The Gallowglass

There were four of them in the village square. Four men in hauberks with spears in-hand. They were confident in their numbers, and they'd let fly with insults they might normally have kept to themselves. They were baiting a bear, and doing it where all could see their foolish bravado in action.

The man their taunts were directed at stood half a head taller than the spearmen, and he was broader than most of them, but that was all. His long hair was worn in intricate braids, and his mail was clean and oiled. He carried a massive blade in a leather sheath, as well as a double-bitted ax as tall as he was. What set him apart from the spearmen, though, was in his eyes... they were the dark gray of storm clouds, and seemed filled with the same promise of violence.

He told them to cease. The spearmen bristled, and demanded to know what he would do if they didn't.

His weapon was moving before they could blink. His ax hacked through one spear haft like kindling, and gouged a second badly enough that it splintered under the weight of the man leaning on it. By the time the ax finished its arc, he had his sword in his other hand. His expression had not changed, and he eyed the men with no more emotion than if they were stray dogs who'd growled at him for a meal.

One ran. Then a second. Soon all of them were in flight. The warrior sheathed his blade again, rested his ax against his shoulder, and returned to what he'd been doing.

Pride was never at stake for a Gallowglass. He knew what he was, and what he could do when called upon.

The Gallowglass: When Norsemen Joined The Scots

Gallowglass troops were famed mercenaries in medieval Ireland, which first emerged in the mid-1200s according to History. However, while they're an enduring part of Ireland's history, their name (which was originally "galloglaiph") meant "foreign warrior"... which makes sense when one considers their origins.

After all, these mercenaries draw on the dual cultures of the Norse peoples who came to Scotland, and of the Scottish who formed community with said Norse peoples. This intermarriage and cultural exchange is what led to the two most recognizable weapons of the Gallowglass; the massive Scottish sword called a claymore, and a double-bladed sparth battle ax that was an evolution of the axes used by vikings.

Once they were established, these Gallowglass troops would sell their services to the nobles of Ireland. Over the years having Gallowglass mercenaries went beyond just the military might they represented; they were a status symbol, and a reflection on the lord they served.

It just so happens that these mercenaries are ideal story fodder for players looking for a unique character.

After all, most fantasy games already have some variety of Norse inspiration in them, and we tend to have some variety of Scottish highlander elements as well. So what unique forms do they take in your game, and how has it led to your character becoming what they are?

For example, is this unique fighting style something that happened when the mountain dwarves formed an alliance with hill orcs, each teaching the other the use of their clans' weapons? Was this method of warfare built by an irregular force of two different human cultures who stood against a common foe? Or was there a competition between two warriors, one who wielded a greatsword and one who wielded a greatax, each of whom saw the value and advantages of the other, which in turn spawned a manual on a combined fighting art? Or is this martial method associated with a particular mercenary band, such as those you'd find in 100 Random Mercenary Companies, or in Sellswords of Sundara (either the Pathfinder version or the DND 5E version)?

Whatever the origin story behind your particular Gallowglass, it can add a little zest to your character, making them more than just another random mercenary. And if you're one of my fellow Pathfinder players, consider the Titan Mauler barbarian archetype that would allow you to use a shield while wielding a great weapon in one hand (or, if you want to go a little crazy, wielding a greatsword and a greatax simultaneously)!

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Unusual Character Concepts post!

For more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the Azukail Games YouTube channel. Or if you'd prefer to read some of my books, like my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife, my dystopian sci-fi thriller Old Soldiers, my gangland noir series starring a Maine Coon enforcer with Marked Territory and Painted Cats, or my recent short story collection The Rejects, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To stay on top of all my latest releases, follow me on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and now Pinterest as well! To support my work, consider Buying Me a Ko-Fi, or heading over to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron. That one helps ensure you get more content, and it means you'll get my regular, monthly giveaways as a bonus!