Ashvar

Story so far

Darrow marks his forehead with coal in Tyr's sign and invokes ashvar before Volsung Fá's feast: a wanderer's vendetta that suspends all other worldly claims until an honor grievance is settled in single combat. Fá calls him a false prophet, but Darrow's old status as a brother of the Volk makes the challenge legally dangerous.

Skarde rises after seeing his son murdered and argues that Fá may name a champion but cannot refuse the contest without forfeiting the throne. The conservative jarls and ecstatic Ascomanni turn the warlord's invented religious authority against him, leaving Fá no choice but to accept. He chooses a full-metal duel in a dome, terms suited to the enormous warrior's armor and strength.

Appearance

The ritual begins with a challenger wiping coal across the brow in Tyr's mark before a torchlit war feast of armed jarls, Ascomanni guards, and frightened captives.

Role

Ashvar turns Darrow's rescue assault into a legally and spiritually binding challenge that forces Fá to wager his throne on combat.

Relationships