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[Deep Waters]

Name: Ilmatar Thunderpaw

Gender: Female

Appearance: Beautiful in an androgynous sort of way, Ilmatar's thin, ethereal platinum blonde hair frames her sharp-featured, fey face like strands of thin brass wire, all smooth jawline, high cheekbone, and pointed chin. Her narrow, pale blue eyes glint like fragments of ice off mountaintops or oceanic glaciers, while her near-translucent skin and slim, muscular frame resembles smooth, blue-veined marble. She is most often clad seen clad in leather and fur armor, cut for maximum protection without sacrificing mobility.

Bio: Ilmatar's mother, Luonnotar, was a woman who became a man by the standards of her clan by killing a sperm whale with nothing but her glaive. According to local folk tales, she raced orcas every morning, wrestled bears every evening, and drank two hogsheads of ale with every meal. Nine months before Ilmatar was born, Luonnotar mysteriously disappeared while on a routine whaling trip. Her lover, Ulfbehrt, a well-respected warrior in his own right, set out in his own ship to search for her, returning only periodically for supplies. Though in time even her closest blood relatives told him that she was surely long dead, he continued his search, braving the horrors of the great sea for months. Finally, almost five months later, he found her, curled up in a tiny rowboat with no oars, half-freezing to death-- and five months pregnant.

The four months leading up to Ilmatar's birth was marked by strange behavior from Luonnotar, who was often found wandering the same length of ocean shore for hours on end, meandering pace unchanging even as the tide turned from low to high. Her skin almost always felt like ice to the touch, though she never once shivered or complained of the cold. Ulfbehrt feared that she had been touched by evil spirits, but his love for her combined with his uncertainty regarding the origin of her unborn child stayed his hand all the way until the day Luonnotar died in childbirth, leaving her distraught lover and newborn baby behind-- a baby that looked nothing like him, but bore a great resemblance to the fey spirits of the sea. In his grief and rage, the vengeful warrior placed the infant in a small cradle, cut her throat with the tooth of a shark, and pushed her out to sea, praying that she would be torn apart by bloodthirsty sharks or hungry whales. When the spirits did not deign to send her back, he assumed she was.

Twenty-four years later, exactly one day after Ulfbehrt's unfortunate death in a hunting accident, a strange young woman arrived in the clan's stronghold, claiming descent from one Luonnotar Thunderpaw-- a mute that could speak with the strains of the wind. She was dressed in barbarian leather and wielded a glaive carved from whalebone, while a bloodstained shark's tooth hung on a string of leather around her neck-- just below a thick white scar that cut across her throat like a fin through waves.

Skills: Mage (Wild; Wind, Blood), Weaponmastery (Polearm)

[GreatWyrmGold]

Hey, wait, we have to choose a couple spells? I thought we had all of the starting spells to begin with.

[filiusenox]

You get two spheres (Like wind and wave) and can research the others. You also need the components.

[GreatWyrmGold]

You get two spheres (Like wind and wave) and can research the others. You also need the components.

I noticed that when skimming the IC thread. I'm almost certain it wasn't that way when I made my first character sheet...

[Azthor]

You get two spheres (Like wind and wave) and can research the others. You also need the components.

I noticed that when skimming the IC thread. I'm almost certain it wasn't that way when I made my first character sheet...

You are correct in that the system changed to something less freeform after your first sheet but prior to the second one.

[Shootandrun]

You guys will have to work a little before acquiring spells You don't have to research those listed, though. If you have an idea of something within your reasonable range of strength, you can start investigating it as an action and we'll invent something for you.

Edit: Also, Deep, you can jump right in You really got the spirit of the game right.

[GreatWyrmGold]

Character sheet changed. All I need is the name of Urist McBeanie's stronghold (or me do decide to change where Waljan's hometown is) and approval.

I left in the pseudonyms when Grimore & Co were using them, because that's what they saw themselves as: Not normal people with normal names, but legendary heroes with names that sounded so much more epic. I'll remove them if asked, but I don't want to because I like the idea of kids with delusions of grandeur renaming themselves to fit the delusion...and I don't really want to have to go through those long paragraphs and change all the names.

[Shootandrun]

You seem to be good to go, GWG. There's a bit of your story where you haven't changed John's name, but apart from that you're clear. Have fun.

[GreatWyrmGold]

Okay then. Let me catch up on what's been going on, especially near Beanietown, and I'll post an action.

[Digital Hellhound]

Here's a few fluff pieces I wrote up earlier to accompany my hag's crazed ramblings, which will come as soon as I get to introduce myself to Thatkid.

Spoiler: The Isenmount; A Merchant's Account (click to show/hide)

The Isenmount; A Merchant's Account

As one follows the Gadap pass from Keldared into the eastern mountains, the forest begins to die away. The path leads higher and higher, until only solitary patches remain in the high altitude. Silence falls, then, the near-complete absence of life and the usual sounds of the wilderness. The air is thin, and mist hangs low on the cragged mountainside. The path twists and turns, and one tires of the unchanging view – for here the path is beset on both sides by vast rocks and mountainside – and then they see it.

The mountain is most impressive in the morning light, and easily distinguishable due to its unusual beaten, near-black color. There is a metallic sheen to the stone, giving the mountain its name – though the locals assure me it is not truly iron, as you may have heard in the tales.

