Age of Vikings Character Creation: Meet Ásgeir Ketilsson, the Broad-Shouldered

What happens when you sit down to make a Viking and accidentally create the next great saga hero? In Age of Vikings, character creation isn’t just prep, it’s prologue.

When I opened Chaosium's Age of Vikings rulebook by Pedro Ziviani, I expected to roll up a sword-swinging raider and call it a day. Instead, I stumbled into a generational tale. One full of legacy, land, blood oaths, and more social complications than a family reunion at the Alþing.

Let me introduce you to Ásgeir Ketilsson the Broad-Shouldered. Here’s how he came to be, step by step.

Step 1: Name and Nickname

In Icelandic tradition, your name isn’t yours alone. It’s your father’s, your kin’s, your story’s.

Ásgeir is the son of Ketill (Ketilsson). His nickname? The Broad-Shouldered. That one’s earned in play, sure, but it felt too right to pass up. It says: This man carries things. Weight. Expectation. Maybe vengeance.

Pro Tip: Name and nickname aren’t just flavor. They shape your social standing and how people talk about you behind your back.

Step 2: Passions

Age of Vikings runs on emotional fuel. You choose three Passions that can both inspire and complicate your hero.

Ásgeir’s:

• Honor 60% – He’d rather bleed than break an oath.

• Loyalty (Family) 55% – He’ll show up. Eventually.

• Love 50% – Just enough to make mistakes.

These aren’t passive. When tested, you roll them. Fail, and you might betray a friend or break under pressure. It’s brilliant.

Step 3: Family History

Before you roll a single stat, the game asks: Who came before you?

Ásgeir’s grandfather died defending the coast. His father raided Ireland and came back with an eyepatch and silence. That legacy? It also shaped how the community sees him and his starting stats.

This is one of Age of Vikings’ most powerful tools. You don’t make a hero from scratch. You inherit them.

Step 4: Characteristics

Seven core stats: STR, CON, DEX, INT, POW, CHA, SIZ.

Ásgeir rolls big on SIZ and CON. He’s the guy who blocks the doorway without meaning to. His DEX isn’t great, so maybe don’t ask him to dance. But INT and CHA? Solid. Think clever brawler with a disarming grin.

Step 5: Derived Attributes

This is the crunchy part: Hit Points, Magic Points, Movement, Encumbrance. Stuff you calculate from the core stats.

Ásgeir? Tough as nails. Built to take a spear to the arm and still finish the job.

Step 6: Fylgja (Spirit Animal)

Every hero is bound to a fylgja, a spiritual animal that reflects their soul.

Ásgeir’s is the Bear. Loyal, immovable, dangerous when provoked. The Bear doesn’t run. It endures.

It’s the perfect match. His saga will be one of standing firm when others break.

Pro Tip: Fylgjur aren't just metaphors. They influence play and dreams and sometimes hint at supernatural forces in your story.

Step 7: Skills

Skills cover everything from axe-swinging to arguing at the Alþing.

Ásgeir’s strong in:

• Axe (50%) – Classic.

• Oratory – Because warriors need words too.

• Law – For surviving legal duels as well as physical ones.

• Boating – Both for fishing and the occasional raid.

Age of Vikings wants you to be more than a fighter. You’re part of a society. Skills reflect that.

Step 8: Devotions

You pick three gods you’re devoted to, and they actually matter mechanically. Ásgeir goes with:

• Thor (for protection and brawling)

• Freyja (love, beauty, inspiration)

• Odin (wisdom and poetry)

So yeah, he’s basically the triple threat: can fight, can woo, can wax poetic.

Devotions aren’t mandatory in this system, but they’re powerfulnd thematically rich. In this version of Iceland, your gods walk with you or wait for you to fail.

Step 9: Family

The dice say Ásgeir is betrothed. His bride is from the next fjord over, which means instant in-law drama for the Game Master to throw at me. He’s also got siblings: an older brother who keeps nagging him to “be responsible” and a younger sister who sneaks out to stir trouble. Perfect.

Step 10: Wealth and Equipment

Ásgeir owns a modest farm. Some livestock. An axe that’s seen better days. His wealth is humble, but in Iceland, reputation often matters more than silver.

Starting gear reflects your standing, and that standing will change if you live long enough.

Step 11: Distinctive Features

He’s massive. That’s a given. But he also has a long scar on his shoulder earned during a wrestling match with a cousin that got out of hand.

You can roll for features or invent your own. They help NPCs remember your character. Or fear them.

Step 12: Reputation and Status

Because of his lineage and size, Ásgeir starts with a small reputation. People notice him. Some expect him to succeed. Others expect him to fail like his father.

That weight shapes interactions. You don’t start neutral. You start out already being known.

The Saga Begins

So that’s Ásgeir Ketilsson the Broad-Shouldered, Bear-hearted, bound by blood and a hundred whispered expectations. He hasn’t set foot on his first journey, and already carries history.

That’s what Age of Vikings offers. A Character Sheet, yes, but also a saga seed.

TL;DR: Age of Vikings Character Creation Hits Different

• Narrative-first: Before numbers, you get backstory and myth.

• Mechanically meaningful passions: Emotions aren’t fluff; they drive play.

• Spirit animal (fylgja) and family events turn stats into a saga.

• Skills reflect real Icelandic life, not just dungeon bashing.

• This is about building a legacy as much as a character.

Next Steps

• Ready to roll your own saga-bound Viking? Use our no-code Character Sheet template.

• Grab the Age of Vikings Core Rulebook.

• Not sure Vikings are your thing? Try the free quick-start scenarios, Cursed Farm or Sea and Salt.

• Join our Discord to talk AoV in #chaosium

FAQ: Age of Vikings Character Creation

Q: Do I have to use the family history mechanic?

A: No, but you’d be missing out. It’s optional, but adds rich flavor and game-starting drama.

Q: Can my fylgja evolve during play?

A: While not mechanically required, narrative development around your spirit animal is highly encouraged and can be reflected in your behavior, dreams, and even supernatural encounters.

Q: Is this beginner-friendly if I’m new to BRP?

A: Yes. Age of Vikings uses BRP’s percentile system, which is intuitive and flexible. You’ll be up and raiding in no time.

Q: Can I customize my nickname during play?

A: Absolutely. Some players let nicknames emerge organically, based on deeds at the table. Others, like me, give their heroes a head start.