Getting there DM VoV - as mentioned in Cap'n Voodoo's RL has derailed me a little this week... but I'm onit like a Scotch Bonnet!
Just a quick FYI - I'll be out of town and away from the internet for about 48 hours from the time of this post. Disappearing into the suburbs for the weekend.
Talk among yourselves and plan which of the longhouse inhabitants you've got an eye on turfing out :P
Otherwise enjoy the weekend off and I'll be back in action on Sunday eve my time.
Torgeir - backstory read and enjoyed immensely, backstory specifics responded to in PM, but mechanics questions all approved.
What immediately came into my head on reading was this look from the first hellboy movie. Basically wandering around with thick furs on over bare chest, then at the first sign of a fight the furs get shrugged off for the melee.
DM VoV: Love the "Rasputin" look - avatar changed to suit :)
Here's Torgeir's backstory for anyone interested [posted in his updated profile also]
Amongst the Hvalurskútu [whale cutter] clan, blood work both at sea and shore were part of the daily toil. Torgeir, eldest son to the clan‘s patriarch, had already shown promise as a whaler and seaman. However two events changed the course of young Torgeir‘s fate. The first, was the draugr...
In the treacherous waters surrounding Skjoldmur; net snags, lost lines and foul storms, are the fisherman’s constant banes. On a particularly blighted morn, a youthful and headstrong Torgeir, while hauling in netting, and was violently pulled overboard by the perilous sea.
Under the briny waves Torgeir’s peril was no errant wave, nor fell current. The true cause was as far from the natural order of things as the sea can yield. For also tangled in the net, struggling with an unholy might that had wrenched the young dweorg into the sea’s embrace was one of the living dead - a draugr.
Under the waves, the bloated, barnacle crusted corpse hauled its flailing catch towards its grinning skull, framed with a beard of seaweed and lampreys. Through the murky silt Torgeir caught a brief glimpse of eerie crimson eyes, before the draugr’s fetid claw pulled the veil of this world from his right eye forever...
As a piercing pain and unholy chill spread through Torgeir’s wreck of an eye, skull and nape, the skein of fate took a further twist. His dogged kin marshalled their strength to reclaim their lost prize; hauling back both net and maimed young dvergr.
Of the draugr there was no sign, save Torgeir’s ruined eye and fevered state. In the months that followed the young dvergr’s resilience was pushed to the limit as his body and mind healed. “Tis sea chills” the wise fisherwives of Skjoldmur would mutter as Torgeir lay shivering and nauseated. “Were the net hooks” the greybeards would knowingly state of the young dwarves lost sight. Yet Torgeir knew better... the dead of the sea had touched him, granted him sight to their world at the cost of an eye in this one...
Ostracised by his own kin, the young Torgeir became increasingly embittered and volatile. When his family became involved in a blood feud amongst the local whaling clans, Torgeir fury saw him at the forefront of the fight. Blood was spilt, wives widowed and beards shorn... In the enforced peace, the Jarl’s headman Arik Grimfyr imposed harsh weregilds upon all parties and Torgeir’s family were hit hard.
Torgeir and his sister Vekka were both given over to serve a rival lodge; Vekka in the langhus, and Torgeir on their oars. With an established reputation as a decent scrapper amongst the Hvalurskútu, and Vekka a renowned beauty, their loss cut deep. Anger and pride still fuelled the young dvergr, traits ideal to his future role...
Amongst the reavr dvergr of Skjoldmur, there are a small number of warriors known as the “heitr blóð” or “hot bloods”... These dwarves are berserkers whose very souls burn with a raging fire; an anger borne of the fire rune Kaunan itself. The heitr blóð are a mixed blessing amongst any raider crew; as their skills upon the cold sea are valued, their mastery of the fire rune welcomed and their burning tempers feared.
So it was that 10 years ago, a young Torgier found himself indentured into one such lodge, headed by the infamous Kullik Strømsvik. In the decade that followed Torgeir became a Strømsvik; was taught the ways of the heitr blóð and now carries both their ancient weaponry, and recent brand markings proudly.
And thus fate spun the second event that would shape the dvergr: When Kullik’s Höfðingi Jarl Arngrim called for arms, Torgeir seized the opportunity to earn a name and reputation worthy of the heitr blóð he now was...
Fellows, appreciate the indulgence with the extended intro. Unless someone picks out two more to try and get thrown out of the longhouse I'll make an executive decision and move plot on to the Jarl's entrance tomorrow my time.
Nice tale Torgeir. Definitely enjoyed that read.
Cheers man! :) Took me a while but I've finally got a handle on him...
I've now started the Campaign Info page for this PbP - which at the moment has a description of the Jarl, the two huscarl and the fjorton souls who will be manning the oars.
If there are any resources or links that you'd like in there for reference please let me know and I'll throw them in there :)
Ok vikingr, we are now upon the waves and en-route to your first destination - the fastland where ruinous claws and teeth await you.
I have no interest in RPing out the numerous days at sail (as that would be akin to watching grass a growing) but there are a number of conversation threads that can be unwoven slightly in the time you have now.
If possible, strike up a word with one of the fellow fjorton (even another PC is fine) or the huscarl themselves and we can start to build some bonds between you. I'll also (where appropriate) open up some conversation threads from my side for you to respond to.
These conversations will be happening in (to steal a phrase) flextime, and not part of the normal flow of activities. So they can be ongoing at the side off the critical path while the main plot is still being advanced.
__________________________________
Lastly - there are sixteen of you (including the huscarl), and you'll be splitting into two groups when it comes to going bear hunting. I'd prefer for the six PCs to stay in one group, which leaves you with two open slots to make it to the eight.
