Session 3: The Priestess Sings

Jun 4, 2018 6:15 pm
OOC:
Artha:
Fate:
Taft's Orienteering earns him 1 Fate for RSRT, he gains one for his Belief on communication lines, and see below. ( if you're not stopping via Kallbacken they might need a little alteration)
Winter's Third Bite gets one Fate for B2, and see below. Your beliefs can mostly stay with a little alteration.
Vasil earns 2 Fate for Beliefs 1 and 3, but he should definitely change his Beliefs for this session as they're not going to see direct screentime.
Eirikr earns no Fate. Unfortunately, I can't award you if you're not posting. We can have a discussion about what could keep you involved, and hopefully starting a new session with a defined goal will help.


Persona:
WTB gets two for personal goals. (B1,B3)
Taft gets one for completing a goal (B1)
Vasil's goals get in the way of gaining a Persona, but he can still have a warm feeling for acing the DoW.
Eirikr earns no Persona.


I'd like to give Vasil and Taft Embodiment for their social RP, but would like group approval.
I nominate WTB for moldbreaker (loyalty of pack versus loyalty to Kallbacken), but will require group approval before giving it.
We can also discuss MVP/Workhorse on the Discord.
OOC:
The DoW was won with a major compromise by the party. The form of the compromise, by popular accord, was "do something for the Wolves, then they'll help".
OOC:
This is already quite a long post, so I am goign to post again for the lead-in. There will be an opportunity to review Beliefs and Instincts at the end of the lead-in, and we can discuss doing that stuff over the weekend.
Jun 4, 2018 6:27 pm
Autumn's First Hunt, standing proud at the front of its pack, looks at the two-legs before it.

"Winter's Third Bite owes its life to you, villagers of Kallbacken, and so I am willing to accept our fates may be entwined. Our pack is our blood." The packs howls, each member joining in in a different pitch, underlining the declaration of its Dominant.

"But we will not help you when we are threatened so. Towards where the sun rises, and away from the coast, our ancient enemy roams its own territory. We have smelled them entering our territory, and we must feed and hunt until our cubs are yearlings, that we might bring our fangs onto these interlopers, the spirit-calling blasphemer's of Grandfather's name. Until they are dealt with, we may not help you. If their pack were destroyed, we would be more able to ally ourselves in your own fight."
OOC:
There's another wolf pack to the North-East. WTB knows a member of it. If you rout them, drive them off, or murder them, then you get the Ancient Forest Wardens on your side. To clarify: East is where the Tower's forces came from.
Jun 7, 2018 10:44 pm
Taft crouches quietly at the rear of the gathering, watching the movement of the wolves as they interact. He has never had such an opportunity to observe their interactions. The complexity of their culture astounds him.

He gives a barely noticeable nod to Shadow and Vasil, that says I am in agreement with this deal.

He stands and checks his gear while Shadow finishes talking to his pack. Already, he is thinking about the journey.

Eventually, he speaks.

"I do not know the edge of your territory, but I have walked towards the rising sun for many days and have my own way of knowing that place. Does your territory extend beyond the great river that runs cold and quick? Do you roam the great peat bog, that is encircled by low pines, and with the large pond in the center?"
OOC:
Looking for some landmarks so that Vasil and myself might know how long the journey would be.

I need to change some Beliefs now - I'll think about them today and propose some on Discord.
Jun 10, 2018 12:53 pm
Shadow glances toward the Northeast. "I know of this pack," it says. "I've smelled their scent near the edges of our territory before. The journey there will take seven days and leads through a lake where the spirit I hunt every winter sleeps. With the snows so close, I need to go there any way." The wolf gives a slow blink, its tongue licking over the tip of its nose.
Last edited June 10, 2018 12:54 pm
Jun 10, 2018 1:52 pm
Vasil rises, looking toward his companions. "You have my help in this."
Turning to the circle of Wolves, "I hope this is the beginning of an alliance. My spear is yours." He presents his spear, outstretched on open palms, a gesture reminiscent of an Oath ritual in his homeland.

Taking a nod from the Dominant as agreement, Vasil walks back to his companions, and toward the exit to the clearing.
Jun 10, 2018 4:13 pm
Eirikr turns towards the wolves as well. "And you have my help in this as well. I hope I can help in any way I can." He follows Vasil out of the clearing.
Jun 11, 2018 8:18 pm
OOC:
We've discussed the lay of the land ON discord, and I'm happy for Frostbite's lake to be en route. You've left the clearing, where are you going from here?
The wolves watch the humans leave, their dominant making it clear they will accept Winter's Third Bite excusing itself to go with them.
Jun 12, 2018 3:19 am
Taft helps find an easy way through the forest for Eirikr and Vasil.

"Our families will worry for us if we do not tell them where we're going. Shadow, just as you have spoken with your kin, we must tell them where we're going."
OOC:
I don't mind Why narrating us through the Kallbacken visit and moving on. But maybe there's something important to do there?
Jun 12, 2018 4:18 am
OOC:
Is it worth checking on the prisoner?
Jun 12, 2018 9:10 am
It is dark, and you have all been walking since dawn the previous day. You're hardy enough folk that the walk itself is not an issue, but the predators inside might be. Luckily, the moon lights the way, and sure-footed you retrace your steps to Kallbacken.
OOC:
I believe that it's an Ob3 Orienteering test for familiar land at night. Failure would mean that you need to stop and camp, and try again in daylight, losing another day in travel and risking an attack overnight. With 0 successes, even getting back tomorrow is in jeopardy. Shadow could also try to retrace steps with Scent Tracking. I don't have my codex anywhere nearby and don't have a clue what the Ob would be there.
Jun 12, 2018 6:06 pm
Taft is mostly silent on the way back to Kallbacken. Even though he knows the land well, traveling at night requires more concentration. He knows he won't get lost, but could easily be delayed in a bog or a dense thicket. It doesn't help that he needs to think about two villagers, but he keeps that to himself...
OOC:
Yeah, I think there are a few good things to do in Kallbacken. I wonder if we should bring a friend or two.

I wouldn't mind doing an Orienteering roll without Help, to get a Difficult test. That would mean that I'd suffer the consequences alone somehow?
Jun 13, 2018 5:56 pm
There are moments in the journey when Taft hesitates to re-orient himself. Without fail, Shadow appears ahead of in these moments and offer him subtle guidance.
Last edited June 13, 2018 5:59 pm

Rolls

Ob2 Orienteering (B3 + Help from Shadow) - (4d6)

(5145) = 15

Jun 13, 2018 9:26 pm
The way back to Kallbacken is swift, despite the darkness, and it's a few hours before dawn when the four of you return.

Alva has food prepared, and the last of Iofr's pork is just as tasty as the first, and you can all catch a quick shift of sleep. Much more might risk the oncoming winter getting the better of you, but there's enough time, if nothing goes wrong, that you could spend some time preparing before you left off.
OOC:
Where are we going from here, this is truly a place where there's tonnes of options. Pleas check your BITs at this point, I'm closing alteration on Monday.
Jun 14, 2018 4:28 am
Alva notices that Taft leaves his pack by the door, instead of hanging it to dry near the stove. She knows he's going out again and maintains an aura of displeasure during their meal. Taft is not eager to broach the topic.

Once the meal is done, he speaks, trying not to be sheepish.

"We have to travel North-East, my love. To help the wolves, so they will ally with us against the enemy."

He turns to the others.

