Editing Glory of the Svartrsung

===[https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/recruitment-gurps-vikings-one-shot-glory-of-the-svartrsung.843480/post-22493895 Havardr inn Rakkr]===

===[https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/recruitment-gurps-vikings-one-shot-glory-of-the-svartrsung.843480/post-22493895 Havardr inn Rakkr]===

("the Upright", also sometimes "inn Rakki", with the same meaning, but similar to rakki for "the Dog", and by extension "the Cur". Patronymic: Gangradarson, from Gangradr.)<br/>

("the Upright", also sometimes "inn Rakki", with the same meaning, but similar to rakki for "the Dog", and by extension "the Cur". Patronymic: Gangradarson, from Gangradr.)<br/>

Havardr is the second son of a branch family of the Svartrsung, two years junior to Stigandr. Whereas the elder son showed a talent for song, Havardr took to words and the oral tradition. When Stigandr left with Bjorne to apprentice in the skaldic arts, their father took the opportunity to keep Havardr close to home and learn the ways of the law. Their father was quite conscious regarding the minor place of the family in an obscure clan that was once heralded across the land, and he meant to change that. If one son was to become a skald, a noble thing among the people of the land, then the other would become a law speaker, and become counsel to jarls or even kings. Thus, under his father's watchful eye and strict tutelage, Havard learned the histories that informed their people and their law. Rather than tales of glory and riches, Havardr learned accounts of petty murder that ended at execution blocks and of how slights to honor could be repaired by gold.<br/>

Havardr is the second son of a branch family of the Svartrsung, two years junior to Stigandr. Whereas the elder son showed a talent for song, Havardr took to words and the oral tradition. When Stigandr left with Bjorne to apprentice in the skaldic arts, their father took the opportunity to keep Havardr close to home and learn the ways of the law. Their father was quite conscious regarding the minor place of the family in an obscure clan that was once heralded across the land, and he meant to change that. If one son was to become a skald, a noble thing among the people of the land, then the other would become a law speaker, and become counsel to jarls or even kings. Thus, under his father's watchful eye and strict tutelage, Havard learned the histories that informed their people and their law. Rather than tales of glory and riches, Havardr learned accounts of petty murder that ended at execution blocks and of how slights to honor could be repaired by gold.<br/>

Thus did the boy grow to become a man severe in both countenance and conduct, earning Havardr the byname "inn Rakkr", the Upright. However, this did not make him an easy man to get along with, and among those who chafed at his manner he was called "inn Rakki": the upright, the dog, the cur. He soon came into the service of Jarl Olafir, where he rendered just service and hard counsel, earning him the jarl's trust and an unimpeachable reputation for honesty, but little warm feeling among the others in the service of the Svartrsung.<br/>

Thus did the boy grow to become a man severe in both countenance and conduct, earning Havardr the byname "inn Rakkr", the Upright. However, this did not make him an easy man to get along with, and among those who chafed at his manner he was called "inn Rakki": the upright, the dog, the cur. He soon came into the service of Jarl Olafir, where he rendered just service and hard counsel, earning him the jarl's trust and an unimpeachable reputation for honesty, but little warm feeling among the others in the service of the Svartrsung.<br/>

For all that, however, Havardr thought he had carved for himself a place within the Svartrsung. Yet when Stigandr returned to the jarl's halls, Havard's older brother immediately won the respect of the jarl for his talents and the love of their fellows for his easy bearing. Havardr had long nursed an envy of his brother, who left to new lands and allure of adventure, the romance of the skaldic arts, but he had thought them subsided with his brother's long absence in the Jutland. Now, though, he experienced the jealousy as fresh as if Stigandr had boarded the ship with old Bjorne only yesterday. Now he is more determined than ever to win greater glory for himself within the Svartrsung, and he bears the names of Havardr the Upright and Havardr the Cur with covetous pride, so long as his name is known.<br/>

For all that, however, Havardr thought he had carved for himself a place within the Svartrsung. Yet when Stigandr returned to the jarl's halls, Havard's older brother immediately won the respect of the jarl for his talents and the love of their fellows for his easy bearing. Havardr had long nursed an envy of his brother, who left to new lands and allure of adventure, the romance of the skaldic arts, but he had thought them subsided with his brother's long absence in the Jutland. Now, though, he experienced the jealousy as fresh as if Stigandr had boarded the ship with old Bjorne only yesterday. Now he is more determined than ever to win greater glory for himself within the Svartrsung, and he bears the names of Havardr the Upright and Havardr the Cur with covetous pride, so long as his name is known.<br/>

Havardr's long study has given him the knowledge and the force of will to adjudicate upon the laws of the Norsemen, as well as the history and traditions that inform them. As counsel and houseman to the jarl, he is an able warrior, best with a spear but trained in the use of the usual weapons, and fit to stand in a shieldwall. Apart from that, he has a little education in medicine, and in other matters that would be useful counsel for a ruler.<br/>

Havardr's long study has given him the knowledge and the force of will to adjudicate upon the laws of the Norsemen, as well as the history and traditions that inform them. As counsel and houseman to the jarl, he is an able warrior, best with a spear but trained in the use of the usual weapons, and fit to stand in a shieldwall. Apart from that, he has a little education in medicine, and in other matters that would be useful counsel for a ruler.<br/>