Thorstein Erikson

**Thorstein Erikson** is the eldest vampire in the Seattle Sabbat, embraced in somewhere around 1000 CE. He embodies violence and is always ready to cause harm. Thorstein is obsessive and possessive, claiming everything that he considers his, and will relentlessly hunt down anything that tries to escape his grasp. He is a dangerous member of the Seattle Sabbat and is feared by many. Thorstein's nature is that of a Thrill-Seeker, always seeking out excitement and danger, while his demeanor is that of a Rebel, always pushing against authority.

## History

### As a Mortal

#### Childhood

Thorstein, a child of the wild and untamed lands, was born amidst the dark shadows of Haukadalr, Iceland, during a time when the spirits of old held sway over the hearts of men. From his earliest days, he was drawn to the chilling tales whispered in the corners of his father's hall, tales of distant lands and daring exploits. It was in the year 986 that Thorstein and his family, led by his father, Erik Thorvaldsson, left their Icelandic homeland and sailed forth to the treacherous shores of Greenland.

As the youngest of Erik's sons, Thorstein and Thorvald were inseparable, their connection transcending the ordinary bounds of brotherhood. From the moment they set foot on this rugged landscape, their spirits became entwined, interwoven like the gnarled roots of an ancient tree that weathered the storms of time.

Together, they ventured into the untamed depths of the wilderness, their laughter resonating through the icy valleys and carrying with it the echoes of their shared adventures. They traversed treacherous terrains, scaling the majestic peaks with fearless determination, and traversing dense forests teeming with unknown dangers. The wild beauty of their surroundings mirrored the wildness within their souls, and as they explored, their bond grew stronger, fortified by the shared experiences that tested their mettle.

In the face of the biting winds and the unforgiving terrain, Thorstein and Thorvald found strength in one another. They relied on each other's unwavering support and loyalty, a brotherhood that was as unyielding as the mountains themselves. Through the darkest nights and the harshest winters, they stood side by side, an unbreakable alliance born of blood and shared heritage.

Their laughter echoed through the valleys, a testament to their youthful resilience and their refusal to be consumed by the shadows that haunted their past. They found solace in each other's company, their camaraderie a beacon of light that pierced through the chilling darkness that surrounded them.

Within the darkened confines of their ancestral abode, Thorstein, sought refuge in the enchanting melodies of music. Often he could be found with a lyre rested in his hands, its worn strings resonating with the essence of ancient souls. With each delicate pluck, Thorstein wove a tapestry of spectral tunes that harkening to the spirits of his forefathers.

In the depths of his mind, he traversed treacherous oceans aboard creaking longships, the very vessels that defied the tempestuous waves. Through closed eyes, he surrendered to the intoxicating swell of the music, allowing himself to become an instrument of otherworldly power. In the melodies, he could feel the ethereal breath of the All-Father caress his face, the resonating echoes of Thor's hammer pounding through his veins. The songs carried whispers of valor, recounting battles fought with unwavering resolve, and revelries steeped in mead-soaked mirth.

#### Winds of Change

But even in this desolate wilderness, faith took hold of their family. Thorstein's eldest brother, Leif the Lucky, and his mother, Thjodhild, were captivated by the teachings of the Christian faith, their hearts swayed by the gentle whispers of a different God. Erik, however, clung to the old ways, his soul unyielding to the call of the cross. It was a fracture that cut deep into the heart of their home, driving a wedge between father and son.

While his family turned their gaze to the heavens, Thorstein remained steadfast in his allegiance to the Norse gods, drawing strength from the ancient tales and the echoes of his ancestors. Placing him at odds against his brother, Leif.

Amidst the tumultuous clash of faith, Thjodhild, ever the peacemaker, commissioned a church to be built near their dwellings. This sanctuary, known as Thjodhild's Church, became a haven for those who had embraced the new faith, their voices rising in fervent prayer. But it also served as a stark reminder of the divide that had seeped into their once-unified family, as Erik and Thjodhild's marriage withered under the strain of their disparate beliefs and brother was pitted against brother.

Thorstein, torn between the love of his mother and his loyalty to his father, found solace in the untamed wilderness that surrounded their settlement. Guided by the wisdom of Tyrker, a thrall who had become as a surrogate father, he would venture into the moonlit night, seeking refuge among the ancient pines and the whispering streams. It was there, beneath the watchful eyes of the forest spirits, that he found respite from the tribulations that plagued his household.

#### **Marriage to Gudrid**

In the remote hamlet of Brattahlid, Thorstein's heart was ensnared by a maiden named Gudrid, daughter of Thorbjorn, a man of respected lineage. Their souls recognized each other across the expanse of fate, and their love bloomed like a blood-red rose in a barren winter. Thorstein, enraptured by her enchanting gaze, sought her affection with a fervor unmatched. The very air seemed to sigh with approval, and even her father, Thorbjorn, granted his blessing upon their union.

