First of all, I know, I know, NaNoWriMo is still a fair way off. But, as a student, now is a much more convenient time to be doing this than November, when I'll be up to my eyeballs in coursework. So, here we go.
The premise for my novel is a viking fantasy story set after the events of Ragnarok.
In my story, Thor helps a group of survivors escape Ragnarok before the end of the world by conjuring a portal.
They live in their new world for a time (they believe the world is on the very tip of one of Yggdrasil's roots) under the protection of Thor's sons Mothi and Magni, and Odin's brother Honir. That is until the brothers have a dispute and one of them, Mothi, dies in a battle with the 'natives' who the norse have displaced because Magni refused to help him. (The norse call these natives 'rootmen' because they live in the huge central mountain range that they call 'the root')
Honir is distraught that the son of Thor died while under his protection, and when he finds out that Mothi's lover is pregnant with Mothi's child, makes a vow that, as long as the norsemen remain united under the rule of this child's lineage, then they will be protected by Honir's power, and the rootmen will not be able to harm them.
Honir then creates five big green fires on the mountain near where the portal that brought the norse to this world appeared, and vanishes.
As long as the norse remain united under Mothi's descendants, the fires (that they call the Emerald Pyres) will remain lit and the norse will prosper. If they splinter, or Mothi's line dies out, the fires will go out and they will be left at the mercy of the rootmen.
(I hope you're still with me)
Okay, so, fast-forward 457 years (I've got a history of these years all written down, just ask me if you're curious) and a descendant of Mothi is still on the throne: Torrbrand VII.
However, the people of Torrhame (which is what they call their world) have not seen their kings for over a hundred years, because they remain inside their palace and rule the realm through their council, the Tynvoll. The reason they have not seen their kings for over a hundred years in that Torrbrand V was infertile and unable to continue the family line.
However, rather than just giving up and dooming the norse to oblivion, he refused to die, and became a draugr (who are beings from norse legend that are super cool - way cooler than the Skyrim equivalent - and I suggest you look them up). He continued to change his title, first to Torrbrand VI and then to Torrbrand VII, so as not to arouse suspicion, and he always hides his face behind a silver mask to disguise his rotting flesh. But despite his efforts, tension in the realm is growing.
Some people believe the council has taken over control of the realm and simply pretends the kings are still alive, while others believe the kings have become weak and mad and the council hide them from the public view to retain their authority. But then, one of the sub-kings of Torrhame, Earlking Dagmir, whose line is descended from the royal line from a few generations ago, claims that the realm needs a strong king and that he should be the one to lead them. Disgruntled by the current king, many hurry to join his cause.
That's the overarcing plot. But the novel itself focuses on one character in particular, who lives in the very north of the realm, right on the border with the rootmen: Hemming.
A fourteen year old boy and the son of a dying earl, he is due to inherit his father's land, and all of the problems and disputes that come with it. He will be dragged into this huge war over the fate of the kingdom.
But to learn exactly how that happens, you'll just have to read my story ;)
This is a simplified idea of my plot. If you have any questions, or suggestions, either positive or negative, don't hesitate to leave a comment!
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