Chapter 2: Freya's Tear

[Stirling]

Ralfwin

Ralfwin Edwinsen: Initiative [1d20+2]=19+2=21

[Marullus]

Music and Ambiance: Voices
of the Dead

---

Well, you definitely go first, and that was definitely effective! (+1 gjof)
Draugr WIS saves [1d20]=14[1d20]=10[1d20]=13

"Surely Freya's Lake is defiled.", says Ralfwin. He takes his holy symbol in hand, striking the water like a smith hitting the anvil, the ripples spreading out carrying with them the imbued rebuke of Odin. All three creatures, their heads discretely just at the level of the water, disappear with a blup sound back below the surface, diving to the darkness of the deep. You wait a few moments, assuring yourselves that they're gone for good, then resume your rowing.

...

Dusk has fallen as you finally approach the docks of Knafgata. The last lights of the day are seen from the rooftops of the wooden houses as the sun is going down, and the large temple seems to embrace all other houses on the shore of the lake. The temple looks big and strong with its stone walls. The forest and the lake surrounding the town looks welcoming and matronly. The heavy, rotten smell of the lake on the opposite shore has diminished, and even though there was no trace of its usual golden glow, the warm breezes coming from the lake soothe your cold skin. The town looks crowded, there is a warm light seeping through practically every window, and there are people wandering around the streets.

You think of the baby you started out intending to deliver, first across the lake and then to here, his grey flesh now crisped and burned on yesterday's pyre. The remote shrine desecrated and home to the stag-headed demon, who's scalp and antlers protrude from Stigandr's pack. Of the wolves, the bears, the human draugr, the horrors you've faced on your way that don't seem present in this place of respite.

Four men, all dressed as gothi of Freya, stand upon the dock, stern and angry expressions on their faces. "You! Do you have permission to use the lake? It is strictly forbidden without permission of the temple. Speak now, and speak plainly."

Actions?

---

Environment	Initiative Order	Effects in Play
Time: 3:31pm (sunset) Date: The 7th Day of Winter (Nov. 7th) Sunset: 3:31pm Twilight (dim light begins): 4:24pm Night (darkness begins): 5:20pm Pre-Dawn glow (dim light begins): 6:10am Dawn approaches (normal light begins): 7:07am Sunrise: is at 8:01am	None.	None.

---

> Enoch as Valdís | Female | Kuning | Seiꝺr (2) | HD (1d8): 2 | HP: 22/22 | AC: 15 | Current Speed: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: No | Spells - 1st: 3/3 | Hel: 0 |
> Unsungknot as Doshea Ulfgar | Female | Mithal | Alle [Paladin] (2) | HD (1d10): 2 | HP: 16/16 | AC: 17 | Current Speed: 30' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: No | Spells - 1st: 2/2 | Hands: 10/10 | Hel: 0 |[Inspiration]
> sastaz as Vakar the Disowned | Male | Vestri | Rogue (2) | HD (1d8): 2 | HP: 19/19 | AC: 13 | Current Speed: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: No | [Inspiration]
> Spearmint as 'Stig' Stigandr | Male | Mithal | Barbarian (2) | HD (1d12): 2 | HP: 28/28 | AC: 18 | Current Speed: 30' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: No | Rages 2 / 2 | [Inspiration]
> Rex as Skirfir Uvaldi | Female | Dvergr (Stoneborn)| Gothi (Smidr) (2) | HD (1d8): 2 | HP: 16/16 | AC: 18 | Current Speed: 25' | Initiative: +1 | Darkvision: Yes | Spells - 1st: 3/3 | Channel: 1/1 | Hel: 0 |
> Stirling as Ralfwin Edwinsen | Male | Mithal | Gothi (2) | HD (1d8): 2 | HP: 21/21 | AC: 16 | Current Speed: 20 | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: No | Spells - (C) 1st: 3/3 (B) 1st: 1/1 | Channel: 0/1 | Gjof: 1 | Hel: 1 | [Inspiration]

[Spearmint]

Stigandr Yngvarsen

You know barbarians don't make the best diplomats ...

I am going to grab the large antlers I took and tap the tines, "I took this from a Hel-touched beast, plenty of rooms to hang trophy heads this side and stick four sets of swinging testicles as strings of acorns on that."

He would say more but expects others to interject a bit more amicably.

[Rex]

Skirfir

"Darkness rises quickly, we come with important news for the temple."

