Brotherhood of Ulfaeng

The **Brotherhood of Ulfaeng** is a mercenary guild that remained in dormancy after its dissolution 1480 years ago until the First Calling. It soon gained mass notoriety in both Rathnir and Eldham. Many of its members believe in the mythological accounts of the religion Ulfhednir. All members are typically direct or indirect descendants of the Aatyel race. The Second Brotherhood would bring back the nation of Aatyeli, that had dissolved soon after the First Brotherhood's disbandment.

## History

### First Iteration

The First Brotherhood was formed during the golden age of Aatyel prosperity and Ulfhedniri influence. Although the Aatyel and its related tribes were relatively peaceful and isolationist, the Brotherhood acted as a powerful and religious force that deterred any invaders, especially those of the Proto-Valdics encompassing most of old Frostmarch. The Brotherhood's feared reputation in tandem with much of the infighting between the Proto-Valdics allowed the Aatyel and Ulfhednir religion to continuely prosper for nearly 350 years.

One of the most historically important figures regarding the First Brotherhood was the First Skaere. As of now, much of him is unknown, and many records refer to him as only the "First Skaere". He was known as the direct founder of the Brotherhood and wrote out many of the principles and inner workings of the organization. He was also an influential figure in Aatyel leadership and culture, and very religious when it came to practicing Ulfhednir. As a warrior, he was feared and admired by many, and was known for dual wielding his two legendary swords, Laevalor and Oikenvalor.

In the end, the First Brotherhood would be dissolved due to unknown internal problems. An uncovered text found in a monument located near the Anir riverbank depicts a revolt against the Skaere leading during that time, by his two Fjarls. This lead to a bloody conflict until the current Seidyr received a prophecy urging the Brotherhood to dissolve. As a result, the Aatyel people would fall to the Proto-Valdics during the Sutherlind and Skjaldreyja war in 77 AEC. Both sides used the war as an excuse to clean out the Aatyel race due to religious discontent and the Aatyel living in old northern Frostmarch land. The remaining Aatyel would migrate to western Sparwood and Cymru, leading to the Second Brotherhood of Ulfaeng and its revival.

### Second Brotherhood

After the dissolution of the first Brotherhood, the organization and guild went into dormancy. As a result, this new Brotherhood is actually the Second Brotherhood of Ulfaeng, and there have been many failed iterations of the organization before. The First Calling was an event that led to its revival. It was the result of the Skaere Zelious dem Spheniscidae gaining the sight of Ulfaeng after sacrificing his eyes to the two Indomitians, Sxowry and Tyler. Due to this sacrifice, Ulfaeng blessed him and led him to reviving the Brotherhood, because of a prophecy *that foretells that the agents of Reykhardr will come into fruition soon*. He found and convinced unique and special warriors from across the world to become members of the Brotherhood. He chose his two right hand men, Sxowry and Tyler, as his Fjarls.

In a dream, Zelious was also told of a hermit that would find his way to the Occulere castle on a whim. This man would be fated to become the Seiyðr of the Brotherhood, and the cultural leader of Ulfhednir. Later that day, a traveler named Wyrn would be found making a small shelter near the castle, and was offered the position, and accepted it. He would later find two documents in the trading town of Isaz and the capital city of Khozikan during his travels in Eldham. These documents told a story of the Yuarkrig myth and the eternal battle between Ulfaeng and Reykhardr. He also learned of the pilgrimage that a Seiyðr must take, that would allow him to learn the truth of the Brotherhood and its homeland and original people.

## Organisation

### Skaere

Leader of the Brotherhood and is Guided by Ulfaeng’s Sight. They can also act as the Seiyðr if the official one is absent. The Second Brotherhood seemingly abolished the Skaere position and decided that the High Council would have absolute power as opposed to the Skaere. (Prerequisites: Founder, Fjarl)

### High Council

The High Council is a loose democratic entity made of the Fjarls, Seidyr, and Thëgn. The High Council's power is on par to the Skaere. After the abolishment of the Skaere in the Second Brotherhood, it became the most powerful entity within the Brotherhood. The power structure within this entity is loose and the discussions among the members are often chaotic.

