He had been through the worst of the megaverse, and the best of it.

Power suppressed, then corrupted, and then perfected.

His was a tale of hope that one day might would make right.

This is Magnus's story, and his day was getting interesting.

He arrived, with the smells and sensations of the last world a recent memory, in a grand pillared room, styled in the classical Greco-Roman sense. Symbols of the sun decorated the curtains in the room and a man wearing a white miter with golden trim with a blue and white robe ended his chant in wonder.

"Is this our champion? The one who will find the Faithful Avenger at long last?" Somehow, the magic of the summoning circle made it clear that the Avenger in question was not only referring to an object, but a very specific one. Magnus's senses indicated a familiar presence on this world, but which one he couldn't say.

I places the oversized giants sword in the sheath on my back and takes off my helmet.

"Interesting summoning circle you got there. I didn't know that beings like myself could be Summoned.

Why do you need me to find this Faithful Avenger? And what where you planning to offer me for my services? Surely you didn't expect to bind me to this task."

I'll examine the magic of the Summoning Circle with my Essence Sight.

The circle, while designed for summoning and binding, was not designed for holding a being like yourself - they had something more local in mind when they made this. You can walk out of it at will.

"Err..." The priest seems at a loss for words, and is showing a hint of legitimate fear. "That's...not how this is supposed to work. You are supposed to answer my questions, not ask your own!"

His fear then escalates into full blown realization of his situation, as he looks at the heavily armored figure before him and realizes he is missing something very vital - namely, control. "Crusaders! The ritual has gone wrong!"

Several armed men walk into the room, resplendent in golden and silver armor, and with silvered large scimitars in their hands. The pause in their advance, and circle around Magnus. One of them speaks in a deep voice, a large, seven foot tall man who is using a zweihander instead of the curved blades of the others. "Master, you have clearly summoned a man...somehow."

"I can see that, Fortis!" The priest is backing away, and picking up a large iron tetsubo that was hidden behind a pillar, and raised it in a high stance.

"Identify yourself, man!"

"You folk better calm down. I don't attack people for no reason. But I will defend myself if needed.

My name is Magnus. And I can see in your magic that you didn't intend to Summon me Priest.
Tell me who you are and which god you serve Priest. Some sort of Solar Deity judging by the curtains.

Anyway. Sheath your weapons and then we can talk like civilized beings. "

One of the knights speaks up. "No chance. Take the sword off your back and kick it to us."

The one called Fortis glances over to his comrade while lowering his own weapon. "He hasn't drawn it, and he wants to negotiate with those waving weapons at him. He doesn't regard us as a threat. Do as he says for now."

The knights sheath their swords on their backs, and the priest lowers his, while answering your question. "I serve Pelor, god of the sun, time, and virtue. Forgive my wariness, for the other half of this temple is dedicated to the Reaper, god of being a complete bastard, and sometimes they find new ways to mess with us."

"God of unfortunate deaths, specifically, but Ormaz has the right of what the Reaper's followers are like." Fortis nods. "I am Fortis. These three with me are Carson, Gander, and Ventris."

"Unfortunate Deaths... Well I've certainly had plenty of those...Anyway, Thank you Fortis.
What can you tell me about this Faithful Advenger? Why do you want it?"

Ormaz answers you. "It is one of the Nine Sacred Weapons, which are collectively the physical embodiment of martial principal and virtue. In the case of the Faithful Avenger, it is a large scimitar, identical in form to the swords favored by the knights of this temple, and embodies the concept of conviction, regardless of what that conviction is pointed towards."

"Except mine." Fortis interjects. Ormaz nods. "Fortis is a soldier of fortune filling in for a deficiency. The Reaper's servants recently acquired a strange, dark-skinned man who killed my captain with strange weapons of thunder and light, and finished him off with admittedly impressive skill and speed with a knife."

"They should not have allowed any weapon in the ring. The Reaper's servants have a reputation for deception and treachery." The knights scowl at Fortis's criticism, but say nothing.

That sounds like Lucian

"...I see. I assume that the weapons he used allowed him to strike from range, Correct?

Conviction regardless of where it is aimed at... Yeah. That would be unpleasant for everyone if he got the Faithful Advenger.

I will help you find this Faithful Advenger. Let's go. Do you have and clue about the general area that it would be found in?

What can you tell me about the other 8 Sacred Weapons?

"They were ranged. The weapons registered as non-magical, and the Reapers, and the man who introduced himself only as Righteous Demon swore under oath the weapons were not magical. Interesting enough, the Reapers refused to swear such an until this self-proclaimed demon swore. That tells me they were not sure."

"The oathbreaker curse did not trigger, and we made sure the wording was airtight. Whatever the nature of those weapons, they were terrifying to behold. He fired them with a great deal of restraint. No shots went wild and none accidentally hit the crowd, which would have caused a disqualification. The demon even asked at the start of the match if the captain was sure he didn't need two in the ring, a boast which drew some snickering from the Reaper's side."

"He could have backed that boast up without those loud weapons. He has fighting techniques that I've never seen before, almost like street thugs opened a dojo dedicated to fighting wrong. In the end, he rammed his knife into the crippled Captain's throat, lifted him over his head with his open hand, and opened him up throat to pelvis, like he was cleaning a deer."

"Once the silence died, the Reaper's side erupted with cheers." Ormaz shook his head. "They got their head start, and we had to find a replacement champion. Fortis was installed as a temporary measure, and we were intending to summon a celestial to find and destroy this so-called 'demon. We got you instead."

