Hárlaug Fen-Ward
Founder of Skjoldgarðr, First Neutral Speaker, Hárlaug Hróðgarson, the Neutral (a.k.a. Reed-Breaker, Old Straight-Back, Fen-Ward)
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
The motivations of Hárlaug Fen-Ward are built on wanting to see his people thrive and grow, and not fall into endless war which would destroy them or leave them too weak to defend themselves from others.
Prevent Clan Self-Destruction: His greatest motivation was to prevent the self-destruction of the clans, they were forced from their home, splitting off from the wider Baltian group, he knew they would not last long if they kept feuding with each other, thus he took some men and renounced their oaths to any clans and began building Skjoldgarðr.
To Build a Lasting Framework for Peace: He would not just build a neutral Hallstead but he would found the very order which still guards Bryttanmárk, the Skjoldhirð, a band of brothers in arms who have given up their clans for the protection of all in Bryttanmárk. He would not bring total conflict to an end but control it tighter between the clans.
Duty to the Future Generations of Bryttanmárk: Hárlaug saw the migration from Hyperborea as a second chance. He knew this was a new era for his people, however he had work to do and would lay the foundations the Hæðstjórnar, Þingstafnar and the Herðingr. The early versions were trial and error of what worked best for all the clans.
Prevent Clan Self-Destruction: His greatest motivation was to prevent the self-destruction of the clans, they were forced from their home, splitting off from the wider Baltian group, he knew they would not last long if they kept feuding with each other, thus he took some men and renounced their oaths to any clans and began building Skjoldgarðr.
To Build a Lasting Framework for Peace: He would not just build a neutral Hallstead but he would found the very order which still guards Bryttanmárk, the Skjoldhirð, a band of brothers in arms who have given up their clans for the protection of all in Bryttanmárk. He would not bring total conflict to an end but control it tighter between the clans.
Duty to the Future Generations of Bryttanmárk: Hárlaug saw the migration from Hyperborea as a second chance. He knew this was a new era for his people, however he had work to do and would lay the foundations the Hæðstjórnar, Þingstafnar and the Herðingr. The early versions were trial and error of what worked best for all the clans.
Likes & Dislikes
His Likes
Clear, honest speech
Calm discussion
Warm halls in winter
Shared meals
Work done “properly and once”
Early mornings
The sound of water moving
Fresh oatcakes
Barley stew with root vegetables
Calm discussion
Warm halls in winter
Shared meals
Work done “properly and once”
Early mornings
The sound of water moving
Fresh oatcakes
Barley stew with root vegetables
Maps, paths, and known routes
Seeing clans shake hands after agreement
Skilled carpenters and builders
Quiet evenings in company he trusts
Clean halls before a Moot
Warm spiced drink in winter
Gentle rain
Seeing clans shake hands after agreement
Skilled carpenters and builders
Quiet evenings in company he trusts
Clean halls before a Moot
Warm spiced drink in winter
Gentle rain
Old stories about Hyperborea (the homeland)
Clear winter skies
Oath-stones kept clean and unmarked
Simplicity over showmanship
Long walks to think things through
Mild ale
Clear winter skies
Oath-stones kept clean and unmarked
Simplicity over showmanship
Long walks to think things through
Mild ale
His Dislikes
Raised voices without reason
Boasting in the hall
Empty threats
Men who change their story
Clan pride used as an excuse for bad behaviour
Overly salted food
Very strong alcohol
Boasting in the hall
Empty threats
Men who change their story
Clan pride used as an excuse for bad behaviour
Overly salted food
Very strong alcohol
Cutting corners on building work
Late arrivals to Moots
Men who interrupt constantly
People who refuse to apologise
Bad weather during travel diplomacy
Sour milk
Thick smoke from fires
Late arrivals to Moots
Men who interrupt constantly
People who refuse to apologise
Bad weather during travel diplomacy
Sour milk
Thick smoke from fires
Long-winded speeches with no point
Unreliable scouts or messengers
Speaking ill of the dead
People asking him to take sides
Drunkenness during negotiations
Meals drowned in fat
Excessive perfume or strong scents
Unreliable scouts or messengers
Speaking ill of the dead
People asking him to take sides
Drunkenness during negotiations
Meals drowned in fat
Excessive perfume or strong scents
Vices & Personality flaws
Too Stubborn Once Committed
When he decides on a course of action, he rarely shifts.
Struggles to Forgive Repeated Mistakes
He believes people should learn the first time.
Harsh Self-Judgement
When something goes wrong, he often blames himself first.
When he decides on a course of action, he rarely shifts.
He believes people should learn the first time.
Harsh Self-Judgement
When something goes wrong, he often blames himself first.
Can Be Abrupt or Blunt
He speaks plainly, sometimes too plainly.
Distrusts Charm or Flattery
If someone is too smooth or smiling, he assumes they want something.
Keeps His Own Sorrows Hidden
He refuses to burden others with his feelings, which leads to emotional isolation.
He speaks plainly, sometimes too plainly.
Distrusts Charm or Flattery
If someone is too smooth or smiling, he assumes they want something.
Keeps His Own Sorrows Hidden
He refuses to burden others with his feelings, which leads to emotional isolation.