Amidst the golden hues of autumn, the hills of Brattahlid became a stage for their nuptial celebration. Laughter mingled with the haunting melodies of ancient songs, and the night embraced them with a tenderness that whispered of eternal love. Thorstein, his heart brimming with joy, led his beloved Gudrid into the sacred embrace of matrimony, sealing their vows amidst a feast that would be forever etched in the annals of their people.

Thorstein, now a husband and a master of his own destiny, possessed a homestead named Lysufjordr in the Vestribygd region. Within its walls, he and Gudrid sought to build a life together, a sanctuary amidst the savage beauty of the land. The frost-kissed nights were filled with whispered promises and stolen kisses, their love blossoming in the icy embrace of winter.

#### Discovery of Vinland

But fate, ever the capricious puppeteer, had other plans for Thorstein and his beloved. Rumors of a new land, discovered by Thorstein's brother, Leif, captivated the hearts and minds of the settlers. Whispers of untold riches and uncharted horizons filled the air, enticing the bold and the restless. The allure of the unknown tugged at Thorstein's soul, and he, with the fire of his lineage burning within him, championed the cause of a new expedition.

Erik, his father, initially scorned the idea, his aging heart harboring trepidation and caution mixed with the estrangement between himself and Leif. But Thorstein, with the force of his convictions, appealed to his father's dormant sense of adventure. He spun tales of glory and honor, of ancestral pride and the yearning for conquest. And slowly, like a weathered cliff eroded by relentless waves, Erik relented, his resolve weakened by the persuasive words of his valiant son.

Thorvald, Thorstein's beloved brother, was entrusted with leading the ill-fated expedition, and Thorstein's heart swelled with pride. As his brother set sail for the uncharted lands, Thorstein vowed to protect Sigrid, to shield her from the perils of the world. The brothers bond, forged in the crucible of their shared experiences, was unbreakable.

The winds of change carried Thorvald and his crew across vast oceans, their ship cutting through the waves like a voracious predator. But destiny, an indifferent mistress, had a cruel twist in store. The shores of Vinland, where they sought fortune and glory, unleashed its savage fury upon the unsuspecting Norsemen. The Skraelings, the indigenous people of the land, unleashed their wrath upon the intruders, striking down Thorvald with a fatal wound.

#### The Coming of the Plague

News of Thorvald's tragic demise reached Thorstein like a thunderclap in the night, shattering the fragile tapestry of his existence. Grief gripped his heart like a vise, and a seething anger ignited within him, fueled by the knowledge of his brother's cruel fate. Vengeance, a dark and all-consuming force, consumed his thoughts, his every waking moment haunted by the specter of retribution.

But the gods, it seemed, reveled in their wicked games. As Thorstein prepared to embark on his journey to reclaim his brother's corpse, a silent terror spread through the land. A mysterious illness, born from the depths of darkness, clawed at the edges of Lysufjordr, spreading its malevolence like a macabre dance of death.

Garth, an outcast thrall despised by the community, was the first to succumb, his life snuffed out by the relentless onslaught of the sickness. The plague, relentless and unyielding, claimed one life after another, its icy grip tightening around the throats of the inhabitants. Fear draped its suffocating cloak over the settlement, and the wailing cries of those touched by grief echoed through the desolate halls.

In the midst of this bleak chapter, a chilling scene unfolded before Gudrid's horrified eyes. One fateful evening, as she and Sigrid, Thorvald's wife, sought solace outside their dwelling, they were struck by a vision that would forever haunt their nightmares. Before them, a ghastly congregation of the deceased materialized, a ghostly throng of tormented souls.

Sigrid, her voice trembling with terror, warned Gudrid of the imminent danger lurking in the shadows. Fear clutched at their hearts, and they hurriedly sought refuge within the safety of their home, fleeing from the spectral phantoms that seemed to claw at their very souls.

But the horrors of Lysufjordr were far from over. Thorstein, driven by a determination born from his brother's tragic fate, found himself entangled in the wicked web of Sif, the Gangrel Vampire who had ensnared the settlement in her macabre dance. In the darkest hours of the night, the vampire's embrace enfolded Thorstein, his life force drained away by her insatiable hunger.

Unbeknownst to Gudrid, Thorstein's lifeblood was now tainted, his fate entwined with the cursed existence of a creature of the night. In his eternal slumber, he yearned to speak one last time with his beloved, to impart to her a revelation of profound importance. With the guidance of Thorstein the Elder, Gudrid succumbed to her curiosity, her heart a battlefield of trepidation and love.

Their meeting, cloaked in the shadows of secrecy, unfolded as the moon cast its mournful glow upon the land. Thorstein, his tears flowing crimson with the essence of his vampiric affliction, whispered words of both sorrow and hope. The weight of vengeance and the sacred oath to avenge Thorvald's murder weighed heavily upon him, a burden he passed to Gudrid with an urgency born from the grave.

But there was more. Thorstein revealed to Gudrid a prophecy of their reunion in the next life, a promise that their love would transcend the boundaries of mortality. With this knowledge, he implored her to remain steadfast in her purpose, to fulfill their shared destiny with unwavering resolve. And with that final plea, Thorstein succumbed once again to the eternal sleep of the undead.

