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<<silently>>\
<<set $gameok to false>>\
<<set $birth to "">>\
<</silently>>\
<div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/title.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
There once was a rat named Ivar. A funny name for a rat, you might say. But Ivar was different than most rats he knew. Ivar was a Viking!
[[Ivar-Choice<- Choose where Ivar was born.]]
</div></div><<silently>>
<<set $birth to "Denmark">>
<</silently>>
<div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/ivar-dane.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
Ivar was born in a small fishing village in the country of Denmark. His father was a farmer, and the tough work kept them busy. Ivar always smelled of pigs because of all the work.
Stowing away on the boat of a Viking, Ivar set sail with the ship from the Danish coast. Danish Vikings were skilled in axes, short swords and wooden shields. They also carried spears or javellins to throw at the enemy before battle.
Ivar wanted to be a Dane too, so he made an axe and shield of his own on the long journey at sea.
Set Sail for Jorvik in Northumbria!
<a data-passage="Ivar-Jorvik"><img src="images/MB-Northumbria.png" width=350 height=175></a>
</div></div><<silently>>
<<set $birth to "Norway">>
<</silently>>
<div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/ivar-norv.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
Ivar was born in the cold North, in what is today called Norway. The winters were long and the summers short. Still, Ivar's family scraped together a living on a farm near the shore of the North Sea.
When Ivar was old enough to make his own decisions, he decided to stow away on the boat of a Viking. Ivar set sail with the ship from the Norwegian coast. Norwegian Vikings were known for their skill in 2-handed axes.
Skilled Norway warriors that used the 2-handed axes were called Huscarls, and were used as elite troops in Viking armies. Ivar wanted to be a huscarl too! He fashioned a 2-handed axe of his own on the long journey at sea.
Set sail for Albion!
<a data-passage="Norway-Scotland"><img src="images/MB-Scotland.png" width=350 height=175></a>
</div></div><div><center><img src="images/ivar-banner.png"></center>
Ivar was born to a poor farming family, and learned to scrounge scraps from the slop buckets of the pigs early on. He was restless as a young rat, and found his chance for adventure when he stowed away on a Viking ship.
Where was Ivar, our story's hero, born?</div>
<div class="row">\
<div class="column">\
<a data-passage="Ivar-Danish"><img src="images/MB-Denmark.png" width=350 height=175></a>\
</div>\
<div class="column">\
<a data-passage="Ivar-Norway"><img src="images/MB-Norway.png" width=350 height=175></a>\
</div></div>\<div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/Jorvik.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
Welcome to Northumbria, a Viking kingdom in the north of England.
This is the capital of Jorvik, known to modern day rats and people as York, England. The earliest Viking raids in England began in this land.
Ivar raided Northumbria with the Vikings, and collected his own share of the loot in the hold of the ship.
After fighting with the local rats and raiding the cellars of Christian churches, Ivar was ready to find new adventures.
Other rats and Vikings settled in Jorvik and Northumbria, making farms and bringing their families over from their homelands. Ivar's sister came to Jorvik and was the best cheesemaker in the city for five years in a row!
March north to invade Scotland!
<a data-passage="Ivar-Scotland"><img src="images/MB-Scotland.png" width=350 height=175></a>
</div></div>
<div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/scotland.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
Ivar sailed north with his Danish comrades and encountered islands to the north and east of a vast land called Albion. This land is modern day Scotland. He explored the islands with the boat, stopping now and then to eat and hunt for food. Ivar heard there was gold in Albion, and the Vikings sailed to the coast.
Ivar made friends with a Scottish cow named Malcolm while looking for gold.
Malcolm showed him where to find the best cheese in all of Albion.
Ivar would let Malcolm remain free, for now. At least now he had all the cheese he wanted from Malcolm.
Ivar marched through Albion with the Sons of Ragnar.
Ivar waged battle with the fierce Picts and tested his strength against Scottish rats during the siege of many strongholds and cities.
March South to fight the Saxons!
<a data-passage="Ivar-Saxons"><img src="images/MB-Saxons.png" width=350 height=175></a>
</div></div><div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/Ireland.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
Ivar hunted for a leprechaun for a whole month, but he never found any gold. Ivar found some shamrocks, and some bagpipes. But no pots of gold. No matter how much Ivar walked, he never got to the end of a rainbow.
Ivar joined the Vikings in Ireland in search of wealth and glory. The Irish were fierce warriors and defended their lands with skill and determination.
Ivar tried to play hurling with the local rats.
