Square Sails on the Horizon (Inactive)

Game Master Mark Sweetman

Kjell shakes his head with his eyes cast downward.

It brings me no joy to hear me da drog svärd mot kin. Sounds like he was under some spell or somethin'. Thanks fer sharin', Ingólfr. Do ya know the name o' the island where the sad events happened? I owe this hagga a blod debt!

drog svärd mot = drew sword against
hagga = hag

Torgeir shrugs his knotted shoulders, one good eye sparkling like ice;

"Heh. We dvergr are born tough... besides... (tapping his branded dead eye)...I have the bruni runa in my blóð..."

The berserkr watches his breath billow into the cold air, before reaching for his pack. Retrieving a small leather flask he offers it to Grómr with an almost smile;

”Of course – some of this helps... dvergr aquavit... Vaxa skegg on your chin!”

For those not familiar with this tasty drop, here’s a Guide to the Viking Spirit

Bruni = fire, heat
Vaxa = grow
skegg = beard

Black Úlfarr reaches his arms high, stretching shoulders and back while keeping an eye on Surtr in front of him. An outstanding image by the way...one of the ones I looked at while describing him.

Looking at Surtr, he commands, "No teasing Surtr. You'll be plump as a sow by the end of this trip." Relaxing, he chuckles and looks sideways at Hrónarr, "Looks like you've made a friend."

To Roluo:

Bjólfr casts a pensive look out to the waters "To survive would be enough for mine."

To Torgeir:

The branded man takes the flask and gifts himself a hefty draught, taking the strong liquor without pause or complaint. He nods in thanks and gives the flask back to the dweorg.

To Kjell:

Sharing Kjell's sadness Ingólfr nods "I know not the name, but perhaps fate will guide us, nei?"

To Úlfarr:

Hrónarr smiles "Aye, it would seem like. Though I'm not sure I've packed enough to feed him and me both."

Will have a plot advancement up tonight when I get home from work.

Jorlief asks the man next to him, "Unnúlfr, right? I'm glad to have you and your brothers with us. What was the tension I saw with your brother and the Jarl?"

Unnúlfr nods before replying bluntly and plainly "Aye, there is history. He killed my far."

Minutes blend to Hours blend to Days on the water, the monotony accompanied by the lapping of water around the karvi and the call of the occasional passing wildlife. Watches are organised and those who have not yet been at sea need to adjust to sleeping during the day on crowded benches and the stench of unwashed flesh. The weather is decidedly calm for the North, though a few passing storms send Hrónarr and Ellisif to the side of the vessel to empty their bellies into the waves.

Conversations can continue in the background as you like

The karvi travels South along the coast of Aegos before turning East to sail between Aegos and Orthost. Torgeir recognizes Skjoldmur as they sail past it; though through luck or fate you see no ships near to you and keep on your path. Turning slightly Northward you travel over open water before the fastland of Windhome looms up before you. As you near the huscarl order sails furled and turn your arms back to the oars to bring the karvi ashore.

After a few hours of hard labor the longship crunches into the sandy shore before it and you are ordered out of the bowels and into the shallows to lay anchor and lodge the karvi in place. The icy cold water soaks most of you from toes to midriff and the toll of the hours at oar and hauling start to take their toll upon your stamina. Muscles aching you get the longship secured to the satisfaction of the huscarl and their thoughts turn to the task ahead.

Njáll is the one to speak "We strike out in two teams in search of the isbjörn. First to find their quarry or come into other trouble is to tuta." both of the huscarl have a signal horn around their neck. "The brothers, women, Gummi and Hrónarr are with me. The rest are with Sámr. Frågor?"

tuta - sound the horn
frågor - questions

Roluo shakes his head before going to each man in turn and chanting under his breath, purging the water from clothing.

Prestidigitation to clear the water out of clothing. No sense getting hypothermia on our first trip.

"I am ready."

Aye! Ready! Nice trick, Ruolo, thanks.

Jorleif thanks Roluo

"I am ready as well"

Torgeir takes a quick snifter from the flask, then stows it with a nod back at his oar mate.

Once they hit “dry” land, the dvergr dons his furs and stomps out the cold with a sneer. Hearing Njáll’s words he eyes the big huscarl and spits on the sand;

”Suits me vel.”

As the Roluo banishes the icy water from the dvergr’s person, Torgeir eyes (both ice blue and milk sour), remain fixed on Njáll...

vel = well, readily

At sea, Gylfir will share the occasional pull on Gummi's pipa. Gylfir watches the man during the voyage takes cues from him on how to be a proper sailor.

Upon the beaching of the boat, Gylfir collects the chain back up and reattaches it around his leg. He gives the Ancor a few swings, to loosen up muscles that were switched to rowing tasks these past few days.

