===== Fierce ===== Fierce is a Fantasy novel released on 1 May 2024. You can read the first chapter on my blog //'[[https://www.themself.org/2019/12/straven-ya-fiction/|Fierce Ch.1 - Straven]]'//, which is a medium-level fantasy story with relatable female lead and a dash of romance set in a world of my own creation. It's influenced by everything I've ever read, and loosely based on a Norse 10th/11th century blending with some ancient Roman, although the ships are more like 15th/16th century. Skyss is the northern state the main characters come from, but there is a whole world and other states exist, some of which will be linked to here. ==== Blurb ==== On the tiny island of [[:skyss:places:straven|Straven]], life is governed by the rhythm of the tides and the seasonal threat of [[:skyss:chars:daelian_raider|Daelian Raiders]]. For Yngvild Helgasdottir, a simple fisherman’s daughter, the arrival of the King's Ship Seagull shatters the peace of her childhood and delivers a legacy of shadow and steel. Thrust into the stinking, opulent streets of [[:skyss:places:kronstadt|Kronstadt]], Yngvild and her companion Noren discover a terrifying truth: they are [[:skyss:chars:heroes|Heroes]], carriers of divine blood descended from the [[:skyss:pantheon:nine_gods|Nine Gods of Skyss]]. As Yngvild takes up her father’s heirloom, the sentient black blade [[:skyss:chars:jafnadr|Jafnadr]], she is drawn into a web of political assassinations and a centuries-old schism that threatens to destabilise the realm. The journey takes them far to the south, where Noren’s true parentage is revealed by the ambitious renegade [[:skyss:chars:rojden|Rojden]], a man who views the world as a chessboard for his own imperial designs. When Rojden binds his son with a lethal involuntary geas, Noren is left fighting for his life against his own father's will. Aided by the shapeshifter [[:skyss:chars:inibrakemi|Inibrakemi]] and the mysterious daughters of [[:skyss:chars:alfarinn|Alfarinn]], Yngvild must navigate war-torn Salicia to reach the cursed temple of [[:skyss:places:estreham|Estreham]]. To break the bind and fulfil the cryptic [[:skyss:chars:gudrid|Prophecy of Gudrid]], Yngvild must perform a sacrifice that challenges the laws of justice and darkness alike. In a world where magic is fading but the gods still watch from the shadows, Yngvild the Fierce must decide if she will be a tool of empires or the bringer of justice in the night. ^ **[[https://mybook.to/FierceFantasy|Get Fierce by James Kemp]]** ^ ===== Key Elements and Analysis ===== The narrative of Fierce serves as a detailed examination of the Hero class within Skyssian society, where divine lineage provides extraordinary abilities such as shapeshifting and the channelling of [[skyss:other:rituals|Rituals]] or [[skyss:other:words|Words of Power]]. This story follows the personal struggle of a young woman coming into her power. The sentient sword [[:skyss:chars:jafnadr|Jafnadr]] represents a pinnacle of [[:skyss:pantheon:frijdodr|Frijdodr’s]] craftsmanship, capable of discerning intent and bypassing any physical armour. The conflict centralises on the moral ambiguity of power; while [[:skyss:chars:old_bjorn|Old Bjorn]] has spent centuries maintaining a fragile stability through secrets, Rojden seeks to bypass the [[:skyss:places:bot|Board of Trade’s]] slow influence through direct, magical conquest. ^ Character ^ Lineage ^ Core Motivation ^ | [[:skyss:chars:yngvild|Yngvild]] | [[:skyss:pantheon:malfin|Malfin]] & [[:skyss:pantheon:fafnir|Fafnir]] | Justice and the protection of her chosen partner. | | [[:skyss:chars:noren|Noren]] | [[:skyss:pantheon:jorunn|Jorunn]] & [[:skyss:pantheon:meniaxter|Meniaxter]] | Discovery