Hurling is a traditional Irish game with sticks and a ball, similar to field hockey. But the games always ended with both teams beating each other up with sticks, which was too much like Ivar's job as a Viking to be much fun.
Sail away to Iceland!
<a data-passage="Ivar-Iceland"><img src="images/MB-Iceland.png" width=350 height=175></a>
</div></div>
<div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/Iceland.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
Iceland had long been settled by various people from Scandinavia, Ireland, and Scotland. The settlers had maintained a mostly farming and fishing society and had paid homage to the Norwegian Kings for many years.
Ivar arrived with Viking raiders and helped to resettle the island, bringing the island kingdom back to Viking rule.
The farming, fishing, and riches from raiding make this a great place for Ivar to settle for a while. Ivar tried his hand at fishing, but it turns out that nobody makes nets in his size. His plans at creating a powerful, world-wide fishing empire were put on hold until someone invented a rat-sized fishing net.
Sail West to Greenland!
<a data-passage="Ivar-Greenland"><img src="images/MB-Greenland.png" width=350 height=175></a>
</div></div><div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/greenland.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
During the time of the Vikings, Greenland was a land of plenty, waiting to be settled. The southern coast of the large island was able to grow crops during a 4 to 5 month season, and the cod fishing was good enough to feed whole armies.
Ivar would settle here for a while, raising oxen and sheep, and fishing for cod in the North Atlantic waters. Local rats, called Inuits, had learned to make rat-sized fishing nets. Ivar would have to take some nets to Iceland next time.
Ivar's ship would be filled with salt cod and mutton before exploring or raiding again. Ivar still didn't know why the land was called Greenland, when there was so much snow and ice.
Sail to the west on a voyage of exploration!
<a data-passage="Ivar-Vineland"><img src="images/MB-Vinland.png" width=350 height=175></a>
</div></div><div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/france.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
Normandy is a very rich and wealthy land. Good farms and rich soil helped the Viking settlers to grow prosperous. Wine flowed and England was only a few hours away by ship for raiding.
Ivar spent many days in France eating cheese and drinking wine. Ivar took some of the grape seeds he found and buried them in a hole in the ground. This annoyed a mole named Christopher that lived in the hole. But Ivar told Christopher that he was now a winemaker and Ivar wouldn't charge him for the seeds. Ivar was sure that Christopher would like being a winemaker.
Ivar heard a tale about little men who carried pots of gold. Ivar decided to go to Ireland to find one of these little men.
Sail to Ireland!
<a data-passage="Ivar-Ireland"><img src="images/MB-Ireland.png" width=350 height=175></a>
</div></div><div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/anglosaxon.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
In the south of England were mighty kingdoms that often did battle with the Vikings. These were the Saxons and Angles.
Ivar travelled with the Great Heathen Army south to England. The Saxons recorded this army in their chronicle, a book of major events written once per year.
When Ivar got bored of the Army, he wandered around England. Ivar heard about some famous rocks on a wide plain.
Ivar spent time looking at the rocks at Stonehenge.
Ivar had figured out what the stones were for.
But the Wessex rats heard Ivar had solved the mystery of Stonehenge, so he was forced to bury his notes and flee. One day, Ivar will return to dig them up again and be famous.
Sail across the Channel to France!
<a data-passage="Ivar-France"><img src="images/MB-France.png" width=350 height=175></a>
</div></div><div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/vinland.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
<<silently>>
<<set $gameok to true>>
<</silently>>
Ivar is an excellent explorer. He raised crops in the soil, fished for cod off the coast, and trapped furs for use in clothing and blankets for the cold winters. Times were hard in Vinland, and the local rats were not friendly. Ivar was still looking for vines that the land's name had promised. Maybe he could find new seeds for Christopher. All Ivar seemed to find was mosquitos and bogs.
<<if $gameok is true>>\
Having travelled far with the Vikings, Ivar is now a famous Viking! He is ready to travel on his own.
Sail to Jorvik and set out on your own!
<a data-passage="Game-Home"><img src="images/MB-Northumbria.png" width=350 height=175></a>
<</if>>\
</div></div><div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/title.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
Having survived the exploration of the Vikings, Ivar was ready to lead adventures of his own. With a ship he had built near Lindisfarne, Ivar was ready to set sail on adventures with his own band of raiders.
You begin with one ship, five rats, one loot, one weapon and one shield. As you travel from one port to another, you will collect items along the way. But beware! There are chances you will encounter native rats that will try to stop you. They will randomly appear. Some fights you will win, some you will lose. When you run out of 'rats', the game is over. At any time you can press the 'Retire' button and return home with your riches.
