NorseQuest (A Norse Xianxia)

[I.F. Ister]

Spoiler: Axeing Questions

[x] Plan: Axeing Questions
-[X] (Seasonal) Top off the firewood supply.
-[X] (Steinarr's Teaching) Its time, you feel, that you had a weapon in hand. What weapon do you want to ask for?
--[X] An axe!
-[X] (Training) Hamr (4 successes to rank up)
--[X] (Optional) Train a hamr skill
---[X] 3d6 axe
--[X] (Steinarr's Training) (Optional) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick (Write in the skill you want to try for a trick with)
---[X] 4d6 Axe - Shield-Breaking Trick
-[X] (Orthstirr Usage)
--[X] 2 into Hamr
--[X] 2 left free for combat tricks

"And just where do you think you're going with that axe?" Asva folds her arms as she blocks the doorway, her maternally inherited brown locks falling down her head. She must have been in the middle of her morning haircare when she saw you, as one side is as smooth as mother's while the other is more like the rest of the predominantly red-headed family; a shaggy mess of curls and layered spikes that's impossible to keep orderly.

"Dad told me to bring it, so I am." You smile big and wide, like you know something she doesn't — because you do! Asva glares and leans out the door.

"Dad!" She calls, getting a muffled 'yeah?' back from the woodshed. "Did you ask Halla to bring the wood axe?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Never mind!" She calls back to Steinarr, who, presumably, shrugs and continues on as normal. Asva glances back at you with suspicion in her eyes, but steps out of your way.

You stick your tongue out at her as you pass through, which she ignores, and giggle as Flekkr gives her a big old doggy kiss as he follows you, which causes Asva to shriek at the slobber on her clothes.

You give the dog a pat and he gives you a doggy smile in return, his tail wagging so hard that you almost worry it might fly right off.

With that out of the way, you take the axe over to where Steinarr's piling together a small stack of shields. His eyes light up as he sees you, they get even brighter when he lays eyes on the dog trailing behind. "Hello Halla! And hello, Flekkr!"

You exchange greetings, Flekkr giving a bark of his own.

Steinarr looks over your shoulder, searching for any onlookers. "Alright," he says, not seeing any in the distance. He grabs a nearby cloth sack and hands it to you, "take this, fill it with shields, and then follow me."

You nod, doing just that as he hefts another bag over his shoulder. This one, though, is full.

"What's in the bag?" You ask as you work.

"Training weapons. Wood ones, before you get too excited." Steinarr knows you too well.

And speaking of weapons... "So, I'm gonna be training, right?"

"Yeah..." Steinarr narrows his eyes, but gestures for you to go on.

"And using weapons."

"Get to the point."

"Well, I was wondering," you throw the now-filled sack over a shoulder, its weight not as bad as you thought, "since I'm going to be training with weapons, shouldn't I get a weapon of my own?"

He looks to the ceiling of the woodshed — more a cover than anything like an actual building — and sighs. "What were you thinking of? You can't have a sword."

"I was thinking more like an axe, perhaps a sax."

"Oh, sorry, I thought you'd want a sword, like Crowfeeder here." He taps the ever-present sword on his hip. "Should have known my little warrior would be more reasonable than that!"

There's a smile that springs to your face whenever he calls you 'his little warrior'. You're not entirely sure that you could stop it, not that you even want to!

"Well, if an axe is what you want, there's two, well, three I guess, ways of going about it." He holds up a finger, its siblings joining it one-by-one as he runs through your options. "The first is by buying one from the smiths at Asvir." Which you've never been to. "And the second option is to use the outlaw's axe, remember the one you killed?"

You blink, long and slowly. "I remember."

"Good that you remember, sometimes people try and forget memories like that, which I've always felt is cowardly." He nods, happy with your answer. "Anyways, I'm pretty sure that he stole it from someone, it had a bit of silver on the haft and he didn't look like someone who had the silver to spare on something like that. So you can either use it as is and hope that it doesn't consider you as another thief and betray you at the worst time, like it did for the outlaw."

"It betrayed him?" You quirk your head, confusion written on your face.

"He was good enough to put me on the back foot." He mutters something about being 'out of practice'. "Even as wounded as he was, he should've been able to block a strike from you. But he didn't."

"But he didn't." You repeat to yourself, remembering how the axe had failed to stop you. Now that you think about it, it almost looked like it was loose in his hand.

"I don't want that to happen to you, so!" He claps his hands, bringing your attention back to the present. "So I'm thinking we smelt it down, which gets rid of all lingering hamingja, and then make a new axe for you. I can even show you how to do it!"

"But," he shrugs in a particularly stiff way, like he's forcing himself to do something, "it's up to you."

[ ] Buy one from Asvir (-1.5 Silver)
[ ] Use the Outlaw's
-[ ] (Optional) But smelt it down first and make a new axe.

0~0~0

The flimsy shield wiggles and wobbles as you hold it, a frown on your face. Steinarr must have seen the question in your eyes as he handed the shield over, as he quickly has an answer.

"Many men train with their fighting shields, those men are fools." A scoff rolls off his tongue like a stone from a sling. "Most shields won't last more than, oh, three or four hits. Less if you hold it wrong or they get a good, solid blow in. Furthermore," he holds up a blunt axe, "these won't hit like if they were sharp, meaning that most unbloodied men have an inflated idea of how many strikes a shield can take."

"And so you've built these shields weaker, to compensate?" You guess as you put two-and-two together.

Steinarr nods, a smile on his red-bearded face as he pats the stack of shields. "Correct, though, after all of these break, you'll be making your own in the future."

"I will?"

He nods again. "I'll show you the ropes, but a warrior must know how to mend his own arms and armor."

Well, you've never exactly been very eager to practice crafts, at least the crafts available to you as a woman, but making a shield? That sounds right up your valley!

0~0~0
(Axe Training: 1, 1, 5. Neutral outcome, counts as 1 Success) (Trick Training: 2, 3, 4, 4: 2 Successes)

"Let your instincts move your feet and guide the axe," Steinarr explains as you pant heavily, hands on knees and sweat on brow. "But temper it with your hugr."

You nod, swallowing a mouthful from your waterskin before standing up straight. Training axe and flimsy shield back in hand, you leap into action.

And then find yourself sitting on the ground, after a swift exchange of axe against shield and a response of sword to stomach.

"Alright," Steinarr holds out a hand and hauls you to your feet, "what went wrong?"

Your lips quirk downwards as you think. At some point, though you hardly notice, you start stroking your jaw with a finger and the underside of your chin with your thumb, much like Steinarr when he focuses.

"You're too quick." You eventually declare, though that's not everything there is to it.

"Eh," Steinarr wiggles his hand and shrugs, "while that is true, that's not the major problem I'm seeing. Try thinking less on me and more on what you're doing."

"Trying to hit you?"

"Trying to hit my shield."

You blink and frown, not really seeing the problem. "How am I supposed to hit you if there's a shield in the way? Wouldn't trying to get rid of it be a good idea?"

"My shield is in the way, yes, but how many blows would it take to break it?"

"Three or four, that's what you said."

"And how many strikes should it take to end a fight?"

"...as... few as possible?" You try, not super sure where he's go- oh... Oh that's what he means! "You're saying that by trying to destroy the shield, I'm wasting attacks that could be made towards ending the fight, right?"

The pride in his eyes sends your spirits soaring sky high. "That's my little warrior, always using her incredible mind." He ruffles your hair and you smile before he continues. "Any move that doesn't bring the end closer is a useless and often deadly mistake."

"So, how do I get around a shield, then? Is there a trick or something that destroys shields?"

"A trick that destroys shields..." Steinarr frowns as he strokes his bearded chin. "I'm not sure why anyone would want to have something that specifically destroys shields. Any trick that isn't either dodged or countered by another trick will have to be stopped by sacrificing a shield. And if they don't," he shrugs, "then they're probably dead, so it doesn't matter anymore."

"Now," he continues, a thought coming to mind, "there's something called Shatter-Wrist, which is a trick aimed at the shield that damages the hand holding it. Of course, it also does destroy the shield."

