The cough comes out silent this time, it's timbre lost among a sea of sounds, the moaning too. There to the left girls are beating deerskin drums barehanded. Young naked women run around and shriek a song on a forgotten dialect, filling the air with potent dread that alarms the heart to beat faster. The trusts gain vigor. The wives are to the right and guide a stallion in estrus, yoked in a plow that pulls through the barren stony earth, they encourage and tease the animal while it shows its frustrated strength, they mock it whenever the plow slows down and give his member a few jerks for encouragement to go faster again...The men are wind beaten and watch from afar down there at the beach, where the ship waits patiently, after all too much masculine energy will disrupt the synergy of the feminine ceremony.A fire rises swinging in all directions, it's almost dawn, it needs to be fed more to match the upcoming sun.In the center of all this mad cacophony a man and woman become one, naked and bruised, moaning and grunting, they lay under a pregnant mare held in place by old crones, all in order to create a life. And behold! In reaching their peak a crone splits the belly of the mare and profound quantity of liquid goes all over the two lovers. All that is female in attendance stops it's doings and howls a hair raising shriek, the ceremony is complete. There, covered in bright red arterial blood, covered in dark venous blood, covered in placenta and guts the two beloved are as if wed again and kiss most tenderly. The woman's messy white hair is now red and sticky with coagulating blood, she takes great care in not spilling the seed inside of her and raises crossed legs on the carcass of the dead animal. Somewhere in the far distance Thor approves with a thunder, she caresses the hammer resting on her breast.A short cough, and she announces "From this day forth I, Rannveig, will no longer be known as Purple-Eyed, but Blood Bride! The bride of my noble jarl... "
>Sigmundr As a devout follower of the god of war, Tyr, the captain of the "Lamentation" is the epitome of leadership, inner strength, honor and battle courage. He is draped in wolf skins and is missing his right arm, a sacrifice that he voluntarily made a long time ago on a pilgrimage to holy Uppsala. >Grimr A berserker that doesn't believe in any gods, this man is build like a mountain and towers over friend and foe alike. He believes that his ancestors were bears and before battle he needs to perform a ritual that puts him in trance-like state that makes him bloodthirsty and oblivious of the world. Yet as big he might be, his shameful inner demons are bigger...>Kiallakr He is a mystical figure that worships Jörmungandr, the serpent that circumvents the world, and has a flair of touching the unknown in the most unlikely of places. His whole body is covered in intricate patterns of weaving snakes and knows no fear, which lets him play an important part in the shield wall.
Join the discord: https://discord.gg/QwzvvGGX
>>6167458>Grimrwaiting warmly for this new quest
>>6167458>Sigmundr
>>6167458>Sigmundr As a devout follower of the god of war, Tyr, the captain of the "Lamentation" is the epitome of leadership, inner strength, honor and battle courage. He is draped in wolf skins and is missing his right arm, a sacrifice that he voluntarily made a long time ago on a pilgrimage to holy Uppsala.
>>6167458>Grimr
>>6167458>Kiallakr
>>6167458>Kiallakr Serpent-KinCharya, are you the same QM from Entombed & Joan of Arc? I enjoy the formatting & dark subject matter.
>>6167458>>Grimr A berserker that doesn't believe in any gods, this man is build like a mountain and towers over friend and foe alike. He believes that his ancestors were bears and before battle he needs to perform a ritual that puts him in trance-like state that makes him bloodthirsty and oblivious of the world. Yet as big he might be, his shameful inner demons are bigger...
>>6167456>Grimr A berserker that doesn't believe in any gods, this man is build like a mountain and towers over friend and foe alike. He believes that his ancestors were bears and before battle he needs to perform a ritual that puts him in trance-like state that makes him bloodthirsty and oblivious of the world. Yet as big he might be, his shameful inner demons are bigger...
