Björn Gabriel Sheppard

The year was 874 A.D. and my mother, a viking shield maiden, followed our chieftain and his karls and thralls to Iceland. My father was a minor noble of Britain who, I am told, died in battle shortly before I was born. My mother, Ástriđr, named me Björn, which means "bear (animal)." I could have no last name, as I had no viking father. We had two duties in Iceland: tend the sheep, and catch the fish.

The word 'viking' is from the Scandinavian 'vikingr', meaning 'pirate.' It is fitting actually, growing up along the Icelandic coast learning the nautical life and boat-work. This is a mark of a worthy viking, and I soon became a skilled boats-man, but I always had a desire to travel and explore other lands. So at the age of 18, and with the blessing of both my mother, and my chieftain, Ingólfur Arnarson, I left on my journey. Boating would be the sole means of my travels for many years, thanks to the skills living off the coast of an ocean.

Along the way, I came unto the habit of adding pieces onto my name, or nick-names that were added for me, to reflect both myself and my journey; not just of the world, but also a journey of myself. In my travels, I learned of my father. Mother only ever told me his name, Edric Sheppard. It was interesting to discover that he raised goats and grew and tended strange and exotic plants from other lands. He was reported dead from battle, but I learned that there was no body found. This revelation shall either prove useless, or frustrating in its value.

In learning of him, I gave myself a middle and surname. I chose "Gabriel" from what I am told is the book of his faith, and as his son I took his house name: "Sheppard." When those with me tried to claim that as a bastard and a viking, I could not do this, I merely encouraged them to.. see another way. The ones left standing graciously acquiesced.

Having served as both a sailor and warrior in service to nations, I became injured during campaigns to the unnamed lands of the desert, and I was told that my injuries would no longer allow me to serve. I am viking, but I could not argue with the orders of Counts and Dukes. So I continued my travels alone and on my own coin.

In my travels, I have visited the lands of East Kingdom, Kingdom of Drachenwald, Middle Kingdom, Kingdom of Atlantia, and I now find myself in the Kingdom of Meridies, in the Shire of Glaedenfeld, which I am told is be elevated to a Barony soon. The plan is to settle in this place, but truthfully I worry. So far, many of the plans I had for my life have never worked in my favour.

And so, thus begins my adventure of Glaedenfeld. I have met a few of the people here, only some of whom whose names I remember. But I am in the understanding that I have already caught the attentions of a local maiden. I am told that is was my eyes that had given her cause to fancy. Perhaps I should explore further and inquire as to this maiden's.. curiosity; I am after all a viking.

One of the citizens of Glaedenfeld was hosting a "pot-luck." As I understand it, this is a customary type of gathering in which each guest brings a food or drink to be shared with everyone. I brought both. The name of this host was Madame Cynthia Du Pont. She seems very knowledgeable of this land and its customs. She also seems willing to teach me these customs so that I look.. less "out of place."

It was a fun affair, laughing, telling news or gossip, performing songs and poetry; I even learned a new game, though I cannot remember the name of it. Her home is found on the fringes of the Barony, but the travel was not difficult. On the contrary, I was remarked upon at the speed of my arrival. I also met another new-comer to these lands. I hope he finds his integration here as enjoyable as mine has been.

I have been working each night for many days on something called "a device." It is a means by which I can be identified even from a distance. I am nearing its completion; at least I believe I am. It was during a gathering today that I had an opportunity to show the chatelaine what I had completed. He was motivational at my progress, as was his newly appointed deputy. In that gathering I had been shown the ways of making metal appear as though it were wood. This could be quite useful in the future for shielding, or even armour.