>>2180053
Let's roll

>One's enough to start.

“... He is a thief and a liar! He does not fight for Bronzestone, he is a savage, he cares only for himself! He has no right to my Thyra!”

You blink, reluctantly snapping out of your trance. You forget how long you have been sitting atop the throne of your forefathers for, listening to this man rave. Even the roaring of Bronzheld's hearth seems subdued in comparison to his spluttering.

“He says that he belongs to this clan, to my clan, then he steals from me! Worse, he steals my daughter! We Low Thenns are being stabbed in the back by the very savages that we allow into our homes,” the fellow continues, his face a ruddy red and his voice hoarse from shouting so much, thrashing against the bronze-clad warrior that restrains him. He isn't pleasant to look at, with most of his features hidden behind a matted brown beard. Only his fierce grey eyes and bulbous nose aren't covered by tangles of hair. You struggle to recall his name, was it Ringvald? No, Rangvald. “We can't allow this filth to steal from us any longer, thane! I demand my daughter back!”

“Argue not, she” grunts another, a swarthy, rat-faced savage held back by another one of Old Barr's men. He grins, showing off a mouth full of yellowing teeth. Moss, this one is called. He and Rangvald were spotted brawling in the middle of the village and brought to you for judgement, which was how this whole mess started. “Give children good, will she,” Moss carries on, mangling the Old Tongue with every word he says. “Take seed out of she not, can you!” The barbarian guffaws with that last remark, pleased with his own joke. On the other hand, you can barely understand a word he says.

“You barbarian fuck! I'll tear your member out by the fucking root!” Rangvald is left frothing at the mouth after the taunting, thrashing against the soldier's grip with renewed strength. Soon he will calm down and call for Moss to be punished once more, only be taunted yet again. It has gone on like this for far too long. You turn to your right, gesturing over a tired Magda. The crone shuffles over, weighed down as she is by her furs to murmur her advice into your ear.

“The old laws say that no Thenn may steal from another,” she mutters to you in hushed tones. “The punishment for transgression is a severed hand, thane. But the old laws do not cover the crimes of savages and I doubt this one sees what he did as a crime at all.” Her nose wrinkles in distaste. “Those that live outside of Thenn and Bronzestone rarely understand property, thane. If they take it, it becomes theirs. It is up for you to choose if you wish to punish this man for something he can't understand. And remember, it is the man that passes that sentence that should wield the blade. Such is the way of the First Men.”

A sigh leaves your lips and you cast a frustrated look towards Magda. Although you learn more every time she speaks, her words do nothing to solve the situation at hand. You had hoped she would be an advisor rather than a teacher but no matter what role she fits, you aren't about to dismiss her counsel. Pushing down on the arms of your throne of black stone, you step down towards Rangvald and Moss, restrained as they are.

“I raised my Thyra right and I'll raise her son as well, you fucking savage! The last thing we need is you raising her child as another thieving fuck, we have enough of those in our clan!” You raise a hand, with the intention of silencing Rangvald's ranting but the man continues with no regard for your authority over him. “I'm taking my daughter back and the next time I catch you laying a hand on her, I'll slit your fucking belly open! It's the least you deserve, you filthy fucking beast! We give you our homes, we share our food with you, we give you our bronze and you spit on us!”

“Enough!”

Just as you had silenced your council a week ago, you have stolen the words from Rangvald's mouth. Even Moss seems incapable of mustering a retort, turning to face you with a slack jaw. “I have come to a decision,” you say after a moment's pause.

>Stealing wives is a part of life in the North, whether it is from another clan or from your own. For this reason, Moss shouldn't be punished for his actions. Allow him to go free and keep Thyra as his wife.
>Thyra is not her father's property. She will be brought to Bronzheld to settle this once and for all. If Moss did steal her away against her will, he will have a hand removed and she will be returned to Rangvald. If not, she will be allowed to remain with Moss, who will go unpunished.
>The actions of Moss cannot be forgiven but Thyra is a free woman who shall decide her own fate. Moss will have a hand removed and Thyra will be brought to Bronzheld to decide whether she will remain with him or be returned to Rangvald.
>Thyra is a child of Rangvald's and her fate is his to decide. Moss had no right to take her from her father, from the man she belongs to. Moss will have a hand removed and Thyra will be returned to Rangvald.
>This is a chance to make an example out of one of these unruly savages for taking advantage of your people's hospitality. Thyra will be returned to Rangvald and you may have Moss executed, exiled or castrated. The choice is yours.

>>2180120
>Thyra is not her father's property. She will be brought to Bronzheld to settle this once and for all. If Moss did steal her away against her will, he will have a hand removed and she will be returned to Rangvald. If not, she will be allowed to remain with Moss, who will go unpunished.

>>2180120
>Thyra is not her father's property. She will be brought to Bronzheld to settle this once and for all. If Moss did steal her away against her will, he will have a hand removed and she will be returned to Rangvald. If not, she will be allowed to remain with Moss, who will go unpunished.

>>2180120
>>Thyra is not her father's property. She will be brought to Bronzheld to settle this once and for all. If Moss did steal her away against her will, he will have a hand removed and she will be returned to Rangvald. If not, she will be allowed to remain with Moss, who will go unpunished.


A woman is just as able to fight as man. Dagni shows that, however, as both she and Moss are of the tribe, if he stole her freedom, then his transgression is against her, not you Rangvald. However, as you are a wise and concerned father your actions are understandable, good strong actions of a father concerned about his daughter. If I hear about you two brawling again I will not be so nice next time.

>>2180120
>>Thyra is not her father's property. She will be brought to Bronzheld to settle this once and for all. If Moss did steal her away against her will, he will have a hand removed and she will be returned to Rangvald. If not, she will be allowed to remain with Moss, who will go unpunished.

“Thyra is a grown woman, yes?” This is your first and only question as your gaze falls on Rangvald. For a moment, he stares up at you slack-jawed before he begins to bluster once more.

“Of course she is, thane! She came of age before winter fell but I don't see why--”

“If she is a woman,” you interrupt, “and not a girl, then she is no longer in need of your protection. You have no claim to her. She belongs to no one other than herself.” Just when Moss is about to sneer and launch a victorious jibe at Rangvald, you continue. “For this reason, she is the one that suffered if Moss laid a hand on her without her wish. She will tell me for herself if he stole her away against will. You have no right to speak for your daughter any longer, Rangvald.”

This is an outcome that has satisfied neither party, it seems. Moss seems to have lost a little colour, his lack of nerves apparently on his expression. On the other hand, Rangvald seems outraged, the shade of his nose quickly becoming ruddier.

“She is my daughter, thane! I gave years of my life raising her, feeding her, giving her shelter! She lived under my wing until the day this savage stole her from me, still eating my food, still living under my roof... Her fate should be mine to decide until the day that she proves to me that she's her own woman!”

“This is that day,” you reply. “You care for your daughter. You show that you are a concerned and a wise father that cares for a child of his blood. For that reason, I shall spare you from the punishment of arguing with your thane.” That causes the man to clamp his mouth shut, at last. “I tire of hearing two fight over this woman like a scrap of meat. You,” you point to one of the assembled soldiers in your hall, who are here to assist you with the proceedings. “Go to where Moss lives and bring Thyra to me to settle this. As for you,” you gesture towards the guards restraining Rangvald and Moss next. “Take them to one side, where I can no longer hear them. I tire of this.”

At last, there is a moment of quiet aside from the sound of shuffling feet as the two men are dragged aside to one of the side chambers. This is the sort of the decision your father would have made, a just and fair one that treated no one as a lesser to any other. Thyra is a person in her own right and deserves to speak for herself before you, rather than be claimed as property by either her father or her new husband. You can't help but pray that she was unwilling; you do not understand what a woman of the Low Thenns could ever see in a man such as Moss.

“There is another, my thane,” calls one of the guards from one of the entrance of your great hall. He marches in, bringing a woman in tow. Low Thenn born and bred, she's tall and toned, fit from a life of toiling in the village's fields. Unfortunately, little of her figure is visible thanks to the heavy furs draped over her figure. Still, she's pleasant enough with her tawny hair and pale eyes. Little wonder that barbarians like Moss tend to steal women of your clan if this is what they look like. When she looks towards you, you can see both fear and wonder in her eyes, exactly the sort of reverence that the Voice of the Magnar should be treated with. Finally, some respect.

“Speak,” you command as she is brought forward between your throne and the great hearth. The woman's head bows and she speaks in return, a slight tremor in her tone.

“My thane, I was turning the soil of my patch in the ruins and I... My shovel struck something, my thane,” she trails off into mumbling, as though realising how ridiculous she must sound. Your heart has already dropped. Is this really the sort of thing that your people seek to waste your time with?

“We live where an ancient castle once stood.” You try to keep the acid out of your voice, yet it is difficult. “It is not rare for rock to found beneath the earth either. What is your name, woman?” She flinches beneath your condescending, almost mocking, her head bowing further still.

“Gyda, my thane and it wasn't... It's not stone, my thane, it's wood. Wood carved into planks, pale as bone, buried beneath the earth! I swear, it sounds like a fool's tale but I swear, I found a door in the ground!” A few soldiers share glances with one another and there are a few murmurs. Magda leans down towards you to murmur in your ear, her hot breath against your cheek. The sensation makes your grimace.

“Pale wood sounds like weirwood, thane,” she grunts. “I have not heard of such a thing being found here before.” A pause lingers after her words. As always, the hag makes no suggestion, she simply lets her words hover into the air so you can form your own conclusion. As infuriating as it is, perhaps it is a sign that she trusts you, as she trusted your father. You turn back to Gyda, gesturing towards a pair of bronze-clad soldiers standing nearby.

“You two, help this woman and see to it that this door is uncovered. Let me know once you are able to open it. I will see for myself what lies beneath this--”

“My thane, my thane!”

An interruption. Your temper has been pushed to its limit today, listening to that blusterer whinge about his daughter and having to humour a woman's babbling about a door in the ground. Now, you are being interrupted by what looks like a common scout, a stout man wrapped up in a mangy cloak and covered with a layer of frost. You push yourself to your feet, rising from your seat to glower at the latest intruder.

“I hope for your sake that this is worth my time.” This time, you do nothing to hide your rising anger. To accompany your threatening words, you reach for the haft of your long axe. The scout before you is quick to fall to knees; judging from his mess of black hair and dark, muddy eyes, he is no Low Thenn but at least he knows more respect and speaks the Low Tongue at least a little better than Moss.

“My thane, the Farstriders are here, to the East by the Mossfalls. They must have arrived an hour or two ago. Last I saw, they were setting up camp there. I came as fast as I could, I swear!” You recall your conversation with Sten from the day of your ascension; the Farstriders are a nomadic tribe, one that your father was on peaceful terms with. He allowed them to live off of Bronzestone's uninhabited lands, as a show of good will. From what you remember, Urgost even considered their chieftain to be a friend of his. His days of thane are over however, and now you rule.

>You will do as your father did. There is no need for this to alarm you at all. Allow the Farstriders to remain by the Mossfalls for as long as they wish, without any intervention from you.
>They must be told that the days of Urgost are over, that Aethan rules over Bronzestone now. You will visit them with a handful of soldiers as your personal guard, for the purpose of diplomacy.
>A show of strength is required. You will gather a host of soldiers and march on the Farstriders. This is bound to make an impression on them, especially if they are ill-prepared for such an offensive.

>>2180279
>A show of strength is required. You will gather a host of soldiers and march on the Farstriders. This is bound to make an impression on them, especially if they are ill-prepared for such an offensive.

This seems to fit the character best

>>2180279
>They must be told that the days of Urgost are over, that Aethan rules over Bronzestone now. You will visit them with a handful of soldiers as your personal guard, for the purpose of diplomacy

Theres no reason to provoke them. If they didn't do wrong by our father, I see no reason why they would start now.

>>2180279
>They must be told that the days of Urgost are over, that Aethan rules over Bronzestone now. You will visit them with a handful of soldiers as your personal guard, for the purpose of diplomacy
We need allies when we start kur excursions north, fighting whoever lives near the good iron/tin source in the mountains. Wish I wasnt on phone. Need to look over yhe different tribes again.

>>2180279
>>They must be told that the days of Urgost are over, that Aethan rules over Bronzestone now. You will visit them with a handful of soldiers as your personal guard, for the purpose of diplomacy.

>>2180279
>>They must be told that the days of Urgost are over, that Aethan rules over Bronzestone now. You will visit them with a handful of soldiers as your personal guard, for the purpose of diplomacy.

AND REMEMBER TO TAKE GUEST RIGHT WHILST VISITING.

>>2180354
what do you think we are some kinda southern kneeler?

>>2180279
>>2180279
>A show of strength is required. You will gather a host of soldiers and march on the Farstriders. This is bound to make an impression on them, especially if they are ill-prepared for such an offensive.

Father considered them a friend, and we do not want blood. But they must understand them living on charity of the Low Thenns is over.

>They must be told that the days of Urgost are over, that Aethan rules over Bronzestone now. You will visit them with a handful of soldiers as your personal guard, for the purpose of diplomacy.

Choose up to two of the following to bring with you for your encounter with the Farstriders:
>Magda, the wise crone that was always at your father's side.
>Old Barr, the old zealot that is bulwark against foreign influence.
>Gulbrand, the fiery and defiant warrior with an honorable streak.
>Dagny, the superstitious raider known for her sympathy for savages.

In addition to the two character you choose, you will be accompanied by four of Bronzestone's veteran infantrymen.

Choose any combination of following as the weapons you wield for your encounter with the Farstriders, or choose Unarmed:
>Unarmed. The Farstriders have been friends of the Low Thenns in the past, there's no need to intimidate them by carrying weapons.
>Your long axe. The Farstriders will know you for your might and you will slay any of them that try to stand against you.
>Your battle axe and shield. Should they try to attack you, you want to be ready to defend yourself. This is the best choice for that.
>Your hand axes. They're not the best choice but you could get away with wielding them without looking like you're battle-ready.

Choose what you wish to wear for the encounter with the Farstriders:
>Light, fine furs. You do not need to hide from the cold as other men do, nor do you need to hide from the weapons of others you can so easily best. You are truly the best of men.
>Heavy furs and skins. Let them think that you are nothing more than just another man, another one of the Free Folk. It will put them at ease, even if it couldn't be further from the truth.
>Bronze scale mail. You shan't leave anything to chance. Should they try to attack you or your men, you want to be ready for the savages.

>>2180373
>>Dagny, the superstitious raider known for her sympathy for savages.
>Magda, the wise crone that was always at your father's side.

>Your hand axes. They're not the best choice but you could get away with wielding them without looking like you're battle-ready.

>Light, fine furs. You do not need to hide from the cold as other men do, nor do you need to hide from the weapons of others you can so easily best. You are truly the best of men.

File: Freefolk_Map_of_the_Far_North.png (2.49 MB, 1388x862)

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>>2180354
>>2180360
>Interestingly, the guest right is a tradition that the First Men have always taken incredibly seriously, since before the times of the Andals. As the Thenns (and the Low Thenns) still consider themselves to be First Men and adhere to the laws of the First Men, the people of Bronzestone probably follow that tradition.
>>2180331
>Bronzestone is on the Eastern coast beyond the Wall, a little bit North of the Fist of the First Men. Any mountains are to the West, in the heart of which the mountain valley of Thenn is nestled. In terms of neighboring tribes, there's the currently missing Crowbane to the South, the Farstriders wandering through your coastal territory now, the Sealskins loitering on the coast to the North and the Ice Wives encroaching on the hills to the West.

>>2180373
Bring Magda and Gulbrand
Fine furs
Long axe

Magda is vasically who tge QM can give advice through. Use that cohort.

>>2180373
>Magda, the wise crone that was always at your father's side.
>Gulbrand, the fiery and defiant warrior with an honorable streak.

>Your long axe. The Farstriders will know you for your might and you will slay any of them that try to stand against you
but use it more as a signature weapon type of thing.
>Light, fine furs. You do not need to hide from the cold as other men do, nor do you need to hide from the weapons of others you can so easily best. You are truly the best of men.