>>6167458>Kiallakr He is a mystical figure that worships Jörmungandr, the serpent that circumvents the world, and has a flair of touching the unknown in the most unlikely of places. His whole body is covered in intricate patterns of weaving snakes and knows no fear, which lets him play an important part in the shield wall.Great start, OP - excited to see where it goes
>>6167456>Sigmundr
The salty Baltic water cracks the skin. It's nighttime yet there is no time for rest. The wind is strong and the full moon gets undressed by clouds only to reveal huge waves with violent white crests of boiling bubbles, threatening to smash the ship to pieces. Men, around fifty in number, steer the longboat among the waves. All carry their own runes - metallic, wooden or bone made, symbolizing a god, goddess, a titan, a demon, an element or an ancestor. The one handling the steering is of the latter kind - the Lord of Bones he is called and he carries whatever is left from his son and wife on his torso, his wicked bonemail rustles with each movement. Somewhere close by is the Hel-chaser Bjorn who tugs on a rope together with Steinn the Shiedbiter, reefing the huge expensive sail shut. Thunders rip the sky in pieces, some laugh while feeling Thor's presence close. Some don't feel it at all.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE5GTyxE01IAmong the organized chaos a single hooded figure sits stationary at the nose of the ship. It's the blood bride. She is looking at the pooling blood between her legs, then cups her hand for a cough that goes for longer than usual, there is blood on her palm too. The fertility ritual has failed and a bitter cackle escapes her lungs:"Thor, why can't your thunder reach my womb!? Sif, why your breadbasket can't give me fruit!? How much preparation, how many calculations for the perfect offering, now gone waste... I have been betrayed and I don't follow turncoats, let it be so that I walk cursed rather than with you!" she rips her emerald hammer medallion and throws it in the waters for it to be lost forever. Some of the men hear her.Suddenly a boyish voice shouts, the youngest on the ship points in the distance, noticing a black winged figure, hovering over the waves. Captain Sigmundr observes the reactions of his men.>"Since the sea will take us - Valholl stays forbidden! This is Hel, she is here to collect us to the underworld!" the Hel-chaser shouts excitedly>"This is nothing but the figurehead on a prow of another ship, numbwit, pick up your arms I say..." the Lord of Bones stings the Hel Chaser with his observation>"I don't see anything, that salty water has made your eyes bloodshot and weak" Grimr says as he spits, sullen after his wife>"Your wife has brought Sandraudiga upon us... the blood bride's womb reeks of failure and the goddess of defeat is now following our trail..." the boy Hugin is interrupted by a harsh slap from the berserker. "No one on this ship reeks of failure" Grimr says and looks into the distance again
>>6168418>The Hel-chaser
>>6168418>"Since the sea will take us - Valholl stays forbidden! This is Hel, she is here to collect us to the underworld!" the Hel-chaser shouts excitedly
>>6168418Solid track by the way
>>6168418>"This is nothing but the figurehead on a prow of another ship, numbwit, pick up your arms I say..." the Lord of Bones stings the Hel Chaser with his observation
>>6168418>"This is nothing but the figurehead on a prow of another ship, numbwit, pick up your arms I say..." the Lord of Bones stings the Hel Chaser with his observationLove the detail work here, QM
>>6168418>>"Your wife has brought Sandraudiga upon us... the blood bride's womb reeks of failure and the goddess of defeat is now following our trail..." the boy Hugin is interrupted by a harsh slap from the berserker. "No one on this ship reeks of failure" Grimr says and looks into the distance again
>>6168418>"Your wife has brought Sandraudiga upon us... the blood bride's womb reeks of failure and the goddess of defeat is now following our trail..." the boy Hugin is interrupted by a harsh slap from the berserker. "No one on this ship reeks of failure" Grimr says and looks into the distance again
>>6168418>>"I don't see anything, that salty water has made your eyes bloodshot and weak" Grimr says as he spits, sullen after his wife
Since 3 posts have the same number of votes I will write an amalgamation of the votes
The statuesque winged figure suddenly opens charcoal red eyes that search intensely through the souls of men and woman. Suddenly it's wings strike the air violently sending the being high into the dark of night, lost to mortals' sight. Soon a ship emerges from where the creature disappeared.The hull of the ship follows the design that the Suiri use, their sail carries an embroided rune of Tyr."Kindred ..." Sigmundr thinks out loud. The two ships come side to side and a man wearing Suirian style chainmail and helmet, that covers the face completely, greets:"We saw the burning light in the mouth of your dragon" he points towards the 'Lamentation's figurehead "Follow us, we will guide you through these treacherous waters". The storm is at it's peak, his words barely reach the captain's ears."A sane man would first ask why a sailor carries armament upon himself in a weather like this. You either crave to be dragged by it's weight to Njord's watery halls or you bear ill will to your passersby!" Sigmundr is cautious."I am Einarr the Helmet, I have been born in this armor, I shall die with it. Now will you follow me or did you loose your balls along with that right hand of yours?"Sigmundr only smiles, he recognizes the name.
