>>722042
>Sharpen your weapons

>>722042
>Help Knut find firewood

>>722042
>Help Erik with the shelter
afterwards
>Sharpen your weapons

>>722042
>>Help Anders set some traps

>>722042
>>Help Erik with the shelter

Superior shelter brings the most benefit

Plus its an excuse to swing an axe around

Helping Erik with the shelter, then sharpening weapons. Writing.

Also, is 'mane' the correct term for that? I wasn't positive. Never spent a whole lot of time around donkeys.

>>722078
So I guess this time we really do have an axe to grind.

>>722078
>Also, is 'mane' the correct term for that

Yep

>>722091

Thats enough outta you

>>722096
So while you know a lot about donkeys, you still make an ass out of yourself.

>>722101

Then a bear comes and kills you. The end.

>>722112
I can't bear to see us end like this.

>>722112
It would be truly unbearable.

>>722112
I'll bear that in mind

>>722123
>>722127
I suppose I deserved those. Post is almost ready

>>722132
God dammit.

>>722112
What a grizzly end.

>>722136
Fucking A. Do you guys make a list of these before each thread?

>>722147
Yet somehow I think Haskell will manage to sneak a few of these into his dialogue at some point or another. You know you love it bby.

>>722147
These puns are pretty tough to [sp]bear[/sp]

>>722147
It's almost like our senses of humor are polar bear opposites.

>>722165
CTRL S for easy spoilers. You can even highlight a word or words and do it to automatically spoiler those words.

For anyone who is curious.

Erik gives you a bit of a dirty look for sitting on your ass while he’s working, so you roll your eyes, and rise from the half-rotted log. Pulling an axe from your belt, you proceed to chop boughs from evergreen trees, in order to form the roof and the floor of the lean-to. When you’d gotten enough, Erik has you help him set up the frame, since it takes a little more than two hands to do.

With the shelter finished, and looking relatively cozy, you return to your seat upon the log, and pull a long, smooth stone from your seax sheath. After clearing away the sap and the bark stuck to your axe blade, you set about sharpening it with slow, smooth strokes to ever so slowly bend the metal back into place. You have time to do your daneaxe as well before Knut and Anders return. Knut has his long arms wrapped around a large bundle of firewood, and Anders claiming he ‘couldn’t have possibly placed those traps any better’, with his usual bravado.

As Knut kneels down and begins a fire, Anders takes out the small package of food set aside for you four, and begins passing around some dried deer meat, likely killed and butchered by Bow Bjorn.

The fire taking, and building slowly into a roar, Knut takes a seat on a large boulder, half buried in the dirt while Erik sits back against a tree. Anders has taken to throwing small leaves into the fire, to watch them curl up as they burn.

Knut turns to face you and breaks the silence, the first words the four of you have spoken in hours.

“So, what do you think is going to be waiting for us when we finally get on a raid?”

“Trust me,” Anders says, his eyes not leaving the fire. “Slavs are dirt poor, but they’ll kill you for every last thing they have. It’s dirty fighting for not a lot of money, but you have to start somewhere.”

“We mostly go there for the food,” Erik says, not opening his eyes, his lead leaning back against the tree. “It’s almost an agreement. We take their food in the spring, after the winter, and in return, we don’t come in the fall to make sure they can make it through,” he continues, moving his hands animatedly, completely at odds with the rest of his perfectly still body. “There’s a reason Bjorn just pays people to go there, because we really don’t take much but grain and slaughtered animals back.”

“How long do you usually spend there,” Knut asks, turning his body to face your other two friends.

“About two weeks,” Anders replies. “We’ll set up camp where we land the longboats, then take day trips to different villages using the coast and bigger rivers.”

“Fifty coins a day, too,” Erik says, finally looking around the dark clearing, now lit solely by the fire. “Not counting travel time. An easy six or seven hundred, though. No small amount, plus anything you manage to dig up while you’re there.”

>What do you usually find there?
>What’s fighting the slavs like?
>How long of a trip is it?
>Write-in

>>722205
>What's fighting Slavs like?
also make bear puns

>>722205
>What do you usually find there?
>What’s fighting the slavs like?

>>722205
>>What do you usually find there?

>>722205
>What do you usually find there?
>What’s fighting the slavs like?

handler will we be able to capture thralls?

>>722263
You will eventually. Right now, the barrier is basically just me figuring out how to make it work without this turning into Viking Manager Sim 2016.

I'm open to suggestions on that front, by the way.

>>722205
>What do you usually find there?
>What’s fighting the slavs like

Votes are in, and I'm writing

>>722283
We are still of our father's house. Perhaps letting him make use of them could be a way around it. Either that or us getting hitched.

File: tegaki.png (10 KB, 400x400)

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“What’s fighting them like,” you ask, trying to mentally prepare yourself for the raids.

“Like I said,” Anders replies, as he picks up a long branch to poke the fire. “They don’t have a whole lot, but they’ll fight to the death for it.”

“Problem is,” Erik interjects, “they’re not all that good at it. Effort is worth a lot in life-or-death shit, though.”

You nod, eyeing the woods for anything moving. “What do you guys usually take home, apart from the grain?”

Anders shrugs, and sticks his thumbs in his belt. “Depends. Cheap jewelry is pretty common. Dropped weapons, but some of the guys throw a fit over looted swords being brought on a ship. ‘Too unlucky’, they say, to be brought on a ship.”

“And you want to just sink to the bottom of the ocean,” Erik says, concern crossing his fire-lit face,” over a stupid trophy that you don’t want to part with?”

“Well, I’ll ha-”

“Guys, shut up,” Knut says, standing from his boulder, eyes locked on the treeline.

“Fuck you, Knut,” Anders says, his voice starting to rise.

“No, really, shut the fuck up,” Knut says, his voice low and serious. “Something’s moving.”

Anders picks up his sword and his axe, and Erik pulls a dagger from his belt. Knut starts walking slowly backwards towards his spear, leaning against the wagon.

“What is it, Knut,” you ask of him quietly when he gets to about arms length.

“I don’t know,” he says, almost a whisper. “But there’s a handful of them.”

>Plan of action, and a 3d10 please
>Shitty attached drawing is the layout of the camp.
>Big blue dot is you. Small blue dots are allies. Anders is close to the fire, Erik is next to a tree, and Knut is next to the wagon
>Gray monstrosity is the donkey, shelter opens towards the fire, green dots are trees.
>Please don't make fun of me :( I did it with a fucking track pad.

Rolled 1, 1, 3 = 5 (3d10)

>>722470
Circle around the fire, backs to it and prepare to fight. Wait and see, but stay in the light and stay alert. Once the threat is seen, try to draw it in and gang up.

Rolled 5, 8, 4 = 17 (3d10)

>>722470
Yell at them "Let's PAD over and TRACK them down".

Rolled 5, 9, 9 = 23 (3d10)

>>722495
This, but have a better fucking roll. Jesus.

>>722495

this, but fuck don't roll anymore

>>722495
Ill back that

Shouldnt we be waiting to roll after a decision is made?

>>722557
Doesn't matter, I take the best out the first three rolls for the winning choice. I can stop if there's a reason for it, though. Just speeds up the process.

Been writing.

Also, what weapon set up are we currently rocking?

>>722585
axe and shield

>>722585
axe and shield

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“Circle up,” you say stepping towards the fire. “Backs to the fire, eyes open.” You can tell Anders wants to say something, but he knows that now isn’t the time. You strap your shield to your arm, a bit of a challenge without looking, and pull your axe from your belt. Your daneaxe is currently leaning against the wagon, and your brace of throwing axes is just above your belt.

You scan the tree line, thankful that your height allows you to see over the shelter. You think you can spot five or six human shaped figures, just inside the forest. They must notice you seeing them, because they step out into the firelight.

