Kveldulf

Kveldulf
Fictional Character
Videssos Fantasy
Appearance(s):	"The Decoy Duck"
Type of Appearance:	Direct POV; Posthumous references in Bridge of the Separator; Krispos the Emperor; The Legion of Videssos
Nationality:	Empire of Videssos (born in Halogaland)
Religion:	Phos-worship (converted from polytheism)
Cause of Death:	Execution by decapitation
Occupation:	Missionary, formerly a slave

Kveldulf (in Videssian Kveldoulphios) was a Haloga who was captured and sold as a slave to Zoïlos in the city of Skopentzana during the reign of Avtokrator Stavrakios. When it became apparent to Zoïlos that Kveldulf was interested in worshiping the god Phos and becoming a priest, Zoïlos granted Kveldulf his freedom.

Twenty years after first being taken prisoner, Kveldulf, along with Videssian priests Tzoumas, Nephon, and Antilas, returned to Halogaland and preached the gospel of Phos to the people led by Skatval the Brisk. Although Skatval initially permitted them to preach, eventually he was angered to action when his daughter, Skjaldvor began showing an interest in the celibate Kveldulf. Although Kveldulf's strong faith allowed him to survive a sorcerous attack by Grimke Grankel's son, which killed his companions, he refused to leave Halogaland, despite Skatval's pleas. Instead, Kveldulf accepted execution. Before he was killed, he asked that his head be preserved and sent back to Skopentzana. Skatval acceded to his wishes and Kveldulf was venerated throughout the Empire as a martyr who first successfully brought the worship of Phos to Halogaland. He was canonized.

Nine centuries later, Styppes, an artistic priest who made icons, would ask Marcus Scaurus, an outlander and pagan to boot, permission to make a portrait of him since he had the features of Kvedulf. The mercenary thought that if Kvedulf preached like Styppes, it was no wonder the Halogai martyred him.