Culture

CULTURE:

A Coat of Arms is an insignia that symbolizes a house, platoon, or other group in the Warriors of Aesir.

In BattleTech lore, Clan warriors had a list of accomplishments and "black marks" on their carriers called a Codex. The Codex was embedded into a computer bracelet kept on a warrior's wrist and commanding officers recieving transfers and new warriors would often look over the newcomers' Codexes.

House Kilroy Influence
The Knights, or Jade Falcons, of House Kilroy have the option of indulging in their Houses lore by creating and maintaining their own Codexes. However, only one has even attempted this. House Kilroy itself also has a Codex, detailing events of the Houses past.

Culture refers to the history, theme and stories of the Warriors of Aesir.

The Imperial Library
The Imperial Library is one of, if not the best place to find and learn about WA culture. Within the Library are various Sagas, Songs and other works, telling of the history of WA and telling tales of valor and heroics, praising the great warriors of years past. The Imperial Library is accessible to even non-WA members on the forums.

Houses
Houses are another example of WA culture. They are based on old Norse houses, and each is started by a direct recruit of Emperor Dane.

Earldoms are families. They are ruled over by an Earl, who presides over all the members within his earldom. He is assisted by Knights and usually one Knight-Commander.

Eruism is a facet of a running joke presumably invented by Lord Protector Moscow von Ruslandr sometime in 2008.

Origin
Eruism is the practice of poking fun at Eru (and to a degree, other minorities) by Moscow since 2008. This trend was made famous by a post from Moscow describing "the Four Greatest Threats to the Human Race", which included Canadians, Hawaiians, Native Americans and Japanese Americans.

The "Threats"
These four groups were represented in WA chiefly by Alfdis Kvigling, Eru (now known as a knight as Thingol) Sindar, Eohdorr Leitling and Aegir Leitling. Moscow described the "threat" each group posed to the safety of the human race, much to the delight of most, though others were annoyed at the racial jokes. The members employed in the joke took it in good taste, and in the words of Corsair, a former member who created the thread that Moscow originally posted the "Threats" in, stated it made him nearly soil himself laughing rather than close the thread due to racism.

Common Use
As a result of the thread, jokes are commonly heard whenever Thingol is seen or even in casual conversation within WA. Thingol's "plot" to take over the world is a running joke, including threads linking him to the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and other major disasters. Thankfully, Thingol takes the jokes in stride, usually with his trademark "XD", often attributed by Moscow to be a sign of his secret plans.

Fame
The thread itself is quite infamous, but for the most part is referenced in good fun. Thingol is constantly the butt of jokes revolving around his "plot" and the thread. In fact, the thread itself has been viewed over 600 times, making it the most viewed creative writing story on the forums.

Families are the subunits of Houses.

Layout
Families fall in place within the house ranking system.

Earldoms
Families are occasionally known as Earldoms. This is because a family is led by an Earl, who chooses an heir and reigns supreme over his family. Earls often have some power within the house itself, such as being involved in house decisions and voting on important matters.

Creation
A family is created when the founding Lord of a house recruits a member, and that member then recruits enough to prove he deserves his own line of members, known as a family.

The Bloodname Hazen is used in WA essentially the same way it is used in the MechWarrior universe. Warriors of notable worth are able to participate in Trials to earn the prestige of a Bloodname. In WA, the different Earldoms of House Kilroy have different Bloodnames available. Hazen is available to the Kviglings, and currently has one holder: Marr Hazen.

Origin
Hazen is a Bloodname of the Jade Falcon Clan. It comes from the legendary hero, one of the founders of Jade Falcon, Elizabeth Hazen. Elizabeth Hazen was one of the best of Kerensky's chosen warriors, the first to tame a jade falcon, and the center of many Jade Falcon legends along with her falcon companion Turkina. She is easily one of the most beloved heroes of the Clan.

Marks are special awards given to members of WA for participating in major events in Divisions/Rough Platoons, knightship, serving a specific amount of years in WA, being present during certain eras of WA's history, or for other notable accomplishments.

Honor Awards
Honor Awards are highly prestigous marks given for aiding WA in a manner showing great leadership, loyalty, and dedication.

The Badge of Asgard
The Badge of Asgard is the highest honor that can be given in WA. It is given only to the most loyal and dedicated members of WA.

Epoch Marks
Epoch Marks are given for serving in WA during a certain Era of its past.



Mark of the First Fleet
The Mark of the First Fleet is awarded for serving in the First Fleet of WA.



Mark of the Ragnarok
The Mark of the Ragnarok is awarded for being in WA after the destructive Ragnarok that all but killed WA.



Mark of the Stand
The Mark of the Stand is awarded for serving in HLS.



Mark of the 2nd Fleet
The Mark of the 2nd Fleet is for serving in WA during the second fleet.



Mark of the Empire
The Mark of the Empire is awarded for serving in WA's first great empire.



Mark of the 3rd Fleet
The Mark of the 3rd Fleet is awarded for serving in WA during the third fleet.

Service Marks
Service Marks are awarded for participating in major events in WA's Divisions and/or Rough Platoons



Wormhole Ops
The Wormhole Ops Mark is awarded for participating in Wormhole Ops with our EvE Online Division Jotunheimr Productions LTD.



Raider
The Raider Mark is awarded for participating in a Raid with WA's World of Warcraft Division.



First Blood
The First Blood Mark is awarded for participating in the Second Raven Corp's first gamebattles match.



Warmark
The Warmark is awarded for participating in and Second Raven Corp gamebattle match.



Tree of Life
The Tree of Life Mark is awarded for aiding Jotunheimr Productions LTD in the set up of the Yggdrasil POS.



Xbox Service Mark
The Xbox Service Mark is awarded for participating in any of WA's previous Xbox Live Divisions.



East Service Mark
The East Service Mark is awarded for making a significant contribution to any of our Battle Net East attempts.



House Wars IV
The House Wars IV Mark is awarded for participating in the 4th House War.



House Wars IV Victor
The House Wars IV Victor Mark was awarded to WA-Nukes_R_Us for winning the 4th House Wars.



Vali's Elites Yule Raid
The Vali's Elites Yule Raid mark is awarded to everyone in the previous Vali's Elites The West rough platoon who aided in the Yule Raid.

Knight Marks
Knight Marks are awarded for participating in the Knight organizations of WA's various Houses and also doing certain deeds in them.



Jade Falcon Knight Point 1
Awarded to the House Kilroy member who has completed the trials and been named a Mech Warrior. This is the entrance level badge.



Jade Falcon Knight Point 2
Awarded to the House Kilroy member who has completed the trials and been named a Mech Warrior. This badge is given to MechWarriors who have proved themselves once.



Jade Falcon Knight Point 3
Awarded to the House Kilroy member who has completed the trials and been named a Mech Warrior. This badge is given to MechWarriors who have proved themselves twice.



Jade Falcon Knight Point 4
Awarded to the House Kilroy member who has completed the trials and been named a Mech Warrior. This badge is given to MechWarriors who have proved themselves thrice.



Jade Falcon Knight Point 5
Awarded to the House Kilroy member who has completed the trials and been named a Mech Warrior. This badge is given to MechWarriors who have proved themselves four times.



Jade Falcon Knight Star Captain
Awarded to the House Kilroy member who has completed the trials and been named a Mech Warrior. This badge is given to MechWarriors who have proved themselves countless times in battle, as well as in leadership.



Jade Falcon Knight Star-Colonel
Awarded to the House Kilroy member who has completed the trials and been named a Mech Warrior. This badge is given to MechWarriors who have proved themselves countless times in battle, as well as in leadership.



Jade Falcon Knight Lord
Worn by the Lord of House Kilroy, the Khan of the Jade Falcons. War-leader, mentor, friend and companion. Ever vigilant and ever tenacious. He is heart of Jade Falcons.



White Knight of House Dippity
Awarded to the House Dippity members who have been followed the path and been Knighted.



White Knight of House Dippity: Valor In Battle
Awarded to the House Dippity members who have been followed the path and been Knighted. This mark has on it a commendation of Valor-in-Battle given to the White Knight because of some heroic deed done against an enemy or in defense of WA.



Vargr Mark of Alpha Pack
This Mark is given to all members of House Cammander you prove themselves worthy and willing of Cammander's Knightly Order, the Alpha Pack.

Years of Service


The Years of Service Marks are marks given to members for serving in WA a certain amount of years

A Minor House is a small house greater than a Family, but with less real power than a House.

Past Minor Houses
In general, a Minor House is usually a group of members from a clan that has been absorbed into WA.

Minor House Kilroy
Originally, House Kilroy was known as the Jade Falcons on MechAssault. The Jade Falcons would later join WA, and they became a Minor House. Their Duke at this time was Kilroy the Raven Seer. The Minor House would later be awarded as a family to House Cammander, which is why House Kilroy has the Cammander salamander on their Coat of Arms. After growing large enough, they would become their very own House.

Minor House Rus
Originally The Ruslings were a family in House Dane. However, the family grew large enough to eventually become a Minor House, and it was then branched into two families, Aurvendil and Soljagar. The founder of the Minor House and current Duke is Heimdall Moscow Rusling. This Minor House makes up the majority of House Dane.

Minor House Wulf
The Wulflings were originally a family in House Cammander, founded from Darkwulf. They worked their way up through hardships, and become large enough to be made into a Minor House consisting of three families: The Wylflings, The Olflings, and The Ulflings.

Minor House True Sith
When the clan True Sith merged into WA, they were placed as a Minor House in House Kilroy. True Sith's origins were in the game Navyfield, but when disagreements broke out between TrueSith and the leaders of WA, the merge was undone.

Organization of a Minor House
A Minor House is usually a group with strong bonds within their own group, who are attached to a Great House. The effective Lord of the Minor House is known as a Duke. The Minor House can have up to two Earls.

Norse Mythology is unquestionably the biggest theme in the culture of WA. Names, traditions, events, and actions are often based on the stories of ancient Norse Mythology. Of the stories in Norse Mythology, some of the most prevalent may be those of the chosen Patron Saints of each Great House. They often reflect the style of the House, and the themes in the stories often embody what it means to be a member of each respective House, as well as a Warrior of Æsir in general. The patron Saints are as follows: Dane-Heimdall Kilroy-Thor  Cammander-Loki  Dippity-Baldur

Overview of Heimdall
Throughout most stories, Heimdall is Loki's sworn enemy and they fight and argue often. Heimdall is known as one of the most sensetive of the Gods in the most literal meaning: his sense are extremely acute. It is said he can hear the grass growing, hear the wool of a sheep, and see everything around the world, including the future. He also requires little-to-no sleep. As with the other Æsir, Heimdall does not grow old, because he eats the Golden Apples of Immortality which keep the Æsir immortal. He guards Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge which connects Midgard and Asgard, ever alert for the Jotun's attack. Because of this, he is considered the sentry of the Gods.

Heimdall's Birth
Heimdall is said to be the son of nine waves, or nine Giantesses which control the motion of the waters. He is known as the son of nine mothers, as well as "The Ram" because old folklore told that waves always come in groups of nine, the ninth being the ram which destroys things. He is also known as "The White God," a name who's meaning seems to also come from the story of his birth, the white color coming from the froth of the waves. The nine Giantess mothers he has are said to be the daughters of the Sea God Ægir, making Heimdall the grandson of Ægir. As for a father, many stories hint that Odin is his father but this could be a paternal relationship or an adopted one, as both are mentioned.

Heimdall and Loki
One of the most well-known tales of Heimdall is that of a battle he had with Loki. He was known to be Loki's enemy, but one story stands out among others showing this hatred.

Loki, being the trickster and loving to cause mischief, stole Freya's necklace which was called Brisingamen. On his way of fleeing Agard he came to Bifrost and saw Heimdall standing his guard. Loki flaunted the necklace, knowing that Heimdall would hate the thought of such thievery taking place. Loki then turned himself into a Falcon and flew away from Asgard with his prize. Heimdall immediately dropped his spear and turned himself into a Falcon as well, following Loki in flight. Heimdall had made it his business to guard the Æsir, and a theft such as this was intolerable. Heimdall chased Loki for two days, flying over oceans, forests, mountains, and villages.

On the third day, Loki began to tire of flying but knew Heimdall would be relentless. So he flew down to a beach and became a man shape again, as did Heimdall. Heimdall warned him, saying if Loki were to return the necklace he would allow Loki to leave the beach unharmed. Loki scoffed at this, telling Heimdall he needed to permission, especially since he "stole the necklace fairly." They then fought over the necklace, a fight lasting hours and involving much shape-shifting. After several hours, Loki was losing the fight. Heimdall again asked for the necklace, saying he would allow Loki to leave unharmed. And again, Loki told him that he needed to permission to do anything. Loki then turned into a flame, and burned Heimdall, and then ran down the beach to where Heimdall's nine mothers dwelt. Heimdall, hating his mothers for being enemies of the Æsir (Jotuns and Æsir are enemies) was enraged that Loki would run to there. But he followed nonetheless, because this only added to his hate of Loki. The eyes of his other were on Heimdall the entire time he followed Loki, and he finally stopped seeing a rock at sea covered by seals. Heimdall turned himself into a seal, and went to the rock. The story is told several ways at this point, some saying he immediately knew which seal was Loki in disguise, and some saying he recognized shining eyes that no seal would have. But whatever the tale, he struck Loki and they fought as seals, biting and tearing at each other. Loki eventually fled into the ocean, but was so weak from so many battles and Heimdall easily chased him to the shore. There, they returned to their man shapes and Loki passed out. Heimdall took Brisingamen from Loki's clothes, and felt his mothers' eyes on him as he stared at Loki's body. He felt a wild rage, compelling him to finish Loki once and for all, but overcame it (an event which is seen as an example of him overcoming his Jotun family) and he returned to Asgard with the necklace.

Loki returned to Asgard that night, and went to his home to find his wife gone. Unknown to him, a meeting had been called and the other Gods were discussing the various things Loki had been doing. His wife had been called, against her will, and she listened as they all related their stories of the God she loved. Freya especially was outraged because Loki had stolen her necklace, and explained how they should beat Loki. His wife, Sigyn, was quiet until Heimdall finally asked of her opinion, saying she had been wronged the most since he did not return home to her and instead crept away in shame. Despite all of his faults, Sigyn did love Loki. And when Heimdall asked her to leave him, saying a marriage to him was blasphemous and torture for her and she did not need to share in his shame, she was outraged. Heimdall continued to recount Loki's unfaithfulness to his wife, and told of his monstrous children with his beast of a mistress, but Sigyn did not care for these. She finally spoke up, but not what the other Gods expected. She told them she would not leave her husband, whom she loved. She would remain faithful to him, and that the only shame present would be their own for asking her to leave her husband. At this she left, and returned home to tell Loki what had happened.

And so ends the story, which only adds to the feud between Heimdall and Loki. Heimdall's hate for Loki grew more intense because Loki forced him to go the place of his mothers, and Loki's hate intensified because of what Heimdall asked of Sigyn.

The Birth of the Classes
Heimdall was known to wander the land of men under the name of Rig. During one such time, he was known to have had three special encounters. The first was when he went to a small hut, and stayed three nights with a poor couple. During these three nights he slept in their bed, ate their food, and lived as they did. The wife became pregnant, and nine months later she had a child whom she named Thrall. He grew up to be strong and hard-working, but not very bright. After this couple, Heimdall went to the hut of some peasants, considered the middler class, and again lived with them. Nine months later, the wife gave birth to a child whom she named Karl. He was smarter than Thrall, but not quite as strong and hard-working. Finally, Heimdall was with a Noble couple for three days. When the wife gave birth (big surprise) she named the child Jarl and he was skilled in hunting and combat. And so Heimdall is considered to be the father of the three classes of people; serfs being the descendants of Thrall, peasants being the descendants of Karl, and nobles being the descendants of Jarl.

Heimdall in Ragnarok
At the arrival of Ragnarok, Heimdall's role is one of the most important. Because he can see all, he will be the first to know of the approach of Ragnarok. He will then blow his magic horn, Gjallar (sometimes called Gjallarhorn), which can be heard across all nine worlds. This will alert the Æsir to the arrival of their enemies and the beginning of Ragnarok. During Ragnarok Heimdall is told to fight his sworn enemy, Loki. He will defeat Loki in battle, but will also die of wounds from the battle.

Protocol is an umbrella term meaning WA's rules and guidelines.

Parts of Protocol
There are various rules in WA, some of which are commonplace in many divisions but stem from StarCraft and the Eye of Odin.

Saluting
As a member of WA, you are required to salute when entering the channel. This salute is done by either an *S* or by typing /me Salutes. Both of these methods are used on Starcraft, but other divisions have often adapted them such as the o7 salute. Most divisions with chat channels try to incorporate saluting. When a member salutes, all other members in the channel are required to salute back in the same fashion.

Officers
All officers are to be referred to as "sir". In times past "ma'am" was used for female officers, but it has been suggested that we adopt the practice of calling everyone "sir" regardless of gender. Officers of a lower rank than a member do not need to be addressed as sir, but higher ranking officers do. Enlisted members should call all officers "sir". Additionally, knights are to be referred to with "sir" prior to their name, though this practice has unfortunately not been prevalent among members.

Commands
A rule that is rarely used except during speeches or meetings is the "At Attention" command. The highest ranking officer in the room may say *AA*, at which point all other members must respond with *AA* and cease any talking. This is kept up until the officer gives the "at ease" or "@ease" command, at which point normal activity and conversation may resume. This command is most often used in meetings to facilitate each person having the floor to speak.

The Ragnarok was an important and deviating event in the Warriors of Æsir's history. In Norse mythology the Ragnarok represents the end of the world as we know it. A final battle fought between the Æsir, along with their einherjar against the forces of evil and chaos. Early on in WA's history a point was made that WA members were always preparing for the Ragnarok. That one day we'd be called upon in some world ending confrontation. The irony was when the Ragnarok did come for us, WA's Ragnarok, it was not an enemy from the outside that attacked us, but ourselves. The Warriors of Æsir lost heart, they were betrayed, abandoned and scattered. Leaders, founders and officers alike turned their backs on the clan, and by all accounts WA was considered dead and defeated. This was the lowest time in WA's history.

Part I: Pre-Ragnarok(Golden Growth)
The peaceful times of Pre-Ragnarok, also called the "Golden Years" by Dane, were when the Warriors of Aesir were at the height of their power. This time of greatness and expansion came about in late November, durring Thanksgiving, and after the recruitment of Artanis and Battleitout. This was when we had enogh people that they just about recruited unknowingly, enough to keep the clan going on the rise without the leaders having to add any extra incentives. Durring these times much happened. The fall of our allied clan, OLP, and the impression of many of their members in to our culture. However, this also gave Admiral Target unseen power, not that it was unwelcomed, but it was perhaps more then any realized. Also durring this time, Dane started to get grounded because of grades, and was unable to interact with his clan as closely as he wanted to, and had done before. Durring this era was greatness, for there were as many as 40 offical members online at a time, and it seemed as though the clan's greatness would continue to climb to the height of Valhalla itself. But all was not well, and trouble it seemed, was on the horizon.

Part II: The Ragnarok
The rebellion of rebellions, was started, quite accidentally by Dane. At this time in the clan's history we were at our peak, there were always at least seven members in the channel, and our channel was like a crossroads for many clans and many clanless people, just looking for a game. Admist all this perfection the seeds of Rebellion and destruction were buring. They were planted long long ago, by Cammander in the heart of Dane, and in a differnt way, in Target's heart as well. In all the greatness and glory of the times, Cammander again became an issue. This time a more powerful issue. Dane’s judgement hamperd by a high fever, was finally fed up with his inability to do anything because of the construction of High Council. He began a passive rebellion, which had honestly began as more of a joke. It started as simple protests by Dane in the channel, for support, and for the Council to be dissolved. Dane was banned, his board piviliages stricken, and his bot taken. After this he set up a camp in Channel Asgard where he and those who would follow him met and did..mostly nothing. After a while it all was over, but the damage was done. A day later Warrior left, Target then took one third of the hosts of Aesir and began the clan tf-. Chaos insued. After a while Dane manged to clam everything down and he thought he could get everything back to normal. However in the chaos of his own rebellion, Warrior unbanned Xcal from the message board. Xcal returned, like a plauge, his words spat upon all that was Æsir, and poisned those who were of it. Soon, his corruption ran far too deep for even Dane to clean. Xcal was once again banned, but he had already blackend the hearts of Neo and Derilith, who in an act of utter rebellion, mastred by Xcal, took WAs bot and channel. For three days everyone who entered the channel was banned and told that WA was dead. That shattered the clans recruitment base, and everything under it crumbled. In Real Life, Xcal was previously a friend of Dane, and Dane trusted him far too much. After Neo and Derilith's act of terrorism, Xcal, with his knowledge of Dane’s password, took over the board and locked it down. And for a moment it looked as though all had fallen and it was over, but for an hour Dane worked hard on the board, until he found a loophole and returned it back to his power. Xcal, being the person he was, got his best friend to take the blame, known as BJE007. After this, a further attack by Xcal cut the line by which the few refugees were slowly stumbling to the board; he had control of the of the address Aesir.cjb.net, the pirmary link used by most of the members. With (for most) the board down, and the channel lost, it all felt pretty hopeless. Dippity and Osirus were in charge of a small camp of still loyal members, who were holding out untill higher authority, Dane, could give them...anything. At this moment, we truly hit rock bottom. After a while Dane got a new board up, and eventully organized a channel. Things started looking better, but it was doubtful they would ever be the same, during these times Dane would remark, when asked "hows it going?", "Well, I just finished building a Mud house where a Skyscraper once stood."

Part III: Understanding the Ragnarok
Many reasons brought upon the Ragnarok, one of the main ones was Cammander and his readmittence after seven months of being exiled by a traitours Admiral(Aquilus). Another reason was the growth of more powerful and distinguished "political parties" within the clan, like the snipers and the Diplomacy players. Although not there at the start, the corruption of Xcal is what destroyed any hope of he clan rebuilding swiftly and healthfully. Capitalizing on an already weakend Clan, his corruption did more damage then anything else to date. The Ragnarok was not one rebellion, or one act of terrorism to our clan, but was a group of rebellions and acts of terrorism, all one after the other. Combined, the damage was unimaginable and as of yet unheard. Alone they each could have been shaken off without to big of a scar.

Part IV: Post-Ragnarok WA
After the Ragnarok, the remains of WA went in to hiding, hoping to remain there untill they could return powerfully. For a while, it worked as planned. The memebers slowly found their way to the board and WA completed regrouping everything it could. Once they were done regrouping, they began a campaign to recruit, which went painfully slowly. In the later part of four months of effort, they managed one recruit, Goliath. But time went on and things improved. They changed thier ranking system to one of the vikings, and Cammander began a huge recruitment campaign, which after a week turned out to be insucessful. But still the momentum carried. One day, Hightemplar, who by then had earned a very high rank, began talking of certain "hacking" abilities he had learned from websites, which would give WA the edge in all things war. He demonstarted by the capture of the callsign "MechTheDane", which was running a muck through WA owned channels. It was later found that Hightemplar was actully MechTheDane and that he, himself, had no hacking abilities whatsoever. But this what not known at the time. With what WA leaders belived was sensative information, they started their first Secert Mesage board, Outpost Aesir. For it was a well known fact that WA's hiding location was known by now, and an even better known fact that their baord was under almost constant survaillance by the enemy. On the Secert message board all sensative matters were spoken of. And for a time it seemed as if WA had left the gloomy days behind and that they would, once again, thrive. But this was not so. Hightemplar was unhappy with the clan, for reaons we can only guess. He started Multi-clanning. When this was seen by other WA members, they believed him a traitor and treated him ill. Hightemplar then had a big fit and did as much damage as he could to WA, which was a lot. The secert board was unmasked, the channel again taken, and the main board turned to war grounds. Through as much propaganda as Hightemplar could think of, he worked to turn the minds of WA against Dane. Where was Dane while all this happend? Watching Rocky 4 while being sick on Saturday. Because of his grounding he had no contact with the clan. However, the not so ever diligent Varsis, saw this spreading across the boards and contacted Dane via Telephone. Dane was too far into Rocky 4 (Dang Soviet Union) to listen to Varsis and told him a few things to do and that was that. Dane’s illness continued untill Tuesday, when he finally went to school again to see much of his psudo-Empire in shambles, and the corruption of Hightemplar strong within the members. He slowly began repairing the damage, but, alas! every leader has their breaking point. Most far less than Dane's. After a year of managing the clan, Dane could feel it approaching. He was very, very tired. He then created the last of the Secert boards, Hopes Last Stand, where he decided His clan, the Warriors Of Æsir, would make thier last stand. And once this board Fell, so would WA.

Epilogue
All be told, Hopes Last Stand (the board) fell. It fell because Cammander and Peder joined up with Templar and started a new clan, Armed Forces, leaving WA with 3 remaining members, Dane, Dippity and Varsis. WA died. After one year the clan Dane had put so much in to finally collapsed, but never let it be said that Dane abandoned it.

Rank is a title that denotes a members seniority, loyalty, and experience in the clan. Every member is assigned a rank, and can be promoted or demoted depending on the their actions. A promotion may occur when a member displays that they fully understand and fulfill the duties of their rank, while a demotion may occur when a member shows that they cannot or will not function with their given rank.

Clan Leadership Ranks
These ranks are filled only by the most loyal and experienced members available. The members here are proven leaders, and are trusted by everyone else to be wise and just in their decisions. They are not to be taken lightly, as failure amongst these members can have massive repercussions throughout the entire clan.

Emperor

 * Current Holder: Emperor Dane the Proud

The supreme and indisputable leader of the clan. Held by Clan Founder Dane since 2001 (Previously called "Fleet Admiral"), this member holds full authority in all sections of the clan, and can ultimately veto decisions of lower-ranked command-level members.

Shield-Arm of the Emperor

 * Current Holder: Duke Heimdall Moscow Rusling

Along with the Sword-Arm, the Shield-Arm of the Emperor is the second-in-command of WA. Their primary concern is maintaining the integrity and stability of the Asa-Empire from within. They can choose to nominate members to be part of their Varangian Guard, or leave those roles vacant. They are tasked with reinforcing the pillars of the Empire, strengthening its foundation, and hardening its members.

Sword-Arm of the Emperor

 * Current Holder: Asherr Noble Sindar

Along with the Shield-Arm, the Sword-Arm of the Emperor is the second-in-command of WA. Their primary concern is the expansion of our Asa-Empire. They can choose to nominate members to be a part of their Praetorian Guard, or leave those roles vacant. It is their responsibility to make sure the Empire grows and expands across various games.

Legate

 * Current Holders:
 * Legate Skollrus Soljager of the 1st Imperial Legion
 * Legate Mar Hazen of the 2nd Imperial Legion

Each Imperial Legion is led by a Legate, a veteran officer and experienced leader. The Legates duty is to make sure the divisions and platoons within his Legion are being managed well and that there is reliable division leadership. He works behind the scenes when a division needs assistance in leadership or policies, and his duty is to directly aid his Legion whenever the need arises. Legates have ultimate authority over what platoons and divisions enter and leave their Legion. They should be the people who look at what members are offering to create and decide if they want to include that platoon in their Legion. At the same time, under normal circumstances, a Legion should have full claim to any platoon or division in their Legion. In this way the Legate has a great deal of autonomy. He can make wise choices on potential successful platoons or poor ones.

Loremaster
There is usually one Loremaster for each Legion. Their job is to chronicle the history of the Legion. On occasion, they act as second-in-command of the Legion as well as an adviser to the Legate. Otherwise, this rank is typically just a figurehead rank with no real power and simply a single, main duty.

Divisional Ranks
These ranks make up the command staff of a division. Typically, members occupying these posts have shown serious leadership ability and have performed well enough at their platoon rank to be promoted to divisional staff.

Captain
The rank of Captain is one of the most taxing and difficult positions to hold in WA. Captains lead divisions of WA. They usually take situation reports from their command staff and the Lieutenants and make a divisional report to the Legate. They are generally associated with the well-being of their division, and thus rightly take the blame for when their division fares poorly. In turn, a great Captain who leads superbly can find they receive constant praise. The Captains main duty is to lead their division as best they can. They are expected to keep an eye on each platoon under their command, and utilize their command staff and the Lieutenants with great efficiency.

Platoon Ranks
Most members are one of the many platoon ranks, and are in the process of proving themselves as either members or as officers. In nearly all cases, those in platoon ranks aspire to be promoted to the divisional leadership or higher one day.

Lieutenant
A Lieutenant is the leader of a platoon or rough platoon. The job of the Lieutenant is to elect officers and a Lieutenant Junior Grade, promote and demote members, make situation reports, update rosters and other important information and/or topics, and to lead their platoon effectively. Lieutenants are the officers who lead the grunts into battle; they are at the forefront of clan efforts on various games.

Lieutenant Junior Grade
The Lieutenant Junior Grade, also known as the Sub-Lieutenant, is the second in command of a platoon or rough platoon. The LT Jr., as the rank is commonly abbreviated, is generally the direct assistant to the Lieutenant. Their job is primarily to serve as leader of the platoon in the Lieutenants absence, and to perform as many duties that the Lieutenant is tasked with as they can, in order to split the load and make the platoon run more smoothly.

Ensign
Ensign is the lowest officer rank. As such, it is often a testing position to see if members are potentially ready to be put in leadership positions. Ensigns often organize events, aid the Lieutenant and Lieutenant Junior Grade, keep track of the enlisted, and help with other duties within the platoon. Ensigns tend to have had some experience in WA, and are generally required to handle difficulties within the platoon and be expected to act responsibly in problematic situations.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy is the highest non-officer rank in the Warriors of Aesir. The primary duty of any MCPON is to organize platoon-wide events. Often, the best enlisted members who cannot become officers for various reasons, such as lack of knighthood or open officer slots in the platoon, will be elevated to MCPON to give them a figurehead officer-esque position. Some platoons utilize MCPON for other purposes, such as testing a member to see if they are ready to become an officer. However, becoming a knight is usually a worthy enough accomplishment to earn the right to become an officer.

Master Chief Petty Officer
A Master Chief Petty Officer, or MCPO, oversees the enlisted members, and attempts to prove they are ready to become an officer. The job of an MCPO is primarily to recruit, organize events, and keep enforcing protocol. Most veteran members that don't have a sure activity level or have other issues are placed at MCPO. It is usually viewed as the stepping stone to becoming an officer.

Crewman
The rank of Crewman is the base rank of WA, at which nearly all new recruits start at. It is usually the most populous rank in any platoon. A member who is being punished is usually put at the lower rank of Cadet rather than Crewman. Usually, this rank is held for anywhere from a few days to even a few weeks. By this time, either a member is inactive or has been promoted for showing promising traits such as steady activity. The rank has no special duties, but is encouraged to speak to officers and other members and find their own place in WA.

Cadet
Cadet is the lowest rank in WA. It holds no power or responsibilities. There are only two ways to become a Cadet: as punishment for some crime not deserving of being exiled, or to be recruited through mass-recruitment rather than WA's normal "we'll find you" policy.

Former Ranks
These ranks are no longer used in WA, generally because they were part of one of the older rank systems (rather than the current Empire system).

The Admiralty
In the Fleet system of WA, the following ranks constituted the Admiralty, or the leaders of the clan.

Fleet Admiral
Fleet Admiral was a rank in the Admiralty of WA in the Fleet system. The Fleet Admiral primarily oversaw the entirety of WA, and was to the Fleet what Emperor is to the Empire today. He communicated with all of the Admiralty and received reports about the status of each fleet. The admirals underneath him were the Rear Admiral, the Vice Admiral and the Admiral. The rank was held by Emperor Dane during the 3rd Fleet Era.

Admiral
Admiral was a rank in the Fleet organization of WA. In the Fleet, the rank of Admiral was part of the top four commanding ranks that made up the Admiralty. Admiral was the second highest rank, lower than only the Fleet Admiral. The primary job of the Admiral was to oversee all divisions under the fleet, a job that was shared by the rest of the Admiralty. Warrior held this rank during the 3rd Fleet Era, and it has not been used since his dishonorable departure from the the Warriors of Aesir.

Vice Admiral
Vice Admiral was a rank in the Fleet system of WA. The Vice Admirals main purpose in WA was to report directly to the Admiral and Fleet Admiral. Some of the more famous members who held the rank of Vice Admiral include Puck the Vigilant, former Lord of House Dippity, as well as Warrior. It was mostly a general leadership position, much like the Rear Admiral.

Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral was a rank within WA's Fleet organization scheme. Rear Admiral was part of the Admiralty, along with the Fleet Admiral, Admiral and Vice Admiral. Of the four, Rear Admiral was the lowest. This rank was primarily a rank for veteran members who had other duties within the clan. An example is Bender, a.k.a. Harold, who was effectively the "Judge" of WA during the 3rd Fleet era.

Grand Admiral
Grand Admiral was a rank in the Empire system of WA. The Grand Admiral, along with the Lord-Protector, was second-in-command of WA. The Grand Admiral was constantly in contact with the Emperor, and led the Fleet branch of the Empire.

Emperor's Hand
Emperor's Hand was a rank used prior to the 3rd Fleet Era of WA that was usually occupied by a stalwart and true veteran of WA, such as Ullr the Traitor's Bane. This rank was given power over most of the clan, nearly equal to the Emperor's own power. In the event of the clan lacking an Emperor, the Emperor's Hand could take care of the clan until the absentee Emperor returned. Mostly, anyone who occupied this rank was sworn to uphold WA and protect the Emperor himself, much like a bodyguard.

Lord-Protector
Lord-Protector was a rank in the Empire system of WA. The Lord-Protector, along with the Grand Admiral, was second-in-command of WA. The Lord-Protector acted as an adviser to the Emperor. They handled the administrative duties of the Empire, such as taking care of the forums. They reported directly to the Emperor, and commanded the Imperial Guard.

