeed return to the North with an addition to his chain - calliope{Thorfinn}.

        On returning to the North with his Brother Harkon, the Inlet of the War Arrow began to take shape once more. None had stepped up and declared the High Jarl Hall their own, none had lifted their Axe and seeked to lead the North, so one more, Thorfinn claimed his rightful seat for the only Men who seemed to reside in the North of JAG, apart from those of the IWA, were not even Torvaldslanders. Only one Man was brave enough to fight for the Seat, Jarl O'Hrimgar fought well and died well and the shame by his village and its Ubara will forever be remembered. Those of the IWA honored his Death and put him to the Pyre in rememberance while Hrimgar made him outcast for attempting to honor his people.

        Now, with the Claiming of Tret'rya as his woman and the additonal collaring of ja'mila{Thorfinn}, Thorfinn resides happily in his home with His family, which has also grown in Men, women and bonds.

        The 2nd part of this Story was added earlier than planned and not as well told as the 1st part, mainly due to the fact there are idiots in JAG, slaves who are permitted by their weak owners to meddle in the affairs and politics of the Free. Perhaps, sometime, I will seek to turn the 2nd part into a proper Chapter, for this book shall be long.


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