Starkard Wintershield

Starkard Olafssen Wintershield

"Everyone is a pawn in others' games. Some of us dare to be kings."

Starkard Olafssen Wintershield is the second cousin of Thane Refid Wintershield of Winterharbour and agent for The Black Fox. A talented mage with two degrees, Starkard studied at The Miskatonic in Wyvern College specialising in Diviniation and Abjuration.
Starkard is currently in Westwatch as part of Erling Horfhand's Dragon Council. During his time in Westwatch, Starkard has attempted to convince Jarl Erling to accept Wintershield support as 29 Wintershield Berserkers are currently stationed in Menkelstead awaiting confirmation to march on Westwatch to assist in the fight against The White Will.
After it was revealed Elfrey the Godswitch had captured Erika, Fr. Tomos Siegfried, and Falia Rayes Starkard stuck with Doomed 2 Die and offered them three solutions to defeat the warriors, with the party choosing to side with the wintershields.
Starkard and the Wintershield Bersekers helped discover the lair of the white will and pushed back the elemental attack on Westwatch with the aide of Haarold Iceaxe and Ysgard's Warriors.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Starkard was born in Snowhelm in 1021 to a branch of the Winterhshield Clan. During the Bear Clan takeover of the Northern Hold, Starkard was orphaned when his parents died trying to fend off the Bear Clan. Starkard then moved into Winterhabour with his second cousin's family, Thane Gunnar and Refid Wintershield. His cousin helped pay for Starkard to move to Saunton after the 40 year war and study at the Miskatonic.
During his time in the Miskatonic, Starkard was rumoured to be sponsored by any number of wealthy Aedrinaran patrons from High King Haardrada to mysterious 'sugar daddies' according to Azura. Before meeting fully in Westwatch, Starkard and Azura had met before in the Wyvern college libraries when the two would study late at night.
After completing his degrees, Stakard returned to Winterharbour. He claims to be an agent of the Black Fox and helps coordinate the mysterious group's members. In his meeting with Doomed 2 Die, the wizard revealed he helped coordinate Mr. Blake's rescue of the adventurers when they were captured by the Dagurssen brothers.

The White Will Arc

Starkard Wintershield attended Jarl Earling Horfhand's Dragon Council in Westwatch as an amabassador for his cousin, Thane Refid Wintershield, and as a magical expert. His role here was also to try and spread Wintershield influence in the Western Hold by forcing the Jarl to accept his family's help and thus be indebted to them when it came time for the Wintershield rebellion against the Bear Clan.
Whilst in Westwatch, Starkard was contacted by the one the agents for the Black Fox informing him that Doomed 2 Die had been kidnapped by the Western Skallen. Starkard contacted Mr. Blake and asked for his help in rescuing them. He would later reveal this fact to the party when they finally met in person five days later.
When the party eventually arrived at the Dragon Council, Starkard rememebred and recognised Azura from his time in the Miskatonic's library late at night. When Elfrey the Godswitch revealed Val had been exiled from the warriors, Starkard did not turn his back on the warlock along with Thane Liv Thorsblade, Jarl Erling, and Lugar Whitehide.
The Wizard was instructed to stay behind when the council was dismissed by the Jarl following the revelation, and told to relay with the adventurers on how to clear Val's name and free the hostages of Erika, Fr. Tomos Siegfried and Falia Rayes. Starkard told the party they could try to get Mr Blake's help again, return to Haarold Iceaxe for his support, or if they could convince the Jarl to accept Wintershiled support, he assured them his house would defend Val's honour and aide them. The party opted to accept Wintershield help and convinced Jarl Erling it was within his interests to be on 'the winning side' of the eventual conflict with the bear clan.
When the Winterhshield troops arrived, Starkard attended to the fight with Elfrey and used his magic to dismiss her amulet of control. He met with the party again when they returned to westwatch after killing the White Will and told Val that the Bear Clan had been ambushed by Sigurd Lothgarssen, Ivar's brother, meaning they would no longer be attending the king's feast.

Heir of Furunheim Arc

Starkard would attend King Hardrada's feast as a proxy for his relative, Refid, alongside Refid's daughter, Matilda. Travelling from Westwatch in the Horfhand convoy with Azura, Falia Rayes, and Fr. Tomos Siegfried three four exhcanged sad stories before Azura distracted the wizard and Falia with the communication box to Auran and the Endeavour.
Starkard collected Matilda from Knut's Landing and they sailed to Odinsthrone, ignroing the please of the Kriegerholm nobles for aid along the way. At the feast, Starkard was insulted by the king but seemed unphased.
After the festivities, Starkard retired to the library with Azura and Thane Jorvin Stormbarer. He was equally confused by the illusive nobleman granting Azura a set of spell scrolls in diviniation. During the attempted assasination of Arystyr Furyborn the wizard allowed the adventurers and other nobles to rush to the aid, staying with his books.

The Deep Arc

After Shan accepted the ominous summons from The Black Fox, Starkard would meet with the monk and take them to the northern island town of Morganhall. The town had gone silent for over a week, and the Black Fox suspected a sighted Dragon Clan vanguard was responsible.
The two found the settlement completely abandoned and dark. The Wights had infested the town due to the Vanguard, known as The Shadow, had tapped into the arcane power of the island and snuffed out all non-magical lights and dimmed all magical ones. Starkard would battle with the wights, lead Shan to their now deceased contact on the island, and kill the vanguard.
Starkard also warned his second cousin, the Black Fox Refid Wintershield himself about what was happening. He met with Thane Refid and the gathered Wintershield warriors upon their arrival and introduced Shan to them properly.

Status
Alive
First Appearance
Session 99: Westwatch

Species

Human

Age

32

Family

House Winter-Shield

Pronouns

He/Him

Sex

Male

Gender

Man

Presentation

Masculine

Eyes

Dark Blue

Hair

Ginger

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

White

Height

5"11

Apperances: 10

• Session 99: Westwatch
• Session 100: Elfrey the Godswitch
• Session 101: Pilgrim's Rest
• Session 104: Dragonlance
• Session 105: Lair of the White Will
• Session 106: The Wolf and the Fish
• Session 107: Invitation From the King
• Session 108: Who Dunnit?
• Session 138: The Fox's Cry
• Shanshot 3: The Shadowed Night