# Palnatoki — Styrbiorn the Strong character guide

> Palnatoki in Styrbiorn the Strong by E. R. Eddison.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Jomsburg, Palnatoki of Fion

**First appearance:** 0006-iv-jomsburg

## Snapshot

Founder and law-giver of Jomsburg, Palnatoki commands the loyalty of the fiercest Viking brotherhood ever assembled and bends their strength toward Styrbiorn's cause.

## Who they are

Palnatoki rules Jomsburg by custom and iron will, convening armed councils on the seawall where every man speaks his rede in turn. When Styrbiorn arrives, Palnatoki sets aside his own enterprises and pledges the brotherhood's full aid without conditions—a generosity that unsettles Sigvaldi and others. His willingness to break even Jomsburg's sacred law against women, at Styrbiorn's plea, reveals how far he will go for the young claimant he has taken under his wing.

## Relationships

### [Styrbiorn the Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/styrbiorn_the_strong)

_friendship_

Palnatoki is a loyal ally and foster-father figure to Styrbiorn, supporting him in his campaigns.

### [King Eric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/king_eric)

_rivalry_

King Eric and Palnatoki are adversaries, as Palnatoki supports Styrbiorn against Eric.

### [An](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/an)

_friendship_

An and Palnatoki are comrades and allies in the struggle against King Eric.

### [Sigvaldi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/sigvaldi)

_friendship_

Palnatoki and Sigvaldi are allies and fellow Jomsvikings, working together in their brotherhood.

### [Styrbiorn the Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/styrbiorn_the_strong)

_friendship_

Palnatoki is a loyal ally and foster-father figure to Styrbiorn, supporting him in his campaigns.

### [Styrbiorn the Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/styrbiorn_the_strong)

_friendship_

Palnatoki is a loyal ally and foster-father figure to Styrbiorn, supporting him in his campaigns.

### [An](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/an)

_friendship_

An and Palnatoki are comrades and allies in the struggle against King Eric.

### [King Eric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/king_eric)

_rivalry_

King Eric and Palnatoki are adversaries, as Palnatoki supports Styrbiorn against Eric.

### [King Eric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/king_eric)

_rivalry_

King Eric and Palnatoki are adversaries, as Palnatoki supports Styrbiorn against Eric.

### [Sigvaldi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/sigvaldi)

_friendship_

Palnatoki and Sigvaldi are allies and fellow Jomsvikings, working together in their brotherhood.

### [An](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/an)

_friendship_

An and Palnatoki are comrades and allies in the struggle against King Eric.

### [Sigvaldi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/sigvaldi)

_friendship_

Palnatoki and Sigvaldi are allies and fellow Jomsvikings, working together in their brotherhood.

## In the story

### [Styrbiorn the Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/styrbiorn-the-strong)

Leader of the Jomsvikings; welcomes Styrbiorn and helps him rise to prominence.

### [IV: Jomsburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/iv-jomsburg)

Captain of Jomsburg, tests Styrbiorn in single combat and ultimately accepts him into the brotherhood.

### [V: Yule in Denmark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/v-yule-in-denmark)

Captain of Jomsburg; not present in Denmark but mentioned as foster-father to Harald's son Svein and as Styrbiorn's commander.

### [VIII: The King and the Queen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/viii-the-king-and-the-queen)

Lord of Jomsburg who gathers with other Jomsburgers to meet Styrbiorn.

### [XII: The Cowing of the Dane-King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/xii-the-cowing-of-the-dane-king)

Offers Styrbiorn support and later convenes the Jomsburg council, deferring to Styrbiorn's plans.

### [XIII: The Sailing of the Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/xiii-the-sailing-of-the-fleet)

Sick and injured (breaks his leg), he is persuaded to stay in Jomsburg while Sigvaldi sails in his stead. He reluctantly allows Thyri into the stronghold out of loyalty to Styrbiorn.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/palnatoki
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters