A Family Tree

by Eeva
Here I record the names of my ancestors, those who have come before me and lived long and full lives in the land of Skarsind. Before I was with Sigehold, I lived as Eeva Hearthing, of Hearthland Hall near Crow Ridge.

My mother was Aina, her husband Edvin, and they bore three children: Petri, Helka and myself.

The oldest was Howling Petri – a name he earned aged seventeen. He was in the midst of a song (such a bold singing voice he had) when there came a Barbarian raid, and he was shot in the shoulder with an arrow. His singing turned to a howl, a battlecry that continued to resonate across the hall for the entirety of the fight. He slayed seven barbarians single-handedly, and from thence on was Howling. It was a battlecry he continued to use until the end of his days. He was slain when the Thule overran Skarsind and destroyed our Hall, fighting back to back with his wife, Essi.

Essi was a wise Kallavesi, married to my brother Petri, a mystic with a good heart and always a good word for anyone. She died alongside Petri, fighting back to back with him.

Helka was named Helka the Silent, for she was a formidable scout. She earned her name after she crept up to a great stag close enough to gut it with a hunting knife, feeding the Hall for several weeks on the fare. Unlike our brother, Helka survived the barbarian invasion, although we were both captured by the Thule and held for some months before Striking Ardith came to rescue us. In our captivity, I gave her the name Enduring Helka, for the times when she held so many of us together. She died in a Druj ambush, sacrificing herself so that others might live.

My mother Aina the Honest, a brave and warm Steinr died during a counter-charge against the Thule.

My father Edvin the Sharp, a kind and ambitious Steinr died shortly after beheading one of the Thule Captains.

My mother's brother was Hereward, who died while defending a retreat with the wounded.

My father's brother was Cyneric, and his sister Insightful Inkeri. They also fell in battle against the Thule.

Before them, and before these deaths during Skarsind's invasion:

My maternal grandparents are Wulfstan Watersword and Kielo. Kielo's sister is Marita the Wise. Wulfstan died fighting a great bear twice the size of any man. Kielo and Marita fought off an incursion, ensuring it was repelled.

My paternal grandparents are Joakim and Oona. Joakim caught a disease of the lungs, and chose to walk into the Heart of Ice, the Great Storm Sydanjaa. Oona died fighting a lost Vallorn, a most terrible battle that lasted for half a day.

Each of these people had long lives with many stories. Know their names, and remember them, for they are the bones of our land.