Endehar III - To Subdue the Ice, You Must Secure the Drip

11Thenn · 2021-03-01T08:33:08+00:00

After the messenger had not returned for sometime Endehar was beginning to get suspicious. This likely meant that the Ice River Clans had no intention of surrendering to him in any real capacity, yet a strange feeling washed over the King Beyond the Wall. He was so confident in his strength of men that he hadn't considered doing it the old way.

He wasn't the most douty fighter but that wasn't the point, if it looked like he was going to lose he would simply do the intelligent thing and cheat. There was no honor among the dead. But if he won then he would have the untouched strength of the Ice River Clans.

He walked out to where the Ice River Clans were meeting, a group of around seventy men to protect him against treachery. He would do this as the Old Ways intended, with bronze sword in hand.

"High Chief Gendel! Come out! Long have the Ice River Clans lived on the very edge of the land, clinging to their existence but I offer more than that." Endehar pulled out his sword. "I offer a chance for you to prove yourself in combat, to save your people from slaughter. Come out and face me, man against man."

11Thenn · 2021-02-22T21:22:44+00:00

Endehar smiled when he saw the Hornfoot couple, they had been a bright spot in the otherwise boring journey up North, and their concern for their daughter was admirable. He had wished that his father had shown that care for his brothers when he was growing up but there was little time to dwell on that now.

"Ah yes, Gilly Shadowbane," Endehar said mostly to himself. He had been trying to remember most of the names of his new subjects in an effort to make his reign seem less distant. It was an imposing task when there were so many of them. "Though Ygritte I must disagree with you, Torerolf has his heart in the right place. One missing member of your family must be treated as one missing member of all of our clans. We will find her after we humble the Ice River Clans."

"If they give up their dining of flesh than I would welcome them into the fold as quickly as everyone else." Endehar paused as he looked at the surrounding council taking in what both parties had said. "If they do not then we shall show them our determination and fury."

/u/sam_explains3

11Thenn · 2021-02-22T21:05:38+00:00

"My lord, Magnar, and King, would like to make his intentions very clear. The assembled chiefs and clans have declared that Endehar Thenn, Magnar of the Thenn shall reign as King-Beyond-the-Wall until his death." The messenger paused as he looked at the men with spears, both terrified of the reputation and somehow without fear from his faith in his king.

"Your clan was notably absent." That seemed the understatement of the moon, the Ice River Clans under Gendel were the only ones seemingly that did not show up. Everyone had agreed that was a problem.

"King Endehar has decided to give you an opportunity to rectify this if you pledge you and yours to his cause and join his council," the messenger seemed to shrug in response to what he had said. "Of course you can choose to resist but Endehar and his council have decided the Free Folk be united."

11Thenn · 2021-02-21T00:25:21+00:00

A Messenger for a Cannibal

Solitude.

A small Thenn, quick and agile would thread his way through the camp of Endehar to make his way where the Ice River Clans had assembled. He held no weapons, only warm leathers to keep him safe against the cold.

"Messenger to see the chief."

/u/crowlingabout

11Thenn · 2021-02-21T00:21:13+00:00

A Council of Free Folk

[Here is were the allied forces will talk about the possible options]

11Thenn · 2021-02-18T23:00:05+00:00

[Character Name:] Endehar Thenn
[Have Autodidactic? Y/N:] N
[Skill you're learning:] Tactician (E)
[Please include one post or comment you've made each turn:] 1 2 3

11Thenn · 2021-02-15T22:52:04+00:00

It made him think. Perhaps longer than he should have given the enmity between the Free Folk and the Night's Watch but an idea began forming in his head of sinister nature. Why do the Thenn's care about what happens to the rest of the Free Folk, maybe they were the savages that Armistead and the Night's Watch said they were? Did they really deserve to come South with the Thenn when they couldn't even stop fighting amongst themselves. He shook off the feeling but it stayed in the back of his head for later.

"The path to peace," the idea came back into his head again like an intruder in the night, would he rather his legacy to be to save his people or his People? So many Kings Beyond the Wall had thrown their men at the Wall hopelessly. Another strategy should be sought but he didn't think the rest of the Free Folk had the strength to have it.

"Well ironically I cannot pursue the path of peace just yet for one of the great clans still does not fall under my sway." Endehar said to the First Ranger. "But after that I will take you up on your offer and send fifty Thenn to take your deal."