Six men, all ragged and underfed. They’re clearly hostile, but they have yet to act aggressively. Between them, you can see three axes, a sword, and two spears. The man you assume to be the leader, a tall fellow with greasy, shoulder length hair and hollow cheeks steps up right next to the shelter, and begins speaking as he leans on his spear.

“Evening, boys,” he begins, his voice dry and creaking. “Can’t help but notice you’ve got plenty of food to go around right there. My friends and I,” he says, his left arm sweeping around behind him, “were hoping you’d be willing to share. Well,” he continues, chuckling to himself and showing a mouth with about half the teeth it should have, “you’re gonna be sharing. You can decide how.”

>Plan of action? Combat is not necessary if you don’t wish to engage. 3d10 if you do, though.

>Enemies with green dots have an axe, black dots have a spear, white dot has a sword.
>Ally with pink dot is Knut, Orange dot is Anders, and final one is Erik

http://pastebin.com/3YQyKhpV

Also. Character sheet since I forgot to post it earlier, and I assume you guys are going to need it

Rolled 7, 2, 10 = 19 (3d10)

>>722646
One pair breaks left, one pair breaks right trying to clear around the shelter and regroup and drive off the remnants.

Rolled 4, 4, 9 = 17 (3d10)

>>722646
>"Now normally we would love to help a stranger in need, but for some reason I don't feel like you are all that trustful. So come on, why don't you come and take it

Anders will take the man with he sword, Erik will try to handle the two axe men in front of him, Knut will help Erik and take on one of those Spearmen, and we will take that spearman and the axeman

>>722695
The shelter is closed at the back in a lean-to fashion. It cannot be entered from behind. It will have to be trampled over or gone around. Does this change your plan?

>>722708
Nah, we'll just either rebuild it, or sleep with the warmth of the bodies

Alright, secondary vote

>Pair off, force a route
>Split up, take individual targets

>>722752
>Pair off, force a route

>>722752
>>Pair off, force a route

>>722752
>>Pair off, force a route

Shield to shield by Odin!

>>722752
>Pair off, force a route

Okay, writing. Feel free to give me more in-depth descriptions. You can also use shield or axe points if you wish to raise the 19. Vote yes or no to either from this post

>>722805
Nah, these guys are skeletons

>>722805

We should be fine without

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“Now, normally I don’t mind sharing,” you say as you heft your shield higher to cover your torso better. “However, I don’t think you’ll take your fair share.” The bone-thin man scoffs at you, and raises his spear. Seems he’s done this before. “Anders, Erik,” you say quietly, “charge left. Knut and I will go right. Run them off.”

The four of you rush into action, a mad dash into combat. You catch them mostly unaware with the sudden movement, a pair of them starting late. You won’t have to deal with them for a few more seconds.

The swordsman takes a wild overhand swing at Anders, who sidesteps it easily. He takes a low swing at the half-starved bandit, and his axe bites deep into the man’s thigh. He howls in pain, his free hand dropping to the wound, which is now gushing blood.

Erik’s man takes a swing at him, in an attempt to take off your friend’s head. Erik dodges it by diving in for a tackle, taking the man by surprise and dragging him to the ground before planting a dagger in his belly. The mortally wounded highwayman coughs blood into the young man’s face, dropping his weapon and beginning his death rattle.

Knut rushes in, his spear at the ready. He attempts to step back when he sees the leader’s spear coming, but too late. The point of the blade digs deep into his left bicep, starting a flow of blood. Knuts hand jumps to the wound in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding. It isn’t life threatening, yet, but it is something that should be taken care of.

You catch an axe blade on your shield, deflecting it off to the side, and give your own a swing. You shout in anger over Knut’s wound, and dig the weapon into the elbow of the attacker, whose hand instantly goes limp, and eyes instantly go wide.

“Should have got a shield,” you say to him as he stares at the wound, before back-stepping out of spear range for the time being.

>Round 1, over
>3 axemen, 1 dying (stomach), 1 moderately wounded (left elbow)
>1 swordsman, lightly wounded (left thigh)
>2 spearmen, healthy
>Knut, moderately wounded (left bicep)

>Plan of action? Roll a 3d10, please
>The second spearman is now in range of you, and the third axeman is now in range of Erik
>Is the map helping, or is it just increasing time?

Rolled 6, 8, 1 = 15 (3d10)

>>722937
Stay with Knut, end the swordsman, call for the nidlings to flee, our haminja is too much for them.

Rolled 3, 3, 8 = 14 (3d10)

>>722937
Alright. Lets have the group on the left finish up their men, and the right group will deal with the three. Throw your hand axe at the injured man, and then run back to get your Two-Handed axe

Rolled 8, 2, 6 = 16 (3d10)

>>722937
>use throwing axes, leader first

Rolled 2, 1, 4 = 7 (3d10)

>>722937
WARCRY! Intimidate the injured bandits into fleeing and throw insults at the leader to goad him into attacking.

Keep Knut positioned between you and any other attackers.

Okay, secondary vote

>Attack the leader
>Throw handaxe at axeman, get 2h axe
>Throwing axes at leader
>Attempt to intimidate

Also, vote if you want to use any skill points to raise your 16. Intimidation will use Charisma

>>723040
Also also. Map. Yea or nay?

>>723040
>Intimidation will use Charisma
Dangit.

>Throwing axes at leader
Here's my vote then. Fend him off of Knut.

>>723040
>>Throwing axes at leader

no skill point

>>723049

Fine by me either way.

>>723049
map yea

>>723040
>>Throwing axes at leader
>>723049
Map is nice, helps visualize shit.

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Anders feigns a second swing of his off-hand axe, and the swordsman stumbles in his clumsy attempt to block. He screams as Anders sword plunges into his chest, and drops limply to the ground, choking on the blood rushing into his lungs.

Erik jumps from his prone position in another attempt to tackle, but the axeman is quick enough to jump back and drive a knee up into Erik’s face, crunching the bone. Luckily for him, Erik has the capacity to make a slash at the man, opening a crimson streak across his belly, earning a swear from the axe-wielding plunderer.

Knut lunges at the leader, who counterstrikes with his own spear. The two trade blows, Knut’s polearm opening a gash on the side of the gaunt man’s neck, but earning a cut on his own arm to match the puncture wound. Both men take a step back, swearing.

You take the chance to get some heat off of your childhood friend, quickly transferring your handaxe into your shield hand, and whipping a throwing axe at the spearman, the light weapon cutting his rips open to the bone. The axeman who’s arm your crippled attempts to make a swing, but screams in pain as he tries to move his wounded limb, the swing not finishing its arc. You’re about to make another smart comment when a spear ever so narrowly misses your chest, but the blade cuts deep into your forearm. You see a white flash of bone before blood fills the fresh valley in your arm, and a guttural scream forms on your lips. The second spearman seems quite proud of himself. You're finding it difficult to close your hand all the way.

>Round 2, over
>3 axemen, 1 moderately wounded (left elbow) 1 lightly wounded (stomach), 1 dying (stomach)
>2 spearmen, 1 moderately wounded (neck, stomach)
>1 swordsman, dying (chest, left thigh)

>Knut, severely wounded (left bicep, left bicep)
>Erik, lightly wounded (nose)
>Haskell, moderately wounded (right forearm)


>Plan of action and a 3d10, please

Rolled 9, 6, 7 = 22 (3d10)

>>723148
Hurl axe at the axeman before he gets smart and switches hands with his axe and try to bash the knee of the spearman with the edge of our shield.

Busted kneecaps aren't a fucking joke.

Rolled 6, 9, 10 = 25 (3d10)

>>723148
>smash leader with shield

Rolled 5, 8, 6 = 19 (3d10)

>>723218
seconding

Alright. Current roll is a 25. Do we want to use any shield points?

Also, I assume we mean the unwounded spearman

>>723287
no shield points, and the the spearman that attacked us

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Anders leaps over the pair of fallen foes to take a back handed sword swing at Erik’s opponent, who deftly ducks the swing. This gives Erik the chance he needs to swing his dagger up, straight into the throat of the axeman, who falls dead without making a sound.