Lysufjordr became a sanctuary of mourning, its once vibrant walls echoing with sorrow and loss. Thorstein was laid to rest, his body interred in the cold earth of his beloved homestead, the winds whispering their dirge through the desolate landscape. The remaining deceased were transported to Eiriksfjordr, their lifeless forms committed to the earth with somber ceremonies held by the priests.

Gudrid, left bereft and adrift in a world turned gray, found solace in the embrace of Erik, Thorstein's grieving father. His wisdom, tempered by the pain of loss, became a beacon in the storm, guiding her through the labyrinthine paths of grief. In Erik's household, she found shelter and a semblance of purpose, her shattered heart slowly mending under the watchful eyes of a father who had also lost a son.

### As a Vampire

#### Vengeance Against the Skraelings

In the desolate lands of Lysufjordr, where the mist curled like ethereal tendrils around forgotten graves, a sinister tale of twisted romance and wicked deeds unfolded. Unbeknownst to Gudrid and Erik, the night brought forth the resurrection of Thorstein, reborn as a creature of darkness—a vampire of the feared Gangrel clan. From his grave, he emerged, driven by an oath that transcended the boundaries of life and death.

The alluring and enigmatic Freydís, Thorstein's half-sister and clandestine lover, stumbled upon his empty grave, her heart twisted with sorrow. Tracing his path, she found him delirious and disoriented within a lonely cave on the shoreline. Sensing the potency of his blood, Thorstein fed upon Freydís, and thus she became his first and most devoted ghoul, forever bound to his will.

Within the shadows of Lysufjordr, Freydís concocted a malevolent plan, veiled by her desire for prestige and wealth. She struck a deal with two unsuspecting Icelandic men, Helgi and Finnbogi, to embark on a journey to Vinland together, promising to share all the profits equally. Freydís, fueled by her thirst for revenge for Thorvald's death, sought permission from her brother Leif Erikson to use the homes and stables he had built in Vinland. Leif, wary of losing his last remaining sibling, cautiously granted her request, unaware of the depths of darkness that lurked within her.

Unbeknownst to the others, Freydís smuggled the vampiric Thorstein aboard her ship, hidden from prying eyes. When they arrived in Vinland, tensions simmered between the two factions. Helgi and Finnbogi established a separate settlement, distancing themselves from Freydís and her crew. Discord and disagreements plagued their interactions, fueling the growing animosity.

Freydís, driven by her insidious nature, visited the brothers' dwelling, feigning concern for their well-being. But beneath her deceptive facade, her heart seethed with malice. Claiming to have been beaten by Helgi and Finnbogi, she goaded Thorstein into exacting vengeance on her behalf, threatening to take matters into her own hands if he failed to comply. Consumed by his insatiable thirst for blood and driven by Freydís's manipulation, Thorstein mercilessly slaughtered Helgi, Finnbogi, and the unsuspecting men in their camp as they slept. Freydís, wielding an axe stained with wickedness, joined the macabre dance of death, hacking down women and children with ruthless abandon.

To conceal their vile deeds, Freydís silenced any who dared to speak of the massacres, threatening them with death should they betray her treachery. But their malevolence had not gone unnoticed. The Skraelings, the indigenous people of Vinland, armed with their fearsome war-slings, launched a stealthy attack upon the Viking expedition's camp. Confusion reigned, and panic gripped the hearts of the Vikings who had never encountered such weaponry before. Freydís, eight months pregnant with Thorstein's child, displayed a ferocity matched only by her unyielding determination. Unsheathing a fallen warrior's sword, she engaged the attacking Skraelings, her bloodied breast pulsating with a perverse zeal. In the face of her relentless assault, the Skraelings retreated in fear, their legends forever etching Freydís as a monster in their folklore.

Yet, Thorstein's thirst for blood remained unquenched. He became a relentless hunter, stalking the fleeing Skraeling warriors responsible for Thorvald's demise. One by one, he extinguished their lives, their deaths a grisly testament to his unyielding vengeance. Not content with the annihilation of the warriors alone, he turned his wrath upon their families and their tribe, ensuring that their existence became nothing more than a haunting memory.

Freydís, her dark deeds laid bare, eventually returned to Greenland after a year in Vinland, spinning a web of deceit to Leif. She claimed that Helgi and Finnbogi had chosen to remain in Vinland, concealing the truth behind a veil of falsehoods. However, whispers of the atrocities committed in Vinland eventually reached Leif's ears. Consumed by conflicting emotions, he ordered the torture of three men from Freydís's expedition until they confessed to the horrors that had transpired. Lies intertwined with fragments of truth, including tales of Thorstein's nocturnal wanderings among them. Leif, torn between his ill feelings and a lingering sense of familial duty, hesitated to exact the punishment Freydís truly deserved. Yet, he prophesied a future bereft of prosperity for her descendants. In the end, Freydís was exiled from Iceland, banished to return to Norway, a fate befitting her dark nature.

Thorstein, finally released from his blood oath, found himself adrift in a world that held no solace for him in Greenland. He chose to accompany Freydís in her exile, bound together by their shared darkness.