>>2180478
This.
We need to show that we do not fear them. Magda is wise and a good advisor while Gulbrand is a big intimidating mf. We need to make an entrance and let them know that the new swinging Dick of the Bronzestones is in town

So we need to think how to make our tribe greater. Maybe we can ally with these farstriders, and slay the crowbane to the south together when they return from wherever they've gone, weary, and then launch some excursions into the ore sources in the mountains together to claim them. Alternatively we can have our farstriders defend us from crowbane attack while we launch our mountain excursions. Might not be a good idea to take care of the crowbane anyway, since they could be a good buffer against the nights watch. Maybe we enlist all of the tribes who live on plains to go to war with those further west? Just spitball some ideas, we need a plan.

I just think the ore is important. We'll be a lot stronger if we secure the technological advantage that comes with good metal weapons and armor.

>Going with:

>Magda, the wise crone that was always at your father's side.
>Gulbrand, the fiery and defiant warrior with an honorable streak.
>Your long axe. The Farstriders will know you for your might and you will slay any of them that try to stand against you.
>Light, fine furs. You do not need to hide from the cold as other men do, nor do you need to hide from the weapons of others you can so easily best. You are truly the best of men.

BTW do any of the other tribes know how to work with metal and ores as well as the Thenns? If not that is a good upside to joining us. We can say, "Join me, and the metal ore we win will turn into weapons and armor for your tribe. You'll not have to fear the lesser tribes who only have stone axes." or something along that line

You glance over your shoulder to where the hag stands. “Magda, prepare yourself. You will be accompanying me to meet the Farstrider and their leader. You,” you turn your gaze back to the scout who quails before you. “Get Gulbrand and tell him to make himself battle-ready. He will be joining me.” Then you turn your attention onto the guardsmen scattered around the hall, ready to obey your various commands. Your finger points between the four of them that seem like the strongest, the most disciplined, the ones that stand above the rest. “All of you, you will be accompanying me as well. Ready yourself for travel.”

You need not prepare yourself. Already wearing the open greatcloak and the fine woollen breeches that are fit for a ruler, you ensure that the runes of ruling that scar the pale skin of your chest are exposed and visible to any that would behold you. You wield the long axe in a single hand, gripping it close to the axehead and using it as a walking staff rather than as a weapon. You wish to be ready for combat but at the same time, the last thing you want is to look as though you are asking for it. Thankfully, you needn't wait too long. Within the hour, Magda has acquired an appropriate walking stick and even Gulbrand has shown up promptly, the copper-haired brute clad in his bronze scales and bearing that gigantic sword of his on his back. Together with the four soldiers you indicated, the seven of you march out of Bronzestone to meet the Farstriders.

The walk towards the Mossfalls is swift, with the onset of spring having thawed the rime that once covered the land. Only traces of snow can be found here there and any ice that formed over the course of winter has melted away to soak into the soil below, feeding the land it once encased. “What of the guest right,” you ask Magda as you stride alongside her. “Father said that once we feed any outsider that comes to Bronzheld, we cannot harm them until they leave our home. Is this true for the Farstriders?” With a wry chuckle, the old crone shakes her head.

“All Thenns follow old and honourable ways, thane. These are ways your ancestors could afford to keep, thanks the safety of their valley home and the bronze they claimed from the copper and tin there. Those that had to fend for themselves in the bitter cold of the wilds could not afford to keep to such laws.” You grunt at the prospect, even while Magda continues her explanation. Your people have survived a century outside of Thenn without losing touch with the old ways. Surely a savage's life is not as difficult as the crone makes it sounds. “They do not care that you carry the blood of thanes, or that you are their guest. They will do what they feel is best for them, without any care for tradition.”

“What of their chieftain, of Hosk, then? What sort of man is he?” Part of you wonders what sort of man must lead a tribe known as the Farstriders, or any tribe of the Free Folk. If they all behave as Get did and seek to become rulers through strength rather than blood, all you can picture is a blood-thirsty brute that must have slain a dozen of his own kind.

“A good, wise man, that knows more about this land than any other.” Coming from a woman as knowledgeable as Magda, that is high praise. “His people trust him to show them to where the land is fat and where other tribes shall not pursue them. They have a reputation for weakness, thanks to their peaceful ways; they do not even raid for wives, they trade for them with elk skins and other such things. Perhaps when the Farstriders find a different leader, this shall change. Until that day, there is little to fear from these people.”

“Enough of that, Magda,” grumbles Gulbrand in his usual gravelly tone. “They're up ahead, Aethan.” A sharp glare from you caused the burly man to eventually grunt and concede. “Thane, then. That doesn't change where they are.” You follow the direction that the man nods in. Somewhere in the distance, nestled in the dense tangle of trees are the pointed shapes of bivouacs, the faint flicker of torch fire and the lanky figures of guards scattered between the trees, easily mistaken for saplings if it wasn't for their occasional movements. You lead the way, proudly marching ahead of the others as a ruler should, an example for his people to follow.

When one of the sentries turns to face you, your expectation is for him to bow before greatness. He is a gangly lad of your age, a head shorter than you but with arms and legs easily as large as your own, if not longer. He's shaven in every way, any shred of hair carved off of him with a knife to show off his sallow skin. Clad in a light cloak that's draped over his shoulders, his hazel eyes widen at the sight of you. No, they almost bulge out of his skull. Lifting his bow and drawing an arrow, he parts his lips and begins to scream a single word, at the top of his lungs. You understand the Common Tongue enough to get an idea of his words.

“Wight! Wight! It's a fucking wight!”

You pause to consider yourself, what you must look like to a savage unfamiliar with the Low Thenns. Your cool, pallid skin is natural, something that you have always possessed since your birth. Those shocking blue eyes of yours have also belonged to you since the day you were born, far brighter than the typical grey of your people. Finally, there are the fresh scars of nobility recently carved into your flesh, still red and sore from when Magda had inscribed your body with their power. Covered in wounds, pale as a corpse and with blue stars for eyes, you now realise that it's little wonder that the more superstitious barbarians might mistake you for a servant of the Others.

“Put down the fucking bow!” The words are roared by Gulbrand as he steps forward, charging in front of you to shield your body with his own bulk. His hands rise to the scabbard of his greatsword, ready to rip the weapon from its sheath and dole out death, yet restrained enough to refrain from doing so. Then he looks back to you and the others as well, a scowl evident of his features. “Don't move or touch your weapons unless you want to be filled with arrows.”

Meanwhile, Magda is crying out sharply, calling back to the scout in the Common Tongue of the South, gesticulating with her hands in her attempts to mollify the boy. You don't understand her words entirely, but what you're able to make out is that she is trying to calm him down. For now, it is not working. The boy's arrow remains nocked, pointed directly at Gulbrand's bulk although he doesn't dare fire. Your other guards are readying themselves for conflict, each of them entering a defensive stance although they don't dare disobey the copper-haired brute's commands.

More scouts are already turning to face you, rushing to join the one who cried out the alert with their bows drawn. All lanky and long-limbed, shouting and calling to each other in the Common Tongue. There are already half a dozen, with more rushing to join the fray.

>Allow Magda to resolve the situation. She is the one that speaks the Common Tongue the most fluently and she's already begun. Let her speak for you and put an end to this misunderstanding, just this once.
>Step forward and explain yourself before the Farstriders. Speak in their tongue, show them that you mean no harm, tell them that you are here with peaceful intentions. (This will require a Persuasion, Convince roll.)
>You will make them fear you more than they fear any wight. You are Aethan, Thane of the Low Thenns and you will make these savages know their place. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)
>If they want to treat you like a wight, you will treat them as a wight would. You will end anyone that dares to threaten your life, especially if it's for a reason as ridiculous as this. (This will start a combat.)

>>2180619

>Allow Magda to resolve the situation. She is the one that speaks the Common Tongue the most fluently and she's already begun. Let her speak for you and put an end to this misunderstanding, just this once.
But if she fails?
>>You will make them fear you more than they fear any wight. You are Aethan, Thane of the Low Thenns and you will make these savages know their place. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)

>>2180619
>>You will make them fear you more than they fear any wight. You are Aethan, Thane of the Low Thenns and you will make these savages know their place. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)

>>2180619
>You will make them fear you more than they fear any wight. You are Aethan, Thane of the Low Thenns and you will make these savages know their place. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)
With terrifying our rolls are insane here.

>>2180619
>You will make them fear you more than they fear any wight. You are Aethan, Thane of the Low Thenns and you will make these savages know their place. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)

We are the resident swinging dick thank you very much

>>2180619
>You will make them fear you more than they fear any wight. You are Aethan, Thane of the Low Thenns and you will make these savages know their place. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)

>Going with:
>You will make them fear you more than they fear any wight. You are Aethan, Thane of the Low Thenns and you will make these savages know their place. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)
>Your Persuasion, Intimidate is 4D+1B+5.

>Please roll 5d6 for Persuasion, Intimidate. Taking best of three.

Rolled 2, 4, 1, 5, 2 = 14 (5d6)

>>2180653

Rolled 3, 2, 1, 1, 6 = 13 (5d6)

>>2180653

Rolled 3, 5, 2, 6, 6 = 22 (5d6)

>>2180653

>>2180661
DAMN SON YOU SCARY

>>2180654
>>2180658
>>2180661
>Aethan rolled 18, 17 and 25 on 4D+1B+5.
>Difficulty: 15.
>Three degrees; incredible success.

“Do not think to speak for me, witch!”

The words thunder from your maw as you stride forward, the sound of your voice silencing all others. Even Gulbrand is left stunned, allowing himself to be thrust aside. Your attention rests on the Farstrider scouts, slack-jawed as they are with their arrows still nocked, pointed straight towards your bare, freshly scarred chest. You spread your arms out to either side, holding your long axe aloft with your right. Every step you take has a confident, almost predatory swagger to it while you present yourself as a target, an easy shot for any fool that is brave enough. Your heart hammers in your chest even as you begin to speak, roaring each syllable.

“I am no wight, savage. I am worse!” You speak the Old Tongue, for you know that your words needn't be understood. Confusion is evident of the faces of the archers, with a few of them sharing fearful glances with one another. After all, wights do not speak, wights do not care for anything other than violence. Yet here you are, shrieking at them with the fury of a god as you draw ever closer. The boy that spotted you begins to step backwards, stumbling away as you continue to bellow.

“I am worse! I will not kill you, I will see you and your kin broken!” The others do the same as you draw every closer, scampering away until an arrow clatters to the earth from a scout's fingers. “When I am done with your body, you will not be able to stand, only kneel!” Another step. The boy that dared to compare you to a wight stumbles back into a tree with a yelp, toppling over onto the floor. “When I am done with your spirit, you will have forgotten that you live for anyone other than me! When I start with you, you will be begging for my mercy! When I am done, you will be begging to serve me!”

Your face is a vision of unadulterated rage and the boy's is one of terror without equal. You stand over the horrified scout, leaving him cowering and huddling in the dirt while you turn around to face the others of his tribe. By now other Farstriders have begun to gather in their dozens, fearfully keeping their distance and staring at you in abject horror. Each and everyone of them cringes beneath your stare, shying away from the foreign fury that you represent. Some of those nearest to you have even taken to kneeling,in an attempt to escape your ire.

“I am Aethan,” you cry, “Voice of the Magnar, second only to the God and King of the First Men!” You punctuate the last syllable by driving the butt of your long axe into the earth with a heavy thud, less than a foot away from the boy's head. A spasm of shock courses through his body. “I am the Thane of Bronzestone, born to rule over this land and you,” you raise your axe once more, sweeping it around to gesture at the surrounding barbarians. “You were all born to serve! So cower before me, savages, cower and kneel!”

“Ye-- Ye are Aethan? Ye say ye are Thane o' Bronzestone?”

Your head snaps around to find the source of those words, so softly spoken and uncertain. You prepare yourself to turn your fury on the fool that dared to interrupt you, until you see him for yourself. One of the rare few left standing amongst the swarm of whimpering barbarians huddled on the earth, the old man seems frail in his venerable age, held up only by the staff that he clutches and only protected from the elements by the shroud of elk skin that covers his decrepit body. His outfit is completed by his headdress, a leathery hood decorated with a crown of broken antlers. You can see it in his eyes, that he fears you as all of the others do. Yet this is a man that needs to hide it, for he stands for more than just himself.

“Hosk,” you mutter. The chieftain of the Farstriders himself, nowhere near as impressive as you had hoped. “The time of Urgost has passed. I am thane now, and you and your people tread in my lands.” No longer are you shrieking your words like an otherworldly beast, or glowering at the lanky barbarians with unnatural hatred. Some take advantage of this lull to scramble away, scampering behind trees or back to their bivouacs, anywhere to get away from your rage.

“Me and they mean no harm, Aethan, never have,” the gnarled fellow murmurs through his matted grey beard, both hands raised in an attempt to mollify you. Although he speaks the Old Tongue, his mouth stumbles over the intricacies of it, butchering and distorting your language “Urgost spoke o' ye often and now ye come to us like... this? Comin' to my people and tormentin' they like this? Ain't a need for this, Aethan, please. Me 'n ye father had an understandin', we can have the same.” Hosk's brow is a crease of concerned wrinkles as he appraises you. Despite his frustration, he remains softly spoken, not daring to speak out against you. You've already made a lasting impression and the decrepit creature knows to fear you, to respect you.

>Apologise for your actions. That last thing you intended to do was worsen the ties between your clan and his. If there is anything that you can do for him, Hosk need only ask.
>You didn't come here to torment his people, nor did you come here to get shot at. Tell Hosk that despite today's events, his tribe is still welcome in your land as they always were.
>You almost had an arrow embedded in you, thanks to the idiocy of one of Hosk's scouts. This slight can be forgiven, but only at a cost. Should Hosk wish for his people to be welcome in your land, he must pay for their actions.
>The deal between your father and Hosk is null and void. Whenever his people wish to visit your land and graze on its bounty, he must pay a toll to you. This is your land, not his.
>Until his people learn respect for the ruler of this land, they are not welcome. Bar Hosk and his tribe from living off of your forests or passing through them again. If they come through again, there will be consequences.

>>2180818
>>You almost had an arrow embedded in you, thanks to the idiocy of one of Hosk's scouts. This slight can be forgiven, but only at a cost. Should Hosk wish for his people to be welcome in your land, he must pay for their actions.

I came to bring word of my father's passing since he counted you a friend, and instead I get my life threatened. I lost my temper, but you and your people insulted me and all of the Low Thenns. So let us speak about how deal with this manner.

Who can I rape? That's all I want to do

>>2180818
>>You almost had an arrow embedded in you, thanks to the idiocy of one of Hosk's scouts. This slight can be forgiven, but only at a cost. Should Hosk wish for his people to be welcome in your land, he must pay for their actions.

>>2180818
>You almost had an arrow embedded in you, thanks to the idiocy of one of Hosk's scouts. This slight can be forgiven, but only at a cost. Should Hosk wish for his people to be welcome in your land, he must pay for their actions.

>>2180828
>>2180854
>>2180867

These but be coldly polite. His people need to understand they are on the back foot and keeping us happy is a good idea.

>>2180847
EVERYBODY

>>2180828
Seconding this.

>"If you don't want torment, don't point weapons at me and mine. Don't point weapons at the man whose land you benefit from.
Let's forget the matter, your scout didn't know who I was. I came to speak with you as you were a friend of my father who is now dead, so lets find a place where we can talk."

>>2180847
>The deal between your father and Hosk is null and void. Whenever his people wish to visit your land and graze on its bounty, he must pay a toll to you. This is your land, not his.


We are however willing to negotiate a price whatever it may be but if he doesnt agree he can get fucked.


>>2180847
I'd say reserve that for people who won't submit easily or when we need to make a point I'm all for not being a nice guy but not mcedgy mcnasty

>>2180867
+1 to this.
The price should be taking a concubine from amongst Hosk's tribe.

>>2180908
+1 to this.

“We will have an understanding, Hosk,” you assure the old chieftain. You take the opportunity to straighten your greatcloak while your temper cools, the last traces of rage flowing from you. What must these savages have seen in you, for you to fill their hearts with fear? Do they see you as a raving, dangerous madman, as a terrifying new sort of wight that the legends do not speak of or perhaps as a god, wielding all of the North's icy fury? They scuttle away as your companions come forward to join you, huddling behind trees, watching with wide and fearful eyes. “But we will speak of this elsewhere, where I will not have to fear being shot by one of your tribe.”