"It would be easiest to travel along the road at first - heading directly East as far as we can, before turning North. This way, we can also track back to see if any survivors of our battle have retreated. We could also look in on the next town over, to see if anyone is still alive. That would be a good place to turn North."
OOC:
No Intent at the moment - just proposing that we track possible survivors first. Also proposing a bit of local geography, especially the fact that we could possibly check out the carnage at the next town to the East.
Last edited June 14, 2018 4:28 am
Jun 15, 2018 9:29 am
That night, Shadow stalks the village. The massive wolf moves between the familiar spot outside Taft's door, to the mossy patch near the gates, to up high on the roof of the Shrinehouse. The wolf is restless and uncomfortable, snatching fitful moments of sleep before another pang of hunger wakes it. As it blinks sleepily into the darkness, drooling onto its paws, it feels the call to hunt and consume. Tomorrow it will ask its human friends to help it hunt, it decides.
Last edited June 15, 2018 9:29 am
Jun 15, 2018 3:40 pm
After consulting with Taft, Vasil heads to his forge. He doesn't have long, but he intends to get some work done in what time he does have.

The work is soothing. After bloodshed, travel and intense negotiations, nothing feels so right as hammer or tongs in hand. He keeps his pace steady, but fast. This is easy work - the kind of job he had in his first year of apprenticeship. With Vasil's years of experience, the simple items were completed in no time.

Nails for Jorad, filling a rough wooden bucket. Horseshoes - a blacksmith's staple; those for several farms. Vasil made a few extra sets, in case merchants came while he would be gone. Oyvind could sell them, if needs be.

Henrik needed a new blade for his scythe, though at this time of year, harvest equipment was not a priority.
If he made it to the scythe before Taft came to collect him, good. If not, so be it. The quality of work should always come first - even for a bucket of nails.

In the few moments of rest - while the forge heated, or metal cooled - or while taking tea with his old friend, Vasil sketches plans for a future project.
"An idea." He tells a curious Kata, stopping by with food. "We'll see if I make it back from this next trip first." He says with a laugh. The laugh hides worry. Kata smiles reassuringly.
OOC:
Intent: stay on top of blacksmithing work. The villiage still needs nails and horseshoes.
Jun 15, 2018 7:04 pm
After a long and somewhat exasperating conversation with Alva, Taft retreats out the back door, and stands under the stars.

The wind is cooling off, typical for this time of year; and it's shifting around to the North.

He is already thinking about the gear they will need for their trip, and wondering where he will be able to find suitable clothes for Vasil.
OOC:
I have one Intent:
1) I'd like to gather an axe or hatchet for Vasil; and Trapper tools for myself.
Last edited June 15, 2018 7:22 pm
Jun 15, 2018 8:23 pm
The next morning, Taft wanders down the shoreline to ask his friends for strong rope and twine for traps. He also wanders by Vasil's smithy and asks to pick through the smaller pieces of metal. Metal bars and hooks work as great catches and levers for snares.
OOC:
Intent: To secure Trapper's Tools, with Vasil's Help.
Jun 16, 2018 8:23 am
Seeing her husband going around the village asking for traps, Alva tuts to herself and begins to search out some bits and pieces, before telling Taft that she knows Sunniva has some snares already prepared, if he asks her.
OOC:
Alva is offerin to Help. She has, I believe, B1 Resources, so is offering a single Helping die. Vasil offered to Help on the Discord, so that’s a second die (B2). Tools for Trapper are Ob 2 to acquire, if you exceed that by a threshold then you can pick up an extra Toolkit of that ilk per MoS.

If you fail, then not only are Vasil and Alva left poorer, as their lines of credit run out , but instead of being Taxed, you’ll find that your cottage is in disrepair, falling apart thanks to not quite having the resources to maintain it. In the coming Winter, that’s a liability that might hurt more than just you. You’ll still have your snares though.
OOC:
FoRKed Circles Ob 1 Sunniva will be hurt by your announcing yourself, she'll be hurt by your words, and she'll blame Alva, and begin trying to supplant her position within the village
Jun 16, 2018 5:51 pm
The next morning, Taft knocks on Sunniva's door..
Last edited June 16, 2018 5:54 pm

Rolls

B2 Circles to borrow trapping gear +1D Reptutation: Ob1 - (3d6)

(211) = 4

Ob3 Resources. Spending 2 Persona, +2 Helping Die - (4d6)

(3621) = 12

Subsequent Fate point on the 6 for Resources - (1d6)

(6) = 6

Subsequent 6 for Fate.... - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Jun 18, 2018 5:43 pm
...Taft knocks on Sunniva's door and asks humbly to borrow some of her traps for a few weeks

This is peak trapping season, as the animals' winter coats have built up, so Sunniva is reticent.

Taft is not as monetarily savvy as his wife Alva, so he offers to repay her for the pelts she won't take while he's away.

Among all the families in town, Sunniva's is the most concerned with appearances. Her house is decorated with fine crafts and always kept clean. It is too clean for the woodsmen to feel comfortable in, which is why they come to Taft and Alva's to hang about.

Taft is wearing his travelling clothes from the last few days' forays. He still smells of bog muck and as he leans in to gratefully accept the traps, Sunniva is treated to his powerful musky scent.

He leaves feeling awkward, and without realizing the social implications of the exchange.

Next, Taft heads to the shore to borrow line from the folk that are mending their nets in the huge communal loft used to store and dry nets and sails. He promises some of Alva's bread in exchange for the hardy line, and lingers for a few hours to trade stories with his friends.

It is afternoon before Taft returns home and packs his gear for the journey ahead.
Jun 20, 2018 3:34 pm
The next day, Shadow sniffs around town, scavenging for food. The wolf spends a while drooling at the pigs in the pen behind the swineherd's hut, but it knows that stealing one would be the be the end of its acceptance in the village. It walks around the hut to the front and scratches at the door, whining gently, but there is no response. It eventually makes its way to the village's refuse pile and begins to turn it over for food.
Last edited June 20, 2018 3:45 pm
Jun 20, 2018 3:44 pm
Rolling

Rolls

Scavenging B3 + 4 FORK - (7d6)

(6642463) = 31

Jun 20, 2018 3:57 pm
Hearing the gigantic wolf sniffing around a pile of rubbish, the elderly swineherd bursts out his door. Throwing a bone at the ground in front of the wolf, so that it lands gently near it, the old man perches down, sitting cross-legged on the floor, and calmly says "Come now, Shadow. You know better than to play in that muck. My children have told me about all you and your pack did for us two days ago, and you've long been welcome here. More welcome than that scoundrel Oyvind parades about." Darting back into the house, the swineherd emerges with a half-butchered carcass.

"It's not much, but it's what I have. It was going to go bad soon, anyway. Seems my generosity soured people on pig for a day or two..." the swineherd talks more to himself than to Shadow.

*****

The next day, just before the sun rises, Taft assembles the party and points out the route they're to start off on. It should be difficult to get lost on the way to Torstead, a fishing household on a hill four days walk East of Kallbacken, as the coast makes for a great landmark. Still, the journey is sure to have many perils on its way.
OOC:
Safely navigating is an "interesting fact" over the "common knowledge" of just walking along the coast. I'm happy for any Wise which seems appropriate to get rolled; this leg of the journey is to Torstead, which sits about a day or two South of Ragna's steading. Let me know if you're bringing her, or leaving her with Alva, and please narrate this leg of the journey, and what you're contributing to the travel. I'm just happy for food to last this long, but you won't have much left in your packs at the end. If you want to feed yourselves along the way, include that in your posts!
Jun 20, 2018 4:28 pm
It is early morning that Taft's knock comes on Vasil's door. He slept restlessly, waking before dawn. He checked his gear several times more than necessary.
Vasil ate a hearty warm meal - boiled grains with honey, and fresh milk. An indulgence, but he knew it may be his last for a while. He massaged his bad leg, and dressed in his warm travelling gear.

