House Iceaxe
House Iceaxe, a formally minor noble house from Odinsthrone, has risen to prominence since the 40 Year War with the election of King Hardrada as High King of the Eighth Kingdom of Aedrinar in 1035.
The house has not had an illustrious history, tracing their descent to a minor family from Thorskirk in Einmanfjell, travelling with King Knut in his blood feud with Ebbe. The house has briefly ruled as Thanes of Odinsthrone in the past but has largely been content to be battlemasters and a key player within Odinsthrone alone. Since 1035, the house have ruled as Jarls of the Southern Hold and high kings.
The invovlement of House Iceaxe in the 40 Year War has seen their reputation increase, and although Haardrada is considered a distant king, his honour and role as the shield brother to the previous King Karl V has mean none have dared challenge the house for rulership of the isle. The future of the house remains unclear, with Haardrada growing more distant from his duties as king and his brother Haarold Iceaxe taking the name and sigils of his wife's house, House Fairhair, leaving only a 'weak' young boy by the name of Sven to claim his father's title's upon his eventual death.
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Members
History
House Iceaxe traces its origins to Einmanfjell. Ruling over a small stead on Mount Thuun, the house were key supporters and allies of Knut Einmanbjorn, the Jarl of Einmnafjell. Knut's grandfather was a member of their house, but the family claimed little outside of their homestead and small mining community. Their name originated during the Age of Long Winter, when their first keep of Stormthorpe was founded in Einmanfjell and their matriarch, Maartha, forged a mighty iceblade using Jotun magics.
During the reign of Knut, Kolvr Iceaxe journeyed with the future king when he exiled himself in opposition to Ebbe, being granted captainship of the longship Dawnbreaker. Kolvr and Knut formed a strong friendship, with Kolvr being grated the title of Battlemaster to House Einmnabjorn. When Knut returned to his home to wage his bloodfeud with Ebbe, Kolvr journeyed with him, claiming the right of head of the house from his sister, Ingrid Iceaxe, in traditional combat.
Kolvr took his collection of Iceaxe warriors to the island of Aedrinaar, fighting in every battle alongside Knut, leading the left flank in the Sack of Kriegerholm. When Knut rebuilt Riverholm and christened it Odinsthrone, the iceaxes were granted new land in the fledgling city and given the title of Thane of Odinsthrone. The family's rulership lasted only a century until being replaced by other noble families within the growing city.
Iceaxe chronicles talk of limited raids and attacks on surrounding clans, houses, and some raids into the Marcian region in the 2400s, 2e. The house were forced to defend themselves from the newly fledged House Thunderstone between 97-103, 3e, ultimately loosing to the Thunderstones who took control of the city as the new thanes of Odinsthrone. The Iceaxes resented Thunderstone rule for centuries and the two houses were bitter rivals, often fighting small skirmishes but never breaking out into a full blood feud.
in 510, the then leader of the house, Gultha, recieved a word from the conquering Olaf Dragontooth of the eastern isles who had been invading and pacifying areas in the eastern and northern holds in a bid to become the high king. The Iceaxes were promised bountiful rewards if they turned on the Thunderstones and assited Olaf in his invasion of the southern hold. Eager to claim revenge on her ancient enemies, Gultha agreed and declared a full blood feud. Her warriors and supporters were driven out of Odinsthrone and met with Olaf, helping the Kingmaker besiege the city and slaughter all the Thunderstones within.
As a reward, the Iceaxes were granted new lands and a share of the Thunderstone horde. This new wealth saw a rice in status for the house, and they continued to support Olaf and his heir, Karl III. Their support of the weak and unpopular Karl led to a downfall during the reign of the Great Uniter Haarold V, who did forgive the Iceaxes and respected them for their devotion to their oaths. The local population of Odinsthrone, however, who detested Karl as a king, appointed a local warrior and folk hero, Brangar Oakglaive, as their new Jarl of Odinsthrone.
Much of the wealth and status was squandered by the year 700, forcing them to rely on the other minor house of Odinsthrone, House Fairhair, as their only allies. This alliance remains to this day, with the two houses relying on each other and supporting each other in all aspects. A handful of Iceaxe warriors, including their direct line of succession, travelled in longships with their Thane and High King Ulfgir V in 789 to battle the Eldrian Empire. The battle proved a distaster for the seventh kingdom, and saw the royal family, all of House Oakglaive, and the majority of House Iceaxe slain in the battle.
The soul survivor of the house, Sven Iceaxe, had been sick at the time of the longships leaving and was left as steward of the city. As one of the few nobles left in the city and the isles, Sven was narrowly appointed high king. A fierce traditionalist, Sven I ruled for barely a year, disbanding the realm as a mark of shame for their loss in the battle and refusal of the houses to modernise or accept the defeat.
Sven remained as Thane of Odinsthrone, as did the Iceaxes, for another century until 899 when Ulfric the Pious of House Godsmount, a local cleric, were elected Jarl. The Iceaxes stood against Sigrun III's invasion of the Jarldom of Odinsthrone in 923. The house suffered heavy losses, and bent the knee alongside the other houses of the city, handing control over to Sigrunn and recognising her as High Queen.
Sigrunn helped to redevelop the ancient and spirtually important city, giving treasure and wealth to the Iceaxes to help them rennovate their halls and quarters. During this time, the family became close with House Thornstrom, led by Ivar the Older, and assited him and High Queen Sigrunn in united the southern hold into a single jarldom under the rulership of the Thornstroms.
Braan Iceaxe, then head of the house, was appointed as the battlemaster to the Thonstroms, and acted as shield brother to Ivar the Younger, the future Ivar II. In 956, the Iceaxes were welcomed warmly into the Thronstrom's royal court and continued to serve their Jarls loyally in many capacities. Braan's daughter, Gunhilda, would serve as steward to the realm during a period of isolation from Olaf V, and when Karl IV joined the 40 year war to defend The Commonwealth, the iceaxes sailed in the inital waves of invasion.
The Iceaxes became notable figures during the war. At the start of Aedrinar's entry to the war in 1022, the elder Iceaxe, Haartha, was killed at sea attacking a Seldrinar supply ship. His eldest son, Haarold, became a famed general in the Tumbrian invasion and the younger, Haardara, became a member of High King Karl V's warband. Haarold had two children with his wife, Janfrey Fairhair, the eldest of whom died at battle in 1039.
Haardrada stood with his king and shield brother in battle against the Eldrians. When the battle line fell apart and King Karl V was slain, Haardarda refused to retreat or abandon his king's body, standing over it with a fury and his mighty warhammer, striking back the advancing Eldrians. Reinfrocements arrived, and the surviving Aedrinarans spread tales of his glory.
The loss of Karl and his heirs in battle saw a sudden wartime election of a new high king. Haardrada was nominated and voted in unanimously, granting house Iceaxe the titles of Jarl of the Southern Hold and High King of Aedrinar at the same time.
Type
Geopolitical, Great house
Leader
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Notable Members
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