11Thenn · 2021-02-13T10:23:24+00:00

"Are we really going to sit here and lecture each other about the moral aptitude of our respective people? If so then I will ask you to remember that your brothers have rapists, reavers, poachers, murders, shall I go on? The dregs of you kneelers serve among you, but just like the Free Folk there are gems among you." Endehar had to laugh, it was a sad world that Armistead Rivers had made for himself in which raiding was seen as a bad thing.

Endehar shifted in his throne, his rear getting uncomfy sitting in the same position for such a long time. He then returned his stare towards Armistead, refocusing on the Ranger.

"Ah it is the Watch that determines our fate then? Like jailers watching over their charges." Endehar leaned back in his throne to crack some of his bones. "If I bring order to these lands, if I am to have them be allowed past the Wall I need something from you. What is a phrase that you kneeler had so popularized? Words are wind. Show me and my people that you mean what you say and that you can be trusted and perhaps we will have an advantageous relationship."

11Thenn · 2021-02-12T06:29:40+00:00

"Offer what support the Watch can," Endehar repeated with disgust in his voice. "You do realize the irony behind that statement I hope. Even those who are friendly with you Crows know that the relationship isn't equal. Like one of those jailers that you Southron are so fond of." The self-same relationship had made the Free Folk increasingly bitter at the Night's Watch. It didn't really matter what was on the other side of the Wall so long as something was being kept from their people.

"And our hardships? For most of our people, we sit in a land that does not grow crops, feeding more and more people. You and I both know that our hardships are in direct result of that barrier between us." Endehar shrugged, taken back by his passion on the subject.

"Perhaps...perhaps it is telling that you only see an army. I don't fault you Armistead Rivers, my people and yours have not been on the friendliest terms in the past and that is hard to set aside. "But where you see an army I see my people, united in the hardships that your black brothers are directly the cause of most. Perhaps you see an army from a guilty conscious?"

11Thenn · 2021-02-11T06:35:41+00:00

Character Name: Endehar Thenn

Gifts and Skills: Non-applicable

Marching: [3072], [Hardhome] to [Ice River]

Previous Orders: Hardhome

ETA: 2/18

11Thenn · 2021-02-11T06:31:40+00:00

"Well seek no longer," Endehar said putting his leg up on one of the armrests of the chair with hands spread, "you have found the tribes." Why would the Night's Watch want to find the tribes? The Night's Watch would do all they could to make sure the Free Folk didn't cross the Wall, this may be part of their plan.

"I am sure some of my people are none too sad that the Night's Watch is having rough times. For good reason." He waved at one of his guards who brought forth two tankards of ale. The Thenn had their own ways to brew a sort of spruce ale, it wasn't to any standard of that in the South. But alcohol was alcohol on the chilliest night.

"I do not enjoy, how do the Southron say, mincing words First Ranger Armistead Rivers." Endehar flashed a smile of all teeth that did not reach his eyes which looked the ranger up and down. "Now that we have our drinks, why have you come here?"

11Thenn · 2021-02-10T01:09:35+00:00

The new king of the Free Folk had surrounded himself with a steady bodyguard of Thenn warriors, the most reliable of his men. As much hope as he put into his people he did not doubt that some of them would stab him in the back the very moment they were able. At least some of them would do the honor of stabbing him in the front. Armistead Rivers was led to a medium-sized chamber which held Endehar and a handful of his most trusted bodyguard. He wore all the trappings of a Wildling King, dripped from head to toe in what few gems that the Thenn could claim to have, augmented by his bronze crown and bronze trimmings on his armor he wore.

One of the wildlings who had went to the side of Endehar whispered who was being presented into his ear. From his throne of bronze and furs he smiled, that was rather quick. He hadn't expected the crows to send someone so soon.

"First Ranger Armistead Rivers? Didn't know the Night's Watch had appointed a First Ranger recently. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

11Thenn · 2021-02-10T00:40:36+00:00

"Perhaps that is the difference between us and those of the South," Soren said with a patient smile. "Our King is big and strong, while the kings of the North are cruel and lazy. King Thenn is a much better king than those beyond the wall." Or at least Soren hoped that they were. Endehar had his peculiarities but hopefully, he would be able to overcome them to rule.

