Neill Family
Contents
The Viking Clan of O'Neil
The Viking Clan of O'Neil hails from the thick forests outside of the great city of Makar that once was the very edge of the frozen borders of the Barony of Makar on the continent of Atamara. For many generations the Clan kept to itself in the forests preferring to hunt and gather wealth while letting the outside world pass it by. It is said that the only time an O'Neil ventures from the forest is to take a wife. It has also been said, though never verified since the odes of the Clan are never heard by an outsider's ear, that the Clan was once one of the greatest warrior clans in the land. Rumor has it they were either beaten into submission and hiding or decided to quietly withdraw into the forests in order to preserve what they had for future generations.
The Clan is proud of it's hunting and fishing tradition and every son of the Clan is taught to fire a bow at an early age, soon followed by such skills as tracking and small axe wielding and boating (Though boating is only reserved for the bravest and toughest of the O'Neils. They are respectful, but, fearful of the sea.)
It was only a matter of time, however, before one of the Clan grew restless with this life of isolation. And as the fridgid northern snows blew in one winter an O'Neil emerged from the forest with the intent to make a life for himself outside of the forest. And so begins the Ode of the Ender.
Ender; son of Erik
Ender, son of Erik, was the first of the O'Neils to emerge from the forest. Carrying his own long sword (which he made alongside his brother Weland) and bow he emerged from the forest in bearskins, his long beard hiding the grin that was spreading across his face. He made his way to the center of the City of Makar where he declared his allegiance to the leader of the Makarians. He was instantly hurled into service. Taking a group of Archers he deemed worthy of his command he made his was to the great city of Icegate (Which was at the time its own Barony) and participated in the final battle and take over.
For a time he served under the Viking Hid Coi and travelled on countless raids finding that he enjoyed the raiding and pillaging much more than the hunting he had been told would be his future when he lived in the forest. He saw many lands and carried the gold of several empires in his bag. Southasland, Norland, Cagilan Empire, Minas Ithil, Tara, Ash Sea Islands.... he burned and drank his way through the whole of Atamara following his viking comrades wherever they would go. It was during this time that he grew to admire the ruthless viking Executioner Herr Krankspeiler. He also met his scribe and best friend, Leif, during this time. During a final raid in Norland the viking leader Hid Coi, co-founder of Horseless jousting, (Vikings loathe horses other than a food source), retired to the mountains and Edda, then the general, came into power.
After many raids he found himself ready to advance and his chance came. Herr Krankspeiler resigned from his post and disappeared into the forest leaving the position open. Eager to take up the mantle of Executioner Ender immediately contacted Edda and was soon appointed to the post. In time he grew to be ruthless and cruel to any enemy he found in his dungeons. Torture of any sort was commonplace and as he learned newer, more terrible methods his reputation grew and the people of Icegate began to ignore the screams that were often heard coming from the dungeons. It is said that tales of his executions are still standard drinking tales in the taverns around Atamara.
Raiding was still commonplace in this time and many o' criminal was executed in Icegate under his command. He built his own massive executioner's axe and began to wield it in battle after leaving his long sword behind in Falasan after a raid that cost the lives of many men under his command (It still stands where he left it, rooted firmly in the spot as a memorial). He was later appointed Duke of Makar and held the title until a multi-realm invasion took it over for Norland (then a despised enemy).
Time passed, a new ruler (Sordnaz) was elected, and a war with Eston found Ender in an Estonian prison. Upon escaping he found that he had been temporarily replaced by the viking Harod. He saw Harod's enthusiasm and decided it was time he resigned and let a younger Viking take take the mantle.
He now holds the title of Duke of Icegate and is credited to founding the Icegate branch of the Guild "The Templars".
Though certainly not the oldest Viking in the Barony, he has been a noble of the Barony of Makar longer than any Viking.
Speak not of honor or nobility, for if you carry such notions onto the battlefield then expect defeat and death. War is no place for either. -Ender
Current Age: 32, Class: Soldier, Weapon of Choice: Executioner's Axe, Titles Held: Executioner, Duke of Makar, Duke of Icegate
Weland; son of Erik; Brother to Ender
Weland is the youngest of the sons of Erik and Ender's younger brother. He is much like Ender in his love for war, but, he is a little more subdued than his war mongering brother. As a young boy he was terrible at using the bow but quickly became skilled with the axe. He favors melee combat over long range and his interests soon found him in an apprenticeship with his Uncle Gunnar, the family blacksmith. He excelled at weapon making and created his first long sword with his brother (He later presented it as a farewell gift when Ender left the mansion).
For years he labored with his Uncle in the family forge creating axes and swords. He trained in melee combat alongside his cousin, Garm son of Gunnar, and soon became proficient in all forms of melee combat known to the Clan. Eager to follow his brother into the world he left home at the age of twenty one. He served with the Barony for two weeks before saying farewell to his homeland. He boarded a ship (despite being warned against it. A cousin of his had perished at sea years before during a fishing expedition.) and found himself in Buluaterra. He joined the realm of Fronen and trimmed his beard. He soon discarded his traditional bearskins in favor of plate armor.
Wielding a self-crafted long sword he did not find peace for long before the undead and monsters overran the lands. He fought against them for a great time and even found himself imprisoned by the beasts for a period. Thankfully he was able to escape finding an old passage hidden behind the wall in his crude cell. Still he fights against isolated pockets and longs for the days when the infestation will be over.
