NorseQuest (A Norse Xianxia)

[I.F. Ister]

Spoiler: Preparing for things to come

[X] Plan Preparing for things to come
-[X] (Personal) Spend time with...(Write in)
--[X] Stigandr
--[X] Try and help him with his grief
--[X] Mom
--[X] Ask her to teach us more about being a wife in terms of practical skills
--[X] Halfdan
--[X] Ask him to teach us more about how to fight with an atgeir
-[X] (Blackhand's Training) Try to develop old/train new hugareida tricks (Write in)
--[X] Train something for conjuring a shield out of hugareida that we can defend with while using our atgeir 1d6
--[X] Train Imaging Skill-Trick 1d6
--[X] Ask him about the defense of the Slagson, how did he coat himself in Orthstirr like the shield? Could you learn that?
-[X] (Steinarr's Training) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick/some tricks
--[X] Leaping-Cleave Trick
--[X] That Skirsvikingar was good at fighting, switch between attack and defense so fast without luck you wouldn't have beaten him. It's bad to think what happened if he didn't give up his axe, but... Is there any way to mix fighting with a weapon and your body better than the occasional kick when the weapons are locked?
-[X] (Training) Hamr (12 successes to rank up)
--[X] Train Hamr Itself 3d6
--[X] Train Pierce 1d6
--[X] Train Bash 1d6
--[X] Train Dodge 1d6
-[X] (Training) Hugr (2 successes to rank up)
--[X] Train Hugr Itself 1d6
--[X] Train Artcraft 1d6
-[X] (Training) Fylgja (5 success to rank up)
--[X] Train Fylgja Itself 1d6
-[X] (Orthstirr Usage)
--[X] 4 Hamr
--[X] 5/6 Hugr (if we can raise it)
--[X] 3 Fylgja
--[X] 2 Silver-Tongue
--[X] 1 Activate First Impression
--[X] 21/20 free for tricks (based on if we can raise Hugr)

0~0~0

Spoiler: Training

(Hamr Trick Training: 5) 2 Successes
"Dad? Do you know anything about the Skirsvikingar?" You ask as you pull out the necklace.

Steinarr wipes a bead of sweat from his brow as he gingerly takes it from you. He quirks a brow as he examines the runes. "Skirsvikingar? You got this from the Skirsvikingr you killed?"

"Yeah, says his name and that it's an... entry key to a place called 'Skirsalr', whatever that means." The eyebrow travels higher on his brow. He quickly reads the runes and the other eyebrow joins the first.

"So it does..." He trails off before shooting you with an odd look. "When did you learn runes?"

You freeze, mind spinning in circles as Blackhand chokes on nothing. Neither of you were expecting that to be asked!

You open your mouth to speak, only to find that you have nothing but choked air.

Steinarr squints. "Well, Skirsalr was the hall of the Skirsvikingar, in Vestfold."

"One of the other kingdoms."

"Correct." He nods approvingly as you grin. "They're East and North of us, a few kingdoms over. But regardless, Skirsvikingar aren't a very common sight... Not anymore, at least. Actually, I thought they were all dead."

'*What.*' You echo Blackhand's dry statement.

"Got hired into a war with the Jomsvikingar on the other side," Steinarr almost spits out the name as a dark shadow falls across his face. "Managed to smear a Steelfather with dirt and the insult was paid back a hundred-thousand-fold."

Blackhand growls, 'It always leads back to the damn Jomsvikingar, doesn't it?'

Even you, as unaware of the greater world as you are, knows of the legendary men of Jomsborg. Your father may have forbade talk of their exploits under his roof, but that didn't stop Abjorn and Stigandr from telling tales.

No other Warband has managed to accrue quite the reputation as they, save for those vaunted few in service of Miklagard, though the Guard isn't a true Warband and thus doesn't count. According to the Jomsvikingar, at least.

Now that you think about it, it is kinda odd that Steinarr wouldn't allow you to talk about the Jomsvikingar. Why is that?

'I can tell you that, Halla.' Blackhand's voice is grim as you silently accept. 'For they killed me.'

Shock radiates through your body.

Blackhand's voice turns bloody as a ragged grin stretches across your mind. 'It took all nine of their Steelfathers to bring me down, but bring me down they did.'

...You'll think about that later. For now, getting back to the entire reason you brought this topic up is far more attractive.

"...Anyways, the Skirsvikingr was throwing out all these kicks an-"

Steinarr stares at you, eyes alight with an aghast glow. "He kicked you?! How... How disrespectful! If you're gonna hit someone, you hit them with a weapon or, if you have to, whatever you have on hand. Your feet?" He visibly recoils, shaking his head. "What an ass. It's a good thing he's dead or else that would've been a full outlawing!"

You blink. Well... that answers that, you suppose.

Though... Using Knee-Groin Trick while weapons are clashing seems to be a decent idea... Maybe Glima holds more tricks for you to learn?

(Leaping-Cleave Trick now Rough! 6 more to Refined!)
0~0~0
(Hugareida Trick Training: 5) 2 Successes (Hugr Trick Training: 5) 2 Successes
With the acquisition of Sagaseeker, you need to find some way of better defending yourself.

For this purpose, you once more turn to Standstill. It's becoming quite the familiar tool in your toolbox.

Your instincts guide your movements as you thrust out your hand, fingers spread wide and palm facing forward.

Standstill swirls about your palm and flattens to a circle. It stretches out three feet wide. It spins slowly, like a miniature vortex in your hand.

You know... that's a decent name for this technique. 'Halting Vortex', that's what you'll call it!

It sputters out, quickly losing its stability.

Well, that's you'll call it when you've figured it out.

(Halting Vortex added to Vague Standstill Tricks)
(+2 Successes to Imaging Skill-Trick. 4 left!)
0~0~0
(Hamr Training: 6, 4, 2) 2 Successes (Pierce Training: 2) 1 Failure (Bash Training: 4) 1 Success (Dodge Training: 5) 2 Successes
You duck and dodge as Steinarr presses in with Crowfeeder.

It's difficult to stay ahead of him, but you're slowly getting the hang of it.

(+2 to Hamr. 10 left.)
(Bash Rank Up! 2 left.)
(+2 to Dodge. 2 Left)
0~0~0
(Hugr Training: 4) 1 Success (Artcraft Training Roll: 6, 6) 4 Successes, lmao
Ah, so that's how you do it!

You grin happily as you work through a math problem.

(+1 to Hugr. 1 left.)
(Artcraft Rank Up! 2 left)
0~0~0
(Fylgja Training: 6) 2 Successes
Owl preens vainly as he examines his reflection in the waters.

You shake your head, a smile on your face as you steadily ignore that the only difference between it and you are the feathers on its body and the hair on your head.

(+2 to Fylgja. 3 left.)

0~0~0
The year, by the reckoning of the followers of Christ, is 8973 AD and you, Halla Steinarsdottir, have just turned fifteen.

'You do do this every year!' Blackhand laughs, as if it was funny in any way.

"I don't!" Your words ring hollow to your ears, the lie clear as day. You grumble, vowing to never stop as long as you can still speak.

In a year's time, you will be an adult. In a year's time, you will be, Gods willing, out raiding.

Your front feels like fire as a certain thought occurs to you.

In a year's time, you and Abjorn will be married.

You find yourself yanked from your dopy grin as you step into something cold, wet, and very slimy. Frowning, you bend over and examine the bowl of porridge you stepped in.

The uneaten bowl of porridge...

The one that's supposed to be eaten by the farm's spirit.

Eh, it's probably fine.

"Hey, Blackhand?" You ask as you clean the bowl and put it away.

'Yes?'

"What was the trick that the Skirsvikingr used? The one that was covering his body throughout the fight?"

Blackhand seems to think for a moment before shocking you with his answer. 'I... Do not know.'

"You... You don't know? Aren't you supposed to be some crazy powerful warrior or something?"

'You have nine cousins named Hallr. My memory is more than a little frayed as a result.' Blackhand scowls as you roll a sigh.

"I... guess that's fair." You shrug and change course. "What about the Witch?"

'What about her?'

"Well, I made a deal that you said you... mediated, or something?" You end with a questioning lilt to your voice. At Blackhand's positive noise, you continue. "What should I do about that?"

'Kill her.'

"What."

'Kill her stone dead.'

"Wouldn't that be... murder?"

'Witches lack the Law's protections. Kill her.'

You ask a few more questions, but the answer to each is little more than variations of 'kill her'.

0~0~0
Talking to Stigandr (Hugr (Silver-Tongue): 4, 2, 1, 3, 2, 5, 2, 4) 1 Success
Stigandr's up and about... which is an improvement, if only just.

You find him working the fields far harder than you'd ever seen him. He doesn't speak to you other than with the occasional nod or empty greeting.

Well... at least he doesn't seem as screwy in the head as before? Just more withdrawn and maybe a bit more closed-off?

He doesn't seem to resent you or anything, which is good news.

Looks like your friendship came out of that intact.
0~0~0
Asking Mom for Help (Hugr (Silver-Tongue): 4, 1, 2, 6, 6, 5, 1, 1) 3 Successes
"Haven't you already asked me this?" Asveig asks as she quirks her head to the side, a sharp-eyed look to her face. "Or is this an attempt at making up for your desire to raid?"

You blink and chuckle nervously. "I, uh... I just want to be a better wife for my future husband?"

She sighs and puts down the bucket of milk. "I'm not an idiot, Halla."

"I never said you were!"

"No, but the way you're acting tells me more than words can say." Asveig purses her lips and scowls. "I will teach you, this time. Burn me again and you're on your own."

You gulp, a trickle of sweat rolling down your back.

(Asveig's Teaching added. +1 Auto-Success to Housecraft Training Rolls)
0~0~0
Asking Halfdan for Help
"Can you hel-" You don't even get the words out before Halfdan the Dane leaps to his feet.

"Can I help you learn your atgeir?" He asks, an eager fire blazing away in his eyes. "I would love to!"