"There's also the Shieldlock-Hand-Swipe Trick, but," he frowns and taps Crowfeeder, "it wouldn't be very easy to do with an axe, though, so I wouldn't recommend you learning it just yet. Use it with a sax or a sword as a longer edge makes blind cutting easier."

Shatter-Wrist sounds pretty good to you, but you might as well find out what Shieldlock-Hand-Swipe is. "Well, what is it?"

"It's a trick used after you've forced someone to use both hands to reinforce the shield." He draws Crowfeeder and begins pantomiming out grabbing onto a shield and sending Crowfeeder down behind it. "Not the smartest of moves, as if you've got them like that, you could just stab them or something, but if you're not looking to kill but still want to take them out of the fight, then removing their hands will do the trick. You can put a hand back on, but you can't put a life back in a body, at least not a living one."

"Ah, okay. Can you show me how Shatter-Wrist works, then?"

A raven caws and flutters off as Steinarr begins showing you. You pay it no heed, though Flekkr clearly does. He growls, hackles raised, as it circles high in the sky.

(+1 to Axe ranking up. 1 Success remaining)
(+2 to learning Shatter-Wrist Trick. 7 Successes remaining (2/9))

0~0~0
Seasonal:
[ ] (Seasonal) Help prepare the yearly offering to the gods.
[ ] (Seasonal) Begin marking out the next year's plot of farm land.
[ ] (Seasonal) Help fill the wagon with the yearly tax.
[ ] (Seasonal) The animals need to be moved inside, for the snowfall that's surely coming.
0~0~0
Personal:
[ ] (Personal) You've heard about the nearby village of Asvir for many years now, but have never been. Lets see if you can't wring a promise out of your father to take you some time.
[ ] (Personal) Ask Randi to tell you some stories
-[ ] (Optional) Write in
[ ] (Violent) Pick a fight or spar with...
-[ ] Eric, your older brother, for fun
-[ ] Steinarr, as part of your training
-[ ] One of the local boys, for violence! (Optional Write In)
-[ ] Asva (You doubt she'd be willing to fight you, but maybe you can needle her enough?)
[ ] (Personal) Spend time with... (Write in)
[ ] (Exploration) Go on a walk through...
-[ ] The fields!
-[ ] The woods!
-[ ] The hills!
-[ ] One of the neighboring farms! You think that there's seven of them that you haven't yet discovered.
0~0~0
Training: You have 7d6 training dice to spend as you see fit.
[ ] (Training) Hamr (3 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hamr skill (Write in)
-[ ] (Steinarr's Training) (Optional) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Hugr (4 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hugr skill (Write in)
[ ] (Training) What in the heck is a 'fylgja'?
0~0~0
Orthstirr Available: 4
How do you want to use your orthstirr?
[ ] (Orthstirr Usage) (Write in)
0~0~0

A blonde and handsome young man sits in a tent surrounded by trees made of ice. He sips from a steaming mug of some kind of deep brown, bitter liquid before setting it down on the table. It refills the moment he lets go, as it always does, as it always will. He knew not what the liquid was, only that it filled him with an energy unlike anything he'd experienced before.

Naturally, he'd killed the merchant selling it, alongside any potential onlookers, before taking the stock for himself. Only he could be allowed to have this wonder.

"What does he see in you that I can't?" The young man asks his fylgja as it shows him all it had witnessed. He strokes his short beard, a finger on his jaw and a thumb on his chin. "What do you have that I don't?"

One day, he would escape from this prison.

One day, he would have his revenge.

0~0~0

AN: And so, a distant threat is revealed. Will it stay so distant in the future?

Of course not.

Every time the seasons change, instead of a random event, I'll give you a POV of something else in the world.

25-minute moratorium.

 

[I.F. Ister]

Spoiler: We've Got Spirit, Yes We Do

[x] Use the Outlaw's
[x] Plan We've Got Spirit, Yes We Do
-[x] (Seasonal) Help prepare the yearly offering to the gods.
-[x] (Personal) You've heard about the nearby village of Asvir for many years now, but have never been. Lets see if you can't wring a promise out of your father to take you some time.
-[x] (Exploration) Go on a walk through...
--[x] The hills!
-[x] (Training) Hamr: 5d6
--[x] 5 dice
--[x] Axe: 3d6
--[x] (Steinarr's Training) (Optional) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick: Wrist-Shattering Trick: 2d6
-[x] (Training) What in the heck is a 'fylgja'? 2d6
--[x] 2d6
-[x] (Orthstirr Usage)
--[x] 1d6 Hamr
--[x] 2d6 Hugr
--[x] 1d6 free for tricks

0~0~0
(Exploration) Go on a walk through the hills! (Hamingja: 4, 3, 2) 1 Success
Over the past few months, you've taken to carrying your new axe with you everywhere. Well, as much as you can get away with it. Obviously you're not wearing it around the house or the farm, but, like now, when you're wandering the hills all by yourself?

There's a grin on your face and an axe on your hip, just as it should be.

The axe, which you're thinking of calling 'Kneebiter', is fancier than you were expecting your first weapon to be. It's a bit undersized for an axe, though it's perfect for you! As you grow older and larger, though, you might find yourself having to upgrade sizes. But that's far from now!

Now, though, you're content with simply viewing your axe in all its majesty.

The general shape of it is bearded, with a pair of curving horns that end in sharp points — perfect for stabbing with. Two silver strands swirl their way around the flats of the axe head, like a snake winding through grass. A ring of bone sticks out from the bottom of the haft, allowing for easy carry by threading string around your wrist and through the ring.

It's sharp, very sharp. Sharp enough to hew through bone, as your father had declared. Of course, that would require you actually hitting them in the first place, but you're working on that.

Snow crunches beneath your shoes as you climb to the top of a steep hill. Cresting the peak, you shield your eyes from the sun as it shines like a beacon in the night. Blinking spots from your eyes, you overlook the scenery.

Well... there sure are a lot of rocks!

From hill to hill stretches a great, rock-strewn field of snow. It looked as though some great giant had fallen, spilling a basketful of rocks all over the ground.

A thought occurs to you as you look upon it. This would be a pretty good spot to have a battle in. Lots of rocks to throw and varying ground plus wide-open spaces! That's what makes a good battleground, according to Steinarr.

You'll have to keep this in mind for the future!

(Rock-Filled Hillside Field added to Locations, Battlefields, in Overview)

[ ] (Axe's Name) Go with Kneebiter
[ ] (Axe's Name) Write in

0~0~0
(Seasonal) Help prepare the yearly offering to the gods.
With a wooden bowl in hand, you dip your fingers into the blue mixture and spread it over the flank of a fat pig, fed specifically in preparation for this feast.

Your mouth waters at the thought of the feast, but you remain on task as best you can. Asveig had acquired some honey glaze and was planning on using it on the pork, which only fueled your pig-based food-fantasies further.

It's almost enough to make you consider helping out in the kitchen. Almost.

0~0~0
You've heard about the nearby village of Asvir for many years now, but have never been. Lets see if you can't wring a promise out of your father to take you some time.
Some time after the sacrifices were made, you find yourself wondering where the taxes are taken every year. You know that it's a village called Asvir, which supposedly has a fair few skilled craftsmen living in it.

Ever since you fought that outlaw — well, 'fought' — you've had his neck-knife burning a hole in your pocket. Maybe you could sell it at Asvir? It's not like you have much use for it now.

Well, other than as a gift, you suppose.

So, you found your father late one afternoon, after you completed your chores at record pace.

"Done already?" Steinarr asks, brows at the top of his head. There'd been a bit of water damage in the smithy, which he's spent the last few days repairing.

"Yep! I even sheared the sheep, too." You smile, Flekkr looking up and wagging his tail as he hears you. While he's, technically, your dog, it's like he and Steinarr simply get each other on a level you don't quite understand.

"Good work, Halla." Your grin widens at his praise. "Do you need anything or did you just come by to say 'hi'?"