Dressed in a crimson overcoat - the colours and symbols of his homeland marking him as a member of the Flameprince Caravan, Vasil walks quietly through the streets of the town with his companions, joined by Shadow as they exit the village gates. Breath misting, night's frost crunching underfoot, the party is greeted by a vivid sunrise.

Vasil glances back at the wooden walls of the village he now calls home, and matches pace with Taft. He ignores the small stab of pain with each step. It's background noise, it has been for a long time.
Jun 22, 2018 12:02 am
Taft speaks to Ragna before they leave.

"We will pass your steading on the way. If you want to come, to pay respects, please feel free. But we may also meet The Tower, and if we do, we need to know that you will work alongside us against them. Also, you will have to come with us the whole way. To the wolves and back."

Though the weather is cooling off, Taft's bare feet can deal with it until the snow comes. He likes to feel the hard rock of the shoreline under his toes. His boots are strapped to his pack.
OOC:
We might as well invite Ragna, for kicks.

My Intent is to convince Ragna to come with us the whole way, and to know that she won't turn on us.

For the travel, I have Orienteering, and can FoRK Forest-Wise and Tracking.
Jun 22, 2018 8:44 pm
Shadow runs ahead, intently focused on the group's destination. The wolf often stops to glance back at the humans and marvel at how slow they are. Why do they insist on trying to find the way using their eyes? Everyone knows a nose is more reliable. When they begin to stray, Shadow huffs and nudges them back in the correct direction, herding them along, sticking to the territory's borders and keeping the sea to their right.
OOC:
Helping with Territory-wise
Jun 22, 2018 9:08 pm
Taft follows Shadow, but there are times when the great Wolf rushes off into the underbrush, into areas where humans can't travel as quickly. During these periods of time, he sticks to the trails of Deer and Moeve, which travel along the coast. He stays away from trails that show the sign of predators. To Taft's surprise, he spots sign that a Great Elk passed this way earlier in the season. These dense thickets are not where he would expect to see such a massive being.

Ragna's cooking is welcomed at the end of each day, as is Vasil's exceptional ability to light fires, even on the days when a cold rain permeates the underbrush.

For several days, the rain increases. Their passage is blocked by a creek that has swollen into a dangerous-looking rapid. After careful consideration, Taft decides that it's best to move further inland and cross the creek slightly upstream, where he recalls a fallen log from a hunt several years ago.

The fallen log is still there, and the group easily crosses the stream.
OOC:
I'd like to take the extra success to add some information, but I need a bit to think about it.
Last edited June 23, 2018 12:48 pm

Rolls

Ob2 Forest-Wise. B3 +2D Helping (Ragna&Shadow), +1D FoRK Tracking - (6d6)

(126313) = 16

Call-On Trait - reroll 5 traitors - (5d6)

(41611) = 13

Jun 23, 2018 11:49 am
Ragna keeps pace with Taft, seldom complaining. When everyone reaches the Ridge, where the forces of the Tower camped before delivering their ultimatum to Kallbacken, there's a short pause as Taft and Shadow ensure that there are no tracks heading backwards. Thankfully, there aren't.

The three days go well, Vasil sometimes has to hold the group up, his limp keeping them at a sensible pace, not the rush that the group sometimes feels coming on. It takes four days to make it to Torstead, and the journey is interrupted by no local wildlife, but there's also little opportunity to hunt, by the time the steading's barn is in view, the supplies brought from Kallbacken are running low.

Torstead's barn, at first glance, looks unremarkable. As Shadow closes, the wolf can't smell the animals that should have been kept inside. As the group close, the steading, hidden in a copse, becomes visible. Its roof is burned through, and the stones forming the walls are charred.

A tear comes to Ragna's eye as she looks on. "They were here before they got to the Sigrunshrine. I don't think poor Tor ever stood a chance."
Jun 23, 2018 10:17 pm
"Damn the tower, Eirikr mutters as he sees the destruction before him. He holds Ragna's hand with his husband by his side as the stench of smoke fills the air.

"We have to destroy the Tower. We stand no chance against it now. I was foolish to originally believe in it. It has brought death, destruction, and doom."
Jun 25, 2018 3:30 am
Taft signals for the others to move carefully. "We don't know what may be lurking in the ruins."

He pulls out his bow and creeps silently up to the walls of the steading. With an arrow nocked, he steps quietly around the perimeter, pausing regularly to listen - both in the forest, and inside the walls.

At the entrance(s) to the steading, Taft takes extra caution and hides patiently, surveying the buildings inside and looking for any movement within.
OOC:
Intent: To determine if there is anyone inside the steading, without being detected.
Jun 25, 2018 2:50 pm
OOC:
Taft, make us a Stealth roll versus G3 Observation. If you succeed, then you won’t have been spotted by the banner.
Taft Circles the perimeter, quietly and hearing not a sound outside. As he rounds the corner, ready to look to the door, he spots a familiar sight placed in front of the Steading, a banned flying in the wind, depicting a gigantic grey stone tower as it stares outward. Instead of the four falling figures, this structure towers over a series of houses, with two kneeling figures in front of their homes.
OOC:
OOC:
Eirikr, Freyr isn’t there.
Jun 26, 2018 6:01 am
Following Taft and Shadow, Vasil tries to keep pace with the others. His bad leg screaming in pain by the end of a day's marching. Bitter cold and muscle strain aching in the old scars. By night he practices his newfound talents with fire. He insists on lighting the campfire - even if flint and still would be easier. He needs to practice.

At the royal academy back home, it was rumoured that the nobles children practiced the fire arts from when they could walk.

During the daily March, Vasil watches his guides. He watches Taft pathfind and track. Where he looks, where he walks. On breaks, he asks the why, taking mental note for if he is stranded.

Vasil chats with Eirikr, and Ragna. She seems distant, worried.

Once, during a rest, Vasil approaches Shadow. Lying on it's belly near the edge of the clearing, Vasil asks about animal tracks. The conversation moves to the Song of the Forest, but is cut short by Taft's disciplined marching schedule. He hopes to resume that conversation at some point.

On the fourth day, Shadow and Taft stop before the crest of a hill. Instructed to wait, while they scout ahead, Vasil settled down and waits...
Jun 28, 2018 9:03 pm
OOC:
Rolling

Rolls

G3 Observation - (3d6)

(565) = 16

Jun 29, 2018 6:23 pm
Taft steps directly out in front of the Banner. He feels vaguely uneasy at it's presence, but doesn't think to avoid it.

He takes a few cautious steps toward the banner and tries to determine if the kneeling figures are identifiable. Are they wearing anything in particular, or gendered in any way? Similarly, he takes a look at the houses and tries to find some similarity between the houses and the architecture of Kallbacken, or of this village.
OOC:
Intent seems clear.
Last edited June 29, 2018 6:29 pm

Rolls

Ob3 Stealth: B3 - (3d6)

(124) = 7

Jun 30, 2018 12:01 am
Watching Taft creeping towards the banner, the wolf follows at a distance. While the hunter is focused on the kneeling figures, Shadow sees another chance to smell the banner and perhaps figure out more about it. It's sure The Tower is using these for something, but what? Last time, the banner hadn't revealed any secrets and the wolf's normally potent bark had proved futile against the spirit within, but perhaps this time... The wolf inches towards the banner, sniffing at it and pricking its ears up, listening for the telltale rustlings and murmuring of spirits.
OOC:
Intent: Find out about the spirit in the banner so I can bark it away properly this time.
Jun 30, 2018 2:25 am
Vasil lays on the hill near the village. Taft left explicit instructions not to stand on the crest, claiming that a silhouette atop a hill is the best way to make sure you are seen.
So, Vasil waits.