Warden
The Wardens were the highest-ranking members of the Imperial Guard aside from the Lord Protector. They had a more general duty to WA than most other ranks. Most Wardens were hardened veterans of WA, who had proven their loyalty and their skill in battle countless times. They often served as judges, such as Bender (also known as Harold) once did. These members had peerless judgement, and often aided in the most fundamentally vital decisions of WA.

Only two members were ever Wardens during the 2nd Empire. The first was Bender, who was the judicial leader of WA. He made many decisions upon whether a member should be exiled or allowed back into WA, and also aided Emperor himself in similar decisions. The second warden was Ullr the Traitor's Bane, a veteran member who long showed his skill with bots and battling other clans during his time in WA. While Ullr is still active, he stated once that he did not see the purpose of being a Warden, and effectively stepped down from the rank. The rank of Warden has not been utilized since.

Imperial Knight
Imperial Knight was a rank in the Empire system. The job of an Imperial Knight was to travel between games and divisions, helping where they were needed and taking over for a missing or inactive Captain if necessary. They possessed the authority of a captain, and were highly respected members of WA. They also did not fall under the normal chain of command.

Lord Captain
Lord Captain was a former rank of the Empire system of WA. It was only used during the 1st Imperial Era, and thus can be used as dating mechanism for members. For example if they were ever a Lord-Captain, they must have been a member during that specific time period.

This rank was used only in the First Empire. It was a replacement for the Fleet system's division leader rank, Captain. The Lord Captains each led a division, and were also members of the Council. There were many different divisions during the 1st Empire and thus many different Lord-Captains. The most stable Division, The Eye of Odin, has numerous Lord-Captain's many of which were members of note. The Mech Assault 3 Divisions Clan Jade Falcon and The Tyr Regmient also had Lord-Captains.

Admiral
During the first part of 2nd Empire Era, there were multiple Admirals. Each Admiral was assigned a Fleet, and each Fleet possessed several divisions and platoons. Admirals were in charge of taking care of all of the divisions within their fleet, expecting reports from each Captain. They would then compile these reports and take them directly to the clan leadership. Admirals led Fleets much like Captains lead Divisions.

Lord
The Lord of a house presides over that house, and makes decisions about the house structure and organization. He or she effectively makes all final decisions over his or her respective house.

Duke
A Duke is the highest House rank within a Duchy. The Duke is given authority to make all decisions regarding their Duchy, although major decisions are generally subject to approval by the Lord of whichever House the Duke belongs to.

Earl
An Earl is the leader of a family and a vital part of any House. Families are subgroups of houses. Earls often aid the Lord in decision-making, and make any decisions relating to their family. Earls are responsible for all members of their family just as a Lieutenant is responsible for their platoon.

Knight-Commander
A Knight-Commander is an elite knight and guardian of the Earl. There is typically only one Knight-Commander per family, although this is not always true. The Knight-Commander leads his fellow knights into battle, and often directly assists the Earl. The famous Knight-Commander Aegileif appears in the Saga of House Dippity.

Knight
Knight is the most common House Rank aside from simply being a member. Upon being Knighted, members are given this rank. They are given no special privileges or abilities, however most Knights are given the opportunity to participate in discourse on Knightly or House matters and often provide input or vote on major decisions. Knights are generally respected throughout the clan as senior members with some unofficial authority.

A ritual typically refers to a ceremony in WA, most prominently involved in Knighthood.

Secrecy
Little is known to the members of WA about the ceremonies of other houses. This system is primarily in place so that potential Knights have no real idea what they are going to go through. Rituals are one of the most closely kept secrets of WA.

The Rusling medal system is a newly created tradition for the Rusling family within House Dane to award its members for duty, loyalty, hard work, self sacrifice, and devotion to the Empire. Founded on Yule (December 21st) of 2010, the medals are worn on a manual basis and are not part of the official Imperial marks system. Each medal has its own "patron saint" (an individual throughout history or one of the Saints of WA which the recipient pays homage and respect), a motto (consisting of some lines of Norse poetry or famous quotations), and background history on the real historic order each Rusling medal is inspired by.

Medals of Honor
The medals of honor are the highest awards a Rusling can earn, achieved only through steadfast dedication and deeds that go well beyond the duty of a soldier of the Empire. These medals prize the qualities of self-sacrifice (the most valued attribute of any Rusling), loyalty, vigilance, and duty in the Ruslings who receive them.

The Order of the Warrior of the Empire

 * His power was a part of the power of Samson and God gave him the wisdom of Solomon ... this Prince Alexander: he used that power to defeat but was never defeated... - Second Pskovian Chronicle

Patron Saint: Alexander Nevsky

Requirements: Awarded to an superbly outstanding Rusling whose service in the Empire has gone well above and beyond the call of duty.

History: This is the "Order of Alexander Nevsky" from the Soviet Union. Formed during World War II, this was awarded to officers of the army for personal courage and resolute leadership. Nevsky was a descendant of the Swedish Vikings who colonized Russia, and he led troops in a successful war against invading German Teutons, preserving Russian independence.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients:

The Order of Moscow

 * We will do all we can to ensure peace... but if war is imposed upon us we will be together shoulder to shoulder as in the last war to strive for the happiness of mankind. – Georgy Zhukov

Patron Saint: Georgy Zhukov

Requirements: Awarded to first-generation Ruslings (direct recruits of Earl Ruslandr), or specially-chosen knighted Ruslings.

History: The Order of Victory from the Soviet Union. Formed during World War II, it's one of the rarest medals ever created, awarded only to a select few generals for leading the war against Germany. It's studded with diamonds and rubies and plated with platinum and gold. Very few people ever received this.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients: Earl Ruslandr Moscow, Falkiveurr Goldstar, Skollrus Ajani

The Order of Honor

 * Benefit, Honor and Glory. – Motto of the Order of St. Vladimir

Patron Saint: St. Vladimir

Requirements: Awarded to an outstanding Rusling that has recruited many members, received other medals, done his service as a Knight-Ranger of the House, and has been a key example to the rest of the family.

History: The Order of St. Vladimir from the Russian Empire. St. Vladimir, also known as Tsar Vladimir I of Kiev, ruled over Kievan Rus and brought Christianity to Kievan lands, and essentially Russia as well, paving the way for Russia's integration with the rest of Europe. This medal was given out in honor of the memory of St. Vladimir for continuous military and civil service. The motto of this medal was "Benefit, Honor and Glory."

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients:

The Order of Baldr

 * Cattle die
 * kinsmen die
 * all men are mortal.
 * Words of praise
 * will never perish
 * nor a noble name. – The Havamal

Patron Saint: Baldr

Requirements: Awarded to an outstanding Rusling who has made a great sacrifice for the Empire and or been wounded in a great battle against the enemies of the Empire.

History: The Order of St. Anna from the Russian Empire. This was founded by the Duke of Holstein in 1735 in honor of his wife, the daughter of Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia. Originally a German medal, it became a Russian one, and became one of the highest orders of chivalry and knighthood in Russia; the Tsar himself was always the Head of the Order of St. Anna. This was awarded for a distinguished career in civil service or for valor and distinguished service in the military.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients: Falkiveurr Goldstar, Ramvir Frirus

The Order of the Sword

 * Room for his shadow on the grass - let it pass!
 * To left and right - stand clear!
 * This is the Buyer of the Blade - be afraid!
 * This is the great God Tyr! - Song of the Men's Side

Patron Saint: Tyr

Requirements: Fighting against rebellions, traitors, spies, and enemy clans on behalf of the Empire.

History: Order of the Sword from Sweden. Awarded for valor and service in the military.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients: Ramvir Frirus

Medals of Chivalry
The medals of chivalry are awards based on a Rusling's knighthood. While knighthood itself is a deserved honor, knights who outshine all others can earn more glory than any other.

The Order of St. George

 * For Service and Bravery – Motto of the Order of St. George

Patron Saint: St. George

Requirements: Awarded to Ruslings for outstanding knightly duties and deeds.

History: The Order of St. George from the Russian Empire. Instituted in 1769 and awarded for meritorious military services or bravery in combat.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients:

The Order of the Dragon

 * Fiery Determination, Unshakable Loyalty.

Patron Saint: Timoshenko

Requirements: Awarded to a Rusling who has become a knight.

History: Order of the Red Star from the Soviet Union. Formed during the 1930s this was awarded to army personnel for distinction in the defense of the country in both peace and war time.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients: Earl Ruslandr Moscow, Falkiveurr Goldstar, Skollrus Ajani, Ramvir Frirus

Medals of Merit
The Medals of Merit are created on behalf of recipients of the Order of Moscow. A recipient of that Order is allowed to create their own Medal of Merit, incorporating their Ranger totem or distinguishing feature specific to that individual. The person who is allowed to create a Medal of Merit is given exclusive rights as to who can receive it, and is the sole individual who awards them to other Ruslings.

The Order of the Falcon

 * Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching. -Jim Stovall

Patron Saint: Saint Rules

Requirements: The Order of the Falcon is given to those of outstanding integrity.

History: Order of the Falcon, a national order of Iceland. It's awarded to Icelanders and non-Icelanders for achievements on behalf of Iceland.

Awarded by: Falkiveurr Goldstar

Recipients: Falkiveurr Goldstar

The Order of the Lion


Patron Saint: ~

Requirements: ~

History: The Order of the Norwegian Lion was a Norwegian order of knighthood established by King Oscar II of Norway on 21 January 1904, in memory of the glorious events associated with Norway’s venerable Coat of Arms.

Awarded by: Skollrus Ajani

Recipients: Skollrus Ajani

Medals of Service
The Medals of Service are medals honoring a Rusling's hard work and dedication to the affairs of the Empire. While less important than the Medals of Honor, all the Medals of Service are honorable and require active hard work and sacrifice.

The Order of Heimdall

 * Sleepless Watcher of the Gods. – Rígsthula

Patron Saint: Heimdall

Requirements: Awarded to a Rusling for their hard work in making an outstanding effort to become involved in clan affairs to make the clan better for everyone, and or holding ops duty for a considerable length of time, and or meritorious work on behalf of the clan.

History: Order of (the Red Banner of) Labor from the Soviet Union. Formed during the early decade of the Soviet Union, this was awarded to individuals or organizations for meritorious services in production, research and public administration.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients:

The Order of Peace

 * Glitnir the tenth, which with gold is propped
 * and is shingled with shining silver;
 * there Forseti unflagging sits,
 * the god that stills all strife – The Poetic Edda

Patron Saint: Forseti

Requirements: Awarded to a Rusling which has gone out of his way to help another House, and or built a relationship between House Dane and other Houses, and or trained members from other Houses to make them into outstanding soldiers of the Empire.

History: The Order of Friendship from the Russian Federation. Originally a Soviet medal from 1972, since 1992 it is awarded for services towards the strengthening of friendships between the Russian Federation and other countries in areas of science, culture, economics and peace.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients: Ramvir Frirus

The Order of Nakhimov, 1st Class

 * Deal with the enemy as the Russians do. – Tsar Nicholas I to Nakhimov

Patron Saint: Nakhimov

Requirements: A Rusling must have been made an Admiral to receive this medal.

History: Order of Nakhimov from the Soviet Union. Nakhimov was one of the most famous Russian admirals and led the Russian navy through the Crimean War. Formed during World War II, this was awarded to naval officers for outstanding planning and execution of operations.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients: Earl Ruslandr Moscow

The Order of Nakhimov, 2nd Class

 * Deal with the enemy as the Russians do. – Tsar Nicholas I to Nakhimov

Patron Saint: Nakhimov

Requirements: A Rusling must have been made a Captain to receive this medal.

History: Order of Nakhimov from the Soviet Union. Nakhimov was one of the most famous Russian admirals and led the Russian navy through the Crimean War. Formed during World War II, this was awarded to naval officers for outstanding planning and execution of operations.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients: Skollrus Ajani

The Order of the Empire, 1st Class

 * The Dísir summon me home, those whom Odin sends for me [Valkyries] from the halls of the Lord of Hosts. Gladly shall I drink ale in the high-seat with the Æsir. The days of my life are ended. I laugh as I die. – Ragnar Lodbrok

Patron Saint: Ragnar Lodbrok

Requirements: Awarded to Ruslings who successfully create and lead that new rough platoon.

History: The Virtuti Militari Order from Poland. Founded by the last Polish king shortly before Poland was carved up and lost its independence for over a century. It was revived once Poland gained its independence after World War I. This was awarded for deeds that went above and beyond the call of duty.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients:

The Order of the Empire, 2nd Class

 * The Dísir summon me home, those whom Odin sends for me [Valkyries] from the halls of the Lord of Hosts. Gladly shall I drink ale in the high-seat with the Æsir. The days of my life are ended. I laugh as I die. – Ragnar Lodbrok

Patron Saint: Ragnar Lodbrok

Requirements: Awarded to Ruslings who have actively helped and substantially contributed to the creation of a new rough platoon.

History: The Virtuti Militari Order from Poland. Founded by the last Polish king shortly before Poland was carved up and lost its independence for over a century. It was revived once Poland gained its independence after World War I. This was awarded for deeds that went above and beyond the call of duty.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients: Ramvir Frirus

The Order of the Night Star

 * Hail Earendel, brightest of angels,
 * over middle-yard to men sent,
 * and true radiance of the Sun
 * bright above the stars, every season
 * thou of thyself ever illuminest. – Crist I, lines 104-108

Patron Saint: Aurvandil

Requirements: A Rusling must have been made a Lieutenant to receive this medal.

History: The Order of the Star of Brabant from the German Empire during World War II. This award was a knightly order.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients: Falkiveurr Goldstar, Skollrus Ajani

The Order of Kutuzov, 1st Class

 * His armies in Russia found only death and defeat at our hands. – Kutuzov on Napoleon

Patron Saint: Kutuzov

Requirements: A Rusling must have participated, survived, and been victorious in the final decisive match of a tourney or House War.

History: The Order of Kutuzov from the Soviet Union. Kutuzov was a Russian Field Marshal who defeated Napoleon when he invaded Russia. Created during World War II, this was awarded to officers for planning and executing operations resulting in the enemy being heavily defeated.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients:

The Order of Kutuzov, 2nd Class

 * His armies in Russia found only death and defeat at our hands. – Kutuzov on Napoleon

Patron Saint: Kutuzov

Requirements: A Rusling must have participated, survived, and been victorious in five matches of a tourney or House War.

History: The Order of Kutuzov from the Soviet Union. Kutuzov was a Russian Field Marshal who defeated Napoleon when he invaded Russia. Created during World War II, this was awarded to officers for planning and executing operations resulting in the enemy being heavily defeated.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients:

The Order of Kutuzov, 3rd Class

 * His armies in Russia found only death and defeat at our hands. – Kutuzov on Napoleon

Patron Saint: Kutuzov

Requirements: A Rusling must have participated, survived, and been victorious in one match of a tourney or House War.

History: The Order of Kutuzov from the Soviet Union. Kutuzov was a Russian Field Marshal who defeated Napoleon when he invaded Russia. Created during World War II, this was awarded to officers for planning and executing operations resulting in the enemy being heavily defeated.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients:

The Order of Suvorov, 1st Class

 * What is difficult in training will become easy in a battle. - Suvorov

Patron Saint: Suvorov

Requirements: A Rusling must have recruited 20 Ruslings.

History: The Order of Suvorov from the Soviet Union. Suvorov was a Russian Generalissimo, only one of four Russians to have this unique military rank. Suvorov was also one of a few military commanders in history who never lost a single battle. Founded during World War II, this award was given to officers for outstanding leadership.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients:

The Order of Suvorov, 2nd Class

 * What is difficult in training will become easy in a battle. - Suvorov

Patron Saint: Suvorov

Requirements: A Rusling must have recruited 10 Ruslings.

History: The Order of Suvorov from the Soviet Union. Suvorov was a Russian Generalissimo, only one of four Russians to have this unique military rank. Suvorov was also one of a few military commanders in history who never lost a single battle. Founded during World War II, this award was given to officers for outstanding leadership.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients: Falkiveurr Goldstar, Ramvir Frirus

The Order of Suvorov, 3rd Class

 * What is difficult in training will become easy in a battle. - Suvorov

Patron Saint: Suvorov

Requirements: A Rusling must have recruited 5 Ruslings.

History: The Order of Suvorov from the Soviet Union. Suvorov was a Russian Generalissimo, only one of four Russians to have this unique military rank. Suvorov was also one of a few military commanders in history who never lost a single battle. Founded during World War II, this award was given to officers for outstanding leadership.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients: Earl Ruslandr Moscow, Skollrus Ajani

The Order of Service, 1st Class
Requirements: Awarded to Ruslings for three years of service in the Empire.

History: The "Order of Service" from the Soviet Union. Awarded to members of the military for years of service.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients:



The Order of Service, 2nd Class
Requirements: Awarded to Ruslings for two years of service in the Empire.

History: The "Order of Service" from the Soviet Union. Awarded to members of the military for years of service.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients:



The Order of Service, 3rd Class
Requirements: Awarded to Ruslings for one year of service in the Empire.

History: The "Order of Service" from the Soviet Union. Awarded to members of the military for years of service.

Awarded by: The Earl of the Ruslings

Recipients: Earl Ruslandr Moscow

Sagas are old Norse-style stories, written to chronicle the history of WA.

Famous Sagas
Some of the most famous Sagas are the Saga of House Dippity and the the Saga of Cypher.

A situation report, or sit-rep, is an update provided by the leader of a fleet, division or platoon.

Layout
Various methods are used to write out situation reports, but most focus on hitting the important statistics such as recruits, transfers and promotions/demotions.

Recruits
The newest recruits are almost always listed on the latest sit-rep. Usually information such as their recruiter, date recruited, and occasionally the new recruit's information is listed as well. Additionally, this may be copied into a separate "recruits" topic, or taken from such a topic.

Promotions/Demotions
Another important portion of a good sit-rep is recent promotions and or demotions of members. This is useful for keeping an updated roster as well as to help members know what rank their brethren are currently at.

Transfers
Some sit-rep writers may also wish to list if a member has transferred into or out of their jurisdiction. This is uncommon, so often it is not listed on a sit-rep unless it has occurred. This means that if no transfers took place, the section labeled "Transfers" would not even be listed in the sit-rep.

State of Affairs/Goals
More recently, it has been stressed that goals and the "State of Affairs" be put into a situation report. This may include personal thoughts by the leader as well as his or her hopes for the future.

The Songs of WA are written primarily by Lord Dane the Proud to commemorate the Heroes of WA and his own personal champions.

The Council was a group of high-ranking clan leaders who ran the Warriors of Æsir during the Third Fleet. It consisted of the most experienced and highest ranked members in the clan. It collapsed as a functioning body after a number of its members went inactive or departed WA. It was disbanded in early 2010 in preparation for the Second Empire.

Founding
The Council was founded on June 1st of 2008 in the tumultuous months after the First Empire and at the beginning of the Third Fleet. WA was suffering from a diminishing member count after many old and loyal members had left or rebelled. The remainder of WA attempted to bring back as many of the old members as possible. In doing so the Council was formed, which was meant to help with the critical decision-making needed to bring the clan back to life.

Purpose
The Council's main purpose was to assist Fleet Admiral Dane (formerly Emperor) with difficult decisions and actions, primarily through discussion and voting. They also had several other responsibilities including administrative work, such as maintaining the website and forums, command tasks, and assisting and advising lower-level officers. Though they were originally designed to simply be assistants and advisers to Fleet Admiral Dane, their purpose was vague, and thus they often collectively took matters into their own hands, disputing and challenging the Fleet Admiral's ideas and orders.

Collapse
By late Fall of 2009, disputes and internal struggles began to spike within the Council, as many radical and controversial decisions were being made. A struggle between Warrior and Dane ensued. In February of 2010, after Warrior and others left WA and destroyed the forums, it was officially announced by Dane that the council was to be disbanded. This was the first step in the creation of the Second Empire, which was announced on February 19th of 2010.

The History of the Clans is a document from the Imperial Library detailing the history of the Warriors of Aesir. It is written by Emperor Dane.

The History Of The Clans Written By Mech(AKA Dane)

Introduction
The history of a thing, is older then the thing itself. This is also true for WA. WA's fate was written when an 11 year old boy joined a StarCraft clan called the Imperial Dominion, 3 years before WA was founded. When he in an effort to be important, became the self styled historian. He had no idea how long the history would become, or where it would lead him. He enjoyed history in general and felt this would be something he was good at. What you are about to read are not the retrospective writings of a 20 year old man on how his clan started. What you are going to read are the words of an 11 year old boy, a 12 year old boy, a 14 year old boy, a 17 year old boy and a 19 year old young man. This history has been my constant companion throughout the years. I used to justify WA's existence with this very history, that if it should die, then who would remember what is written here? Who would know that battles and sacrifices, the heroes of old? Would everything my friends and I have ever done been for naught? As long as this history survived and as long as people could trace itself to it, then everything else that I have ever done for this clan would retain its purpose. This history for the most part is solely about Starcraft clans, and must be taken in the context of such clans. When I started writing this, I was Mech and then somewhere in between I became Dane. I think this transition is very literal, as I am not the same person I was when I was 11. Read this history and understand it well, even at our lowest points I would use this, and this alone, as an example of our greatness.

1-3 Volumes Revised and Corrected by Sanctifico  "The original copy would've made an English teacher puke!" The Story of the Clans 

Volume I
Beginnings: iD & offsprings

A long time ago, there was a clan called JAM clan. One day a man by the name Raistlin took a great many of their ideas and started the clan Imperial Dominion (iD). He then recruited Piccolo with him, began his Empire. Soon he had 200+ members with around 15 really active and 25 semi actives (thats pretty good). But one of the Admirals, Killer, became restless. The Emperor Raistlin started becoming inactive. The Admiral Killer began his, then underground, clan Demon Forces with its first member Fenix. Now Admiral Killer, who was still in iD, began to take the new recruits (like Insano) at first, but then he worked his way up the list, taking just alittle to many of the active members, starting an imbalance. The Emperor Raistlin saw some key members gone, and he then resigned from iD. With him gone, the rest followed and iD was no more. Now with every one scattering for a new, clan Demon Forces (DF) stood out, and a great many joined it. The old EH of iD started the clan Shadow Union, and the former SA started another clan. Piccolo started the Hell Hawks (HH). Now Demon Forces grew with their emperor, Killer, and the Shadow Union dwindled while HH did moderately well. For a brief time DF and SU almost went to war. The old SA of the jedi division joined SU as EH, his name was Chaos. And Chaos recruited and did well, but one day he took his members and joined DF with them, screwing over SU. He then rejoined SU saying he was sorry but all be told he was a spy for DF, and Aquilius (the emperor) kicked him out for his betrayal. Little is known to us about what he did after that. With him behind them the two clans, who at the moment were the most powerful of the offspring clans, decided on an alliance. SU then began to ally with all sorts of clans, while DF mainly kept to them selves. SU allied with HH, while DF went to war with them, forcing SU to only stand on the side lines and watch, for interfering any in way could jeopardize there alliance with either clan. In the end DF overran the HH message board and HH gave up and became extinct. The bulk of their members suprisingly joined DF. Now SU's bulk of members were in the diablo division, where their original leader (Baal) had been demoted for not teaching proper protocall. Kat was promoted in his wake. She was not a very good leader, although because of her abilities in seduction she managed the rank. Eventually she was no longer having fun and quit, and with her quit the rest of the diablo clan, except for baal, who was on vacation, and Luke who was transferred to the StarCraft division. Aquilius tried a few more things to fix the Clan's problems, but then he fired the second in charge, and a few more and quit, leaving the starcraft division to fend for itself. I became emperor and changed many things around. Just after these events, DF lost three members; Insano, Fenix, and Little Devil, who at that time were extremely high ranking people. Insano got sick and angry at DF and tried his best to screw it over, and he then quit. DF tried to chase him down but he managed safety. Fenix also began to tire of DF and with the help of Archon ( Now slipknot) started the Unknown Forces(UF). Now Little Devil, who was from iD and a close and personal friend of Killer, one day began to tire of Clan life (the way I hear it) and quit. It only left a small dent, but it shortened DF's supply of original members. SU then persuaded Hoodlum, from iD, to join. Their Fleet Admiral (Leader), me, put them on cruise control. He only had four members counting him. DF began develpoing problems with their emperor, as his open mindedness was nowhere close to being open, and he used his power unwisly. Durring this time SU and a few members within DF set upon a mission to overthrow Killer with the use of spies and manipulation. SU was no longer in its glory days, and DF's own glory days were fading. But their plans didn't go very far before the rebirth of iD, started by Rasitlin and Aquilius. iD began calling back its most glorious members, and with them they called Mech(me) and Killer back to return to them. Killer came running and abandoned his clan, while Mech was having a moral delema. Seeing the chaos within DF, he started helping them. Mech finally ended SU, and so ends the age of the offspring clans, as DF now is just trying to keep alive, SU dead but long lasting, UF still in its youth , HH destroyed and the new iD sucking in all of the members from all over, recreating its once great empire.

The Story of the Clans

Volume II
And so it begins again: iD, Clan offspring and tL As the ever growing iD became back into power, problems started happening within its walls. The leader of the Diablo II (D2) division (Aquilius) was not happy with the way things were running, and slowly, day by day, his anger towards iD grew. DF was able to save itsself from anihilation, but just barley, led by the new emperor Warrior. DF and UF, who were slowly crumbling, decided on something that could possibly save both of them, or pull them both down to the void of extention. They Merged into one clan. They became the Unholy Souls of Death, led by Warrior and Slipknot as equal emperors. Now there was no longer an original offspring clan, sure the essence lived on through USD, but they still were gone. Leaving only (as Aquilius so smartly put it) Neo-iD left of the original clans. Durring this time there was a battle going on within Neo-iD. For many things Aquilius wanted and thought he deserved were not delivered, and the clan was doing things that initaly started the first Great Fall, setting itself up for a second. Aquilius, who was not getting the power his title granted him, also believed Mech to be a better choice for GA than Killer, because Killer was after all the one who really started the first Great Fall. Aquilius began to become enraged with his clan. He could see it following the old path of destruction, and even with all his power he could not stop it. With this relaization Aquilis resigned from iD. This act alone upset the very unstable balance of Neo-iD, which set off a small chain reaction that could have been worse. Directly after Aquilus quit his good friend and follower, Mech, resinged also. Although he did so much less respectably. And then their second in charge, Eproth, also resigned. The took heavy losses through losing two high ranking leaders and Mech. Aquilius decided he would try his hand again at a clan, hoping that it would be much better then his once beloved SU. Designating Mech as his second in commnad, he began work on this new clan. At that time he was having many social crises in his life, and so Mech took over work for his clan. The first thing to do was come up with a name. After many tries Mech fianlly came up with half of a name which was satisfactory to Aquilius. They were the something Legion. But there still was that "something" to rid themselves of before their name was complete. They asked one of their friends, who came up with Tempered. From that moment on, they were known as the Tempered Legion. With that out of the way, they rested a bit and then began work on the ranking system. Soon this was completed too, thanks greatly to Mech for creating its foundation, while Aquilius filled in several blanks. And so tL was born.**

The Story of the Clans

Volume III
Warriors of Æsir-  Early days/The Rebellions  Part I The Dawn of a new Clan Weeks before my return to the internet, I was planning on forming a new clan. The people who helped my brainstorm it were Varsis... and towards the end Xcalebur and Bje007. Many names were thought up..for a time Varsis and I liked Riders of Dawn, while Xcal and bje liked xf. But then, moments before it officaly started, it was decided that we would be the Warriors of Æsir, a race of ancient norse gods. Once i got my internet back, I quickly recruited Warrior and Dragon, who were quite happy to see me. And so WA began. Part 2 The Channel Wars It felt only write that us, being the Warriors of Aesir should live within the Channel Valhalla, and so we took it. All was going good but a few days later we discovered it was already inhabitated by a clan known as GoD. A German clan none the less. Dane and Varsis invested in bots and fought tirelessly hold the channel. Eventully Varsis was supreme and beat the Germans, however their was still unrest and eventully peace talks took place between the young clan WA and the German clan GoD. it was resolved that WA would move to Asgrad and The Germans keep their channel and become WAs allies. All was well in Asgard for a week or so, but we soon discovered it too was inhabited by a clan, AG! AG! also tried to take over Valhalla as well but soon realized they would need all their resources to simply hold Asgard, the battle started out well for WA, again Varsis' bot was supreme and AG! forced to retreat from their channel. However something no one realized, something terrible thats ripple would still be felt a year later happend. Battlte Net Banned All Bots. Varsis suddenly lost his advantage, AG! Loki the leader of the small clan had two computers and successfully held and kept Asgard from us most of the time. We again were forced to move our small clan somewhere else, we were begining to tire of these moves and so finally resolved to move to a Clan Channel, and so our great fort a place that was safe and held for almost a year was made. And so ends the tale of the war of the Channels Part 3 Nightmare Dominon We slowly recruited members, slowly but surely. There seemed to be a cycle in WA, we would go through Golden ages and inactive ages. Durring golden ages we would get in to the top 10 on the gamers boards, during the inactive we would barely have 10 new posts. But time went on and we grew. Then one day a rebelion broke out; Fenix left the clan and eventully Warrior and Dragon followed, sure that WA was in its last days. We know that Dragon was only following Warrior, but why would Warrior want to leave? Durring this time Warrior was having alot of stress, and some of the clan was not handling the situation well. Warrior, angered by this, left. Fenix strarted a new clan called Nightmare Dominion. He collected all those who would be enemies of Æsir and made his clan's sole purpose to destory WA. Clans with such goals start out strong, but fade fast. Once they learned the task at hand, the group of men became inactive. The clan began crumbling and most importantly Warrior came to his senses. He returned to WA, causing ND to lose its most important and stable members, dooming it. WA was quite happy to have Warrior back.

Part 3 The Sniper Revolt Later on, WA recruited a few snipers thanks to Xcal and Bje. Of the group who was recruited only one stayed, his name was Target. Traget became a very good Sniper player and through him more verygood Snipers were recruited. WA became known by most Sniper players to be some of the best Snipers around. For a time the Sniper divsion carried WA. Then one night WA memebrs discovered JAM (refer to first sentence of Volume1). Durring discussions, Target and his brother, nnoying, came and were quite disrespectful and embarasing. Warrior exploded in anger at them. They then took all the snipers and started SoB. This was not good, but WA worked quickly and swiftly and returned them all to the clan, no real damage was done. Part 4 The Soliders of Eternity Then the rebellion of all Rebellions. Xcalebur and Bje, led by Aquilus started the clan known as Soldiers of Eternity, SoE. He left speaking of peaceful intentions, and with hopes that we would one day we would ally. And so he left. SoE had much inner tensions and some of its leaders really didn’t care too much about the clan, or its success. Then a suquense of events took place starting with talks of negotiating an alliance, and ending with a decleration of war on WA by SoE. Aquilus then went to JAM and atempted to rally them against WA. This atempt failed and he was banned from the channel. After which nothing more happened that night. The next day when Xcal and Bje found out(not to mention other members) they were very displeased and quit, as did Aquilus and so SoE fell. Xaclebur rejoined WA but was made a Cadet and could never be moved up in rank.

The Story of the Clans

Volume IV
The End of WA Part I Pre-Ragnarok(Golden Growth): The peaceful times of Pre-Ragnarok, also called the "Golden Years" by Dane, were when the Warriors of Aesir were at the height of their power. This time of greatness and expansion came about in late November, durring Thanksgiving, and after the recruitment of Artanis and Battleitout. This was when we had enogh people that they just about recruited unknowingly, enough to keep the clan going on the rise without the leaders having to add any extra incentives. Durring these times much happened. The fall of our allied clan, OLP, and the impression of many of their members in to our culture. However, this also gave Admiral Target unseen power, not that it was unwelcomed, but it was perhaps more then any realized. Also durring this time, Dane started to get grounded because of grades, and was unable to interact with his clan as closely as he wanted to, and had done before. Durring this era was greatness, for there were as many as 40 offical members online at a time, and it seemed as though the clan's greatness would continue to climb to the height of Valhalla itself. But all was not well, and trouble it seemed, was on the horizon.