"Well..." You rock on your heels, hissing through bitten lip. "I was wondering if, maybe, I could come with you the next time you go in to Asvir?"
Roll Bypassed: Steinarr trusts that you'd be able to at least defend yourself should trouble arise
Steinarr rubs jaw and chin. "I don't see why not."

"Promise!" You demand, faux-seriousness on your face.

Steinarr laughs, but accepts anyways. "I promise that I will take you with me the next time I go to Asvir. Which should be next summer, as the roads are too dangerous right now."

He knows full well that words said even in jest have power. The promise he made is binding, even if made playfully. But, of course, he fully intends to take you with him, so why wouldn't he make an easy promise?

(Asvir will be unlocked as a Travel location next Summer)

0~0~0
(Axe Training: 1, 1, 6: Neutral Outcomes count as 1 Success) (Shatter-Wrist Training: 3, 3: 2 Successes)
With a heaving cry, you bury your axe into Steinarr's flimsy shield, smashing it to kindling as you inject orthstirr into his wrist. A face-splitting smile springs up on his face as he tosses aside the wreckage.

"Good!" He grabs another shield, shaking out his bruised wrist. "Now do it again!"

You wipe your brow, but gather what meager orthstirr reserves you have. Despite the slow speed, you're happy to be making any progress at all.

(Axe Rank Up: 2 Successes until next Rank Up)
(+2 to Shatter-Wrist Trick, 5 Successes left)
0~0~0
(Fylgja Training: 6, 6: 4 Successes)
"Some are born with it, some must find it for themselves," A young boy's voice scares the living hell out of you as you walk through the woods.

You nearly jump out of your skin as you whip around, axe in hand and blood pounding in your ears. Your trembling eyes land on the small figure of an 8-year-old boy, one that you vaguely recognize as he sits against a tree.

Aki Runson turns his head to meet your stare. His silver eyes stare at you with an unseeing gaze, giving no clue to his feelings or intentions. It unnerves you greatly, as it does all the other children of the valley.

"W-what are you talking about?" You hiss, sweat dripping down the back of your neck.

"Fylgjur, we all have one," a raven almost as big as Aki lands beside the undersized boy, "yet few see them."

You eye the raven — no, fylgja — its eyes boring into you almost as intensely as its master stares at nothing. You feel small, as if it was judging your every move and action.

Flekkr growls, low and deep, the first you've ever heard him make that noise. It's a warning, a promise of violence.

The raven doesn't seem to care, which only makes your heart beat faster.

"You want to see them." Aki's voice is a complete deadpan, no inflection at all. "You will need to conduct the Spirit-Seeing Eye, a ritual of seidr."

"How do I do that?" You quickly tire of fear, so you plant your feet and resolve to end this as quickly as you can.

"Find the wise-woman who lives in the deepest part of the Hading. She will guide you to what you must seek."

Aki Runson rises to his feet and walks with an utter, complete confidence that most grown men, let alone blind children, could ever hope to match.

You make no move to stop him, somehow knowing that there's nothing you could do save for cutting him down that would slow his pace.

The raven lingers for a heartbeat before it too leaves. A black-winged caw rings out as it disappears into the trees.

(The Hading Witch added to Journal)
0~0~0
Seasonal (Pick 1):
[ ] (Seasonal) Celebrate Yule and your Birthday
0~0~0
Personal (Pick 1):
[ ] (Personal) Ask Randi to tell you some stories
-[ ] (Optional) Write in
[ ] (Violent) Pick a fight or spar with...
-[ ] Eric, your older brother, for fun
-[ ] Steinarr, as part of your training
-[ ] One of the local boys, for violence! (Optional Write In)
-[ ] Asva (You doubt she'd be willing to fight you, but maybe you can needle her enough?)
[ ] (Personal) Spend time with... (Write in)
[ ] (Crafting) Try to make something (Write in)
0~0~0
Exploration/Travel (Pick 1)
[ ] (Visit) Go visit...
-[ ] Vidby, Abjorn's Farm
-[ ] Kerby, Stigr's Farm
-[ ] Buriby, Osborn's Farm (Has a large chance of ending in a fight)
-[ ] Glebby, Sverre's Farm
-[ ] Runby, Aki's Farm
-[ ] One of the two undiscovered farms
--[ ] The newly built one to the north
--[ ] The one at the bottom of the river
[ ] (Exploration) Go on a walk through...
-[ ] The fields!
-[ ] The Hading!
-[ ] The hills!
0~0~0
Training: You have 7d6 training dice to spend as you see fit.
[ ] (Training) Hamr (3 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hamr skill (Write in)
-[ ] (Steinarr's Training) (Optional) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Hugr (4 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hugr skill (Write in)
0~0~0
Orthstirr Available: 4
How do you want to use your orthstirr?
[ ] (Orthstirr Usage) (Write in)
0~0~0
(Random Event: 1, Reroll: 1, Reroll: 2...)
Some strange foreigners have arrived in Asvir, according to a passing traveler.

They are armed and are asking after your father.

This can only be bad. Your father has taken to sleeping with Crowfeeder in hand.
0~0~0

AN: You've had some funky rolls this time around, wowee.

Essentially, travelling somewhere means that you get a few sub-turns of spending time there. By doing this you have a way of seeing what other people need to have done for both a physical reward as well as orthstirr, as well as buying and selling things, including services.

25-minute moratorium.

 

[I.F. Ister]

Spoiler: Witches, Friends, and Tricks

[X] Plan Witches, Friends, and Tricks
-[X] (Seasonal) Celebrate Yule and your Birthday
-[X] (Personal) Spend time with... (Write in)
--[X] Her friends Abjorn and Stigr
-[X] (Exploration) Go on a walk through...
--[X] The Hading!
-[X] (Training) Hamr: 7d6
--[X] Axe: 2d6
--[X] (Steinarr's Training) (Optional) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick: Wrist-Shattering Trick: 5d6
-[X] (Orthstirr Usage)
--[X] 1d6 Hamr
--[X] 2d6 Hugr
--[X] 1d6 free for tricks

0~0~0

Spoiler: Training

(Axe Training: 4, 5: 3 Successes) (Shatter-Wrist Training: 3, 3, 3, 3, 6: 6 Successes)

"Amazing!" Steinarr's praise reaches your ears as you successfully shatter the shield AND his wrist. He goes to ruffle your hair, but winces as his broken hand voices its displeasure. "Aw, shit, gimme a minute, sorry for swearing!"

It doesn't take long for you to realize just what you've done. The sin of striking your own father, the nid that bri-

He focuses, clutching his wrist with his free hand. A halo of dogged fire springs up around his head as crimson motes sink into his injured hand. The purple swelling begins to shrink, bone cracking back into place.

Steinarr flexes his hand and wiggles his fingers, a broad smile on his face. "There we go, all better!"

He ruffles your hair and you forget all about your earlier fears. In its place, however, you note the blazing crown that's formed on his head. It's slowly disappearing, sure, but it's still there and very easy to see. If you remember correctly, Eric had one too. Just what is it?

"What's with the, uh," you gesture at the top of your head, "all of that?"

Steinarr blinks, confusion writ across his face. "Do you not know about stoking your orthstirr?"

"Of course I know how to ready orthstirr!"

"No, not ready it, stoke it."

"...Is there a difference?"

"Right, well, this is my fault." Steinarr rocks on his heels, hissing through a bit lip. He sighs, slumps, and holds up three fingers. "Orthstirr is made up of three parts; frami, virthing, and saemd. Frami is your fame, how well-known you are, virthing is how respected you are, and saemd is how prestigious you are."

You nod, your orthstirr-enhanced mind makes memorizing that a breeze. "And how does frami, virthing, and saemd play into 'stoking' my orthstirr?"

"By tapping into the base components of orthstirr, such as saemd," he gestures at the crown atop his head as it further faded, "you temporarily boost your supply of power. This is called 'stoking your orthstirr'. It doesn't last long, and they can only be used once in a while, but it should last long enough for you to do what you need it for."

