The Ageless Promise

After the fall of Mistreach the group repaired a drakkar and sailed to Birka to find passage to the continent, while the refugees followed overland with a cart. In a few days they met Thimble, Wilforth and Sedwyck Malbunta, saw Ivar become jarl, and left aboard Captain Willy’s Lady Jemmy.

A small trading city in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, where Ulfar traditions are giving way to commerce and gnomish technology. Birka was co-founded and is co-governed by gnomes: Malbunta Heavy Industries paid handsomely for the right to build a port and trading city here, as a base for its whale-oil industry.

It is an Ulfar city in every respect, with a jarl and all the rest, but the jarl sits on a council that includes representatives of the MHI, and many say it is the company that really runs things.

The harbour

Most of the traffic comes from trade: raw materials from sea creatures coming in, processed goods going out. Birka is also one of the few places in these lands with regular trade and passenger routes to the continent. The harbour master is Thimble Brackwater, a veteran gnome sailor whom everyone trusts.

Notable places

• MHI regional headquarters: the real centre of power in the city, fortified and guarded by private guards. It holds the whale-oil processing machinery, research and trading offices, and the residence of the regional director, Sedwyck Malbunta.
• Town hall: where the jarl lives and the council meets.
• The Salty Tankard: a general store for adventurers, run by Ella.
• Misty Steps: a classic Viking tavern.
• Oryn’s smithy: a dwarven smith, excellent quality.
• Wilforth’s tower: home of Wilforth Shorthalt, a reclusive gnome wizard.

People

Sedwyck Malbunta, Thimble Brackwater, Wilforth Shorthalt, Dahlia, Sigrun, Ella, Captain Willy