What is a Beserker?

     The idea of "going berserk" is a common one (especially among Barbarians). But have you ever wondered where the word berserk comes from, what it means, or what a Berserker is?
     The best place to start is definately the origin of the word. Berserker is a Norse, Germanic, and Anglo-Saxon term that is spelled Berserkr in the west. These tribes are the Barbarians of the European countries. Even though the Nexus is the land of the east, many western ideas and practices have made their way to our lands.
     The term Berserkr literally means Bear Shirt or even possibly Bare Shirt but it also describes a group of fanatical warrior-priests who follow the Chief Aesir sky god of War, Victory, Death, and Poetry (in some religions), Odin. Before a battle, the Berserkrs will enrage themselves to the point of insanity, running into battle wearing bearskins or possibly even without any armor at all; they bite their shields and taunt death. The Berserkrs become so battle crazed, they will attack rocks, trees, friends and foes; anything that stands in the way. Many believe this maddness is achieved through the use of mind altering drugs, this is not so; what drives the Berserkr is victory over the enemy for the sake of their kin. The Berserkr is definately a force to be reckoned with.