[Unsungknot]

Doshea Ulfgar

Doshea looks at the bustling crowd, the people unaware of the threat looming even within their own waters. Children following after parents, babes swaddled against their mother's chest. She looks about, seeing if there are any of those tell tale signs that Ralfwin and Valdis had apparently noticed in Jonnamot, though unfamiliar with what signs to note she only notes the people. Were there any women here with child who's babe might be doomed as Grey Eyed Boe's child had been? How long before the foulness of Hel seeps into this seemingly protected town? How many will be lost before they'd even been given a chance to fight? She grinds her teeth, clutching her talisman in her hand. She had not expected to actually battle with creatures of Hel here, where it was supposedly safe. Knowing each step brought her closer to her destiny, she had started on her journey with a fire to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. As she looks at the people of the town, the poor monstrous child's body loomed in her mind along with it's parents hopeful faces, that fire grows and she knows she is following her path. She knows she must get to the elders as quickly as possible to inform them of the threat to help protect these people and hopefully, Thor willing, get some help to those who were outside of this protected little bubble.

Doshea frowns at Stig growling slightly when she states, "They are not draugr."

She looks to the four men and raises one hand in greeting, the other still clutching her talisman, "I am Doshea Ulfgar, alle of Thor, following the path of the gods. We need to see your elders, we have grave news." As she speaks, her words get more forceful as her urgency increases. Her gaze boring into the men she wills them to hear the urgency in her voice and allow them to pass. "What you ask is impossible to answer plainly and we must go, now, to your elders. We will answer your questions then."


Perception: [1d20]=11

Persuasion: [1d20]=12 + 5 = 17

Mystery Roll: [1d20]=9
Mystery Roll: [1d20]=18

Dang Stirling! That was a great roll! way to save our butts!

[sastaz]

Vakar makes sure to show his open palms, empty of weapons, in a non-threatening pose, just affirming what Doshea has just said. As he does, he scans the surroudnings. How are the people around them reacting? No angry mob is forming, he hopes. Any signs of corruption here that were not obvious at a first glance?

"Please, you must believe us. We mean no disrespect, but we have dire news and we needed to give them to you immediately. Every hour counts."

Perception check: [1d20+5]=15+5=20 that should be ok

Mystery roll: [1d20]=9, [1d20]=20

[Stirling]

Ralfwin Edwinsen

"Excuse my barbarian friend. His nature may be uncouth but his axe still drips with the blood of Undead aberrations that have overrun the temple across the shore.

We burned their bodies and have brought with us what personal tokens we could recover. Even your lake floods with shoals of Draugr. Have you not seen?"

[Enoch]

Valdis heaves a deep sigh to herself and shakes her head (Guidance: [1d4]=1) before stepping up to stand with her companions. Pausing again, she searches the faces of the Gothi before them.

Insight: [1d20+6]=1+6=7, [1d20+6]=15+6=21
Do I have any sense of what might motivate them to let us cross?

[Unsungknot]

Doshea Ulfgar

Doshea glances at Ralfwin with a grin, glad to have the wise gothi of Odin in their troop. Before stating softly, "Or perhaps not so impossible to state plainly," and looking to the gothi expectantly.

[Stirling]

Ralfwin Edwinsen

"Stig, put that thing away." he whispers then gestures towards Ygre.

"You may know her, a gothi of Freya in her own right, Ygre, counsellor to Grey-Boe of Jonnamot and latterly nursemaid to Boe & Hungerd's new born child. Sadly the babe 'became lost' en route here as we journeyed to seek your blessing upon 'his ailments'."

He tries to diplomatically move the conversation away from ballsy boastings to reasoning our journey and inferring some troubles on the way which they might be familiar with but is less appropriate to talk about in the open publicly.

Ralfwin Edwinsen: Charisma 10 check [1d20]=10

[Marullus]

Music and Ambiance: Voices
of the Dead

---

Four men, all dressed as gothi of Freya, stand upon the dock, stern and angry expressions on their faces. "You! Do you have permission to use the lake? It is strictly forbidden without permission of the temple. Speak now, and speak plainly."

Stig blusters, holding the scalp of the stag-fiend, and is admonished by Ralfwin and Doshea. "Darkness rises quickly, we come with important news for the temple." intones the dwarf solemnly. Valdis searches the faces of the four priests, finding them anxious and personally uninterested. She senses that deferring your misuse of the lake to higher authorities would suit them just fine, allowing them to return to their own worries.

