Konstantin Karlsson The second son of Karl, a wealthy land-owner in Jutland, Konstantin was named for the Byzantine emperor of the same name when Karl became Christian. Konstantin is a callous, unforgiving and spiteful young man, handsome with soft features, fair, and with icy blue eyes. His hair he keeps short. His beard is very pale and sparse and is kept clipped.
Viga-Thor Karlsson The eldest son of Karl of Jutland, Thor is a powerful fighter, slender in the body but possessing great quickness and strength in his blows. He carries an axe and a sword along with a spear. He is an honest man, honour bound to defend his brother despite knowing Konstantin is a troublemaker and sometimes worker of evil.
Níall mac Airem An Irish reiver captain, last piloting the Curlew. (Sailed to Scotland).
Hrim the Hedgehog Isbjarnarson A tusk-bearded, chestnut-haired man who carries his nickname with pride. He wields axe, scramasax and spear and a much-pitted shield. He has a split in his left ear, a ring in the other, and is missing a canine tooth. Sjallander. (Trading, serving Hafthor Hrungisson).
Ingibjorg the White The young sister of Gram the Grizzled; a feisty, imperious blonde girl, slim rather than buxom, with startling white-blue eyes. By default, a member of Turf-Einar's household in Orkney. (Orkney)
Snorri the Stallion One of Turf-Einar's men, now husband to the Scots noblewoman Caitrin, who was sold to him as a slave by Thorolf Mansplitter.
Ragnar the Black Once from the Wind Hammer and now in service to Turf-Einar, Earl of Orkney. He held an enmity with Ornulf Eiriksson, now void. Keen-sighted and temperamental.
Asbrand A young swordsman not recruited in Roskilde by the Nidhogg.
Asgeir Asbrand's even less-experienced brother.
Dagrun A wise-woman and healer in the kings' settlement at Lejre. She is a severe, forthright woman, clearly very intelligent and not easily daunted. She takes some pleasure in the inexperience of younger folk in her presence. (Lejre).
Leida The successor to Geirrun, who died in Helgrim's presence. She is the young hagadis at the Asa-shrine at Lejre. She has dark, curly hair and a faraway demeanour.
Green Kolbein A green-eyed Viking with a fondness for gambling and chess. He always dresses heavily, and wears black-legged trousers, which suggests that Kolbein ("black legs") is only an alias. He carries a fine-handled sword.
Eidr Aslaugsson A tall, reserved-looking man with mousy brown hair, thinning at the pate, and a sharks' teeth necklace about his throat. He uses the hooked spear and long knife, plus a yellow-painted shield. (Accompanies Green Kolbein).
Isolf A godi and forge-hardened smith with thirty-five years' experience. He is somewhat renowned for his quick-changing temper and great strength. He has a business in Nidaros. (Nidaros).
Eirik Heorogarsson An earl from the Trondelag, he holds a long enmity with the old Wave- Kisser's crew. His left hand is perpetually twisted from a wound. He is young, blonde and good-looking, despite an evil demeanour.
Raedhere Heorogarsson The elder of the two jarls of Nidaros, Raedhere is also known by the epithet "Leiknir" -- the game player. A shrewd strategist, he is a more scrupulous person than his brother Eirik, though ultimately he is extremely loyal to his family line and his own holdings. He has mousy brown hair and a plain beard, though he is a well-developed man. His eyes are brown.
Sigtrygg Iron-Lungs A large man with blondish hair, usually bound behind his skull and secured with a gold clasp. His beard is bound into a single red plait. He serves Eirik Heorogarsson.
Sægifu, the Crone The German high priestess of Frigg, accompanied by six young female virgin altar-keepers. A woman of imperial bearing and indeterminable age, she now holds Hrankel and Flosi in her sway.
Flosi Aasmundsson A giggly and possibly disturbed individual with lank blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He carries a spear and shield. (Flosi and Hrafnkel escaped with Crone and maids before Eirik's attack on the Volkhov).
Hrafnkel A fairly innocent young man with blue eyes and ginger-brown hair. He has a battered shield and a short forked spear, like the kind used for turning over hay. (Flosi and Hrafnkel mind-controlled by Crone to help her and the maids escape).