The jarldom of Bergen didn't succumb without a fight. The following defeats nullified Grimr's claim over the land and the majority of those who didn't die fighting disbanded in search of wealthier and less hopeless endeavors. All that remained were riding the 'Lamentation', the hardstuck loyalists and the stubborn opportunists - those that weren't disparaged by Grimr's feckless leadership. Now the norsemen need new wealth in order to raise another worthy army.The Baltic beaches are even more barren and inhospitable than Scandinavia, the Norwegians find out. Einarr joins the crew while his ship sails towards the Swedish coastline, finishing the raiding season for the upcoming winter."... the village trades in furs, wine and oak wood, good for making ships. Alas, it is too fortified and away from proper shores for an attack..." Einarr the Helmet explains the location of some Slavic settlement. His breath stinks of fish and his mouth is always half open in a friendly smile carrying the scent far, the unwashed skin beneath the armor that never gets taken off produces a repulsive stench. Sigmundr, visibly untroubled, listens to the man and makes a plan of action:"Two thousand inhabitants you say... that many need much water. Guide us to a neighboring sleeve of the river that passes through the settlement... " Once finished Sigmundr sends the foul smelling Einarr to row the oar next to Steinn the Shiedbiter, he hasn't been satisfied with his performance recently. Then decides to do the following:>"Where do we get fur from?" the captain asks himself, then starts taking off his wolf skins, remaining naked. His whole body is covered in scars, the front that is. The Blood Bride is looking at his form with curiosity. (the Shieldbiter and the Hel-chaser are sent to the settlement, posing as fur merchants. DC 12)>the chief of the slavic village has weakness for young flesh, Einarr says (the adolescent brothers Hugin and Munin are sent to infiltrate the settlement. DC 14)>redirect the river stream that goes through the village (thirst will bring down morale and the captain is looking for a direct confrontation. DC 16)>"Einarr, Lord of Bones, Grimr, I have a task for you... " (Sigmundr sends the three men capable of the berserker dance to the settlement. They do their bloodlust callings, terrifying the villagers to surrender. DC 18)
NB! Dice rules. Best of three. 1d20. DC = Difficulty Class. Modifiers can be applied in future rolls. Roll only when asked.
>>6169699>redirect the river stream that goes through the village (thirst will bring down morale and the captain is looking for a direct confrontation. DC 16)An indirect approach might be best here - not to mention, people grow thirsty much faster than they grow hungry. If we can fend off any investigators, we might even be able to hold the towns water supply for ransom without a fight at all
>>6169699>the chief of the slavic village has weakness for young flesh, Einarr says (the adolescent brothers Hugin and Munin are sent to infiltrate the settlement. DC 14)
>>6169699>the chief of the slavic village has weakness for young flesh, Einarr says (the adolescent brothers Hugin and Munin are sent to infiltrate the settlement. DC 14)punishment for trashtalking us earlier
HOL UP....So Sigmundr is the Styrsman, Grimr is a Berserkr & self-proclaimed Jarl taking orders from him (I presume only while aboard), & the Lord of Bones is a Gauthi/Gothi/Vitki?Shouldn't the Shield-Biter be a Berserkr as well in addition to Einarr, LoB, & Grimr?Looks like the only Vikingr we didn't get is Kiallakr.I'll back,>Redirect the RiverAlthough the trader & Berserkrgang options seem sound. Appealing to a degen chief will likely end with the young Drengar as corpses. The other ship left Einarr behind, or is sailing with us?
