GM Rednal's Northlands Saga Complete (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

Ice continued to crack and crumble at your heels as you ran down the stairs and out the front doors. As you passed, the other statue (like the one that had broken a weapon earlier) started moving... only to be crushed flat as a piece of ice larger than a longhouse struck it from behind. Ahead of you, the walls of the canyon shuddered and split apart, revealing the horizon beyond as the massive iceberg you were on continued to crumble. The palace clearly wasn't the only thing falling apart... which was going to be quite a problem if you couldn't find something stable to drift on.

Eydis cursed, eyes wide at the sight of the split. She began to look around for the most likely thing to float - ice bergs. A large enough chunk of ice would provide both a float and water for days if needs be.

Of course, she wasn't choosy enough to turn down a raft or ship...

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

And Eindrid offered a quick prayer, his last of the day, to help Eydis find guidance.

add to per roll, incl. Aid another: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Hakon raises his shield, ready to try and Ward off falling chunks of ice that might hit his friends.

You didn't see any conveniently-placed ships, but as you ran towards the shore, you did see a reasonably large chunk starting to break off... and it wasn't like you had all the options in the world to choose from. Cracks continued to dog your heels as you ran, but the Fates didn't seem to have declared that this day would be your last, for none of them quite caught up to you. A few seconds after you reached your chosen chunk of ice, the main part of the glacier shuddered, then twisted entirely onto its side and continued to crumble... leaving you on a piece of ice some twenty feet across.

Hakon's Ward came in quite handy at that point, actually, repelling several large chunks of ice that rained down towards you from the collapsing glacier and threatened to upset your ride. Several minutes passed before the danger was gone... leaving the three of you alone on your small life raft.

Which, of course, brought up one important question: Were you simply going to drift, or were you going to try and find some way to get towards land?

"We're going to have to ration water," Eindrid suggested after some silence. "That's going to take discipline. And I don't suppose either of you know a prayer for the currents..."

Eydis shook her head, watching as the island dissolved. Whatever curse held that place must have been tied to the monster we slew. Well, there wasn't much to have been done there. There was no way she could have allowed such unhallowed dead to offend the Gods with its presence.

"The best I can do is create a small breeze, enough to make candles flicker." Eydis said slowly, carefully rising to her feet so she could begin examining the iceberg. "If we had something to burn I could set it alight, too, so keep an eye out for any remains of wood or other flammable. We might get lucky." Of course, where such wood would come from was not a happy idea...

In the meantime, as she moved, she muttered constantly...dying the ice of the float a light, vibrant yellow that would be visible for miles. She could only do small patches, and it would only last an hour, but it was a better chance of being if the ship still sailed these waters.

She also tried to get some idea of the size and shape of the ice, and how it might be steered with the limited materials and magic they had.

Profession (Sailor): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Eindrid planted the tip of the large sword he had taken from the skeleton king into a thick patch of ice, and untied the banner he carried, handing the other half to Hakon. "Perhaps, if we are lucky, a breeze might move us slowly. And your spear never rusts, right? Perhaps it may serve as a rudder. When the stars move, we can search for a heading."

As the day turned to evening, the chill of the ocean became more and more apparent. Ships tended to do a little better thanks to the fact that they had walls and many other people in close proximity - it wasn't much against a blizzard, but for the hardy folk of the north, it was comfortable enough. Here on the ice, though, with the chill from every direction... well, suffice to say you were learning whole new meanings about the word 'chilled' as you traveled the Great Ocean Ûthaf.

1d12 ⇒ 11

The second night after the collapse of the glacier was when your fortunes changed - although whether for good or ill, it was a bit too early to say. Far in the distance, lit by the light the countless stars above (and some lanterns - honestly, they probably helped more), you could see the distinctive sails of a northlander's ship that was heading in your direction.