of the "Lost" and resistance to his father's geas. | | [[:skyss:chars:rojden|Rojden]] | [[:skyss:pantheon:meniaxter|Meniaxter]] | Consolidation of power and the creation of a unified empire. | The narrative of Fierce unfolds across a geopolitically volatile landscape where the lives of individuals are inextricably linked to divine lineages and shifting powers. The following comprehensive categorisation of people and places draws upon the chronicles of [[:skyss:chars:yngvild|Yngvild the Fierce]]. ===== Timeline of Fierce ===== All dates are provided as the day of the specific lunar month (moon) within the year 774 AM. (see also [[:skyss:other:calendar]]) ==== Summer Moon (Moon 4) ==== * **Day 4:** The community of [[:skyss:places:straven|Straven]] observes strange sails. Initial contact is made with merchant venturers from the Aelfheim Company. * **Day 21:** **First Night** is celebrated at [[:skyss:places:straven|Straven]]. The community performs rituals to [[:skyss:pantheon:malfin|Malfin]] and [[:skyss:pantheon:aeolf|Aeolf]] to mark the return of the dark time. * **Day 22:** The Mangandalese junk //Chantara// is sighted before noon and eventually lands on Straven for fresh water. * **Day 24:** [[:skyss:chars:yngvild|Yngvild the Fierce]] is interrogated by the Mangandalese agent Arald regarding her name and the foundling [[:skyss:chars:noren|Noren]]. * **Day 25:** [[skyss:chars:captain_olaf|Captain Olaf Ragnarson]] returns to the island with the King's Ship //Seagull//. [[:skyss:chars:helga_trollslayer|Lady Helga Trollslayer]] reveals her true identity as Yngvild's mother. * **Day 26:** The seekers depart the western isles for the Capital. ==== Ripening Moon (Moon 5) ==== * **Day 1:** Arrival at [[:skyss:places:kronstadt|Kronstadt]]. The party is escorted through the city to the [[:skyss:places:kronstadt:kings_palace|King's Palace]]. * **Day 2:** [[:skyss:chars:yngvild|Yngvild]] and [[:skyss:chars:noren|Noren]] undergo initial training in their [[:skyss:chars:heroes|Heroic]] abilities. * **Day 3:** Inspection of the [[:skyss:chars:book_of_heroes|Book of Heroes]] confirms Noren's parentage as the son of [[:skyss:chars:alfarinn|Alfarinn]] and the renegade [[:skyss:chars:rojden|Rojden]]. * **Day 4:** The party departs for [[:skyss:places:grunwald|Grunwald]] aboard the //Thunderbird// to seek Alfarinn. * **Day 8:** The //Thunderbird// encounters an unexpected storm and beaches on the north coast of Grunwald. * **Day 9:** Yngvild and Noren meet Alfinna as a bear in the forest * **Day 10:** At Knarvik they find that Alfarinn has just left by ship for Caratis, and they sign on the //Albany// as part of the security team. * **Day 19:** The mission shifts to the [[:skyss:places:salicia|Kingdom of Salicia]]. Arrival at the port of [[:skyss:places:beretha|Beretha]] amidst a succession crisis. [[:skyss:chars:yngvild|Yngvild]] negotiates with the Earl of Beretha. * **Day 21:** The party reaches [[:skyss:places:caratis|Caratis]] via a night-rowing operation executed by the //Seagull//. * **Day 22:** As the sun rises the party find themselves in the midst of the Cottalemnese army which is attacking Salicia. They are captured and taken to meet Rojden. * **Day 25:** The party begins an overland flight through the [[:skyss:places:cottalem|Kingdom of Cottalem]]. [[:skyss:chars:yngvild|Yngvild]] meets the resolution agent [[:skyss:chars:inibrakemi|Inibrakemi]] and learns of the search squadrons. * **Day 29:** Arrival at the bowl-shaped valley of [[:skyss:places:estreham|Estreham]]. Noren is placed upon the bier in the [[:skyss:places:estreham:temple_of_clewg|Temple of Clewg]] as