I was referring to Orthstirr not Ordstirr, the "Word-Glory" Fervour equivalent rather than the Zeal equivalent that the Norse are being actively prevented from faining.
Ordstirr and Orthstirr are the same thing. Word-Glory, as you say. The actual word is orðstírr, with ð being variously translated as 'd' or 'th'. AeonIlluminate is precisely correct...their Zeal equivalent is odr (technically oðr but only the one spelling has ever been used here).
Okay, so it isn't the kind of thing that the more metaphysical "presence" aspects would let us like, force some fraction their non-committed Orthstirr to get tied up for the duration of a single battle? I wasn't talking about the stuff they've invested into their hamr, hugr, and/or fylgja or the like as that's not readily "loose"/"unequipped" Orthstirr. I was referring to like, some action using Light's metaphysical interaction with Presence and to a lesser extent understanding and knowledge to like disarm or restrain like a d6 or what have you of their Orthstirr reserves that they'll get back taking a moment to focus and reclaim it or after a fight is over.
I'm not thinking of anything that would actually harm or damage damage someone's cultivation long term or anything.
I imagine the same would be possible to do via some Skald creating sibilant lies and doubts about their Faith into a Carolingian Cultivator's mind, that would take a moment for the Knight to cast aside such lies and falsehoods.
No. Because, like I said, Ordstirr is based on your previous deeds, people being aware of and remembering them. Fiddling with the connection to the world by which they regain temporary Ordstirr is maybe doable, but even the 'loose' stuff listed as part of the pool is actually still contained inside the cultivator, as are their Aspects. You could maybe halt their non-Aspect based Ordstirr regeneration for a little while, but as it doesn't regen in combat time anyway, the utility of that is very limited.
I believe that's time enough, and I want to keep our current momentum going through this arc, so locking it up.
Scheduled vote count started by Alectai on Apr 11, 2025 at 9:12 PM, finished with 130 posts and 28 votes.
[X] Plan Invisible Nuke
-[X] Stance: Vanguard's Prayer (5/turn), Innocuous Blows (2/turn), Perfect Footing, Strandsense, Superlative Counter, Francisca Toss, Black Scratch, Giant-Killing Blow, Clever Deflection, Slip Free, Bouncing Leap
-[X] Expenditures: Potential Defensive Finale (19 Zeal), 7 Fervour/turn on passives, 11/11 Capacity
-[X] Tactics: Don't immediately activate Innocuous Blows. Toss our Francisca at him to break his shield, then use Bouncing Leap (and the boots of speed if they meaningfully help with launching ourself) to close the distance and hit him with a GKB, temporarily activating Innocuous Blows to make the GKB look like a Basic Attack. Use Sunder's ability on this attack and a +20 dmg Force Ring. If the fight continues, mainly use Black Scratch to attack, with a GKB if we get a good opening. Try to keep him at a safe distance so that he can't grapple us easily, use Bouncing Leap to make space if needed, and Slip Free + Stone-Strength Ring if he lands a grapple or other pin style effect on us. If he is about to land an attack that looks extremely dangerous and we don't think we can dodge/block it, or we fail to Slip Free from a grapple, Crowley launches a Lightning Bolt at him to stun him and knock him out of the attack, and we GKB him. In general, only use Innocuous Blows to hide GKBs. Use Superlative Counter if he Finales us.
[X] Plan to Send a Message
-[X] Stance: Vanguard's Prayer (5/turn), Innocuous Blows (2/turn), Uneven Ground, Strandsense, Superlative Counter, Francisca Toss, Probing Strike, Giant-Killing Blow, Clever Deflection, Slip Free, Black Scratch
-[X] Expenditures: Potential Defensive Finale (19 Zeal), 7 Fervour/turn on passives, 11/11 Capacity
-[X] Tactics: Play into the opponents expectations. Open up with Francesca Toss to take out his shield, and if he pulls out another one retrieve the Francesca and repeat until he runs out of shields. Defend against the Saix being tossed and called back at odd angles. Prepare slip free and the stone ring in the event of a grapple. Use Innocuous Blows and Probing Strike to feign weakness to Audrey's strikes while relying on her social chops to play up the act and feed into the opponents arrogance, then when an opening presents itself GKB Plus Sunder Plus Force Ring effect to OHKO him if possible. Failing that, do it again just to fuck with him, but this time include Uneven Ground and Black Scratch to ruin his ability to position or defend himself and finish him off. With Superlative Counter in reserve if needed
In life Galti the Gultton was a man who came to british shores on a trading trip before getting into a feud with another norseman which Galti lost. In the aftermath of the feud Galti awoke to find himself buried underground and sought to free himself from his earthly prision, unfortunately due to being unconcious when he was buried underground he'd forgotten which way was up and spent the last weeks of his life digging deeper into the earth surviving off what he could and his clearwater kunna before dying of hunger. Alone and forgotten on british soil.