Looking about at the foreign landscape, "Are we near the Grungir Forest, here on the mainland? My mother is from Jol, near there. My father brought her back from there, when he was selecting the tree for his keel. She never talked of it much around me, which always made me more curious to visit."

Black Úlfarr puts his back into the task of both rowing and helping to anchor the karvi. Seeing how drenched he's become, he grins appreciatively at Roluo's spell, "Thanks Roluo, that is most helpful." When Roluo gets to Surtr, Úlfarr nods and tells the wolf, "Its ok Surtr, he's just going to dry you off." The wolf looks dubiously at the man, but relents, only to end up with a coat that is fluffier than you've ever seen. Surtr spends the next five minutes shaking and then rolling in dirt and snow until the wolf seems satisfied that its fur is returned to normal. Meanwhile, Black Úlfarr asks, "Will we find the isbjörn in caves or on open terrain?"

To Gylfir "We're far from the Grungir, it's South and East across the tundra and vågor. There's naught up here but cold and beast."

vågor - waves

When no other questions well from the group, Sámr ushers you to follow and sets off to the North and East from the karvi. Njáll and the second group range further to the South. Sámr instructs "Look for spår... if there's a bjorn close we'll see skylt."

spår - spoor
skylt - sign

Grómr shows no aptitude for the searching, instead watching the horizon for sign of man or fauna. The group moves inland as they watch the ice....

Survival checks please. The way I'll work this is that all who have some tracking aptitude roll and I'll take the higher as the prime roll; with the others providing bonuses if they are high enough.

Black Úlfarr watches the ice for signs. Surtr pads quietly to his side, nose to the frozen land.

Survival (Black Úlfarr) 1d20 ⇒ 9
Survival (Surtr) 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Kjell walks along side Black Ulfarr, and he too examines the ground while hefting his greataxe.

Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Survival 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Marching in the middle of the group Roluo keeps his eyes constantly moving, doing his best to remember the tales his father told him of these hunts.

Jorlief keeps at the ready but does not have any experience to help the others.

Gylfir quiets up after showing his ignorance of the various lands beyond his island home.

Survival -> 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

He continues to hold his tongue as the group crosses the tundra knowing he will know a bjorn when he sees one, but how to find one? his father had no stories of bjorns.

Torgeir trudges along with the group, paying heed to the ground and surrounding tundra;

Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Bjorn are worthy foes... We will do vel to bring one down...

After an hour or two trudging across the tundra, you can no longer see the other group and as of yet have seen no sight of any isbjörn. Sámr takes point for the purposes of tracking and you move in relative silence as the wind whips across the ice to chill you.

It is then that Kjell and Roluo both spot a smear of red on the ice... a recent kill. Jogging up to it you find the half-eaten carcass of a caribou, and Surtr is able to pick up a scent to follow. You move on slowly and with caution...

After another hour on the trail, Surtr pads closer to the ground and begins to growl. The vargr eyes the ice around him with a mixture of fear and predatory instinct.

Torgeir's good eye narrows and he crouches listening intently:

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

The dvergr hisses a whispered warning to the rest of the crew;

"Isbjörn... ahead... mikill one"

mikill = big, large

Aye, lead the way, brother.

Kjell hefts his Axe before him in preparation, squinting into the distance to try and see the Isbjörn.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"I see nothing for the snow."

Roluo readies his axe and shield.

Having been pointed out by Torgeir, you can now make out the Isbjörn as it stands crouched silhouetted against the backdrop of snow. It is full grown and large, eight feet long if it were stretched out and weighing as much as six Uflen men. It's muzzle is blood red, and it appears to be watching you... patiently...

Whispered words and slow movements will not provoke - but overt or yelling will at this point...
Ground around you is clear and there is no-where to run or hide.

Jorleif will draw his bow and move slowly to the right of the group.

Torgeir looks around the group, noting those who carry ranged weapons

You will have noticed the dvergr carries only hand-to-hand weapons

As he does so, he undoes the rough iron clasp that hold his furs across his brawny shoulders, letting them drop slowly to the ground...

Black Úlfarr draws his bow and whispers, "If we can encircle the isbjörn, it will be harder for it to come at us all at once and we can take advantage of its flanks. Watch for it to be distracted and strike." Surtr lets out a low growl. "Hold Surtr, wait until we are ready."

Activates tactician special ability to give everyone the Paired Opportunists teamwork feat for 3 rounds. +4 bonus on attacks of opportunity for everyone as long as they are adjacent to an ally. Enemies that provoke and AoO from your ally also provoke from you as long as you threaten.

