Jarl Earling Horfhand

Jarl Earling Guthirssen Horfhand

The strict, no-nonense Jarl of the Western Hold, Earling Horfand is an old Aedrinarian of House Horfhand, a distinguished and proud old house that split from the Wolf Clan. Often regarded as an 'old crank' and stubborn man, Horfhand has the respect of many of the other jarl's simply for his skill with the blade and abilities as a logistician and commander.
As the ruler of the Western Hold, Earling oversees most of the trade lines from the North of Aedrinar into the South, and from the two major settlements of Knut's Landing and Westwatch helps to distrubute those goods through the region and beyond. Under his rule, the proudction of stone, fish, and lumber in his hold has increased thanks to his continued support of local homesteads and generous tax cuts to those who meet certain targets for production within the hold.
Doomed 2 Die have been instructed to go to his keep in Westwatch to meet with him and the other dragon experts. Both the Thane and Jarl Naerfi Oath-Knee warned the party that Earling could be a prickly and rude man upon first meeting, and he values bluntness, honesty, and being straight to the point with a particular hatred for 'flowery langauge.'

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Born to the noble House Horfhand in 990, 3e, Earling trained as battlemaster in the sword, spear, and warhammer. At the age of 32, Earling eagerly sailed to the 40 Year War and battled throughout the Marcian region with his vassals from Knut's Landing. He would marry one of his shieldbarers, Siv, and the two would go onto have two children together, Freya and Hulgar. Returning from War, Earling settled into his position of Jarl of the Western Hold - ruling over a generally peaceful and economically powerful region of Aedrinar.
In Harvestyme 1052, 3e, Earling's hold began to face attacks from a dragon calling itself The White Will, claiming to be the reincarnation of the ancient dragon warlord. Earling ignored warnings from Lugar Whitehide about the dragon's threat untill more and more homesteads were destroyed. Finding no help from the king or his court, Earling assembled a Dragon Council in his keep consisting of Ysgard's Warriors, Starkard Wintershield, Hoffa of the archaelogist's guild, and the Seal Clan.

The White Will Arc

Earling's troubles with the dragon would go nowhere as the competing factions in the Dragon Council seemed more focused on their own missions than aiding him in defeating the beast. The Wintershields sought his allyship for their coming war with the Bear Clan, Ysgard's Warriors looked to charge him inordinate amounts of gold, and the archalogist's guild could unearth nothing of any history to help them defeat the dragon.
It would not be until the arrival of Doomed 2 Die in his hold that things would change. First told about the adventurers by his vassal, Thane Liv Thorsblade, who's home in Knut's Landing had been destroyed by the Dragon, it would be several days before the jarl would meet them in person.
When the adventurers arrived in Westwatch, Elfrey the Godswitch immediately turned on the party, revealing Val was an exile of the warriors and forcing most of the gathered hall to perform a shunning action. Earling, ever impatient, had no time for this display and dismissed everyone except Lugar, Thane Liv, Starkard Wintershield, and the party. Knowing he needed the adventurers support and help, he allowed to them to plan how to clear Val's name, rescue their companions, and continue on their quest. He was presusaded by Val to accept Winter-Shield support.
This added Wintershield prescence, as well as Doomed 2 Die reforming Ysgard's Warriors and placing Erika in charge, would come back to save the Jarl as the White Will launched a failed attack on his town which was fended off by the gathered factions the adventurers had brought together. Earling's trust in the group would be paid off when they killed the dragon two days later.

Heir of Furunheim Arc

Like many key nobles in the realm, Jarl Earling had been invited by King Hardrada to a feast in Odinsthrone. Offering a ride to Doomed 2 Die, Earling and his family would talk intensively to Gallus about the war, the king, Jarl Naerfi Oath-Knee, and the gossip surrounding the guests of the king's feast.
He parted ways with the heroes in Knut's Landing, taking his own ship to the feast. Passing through Kriegerholm, Earling refused to help the noble houses of the city telling the guards to "get fucked" and paying the toll regardless. At the feast, Earling seemed tired of the politics and nonsense of the other houses, but proved popular with the guests regardless.

Social

Mannerisms

Jarl Earling is known as blunt and forthright man with no sense of manners of the status of who he speaks to. His blunt attitude to King Haardrada at his feast caused the High King to reminisce about his own father's opinions on the elder statesman.

Status: Alive
First Apperance: Session 99 Westwatch

Current Location

Westwatch

Species

Human

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Jarl of the Western Hold

Reign	1029
	Present

Predecessor

Jarl Guthir Horfhand

Thane of Westwatch

Reign	1029
	Present

Issue
	Freya Horfhand
	Hulgar Horfhand

Age

62

Date of Birth

990, 3e

Birthplace

Westwatch

Family

House Horfhand

Current Residence

Coldstar Keep

Pronouns

He/Him

Sex

Male

Gender

Man

Presentation

Masculine

Eyes

Dark Grey

Hair

shoulder length, braided, uncombobed

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

White

Height

6"4

Ruled Locations

• Westwatch

Appearances: 6

• Session 99: Westwatch
• Session 100: Elfrey the Godswitch
• Session 104: Dragonlance
• Session 105: Lair of the White Will
• Session 106: The Wolf and the Fish
• Session 107: Invitation From the King