Part II The Ragnarok: The rebellion of rebellions, was started, quite accidently by Dane. At this time in the clan's history we were at our peak, there were always atleast seven members in the channel, and our channel was like a crossroads for many clans and many clanless people, just looking for a game. Admist all this perfection the seeds of Rebellion and destruction were buring. They were planted long long ago, by Cammander in the heart of Dane, and in a differnt way, in Target's heart as well. In all the greatness and glory of the times, Cammander again became an issue. This time a more powerful issue. Dane’s judgement hamperd by a high fever, was finally fed up with his inability to do anything because of the construction of High Council. He began a passive rebellion, which had honestly began as more of a joke. It started as simple protests by Dane in the channel, for support, and for the Council to be dissolved. Dane was banned, his board piviliages stricken, and his bot taken. After this he set up a camp in Channel Asgard where he and those who would follow him met and did..mostly nothing. After a while it all was over, but the damage was done. A day later Warrior left, Target then took one third of the hosts of Aesir and began the clan tf-. Chaos insued. After a while Dane manged to clam everything down and he thought he could get everything back to normal. However in the chaos of his own rebellion, Warrior unbanned Xcal from the message board. Xcal returned, like a plauge, his words spat upon all that was Æsir, and poisned those who were of it. Soon, his corruption ran far too deep for even Dane to clean. Xcal was once again banned, but he had already blackend the hearts of Neo and Derilith, who in an act of utter rebellion, mastred by Xcal, took WAs bot and channel. For three days everyone who entered the channel was banned and told that WA was dead. That shattered the clans recruitment base, and everything under it crumbled. In Real Life, Xcal was previously a friend of Dane, and Dane trusted him far too much. After Neo and Derilith's act of terrorism, Xcal, with his knowledge of Dane’s password, took over the board and locked it down. And for a moment it looked as though all had fallen and it was over, but for an hour Dane worked hard on the board, untill he found a loop hole and returned it back to his power. Xcal being the person he was, got his best friend to take the blame, known as BJE007. After this, a further attack by Xcal cut the line by which the few refugees were slowly stumbling to the board; he had control of the of the address Aesir.cjb.net, the pirmary link used by most of the members. With (for most) the board down, and the channel lost, it all felt pretty hopeless. Dippity and Osirus were in charge of a small camp of still loyal members, who were holding out untill higher authority, Dane, could give them... anything. At this moment, we truley hit rock bottom. After a while Dane got a new board up, and eventully organized a channel things started looking better, but its doubtful they will ever be the same, durring these times Dane would remark, when asked "hows it going", "Well, I just finished building a Mud house where a Skyscrapper once stood"

Part III Understanding the Ragnarok: Many reasons brought upon the Ragnarok, one of the main ones was Cammander and his readmittence after seven months of being exiled by a traitours Admiral(Aquilus). Another reason was the growth of more powerful and distinguished "political parties" within the clan, like the snipers and the Diplomacy players. Although not there at the start, the corruption of Xcal is what destroyed any hope of he clan rebuidling swiftly and healthfully. Capitalizing on an already weakend Clan, his corruption did more damage then anything else to date. The Ragnarok was not one rebellion, or one act of terrorism to our clan, but was a group of rebellions and acts of terrorism, all one after the other. Combined, the damage was unimaginable and as of yet unheard. Alone they each could have been shaken off without to big of a scar.

Part IV Post Ragnarok WA: After the Ragnarok, the remains of WA went in to hiding, hoping to remain there untill they could return powerfully. For a while, it worked as planned. The memebers slowly found their way to the board and WA completed regrouping everything it could. Once they were done regrouping, they began a campaign to recruit, which went painfully slowly. In the later part of four months of effort, they managed one recruit, Goliath. But time went on and things improved. They changed thier ranking system to one of the vikings, and Cammander began a huge recruitment campaign, which after a week turned out to be insucessful. But still the momentum carried. One day, Hightemplar, who by then had earned a very high rank, began talking of certain "hacking" abilities he had learned from websites, which would give WA the edge in all things war. He demonstarted by the capture of the callsign "MechTheDane", which was running a muck through WA owned channels. It was later found that Hightemplar was actully MechTheDane and that he, himself, had no hacking abilities whatsoever. But this what not known at the time. With what WA leaders belived was sensative information, they started their first Secert Mesage board, Outpost Aesir. For it was a well known fact that WA's hiding location was known by now, and an even better known fact that their baord was under almost constant survaillance by the enemy. On the Secert message board all sensative matters were spoken of. And for a time it seemed as if WA had left the gloomy days behind and that they would, once again, thrive. But this was not so. Hightemplar was unhappy with the clan, for reaons we can only guess. He started Multi-clanning. When this was seen by other WA members, they believed him a traitor and treated him ill. Hightemplar then had a big fit and did as much damage as he could to WA, which was a lot. The secert board was unmasked, the channel again taken, and the main board turned to war grounds. Through as much propaganda as Hightemplar could think of, he worked to turn the minds of WA against Dane. Where was Dane while all this happend? Watching Rocky 4 while being sick on Saturday. Because of his grounding he had no contact with the clan. However, the not so ever diligent Varsis, saw this spreading across the boards and contacted Dane via Telephone. Dane was too far into Rocky 4 (Dang Soviet Union) to listen to Varsis and told him a few things to do and that was that. Dane’s illness continued untill Tuesday, when he finally went to school again to see much of his psudo-Empire in shambles, and the corruption of Hightemplar strong within the members. He slowly began repairing the damage, but, alas! every leader has their breaking point. Most far less than Dane's. After a year of managing the clan, Dane could feel it approaching. He was very, very tired. He then created the last of the Secert boards, Hopes Last Stand, where he decided His clan, the Warriors Of Æsir, would make thier last stand. And once this board Fell, so would WA.

Epilogue: All be told, Hopes Last Stand (the board) fell. It fell because Cammander and Peder joined up with Templar and started a new clan. Armed Forces. Leaving WA with 3 remaing members, Dane, Dippity and Varsis. WA died. After one year the clan I had put so much in to finally collapsed, but never let it be said that Dane abandoned it.

Volume V
The Seed of WA

Prologue: Forged by the Flames of WA and born in the War of AF- HLS never knew peace, nor would it untill the scars of WA could all be paied for. WA had fragmented in three parts, HLS The Leaders, AF/SW the workers and TF- the Snipers. Only one could press on. Only one could win.

The Rebirth Eventully a meeting was called between my 2 remaing loyal friends, it was decided that a new clan would be made called HLS, the rightful and true predisseser to WA. However even after the basics were taken care of, I could not find the will to start all over, it felt so futile. Varsis as always, was never really active even though he could come at a moments notice and Dippity was preoccupid with other things. I spent my days alone with no real channel, no home. How I missed {Aesir}. I ran in to AF- they wanted me to join, I didn't it was a stupid name and they were all newbish and it just wasn't..me. However after so long talks with Warrior I again found my will, my sturborness and my power and so i started a campgaine where for 3 hours every morning for one week I would sit and recruit, using my 2nd computer to create two more bnet personages to make the clan look biger. I got a few and started the house of Lotlh, its first Lord was DunQuLotlh which in klingon means "The Angry Rebel". I supose he was a StarTrek fan. I guess not the best idea having your very first house called rebel..perhaps calling them Loyal Kings Guards would have been luckier. The following weekend my plans were preparing to take shape. I was and am as I write this, out for vengence on all those that hurt my clan. The first of my targets of which mustg pay was AF-. I sent Wylf in and gave them a warning that they should be on the look out the coming monday. They trailed him back to my channel and this was my biggest and only mistake in the AF-war. Templar laguhed at him good and long and said I could do nothing to damage AF-. A most ironic thing of him to say. The Monday after I pulled together my council and a recent recruit Wolf and had a meeting. Dippity recruited some and snagged a promising recruit called Sanctifico. Moments after the first of our raids took place. All was quiet upon AF-s board and suddenly it was stromed and within minutes 3 pages of spam had been added. AF- was shocked, suprised and banned our names. The War had began.

The AF- War After a while AF- managed to ban all our names and atempted to take charge again. These events taking the course over a week or so, those of us who did not have static IP changed our names and again took up the banner of HLS unto the board of AF-. They were again angerd and dismayed. Sanctifico showed great promise in these raids. And the heart of AF- was slowly breaking. After again banning all our names AF- password protected their board, HLS using their vast intellegent network cracked the password in a matter of hours and after giving AF- some tiem to feel safe fell upon them in yet another attack, this time only 2 made it past all the bans and passwords, Wylf and his friend but not member Giot. They again changed the password but Wylf was in too deep and continued to Raid. After this the board was abandoned. Meanwhile a half-assed atempt to raid HLS's fake War Board took place it was led by Shanka, those who participated were Specialist, Winna and Nerd. They were banned and their messages deleted in a matter of moments. However using their boards IP displaying feature Sanctifico learned of their IPs and used it as another weapon against the AF- Foes. While all this was going on Sanctifico created a new, much better website for HLS and invested in a very good Bot. Sanctifico was made the new Lord of the House of Lotlh. AF- was scrambling at every point HLS seemed to be winning this war, AF then made a new ally, a much bigger and poweful clan known as MMM-. Who allied with af- and were preparing to supply them with massses of bots. Sanctifico The Conqurer learning of this took the initiative and E-mailed the leader of MMM-. Who was so moved by the correct English of this letter that he also offered to ally HLS and remain neutral in this war, He spoke of much honor and power and Sanctifco The Conqurer was wooed and once Wylf got on he managed to convince Wylf to also ally him. Wylf was more or less aginst it however, he never being a fan of alliances still could recongize the need to neutralize this threat however and agreed. After which a game was played between the two in and very unhonorable things too place of after which Wylf's feelings about this clan were sour and remained so very a long time. MMM-(Mighty Masters of Mayhem) Also furnished AF- with bots, a very unneutral thing to do. This angered Wylf. Sanctifico discovered a way he could damage and perhaps even take the AF- clan channel. The person who was incharge of bots AF-DarkMagic created 2 bots AF-Dark-bot-1 and AF-dark-bot-6. Sanctifico quickly created an AF-Dark-bot-4 and AF-Dark-Bot-2. As time passed AF- began to wear and tear from all the raids and atatcks upon them and were consdiering the terms of surrender HLS had laied out for them. Join as a house and become a part of HLS. However peace talks, which were headed by MMM- eventully broke down, AF- was far too prideful. And so in mear minutes after this in channel Clan AF- AF-Dark-Bot-4 talked Commander in to giving him ops, at which time he atempted to make MMM- think badly of AF- which didn't work and simply banned 'em all. HLS now had thier channel. After a day or so of constant banning with thier mesage board in shambles and thier leders foolishly stumbling around AF- began to break up and down, and so the survivors of it decided to put it to rest and AF- was dead. Victroy had been acomplished by HLS, however the leaders and few choice men of AF- started a new clan, SW. Which would soon become another victom of the Wrath of Wylf.

A moment of peace

AF-Nerd and AF-Shanka were both spies of HLS, and they soon knew of the many things of SW and the attacks continued untill SW fell as well and much of Cammander was broken. Wylf feeling his revenge complete upon Cammander and Peder decided to cut a deal with Cammander. If in his clans to come they excluded HighTemplar, then peace could be achived and so it was. And for a time there was only peace. Spank The Strong won a tournment and the clan grew and was stable.

The MMM- War Soon after these events, for a reason none to clear, other then the need for MMM- to dominate all clans. At a time when Wylf was rethinking the MMM/HLS alliance, MMM declared war. After a few scouting raids a full-blown war broke out. Fighting lashed out over battlnet, over HLS's public board, and over tF-s board and channel. A few premeptive channel raids were inflicted on HLS and board raids. HLS was damaged but still strong. Anaconda after being banned from HLS's board brought the war to tF-s and it seemed as though MMM was dishing out all of the punches. MMM then made contact with JAM and planned on using JAM against HLS. Only after making contact did MMM start boasting that JAM was thier ally against HLS and also that "JAM had more spys in HLS then HLS has members of thier own" - Anaconda. An obvious lie, also Wylf knew JAM never went to war or got envolved. After Warrior and Neo came over to west they straightened MMM out and put on a much more anti-MMM view. After many "victories" this was a most humiliating lose for MMM. The question is, why was HLS taking so much in and not doing anything about it? Simple, it was slowly infiltrating MMM and preparing for the attack of all attacks. For Sanctfico Lord of the house of Lotlh pretended to resign from HLS and join MMM, Anaconda is all his idiocy instantly made Sanctfico his 2nd in command and soon Sanctifico had access to all of MMM's resources. And so on one well planned day HLS using the information gained by Sanctifico The Counquer attacked MMM, and in less then half an hour MMM lost its channel and its website to HLS. Anaconda atempted to re-organize but the damage was done and MMM died. Afterwards Wylf was again grounded from the computer, HLS was severly damaged and died as well. HLS died killing MMM. A glorius death for a honorable clan.

The last of WA's Bastard children die. With HLS dead, AF/SW/VR(VR a latter clan of Cammander's that died) dead all that remained was tF-. Soon after the fall of HLS internal turmoil sprang up within tF-. Against Nekekami and Mr.Monkey(WA-Ima-nnoying) tF was also no longer in its zenith. And after beingn kicked out of the leading council, Nekekami and the quit tF and soon after tF followed WA and HLS and all the clans before them in to darkness that is death.

Epilogue: A bleak moment in the history of iD and its lineage. No longer did any of iD's children, or iD's children's children or even its childrens, children's, children exist. Was iD and its most glorius child WA to be forgotten? 4 to 5 years of history, of strife, of building, rebuilding and destruction. Seen and experianced from the starry eyed recruit that was SiD-Pv3-Mech to the proven Officer that was SiD-Ad1-Mech and then {SU}Mech-CC and the soft leader that was {WA}DaGreatDane to become the hardened leader that was Wylf/HLS-Buliwyf. All to be forgotten, and all that was learned to be unlearned, the greatest fear of Dane. Is this the end? Is this history never to be read again, but by a broken aged leader once beloved but now forgotten? What...now?(Kinda wish these Epilogues would end on a good note for once)

Volume VI
WA rises again.

Prologue: All that traced its lineage to iD had fallen. A dark cloud fills the sky and for a time it seems as if it shall never lift, and for 5 months the darkness held fast to the land beneath it, and there were no revivals, save it for MMM which returned in the from of IA(Imperial Alliance) and Anaconda in the from of Lantoka, which seemed to only darken the cloud more. Dane beaten and demoralized grounded for most of these months but when he was back he would play alone, some times molested by IA somes times troubled by the emptyness of the fallen channels of which his days were spent. And suddenly the cloud shrunk and its thunder silenced.

The false revival

One day in Febuary of 2003, after being pushed over the edge from the lonliness of bnet and the constant harrassment IA unleashed upon Dane. He decided it was time for WA to rise again from the ashes as the pheonix of old. And so he recruited Loki(once WA-Mantis) and then Warrior and Dippity and even for a time, Neo as well as Rakanishu and Nazareth. It seemed as if WA was on the way back. But then IA striked again and war eurupted and again Dane was grounded and slowly WA fell in to inactivity, only managing to recruit a few good members in its revival, WA-Blitzkrieg, WA-Rules(SC) and WA-Nekecobalt.

WA dead again?

WA fell in to such slump Dane believed it dead except for the leaders of old (Warrior,Rakanishu, Dippty and Blitzkreig). Dane started work on taking his few remaining members to Shadowbane and to this effort recruited WA-Osirus yet again. However one day as he went on battlenet excpeting to see nothing but the charred embers of WA, found WA-Rules(SC) still holding up the hopes and dreams of WA, still recruiting. Seeing this, seeing this member who was forgotten by his leaders and seniors, seeing him still hold on, moved Dane to return to Bnet and do all he could to salvage WA.

The Return of the King

With Danes return, WA began to pick up again, Loki was found and recruitment made its slow way upwards. WA was still very small and very fragile for a long time. Dane went to Germany and on his return met the new recruit WA-Lieutenant. Lieutenant asked questions and seemed intrested and again Dane was motivated to restore WA. And so with the help of Lieutenant and his new motivation Dane again worked to bring WA back to its formor glory. And finally, after so many atempts, WA grew and grew and grew. And is nearing where it left off those years ago.

The Rebellion of Abs and of East WA

You must take the bad with the good I am afraid. And just as WA started back on the road of might, a member recruited by WA-Rules(SC) in the darker ages of the WA's existance, Abs himself actually recruited WA-Lieutenant. At this time Abs started an east server WA, of which he formed and molded too his will and gave him self the rank "Leader" and the rest of his members bastardized WA ranks. Dane and Warrior ordered Abs to change his rank to captain (a promotion from his then real rank as Warrent Officer). Abs refused a direct order, an act of treason and soon all ties between WA and WA east were broken. Abs atempted to destory WA and take all its members, he succeded in taking 2 meanwhile Dane working on east succeded in taking 2 as well. The WA East clan was led by really stupid people and made most of their clan channels, channels that were unprotected, making raids very easy for WA. Soon it was too much they changed names a few times, from GW, and now to CGL. They are a weak and small clan, led by poor leaders and have since been no problem what so ever.

After a goodly amount of tension bewteen CGL, CGL returned to west server. Officer ToxicBood of WA resigns, and tells IA that WA is still alive and there whereabouts. Tension builds between WA and IA. CGL finally breaks down and Merges with WA. WA is finally restored and is againa mighty and powerful. However IA becomes envious, and Lantoka leader of IA, Declares War on WA, saying that IA shall not cease until WA is totally destroyed or Dane is removed from power.

Volume VII
The IA War

The Hot War

With the announcement War, WA re-arms, although still rebuilding and not ready, they have no choice. It is time for WA to prove itself, to claim its right to exist, and very good time indeed, for this would be a fight for life itself.

Dane quickly recruits Santifico, the person who has had the most success against Lantoka and his minions. The WA spy network infiltrates IA and early on in the war has limited success'. IA's own spy network is continuly underminded by the efforts of Dane, Santifico and Warrior. IA-Lantoka and his men spam the forums of WA. They say that as long as IA exists, that they will live for the destruction of WA. That WA will never again see another dawn. In the wee hours of the IA loads WA's channel. We retreat into op Od1n. With our forums spammed and our channel unaccessable it is the lowest moment of the war. WA-Sith[xias], viewing the carnage and destruction, up and leaves WA. Suspecting it is the end he joins IA. Dane stays up all night long trying to restore things and only at 9AM when Warrior gets on does he relinquish his command and head off to sleep. Once those like Sith are gone, the remaining Warriors band together and harden their resolve. For the next few weeks riding on the morale boosts of spectacular feats of espionage by Santifico, the WA members survive floodings, loadings and spam attacks on forums. They hold out through it all, their voice of defiance nearly disruptive to IA affairs as their constant humiliations in being infiltrated. Eventually the will of IA's memberbase falters. They tired of a war they don't understand, force their leader to capitulate in a humiliating showing, asking for peace. Although peace is agreed on by both parties. Dane forces them to also agree, as part of the treaty, that IA will never write a history that invovles WA or HLS. Lantoka agrees and the war is over.

The Cold War

As the peace treaty is signed, WA is prospering as it has never done before. It's members more loyal and active then seen in ages. And its morale at a towering level. However, after the war had ended; many members forgot why WA hated IA so much. Why the leaders of WA could not stand anything IA whatsoever, and why they were banned from the channel. This intense hatred of IA created an effect counter to what Dane was hoping. For many of the newer members became very interested in this clan that their leaders hatred. It almost became taboo and exciting for them. The WA members who wanted to like the IA set up a special channel of their own where they mingled with IA members. To this channel Dane, Warrior and Santifico were extremely against, as it also became a place where the protocol and rules of WA were turned into a mockery. Slowly the WA members were more and more seduced by the IA until defections started happening. WA-UtgardLoki, previously a loyal Captain. Abandoned his post for IA, as did Enlistedman WA-RevBlaDe. WA-UtgardLoki became IA-Shard and WA-RevBlade became IA-Lancer. Both ended up as high ranking members of IA. They opened the door for other lower ranked members to also leave the sternly regimented WA, for the anything goes IA-where vulgarity and disrespect were the norm. Because of this tensions rise in the Councils of WA, now mostly ran by the Heroes Dane, Warrior and Santifico. Warrior resigns from WA for a time. Meanwhile Dane and Santifico attempt to combat the growing pro-IA movement. By this time its very obvious that although WA won the war, it was losing the peace. Measures were taken to strengthen the loyalty of members with rigid Pro-WA, Pro-Dane campaigns. After the initial crisis was over, Santifico, seeing the IA enemy halted once again, left. Dane now without his two trusted aids, pushed on. Using the help of recent recruit WA-BobOfDoom a new PHP WA Website was underway that could be very promising. A new leader appears on the scene, WA-Bahamut, who takes the Norse name WA-Vidar. Who aids Dane in rebuilding the Damage from the IA crisis. Vidar and Dane have success and WA is again running well. Just as everything is looking better, Dane learns he will soon be grounded from the computer again, this time for a very long time. Dane convinces Warrior to return to WA, as he fears no one else capable of leading it in his absence. Dane prepares WA as best he can, hoping that it will survive without him. And then one fateful night his computer is taken away, and he doesn't get it back for 9 months.

Volume IIX
The Dark Age

Accounts of this period are mumbled and often conflicting. For 9 months Dane was nearly non-existant. In this period of time Puck, Havok and Bigbadd were all recruited. Warrior initially took the mantle of Fleet Admiral of WA. He ran it as best he could for a time, but the large egos of {WA}Cammander, Vidar, Takaru and the returned Loki. Were conflicting and difficult for him to manage. Finally he gave up his position and resigned again, leaving WA-Vidar in charge, who then became a puppet of Cammander. Cammander's controversial use of power led to Vidar surrendering the rank of Fleet Admiral to WA-Takaru. Who then took command of WA for a period, before it was wrestled back into Cammander's camp. Loki then started a counter-Cammander party, known as the WARP-Warriors of Æsir Revolutionary Party. Who believed that Cammander's leadership was corrupt and wrong, and that it would be better to freeze WA, into some sort of stasis and await the return of their leader, Dane. However both parties lost interest and nearly 6 months after Dane's disappearance the only remaining active members in WA or just a few low-ranking ones. One inpaticular takes interest in reviving the floundering clan. WA-Juggulotus who becomes WA-Aesir/WA-Kvasir. He E-mails Dane weekly reports, and Dane remotely confers on him the crown of Fleet Admiral. Kvasir things running a lot better by month 8 of Danes absence, at which time Dane re-recruits Warrior to go in and make certain everything is running correctly. Finally, after 9 months of being gone, the way is ready for his return, his clan had survived without him. However one casualty of this time was Dane's respected and well known name, {WA}DaGreatDane, which had used ever since WA was founded. Pained at the loss of such a relic, Dane re-donned his ancient callsign, and was once more, Mech. At first things were shaky. It had been a long time since anyone had seen, or taken orders from Dane. many of the newer members didn't even know who he was, other then someone spoken of in secret councils and shadows. A person that wasn't quite real to them. Many members who had grown use to doing things their own way clashed with Dane. Even Kvasir and Loki had trouble at time with the suddenly very real Dane. However thanks to the support of Warrior and respect the other two still carried for him, Dane was once again seen as the supreme leader of WA. And so the Dark Age of WA had come to an end.

Volume IX
WA Remastered

Dane returned just in time for the 3rd Year Anniversary, which was huge. After he had settled in, WA could finally return to what it once was, and what it always aspired to be. Growth was again on the up and up. It got so well, that WA began to rearm itself, preparing for another conflict with IA. WA had attained too potent members, Raynor and CowOfEvil. Both former IA Generals who were capable of flooding a channel, something WA had never been done before. While they prepared for war, a young member willing to prove his devotion and worth to the clan stepped forward, WA-BloodRed, who was recruited before the Dark Age, indeed around the time CGW merged back with WA. But had never shown too much initive before this, started an East Battle Net Server of WA. He was henceforth known as WA-Od1n. Just as his new East Division was taking off, IA operatives broke into WA's forum, sacked their espionage forum. And left WA in-able to strike back, or even contemplate striking back for a very long time. The humiliation too much, Raynor and CowOfEvil left WA. A few of WA's member also turned out to be IA operatives and left WA reeling. The event a total embarressment, much of which was Dane's fault. Eventually WA got over it, but the sting of it still lingers.

The Belated Betrayal

A great time of rejoicing happened when {WA}Rakanishu recturend, one of the last Admirals of the Pre-Ragnarok Council. And the only Council member who did not betray or abandon Dane, thought to be lost after the confusion of the Ragnarok. Much celebrating occured as a result of his return. And he was intrusted with authority and power. However, just has he had found WA. He had also found {WA}~Neo, traitor and backstabber of WA. Rakanishu had problem understanding the extreme hostility Dane had against Neo, Rakanishu's friend. Neo, who was also a friend of {WA}Prototype, deserter of WA, enlisted in her help against Dane. At this time WA still maintained its first forum, a relic that had been established at the founding of WA. A historical treasure that was very special to WA. Rakanishu, Neo and Prototype, teamed up with IA to see the downfall of Dane. Rakanishu abused his powers over the forum to take away Dane's and hand the reigns to Prototype and Neo. On Dane's very own forum, Prototype made a long post explaining how Dane's egotistical and selfish tendacies were side-effects of Dane's extreme homosexuality (for the record Dane is not gay) and posted gay pictures among many mocking things about Dane. After which Dane was banned from the forums, and Neo posted his own messages of hate. Varsis attempted to rally against the enemies, but his effort was in vain. And so all had come circle, Rakanishu the sole Council member not to abandon or betray Dane, had returned from obscurity to do this very belated act. To insure that no relic of WA stood. Betrayal, something Dane has often witnessed, but to this day cannot understand.

WA Grows

Despite early scrhimishes with IA, and problems with old members. WA still managed to prosper. Operations were moved to Physbo's forum. Recruits were still brought in, Warrior was again at Dane's side. Loki had disappeared but WA-Puck, WA-Havok and WA-Ultima all made up for this. Od1n became tired of East WA and wanted to return to the west, however when he left East WA soon fell, the survivors came west. Notable among them were WA-Skaldi, WA-Shorty_Power and WA-Surt. Although hurt from the fall of East, the sudden surge of trained East officers helped west press to new heights in activity. All in all it was a good time for WA. Halo2 for Xbox came out, and a few members started a small platoon on there. A few months later Dane purchased MechAssault 2 for Xbox, and started his own little platoon of WA'ers on there as well. Murdexx, a very unstable person, also launched a WA platoon in Knights Online. The very nature of WA was changing.

Volume X
The Empire

As Dane graduated from High School and the 4th Year Anniversary Celebrated. It became obvious that WA had outgrown it's ranking system that had been in use for 4 years now. That, with atleast half the clan not playing Starcraft, a Council of Admirals who were all from Starcraft was no longer logical. And so an extensive reform took place. WA changed from a "Fleet" to an Empire. The Admiral ranks were all retired, and Dane ascended to the Rank of Emperor, a rank he had alluded to one day being able to take when he felt WA had finally surpassed its precursor, the Imperial Dominion. StarCraft's ranks were mostly unchanged, other then the rank of "Captain" becoming "Lord-Captain". Each of the prospering Extra-Strarcraft were giving "Lord-Captains" who then made up the reformed council of WA. Also a new position was created for those tasked in overseeing the whole of the Empire, Ministers. Around this time the website WA had been using, WA-Physbo's had become unusable and they had to move again to WA-infestedroach's. Who provided a far more stable website for the clan to use. Od1n became it's first web-master. StarCraft WA, on the West Server was made into the Eye of Odin Division, The Imperial Capital of WA. The womb where the clan had been born, as well as the most vital organ in the new Imperial construct. There was also The Tyr Regiment in Mech Assault2, led by Dane himself. For a time Murdexx's Knights Online was granted Division status, but it soon faltered, however one of Murdexx's officers Luciaden continued to remain loyal to WA and ran a Freelancer platoon, that was eventually recognized as a full fledged Division; the one good thing to come from Murdexx. After a few assorted attempts to start a World of Warcraft division by more traditional WA members, WA-Bigbadd took over and finally got something started, which would one day be recognized as the Hand of Tyr. WA using the forums to unite the far-flung lands of its dominion, continued to grow. It's divisions fluxating and changing as time passes, old ones vanishing and new ones being founded, such as the Jade Falcons under CruelKilroy. WA-Skaldi returned to east in order to bring back WA East, however after some initial successes followed by..failures the project was again abandoned and he returned West to become the Eye of Odin's Lord-Captain. In order to better spread the word of the growing Empire, a bi-weekly to monthly news cast was set in motion by Warrior. In which people could be updated on the various projects and victories throughout the Empire, and also enjoy the voices of their leaders. Dane implemented new reforms in where it was nearly manditory for all members to get Norse names, as well as expanding on various Norse themes within the clan. Loki, after being gone for nearly a year, returned and helped get the Warcraft3 platoon off the ground. WA's 5th Year Anniversary had 40 people in the Starcraft channel, as well as accompanying Video speeches by Dane, and newscast by Warrior. WA's potential at this point is limitless and it seems as if the trials and tribulations of the past are finally behind us.

The Imperial Libary is a subforum on the WA forums which contains all the surviving Sagas, songs, stories and historical documents of WA.

About the Imperial Library
The Library contains mostly documents written by Lord Dane the Proud. Most members are encouraged to read it and learn about WA's past and the history behind it. There are many Heroes of WA who have helped the clan in the past, and occasionally these great warriors return. When these iconic legends return to WA, they are often greeted joyously by the members of WA who have heard tale of their great deeds. Many have songs or stories devoted to them, and the Imperial Library is the place to find said documents.

The Origin of the Leitlings is a two-part story chronicling the life of young Deutschland, future founder of the Leitlings. As of yet, the second part is still in production.

Deutschland watched the approaching caravan with idle curiosity. He had been playing in farmyards; chasing chickens, stalking cows, battling scarecrows, when he heard the rumbling horses in the distance. Struggling to remember his numbers he counted four Knights on horseback, with a white wagon in the center. He wondered if perhaps toys were in it. He liked toys.

The caravan rolled along at a leisurely pace as it made it's way to Hall of Lotlh. Lord Dane had visited this place more times than he could remember, the worn trail was a friendly face on this quiet journey. The escort was made up of his chief advisors and friends with the exception of one he was on his way to meet. To the left of the wagon rode Warrior and Cammander, to the right rode Sanctifico and Blitzkrieg and they all rode towards Loki. The old wooden wheels churned as they rolled over smooth rocks in the path, the melancholy clouds passed overhead without protest and Dane rode on. He was tired. Not physically tired, for he sat comfortably upon his wagon, but tired in his heart. Tired of the strife that had plagued him and his settlement ever since he had first arrived on that ominous night when he fell from the sky like the burning embers of a great tree. Despite all he had been through, he knew far more awaited him. The weight of his destiny was insufferable. He looked to his prized General, Sanctifico and sighed. After he dropped off the package at Loki's, they would once more return to the capital and return to war. Fickle light flickered amongst the riders as random sunbeams punctured the clouds, their powerful horses trotted forward towards the beckoning halls of House Dippity.

Lord Loki had in word, retired. A strange notion that; retired. As if he had stopped doing work! He chuckled to himself at that absurdity. Instead of sitting around marble palaces and putting pens to ink or making small talk with royal courts he had 'retired' to the grueling work of maintaining a working homestead and raising a small army of children. Yes, retired indeed. Loki led the tired Ox back into its pen. He remembered with a chill what had happened that night, the night it all changed. Blood. Fire. Pain...and yes, death. Images swirled in his mind as if attempting to contrast the gentle mundaneness of his day. The Council broken, the rebelling Admirals, the burning halls. He would learn later that the survivors had called it the Ragnarok, surprised any had survived at all to give a name to that thrice-cursed day. The crowds swarming, the masses running, separated from his friends, from his father. Loki's teeth clenched. The years he spent aimlessly wandering the wastes with no family, no name passed like a haze. A numb dream that would never end. Not until that day, the day he wandered into the burnt out fortress of the Æsir. At first he didn't recognize it, the dead soldiers, the charred embers the years he spent dazed, it made everywhere and everyone look foreign; even home. But there in the center of the death is where he found the mourning figure, clutching to the dying body of his comrade. Ignoring the dangers Loki steadily approached them, he was drawn to them. Time slowed as if the magnitude of what was about to happen was too big to be digested at normal speeds. Lord Dane, his lost leader and friend cradled in his arms the broken body of his...

"Dad! Dad! Somone is riding up the trail!" Glox's voice shattered Loki's thoughts. "Wha-What?" Loki stammered, confused. "Dad, a wagon with some men is heading towards here!" Raiders, Loki grimaced. One day he and his sons would root out all of their blasted kind in this land. "To the weapo-" Mid command Loki looked up and saw the friendly colors of the approaching caravan. Loki signed in relief, "Never-mind the weapons, Glox. Tell the others to prepare for guests. Dane is coming." "Sure thing, Dad." Glox scuttled off towards the House. Loki putting his remaining tools away and headed to the pump to make himself a little more presentable.

Deutschland sat underneath a fence post prodding some beetles with a stocky tuft of hay. The wagon and its escort pulled to a stop a couple dozen yards away, the beetle scrambled away as Deutschland quickly forgot all about it. Some marvelous thing was taking place in the world of the adults and Deutschland had no intention of missing it. Not fully understanding, Deutschland watched with rapt attention. His father Loki strode towards the company of men and friendly waved to them. The men dismounted off their horses and helped the guy on the wagon off. Deutschland had seen most of them before, he especially recognized uncle Sanctifico who always had some little gift for him, a token all the time he spent in the front of the line. Or on the front lines. Deutschland wasn't really sure which it was or why people in lines got such neat things. They talked for a time about strange things about wars and fostering and the need to protect important things. Deutschland suddenly understood. His Uncle Sanctifico had gift as always, but this time it was so huge it had to be brought in that wagon! That they didn't want other adults to play with toy so they brought it here for Deutschland to protect! He was good at protecting things, why just a moment ago he was protecting a beetle from.. Deutschland glanced towards where the beetle had been. Well usually he was good at protecting things. No one had to know about the beetle. Deutschland picked himself up and started running towards the adults. This time he wouldn't fail, this time he won't get distracted; this time he'll show them all.