Knut takes a one handed jab, and nearly earns a new wound for his trouble of missing. He quickly jumps back, well out of range of either spear, and switches his spear to an over-hand grip, preparing for a throw.

You draw a second throwing axe, bellowing with rage, and chuck it at the wounded axeman. It catches him directly in the chest, and he tumbles to the ground, the weapon still sticking from his lungs. You waste no time, and use the forward momentum of your throw to drop to a low crouch, managing to dive under a second thrust of the spear, and smash the edge of your shield directly into the knee of the man. He instantly drops his weapon, and falls to the ground screaming, his leg flopping uselessly as he flails.

The former leader, seeing his mean dead or dying and himself wounded, turns to make a break for it. His wounds slow him, and he may die of them anyway.

>Round 3, over
>3 axemen, all dead
>1 swordsman, dead
>2 spearmen, 1 moderately wounded (Neck, stomach) fleeing, 1 grievously wounded, (right knee) crippled

>Knut, severely wounded (Left bicep, left bicep)
>Erik, lightly wounded (nose)
>Haskell, moderately wounded (Right forearm)

>Plan of action, and 3d10 if it involves combat

Rolled 10, 5, 4 = 19 (3d10)

>>723348
Pick up some weapons from the fallen and throw them at the fleeing bandit. Everything is more dangerous when fighting to survive. No reason to take too many risks getting close enough for him to get a lucky stab.

Then check wounds and basic first aid. Knut isn't looking too hot.

Rolled 8, 5, 4 = 17 (3d10)

>>723375
Backing this

>>723348
Meh. Let the fleeing men go. They're a disgrace for running, so no entry to Valhalla for them. Execute the wounded and crippled bandits.

See to our group's injuries, especially Knut. Check the supplies and the donkey afterwards.

Rolled 6, 2, 4 = 12 (3d10)

>>723375
Recovering one of our throwing axes should do fine

backing

>>723382
Well we don't want him to not die and sneak an ambush somewhere with rolling stones killing the donkey. Or sneaking up on us in the night down the line.

Vengeance is a hell of a drug.

Gimme a 3 rolls of 1d100 for doctoring Knut, please. Writing is about half done

Rolled 83 (1d100)

>>723429
Hospital Haskell is a go?

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>723429

Rolled 26 (1d100)

>>723429
Hopefully we can figure out a way to crack this Knut

>>723444
I'm actually kinda proud of this one

>>723451
My dad jokes/puns are top of the line Handler

You pull your final throwing axe from your brace, and throw it end over end. The blade sticks neatly in his lower back, stopping him and dropping him to his knees. You’re about to go up and finish him when a spear punctures through is back, the blade going clean through and coming out his chest. You turn to see Knut recovering from the throw, smiling through the pain you’re sure his arm is putting him in. The second spearman is still screaming, so you switch hands for your waraxe, and walk over to him. He begins to scream for mercy, for you to stop, when the blade smashes into the side of his head, bisecting one of his eyes. The screams stop.

The axeman you had been fighting is still breathing, however raggedly. You draw your seax from your belt, and drag it across his neck, being sure to sever both arteries. His labored breathing stops in a matter of seconds.

You sit Knut down on the stone he had been seated on when he saw the bandit group, and you dig some bandages out of the supply cart. You wrap the wounds up tightly, and form a crude sling to keep the weight off. He won’t be a happy camper for a few weeks, but he’ll be able to use his arm again. Probably won’t even get infected.

Anders similarly has Erik sit on the log you had been using, and resets his nose with a grunt, and Erik bites back a scream. He stands, and paces angrily for a few steps before swearing loudly.

“You’re gonna look a lot better now, pal,” he says, giving a guffaw at his friend’s expense. “A lot more handsome. You know, once the bruises fade and the blood gets washed away.”

“Fuck you,” Erik says, his usual droning monotone being traded for anger, and a rather humourous inflection, given he can’t breathe through his nose.

After getting kicked, Anders has you sit down too, and tightly wraps your forearm after laying some herbs in the wound. It stings, but it’s better than your arm rotting off.

“Not much more to be done,” he says, rising from his kneeling position. “You guys need to get better at fighting. How do we divvy up the loot, and what do we do with the bodies? Don’t need any wolves coming for scraps.” He wanders over to one of the bodies, and starts digging through the pockets. He starts setting coins aside to be passed out equally. “We also need to worry about a watch.”

>Loot: 1 sword, 2 spears, 3 waraxes, 2 seaxs
>You have 1 Hand worth of weapons free, but there is room in the cart

>What is to be done with the bodies?

>Do you want first or second watch?
>With who?

>>723469
Keep one of the spears for ourselves in case we find something better fought from as far away as possible. Split miscellaneous stuff between ourselves evenly.

Probably be quickest to just roll the bodies down a long, steep hill. Who knows what the smell of burning meat will draw so roasting them to ash seems a bit unwise. But digging graves deep enough to not attract scavengers is tiring and tedious work.

Take first watch with Erik.

>>723497
A spear is two hands of weapon. Do you want it in the cart, or do you want to trade out weapons so you can carry it?

>>723469
Stow the looted weapons in the cart for now. Recover the throwing axes.

Find a ditch and bury the bodies there. I don't think any effort can be extended considering we still have a mission and most of the group sustained injuries. Not to mention we'll be on our way soon, so we won't be around for any scavengers to come sniffing around.

Take first watch with Erik. Let Anders tend to Knut.

>>723504
Is it? Welp, stow it in the cart then. Don't other body types only have 2 hands worth of carrying capacity? No one rocks a spear and shield?

Or am I misremembering?

>>723469

Take an extra seax, it's not a bundle of daggers we can wear all over, but it'll do for now.

toss the bodies a good way off

take first watch, erik

>>723512
Huge gets six, small gets four, everyone else gets five. A spear is treated as two handed as far as size goes, but can be used one-handed. It takes a penalty to being swung rather than thrusted if used 1 handed, though.

>>723528
Only the first seax doesn't count towards hands. You still have 1 spare slot, though

>>723532
That's it, thanks, boss.

can I get the skinny on this quest?

>>723567
You're a 16ish year old norse kid whose family as been on the down slope. Because of the family's luck, no one was willing to raid with you. Then you killed a frost giant in front of the raid master, and now you're basically on a test run for raiding by bringing a wagon of food to a temple in the mountains. Fantasy monsters, very low magic, alternate history.

Here's the archive
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=Norseman+Saga

>>723567
Huge farmer Viking kills ice giant and spouts puns. Earns him a chance to raid, but needs to deliver supplies to a temple first before that happens.

>>723567
>>723577
Puns are very important, they net us extra shit.

Don't question it.

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>>723574
>very low magic
>alternate history.

awesome lets go full Varangrian

also rape & pillage

>>723587
Little early for varangian guard. About 915ish, but that's not super important. Like I said, alternate history. Raping and Pillaging are fair game, though.

>>723594
actually the earliest vistages of the Varangians appeared in 874 and where from pre christain Rus, but yeah far from the hey day of such things

I just hope anon's dont get squeamish and R&P though

>>723609
The alternate history part is just as important as the date, here

I didn't know they started quite that early, though. Cool stuff.

>>723609
Don't worry anon if we get any moralfags they won't win. Being a viking with rapes and pillaging is retarded

>>723620
I'll always be more interested in loot than rape, but that is from years of vidya beating loot into my brain. I'm not some prude, however. But if I have to choose between spiffy axe and fair maiden, I'll probably chase the axe.

>>723609
>>723620
Also, just a heads up, any raping or pretty much sexual anything will be FtB. Not because I'm squeamish about it, but because I'm dogshit at writing smut. If some anon takes it upon himself to pastebin something, more power to them.

Post is about ready

>>723469
Drag the bodies off to a ditch, leave them for the wolves. Stow the weapons, we can sell them for mead when we return. I think we are all going to want some drinks after this.

