Tarlo, once a respected elder of the Tribe of Ulfbjorn, was a wise and tempered leader, known for his measured approach to rulership and diplomacy. Unlike many of his kin, he sought to temper the savage instincts of his people with wisdom and restraint, rather than giving in to the unrelenting brutality of Skoll, the god of savagery. His leadership marked a rare era of measured rule in the otherwise violent and war-torn lands of Norska.
However, his vision for the Ulfbjorn people put him at odds with his own brother, Orsin, a warrior who saw strength as the only truth of the world. Orsin coveted Tarlo’s position as elder, believing his brother’s wisdom to be weakness, and that their tribe should embrace Skoll’s ruthless doctrine of predator and prey. This rivalry would ultimately lead to Tarlo’s downfall.
Personality & Philosophy
Tarlo’s rule stood in stark contrast to that of his brother. He believed that even in a land as cruel as Norska, there was honor to be found in strength, and that the Ulfbjorn people should not descend into mindless bloodshed, but instead seek worthy conquest and challenge. His measured rule earned the respect of many among the tribe, but it also fostered resentment from those who sought war and slaughter.
Orsin, driven by Skoll’s savage teachings, saw Tarlo’s diplomacy as weakness. He challenged his brother for leadership, demanding trial by combat. The battle was fierce, but Orsin emerged victorious, casting Tarlo out and assuming the mantle of Elder. From that day, the Ulfbjorn tribe turned fully toward the ways of Skoll, embracing war, carnage, and unfettered bloodshed under Orsin’s rule.
Despite his exile, Tarlo did not abandon his ideals. He remained a guiding hand for Pali, Orsin’s son, recognizing in the young werebear a chance to break the cycle of endless bloodlust. He sought to teach Pali the delicate balance between strength and restraint, hoping to steer him away from the path of mindless slaughter. However, the corruption of Skoll’s influence ran deep, and though Tarlo tried to instill honor in his nephew, the call of savagery would ultimately prove stronger.
The Hunt in Fralskar Forest
After his exile, Tarlo took it upon himself to hunt the growing wendigo threat within the Fralskar Forest. The monstrous, cannibalistic creatures had long haunted the region, preying upon lost travelers and lone hunters, and Tarlo sought to cleanse the land of their dark presence.
Armed with his battle-worn greataxe and the wisdom of years, he ventured deep into the cursed woods, his mind focused and unwavering. The battle was fierce, and Tarlo cut down many of the monstrous wendigo, proving that even an elder stripped of his title was still a warrior to be reckoned with.
Yet, the creatures were too many, and their dark magic too insidious. One by one, they wore him down, striking from the shadows, overwhelming him in a storm of hunger and madness. Though he fought valiantly, Tarlo fell to the wendigo, his life consumed by the very darkness he sought to purge.
Legacy
Tarlo’s death was felt by those who still remembered the old ways, a painful reminder that honor is often swallowed by brutality in Norska. His dream of a tempered and noble Ulfbjorn tribe died with him, as Orsin’s rule cemented Skoll’s savage grip over their people.
For Pali, Tarlo’s teachings remained a quiet, lingering whisper—one that he would ultimately silence in favor of savagery. But had Pali truly listened, had he followed his uncle’s wisdom, the future of the Ulfbjorn might have been very different.
Now, Tarlo’s name fades into obscurity, spoken only in hushed tones by those who still revere the lost balance he once sought to uphold.