<<silently>>
<<display "Game-Init">>
<</silently>>
[[Game-Jorvik<-Travel to Jorvik to begin your adventure!]]
</div></div><<display "Game-Status">>
<center><img src="https://jgergen.neocities.org/images/death.png"></center>
That battle was your last. Lying on the field of battle, you hear the Valkyries singing of your voyages and battles as Valhalla calls you.
Valhalla awaits you, a feast for all eternity with all of the other Vikings that have fallen in battle. Perhaps you will have better luck next time!
[[Ivar-Title<-Back to the Story!]]\
[[Game-Home<-Restart the Game!]]\ <<display "Game-Status">>
<center><img src="https://jgergen.neocities.org/images/valkyries.png"></center>
The maidens and raiders sing your praises as your ship returns home, loaded with riches and goods from your voyages. You retire to the quiet life as a Jarl, or lord, to a castle secured by your fame and fortunes.
[[Ivar-Title<-Back to the Story!]]\
[[Game-Home<-Restart the Game!]]\ <<display "Game-Status">>
<div class="row">\
<div class="column">\
Welcome to Northumbria! The capitol city is Jorvik, which is now known as York, England! The Vikings continued to invade and settle Northumbria for nearly 300 years. One of the first raids made by the Vikings was an island off the coast of Northumbria called Lindisfarne. The Vikings looted the abbey there and sent word back home that England was rich with gold and jewels.
<<display "Game-Randoms">>\
</div>\
<div class="column">\
<<display "Game-Mechanic">>
</div>\
</div>\
<<if $rats gte 1>>\
[[Game-Scotland]] [[Game-Ireland]] [[Game-Iceland]] [[Game-France]] [[Game-Greenland]] [[Game-Saxony]] [[Game-Vinland]]
[[Game-Retire<-You can return home and retire with all of your loot.]]
<<else>>
The last rat in your army has fallen. You lay on the field of battle, having fought your last battle. Valhalla awaits you, Ivar!
[[Game-Death<-Join the feast in Valhalla!]]
<</if>>
<<display "Game-Status">>
<div class="row">\
<div class="column">\
Scotland, or Albion as the native Picts called it, is a land rich in history and lore. From the northern mountains to the southern plains, the people were strong and defended their lands fiercely. They would paint their faces and bodies with blue clay before battle, and some would enter a trance.
<<display "Game-Randoms">>\
</div>\
<div class="column">\
<<display "Game-Mechanic">>
</div>\
</div>\
<<if $rats gte 1>>\
[[Game-Jorvik]] [[Game-Ireland]] [[Game-Iceland]] [[Game-France]] [[Game-Greenland]] [[Game-Saxony]] [[Game-Vinland]]
[[Game-Retire<-You can return home and retire with all of your loot.]]
<<else>>
The last rat in your army has fallen. You lay on the field of battle, having fought your last battle. Valhalla awaits you, Ivar!
[[Game-Death<-Join the feast in Valhalla!]]
<</if>>
<<display "Game-Status">>
<div class="row">\
<div class="column">\
Ireland was invaded often by the Sons of Ragnar. Viking raiders would often settle for a few years, then return home. In a single five year period, the city of Dublin changed hands three times!
<<display "Game-Randoms">>\
</div>\
<div class="column">\
<<display "Game-Mechanic">>
</div>\
</div>\
<<if $rats gte 1>>\
[[Game-Scotland]] [[Game-Jorvik]] [[Game-Iceland]] [[Game-France]] [[Game-Greenland]] [[Game-Saxony]] [[Game-Vinland]]
[[Game-Retire<-You can return home and retire with all of your loot.]]
<<else>>
The last rat in your army has fallen. You lay on the field of battle, having fought your last battle. Valhalla awaits you, Ivar!
[[Game-Death<-Join the feast in Valhalla!]]
<</if>>
<<display "Game-Status">>
<div class="row">\
<div class="column">\
Iceland was settled by Picts, Irishmen, and Vikings over several years. Mostly peaceful farmers and fishermen, they decided to declare themselves independent from the Vikings. This did not work out, as the Vikings sent a large army to defeat them, and make Iceland a Viking kingdom once more.
<<display "Game-Randoms">>\
</div>\
<div class="column">\
<<display "Game-Mechanic">>
</div>\
</div>\
<<if $rats gte 1>>\
[[Game-Scotland]] [[Game-Ireland]] [[Game-Jorvik]] [[Game-France]] [[Game-Greenland]] [[Game-Saxony]] [[Game-Vinland]]
[[Game-Retire<-You can return home and retire with all of your loot.]]