"So, I can stoke my frami, virthing, and saemd to gain a brief boost of power? How much power, exactly? And if saemd manifests itself as a crown, is there one that's a cloak?" You ask, thinking back to when Eric stoked his orthstirr.

"Each gives you a third of your orthstirr supply. And yes, that would be virthing," he focuses and a purple cloak unfurls itself around his body. Gold, silver, and other materials you don't recognize wind their way through the cloak in gorgeous displays, "and this is frami," an aura of fire appears around his body, outlining it in a crimson hue.

"It can be difficult to determine how much orthstirr someone else has, but a display like this," he gestures at himself, "will tell you all you need to know. If you know what you're looking for, that is. I'll teach you how to, some time."

You nod, already thinking on different techniques you could employ with this new knowledge.

(Axe Rank Up! 3 Successes till next rank)
(Shatter-Wrist Trick learned! 80 Successes till Mastery)
(Frami, Virthing, and Saemd added underneath orthstirr)

0~0~0
It's Yule!
Yule is a time for celebration, for sacrifice, and for feasting!

And also for deepening bonds between people through the giving and receiving of gifts. As such, you've spent some time actually making a few gifts with your meager needlebinding skills.

That was the happiest you've ever seen your mother, when she saw you hard at work making clothes. But it's not like you've got any other way of giving gifts!

One of the hats turned out much better than the others. The only question is...

Who do you give it to?
[ ] Write in (Will improve relations by 1)

0~0~0
Spend time with Abjorn and Stigr
The arrow flies true and strikes the head of the man standing next to a tree. Like it was struck by the hammer of Thor, the snowman's head explodes into a flurry of white powder.

"Good shot, Stigr!" You and Abjorn applaud politely as Stigr spreads his arms wide and bows.

"I try," he grins, standing back up. Stigr's grown a tiny bit since you last spoke, though his height is still nothing compared to Abjorn.

Abjorn hurls a rock, which obliterates the rest of the snowman's body. A sly grin slides up the side of Abjorn's face as Stigr scoffs and rolls his eyes.

"Yeah, well, not all of us can be walking, talking mountains, Abjorn."

"Are you sure about that? Have you tried getting taller?"

You smile as the boys bicker, simply content to relax in a cold winter day. It's been far too long since the three of you all got together and just messed around, so it's nice to have your friends by your side once more.

"Thor's beard!" Stigr's cry draws you from your pleasant musings, just in time to witness Abjorn pick the smaller boy up and throw him into a pile of snow.

Stigr sputters, spitting snow from his mouth as he staggers upright. "Lucky," he breathes, a little wobbly on his feet, "a lucky hit! A fluke!"

Abjorn rolls his eyes, this back-and-forth a familiar dance to all those present.

"Why don't you test that theory?" He crouches down, arms at the ready and legs bent to leap into glima. Stigr wastes no time and leaps at the larger boy with a rising roar, his bravery knowing no limits.

He immediately finds himself back in the snow pile.

You shake your head, laughing at the boys and their antics.

After digging himself out of the cold, Stigr seems to have had enough of 'wrestling' Abjorn and instead makes his way over where you're leaning against a tree.

"Hey, Halla?" He asks, head tilted as he looks down at you. "What's with the axe?"

"I'd been wondering about that too, actually." Abjorn adds, his shadow looming over you and Stigr as he walks up.

You look down at the axe on your hip, your Thievesbane. There's a glint of mischief in your eye, one that has both of your friends squinting with suspicion.

"Why, Thievesbane? Is there something wrong with it?"

"You know damn well what I'm talking about, Halla," Stigr says as he sits down next to you, Abjorn doing the same on the other side. "A woman with an axe? Not everyone would take kindly to that." Abjorn shrugs, having no opinion one way or another.

"I'm not just a woman with an axe, I'm a blooded warrior with an axe!" You declare, hopping to your feet as you brag. "I killed an outlaw and took his axe for myself."

That shocks both of the boys to their very cores. They both stare at you with newfound respect, though Stigr finds his voice first.

"Really? You killed an outlaw?" He taps his jaw, brows furrowing as he thinks, "Was it the same outlaw that made those hideouts?"

"Yes, I really did. And that's what I was thinking," you nod, a proud grin on your face.

"That's... incredible, Halla." Abjorn scratches at the beginnings of a beard on his face. You struggle to read his expression, though its certain that he's feeling conflicted.

"Looks like we've gotta step our game up, eh Abjorn?" Stigr jostles the larger boy with an elbow to the side and a smile on his face. The smile quickly turns sly as a mischievous glimmer sparks in his eye. "Say," he stands up, "do you all want to go ice-skating? I know a good spot nearby..."

[ ] Go ice-skating (Begins Encounter: A Walk on the Ice)
[ ] No thanks, you've had enough of the cold for one day

(+1 Orthstirr for spreading word of your battles)
(+1 Relations with Abjorn and Stigr)

0~0~0
(Hading Exploration: 1, 1, 3) 1 Failure
You go deep into the Hading, deeper than you've ever gone before.

Mist swirls around you as your shoes crunch against snow. The trees grow thick, this deep in the woods. It's like they're trying to crush you, to stifle your breathing.

For a child who grew up in great, wide-open spaces, being this deep in the Hading might as well be an alien world.

You're not sure you like it very much. It's dark, gloomy, and it feels like a wolf or a monster could jump out at any moment!

A snapping twig nearly makes you scream as you whirl around, axe and shield clutched tightly in hand. Your heart pounds in your ears as you lock eyes with...

With a deer as it chews on tree bark. It stares at you blankly, not a drop of fear in its dull eyes.

Relief floods your body as you slump forwards, letting go a breath you hadn't realized you were holding.

And then its chest splits open and it stands on its hindlegs. Ribs sprout out like blood-slick teeth as it bites you in half.

Well, if you were still there and not already scrambling away, that is. Your instincts scream at you, warning you that you do not want this fight.

You take their advice and leave as quick as you can, the knowledge that there are indeed monsters deep in the woods safely stored in your mind.

And also the witch. Who you need to talk to if you want to make any progress on your fylgja.

...Great.
0~0~0
Seasonal (Pick 1):
[ ] (Seasonal) The sheep need to be moved to higher ground, so that any potential vikingar coming by don't have as easy as a time getting to them.
[ ] (Seasonal) The fields need to be cleared.
[ ] (Seasonal) The cows and goats need to be milked.
[ ] (Seasonal) The river is full of fish, go set up a net or two.
0~0~0
Personal (Pick 1):
[ ] (Personal) Ask Randi to tell you some stories
-[ ] (Optional) Write in
[ ] (Violent) Pick a fight or spar with...
-[ ] Eric, your older brother, for fun
-[ ] Steinarr, as part of your training
-[ ] One of the local boys, for violence! (Optional Write In)
-[ ] Asva (You doubt she'd be willing to fight you, but maybe you can needle her enough?)
[ ] (Personal) Spend time with... (Write in)
[ ] (Crafting) Try to make something (Write in)
0~0~0
Exploration/Travel (Pick 1)
[ ] (Visit) Go visit...
-[ ] Asvir!
-[ ] Vidby, Abjorn's Farm
-[ ] Kerby, Stigr's Farm
-[ ] Buriby, Osborn's Farm (Has a large chance of ending in a fight)
-[ ] Glebby, Sverre's Farm
-[ ] Runby, Aki's Farm
-[ ] One of the two undiscovered farms
--[ ] The newly built one to the north
--[ ] The one at the bottom of the river
[ ] (Exploration) Go on a walk through...
-[ ] The fields!
-[ ] The Hading!
--[ ] Try to get even deeper than before.
-[ ] The hills!
0~0~0
Training: You have 7d6 training dice to spend as you see fit.
[ ] (Training) Hamr (3 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hamr skill (Write in)
-[ ] (Steinarr's Training) (Optional) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Hugr (4 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hugr skill (Write in)
0~0~0
Orthstirr Available: 5
How do you want to use your orthstirr?
[ ] (Orthstirr Usage) (Write in)
0~0~0
(Random Event: 4)
One day, while going through your daily chores, you pass by the graves of your younger siblings.