He flicks out a hand and blue orthstirr flows along his forearm. It pools in his palm before growing and lengthening into a crude copy of Sagaseeker.

"When do we start?" He stands ready for action. His sons pay him little-to-no mind as they move around his hands-on-hips stance.

You blink and a weak smile spreads across your face. After the Asveig and Stigandr debacles, you're a little taken aback from how smoothly this is going.

"Uh, now?"

"Great!"

You're dragged out to a training field. When you return home you're covered in sweat, but with a new trainer.

(Halfdan's Training Added! +3 more dice in your training pool)
0~0~0
Personal (Pick 2/3, if no Exploration is picked):
[ ] (Abjorn) Abjorn knocks on the door and asks you if you want to go boating with him.
[ ] (Personal) That armor Steinarr brought back... You can't use it to its fullest potential, but is there anything else it can do?
[ ] (Personal) Ask Randi to tell you some stories
-[ ] (Optional) Write in the topic
[ ] (Violent) Gabriel says that he's *really* bored. Offer to spar with him.
[ ] (Violent) Pick a fight or spar with...
-[ ] Asva (You doubt she'd be willing to fight you, but maybe you can needle her enough?)
-[ ] ...Drifa? (Maybe when she's older...)
-[ ] Someone else (Write in)
[ ] (Personal) Spend time with... (Write in)
[ ] (Shopping) Ask Steinarr to buy something for you (Write in) (Can only be used to buy or sell things you are already aware of and cannot haggle)
[ ] (Crafting) Try to make something (Write in) (Hugr+Some kind of crafting skill)
0~0~0
Exploration/Travel (Pick 1 or none):
[ ] (Visit) Go visit... (Unavailable)
-[ ] The Witch! (Actually, it's probably a good idea to avoid her entirely)
-[ ] 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
-[ ] Horrby, Horra's Farm (Has a very good chance of ending in a fight)
-[ ] Halfdanby, Halfdan's Farm
[ ] (Exploration) Go on a walk through...
-[ ] The fields!
-[ ] The Hading!
--[ ] (Optional) Try to find those bandits you heard about
-[ ] The hills!
--[ ] (Optional) Towards where the flaming thing landed. Maybe there's something you missed?
0~0~0
Training: You have 15d6 training dice to spend as you see fit.
[ ] (Blackhand) Try to develop old/train new hugareida tricks (Write in)
[ ] (Steinarr's Training) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick/some tricks (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Hamr (10 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hamr skill or trick (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Hugr (1 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hugr skill or trick (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Fylgja (3 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a fylgja skill or trick (Write in)
0~0~0
Orthstirr Available: 36
How do you want to use your orthstirr? You can turn on passive tricks here.
[ ] (Orthstirr Usage) (Write in)
0~0~0
Fylgja Capacity: 0/3
Do you want to withdraw or deposit anything in your fylgja?
[ ] Write in (Optional)
0~0~0
Equipment Management
What do you want to have equipped? Leaving this blank means that no changes are made.
[ ] Write in (Optional)
0~0~0

AN: Nice try with the Blackhand chat, but it'll take more than that to bypass the Reinforce-Shield Mastery requirement

25-minute moratorium.

The Jomsvikings were a thing one or two hundred years after the time period that this Quest is set in, but think of their inclusion in this as artistic license, same with the Varangian Guard.

 

[I.F. Ister]

Spoiler: Actually Make Mom Happy

[X] Plan Actually Make Mom Happy
-[X] (Abjorn) Abjorn knocks on the door and asks you if you want to go boating with him.
--[X] Make sure to suggest he check on Stigandr more often in the coming months as he needs support.
-[X] (Personal) Spend time with...(Write in)
--[X] Asveig
-[X] (Crafting) Try to make something (Write in) (Hugr+Some kind of crafting skill)
--[X] Make some tools to sell (we'll pay for time in the forge to do this if necessary, but Sten likes us)
-[X] (Blackhand's Training) Try to develop old/train new hugareida tricks (Write in)
--[X] Train Halting-Vortex 1d6
--[X] Train Imaging Skill-Trick 1d6
-[X] (Steinarr's Training) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick/some tricks
--[X] Train Leaping-Cleave Trick 1d6
-[X] (Training) Hamr (10 successes to rank up)
--[X] Train Hamr Itself 1d6
--[X] Train Bash 1d6
--[X] Train Pierce 1d6
--[X] Train Dodge 1d6
-[X] (Training) Hugr (1 successes to rank up)
--[X] Train Hugr Itself 1d6
--[X] Train Composure 1d6
--[X] Train Housecraft 1d6
--[X] Train Management 1d6
--[X] Train Silver-Tongue 1d6
--[X] Train Scouting 1d6
--[X] Train Wildcraft 1d6
-[X] (Training) Fylgja (3 success to rank up)
--[X] Train Fylgja Itself 1d6
-[X] (Orthstirr Usage)
--[X] 4 Hamr
--[X] 5/6 Hugr (if we can raise it)
--[X] 3 Fylgja
--[X] 2/3 Housecraft (if we can raise it)
--[X] 2/3 Silver-Tongue (if we can raise it)
--[X] 1 Activate First Impression
--[X] 19/16 free for tricks (based on if we can raise Hugr/Silver Tongue/Housecraft)

0~0~0

Spoiler: Training

(Hamr Trick Training: 6) 2 Successes
You fall through the air, hair flowing behind you like a great cloak of woven red thread.

You hit the ground with a thunderous crack. Tremors rattle out as the earth crumbles before your powerful blow. Sagaseeker drives deep down below as it tears through grass, dirt, roots, and stone.

Leaping-Cleave's refinement is coming along nicely!
(+2 to Leaping-Cleave Trick. 4 left.)
0~0~0
(Hugareida Trick Training: 1) 1 Failure. (Hugr Skill-Trick Training: 6) 2 Successes
You get a little bit better with charcoal in your hand. Soon, you'll be ready to give the meteor's runes a try!

Won't that be nice?
(+2 to Imaging Skill-Trick. 2 left.)
0~0~0
(Hamr Training: 2) 1 Failure. (Bash Training: 3) 1 Success. (Pierce Training: 3) 1 Success. (Dodge Training: 3) 1 Success
Halfdan spins the blue-hued stick through the air and you dodge before counter-stabbing right back at him.

Steady progress all-around.

(+1 to Bash, Pierce, and Dodge)
(Pierce Rank Up!)
0~0~0
(Hugr Training: 6) 2 Successes. (Composure Training: 6) 2 Successes. (Housecraft: 6) 3 Successes. (Management: 2) 1 Failure. (Silver-Tongue: 6) 2 Successes. (Scouting: 2) 1 Failure. (Wildcraft: 3) 1 Success.
Your days are spent working around the house, for the most part.

And hey, you're making progress developing your skills!

(Housecraft Rank Up!)
(Hugr Rank Up! Composure Rank Up! Silver-Tongue Rank Up!)
(Wildcraft Rank Up!)
0~0~0
(Fylgja Training: 6) 2 Successes
It feels almost as if Owl is on the verge of growing more powerful. What that means, you're not much sure.

Apparently, it's a bit different for every person as it's the expression of your soul evolving and changing.

'*It could also have some negative effects on you, depending on how you view such things.*' Blackhand once again reminds you, though you still don't entirely understand his meaning.

You suppose that you won't ever truly understand until you experience it for yourself.

(+2 to Fylgja)

0~0~0
On the Abj-oat with Abjorn
Abjorn is very warm to the touch on this cool summer afternoon on the lake.

You smile as you listen to the subtle rise and fall of his broad, wall-like chest. His arm is wrapped around your body and you're pressed against his side. His powerful heart beats at a slow, steady, relentless pace.

You find yourself dozing off, lulled to sleep by the unstoppable beat of his heart.

Oh to have this be your everyday.
0~0~0
Asveig Time (Hugr (Silver-Tongue: 6, 4, 5, 1, 6, 4, 5, 4, 1, 3) 10 Successes
Asveig bends over the cooking pot and you quickly add the next set of vegetable slices as she stirs the broth.

Today you're learning how to make a stew. Tomorrow you're learning how to make cheese. And the day after that you get to learn how to brew alcohol.

Honestly, it's pretty fun to see your loved ones' faces light up as they eat food you made.

You watch Drifa from the corner of your eye as she's scolded by her mother. She got her dress all muddy, the adorable little animal!

Flekkr sniffs at the stew and you fix him with a stern look. He whines, but backs away towards the she-dog Steinarr had bought. The *pregnant* she-dog.

Looks like there will be some puppies soon.

You steadily ignore the fact that you had to walk in on those puppies being made on your damn bed.

'*Lets hope some survive the winter.*'

You wince, yeah that would be nice.

Speaking of children, Sterki's walking and talking now. Not with any real skill or thought behind his words, but he's actually more than a pink blob! He has thoughts and feelings... even if they mostly amount to 'food' and 'dada' or 'mama'.

Still, it's odd to think that one day, you'll be the mother of a Sterki. Well, not *Sterki*-Sterki, but a mother of a child nonetheless.

'*Great, I get to experience pregnancy...*' Blackhand seems rather glum at the notion. '*Though, I reckon it's only fair given how many children I fathered in life.*'

"How many aunts and uncles do I have again?"

'*Twenty-six.*' You whistle, shaking your head. '*Though most aren't exactly alive anymore.*'

(+2 Relations with Asveig)
0~0~0
(Crafting (Housecraft): 4, 2, 5, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 6, 3) 10 Successes
Metal sings its sacred song as you hammer away at the forging stone. A smile spreads its way across your face as soot covers your skin and stings your eyes.

You'll be sneezing up a lot of black snot after this, but that's a small price to pay for the joy of the forge.

"Decent work," Sten says as you pull the last tool from the water. Steam rises from the hammer head. "Could use more practice, but that's how it is with everything."

