The Volsong

From the beginning the Volsong struggled to find a place in the world. Caught between a desire to lead a life like the old ways, and a strong need to be independent of a larger clan such as the Kael-Higor, the Volsong had few options open to them. Under the leadership of the famed warrior Bastian Ljungberg, the Volsong, like the Kael-Higor, traveled north. But most of the Valkshir that followed the strong warrior were city Valkshir, long unpracticed in the simple necessities that life in the mountains demanded. The Kael-Higor lent some aid, but were often turned away; the Volsong too proud to admit that they needed help. The Volsong eked out a life in the lower mountain ranges, unable to go further in from fear of Titans, and the Blackspear.

When the Blackspear marched south, the Volsong found a new purpose, and Bastian found a battle that he could fight. A veteran of the first Horde War, Bastian led his small clan in skirmishes against Blackspear convoys, and supply trains. They joined with the Kael-Higor in some of these raids, war forging a bond between the two clans that peace could not. As the campaign leaned toward the end, and the Blackspear began to return to the mountains in droves, and the Kael-Higor and the Volsong found themselves in dire straits.

Knowing that they could not survive without an organized retreat, the Blackspear began a consorted effort to root out the Valkshir that had been such a painful thorn in their sides. At the battle of what is now known as Bastian's Ridge, a large contingent of Blackspear, Karr, and Taurocs caught up to the joint Volsong and Kael-Higor force camped nearby. Knowing that they had no real chance for victory, Bastian made a decision. Those of his clan that wanted to stay, could, and would fight along side him, giving the Kael-Higor time to escape up into the northern paths that they knew better than anyone.

Not a single one of Bastian's warriors left him to his fate, including the enigmatic Olaf, who was always by Bastian's side. All of them fought ferociously, and bought the Kael-Higor a full day before they were killed. None of them were captured, and it was said that Bastian chained himself to a stone in the center of the pass, bringing down any that came near, fighting until his head was finally removed by a Karr's blade.