[X] Raven. A Raven Flygia grants you good fortune over time.
[X] (Friendship with Brunhildr) Brunhildr helps her with her lessons.
[X] Yes to childhood adventures and choose them by dice roll.
[X] Perception. Every warrior needs to keep an eye out, whether it is for enemies sneaking up on them or valuable loot to take.
[X] Swordsmanship. Father wants to teach you how to use a sword because it is the only weapon fit for a son of his.
[X] Rabbit. A Rabbit Flygia grants you twice as much health.
[X] (Friendship with Brunhildr) Brunhildr helps her with her lessons.
[X] No to childhood adventures, do backgrounds rolls and skip ahead to the raiding.
[X] Writing (Runes). You have begun to learn your runes.
[X] Lightning Seidr. Continue learning to master the art of lightning seidr.
[X] Lynx. A Lynx Flygia makes your spells more powerful
[X] (Friendship with Brunhildr) Brunhildr helps her with her lessons.
[X] Yes to childhood adventures and let the thread pick them.
[X] Writing (Runes). You have begun to learn your runes.
[X] Language (English). You will get Wulfwynn to teach you the words of her people.
With childhood adventures, I'm going to split the difference with one being rolled and the other being chosen. As for Lightning Magic and Perception, I'm split between rolling off to choose one or the other and just splitting the difference by having you partially learn both.
With childhood adventures, I'm going to split the difference with one being rolled and the other being chosen. As for Lightning Magic and Perception, I'm split between rolling off to choose one or the other and just splitting the difference by having you partially learn both.
If we partially learn both we should definitely have an option to finish them both up as one choice next time, assuming we get another round of skill choices.
If we partially learn both we should definitely have an option to finish them both up as one choice next time, assuming we get another round of skill choices.
Hmm, I think I'll explain how the system works to make it clearer.
Basically, the system works via opposed rolls if you are facing a creature or a DC if you are facing something other than a creature. Dice rolls are done using a D20 and any relevant bonuses are added. An sub-stat and its main stat both add 0.2 bonus per point to a roll while an applicable skill adds a 0.1 bonus per point a roll. Items and Traits also have their bonuses, but that isn't standardised and depend on the item in question. I choose to use d20s because I wanted some range of rolls without getting into the extremes that a d100 offers. I also don't want higher numbers to be auto-wins so stats and skills are set up to be useful, but higher numbers don't automatically beat out lower numbers. I choose to make it so skills and stats add small bonuses, but are relatively easy to improve so players can itch that "numbers go up" spot, at least in the beginning as it will be easy to improve at the start and the higher a skill or stat is, the harder it is to improve it.
So splitting the differencing isn't half-learning a level of a skill, it is getting five points in two skills rather than ten points in one skill.
[X] Lynx. A Lynx Flygia makes your spells more powerful
[X] (Friendship with Brunhildr) Brunhildr helps her with her lessons.
[X] Yes to childhood adventures and let the thread pick them.
[X] Yes to childhood adventures and choose them by dice roll.
[X] Writing (Runes). You have begun to learn your runes.
[X] Lightning Seidr. Continue learning to master the art of lightning seidr.
[X] Perception. Every warrior needs to keep an eye out, whether it is for enemies sneaking up on them or valuable loot to take.
1d6 = 6
"Torvald!" cries Astrid as your best friend marches up to you and begins to drag you off to a secluded part of the fort.
"Uhh," you say as you look at her, your eyes straying to her flicking cat tail poking out from underneath her dress and where her regular ears have been replaced with those of a cat.
"Sigrid," says Astrid as she notices where your eyes are looking, which shouldn't be an explanation and yet somehow is.
"So what is it that you want?" you inquire when Astrid doesn't elaborate on her previous answer.
"Father got word that there is a wyrm of some sort nearby," says Astrid excitedly in a low voice as to avoid being overheard, "I want to find it first."
