Chapter 2: There is Something Rotten in Sundin. The weary band of warriors stumble into Sundin proper. Many with horrid injuries made worse by weeks of travel through rough country. Several make-shift stretchers hold wounded, groaning men. They had made it home while many others were lost. It was like a dream made real. The familiar sights and smells of Sundin allowing frayed nerves and broken flesh a moment of relaxation and fitful sleep. Broken warriors flail at air as nightmares of evenings past invade peaceful slumber. Muttered screams and frantic words escape the mouths of the sleeping. Fresh wounds of the mind coming to the surface and making their existence known through violent sleep.
Old Matilda, Hanna and Mila tend to the wounded with poultices and kind words. Old festered wounds ooze putrid fluids and screams of pain echo as turned flesh is excised with the greatest of care. The wounded, soiled rags and pools of coagulated blood litter the floor. Families are reunited amongst the carnage, ignoring the surroundings with relieved and emotional reunions.
Actions:Tarn walks over to Bodulf "Sorry I'll be taking that, after all this bastard did I'd like to have something to prove my victory."
Tarn lifts the hammer and stares wide-eyed at it remembering the bloodlust that had overcome him. He shakes it off and using his spear to take some weight off his leg he gets ready to move.
The adrenaline of battle subsides as the group gathers up any remaining items cluttering the campsite. Jon knocks down the lean-to and piles more snow on top of the bear.
Tarn takes the stone warhammer and slings it via a small leather loop attached to the handle. The weapon itself is quite heavy. A thick piece of hard granite with a hole patiently drilled through the center. A stout handle made of ash pushed through he opening and attached by hardened leather strands around the crown. The pommel is once again made of leather strips wrapped in a diamond pattern to increase grip.
Bodulf Shrugs "It's a bit overlarge for me anyway-I'll take something else from him...we're both marked by his family for revenge anyway, might as well get something out of it."
Actions: I'll collect one of the big Heliks ears and loop it into a string and wear it like a necklace.
Bodulf chuckles after his grisly task "We'll he may have been strong as an ox, but if had better hearing, maybe he would of noticed me coming...I take the part that failed him the most, as an act of purification of the deceased...also, think of all the pranks I can play with it! "Hey guys, what did you say? Speak into my ear!"...ahh, the fun will never end."
Bodulf takes an ear and strings it onto his trophy necklace alongside of his grizzly claw. Jon gives Bodulf a shrug and continues gathering his strewn belongings.
"Ya know Bodulf... Atturik is gonna be lookin' fer his ear in the next life." Jon chuckles a bit and shakes his head.
"Kids and their toys." Agree to head back to the village.
Keep my mind off the wound and continue back to the village, after packing up any of my stuff I left at the camp.
Seeing that the group was ready to move out, Jon asks Bodulf to take point and Vladimir to take rear security as the party begins to travel north back to Sundin.
Ianna looks at her hand in astonishment. The pain was already completely replaced by a tingle. The hand is still somewhat stiff as the swelling has yet to go down. Trees begin to blur as the terrain passes slowly. The journey traveled just the day before was full of light banter and expectations. The return trip was spent in quiet contemplation and reflection as the three wounded push themselves to their limits. <?><?(-2)=?><?(+2)=?> Jon and Tarn both exert maximum effort as their respective wounds claw at willpower reserves. The thought of a Helik warparty approaching Sundin is all the motivation needed.
Eventually, the now exhausted group, sees the familiar waters of the local stream bubbling in the failing light of day. It is already growing with added run-off from the Hawk's Ridge and within a few weeks it would be a roaring torrent. Half expecting the village to be burning when you arrived, relief washes over the hunting party as all looks to be normal from the crest of the small hill. Five tired, dirty and hungry souls drag themselves into the village.
Mila was the first to notice her returning kin.
"Oh my! Are yoose okay? What happened?" Her eyes glance from wound to wound as she takes in the sight with increasing horror.
"Go warm yourselves by the fire if ya wish.. I'll go get Fredrich." She stops mid step and turns to Bodulf,
"By da' way your father has returned. They came back to us last eve, he is resting in the main longhouse along with a few others that made it back. Vladimir, Old Matilda could use your help, there are many wounded." Mila turns and runs to the main longhouse. Jon stares blankly into the fire saying
"Fredrich isn't going to like this.." After a few minutes the gathered are able to see the large frame of Fredrich stride toward the firepit. His gaze passes over the tattered and bloodied kinsmen. The smile is slowly replaced as the realization that Rame is not among you creeps into his features. His face turns from one of pride to one of worry.