"Where it would be found is at the Temple of Reflection, where a warrior goes to discover who he is. Something tells me this 'Righteous Demon' already know the answer to that question, so he might have already passed the first challenge, which is to meditate there for twenty-four hours straight. I do not know the second and third challenges." Fortis turned to Ormaz. "He's going to need a guide."

"No." Ormaz glared at Fortis. "I am not sending you. The point of hiring you was because we need a guard here right now. But you are right about him needing a guide. Give me an hour. I am winded, and I will not be able to summon much, but I can summon a guide for you.

They didn't answer the question about the other eight weapons. That question was simply and quietly dropped.

"A guide would be nice. Your summoning circle was keyed for something more local than myself. Unfortunately since I am not local in any sense of the word, I know next to nothing about the specifics of your world. Information about those 8 weapons might not be immediately useful. But I would like to hear it when you got a chance.

Ormaz, I assume that your magic works by drawing power from Pelor to power the spell. or alternatively just asking Pelor to cast the spell... Anyway. Normally I would offer to help you draw power for the spell. But I haven't helped a priest cast a spell before or draw power from Pelor... Eh. Do you want some help drawing power from Pelor?"

Ormaz looks at you with some surprise, and an expression of suspicion. "Generally, we ask the gods for their power. The root of the divine pact is humility."

"And no. I will need time to set up a newer, less ambitious summoning circle. I have clearly asked for too much as it is." He waved to the knights as he headed for an apparently deeper chamber. "I will require your aid for this. Fortis, keep an eye on the newcomer, and answer any questions he may require from us."

Fortis remained where he was, and watched the other knights leave. He looked to you, and lifted his face-plate, revealing a grey skinned man underneath. He leaned on his massive weapon, sheathed and point down. "So, Magnus...welcome to Kara-Tur. This is the Temple of the Devoted Spirit, and the weapon they are sending you after is the instrument and pinnacle of their art. Looks like this year, the Reaper will be in ascendant, unless you are more than the unpolished clunker you appear to be."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:19, Sun 12 Nov 2017.

I reply to Ormaz
"And I was going to ask that he let me draw power from him so that his servant would have an easier time. It's not like I was going to rip the power from him. That would be a bad Idea."

I turn to Fortis and smile.
"I'm not a youth unfamiliar with the sword. The sword on my back is impractical but it is merely a practice weapon.
Anyway. I assume that Kara-Tur is the name of this country. Is Devoted Spirit the name of their art"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:30, Sun 12 Nov 2017.

"It is." He smiled as he glanced to his own weapon. "You can see I walk a slightly different road, and you clearly favor another, likely parallel to my own.

"And I can tell you aren't green. But you aren't one with your weapon. You don't move like the so-called demon did." He frowned at the thought. "And that's good. His was a style meant to murder the weak and show contempt for life, harmony, and discipline. Even so, if you fought him now, I think he would kill you. This man has purpose, and understands exactly what he is and where he is going."

"hmmmm..."

He didn't have a style like that before. but there is nothing that says time has to flow uniformly for verser in different worlds. He could have picked it up in one of his previous worlds.

"That Might be true. Tell me about the art you practice. What is it called? Could you show me a bit of it?"

Fortis grinned. "I am the Dragon of the Earth, Magnus. As long as my feet touch the ground, I am unassailable and impetuous. If you live through this, even if you try and fail, I will introduce you to our temple. You will have certainly earned the right, regardless of your heart."

"But you wish for a sample kata?" His grin remained. "I see no harm in that."

He slammed his feet to the ground swiftly, like a sumo wrestler both in a hurry and possessing far more speed then they should. A tremor ripples through the ground beneath you as he moves his blade into a high stance. He steps back quickly, almost sliding along the ground with practiced grace, and then makes three small thunderous steps forward, giving the air a cut as he did so, and your senses swear the warrior's skin is becoming more resilient with each swing.

He stopped at the edges of the circle, and slide backwards once more, noting Magnus's own face. "You see more than a blade swinging, don't you? I might have overdone it."

My eyebrows raised as he starts the kata and I focus more on what he is doing. Seeing if he is moving his chi around to perform this technique.

"Your skin is harder and more resilient with each of those swings... Now that is Interesting. I assume that your Art has a Philosophy behind it? Could you tell me about it?"

"Had a feeling you noticed that." His grin went down to a smile. "I'm guessing you noticed what happened as soon as my feet touched the ground. I became as a mountain; strong and durable. Using methodical and relentless force, I can defeat anyone. Superhuman power, both of the soul and the body, is honed into perfected and idealized force."

You noticed that when he got into that stance, he became a living bulwark.

"I'm also guessing this sounds more appealing to you than this Temple's ideologies of faith, piety and conviction. While you can be forced into keeping your word, you cannot be forced into giving it, and if you choose to leave, I am under no contract to force you to remain. Figured you should know."

"That is appealing. I wish I had time to learn that.
Unfortunately, I know of this Righteous Demon. And he would be after that sword and it would be perfect for him. He has Faith, Piety and Conviction.
And I can't let him have it. Even if he is stronger than me at the moment, I have to try to stop him. Because otherwise, He will get the sword and then use it to subjugate everyone under tyrannical laws.
So I am going. Not because they called me or asked me. But because I have to."

Fortis shrugged. "Well, if you have to, then that is what you will do. Just make sure you can go past the point of what you have to do. I have been lucky enough to quest for this weapon and survive. I did not finish it, and I never will."

"Although..." Fortis clearly had a subtle thought occur to him. "You might want to ask him what he intends to actually do with the sword. If he wants to simply rule, it is just a start and he has a lot of work to do. There has been active effort in times past to exterminate rival schools before, and they didn't go well for anyone. It led to the scattering of the weapons, and the present division in the lands."

