Table of Contents
Welcome to James Kemp's Wiki
This is a collaborative web platform that allows people to edit1) the web pages to provide additional content for some of the stories I have written and the roleplaying games that I am involved in, whether as a player or GM.
There are several namespaces operating slightly different wiki subjects. These are, in no particular order:
- Skyss - Story Background - a fantasy novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo 2016.
- Perfects - background for the near future story and some police roleplaying that I ran in that universe
- Theocracy of Daprav - A D&D campaign that I ran with Glasgow University Games Society around 2002-3.
- Jim Wallman's Universe - a roleplaying by e-mail campaign that I play in, this is an unofficial wiki and none of it is canon unless Jim says it is.
- Interstellar Freelance Unlimited - subset of the Universe pages covering the activities of a mercenary company that we are currently roleplaying every Full Moon.
- Earth Imperium pages. These cover the activities of the Government of the Solar republic (aka Earth Empire) in Jim's Humanity Will Prevail campaign, including the Earth Imperium News Items.
- Free Worlds Alliance - covering the activities of another emerging polity in the Humanity Will Prevail campaign. Mostly contributed by Eric Moroney.
- Universe Background - page collecting the various bits of background info that have come up in various e-mail discussions for the campaigns set in Jim Wallman's Universe.
- Master map of the Universe (6Mb PDF, as at 3212).
- Delta Green - some roleplaying campaigns about horror and conspiracy. The main one was set in Berlin in 1953.
- Free games rules - a collection of free rules for wargames and other sorts of face to face games that I have designed or run.
- Wargames rules - I'm not just a player of games, I also do rules for them from time to time as well as one-off games. A primary outlet for this is through Chestnut Lodge Wargames Group.
- Other free rules - at the moment just those for the 1689 (Orange or Lemon? and Bonnie Dundee, respectively about the debates in the Scots Parliament and then the military campaign of Viscount Dundee during 1689) and The Other Side of the COIN (about what makes people become insurgents). All games that I have have produced for Chestnut Lodge Wargames Group.
- Background for a near future universe where I have written some fiction and also run some roleplaying games in.
Comments and complaints to me at webmaster@full-moon.info please.
James Kemp
Tag Cloud
Recent Additions
Straven
Straven is a tiny settlement on an island about three or four square miles located off the west coast of Heimdal (Skyss). Only a little of the island is cultivated, most of it is woodland or rough grazing for the sheep that the community keeps for their wool and milk. Characterised by its extreme northern latitude of 63.5 N, the community is defined by its isolation, self-sufficiency, and adherence to the traditional ways of the North. It serves as the childhood home of Yngvild the Fierce and Noren before their departure for Kronstadt.
Community
There are about 60 people living on Straven, from newborn to Old Bjorn. Old Bjorn is the leader of the community, with Arne the Slow as the second. They have a single fishing boat with almost enough people to crew a second. Most of their living is from fishing in the seas to the West of the Island, and they are part of the fishing communities of the islands. As their boat captain Old Bjorn is one of the electors of the Lord of the Isles.
As well as fishing there are as many sheep as people on the island, they roam over the island and eat the grass and heather. The wool and milk form a major part of keeping Straven self-sufficient. There's also meat from the spare sheep, most of the male lambs being used for various sacrifices, and mutton forms part of the winter diet when the weather is too bad for fishing.
The fish are mostly smoked, there are three smokehouses downwind of the main halls that the community lives in. These run most of the summer to ensure that there are enough fish to keep the community going all winter. Fresh fish are eaten when the boats come in too. Surplus is sold through the market at Portree, which is the major port for the Isles. It is within line of sight from Lookout Hill on Straven, and is about four hours away by boat (depending on the weather & tides).
The houses are two parallel tenements running inland from the jetty. The boat shed on one side with a ramp into the beach. There's a barn at the back with a fenced paddock for when the sheep are brought in.
The total population of Straven is approximately fifty individuals. The social structure is led by Old Bjorn, the boat captain and community leader, with Arne serving as his second.
Security and Raids
Due to the seasonal threat of Daelian Raiders, the adults of Straven maintain a rigorous military readiness. Standardised drills are practiced regularly, where adults take up arms—including bows and woven shields—to hold the jetty whilst non-combatants evacuate to Lookout Hill.
