Raven Guard

> *"The Age of Heroism is over. There are no monsters left. The time of heroes has come to an end. The Sleeping God has ended it. Leaving us with nothing but fear, shame and martyrs. The Asynjur and Vali are both weeping, my dear brothers. I fear the worst has yet, however, to dawn upon us." - A piece of 'Hrondar's Journey' by Morandar Scylding.*
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The Raven Guard are a mysterious group. They could be compared to a religious order that only accepts or invites those who they consider worthy. However, it is said that encountering more than three Raven Guards in one place is a rarity. At least, outside their assemblies of brothers and sisters.  While the Raven Guard mainly seem to be composed out of the Scyldings, plenty of Ylflings/Hon and Vythlings/Cho individuals have managed to impress the Raven Guard and join their ranks.

## History

The Raven Guard was founded by the near-legendary king of the Scylding Kingdom, Orlyg the Curious. According to the tales, after recently becoming king of the Scyldings, Orlyg had a bizarre dream. His dream showed him how the Scylding kingdom would prosper, only to burn in ashes and then be rebuild again - much like the cycles of life and death. He could discern two people standing at a large host in his dream - a man and a woman - one of noble Scylding birth and another woven with prophecy. Puzzled by this dream, Orlyg requested counsel from his advisors but gained no progress in understanding this dream. As any reasonable man, he focused on more pressing matters as he had to rule over a fledgling kingdom. It would stay at that if it weren't for the dream to continue to plague Orlyg several moons later repeatedly. Confused and frustrated, Orlyg did start to notice various matters to appear now and then in the dream. Such as the presence of wolves and ravens as the sole dragon in the air. Different glyphs and runes also seem to play a role, appearing now and then in the dream.

Driven and determined, Orlyg was confident that the Gods themselves had deemed to give him a quest. Inviting theologians of his people and beliefs, Orlyg started his project of understanding his dream. The progress was painfully slow, but after a visit to the Voice of Bergjlot, Orlyg seemed to have gained his answer. He had paid the price of not telling the knowledge to anyone - as another price. Instead, he seemingly continued to attend to his kingly duties for a while. But then suddenly Orlyg abdicated - as the first-ever Scylding king. Though still strong of mind and body, he refused to take the crown back. Instead, the crown would go to Skard. Once the power transfer had been completed, Orlyg took some possessions and left the Scylding's court. Stories soon emerged of a sole individual set on accomplishing heroic deeds in the name of the Asynjur and Vali - the two pantheons of the Chonobi people.

Not very soon after, more stories started to emerge. Brave and perhaps even foolish warriors are not low in stock when it comes to the Chonobi and their desire to achieve martial feats - to obtain glory, impress the gods or for another reason. The difference seemed to be that nobody learned the name or why these individuals achieved these difficult feats. Their gear also seemed Chonobi but with a different touch.

It would be during the rule of Svalfi, during which these individuals would be coerced to come to the Scylding court. They announced themselves as members of the Raven Guard. Intrigued by these individuals, Svalfi attempted to recruit them to his guard, but the Raven Guard refused. The individuals stated that they would obey the code of their order and attend to their quests. These cryptic answers only caused Svalfi and many more influential Chonobi leaders to become interested. During the entire known history of the Raven Guard, members did join various courts, but many more solely focused on completing their quests.

## Organisation

*"Leader? We have no leader, as you may call it. We respect each other, brother or sister. We follow the will of the Asjynur or Vali. Our steel isn't for hire. We instead offer it when we see fit or desire it. And you aren't one of them." - The last words of Holmgavt the Stubborn, before he was murdered.*

The Raven Guard doesn't seem to be organised as many other military or religious entities. Their order appears to be entirely in disarray to outsiders. Members often come to assemblies to discuss their progress together - either in a secret place known to their Order or else within the court of a noble. However, they can't compel each other. There is no higher or lower rank within their ranks. A very strange fact, however, despite their decentralised organisation: Even when meeting for the first time, each Raven Guard knows each other. This phenomenon has been studied, but there is no clear theory that can persuade scholars or experts on how the Raven Guard managed this.