"Where is Rame?" The simple question resonates among the friends as no one really wants to speak up first. Eventually, Jon breaks the silence.
"They got him Fredrich.. the Helik got him." His eyes low, Jon begins to explain the entirety of the hunting trip in detail. From the bear to the battle, Jon recounts the bravery of the 'kids' and how they 'saved his ass'.
Fredrich is visibly shaken by the story.
"We will send out runners to gather your bear, that is a prize to grand to be left to rot. You said that you saw a entire column of Helik villagers crossing into our lands? We could slaughter them whole and they know that. Why would they not send a diplomat or emissary?" Fredrich stands and rubs his chin in contemplation.
"Do any of you have anything to add? We either need to find Rame or make contact with the Helik before the streams flood." BromYou see some of your friends sitting around the firepit talking to Fredrich. Anything beats working in the forest chopping trees and dragging them around. Maybe they could use your help?
You are in the main longhouse being treated for your festering wound. It has been nearly a year since you have been back in the village. That one day's impetuous decision to follow the warband south having cost you not just friends but flesh as well. You wonder if Vladimir is still around the village or if his wanderlust had taken him to traveling. You are able to drag yourself out of the main longhouse and see Vladimir and all of your old friends sitting around the firepit talking to Fredrich. It does you good to see them again.
The Protagonists
Bodulf
Bodulf
Male
Weapon: Spear/Sword
Visual description: A little under 5 feet, dark skinned, full beard. Wears a perpetual smile and is quick witted with a wry sense of humor.
Positive Perks
-Good Eyes: Bodulf often jokes that he can could spot a white buzzard at night in a snowstorm. While blindfolded. Despite these embellishments, his eyesight is quite exceptional. His vision has spotted far off threats to the village more times than anyone can count.
-Quick Wit: It's well known that laughter is the preferred alternative to bloodshed. Bodulf's jokes and riddles have been to known to defuse tricky situations, or exacerbate them...
-Patrolman: Bodulf spends most of his time on patrol, ferreting out danger to the village. A such, he has learned to move further, faster, without getting tired or hungry as fast. He also is able to stand at attention on mundane tasks without losing focus.
Negative Perks
-Clueless: Bodulfs greatest flaw in his inability to improvise in a physical sense...he prefers planning, routine, and set tasks-anything that throws off the "plan" can cause him great distress, or even emotional paralysis. He wastes a lot of time over planning, when he could be going out and doing it. That the sun rises and sets every day in the same place is a great comfort to him.
-Bad Reputation: Bodulf's wit has gotten him into trouble more often than not, and those unfortunate enough to be the butt of his jokes hold deep grudges. The popular theory around the village and the surrounding lands is that he is some kind of witch.
-Glutton: Bodulf is known to eat big, talk big, and live big. Such concepts as temperance are alien to him-he literally cannot deny himself something that amuses him or makes him happy-for example, if that something is mouthing off to an already angered warrior or having another loaf of bread.
Gained Sub-Perks
-Wrestiling
-Protector
-Toughness
Ianna
Ianna
Female
Age: 18
Weapon: Long Bow and Barbed Arrows
Visual Description: She has a thin yet beautiful appearance, with long blonde hair. She usually ties some of the hair into a pony tail, but her bangs usually still cover her eyes. She has big hazel-coloured eyes that one usually doesn't see. Her arms are somewhat muscular, but she wears shirts with long sleeves most of the time. Her mouth is usually in a frown, unless she's trying to charm someone.
Positive Perks:
Swift: Ianna is quick and agile, she is swift in battle and can fire arrows faster than you can say "Archer!"
Sharpshooter: She can hit a target with her eyes closed, need I say anymore?
Beautiful: She can persuade and yank on the heart of any male. She is amazingly charismatic.
Negative Perks:
Vain: She is obsessed with her appearance, and this usually makes her hair get in her eyes, her not wanting to trudge into mud, or eat sloppily.
Frail: She may be quick, but she can't take a good hit.
Fast Metabolism: All the food she eats doesn't exactly affect her appearance, but she has to eat a lot more.
Gained Sub-Perks
-Concentration
-Fights harder when angry
-Conversationalist
Vladimir
Name: Vladimir
Gender: Male
Weapon: Bearded Axe & Heavy Shield
Description: Rather large, standing about 5' 10" tall, with dark brown hair and eyes. Having spend most of his life in the wilderness, he has a very rugged appearance.
Positive Perks:
Rugged: His time in the wilderness has left him very resistant to the effects of weather and other trials nature may throw at him. His strength also means that he can take a hit and dish it back out in turn.