>>723631
We're Vikings no reason we can't take both

>>723620
Aside from the usual Viking stuff, I'll also probably be in it to get some slaves to expand the family farm and keep it productive.

>>723639
Other than the fact our shieldbrothers will also be looting and raping. Sometimes you can't have it all.

>>723642
Challenge him to a fight over it

>>723584
Annoying is what they are when you do it constantly.

>>723645
>allowing infighting
>thinking that ends well

So then the guy is even more pissed, not only did he not get what he wanted, but you beat the shit out of him for it.

>>723658
His fault for losing. Maybe if he was stronger he could have got both of our loot, but we won

>>723665
There are two results, he either wins and people start to think we aren't that great, or he loses, and now we have someone who may not have our back 100% in a fight. That's dumb. Don't be dumb.

You stash a spear in the cart, and stick a seax on the back of your belt. Never know when that may come in handy. On second thought, all of these might be handy, or at least worth something. You find a place to stick all the blades in the cart, apart from the sword Anders took.

You, Erik, and Anders carry the bodies about a mile into the forest, before rolling them down a hill. Hopefully, that’ll be enough to keep any scavenging carnivores away from the camp. It’s a bit of a chore, and having to do it twice each does little to make it more enjoyable.

You return to the rough shelter, and Knut begins handing out the coins sorted earlier. Seven, whoop-de-doo. Still, better than nothing. You pocket them with the rest of your money, and offer to share first watch when Erik volunteers for it. The four of you continue chatting for about an hour before Knut and Anders head off to bed. Erik sits opposite of you on the stone, and begins absent-mindedly carving away at a block of wood, occasionally bringing a slow hand up to his tender nose.

Erik is rarely one to start a conversation, so if you don’t want to sit in silence for the next four or five hours, you’ll need to start talking.

>Choose a topic to ask Erik about
>Information Haskell would know: Erik is a quiet, bitter, introverted pessimist, and his near sole social interaction is you, Knut, and primarily Anders, but he often gets dragged into social situations because of the latter. He uses daggers and seaxs because he’s never been able to get the hang of larger weapons, and he carves figures out of things like wood or soapstone. He’s getting pretty good at it. He’s the carpenter’s son, and has quite a hand in the family business.

>>723694
>So any loot your looking forward to getting? Tell me what type of women are you into? Easier to split them between us if we know who wants what.

>>723694
You're lucky for that scar on the nose. Makes it obvious right away that you've gotten into a scrap. I'm sure that'd impress all the ladies back home.

Laptop's giving me shit. Gonna restart it. It's been yelling at me about updates, so it might be a while, and I'm not sure if it'll change my ID.

Back in a flash

>>723700
This

Also what type do we like?

>>723763
That's up to anons, if I get an answer in time we can BS with Erik about it.

>>723763
>Also what type do we like?

Big titty redheads

>>723768
Of course, I was asking anon's

>>723763
Big titty redheads, and shield maidens

>>723763
the type that struggles

>>723768
None of the skinny ones, since they'd probably keel over. Unless they're royalty, I guess.

>>723771
Personally I go feisty fighter who'd fight us every inch of the way and back

Preferably black haired but not necessarily

>>723782
But that means you have to beat them less a solid punch will keep them down!

We'll have everyone meet in the middle. We're a fan of T H I C C redheads with a bit of a mean streak. Back, and writing once my doc loads in.

>>723781
u ok?

>>723799
So feisty redheads who struggle/fight?

>>723825
deal

>>723825
With big tits anon, don't forget that

>>723825
big titty and redhead is the most important thing here

“That break is going to leave quite the scar,” you say to break the silence. “You’ll be pushing the ladies away with both hands.”

He gives half-sigh, half-chuckle, and answers without looking up from his carving. “That’s what Anders said. Told me he didn’t set it all the way, because the girls like them a little crooked.” He keeps a small smile on his face as he works, a rather rare occurrence for Erik Ragnarsson.

“Well, which kind are you hoping it attracts,” you ask, hoping to weasel a name out of him. “If we know, we can stay out of each other’s range. Avoid awkward situations.”

He stops the carving for a second, and seems to stare off into the night sky while he thinks. “I like them quiet,” he says as he returns to the block. “The guys we raid with say I go for the ‘mousey’ ones. Cute, don’t say much. I don’t, ah, ‘take them’, though. Funny enough, I think it takes all the sport of it.”

“How so,” you ask, an eyebrow raised. Most northmen see it the other way around.

“Anyone can smack a girl upside the head, and drag her into the nearest not-burning hut,” he says as he puts the carving down. It’s starting to take shape, some sort of animal. “Takes skill, effort to convince them to follow you into one. That’s what I like. The chase, I guess.”

You shrug. It makes an odd sort of sense, you suppose. Erik’s never been terribly violent to boot, so it fits his personality.

“How about you,” he asks, giving you the same grin you’re sure you just had. “What’re you looking for in your shiedmaiden?”

“Oh, I like them full-bodied,” you say. “Flaming red hair, nice wide hips, and a chest you can get lost in. And I’m a fan of the bad attitude, too.”

He throws his head back in a laugh, albiet a bit awkwardly, almost like he doesn’t know quite how. “You’re gonna like Ireland, Haskell. Scotland, too, I’d imagine. Women there, they’ll gut you just as fast as the men. All that milk and beef they eat gives them a bit of shape, too,” he says, giving a rough and crude outline of the female anatomy. “Good luck dragging one back, though. They’ll kill ya, or die trying.”

Sounds like just your type.

>Continue the conversation, write-in only
>Sit in silence until watch is up

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305 KB JPG

>>723829
Despite being my real life jam I'd prefer a proud defiant raven haired girl

But hey as long as they defy us until we get bored of them I won't complain

>>723836
>>Continue the conversation, write-in only
How many of those things have carved? And what do you do with them? Hand them off to the tykes in the village?

>>723836
>Tell me about this Ireland, is it some new word for Valhalla?

>>723836
>Continue the conversation, write-in only

I like a bit of fire in them, makes things interesting

Ask about Ireland and Scotland

>>723836
>>Continue the conversation, write-in only

Ask more about the gaelic peoples/lands

“I think you pronounced ‘Valhalla’, wrong, Erik,” you remark, giving a small half-smile, “because that sounds like the perfect way to spend the afterlife.”

“If you say, so, Haskell,” he replies, back to his normal monotone. He picks up the block and the knife once again, and starts widdling away.

“Tell me about them,” you ask. You’d like a bit of a heads up before you arrive and start slamming axes into people.

“They’re both beautiful countries, beyond even the women,” he answers, working on minute detail. “Gentle rolling hills, and the greenest grass you’ve ever seen. Not rough and dangerous like our mountains and fjords. I like it there. Wish we could stay longer, maybe not kill everyone we come across.”

He goes on like that for a while, before coming to an end, and focussing on his carving. A question pops into your mind, one you’ve never even thought of, let alone asked.

“Say Erik. What do you even do with all those things? Give them to kids around the village, or what? How many have you even done?”

“Some of them,” he says, shrugging. “Usually if I see them being nice to other kids, or if they do a little favor for me or my father. I keep most of them, though. I like seeing how much better I get as I do. It’s hard to tell from piece to piece, but when you have a whole lot of them, it gets easier. You should see my first dozen, or so. Somehow, they seem more square than the blocks they started from. I’m excited to see where I go as I get better, and get more inspiration.” He begins to think for a moment, almost like he’s counting in his head. “I’ve probably done about two hundred. Given away probably fifty or so.”

That’s… oddly deep and romantic for Erik. With his normal attitude, it’s kind of become hard to think of him as much more than a scowling face. You’re sort of glad to know there’s more to him than that.

With that, it seems the moon’s hit the center of the sky, which means your watches are up. You wake Knut and Anders, neither of whom are impressed about the matter, and crawl into your own make-shift beds. The pine boughs are oddly, much more comfortable than you imagined they would be, and you drift off to sleep, chesty, red headed shield maidens fighting alongside you in your dreams.