"Based on his core style, I wonder if he is not one of the Forgotten himself, a student from a school who's teachings were believed -"

At small, golden glowing orb materialized out of thin air to interrupt Fortis. "Hello, Magnus. I am your guide to the temple. This one is called Tariel, and I will guide you to the Temple of Reflection."

I turn to Tariel.
Huh. That was quick. Ormaz said that it would take an hour to summon someone else. Anyways, Greetings Tariel. I haven't seen anyone like you before. We'll leave soon for The Temple of Reflection.

I turn back to Fortis
"You are right. I should talk to him about his intentions for the Faithful Avenger. You mentioned the Forgotten before. Who are they? What style did they practice?

You also mentioned that you quested for the Faithful Advenger before. What can you tell me about what you experienced?"

"The one named Ormaz was not this one's summoner. This one was sent here by Master Pelor himself into the summoning circle in this place. They believe they summoned this one, and this one was ordered not to correct the error until this one was speaking to the one called Magnus. They are sleeping off the rigors of what should have been a failed summons - Master Pelor rushed the ritual." Tariel flickers. "Magnus has a purpose, and this one will aid him."

"The Forgotten are those who have discovered lost schools or techniques. Normally they only have a fragment, but Righteous Demon was too smooth for that - someone taught him formally, or he has immense natural talent." Fortis looked out towards what he believed the temple exit to be. "I chose poorly, that is what happened. I do not possess a soul that lends one to the blade. The Path of Devotion is one of the hardest roads to walk."

While Fortis is speaking, Tariel is moving to the exit, only pausing until Magnus followed.

"I see Fortis. Good Luck protecting Ormaz."

I think for a moment before reaching a decision.

I hold my hands together and nod my head a bit. I direct a prayer to Pelor.
Pelor, thank you for sending one of your servants to guide me to the Temple of Reflection.

After that I'll follow Tariel

I'll ask Tariel
"So how far away is this Temple of Reflection?"

"One day. Remain at ease, Magnus. There will only be a fight if it is desired." Toriel rang a quiet tune, an attempt to simulate peace through music. "This one was instructed to ask Magnus questions, until that one makes it clear they are unwilling to answer, or all questions have been answered."

"First question: why did Magnus answer a request for a celestial servant?"

I'll follow Tariel to the Temple.

"Eh... I didn't really mean to show up in that Summoning Circle. I don't really control were I show up in a world. Although... That magic did call me and told me that the Faithful Advenger is a very specific weapon. I'm guessing that the magic messed up big time. Can't really tell without seeing it mess up in action. It failed to call a Celestial Servant of Pelor. But it called me in an attempt to fulfil the request anyway. Maybe it knew that I would decide to do the request. Who knows. Magic can be surprisingly sensitive to intention.
That is just speculation though. Needed to see it to tell you more.
What is your next question?"

"Understood." Tariel proceeded to the next question with nary a skip. "What is Magnus's connection to this Demon? A link of unknown origins exists, with the power of a bond of fate."

"... That takes a bit of explaining. I'm a type of being called a Verser. We are effectively Immortal. When we are killed, We wake up in another universe. It has something to do with a substance called scriff. This Righteous Demon is a verser like myself. He was a native of one of the worlds I have visited. Somehow he followed me into my next world.

The Reason he calls himself a Demon is because his religion teaches that all versers like myself are actually demons that disguises themselves as humans. To his mind he is a demon that follows the way of his religion. Therefore he is a Righteous Demon.

I assume that you are relaying all of this to Pelor?"

"Understood. And I am. Master is curious about you."

A brief incident happens in route, Tariel ends up floating across a river that thankfully doesn't go over his chest (initially), but he didn't trust. (Thanks for the OOC insights!) Magnus ends up having to carry his armor over his head at the high point of the creek, because the base of the river is actually covered in a foot of algae and is over six feet deep rather then the five Tariel expected, causing it to panic and fire laser after laser into the water around him to ward off any underwater dangers coming for you, and glowing as brightly as possible to serve as a light source. Indeed, he actually turned white, and was radiating pure, righteous rage as he fired shot after shot around him.

When Magnus surfaces just fine, Tariel apologizes in its own way, with lots of 'this one's error' and such. After a bit of drying off, which Tariel aids with using low-key versions of the precision light, Magnus and Tariel continue, and he asks another question.

"What do you intend to do with the teachings once you gain them from the weapon?"

I'll tell Tariel that it is ok, I didn't get hurt or anything.

I reply to his question.

"... I assume the weapons teachings are like that kata that Fortis showed me. As for what I would do with them... We'll I end up fighting a lot. so I would obviously be using them to fight. Hopefully the purpose of the Fight is defending people or making the world a better place. Another thing I would do is research those techniques. They are fascinating to me. A seemingly mundane action having those kinds of effects. Maybe teach them to someone worth of learning them. It really depends of what I am doing after this quest or if I am even still Alive."

"Understood." Tariel responds to the answer this time, although in the same calm and level tone of voice. Even when apologizing, Tariel is very reserved. "Master says who Magnus defends or what makes the world a better place isn't necessarily righteous. Also who is taught, and how knowledge is applied. After all, Master points out this Demon believes it is right within that one's limited understanding."

"Master also points out that 'alive' does not have the same meaning for Magnus as it might for another one." Tariel pauses. "This one does not understand what that could mean. Magnus seems alive by all of this one's senses."

Tariel seems eager to change the topic. "Question: does Magnus believe he can defeat the Righteous Demon?"