The path from Gadap does not pass near the Isen, though another once did. If one wishes to seek a closer look, then, they must be prepared to brave the rocky valley beneath. It is not wise to leave the path in the mountains, as the clans are known to kill travellers on their lands. In this case, however, the journey is quite worth the risks. I found it a day's travel – those travelling alone should manage a much brisker pace.

What draws most travellers to the mountain is, of course, the ruined tower. According to the locals it was built by the High Kin as a border keep, the greatest extent of their rule in the east. Though they are mere peasants, this rings true - it is known the peoples behind the mountains are little like us in tongue and custom, and know nothing of kings or the High Gods. I do not presume to know, and either way it is quite a sight. Though ancient and crumbled, the main structure still stands upright. Sometimes a light can be seen in the highest windows, as has been recorded by many. Whether a passing traveller or the remnant of some old magic, I cannot say – those who make the climb to the upper floors find them empty.

As winter approaches, the mountain becomes treacherous and inhospitable – one should not approach it after snowfall. Often snow arrives on the Isen far before any other peak in the mountains, and fearsome blizzards that drive even the mountain clans into hiding continue throughout the winter. The tower endures all of this, a testament to the High Kin's skill at masonry. One will recall the many tales of this place, of the Prince of Blizzards and his bride, or the 'king in the mountain' legend which persists to this day.

I end this account here, for I have said all I know. I am but a humble tradesman, but gods willing you have found my words to your liking – and will find the will to visit the mountain yourself.

-Excerpt from 'The Isenmount; A Merchant's Account', found in the Riverlands in 180 AHK

Spoiler: The Old Wild (click to show/hide)

The Old Wild

The Old Wild is the name given to the large area of wilderness to the east and south-east of Keldared, behind the mountains. It dominates the region, suffocating rivers, burying good farmland and keeping away the touch of civilization, as it has for thousands of years. The High Kin never conquered these lands, and their descendants have yet to even attempt.

The northern-most tip of the Old Wild, hugging the edge of the mountains, is thick forest, ancient pine and redwood towering high above the ground. Aside from the occasional mountain clan and many outcasts and wild-witches, few men live there. Though the forest is rich with game, creatures of the Wild far more dangerous and cunning than simple animals roam in great numbers, driving away most would-be archers. Beastmen are known to hunt there, and some speak of werewolves or worse.

To the south and south-east, the forest breaks away into swathes of sickly marshland, practically impassable in more humid seasons. Some unfortunate souls make their living on the edges of the Wild here, lonely villages and roaming hunters. But even they avoid the southern-most part of the Wild – the blight-lands.

Dead, twisted trees and dead soil – it's no wonder nothing lives here. The blight-lands have remained, unchanging, for centuries. The land is cursed, and has been as long as anyone can remember, before the Old Folk, before the High Kin – or so they say. It's not impossible to cross the blight-lands, given enough supplies and good fortune, but many prefer to take the long way around, skirting the Wild's edge, just to avoid crossing the dead plain. The rampant wild magics, what remain of the ancient curse, touch all - madness claims many who pass through, or they disappear up to years at a time, returning as an empty shell, more an animal than a man, unlikely to survive for long. Others gain an affinity for magic practically overnight, but burn out or are killed by the wild soon after.

[GreatWyrmGold]

Looking at stuff relevant to Waljan:

"It would be unwise for me to attempt to gain the Oaken Crown, when I am not even considered a true leader by my own people. Perhaps I will see about gaining some allies before pursuing such an endeavor... though what better way to gain the respect of my people than becoming the king of Keldared..."
Gragrar Hvítr shook his head, dismissing the thought and pulled up his hood to observe the rest of the gathering.

Gragrar Hvítr returns to the Stronghold of the Steggir.

The nearest clan on the island is that of the Magnars, and their northern neighbors are the Undars (you don't know much about the ones further north - they stopped sending ships your way during the Watchful Peace). Both clans are well known raiders, and they've been at war since the news of the King's death arrived, not even bothering to wait for the King's Peace to officially end. In fact, it looks like the Undars are winning: this could be dire news...

...

A small flotilla of raiders have started harassing the Bay since the King's death. Relatively well organized, they've taken to raiding small villages along the coastline, counting on the lack of superior authority to prevent the clans from setting up an organized defense. Although the major clans were not touched, due to their relatively larger standing armies, many of the minor clans or even simple villagers have sent a call for help.
In order to deal with the situation, the King's Loremaster has put a bounty of one Ducat on the head of every captain - there are five in total. The raiders are most likely impossible to catch at sea, but one could probably cut them off from their ships and finish them off when they're stuck inside the land...

Hm. Food for thought, which won't feed Waljan's family...
Where are those raiders currently? Which coastline?

[GreatWyrmGold]

Sorry to double-post, but does anyone know if those raiders are anywhere near Urist McBeanie's stronghold, and if not, what kinds of threats are there near there?

[Urist McBeanie]

Just so you know GWG, I've given a name to my stronghold, check my most recent post.

[GreatWyrmGold]

Thanks.

Are the raiders attacking anywhere near Fjallhalr?

[Ardas]

Thanks.

Are the raiders attacking anywhere near Fjallhalr?

GWG, its easier for everyone if you join us on our IRC channel or attmpt to do an action IC to chekc this info. Those questions are part of the event and cannot be answered in full without you taking part in the event IC.