Having skates, the ice favors us, or at least disfavors us less. Also, if we have to spend the night out here, we're dead, so anything that lets them bottle us up is out. A contested climb onto the shore is better than a siege on the island.
I'd rather not kick off the cycle of revenge if it can be avoided, but we've got two tricks that can keep things (mostly) nonlethal.
[X] Slick Charge
-[X] 1d6 Attack
-[X] 1d6 Defense
-[X] 2d6 Intercept
-[x] Stoke Frami and Virthing
-[x] Put 1 Orthstirr each into hamr and hugr
-[X] 1d6 Barb-Tongue
-[X] Halla and Abjorn do a bluff charge, with Stigr following and shooting at any opponent who tries to get into formation. Try to taunt/lure them further onto the ice.
We could provoke him into a stupid attack (we take position on the island and provoke him to charge at us).
Or
We talk him into a 1 vs 1 unarmed duel for the axe.
I will say I very much like 'challenge Osborn to a duel'. I have no idea whether we could take him, but I imagine it would be difficult for him to back down from a challenge by a girl.
You know, since I'm adapting a lot of the tricks from moves used in the sagas, you guys could come across the 'Scrotum-Pin Trick'. There was an instance in the sagas where a man was pinned by his scrotum to a snowbank with a thrown spear.
You know, since I'm adapting a lot of the tricks from moves used in the sagas, you guys could come across the 'Scrotum-Pin Trick'. There was an instance in the sagas where a man was pinned by his scrotum to a snowbank with a thrown spear.
Remember, you're the one who put nutshot-related things on our character sheet.
As the enemy ships approached, Halla called her children forth, to bid them farewell ere she left to do battle.
Her daughter pointed to the skates she wore, wicked-looking steel things, more an axe on each foot than a skate. "What are those, Mother, and why do you wear them?"
"These," said she, "are fearsome weapons indeed. They are not my greatest weapons, that honor belongs to Thiefsbane, but they are dreaded by all men in Norway, and far beyond as well, and it is my hope that my reputation with them will make our foes think twice about attacking. After me, Forksplitter and Lineslayer shall be yours."
"Forksplitter? Lineslayer?"
At that, Halla's mein became one of embarrassment. "Yes. Your uncle bought them for me as a joke, and I was a child at the time. He said that since I was practicing a technique, I may as well use a weapon suited for it."
[X] Slick Charge
-[X] 1d6 Attack
-[X] 1d6 Defense
-[X] 2d6 Intercept
-[x] Stoke Frami and Virthing
-[x] Put 1 Orthstirr each into hamr and hugr
-[X] 1d6 Barb-Tongue
-[X] Halla and Abjorn do a bluff charge, with Stigr following and shooting at any opponent who tries to get into formation. Try to taunt/lure them further onto the ice.
Damn... too bad we dont have enough practice with shatter-wrist to safely crack the ice...
best would be to shatter the ice near Osborn's group, preferably after Osborn walked on it a bit, and in general that half of the lake, while we take a tactical withdrawal on the other side so we can neither freeze to death or be locked on the island...
Im guessing running away would drain our Orthstirr?
Absolutely. Retreating when outmatched is good tactics and is drengskapr. Running away from a winnable fight is odrengskapr. Running away at the expense of others is nid.
thats... yeah, that makes things a lot more reasonable.
Though, i gotta ask... if we retreat to the shores (not the island( and break the ice under them when they pursue us... what would saving them from the freezing waters cause? and would them attacking afterwards be Nid for them?
Doing such a thing would absolutely be drengskapr. Being magnanimous both in battle and in life are traits of a drengr. I'll write up an 'On Drengskapr' post in a bit.
