NorseQuest (A Norse Xianxia)

Toboe · Apr 9, 2023

Imperial Fister said:
"You've seen that before?" Your words are a whisper barely heard in the evening light.

'In Gotland, when death found me.' A chill pebbles your skin as shivers dance up and down your spine. 'One moment I was... I forget what I was doing, but in the next moment one of my men came running, saying that the Jomsvikingar were there and had, apparently, always been coming.' He scoffs, derision dripping from his voice, 'It wouldn't have even been a fight had they not caught me unprepared, but that's Steelfathers for you — nothing but cowards, the lot of them.'

So the Norns rewrote history/fate (or at least how everyone except Blackhand remembers it) before he got attacked by the 9 steelfathers.

Imperial Fister said:
"The prophecy about Steinarr... why shouldn't he be told about Horra? I've had at least two people tell me that it's a bad idea, but *why?* Nobody's told me anything."

"What are you talking about? I quite clearly said that it was due to the fact that, as these are his ancestral homelands, he is related to all but the newcomers."

"No, no you didn't."

The tea cup shatters against the ground.

"...What? No I... wait, did I? I had to but I don't remem- wait, wha-"
|-{X}-|-{X}-|-{X}-|

The written world shatters like broken glass.

The falling shards unravel as three womanly voices begin to hum in unison.

Long, slender fingers weave in tandem as they re-harmonize the past, present, and future.

|-{X}-|-{X}-|-{X}-|
You blink as everything snaps back into focus. A pressure in your palm draws your gaze and hammers pound in your ears as the black bones shine through your skin. Slowly but steadily, the glow fades away until it becomes one with your skin

What just happened?

"What was...?"

"What was what?" The Seeress quirks her head to the side. The tea cup sits back in her hand, as fine as it ever was.

The sheer honesty in her eyes, the utter confusion at your words, stops you from answering. She honestly doesn't know what you're talking about, what you could possibly be referring to.

Did you just imagine all of that?

'No, no you didn't.' Blackhand's words a soothing balm to the until-then unrealized burning of your charred soul. Your skin hums with power brimming beneath the surface, just waiting to be used. Invisible threads of loose frami, virthing, and saemd all float around your being. 'This is the work of the Enemy.'

And the Norns fucked with the Seeress's memory to make her believe she warned us about Horra.

They can pull a Matrix deja vu.
It didn't fully work on us, just dizzying us.
It didn't (fully) work on Blackhand
When we (partially) resisted, we had an allusion to Blackhand
- "as the black bones shine through your skin"

Question: Why didn't they use that to make Steinarr just happen upon Horra to kick of the Valley war (besides the "it would be a boring quest if the fate altering enemy would properly use it to destroy us")

Also, if only the one with the charred soul perk is protected.... That could lead to issues for our triplets.

Hypothesis:
The incident that gave Hallr the kenning Blackhand made him more than a normal mortal/cultivator, getting outside of the rat race.
And the Norns (or whoevery the enemy is) don't want him to become a god.

Constenanto said:
So that explains why Hallr got jumped by a dozen+ Steelfathers. Turns out our family is actually a big deal... well, it already was, with Hallr being a thing. But it seems to be a very big deal. From what I understand, the Enemy veiled or rewrote fate, and has done so multiple times to screw our family over? I want to say it's the Nornir, but that feels too obvious, and I feel like Hallr would just say the Nornir if it was them, rather than the Enemy.

Iirc it was 9, not dozen+

mythfan12 · Apr 9, 2023

So assuming the seersight can see the Norn's thread (I might be basing that off nothing) and the QnA saying the gods weren't the ones messing with the cultivation means someone's somehow a blind spot in the entire tapestry.

Alectai · Apr 9, 2023

No, it's nothing like that.

Someone Seized Fate.

I suspected as much, but this more-or-less confirms it. The Fates aren't a thing so much as they're a force... But someone's managed to get control of them, and the Steelfathers are their instrument by all indications, or at least another puppet.

"A Weapon that can Sunder Steel", and Hallr was apparently on the cusp of finding it, at which point Fate was somehow rewritten to drop an army on top of his ass when he normally would have been able to dumpster that force if they didn't apparently get magicked into striking distance. Just as Fate was apparently Written to try and bait us into walking ourselves into a trap. And Reality broke when we actually questioned the illusion, but Charred Soul meant that Halla actually saw what was going on, and was protected from her own memory being rewritten along with everyone else's.