<<else>>
The last rat in your army has fallen. You lay on the field of battle, having fought your last battle. Valhalla awaits you, Ivar!
[[Game-Death<-Join the feast in Valhalla!]]
<</if>>
<<display "Game-Status">>
<div class="row">\
<div class="column">\
Amongst the Danish Vikings, the family of Lodbrok is well known through history. One of these was Rollo, who led a band of Viking raiders to the northern coast of France. He even raided the Frankish kingdom of Francia.
Rollo was such a successful raider that the Frankish King gave him land in present day Normandy as his own to rule. But he had to stop attacking the Franks. Rollo was the great-great-great-great-great grandfather of a famous Norman, William the Conqueror, who invaded England in 1066 AD and became King.
<<display "Game-Randoms">>\
</div>\
<div class="column">\
<<display "Game-Mechanic">>
</div>\
</div>\
<<if $rats gte 1>>\
[[Game-Scotland]] [[Game-Ireland]] [[Game-Iceland]] [[Game-Jorvik]] [[Game-Greenland]] [[Game-Saxony]] [[Game-Vinland]]
[[Game-Retire<-You can return home and retire with all of your loot.]]
<<else>>
The last rat in your army has fallen. You lay on the field of battle, having fought your last battle. Valhalla awaits you, Ivar!
[[Game-Death<-Join the feast in Valhalla!]]
<</if>>
<<display "Game-Status">>
<div class="row">\
<div class="column">\
During the time of the Vikings, Greenland was a land of plenty, waiting to be settled. The southern coast of the large island was able to grow crops during a 4 to 5 month season, and the cod fishing was good enough to feed whole armies.
<<display "Game-Randoms">>\
</div>\
<div class="column">\
<<display "Game-Mechanic">>
</div>\
</div>\
<<if $rats gte 1>>\
[[Game-Scotland]] [[Game-Ireland]] [[Game-Iceland]] [[Game-France]] [[Game-Jorvik]] [[Game-Saxony]] [[Game-Vinland]]
[[Game-Retire<-You can return home and retire with all of your loot.]]
<<else>>
The last rat in your army has fallen. You lay on the field of battle, having fought your last battle. Valhalla awaits you, Ivar!
[[Game-Death<-Join the feast in Valhalla!]]
<</if>>
<<display "Game-Status">>
<div class="row">\
<div class="column">\
There was a Viking invasion of the Saxon and Angles kingdoms in 865 AD. It was called The Great Heathen Army.
3 of Ragnar's sons sought to avenge his death and expand their kingdom southwards.
This invasion lasted 14 years, with every Saxon and Angle kingdom defeated except Wessex.
The Vikings were eventually defeated in May of 878 AD.
<<display "Game-Randoms">>\
</div>\
<div class="column">\
<<display "Game-Mechanic">>
</div>\
</div>\
<<if $rats gte 1>>\
[[Game-Scotland]] [[Game-Ireland]] [[Game-Iceland]] [[Game-France]] [[Game-Greenland]] [[Game-Jorvik]] [[Game-Vinland]]
[[Game-Retire<-You can return home and retire with all of your loot.]]
<<else>>
The last rat in your army has fallen. You lay on the field of battle, having fought your last battle. Valhalla awaits you, Ivar!
[[Game-Death<-Join the feast in Valhalla!]]
<</if>>
<<display "Game-Status">>
<div class="row">\
<div class="column">\
Vikings travelled to a land they called Vinland, which is is present day Newfoundland, Canada. They briefly settled in this area and began to raise crops and build defenses.
The settlement was short-lived, and evidence of the settlement was found less than 20 years ago by archaeologists, so there is still much to be learned.
<<display "Game-Randoms">>\
</div>\
<div class="column">\
<<display "Game-Mechanic">>
</div>\
</div>\
<<if $rats gte 1>>\
[[Game-Scotland]] [[Game-Ireland]] [[Game-Iceland]] [[Game-France]] [[Game-Greenland]] [[Game-Saxony]] [[Game-Jorvik]]
[[Game-Retire<-You can return home and retire with all of your loot.]]
<<else>>
The last rat in your army has fallen. You lay on the field of battle, having fought your last battle. Valhalla awaits you, Ivar!
[[Game-Death<-Join the feast in Valhalla!]]
