Finnr Truelsson

*Page Status: Accepted Canon*

Finnr Truelsson (known in legend as "The Masked Warrior") was the Hersir to Skard Rolfsson and the second Jarl of Vinterföld during the Skardoving era. He was renowned for his loyalty and great courage, even staring down Death himself on multiple occasions. Through his life he witnessed the fall and decline of many great leaders and nations, served alongside Southerners at the Battle of Honeybay, witness the founding of Strøndholm, and helped led the great armies of the north through its raids and expansion across the south. By the later half of his life he became the second Jarl of Vinterföld, and as any great power Vinterföld began to decline even after his untimely death.

## **Background (Circa -2 BF to 19 AF)**

### Early Life (Circa -2 BF to 16 AF)

Finnr Truelsson's life began two years prior to the fall of Velos. He was born to Truel, a Huskarl to one of the warlords in the Velsoian Army, and Alva, a Northern Suirisian woman. When the Kingdom of Velos had conquered Northern Suiris, his father was among the great warriors who fought on the frontlines and conquered northern region of Suiris. Following the defeat of Northern Suiris, his father and many other Forsvarian warriors pillaged and razed the villages across the region under the command of Hersir Rolf Sigurðsson. Through these chaotic celebrations, Truel met the woman that was to be the mother of Finnr.

Though the pregnancy period laid lost in time, it is speculated that Alva, following the encounter and short relationship with Huskarl Truel, had Finnr in Velosian-occupied Northern Suiris, and relocated farther south to the Suirisan capital city Paradisios two years later, during the fall of Velos, to escape from the ensuing chaos. Finnr was raised by his single mother in the slums of Paradisios, and was given the best life his mother could give. He was fed, educated as much as she could afford, and importantly told great stories about his father. Through his years he was bullied, looked down upon, and scolded at by the people of Paradisios as they saw him as a savage northerner. His mother died in his late adolescence, and on her death bed she wished to him to seek out his father, as she knew he belonged north with him, rather than in the south. When she died, Finnr left Paradisios and headed north to find his father.

### Journey to find his father (Circa 16 BF to 19 AF)

> *"I never did find my father, but those who knew him said he is in a 'Avenjorn' It was funny, at the time I didn't know where that was..." (Quoted from Finnr’s journal)*
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On the search for his father and this "Valhalla", he joined and journeyed on a ship with a crew captained by an old merchant. He traveled with this crew, who he saw as family, across the entire Vestrian Sea and around the world. At every port and settlement they docked at, he seek scholars and historians for their valuable knowledge to aid him in locating where his father was. Unfortunately for Finnr, he learned the truth about his father and that he had died fighting many years ago. With this news, he felt like he had no more purpose in this life and signed himself as a permanent member of the merchant's crew. He would soon be proven wrong as a storm would set his life on the path and legend known until today.

## **Skardoving Era (Circa 19 AF to 49 AF)**

### Joining Vinterföld (Circa 19 AF to 23 AF)

Some time after the new year which marked the nineteenth year after the fall of Velos, the ship encountered a rough storm out north in the Vestrian Sea. Finnr was on deck at the time, trying to secure the sails and equipment on deck. This was to be the very moment that set his life forth. As he was grabbing a crate, the ship was hit by a large wave on the starboard side and its force combined with the weight of the crate caused him to fall overboard into the wild sea. As he struggled to fight the raging sea, he heard the cries of his crew-mates trying to save him, but it was too late. The sea ate him up as he looked out at the ship and its crew for the last time in his life.

Finnr soon washed up on the shores of the Vestrian Sea, being awoken by the calm waves of the sea under the bright night. He was disoriented, lost, confused, and with no one once again. With the dreaded knowledge that he will never return back to his home on that ship, and no where else to go, he faced north and hoped for the best. He began another journey again north, towards his father's people, and he soon stumbled across the village of Vinterföld where he was aided by its people. If not for these people, he would have died of hypothermia in the cold and desolate environment of the north. Finnr stayed with the Vinterians for weeks as he recovered. He befriended the townsfolk and met their leader: Jarl Skard Rolfsson. There he learned a connection between the Jarl and him; Their fathers knew each other. Finnr saw this as a sign and soon enough, swore fealty to Jarl Skard Rolfsson to serve under him to the ends of Polivus and learn the ways of his father and ancestors.