Rising in death as a draugr he began terrorizing his surroundings swiming through the earth as one would swim through water eating everything he could get his hands on. He seems to have a particular apptite for blessed objects whether it be organic or not as in life Galti was known to have a strong enough constitution to eat metal and other inorganic things.
Those look like maybe a Tactics roll, which hits 5+mods I think, although the opposed one isn't there so I'm not sure. Then the 19 dice one looks like a Grace roll, which I think results in a 3 2 total. Which ain't good, but theres an unreasonable amount of 1s to get.
Edit, deadman pointed out a miscount on the Grace roll
Would it be feasible to use Light to become Just That Much More Annoying (non-combat, draws attention to stuff that annoys the other party) with the goal of getting targeted enemies to attack us first if combat breaks out by mostly bypassing supernatural defenses?
(Since it magnifies stuff that already exists and gives no compulsion)
Would it be feasible to use Light to become Just That Much More Annoying (non-combat, draws attention to stuff that annoys the other party) with the goal of getting targeted enemies to attack us first if combat breaks out by mostly bypassing supernatural defenses?
(Since it magnifies stuff that already exists and gives no compulsion)
If you really wanted to, yes. You'd need to actually be annoying, so people could tell you were being provocative, but you could be extra provocative. That said, you could probably use Cloak of Grandeur for this if you wanted, outside combat that is, not as well as a dedicated option, but it'd work for this somewhat.
[X] Plan Invisible Nuke
-[X] Stance: Vanguard's Prayer (5/turn), Innocuous Blows (2/turn), Perfect Footing, Strandsense, Superlative Counter, Francisca Toss, Black Scratch, Giant-Killing Blow, Clever Deflection, Slip Free, Bouncing Leap
-[X] Expenditures: Potential Defensive Finale (19 Zeal), 7 Fervour/turn on passives, 11/11 Capacity
-[X] Tactics: Don't immediately activate Innocuous Blows. Toss our Francisca at him to break his shield, then use Bouncing Leap (and the boots of speed if they meaningfully help with launching ourself) to close the distance and hit him with a GKB, temporarily activating Innocuous Blows to make the GKB look like a Basic Attack. Use Sunder's ability on this attack and a +20 dmg Force Ring. If the fight continues, mainly use Black Scratch to attack, with a GKB if we get a good opening. Try to keep him at a safe distance so that he can't grapple us easily, use Bouncing Leap to make space if needed, and Slip Free + Stone-Strength Ring if he lands a grapple or other pin style effect on us. If he is about to land an attack that looks extremely dangerous and we don't think we can dodge/block it, or we fail to Slip Free from a grapple, Crowley launches a Lightning Bolt at him to stun him and knock him out of the attack, and we GKB him. In general, only use Innocuous Blows to hide GKBs. Use Superlative Counter if he Finales us.
Solimann Chest-Butter. What was even the point of a silly nickname like that! Audrey didn't understand the motivations behind it, and how someone could get to a stage like this and not show their opponents a due level of respect! Even now, he was just casually sauntering up towards her–though she could see the muscles in his body beginning to tense up, accumulating power for an explosive opener.
But it didn't matter that he was strong! His arrogance was going to be his undoing! He was looking down on Audrey Eotenslaga! If he had taken her with due gravity, he might have had a chance–but he didn't, and so she was going to break him in half.
Her Francisca snapped up into her hand–the Devil-Lightning crackling along its notched head as it sailed like a bolt of thunder through the air–meeting the raised shield of Solimann as he too exploded into motion. His shield exploded to splinters, and he threw the remnants away, Ordstirr pumping like blood as it suffused his mortal vessel with enough power to bend the very laws of the world like an amateur painter ruining a wonderful piece of art.
Audrey knew exactly what he was going to try to do–to pin her down in place, lock her down, and apply pressure until she yielded. She knew her own body well enough to know her own vulnerabilities–and so she knew full well how to escape this situation.
