He did not understand the shaman’s magics, such things were beyond the understanding of a mere Thane like Hjalmar and frankly, he was more than content to let Branwhyn deal with the strangeness that was happening. His people would handle the other very mundane and perfectly deadly problems; it wasn’t like there was any shortage of supply. “Greymoor! Push the door!”
Secure an Advantage w/ Warband Strength (8, 6, 4+4), Weak Hit. +1+1 Momentum + Commander (+4). New Clock 0 of 4. Vow Progress: Sever the bonded spirit from the Grimwick Thanes. 1 of 20. Face Danger w/ Strength (3, 6, 3+4), Strong Hit. +1+1 Momentum + Commander (+6). Vow Progress: Sever spirit from Grimwick Thanes. 2 of 20.
Greymoor’s warband chanted as they pilled into the breach at the longhouse door, linking shields and thrusting weapons up, under, and threw the gaps in the shield wall to drive the attackers back and out of the house; or if they didn’t run simply kill them and trample their bodies underfoot. The push worked, securing the longhouse once more but the Grimwick Ironlanders were already rallying again. The reprieve wouldn’t last.
“Furniture, wallhangs, bodies, whatever you can find. Seal the breach!” The backline of the warband pealed off to retrieve anything sturdy enough to seal up the gap and anything malleable enough to serve as mortar to buy Branwhyn more time. It was an immediate solution to a growing problem. It would occur to the men sooner than he would like: they didn’t have a way out of this mess, they were trapped in the heart of a Circle increasingly hostile to them. For now, though, it was his worry and concern, theirs was to hold the door. Hjalmar helped pass a table over the shield wall, transporting the hardwood furniture to its new and probably short life as a barricade, and then shot a glance over his shoulder to check on the man who’d set them onto this grand enterprise.
* * *
It had never occurred to Branwhyn that he’d need to break one of his own circles. Suppressing a growl, he forced himself to be still and to look at his own workings and the newly possessed Cadigan as well. Unfocusing his eyes, he peered beyond the veil of the world to look at the ebb and flow of energies and how they connected one to another.
Gather Information w/ Wits + Sighted (2, 2, 4+3+1), Strong Hit w/ Match. +2+1 Momentum (+4). For the match, Action/Theme Oracle says: Assault Knowledge. I take this to mean that Branwhyn finds an advantage to exploit in his own rituals that will aid in his attack. If we can exploit it successfully. Vow Progress: Sever spirit from Grimwick Thanes. 3 of 20. Secure an Advantage w/ Wits + Ritualist (3, 9, 2+3+1), Weak Hit. Clock Ticks 1 of 4. +1+1 Momentum + Ritualist (+6). Because this was a weak hit, I’m going to say this is a one-time modification and not something we will normally be able to do.
The spirit had settled into the body of its new master, the ancient binding making it a servant to the newest thane of Grimwick. Emboldened by the knowledge and confidence born of generations of experience, Cadigan had centered himself as well. Time was on the young thane’s side and he knew it, so he waited for his people to overrun the less numerous invaders or for the situation to change.
Tearing his eyes away from the young thane with the smug look on his face, Branwhyn shifted his focus to his own warding circle. Looking at his own work and determining the best way to modify it for his purposes. Inspiration struck him, that he might modify his circle to only bind the spirit and not the body that held it. It would be a crude cudgel of a method to separate the two beings, but at this moment it might also be the quickest method.
Gripping the haft of his weapon, its weight in his hand a reassurance, Branwhyn knelt down on the hard dirt floor and started reworking the wards of the circle. Cadigan stepped close and the shaman could feel the heat of the young thane’s eyes as they bored down at him, trying to discern what was happening.
Doing the Ward again feels like the right roll here. We’ll sacrifice -1 Supply ( +3) for a bonus and roll Ward w/ Wits + Ritualist (3, 5, 1+3+1), Weak Hit. This is a successful modification, but I think it is not what Branwhyn wanted. Instead of something nuanced we’ll chance cannot enter to +1 Momentum when something moves inside. Clock Tick 2 of 4. Vow Progress: Sever spirit from Grimwick Thanes. 4 of 20.