You stare at Astrid, which is an easy thing to do as the girl is beautiful with golden locks of hair, sky-blue eyes and an impressive figure that is still blooming when it comes to both her muscles and her curves. Her beauty is even more apparent since Brunhildr started helping Astrid with her lessons and these days, Astrid walks around with the air and demeanour of a refined noblewoman. And yet it is not her godly beauty that draws your attention, but the audacity of what she is proposing.
"Are you insane?" you demand, but you make sure to keep your voice quiet for now, "Astrid, I know you are strong, but you aren't strong enough to fight a dragon."
"I don't want to fight it, I am no fool," replies Astrid as she gives you a roll of her eyes, "I just want to see it, to get the experience. I'm on the verge of a breakthrough with my Constitution. I could get my first Trait from it right now if I wanted, but I'm holding off so I can see if I can get something from encountering the wyrm."
"That's more reasonable," you concede, "But still, a wyrm, Astrid."
"I can fly, control time and have a Cat for my Fylgia," answers Astrid, "I can take a hit or two or more if things go badly and still get out of there in one piece."
That's a valid point. You don't like to dwell on how much Astrid is better than you, but her time-based seidr will make her a pain and a half to fight. She can rewind time to undo injuries and unwanted effects and pause a spell mid-flight or a weapon mid-swing with just a glance. Those on their own would be a pain to deal with, but Astrid has a lot of seidr reserves
"So you the two of us want to sneak out, find the wyrm and then get a Trait from your Constitution," you summarise.
"It doesn't have to be just the two of us," says Astrid, "I was thinking of inviting one or both of your sisters along. Maybe Wulfwynn too."
Use plan voting for the adventure vote.
Who do you bring along on your adventure?
[ ] Invite Brunhildr to come along.
[ ] Invite Sigrid to come along.
[ ] Order Wulfwynn to come along.
[ ] Nobody.
***
"Alright, Torvald, you're getting old enough that we need to start thinking about when you are a man," says Father as he guides you to the armoury, the longhouse that contains his assorted weapons and armour that he has collected over his lifetime.
"I am going to get a weapon?" you ask eagerly with a grin on your face.
"Aye, lad," confirms your father and your smile just gets wider, "You won't be allowed any of the good stuff yet, but I'll let you pick out your first sword. A couple of other bits too. Some might forsake their armour or consider it an afterthought, but they're fools in my book. Obviously you have those whose traits and seidr make wearing armour more harmful than helpful, but they are a rarity and I know you aren't one of them."
"What about Gunnar?" you inquire, "Does he not need armour?"
He certainly boasts about it, claiming that his giant's blood means his strength and toughness outweighs the need for armour.
"Your brother is one of those fools and I'll beat it out of him if I have to," answers Father, a frown flickering across his face for a moment, "Aye, it is true that his Bloodline makes him need armour less than others and armour needs to be specifically made for a lad of his stature, but that's no excuse. I have Wolf for my Fylgia and I still wear armour because I'm not a fool. You heard of arrogance, Torvald?"
"That's when you take pride too far," you answer confidently, remembering that lesson that Father made sure to impart with you.
"That's right, lad," says Father, "Pride is one thing, but too much of it will get you killed. I may not need armour, but I certainly won't go into battle without it. Not by choice."
As exciting as it is to be in a whole longhouse of weapons and armour from across the world, your father doesn't let you do more than gaze upon them as he guides you over a table. Upon the table is a selection of items, a sword with wolf-styled engraving, a iron helmet, a pair of leather gloves and boots, a freshly made gambeson and a round shield, made of wood and lined with metal.
"These are weapons and armour fit for a young lad like yourself," says Father as he gives you a hearty pat on the back, "And as your father, I shall provide you with them for free. And also as your father, I shall teach you about being careful with choosing your equipment by only letting you claim three of them. So choose wisely."
Nodding your acknowledgement, your mind begins to race as you review the various items. A sword seems obvious though you do have your lightning bolt is potent enough you might be able to rely upon it in battle. That said, you aren't Astrid or Sigrid with their Cat Fylgias and your seidr reserves are much lighter, perhaps not enough for seidr to be your weapon of choice in battle even if you make up for it in more powerful spells.