There was no guarantee the ship was friendly. But there was far less certainty in remaining in the sea on a floating lump of ice. If they were to die, she would rather it be fighting warriors of the North in true battle, rather than freezing to death or dying of slow thirst and hunger. No Skald sang the tales of warriors left adrift, only to die at the sea's mercy. "Be they friend or foe, either will be a better fate than sitting here."

Raising a torch, and calling forth dancing lights with her magic. Eydis attempted to draw eyes from the ship. It was heading for them, but if the helmsman didn't see them he might simply steer around.

"Put that magic away," Eindrid cautioned Eydis. "We must look halfway to draugr ourselves right now, and I wouldn't have a war party take us for something foul or fey."

And, tearing a strip of cloth from his shirt, he wrapped it around an arrow, lit it on Eydis's torch, and shot the flaming arrow up into the air, hoping that this would catch the ship's eye.

Eydis nodded, reluctantly, and cancelled out the lights of the spell.

The distant ship started moving faster as the flaming arrow arced through the sky - although given the distance, it still took nearly an hour for the vessel to come close. Still, her master was clearly used to sailing, because it came to a stop just off your ice and barely rocked you at all. "Well, this is going to be a tale for Bragr, isn't it? Ho there, Hakon - and your friends too." A man jumped from the ship to your icy vessel... and in the light, could be seen as Odrik Ragnarson, master of the Sea Blade. His ship had been off to the east, trading during the winter, and looked as if it were just now coming home. "A fine vessel you have for yourselves here... but I daresay mine is finer, and faster to boot. Not sure what you're doing here, but... for a tenth of anything you've picked up along the way, I'd be happy to take you home. Hacksilver'll do if whatever you found is hard to split."

That's considered a fair price for a rescue in the Northlands. Incidentally, since you joined Jarl Olaf's crew, the treasure you have technically belongs to him - and Odrik would owe the Jarl the same percentage as you do if it was claimed.

Eindrid thought for a moment on whether or not to mention the Jarl's share, and then thought better. "The tale is long, and I would see it told properly, not while we're half-frozen. We've found a few weapons, though I'd cast augurs on them first with a priestess, there might well be a curse or ill-omen there. You're welcome to a share of the trinkets we've found—it seems quite a small price for our lives right now."

Eydis nodded. "It is the Jarl's treasures, but we will share what we can from our part of it." Better to loose out on goods and silver than to loose fingers to frostbite and cold. After a moment, she asked, "Have you seen Long Serpent? We'll tell the full tale once warm blood flows in our veins again, but we were split from her."

Half frozen, Hakon still manages a grin as he clasps Odrik's forearm. Rousing himself from the stupor in which he'd fallen, lulled by the endless hours of watching the desolate waves, he claps the captain on the shoulder and smiles up at his crew.

"Our tale is worth far more than any of the material goods we carry, but as Eydis has said, we'd be happy to cut your a portion from our amount, as long as we leave the jarl's portion untouched. But ah, Odrik, you'll be telling your grandchildren of the day you plucked we three from this palatial ship on which we tarry. There's much to recount, but indeed, first and foremost, have you had any sighting of the Long Serpent?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

"Ah, the old raider decided to get going after all? Can't say I'm surprised. I'd've done the same." Odrik said with a grin. "Haven't seen the Serpent, but that's not too uncommon. I heard he was planning to go north, and we were trading to the east. Be a bit more surprised if I had, actually." With that, he turned and gestured to his crew, and one of them tossed down a rope. Odrik scrambled up with ease, then turned and held out a hand to help each of you as you made your way up it. "But let's call that story a down payment, eh?" he said - clearly joking, because he was definitely going to ask for his share in full. "I'm pretty sure we've still got a keg or two in here somewhere, and we could use some fresh tales for our ears. Gods know we've heard enough from Sten."

You can recount things in your own way if you'd like - or we can just continue on to your arrival back at Halfstead.

Oh wait I have skills for this.