Herbal Lore: Having spent a lot of time in the wilderness as a ranger, he knows a lot about plants and their effects, especially medicinal ones. He is very good at finding food or treating wounds because of this.
Alert: It's a wolf-eat-man world out there, and in order to survive you can't let anything sneak up on you. He can tell when something is wrong based on the sounds of the wildlife(or lack of), visual cues such as tracks, and other giveaways.
Negative Perks:
Reserved: With little time spent around other humans, he is very silent and unable to communicate well. When he does speak, his meaning is sometimes misinterpreted.
Selfish: While he has excellent healing abilities, he isn't a saint. Vladimir will only help those out if he sees some way he can profit off of it. The only other time he will help someone out is if they gained his respect in some way.
Prideful: Surviving 20 years in the wilderness alone isn't something a lot of men can do, and Vladimir sees himself in a better light because of it. In fact, he sees himself as just plain superior to most people. The few who have earned his respect may call them his equals, but if anyone dares suggest they are better than him, he will put them in their place.
Gained Sub-Perks
-Mighty Cleave
-Unknown Benefactor
-Combat First Aid
-Medical Herbalism
Tarn
Name: Tarn
Gender: Male
Weapon: Paired Short swords.
Age: 17
Desciption: While he was born short, not very muscular and lacking the natural warrior traits coveted in Norse society, Tarn was blessed with extereme quickness both physically and mentally making him quite dangerous especially when he is underestimated. He has the typical Norse blonde hair and blue eyes but he lacks a proper beard instead just a messy stubble grows on his youthful face. Has a slightly anti-social personality meaning he is usually quiet around those he does not know and he can be hot-headed at times, but he is loyal and determined to prove himself a proper Norse warrior.
Positive Perks:
Very Cunning - Tarn's mind is sharp and it enables him to make split-second decisions even in the heat of the moment.
Speed- Tarn's natural speed is a great advantage to him and he can cover distances both short and long quite quickly. He is also very quick with his hands as a result of endless training to make up for the natural strength he lacks.
Determination - If Tarn wants something done then he will give everything he has to make it happen.
Negative Perks :
Weak - Tarn was born small and brittle and while he has developed slightly he is still shorter and thinner than the other villagers and this has disadvantaged him greatly in life.
Hot-Headed - A weakness of Tarn's is that he can often lose his temper easily this greatly reduces his ability to think clearly and has caused others to view him as a liability at times and an out and out danger at others.
Anti-social - Tarn finds it difficult to communicate with strangers and often makes a mess of any social situations.
Gained Sub-Perks
-Adrenaline fueled strength
-Novice Berserker
-Brave
-Sure Footed
Haele/Diakron
Name: Haele
Male
Age: about 20ish, old enough to have gone to war but young enough to have not figured out his place in the world
Visual Description: 5' 4" dark brown hair and eyes. Heavily muscled. Scar from sternum to right side.
Weapons of Choice: Short Swords, Nets
Positive Perks:
Survivor - After taking a sword to the chest, few survive. Haele refused to let go, dragging himself from the battle he was able to hang on long enough to reach a small hut. Luckily the old lady living there had extensive knowledge on healing wounds. ((I'm open to the idea of dragging myself to Old Matilda))
Swordsman - in a time when swords where owned by nobles only, the fact that this youngster has one, let alone being skilled in it, is one of the rarest sight to behold. Not willing to leave behind something that almost took his life he tucked it in his belt as he left the field. During his convalescence, he practiced constantly. His style may not be professional but it does the trick.
Left-Handed - Using the opposite hand in battle is a very hard skill to learn. This man was born using the off-hand. While used to fighting right-hand people, few are used to fighting left-handed people.
Negative Perks:
Left-Handed - a social stigma exist for the few truely left-handed people. Some say they are devil spawn, others say they are weak and cowardly. Either way Haele knows no friends and is often shunned, even the old crone kicked him out when she noticed it.
Refuses to use spears - Having almost lost his life when a swordman cut the head of his spear, he hates evening touching them. He carries the spear head with him at all times to remind him of what happened to him when he trusted a spear last.
Low endurance - He's still recovering from the wasting effect of infection and fever. Battle doesn't effect him much but things like running, hauling, and lifting quickly drain his stamina.
Brom/Arcanthus117
Brom Mariusson (M)
Age: 22
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Hair Color: Black
He's a shortish man, with a roguish smile and
Weapons: Short Sword for Martial, Bow and Arrow
Positive Perks:
Roguish Charm and Cunning: Brom has spent his childhood conning his fellow children out of their lunch money, and leaving them wondering what the heck did they do. This cunning also helps Brom in combat, letting him come up with underhanded tricks and dirty moves that no one expects.
