Okay guys, here is what I have so far. Let me know what you think, and also think about how you might have connections with the other PCs. Remember, you’re all in service to the same jarl. I hope to have a first post up on Mon. or Tue. Ramundr, don’t rush on completing your character. My first post is going to be pretty open ended and allow for some roleplay, so you won’t even need stats until later next week. And again, we can tweak anything as we go.
I also want to note that, as we’re leaving Golarion behind, your GM has less material to work with, so I encourage you guys to “world-build” along with me as we go. If you want to create an NPC or embellish the details of the hold, describe what life has been like in Halfstead, Silvermead Hall, or elsewhere, go right ahead. If anything conflicts with the canon of the adventure, we’ll work around it. So go nuts.
Gosh, I’ve never been so excited to walk in the snow!
-Where are you getting the fourth feat? Even with the campaign bonus feat, I only count three (level 1 feat, racial bonus feat, campaign bonus feat).
-Is your FCB in hp?
-Background is topnotch, as always--a perfect representation of a barbaric viking.
-What if we change Hagbarðr, your rival, to Hauk Arinbjornson, another Vastaviklander, though he is a mercenary.
-It looks like you plan on TWF with shield bash (a neat build for warpriest). Remember that, without Improved Shield Bash, you will lose your shield bonus to AC when fighting. A mere suggestion, but have you considered taking ISB instead of Dual Enhancement at level 1?
-Can you point me to rules for a consecrated shield? I’m aware of the holy symbol tattoo for 100hs, but don’t know about the shields.
-Thyrnir has been having some unusual nightmares, sometimes while awake. You sometimes hear a dark whisper carried on fel winds, coming from the northern horizon. You also occasionally have nightmares where you’re lost in the darkness as a blizzard furies all around you.
-I like that you have others within the jarl’s halls plotting your death. Would you consider changing Ari’s identity to Solveig, an NPC described in Ragnar’s 10-min story? Having the same person dislike both of you on account of your magical abilities would be a nice way to tie your stories together.
-Your disable device should be +5, as you get a bonus from your Trapfinding class feature.
-What’s your favored enemy?
-I think you have created the most detailed background of all. Well done!
-Let’s change your mentor, Mikkel Skagen, into Hallbjorn Bolverkson, one of Jarl Olaf’s most trusted huscarls.
-Check your flat-footed AC. I calculate it should be 13 [15]. This might be because your inventory includes a hide shirt (+3 AC) but your flat-footed armor bonus is calculated using hide armor (+4 AC). Since your total AC is 15, I think you meant to use a hide shirt? Your tagline correctly lists FF 13.
-The damage on your spear attack should only be 1d8+5, as your Str is 16 and you have a +1 damage from your Focused Devotee trait. I don’t see where you’re getting a bonus to account for the +6, though.
-So it looks like you’re a holy fighter of Wotan! Valfatersord is how you’re flavoring arcane strike? I really appreciate that detail. It’s also clever to style your skald magic as divine magic. Most known spellcasters are cunning women, so the fact you have similar abilities as a male will likely raise some eyebrows.
-That voice that Ragnar has been hearing from below? It’s coming from the northern horizon. You also occasionally have nightmares where you’re lost in the darkness as a blizzard furies all around you.
-Solveig is a wonderful antagonist, subtle and conniving.
- Changed Dual Enhancement to Improved Shield Bash. Thank you for the tip.
- Sanctified Shield
A sanctified shield may be any type of shield (including bucklers, tower shields, and even magical shields). When activated, a sacred shield adds a +1 sacred (if positive energy) or profane (if negative energy) bonus to the wearer’s Armor Class. This bonus lasts for 24 hours or until the wearer is struck in combat, whichever comes first. Creatures other than the cleric are able to use the charged shield and this ability.
Most importantly, a sanctified shield acts as a channel focus, which also incorporate holy symbols.
- Swapped Ari for Solveig.
Thanks for the feedback! I made the appropriate changes. I was going to choose humans as her favored enemy but I think it makes more sense for her to have Animals, given her hunting/fishing background.