[x] Plan Queen of the shore
-[x] 1d6 Attack
-[x] 2d6 Defense
-[x] 1d6 Intercept
-[x] 1d6 Barb-Tongue Trick (2 Orr)
-[x] Stoke Frami and Virthing
-[x] Put 1 Orthstirr into hamr
-[x] 1 Orthstirr into Shatter-Wrist Trick
-[x] Tactics: Retreat across the ice towards the other shore (away from Osborn and his team), taunting Osborn to come after you (try his families bad reputation, and mock him for wanting your axe but being too fearful to come get it from you, an "insignificant woman" (implying that he is both a coward and a liar), after he drew his weapon). From there, get in formation. While the enemies are far, have Abjorn cover Stigr with his shield. If the enemies get close, all change to melee fighting. If the enemies pursue over ice, use Shatter-Wrist Trick on the ice once they are about to get close. If they break in, use a spear to fish them out once you aren't under attack.
Modified King of the Island.
Use the fact that with the skates we are much faster on ice.
If the combination of dunking on Osborne and saving his life if he breaks in works well enough, we might have the strangers become our friends instead of Osbornes.
@Imperial Fister
if we mock him for [being too much of a chicken to attack after he claimed we were insignificant, and after he drew his weapon], would him not attacking be odrengskapr or nid?
if we mock him for [being too much of a chicken to attack after he claimed we were insignificant, and after he drew his weapon], would him not attacking be odrengskapr or nid?
Reareading the update... is using Hel (norse/germanic afterlife) as a stand in for Hell (christian afterlife of punishment) appropriate?
After all everyone dies and goes to Hel (and may be invited by a god to their specific hall). Unlike christianity where Hell is something to be feared.
You two wanna come over to Queen of the shore and use our advantages (faster on ice, a good point to provoke Osborne (qm confirmed that him not attacking after that provocation would be nid, so he might even go for the stupid direct attack)) to the max?
[x] Plan Queen of the shore
-[x] 1d6 Attack
-[x] 2d6 Defense
-[x] 1d6 Intercept
-[x] 1d6 Barb-Tongue Trick (2 Orr)
-[x] Stoke Frami and Virthing
-[x] Put 1 Orthstirr into hamr
-[x] 1 Orthstirr into Shatter-Wrist Trick
-[x] Tactics: Retreat across the ice towards the other shore (away from Osborn and his team), taunting Osborn to come after you (try his families bad reputation, and mock him for wanting your axe but being too fearful to come get it from you, an "insignificant woman" (implying that he is both a coward and a liar), after he drew his weapon). From there, get in formation. While the enemies are far, have Abjorn cover Stigr with his shield. If the enemies get close, all change to melee fighting. If the enemies pursue over ice, use Shatter-Wrist Trick on the ice once they are about to get close. If they break in, use a spear to fish them out once you aren't under attack.
No, a better version would be Nastrond — which was, essentially, Norse Hell — however, I thought that the wordplay of Hel was better than Nastrond. If others would prefer me to change it to Nastrond, then I will.
I, myself, am of the persuasion that Hel and burial mounds are the same thing, that the Norse dead don't really go anywhere and simply stay in their bodies, unless taken to a god's hall.
Alright, voting is now closed. Lets see what plan you're going with!
Scheduled vote count started by Imperial Fister on Feb 10, 2023 at 6:10 PM, finished with 24 posts and 8 votes.
[x] Plan Queen of the shore
-[x] 1d6 Attack
-[x] 2d6 Defense
-[x] 1d6 Intercept
-[x] 1d6 Barb-Tongue Trick (2 Orr)
-[x] Stoke Frami and Virthing
-[x] Put 1 Orthstirr into hamr
-[x] 1 Orthstirr into Shatter-Wrist Trick
-[x] Tactics: Retreat across the ice towards the other shore (away from Osborn and his team), taunting Osborn to come after you (try his families bad reputation, and mock him for wanting your axe but being too fearful to come get it from you, an "insignificant woman" (implying that he is both a coward and a liar), after he drew his weapon). From there, get in formation. While the enemies are far, have Abjorn cover Stigr with his shield. If the enemies get close, all change to melee fighting. If the enemies pursue over ice, use Shatter-Wrist Trick on the ice once they are about to get close. If they break in, use a spear to fish them out once you aren't under attack.