"Eh. Alive in the sense that I am still in this world.
As for the Righteousness of who I defend or how I make the world into a better place.

I would like a world where people are free to pursue their full potential. Where there is only enough government to protect the people from those that would harm them. and the people can't be righteous if they are dead. I might not have all the answers. But I think my ideal is a step in the right direction

If the Righteous Demon is still like he was when I last saw him. He would make a crushing government that shoves righteousness down peoples throats with the force of law. The people are not genuinely righteous at that point. They just fear their government and act in line.

Point is Most humans or other sentient beings would probably prefer not to live in a society that takes their laws to that level.

Anyway... As for your next question. I can't tell at this point. Before I was much stronger in a direct fight. I'm stronger than any human and I'm a fairly good Swordsman and Unarmed Martial Artist. He was sneaky before and good at ambushes and killing. Before I beat him fairly easily even though he ambushed me. But he is better now. The Style might be enough for him to have an edge on me. My guess is that it would be an even fight now. maybe a bit in his favor. But if I can figure out these styles in the... day or two before I fight him I could probably swing it back into my favor."

"Conditional, otherwise uncertain. Understood." Tariel halted. "This one hopes Magnus understands a need to surrender this quest as a result of this admission. Sending Magnus to his death serves no one, and relics can be reclaimed later. Evil can be permitted a victory today if a long term victory can be secured later."

"These...are Master's words." Tariel had a waver in the voice, a hint of uncertainty. "This one was instructed only to guide Magnus to the Temple. This one's instructions do not deviate from this. This one will return to the Sun Realm, and tell Magnus only that the Dragon's Forge is west of here, and to look for a tall mountain with smoke coming from the sides.

"However, this one understands if Magnus wishes to continue. Conviction, piety, purity, devotion: these are the roots of the art that are being sought at present."
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:18, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

"I wish to continue. Evil can only win if good men do nothing. I refuse to do nothing even if it kills me. Death is simply a facet of my existence now. I do not fear it.

Please. Guide me to the Temple of Reflection. I have to try."

Tariel starts to move forward, and halts again, voice again wavering. "Master believes Magnus should be training for this, and that if Magnus truly did nothing at the Dragon's Forge, that would truly surprise Master."

Tariel's voice became clear again as it began moving forward once more. "Magnus has made the wish to go to the temple clear. So that is where this one will direct Magnus."

"That is actually a damn good point. I really want to go to this Temple and get this sword because I said I would... I didn't set a time frame that it would be completed in.

Fine. Your point is acknowledged. I will go train so that I will be good enough later. Pelor, Could Tariel Guild me to the Dragons Forge?"

"This one cannot. The summon was for a specific purpose only. Magnus will have to complete the journey to the Dragon's Forge without this one, unless this one is summoned again for a new purpose." Tariel had halted all forward movement, but his voice stopped the waver. "However, this one would wish Magnus the most sincere of Master's blessings should this course be chosen and this one's services ended. This one has rarely seen the Master be wrong."

"Thank you Tariel. It was pleasant talking to you. Maybe I'll see you later. Have a good day."

I'll watch Tariel disappear and then Smirk.
I pray to palor.
"I would Like to Summon Tariel to guild me to the Dragons Forge. I request that you send him to me. What Must I do to perform the Summon?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:59, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

Magnus gets an image in his mind of a circle, and of rites of summoning being completed, with sacrifices of personal energy or food being preferred. One hour is the minimum calculated time...unless the god pushes it, but due to the lack of a divine link, this would be unlikely to work.

I'll draw the summoning circle in the dirt and then start performing the  hour long rites. I'll sacrifice a part of my personal energy for the summoning since I don't have food on me.

Magnus realizes after crafting it and beginning that this is not merely a summoning circle he has crafted: this is an oracular circle, one meant to contact a powerful being directly. If this is what is needed to summon Tariel, it is overkill by a long shot.

...What. This is massive overkill for Tariel... I see. Pelor You are asking me to talk to you directly. Eh. Ok. Here we go.



I'll continue with the Ritual.

Sure enough, you get a massive glowing light from the circle itself, like you opened a hole in the ground straight to the sun. A smooth, peaceful voice gently speaks from it.

"So, you divined my intent and completed it anyways. Excellent work, Magnus. I am Pelor, and you are right - this Righteous Demon is named Lucian, and he must be stopped. However, his first stop after getting the weapon will not be to kill or harm the innocent. He will be making a violent return to the Reaper's temple, and no one there is under my protection. You have time to prepare, and this world is more attuned to you than to him."

"I have requested my servant to dismiss Fortis and send him to the Forge to meet with you. No doubt Ormaz is displeased by the loss of the captain, the captain's replacement, and the future loss of the blade. I have asked him to simply have faith in me, and he has made good on that."

"I would like you to ask for the right to quest for the Unfettered, the grand symbol of the Dragon's might. They might ask for a few tests, but I suspect they will grant it in the end, and quickly enough."

"And, of course, I will be reassigning Tariel to escort you for as long as the lantern archon wishes. It's good the two of you have bonded. Perhaps you will bring out the best in each other."

"While you have a god in front of you, perhaps you have some questions?"

"... There was no reason not to do it if you wanted to talk to me directly.
That is a decent plan. I probably would have done this anyway... You planned this out didn't you.
Why did you decide to talk to me anyways?"

"I didn't plan for your arrival, or the arrival of the other one. Nor do I know how to arrange such a thing. You operate on a different level than I do, greater and lesser at the same time."