Doshea steps forward and speaks directly. "I am Doshea Ulfgar, alle of Thor, following the path of the gods. We need to see your elders, we have grave news." As she speaks, her words get more forceful as her urgency increases. Her gaze boring into the men she wills them to hear the urgency in her voice and allow them to pass. "What you ask is impossible to answer plainly and we must go, now, to your elders. We will answer your questions then."
"We burned their bodies and have brought with us what personal tokens we could recover. Even your lake floods with shoals of Draugr. Have you not seen?" chides Ralfwin.
"Or perhaps not so impossible to state plainly," says Doshea with a grin.

...

"High-Gothi Freydis can hear your complaints," responds one of the guards perfunctorily. "Or Jarl Bogdunn," counters another. The one in charge gives them both a look and introduces himself as Ulfr, then turns to lead you to the House of Fertility, the temple of Freya.

Vakar's observant gaze takes in the town as they pass through. He spies no signs of the corruption of Hel in the town, nor angry mobs. Beneath the town's placid warmth as they pass sunset and prepare for the night ahead, he does get a sense of anxious hussle from the common folk, purchasing and trading food and goods as if for an unexpected feast as he would have as a thrall. Approaching the gate, he notes there are four guards, where Ygre said to expect only two, and they are visibly nervous and worried. They're so anxious that they don't notice how worn-out and grimy you are from battle and travel, their eyes glancing past you the same as the cleaner guests arriving before and after.

When you pass through the gate, you enter a large garden full of trees, plants and herbs. A huge, stone altar in the middle of the garden is filled to the rim with plants and foods. You immediately realize that the atmosphere on the inside is the polar opposite of the one on the outside. The people inside seem to be in a state of intense activity and rush; there are people running around, even the oldest of whom seems to be trying to catch up with the others. As soon as you go through the gate, a couple of women carrying heavy sacks on their backs pass you by, and the pleasant aromatic scent seeping through the sacks is almost overwhelmingly sweet. Even though she is a Freyja gothi, Ygre looks stunned with the drastic change of the atmosphere. Finally, a young man comes running over to face the characters and asks, “Have you come as representatives of a village?” Taking a cue, Ulfr interjects without waiting for an answer, “Unfortunately there is not enough space in the temple for representatives, we will host you in an inn in town.”

Three female gothi are walking out of the main temple building ahead of you into the gardens as the man speaks. The tallest gives directives and the other two scurry off, leaving the tall woman to approach you directly, interrupting the harried man. “Ygre! I wasn’t expecting you. It’s been long, too long! You are truly a sight for sore eyes in these deeply troubled times. It all has truly been awful as of late… Don’t mind Ulfr, he is
overworked and tense, as are we all. Come, come; introduce me to your friends, I have a minute or two.” Ygre introduces the woman as High-Gothi Freydis, then introduces each of you in turn. The tall woman is composed with erect posture, her face placid and voice smooth and commanding at the same time. She has the same look of calm wisdom that you recognize in Ygre.

Freydis bypasses the man and leads you into the temple. Immediately inside the doors is the temple proper - a large room that despite the bustle remains reverent and full of whispered prayers. An old man dressed in rough furs of a poor village prays fervently on the left side of the altar, tear stains on his wrinkled face. Opposite him, a fair-looking young woman with well-groomed hair and nice clothes whispers prayers with equal earnestness, lost in her own reverie. Two kunnig women dressed as initiate Freya gothi whisper quietly behind the altar, unwitting of Freydis' entrance.

Freydis pivots and leads you down a narrow hallway into the East Wing. Then she opens a door towards the middle of the corridor and enters. Inside, there is only an old bed and a dresser, both of which look quite old. The room is too small for the seven of you; therefore, two to four of you have to stay outside the door. With this semblance of privacy and reassurance by Ygre of the personal trustworthiness you tell your story to the High Gothi. She doesn't seem surprised by your story of the draugr baby, telling you that there are reports of one or two draugr baboes in the Austere Woods as well - quick math by the well-travelled Skirfir determines that is about equidistant from the lake in the opposite direction from which you came. She expresses concern that they only realized the lake has become unnatural in the past few nights and she is concerned that they cannot reach Asta, the Freya Gothi at the Lake Temple. Her unflappable expression cracks with a moment of grief as you tell her of Asta's fate, hatching from the coccoon into a Hel-spawn.

