Chapter 1.
“Life brings death, death brings life.”
It is the job of the Valkyrie to protect those who have moved on from their physical bodies. Guiding the countless souls of the brave warriors across the realm of life to afterlife into the halls of Valhalla. A world plagued by the looming threat of war, the Valkyrie and the other gods help guide the Deaflings of Namsos.
Odin, Thor, Tyr, and Hel were the gods chose to watch over the Deaflings as they raid and conquer new worlds. Thor, god of thunder and only those who were honorable warriors were fit enough to be blessed by him. Those who worshiped Thor had his hammer, Mjolnir, burned into their skin. Thor the strongest of the gods controlled the storms in the skies with a quick temper and easily angered.
Tyr, god of war, law and justice has many legends surrounding him. There was a wolf pup called Fenrir grew so fast that the gods were frightened by the beat. The gods brought out chains to restrain the wolf. Fenrir did not believe that he could be captured so easily so he agreed to the chains only if one of the gods agreed to put his arm in his mouth. Tyr being the god of law and justice agreed to the wolf’s demands. The chains were not as inescapable as Fenrir thought and lashed out in anger. With one swift bite Fenrir bit off Tyr’s arm. He protects only those who have swarm a life of honor and inevitable death. Those who are brave enough wear the runes of his protection. A half triangle on its side with the arrow pointing up to form the base.
Dancing fire was the representation of Hel, the goddess of death. Hel was a dangerous goddess hiding from the world deep below. She was known to be greedy of her prizes and other possessions this includes the soul of those who had been slain. One soul was a god, Baldur who was slain by Hel’s father, every living thing was said to love Baldur. Hel was not willing to release his soul until her demands were met. A challenge was offered to the one who attempted to retrieve him from her clutches. It was a task that should not be able to be completed, every living thing in the universe must cry for the lost Baldur. The demands were not met, and Hel retained her prize of Baldur’s soul. Those who wear the mark of Hel are those who wish to be protected by the goddess of the underworld to keep their souls safe until death.
The tree of life Yggdrasil can be seen on those that follow Odin and his laws. Many legends surround the god of wisdom, honor, law, power and nobility. He once wondered the universe in search of true wisdom. Upon reaching the world tree he hung himself for true enlightenment. After nine days of swaying in Yggdrasil he discovered the runes to form the written language of his people. Odin sacrificed an eye to obtain the wisdom that he truly desired.
The branding of their red skin turns the marks a sickly black, filling the air with the acrid scent of burnt flesh for days to come. The Deaflings who have not been through the Placing are the Younglings. If the gods allow them to live to the Placing age. Each of the specialized Placing has its own unique role to play in the survival on Namsos. Those who do have a chance to take part in the ritual must do so at a great cost. The viscous atmosphere makes it impossible to see the velvet night sky through the radiation leaking from the atmosphere of the world. Some Younglings die before they are placed on their thirteenth year. Nothing can prevent a Youngling for the realization of their Placing. Even with their advanced technology they still thrive on the tradition of old, marking their bodies with runes for protection. Technology that gives the Deaflings the ability to travel through space, destroys worlds in an instant and weapons that can appear at the wielder’s wish. Weapons that can keep a count of the souls that have been sent to Valhalla.
The ways of old help keep the Deaflings in touch with their ancestors far in Valhalla. Arriving at Valhalla might seem simple to those who are newly conquered. They would be wrong, dead wrong. Those who didn’t die an honorable death would never meet their loved ones in the hall of gods. Cowards were not tolerated. Battling it out in the great halls of the gods for all eternity drinking and celebrating with the gods is the ultimate desire of the every Deafling. It was Odin who is responsible for the protection over the Earls of the village. Namsos has not one but three Earls. All three Earls order the villagers and their warrior Core Members into Raids to forcefully acquire more land for farming or industry development. Expanding, conquering and wealth are the ideals the Earls hold true.
Those who are chosen for the Core Placing must leave their childhood behind to start a new. One must not flinch when receiving the mark of the gods they swore to serve. Core Placing is the highest rank and utmost honor, taking only those requested. No Youngling can request the Core on their own a benefactor must step forward. The elite group of trained killers who specialize in the advanced weapons of the world. Not only are they the first to leave the world and explore the galaxy, but they’re the final line of defense for Namsos.