There is a pause before the venerable Hosk stoops to bow his head towards you, one of the first gestures of respect you've received from these lanky savages. “This way, Aethan,” he murmurs before he turns towards the host of makeshift shelters deeper in the forest. Any tribesman that stands in your path scrambles to the side like a common beast, searching for new cover. At least you've made an impression.

“Not so sure how wise it is, trying to strike fear into a man's heart when he's got an arrow pointed at you, thane,” comes from the rumbling voice of Gulbrand from behind you, wary and hushed as he glares at any barbarian that stands too close. They shrink away beneath his gaze, ducking behind foliage and crawling out of sight. “Or how wise trying to speak to them is, when they're Southern shits that don't understand a word of the True Tongue.” The man barks a sharp, mirthless laugh. “But wisdom be damned, you made it work. You've got a way with words, thane.”

“I know,” you reply almost smugly. “I was born to rule over the First Men and the Free Folk alike. The people of Bronzestone know this and soon, all of the other tribes and clans will as well. Once the Farstriders understand, they will not dare raise a weapon against me again.” Next, you turn your gaze towards Magda and your tone becomes hushed. “I cannot allow this tribe to live freely in my land, crone. To let them stay here after threatening me is a sign of weakness. If they want to remain here, I must have a tribute.”

A low, thoughtful hum comes from the haggard old woman as she shuffles along at your side. “There is little that you can ask for from this tribe, thane. They are nomads, living off the land and carrying little in the way of wealth. You may ask for what they own but it will not be much. You may ask for their people, but they are called the Free Folk for a reason. They do not see themselves as goods that can be bought and sold, nor will their chieftain. They might resist a demand like that, even after your... display. The only other thing you can get from Hosk is a favour, a promise that he will have to honour some day, if he cares for things such as honour.”

At last, you are led into a space in the dense, crowded forests where the trees begin to thin, where spindly tribesmen are busy assembling shelters out of fallen branches and stinking furs. All around you, scores of Farstriders look up from their work to gawk at you, at your scarred and pale flesh. You can hear their nervous, conspiratorial whispering, even if you do not understand what they are saying. They fear you, for good reason as well. After all, their fate lies in your hands.

There is one shelter that stands taller than the others, that is more than just a barbaric heap of twigs with barely enough space for a man to dwell beneath them. Long poles of ash jut from the ground at sharp angles, with durable furs sewn together and stretched over them to form a primitive tent. A column of smoke rises from the very top of it, a sign that it might already be inhabited. Hobbling ahead of you, Hosk moves to push one of the hanging hides to side to enter the shelter, holding it open for you to follow.

“Wait outside,” you call to the infantrymen, who have never lifted their hands from the hafts of their battle axes for a moment. They seem tense, perhaps for good reason after the earlier display. “Make sure that no one interrupts our talks.” With that, you lead Gulbrand and Magda into the confines of the tent.

The air inside is hot and cloying and even before you entered, there was hardly any space in the tent. A heavily pregnant woman lies strewn over a bed of furs on the earth, her swollen chest heaving with every breath, barely conscious. She isn't as gawky and slender as the Farstriders; with her broader features and hair as fiery as a sunset, she must have be born in another tribe. The naked, sweat-stained figure isn't alone either. There is a short, stooped figure by her left, its face obscured by a hood and its ragged robes covered in charms made of shattered antlers. Every other moment, the shaman reaches with one wrinkled hand into a pouch of dried herbs it holds in the other, throwing a pinch of them into flames. Their noxious fragrance fills the tent, overwhelming your sense of smell and making your eyes water.

By the expectant woman's right, there are three others. First of them is a boy that can't be any older than five, as ungainly as a Farstrider yet possessing the brilliant red hair of his mother, cowering behind her gravid form. In the safety of his lap rests a sickly-looking infant, whose wide brown eyes stare up at you in unknowing wonder, yet to be tainted by the fear and superstition that comes with age. The third is a girl your age, perhaps a year or two older. Lean and long-legged with much of her sallow skin covered by reindeer leathers, she stares fearfully up at your with dark, almond-shaped eyes and reaches for a primitive spear that rests at her feet.

All it takes is for Hosk to lift a hand, and the spearwife stops, slowly settling back to crouch by the pregnant woman's side. Her paranoid gaze sweeps between you, Magda and Gulbrand, glaring up from beneath a mess of oily black hair. The chieftain begins to speak in his soft, bumbling tone, a feeble attempt at a smile rising to his wrinkled face as he begins to explain.”

“She be my third wife, that one.” He waves towards the swollen figure of the redhead, who must be less than half his age. “Good and strong, she be, but this child be givin' her trouble. She can't be travellin' in a state like that, it ain't good for the babe, it ain't good for her. I got no wish to take a fourth wife, Aethan. Ye see now why I had to stop here? Here we will have stay, until the babe is out o' her belly and she can walk once more.”

“That doesn't change the fact that your men pointed arrows at the thane, Hosk.” Gulbrand takes a step forward to stand at your side, looming and glowering down at the hunched figure of the chieftain. “The thane that lets them live on his land. You and I both know that Urgost wouldn't stand for that, neither will the new thane.” Once more, Hosk stoops to bow his head for you, giving as much respect as he dares to without losing face.

“Aye, that be true. What do ye ask for, chief o' Bronzestone?”

“A price must be paid, Hosk,” you speak at last, resting your weight on the long axe while you turn your attention towards his family, huddled as they are by the fire. The hooded shaman continues its low chant in the Common Tongue, mumbling over the flames rather than daring to acknowledge your presence. The boy stares you fearfully, the spearwife cautiously glares and the infant boy simply blinks, while the mother of the two lads murmurs deliriously in her slumber.

>You demand whatever wealth the Farstriders can spare. Any skins, metal, wood and bone they have to offer, they shall give to Bronzestone as tribute.
>You demand their people. Those that dare to stand against you shall learn to serve beneath you. For this reason, a portion of the Farstriders shall be brought into the fold of Bronzestone.
>You demand a favour from Hosk. By his honour, he shall come to your aid when you need it and fight alongside the Low Thenns of Bronzestone, as shall all of his people.
>Any other suggestions?

>>2181381
You demand a favour from Hosk. By his honour, he shall come to your aid when you need it and fight alongside the Low Thenns of Bronzestone, as shall all of his people.

>>2181381
>Hosk's Farstriders are to become a vessel of the Low Thenn of sorts...They can go about as they please, but are absolutely loyal unto us. Whenever we make war, they must fall in battle with us. >After declaring this tell Hosk that one female Farstrider will come back to our Hall as a concubine to seal this pact.

>>2181381
>>2181388
I can get behind this

>>2181381
We don't need to make these people enemies. They aren't warriors, but they know the region, and it would be at least a nuisance to have them hiding in the periphery, striking at us.

We don't need more unrepentant savages, and to beg for such paltry goods as they can give would demean us. A favour works well. Hosk seems trustworthy, or at least cowed. He was a friend to our father, he can make a useful ally. Such skilled and wide-ranging scouts don't come cheap in other circumstances

>Demand a Favour of Hosk. Speak powerfully, but not cruelly to the man. Perhaps offer the Magnar's favour to the birth.

>>2181388
They wouldn't accept that. They aren't kneelers, no matter how skittish they are. A favour and good relations are practically as good, and save us having to police them.

>>2181396
Ok how about we just secure a favor of an alliance...But Lets also still stick with getting a Farstrider concubine..I have a thing for tall lanky nomad girls

>>2181401
No objection to that.

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>>2181401
>wanting a concubine from a insignificant wildling tribe
Disgusting

>>2181403
Any offspring from a concubinage union would be lesser to a son borne of a ritualized union I think. A true Low Thenn son would be heir to the tribe. So basically we'll have a free side chick until we get anyone worthy for Aethan.

I support asking for a favour, but I think demanding a concubine is a bit pointless.

It's also kinda weird since in the choice before we go all >free woman making her own choices and now we are asking for one as property. Seems inconsistent for the character desu

>>2181403
>not having a harem formed from all your vassal tribes and conquered enemies

>>2181414
This is different. Rangvald's daughter is part of OUR tribe. We respect our people above all else. These Farstrider people dare decree us as a Wight on OUR land and brandished arrows at us. Having one concubine as a price is coming off as easy.

By showing this force, we'll gain more respect from our own Low Thenn people showing that despite our age we will be steadfast to any who oppose Aethan.

>>2181381
>You demand a favour from Hosk. By his honour, he shall come to your aid when you need it and fight alongside the Low Thenns of Bronzestone, as shall all of his people.

Putting together favors is one way to become King Beyond the Wall. Outright alliance is beyond what this visit will give us. Also against the concubine, not necessary and as far as I'm aware not a First Man thing, more of a wildling thing.

>>2181381
>You demand a favour from Hosk. By his honour, he shall come to your aid when you need it and fight alongside the Low Thenns of Bronzestone, as shall all of his people.

>Not really into getting any concubine right now

>Thralls, a sort of indentured servant, were traditionally used by the First Men before the Andal Invasion and their cultural assimilation of Westeros. For better or worse, the Andals never had any influence on culture beyond the Wall. As all Thenns consider themselves First Men and follow their laws, taking a woman from the Farstriders as a thrall is something you can lawfully do.
>However, the Free Folk pride themselves on their freedom from the restraints of Southern culture. This has influenced your people, meaning that the taking of thralls is rarely practiced and loathed by those unfamiliar with the laws of the First Men. Should the Free Folk think that you are forcing another to serve you, you will be seen as little better than the lordlings that live South of the Wall.

>Going with:
>You demand a favour from Hosk. By his honour, he shall come to your aid when you need it and fight alongside the Low Thenns of Bronzestone, as shall all of his people.

However, do you also wish to take a woman from the Farstriders as a thrall, now that you have more information about how your actions might be perceived?
>Yes.
>No.

>>2181468
>No.

>>2181381
>You demand a favour from Hosk. By his honour, he shall come to your aid when you need it and fight alongside the Low Thenns of Bronzestone, as shall all of his people.

The vassal thing isn't gonna fly unless we really have them by the balls. Just get the favor and listen to our cohort for for fuck's sake.

>>2181468
>>No.

>>2181468
>No

>>2181468
>>No

Not right now but those we conquer or we force to bend the knee are an exception to that.

>>2181468
No.

We'll have to come up with a better way to do thraldom however seeing as it is particularly useful for subjugating tribes.

>>2181468
no

Lol, Aethan is even more narcissistic than DIO

>>2181541
That was basically the concept, Anon took a lot of inspiration from Sigvald the magnificent from Warhammer fantasy as well as conan

>>2181468
>>Yes

>>2181541
Bronze Stand when?

>>2181468
>Yes

>>2181468
No

The temptation is there and by the Magnar's blood, it is strong. The chance to assert your dominance and seize your destiny is within your reach. Not just that, it is being offered to you by a platter. You have the opportunity to demand that this old fool and all of his tribe kneel, to take that evil-eyed bitch clutching at her spear as a thrall, to see these savages fall into their rightful place and serve the Low Thenns. You grip the haft of your long axe with a white-knuckle grip and grind your teeth. As much as it pains you to admit it to yourself, you are not ready, nor are your people. When you have gathered your strength, you will see these barbarians kneel before the First Men, you promise that to yourself. But for now...

“But that price needn't be paid now,” you continue after a pregnant pause. Relief is evident on the withered face of Hosk but you continue. “You do not just owe me a favour, Farstrider. You owe it to the people of Bronzestone. There will be a time where we shall come to collect and I swear, you shall pay your due or we shall take it from you by force.” The old man cringes beneath your threat and out of the corner of your eye, you see the spearwife begin to rise, her spear in hand and her feet slipping into an aggressive stance. At your side, Gulbrand tears that slab of bronze he calls a sword from his back, scabbard and all, ready to draw it and end the bitch's life.

“Down, daughter!” That is all you understand of the Common that Hosk hisses towards the sallow-skinned girl. After a moment's pause, she grunts and slumps back down to the side of the chieftain's pregnant wife. Not that she stops glowering at you or the copper-haired warrior at your side. Through his fiery beard, Gulbrand simply grins back at her, two rows of gleaming white teeth bared. “I stood by me word when it came to Urgost,” Hosk begins as he turns back to you, offering an aged, toothless smile. “I swear to ye now, Aethan, by all the gods o' the land, the Farstriders will stand by ye when ye need us. All o' our troubles be settled now, aye?”

Silence falls in the hot, smokey atmosphere of the tent, except for the crackling of the flames and the monotone, mumbling chant of the Farstrider shaman, still hunched over the sweat-slick, feverish body of the chieftain's wife. You look to Gulbrand, who rolls his shoulders in a lazy and dismissive shrug and Magda, who simply bows her head in deference to you. If you have anything further to say to Hosk, now is the time to speak.

>This is an opportunity for you to make suggestions. If there is anything you want to ask of the chieftain of the Farstriders, or anything you want to discuss with him, now is the time to suggest it. If no one has any topics that they wish to suggest, then Aethan will take his leave and return to Bronzestone with his companions.

>>2182026
I don't have any good ideas for questions we can't just ask Magda later.

>>2182026
Before leaving ask him about the other tribes well-beyond on our Land. We'll need to gather as much information as we can. See what info he has on the Sealskins, Ice Wives, and Crown and to the South.

>>2182036
this
they are nomads so they should know a bit about everyone around us

>>2182036
Supporting this.

Also, ask him the status of their tribe. Are times tough, or not too bad.

>>2182026
Also ask if things are so bad and wraiths so common that a man traveling amongst other men is easily mistaken for one.

>Before leaving, ask him about the other tribes beyond our land. We'll need to gather as much information as we can. See what he knows about the Sealskins, Ice Wives, and Crowbane to the South.

“They are settled,” you concede at last. “Tell me about the other tribes of the North. My people and I are bound to Bronzestone, while yours wander the land. You call yourselves Farstriders, tell me what you've seen during your travels.”

“I will tell ye what I know, Aethan. Ye have seen that the Crowbane be gone from they woods, aye? We met 'em a few turns o' the moon back, durin' the heart o' winter. It was further South, close to the Wall. Last place we thought we would find 'em, but such is fate. Ye know Orun, that giant o' a man that leads 'em?” You nod, even though you have never seen the man for himself. You understand that Old Barr has a score to settle with him. “Madman had his lot raid us in the dead o' night. Butchered our dogs for meat an' left they corpses behind to mock us, they did. Must've been desperate, if they were killin' hounds for me.

“You said they were close to the Wall?” you ask. “What are the chances that they went over it to raid the South?”

“They be high, Aethan. If ye wish for me to tell ye the truth, I thought that they would be back 'fore spring. As the gods had it, we had no run-in with the madman on the way here. Was a pleasant surprise, I tell ye now. There may e'en be a chance that they all died South o' the Wall, killed to the last by the crows. It wouldn't be the first time that the Crowbane fell that way.” A victorious thrill shoots through you. Perhaps you needn't fear for the tribe of crow-killers ever returning. They were always a thorn in your father's side throughout his reign and if you will never need to deal with them yourself, you will count that as a blessing from the Magnar.

“Enough o' they fools,” the venerable Hosk grunts, shaking his head at his memories of the Crowbane. “The Nightrunners were nice enough durin' our time in the South, let us live off o' the land as ye do, as long as we kept away from they villages. Ye ain't too different from 'em, aside from ye odd laws an'...” A scathing look from you is all it takes for the old man to move on, clearing his throat. “More than a few others we met on our South an' back, I tell ye now. Weirfolk an' Fishermen, Hornfoots an' Barrowers, Black Mammoths an' Stonetooths.” Hosk pauses, only to grimace. “Although we came across the Stonetooths twice. First time they were thrivin', the second... Well, they were gone, Aethan.”

You scowl at the chieftain's choice of words. “How could they be gone if you saw them again? Speak plainly, old man, not in riddles.”

“We came across they camp a few leagues North o' where it was last time we had seen 'em, in the middle o' a stretch o' tundra. We knew it was 'em for the banners hangin' in the air. Ye know the spears o' stone that hang from the roof o' a cave? Well the Stonetooths, they liked to snap 'em off an' hang 'em from banner poles. Never got why they did that.” Hosk grunts, lowering his eyes to the earth. “Never know now, I suppose. Camp was empty, I tell ye. Not a soul in sight. Plenty o' blood on the snow, but no bodies. Hundreds o' men an' women gone, nothin' but air where they should have been. Another tribe must have come 'fore us, for there were no supplies for the takin'.”

