Refid Wintershield

Thane Refid Gunnarssen Wintershield (a.k.a. The Black Fox)

The ruler of Winterharbour and the head of the prestigious and ancient House Winter-Shield, Refid, also known as the Black Fox, is a notable general and warrior and secretly heads the Black Fox Network, a collection of spies and killers across Aedrinar, and potentially beyond. On a sworn path of vegenace against the Bear Clan, who murdered much of his family and stole their title of Jarls, Refid is preparing for open war with his enemies whilst supporting Doomed 2 Die in their coming fight against Teng Silverjaw and The Dragon Clan.
Refid's true power is unknown, with only the most connected and powerful in the realm being aware of his actual network and reputation. To the common Aedrinarian The Black Fox is a notable general, once considered a prodigy, for his insights in battle planning during the 40 Year War. Only a select few know the Battle of the Northern Shore was his idea, and he had a fully created plan to destroy both the Eldrian Empire and Seldrinar Supremacy.
As of 1052, Refid is the Thane of Winterharbour and amassing a conspiracy to restore House Wintershield as Jarls of the Northern Hold. He has revealed himself to Doomed 2 Die, offering help in their fight against the Dragon Clan. Refid used Shan to defeat the Shadow in Morganhall, and gave them support in hunting The Crown in Freywen. The Piper is also known to fear the Black Fox, seeing him as one of the more powerful enemies they will have to face, alongside Mr. Blake and Haarold Iceaxe.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Early Life

Refid was born in 1019, 3e to Gunnar Karlssen, the youngest child of Jarl Karl Wintershield, and Frida Myrkirsdottir of House Morganssen. Unlike the common Wintershield look of red hair, Refid was born with the black hair of the Morganssens, and stood out from his cousins and older brother, Radulf.
A smart and talented boy, Refid would end up forming a bond and deep friendship with Ivar Lothgarssen of the Reindeer Clan. At the outbreak of war, Refid would go to Lastlight to sit on the war council, and despite only being barely 10 years old at the time, he was able to withold himself against older and more notable warriors and generals, and proposed many cunning strategies in the Tumbrian campaign.
Back in the north, his blood brother Ivar's Clan would be nearly wiped out in the Yuletide Massacre orchestrated by their blood enemies, The Bear Clan. The Wintershiels would shelter young Ivar and his brother, Sigird, and latter ferry the young and truamatised Ivar personally to The Seal Clan in the Western Hold for safe raising.

The Night of the Bear

His family would begin to plot against the Bear Clan in retalliation and would have small skirmishes throughout the hold. Whilst most of their warriors were away at battle, led by his uncle Roggi Wintershield, the rest of the family gathered in Winterharbour to plan a strike on the Bear Clan. The Bear Clan, led by Arngier, would sneak over the walls and begin slaughtering Winterhsiled loyalists and infiltrated the keep itself.
Jarl Karl was murdered, alongside his chosen heir Halvard, Halvards' wife Tara, and their children Thalka and Gier - who were only 14 and 11 respectively. Refid and his father were bound and tortured, his father most of all, and forced to watch as the bear clan brutalised and murdered Refid's mother, Frida, and 16 year old brother Radulf. Arngier claimed the rite of claimance on the dead Jarl Karl, and broken Gunnar's spirit and made him his 'stooge' Thane of Winterharbour.
Attempted wintershield resistance at Snowhelm was put down in similar fashion, with only a young Starkard Wintershield surviving. Roggi Wintershield held their castle of Foxguard after returning from the frontlines of the 40 year war upon hearing about the attacks on hs family, but would be beaten and blinded by the Bear Clan.