Vasil turns to Ragna, who looks as highly strung as Taft's bow. She grips her belt knife in white-knuckled anticipation.

"Is there anything more you can tell us? The more we know the better. Did I hear you mention a shrine?"
Jun 30, 2018 9:46 pm
OOC:
Taft
The banner’s figures, quite unlike the ones falling in the banner that once flew inside Kallbacken, are dressed in ornate, although form-concealing, robes with gilt hems; despite the weaver’s obvious craft it’s impossible to make out a gender or identity to the faces. The stonework of the houses and tower are similarly, grey stones quite unlike those techniques used in Kallbacken.

This steading’s four large buildings are built with the same techniques as Kallbacken’s houses, barns, and shrine.
OOC:
There’s a weird detail here, which is Ob 5 Perception to notice, failure will mean that Taft gets a nearly complete fact instead.
OOC:
Shadow, please make an Ob 4 Perception roll, success will identify some key facts about this banner , failure will mean that you’ll believe it’s invulnerable to your Jaws. Only your Ear traits apply.[/

[ooc]Vasil
Rants turns to you, her face curling up a little, in the way you remember the Insular people of Kallbacken making it clear that you are a foreigner.

"The Sigrunshrine is about 3 days South, buried in the woods. It is where the Sigrundotrs lived. It is where I lived."
OOC:
It’s clear she’ll need prodding to let you know everything. This is An Ob3 Persuasion Test to convince her it’s in her best interests. Otherwise you’ll get more information, but not the whole story.
Jul 2, 2018 11:55 am
Rolling for Persuasion.
Beginner's Luck. Ob3 becomes Ob6.

Will B5, FoRKing Haggling (implied reciprocity for information), Eirikr is helping. Spending one Persona.

Rolls

Persuasion B5 + 3 - (8d6)

(46465651) = 37

Jul 2, 2018 6:09 pm
Taft leans in closer to the Banner, comforted by the presence of Shadow nearby.

Rolls

Ob5 Perception B5 - (5d6)

(34111) = 10

Jul 3, 2018 8:15 am
OOC:
Rolling
OOC:
Spending Fate
Last edited July 3, 2018 8:18 am

Rolls

B4 Per + 1D Woodland Ear + 2 Persona - (7d6)

(6621266) = 29

4 rerolls - (4d6, RA)

(4454) = 17

Jul 3, 2018 10:28 am
As Taft's human eyes scan the banner, the fabric making it up seems to shift a little. Drawing his eyes, not to the scene, but to the craftsmanship, the tool-user catches something he hadn't seen earlier. The fabric it is made of is reminiscent of a spider's Web more than wool or leather. It's difficult to place the provenance of the materials, but the process of making the banner seems quite different to anything Kallbacken has seen.

As Taft touches the banner, the wolf next to him listens. Its pricked ears can sense a babble of information, only just intelligible, it seems to be sending in the direction of the rising sun. There's clearly a spirit, or something of that ilk, inside, and as the wolf listens it makes out more than that. The spirit is surveilling its vicinity, and constantly babbling that information back, whilst also seeming to have a different power, making people more afraid of going against the powerful. The spirit inside, if freed, would be Controlling of humanity, but Sycophantic towards other spirits, yet a powerful magic keeps it still.
OOC:
I might give more information later, but there's what you two have got.
Ragna looks to Vasil and says "Sigrunshrine kept those who came to it. The three of us, the Sigrundotr, were the keepers after our mother died. It was just us three when the forces of the Tower came. They promised us riches beyond belief if we picked up our weapons, and went to join more places to the Tower. We never did, Torstead having been resistant long before anyone had found us, and Kallbacken being the next settlement along. My sisters thought we'd be safe." She pauses, and stops." I'll say more later, I need a little time to myself " before plunging into the woods, tears in her eyes.
Jul 3, 2018 12:24 pm
Vasil looks to Eirikr, "What do you make of that?"

He glances back to the retreating Ragna, "I think that poor woman has known great loss."

Crawling on his belly to the crest of the hill, Vasil looks down towards the town, looking for Taft and Shadow.
OOC:
Checking the other two are fine, while remaining unseen.
Jul 5, 2018 10:22 am
OOC:
There's no real stress for that, so you'll be able to make their progress out, and see them to the side of the steading, just as they go to investigate the banner.
A short while later, Ragna comes back, composure settled once more. She gestures down and says "They've been gone long enough and quietly enough it's either safe of deadly" and starts down the hill.
Jul 5, 2018 1:04 pm
Vasil jerks his head in a let's go motion to Eirikr, and starts off down the hill after Ragna.

Eventually catching the former prisoner, Vasil stalks behind her, as she peers around a corner. She recoils upon seeing the banner.
OOC:
I don't want to do too much for the NPC. Let me know if her reaction needs to change.
Vasil sees Taft and Shadow staring intently, he is ready to help if needed.
OOC:
Waiting for a little more information, but intent is to help if required.
OOC:
Update: going a little further.
Vasil gives Ragna a reassuring look, and walks into the town square to greet his companions, standing below the banner. Summoning a small flame to the palm of his hand for emphasis, he raises an eyebrow at Shadow. "Like last time?"

The wolf nods agreement.

"Eirikr!" Vasil calls over his shoulder, "We may have need of that axe of yours."
Vasil looks to the wooden post holding the banner above the square. The hair on his neck stands on end. Its smug aura mocks him.
Last edited July 6, 2018 3:36 pm
Jul 6, 2018 3:57 pm
As Eirikr hefts his axe and chops the pole, the wolf lets out a howl. Leaping upwards, it grabs the banner between its teeth, ripping it from the falling pole with its spirit-tearing jaws. It shakes its head hard, worrying at the banner before depositing it in a wet, ugly lump in front of Vasil. The wolf pants happily, meeting the blacksmith's eyes. "Fire tamer, do your work," it says.
OOC:
Helping with Ancestral Jaw
Jul 6, 2018 4:21 pm
Giving a nod to Eirikr, his axe slung across his shoulder, Vasil watches as the Wolf bites and tears at the banner. Though it looks no different from a dog tearing at the washing, there is a feeling in the air, an itchiness that suggests something more. Shadow looks satisfied, so Vasil kneels before the mound, focusing hard. He is getting better at this, but still has some way to go. Closing his eyes, he imagines himself pumping a bellows. His breathing becomes the rhythm. He places his hand onto the sloppy mess of fabric, and continues his focus. Unlike lighting a fire, there is pushback. The fabric is wet, but weak from Shadow's influence; yet still it fights.

Vasil hears a faint sizzling sound, as the fabric begins to heat...
OOC:
Fire Taming - Beginner's Luck. Will B5 vs Ob2 (doubled from Ob1) + Help from Shadow's Ancestral Jaw. + Help from Taft's Gusts

Rolls

Fire Taming - (7d6, RA)

(1434453) = 24

Jul 6, 2018 5:09 pm
Eirikr quietly follows Vasil, frowning at the sight of the banner. He draws his axe and swings at it, wanting to tear it to shreds.
OOC:
intent is to destroy the banner
Jul 6, 2018 5:16 pm
Eirikr brings the pole to a lopsided bend with his first swipe. On the second, as Eirikr's axe touches the banner it finds no purchase, skidding off the smooth fabric.