"I understand. I know how things are back at the Capital. We'll take care of him." Loki nodded to Lord Dane, before noticing Deutschland scampering towards them. While barely older than a toddler, Deutschland had become one Loki's most favorite sons. Dane turned back towards the wagon and opened the door. "Dad! I'll protect it! I'll keep good care of it!" Deutschland shouted as he neared the company." I'll never let it out of my sight. It'll always be safe with me." Deutschland stopped at his fathers feet and caught his breath as Dane helped a small child out of the wagon. "I'm a good watcher, Dad. I'll never lose it." Deutschland then turned his attention towards the wagon, a look of confusion on his face. "This is Iranian." Dane padded the small boy on his back." One of my many heirs. It's not safe for him at the capital, not since the shelling." Dane looked at Deutschland and smiled. "Very well young Knight, then I place Iranian in your charge. Remember your oaths." Loki stepped forward and took the boys hand, "He'll be safe". "Thanks old friend," Dane sighed," We have to ride back immediately I'm afraid." "Things that bad?" Loki frowned. "Things are always that bad, brother." Sanctifico laughed, "what fun would it be if they weren't?" The Knights hopped back onto their mounts and Dane slowly climbed into his wagon seat. "Take care, old friend." "You too, my lord." Loki bowed and waved his friends off. Loki looked to the children. "Now Deutschland, please show Iranian around. I am going to go get dinner ready. Be nice." As Loki trudged towards the farm Deutschland look Iranian over in shocked silence. Iranian looked about a full year younger Deutschland, his clothes were rough and warn, his face dirty and sullen. He looked every bit the part of a refugee. "What kinda name's Iranian?" Deutschland suddenly demanded. Iranian suddenly looked at the ground, tears forming in his eyes. "Mine." Iranian whispered tersely. Deutschland put his hand on Iranian's shoulder, "It's a good one, now follow me and I'll show ya all the best places!" Deutschland grinned and started walking towards the fence. Iranian sniffled then brightened some and followed after his new friend.

Weeks passed and summer faded into fall. News of the war became sparse and the feeling of isolation grew for all those living in the Hall of Lotlh. Yet even as the flowers died Iranian and Deutschland's friendship bloomed.

"We need more wood!" Deutschland demanded with all the airs of a General. " The fort must be built a'fore the raiders get here!" "Yes sur! I found sum mo'e by the caves."Iranian dropped a few twigs and branches at Deutschland's feet. "Will this be enough? Deutschland surveyed the debris and began fitting them into the remaining gaps in their shanty, putting a stop to the unwanted snow building up inside it. "Yes soldier, this is enough wood! What about the magic stones to keep us hidden from the raiders?" "Er.." Iranian stammered. " Sowwy sur, I fowgot them. I can go back and get them if you need..." Deutschland looked outside at the thickening snow. "No, it's too late now. If they catch us and cut off your fingers its your fault though!" Iranian looked down at the ground,"What about the sticks I got. Maybe they were magic and will hide us." Deutschland shook his head. "No they don't work like that. It's too late! I just hope they don't.." Deutschland laid down in a bundle of blankets they had brought. "Grab the old wooden table top we decided to use as the door and lets play some games in here." Iranian sighed" Yes sur Deutschland watched Iranian trudge out of their little fort and then looked up at the ceiling for a while before dozing off.

Deutschland's eyes lazily opened in the dark shanty he and Iranian had built. It took him a few moments to remember where he was, and what he was doing. It was a lot darker than he remembered. Iranian wasn't with him. Deutschland got to his feet and looked out side, the wooden table top was still a couple yards away. Iranian never budged it. Deutschland left the shanty and headed towards the warm hearth of his home. He pushed the door open and looked inside searching for Iranian, or at very least his father. Loki was next to the fire with two infants Puck and Havok. He looked up and smiled at Deutschland. "Hey there. How's the fort?" Deutschland tried to hide his concern," Er, oh it's good. Lots of fun out there, hey I uh um was playing hide and seek with Iranian and was wondering if he came in here?" Loki shook his head, "Nah the last time I saw him he was with you." Deutschland cringed. "Oh..I guess he must still be outside then." "You better go find him then. Hurry up though I don't want you guys to be out there much longer. It's getting too dark." Deutschland just nodded and headed back outside leaving the warmth behind him. He traveled a little distance from his home, far enough that they wouldn't hear him started calling out. "Iranian! Iranian where are you! Iranian answer me!" Deutschland stumbled through darkening forest yelling all the time for his friend. But the silence of snow fall was all he heard in return. He searched and he searched, but no where did he find Iranian. All their favorite spots, empty. The half built Dippity barracks, empty. The barn, empty. Defeated, depressed Deutschland headed home.

"He's what?!" Loki yelled, alarmed. "I'm sorry dad..I just couldn't find him..I don't know where he went." Loki put on his thick brown coat from the earliest days of the Fleet and pulled on his leather boots. "You stay right here, I can't risk you getting lost as well. And next you better come to me first!" Deutschland looked down in shame. "Glox! Glox grab the lantern! We have to go right now, come on!" Loki shouted. Deutschland watched his older brother and father race out into the cold dark snowy night. Searching for his lost friend. Searching for the person he lost. Tears streamed down his red cold-bitten cheeks as he sat at the window, waiting. He remembered back to the beetle he had lost on the very first day he and Iranian had met. To promise he had made that day. Deutschland wiped away his tears and mumbled to himself, "Please let them find you, if you just come back, just this one time. I promise I'll do better. Next time I won't fail, next time I won't get distracted; next time I'll show you." he sniffed," just how much I care" Deutschland waited at that window, awake, alert, miserable well into the night. Then sometime many hours later his father and Glox suddenly returned. In his father's arms was the small figure of a half-frozen little boy, barely alive, mumbling about how he had to find the magic stones.

Iranian recovered in time. And soon enough he and Deutschland were playing happily once more. But Deutschland never forgot that night. Never forgot what he had caused, or what he had once more promised. A promise that would one effect far more than just himself.

The Saga of Cypher is a fictionalized account of the founding of WA. It was written by Lord Dane the Proud.

The Saga of Cypher

1.

There was a man named Furey who was the son of Dane The Great. And Dane The Great was the grandson of Rigr who's father was Danpr, and his father was Halfdan the Mighty, whose father was Dan, whose mother was Vidgis the mistress of Vidar whose father was Odin. Furey was so big and strong that their was hardly a man like him. When he was still a youth he decided to become a Viking and went raiding with many other powerful men from his lands. There was a man named Thorvald, who had a daughter named Asgerd. Thorvald became very good friends with Furey. And they raided together many times and met many kings and high borne men. They became very wealthy and won great honor in all lands they visited.

2.

One day after having been Vikings for many years and having raided many lands, Furey and Thorvald were carrying some of their riches to their ships. They saw a very old man come over a hill to the east of them. The old man walked over to Furey and Thorvald and told them things of him self, he had one eye and called himself Hrani. He told them that their luck had run out and that all their battles from that time on would go poorly. Thorvald laughed at him and said " Wretched fool! Know not your place?". Thorvald then preceded to push the Old Man aside, however the old man suddenly became as smoke and was gone. Furey gave Thorvald a very stern look "I think your actions were very poor ones indeed friend, but it is too late to amend that which you have broken. For before us was none other then Odin of the One Eye". They decided that after they finished loading their ship that they would take all the wealth they had gained and return home, not wanting to test the warnings of Odin. As they neared their boat a huge host of men ambushed them from all sides. Furey and Thorvald quickly armed themselves and parried the first blows. Furey estimated that there were at least 50 men their, for every four Furey and Thorvald cut down eight more would take their place. Three men charged Thorvald at once, Thorvald parried the first and impaled the second however both hands busy he was forced to use his own arm to shield the blow from the third man. A moment later his entire left arm was severed. Furey was also being overwhelmed, however none of his enemies swords would bite. Leaving many of Furey's bones shattered by the force of the sword blows, but no blood shed. Thorvald suffering another blow to his shoulder turned to Furey, "This battle does indeed go badly. But now by the power of Odin I call unto the gods of Asgard for strength. It is late in life to take of the ways of the beserker. But just early enough in death". Thorvald's eyes turned red and his mouth foamed as he made a huge and formidable roar. He took Furey with his one good arm and threw him so hard that he flew out of the field of battle. The sky suddenly went dark and rain fell to the earth. Furey looked up at the men fighting and it seemed that every time his heart beat two or three of the men attacking would fall by Thorvald's sword. Quickly the huge crowd of men that surrounded Thorvald diminished so that after but a few minutes Thorvald was the only one to remain standing. Furey ran quickly to Thorvald's aid, seeing Thorvald's balance fail, took him up in his arms and looked him over, Thorvald had no ears left to hear with nor any eyes of which to see with, his face was covered in blood, not all his own. There was nothing left of his left arm or even most of his left shoulder. Many times his body had been impaled. And still Thorvald fought, no longer worldly foes, but the Valkyries of Odin were tugging upon his soul to bring to Valhalla. As the strength of his soul also began to give he said to his friend Furey " I go now to fight for the gods, my place in heaven won. But you who remain here, heed Odin's warning and take up the sword no more. Go back now and take my daughter Asgerd as your wife, this is my final wish". And so Thorvald died and Furey was greatly saddened and was determined to do all that Thorvald has asked.

And so after many weeks at sea Furey finally returned to his homeland, a kingdom known as Rjeitland and married Asgerd. Asgerd bore him two sons, the first of which was named Jam who took after Thorvald in many ways and the second son born was Cypher who was very much like Furey and was Furey's favorite as well. Soon after Cypher's birth Asgerd fell ill and took to the bed, not long after she died and was mourned by all who knew her. Rjeitland then became increasingly hard for Furey to live in because of harsh rule of King Aldis and so Furey took his family to a lesser known Island called Froya. There Jam and Cypher did much growing and their true natures began to be seen. Jam was strong and wise while as Cypher was swift and arrogent. They lived and grew up in Froya very richly and never suffered for lack of want. Furey taught his sons the sacred runes and also the words and stories of Odin so that they would never forget them. In their youth Jam and Cypher always competed against each other. Jam usually won and humilated Cypher. As they grew older Jam became more and more intrested in taking leave of his father's land and earning riches and fame elsewhere. Cypher's ambitions were to go raiding like his father and then return to look after their land in Froya.

3.

One day while working in the fields Furey saw Jam slacking off.

"Why is it that your brother Cypher, does the work for two?"

Jam replied to Furey "Cypher does the work of two slaves, I am not a slave and I will not do a slaves chore".

Furey walked up to him angrily "I have done poor I see now, to have raised you in wealth. You would have been a better son if you we're raised a bastard by a mistress with no nose".

"I don't know father, you didn't turn out all that great".

Seeing the challange where it was Furey reached for his sword and Jam did the same.

"I'd do the gods a favor to cut your tounge, you are without honor" Furey spit at Jam and then advanced with his sword. After a fair bit of swordplay Furey sliced Jam's ear off. Forever since Jam was known as Jam One-Eared.

"You are as worthless with the blade as you are with the work, go now from my lands and I hope you shall never return." Furey gave Jam one day to make ready his belongings and take leave of Furey's lands.

Jam took all his things of worth and made his way north, past Norway and Finmark and Lappland and of all things yet known to man. He occasionaly met up with a tribe of Laps whom he exchanged supplies with and restocked. There is little of worth to mention of his travels until 6 months later after hard bitten travel, Jam suddenly stumbled upon the Great Sea. Legends told of a sea far to the north that none have ever crossed and those that tried never returned. He explored the coast for miles around untill he knew his destiny lay further north and set out to pass the Great Sea. He gathered his tools and and went to work on local trees and all things he could find to make a ship from. After a week of hard work he made a ship most sea worthy. Once completed he took it out upon the water, prayed to Aegir and sailed Northward. After a few weeks in the sea it became colder and his supplies ran thin. He did what he could to keep warm and make his supplies last longer. Eventully he used up the last of his food and drink stores. Not long after his last bit of food and water ran out, he could feel his blood freezeing and fell unconcious. As he slept with death closing in on him, he struck ground. He awoke hours later in the land of Snestorm, a huge island of many climates and many people. He gathered what he could salvage from the boat and began exploring the island. He knew that this land was where his travels would take an end and where his true fate could begin. He set out to build his home here and make this land his kingdom. He made his way the center of the Island where the Well of Kvasir stood. Jam decided this was the most favorable of places to build a farmstead and inlisted in the help of some locals to help him build a farm.

4.

Jam increased his wealth, and honor by doing many favorable deeds for the native people. He solved many disputes and won great fame by most of his neighbors. However there was one whom had no love for Jam One-Eared. Kappestrid was the previous chieftain of the people and did not like the intrusion on his territory and power. At an anual feast held in Jam's Hall they met.

"You come in here with your foreign ways and foreign beliefs and make yourself king over us, this will not stand!" growled Kappestrid.

"You are a weak fool. These people are no longer yours, you are worthless and would do these people better if you used youself for cattle food" Jam said sternly to Kappestrid's face.

"You talk big, but what happend to your ear? Your Man-Lover accidently bite it off?" Kappestrid laughed at him.

The worst insult to any man of honor is unmanly behavior. Jam would not stand for this and struck Kappestrid, then pulled his sword from his sheath and cut off Kappestrid's ear, but halted his attack. For there were too many people and Kappestrid still had too much power to kill outright. And those are the only events of worth that happend at the feast. Kappestrid brooded over those happenings for many days before he finally resloved to kill Jam and all that worked in his household. He called upon on his kinsman and told them all to meet at his home. A few nights later after much planning they set out to Jam's, all together there were of 15 of them. They reached Jam's farm late in the night, Jam and most of the servernts in the household were asleep. But Tjener, the most loyal and loved of all Jam's servants, heard their approach and awoke Jam and the others. Kappestrid and his men surronded the estate and lit it on fire.

Kappestrid called in to the home "These lands are our own and your kind shall not prosper in them. Good bye fool!"

The men of Jam's household armed themselves and seeing the building on fire decided to all rush out one exit and those who survived would fight free. As the 9 men of Jam's household and Jam himself rushed through the door, there were two men from Kappestrid's company who were guarding it cut them down before they had a chance to strike. When Tjener was pushing through he ducked the guards attack and stabbed them both. Tjener, Jam and one other known as Anden were all who made it outside. Kappestrid called upon his remaining 12 men to attack charge them. Four men ran to engage Anden, they sliced with such swiftness that before Anden had a chance to lift his sword in defense his left arm was cut clean off and he was impaled twice. However he did not plan on disappointing his master and called upon the last vestiges of his strength to cut all 4 of the mens heads off with one swing. Anden then collapsed dead. Another 4 then attacked Tjener who held them back blow for blow and hit for hit, it seemed as though the swords of the men of Kappestrid's party would not bite, while every time Tjener swung his sword it would bite deep in to all who were in its path. One after the other each of the men fell, before long Tjener stood surrounded by their 4 dead bodies, but Tjener had taken damaged and was exhausted and collapsed upon the bodies and could not move for a day. Kappestrid gathered up his remaining 4 men and went for Jam.

"Your time has come, and your luck run out. Your home burns and you have none to defend you. Not even your precious honor can protect you now" Kappestrid hollered as he and his men made way for Jam. Surprisingly Jam kept all 4 of them at bay with the excellent swordsmanship he had learned from his father. They swapped blows long and hard but neither side gained for a very long time. The men of Kappestrid grew tired and their swords weak. It seemed as if Jam was possessed and could never run out of energy. Jam made a holler so loud that the swords of Kappestrid and his men splintered and in the confusion they slit each others throats with their daggers. Only Kappestrid still stood, but he being so frightened by Jam's yell was filled with cowardice and ran. Jam pursued him and threw his sword, which impaled and killed Kappestrid. With Kappestrid and all his kinsman dead this ends any trouble Jam may have had with the natives of Snestorm. The next day his friends came and tended Tjener's wounds and helped rebuild the farm of Jam. Jam also was given all of Kappestrid's possessions including his farm and servants as well. And Jams wealth doubled.

5.

Jam continued to do well for the community and was loved and respected by all. Not long after, he became a great and powerful chieftain, all the land in his realm was called Jamgard. And so he led and ran Jamgard for many years and it became a most peaceful and prosperous place. As the years passed he started to long for stories of the lands and families he left behind, he was curious to know the happenings of his father and brother. He decided to go back to Froya and visit his kinsmen, but when he informed the people of Jamgard of this decision they thought it very bad and they feared for him and did not wish him to leave them. And so he stayed but sent his strongest and most loyal servant, Tjener in his stead. He instructed Tjener return to his home in Froya and collect news of the happenings in that land. He drew up a map for Tjener and described his brother and father for him. Then he gathered up all the many best supplies the land of Jamgard had to offer and equipped Tjener's ship with them as to insure a successful voyage. They waited until spring and sent Tjener on his voyage. Tjener eventually retraced the footsteps of his master and all the trails back to Froya where he found him self at Furey's farm. Furey was in his bed stricken with age both deaf and blind, unable to help Tjener. Tjener then went searching the fields around for others. Meanwhile Cypher was tending the cattle, and heard Tjener's approach. Their had been a local thief who kept stealing Cypher's cattle. He believed the thief had returned and armed himself. He knew the land well and managed to get behind Tjener, where he stalked him for a bit and when he felt the timing perfect assaulted Tjener from behind, severing his leg and cutting his stomach so that his intestines were upon the ground. In a frenzy he lifted up his sword to make the killing blow but stopped when Tjener spoke " You dishonor your self and your family by attacking the unarmed in your own home, a curse upon your self you have placed and no end good or honorable will you find. But still I am the loyal servant of your Brother and he seeks news of this place. Go unto him in the lands past those of the north, and tell him of these tidings. Perhaps then you may redeem your self in the eyes of the gods". And so Tjener died as did Furey, a week later by an illness from the south winds. Cypher mourned the death of his father whom he loved dearly. He didn't know what he would do with his father gone and him alone with no other known living kinsman then his brother. And he had no idea how to find his brother for he had killed Tjener. But there were certain burial certain traditions Cypher needed to attend too and so he prepared Tjener for burial at sea. Just as he was about to take Tjener's body out to the ocean, he noticed something in Tjener's pocket hanging out a bit. It was the map Jam had written up for Tjener. Cypher considered this and decided to search out his brother and find some stability in that land. He got all the things of worth and need he could gather and wrapped Tjener's corpse in some of his finer clothes and began his own journey to Snestorm. After many months of travel carefully following the maps directions he found him self at the Great Sea. He walked miles along the coast and found where Tjener's boat still lie. He fixed it up and made it again sea worthy and crossed the treacherous sea only by the grace of Aegir. A few weeks out to sea he spotted land and made way for it, he had found Snestorm. The men of Snestorm knew his boat to be Tjener's and greeted him warmly, offering all they had as his. He wintered in the farm of Piccilo a local fisherman outside of Jamgard and they became great friends. They had many things in common and spoke of many tales. The Winter seemed to have gone by quickly that year. When spring came Cypher made ready to out again and seek his brother, Piccilo offered to accompany Cypher with 15 men to Jamgard. Cypher accepted and so again he traveled northwards. They passed many farmers and settlements, but for the most part the trip went with out incident or adventure. Soon he had made it to the outskirts of Jamgard where a few of Jam's men led the band the rest of the way to Jam's Hall. Excited, Jam met with them and they exchanged greetings and there was great warmth between them. Jam invited Piccilo and all his men to stay within his household and received great honor for it. That night they feasted and drank and there was much merriness. Jam and Cypher talked.

"Cypher where is Tjener? Did he stay behind to care for Furey while you came to visit?" Jam inquired.

Cypher hesitated " Furey died of illness, his soul is with Hel now. Tjener accompanied me on the way back to this land, but he began to wander and I warned him not to. One day I found him spralled upon the ground, he must have offended some warrior. But I brought his remains so that a proper burial may he get".

Jam was angered by these events, "You have done well brother, to bring him back here. It must have been a great warrior to smite him down, or one who attacked without honor."

And so they retired for the night in Jam's hall and most men slept very well for there had been much to eat and drink at the feast. But Jam was having troubles and felt restless. When he did manage to fall asleep Tjener visited his dreams and said these words "Oh master I obeyed your command and returned to the home of your kinsmen, but I was attacked while undefended by your brother, and killed. He has spoken lies and tainted the honor of your linage. If you think this dream false, then check my hands for they hold the truth".

Jam awoke troubled by these dreams and went out when it was still not yet morning to check the body of Tjener. And sure enough he found what was described to him in Tjener's hand. He then waited a few hours for his brother to awake and come.

Cypher couldn't find Jam anywhere in his hall and went to check Tjener's body where Jam was waiting for him.

Jam looked up and spoke "Oh brother I was just praying to Odin for Tjener's life back but it seems I will go unheard. I wish to put this, his sword, with him to the afterlife. So open up his hands for me to place it in them."

Cypher did as his brother asked exposing a torn and bloody piece of cape that matched the one Cypher was currently wearing. Jam spoke up "What's that Brother? Its your cape..how could it had gotten there. You must have been present at his murder...did you watch him die at the hands of another and do nothing to help??" Jam glared angrily at Cypher.

Cypher regained his powers to speak after the shock of being found out subsided "Forgive me brother I thought he was a thief. He did not announce himself. I realized too late. I'm sorry brother".

Jam's eyes suddenly filled with rage "You have lied and shown no honor, the gods will not be kind and this will not end well, if you were anyone but my kinsman then I would kill you where you stand. However your are my kinsman and now we both must live with the curse you put upon your self. I will give you a farm at the edge of Jamgard with some servants, perhaps if you pay the kinsmen of Tjener compensation and careful to be honorable and hold no greed or want over any other man. You may one day regain your honor. Leave me now before I change my mind about your judgment".

And so Cypher and Piccilo with their men left Jam's hall and set out to the farm Jam had spoken of. It was a four day walk to the farm and it looked unkept and dilapidated, It was a most ill grassing ground for cattle and very little grew, but Cypher did what he could with it. Piccilo and his men helped and stayed for a week, but their farms needed tending as well and so Piccilo and his men left under good terms. Cypher always felt cheated for getting such a poor farm.

6.

As Years passed Piccilo and Cypher grew closer still. Cypher married one of Piccilo's daughters named Datter, who bore Cypher a son Raisltin, whom he let Piccilo bring up as a his Foster son. Cypher also had the sons Den, Toer and Og. For many seasons all went well. But Cypher never followed the council of his brother and never payed compensation for the death of Tjener to Tjener's kinsman.

7.

There was a man named Voldom The Freedman, who was the son of Tjener and a daughter of Jam One-Eyed but raised by his his uncle was also named Voldom. Tjener was the pride of the family and was also loved very dearly by his uncle and son. When news reached them of his demise and his dishonorable death they were enraged and moved to action. Voldom was a lowly servant in Jam's house and had to little sway over other men. But Voldom The Freedman was the grandson of Jam and held great power and had 10 men to do his bidding. And so Voldom, Voldom The Freedman and 10 lesser men set out to avenge the death of Tjener in the midst of winter.

Cypher and his family were weathering one of the most server winters they had yet seen. They would stay inside for days at a time, grateful for the large food storage they had saved up that year. But as the winter wore on the fire wood began dwindling. Soon there was no fire wood left and they were forced to burn chairs. Seeing the heat would not last much longer Cypher went out to cut and gather fire wood. Datter awoke from from a terrible nightmare while Cypher was away and knew evil things were about to take place. She quickly armed her young sons with short swords and took up an axe for herself.

Voldom The Freedman came upon Cypher's house. It being late in the night he decided to try and sneak in and kill Cypher and his family as they slept. With Voldom in the lead with Voldom The Freedam and the 10 lesser men behind they crept in to the Hall of Cypher. Suddenly Voldom The Freedman saw his uncle Voldom's head get sliced clean off and roll to the floor. Voldom The Freedman rushed ahead to see a bloody Datter swing an axe at him, he ducked her blow and cut her deep in to the chest, she fell down dead. Voldom the Freedman continued on with his men when they were ambushed from a poorly lit hall by three boys, the oldest not yet 12. Using the ambush to their advantage the children managed to cut down three of Voldom's men and then Den gave Voldom The Freedman a bloody wound. Voldom turned and cut the child down as the other two fell as well. Voldom The Freedman and his men searched the rest of the house but they could not find any signs of Cypher. Voldom's wound started burning and so deciding that killing of Cypher's family being enough vengence for now took his men and road home. His wound became infected and he died not long after returning home.

The next day Cypher returned home to find it sacked and his family all murdered. His anger was unlike any that he had previously known and he took up his weapons and followed the bloody trail the attackers had left behind.

The seven men of Voldmon were burying there dead leaders when a crazed Cypher rushed them from behind. Before they had time to react Cypher had cut two of them down. Raising their swords against Cypher did little to help their fate for again another two had fallen by Cypher's hand. The last three, seeing the fate of their comrads began fleeing. Cypher followed and one by one each man fell. Cypher seeing none left alive decided honor had been served and went home. Where he lived alone and grew bitter of the world.

8.

Cypher was never quite the same and became rather difficult for many to deal with. He also was a great problem for many of the neighboring farms, he would let his cattle graze on their lands and would steal and kill some of their own cattle. The farmers feared to tell this to Jam, who was their chieftain, of the crimes of Cypher. And so Cypher's evil doings continued unchecked. Cypher envied his brother and his hatred grew with each passing year as did his influence with some of the lesser men of society. One day he declared his land, Piccilo's land and all those who would join them, his own and he himself chieftain of it all. Word spread quickly and there was much fear and confusion by these events. By now Jam was beginning to age and become feeble, while his people were also weak from lack of experience fighting and they could not yet purge Cypher from their lands. And so for months Cypher and his minions raided and did much damage to Jamgard unchallenged. But Jam had a son Kejser, who was able bodied and of sound mind. And he heeded to the call of his people. He gathered up a host of the men of the realm and began training and teaching them the things of his fathers land. He armed them with weapons and armor of that lands design as well. Eventually a powerful and mighty band was made ready. When Kejser felt the time was right, he massed a number of 30 men and made way for Cypher's hall. Nothing more is told of their journey until they saw the Hall of Cypher in the distance, Once they reached his hall the found it empty save two guards whom they easily disposed of. They then burned and sacked many buildings. After the hall was well burnt Kejser looked about him and taking notice of several tall tress nearby, He had his men climb in to the trees and prepare an ambush for when Cypher and his men returned. Meanwhile, Cypher was just returning from a successful raid upon a Jamgard farm with 2 new slave girls a pound of silver and much food to feast on. He was accompanied by 10 men and Piccilo. He reached his hall and found it ablaze with all surrounding areas sacked and burned as well. He and his men armed themselves and started making way for Piccilo's farm when they were ambushed. Kejser and his 30 men poured out of a the surrounding forest and made fight with the men of Cypher. Two of Cyphers men ran right up to Kejser with their swords raised, Kejser cut them both in half through the stomachs, Cypher chopped down three of Kejser's men, but also was wounded in the arm. Cypher called for the rest of his men to charge the main body of Kejser's band, while he and Piccilo fled the field and left the realm of Jamgard.

Kejser and his men slaughtered the remainder of Cypher's party, Kejser having not been injured and only lost five of his own men thought it had gone well.

"My Uncle has shown his true cowardice and we have lost more then five good men tonight, send word to my father Jamgard is again whole." Kejeser announced to his men, And then looking about picked out his two best warriors and spoke again "Two of you come with me to insure Cypher will not escape this time with his life as well." And so Kejser and two faithful followers went after the path Piccilo and Cypher had taken, as the rest of the band returned to Jam's hall.

After fleeing for much of the night Cypher stoped Piccilo "I must finish this with my brother, return to your hall gather our forces and watch after my son, good bye friend" And so Cypher then took a different trail towards Jam's hall while Piccilo continued homeward. Not long after that Kejser and his men reached that very location, expert trackers they were. They saw the trails separate and were unsure what to do next.

"Quickly find a cock or other livestock, hurry!" Shouted Kejser.

His man searched the area and found two plump cocks from a local farm and presented them before Kejser. "Now kneel down and slit their throats, they will be offered to Odin so that he may show us the way to Cypher". And so the cocks were sacrificed and Kejser spoke in a language from the lands his father left behind. After waiting for a few minutes a dark mist appeared and the wind picked up and soon one of the trails could no longer be seen and so Kejser and his men knew to take the one they could still see. It was in to the early morning hours when Cypher reached Jam's hall, he effortlessly slaied the Halls few guards, most of the fighting men still had yet to return from the nights events. He approached Jam's bed but found Jam already awakened by some of his Slave girls. Jam was still old and undefended, but a fierce warrior. Cypher had no use in his left arm but younger and stronger and with a dagger. Jam closed in on him "You worthless child, you know nothing of honor and the ways of a Warrior, I pray Hel has little mercy on your wretched soul. You have acted badly in all things and all council's you have ignored. Your curse will be your blood lines curse, and gods are not merciful". Cypher leaped at Jam but Jam deflected him and caused him to fall upon the floor and break his nose, Cypher had no words for his brother only hatred. And so Cypher again stood and sliced at Jam, whom did as he could to block the blows but the dagger met its mark more then a few times and Jam fell. Cypher was on top of him in an instant and raised his dagger, but then stopped.

"No..I will not give you the honor of dieing in battle. You shall die an old man of sickness or age. Hel will have a special place for you." Cypher then knocked Jam out. Covered in his brothers blood Cypher stood up and made to leave the hall when suddenly Kejser entered and took in the seen before him thinking Jam dead. "May the gods be merciful to you, because I won't, venegnce shall be paid" Kejser yelled as he attacked at Cypher with his mighty sword. Cypher managed to block one hit with his dagger before being impaled and then decapitated by Kejser's rage. A few weeks later Jam died of infection and all of Jamgard mourned his death and went out with Kejser to bury him at sea. They designated Kejser their King and all was peaceful within the boarders of Jamgard since.

The Saga of House Dippity is one of the most famous works of Emperor Dane. It was written to describe the events leading up to the end of the traitor Eydreki, and also to chronicle heroes such as Puck the Vigilant and Havok. Below is the entire Saga of House Dippity:

The Saga of House Dippity
Chapter 1: The Death of a Lord By Emperor Dane the Proud

The shrill air blew in through the open window, adding an extra bit cold to the icy atmosphere. Grey clouds gloomily lumbered through the sky without worry or haste, they had all day to sulk. That they had chosen this day to block out the sun, was a poetic thing, a mirror to the moods of the royal compound. A constant reminder sent by the heavens that whispered easily the news of that day: The Lord of Dippity was dying.

Lord Harborg Deutschlandsøn of House Dippity, laid sickly in his bed. Over the last few weeks much had failed him, but his eyes were still strong, even now as only glowing embers remained of the fire that once burned so fiercely in them. With those same eyes he watched through his jarred window as the day progressed. The lands of Dippity had prospered under his rule, their territory expanded, their numbers grown, their past revered. The prosperity of his reign could be recognized even from his own window. The farmers farmed, his Knights trained, yes he had done well. It was now time for him to die well.

With the help of his aids he climbed out of bed and dressed in the battle regal of the Lord of Dippity. He donned the Helm of Saint Sanctifico the Conqueror, said to have been warn by the Saint as he stormed the highest tower of the Imperial Alliance's realm. Then his aids strapped on the Breastplate of Saint Loki the Savior, which had once been worn by Saint Loki himself when he was separated from the fleet during the Burning of the Æsir, the Ragnarok. And finally he harnessed his great sword known only as 'Hope', for which Saint Dippity The Scourge of Spies had used to smite many a foe during his time as Commander of Hopes Last Stand. The weight of his armor was difficult to bare, but he could feel the blessed value of each piece of armament filling his old bones with strength once more. Under his own power he stepped out of his room and into the Great Hall of the Keep of Lotlh, ancestral home of House Dippity. In attendance were the White Knights of Dippity, the assembled Earls of Dippity, and his very own son, Prince Eydreki.

"Friends, Loyal subjects, Nobles of Dippity-I am pleased you could make it here on this special day" Lord Harborg spoke. "Be merry, for today I am ready to die."On that somber note the liegemen of Dippity bowed humbly before their Lord.

"What do you intend to do oh great Lord?" Spake Eydreki, "You are arrayed in the arms of war? To what purpose?" Prince Eydreki noted that the other attendees were just as confused as he to strange undertaking of his father, Lord Harborg.

"My son." Lord Harborg began." I have lived well, and now I must die well. For how could I shame such a well lived life, by not providing for it a well earned death? "He smiled warmly to his perplexed offspring. " Which is why is why I must once more kiss the din of battle, and wave my sword high. One last gesture to the majesty of the Æsir, and I shall be forever rewarded after." His old eyes glanced over his audience.

"Sire, where do you intend to make battle?" asked Earl Puck the Vigilant, youthful uncle to Lord Harborg." Our realm is secure, we have no war to wage nor near enemies of which to strike." The others nodded gravely to this, some wondered if perhaps Lord Harborg's mental decline had been more severe than they had realized.

Lord Harborg noted the concern in their faces and shook his head,"While the boarders of House Dippity might be secure, the boarders of the Empire are in far more danger." He took a deep breath, finally ready to announce his intentions. "I plan to ride out to the blighted lands of the Asgard Warriors, to meet those traitors and bring down such ruin upon them as I can." He then added with a smirk,"And I intend not to return."

The room ruffled with shock. But Lord Harborg hardly noticed, for in the eyes of his son Eydreki, he saw the echos of a sick joy. Yes, Lord Harborg thought to himself, I will be happy to die.

The Keep of Lotlh, heart of House Dippity for as long as it had ever existed, first built by Saint DippityDog, it had been added upon and expanded as future generations of Lords moved into it's lofty halls. At the center of it was the Great Hall of Dippity, where the House council of Dippity made their congress. A booming voice disturbs these hallowed halls...

"We should ride with him!" Earl Puck the Vigilant raged at his audience, " He is our Lord, the leader of our House, we should not abandon him now!"

The other Earls regarded Puck with calm indifference.

"Earl Puck, the Council of Dippity has voted." Earl Asdorr, grand-naphew of Puck, Earl of family Bartleby said with a hint of annoyance, " even Lord Harborg himself asked that none of us ride with him! What more do you want?"

"I want to fight along side my Lord, and defend him as any Dippity should! "Puck roared, feeling cornered now by his uncaring peers.

"It is a fool's errand, if he wants to die and put the relics of House Dippity at risk, it's his own damn fault!" Earl Asdorr slammed his fist against the wooden wall, " There is nothing more to be said, the will of the council is final!"

Earl Puck watched as Asdorr stomped out of the chamber, with the other Earls following after him. His traditional ally, Earl Havok, only willing to offer him a knowing glance before shuffling after the others.