#### Hunting Sif

Thorstein, his immortal existence tainted by the sins of his vampiric lineage, harbored a burning desire for retribution against the one who had orchestrated his transformation—his sire, the elusive and enigmatic vampire, Sif Helvargr. The path to vengeance was veiled in darkness, with scarce accounts of her whereabouts. However, time was an ally Thorstein possessed in abundance, as he devoted himself entirely to the pursuit of his sire, his need to hunt her down consuming his every thought.

Meanwhile, Freydís, twistedly devoted to her vampiric half-brother, skillfully navigated the treacherous corridors of power in her quest to aid Thorstein's insatiable bloodlust. She cunningly manipulated their father's tarnished reputation to secure a position within the court of Sweyn Forkbeard, the powerful ruler of Denmark. In the shadows, Freydís orchestrated covert raids against the English, strategically aided by Thorstein's dark presence, ensuring their continued influence and favor within the court. Through these nefarious activities, they pieced together fragments of information that led them to a startling revelation—the elusive Sif had taken refuge deep within the foreboding forests of Germany.

Driven by a relentless determination, Thorstein and Freydís embarked on a perilous journey through the shadowed forests of Germany, where ancient trees whispered secrets and the very air crackled with an otherworldly energy. The forest became a labyrinth of darkness, its dense canopy threatening to engulf their souls as they delved deeper into its mysterious heart. Unbeknownst to them, the malevolent spirits that inhabited these woods sensed their presence, their sinister whispers guiding the siblings ever closer to their destiny.

As they ventured deeper into the forest's gloom, the line between predator and prey blurred, for Thorstein, now a predator of the night, had once been Sif's vulnerable progeny. His every instinct urged him forward, driven by a bloodlust that echoed with each echoing footfall. Freydís, consumed by her devotion to Thorstein, followed his lead without question, her heart teetering between adoration and madness.

Their journey through the haunted depths of the German wilderness was fraught with peril. The forest conspired against them, its ancient trees entwined with malevolence, forming grotesque archways that seemed to breathe and shift, their branches reaching out like skeletal hands. Sinister creatures, both earthly and ethereal, slithered through the underbrush, their eyes gleaming with wicked intent. Yet, Thorstein's unwavering resolve and Freydís' unwavering loyalty propelled them forward, defying the very forces that sought to snuff out their existence.

Finally, at the heart of the forbidding forest, they discovered the lair of Sif Helvargr. The air grew heavy with a palpable tension, as if the very fabric of the world held its breath in anticipation. The ancestral home of their vampiric bloodline loomed before them, a dilapidated church shrouded in darkness and draped in tendrils of ivy, a macabre testament to their heritage.

Sif, the insidious architect of Thorstein's dark transformation, had gravely underestimated the depths of her childe's wrath, or perhaps Thorstein had undergone such a profound metamorphosis during his time in Vinland that even his sire was caught off guard by his ferocity. Nevertheless, when Thorstein arrived at her secluded haven, Sif found herself ill-prepared for the storm that was about to be unleashed upon her.

With calculated precision, Thorstein engaged Sif in a brutal combat, distracting her with his savage prowess while Freydís maneuvered silently into position, her bow drawn taut. In a single, fateful moment, Freydís unleashed an arrow that pierced Sif's unbeating heart, paralyzing her in a state of agonizing torpor.

As Thorstein stood before his paralyzed sire, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of manic excitement and vindication, he spoke words that chilled the air itself. He confessed that he did not hate Sif for making him what he was, for the eternal curse of vampirism had awakened a perverse ecstasy within him. No, his ire stemmed from a far more poignant source—the theft of the life he had once cherished. With an unnerving clarity, he declared that his unfathomable thirst for power had eclipsed any remnants of sentimentality within him. Yet, it was Sif's heinous act of separating him from his true love, Gudrid, that sealed her fate.

In a macabre display of dominance and twisted desire, Thorstein proceeded to diablerize his sire, his fangs sinking deeply into her flesh, draining her essence and absorbing her power into his own darkened veins. The very act sent shivers down the spine of eternity, as Sif's life force merged with Thorstein's, blurring the boundaries between predator and prey, victim and perpetrator.

But as the echoes of Sif's demise reverberated through the chamber, a devastating truth pierced Freydís, shattering her heart. With each word that spilled from Thorstein's lips, professing his undying love for Gudrid, he to expressed his disinterest for her and their son, Freydís found herself plunged into a vortex of despair and horror. The enormity of the atrocities she had committed in the name of her half-brother, the depths to which she had descended into darkness, became an unbearable weight upon her conscience.

In that harrowing moment, the realization of her unforgivable deeds became an unbearable burden. The depths of her love for Thorstein, tainted by obsession and madness, had blinded her to the grotesque acts she had perpetrated. The revelation of his callous disregard for her and their child shattered the remnants of her sanity.

In a culmination of despair and remorse, Freydís, driven to the precipice of her fractured existence, flung herself from the lofty heights of the church balcony, her fragile form plummeting to her demise.