Theology
The community observes the transition of the seasons with communal rituals. The most significant is the celebration of the return of the night, where the people make homage to Malfin, the Lady of Darkness. These gatherings are held around central fires as the sun touches the horizon, marking the beginning of the winter preparations.
Geography and Infrastructure
The island covers approximately three to four square miles of territory. Much of the land is uncultivated, consisting of dense woodland and rough grazing used for livestock. Key geographical landmarks include:
- Lookout Hill: The highest point on the island, used as a primary observation post and a retreat point for non-combatants during maritime threats.
- Sickle Hill: A secondary elevation located on the southern portion of the island.
- The Beach: Two distinct sandy areas suitable for landing small craft, though the primary maritime interface is the stone and timber jetty.
The settlement's infrastructure is concentrated near the rocky outcrop on the western coast. The buildings are constructed based on traditional timber-frame designs with overlapping upper storeys to protect against the harsh maritime climate.
| Structure | Function |
|---|---|
| Main Hall | The primary communal living and dining space for the adult population. |
| Old Hall | The original hall, now utilised as the living and eating area for the children. |
| The Barn | A multi-purpose facility for storing cheese and skyr barrels, as well as providing winter shelter for sheep. |
| Smokehouses | Three dedicated buildings positioned downwind to process the seasonal fish catch. |
| Workshops | A cluster of industrial buildings including a forge and a boat shed for vessel maintenance. |
Economy and Labour
The economy of Straven is almost entirely maritime and pastoral. The community operates a single fishing boat that exploits the rich waters to the west. A high degree of literacy exists on the island, largely due to the influence of Old Bjorn, who has prioritised knowledge as a tool for survival.
Primary Industries
- Fishing: The central pillar of the island's subsistence. Fish are salted or smoked throughout the summer to provide a stable food supply for the “dark time” of winter.
- Sheep Farming: The island maintains a sheep population roughly equal to the human population. These animals provide wool for home-woven clothing, as well as milk and meat.
- Trade: Surplus smoked fish and wool are transported to the market at Portree, which is located roughly four hours away by boat. These exports fund the purchase of essential ironwork, herbs, and spices.
Relationships
People
- Old Bjorn: Community leader and boat captain.
- Yngvild Helgasdottir: Protagonist and former resident.
- Noren: Protagonist and former resident.
- Helga the Red: A prominent hero and former resident.
- Arne the Slow - the steersman on the boat, de facto second in command to Old Bjorn
- Alwilda - Arne's partner
- olaf - one of the boat crew
- Helga the Red - Old Bjorn's partner
- Leif - another member of the boat crew
- Birgitta - member of the boat crew
- Gunnar - also on the boat crew
- Erik the Dark - member of the boat crew
Places
Concepts
- Daelian Raiders: The primary external threat to island security.
- Heroes: Several residents possess divine blood, though this was largely kept secret until the arrival of the *Seagull*.
Fierce
Fierce is a Fantasy novel released on 1 May 2024. You can read the first chapter on my blog '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 Straven, life is governed by the rhythm of the tides and the seasonal threat of 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 Kronstadt, Yngvild and her companion Noren discover a terrifying truth: they are Heroes, carriers of divine blood descended from the Nine Gods of Skyss. As Yngvild takes up her father’s heirloom, the sentient black blade 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 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 Inibrakemi and the mysterious daughters of Alfarinn, Yngvild must navigate war-torn Salicia to reach the cursed temple of Estreham. To break the bind and fulfil the cryptic 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.
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 Rituals or Words of Power. This story follows the personal struggle of a young woman coming into her power. The sentient sword Jafnadr represents a pinnacle of Frijdodr’s craftsmanship, capable of discerning intent and bypassing any physical armour. The conflict centralises on the moral ambiguity of power; while Old Bjorn has spent centuries maintaining a fragile stability through secrets, Rojden seeks to bypass the Board of Trade’s slow influence through direct, magical conquest.
| Character | Lineage | Core Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| Yngvild | Malfin & Fafnir | Justice and the protection of her chosen partner. |
| Noren | Jorunn & Meniaxter | Discovery of the “Lost” and resistance to his father's geas. |
| Rojden | 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 Yngvild the Fierce.
The People of Fierce
The cast of Fierce is predominantly composed of Heroes, individuals possessing at least one-eighth divine blood—whose extraordinary abilities frequently destabilise the mercantile and political interests of the Board of Trade.