Through the years following his meeting with Jarl Skard, Finnr grew to become a trusted follower of his and as well befriended a few other people who would highlight the height of Vinterföld and the era. These people were Trygve the Suirisian, Fenvik the Elder, Ulf Brant, and Halvard Rolfsson. During this time he witness the founding of Strøndholm and as well the rising tensions in the south as a new conflict brewed between two major powers.

### The Battle of Honeybay (Circa 23 AF)

> *“‘Not every cloud which darkens the day brings rain,’ and not every warrior who enters battle will be taken to Valhalla.” (Huskarl Finnr after the battle, quoting a historical figure and adding his own to the quote.)*
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After a successful assembly, a contract was chosen by the people of Vinterföld to join the southern conflict as mercenaries on the side of Nivoa in return for large sums of treasure. As tensions climbed high, Finnr began preparing his and public sets of gear for the war effort. Days or even weeks before the battle, Jarl Skard and our Nivoan allies were ambushed by a small Kosbian force. As news reached Finnr, he and Trygve rushed to his aid. In this defining moment of courage and undying loyalty, he was given the title of Huskarl by the Jarl.

During the week the Nivoans had predicted a battle were to happen, Vinterian forces were placed on the island of Honeybay, an island with a grand market place at its center and fortress overlooking the island. They were correct about this prediction and that day came. The Kosbians struck the island and it was a bloodshed. The command and military structure of the Nivoan collapsed instantly as men and women fought to their very death. Finnr witnessed many of his brothers died as he fought through it. As the battle stretched and more people died left and right, Finnr stood on high ground with Skard, watching the battle continue on. Through the confusion of battle, a warrior rushed past him, the very warrior led the onslaught onto the island: The Kosbian Chancellor. Skard and Finnr locked eyes, knowing what they had to do without a single word utter between them. They ran after the chancellor and fought him on the beaches of the island. Eager to seek his revenge, Finnr charged the Chancellor with his damaged weapon and armor when he saw an opening, but the Chancellor was skilled warrior and through a split-second advantage stabbed Finnr. He was then kicked into the ocean, being dragged away by the waves. The echoes of the Jarl rang out as he went deeper into the ocean, losing conscious.

Finnr awoke in a bed some time later. He was lucky to survive as his body was dragged back onto the island some time later with him still clinging to life. With the battle over and many dead, they all knew not to drag themselves into the disorganized conflicts of the south ever again.

### The Expansion (Circa 23 AF to ? AF)

Through the next four years after the Battle of Honeybay, the influence of Vinterföld and Jarl Skard grew dramatically. During this time of great influence, Finnr opened a tavern in Vinterföld and served many through the years to come. Beyond Vinterföld, Finnr ventured with the Jarl far north and strengthen their influence there, securing a marriage alliance between Queen Dagmar Jerrick Kodota and Jarl Skard. With the Kaodotan warriors at their disposal, attentions turned south once again towards a major power.

#### *The Raid on Ilios (Circa 24 AF)*

> *“When you said we would visit illios together, I did not think you meant through a raid.” (Finnr to Skard)*
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As the seasons changed and everything grew calmer, Jarl Skard had a target set for the next raid. He set his eyes on the Grand City of Illios. A city filled with riches and people in the whole of Polivus. Finnr prepared for this raid and soon they all rode out towards the city. Finnr was amazed at the grand city as they reached it. Fighting along side with Skard and the Huskarls, they breached the city's defenses and slaughtered them all. He and the others raided the city and burnt it down before returning home with their riches to celebrate and drink.

