Hallbjorn is perfect for the settling because he is a friendly leader with the trait to be one of the best people at defending others in combat, alongside a Fyljga that is built to help with settlement building. His personality traits also includes animal lover, and that's a fun one when dealing with monster animals. I also don't think it would turn into Jarlquest, at least not quickly - it's been confirmed that it would be a fight for survival, clawing to make our mark and not have people die around us. We would not be able to avoid a struggle.
it will be more of a 'manage a group of settlers' though rather than adventure and cultivation. whether its a struggle or a prosperous settlement isn't the real issue.
plus I do think just leaving the world we saw behind for a new, barely connected world feels bad. Hallbjorn going to iceland would be cool, but not as a PC of a sequel quest- in which we probably want to further explore the things set in place already, whether its norselands, our family legacy, or the rest of europe. going to Iceland means ditching it all for likely the majority of said character's quest, and if he truly settles there it means the next character gotta return to Norselands or the quest will forever continue in Iceland. I think Iceland settling is a cool quest on its on, but for the next character we should probably either go Varangian, adventure around Europe, or do stuff in the Norselands(not neccessarily farm). a foray into Iceland is cool, but not dedicating ourselves to settling there or leading the community.
the idea of Hallbjorn settling Iceland while not being the player character does bring to mind a question though. If Halla survives after quest end and we go on a timeskip, can we vote on the way she trains/nudges her kids other then the PC? like, say we end the quest now, can we vote on how Halla trains and what she teaches each kid? and can we have her nudge them towards various paths?
Honestly, the thing I don't like about Iceland is that it effectively all but removes all of Halla's work from consideration, because going there and leaving there are both epic adventures in their own right, which means we're basically cut off from all the connections and NPCs we've made up until now.
A Fresh Start is good and bad, and Halla's done a lot of work so far. Broadly wiping the board clean sits poorly with me.
Would it? That's true as long as the shroud is in place but the whole point of settling there, as I understand it, is that the shroud would be down. At that point it's more like moving to the Danelaw, it's a new place but not an unconnected one.
it will be more of a 'manage a group of settlers' though rather than adventure and cultivation. whether its a struggle or a prosperous settlement isn't the real issue.
I think it's a matter of peoples preferred flavors. I think going to New unmapped territory teaming with monsters sounds like more of an adventure than going to a prestigious military appointment that thousands of people have done before.
And I don't think it would neccessary mean leaving everything behind forever entirely separate to go to Iceland. We would still have family on the mainland; and only one person can inherit the farm anyways. So the family would have to split eventually, and move away from Asvir if they want their own stakes.
And I feel like most of us won't be satisfied being a huskarl to someone else, after having Halla's life of being in control.
I think it's a matter of peoples preferred flavors. I think going to New unmapped territory teaming with monsters sounds like more of an adventure than going to a prestigious military appointment that thousands of people have done before.
I mean, is managing a town's food stores so they don't die of starvation an adventure? Because a fair amount of Iceland is inevitably gonna be that kind of thing rather than fighting critters. Fighting things will also be on the agenda, but not as often as the Varangian Quest (which will also involve high stakes political stuff, but as a warrior, which is definitely an adventure).
Building a settlement on the frontier is still, well, settlement building (there's a reason Hallbjorn is a good choice for that option), and I would not call settlement building an adventure in and of itself. The frontier part adds adventure elements, but not as many as being a mercenary warrior gets us.
And I don't think it would neccessary mean leaving everything behind forever entirely separate to go to Iceland. We would still have family on the mainland; and only one person can inherit the farm anyways. So the family would have to split eventually, and move away from Asvir if they want their own stakes.
Here I mostly agree. We do have enough land to split it a little if we want, and can (and likely even will) acquire a bit more, but we don't want to split it as many ways as we have kids no matter what.
I mean, I don't think we're gonna be a huskarl in any real long term sense in any life. Yeah, you work for someone else in the Varangian Guard, but that's not a lifelong appointment, it's a few years, and you come back loaded with money and prestige, at which point you're well situated to be very independent indeed.
