(Wayne Imlach)

A great hero of the Mercanian sagas, Bödvar was a famed sea wolf, berserker and archer of unmatched ability. He spent several years in the company of Hraefgahl Stormrunner, before parting ways and settling along with his men in the north of Albion, in the area that would become the county of Gorburn.

He founded the settlement of Ydalir along the banks of the River Lea in the year 630, naming the village in honour of Ull, the Mercanian god of archery and hunting, who was said to reside in the 'Valley of the Yew'. Today the village is known as Yew Dale.

Bödvar returned to Mercania sometime in 635 to aid King Hrogar, whose kingdom was beset by an evil mere-hag and her son. Along with his companions, he defeated the beasts, though King Hrogar was slain in the battle.

Bödvar returned to Ydalir in 638, accompanied by a mysterious companion known only as Yggsvrend, who never spoke and kept his face hidden. This strange fellow took up residence in the nearby woods, which Bödvar named 'Yggsvrend Forest' in his honour.

In the year 702, the dragon Nidhogg ravaged the lands surrounding Ydalir. Bödvar fought the great beast and struck it down, but not before the dragon took his life in return.

Bödvar is a Rank 7 barbarian. He also has the 'Master Bowman' skill (Dragon Warriors p. 27), and adds +2 to ATTACK with a bow.

He wears a magical torc of bear claws around his neck – this allows him to shapeshift once per day into a giant bear. Use the Lycanthropy rules (Bestiary p. 67) to determine its abilities.

This article first appeared in Casket of Fays Issue 1.