Naturally, she couldn't overcome a Norseman expending his Ordstirr with wild abandon in a single move–that wasn't how a true Knight operated. Rather, it was about making his efforts irrelevant in the least amount of force possible.
So she shifted her posture as he approached–just enough to force him to adapt quickly, but not enough to halt him. Her Hama then turned the Strength of Stone ring hidden on her thumb around–granting her just enough additional strength to slip out of his hands despite their vice-like grip. Seemingly in a panic, Sunder struck out–seemingly an attempt to trade threat for space.
But a canny Norseman, who trusted in his armaments–Solimann scoffed and stepped into the attack, confident her blade would ring off his mail and leave her open for the finishing blow.
This was his final mistake, as Sunder clove through mail, flesh, and bone alike–bisecting Solimann Chest-Butter into two halves–his upper half sailing up and over Audrey's head, while his lower half paused in confusion–now lacking orders on how to proceed.
An opportunity Audrey Eotenslaga would never pass up! For with a fierce outward kick–still empowered by the dregs of the Ring of Stone's power, she punted his lower body across the battlefield! She turned around even as Solimann began reacting, catching himself on the ground in one hand and spinning in place–only to find Audrey's blade pointed directly into his face.
"Now, would be the time for you to surrender." Audrey asked, a cheeky grin on her face, her visor never being lowered over the course of this battle, and thus, clear for all to see. Solimann's eyes glazed over for a moment, as he seemed to run over the events of the past few instants in his memory–returning with a dark look in his eyes.
"You win" He spat, seeming to etch Audrey's features deep into his mind.
Not that it would matter after all, what were the odds she would ever have to deal with him again anyway? She raised her hands then, stepping away as the crowd cheered at the humbling of her first competitor. A truly wonderful start to the Invitational this was! But this was merely step one!
She had many other challenges ahead to meet!
(+3 Wealth for victory in the first Round) Solimann Everywhere Unlocked
0~0~0
Round 1:
Audrey throws out a Francisca Toss for a 71
Solimann lazily attempts a dodge with a 39
His shield is broken.
Solimann charges in suddenly with a grapple, getting an 80
Audrey uses Clever Deflection to attempt to avoid this for a 76
Audrey is grappled.
Audrey uses Slip Free and her Strength of Stone Ring to escape without costing an action
Audrey attacks using Giant-Killing Blow and Innocuous Blows with a 73
Solimann plans to just take the hit and gets a 41 to dodge
Solimann takes 280+ damage from Giant-Killing Blow, Sunder, and a Force Ring.
Solimann is no longer in any shape to continue fighting. Audrey wins.
0~0~0
"Audrey!"
Audrey's eyes snap open, all contemplation of the Nail vanishing from her thoughts and slipping through her fingers like so much smoke. Ire spikes as Crowley's presence flutters around the back of her mind. Being interrupted like this, in the middle of contemplation, means that all the built up progress is gone—just like that.
"You'd better have a damn good reaso-"
"Hostiles approaching, four of them. They mean to ambush you!"
Wait, what? Ambush her, Audrey Eotenslaga?!
As Audrey scrambles to her feet and hurriedly darts over to where her armor rests, Crowley keeps talking.
"Hold on as long as you can, I'm going to go get help!"
With that, Crowley's presence vanishes from her mind. Audrey grits her teeth as she draws Sunder, the sound of approaching footsteps like thunder in the out-of-the-way room she selected for her contemplation.
Taking a chance and poking her head from the room out into the iron-walled hall, Audrey immediately yanks it back as a spear thrust nearly takes her head clean off.
Teeth clenching tighter, Audrey grunts as she nods to herself. Yep, Crowley spoke the truth. Four men mean her harm.
Why not harm them first?
0~0~0
After your duel with Solimann, you went to meditate somewhere quiet and well lit, to work on integrating the Nail into your Temple. Four men have suddenly decided to appear, fully armed and with murder in their hearts. Crowley has gone to fetch aid, but until then, you are on your own.
Any one of them likely would be no threat to you, from what little you can tell on short notice like this–especially since you had time to don your Armor, but there's four of them–if they manage to surround you, you'll take damage–and that won't be undone so easily in the time you have.
One of the groups though has a pair of Giant's Blooded fighters, who appear to be reasonably seasoned–though still a step or two below a true elite. The other contains a single figure of such stature. That being said, the fact the other fighter is smaller is throwing off your assessment, and you can't get a clear read on them, or their skills–they might be stronger, they might be weaker, they might even be in the same league–you don't have time to figure it out before they'll be upon you.
