[Bjornardalur]

We will wager 10 gold to any man who can best my Berserkers - Xak Harbinger or Lucian St. Claire in a 1 versus 1 duel to the death or Gentlemen's duel (no death).

[Bjornardalur]

Background:
Bjornardalur, meaning "Valley of the Bear" in Old Norse, is a Viking RP Guild.
Bjorn for short, has been active in the world of Life is Feudal, for almost 3 years.

History and light lore of Bjornardalur:
Rurik of Rus was a Varangian chieftain of the Rus' who gained control of Ladoga, and built the Holmgard settlement near Novgorod. 

He is the founder of the Rurik Dynasty, and birthed a single son, Bastion of Rus, with his wife, Lillian of Rus.

 

Bastion was trained since he was a small child, in hand to hand combat, including rigorous training with small bear cubs. Rurik wanted to train his son to have the bear nature, a nature that is both kind and loyal to those they love, but can snap and break your neck in a moments notice if that nature is betrayed.

Bastion learned how to survive in the wilderness with nothing more than what the land and trees could provide. His tribe taught him the way of the Bear, and how to hunt and survive cold winters. As tradition with the Rus clan, Bastion was sent out to survive on his own at age 18.

He wandered the countryside until he found a realm led by elders, whimsically named "The Old Guys Gaming." It was there he built a modest hut, a barn, and a small farm atop a mountain, and named this place "Fjall" or Mountain in Norse. He honed his skills and learned to craft. Fighting was mostly defensive of his fort, and constantly warded off wolves and bears, and sometimes, bandits. This was a trying time for Bastion, alone, in the wilderness, and on top of a mountain, trying to survive.

After some time, he met a warrior named Benedict St. Claire. It was he who taught Bastion how to properly fight on the field of battle. Only then did Bastion learn his skills with an Axe, and Flamberge.

Bastion, along with Benedict and other warriors decided to adventure away from this place, into new realms.

Learning from the best, as the Rurik Dynasty spread from his home town Novgorod, and further across the Realms of the Old Norse Blood Arena, Bastion became a formidable leader as he stepped in to command raids. He built a following because he treated his men with respect, never left anyone behind from raids, and celebrated wins and got back up to fight another day even in a loss.

Bjornardalur branched out to a realm named Kasvenssa, where they assembled a group of Berserkers who took the blood of their enemy and drank it from the horns of Rams. Bjorn took many villages and united them. As he did this, it was clear to the Kasvenssian realm that Bastion would be King. After a glorious ceremony and two great wars, he was crowned King of the North. Almost immediately, a disreputable, false southern king emerged. He and his men were bested numerous times, until the bastard southern king assembled outsiders from other realms soldiers to overpower the Kingdom of Bjornardalur. Bjorn fought until the death, with the exception of his 5 Berserkers - Brother's Benedict and Lucian St. Claire's, Xak the Harbinger, Leath Hedger, his scientist and farmer, and Baron, the master negotiator.

Bastion and the Berserkers narrowly escaped, heading to a new land called Alisian Aisles. There, they sought refuge and built a large fortress, gathered new men, and indeed, Bastion was married to, Elena of Bjorn. A small ceremony in the woods, surrounded by Bears and his closest friends.

Bastion and his people felt there was a better place, one that had a larger promise of  blood & plunder - to meet raid in the winters, farm in the summers, and hope that they'd die in a glorious, honorable manner to achieve Valhalla's promise.
To this end, Bjorn arrived at a place called Agartha. A Realm of splendor, opportunity, and prosperity. After several weeks and months of travel, the people of Bjorn settled in a valley, a special valley, replete with green grass, broad forests, and glorious streams. 

Not long after settling and making a significant establishment, Bjornardalur set out to unite and Vassalize nearby villages. Not to harm or strike fear, but to unify a cause - vikings everywhere should fight those who would oppose us, control us, or take what is ours.

Despite many defensive raids, and many many offensive, the Bjorn guild has thrived to become a Kingdom.

However, as the High Queen, Isabella Rose, revealed her insanity, she became more and more chaotic, attacking her people with her High Guard, arresting those who supposedly broke her laws, and ultimately banishing entire villages from her realm for no good reason.

Bjornardalur decided to leave Agartha after turmoil, bickering with the High Queen, and ultimately, deciding to leave for a better future. Once again, Bastion and Bjorn found themselves back in the lands of the Elders, on "Old Guys Gaming."

There, they continue to forge their story in the history books, building a new fortress, making new enemies and allies, and raiding as Vikings across the lands.

History will be foretold by Odin himself - Bastion the Tyrant, a nick name bestowed upon him during his bloodiest years, Son of Rus, continues to live up to his name, and will set free those who ally with him, and destroy those who oppose.
 

[Bastion the Tyrant -- Life is Feudal]

Thanks for the help. It turns out the LIF Map in the forums seems to display Diameter whereas in game it is radius.

[Bastion the Tyrant -- Life is Feudal]

What server?: Life is Feudal
What happened?: Monument was maxed out but still not expanding tiles past 25 (Tier 2)
How long?: over a week with the problem
Extra notes: Put a few gold rings on and still won't expand!
Replication: Yes