Square Sails on the Horizon (Inactive)

Game Master Mark Sweetman

As the group of vikingr draw nearer the forge, you are presented with cause for caution. The workshop is open air, and you see the forge towards the back and a few anvils and benches before it. A lean-to shelter lies on one side of the structure. But it is not that which draws your attention.

Before the anvil is an imposing figure of a man, touching above six feet with a well toned physique and garbed in the leather apron of a smith. He is bearded and hair drawn back into a ponytail, reaching down with a hand each side to restrain two brutal looking mastiffs. The dogs have scarred muzzles and their lips are drawn, baring tearing teeth that they seem eager to use. The dogs are big, dwarfing Surtr for muscle bulk and there does not seem much fat on their frames.

His face betrays him as a Northman, and he affixes Ulfarr with a steady eye - unflinching despite being outnumbered. Calling out to you in skald "Hail vikingr... and halt. The blod that slicks your blade was shed by those I cannot help now... but if ye draw any closer I'll ensure that not all of ye leave this place." At his side resting head down is a massive metal maul that he glances to as he speaks.

If you've ill intent off the bat, state so and I'll take us back to initiative...

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

"How came you here, smithr?"

The dogs snarl and make to lunge forward, but the Ulfen keeps them under control "I was born to this village"

Perception -> 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

Gylfir mutters to his companions, "He shelters women and children in his structure. He is fated to fight us, if we push. But he might be convinced to leave. Is it loot or a fight that we seek here?"

I say we show this softened Northerner what it is like to be a true Viking! Then I will claim a woman for my troubles!

Kjell brandishes his axe...

Who is with me?

"Fighting and looting is what we seek. I am with you Kjell"

"Or he could choose a different path, join with us, and fight with his countrymen! Man, what is your name and how do you choose?"

The Ulfen looks at the group, kenning easily the intent of Kjell and not believing that the others would have the ability to restrain his carnal urge. A look of stoic resolution falls upon his face and his eyes harden. He takes a deep breath and begins a soulful call unto the night...
"Detta ae natten, denna ae natt,
Varje natt och alla,
Brand-och flottan och ljus-ljus,
Och Gorum får din själ.
När du härifrån iväg är förbi
Till Boneyard du kommer till sist"

As he speaks his ode, he has no fear of death and resigns himself to what may come. The dogs at his side are released to rush forth unhindered...

Action Tracker (Round 1): Jorleif, Kjell, Roluo, Ulfen + Dogs, Ulfarr and Surtr, Torgeir, Gylfir

Map will be up tonight - but you're roughly 40ish foot from the man and with no free charge lane (he's slightly within the workshop).

Jorleif starts the action by letting loose an arrow at one of the charging dogs, all words turning to Aquan, "日本人 "

Attack with shortbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

"So be it. If you will not give your name, I will give mine. You face Black Úlfarr and Surtr, once of Clan Rúnólfr, now fighting for Clan Arngrim with these many boon companions. And we will grant your wish to see you to the Boneyard."
Free Action: Nom De Guerre: DC 13 Will Save or shaken for 1d3 ⇒ 3 rounds.

Jorleif reacts quickly to the change of circumstance and furnishes one of the mastiffs with an arrow shot to it's side even as it is released.

The Ulfen kens Úlfarr's words...
Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
...but is unmoved by them.

Action Tracker (Round 1): Jorleif, Kjell, Roluo, Ulfen + Dogs, Ulfarr and Surtr, Torgeir, Gylfir

Damage Tracker:
Mastiff #1: 4
Mastiff #2: 0
Ulfen: 0

Round 1, AC: 16 (14 Charge), HP: 14/14, Furious Focus, Power Attack, Charge

With a fierce cry, Kjell charges the Ulfen.

ARGHHHHHH!

AXE ATT: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10
AXE DAM: 1d12 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 3 = 19

I cannot remember the last time that I hit something...Jeeez!

Round 1

Roluo moves up and guards Kjell.

Move adjacent to Kjell and use Shield Bearer (Ulfen) as a Free Action, granting him a +2 trait bonus to AC for one round.

Small delay due to needing to be up all night with work calls - will get a map up today.