Eindrid said little more until he had gotten a bit of rest and warmth, but, when the opportunity presented itself during the journey, properly recounted any parts of the tale asked about, with appropriate amounts of valor inserted into the embarrassing parts where necessary.

Perform (oratory): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

Eydis listened to Eindrid's tale, nodding along as he told the interesting bits.

Hakon, back amongst the society and civilization that he knew, relaxes and proves to be an easy going presence, spending time with Odrik as he learns what news the man has to share and of his travels and adventures.

When Eindrid recounts their adventures, Hakon is right there in the center of the audience, grinning and nodding at the more unbelievable bits, leading the applause and good naturedly daring anybody to dispute the skald's account of their adventures.

Diplomacy to boost Eindrid's performance: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

The crew looked cheerful as Eindrid told a pretty good story - and more so as Hakon helped it along. The ability to tell tales was a much-loved skill in the north, especially when it helped to pass cold winters and long journeys. It took some time before Halfstead came into sight - two or three days longer than it had taken to reach the iceberg, suggesting interesting but probably not useful things about the course it had taken.

And... do you have a final tally of your treasures gained, so you can calculate what you owe? ^^ You may want to write that up if you haven't already, because it's on you to fulfill your societal obligations...

Handing over the agreed upon loot to Odrik in the form of several cunningly made Halberds of fine craftsmanship. Eydis had taken the time to polish them and tend to the hafts, making sure they were free of any hints of corrosion from their long stay in the icy prison. It would hopefully be a suitable gift for their lives - one he and his crew could make use of.

Odrik looked rather pleased with the new weapons - and promptly handed them to several of the crew who'd been lacking weapons of their own (possibly having lost them in some excursion or another)... and with that rather friendly interaction, the Sea Blade sailed into Halfstead and began offloading its wares. It wasn't long at all before Fastvi came running down to the harbor (in suspiciously masculine clothes), glancing around excitedly. "Uncle Odrik!" she chirped, clearly happy to see him. He wasn't related by blood, but as one of the Jarl's closest supporters, he might as well have been family. "Did you have a good trip? Did you have stories to tell? Did- why are they with you?" she asked, doing a double-take as she saw the three of you. "They... they did sail away with father, didn't they?" she frowned, clearly searching her memories.

"It's quite a tale, lass." Odrik said as he carried a box off the ship and onto the dock. "What news here?"

"Inga's been insufferable, but that blue lady came by. She was looking for father - and he's not supposed to be back for ages, but mother offered to let her stay a few months anyway." Fastvi wrinkled her nose slightly. "And Runa's gotten most of her attention and I'm booooored."

"Well, un-bore yourself and go get a few men from the house. We've lots to bring in, and a tidy profit to deliver to your mother. Get it done fast and I might have time for a story this evening." Odrik directed. Fastvi nodded and took off at top speed.

Since the Jarl is still missing, should we present the gifts we've acquired to his wife and daughters instead?

Eydis eyes the clothes Fastvi was wearing but didn't bother commenting. Her own garb was somewhat masculine, and without a little magic in private, would probably smell like the rest of the crews own leather and iron. Eydis preferd not to smell like a tannery soaked in sweat, although a certain...pungence...likely erupted after a day of war, of shedding a foe's bright red life upon the snows.

Still, the girl had never shown much sense, and the clothes like as not did not bode anything but headaches for a mother likely already worrying about her own husband.

Helping to unload the ship before heading to give there report and explain events, Eydis frowned as she tried to recall who the Blue lady was. Sadly, she was still unfamiliar with much of this region of the North, and the name didn't immediately ring a bell.

Hakon leans on the prow of the ship as it sails into Haflstead and pulls up alongside the wooden dock. The moment it touches, he leaps over the side and catches one of the hurled ropes, with which he helps make the ship fast, and then turns, scanning the harbor for any sign of the jarl's longship.

No luck.