Post-Bear Conflict

Refid was angered by these attacks, but did continue to help the realm in planning the 40 year war. It is beleived Refid may have fought directly in The Commonwealth, but this is unclear. During this time, the young prodigy became more reclusive and brutal. He was against signing a peace treaty and insisted his plan to destroy the Supremacy and Empire would succeed. Out-voted by the other leaders, he returned to Winterharbour and welcomed Ivar back into the fold, under his personal protection.
Back in Winterharbour, Refid had earned the respect and admiration of its people. His father was pitied for his loses, but his decade of inaction against the harbour's enemies was beginning to irk the proud people of their home. Refid would be forced to exile Ivar after he killed some Bear Clan members and revealed his identity, Ivar would hold this against Refid and the two have not spoken in 8 years.

The White Will Arc

Refid had remained in Winterharbour for years, amassing secret power and building out his network in preparation for his coming vengeance against his enemies. Whilst Doomed 2 Die were on their early adventures, they were beginning to be noticed by the fox, especially due to Ivar's involvement with them. When the party were captured by Western Skallen, it was one of The Fox's agents who reported this - and Refid called upon his advesary Mr. Blake to handle the situation.
Refid also sent word ahead to Shan regarding his daughter, Eva's, hiding place in Westwatch. When Ivar was told of the Black Fox, they grew annoyed and angry at this, but didn't press his involvement with the party any further. Einar did witness a young Ivar being escorted by Refid to the Seal Clan in a crow's sight vision.
Wintershield berserkers were present at The Dragon Council meetings held by Jarl Earling Horfhand in Westwatch, and they would ultimately side with the party in their fued with Ysgard's Warriors. As payment, House Horfhand were sworn to aid Refid when the time came. Val also heard rumours that Gunnar had died, and Refid was now Thane of Winterharbour. Gunnar fell from a balcony at his home, a 'dishnourable' way to go.

The Heir of Furunheim Arc

The Black Fox maintained minimal involvment during the party's time in Furunheim, but his daughter, Matilda Wintershield, was present at the feast of King Hardrada. Haarold Iceaxe did comment on the Black Fox's absence.

The Deep Arc

Refid would later involve himself in fighting The Dragon Clan directly. With The Piper becoming the face of the cult, the two generals and spymasters would ultimately come to blows. In a secret shadow war of spies and criminals, The Piper would escalate the conflict first when his agent in Morganhall, the home of Refid's long departed mother, took down the magical defences and allowed the Wights to swarm to the place.
Reaching out for help, Refid contacted Shan directly in a dream and sent Starkard to fetch him to investigate. Once Shan had defeated the Vanguard and restored light to the town, Refid led his berserkers personally and helped clear the undead and wights from the town and spoke with the monk personally. He later sent Shan to Freywen, where the party were soon to arrive, in the care of Mathos. His trusted agent would help the party take down a second vanguard, The Crown, and ultimately led to them discovering the identity of the Vespa, who was later killed.
This escalation in the conflict made Refid reach out to Mr. Blake and Jarl Naerfi Oath-Knee, where the there agreed to help Doomed 2 Die uncover the Dragon Clan leaders in Northern Asrinheim by forming a Suicide Squad of their agents to infiltrate Iminiyas. In the aftermath, all of Refid's agents survived whilst only one skallen and one Lastlight citizen survived.

Alternate Timeline

In the alternate timeline created by Primus where Doomed 2 Die never formed, Refid was a broken and quiet vassal to Jarl Ivar of the North. He would die alongside Ivar fighting The White Will with Teng and Shan.

Morality & Philosophy

Refid holds true to many Aedrinaran customs of honour and battle. His time in the war showed his talent as a warrior and a commander, but after the fall of his family his view began to shift. Always a learned boy, Refid had read of the numerous times throughout history his house had neared destruction and how they were saved. In more recent interactions, Refid does not hold true to 'honourable' combat or conduct in the same way as before - and seems willing to sacrifice his honour and reputation for the sake of his family and his house.

Social

Reign

Refid has only recently become Thane of Winterharbour after the death of his father, Gunnar Karlssen, under mysterious circumstances. He has already done major pushes in restablishing House Wintershield, sending warriors to Westwatch to help fight The White Will † and in reuniting Houses Morganssen and Wintershield.