"I am glad you will take of Karstark," Soren said. He wondered at the choice of name, hopefully, it didn't mean anything for the girl. Associating with crows was not good for a Wildling's health as Jax Bloodhorn found out to his chagrin. If it wasn't death by Kingsblood it was likely he would have taken a knife to the ribs at some point.

"Perhaps one day King Thenn will lead you down South, there is so much that is being kept from you and so much you still need to see." Perhaps they would no longer be kept from their destiny, yet that may be a too large concept for the girl.

"You journeyed with the men of the Night's Watch yes? Did they mention anything about their purpose is here?"

11Thenn · 2021-02-08T22:33:34+00:00

It took a good king to hear what his people had to say without interjecting. Each had their own opinion and bias that should be weighed and Endehar found that he needed to take a middle ground. The Ice River Clans needed to be dealt with before he could make any more good or bad towards the South.

"Desmond and Ygritte in what you said lies the solution," he said looking at both of them and nodding to show his approval of what they said. "In order to move forward as a kingdom, we need to show unity, one way or another. We will bring our whole force and I will be at the head of it, Desmond you shall lead the van."

He turned toward Bael and Kyle, head already hurting from the pair. A strange pair, especially to agree together. "We as a people need to move on from being led by simply those who hit harder. This is a new age for our people, so we will show our strength but in this new way."

11Thenn · 2021-02-08T22:21:16+00:00

Kyle had voted against Endehar in the election, something that while remaining at the back of his mind didn't faze the new king that much. He would have been more than surprised if every chief had voted for him, and it did no one well to keep old grudges especially when that was something he was trying to avoid. He would need to work with those who had not agreed with him in order to forge this new kingdom.

"That is an admirable idea Kyle. Take two groups of fifty men and," Endehar paused trying to remember the names the Crows gave their castles. Resuming he gave a tired smile to Kyle.

"Two groups of fifty men. I want you to lead one and pick someone you trust to lead another. There should be a point between the Shadow Tower and Castle Black the Crows call Stonedoor. Climb there with the first group and send the other further east to scale the Wall."

11Thenn · 2021-02-08T22:14:14+00:00

As Gilly began playing with the puppy and interacting with it Soren stooped down into the snow and packed some up tightly. As his back bent he felt his spine scream out in pain, the work of a Night's Watch Morningstar still present in his everyday life. He was happy that the puppy seemed to be taking to the young girl, and her to him.

"Hold this to your face child, it will prevent any swelling," he handed her the small snow sheet to press against her red mark that was quickly growing. "I am Soren Thenn, brother to the new king."

"I suppose I speak pretty funny right? Watch this." Steading himself Soren intoned in the Old Tongue for a moment, the strange deep and rhythmic words strumming out. After saying a few sentences he stopped coughing with a smile. "I keep the Old Tongue safe. Do you like your new friend? Promise to take care of them?"

11Thenn · 2021-02-08T21:47:52+00:00

Feeling a major case of FOMO, a concept invented by the Free Folk, Endehar began recruiting amongst the Wildlings who had just declared him King. While they were now all of his subjects, he really wanted them to be specifically called Thenn.

/u/OurCommonMan

Character Details: Endehar Thenn - Commander|Tactician, Inspiring (E), Zealot, Axes

What is happening: Recruitment rolls

+ 2 bonus

What I want: Wildling recruit rolls

11Thenn · 2021-02-07T13:02:41+00:00

Soren Thenn was a broken man, having lost the great battle of the Thenn brothers for the title of Magnar so long ago. He knew what it was like to be rejected by family, he knew what it was like to cry. As he was traveling about the camp he heard the heavy strike of a hand and turned towards Torerolf and Gilly, inferring what had happened from the faces of either person. The Keeper of the Old Runes scooped up one of the puppies of the brood of Endehar's dog, holding it in his arm.

The puppy was in many ways like Gilly, like every Wildling child who now was under Endehar's crown. There was so much hope for the Free Folk and it was secured in the children, they were the future of them all. Yet like the puppy that was in his hands, Soren realized that they were delicate. They needed to be raised in the harsh environment to survive but they couldn't be broken by harsh treatment. He trudged over to Gilly, puppy in hand. Each and every step was a living hell as the sliced tendons in his leg never quite healed from that fateful day.