Uneasy, unable to explain even now what took place on that cursed berg, he watches Fastvi take off and then turns to lend a hand in unloading the ship, working quickly so that he can get to the jarl's wife both to ask questions and make his report.

knowledge local - who is the blue lady?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

If he doesn't recognize the rather vague title, he finds a moment when the unloading is done to both thank Odrik and ask him if he can explain the nature of this visitor.

Eindrid continued to tell the party's tale as he helped unload the ship, keeping a keen eye on the spoils and supplies he had helped to find, and making sure everything went to the right place.

Technically, you only owe a share to the Jarl and his family if they show up to claim it. Providing the appropriate amount beforehand wouldn't be turned down, but is neither expected nor required.

"Hm? Aaaah, you weren't here the last time she came 'round, then?" Odrik inquired as Hakon asked about the woman Fastvi had mentioned. "Lass means the wandering wise woman, Neve. Town was beset by a particularly nasty blizzard that came out of nowhere, oh, around two decades ago? Anyway, young lady with hair the color of the sky just walks right out of the storm, gestures, and the blizzard parts over the city like we was given our own bit of summer instead. I ain't too keen on sorcery, but no way was anyone complaining about that. She stood there and held the storm back long enough for us to prepare all the houses and the animals to ride the storm out proper-like, and when that was done, she went 'round and healed those who'd been caught outside. Saved a few dozen of the folk of Halfstead, my own boy among them - and she's been welcome at Jarl Olaf's ever since. Comes and goes as she pleases - she might stay for five minutes or five months, and then she'll vanish as suddenly as she came. She's pretty friendly to anyone who's respecting the laws of hospitality, though, so don't worry about her spelling you or anything if you go say hello."

Hakon listens, brow lowered, then casts a look at his two companions.

"The Hanged God must have listened to our prayers, then. She seems exactly the kind of person to divine the truth behind our ring-giver's disappearance."

Indeed, Hakon's spirits seem greatly lifted; he flashes a broad smile at Eydis and claps Eindrid on the shoulder.

"Come! Let us share our tale with this wise woman, and drink deep of some good, brown ale while we listen to her advice. Perhaps she'll be able to guide us, and tell us how we may find the jarl's wave-cutter forthwith!"

That said, he begins to march toward the longhouse, hand resting proudly on Wotan's own blade at his hip, breast plate gleaming in the frosty sunlight, golden hair refulgent like the fat ring around his bicep.

Oh my gosh it's Neve

"Might as well," Eindrid supposed, "But another few times through, and I may have to set it to a tune."

Putting down the last crate and wiping the sweat from her brow with one hand, Eydis nodded and followed the others to the longhouse. If nothing else, it would be pleasant to meet another with the gifts of sorcery...and who felt comfortable enough to use them publically. Eindrid and Hakon were accepting of her powers, but others were...less so.

*Amused look*

With the approaching winter, the Jarl's family had left Silvermeade Hall and come to their home in Halfstead, and it was there that your feet took you. Sailors laden with boxes came close behind, bringing the goods they'd brought back from afar. It wasn't going to be long before those treasures were unpacked and sent out to the marketplace, but they needed to be tallied and accounted for first. The Jarl's wife was going to be busy with that for some time - she was no slouch who left work for later - and the main hall was mostly empty as you were brought inside.

At the far end of the main room, little Runa was paying rapt attention to the one Fastvi had called 'the blue lady'. Looking at her, it wasn't hard to see why she'd gotten that name - although it was less clear how she didn't look like she'd aged at all since Odrik's story. (But then, the wise women of the North were said to possess many powers - longevity being among the most mundane.)

As you approached, Neve looked up and smiled slightly. "Ah. There you are. In the absence of Jarl Olaf and his wife, please accept my welcome for your safe return, heroes." she said. "Would you care to sit and join us? I was just teaching Runa here a few things she can do to help around the house during winter."

And I thought I was bad for having my characters show up as an NPC.