Family Ties

Refid has four surviving family members. The rest of his family are long dead. Through his mother's side, House Morganssen, he has four cousins and 2 uncles surviving.

Grandparents

Refid's paternal grandparents were Karl Wintershield, Jarl of Winterharbour and great-grandson of Queen Sigrunn III. Karl was a respected leader and warrior, known for his strength, fury, and witty sense of humour. He was known to host grand tournaments and feasts - and respected for his ranging and brawling. Jarl Karl was slain in in 1033 surrounded by 12 Bear Clan warriors, he managed to kill 7 of them - but was overwhelmed and slain by Arngier of the Bear Clan at the age of 72. His grandmother was Tilda Helgasdottir, a sailor from Halgafjar. His grandparents fell in love at a tourney in Kriegerholm. She passed in 1004, 3e at the age of 44 at sea fighting sea serpents between Aedrinar and Jotun.
His maternal grandfather was Jarl Myrkir Morganssen, the Jarl of the Northern Isles, a mysterious and superstitious figure who would go on frequent mushroom trips to unlock secret prophecies and visions. Myrkir was fond of Refid, and his passed in 1030 saddened the young man. His grandmother was Nura Snow, a minor house from the Northern Hold who had moved to Morgenjya to find rare magical tomes. Nura passed in 1029 in ritual combat due to her failing health.

Parents

Refids father was Gunnar Wintershield. A plesant and honourable man, known for being decent with a sword in his youth and okay hunter. He was never truly considered as a potential heir, but a talented scholar and keeper of knowledge and solid manager of the city. After the death of his family and murder of his wife and son, Gunnar was installed as Thane but became a recluse haunted by night terrors and fear. The torture and brutalization the Bear Clan had done left him netally scarred and unable to fulfil his oaths to his people or house for vengeance. Refid would come to resent his father for his inaction and the two never had a strong relationship after the Night of the Bear. He did respect his father for bending the knee, as it preserved the line of the house.
His mother was Frida Morganssen, the third child of House Morganssen. A talented sword weilder, strategist, and knowledgeable in ancient Lore, Frida met Gunnar at a feast in Morganhall and fell in love with the sweet and kind noble. She adored her children, especially Refid, and saw much of herself in him. She would die in 1033 during the Night of the Bear, having been disarmed trying to defend her family. She was forced to watch her eldest son, Gunnar, die and was brutalized and tortured herself before being murdered in front of Refid and Gunnar.

Siblings

Refid had 1 sibling, the 'Delight of Winterharbour' Radulf Wintershield. A broad boy of 16 with a thick red hair, Radulf was a warrior and quick on his feat, prefering the use of throwing axes and lighter swords. A dancer, womanzier, and party boy - Radulf was popular at feasts, tourneys, and meadhalls. Refid idolized his popular older brother, and the two had a strong relationship. Radulf was murdered in 1033 by the Bear Clan in front of Refid.
Refid swore a blood-brother bond with Ivar Lothgarssen as a youth, and despite their strained relationship in the last few years the two brothers still have a respect and love for each other.

Wife

Refid's wife was Aiela, the daughter of a shipwright. A kind and thoughtful person with a strong knowledge of her city and how to run it, Aeila and Refid were deep in love. She was also known to be fond of Ivar, the two having a good relationship as well. A beauty of blonde hair and bright green eyes, Aiela would die after complications with a third pregnancy forced her to be ritually slain by Refid to gain Valhalla. The Black Fox never remarried.

Children

Refid has two children with Aeila. His chosen heir, the red-headed and witty Matilda Wintershield. A spear and sword warrior, Matilda is known to be quick witted and fast thinking. Often sent to feasts and meetings in Refid's stead, she makes a good impression where she goes - using humour to diffuse difficult situations but not afriad to fight back or stick up for herself.
Refid's second child is his son Radulf, born in 1044 and named after his deceased brother. Radulf is a quieter and more studious boy, unlikley to be considered for heirship but is well-read and quick-witted for his age. He splits his time between Winterharbour and Foxguard.