By contrast, Vasil's flames and Shadow's Jaws eat away at the fabric, quickly reducing it to nothing. The wolf's special ears can hear screams and cries as the banner is destroyed. Taft sends swift, albeit weak, pushes of the air, feeding the flames and keeping the acrid smoke away from the four of them.

The steading feels a little safer once the banner has been turned to ash.
Jul 7, 2018 5:34 pm
Taft looks silently down at the ashes of the Banner.

"They will know we were here, but they will probably not risk an attack until Spring, now. When they come, they will know we are ready to fight, and so they will come in great strength."

He looks up at Shadow.

"Our only hope is to ally with your pack, dear friend. Kallbacken cannot fight alone. We must work with the forest, as we always have."

Taft looks over the abandoned settlement.

"We could rest here tonight before we head into the deeper forest. This may be a good time to hunt and forage, and replenish our packs. Except for mushrooms, there will be less to forage in the darkness of the understory. Look, there are some rose hips. They are sweet like fruit at this time of year. I like them best right after the first frost."

"Vasil, can you lead Eirikr out to hunt and forage? I would like to set some traps here in the settlement. In the Spring, when the people of the Tower come again, they will certainly rest here. A few traps will make them think our reach is far, and slow their advance."

Taft passes Vasil his bow and arrows, with significance. These are Taft's treasured tools - they are almost a part of his body and never given to anyone else. "Here. You have seen me practicing. Nock the arrow like this, and aim like this. If you see a deer, aim right behind the foreleg. If you see a rabbit, then you will be very lucky to hit it, but try anyways."
OOC:
Intent: To help Vasil understand how to use a bow, and to convince him to go hunt with my son. I want to instruct him well enough that he has a good chance to succeed at hunting, to build his confidence in the forest.
Last edited July 7, 2018 6:06 pm
Jul 8, 2018 12:38 am
With a measured nod, Vasil takes the hunter's weapon, handing him his own spear in return. It's been many years since Vasil has handled a bow.

"Let me know if you need and wood or metalwork done. I'm sure you can track is to where we are. There is sure to be a forge in this town."
Vasil turns to Eirikr, patting him on the shoulder.
"Come on lad, let's go catch dinner for us all. I'm starving from the march."

With a nod or smile to each part member - as is appropriate, Vasil turns and walks towards the forest. He ties the quiver of arrows to his hip, and balances the bow in his left hand, getting a feel for the unfamiliar weapon, its centre of mass. He gives the string a few test draws - careful not to dry fire, remembering a screaming drill sergeant many years ago.

The trees dampen the ambient light, making it feel later in the day. The temperature drops, for the lack of sun. Vasil attempts to note landmarks, significant trees, and the driection of the sun. He hopes this will be enough to stop him getting lost.

Eventually, Vasil reaches a small creek. Hoping the water will attract animals, he slows, and attempts to quieten his footfalls. One arrow knocked, but undrawn, he looks around, listening keenly.

Placing himself a short distance from the creek, he sits behind a tree, with a decent view of the area, believing himself obscured. Now he waits.
OOC:
Intentions:
- Remember the way out
- Be quiet, so as to not frighten away deer
- Be on the lookout for animals to shoot, then eat
Last edited July 9, 2018 3:13 pm
Jul 8, 2018 6:03 pm
Eirikr quietly follows Vasil into the forest.
Jul 9, 2018 3:56 pm
OOC:
Vasil, this test in it Ln two parts. First you need to track a Deer. Then Hunt it. Tracking is going to be On 2, and Link to the Hunting test. Failure consequence: it takes all day, and you find a scrawny buck at the end of it, feeding the group for about 3 days. Rather than getting you through the entire next leg without a stomach grumbling. Hunting: Ob 2, but the failure consequence here will be that you waste all the arrows, losing them and snapping them, and damage the bowstring. You'll also injure yourself doing it. There will be a Superficial Wound for you and all Helpers.
Jul 10, 2018 12:10 pm
After a short while, Vasil realises the game will not come to him. He could crouch here for hours, and end up with buck all.

Looking to his feet, Vasil begins looking for tracks, signs of animals. He recalls watching Taft, asking him questions. Vasil looks for the shape Taft had pointed out as a deer print. He looks for an animal trail, with a downtrodden underbrush. Taking his time, he is as methodical as he can be, remembering to be quiet.
OOC:
Beginner's Luck Hunting. Ob2 (Ob4) vs Perception 4. Eirikr helps. + Any FoRKs that are granted. + Working patiently
Last edited July 10, 2018 2:16 pm

Rolls

Hunting - Perception B4 + Help + Patiently + Persona - (7d6)

(6323622) = 24

Fate to reroll the 6s - (2d6, RA)

(45) = 9

Jul 10, 2018 3:04 pm
Vasil follows some tracks, after a few false starts, he gets onto a trail. What looks like a good size deer. Approaching the clearing, he steps on a fallen branch, the crack piercing the forest. The deer jerks its head toward the sound, ears alert. Vasil freezes, holding as still as possible. Eventually the deer returns to its grazing. Vasil slowly releases his held breath, shooting a relieved look at Eirikr, who stands a little behind him.

The hunter's son gives Vasil a reassuring hand gesture, demonstrating bow technique. Vasil steps slowly from behind a tree, draws the arrow to his ear, and aims for the deer as Taft told him...

Rolls

Hunting (B4 Perception / Agility) + Help + Advantage + Patiently - (7d6)

(5632212) = 21

Fate to reroll the 6. - (1d6, RA)

(2) = 2

Jul 10, 2018 6:24 pm
Taft spends the day setting snares in the village. He uses a variety of techniques so that triggering one trap will not help find other traps.

Most of the snares would only cripple a human - a few spring traps that could break a leg, and a heavy log set behind an entrance that would fall on the first person entering.

He spends the majority of his time trapping the most prominent and secure dwelling - the one that people, especially a leader, would be most likely to sleep in. For this building, he uses his carpentry knowledge and his axe to weaken the entire structure. It is set so that someone lying on the bed would topple down the entire building, and hopefully kill whoever is inside.
OOC:
Task is clear, I think. I'd like the intent to be "to kill or wound their leader" with the trap.
Jul 11, 2018 4:01 pm
Rolling Trapping - Fail
Last edited July 11, 2018 4:03 pm

Rolls

Ob4 Trapping (B3) + FoRK Carpentry (1D) - (4d6)

(2524) = 13

Jul 12, 2018 9:16 pm
The woods are darkby the time Vasil downs his stag, and the creature’s falll snaps the final arrow of those Taft lent him. He turns to Eirikr, and they prepare the carcass for transport together. As they walk back, it quickly becomes clear that they’re not retracing their steps.

The woods are dark, and carrying their trophy between them is difficult. At one point Basil’s leg seizes up, and the two of them trip into the undergrowth, they emerge with grazes all over their arms and face, as they get up the string on Taft’s bow snaps from the torment of being strung for so long.
OOC:
Superficial Wound.
It’s early light when the two wonder upon Ragna, who is swiftly searching for them, and leads them back to the Steading, showing them where Taft has laid traps.

Taft has slept fitfully, piecing together the steading’s traps, and is awake when his son and friend return with a worthy trophy, and no arrows!
Jul 13, 2018 4:14 am
Placing the stag on the ground within the clearing, Vasil turns to Taft and Ragna, "It is done." He gestures apologetically to the broken bow string, and empty quiver, "Not without cost, but we have food."

With surprising strength, Ragna grabs the buck by its antler, and drags it into the clearing, where she beings preparing the kill with her belt knife.

