Steigr Thenn

Steigr is the vitriolic Magnar of Thenn. Young heated ambition has long since given out, replaced by a cold and calculating obstinance. Born in 360AC, Steigr often led raids both north and south, though has developed into a stolid leader of the Thenn people.

Appearance and Character
Steigr no longer has the intimidating figure of his youth, but is still wiry and fast. His white-blonde beard is unkempt, and his hair runs wild around his face, kept only in check by a swift knife-cut. The rigours of life beyond the wall have taken their toll, and Steigr's age shows clearly on his face through wrinkles, accompanied on the rest of his body by old wounds. Like his warriors, Steigr wears bronze armor, but he and his best raiders wield steel weapons.

History
Steigr, like all wildling children, had no name until he could speak. Born to the previous Magnar and his wife, Steigr did not seem to excel in his youth, or at least not in what his father desired. His most outstanding attribute was diligence, or stubbornness, and this led to his skills as a warrior and a leader developing over years. Not from talent or inherent ability, but hard work. He relied on his wits to win fights, not his strength, and has come closer than any Magnar before him to fulfilling the role of a Lord like those below the wall.

Steigr never asked any Thenn or other wildling to kneel to him. His clan did so willingly, for he was their Magnar. And his promises kept them sated in victory and supply through the darkest winter nights. Now, Steigr takes it upon himself to send forth from the fortified Valley of Thenn, a seed of old ambitions planted with word of other clans fighting between themselves.

Ten years on
Ekkill had taken Steigrs offer of alliance well at that fateful meeting ten years past. They would work together to better the free folk - forget petty squabbles that allowed the crows to grow fat and lazy. It took ten years to unute the clans under one banner, and though Steigr followed Ekkill, he would never call him King, even after all the tribes declared him such. They had agreed to work together as equals, and Steigr expected Ekkill to honour that.

Steigr had worked hard since meeting and coming to an agreement with Ekkill. The first few years had seen him consolidate the Thenns back within the Valley. There were hundreds of families and warriors that had left their ancestral home for a multitude of reasons, joining other tribes or taking to the far north alone. Steigr brought those that would heed him back into line, and those that did not, he crushed beneath his heel. Gone now would be the days of renegade Thenns, consuming the corpses of their foes.

After the consolidation of the Thenns, Steigr took off to the north, taking a handful of warriors with him. The best part of a year saw Steigr return, a cluster of giants in his tow. Tar Don Wun Dar Wun was their leader, come with the Magnar to meet with Ekkill, to see what the red haired chief would offer the giants in return for their cooperation.

Leaving the giants in the capable hands of three of his sons for translation and guidance after bringing them to Ekkill, Steigr took his warriors north once more in greater numbers, to seek out old enemies and resolve some differences. A hundred Thenn warriors marched to war against a dozen small tribes, the Magnar offering peace in return for submission, and many folded beneath the banner of the Free folk, sent south to Hardhome to join with the host. Those that would not submit were swiftly dealt with, the northern tribes being too small and too ill equipped to deal with the Thenns.

In all, Steigrs efforts brought a thousand clansfolk to hardhome, tough souls used to the blizzards that plague the lands of endless winter.

Since then, Steigr and his people have had the task of educating the Free Folk, preparing them for a civilised life below the wall.

Recent Events
360AC - Born in the Valley of Thenn

???

407AC - Steigr sends a ranging out to Hardhome, after hearing of a rising King beyond the wall.

Family
Many wives

Many children

About Steigr
"Some men are hot headed. Some are cool headed. The Magnar...he's something else. You can insult him and get smile, and the next time you attend his table, he'll feed you your own children from his pot. And when you leave after your hearty meal, he'll stab you in the back." - A Thenn Warrior