### Fjarl

The Skaere’s appointed co-leaders that also act as commanders of war/battle. They also advise the Skaere in diplomatic decisions, and have higher jurisdiction in these matters than the Seiyðr (Prerequisites: Huskarl)

### Seiyðr

The Religious Leader of Ulfhednir who advises the Skaere in prophetic dreams and diplomatic decisions. The Seiyðr oversees pilgrimage sites and grades the studies/research of these sites when testing Fjarls, Huskarls, and Vinnfylk. He/She also tries to spread the influence of Ulfhednir to other Eldham and Rathnir nations and groups (including guiding foreign or native pilgrims). (Prerequisites: Chosen by the previous Seiyðr although he/she can be appointed by the Skaere if the previous Seiyðr dies [OOC: inactive], Must have visited all pilgrimage sites and help write and further Ulfhednir).

### Thëgn

The Thëgns are the Brotherhood's most trusted warriors who are apart of the High Council. These warriors are handpicked by the Fjarls and other existing members of the High Council. They can also discuss bounties and war contracts with the Brotherhood's clients. However, many of their actions must still go through the High Council (or Skaere). (Prerequisites: Huskarl)

### Huskarl

The senior warriors of the Brotherhood that have shown great skill in combat but also knowledge of the history of the Brotherhood and Ulfhednir. These warriors have gone through the Oikeudet, a test that promotes a Fylk into a Huskarl. Once a Huskarl is confident and able enough, a Fjarl or Skaere can appoint a Vinnfylk to a Huskarl, although a Vinnfylk can always choose a Huskarl if agreed upon by a Fjarl or Skaere.

### Vinnfylk (Fylk - shortened

These are fledgling warriors that show great promise in their combat skill but need to refine it. This title is automatically given to any member of the Brotherhood, even if they wish to not participate in mercenary affairs.

## Mythos of Ulfhednir

### General Myth

Ulfhednir is the main religion of the Brotherhood of Ulfaeng. It encompasses the beliefs of honor, bravery, and above all; freedom. The main deity that followers worship is Ulfaeng. It is known by its followers as the One Who Howls Fate or the Harbinger of the Root. Typically appearing and acting in the form of a mystic wolf with scarlet, moonshed eyes, it resides in the Drifting Tree, Yuarkrig. It is a gigantic floating oak tree that drifts among the spiritual currents of Elswyr, a foggy element that is believed to reside within the soul of every living being. Yuarkrig has two powerful nature spirits that live in it, Ulfaeng, who lives at its roots, and Reykardhr, a demon dragon that lives at its top most branches. Every full moon, Reykardhr tries to invade the Roots of Yaurkrig. The Roots hold much spiritual power that, when consumed, gives the bearer unbelievable power, and the ability to control or even destroy Elswyr, and as a result, control or destroy every living being. Ulfaeng, who is an upper deity, believes that it is in its best interest to preserve life, and is Reykardhr’s arch enemy. So, at every full moon, Ulfaeng howls, calling the honored dead (those that die an honorable death and is considered a martyr of his comrades), the Leinvurg, to take arms and aid Ulfaeng in his battle against Reykardhr; lasting a night. Sometimes, during the most troubling times and of greatest change, the nature spirit, Stevreityraeliwumpusbagfyng, or Steve for short, emerges from his millennium of hibernation to assist Ulfaeng. Ulfaeng with the help of the Leinvurg or/and Steve defeats Reykardhr every time. The times that they lost were thought of as periods of eternal nights, where life grew rotten, and the stench of the demon lay before the world. It was only until Ulfaeng would heal back again, which takes 1000 years, would he be able to defeat Reykardhr and restore the world.

### Ulfaeng

A Mystic born from the roots of Yuarkrig. Mystics are powerful, immortal beings that are often characterized as deities among their followers. These beings are special as they are children of the Floating Tree, Yuarkrig. Ulfaeng is a free spirit that leads itself in a cycle of sheer survival, yet it is always bound by its duty of protecting the Root. Its power is above any other being, only rivaled by Reykardhr. Ulfaeng is the namesake of the brotherhood because it gave Zelious sight after he sacrificed his eyes to the two indomitians, Tyler and Sxowry.