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Raymundr Æiþorn
Fighter (Huscarl) 1
STR 18=15+2human+1trait
DEX 14
CON 14
INT 10
WIS 10
CHA 8
Focused Devotee: (Odin) +1 trait bonus Knowledge (religion) as class skill +1 trait bonus to damage with Spear
Child of Heroes: Gain one of the following: a +1 bonus to one ability score, +2 skill points per level, or +1 hit point per level.
#FEATS
1 HOUSE RULE POWER ATTACK
1 Archetype EX SHIELD WALL
1 Fighter Combat FEAT Northlander Spear Fighting (Combat) wield spear one hand, +1 to AC
1 Human FEAT Weapon Focus (spear) +1 to Attack with Spear
Feat: Northlander Spear Fighting (Combat)
a heavy spear in one hand and a shield in the other. This allows you to use a spear in one hand.
Prerequisites: Weapon Focus (spear) + 1 BAB
Spear (x3)
TOHIT: 1d20+4STR+1BAB+1WeaponFocus-1POWERATTACK= [dices=Attack STR+BAB+WFocus-PowA]1d20+4+1+1-1[/dice]
Damage: 1d8+6(1.5xSTR)+1TRAIT+3PowerAttack [dices=Damage STR+BAB+TRAIT+PowA]1d8+6+1+3[/dice]
Step 1: Write at least 5 concept elements that you feel are important to your image of the character.
1. An illicit heritage: A bastard infant left on a wooden shield bearing the sigil for the name Raymundr on the front porch of Drifa and his to-be adoptive father Audun Alfsson's home. Audun bestowed the infant with the name Raymundr, but
Audan would not bestow the child his sur name the patronymic, and instead gave Raymundr the surname Æiþorn, or Solitary Thorn, a surname lacking the usual patryonic ending -son, indicating that Raymundr was no man's son,
but also the potential to father a new line.
2. Hold the line: While Raymundr was just getting whiskers, the lands endured a famine as a rot took much of the year's harvests. Desperate and starving men attempted a raid on the Jarl's foodstores.
As the men held the line, his adopted father, Audun Alfsson, a barbarian through and through, cleaved his way through the hordes of bandits, and as the last one fell, Audun bled out. But before falling, performed a death oratory
that made the men weep, and women wail, and as his final word, bestowed upon Raymundr his surname, should he take it. Raymundr was moved, as he loved the man, but would not take the surname. In his moment of greatness,
Audun thought to bestow that greatness on the only male child he had known (he had only daughters). But Raymundr had no barbarian rage, and while his Audun was named hero, Raymundr saw a different history.
He saw that the real hero was the line of common soldiers, and the Huscarl Skœdir Dagsson who held the center. It was they that truly kept the hordes back. Raymundr then decided that he will be such a man, and hold the line.
However, there was too much fire in his loins to ever bind himself to a Huscarl's oath and too much vision to forever bind himself to any Jarl. Raymundr is determiend to be the future patriarch of his own line.
A line he will make.
3. Greatness is the sum of parts: The lessons of the line, carried into a general philosphy about Raymundr's hopes for his people. Raymundr believes that only by working together will the Northern peoples rise to their full greatness.
Raymundr also believes that the Norther peoples won't achieve this greatness without Raymundr leaidng the way. The irony is lost on Raymundr, at least at this stage of his life.
4. In the year of famine as he watched the heroic death of Audun, Odin, the All-Father, whispered to Raymundr's a commandment and a promises, "I am Odin, the All-Father. Next the moon devours the sun, you will go into the northern wastes and seek your mother's bones, and return them here to be ground into the mortar of the first Æiþorn homestead. There the Æiþorn and your people will find glory."
Lest Odin retracts his promise, Raymundr sacrifices to Odin regularly.
5. Raymundr is a man that uses his shield to protect his companions, and his spear to send his enemies to hell. He wants to hold the center of the line, and encourage his comrades to work together strategicly.
Raymundr does not care about the solo heroics of barbarian, and tends to hold barbarians in a bit of disdain, while not doubting their bravery.