#### Among the Valkyries

For decades on end, Thorstein, a forlorn figure haunted by grief and the weight of his own existence, wandered through the labyrinthine depths of twisted forests, his restless soul finding no solace in any one place. The desolation of his journey brought him to the sacred lands of Sweden, where a group of Gangrel known as the Valkyries waged a clandestine guerilla war against the invading Cainites: the haughty Ventrue, the seductive Toreador, and the enigmatic Malkavians. Little did they know, their paths would intertwine in a tale of toxic romance and tragic destiny.

At first, the Valkyries mistook Thorstein, with his weathered countenance and brooding presence, for one of their treacherous foes. Drawn into their clutches, he stood before Brunhilde, the fierce and captivating leader of the Valkyries. What began as suspicion soon transformed into a budding romance fueled by passion and destruction. Thorstein, burdened by his own darkness, found solace in the arms of Brunhilde, and together they embarked on a path stained with blood.

Thorstein, consumed by the darkness that pulsed within his veins, reveled in the perverse pleasure of draining the lifeblood of the Cainite invaders. Each crimson feast became a macabre dance, a celebration of their own demise. The echoes of their final breaths resonated through the night, a haunting melody that filled Thorstein's tortured soul with a perverse satisfaction. And when the zealous adherents of the Inquisition dared to challenge the immortal denizens of the night, Thorstein met their fervor with a savage brutality that sent tremors of fear cascading through the shadows.

Yet, it was in the midst of the Fenrir Wars that Thorstein's loyalty was tested and tragedy befell his tumultuous romance. Under the command of Brunhilde and the illusive All-High, he fought alongside his Valkyrie brethren against a savage tribe of Lupines known as the Get of Fenris. Their clash was a symphony of feral fury, as the moonlight bore witness to the clash of fangs and claws. Thorstein, fueled by his rage, embraced the chaos of battle, his predatory instincts honed to a razor's edge.

But the tides of fate, cruel and unforgiving, turned against them. The sanctuary near Uppsala, *their sanctuary*, was engulfed in flames, its sacred halls reduced to smoldering ruins by the merciless hands of the Inquisition. The banner of Christendom, tainted by the bloodshed of the innocent, cast its ominous shadow over the fallen haven. In the aftermath, as the smoke cleared and the embers danced their mournful waltz, the All-High vanished, leaving Thorstein to face the desolation alone.

Brunhilde, his once impassioned lover, now lay in torpor, her slumber a reflection of their fleeting romance. The weight of loss pressed upon Thorstein's weary shoulders, his heart burdened by the anguish of shattered dreams. And so, he stood amidst the ashes of their shared sanctuary, a solitary figure etched in sorrow, ready to embark on a solitary path fraught with desolation.

#### Anarch Revolts

It was during the tumultuous era of the First Anarch Revolt that Thorstein's true purpose was unveiled.

As the younger Brujah of Spain rose against their ancient masters, the major threat to this pleasant coexistence is the alarming insurgence of anarchs into Scandinavia. Fueled by frustrated Brujah from the European mainland and led by the remaining Valkyries, Thorstein took up the cause of the Anarchs.

As the war raged on between the elders and the rebellious neonates, the Anarchs encountered countless obstacles. Yet, Thorstein remained resolute, guiding his comrades through audacious raids that culminated in acts of diablerie, consuming the very essence of their fallen foes.

The epicenter of the rebellion shifted to the Italian Front, where the cunning Lasombra, Gratiano de Veronese, hatched a daring plot to slay his own sire—the torpid Lasombra Antediluvian. Enthralled by the allure of chaos and the opportunity to strike a blow against the oppressive ancient order, Thorstein joined forces with Gratiano, bolstering a contingent of Anarchs and their enigmatic Assamite allies. Together, they infiltrated the murky depths of the Lasombra Court, where the Antediluvian lay imprisoned in a deathly slumber.

Within the enshrouded halls of the court, a tempest of violence erupted as the Anarchs unleashed their fury upon the unsuspecting Lasombra. Clan Lasombra crumbled beneath the relentless assault, their numbers dwindling as elder after elder succumbed to the wrath of the rebellion.

Unyielding in the face of their triumph, Thorstein found himself redirected towards the Romanian Campaign, facing the formidable Tzimisce clan. Under the indomitable leadership of Lugoj, the Anarchs launched an unrelenting assault on the Tzimisce Lords. House by house, the Tzimisce withered beneath the weight of anarch fervor, their elders either succumbing to the onslaught or reluctantly joining the ranks of the Anarchs. Thorstein himself set numerous ancestral mansions ablaze, their fiery demise illuminating the night sky.

Through the capture and conversion of Lambach, a childe of the Tzimisce, Lugoj acquired the knowledge necessary to unveil the hidden resting place of the Tzimisce Antediluvian: The Monastery of Sernog.

Now a seasoned general in the rebellion, Thorstein fought shoulder to shoulder with his anarch brethren, their combined might decimating the Szlachta and penetrating the inner sanctum of the Tzimisce stronghold.