You nod your appreciation. Honestly, you're just thankful that you don't have to pay for the iron. A frown slips over your face.

You don't have to pay for it *yet*. When you're on your own with Abjorn, that will change.

Great.

(+1 Decent Toolset. Adds +2 Successes to Crafting Rolls.)
0~0~0
Personal (Pick 2/3, if no Exploration is picked):
[ ] (Personal) That armor Steinarr brought back... You can't use it to its fullest potential, but is there anything else it can do?
[ ] (Personal) Ask Randi to tell you some stories
-[ ] (Optional) Write in the topic
[ ] (Violent) Gabriel says that he's *really* bored. Offer to spar with him.
[ ] (Violent) Pick a fight or spar with...
-[ ] Asva (You doubt she'd be willing to fight you, but maybe you can needle her enough?)
-[ ] ...Drifa? (Maybe when she's older...)
-[ ] Someone else (Write in)
[ ] (Personal) Spend time with... (Write in)
[ ] (Shopping) Ask Steinarr to buy something for you (Write in) (Can only be used to buy or sell things you are already aware of and cannot haggle)
[ ] (Crafting) Try to make something (Write in) (Hugr+Some kind of crafting skill)
0~0~0
Exploration/Travel (Pick 1 or none):
[ ] (Visit) Go visit...
-[ ] The Witch! (Actually, it's probably a good idea to avoid her entirely)
-[ ] 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
-[ ] Horrby, Horra's Farm (Has a very good chance of ending in a fight)
--[ ] Rather than visiting normally, you instead stealthily approach and try to scout it out.
-[ ] Halfdanby, Halfdan's Farm
[ ] (Exploration) Go on a walk through...
-[ ] Go Exploring with Drifa!
-[ ] The fields!
-[ ] The Hading!
--[ ] (Optional) Try to find those bandits you heard about
-[ ] The hills!
--[ ] (Optional) Towards where the flaming thing landed. Maybe there's something you missed?
0~0~0
Training: You have 15d6 training dice to spend as you see fit.
[ ] (Blackhand) Try to develop old/train new hugareida tricks (Write in)
[ ] (Steinarr's Training) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick/some tricks (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Hamr (10 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hamr skill or trick (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Hugr (31 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hugr skill or trick (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Fylgja (1 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a fylgja skill or trick (Write in)
0~0~0
Orthstirr Available: 36
How do you want to use your orthstirr? You can turn on passive tricks/'ready-up' active-use tricks here.
[ ] (Orthstirr Usage) (Write in)
0~0~0
Fylgja Capacity: 0/3
Do you want to withdraw or deposit anything in your fylgja?
[ ] Write in (Optional)
0~0~0
Equipment Management
What do you want to have equipped? Leaving this blank means that no changes are made.
[ ] Write in (Optional)
0~0~0

AN: Tool bonuses do not stack. You told Abjorn to go and talk to Stigandr, he said he would.

I'm pretty sure that I'm right on the math front regarding Hugr's requirements, but math isn't my strong suit so...

Basic Quality is over 0, unlocks at Rank 0
Decent Quality is over 5, unlocks at Rank 1
Good Quality is over 10, unlocks at Rank 2
There are higher qualities, far higher in fact, but you have to discover them either through encountering them or ranking up.

25-minute moratorium.

 

[I.F. Ister]

Spoiler: Armorer

[X] Plan Armorer
-[X] (Personal) Spend time with...(Write in)
--[X] Stigandr
-[X] (Personal) That armor Steinarr brought back... You can't use it to its fullest potential, but is there anything else it can do?
-[X] (Crafting) Try to make something (Write in) (Hugr+Some kind of crafting skill)
--[X] Another set of tools, so we can keep one and sell the other
-[X] (Blackhand's Training) Try to develop old/train new hugareida tricks (Write in)
--[X] Train Halting-Vortex 1d6
--[X] Train Imaging Skill-Trick 3d6
-[X] (Steinarr's Training) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick/some tricks (Write in)
--[X] Train Leaping-Cleave Trick 1d6
-[X] (Training) Hamr (10 successes to rank up)
--[X] Train Hamr Itself 1d6
--[X] Train Bash 1d6
--[X] Train Dodge 1d6
--[X] Train Pierce 1d6
-[X] (Training) Hugr (31 successes to rank up)
--[X] Armorcraft 1d6
--[X] Train Composure 1d6
--[X] Train Housecraft 1d6
--[X] Train Management 1d6
--[X] Train Scouting 1d6
-[X] (Training) Fylgja (1 success to rank up)
--[X] Train Fylgja Itself 1d6
-[X] (Orthstirr Usage)
--[X] 4 Hamr
--[X] 6 Hugr
--[X] 3 Fylgja
--[X] 3/4 Housecraft (depending on if we can raise it)
--[X] 3 Silver-Tongue
--[X] 1 First Impression
--[X] 16/15 free for tricks (based on if we can raise Housecraft)

0~0~0

Spoiler: Training

(Hamr Trick Training: 3) 1 Success
You hit the ground again and again, each strike takes you a little bit deeper than the last.

(+1 to Leaping-Cleave Trick.)
0~0~0
(Hugareida Trick Training: 3) 1 Success. (Skill-Trick Training: 1, 2, 2) 3 Failures, Christ.
Halting Vortex spins half-an-inch above your palm. A trickle of sweat beads down your brow as you feed orthstirr into the power-hungry trick.

It's expensive, yes, but it'll stop a trick or attack just as well as if not better than any shield.

(Halting Vortex is now Rough! 6 till Refined!)
0~0~0
(Hamr Training: 6) 2 Successes. (Bash: 2) 1 Failure. (Dodge: 1) 1 Failure. (Pierce: 5) 2 Successes
You find yourself doing some basic exercises with your atgeir. Time after time, you sink the tip into the bundle of straw you're using as a target dummy.

All in all, it seems to be working well!

(+2 to Hamr)
(Pierce Rank Up!)
0~0~0
(Armorcraft: 5) 2 Successes. (Composure: 1) 1 Failure. (Housecraft: 4) 2 Successes. (Management: 2) 1 Failure. (Scouting: 2) 1 Failure
You hammer away at copper, practicing on the lesser metal while dreaming of working steel.

(Armorcraft Rank Up!)
(Housecraft Rank Up!)
0~0~0
(Fylgja Training: 4) 1 Success
"What's wrong with it?" You ask Blackhand as you kneel beside your sleeping fylgja. Not a single time in the many years since you manifested your fylgja have you seen the owl sleep.

'It's remaking itself,' says Blackhand as he continues to explain nothing. You tell him just that and he grumbles. 'Which means that soon, your fylgja will be something better than a simple owl, something of a far grander existence.'

You quirk a brow. "Like what?"

'Your friend Aki's raven is no ordinary raven, as I'm sure you are well aware.' Well, it certainly is rather large... 'It is now a Battle-Raven, which means that it is not only blessed with formidable strength, but also talons and feathers sharper than iron and tougher than stone.'

You blink, thoughts calling back to gouges left in wood and clinking feathers. "That... does make sense. Is that what's happening with my owl?"

'Potentially, though it is never certain what you'll end up with.' Blackhand pauses, as if considering a thought. 'However, you can direct the process towards a preferable result, should you desire it.'

"Why not?" You shrug and ask that he please do. He obliges and shares the secrets with you.

Focusing your orthstirr inwards, you feel five distinct possibilities for your owl.

Which do you direct your owl towards?
[ ] Learning-Owl
-Boon: Spirit of the Owl will change to Spirit of the Learning-Owl. It will keep old effects while granting new ones.
-Boon: Spirit of the Learning-Owl - Extra dice equal to the fylgja rank will be randomly added to training rolls.
-Flaw: One-Eye's Obsession - You will have great difficulty resisting the call of knowledge, even at great detriment to yourself and others.

[ ] Shield-Owl
-Boon: Spirit of the Owl will change to Spirit of the Shield-Owl. It will keep old effects while granting new ones.
-Boon: Spirit of the Shield-Owl - Your owl will always have an extra shield, even if all its capacity is taken up. It will use this shield to defend itself if attacked.
-Flaw: Call of the Martyr - If you fail an intercept, you will use either your own body or your fylgja as a shield , whichever has more Endurance at the time.

[ ] Travelling-Owl
-Boon: Spirit of the Owl will change to Spirit of the Travelling-Owl. It will keep old effects while granting new ones.
-Boon: Spirit of the Travelling-Owl - Your owl will bring you news from lands both near and far.
-Flaw: Travelling Spirit - You struggle to stay in one place for very long and will find your focus flagging if you do. Stacks with Wanderlust.

[ ] Wizard-Owl
-Boon: Spirit of the Owl will change to Spirit of the Wizard-Owl. It will keep old effects while granting new ones.
-Boon: Spirit of the Wizard-Owl - Occasionally brings you magic spells and recipes.
-Flaw: Shortsighted - Long nights spent studying magic has resulted in you having great difficulty in seeing clearly past a few dozen feet. Does not affect your fylgja's vision.

[ ] Trick-Owl
-Boon: Spirit of the Owl will change to Spirit of the Trick-Owl. It will keep old effects while granting new ones.
-Boon: Spirit of the Trick-Owl - Halves the cost of tricks put into it, rounding down. Does not apply to Cost 1 tricks.
-Flaw: Ineffective Basics - Your basic attacks, defenses, and intercepts are no longer effective. You must now rely on tricks in combat.

(Fylgja Rank Up!)

0~0~0
Spending time with Stigandr (Hugr (Silver-Tongue): 1, 3, 2, 4, 6, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3) 1 Failure
"How is he?" Neither you nor Abjorn need to say who 'he' is, so often your mind turns to Stigandr.

"He seemed..." Abjorn pauses, brows furrowed as he tried to think of the words. "Distracted, when I spoke to him. Like something was speaking, something I couldn't hear."