Reexamining the warding circle, Branwhyn frowned deeply. He’d changed its nature, it would allow the entry now, but he’d not been able to refine it to the point where Cadigan could exit the circle but leave the spirit trapped within. It allowed a different plan, one that would likely mean the young thane’s death. Gritting his teeth, Branwhyn stood and picked up the battered burial mask again. Exorcism of the spirit for the second time would have to do.
Reluctantly returning the axe to his belt, Branwhyn once again found himself balancing the battered funerary mask on the upward curled fingers of his left hand as he began uttering the name of the Thane of Grimwick, though there had been a change of succession. The shaman spoke the name Cadigan thrice and wrestled with begrudging energies that were offended by calling upon them outside their proper time.
Sway w/ Shadow (2, 5, 8+3), Weak Hit. Whispers a need and an ill-omen. Seems familiar. For the whispers the Action/Theme Oracle says. Suppress Loss. I think this speaks to the nature of spirit and person, they do want to be a good leader and protect their people. As for the ill-omen Action/Theme oracle says: Construct Opinion. Though Grimwick is isolated, the word of what happens here is going to spread. That Branwhyn is actively overthrowing a sitting Thane is not going to go unnoticed and will continue to build (construct) the name of Branwhyn, the Butcher of Mournful Cairns (especially since their warband is here too somewhere). Also, Clock 3 of 4.
“Cadigan, Thane of Grimwick.” Branwhyn shifted the funerary mask to his right hand so that his left was free to draw signs of power into the air. He’d appealed to the spirit before, but the insight and omen brought to him now had been different. He followed the words whispered to him by the wind and appealed to the young man. “I told you the spirit would be your doom, but the longer you hold onto it the more it will doom your people as well. With her dying words Nazmi set our feet on this path and we cannot turn from it, but you can ease the suffering of your people. Don’t drag them down for your own pride.”
Compel w/ Heart (5, 5, 3+2), Miss. Using Sway to reroll everything, (9, 8, 2+1), Miss. Fail Track 24 of 40. At this rate, Branwhyn might have a new nickname soon. Clock 4 of 4. – We’ll see this when we shift perspectives again.
“My pride?!” Cadigan almost shouted, despite the presence of the spirit inside him, he didn’t seem to have the composure of his father. “You’ve come into my house, slain my father, and seek to slay me. You brought Brecken to my hold. You have been an ill-omen to all who live here. I and all of my people will see you dead.”
“So be it young Thane. But the choice is not yours alone.” Closing his eyes, Branwhyn drew up the memories and power in his veins and reached out to the spirit inside of Cadigan. “Spirit, you’ve heard my offer. Will you be free of mortal flesh? I break your chains once more.”
Compel w/ Heart + Sighted (3, 2, 5+2+1), Strong Hit. +1 +1 Momentum + Sighted (+8). Vow Progress: Sever spirit from Grimwick Thanes. 5 of 20.
For the second time, Branwhyn unworked the spell that bound the spirit to the thanes of Grimwick. The deed was not finished yet, not while the spirit was free and Cadigan knew the ritual to rebind it anew. Drawing the bearded axe from his belt, Branwhyn stalked into the warding circle.
First up, +1 Momentum (+9) for crossing the ward circle boundary. Enter the Fray w/ Heart (2, 10, 2+2), Weak Hit. Prepare to Act: Take Initiative. Cardigan is Formidable. Clock 1 of 4.
* * *
The Grimwicks had gotten up on top of the longhouse’s roof and were tearing open the thatching. Arrows shot from close range from an elevated position, no matter how unstable the shooter’s footing might be, would be problematic for the defenders inside. Hjalmar had seen armor on a stand and the boy thane had gone for a sword, might there be other weapons in the house? Surely his people would have looted such already. He darted from warrior to warrior searching for bows, javelins, or anything else that might be a viable defense.
Check Your Gear w/ Supply (1, 1, 5+3), Strong Hit. No match on odds, house rule. +1 Momentum (+7). Secure an Advantage w/ Warband Strength (1, 9, 3+4) Weak Hit. +1 +1 Momentum + Commander (+9). New Clock 2 of 4. Vow Progress: Sever spirit from Grimwick Thanes. 6 of 20.