“Hosk, the Others don't come this far South,” you assure the chieftain as he lapses into silence, his brow furrowed. “It must have been one of the cannibal clans that ventured down from the Frostfangs, or another tribe that took them as slaves.”

“You tellin' me that the flesh-eaters pick up every last body, Aethan? Even those o' the old an' sick? 'sides, few folks are foolish enough to be slave-takin' in the North. I don't know about ye First Men but us Free Folk, we're all odd ones in our own way. All we got in common is that we fight to be free, it's in the name. A man try an' take that away from on, the rest will butcher him an' spit on his corpse.” His matted beard sways as Hosk shakes his head wildly. “It can't be anythin' but the cold ones, Aethan. Bad omen, them comin' this far South. Hope that explains why some o' the scouts thought ye were a wight. Seein' the Stonetooths gone like that and then seein' ye with all ye scars an' ye blue eyes...”

“It won't happen again,” you insist, unamused by the old man's insinuations.

“Aye, Aethan.” Hosk lowers his head, out of respect. “It won't. In any case, winter's passin' an' spring is on the way, aye? We ain't got any need to fear the cold ones for a good few years. Once my wife is good an' healthy an' bore me a strong child, we'll be on our way North, followin' the elk to the good grasses. Tell me one thing, where be the Sealskins these days?”

“Precisely where you're thinking of going,” you remark. “North, lurking by the beaches on our border. What can you tell me of them?”

Itching at his beard, the elderly chief takes a moment to think before shaking his head. “Ain't anythin' I can tell ye that ye do not know already. They be a mad bunch, Aethan, madder than most Free Folk we come across. Every time we pass by 'em, they snatch a few o' our women. Hear that they sacrifice 'em to they sea gods that they praise. They ain't got any interest in tradin', or talkin'. Spoke to one or two Sealskins that abandoned they tribe, though. Spoke o' treasures that the sea gods give to 'em, riches from the waves. If there be any truth to that, could be why they ain't got any wish to trade. Got everythin' they need, given to 'em by they gods.”

You sneer. “There are no gods of the sea.”

“Aye, an' some o' my tribe might say there be no gods o' men,” Hosk offers as a retort. “There's few ways o' knowin' what be a god and what be a lie.”

“Now that's a fucking sound mind there,” Gulbrand chuckles. “I'd rather worship a fish that gives me treasures than the chief of a distant clan that's never done anything for me.”

You shake your head in disbelief, before shooting a withering look towards your warrior. A cheerful, defiant grin is shot back at you in return. “We will take care of the Sealskins another time, Hosk. What of the Ice Wives? I have heard from my scouts they're wandering this way, from the West. When they arrive, I want to be ready for them.”

“They be nothin' but odd, Aethan. Only time we ran into 'em was tens o' years ago. Now I be no stranger to takin' wives but to this day, I ain't got any idea o' what to think o' my second son bein' snatched up by an Ice Wife. They just smashed through our camp with they great snow bears an' stole a handful o' our lads, nothin' to be done about it. My boy was one o' the ones that got taken.” The venerable chief shrugs his shoulders, trying to keep his face blank. “I'm try to think o' it as little different from my girls bein' taken as wives, but some days it's hard. Speakin' o' my children, I have somethin' I'd ask o' Magda.”

All eyes turn to look upon the crone. Her wrinkled face looks startled, unused to being the focus of attention after listening to chieftains chatter for so long. Despite this, when she speaks, it is with strength. “What do you need from me, Chief Hosk?”

“My wife needs a healin' touch,” Hosk nods towards the pregnant woman laid beside the fire, slick with sweat and mumbling feverishly to herself, even as her sons huddle around her and the masked shaman stooped over her continues its hushed, droning chant. The protective spearwife slowly skulks about the prone body of the chieftain's mate, shielding her from your gaze and scowling at the lot of you. Judging from your reaction, you doubt the lithe thing understands a word of the Old Tongue. “I'd like both mother an' child to live through the birth an' two wise folk will be o' more use than one.”

In response to this, the hag turns her withered features up to meet your gaze. “That is for my thane to decide,” she says.

>You offer to have Hosk's wife brought to quarters in Bronzheld, where she will be cared for until both mother and child are in good health.
>Magda may stay with the Farstriders, for as long as is necessary to ensure the health of Hosk's wife and her child.
>Although you are willing to part with Magda, it is only for long enough to ensure the successful birth of Hosk's latest child.
>You refuse to part with Magda for long. For this reason, she may only remain among the Farstriders for a few days, to offer basic assistance.
>No. Magda is the wise woman and healer of the Low Thenns. She serves you alone, not every savage that is in need of a healing touch.

In addition, do you ask for a second favour in exchange for the service that you are offering?
>Yes.
>No.

>>2182310
>You offer to have Hosk's wife brought to quarters in Bronzheld, where she will be cared for until both mother and child are in good health.

I cannot part with her for long. She is the best healer we have after all. If your wife can survive the trip We will care for them, but the cost of the food and medicine will need to be paid for.


>Yes.
More specifically enough to pay for her food and medicine and other sundries. With a little more extra for Magda's valuable time and eperience.

>Magda may stay with the Farstriders, for as long as is necessary to ensure the health of Hosk's wife and her child.

>No.

>>2182310
>>Magda may stay with the Farstriders, for as long as is necessary to ensure the health of Hosk's wife and her child.

>No

No need for another favor and frankly, starting our rule being magnanimous is a good sign for the times to come.

>>2182310
>Although you are willing to part with Magda, it is only for long enough to ensure the successful birth of Hosk's latest child.
>No.

Most of the danger passes after child-birth. We already have the favor we need. If we don't nickel and dime them, we can hopefully improve relations. This will be helpful when we eventually bring them under our dominion.

>>2182365
Then put another one in her afterward.

>>2182310
>You offer to have Hosk's wife brought to quarters in Bronzheld, where she will be cared for until both mother and child are in good health.
Better to recover in warm, stone chambers.

>No
They fear and respect us, if we push too hard they will just think us greedy.

>>2182362
>>2182306

Actually, I will change my vote to offering them hospitality at Bronzehome. Let´s give Magda some time to prepare the wife for the voyage (some sort of primary attention) and then we will care for her under a warm ceiling.

>>2182390
+1 to this idea. I don't trust leaving Magda in a Nomad camp.

>>2182397
Well, it was more in the spirit of what >>2182371 said. Our halls will be better for her health and the baby´s than some wet vivac.

>>2182310
>You offer to have Hosk's wife brought to quarters in Bronzheld, where she will be cared for until both mother and child are in good health.

>No.

>>2182310
>You offer to have Hosk's wife brought to quarters in Bronzheld, where she will be cared for until both mother and child are in good health

>>2182310
>You offer to have Hosk's wife brought to quarters in Bronzheld, where she will be cared for until both mother and child are in good health.
>No

They already fear us, now let them reverse us.

>>2182310
>You offer to have Hosk's wife brought to quarters in Bronzheld, where she will be cared for until both mother and child are in good health
>Yes

“Magda will stay, but only long enough to prepare your wife for the journey to Bronzheld.” Hosk starts at that, but you continue. “There, Magda will tend to her until both she and the child are well. Once I am sure of this, they will be returned to you. Two of my warriors will remain here to accompany them, when they are ready to leave.”

The elderly man lingers in silence, before he grunts in distaste. “I know that ye be doin' what is best for my woman an' her babe. But ye be takin' they out o' the safety o' my camp. A couple o' my people will be joinin' the healer on the way to Bronzestone. They will be stayin' with my wife until she be back in my hands, with a child in tow. Ye accept this?”

A few more outsiders in your hall will not hurt, provided you have them have them watched at all times by your men. “I do,” you reply at last. The withered old chieftain reaches across to clap you on the arm, a bright and thankful smile parting his filthy beard.

“Ye be a good man, Aethan, like Urgost was. Let no man say that ye be anythin' but ye father's son. When ye need me, I will be at ye side an' all o' the Farstriders will be standin' with me.” At the moment, you find it hard to doubt the sincerity of Hosk's words. “Ye may have earned the fear o' my people, but now ye have earned they respect as well. Go back to ye hall o' stone with my blessin' and my thanks, for the kindness that ye have shown the Farstriders.”

Your departure is uneventful. A handful of curious, ungainly tribesman that gathered nearby scatter when you emerge, chattering to themselves in their Southern tongue. With Gulbrand and two of your guards in tow, you leave Magda with the others to tend to Hosk's woman and prepare her for the journey to Bronzestone. Soon you have left behind the lanky savages and their fearful stares and you are back in the dense woodlands, navigating your way between tall pines. After a few minutes of trekking through the wilderness, the quiet is broken by Gulbrand.

“I'll tell you now, Aethan, uh, thane. There are some scheming fucks back at the hall that won't like what you've done. They'll call you a pawn of the savages, say that you care more for foreign folk than you do for your own. But what you did today was good. You treated old man Hosk with respect and you got some back from him in kind. There's no need for killing and stealing like a fucking barbarian if you can get what you need by acting with honour.”

>Any friend of your father's is a friend of yours. Gulbrand is right, it is always best to act with honour, even though others might question your mercy and sympathy for these foreigners. In time, they will understand.
>You stand to gain more in the long term from pandering the Farstriders, than taking your due from them now. There is nothing special about how you behaved today; this was just the path that gave the best results.
>You loathed every moment of kowtowing to the savages and when the time comes, you will see them serve you alongside the rest of the North. When Bronzestone is stronger, you will not need to show such generosity.
>Was it really honourable? You just tricked Hosk into giving you something of great value to him, something you can ransom back to him in the future for far more than you could have gained today. You outmanoeuvred the old fool.

In addition, choose one of the following:
>This is a good moment to thank Gulbrand for his actions today. More than once, he risked his own well-being to protect you and was willing to fight on your behalf. For a man as defiant and independent as him, that means a great deal.
>Gulbrand performed his duty to his thane today. There is no need to thank him or appreciate him, when he did what any soldier of Bronzestone would do.
>More than once, Gulbrand saw fit to intrude on conversations, to speak for you and to make unnecessary comments. You should chide the man and demand that in the future, he should keep his mouth shut and allow his thane to speak for himself.

>>2183566
>You stand to gain more in the long term from pandering the Farstriders, than taking your due from them now. There is nothing special about how you behaved today; this was just the path that gave the best results.

>This is a good moment to thank Gulbrand for his actions today. More than once, he risked his own well-being to protect you and was willing to fight on your behalf. For a man as defiant and independent as him, that means a great deal.

>>2183566
>You stand to gain more in the long term from pandering the Farstriders, than taking your due from them now. There is nothing special about how you behaved today; this was just the path that gave the best results.
>This is a good moment to thank Gulbrand for his actions today. More than once, he risked his own well-being to protect you and was willing to fight on your behalf. For a man as defiant and independent as him, that means a great deal.

>>2183566
>You stand to gain more in the long term from pandering the Farstriders, than taking your due from them now. There is nothing special about how you behaved today; this was just the path that gave the best results.

>This is a good moment to thank Gulbrand for his actions today. More than once, he risked his own well-being to protect you and was willing to fight on your behalf. For a man as defiant and independent as him, that means a great deal.

>>2183566
>You stand to gain more in the long term from pandering the Farstriders, than taking your due from them now. There is nothing special about how you behaved today; this was just the path that gave the best results.
>More than once, Gulbrand saw fit to intrude on conversations, to speak for you and to make unnecessary comments. You should chide the man and demand that in the future, he should keep his mouth shut and allow his thane to speak for himself.

We're an asshole and Gulbrand is telling us what to do fuck this diplomancer shit.

>>2183566
>>You loathed every moment of kowtowing to the savages and when the time comes, you will see them serve you alongside the rest of the North. When Bronzestone is stronger, you will not need to show such generosity.
>More than once, Gulbrand saw fit to intrude on conversations, to speak for you and to make unnecessary comments. You should chide the man and demand that in the future, he should keep his mouth shut and allow his thane to speak for himself.

>You stand to gain more in the long term from pandering the Farstriders, than taking your due from them now. There is nothing special about how you behaved today; this was just the path that gave the best results.


>This is a good moment to thank Gulbrand for his actions today. More than once, he risked his own well-being to protect you and was willing to fight on your behalf. For a man as defiant and independent as him, that means a great deal.

>>2183566
>You stand to gain more in the long term from pandering the Farstriders, than taking your due from them now. There is nothing special about how you behaved today; this was just the path that gave the best results.


>More than once, Gulbrand saw fit to intrude on conversations, to speak for you and to make unnecessary comments. You should chide the man and demand that in the future, he should keep his mouth shut and allow his thane to speak for himself.

>>2183566
>You stand to gain more in the long term from pandering the Farstriders, than taking your due from them now. There is nothing special about how you behaved today; this was just the path that gave the best results.

>This is a good moment to thank Gulbrand for his actions today. More than once, he risked his own well-being to protect you and was willing to fight on your behalf. For a man as defiant and independent as him, that means a great deal.

>>2183566
>This is a good moment to thank Gulbrand for his actions today. More than once, he risked his own well-being to protect you and was willing to fight on your behalf. For a man as defiant and independent as him, that means a great deal.

>>2183566
>You stand to gain more in the long term from pandering the Farstriders, than taking your due from them now. There is nothing special about how you behaved today; this was just the path that gave the best results.

>This is a good moment to thank Gulbrand for his actions today. More than once, he risked his own well-being to protect you and was willing to fight on your behalf. For a man as defiant and independent as him, that means a great deal.

>>2183566
>>Any friend of your father's is a friend of yours. Gulbrand is right, it is always best to act with honour, even though others might question your mercy and sympathy for these foreigners. In time, they will understand.

>This is a good moment to thank Gulbrand for his actions today. More than once, he risked his own well-being to protect you and was willing to fight on your behalf. For a man as defiant and independent as him, that means a great deal.

“Sometimes the Low Thenns will have to take what they need through force, Gulbrand. This time, all we needed were the right words. We stand to gain more from forging a strong bond with the Farstriders, so that's what I did. If it would have served Bronzestone better to have slain them all, that's what I would have done.”

If Gulbrand is disappointed by the response, he doesn't show it. The fire-kissed brute just grunts and rolls his shoulders in a shrug. The gesture causes his shirt of scales to rustle and clink. “Let's hope it won't come to that soon then, thane. Bronzestone might come first but let's never forget that we're the last of the First Men. So let's lead the rest of these savage shits by example and teach them what it means to the greatest of men, aye? If we stoop to raiding and thieving, we're no better than them. So if we can be anything, let's be good instead, show the world what it means to be the First Men.”

With a derisive snort, you shake your head in disbelief. Is this man the greatest warrior among the Low Thenns, or a child? “Has anyone ever told you that you've got an innocent mind, Gulbrand?”

“Ha! More than once, thane.” He grins your way before looking ahead again. “But don't you worry your noble head over what I think. Life in the North is hard, always has been and always will be. I've done evil things in the past and I'll keep on doing them, for my sake and my clan's.” Gulbrand has a wistful look about him, for just a moment. Then it passes, replaced by grim certainty. “Doesn't mean that I can't hope to do a bit of fucking good as well.”

“You did just that today,” you remark. “You put yourself between me and a dozen arrows when you could have stood back. When Hosk's daughter looked like she was about to shove that spear between my ribs, you were there to stop her if she tried. It never came it, but you were ready to fight for me. More than that, you were ready to suffer my wounds for me. You're a good man, Gulbrand. Let no one tell you otherwise.”

A hearty laugh bursts from the broad man's mouth, the braids of his coppery beard swaying with his laughter and his lips split by a broad grin. “What sort of warrior would I be if I didn't stand by your side, Aethan? I'm not Get, I'm not going to pray for your death so that I can swagger into your fucking chair and claim it for myself. If I'm a good man, you're no different, even if you scare the piss out of everyone around you.”

“Do I really look like a wight?” You scoff as you recall what the Farstriders had said and look down at yourself, appraising your fresh runes of ruling and the ashen skin they're carved into.

