Preface
Preface: Lost Seasons of the Danes
Warning to Readers: This is the author’s first attempt at an AAR and it is not what it may seem at the start. It began as a game-play AAR with a narrative approach focused on the Vendel Era Norse Petty Kingdom of Sjælland. This was a rather typical AAR until… then it wasn’t. Now, it takes a rather unconventional approach that incorporates elements of graphic novels. This experimentation is not for everyone. Be forewarned. Congratulations, if you can cope with the narrative shifts and evolution. But for those who stick with it through the transitions, you will be rewarded as evidenced by the recommendations you can read later on this contents page. Please, also see the Author's Note below for more reading advice. Thanks for reading.
Here is an edited version of the original preface posted in May of 2023:
Although your humble author has thousands of hours playing Crusader Kings II, this is the first venture into the Forums and an attempt at an AAR. So please have some kindness and understanding. This is also a first attempt at playing a Viking campaign, which it seems the whole world was playing six years ago. Also, another first: a first attempt at playing the 3.3.5.1 version, as older campaigns needed to be concluded first.
This AAR will be a mix of narrative with some game elements mentioned. The narrative will follow House Skjöldung, which traces its royal lineage back through the Sagas. The now lost Skjöldunga Saga supposedly tells the story of how the Norse gods deemed House Skjöldung worthy and appointed them the royal stewards of Sjælland. The narrative will follow from the 769 C.E. start date with the legendary King Harald "Wartooth" Skjöldung, now in his late 70's, ruling the Petty Kingdom of Sjælland. (Game play began in real time on May 1, 2023.)
Although this is not a truly interactive AAR, the author is open to suggestions and thoughts from the community. Our moderator Qorten has given permission of a mention that you can read more details about this AAR on an outside blog called The Tårn. (Thank you, Qorten!) This story will give a new version of how the Skjöldunga Saga might have unfolded from a modern perspective. (The longer and more detailed version will be posted externally.) There is hope you will find this shorter version entertaining, nonetheless.
Lost Seasons of the Danes Commencing Soon!
Contents
Author's Note: To those looking for a quick start to the action, you might try jumping to Chapter III and then working back to the earlier chapters for reference, if necessary. Or you might try reading just Appendix A, the 12-part story of the Great Blót of 790 C.E.
Contents
Chapter I: The Legendary and Mythical
Chapter II: Fulfilling the Dreams of the Father
Chapter III: Intrigues at the Birth of a Nation
Preface Chapter IV: Who Killed King Hrœrekr II?
Chapter IV: Conquest and Treachery
Chapter V: Plots and Vengeance
Preface Chapter VI: Suspects in the Murder
Chapter VI: Learning the Art of Politics
Chapter VII: Rumors and Mischief
Chapter VIII: A Royal Wedding
Chapter IX: New Plotters and Old
Epilogue Chapter IX: The Suspect Board
Chapter X: The Holmgang of 789
Chapter XI: Stumbling Forward
Appendix A1: The Great Blót of 790 (Ritual)
Appendix A2: The Great Blót of 790 (Listening in the Dark)
Appendix A3: The Great Blót of 790 (Hidden Alliances)
Appendix A4: The Great Blót of 790 (Surprises and Confusion)
Appendix A5: The Great Blót of 790 (Spies with a Corpse)
Appendix A6: The Great Blót of 790 (Plots and Suspects)