Step 2: List at least 2 goals for the character. At least one of these goals should be one that the character has, while another should be one that you, as a player, want to see developed over the course of the game.
1. Character's desire: To become a fighter that holds the center of the line.
2. My desire: For Raymundr to establish the Æiþorn as a new dynasty of wealth, land, and power (I'm not necessarily saying up to a Jarl or beyond).
Step 3: List at least 2 secrets about your character. One is a secret the character knows, one is a secret that involves him but that he is not actually aware of yet.
This will help me in creating plots that center around your character.
I will also be creating a third secret which you as a player will not be aware of, so expect some surprises!
1. Secret that is unknown to Raymundr: Raymundr is the bastard son of Skœdir Dagsson, Huscarl to the Jarl. As Huscarl's are forbidden to have children, he aimed to kill his lover, Æsa Eyvindottir, who claimed to bear his child, but she disappeared into the wilderness in the dead of winter.
She secretly returned, near starved, on midsummer's ever to see her dear friend and made to give Drifa her child, and her father's shield (Botmundr Eyvinson), as aranged to be found on Drifa's doorstep.
Skœdir Dagsson, hearing that Audun had accepted a probable bastard into his home, suspected that Raymundr was his own child, and became more sure as Raymundr grew into a young man, but feared the shame that
Raymundr could bring to him and said nothing.
2. Secret that is known to Raymundr: A month after Audun died, in drunken grief, Drifa seduced the young Raymundr, a mistake both acknowledged and forgave the other for. Drifa soon decided to travel and live with her family far to the south.
There she bore a child she named Iric Alfsson.
3. Secret that is unknwn to Raymundr : Iric Alfsson is Raymundr's bastard son. At present time, Iric Alfsson is 7 years old. Raymundr is now 24.
Step 4: Describe at least 3 people that are tied to the character. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile.
1. [Hostile]As Raymundr rises in respect with the warriors of the line, Skœdir Dagsson becomes increasingly hostile to his supected son, despite Raymundr's obvious admiration for him. Murderous thoughts fill Skœdir Dagsson, as he has become more accustomed to the pleasures of his position, and fears their removal, and the shame that would come with it.
2. [Hostile] Raymundr's adoptive uncle Styr Alfsson and son Klakkr Alfsson: Styr was never supportive of Audun's taking in the bastard Raymundr, and convinced Audun to not shame the family by giving Raymundr the family sur name. However, after Audun bestowed Raymundr the sur name in his death speech,
Raymundr's refusal of the Alfsson surname was interpretted by Styr as the greatest of insults. Klakkr, of the same age as Raymundr, takes on his father's disdain of Raymundr, which had led to a number of brawls.
3. [Friendly] Halldis Ivardottir, a woman with hips to spare, admires the men of the line, and has made lovers of half of them,through the years. During a certain winter celebration, Raymundr accidentally and unknowingly refused Halldis advances, and instead a great friendship was born..and a great source of information for Raymundr about the goings on in the Jarl's house. Raymundr, despite his refusal of Halldis's advances, lusts after her mightily.
4. [Friendly] Armod Karlsson Apprentice to the Weapon and Armor smith is a childhood friend of Raymundr. A tall beanpole of a man, balding in his teen years. Like Raymundr,
Armod dreams of building something for his people, but using his hands and mind. Between crafting arms, Armod is trying to figure out how to make better farming tools.
Step 5: Describe at least 3 mannerisms, or quirks that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor.
1. Frequently lost in thought. He might not notice someone is speaking to him, and assume it is directed at another. Tends to be a competent socialite only after a draft of stout.
2. Has a weakness for women, but is not great at discerning their intentions, or at securing their affections.
3. Raymundr may forget your name, but he remembers his own. He wants you to remember it too.
Step 6: List one fear your character have and one fear that you have (if you are not comfortable with this, skip it).
1. Raymundr is finds himself fearing that things are about to break down. His equipment. His body. The line.
2. SubiculumHammer fears that existence is without meaning or reason.
Roughly written, but something anyway.