### Raven Guard's Code

However, the ideals and ambitions of the Raven Guard aren't that easily comparable to other units. They follow a code for which they swear a solemn oath. Breaking this oath will be seen as an offence the individual can't repent - their soul is condemned to the Abyss upon death. Any oathbreaker of the Raven Guard is seemingly known by some means. Some individuals claim that Bergjlot, the Chonobi goddess of secrets, whispers this dreadful betrayal to loyal Raven Guards. It is one of the theories on why so little is known of the oaths and secrets that the Raven Guard have.

1. *Obey the Asjynur and Vali gods.*
2. *Only aid those loyal to the Asjynur and Vali.*
3. *A member needs to achieve their quest at all costs - even death.*
4. *Only three mortals are allowed to know a Raven Guard's quest.*
5. *The secrets of the Raven Guard are to be kept in the order.*
6. *No Raven Guard shall bear titles, govern lands or parent offspring - the quest is all.*

## Notable members

Each Raven Guard is an accomplished warrior whose prowess isn't easily matched. They are what one could call 'living heroes' that serve purposes that aren't easily guessed or understood. Scyldings honour the sagas of these past legends, but even their Chonobi brethren are fond of their feats and stories.

### Orlyg the Curious

Orlyg is considered the founder of the Raven Guard. How much of this is true is debated a lot among scholars and historians. Various theories have gained evidence that supports and combat Orlyg being the actual founder of the elusive order. What is known is that Orlyg became one of the most renowned Raven Guard. He abdicated the throne to undergo a mysterious journey to the far south - what nowadays is the dominion of the Cho clan. Returning to the Scylding kingdom Orlyg was a changed man. He didn't take the throne back but began to search for individuals that he could test. Mentoring various others, he became a legend alive - his archery skill being unmatched. Multiple stories exist in which Orlyg takes down fearsome foes and monsters as he combines his archery skill with wit.

It isn't entirely known how Orlyg came to die, and legend has it that his last resting place will be found by the prophecied king that shall unify and bring the Scyldings back to their home of yore. The Raven Guard will begin a new cycle when his grave is found as a new era shall dawn on the world. Or so the scrolls of old together with old fools say, at least.

### Arnjlot the Fearless

Fear is a primal instinct, and it guides and destroys people without any hesitation. Only a few among hundreds, if not thousands, can truly understand the fear from a young age. Arnjlot was one of these gifted individuals. His origin was humble and low, but that did little to prevent Arnjlot to seek his destiny out in the world. Armed with just a shield and spear, he began to wander around. He was seeking minds that were enlightened and to fulfil a quest of his own. Several times Arnjlot did grace the courts of various Chonobi lords and ladies. His presence seemed to bolster others and stave off fear. But so as he could defend others from fear, he seemed capable of invoking fear upon his enemies, according to the stories.

The ending of his sage is still to this day open. This open end causes some people to be hopeful that Arnjlot will return and drive a horrible threat away in the darkest hours of the world. Others believe that he found what he was looking for in the end and had peace with it.

### Evyind Wolfson

All people are born with gifts and talents. These talents allow them to grow and accomplish feats that are considered a miracle. But what many don't understand or willing to grasp is that some talents also bring curses. Eyvind was a Raven Guard that was blessed and cursed in such a manner. He had a knack for understanding nature and was even able to commune with it. But this ability brought him on near-constant strife with people around him.  After years of frustration and conflict, Eyvind decided it was enough and left.

How he entered the Raven Guard is disputed among various versions of his saga. The most popular and widely accepted version is that he impress a few Raven Guards by taming a raging bear. Once taken in by the Raven Guard, Eyvind prospered for a while. He, however, came really to be when he was alone with his beasts and nature. Solitude was his preference, but eventually, Eyvind took in several apprentices. These became beastmasters in their own right but none so grand as Eyvind himself.

The renowned master of beasts came to an end upon fighting a Nightmare Wyvern, apparently the last of its kind. The battle was terrible and ravaged an area, with both combatants dying of their wounds.

### Holmgavt the Honourable

Honour is a currency that isn't easily obtained. A lesson bestowed upon those who read or study the saga of Holmgavt. Born as the third son of a thegn, a lower noble, Holmgavt enjoyed a decent upbringing. But like many others, he did dream of adventure and glory. When the time came that he could do so, Holmgavt didn't rally a warband of youth friends and comrades. Instead, he went alone and vanished for years.