his condition worsens under [[:skyss:chars:rojden|Rojden]]'s geas. ==== Harvest Moon (Moon 6) ==== * **Day 1:** [[:skyss:chars:yngvild|Yngvild]] communes with the birds of the grove and the adept [[:skyss:chars:wall|Wall]]. She is commanded to seek the [[:skyss:places:chestnut_lodge|Chestnut Lodge]]. * **Day 2:** The ritual of the black altar. [[:skyss:chars:yngvild|Yngvild]] performs a blood sacrifice to [[:skyss:pantheon:malfin|Malfin]] to break the involuntary [[:skyss:chars:geas|geas]]. Noren is subsequently initiated into the mysteries of [[:skyss:pantheon:jorunn|Jorunn]] by [[:skyss:chars:alfarinn|Alfarinn]]. * **Day 4:** The group reunites with [[:skyss:chars:olaf_bot|Olaf Gunnarson]] and [[:skyss:chars:erik|Erik Erikson]] at the [[:skyss:places:riggin_dale:the_wheel|Wheel Inn]] in [[:skyss:places:riggin_dale|Riggin Dale]]. * **Day 5:** A diversionary ruse is implemented at the Wheel. [[:skyss:chars:yngvild|Yngvild]] and [[:skyss:chars:noren|Noren]] use [[:skyss:chars:shapeshifting|shapeshifting]] to evade [[:skyss:chars:rojden|Rojden]]'s cavalry. * **Day 6:** The party finds sanctuary at the [[:skyss:places:trolls_head|Troll's Head Inn]] under the protection of [[:skyss:chars:eskil|Eskil]] and [[:skyss:chars:arinhildr|Arinhildr]]. * **Day 8:** Final dash to the coast. The party is extracted from the derelict fort at [[:skyss:places:ocaso|Ocaso]] by the //Seagull// under heavy attack. * **Day 13:** Return to [[:skyss:places:kronstadt|Kronstadt]]. Official debriefing with the [[:skyss:chars:resolutions|Department of Resolutions]] and the King's Small Council. ===== The People of Fierce ===== The cast of Fierce is predominantly composed of [[:skyss:chars:heroes|Heroes]], individuals possessing at least one-eighth divine blood—whose extraordinary abilities frequently destabilise the mercantile and political interests of the [[:skyss:places:bot|Board of Trade]]. ==== Protagonists and Divine Lineage ==== * [[:skyss:chars:yngvild|Yngvild Helgasdottir (The Fierce)]]: The primary protagonist and current wielder of the sentient black blade [[:skyss:chars:jafnadr|Jafnadr]]. She is the daughter of [[:skyss:chars:helga_trollslayer|Helga Trollslayer]] and the Justice [[:skyss:chars:oddmundr|Oddmundr]]. Her heritage is a potent mixture of [[:skyss:pantheon:malfin|Malfin]], [[:skyss:pantheon:fafnir|Fafnir]], [[:skyss:pantheon:kari|Kari]], and [[:skyss:pantheon:frijdodr|Frijdodr]], granting her power over darkness and maritime conditions. * [[:skyss:chars:noren|Noren Alfarinnsson (Noren the Dwarf)]]: A foundling raised on Straven who is revealed to be the only son of the demi-god [[:skyss:chars:alfarinn|Alfarinn]] and the renegade [[:skyss:chars:rojden|Rojden]]. He possesses a natural affinity for [[:skyss:pantheon:jorunn|Jorunn]] and [[:skyss:pantheon:meniaxter|Meniaxter]], manifesting as extreme physical strength and an innate sense for things "Lost and Found." ==== Mentors and Political Leaders ==== * [[:skyss:chars:old_bjorn|Old Bjorn (The Counter of Battles)]]: The oldest living Skyssian Hero, rumored to be over a thousand years old and a founder of [[:skyss:places:kronstadt|Kronstadt]]. He acted as a guardian for Yngvild and Noren on Straven, operating a long-term contingency plan to mobilise the state against Rojden's faction. * [[:skyss:chars:helga_trollslayer|Helga Trollslayer]]: The Second Sea Lord of Skyss and Yngvild's biological mother. She is a brilliant strategist and Elector-designate, destined to become the First Sea Lord at the new year. * [[:skyss:chars:king_thirfinn|King Thirfinn]]: The reigning monarch of Skyss during Yngvild's arrival in Kronstadt, noted for his playful