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[Brilliant play last week folks] It doesn't take long before Briganda calls every one back to the central area and starts talking logistics for getting the outposts set up, which ship goes where and who does what. Flower is sent to source wood and stone for the buildings, Jensen's ship is sent to recruit Norse refugees, dropping the other Norse lords off on the way. Augustus offers Briganda and Segovax a lift back to Angasa so they can resolve their business there, he will also drop Edwy home so that he can start his preparations. Rolf is sent for and given the first commission of his new appointment. Go make the ruins on the island safe. Use the same people as before, noble rewards etc... If they won't go - recruit some from those who are left behind. Stock up from the ships before they leave. Briganda is coming back soon, to make his capital there.... A mixed force is left behind to fortify and defend the Giant's home under Archibald, Forkbeard's squire, and Edwy's Curragh is left behind to act as shuttle for the camp and the island. That evening there is food provided and fires, guard duties are taken care of and as the hero's of the day you are the centre of attention, if you choose to be. ------------ Your opportunity to finish any business etc etc. ------------ SunDay 1 Juno 593 Pregnant Moon (waning) In the morning supplies and personnel are swapped between ships and shore duties, and the camp broken down. Belongings are packed etc. By mid morning the ships are ready to sail, and cast off. Herloch standing by the rail on Flower's ship salutes you as it leaves, as do many more of the nobles and men who are leaving. ------------ Your opportunity to stock up with supplies etc. ------------ The garrison start getting themselves organised and the few crew left aboard the Curragh await instruction as to when you wish to leave. |
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As Richard summons all back to his pavilion, Rolf wonders at the wisdom of accepting Ravn among their number. Still, the deed is done and done well, so what boots doubt? Escorting Madelyn to the pavilion, Rolf finds his appointed place. When his commision is announced, he beams in pride. The honor, to be the man who tamed the land that would be the new capital, a wonderful reward. As the evening progresses, Rolf does full credit to the food and though he seeks to avoid the center of attention, he fails rather poorly. And with many a cup of ale, Rolf doesn't even seem to mind all that much. After hours of shouting and singing and thumping, Rolf finally seeks his bed, enjoying a deep and untroubled slumber. As the morning comes, Rolf pulls himself to his feet. Not much given to drink, he finds the aftermath rather bothersome. But with bathing in the chill waters and some food to settle his stomach, he feels right enough. Asking for the company of Peter and Kerim, Rolf seeks out Richard's men and arranges for supplies. Cheese, smoked and cured meats, fruits, bread and so forth, but he keeps the ale to a minimum. He also sees about replenishing his stock of arrows and more, not to mention a few javelins. The fire hardened ones were good enough for practice, but he couldn't call himself skilled with the weapon while unblooded with it. Having taken care of his own needs, Rolf spends time with the others, making sure their needs are similarly met. And finally, he gathers all that are to accompany him together. Leading the way, he mounts the gang plank and when all are aboard, orders the curragh to set sail. |
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Almost happy to be aboard Kerim looks about the ship, once his second home, as his life as a sea trader went. Once aboard he checks out the vessel, testing knots here and there, perfunctorily only, and assessing the craft. Suddenly he looks all the part, a touch piratic but hardly menacing. Upon passing Rolf he looks him directly in the eye, perhaps the first time ever such has occured. "Efendi, follow I do, die for glory I shall not. Know now I follow you for you have shown the zest for life, in others as in yourself. Know too that my liege is my families trade, a great loss indeed would it be for me not to follow, and one to your liege too." Exactly what is intended by this statement is left unexplained as fairly soon he is gone to the mass of sailors, lending his hand rather than partake in the parties interpersonal problems. Kerim rather happily takes a place in a role without the many complications Rolf must face. |
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Edgar is unusually pensive - rather quiet and withdrawn, if truth be told, lost in his own thoughts, and not really interested in the festivities. He attempts to avoid the crow and especially Jolly the parrot if at all possible, though submits with good grace to the promised chat with Earl Richard should it eventuate, more out of a sense of respect for the man, than any real wish to converse or gain the limelight. Come morning, he is a little more his own self, resuming his perch on Mandrake's shoulder, and questioning the gnome about what the duties of a Herald will entail. |
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Madelyn lets Rolf escort her back to the main pavilion, and smiles as Rolf’s commission is announced, she is pleased for him, he seems very happy with his new role, and she has no doubt that he will live up to it. Once the meal is over, Madelyn makes her excuses and departs from the tent, finding somewhere quiet that she can pray and think on the days happenings. Not straying far from the camp and the guards on the perimeter, she kneels on the ground and closes her eyes. She stays this way for almost two hours, at one point tears roll gently down her face, but when she comes to stand, ignoring the soreness that has set into her knees, she walks back to the camp head held high. Finding a place close to a fire, she spends the rest of the evening cleaning her armour and weapons before retiring for the night. She sleeps well, in fact she can’t remember the last time she slept that well, and awakes as if all her worries have been lifted from her. The sun is just breaking the horizon, and there are few people bustling around camp. She walks down to the waters edge and bathes in the cold water, before finding a rock to sit in silence and pray. Heading back up to the main camp, she packs her equipment ready to be off at Rolf’s call, and goes in search of some food to break her fast. When Rolf calls them all to the boat later, she collects her belongings and follows him up the gangplank. |