Representation & Legacy
Hárlaug is remembered as the neutral founder of Skjoldgarðr, a tall, steady, plain-spoken man whose legacy shaped Bryttan law, the Shield-Hird, and the belief that some ground must stand above clan rivalry. He is depicted not as a hero of battle but as a symbol of order, restraint, and integrity.
The Neutral Founder
He is remembered first as the man who stood outside clan loyalty to create a place where feuds could be set aside.
A Symbol of Order Without Rule
He represents leadership without ruling, authority that comes from respect, not power. He is never viewed as a king, only as a man trusted by many.
Patron Figure of the Skjoldhirð
The Shield-Hird regard him as “the first who stood between blades,” the example of proper neutrality, proof that someone can step outside clan lines for the greater good.
Influence on Early Law
Restrictions on weapons in halls, conduct during gatherings, and expectations for envoys can all be traced back to his guidance.
Carvings and Stones
He is usually shown as a tall man with an upright posture, holding a walking-staff rather than a weapon, standing between two opposing figures.
Invoked by Mediators
Those settling disputes may begin with “Let us stand as Hárlaug stood.”
The Neutral Founder
He is remembered first as the man who stood outside clan loyalty to create a place where feuds could be set aside.
A Symbol of Order Without Rule
He represents leadership without ruling, authority that comes from respect, not power. He is never viewed as a king, only as a man trusted by many.
Patron Figure of the Skjoldhirð
The Shield-Hird regard him as “the first who stood between blades,” the example of proper neutrality, proof that someone can step outside clan lines for the greater good.
Influence on Early Law
Restrictions on weapons in halls, conduct during gatherings, and expectations for envoys can all be traced back to his guidance.
Carvings and Stones
He is usually shown as a tall man with an upright posture, holding a walking-staff rather than a weapon, standing between two opposing figures.
Invoked by Mediators
Those settling disputes may begin with “Let us stand as Hárlaug stood.”
Social
Family Ties
Birth Family
Father: Hróðgar
A quiet, practical man known for carpentry and boundary-work.
A quiet, practical man known for carpentry and boundary-work.
Mother: Brynhild
Worked in drying, storing, and preparing food for winter. He would inherit her clear, direct speech.
Worked in drying, storing, and preparing food for winter. He would inherit her clear, direct speech.
Siblings
Older Brother: Æscwine
Died in a brief clan skirmish in Hárlaug’s early adulthood.
Younger Sister: Eldrun
Lived a quiet life in a small ridge-settlement. Hárlaug visited her when passing near, though he kept his family life private.
Died in a brief clan skirmish in Hárlaug’s early adulthood.
Younger Sister: Eldrun
Lived a quiet life in a small ridge-settlement. Hárlaug visited her when passing near, though he kept his family life private.
Marriage and Children
Wife: Sygna
From a neighbouring clan, she died young from illness which deeply saddened Hárlaug, people could tell there was a loneliness in his eyes. After Sygna’s death, Hárlaug never remarried, and he had no surviving children. The death of his wife and with no surviving children, this would make it easier for him to his renounce clan ties, he had nothing left in his clan and focused on founding Skjoldgarðr.
From a neighbouring clan, she died young from illness which deeply saddened Hárlaug, people could tell there was a loneliness in his eyes. After Sygna’s death, Hárlaug never remarried, and he had no surviving children. The death of his wife and with no surviving children, this would make it easier for him to his renounce clan ties, he had nothing left in his clan and focused on founding Skjoldgarðr.
Religious Views
Hárlaug held strongest to the old Hyperborean god Balthegn, keeping faith with the hearth and the binding force of oaths. He showed due respect to Haugkuna, seeing her as the rightful keeper of the dead, and he acknowledged Sæmodr’s power over travel and the risks of open water. Hrædfaðr, with his sudden turns of fate, was a god Hárlaug accepted rather than trusted. These beliefs shaped the founding of Skjoldgarðr, where the value of an oath, the order of the hall, and control over anger became lasting customs.
Species
Ethnicity
Age
62
Date of Birth
16th Day of Early-Winter, 165 BA-1
Date of Death
4th Day of Late-Autumn, 228 BA-1
Circumstances of Death
Hárlaug died from age-related illness after years of physical strain and long travel between clans. He collapsed during a routine walk through Skjoldgarðr and passed away peacefully three days later. He was buried beside the Oath-Stone, as requested.
Birthplace
Hólford
Place of Death
Skjoldgarðr
Children
Pronouns
He/Him
Sex
Male
Gender
Male
Presentation
Masculine
Eyes
Dark brown. Medium . Narrow, slightly hooded.
Hair
Brown, greying at the ends by later life. Upper back. Kept braided. Thick, straight, slightly coarse.
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Light, with a natural ruddy tone from weather exposure. Faint scarring from travel and small injuries.
Height
188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight
88 kg (194 lbs)
Quotes & Catchphrases
“Oaths mean nothing if no one stands to hear them.”
"The Shield-Hird serve no blood but the blood of oath.”
“If the clans fall, we all fall. If the clans stand, we all live.”
“A man who breaks his word breaks himself.”
“Clans live or die by how they end their quarrels.”
"The Shield-Hird serve no blood but the blood of oath.”
“If the clans fall, we all fall. If the clans stand, we all live.”
“A man who breaks his word breaks himself.”
“Clans live or die by how they end their quarrels.”
Founded Settlements
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