"I simply planned for what I would do if one showed up and met my conditions. I wanted to speak with you because you may be the most powerful manipulator of reality presently in existence, and I would like it very much if I could talk you into swearing fealty to me, and carry my light to worlds beyond this one."

"My rules have their oddities according to mortals, but the broad strokes are simple: alleviate suffering, be kind, merciful and compassionate, and watch out for evil. I do not wish for you to be merely my voice, though, like Ormaz. I want you to be a living example of how to be a warrior and a man of light at the same time."

"Those sound like rules I could agree to... I have been burned by a group of gods before. They
 feared my power so much that they tried to seal it with an Artifact and limit my to a small fraction of my power. Before this I was friendly to one of them. But she did nothing to talk the others out of this. Needless to say I was rather Angry at the lot of them.
... If I swore Fealty to you. Would You use you godly might to prevent other gods from chaining me like that again?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:22, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

"My direct influence is limited to this world. A divine link from me...might be able to bypass a limitation on power, depending on how it is done. A sanction of the nature you are recalling seems to have come from fellow members of the Alliance. I could not stop that without endangering my own membership unless it could be established that doing so would allow evil forces to harm the innocent."

"That appeal would be your best chance to prevent a repeat of something like that. Do not be that which requires the innocent to be defended against. Control your power in the light, and unleash it against the darkness. There is no quarter granted or requested against evil!"

"...with, perhaps, the exception of a redeemable case. As my sword, that discretion is the representation of the power I offer: you will have the authority to decide for yourself who is redeemable in the world, and who is not. It is a terrible power to evoke."

"... At the time I was fighting the Greek Titans. Who wanted to return the world to their rule. Regardless of what effect it would have on the humans living there. I was helping them fight the Titans. Chaining me made it much harder for me to prevent them from harming the innocent."

I am actually radiating rage from the memory of being chained like that. With the memory of failing the demigods that I was trying to help. But I force myself to calm down.

"ok. I Will Swear fealty to you. How do we forge this Divine link? I'm nor as familiar with divine power."
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:00, Mon 20 Nov 2017.

"You just did the first step. The rest revolves around you and your actions. You are to be an exemplar of my will through your deeds. Sometimes, you will fall short of that, and there are consequences for that. Always remember that I am a god of mercy, and as long as you are honest in atonement after such things, you will find it."

You feel a mild heat within you, and the back of your right hand glows with what feels like an awesome power to you, with a sun symbol branded to you. "Let my power be a light in the darkness for you, a beacon to the righteous, and a warning to the corrupt!"

The circle dies down, and only a glowing orb remains with no fanfare of its arrival. "Greetings again, Magnus, and welcome to the order. This one is glad to have served well enough to merit a second performance. This one has been granted the knowledge showing the way to the Dragon's Temple. This one has been granted sanction to serve as your guide, and to ease the road of Magnus when possible."

It begins flowing towards the mountains in the distance. "It is three days. I shall aim for the safest path once more."

I watch Pelor leave and smile when Tariel returns.

"Glad to see you again Tariel."

I'll Follow a bit before asking

"I sense a great power from this mark. What does it do?"

"It does as the Master said: it casts light in the darkness." Tariel is not speaking with even a hint of condescension in his voice. "In an emergency, it can also direct a tiny piece of sun's fire at a foe, although this is very dangerous for Magnus and should be considered a last resort."

The next three days are uneventful. Tariel's guidance is good, even though you largely fail to hunt for game, you are able to notice things you think might be edible, and Tariel has the knowledge to tell him what is safe on this path and what is not, so hunger is not an issue this time.

You climb up a winding mountain path, and make it to a small town on a mountain side, just under what looks to be a large dragon built into the side of the mountain, arriving early in the morning. The huts are reinforced with wood and stone here, and rugged people of dark skin are giving you looks of mixed apprehension and fear, stepping clear of your path. "This one believes Magnus's armor is frightening to them."
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:40, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

"... oh, you are right. Forgot that the armor looks sort of scary... eh. It looks like our destination is just up there. and I can't exactly unfrighten them."

I will take my helmet off and carry it in my bag. That will help a little bit. Something about seeing a persons face makes them less scary.

I think a moment.
"Tariel, Do you think I should take off the gauntlet and show them the mark to calm them down?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:19, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

"It is likely to help. There are those in the faith that push the creed to its limits, or simply meet the minimum required to satisfy the Master because those ones are deeply flawed, but mortals seem to react positively to the sun's sigil." Tariel spun around while still moving towards the stone dragon, making it clear the featureless glowing orb actually had a front. "This one would suggest Magnus get a banner or heraldry making his recent allegiance clear. The various schools love them. Strong egos are common among mortals who attend the schools."

Magnus makes it to the torii marking the entrance to the Dragons of the Stone, and encounters large men and women wrestling one another within the confines of small circles, with third parties always watching each match closely. A submission proclamation here, a pinfall there, a ring out further, and even a call of frantic ending as one man is dragged unconscious from one of the rings as his foe with bloodied fists yells in objection.

Fortis strolls out from one of the matches, having been beaten himself by a seven-foot tall woman of similarly grey skin and wild red hair, clutching his back in pain. "Magnus, right?"

He forces a smile through the pain. "Ormaz was not pleased at the news that you were coming here at all, but I had to hide my joy. I got referral, and if you are what you seem to be, it will not reflect poorly on me. You ready to start, or do you feel you should rest from the road first?"

"Hey, Fort," The woman walks over, casually dragging a massive axe with her. "This the new meat?"

Fortis simply nods. She extends a hand to Magnus. "I am Trish. I stop Fortis from getting fat and lazy!"