"Well met," Eydis murmured as she sat. "I must admit, I was always one to fidget my way through a long winter. I preferred the chill of the outdoors to being housebound, but sometimes the weather was simply too harsh even to think of it."

"Indeed, well met, Neve. Though it seems you expected us. Though it may be unnecessary to introduce ourselves, I am Hakon Grunson, kin of our missing Jarl, and wear his ring on my arm."

Hakon gives Runa a wink then sits, straddling a bench down from Neve, and places a hand on the table as he faces her.

"We have had - the three of us - an adventure worthy of the edas. If not for our actions, then at the very least for the strangeness and magic involved. Yet though we survived the trials of that frozen palace, we lost the jarl and his wave-cutter, and no not how to find him or her again. Have you ought you can share with us that might help us in returning him to his home?"

If I can't play the game with them, I can at least let them offer NPC services to you. XD Don't expect her to travel with you, though.

Neve listened attentively to Hakon's question, even as Runa looked rather worried. "Lost, you say? 'Tis a bit too early to say that, don't you think? If I heard right, he planned to sail far to the north - farther, perhaps, than men have gone before. It would not be strange for him to be gone for some months yet. His crew may be a bit smaller now, but they are experienced sailors and warriors, and the Long Serpent will not sink so easily. Indeed, he might be a bit angry to hear you thought so little of his skill that you'd ask a sorceress for help. What is this about a frozen palace, though?"

Eindrid harumphed, but politely. "I've been 'farther north' before. Nothing but seals and ice giants in sight--or rather, nothing but seals and giant ice. The Jarl's crew may be bold and strong, but you can't fault us for feeling left out of that adventure, and without a lawspeaker or godi to recant the gods' praises we can't help but worry that they may find nothing but squalls and seals."

"The Jarls skills with oar and rudder, rope and sail are great," Eydis replied softly, "But there was a dark magic at work in those seas. You ask of the frozen palace? A palace of ice and ancient stone, risen from the depths or some other dark place on the back of a great iceberg. The Jarl asked for those who would explore it, and we raised our blades."

Eydis paused, considering, remembering what had happened. There was little point in hiding what happened, as some magic users could sense the magic of a false word bending reality from what was, and no point in trying. "Once boots met ice a storm appeared, a storm that bit into flesh with all of winter's bite. It had the scent of magic within it, and when the story cleared, the Long Serpent had vanished. We searched across the ice, and found many things - an ancient palace filled with a script long lost to the world, the undead in unhallowed and forgotten halls, our crew mates who had also joined us on the ice, even a blade of mighty Wotan in a long abandoned treasury - but we saw not a scrap or sail nor a single nail from the Long Serpent's hull. We killed the creature that had once ruled that place, nor just another hollow mockery of what it had once been in life, and the ice's magic failed. It fell back into the ocean, lost once more to the eyes of mortal kind in a shower of ice and stone, and good riddance. It belonged in the dark seas' cold embrace."

She shivered at the memory of the iceberg, and floating in the cold waters.

To punctuate Eydis' tale, Hakon draws the ancient and blessed blade, and lays it across the trestle table for Neve to see.

"Magic, magic most fell took our jarl from us," he concludes somberly. "He vanished in an impossible manner. We'd hoped to find some clue as to his location in that frozen fastness, but alas. Were it not for Odrik passing by, we might still be sitting atop that frozen berg, statues of our former selves, testaments to mankind's folly in tempting the elements."

"Such a structure must have been ancient indeed... perhaps from the earliest settlers of these lands, slowly making its way towards the sea as the glaciers moved. And if that were the case, considering the sorcerous storm..." She frowned and dipped a finger into her drink, then drew a symbol on the table with the water. It almost matched the unholy symbol you'd seen, but one part was clearly (and deliberately) broken, preventing it from actually being the same. "...Did you see anything much like this?" she asked, her voice quieter.

Hakon nods grimly. "Aye. But this section here? It wasn't broken as you've drawn it."