It turned out that someone in the house had been quite the archer and there had been several bows and a good stock of arrows as well. He pulled his best archers off the line and entrusted the weapons to their hands. When the first Grimwick archer poked their head in to find a shot, they found an arrow through the eye instead. Their body fell through the ceiling and delivered another bow and a quiver of arrows to the defenders.
It would be a few minutes longer before they tried that particular attack again. Hjalmar’s momentary pleasure was stolen when he heard warning calls from outside. One of the Grimwick citizens was calling for help at the main gate. It would be a miraculous coincidence that Grimwick was being attacked. One thought led to another, Branwhyn had mentioned a bandit chief being inside and a warband from Mournful Cairn was also inside the Circle. Either of those groups might seize an opportune moment to attack. They might be able to use the confusion to escape, but only if they could get out in time. Branwhyn needed to hurry up with whatever he was doing.
The shaman had stepped into the magic circle he’d drawn and looked to be trying to incapacitate the old thane’s son. It would have been easier to just kill the boy, or take him as a hostage. Every time he checked in on the shaman it was looking less and less like mysterious magics and more like a bloody brawl. With a shake of his head, Hjalmar circled wide around the duel.
Enter the Fray w/ Shadow (7, 9, 6+3) Weak Hit. Prepare to Act, Take the Initiative. Clock Ticks 3 of 4
* * *
Cadigan stood his ground, tearing his belt knife from its sheath. When Branwhyn had first seen the young man, he’d thought he wouldn’t have the mettle to be an effective thane. The defiance that had shown now suggested Branwhyn had been wrong, or perhaps the brief time bound to the spirit had left a mark. It didn’t matter now, he couldn’t let the young thane rebind the spirit.
Strike w/ Iron + Bind (4, 4, 5+1+1), Strong Hit w/ Match. 2+1 Harm. Cadigan Progress 3 of 10. For the Match, Action/Theme Oracle says: Control Passage, I take this to mean that the spirit is – for now at least – under Branwhyn’s control. More specifically, it’s sealed in the golden burial mask again which is an item in Branwhyn’s possession. That will mean that this is Vow Progress: Sever spirit from Grimwick Thanes 7 of 20. Strike w/ Iron + Bind (7, 2, 5+1+1), Weak Hit. 2 Harm. Cadigan Progress 5 of 10. Loose initiative. Clock ticks 4 of 4.
Instinctively Cadigan dodged back away from the first swing, but the ward prevent his retreat. In desperation, he threw up an arm to block the haft of Branwhyn’s axe. Perhaps better than being slashed, the blow still cracked bone and the pain showed on the young man’s face. The next exchange left them both bloody and Branwhyn put distance between them, as far as the circle would allow.
Branwhyn felt the surge of energy as something new crossed the boundary into the warding circle, until that moment he hadn’t seen Hjalmar – a long narrow dagger in hand – circling and coming up behind Cadigan.
Due to crossing the ward threshold, Branwhyn gets +1 Branwhyn’s Momentum [+10]. Hjalmar strikes w/ Iron (4, 8, 1+2), Miss. Burn Momentum, Reset [+2]. Strong Hit. 2 +1 Harm + 2 Harm from Cutthroat. Cadigan Progress 10 of 10. End the Fight w Progress (8, 7, [10]). Strong Hit. Vow Progress: Sever spirit from Grimwick Thanes 8 of 20.
Holding the long dagger in a reverse grip, with his off-hand covering the pommel, Greymoor’s thane plunged the weapon into Cadigan’s back. The deft strike brought an end to the last of the line of Grimwick Thanes, Cadigan made a choking sound, his belt knife slipping from his hand so he could try and reach for the blade in his back. It was a weak attempt, his body quickly realized that it was dead. Cadigan’s death raddle was punctuated by the dull thud of his body hitting the floor.
Pulling the long-bladed knife free, Hjalmar used Cadigan’s back to wipe most of the blood off the weapon. “We’re in a bit of a rush. Sounds like the main gate is being attacked, probably breached at this point.”
