Red-Teeth Sven

Alvin Dahl is the scion of a wealthy Norwe­gian family that held interests in fishing, timber, and banking. Quiet and reserved by nature, and physically hindered by a weakened leg from a childhood accident, he was oft-neglected by his pragmatic, hard-charging parents in favor of his twin siblings. Alvin was also constantly bullied by his older brother and sister, Christian and Karin. He lived vicari­ously through books, imagining himself as a bold hero like those found in the sagas of his Viking an­cestors. Gifted intellectually, Alvin became a noted archaeologist and scholar, traveling widely despite his physical challenge. He retained his interest in myths and legends, despite being a “serious” academic.
Even with his success, his siblings were put in charge of the family business. At the cel­ebratory dinner held in honor of them taking control, Alvin met and asked out Ava Hague, one of the company’s accountants. Ava had previously been romantically involved with Alvin’s brother Christian. Regardless, Alvin and Ava were soon engaged to be married. This did not sit well with Christian, who could not tolerate “losing” to his brother in any fashion. When his efforts to win back Ava’s affections failed, he assaulted and badly traumatized her. She committed suicide shortly thereaf­ter, leaping from a hospital window. Alvin pressed the authorities for justice, but Christian was backed by the family’s lawyers and their sister Karin’s alibi for him. He faced no criminal charges.
Alvin found vengeance by embracing the dark side of his studies. He discovered a ritual to summon the spirit of an infamous Norse berserker, Bjorn Sveindson, also known as Red-Teeth Sven because he bit his shield until his mouth bled. Red-Teeth Sven was renowned for slaying a frost giant and stealing the jotun’s war-hammer and shield. But Red-Teeth Sven was too fierce, even for the Vikings, killing many countrymen to show off his skills and claiming the pick of pillaged loot. He was declared an outlaw, hunted down, and slain when a magical blade pierced his shield. Denied Valhalla, Red-Teeth Sven’s shade wandered the netherworld until he was given corporeal form by Dahl. Leaving his puny shell behind and sending his spirit into the berserker’s body, Dahl used Red-Teeth Sven to destroy many of his family’s holdings. Then he confronted his sib­lings, meaning to terrorize them into confessing. Instead he crippled them both, as Dahl’s control slipped and Bjorn Sveindson’s mind took control.
Professor Dahl swore not to bring forth Sven again, but could not resist the urge when he again saw injustice, including petty bullies, corrupt police or politicians, and low-life criminals; all tasted Red-Teeth Sven’s wrath. Dahl rationalized his actions as being “justice”, even when Sven wrested control from him and indulged in mayhem. But Dahl grew addicted to the power. He considered his true identity untraceable, but was eventually found out by the Danish heroine Snow Angel and forced to go on the run. Dahl escaped with a small cache of funds and occult materials. He roams the northern climes of the world, often leaving a trail of wreckage behind.

Physical Description

Special abilities

Red-Teeth Sven is inhumanly strong, tall, ferocious, and resistant to harm; upon biting his shield or suffering harm in battle, he goes berserk and becomes a veritable monster. He wields the oversized, enchanted war-hammer Skullknocker and massive kite-shield Facesplitter. Although these weapons can be taken from him, Sven can always bring them back to his hands, given a moment to will it so. Depending on which mind is dominant, Red-Teeth Sven possesses Dahl’s academic and occult knowledge or Sveindson’s warrior skills. Both minds share a common set of memories and languages.
The human alter-ego of Red-Teeth Sven is more formidable than his slight frame and disability make him appear. Although no match for superheroes, even with his ritual magic, he employs a sword cane and a concealed pistol in self-defense, and relies on prepared spells to protect him.

Mental characteristics

Intellectual Characteristics

Professor Dahl is an intelligent, cultured, and soft-spoken man, but inwardly seethes with anger over those who abuse their power and influence, and seeks to mete out retribution. Though he rationalizes his actions as righ­teous, Dahl is addicted to wielding power; his actions are growing more destructive and self-serving. Bjorn Sveind­son lives for the thrill of battle and the taking of treasure. Denied life for centuries, he indulges his huge appetites for food, drink, and other pleasures. Though not truly ma­licious, his worldview is that of a Norse berserker. Despite his warrior’s code of honor, Red-Teeth Sven is ill-tempered and unpredictable when drunk, which is quite common when Sveindson is in charge.

Social

Contacts & Relations

While Professor Dahl is commanding the body, Red-Teeth Sven may aid superheroes against monsters and villains. If Bjorn Sveindson is dominant, Red-Teeth Sven allies with criminal gangs and super-powered outlaws to loot, hijack, and battle superheroes; he has even accepted mercenary work for larger organizations.
Several Scandinavian heroes have clashed with Red-Teeth Sven, including Norway’s premier champion Skjaldmeyjar. There is no love lost between him and MENACE. With Sveindson in control, he battled the giant-kin Troll, and Dahl nearly slew Mara when she used her psychic powers to torment an entire town.