Andrasta Family/Ceowfyr the Brave

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Ceowfyr the Brave

Ceowfyr's Valkyrie, a double-headed war axe, given to him by his father before setting off to Norland


Ceowfyr Andrasta was born as the second son of Caradac Andrasta, two years after his brother Drustan. Ceowfyr grew up on the Andrasta fiefdom in Lower Tell. Like his brother, and all the Andrasta men before him, Ceowfyr was trained to be a warrior noble from an early age. At the age of ten, he started practicing close quarter combat with his father, who taught him the basics of both sword- and axefighting, as well as archery and mounted combat. But it soon became apparent that Ceowfyr would only be interested in one weapon: the battle axe. Before sunrise, Ceowfyr would often sneak into his father's armory, take his battle axe, and head into the forests alone to kill wild animals. He started with easy targets like deer and wild oxen, but soon turned to more dangerous prey like wolves and wild dogs. It was on one of his morning hunts, when he was thirteen years old, that he earned his moniker 'the Brave', as well as his trademark scar across the forehead. After chasing and losing a small fox in the forest, he came across a poacher who was cornered by a young bear. Without hesitation, Ceowfyr attacked the bear. He managed to inflict some superficial wounds on the animal, before it struck him on the head with a mighty blow of it's paw. In his descent, Ceowfyr swung his axe and hacked the beast's forearm off. Enraged, the animal moved to finish off his attacker, but some of the poacher's friends managed to kill the bear with arrows, saving Ceowfyr's life. Ceowfyr promised to keep his mouth shut about the poacher's trespassing on his father's ground, if the men agreed to confirm to Caradac that Ceowfyr had slain the bear by himself, using the severed limb as proof. From that day on, Ceowfyr Andrasta would be known as Ceowfyr the Brave.

Joining Norland

Unlike his brother Drustan, Ceowfyr felt little like joining the nobility of the Barony of Makar, and with only his personal belongings and his father's axe, he travelled south to Norland. He offered his service to sir Skallagrim Storm, son of the legendary sir Raud Storm, former general of Norland and Duke of Brackhead, who was slain in battle against Eston. Ceowfyr learned much during his service. Skallagrim would often tell tales of his father's achievements, and Ceowfyr stored every bit of it in his memory. Often, he could be seen in the Storm library, working his way through countless books and archives. His eagerness to learn would prove to be a major asset in Ceowfyr's further career. He knew that if he proved he was worthy, that he too could ascend to become a lord of an entire province of Norland. And so, he kept learning, kept listening, and in time, began to submit his own ideas and suggestion to Norlands leaders. And those ideas would eventually be his ticket to a higher position on the feudal ladder.

The farmlands of Melmoor, lands bestowed onto Ceowfyr after Skallagrim's disappearance


Ascension to lordship

Much sooner than he had hoped for, an opportunity for Ceowfyr to rise to power presented itself. Skallagrim had defeated Peny Estrall in the elections for Grand Justiciar of Norland. Derackson the Cunning Crownguard, son of the late Prime Minister Derack the Daring who fell in battle, was announced as Marshal of Heimdal's Horn. After these events, a debate raged about the appointment of inexperienced nobles with strong family history. Several nobles of Norland questioned their worth, claiming no noble should be given a position merely because their ancestors had served Norland well in the past. Derackson left Norland in disgust, and Skallagrim simply disappeared without a trace. This turn of events had left the province of Melmoor without a lord, and Ceowfyr seized the opportunity to put himself forward as Skallagrim's successor. Much to his amusement, Prime Minister Krypton the Bold Validus accepted, and announced Ceowfyr as the next Count of Melmoor, appointing him mere days later. Ceowfyr immediately began solidifying his position by throwing many known anarchists in jail, and ordering repairs in the province. In no time, Melmoor became an example of good management. However, Ceowfyr had underestimated the resistance of the rebel movement, and it seemed that the anarchists were quite resilient. Under his rule, Melmoor remained a powder keg. Every week that passed saw more arrests, as it appeared that for every rebel thrown in the dungeons, another immediately took his place. Soon enough, the rebel trials became a weekly event in Melmoor.

Marshal of Heimdal's Horn

It seemed that Ceowfyr would make a habit out of usurping positions of those who left them. Shortly after taking Skallagrim's place as Count of Melmoor, Ceowfyr was appointed as Marshal of the Army of Heimdal's Horn, an army comprised mostly of young, inexperienced warrior nobles. He was granted the title as recognition for his efforts in the war planning. His title disappeared almost as quickly as it had come, however. A few days after being placed at the helm of the Horns, Ceowfyr resigned from his position. His father had become very ill, and Ceowfyr saw it as his duty to stand by Caradac's sick bed. Reluctantly, he accepted the fact that he would not be able to properly fulfill his role, and stepped down. He continued to be actively involved in planning the war against Minas Ithil, however, and some of his ideas resulted in sound victories. For that, he would be rewarded with an even greater honor...

Taking the helm

After the death of Balian Da Hadez, who had taught Ceowfyr much about strategy and tactics, Fenrig Harkonnen had been in command of the armies of Norland. It was under his command that Ceowfyr had served briefly as marshal. But after a few months, Fenrig announced he was no longer able to devote himself to his task a much as he'd like. A new Minister of Defense was needed. The first candidate, Gimlack the Grizzly, was unable to perform the task, as he already had his positions as Duke of Brackhead and Grand Justiciar of Norland to fulfill. Much to Ceowfyr's surprise, Gimlack nominated him as the best choice. When Ceowfyr woke up a day later, a scribe informed him that Krypton the Bold had appointed him a Minister of Defense of Norland. Finally, Ceowfyr was able to have things done his way, and he had already decided where and when he would make his mark as Viking warlord...

The Mansbridge Massacre

Norlandic infantry engaging the Ithilian cavalry inside the fortifications in Mansbridge

Determined to make his presence as warlord felt, Ceowfyr devised a plan to lure the Ithilians into a trap, and Mansbridge, with its motte and bailey, was the perfect location to set it up. Ceowfyr knew that if he presented an enticing target, the Ithilians would send their army across the bridge from Winwich. So, Ceowfyr placed a third of his army in Mansbridge, while hiding the rest in Shiverwood and Hernepoole. Soon enough, the Ithilian general took the bait, and the Ithilians moved to assault. Ceowfyr brought his own reinforcements inside the walls under the cloak of night, and at dawn, the Ithilians were shocked to see that their enemy had more than twice the expected amount of troops. Nevertheless, they went on with the attack. The Vikings took position on the walls and at the gates, and waited. Wave after wave of Ithilian infantry climbed the walls, only to be cut down by the Vikings. A battering ram broke down the gate, but the horsemen swaming through the gap were greeted by a wall of spers and swords. Hundreds of Ithilians were masscred, many nobles wounded or captured, and the entire Ithilian army was broken. His first battle as Minister of Defense was an overwhelming success for Ceowfyr...