Vrykul Fleet

"Be tellin' ye no old-salt story mate, but of a real place. Giants of flesh, of ice, and them what walk in the fog, an' each one's hungrier for battle than the last". ― Unnamed sailor, Ratchet, 621 K.C.

The Vrykul Fleet is a conglomeration of several seafaring Vrykul tribes that banded together over time in the interest of survival and combined proficiency. Beginning life as an alliance of convenience between the Vrykul and Kvaldir after their terrible losses during the War Against the Lich King, they eventually adapted into one of the most powerful naval fleets on Azeroth. They became the boogeymen of the sea, a modern legend and a tale that crusted sailors in taverns across the globe would tell the tales of their encounters.

Description
While on the move across the seas, The Vrykul Fleet is difficult to discern as it is shrouded by a deep, magical fog conjured by Kvaldir Mistcallers to hide their movements. Enormous sea creatures of the deeps lurk within these mists, either by compulsion or mastery, and rise to the defence of the Fleet should trespassers or attackers breach through the fog.

When stationary, the ships converge close to one another, anchored together by sturdy ropes and hundreds of interconnecting gangplanks. The Sages use their powers to keep the seas calm and to monitor the weather for storms, while the many clans intermingle, trade, feast and celebrate victories together by crossing from ship to ship. The Fleet in this state resembles a unified, sprawling city with markets, smithies, butcher's yards, duelling rings, drake roosts and longhalls that are quickly erected aboard the gangplanks. The Jarls and the Drottinn's converge together to talk and plan during these times while their crews and clans talk and trade among one another. Some Vrykul foster relationships outside of that of their clans during these times, and those Vrykul born aboard the Fleet are seen as a good omen by the Mistcallers.

Origins
The awakening of the Kvaldir during the War of the Lich King corresponded with the rise in piracy around the Frozen Seas, and the disorganised group of ships eventually coalesced together under their first leader, Drottinn Hrothgar. Hrothgar was a successful raider and led the Fleet to several major victories over both the Alliance, the Horde and neutral parties such as the Argent Crusade. However, his last and most ambitious attack against the Argent Tournament Grounds ended when a group of Argent Valiants launched a counterattack, devastated Hrothgar's forces and killed the Drottinn within his own conjured mists.

After the Lich King's death, many Vrykul were left despondent and without purpose, their leaders or their deity to fall back upon, they found common kindship with the often spurned Kvaldir. Taking to the seas with newly crafted (or stolen) longships and vessels, the small Fleet began raiding the abandoned ports left behind in Northrend for cargo and resources. Word of their exploits travelled across the continent and soon, an exodus of many Vrykul individuals, family and even clans joined the ranks. Logs reports that the Fleet elected a new Drottinn as their leader around this time, supported by the Jarls of the most prominent clans aboard the ships, though their identity has not been discovered.

The newly created "Vrykul Fleet" departed far from Northrend, shrouded at all times by an ever-present fog and became a legendary terror on the seas. Sailors would spread word of settlements set up and pillaged, and ships being stripped of their crews and added to the ranks of the Fleet as it grew larger. Before long, it was of a size to rival those of the greatest navies of Azeroth in size, if not in strength.

The Hellrock Campaign
In 624 K.C during the Iron Horde Invasion, the Fleet was approached by a group of assassins and mercenaries for their aid in a conflict against a great foe they called "The King Beneath the Mountain". They met with the Vrykul during the midst of a contest by which they were to select their next Drottinn (loosely translated as “Warlord” or “Warleader”). To earn their support, they decided to enter their own candidate into the competition: an ally of theirs named Runt.

Due to a technicality in the contest's rules however, the challenge ended with the High Elf Lannael Ven’Renn as the clear victor. As a result, he was selected as the new Drottinn and leader of the Vrykul Fleet. Though the personal honour of the Vrykul forbid them from disobeying their new Drottinn, it was clear that certain Jarls were extremely unhappy with an outsider being their leader.

These tensions were further exacerbated due to no member of the Fleet being able to recall their conflict against The King Beneath and the reason Drottinn Lannael entered the competition at all. According to all publicly available records, the conflict they sought aid for never occurred. However, according to numerous corresponding accounts made by trusted Lamplighter Agents, the major efforts these assassins made prior to the conflict itself and the great loss of life the Fleet suffered during this very short period with no concrete explanation as to why, this conflict did occur as described in this documentation, and we can therefore determine that the cause of this widespread memory lapse is due to powerful magical interference.