Really, from a pure in-world logic perspective, going to the Guard and then going to settle Iceland with your new resources such as money, fame, and companions, is likely the correct path, but IF doesn't want to write it all in one life (which is understandable...that'd be a lot) so while that might happen, the 'settle in Iceland' part of that would likely not get played out.
it will be more of a 'manage a group of settlers' though rather than adventure and cultivation. whether its a struggle or a prosperous settlement isn't the real issue.
Not really, the only real bit of proper management will be to designate who gets what plot of land at the very beginning. After that, they manage themselves. You can do things like set up a temporary iron foundry to assist in the tool making and the like, burn down forests to clear land quickly, and conduct blots to ask the Gods and spirits for good fortune, but that's all optional stuff.
However, you would have to manage disputes when they pop up, which shouldn't be for a little bit as everyone is still settling down. A few years into it, though, that's when things get a bit funky.
I think it's a matter of peoples preferred flavors. I think going to New unmapped territory teaming with monsters sounds like more of an adventure than going to a prestigious military appointment that thousands of people have done before.
And I don't think it would neccessary mean leaving everything behind forever entirely separate to go to Iceland. We would still have family on the mainland; and only one person can inherit the farm anyways. So the family would have to split eventually, and move away from Asvir if they want their own stakes.
And I feel like most of us won't be satisfied being a huskarl to someone else, after having Halla's life of being in control.
Would it? That's true as long as the shroud is in place but the whole point of settling there, as I understand it, is that the shroud would be down. At that point it's more like moving to the Danelaw, it's a new place but not an unconnected one.
thats true, but its still frontier wilderness to the north, way out of the way of anything. it will take a long time before its connected to the rest of the Norselands, and even then it will be out of the way, not the Danelaw. distance is no less obstacle then magic
thats true, but its still frontier wilderness to the north, way out of the way of anything. it will take a long time before its connected to the rest of the Norselands, and even then it will be out of the way, not the Danelaw. distance is no less obstacle then magic
I mean we literally learned to make bridges that can connect anywhere Norselsnd to each other no matter the distance between them. Like a couple updates ago.
I wouldn't particularly want to have it be simple to make such a journey or easily Repeatable every day or something. Because it would take away some of the mystique of settling far off. But it looks like we could make it so.
thats true, but its still frontier wilderness to the north, way out of the way of anything. it will take a long time before its connected to the rest of the Norselands, and even then it will be out of the way, not the Danelaw. distance is no less obstacle then magic
Distance is bridgeable in a few ways, including just having a boat (it's really no further from Norway than Ireland is, though it's over open water so a tad trickier), but also, as KittyEmpress notes, using magic. Now, we'd need to teach our kids the appropriate magic and they'd need a way to trap Experiences, but it's not undoable.
I wouldn't particularly want to have it be simple to make such a journey or easily Repeatable every day or something. Because it would take away some of the mystique of settling far off. But it looks like we could make it so.
I mean, only for a pretty dedicated caster, and my impression is they can only bring themselves and maybe a few others. Going too often would also have social problems, I suspect...the King's men would likely not appreciate having people from Iceland visit too often or too casually.
Yeah, as the crow flies, but you have to go around Scotland at the very least, and if hugging the coast you often go even further. It's about a 900 mile straight shot to Iceland...you're usually going at least that far (or pretty close) to get to Ireland, depending on route.
It being a straight shot does mean it's all open water, though, which is its own down side.
However, you would have to manage disputes when they pop up, which shouldn't be for a little bit as everyone is still settling down. A few years into it, though, that's when things get a bit funky.
Yeah, we have far too few social tricks for handling those not to mention lacking an oathring to make it easier.
Better pick up more stuff imo, before going for full jarl.
Sure, they are democratic, but are you saying we are giving up on Jarl soul? (i couldn't care less about that trait, but there was a lot of effort put into it over the adventures)
Sure, they are democratic, but are you saying we are giving up on Jarl soul? (i couldn't care less about that trait, but there was a lot of effort put into it over the adventures)
Godisoul makes you able to sense when anyone under your charge is in distress, instead of giving you the ability to enforce your willpower on them, clearly.
I mean, I don't think we're gonna be a huskarl in any real long term sense in any life. Yeah, you work for someone else in the Varangian Guard, but that's not a lifelong appointment, it's a few years, and you come back loaded with money and prestige, at which point you're well situated to be very independent indeed.