"If that's how they want it to be..then so be it." Earl Puck sighed and looked out the window at Lord Harborg's company as they prepared to leave.

Sigtryggr the Lucky laughed. It really was quite funny.

"So that feeble old fool intends to ride our here and..what? deal me a death blow as he falls in battle? Like some ancient hero? That is the funniest thing I've heard in a long while."

In a distant realm, far from any of land of Dippity, was the territory of the Asgard Warriors. A motley crew of sickly pirates, once loyal to the Empire, greed had driven then away from the teachings of the Æsir. They now operated in the squalid ruins of a wrecked Æsir castle. The reek of sewage was overpowering. Sigtryggr the Lucky, leader of the Asgard Warriors sat idly upon an over turned bucket set upon a rotten table. A high throne, of sorts. He watched his guest with little interest.

"And how many warriors will he bring?" asked Sigtryggr as he picked at his teeth," Surely the Earls will not back him in this quest?"

The hooded figure who stood before him slowly shook his head, and spoke in a hiss inaudible to anyone but Sigtryggr. "No...he will only set out with 9 of his best Knights. No Earl, or Knight of an Earl will be joining him. One way or another he plans to perish."

Sigtryggr nodded slowly at this information, "So what then oh mighty Prince, do you intend we do about this?"

The flicker of a smile could be noted from the shadows of the guests overflowing cloak, "With your help, he'll never reach his destination."

Sigtyrggr laughed.

Lord Harborg and his men had been riding for 2 weeks now, and they had another 2 weeks to go before they would reach the territory of the Asgard Warriors. The journey had been difficult on Lord Harborg, he could feel his grasp on life slipping away with each mile they trod. Sheer determination alone was all that kept his heart beating. They had just recently left the lush green lands of House Dippity, and were now trekking through the dark red lands of House Cammander. Their company of ten trudged on.

"Sire?" Called out his Knight-Commander, Aegileif. "Something ahead."

Lord Harborg snapped to attention and peered ahead, but what he saw were only blurs. "What is it Aegileif?!"

"There is a tree felled in our path up ahead" Aegileif then added. "It looks freshly cut, we should be on guard."

As the Knights approached the tree, they realized a hooded figure was leaning against it. They drew their swords and made a barrier between the figure and their Lord.

Knight-Commander Aegileif moved to the front of his men and called out,"Identify yourself stranger, you stand in the path of the White Knights of Dippity, loyal to his Lord Harborg, if you've not heard of us in this strange country know only this; for those who stand against us only desolation and ruin will comfort them, we stomp where evil sleeps, and where good dare not walk. We are the vindicators of justice and you have this one chance to be on your way. We will not ask again."

The Knights tensed for battle and Aegileif drew his sword. The figure did move and a pause lulled over the moment. Aegileif began to take a step forward when the figure began to clap.

"Very nice speech Aegileif, how very much like you," Prince Eydreki threw back his hood. "Long, overbearing, and melodramatic. Now where is my father! What kind of son lets his old man die alone?"

Aegileif and his men sheathed their weapons and stepped aside as Eydreki made his way to his father.

"My apologizes Prince Eydreki, had I known it was you I would have given you a more honorable greeting" Aegileif stammered.

Lord Harborg grimly acknowledged his son, and gripped his sword hilt tighter. "Why son, what are you doing out here all alone? So far from the warmth and safety of our realm?"

Eydreki still walking towards his father gestured to the lands around him with his arm, "Why father, I did not come alone. I brought a whole regiment of my guard to come and serve you in most glorious of battles!"

A creaking noise came from the surrounding forest and out came men, walking silently towards the White Knights of Dippity. The Soldiers of Eydreki were dressed in the same armor as all White Knights of Dippity wore. The Knights in Aegileif's company were relieved to see such stalwart allies and went out to meet them and ask of their passage there. Suddenly one of the Eydreki's men started to laugh.

"I'm so glad I found you, father." Eydreki embraced his father. "You'll never know how much this means to me."

The sound of sword and armor clashed in the distance as the men of Eydreki fell upon the unsuspecting White Knights of Dippity, their fiendish Asgard Warrior weapons ripping at the White Armor. Aegileif cut stabbed many times, fought on with his sword True-Fang, standing defiant against the hacking mass of traitors.

Eydreki slid his dagger deep into his father's side. He stepped away as his father collapsed to the floor, his helmet rolling to Eydreki's feet.

"Thanks dad." Eydreki smiled has he tried on blessed helmet. "It's about time you did something for me."

Lord Harborg lay there, his aging body bleeding out he pooled together what specs of energy he had left in his body and spoke one pained word.

"Hope". With that final effort Lord Harborg's body went lifeless, and the last thing his dying senses ever registered was laughter.

"The Lord of Dippity is dead, long live the Lord of Dippity" crackled Sigtryggr as he searched the pockets of dead White Knights.

"Yes indeed, dear friend. But we must make haste." Spoke the Lord of Dippity." We have much to do."

Chapter 2: The Vigilant

There was something calming about spilt blood. Knight-Commander Puck applied as much pressure as he could to the gashed arm, but still blood seeped out of it. He let the feeling of calm go through him, bring him back from the point of panic and back into the mindset of a White Knight of Dippity. His eyes flashed above the mound he'd thrown himself behind. In the distance he could make out the general shapes of his pursuers. His mind reeled, how did this happen, how could this happen. He had known that many members had been disappearing recently. But a gang of traitors operating in their own land? This was impossible, this was worse than he could have imagined. Puck had to get back to the Barracks. Puck waited for what seemed like hours as the men chasing him searched around the forest. Finally they gave up and headed in the other direction. Puck heaved himself back to his feet, to fearful to use the dirt road, he limped through the forest in the direction of the Dippity Barracks. Hours passed. Puck had traversed miles in his sorry state. The forests of Dippity finally subsiding as he stumbled in the clearing of the farmsteads of Dippity. The first beams of light were dancing on the horizon as if teasing the night sky. The amount of blood Puck lost was extensive, he could feel himself losing his grip on consciousness. He had not much further to go, he had to warn the others. It was so close. He couldn't give up. It was his duty. His duty. His du....

Puck woke up. Instinctively he reached for his sword, only to find nothing there. It took a moment for Puck to get his bearings, when he finally realized he was in the barracks. He had made it. The Barracks had been built generations before, to house the Bezerkers of Lotlh. It was made of solid oak, felled by the axes of those distant warriors. The building itself could house as many as 50 Knights comfortably, however in these difficult times. There were maybe a dozen knights that called it home. "Hello?!" Puck croaked, surprised by how weak his voice was. "Is anyone here? Lithsvaldr? Harborg? Raudsigr my son? Hello?" Puck heard movement from the far end of the Barracks, followed by creaking footsteps. He sat up, painfully, just as Lord Deutcshland strutted into view. Lord Deutcsland, older brother to Puck was a Dippity of the old order. His chiseled face with features strikingly similar to Saint Sanctifico's, he carried himself with a regal presence that allowed any passerby to distinguish him as the Lord he was. He was in full suit of armor, as if was about to leap onto a horse and ride into battle. "Ah, Knight-Commander Puck! "He exclaimed. "You had me worried there for a time" "Sire?" "You took a nasty cut to the arm, you were lucky I found you when I did. You were bleeding out all over the place" The Lord of Dippity offered Puck a slice of bread and some cheese was carrying and put a cut beside Puck's bed. Puck took the bread and ate it hungrily as Lord Deutshcland watched with concern. "Knight-Commander, what happened?" Puck put the bread down, suddenly ashamed he had so completely forgot his purpose. "Lord, there is a band of Traitors operating in Dippity territory. I fear they have infiltrated some of our institutions." The Lord was taken aback by this news. "This isn't good, not at all Knight-Commander" The Lord began to pace, as Puck watched inquisitively. "My Lord, we should at once mount an expedition. If all the White Knights of Dippity took part in it we should surely be able to overpower them." Lord Deutschland shook his head slowly, and held his head low. "I am sorry Knight-Commander, but word arrived last night that the Empire was in need of all available men. The Capitol is under siege. We were making ready to ride out when I came across you, not two hundred yards from the Barracks. "Th-The Capitol sir?" "I'm afraid so, the orders were signed by the Emperor himself." Puck looked out the window, and realized for the first time that all the White Knights of Dippity were mounted up and waiting for their Lord to accompany them on the long journey to the heart of the Empire. "But..our lands are also being laid waste. Is there not something you can do?" Lord Deutschland gathered his things and nodded to Puck. "There is one thing I can do. I am leaving you here, you are too weak to travel anyways. Take your Squire, your son Raudsigr. And try to hold the traitors off as long as you can, Knight-Commander." The Lord of Dippity opened the door. "We'll be as fast as we can. Do what you can" And with that last gesture of nobility, the Lord Saluted the Knight-Commander, and left the barracks to accompany his men. Puck watched as the Lord saddled upon his white stallion, and the cloud of dust that followed as the Knights road north word. Puck went back to eating his much needed meal.

Raudsigr breathed a sigh of relief. Finally they were gone. He hated those old Knights, even his father Puck. Always forcing their rules and laws on him. Making him do things he didn't want to do. He was 14 now, old enough to make his own choices. Raudsigr, like his father stood at a medium height, with a slight build. Built just his grandfather Saint Loki, Raudsigr's eyes burned an amber color unlike any other member of his House. He had watched the Knights storm off from his perch on roof of the Barracks. Which he was often told not to sit upon. Giving him all the more reason to sit there. "Raudsigr!" A voice called from below. "Raudsigr! I need you!" Raudsigr slowly climbed down from spot, scampering down the side of the Barracks. "Coming father." Raudsigr called back, with more than a hint of annoyance in his voice. Puck who was still unsteady and weak from his trials the night before slowly made his way to Raudsigr. As Puck approached Raudsigr a look of complete loss came across Puck's face. He reached his arm out and placed it on Raudsigr's shoulder, both to steady himself and reinforce himself for what was about to come. "Son." Puck began." I followed you last night." Raudsigr's expression turned from one of boredom to rage. "You followed me?!" He yelled. "What gives you the right to follow me!" Puck saw the anger in his sons eyes and carefully chose his next words. "I was worried. I knew you were up to something. I saw your friends" Raudsigr now infuriated knocked Pucks hand away, almost causing the injured Knight-Commander lose his balance. "You had no right!" Raudsigr stormed. "No right whatsoever!" After taking a moment to steady himself Puck again spoke slowly and calmly. "Raudsigr, they are bad people. You should not be seeing them. They wish for only calamity and harm upon all of us. They don't look to build, they only look to tare down." Puck tensed up in preparation for another verbal onslaught from his son. "You don't know them!" cried Raudsigr. "You don't know me! You and your rules! Say Sir Raudsigr, salute fellow members Raudsigr! Drill in the morning Raudsigr! I'm sick of it! They don't tell me what to do! They don't make me do anything! They understand me!!" Puck sensing that he was losing him reached out him once more, "No Raudsigr, they attacked me. They don't care abo..." "No! Stop telling me what to do! I am done with you! I am done with this" "Son..." "No!" With that Raudsigr pushed Puck, who fell into the waiting dirt and mud. "I hate you!" Raudsigr yelled. He than ran off into the forest as Puck lay in the on his back in pain, an inch deep in mud.

Puck laid in the mud for a good while, still trying to make sense of what he just witnessed. He'd done his best to raise Raudsigr right, in the glory of House Dippity. He didn't know where he had gone so wrong. Puck sighed, something he found himself doing more and more these days. And slowly, carefully, picked his hurting body up out of the mud. Standing once more he brushed some of the larger pieces of mud off of him and limped back into the barracks.

Puck didn't know what to do. He was hurting bad, he was badly outnumbered. and now his own son had joined the traitorous members. There was nothing he could do against so many. The best he could come up with was a defensive action. He decided he would only worry about the Keep of Lotlh, protecting the Great Hall of Dippity and the relics held within. Puck placed on his armor of White Knights. His Ivory colored breastplate and helmet still shined, despite the adventures of night before. With the Coat of Arms of Dippity easily identifiable on each of them. He dressed with care, for he still ached fiercely, ending with the strapping on of his sword. Armed, he stepped out in dwindling sunshine. He didn't feel quite up to riding, so he started walking down the path that led to the Keep of Lotlh. Fully alert, for he was all alone now. He made his way to the Keep of Lotlh.

It smelt like smoke. Puck opened his eyes. Puck knew it was infact smoke he tasted on his lips. It wasn't the time of year for fires. He had been nestled into one of the seats within the Keep of Lotlh, where had fallen asleep. He wasn't sure what time it was, only that it was night still. Puck got to his feet and took a quick look over the Hall, to be certain nothing was amiss. Secure that everything was as it should be, Puck stepped outside into the warm night and began looking for evidence of a fire. And evidence he found. A massive flame burned deep into the sky to the east. The fire had enveloped the entire wooden building, spewing ashes and burnt pieces of wood in all directions. Puck mused that the burning building had quantity of beautiful to it, the way the flames danced upon it's collapsing roof. He abandoned such thoughts when he realized what on fire. The Dippity Barracks. His fist clenched, his home was burning. He could tell the fire was so far along that there would be no hope in saving it. He also grimly noted that other nearby buildings had been set flame as well. Puck had to fight down the urge to rush out there and try to save something. He knew that if he left the Keep undefended, that it would be next. And he could not bare being responsible for that. So Puck stood his ground, and watched as his world burned down. Puck had always been a loyal Knight, a proud member of House Dippity. He had done that which was asked of him, and had always performed admirably in his duties. But as he watched his home burn down, something clicked in side of him. Some reserve of anger and outrage that had been held back by the dam of his training and calm, had been breached. The swirling waters of his rage at last freed poured down into his soul and filled him one single purpose. Revenge. He swore under his breath as he kept his vigil over the Keep of Lotlh, he would have his revenge.

Morning did not come easily. The night had been a long one. Wary of attempts on the Keep Puck had stayed awake and firm throughout all of it. He was tired and he was sore. But those trivial things would not slow him down. It was day time now, his element. He made his way to the armory of Dippity within the Keep. Looking over the many weapons that were laid available to him, he decided to keep it simple. He armed himself with a spear, 3 throwing axes, and a dagger, as well as retaining his sword. After he felt adequately armed. He headed towards the entrance. He barricaded the door to the Keep, so that while he was gone no one could easily enter it. Trudging through the thin film of soot and ash that now blanketed the landscape, he made his way to the stables. While the company of Knights had taken most of the horses, the horses that had remained were all stabled at the barracks. And those were gone now. So Puck harnessed a mule.

The morning sun was shining brightly, the day was clear and the weather warm. The butterflies flew, the bees buzzed, the birds sung, and Knight-Commander Puck, son of Saint Loki the Savior was out for blood. He knew where they camped out. He had discovered it that frantic night that seemed so long ago, but just been a day before. He road for hours without pause, as a cool determination led him towards eminent battle. Once he had ridden past all of the settlements of House Dippity, and was deep in the forest that surrounded his land. He dismounted from his steed. He knew he was close. He tied up his mule, and pressed deeper into the forest. He trekked through it for another hour before at last he came upon the enemy encampment. As he kneeled behind a bush, he pressed the leaves aside to get a better view of his enemies hold. It was a clearing with three large tents, a fire pit in between them, and some animals tied to nearby trees. He knew what he was going to do. He stealthily made his way into the center of the camp ground. The noise of wind rustling through the leaves drowned out his silent approach. Once he had made it to the fire pit, he was close enough to the tents to hear the snoring of his hated enemies. He put down his weapons, save his word, next to the fire pit. And then very quietly picked up the spear and stuck the edge of it into the fire. After a few moments his weapon was ablaze and he stood up with it as fire crackled on the edge of it. "If it's fire they want," Puck whispered to himself. "Then it's fire they get." And with those telling words, he hefted the mighty spear into one of the tents. He grabbed his remaining and weapons and followed the spear to the entrance of the tent he had hit. Fire quickly sprung out, up and along the flammable cloth. There was a great panic with in the tent as men ran over men and trampled each other to get to the exit. As each man popped his head of the burning, smoke filled tent. Puck calmly chopped it off with his sword. Those Puck didn't decapitate, burned to death. A fitting death Puck thought, as he turned his attention to the other tents. The action that had transpired at the first tent did not go unnoticed, as now armed men emerged from the other two tents to face Puck. One of the ones in the back Puck recognized as Raudsigr. Amongst the angry roars of the awakened crowd a large men took a step in front of the rest, their leader Puck assumed. "You murdered our friends in cold blood!" Screamed the leader. "You will rue this da..." Not waiting for the man to finish, Puck had heaved on of his throwing axes at the man. The axe had found a suitable location to land, wedged deep in the man's skull, he fell to the ground dead. "You burned my home down" Puck said quietly, to the assembled men. Without further pause 5 of the men, the most well armed, charged the Knight-Commander. Before they had taken more then two steps, Puck had let fly his remaining throwing axes, two of their number fell dead in their tracks. Puck hefted his shield and unsheathed his sword and met the remaining three men head on. Two of the men bore massive broadswords, meanwhile the third heaved battle axe with skill. The Three men struck at Puck in unison. Puck dodged the axe, parried one of the swords with his shield, and the other sword dipped deep into Pucks leg. Puck ignored the pain, too deep in the frenzy of battle now, and before the man who had cut his leg could lift his sword up again Puck forced his own blade right through the man's neck. Puck howled rage as he left his word there, too deep to pull out at the moment and blocked the other broadsword with his shield once more. He then ducked beneath the high swing of the axe and tackled the axe-wielder. The man dropped his axe as he fell under the weight of Puck's assault. Puck, despite his injury moved with a speed the others there had not witnessed before. Before the Broadsword wielder even realized what had happened to his ally, Puck lifted up his shield over fallen man and plunged it deep into his neck, not quite severing the head, but killing the man nonetheless. Puck then rolled over to where other man had died and pulled his sword from that man's neck. Ready to strike at the last fighter. However there was no one there. Puck's eyes searched, confused where the man had suddenly gone. Looking back at the main crowd, he realized everyone was now running, along with the fighter. Puck started to run after them, but the wound in his leg he could no longer ignore. The Knight-Commander doubted he'd see any them again, even his son. He frowned to himself. Puck suddenly felt very weak. His wound was far more serious then he had realized. He needed to get back to the settlement. He started heading back towards his mule, one agonizing step at a time. He could feel the darkness gathering around his eyes, stabbing at his vision like daggers. He had to stay awake, no one would be able to find him here. He wasn't sure for how long he had been walking, or if he was even going in the right direction. But at long last he came across his mule. He pulled himself on to it. Only to slump unconscious upon it's back moments later.

For the second time in far too little of time, Puck woke up without any clear idea where he was, or how he had got there. His leg ached as he slowly took in his surroundings. He was in a large, very comfortable bed. He could see marble pillars reaching down the length of the strange hall he was in. The ceiling was incredibly high. Adorned with golden trim, and House Dane Coats of Arms. He was in the Imperial Capitol, the Hall of Dane. He was so suprised that If he would have had the strength to sit up, he would have. That's when he noticed he was not alone. People were standing at either side of his bed. His eyes still blurry slowly focused on one of them. "Emperor!" Puck gasped. Standing next to his bed, in a long flowing orange blue cape, and the semi-cerimonial armor of the Emperor, was the Emperor Dane the Proud. Ruler of all that was WA. The Emperor had a timeless quality to him, as he had survived so many generations. Yet his eyes had the wild look of youth and mirth upon them, as though by force of soul alone he remained unchanged and yet changing. "Shh." Gently spoke the Emperor. "You have been through much my valiant Knight. You need not waste energy on formality." "The siege.." Said Puck, almost in a whisper. "A ruse. The message was forged, they only wanted to see the Knights gone so they could take over, unopposed." The Emperor Continued, " They weren't expecting any Knights to remain, their forged orders made it pretty clear all Knights were required here. And even with just you there, I doubt they thought it would be much of a problem." The Emperor beckoned to one of his servants who carried something over to him. "But you surprised them Puck. You remained vigilant and firm when your task was impossible. You refused to let them take the upper hand. You found out where they made camp and you defeated them. Truly you are a hero." Puck tried refute his heroics, but the Emperor would have none of it and silenced him. "From this day forth, you shall be known as Puck the Vigilant. Let no one who wishes harm against Empire or House ever feel safe or secure, no matter his superior number or strength, when he knows it is you he must contend with." The servant than stepped forward and removed the cloth from an ancient rune covered sword, it shined black. "I also wish to present you with this, the Sword of Cypher. Forged by Cypher's father Furey, it was passed on to him, and down their line to me. And now I give it to you. May it help you stay vigilant in even the darkest of times." Puck watched in awe as the servant set the sword next to the bed. "My skald's are already hard at work, writing your song, Puck the Vigilant. I hear the finished product will be most pleasing." The Emperor than turned to leave. "I'll send someone to sing it to you when it is finished. For now though dear Puck, rest. You've earned it." Puck numbly watched as the Emperor and his servant turned to leave. Puck looked at the ancient sword, and thought. The Vigilant.

Interlude: Snow Days

Earl Puck the Vigilant leaned his head against the window, his warm forehead kissing the cold glass. As he watched; pale colors danced and earthen tones were submerged by the deadening whirls of snow. He pressed his palm against the glass, feeling a kinship to the dismal display before him. Something was wrong. He watched the cloaked Herald dismount from his horse in the deep snow. The man's cape quivered and wavered in the swirling snow; a sharp contrast to his solid frame refusing the the harsh winds any leverage or hint of weakness. As he trudged on Puck became aware of his strikingly blue eyes glaring sullenly glaring out from the otherwise wrapped head. A House Dane envoy, Puck Thought. He didn't need to see a Coat of Arms to recognize that obvious genetic trait. The Envoy, the Herald of the Empire approached the door to the Family Puck Lodge, where Puck saw one of his servants usher the man in from the cold. Puck felt the cold air rush in, yet something else had already chilled his bones. Puck turned towards the entrance of his study and straightened up as the gruff footsteps of the seasoned Herald crept near. The man who entered was the size of a bear. Puck could tell he was the sort of man who normally would have carried impressive size with more than a hint of jubilant merriment. But this wasn't an occasion for that easy attitude. The man was stern and professional, his dark cloak wet and snow-harried with the faded House Dane insignia struggling to stand out against the bleakness. He saluted Puck and stood at attention. "Earl Puck the Vigilant, sir." he began," I am Arair, Knight of Dane. I come baring news; the bad sort I am afraid." From the moment he saw the man's horse in the distance, Puck knew what what the man would say, but that didn't relax any of the tension nor relieve the apprehension in his blood. "Sir." The Knight continued. "Lord Harborg was found dead deep within the lands of House Cammander. Eydreki will be crowned Lord in one week, you are to attend his coronation." Puck nodded to that, it was as much as he expected. But there was something about the way Arair was looking at him, almost like he was begging Puck to do something. "Ah, Arair. " Puck asked tentatively. "I was wondering." "Earl, sir?" "Has there been an investigation into the Lord's death?" "No sir, House Cammander simply relayed the message to the Capitol." He paused. "Sir, I don't think House Cammander really checked anything out. They have very little concern for House Dippity affairs." Puck agreed, in all his experience House Cammander was much too self possessed to have taken more than a passing interest in anything they weren't a part of. The Herald had given his message, and by all rights Puck should have dismissed him already, but Puck still felt there was something more the Knight wanted from him. Finally Puck just asked,"Is there something else?" Not wanting to beat around the bush. "Well Sir, this is a House Dippity matter, but I would like to be given your leave to investigate the matter on my own" "You think House Cammander might be hiding something?" "Sir, no sir. But I do feel they might have missed something" "Why's that?" "Sir, don't you find it odd that in Cammander territory, Lord Harborg's forces were ambushed and cut down so completely?" Puck found himself nodding again. "There had been something fishy about that" He realized the details of the event have been nagging at him. "With your leave sir?" There was something very trusting, Puck decided. About this Knight of Dane standing before him. "Let nothing deter you from finding the truth." The Knight bowed before the Earl and left as swiftly as he could. The Knight had much to do. "Men! "Puck called, "We must ready ourselves, we are expected at the Keep soon." Puck turned his attention back to the glossy hills and powdered snow that assaulted the once colorful world.

The Earldom of Puck, had seen better days. Seasons ago the first and so far last Knight-Commander of the Family had fallen in battle, defending the Empire in some far flung land. Varvarthr's children, Knights both of them, were also lost in that same battle. An entire branch of Puck's small family severed. Meanwhile, Puck's other son Raudsigr, had been lost so many years ago that most had even forgot he existed. The Earl made up for it by raising other Earldom's orphans of House Dippity as foster-children. But it still didn't fill in the many gaps that only his own flesh and blood could. Which is why when he set out for the Kepp of Lotlh, he could bring no more than one Knight with him. The two of them traveled through the snow packed hills and valleys, from the estates and lands of Puck's Earldom, to the center of all House Dippity territory, the ancient half-forgotten lands of the Lotlh. Even in these cursed times, Puck mused, things never seemed so bad as when he was a child. All those eras ago. Puck still remembered it vividly, it was a special time in the history of the Empire, a unique one. For Puck was born in the days of the Great Dark Age. When the Emperor had been sundered from his throne, and lost to all. An age of pretenders, civil war and strife. The dull constant snow began to fade away in Puck's mind, and instead gave way to ancient battles as they shimmered in his mind.

"He's resigned again." Loki cursed under his breath, as he stomped into the barracks. His imposing stature demanding all the attention in room. He wore a long brown trench coat, the very same one his father wore many years before. Underneath it was a uniform nearly as old, made during the first era of the Fleet, it still glistened with a shine of materials that had long ceased to be available, it even had a tired and torn name tag on it, which read "Mantis". He kicked a large chunk of a snow off his boots. "That damned Warrior" Loki continued. "He couldn't take the stress, he resigned as Fleet Admiral." Fleet Admiral? Puck thought, as he watched his father in wide eyed appreciation. He knew he'd read why the leader was called that, somewhere in his studies, he concentrated, if he was going to be an officer some day, he needed to know this. Ah, the Fleet. He remembered. Long ago the Warriors of Æsir had come from somewhere else, an exodus of sorts. He couldn't recall if they were actually fleeing a tangible enemy, or an ideology. But they had come all the same, to this new and promised land. Led always by the ancient Fleet Admiral, Dane. There had been something they had been protecting, a relic of dire importance. Alas, young Puck could only call to mind a blank on the nature of that relic. Yet he also knew his own kinsmen had been part of one specific vessel of that Fleet, the Lotlh. The Fleet was gone now, the Great IA war had claimed what was left of it. Though the ranks still remained. "Father" spoke up Deutschland, 2nd oldest son of Loki "Who will take over?" Loki shook his head, "I think for the moment Takaru is." Loki licked his lips and looked over many faces of his children who lived in the old Dippity Barracks. "But I fear Vidar is already vying for power, assembling his supporters." "What's so wrong with that, "Now spoke Glox, oldest and favorite son of Loki, "He is well liked, very active, and gifted with a very reasonable temperament." "Yeah, he's way more qualified than Takaru" Chimed in Lithsvaldr, who always had something to add. "Vidar is weak! "Loki growled back at them, quieting the hoard. "He is nothing more than a mouthpiece, a puppet of more sinister members." A hush fell over the children was they considered this, only was it broken when the inquisitive Havok spoke, Havok who was barely any older than Puck always had a way of cutting to the heart of things. "Who" Loki made face as though what he was about to say filled him with disgust. "Cammander" He forced the name out. "What are we going to do?" Glox asked. "Arm yourselves." Loki Answered. "Glox, Deutschland, Bartleby and Lithsvaldr. Get your gear, we're heading to the Capitol. Things are getting out of hand." As the older children scrambled to assemble their gear. Loki walked over to his own closet, opening it and heaving out his old Breastplate, made for him with metal from the Ship of Lotlh, it was his most precious artifact. He turned towards young Puck and Havok. "You two remain here, continue your studies." Loki glanced to the weapons the other children were gathering. "It will be too dangerous for either of you." Puck felt so small as he watched them leave that day, so naive and weak. He moved to window to watch them go. They road north on their horses through the hard falling snow, soon all Puck could see was the snow pelting the land, doing the best it could to remove all traces of his family from its domain.

"Earl?" A concerned voice sprang up. "Earl, sir, are you listening, is everything okay?" Puck looked around with mild shock. He'd been too long lost in thoughts. "Oh, yes Arnir, I'm sorry. My mind was elsewhere." "No problem sir, I was just saying. I think we should make camp up ahead, it's getting late and cold." "Make camp" Puck realized whole hours of passed. "Yes, yes. A good idea. Of course." Puck watched the soft white flakes dance in the breeze.

Chapter 3: Arrivals

Too many people were sad. This, Eydreki realized, would soon have to change. For how could he trust any of these people to be a part of his plans for House Dippity. If they all felt so bad for the old fool Harborg. and not the least bit overjoyed for the ascension of Eydreki. It was madness! Eydreki clenched his teeth, he wouldn't let them ruin HIS day! Let them wallow in their pity for his worthless father, for soon, Eydreki thought, yes soon, pity is all that they'll have. For the past three days there had been a steady progression of guests to the Keep of Lotlh. As each one of them stepped out of the cold frost-bitten lands of Dippity, they had been ushered into the Hall of Lotlh, where the future Lord Eydreki recieved them from the High Seat of Lotlh. After some formalities, the guests would be shown to their respective rooms by one of Eydreki's servants. Eydreki found the entire procession boring and tedious. He wanted power now. Eydreki considered the guests, not for the first time. House Cammander had sent a small delegation, led by Heir and sometimes Lord Eyvithr. While polite, House Cammander really didn't care to be here, and made it known as often as possible. Eydreki would have been happier if they didn't come at all. Then there was House Thief, Eydreki silently laughed to himself. In better days they would have sent an armed force to quietly, but sternly put forth their claim to the Lordship of Dippity. But these were not better times. The Heir of Thief had deserted his post and joined the growing traitor movement on the boarders of the Empire. The Lord of Thief himself, Skaldi the Kin-Slayer, had grown senile and remote. While in his youth he might have been one of the Emperor's most loyal and trusted men. He was now little more than a shadow, allowing his House to come down all around him. House Thief hadn't the resources to send a single man. House Blitzkrieg, was hardly worth mentioning. Eydreki didn't expect that House to even exist within a year. He smiled, one less House to worry about. Of his own House, all the Earls were expected to arrive, of course. Earl Havok, Asdorr and Sleipnir were already here. Just Puck had yet to show up. Eydreki feebly cracked his knuckles, as he noticed a distant black shape upon the horizon. That just left House Dane. He shuddered. He didn't know who they would send, but he hated them all the same. While the Emperor might have been formidable in his past, Eydreki was certain the old fool was degenerate now. He doubted the Emperor would even come. But that wasn't who he was worried about, he was certain he could play the Emperor like a fiddle. It was the Imperial Knight, Baron Ullr, that Eydreki feared. The blackness on the horizon's shape gradually sharpened has he approached the keep. As thought simply thinking about him, had brought him here. Eydreki bit his lip until he tasted copper. He knew it all along. The Emperor would send his errand boy, his dog, the Imperial Knight. Eydreki's lifeless eyes watched as figure dismounted from his horse and made slow purposeful steps towards the hall. The snow itself seemed to bend away from the towering Baron. Clad in Armor a measure darker than anything Eydreki had ever seen, save the Earl Puck's sword, the Imperial Knight was difficult to directly stare at, as if his armor gave off a fuzzy smoke that forced your eyes around him. His helmet covered his face entirely, black as the rest of his sleek armor, it had horns and jagged spikes upon it, the sort of thing that only added to the terror of his presence. Most disconcerting of all, was his eyes, if only because he nor anyone he's known had ever seen them. Hidden beneath this helmet you could never tell what held his gaze, what secrets he was guessing, conspiracy's he was humoring. Eydreki shifted uncomfortably in his seat. No this was not good at all, he thought. As Baron Ullr was led into his hall. "Baron Ullr here to see you." Eydreki's servant trembled. Ullr stood there, his armor seeming to glow black. Eydreki wondered if there was anything in that suit of all, or if the Emperor had just animated it with some forgotten Dark arts. "Lord Eydreki" The voice sounded low and filtered. An uncompromising baritone that tasted disturbing. "Erm, yes Baron Ullr." Eydreki tried to sound uninterested, board even. "I imagine you are here to represent House Dane interests during my coronation?" Time lagged on as Ullr said nothing, as though the question was a difficult and surprising one. Or maybe he just toying with Eydreki. "Yes" he said finally. "A pleasure to have you" Eydreki mumbled. "A shame the Emperor himself couldn't come for this occasion" "A shame" Ullr repeated. Eydreki felt like Ullr could see right through him. He couldn't possibly could he? All Eydreki's plots, his plans, ruined in this moment. He was close, not now! He couldn't be discovered now. Eydreki felt himself panicking, it was too late he'd been discovered. He needed to run, to escape. "The Emperor sends this message. "Ullr's unbidden voice startling as ever. "He wishes you and Dippity well. And he demands you have as many children as you can. He values your line." The Baron then stepped closer to Eydreki, like there was something else he wanted to say. Eydreki fidgeted, "Yes, oh yes. I know I will make the Emperor most pleased." Eydreki whipped some nervous sweat from his forehead. But instead of saying anymore Ullr took a step back, and made for his quarters. Eydreki's heart was in his throat. He had thought he wad dead. Yet, the Imperial Knight knew nothing. For all his scariness, for all his powers, he had no idea. Eydreki allowed himself a nervous laugh. The fool Ullr, was worthless, even to the Emperor. He was all for show. Eydreki laughed again, louder. Yes, he thought. Ullr is nothing compared to me, to think I was actually afraid of that pathetic excuse for a blood-hound. Eydreki was smarter than any of them, he was more cunning, more willing to do whatever it took to succeed. He looked back out the window with a new measure of confidence. There was no one who could stop him now. Another figure appeared on the horizon and for a moment he watched on worriedly as the traveler made his way closer. The figure was wearing the white armor a Knight of Dippity, but a cape the colors of an Earl. With a sword that seemed to pulse black. There was another white-clad figure behind him. Eydreki smiled to himself, it was only Earl Puck, just an old man who whose prime was past.