Helgi and Sven, those were their names.

Sven died of sickness and it had hit Steinarr and Asveig hard.

But Helgi?

She was three years old, you were eight. The family went to bed, Helgi didn't wake up. Her body was small and shriveled, drained of all the blood in her body. She'd been murdered by some thing.

Steinarr didn't sleep for a month, his orthstirr keeping him awake. He sat, Crowfeeder in hand, and stared at the door. He waited, for the nidingr to come back.

It never did.

At least Sven died of sickness, of something tangible. To this day, you still don't know what killed Helgi.

Your blood demands vengeance, but how can you find it when the culprit disappeared?

You shake your head, throwing aside all thoughts of revenge, and carry on with your day.
0~0~0

AN: If you decide to do A Walk on the Ice, then you will have an option to either go with the plan made right now or make a new plan, once it's over.

25-minute moratorium.

Added these two to the Mechanics page, please ask any questions you have.
Trick Training and Mastery

Spoiler

Tricks require 9 Successes in order to learn.

Once learned, a trick can be mastered, which lets it be used for 0 orthstirr cost. Mastering a trick requires 81 Successes.

Frami, Virthing, and Saemd

Spoiler

Stoking your frami, virthing, and/or saemd lets you get a small boost of power equal to one third of your base orthstirr supply. You could stoke them all at once to, essentially, double your orthstirr supply or you could use them sparingly, only when you need to.

They can only be used in battles or encounters, to give yourself a bit of an extra boost. Once they're used, they can't be used until the next turn.

 

[I.F. Ister]

In a secluded spot not too deep in the Hading, you find a small, iced-over lake. Snow covers the ground where empty trees grow on the shore. A little frozen stream will feed from and feed to the lake come summer. A small island with a single grove of trees sits in the middle of the lake, which you use as a rest point every once in a while.

Now, though, the lake is home to you, Stigr, and Abjorn as you take to the ice on bone-carved skates.

Abjorn, like with all things physical, is a natural at it. He moves with a grace that belies his massive size, every movement made with utter surety and every motion a swift, smooth work of art.

To no one's surprise, Stigr has the most practice of all of you. Where Abjorn moves with a natural grace, Stigr spins, twirls, and twists with practiced skill.
(Hamr (Ice-Skating): 6, 2) 1 Success
You aren't amazing at ice-skating, but this isn't your first time out on the ice either. You're steady on your feet, which is more than you can say for some people you know. Sure, you're not doing any of the fancy stuff that Abjorn and Stigr are doing, but that's okay.

After all, they are your friends.

But not everyone is friends with you. In fact, most people aren't.

A lot of people don't really like you, for your 'unwomanlike behavior'. You don't really like those people back and boy have you driven that point home.

So when Osborn Burisson, one of his many brothers, and another two boys you don't recognize show up, you and your friends are immediately on edge.

There have been some light scuffles between the Burissons and the Stein-Vid-Ker alliance in the past. They've never tried anything overt, though, not with most of the other families in the valley not particularly liking them.

Osborn and the rest of the Burissons had a poor reputation. Nobody could prove that they were the ones stealing wool and milk, but everyone in the valley knew it was them.

However, none of the allied families are especially large, only just about equaling the Burissons in number. If the new family in the valley weren't aware of the Burissons' bad habits, or worse, benefited from them, then they might be inclined to allying with the Burissons.

Which would tip the scales in their favor.

Which might mean war.

You'd be lying if you said there wasn't some part of you that wants to plant Thievesbane square in Osborn's smug face. The little lying bastard looks like a rat when he smirks, which is constantly.

But if there is to be war, Halla Steinarsdottir won't be the one that starts it. Steinarr made you promise that you wouldn't be the one to do it.

You'll end it, though, should war come to the valley.

You all come to a stop, skidding to a halt on the ice. Perhaps you have a hand on your axe, perhaps you don't, whatever the case, something draws Osborn's attention to Theivesbane on your hip.

"Ah, Hod, I was just telling you about some of the neighbors, wasn't I?" Osborn says to the younger of the two strangers. If you had to make a guess, you'd put him at thirteen or fourteen, about the same age as Osborn. His, assumed, brother looks to be fifteen or sixteen with the beginnings of a beard on his face.

They're all armed, as all Norsemen are. The older stranger has an axe and shield while the younger has a bow and a sheaf of arrows tied to his belt. A sax hangs from the back of his belt, as a precaution to close-up violence.

Osborn himself carries a sax and shield, while his older brother, Lori, has a spear in hand and an axe in belt.

"You were, Osborn." Where Osborn's voice is smooth and calculating, this 'Hod's is a blunt instrument, more like a hammer than a knife. There is an intelligence behind those eyes, though, of a raw, unrefined sort. The kind that belongs to a man who lets his emotions rule him, rather than the proper way of things.

"Then this is a perfect opportunity to introduce you to some of them!" Osborn's smirk turns into a cruel grin as he points at each of you in turn. "The lumbering oaf over there is Abjorn Vidsson. The dark-haired freak is Stigandr Kersson. And the woman is unimportant." There's something about the way he says 'woman' that makes your skin crawl.

Fury burns in Abjorn's eyes and his hand moves to his weapon, but Stigr's hand on his shoulder keeps him from doing anything rash.
(Hugr (Composure): 5, 6, 1) 3 Successes, Pass
A slight taste of warm iron fills your mouth as you bite your tongue. You made a promise and you fully intend to keep it, like a true drengr would. His words sting in your soul, but they don't have the bite of nid's heat. You can let it go.

Instead of letting loose a torrent of the most vile insults you have, you instead take a step and call out to the band of armed boys. "Why are you here, Burisson?"

"I could ask the same of you, Steinarsdottir!" Hod's eyes narrow as he hears your father's name. He mouths it to himself as Osborn continues. "After all, this land is part of Buriby!"

Stigr winces as your gaze snaps to him. You and Abjorn would be having words with him, after this is all over.

While most everything that leaves Osborn's mouth are nothing more than dirty lies, you had been travelling far enough to reach the area that Buriby lays in...

"If that's true, then we're sorry for trespassing and we'll be on our way!" You turn to leave, Abjorn reluctantly following behind with Stigr helping keep him calm, but Osborn's voice calls you back.

"Not so fast, Steinarsdottir!" The glint of greed sparks in Osborn's eye. "You still have to pay for your transgressions," his smile turns to a cruel, smug grin, "and I think that fancy axe of yours will do nicely."
(Hugr (Composure): 1, 2, 5) 1 Success, Fail
Oh by the gods, you want to let loose and rip this bastard limb from limb. You've had more than enough of this smug prick and his smug face.

But if this war starts here, and now, then you are not going to start it.

You made a promise. Come Hel or highwater, you'll keep it.

"You want my axe?" You snarl, said axe having entered your hand in the blink of an eye. "Then come and take it, if you can! Maybe then I'll get to show you why it's called Thievesbane."

There's a ringing of iron as weapons are drawn.

Alright, then, looks like this is happening.

Good.

0~0~0
(Hugr (Tactics): 1, 1, 2) 3 Failures

You are near the middle of the lake, with Abjorn and Stigr a little further in. Your opponents, of which there are four, are on the edge.

The ice is not a good surface to fight on, even with skates. The island is likely going to be the best surface to fight on.

You can't tell what the enemy are planning, as they quietly discuss amongst themselves. Abjorn and Stigr look to you for guidance.

Abjorn has his shield and his sax. He looks to be in perfect condition.

Stigr has a shield, a spear, and his bow. He looks to be in perfect condition.

You have 2/2 Endurance.
Your shield can take 4 more hits. You have no back-up shields.
You have 2 orthstirr held in reserve and you have not tapped frami, virthing, or saemd.
You can put 1 more point of orthstirr into your hamr and 1 more into your hugr.
You have a combat pool of 5d6.

