Training Management, Labor, and Farming
-Takes training dice
-Not social
-Can take a long time if RNG hates us
Getting Huskarls to work for us
-Demonstrates our leadership skills with delegation
-We have good traits for it
-Gives Orthstirr to us
I think we should get to at least 2 in Labor and Farming before stopping, and probably keep going on Management even after that (it's just a useful skill), but yes recruiting additional employees is a good call and we should definitely do it as opposed to investing heavily in getting too many more dice ourself.
Being a Jarl's chosen heir definitely seems like it should give you Jarlsoul even if you weren't born with it. Like, I would expect a kid adopted by a Jarl (or who the Jarl thinks is theirs but is actually the result of adultery) to still have Jarlsoul if they designate them as their heir just for reasons of logic.
Another is by binding others to you through loyalty and going in the quest....
While being named the succesor of a Jarl may be another way... There is this bit about Being a Jarl:
The english translation of 'Jarl' is 'Earl', but I don't like how that reads so I don't use it. A Jarl is, at the most basic definition, someone who leads. Someone who rules. Jarls, no matter what, always end up in some kind of position of authority simply by virtue of the fact that people are inclined to follow them. A young Jarl will either climb the ranks, establish new lands, or they will die.
The reasons for this all stem from one thing; the fact that Jarls can give out orthstirr. This means that if you know a Jarl rising star, and you get in good with them, then you'll reap the rewards as they skyrocket. Jarls, by virtue of their birth, have broader access to opportunities, which means that they get stronger faster than Karls typically do.
QM says ways. So, becoming a Jarl by succession is probably possible.... but i would think its the same route as the "jarl in the making" boon and later quest, you just get a headstart by inheriting loyalty from the previous Jarl, because they named YOU their sucesor.
Kinda curious what the other ways are.... Perhaps conquering the territory and the jarl admiting defeat to you, a kind of "might makes right" way?
Scheduled vote count started by Imperial Fister on Apr 1, 2023 at 6:25 PM, finished with 101 posts and 10 votes.
[X] Plan Shieldwall And Fire
-[X] Stoke Frami (+43 Orthstirr)
-[X] 9d6 Attack (all tricks)
-[X] 1d6 Defense
-[X] 27d6 Intercept (all tricks)
-[X] Put 2 Orthstirr into 4 layers of Reinforce Shield before the combat begins (-2 Orthstirr)
-[X] As soon as the squire is in range, toss a 9d6 (10d6 w/Hugareida) Kindle Spinner attack (-5 Orthstirr) at his mount, hoping to force the horse to panic, or both of them to close.
-[X] Prepare three 9d6 (11d6 w/Hugareida) Inertia-Arresting-Throw Intercepts to use if people other than Halla are attacked at range (-6 Orthstirr each). If he charges while we still have one ready, use it on his horse's legs to stop the charge.
-[X] In response to any Trick Attack directly targeting us use Halting Vortex (-4 Orthstirr)...if an attack somehow gets through that attempt to Sidestep (-4 Orthstirr) if possible. If our fylgja is attacked use Halting Vortex no matter what (-4 Orthstirr). If we can also shield Abjorn on top of us and our Fylgja (or the Fylgja has fled) use Halting Vortex to defend him as well if it looks like his own defenses have failed (-4 Orthstirr).
-[X] Tactics – Bring up a shieldwall and advance as a unit, Abjorn taking point. Bring out Halla's Fylgja and keep it with her to play spotter, attempt to intercept incoming Javelin throws with Inertia Arresting Throw to support the defense. Stay together at all costs. Fylgja is to be veiled again when the range closes (using the mundane Defense die to leave if possible). If he charges, we use any remaining IAT to trip his horse, which should be nasty.
We do have a fair amount of layered defenses. If something breaks Halting Vortex, we try and Sidestep, and if that's not viable we still have Reinforced Shield as well, and then armor to boot.
I'm honestly more worried about not making progress than anything else. Like, if he somehow just stays at range attacking for multiple additional turns we start having issues. We probably can prevent that, but not preventing it is our most likely fail case, I think.
The issue is that he's got a target to defend that we're advancing towards, and if he waits too long, we're now fighting in the middle of a settlement, which is terrible ground for cavalry, while him engaging us while he has the high ground and an open field is his best terrain.
He has little choice but to advance if he can't meaningfully chip away at us from a distance.
The issue is that he's got a target to defend that we're advancing towards, and if he waits too long, we're now fighting in the middle of a settlement, which is terrible ground for cavalry, while him engaging us while he has the high ground and an open field is his best terrain.
He has little choice but to advance if he can't meaningfully chip away at us from a distance.
too bad we cant use dirty tricks, like bombimg the earth before him to launch a dust cloud up for distraction and stab him or his horse from the sides as he charges....