At last Puck could make out the Keep of Lotlh in the distance. Travel through the snow this time of year was always difficult, and Puck was glad they had made it without incident. But it still was exhausting, especially at his age. Puck would glad to be in the warm familiar halls of Lotlh. He pressed on towards the massive doors with his Knight Arnir behind him. The twin doors were huge, wide enough for a carriage to be pulled through and taller than most two story homes. The doors themselves were as ancient as the Lotlh were, made from the salvage of an ancient ship, they were made from the same black material that all the oldest relics of the Empire were. As Puck got closer he could make out the dozens of dents and bumps that covered the doors. The Scars of hundreds of battles, Puck thought. Through it all these doors have held, even the Ragnarok and the Siege of IA could not topple them. Puck felt a deep reverence as he passed beneath the doors and into the Keep. Eydreki's servant ushered Puck and his Knight into the warmth. "Welcome Earl Puck the Vigilant," The Servant bowed. "We have been expecting you. While your liegeman brings your supplies, I will present you to Lord Eydreki." Puck nodded to Arnir, then turned back to the servant, "Lead the way." Puck followed the servant through familiar halls until they reached the Great Hall of Lotlh. "Presenting Earl Puck the Vigilant, son of Saint Loki the Savior, of House Dippity" the servant called out. Puck stepped forward into the hall walking briskly toward the High Seat. He saw Eydreki sitting there watching Puck with what seemed to be board amusement. Puck saluted and kneeled before his Lord. "Lord Eydreki," Puck breathed deeply. "I'm sorry for your loss, your father was a great man, and all Dippity is worse off without him. I can only imagine how hard it must be for you to have such a celebration right after something so tragic." Eydreki seemed vaguely interested. "Yeah. Hard. "Eydreki's eyes seemed too lazy to meet Puck's. "Glad you made it, great for you. I hope you find your room okay. Dismissed." Puck, taken aback by the raw disinterest of the Lord assumed that Eydreki must still be grieving his father's death. Puck saluted the Lord again, and left the Great Hall as quickly as he could.

Arair never liked House Cammander territory. Not even in the winter. Grey boney hills that gave way into grey boney mountains. Rigid lands with high peaks and sharp rocks. A red hue seemed to glow behind every object every horizon, but he couldn't see the source. Vegetation was scarce, however one kind of ashen thick-trunked tree seemed to thrive. A sort of tree Arair didn't find especially attractive either. House Cammander had grudgingly supplied him with a guide, a Squire by the name of Thorolf. From what Arair could gather, his guide was from a some backwards Minor House that Cammander controlled. Thorolf was tall, but thin. He didn't seem the sort of person who could handle a long drawn-out assignment, but was good enough when it came to short tasks. His face was thin and narrow, he seemed to have a very alert and hawkish shaped head. Almost like a Bird-Of-Prey, or Falcon even, just waiting to strike. A very non-Cammander looking person, Arair decided his House Cammander Blood must be either very diluted, or non-existant. A tribe who wasn't a part of the Fleet. "Uh, Sir Knight, sir?" Thorolf asked. "The bodies are just over this next rise." Thorolf pointed up the road ahead, and quickened his pace a bit. "So you just left the bodies there?" Arair asked dryly. "No burial or honor or anything?" "No sir." Thorolf said meekly and then added. "Sorry." "They might not be House Cammander, but they are members of the same Empire as you!" Arair might not have been House Dippity, but he was upset all the same. "Hell, one of them was a LORD! What's wrong with you guys?" "Sir" Thorolf's head hung low. "It wasn't intentional, Sir. Organization has been very stressed in House Cammander lately. There is a lot of confusion and strife and I think this Dippity matter was filed away and forgotten." Arair shook his head, everywhere he looked the Empire seemed to be in state of decay. What was going on? They came up over the final hill, and Arair could see the bodies, more than a few weeks old. They were still laying in the low snow, untouched, rotting and some had obviously been snacked on. Arair sighed to himself, this wasn't going to be easy.

The eve before the coronation there was much celebration and merriment in the Keep of Lotlh. While many celebrated in the traditional way of the Warriors of Æsir; that is, getting drunk and singing, Puck had had enough of that for a life time. Puck made his way out of the drunken Great Hall to see what other events were taking place. As he walked the halls he heard a loud practiced voice, making some speech or giving some announcement. He followed it until he came across one of the larger rooms in the building. An old multipurpose room. He leaned against the doorway and spied into it. He saw about a dozen guests watching on as three performers in mock Dippity garb put on performance. He had walked in on a play. He quietly entered the room and took a seat towards the back. The actor's continued to speak and make their over-stated gestures. After some dialog Puck realized they were reenacting the life of Saint Loki the Savior. He watched as the brown clad Saint admonished Glox about using protocol. A flood of memory was let loosed, the actors blurred out and Puck found himself watching scenes from his own memory instead.

"He told us to stay here." Havok cautioned. "I don't think this is a good idea." Puck continued to pull on his winter clothes as he glared at his older brother. "Fine, stay here then." Puck said as he buckled his boots. "Writing essays on the Saga of Cypher sounds like a real hoot." Havok frowned and finally relinquished his studies. "Should we arm ourselves?" Havok asked as he rummaged through his own winter clothes. "Nah, we we'll be sneaky. Besides if dad catches us we'll only be in more trouble if he knows we got into those." Havok glanced longingly at the weapons on display. "It's pretty dangerous out there, are you sure?" "Yes. We'll be fast, no one will even know we're gone." "If you're sure." Havok surrendered. Puck stood at the door ready, watching Havok pull on the last of his gear. "Ready" Havok signed, already having 2nd thoughts. Puck led his brother outside. A blizzard had clamped down on the lands of Lotlh that night and getting anywhere was going to be no easy task. But, Puck mused, it'll also make it harder for anyone to see us. Puck's father and brothers had taken all the other horses, all that was left was an old pack mule. Puck grumbled, he hated mules. "A Mule?" Havok made a face. "Maybe it's a sign we shouldn't go." Puck was already busy saddling the beast. "It'll be fine." Puck mumbled as he finished readying their ride. "Besides," he continued. "Just means we can carry more gear, and you know its couple days to the Capitol from here anyways." Puck tossed on the last of the provisions and pulled own undersized body onto the mule as well. "Well you coming?" Puck said. "Or you got something more important to do." Havok took Puck's hand and pulled himself onto the mule. "That's the spirit" Puck said, and then nudged the mule forward. Something big was going on, something at the Capitol, and they weren't about to miss it. And so the two young brothers road on through the last hours of that day, and long into the night as well. The Blizzard poured on, but it had little effect on the sons of Loki, for as is the case with all of the Warriors of Æsir, they relished the cold.

Puck felt someone shoving him. He was somewhere cold. Everything was blurry. "We're there." Havok said. "Would you wake up already?" Puck felt sore, they'd ridden hard the last few days. "I don't think anyone saw us come into town" Havok said. Puck looked up, his eyes focused on the sprawling tower of the Capitol. The Hall of the Æsir. It had seen better days, Puck realized. It was pretty beat up, the IA war had taken a toll on it, as well as the rearguard actions of traitors. But it still was a sight to see. At the heart of all things the giant Hall stood, while the hall itself was wooden built from the oak of this plentiful land, it was actually built around a vast black tower, which forced its way out of the roof of the Hall and far into the sky. While the hall was destroyed during the Ragnarok, the tower had always stood, though vacant. Around the Great Hall were the sprawling buildings and offices that facilitated the day to day political and administrative needs of running the clan. During the Great Dark Age, most of these buildings had been abandoned, and for the most part were collapsing on themselves or in some sort of disrepair. As the mule trotted closer to Hall of the Æsir, Puck realized there was a great deal of people assembled outside it's entrance. "Hav," Puck pointed towards the crowd. "Something's happening over there." "Yeah I see it" Havok responded. Puck looked around and saw an old MP building not far from the Hall. "Bring us over to that old building," Puck said. "we can watch what happens from there" Two kids and a mule made their way to the old MP building. It was only one story and lacked a door. The windows were all missing, and the roof had a few holes in it. All in all it was pretty typical for the buildings in this area. They tied the mule to as sturdy a pole they could find and crept into the building. "Let's get on the roof" Puck whispered. "We'll have a perfect view from there." Havok looked at the holes in the roof and grimaced, but said nothing. Like small monkies Havok and Puck were able to scramble to the roof the old building, where despite appearances it was quite solid. They crawled to the very tip of it and looked over, they could now hear and see everything happening. Acting Fleet Admiral Takaru stood at the center of mob of people, trying to calm them down and offer assurances. To the side was Loki and his older children, most of them adults really, watching but not yet engaging in the matter. Puck looked back at the shouting mob, at the front of it was a squat blond haired man who was yelling, the man turned towards the crowd and Puck saw that it was Cammander. "Vidar could do everything better" Cammander shouted. "Takaru is inactive, Takaru is slow, Takaru doesn't know what needs to be done!" "Now stop right there Cammander." Takaru yelled back, his arms up in the air. "I've done more than my far share of work for the Fleet. I've given a lot, and I am prepared to give more. Just give me a chance." "We've seen your work record, we've seen what you can do! How can you even hope to succeed when there is no one to suck up to? No one to ignore your mistakes. You were never meant for leadership!" "I spoke to Dane, Cammander!" At the mention of fallen Fleet Admiral the crowd quieted down. "He gave me his blessing, he told me to take over." No one could deny that, the word of their lost commander was more than enough to press any argument to it's conclusion. Cammander was unfazed. "He also left Warrior incharge! And look where that got us!" "You dare speak against him?" Takaru spoke, almost in a whisper. "No! We all know Dane is our true leader, and his word is always in our best interest." Cammander turned to face the crowd once more. "But he is gone! He can't see what is happening, he is out of the loop! If he knew, if he saw what we all see he would dismiss Takaru himself." Cammander looked over the crowd he knew he was winning them over. "We should respect what Dane would do, not what a far distant lost Dane who is out touch with things thinks should be done! And if Dane were here he would strike down Takaru where he stands!" The crowd cheered and pressed tighter together, enclosing in Takaru more. Cammander walked right up to Takaru. "Dane would make Vidar the leader, I do this for Dane! For WA!" Cammander landed a punch right into Takaru face. The crowd then surged over the two of them and mass violence broke out. Puck watched as Loki and his sons raced from their position to the heart of the mob, he hoped his dad would be alright.

Havok shook Puck's shoulder, Puck annoyed turned to him. "What is it Havok?" Puck asked. The Herald look confused. "Sir, I am Herald of the Empire." The Herald looked around. "I don't believe Earl Havok is here." Puck was back in the old multipurpose room, the play having ending long before, the guests were still around making quiet conversation. Puck felt embarrassed. "I know, it's nothing" Puck tried to recompose himself. "What is it you need Herald?" "Sir, I was tasked to dispatch this letter." He nodded to what he held in his hand. "I was told to give it to you as fast as I could. I came straight here." Puck took the note from him, it had the seal of a Knight of House Dane on it. "Good work Herald, "Puck gestured towards some doors. "You be exhausted, I give you leave to lodge here until rested." "Thank you sir." The weary Herald bowed, and walked towards one of the rooms. Puck's attention returned to the letter, it hadn't been tampered with, for this he was pleased. He opened it carefully and read:

Your highness, Earl Puck the Vigilant.

As you asked I inspected the scene where your Lord recently died. The site had been rotting for weeks and it was difficult to piece together exactly what happened, or gain any new insights. But this much I did find out. 1. The Knight-Commander Aegileif is not among the dead. 2. Lord Harborg was betrayed, his body was not near the other fallen Knights, and he was stabbed in the side with a dagger. Not the same sort of wound any of his fighting men got. 3. The betrayal is further evidenced by the lack of fallen enemies, while there are a few. Who we were able to identify as Asgard Warriors. The White Knights of Dippity are better than this, there should be more. I am certain had I found the site just after the sad event far more would have been clear to me. I've done as best I could, and gave your kinsmen a proper burial. I hope this was of some aid to you.

-Knight Arair of House Dane

Puck agreed with Arair's interpretations. Something was very foul about the way the Lord Harborg died. But still Puck didn't have enough to act, he didn't even know who to act against. Who had betrayed the Lord? Who would have gained from killing that just old man. Puck just didn't know. He'd keep his eyes peeled though. And what had happened to Aegileif?! The Knight-Commander was one of the most honorable men Puck knew, a fierce fighter as well. There were too many mysteries, too much he didn't know. Perhaps if for a time he distanced himself from House Dippity politics he'd get a better idea of what was really going on. Yes, Puck thought. I'm too close to everything, I can't adjust my eyes properly. Once this bloody coronation finally was done with, Puck would keep his hands out of House business for a while. Puck stood up, and made his way towards his own room. He was weary, and needed sleep. Tomorrow would be a big day.

Chapter 4: Look What The Cat Dragged In

Raudsigr staggered through the harsh wilderness. His armor was in tatters, the last of his squad had fallen days earlier; he was alone and defeated. Nothing had turned out how it was supposed to since leaving the Warriors of Æsir, since abandoning House Dippity. The world beyond was nothing but barbarism, sloth and greed mixed together into some sort of horrid drink. For many years now he had tried to do right, to follow and lead within his own adopted tribe, the Knights of Heaven. But even the smallest of his successes seemed to be negated before they could bare a single fruit. He knew there was nothing left now, that far behind him his adopted home burned in a mighty burial pyre that would all but be forgotten within months. Looking over the gashes in his flesh, his trembling hands and sun-ravanged skin, he wondered if he'd survive. His only hope was to continue northwards to the Free-Town of Sud-Snestrom, and if he didn't make it, at least no one would miss him. For days and days all he could remember seeing were his mud-crusted boots, taking step after step. A monotonous routine that seemed to cement his fears that he had already died, and this was hell. Yet he persisted, despite the hunger, despite the wounds, despite exhaustion and thirst he pressed forward. Unsure if destiny itself was beckoning him, or if some latent Dippity gene wouldn't give him the solace of surrendering. The jungle foliage thinned out, replaced by long welcoming grassy plains, the signs of civilization becoming more and more apparent, obvious farming apparatuses in the distance, the echo of industry beyond the horizon. Raudsigr's diligence had paid off, beneath the grey sky he had arrived at Sud-Snestrom, his cracked lips attempted a painful smile, at which point he promptly passed out.

Earl Havok quietly paced the dark halls of Lotlh. A year had passed since Lord Harborg had died, and all was not well in the land of the Lotlh, or indeed the Empire itself. Dispatches from the Capitol were increasingly rare and Havok feared the Emperor himself had lost touch with what had once made this realm so great, with the Fleet. As Havok looked out the window towards the summer fields of Dippity, he knew his own domestic problems were far more pressing. Lord Eydreki had stopped the training of new White Knights, and instead has brought in a band of unknown Mercenaries called the Dark Helms, who now keep the peace and enforce the law of Eydreki. Havok heard footsteps and turned from the window to see one of Eydreki's Dark Helms approach him. The Dark Helm wore patched leather armor and a dark iron-cast helmet that gave you no hint as to his true appearance, no one had ever seen a Dark Helm's face. "Lord Eydreki the Magnificent will see you now Earl" The Dark Helm seemed to spit out the word 'earl' as if the utterance of it was offensive. Havok followed the man into Lord Eydreki's throne room where Eydreki smugly sat looking intently board as usual. Eydreki glanced at Havok,"Ah yes, Earl Havok it's been too long." Eydreki's voice trailed off. Havok looked into the young Lord's eyes,"My Lord?" "Yes yes..." Eydreki shifted in his seat,"what's so important you had to come here yourself, on such short notice at that!?" "Sire" Havok drew a deep breath. "Your men have been taking more and more of our goods, resources and foods for your personal use." Havok continued. " The Dark Helms are taxing the people and land dry, this season has already been bad enough, my lord. The House just can't take it." The Dark Helm who had escorted Havok began to chuckle into his mask. Lord Eydreki's face flickered from sudden rage, to a twisted grin. "Oh my good Earl Havok. Ever my wise Grand-Uncle, the House of Dippity is only as strong as it's Lord. We must fortify and build up the core before the outlying provinces can receive the benefit of my reign." Havok frowned, "My..liege.. there will not be outlying provinces if this strangulation continues..". "Enough!" Eydreki now radiating impatience silenced Havok, "You are old, Grand-Uncle. Far too old to correctly remember how things used to be. I tax and ask only what every Lord of Dippity has ever asked of his people." Eydreki paused, "You have taxed too much of my time. Being a Lord is demanding and my time is scarce, perhaps if the old noble Saint Loki had chosen you as his Heir you would understand the weight of the burden I now carry." Havok stiffened, and as though to give a response only to be cut off by Eydreki once more. "You're a good Earl, but I see now why you were never made Lord. My Dark Helm will escort you out. Happy travels dearest Grand-Uncle." With a dismissive wave the Dark Helm took hold of Earl Havok's arm and ushered him out of the Lord's presence. Under the eyes of the Dark Helm, Havok packed and prepared his steed for travel. As he mounted his horse and bid the Hall of Lotlh it's good bye, he could just make out the whining and wheezing laughter of the Dark Helm beneath his Helmet. Grey clouds dotted the Horizon as Havok's horse trotted homewards. Havok sighed, not for the first time, had he erred? Should he and the other Earls have ridden out with the late Lord Harborg? What has he wrought upon the budding lands of House Dippity? Havok shook his head and whispered to himself, "I must speak with Puck. The past is the gone and the present ruined, but you Eydreki.. you will not have the future."

Raudsigr stirred. He tried to sit up but he couldn't. He ached, everything ached. Broken fuzzy light danced against his eyes but no patterns formed. He didn't know where he was, what had happened. Raudsigr again attempted to sit up, and once more was met with daggers of pain. This time an audible moan escaped his lips. "Lie still, you're luck to be alive." A man's voice reassured him. Raudsigr thought the voice sounded familiar, a voice from his past. Raudsigr responded hoarsely, "Where am I? Who are you..what happened". The voice answered, "You were found passed out on the borders of Sud-Snestrom, some guards were carting your body through town when I noticed you. You were believed dead." Raudsigr felt a strong hand gently applying a moist towel or rag to his forehead. "How long have I been like this? And who are you? I know your voice from somewhere!" "It's been two weeks since I took you from guard." The voice answered. "Why wont you tell me your name? Were we enemies once?" "No we were never enemies, Raudsigr." The man took a deep breath," I had a name once. I bore it proudly. But I've since brought such shame upon myself, that to speak it as though it is mine would only ruin what little honor the name has left." Raudsigr's eyes struggled to focus on the man's shape. "You were quite young when we last met, Raudsigr. Merely a boy" The voice continued." You've grown much since then. Your crimes were nothing more than the brash yearnings of youth. You can still go home. There is still time. Your name can be redeemed." The features of his finally began to sharpen, Raudsigr spoke as he concentrated on it. "What did you do so wrong?" The man's voice trembled, "I failed to protect my Lord, I watched as they murdered him." Finally Raudsigr could recognize his face. "Aegileif..."

Chapter 5: The Meeting

Abysmal silence permeated the walls. A deep shadow swallowed up the sickly scene. He peered through the cobwebs and dust, through the dim callous past into the stark reality of the disturbing truth. When he was just a boy he remembered visiting this exact same place, but it was a such a different place back then. The constant river of humanity that had once pressed daily through these walls had long ago dried up. He doubted that a single person had visited this building in the last decade. The industry, the heart of his long lost noble House had stopped in his absence. But painful as that was to see, that was not the most disturbing thing about this sacrilegious place. He was not alone; this holy heart of purpose had been baptized in the spilt blood of innocents. Intertwine within the silence was the horror of violent death, within the cobwebs and beneath the undisturbed dust laid the bodies of valiant White Knights and Squires. Their noble likenesses turned wretched by the inhumanity of their untimely deaths. Raudsigr gagged. What had transpired in is absence? How could such ruin reach even into the mighty heart of House Dippity territory? The fact that these bodies had been left in there to rot only spoke of their unavenged status. Whatever was left of Dippity might not even know of this massacre. Or are too weak to set it right.

Raudsigr stepped out into the cold, where Aegileif waited with the horses. Raudsigr whispered to his companion,"What darkness is this, that befalls the Lotlh?" Aegileif shook his head. "Betrayal." Raudsigr climbed back onto his horse, and with Aegileif continued onwards, deeper into the territory of House Dippity. Deeper into the cold.

"It is time." The grim words of Earl Havok crashed into the meeting like lead in water. The weary Earls turned to meet the normally quiet Son of Loki's glare. "No" Earl Asdorr said with stern resolve,"we must not, we will not ever act against our Lord." Sensing a rebuttal, Earl Asdorr stood and continued to speak, his hands working with his expressions to weave a sense of conviction and truth within his slippery words," Yes, the House might be a little worse for ware, yes our population is on the decline, our traditions no longer observed and our prestige wavering.. but this is not new! Things like this happen all the time! Look to House Cammander, Look to House Thief! For Odin's sake, look at House Blitzkrieg! Why blame the weariness of ourselves on ourselves, when the peers of our great House are in the same state!" The other Earls were now intently focused on the ravings of Earl Asdorr. "But..What..What are you trying to say?" The young Earl Sleipnir stammered. Asdorrs ashen cheeks curled into a grim,"Tis not the fault of ourselves! Not the fault of our Lord and his noble ways! He has only tried to stall of the ruin that was already approaching our haven. His Dark Helms, his questionable rulings, they are not the cause of this bleakness! Simply the symptoms of it." Asdorr took a deep breath, "The real blame, my friends, cousins and colleagues, lies in the heart of the Empire itself; The Emperor." Asdorr noted the faces of the Earls as he said these words. Determining who he could trust and who he couldn't. "The Emperor!" Puck the Vigilant shouted in anger, "you ask us to turn against the Emperor? You dare serenade us with this treason!?" Asdorr chuckled, "Ever vigilant, are we? Think now, carefully uncle. Before you speak again. We all know well, of your proud song. We know of the riches and compliments our fine Emperor has showered you in. Titles, ranks, positions. His seduction of you has been most keen. But think not of your glittering sword, not of your echoing song, but of your sons. What has our merciful and generous Emperor done for them? Your oldest ran away to die with barbarians. And your ever valiant Valvarthr, the pride of your noble family, lies long dead upon the Emperor's battle-field." Certain of victory Asdorr leaned into Puck, only inches away from his face Asdorr continued," His excellency the Emperor, in all his righteous nobility and grace awards an old rusty sword and a few gilded words, in exchange for your posterity. Forget his pet name for you, forget the shackles of his songs, remember the gentle faces of your children. The price you've paid in his service has been too high, your loyalty has cost you your sons. Think now my great Uncle, avenge your sons and free your heart." Asdorr straightened up and once more looked upon the Earls, "The body is sick because the heart is corrupt. Earl Havok was correct! It is the time! Time to cut the heart from body, time for a Lord of Dippity to take the rightful place as Emperor of the Warriors of Æsir! As Lord of all Houses! The Emperor must die. All those who are with me, speak now!" With that Asdorr stepped back into shadows that lurked just beyond the meeting table and watched the stunned Earls come to the correct conclusions. Sleipnir stood up, "Earl Asdorr's words ring true, and therefore I and all those loyal to my earldom support his cause! House Dippity shall Rise!" Earl Havok stood soon after, his movements slow and purposeful," My Earldom, so small and weak as it is, must abstain. We can offer no Knights for any such endeavor. To promise support but be able to muster none would be dishonorable." Havok quickly gathered his things," the hour is late and I am afraid I must retire to my home, good day!" Much to everyone's surprise Havok hurried off into the night before anyone could stop him. Asdorr was dismayed, however he had effectively won the vote. Yet he'd still prefer to win the willing aid of Puck's sword as well. And so all eye's now rested carefully on Puck, the undecided Earl.

Puck gasped for air. They couldn't see it, they couldn't know, his face was firm his expression blank, his thoughts foreign to all others. But he was drowning, the words of Earl Asdorr pulling him deeper and deeper into the abyss. Memories flashed before Puck's eyes. The first time he had met the Emperor, the faces of his newborn sons, his beautiful Valvarthr laying dead in the midst of bloody conflict, the Emperor standing over him as he awoke from his injuries and so many others. Asdorr continued to rave about some other rebellious nonsense, but that world was now lost to Puck. In the solemn darkness of his mind Puck kneeled before his shattered visions. Was the Emperor responsible for his broken heirs? What use to him was a sword when there was no Son of Puck to pass it on to? It would simply be returned to the Emperor, so that he could grant it to some other hapless, childless, blind follower. In this dark place within Puck's own mind there rose from the ground a grand tomb-stone. Chiseled within the fine grain of the gloomy stone were the faces of his lost children. Even as Puck reached out to touch them, did the statue begin to bleed. Blood oozed over the faces of his posterity until they were lost within the macabre drink. Puck got off his knees and rushed to the tombstone, where he struggled to remove the blood from the faces of his heirs. Yet even as he touched the tombstone blood began to pour down on him as well. Puck fell to his back against the red-tide. He couldn't coughed and tried to shield his face from the never ceasing flow, to no avail. Blood, blood was everywhere he was succumbing to it. His eyes were red, and his heart was chill. This dream-world of thought was at last coming to an answer. His loyalty had only been rewarded with blood. Blood was the payment of the Emperor. He would join with the rebels, titles and songs be damned. He, Puck the Vigilant would avenge the blood of his sons, he would avenge the blood of every single ancestor of his that would never be. The Emperor would die by the very sword that was his gift, the sword of Emperor's ancestor, Cypher. Puck could feel the dream-like trance of his thought process giving way, with his decision solidifying he was once more awaking to the world of others. He'd sever his loyalty with the Emperor, in the name of his children, he'd break his oaths... His oaths... Moments before he breached consciousness, the black ground he stood upon in his inner-thoughts suddenly buckled. Puck fell back into the darkness, away from the half-forgotten pools of blood and defiled tombstone. Away from the circumstances that he led him to his dreadful decision. Puck plummeted into the twilight of his very soul, fearing perhaps he had lost himself to insanity. But at last he hit the bottom. Just as in any dream, he was not injured, for space and physics have no baring upon the worlds within a man's mind. Dazed, Puck pulled himself upon his hands and knees, and there before him burned an image of bright light, a glowing radiating ember of the sun flowed just before his face. Puck looked deep into the heart of it, and realized that standing before him, above him, was his father. Saint Loki the Savior, just as he had looked when Puck was a child. Puck stared at his ancient father.

"Your oaths!" cried Loki, "how could you forget your oaths?!" Snow began to fall and Puck's confusion gave way as he was consumed by the very event he was witnessing. A slightly ruffled up Loki stood over a bleeding Cammander, the crowd had once more backed away after a furious moment of melee. "Your oaths!" cried Loki, "how could you forget your oaths?!" Cammander crackled in response, "My oaths? What of them? This is more important than oaths! This is our future!" Loki shook his head, "Without our oaths, our future is nothing! Without our oaths we are nothing! Don't you remember what the Æsir taught us? Don't you remember the time before the Fleet...?" Cammander spit some blood upon the floor and grinned at Loki, displaying a few gaps where tooth should have been, "Before the Fleet? Dreams! You old fool..nothing but dreams! Our civilization, our culture, our life is floundering. Takaru cannot not stop it, the words of some old missing leader cannot save it. Our oaths be damned, we must be loyal to ourselves, to our posterity, not our ancestors. If we must choose between the past and the future, then it must be the future! Sever the oaths of the past, and embrace the promise of the future!" With this the most recent outburst, the attitude of the crowd altered significantly, the vast majority of them began to chant in agreement with Cammander. Loki's sons gathered behind their father, even as Puck and Havok watched from the roof-top so far away. "Your words sound fine, your reasoning seductive, "Loki said, "but you are not seeing the whole picture. You wish to sacrifice who we are, what we stand for in the name of survival, but if you do that then what survives really wont be us. We'd be just as dead in spirit if not in body." Cammander pulled himself to his feet, feeling the power of the crowd behind him, feeling the support of the masses, he stretched his own grin wider, "Principals are nice and all. But we have children to feed, we have real life problems that need to be fixed. It's easy to be a philosopher with a full belly, to chide us for our in-obedience when your home is warm and your children happy. But we cannot all be as lucky as you, Loki." the crowd now stepped forward in front of Cammander, to face Loki, "Go back to your old barracks, worry about your own. We have no more need of your idle words about our hearts." Cammander then pointed towards Loki's oldest and most beloved son, Glox. "Take him, as insurance that Loki will leave us be." the mob quickly overwhelmed Loki and his sons, taking Glox captive, "besides we could use the extra help in the fields." Loki thrashed against the men holding back, as he watched his son be carried off, once gone from sight Loki stopped his resistance and was released. Defeated, he fell to his knees, his head down in sorrow. With carefully measured words, Loki spoke, "The only thing in life that matters is your integrity. It's the only thing that can never be taken away. Your wealth, your objects, your job, your home, your respect, your children, all can be taken from you. But not your integrity. Not your oaths." Cammander laughed, "Oh ho ho how the mighty fall! Go now Loki, take what's left of your family and leave us. Before we decide we need another hostage!" Havok nudged Puck. "What is it?!" Puck asked through his silent tears. "Dad's gonna head out soon, and we gotta leave first. Our else he'll know we were here!" Havok said. "Good thinking" Puck grimly admitted, "lets go." The two boys slid down the roof and onto the snow, and mounted their beast for their return trip, beneath the swirling snow.

"Earl Puck?!" Earl Asdorr demanded, "Earl Puck! This is no time for day dreaming. A decision must be made! Will you join us in our righteous endeavor to expel the tyrant-Emperor?" Puck wondered how long he'd been out of it. Where had his brother Havok gone? What had he voted? Asdorr began tapping his fingers against the table, "Out with it already, we don't have all day." "The only thing that matters in life is your integrity. It's the only thing that can never be taken away. Your wealth, your objects, your job, your home, your respect, your children, all can be taken from you. But not your integrity. Not your oaths." the words of his father flowed out of Puck's mouth seamlessly. Even the confidence of his father was apparent in the quoted response. Asdorr clearly was taken aback by the response, but quickly regained his composure. "I'm sorry to hear that, Earl. I truly am." With that, Asdorr stepped away from Puck. Sleipnir hesitantly turned his back on him. Puck made to stand, but two strong arms forced him back into his chair. Puck reached for the dagger he had concealed in his sock, but just as his fingers touched the hilt he felt a cold object slide deep into his side. Dizzily he looked back up at the figures standing before him, blackness swirled in at him from the fringes of his vision. He felt warm blood soaking up on his shirt. The figures got darker and darker. Sleipnir's back lost it's shape, the dull eyes of Asdorr watched on with little regard, the person who had stabbed him was laughing. Another entered the room. As Puck struggled to keep his eyes open; Eydreki's smiling face met Asdorr, than the laughing man, his murderer, Sigtryggr. Puck passed out.

Lord Eydreki was not amused. "What do you mean his sword's not in it's hilt?!" Eydreki demanded. Earl Asdorr humbly bowed before his Lord, "My liege. Havok must have taken it from Puck's horse when he left earlier." Eydreki grabbed Asdorr by the face and forced soft-man against the wall, "O well in that case I guess everything's just perfect then! So wonderful of you to let the Earl Havok escape! It's not like he could do anything to harm us! Weak old Havok whose never done anything amazing, oh wait! Except for single handily saved the Teutonic Order from annihilation!" Asdorr struggled to speak through his masters hand, "I..I'm sorry my lord, he moved to fast! We couldn't apprehend him until we knew Puck's answer. He..he may have once been great, but he is old now, infirm. He'll be a minor problem..I personally will see to it." Eydreki forced Asdorr to the ground then released his grip, "Kill him, and bring me back his sword. Or you'll have no place here." Still on the floor, "Yes, of course whatever you say my merciful lord. Your will is my command" Asdorr said with assurance. Eydreki pointed to the limp bloody body that once belonged to Puck. "Sigtryggr, get rid of that rubbish over there." Sigtryggr began to giggle, "But heh oh mighty lord, I wanted it! Heh! a trophy to myself!" Eydreki shook his head. "No, there isn't time...have on of your men just dump it in the snow somewhere." Momentarily dismayed, Sigtryggr was soon laughing again. "A fitting burial for an Earl, ah ha ha!"