Gizur Vifilsson The only surviving one out of his brother Vidar and their cousin, Olav-Pig. This Rus warrior, tattooed on the arms and throat, his thick, greasy hair an ugly grey-brown, ears pierced and face dirty, was expelled from theNidhogg after some nastiness; defeated in a non-fatal holmgang versus Haakon Haakonarson. Last seen in Grobin.
Hjalti Skaptasson A renowned merchant and grocer, manager of an alehouse and feasting hall in Grobin. Father to Herjolf (Hjaltasson, deceased). (Grobin)
Gjallandi Not met so far; a Danish earl ruling from outside Halsingborg.
Godbjorg Ospaksdottir Godfrida's younger, slightly less hardened sister. She strongly resembles her sibling in all except that she has brown eyes and is slightly shorter. As well as being a sorceress, she is a skilled artisan, and her gifts often come with dweomered abilities.
Godfrida Ospaksdottir The eldest of two sisters, she is the widow of Froki Gormsson, though she carries Ketil Gormsson's child (Froki having been infertile). Buxom, blonde and blue-eyed, Godfrida is an accomplished witch; mature, far-seeing and pragmatic.
Hrothulf Armband A Grobin Pirate.
Geir Bloody Bread A Grobin pirate.
Vandrad the Voyager A Grobin shipwright, salesman and retired river master.
Ingmund Carver Shipwright from Roskilde, brother-in-law to Skeggi. (Roskilde).
Hogni Bow-Legs Eiriksson A small, dark-haired, pit-faced shipwright from Roskilde. He wields a large, curved craftsman's knife and wears an apron of leather armour. (Left Haakon's employ in Grobin).
Kari Iron-Tongue A tall, scarecrow-like figure with pointed nose and perpetually flushed, windburnt cheeks. He goes wrapped in a long grey cloak which conceals his patchy chainmail vest and, once upon a time, the stag-handled sword "Lightning." Infamous for his meddlesome comments. (Fled from battle north of Novgorod).
Saxolf Alfrimsson A large, broad-shouldered but slightly pot-bellied blonde. His hair hangs shaggily from his head, and his large forehead suggests a certain docile stupidity. A large axe is tied with rope in a makeshift holster across his back. His wool trousers and cloak are in poor repair. The cast of his eyes and something about his stubbled beard suggest he is of German or Fresian origin. (Fled from battle north of Novgorod).
Viseslav A middle-aged Slavic hunter, reputed to be a fine woodsman. He carries a bow and a throwing axe which he also fights with in close combat. Froki's bodyguard. (Fled from battle north of Novgorod).
Thorhall Griffin A Norwegian carl with a griffin emblem painted upon his shield, he's somewhat obsessed with mystical animals and dispenses some folk wisdom and claims to know cures for many common ailments. He has a rusty beard and dark blonde hair cropped at the collar. (Grobin mercenary).
Kolgrim An overly pretty black-haired Norwegian. (Grobin mercenary).
Sigvaldi A Grobin garrison guard. A large, blonde and toothy Dane.
Asgrim Another Grobin mercenary of no great mention.
Katla Sogur's-wife A buxom woman of late middle-age. She wears her hair coiled about her round skull, and piercing blue eyes matching the gem-stoned brooches on her bodice for clarity and potency.
Alfdis Sogursdottir An attractive, elfin fifteen-year-old girl brought from Sweden to marry a king in Denmark. Blue-grey eyes.
Glam Sturlusson Sogur's only surviving bodyguard, wounded by Rapp. A large, experienced man, though simple-minded.
Hari Skald-Vagnsson A Roskilder and fisherman, often ferries visitors up to Lejre since he is contracted to provide the kings' fish. (Roskilde)
Ostrygg Hersteinarson the Huntsman The chief huntsman at Lejre. A loud, imposing presence. He has a dark beard and lighter hair, light brown eyes and a wide mouth. His hands are immense, the fingers thick and blunt. He is reputed to have superhuman hearing.
Rune Ormsson Ship's captain and retainer of king Halfdan of Lejre. He is a ginger-bearded young man with gilt helmet and is an excellent rider. (Lejre).