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Sorry I should have made this clear before - A Curragh is a wooden framed boat with a stretched hide skin over the top, that uses a sing sail or paddles for propulsion. They are about the smallest seagoing vessel you are likely to come accross. According to legend it is the type of ship that St Columba discovered America in, before the Vikings got there. (Sorry: Ravn, Madelyn, Rolf) There is no gangplank, you climb in from the beach. There are no cabins or hold and there is certainly no room for horses. It is a primitive, uncomfortable vessel at best. |
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Ravn keeps mostly to himself at the far end of the pavillion - he has yet to earn his place at the high table. He rejects every invitation ot heavy drinking with the gentle declination that he is a skald and must save his wit for the noble’s ears at their later leisure. Instead, he lends his ear to the soldiers’ tales, trying to discern fact from folly, and remembering as much of it as he can for later application. The one-eyed crow, perched initially on the back of his chair, is not so self-restrained. Wetting its eager beak more than once and slurping mead to the point of becoming a humoristic event with the ladies whose cups it frequents, it ends its frivolous tour-de-table in front of Elsbeth by making an odd caw that could easily be mistaken for a bird burp before collapsing on the druidess’ plate with a slightly dizzy but happy glimpse in its eye. The tenders clear the tables of dinnerware and the horns and mugs are filled again. A handful of the Earl’s braves throw more logs on the fires, and as the flames rise to the sky and everyone leans back to enjoy the sensation of a full stomach Ravn gets up with a greeting to the nobles. "Honorable hosts! Giver of golden rings! I beg your ears’ attention!" Ravn stands on the seat of his chair, waiting for the general debacle to settle before continuing, the Earl’s attention a signal for everyone to hush and listen. "It is said that gift should be honoured with gift, but I am but a mere wanderer and have little wealth with which to repay the kingly hospitality you display at this feast. Of one wealth, though, I have abundance, and that is the tresure of legend. Since this realm is young and has yet few legends of its own I shall share with you a legend of ancient times to inspire even greater deeds in those who would be greater still." He climbs onto the table so that everyone can see him and hear his tale. "In ancient times there was a king of my people named Rolf Helgesson, his father a king in his own right. Rolf Helgesson was a stately and wise man, and furthermore made himself notable by virtue and bravery. This, however, is not the tale of his daunting deeds, but of his men’s love for their wise ruler." Ravn’s tale of the ancient hero brings much remembrance to the minds of the Norsemen in the pavillion. This legend is an old one and tells of how loyalty and courage conquer trickery and cowardice, and of brave men that carved their names in eternity with their own blood. Ravn recites the first verse with fervor: "Awaken, you all, friends of Rolf Awaken, you all, our master’s men Time is no longer for idle to linger the day is abreak, our deeds us await!" The crowd cheers enthusiastically at these words, their bearing on the morrow’s tasks evident, and as he weaves the fine poetic strands around the listeners’ hearts for an hour’s time, Ravn notes with pleasure how the old virtues have not entirely been abandoned in this new realm. When he recites the last verse it is with a smile of almost boisterous satisfaction. "Then shall they see as the field they behold Life did we give for the gold we were given Let raven and eagle but feast on our flesh Our king into death with honour we followed" Ravn has finished his tale. He holds out his horn for a fill from the tender’s keg, then raises it to the lords at the high table in quiet salutation before emptying it in one long swig before taking his seat again. |
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When Ravn climbs up onto the table, things quieten. It is clearly an unusual act, but people are in a good mood and quieten down for him. Richard Briganda raises his tankard to Ravn as a signal to continue, and so he continues with his tale. As Ravn starts the saga a couple of the older Norsemen nod their heads and seem to smile approvingly, although many of the others seem somewhat bemused. Those of you from a Norse heritage recognise the similarities in the tale between those stories you heard as a child and one or two of you might even recognise this tale of a different Rolf. As the Saga progresses Ravn notices that some of the people are paying less attention than he would like, and the occasional small conversation is starting up. Rather than risk loosing his audience all together, he wisely chooses to use a shortened version of the tale and after about 15 minutes draws the story to a close. As Ravn sits down he is greeted by shouts of approval and applause - but rather than the enthusiastic reception he was expecting, some of it seems polite applause, out of courtesy rather than anything else. |
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Peter occupies his day quietly, catching up with those people he knows among the guests, and still accepting the occasional word of congratulation on his new appointment gracefully. He takes a few minutes to write a brief letter to his mentor back on Angasa, describing the journey and explaining his new appointment, and asks Greybeard to take it back for him. After that he spends some time in contemplation and some time working with those who are remaining behind to make sure the party are going to have sufficient supplies for their needs. There is even time for a stroll along the shore before dinner. During the evening he is fairly quiet and abstemious during the meal, and listens politely, with a slight smile on his face, as Ravn tells his tale. At the end he applauds politely and continues with his meal. |