“You heard Dagny when we were gathered in Bronzheld. She's not the only one that thinks you're touched by the Others. Now, I'm not saying there's truth to her words, but no other man I've met can trots around in the wild bare-fucking-chested, not even in the middle of summer. Then there's your eyes.”

“What of my eyes?”

For a brief moment, Gulbrand appears to hesitate before he continues. Any trace of nervousness on his face quickly passes.“If you want to know whether a man is of Thenn, look at his eyes. As dark and brooding as storm clouds, they are. I'd never heard of a blue-eyed Thenn, low or otherwise, before you were born. Some folks claimed that your mother fucked a savage behind Urgost's back. Anyone that said that was dragged before him and got their teeth smashed out by his bare fucking fists.”

“Merciful of him,” you mutter, unamused by the tale. “Should I hear of anyone questioning my heritage now that I am thane, I will take my axe to their throat.”

“If you kill every daft shit that speaks ill of you, before long you won't have anyone left to speak of you at all.”

The back and forth continues as the four of you meander your way through the thick woods of the Mossfalls, stepping over treacherous roots and pushing your way through dense bushes. Occasionally you see the gawky silhouettes of Farstriders in the distance, pawing at shrubs and clambering up pines in their search for sustenance. Whenever you come near, the savages scamper off into the undergrowth rather than draw your ire again. Wise of them. Before too long, you find your way to the babbling flow of the Tingleam and you follow the course of the stream West, back to your hall of oily black stone.

>You should settle the dispute between Rangvald and Moss first. Thyra has must have been found by now and the two of them are still waiting for her judgement. You ruled that as a grown and free woman, she was the one that was wronged and she will decide whether Moss should be punished.
>You want to inspect this door in the ground that the woman Gyda found. If Magda's suspicions are correct, it is carved out of weirwood. Although remnants of the ancient castle are commonplace, nothing like this has ever been found in Bronzestone. You should see to it immediately.
>After your encounter with the Farstriders, you should inform your war leaders of the outcome. Have someone fetch Dagny and Barr, so that you can speak to them about your new guests. It's better that you explain the situation to them now, than have them find out of their own accord.

>>2185011
>After your encounter with the Farstriders, you should inform your war leaders of the outcome. Have someone fetch Dagny and Barr, so that you can speak to them about your new guests. It's better that you explain the situation to them now, than have them find out of their own accord.

>>2185011
>>After your encounter with the Farstriders, you should inform your war leaders of the outcome. Have someone fetch Dagny and Barr, so that you can speak to them about your new guests. It's better that you explain the situation to them now, than have them find out of their own accord.


Let´s warn them about our guests first and then we will deal with Thyra, her father and her husband. Later we can do some old style ruin dwelling.

>>2185042
"husband" not what it sounds like but who knows

>>2185050
Okay, "soon to be or maybe not because Thysa turns up to hate him" husband

>>2185066
Better, I side with the father personally.

Really liking this so far

Just hope this doesn't fall into the trap of every other quest ever and Aeth turns into a pragmatic cocksucker

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>>2185011
>>After your encounter with the Farstriders, you should inform your war leaders of the outcome. Have someone fetch Dagny and Barr, so that you can speak to them about your new guests. It's better that you explain the situation to them now, than have them find out of their own accord.
I'd like to see what's under weirwood the door though. Watch it be some kind of catacombs

>>2185126
Agreed.

He is arrogant and haughty, and because of that he should make non-pragmatic mistakes.

>>2185011
>After your encounter with the Farstriders, you should inform your war leaders of the outcome. Have someone fetch Dagny and Barr, so that you can speak to them about your new guests. It's better that you explain the situation to them now, than have them find out of their own accord.

>>2185427
We should bitchslap anyone who insults us, I was considering the idea of trying a god king angle but I'm not if that's entirely feasiable

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>>2185508
maybe not a god-king, but we are set up to be infallible. Anything we do is the will of God, to question us is to doubt the power of the Magnar

Maybe once we're old and the King Beyond the Wall, we can claim the title of Magnar as well

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>>2185589

“So the scrawny fuckin' Farstriders are feastin' on our land's bounty and we thank 'em for it by carin' for their chief's mate? If there's any sense behind this, I ain't seein' it!”

Dagny finishes her sentence by spitting into the fire of your hearth, her flabby features forming a fierce scowl. She isn't alone either. Old Barr is there too, outfitted in his scales as always. His leathery face is etched with a frown, although he doesn't speak. Next to him stands Gulbrand, who is quick to snap back at Dagny.

“Show some fucking respect for your thane, woman. What would we have gotten if we demanded everything they had? A few filthy furs, maybe their half-eaten scraps? They're nomads and peaceful ones at that, they don't haul around spoils of war. This way, the thane's got Hosk on his side.”

Dagny's jowls wobble as a hysterical laugh spills from her maw. “This is the fuckin' North! Promises mean nothin' here! Words mean nothin'!” The raid leader turns to glare up at you with her beady brown eyes. “Know this, thane, the moment you need the old chief's help, he will turn and run. You are lettin' another tribe walk all over us, and for what? We're getting' nothin' back!”

“Hosk believes in honour even if you don't, Dagny,” Gulbrand grunts, unamused by her ranting. It's evident that he's trying to refrain from an outburst of his own. “He owes us and he'll pay us back when he can. He'd rather die than feel the shame of failing to live up to an oath he's made. I know the man and his tribe, you don't. Most of them know how to use a bow, could be damn useful to us in a battle when all we've got for archers is Sten's lot.”

“Don't be such a fuckin' idiot, Gulbrand,” barks Dagny as she snaps her head back to face him. “They ain't about to just die for us. They'll shoot us in our fuckin' backs if they can, anythin' if it means they can loot Bronzestone. We're the envy of all our neighbours, thanks to the bronze we got an' they'll do anythin' to snatch it up.”

Gulbrand strides closer to the pudgy raider, looming above her as he shouts right back down at her. To Dagny's credit, she doesn't move an inch. She just glowers straight back up at him while he roars in her face. “They're not about to die for us, you daft cunt! They're about to die for their chief who would put his life on the line to fulfil his fucking oath to us! He was a friend of Urgost for years, Urgost who allowed them through our territory for years, now you would spit on that and throw all of his work away!”

“Urgost weren't perfect and clearly, neither is fuckin' Aethan! We should've driven the Farstriders out of our lands the first day they set foot in 'em! I have half a mind to gather my raiders and do the thane's fuckin' work for him!”

What neither of the bickering warriors expect is for stoic, silent Barr to draw his weapon, moments after the raid leader's boast. The bronze of his aged longsword catches the light of the hearth as he points the tip towards Dagny, even though he stands at a distance from her. She swivels towards the old veteran, outrage evident on her face.

“You shall do no such thing without the thane's word,” he mutters in a low, grave tone, scarcely heard over the crackling of the hearth. Then, Old Barr turns his attention towards you. That stern frown is still there; clearly, his expression hasn't changed since he first heard of your actions. “I do not like panderin' to savages, my thane. I do not like welcomin' them into our hall and tendin' to them as though they are our own.”

“But you are the Thane of Bronzestone an' the Low Thenns,” the veteran continues. “You are the Voice o' the Magnar. Is this the Magnar's will, my thane?” Those storm grey eyes of Barr's remain on you, staring intently up at your face as he waits for an answer.

Finally, you have a chance to speak, to put a stop to this idiocy.

Regarding Old Barr:
>Yes, this is the Magnar's wish. Your will is an extension of his and every action you take and every word you say is done in the Magnar's name. You shouldn't have to remind Old Barr of this.
>No, this is your will and yours alone. You are the Thane of Bronzestone and here, in the heart of Bronzestone, your will is what matters most. It is time for you to teach the old soldier this lesson. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)
>All that matters is that this is what is best for Bronzestone. Hostility towards the Farstriders will not serve the people of this clan well. Right now, the best course of action is get them on your side. (This will require a Persuasion, Convince roll.)

Regarding Dagny:
>Despite her disagreements, it is clear that Dagny only has the clan's interests in mind. If it'll help assuage her paranoia, you are willing to have her oversee your guests and ensure that they get up to no mischief. Perhaps a little authority will satisfy her.
>If Dagny is so eager for spoils, you will not stop her. She may assemble her raiders to harass and harry the Farstriders as she wishes. You will handle any consequences of her actions. (This will activate your unit of Trained Raiders for the month.)
>It seems that once more, you need to teach Dagny that you are thane and that her place is to serve, not question. Should she continue to doubt your methods, she can always be replaced by another. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)

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>>2185589
>>2185597
>While this is accurate, it's a little on the sophisticated side. I personally use the armor in these images to represent the sort of armor that the Thenns wear. A shirt of bronze scales, accompanied by a helmet of this variety (the name escapes me). Beneath the armor, they likely wear a heavy, knee-length woolen tunic, with gloves and boots of heavy hides and furs to protect the extremities. Lots of muted, neutral colors, greys, browns and beiges. This would be the typical combat attire of a Low Thenn infantryman.

>>2185859
>Yes, this is the Magnar's wish. Your will is an extension of his and every action you take and every word you say is done in the Magnar's name. You shouldn't have to remind Old Barr of this.

>It seems that once more, you need to teach Dagny that you are thane and that her place is to serve, not question. Should she continue to doubt your methods, she can always be replaced by another. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)

Let's use the power of the religion when we can. Not everyone is like Gulbrand. Also, I don't want Dagny to beat up our guests.

>>2185859
>>Yes, this is the Magnar's wish. Your will is an extension of his and every action you take and every word you say is done in the Magnar's name. You shouldn't have to remind Old Barr of this.

They are savages yes, but killing them does nothing for us or Magnar. They will learn and see his glory and learn their place. The Farstriders are a non-entity and will serve as our eyes and ears far from home. Already they gave us news. News of a tribe taken by white walkers, or someone making a damn convincing go of it.

>It seems that once more, you need to teach Dagny that you are thane and that her place is to serve, not question. Should she continue to doubt your methods, she can always be replaced by another. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)

If you think they are a threat Dagny you are a fool. They're rabbits, deer, timid, and quick to flee. They are not fighters, nor conquerors.

>>2185910
I don't think we should call them rabbits. You skin rabbits. Part of what makes them useful is that we might call upon their archers to fight someday. Can also play up the other angle you mentioned, good to have a friendly nomadic tribe which gives us info.

>>2185859
>>Yes, this is the Magnar's wish. Your will is an extension of his and every action you take and every word you say is done in the Magnar's name. You shouldn't have to remind Old Barr of this.
>It seems that once more, you need to teach Dagny that you are thane and that her place is to serve, not question. Should she continue to doubt your methods, she can always be replaced by another. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)

>>2185859
>Yes, this is the Magnar's wish. Your will is an extension of his and every action you take and every word you say is done in the Magnar's name. You shouldn't have to remind Old Barr of this.

>It seems that once more, you need to teach Dagny that you are thane and that her place is to serve, not question. Should she continue to doubt your methods, she can always be replaced by another. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)

Should have replaced Dagny earlier she is like a feral animal, she can't be trusted to not do something stupid. We need someone we can trust in command of our raiders someone who is capable to thought and not the moron who insults their thane while the Thane is in the room.

>>2185929
Lol.
She is probably trustworthy while raiding. Just need to be able to trust her not to raid when it gains us less than what Hosk does.

>much of her life has been spent trying to prove herself as a true woman of the Low Thenns. This ferocity has allowed Dagny to garner a name for herself among the barbarians of Bronzestone and even fight her way to the top of the clan’s raiders.
So, she fought her way to the top. She just wants to do what has been working for her, which is fight, whether its a good idea long term for the clan or not.

Just need to keep her obedient. There will be fighting soon enough anyway. She can wait.

>>2185859
>Yes, this is the Magnar's wish. Your will is an extension of his and every action you take and every word you say is done in the Magnar's name. You shouldn't have to remind Old Barr of this.

>It seems that once more, you need to teach Dagny that you are thane and that her place is to serve, not question. Should she continue to doubt your methods, she can always be replaced by another. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)

Dagny needs something to raid and quckly

>>2185965
I wouldnt trust Dagny as far as I could throw her, she was the among the first to openly oppose our succession and was the first to bend when we made ourselves clear, shes clearly a rat

>>2185970
Oh, she said this, I forgot.
>“That don't matter! Have you ever seen him, Barr? How could you say that brat is the Voice of the Magnar?!” Another voice, this time a feminine one – if only just. Squat and stoic, black-haired Dagny only recently rose to power. You never liked her, with those beady brown eyes sunken in her pudgy, flat face, yet no one else commanded the respect of Bronzestone's vanguard like she did. “The boy's got eyes like blue stars and skin like ice! He ain't one of us, if he's anythin', he's the voice of the Others, a fuckin' cold devil walkin' among us!” By this point, her voice has become a rattling hiss. It's not the first time you've heard one of these rants from her.
this part though
>yet no one else commanded the respect of Bronzestone's vanguard like she did
So, if we want to get rid of her, we need to make sure that there is an adequate replacement and that the raiders don't get uppity. I'm not sure if it is worth it right now.

>>2185859
>Yes, this is the Magnar's wish. Your will is an extension of his and every action you take and every word you say is done in the Magnar's name. You shouldn't have to remind Old Barr of this.

>It seems that once more, you need to teach Dagny that you are thane and that her place is to serve, not question. Should she continue to doubt your methods, she can always be replaced by another. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)

So we can fight the Ice Wives for tin, which apparently is from the hills to the west, or we can fuck the Crowsbane when they return.

Ice Wives seem harder. How the fuck do we deal with those mounted bears? Crowsbane seem easier but then we become the tribe closest to the Night's Watch and just get some forests and land, no metal. Might be worth it if we can totally wipe the Crowsbane out when they return all weary. Wonder what Magda thinks.

>>2185981
Im not saying get rid of her Im saying be careful of her

>>2185999
Stakes and ambushes

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>>2185859
>Yes, this is the Magnar's wish. Your will is an extension of his and every action you take and every word you say is done in the Magnar's name. You shouldn't have to remind Old Barr of this.
>It seems that once more, you need to teach Dagny that you are thane and that her place is to serve, not question. Should she continue to doubt your methods, she can always be replaced by another. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)

>>2185890
that looks pretty nice, I was picturing the armor in my pic as a late game set, once we have the ability to waste money on appearances. Some fancy bronze armor could be a great gift to other leaders

This is how I was picturing Aethan's, along with a barbute so his eyes aren't hidden

>>2186001
adding further to this, they basically have heavy cavalry and thats hard to beat... in a pitched battle on a flat plain, not only that those bears will require a copious amount of meat to feed.

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>>2186020
I know we are set on dominating the North, but the Ice Wives might be better to diplomance. Our bronze combined with their bears could make our alliance a force to be reckoned with.

plus, Ice Wives wife

I'm starting to think going after the Crowsbane is the better option though, when we can return. They'd be so weary and eager to let their guard drop that we could totally wipe them out.

Think of it this way, with the Crowsbane around, we can't really take control of the Ice Wive land in the western hills, because that is going to take a lot of manpower. While we are fighting there the Crowsbane can easily launch attacks on Bronzestone. However, if we attack the Crows, I don't think we have to worry about the Ice Wives (never had trouble with them, we are farther from them and they probably won't leave their hills) or that Seal Tribe (can't assault fortifications as well as the Crowsbane, who have experience raiding down south and climbing the damn wall, can def deal with bronzestone walls).

Crowsbane are just the biggest threat. We should wipe them out, that way we can safely expand west and north. We should demand that Hosk give us soldiers when we return his wife, definitely before he leaves on his next nomadic trip, and fucking destroy the crowsbane when they get back. Should get Sten to focus his scouts on the crowsbane too.

Also, I don't think we have to fear the Nights Watch. They don't really launch raids north of the wall anymore, do they?

>>2186038
when they will return*

>>2186038
Rarely. And never would dream of it on a fortified but mostly peacable land.

>>2186048
Let's do it. Can bolster our numbers long term with the land and women we could take if we pulled it off. Maybe the land and women are more valuable in the long term anyway vs the tin. We can build up with it and then fight the ice wives.

I wonder if this quest is gonna do any time skips.

>>2186037
nah conquer and rape Imo

>>2186056
>d
and hear me out, is there anything more fearsome than man like a wight who forced the Ice wives and their bears to bend the knee through sheer might?