You are woken, quite rudely, by a kick to your boot. Just as it was getting… interesting.

“Time to get going,” Anders says as the sunlight hits your eyes. “If we haul ass like we did yesterday, we might make the temple before it gets too dark.”

You rise and collect your gear, loading up for the trip. As you leave the temporary camp, there is a small wooden carving of a sleeping donkey, curled up as best it can, placed on the stone seat.

>Is there anyone you would like to talk to during the day?
>If so, who, and about what?

>>723878
>Find out about Anders's and Knut's taste in women

>>723878
>Anders
Catch anything in your traps during the night?

Alright, folks. I'm gonna get some sleep since we've been coasting to a stop for a while now. I'll do a roll call at some point tomorrow, probably late morning or noonish. Thanks for playing, it was a blast. Always love questions and criticism.

>>723878
>>Is there anyone you would like to talk to during the day?

See about Knuts wounds

>>723896

Thanks for running

>>723884
This

>>723899
And this

Who's all around? I can run for a bit if we have enough. Otherwise, we can do this around 7 pm again

>>724182
Present.
At least for one and a half hours, probably longer.

>>724182
here

I'm still slive

>>724182
Let's do It

>>724182
I'm here.

Mmmkay. Writing. Warning, I may have to dip out for a few moments to run a quick errand. Shouldn't be more than 30 minutes or so.

“Catch anything in those traps of yours,” you ask of Anders, who is currently hooking the donkey up to the wagon.

“A few rabbits, nothing major,” he answers, looping a leather strap around the beast’s chest. “Enough for a decent meal tonight, though. Never liked that salted stuff.”

You take the few moments before Anders finishes to change out the bandages on Knut’s arm, and explain to him the importance of investing in a shield. You take some medicinal herbs from the cart, and rebandage the wounds. As you finish wrapping the irritated, but otherwise fine gashes, Blern comes trotting up, plopping down dumbly beside Knut with a rabbit in his mouth.

“You’d have been useful last night,” Knut says, scratching the big dog behind the ears, and examining the half-eaten rabbit with a bit of disgust. He rolls his eyes, and begins to walk with the wagon as it finishes.

As you’re crossing a small river via a bridge, you begin speaking to the other three. “So, Erik and I had a heart-to-heart last night,” you start, kicking a stone idly into the water below.

“Finally professed your love to each other, huh,” Anders asks casually, not even looking back. “We all figured it was happening. We’re proud of you,” he finishes, earning a howl of laughter from Knut, and an amused snort from Erik.

“Well, turns out Erik’s a fan of the quiet, peaceful types,” you say, taking the high road and ignoring the jab at your sexuality. “And I’m a fan of, uh, ‘well-endowed’ red-heads. What’s catching your eyes nowadays?”

Anders answers first, barely waiting for you to even finish the question. “I like them ripped,” he starts, flexing proudly as he walks backwards, watching to make sure you all see. “I don’t like even an ounce of fat on ‘em. That’s my type.”

“Your type is any that will let you within thirty feet,” Erik says, a small measure of payback, smiling widely.

“I’m not sure, I guess,” Knut answers before Anders can defend himself. “I mean, yeah, there’s a lot of good-looking girls around, but none that really drive me crazy.”

About a half hour of trying to worm names out of each other, with no success from anyone. The conversation dies down a little. As you leave the forests for the rocky paths of the mountains, you begin to see a small tendril of smoke rising from the path ahead. It’s just before midday, so you should be arriving a day early, assuming you make it there before nightfall.

>Continue the conversation, write-in only
>Finish the journey in silence
>Write-in

So if we get the chance will we beat and rape Svala if she insults us enough?

>>724251
You can fuckin' try. Svala has some INSANE skill points

>>724252
So basically we'll have to game the system? make sure she's unarmoured?

What?

>>724250
>Finish the journey in silence

Honestly can't think of anything to talk about right now, timeskip to next event/temple then.

>>724250
>>Finish the journey in silence

let's deliver this!

>>724250
>>Finish the journey in silence

>>724254

Let's not rape the residents of our village, thats uncivilized.

qe only butcher pillage and rape on foreign lands

>>724270
We yeah but I'd really only make Svla the only exception to that because she's a right bitch and would give us a rep as a man to be respected if not feared

Besides the challenge could be fun

>>724278

i'm not sure but I think the only rep it would give us is "That guy that got executed fof his crimes, Sven's family is really unlucky indeed" hehe

>>724285
I guess we'll see what happens though I wouldn't pass up the opportunity if we could get away with it

Besides the law can't always protect you

>>724182
go

>>724250
>Finish the journey in silence
Not really much to say. Let's rather hurry up and get there before dark.

The rest of the walk is mostly minor small-talk of no real importance. You end up reaching the temple just as the sun dips below the mountains.

It’s an impressively large stone building, and getting the donkey and the cart up the long, meandering staircase cut into the mountain is quite the ordeal. You finally reach it, and a priest leads you to the nearly-empty store room, where you unload the supplies. They needed them, desperately. From how many Bjorn told you were here, there may have been a weeks’ worth of food left.

You are led to the temple’s equivalent of a longhouse, where the priests eat, judging from the thirty-foot table and multitude of chairs around it. There is a man in gray robes with a thick gray beard that reaches down past his chest, sitting at the far end of the table.

“Welcome to our humble home,” he says, slowly and dry as you walk through the door. “My name is Ulrich, and I understand you are our saviors in this lean time. You have my thanks.”

“Big Bjorn sent the food,” Erik says, much more intelligibly than he could speak even hours ago, given his nose. “We’re just the errand boys that ran it up.”

“Well,” the old man says, waving away the modestly and rising shakily to his feet. “You have my thanks regardless. Tell me, did you have any trouble on the way up?”

>Answer Ulrich, write-in only

>>724306
Bandits. They should no longer trouble anyone.

>>724306
A few Bandits nothing serious

>>724306

Bandits, they put up a good fight

I'm gonna go run aforementioned errand, folks. Shouldn't be more than an hour, and I'll get straight into writing when I get back. Sorry to do this to you, but I hate archiving a thread with less than 300 replies. Seems a bit of a waste.

Also, probably won't be able to run tonight. Getting dragged into supper with the sister-and-mother-in-law. We'll see how late t hat goes, keep an eye on the twitter.

>>724315

oks, waiting then

>>724306
"Scrawny bandits tried to take away your food, we sent them to the afterlife. It would be kind, if your healers would look after our wounds."
Those Skyrim monks sure choose their temple locations...

Back and writing

“A few bandits decided they needed your food,” you say as you pull up a chair, taking a seat. “Wasn’t a fun experience, but they won’t be bothering anyone.”

Ulrich nods as he slowly walks around the table, closer to the four of you. “It seems so, and I thank you for your service. Both transporting the food, and protecting it. It likely wouldn’t have been long before they saw fit to come here.” He leans over the table, resting his wrinkled, liver spotted hands on the gnarled wood.

“We’d appreciate if a healer could look at or wounds,” Anders says with an unusually humble tone. “We did a little on the road, but we could only do so much.”

“Of course, young man,” Ulrich says, giving a small smile. “I will have my man see to you after we eat.” With that, he sits at an empty seat about halfway down the table, and a number of thralls bring out large platters of prepared food, likely the last of the old stores before it goes bad. They are followed by several priests, and soon the large table is about half full. Ulrich gives praise to a few various gods before you begin to eat. He turns to you, and speaks between drinks of a soup made from Anders’ rabbits and a few vegetables.

“Enjoy, and feel free to speak freely. This is not some Christian place of worship, where we demand your servitude and silence,” he says, seeming rather proud of himself. As you dig in yourself, you notice your hand working better than it had been this morning, and Knut seems to be able to move his arm with less pain and stiffness, as well.

>Any questions for Ulrich, other priests, or yor friends?

