RP of the Northern Troop

[Darradarljod]

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Ulf, son of Hjalmar - Guardian of the Old Ways and Hidden Wisdom

Erik, son of the Wolf, the Unmeasurable, the Eel. Lawspeaker of the Black Worg.

Wulfrik the Ulfhednar, grieves at the altar of the Frostmaiden for the exile of his estranged wife after the Assembly.

Wulfrik Icewalker, First Axe. Stigandr Ravenseye, Hunt Master. Sigrid Grimsdottir, Volva.

Stigander, Wulfrik, Sigrid and Mjoll Torimgard 'Skullbreaker' 'Thunderfist' - Second Axe - at The Gray Peaks

Wulfrik remembers his dead friend, Jandar the Rashemi, at the coast near Ulgoth's Beard.

Sigrid Grimr's Daughter and Wulfrik the son of Hans discuss the future of the warband at The Northern Lights Inn

On a road out of Nashkel in the hills two women - an Islander and a Thayan - pitched to battle in the old ways; mere linen clothes, and with longswords of plain iron. All their worldly possessions and their very lives at stake.

Grimhildr Ulvsdottir, a recent exile of the Black Worg by the edict of the Lawspeaker arranged the meeting. Despite being removed from the warband by edict of Lawspeaker Erik over a dispute, she sought to honor her existing vows and do as she had promised by calling a favor with the knight Zala to duel - the loser would be considered a sacrifice, their life willingly given in a trial of steel to please Tempos preceding the great battles anticipated in Thundar's Ride.

It did not come to pass; Wulfrik's deceiving tongue turned cruel lies to spare his estranged wife's life from danger, but earned her bitter hatred.


Afterward, wiping the spit from his face, Wulfrik is met by an old crone with a proposal for the warrior the likes of which may make great the Sagas...

[Darradarljod]

THE SACRIFICE OF ZALA

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Zala, subdued by force.

On the 24th of Marpenoth, three of the Black Worgs sighted the Thayan Knight Zala Sennesa traveling South alone near Baldur's Gate. The Uthgardt tribesman, Stigandr Ravenseye, tracked ahead of the First and Second Axe and located Zala in the Cloud Peaks, from where he Sent for his companions.

Zala was found badly wounded on the rocks already, recovering from combat with the Frost Jotun. Even in the face of overwhelming odds that met her, the knight staunchly opposed the barbarians who commanded her to go with them to the Temple of Auril, and fought three at once in a doomed and valorous defiance.


Zala is carried to the temple of Auril on the shoulders of Wulfrik after falling in battle.

At the Temple of Auril the unconscious woman was stripped out of her armor by Mjoll Torimgard, and ceremonially washed by the Uthgardt Stigandr in the holy ice baths. During this time, Grimhildr made her presence known - and vehemently condemned the warriors of the warband for what they were about to do - even so far as drawing her axe to defy them.


Grimhildr opposes the sacrifice.

The sanctity of the holy place was not broken, however, and after a heated exchange Grimhildr had no choice but to resign Zala to her fate, refusing even to observe what was to follow.


Grimhildr, outnumbered, exits.

After being ceremonially cleaned, the bare body of the fallen Knight was carried by the Hunt Master to the altar where it was laid. Wulfrik, 'reserving his wrath for the Draugr Queen', yield the Rites to the daughter of Norland - Mjoll Torimgard.


Blood is let.