Galvanized by their victories, the Anarchs disseminated their message of liberation throughout Western Europe, crashing down upon domain after domain. They carried with them the secret of the Vaulderie, a ritual capable of shattering the bonds of blood, liberating Cainites from the enslavement of the blood bond. Clan by clan, the rebellion gained momentum, drawing even the most unlikely of allies into its fold.

Yet, as the flames of revolution grew ever brighter, so too did the fires of opposition. The Inquisition redoubled its efforts, and the combined onslaught of mortals and elder vampires pressed against the rebellious Cainites. Cornered and desperate for survival, the Camarilla was born—an uneasy alliance meant to preserve the precarious balance of power between the clans.

The Anarch Revolt persisted for seven more tumultuous years following the establishment of the Camarilla, but the Anarchs found themselves outnumbered and outmatched.

Finally, in the year 1493, the Convention of Thorns marked the somber conclusion of the rebellion, a bitter compromise that forced many anarchs to reluctantly join the ranks of the Camarilla. Thorstein, disillusioned by this newfound order, chose a different path. He aligned himself with the Sabbat, a faction forged from the ashes of the revolution, where his defiant spirit found solace among kindred spirits who embraced the darkness within, forever embracing the macabre dance of the night.

#### Formation of The Sabbat

Beneath the shrouded veil of night, a bitter war of shadows unfolded, casting its dark pall over the newly formed Sabbat and the not-much-older Camarilla. In the depths of Europe's haunted domains, the echoes of conflict reverberated through the centuries, as the Inquisition, fueled by righteous zeal, continued to claim its vampiric victims. Lines were drawn, allegiance was sworn, and the denizens of the night found themselves entangled in a web of treachery and bloodshed.

Within the confines of the foreboding Black Monastery nestled deep in the heart of Switzerland, Thorstein stood as a witness to the Sabbat's pivotal moment. In the year 1666, when the modern Paths of Enlightenment were formalized, emerging from the ashes of the old Roads that had become obsolete, the veils of secrecy and self-preservation were lifted. It was a time when the true nature of the Cainites, their primal desires and dark yearnings, were openly acknowledged. Thorstein, an enigmatic figure driven by his own inner turmoil, regarded these developments with detached indifference. The Path of the Beast, born out of the recognition of the insidious danger of succumbing to the demands of the Beast within, resonated with his own inner struggles, though he could not be bothered with the political machinations of the Elders.

As the Camarilla tightened its grip on the major European cities, its ivory towers casting long shadows over the realms of mortal influence, the Sabbat found themselves thrust into a defensive stance. Spain, a domain dominated by the proud Lasombra, and the eastern territories claimed by the ancient Tzimisce, served as battlegrounds where the war of night unfolded with merciless fervor. Amidst this turmoil, Thorstein, wearied by the ceaseless conflicts of his kindred, sought solace in his Scandinavian homeland.

Returning to the lands where he had once treaded alongside his fallen brother Thorvald, Thorstein's path took an unexpected turn. In the yearning for new frontiers and untapped domains, a group of Sabbat seekers, emboldened by the allure of Newfoundland Colony, beckoned him to guide their treacherous journey. The winds whispered of treachery and ancient spirits that haunted those distant shores, but Thorstein, driven more by his own boredom than anything else, accepted the task.

With a sense of weary resignation, he led the pack towards the distant shores of Newfoundland, a British colony established in the year 1610. Memories of his previous travels to Vinland, where Thorvald had met his tragic fate, mingled with the heavy mist that blanketed the sea. The journey across the vast expanse of the ocean mirrored the vastness of Thorstein's own desolation, as he navigated the dark currents of his own inner turmoil.

#### First Sabbat Schism

In the wake of the American Revolution, amidst the radical fervor of mortal rebellion, the Sabbat found a fertile ground for their clandestine operations. Hidden among the insurrectionists, they waged a silent war against the oppressive Cainite masters of the Aztecs, clashing with the dreaded monster Huitzilopochtli and his peers. They also encountered the ancient Lupines who guarded the land with fierce protectiveness.

Thorstein, ever drawn to the allure of chaos and rebellion, immersed himself in this tempestuous landscape. The First Sabbat Civil War, born out of the intense competition for mortal resources, tore through the New World. The younger Lasombra and Tzimisce, abandoned by their distant elders in Europe, unleashed their pent-up aggression upon each other, vying for dominance in this burgeoning realm.

It was amidst the tumultuous uprising known as Shay's Rebellion, an armed resistance that swept through Western Massachusetts and Worcester in 1786, that Thorstein made his journey from Newfoundland to join forces with the Tzimisce. The attack on Lasombra holdings, shrouded in the chaos of mortal rebellion, provided a perfect cover for the Tzimisce raids. Thorstein, drawn to their twisted sense of honor, fought alongside them, his feral instincts melding with their insidious tactics.

Yet, as the conflict raged on, a bitter truth emerged. The younger Cainites, disconnected from their European brethren, began to view each other as rivals rather than comrades. The once-united Sabbat crumbled under the weight of internal strife, and the Camarilla seized the opportunity, reclaiming much of the Sabbat's territory along the American East Coast.

