(Our goal this year is to continue running Global plotlines through local Guilds, as they desire, and through social storytelling. Below is a recap of our very old and lonely Mjoll/Ice Elf plotline which will tie heavily into Warcry 2023. This story arch is being designed for all players, not just Einher or Ice Elves. To start, please allow me to gently remind you what our story was, and where it has ended as of now. Because it's been awhile.)
The Betrayer's War (2250 to Present)
Almost all Einher acknowledge High King “Bloodeye” Thorson of Clan Gahighlyn as their rightful leader, and the Lord of Mjoll. Thorson was the first king to unite the Clans shortly after a brutal and long lasting war against Pandora and her followers. With his childhood friend, Yurgen Hunhil of Clan Hunhil, he obtained the Battlehorn of the Einherjar, a horn that, when sounded, would summon the valiant dead of Valhalla to fight by his side. The horn itself was found by Thorson and Yurgen in an old forgotten temple, far beyond the safety of Mjoll’s borders. When the two Einher returned home they were met with infighting amongst the larger clans, and a massive army of Ice Elves moving south to attack. In the year 2248, Thorson used the Battlehorn for the first time, summoning the fallen Einher of the bygone ages to hold back Pandora’s forces. With this great power at his side Thorson was able to, for the first time in history, unite the Clans under his banner and drive back the Ice Elves to their glacier strongholds.
His reign, while great, was short lived. In the year 2250, Thorson was betrayed. His Battlehorn was stolen while he slept and, through foul magic, he was found imprisoned in a block of unbreakable ice. There is much debate and confusion as to how this occurred. Some say the High King’s own Shieldmaidens betrayed him and allowed the forces of Pandora to enter the Great Hall and assault the King while he slept. The Shieldmaidens claim they were tricked and lay blame on Clan Fenrick, claiming to have spied members of that clan meeting with a small group of Ice Elves shortly after assault. Clan Fenrick violently denies this and many Shieldmaidens died by their hand for failure to present sufficient proof for such a serious accusation. It is no coincidence that Pandora chose this time to rally her Ice Elven forces once again and start her campaign of pain and torture against the Einish people.
While things looked dire for the Einish people, a small glimmer of hope did shine through. In the year 2254, Orin the Bastard; self proclaimed child and heir of Bloodeye, stepped onto the field of battle. Orin, raised since birth by Thorsons’s childhood friend and Chieftain of Clan Hunhil, Yurgen Hunhil, set out on a campaign to find those responsible for his father's betrayal and secure the release of the High King from his imprisonment.
Orin set out to the south, following a lead that the stolen Battlehorn of the Einherjar, had made its way into the Grey Elven forests. With him was his betrothed, Astrid Hunhil, daughter to Yurgen Hunhil, Chieftain of Clan Hunhil. Astrid and Orin had had a deep love for each other since childhood but also lived under the shadow of a dark prophecy. Astrid was born with the gift of foresight and the spirits told her that should she marry Orin, the love of her life, he would die that sunset. Astrid and Orin chose instead to love without marriage, not wishing to tempt the fates.
In the year 2255, Orin and Astrid, with the help of members of Clan Fenrick discovered a critical clue in the mystery of Thorson’s betrayal. Through the use of powerful magic Orin was able to divine that the Battlehorn of the Einherjar, found by Thorson and Yurgen, could not be stolen or taken by any person or creature, save those that were present when it was found. Orin was able to piece together that the only two people in the altar room when the horn was found were Thorson himself and Yurgen Hunhil, Astrid’s father. Since Thorson was the one imprisoned, Orin concluded that the only one that could have betrayed his father was the Chieftain of Clan Hunhil. Orin, feeling conned by the Clan that had raised him, struck down Astrid in a fit of rage and had her imprisoned. He then took this newfound information and led a campaign declaring Clan Hunhil betrayers and ordering them to be put to the sword. Orin led his army of Clansmen and the once accused warriors of Clan Fenrick to the great hall of Clan Hunhil and, through combat, slayed Yurgen, mounting his head on a spear. Orin sent word to every Clan leader, requesting their support and servitude, naming himself High King in his father's stead.
While some Clans chose to support Orin, many did not. The High King’s Shieldmaidens still swear Hunhil’s innocence. While most have been put to the sword by Orin, a few remain in hiding. Clan Hunhil, while their numbers decimated, still hold lands to the north east and many other Clans do not buy Orin’s word alone.
Today the Clans stand divided, trapped in a cold war with each other over who betrayed their beloved king and who has rightful ownership of the throne of Mjoll. Pandora’s forces push harder south with every day, and with every Einish life lost, her dominance over her ancient enemy grows.