Grizzleheim Expansion

First, before this post starts talking about random stuff, I would like to say that this theory was based off of no evidence whatsoever. This is mainly what I would like to see, should Grizzleheim be expanded once more.

Grizzleheim, in my sole opinion, is a world of unfinished business. This includes Wintertusk. Being a side world, it doesn't hold a significant place in the story line. Sure, Grandmother Raven has a part in creation, but she is an individual, not the entire world of Grizzleheim. But, this world has so much potential to becoming a main world in its expansion. Since KI is trying to change the game slightly, it would make sense if a side world was expanded, and the expansion became necessary in the story line.

A Brief History

Ragnarok is the impending doom that the gods will face at the end. They are destined to die. A large part of Viking culture is becoming a warrior. Warriors who die valiantly are hand picked by the Valkyrie, or female figures who choose the fate of warriors in battle. Warriors are sent to Valhalla, a sort of "holding place" for the god's armies. When Ragnarok is unleashed, they fight alongside the gods.

Yggdrasil is the tree of life. I think you step through a version of this when you come into Grizzleheim, but I also think the tree Grandmother Raven sits on is also this tree. The tree Grandmother Raven sits on is gnawed at by Nithogg, who could be the variant of Nidhog, the serpent that gnaws at Yggdrasil's roots. Yggdrasil connects all the Nine Worlds together. Bifrost is the rainbow bridge connecting Asgard to Midgard. The vast void of nothingness is ginnugagap.

The Plot

Players will come into the common area of Yggdrasil, which is also the name of the expansion. This common area will be chaotic. Branches will sprawl around, surrounded by Ginnugagap. Nine areas at the end of Nine various branches will be the questing areas. These Nine areas will be the nine worlds: Asgard, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Midgard, Jotunheim, Svartalfheim, Nidavellir, Nifleheim, and Muspelheim. 

This time, the goal will be to prevent Ragnarok. Players will visit with Odin and gain counsel from other gods. They will help a fallen warrior get to Valhalla. They will visit Valhalla, receive some viking-grade training, and promptly turn down a spot in Valhalla. They will join a legion of Valkyries and help fallen warriors cross Ginnugagap. 

The final dungeon will be a harrowing experience, and not for the faint of heart. But most prodigious wizards will be able to get through this dungeon with ease. They will help bind Fenrir the wolf and stop Nithogg (Nidhog) from gnawing Grandmother Raven's tree (Yggdrasil). Players will successfully prevent Ragnarok by a couple hundred thousand years. Odin will personally congratulate them at the conclusion of the dungeon.

Players will later find out that Old Cob tried to unravel Fenrir's rope, since Old Cob was a good weaver. At this point in the Third Arc, Old Cob will have been driven mad by his conquests and is no longer able to think rationally. Stopping Ragnarok only made him crazier, which is a failure equivalent to Azteca.

Cool Badge Ideas

• Asgard Adherent: Visit and talk to all the gods: complete Asgard story line quests
• Vanir: Complete all story line quests in Vanaheim
• Alf-alfa: Defeat 250 elves in Alfheim
• Lord/Lady of Midgard: Complete all story line quests in Midgard
• Jotun Battler: Defeat 250 jotuns/giants in Jotunheim
• Dark Alf-alfa: Defeat 250 dark elves in Svartalfheim
• Dwarf Miner: Defeat 250 dwarves in Nidavellir
• Nifleheim Explorer: Find Helheim (quest)
• The Extinguisher: Defeat 250 fire giants and 250 demons in Muspelheim
• Yggdrasil Explorer: Complete Zeke's quest
• Ragnarocker: Complete all story line quests
• Master of the Nine Worlds: Complete all quests in Ginnugap (excludes crafting and other hobby quests)
• Runecaster: Decipher all Runes (quest)

What expansion would you like to see to an existing world? Would you like this expansion? Leave a comment below!

P.S. this is my 50th Post! Yay! :)

Hunter's Stew Recipe

In Winterbane Hall, Jarl Whiteshield tells us a recipe for his Hunter's Stew. It's very specific on ingredients, so I decided to try and find the real life equivalent. After some changing of a few search words, I found it!

Here's the in-game recipe:

• First, put butter into the stew pot
• Follow with meat to brown it
• Add mushrooms, turnips, barley, and water
• Finish with salt and hot pepper
• Serve with black bread

This recipe is essentially the basic version of Hearty Hunter's Stew, a Scandinavian stew.

Here's how to cook it:

1. Brown the meat in butter and oil. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
2. Slice the potatoes, parsnips, carrots, onions, and garlic, and brown the vegetables together with the mushrooms. Add the meat.
3. Add the beer, and cover the rest of the stew with water.
4. Add the stock cube and make sure it dissolves completely. Let it simmer for about one hour. The meat should be very tender.
5. Mix a couple of tablespoons of of cornstarch with about as much water. Pour it in and make sure to stir so that you do not get lumps in the stew
6. Garnish with parsley and thyme

Ingredients:

• 8-10 peeled potatoes
• 2 peeled carrots
• 2 peeled parsnips
• 3 peeled yellow onions
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1/3 lb. (200 g) shiitake mushrooms, or other mushrooms

• 10-12 slices of moose, elk, or other venison (preferably from the thigh) ***I talked with my dad, who is Italian and owns a deli, and is an excellent cook. He said that beef/steak can be used in place and would still end up fine. 
• 1 1/4 cup (3 dl) dark beer
• 1 cube of beef stock
• 3 bay leaves
• 9 juniper berries
• butter and oil
• corn starch to thicken water

Garnish

• 2 tbs. chopped parsley
• 2 tbs. thyme leaves

Recipe was found at http://www.newscancook.com/recipes-by-chef/hearty-hunters-stew/ . I'm sure there's other versions, so feel free to try other recipes.

Pleas ask your parent's permission before taking on this recipe. I recommend helping your parents until you are an experienced cook. I personally had this stew, and it is very good. Let me know how it turned out!

***My dad own's an Italian deli and caters. He has a degree in cuisine. Food is his passion. He is highly qualified to make any comments on this recipe.

Grizzleheim

Grizzleheim

A beautiful world based off Norse mythology. This world is covered in glaciers, towering trees, rushing streams, moss, and angry clan members. During your time in Grizzleheim, you try to unite 3 groups: The Bears, The Wolves, and The Ravens.

Ravenscar

You are called here at level 40 to encounter The Coven, the infamous group trying to bring forth the Everwinter. It is your job to try and defeat these ravens before they succeed.

Wintertusk

The Coven is at it again! They are now closer to bringing forth the Everwinter! You journey to four parts of the land, divided evenly among the four sons of the ice titan Ymir. Austri, Nordri, Sudri, and Vestri are Ymir's sons. The Coven plans to awaken Ymir to bring about the Everwinter!