>>724409
>Ulrich
"What do you actually do here? Seems to me, you would do more good in one of the settlements - not up here, far away from everyone."

>>724409
>So how has the winter treated you
I don't really have anything important to ask, so small talk?

>>724409
So have you been having any problem with bandits. Something along those lines

>>724409
>Got anyone here who can interperate dreams?

>>724433
Would you like this to be asked now, or in private? To my knowledge, you haven't told any of your friends about the dreams.

>>724446
Let's wait and see were these dreams go

Post is about ready, but I'll wait for a few votes on this option.

>Ask about the dreams now
>Ask about the dreams later, alone with Ulrich
>Don't ask about the dreams, see what else they show you in time

>>724460
>Ask about them later

>>724460
>>Ask about the dreams later, alone with Ulrich

>>724460
>Ask about the dreams later, alone with Ulrich

>>724460
>>Ask about the dreams later, alone with Ulrich

>>724460
>Ask about the dreams later, alone with Ulrich

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104 KB JPG

The priests mostly just make small talk, but you have a number of questions for the aging man.

“So, what do you do up here, so far from everything? Why not be closer to the villages, to other people,” you ask of him as you bite off a chunk of nearly-stale dried meat.

“This is a place of study and reflection,” he says, smiling softly. “It would not do to have the distractions of others that do not understand around us.”

You nod in understanding. Knut doesn’t like to be bothered when he’s reading, you can only imagine what it would be like if he lived in seclusion. “Was winter as hard on you as it was on the local brigands? Have the been bothering you at all?”

“Oh, no,” he says as he tosses a strip of meat to Blern. “Enough whisperings of powerful magics, and the dumb brutes fear our retribution. Our only problem is the occasional frost giant wandering in from their den further north,” he answers, waving vaguely in that direction. “Luckily, they aren’t strong enough to break through the walls of the temple, so we’re just sure to have all the animals in at night.”

With that, the chatter dies down as the food is being eaten in earnest, until the meal is over. The thralls collect the refuse, and the priests go their seperate ways. Ulrich slowly walks through a simple wooden door, alone, and the four of you are left, seated in the great hall. Candlelit, with a painting of Odin fending off Fenrir on one wall. You can almost feel his good eye on you.

>Follow Ulrich now. Please include how you explain the dream to him in your post if you vote for this option
>Find Ulrich later, and do something else now. Please specify what.

>>724493
>>Follow Ulrich now. Please include how you explain the dream to him in your post if you vote for this option
It's the same dream every night, I'm on a raid, I fight a bloody fight and hear my men shout my name. There is someone there though, a man who is always moving closer to me. I don't know what it means. I suck at this no bully

>>724493
>>724494
This gets my vote

>>724494
Seems like a decent enough explanation.
And I'd like to ask him before we sleep, in case he's got anything he wants to try or something.

>>724494
Dont forget the one eye

You guys jumped the gun for something I wasn't quite prepared for, but fuck it. Long post incoming, may be a while as I didn't QUITE have everything worked out yet. I'm not sure when it's going to end, but I assume I'm about half done with it.

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You excuse yourself from the table with little explanation, and rush to follow Ulrich through the door. You enter a long hallway, flanked by a half-dozen doors on either side. You see a door at the end of the hallway, just shutting as Ulrich closes it as he enters, not seeing you.

You walk briskly down the candlelit hallway, and knock as you enter, not waiting for a response. Ulrich’s room is simple, a straw bed, a small table, and a desk that he is currently sitting at.

“I figured you would have questions for me, young man,” he says, not looking up from the writings he is working on. “Ask them, and I will answer to the best of my knowledge.”

“It’s a dream,” you say, taking a seat on the bed as you begin. “I don’t have it every night, but often enough. It’s always the same,” you continue, your voice involuntarily speeding up as you speak. “I’m raiding a village, and I have to fight some sort of officer. When I’m done, my men are cheering my name. It was like that for years. But about a week ago, something changed. There was a man at the beach,” you explain, closing your eyes as you try to remember as much detail as possible. “He seemed frail, and he was leaning on a spear. There was a raven on each shoulder, and a patch over one eye. He gets a little closer every time I have the dream. Tonight, I suspect he’ll be inside the village.”

Ulrich immediately stops what he's doing. He rises, and hobbles over to face you directly. Even sitting, you nearly come up to the chin of the weak old man. “You’ve been chosen. By Odin, I mean,” he said, his voice almost whimsical as he stares at the wall behind you. “For what, I do not know. But it is likely that all four of you have been. Whether you tell them is up to you. Eventually, they will find out.” He leaves the room for a moment, holding up a finger for you to wait. He returns, holding a thick, leatherbound book.

He opens it to a yellowed page. “You’ll come across something in your travels. I do not know when. Even it’s existence is a mere rumor. A map, showing the world. They call it the Atlas of the Conqueror. It finds itself into the hands of a champion, a Paladin, and must before they can be directly contacted by their god.” He begins flipping through pages hurriedly. “You said you had been wounded,” he says as he pauses at a page. “Please, allow me to see the wound.”

>Unwrap the wound
>I think you owe me a few more explanations first, Ulrich
>Leave. You don’t have time for this old man’s ramblings.
>Write-in

Not as long as I thought it was going to be, but thick with story shit I didn't think we'd get around to for another 8-10 threads.

Sorry if the rushed infodump doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I'll answer any questions OOC that Haskell would know the answer to IC if you guys have any

>>724537
>Unwrap the wound
>I think you owe me a few more explanations first, Ulrich

>>724537
>>Unwrap the wound

Also, that'll be the last update for a while. I have to go to work, then have social engagements. I'll be able to post from my phone, though, so feel free to ask questions or bitch about me while I'm gone.

>>724537
>>>Unwrap the wound

>>724537
>>Unwrap the wound

Also, Contractor Quest will be making a return next week Tuesday. We'll be finishing up the glades and choosing a mission for the Halloween special

>>724548

Vinland? Could make for some fun late quest content

>>724639
Haskell and the Norse are unaware of the new world. A few other cultures are, though. Gotta find out through the grapevine

I can make puns too, fuckers

>>724657

I just meant the posibility of going there really, was reading about the possible evidence of iron smelting found in newfoundland that was discovered last year.

Gotta watch out for them spooky wendigo

>>724673
You will eventually be given the option, yes.

And since I doubt I get to run tonight for any real length of time, how are you guys liking the quest? Are there any characters you'd like to see more or less of? What do you think of the minor direction change the quest just made?

>>724657

You are just a glutton for -pun-ishment, aren't you?

>>724696

Liking it pretty well, it seems to sit just right for me so far with magic. Not so crazy about settings where theres a fairy in every bush and every other character is a fantasy creature or spell caster.

Looking forward to increasing our retinue with folks like a sklad, godi, maybe a berserker or a witch. Maybe some fantasy beast like a dire wolf. Dunno about expanding current characters, seems to be progressing naturally. Maybe we have some cousins that could join us later on?

Think we might can convince the head godi to send a younger guy along on the raid with us? Besides us being all chosen and stuff, cant hurt to bring some religion along on the raid.

The idea of being a norse holy champion is pretty neat.

>>724539
>shit I didn't think we'd get around to for another 8-10 threads.
Jesus. This soon?

>>724717
>Berserker
In time, most likely, depending on how things go.
>Skald
This is absolutely possible if you're willing to give up a fighter's spot on the boat
>Witch
Magic doesn't really work like that. Less fireballs, more complex four hour rituals.
>Godi
They're free to leave as they want. They aren't bound to the temple. Just a matter of convincing one and, again, giving up another spear on the boat. Also convincing the raidmaster until you buy your own boats, which are prohibitively expensive.
>Fantasy beasts
We'll see about that. No promises, but I'll look into it.
>Cousins
Both parents were only children. Part of the reason three shitty things sent you into a spiral.