What do you do?
[ ] (Plan Name)
-[ ] (Dice) Attack
-[ ] (Dice) Defense
-[ ] (Dice) Intercept
-[ ] (Dice) (Trick) (Orthstirr)
-[ ] Tactics Write in

Since you are acting as the leader of your side in this battle, you can give Abjorn and Stigr general directions. Through ranking up your Tactics skill, you can get more detailed information on their condition.

0~0~0

AN: Good luck.

Moratorium of 40 minutes. Gotta give you some time to think and plan. If necessary, the moratorium can be extended.

Ask any questions you require.

 

[jy3]

Also, possible Skate-Groin Trick

Click to shrink...

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.

Click to shrink...

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."

 

[I.F. Ister]

Spoiler: Slick Charge

[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.

30-minute moratorium.

 

[I.F. Ister]

Spoiler: Plan: Put down another one down

[X] Plan: Put down another one down
-[X] (Dice) Attack (Targets, if any)
--[X] 4d6 against Lori
-[X] (Dice) Defense
--[X] 2d6
-[X] Tactics quickly surround Lori and attack him in the back once there is an opportunity

0~0~0
Time seems to pass at a snail's pace as the warriors circle each other. They take careful steps, both knowing that a slip would be fatal. Ice crunches under skate and Lori's eyes sharpen to blazing pinpricks.
(Attack: 5 vs Defense: 2, Attacker wins, Shield Damaged, 1/4 left)
Lori lunges, spear shining in the winter sun. The weapon darts forward with surprising force, gouging out a chunk of Abjorn's shield as he launches into a counter attack of his own.
(Attack: 4 vs Defense: 4, Defender wins ties)
The sax whistles as it swings with enough force to carve limb from body, but only hits air as Lori skids to the side. His feet scramble for stable footing.

"Having trouble with the ice, Burisson?" Abjorn asks, a bloodthirsty grin sliding up his face. His eyes flick to you as you try to circle around. He nods, nearly imperceptibly so, but its enough to tell you to go for it when ready.

"Not as much trouble as you'll be having, soon enough." Lori returns the jeer, using his spear to steady himself.

He rears back before darting forward into another strike.
(Attack: 5 vs Defense: 4, Attacker wins, Shield is destroyed)
The spearhead thunks against the wood, but punches through the weakened shield anyways. Tiny splinters fall to the ice below as Abjorn's eyes widen. Lori twists to the side, wrenching the remains from Abjorn's hand, and flicking it away before readying another attack.

Icy-blue orthstirr seeps out from Lori's hand, covering the spear like frost in the morning with a sound like ice shards tinkling against the ground. The spear glows, drawing attention to it like a beacon in the night.
(Trick Attack: 9 vs Unshielded Defense: 5, Attacker wins. 4 Endurance damage dealt)
Abjorn takes two steps back, trying to stay out of range of the spear, but it's not enough to escape what you recognize as an up-powered Force-Thrust Trick. Lori lunges forward with a stomp, the spear whistling through the air with lethal intent. The air itself screams as orthstirr freezes at its touch.

"Abjorn, move!" You try to call to him, eyes wild with fear, but it's too late.

Your breath catches in your throat as Lori takes Abjorn in the stomach. Iron rips through clothes, leaving bloody tatters as Abjorn twists to the side. Abjorn's breathing grows ragged as he stumbles, and falls to a knee. Blood gushes from his wound and stains the ice red.

Your heart pounds in your ears as you see Lori begin to pull back. Even as you tell yourself to move, to do something, your throat stays closed and your eyes stay open. You can't move and Stigr can't help, focused as he is on keeping Osborn and Hod's brother pinned down.

Lori pulls back for another attack, this one sure to kill, but Abjorn's fist blurs out faster than you can blink. Fingers wrap around the spear, arresting its movement and pulling Lori off-balance with an iron grip.
(Hamr contest: 24 vs 17, Abjorn wins)
"What!?" Lori's eyes snap wide open as he trips and falls, hitting the ground hard. "How!? You shouldn't be able to move after a blow like that, let alone have enough strength to pull me off my feet!"

He starts to get up, but a glint of iron stops him in his tracks.

Abjorn raises his sax in the air, his own red orthstirr coating it in fire. A grin slides across his face, stretching from ear to ear. "I'm about to do a whole lot more than simply move, Lori."

"And besides," the sax falls, chopping the spear in two as blood spills from Abjorn's mouth, "I'm not the only person you should've been worried about."

Lori stumbles back and to his feet, staring at the broken end of his spear. He growls, throwing the spear half aside as his hand darts to the axe on his belt. But just as he grabs it, Abjorn's words finally register in his mind.

He looks over his shoulder and his eyes shrink to pinpricks.
(Hamingja (???): 4, 5, 6) Five Successes
I am here, girl. Let go of your fear.
Crimson orthstirr coats your body in a blazing inferno. Your cloak turns to a fine material you can't place. Your teeth grind together so hard you're almost scared they'll break. Your breathing is deep and your mind is sharpened to a fine edge as knowledge beyond your years fills your thoughts.

With single-minded purpose, you raise your orthstirr-coated axe and step forward.

He steps back.

You know what you must do. So you do it.
(Honed Attack: 10 vs Defense: 4, Attacker wins. Endurance damage dealt)
Your first strike takes his axe arm off at the elbow. He throws his head back in a scream that you can't hear, so focused are you on killing.
(Honed Attack: 11 vs Defense: 0, Attacker wins. Endurance damage dealt)
Your next strike takes his other arm off at the shoulder. He steps back, you follow.
(Trick Attack: 5 vs Defense: 0, Attacker wins. Endurance damage dealt)
You don't see the cause, but he falls to a knee as his hamstring shoots up his calve.
(Honed Attack: 6 vs Defense: 0, Attacker wins. Endurance damage dealt)
It matters not. You swing again and his knee falls to the ground, followed soon after by him.

You look down at him, your limbs seeming to move on their own. He's lost in his pain, mindlessly opening and closing his mouth as silent whimpers slip free.
Pathetic. He could at least meet his death like a man.
(Honed Attack: 3 vs Defense: 0, Attacker wins. Endurance damage dealt)
Your fourth and final strike splits him from the top of his head down to the middle of his chest.

Lori is dead.

You pivot on your heel and face Abjorn's body as he lies face-up on the ice. He's still alive, if only just. His chest barely rising and falling as his life leaks from his body in splashes of red.
This is not his time.
You walk to him, feeling like a prisoner in your own body. Crimson orthstirr that both is and isn't yours coats the palm of your hand. You press it against Abjorn's chest and his breathing steadies, the wound in his side stitching up before your eyes.

You stand up straight. Your hand falls to your side. The orthstirr leaves your body.
Goodbye, girl.
And you are in control of your limbs again.

Thievesbane slips free from your fingers and clatters against the ice. You swiftly follow it, falling to your knees, only for Stigr to catch you and keep you steady.

Your hands shake as you look at them, caked in blood as you are.

W-what happened to you...?

"Halla? Halla!" Stigr's voice draws you from your stupor. "Are you hurt?"

"N-no," you croak out, voice sounding rawer than it should be, "but Abjorn..."

"Is fine, you healed him." Stigr finishes for you as he hauls you to your feet. "Osborn ran off when he saw you carving up Lori and I don't know where the other one went, probably to his brother."

"Okay," you whisper, feeling very small and very faint. Your breathing deepens, sleep calling you home.

"Oh dammit," Stigr's faint swearing reaches your ears moments before you nod off, "how am I supposed to get both of you home?"

A light giggle slips free from your mouth and you fall asleep.

Your dreams are of glowing palms and sharpened weapons.

