Session 1: Fools before the Tower (Ending Jan 12)

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Dec 7, 2017 10:21 pm
Vasil is surprised by the response. Perhaps he misjudged the hunter. Taft's body language opens the conversation, rather than closing it. This small act of inclusion went a long way, weather Taft knows it or not.

He listens to the Wolf intently, this animal - no, this is a sentient creature, not like the ferocious beast who ambushed him - this wolf speaks slowly, with careful intent. Not unlike himself.

Vasil begins to realise his hypocrisy at this point. He has judged, dismissed members of the village for not prejudice towards outsiders, but here he is showing prejudice to a wolf who had done him no wrong. Taft too, he had painted with the same brush as the others, keeping distance for fear of rejection, and in doing so, determining the outcome he feared. Work on it, Vasil. You can do better.

As these thoughts fly through his head, Vasil processes what the Wolf has said. The Tower kills channelers. Elemental workers.
The culture surrounding channeling is distinctly different here in Kallbacken, than Vasil's home village. His dealings with channelers at home was limited. The bloodlines were all that of the aristocracy, a rigid class system that forbade entry to the likes of Vasil.
Kallbacken still saw channelers as members of it's council, but here felt organic, rather than enforced by rule. These weavers of air had a more subtle touch than those who wield the fire in his homeland.

If The Tower seeks and kills channelers, perhaps this means The Tower is vulnerable to them? Or perhaps it is just unadulterated hatred. We do not yet know.

Taft speaks after the Wolf, urging swift action. Together they try to rally a raid upon their camped position. If they number only five, a mob of villagers could overcome a small band of solidiers. Maybe. There may be losses.

Vasil begins to speak these thoughts out loud. Drawing from his experience in the guard, dealing with dangers of the road, listening to his superiors' tactical discussions.

He continues, We have very little weaponry. I planned to begin forging a blade tonight, in fear of what is to come. I fear all I have to offer is horseshoes and nails.

We must consider the repocussions. What happens when they discover we killed their emmisarries? Will they send an army? We do not know this organisation.


With a start, Vasil has a shocking realisation, and turns slowly to look at the banner left standing in the yard. What if it is listening to our every word? The eye on the banner looks like painted cloth, but also... more.

I think we are putting ourselves in danger by rushing into this, these is so much we don't know. Then again, maybe we're in more danger by waiting. Either way, I must impress on this group the seriousness of any choice we make. It will have consequences.

Vasil pauses to emphasise this point. His face grave.
If we do this tonight, I will join you. I do not know if this is the best course of action, I would prefer to wait a few days, get organised, and spring a trap on home soil, but I see the risks in this plan too. I am one, I have voiced my opinion. Thank you for listening to me.
OOC:
Intent is to reassure them of my allegiances,
and to warn the severity of the consequences for taking an action in any given direction.
Last edited Dec 8, 2017 1:51 am
Dec 7, 2017 10:46 pm
Eirikr is surprised by the response. Surely his faith in the Tower despite it being new would help with this. But the others slaughtered because they lacked faith? Including his husband Freyr? He wasn't sure how to react to that. Pulling his cloak around himself, he struggled with the thought of losing people he cared about, including his father and husband.
Dec 8, 2017 1:56 am
OOC:
GM: @Vasil Sirel (Chris) As you have that thought, looking at it as you enter the Shrinehouse in order to begin the discussion proper, a shiver runs down your spine.
Vasil shivers feeling an inhuman gaze upon him.
I don't mean to sound paranoid, but I think the banner is a spy device left to watch us.
At best, it's nothing, I'm just being paranoid.
At worst, it knows our faces, has heard our plans, and has alerted the men on the ridge, losing our element of surprise. We should prepare for the worst, hope for the best.
Dec 8, 2017 12:40 pm
At Vasil's words, a murmur runs through the crowd, but it is quickly silenced as Iofr takes his turn to speak, cutting the noise with a wave of his hand. "You are being wilfully obtuse, talking of magic banners." yells Iofr. "You refuse to appreciate the severity of the situation we find ourselves in!"

"We must surrender. If some of us are taken by these strong foreigners, then we must give them up"
OOC:
Statement of purpose for a DoW. Anyone participating, please declare Help. Taft: you're the active, I'm taking your closing statement as your SoP, so you're rolling with Help. You may narrate Alva giving you help, she'll only lend 1 die to this test.
Iofr waves Bram forward, who launches into a drunken tirade "It's all the fault of this Baz Gaar, he's the one who led them here. We need to surrender, and fast, before he leads us to be killed on some fool's errands, or has us chasing this banner of peace".