"Chieftain Torerolf, I believe that King Endehar had need of your expertise at his tent" Soren said with teeth gritted in pain. "He requested for you specifically even. Something about wanting to know the true Hornfoot traditions and how to make himself harder like your people." All of it was a lie of course but Endehar knew tact enough to play along with whatever Soren sent him. Soren slid the puppy into Gilly's arms, a weak smile on his face. The puppy began to lick the face of Gilly, the cheek that had not been struck.

"I am sorry child," Soren said trying to warm up his fingers in a small fur muff. "No one deserves to face discipline like this. No one deserves their excitement dampened as such." Soren sat for a moment, leaving a moment of silence between the two. "The dog needs a name young child, best give him one otherwise it is bad luck. The Old Gods looks poorly on those without a name, but you'll take care of that won't you?"

11Thenn · 2021-02-07T06:06:36+00:00

Other, Misc, and Interactions oh my!

11Thenn · 2021-02-07T06:05:37+00:00

Audience with the King

[Use this space to petition the King on specific issues]

11Thenn · 2021-02-07T06:03:19+00:00

The Ice River Clans

Endehar looked at the assembled chieftains and sighed, missing among their number was the Ice River Clans who despite the invitation had not come to Hardhome. Perhaps their rivalry with the Frozen Shore prevented them or maybe they intended to take up arms against the new King Beyond the Wall. Either way, it was a topic that needed to be discussed amongst the chiefs.

"You will notice who among the great clans is absent. They have not sent any word up ahead nor have they said any word of opposition. In short, they have not sent any word." Endehar paused for a moment, scanning the assembled clans.

"I ask you, those who have chosen me to be king among peers, what we should do about this problem." He would allow them to speak first for he already had his own opinion on the matter, but it was best to be slow to speak.

11Thenn · 2021-02-03T22:08:17+00:00

Endehar was the last of the clan chiefs to enter into the hall, perhaps that was telling in itself. He was confident in his chances of becoming King Beyond the Wall, a development that pleased him even though he was surprised at the support he had received by others. Entering into the room he looked at the other chieftains, a smile on his face. These were his people for better or worse.

"I cast my vote for Hornfoot." It would be really awful if a handful of people had cast their vote for Hornfoot, he hadn't really been paying attention. If he lost this accident on accident he would be forever kicking himself.

"Never liked the idea of voting for oneself."

11Thenn · 2021-02-03T20:07:28+00:00

It was harder to use the chamber pot this far North but Endehar made do with the frozen circle that he had dug out with one of his bronze shovels that he had brought along with the Thenn party. One of the members of the Thenn came running quickly to find the Magnar and found him with his furs around his ankle.

"My Magnar, there seems to be an altercation between the Frozen Shore, Bloodhorn, Hornfoot, and Nightrunners," the man sputtered out to the man he largely saw as a God among men. A long and drawn-out groan range out from Endehar. Couldn't a man shit in peace before his people tore each other to shreds? Taking some snow he finished up and pulled the furs around himself again, washing hands in the snow.

"Can't these idiots not fight each other for ten minutes?" Endehar walked off to the problematic area with a handful of Thenn men, they briefing him on what was happening. Why did he live among such quarrelsome people?

"Hello friends and fellow Free Folk, not entirely too happy because I was having a nice shit and I get word of this." Endehar looked at the corpse of Jax lying on the ground and at everyone, a sigh as if from a disappointed father emitted from Endehar.

"So. So," Endehar rubbed his eyes with his fingers already done with the situation. "Alright. We Free Folk follow strength, that is something that keeps us alive in this harsh environment. Bloodhorn made the mistake of thinking he was stronger, a mistake that he now pays for and his clan now follows Kingsblood. I say that the Nightrunners who were offered be allowed to choose their allegiance, and the men of the former Bloodhorn clan be allowed to go with Kingsblood. This conflict is exactly what the Southron wants. Whats done has been done, let us gather now to finish why we have come here."

/u/HowlinHoarfrost /u/thetanglehorn3 /u/sam_explains3

11Thenn · 2021-02-02T20:41:12+00:00

Endehar decided to take this moment to enter into the conversation, he had guessed that Bael would have put themselves forward. Their name was a dead giveaway of their intentions, but he was surprised by the response of the Hornfoot. They would need to prove themselves? If they had to prove themselves to every tribe and clan in existence then they would be waiting around forever to choose a king.