Chapter 6: Messages

The black void of a man dropped the frozen carcass at the Emperor's feet. "Your excellency, a message for you has arrived." The Emperor looked upon his former loyal warrior, long dead either of a stab wound or frost. "A message, Baron? Where?" The Imperial Knight peeled the corpses snow-covered shirt back to reveal a small message carved into his back. "For the Emperor" the Imperial Knight, Baron Ullr read, "all things must end. The era of Dippity begins now." "Rebellion" growled the Emperor, who quickly moved from his throne and began to gather up all manner of supplies. "Your Excellency?" The Imperial Knight asked, still standing over the slain man. Dane paced within his mighty hall, from one side to the next he searched for the assortment of tools he'd require. Ancient magicks and technologies that he alone still maintained, weapons and cloaks, and anything else he'd have need for. Finally he returned to Ullr and rested his hand upon Ullr's shoulder. "I'll be needing this," exclaimed the Emperor as he carefully unfastened the black armor on Ullr's shoulders. "I understand." Ullr stood firm as the section of his impenetrable armor was removed. Dane took the black armor, wrapped it in cloth and placed it in a knapsack with all his things, and then turned back to Ullr. "alert the Houses, call upon my champions, war is upon us and I require all the aid that can be brought to bare." "Emperor, these latter days are unlike those in our past, in your youth. We are weak, many of your champions have passed on, I fear our army will not suffice." Dane glared at Ullr," Hope only abandons those who abandon it. The Empire will not fall this day, for even if the Houses are weak and the Lord's shadows of their former selves, I still have my champions. Baron Ullr the Traitor's-Bane, Lord Skaldi The Kin-Slayer, Knight Ottfreyr the Vandal and Nami the Valkyrie!" Ullr nodded to his Lord, "You are right, even if your Houses have failed you. Your champions will not, that I promise you." Dane smiled, "Good. I must be off, before it's too late. In my absence receive what aid the Houses will send and lead my army into Dippity territory at first sign of spring." "And what of you sire? Where shall you be?" asked Ullr. " Don't worry old friend," Dane tossed his knapsack over his shoulder and made for the door, "I'll be there."

"Father! I am home father!" Raudsigr rushed into his father's home. "I know I was wrong before, but father please forgive me!" Raudsigr searched all over the house for his father, but soon it became evident that his father wasn't home. He sadly returned to Aegileif, who has been waiting for him at the door. "He's not here." Raudsigr sighed, "maybe I was too late..maybe he's amongst the dead." "No." Aegileif silenced him, "The honorable Earl Puck would not be felled so easily as the other's we've seen. Perhaps he is out on some Earl business or another, we should search for him." Raudsigr gave this some thought, "You are right, my dad was not one to die when it's prudent. However I think searching for him would be futile, there are so many places he could have gone..we could miss him." Raudsigr paused, "we should stay here and wait for him to return!" Aegileif nodded at the young noble's request. Raudsigr then really looked over the house, while parts of it have obviously been lived in, he could tell other parts had fallen into disuse and disrepair. His father's training room and armory were the worst for ware, followed by the stables and den. "We will make my father's home worthy of him while we wait." Raudsigr put his pack down. "We will repair and make it suitable for a glorious Earl once more! This will be the first of many things I shall right for him." "As you wish."

Twilight nestled gently against the greying barracks. The tired riders approached the warm building. The snow fell slowly, sparingly now, as if it too was exhausted from the tribulations of the day. The door creaked as the riders entered, the first who entered, the tallest by far, noted to sleeping children in their bunks. Then ushered the remaining riders inside as well. Puck sleepily peered into the darkness, as he saw what he was sure was his father tell his older brothers to go to sleep. Puck was glad he and Havok had made it home before his father, but Puck was also so very tired. Which is why that was the last thing he remembered before he found himself awash in the warm glow of morning. Puck got up and began to go through his daily chores as any other day. He tended after the various animals in the farm, participated in training exercises with his brothers, and worked on his studies with Havok. Everything went as it normally did, except for one thing. His father, the great Loki, was different. The days went by just as they had before, but each day Loki said less and less. Soon whole days would pass without a single word of their father being uttered at all. All the sons worked harder than normal in an attempt to appease their father, but never to any avail. Weeks passed in virtual silence, and there seemed as if their would be no end to this melancholy state that had overtook the House of Lotlh. Until finally word had arrived that Acting Fleet Admiral Bahamut, and his 2nd in Command Cammander had put former Acting Fleet Admiral Takaru to death, for reason of treason. When Loki heard this news, he sat in the shadows of his den for hours, unmoving. Finally, after spending the better part of the day locked up up in his room, resolve overtook him and he gathered up all his sons for a family meeting. From oldest to youngest they were arrayed Deutschland, Bartlyby, c0r., Blackmage, Mercenary, Lithsvaldr, Skjaldhond, Havok and Puck stood sat before their anxious father. Loki eye'd each of us sons, then began to speak, "At times like these, I wish my valorous brother Sanctifico was still with us. Or even my old father Dippity would be a welcomed a sight. But sadly, they are gone. And only we remain. You my sons, represent the future of our House. The last survivors of the Lotlh. In each one of you is the potential for the future of our family. I've brought each of you up as best I could, I've reared you with love and taught you what it means to be a Warrior of Aesir, what it means to be a apart of the Fleet, and to have the blood of Lotlh in your veins. However, what it means to be a Warriors of Aesir is now in jeopardy. With our leaders Dane and Warrior missing, we've lost sight of who we are." A single tear streaked down Loki's grizzled face, "The old ways are dying, and our current leaders wish to to plummet us into barbarism and darkness. I've tried to bite my tongue, to wait it out, to hope that our true leaders would return to us." Loki shook his head, "but I fear I waste time holding on to feeble fantasy, as our enemies grow stronger. And so with that in mind, I've come to the decision to fight." Tension reigned in the eyes of the watching youths. "But father, if we show up at the Dark Tower to start a fight," Deutschland shuddered, "wont they kill Glox?" "Aye," Loki solemnly nodded his head, "They will." A chorus of protest pierced the air from all the assembled children, but Loki held up his hand they quickly quieted. "If we do nothing, all of our spirits will perish, "Loki began," but if we do something, perhaps only a few of our bodies shall fall. Glox, my shining son, he who was the best of us, would have wanted it this way." A sense of agreement spread over the sons of Loki, and Bartlyby spoke, "Father, you cannot fight them alone. We will join you!" "Yes, and no" Loki answered, "You are right, I cannot fight them alone. So I will bring most of you. But not all." "Why not all of us," Lithsvaldr asked, "What will there be left for us to live for, those who remain?" "I'm afraid that a few of you are just too young," Loki said, "and our leaders still might someday return. If my expedition fails, those of you who I ask to stay will remain here and diligently await their return. That way the blood of Lotlh has a chance to survive, if me and my older sons do not return." "Who stays?" Havok asked in earnest. "Lithsvaldr, Havok and Puck," Loki responded, "You three shall remain. While we are gone you'll also be charged with looking after the young sons of Bartleby and c0r.. Should we fail they will be your responsibility." With all that said Loki and his sons quickly got to work packing their gear, and preparing their weapons, those that were to travel would be leaving at first light in frosty morning. No one slept much that night. Suited up and ready to go, Loki once more addressed his assembled family before setting out that morning. The sons who were to leave each wore the shining white armor that so well personified the Lotlh, each glittering like a white knight from some fairy-tale. The warrior's of Lotlh always wore white armor was because their ancient vessel, the Lotlh, was the only ivory colored ship in all the fleet. A stark contrast to the all consuming blackness of most the other crafts. Loki's own famous breastplate shinned in the morning light, as the young Puck watched his father speak, it seemed as if his was glowing. "The name of Lotlh is old and honorable. However, I feel because of the circumstances that we should be known as something different. For I alone remember the true meaning of the word Lotlh, and as we meet our enemies today at Capitol, I wish for us to be remembered as something different than Lotlh." Loki's breast burned with the holy white embers from the sun, the reflected light surrounded the normally dreary setting and cast a religious reverence amongst the sons. "We shall be named for my father, Dippity." Loki continued, "We will all be remembered as the sons of Dippity, the heirs to that great man." And with those words spoken Loki ushered his war-clad sons out the door and towards their mounts. "But father wait, " young Puck called after his dad, "what is the secret? What does Lotlh mean?" Loki paused at the open door and turned so that only his silhouetted profile could be seen by Puck. "Rebel." Loki quietly said, before stepping into the blinding morning light.

Puck watched as the bright light that poured in from the doorway slowly blurred everything from his vision. Alone, all he could see and sense now was that brilliant light. It was getting more and more intense, as though he was moving towards it. Eagerly Puck waited for the final veil to be lifted, to be united with the all-consuming light. As he starred into the approaching light he realized, much to his surprise, he could just make out the old and withered face of his brother Earl Havok. Puck saw that the light increased, he could make out his brothers face more and more clearly and finally understood that he wasn't moving at all. He was buried in snow. Havok with the burning winter sun at his back, was digging him out. Puck couldn't feel most his body, there was a dull pain in his side and it seemed as though he kept passing in and out consciousness. For in the next moment he was upon Havok's back being carried towards something large. He noticed a Dark Helm dead in the snow with Puck's own Sword, the sword of Cypher, impaling him. Then Puck was on a horse riding somewhere along with Havok. Which was the last thing Puck saw before he died.

Chapter 7: Oh yeah, that guy

There was a time, when they called him a sorcerer.. of sorts, well to be honest more of a Fire-Magician, or as he liked to call himself; a Pyro-Mancer. His skilled renowned, his magick respected, his position secure, he could not have asked for anything more. Or at least he shouldn't have, but that never had stopped him before. He felt the Emperor's tyrannical judgement unjust, he felt that he couldn't keep quiet about such a closed and impartial society. His voice wasn't heard, his questions mocked, and his reputation tarnished. He had no choice but to leave, yet if he would have known he'd end up here... Well he still probably would have done the same thing. Right is right. But still, this was no place for him. They used to call him a sorcerer, so long ago... Eldfinnr stood in a land that could hardly be called less than wretched. The ground was barren of all decent and honest plants, only the most desperate of weeds dared cling to it and call it home. The soil was a measure better than toxic, but a couple dozen measures less than useable. There were no mountains, no hills, no trees or anything natural for that matter over a foot tall. What water there was, was brown, and what animals that had the bad sense to stumble into this land were starved and crazed. These were wind-swept black plains, bad-lands just outside the outer edge of Warrior of Aesir territory. This land had belonged to no one, while it would have been a small matter for the Warrior's of Aesir in their hey-day to have taken it and added it to their Empire. There never was any reason. No one in their right mind would want this place, a depressing fact that was beginning to chide on Eldfinnr's mind. Eldfinnr had made his way out here after being labeled a deserter by the Emperor and being forced to flee from the lands of House Dippity. He had found other lost, exiled or disenfranchised former members of the Empire living out here as well. The unloved and forgotten barely scrapping together a life in this backwater country. He had gathered them up, and organized them. He had planned on founding a new nation, a nation of hope and justice built from the discarded flesh of the mighty festering Aesir Empire. Despite initial appearances, he had no intent of creating a rival state to the Warriors of Aesir. However it seemed if he were to be successful, that such status would like follow. But there had been a tiny snag in his grandiose plans. The disenfranchised of the Warriors of Aesir, the exiles, traitors and deserters of the Empire, on average weren't exactly the best members..for any nation. His initial romantic notions of them all coming together to build a better community then the one that had rejected them, had turned out to be a bit more fantastical then he anticipated. While of few of his lieutenants and co-commanders were quite capable, such as himself, the majority of these Imperial has-beens were for lack of a better term, lazy. He had forgotten just how lazy ex-patriots could really be. And in these unforgiving lands, they needed to work extra hard just stay mediocre, not to mention what it would take for them to be exceptional. His home and the headquarters. One of the only buildings to even be finished in this blighted land was at least no squalor. He called it the Grand Palace, and it was a worthy heart, regardless of the shape the rest of the organism was in. And so here Eldfinnr sat, one of three leaders of this failed vision, the Sons of Plunder. His shabby encampment had recently been discovered by passing Imperial Scouts, and he entertained no illusions about the likely battle and defeat that awaited him and his people on the diminished horizon. Yet before his feet a possible solution had arrived in the form of a letter from the Lord Dippity himself. Eldfinnr feared and craved the hinted salvation the Lord of Dippity proposed.

Most Honorable and Skilled Eldfinnr, While I was but a boy, I recall the rancorous absurdity mockingly referred to as a Trial, that you were forced to lose. I remember the day when the ruthless powers that be branded you a deserter and flushed you from your peers and well earned-status. I remember well the first seeds of doubt that were planted in my heart that day, along side the first beads of righteous vengeance that would one day be satisfied. You were a wise sage, a powerful speaker and a respected warrior. And the Empire was served poorly by your forced desertion. But I did not write this to reminisce upon the past , for such is the way of the weak. I instead wish to discuss the future. The Empire is not what it once was. The Emperor is not who he once was. Weakness has eaten away the core of this land. All that is left are the weak hollow walls of a bitter era. If any war would be brought against the Empire, if any external pressure is unleashed against it's tired shell... it'll collapse quickly and completely. With that in mind I ask that you join forces with my own, I've already long ago aligned myself with other factions who disagree with the Emperor. Join us in this war, and you'll find yourself and your nation richly rewarded. If you choose to accept, travel for Dippity territories under the banner of merchants. Bring your best. We shall change the world. Sincerely, The Lord of Dippity, The Heir of the Empire, the Chosen of the Saints, Eydreki.

Eldfinnr had read the letter many times. Delivered a few days ago by a dark helmeted stranger. Eldfinnr could see it now; his best warriors fighting side by side with all the other good people that the Warriors of Aesir had cast out, crushing at last the threat to his peaceful people. If the Empire did fall, vast superior lands would be left unprotected, unclaimed. While he didn't doubt the Lord of Dippity would claim most for himself, he could see his people being rewarded desirable tidbit of land. At last his people could flourish. Cities would be built, commerce supported and open-diplomacy with all others embraced. He could be at the center of a federation of independent states. He could almost feel himself salivate at the prospect. But there was a down side. Eldfinnr never wanted to destroy the Warriors of Aesir. He still respected many of it's people, and even some of it's leaders. He was fond of his days spent there, and he hated to be turned against it. He had built his nation on the virtues of diplomacy and statesmanship. On the preference for peace before war, and brotherhood before vendetta. What sort of nation would it be if the act that gave it life, was one of blood? Could he so easily abandon his values of the past, for the promise of a future? This decision weighed heavily on Eldfinnr. "Are you still mulling over this?!" Njord, one of Eldfinnr's Lieutenant's demanded, out of the blue. Eldfinnr looked up, quite startled by his man, and noted that the tall lanky Njord now stood over him, a bit too close for comfort. "This is no trivial decision," Eldfinnr explained for the 10th time, "What if our Eydreki underestimates the strength of the Empire? What if we get crushed and all perish for some dubious goal?!" "Dubious?!" Njord spat, "Destroying the Empire?! Breaking the Emperor, and killing his vile champion Skaldi the Kin-Slayer...how is that dubious?!" Eldfinnr sighed. Njord really didn't like his father. "You're not thinking objectively," Eldfinnr explained, " you are making this too personal, damn the Sons of Plunder, damn what we've built here. Just so long as you have a chance at getting back at your father, the Kin-Slayer. You are beginning to sound like Dane." Njord stamped his foot into the ground in a fit of rage, "Like Dane?! That tyrant! Don't you even say that kind of crap. You're lucky I'm even still with you in this... " An abnormally cool breeze blew through the two of them, sending chills down their spines. Before they could react to the familiar sensation, Ultima spoke. "Calm yourself young Njord," the words seemed to come form nowhere, "everything you experience is a lie, the only truth lies within yourself." Eldfinnr grinned as he watched Njord roll his eyes at the intrusion of his great grand uncle. "The lie that is the world tries to pull you into it, it tries to convince you it is real, so that you waste your tiny bit of personal truth on masking the lie, on validating it." Ultima now stepped carefully between them, "why not set yourself to tasks that glorify the truth within you, instead of seek to destroy, and therefore validate the lie that exists around us?" Njord visually gagged, "Ultima, I respect you as an able leader and commander. But please, no one cares about your bull-crap. You have just as much reason to hate Skaldi as I do!" Ultima nodded, "That I do. He betrayed both of us. I, his master, and you, his apprentice. Neither of us can return while he's power is unquestioned within the Empire." "Return?! Who said anything about returning!" Njord shouted, "That crap-hole doesn't deserve any of us, it doesn't deserve anyone! Dane's got the IQ of a carrot, the whole things a joke!" "Even jokes have important roles to play" Ultima said quietly. Njord shrugged, defeated and annoyed. Eldfinnr figured this was as good a time as any to interrupt the two former members of House Thief. "Interesting stuff, you two. But still we have pressing matters to discuss. I especially need your opinion, and vote Ultima." Ultima was one of the three equal leaders of the Sons of Plunder, and therefore any action Eldfinnr took would need his blessing. "You wish to know if I think we should join in this rebellion?" "Exactly" Edfinnr locked eyes with Ultima, "how do you vote, peer?" "Dane has lost his way, and is forcing the Warriors of Aesir down the same path as himself. Even his most trusted, the Royal Knight Warrior, has left his side." Ultima continued, "While such an action as to partake in this would be too far beneath me, I'll give my leave for you and whoever you can gather to try. Perhaps some good will come of it." "Awesome!" Njord interjected. "What of the other leader? The new one they called Gerdena." Ultima asked, "Have you spoken to him about it?" Eldfinnr stood up, leaving the dusty ground he'd sat on behind. Bringing the letter from Eydreki with him. "He voted that we attack as well,"Eldfinnr answered, "he's actually proven himself to be a very skilled and resourceful leader. I'm relieved that I'll be traveling with him at my side." Ultima nodded, "I too have noted his efforts to bring about change and prosperity. But something about him, I just don't trust." "Man, Ultima you don't trust nobody." Njord shook his head, "Give the guy a break he's cool." "I trust those who earn it," Ultima shrugged, "anyhow, who else will you be bringing with you, Eldfinnr?" "Hmm, well there will for sure be: Me, Gerdena, Njord, Raudarn, and Nukes. Along with a score or so of levies." Eldfinnr scratched his head, "It doesn't sound like much, but it just might be enough to balance things in our favor." "So you're decided," Ultima said, "you march for war?" Eldfinnr paused then shook his head, "No, I need to check it out first. But if it is a worthy cause, then we will not be too late." Ultima bowed to his colleague, "Well thought. I wish you luck." Eldfinnr smirked, "I'll need it."

Earl Puck, son of Saint Loki the Savior, was dead. Or at least he thought he was dead, and this perhaps his hell. A voice spoke, "How is it that he is alive." Another responded, "The ice, and cold. It slowed his body down and kept him from bleeding to death." "It's quite frankly a miracle he's survived this long." "This long? This here is Puck the Vigilant, there is nothing in this world that could kill him." "Hah, if only that were true, boy. If only that were true." "But it must be..." And then blackness spread over Puck like a tight blanket, and he remembered no more for a while. Time lost all meaning, there would be darkness for what seemed like eternities, and then brief moments of light and fragments of conversation. Puck remained in this precarious state for quite some time. Wondering, in what few spare moments of reasoning he could gather between black outs, what sort of strange purgatory he had found himself in. Finally after so many countless era's of darkness, light at last rained in once more. He had made it to the end at last. The light at the end of tunnel, he saw his father above him, the worn face of Loki beckoning Puck to join him. "Father," Puck gasped, "Father..at last..." Puck's unstable hand reached out to touch the hovering face of his father, only to see a look of surprise and then excitement overtake Loki. "It's me!" Loki seemed to yell at Puck, "It's me oh dad! I was so worried!" Dad? Puck looked again into the face of overjoyed father, but no it wasn't Loki at all. It was Raudsigr, his lost child. "Raudsigr?"Puck struggled to speak, "How..how can it be?" Tears streaked down Raudsigr's cheeks as he called out for others to come quickly. "Dad, I was so wrong -very wrong-confused and young-horrible." Raudsigr struggled to stay coherent between his tears, "sorry I'm so sorry forgive me." Havok and Aegileif entered the room, both of them quickly looking over Puck's wounds and dressing, making sure that physically everything was alright. "All is...forgiven," the strain of speak was wearing Puck out, "but..how?" Raudsigr took his father's hand in his own, "It all fell apart, just like you said it would. It was terrible, I had nowhere to go. I didn't think you ever wanted to see me again, I didn't think the House of Dippity would ever take me back." Raudsigr then gestured towards Aegileif, "it was only when this lost knight found me and convinced me to return, convinced me that I could still make a difference. That I knew at last I could come home." "Much..to discuss son, later." Puck still struggling to speak looked to Havok, "How bad is it?" Havok spoke, "well Earl Puck you don't seem to be too badly off. Your stab wound has healed pretty completely..and well other then the couple of non-essential fingers and toes you lost to frost-bite..." Havok coughed at the memory of that surgery, "I think you'll be okay." Puck was rather partial to a few of those fingers, "How much time do we have?" Raudsigr backed up a bit to give his uncle and father a little more space to talk. "Well" Havok looked outside, "they'll attack in the spring. Probably as soon as the snow melts, we've got about another month and a half." "Any trouble" Puck croaked. "No" Havok shook his head, "They've probably burnt my house down or something. But you live pretty far out in the sticks, and they think you're dead. So no ones been down in these parts." "Good" Puck closed his eyes, ready for some more much needed rest. "Er..dad...uncle" Raudsigr spoke up, "what are we going to do?" "We prepare ourselves" Havok answered. "For what?" Havok smiled, "War."

Glumly Sir Warrior Royal Knight of the Bunker, signed. "So the board is set." Warrior rested against a log, surrounded by intertwining trees. Their mighty husks like the fingers of giants, jutting forth from the soft soil. Apparently lonely, for these fingers curled about each other with the dedication of lovers. Further out still is all manner of rich vegetation and hardy animals. Many of the like no other Warrior of Aesir had ever seen. Warrior was in an unnamed great forest, far from anything resembling Imperial territory. He had long since left the deteriorating Empire and unreasonable Emperor to their own devices. Yet his sanctuary had been disturbed, and the politics of the Empire had sought him out. A hawk had brought him a letter from the current self-styled Lord of Dippity. Warrior frowned. He was ancient, barely any younger then the Emperor himself. A near immortal in this world. Using forgotten technologies he turned a satellite on various factions; armies were on the move. The ideologies, the heroes, the villains and most importantly the honest innocents of the Empire were about to collide. "Dane" Warrior said to no one," You've really done it this time." Warrior had no intention of actually joining Eydreki in his fool-hardy war. Any child could see where that would go. At least any child who understood the Emperor. It was what that would happen after, which worried Warrior. The event no one else could see. This little battle would be nothing compared to what followed. But that might be a good thing, thought Warrior. His frown turning to the smallest of smiles. "One way or another, "his words echoing off the trees, "the Empire will fall." Warrior had quite a bit of traveling to do. But he had time, more time then anyone else realized. He almost felt young again.

Chapter 8: The Twilight of the Leitlings

Beneath his solemn eyes the faded starlight echoed throughout the silent heavens. Shooting stars danced within the constellation of Cypher the Founder, like the fingers of jealous gods trying to tare down his legacy. His focus fell to the brilliant star that was understood as Cypher's eye. That star, his grandfather had once told him, was the homeland of his people, the origin of the fleet. That the star had gone out long ago, and that what he was seeing now was just a whisper from the past. Light sent out thousands of years ago and only reaching him now. That while he thought he was looking at light and life, in reality it was nothing more than a graveyard. He didn't know if his grandfather had been telling the truth or not. He barely knew his grandfather at all. But he did know death. He'd seen so much of it, caused so much of it. What if all there was for anyone was death? What if the valkyries never came? Would it all be for naught? He didn't care before, for he had nothing worth living for. All he had was honor and loyalty, things that are worth dying for. Things were different now, his son had returned. He didn't want to die anymore. Yet, death would find him. No matter what he did it would come for him, of that he was sure. If the eye of Cypher could go out, if the eye of a god could die. Then what hope could there be for Puck? Puck took a deep breath as he watched another shooting star splash against the sky. He believed what his father had believed in. That much he knew. His son deserved a better House Dippity, his son deserved the sort of father that would fight for it. He wouldn't let his son down now. Puck was determined to be strong, just like his father, just like Loki. Earl Puck stood up and headed back into his warm home. He had gotten used to walking without a few of his toes, and overall was feeling better. When he reached the entrance, the ever stalwart Aegileif opened the door for him. "Earl Puck, " Aegileif bowed, his usual address. "Thanks Aeg." Puck's just as usual response. Once inside Puck made his way to the fire place and sat down to warm up. "How goes the training?" Puck asked. "Excellent Earl," Aegileif took a seat across from Puck, "your son really did learn a lot from those barbarians. He's almost as good as me." Puck grinned, "Don't forget he got his fundamentals from us, he's not a true-born savage." "Of course not Earl, "Aegileif shifted uncomfortably, "just informing you he is going to be ready." "Just in time too," Puck reflected, "it wasn't too cold out tonight, the snow wont last the week." A sweaty Earl Havok entered the room, apparently fresh from his own nightly training with Raudsigr. "What did I miss?" Havok enquired. "The weather." Puck responded. "It's almost time isn't it?" Havok took a seat next to Aegileif. "By the looks," Aegileif paused to consider, "we'll need to move out in the next few days." "The plans still the same I take it?" Havok asked. "Afraid so." Puck leaned forward and spoke softly, as if to avoid being overheard. "it wont be easy but it's our best shot." Puck looked from brother to friend and sighed. "I fear for our chances, the Valkyries will be out." Havok reached over and in a rare act of affection squeezed Puck's shoulder. "If all else fails brother, perhaps we'll be remembered as worthy heroes." Puck patted his brothers arm and answered, "Maybe we'll even have constellations named after us..." Aegileif couldn't help but chuckle, "Dear friends, if all else really does fail. I fear we will be remembered as nothing more than mud-named traitors of the victorious Lord Eydreki." "That might not be so bad either," Puck answered back slowly. "Not so bad at all" Havok grinned.

A few days later Earl Puck and his company woke up in the wee hours of the morning, packed their equipment and headed out for the Keep of Lotlh. The day was cold, and the land unyielding. While most of the snow had melted, harsh chilly mud had replaced it. Horse splashed through muddy half-frozen puddle after another. As the day wore on not a member of their party wasn't covered in filth. But these were small concerns; trivial and forgettable. Fueled by world-consuming purpose, there was nothing between these fine heroes and their destination other than time itself. At least that's how Puck saw it anyways. For the most part though, the traveling was cheerful as the company was good. Puck had actually been really happy for the past month. He was happy, it really was a good day to die. Many hard hours traveling later they reached the outskirts of the Keep of Lotlh. A makeshift camp was set out and Raudsigr scouted the enemy positions; the army of Eydreki. Hours later he returned. Puck sat upon an old stump, munching on some pre-prepared field rations when he noticed Raudsigr. "Ah you're back! You were beginning to worry me." "Just trying to do a thorough job, dad." Puck smiled, "of course you were." Havok and Aegileif upon hearing the exchange exited their tents and joined the two beneath the stars. "Well son,"Puck asked, "what did you find out?" Raudsigr took a seat near his dad, "It seems as if Eydreki's main army consists entirely of Mercenaries and Dark Helms." Havok frowned, "What of his noble family? His Knights..the marshaled armies of House Dippity?" Raudsigr shrugged, "Well. It seems as if Earl Asdorr and Sleipnir did supply him with a couple of conscripts. But other than the Earl's themselves I didn't see a single White Knight of Dippity." Raudsigr paused for a second, "come to think of it, I didn't see a single soul from Eydreki's family." "Hmmm" Puck said, "something about this doesn't sound right." "He destroyed them all." Aegileif whispered. "What was that?" Raudsigr turned to Aegileif. "Nothing.." Aegileif shook his head, "did it seem like they were preparing to march out soon?" Raudsigr nodded, "Aye, it did. They must be waiting for something." "Or someone" Puck said, "I wonder who."

Eldfinnr's force moved stealthily throughout the night. This was the first time he and most his men had been this deep into Warriors of Aesir territory in years. And he wasn't about to blow his cover now. They'd been traveling for weeks now, always at night. But this night was different, this night he could see the lights of the Keep of Lotlh in the distance. This night he would arrive. And arrive he did. For a few short hours later as dawn broke across the land, he stood at the entrance way to the hall itself. He had taken Njord with him, and left Gerdena to look after the men. Lord Eydreki had not been lying, he had gathered here an admirable force. Eldfinnr felt a surge of excitement at being able to meet this visionary at last. The doors of the great hall swung open and a Dark Helmed guard stood waiting for him. The Dark Helmed man began to giggle to himself, "eheh. Eldfinnr I presume? We've been expecting you.." Eldfinnr frowned. Suddenly he wasn't liking this so much. "Yes, it is I Eldfinnr." "Ah! Hahaha! I knew it! " The Dark Helmeted guard swayed as he spoke, "did you bring an army?" "I brought those with me who would fight, yes." Eldfinnr realized that something in the hall reeked. "But I've yet to determine if will fight. I'd like first to meet this great Eydreki." "Of course of course, a meet and greet!" The Dark Helmeted man laughed, "everyone loves a meet and greet! Follow me." The Dark Helmeted man turned and headed down into the Keep. Eldfinnr hurried after him, leaving Njord at the doorway. Eldfinnr himself, was a Dippity by birth and had been in this hall more then a few times in his youth. But it had changed so much since then. At first it was just the darkness, the silence of a place that once was filled with life, the griminess of a place no longer cared for. Soon however, he realized that wasn't all that had changed. For there was blood on the walls. First just the rare scattered drips, but as he ventured deeper into it the drips transformed into blobs, then sprays, then streaks of blood. Then just as he reached the audience hall of Eydreki the streaks of blood were replaced with mutilated bodies. The bodies of children. Eldfinnr was mortified. "Dear friend! "Eydreki clapped his red hands together, " Youve made it at last! I was beginning to worry that you didn't appreciate the genius of my plan. That you were going to let me down.." "What, I, Yes I came. "Eldfinnr attempted to regain some composure, "What is this? Who are these children.." Eldfinnr now realized that Eydreki himself was covered in the same blood that coated this once happy hall. His hands were oozing in the stuff. "These children?! " Eydreki yelled with joy, "Oh ho ho! No not children you see Siggy! My dear Sigtryggr! Even the great Eldfinnr is tricked by them!" The Dark Helmeted escort began to laugh again, this time hysterically. "Tricked?" Eldfinnr began. "Oh yes! You see they look like children" Eydreki's eyes glowed with intense purpose, "but they aren't! The little brats, they once were my children. My heirs! But you see they were what the Emperor wanted! They were his spies, his children. With them he could replace me, I was expendable! They would one day remove me, just I as I removed my father!" "Your children? Your father?" Eldfinnr took a step back, "this is wrong..something..terribly wrong." Sigtryggr's laughter intensified. Eldfinnr was surrounded by maniacs. "Wrong?! Oh yes wrong! Wrong Wrong wrong!" Eydreki stood up, and for the first time Eldfinnr realized that the Lord of Dippity, was wearing a dress. "that is why we must fight! To right that wrong! I am so glad you came! Have you killed your children too? We must march today!" Eldfinnr finally recovering from the shock of Eydreki's atrocity, was determined to reclaim control of the situation. "No! What you have done is wrong! This is maddness! I cannot support this. You are vile! Me and my men will be leav...." "ELDFINNNNNR!" Njord's hurried screams throughout the hall silenced Eldfinnr's speech, and soon all eyes were upon the panting Njord as he stood before them. "Huff Gerdena, huff, not who, huff, said he was, huff." Njord struggled to get his message out. "What?! Hold on take a breath" Eldfinnr put his arm on Njord's shoulder, "what are you saying? What is happening?" Njord panted for a few more moments then spoke again. "Gerdena. Gerdena is Dane! He was just standing with the men one moment, and the next he had out this glowing piece of armor...and suddenly the Imperial Knight was next to him!" "WHAT!" Eldfinnr wasn't sure he could handle any more shocks, "Gerdena was Dane all along?! I can't...even believe it!" "It's worse then that though!" Njord almost shouted, "They just started hacking away our men! And even when we turned to fight him, his own army charged this encampment! The battle is underway, we must go to our men. They need you!" Eldfinnr cringed, there was no way out now. "Alright, of course! To war!" Eldfinnr and Njord then raced out the building and towards their battle-laden comrades.

He twirled beneath his wide brimmed hat and gliding cloak. Beads of sweat ebbed down his face, as step after step, move after move, he danced the most ancient dance of his people. The dance of death. His footing sure and his jabs commanding, he felled one enemy after another. Avoiding death and dealing death with every rapid heart beat. Still, he was pretty happy to be here. Dane had spent a long time infiltrating the Sons of Plunder, gaining Eldfinnr and other's trust. While he never fully won over Ultima, he had been able to secure for himself a position of leadership and power. He of course had planned to crush the rebellious little tribe. Wrong or not, they set a dangerous precedent an alternative to the rule of Dane. Dane couldn't simply sit idle and let that happen. Plus they always talked about Diplomacy and peace and ugh. Dane hated that stuff. So instead here he stood, flinging his sword from one soft body to the next, blood splashing and souls flashing as he carved his right to kingship into the flesh of his enemies. But he was not alone. To his back stood the massive black-clad Imperial Knight, Baron Ullr the Traitor's-Bane. His mighty soul-crushing sword hacking away at scores of men. Meanwhile swords and arrows broke away harmlessly against his impenetrable armor. Dane grit his teeth though as he thought of his champions armor. He had used the Shoulder-Piece of Ullr's armor to summon the rest of the Armor, and Ullr himself to Dane's side. However the battle was so intense that Dane hadn't had time to restore the piece of armor. A tiny chink in his friends defense was now visible. "My Lord, " Ullr's words were even and tempered, though he continued to heft death as he spoke, "your army arrives." Dane looked to the horizon where he saw the his own levies and conscripts form up behind the glittering personages of his grand Champions. Dane quickly felled another pair of Sons of Plunder soldiers and yelled back to his Imperial Knight, "Ullr! Something seems wrong, my force is smaller than it should be.." The Imperial Knight crushed the skull of some half-dead conscript and responded, "I am sorry my lord, but your champions Ottfreyr the Vandel and Nami the Valkyrie abandoned the war party, along with their men." Dane ducked beneath a hail of arrows, "What?! Where did they go?" The Arrows bounced harmlessly off Ullr the Traitor's-Bane, "They said that there was nothing to gain in this battle. That the Empire no longer represented their needs. They returned to the lands you had given them, and sent word of their independence." Dane used the limp body of recently stabbed enemy to block more arrows, Dane really hated arrows, "Ugh, without them I don't know if we have enough men to win." Ullr cut a man in half who was posed to stab the Emperor, "I'm sure we'll prevail against such dogs, my lord." Dane could see the shining sword of Skaldi the Kin-Slayer at the head of his host, "I do have faith in my men." And with that the two battle-companions plunged once more into the silent blood-lust of battle. They were at the heart of the Raven's Feast.

