To Kill a Monster
Although growing rather tired of war, Ofeig knew that Thor approved, for with Norway's recent Christianization, Sweden was the only Germanic State left. So in order to survive Ofeig would need to continue to mend the realm. This belief eventually caused the De jure War over MedelPad, which unlike the previous war against the Sapmi, ended quite quickly for with most of the Northern Nobles dead there was no one prestigious enough to rally the Clansmen.
During the march home Ofeig caught pneumonia, however his will would be strong enough to survive through the disease but not the depression. While sitting his bedchamber Ofeig had a vision of Thor, Ukko and Dievs. They encouraged him to not give up his beliefs like the Slavs did, but to fight for all three pagan beliefs for they were much closer linked then any mortal could understand. When Ofeig woke up he turned his gaze to Saaremaa a Suomenusko holy site, that was in danger of falling into the growing Orthodox Kingdoms.
While preparing the Long Ships for an Invasion of the Island. Much news reaches Ofeig about the world such as a Turkish Khan conquering large parts of Persia, and the Discovery of Vinland by Leif Erickson. With this news Kolbjörn asked Ofeig for permission to join the Varangian Guard in hopes of making a name for himself. Being the second living son of Ofeig he was given permission to go.
Although Ofeig's forces made good progress at the start of the war, the local population eventually rallied to push the Swedish out. Feed up with the events of the war Ofeig called for a white peace which was accepted.
Having built up enough gold Ofeig ordered the construction of a city on Gotland. Perhaps it was simply the fault of the depression and stress resulting from many failures while hunting, or perhaps the lives Ofeig took from the North were starting to way on his soul. Those were the reasons given by the court to explain Ofeigs sudden madness, but in reality Ofeig knew that he was not insane. Just because no one else could hear the gods disappointment in Ofeigs failure to protect Saaremaa, didn't mean they weren't real.
Due to Ofeig's madness many of the Finnish Chieftains demanded independence, which was simply ignored. With anger the Finnish Chiefs declared war on Ofeig, who took the remaining loyal vassals, and his own troops to the coast of Uppland, were they would await the Finnish armies.
Finally they came 5466 Finns against the 4998 Swedes. Although being slightly outnumbered the Swedish had much better generals, and a great defensive position. By the end of the battle a few thousand laid dead there blood covering the coast and seeping into the Baltic. With there forces shattered the Finns retreated inland while the remaining Warriors were dealt with.
During the fight inland the Swedes managed to capture Otso the leader of the revolt, ending the war. With the enemy leaders rounded up Ofeig, began to investigate who had been most at fault and who was forced into the revolt. Eventually he decided and revoked Otso's, and Aatso titles, while he let the others free. With the revocation the ancient Finnish families held no more power in Ofeig's Finland.
Tired of war within the realm Ofeig passed a law that was considered mad by the court, and Jarls. This law made violence Illegal within Sweden.
The city built in Gotland was finally completed and granted to a distant member of Ofeig's Dynasty. Ofeig then declared the Jarldom of Gotland a Merchant Republic.
Finally Kolbjörn returned from the Varangian guard, although he had a rather different perspective on love, much like Ofeig's own.
Strange news arrived today as reports of a family known to be cruel to cats were reported dead, with nothing but there bones remaining. Worried that somehow the cats were behind it Ofeig passed a law banning any cat from being killed. Eventually Ofeig after feeling rather uneasy took a walk to were he knew Otso II was found dead. There he found a Village worshipping gods that Ofeig had no knowledge of. Wanting to learn more he approached and was persuaded to practice in there rituals.
A week later Ofeig meet up with the cult as they prepared to summon an old god, which the cultists said would bring salvation to the world. Ofeig feeling uneasy about the event braced for the worse. Ofeig suddenly realized what was about to happen, that his sole would be offered up to this god much like his predecessor. Determined to stop the monster from growing anymore powerful, Ofeig took over a long ship and rammed the great monster.
Eventually a search party arrived and found Ofeig alive on the beach. Realizing that the village was the same one Otso II was found at they burnt it down. When Ofeig woke up he could see that no one believed his story, much like how no one believed his visions. Detearmined not to let the world forget Ofeig wrote a book detailing the events.
Well Ofeig continued to rest in bed, being given rather bland food in place of bread, as well as having leaches suck his blood. Word arrived that a Jihad for Jerusalem was called. Finally after a few months Ofeig was able to leave his bedchamber only to hear that his son Kolbjörn died to pneumonia.
As even more news from the Muslim world arrived, about the successful Jihad of Jerusalem by the Ibadi Caliph. Ofeig prepared for another war against the Sapmi, although technically it was two wars, eventually the counties of Angermandland, and Lappland were brought back to Swedish rule. With the Ofeig's age finally starting to wear him down his body became rather infirm.
Determined to please the gods Ofeig declared one last war on Saaremaa. This time Ofeig had more Warriors and was able to easily capture the island. News arrived that the Sunni Caliph had now called a Jihad of his own for Syria, seeing that the Caliph was busy in a Jihad the Shi'a declared an uprising as well.
On August 13, 1021 Ofeig caught pneumonia, this proved to be too much for his body in it's infirm state for just a few months later he passed away. Leaving his son Olaf in charge of the kingdom.
