Meet Brynhildr, a Reindeer Valkyrie

As per usual with me, I got a commission at Bronycon this year.

A few of you guys may remember that I had announced a story project when I hit the 1,000 follower milestone. I've been a bit stalled as of late for several reasons, including the story I published on Monday, but I'm trying to get back on the horse with that. Anyway, I decided to get commissions of some of the reindeer villains in the story. Partly, this is for inspiration, and partly to reaffirm my commitment to write this monster of a story. I can only reveal one of them, because the second is a fairly big spoiler.

So, here we go. This is Brynhildr, the Geirahöd ("Spear of Battle," leader) of the Valkyries, drawn by Sara Richard, who happens to have Norse runes tattooed on her thumbs:

Yes, this story has Valkyries in it. And they're badass.

Comments

[Super Trampoline]

Looks badass!

[Wanderer D]

you know what you owe me, Oak.

[TheJediMasterEd]

We ride through the night skies
Flashing our pale thighs
Picking up dead guys--
You call this a joooooob?

"Look, there's a redhead!"
"Darn, he's not dead yet!"
"Wait--there, we're all set:
Bombs awaaaaaaayyyy!..."

[Just_Me123]

Hmm, so, does this mean Tyandaga has been holding out on us, talking about ponies while ignoring Reindeer culture?

[GaryOak]

4911777
Yeah, I'm super stoked about it.
4912014
Uh oh.
4912051
I can't begin to describe how much I missed you this year.
4912098
Well, to be fair, they're from a distant continent in my story, so they aren't really around in Equestria. Just think of them as the pre-Christian Norsemen, except reindeer.

[kalash93]

Aww so it's not posted yet? Damnit, dude, I have the ragingest Viking boner right now with more wood than Yggrdasil!

[GaryOak]

4912187
I need to finish the first draft, then rewrite the parts that aren't up to snuff (AKA basically all of the first act). I also need to figure out which artist will be willing and able to draw some fitting cover art. A single character piece like this, while epic, won't do. I need to showcase fittingly awesome moments the myriad major characters go through, such as a shot of Rainbow Dash being stared down by an Einherjar.

[M4Tiger4014]

4912189
Fine, fine

[GaryOak]

4912487 4912187
Well, I guess I can throw you guys a bone and share a couple of (crappy first draft) paragraphs with a few tweaked words to make them even more out of context, just to show you the kind of stuff that Brynhildr likes to do.

One of the ponies, who wore no armour, was impaled on the end of Valkyrie's spear. Her limbs flailed about in her death throes as her life's blood ran down the weapon's steel shaft. The reindeer who slew the mare lifted her weapon, trying to shake her off. In a flash of steel, one of the Royal Guards lunged at the reindeer and drove his shortsword through her breast.

Brynhildr turned her head toward him as he planted a hoof on his fallen foe's neck and pulled his blade from her corpse. There was a flare of gold, and she leapt into the air, raising her greatsword. Her wings pumped, and she flew toward the guard like a golden meteorite. The guard raised his blade, but the greatsword struck a mighty blow that shattered his weapon as if it were no more than a wooden practice sword and split through armour, flesh, and bone in a fountain of blood. Brynhildr landed on all fours with enough force to shake the ground, her victim's blood pooling around her forehooves.