[X] Plan Shieldwall And Fire
-[X] Stoke Frami (+43 Orthstirr)
-[X] 9d6 Attack (all tricks)
-[X] 1d6 Defense
-[X] 27d6 Intercept (all tricks)
-[X] Put 2 Orthstirr into 4 layers of Reinforce Shield before the combat begins (-2 Orthstirr)
-[X] As soon as the squire is in range, toss a 9d6 (10d6 w/Hugareida) Kindle Spinner attack (-5 Orthstirr) at his mount, hoping to force the horse to panic, or both of them to close.
-[X] Prepare three 9d6 (11d6 w/Hugareida) Inertia-Arresting-Throw Intercepts to use if people other than Halla are attacked at range (-6 Orthstirr each). If he charges while we still have one ready, use it on his horse's legs to stop the charge.
-[X] In response to any Trick Attack directly targeting us use Halting Vortex (-4 Orthstirr)...if an attack somehow gets through that attempt to Sidestep (-4 Orthstirr) if possible. If our fylgja is attacked use Halting Vortex no matter what (-4 Orthstirr). If we can also shield Abjorn on top of us and our Fylgja (or the Fylgja has fled) use Halting Vortex to defend him as well if it looks like his own defenses have failed (-4 Orthstirr).
-[X] Tactics – Bring up a shieldwall and advance as a unit, Abjorn taking point. Bring out Halla's Fylgja and keep it with her to play spotter, attempt to intercept incoming Javelin throws with Inertia Arresting Throw to support the defense. Stay together at all costs. Fylgja is to be veiled again when the range closes (using the mundane Defense die to leave if possible). If he charges, we use any remaining IAT to trip his horse, which should be nasty.
"Shield wall!" You find yourself roaring alongside Audrikr — your minds landing on the same solution at the same time — "Form a wall!"
The press of bodies is warm and the clatter of overlapping shields fills your ears. You can't help but feel for Abjorn. His sense of smell is far stronger than yours and there's not exactly much time for bathing while out raiding. Even you are starting to get a little ripe.
"Forwards!" Audrikr's voice cuts through the chaos and his spear points the way. As one, you advance slowly, carefully, but steadily still.
There is little room for your owl in the throng, but you make do with what you have. Placing it on your shoulder, you cast your vision to its eyes.
The world seems to gray slightly, darkness creeping in at the edges. But what strikes you the most is how everything is just so *clear!* The world shines with a level of clarity you're certain it lacked even when your eyesight was perfect.
Man, it really would be useful to use this more. Your owl hoots its agreement.
With your owl lending its vision, two things stick out to you.
The first is the bird circling high in the sky — a falcon, if your owl's eyes aren't failing you. It seems to watch with a careful, studious gaze like it was closely examining you for weaknesses both real and imagined. Your nearsightedness had left it little more than another blur against an already blurry sky.
The second is the Squire himself. Specifically, it's the water splashing around him in great waves of power. Your blood boils at the sight of your hated enemy as it urges you forward and warns you away in the same breath.
"Incoming!" Somebody yells as the Squire hurls the spear. Swallowing your fear, you prepare to meet your potential doom. (Targeting? Stigmar) (Trick Attack: 35 vs Trick Defense: 44, Defender Wins!)
The spear streams forward with the weight of the oceans behind it. It tears through the air with a deadly scream and flashing iron.
Throwing your hand forward, you hurl Standstill just before it would've hit Stigmar. Invisible cloth wraps around the spear and pins it in place. It doesn't *stop* it, not really. It still brims with angry, watery power and is eager to let it fly.
But Standstill holds it at bay, at least until the shield wall moves past and you let it fly free. It hits the ground behind you with sodden force as it showers the felag in mud and dirt. Spitting out a mouthful of slick grass and mud, you scowl and swear to pay back that insult.
"Incoming!" Audrikr shouts it this time and you prepare once more — now halfway across the field. (Targeting? Abjorn) (Trick Attack: 49 vs Trick Defense: 29, Attacker Wins) (Trick Intercept? HV Autopass)
Flicking your hand forward, you catch the spear on a spinning vortex of halting energy. It shatters in a spray of water droplets and wood splinters as Abjorn nods his thanks.
You nod back just as something tickles on the edge of your senses. Spinning your head around, you lock eyes with the falcon as it throws itself into a dive. (Attack: 8 vs Trick Defense: HV Autopass, Defender wins!)
Shifting on your heel, you bring Halting Vortex to bear as you rebuff the falcon's assault.
As you do so, Audrikr shouts a third warning — a warning you can't respond to in time. (Targeting? Halla) (Trick Attack: 45 vs Defense: 15, Attacker Wins!) (Intercept? 43, fail. The Terror-Bear's Loyalty Triggers! Shield destroyed!)
Abjorn's shield explodes as you fail to react in time. A heavy price to pay for your failure, but far cheaper than your or his life.
Swallowing your fear, you turn your attention as the fourth spear is thrown and you make it three-fourths of the way across the open, hilly field. (Targeting? Halla) (Trick Attack: 47 vs Defense: HV Autopass, Defender Wins!)