[X] Slick Charge
-[x] 1d6 Attack
-[X] 1d6 Defense
-[X] 2d6 Intercept
-[x] Stoke Frami and Virthing
-[x] Put 1 Orthstirr each into hamr and hugr
-[X] 1d6 Barb-Tongue
-[X] Halla and Abjorn do a bluff charge, with Stigr following and shooting at any opponent who tries to get into formation. Try to taunt/lure them further onto the ice.
[x] Plan King of the Island
-[x] 1d6 Attack
-[x] 2d6 Defense
-[x] 1d6 Intercept
-[x] 1d6 Barb-Tongue Trick (2 Orr)
-[x] Stoke Frami and Virthing
-[x] Put 1 Orthstirr each into hamr and hugr
-[x] Tactics: Retreat across the ice towards the island, taunting your foes to come after you. From there, get in formation, using your shields to cover your archer and attacking anyone who comes near.
[X] Slick Charge
-[X] 1d6 Attack
-[X] 1d6 Defense
-[X] 2d6 Intercept
-[x] Stoke Frami and Virthing
-[x] Put 1 Orthstirr each into hamr and hugr
-[X] 1d6 Barb-Tongue
-[X] Halla and Abjorn do a bluff charge, with Stigr following and shooting at any opponent who tries to get into formation. Try to taunt/lure them further onto the ice.
0~0~0
"Stigr, you're the best shot in the valley. While Abjorn and I bluff a charge, can you move in behind us and try to pick off any that're getting in formation?" You keep glancing over your shoulder, making sure that Osborn and his crowd aren't enacting their plan while you're only starting to explain yours.
"Of course I can," Stigr scoffs, already stringing his bow. "Want me to focus on any of them in particular?"
You frown, thinking it over, before shaking your head. "No, just keep them from trying anything fancy."
Stigr nods, accepting your instructions while Abjorn speaks, "We're going to bluff a charge?"
"Yes, we're going to move in, insult them a bunch, and then see if we can't get any of them to chase us when we pull back."
Abjorn mulls it over silently, but before he has a chance to ask any more questions, Osborn and his group spring into action and so you and yours do too.
With Abjorn at your side and Stigr at your back, you move with speed towards your enemies. You have a few dozen seconds before you reach the shore, so you spend it by enhancing your body and mind with your reserve orthstirr.
A sudden gasp escapes your mouth as warm orthstirr floods your system to the brim. Your muscles flex with strengthened vigor, ready and waiting to be used. Every drop of breath is processed in full, every tiny piece of breathable air taken and used. If this is how it feels whenever you fully enhance yourself, no wonder people like to fight!
The lack of usable orthstirr is a heavy weight on your mind, so you stoke your frami and virthing and orthstirr fills your reserves. You can't help but be a little disappointed when your virthing manifests itself about your shoulders as a simple, unadorned cloak. But then again, you haven't exactly done much of note yet.
While you're approaching the shore, your enemies aren't idle. As Hod strings his bow and Lori stabs his spear into the ground, Osborn and Hod's brother step away from the group. They start circling around the shoreline — in an attempt to flank you, you gather.
Stigr sees this, of course, and goes to rain arrows down upon them, but a sudden shine of ocean-blue orthstirr snaps his focus like a broken bowstring.
Orthstirr surges down Lori's spear, coating it in ice-blue energy. He grits his teeth as he steps, the spear haft bending with his movement. But just before it breaks, he swings up with all his might.
The orthstirr floods from his spear and into the rocky ground. Stones tear from the earth with a resounding crack. They follow the spearhead as it swings up and around, releasing like a storm of rocks from a dozen deadly slings.
A deadly hail of stone sails your way, leaving you little time to react. (Trick Attack: 13 vs Defense: 5, Attacker wins. Trick Intercept: 13, matched, Intercepted)
Breath quickens as you raise your shield and grit your teeth, readying yourself to feel pain.
