History of the family

by **Brianna Silverweb** Wed Jun 24, 2015 10:04 pm

History of the Ulfrnson family and their tribe the Rannulfr

The Ulfrnson family dates back to ancient Scandinavia. Members of their tribe, the Rannulfr, come from all walks of the old Swedish cultures, some of which were the Fosna-Hensbacka, Bromme, and Ahrensburg cultures. More often than not their origins were in fishing and other maritime resources, though some did have skirmishes with creatures like mammoths before they eventually went extinct. Some were also considered hunter/gatherers though, following the herds and the salmon runs, moving south during the winters, moving north again during the summers. By 10,000 BC the Rannulfr tribe had become it's own entity, the first leader and king of the group chosen by Odin himself. His twin brother was then made a wolf, sitting loyally at his brothers side as protection to the tribe.

The group thrived and grew over the centuries, but it wasn't until 3000 BC that they really boomed. With the addition of some major trading they were able to get some things that weren't normally available to them. This trading also allowed the various tribes, including the Rannulfr tribe to settle down and stay in one place. The winters became survivable, though no less perilous. in 2800 BC, the region saw a revolutionary cultural shift. The tribe was swept up into the aptly named Boat Axe culture. Still though, they remained a largely secluded group, aside from their trades. Unlike most of the families and neighboring tribes swept up in this new culture, the Rannulfr were not invaded by it. They mainly observed it and picked up cultural traits and nuances that way.

Just before 1700 BC the tribe joined into the flourishing trade network brought on by the Bronze age. They started trading pretty regularly with those across the Baltic Sea. At times this trading, turned more into raiding though. One of the main items of trade at the time was amber, though various other things were also plundered or bought. By this time in history the art of shipbuilding and ships themselves became not only a necessity but something of importance.

The bronze age was accompanied all the way through with warmer climates. So when the climate took a turn for the worse around 500 BC, the growing population faltered. With the blessing still strong in their veins much of the Rannulfr tribe was able to survive this downturn, but some did fall. This downturn in weather stalled trade, but it did not have any affect on raiding. The Rannulfr and many surrounding tribes continued to sail across the icy Baltic Sea to gain things necessary to their survival.

Around 100 BC, more people moved through Sweden, most notable being the Romans. These newcomers spread all across Scandinavia, but a small group took interest in the illusive Rannulfr tribe. Of course they didn't call them that, they called them the Ylfings. They had heard tales of men shifting into wolves during raids and of a king in Sweden that most did not know existed. Come 700 AD the stories of the Ylfings would make their way into pieces like the Prose Edda and Beowulf. By this time though, the Rannulfr were beginning to prep a new breed of ship for a long and faith driven sail close in their future.

When more people came to investigate the Ylfings in 774 AD, they had vanished leaving little trace they had been there. Called by not only Odin, but by Freyja they set sail west, not stopping until they hit the shores of the islands now called Bohemia. With their new long ship designs, the boats had no trouble traveling up the channel between modern day Canada and Maine. Already five years into the Magiska war, they came in battle hungry and ready.

Taking over a small portion of the island gave them a much needed connection to the power flowing through the land. The magic they had come to depend on and learn from had been so fickle for the last few years, finally there was a small break. Their magic largely remained unpredictable, but it was much easier for them to tap into it in their new home. It only became easier, though no less dangerous, as they were joined by more tribes called to the war efforts.

They knew what the gods had wished of them and why they were in Bohemia, however getting the other tribes to see this proved difficult until 835 AD. After bumping elbows and fighting more with each other than with the enemies, the first of the tribes pledge fealty to the Ulfrnson family and consequently to the Rannulfr tribe. They were closely followed by the other tribes and soon enough they all stood as a united front.

As the 135 reign of the Ulfrson king ended in 852 AD. Some of the leaders in the other tribes made power grabs, with little regard to any sort of succession of the prior kings sons. This cause the Ulfrson's and their lieges to lash out at the other tribes. The push for power did little to quell the infighting that had started because of it. The rightful heir did not take the jab at usurping lightly and he fell into the infighting as well.

The fighting continued until a shocking event caught them all off guard. Over the course of four days, 2/3 of the total population was disseminated. Leaving many paralyzed in any sort of planning or strategy. Many of the leaders were executed in these killings, crippling the tribes. One of those killed was the heir to the throne along with those that challenged him. At the age of 10, his kid brother stepped up and rallied what was left of the tribes, officially taking the title of youngest king. Very few put up a fight towards his claim at the throne and even in his youth he had a wit and charm many older than him could not master.

With a renewed oath given to the Ulfrnson family and the Rannulfr tribe, the tribes got together and completed several unifying rituals, springing the magic in the islands to life and unlocking its fullest potential. The rituals not only connected them back to their magic but it connected them wholly to the islands. Their heritage, lineage, and culture sunk into the land and still today lives on in spirit.

When the war finally came to an end Freyja added her own gift into the Ulfrnson's blessing. Giving them the ability to absorb and hold, or amplify and focus magical energy. Another ability she gifted them was a ward against being manipulated by magic without their consent. These gifts paired with a legacy of Seers and Berserkers and warrior shamans since the beginning of their tribe, made them more than worthy of the title of king and the head seat in The Tribunal which would rise out of the ash of the war.

The Ulfrnson's and their tribe after the Magiska War decided to hunker down and call the place they fought for home. The land was ripe for farming and rich with energy that needed protected. Come 1255, they had created a pretty substantial little starter town. The tribes had also taken time to place defenses from the outside mortal world around the islands help make sure the problems foreseen did not plague the thriving community. When the Ulfrnson's fully set these roots down, they also made a more personal switch and changed their surname to something that would blend into normal life better, thus the Silverweb name was born. Another shift that this change saw was the Norse warriors of the Rannulfr tribe began learning to redirect their prowess for battle to focus on the protection of the magic and the veil.

Much of the conflict, like the revolutionary war and the Civil war, were kept at bay by the Silverwebs with help from the defenses the six families had set up. The Tribunal had woven a cloaking spell for the islands as the tensions broke into war each time. Many could not see the thriving islands. There were a select few generals though that had a curious eye and saw past the spell. Figuring the islands a good place to set up a defensive camp, they would try and commandeer the town. The Silverwebs would have known of that though and each time it happened they very skillfully sent them back on their merry way with no memory of the islands, thanks to the help from the Tormey clan. These defenses were removed after the wars were finished.

[More to come]