Protagonists and Divine Lineage
- Yngvild Helgasdottir (The Fierce): The primary protagonist and current wielder of the sentient black blade Jafnadr. She is the daughter of Helga Trollslayer and the Justice Oddmundr. Her heritage is a potent mixture of Malfin, Fafnir, Kari, and Frijdodr, granting her power over darkness and maritime conditions.
- Noren Alfarinnsson (Noren the Dwarf): A foundling raised on Straven who is revealed to be the only son of the demi-god Alfarinn and the renegade Rojden. He possesses a natural affinity for Jorunn and Meniaxter, manifesting as extreme physical strength and an innate sense for things “Lost and Found.”
Mentors and Political Leaders
- Old Bjorn (The Counter of Battles): The oldest living Skyssian Hero, rumored to be over a thousand years old and a founder of 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.
- 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.
- King Thirfinn: The reigning monarch of Skyss during Yngvild's arrival in Kronstadt, noted for his playful demeanour.
Allies, Agents, and Family
- 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.
- Inibrakemi Funeresdottir: A special agent for the Department of Resolutions and a master shapeshifter who guides Yngvild and Noren through Cottalem.
- Jerre: A former Cottalemnese cavalry trooper who defects to assist Yngvild and Noren.
- Olaf Ragnarson: Hero and Captain of the King's Ship Seagull.
- Erik: A Board of Trade agent in Beretha.
Antagonists and Renegades
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
- Straven: A tiny island settlement of roughly fifty people, serving as the hidden childhood home of Yngvild and Noren.
- Kronstadt: The primate city of Skyss and a global centre of trade, housing approximately 250,000 residents. It is the seat of the Council of Electors and the Board of Trade.
- Grunwald: The southernmost part of Skyss, characterised by deciduous forests where Alfarinn was believed to be hiding.
Salicia and Cottalem
- Beretha: The main city in the Kingdom of Salicia, recently besieged and taken over by Rojden's forces.
- Caratis: A port city closed by naval blockade during the Cottalemnese invasion.
- Estreham: The site of the Temple of Clewg, protected by an ancient curse that bars any man who is not an initiate.
- Troll’s Head Inn: An establishment run by retired Heroes Eskil and Arinhildr, equipped with magical geas detectors.
Other Regions
- Mangandalay: A hot, humid river state famous for its high-value silk and pharmaceuticals.
- Trollheim: The northern domain of the silicon-based Trolls, located on the opposite side of the mainland from Skyss.
Helga Trollslayer
| Gender | Female |
|---|---|
| Hero Status | Hero (46% Divinity) |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Skyss |
| Role | Second Sea Lord / Future First Sea Lord |
| Apparent Age | 23 |
| Year of Birth | 634 AM (140 at 774 AM) |
Stories/Function
Helga Trollslayer is a pivotal figure within the Skyssian naval and administrative hierarchy, serving as a bridge between the kingdom's divine heritage and its modern maritime dominance. As the biological mother of Yngvild the Fierce, her narrative function involves the management of high-level state intelligence and the strategic preparation of Skyss for the inevitable confrontation with the renegade hero Rojden. Helga is currently central to a long-running contingency plan orchestrated by Old Bjorn to secure her ascension to the position of First Sea Lord, thereby centralising heroic power within the Council of Electors.
Description
Helga is a Hero of high standing, possessing a 46% divine blood quotient. Her lineage is primarily defined by her grandmother, the Goddess Kari, and her great-grandmother, Malfin. Physically, she manifests the glacial ageing typical of high-status heroes; despite being 140 years old, she maintains the athletic physique and appearance of a woman in her mid twenties. She is traditionally characterised by her auburn hair and her preference for sea-green attire, often wearing a tabard embroidered with two blue ships over her iron mail.
Her personal history is defined by her tenure as a senior special agent for the Board of Trade. During this period, she was mentored by the late King's Justice Oddmundr. Together, they formed an “ideal team” for over a decade, utilising Helga’s unique ability to navigate any maritime weather—a direct gift from Kari—to outpace pursuit and achieve rapid littoral deployment. Her moniker “Trollslayer” and her reputation as an elite field agent were earned during these years of covert stabilisation across the continent of Osnines. Following Oddmundr’s murder, she transitioned into senior naval command, becoming the youngest Second Sea Lord in living memory. She currently commands the kingdom’s most magnificent flagship, the Triumph.