Upon returning, he brought back trophies of his deeds. He had faced the dangers in the Blackroot Vale, facing off against various renowned Taika Samurai and Yakimara warlords and even some weird artefacts from the far east. As Holmgavt's kin and comrades showered Holmgavt in compliments, he seemed apathetic. Before his second departure, Holmgavt and his father had a final talk. In which the son confessed to his father that he had done horrible deeds as well. He had killed a man that had no means to defend himself and defile a sacred ground with blood. Making and breaking pacts, he had become an oathbreaker. Understanding the grim crimes, Holmgavt's father exiled his son and made him a task; to realise what honour could do for men.

Leaving his ancestral home, Holmgavt embarked on his quest. He worked hard to gain the trust of others, Holmgavt came to understand the price of honour and dignity. Being recruited in the Raven Guard, Holmgavt embarked with other renowned brothers and sisters of the order, forever striving to remain faithful and honourable.

His end came when he embarked on a quest to deliver an evil from a small and remote village. Even as its residents were Taika and worshipped the Sleeping God, Holmgavt came to their aid. In return, they poisoned and weakened him and brought him to their lord. Being tormented, his captors attempted to learn more of the Raven Guard. But Holmgavt mocked them with his last breath. His death made the order adopt the rule to only aid faithful to the Asjynur and Vali.

### Hrondar Oathforger

Hrondar was a man that understood people. He was a charming individual that could sway anger away with just a smile and persuade a murderous mob with a few words. His voice was his gift and weapon, unlike anything the people of the Scylding Kingdom or beyond had seen. While Hrondar could abuse this gift, he was mentored by no other than Holmgavt. Honouring his mentor, Hrondar never abused his talent and used it to end feuds and slights between families and clans.

He eventually became the architect of the Allthing, which spread to the other Chonobi clans. While Hrondar did embark on several quests to vanquish great terrors, his saga is mostly about charming courts and finding solutions to ancient blood feuds. His end came without violence as others mourned his passing. However, the location of his grave has become lost, and many hope that by finding it one day, it could end the current feuds among the Scylding people, allowing them to reunite once more.

### Vidkun Blademaster

In this world of strife and danger, the ability to use a blade with exceptional skill is a blessing. But also a curse. The sword doesn't allow one to reap the benefits of the earth, and the sword doesn't provide counsel when an individual is being pressured to make a decision. Sadly, this wisdom is lost on many who roam this world and brave its dangers. One of them was Vidkun, which became a true menace. He was described as an artist that only desired to use the blood of his foes. The grace and power of Vidkun was a show that many terrible beasts and rivals saw last before departing the world in a gruesome fashion of blood and steel.

Upon entering the ranks of the Raven Guard, Vidkun was wild and untamed. He sought challenge after challenge. Only to become more potent to the point that nothing could threaten him but the gods. Realising the harsh truth, Vidkun would bestow his experience on several apprentices. But with his teachings, he didn't just teach them swordsmanship. He led them to seek pleasures in more than just power and influence. That strength was more valuable in power, and in the end, riches didn't buy honour.

Vidkun eventually passed without any bloodshed. His saga ends with that he settled as a hermit somewhere peaceful, far away from the world's troubles and passed on without disturbing a single soul.

### Authulf the Giantslayer

Authulf was considered from a young age to become a potential warlord of extraordinary ability. His strength was unmatched, and none dared to anger him. His presence bolstered morale and brought fear in those who tried to oppose him. Authulf's true origins are lost to time, but various versions describe him as a potential descendant of Valdar - which explains his abilities. The truth may never be known of his heritage, but Authulf never became the warlord that many imagined him to become.

For Authulf was mighty, but his true strength was compassion. He didn't just use his brawn to complete quests, and his saga depicts him being a sincere study of enlightenment and favouring diplomacy over violence. Authulf eventually managed to become capable of conversing or conveying his will to beasts, allowing him to end many quests and troubles with diplomacy rather than steel or shedding blood.

How Authulf came to pass is uncertain. One day he left to seek the truth of something. Only for Authulf to return with a prophecy about the Brother Kings. Once he had brought this information to the Raven Guard, Authulf left again to be never seen again.