>>724731
Yeah. And that was before you even got the Atlas, let alone until you figured out what it was. It probably works better like this, anyway, though.

>>724736
>Magic doesn't really work like that. Less fireballs, more complex four hour rituals.

Yeah, that was my assumption, would be good flavor having our own witch hanging around once we're coming into our own further into the story. Even if her rituals arent worth a damn, could be interesting having a witch hanging around us during negotiations and such.

>We'll see about that. No promises, but I'll look into it.

Not really a big deal, may well take too much away from the setting. Perhaps finding a plain old wolf pup and raising it? Or even a doggo for that matter.

Maybe fnding some badass icelandic whaler with a love of harpoons? Some gaelic follower of the old gods? Frisian pirate waiting to be hanged in a village we raid? Just spitballing ideas.

Im hoping it takes a good while before we get our own ship, power creep and all.

>>724696
Enjoying it pretty damn well, though I feel a bit lost in regards to skill points and other mechanics, is there a pastebin? If not the quest could really benefit from one.

we rape Svla when?

>>724878

>>722664

>>724878
Skill points can be added to a roll to increase its amount by whatever you decide. If you roll a 14 on a 1h axe swing and choose yo use 3 of your 5 skill points, it becomes a 17. They reset kind of arbitrarily, but the general thing is being out of combat for an extended amount of time.

That make sense? I do need to get to work on a pastebin and an OP post, though.

>>724909
Cool that makes sense, my only complaint may be a list of relations with characters so we know who's is our friend/pretending to be our friend and who doesn't like/hate us

>>724928
That'll definitely be on the pastebin when I do it. Probably tonight.

>>724796
I like the ideas, but I have a few in the dugout, and I'm worried about the cast getting too bloated. I'll definitely pencil some in, though.

>>724963
If you're worried about the cast being to bloated up the lethality of combat so if we do assemble a cohort of cast members we may have to choose who lives or dies in battle

>>725004
I get attached to my characters and don't like the idea of killing them

>>725020
Then we have nothing to fear from putting them in danger right? I mean you basically risk us being able to game the system by admitting that

>>725029
I mean, I'm more than willing to if the dice gods or poor choices decide it's their time. I just won't be making the system super lethal in the interest of culling the herd

>>725185
Fair enough It was a suggestion that's all

>Power: 2 (1/3)

Can you clarify on this handler?

>>725200
It was a good one, and I'm sure other QMs would be willing to do that. Just seems like a solution in search of a problem in this particular quest

>>725224
Power will be used to bullrush opponents or do strongman things. You have 2 skill points in it, and are 1/3 the way to a third point.

That answer your question?

>>725239
Yes, would it apply in grapples?

>>725247
Kind of. I need to add an unarmed section to the skills with striking and grappling skills. 'I try to wrestle him to the ground' would be grappling, but 'I try to pick him up and toss him off the cliff' would be power

>>724909
So we dont have any skill progression? Just the ability to spend skill points on actions?

>>725281
What do you mean by skill progression? In the sense that "congratulations, you have now unlocked Jumping Overhead Swing"?

>>725289
No, as in we use x weapon more so we get better with it, do lotta power related actions we get stronger, charisma actions we ger more charasmatic etc

>>725304
Oh, yes, you do. The (x/y) will go up ad you use the skill it's associated with more. I think you guys went up from 1 shield point in attack to 2 for crippling that bandit earlier

>>725316
Is there a cap on skill points?

>>725570
Skills cap at 10, but I may raise them past that for acts of true badassery or due to magic

>>725316

Oh, guess I confused myself. I thought you were saying that say our axes 3 2/5 meant we had 3 points we could spend and were building up to a 4th point.

>>725693
also

Strength training when? Really wanting to build up to using that dane axe 1h with a shield. Also, at 16 we still have time to get taller right?

>>725706
That's exactly what it means. Did I explain it poorly? And yeah, there is. I'm gonna say you can one-hand 2h weapons at 6 power.

>>725714
Hopefully soon and yes I want be a tall motherfucker like you do anon

>>725729
Awesome so average male power is like what 4?

>>725729
>That's exactly what it means.

The points in the skill mean how well we can use said skill, but can be also used to affect rolls using the number of points we have in it?

Say we have the 3 points in axes, this affects how well we can use axes. We can then spend 3 points during a roll using axes, then we have to wait however long to be able to use those 3 points in a roll again?

Am I understanding it properly?

>>725778
>Hopefully soon and yes I want be a tall motherfucker like you do anon

Being The Mountain is a fine thing to aspire to.

>Awesome so average male power is like what 4?

Well we're "huge" at 6'6 250 16 years old, and we have power 2.

>>725833
We just need to build muscle

>Being the mountain is a fine thing to aspire to being

Hopefully with less headaches but just as much raping and pillaging if not more

>>725794
Basically, IC the skill points are Haskell being able to make minute adjustments to make a near miss turn into a bit. OOC, you can use them to increase rolls at a 1:1 exchange.

To reset, you need to spend a few hours out of combat. Does that explain it better?

>>725778
Average male anything is 1

>>725858
>Does that explain it better?

But they don't have anything to do with how well we can perform with the skill without using the points?

For instance, the -2 with daggers I would take to mean we aren't worth a shit with using daggers while the 3 with axes means we're decent using them without spending points on rolls.

>>725914
The negative bonus to daggers and stealth is more a barrier to bonuses than an actual malus. I could have just as easily made it a 0 with 10 exp needed to get to 1. Kind of just the way I went with it

>>725858
>you have to be six times stronger to use a two-handed weapon with one hand

Jesus. They'd be unwieldy regardless because they aren't balanced to be used with one hand, but they aren't significantly heavier. I don't see the point to one-handing a two-hander, though. Wouldn't be as quick or agile with it as a normal one-handed wepaon.

>>726064
It's not really a linear scale. 1-6 would be about the difference between your average Joe and an NFL linebacker. Much stronger, yes, but not exponentially so

>>725986

Hm. Well, ok. So when we use points they do replenish back to whatever they were automatically with rest/not being in combat right?

Your system is pretty alien to me. Pretty used to having stats and skills that are a constant and translate to how well character can do things. Does well enough when I'm here for the story, of course.

>>726139
So a frost giant would be around an 8-9?

>>726167
The easiest comparison would probably be Banisheds vys if it was restricted to single areas

>>726205
Probably a 9, yeah.

Don't we have faster regeneration than normal? Would our wound be healed over when he looks at it?

>>724657
>the Norse are unaware of the new world.

Sunset invasion?

>>727529
Spell doesn't do that fast. Light wounds take 4 days instead of 7, moderate take 7 instead of 14, severe takes 12 instead of 30, and grievous takes 25 instead of 60

>>727718
Now there's an idea.

>>727718
Although, I guess that now that the cat's out of the bag, it doesn't hurt to tell you that being in a Norse temple speeds those up dramatically

If anyone's around, I can run. Might be a little sporadically, I have some cleaning and stuff to do, but it'll probably be three or four hours of a run, then we can pick up again tonight before I archive

>>727984
I'm here, here! With a sharpened axe!

a twitter post would probably attract more people...

>>728035
I think not being a thursday morning would attract more people, but I'll post. Thanks for the heads up, I didn't even think of it for some reason

>>728039
Great! :)
I hope being a favourite mortal of Odin doesn't mean that Loki or his son Baldr want to mess with us...

>>728044
Complexities like that will be explained as you guys learn more about what being a Norse Paladin means

Besides, Baldr's blind as fuck.

>>728044
Dude, being Odin's chosen is scary as shit. He sows and reaps heroes like corn. He does so to fill his hall for ragnarok.

>>728051
Isnt he dead as fuck ?

And being a favourite of Odin is a mixed blessing.

>>728039
I am hear, it's a a treat to meet yea
You should leaf it alone
Branch out in life

>>728053
Good point!
Better check any future dream mission for survivability...