Uncles and Aunts

Paternally, Refid only has one surviving uncle, maternally, all of his Morganssen brethren remain.
Refid's oldest paternal uncle was Halvard. Considered Karl's natural heir, Halvard was everything a Winterhsield Jarl was expected to be. Well read, a strong swordsman, talented commander, and popular with his men. Fair, just, and honourable - Halvard was a strong and stoic Aedrinaran and a benefit to the realm. Fighting hard during the 40 year war, Halvard was a talented commander and battle leader considered fair to his enemies. Halvard was severely wounded in the night of the bear, but never broke even after watching his wife and children killed by the Bear Clan, ultimatley been slain and thrown next to his brother, Gunnar.
Halvard's wife and Refid's aunt was Tara Snowkeeper of Sifsby. A maternal woman known for her tapestry makings and carving of wooden scultupres, Tara was amongst the first slain by the Bear Clan in 1033.
Refid's next uncle was Roggi. The leader of the house's armies during the 40 year was in his father's place, Roggi was amongst the most brash and strong Aedrinaran commanders of the war. Leading numerous raids, battles, and strikes against his enemies - often outnumbered - Roggi was becoming a sensation. His reputation as a great warrior was being known around Aedrinar, and despite being known to take pleasure in brothels and with other warriors, Roggi never married, saying his only spouse would be war itself. After the death of his brother and father, Roggi took his warriors back to Aedrinar and fortified Foxguard. The Bear Clan would storm it, slaying the warriors and taking Roggi captured, he was blinded and left to fend for himself. Roggi left Aedrinar for a decade, and came back as a monk capable of fighting without eyes.
On his maternal side, Refid's eldest uncle is Jarl Hrafen Morganssen. A big bellied, tough, and broad man - Hrafen has not forgotten the slights against his house by the Bear Clan and is working close with Refid to avenge his sister. Hrafen takes his responsiblity as Jarl of the Northern Isles seriously, and is rarely seen outside of his borders bar visits to Winterharbour.
Hrafen is married to Riga Lightstoker, a minor noble from Morganhall. Riga has little to no actual relationship with the Wintershields, but her family do have lucrative shipping contracts with Winterharbour itself.
Styr Morganssen is the one with the most animosity to the wintershields, and has no real relationship with Refid. He was close to his sister, Frida, and blames the Wintershields for not protecting her and doing little to avenge her in time. Since the incident with The Shadow, he has been less vocally critical of Refid.

Cousins

Refid has 4 first cousins, all on the Morganssen side, and 1 second cousin, Starkard.
The eldest of his Morganssen cousins is the steward of Morganhall, Halfdan Morganssen, at 25 years old. His other cousins are Freya, Leif, and Sven. They are all allies of the Wintershields, united in their father's mission for vengeance, and have known their cousin for all their lives.
Despite a more distant relationship, Starkard Wintershield is Refid's closest friend and ally. A key part of his Black Fox network, Refid used Wintershield funds to send Starkard to The Miskatonic and they are both truly loyal to each other and their missions, with a desire to avenge thir house and families.

Species

Human

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Thane of Winterharbour

Reign	1052, 3a
	Present
Predecessor	Thane Gunnar Karlssen Wintershield
Successor	Presumed: Matilda Wintershield

Age

33

Date of Birth

20th Duskfall, 1019

Birthplace

Winterharbour

Family

House Winter-Shield

Pronouns

He/Him

Sex

Male

Gender

Man

Presentation

Masculine

Eyes

Dark Blue

Hair

Long, thick, black and braided

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

White, tattooed

Height

6"3

Aligned Organization

Black Fox Network

Appearances: 5

• Session 83: The Clockwork God (Alternate Reality)
• Session 90: Return to Jameleska (Flashback) 
• Session 138: The Fox's Cry
• Shanshot 3: The Shadowed Night
• Session 152: Aboleth
• Session 153: The Suicide Squad