The covers of this book are made of wood, and the pages are made of very coarse and thick parchment. It's covers are reinforced with sturdy, black iron and are locked tightly together. On each page are a collection of poetic verses in a strange metre, written with much black ink. Here are some transcripts:

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1] At every door-way, ere one enters, one should spy round, one should pry round for uncertain is the witting that there be no foeman sitting, within, before one on the floor

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16] A coward believes he will ever live if he keep him safe from strife: but old age leaves him not long in peace though spears may spare his life.

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OOC: From a translation of the Havamal verses by Olive Bray (1908), freely available on the intarweb.

Sigurd keeps this book close at hand - it appears to be as good a friend to him as his precious spellbook and runestones, and he can often be seen mulling over it's words.

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29] Too many unstable words are spoken by him who ne'er holds his peace; the hasty tongue sings its own mishap if it be not bridled in.

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31] A guest thinks him witty who mocks at a guest and runs from his wrath away; but none can be sure who jests at a meal that he makes not fun among foes.

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64] A wise counselled man will be mild in bearing and use his might in measure, lest when he come his fierce foes among he find others fiercer than he.

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75] Cattle die and kinsmen die, thyself too soon must die, but one thing never, I ween, will die, -- fair fame of one who has earned.

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The last few pages of Sigurd's spellbook and the High Song seem to be used as a journal for various notes, and those shows of emotion which so rarely are reflected upon his face.

Hah! War has come to this town! At last a chance to prove my mettle in the eyes of Tempus, and to make a name for myself that shall live on and earn me great respect.

I shall join those who fight for the glorious cause of freedom, and not those who strive only for the gold of Greyhawk, or the snivelling beaurocrats and tyrants of the Spellguard. It is in times like these that the true mettle of men is shown, and I do not plan to be found lacking.

22] The miserable man and evil minded makes of all things mockery, and knows not that which he best should know, that he is not free from faults.

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44] Hast thou a friend whom thou trustest well, from whom thou cravest good? Share thy mind with him, gifts exchange with him, fare to find him oft.

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More notes are made in the journal-section:

Throl (NO!) Calegaro (NO!) Grom Atma Tero (NO!) - "Roger" Lynn Gwendolyn Dimes Quintus Elina Adair Luna Margreet Erys

In the name of Tempus and the Red Knight;

I grow stronger. It is true, that the way of the Spellblade means power. Soon, perhaps, I shall be able to forge my runes into greater weapons of war. I uncover more uses for the runes of my fathers each passing week. Yet the magic is taking a heavy toll on me, and I must care that I not whither away in this dark cave - forgotten by the world, and by the others.

Note to self: Find way to get orders more efficiently. Need direct line to the Brass.

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And some more verses from the versebook:

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38.] Let a man never stir on his road a step without his weapons of war; for unsure is the knowing when need shall arise of a spear on the way without.

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50. ] The pine tree wastes which is perched on the hill, nor bark nor needles shelter it; such is the man whom none doth love; for what should he longer live?

// Since I never got to finish listing the verses of the High Song here, I will post a link to the page where I found them. The verses are a translation into english from the beginning of the 1900's of the Havamal, the viking Song of The High One (the Song of Odin). These verses were, in viking myth, the words of Odin himself. They served as an inspiration OOC to me as a player, and a focal point IC for Sigurd the character. In particular, verses 1-79 and 137-166.

http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/havamal.html