Eoder

In 1650 TA the Lord of Dale was actually a Northman chieftain whose bloodline could be traced to the ancient Adan house of Bëor (Rh. "Vassal"). His position was hereditary, but an advisory body composed of old fighters drawn from the local clans acted as a check to his power. Eoder's position as "Thyn" had been challenged by Jirfelien, the leader of the Aldurlingas clan, a fierce young female mystic who was credited with the slaying of a cold drake which threatened her family's Fyrga in T.A. 1629. Eoder claimed that the Aldurlingas were actually worshippers of some perverse "Darkness." This claim was quite suspect, for Jirfelien's clan embraced most of the healers found in the Dale area and was known for its "good works." In actuality, Eoder had been mislead by his beloved wife Súlwyn, who was jealous of Jirfelien. Súlwyn's clan, the Dalethéod, also healed folk, but choose to use a peculiar form of magic. Their claim that Aldurlingas could be construed as "children of an ancient darkness" was based on their need to hide their own allegiance to the Dark Lord. Perhaps unfortunately, Eoder's powerful Krythéod clan (an Adan group) seemed to favor the Dalethéod rumors.