>>2186084
a man like a wight who forced the Ice wives and their bears to bend the knee through dickings of their princess

>>2186056
>>2186102

Yeah lets not be a "Nice Guy" ruler. After laying waste to the Crownbane, lets bide our timr reinforcing our manpower and make a sack at the mysterious Ice Wives. If we succede, our prestiege would SKYROCKET!

The man who forced his will on a matriarchial tribe who kidnap men as husbands? We'll be heralded all over the north.

>Yes, this is the Magnar's wish. Your will is an extension of his and every action you take and every word you say is done in the Magnar's name. You shouldn't have to remind Old Barr of this.

Also I got a write-in response for the Wise Dagny if anyone agrees: >Assert to Dagny that we are the highest authority second only to Mgnar when it comes to the matter of our people. There is frivolous honor in laying waste to a not-battle-hardened nomads. Any future outbursts will not be tolerated, but at the end of our warning to her, give her a cheeky smirk asserting that "Low" Thenns will no longer be "Low" in the near foreseeable future.

>Sorry for the delay, going with:
>Yes, this is the Magnar's wish. Your will is an extension of his and every action you take and every word you say is done in the Magnar's name. You shouldn't have to remind Old Barr of this.
>It seems that once more, you need to teach Dagny that you are thane and that her place is to serve, not question. Should she continue to doubt your methods, she can always be replaced by another. (This will require a Persuasion, Intimidate roll.)
>Your Persuasion, Intimidate is 4D+1B+5.

>Please roll 5d6 for Persuasion, Intimidate. Taking best of three.

>>2186554
Intimidate

Rolled 2, 6, 5, 5, 6 = 24 (5d6)

>>2186559
lets try that again

Rolled 4, 1, 1, 1, 6 = 13 (5d6)

>>2186554

Rolled 2, 4, 5, 4, 2 = 17 (5d6)

>>2186554
>Intimidate

>>2186561
Fucking 27 on intimidate. Aethan has been rolling like a mad man.

I wonder if we can throw the Vanguard as...well the vanguard, let them suffer some horrific casualties - maybe have some reliable men dispatch the bitch in the heat of battle and promote someone more pliable to our will.
It would do no good if the die-hard supporters of that damn rat still live - will only cause problems down the road.

If not, we should very least find out who's her second, perhaps they will be more pious and listen to the "Voice of Magnar"

>>2186593
Forgot to remove my name.
Forgive me anons.

>>2186582
Aethan's Stand is ZA NORUTO

>>2186561
>>2186562
>>2186572
>Aethan rolled 27, 17 and 20 on 4D+1B+5.
>Difficulty: 12.
>Four degrees; astonishing success.

Before you know what you are doing, you are rising from your throne with your long axe in hand. Your lips peel back in a snarl and you gather your breath, your icy glare focused on none other than Dagny. Any confidence slips from the raider's face and is replaced with horror, as she realises her error at last. Your words leave your lungs in a piercing, fierce scream, carrying all the fury of the winds of winter. Long after you have fallen silent, you can still hear them echoing throughout the hall.

“My word, is the Magnar's! My will, is the Magnar's! You have no right to question me!”

Cringing beneath your wrath, the thickset woman has dropped to her knees. Dagny's hasn't just knelt, she is grovelling, burying her face against the floor of your hall rather than dare to look upon you. Old Barr flinches as well, the tip of his blade wavering before drooping to point down at the floor. Gulbrand takes a few cautious steps away from the raid leader as you descend from your throne, one heavy step at a time. Even the blazing hearth seems to have quailed before your fury, becoming quiet and dim until the last echoes of your rage have faded from Bronzheld. Or is it just a trick of the light?

“This is not the first time you have challenged me, Dagny. I heard your words during the day of my ascension. A cold devil, you called me.” A strangled whimper comes from the woman, a pitiful attempt at words that you choose to ignore. “And just today, I was called a wight by a savage. By the time I was done with that man, he was cowering in the dirt, like you are now. If you see me as a monster, then I shall become one. You will suffer for every filthy look you send my way and if you ever utter a word against me again, it will be your last!”

As you raise your voice once more, a spasm of terror wracks the grovelling woman. “You will not speak ill of me again,” you repeat. “Everything I do is done to drag my people, our people to glory, as the Magnar wills! Beneath my rule, the Low Thenns will be low no more! I do not ask for your simple mind to understand my actions. All I demand is that you obey my word, without question. I swear to you, the day that a single Farstrider comes to harm in my land, without my word, is the day that your ugly head leaves your shoulders. Now get out of my sight.”

With the last of your words, you bring down the butt of your axe. It slams against the stone floor of Bronzheld with a resounding thud. That is all that Dagny needs to justify scrambling away, crawling across the floor on all fours like a rat at first, before she gathers the courage to stand and hurry away, terrified and humiliated.

“Looks like a fucking animal and acts like one as well, that one.” Gulbrand grants at last, breaking the quiet that lingered after Dagny's departure. “Something needs to be done about that sow. You can't spend every moment keeping a leash on a woman like that, thane.”

Old Barr shakes his head at that, his long, greyed beard swaying with the motion. “As much o' a beast as she is and as disrespectful as she is, the woman has the love o' her raiders. Barbarians one and all, hardly a decent Low Thenn among them. But they have their uses in keepin' down the Sealskins, the Crowbane and any other tribe that might cause us trouble, while keepin' the bulk o' our infantry safe.”

Gulbrand looks to you warily, but you nod, gesturing for the man to speak with your free hand. “We're not fucking raiders, we're the First Men,” the fire-haired warrior grumbles. “The way I see it, Dagny and her men are of little use to us. Disband the raiders, then make a new host of infantry out of them. Teach the fuckers how to fight and live like Low Thenns, that's what I say.”

“That is one way to get rid of what little power she has in Bronzestone,” you remark. “Yet I doubt that all of her men would accept such a change. There is no doubt that many would fight against it. What do you say, Barr?”

“For once, Gulbrand is right about somethin', my thane. I'd rather see the savages cast out o' our clan, but the next best choice is to have 'em act like First Men, e'en if they'll be never First Men.” He pauses, before continuing. “But at the same time, havin' a force that's nothin' but infantry weighed down with bronze isn't wise. It's good to have men that can lead the charge and harass the foe. I don't trust them under Dagny, that I know for certain. Best way to get rid o' her is have her die in battle against a foe. That way, you suffer no consequences for riddin' yourself o' the beast.”

>You're able to control Dagny. Through intimidation and force, you're able to keep her in line and from causing any trouble. For as long as you're able to keep her on a leash, the woman has her uses. This way, you won't have any trouble with men that she leads.
>She's a problem, one that you should solve as soon as possible. You will have to find a reason to execute her as soon as possible, before she causes more mischief than she has already. Her raiders won't like it, but hopefully you'll have a better grip on their new leader.
>The next time a battle arises, you should ensure that Dagny is in charge of the van, leading from the front. If they happen to suffer casualties, the foul bitch might just be one of the fallen. No one will complain if Dagny dies in battle, but can you afford the losses?
>Barbarian culture cannot be allowed to thrive in Bronzestone any longer. When you're able to, you should disband Dagny's raiders and make infantrymen out of them instead, who you will teach to fight and act like Low Thenns. There will be backlash against this.

>>2186655
>The next time a battle arises, you should ensure that Dagny is in charge of the van, leading from the front. If they happen to suffer casualties, the foul bitch might just be one of the fallen. No one will complain if Dagny dies in battle, but can you afford the losses?

We can afford it. Disband them thereafter.

>>2186655
You're able to control Dagny. Through intimidation and force, you're able to keep her in line and from causing any trouble. For as long as you're able to keep her on a leash, the woman has her uses. This way, you won't have any trouble with men that she leads.

>>2186655
>The next time a battle arises, you should ensure that Dagny is in charge of the van, leading from the front. If they happen to suffer casualties, the foul bitch might just be one of the fallen. No one will complain if Dagny dies in battle, but can you afford the losses?

Literally thrown them into meatgrinder battles until she dies.

Speaking of we should consdier picking a fight soon

>>2186655
>The next time a battle arises, you should ensure that Dagny is in charge of the van, leading from the front. If they happen to suffer casualties, the foul bitch might just be one of the fallen. No one will complain if Dagny dies in battle, but can you afford the losses?
We need to get more scouts in crowbane territory.

>>2186655
>The next time a battle arises, you should ensure that Dagny is in charge of the van, leading from the front. If they happen to suffer casualties, the foul bitch might just be one of the fallen. No one will complain if Dagny dies in battle, but can you afford the losses?

After we BTFO all the other tribes the white walkers will just BTFO us.

>>2186733
>implying

>You're able to control Dagny. Through intimidation and force, you're able to keep her in line and from causing any trouble. For as long as you're able to keep her on a leash, the woman has her uses. This way, you won't have any trouble with men that she leads.

She is fears us now. There is no need to throw her to the meatgrinder when she can be of use in the future.

>>2186655
>She's a problem, one that you should solve as soon as possible. You will have to find a reason to execute her as soon as possible, before she causes more mischief than she has already. Her raiders won't like it, but hopefully you'll have a better grip on their new leader.

>>2186655
>Barbarian culture cannot be allowed to thrive in Bronzestone any longer. When you're able to, you should disband Dagny's raiders and make infantrymen out of them instead, who you will teach to fight and act like Low Thenns. There will be backlash against this.

We might wage war and conquer land in the future in order to not be "low" Thenns anymore, but we should be careful to no stop beings Thenns at all in the process by permitting too much barbarian influence.

Our authority as Thane rests as much on your intimidation checks as it does on our culture after all.

>>2186655
>>The next time a battle arises, you should ensure that Dagny is in charge of the van, leading from the front. If they happen to suffer casualties, the foul bitch might just be one of the fallen. No one will complain if Dagny dies in battle, but can you afford the losses?

>>2186655
>The next time a battle arises, you should ensure that Dagny is in charge of the van, leading from the front. If they happen to suffer casualties, the foul bitch might just be one of the fallen. No one will complain if Dagny dies in battle, but can you afford the losses?

She will have the great 'privilege' of leading from the front

“Dagny will lead the van, the next time the Low Thenns go to war. I want her to be the first of us to fell a foe and the first of us to fall in battle. She will die a hero of the Low Thenns, remembered for her courage and ferocity, then I will decide the fate of her raiders.”

“Sound, my thane,” rumbles Old Barr after you have spoken. For a moment, you catch Gulbrand frowning but he doesn't dare to voice any complaint, not after what happened the last time you were questioned today. “Aye, it's a sound plan,” the copper-haired warrior agrees only a moment later.

As good as the plan might be, you can already see its flaws. “Yet a battle is needed, if Dagny is to die during one. Are we to wait for a foe to come to our lands before we are rid of her?”

“There's a number o' choices,” Old Barr offers. “March on the Crowbane the moment they return, although there's no way o' sayin' when they will venture back this way, if they haven't died South o' the Wall already. Then there's the Ice Wives to the West and the tin in the hills they've claimed. Back durin' my father's days, durin' the rule o' Aegast, those hills used to belong to the Low Thenns and their metals were ours for the takin'. After the folly o' Ulrok, there just weren't enough o' us to keep a hold on that land and e'er since, we've had to settle for tin pannin' if we want to keep makin' bronze. We get those hills back, and the Low Thenns will be able to produce all o' the bronze we'll e'er need.”

Before the weathered old veteran can go on, Gulbrand interjects. “Are you saying we should face the fucking Ice Wives, as we are? It's a good way to get Dagny killed, aye, if only because it's a good way to get most of Bronzestone killed. We aren't ready to fight a foe like that on the field, not yet. A better choice would be the Sealskins. The greasy cunts are bound to raid us for our women at some point, so let's scare them off before they get the chance. Drive them away and make them look for easier pray elsewhere.”

“A better idea than rushing into the jaws of a snow bear,” you remark. “What do you think, Barr?”

“It's sound, my thane,” Old Barr mutters, nodding to himself at the other warrior's words. “One o' the better choices we have. There's not much else I can think o' aside from sendin' the woman and her raiders South o' the Wall, to bring riches back to the clan.”

At that, Gulbrand can't help but blurt out a harsh, mirthless laugh. “Even Dagny knows that going South of the Wall with a force like that is suicidal! You give her that order and she'll just use it as an excuse to take her raiders and fuck off to make her own tribe in some faraway corner of the North.”

“Aye, Gulbrand. I didn't say it was wise, but it's one o' the paths we could walk down.” Old Barr's head swivels back to look at you before he continues. “The choice is yours, my thane.”

>Although you wish to be rid of Dagny, you aren't about to seek out conflict with another tribe just to get rid of her. You will wait until Bronzestone has no choice but to fight.
>You have no idea when the Crowbane will return but when they do, if they do, you will be ready for them. If all goes according to plan, Dagny will die leading the van against their raiders.
>You should prepare an assault on the hills to the West, where the Ice Wives currently dwell. Your clan will sustain heavy losses and if you put Dagny at the front, she will definitely be among the dead.
>The Sealskins are bound to attempt a raid on Bronzestone sooner or later. You should deny them the chance and strike first, with Dagny leading the charge against them and hopefully dying in battle.
>Demand that Dagny lead her raiders South of the Wall, in search of spoils to bring back to Bronzestone. One way or another, whether it's through desertion or death, you are certain that she will not return to your clan, nor will her raiders.

>Is there anything else you wish to discuss with Old Barr and Gulbrand? If there are no topics you wish to raise, then they shall be dismissed and you shall call Thyra, Rangvald and Moss into the main chamber to hear the woman's judgement.

>>2187803
>The Sealskins are bound to attempt a raid on Bronzestone sooner or later. You should deny them the chance and strike first, with Dagny leading the charge against them and hopefully dying in battle.

I mean, she is an experienced warrior. I would rather she would accomplish a successful raid than fail and get killed in the process.

Could she go on a normal raiding mission, instead of frontal charge? If she success we profit, if not, she will die or we have a reason to strip her of her position. She still leads from the front, but with a mission that has some posibilities of success, that is, to get some goodies and make the Sealskins think twice before fucking with us.

>>2187803
>You have no idea when the Crowbane will return but when they do, if they do, you will be ready for them. If all goes according to plan, Dagny will die leading the van against their raiders.
I'm for fighting them.

>>2187803
>You have no idea when the Crowbane will return but when they do, if they do, you will be ready for them. If all goes according to plan, Dagny will die leading the van against their raiders.

Basically we can leave 1 of the bronzestone infantry to defend, and go fuck the crows with the other Thenn infantry, the raiders, and the soldiers we will demand from Hosk. Alternatively we can leave the scouts to defend while going with all of our heavy infantry.
To convince Hosk, we can appeal to his sense of honor and also offer to share some of the loot, hell, maybe even let him live on some of the land we win. Say that winter is coming and it's a good way to ensure his clan has a future. More chance involved in being nomads who can happen upon any random hostile clans. That way we can slowly vassalize the farstriders by having them live on our land, where we can easily wipe them out if we decide to, and continuously calling upon them to fight with us.

The only problem is that we don't want to be sitting waiting a long ass time for the Crowsbane to return. Maybe we should use a destiny point to have them return at the opportune time?

>>2187946
Oh and when asking him we can always go with some armed men... because of the implication. The debt has to be payed one way or another. If he doesn't provide the soldiers we drive them off and take women.

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>>2187946
>Regarding destiny points, this image details the uses of them. As the quest progresses, I will try to incorporate them into the quest more and more.

>Using a destiny point to push the quest in a direction you desire, like you suggested, is pretty iffy. But I suppose it technically falls under burning a destiny point. At a later point in the quest when/if we are regularly using destiny points as a mechanic, I may allow it but it will require a majority vote from the rest of the audience first.

>>2187803
>>You have no idea when the Crowbane will return but when they do, if they do, you will be ready for them. If all goes according to plan, Dagny will die leading the van against their raiders.
Assuming the crowbanes went over the wall, they'll have some fat loot from the South. Their warriors will be tired and wounded, making them perfect targets

I'd prefer to not piss off the Sealskins yet, they seem like they'll be nearly as hard as the Wives

>>2187946
Winter just ended, and we can expect a long summer.

the farstriders are gonna follow the elk north, goods from the South could be a good incentive though

>>2188008
>>2187946
>>2187919

Why don´t we first raid the Sealskins, about which we have info from Sven and we know where they are? That way, the Trained Raiders might have a chance to become Veteran and we can discourage any future Sealskin raid

>>2188047
Afterwards we may also raid the Crowbane

>>2188047
Alright I'll change my vote to sealskin just because we need to raid someone.