Oh yeah, when I said 'satisfied being huskarl' I didn't mean the Varangian which is... different. I just imagine that no matter the character we end up playing, we are gonna end up wanting to have land of our own again, if they aren't the ones who inherited the Asvir farm to begin with. If only because having land instantly makes you a more important person to the Norse, helps you recruit people to your household, and is just... extremely impactful.
Thus whoever we play as is going to eventually move away from Asvir (unless we choose to play as the heir to the farm) and leave behind what Halla made anyways.
We can, of course, always still visit no matter what I assume.
Thus whoever we play as is going to eventually move away from Asvir (unless we choose to play as the heir to the farm) and leave behind what Halla made anyways.
what Halla made is not limited to Asvir though. we probably aren't staying in Asvir, but that doesn't mean that Halla's adventures won't be impactful later. just for example, our next character might choose to settle in Skane. maybe help solve the problems of the place and save our clan. some of the stuff Halla did will certainly be impactful than. even if we go the Varangian guard, Steinnar's legacy there will definitely be impactful, and the PC will probably hear a lot about his Grandpa which he barely remembers.
but going off to Iceland is just far away from all established plot elements. little of what was established so far will have much impact, we will be far from our legacy and homelan. in a quest thats more then anything is about legacy and dynasty, that feels wierd
Godisoul makes you able to sense when anyone under your charge is in distress, instead of giving you the ability to enforce your willpower on them, clearly.
oh, that's honestly better, imo. too bad that's probably not inheritable.
Seems kinda similar to the "worried mother" muna, at least, without seeing the actual text.
oh, that's honestly better, imo. too bad that's probably not inheritable.
Seems kinda similar to the "worried mother" muna, at least, without seeing the actual text.
This isn't the actual rules text tbf, I should have made that more clear. But it would fit with the Godi as Steward and Caretaker of their people, instead of... dread adjudicator whose will is law.
Rest of Turn
--[X] Abjorn
--[X] Odr Initiation, very gradually, using our new spell
-[X] (Exploration) Go on a walk through...
--[X] The Hading!
---[X] (Optional) Try to find the Heart of the Hading
0~0~0
"Solrun," your words carry solemn weight as you take her hands in your own, "I will do as you ask."
"Thank you, Halla," Solrun closes her eyes as tears threaten to pour down her cheeks, "Give her my love, would you?"
"I will."
The pitter-patter of rain taps a gentle staccato against the Underhouse's soil-forged roof as Solrun nods her thanks. Even with all your efforts in making the Underhouse livable, its roof still can't stop Weight from pulling water droplets through the ceiling as Solrun draws down a deep breath and begins.
"Drysalt..." Solrun sighs as she struggles to find the right words, the cracks in the oath splintering further with every half-breathed syllable, "Drysalt is a troll of another era. A being from a time before time, from before there was the idea of such a thing as Midgard. I think, anyways, my father had precious little time to teach me of this." She swallows as dirt shakes from the ceiling, the Norns deeply unhappy with Solrun's oath-breaking. The stench of nid is thick and cloying as it descends upon Solrun like a starving dog to a fat-heavy carcass. Orthstirr vanishes as Solrun musters her strength and carries on unflinching, "Drysalt has no physical weaknesses. His skin is impervious to weapons and tricks of all kinds, no manner of esoteric trick or twist or spell may lay him low."
"How do we beat him, then?" You simply can't accept that such a thing is impossible. It just isn't in your nature to lay down and die.
Gritting her teeth, Solrun's eyes blaze with a defiant fire as she grips the edges of the table for support. Limbs shaking and quivering with every laborious breath, she forces herself onwards by sheer strength of will. "Drysalt is arrogant and has an ego larger than the whole of Midgard combined. He thinks little of humans and can be tricked. Lure him into a trap and seal him away, it's the only way he can be beaten."
"How do we seal him away?" At your question, Solrun's eyes turn red with sorrow as her head hangs low.
"I..." She whispers with the last vestiges of her strength. Thinking quickly, she picks her words wisely as life quickly leaves her limbs—the nid burning through her orthstirr and moving onto her very soul. "Hadingshero... he knew..."
Life leaves Solrun's limbs as she collapses against the stone table, her last breath rasping free of her lungs in one long, drawn out wheeze. The glint of warmth fades from her eyes as they turn dull and gray in the flickering torchlight of the Underhold.
