The Saxon Wars: Berent’s Saga

Dramatis Personae

THE HUNTERS AND TRAPPERS OF HOLLINGSTED AND Dreng - ARE BEING MURDERED. South, across from the Horik - Danevirk, dark things stir. Rumors are whispered of murderous A hersir in the service of Jarl Horik. shadows, game found hacked apart or riddled with arrows. Rolof - The young Jarl (born 789) of Hollingsted. Son of Jarl Trappers lines are sprung. And a few hunters hint at gruesome . A devout heathen. murders, merchants impaled to trees and their entrails left for The thegn of Treva. the carrion to eat….

Berent’s Saga is designed for 3 to 6 players new to the Helheim Unbound roleplaying game, although experienced players can certainly undertake it. We have attempted to be as historically accurate as possible, while making some concessions for game play (e.g. terms to standardize currency). As always, the true facts in this era are difficult to come by, but we have done our best.

This saga covers approximately one half of the summer campaigning season, from mid-April (Harpa) through History:midsummer (Sumarauki), in 803.

The Danevirk, spanning the southern end of the Peninsula, has long protected the Danes from the Slavic Tribes, , and , but a new darkness has crept beyond its borders. The region is ruled by Jarl Horik I, son of Jarl Gudfred, and grandson of King . Hollingsted is an influential trading town and marks the start of the 10 mile portage to the new town of Hedeby at the eastern end of the Danevirk. The jarls and other nobility have an estate in Sliasthorpe, roughly halfway between Hollingsted and KeyHedeby. Terms Further Reading

Blot - Bondi (Norse) / Fyrd (Saxon)– A high festival. http://sciencenordic.com/legendary-viking-town-unearthed Danevirk – A freeman, often a farmer or Goldberg, Eric J. (2006). Struggle for Empire: Kingship and tradesman. Capable fighters if needs be. Conflict Under Louis the German, 817-876. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Dane Wold –A low rampart and defensive network separating University Press. pp. 83-8 JarlDenmark (Norse from or Saxony.Saxon) / Thegn (Saxon) / Kynaz (Slavic) - The forested region southeast from . Hersir - HollingstedRegional lord, - similar to an earl or duke. A powerful warrior or warlord, similar to a knight. Huscarl (Norse) The / primary Edhilingui southern (Saxon) Danish - trading town, located on the west end of the Danevirk. Nordalbinian Saxony - A professional warrior, in service to a lord or wealthy landholder. Obodrites – A northern Saxon region, roughly equivalent to modern . Sliasthorpe -A Slavic tribe located southeast of Denmark and east of Saxony.Sample file Treva - A village and noble holding in the middle of the Danevirk. Seat of the southern Jarldom in Denmark. A Saxon village, and later Frankish fortress, located between the Alster and rivers.

 Contents

Key Terms 1 Dramatis Personae 1 Background – for the GM 3 Jarl Horik I 3 Hollingsted 3 Tracking Time 3 Lead Designer: Nathaniel “Nat” Skinner

Text in Boxes 3 Saga Basics 3 Part 1: The Contract 5 Artists: Bartolomeo Argentino, B Simon Smith, Setting the Stage 5 Daniel Comerci, The Body in the Woods 6 Dean Spencer, Talking with the Jarl 7 Toly Kivshar

Preparations 7 Layout: B Simon Smith Master Scout (Optional) 7 Departure 7 Logo by: Michael Dashow Part 2: The Dane Wold 8 Investigating the Butchery 8 Mysterious Tracks 9 Some artwork © 2015 Dean Spencer, used with permission. Obodrites Brigands 10 All rights reserved. Part 3: Treva Burning 12 The Lost Son 12 Some artwork © Daniel Comerci, used with permission. All rights reserved. www.danielcomerci.com Helping Treva 12 Calling the Fyrd 13 Traps 13 All Rights Reserved. This book may only be reproduced for Helheim Unbound: Berent’s Saga ©2018 Skylark Studios Defense of Treva 13 personal use and not for commercial purposes or resale. Obodrites 13 Aftermath 14 Victory! 14 Held Out 14 Flee! 14 Part 4: Hollingsted 15 Defense of Treva 15 Armory 15 Hollingsted Assaulted 15 Part 5: Conclusion 16 Appendix 17 Traits 17 Skills 18 Resources 18 BetrayalSample18 file Calendar 19 Player Map 20