Appendix A7: The Great Blót of 790 (Of Bonds and Loyalties)
Appendix A8: The Great Blót of 790 (Spy Hunt) (Parts may be NSFW)
Appendix A9: The Great Blót of 790 (Revelations) (Parts contain graphic violence)
Interlude: The Missing Jul Chapter
Appendix A10: The Great Blót of 790 (Alfr’s Dream) (One brief part NSFW)
Appendix A11: The Great Blót of 790 (Of Flowers and Conspiracies)
Appendix A12: The Great Blót of 790 (A Religious Turn) (Contains coarse adult language)
Chapter XII: Kraka the Concubine (Parts are NSFW + discussions of violence & self-harm)
Chapter XIII: The High Council Meeting (Contains coarse adult language & discussions of sexual practices)
Chapter XIV: The Mid-day Gathering (Contains coarse adult language)
Chapter XV: Irmgard's Plot (Contains coarse adult language)
Chapter XVI: Searching for Answers in Alcolea (Contains coarse adult language)
Soundtrack
"Laukr" by Wardruna
"Heimdallr" by Munknörr
"Ragnakamp" by Danheim
"Traust" by Heilung
"Thurisaz" by Munknörr
"Skoldborg" by Danheim
"Heljarför" by Danheim
"Eikthyrnir" by Munknörr
"Anoana" by Heilung
"Vindöld" by Danheim
"Bóndi" by Eolya
"Asablót" by Danheim
"Blotjarl" by Danheim
"Skovblót" by Danheim
"Blodfest" by Danheim and Heldom
"Vetrnátta Blot" by Danheim
"Hefja Blót" by Danheim
"Trøllabundin" by Eivor Palsdottir
"Hoar Frost" by A Tergo Lupi
"Kvervandi" by Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik
"Deyja" by Munknörr
"Fimbulvetr" by SKÁLD
"Heal the Tree" by A Tergo Lupi
"Nikkal" by Heilung
"Rún" by SKÁLD
“Myrkviðr” by Danheim
"Flúga" by SKÁLD
"Myrkviðr" by Gealdýr
“Lamma Bada (Arab-Andalusian Traditional)” by Ensemble Constantinopla
Full Soundtrack Now Available as a Playlist.
"Heimdallr" by Munknörr
"Ragnakamp" by Danheim
"Traust" by Heilung
"Thurisaz" by Munknörr
"Skoldborg" by Danheim
"Heljarför" by Danheim
"Eikthyrnir" by Munknörr
"Anoana" by Heilung
"Vindöld" by Danheim
"Bóndi" by Eolya
"Asablót" by Danheim
"Blotjarl" by Danheim
"Skovblót" by Danheim
"Blodfest" by Danheim and Heldom
"Vetrnátta Blot" by Danheim
"Hefja Blót" by Danheim
"Trøllabundin" by Eivor Palsdottir
"Hoar Frost" by A Tergo Lupi
"Kvervandi" by Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik
"Deyja" by Munknörr
"Fimbulvetr" by SKÁLD
"Heal the Tree" by A Tergo Lupi
"Nikkal" by Heilung
"Rún" by SKÁLD
“Myrkviðr” by Danheim
"Flúga" by SKÁLD
"Myrkviðr" by Gealdýr
“Lamma Bada (Arab-Andalusian Traditional)” by Ensemble Constantinopla
Full Soundtrack Now Available as a Playlist.
Recommendations
@The Kingmaker: “Well done so far…. a stirring yarn…. What has really made it compelling… is the transition from courtly intrigue and territorial squabbles to a proper Viking Age murder mystery.”
@Midnite Duke : “The wonderful illustrations give the AAR a graphic novel vibe.”
@Bullfilter : “...enjoy the graphic novel-like presentation, illustration and characterisation of this excellent story! You’ve really done something different with this tale, in terms of both subject and presentation. The dialogue is always really well handled.”
Read the full review of this AAR from @HistoryDude in HistoryDude's Review Corner.
Writer of the Week - Dec. 4, 2023 for the Lost Seasons of the Danes AAR
Best Character Writer of the Week - Feb. 5, 2024 for the portrayal of King Þorolfr of Denmark
ᛚᛟᛋᛏ ᛋᛖᚨᛋᛟᚾᛋ ᛟᚠ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛞᚨᚾᛖᛋ
Lost Seasons of the Danes
ᛚᛟᛋᛏ ᛋᛖᚨᛋᛟᚾᛋ ᛟᚠ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛞᚨᚾᛖᛋ
Lost Seasons of the Danes
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