Wulfgar Beohtricson This giant English thane is a very large, powerful blonde battler, now forty years of age. Christian, withdrawn and grim; a very hard man. Killer of Geirrod Rune-smith. Wulfgar is stuck in King Halfdan's court until such a time as he can return to Ang-land.
Godive Wulfgarsdottar Daughter of the English thane Wulfgar. She is an auburn-haired woman of some beauty, now pregnant with Bran's child. (Lejre).
Grimolf Tyrfingsson The foster-son of King Sigurd of Denmark, made one-legged by a shark some years back. (Lejre)
Svalbard the Chamberlain One of King Halfdan's most senior and trusted servants. A household administrator. A tall, hawkish man with a snow-white chin beard, moustache and expensive-looking clothes.
Svein Thrower A retainer of King Halfdan of Denmark. Green eyes, middle-aged.
Vidar the Mill A retainer of King Halfdan of Denmark.
Eyvind An Icelandic farmer with seven sons who took Haki's axe, Ice Troll.
Ari Nail-Lambasson A mercenary once working for Wulfram Aellesson, he is a broad- shouldered, neckless sort of fellow with shaggy, not-overlong blonde hair and a short beard. He has the pugnacious look of a watchman; experienced and a little grizzled, with clear eyes marred by squint-lines at either edge. He served Ketil Gormsson guarding Godfrida and Godbjorg Ospaksdottir and Godfrida's son Gorm and fosterling Asa.
Thorir A man with expressive amber-brown eyes and a long stiff chestnut beard. He has a shortsword of Frankish design, an axe, spear and shield.
Hrollaug Ari’s-Shield One of Ari Nail-Lambasson’s quieter companions. He is a severe-looking warrior with a bushy, pepper-coloured beard and very close-cropped hair. He wields a spear, axe and shield.
Sjolf Hrimsson Eyjolf's nearly albino brother, Sjolf shares most of Eyjolf's features except that his colouration and weathered features make him look somewhat ghastly. Previously thought an otherwise even-tempered and calm fellow, he has proven to possess a malicious, ruthless streak appropriate to one of Ari Nail-Lambasson’s friends. He carries a bow and an axe, and the sword Wyrm-Taker, a gift from Ketil for killing Sigurd Widow-Maker with a single arrow. Many gold bracelets adorn his arms. Norwegian.
Eyjolf Hrimsson Brother to Sjolf. A fair-featured blonde man with a seemingly sunny disposition and carefree attitude. He has blue eyes and wears his hair long. He carries spears, a sax, an silver-hafted axe and shield. He also uses a bow and wears an elaborate silver helmet. Norwegian.
Otta Gudmundarson A tall, skinny fellow wielding a spear. Ari Lambasson's friend. Thought deceased.
Toki Mumbler A bushy-browed, ginger-bearded mess of a man; squat, deep-set in his eyes and altogether troublesome-looking. He has an axe in his belt and also tied there is what looks like a withered hand, the wrist bound with twine and laced around the hip of his belt. Deceased.
Asny Hrotholfsdottir Sigurd Widowmaker's sister, a year or two older than him and remarkably similar in appearance. Although silver does not mark her ash-brown hair, her face is similarly featured to Sigurd-- sans beard of course. Her blue eyes twinkle with mirth and intelligence, adding to her otherwise fairly bland and wholesome appearance; those features which make the chieftain a striking man do not lend themselves well on a woman's face.
Geirhild Sigurd's-wife, Tokesdottir A few years shy of thirty, with a weathered look to the strong, clear lines of her face. Her chestnut hair is dull and her eyes an unremarkable blue, but with her freckles and high forehead she makes for an attractive woman. Sigurd Widowmaker's wife.
Sigurd "Widowmaker" Hrotholfsson He is a strikingly good-looking man of around forty years, his ash-brown hair seemingly darker than it is, enhanced by the wings of silver hair above either ear. A silver-shot beard is neatly clipped, though his moustache is expansive, the hairs almost black. He wears a good sword and a cloak of furs draped over his shoulders.
Fridgeir A sour, drunken man who counts himself amongst the counsellors of Sigurd Jarl in Fauske village. Fridgeir is a widower who's son has gone abroad Viking from shame of him.