Personal Life
Helga’s life is defined by her clandestine partnership with the Hero Oddmundr, with whom she spent nearly ten years solving international crises. Their relationship resulted in the birth of Yngvild in 750 AM, a fact that was kept secret from the broader Skyssian court to ensure the child’s safety. Following Oddmundr’s decapitation in Trollheim, Helga was passed the sentient sword Jafnadr to hold in trust for Yngvild when she came of age, though Helga could not personally wield it.
Skyssian social mores allowed her to maintain her public standing while grieving Oddmundr, but the discovery of her biological daughter remained a point of extreme personal sensitivity. For twenty years, she allowed Yngvild to be raised on the isolated isle of Straven by Old Bjorn and Helga the Red, maintaining a “cover” that prioritised Yngvild's development away from the political volatility of Kronstadt.
Relationships
People
- Daughter: Yngvild the Fierce
- Partner: Oddmundr (deceased)
- Mentor and Ally: Old Bjorn ( Johansson)
- King: King Thirfinn
- Associates: Olaf Ragnarson (Captain of the Seagull)
Places
- Kronstadt (Official residence and palace)
- Straven (Raise-site of her daughter)
- trollheim (Theatre of her former agent operations)
- Grand Duchy of Dael Riata (Where she conducts diplomatic-naval oversight)
- estreham (Site of her daughter's ritual development)
Jafnadr the Sword
Jafnadr is a famous sword, blessed by the Goddess Malfin - Goddess of the Darkness. The name, in translation, means both equality and justice. It was made for Jafnadr, the daughter of Malfin - Goddess of the Darkness and fafnir by frijdodr.
Appearance
Like a slice of darkness. It is completely black, and the blade absorbs light, apart from a round matt white stone on the pommel. It can also disguise itself when asked to so that people don’t notice it (it still looks like a sword, but not a remarkable one).
Abilities
It is super sharp, and will slice through armour like it isn't there. Also Jafnadr absorbs the memories of its wielder, and those in the close vicinity (albeit more slowly, and it can have difficulty with anyone attempting to resist or with significant divine powers). As a sentient sword it can speak to its wielder via a mental link, but only when the wielder is touching any part of the sword.
Restrictions
Only those descended from the original owner, Jafnadr (a daughter of Malfin and Fafnir) can use it. Additionally it needs to be used without malice.
Other notes
Currently Yngvild Helgasdotir is the wielder of Jafnadr, she inherited it from her father oddmundr (who she has never met).
Pantheon of Skyss
The people of Skyss worship a pantheon of gods that they know exist. Those gods at times manifest themselves and have been known to inter-breed with mortals. Mostly those are in the ancient sagas, but demi-gods and heroes with lineage from the main pantheon demonstrably exist. The Skyssian Creation Story is called The Mother's Dream.
Known Gods
I've not created an entire pantheon, I've simply used a handful of handy gods and goddesses, so this list isn't exhaustive. There are 9 gods in the Skyssian pantheon (and more in other pantheons). These gods are real. People have met them when they manifest (not so recently, they tend not to manifest except under extreme conditions - all the pantheons have made tacit agreements to largely stay out of the affairs of men, other than to offer advice and to work through priests).
- The Mother - Goddess of fertility, love & harmony
- The Father - God of fertility, love & harmony
- Malfin - Goddess of the Darkness
- Aeolf - Goddess of Flames
- Kari - Goddess of the Sea
- Frijdodr - Goddess of the Makers & Miners, muse of creativity.
- Fafnir - God of Justice
- Meniaxter - God of War & Death
Interbreeding with mortals
When Gods or Goddesses breed with humans the offspring are demi-gods, and always of the same gender of the divine parent. Demi-gods have very long life spans, and inherit some of the powers of their divine parent. They aren’t immortal, but they tend not to get ill, and live for a very long time unless they are killed. Some have become Gods in their own right, but not of the Nine. According to the old legends the Goddesses who choose to bear demi-gods do so within a day of the liaison, several have been left with their mortal father to grow up in the world.
Offspring of Demi-gods and humans are Heroes. Anyone with 1/16th divine blood is classed as a Hero. Heroes tend to marry into the nobility or other Heroes. They have extended lifespans by human standards, and tend to be immune to most diseases. Depending on their lineage, and how far removed they are from the original divine coupling, they may heal faster or be able to call on the powers of the Gods & Goddesses that they are descended from. It is not the number of connections that count, but rather the strength of the connections.