The gambeson will provide the most overall protection, but the helmet is what will keep your head from harm. Likewise, the boots and gloves would aid in keeping your hands and feet from harm. As for the shield, it would work well with either a sword or your lightning bolt though you couldn't use it with both at the same time.
Use plan voting for the item vote.
Which three items do you claim?
[ ] The Sword.
[ ] The Helmet.
[ ] The Boots & Gloves.
[ ] The Gambeson.
[ ] The Shield.
***
As you put Prestige into your Strength, you find yourself reaching a breakpoint. Father, Astrid and others had taught you about this, but it is the first time that you have experienced it for yourself. Like all things relating to the improvement of your Hamr and Hugr, it is something that you must do on your own and no one else can aid or hinder you in it.
Because you got this Trait from your Strength, it is going to be related to your Hamr. It will improve your physical form and possibly change it too. As Astrid has told you, you can feel three choices and you know that you only be able to pick one.
The first is an acknowledgement of the fact all of your closest friends are girls or in the case of Wulfwynn, a woman The second is from your desire to follow in your father's footsteps as a viking. The final choice is an acknowledgement of you learning your Lightning Seidr, something that originates with your bloodline.
No plan voting for the trait vote.
Choose your Trait.
[ ] Female Friendship. You get along easily with girls and women. +2 to all non-Combat rolls involving a straight woman.
[ ] Warrior Path. You have chosen to walk the path of a warrior. +1 to all Combat rolls.
[ ] Lightning Blood. Lightning travels through your veins. Pass or win on a single Agility roll per Encounter or Fight.
Bloodline = Descendent of Thor (Unlocks access to Lightning, Thunder and Storm magic. Provides a boost to all Lightning, Thunder and Storm magic. +2 to Strength. +1 Prestige per month & +1 Piety per month. You have red hair.) Kenning (Epithet) = None.
Hamr (Body) = 3 (100 Prestige to upgrade)
-Strength = 3 (5) (100 Prestige to upgrade)
-Constitution = 2 (60 Prestige to upgrade)
-Agility = 1 (30 Prestige to upgrade)
Hugr (Mind) = 2 (60 Piety to upgrade)
-Will = 1 (30 Piety to upgrade)
-Intellect = 3 (100 Piety to upgrade)
-Presence = 1 (30 Piety to upgrade)
Fylgia (Familiar) = Lynx. (Your spells and other magic are more potent and powerful)
Traits Stubborn. You have a raw determination that refuses to be beaten without a fight, no matter how long the odds. Gain Advantage on Will. -Tier 1. 500 Piety to upgrade. Clever. You are quick witted, just able to grasp and see things that elude most others, no matter how intelligent they are. Gain Advantage on Intellect.
-Tier 1. 500 Piety to upgrade.
Lightning Seidr Anti-Lightning Ward
-Level 1 = Reduce the next lightning damage taken within the hour by 2. Costs 1 Spell Point to cast. Lightning Bolt
-Level 1 = Deal 2 points of ranged lightning damage. Requires one free hand and 1 Spell Point to cast.
-Level 2 = Deal 4 points of ranged lightning damage. Requires one free hand and 2 Spell Points to cast. Lightning Flash
-Level 1 = Blind a single target within line of sight for several seconds. Alternatively, use it to make a momentary burst of light. Costs 1 Spell Point to cast. Lightning Travel
-Level 1 = Travel to anywhere within your line of sight as a lightning bolt. Costs 1 Spell Point to cast.
Relationships Your Kin
High Chief Sigurdr Princess-Taker (5/10) = Your father and ruler of Torstenby.
Ingrid Goodwife (4/0) = Your mother.
Torsten Sigurdrsson (0/10) = Your older brother by three years and heir apparent to Torstenby.
Brunhildr Sigurdrsdottir (5/10) = Your older half-sister by two years.
Brandr Sigurdrsson (0/10) = Your older half-brother by six months.
Sigrid Sigurdrsdottir (5/10) = Your younger half-sister by one year.