Solrun...
Solrun is dead.
Gods have mercy on your soul.
The cooling sensation of a calming charge floods your body as you struggle not to cry. It's instinctual, not something you consciously triggered, but effective regardless.
0~0~0 Trying to Initiate Abjorn
The last remnants of the latest calming charge linger in your system as you step through the Hading forest's outskirts on numb feet. Trees blur into one continuous streak of brownish bark and leafy green as you bite back the latest wave of tears.
Abjorn, a silent pillar of support in these trying times, stays close behind as you lead him through the forest in search of some good spot to bless him with renewed strength. It'll be useful if he's stronger when you and Corpsemaker take the fight to Dorri's door, let alone if Drysalt himself deigns to make an appearance.
The nature of his and Dorri's relationship is still, unfortunately, an unknown, but you don't need to know that to stop Dorri and Drysalt. All you need to do is find the spell used to seal Drysalt away. Once that happens, the day can be won.
...Easier said than done, yeah.
It's as you contemplate using another calming charge to staunch the wave of sorrow rising from deep within that Abjorn chooses to speak. "Halla," a handful of dry twigs snap under his weight as he steps forward bold and unflinching, "you're not doing well, are you?"
It was only a day or two ago that Solrun died, maybe more, maybe less. The passage of time is little more than a blur of motion and memory when your mind casts itself back back.
"I..." You cut yourself off with a choked sob as your second-to-last calming charge washes over you. Soul filled to the brim with cold rationality, you offer a short nod, "It's hard."
"Yeah, yeah it is," Abjorn's voice is soft and meek though his jaw tightens firm. His hand snakes out and slips fingers into your own, gripping your palm tight against his as he takes a deep breath, "I understand how you feel. You don't have to do this right now. We can do it in the winter, next year even, just as long as you feel ready."
You shake your head, almost pulling your hand away save for a last-minute second-thought, "No, no, I can do this. I'm a Seeress now," you swallow a gulp as your eyes stay fixed straight ahead, "this, this is what we do."
Abjorn frowns, a raw showing of any emotion other than stoic joy and appreciation. He squeezes your hand just as you go to take a step, knocking you off balance for a fraction of a heartbeat, but it's enough for him to get a word in edgewise, "What does Blackhand have to say about it?"
You go to answer him as the calming charge starts to fade from your soul, the intensity of the emotions it's suppressing doing a number on its lasting strength. As your mouth opens and words begin to form, a voice long silenced slips through the wall of oppressive serenity.
'I think,' Blackhand scowls as he shoves back the fragmentary waves of calming might, his strength returning alongside your emotions. 'No, I know that you're rushing into this, girl. Delicate shit like this requires calm, real calm, not this false fucking bullshit that you've been huffing. You're not stupid, stop acting like it.' How do you handle his words? (Composure: 7) 7 Successes
Blackhand's words are harsh, cruel, and brutal. For the first time in your life, you can't help but hate the bastard. White hot rage smolders in your heart as you lash out, wrenching your hand free of Abjorn's grasp and swinging a blind fist at the air.
'Yes! Get angry. Feel something for the sakes of all those that came before!'
How dare he call you stupid when Solrun just died?! It was your damned fault! You were the one who doomed her! You were the one who accepted the charge! You have to make it right. You have to prove that you can do it, that you can take her place, that she was right about you!
...
...Gods dammit.
Gods fucking dammit.
"Gods, fucking," your fist snaps out, knuckles striking against a tree and felling it in a single blow. The trunk collapses against the ground in a heavy crash as Abjorn deftly steps aside, "dammit."
Swallowing, the last calm charge washes Blackhand back into the depths of your mind. His cursing growing ever more distant, you bite back the sobs and fix your eyes forward once more as, in a display of stubbornness that would be admirable in any other circumstance, you refuse the truth that you know deep within, "No, no, I have to be able to do this."
"Why?" That single question draws you up short as cracks grow and your eyes flick to the side, where Abjorn sits gently against the fallen trunk of the tree you struck down. "Solrun said you were a Seeress, so you are. What does this," he waves a hand at himself and his surroundings, ignoring the flinch he draws from you as he lands right on the adamantly-denied money, "have to do with anything?"