Kjell silently circles out wide of the group waiving his Axe slowly before him as he nods to Black Úlfarr.

Torgeir takes a deep breath, the rune brand on his dead eye giving off faint whisps of steam as he does so;

"You'll need something to keep the dýr's gaumr Black Úlfarr..."

With that he readies himself; rolls his shoulders, spits once on the hard ground and advances slowly on the isbjörn, clashes his Ax off his shield with every second step...

"Hoi! Konungr o' the íss! Come freista your tooth und claw on berserkr járn!

dýr = beast, animal

gaumr = attention, heed

Konungr = king

freista = try, test

járn = iron

Torgeir's voice and noise bring the head of the isbjörn up and it's gaze grows heavy upon him. Drawing back it's lips the beast growls and you can see the brutal flesh-ripping teeth within. Pawing at the ground it's head sways side to side as though a pendulum to take in the nine of you...

Grómr brings forth the two long knives from his belt and licks his lips in expectation "He's a big oäkta... thats fer sure" waiting for a lead to be given by the others.

oäkta - bastard

Action Tracker (Round 1): Grómr, Jorleif, Kjell, Isbjörn, Torgeir, Gylfir, Roluo / Sámr, Úlfarr and Surtr

Map
If you'd like to be in a slightly different position to start, just advise in your first post.
Úlfarr's teamwork feat is in effect, and will be so until end of Round 3.

Jorleif pauses to give some of the others the chance to close before angering the beast

Ready a shot until at least one other is fighting it

Kjell moves forward to F7 (Someone please move me...I am unable to do so from the office). He continues to silently move his A of him in a threatening manner.

"He is that félagi!"

Torgeir gruffly continues to advance on the great isbjörn, shrugging his blocky neck muscles and swinging his ax and shield.

Move to K8

félagi = comrade

Torgeir may want to revise after seeing what is about to come...

The isbjörn reacts to the appearance of the vikingr and Torgeir's shield bashing with the anger of a predator having it's territory invaded. The white beast rears up to roar before surging forwards towards the dvergr. It's footfalls thump the ground and send small plumes of snow spraying behind it and it's breath is heavy and ragged. Rearing up just before it reaches the reaver, the isbjörn comes at Torgeir with a wild and brutal swipe...
Charging claw: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 = 10 for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
...though misjudges the distance and Torgeir is able to step within the arc of the strike.

Jorleif can trigger his readied action to shoot now

Action Tracker (Round 1): Grómr, Jorleif, Kjell, Isbjörn, Torgeir, Gylfir, Roluo / Sámr, Úlfarr and Surtr

Updated Map
Kjell - the map is just a jpg hosted on google docs. I'll be doing all of the position updating on my side.

Round 1
Posting now so I don't hold things up later.

Black Úlfarr points at the bear and commands Surtr "Surtr, Attack!"
Not sure how much tactical movement you'll allow for Surtr. Send him to J9 without provoking if ok. Send him to J12 if not.

The wolf races to the bear, jaws flashing and feet a blur amidst the cloud of snow.
Attack (Surtr) 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7+2 if flanking = 9
But the teeth snatch only fur as Surtr misjudges the bear's thick coat.

Black Úlfarr notches an arrow and fires it at the bear.
Attack (Shortbow) 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 3 - 4 = 15
Damage 1d6 ⇒ 2

He curses the ineffectiveness of the arrow and exchanges bow for flail as he prepares to advance.

Round 1 Init 7

Roluo moves forward and engages the bear.

Move to L12
Battle Axe +2
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 221d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Crit confirm 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 222d8 + 4 ⇒ (6, 4) + 4 = 14
Huh.

Úlfarr - tactical movement is fine, I'm assuming that you'd be able to direct Surtr to circle around, strike from the side, wait till you hit then go, etc.
Nice work Roluo! - I'll update en masse when there are a few more actions in play.

Jorlief sees the bear almost closing in on Torgeir and fires a shot First time shooting anything this big. Don't screw this up

Attack with Shortbow 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage 1d6 ⇒ 3

After shooting the bow Jorleif begins yelling something in an unknown language.

"吴语 [吳語 客家話 [湘語"

Gylfir moves around and up to face the bjorn, (L-11). His father's words ring in his mind, Never run to the face of a stronger opponent. Circle and look for an opening.

Gylfir with his eyes focused on his opponent, does not see the small green sparks flashing off the chain he drags as he readies to swing his anchor.