Gunnar Sigurdrsson (-5/10) = Your younger half-brother by three years.
Torstenby
Wulfwynn Rosegarden (-2/10) = Your thrall.
Astrid Bjornsdottir (5/10) = Your childhood friend.
Thane Bjorn Knightslayer (2/10) = Your father's best friend and father of Astrid.
***
Okay, on the tied votes, I decided to split the difference. You will get one rolled adventure followed by being able to choose a plot hook. I wanted to do both at the same time, but there were other things I wanted to cover in Torvald's childhood and this way, stuff having in the earlier adventure will be able to affect stuff in later adventures.
Speaking of later adventures, I'm planning to do one adventure a year until Torvald is sixteen and goes on his first raid. So one adventure will be rolled at twelve and fourteen while you will pick Torvald's adventures when he is thirteen and fifteen.
Otherwise, you have unlocked your first Trait. You get a new Trait whenever one of your stats reaches a multiple of five. You also have the character now since I was able to finish that with your Fylgia chosen.
Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to.
[X] Plan Basic Gear and Lightning
-[X] The Sword.
-[X] The Helmet.
-[X] The Gambeson.
-[X] Lightning Blood. Lightning travels through your veins. Pass or win on a single Agility roll per Encounter or Fight.
[X] Plan Bring Our Sisters
-[X] Invite Brunhildr to come along.
-[X] Invite Sigrid to come along.
[X] Plan Basic Gear
-[X] The Sword.
-[X] The Helmet.
-[X] The Gambeson.
[X] Lightning Blood. Lightning travels through your veins. Pass or win on a single Agility roll per Encounter or Fight.
"This is a foolish idea," complains Brunhildr as the four of you make your way through the countryside, "A wyrm is dangerous, even for a grown warrior. And we are just girls, except for Torvald."
"I'm a shieldmaiden," retorts Astrid.
"Sneaking out to hit practice dummies with an axe does not make you a shieldmaiden," counters Brunhildr, but your sister's heart isn't in it.
"It makes me enough of one," says Astrid confidently, "Let's fight anyone else my age and I'll kick their butts."
"That is because you are unfairly powerful for your age," points out Brunhildr.
"Life isn't fair," scoffs Astrid, "I didn't choose to be powerful and you didn't choose to be a rich and educated lady. Neither of us earnt it either, but that's life for you. You make do with the hand that you've been given."
"Wow, Assy," says Sigrid, your shape-shifting sister deciding to join the others today with blue eyes and blonde hair to accompany her pointed ears, "That's awfully smart of you."
"Don't call me that," says Astrid.
"Agreed," adds Brunhildr, "That is not an appropriate nickname for Astrid."
"Well, Triddie is pretty powerful if she is getting her second Hamr Trait," says Sigrid, waving off the rebukes of the older girls.
"This is your second Hamr Trait?" exclaims Brunhildr as your sister
"Yeah, I got one from Hamr proper and I've got enough Prestige saved up to get my first trait from Constitution," answers Astrid proudly.
"Most people only get one Trait from each area," says Brunhildr just a little sourly.
"I am not most people," replies Astrid confidently as she holds her head high.
"Have you gotten your second Hamr Trait yet?" inquires Sigrid as she looks at her sister, "I haven't got my first one yet."
"I still only have Gold," admits Brunhildr and for a second, the golden allure coating her body becomes just a little stronger, "I should be able to get one from my Agility within the year, but I'm not that prestigious yet."
"We should be approaching the wyrm's nest shortly," you say, speaking up for the first time in a while after making the wise decision to stay out of the bickering between the girls, "Father's reports said it was in the area.
"Okay, we go in close enough for Astrid to get a good look for her Trait and we leave," says Brunhildr.
"Screw that, I want to get up close," says Astrid with an eager gleam in her eyes, "More Prestige from getting closer and we might be able to find some scales or something."
"Prestige and loot mean little if we are dead," argues Brunhildr, "This is a wyrm, Astrid. A wyrm."
"And we're Norsewomen!" retorts Astrid as she rounds on the older girl, "Courage is rewarded by the Gods."