I like the Huscarl archetype where you play a warrior that is good at shield wall formation fighting, holding the line as a matter of honor and glory, and so on...but didn't want to play a character eternally sworn to the Jarl, fore-swearing wealth and a family, etc. However, if things are out of bounds, I am willing to change anything. Also, I would love any feedback generally.
Re-read, and its pretty disjointed.
Your background is very good. The 10-min background creates a disjointed portrait of the PC b/c it elicits very particular information. Most PCs "come together" once they start playing.
I really like Raymundr's story, and there's some really nice touches in there, like his relationship with Drifa. You've created quite a few NPCs, which is awesome! For reasons that won't be apparent for a while, I wonder if you'd consider this: The Jarl that you have served in your story is Jarl Anud Cursespear, a powerful jarl in Storstrøm Vale. The hall is a grand one and well-placed on the Ume River, a lesser tributary of the great Storm River. The hall lies near the sea, and Jarl Anud's land reaches inland from the coast for a fair distance. It is a rich land, with many tell-tended farms, expanses of wooded land, and prosperous fishing villages. The people are generally happy and content as Jarl Anud is strict but fair and rules his people well. Perhaps for reasons similar to Otryggr, e.g. strengthening relations between halls, you've now been sent to serve Jarl Olaf in Silvermeade Hall. Eventually, the party may have reason to visit Jarl Anud, and it will be nice to have you as a bridge for the rest of the party.
I haven't checked your build yet, but I'm working on that. I'll post the first gameplay post tomorrow. It will be a rather open-ended post that will give you a chance to flesh our your character's life in Silvermeade Hall, home of Jarl Olaf Henrikson, Jarl of Halfstead.
That sounds fine. Could Huscarl Skœdir Dagsson have convinced Jarl Anud Cursespear to send Raymundr, or had been in charge of selecting emissaries, and saw an opportunity to be rid of Raymundr?
I won't get a chance to flesh out my character sheet until after Tuesday, as I am giving a talk Tuesday morning and am woefully unprepared.
That sounds fine. Could Huscarl Skœdir Dagsson have convinced Jarl Anud Cursespear to send Raymundr, or had been in charge of selecting emissaries, and saw an opportunity to be rid of Raymundr?
I won't get a chance to flesh out my character sheet until after Tuesday, as I am giving a talk Tuesday morning and am woefully unprepared.
Your proposal re Huscarl Skœdir Dagsson sounds perfect.
And don't worry, you won't need full stats until the end of the week. The opening post(s) are going to be roleplay (except for the odd skillcheck, which you can easily estimate with your ability scores). And gosh, christmas is already upon us, so we can expect some downtime this weekend and next week as well.
And so our saga begins, here within the halls of Silvermeade, the jarl's residence. Winter is just ending, and the early spring flowers are in bloom. You have wintered with Jarl Olaf, but are still relatively new to his retinue and have yet to prove your mettle and mind's worth. Establish yourself in the hall. What have you been up to? What are you doing today? You are familiar with the other PCs, and may even include yourselves together. Use this as an opportunity to flesh out your character and allow us to get to know them a little bit better.
I know that Ragnar's player has been without power and Raymundr is giving a talk today, so I will wait a couple of days to give everyone time to get a post in. With Christmas right on us, I also expect that folks will be busy in general.
I've added a few new NPC's in the campaign tab.
Also, please log into the Roll20 game sometime this week so I can assign a token for you.
Questions? Game on!
Exciting. Managed up update my character sheet a bit because I got tired of working.
What is your ruling about bucklers and bows. AC bonus while using bows or not? There is a bit of debate on the forums.
Buckler: This small metal shield is worn strapped to your forearm. You can use a bow or crossbow without penalty while carrying it. You can also use your shield arm to wield a weapon (whether you are using an offhand weapon or using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon), but you take a –1 penalty on attack rolls while doing so. This penalty stacks with those that may apply for fighting with your off hand and for fighting with two weapons. In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you lose the buckler’s Armor Class bonus until your next turn. You can cast a spell with somatic components using your shield arm, but you lose the buckler’s Armor Class bonus until your next turn. You can’t make a shield bash with a buckler.
