Members

            Kedric is one of the three founders of Varangia and currently serves on the Council.

Drinian's  father was a wealthy and well traveled trader from the cold northlands who settled by the Black Sea.  He named his son after the Drin river in the Byzantine Empire--his favorite trading destination.   At the age of 17 Drinian rescued a poor peasant family from some roving bandits and found himself on the wrong side of a powerful outlaw chieftain. His father sent him to live with his Varangian cousins, telling Drinian he would be safer there. Now Drinian fights as a mercenary alongside his kindred. He dreams of joining the Varangian Guard, and perhaps even visiting his ancestral home of  Scandinavia one day. He fights with sword and shield, and occasionally spear. Drinian is one of the three founders of  Varangia and currently serves on the Council.

               Kappi “Kip” Christophoros was born Kappi son Ormgeirr son Halldórr in 1074 in Byzantium. His grandfather Halldórr had come from Norway to serve in the Varangian Guard under Harald Hardrada, and when Harald returned to Scandanavia, Halldórr remained in Byzantium, deciding to end his mercenary days and settle down as a merchant. Halldórr prospered, enabling his son Ormgeirr to choose his path in life freely. His fathers desire was for him to also become a soldier, but Ormgeirr, a quiet and introspective lad, refused. He apprenticed under a mapmaker and married an English refugee from the Norman invasion of the isles to the north. Perhaps in penance for his willful youth, he gave to his father Halldórr the honor of naming his firstborn son. The old man chose the Norse name Kappi, which means “fighter”, seeing in him the chance to continue the military tradition. His English mother, however, affectionately called him Kip, and the name stayed.

                Kip’s youth was greatly influenced by his grandfather, for his father’s occupation often took him away from home and throughout the Empire to perfect his maps. When his father was home, he would learn science, geography, geometry, and mathematics, but when his father was away, his grandfather would teach him the ways of a man of arms. To old Haldórr’s great pride, his grandson joined the Byzantine army in 1093. Haldórr’s sudden death a year later deeply affected Kip, and one night he found himself wandering the streets in front of the monastery. The monks invited him to stay for the night, and in his sleep he had a dream in which a shining white being approached him, causing him to fall trembling to the ground. In the morning, shaken, he spoke to the monks, who explained to him the Christian faith. Often, when not on duty, Kip returned to the monks to hear more. In 1094 he converted to Christianity and took the Greek surname Christophoros, which means “Christ-bearer.” His conversion only increased his passion to prove himself in the army, and by 1100, Kip was recognized as a rising leader within the Varangian ranks, both for his cool, collected bearing, and his friendly demeanor. His natural relation to both the Viking and English members of the army drew many of the young recruits to his side.

                 Kip is one of the three founders of Varangia and serves on the Council.

 Not an official member, but an advisor to Varangia. Jari is a dwarf mercenary and a true friend.  

A brother warrior from the far western mountains, Katarn is seperated by distance, but fights with us in spirit. Occasionally he will make the great trek to fight with his brothers in arms on the east coast.