You nod along, in complete agreement. "That's exactly how it seemed to me, too." A heavy frown creases its way across your face. "Do you think that... that he might have nidheart?"

Abjorn shudders. "I hope not, because if so... there's nothing we can do to help him."

'I remember that there are some techniques that can be done to help Stigandr, if that is the case, but I cannot remember what they are... Speak with Solrun, the Seeress, to see if she knows more.' Blackhand helpfully supplies.

You nod, both to Abjorn and Blackhand. "I hope so too, yet... We're not reaching him, neither of us are."

You slip your hand into Abjorn's and he gives it a squeeze.

(Journal Updated: Stigandr's Plight)
0~0~0
Looking at the Armor (Hugr (Armorcraft): 2, 4, 2, 2, 6, 3, 2, 5, 1, 2, 5) 2 Successes
Cracking open the chest containing the armor, you're met with....

Well, it's rather bland.

When you first laid eyes on it, all you saw was how expensive it must have been. Now, though, you see it for what it is.

An ugly bunch of iron plates stacked on top of mail. Where is the silver? Where is the art?

The only thing really impressive is how much- Wait a second.

You frown as your finger brushes against an inscription. Flipping the plate around, you discover that it's only the outside of the armor that's bland and ugly. The inside of the armor is covered top to bottom in infinitely tiny inscriptions of a long, flowing tongue. It reminds you of English, though only distantly.

'Latin, the tongue of the Christian Clergy.' Blackhand answers that question with lived experience. 'I could read it, once, but that time has long since passed.'

"That's my armor." A youthful, rarely heard voice calls to you.

You turn and lay eyes on the thrall Gabriel. He stands before you, a slight glare in his gaze and the shackles on his wrists. His blonde hair is far shorter now than when he'd arrived — such is the custom of keeping thralls.

"It was your armor," he scowls despite your helpful correction. "Now it's dad's."

"So? He can't use Knightly Armor." His voice hitches as he says 'Knightly'.

"What even is a 'Knight', anyways?" You stop Blackhand from answering, wanting to hear Gabriel's answer first.

Gabriel pauses, candle burning behind his eyes. Every word he speaks is carefully chosen. "A Knight is a virtuous man who answers God's call to the path of the warrior."

You squint. That's barely anything to go off of! …And it looks like he knows that, too. He's a smart one, this Gabriel.

"Can't be very good at it if dad made off with this," you tap the armor as Gabriel bristles. His hand curls into a fist and shakes at his side.

"Lord Highwater was a good man!" Gabriel growls, fire in his eyes.

'Good, it's always tragic to see warrior spirits be broken. Let's see how far his pride will take him.'

"And then he died to a better man."

Your curiosity is getting the better of you, but you just can't help yourself. What exactly does he think he could do with those shackles on his wrist? He doesn't-

Your head snaps to the side, mind reeling at the speed. It's only as you taste iron that you realize what just happened, that Gabriel hit you.

A Thrall hit his Master's Daughter.

You pierce the frozen boy with a deadly glare and go to open your mouth, only to find your vision filled with brown cloth as it falls to the floor.

Jerasmus keeps his head pressed to the ground, hands held flat against the floor as he tries to placate you. "Please, Young Lady, let the poor Squire live. He isn't familiar with your customs, he knows not the gravity of what he just did."

Ignorance of the law isn't an excuse... but you did egg him on.

[ ] Tell Steinarr (Removes Gabriel Permanently, Ruins Jerasmus' Relationship with you)
[ ] If he hit you... then you want to hit him back. (Spar with Gabriel)
[ ] Let it go (Improves Relation with Gabriel)
0~0~0
Crafting Tools (Hugr (Housecraft): 4, 4, 4, 5, 1, 4, 2, 3, 2, 5, 4) 9 Successes
You find yourself once more in the smithy, with hammer in hand and iron in the fire.

By the end of the hours, you are left with another set of decent tools for your effort.

Wiping your brow, you start heading towards the bath after placing the tools in your bag.

(+1 Decent Toolset)
0~0~0
Personal (Pick 2/3, if no Exploration is picked):
[ ] (Personal) Ask Randi to tell you some stories
-[ ] (Optional) Write in the topic
[ ] (Violent) Gabriel says that he's *really* bored. Offer to spar with him.
[ ] (Violent) Pick a fight or spar with...
-[ ] Asva (You doubt she'd be willing to fight you, but maybe you can needle her enough?)
-[ ] ...Drifa? (Maybe when she's older...)
-[ ] Someone else (Write in)
[ ] (Personal) Spend time with... (Write in)
[ ] (Shopping) Ask Steinarr to buy something for you (Write in) (Can only be used to buy or sell things you are already aware of and cannot haggle)
[ ] (Crafting) Try to make something (Write in) (Hugr+Some kind of crafting skill)
0~0~0
Exploration/Travel (Pick 1 or none):
[ ] (Visit) Go visit...
-[ ] The Witch! (Actually, it's probably a good idea to avoid her entirely)
-[ ] 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
-[ ] Horrby, Horra's Farm (Has a very good chance of ending in a fight)
--[ ] Rather than visiting normally, you instead stealthily approach and try to scout it out.
-[ ] Halfdanby, Halfdan's Farm
[ ] (Exploration) Go on a walk through...
-[ ] Go Exploring with Drifa!
-[ ] The fields!
-[ ] The Hading!
--[ ] (Optional) Try to find those bandits you heard about
-[ ] The hills!
--[ ] (Optional) Towards where the flaming thing landed. Maybe there's something you missed?
0~0~0
Training: You have 15d6 training dice to spend as you see fit.
[ ] (Blackhand) Try to develop old/train new hugareida tricks (Write in)
[ ] (Steinarr's Training) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick/some tricks (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Hamr (8 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hamr skill or trick (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Hugr (31 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hugr skill or trick (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Fylgja (8 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a fylgja skill or trick (Write in)
0~0~0
Orthstirr Available: 36
How do you want to use your orthstirr? You can turn on passive tricks here.
[ ] (Orthstirr Usage) (Write in)
0~0~0
Fylgja Capacity: 0/4
Do you want to withdraw or deposit anything in your fylgja?
[ ] Write in (Optional)
0~0~0
Equipment Management
What do you want to have equipped? Leaving this blank means that no changes are made.
[ ] Write in (Optional)
0~0~0

AN: Deciding to spar with Gabriel will put this plan on pause. You'll have a chance to reassess after the spar.

25-minute moratorium.

 

[I.F. Ister]

Gabriel follows along behind you, sword in hand. He had forgone any other weapon, not even a shield!

You, of course, have Sagaseeker in your hands and your axe on your belt.

"Do I really have to do this?" Gabriel grumbles as you lead him to the sparing field. "It's not Knightly to fight women."

"Nor is it drengskapr to hit them in the first place, yet here you are." You retort as he frowns and eyes your split lip from the corner of his eye. Shame fills his gaze, nid-like but still very much not nid.

"If this will serve as penance for my Sins, then so be it." He swallows and closes his eyes as you come to a stop in the field. As he clasps hands and says a silent prayer, your mind catches on one of his words.

'Sin', that's the word. Perhaps it's something like nid for Christians? Jerasmus will likely know more on the topic.

"Any advice for me?" You whisper near-silently as you take your position on the other side of the field. Your view of him is a little bit blurry around the edges, but nothing too bad.

'Knights are one of the greatest foes any Norseman can hope to face. Fortunately, this is not a Knight, this is a Squire. Their strengths lie in their replenishing supply of power and the vast depths of their continuous combat training, but if you are able to break their Focus, then they are little more than livestock lead to the slaughter. Going for a sprint will result in you meeting the full weight of their power while attrition will lead to a slow and painful death. You must strike a steady balance if you hope to win, press him hard, but don't exhaust yourself doing so.'

You nod, taking Blackhand's words to heart as you ready yourself. Gabriel opens his eyes, unclasps his hands, and draws his sword.

Battle is met.
0~0~0
(Hugr (Tactics): 6, 4, 5, 2, 4, 6, 2) 6 Successes

You stand in a grassy field with a low, sloping hill to one side. A few rocks lay scattered on the ground, good for throwing and striking. A single tree stands atop the hill — a tree you are very familiar with as you spent a lot of your childhood climbing all over it.

Gabriel stands across the field from you, a shirt on his chest, trousers on his legs, and a dull sword held in both hands. His face is a mask of determination and focus. Sparks of power flare behind his eyes despite the power-blocking shackles around his wrists and ankles.

You have no idea what his capabilities are, though he seems a fair bit stronger than you. His Focus is unshaken and his body is pristine.

By your best guess, he's going in with balanced offense and defense. What that means in terms of Christians, you don't know.

You have 4/4 Endurance.
You have no shields.
You have 15 orthstirr held in reserve and you have not tapped frami, virthing, or saemd.
Sagaseeker has 8 more points of orthstirr held in its reservoir.
You can put 18 more points of orthstirr into your combat pool.
You have a combat pool of 11d6 (5 from stats, 6 from equipment)

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

0~0~0

AN: I believe all the math is right, but please feel free to double-check.

Since you haven't had the chance to use Sagaseeker in a fight just yet, you can draw orthstirr from its supply at will. Its supply of orthstirr regenerates at the end of the the battle.

25-minute moratorium.

 

[I.F. Ister]

Spoiler: Measured Offense

[X] Plan Measured Offense
-[X] Tap frami, virthing, and saemd (+36 Orthstirr)
-[X] Invest 18 Orthstirr into combat pool (-18 Orthstirr)
-[X] 22d6 Attack (all in Tricks)
-[X] 7d6 Defense
-[X] 0d6 Intercept
-[X] Use Halting Vortex pre-fight so we have something resembling a shield (-8 orthstirr)
-[X] Attack with three 4d Power Chops (-3 Orthstirr), use up to two 5d Hefty-Halter-Chop usages to defend against big attacks (-6 Orthstirr), use Hone on parries as necessary after that (-1 Orthstirr per non-Hefty-Halter-Chop defense)
-[X] If he looks to be launching a really huge attack be ready to respond with Contested Movement (-3 Orthstirr) but only if it looks too big for Hefty-Halter-Chop to work on
-[X] Tactics - Basically the plan here is to close immediately into weapon range and just methodically attack and wear him down, using Hefty-Halter-Chop or, if that seems insufficient, Contested Movement on any big attacks.

