“Swafnir watches over the brave. Every child knows that, Tjalva! But you probably imbibed fear along with your mother’s milk. And your father was too cowardly to go out to sea himself, huh? Come on, show me how well you can brave the waves. Through the bay to Prem, by Swafnir — it is on!”
Arn, who hails from the Hammerfist Ottajasko in Olport, is the epitome of the quarrelsome Northman — he is a broadshouldered, muscular, hard-drinking braggart. Countless stories circulate about his real and alleged heroic deeds, and he boasts that he is the strongest man in the world, partly because he does possess considerable strength, but also due to his rather outspoken, competitive personality. His constant need to prove he is the greatest, strongest, and best — whether it be at swimming, tug of war, arm wrestling, or drinking — means he constantly challenges himself and others, as he believes true Thorwalers should. He is usually a good sport when defeated, but sometimes his ambition gets the better of him and he refuses to surrender until he has proven his superiority. He typically stays near the coast, but he has been known to venture inland to spread his own legend.
Voice of the People
+ “Arn the Strong survived alone for three weeks on Skerdu, and he pulled a rotten tooth from the mouth of the sea serpent of Hylailos. I’d like to drink with him, by Swafnir’s name! Maybe then I could become part of his legend.”
− “Nothing about him is as great as his reputation would have you believe! He’ll make fun of you and brag that he can beat you at anything, to make himself look better in comparison.”