I will rule the "without penalty" for bows means you don't take -1 attack. But while you don't take the -1 to hit when using a bow and buckler you still lose the AC the buckler provides.
Will I remember to apply that penalty to you during combat? Probably not :).
Well my talk sucked bad. ugg.
Moving on.
I'm trying to convince the party to wear a shield since my archetype makes all my allies have this teamwork feat:
Shield Wall You form a unified defense with those around you.
Prerequisite: Shield Proficiency.Benefit: Whenever you are wielding a shield and are adjacent to an ally wielding a shield who also has this feat, the AC bonus from your shield increases, depending on the shield wielded by your ally.
If your ally is wielding a buckler or a light shield, your shield bonus increases by +1.
If your ally is wielding a heavy shield or a tower shield, your shield bonus increases by +2.You keep these bonuses even if your ally loses his shield bonus due to making a shield bash attack.
...and because this is a low magic setting, and taking damage is a very bad thing and takes time from which to recover.
I understand both your desire to have others use shields, and the desire for the other PCs to differentiate themselves. Even with the restrictions, you all have radically different characters. You and Þyrnir are definitely using shields, so no doubt he'll appreciate being near you in battle. I guess you were thinking of Signe when you asked about bucklers and bows? We can also rule the last sentence reads You keep these bonuses even if your ally loses his shield bonus due to making a shield bash or bow attack. This might encourage Signe to use a buckler.
As to the others, well I'd recommend keeping this strategy in mind to use from time to time. You may decide in a particular fight it's worth giving up 2-handed damage for better collective defense.
Definitely not trying to keep others from their character designs, just letting everyone know of a benefit that my class can impart.
Depending on how open a battle environment is, I imagine the barbarian out in the enemies midst, Þyrnir and Raymundr frequently adjacent, with Signe's bow, and Ragnar's longspear's reach close behind. That is quite the punch.
Signe wouldn't be against using a buckler if she's given a reason to.
Character sheet is largely complete.
Shouldn't Signe's last name be Oddvarsdottir? The Norse do not have family names where everyone in the same family unit has the same last name, but rather patronymics - the sons and daughters take their father's first name and add -son or -dottir for their last name.
Oh is that how it worked?! I thought it was add -dottir or -son to the root of the father's last name. Your explanation makes more sense. I should update my background.
Yup. For example, let's say we have Ragnar Karlsson, who takes his last name from his father, Karl. He is married to Runa Sigmundursdottir, who takes her last name from her father, Sigmundur. Their children will be named [boy name] Ragnarsson and [girl name] Ragnarsdottir, after their father's first name.
@GM, is the jarl's wife still alive? If so, what is her name?
Hey guys! Quick post, I'm really looking to get this started. I am still without power. It got delayed since there's some issues with a colder-than usual winter in England right now, and there's people with much higher priority than me on the list, so at least I know it's for a good cause.
@Stat-block: GM, you are correct regarding the shirt and the armor. I decided to go for a shirt, since it would let me run and move faster. Regarding the damage, I put in the Arcane Strike bonus too. But since it possibly has certain visual elements to it, I'll edit it out, since I'll not use it all the time. Weird magics and all.
Valfatersord is Word of the All father, not Sword of the All father, though! (Or it should be, bastardized Norse and all) That would be the mystical power behind the spells and the Raging Song, as the words themselves would sound more... echoey.
And all skald spells have a vocal element to them.
Distant unknown ominous voice sounds great. As for Solveig, I am glad you enjoy the snippet. I like my 'villains' relatable, or at least with understandable motivations!
@Names, I actually thought that girls took their mother's names and added -dottir at the end, with names such as Ingasdottir, Anasdottir and such. I could be wrong, though, Scandinavian mythology and history isn't an area where I'd claim vast knowledge.
Also, patronymic names FTW.