Sulo, Bram's brother and captain of the guard, is next to speak. "Both ways have their merits. But I side with Iofr, he is right. We are not prepared for bloodshed."
OOC:
Vasil, you're currently suffering disadvantage to any social rolls. A Ob 2 Kallbacken-wise or an Ob 3 Village-wise test will negate these penalties, as you're cleaving close enough to custom for it to be overlooked, and the villagers believe you're on their side. Fail at this roll, and Sulo will believe Bram outright.
OOC:
The situation has meaningfully changed enough for Winter's Third Bite to attempt another Spirit-Ears Perception roll (auditory) this time at Ob3.
Dec 8, 2017 1:46 pm
Anger flares in Vasil's chest. For fuck's sake, he has done these people no wrong, yet at the first sign of trouble, he becomes a scapegoat.

He turns to Iofr, I refuse to appreciate the severity of the situation? I am the one preaching caution! I am the only one talking of consequences, repercussions. How dare you accuse me of failing to appreciate the severity. You spend too long with your pigs, old man! They may believe your half-truthes, but I know the people of this fine village are smarter than the pigs you take them for. He roars, pointing an accusatory finger.

Vasil sweeps the eyes of the crowd, taken aback by the mild-mannered Blacksmith's fury. Eventually he finds Bram, and locks eyes. Vasil takes a deliberate step forward.
And you. He declares, quieter, and full of venom. You would call me traitor?
The crowd parts for Vasil, like the waters for a Rivermage of the East. He walks slowly, punctuating each sentence with a step towards Bram.
You, the layabout drunkard.
Step.
You, who takes berries from the gardens of Matthias.
Step.
You. Who would take belt to his pregnant wife.
Step. Vasil now stands in the middle of the crowd.
You would accuse me of selling this town?

His tone softens some, addressing the crowd, rather than his quarry. Anger and betrayal still flare at the corners of his eyes.
I have lived in this town some eight years now. Its people saved my life, and I have made my home here. Many of your have shown me great kindness, and some - with a dirty look to Bram, cannot see past my accent, or the colour of my hair.

Turning once more to the crowd, If you truly believe I would sell you to the likes of that. Vasil points angrily at the great banner. The faces of the falling bodies twisted in fear. ...then I am truly saddened.

Softer now, still, We are in great danger. Let's stop fighting ourselves, and figure out how to fight that. We should not be hasty, nor arrogant. I say again, the men who came to our village are hardened killers. They will not hesitate to put your wife or babe to the blade. Do not trust them, do not underestimate them.
OOC:
I wish to roll Kallbacken-wise. My perception is B4, and the roll is Ob2. Using beginner's luck, this will be a B4 vs Ob4. I will wait for confirmation for if I get any help or FoRKs.
[Edit:]
OOC:
No help, but Oyvind pulling the finest hypeman routine you can imagine from a geriatric, softly spoken medieval blacksmith.
Last edited Dec 8, 2017 2:02 pm

Rolls

Kallbacken-wise (beginner's luck) - (4d6)

(1246) = 13

Dec 8, 2017 5:49 pm
Taft shifts uncomfortably at Vasil's outrage, but maintains his place in the circle and waits for his chance to speak again.
OOC:
At present, I'm looking at a Body of Argument Roll with +1D from Alva, +1D from my Reputation, and using Beginner's Luck. I think Taft would struggle to accent Help from Vasil, because it might do more harm than good after his outburst, which might have set him apart from the community during this ceremony. So even though it's painful as a player, I think Taft will use formal procedures to exclude Vasil from Helping. :(

Just waiting to hear if Shadow might Help somehow, before rolling.
Last edited Dec 9, 2017 6:41 am
Dec 8, 2017 6:07 pm
Hands shaking from adrenaline Vasil takes his leave from the Shrinehouse. Oyvind will tell him the details of the meeting later, along with a chiding for losing his cool, no doubt. Vasil steps back into the night, to make his way back to the workshop. Enough bandying about with words, he will go do something he is good at, work metal. Maybe a cup of tea to calm the nerves first.
OOC:
Vasil intends to return to his workshop to work on the spear. I assume the roll from before stands.
Dec 9, 2017 1:19 am
Seeing Vasil leave, the wolf stands from where it sat near Taft. Usually, it tries to keep low and move gracefully while in the village so as to not startle or scare the villagers, but now, it leaps to its feet in a powerful, fluid motion. It is deeply aware of the alarmed expressions growing on the nearby humans' faces, but now, it lifts head as tall as Taft's. It closes its eyes, tilts its chin to the roof, and lets out a loud howl of undulating tones and unspeakable wildness. The Shrinehouse instantly falls silent, the chatter and arguments drowned out by the wolf's overpowering call in the small space.