"But I," you swallow as the cracks widen into fissures and fissures split down the seams in an onslaught of rushing emotion, "I-I'm not ready! First Dad, now Solrun..." Tears start trickling down your cheeks as you collapse to your knees on the leaf-strewn path. The last vestiges of your final calming charge keep you going—they're the only thing doing that, in fact. "For all my life, I've head somebody there to help, guide, and to answer what questions I had."
"And now you don't," Abjorn's hands hover at your sides, waiting for a signal to help you up. When he climbed to his feet you don't know, your situational awareness isn't exactly the best right now.
"And now I don't," you whisper, shrinking in on yourself like a wilting spring flower as Abjorn sets his jaw and decides to try a different approach.
"I never knew my mother," Abjorn remarks in a sudden twist of the topic, "one son of Giant's blood was already too much for her and the second pushed her over the edge. Vidar," Abjorn swallows as he speaks words he's heard all his life, "well, he never forgave me."
"Why are you telling me this?" Before the words even pass your lips, you're already regretting them deeply. Lost in the wave on all-consuming emotion, you only register how rude your words are after it's too late.
Abjorn continues like he didn't hear you, just one of the many blessings making up the man. "Beyond the bare minimum of food and shelter, I was left to fend for myself. The only person who I could go to for help was my brother, but Vidar always punished him for it and, eventually, he couldn't take it anymore and so he left." Abjorn sighs and shakes his head, blonde locks falling around his ears. "I guess what I'm trying to do here is say that I've got a lot of experience with figuring things out on my own and that I'll help you do that too?" His face twists in confusion as he stumbles and struggles over his words, tripping right at the finish line.
Well...
Shit.
He scowls and goes to apologize, only stiffening as you take hold of his still-hovering hands, "Abjorn," you meet his wet eyes with your own as you rise to shaky feet, still holding his hands all the while, "thank you, really."
"I will always be here to help you up again, no matter how many times you stumble," he bends down and plants a gentle kiss upon your lips. The moment lasts for an eternity as your knees buckle and you sink into his embrace. His warmth is like the blanket left next to a hearth, warm, inviting, and full of love. "You said you were looking for a place to do the magic ritual thing, right? If you're still sure you want to do it," He eventually asks after pulling away.
It takes you a moment to get your head back in the game, the constant back-and-forth of emotions leaving you rattled, but you eventually nod, "I... I think I am, yes. You have an idea?"
He smiles, sheepish at the corners, "Well, you were talking about wanting to go see the Heart of the Hading, so why don't we do it there?" He bites at his lip as he shrugs, wilting like a fire-bitten leaf as you stare at him, "Uh, sorry if you already thought about it."
"No, no, that's..." You snort and bump your head against his chest, feeling a bit silly that you didn't think of that, "actually really clever."
Abjorn's mouth quirks up at the corners as he lifts your chin by a crooked finger, "I have my moments."
You meet his smile with one of your own, your fingers snaking up to his hair as you draw him back down to your level, "I'd sure say so!"
0~0~0 Exploring deeper into the Hading, in search of the Heart (Hamingja: 7) 7 Successes
Ever-deeper you trek into the Hading, the sound of your and Abjorn's footsteps the only noise for miles. Even the wind seems to keep quiet as you trudge across fallen leaves and discarded twigs. Here, in the deepest depths of the Hading, there is little in the way of light.
A dense tree canopy so thick that it devours all but the lightest slivers of light hangs overhead as you step from grass to empty dirt in your journey ever-deeper in. Moss, mushrooms, and a variety of vines are the only non-tree plants this deep into the Hading. They cling to life thanks only to what they can splice from the trees upon which they depend.
The only noise to break up the monotony is that of your and Abjorn's talk as you make your way through the ever-denser, ever-taller and more ancient trees. The ground turns uneven as Abjorn shrugs, the next topic of conversation already on his lips.
"I recently spoke with Dorri," Abjorn frowns as he says that name, but carries on regardless "about my inheritance from Vidar."
"How's that going for you? I've not heard, well, much of anything at all about that," you mention as you step over a thick root snaking along a long-dry streambed.
