The Adventures of Ullr Einarsson in the Exiled Lands
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original character(s). Everything else is owned by Funcom or whoever else feels like they need to lay claim to it and can best defend it.
Ymir sensed him the moment he arrived, one powerfully aligned to himself.
He was with a few others, entering his favorite domain through a crack in the northwestern barrier. A small host of unusual feelings bled through him as he established a connection to his new favorite. Amusement, determination, curiosity and sorrow, all tempered and held with an iron fist.
Wanting to find out more and follow this human, he set about to prospect his deeds and life in these Exiled Lands…
Cold and bright. Those were his first impressions once they crossed the barrier, which sealed up behind them like it'd never been opened in the first place.
Letting his one good eye roam he was able to make out black mountains in the distance, spires of ice in front of them and a herd of what appeared to be mammoths grazing what meager food was to be found.
Sensing the eyes of his shieldbrothers upon him he gave a short nod, affirming nothing of immediate concern was afoot. With a low grunt he again adjusted the pack he had on his back before stomping forward, driving a path through the waist high snow for the others to follow through.
The sun stood high in the sky above them, undisturbed by clouds, as they trekked southwards. Marching through twisting ravines and ever thinner snow, they eventually stepped upon solid ground. Arid it might be, small patches of grass clung to the rock, waiting to be plucked by brave mountain goats.
Quickly surveying the surrounding area they set up a temporary shelter and while three of them set out to hunt fresh meat and the others went to forage for wood and supplies, Ullr went about to search for a vantage point from which he could survey the area.
Dusk was nearing as the hunters returned, a fat boar strung to a stick and carried between two of them. Moral was good as they all dug into the hearty feast while talking of what they saw.
"Game is plenty in 'ere, brother." Askr said. "There's wolves around and bears, but many more deer, elk and boars such as the one we brought back."
Nodding in agreement Ebba added: "Plenty a scrap to be had as well. I've scouted a few camps of what looked like Cimmerians due south of 'ere." She grinned broadly. "I bet we could take over one of theirs ta get started."
Ullr snorted in amusement, waving his hand dismissively. "And bring the whole place down upon our heads? Fuck that. I know yer yearning for a fight but we didn't march all the way up here, only ta get in over our head before our first night."
Chuckles went around the campfire as Ebba made a 'tz!' sound before digging back into her haunch. The rest of the evening was spent discussing what else they knew of this place before they assigned more shifts and called it an early night just after nightfall.
The next morning
Awaking at dawn with a grunt, Ullr propped himself up, cracking his neck before getting up and fastening his armor and gear back on his person. Leaving the tent, a few others still asleep in it, he took a deep breather of the clear, crisp air. Stretching he felt his joints pop back into place before nodding to the guard who was still watching the distance.
"Calm night?", Ullr asked.
"Aye. Nothing but the howling of wolves in the distance."
"Good. I've got a bad feeling about this place… let's get this packed up and ready ta move as soon as we've broken our fast."
Getting a nod in return, Ullr went about rekindling the fire and warming up some of the leftovers of yesterdays feast. The rising sun combined with the taste of roasted meat raised the others from their sleep as well and before long, the entire group was gathered around the fire.
"We'll head west, near the mountain." Ullr started while they were packing up. "I've seen some green in the distance if we but cross this mountain ridge."
Nodding and grunting in agreement, the others prepared for their final trek.
Arriving near Godsclaw Passage, the group quickly decided that they would settle nearby, this being a prime position for a new settlement.
Quickly, over the course of only a few days, they set about building a small, fortified outpost on a cliff.
He'd watched them trek through snow and snow, only to now settle down in fertile lands. Godsclaw Passage to their West, the Bridge of the Betrayer just due north and their position well established on a small cliff, he approved of their chosen location.
His eyes went about surveying their surroundings, finding wolves, bears and wild men but also plenty of resources and his wild children living within fair distance. Withdrawing from them for the moment he set his eyes about his domain again, reminding himself to take a look at a later date.
After establishing their outpost and setting up some crude areas for living, craft as well as a dry place to store their goods, the group went about getting to know the people living in these lands. Meeting mostly friendly faces in the other Nord living nearby, also well established in what they now called the temperate north, they set about starting trade with them.
Steadily building themselves up a reputation as skilled hunters and veteran warriors, they soon were known as Blackshields for the color of their round shields. Known to have a warm meal and mug of ale for all who came to their fire with a story to share, they quickly grew and were able to recruit more to their banner.
AN: This is my first published story. Any and all reviews are well received and I hope to improve my writing while keeping it entertaining all the same.
As it stands there is no set plan for the order the stories will be posted in, as this is more a collection of short stories all surrounding the same main character.
If you are familiar with the game Conan Exiles you'll most likely recognize some of the characters, locations, creatures and other content described.
This story will contain mature content, so readers are expected to heed the rating.
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