Headstrong Hjalmar: Brimming with Bestiality and Barbarism

Hjalmar knew you wouldn’t turn down an adventure! He rides to Fornhala at a gallop. This is the village of the Vildkaarls. You arrive there automatically (the village is in southwest Ard Skellig). Question Hjalmar about this tribe, and he tells you he suspects they are warriors that transform into bears.

He seeks vengeance. You can point out that taking one alive would be beneficial, but Hjalmar insists witnesses and trials aren’t needed for justice in the isles. Uncover the following:

• Head up the hill and Hjalmar points out a corpse near some kind of candle-lit shrine. Along the way, discover dead bodies, blood stains, massacred corpses, but no women or children in the village.
• At the shrine, you discover clothing from six men. There’s a corpse from a man not part of the Vildkaarls. A bowl with an odd smelling substance inside, like incense or bear bait.
• The shrine has carved runes in the language of Hjalmar’s forefathers. It is a dedication to Svalblod. A deity who demanded human sacrifices.
• A wafting scent from above. Follow it up more steps; there’s evidence of blood and bile, a slumped body with a broken neck, and a body still warm.

The trail ends at a longhouse atop the hill. Head inside, and discover dried mushrooms; a variety called psilocybe. There’s also trapdoor under a bearskin rug. Classic.

Descend the ladder, and explore an entrance cave leading into a larger cavern, where you are met by a hulking great Skelliger named Halgrim. He scoffs at the “weak bloods,” and although they didn’t set out to start a massacre at Kaer Trolde, they bear no guilt. Hjalmar quickly grows weary of the conversation, and charges in to attack. Face Halgrim, tackling him with your steel sword until he stops and tranforms into a massive bear. They bring down the hairy animal using your silver sword.

There are more voices further into the caves. Hjalmar isn’t taking your advice, so progress deeper into the tunnel, heading south to a second cavern. You watch as a group of three Vildkaarls take a mushroom from a druid’s bowl. A shocking transformation takes place. After the ritual, head into the chamber and speak to Artis the druid. As expected, the conversation turns to violence. Back Hjalmar up and slay the druid, including any bears he summons (he brings one at a time, so concentrate on defeating him unless you wish a constant incursion of bears). Afterwards, you discover a letter on the druid’s body. It seems Artis was to become advisor to the new king of Ard Skellig. But the letter isn’t signed. Hjalmar decides to return to Kaer Trolde and inform the Jarls.