Freydis tells you that she has taken initiative for the temple, sending messengers to the settlements nearby to summon their Jarls and Freya gothis to a council scheduled to convene the next day. “You, my friends, should also come and share your story with the council. Inform the people of Svilland of this threat. In the meantime, I promise, I will personally investigate how this plague of Hel could be cleansed from Svilland. Again, pay Ulfr no mind, I will find some rooms for you. You may stay here at the temple, be my guest. The council will convene tomorrow at midday. I want to stress that I want to see you there, you carry important information that everyone should also be privy to. The sun is about the set, so you may want to join in the supper, I trust Ygre recalls where the dining hall is. I’ll send some gothis to recover the baby and the beast, you may leave them here for now, but make sure that you lock the door. The key is on the lock. See you tomorrow, Freydis and Freyja be with you.”

She departs to see to further preparations, leaving the seven of you crowded in and around the door to the small room where at least you can drop your bundles, perhaps draw lots for who uses the bed. The narrow hallway of the east wing continues onward, most of the doors closed with the sound of other guests inside. One door stands open at the hallway's far end, the light of a candle casting a flickering glow from within. A grey-haired tall Vestri woman is sweeping the hallway, muttering to herself as she does so. Ygre tells you that this is the guest's wing and that the Gothi residences are on the East Wing, where she stayed herself previously. The Dining Hall is the left-hand extension of the West Wing, along with the kitchens where she says she'll visit her friend Viggo. She also says there's a couryard herb garden on the second story of the West Wing, which should at least be quiet from the bustle in the temple if you need it. The sun has set now, but you have more than an hour before the light fades to the long darkness of the winter's night.

Actions?

If you'd like to be specific in the details of your tale you wish to convey, go ahead and narrate IC and I'll take that into account going forward. There wasn't a point of decision here talking to Freydis, who believes you. You will need to speak compellingly (and roll) when speaking to the Council tomorrow.

I am presenting a number of hooks here which you can pursue or skip, together or separately. You need a Perception test to overhear the prayers or conversations of anyone in the temple. You can interact with any of the people identified. You can go poking about inside the temple as described. Or, you can stay in the small room provided.

Take as long as you want as this part is self-directed. After you're done, we will move to overnight, then to the council meeting tomorrow.

Good roleplay regains inspiration. Give each other kudos!

---

Environment	Initiative Order	Effects in Play
Time: 3:45pm (sunset) Date: The 7th Day of Winter (Nov. 7th) Sunset: 3:31pm Twilight (dim light begins): 4:24pm Night (darkness begins): 5:20pm Pre-Dawn glow (dim light begins): 6:10am Dawn approaches (normal light begins): 7:07am Sunrise: is at 8:01am	None.	None.

---

> Enoch as Valdís | Female | Kuning | Seiꝺr (2) | HD (1d8): 2 | HP: 22/22 | AC: 15 | Current Speed: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: No | Spells - 1st: 3/3 | Hel: 0 |
> Unsungknot as Doshea Ulfgar | Female | Mithal | Alle [Paladin] (2) | HD (1d10): 2 | HP: 16/16 | AC: 17 | Current Speed: 30' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: No | Spells - 1st: 2/2 | Hands: 10/10 | Hel: 0 |[Inspiration]
> sastaz as Vakar the Disowned | Male | Vestri | Rogue (2) | HD (1d8): 2 | HP: 19/19 | AC: 13 | Current Speed: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: No | [Inspiration]
> Spearmint as 'Stig' Stigandr | Male | Mithal | Barbarian (2) | HD (1d12): 2 | HP: 28/28 | AC: 18 | Current Speed: 30' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: No | Rages 2 / 2 | [Inspiration]
> Rex as Skirfir Uvaldi | Female | Dvergr (Stoneborn)| Gothi (Smidr) (2) | HD (1d8): 2 | HP: 16/16 | AC: 18 | Current Speed: 25' | Initiative: +1 | Darkvision: Yes | Spells - 1st: 3/3 | Channel: 1/1 | Hel: 0 |
> Stirling as Ralfwin Edwinsen | Male | Mithal | Gothi (2) | HD (1d8): 2 | HP: 21/21 | AC: 16 | Current Speed: 20 | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: No | Spells - (C) 1st: 3/3 (B) 1st: 1/1 | Channel: 0/1 | Gjof: 1 | Hel: 1 | [Inspiration]

[Stirling]

Ralfwin Edwinsen

I have no reason to think we are being set up in any way or that we are in dire risk of any kind of attack. I would be quite happy to check the community out and using my Shelter of the Faithful, would prefer to fellowship and stay outside of the Temple hospitality if I can. Not tyat I have anything against their hosting us a day, it would just seem in keeping to touch base with any of Odin's faithful until the gathering before the council.