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The limited degree of approval to his tale does not seem to bother Ravn the slightest. His skaldic duties fulfilled, he relaxes over several servings of thick ale before retreating, somewhat staggeringly, to a quiet spot. The next morning he washes at the shore, gathers his belongings and goes to meet his new companions, feeling very satisfied at being on the path so apparently set out for him. When he reaches the small band of adventurers gathered around Rolf on the shore, his satisfaction is quickly tempered. "Surely, you jest..?" Ravn looks with disbelief at the curragh, to him appearing more like an oversized shield drift ashore. Someone had mentioned something about a ship. This is not a ship. This is a joke. Yes, that’s it. A practical joke. Ha-ha. Very funny. Next to the miniature vessel, a wee bit up the beach, the longship pushes out to sea, its two oarlines sliding into the water like hot knives into butter, the square sail capturing the early morning breeze as easily as a boy catches flies in the stable, the oarsmen singing a merry song as they establish the rhythm. Ravn sighs with a smile at first, then shakes his head as he looks at the curragh again, almost in despair. By Audhumbla’s teats, this disgrace cannot be! "Good Constable," he regards Rolf in a slightly blameful voice which he tries very hard to control, "it would seem the giant was in such a hurry to seek new quarters that he left his helmet lying on the beach. Surely, he will be most distressed and grieved if someone were to mistake it for a boat. Didn’t someone mention a ship yesterday? Are you sure we should risk awakening Aegir’s wrath in a soup cauldron?" |
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Kerim continues silently as those below discuss other matters, wandering just how it is people agree to disagree yet maintain a closeness. Good honest trade is the answer. |
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During the tale of Rolf Helgesson, Rolf fidgets and seems quite uncomfortable. In the midst of the tale, Rolf moves to the kegs to refill his mug, using the excuse to excuse himself from the attention the story seems to bring him. The next day, having boarded the ship, Rolf nods down from the ships rail in response to Ravn's hail. "Master Ashengrey, a good morning to you." After the discomfort the runemage had caused him the night before, Rolf allows himself a glimmer of enjoyment at the mans discomfort. "Aegir allowed the ship here, I doubt another short journey will rise his ire." |
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"Very impressive," the raven continues, peering down at the ocelot, "you will have to show me how you did that." Mandrake smiles at his friend and responds with a slight nod. Straightening up again, he turns back towards his friend, his voice lowered "One thing though - the crow spoke of "the Crow Kings", who would appear to have sent it to watch this Ravn ... have you heard aught of such creatures ?" "I have heard nothing of these Crow Kings, but they intrigue me, as does Ravn if he warrents such a spy to watch his movements. "We should take it upon ourselves to do our own watching, both of the crow and the man, though at the present I would not mention this to anyone else. We do not know the true motives of either party." Come morning, he is a little more his own self, resuming his perch on Mandrake's shoulder, and questioning the gnome about what the duties of a Herald will entail. "To be perfectly honest with you I don’t know, but I do not wish to appear ignorant and simply come straight out and admit it, how would that look to all these high folks. "The first thing that I need to do is get some help, just as soon as we return from securing the island, talking of which I must have a word with the Earl." Mandrake approaches Briganda and bows, "My lord, if I might be permitted. "Once things are settled here, I shall be in need of assistance in my new duties as your Herald, I shall be in need of a scribe. "I am sure that there are many very qualified people that you could suggest, but if it does not displease you I should like to return to Angasa and hire one from amongst my own people. "Though my travelling companions are a fine bunch, I have missed the being able to talk about those silly things that are so important to none but another gnome, and there are many good gnomish scribes of the fairer sex. "Hum, at the risk of sounding indelicate, how much does a Herald in your employ earn? It’s just that I will obviously need to start hiring and purchasing equipment for the role, and on the subject equipment, I assume that there is a seal for official deeds and the like." Come the next day, Mandrake ensures that he has a good stock of quality food and checks that he has some fair to Edgar’s liking also. He also takes some parchment." As he joins the others boarding the curragh, he throws his now full pack up and raises his eyes asking the others to pull him aboard. |
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"Let’s hope then that Aegir has not awoken from his slumber while we were feasting, for the giant of the deep sea is every bit as moody as any giant." Ravn bends down, picks up a small stone and gets on board, stowing his packroll neatly in the middle of the boat. Then he reaches over the railing, drawing the wet finger across the stone while mumbling to himself in a low voice. "This I know of Nine When in dire straits I stead Steady shall my vessel stay Wind above the waters still And lull the seas to sleep" With some twine from his belt pouch he ties the stone to the mast and begins to familiarize himmself with the workings of the vessel, applying wherever possible his skill with the slender Norse square riggers. |
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Callum wanders around, taking in all the people and not really knowing what to make of such a mix of people, all with their strange ways until, sitting down, he feels something dig into his side. He reaches into his belt and pulls out the dagger taken from the Dogheads killed during the hunt. Wondering at it's fine workmanship, he goes in search of a bard or Druid who might be able to tell him something of it. |
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