But just as the stones are about to strike your readied shield, a wrathful red-coated shield bats aside the first rock and puts itself in the way of the rest. All but one rock dashes itself against the shield, but the last smashes through the weakened orthstirr with a sound like breaking pottery and damages the wood with a heavy thunk.
Sharing a nod with Abjorn, he pulls his shield back and you keep moving forwards. You're nearly close enough to proceed with the plan. (Arrow Attack: 6 vs Defense: 2, Attacker wins. Intercept: 3, ???, Autopass, at a cost. Endurance damage dealt)
Arrows fall around you, curtesy of Hod's bow. Some thunk against your shield, but leave only minor damage after you snap them with your axe.
Something tickles your neck and you look up, just in time to see an arrow descending on you from above.
Time slows to a snail's pace as your shield moves. With hugr-enhancing your mind, you know that you're not going to make it in time, that the arrow's about to hit you.
And then, Abjorn's shield appears from around you yet again. It's moving far faster than your own, but even still this is going to be close. The only way he can stop the arrow is by catching it on the rim.
Arrow and shield meet and Abjorn's found lacking by a hair's breadth. The arrow bounces off the rim, iron glinting in the sun as it races towards your eye.
Abjorn shifts and your eyes screw shut as warm blood splashes across your face.
Opening them, you find that Abjorn's got an arrow in his meaty bicep. (Crush? 5) Yes
He took an arrow for you.
Wow.
You look to your right and meet his gaze. Concern fills Abjorn's eyes an- You blink and the battle leaves your mind for but a moment as you notice just how deep and brown they are.
He nods, snapping you from the momentary spell, and you return it with a jerky motion. You swallow and shake your head, clearing it of almost-forming thoughts as you steady your breathing and bring focus back on the battle.
Ice sprays as you skid to a halt before the shoreline and Lori moves with spear held forward and a scowl on his face. He steps in front of you, trying to hold you at bay and to stop you from reaching the shore.
Hod draws an arrow back, yellow orthstirr coating it as he aims it straight at you. There's vengeance in his eyes as he meets your gaze and a whisper of a name on his lips. What have you done to him to deserve such a look? (Trick Arrow Attack: 12 vs Defense: 5, Attacker wins. Intercept: 10, Attacker wins. 2 Endurance damage dealt)
Just as his fingers twitch and the tricked arrow begins to fly, a lucky-green arrow hits him in the chest. Bloody bone fragments spray out as he's struck with such force that he's thrown back off his feet and out of sight.
You shoot a look of thanks to Stigr, but he's too busy shooting arrows at Osborn and Hod's brother to return it.
Lori whips around as Hod disappears into leafless bushes, his spear failing to stop the arrow. Something clicks in your mind as you see the shame in his eyes. Lori prides himself in keeping his charges safe, and he just failed in that. That's a weakness that you can exploit.
"Hey, Lori!" You call, words of nid shooting from your mouth like invisible arrows. "I bet that you couldn't protect anything! Your father probably regrets ever trusting you with his land and property! A lazy whoreson like you probably nods off the moment he stops looking!" (Trick Verbal Attack: 4 vs Composure Defense: 1, Attacker wins)
Lori's jaw drops as the nid hits him like a battering ram. He snarls, jaw snapping shut with a thunderous click. Fury burns in his gaze as his spear creaks in his hand.
He leaps forward onto the slippery ice, moving to attack you, but Abjorn stands in his way. Eyes narrow to slits, and the pair burst into motion. (Attack: 4 vs Defense: 4, Defender wins ties) (Attack: 3 vs Defense: 5, Defender wins)
The crack of iron on wood rings out as spear meets shield and sax meets air. Lori barely manages to duck Abjorn's retaliatory swipe as he wrenches his spear from Abjorn's shield, before he gets an opportunity to twist it from Lori's hands.