I'll go ahead and take the gauntlet off and let the sun brand glow a bit.
"Yeah. That is a thing here isn't it... I should probably work on that."

--------------

"I should be fine. I would like to get started Fortis."

I smile when Trish introduces herself and extends her hand to me. I'll shake her hand expecting the crushing pressure to follow. I'll simply hold my hand rigid to endure the squeeze and then slowly close my hand to show how strong I am.
If she doesn't do what I expected, Then I will do a normal handshake.

"Greetings Trish. It is nice to meet you."

Trish controls her force well, and is simply firm. "Good handshake for a human. Let's start by seeing what you can do. Name something you think you can break with your hands as the primary instrument: bamboo, old coal, oak, brick, teak, marble, iron, or adamantine. There is a two hour time limit to prepare any katas you might need, and you get one strike. Pass, and you begin training at a level suited to your strength. Fail, and you are disallowed from coming back for a year."

"Adamantine always draws the master out to see, but..." Fortis was clearly recovering fast. "...well, he usually ends up disappointed. Most don't break that one on their first try, and they just get a yearly ban for their trouble. Know your limits, and aim for a certain victory."

With a two-hour prep time, Magnus would be able to crack the mountain itself in half, if he used magic...which was not outright prohibited by the terms of the contest.

I'll ask Trish and Fortis
"May I see the pieces of mable, iron or adamantine I would need to break before I decide?"

"Aiming high, are we? You seem fairly confident." Trish gives a half-smile to Magnus. "All would be thirteen centimeters thick, and shaped like brick ingot, if memory serves. The number is deliberately unlucky, just to mess with those who rely on luck. Unlike Fortis here, I actually want to see if your human hands will break objects or if objects will break them."

Fortis doesn't say a word. He's just looking at Magnus with a look that says, "are you sure about this?"

My eyes narrow a bit at Trish insinuating that I ,and humans in general, couldn't do this task.


"Bring out the Adamantine. I want to see the thing I will break. I'll only need thirty minutes to prepare.

Once they bring it out, I will analyze it with both Destruction and Structure to determine if it has any weak points and how much force I would need to break it in one strike.

During the Thirty minutes I will preform katas that emphasises perfection of movement translating into raw destructive power. I will concentrate that power into my right fist to be released later in that one strike.

When the time comes to strike the Adamantine, I will use Pelor's mark to shine as brightly as it can.
Then I will shout
"THIS HAND OF MINE SHINES WITH AN AWESOME POWER! IT'S LOUD ROAR TELLS ME THERE IS NOTHING I CAN NOT DESTROY! TAKE THIS! GODHAND STRIKE!"

Then I power attack for all I am worth and then release the destructive power in my fist.

Hmmm... my fists deal explosive damage. So this Adamantine ingot is likely going to explode. I'm going to try to precisely control my power so that it blasts into chunks instead of shrapnel. Any excess power will be used to hit the rock below me.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:53, Tue 14 Nov 2017.

A wide, stocky and short man wearing grey robes and possessing faded blue eyes simply watches everything get set up. He watches, noting the ritual, and giving an unspoken order for everyone to continue their training during this.

Fortis and Trish engage in lesser exorcises and katas, while you do your own, comparatively alien katas. To them, what you are doing looks odd, but each does their own thing.

Magnus detects no flaw in the cyan metal, but instead notices a line, a fiber-like nature which makes smashing it a trick. Against most people, it would not just resist them - it would have a "bounce" to it.

Magnus issues his intended strike, with a slight correction, and blows the super-resilient metal into fine pieces. Training immediately grinds to a halt as everyone stares, several with slackened jaws, and no one yells to correct it. A loud gong is struck, breaking the silence.

"Congratulations, Magnus. You are the second in recalled history to do that." The dwarf of a man speaks to him. "Follow me when you are ready. Tonight we talk. Tomorrow, we begin training."

I smirk at Trish and Fortis.

Then I smile at the old master.
"I am ready."
I'll follow the old master.

He leads you wordlessly into a barren stone room with a single rough altar in it, with a single kanji etched on it. The room is surprisingly well lit, for being lit only by flames on the walls. He sits cross legged in front of the altar, and invites Magnus to do the same, only speaking once Magnus has sat down. His gaze is an expression of absolute calm and control.

"I am called Duke, and don't smirk at your fellow students again in front of me." His voice is hard, but his expression doesn't even change. "I know magic when I see it. Strange magic, and magic that the magic absorbing stone is supposed to stop, but magic all the same. One could say you are a colossal cheater pretending to be a powerful martial artist."

"I commend you, by the way. The effort required to break that with magic was wasteful, and the same amount of time spent learning to smash adamantine with magic, you could have spent learning anything else. You are astonishingly straightforward for a dishonest man, and you clearly wish to learn here."

I flinch when he calls be a cheater and lower my head.
"You are right about me being a cheater.
And the Magic was probably overkill. The mundane part of my strike would have barely been enough to break it.
I am now from this land or this world. That is why my magic is strange to you.
So I never had a chance to learn katas like you teach here. They are strange to me. They look like mundane action but their effects are not mundane. and my senses with magic just get confusing readings from them.

... as a penance. Should I confess my duplicity to the other students and attempt the task with no preparation?"

"No. This is not the Devotion dojo where atonement is expected for every mistake. I have something much worse in mind for you." Duke took a noticeable breath. "We will train as intended, and you will either become what you want to become, or I will break you. I have no interest in a student that can smash adamant once. If you pass my training, you to be able to smash plate armor open as often as you need to, with or without a weapon."

