Bella Hildegard
Tundraborn Shield-Sister Bella Hildegard (a.k.a. Valkyrie Witch)
Bella Hildegardis a Folk Hero throughout all of Vyscaria, but most people know her by the title "The Valkyrie Witch," and most wouldn't recognize her by face or name. Despite this, she is one of the most legendary Battlemages Vyscaria has ever been privileged with, fighting alongside other Folk Heroes--- such as Drogolia Frey and Lady Denith of the Redwing Rangers--- in the Wukan War, where the Yuan-Ti Dragon Cult attempted to ascend Tiamat to our world. This was no doubt the largest threat to the people of Runfel since the Tribunal of Conquerors ruled over its lands about 900 years ago.
As the Wukan War came to an end, she had survived helpless odds, imprisonment, and nightmarish battles that many veterans still refuse to speak of today. Seen as a hero among the men and women of Vyscaria, the legend of the Valkyrie Witch faded into folk-legend, deemed by critics to be but a war myth to inspire new blood into the ranks of the army for the war efforts. But the Phoenix Hearth Heroes, as they are now called, know the truth. The Valkyrie Witch is alive, well, and retired.
Rising Up From the Tides
In Bella's early life, she grew up as a Valheim native, only hearing stories of how their legendary hero, Torstein Bolg, established their own sovereign nation and formed an alliance with the new Vyscarian Empire after the War of Rebirth. Raised as a Shieldmaiden, her taste for combat was cultivated in her childhood as she was trained in the art of axe and shield. However, the hammer became her preferred weapon. She described this preference as follows: "The weight of the steel swinging through the crispen air, and the crunching impact of its blow, as if I could feel the force behind my strikes. It was my favorite." Through a series of interclan wars among the nations of Valheim, she made her way to the King's Elite Guard, known as the Knights of Valhalla, famed for their combat prowess, endless vigor, mastery of blade, magic, and diplomacy. She was also welcomed into an ancient coven called the Volvas of Frigg, where it is said she cultivated her relation with her magical patron. The Volvas taught her the ancient arts of Witchcraft, or as she claims, real Witchcraft. Every year, she and her family would join the Valheiman Pilgrimage on Founder's Week to sail to Gleanhold for the celebration, and perform their Stormsoul Rites for the public to witness. It was only on this pilgrimage she met Drogolia Frey, who challenged her to open combat after viewing her combat the Stormsoul mages. Bella agreed without hesitation and quickly met her match as the two of them produced one of the most awesome displays of power in combat that any had seen since the days of heroes.Wukan War:
When word of a Dragon Cult in the Wukan Jungle reached the Amber Coast, it brought panic to the Tribunal of Council. An emergency summit was held in the palace of Eldergarden at the base of the Ruby Sea, and the 131st ruler of Vyscaria, Gloria Skye, declared the formation of a band of elite warriors to be the face of the wars against the Yuan-Ti resurgence, to rally the public behind them and inspire a motivated draft of new soldiers. Bella was among those who were called by the Queen to join the Warriors of the Phoenix Hearth, named after the symbol of the Vyscarian Phoenix. Warriors granted entry into the Guildhall of the Phoenix Hearth, also known as Phoenix Hearth Hall, have been recognized as the best warriors of their time and are entrusted to fight with the vigor of the indomitable will of an eternal flame that will never be squandered. The joining of Drogolia Frey, Bella Hildegard, Lady Deneith, Ivar Bolg, Eye-of-Moon, Master Raam, Damon Kilkreath, Brother Uvensten, and Aven Thuranni created a wave of resistance, inspiration, and unity that gave way to the largest warcry Vyscaria has seen since the War of Rebirth. The Warriors of the Phoenix Hearth had united as a guild of heroes, and with them, the people of Vyscaria mobilized to resist the Yuan-Ti's sinister plot.The Valkyrie Witch:
In the Wukan War, Bella specialized in the arts of Abjuration and Necromancy, preserving the life of her companions, defending them from harm, and blistering the souls of her adversaries. Her prowess was described by Eye-of-Moon in his book, Heads of Doom: A Phoenix Hearth Hero's Account of the Wukan War: "Never have I seen someone fight with such stamina, fury, or determination. She never slept, never needed to. The Moon had blessed her with lying under her silver light every night. With the help of Flokki, her familiar, they were able to come up with a new approach to every obstacle we encountered by the time we awoke. And when we engaged with the Yuan-Ti sorcerers, she nullified their spells, absorbed their magic, struck every assailant the moment they struck her, sending entire ambush parties fleeing in a storm of Hexes and blood. She punished any who got close to her, pulled those who fled from her, and materialized in front to those who attempted to keep their distance from her. No spell could touch her, no mage stood a chance. All fell to her hammer, and none could outplay the brilliance of her Witchcraft. Armed with nothing but a hammer and shield, she single-handedly instilled fear into the fearless. None have given me more reason to respect and fear them than the Valkyrie Witch."But A Legend:
She now resides in Gleanhold with her own shop set up, but has insisted we do not give the name of it. She has been engaged with many support groups for veterans since the end of the war, and even is said to train new members of the Vyscarian Militia. But she herself is not ready to return to the life of a warrior. She claims she has reasons for needing stability and consistency in her life before she continues along the unpredictable fate of a warrior again. But once she feels she is ready to enter the fray again, she will engage in transnational travel between Valheim and Vyscaria to serve her King and our 132nd Queen Guenivere Crystalloche. That she promises.
Current Location
Ethnicity
Year of Birth
2010
Children
Gender
Female
Eyes
Crystal Blue
Hair
Valheiman Blonde
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Fair
Height
6'1"
Weight
197
Ruled Locations
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