If any of the items we have taken need Identify, I can cast that (though at the cost of my only 100gp pearl).

Lakes ... freshwater clams.... more pearls? worth investigating the likelihood of finding any source of divine prayer components.

I will also check with the gate guards and ask about three-eyed or zombiefied ravens, explaining that we have experienced such critters and they might be used by necromancers as Hel-touched scouts.

Ralfwin: Perception check [1d20+4]=18+4=22 Mystery roll [1d20]=4

[Rex]

Skirfir

Skirfir will get herself something to eat and then some rest.

Mystery rolls [1d20]=18 [1d20]=14

[Enoch]

Valdis flinches slightly as Freydis mentions lodging in the temple, her eyes widening slightly for a brief moment. When the group is left to their own devices in the guest quarters, she drops her pack against the wall near the door, then unties the thong holding it shut and roots around for a minute before extracting her herbalism kit. She heads back out the door in the direction of the garden.

Herbalism: [1d20+6]=12+6=18[1d20+6]=8+6=14, mystery roll [1d20]=16
Does she see any herbs that might be useful?

[Marullus]

If any of the items we have taken need Identify, I can cast that (though at the cost of my only 100gp pearl).

...thanks for mentioning that. I don't intend to enforce most material components, so no need to track pearls. Both Ralwin and Skirfir have Identify as core to their concepts - you are channeling divine wisdom from Odin the Traveller and Skirfir is attuned to the nature of craft-magic directly. No pearls.

You have the magical axe that states a lineage, from the dead gothi in the hut. You need to decide what you're doing with it (giving it back, identifying and using it).

Otherwise you have several antecedents to make your own magic items (either by Skirfir or Valdis, depending on the desired flavor) but it requires days of downtime you don't have at this juncture.

[sastaz]

Vakar will unload his backpack next to a wall, letting a sigh of relief slip through.

"Finally a friendly place. Or so it seems at least. We need the rest, or at least I know that I do. I will just be hanging around here until we receive further instructions."

He will seek out the tall Vestri woman during the day/evening, if possible, to have a chat and kill some time. In game terms, he does have the Solidarity of Aggrieved feature as part of his thrall background. They should hopefully get along well. If he learns something valuable, that won't hurt of course, but he's not going on an undercover reconnaissance mission or anything like that.

Perception check: [1d20+5]=13+5=18

Mystery roll: [1d20]=18, [1d20]=8

[Spearmint]

Stigandr Yngvarsen

He will seek out the tall Vestri woman during the day/evening,

"Sure go for it. This is a fertility cult after all ..."

Opposite him, a fair-looking young woman with well-groomed hair and nice clothes whispers prayers with equal earnestness, lost in her own reverie.

With that thought in his barbarian mind, he goes to kneel beside the vivacious devotee. He gesticulates in fashion, copying routines observed by Ygre and those in the temple, muttering some whispered "amens" before turning to the woman, (in his half dressed bared torso state, he did bathe yesterday mind you which in his mind should add to his overall 'some like it rough' appeal). He does his best chatting up pulling and bare cheeked flirtations.

"A fine maiden you are, gifted and fragrant as a rare orchid, full of blossoming beauty. Praying no doubt in this season of fertility to gain Freya's favour and find a stallion lusty and bold to love and cherish you. And here I am, summoned by the god's to answer prayer. Come my maiden filly, arise with me to your chamber .... cue exotic pleadings regarding her womanly grace and his impassioned loins ... "

Stigandr uses his Charisma 12 [1d20]=20

This is only going one way .... a slap in the face the least he expects for his fumbling.

[Stirling]

Ralfwin Edwinsen

cue exotic pleadings regarding her womanly grace and his impassioned loins ... "

if I could pass my inspiration over, it would be to help the lass grab him by the antlers ....

[Unsungknot]

Doshea Ulfgar

She nods to Vakar, "I could most certainly use some rest." She feels her stomach rumble aggressively as she too sets her pack down, initially frowning at the thought of another ration and then immediately perks up at the thought of the feast being prepared. Always willing to eat food she didn't have to cook, and as much of it as possible, she starts toward the banquet hall but stops mid step. While she was a terrible cook herself, she always loved watching her mother cook and wondered at what the kitchens in such a large temple would look like.