>>2188110
actually nvm lol
the reward if they come back is just too great. don't get much with a small raid on the sealskins.

>>2187803
>The Sealskins are bound to attempt a raid on Bronzestone sooner or later. You should deny them the chance and strike first, with Dagny leading the charge against them and hopefully dying in battle

>>2188119
They are stuffed with gold and pelts. But the real reward is gaining prestige for out little chief and stopping their imminent raid.

It will also be easier to raid them since we have scouted the terrain earlier.

>>2187803
Sealskins

>>2188137
ALRIGHT. I'll go over to your side and support sealskin raid. Last time im changing my mind

>>2187803
>The Sealskins are bound to attempt a raid on Bronzestone sooner or later. You should deny them the chance and strike first, with Dagny leading the charge against them and hopefully dying in battle

>The Sealskins are bound to attempt a raid on Bronzestone sooner or later. You should deny them the chance and strike first, with Dagny leading the charge against them and hopefully dying in battle

Raid the Sealskins. Out soldiers have gone unbloodied for too long.

>>2187803
>The Sealskins are bound to attempt a raid on Bronzestone sooner or later. You should deny them the chance and strike first, with Dagny leading the charge against them and hopefully dying in battle.

While I want to raid the Crowbane, its too easy a fight if we want to win. Dagny might not get into a dangerous enough position. Sealskins are a hard bu winnable fight, and Dagny is more likely to get lost in the hard fight.

>>2187803
>You should prepare an assault on the hills to the West, where the Ice Wives currently dwell. Your clan will sustain heavy losses and if you put Dagny at the front, she will definitely be among the dead

“The Sealskins, then. We should strike them before they strike at us. Not only that, but Hosk spoke of treasures that they own, given to them by their 'gods.' This is a chance to seize them for ourselves, to use their wealth to bolster our own once the battle is done.” You pause, to consider other options. “But why gather all of our forces for an assault when we could simply send in Dagny on her own to raid?”

“Raidin' isn't the same as a pitched battle, my thane,” Old Barr offers in reply. “A raidin' party doesn't charge straight at the enemy. They poke at the foe's defences and test them for holes, so they can rush in to steal women and wealth, maybe e'en bash a few o' the foe's skulls as they do so.” A grimace of distaste becomes evident on his features. “A strange sort o' play-fightin', it is. One that Dagny excels at, as useless as she is at all other things. She's bound to come back alive if you send her raidin'.”

Gulbrand pauses to consider that. “Unless you keep sending her until she runs out of luck and dies to Sealskin spears. Could take months or years, but at least she'd be away from Bronzestone and you'd be keeping her happy, by having her play cat and mouse with the savages. If you go through with this, I don't imagine that this would scare the Sealskins off. If anything, the fucking barbarians are just likely to raid us back out of revenge. Such are the games that the savage tribes play, thane. You want to scare off the kidnapper clan, you'll need to do so through battle, not pillaging.”

“So either I allow Dagny to play her game and raid the territory of our neighbours, or I have the Low Thenns march on one of them with her at the front, to ensure her end.” You shake your head. It shouldn't have to come this, but Dagny is a rat with no respect for you, only fear. The moment she tasted what she thought was weakness, she tried to exploit it and go against your will. A warrior like that has no place among the Low Thenns. “I will decide her fate another time. Leave me, I have other matters to attend to.”

Old Barr stoops to bow before you and shockingly, Gulbrand does the same. Whether it is out of fear or respect, you aren't quite sure. They turn to depart, leaving you to mull over the raid leader's fate alone.

Within the hour, you are sat on your throne once more, before a familiar sight. Once more, the furious father Rangvald and the wifestealing savage Moss stand before you, although by now their tempers have cooled and there is no need for them to be restrained. Between them stands a third, no doubt the Thyra in question. Her rich brown hair is not snarled like her father's but instead bound in a tight braid, leaving her pale, heart-shaped face exposed. However, a large, ugly bruise below her right eye disrupts any beauty that the girl possesses, breaking the symmetry of her face and forming an unpleasant swelling.

She stands huddled beneath a robe of loose furs that aren't her own; when your guards brought her in, they said that they had found Thyra bound and bare in the hut that Moss occupies. There is no doubt in your mind, just from what you have heard and what you see before you now, that the barbarian is guilty. Yet you stand by nonetheless, listening the woman's quivering testimony.

“... I didn't go to Moss of my own will, my thane,” she takes in a breath after the admission, looking down towards Bronzheld's floor and drawing her robe tighter about her body. “He has been pining after me for weeks but I always said no, so he... So he took me anyway.” Thyra's shame and humiliation is clear to see on her face and shared by her father, when you look towards him. Yet she lacks his fury and zeal for some reason. “But I ask that you spare him from punishment.”

“What are you talking about, Thyra?! You've said what you need to, come back home and let the savage fuck suffer!” Rangvald moves to step forward, but the heavy, bronze-clad hand of a guard claps down on his shoulder to keep him from taking another step. You raise a hand to silence the man and indeed, he falls silent even though he has gone red in the face.

Squeezing her eyes shut and preparing herself with another breath, Thyra doesn't dare to look towards her father. “My father wouldn't allow a child born of this union to live, it... It would bring him too much shame. And I can't, I can't raise a son or daughter alone or with a maimed husband, the child would suffer for it...” One last breath and finally, she is able to finish her plea. “If I am to have a child from Moss, I want it to have a father that can care for it. I wish to be Moss's wife, my thane.”

Rangvald looks outraged, about to roar another obscenity but once more, he is silenced by the tight grip on his shoulder and your raised hand. For once, there is no amusement on the face of Moss; the savage appears to be dumbfounded, at a loss for words.

>If that is the will of a free woman of Bronzestone, then so be it. She will be free to leave with an unpunished Moss, as his wife and to bare his children. Rangvald shan't be happy, but his daughter's fate is no longer his to decide.
>No matter what she says, the man is still guilty of taking her against her will and he must be punished. Justice must be done. You will take away the hand of Moss, then you allow him to leave with his new wife, as she wishes.
>The woman is clearly mad from the trauma of being taken by a savage. See to it that Moss losses his hand and that Thyra is returned to Rangvald, along with any child that Moss put in her belly. Her father will see to it that the child is raised as Low Thenn.
>This is a difficult situation and one that requires a great deal of finesse to handle. If any of the options above do not satisfy you, you are free to suggest another option that you believe to be fitting. (Make a write-in response to accompany this option.)

>>2189507
>This is a difficult situation and one that requires a great deal of finesse to handle. If any of the options above do not satisfy you, you are free to suggest another option that you believe to be fitting. (Make a write-in response to accompany this option.)
Cut off the savage's hand and exile him. If Thyra does not wish to raise the child herself then the child will be raised in the chief's household as a Low Thenn

>>2189507
Has she implied that she wants the child to live? Because Magda might help her if he wanted to abort. Please clarify is that is a possible route of action, Plasma.

Barring that, I believe Horst still need to be punished in a way. He stole her, in total and utter disregard of the laws of the First Men and our authority.

However, now Thryra wants to be with him and we kind of imply we would let him off if she decided that she wanted to be her wife.

I think I have found a kind of solution. What about we include Horst in Dagny´s raiding party and he has to forfeit all her loot to the bride´s family since he has stolen her, in order to mend the damage? Thyra shall not join as his wife before he comes back and she and her family have to consider the loot she has worthy of his transgression.

But we also must announce that further disregard of the laws of the First Men will not be met with mercy. Next time someone takes a wife, we shall take his hand, no matter the circumstances.

>>2189517
The raiding party would be seen as a reward IMO not a death sentence and would likely be interpreted by many as a reward instead of the punishment you intend it to be.

>>2189517
Anon, its Moss. Horst is the leader of the Farstriders..

>>2189507
>No matter what she says, the man is still guilty of taking her against her will and he must be punished. Justice must be done. You will take away the hand of Moss, then you allow him to leave with his new wife, as she wishes.

This is the most lawful decision. The man broke the law by taking her, his punishment is loosing his hand. She has no right to get clemency for a criminal from you, and you owe her no favours. If she wishes to go with the man after that, then she may.

>>2189522
Having to forfeit all your loot is a reward?

Really makes you think

>>2189525
still a place to earn respect and prestiege as a raider and killer and if did well would Incentivise behavior in others if the punishment is only a seasons worth of looting rape and pillage.

>>2189507
>The woman is clearly mad from the trauma of being taken by a savage. See to it that Moss losses his hand and that Thyra is returned to Rangvald, along with any child that Moss put in her belly. Her father will see to it that the child is raised as Low Thenn.

>>2189507
I say off with his hand. If she doesnt want the child magda can probably help like >>2189517 suggested. If she wants to keep it, didnt thyras daddy say he would raise it as his own or somesuch? Make him swear on his honour as a thenn if that isnt enough

>>2189507
>>The woman is clearly mad from the trauma of being taken by a savage. See to it that Moss losses his hand and that Thyra is returned to Rangvald, along with any child that Moss put in her belly. Her father will see to it that the child is raised as Low Thenn.

>>2189507
>The woman is clearly mad from the trauma of being taken by a savage. See to it that Moss losses his hand and that Thyra is returned to Rangvald, along with any child that Moss put in her belly. Her father will see to it that the child is raised as Low Thenn.

If her only worry is that Rangvald will kill the child we can simply explain to him in no uncertain terms that this is not going to happen if he knows what is good for him.

I would also honestly offer a worse punishment to Moss rather than losing a hand, wife-stealing is a savage enough custom if it's down between tribes, but tolerating barbarians doing it within the Bronzeheld is just too much.

Execute or exile imo. This would also most likely appease Rangvald's pride and make sure that he rises the child as a good Low Thenn without having to bear the shame of seeing the child's father being present around the tribe.

>>2189591
>>2189507
>>>The woman is clearly mad from the trauma of being taken by a savage. See to it that Moss losses his hand and that Thyra is returned to Rangvald, along with any child that Moss put in her belly. Her father will see to it that the child is raised as Low Thenn.

I'd want to exile him too, but I have a feeling the child will discover his origin and will resent his grandfather and maybe even us. Sounds like fun!

>>2189507
She's only protecting him in order to protect her child from a fatherless (and thus perhaps less loving) life yet fails to see that the sort of man who commits these acts is hardly going to benefit the child. She is unwilling to return to her father out of the belief that a child born from a savage is not something he'd allow life, or at least a good life. The optimal path to justice is simple.


>>>The woman is clearly mad from the trauma of being taken by a savage. See to it that Moss losses his hand and that Thyra is returned to Rangvald, along with any child that Moss put in her belly. Her father will see to it that the child is raised as Low Thenn.

>>2189507
>The woman is clearly mad from the trauma of being taken by a savage. See to it that Moss losses his hand and that Thyra is returned to Rangvald, along with any child that Moss put in her belly. Her father will see to it that the child is raised as Low Thenn.
tell Rangvald that any harm to the child will result in more than a lost hand

>>2189507
>The woman is clearly mad from the trauma of being taken by a savage. See to it that Moss losses his hand and that Thyra is returned to Rangvald, along with any child that Moss put in her belly. Her father will see to it that the child is raised as Low Thenn.

Wife taking will not be tolerated here no exceptions will be made.

>>2189507
>>This is a difficult situation and one that requires a great deal of finesse to handle. If any of the options above do not satisfy you, you are free to suggest another option that you believe to be fitting. (Make a write-in response to accompany this option.)
>Take savage hand, find someone who lost their son to the winter or sickness(There should be a few) and give them the baby
in real life native american tribes used to have "Wailing Wars" where they would kidnap other tribes children to give to a sad mother who lost her son. this is a better solution.

>>2189507
>The woman is clearly mad from the trauma of being taken by a savage. See to it that Moss is executed for his crimes and that Thyra is returned to Rangvald, along with any child that Moss put in her belly. Her father will see to it that the child is raised as Low Thenn.

This assumes that Magda can't help abort the child.

Also, Moss is to be executed for his crimes. Wife stealing within our tribe is not acceptable at all.

>>2189886
You only steal wives from other tribes.

“Rangvald,” you begin. The bearded fellow turns to face you, fury at his daughter clear in his eyes. All it takes is a moment before he remembers his place and bows his head, lowering his gaze to the floor of Bronzheld. “Your daughter seems to think that you would kill any child born of this union. Is this true?”

Immediately Thyra's father blusters, shaking his head violently in retaliation. “No, thane! I'd never dream of it! I said it before, I'll say it again, I'll raise her babe as though it's my own, son or daughter!”

“I will hold you to that, Rangvald. If you prove your daughter right, I will see to it that you suffer a worse fate than Moss. Should she bear a child, you will ensure that it grows up to be Low Thenn, through and through.” Rangvald nods earnestly at your words, his anger quenched. He is quick to raise a fist and hammer it against his chest in a soldier's salute. Satisfied with that response, you turn your gaze on Thyra next. The girl seems troubled, on the verge of tears as she realises the verdict that you have come to. Thankfully, she knows better than to speak against you.

“Thyra, you shall speak with Magda once she returns. In the coming weeks, she shall divine whether you are with child or not. Should you not wish to bear it, I will have Magda rid you of it before it is born, if she can do such a thing. Otherwise, the crone will ensure that your child shall be fit, healthy and worthy of our people.” A glum, resigned nod comes from Thyra as she rubs at her bruised eye.

Then finally, your attention falls on Moss. The dusky, rat-faced man quails beneath your gaze, taking a cautious step away from your throne. A soldier clad in bronze scales seizes the barbarian's arm, to prevent him from fleeing from your wrath. When Magda spoke to you of the laws of the First Men, she treated the rape of Thyra as though it was theft, little more than Moss taking property from Rangvald without permission. Yet when you look upon the woman and her swollen face, it is clear that it isn't so simple.

“Moss,” you begin.

>You will trust in Magda's wisdom and remove Moss's hand. Although he shall be maimed, he will still be of use to Bronzestone and will know better than to act against any man or woman of your clan again.
>Bronzestone has no room for a savage as foul as Moss. You will see to it that he is exiled from your lands, never to return on pain of death. He will take nothing with him but the clothes on his back.
>This is a chance to teach the most depraved denizens of Bronzestone that their foul ways will no longer be accepted, that the Low Thenns will not be taken advantage of. Moss will lose his head, not his hand.

>>2190063
>Bronzestone has no room for a savage as foul as Moss. You will see to it that he is exiled from your lands, never to return on pain of death. He will take nothing with him but the clothes on his back.
we don't need scum like this savage, and if we cripple him, he'll likely betray us to the Crowbanes or Ice Wives. Cast him out, let the wilderness have him

maybe brand him with some rune so all First Men can know his crimes

>>2189517
>Keep in mind, Aethan isn't particularly well-educated. At Knowledge 1, he doesn't he knows much outside of the history of his family and of Bronzestone. He is certainly able to understand the idea of abortion, as shown in my post above, but the reality of it is beyond him.

>Also, Hosk is the chieftain of the Farstriders and Moss is the man who raped Thyra. Horst is a pretty cool name, but I'm not sure where it came from.

>>2190063
>This is a chance to teach the most depraved denizens of Bronzestone that their foul ways will no longer be accepted, that the Low Thenns will not be taken advantage of. Moss will lose his head, not his hand.

The Savages will assimilate of die their foul ways have no place here.

>>2190126
or die not of...

>>2190063
>>Bronzestone has no room for a savage as foul as Moss. You will see to it that he is exiled from your lands, never to return on pain of death. He will take nothing with him but the clothes on his back.

Yeah, rape is a very different kind of crime than theft. It seems wrong to give both the same punishment

I'm torn between the losing head and exile options.

>>2190063
>>Bronzestone has no room for a savage as foul as Moss. You will see to it that he is exiled from your lands, never to return on pain of death. He will take nothing with him but the clothes on his back.

