Baldur

Legend

“Forever will this inventor of Lighthouses own light shine at every shore in The Realm.”

Skjald Ulrich

 

History

Baldur saw the light of night, so to speak, in the lighthouse his father had created at the tip of Gundali Peninsula stretching the cliffs of Thayri far out into Dartboi Domain. He had two elder siblings, which he as child followed into the nearby fishing village to play with the few kids his age. As time grew and these retracted into their parental trades, he began to show interest in books and scrolls. As years passed he also became interested in Minerals and Herbs, which he thought could be used in various innovative ways. So when not studying every tome, scroll and parchment he could get his hands on, he roamed the shores and cliffs.

It was during these he began to notice the amount of wrecks at the shores of Thayri, Goldar and all the way to Spiy. Thinking about all the dead crew and passengers, he began to argument other seaside towns he visited. To build whatever lighthouses they could and in unity share the costs for lighthouse keepers and their family. Some towns immediately joined in, others thought it a good idea but scoffed the expenses. But, these declines didn’t stop him and he pursued his vision, wandering from town to town. Staying at the willing ones for short periods to help plan the lighthouses, the funding for a keeper and finding a person capable and willing.

Slowly lights began shining at the shores of Thayri, Goldar, Butan, and the up into Shoak, into the bays and fjords of Snaw and down into Spiy. And it was during this spread that he traveled alongside Gonk's Fjord and in 1180 entered Zapri. There he met Tuuna who lived in a small stronghold south of Grindaa and Black Oak their king, as the first two of Ye Olde Zaphirs.

Skjald Sigurd

 

It’s said that Tuuna and Black Oak was sitting at the sandbanks of Lake Egzar below Tuunas new stronghold Skramuls Tip south of Grindaa sharing ale and bread meanwhile discussing fortification of the sandbanks to protect the fishing boats and nets. When Baldur strolled up to them and gave his usual friendly “Greetings, so this where my light guided me. May I sit?”

To which Tuuna responded by jumping up and in a floating move placed the tip of his broadsword at Baldurs throat, meanwhile staring at the edge of Baldurs greataxe, gently resting at his nose. Baldur told me that Black Oak merely grinned a, “Now that’s an interesting outcome. Stalemate in first swing Jarl Tuuna, I think this lad has some skills but lets not test that today”.

Skjald Ulrich

 

It was during his stay at Ye Olde Zaphirs that Baldurs vision gained its major momentum as Black Oak agreed to sponsor it. Main reason was that many Hordes had begun to mention an improve in cargoes reaching their destinations  and sailors end envoys reporting of more secured travels. The only downside was rascals misusing these to lure ships to sail to their destruction, but for this Black Oak arranged with some other Hordes kings that a force was set up. It’s goal was to travel the lands and even though he was quite capable with the greataxe, Baldurs focus was on creating lighthouses and trying to find a way to make them beacon without burning wood. So, a Jarl named Dagthorr was given command on the force which based on Baldurs reports from his growing net of lighthouses would travel out and round up these shipwrecking vultures.

He is somewhat in the shadows, but its said that Jarl Parwi 'Skywatcher' Keri's ravens was used to communicate among the lighthouses in the beginning. I’m a bit uncertain when they stopped using the Ravens, but what is certain is that Baldurs Lighthouse Flames and Lighthouse Beacons grew with great speed. And in the spring of 1228 discussing ways of artificial flames and light-sources with Lord Nam he heard that F.F. Jaeger seemingly had found a solution to the wood issue. So, Baldur traveled to the Free City of Muldum and when he came back, it was with a new device based on special woven rope, oil and glass. Quickly Lord Nam began reproducing these and around 1236 every lighthouse had a Jaegers Eye.

Skjald El Mary

 

Baldur spent the next 11 years traveling Midgard and all the lesser isles. Even Darin felt his boots, smile, and in some cases his greataxe. So, in 1248 just 2 years prior the crowning of the 1st High King and forming The Realm lighthouses stood along every shore of all the 9 islands.

Mission accomplished Baldur resigned as Grandmaster of Beacons and left charge of Lighthouse Flames and Lighthouse Beacons to younger fresher men. Retiring to his grand spire at Grindaa to study alchemy and see if he somehow could make a better way to light the spires than using oil.

Some close to his work, like Dagthorr, claim he mentioned he was real close to finding a solution when The Great Invasion smashed onto Grindaa with a force previously unseen.

Skjald Yell'a'Beard

 

As they flooded his spire, his eyes came afire….

Light at house and foot he ploughed their ranks…

And delivered them death, their own cargo…

But alas, to big a sea, to many a wave, to hard a gush…

Into a lake utterly red, he joined the dead…

Forever to stroke, his shores like a gentle bloke…

Forever to smile, as waves they break…

Skjald Kazumix