Seal-Vali A gentle-minded, stout and honest old man from Fauske. He makes a living from seals and their by-products. He dwells with his wife and widowed daughters.
Tormund A Fauske resident; surly and keen-eyed, suspicious, cheerful and with a dry sense of humour, he is nonetheless steadfastly loyal to his own people.
Halldor A farmer, father of fishermen, in far north Halogaland. He lives in his own settlement, where he is chieftain amongst his family.
Ragnar Long Thorn A ship's captain from Denmark, regularly plying the Denmark-Gotland-Riga trade route.
Rollo "Tall Shield" Ranolfsson A chieftain's son from Sogn in Norway, Rollo is an unscrupulous bastard who makes most his profits by cheating his crew out of their shares once the deeds are complete. He is Dag Ulf-Godrodsson's sworn enemy.
Arnkel Thorkelsson A resident of Faukse, sheep farmer by trade. Eldest of three brothers, he is slender in body but broad shouldered, with strong forearms, a handsome mien, chestnut hair and a red- dappled beard. He wields a steel-edged sword with the end snapped from it. He duelled Bui Kraksson in Fauske over the killing of his brother Bolli.
Bersi Thorkelsson The youngest of the three sons of Thorkel and, like his kinsmen, a shepherd. He is of average height, darker than his kin but still with a russet touch to his hair and beard. He is shy but passionate, quiet but eager to stand out in other men's eyes.
Thorgerd Osvif's-wife A slim, dark-haired woman of uncertain appearance, years younger than her husband. She has crooked teeth and an ashen complexion but is otherwise pleasing enough to the eye.
Gunnhvat the Golden A Danish sea-captain and vassal of King Halfdan. He ostentatiously wears numerous signs of his wealth and success, in the form of various rings and armbands. He is blonde, grizzled and thick-limbed, enterprising and somewhat cutthroat in business deals.
Harald Olafsson The chieftain of Orso. A stout, blonde man. Honest, welcoming of outsiders.
Thord Gudrunsson A bushy-bearded fowler from Fauske. His is solid and even in temperament though very suspicious and condescending when drunk.
Einar Shepherd Aasmundsson A young Fauskian, skilled at the bow and throwing axe. Blonde, wispy-haired, innocent-looking with large eyes and pale skin. Shot in the leg by an arrow from Gorm Knutsson's bow. (Fauske)
Leidolf Hoskuldsson A middle-aged man, solidly built, with a silver stripe in his black beard. He wears leather armour sewn with a few iron rings, wields a sax, spear and carries a shield. He hails from near Fauske in Halogaland, working as a hunter and occasional problem solver. (Fauske)
Thorstein Rat Thorvald's uncle -- a dark-featured Scots-dwelling chieftain with the grey signs of impending age. He has a croaking voice, and many wives. A young Celtic leman is often by his side. He is callous, hard and testing, yet a good host, generous to friends and does not shirk supporting his supporters. (Scotland)
Thorir Thorsteinsson Thorvald's cousin -- a ship's captain and capable, popular man in his late twenties. He has long, curly chestnut hair and grey eyes. (Scotland)
Gorm Ketilsson The son of Nidhogg's captain Ketil Gormsson, child of Godfrida Ospaksdottir. Gorm was born at Lejre at the start of spring, 881.
Sionnan Ni Bhrán The daughter of the skald and Frey-priest Bran Ormstunga Sigurdsson, child of Godive Wulfgarsdotta. Born at Lejre at the start of spring, 881. (Lejre)
Orn Brandsson A cocky, humourous, well-spoken young fellow, the son of Jarl Sigurd Hrotholfsson the deceased's sister, Asny. He has shortish ash-brown hair, blue eyes and only a light beard. He is busked with a leather jerkin and owns both an axe and a spear. He is an excellent rider, shuns single combat and praise.
Atli Brandsson The elder of Asny Hrotholfsdottir's two sons, Atli is the more handsome and athletic, though he is very lazy and lacks a responsible outlook. While he is independent, he lacks self-discipline of almost any sort. He has dark hair and grey eyes and a short chestnut beard. He carries his father's unnamed sword and wears a leather-and-chain byrnie and shield.