More importantly though, the fact that they're a Thing and not a Force means that we actually have a chance. Or rather, it seems that The Enemy doesn't actually know everything they know, even if they can hand out Orders. Which leads to the seams being visible if you're paying attention to it, they can't actually just dictate "This Person has to Die before they can become a Threat." Or that would be happening. What they can do though is demand Contingencies being put into place, like "Steinarr is not allowed to know that Horra is part of the Valley until X period of time" or something along those lines.

Of course, there's a reason beyond the Fates why we shouldn't do that, but it's telling that Halla was allowed to know that Horra is part of the valley, but not that killing him would lead to disaster as half the valley dogpiles you. And when we found out about this ourselves and then doubled back to question, the illusion broke down because two irreconcilable events happened simultaneously--a paradox.

If the Fates were actively fucking around, they would have noticed Halla in that window where they were re-editing history to remove the paradox, because she was right at the center of it. The fact she still exists and wasn't, you know, edited dead or with an angry Steelfather to goomba stomp her suggests that this is outside the scope of what they're supposed to do.

So the Fates themselves don't appear to be the Enemy, but the Enemy has some level of control over them, and is apparently related to Steel in some fashion.

Constenanto · Apr 9, 2023

Toboe said:
And the Norns fucked with the Seeress's memory to make her believe she warned us about Horra.

I don't actually think they hid her warning. The text says 're-harmonize', so I got the sense that they actually fixed fate/time/whatever the fuck so we actually ended up remembering what happened. It suggests that fate wasn't in harmony before, and that they repaired it.

WhoTheHeckity · Apr 9, 2023

@Imperial Fister Can we mix multiple elements in a weapon? Sorry if this has already been asked.

[X] Plan: Firestorm Weapon Materials
-[X] 8 oz Forged Iron (5 Silver)
-[X] 8 oz Molten Iron (20 Silver)
-[X] 8 oz Storm Iron (20 Silver)
-[X] Good Scythe (Forged Iron) (17 Silver)
-[X] Good Pot (Forged Iron) (28.75 Silver)
-[X] Good Toolset (Forged Iron) (16 Silver)
-[X] Good Plow (Forged Iron) (34.75 Silver)
Total Cost: 141.5 Silver

Silverking · Apr 9, 2023

So, endgame seems to be getting that weapon, but first we need a way to prevent Fate from being used against us, otherwise the Enemy will just "retcon" us into a losing scenario when we get close.

Hunter531 · Apr 9, 2023

Constenanto said:
I mean, sure, but that doesn't explain why he'd veil/rewrite fate/time to get Hallr jumped by a bunch of angry Steelfathers, or why he'd veil/rewrite fate/time to keep Halla out of the loop of Horra's ancestry. My understanding is that because of the fact that our family made a weapon that can break the Curse of steel, we got targeted by the Enemy. I'm not sure where Charlemagne fits into all of that. Hallr also seems to be aware of Charlemagne, and I feel like he'd say more than 'The Enemy™'. Although we could just ask him when we get the chance if we really wanted some clarification.

Norse cultivators being able to use a metal that can beat Steel would be a serious power boost for Norse cultivators. That would make their destruction a la their Saxon counterparts a whole lot more difficult. I'm guessing Charlemagne wouldn't like that. As for him sabotaging Halla, he probably sees that she and her line is likely to continue her grandfather's work of improving Norse cultivation.

Grytorm · Apr 9, 2023

I'm pretty certain that it was the norns screwing around with fate there. Not Charlemagne or anyone else. I think Hallr calls them the Enemy because he isn't exactly certain who they are. Personally I think the most interesting line was the reference to the Written World

So. Seeress apparently gave us a prophecy that telling Steinar about Horra would be a bad end but then when it was brought up she started to realize something was wrong. Then the Norn's interfered with the timeline. The tricky thing is that we don't know if the Seeress just had a mindwipe or what and probing too deeply is risky. Suddenly I'm thinking that maybe something actually is funky with Horra's Deep Family Roots.

DeadmanwalkingXI · Apr 9, 2023

Constenanto said:
I don't actually think they hid her warning. The text says 're-harmonize', so I got the sense that they actually fixed fate/time/whatever the fuck so we actually ended up remembering what happened. It suggests that fate wasn't in harmony before, and that they repaired it.

No, I think they did keep us from being warned, and expected us not to notice when they re-centered things. But we did because Hallr is scary. Like, there's motive for them to sabotage us...there isn't really any other reason for the Seeress to have delivered the warning but us not to have received it.

WhoTheHeckity said:
@Imperial Fister Can we mix multiple elements in a weapon? Sorry if this has already been asked.