"Not great," Abjorn sighs as he shakes his head, lips tugging down into a frown. "Apparently, Vidar married a woman in Miklagard but divorced her to follow Steinarr here, as she wouldn't accompany him to the Hading. As it turns out," he adds as he ducks under a leafless, low-hanging branch, "that marriage resulted in a son. Given that it was a legal marriage, that son actually has a real claim to some of the inheritance unlike Vidar's bastards."
"Vidar had bastards?" You quirk your heard as a playful light gleams in your eyes, "Somehow, that doesn't surprise me."
"Me neither," Abjorn huffs as he kicks at a rock, a fresh trail of sunlight trickling through the hole it leaves in its wake as it soars up and through the canopy. "According to Dorri, the bastards don't have any legal claim to the property of Vidar, but they'll probably still support Arkoudaki, my half-brother, in pursuing his claim on it. Which, if he decides he wants more than his fair share, will make things difficult."
'That's a Greek name,' Blackhand mutters for the first time since the, uh, the 'incident'. 'Wonder what kind of cultivation this 'Arkoudaki' is working with?'
"Well," you frown as you plant your hands on your hips, weapons jingling with the powerful motion "if it's a fight he wants, it's a fight he'll get! We've got plenty allies, husband, don't forget that."
"I won't," Abjorn shakes his head, "forget that, that is. I'm just worried he'll challenge me to a wager of battle over the inheritance."
You nearly stumble as you realize what that means, hands leaving your hips to grab the nearest tree branch, "Oh... That's not good."
"No, it's not." Abjorn sighs as he runs his hands through his hair, a few gray strands peeking through the blonde. "If I were to lose, he'd get all my property."
"So he'd get... everything, really." You might be able to keep the land, given that it was your dowry, but everything on that land would go to this 'Arkoudaki'. How that would play out in the courts isn't something you're especially eager to find out, least of all because it would mean losing Abjorn for good. Dividing one's property is never an easy ordeal, not when people still yet live.
"I can only hope Arkoudaki is reasonable, or is at least a poor fighter." Abjorn slumps as he walks, not believing for a second that Arkoudaki would be bad at fighting. It's, unfortunately, just not how the world works. Still, Abjorn is a beast of a man, you've know doubt that he'd win any fight if it came down to it!
It's as you go to tell him that that your mind notices something in the passing landscape. The deeper you travel into the Hading, the hillier the ground gets beneath your feet. It's subtle at first, only a few inclines barely worth the name of 'hill'. but the closer you draw to the center, the greater the mounds grow until they're towering as high or even higher than any man or tree!
Wait... What was it that Skavidr called the Hading? The 'Valley of Crowned-Barrows'?
...These aren't hills, are they?
'Barrows, one and all.'
It's as Blackhand's voice rings in your ears that eyes fall upon you from the forest. Freezing on the spot, Abjorn wordlessly takes position with his back to yours and weapons in hand. Despite the clear presence of power, the owners of the invisible eyes dare not attack. Perhaps they're merely watching, waiting for some unseen signal? Maybe they're the warning not to tread any further?
Regardless, you'll need to make a decision.
[ ] Push on despite the danger (Begins The Heart of the Hading)
[ ] Leave now to return at a later date
0~0~0
AN: Merry Christmas everyone, a Happy Holidays, a Yogic Yule, and a happy whatever else you celebrate, if anything!
What a gift, eh? Sorry if it's bad, I was a little bit sleep deprived while writing this as I had to get up early for presents and the like.
[X] Push on despite the danger (Begins The Heart of the Hading)
If not now, then when?
As awful as this was though, that was critical information, Just the revelation that "Drysalt cannot die, and therefore a violent solution is doomed to failure", was important, given how it's so often that the Backup Answer is "Just kill them."
He's not a boss you beat by just outmuscling him, you have to outwit him and lock him away.
That's good to know from Solrun, though I dunno if it's actually worth her life. We were assuming he was tough...maybe it is, we probably would have at least considered fighting him, after all. The bit where Hasvir knew is very relevant. We actually have ways of contacting him if we bring in the current generation's Hasvir.
For Abjorn's inheritance, that's an interesting situation. We should try getting he and Abjorn to be friendly before we resort to horrible violence. Hopefully that'll work.
[X] Push on despite the danger (Begins The Heart of the Hading)
How will waiting improve this situation? I don't see how that would make things better, realistically. And our action budget is real fucking tight.
