Since the original character I had from my modeling class contained to many polys, the professor said I could find a model online. This is the model I chose. You can find this model here: http://tf3dm.com/3d-model/male-viking-7994.html

To begin with our project, we needed to add a spine to the character and attach it to the torso of the model. Here are my efforts towards that:

Torso with spine and joint rigging. I did not rotate or stretch this for reference.

Torso rotated to the side.

Torso rotated back.

Torso stretched.

Torso squashed.

I moved the top and rotated the bottom here.