(??? Added to Boons)
(Journal Updated: What Happened to Me?)
(+4 Orthstirr)
(Hone Trick added to Hamr)
(Stabilizing Palm added to Seidr)
(Encounter: A Walk on the Ice is now over)
(You are now 13)
0~0~0
Would you like to go with your previous plan or make a new one?
[ ] Use 'Plan Say Hi To Mom'
[ ] New Plan

Spoiler: Planning Options

Seasonal (Pick 1):
[ ] (Seasonal) The sheep need to be moved to higher ground, so that any potential vikingar coming by don't have as easy as a time getting to them.
[ ] (Seasonal) The fields need to be cleared.
[ ] (Seasonal) The cows and goats need to be milked.
[ ] (Seasonal) The river is full of fish, go set up a net or two.
0~0~0
Personal (Pick 1):
[ ] (What Happened to Me?) Something happened to you, start asking around.
-[ ] Who? (Write in)
[ ] (Personal) You've got some uncertain feelings towards Abjorn that you need to start working through. (Hugr)
[ ] (Personal) Abjorn came by, asking if you wanted to go chop wood with him. (Hamr)
[ ] (Personal) Stigr came by, asking if you wanted to go fishing with him. (Hamr)
[ ] (Personal) Ask Randi to tell you some stories
-[ ] (Optional) Write in
[ ] (Violent) Pick a fight or spar with...
-[ ] Eric, your older brother, for fun
-[ ] Steinarr, as part of your training
-[ ] One of the local boys, for violence! (Optional Write In)
-[ ] Asva (You doubt she'd be willing to fight you, but maybe you can needle her enough?)
[ ] (Personal) Spend time with... (Write in)
[ ] (Crafting) Try to make something (Write in) (Hugr or Hamr, depending on the process)
0~0~0
Exploration/Travel (Pick 1)
[ ] (Visit) Go visit...
-[ ] Asvir!
-[ ] Vidby, Abjorn's Farm
-[ ] Kerby, Stigr's Farm
-[ ] Buriby, Osborn's Farm (Has a guaranteed chance of ending in a fight)
-[ ] Glebby, Sverre's Farm
-[ ] Runby, Aki's Farm
-[ ] One of the two undiscovered farms
--[ ] The newly built one to the north
--[ ] The one at the bottom of the river
[ ] (Exploration) Go on a walk through...
-[ ] The fields!
-[ ] The Hading!
--[ ] Try to get even deeper than before.
-[ ] The hills!
0~0~0
Training: You have 7d6 training dice to spend as you see fit.
[ ] (Training) Hamr (3 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hamr skill or trick (Write in)
-[ ] (Steinarr's Training) (Optional) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Hugr (4 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hugr skill or trick (Write in)
0~0~0
Orthstirr Available: 9
How do you want to use your orthstirr?
[ ] (Orthstirr Usage) (Write in)

0~0~0

AN: I didn't expect to see that pop up so early, but I suppose the dice can't be denied.

Also, slight rework to defending. If you've got a shield (or armor), then a failure to defend will mean that the shield or armor takes damage in your stead. Once the shield or armor is depleted, then you start taking Endurance damage.

25-minute moratorium.

 

[I.F. Ister]

Spoiler: Plan Say Hi To Mom

[X] Plan Say Hi To Mom
-[X] (Seasonal) The fields need to be cleared.
-[X] (Personal) Spend time with...
--[X] Mother
-[X] (Exploration) Go on a walk through...
--[X] The Hading!
---[X] Try to get even deeper than before.
-[X] (Training) Hamr (3 successes to rank up)
--[X] 3d6 to Hamr itself
-[X] (Training) Hugr (4 successes to rank up)
--[X] 4d6 to Hugr itself
-[X] (Orthstirr Usage)
--[X] 2d6 Hamr
--[X] 2d6 Hugr
--[X] 1d6 free for tricks

0~0~0

Spoiler: Training

(Hamr Training: 1, 2, 6) Neutral result, 1 Success
Gah!

You groan as you slump down on a log, sweat drenching your body.

You'd asked for Abjorn to help you with your hamr. Little did you know that he regularly runs the entire length of the damned Hading!

Abjorn laps you for the third time. You want to wipe that damned grin off his stupidly handsome face.

You blink. Where'd that come from?

(+1 Success to Hamr, 2 Successes left)

0~0~0
(Hugr Training: 4, 3, 3, 5) 5 Successes
...Why do you want to try making poetry, all of the sudden?

Sure, you've been thinking about it a lot — for reasons that have nothing to do with Abjorn! — but where would you even start doing that?

Well, guess you'd better get started?

But what to make it about?

Heat creeps up your cheeks.

"Nope!"

(Hugr Rank Up! 7 Successes left)
(Skill: Poetry Learned! 1 Success till Rank Up)

0~0~0
The year, by the reckoning of the followers of Christ, is 8971 AD and you, Halla Steinarsdottir, have just turned thirteen.

"Dad?" There's a grim look on your beloved father — Steinarr Hallsson's — face as he steps through the doorway. "How was..."

You trail off, not wanting to give voice to your worries.

Steinarr shakes a small bit of snow from his shoulders and hangs his cloak on the rack. "The headsman ruled that your killing of Lori Burisson was legal and that a wergild must be paid."

"And Buri accepted?" Your mother — Asveig Rovisdottir — sounds surprised at that. She's currently working with Asva to turn wool into cloth while Randi prepares the mid-day meal. "I thought that he would've jumped at the opportunity."

"He certainly thought about it," Steinarr says with a nod as he sits down at the hearth. Randi brings him a warm bowl of stew, which he happily accepts. "But I suppose he wants my money more than my life, at the moment." He strokes his chin and jaw as he swallows a mouthful of sheep stew. "Could also be that he didn't want to be known as the man who was trying to kill a girl."

"How much are we paying?" Asveig asks, sitting down next to Steinarr as Randi brings her a bowl. She accepts it without a word.

"Four cows and their calves."

"Steep."

"Cheap, given the circumstances." Steinarr shrugs, spoon in hand. "If it were Eric or Sten who died... I would've demanded three times that, at least."

"You have fewer sons."

"He loves them less."

Buri Borrusson was known throughout the valley for two things, his 'sticky fingers' and his many, many children. He did not have just one or two or even three sons, he had eleven — now ten — sons from one wife and four concubines. He also had a smattering of daughters, though their faces and names escape you.

Lori Burisson wasn't the most stand-out of Buri's sons, though he was noted for above-average spearwork for his age. You suppose that, if you had as many sons as Buri does, losing a middling son like that wouldn't be as big a deal to you.

You grimace, a queasy feeling rising from your gut. Gagging, you admonish yourself for even thinking such a horrid thought. How could Buri possibly feel that way towards his own children? You could never do that to your future sons and daughters.

But... speaking of children...

Your grimace deepens. Maybe it's a good idea to start learning how to be a good wife? A good mother?

You sigh, knowing who you're going to have to talk to about that.

"Hey... Mom?" Your voice quivers slightly as Asveig looks your way. There's a stern glint to her gaze, like she suspects you of something. "C-can you maybe show me how to, uh, how to take care of a family?"

Your parents' brows rise high on both their heads. Asveig's eyes soften, though the suspicion is still there — and probably won't ever truly leave it — it's now undercut by a layer of cautious happiness.

"I'd love to, Halla." For the first time since immediately after Helgi died, there's a level of fondness to the way she says your name.

You smile, she smiles back.

"Are... Are mom and Halla actually getting along?" Asva whispers to Eric, who looks as dumbfounded as she does.

He wipes at his eyes, but you're still there when he looks again. "I almost can't believe it, but..."

You roll your eyes. Maybe this womanly stuff won't be so bad?

0~0~0

Maybe it's always been this way, but is Asveig's stomach larger than it normally is?

"Hey, mom?" You ask as you work the weaving bench. Your mother sits beside you, humming a soft tune to herself as she guides your hands. You have to admit, it's... not as bad as you were expecting, spending all day with Asveig.

Doesn't hold a candle to spending all day outdoors, with Steinarr and Eric, but...

It's nice.

"Yes, Halla?"

"Are yo- Is your stomach bigger than usual?" You'd almost asked if she was 'fatter than normal', but even you know that one wouldn't go over well.

The humming stops.

"I'm pregnant, Halla." She looks at you with an expression of vague concern. "You've had to have seen this before, with Sven and," her voice falters for a split-second, "and Helgi."

"You're pregnant." You don't know what that word means.

Asveig sighs. "It means that you, gods willing, will have another sibling, soon."