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Mjoll Torimgard: [Whisper] "I have witnessed a few cerimonies in my time, if you'd like I can take the lead. Or you can do it, Wulfrik if you feel comfortable."
Stigandr Ravenseye: There, he lays her out, hands at her sides, long-ways across the cold, glowing stone...
Wulfrik Icewalker: [Whisper] "Take her life, Mjoll Torimgard."
Wulfrik Icewalker: muttered frostily at the woman beside him without looking at her.
Mjoll Torimgard: She nodded to Wulfrik
Stigandr Ravenseye: "Wulfrik. Will you do the honour yourself? It is you who holds the Frostmaiden most dear."
Stigandr Ravenseye: "It was you, who was poisoned by her master."
Mjoll Torimgard: "You may do it yourself if you'd like, Wulfrik."
Wulfrik Icewalker: "It was. As you say."
Wulfrik Icewalker: "Nonetheless..."
Wulfrik Icewalker: "I will save my wrath for the Draugr Queen herself."
Wulfrik Icewalker: "Mjoll Torimgard will take this life."
Mjoll Torimgard: She nodded "Very well. Then allow me a moment.."
Mjoll Torimgard: She looked inside her pouch and took out a small bowl
Stigandr Ravenseye: A grim nod, as he looks to the shield maiden - his gaze inviting her forward, as his hands leave Zala for the last time.
Mjoll Torimgard: She walked over and stopped next to the altar. She then placed the bowl on top of it next to the woman.
Mjoll Torimgard: "Today we will sacrifice this woman to Auril so that she may spare us from her wrath." She said loudly
Stigandr Ravenseye: The Uthgardt takes a knee on the cold stone, a position of reverence for the ceremony.
Mjoll Torimgard: She took out a knife, did a cut in Zala's arm and filled the bowl with blood.
Mjoll Torimgard: "No one is safe from her cold touch."
Stigandr Ravenseye: His back is straight, his sight unwavering.
Mjoll Torimgard: She took a deep breath and then raised the bowl of blood over her own head.
Mjoll Torimgard: "Hail to the Frostmaiden!" She emptied it on herself
Mjoll Torimgard: "Hail Auril!" She continued loudly
Stigandr Ravenseye: "Hail to the Mother of Frost, Cold and Rime."
Mjoll Torimgard: "We honor you today, Lady Frostkiss!" She raised her hands up high
Mjoll Torimgard: "Where the warmth of fire does not reach, we give praise to Auril."
Stigandr Ravenseye: The man's breath mists just a bit more than it did before the ceremony began... the hairs of his arms stand a bit higher.
Mjoll Torimgard: "Lady Frostkiss, we fear your touch. Forgive us for trespassing into your domain and spare us from your icy chill. Hail to the Frostmaiden!"
Mjoll Torimgard: "I am not alone today. Speak." She said to the gathered."
Mjoll Torimgard: "Praise Auril." She said louder this time, leading the others to follow
Stigandr Ravenseye: "Praise be, the Cold Goddess."
Wulfrik Icewalker: "Praise Auril!"
Mjoll Torimgard: She raised her knife up high over the woman's chest "The Frostmaiden is a fickle Goddess, one should always be careful not to bring her wrath upon themselves. Today we offer you this life, Frostmaiden so you may offer us your favor."
Mjoll Torimgard: She took a deep breath and then a moment later in a quick motion the knife came down into the woman's chest. Blood begins pouring out and running into the altar
Mjoll Torimgard: "PRAISE AURIL! PRAISE THE FROSTMAIDEN!"
Zala Sennesa: her body twitches momentarily as the knife is sunk into her chest
Stigandr Ravenseye: "Praise the Storm-Bringer, the Icedawn!" His frigid gaze lcosk with the knife's impact, set as if in stone on the impalement.
Mjoll Torimgard: "Our actions here prove our devotion to you, Auril. May we survive your storms to spread your word, to offer you more prayers, to honor you again!"
Stigandr Ravenseye: "Spare our blood, Frostmaiden, that we might offer you more." He murmurs, quieter. A selfishly kept prayer.
Mjoll Torimgard: She pulled out her knife, this time more blood gushes out from the open wound. "Praised be Auril."
