Frode, Owner of the Moldy Crow
Early Life
Born in A356 to the Harvfost Clan, Frode's life was steeped in tradition and loyalty. As a young boy his closest bond was with Barden, a spirited youth he called his "younger brother." When Frode undertook his Shield Trial—a rite of passage testing valor—he chose 12-year-old Barden as his trial brother, making him the youngest in clan history to face it. Together, they triumphed, earning the title of Shield Brothers. Frode was honored with the name Frode BloodShield, a mark of his courage. In the years that followed, Frode fell for Halla, a maiden whose gentle heart tempered his warrior’s soul. But duty called him to join the infamous Dreadfleet, and he promised to wed her upon his return.Disgrace and Redemption
During the Dreadfleet raids of A378, Frode’s shield brother, Barden was given command of his own longship and crew. Barden ordered a raid upon a fishing town. The village folk took up no arms and offered all of their valuables. In horror, Frode watched as Barden’s men would slay women and children, breaking one of the clan's most sacred laws, to bring no harm to those too weak to defend themselves. Ashamed and disgusted, Frode and Barden would separate from their crew. Unable to return to their clan, Frode turned to mercenary work, using the chaos of ongoing wars to survive. The pair soon found employment defending Uisprix supply lines against goblin raiders. By A379, their skill and determination earned them places in the Valiant Vagrants, a renowned band of mercenaries. The Valiant Vagrants disbanded in A386, and Barden parted ways with Frode.Return to Horvfost
Hopeful that the glory he had earned and the good he had done with The Valiant Vagrants would restore his clan's respect, Frode returned to his homeland in the North. Yet, he was met with cold stares upon his arrival. His village had suffered greatly from Dreadfleet raids, losing many, including his former lover Halla, who perished in the Sacking of New Tridentum. Worse still, the heinous deeds of Barden’s crew had brought shame upon the clan, costing them their seat on the Northern Council. But none of this struck Frode as deeply as learning he had a daughter, Freya, whom Halla had raised alone. For his part in the disgrace that befell the clan, Frode was forbidden from seeing her. Broken, he departed, leaving his battle shield to be gifted to Freya on the day of her Shield Trial.The Moldy Crow
Directionless, Frode returned to mercenary work. Without his shield brother or the honor of his clan, the path was harsh, and Frode retired in A389. Seeking to hide from his pain, he journeyed to Sarkarth in Ardune Sai, wagering his modest fortune in the fighting pits. In a high-stakes gamble with a Syill merchant, Frode won a sizable tract of land and a popular roadside inn named Brighthearth. By A396, Frode had relocated to Syill, renaming the inn “The Moldy Crow” as a playful jab at his former companion from the Valiant Vagrants. In A402, Frode was invited to help establish The Guild of Heroes. Though he declined the offer, he donated the land surrounding his inn. Drawing on connections forged during his years as a mercenary and tavern owner, Frode assisted in recruiting the guild’s first wave of mercenaries. Today, the Moldy Crow stands as a bustling hub for those seeking to join The Guild of Heroes. Amid the clamor of travelers, sellswords, and hopeful adventurers, Frode can often be found behind the bar, serving his famed mead made from Skuldra, Frost Root, a brew as bold and storied as the man himself.Relationships
Bolton, Formerly Barden Bloodsword
Childhood Friend (Vital)Towards Frode, Owner of the Moldy Crow
5
0
Honest
Frode, Owner of the Moldy Crow
Childhood Friend (Important)Towards Bolton, Formerly Barden Bloodsword
3
0
Frank
Frode Bloodshield
- Born: A354
- Age: 54
- Nationality: Northern
- Allegiances: The Guild of Heroes, The Valiant Vagrants, Northern Clans
Comments