"And so is wisdom," counters Brunhildr.
As the two girls argue, Sigrid turns to you, waiting for you to wait in on the argument.
No plan voting.
What does Torvald argue for?
[ ] Argue for getting closer. (Greater Prestige gains & a chance of loot, but greater risk of danger)
[ ] Argue for staying at a distance. (Lesser Prestige gains, but reduced chance of danger)
***
As your merry band makes its way towards the wyrm's nest, you have an option to talk with one of the girls accompanying you in greater depth.
No plan voting.
Who does Torvald socialise with?
[ ] Astrid
[ ] Brunhildr
[ ] Sigrid
Bloodline = Descendent of Thor (Unlocks access to Lightning, Thunder and Storm magic. Provides a boost to all Lightning, Thunder and Storm magic. +2 to Strength. +1 Prestige per month & +1 Piety per month. You have red hair.) Kenning (Epithet) = None.
Hamr (Body) = 3 (100 Prestige to upgrade)
-Strength = 3 (5) (100 Prestige to upgrade)
-Constitution = 2 (60 Prestige to upgrade)
-Agility = 1 (30 Prestige to upgrade)
Hugr (Mind) = 2 (60 Piety to upgrade)
-Will = 1 (30 Piety to upgrade)
-Intellect = 3 (100 Piety to upgrade)
-Presence = 1 (30 Piety to upgrade)
Fylgia (Familiar) = Lynx. (Your spells and other magic are more potent and powerful)
Traits Stubborn. You have a raw determination that refuses to be beaten without a fight, no matter how long the odds. Gain Advantage on Will. -Tier 1. 500 Piety to upgrade. Clever. You are quick witted, just able to grasp and see things that elude most others, no matter how intelligent they are. Gain Advantage on Intellect.
-Tier 1. 500 Piety to upgrade. Lightning Blood. Lightning travels through your veins. Pass or win on a single Agility roll per Encounter or Fight.
Items of Note
Iron Sword (Decent) = +1 to Attack rolls, Deals 3 Damage.
Iron Helmet (Decent) = +1 to Defence Rolls, Blocks 1 Critical Hit
Gambeson (Decent) = +3 to Defence Rolls
Lightning Seidr Anti-Lightning Ward
-Level 1 = Reduce the next lightning damage taken within the hour by 2. Costs 1 Spell Point to cast. Lightning Bolt
-Level 1 = Deal 2 points of ranged lightning damage. Requires one free hand and 1 Spell Point to cast.
-Level 2 = Deal 4 points of ranged lightning damage. Requires one free hand and 2 Spell Points to cast. Lightning Flash
-Level 1 = Blind a single target within line of sight for several seconds. Alternatively, use it to make a momentary burst of light. Costs 1 Spell Point to cast. Lightning Travel
-Level 1 = Travel to anywhere within your line of sight as a lightning bolt. Costs 1 Spell Point to cast.
Relationships Your Kin
High Chief Sigurdr Princess-Taker (5/10) = Your father and ruler of Torstenby.
Ingrid Goodwife (4/0) = Your mother.
Torsten Sigurdrsson (0/10) = Your older brother by three years and heir apparent to Torstenby.
Brunhildr Sigurdrsdottir (5/10) = Your older half-sister by two years.
Brandr Sigurdrsson (0/10) = Your older half-brother by six months.
Sigrid Sigurdrsdottir (5/10) = Your younger half-sister by one year.
Gunnar Sigurdrsson (-5/10) = Your younger half-brother by three years.
Torstenby
Wulfwynn Rosegarden (-2/10) = Your thrall.
Astrid Bjornsdottir (5/10) = Your childhood friend.
Thane Bjorn Knightslayer (2/10) = Your father's best friend and father of Astrid.
***
First of all, no plan voting. Secondly, sorry about how long this short update took. I got it half-written last night and planned to get it done earlier today except I had an unexpected family outing. So it took longer than it should have.
Anyway, a social vote and your first childhood adventure.
Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to.