"One of the undead priests carried such a symbol," Eydis added.

"We also found a few trophies and relics from the ruin, if those would mean anything," Eindrid commented.

"If any bear the symbol, break them." the young(?) wise woman said firmly, smudging the entirety of the symbol she'd drawn. "They are wicked things, and their master - Althunak, the Winter King and Master of Cannibals, Demon Lord of Ice and Snow - is no friend of men." Runa's eyes widened slightly, and Neve smiled as she looked down at the girl. "Fear not, little one. The Æsir and the Vanir do not take kindly to the lords of evil. His cult was all but destroyed several generations ago, and if he yet lives, the gods will not stand idly by if he reveals himself. There are dark forces in the world, but they are not omnipotent - as our three heroes here have proven themselves, such forces can be beaten. Do not underestimate the strength of mortals."

"It's champion fell like any other creature, to quick wits and sharp steel." Eydis added with a smile. She nodded to Neve. "We shall take your wisdom, thank you."

"And we don't have any interest in drawing dark runes to dark gods. But thanks for the warning."

Neve smiled slightly as Eydis mentioned your victory over Althunak's champion. "A worthy tale indeed - and one I am sure others will enjoy hearing come evening. May it be but one of many glories." she lifted her cup slightly.

For her part, Runa just looked at the three of you and tilted her head. "What are you going to do now that you're not sailing with daddy anymore?" the young girl asked.

Hakon still looks grim. "Continue to search for him, of course. Some foul magic has hidden him from the world. I'm sure there's a means to undo it. Somehow."

He doesn't sound too convinced.

Eindrid shook his head. "We are men of the land, not the sea; and even if we took another ship, he's sailed far enough that a search may do little good. We can offer what prayers and rituals we can to the gods, in the hope that they find him in the dark Northern waters, and we can tell stories of his men's courage until they return."

Eydis considered. She hadn't really thought about what to do now that they were safe and back home once more. "If an opportunity presents itself to search for the Jarl, then we shall take it. The Gods are strange in their ways and means, and such may come some day. Until then, I plan to remain and serve the people who need me."

"His ship will return, or it will not." Neve mused. "The Norns have woven its fate - as they wove yours, going by the story of your escape. To never quite be caught by shattering ice as you ran, and then to be found by a friendly vessel returning to your home long before what rations you had ran out? Our Jarl's wyrd aside, I can only believe that the three of you were meant to return home from your journey. The Weavers weave as they will, so let us hope they smile on the Jarl and his crew as well."

You can continue conversing with Neve, if you wish - or we can move into the downtime before your next adventure.

As part of the crew of Jarl Olaf's ship, people were naturally interested in the story of how you'd come back far earlier than anyone else - and smiles turned to cheers as you practiced ring-giving, spreading the wealth from your story and, at one point, holding a feast for the Jarl's family and friends. Neve disappeared at some point before that, a detail that didn't elicit so much as a shrug from anyone else - Northlanders were generally considered free to come and go as they wished, and that was particularly true for wise women.

The world warmed - a bit, anyway - as you passed the time. Eydis busied herself with setting up a home of her own after hunting and healing others (mostly through bandages and common, mundane remedies) to get what she needed, while Eindrid settled disputes and managed to secure promises of help and supplies at some point in the future.

Things had begun in spring of 3514 I.R., when little Runa had been kidnapped by the old hag. You'd set sail in fall of the same year, then passed winter and spring working as you willed. Finally, the summer of 3515 I.R. arrived... and with it cries from outside.

You were sitting in your favorite ale hall, whiling away the day and looking for any clues to a profitable venture, since the fortune you'd won in the ice palace would hardly last forever - especially since, like the heroes you were, you'd shared quite a lot of it with others. Outside, a commotion was starting in the streets, and people were moving briskly, some running, toward the beach. The tavern door opened, and a young man stuck his head in.

"The Long Serpent has returned!"