History of the Valkyrie
In 1602, Henrik Enasen took to a war in Sweden. To facilitate his hostilities, he commanded a horde of new kindred be created by himself and his vassals. However, being newly created, the childer were inappropriately trained against their enemy, and fell en masse during the war. Rowan Ragnardottar, witnessing the terrible loss of unlife, was horrified.
Shortly after, she was sent away from her sire, Ragnar Soren, and was taken in by his broodmate, Erik Winters. He did what he could to offer solace, but Rowan's Daeva blood burned and the irrationality and harsh treatment of her sire. Erik explained that she had been lucky that her sire had seen to her for so long, having her trained and educated properly. Many were not so lucky.It was this realization that gave birth to the Valkyrie. With his connections, Erik helped Rowan meet other female warrior among the Invictus. They founded a Knightly Order in 1635 that was dedicated in service to the Second Tradition. It began as a group of female fighters that would track and take down irresponsible sires (drawing their name from the traditional interpretation of 'Choosers of the Slain'), though they were bound to honor and the other Traditions as well, never killing without appropriate permissions given.
In time, Rowan reconciled with her sire, and House Skold came to support the Valkyrie. The current members of the ruling council are all House members as well.
Over the years, more allies were made in service to the cause (other knights and fighters, investigators, fosters, and mentors of both genders), though the group always remained female. The Order could be called on by a Prince or Priscus when their city was put at risk by reckless sires, though the Valkyrie also kept an ear out for rumors of transgressions.
In 1815, after personal matters obligated Rowan to other tasks, it was decided that the Valkyrie will open their ranks to members of other covenants. Many that had once been allies took up as members, and the other branches of the Valkyrie were opened, that investigations and placements might be done in house.
Restructured, the Valkyrie continued their work, which began to focus more on aiding childer and fostering them, though they still hunt irresponsible sires. The addition of other Covenants and their ideals has created a multitude of perspectives on how this should be done, and occasionally leads to strife within the organization, but overall the Valkyrie have benefited from the variety of skills and ideas. The ruling council remains Invictus however, that the mission is not too far lost as things evolve. And their ranks still hold only female kindred.
Shortly after, she was sent away from her sire, Ragnar Soren, and was taken in by his broodmate, Erik Winters. He did what he could to offer solace, but Rowan's Daeva blood burned and the irrationality and harsh treatment of her sire. Erik explained that she had been lucky that her sire had seen to her for so long, having her trained and educated properly. Many were not so lucky.It was this realization that gave birth to the Valkyrie. With his connections, Erik helped Rowan meet other female warrior among the Invictus. They founded a Knightly Order in 1635 that was dedicated in service to the Second Tradition. It began as a group of female fighters that would track and take down irresponsible sires (drawing their name from the traditional interpretation of 'Choosers of the Slain'), though they were bound to honor and the other Traditions as well, never killing without appropriate permissions given.
In time, Rowan reconciled with her sire, and House Skold came to support the Valkyrie. The current members of the ruling council are all House members as well.
Over the years, more allies were made in service to the cause (other knights and fighters, investigators, fosters, and mentors of both genders), though the group always remained female. The Order could be called on by a Prince or Priscus when their city was put at risk by reckless sires, though the Valkyrie also kept an ear out for rumors of transgressions.
In 1815, after personal matters obligated Rowan to other tasks, it was decided that the Valkyrie will open their ranks to members of other covenants. Many that had once been allies took up as members, and the other branches of the Valkyrie were opened, that investigations and placements might be done in house.
Restructured, the Valkyrie continued their work, which began to focus more on aiding childer and fostering them, though they still hunt irresponsible sires. The addition of other Covenants and their ideals has created a multitude of perspectives on how this should be done, and occasionally leads to strife within the organization, but overall the Valkyrie have benefited from the variety of skills and ideas. The ruling council remains Invictus however, that the mission is not too far lost as things evolve. And their ranks still hold only female kindred.