Shouldn't Signe's last name be Oddvarsdottir? The Norse do not have family names where everyone in the same family unit has the same last name, but rather patronymics - the sons and daughters take their father's first name and add -son or -dottir for their last name.
If you want to be technically right, sure :) I wasn't aware of the naming scheme when I initially picked her name. I only went off of it being Scandinavian in nature.
If I can change it I will but I may have posted too many times as is to edit her name now.
Done! Changed her last name to Oddvardottir. Since the jarl's daughters all have the last name of Olafdottir, I'm assuming that the daughters still follow the father's first name instead of the mother's.
Did you want me to make a survival check or just assume that she can bag a deer?
Just assume for now, no check needed at this time :).
@Ragnar - matronymics (where the child takes the mother's name) are possible, but extremely rare. In real history covering the Norse period and early middle ages in Scandinavia there are about 25 recorded instances of matronymics.
That's quite interesting, actually. Matronymics are similarly uncommon in my language, but there are some recordings in both literature and history, usually for children of single mothers.
Update: Still no power, though I have hopes it'll be here tomorrow. I've read the gameplay, and I'm looking forward to starting!
Great intro posts! I can always count on you all to bring so many little details I'd never think of. No worries Ragnar. I don't mind waiting for you to get an opportunity to post before moving us along, though if you're not able to post by tomorrow I'll probably set us up for the next scene to give everyone something to chew on over the weekend. Then you can always merge your intro post with your reaction to the scene.
If you're curious how this AP is structured, it's quite a bit different from the usual Paizo offering. It's actually eleven different modules (NS0 - NS10), each mostly self-contained, with a little effort taken to tie them all together. They run from level 1-18+, using the medium XP track. This first module, NS0 Spears in the Ice, will lead us to level 5, with the second, NS1 Vengeance of the Long Serpent designed for levels 5-7.
In addition, FrogGod has published more adventures that take place in the Northlands, using many of the same elements, but not officially part of The Northlands Saga. There's a lot to do in the Northlands...
Holiday madness has begun, so please excuse my reduced posting until the middle of next week. Happy Holidays to all of you!
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Happy holidays to all.
And in the spirit of this campaign - Gleðileg Jól!
I found a fascinating article about viking marriage customs that I thought some of you might enjoy.
The players guide is currently being offered for free. Visit froggodgames.com, create an account, then click on Free Downloads at the top of the page. Look for Tour de Northlands and proceed to checkout without needing any payment info.
Nce!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! I wish you all a wonderful time, lots of joy and overflowing plates!
Since it was apparent I won't have power over Christmas, I went to my friends instead and had a great time! I'll try and finally get a post in one of these days - I'm loving the posts from everyone!
Considering everyone used Charisma as a dump stat except Ragnar (and kind of Signe), it should make social situations very interesting :)
I thought Ramandr's muscles were gonna be charismatic :)
Actually I had considered taking one level in the NS skald archetype for the skills, saves, and inspire courage, and it might even mesh with my char concept...it would certainly slow down the Bab progression though, which seems super important to fighters and feet qualifications.
I look forward to seeing that, too :).
As to Signe's questions about having five bodyguards, it might seem excessive, but Jarl Olaf is a major player in this part of the world, and he has the means at his disposal. As he values his children, it's quite expected he'd want to appoint guards for them as they wander outside the hall. Wild animals are abundant, for one thing. Also, he has stated that it's expected to be a simple task, and may want to test the party's abilities as well as its obedience.
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I am getting the feeling that Ramundr is about to step right into a Chooseyourownadventure style deaghtrap
Are we supposed to be putting our rolls in spoilers? I've never played with doing that before but noticed everyone else doing it so I followed suit.
Wicked, what do you prefer for us to do? Or do you care?
I do it sometimes when I have a lot of rolls. If it is just one or two though I won't.
Apologies for the radio silence - my holiday road trip is finally over and I'm safely ensconced in my home once more. Time to catch up on my posting!
Welcome back Otryggr! Regarding rolls, I don't have a preference :).