Dextrous: Brom can juggle, twirl his blade in his hand, and all sorts of things like that.
Agile: When Brom got in trouble with others, his usual tactic was to run run run!
Negative Perks:
Frail: Brom isn't as tough as other people, and takes hits harder.
Kleptomaniac: Brom loves gold, and goes to great lengths for even a small amount of it.
Cynical: He constantly mocks people and is constantly sarcastic.
Named Villagers
Fredrich and Hanna - Fredrich was once the most mighty of the village.. standing easily 6' plus.. he is a giant among men (most Nords were rather short and barrel chested) A nasty scar still occasionally weeps in mid winter, running from the bridge of his nose to the top of his right ear... having removed the eye. He never speaks of it.. but he is the Headsman of the village. A cold, calculating man who is only tempered in his rage by his love of the village.. and no doubt would sacrifice all of himself in it's defense. Hanna, Fredrich's wife, a portly, kind woman is always working.. easily the hardest worker in the village. She has been known to fell a tree as fast as any of the men. A fact she reminds them of often, especially if they comment as to the quality of her cooking.
Old Matilda - The oldest living thing you have ever seen. It is almost not.. um natural. She is the 'bonecaster' of the village. Often sending the youth of the village in search of some sprig of blah or pinch of bleh. If you have a malady she is the one whose council is sought. She tells of the 'birth of trees' and the 'wolves bane' both popular nighttime stories in the Longhouses.
Jon - Fredrich's right hand. When the village is threatened Jon is there to 'supervise'. Standing 5'6 of so.. he is decent in a ruckus.. even if it caused by his own drink. Most in the village whisper behind his back. Something your fathers have spoken about in hushed tones in private circles. He does not know that he is disliked, he feels that his position in the tribe has given him 'special immunity' to the harder aspects of village life.
Rame - The son of Fredrich. This guy is the village clown. He is fun, gregarious and is constantly playing practical jokes on Jon. He does this for the amusement of his clan as he know Jon doesn't dare lay a finger on him due to the true fear of Fredrich. He is one of your 'pals' (( he is a npc toon that is good friends with all of your toons, even if you are the stanoff-ish type.. he is the one guy that doesn't get on your nerves))
Karl and Mila - The newly weds. Mila traveled to the village seeking trade with her clan two seasons ago. Having met Karl, a long time Sundin Clansmen, Karl was stricken immediately. It was a fortnights worth of laughter that followed as the good people of Sundin spied the courtship. Karl not being the quickest of wit or feet eventually won her heart after a hour long fistfight. Karl's face was beaten black, bloody and blue. Crimson on snow, but he had his bride, and was smiling. The 'rues' as they have been called among the villagers, are now accepted as routine. The older females can be heard chiding their young with "See what happens when you marry a woman from the Great White, they are red haired hellions!'
Bjorn 'the mule driver' - An older man.. some say in his 50's the toil of a life's work is evident upon his brow. Hands like iron, he is renown for his grip and work ethic. He can fell a tree hitch the livestock and move said tree in a single hour. He is the handyman in the village. Strong and wise.. some say he is truly the muscle behind Fredrich. He was the one rumored to have saved Fredrich's life the day he lost his eye.
Seth and Torrin - both sons of a long dead father killed three or four seasons ago in an ambush by the cowardly Heliks.. a tribe to the south. Seth is a stout youngster, aged 12, reddish hair and a strong build. He rarely speaks.. and when he does.. it is well rehearsed. He chops wood by the cord. Torrin, like his older brother is sound of body.. but, he could talk the bark off a spruce tree. He spends much of his time fishing down by the brook, often returning with full stringers. Both boys are taken care of and raised by the entire village, but answer to Fredrich and Hanna, their 'gaurdians' or so Hanna would put it.
Gear:
I am too lazy to go back and compile lists. If you would do this for me and add them to your next post (for your character) it would save me a shitload of time. I know Vladimir has alot of little things lol. I will attempt to maintain any lists that you can produce for me as a running quote at the end of every page.
Gm Note:
This week has been very hectic for me in real life. We had a death in the family and my oldest son brought home the flu and infected the entire house Nurgle style. I will get back to my normal post rate after all this clears up. Diakron and Arcanthus117, welcome to the madness that is my imagination.
Author
Topic: "Do you have a couple hours to waste?" Chapter 2, Page 1 (Read 18904 times)