Chapter 9: The Fall of the Leitlings

Young Squire Puck attended to his chores, his studies and his patience. He tended after his nephews generously, and was amble with his remaining brothers, Havok and Lithsvaldr. But the worry, the dread of the whereabouts of his father was never far from his thoughts. Hours turned into days, and days into weeks. For all this time, there was no word, no message, no cause for elation or despair. To the backwoods barracks of the Loth, their was nothing but cruel count of time for all of 17 days. The 18th day, however, was all together different. In the early morning of that fateful day, was Puck up before the sun. Outside in the muddy earth of the newly melted snow, he trampled through the water-laden ground as he gathered eggs for that mornings breakfast. The quiet bristling of the wind, and the lonesome shuddering of the foliage were the only noises that accompanied him on this morning routine. Or so he thought. For just as he was clasping his 9th egg, he heard a crashing through the forest. As if some half lame giant was hefting himself through the wilderness. The noise startled Puck so much that the egg was crushed between his fist, something he didn't notice for quite some time. For he was already racing towards the raucous noise. Stopping to grab his old practice sword from the training the area, he boldly approaching the dark forest. "I..am Squire Puck! You trespass upon the sacred land of House Lot...House Dippity. Explain yourself!" Puck shouted at the shadows. Puck stood there feebly, sweat dripped down his face as his egg covered hand turned white with pressure squeezing his flimsy blunted sword. "Brother, we've come a long way." The horse voice of Deutschland barely audible called back. Puck stepped to the side, his shoddy sword fell to the ground forgotten. A tired injured Deutshcland road out of the forest upon a starved and withered horse. Next to him road another young man that Puck had never seen before. Both horses were tied to some sort of wooden platform, that they struggled to drag. Puck struggled to see what lay in the dark platform even as the first ember tendrils of the raising sun splashed against the land. Blood stained armor reflected those youthful sun rays, and Puck got his first sight at the gore. The House Dippity, had been massacred. The horses and platform continued to progress towards the Barracks, Puck looked towards his injured brother. "Wh-Where-," Puck stammered, "Where is father?" Without turning to face him Deutschland responded,"I am the Lord of Dippity now." Puck looked again at the platform, this time eyeing the masterfully crafted Breastplate of his late father. It no longer reflected the white purity he had witnessed earlier. For the entire thing was crusted in crimson red, and so instead it gave off a dark red hue. Not unlike the last desperate firmaments of the setting sun. Deutschland and his unknown accomplice's uneven trudge proceeded without further interruption.

Puck looked to the sky, his eyes wet in tears and watched the cosmos swirl before him. In the stars he saw the faces of the House of Dippity form and collapse like fleeting constellations. DippityDog, Santifico, Loki, his brothers, his sons; Valvarthr, Raudsigr. The stars turned red and began to bleed scarlet tears. The House of Lotlh was broken, the House of Dippity spurred. Would blood and defeat be the legacy of his people? The Star-tears fell to the cool earth, and Puck watched as they slowly consolidated into a single ominous red dawn. Earl Puck dreamily studied the dawn, noticing a strange flash of reflected light deep with in it. The world of his thoughts gave way as he slowly found himself once more grounded in reality. What was that reflected in the field? Puck noticed his fellow companions asleep and started to get up for a better look at the field below; when he heard it. The Battle-Horn of the Kin-Slayer, Standard-barer to the Emperor, was blown. Puck hurried to his feet, even as others stirred. "Was that-?" Havok began to ask, fresh from slumber. "Yes," Puck had cut him off, "Skaldi the Kin-Slayer." "Then that means-" Raudsigr started to speak. "Yes, " Again the ever vigilant Puck cut someone off, "The battle is joined." "The Emperor has arrived." Aegileif whispered. Puck was already hurriedly gathering his equipment. "It's time."

Lord Skaldi the Kin-Slayer had seen his share of battles. He had been in any number of hopeless situations. Often side by side with the Emperor himself, and sometimes even alone. From the ice-covered lands of the giants Utgard, to the burning badlands of the Asgard Warriors; Skaldi had defended the Empire. He'd crushed traitors beneath the ice, shot deserters out of the sky, and defended the Emperor before the most vehement of critics. But the wretched battle that was being fought before him was unlike any other he had participated in. House Dippity territory was the most loyal and prosperous in the Empire. The White Knights of Dippity famous for their courage, justice and humility. Yet now their armies stood before the Emperor himself. For the first time since the death of Loki, the loyal were out numbered. Lord Skaldi had fought traitors before. Even though of his very House who dared to conspire against the Empire. His very name boasted of this fact. But this was all together something different. This schism represented something more dangerous, more fundamental to the well being of the Warriors of Æsir. Lord Skaldi hefted up his Giant-Forged blade into the sun, and blew his ancient horn as loudly as he could. A flood of soldiers charged from behind him and poured into the melee below, where the Emperor and Imperial Knight were already in battle. As the soldiers ran past Skaldi, he slowly clasped his horn back to his belt and took one last deep breath. Something wasn't right. He knew it. But he had a job to do, and although he was old and tired; he'd not shrink from his duty. He put his worries and his concerns from his head, took grasp of his sword firmly in both hands, and raced after his men.

The wind blew gingerly through the mud-swept landscape, the trees bayed and first few flowers of spring emerged from once dead earth. The morning sun burned incredulously as tides of death were dispatched to meet it. As nature celebrated rebirth, man found itself embracing death. The battle raged on. Outnumbered; the forces of the Empire were expertly commanded by the aged Lord Skaldi the Kin-Slayer. Despite the ill-omans; Skaldi relished a battle. He had his berserkers flank, his Knights feign retreat, and his levies hold fast, even as he joined them on the tattered line; cleaving constantly with his red saturated weapon. It had been a while since he had seen the Emperor and Imperial Knight Fighting in the distance, he had been trying to reach his liege, but for now all he could do was keep the Empire in battle. So that's what he did. Over and over Skaldi's sword sliced through the air, a cumbersome arc that always ended in an enemy's swiftly limp body. Before his mighty blows many warriors were ruined, and a path to the Emperor was being plowed. Yet even as Skaldi began to make progress he realized something in the battle was changing. The enemy ranks were suddenly sparse, and his own ranks had nearly collapsed around him. The last few Imperial Soldiers were cut down even as the enemy warriors backed further away from Skaldi's front, yet closed in on his rear. Skaldi was surrounded. He gripped his sword, prepared to give the traitorous mob hell, prepared for them to rush him at any second. But their assault was stayed, as not one of them moved to approach the Skaldi the Kin-Slayer, Lord of House Thief. The ranks of still enemies shifted, and a path was made. Sweat dripped down Skaldi's confused brow as he braced himself. Out of the path, a single enemy stepped forth. He was small and wiry, young with a look of absurd brashness. His armor was worn and frayed, the marks of House Thief still identifiable upon them, despite an obvious attempt to scratch them off. "Father. " Njord, exiled heir to the House of Thief, spit the word out as if it were poison. "So this is what became of you. " The Kin-Slayer slowly spoke. "You did this to me. You ruined me." Njord lashed out, waving his short sword. "No, Njord. You brought this upon your-" "SILENCE!!" Njord cut his father off, "I've had ENOUGH, of your speeches, of your explanations! You turned against me! You cast me out! You betrayed me!" "You were working against the Emperor, I had no choice." "Against the Emperor?! Who is HE to you? You are but his lackey! I was your son, your heir, your protege!" "I was bounded by Honor and Loyalty; as were you. You betrayed that bond. You betrayed me and yourself." Skaldi lowered his sword. "NO! No! No! No! Your excuses are wretched and your words tiring!" Njord angled his sword at his father, "You cannot talk yourself out of this. Fight me now old man. It ends here!." Skaldi looked down to his blood soaked breaker of men. His Iron-edged battle-companion. A single tear crept down Skaldi's eye as his sword dropped to the floor. "What? What are you doing?! Fight me!" Njord cried, "You aren't better than me! I am worthy of this fight! Stop it!" Skaldi looked up to his son once more. "I've shed so much of my own family's blood. You were right my son. It ends here." Skaldi looked to his crazed son calmly. A slow strange serenity filled Skaldi's expression, even as the cold blade of his son entered his stomach. Skaldi slid off the edge of his sons sword on to his back. Warm tired blood poured out of his gapping wound, bits of shattered bone pressed deep into ruptured organs, white hot pain gave way to shock and peace as Lord Skaldi the Kin-Slayer looked to the sky. The last fading stars of the nearly forgotten night were almost gone now. Skaldi could feel the life draining out of him. His eyes grew heavy, his heart grew slow. He wondered if he'd be amongst the Stars once more, if they were waiting to greet him. If he had earned Valhalla, his deeds and past were so torn and contorted. Was his allegiance to the Emperor too much? Was the price of loyalty and honor too high? Would he be damned for eternity for killing so much of his family? All these thoughts, all these concerns slowly poured out him, along side his warm blood. Until at last there was only room enough in him for one last desperate wish. As he noted the battle raging over him with his dimming gaze, he wished to see his son one last time. To look upon his boy before his body gave out. In this, he was disappointed. And so Lord Skaldi the Kin-Slayer, Lord of Thief, Champion of the Emperor, Steward of the Empire and Bane of House Thief - died.

Earl Puck the Vigilant saw it with his own eyes. Even as his black sword cut through the his opponents swords like butter, Puck witnessed in the distance the demise of the Kin-Slayer. He and his own righteous band had joined the fray from the rear not long ago and had also been attempting to reach the besieged Emperor. To Puck's side Aegileif hurled his sword with expert precision, at Puck's rear Havok brandished his own weapon deftly, while to Puck's right his own son Raudsigr used two short swords to make quick work of hostiles. Together they formed diamond shaped field of death for any enemy unlucky enough to step into their line. Puck's own swelling pride for his son was only kept in check by constant rigors of battle. Raudsigr had more then grown up, he'd become an expert swordsman. Puck's sword flashed through another shoulder, and he again paused to sum up the battlefield. With the demise of Skaldi the Kin-Slayer, the Emperor's army was in disarray, they were losing ground to the rebels. Puck could no longer make out the Emperor's precise position either. It looked as if the Imperial Knight and the Emperor had been swallowed up by a horde of enemies. There was no telling if the Emperor was even still alive. Puck rammed his sword through another line of enemies. He then turned towards his companions. "Havok, Aegileif! The two of you, attempt to reach the Emperor's Army!" "Aye, I can do that brother. But what of you" A blood-covered Havok asked. "Raudsigr and myself will try to make it to the Emperor. Once we're there we'll try to fight our way to you. You have to lead the army. If they retreat, we'll all die." Havok nodded even as Aegileif slayed another enemy, "Alright brother. I'll see you in Valhalla." With that Havok and Aegileif took off from the group and into the greater melee, slashing and stabbing as the sprinted through the confused ranks of enemies, towards their goal. Puck turned towards his son, "Raudsigr?". "I'm with you, Father." No longer encumbered by their earlier formation, Puck and Raudsigr cut through the enemy lines with reckless abandon. From the get go they were surrounded, there was no flank to cover, no position to hold. They simply ran forward into the maze of bodies. Cutting, slashing, deflecting as they went. As if guided by the Æsir themselves, Puck and his son took no injuries and avoided all grievous harm with their berserk assault. It wasn't long before they heard the lumbering sword of Ullr the Traitor's-Bane crashing against earth and foe alike. Puck felt his heart leap, there was still hope. The two of them continued to press against the enemy lines until they stumbled into a corpse covered clearing. Where the Emperor and Imperial Knight defiantly stood. They had made it.

He couldn't help but giggle. It was all too perfect, too precious. All his planning and preparations had finally come to fruition. This was the moment he had been waiting for. And so, the glorious Lord Eydreki stole himself a moment to simply giggle. To appreciate that which had been wrought in his name. The future king, the future Emperor, the future all. Eydreki dimly acknowledged that there still was some fierce fighting to the western flank. But the leaderless outnumbered remnants of the Imperial Army were hardly worth worrying about, an irritant that would be swept in a matter of minutes. No, this battle was over, and before him stood his true prize. The cornered false-Emperor himself, and his wretched dog. The Emperor of lies clutches his bleeding shoulder and raised his sword towards Eydreki. "Fight me, "Dane whispered, "Earn your future with honor." Another fierce giggle shivered through Eydreki as he watched the pathetic Emperor squirm. The Emperor was in no position to make demands, surrounded as he was on all sides by uncountable masses. "Damn you fight me like a man!" The Emperor Howled. Lord Eydreki broke out laughing at this, what a silly thing to say to a man who was wearing a dress! Eydreki grinned at the poor fool, "Oh Mighty Majestic Magistrate Of your Immaculate realm. I'm afraid I can not grant your lofty wish!" The Dark Helmeted Mercenaries near Eydreki all began to chuckle as Eydreki continued to speak, "You see, you have no power here. You have no power anywhere. Not anymore." Blissful ecstasy was evident on Eydreki's face as he finished, "You are not even the ruler of yourself. You are mine, all mine. And I shall make your last choice for you. I choose for you to die." Eydreki had practiced that speech every day within his private chambers for the last two years. He withered with pleasure having finally delivered it. Once recovered he signaled to his Dark Helms. The entire regiment had but one mission now, to take down the lone Imperial Guard. Led by their tall hysterical commander they fell upon Ullr like a pack of wolves upon a lion. With Dane's body guard out of the picture Eydreki, Asdorr, Sleipnir, Eldfinnr and Njord approached the wounded Emperor. Dane's expression switched back and forth a few times between confusion and fear, until it seemed as though the ancient war-lord had discovered something in soul solid enough to latch onto. At which point Dane straightened himself up and a look of extreme dispassionate professionalism flowed through his face. With a wave of Eydreki's blood-soaked hand Asdorr, Sleipnir and Njord rushed the Emperor. Dane was forced on the defensive, his sword flashed as he parried blow after blow. Njord stabbed, Asdorr heaved and Sleipnir slashed in unison. Fueled by hatred and greed their weapons whirled in the light of the morning sun. But Dane refused to give any ground. After many lifetimes of constant warfare he mastered this particular art. It soon became apparent they could not best him. Eydreki watched the ensuing battle with little emotion. After some time had passed Eydreki calmly raised his bow, pulled the taut string back and released a lazy arrow into the fray.

As swords clanged and lungs burned the arrow soured silently through the morning air, cutting through it on it's fate filled journey towards the struggle. Dane's sword once more denied Njord's weapon entry into his flesh, then even as the neurons were firing throughout Dane's exhausted body to flick the sword to his rear in order to stop Asdorr's attack his eyes at last focused on the sailing arrow. Dane's reflex's continued through to thwart Asdorr's attack, but his attention stayed fixated on the arrow that there was no time to stop. The shinny point tore deep into his flesh, burrowing into his soft center. He fell to his knee, as he fought to keep from collapsing. In exhausted agony he looked up, realizing that his assailants had backed away a little bit. Dane glanced far to his left to see Ullr still in swamped in his own life or death battle with an entire mercenary order. Sweat and blood stung Dane's eyes as he struggled to keep them open, he looked back to the traitors who stood before him. Asdorr's gaze was fixed steadily at the ground, to look upon his former dying Emperor was just too much. Njord slowly, smugly approached Dane his weapon light in his hands. Sleipnir looked away. Dane took a deep breath as his executioner towered over him. The battle slowly faded from his view as he became more and more aware of the beauty of this particular morning. The cool spring breeze poured through the lush fields, ruffling the sickly hair upon his head. The green grasses glistened with the gentle drips of dew. Birds calling in the distance. Emperor Dane the Proud was ready to die. This world that he had lived on for so many generations, his foster-home, would be a fine place for an eternal rest. He was sorry he would never see his own real home again, that he would never restore the true Empire of the Stars. But he had done more than any had thought possible, he had built this world. Dane clutched some wet soil in his hand as his eye's met Njords, "Finish it". A flicker of uncertainly passed through Njord's face before it hardened into a cold bitter grin, "With pleasure". Njord raised his bloody blade above the kneeling Emperor. Dane refused to close his eyes. "Njord! Stop it!" Eldfinnr's distant voice crashed through the moment, "Njord! Don't do it!" Eldfinnr ran over to his companion and would-be executioner. "This isn't what we wanted, this isn't who we are!" Eldfinnr put his hand on Njord's shoulder. Njord spoke through his teeth, "He infiltrated our clan and he destroyed it! He tricked us and lied to us." Turning from Dane Njord looked Eldfinnr in the eyes, "We have nothing left; only this." Eldfinnr shook his head and almost whispered, "No Njord we still our dignity, we still have our honor, we still have our souls. He can never take that from us." With that said, Eldfinnr slowly wrapped his hand around Njord's sword wielding fist and brought the sword down. "Come on, let's go home." Eldfinnr and his compatriot turned from Dane and headed into the crowd back, back from where they came. Eydreki groaned. "Weak! Weak! Weak! WEAK!" His shrill voice echoed off his followers. "Your rotten genes! Your rotten houses! You've made us all weak!" Eydreki glowered at the dazed kneeling Emperor. "But not I! Oh ho ho! I've bled the bad genes out. I've turned your Heir-Machine into a true purifier! That is why I stand here now! That is why I am strong enough to do what needs to be done!" With that said Eydreki raised his bow one more time. "That is why I am strong enough to be Emperor." A commotion could be heard generating from some side of the circle as Eydreki's arrow was released. Just as before this one sailed through the air, whizzing past the armies and levies that had been assembled here, whizzing past destiny. Just as before the arrow pierced soft flesh, tearing into the body of a once noble man. Earl Puck the Vigilant winced, and fell to his knees. "Father!" Raudsigr followed after his dad, a moment too late. "The Vigilant" Dane coughed in a husky voice. Eydreki looked like he was about to cry. For it seems from the very door of fate itself, Earl Puck the Vigilant had stumbled onto the scene. Only to take an arrow in the shoulder for his dear Lord Emperor. Only to ruin Eydreki's plans. Puck wearily got to his feet, ignoring the blood that poured forth from his wound. "You and I, oh Lord of House Dippity" Puck grimly smiled as if having said a joke, "we have some unfinished business to discuss." Puck took slow determined steps toward the Lord of Dippity. Raudsigr followed his father, a few paces behind. "Kill him!" Eydreki called out to his assembled armies. "Kill the Emperor's Lap-Dog!". A calm wind blew as no one moved. No one in the realm of Dippity would raise their weapon to the renowned and loved Earl Puck. With the Dark Helms busy, Eydreki would have to face his adversary alone. Puck continued to shorten the distance between. "An arrow! Quickly you traitorous fools!." Eydreki looked to men closest to him, as they silently backed away from the Lord of House Dippity. "You will all hang for this!" Eydreki threw his bow to the ground and unsheathed his sword. "I don't need them! I don't need anyone!" Eydreki smiled sickly, "Not to kill you, old man." Puck's left arm was slack against his side, an arrow still embedded deep into the shoulder above it. With his right arm he lifted up his glowing black sword. Puck coughed as he noticed Eydreki's dress, "Never thought I'd have to strike a women." Puck grinned. "Fool! You can not even begin to understand what is happening. "Eydreki closed the remaining distance lashing out at the injured Earl. Eydreki's sword was deflected by the Sword of Cypher, when their two metals met a shock-wave screamed past the combatants and the entire battlefield trembled against the sound of thunder. Eydreki's sword, formed with some black arts of his own design did not break as was the fate for every other sword that had ever kissed the edge of the Sword of Cypher. Again and again their swords met and it seemed as if gods had replaced mortals for thunder shock the earth with each foul meeting. The Sword of Cypher glowed with such a strength that none save the Emperor had ever before witnessed. It cleaved off a chunk of skin from Eydreki's shoulder as he narrowly dodged it's assault. Then again as Eydreki ducked the Sword severed from Eydreki his ear. But still Eydreki kept fighting, and as time passed the advantage became his. Earl Puck was tired, and his own wound far more severe. Finally Eydreki clasped onto the arrow shaft still deep in Puck's shoulder with his free hand and pressed it deeper into him. Puck cried out in pain and his sword slackened in his hand. Eydreki stabbed his own sword deep into Puck's right arm. Puck recoiled but his sword fell from his grasp. Eydreki twisted the arrow shaft and Puck fell to his back. Eydreki kicked the sword away from the Earl and stood over his wounded bleeding opponent. Without blinking Eydreki swung his sword up and plunged it down towards defenseless Earl Puck.

The dark assailant's helmet rolled away from his fresh corpse, revealing none other than Kolnatt The Iosvartr. Once a hero of the Empire, his body now had the honor of joining the same ruinous pile of other slain Dark Helms. The remaining Dark Helms swirled around him continuing their assault, but Baron Ullr the Traitor's-Bane's gaze clung to Kolnatt the Isovartr. Finally Ullr understood who he was fighting, finally Ullr knew who the Dark Helms were. "The Asgard Berserkers" Ullr mumbled as his giant sword cut straight through another ill-fated Dark Helm. By now only half their number remained, but they showed no hint of retreating. They ran, grabbed and attempted to tackle the massive Imperial Knight, their weapons being rendered useless by his armor. Clinging and climbing over him like a band of drunken spider monkeys. For each one Ullr ripped from his body, another three would launch themselves on to him. The entire episode was becoming quite trying for the Baron. Ullr hated them. He always had, even back when they were part of the Empire, the way they'd strut around the Capital, tossing their weight around, thinking they were better than the Empire itself. Ullr had at first been the only councilor to side with the Emperor when he voted to have the traitorous rift-raft expelled from the Empire. Back then the hate had been cold and calculating, a distant and logical enterprise. But now that had changed, for as they swung from his arms and scuttled up his back, as their leader laughed and laughed like some manic hyena; Ullr's hate was transformed into something passionate and personal. He was going to be their end. Ullr tossed another would-be climber from his arm and brought his sword down across the grounded man's leg, cleaving it in two. A Dark Helm who had climbed Ullr's back tugged at his Helmet until Ullr clawed hands crushed that man's skull, his corpse effortlessly tumbling off Ullr's body. Another two Dark Helms rushed Ullr's legs as two more leaped on his back. Ullr swayed as he attempted to maintain his balance. Ullr cringed and steadied himself. He could handle this, he thought to himself. He was the Imperial Knight! These fools were nothing compared to him. Still he could feel himself starting to give. Normally he could take them all so easily, but that insistent laughter! He couldn't concentrate! Echoing from some deep helmet, constantly, powerfully. It pierced Ullr's thoughts and jumbled up his mind. It was a kind of torture he had never known. Another Dark Helm leaped on to Ullr's chest as he struggled to regain his composure. Ullr squinted his eyes and took a deep breath. "Focus, focus" he whispered to himself. "The one laughing, their leader, is the only one not climbing on me. If I can silence him this battle is over." Ullr heaved himself towards the only remaining Dark Helm not crawling all over him. The Laughing leader of this mercenary band. Ullr was sure he knew it was. "Ah ha ha!" Sigtryggr cried with ravenous glee, "So the mighty dumpster deems me worthy of his desire!" Despite being weighed down the towering Ullr was still quicker than most men. He reached out with his right arm and grabbed Sigtryggr before he could escape. Sigtryggr giggled with another fit of laughter as Ullr lifted the man up until he was eye level. "Traitor, Deserter, Apostate, Heretic! "Ullr roared, "Your sick joke stops here! I will silence you once and for all!" "Ahahahaha " Sigtryggr's voice soared over all sounds of battle, " at last you see that it is indeed all one joke! Perhaps there is hope for you after all dog!" Ullr tightened his grasp on Sigtryggr, squeezing, suffocating the diminutive man. "Ah...ha...ha " Sigtryggr coughed, "the...jokes..on....you." At just that moment a wet green blade slipped into Ullr's unguarded shoulder, deep into his flesh. Ullr's grip on Sigtryggr gave way and he fell to the ground, releasing a tormented howl. Sigtryggr struggled to his feet, "Ah ha ha! Well done men! We've done all we can do here! Let us return once more to our own happy land!" The remaining Dark Helms left Ullr and followed after their laughing leader into the morning light. Ullr clutched his bleeding shoulder and rolled on to his back agony shot through his dark soul and his vision blurred. Baron Ullr the Traitor's-Bane, Imperial Knight of the Empire, Personal Body Guard to the Emperor and Champion of the Æsir; passed out.

Eydreki suddenly slackened. His sword fell from his hands and his eyes looked down towards his body with horror as his mouth gagged on this most recent twist of fate. One he could not quite swallow. Lord Eydreki of House Dippity had been impaled by the red hot black-burning ember that was the Sword of Cypher. This was to be his finest honor, his enemies were at his knees! His mouth agape with foul blood flowing out of it he followed the deadly sword back it's source. Sturdy hands held it, hands that belonged to... a stranger. A man Eydreki didn't know, a man who strangely enough looked a lot like Earl Puck. Whatever strength remained in Eydreki's knees gave out and he fell to his back. Sounds swirled around him. Names and other words were being spoken, a battle raged in the distance, birds called and feet stamped. But all this was mute to Eydreki, for he only had ears for himself. Eydreki's eyes filled with the raw red color of death. He felt his heart continue pumping in vain, he heard his lungs struggle to suck in more air. But most important of all, he heard the shrill scream of unbelieving defiance pulsate through every part of his fading mind. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" It cried though-out him, "This isn't happening! This isn't true! My destiny will not be denied! I am power! I am prophecy! I am! I AM! I AM! I AM! I AM!" And with that final fleeting thought, Lord Eydreki, Sixth Lord of House Dippity died.

The Tale of Tom the Orca is a fictionalized and humorous account of the great feats in the field of recruitment accomplished by Knight Thingol, formerly Eru, Sindar. The original tale was lost with the destruction of the WA forums during the 3rd Fleet Era. The version below is Thingol's own attempt to reproduce the work from memory.

“The Grim Helm…Grimhelm. Yes. That is what they call me these days.”

An explosion goes off in the near distance… “Oh, right, that…”

I have been playing these war games near an hour now and it has finally come down to the last commander and me. I haven’t been playing these matches like you’re supposed to, the way to win. After a grueling 30 minutes of our armies battling back and forth, my forces have been pushed back to my final stronghold.

"Sigh...Well I guess it is time to meet my enemy.” As I walk out on to the battle field I can see my men going down on either side of me. The enemy has me surrounded. As the army part ways for their commander to meet me, I straighten my armor and pull myself up to my fullest height, ready for anything that came at me next. But I had not expected what came walking down the line of men.

He was tanned in complexion and had a huge beaming smile stretched across the face. “Hahaha. That was an awesome match! You did some weird things that caught me off guard but I got yah in the end hehe.”

“Er yeah..congrats..” I reached out my hand to congratulate him and as he took my hand he saw the emblem of my clan on my armor.

“Hey! You’re from the Warriors of Aesir?!”

“Yeah what of it!” I asked, as I took a step back with a look of defiance in my face. I was ready to battle with this man right here with his army at his back if he offended my clan, the clan I poured my blood, sweat, and tears into for it to become a success.

“Oh. It’s just that I used to be in WA”

“That’s impossible”... I knew every member who passed through my halls and he obviously did not recognize me from my name. “What’s your name then?” “Eru” he replied. Eru…eru..eru. “ERU! Son of Crimsonhuntr, son of Enforcer, son of Killncow, son of C0r.!” He was just a lad then. “Wow you have grown. I didn’t recognize you.”

“Yeah a lot has changed in my time away from WA. How has things been?”

Hmm. An old member of WA whos father was exiled for his deeds in the clan. Should I speak with him? Eh. Life is about risks and one old member can’t do much harm…right? “Why don’t you come see for yourself how the Clan is doing?”

“Hmmmm…Only for a look. No promises or anything. I have moved on since WA”

I smiled to him. “Haven’t we all.”

We started on the way back to the Great Hall and it was a far distance from where we were, situated deep in the snowy mountain. Each time I looked back, I expected to see him gone, but no, he was still trudging along.

“Here we are.” and there was a loud creak as I pushed open the great wooden doors. “what do you think?”

He entered the room and his smile faded instantly. I walked towards my chair guarded by a couple of sentries. Pushing in a chair, or picking up a goblet here and there. Overall the hall has gone into disuse. I reached my big chair and gave a big sigh as I turned towards him and sat down. “Well?” He hasn’t moved from that spot since we got there.

He was staring back and forth in disbelief at what he was seeing. WA didn’t live up to his wonderful memories of old. “What happened to this place?! There used to be music and these tables were filled with men and great knights.”

“Well you could say we have seen better days” as I gave a chuckle laden with a tinge of sorrow. “We will bounce back. For this is the home of the Warriors of Aesir,” I stood up and opened my arms wide and proud. “and as long as I am here this place shall never fall!”

“Well, you have come for your look at our hall, and im sorry it didn’t live up to your memories. We will rise again sooner or later. Good luck on your journeys.” He turned and walked towards the door with his chin to his chest.

A tiny whisper could be heard… “no”

“Excuse me?”

“No. NO! This can’t be happening. I will not stand by and not do anything while my old home has come to this!”

He then started mumbling…no he was chanting…An ancient Hawaiian chant. It then grew louder and louder as if the walls were echoing his voice. Then the Hall started to shake, then the mountain. “What the hell?” Then the door burst open and an explosion of water rushed in and whales, YES WHALES, of all different sizes and species flew in from every window and door. “WE ARE ON A BLOODY MOUNTAIN! WHAT THE HELL!” He then gave a short whistle and a mighty Orca named Tom flew next to him. He hopped on and settled himself on his back.

“Hail! Emperor Dane, the Grimhelm. Do not worry! I shall ride off to recruit land and bring this Hall back to its former glory.

“But you are just one man. What can one man do?”

He then gave his beaming smile, gently kicking the mighty orca’s side and in a fluid motion, all of the giants of the sea followed, and in their wake shone a great rainbow across the sky.

I watched in astonishment as he rode off, and then I looked around my hall. “Damnit Eru” *Sigh* as I picked up my broom with a grin on my face…

Tribes were the inspiration for WA's modern Houses.

The Warriors of Æsir forums serve to unify the WA community by connecting all members of WA across all games. Typical activities on the forums include utilizing the private messaging system, debating, posting about narwhals, and submitting sitreps to superiors. They contain over thirty subforums and seventy-seven thousand plus posts as of February 27, 2012. Many important announcements, such as Imperial Decrees, are found on the forums. Still, the forums are a place for members of WA to relax, have fun, and participate in the clan together.

History of the forums
The present forum was established February 7, 2010, by Lord Protector Moscow after the previous forum was destroyed by a disgruntled member named Warrior who owned them. The previous forum was founded on June 1, 2008, and by the time it was destroyed in February of 2010, its 18 months of existence resulted in a total of 31,970 posts and 670 members. By the time of its demise, Moscow had become its primary administrator, and used his webhost to host and create the website and forum we use today.

A number of WA forums prior to the 2008 ones once existed.

Surpassing the old forum
On November 30, 2010, the current forum surpassed the previous forum in terms of content. Where it took the previous forum 18 months of activity to reach its post count, the current forum did the same in less than 9 months. ￼￼￼￼￼￼

WARG was an organization that existed within WA for a brief time. Its primary role was to uphold protocol.

History
The History of WARG though mostly forgotten can be traced back to previous similar incarnations of protocol upholding organizations.

Members
WARG had few members, most memorable of which was its commander WARG-Sjorvargr and WARG-Botholfr. Also WA-Puck, though not technically a member within it, served in the position of Vice Admiral, and oversaw it's operations.

Theme
The name WARG represents a mythical wolf like a beast in Norse Mythology, and was usually used to describe the type of creature known as Fenrir the wolf, also known as Loki's son. Other notable WARGs were Sköll and Hati. The fact that WA was in the word was considered a bonus since it replaced the standard WA- tag.

History
The Warriors of Æsir, or WA, was initially organized and headquartered on StarCraft Battlenet.

Origins
In the Early years of StarCraft Battlenet was a thriving and vibrant place. Where there was a great focus on the organization of clans themselves. Instead of using a similar bland template for every clan, many Clans found themselves developing strong themes or unique brands of government. At this time there were many clans who maintained a role playing aspect; not only would they have ranks, but those ranks and people's association with the clan would be taken in serious and profound ways. Whether it be Saluting, or calling each member Brother, or any other numerous role playing aspects.. it as popular and it was experimented with. Just as each einherjar of WA is seen as being the offspring of their recruiter, so did WA have it's own predecessors and ancestors. It's own linage.

Many of the original traditions of WA came from an old clan known as JAM, this clan had a form of protocol and a tight military command which is very similar to how early WA operated. However WA's style is more akin to a rebel clan that formed from JAM, known as the Imperial Dominion, or iD. The founder of WA, Dane, joined iD as his first clan on Battlenet and its structures and rules would be the template for the Warriors of Æsir.

After iD died Dane and a few other members continued to join and participate in iD's fragment clans. Eventually when all the leaders of iD were gone and there was no one left to follow, Dane formed the Warriors of Æsir.

Yule is the annual celebration of Christmas held every year for the entire month of December. During this time, the clan holds many tournaments and events to celebrate the season. Also, there are several traditions that are observed during yule. It is a fundamental part of WA's culture.

Traditions
One of the most recognizable traditions of Yule is the SnoWA tag. Every year, starting at the end of November, each member must change their tag from "WA-" to "SnoWA-" until New Years.