Expends a point from his Arcane Pool(3/4 left) for +1 enhancement to weapon

Swing Ancor -> 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16
Ancor Damage -> 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 3 + 1 = 7

As the white beast charges, Jorleif lets fly with an arrow that buries itself in the creature's chest though it barely seems to notice. Gylfir lets fly with his ancor, and though his strike is true the thick hide of the isbjörn softens the blow. However Roluo strikes true, his axe shearing through the creature's flank and severing muscle before crunching against it's ribcage with a sickening crack.

Action Tracker (Round 1): Grómr, Kjell, Jorleif, Isbjörn, Torgeir, Gylfir, Roluo / Sámr, Úlfarr and Surtr

Will update for Úlfarr, Sámr and Surtr after Torgeir's action.

Damage Tracker:
Isbjörn - 20

Torgeir nashes his teeth, biting his sheild rim as steam rises from his stocky form. With a hoarse roar he swings his bearded ax at the mighty beast;

Raging Dvergr War Ax: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 But am thinking nah...

Torgeir give in to his rage, though his ax does not strike true.

Sámr puts the horn to his lips and blows a clear and loud note, before letting the instrument hang once more and striding forward drawing his axe.

Úlfarr sends Surtr around to assault from the back, though the stout vargr fails to make impact on the isbjörn's fur. Similarly his arrow strikes true, but does not penetrate the beast's thick hide.

Grómr dashes forward light on his feet and lunges with a knife...
Knife: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7 for 1d4 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (3) = 7
...though the bear shifts during the strike and the criminal balks during his swing.

Flecks of blood and sweat spray out from the isbjörn as it thrashes around in the melee, claws and teeth flashing out with true strength behind them. The white beast roars as it eyes you with murderous intent...

Action Tracker (Round 2): Grómr, Kjell, Jorleif, Isbjörn, Torgeir, Gylfir, Roluo / Sámr, Úlfarr and Surtr

Map for Top of Round 2

Round 2, HP: 13/13, AC: 16 (14), Power Att, Charge

Kjell charges to I10 and a flanking position with Gylfir. he raises his Greataxe for a powerful downward chop.

Greataxe ATT: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9
Greataxe DAM: 1d12 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 3 = 21

Crap!

Kjell - charging would be an extra +2 as well... doesn't help in this instance unfortunately.

Kjell's charge does not strike home, the isbjörn's torso rolls at the last second and his greataxe bites into nothing but the ice at his feet.

Action Tracker (Round 2): Grómr, Kjell, Jorleif, Isbjörn, Torgeir, Gylfir, Roluo / Sámr, Úlfarr and Surtr

Ahhhhh...good catch, my bad...too excited to get in there - to no avail.

Jorleif lets fly another arrow but his aim is off and completely misses the bear.

Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Damage 1d6 ⇒ 2

Jorlef continues to move to R9

Round 2

Posting opportunities are limited right now, so I will throw this out there - If Gylfir is mauled, he will fall back if possible, otherwise he strikes.

A distracted foe is a slain enemy. Using Kjll's wild charge to his advantage, Gylfir again brings the leaden anchor down on the bjorn.
Flanking Ancor Attack -> 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 17
Ancor Damage -> 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2) + 3 + 1 = 11

Presuming the isbjörn doesn't tear him asunder...

Round 2

Runic brand over his dead eye emitting a dull glow, Torgeir swings his ax viciously at mighty isbjörn:

Dvergr War Ax: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

The king of the tundra bellows again as it rears up on it's hindquarters before collapsing forward with it's sharpened weapons of butchery seeking flesh...
Claw at Torgeir: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Claw at Torgeir: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Bite at Roluo: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
...it's forelegs flash out at Torgeir, forcing the raging dvergr unto the defensive, though somehow he twists aside and the closest the white beast gets is raking a claw across his kilt, leaving furrows behind in the leather.

But the one that raised the isbjörn's ire by sinking his axe into it's flank is not as lucky. The maw of the beast surging past his defenses and sinking it's teeth deep into the skald's shoulder. The powerful jaw flexes closed before the white beast releases the broken skald to collapse into the snow... his upper torso a mess of rent metal and broken chain links.

Torgeir's strike is true, cutting a trail of bloody ruin from the isbjörn's neck to belly. Fresh blood sprays forth turning the tundra into a pink mess of slush and blood.

Gylfir's follow up strike with his ancor is better aimed and hits the isbjörn just inside where it's foreleg joins the torso - the strike rewarded by the collapsing crunch of shattered bone.

The isbjörn's breath grows heavy and it's wounds drip dark red unto the snow. It's movements are growing slow and imprecise as it favors the foreleg that was not kissed by the ancor.

Action Tracker (Round 2): Grómr, Kjell, Jorleif, Isbjörn, Torgeir, Gylfir, Roluo / Sámr, Úlfarr and Surtr

Damage Tracker:
Isbjörn - 42