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Orka is a fierce warrior and former chief of the Bloodsworn who lives in the harsh world of Vigrið. She is an Úlfhéðnar, a mortal carrying the blood of the wolf-god Ulfrir, who previously suppressed her violent past to raise a family. Following the abduction of her son, she resurrects her old identity as the "Skullsplitter" and sets out on a relentless, bloody quest to rescue him.
Fiercely protected son of Breca
Murdered husband of Thorkel
Sister-in-law of Glornir Shield-Breaker
Combat mentor to Lif Virksson
Sworn enemy of Lik-Rifa
Distant descendant of Ulfrir
Varg is an escaped thrall who recently secured his own freedom by killing his captor. He joins the Bloodsworn mercenary band to utilize their magic in finding his sister's murderer. He soon learns he carries the Tainted blood of the wolf-god, forcing him to balance his human consciousness against his primal combat instincts.
Grieving brother of Frøya
Combat student of Røkia
Friend of Svik Tangle-Hair
Subordinate to Glornir Shield-Breaker
Elvar is a young noblewoman who commands the Battle-Grim mercenaries following the death of their previous chief. She is physically bound by a magical blood oath to rescue a captive child, punishing her with pain if she considers abandoning the mission. She is a pragmatic leader willing to use dangerous magic and forbidden relics to secure a tactical advantage.
Estranged daughter of Jarl Störr
Employer of Uspa
Captor of Skuld
Former romantic partner of Biórr
Successor to Agnar
Biórr is a warrior who infiltrated the Battle-Grim mercenaries to orchestrate the liberation of a captive god. He belongs to the Raven-Feeders, a group dedicated to freeing all god-blooded people from enslavement. He carries the bloodline of the rat-god Rotta and frequently struggles with severe guilt over his past betrayals.
Former romantic partner of Elvar Fire-Fist
Romantic interest of Myrk Sharp-Claw
Subordinate to Ilska
Descendant of Rotta
Lik-Rifa is an ancient dragon-god recently liberated from a subterranean prison. She commands a massive following of corrupted warriors and magical creatures known as vaesen. She intends to overthrow the mortal rulers of Vigrið and establish a new society placing her god-blooded descendants in power.
Glornir is the stoic and physically imposing chief of the Bloodsworn mercenaries. He normally operates with grim professionalism, but the kidnapping of his wife causes him to abandon his mercenary contracts. He leads his warband on a desperate chase across the country to rescue her from rival magic-users.
Ulfrir is the ancient wolf-god who died centuries ago during a cataclysmic divine war. He is magically brought back to life by the Battle-Grim mercenaries, returning as a severely weakened entity. The mercenaries immediately bind him with an iron collar, forcing him to act as a captive weapon in their upcoming battles.
Guðvarr is an ambitious oathsworn warrior motivated entirely by vanity and self-preservation. He seeks political advancement in the city of Darl but lacks the courage to earn it in open combat. He aligns himself with dangerous spellcasters to secure protection, often resorting to deception and murder to maintain his public reputation.
Nephew of Jarl Sigrún
Subordinate to Skalk
Servant of Queen Helka
Enemy of Lif Virksson
Myrk is a highly confident and brutal warrior serving in the Raven-Feeders warband. She is a dragon-born fighter who views human enslavement of the god-blooded as an atrocity. She relentlessly hunts the Bloodsworn mercenaries to exact revenge for the death of her family members.
Rotta is the rat-god, a divine being long believed to have perished in an apocalyptic war. He is a charismatic survivor who prefers manipulation and psychological tactics over direct physical confrontation. He quickly forms an alliance with his newly freed sister to guarantee his own safety.
Uspa is a powerful Seiðr-witch traveling alongside the Battle-Grim mercenaries. She utilizes blood magic, runic healing, and ancient spells to assist the warband in battle. She participates in the conflict entirely to secure the safe return of her kidnapped child.
Skalk is a Galdurman, a magic-user who channels power through runes and spells. He works as an agent for Queen Helka in the city of Darl. He utilizes biological torture and psychological manipulation to ensure his subordinates follow his commands.
Svik is a veteran warrior and the designated skáld, or storyteller, for the Bloodsworn mercenaries. He survived enslavement during his childhood and was subsequently raised by Orka. He provides tactical guidance and moral support to the newer members of the crew.
Friend of Varg No-Sense
Ward of Orka Skullsplitter
Lif is a young fisherman who joins a mercenary band to track down the man who killed his brother. He completely lacks formal combat training but willingly subjects himself to brutal instruction to achieve his goal. He views his quest for revenge as a matter of honor.
Combat student of Orka Skullsplitter
Enemy of Guðvarr