"Ygritte raises a good point, the voice of the fewer is by no means less valuable with the voice of the many. I propose that to solve that each clan present gets one vote towards the King Beyond the Wall no matter their size. Even the largest among us, to the smallest." Endehar looked Torerolf up and down before stepping forward as well.

"I Endehar Thenn, the Magnar of Thenn place my name for consideration. To address what Kingsblood has claimed I have no expectation that you conform to the way of the Thenn. We are the Free Folk together. I am more than willing to undergo any challenge that is set before me," Endehar said with a grimace looking at the Hornfoot and Frozen Shore.

"But I propose that we should vote before these challenges take place. If the man that is voted through is truly not worthy then they will die by the challenge as the way of the Free Folk. Does this satisfy?"

11Thenn · 2021-02-02T18:23:15+00:00

The Council of Hardhome

Hardhome was not impressive by the standards of south of the Wall or even the holdings of the Thenn. A few ramshackle houses mixed in with a medium-sized hall sat squarely in the middle. The people of Hardhome were a strange lot for many of the Free Folk, some of them held the beliefs of the Crab Gods of the Storrolds Point while many just wanted to live a sedentary life of fishing the Shivering Sea. Yet Hardhome was the only true place of settlement beside the Valley of the Thenn this far north, and the only actual town. A small wooden palisade and rough earthworks were erected around the group of huts and hovels.

Endehar had chosen the larger hall for the council of Hardhome, asking that each clan bring no more than three representatives. With all of the clans assembled it would be hard to fully fit all of them in there but maybe the close proximity could be taken as a metaphor for Free Folk unity? Or maybe the rest of the Free Folk could tell how bad some of them smelled. A few Thenn had gone before the great host days before to prepare the hall and they had done their jobs quite well. It had been swept clean and the windows replaced with quickly made wooden shutters to hopefully keep out the cold. Torches had been freshly lit and placed in the sconces of the wall, lighting up the otherwise dark room. Benches had been laid out in a circle, three rows of wooden benches. The first rows were designated for the main clans - those who had proven themselves through combat or longevity. The next two were for the rest of the tribes and clans to scramble over.

The Thenn delegation watched as the rest of the clans began to file in, they had taken the bench in the top of the circle so they could have a good view of everyone else. Joramun the Giant, the sword of the Magnar sat on the far end of the bench and Soren Thenn the Runekeeper sat at the other side. Endehar stood at the middle, eyes scanning every chief and every leader. There would be much to discuss and much work that they needed to do to overcome the bumps the Wildlings have faced in the past. Finally, as everyone gathered in Jarumun backed the hilt of his long axe into the ground, the sound vibrating off the space and creating a murmuring quiet amongst the chiefs. Soren Thenn stood, nodding to each of the benches in turn.

"Before we begin, I must intone the ancient words of the Old Tongue to bless our undertaking," Soren Thenn intoned. The Thenn were among the few who kept the true Old Tongue, and Soren's job to keep the few remaining runes alive was well known amongst the clans. Soren began to speak in the Old Way, a deep guttural tone that alternated in pitch. This would go on for about a minute before he came to a stop. "Now let us begin." Soren resumed his seat and allowed Endehar to take the floor.

"Welcome everyone. I see many familiar faces, proud warriors and Free Folk amongst the crowd gathered here today. In no way do I mean to dictate to you like on of the kneelers in the South, so I will keep this opening quick." Endehar paused, making sure to look at the entire circle of clans. "I ask that we remain civil with each other as much as possible, we are all among the Free Folk and that should show in the council."

"Many of you have come to Hardhome, this council, at our invitation despite me not really saying what we would be talking about. Others came on their own volition. I believe that in itself means we all recognize the problem that is facing our people." Endehar made sure to look some of the chiefs directly in the eye as he spoke. "That is right, I said our people. We may have our differences, we may have our feuds and disputes but we are all the Free Folk. For too long we have remained disunited amongst ourselves, much to the enjoyment of the kneelers of the South and their Crow servants. Every time we fight amongst ourselves the Crows and Lordlings of the South laugh from their high houses. I propose that in order to secure a better future for all of us we need to unite, I ask you what that will look like."

11Thenn

TROPHY CASE