Bolton, Formerly Barden Bloodsword

Early Life

Born into the Harvfost Northern Clan, Barden Bloodsword grew up amidst conquests, raids, and plunder. His life as a warrior began early, and by the age of 20, during the infamous Dreadfleet Raids of A378, Barden earned command of his first longship. Ambitious and eager to forge his legend, he led his ship eastward, splitting from the main fleet to seek untapped riches and glory. Barden’s first independent raid targeted a small, defenseless village. The villagers, unwilling to resist, surrendered their valuables without a fight. However, Barden’s lack of authority over his men turned the situation into chaos. Driven by bloodlust, his crew violated one of the Northern Clans' most sacred laws: never harm those too weak to defend themselves. Women and children were slaughtered, leaving Barden with a deep sense of shame and the certainty that his actions would bring dire retribution when his tribe discovered them.

The Valiant Vagrants

Desperate and dishonored, Barden and his childhood friend, Frode, abandoned the crew and fled inland. Exiled from his clan, Barden turned to mercenary work, using the chaos of ongoing wars to survive. The pair soon found employment defending Uisprix supply lines against goblin raiders. By A379, their skill and determination earned them places in the Valiant Vagrants, a renowned band of mercenaries. During his time with the Valiant Vagrants, Barden forged a bond with Bolton, an older warrior who became a mentor. Bolton’s teachings, rooted in the values of the Old World, clashed with the brutal ideals of the Northern Clans. Over time, these lessons reshaped Barden, steering him toward a path of redemption. The Valiant Vagrants disbanded in A386, and Barden parted ways with Frode, choosing instead to journey alongside his mentor.

Forging a Legend

In A389, Bolton retired and returned to his homeland across the sea. Before leaving, he gifted Barden his ancestral armor and legandary sword Emberfang. Deeply moved, Barden adopted his mentor’s name, vowing to honor Bolton’s legacy. From that day, Barden Bloodsword became known as Bolton. For the next 13 years, Bolton traveled across Alboric, taking up quests that championed the oppressed and aided those in need. Tales of his exploits—and of his fiery sword—spread far and wide, immortalized in tavern songs and heroic ballads.

The Guild of Heroes

In A402, Bolton reunited with former comrades from the Valiant Vagrants and became a founding member of the Guild of Heroes. As a senior figure in the Guild, Bolton now mentors young adventurers and leads expeditions on their behalf. Between quests, he can often be found at the Moldy Crow, a tavern and recruitment center for the Guild run by his old friend Frode.