Odd Thorolfsson A terse Halogaland farmer who dwells on a stead with his son Odd. He is somewhat wild- looking, silver haired with rheumy blue eyes. (Halogaland)
Thorolf Oddson A solid, capable young man who does the large part of the work on his father's farm. He owns and practices with Odd's sword, "Icicle," but lacks the imagination to pursue his dreams of earning riches at sword-point. (Halogaland)
Marius A slave, promised his freedom by Jarl Turf-Einar of Orkney, provided the tales he tell prove true. He is rumoured to be an ex-priest though he does not speak of it. Young middle-age. Lombard.
Alfgar Gunnarsson A bright-eyed young man with an open, suggestible nature. He hails from Agder in Norway. He only owns a spear for the moment, being more a sailor than a warrior, relying on the ship's shields in combat.
Einar Strut-Bodvarsson A businesslike man, Einar is more a sailor than a Viking. He worked lately on large fishing vessels but was blamed for capsizing the boat despite being an experienced bosun. Overall he is bitter. Dark-featured, balding, chin-beard plaited, neatly-dressed but taciturn.
Kormak A young, opinionated man with bright red hair and blue eyes. He wields sword and short sax in battle. He is Orkney born and raised.
Harek A bucktoothed young Viking with cropped ginger hair and a cautious expression.
Thorleik A grey-haired Norwegian with a wiry frame and wind-reddened skin.
Skapti Steinmodsson A Lejre fisherman; the grandson, he claims, of Sindri Ale-Ingjald’s-Killer, whoever that might be. (Lejre)
Gandalf Geirsson An old Roskilde sword-merchant.
Hrefna A young, round-faced woman with long hair and wide blue eyes. A Fauske native, now Thorvald’s slave.
Thorhalla Sveinsdottir A tall, slender woman of lithe appearance, rarely parted from her longbow and the arrows with which she is a master. Her hair is long and red, flecked with strands of gold, and her skin is fair like alabaster. She has blue eyes and a proud, haughty countenance. Once married, now divorced, she is the foster-daughter of King Halfdan of Denmark.
Svanhild Gislasdottir Daughter of Geirhild Tokesdottir and her first husband Gisli Bright-Head. She is a slim, coltish girl born in 868ad. Her medium-length hair is light brown, her eyes a deeper hazel colour. Like her mother she is freckled and has a high forehead, giving her face an attractive edge.
Styrvald Haakonarson The ex-husband of Thorhalla the Huntress.
Gest Asolfsson A Norwegian thane, the brother of Jotull whom Sommerled Otirsson slew in holmgang in Norway after taking offense at the other sailor’s continued taunts about his unseaworthiness. Both brothers are of a like appearance: fine-looking with long red-blonde beards. A trait which both men shared was also the weaving of tiny silver bells into their beards.
Arnljot Thorinsson A tall man, a handspan over six foot, clad in leather and seal-bone armour. He carries a long spear, axe and shield. His beard is brown and his eyes blue. He wears slightly hairy deerskin leggings and has a cloak made of green wool.
Hafthor Eiriksson One of Halfdan’s carls.
Spear-Bjorn Konradsson One of Halfdan’s carls.
Harald the Wreck Ulfsson One of Halfdan’s carls.
Dalla Onundsdottir The wife of Haakon the Fat, mother of Asa.
Jorunn Bjarnarsdottir The woman that Gorm Knutsson chose for his reward from the spoils of Fauske is a stocky middle-aged woman with greying light brown hair and blue eyes. She is experienced at running a household, having served Asny Sigurd’s-Sister in Fauske. She was left in Lejre when it was overrun by King Sigurd.
Stigandi “Red Nose” Josteinsson A stalwart blonde warrior, one of King Sigurd of Denmark’s crew. The bridge of his nose is perpetually red from the sea winds and sunburn.
Thrain “Pig Rider” Gustavsson A sly-looking older man with a silver thumb ring. With this hand he often tweaks the end of his left ear, that is missing its top. Dark haired.
Llywd A thin, well-spoken Welshman who always strives to convey himself nobly. He wears a set of red-dyed clothes, a fur-trimmed cloak and a magnificent gem- studded belt. He wears Tryggvi’s looted jacket made of expensive cloth reinforced with fine leather bands.