Shadow's howl ends. The wolf opens its eyes and glances around the shrinehouse, noting the silence. It yawns, satisfied, before turning to Taft and tapping the side of his neck with its nose. "Speak now," it says. "They will listen." Then, Shadow turns and slips out of the Shrinehouse, moving low and graceful again.
OOC:
Helping Taft with Howling
Outside the walls, Shadow sniffs the air and then bounds after Vasil. It finds the blacksmith halfway to his shop; the man is stomping along in a foul mood. The wolf feels for the man; joining a new pack is never easy, especially for humans. Wolves have rules which govern such matters, but humans have nothing but superstition and trust to rely on. No wonder the blackmith looks like he wants to steal a kill off his potential Alpha. The wolf would normally leave him to brood and watch from a distance, but now, it has business to attend to.

It hunches down, muscles tensing and rippling beneath dark fur. Then, it leaps, landing in front of Vasil. It blocks his path with its bulk and then speaks, taking care to not sound threatening. "Blacksmith. I can smell your anger. I do not ask you to release it, but I do ask: Would you be willing to return with me to the gathering? You speak with a sensibility they lack. Even if we are mistrusted, we outsiders should stick together. We know things the pack do not."
OOC:
Intent: Shadow wants Vasil to feel included and useful, and wants him to come back to the Shrinehouse.
OOC:
Rolling for my Instinct
Last edited Dec 9, 2017 1:28 am

Rolls

Perception B4+1d Woodland Ear vs Ob3 - (5d6)

(13561) = 16

Dec 9, 2017 3:02 am
The sudden appearance of the great wolf startles Vasil.
OOC:
Happy to roll perception to see if I hear him coming and ward off fright, or steel to react well to it. Failure would have Vasil look weak or foolish, squealing, or falling over.
Vasil listens to the wolf, and sees that they want the same thing. Vasil's years of apprenticeship crushed his youthful ego long ago. He swallows pride, and silently follows the wolf back to the building.
Dec 9, 2017 7:12 am
OOC:
Rolling Body of Argument for now, will wait on further instructions from Why. Not sure about what Skill I would be doing Beginner's Luck here with yet because no rulebook on me but it will be Will-based... maybe Persuade? I'll look tomorrow.

Edit: 3 successes meaning (3/2) = 1 +5 Will = 6 BoA.
Last edited Dec 11, 2017 5:22 pm

Rolls

Body of Argument: B5 (Will) +1D Alva +1D Shadow +1D Reputation. - (8d6)

(33421365) = 27

Dec 9, 2017 5:09 pm
OOC:
At the moment, this is just me scripting; I'm trusting you players not to read the script.
[ +- ] Volley 1:Bram
[ +- ] Volley 2:Iofr
[ +- ] Volley 3:Sulo
OOC:
Body of Argument: 7

Rolls

BoA: B3 Persuasion +1D Ugly Truth +1D Command. Adds to 4 Will. - (5d6)

(46361) = 20

Dec 10, 2017 8:15 pm
Taft falls silent as Vasil and Shadow re-enter the Shrine Hall and take a place in the circle. He waits to make eye contact with the blacksmith, and nods respectfully, offering his welcome.

Taft sits silently as the elders initiate the meeting. He patiently listens and awaits his turn to speak.
OOC:
Order of script:
Vasil: Point
Taft: Rebuttal
Shadow: Point
Dec 11, 2017 6:46 pm
OOC:
Bram's Incite vs Vasil's Point. Bram rolls B4+1 vs Ob 5+1, (Vasil's Will plus disadvantage for drunkard in the formal procedure) Sulo helps with Kallbacken-wise.
Sulo, stood with his spear, motions his younger brother to speak, announcing "Now stands the one who accuses the outsider who has so besmirched our village."