>>2190166
Actually I'll change my vote to the execution.
Exiling him is basically adding one man to the ranks of our enemies, one man who knows Bronzestone better than any of theirs. Plus this way the foreign tribes will learn rape of the low thenns isn't acceptable.

Leaving thread can't change my mind a gorillion times like yesterday.

>>2190063
>This is a chance to teach the most depraved denizens of Bronzestone that their foul ways will no longer be accepted, that the Low Thenns will not be taken advantage of. Moss will lose his head, not his hand.

>>2190063
>This is a chance to teach the most depraved denizens of Bronzestone that their foul ways will no longer be accepted, that the Low Thenns will not be taken advantage of. Moss will lose his head, not his hand.

>>2190063
>You transgressed against your tribe. Greatly. You imprisoned a member of your tribe just to fuck her and get your cock off. You are worse than a liar and thief. So I offer you a choice even as you did not to Thyra. Your arm, or your Cock?

>>2190063
>>This is a chance to teach the most depraved denizens of Bronzestone that their foul ways will no longer be accepted, that the Low Thenns will not be taken advantage of. Moss will lose his head, not his hand.

>>2190063
>This is a chance to teach the most depraved denizens of Bronzestone that their foul ways will no longer be accepted, that the Low Thenns will not be taken advantage of. Moss will lose his head, not his hand.

>>2190063
>>This is a chance to teach the most depraved denizens of Bronzestone that their foul ways will no longer be accepted, that the Low Thenns will not be taken advantage of. Moss will lose his head, not his hand.

“The Low Thenns did not care what tribe you came from. We welcomed you into our ranks as one of our own, gave you a home and let you live among us. You rewarded our warmth with rape. You brought your savagery with you into Bronzestone and took advantage of our kindness. You, Moss, have shown me how ugly a barbarian's heart truly is.” Even as the disgusting primitive begins to stammer an excuse, you motion towards the guard restraining him. “Make him kneel.”

That is when the screaming begins. Like a stuck pig, Moss squeals and thrashes against the bronze grip on his arms, writhing about even as his legs are kicked out from beneath him. Another infantrymen moves to join his comrade in keeping the barbarian on his knees, head bowed. Taking up your long axe, you meander down from your throne to approach the struggling criminal while he babbles in the Southern Tongue. You understand little of his curses and insults. You pay even less heed to them.

“Your crime is not just against Thyra. It is against all of Bronzestone, against all of the Low Thenns. Against my father and his father before him, for being so good of heart that they allowed filth such as you to live among us. I say no more!” You turn to face Rangvald and his daughter, who has rushed over to bury her face in his chest. His burly arms are wrapped about Thyra in a fatherly embrace, while he coolly stares at the barbarian that wronged his child. There is no remorse or mercy on his face. “No more should we be troubled by the scum of the North! Let all of Bronzestone know, that there is only one fate for those that would raise their hand against the First Men! Death!”

The babbling and pleading coming from the mouth of Moss has transformed into wailing. He kicks and he tugs, he does everything in his power to free himself from his captors, but the feral sinew of a savage is nothing against the honed muscle of the First Men. The two guards hold him steady, head bowed as you grip the haft of your long axe in both hands. You raise the great weapon to hold it aloft, allowing the bronze of its half-moon axe head to catch the hearth's light. There is no hesitation, no exertion as you bring its keen edge arcing down on Moss's throat. You feel no resistance as it glides through air at first, then through meat and bone. Barbarian blood splashes over the oily black stone of your hall once more and the rat-faced head falls silent, no longer shrieking and cursing as it once did. Only then do you turn towards the two men still holding the carcass, and point to the flames dancing at the heart of your hall.

“His bones shall fuel the firepit, skull and all. This is the fate that awaits any primitive that brings their foul ways to Bronzestone.”

And once more, the scent of cooking flesh fills Bronzheld after the corpse is thrown into the hungry flames. First Get, now Moss. Who shall be the next savage to wrong the Low Thenns and burn for their crimes?

Not long after Rangvald and his daughter have been dismissed, while savage blood is still being washed from the slick stone of your hall, Magda returns and she is hardly alone. Perching atop your throne, you watch as she ushers in a small troupe of sallow, gangly primitives, two men and two women. You recognize one of the girls as the spearwife from Hosk's tents, and the bloated figure on the litter that they carry as the chieftain's wife. Half a score of Old Barr's infantrymen march in alongside the foreigners, escorting them into one of Bronzheld's corridors. One after another, they disappear into the inky depths of your hall with Magda barking a few orders and directions after them. A moment later and she turn to hobble towards you, head bowed.

Her wrinkled face twitches as she sniffs at the air, turning her head towards the hearth and the scent of cooked flesh that wafts from it. “I suppose that smell is all that is left of Moss, thane,” she mumbles. Shuffling up towards your throne, the elderly hag lowers herself to squat beside it, her pungent, ancient furs sodden with spring rain.

“It is,” you confirm. “He raised a hand against one of the Low Thenns and betrayed our trust. Such a thing can't be punished with maiming, only with death.” You expect some sort of argument from the crone, as you went against her wisdom. Yet all she does is bow her head, snarls of snowy white hair hanging about her haggard features.

“As you say, thane. What of the Farstriders? Are they to come and go as they please, or do you want them to be watched or confined? Though their chieftain might consider you his friend, not all of his people share his wisdom.” She pauses, before continuing with a wry smile. “Although, after that display in the forest by the Mossfalls, I doubt any of them have the courage to plot against you just yet. The 'white lord,' or perhaps the 'wight lord,' was all I heard them whispering about as I left.”

You can barely keep yourself from chuckling at the title the savages have thrust upon you. Shaking your head in disbelief, you focus on the topic at hand. “When you have the time to spare, you are to find and speak with Thyra. If she is truly with child and she wishes to be rid of it, you will do as she asks. If she wishes to keep it, do what you can ensure that the child is strong. As for the Farstriders...”

>They're little more than timid deer, quick to startle and of little threat to the Low Thenns. There is no need to watch over such a weak people.
>While they are free to go where they wish without being watched, you will not allow the savages to be armed while they dwell in Bronzestone.
>There is nothing wrong with caution. Have them watched; none of your Farstrider guests will go anywhere without a set of eyes on them.
>While they are in Bronzestone, the Farstriders must remain within Bronzheld, preferably within the chambers Magda has chosen for them.

>>2191135
>While they are free to go where they wish without being watched, you will not allow the savages to be armed while they dwell in Bronzestone.

>>2191135
>>While they are free to go where they wish without being watched, you will not allow the savages to be armed while they dwell in Bronzestone.
nothing wrong with a bit of suspicion when it comes to savages

>>2191135
Have them watched, except for when they are in their quarters. Can just leave a guard outside.
If we take the weapons we would need then guarded anyway. I doubt any barbarian would be foolish enough to pick a fight with our guests after what just happened but there's no reason to leave it to chance. All we need is 1 or 2 guards to follow them.
Let's check out that wierwood.

>While they are free to go where they wish without being watched, you will not allow the savages to be armed while they dwell in Bronzestone.

>>2191135
>There is nothing wrong with caution. Have them watched; none of your Farstrider guests will go anywhere without a set of eyes on them.

>>2191135
>There is nothing wrong with caution. Have them watched; none of your Farstrider guests will go anywhere without a set of eyes on them.

>>2191135
>>There is nothing wrong with caution. Have them watched; none of your Farstrider guests will go anywhere without a set of eyes on them.

They are guests, they can keep their weapons but they obey our laws while here.

>>2191135
>>There is nothing wrong with caution. Have them watched; none of your Farstrider guests will go anywhere without a set of eyes on them.

>>2191135
>There is nothing wrong with caution. Have them watched; none of your Farstrider guests will go anywhere without a set of eyes on them.


Maybe allow them some privacy in the actual hall and their chambers so it's not like a 24/7 prison surveillance?

>>2191135
For now:
>There is nothing wrong with caution. Have them watched; none of your Farstrider guests will go anywhere without a set of eyes on them.
Then once they prove to us they arent like the others:
>While they are free to go where they wish without being watched, you will not allow the savages to be armed while they dwell in Bronzestone.

Man, I love this quest already.

>>2191135
>There is nothing wrong with caution. Have them watched; none of your Farstrider guests will go anywhere without a set of eyes on them.

“They call themselves the Free Folk, just like the rest of the barbarians,” you continue. “It's the only thing these foreign tribes have in common. They will not accept us snatching their weapons from them, or locking them away like prisoners. Make them feel as though they are free, but see to it that each of them is watched and followed by one of our soldiers.” Rising to your feet, you turn your attention towards the fading light of day streaming through the gate of your hall. “See to it now, then care for Hosk's woman as was promised. There is one more thing I must see to today.”

“As you bid, thane,” mutters Magda. The crone rises from where she rests and takes up her staff once more, to hobble her way towards the passage that the others went through. Your mind wanders to Gyda and the door that she had found in the earth; it is time to see if there is any truth to that claim. Striding around the smoking blaze of your hearth, you walk through the entrance of Bronzheld and out of its cloying smoke. The fresh, clean air of spring is welcome, clearing your nostrils of the scent of roasting meat. The rain that accompanies it however, is not.

It's as though the heavens have opened up. The grey sky seems gloomier than ever, with a torrent of rain streaming down from it, turning what little is left of winter's snows into watery slush. The weak, young and old huddle beneath shelter while the strong still toil throughout the village below you, crafting their goods and toiling in the spaces where small patches of rye can grow. With a guard to guide you, you venture down from the rocky crag that Bronzheld sits atop of and into the settlement below, striding past your people. They scatter before you, with some offering you a crude salute while others bow their heads, none daring to stand in your way.

“Here, my thane,” the soldier grunts from beneath his helmet when you arrive before a modest stone hut, unremarkable except for the great pit only a few feet from its threshold. Piles of earth that have been dug out litter what must have once been a patch that Gyda farmed. On top of them, you see discarded splinters of white wood, stained with flecks of bloody red. A few men and women mill about the tunnel at the heart of it all, a sloping passage complete with steps of black stone that lead into the darkness below the earth. A familiar woman spots you as you venture closer.

“My thane!” It is none other than Gyda, her expression carrying a mixture of fear and frustration. “I asked them to wait but they didn't. The door, it... it had a face! It spoke to us once we uncovered it, said we were trespassing, over and over!” You want to assume that the poor woman has lost her mind, yet the others about her murmur their agreement. “It didn't say anything else, just that we had to leave, that we were in another's home!”

“Then he,” she turns to point at another Low Thenn, clad in bronze scales and carrying both battle axe and round shield. His square, clean-shaven jaw is familiar to you and while you listen to Gyda's words, you recognize the man as one of the two guards you sent to assist the woman. “He took an axe to it! I tried to ask him to stop, but he just hacked at it until it was splinters!”

“Forgive me, thane,” the guardsman grunts as he stands to attention before you, stoic and dutiful. “I do not like such savage magic, and it was keeping us from what you wanted uncovered. It was just chanting those same words, again and again. I had to silence it.” His expression becomes a grimace of distaste, then of guilt. “I acted out turn, thane. Forgive me, I should have waited for your arrival.”

“What is your name, Low Thenn?” You are unamused by this state of affairs. Old magic was found at the heart of Bronzestone, and it was destroyed before you could even lay your eyes on it. You nod down towards the subterranean staircase, hewn out of the same black stone as the rest of your home. “What lies down there?”

“Elof, thane. As for what's down there,” he nods towards the passage. “Just stairs. It goes down fifty, sixty steps into the ground, then there's just rubble. It must have caved in long ago. There is no way of getting past it without digging, and there is too much stone and earth down there to shift a month, let alone a day.”

Regarding the stairway beneath the earth:
>Leave it be. Ancient magic guarded this place and if it claimed that you were trespassing, you should not delve any deeper. Have the entrance to it boarded and covered with earth once more.
>Have a few men toil down there, with the purpose of eventually getting through. It may take months, it may even take years. Eventually however, the Low Thenns shall discover what lies there.
>The man says it can't be done in a month, but many of your people are seasoned diggers, who have worked in the copper mines for generations. In only a few weeks, you will see what lies beyond the rubble. (This will disable the benefits given by your Mine for the next month, as your miners dig here instead.)

Regarding Elof's actions:
>Commend the man for putting an end to such strange and foreign magic. Talking doors have no place in Bronzestone, especially if they stand in your way. Elof did the right thing.
>Although the man acted without thinking, he didn't disobey orders and he shows regret for his actions. The door was not important to you. There will be no punishment for him.
>What made him think he had the right to destroy the very thing he was sent to uncover? Now you will never know the secrets of the door for yourself, thanks to Elof. He should be punished.

>>2191371
>The man says it can't be done in a month, but many of your people are seasoned diggers, who have worked in the copper mines for generations. In only a few weeks, you will see what lies beyond the rubble. (This will disable the benefits given by your Mine for the next month, as your miners dig here instead.)
Any ancient magic here will serve us!

>Although the man acted without thinking, he didn't disobey orders and he shows regret for his actions. The door was not important to you. There will be no punishment for him.
No sense in punishing the guy for what he did, but we don't want to encourage rashness in our tribe. Otherwise, what would we do?

>>2191371
>>The man says it can't be done in a month, but many of your people are seasoned diggers, who have worked in the copper mines for generations. In only a few weeks, you will see what lies beyond the rubble. (This will disable the benefits given by your Mine for the next month, as your miners dig here instead.)

>Although the man acted without thinking, he didn't disobey orders and he shows regret for his actions. The door was not important to you. There will be no punishment for him.

>>2191371
>The man says it can't be done in a month, but many of your people are seasoned diggers, who have worked in the copper mines for generations. In only a few weeks, you will see what lies beyond the rubble. (This will disable the benefits given by your Mine for the next month, as your miners dig here instead.)
>Although the man acted without thinking, he didn't disobey orders and he shows regret for his actions. The door was not important to you. There will be no punishment for him.

>>2191371
>>The man says it can't be done in a month, but many of your people are seasoned diggers, who have worked in the copper mines for generations. In only a few weeks, you will see what lies beyond the rubble. (This will disable the benefits given by your Mine for the next month, as your miners dig here instead.)

>>Although the man acted without thinking, he didn't disobey orders and he shows regret for his actions. The door was not important to you. There will be no punishment for him.

>>2191371
>>Have a few men toil down there, with the purpose of eventually getting through. It may take months, it may even take years. Eventually however, the Low Thenns shall discover what lies there.
>Although the man acted without thinking, he didn't disobey orders and he shows regret for his actions. The door was not important to you. There will be no punishment for him.

I don't oppose the quicker choice entirely, but sensibly, we're risking trained and experienced miners. What if the hallway collapses? Or if there's some curse on it? We don't want to lose our miners, all in one fell swoop.

>>2191409
Anon does have a point.
I'll swich to
>>Have a few men toil down there, with the purpose of eventually getting through. It may take months, it may even take years. Eventually however, the Low Thenns shall discover what lies there

>>2191371
The man can escape unpunished but not unchided. What sort of curse did he think to put on us? And now we cannot speak to the door. It certainly would have recognized us as lord of whatever this place is. We could have made that damn door bow.

>>2191409
Maybe we can get the farstriders to help. We'll pay them a pittance so they can bring back something to the tribe before they leave. It won't be as fast as a Low Thenn, but we would be able to make progress without the risk of losing our own.

>>2191371
>Have a few men toil down there, with the purpose of eventually getting through. It may take months, it may even take years. Eventually however, the Low Thenns shall discover what lies there.

A tie-breaking vote is required. The choice is between these two options:
>Have a few men toil down there, with the purpose of eventually getting through. It may take months, it may even take years. Eventually however, the Low Thenns shall discover what lies there.
>The man says it can't be done in a month, but many of your people are seasoned diggers, who have worked in the copper mines for generations. In only a few weeks, you will see what lies beyond the rubble. (This will disable the benefits given by your Mine for the next month, as your miners dig here instead.)

I will accept the first vote from a poster who hasn't voted on this decision yet.

>>2191493
>Have a few men toil down there...

>>2191500
inb4 the few men who toil down there start having fucked up dreams and shit

>>2191493
>>Have a few men toil down there, with the purpose of eventually getting through. It may take months, it may even take years. Eventually however, the Low Thenns shall discover what lies there.
I like the idea of getting a few farstriders for extra labor