demeanour. ==== Allies, Agents, and Family ==== * [[:skyss:chars:alfarinn|Alfarinn]]: An ancient demi-god descended from [[:skyss:pantheon:jorunn|Jorunn]] and [[:skyss:pantheon:fafnir|Fafnir]]. She lived as a recluse for decades after a perceived betrayal by Old Bjorn but returns to assist Noren. * [[:skyss:chars:alfinna|Alfinna Afarinnsdotir]]: A daughter of Alfarinn and a powerful shapeshifter often encountered in the form of a bear. She is an expert in the crafting of magical items. * [[:skyss:chars:inibrakemi|Inibrakemi Funeresdottir]]: A special agent for the [[:skyss:chars:resolutions|Department of Resolutions]] and a master shapeshifter who guides Yngvild and Noren through Cottalem. * [[:skyss:chars:Jerre]]: A former Cottalemnese cavalry trooper who defects to assist Yngvild and Noren. * [[:skyss:chars:captain_olaf|Olaf Ragnarson]]: Hero and Captain of the King's Ship Seagull. * [[:skyss:chars:Erik]] and [[:skyss:chars:Olaf_bot]]: The Board of Trade agents in Beretha that eventually helped them escape. ==== Antagonists and Renegades ==== * [[:skyss:chars:rojden|Rojden]]: A renegade Hero and strategic genius descended from [[:skyss:pantheon:meniaxter|Meniaxter]]. He utilizes "silent partners"—body doubles bound by geasa—to expand his influence across Cottalem and Salicia. * [[:skyss:chars:Arald]]: A spy for Cottalem who arrives at Straven on a Mangandalese junk to gather intelligence on the new Heroes. * [[:skyss:chars:Ormrun]]: A Board of Trade agent at the Wheel who has been subverted by Rojden. ===== Places in the Fierce Narrative ===== The geography of the world is divided into powerful mercantile states and ancient, magically protected sanctuaries. ==== The Kingdom of Skyss ==== * [[:skyss:places:straven|Straven]]: A tiny island settlement of roughly fifty people, serving as the hidden childhood home of Yngvild and Noren. * [[:skyss:places:kronstadt|Kronstadt]]: The primate city of Skyss and a global centre of trade, housing approximately 250,000 residents. It is the seat of the [[:skyss:chars:electors|Council of Electors]] and the [[:skyss:places:bot|Board of Trade]]. * [[:skyss:places:grunwald|Grunwald]]: The southernmost part of Skyss, characterised by deciduous forests where Alfarinn was believed to be hiding. ==== Salicia and Cottalem ==== * [[:skyss:places:beretha|Beretha]]: The main city in the [[:skyss:places:salicia|Kingdom of Salicia]], recently besieged and taken over by Rojden's forces. * [[:skyss:places:caratis|Caratis]]: A port city closed by naval blockade during the Cottalemnese invasion of Salicia. * [[:skyss:places:estreham|Estreham]]: The site of the [[:skyss:places:estreham:temple_of_clewg|Temple of Clewg]], protected by an ancient curse that bars any man who is not an initiate. * [[:skyss:places:riggin_dale]]: Where they party rendezvous at the Wheel Inn before heading West to escape. * [[:skyss:places:trolls_head|Troll’s Head Inn]]: An establishment run by retired Heroes [[:skyss:chars:Eskil]] and [[:skyss:chars:Arinhildr]], equipped with magical geas detectors. * [[:skyss:places:ocaso|Ocaso]]: An abandoned coastal fort on the west coast of [[:skyss:places:Cottalem|the Kingdom of Cottalem]] used as a rendezvous point for the Seagull. ==== Other Regions ==== * [[:skyss:places:mangandalay|Mangandalay]]: A hot, humid river state famous for its high-value silk and pharmaceuticals. * [[:skyss:places:trollheim|Trollheim]]: The northern domain of the silicon-based Trolls, located on the opposite side of the mainland from Skyss. ^ [[:skyss:welcome]] ^ [[:skyss:characters]] ^ [[:skyss:places]] ^ [[:skyss:pantheon]] ^ [[:skyss:other]] ^ {{tag>fantasy world-building Skyss Fierce 2026 james}}