### Reykardhr

A Mystic born from the Highest Branch of Yuarkrig. It typically takes the form of a demon dragon. Reykhardr sees no determination for honor and survival, and feeds off lies, envy, and greed. Therefore, he holds only one goal that his fate yearns him to do, and he follows it to the death… Every full moon he invades Ulfaeng’s domains in the Roots, trying to gain the power for himself. Usually he fails and dies every time due to the joint efforts of Ulfaeng and the Leinvurg. However, sometimes with the aid of mortals in the Firygl (Mortal World) that are manipulated (nightmares, infection, hallucinations) by it, Reykhardr can overpower this allied force. This is the founding reason for the Brotherhood’s existence, which is to combat against these mortal souls that cannot find their path anymore. Reykardhr also created the Ginnung, which is the ethereal plane that souls that are revived go. It is said that in this plane Reykardhr is a lot more powerful.

### Stevreityraeliwumpusbagfyng

This powerful nature spirit resides within the largest tree hollow of Yuarkrig, chilled by the spiritual currents, the Northern Winds, that pass within Elsywr. He slumbers within the hollow, but when he awakens, he can never go into the mortal world (similar to a Mystic) as he is bound by the living soul. However, unlike other powerful mystics, he can create a physical avatar of himself inside the human world, typically found in the taigas or tundras of Cymru or Sparwood.

### Leinvurg

Any true martyr, who is a member of the Brotherhood or follower of Ulfhednir, that is honored among his comrades during his ceremonial burial, will become one of the honored dead; Leinvurg. These heroes among mortals fight against Reykhardr with Ulfaeng and his allies. Leinvurg are blessed by Ulfaeng’s sight and the aura of Yuarkrig, giving them incredible power and stamina. However, even in any plane of existence, they are still mortal, and if they die, they become one with the Elsywr forever. A leinvurg can be brought back to life through a ritual in which someone sacrifices something they value more than their own life. These souls are believed as ascended and are supposed to be stronger than any living member. Currently, no living members are ascended. Once an ascended Ulfaeng member dies, their soul is banished to Ginnung, never again to return.

## The Second Brotherhood

### Old Age

The Old Age is when Zelious formed the brotherhood with Tyler and Sxowry. WyrnZ was the Seidyr during this time and most of the high ranking members originated here. This time lasted for years, through the coalition war. It was at this time the Second Brotherhood became known on the international stage in its dealings in the Ryzan-Bardonia War and the Allium-Coalition War. In two opposing spheres of influence, the groups both naturally rivaled each other and fought against each other in many battles and skirmishes. The Temple of Merikil was also found and excavated, and Sxowry of the Thegns was assigned to be Lord of the Temple and the Keeper of Steve's Avatater, who would be relocated there.

### Dark Age

The Dark Age started when Ulfaeng shattered and broke into three different groups; The Red Orchids (consisting of the members who were mainly berry bandit people), The Dread Fleet (consisting of mainly the Tortugans except Lintin), and the people who stayed in Ulfaeng. Zelious had disappeared and Ulfaeng had no guidance. The town of Occulere became a ghost town. In his place, Lintin and Tyler became the leaders of Ulfaeng, and the people of Ulfaeng were confident that they would survive. After losing some of their more powerful members, Ulfaeng was worried about defense. However, they survived through. Linn val Oberstein, Tyler, Nik Kakoishi, Will Azael, Choochie, and Azrael Arden stayed loyal to the brotherhood. They stayed normal for a little while and perisisted. Nik maintained the religion of Ulfhednir, and eventually he realized what the world had become. The world was covered in chaos. In order to gain more power to beat this chaos, Nik ordered the sacrifice of Ulfaeng. They all burned in the fire and became one with the Yuarkig. The day after they were gone, agents of Reykardhr showed up and terrorized the world for a while.

### New Golden Age

Ulfaeng was revived by a method called Ascension. The details of this method are unknown but the brotherhood was revived, along with old members like Rockbrazil, Welpish, and Skinny. This was performed by Ulfaeng as an attempt to push fate along, and cause the dark age that Wyrn saw in the future. The cause of this was mostly unknown. The Brotherhood entered a golden age where many of the previous splinter groups' members joined back into the guild. The Fjarldom of Aatyeli became prosperous and gained an international foothold, especially in the South. The Brotherhood started to become infamous and gained immense notoriety for their exploits in many wars. Zelious, the previous Skaere who had disappeared, returned after a long-standing pilgrimage. He became an advisor for the higher ups. Many contracts soon started to hit the millions in payment.