<</if>>
<<if $birth eq "Norway">>
<<set $loot to 0>>
<<set $cheese to 0>>
<<set $valkyries to 0>>
<<set $rats to 5>>
<<set $arms to 2>>
<<set $ships to 1>>
<<set $shields to 0>>
<<set $farms to 0>>
<<set $attackchance to 10>>
<<set $turns to 0>>
<<elseif $birth eq "Denmark">>
<<set $loot to 0>>
<<set $cheese to 0>>
<<set $valkyries to 0>>
<<set $rats to 5>>
<<set $arms to 1>>
<<set $ships to 1>>
<<set $shields to 1>>
<<set $farms to 0>>
<<set $attackchance to 10>>
<<set $turns to 0>>
<<else>>
<<set $loot to 0>>
<<set $cheese to 0>>
<<set $valkyries to 0>>
<<set $rats to 5>>
<<set $arms to 0>>
<<set $ships to 1>>
<<set $shields to 0>>
<<set $farms to 0>>
<<set $attackchance to 10>>
<<set $turns to 0>>
<</if>>
<<silently>>
<<if $attackchance gte 50>>
<<set $attackchance to 10>>
<</if>>
<<set $chance to random(1,100)>>
<</silently>>
<<if $chance lte $attackchance>>
<img src="images/enemy.png"> An enemy rat appears and you lose 1 Rat!
<<set $attackchance to 10>>
<<set $rats -= 1>>
<<else>>\
<<set $attackchance += 5>>\
<<for _i to 0; _i lt $rats; _i++>>\
<<set $lootroll to random(1,10)>>\
<<if $lootroll is 1>>\
You found some loot in a ruin!
<<set $loot += 1>>\
<<elseif $lootroll is 2>>\
You encountered a Valkyrie and she follows you!
<<set $valkyries += 1>>\
<<elseif $lootroll is 3>>\
You found a shield in a cave!
<<set $shields += 1>>\
<<elseif $lootroll is 4>>\
You found some cheese!
<<set $cheese += 1>>\
<<elseif $lootroll is 5>>\
You looted a sword from a fallen enemy!
<<set $arms += 1>>\
<<elseif $lootroll is 6>>\
You find an abandoned ship pulled up onto the beach!
<<set $ships += 1>>\
<<elseif $lootroll is 7>>\
You save a farm from roaming bandits!
<<set $farms += 1>>\
<<else>>\
You march around and nothing much happens.
<</if>>\
<</for>>\
<</if>>\
<<set $turns += 1>>
You are on turn $turns.
You have $rats rats remaining in your army!
<<if $turns gte 15>>
Word of your exploits reaches the ears of others. 1 Rat has joined your cause!
<<set $rats += 1>>
<<set $turns to 0>>
<</if>>
<center><img src="images/ivar-banner.png"></center>
<table width=100%>
<tr>
<td>$loot</td><td>$rats</td><td>$valkyries</td><td>$cheese</td><td>$ships</td><td>$shields</td><td>$arms</td><td>$farms</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="images/loot.png" alt="Loot piles" width=50 height=50></td><td><img src="images/rats.png" alt="Rats in Army" width=50 height=50></td><td><img src="images/valkyries.png" alt="Valkyries" width=50 height=50></td><td><img src="images/cheese.png" alt="Cheese" width=50 height=50></td><td><img src="images/ships.png" alt="Ships" width=50 height=50></td><td><img src="images/armor.png" alt="Shields" width=50 height=50></td><td><img src="images/arms.png" alt="Weapons" width=50 height=50></td><td><img src="images/farms.png" alt="Farms" width=50 height=50></td>
</tr>
</table><<set $randomstuff to ['Ivar marched around most of the day looking for some cheese.', 'Ivar thought he should give Christopher a raise but not today.', 'Ivar thought he saw a crow sitting on a statue but it flew away.', 'Ivar found a coin in the ground and spent it for a loaf of bread.', 'Ivar encountered a peasant on the road and had an intense political discussion.', 'Ivar found a ruin of an old castle and searched the old rooms.', 'Ivar spent the day avoiding a troublesome cat.', 'Ivar marched around in circles for an hour.', 'Ivar got a letter and bottle of milk from Malcolm.', 'Ivar spent the day laying on the beach and taking a bath.', 'Ivar thought he saw Loki in the woods, but it was just a deer.', 'Ivar spent much of the day cleaning and repairing his boat.', 'Ivar used a lodestone to find his way north.']>>\
<<print $randomstuff.random()>>
<<set $randviks to ['Vikings were very clean and took baths at least once a month.', 'Vikings did not wear horned helmets.', 'Viking ships could carry up to 60 men, but had no toilets!', 'Thursday is named after Thor, Viking God of Thunder.', 'Vikings would hold poetry fights to solve disputes!', 'The Rus were a Viking tribe that settled modern Russia.', 'Vikings were also great traders. They travelled as far as Jerusalem for trade.', 'Vikings had a yearly meeting where lawtellers would read aloud all the laws.', 'Vikings would be buried in their boats when they died.', 'Viking women could inherit land and property.', 'Vikings often melted or cut coins into the metals that made them.', 'Vikings believe a tree connected the Earth with the heavens. The tree was called Yggdrasil.']>>\
Did you know... <<print $randviks.random()>><div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/Jorvik.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
Welcome to Northumbria, a Viking kingdom in the north of England.
