Hjalmar's Secret

Hjalmar's Secret is a variant approach to the character of Varri Haraldsson.

When Varri's father died in the child's infancy, Hjalmar Helder acted as a surrogate father, and is responsible for the king's secret agenda of strengthening the state. Hjalmar believes that Erik wants the Rjurik to be strong and self-sufficient. It was Hjalmar's plan for Varri to conceal his true understanding of things as prince, and Varri has found it best to maintain the facade for the time being.
Openly, Varri plays the fool and feigns naivete, disinterest in the affairs of state, and impatience with the duties of office. His eorls and courtiers believe him to have interest in nothing besides hunting, feasting, entertainments, and diversions. In this way the king can disarm the active resistance of the eorls and leave them to believe that he will not interfere in their domination of the government. However, Varri cunningly shows a false face. He pretends to be like his mother, the "gay widow", who pursued parties and flattery. He knows the history of the Rjurik and is gifted with a history of his bloodline. With an understanding of what has past, he strives to remove from the realm those forces which are at the root of Stjordvik's weakness. As a skilled hunter, fisher, and outdoorsman, his hunting trips prove successful. He travels about the rice (realm) ostensibly hunting, but in fact he observes, gathers information, and cultivates unknowing contacts. Varri knows who occupies the courts of his eorls and how they would be disposed to a stronger policy at the center. Helder and Bern play the roles of royalists. They are known to advocate policies which would strengthen the crown against the eorls. Varri pretends not to understand, care, or take much interest. In fact he supports them and when cornered by the eorls pretends not to know what he has done or why it is a "bad" policy.
Once a character knows the truth about Varri Haraldsson, his sample dialogue
will look something more like this:
"I am the weakest of the eorls. When the others demonstrate resolve and determination it raises no fears among the dryhten (nobles). Only I could create so much fear by doing nothing more than appearing to know that my rice needs strong government. And so I must serve my rice with subtlety, deception, and cunning. I must be the Fox and eschew the role of the Lion, all the while appearing to be the Lion who would not rule. So, I win the trust of the people and the respect of the warriors by my battles against the Orogs. When the time comes, however, I will unite my rice with real and true justice. Then the people will know security and prosperity. I will leave my heirs a strong kingdom."

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