Truthfully, you can see that they're intending to pin you in place with the attack from both exits, surround you on all sides, and kill you while you're unable to react to all of their attacks. If you face them head on… You might win, but you won't be able to avoid damage. Your Primary Objective is to minimize how much damage you take.
Retreating is obviously not an option, they intended to take a swing at Audrey Eotenslaga, and that can't go unpunished. That doesn't mean you're obligated to make things easy for them. Being surrounded is not a good place to be. You should take steps to fix that or you're going to be in for a world of hurt.
Of the ones you could read–the group of two Giant's Blooded… Well, they're obviously physically strong, they're also unbelievably mad right now. An angry fighter is one that isn't thinking straight, so you might be able to get away with a few tricks before they get wise to you. Their gear also isn't beyond the quality you could see at home, though you can't tell if they have anything special on hand either. They do have proper mail and helms though–as well as spears and shields which will make fast takedowns a headache without a clean Giant Killing Blow that gets past their defenses.
At the very least, you don't see any Finales being unleashed here–it'd be really hard to hide that, and you don't think they're mad enough to get caught actively defying Bram Ironjaw–especially here in the Iron Hill itself. They're probably going to try and leave before he gets wise to them, since you don't think even a Norseman could escape the ire of the Strongest Man in Europe if he notices them breaching his hospitality.
[ ] Sample Combat Plan
-[ ] Stance: Pick 11 Prayers or Feats to use in this combat (from the Stance Options list below).
-[ ] Expenditures: As an optional entry, you may state how much Zeal you are willing to expend in this combat and on what. Without such an entry the only use of Zeal Audrey will make in combat is defensive Finale use in response to another Finale (if she has a Finale in her Stance).
-[ ] Tactics: Describe what you are going to do.
For ease of reference, here are the possible options for a Stance, arranged by category with costs and a brief summary of effects (including current equipment bonuses). Full descriptions may be found on the character sheet. For reference and comparison purposes, basic attacks deal 30 Damage (50 damage if made with Sunder). Note that your Companions generally benefit from your Ongoing Effects.
Ongoing Effects:
-Cloak of Invisibility (7 Fervour per turn): Grants a +2 bonus on defenses, enables surprise attacks and hit and run tactics.
-Innocuous Blows (2 Fervour per turn): Causes all attacks to 'read' as basic attacks
-Keen Ear Invocation (No Cost): Enhances hearing specifically. At the moment, this also induces vulnerability to loud or constant noises.
-Litany of Resolve (No Cost): Provides increased mental defences.
-Perfect Footing (No Cost): Never trip normally, provides resistance to being tripped or having your footing messed with.
-Prayer For Perseverance (5 Fervour per turn): Lets you ignore Stamina and fight forever.
-Through Their Eyes (No Cost) Allows perceiving through Crowley's senses and vice versa.
-Strandsense (No Cost): Allows perceiving stuff within a nearby area via invisible web.
-Vanguard's Prayer (5 Fervour per turn): Grants +1 Speed and a +4 bonus on attacks.
Ranged Attacks:
-Blinding Beam (5 Fervour): Shoots out a beam of light at a foe. Deals 40 damage and blinds foes for at least one action.
-Faulty Ground (5 Fervour): Trips an enemy. Deals 30 Damage ignoring most resistances and renders them prone. Not very long ranged, but does extend outside of arm's reach.
-Francisca Toss (6 Fervour) Tosses a francisca as a ranged attack.+1 initiative as an opener, deals 50 Damage or, if the target has a shield, causes the loss of 3 Shield Uses
Melee Weapon Attacks:
-Black Scratch (5 Fervour): A strike using the red-black lightning. Deals 70 Damage (including 30 to armour).
-Darting Strike (3 Fervour): Draw a weapon, charge, and attack. Provides movement, +1 initiative as an opener, deals 60 Damage.
-Giant-Killing Blow (15 Fervour): Big attack. Deals 230 Damage (including 50 to armour).
-Probing Strike (2 Fervour): Normal attack that deals 50 damage and leaves an opening for a follow-up.
-Sweeping Slash (8 Fervour): Multiattack. Hits up to three nearby targets for 70 Damage (including 20 to armour) each.
Unarmed Attacks:
-Horde-Breaking Charge (4 Fervour): Charges and body checks one or more people. Provides movement, knocks people prone, deals 30 damage.