0~0~0

Gabriel's eyes stay steady as crimson orthstirr unfurls. Frami, virthing, and saemd all are stoked into a fighting frenzy.

Spinning Sagaseeker around, you point the sharp head and grin. His face remains resolute as he subtly shifts his stance and adjusts his sword grip.

Everything about how he stands is foreign to your senses. From the way he has his guard beside his chest while pointing the tip at you to how he holds his sword at all! His grip is decidedly not glima; how does he expect to control the blade without a finger on the guard?

Your eyes sharpen as he takes a single, slow step forward. Well, there's only one way to find out!

Planting your foot in the ground, you fling into the air with Sagaseeker held at your side. Orthstirr coats the cutting edge as you fuel the creation of a trick.
(Trick Attack: 18 vs Defense: 7, Attacker Wins. Focus Damage Dealt)
To his credit, Gabriel's defense instantly snaps up to receive your atgeir. Unfortunately, he wasn't ready for Power-Chop to plow straight through his guard.

The blow forces him to a knee, but does little more than that. With Sagaseeker's blunt edge biting into his chest he should be feeling some measure of pain, but as he shoves you back and retakes his stance, the only thing different about him is the level of concentration behind his eyes. His Focus is starting to flag, one or two more strikes should do the trick!

Gabriel takes two half-steps forward before throwing his arms in a lunge. A strange, white glow rises out from within the sword, from within Gabriel. This power, it feels almost like orthstirr, but not at the same time.
(Attack: 5 vs Defense: 5, Defender Wins)
You jerk away as the sword passes inches over your head, giving you a good look at the strange power shining from within.

Orthstirr covers a weapon in might-enhancing power, that is how it works. This, though? Whatever energy this is comes from inside the weapon, not on it. It smells almost like a blot, like when you attend a sacrifice to the gods.

But his power isn't the only thing you're watching here. He is the same age as you, yet he moves with the certainty of a man like your eldest brother. Blackhand said that their training was continuous, but how early does it start? And what does that mean, anyways?

"How old were you when you started learning the sword?" You ask candidly as you hop away from his blade.

"I was seven when I entered Pagehood." Gabriel's answer is as clear a non-answer as any you've ever heard.

"Interesting," you say, though you lack the presence of mind to fully contemplate his words in the middle of a fight.

"How old were you?" The blonde boy asks as you start circling each other once more.

It's only fair, so you answer honestly. "Twelve, though I've never used a sword."

His brows shoot to the top of his head as a scowl flashes over his face. He seems angry, though not with you.

You shrug as you step forward, orthstirr coating your atgeir once more. You can ask about that later. For now, back to the fight!
(Trick Attack: 10 vs Defense: 11, Defender Wins)
Sagaseeker flies through the air as it purrs its pleasure. Gabriel's defense once more swings up, but this time something's different.

As the Power-Chop Trick bears down, Gabriel's hand slips from the guard and travels up the blade. He shifts as he moves, putting his weight on his back leg as he catches Sagaseeker on the haft. With his hand on the blade supporting the sword, he's able to skillfully deflect the atgeir from its path.

He steps forward, taking advantage of your unbalance to launch another stab. This one, though, is guided by the hand on the blade. Could this be a Christian trick?
(Attack: 12 vs Defense: 4, Attacker Wins. Halting Vortex Triggered.
Freeing your hand from Sagaseeker, you stoke your orthstirr into a swirling spiral of protective crimson energy. The glowing white sword bounces off the Standstill shield, but doing so drains you of orthstirr.

It does, however, leave him open for attack!

Stoking your orthstirr once more, you launch into yet another Power-Chop Trick.
(Trick Attack: 15 vs Defense: 6, Attacker Wins, Focus is Disrupted)
A white light snaps into being before your atgeir, but you smash it asunder with orthstirr-enhanced strength. Sagaseeker slams into his side, drawing a surprised grunt from Gabriel as he stumbles to the side.

You lock your eyes with your opponent and find them to be unfocused and unsteady. He's fully present, his mind is still in the fight, but he lacks the ironclad concentration he possessed at the start.

(Premature Round End: Focus Disruption Interrupt)
(Unused Tricks Refunded)
0~0~0
(Hugr (Tactics): 2, 3, 6, 6, 1, 4, 5) 6 Successes

Gabriel's body is pristine, though his focus is broken. He's going to focus entirely on defense next round.

He seems to have been surprised by you, like he wasn't expecting you to be an able warrior. He's re-evaluating his estimations considerably. Expect him to take you as seriously as he can reasonably be expected to, given his constraints.

It seems as though his shackles are stopping him from doing certain actions. While it doesn't stop him from using his power, it stops him from doing anything more than the most basic of moves.

Regardless of his handicaps, it's clear that between you and him, he's the better fighter when it comes to skill. His movements are precise and controlled while every attack is delivered to perfection.

You have 4/4 Endurance.
You have no shields.
You have 22 orthstirr held in reserve and you have tapped frami, virthing, or saemd.
Sagaseeker has 8 more points of orthstirr held in its reservoir.
You can put 0 more points of orthstirr into your combat pool.
You have a combat pool of 29d6 (23 from stats, 6 from equipment)

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

0~0~0

AN: Oh man, writing this round was so much fun. I absolutely blasted through it.

When Focus is broken, the Knight is put on the backfoot, which forces them to change their plan. Obviously, a Knight isn't going to proceed as planned if their Focus is broken, so it prematurely ends the Round to allow the Knight to re-plan and for you to capitalize properly.

Focus is only reestablished at the end of the next Round.

25-minute moratorium.

 

[I.F. Ister]

Spoiler: Seizing the Opening

[X] Plan Seizing The Opening
-[X] 29d6 Attack (all in tricks)
-[X] 0d6 Defense
-[X] 0d6 Intercept
-[X] Make one 8d (9d with Hugr) Inertia-Arresting Throw to disarm him (-6 Orthstirr), then three Honed 8d Power-Chop attacks (-6 orthstirr), be prepared to abort one Power Chop for a 7d Hefty-Halter Chop if necessary to stop a serious attack (-3 Orthstirr)
-[X] Be prepared to use Contested Movement (-3 Orthstirr) or Halting Vortex (-8 Orthstirr) as necessary to defend, though they probably won't be
-[X] Tactics - Basically, freeze his sword and go to town with the atgeir. It's simple, but it should be effective and it's not wildly expensive if he really is going full defense.

0~0~0
You wave your arm through the air as you rush in. Standstill trails invisibly behind your fingers as you take a handful of power.
(Hugareida Trick Attack: 41 vs Defense: 20, Attacker Wins)
With a flick of the wrist, you send Standstill out in a spinning cloak of inertia-arresting force.

Invisible to the naked eye and unknowable in purpose, Standstill-in-use is still extremely obvious to anyone with the slightest bit of heightened senses. Gabriel, of course, is one of those people.

He flicks his sword into the cloak's path and bats it aside. Unfortunately for him, the spin wraps the blade in cloak and locks it in the air.

Gabriel's mouth flies open in shock as he stumbles back. His eyes stay glued to the sword hanging mid-air, as if he can't believe what he's seeing.

He's not distracted enough to miss you closing in, of course, but without his weapon how is he supposed to defend himself now?

You bounce off the ground and rear back Sagaseeker. Crimson orthstirr coats its purring form as you spin and swing with all your might.
(Trick Attack: 27 vs Defense: 18, Attacker Wins. 2 Endurance Damage Dealt)
His forearm darts up, snow-like power glowing from within. You meet his enhanced arm with your strike and find yourself lagging, for just a moment, yes, but it's certainly noticeable!

Sagaseeker slams into his arm with a heavy thump that has you sympathy-wincing. Gabriel stumbles back, an ugly purple bruise already springing up on his arm, but he's still ready to fight.

You touch on the ground and immediately spring into your next Power-Chop — this one an overhead strike.
(Trick Attack: 19 vs Defense: 20, Defender Wins)
You bring Sagaseeker down with orthstirr blazing off its blunt iron. Gabriel looks up, his arms following his head as he readies his hands.

Blazing crimson meets glowing white-gold as iron meets flesh and iron is found wanting.

Gabriel throws the atgeir aside as he stifles a cry of pain. His teeth grind together as his palms smoke. But he's still in action and he knows it.

With a powerful shoulder-check, he shoves you back and moves towards his sword. Quick to recover, you dash after him with atgeir raised.

He tugs at the sword, only find that it truly is stuck steadfast. Eyes wide, he glances back just in time for your third Power-Chop to make itself known.
(Trick Attack: 23 vs Defense: 20, Attacker Wins. 2 Endurance Damage Dealt)
Gabriel reacts instantly. He spins, dancing around the sword to use it as a make-shift shield.

A shield you meet head-on.

Sagaseeker's might frees the sword, yes, but it also throws Gabriel to the ground. The sword slips from his grip and bounces down the hill.

He looks to it and then to you as you bring Sagaseeker's tip to his throat.

"Yield." You demand, imperious steel in your voice.

"I yield." He wheezes through gritted teeth.

You nod and stab Sagaseeker into the ground next to him. He flinches, but blinks as you reach down and offer a hand.

He stares for a long minute which quickly bores you. But just as you go to pull back, he takes your hand in his and you haul him to his feet.

With your hand in his, he shakes it. "My name is Gabriel Blackstone, Squire on the Eighth Bead of the Second Decade."

You return the shake and brush a loose strand of hair from your face. "Halla Steinarsdottir," you blink and scramble for a response to the second thing he said, "uh, age fifteen?"

