The Icelandic sagas are full of heroes and larger-than-life characters, and any Age of Vikings campaign can be enriched by the introduction of one or more of these famous Icelanders. Here we present famous real-world Icelandic figures from the sagas and from history, with game statistics representing them in Iceland at the time Age of Vikings is set, with suggestions on how to use them inplay.
For this first installment, we’ll focus on one of the most famous Icelanders from history, a man with many talents and a distinguished—and infamous—career lasting many decades and who conveniently was alive during the period.
Without further ado, we present Egill Skallagrímsson.
Egill Skallagrímsson (Icelandic male, 67 years old)
Born in 910 CE, Skallagrímsson is perhaps the most famous Icelander to have lived in the 10th century. He was many things—warrior, berserker, skald, rune master, viking, and farmer—and is the primary figure in one of the best-known Icelandic sagas, Egill’s Saga. His personal history is extensive, and the following biography only covers his background lightly.
Egill’s father Skalla-Grímr Kveldúlfsson was a Norwegian chieftain of some renown who emigrated to Iceland when he became sworn enemies with the Norwegian king, Harald Fairhair. Settling along the shore where his father’s coffin landed when set adrift. Skalla-Grímr and his wife, Bera Yngvarsdóttir, had four children: daughters Sæunn and Þórunn, and sons Þorolfr and Egill.
Born with an unnaturally large head, heavy features, and a thick frame, Egill was nonetheless gifted as a child, said to have composed his first poem when he was three years old. However, he simmered with the inner rage of a berserker, and slew his first enemy at seven years old, another farm child. Throughout his life, he grew to fame as a famous berserker, even killing a man with his teeth in a holmgangr duel. Even as a child, he was a powerful figure, larger and stronger than most men in their fullness of age. Unfortunately, Egill’s rage was so intense that on several occasions he recklessly slew allies or family retainers with his immense strength.
Egill earned the enmity of King Eirikr Bloodaxe and Queen Gunnhildr of Norway and spent many years with them as mortal enemies, sending assassins to dispatch Egill and his brother Þorolfr. Egill slew all his assailants and soon after embarked on a Viking raid eastward, settling in Norway for a time.
When Harald Fairhair became the sole king of Norway, he declared Egill an outlaw and attempted to have him killed, to no success. In response, Erill slew the son of King Eirikr and Queen Gunnhildr and erected a scorn pole directed at them, laying a curse upon them. When Eirikr and Gunnhildr fled Norway and became the rulers of Northumbria, in England, Egill went there to settle their grudge, reciting a poem declaring his legitimate grievances, apparently seeking forgiveness. This was not enough for Gunnhildr, who asked for Egill to be put to death. Sparing him, Eirikr allowed Egill another attempt at the poetic apology, and the next night Egill delivered such a moving poem that he was spared.
Egill married his brother’s widow, Ásgerðr Björnsdóttir, and with her fathered several children, but went to war with Ásgerðr’s family when they denied he and his wife her portion of her inheritance.
For several years Egill fought several other battles in England as a mercenary, particularly at the behest of King Athelstan. Despite an offer from Athelstan to command his armies in England, Egill returned to Iceland, laden with treasure. He settled for a time, then returned to Norway to claim land won in a duel, and spent several more years raiding there.
Having outlived most of his lifelong enemies, in 977 CE, Egill is famous throughout Iceland, still hearty at 67years of age. Hedwellsin the very area where his father Skalla-Grímr first settled, a place called Borgarfjörður, also known as Children’s Falls (Age of Vikings, page 219). There, he exerts powerful influence on local farmers and is sometimes sought for counsel by the local goði.
Using Egill Skallagrímsson in Your Campaign
In 977, Egill Skallagrímsson is 67 and largely retired. His best days behind him, he’s still a powerful figure and not to be taken lightly. Though he often acts rashly and with unprovoked violence, Egill can be cunning and careful, strategic and patient when he needs to be.
- Heroes or berserks might seek Egill out for guidance, or heroes may seek to confront him for the many, many misdeeds he has done over his storied career.
- Despite Egill’s retirement, his name carries considerable weight, and there are many who would seek his allegiance or favor, though it comes with risk.
- Egill is a wealthy man, having returned to Iceland laden with treasure collected in Norway and England.
- He and his wife Ásgerðr have several children and are likely grandparents. One of the heroes might be from his tempestuous line, perhaps one of his grandchildren. Is his fame a boon, or a hindrance?
Having amassed many enemies over the years, the heroes might be neighbors, caught up in a reckoning as some of Egill’s old foes return to strike at him in his twilight years. What side would the heroes take?
