The Saga of Bjorn the Undying

The Saga of Bjorn the Undying

The Saga of Bjorn the Undying by Matt Shorter is a dark, epic fantasy tale set in a brutal, frost-bitten Norse-inspired world, following the cursed warrior Bjorn Ironskin as he battles betrayal, divine wrath, and his own monstrous hunger to protect the North. Once a legendary Viking warrior leading the Iron Wolves, Bjorn is betrayed by his brother Erik during a desperate battle against the Sea Serpents. As his clan falls, a malevolent seer curses him with undeath, transforming him into a draugr, a zombie-like creature driven by an insatiable hunger for living flesh, yet retaining his warrior’s will and honor. Neither living nor dead, Bjorn is condemned to walk the earth, torn between his vow to protect his people and the curse that threatens to consume his humanity. Haunted by Erik’s treachery and the seer’s chilling prophecy, Bjorn embarks on a quest to break his curse, seeking a sorcerer rumored to wield runes powerful enough to defy the gods. Along the way, he allies with Astrid, a fierce shieldmaiden who becomes his steadfast companion after he saves her from draugr attacking her burning village, and Snorri, a skald whose songs weave courage and lore into their fight. Together, they confront relentless draugr hordes, malevolent sorcerers, and the growing influence of Hel, the goddess of death, whose essence fuels Bjorn’s curse and threatens the North’s survival. As Bjorn battles his hunger and the shadows of his past, the trio uncovers Hel’s ancient pact with the fjord, a sacred site where her power was once bound and now stirs anew. Their journey culminates in a final stand at the fjord’s heart, where Bjorn faces Hel herself, wielding Bonecleaver his trusted axe and an unyielding oath to guard the North. To seal her essence forever, he must sacrifice his chance at release from his curse, choosing eternal guardianship over personal salvation. Spanning decades, the saga chronicles Bjorn’s transformation from a fallen hero into the Indomitable Guardian, a legend sung across the North. Astrid rises as a wise leader, rebuilding the Iron Wolves, while Snorri’s songs immortalize their triumphs. Bjorn, undying and ever-watchful, patrols the cliffs, a solitary sentinel against lingering threats, his curse a chain turned into a shield for his people. The Saga of Bjorn the Undying is a gripping tale of sacrifice, redemption, and defiance, weaving Viking mythology with visceral horror and the enduring strength of honor against an unforgiving fate.