"Besides, your feat IS impressive. Only one other has done it on admission, and they are not alive anymore. I will allow your achievement to stand." He looks impassively at Magnus. "Any questions?"

"Could you tell me about Unfettered and this school? Your History, Philosophy and whatever you think would be relevant for a student to know."

"The signature blade of our school. It's heavy and looks unfinished, without polish or sheen. No gems, no ornamentation. With a leather bound grip and a crude handguard." Talking to Duke was like talking to a painted statue of a dwarf - only the mouth gave indication of movement, and a rare hint of breathing. "It's sharp enough, though. I will tell you part of its tale."

"A dwarf named Thun, a slave to the frost giants, was given a servant to help him with his tasks, a goliath named Kun. Kun was supposed to help with the heavy lifting, but picked up quickly on the art of swordcrafting. Together, and in secret, they worked to create the weapon that would free them both - the Unfettered." He focused on Magnus's back swords. "And that is all you get for now on history, because that is the part of the tale that will matter to you for now. Since you are my student, I will be expecting you to get the weapon for the school's honor."

"As for philosophy, look to the mountains, and be like them. Be firm, steady and imposing in all you do."

"I will go get Unfettered when you think I am ready.
...I think I see with your philosophy.
I think that is all of my questions for now."

"Good. Get some rest. This lovely room is yours for the night. You will be sharing it with me." Duke's face gave no indication of a joke or humor, and his eyes started to close. "Rest well, and in the morning, eat well. You will not be enjoying either activity for some time after we begin."

"Also..." His eyes reopened. "...if you try and magic your way out of this, I will consider that a direct challenge. This is not the school of shadows. I do not teach cheating - I teach strength. That which does not kill us, only makes us stronger."

His eyes closed once more. "Failure is nothing to fear. Prepare for it."

"Why would I do that? This is what I wanted."

I'll meditate and relax so that I can get a proper rest for the night.

The night passes swiftly, and Magnus has a dreamless rest.

"You are on the edge of waking up. Do so." Duke was apparently up and moving while Magnus was asleep. He has two bowls with several flapjacks, bacon, and eggs.

He had nothing for himself, and simply spoke what he intended to say. "I will observe you. You will make me one weapon, one of your choosing, but it has to be a weapon you have no problem wielding yourself. No knives, carved out pieces of wood, or those nonsense peasant weapons the Suns like. No tiny close quarters weapons, either, like a hatchet."

"Admittedly, a gladius actually does meet my standards, but only because it is a fine weapon I have a soft spot for."

"Make a weapon you would wield against a swordsman in direct battle. Until you finish it, or give up, you will not leave the forge, rest, or eat. Water, however, is acceptable and will be provided."

"So, if you want to make some elaborate piece of nonsense like the weapon you have strapped to your back, I believe you will die trying, because if you pass out, I may not be able to save you from serious injury or death. If you fail and you survive failing, your handiwork will be scrapped, and you will start anew when I feel you are ready to try again."

"You will learn intelligence or durability. The choice will be yours. Eat well, and get ready. When you are done, lose what you do not need. They will not help you in the forge."

"I've never made a weapon mundanely before. But Forging weapons has always fascinated me."

I am actually excited to try this. I've always wanted to learn how to make swords.

I'll finish the breakfast provided. Then I'll take off my extra equipment.

I'll go to the forge, put on any protective leathers they provide and start. If I was smart, I would make a large battle ax. But I prefer swords. So instead I'm going to attemt to make an ordinary arming sword. Guided by my intuition about forging and what I've read about it before.

I'll make a bar of flexible springy steel that is three feet long, an inch wide and a half inch thick. This will form the core of the sword and the tang.

Then I'll make two other bars of hard steel that will keep an edge. They will be two and a half feet long, three fourths an inch wide and half an inch thick. They will form the edges of the blade.

Then I'll arrand the pieces so that the tang is seven inches long, allowing the excess material from the edge pieces to form the point later. Then I'll forge weld the pieces together. Beating the excess hard metal at the end together to form the tip.

At this point I'll start hammering it into the shape of a sword. Forming an egde. Forming the fuller.

Then it is on to tempering the blade. First I'll heat it up to a cherry red then let it cool in the air to release any stress in the blade. Then I'll put a coat of clay over tthe springy steel in the fuller to protect it from carbon. Again heat it up to cherry red but this time pling it in water to cool it off.

Takes the baked clay off. And then finish off by baking tbe sword with a less intense heat so that the oxidation on the sword is straw coloured.

At this point I'll finish the sword by giving it an edge with a grindstone. Making a cross guard. Wrapping the handle and making a pommel.

OOC: I assume that would be Craft + Intelligence
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:03, Wed 15 Nov 2017.

During the forging, Duke gave another story, about an hour into the work, his voice managing to cut the sounds of Magnus's work. "Merely the act of crafting the Unfettered gave Thun hope. No slavemaster had commanded the creation of this weapon, and punishment would be swift and harsh if they learned of it. With Kan's energy, the mere act of defiance gave Thun the strength he needed to endure all mistreatment and hard labor from his giant masters."

After thirty straight grueling hours, during which Magnus had exceeded the limits over some rather tough people, he finally had a finished longsword. Crude and rough, but it was clearly a functional blade.

Duke nodded. "Good enough. Kill the forge, take the rest of the day off, and sleep wherever you like. I recommend the bench. Blanket and pillow are under it, in a fireproof box. We continue in two days. I have training to catch up on. Don't lose the sword."

He left the blade behind, and Magnus was alone once more.