For Thorstein, the sect itself held little value. It was the spirit of independence and rebellion that he cherished, a flickering flame within his cold heart. In the span of a mere three decades, the Sabbat's hard-fought achievements were undone by their own internal fractures, their unity shattered.

The war came to an abrupt halt with the signing of the Purchase Pact on September 19th, 1803. This ill-fated agreement declared all grievances void and forbade conflict among sect members. Thorstein scoffed at the hypocritical nature of it all. The idea that the Sabbat, who reveled in chaos and brutality, would now hunt down their own kind seemed laughable to him. He had no intention of hiding; if they were strong enough, they could come for him.

Disgusted by the turn of events, Thorstein, his faith in the Sabbat shattered, began a westward migration. He sought solace in the vast expanse of untamed land, where the echoes of mortal rebellion still whispered among the rolling plains and towering mountains. The open road called to him, a symbol of his eternal quest for freedom and purpose in a world steeped in darkness.

#### Journey West

In the vast expanse of the American frontier, as the 19th century unfurled its dark tapestry, Thorstein continued his relentless crusade against the Skraelings. Utilizing the policies of the United States to his advantage, he followed the harrowing path of the "Trail of Tears" that scarred the land between 1830 and 1850. As the Native Americans were forcibly relocated from their ancestral lands to the designated Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River, Thorstein lurked in the shadows, his presence unnoticed as the trail claimed countless lives in its wake.

It was during one of these journeys, in the year 1851, that Thorstein found himself near the tranquil shores of present-day Lake Washington, hunting down a tribe known as the Duwamish. It was there that he encountered a man whose visage bore a striking resemblance to the one who had ended the life of his beloved Thorvald so many years ago. A perverse obsession began to coil within Thorstein's heart, a desire to inflict upon this man the utmost misery and suffering.

This man, Winter, became Thorstein's chosen instrument of torment. With twisted pleasure, Thorstein embraced Winter, weaving a cruel web of immortality around him. It was not out of love or compassion that he bestowed this dark gift upon Winter, but rather out of a sadistic intent to subject him to the relentless cycle of watching his mortal family grow old and wither away while he remained eternally frozen in time.

Over the years that followed, Thorstein traversed the region with sinister purpose, ensuring that he crossed paths with Winter whenever the opportunity arose. Like a malevolent phantom, he would descend upon Winter's life, injecting fear and suffering into his existence. No moment of respite was granted to Winter, for Thorstein reveled in the twisted dance of power and control, manipulating the lives of those intertwined with his hapless childer.

In the depths of the night, Thorstein would appear, his figure looming amidst the haunting darkness. He would whisper terrible secrets into Winter's ears, taunting him with the knowledge that his loved ones were fading away, their fragile mortality slipping through their fingers like sand. The mere sight of Thorstein's wretched form was enough to send Winter into paroxysms of anguish and despair.

Thorstein's obsession with tormenting Winter grew with each passing year, his actions fueled by an irrational hatred that defied reason. Winter became a prisoner in his own existence, trapped in a never-ending cycle of suffering orchestrated by his own vampiric creator. And as the years bled into decades, the torment inflicted upon Winter by Thorstein's hands grew ever more insidious, the depths of his cruelty unfathomable to mortal minds.

### tl;dr

#### Human

* **Childhood**: Thorstein grew up in Iceland, fascinated by adventurous tales. He and his brother Thorvald explored the untamed wilderness, strengthening their bond. Thorstein found solace in music, connecting with his ancestral heritage.
* **Winds of Change**: Thorstein's family was divided by their beliefs, with his brother, Leif, embracing Christianity while their father held onto Norse mythology. Thorstein remained loyal to the old ways. Amidst the turmoil, a church was built, deepening the divide in the family.
* **Marriage to Gudrid**: Thorstein fell in love with Gudrid and they got married. They built a life together in Lysufjordr, finding happiness in the beauty of the land.
* **Discovery of Vinland**: Inspired by rumors of new lands discovered by Leif, Thorvald led an expedition to Vinland. However, tragedy struck when Thorvald was killed by indigenous people. Thorstein was consumed by grief and vengeance.
* **The Coming of the Plague**: As Thorstein prepared to retrieve his brother's body, a deadly plague swept through Lysufjordr. The settlement was gripped by fear and suffering. Thorstein himself fell victim to a vampire, becoming undead.