He stands frozen, still shaking your hand. He seems a little bit lost as he looks at you.

...Maybe he doesn't know how to respond to that either?

You cough and he flinches. He quickly releases your hand and steps away, a light streak of pink on his face. There's a lot of horror in his eyes, but what is there to be horrified about?

You look over your shoulder, but find nothing standing behind you.

...Weird.

You ignore Blackhand's laughter as you collect the fallen sword and make your way home. After getting cleaned up, of course!

Pick 2 as a reward;
[ ] Incomplete Boon: Knightslayer - Unlocks certain scenes and makes it easier to battle Pages, Squires, and Knights. Unlock by dueling and defeating 9 different Pages, Squires, and/or Knights (1/9)

[ ] Sparring with Gabriel - +2 training dice and +3 Relations with Gabriel.

[ ] Vague Trick: Stomping-Power-Lunge Trick - A powerful Pierce trick that sees the wielder stomp the ground before delivering a potent attack. The stomp itself can also deal significant damage to a prone opponent.
0~0~0
Would you like to keep your previous plan or create a new one?
[ ] Yes, keep the previous plan
[ ] No, make a new one (Proceed to Planning Options)

Spoiler: Planning Options

Personal (Pick 2/3, if no Exploration is picked):
[ ] (Personal) Ask Randi to tell you some stories
-[ ] (Optional) Write in the topic
[ ] (Violent) Pick a fight or spar with...
-[ ] Asva (You doubt she'd be willing to fight you, but maybe you can needle her enough?)
-[ ] ...Drifa? (Maybe when she's older...)
-[ ] Someone else (Write in)
[ ] (Personal) Spend time with... (Write in)
[ ] (Shopping) Ask Steinarr to buy something for you (Write in) (Can only be used to buy or sell things you are already aware of and cannot haggle)
[ ] (Crafting) Try to make something (Write in) (Hugr+Some kind of crafting skill)
0~0~0
Exploration/Travel (Pick 1 or none):
[ ] (Visit) Go visit...
-[ ] The Witch! (Actually, it's probably a good idea to avoid her entirely)
-[ ] 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
-[ ] Horrby, Horra's Farm (Has a very good chance of ending in a fight)
--[ ] Rather than visiting normally, you instead stealthily approach and try to scout it out.
-[ ] Halfdanby, Halfdan's Farm
[ ] (Exploration) Go on a walk through...
-[ ] Go Exploring with Drifa!
-[ ] The fields!
-[ ] The Hading!
--[ ] (Optional) Try to find those bandits you heard about
-[ ] The hills!
--[ ] (Optional) Towards where the flaming thing landed. Maybe there's something you missed?
0~0~0
Training: You have 15d6 training dice to spend as you see fit.
[ ] (Blackhand) Try to develop old/train new hugareida tricks (Write in)
[ ] (Steinarr's Training) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick/some tricks (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Hamr (8 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hamr skill or trick (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Hugr (31 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a hugr skill or trick (Write in)
[ ] (Training) Fylgja (16 successes to rank up)
-[ ] (Optional) Train a fylgja skill or trick (Write in)
0~0~0
Orthstirr Available: 38
How do you want to use your orthstirr? You can turn on passive tricks here.
[ ] (Orthstirr Usage) (Write in)
0~0~0
Fylgja Capacity: 0/4
Do you want to withdraw or deposit anything in your fylgja?
[ ] Write in (Optional)
0~0~0
Equipment Management
What do you want to have equipped? Leaving this blank means that no changes are made.
[ ] Write in (Optional)

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AN: And there we have it, the end of your first Gabriel Spar! I really enjoyed writing that fight; I hope you enjoyed reading it.

25-minute moratorium.

 

[I.F. Ister]

Spoiler: Family and Shopping

[X] Sparring with Gabriel - +2 training dice and +3 Relations with Gabriel.
[X] Incomplete Boon: Knightslayer - Unlocks certain scenes and makes it easier to battle Pages, Squires, and Knights. Unlock by dueling and defeating 9 different Pages, Squires, and/or Knights (1/9)
[X] Yes, keep the previous plan
-[X] Assign the 2 new Training Dice to Hamr
[X] Plan Family And Shopping
-[X] (Personal) Spend time with...(Write in)
--[X] Drifa
--[X] Asva
-[X] (Visit) Go visit...
--[X] Asvir!
--[X] Visit the seeress and go shopping
-[X] (Blackhand's Training) Try to develop old/train new hugareida tricks (Write in)
--[X] Train Halting-Vortex 1d6
--[X] Train Imaging Skill-Trick 4d6
-[X] (Steinarr's Training) Ask Steinarr to teach you a trick/some tricks (Write in)
--[X] Train Leaping-Cleave Trick 1d6
-[X] (Training) Hamr (8 successes to rank up)
--[X] Train Hamr Itself 6d6
--[X] Train Bash 1d6
--[X] Train Dodge 1d6
-[X] (Training) Hugr (31 successes to rank up)
--[X] Train Composure 1d6
--[X] Train Management 1d6
--[X] Train Scouting 1d6
-[X] (Orthstirr Usage)
--[X] 4 Hamr
--[X] 6 Hugr
--[X] 4 Fylgja
--[X] 3 Silver-Tongue
--[X] 1 First Impression
--[X] 18 free for tricks

0~0~0

Spoiler: Training

(Hamr Trick Training: 4) 1 Success
Leaping into the air, you bring Sagaseeker down a little faster, a little harder, a little surer than before.

It's like you were chipping away at a rough stone. Little by little, it improves and little by little, it is refined.

Looking over to where your father is playing with fire, you call out a question that's been on your mind. "Dad? How blurry is your vision?"

He pauses and quirks his head to the side. "Not very, why?"

"Mine kind of are. Is there any way to fix it? I know that you said there was a guy with the kenning of Farsight, how'd he get that name?"

He squints, thinking it over. "You know, I never really asked. I think he figured out some way of focusing orthstirr into his eyes, but I can't quite recall." He shrugs sheepishly, "It was several decades ago... Sorry about your eyes."

Blackhand tsks, shaking his head. 'I love you, Steinarr, but you never were the most curious of my sons.'

"It's fine, I'll figure something out, but..." You pause as an idea occurs, "Would it be hamr or hugr, do you reckon?"

"Definitely hamr." Steinarr responds with zero hesitation. "Enhancing some aspect of your body? That's hamr if I've ever heard it before."

"Got it, thanks." You smile at him, he smiles back.

(+1 to Leaping-Cleave Trick)
0~0~0
(Hugareida Trick Training: 3) 1 Success. (Hugr Trick Training: 5, 4, 1, 1) 1 Success
You spend your days working at your hugareida and your art skills. Both of which improve a little bit.

Just a little bit more and you can get working on those runes!

In the meantime, though, you might as well quiz Blackhand over that 'Focus' thing he mentioned. What is it and can it be used by Norsemen?

'You want to know about Focus?' Blackhand asks as you stifle a yawn in the shadows of the hearthfire. You nod, stretching as best you can before preparing for bed. 'I don't remember much, but...' He hms to himself as he works his memories over, 'Focus has something to do with maintaining some kind of internal cycle or rhythm. We Norsemen lack an internal cycle, so I reckon we can't use it.'

You frown, slightly disappointed.

(+1 to Halting Vortex)
(+1 to Imaging Skill-Trick)
0~0~0
(Hamr Training: 4, 6, 5, 5, 6, 4) 10 Successes (Bash: 3) 1 Success. (Dodge: 6) 2 Successes
The boulder stands before you like a laughing specter. Day after day, you tried to lift it.

Day after day, you failed.

But today?

You take one, two staggering steps. Your knees shake and shudder under forces far beyond mortal strength. Your body burns with exhaustion and sweat pours down your skin like an early summer storm.

They say that this boulder was once a troll. And troll-like it does indeed look. It's well over three times your size and dozens upon dozens of times heavier.

But lift it you do.

You let it fall to the earth with a ground-shaking crash. A smile makes its way across your red-hued face as you collapse against the stone. You heave, sucking in mouthful after mouthful of precious, life-giving air.

You did it. You. Did. It!

'Good job, Halla.' Blackhand's words are a salve to your burning muscles. 'Soon, you'll be throwing ships like the best of men.'

"I won't just stop at ships," you declare as you climb to your feet. You point a finger towards the cloud-filled sky, as if challenging it to try and stop you, "I'm gonna throw entire fleets!"

'Attagirl.'

(Hamr Rank Up!)
(Bash Rank Up!)
(Dodge Rank Up!)
0~0~0
(Composure: 2) 1 Failure. (Management: 2) 1 Failure. (Scouting: 1) 1 Failure
You find yourself rather feeling rather glum.

After all, no progress was made today.

0~0~0
Asva, in a fit of insanity, decided that it would be good for you, Drifa, and her to go watch the boys as they played some manner of game.

"Why am I even here?" Drifa grumbles as she scowls, arms crossed. She's not really old enough to get why Asva wants to go and watch the boys of the valley play and fight. The only reason you're here is because Abjorn is too and, well...

You blush as you round the bend and Asva takes you to the edge of an iced-over lake.

The boys of the valley stand on the ice. Their forms are a mixture of steady and wobbly as they fight with sticks over a ball. Abjorn, of course, dominates the other team as is expected for a boy with his size and talent. They're a little blurry, but squinting seems to help a little bit.

Asva sits with hands on her chin. She sighs dreamily as Jordan Halfdansson leaps over the fallen form of Moinn Burisson — knocked to the ground by a tag-team of Stigmar Kersson and Sverre Glebsson — and crosses the scoring line.

His team cheers, waving their sticks in the air as their opponents — mainly the Burissons and an eclectic mix of other boys, to keep things fair — scoff and make excuses. Jordan throws his hands sky high as he turns and shoots a wink at your sister.