 Background - for the GM

Jarl Horik I, in response to findings of his people skinned, The trail is harder to find the longer the champions take to get burned alive, impaled on trees, and mutilated has summoned Textto the bodyin Boxes and then begin looking for tracks. mercenaries to his lands to uncover the source of these vile acts. Jarl Horik typically resides in Sliasthorpe, a noble estate halfway between Hedeby and Hollingsted. Text in boxes with italics is designed to be read to the players The primary point of interaction between Jarl Horik I and the by the GM, starting with this one: Hersir Dreng MacWigheard Hollingsted is located along the Treene River and serves as champions (player characters) participating in this saga is the western end of the portage to Hedeby. Hollingsted and . Dreng is a grizzled fighter who Hedeby connect the North Sea with the Baltic Sea. Around maintains the guard of the Danevirk road, trains the fighters of 1,000 people call the town of Hollingsted home. Hollingsted Hollingsted, and is the master of scouts. He is honorable. has a log palisade on the north, east, and southern sides. The Jarl Horik I western side is bordered by the Treene River. Hollingsted is the most prosperous Danish town in the area, but the new village of Hedeby is growing and vying for dominance. Jarl Horik is one of the two sons of Jarl Gudfred. Horik is 14 years To the east is the portage road, protected by the Danevirk, old and is both ambitious and devout. He opposes the creeping which crosses 9 miles (15 kilometers) until it reaches Hedeby Christian influence supported by his uncles and nephews. He on the Schlei Inlet. The Danevirk is an earth and timber is very concerned about the hunters and merchants who are fortification protecting Danish lands from southern invaders. being murdered, but in private he raves about the influence of The land near Hollingsted is flat and rises slightly the farther foreign powers tainting Denmark. east that is travelled. To the south, the lands are slightly lower, consisting of marshland and plains. To the north is a mix of Despite his young age, it is apparent Horik has grand plans hills, heath, and forests. and ambitions. His goal is to turn these raiders back on the Franks to the south or the Obodrites to the east. If that is not Politically, the south is unsettled. In 798 the Nordalbinian an option, then pinning the blame on his uncles’ Christian Saxons were crushed by Charles the Great, and in 801 their influence will suffice. He prefers champions of the Germanic lands ceded to the Obodrites. This year marks the second year gods, but will hire champions of other religions, although with of Danish incursions into Nordalbia against the Slavic tribes some skepticism. Hollingsted aligned with Frankia.

Saga Basics Hollingsted is the last comfortable and sizeable town in the southwestern reaches“Setting of the the Danish Stage” controlled areas of the Jutland Peninsula. There are skilled Herbalists, Blacksmiths The saga starts on the 5th day of Harpa (mid-April), and largely and Tanners (see in Part 1). Hollingsted ends by Sumarauki (late June). This gives a period of nearly 70 is a common starting point for Norse, Danes, and the various days for the saga. Swedish tribes to embark into Saxony and , or to head north into Denmark or along the coast. It is the companion The champions are being hosted in an empty longhouse in to, Hedeby, a small but growing village at the east end of the Hollingsted as guests of the Jarl. The champions may arrive Danevirk. Hedeby primarily serves groups sailing east into between the middle of the last winter, or within the first few the Baltic, or travelers heading southerly into Saxony and the days of Harpa. A champion may be visiting from another region; Slavic lands to the east. The lands southwest of Hollingsted and or may be a local under service to Jarl Horik, a champion of a southeast of Hedeby are generally marshy lowlands, while the Saxon lord, or serving another noble in Denmark or Norway. land between and southerly slowly rises up into the forested TrackingDane Wold. Time Berent’s Saga is designed as a fairly linear adventure. The champions can follow two different paths that will lead to a successful outcome. The least harm to the region comes if the “Partchampions 3: Treva succeed Burning” in killing off some of the brigands near the TrackingSample the time it takes the group to complete their tasks is Danish Wold and then defeating file the Obodrites“Part 4: Hollingsted”)at Treva (see an important component of this Saga. The calendar is included ). If the Obodrites are not encountered at in the Appendix.. The more quickly the champions complete Treva, they will assault Hollingsted (see , (in game time) and move through the Saga, the more likely where the champions have another opportunity to prove they are to have a successful outcome. their mettle. There are also numerous plot hooks for further adventures on your own.  Sample file Part 1: The Contract