Magonwy Llwyd's companion and friend; slightly taller and older than Llwyd, Magonwy never speaks that anyone can see. He is likewise dark-featured, and recently clothed in finer clothes than before. Apart from a single silver bracelet, he bears no signs of wealth.
Wledig Llywd the Bretlander’s cousin, usurper of the throne.
Modolf "Stone-Girt" Hoskuldsson A serious, stocky Viking with nameless brown hair that runs in a thick, long braid down his back. He carries shield, spear and axe and wears dyed red leather thongs around his trousers. All his clothes are of good make and gold and silver bands circle his meaty arms.
Thurid Rafnsdottir A wide-faced young Danish noblewoman, seventeen years of age. She has blonde hair that is occasionally pinned up but mostly goes unbound as befits her unmarried status. Her eyes are dark blue, her cheeks flushed. She wears a small silver knife in a sheath around her neck.
Hreidmar Sorlasson The thane of Lindvang, a mere youngster, permanently marked by a terrible body wound in Grobin. Chainmailed. A richly decorated scabbard hangs from his shoulder baldrick. He parted company with the Nidhogg when he went home on leave and King Sigurd ransacked Lejre during the absence.
Vigjalf the Brewer Orkney.
Solmund Asgeirsson A Gotlandic trader.
Hjorfrod Hergilsson The smith at Orphir, Turf-Einar’s residence in Orkney.
Kari A fair-haired teenage apprentice ot Hjorfrod Hergilsson.
Agge The cousin of Ketil Gormsson. A gaudy, headstrong, frivolous younger son of a Gotland merchant dynasty. He is relatively handsome though suffers for looking younger than his twenty-six years. His hair is coppery-blonde, his eyes blue.
Vidkunn A Scots-Norse slave, gifted by Einar of Orkney to Ketil. The thrall seems to have a perpetual headcold. He has a receding hairline and a patchy beard that is never grown long at all. He is pale, watery-eyed and his hair is grey-blonde. He is an expert navigator, and possesses other skills.
Torsten "Silk-Beard" Dedicated Viking, a Nidhogg veteran, with a long, pepper-coloured beard, braided with ribbons. Hordalander. Sword and shield. He wears an expensive blue cloak and a belt made of gold and oyster-shell.
Ratimir Braslavsson A quiet and proud Slav, he is a no-nonsense seaman, who detests gossip and goes to efforts to stop dissent within the crew. His fatherly nature is strange for a man not yet thirty. He has a bow and sword, a shield inlaid with beautiful brass designs, a silver-hilted dagger and numerous arm-rings. His dark hair, once worn long and loose, is now often braided by his personal thrall.
Otkel Torkelsson A farmholder in Icelander.
Finn Otkelsson A fair-complexioned man of middle height, with a flowing red-blonde beard cut flat in a line at the end. He is in his late twenties. He goes nowhere without a trusty spear, as the adage warns. He wears a black cloak with a hood.
Ketilbjorn Otkelsson Finn’s slightly older brother. Although he sometimes takes after his father’s stern authority, he is also inclined to the genial sarcasm and playfulness which can be found in Finn. He has brownish-blonde hair and a thick, dark beard.
Ottar Helgasson A farmer at the edge of the Stensdal district.
Gard Asolfsson An Icelandic timber merchant.
Glum Oleifsson A farmer in the West Firths of Iceland. Deceased.
Ormhild Glumsdottir The daughter of Glum the farmer of Iceland.
Thorny Eyvindardottir A short woman with long ginger hair clasped in a braid. She wears a wool dress dyed a light blue colour. A silver-and-bronze bit keeps a dull brown cloak fastened around her shoulders. She has her ears pierced and wears alot of her best jewellry including a gold serpentine necklace that draws attention to the generous swell of her bosom. Although stout, she is a fine-looking woman. Something about the set to her eyes and the bearing of her high cheekbones makes for a stirring vision.
Magnus Ormsson A young man with a thick bushy grey beard and ash-brown hair.
Brand Ormsson The second son of Orm. He has a brown beard and a quiet disposition.
Gunnolf Ormsson Gunnolf largely resembles his younger two brothers, though his ash brown hair tends to blondeness during the spring and summer. His right hand is slightly misshapen.