This is the capital of Jorvik, known to modern day rats and people as York, England.
Ivar raided with the Vikings, and collected his own share of the loot in the hold of the ship.
After fighting with the local rats and raiding the cellars of Christian churches, he was ready to find new adventures.
Other rats and Vikings settled in Jorvik and Northumbria, making farms and bringing their families over from their homelands. Ivar's sister came to Jorvik and was the best cheesemaker in the city for five years in a row!
March South to Saxony!
<a data-passage="Norway-Saxons"><img src="images/MB-Saxons.png" width=350 height=175></a>
</div></div><div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/anglosaxon.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
In the south of England were mighty kingdoms that often did battle with the Vikings. These were the Saxons and Angles.
Ivar travelled with a large Viking army south. The Saxons called this army The Great Heathen Army in their chronicle, a book of major events written in once per year.
When Ivar got bored of the Army, he wandered around England. Ivar heard about some famous rocks on a wide plain.
Ivar spent time looking at the rocks at Stonehenge.
Ivar had figured out what the stones were for.
But the Wessex rats heard Ivar had solved the mystery of Stonehenge, so he was forced to bury his notes and run away. One day, Ivar will dig them up again and be famous.
Sail across the Channel to France!
<a data-passage="Norway-France"><img src="images/MB-France.png" width=350 height=175></a>
</div></div><div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/france.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
Normandy is a very rich and wealthy land. Good farms and rich soil helped the Viking settlers to grow prosperous. Wine flowed and England was only a few hours away by ship for raiding.
Ivar spent many days in France eating cheese and drinking wine. He took some of the grape seeds he found and buried them in a hole in the ground. This annoyed a mole named Christopher that lived in the hole. But Ivar told Christopher that he was now a winemaker and Ivar wouldn't charge him for the seeds.
While walking near Christopher's house, Ivar heard a tale about little men who carried pots of gold. He decided to go to Ireland to find one of these little men.
Sail to Ireland!
<a data-passage="Norway-Ireland"><img src="images/MB-Ireland.png" width=350 height=175></a>
</div></div><div class="row">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/scotland.png">
</div>
<div class="column">
Ivar sailed with his Norway comrades and encountered islands to the north and east of a vast land called Albion. This land is modern day Scotland. He explored the islands with the boat, stopping now and then to eat and hunt for food. The Vikings were told there were vast riches in Albion.
Ivar made friends with a Scottish cow named Malcolm.
Malcolm showed him where to find the best cheese in all of Albion.
Ivar would let Malcolm remain free, for now. Ivar knew Malcolm would always have cheese when he wanted it.
Ivar marched through Albion with the Sons of Ragnar.
He waged battle with the fierce Picts and tested his strength against Scottish rats during the siege of many strongholds and cities. And he always had plenty of cheese from his friend Malcolm.
Sail to Jorvik!
<a data-passage="Norway-Jorvik"><img src="images/MB-Northumbria.png" width=350 height=175></a>
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<img src="images/Ireland.png">
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Ivar hunted for a leprechaun for a whole month, but he never found any gold. He found some shamrocks, and some bagpipes. But no pots of gold. No matter how much he walked, he never got to the end of a rainbow.
Ivar joined the Vikings in Ireland in search of wealth and glory. The Irish were fierce warriors and defended their lands with skill and bravery.
Ivar tried to play hurling with the local rats.
Hurling is a traditional Irish game with sticks and a ball, similar to field hockey. But the games always ended with both teams beating each other up with sticks, which was too much like Ivar's job as a Viking to be much fun.
Sail away to Iceland!
<a data-passage="Ivar-Iceland"><img src="images/MB-Iceland.png" width=350 height=175></a>
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