Vasil, still holding the bow, asks Ragna to save some appropriate sinew from the animal, explaining that he intends to make a replacement bow string. He holds forth a collection of broken arrows to Taft, "I saved the heads and fletching. I'm going to sleep for now, but when I wake, I will attempt to make you some more arrows."
He hands the bow, broken arrows and quiver back to Taft, shame in his eyes. "I'm sorry for damaging your weapon. My spear is yours until I have fixed this."

Vasil turns to Eirikr, who is assisting Ragna in the butchery, "Thank you for your help."

He goes to find somewhere to sleep.
OOC:
Intent: apologise for the damage, ask Ragna to collect materials for a replacement bow string. Get some rest.
After resting, make a new bow string, make some arrows.
Last edited July 13, 2018 4:16 am
Jul 15, 2018 5:36 pm
Taft does his best not to look at the bow.

"That's a good-sized one."


He helps drag the buck into the camp. He quietly helps Ragna bleed and butcher the animal. He notes whether Vasil is watching or not, but doesn't say anything to him about how to prepare the animal. He can learn enough by watching.

Finally, when the meat is finished, he stands and faces Vasil. His arms are covered in blood up to the biceps.

"Where did the rest of the arrows go?"
OOC:
No Intent at the moment.
Last edited July 15, 2018 5:37 pm
Jul 16, 2018 9:48 am
OOC:
I don’t have anything to add here, feel free to spend a little while talking...
Jul 17, 2018 1:25 am
The wolf had wandered off into the forest for many hours but it reappears when the butchering begins. Despite being such a large animal, it manages to carefully prod its snout between the legs of the humans without tripping them up. It lounges there comfortably, quickly snatching up and devouring any scraps they discard and catching the falling blood on its tongue.

After it practically swallows down a whole hoof, it notices Ragna staring at it in surprise. "Nothing should be wasted," it says. "Prey hunted well deserves respect. This is our way of showing respect to it." She frowns but before she can ask more questions, the wolf shows her its teeth, not as a direct threat but as a warning that she shouldn't press the issue. Ragna purses her lips but breaks eye contact, continuing to cut at the meat.

The wolf picks up a massive femur between its jaws and carefully manoeuvres it out from between the working humans. It settles down for a nice long chew; the rest of the carcass will be eaten later.
Last edited July 17, 2018 1:28 am
Jul 17, 2018 1:48 am
Vasil is exhausted. Between the weight of his eyelids, and the shame in his chest, he wishes for nothing more than to go to sleep. Taft's tone seems to suggest that he is expected to butcher his kill, or at least stay to learn.

Vasil remembers himself as a young apprentice, leaning the most basic of metalwork, of sweeping forges, and pumping bellows. The menial work that comes with the craft. Now, as then, he does his duty. He shoves down his weariness, and does as he is asked. He holds a leg, pulls hide, or scoops handfuls of offal, careful to keep his fingers clear of the hungry wolf's teeth. It's crowded with so many around the buck, but luckily it is a large animal.

Vasil helps to save long strips of siniew and appropriate bow string material. Enough to make several, and for patch repair existing pieces.

His knees ache, along with his back. His cuts and bruises sting. The old wound in his leg continues its dull, slow throb, as always. He persevers.

Taft asks him what happened to the arrows. Vasil explains that some were lost in the hunt, but the majority were lost while carrying the animal carcass back to their camp. He explains how he tripped, spilling the contents of the quiver down an embankment, how he gathered what he could. Salvaging heads and fletching of broken arrows. He believes he can make more arrows.
OOC:
Help with butchery.
Learn techniques.
Gather bowstring materials.
Last edited July 17, 2018 1:48 am
Jul 17, 2018 5:23 pm
Taft doesn't seem disappointed in Vasil for losing the arrows, but his face becomes grim at the practical challenges they will face.

"We will have a hard time hunting without the arrows. And I cannot defend us as well, either. But we have a lot of meat now, so hopefully it will carry us through. And Shadow can help."

"I don't think it's worth our time to stay here to fletch more arrows. We need feathers, and obsidian. I think our best bet is to follow your trail on our way into the forest, and see if we can recover any more arrows at the embankment where you fell."

There is a palpable tension around the hunter. He moves a little more quickly than usual, and is often lost in thought, as he tries to figure out the best way to bring everyone home safe. He doesn't tell anyone, but he is wondering whether it might be safer to turn back.

He will wait and see if they can find the embankment where Vasil fell.
OOC:
I think we should continue, arrowless. I would like to track, to retrace Vasil's trail, on the way into the forest - and try to recover some arrows. Not sure if that's not Letting it Ride though.
Last edited July 17, 2018 5:27 pm
Jul 19, 2018 9:38 pm
It is first light, and Vasil and Eirikr are tired from their long hunt. As Taft drags them to where Vasil claims to have lost the arrows, it’s clear quite how lost the two of them were.
OOC:
Scavenging Common Goods is Ob2. You’re at disadvantage for scavenging somewhere it’d be unlikely to find arrows, but the test fits the fiction so I’ll allow it, that’s Ob 2+1 (so it doubles to 5).
Jul 21, 2018 5:42 am
Taft exhaustively searches the ravine where Vasil says he lost the arrows. It is getting dark before he finally accepts that he will not be able to find any of the precious missiles.

"We should set up camp. We can move deeper into the forest tomorrow."

He grimly begins collecting firewood. This expedition is taking a bad turn and he hopes he can still bring everyone home safe.
OOC:
Happy to move ahead... I'd like to start Tracking the other wolves. I want to find out what they're afraid of, but we need to find them first. Without them finding us first, preferably.
Last edited July 21, 2018 5:48 am

Rolls

Scavenging Ob2+1 (Rolling Perception B5) - (5d6)

(56241) = 18

Fate on the roll - (1d6)

(6) = 6

exploding 6! - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Jul 21, 2018 9:04 am
Vasil trails Taft, explaining the path he and Eirikr took, carrying the huge stag carcass.
"I think I tripped on that root." He says, pointing out a freshly turned patch of dirt and disturbed leaf litter.
Eventually leading Taft to the spot, Vasil explains how he and Eirikr nearly tumbled down the embankment. "As I said before, I gathered many of the arrows, but some fell from the quiver and slid down."
He gestures to where they may be, and helps Taft in any way required.
OOC:
Helping Taft with Appraisal
Last edited July 22, 2018 12:42 pm

Rolls

Help - (1d6)

(1) = 1

Jul 23, 2018 9:49 pm
Shadow sniffs the air for Taft's familiar scent on the arrows, and then bounds off into the underbrush again.
OOC:
Helping with Scavenging
Last edited July 23, 2018 9:52 pm

Rolls

Help - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Jul 26, 2018 12:04 am
OOC:
Very narrow failure.
Vasil is exhausted as Taft tracks his footsteps. The five wanderers do manage to find some landmarks that Vasil and Eirikr recognise, but it seems like none of the arrows are where Vasil said they’d be. The sun is getting low on the horizon when the arrows are gathered, and it’s clear that stopping to eat, gaining about half a week’s food, has ended up costing two days.
OOC:
The next leg, either to the frozen lake or further than that to the area the other pack will be in, is Ob 3 Orienteering Test. Failure here will, if narrow, mean that arrival is on the third evening from now, rather than midday that day; more severe failure will alert the wolves and, with no successes, an entire day will be lost in navigation error.
Jul 26, 2018 3:04 pm
As the group travels on, Vasil spends an hour or so per night working by firelight. Fire that he lit and maintained himself, of course.
First, making a new bowstring to replace Taft's broken one, he moves on to trying his hand at creating arrows to replace some of those lost or broken.
OOC:
On top of daytime travel duties, Vasil will continue to practice Firetaming, and:
Create a bowstring from harvested animal parts.
Make new arrows.
Jul 28, 2018 10:15 am
OOC:
After discussion on the Discord, this trip is now taking 6 days total, so arriving at the rough location 4 days before when Taft reckons the real winter weather will start. You can take part in 2 activities during this time, including practice, making stuff, or helping navigate.