>>6169699>"Where do we get fur from?" the captain asks himself, then starts taking off his wolf skins, remaining naked. His whole body is covered in scars, the front that is. The Blood Bride is looking at his form with curiosity. (the Shieldbiter and the Hel-chaser are sent to the settlement, posing as fur merchants. DC 12)
Rolled 1 (1d2)1 for redirect the river2 for young flesh
3 anons roll dice+1d20
Rolled 13 (1d20)Will Njordr bless our efforts?Let's find out!
>>6169983Kiallakr is on the ship, he will have his time to shine. For LoB and Shieldbiter - you will find out. Einarr's ship left for the swedish fatherland. Grimr / Sigmundr, who takes orders from who I wander
Rolled 2 (1d20)good. we can keeps the boys for later
Rolled 16 (1d20)>>6170172
>>6170201Based
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaSXf3IsS6cForests of spears and axes swing in the air like sea waves, all headed towards Bergen, all pointing towards Bergen, all cursing Bergen. Odin's Chosen finish their war cries headed by One-eyed Thorstein; the Wolf Pack have brought themselves to a primordial state of ferocity all foaming at the mouth, lead by Sigmundr; the Companions of the Black Sun lead the charge with Three-legged Hakon at the front, right behind them are Freya's Lovers, then the Wild Boars, followed by the Serpent's Embrace... all coming for blood, all instructed by Grimr, all bowing to his decisions, three thousand men in total.The enemy has decided to meet them at open field, the two armies clash with thunderous sound. Time passes. Pale female palm calculates battle time following the position of the sun. Four hours.It's late afternoon, the clouds are turning pink."Pretty", Purple-Eyed Rannveig thinks. Her Naked Fanatics have warmed up and are waiting the berserker gang's rituals to finish. The two shock units are hiding in the nearby woods, ordained to give the finishing blow on the enemy's rear. Rannveig observes the berserkers, the Lord of Bones is drinking blood from the skull of his son, tears run down his cheeks; Einarr the Helmet is chewing on something under his helmet that makes him spasm with uncomfort; Ebbe the Foresight is in the middle of a trance dance; others slash their delicate parts in order to get into their bloodlust. Soon all are slaughter-ready, except for one - Grimr. Purple-Eyed Rannveig can't find her husband, so she leads the attack...
The two sides retreat for the night, all heaving and blood bathed. Three-legged Hakon has the worthiest performance of the day and is granted the right to speak first. Many underlings accompany their leaders around a huge fire:"Why didn't we win today, you ask? I know why, because Grimr was and is still missing. If he managed his own, the berserkers wouldn't have scattered all over the place in their bloodlust!""Shut up! He is where he should be..." Purple-Eyed Rannveig jumps in."And where is that if not with his men?" Hakon asks."A man like him shouldn't have to explain himself to those less worthy of him!" Rannveig defends her man. A busted lip purples her face, the color matches her eyes, a new wound on her stomach bleeds over a fertility rune, tattooed over her womb. The hexagonal shield that she is leaning on covers her naked body."You don't know yourself, that a suckling can see. But I might have an idea... a wounded man of mine has seen him around the tents during the fight, curled up in a ball, massaging a dagger at the back of his throat but not having the courage to finish himself!" Three-legged Hakon shocks those attending, some accuse him of lying."You will be doing well if you shut your mouth, for a second time I tell you." Rannveig calms her tone."Figures that his bitch defends him, I bet he disappears from your bed too, on such nights you can come keep me company and you can see a leg of mine..." Purple-Eyed Rannveig draws her sword behind her shield and takes several huge steps, cutting off Hakon's head. The Companions of the Black Sun clash with her Naked Fanatics instantly... Flashes and thunders accompany the nightly storm. "Valkyries are choosing the valiant ones" a man whispers to another.Grimr shows himself. On the morning the Companions of the Black Sun have left camp.
(The flashback occurs 4 months ago. To be continued.)