Grettir Grimsson Grim Grimsson’s half-brother, now settled in Iceland. He is sixteen years old.
Griss Grimsson Grim Grimsson’s eldest half-brother, now settled in Iceland. He is nineteen years old.
Gyrd Brandsson Grim Grimsson’s uncle, now settled in Iceland. Gyrd is brother to Grim the Older. He is a rough-looking but hospitable man in his late forties.
Solmund Eiriksson A poor farmer and fisherman in the Southern District of Iceland.
Vigjalf A dark-featured man in the employ of Ottar Helgasson.
Althjolf The brother of Vigjalf, he is of light colouration and appearance. His beard is slightly curly. He also works for Ottar.
Silent-Odd A mute bondi, he is the half-brother to Ottar Helgasson. Odd carries an axe with him at most times.
Konall of Rogaland A self-exiled Rogaland farmer and retainer of King Sulki. He heads an extensive extended family making new settlement in Iceland.
Geirmund the Swarthy Once king of Hordaland in Norway, he now travels under the name Asgeir.
Sulki King of Rogaland and opponent of Harald Shockhead.
Vidar Ulfkelsson A West Firth farmer of some reputation.
Hrossbjorn Vidarsson An athletic young man with considerable prowess in arms. He spends much of his time practicing weapon-play rather than attending to the farmwork his father’s stead creates. He is fair and lightly bearded, long-haired and fair-skinned. He wears a chainmail coat and helm and wields a sword, Hrafnsblot (Raven's Sacrifice), that belonged to his grandfather.
Bjorn Alfgrimsson A gruff employee on Vidar Ulfkelsson’s farm. Bjorn is married to Hilda, and they have a poor relationship.
Thordis Sturla’s-Wife This widow dwells with her second brother and his wife on a large farm close to Islafjord. She is a rather severe old woman, worn through from the hardships of Iceland and the death of her husband, who she loved dearly. Her children are Asa, now married to Floki Gunnarsson, and Ornulf. She also supports her deceased sister’s child Dyrhild.
Asa Sturladottir The daughter of Sturla, a deceased sea-farer, and Thordis, a somewhat gruff older woman. She is married to Thorgeir’s brother Floki Gunnarsson.
Ornulf Sturlasson A witty young man with a thin, light brown beard, rosy cheeks and blue eyes. He is an accomplished chess player, runner and archer. He wears leather armour and carries a shield, bow and spear. Light brown hair is worn to collar’s length.
Dyrhild Frodadottir A slightly plump, attractive, red-haired young woman; cousin to Asa and Ornulf, children of Sturla. Because she is an orphan, she has grown up with less status than her cousins, and works very hard for her upkeep in Thordis’ house.
Gard Hjlamgrimsson A dead Viking, comrade-in-arms to Brynjolf Grettisson.
Hjalmgrim Asgrimsson Gard’s father; now a landholder in the north part of the West Firths, Iceland.
Astrid Hjalmgrim’s Wife A plain and good-hearted older woman, mother to the deceased Gard.
Vigdis Asleifardottir The widow of Gard Hjalmgrimsson, escorted to Iceland by Brynjolf Grettisson. She is still a young woman.
Jaroslav “Battle-Cup” Arngeirsson Captain of a trading knorr called the Sleeping Dragon. Jaroslav is from Aldeigjuborg. He employs Kari Iron-Tongue as bosun on his ship, though now favours settling in Iceland.
Owain ap Cadlew A dark-featured sailor, lithe of figure yet broad-shouldered. He has a serious, tentative demeanour except when in the company of close friends. He employs a shortsword and sometimes a hooked spear, and doesn’t wear armour or use a shield.
Orn Snaggletooth A Swedish ship’s captain with somewhat deformed dentistry.
Storolf “the Speckled” Ulfsson A tall, hard-faced man with a haggard beard and pox-scarred throat. He’s father to three sons: Audun, Hrolf and Asolf.
Thrain Almgeirsson Konall of Rogaland’s lieutenant, the most senior man in his company not a relative. Thrain is a burly chestnut-haired man with soft eyes, thick arms and a jutting lip.