The sudden end of the fight left Branwhyn stunned for a moment, but he vaguely nodded his head while looking down at the body of the dead Thane before him. The one Nazmi had wanted him to protect. That hadn’t been the curse she’d laid upon him though. Not save the would-be Thane, but to break the curse on the line of thanes, the one that neither Nazmi nor Branwhyn had understood. It was not how any of them had wanted this to end, nevertheless, it was finished.
Shaking off the sorrow at the waste of it all, Branwhyn gathered up his supplies and weapons as he spoke. “Gather your men Hjalmar, we’ll help if they’ll let us. Otherwise, we make our escape by the river.”
“We just killed their Thane and his heir.” Greymoor’s thane stated flatly. “They’ll abandon the defense of their gates to kill us. There is nothing more to gain here my friend. It’s time to go.”
Branwhyn wanted to argue, to protest, to somehow make this terrible turn of events better. Yet, looking down at the bodies of father and son and then at the angry eyes of the captive house servants, he knew that Hjalmar was right. With a heavy sigh, he conceded the point.
Fulfill Vow w/ Progress (3, 5, [4]), Weak Hit. Seems right. 3 xp. Oh, wait, Hjalmar has loyalst. Hjalmar rolls a challenge die {3}, and we use that to replace one of Branwhyn’s, (3, {3}, [4]), Strong Hit. 4 xp. The Debility Curse is broken.
“Remember Branwhyn, they betrayed the accord you made with them.” Hjalmar clapped a hand on the shaman’s shoulder and moved – getting under Branwhyn’s gaze – to look into the other man’s grey eyes. “I can see this weighs heavy on you, but this is the cost of their treachery, not ours. It will serve us, it is a warning to those who oppose the alliance. Our word is to be trusted and others will fear to break faith with us.” Greymoor’s thane smiled at the thought and pressed Branwhyn’s shoulders tightly means of encouragement.
Normally such encouragement didn’t actually help Branwhyn, but Hjalmar’s words, his faith in the cause he was so newly a part of, helped. The words matter. The shaman nodded, trusting in his friend’s faith. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am!” Laughing, Hjalmar gave Branwhyn’s shoulders another happy shake, some of the blood from the long knife flicking to the shaman’s tunic.
~fin
Thane Hjalmar of Greymoor
Health +5 Spirit +5 Momentum +3
Edge: 1 Heart: 2 Iron: 2 Shadow: 3 Wits: 1
Bonds: 14 – XP: 19
Assets:
Path: Commander++, Loyalist ++, Trickster ++
Combat Talent: Cut Throat ++
* * *
Branwhyn ap Hugh
Health +3 Spirit +5 Supply +3 Momentum +10
Edge: 1 Heart: 2 Iron: 1+1 Shadow: 2 Wits: 3
Bonds: 14 – XP: 19/39
Debility:Cursed (Break the Grimwick Thanes’ family Curse) – Broken
Assets:
[Paths]: Sighted+, Ritualist+;
[Rituals]: Augur, Bind, Sway, Visage, Ward
[Companions] Kindred (Corinna) +4 – Shield-Kin;
Active Vows:
Kingmaker [Epic] 4/40
Break the Power of the Broken’s Apostle [Extreme] – 5/20
Mentor Corinna [Extreme] – 13/20
-Rival [Monster Within] – 5/20
Find the Heir of Twin Rivers [Formidable] – 3/10
Winter Meeting at the Seven Strong Men [Dangerous] – 0/10
Break the Grimwick Thanes’ family Curse [Formidable] – Fail
Sever the bound spirit from the Grimwick Thanes [Extreame] – 4 xp
Shield Estrid [Troublesome] – 1 xp
Return Hjalmar’s Black Iron Torc [Formidable] – 3 xp
Threat: Corruption in the North – 3/10
Failure Track – 24/40
Bonds: ???, ???, ???, Esyllt the Herbalist, Ironhold of Crow’s Perch, Björn Blacksmith of Greybrook, Valknut, Ironhold of Twin Rivers, Ironhold of Greybrook, Priestess Indirra of Wolves Haven, Old Gray [wolf], Bohumil of Grimwick, Triplets of the Shadow Fen, Ragna of Greymoor, Thane Hjalmar of Greymoor
Wayfarer Stories 