Bram, red-faced with anger, looks as if he's going to launch into a tirade, but instead his words are cold, and sharpened with his wrath.. "This outsider is not one of us. He is therefore untrustworthy, and should not be allowed to speak."
OOC:
Vasil, please roll a Point, including your +1 Ob disadvantage. If anyone is helping you, add their bonus (maybe check if it's valid with me first)
OOC:
Winter's Third Bite has fully completed one belief, so gains a Persona, and should alter their third Belief. No-one has been wronged by their own Instinct.

Rolls

Incite vs Ob 6 - (5d6)

(45153) = 18

Dec 11, 2017 10:33 pm
Vasil has calmed. His outburst before was doing nothing to help his cause. I am an outsider, but I will serve the people of Kallbacken until they see me as one of their own. He repeats to himself. I must do what is right.

Before beginning his speech, Vasil speaks quietly to Taft only, "Should we lose this debate, all is not lost. We may have lost the opportunity to strike first, but we can wait, then lay a trap. I still think tonight is too soon, but you have my complete agreement that these men are not to be trusted."

With more of the usual calm the village knows him for, Vasil steps forward to address the room.
"Bram suggests that my being an outsider is reason to mistrust me, yet in the same breath argues that we implicitly accept these outsiders. When I came to this village, it was on a stretcher, bleeding to death. If not for the kindness of this town, I would be dead.
These strangers came to our town with threats of violence.
Yet you say I am the one we should not trust."
OOC:
I'll be rolling my B5 Will + a Persona Boon, as this is important to Vasil. It represents him doing what is right. If Shadow wants to help, they can contribute. I'll wait for a response before I roll.
Dec 12, 2017 12:31 pm
The wolf draws up behind Vasil and sits, leaning slightly against the smith in a friendly manner. Its tail thumps on the ground, stirring up a little cloud of dust. "I trust him," says Shadow. "He and I are very similar. You took us in and saved our lives. Now, let us protect yours. We do love this village. Please trust him like you trust me." It opens its mouth, letting its tongue loll out into a happy canine grin like those of the village's pet dogs.
OOC:
Helping Vasil with Begging
Dec 12, 2017 12:38 pm
Rolling!

Rolls

With the Wolf's help, rolling Will 5 + D1 Help + Boon (7D) - (7d6)

(6353321) = 23

Dec 12, 2017 1:04 pm
OOC:

(Using a Fate for Luck)
Burning a luck to reroll that 6.
Edit: Success, so three in total.
Last edited Dec 12, 2017 2:15 pm

Rolls

Luck - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Dec 12, 2017 4:21 pm
As a gesture of support, Taft reaches to his side and grabs Vasil's shoulder.

"You speak from the heart. Thank you."

He leans in and whispers more confidentially,

"A trap is a good idea. Whatever happens, I would be honoured to fight alongside you."
OOC:
This post isn't for DoW Help.
Last edited Dec 12, 2017 4:22 pm
Dec 12, 2017 11:55 pm
OOC:
BoA: 6/6 for the players. 6/7 for the NPCs.

Iofr Points versus Taft's Rebuttal. I'm not going to roll Iofr's successes before you've split your dice pools.
Iofr yawns loudly, before rising up to his feet and speaking in his voice. Albeit thready with age, it is clear that he's speaking from the heart. "People of Kallbacken. Hear me and listen. Any foe strong enough to leave an ultimatum such as this is a foe we should not take at their word. They offer protection, and advancement. Perhaps, in my lifetime, we can see change. Perhaps, in my lifetime, we can reap the benefits of this Tower. Perhaps, in my lifetime, we can finally beat back the ever encroaching borders of the forest, and make something of this once proud town, with a spirit active in it's realm!"

Freyr shakes his head, and stands. "This is blasphemy most foul" he begins "The spirits are with us, and we take all we want from the forest. Listen to Taft, his plan is good"

At this, Sulo stands, refusing to cede the floor to Taft as is procedure. "The Hunter knows nothing of war. It is not his place to lead. Do not listen to him"
OOC:
B3 Oratory, FoRKing 1 Council-wise. Sulo helping Iofr with Command. Total of 5 dice.
Freyr offers 1 die of Help for Taft.
Dec 13, 2017 6:47 am
OOC:
I'm only going to put one die into Defence, and the rest into Attack. This will be Beginner's Luck using a yet-to-be determined Will-based Skill.

For Attack, it's looking like 4 die, +1d for Freyr helping; +1d for Vasil helping; +1d for Boon (I just erased the Persona). I'll see if I can work my reputation into it as well. So far 7d total, but Beginner's Luck so not great.
Last edited Dec 13, 2017 6:47 am
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