[X] Plan: Firestorm Weapon Materials
-[X] 8 oz Forged Iron (5 Silver)
-[X] 8 oz Molten Iron (20 Silver)
-[X] 8 oz Storm Iron (20 Silver)
-[X] Good Scythe (Forged Iron) (17 Silver)
-[X] Good Pot (Forged Iron) (28.75 Silver)
-[X] Good Toolset (Forged Iron) (16 Silver)
-[X] Good Plow (Forged Iron) (34.75 Silver)
Total Cost: 141.5 Silver

We can make Good Tools, we don't need to buy them, and I'd rather not almost all our silver on this (even if it does leave us with gold). I'm also not convinced we need every single magical metal, that seems very unnecessary to me. I'm gonna go with a somewhat more economical plan. Gimme a minute.

Franco Asuriano · Apr 9, 2023

Does Halla herself knows how to read runes, or just Hallr?
I fear our next soul-vessel might have an even smaller part of Hallr's memories, with each generation paying direct and indirect homages through naming after him.

Is it possible to have children with dwarves and Jotun, or any other supernatural being?

I.F. Ister · Apr 9, 2023

WhoTheHeckity said:
@Imperial Fister Can we mix multiple elements in a weapon? Sorry if this has already been asked.

You can. It makes it hard to use one element without using the other, but you can do it.

Franco Asuriano said:
Does Halla herself knows how to read runes, or just Hallr?

At this point, the difference is academic between them. So yes, Halla does.

Franco Asuriano said:
Is it possible to have children with dwarves and Jotun, or any other supernatural being?

It is, yes.

Constenanto · Apr 9, 2023

So, from what I'm getting, our ancestors - at some point in time - either discovered or made a weapon capable of breaking the Curse of steel.

Imperial Fister said:
"From the furnace of the smithy, Iron's son was cursed," Sten grows distant as his voice fills with words not his own, words spoken to him through the chain of student and teacher, "for the Hornet tricked them both when Steel was finally born. He slew his father and brothers, murdered his mother and sisters, and went on to kill all who stood before him, all who would dare bring an end to this bloodshed."

Sten falls silent as he finishes the speech passed down to him from ages long since past. He watches you carefully as he releases hold of your hands.

"It lied to the Sky-Forger and..." he sighs, suddenly looking a decade older. Heavy bags droop under his eyes, wild and weary. "Steinarr asked this for Abjorn and I accepted, for he is my father and your husband-to-be would only use its power to protect you and your coming children. One day, though, he and his loyalty will be gone... But the sword won't. It cannot, for it is Steel."

"I..." You don't know what to say, so you do what you know. You grit your teeth, set your jaw, and look your brother square in the eye as you stand your ground. "Cursed it may be, but no more than all who caused their mothers pain through childbirth."

The fact that it was buried in our homeland suggests that either the weapon couldn't be destroyed, and thus was hidden - which doesn't seem very likely, as why hide in the homeland of the people who made it? - or they ended up burying it as a 'just in case' for the future, which perhaps suggests that at some point in time, the Curse was 'beaten'? I'm grasping at straws right now, so I could be completely wrong there. The Curse itself seems to be related to... violence? I can't really glean much from what Sten says here, but he says that even after Abjorn will be gone, the sword will remain. Or it's something like 'the sword will end up betraying the wielder and leading to their death'.

Anyway, Hallr tries to find this weapon capable of breaking the curse, and something ends up rewriting fate, resulting in him getting jumped by a bunch of Steelfathers, leading to his death. And then that something interferes with us, which possibly suggests that its scared of us? Or that it knows about Charred Soul? Otherwise, I don't see why it'd go out of its way to screw with us, unless it really wanted us dead. Like, it possible could've done this to Steinar, and gotten him jumped by the valley, but it decided to fuck with us, even though we're no where near Steinar's level. Unless I'm wrong, and it has messed with Steinar - there's no evidence it hasn't tried to.

DeadmanwalkingXI said:
No, I think they did keep us from being warned, and expected us not to notice when they re-centered things. But we did because Hallr is scary. Like, there's motive for them to sabotage us...there isn't really any other reason for the Seeress to have delivered the warning but us not to have received it.

Why would they bother re-harmonizing fate, though? We still would've been confused, and I don't think it would've changed anything had they not done it? Not sure if I'm understanding it correctly.

