VOLSUNG

By Mark Kinney (alberich@iglou.com) (28 March 1996)

Author's Notes

This, like the Nibelung kith, is inspired partially by Wagner's Ring cycle of operas and the associated Germanic myth, but mostly Tom Holt's Expecting Someone Taller. (If you like Douglas Adam's Hitchhiker books, you'll love this. Trust me.)

Description

When the trolls were first overthrown as rulers of the Dreaming, the volsung ruled for a short time. Led by Wotan, they ruled from the freehold of Valhalla, where they stood guard over the Rainbow Bridge to Midgard, a trod to the earth realm, opening in a region of Scandinavia, where the fae were recognized as gods.

Shortly after the rebellion against the trolls, the sidhe massed their numbers and drove the volsung back to a few remaining freeholds and to earth, where their line intermingled with that of the mortals. Over time, the volsungs' numbers waned, until they were assumed to have died out shortly after the Shattering.

Their line remained, however rare. Atrocities caused under Wotan's rule (which continues still in that minor freehold left to them) has gained them many enemies. The trolls, in particular, suffered during the rebellions, and the thought of revenge shows in the Ragnarok myth perpetuated on earth. Some, like the nibelung, remember their liberation from the Tyrant's influence by Wotan, and are on somewhat friendly terms with the volsung.

Appearance

Nordic, and well-built, but otherwise like the sidhe. Some question whether or not the volsung actually are a separate kith.

Seemings

Childlings are instilled with a sense of honor early. Some, however, are still too mischievous for their own good.

Wilder volsung are proud like the sidhe, but either take on their duties early or follow the path of mischief and chaos.

Grumps settle into leadership, quick to respond to any challengers.

Lifestyles

What few volsung remain remember the time their kith ruled large sections of Arcadia. They cling to what remains with all their being, both in the fae and mortal worlds.

Affinity

Actor

Birthrights

Awe and Beauty: As the sidhe birthright.

Berserker: The volsung are able to whip themselves into a fighting frenzy. Roll Wits+Intimidation. The number of successes equal the number of turns the volsung is berserk. Berserk volsung gain one dot in strength, dexterity, and in all non-ranged combat abilities while berserking, but cannot withdraw from the combat until the opponents are at least incapacitated, or a temporary willpower point is spent for each turn remaining in the berserk, including the current one.

Frailties

Hunted: Outside of their remaining domains, the volsung have many enemies who remember the short span of their rule. Some of the legends indicate that all will be destroyed in a climactic battle between volsung and trolls, a battle the volsung will surely lose. This leaves the volsung unable to trust many others, as they never know who might be an enemy.

Wotan ("The All-Father")

Court:	Seelie
Legacies:	Wayfarer/Paladin
Seeming:	Grump
Kith:	Volsung
Attributes:	Strength 5, Dexterity 4, Stamina 5, Charisma 5, Manipulation 4, Appearance 3, Perception 4, Intelligence 4, Wits 5.
Abilities:	Alertness 3, Brawl 5, Dodge 4, Intimidation 4, Kenning 3, Etiquette 3, Leadership 5, Melee 5, Survival 4, Law 4, Linguistics 3, Mythlore 6 (he was there), Occult 3, Politics 4.
Arts:	Sovereign 5, Wayfare 4.
Realms:	Actor 5, Fae 5, Nature 5.
Backgrounds:	Chimera 2, Gremayre 5, Holdings 2, Resources 2, Title 5, Treasures 3.
Image:	As Wotan, he is a tall, grey-haired, bearded man. As the Wanderer, a guise he adopts on earth, he wears a wide-brimmed hat and an eyepatch. He almost always carries his spear, a magical weapon.
Roleplaying Hints:	Always be firm, and don't let others get the best of you. Trickery is acceptable if no other means are available to get what you are after. Your chimera, two ravens named Thought and Memory, are your distant eyes.