-Limb-Breaking Hold (5 Fervour): Wrestling hold (so needs a hand free). Deals 30 Damage ignoring most resistances and breaks a limb.
-Stunning Blow (5 Fervour): Unarmed attack that requires being in close. Deals 50 Damage and stuns the target.
Finales:
-Superlative Counter (19 Zeal): Counters another Finale and counterattacks with a Finale level attack. Beats most Finales, but not quite all.
Defences:
-Clever Deflection (1 Fervour): Defends and, if successful, creates an opening in the opponent's guard.
-Slip Free (3 Fervour): Gives a roll with a bonus to escape a grapple, doesn't require an action the first time per round you use it.
Utility
-Bouncing Leap (5 Fervour): Allows jumping significantly forward or back as part of another action, this can be combined with other Rotes, and can bring nearby allies including a mount with you.
-Pulling the Web (1 Fervour): Allows moving 20 lb or lighter unattended items within the Hama Web's area, does not cost an action, fairly precise.
We did just embarrassed a competitor and probably just ruined these guy's betting pool.
I feel like some clever maneuvers and environment usage coupled with some taunts might be our best bet.
The most annoying thing about having a Norse Enemy is his growth rate zzz. Audrey is not going to outscale him at that, even discounting the years needed for the Tabernacle.
Hordebreaker, Faulty Ground, Sweeping Strike, and Strandsense seem to be the bare minimum to me.
Unfortunately we're gonna need to be prepared to burn Zeal here, which means Hordebreaker getting the Zeal boost is necessary to limit as much damage as possible, given they're not all peers to Audrey at the very least
Invisibility seems smart, which just leaves forcing openings so...
Francesca Toss and Blinding Beam to follow up with GKB? We need ranged options to control the fighting at the very least, given how blind this is gonna be for Audrey going forward
Unfortunately we're gonna need to be prepared to burn Zeal here, which means Hordebreaker getting the Zeal boost is necessary to limit as much damage as possible, given they're not all peers to Audrey at the very least
Burning Zeal on Hordebreaker will do nothing here, probably. They're basically certain to never launch an attack that doesn't get through Rebuke based on Ordstirr.
Hordebreaker, Faulty Ground, Sweeping Strike, and Strandsense seem to be the bare minimum to me.
Unfortunately we're gonna need to be prepared to burn Zeal here, which means Hordebreaker getting the Zeal boost is necessary to limit as much damage as possible, given they're not all peers to Audrey at the very least
Invisibility seems smart, which just leaves forcing openings so...
Francesca Toss and Blinding Beam to follow up with GKB? We need ranged options to control the fighting at the very least, given how blind this is gonna be for Audrey going forward
I'll point out, they're still Norsemen, the amount of Ordstirr they'll need to spend just to get a 50/50 odds of beating your rolls will beat even boosted Rebuke.
Unfortunately we're gonna need to be prepared to burn Zeal here, which means Hordebreaker getting the Zeal boost is necessary to limit as much damage as possible, given they're not all peers to Audrey at the very least
Hmmm I wonder if we can turn invisible to ambush one with a GKB before combat begins cause we haven't shown that yet in general. We aren't in there line of sight right so we could tune invisible and strike one with IB active to prevent the heightened instinct to burn resources to block. I guess would we need to get rid of a shield first if we ambush with GKB? Would they be able to use it to block/reduce damage still?
Hmmm I wonder if we can turn invisible to ambush one with a GKB before combat begins cause we haven't shown that yet in general. We aren't in there line of sight right so we could tune invisible and strike one with IB active to prevent the heightened instinct to burn resources to block. I guess would we need to get rid of a shield first if we ambush with GKB? Would they be able to use it to block/reduce damage still?
They know you're in here, if they don't see you, they'll assume you're hiding somewhere and start taking steps to smoke you out. Don't assume they'll be ignorant just because you have Cloak on.
It will help, absolutely, even a small defense bonus might make all the difference here, but it won't give you a free swing.
Hunh.
Okay I get being salty he lost publicly but uhh.
That's an escalation. Not fun that these punks are going to ding our winning streak, either…
Hrrm.
Seems to me if we blast past one unlucky dude with the innocuous blow+GKB combo we might be able to outrun the rest of them, maybe? Or if escaping isn't an option even with the Invisibility Cloak, we can probably just use the doorframe to control the angles and make them 1v1 Audrey so we can sit there and stall until Ironjaw can express his displeasure.