"Ygre, might I join you visiting your friend?" She turns to Ygre, notes the pack on the ground and thinks of the axe and motions to it. "The axe, how do we figure who that belongs to? Should we not return it as soon as we can? It shows a lineage, and the family deserves to know what happened." she asks of everyone in the room in general, and Ygre specifically since she's familiar with the area.

Afterwards she follows Ygre to the kitchens, smiling to people as they pass. She loves hearing other people's stories and tries to listen to their conversations. When they arrive at the kitchens she tries to stay out of the way, while also attempting to sample the food.

Perception: [1d20]=7

Mystery: [1d20]=10
Mystery: [1d20]=9

Wow I'm guessing the only thing she hears is her own stomach

[Marullus]

Music and Ambiance: Víðbláinn

---

After a frenetic week of festival, trials, unexpected undead vargr, birth of the draugr child, being lured into the den of bears, battle with a fiend of Hel and discovery of the desecreated shrine, repelling the foulspawn in the lake, and a tense reception at the docks, the group finds themselves with a moment to pause, rest, and reflect at the Temple of Freya. Feeling secure, no watches are posted for the night and each can recover in their own way.

Ralfwin withdraws the engraved axe from the packs, praying to Odin's knowledge of secrets as he inspects it. Doshea asks Ygre what she knows of it. Ygre says, "The lineage marks it as belonging to Kadlin, the woman who was caretaker and protector of the high gothi of the lake shrine. She is not Mithal, but Austri, from their kingdom full of many people in the east of here and this is shown in the lineage. I know Kadlin was from Thorath, their capital, but not of her family. She came here as an adolescent, orphaned by the death of her parents, which is how she came into Asta's service at the lake.' Ralfwin confirms this in the runes, which scribe the deeds of three generations of her family, ending in a proclimation of her birth. He feels the axe is proud and protective, imbued by a family that places itself in harm's way before others.

The axe has a personality, not an intelligence, and constantly encourages its wielder to be a Protector of others. It functions as an Axe +1.

Ralfwin excuses himself, leaving the temple to instead explore the city, donning his grey cloak like Odin the Wanderer. He finds that faith to Asgard is deep in this place, centered as it is on the major temple, and he is welcomed by the faithful laypeople of the marketplace. He is taken in and provided hospitality by a fruit merchant and his wife, introduced to their three children, all strapping young sons. There is much bustle in the city with the coming of the village elders. They speak over their dinner of Bogdunn, who is the ruler of Knafgata, and his ire that the meeting was called by Freydis. Bogdunn is a faithful of Odin, stern and cold in his demeanor but a strong protector and fair, and the fruit merchant's family likes him despite others speaking of Freydis and the temple stepping in.

...

Valdis slips away from the Mithal, finding herself at home in the open rooftop gardens. She finds that the herbs growing there are exceptional - the blessings of Freya's bounty clearly flow through this place and the gardens are as yet unwilted and untainted as the lakeside outside was.

The herbs here have extra efficacy, and can be used to make potions of Greater Healing as easily as if it was a Potion of Healing. You can collect enough for 1d4 attempts to make potions.

...

Skirfir and Vakar both decide to settle in to the small room provided, staying there with the gear. After unpacking, Vakar wanders down the hall to talk to the tall, grey-haired Vestri woman who is sweeping the floor there. Introducing himself he finds her name is Solveig, and she's glad for the conversation. "It's plain to see, if you ask me, which they don't," she gripes to him, "it is a curse upon the Mithal, upon this town, upon their whole country. How much wrong must you commit to negate millenia of Freya's blessing? How big a crime that not even Freyja could shine the light of her mercy over them? They're fools, and their pride will ruin us all." Despite Vakar's light approach, she confides in him further. "I do not trust the Jarl Bogdunn. I think he's done something horrible. It can't have happened without him knowing."

...

Stigandr goes to the temple with one thing on his mind, and it is not piety. He targets and fair-looking Austri woman with well-groomed hair and nice clothes and he works his masculine charms. Finishing her fervent prayers and wiping tears from her face, he finds himself successful and the woman invites him back to her room a the inn outside in the town square. What grief she held converts to passion and he has just the night that he desired. In the morning, Brenda cuddles against his chest, and speaks softly. "Freya truly answers prayers. I never thought I'd be worthy of her absolution after I killed my husband, nor find another, but here you are..."

