The Story of the Secret of Steel

An oral history regarding Steel
as told among the Northruner Clans
translated and promulgated by E.T. Daniels

Hear now the story of Our Clans. It is the story of our fathers. It is the tribute of our children. Listen now to the story of Our Clans.

When Our Clans first came to the Heim we knew only the stone axe, for we had not the Secret of Steel. We carried the stone axe and swung it when the Jarls demanded.

In that day some of the Strangers hid in the hills between the Five Hearths and were called the Modsogner -- they who were born of stone. The Modsogner were as old as the Heim itself and had walked upon it when it was but young. But the Modsogner had grown old and forgot the making of children and they also were winnowed by many wars.

And the Modsogner had enmity with the Vafthrud and promised the Secret of Steel to those who would help them.  So Our Clans lifted the spear and the axe for the War of Ten Summers. The Modsogner fought beside Our Clans until all the Vafthrud were driven off. But they were slack concerning their promises and we learned not the Secret of Steel. But of the Glorious Lady we heard many things and our devotion to her grew.

In time the Vafthrud returned and drove us from our Heim. So we came to new shores and lived in the Peace of 100 Summers in Five Hearths.

But the Modsogner made enemies easily. And they came again to Our Clans with promises. By their oaths, they swore to teach Our Clans the secret of metal if we would but lift the spear and the axe against their enemies.

So Our Clans lifted the spear and the axe against the Svartalf in the West and drove them past the Fast River. Then we lifted the spear and axe against the Krymer and drove them down to the Place Between the Seas. Then we lifted the spear against the Wurms and drove them to the mountain peaks. So the Modsogner were very glad and were not slack concerning their promises. They taught Our Clans the secret of metal.

When Our Clans learned the Secret of Steel and fashioned our plows of it, the Glorious Lady came and and smiled upon us and made our Hearths exceedingly rich. We had many crops and grains. Our Clans fashioned our spears and axes of steel. Then many of the Strangers feared Our Clans and gave us the Heim around Five Hearths to grow and to fill.

But some of the Strangers did not fear. These made war on Our Clans and each in their season. But with the secret of metal, Our Clans could not be vanquished -- for the Glorious Lady had come and was with us. She filled our bellies and this made our hearts happy to war; and our arms strong enough to withstand all who opposed us.

Heard you now, the story of Our Clans.