Fenvik Veltensson (The Elder)

*Page Status: Accepted Canon*

## Background

Fenvik Veltensson (known as Fenvik the Elder) was the founder of current-day Strøndholm during the Skardoving era. Supposedly born in the Kingdom of Velos of legend, he rose to a position of prominence as an advisor in the High King's assembly, despite coming from a low-born family. At the age of 43, Fenvik witnessed the final collapse of the Kingdom of Velos, and was forced to flee from the ensuing chaos. Finding refuge in the Suovirke mountains, he witnessed much of the utter destruction that followed the fall, ranging all across the Forsvarian continent.

Fenvik the Elder was known for his foresight and tact, traits not often prized by Forsvarians.

## Skardoving Era

### Joining Vinterföld

Two years after the founding of Vinterföld, Fenvik the Elder descended from the mountains, hearing of the new settlement south of the Suovirke mountains perched on the Estren coast. Upon meeting Jarl Skard Rolfsson of Vinterföld, Fenvik decided to settle once more and join the new settlement, hoping to see a restoration of a more peaceful past.

> *“Twenty years on, the land is almost silent. I have ventured out and found only a handful of villages left. I did find one man, however, who brings about a different vision for the Försvarian people; different to the other remnant warlords. In the southlands of Försvar, Jarl Skard of Vinterföld brings together many of the Försvarian people, and I have joined his cause, hoping to see perhaps a glimpse of the united Velos of my youth before I pass away. Now I grow old, and though I can still swing my axe, I believe my mind is the sharper weapon. We will see if Jarl Skard follows the path of reason, or whether history shall repeat itself.” - Fenvik the Elder on joining Vinterföld*
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### Founding of Strøndholm

While Strondholm Vale had been settled in an age prior to Fenvik the Elder's time, the town that once stood in the vale had been destroyed by Forsvarian raiders upon the Velosian collapse. Fenvik had in fact been born in the original settlement of Strondholm, and having come to reside in Vinterföld, not far to the east of the vale, he was once again drawn to the ruins.

> *"It was in fact the city of my birthplace, the origin of my blood. Unsurprisingly I have been drawn back to this place, only to struggle to even find its remnants buried far beneath the dirt and snow. Now I seek to rebuild it, under the blessing and protection of Jarl Skard of Vinterföld. Perhaps I will see it thrive before my time in this world is done.” - Fenvik the Elder on restoring Strøndholm*
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In the following years, construction in the vale commenced, and the town of Strøndholm was established as a vassal of the Jarldom of Vinterföld.

### The Battle of Honeybay

War had been brewing in amongst the major nations of the south. Jarl Skard Rolfsson had been paid by the Republic of Nivoa to join in a major engagement with the Kosbian Empire, which lay across the far side of the Vestrian Sea. The Kosbians intended to sail their army and land on the Nivoan-controlled island of Honeybay. Fenvik and his Strondian fighters would join the Vinterians, true to his word to the Jarl.

> *“It is not good to fight for southerners, but this time around we were enticed by the potential spoils of war. Kosbia would attack the Republic of Nivoa’s Honeybay fortress island, and Jarl Skard had organised a deal with General Timerius of Nivoa to have Vinterfold join in the defense. It seemed victory was certain, Nivoan senators brimmed with confidence as they cobbled together their master plans."*
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The complacency of the Nivoans left them highly unprepared to face a highly-prepared force of Kosbians. The Nivoan generals scattered their divisions across the island, and effectively disrupted all unity amongst their forces.

> *"We were spread across all corners of the island to watch for the Kosbians’ arrival, and eventually they came. Prepared. Organised. They landed on the southern end of the island as a unit, as calls came from the Nivoan generals to immediately head to the southern side. One general signalled for half the troops to come, the other signalled for all the troops to come. The chaos and confusion had already begun."*
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Quickly bypassing disorganised units of defenders, the Kosbians swiftly entered the island and approached the main keep, which was left sparsely defended. Amongst them was Fenvik the Elder and other Strondians.

> *"With only a handful of defenders, we took on the charging Kosbians. I found myself in combat with two Kosbians, one of whom struck a blow that knocked me from the fort down the hill, towards the waters below. The water was tainted with blood, and the bodies of other fallen allies floated amongst it. Wounded, I escaped the water. My shield was lost and I struggled to stay on my feet. The allies appeared to have rallied at the fort, and the Kosbians were reforming. I made my way into the fort, and knowing I could not face the coming onslaught, I fled to the prisons below, prepared a raft, and waited for my chance to escape."*
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Not intending to fall to in such a foreign land fighting for southerners, many fled the keep on rafts into the sea. Amongst them was Fenvik the Elder with his remaining Strondian comrades, many of whom had been seriously wounded. They returned to Strondholm, and the battle was lost - the Battle of Honeybay would be remembered as an embarrassing defeat and onslaught, and for its sake Vinterians and Strondians renounced the idea of fighting for southerners.