The fourth and apparently final spear explodes against your whirling vortex of a shield.
You made it across the field and now stand before the manor in all its glory. The Squire claps his hands together and Fervor returns to him swiftly. As he does that, though, you eye the armored mount standing underneath the balcony.
Smirking, you free your hand from Sagaseeker and whip up a Kindle-Spinner in your cupped palm. (Trick Attack: 34 vs Defense: AH Autopass, Defender Wins!)
With spinning ball of tightly-packed fire in hand, you roll it forward with whiplash force.
It tears across the grass with fury and rage, leaving a trail of cinder-coated blackened grass in its wake. It bounces once, twice, before launching up into the horse's chest.
You smirk. That'll teach him to leave his horse in the ope-
The horse sneers at you as the smoke clears, revealing its completely unblemished and armored chest. Its eyes hold a spark of intelligence that seems oddly familiar... The same one the falcon had...
Oh.
Oh shit.
The Squire finishes praying as he hefts the last spear — a lance — and leaps from the balcony. Landing in the horse's saddle, he points his lance at the felag as he plants his helmet firmly on his head.
You're not fighting just one cultivator. You're fighting three.
The Squire.
The Horse.
And the Falcon.
Shit.
Dismissing your owl, you take a deep breath and focus on the fight at hand.
You stand before the manor, where it is mostly flat ground. The Squire sits atop his cultivator warhorse with his cultivator falcon in the air above you. This is going to be a hard fight. Somehow, you just know that at least one of your number is going to die here.
The Squire is fresh. The Horse is fresh. The Falcon is fresh.
Abjorn is down his shield and has tapped his frami. It flows from him in heavy, rust-like flakes.
A sense of cold determination flows through the felag. There will be no cowards on this blood-soaked day, thanks to your poem.
The enemy seem inscrutable to your senses. All you know is that the falcon will harass and distract while the Squire and Horse deal damage.
You have 5/5 Endurance | 8/8 Armor | N/A Shield
You have 77/127 orthstirr in reserve, your Frami (43) is tapped, your Virthing (42) and Saemd (42) are untapped.
Sagaseeker has 8 orthstirr in its reservoir
You can put 0 more points of orthstirr into your Combat Pool.
You have 37d6 in your Combat Pool
What do you do?
[ ] (Plan Name)
-[ ] (Dice) Attack
-[ ] (Dice) Defense
-[ ] (Dice) Intercept
-[ ] (Dice) (Trick) (Orthstirr)
-[ ] Tactics Write in
Could we have the owl drop Abjorn a shield while departing? That's literally why we had one stored in it.
We could spend a die of the new round for that if needed.
In any case, that went...well, not exactly ideally, but not terribly either. We still have plenty of orthstirr and they are gonna join us in melee, so that's nice. Three cultivators is one more than we planned on, though, so that's less than ideal.
Why would it be any more open than it was this round? Abjorn's right there. And it'd still be leaving immediately thereafter so presumably before they actually get into melee with us.
Ah shit. Falcon is a counter to our owl, though our owl's senses enable us to account for the Falcon. And I doubt we're lucky enough that the Squire has the same weakness we have for our fylgja.
Three-on-one fight, and this is just a Squire. And we still don't know what their power armor Knightly armor can do. 😵💫
anyways spent some time accumulating cat memes in a folder called Norse quest triplet memes, also some chancla and stuff (mostly stuff like "father i crave violence" but i have some "not all who are lost, wander" for when boy 2's wanderlust gets him lost)
Ah shit. Falcon is a counter to our owl, though our owl's senses enable us to account for the Falcon. And I doubt we're lucky enough that the Squire has the same weakness we have for our fylgja.
I mean, it's three-on-four. We are very much not alone here. But yeah, this is dicey.
I think our hope is that the Knight doesn't have a falcon, which seems plausible in context (horses will be ubiquitous...other spirit beasts probably not so much).
So...I dunno for general tactics, but I think maybe trapping the falcon with a particularly meaty IAT seems like a good call? It doesn't have, like, ranged attacks or anything it just flies and is fast. Tripping the horse while it charges also remains a very viable IAT usage that we might want to consider (this would be devastating in real life, as tripping a horse mid-charge is probably an instant death-knell for the horse and defeat for the rider...cultivators can likely recover better, but not enough that it wouldn't still be very good).
But tripping during a charge aside, honestly, taking out the falcon may be our best bet for Halla to focus on personally this turn. Her per attack damage isn't bad, but I doubt it equals Abjorn with his steel sword, and that means, I think, that her focusing on the unarmored target may be correct?
The chance if us getting through this fight without someone dying is getting increasingly smaller.
Also, what did the horse actually do? Did it just auto-pass because it's a cultivator horse? From what I cab tell, it didn't actually use a Trick or anything.