#### Vampire

* **Vengeance on the Skraelings**: Freydís helps resurrect her vampire half-brother and lover Thorstein, and they travel to Vinland seeking revenge. Thorstein kills Helgi, Finnbogi, and the Skraelings, while Freydís aids in the massacres. Freydís is eventually exiled from Iceland.
* **Hunting Sif**: Thorstein and Freydís track down Thorstein's sire, Sif Helvargr, in Germany. They find her and Thorstein kills her, absorbing her power. Freydís realizes Thorstein's love for another and kills herself in despair.
* **Among the Valkyries**: Thorstein falls in love with Brunhilde, the leader of the Valkyries, and they join forces to fight against other vampires. During the Fenrir Wars, their sanctuary is destroyed, and Brunhilde falls into torpor forcing Thorstein to move on.
* **The Anarch Revolts**: Thorstein joins the First Anarch Revolt, fighting alongside his rebellious kin in Italy and Romania. He engages in diablerie and battles against the elders.
* **Formation of the Sabbat:** In Europe, the Inquisition hunted vampires, leading to conflict between the Sabbat and the Camarilla. Thorstein, while uninterested in politics, participated in the formation of the modern Paths of Enlightenment. The Sabbat faced defensive battles in Spain and eastern territories, prompting Thorstein's return to his homeland. He later embarked on a journey with Sabbat seekers to Newfoundland.
* **First Sabbat Civil War:** The Sabbat found opportunities during the American Revolution, clashing with the Aztecs and encountering Lupines. Thorstein joined forces with the Tzimisce against the Lasombra during Shay's Rebellion. However, internal rivalries and the Camarilla's intervention caused the undoing of the Sabbat's achievements.
* **Journey West:** Thorstein, disillusioned with the politics, migrated westward. He preyed on Native Americans during the Trail of Tears and encountered Winter, a man resembling his fallen brother's killer. Thorstein tormented Winter with immortality and manipulated his life, reveling in sadistic power and control.

## Relationships

* **Erik** - Thorstein only ever wanted his father's love and approval, but had to find it with Thorvald and Tyrker instead. Still Erik mourned the loss of his son and took care of Gudrid after his mortal death.
* **Thjodhild** - After her conversion to Christianity, Thorstein's relationship with his mother was tainted and never fully recovered.
* **Leif** - Leif and Thorstein had a tense relationship. As Leif received the bulk of their fathers attention and rejected it, Thorstein tried to be a good son and was largely ignored.
* **Thorvald (the Elder)** - Thorvald was the middle son of Erik. Thorstein and Thorvald had a strong bond, gave each other council, and fought together as brothers. His death haunted Thorstein up until he took on the Path of the Beast.
* **Freydís** - Thorstein's half-sister/lover/Ghoul, and mother of his son Thorvald (the Younger)
* **Tyrker** - Tyrker was the one who taught Thorstein and Thorvald how to sail and fight. He was the father that Erik *should* have been.
* **Gudrid** - Thorstein views Gudrid as his soulmate. He loved her more than any other woman in his over thousand years.
* **Thorvald (the Younger)** - Thorstein named his son after his brother Thorvald. When Freydis and Thorstein set off to face Sif, he was left at the court of Sweyn Forkbeard. Thorstein never saw the boy again.
* **Brunhilde** - Thorstein loved Brunhilde for a time, but neither of them thought that it would last. After she awoke during World War I she made no attempt to contact him.
* **Lyn-Z -** Given Thorstein's rebellious nature, Lyn-Z's earned his respect for her betrayal of her clan and involvement in allowing the Sabbat into Seattle. Their mutual defiance of authority fosters a deeper understanding, but Thorstein's possessiveness sometimes clashes with Lyn-Z's rule-breaking tendencies. All in all though, Thorstein views Lyn-Z as a independent eldest daughter.
* **Mark Rapp** - Thorstein's violent nature aligns with Mark Rapp's unwavering dedication to the Sabbat cause. Their shared strong beliefs and commitment to the sect have led to a formidable alliance. Thorstein appreciates Mark's devotion, which has fostered camaraderie and trust between them.
* **Hailey Fitzgerald** - Thorstein perceives Hailey as a beloved youngest child, spoiling her in his own way. His possessiveness extends to protecting Hailey, considering her his own.
* **Jerry Carré** - Thorstein thought his and Jerry's rebellious natures had found common ground, with Jerry's ability to blend in aiding the pack. Jerry's betrayal came as a shock, leading to Thorstein demanding his head. While he has escaped the city for now, Thorstein has not forgotten him.
* **György Szabó** - Thorstein respects György has much as their opposing views allow. György is a believer in the Status Quo compared to Thorstein's loyalist bent.
* **Miguel Vázquez** - Thorstein had neither the time nor patience to play the games of the Dominion and pursued his own goals.
* **Kiera** - Thorstein believes that Kiera is the reincarnation of his first and only true love. As a result, he has become driven to making her his own.
* **Winter** - Thorstein has an antagonistic relationship with his childe, Winter. Originally, Thorstein preyed upon Winter's tribe, acting as a dark specter over the village. Winter was a warrior who sought to hunt the hunter, which resulted in Thorstein's attentions focusing on the man and his family. Thorstein embraced Winter to further torture him, making him watch as first his family died and then the coming of the Europeans, who decimated his ancestral home.
* **Seraphina** - Thorstein has no opinion of the "Archbishop". She knows better than to give him commands, yet maintains enough influence that he doesn't outright contradict her plans.

## Trivia

* Thorstein is a lover of music in all forms, often listening to it in his spare time.