Erik Ivarsson
"The boy is strong and hardy, and a formidable warrior. Smarter than he lets on, although he can be a bit prickly at times. I don't know where he gets that from. Seven hells, maybe I'll miss the boy.
If you tell him I said that you're a dead man."Ivar Ubbeson
Erik Ivarsson was born as Cormac of House Elsterglyd in Northguard within the Kingdom of Eastfall on the 23rd of Hoarfrost in 6689 CY. Born to Duke Gruffydd and Duchess Plynna Elsterglyd, Erik grew up as a noble's son the edge of the Frozen North in the shadow of the Silveridge Mountains. As Duke of Northguard, his father was one of the most senior nobles in Eastfall, and responsible for guarding the famed passage between Eastfall and the Frozen North known as Budnir's Fury. One the shore of the Menevarch River betwixt the Silveridge and Blackspear Mountains, Budnir's Fury had long been used by the Tul Vos tribes of the Frozen North to launch raids upon the southern kingdoms. Duke Gruffydd took this responsibility seriously, was known as a warrior of some renown. He ensured his son would live up to the legacy left behind from House Elsterglyd from the last three centuries of rule over Northguard by ensuring his son was trained from his youngest days as a warrior. Trained by the Master-At-Arms of Northguard as well as his father, his first sword was put into his hand at age 4, and he was learning how to lead men in battle by age 7, studying both grand strategy and small unit tactics. Erik, or Cormac as you prefer at this time was also taught how to handle himself at court, and carried himself as a nobleman's son should.
Erik's training would be put to the test in short order, when in 6698 CY the Tul Vos tribes launched a massive spring raid through Budnir's Fury. Duke Gruffydd led his men against the Tul Vos, and this time brought his young son and heir at his side, to learn from his father's example. This was no ordinary raid however, and the Duke learned much too late that he was outnumbered three to one. Accustomed to a numerical advantage, the Duke's forces were overwhelmed by the barbarian horde. As his father lay dead at his feet, Erik picked up his father sword and stood astride over his corpse, fighting off Tul Vos warriors that came to pick his corpse like carrion for over an hour before he was approached by the leader of this warband, Ivar Ubbesson. Impressed by the fire within the boy and his fighting spirit, Ivar took Erik as an Ästanz. Roughly translated to war prize, by taking Erik in this manner Ivar declared him as a member of his own family, and took him back to the Frozen North, raising him as his own son.
Having no other children, Ivar raised Erik as befits a true warrior of the Tul Vos. As the childhood friend of Bjorn Gjormsson, chieftain of the Tribe of the Bear, and Hilda of the Bear, shaman of the tribe, as well as a war chief himself, Ivar was positioned to ensure Erik received only the best training. Learning to hunt, fish and fight alongside the Tul Vos, as he reached manhood Erik had fully adopted the culture of his adopted father, and Ivar bestowed upon him the name Erik Ivarsson, in honor of his place within the tribe. Coming to venerate Budnir Karlsson as the Tul Vos do, after his Rite of Ascension and his acceptance as a full member of the tribe, Erik dedicated his life to Budnir, becoming a Berserker. Tul Vos Berserkers are highly feared by their enemies, but often misunderstood outside of Tul Vos society. Dedicated to serving Budnir through achieving vast amounts of glory in his name, Berserkers live by a strict code of personal honor that Budnir requires of them. While they can be extremely ferocious and ruthless warriors, they are most akin to the paladin in the southern lands. Berserkers are often venerated as the pinnacle of a Tul Vos warrior amongst themselves, and can often find acceptance within the tents of any wandering tribe.
Despite his acceptance into the Tribe of the Bear and the dedication of his life to Budnir, as Erik approached the age of twenty he began to become confused about where his true place in life was. Well aware of his duty to the tribe, he also knew that he could gain no true honor in Budnir's name as long as he continued to abandon his blood relations within Eastfall, something that Budnir would never forgive. As he began to think more and more of his mother and the young sister he had left behind when he was taken by Ivar 11 years prior, Ivar witnessed the torment within the young man. Speaking with Bjorn, they decided to send Erik on a spirit quest, as only once he had quelled the questions within himself could he truly live amongst them. Packing up his things, Erik headed south to Budnir's Fury, and beyond to the home he had left behind over a decade ago.
Using the techniques Ivar had taught him, Erik was able to slip into Eastfall unnoticed. When he finally reached Northguard however he found things greatly changed. After Duke Gruffydd's defeat at the hands of the Tul Vos House Elsterglyd fell into disfavor with the crown, and was shamed across the kingdom. This allowed Lord Celtigar of House Aelmeryn, a powerful lord in Duke Gruffydd's service, to overthrow House Elsterglyd. After three centuries of rule over Northguard, Erik's mother Plynna found herself confined to the kitchens as a scullery maid, and his younger sister Elaine, the sole remaining heir to House Elsterglyd, sold into slavery. Sneaking into Northguard through secret passages known only to the Dukes of the city, Erik found his mother within the kitchens, who had gone blind in her service to the new Duke Celtigar. Enraged at the treatment his family endured in his absence, Erik swore a blood oath of vengeance on Duke Celtigar, and swore he would retrieve his sister and retake his family's ancestral home. Thus Erik began his long journey south in search of his sister, a search that would take several years and span the breath of the continent of Vendris, taking him south to New Iskar, a foreign land, with a foreign language.
Relationships
No Known Partner
No Known Children
Parents: Gruffydd And Plynna Elsterglyd
Foster Parent: Ivar Ubbesson
Siblings: Elaine Elsterglyd
Organizations
No Known Organizations
Species
Ethnicity
Age
25 (6714 CY)
Date of Birth
23rd of Hoarfrost, 6689 CY
Family
Children
Gender
Male
Belief/Deity
Comments