Mjoll Torimgard: She looked over at Stigandr and then at Wulfrik "The offering has been made." She took a few steps away from the altar, taking out some rags from her pouch to clean the knife
Stigandr Ravenseye: He holds on one knee for a heartbeat, then two, before standing with a grunt. Two steps, two more heartbeats, bring him closer to the altar, where the hunter stops and stares.
Stigandr Ravenseye: He watches her cold face, watches her chest for rise and fall...
Zala Sennesa: as the blood ebbs more slowly now, her lifeless body grows a hint of blue
Mjoll Torimgard: "You may offer any further personal prayers that you feel you should offer."
Stigandr Ravenseye: "I have given mine. Her last memories were of battle - a kindness."
Mjoll Torimgard: "The Gods have been honored, the offering made. Do you have any last words, Wulfrik."
Wulfrik Icewalker: Wulfrik reached for the golden clasp of his winter cloak and unlatched it with a strong hand, dragged the cloak off his boulderous shoulders and tossed it aside.
Mjoll Torimgard: She had poured the blood bowl on her head, blood was coming down, dripping from her face and clothes.
Wulfrik Icewalker: an icy gaze lowered onto Zala then a large hand moved, sinking into the cold wound, drenching in the blood of the offering. His eyes moved forward, as if in a trance, as he smeared the blooded hand down his pale face - a regal and brutal countenance marred red and ruddy.
Wulfrik Icewalker: the same blooded hand traced the silvery edge of his axe, anointing the weapon. "Mother." his eyes raised to the magical storm. "Your cold removes the weak."
Wulfrik Icewalker: looked to Stigandr - he approached the man slowly.
Stigandr Ravenseye: Stigandr does not step forward, does not partake of the smearing. Instead he watches Wulfrik silently, arms crosses, chest swelling. Eyes wander, to Mjoll, to the blood that bathes her - lingering there, entranced almost by the sight of her, before Wulfrik calls him back.
Wulfrik Icewalker: blooded the man's face, smearing his dripping hand down from the scowling Uthgardt's brow to his chin.
Stigandr Ravenseye: The blood runs through the crevices of his brow, branching like those of a tree - the smear down, the oak.
Wulfrik Icewalker: the blood on the berserker's own face had already begun to frost. His wild eyes were unblinking as he marked the tribesman.
Wulfrik Icewalker: "Praise Auril." he boomed. "Praise Auril."
Mjoll Torimgard: She respectfully watched the pair in silence
Mjoll Torimgard: "Praise Auril" She repeated
Stigandr Ravenseye: "May the strong survive her touch and the weak, old and frail, perish. Praise Auril."
Wulfrik Icewalker: looked from Zala to Mjoll.
Wulfrik Icewalker: "The Rite is done. The sacrifice is made. There is nothing more."
Mjoll Torimgard: "Then we are done here. Let the Goddess' clergy decide what to do with the offerings presented on the altar."
Stigandr Ravenseye: "Will the priestesses tend the left offering?"
Mjoll Torimgard: She nodded in reply
Wulfrik Icewalker: a slow nod.
Stigandr Ravenseye: He nods at that as well, unfolding his arms with a last look at the blue skin, stained with red.
Stigandr Ravenseye: "... We have no reason to linger here now. The hunt is done and the offering made."
Stigandr Ravenseye: "The gods smile indeed, that she caught your eye so far from here, Wulfrik." He claps the man on the shoulder.
Mjoll Torimgard: "I am impressed by the deeds that you performed today, Stigandr."
Wulfrik Icewalker: leaving Zala and all that pertained to her in the care of the Temple, the Holgerstead berserker turned to leave. A grunt at the clap. "The Hunt Master proved his worth - and who can say less than the same, of Torimgard who wrought the sacred Rite?"
Stigandr Ravenseye: Knowing better than to pick over an offering, even the Black Raven leaves her be...