The dreamy sigh deepens and a dopey look flashes over her face. Drifa groans, like she was in utter agony as you laugh. You pause in your merriment as an idea occurs to you.

Looking to your right, you eye the closest tree with a careful climber's eye. The higher branches are definitely sturdy enough to support your weight and they'd give you a better view of Abjorn laying waste...

Mind made and jaw set, you flex your hands and approach the tree.
(Hamr (Overland): 4, 4, 3, 6, 4) 6 Successes
With practiced movements, you scramble your way up the tree.

"Halla!" Asva squawks, mouth swinging wide as she looks at you. "Get down from there, it's dangerous!"

Drifa, on the other hand, seems to find the prospect of climbing things far more appealing than watching a bunch of smelly boys exclude her from games. She springs to her feet, a wild grin on her face as she too climbs the tree and leaves Asva all alone.

"It'll be fine, Asva." You brush off her concerns with a familiar ease. "Besides, it's way easier to see what's happening from up here than down there."
(Hugr (Silver-Tongue): 2, 3, 6, 5, 5, 6, 2, 4, 1, 6) 9 Successes
Asva bites her lip and grabs a handful of her dresses. She looks to the mass of boys on the ice and then back to you, temptation growing rapidly in her eyes.

She scowls and huffs. "Fine! But I better not get dirty."

She approaches the tree and places a hand on it but pauses before making any headway. She frowns, creeping doubt clear in her gaze.

"Here, I'll help!" You say, hopping down from the tree. She lets out a high-pitched squeak as you scoop her off her feet and leap back up with cat-like grace.

"You brute!" She scowls and quickly turns away, but not before her eyes betray her delight.

(+1 Relations with Drifa and Asva.)
0~0~0
(What's going on in Asvir? 1, 4, 6, 4) 3 Successes. 3 things are happening
Asvir in the winter isn't much different than Asvir in the summer. The only real difference is that there seem to be more people gathered together for the feasts and celebrations that fill the winter months.

"You're looking for Solrun? The Seeress?" A hat-wearing farmer scratches his curly beard as he leans on his scythe. "She scampered off a week ago, not wanting to get snowed in by the winter storms. Sorry, but you'll have to catch her come snowmelt."

You frown as you thank the farmer, who tips his hat and returns to his work.

Well, that was a bust. But since you're in Asvir, you might as well get some other work done.

What do you do?
[ ] Go shopping (Please specify what you want to buy and/or sell) (Hugr (Silver-Tongue))
[ ] There's some kind of a commotion in the middle of Asvir, go check it out
[ ] There's somebody telling tales in the Headsman's hall, go listen for a spell
[ ] There's a wrestling competition going on with handsome rewards, go participate

0~0~0

Spoiler: Wizard-Owl

(Wizard-Owl Gacha: 6, 6, 3, 5, 5) 9 Successes. (Relevancy: 3, 4, 3, 4, 6) 6 Successes
One morning, you wake up to find a smooth piece of pottery in the folds of your sheets.

After looking it over and having Blackhand read you the runes, it seems to be some kind of... Explosive charm? One which you throw and cause an explosion at the impact site? Not a very big explosion, no, but an explosion nonetheless.

You pocket it, humming to yourself. It sounds like it would be rather useful!

(+1 Basic Explosive Charm Added to Inventory)

0~0~0


AN: Not much to say here other than that I'd like to get a second update out today.

Also remember that you can do all of the Asvir options should you desire it.

One more thing, there's a slight update to Reward Dice: They can't roll failures.

No moratorium today.

 

[I.F. Ister]

Wrestling Competition
The announcer for the competition squints down at you, clear doubt in his eyes as you say you're hear to participate.

After a long, drawn out stretch of silence, he finally relents and marks you down. He quickly explains the rules to you.

No weapons, no blood, no hugareida. You wrestle against three opponents and the sponsor of the competition gives out rewards depending on how well you do.

Glancing at the sponsor's table, you see an opulently-dressed man feasting on meat and greens. A beautiful serving girl brings him freshly cooled drinks as he demands it. But while he draws the attention, you find yourself glancing at the rewards on display.

For defeating a single opponent, you receive a work knife with a fancy silver inlay.

For defeating two opponents, you receive the first reward and a silver armband.

For defeating three opponents, you receive the first two and a chance at the grand-prize: a fine helmet of iron. There are rumors circling about that there's a secret reward for the over-all winner as well, but nobody seems to be able to agree on what it is.

Stepping out onto the field of grunting, sweaty men, you look over your various opponents.

The first is a red-haired man with a heavy belly. He's laughing as a smaller and far skinnier man struggles to lift him by even the slightest little bit. After a few moments of this, he seems to tire of these games and casually picks the younger man up by the back of his trousers with a single hand before dumping him off to the wayside.

The second is a tall man with a lean body. He's smart and boy does he know it. He seems to prefer slithering around his opponents' guards before flipping them with skill and trickery.

The third and final of your opponents is a short and squat man with an ugly face. However, he seems to posses a great deal of strength and skill that has him flipping men like they were toys. Out of all of your opponents, he seems the most threatening.

You have 8 dice to use in each plan. You have 18 orthstirr to use on tricks.

What is your strategy for the first?
[ ] Plan Name
-[ ] Closing (Dice Write in)
--[ ] Trick? (Optional Write in)
-[ ] Grabbing (Dice Write in)
--[ ] Trick? (Optional Write in)
-[ ] Throwing (Dice Write in)
--[ ] Trick? (Optional Write in)

And the second?
[ ] Plan Name
-[ ] Closing (Dice Write in)
--[ ] Trick? (Optional Write in)
-[ ] Grabbing (Dice Write in)
--[ ] Trick? (Optional Write in)
-[ ] Throwing (Dice Write in)
--[ ] Trick? (Optional Write in)

And the third?
[ ] Plan Name
-[ ] Closing (Dice Write in)
--[ ] Trick? (Optional Write in)
-[ ] Grabbing (Dice Write in)
--[ ] Trick? (Optional Write in)
-[ ] Throwing (Dice Write in)
--[ ] Trick? (Optional Write in)

0~0~0

AN: I've assumed that you would boost your hamr and glima scores as high as you could, so I did it for you. I believe all the math is right, but feel free to double-check.

How do wrestling matches work? Rather simply. There are three stages, Closing, Grabbing, and Throwing. The winner of the most stages wins the match. HOWEVER, the right trick at the right time can throw everything off.

Please make it clear which opponent the plan is for in the plan name. Also please feel free to ask questions as needed.

25-minute moratorium, this will be the last update for today.

 

[I.F. Ister]

Spoiler: Wrestling Plans

[X] Surprise Trick (First Match)
-[X] Closing 3d6
-[X] Grabbing 4d6
-[X] Throwing 1d6
--[X] Use Knee-Groin Trick (the friendly version)

[X] Technical Wrestling (Second Match)
-[X] Closing 1d6
-[X] Grabbing 4d6
-[X] Throwing 3d6
--[X] Use Knee-Groin Trick (the friendly version)

[X] Sudden Advance (Third Match)
-[X] Closing 4d6
-[X] Grabbing 1d6
-[X] Throwing 3d6
--[X] Use Knee-Groin Trick (the friendly version)

0~0~0
You stand eye to eye — well, eye to belly — with your first opponent. The big man is as red-headed as they come, though his hair isn't as vibrant as yours. He eyes you with steady confidence as his gargantuan hand engulfs your own.

You shake and exchange names, "Halla Steinarsdottir."

"Haklangr the Large." He smiles, clearly slightly inebriated. He's a bit wobbly on his feet, but each step he takes is taken with confidence and surety. This is a man looking to have fun, not so much to win. "Let's have a good match, yeah?"

"Yeah," you nod and take your stance. Haklangr does the same and, before the match begins, he grabs a horn and downs it in one, long draw.

With his beard all frothy and foamy, he smiles big and broad as he readies himself.

3.

2.

1.

Go!
(Halla's Closing: 17 (+3 from Reward Dice) vs Haklangr's Closing: 3) Halla Wins
You leap through the air, sending Haklangr's bushy brows flying up his forehead as you land before him.

"Woah!" He shouts, smile widening as he lumbers forward to meet your advance. He wasn't ready for your sudden movement, starting him off poorly.

But now comes what some may deem as the most important part of wrestling; the grabs and holds.
(Halla's Grabbing: 14 vs Haklangr's Grabbing: 16) Haklangr Wins
You latch on to his waist but frown as you realize that he's too fat to wrap your arms all the way around.

Haklangr, on the other hand, only sends his belly rumbling with a hearty chuckle as he grabs you by the back of the belt.

"Nice try, but I'm a bit too big for that!" He laughs as orthstirr flows through his body. Eyes widening, you realize what's about to happen. If he gets his trick off first, then you'll be out of action. But if you get yours off first...
(Halla's Trick-Enhanced Throw: 9 vs Haklangr's Trick-Enhanced Throw: 26) Haklangr Wins
By the time your knee comes up, your legs are already dangling in the air as he flips you by the belt. With a heaving throw, he slams you into the ground and pins your wheezing body with a knee.

"Good match!" He exclaims as he helps you to your feet. Clapping you on the back, he offers a few tips, "Bold, confident, but a little lacking in substance. Good luck with your next match."

Sharing a thumbs up, he trundles off to the rewards table.

After you catch your breath, you step to your next opponent. Upon closer inspection, the tall, lean man has a rather... How do you want to put it? Rat-like face? Well, as long as you don't say it to his face it should be alright.

"Halla Steinarsdottir." You hold out your hand and he reluctantly shakes it. His hands are cold and clammy and just unpleasant to touch. You stifle a shudder as you notice the greasy texture of his hair.

"Knappr Horrasson," he says, eyes full of scorn and judgement. You move to crush his hand but he slips out of your grasp as quick as a snake.

