Askeladd Personality: A Cunning and Charismatic Leader

Askeladd is the leader of a band of mercenaries who are hired by the Danish army to fight in the war against England.

Askeladd’s personality is cunning, charismatic, pragmatic, and ruthless. He is a master of manipulation and deception, who can use his wit and charm to get what he wants from others. He is also a skilled fighter and strategist, who can adapt to any situation and exploit his enemies’ weaknesses. He is not loyal to anyone but himself, and he does not hesitate to betray or sacrifice his allies if it benefits him.

Askeladd’s origins are shrouded in mystery, but it is revealed that he is actually a descendant of the legendary King Arthur of Britain. He was born as Lucius Artorius Castus, the son of a Welsh noblewoman and a Viking raider. He grew up in a harsh environment, where he learned to survive by stealing and killing. He hated his father, who treated him and his mother poorly, and he eventually killed him and took his name, Askeladd, which means “ash lad” in Old Norse.

Askeladd’s initial personality was shaped by his hatred for the Vikings, who he saw as barbarians and invaders. He wanted to restore the glory of Britain, which he believed was his rightful homeland. He also admired his ancestor, King Arthur, who he considered as the ideal king and leader. He dreamed of finding the mythical sword Excalibur, which he believed was hidden somewhere in Britain, and using it to unite the land under his rule.

Askeladd’s personality changed over time, as he realized that his dream was unrealistic and futile. He became disillusioned with the world, which he saw as a cruel and chaotic place, where the strong oppressed the weak and the weak suffered in vain. He also became cynical and nihilistic, believing that nothing had any meaning or value, and that life was nothing but a series of struggles and betrayals. He lost his respect for King Arthur, who he thought was a naive and foolish idealist, and he abandoned his quest for Excalibur, which he deemed as a worthless relic.

Askeladd’s personality was also influenced by his relationship with Thorfinn, who he regarded as his son and successor. He saw a lot of himself in Thorfinn, who was also driven by hatred and revenge. He wanted to teach Thorfinn the harsh realities of the world, and to make him grow stronger and smarter. He also wanted to give Thorfinn a chance to kill him, as a way of atoning for his sins and freeing himself from his misery. He ultimately sacrificed his life to protect Thorfinn from the wrath of King Sweyn, the Danish king who he had plotted to assassinate. He died with a smile on his face, saying that he had finally found something worth dying for.