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NorseQuest (A Norse Xianxia)

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Constenanto said:
On a completely unrelated note - this being a xianxia world, I wonder if China has got the usual cultivation with immortals and qi and whatnot.
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I suppose you'll have to find out : )
Constenanto said:
Not sure if it'd be a thing, considering cultivators can fly, do magic, enchant weapons and orthstirr seems much... weaker/less versatile (?).
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Well, you are 12-years-old and have really only just begun to learn about orthstirr and its usages beyond the utter basics. You haven't encountered any of the weirder stuff yet.

Orthstirr also finds itself limited by the Norsemen's general lack of willingness to use when it comes to more esoteric stuff, as it is seen as unmanly. Like, the practice and usage of orthstirr is extremely well-refined when it comes to physical combat, but nobody really knows the extent of what it can do, because people rarely ever delve deep enough to find out.

Everyone knows that by thinking about something happening hard enough, it happens in real life. But a very rare few actually wonder why, or how, or what that means. The Norse simply aren't at a level of society where they can devote significant amounts of time into discovering how things work. They don't even really have writing at this point in time, on a scale where it would be commonplace, at least. Everything is orally recorded.

Can orthstirr be refined like qi can? Can you ascend to higher states of being using it?

The Norse simply don't know and, frankly, the vast majority of them don't care.

Of course, that may change should you, over the generations, make discoveries and have revelations.

But, to give you a hint, a Chinese cultivator would be utterly appalled at the 'wastefulness' of Norse cultivators.
Constenanto said:
I also wonder if orthstirr has any life-extending properties.
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As long as the Nornir exist, no Norseman will live past their allotted time, nor can they die before meeting it.
 
Imperial Fister said:
Of course, that may change should you, over the generations, make discoveries and have revelations.

But, to give you a hint, a Chinese cultivator would be utterly appalled at the 'wastefulness' of Norse cultivators.
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We need to try to mimic some of Odin's stuff in this regard, if we can. Man learned a lot of secrets in his day.

And 'wastefulness', huh? Probably something to do with not absorbing or cycling the energy they acquire? I wonder how that would even work...

Imperial Fister said:
As long as the Nornir exist, no Norseman will live past their allotted time, nor can they die before meeting it.
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That's not quite either a yes or a no.
 
Imperial Fister said:
Of course, that may change should you, over the generations, make discoveries and have revelations.
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Mmm. We've got a lot of stuff to do, then. Can't wait, sounds fun.

When we make a family, we should try to make writing become a thing for us.

Imperial Fister said:
But, to give you a hint, a Chinese cultivator would be utterly appalled at the 'wastefulness' of Norse cultivators.
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Hm. Maybe we should try to actually like, permanently strengthen our body with orthstirr, rather than only when we fight? Maybe via cycling, or some equivalent. Unless Chinese cultivation is different, gaining orthstirr feels easier than cultivating qi, but the Norse don't really do anything with orthstirr besides use it for the bare basics.

I wonder if the Norse gods are beings that can use orthstirr to it's full potential... if they even exist.

Imperial Fister said:
As long as the Nornir exist, no Norseman will live past their allotted time, nor can they die before meeting it.
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That's not a no! :V
 
[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
 
[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
 
Voting is now closed.
Scheduled vote count started by Imperial Fister on Feb 11, 2023 at 6:10 PM, finished with 40 posts and 9 votes.
  • [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
    [X] Sometimes Turbo Violence is the Smart Move
    [X] Sometimes Turbo Violence is the Smart Move
    -[X] (6d6) Attack (Lori)
    -[X] Tactics: Skate behind Lori and end his line.
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A Walk on the Ice Final
  • Threadmarks
    • [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
    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.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Huh. Okay then. I think I want to stick with the current plan?

    Like, who would we even ask about that? That would be useful? That seems like 'talk to the witch' to me and we're already aiming for that.

    And we definitely need to talk to Mom sometime...though I don't blame anyone who wants to switch to talking to Abjorn under the circumstances.
     
    Omegahugger said:
    So... Who wants to try and learn some basic First Aid and wound dressing? That seems like a pretty useful skill to pick up.
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    I'm up for putting a few dice into it to get level 1 next turn assuming we don't pick up seidr, which would apparently maybe make it at least partially redundant (we got a seidr trick for stabilization, after all). I don't think changing the current turn's plan is necessary...we need the base stats.
     
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    Imperial Fister said:
    [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
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    This is our original plan for reference. Honestly I wanna talk to Stigr or Abjorn, but we should really clear the air with our Mum soon.
     
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