Failure at the Ob 3 test will now tip off the wolves, as well as meaning arrival is at midnight on that day.
Jul 28, 2018 1:28 pm
On the first night of travel, Vasil sets to crafting a bowstring from the deer siniew. Smoothing, straightening and trimming the material, he works it to a length shorter than the broken string - accounting for stretching.

Vasil asks the others for help when necessary, he makes good use of the extra pairs of hands. "Hold this." as is required.
OOC:
Make a new bowstring for Taft.
Jul 28, 2018 7:10 pm
Despite their dwindling supplies, Taft does not force the group to push more quickly.

"Survival means living with the land, at its own pace. We will do better if we take our time, and find food as we go."

The hunter forages for mushrooms and berries, and keeps an eye out for rabbit runs, where he might set a snare overnight.
OOC:
Two intents: To Trap for more food (hopefully using some remaining Tools), and Orienteering.
Jul 30, 2018 6:28 pm
As the band wander towards their goal, Shadow often goes off alone. It scares smaller animals away from Taft's traps and herds a few larger ones in, taking down the ones that do not comply and dragging them back to the humans. Anytime the humans stray off course, Shadow sniffs the air and directs them back to the right course.

One night, as they camp beside a clear river which emerges from a cave in the mountainside, the wolf is uneasy. It paces back and forth at the edge of the water, sniffing at the frost creeping across the river, its ears pulled back and its tail straight out like a warning signal. "Winter is almost here," it says to the humans as they eat. "I have some business to attend to here. There is a spirit, an enemy of mine, that needs to be put in its place."
OOC:
Helping with Hunting (for the trapping) and Nature of all Things (for the Orienteering)
Last edited July 30, 2018 6:33 pm
Jul 30, 2018 7:44 pm
OOC:
Vasil, this is a test without Tools, so you're at Double Ob. That's Ob 2, which doubles to 4 from being unskilled. Failure means you make a "perfectly serviceable" string that will break after the first use "in anger". Coffeedemon should post to decide if he's happier with you rolling when the bow gets used or now.

Mark off another few days practice. I might call for a test during the interactions around the spirit...
OOC:
Navigation is Ob 3, one of you counts as Helping the other (probably Taft as primary on this one, as he has the skill)
OOC:
Gathering food for the party is an Ob 3 test for either skill. In the spirit of equality and fairness, let's let WTB make this roll?
OOC:
I'm happy for people to go meet the spirit, but want a general nod first; let's roll these tests too.
Jul 30, 2018 7:51 pm
OOC:
Let's wait until the bow is used before Vasil rolls. Sounds like Shadow will help me with Orienteering?
Jul 31, 2018 8:48 am
With the others out foraging, Vasil sits on a large dead tree, straddling the bow for a working surface. He gathers rocks for weights, along with deer siniew, and Taft's good knife. Tonight he reluctantly skipped his fire practice, in favour of the faster flint and steel method.
His makeshift workspace ready, he sets to work attaching the siniew to Taft's bow, hoping his novice hand can give the correct draw weight and strength.
OOC:
Rolling beginner's lucky Bowyer. Ob1 doubled to Ob2, doubles to Ob4 for lack of tools. +1 Ob for Superficial wound.
Agility B4 + working patiently.

Rolls

Bowyer - (5d6)

(36253) = 19

Jul 31, 2018 4:29 pm
OOC:
I decided not to add any IC stuff yet, because I'm not sure where we're at. Looks like we're going to go talk to a spirit, and I'm not sure what the Orienteering Failure looks like.

Spending my last Fate Point on this... when does the session end? :)

Rolling DoF to see if I still have Tools after helping with Trapping again.
Last edited July 31, 2018 4:34 pm

Rolls

Ob3 Orienteering (B3 +1D Helping) - (4d6)

(6115) = 13

Fate on the roll - (1d6)

(2) = 2

DoF use up Trapping Tools? - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Aug 3, 2018 11:44 pm
In the edges of the wolf’s territory, it keenly scents trials old and new, and shows Taft places animals have passed recently.
OOC:
B2+2 Hunting, with 1D Help, and forks of scent tracking, territory-wise, and Nature of all Things special FoRK.

Rolls

Hunting - (8d6)

(33143332) = 22

Aug 3, 2018 11:59 pm
The way to the lake has been dreadful. Each step becoming more difficult than the last. The lake provides water, but food is scarce, and the animals all around. Taft has called a few backtracks, the normal ways blocked by ice, fallen trees, or tracks of Moeve. Vasil is the only one who seems to have progressed according to plan, having cleaned the guts of the last meal, and tied them into a string that satisfies Taft.

At the lake, Shadow looks off into the distance, ears twitching as it hears the tik tik tik of its quarry’s tarsals on the lake’s frozen surface. The nighttime fog hanging over the river obscured the form that lies watching from a cave, but eight spots of light can be seen, forming a ring that moves slightly, as if taking the mark of the interlopers.
Aug 7, 2018 3:52 am
Vasil notices the wolf and the hunter exchanging looks. He couldn't see what they saw, but their caution made him grip his spear tighter, eyes darting side to side for danger.
The air seems colder than before, but maybe that's just the lake. He shoots a look to Eirikr, his eyebrows asking are you ready?
Aug 7, 2018 12:55 pm
Eirikr nods at Vasil, gripping his axe tighter.
Aug 13, 2018 1:33 am
The wolf walks up to the edge of the frozen water, taking careful, deliberate steps towards the ring of eyes. As it steps onto the hard surface of the river, its black coat fills with white flecks of frost. Normally, a sheet of ice would make for a perfectly comfortable walking surface for a wolf. Here, however, the cold of beneath Shadow's paws hurts as if a thousand tiny mouths full of sharp little fangs were gnawing at its pads. Yet, despite the pain, the wolf pushes through. Paw over paw, it carries on. The spirit's effects on the area would not deter it from its quest.

It stopped about 50 metres from the cave mouth, looking for a moment, outlining in its mind where the spirit's bulk lay and where would be the best place to bite it if this conversation went badly. Once it comes up with a suitable back up plan, it speaks.

"Frostbite. Enemy mine. This year, I come not to put you down, but to offer you a meal beyond any you have ever had.

The lands and the lives in these parts have been ravaged by the followers of a false spirit named The Tower. These followers are camping North of here for the winter. You have a choice: abandon your old feeding grounds this year and feast freely on these intruders. If you do this, you will have made a step towards atoning for what you did to my pack and ending our enmity. If you do not, I will rip you to shreds and you will sleep another year. Choose wisely, spirit. I await your answer."
Aug 13, 2018 7:56 am
OOC:
This looks like Intimidation, plain and simple. The spirit's Will is B3, it's animalistic and alien, so your Ob is 7 including the hunger penalty. You can have an advantage for having slayed it before, and Vasil, Taft, and Eirikr can all Help with stats or skills because you're unskilled. Good luck.

Clarifying success (Intent): success will lock travel east/west by Frostbite. It will cause the Tower's forces to stay back, and mean that only a dedicated squad would be able to travel, and even then slowly. It is likely that the cold would claim the lives of some collateral humans to, as Frostbite will be a little indiscriminate. It won't change Kallbacken though, and the two nearby steadings you know about have been destroyed.

