Artist: Brendan Olszowy
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On a frozen winter day Odin, Thor and Tyr gathered to figure out what gift would be granted to the Kjelby family. Odin wanted to give a gift of knowledge. Thor; a gift of strength. And Tyr; a gift of war. After much conversation between the three gods, they decided to go to the Sons of Ivaldi, Sindri and Brock, dwarves skilled in crafting, whom forged Odin’s great spear Gungnir, and Thor’s powerful hammer Mjölnir. Unknowingly to the gods, the trickster Loki hid and listened to the gods ideas..... (See Full Story Below)

Specs:
Weight: 2037g (4lb 7oz)
Length Overall: 1185mm (46.7")
Blade Length: 870mm (34.25")
Grip Length: 248mm (9.8")
Point of Balance: 144mm (5.7") from blade shoulder
Centre Of Percussion: ~52cm (20.5") from blade shoulder
Hilt Node of Percussion: 65mm (2.6") behind guard
Blade Width: 71mm (2.8") at shoulder -> 46mm (1.8") at end of fuller
Blade Thickness: 6mm (0.236") at shoulder -> 4.3mm (0.169") at end of fuller -> 3.6mm (0.141") at 2" behind tip
Materials:
Blade: 9260 high carbon spring steel. Oil Quenched and tempered twice to hardness ~50Rc
Grip: European Beech Core with Kangaroo Hide lacing
Hilt Furniture: Mild Steel with copper accents
Scabbard: Jarrah (Eucayptus Marginata) with Blue Gum bridge (Eucalyptus Globulus)
Runic Inscription:
JEG SKAL TA MIN PLASS I HALLER AV VALHALLA HVOR MODIGE SKAL LEVE EVIG
"I shall take my plaace in the halls of valhalla where the brave shall live forever"

DET DER JEG SER MITT FOLK TILBAKE TIL BEGYNNELSEN KALLER DE TIL MEG
"There do i see my people back to the beginning, they call to me"

Nøkkelen was placed in the fjords of Gulen on the land of a mighty family by Odin The Wanderer himself, ready to be found by the Kjelby Klanen. The Kjelby family was by far the strongest in Midgard, both smart and beautiful, said even to have a little God blood in them. The mighty northmen Kjelby Klanen was a fearful group, as ready to drink and laugh as they were to fight. They were masters of the battle field and sailing the seas. The Kjelby Klanen was constantly thankful for their blessings, giving each of the Asgardian Gods thanks. The Asgardians themselves found much amusement in the somewhat chaotic battle-won, war hearty group. Even Loki laughed at their clever ways of tricking trolls. The thunder god, Thor, was quite impressed by the amazing strength of the Kjelby Klanen, for when they arrived on new land it only took one to pull there dragon ship onto land, and each had the ability to pick up the largest of men over their head and throw them as if they were weightless. Tyr, the war god found excitement watching the northmen charge into battle. The intensity and bloodlust in each of the Kjelby’s would make even the most brave tremble on the battlefield if on the opposing side. Odin found delight in the Kjelby’s wit and determination to learn, with the intentions of being the best at that which they set their mind to. For these reasons the Asgardians saw fit to bless the Kjelby’s with a mighty gift.

On a frozen winter day Odin, Thor and Tyr gathered to figure out what gift would be granted to the Kjelby family. Odin wanted to give a gift of knowledge, Thor a gift of strength, and Tyr a gift of war. After much conversation between the three gods, they decided to go to the Sons of Ivaldi, Sindri and Brock, dwarves skilled in crafting, whom forged Odin’s great spear Gungnir, and Thor’s powerful hammer Mjöllnir. Unknowingly to the gods, the trickster Loki hid and listened to the gods ideas. He was red with jealousy they did not invite him to help with the idea for a gift to present to the mighty Kjelby family, for he enjoyed them just am much as Odin, Thor, or Tyr. So Loki sneaked and creeped, following the gods to the Sons of Ivaldi, lurking in the shadows as Odin explained to Sindri their idea. The two dwarves started warming their forge, meanwhile Loki was preparing a special powder of his own creation, after which he transformed into a fly and watched the dwarves create the item. Once they started hammering hot steel Loki passed over and dropped his magic powder, and unknowingly Sindri hammered it deep into the mighty steel, just as Loki wanted. Time passed and suddenly the three gods heard Sindri shouting “It is done, it is done, its beautiful! Come to the back, I can't lift it!”. The gods rushed to the back and sitting on a huge anvil was a amazing sword. 

Sindri, with excitement, explained to the gods that it had a tremendous weight witch could only be lifted by the strongest of the strong, but once lifted its wielder would be granted with colossal strength, and also increased strength would be granted to those brave souls bearing the Kjelby name fighting along side the wielder. Brock then explaned that it also gives the wielder a heightened ability to analyze surroundings and enemies, being able to see weaknesses in armor, calculate the most successful and devastating areas to attack, and it shall seem almost as if the blood flow and arteries of any man or creature are glowing.“A mighty tool for war.” Sindri said looking at Tyr, “A tremendous gift of strength.” looking at Thor “And a gift of knowledge allowing for a better understanding of enemies” looking at Odin. “Her name is Nøkkelen because I can assure you any man able to wield this will open the locked gates of Vallhalla when his time comes..... And one of you must carry it out because neither Sindrin or I can budge it” Brock declared with a smile, and the look of satisfaction on his face. Meanwhile Loki, back in the shadows chuckled to himself thinking about his addition to the gift, his magic powder will allow the wilder to pass deceptions and be a trickster when they choose, having a smooth tongue and making the most unbelievable words believable.

Since then Nøkkelen has been wielded by the strongest member of the Kjelby Klanen each generation. Each wielder has been victorious in many battles and ultimately entered the gets of Valhalla which will be repeated until the Ragnarök when,  Nøkkelen will be wielded one las time.

Story by Kristoffer Kjelby 2011