>>728058
Baldr is. I fucked up. Hod is blind as fuck and killed Baldr due to an oversight by Frigg and general dickishness by Loki

You sigh deeply, still unsure of what to believe. You slowly unwrap the coverings of the wound, and what you find shocks you. This injury looks like it’s been tended to for days, not hastily bandaged on the side of the road less than twenty-four hours ago. A thin line of scabbing is all that remains of the spear wound that had gashed you down to the bone.

“This confirms it,” Ulrich says as he inspects the cut. “I’d imagine your friends are having similar results. In fact, your friend Erik’s nose is probably already healed, and I doubt Knut needs the sling, still.”

“What’s happening,” you ask, worry beginning to creep into your voice.

“Being chosen has it’s benefits,” the aging priest replies as he slowly flips through the old, yellowed pages. “What, exactly, I’m not sure, but all accounts say that when a Paladin enters a temple of his god, his wounds are washed away,” he says slowly and softly as he reads. “There are other benefits, too, but the seem to vary from chosen to chosen, and from source to source. Likely, you’ll be finding out more when you actually have the Atlas, and Odin can contact you directly.”

>Tell me more about the Atlas
>What other Paladins have there been?
>How do I get unchosen?
>Write-in

>>728091
>What other Paladins have there been?
>Tell me more about the Atlas

>>728091
> What other paladins have there been

>>728091
>What other Paladins have there been?
Ragnar Lothbrok?

>temple >wounds are washed away
Where that mobile healing temple? Can people bless a foldable tent? :)

The Fantastic Four, Viking edition!
When we tell our friends, we better remind them that wounds can still be deadly, so they better not throw away their armour just yet.

>>728112
No gaming the system!

Writing

>>728091
>Tell me more about the Atlas
>What other Paladins have there been?
>What is expected from me, being chosen and all?

“Tell me more about the Atlas,” you ask as you sit up straighter, trying to sneak a peek at the book the old man is thumbing through.

“It’s a map,” he answers simply, “a huge map, but what it shows isn’t all that important. There’s nothing on it that can’t be seen from other maps. What makes so important is that it allows Paladins to communicate with their god. Without it, there can be no direct contact.”

“What about other Paladins,” you say, beginning to get curious, even if there is a chance this old man just doesn’t have a full deck. “Who were they? What did they do?”

He raises his eyebrows and flips towards the back of the book. “Charlamagne was the latest,” he answers, “And before him, the prophet of the Muslims, Mohammed. Then there’s either a gap in the records or a gap in Paladins, and we’re at Alexander of Macedon. A few names that don’t even look like letters, and a few pharaohs of Egypt. That’s where the records begin. There may have been more before that, but the records were either lost or never existed,” he answers, flipping through a few dozen empty pages before reaching the back of the book.

“What exactly is a Paladin,” you inquire, wondering about your responsibilities. “What is going to be expected of me?”

“You’ll be used to expand Odin’s influence across the world,” he answers. “More specifically than that, I don’t know. Only the Norse Pantheon can answer that question. But one thing is certain,” he says, twisting in his chair and leaning in towards you. “It’s not called the Atlas of the Conqueror for nothing. It finds it’s way into the hands of men that change the world. Whether it finds great men, or makes men great, no one knows. The Atlas does not waste it’s time on men that will not alter history.”

Well, that’s ominous. You feel a huge weight instantly pressed upon your broad shoulders, and you find it difficult to breathe. It feels like the small quarters are beginning to shrink in onto you.

>So other gods exist as well, then?
>Any idea where the Atlas is now?
>What if I don’t want to be chosen?
>Write-in

>>728091
>>Tell me more about the Atlas
>>What other Paladins have there been?

>>728143
>>So other gods exist as well, then?
>>Any idea where the Atlas is now?
Looks like we need to show who the real gods are

>>728143
>>>Any idea where the Atlas is now?
Charlemagne, one of the greatest kings, is the same as us! :) We just got 2" taller.

>>728143
>So other gods exist as well, then?
>Any idea where the Atlas is now?

Odin's paladins and he's going to test us by constantly throwing magical monster threats against us...

“Do you have any idea where the Atlas may be now,” you ask, wondering where the first step on your journey will be.

Ulrich throws his hands up, and gives an exasperated sigh. “Mainland Europe? That’s my best guess, even if it’s worse than no help” he says, letting his hands fall to his lap. “If Charlemagne had it, that’s where it would be, but it’s also been a hundred years since the man died. It could be anywhere.”

“Well then how the fuck am I supposed to find it,” you ask, anger creeping into your voice.

“You don’t,” he answers plainly. “Never once in these records does it mention a Paladin hunting down the Atlas. It always, without fail, mentions that they ‘found it in their possession’. What the hell that means, I have no idea, but I doubt you’ll be tracking it.”

You lean back against the wall, sighing. You aren’t sure if this task just got harder or easier. Or both.

“So there are other gods, then,” you say, the back of your head against the cool, hard stone. “Other than ours, I mean.”

“There are,” he replies, gesturing towards the tome. “Seems anyone worshipped actually exists. Whether they still do, I have no idea. We don’t get much news down here,” he says, chuckling softly to himself.

>Write in any other questions for Ulrich

>>728264
>Write in any other questions for Ulrich
"So, Odin will show us the favour of the Atlas if we're worthy enough? Is raiding enough?"
We can raid extra-hard, for Odin!

>anyone worshipped actually exists
Time to spread the Odin, or the Fear of Him!

>>728264
>Thank you, Ulritch, for your help and for the meal. I apologize for my words, this is obviously a lot to take in. May we stay the night before returning to our village?

>>728264
"So... How do we prove ourselves worthy? Will raids do the trick or will it cost us... an eye and a leg or something?"

>>728285
Yeah, staying the night at a holy place is a good idea.

“How will I become worthy of the Atlas’ attention,” you ask, wondering what sort of feats you’ll need to accomplish to be on the level of Charlemagne or Alexander the Great.

“It’s not about being worthy,” Ulrich replies, sensing your worry. “You’ve been chosen, and that’s what matters. The Atlas will find you when it’s ready, not when you are.”

“Thank you, Ulrich,” you say, nodding. “Your answers have helped, more than you could know. I do have one more favor to ask, however,” you continue, and resume speaking when he raises his caterpillar-like eyebrows in response. “May we stay the night here? It may be spring, but it’s still cold outside.”

“Of course,” the elderly man answers. “I would never turn anyone away from staying in the temple, let alone the Chosen of Odin,” he says, smiling.

You rise to leave, and give a small, awkward wave as you head for the door. As you reach to open it, Ulrich speaks again.

“Haskell, there is one more thing,” he says, his voice low and serious. “Being chosen is a dangerous honor. You will become a target,” he says, his eyes boring into you. “You will likely be safe before you come across the Atlas, but I warn you. Stay away from the temples of other gods. They will not be aware of you until you come into your power unless you set foot on their sacred ground. Then, they will know of your existence, and they can take steps to stop you from achieving whatever it is Odin has in mind.”

You nod briefly in thanks before going out the door, down the long, door-filled hallway. Your friends are no longer in the great hall, but after a short search, you find them sitting on the carved steps that lead up to the temple, sitting and talking by torchlight.

“Hey, what was that all about,” Knut inquires, seeing you first.

“What was what all about,” you say, attempting to dodge the question

“You know damn well what,” Erik returns. “Rushing off to follow the geezer.”

>Just some help with a dream I’ve been having [Attempt to dodge again]
>I’m not sure yet. I’ll tell you when I find out more [Placate them for now]
>I have some stuff you guys need to know [Tell them what you’ve learned]
>Write-in

>>728371
>>>I have some stuff you guys need to know [Tell them what you’ve learned]
"We're the Chosen! Ulrich told me what my dream means. Don't believe me? Show me your wounds, they're already healed!"

>Stay away from the temples of other gods
Wut? No raiding of churches?

>>728371
>>Just some help with a dream I’ve been having [Attempt to dodge again]