Explore D&D&History - The Icelandic Sagas: 1021 Edition for ages 8-12
Weary and salt-glazed from the sea journey, our travelers arrived at the settlement now known as L’Anse aux Meadows. The voyage from Norway had been long and arduous, but Njord had appreciated their sacrifices, and he had kept the seas calm and the wind at their backs.
Upon arriving, they joyously stepped out of their longboats, ready to be welcomed with open arms, mead, and soft beds, but no such reception was to be found. Unnerved, they began searching the structures, hoping to find their fellow Norse settlers at feasts, or prayer, or out hunting - anything other than just “gone.”
They searched for days, finding belongings, tools, food and fuel, but no trace of life. In the smithy, they found text, carved into the doorframe; “We have left. We were not strong enough to stay, nor were we united enough to coexist. May Gefion bring you better fortune than she brought us. You will find us further on, and where possible, we will leave a trail for you to follow.”
Will they choose to carve a life for themselves from this wilderness, and brave its unknown perils at the settlement, or will they head further west, in search of those who fled?
Weary and salt-glazed from the sea journey, our travelers arrived at the settlement now known as L’Anse aux Meadows. The voyage from Norway had been long and arduous, but Njord had appreciated their sacrifices, and he had kept the seas calm and the wind at their backs.
Upon arriving, they joyously stepped out of their longboats, ready to be welcomed with open arms, mead, and soft beds, but no such reception was to be found. Unnerved, they began searching the structures, hoping to find their fellow Norse settlers at feasts, or prayer, or out hunting - anything other than just “gone.”
They searched for days, finding belongings, tools, food and fuel, but no trace of life. In the smithy, they found text, carved into the doorframe; “We have left. We were not strong enough to stay, nor were we united enough to coexist. May Gefion bring you better fortune than she brought us. You will find us further on, and where possible, we will leave a trail for you to follow.”
Will they choose to carve a life for themselves from this wilderness, and brave its unknown perils at the settlement, or will they head further west, in search of those who fled?
Weary and salt-glazed from the sea journey, our travelers arrived at the settlement now known as L’Anse aux Meadows. The voyage from Norway had been long and arduous, but Njord had appreciated their sacrifices, and he had kept the seas calm and the wind at their backs.
Upon arriving, they joyously stepped out of their longboats, ready to be welcomed with open arms, mead, and soft beds, but no such reception was to be found. Unnerved, they began searching the structures, hoping to find their fellow Norse settlers at feasts, or prayer, or out hunting - anything other than just “gone.”
They searched for days, finding belongings, tools, food and fuel, but no trace of life. In the smithy, they found text, carved into the doorframe; “We have left. We were not strong enough to stay, nor were we united enough to coexist. May Gefion bring you better fortune than she brought us. You will find us further on, and where possible, we will leave a trail for you to follow.”
Will they choose to carve a life for themselves from this wilderness, and brave its unknown perils at the settlement, or will they head further west, in search of those who fled?
Academic Fine-Print for Grownups: Extensive carbon dating has pinpointed 1021 as the year that the Norse settlement on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland was inhabited. The impact that L’Anse aux Meadows has on the historical myth that Columbus was the first European to reach the Americas is tremendous. The mystery surrounding the ensuing abandonment of the Norse settlements on Greenland and Newfoundland (referred to in the Icelandic Sagas collectively as “Vinland”) is also tremendous! There are dozens of theories, one of which is that the Norse settlers merged with the local Indigenous communities, and lived peacefully in the existing villages along the coasts of the Labrador Sea, the Davis Straits, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Students in this class will make imaginary characters that will travel across the Atlantic in longboats, land on Newfoundland, and discover the abandoned settlement. From there, their characters will travel across the island, meeting fantastical friends and foes, all in search of their missing companions.
Students will be immersed in real-world history via a fictional, fantastical narrative. Optional homework about the time period and the historical culture will be assigned, and they can gain credit in the game for completing it. Students will gain insight into the history and culture of the time period, as well as teamwork, improvisation, and math skills.
For your Curriculum Records, we will cover:
History and Culture
Ethics
Intro to Academic Research
Dates and Location:
Section A: Ages 8-12 will meet Mondays from 12-2pm ET, and will run from Monday 9/9/24 through Monday 11/18/24 (No class Monday 9/30, Monday 10/7, and Monday 10/14.) All 8 classes will be held over Zoom.
Requirements: Age 8+, or at the instructor's discretion. No prior knowledge or experience of Dungeons and Dragons is required, as the first class will be spent building each student’s character. Students will be given access to an online dice roller, so physical dice are not required.
Class Etiquette: I expect and require gentle, respectful language in my classes, and ask that all students come to class prepared to treat each other with kindness. These classes are a great opportunity for your kiddos to practice social/soft skills, with the underlying perspective that we’re all in this together.