KreenWarrior · Apr 9, 2023

Grytorm said:
Personally I think the most interesting line was the reference to the Written World

Unlike the Greek Dates, the Norns were said to have written fate as runes onto Yggdrasil (though some depictions have them spinning too. Myths crosscontaminate a lot). The distinction between Fate and reality is possibly academic.

Toboe · Apr 9, 2023

Silverking said:
So, endgame seems to be getting that weapon, but first we need a way to prevent Fate from being used against us, otherwise the Enemy will just "retcon" us into a losing scenario when we get close.

One question is why they didn't already.
And what keeps them from doing it now. Just have one person have a slip of tongue around Steinarr.

Alectai · Apr 9, 2023

Anyway, speculation aside, I'm interested in getting enough Molten Iron to make a Sword out of, but no more than that. That should be an excellent tool for Halla's Ignition techniques. A bit pricy, but a useful long-term investment.

DeadmanwalkingXI · Apr 9, 2023

Alectai said:
Anyway, speculation aside, I'm interested in getting enough Molten Iron to make a Sword out of, but no more than that. That should be an excellent tool for Halla's Ignition techniques. A bit pricy, but a useful long-term investment.

A sax instead would be 20 silver to the 50 silver that enough Molten Iron to make a sword costs. I think I'm going with that version.

Constenanto · Apr 9, 2023

A sword made out of Molten Iron (and perhaps other metals) would be nice. I'm not sure what weapon stats a sword actually uses - I'm guessing Chop, Slash, and Bash perhaps? - but it would make a nice side-arm in case we ever get disarmed, or for any other reason.

I believe Imperial said it's possible to get Sagaseeker reforged, so could we possibly get Sagaseeker reforged with Molten Iron with Sten's aid?

I also wonder if the death of Halla's sister (brother?) was the work of the Enemy, too.

Franco Asuriano · Apr 9, 2023

Could Icicle Iron be used to freeze Water Hugareida (our weakness)?

Serous · Apr 9, 2023

This also calls into question how much the killing of Hallr's children was planned by the Enemy.

DeadmanwalkingXI · Apr 9, 2023

Constenanto said:
A sword made out of Molten Iron (and perhaps other metals) would be nice. I'm not sure what weapon stats a sword actually uses - I'm guessing Chop, Slash, and Bash perhaps? - but it would make a nice side-arm in case we ever get disarmed, or for any other reason.

I believe Imperial said it's possible to get Sagaseeker reforged, so could we possibly get Sagaseeker reforged with Molten Iron with Sten's aid?

It should be Chop, Pierce, and Cut...and so should a sax, given we've seen a sax used with those.

Constenanto · Apr 9, 2023

DeadmanwalkingXI said:
It should be Chop, Pierce, and Cut...and so should a sax, given we've seen a sax used with those.

Huh. Fair enough, I suppose. What reason would there to use a sword over a sax, then? Besides prestige.

CedeTheBees · Apr 9, 2023

[X] Plan: Just Fire
-[X] 16 oz Molten Iron (40 Silver)

KreenWarrior · Apr 9, 2023

Imperial Fister said:
The pieces of a weapon to sunder steel. A weapon to surpass its Curse.'

By the way, one of the proposed etymologies of Excalibur is "Cut-Steel".

Alectai · Apr 9, 2023

Serous said:
This also calls into question how much the killing of Hallr's children was planned by the Enemy.

Hrm.

The impression I get is that Steinarr is required to be in the Valley at this period of time, so he needed a reason to be here (It's Horra's Ancestral Home), but it was forbidden for him to actually resolve the reason he was here (Which is to actually kill Horra). So he wasn't allowed to know that Horra actually came back at some point.

Halla was allowed to know that Horra was here, but she was not allowed to know that picking a fight with Horra would get her dogpiled by Half the Valley if she didn't do it without getting him Outlawed first. It looked like she was being set up on a crash course towards starting a firestorm until we asked Folkmarr while outside the region where the Nornir hold sway, where he actually... You know, told us. Then we came back and asked someone who previously ignored that--and in doing so, revealed the discrepancy and caused a local Paradox.

I can't tell whether this is a Binding that's aimed as Steinarr that Halla just incidentally discovered, or if this is a binding that exists to bait the rest of Hallr's descendants into one place so they can be wiped out from some Disaster.

[X] Plan: I Like Swords
-[X] 20 oz of Molten Iron (50 Silver)

Ryumancer · Apr 9, 2023

I wonder if we can/should try writing a diary or something, chronicling all the changes to fate/reality our lineage has noted, to ensure we don't have to figure out a new way of learning about this every generation or two, we can just pass the diary down from protagonist to protagonist.

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