The Northrend Campaign
In 627 K.C coinciding with the Third Invasion of the Burning Legion, Lannael (now an Agent of the Lamplighters) was able to call upon the aid of the Fleet once again, in their battle against the Curator and his right hand woman, the “perfect Lamplighter Agent” Warlord Izera. Izera had at her disposal a Legion Command Ship which posed a serious threat to all denizens of the North, the Vrykul Fleet included.

The Fleet saved the Lamplighters from near-annihilation by Izera by extracting them from their besieged hideout and bringing them on board - an honour given only to a scarce few before, and the two groups became partners in a planned counterattack.

The Fleet drew the attention of the Legion ship while a Lamplighter strike team infiltrated the vessel. Once inside, they disabled the ship's defences, allowing the Vrykul warriors below to open fire on the new-defenceless ship. The Legion Command Ship lost control and crashed into the Storm Peaks, killing everyone on board.

After this battle, Lannael made the decision to step down as Drottinn as he was unable to spend much time aboard. He passed the title of Drottinn over to Jarl Brunt the Mighty, a friend and ally of the Lamplighters who had fallen for the Elven Warden Aeliunne during their time there, though their relationship was a passing one.

Note from Control: Thank you for not using the word ‘fleeting’.

Jarl Ubba and the Felskorn
In 628 K.C the acceptance of former Tideskorn/Felskorn tribe members after the defeat of the Legion brought increased dissent among the Jarls with the leadership. Drottinn Brunt, though generally liked due to his feats in battle, was seen as being unworthy of the title with many feeling as though he had not ‘earned’ his title due to being given it by an outsider.

Jarl Ubba, chief of the Tideskorn/Felskorn aboard the Fleet, challenged his position for the leadership and claimed that a Drottinn should achieve his title in combat as the old ways decree. The other Jarls accepted this and the two fought in a formal duel known as, “De Stroggel”. In a surprising display, Ubba defeated Brunt soundly, almost killing the man in the process. As such, Brunt narrowly escaped the Fleet thanks to his brother Runt's intervention while Ubba took the head of the Fleet as its Drottinn.

The two brothers sailed their makeshift raft beyond the borders of the mists and found their way to Borean Tundra where they were reunited with the Agents of the Lamplighters. Transported and taken to the new Lamplighter HQ, the two factions entered into an agreement. Runt was to prepare for a rematch of De Stroggel to reclaim the Fleet from Jarl Ubba, and if the Lamplighters aided him in this task, not only would they prevent the dangerous Fleet regressing into becoming the largest scourge upon the seas, but also would have the assurance of Runt that the Fleet would always defend Control for so long as he was Drottinn.

The Agents prepared Runt, first by acquiring the best quality materials from both the Storm Giants and the legendary "Mother of Jormungar" which was crafted into mighty weapons and armour. Returning to the Fleet, the challenge was presented and the other Jarls and crews of the longships met to observe the match.

During the match however, the Lamplighters unearthed the truth behind Jarl Ubba's unprecedented rise to power. His Champion and member of the Tideskorns known as Skann was revealed to be the long-hated enemy of the guild: the Nath'rezim known as Terror'gar. The Agents cornered the dreadlord and prepared to strike the final blow, when he offered them a deal. In exchange for the face and knowledge of one of their members for his use, he would depart the situation, revoke his powers and leave Ubba to his fate. Though there was fierce contention from some concerning the choice, the deal was struck and Worgen Agent Rory Sykes offered his likeness and knowledge to the dreadlord, who kept to his word and departed the scene.

Without his master's influences to enhance his strength, Ubba was left powerless and weak against Runt's onslaught. Without waiting for his final words, he killed Ubba, revealed his Fel corruptions and presented his head to the other Jarls. The Jarls unanimously named Runt as the new Drottinn (a title he holds incumbent to present day) and cast out the Tideskorn members who succumbed to corruption. The other Outcasts were integrated into the other clans and the splinter group was henceforth considered disbanded.

Notable Residents
Lannael Ven'Renn (honorary)

Warden Aeliunne (honorary)

Hrothgar (former leader)

Brunt (former leader)

Ubba Svafnirsson (antecedent leader)

Drottinn Runt (current leader)

Champion Skann (revealed as dreadlord infiltrator)

Zink (young Vrykul, adopted member)