Skaald Stjarna

Skaald Stjarna

Race

Norn

Level

12

Location

Dolyak Pass
(Wayfarer Foothills)

Organization

Durmand Priory

Skaald Stjarna is a norn who can be found at Kevach's Homestead in Dolyak Pass, and who has many stories to tell.

Location

Shiverpeak Mountains

• Wayfarer Foothills
  • Dolyak Pass

Dialogue

Come close and listen well, friend. I have stories of adventure, heroism, and amazing feats. Are you ready to hear my tales?

Tell me a story about sacrifice in the face of certain death.

When Jormag rose from the ice, our ancestors went to fight him. And among their numbers was Owl, a Spirit of the Wild.

Tell me more.

As the battle started, Jormag battered Owl without mercy. He wore down Owl until she was weakened from the brunt of his force.

Wait, why didn't Owl retreat? She was clearly outmatched.

If Owl fled, Jormag would have consumed all the norn below. She raised herself up and flew into the Jormag's maw, scratching and clawing to keep Jormag focused only on her.

She was killed then?

Jormag destroyed Owl's spirit totally. She entered a battle she couldn't win, all to save our ancestors. Every day I consider Owl's sacrifice, and I thank her from the bottom of my heart.

Tell me another.

Interesting story. Thanks.

I'd rather hear a story about norn history. (Same as "Tell me a tale of norn history." below)

Tell me a tale about hope amid despair. (same as below)

I want to hear other stories. (same as below)

Never mind.

Tell me a tale of norn history.

Now, everyone loves a moot. The drinking, the contests, the occasional broken bone here and there. But few know how the moot came to be.

Tell me more.

It's said that long, long ago, two norn travelers met each other at a faraway crossroads. They stopped, shared stories about what was happening in the world, and boasted about their deeds.

Makes sense. What happened next?

But they couldn't back those deeds up with proof. So, instead of being called liars, they invented new games on the spot and tested each other.

Where does the ale come in?

Ale was the prize of any wager. In time, every norn brought ale with them, knowing they could gamble for it if they found themselves at any of these gatherings.

And then?

The moots grew in size, and while they were about wagers and boasts, they kept the spirit of meeting strangers with a pint of ale and a place by the fire.'

Tell me another.

Thanks for the story. Now I'm thirsty.

Tell me a story about sacrifice in the face of certain death. (same as above)

Tell me a tale about hope amid despair. (same as below)

I want to hear other stories. (same as below)

I'm not interested.

Tell me a tale about hope amid despair.

It was the darkest time for all norn. Jormag had risen and killed thousand of norn, even devouring the Spirit of Owl herself. Hope itself was a dying ember.

Go on.

Asgeir, a proud and good norn, watched as his friends and brothers were slain. Just when his own bravery began to falter, he was struck with a vision.

What was it?

The four Spirits of the Wild revealed themselves over the field of battle and spoke to him of sanctuary in the Southern Shiverpeaks.

What did he do?

Asgeir rallied all norn still alive and told them of his vision. He spoke of the Spirits giving all norn shelter, telling them that their fight against Jormag would come another day.

Then what?

Asgeir led the norn south, through blinding snow and around deep chasms, until they reached a low place cradled in the mountains. There, he built Hoelbrak, naming it after the lowlands there.

I want to hear another.

Thanks for the story.

Tell me a story about sacrifice in the face of certain death. (same as above)

Tell me a tale of norn history. (same as above)

I want to hear other stories. (same as below)

I changed my mind. Good-bye.

I want to hear more stories.

Very well. I can tell you a tale of wisdom in the heat of battle, about myself, or even a funny story. Tell me the one you want to hear.

I'm curious about wisdom in the heat of battle.

Knut Whitebear keeps a watchful eye over Hoelbrak, and that includes making sure the peace is kept. A few years back, he had to make a choice between keeping that peace using violence or wisdom.

What do you mean?

Knut broke up a bar fight once, a quarrel between two brothers divided over a woman. He knew the boys were good, just eager to impress the woman, no matter the cost.

So, what did he do?

Knut called the boys over and told them that the first one who could knock him out was worthy of the woman. The boys were unsure, but stopped fighting each other and circled Knut.

I'm guessing Knut laid them out with one punch.

Knut never laid a hand on them. He dodged their blows, but praised them for working as a team as they attacked him. He let those boys come at him until they fell over exhausted.

What? That's it?

When those boys got their strength back, Knut took them aside and told them the bonds of family were stronger than a passing fancy. The boys took the lesson to heart and never quarreled again.

I want to hear another tale.

Thanks for the story.

Wait, tell me about yourself. (Same as "Sure, tell me about yourself." below)

Hold on. Tell me the funny one instead. (Same as "The funny one. Let's hear it." below)

Let's go back to the other stories.

Never mind.

Sure, tell me about yourself.

I used to hunt with my family, recording their deeds and singing about them when we came to a lodge. I earned more praise as a storyteller than I ever did with a bow, so I stuck with telling tales.

And that's it?

Bear, no! I learned my craft by competing against other skaalds. A few years later, I could outsing[sic] anyone, even the masters like Bren the Wise and Klinna Storyshouter.

What's a competition like?

Two skaalds face each other in a crowded lodge or tavern. We tell tales one at a time all night long until the first runs out of stories, tells a bad one, or passes out.

Passes out?

Sometimes...well, most times...ale is involved. Some can't handle their ale and tell tales. Me? Never had that problem. In fact, I can drink like Bear and still sing like Raven.

Tell me another.

Thanks.

I want to hear about wisdom in the heat of battle. (Same as "I'm curious about wisdom in the heat of battle." above)

No, wait. The funny one. (Same as "The funny one. Let's hear it." below)

Let's go back to the earlier tales.

Maybe later.

The funny one. Let's hear it.

There was once a norn who married a keg, and on their wedding night... hmm, you know, this one isn't meant for the young ears like yours.

Oh, com on.

Well, the tale ends with him covered in ale, running naked into the night screaming, "Oh no, I've killed her."

Okay, one more.

Yeah, let's just leave that there.

Wait. Let's go back to the other stories.

I'll be leaving now.

Not interested.

Trivia

• Stjarna is an Old Norse word meaning "star".