All caught up, and just popping back in to say that I'm loving everyone's characters and the quality of the posts. I was excited about this adventure before, but now I'm raring to go.
Welcome back! Me too :).
Inga is being married off, right? That is what Raymundr overheard in the hall. Does Raymundr, given his experiences and world knowledge, suspect the Yarl would have Raymundr killed for messing around with Inga? I am unsure of how the culture here is around ideas of purity before marriage, etc. Some cultures have been lax, while others have been extreme.
While Ragnar does have a weakness for women, he is ambitious. Inga could be a way forward to his goals, but it could also be a way to die quickly.
It's highly unlikely the jarl would have anyone killed for kissing Inga. She is a free woman, after all., and this is only a kiss. But he plans to use her match politically, as is the way, and would require a compelling justification to alter those plans.
Also note this is a game to Inga, and she intends that no one will see, which is why it requires you to make a perception or stealth check to avoid detection.
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Not sure how things are in the Northlands, but in Iceland...
All of the family sagas agree that courtship "was the single most deadly pastime for the young Icelandic male" (Frank, p. 476). The most important, unwritten rule of courtship was that the less a hopeful groom saw of his intended bride before entering into formal marriage negotiations with her family, the better his chances were of staying alive (Ibid.). If an attentive suitor was slow in making his proposal, the woman's relatives were quick to reclaim her honor by taking blood-vengeance on the offending swain (Foote and Wilson, pp. 111-112): eighteen courtships in the sagas end in this manner (Frank, p. 476). There seems to have been a practical reason for the family to take a dim view of prolonged courtships, however, for in the eight cases in the sagas where the family was slow to act, an illegitimate child was the result (Ibid.). Despite the hazards, some courtships did occur. Attentions paid to a woman by her suitor, including visits, conversations, and the making of poems in her praise were expected, and apparently welcomed by the girl, no matter what her family may have thought (Foote and Wilson, p. 111).
oops said Ragnar instead of Raymundr.
Not sure how things are in the Northlands, but in Iceland...
All of the family sagas agree that courtship "was the single most deadly pastime for the young Icelandic male" (Frank, p. 476). The most important, unwritten rule of courtship was that the less a hopeful groom saw of his intended bride before entering into formal marriage negotiations with her family, the better his chances were of staying alive (Ibid.). If an attentive suitor was slow in making his proposal, the woman's relatives were quick to reclaim her honor by taking blood-vengeance on the offending swain (Foote and Wilson, pp. 111-112): eighteen courtships in the sagas end in this manner (Frank, p. 476). There seems to have been a practical reason for the family to take a dim view of prolonged courtships, however, for in the eight cases in the sagas where the family was slow to act, an illegitimate child was the result (Ibid.). Despite the hazards, some courtships did occur. Attentions paid to a woman by her suitor, including visits, conversations, and the making of poems in her praise were expected, and apparently welcomed by the girl, no matter what her family may have thought (Foote and Wilson, p. 111).
I don't know why I find this funny, but I do.
Þyrnir, I believe you can convert a spell to a Cure Spell of the same level, correct? So it shouldn't be much of a problem healing Fastvi.
Even if it would be wise to give her a long talk before and after, but far be it from Ragnar to tell anyone how to treat kids!
EDIT: I just noticed the part where Ramundr took a point of damage. I'd offer to heal it, but IC - I don't think it would cross any of our characters' minds to ask for aid in something as trivial as that that will feel better in the morning.
Haha thank you for the info. My response is based on what I've read of the AP, so I won't hold it against Ramundr if he follows my reasoning. But I'll keep this in mind for RP purposes.
Gotcha Re: Inga's flirty game.
Even light flirting from Inga is gonna have to wait until Ramundr is rich with livestock and fame, and yada yada, buys himself a rich landed wife.
I've hard enough time with my real spouse to manage a fake woman's furies. :)
Perhaps I'm being overly cautious, but I don't think Þyrnir would use his healing magic in such a public setting, and not for something that isn't life-threatening. GM, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm getting the feeling that in this setting even to speak of magic is frowned upon, so using it casually is definitely a no-go.