The pair begin to circle each other, both looking for an opening. They'll find one soon enough, the slippery ice guaranteeing that someone will slip up or fall eventually. (Ranged Attack: 5 vs Defense: 2, Attacker wins. Endurance damage dealt)
Osborn's pained cries draws your attention. He stumbles back onto the shore, an arrow hitting his shin just as he stepped out onto the ice. Hod's brother grabs him by the shoulder and uses his shield to cover him as he's dragged back onto the shore.
0~0~0
(Hugr (Tactics): 4, 2, 5, 2) 2 Successes
If you had to guess, the battle is currently in your favor. Enemy morale is starting to waver, push them a bit harder and it'll be decided.
You are currently very close to the shoreline. Abjorn and Lori are currently locked in combat, either of them attempting to leave it would give the other an opportunity to strike. Stigr is about three large paces behind you and is trying to hit Osborn and Hod's brother with arrows, they are currently in cover and are probably going to move back over the shore, towards where Hod landed.
You haven't heard or seen anything from Hod, you suspect he might be dead, or otherwise seriously injured.
Looking at Lori, you reckon that he's probably possessed with anger, which makes him both easier and harder to fight. You can't read his eyes, but he's almost certainly going to be highly aggressive with his attacks.
Osborn has an arrow in his leg, which has hurt him, but he's not on death's door just yet.
Hod's brother is fine.
Stigr has 2/3rds of his arrow supply left. He is in perfect condition, if looking a little winded from orthstirr usage.
Abjorn's shield is looking pretty damaged, you'd give it two more solid hits before it breaks. Abjorn is bleeding from his arm, but other than that he's fine. You feel weird every time you look at him, you'll have to think about that later.
You have 2/2 Endurance.
Your shield can take 4 more hits. You have no back-up shields.
You have 4 orthstirr held in reserve and you have tapped frami and virthing, but not saemd.
You can put 0 more points of orthstirr into your hamr and 0 more into your hugr.
You have a combat pool of 6d6.
What do you do?
[ ] (Plan Name)
-[ ] (Dice) Attack (Targets, if any)
-[ ] (Dice) Defense
-[ ] (Dice) Intercept
-[ ] (Dice) (Trick) (Targets, if any) (Orthstirr)
-[ ] Tactics Write in
0~0~0
AN: Oh boy, looks like things are starting off strong.
Could certainly be worse, they're wavering and one of their fighters just got baited into a charge. What the hell riled them up so badly though? Was the outlaw we ganked a friend or family member or something?
Opening them, you find that Abjorn's got an arrow in his meaty bicep.
He took an arrow for you.
Wow.
You look to your right and meet his gaze. Concern fills Abjorn's eyes an- You blink and the battle leaves your mind for but a moment as you notice just how deep and brown they are.
Could certainly be worse, they're wavering and one of their fighters just got baited into a charge. What the hell riled them up so badly though? Was the outlaw we ganked a friend or family member or something?
It's possible the one the outlaw originally stole/looted Thievesbane from was a family member, in which case they might've made the hasty but not entirely unreasonable assumption that Halla was related to the crime.
Hod draws an arrow back, yellow orthstirr coating it as he aims it straight at you. There's vengeance in his eyes as he meets your gaze and a whisper of a name on his lips. What have you done to him to deserve such a look?
You are currently very close to the shoreline. Abjorn and Lori are currently locked in combat, either of them attempting to leave it would give the other an opportunity to strike.
We could flank and strike Lori.
A good axe to the knee, forcing him to defend against us (opening himself to an attack by Abjorn) or to ignore us to focus on defending against Abjorn (leaving him open to our attack, which would probably send him to deaths door or wound him enough to give him a serious disadvantage).
As long as it isn't a declared duel intervening should just be good tactics.
After that we could just say go "it was so nice, i did it twice" and provoke osbjorn to charge us. If they haven't surrendered at that point yet.