“The Contract” is when the champions meet Jarl Horik, learn After revealing any appropriate information, Hersir Drend will more about the murders and sprung trapping lines, and pay the champions a visit that morning: A muscular man of middling height (about 5’ 8” and 170 lbs) possibly make their first step towards broader political actions wearing a byrnie (mail coat), enters the longhouse. He wears a in the Jutland Peninsula. Setting the Stage number of heavy silver arm-rings on both arms, including one highly decorated arm-ring of silver and gold. A sword is belted at his hip. All of which are signs of an experienced and wealthy warrior. Those champions who have been in Hollingsted since The champions will have been in the longhouse since at the Summer Blot or earlier will recognize him as one of the least the Summer Blot (1st of Harpa), although wintering in Jarl’s men. Behind him come two huscarls also wearing mail Hollingsted is another possibility, particularly for champions with spears, helms, and shields. that have previously been on a saga and have wounds that can recover over the winter. Glancing about the room, he looks and weighs each of the champions before speaking. “If you have not been told so For a new group of players, each player should spend about a • before, welcome to Hollingsted. I am Dreng MacWigheard, minute briefly explaining: • Hersir of Hollingsted. The Jarl is ready to meet you, if you The traits of their champions; • agree to take up service for the summer. Gather your things Their resources; • and we will journey to Sliasthorpe this morning.” How long they have been in Hollingsted; What their general actions have been while awaiting further action.

We have also provided several sample champions in the The champions are led to Sliasthorpe. Sliasthorpe is a village appendix to this Saga. These champions can also be used as reserved for the wealthiest and most powerful Danes along NPCs in your other sagas and campaigns. the Danevirk. Sliasthorpe is unwalled, but naturally defended by the wetlands and waterways. The 20 buildings are of high The saga begins shortly before the arrival of the Hersir Dreng quality, the huscarls and other freemen wear byrnies and bear at the longhouse, where he calls for all the mercenaries to fine weapons, and most women and men are clad in green and come to the Jarl’s Hall in Sliasthorpe. blue clothing, demonstrating their wealth. Valuable fox furs Spirits have been high since the Summer Blot. The Summer are also common. Blot was spectacular this year, if filled with curious customs brought by Frankish, Saxon, and Slavic traders. However, the local seer found the omens mixed for the Jarldom. The Jarl’s Hall is a massive longhouse, 100 feet long and over 30 feet wide. The steps up into the Hall are guarded The longhouse is often available for traders and their guards by two huscarls – their spears and shields are propped up but has been empty except for your fellow companions since against the wall. The champions are led to a table in front of the 2nd. Today marks the 5th day of Harpa, and the sun begins the central fire, which radiates enough heat the take the last its longer climb into the sky, as the last as of the snows recede, chill from the air. Two scouts sit at one of the tables, which marking the start of the six months of summer. is piled high with food and many varieties of alcohol. Dreng sits across from the scouts as he gestures to the champions “Sitto sit. and eat. Ask questions, and we will tell you what we know. Remember time is of the essence so the trail does not get Take some time to ask the players what their champions have cold.” done since settling in the longhouse, either over the winter or for the past few days. Based on what the champions were doing while• in town, the following information or key observations are available: Across the fire and upon a raised dais with a flaming brazier For the last several years, hunters and other solitary next to it, sits the man who must be Jarl Horik. Young, he • people have been killed south of the Danevirk, over a watches the group, brooding and silent, rebuffing any period of about six weeks at the start of summer. attempts to approach him. Both the west and east sides • The Jarl’s scouts were seen recently heading south into of the hall are further divided with wooden walls set with SaxonySample and the Dane Wold. doorways covered by hanging cloths.file • Hollingsted’s merchants are worried about the new town • of Hedeby to the west and its influence. Jarl Horik has a ruthless streak but honors his word. The town has an experienced Herbalist (7 dice pool on healing attempts).