#### *The Siege of Grimsburg (Circa ? AF)*

After the raid on Ilios, the Jarl's ambition grew and soon Finnr was preparing for a war against the walled city of Grimsburg to the south-west. It sat on the warm Vestrian Sea and was soon to be the prosperous trading hub of Vinterföld. During the time of preparation for war, the Jarl promoted Finnr to the rank of Hersir and there they planned together to breach the walled city. Soon the armies marched towards the walled city, all alone in the fight against them. With orders given and executed, Finnr led his men towards the walls of Grimsburg and using ladders, began to climb the walls as a battering ram was used to breach the gate. It was a bloody massacre on the wall and Finnr was directly leading his men. He killed many and many killed his men. By the time gate was breached and the siege won, Finnr was soaked in blood and was collecting the bodies of the fallen.

### The Downfall of a Friend (Circa ? AF to 27 AF)

As success and fortune fell down from the heavens onto Vinterfold, Finnr watched his dear friend fall to the demon on his shoulder. Finnr witnessed Jarl Skard fall into this spiral and soon their friendship grew distant as the goals of the people are twisted into the personal goals of the Jarl. With the goals of the people and friends in his mind, Finnr plotted to take down his friend through ritual combat. Only Finnr, Chief Fenvik, and a few others knew of this. As the days went by and the date draws closer, Finnr fought with himself over this decision. Skard was his friend, and he didn't want to do this, but he knew the person he met many years ago was now gone. Soon rumors got to Skard about this plot. This was the final straw of the friendship and soon enough it was severed.

Finnr never got to carry out the ritual combat. The day before he planned to challenge Jarl Skard, he marched his armies south with his trusted Huskarls. That was the last Finnr saw his friend. Jarl Skard and his men had fallen into a trap and died to the hands of the lying scum of the south. The days that followed, Finnr became the next Jarl, but he couldn't get over the death of his friend. He wished that he could have helped Skard and save him from his untimely death. He wish he was there that day to stop him from making the decision that sealed his fate.

### The Regin of Finnr (Circa 27 AF to 49 AF)

The days that followed Finnr's ascension to the title of Jarl, Grimsburg opened in rebellion and was aided by the Nivoans, Strondholm with Finnr's blessing became independent and took Ørstad as it's fief. Even though the beginning of Finnr's regin was tragic, he continued to be the same man he was. As the years went by, Finnr witnessed the death of his two closest friends. The Elder to old age and The Suirisian to a village mob. He was the last of the warband that founded and expanded Vinterfold. He continued to hold strong relations with Strondholm over the years, and continued to trade with others, raid the south, and advance Vinterfold in its state. By the end of his reign, he had lost many people, but gained many other things. Though he wasn't Jarl Skard, Finnr continued to rule Vinterfold with great pride and brought prosperity to Vinterfold.

### The Duel Against Siguard (Circa 49 AF)

Finnr knew this day would come that he would face the son of his friend. Siguard Skardsson, the son of Jarl Skard, rode into Vinterfold one misty day with his trusted huskarls. He barged into the great hall of Vinterfold and attacked the guards of Finnr. Finnr drawed his axe in defense when Siguard cried out to him that he wants to challenge him in ritual combat for the title of Jarl with those left in the hall as his witness. Finnr being a man of honor and tradition accepted this.

For the first time in years since his prime, Finnr dawned his armor and his trusted blade, Leiðarstjarna. On the very same mountain that Skard fought for the title, Finnr and Siguard faced each other. As the blades clashed between the old and the young, the mask shattered for the last time revealing the aged face of Finnr Truelson. The blades clashed again, this time Finnr saw the face of his friend, Skard, in the eyes of his son. The blades clashed for the third time giving way to the voice of the wise elder Fenvik. And as the blades clashed for the last time, the hand of his friend Trygve reached out to him.

As the snow settled, a sword is heard crashing into the ground which was followed by the sound of a body falling on top of it. Only the young lived, and the old no more. Finnr had met his end, like his brothers before. The gates of Avenjorn now opens with a roar.

## **Legend (49 AF to present day)**

### The Story of the Masked Warrior

In the years that followed the death of Finnr to the hands of Sigurd Skardsson, his tale was written and told throughout Forvsvar. A warrior of little emotion, wearing a mask of courage and loyalty. Many believe he was a hero like the rest of the warband that served under the great Jarl Skard, but others saw him as an usurper for his actions against Jarl Skard.