The smith steps outside of Kjell's charge to grip his maul and bring it to bear...
Earthbreaker: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 for 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 = 9
...hitting Kjell in his chest with a wet crunch that blows all air from his lungs. "Taste your own blod for a change reaver"

One of his hunds lunges for Kjell's leg...
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
...biting at air.

The second mastiff growls and sets off across the earth to strike at he who wounded him...
Bite (on Jorleif): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
...though the runecasters defense is sound.

Action Tracker (Round 1): Jorleif, Kjell, Roluo, Ulfen + Dogs, Ulfarr and Surtr, Torgeir, Gylfir

Damage Tracker:
Mastiff #1 (Red): 4
Mastiff #2: 0
Ulfen: 0

Bodgy Map

Round 1

Black Úlfarr loops around Torgeir, making for an attack on the hound that has moved forward against Jorlief. Move Action: to I9
Attack (Heavy Flail, Strength Bonus) 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 = 16
Damage (Heavy Flail, Strength Bonus) 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13
Racing at his side, Surtr also bounds after the dog, but with greater speed reaches the dog in spite of the longer route. Move Action: to J9 the long way
Attack (Bite, Strength Bonus, Flanking) 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 16
Damage (Bite, Strength Bonus) 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8
Trip 1 (Bite, Strength Bonus) 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 1 = 17
Trip 2 (Bite, Strength Bonus) 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

Black Úlfarr steps up to the mastiff and his flail breaks the hind leg of the dog... before Surtr lunges for the dog's throat - tearing it free and killing the mutt.

Action Tracker (Round 1): Ulfen + Dogs, Ulfarr and Surtr, Torgeir, Gylfir, Jorleif, Kjell, Roluo

Round 1

Gylfir moves forward but is too far away to launch an effective attack with the Ancor, so he moves to where he will be better able to strike.

Double move the long way around to H-2, to provide flanking for Kjell while avoiding AoOs.

I know Torgeir is still in net limbo for the moment, so just need Jorleif, Kjell and Roluo

Jorleif puts away his bow and draws his axe taking a 5' step closer

Round 2, AC: 16, HP: 5/5, Furious Focus, Power Attack

Kjell screams agqain, this time in pain, but keeps hacking away!

The taste of my blood only angers me more, scum!

AXE ATT: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
AXE DAM: 1d12 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 3 = 13

Just NOT right!

Round 2

Moving closer, Roluo assists Kjell in his wild hacking.

Move up and attack the dog.

Battle Axe: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 181d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Sortof back gents - work has eased up a tad but still no home interwebs! Och!

Onto this bloody business at hand - DM VoV is Torgeir still raging? If so how many rounds did he burn getting to the smithy...

Torgeir grimly moves on the Smithy

Move to engage Smith and Attack if possible - may need to alter for fatigue if not Raging

War Ax Chop: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
War Ax Bite: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Apologies gents for the lack of RP will be back to my Norse spitting best soon :)

Torgeir would've stopped raging, then started up again - so still raging now

Roluo buries his axe in the flank of the mastiff while Torgeir charges forward into the fray. The dvergr's ax biting through the smith's heavy apron to spill blod. Kjell is less fortunate and misses the mark once more.

The remaining mastiff lunges at Kjell again...
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
...jaws slavering as they shut on air. Then the Ulfen brings the massive maul to bear...
Earthbreaker: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 Yer a lucky one Kjell
...cursing as the angles of Kjell's armor foul the passage of the maul.

Updated bodgy map

Action Tracker (Round 2): Ulfen + Dogs, Ulfarr and Surtr, Torgeir, Gylfir, Jorleif, Kjell, Roluo

Yeah...really lucky with all of my awesome rolls! LOL!

Jorlief moves up behind Kjell while tracing a rune of health

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Might not keep you on your feet with a hit, but its something

Thanks Jorleif!

Round 2

From behind Gylfir pronounces a wyrd upon the desperate warrior, "Smith. I bear fea-touched steel never touched by the forge. It shall quench the fire that is your life." The Ancor flashes with its arcane light and he brings it down upon the smith in a crushing blow.