Failure consequence: it lashes out, drawing you into a fight, starting by trying to freeze the life out of all of you. If you succeed the flash-frost, it might allow another tactic to get it to change its target.
Aug 13, 2018 8:01 am
It is strangely calm as the Howl of the wind quiets down. Flecks of snow fall out the air as the flurries quiet themselves. There is a sound like the scraping of rocks against one another, and the entrance to the cave seems to glow fiercely as the eight waiting eyes observe the hunter, and weigh up its proclamation.

Its form is still shrouded in darkness, but Taft and Vasil can just about make out the outline of a large creature, its body supported on pillars of ice.
Aug 13, 2018 11:22 am
Shadow had been quiet on the approach to the lake. Its ears flicking between high alertness, and low, as though about to fight. Vasil didn't get much information about this nemesis of the wolf, but he knew enough. An ice spirit.

As far as Vasil is concerned fire was pretty effective at melting ice, so he prepared himself, coating the blade of his spear in an extra thick layer of tallow. Even if this doesn't work, he thought to himself, at least my blade is safe from this weather.

As the wolf steps forward and says its bit, Taft and Vasil follow behind. There is a pause, the echo Shadow's words cutting through the wind, and bouncing back sharp and clear. Vasil takes a strong stance behind Shadow, and lights the blade of the spear on fire, pouring his energy - all that he has learned into this action.
OOC:
Using Firetaming as part of the linked test to intimidate Shadow's nemesis.

Rolls

Lighting the spearhead. Firetaming (Beginner's Luck) [Ob1]Ob2 Vs Will B5 - (5d6)

(32634) = 18

Spending a Fate to explode that 6. - (1d6)

(1) = 1

Aug 13, 2018 1:04 pm
With a flash of his hand, and a flourish of his staff worthy of a Deneyevian Court bard, Vasil spins the flaming spear above his head, slamming the iron shod butt into the frozen lake.
"I stand with Shadow!" He yells above the frozen wind, staring into the cave.
Aug 14, 2018 4:19 pm
Taft is in awe of the creature. There are certain ravines and caves where he does not hunt, and they have had feelings like this.

If it were not for his companions, he would not have come so close. But now that they face the beast, he knows they must put up a united front.

Taft walks up and stops along the other flank of Shadow. He stands tall, draws his bow, and aims it carefully at the largest eye.

To ensure his aim is true, he calls the wind to clear drifting snow out of the space between himself and the great spirit. This creates a slight upwelling of sparkling, powdery flakes around the trio.
OOC:
I hope this is enough to count as a help on Intimidation. I'd be using Will too - mostly just asserting my presence and confidence.
Aug 14, 2018 9:19 pm
OOC:
Rolling

Rolls

Will B5 + 3P + Adv + 4Help - (13d6, RA)

(31245543623143) = 46

Aug 14, 2018 9:37 pm
A gigantic behemoth formed of ice rears out of the cave. Eight legs, thick and white as a birch trunk, support a spider's body that seems to be woven from snowflakes. One of its crystalline eyes blinks in surprise as Taft's arrow splinters uselessly against it.

"Meddler" it hisses in a staccato series of syllables. "You bring man and its useless toys to our fight"

A flurry of snow catches up, and a flash of freeze carries along the ice from the spider to the small group. The cold bites instantly to the bone.
OOC:
Surviving the cold onslaught of this creature is difficult. It lives up to its name. As you're dressed for Winter, but it's still Autumn, I think it's a base Ob of 4, but Vasil has advantage, and Shadow gets some bonuses from its coat. Success in this roll will leave no deleterious effects, whereas failing will cause a Wound, B3 per MoF. This wound won't require treatment, but will require warmth before it heals.
OOC:
this attack calls for a Steel test. Factor in penalties from the previous roll. If at least one of you succeeds at the Steel test, then the creature will be cowed enough to be convinced. It's at disadvantage for being directly targeted by magic (+1 Ob) for the humans, and Vasil and Shadow both get advantage for different reasons) +1D)
Aug 14, 2018 9:46 pm
Taft rolls...

Rolls

Ob4 Forte (B4) - (4d6)

(1212) = 6

B5 Steel vs Hesitation 5, -1D Disadvantage - (4d6)

(5525) = 17

Aug 14, 2018 9:56 pm
Rolling...

Rolls

Ob4 Forte - (4d6)

(3255) = 15

Aug 14, 2018 10:08 pm
OOC:
Rolling Forte
OOC:
Rolling Steel
OOC:
Spending Fate to reroll a Failure
Last edited August 14, 2018 10:12 pm

Rolls

Fort B4 - (4d6)

(5164) = 16

Steel B7+1 - (8d6, RA)

(13234141) = 19

F - (1d6, RA)

(4) = 4

Aug 14, 2018 10:12 pm
OOC:
rolling

Rolls

Steel ob 7 with persona - (4d6)

(4213) = 10

Aug 14, 2018 10:18 pm
The cold washes over Vasil like a fever chill, piercing his body. He tenses his body and focused on his inner flame...
OOC:
Forte against the gripping cold. Advantage for fire.

Rolls

Forte B4 + 1D Advantage - (5d6)

(51115) = 13

Aug 14, 2018 10:32 pm
OOC:
Vasil takes a light wound -1D.
The cold tears through him, buffeting his body, his spirit. It years at his skin, ice and wind. His eyes water, and tears freeze. To his left he hears Taft scream in unnatural agony, the cry echoing across the frozen lake. Vasil puts it from his mind. He sets his jaw. He will not bow to this monster, this aberration.
OOC:
Rolling Steel. -1D for wound, +1D for Advantage.
OOC:
Success after Fate spend
Vasil roars. Primal and pained in defiance. He levels his still flaming spear at the beast, and pushes himself forward, standing now next to Shadow in an aggressive fighting stance.
OOC:
Update: I've been informed I didn't need to spend those Fate, and that only one can be spent at a time. They're all being taken back.
Last edited August 15, 2018 6:07 am

Rolls

Steel B7 - (7d6, RA)

(51431654) = 29

Spending three Fate to reroll three traitors... - (3d6, RA)

(255) = 12

Aug 15, 2018 11:14 pm
Whilst Taft and Eirikr's resolves waver, Vasil stands still and proud, his fire setting him against the spirit's onslaught.

As the frost settles, a warm patch has emerged around the small group, matched by the campfire a little way off. The giant spider rears, eight eyes extinguishing themselves before opening again.

"A Channeler of flame!" it shrieks "You seek to end me!" .

The cold abruptly stops. Even the ice beneath Shadow's feet starting to thaw a little. "Mayhaps my onslaught was hasty. I see your strength. By ancient bargain, by flake and by fang, I will do what you have asked"

At those words, the spider seems to hunker down into its cave, and the eight glowing eyes extinguish themselves.
OOC:
It is laying in wait. Shadow knows once it has said it will help, it will, but if you press it, it will counter. I reckon here's an okay place to do Artha and a trait vote!
Aug 21, 2018 4:44 pm
Taft remembers standing next to his companions, the spider rearing up. His bowstring breaks. The spider shrieks at Vasil, and then a flash of searing white.

..

He doesn't know how much time has passed, when he comes to. He feels oddly detached from his companions - even though they are still standing nearby, they seem further away.

He stares at his unstrung bow as though he's never seen it before. He has an urge to throw it away, like meaningless rubbish.

But he decides to hold onto it for a while longer.
OOC:
This is a Stand and Drool.

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