"Oh."

Your mother frowns, an unpleasant thought glimmering in her eye. "Do you... Do you know how one gets pregnant?"

"...No?"

Asveig's teeth click together as she sets her jaw, determination writ into her gaze. "Alright, then."

The hair on the back of your neck stands tall like an army in a shield-wall. Calls of alarm ring out in your mind.

Asveig opens her mouth and begins to speak.

You regret ever opening yours.

(+1 Relationship with Mother)
(What has been learned cannot be unlearned)
0~0~0
(Hamingja: 2, 1, 3) 1 Failure
You're in the fields, scythe in hand, Flekkr at your side.

You're trying your best to focus on the task at hand, that of clearing the fields for planting, but how are you supposed to do that when you just learned how babies are made!? How you were made!

A shudder runs down your spine.

And that's not to mention the 'changes' Asveig said were likely going to start happening soon.

...Great.

Just great.

You sigh and Flekkr licks your hand. Smiling, you pet the good boy.

At least you've got Flekkr! Odin knows that Asva's not any help...

Hey, maybe Flekkr can help you with finding that witch?

0~0~0
(Hading Exploration: 4, 6, 1, Reroll (Flekkr): 6) 5 Successes
Okay, taking Flekkr along was an incredibly good idea!

Tail wagging and tongue lolling, Flekkr perfectly leads you through the monster-infested forest. Heck, you don't even see any monsters!

Good boy, Flekkr!

But...

But even he's stumped by what lays before you.

A wall of overgrown bushes stretches from the forest floor to the treetops far above. If you look closely, you can see monster skeletons engulfed by the plants, some of them look rather... fresh. One even still has blood on it!

This must be where the witch lives, but how are you supposed to get in?

You could try climbing over... You eye the bodies in the hedge with suspicion-filled eyes. Probably not a good idea.

Maybe if you walked around the whole thing, you'd find an entrance?

Or maybe there's some sort of spell you need to know to open the way?

Regardless, it's getting rather late in the day and staying out after-dark in the monster-infested Hading is not as appealing as one might imagine.

You can try some ideas tomorrow, or next week, or whenever you next get around to it.
(You're on the Witch's doorstep, just a little more and you're in.)
0~0~0
Seasonal (Pick 1):
[ ] (Seasonal) You've run out of the firewood from last winter, time to go get some more.
[ ] (Seasonal) The fields need to be furrowed and seeded.
[ ] (Seasonal) Check and reset the animal traps.
[ ] (Seasonal) Help out with the animals.
0~0~0
Personal (Pick 1):
[ ] (What Happened to Me?) Something happened to you, start asking around.
-[ ] Who? (Write in)
[ ] (Personal) You've got some strange feelings towards Abjorn that you need to start working through. (Hugr)
[ ] (Personal) Abjorn came by, asking if you wanted to go chop wood with him. (Hamr)
[ ] (Personal) Stigr came by, asking if you wanted to go fishing with him. (Hamr)
[ ] (Personal) Ask Randi to tell you some stories
-[ ] (Optional) Write in
[ ] (Violent) Pick a fight or spar with...
-[ ] Eric, your older brother, for fun
-[ ] Steinarr, as part of your training
-[ ] One of the local boys, for violence! (Optional Write In)
-[ ] Asva (You doubt she'd be willing to fight you, but maybe you can needle her enough?)
[ ] (Personal) Spend time with... (Write in)
[ ] (Crafting) Try to make something (Write in) (Hugr)
0~0~0
Exploration/Travel (Pick 1)
[ ] (Visit) Go visit...
-[ ] Asvir!
-[ ] Vidby, Abjorn's Farm
-[ ] Kerby, Stigr's Farm
-[ ] Buriby, Osborn's Farm (Has a guaranteed chance of ending in a fight)
-[ ] Glebby, Sverre's Farm
-[ ] Runby, Aki's Farm
-[ ] One of the two undiscovered farms
--[ ] The newly built one to the north
--[ ] The one at the bottom of the river
[ ] (Exploration) Go on a walk through...
-[ ] The fields!
-[ ] The Hading!
--[ ] Try to climb over the Hedge
--[ ] Try to find a way into the Hedge
-[ ] The hills!
0~0~0
Training: You have 7d6 training dice to spend as you see fit.
[ ] (Training) Hamr (3 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hamr skill or trick (Write in)
-[ ] (Steinarr's Training) (Optional) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Hugr (7 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hugr skill or trick (Write in)
0~0~0
Orthstirr Available: 9
How do you want to use your orthstirr?
[ ] (Orthstirr Usage) (Write in)
0~0~0
(Random POV: 2)

Eyes of blue fire open.

Limbs of rotten bone flex.

Ancient swords are drawn.

Death stalks the Hading.
0~0~0

AN: Halla learns some disturbing information and a danger is revealed. Lemme know if I'm going a bit overboard on the whole 'Abjorn crush thing'.

25-minute moratorium.

 

[I.F. Ister]

Spoiler: Reward Dice Holders

@Omegahugger has 2d6 Reward Dice
@DeadmanwalkingXI has 2d6 Reward Dice, one of which replenishes yearly (Used)
@mastigos has 1d6 Reward Dice
@Toboe has 2d6 Reward Dice
@Exmorri has 0d6 Reward Dice
@KreenWarrior has 9d6 Reward Dice, with 2 held in reserve
@Sirrocco has 2d6 Reward Dice
@Constenanto has 1d6 Reward Dice
@Silverking has 2d6 Reward Dice
@Omeganian has 1d6 Reward Dice
@Alectai has 0d6 Reward Dice, one of which replenishes yearly (Used),
@Tylonius has 1d6 Reward Dice
@CedeTheBees has 4d6 Reward Dice
@JustGazzer has 1d6 Reward Dice
@Skippy has 9d6 Reward Dice
@AeonIlluminate has 8d6 Reward Dice
@mythfan12 has 2d6 Reward Dice
@FancyMolasses has 3d6 Reward Dice
@alexthealright has 3d6 Reward Dice, one of which replenishes yearly (Unused)
@Shard has 7d6 Reward Dice
@Oshha has 2d6 Reward Dice
@KittyEmpress has 2d6 Reward Dice

Reward dice are dice that you get rewarded with when you make fanwork or whatever other reason I decide to give them out for.

Poetry, omakes, fanart, all of this and more will earn you reward dice, which you can then use to bolster any roll you desire. You can also set them up to bolster in-turn rolls, if the specified roll happens. If the roll doesn't happen, then the reward dice isn't used and is refunded. Reward dice also cannot roll failures.

Poetry can also earn you orthstirr if it's written in the skaldic style, especially if it's in character as Halla/whoever the protagonist is.

Examples of Reward Dice Uses:
-Add an additional training dice
-Add an additional attack, or some other combat usage
-Bolster a social roll
-add a dice towards or against certain traits during child generation
-Etc

edit: I forgot to post this in the beginning of the quest and ever since then I've been struggling to work it in without feeling like I was being weird about it, so I've decided to just go for it.

 

[I.F. Ister]

This is just for curiosity but what exactly would be the size difference between Abjorn and Halla be relatively? Cause I'm imagining Abjorn as a tall boy but it's hard to get a proper sort of scale since all of them are still young.

Click to shrink...

Halla is 5'6" (167 cm), at the moment. She's got some growing left in her, though. Very tall for a 13-year-old girl, let alone one in xianxia-9th century. She'll probably end up around 5'7"-8" (~175 cm).

Abjorn is over a foot taller than Halla at 6'7" (~204 cm), at 14. Giant's Blood will do that to you. He's far from done growing, for that matter. In early versions of what would eventually become this quest, Abjorn would reach well over 8' tall. I'm not sure that I'm going to have him be so tall in this quest, as his character is rather different, but we'll see.

Steinarr is around 5'11"-6'1" — big dude, but not outlandishly so.

To put this into perspective, the average height of a Scandinavian male around this time period was on the higher end of 5'7" (~177-ish cm).

Spoiler: Height Visualizer