Flanking Enraged +1 Ancor attack1d20 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 27
Confirm
Flanking Enraged +1 Ancor attack1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 26

Enraged +1 Ancor Damage2d6 + 1 + 6 + 2d6 + 1 + 6 + 2d6 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 1 + 6 + (6, 4) + 1 + 6 + (4, 6) + 1 + 6 = 49

Gylfir eyes flashing in the forge's light throws back his head in a roar. The part of his mind still under control calls out more silently, "Father! Look down and see your son! He carves a path to Gorum's hall!

Oh My! Epic!

Anchors Away!

As Gylfir's ancor descends, it is almost as though time freezes for just a few moments. You all see the weapon deflect off the smith's cheekbone before it tears through his cheek to carry the lower jaw with it as it moves down. The ancor then penetrates the man's chest at the shoulderblade hooking in behind the ribcage and it's momentum finally being stopped as the maul lodges deep in the smith's torso.

His jawless corpse falls immediately to it's knees before toppling to the side a moment later. You hear sobbing and stifled screams from the outbuilding where the women and children cower in fear. The last mastiff howls as it sees it's master fall before taking enough blows to kill it as it tries to drag what is left of the man to safety.

Out of combat, all threats in the village neutralized.

"A mighty blow Gylfir. Shall we search the forge or return to the huscarls?"

Roluo bends over the corpse of the smith, searching for eyes to close but finding none in the wake of the anchors blow.

"Search the forge. Such a man must have had iron we can use."

Gylfir pulls the Ancor free with a sickening <squelch>. He takes the iron and and dips it into the small cistern beside the forge. Its arcane light fades as it is bathed in the cold water.

He turns to those hiding in the structure. "Come out and move back to the village. No more blood need be spilled if you do what we say."

A quick review of the forge finds a number of well made tools, and the massive earthbreaker used by the smith before his... spectacular demise... is of especially good quality. Masterwork Earthbreaker - also see Discussion for other loot.

As Gylfir plunges his ancor... he notices a curiously shaped piece of pig-iron slag floating in the water. Picking it up it is still warm to the touch despite the coolness of the water.
Scroll of burning hands

The women and children within the shack cower at Gylfir's skald, though when he repeats in Varisian... one of the women stammers "¿Habla usted de todos tus parientes?"

Gylfir picks up the strange lump of floating? metal. Turning it in his hand, he can feel its heft and understands that something is touched about the piece of iron. He places it in his pouch of collected oddities for later study.

----------------------------------

Gylfir doesn't even look at his companions as he answers. "No, no, yo no hablo por ellos. Quiero subrayar que se encuentra en gran peligro de perder sus vidas. Hay algunas personas aquí que sería verlos a todos pronto sacrificados. PERO, te pido que vengas conmigo pacíficamente, respetando en todo conmigo, así que no tiene por qué suceder. La elección ha venido ahora .. en silencio ... o es probable que usted se quema en esta fragua. El campeón se ha ido, yo soy lo más parecido que guarda esta noche.."

Just pausing momentarily for Kjell... as he had fairly vivid intent...

Kjell, amazed at the skill and deadliness by which Gylfir dispatched the Smith. He takes a step towards the women and children being spoken to by Gylfir in a language he does not understand.

So, Gylfir, are ya tryin' to decide which maiden you want to deflower from the pack. I got mine own eyes on the redhead!

He takes a step towards the group with evil intent of rape on his mind, but when none of the others appear to join him. He stops dead in his tracks. he turns to the others.

What, no fun, brothers?

In a calm voice, despite the beating in his chest, "I am trying to bring them back to the village. They are spoils, fair enough, but I wanted to know the village is secure, before we lose our purpose."

Gylfir steps forward to the women. He singles out a slender young woman with large eyes and long black hair tied back in a braid down her back. He addresses her, "Ven. ahora. Sostenga a su hermana, agarra a tus hermanos. Lo que estos hombres hacer, sólo seguir adelante. Resiste ... es probable que te maten."

He looks back to the girl before him. "Ven. ahora. Sostenga a su hermana, agarra a tus hermanos. Lo que estos hombres, sólo seguir moCome. ahora. El resto, agarrar y seguir como can.ving. Resiste ... es probable que te maten."