Interesting, I like the naming of different warbands. I suspected Grimr suffered from a madness beyond berserkr rage, but I didn't think it would be depresspacito
>>6170851oh, ok.>>6170948yup. I wonder if this is because he can't have a sonor something else prior. also naked tomboy wife ftw.
Four months agoThe ladders are on the walls and wave after wave crashes into the defenders, many warcries are the same and men on both sides are content with fighting worthy opponents. One-eyed Thorstein is the first man on the wall, leading the center. Freya's Lovers, the Wolf Pack and the Naked Fanatics pressure the right side, the Wild Boars and the Serpent's Embrace - the left. One of the Wolf Pack defends a ladder breach, enemies encircle him and his shield ruptures under their striking axes, his sword has to parry now until it dulls and breaks. With naked hands he grabs their weapons on the blade, just to buy a few more seconds for his climbing brethren - he bites the shield of a third one, keeping him in place for a proper headbutt. Steinn becomes the Shieldbiter.The fighting continues all day long yet the walls don't yield to the attacking force. The leader of Odin's Chosen, One-eyed Thorstein, has been captured. The men retreat for the day. Back at camp previous accusations start to take root, Grimr hasn't fought yet again. A huscarl from the Wild Boars named Hemming the Boulder steps forward:"On my honor as a warrior, I swear that I have seen with these very eyes how Grimr beds a wicked creature in a female form today. Her tail was that of a stingray, her legs - that of a goat, her teeth - sharper than our blades, her hair was dripping with black tar." The camp explodes in further accusations, Rannveig steps forward to defend her man again. "Great Hemming, I, and everyone else attending, must believe your words because they speak true! Grimr beds a wicked creature in a female form, it is I! I cover my white hair with black tar to scare the enemy, my teeth are too sharp for your blade, my stingray tail grows when I am excited, but the accusation of me having crooked goat legs - that I will not stand!" her Naked Fanatics and more laugh when she shows her straight pale legs theatrically. "You may cover for him, Purple-Eyed Rannveig, but your albino skin doesn't match the dark that I saw..." Hemming doesn't take the bait and remains serious."For a second time someone accuses Grimr of unworthy doings, I will not tolerate any further insults on him. Take yours back." Rannveig is serious as well."I will not, as they aren't insults, but the truth..." not even finished his sentence Hemming the Boulder deflects a lightning sword strike from Rannveig. "I already saw you take one head yesterday, you think I will not be prepared for you?" he says with a grin."Rannveig, step back." a voice bellows. It's Grimr. "Hemming, I challenge you to a holmgang.""So you dispute my words and call me a liar?" Hemming asks."I do."
A second longer than an hour passes and the two men interlock axes in brutal strikes in front of everyone. The Boulder is a worthy opponent but soon he relents under Grimr's berserker fury. Hemming's arms drip with blood, their meat tenderized by the axe blows, waiting for the finishing strike. Yet Grimr doesn't provide the final blow but says:"Bandage his wounds, so once healed he will make the children laugh with his freak appearance."In his agony, one of Hemming's friends deal him the death that he craves.~~~Grimr and Rannveig are alone in their tent. She is angry with him."When I heard that you were curled in a ball like a babe, playing with a dagger around your throat, I said nothing to you, because I knew that you won't leave me alone in this world in such pathetic way. When it was said that you have slept with a draugr, I wasn't going to say anything because I knew that you won't choose another, as none match me. But to enter holmgang with someone and not provide them a worthy death, now that I witnessed, and that is beneath you."Grimr only waves a hand dismissively."If that is true, then what else is? Maybe you did want to depart this world like a suicide, maybe you did fuck a demon..." tears of mixed anger and sadness well in Rannveig's eyes. "Isn't my cunt good enough? I will stop my fighting, I will disband my men, I heard of a ritual that can help me conceive... just tell me, why don't you fight?" her voice becomes more mellow and pleading this time.Before Grimr answers, a tormented scream cuts the air from somewhere outside.
(to be continued)
>>6171420shit is getting serious
That Shield-Biter bit is absolutely siiiick
naked fanatics hnngggggg
there might not be updates in the next couple days cause qm is lazy with chores
Just be sure to return when you can, these qsts are highly interesting.