(On behalf of the Black Worg players I acknowledge DangerMouse for the great privilege it has been to co-operate OOC toward the pursuit of this storyline with their character Zala over the past several weeks. It had more twists and turns than I ever foresaw. I have a good hope that this culmination of our storytelling today will generate more RP going forward, and it was our intention to honor YOUR sacrifice of a surely loved character by sharing the end of this story with the BGTSCC Community. Thank you for being fantastic to deal with IC and OOC.)

[Darradarljod]

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There was a skirmish at Boareskyr - a scouting party of bugbears and goblins cut down by the Black Worg mercenary Wulfrik and the freelancing adventurer Solang'e who was with him at the time of the attack. Anticipating an assault to follow Wulfrik sent for the Knight-Regent of Blackrose and the three of them pressed into the contested territory of Thundar's Ride.

A heated skirmish ensued with goblin and bugbear warbands.

The small party located crates full of poisons that had been dispensed into the river source by the goblin horde, poisoning the waters of Thundar's Ride.

Days later, Wulfrik walked the river banks. He was disturbed at what he found; dead deer at the undrinkable water, rotting fish, and corrupt stench of decay permeating from the once crystal bends. The barbarian ascended a rocky crag, and from it bellowed a challenge - the booming voice of the Ruathen berserker echoed throughout the wild land with a skaldic lilt;

"Where now are the druids, who came at first with ire! Are you only craven, doomed to watch like quiet owls while the warriors rattle the blood-reeds of battle; as my armor-ogre lays high sided, and cleaves the moons of ship's prows? Come, so-called guardians of nature; delay not to bind the wounded waters and heal the harm - if indeed you are good for anything at all!"

[Darradarljod]

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In Soubar's fighting pits, Lawspeaker Erik Ulfsson observed the Second Axe Mjoll Torimgard drill the warband's Uthgardt tribesman, Hunt Master Stigandr Ravenseye.

First Axe Wulfrik Icewalker co-ordinates with the powers of the North who were quick to employ his mercenary warband for a campaign in Thundar's Ride.

A Sembian sailor Savina encountered Wulfrik in the Warrior's Rest after the festivities of Starfall. The pair contended in the arena together which was greased by a resident wizard - the grapple quickly turning dirty with biting, gouging and 'nut-cracking' - even a 'near miss' with the flaming brazier. The two stubborn warriors required treatment in the infirmary until magical help was made available to heal their wounds. Before parting, Wulfrik left the Sembian one of his golden Ruathen brooches as a mark of favor.

[Darradarljod]

Lumber Arrives

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On the 3rd of Uktar two wagon loads of oak logs arrived at Roaringshore under the armed escort of Blackrose soldiers. Wulfrik inspected the wood, while a soldier reported to the Knight-Regent Amos Thistle that there was trouble on the journey here - a Sirene attempting to break the convoy by its luring song.


The soldier led Amos and Wulfrik to the coast around the Winding Waters and there the Sirene presented herself. She quickly captivated the soldier, who turned on Wulfrik with his sword when the berserker tried to approach the creature - and received an axe for his trouble. The man's life was saved with a magical elixir stabilizing him - and then words, demands, offers were exchanged between the Luskan Amos Thistle and the 'Green River Queen'...


Before parting ways Wulfrik asked the creature for a lock of its hair so that he might have a proof of this meeting when he would tell the story. To persuade the reluctant creature he offered a lock of his own hair in exchange - a gesture of 'good will'. The creature obliged - exchanging a length of its fine green hair for a plaited cut of Wulfrik's golden mane...

...but when the creature went her way, Wulfrik found what had appeared to be beautiful fey hair was only a handful of common forest grass. A great laughter from the berserker followed. Wulfrik 'the Deceiver' .... himself was deceived.

Returning to Roaringshore Wulfrik oversees the preparation of the lumber and the site of the building of a traditional Ruathen dragonship or 'drakkar'. He hires common labor as he can find it in Little Luskan, and labors himself until the project can be taken from his hands by the ship-shaper Ulf son of Hjalmar and the Sembian mongrel, Savina Rook.