Gylfir slings the Ancor up to his shoulder. He steals his expression, as he grabs the woman's arm and pulls her forward, not forcibly, but with enough pressure to imply she should not resist. He turns and leads her from the forge. He keeps his eyes forward, pulling her along behind him. He focuses on the scattered lights back in the village and marches toward them, unaware if the others follow, cower, or flee. He passes silently through his brothers not meeting their looks, pulling his prize and he doesn't know how many others. He knows he has done what he could. If he saved one, may Desna bless him, for he tried.

Kjell just shakes his head and spits.

Makes me wonder if he has balls between his legs to go with that anchor.

Kjell follows the group back to the village.

:-) Don't let Gylfir stop you, he is not a viking role model...a bit touched, you see.

He just made his intentions known. I picture him starting to lead a chain of woman, girls and boys, not sure if he is going to reach the village with any but one in tow. Torgier still hasn't sounded off.

Yeah...I did not want to be the only one raping the women...seems appropriate, but if you put them under your protection, then I would likely not cross swords with you over it.

I'd be siding with Gylfir on this one. I don't care how "appropriate" it is to your character, I'll not participate in any game where rape occurs as anything but a crime punishable by death.

Roluo will watch carefully as the women are lead back to the town before helping plunder the smithy.

The women nod nervously, clutching their children close as they follow the one that speaks their language... fear dominating their thoughts rather than hope.

Just got back from a 3 day business trip, so will have a full plunder wrap up post tomorrow.
On the topic of typical viking activities I'm of the opinion that it should be tailored to the players and Roluo obviously has some perfectly valid concerns on the matter.
My intent with this PbP is to try and give a fantastical feel to the world of the vikingr, and while it is a fact that women in sacked / pillaged cities did not fare well - it is not a topic that I'd personally want to dwell on or spend any time in game describing.

I will back off that angle with no problem. I just was not sure how realistic we were playing up the whole Viking angle. Everything else seemed very realistic. I certainly did not mean to, and would never want to, offend any other players.

Black Úlfarr helps the rest plunder the forge, gather the survivors, and return to the rest of the crew. He looks curiously at Gylfir, but elects to remain quiet on the skald's odd bond with the captives.

Gah - last night had the net go out and tonight have baby sleeping on chest making detailed post difficult.
Tomorrow morning for sure - appreciate patience

The captives are rounded up and brought back to the main village where the huscarl have begun using the tavern as an easy place to keep those that still walk interred while the houses and church are sacked. There is a collection of scared women and children and a few elderly clad in but their nightclothes against the chill of the dark. Gromr stands guard with his bloodstained knives and chilling smile enough motivation for the captives to behave themselves.

The other vikingr can be heard going through the houses by lieu of the sounds of thumps and crashes. Any valuables purloined have been piled in a heap before the tavern for winnowing down to that which is worth bringing aboard the karvi. The pile seems to consist mostly of some fine cloths, minor silverware and such.

Your return and the promise of good iron and tooling from the forge is welcomed by the huscarl and when combined with the winnings stripped from the church of the tankard means that the village has indeed proven a ripened fruit for the taking. Kitta is moving along the waterfront and stoving in the bottoms of the village's small boats so as to delay their departure and ensure that you are not followed out of the harbor.

Apart from the plunder of spirits, metals and goods, there are a few items that stand out separately as worthy of inspection:

Anything you'd like to achieve / do before departing.
The huscarl at present appear to be content to leave those still living unharmed.

Gylir leads his train of prisoners over to the others.

To the Hurcarl, "The smithy fought well and died hard. He was from the north and now drinks in Gorum's hall. We have claimed his metal and tools. This lot were hiding there. There is no more resistance out there."

He places his charge behind the others and away from Gromr's leering face. His grip on her never fiece or forceful "Esto es todo lo que puedo hacer por usted. Que Desna mirar por encima de usted para el resto de su salvación. Mantenga su cabeza hacia abajo." He goes to what appears to give her a final shove, but manages to point her face down and brush some of her hair in front of her face.

What is the plan from here, more villages I assume? or take loot and prisoners back.

Roluo looks over the loot, pulling out one of the battleaxes.

"Anyone mind if I take this? Looks to be solid, even if the man wielding it used it on axes more than men."

How much cargo can the boat carry? If we're full I assume we'll head home, if not I assume we'll leave the living and continue to raid.

The book of history is also interesting but I'll wait to see what others want.