"You're lucky that this is a friendly competition, *Horrasson*, else I'd cut you down like the sniveling little worm you are," you snarl, eyes alight with raging fire. To be honest, you're not entirely certain whether this rage you feel is yours or Blackhand's, but in the end, does it really matter?

"Oh how the children of Steinarr love their empty boasts and toothless threats," Knappr scoffs and spits on the ground, "but we'll see who's laughing when all is said and done."

By the Gods you want to kill him. You can almost hear Sagaseeker's bloodlusted purr from the side-lines.

But you restrain yourself, this isn't the place for violence, not of that sort. For now, you'll have to be content with merely *crushing* him in the ring.

You take your positions and the countdown starts.

3.

2.

1.

Go!
(Halla's Closing: 4 vs Knappr's Closing: 15) Knappr Wins
Your mind reels as he moves like a lightning bolt. He darts across the square and makes it to your in an instant.

You snap back, reflexes carrying you away from the perceived attack and putting you on the back foot.
(Halla's Grabbing: 16 vs Knappr's Trick-Enhanced Grabbing: 38) Knappr Wins
Your form is perfect and you grab him under the arms, but he's as slippery as any snake. Sickly green orthstirr coats his leg as he makes his move

His leg darts around your own and he locks your ankle as he begins to fall backwards into a throw.

Your eyes widen as you know what you must do.
(Halla's Trick-Enhanced Throw: ...*24*, that's a Perfect Success! vs Knappr's Throw: 3) Halla Wins + Perfect Success
Your knee slips free of the leglock.

Time slows down to an utter crawl — a true Standstill — as fear flashes in Knappr's eyes. His eyes roll down as your leg tucks in and rotates up. They dilate to pinpricks as orthstirr coats your knee in crimson power. Sweat beads on his brow as you use his arms as leverage.

Your knee swings up and hits something soft, squishy, and ever so vulnerable.

You drink deep of his pain, committing every detail of his agony to memory.

The flow of time resumes as he crumples to a heap.

You raise your arms in victory as the onlookers' cheers reach your ears. Blackhand wordlessly screams his pride to the heavens as you soak in the praise and respect of the crowd. Nobody really liked how Knappr fought, so seeing him go down in such a shameful manner really drove them into a frenzy.

As the crowd sings your praises, you feel a tap on your shoulder. Turning, you lay eyes on the ugly and squat face of your third opponent.

"You say your name was Halla Steinarsdottir?" His voice is gruff yet full of vigor, like he'd just drank a draught of good health after screaming his throat raw and bloody. "Daughter of Steinarr Freedfire?"

You eye him carefully as Knappr's shuddering, fetal form is dragged off by some eager onlooker. Most of the times that people react to your father's name end poorly, or with you making new enemies.

'He seems... familiar. Where have I seen him before?' Blackhand's musings aren't helping, so you tune him out.

With hair the color of night and eyes equally as dark, you think you would remember this man had you seen him before, especially with a mug like his. Regardless, it's rude to keep a man waiting.

"That's right, though he goes by Steinarr Hallsson now." You hold out your hand only to be met with a broad smile and a firm handshake. His grip is like a hammer with your hand the readied iron, strong enough to bring a slight wince to your face.

"I can't believe it, after all these years!" He almost dances on the spot, such is the joy in his eyes. "I'm Torsten Twoshield, surely your father told you about me?"

You blink and slowly shake your head before pausing as a memory comes to mind. "No, well, maybe. Are you the same Torsten that..." You frown, trying to remember the story correctly, "that saved dad's life by catching a javelin with your teeth?"

"It was just a small one, and going through my shield and hand slowed it down a lot, but yes, that's me!" He smiles, clearly very happy that you know of him.

'...He caught a javelin with his teeth, after it had punched through his shield and his hand?' Blackhand says what you're thinking. 'That's impressive.'

"Um," you gulp, "are we going to wrestle or...?"

He blinks before waving off your question, "Oh, yeah, I forfeit."

You almost fall over from how casually he does that. So casual is he that it draws a sound of disappointment from the crowd as they begin to disperse.

"Say, where is your father?" Torsten looks around, as if searching for that head of crimson hair.

"Not here, he's back at the farm." You point a hand in the general direction of your home.

"Alright," he nods, "Tell him that I'll be swinging by at some point and that I've got something I wanted to talk to him about — a business proposal." A gleam of financial cunning enters his eye as he says that, leaving you slightly suspicious of his motives.

"I'll... be sure to do that," you slowly say, hesitant in your words.

He offers thanks before turning to leave but pauses mid-step. "Oh, and don't forget to pick up your prizes from the stand."

"I won't, thanks!" You call after him as he wanders off. You watch him go, thoughts racing a mile-a-minute.

What are the odds that you'd not only meet a Horrasson, but also one of Steinarr's old friends at the same wrestling competition?

Well, you've gotta go claim your rewards!

As you walk up to the stand, you feel the calculating eye of the sponsor look you over. Frankly, his gaze has you feeling like a slab of meat to be weighed and bought at auction. You stifle a shudder as you come to a halt before the stand.

"You've got a lot of potential," the sponsor says as he sips from a golden goblet. A web of jagged scars covers his arms as his purple silks fail to cover him entirely. "Perhaps you'll be worth something some day."

You bristle at the backhanded compliment, but accept the rewards anyways.

(Standstill Upgraded!)
(+6 Orthstirr!)
(Feat Gained: Wrestling with Knappr)
(+1 to Nut-Cracker)
(+Fine Work Knife added to Inventory! +4 Successes to House and Wildcraft Rolls!)
(+1 Fine Silver Armband added to Inventory!)
(Knappr Horrasson added to Relations)
(Torsten Twoshield added to Relations)

What's next on your agenda? (Pick 1)
[ ] Go Shopping (Hugr (Silver-Tongue))
-[ ] Write in what you're shopping for
[ ] There's some kind of a commotion in the middle of Asvir, go check it out
[ ] There's somebody telling tales in the Headsman's hall, go listen for a spell

0~0~0

AN: I imagine Torsten as looking a bit like Socrates.

Also, if you weren't already aware, the number of tricks you can have in a skill is now limited by the skill's rank. A Rank 3 Skill will have space for 3 Tricks of varying levels of refinement. Vague and Rough Tricks are not subject to this limitation, only Refined and up are. This is so that you have an actual reason to progress your skills beyond simple combat dice.

Hefty-Halter-Chop has also been moved to Defend, because it really is more of a defensive trick than anything else.

No moratorium today and a short voting period of two-and-a-half hours.

 

[I.F. Ister]

Haggling (Hugr (Silver-Tongue): 2, 4, 6, 2, 5, 5, 6, 5, 5, 5) 13+3 Drengskapr = 16 Successes, Nice
As you walk to the smithy, a spark of recognition passes through the eyes of the smith as he looks upon you.

"Hey, aren't you the woman that beat Knappr?" He asks, leaning on the counter of his stall.

"That's me," you nod, your smile full of rightfully earned pride.

"Last time you came by looking for a gambeson, right?" He grins as you nod. "Knappr broke my brother's legs with a trick, same one he tried to pull on you, actually. Since you kicked Knappr's ass out there, you can have it for free."

He lays a gambeson of good quality out on the table. As you look it over, something catches your eye. Hey... wait a second, that's your name on it! Sure enough, on the pale white cloth, gold-colored thread spells out your name in runes.

Your eyes dart up to meet his own mirthful set. He grins, prodding you to take it, which you do.

(+1 Good Gambeson (Customized))

"Thank you..." You trail off, stunned by the generous act.

"Don't expect this to be a regular thing, lass." He shakes your hand, the end of a business exchange. "Now, is there anything else you'd like to buy?"

He spreads his arms over the available goods.

As you look over the iron section, you notice that there's some iron that you've never seen before. Three, in fact.

The first is something called 'Icicle Iron', which apparently delivers some kind of freezing effect. The second is called 'Molten Iron', which sets things on fire. And the third is 'Storm Iron', which electrocutes targets.

All three seem very expensive to you, at six ounces of silver for four ounces of one.

Your eyes pass over the gambesons and you don't find any better than what you just got. Besides, that'd be one heck of an insult to someone! You shudder at the thought.

You briefly consider buying a sax, but quickly discard the thought. After all, you've got Thievesbane to serve as your side arm.

You don't even entertain the thought of buying mail, as it simply is prohibitively expensive to anyone who's not already rich.

You stroke your chin and jaw as you think over your options.

Obviously you can't sell the rewards you got from wrestling, as that would just be disrespectful. And you're not selling the explosive charm, not before you figure it out, that is. It's probably a good idea to hang on to one or two of the work knives, for your future children. But you'll see.

Selling Prices

Spoiler

-2 Basic Work Knives (Worth ~1/2 Silver Oz, Each) (+1 Success to House and Wildcraft Rolls)
-1 Good Work Knife (Worth ~1 1/2 Silver Oz) (+3 Successes to House and Wildcraft Rolls)
-2 Decent Toolsets (Worth ~2 1/2 Silver Oz, Each) (+2 Successes to Crafting Rolls)

Iron Prices

Spoiler

-8 oz of Bog Iron for 1/2 oz of Silver
-8 oz of Forged Iron for 3 oz of Silver
-4 oz of Icicle Iron for 6 oz of Silver
-4 oz of Molten Iron for 6 oz of Silver
-4 oz of Storm Iron for 6 oz of Silver

Would you like to buy or sell anything?
[ ] Yes
-[ ] Write in

[ ] No
-[ ] There's some kind of a commotion in the middle of Asvir, go check it out
-[ ] There's somebody telling tales in the Headsman's hall, go listen for a spell

0~0~0

AN: The haggle roll was spent on getting the gambeson for free, I reckon that you'd be okay with that. If not, then I'll make an edit.

25-minute moratorium.

By the way, Armor Health is a little bit different to normal Endurance and Shield Health. If your armor takes 5 damage in a single round, the next attacks will get through it. This only applies for a single round, of course. This rule also applies to Knightly Armor.