Gotbrand the Golden

**Gotbrand the Golden** is a young and rebellious jarnviking, unrecognized bastard son of Urskar, and complete rake of a man.

## History

### Parentage and Birth

Gotbrand was raised as a foundling, taken in by the chieftain Urskar- but it is fairly common knowledge that this is a lie. His similarity to a young Urskar, both in appearance and spirit, makes it rather obvious that he is truly the man's bastard son, denied acknowledgement and birthright for unknown reasons. Many suspect Urskar keeps the ruse for the sake of his reputation, but none the truth save he himself- in secret, it is because Gotbrand was born of a crow mother who died in childbirth. Were his parentage to be known in full, he would be known as a crow and made a second-class citizen, unable to live as a true Jarnviking. Urskar would not wish such a life on his own flesh and blood, and so keeps up this lie no matter the cost.

### Life and Growth

Gotbrand learned of his birth at a young age- learning that his adoptive father was actually his blood father wasn't too surprising, it simply felt right to his instincts. What was painful, though, was his denial. In Gotbrand's youth he did his best to win his father over; he believed falsely that if he could live up to all of Urskar's expectations in a son he would finally be accepted as the true-blooded heir. But, no matter how he strove for recognition, his father kept a distance- and the pain of this embittered him. He kept trying hard, but no longer to prove himself *to* his father- now he wished to prove himself *better* than his father. He fought hard, and where he could not prove stronger than him he worked smarter, and where wits failed he fought dirty. And he was good at it- he stood out among his peers in skill, though his lack of honor stained his reputation. He didn't seem to care though- if his father would not claim him, he cared not how his actions reflected on the man.

### And Now it was Everyone's Problem

He was quite the hellraiser in Jarn-Burg, but it got far worse after he discovered that he was Chosen. In his home, he needed to maintain at least *some* civility and restraint, but among the outsiders he had no such compunctions. He was a Jarnviking, raised with the spirit of the raider drilled into him, and had little respect for the laws and standards of other nations. Unlike his fellow vikings, though, he rarely raided through violence- instead, he became a roguish thief, relishing in the wealth he gained from cheating and bamboozling others.

## Appearance

Gotbrand is a rather fetching young man, muscular and confident with well-maintained hygiene. Surprisingly for a jarnviking, he is typically clean-shaven, and has a near-feminine degree of grace to his features. He is not bulky and hulking in spite of his size, but instead lean and wiry. His long golden hair is typically either let free or kept in a long braid. His clothing gives away his nationality quite clearly, consisting of furs, leather armor, and a distinct lack of a shirt.

## Personality

Cocky and violent, Gotbrand spends much of his time bullying and bragging. He picks fights with whoever he thinks would make a fine battle, seduces those who seem like a fun night, and party to his heart's content. To some degree this wild-hearted demeanor is his own desire, but it also serves as youthful rebellion- in his life he has gone through many eras of trying to appease or infuriate his father, and has been stuck on the second for some time. He doesn't hate Urskar, in spite of claims otherwise- he is hurt, but cannot bring himself to feel true hate for the man who raised him. He wants answers, and the recognition he feels entitled to- but for the time, he will settle for lashing out at Urskar until he gets a satisfying reaction.

## Noted figures

* **Urskar:** Chieftain of Clan Kuguar and the man who raised Gotbrand, the pair have a painful and complicated relationship.
* **Astrid :** Gotbrand met the girl only briefly, but was intrigued- not just by her gorgeous looks, but more notably by her clear, if hidden, heritage. Crows running off was a moderately common occurrence, but nevertheless one that accrued attention. He wanted to get to know her more, were if not for-
* **Dot Ravenflower:** Gotbrand finds the possessive little spitfire cute- but, he also has figured it's best to tread carefully around such genuinely-held murderous intent. He left his first interaction with Astrid and her Girlfriend quite quickly, but isn't likely to be so quick to disengage in the future- merely to be more cautious. In their second meeting he strove to make amends, and the two are more uneasy around one another than directly hostile now.
* **Halvor:** Gotbrand's childhood friend and a terrible influence on him in his youth. Halvor was both the origin of his confidence, and the origin of his intense individualism.
* **Hakase:** The pair met at the Axe Council, shortly after his lost duel with the mighty Bjornwulf. Gotbrand found the catgirl attractive and intriguing, yet their interaction consisted primarily of philosophical debate over the morality of war- he still considers it a good time.
* **Bjornwulf:** The new high king, Bjornwulf quickly earned Gotbrand's loyalty by indulging his request for a duel. Gotbrand lost horribly, but being given the chance to take center stage in such a vital moment in history- and even make the high king bleed in their fight- is the greatest recognition Gotbrand has ever been afforded.
* **Glen:** A crow warrior, Gotbrand has found the man brave and true- as well as adept at insulting outsiders. He's high on Gotbrand's list.
* **Rahgda:** A sarian warrior and turncoat to Jarn-Burg, Gotbrand was the first to welcome her into Jarnviking society. He finds her blunt and crass attitude refreshing and likable, and is always eager to share a drink, a fight, or a bed with the woman.

## Goals

* Win his father's approval
* Win his father's ire
* Prove himself as a warrior to his people
* Plunder the outsiders to his heart's content