Do you:
1 - want me to make the split
2 - vote for a couple of the fellow vikingr to accompany you
Heh - with Seabass and Kleeburger as our huscarls we fear nothing lol.
Probably easier if you make the split; would refect huscarl's judgement in the matter...
Your criminal is a young Henry Rollins as well ;)
I agree, you should make the split.
Your criminal is a young Henry Rollins as well ;)
Mighty! Hope he's not the "Wrong Man" lol
Love the map!
Voice, something I have been meaning to ask. Can Jorlief teach Torgeir one of his runes. Specifically thinking the water one which would grant him the Auran language and he could understand me while I'm in battle.
Also at this point it is just the mastery bonus and not the powers for the runes, correct?
Jorleif - in time the runes can be shared, but I'd like to keep them separate for at least a little while (essentially until probably level 2 rolls around).
And correct - it's just the mastery bonus; the powers will have to wait until at least level 3 when the appropriate feat could be chosen.
Already posted in the other DM VoV game I'm in, but check out my twisted babies, the rum gremlins and my island survival manual from the upcoming Kobold Quarterly/Open Design Journeys to the West book on the KQ blog today.
Rum Gremlins and Island Survival Manual
No rum gremlins on our ship though :)
Great stuff BU - little buggers will find the perfect home in the Freeport game myself and DM VoV are part of... although think Dibbs is already part rum gremlin ;)
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Torgeir - Dibbs wishes he was half rum gremlin... then he wouldn't need to keep worrying about running out of alcohol to drink... The mayor didn't have nearly enough inbred hillbilly wine to sate his appetite for long!
Torgeir sniped me in that last post so I edited his successful strike in. The bjorn is still standing... though barely.
Oof - that was a pretty brutal round for our vikingr... lets see if you can turn the tide ;)
Tell me about it...
Off to roll up a new character lol ;)
Hang in there - not over yet...I am going to make him pay!
Well it looks like my intent of making the fights a bit more visceral seems to be succeeding ;) - still got time to pull it out of the bag and claim your winnings though!
I'm trying!
I only wish that dicebot was this hot for me when I'm actually playing a PC...
Congrats guy!
A little Google-Fu and I saw your place. Pretty Nice!
Doing a little moving of my own over the next two weeks. Sold our house that was listed for three years and still made some money on it. "Take that, Economy!" Now we get to refinance the house we are currently in.
Congrats on both the house move for Torgeir and the re-financing for Gylfir. I'm stuck in a 24th floor apartment in the middle of the city, so no chance of a green yard for me.
Torgeir - does this mean you're going to start raising shaggy cattle?
I live in a town where the tallest building is...19 stories, and that's the capitol tower. Everything else tops out at about 3 stories, maybe 5 for a few buildings downtown.
Heh - considering that I get a view of the 7th tallest structure in the world I'm a bit used to the skyscraper lifestyle unfortunately. Would be grand to get out and into the green - especially for the wee tacker to run rampant.
Oh aye lads - I'll definately be raising "Heeland Cooz" and hunting the legendary haggis ;)
I started a Loot Sheet. Perhaps VoV can link it on the campaign page
I put x's in those items people have taken and removed the x in the party column. I put a 'c' on the Items that Gylfir is interested in claiming. Others can put their 'c's to show interest in items that way multiple people can try to claim an item and a peaceful resolution can be reached, lest you want to take it out in the thread :-).
VoV's Square Sails on the Horizon Loot Sheet
to make it easier to link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ao9l1QucKJ0SdE5ac0x0VGd3YUhTNn kzZEd0VVBNdnc#gid=0
Looks good, but I found a rune stone, not a helmet
Fixed. and it is public, so anyone can add to it or make changes.
OK went back an saw my error. There was a helmet with runes, I didn't read your spoiler where I assume the runestone came from, I just saw a reference to runes and thought that was what you were taking about. I also added the decorative drinking horn.
Thanks Gylfir!
Yes, thanks. Very helpful!
Ja! Hail Gylfir - Keeper of the Loot :)
Great work man
I'm reneging on my claim to the breastplate. It's medium armor and Gylfir can't wear it.
it's funny, we got a magic longsword sitting out there, and we are such an eclectic lot, none of use a longsword.
Dwarven Waraxe
Greataxe
Flail
Mace
Battleaxe
and Maul
I would claim the breastplate though I want to be considered last. Anyone else can have it before me.
I am thinking about it, but I hate a move of 20'!
You guys can have them. I have a chain shirt already and the improved armor check bonus isn't a big deal. I want to keep mobility and the breastplate will slow me. I considered the +1 sword, but would rather stick with the flail. Maybe we can trade it down the road if no one wants it.
I believe bards can use longswords but if we need a magic weapon I'm not the one to be holding the first one. Quite possible we will be forced to gift it in order to make up for our absence. Also, what kind of worthless bard doesn't have K. History?
Dont look to the dvergr - armour's for fey-boys lol, Torgeir won't be going heavier than his armoured kilt!
Longsword is tempting, but nah. Roluo should take it, something poetic about a Skald potentially wielding a sword with history... Like an axeman wielding Hendrix's Fender.
Failing that the huscarls may take the pick of booty?
The huscarl aren't going to strip you of any loot - this is plunder you won by your hand and yours alone.
Up to you whether you gift any to Kitta or Ellisif, but you won't get robbed when you get back to the karvi.
If no others claim the sword I'll carry it so we have access to a magic weapon if necessary.
Sounds like that is fine with all of us Roluo.
Offer the breastplate to Kitta first otherwise if no one else wants it I will wear it
Jorleif - if you've even a half-desire for it, go ahead and take it.