...

Doshea goes with Ygre to the kitchens where she meets Viggo, who is her friend the cook. He is a middle-aged, handsome Vestri and gives Ygre a bear hug. He talks constantly as he cooks, sprinking more and more spices into the food, telling Doshea of his time at sea as a Vikingr before he was severely injured and retired here in devotion to Freya. At one point Ingolf, the dour steward from earlier, comes in and berates him for over-spicing the food again, and that the village elders will need it toned down for the dinner tonight. Judging by the heavy handed application, Viggo has no intention of doing so.

Dinner is served for all still in the temple, with a hot and spicy vegetable stew with healthy slabs of deer steaks, coated in spices. The dining hall is full between guests and clergy, and nobody speaks of anything unpleasant, though it is clear to everyone (except the unobservant Doshea who only sees the steaks) that worry underlies all that is not said. After the meal a blond child approaches Doshea and Valdis and lets them know that Freydis has arranged an extra room for them, so they don't need to crowd in with Vakar and Doshea.

...

The night passes, and the dawn comes. All slept well, except for Doshea and Valdis, both of whom were visited by visions in their dreams that they remember upon waking. They both see a hunched, short, tough-looking woman in a dim-lit room hung with herbs and tanning animal hides. Her eyelids are painted black and she wears a crown of animal bones. A hissing, sibilant voice speaks to each, but they wake having heard different messages.

Doshea:

"“What awaits you on your path, is more than that which you
carry on your back. When the sky turns black, and black snow
covers your shoulders, be not afraid. You will pass through
a narrow gate somewhere up high, and will enter a much
greater darkness to save the ones you’ve left behind. When
the wind of death knocks on your door, you must open the
door and move forward. Move forward, deeper into the long
road ahead.”"

Valdis:

"“You will see evil become good, and good become evil, but it
is imperative that you do not lose courage. Don’t trust the
forest or the mountains, they are now home to more than the
wildlife we know. Always be alert! Because it is death itself
that you are after. It is likely that you and your friends will
pass the boundaries of mortal minds.”"

Actions for the morning? The council is at noon.

With the night of rest and reflection, you all advance to 3rd level! This includes choosing your subclass. Please discuss any questions or concerns in your private forums or on New Character Discussion.

Just for the record, Brenda is totally a written NPC in the story. I didn't make that up!

Good roleplay regains inspiration. Give each other kudos!

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Environment	Initiative Order	Effects in Play
Time: 7:07am (dawn) Date: The 8th Day of Winter (Nov. 8th) Sunset: 3:31pm Twilight (dim light begins): 4:24pm Night (darkness begins): 5:20pm Pre-Dawn glow (dim light begins): 6:10am Dawn approaches (normal light begins): 7:07am Sunrise: is at 8:01am	None.	None.

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> Enoch as Valdís | Female | Kuning | Seiꝺr (2) | HD (1d8): 2 | HP: 22/22 | AC: 15 | Current Speed: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: No | Spells - 1st: 3/3 | Hel: 0 |
> Unsungknot as Doshea Ulfgar | Female | Mithal | Alle [Paladin] (2) | HD (1d10): 2 | HP: 16/16 | AC: 17 | Current Speed: 20' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: No | Spells - 1st: 2/2 | Hands: 10/10 | Hel: 0 |[Inspiration]
> sastaz as Vakar the Disowned | Male | Vestri | Rogue (2) | HD (1d8): 2 | HP: 19/19 | AC: 13 | Current Speed: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: No | [Inspiration]
> Spearmint as 'Stig' Stigandr | Male | Mithal | Barbarian (2) | HD (1d12): 2 | HP: 28/28 | AC: 18 | Current Speed: 30' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: No | Rages 2 / 2 | [Inspiration]
> Rex as Skirfir Uvaldi | Female | Dvergr (Stoneborn)| Gothi (Smidr) (2) | HD (1d8): 2 | HP: 16/16 | AC: 18 | Current Speed: 25' | Initiative: +1 | Darkvision: Yes | Spells - 1st: 3/3 | Channel: 1/1 | Hel: 0 |
> Stirling as Ralfwin Edwinsen | Male | Mithal | Gothi (2) | HD (1d8): 2 | HP: 21/21 | AC: 16 | Current Speed: 20 | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: No | Spells - (C) 1st: 3/3 (B) 1st: 1/1 | Channel: 0/1 | Gjof: 1 | Hel: 1 | [Inspiration]