Leif Erikson

"The pain that we cause is the cause of our pain."

- Leif Erikson

Leif Erikson or Leif Ericson was an Icelandic explorer considered by some as the first European to land in North America (excluding Greenland), before Christopher Columbus. According to the Sagas of Icelanders, he established a Norse settlement at Vinland, tentatively identified with the Norse L'Anse aux Meadows on the northern tip of Newfoundland in modern-day Canada.

He was likely born in Iceland, and grew up in the family estate Brattahlíð in the Eastern Settlement in Greenland. Leif had two known sons: Thorgils, born to noblewoman Thorgunna in the Hebrides; and Thorkell, who succeeded him as chieftain of the Greenland settlement. Leif was the son of Erik the Red and his wife Thjodhild, and the grandson of Thorvaldr Ásvaldsson, and distant relative of Naddodd, and was a Viking in his early days.

Erikson was described as wise, considerate, and strong man of striking appearance. Leif was the son of Erik the Red, the founder of the first Norse settlement in Greenland and a ruthless chieftain known for his bloody conquest of Green.

Battle vs. Marco Polo (by Elgb333)
In a small beach somewhere near the Black Sea, a lone Viking ship approaches from the ocean. Inside were 4 Viking warriors, led by none other than Leif Erikson, who were scurrying for new lands to settle, as well as to kill anyone in their way. Little did they know that on the beach were Marco Polo and 3 Mongols on a who were scouting the beach for any intruders.

Leif lands the longboat on the beach. Polo sees these foreigners and he yelled at him to stop. Marco caught the attention of the vikings, but instead of surrendering themselves, they charged at the Mongols. One Mongolian soldier fired an arrow with impulse, and it hits one viking in the eye. The Mongol bow stopped the vikings and pinned them back at their boats.

Leif sees this and he unloads his axe. He then orders his vikings to circle around and wait for the Mongols to get closer. Marco Polo orders his mongols to approach the longboat steadily. As the Mongols slowly trudge towards the boat, the Vikings suddenly ambushes them from the side and attacks. One Viking kills a Mongol with his sword. Another Mongol attacks Leif, but the Viking just punches him in the face, lifts him up and threw him on the ground. Before finishing him off with his ax.

Though his Mongols were getting beat back, they and Polo held their ground. Polo himself decapitated one Viking with his sword. Another Viking tried to backstab him, but a Mongol saves Polo by stabbing the Viking with his saber. Leif retaliated by killing that Mongol with his own sword through the chest.

Both Leif and Polo look at each other. Leif again took his ax and deals an overhead chop on Polo to finish him off. But Polo narrowly misses the axe and slashes Leif's by the stomach, disemboweling him. Yelling in pain and shock, Leif uses all of his strength to swipe at Polos feet with the polo of his axe, knocking the wayward down. Though weakened, Leif stands up and raises his axe again to deal another blow ont he dazed Polo. But Marco just parried the ax through the pole with his Saber, before finally slashing at Leif's face. The blade slices off Leif's lower jaw, and blood spewed everywhere. The Viking's dying body knelt down on the beach before finally crashing down to the ground lifeless.

Polo raises his saber and cries in victory.

Winner: Marco Polo

Expert's Opinion
Though I'm kinda sad that the battle wasn't as close as I was expecting, still all the expert's voted for Polo becasue of his better mid and long range weapons, as well as having more experience and better strategy in combat. To see the original battle, weapons, and votes, click here.