His skill in tracking has also made him an excellent scout and he tries to train with the Fronen Scout Guild whenever he can.
Recently Weland has left the realm of Fronen to join the realm of Khthon, a colony of Fronen founded by Predbjørn II. It is a realm of that values heroes and only allows heroes to hold office. It is a difficult place to live at the time, but, he figures it is worth the struggle. He currently serves as the general of the realm.
Despite his new appearance and his changes since he left Makar he still keeps in touch with his family and his brother. He still drinks heavily and enjoys a good bar tale or game of strength.
Give me a quill and give me a sword. If negotiations fail I'll chop their head off, then we'll see which is considered mightier. - Weland
Current Age: 25, Class: Hero, Weapon of Choice: Longsword, nicknamed "Mimameidr", Titles Held: Master Weaponsmith of the O'Neils, Scount, General of Khthon
Cid; son of Kvasir
Cid, son of Kvasir, was always an outcast in the Clan. Terrible when it came to hunting and smaller than the other children he was often ridiculed. As he grew he kept mostly to himself finding happiness in the Odes of the Clan when they were told. When this knowledge alone wasn't enough he began to sneak out of the forest to a small cottage owned by a scholar on the outskirts of Makar. There he was trained in the arts of History, Writing, Painting, and Language. He studied under the scholar (who is believed to have hailed from a land much older than Atamara) until the age of 15 when his father found out what he was doing. Furious he forced the boy to return home and stay there under the constant watch of his Grandfather Jarl. Jarl wasn't fond of the boy and quickly grew tired of watching him sit in the corner of the room staring out the window. It was then Cid began receiving basic combat lessons (much to his dismay). Though he was slow to learn he soon became very skilled and even began to defeat the other, stronger boys of the clan.
When he came of age he decided quickly they he tired of his barbaric family and fled home one day when his Grandfather fell asleep watching him. He made his way to the docks and purchased his own boat. For years he travelled the lands learning all he could and developing his combat skills. He began to develop ideals never taught to him by the Clan: Honor and Nobility. He had come far from the weak little viking outcast of his youth and became a strong-willed noble.
One day a great storm overcame he ship and all hands were lost to the fury of the sea. He washed up on shore in the Colonies where he was taken in by monks of the Trinity. There he found his faith in the Alowcan Trinity and a new home in the Theocracy of Alowca. He also met his scribe Tel in Alowca when he first came to the land. He served there for some time, fighting enemies, and later serving as the Baron of Irdalni. This honor came to him however at a trying time where barbarians began invading Alowca. He fought tirelessly and was awarded the position of Haruspex Maximus. Soon a vision came to his leader Always from the Goddess Denarial that they should leave Alowca to find a new land for their religion. Cid dreamt one night of the Gods and Goddess of the Trinity beckoning him to a new land and he decided to leave with him.
They landed in the Far East and he joined the Republic of Soliferum. After a time his comrades vanished and he was left only with his comrade NLaw. He assumed a leadership role in the smaller circle of Alowcans and began talking with leaders about establishing a New Alowca. Eventually Always returned and he has now decided to stay in Soliferum working towards a New Alowca and serving the Republic. He has recently been granted the honor of the title of Senator and then won the election for Judge.
However, he is currently in a Nighthelm prison stripped of this title. This comes immediatly after serving time in a Grand Lodge prison.
He is always trying to deny his heritage in an effort to distance himelf from "those barbarians". However he is known to get quite worked up in some situations, has a tendency to overdrink, and has a disliking for horses or any other mounts; qualities often found in O'Neils.
"I have placed my life in the open arms of Denarial, blinded myself so that I may see what Alluran will show me, and I have let my hands go slack so that Khagister may create with them." - Cid on his faith in the Trinity.
Current Age: 27, Class: Soldier, Weapon of Choice: a Gladius and a long spear named "Alluran's Reach", Titles Held: Baron, Haruspex Maximus of Alowca, Senator, Grand Justicar of Soliferum
His Lordship (?)
Little is known of this viking. How is he connected to the O'Neil family is also not known. All that is known is that he emerged from the forest in bearskins and made his way to the road where a travelling messenger found him sleeping in the middle of the path. He had a great gash across his face and his blond beard (Very rare in the O'Neil line) was hard with dried blood and mud. The messenger managed to wake him and was suddenly ordered to take the wounded man to Makar. The following is the written account of the messenger:
He spoke to me in a broken, weak voice demanding passage to the city of Makar. I asked who he was but he would only point to the forest. I later decided that he may have been indicating a Clan of Vikings that resided in the wood. I was passing this way and though I was alone and vulnerable in this Godsforsaken land I did not wish to leave this heathen to die. I brought him immediately to the City where he demanded to be taken to the docks. I helped him there and was guided to a small vessel. It was clear by the look and mark of the sailors that they were slave traders, but, the man insisted he be taken aboard.
"Announce me." He gasped. I looked to him and looked to the slavers. Then I announced him the only way I knew how and without a name. "His Lordship desires passage on your vessel. Will you grant it too him?" They were too eager to do so and though I suggested another vessel he continued to insist on the slavers. After this I never saw him again.
The ship in question made it too port in what was then called The New World. Records indicate no such man was aboard. He is believed to have been lost at sea.