I'll go and pass out on the bench with the pillow and blanket. I'll keep the long sword with me under the bench.

Duke doesn't even say a word as you go through the next day, unless asked a question. Servants bring in the food to a bare-bones table clearly meant to serve beings larger than him or you. Magnus's muscles ache, but some low-end physical activity along with some kind of medicine mixed in with the food and drink, and the aching passes quickly. Day two (or three, depending on how one would count) is over uneventfully.

Barring questions (which will result in FlexTime)...

Day three begins, and Duke speaks during breakfast. "I have looked through your supplies. You have several strange things in there, but I get the idea. Many ranged weapons of an arcane nature, various tools serving purposes that I could only partly grasp, and even one of those weapons the Suns use, except I have a feeling it was made somehow even less practical."

"You pick something up from your travels, and you ask if you will need this later." A hint of a smile breaks his face. "You don't. Most of it is garbage, both to you and to me. You will learn this today, and in the days to come. Your next challenge begins."

He recited another piece of the tale of the sword, with no warning, and smile disappearing just as fast. "When the weapon was almost completed, the giants suspected something was wrong. Thun was not dying as they expected him to, but instead was getting stronger. One day, the overseer walked in on them, and checked under the scrap metal. He found the unfinished weapon, and the two who made it did not feel they had the strength to stop him, for they had been working in the forge relentlessly."

"The overseer aimed to kill Kan with his own blade, but Thun threw himself into the arc of the strike, dying to save his young friend. Kan, enraged, seized the sword from Thun's corpse and discovered the strength to cut down his would-be master. He fled the encampment, bloodied blade and freedom both in hand."

Duke pointed to Magnus's belongings. "Leave behind that which will not help you. Take only what you intend to use. You will be going through the mountains of this area, with only your glowing companion as your guide. You will find a tribe of frost giants, locate their leader, and kill him. If you survive and we see each other again, I will know if you have done this deed."

"All means are allowed for this quest. You have no restrictions, including on use of magic. Any food and water you may need for the journey, you merely have to mention my name to the town below, and show them your newly forged sword. They will understand." He reaches inside of his robes, and removes four scrolls. "These contain the fighting techniques of the basic levels of our school, which I expect you to practice as you quest to find these giants. Do not lose them, and do not show them to anyone who cannot survive the forge test."

"Any questions?"

OOC: Also an excuse to tighten up your items possessed.

"I see."

I go through my inventory and keep

The crude Long Sword I made

Elemental Iron Zweihander: Nearly Indestructible, Ignores Daemonic DR and Magical Protections(Such as Mage Armor or shield spell).In Karnstein Sheath

Iron Tarkus Armor Set: +2 to Armor it provides. Really Heavy, Requires Str 6 to wear.

Black Iron Dagger: Dagger infused with the Powers of Order and Chaos. Chaos is bound within the dagger with Order. Implement. This thing was ~5000 Years old when I got it.

A 1.2 terawatt EMP Grenade

And a Large Sack


I consider the other Claymore. It has served me well before I made the Elemental Iron Zweihander. But it's time has past. I'll give it away as a gift. I don't need it, but that doesn't mean that it can find a use here.

The rest I throw away

"Which Way are the Frost Giant's? or am I suppost to figure that out myself?"

-----

I'll leave the school and then read the scrolls
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:23, Fri 17 Nov 2017.

"Self-reliance is part of the path. I shall take what you do not need for resale, and if your orb asks, I will tell it you have done your good deed for the day. It has been fussy about this, like you don't have a brand that will act up if you don't do this."

"In fact, I would like to give you a warning about your little friend. They are fettered by mortal law while they are here, and they will tolerate deviations from their god's rules while near civilization. Once they feel they are no longer within mortal control, however, they do not feel that obligation."

"I have witnessed one of them in action before. We had a companion who was an unpleasant soul, who derived his pleasure from lording his considerable might over others. Once we were out of town, and deep into uncharted territory, the lantern that the priesthood had given us promptly made his displeasure known and burned this bully's eyes out of his head while declaring why it was doing it, because the man pulled a chair out from under a stranger and laughed about it." Duke's expression was as stony as ever, and his voice betrayed no judgment.

"Be careful. Mortals understand being gradient. The creatures beyond our realm do not have this: all violations of their law are equally abhorrent. I would suggest finding out what these laws are, lest it turn on you one day."

I nod and bow to the Old Master.
"I see. Thank you for the advice."

I'll Head out of the school with Tariel.
I'll talk as I walk to the town.
"Apparently there are more rules that Pelor didn't mention. What are those rules?"

Tariel seems surprised. "And yet Magnus bears the Master's mark? It is important for Magnus know what is expected."

"Magnus must never be cruel, even to an enemy. Help those who need it, regardless of personal risk. Treat all, regardless of relation, with respect and kindness, even an enemy. Do not allow evil to harm or corrupt the innocent. Do something kind for another being each time the Master's light graces the world, and if you can, spend time in that same light, ideally doing good in the world."

"That is what it means to bear the Master's mark. It is a burden, but it can become a burden that is barely felt with the right heart."

The people of the town move around Magnus with considerably less unease, although there is a palpable sense of awe and respect. Merely bringing up Duke's name and showing the sword brings out fourteen days worth of water and iron rations, on the house. What reaches Magnus through keen listening seems to suggest others regard him as some kind of powerful wizard of an unknown type, perhaps even a Forgotten.

I'll reply to Tariel
"... The code sounds reasonable. That kind deed each day though...Hopefully I'll find someone to help each day. I can see why that is a tall order for most humans. Pelor wants me to be a warrior and a man of Light.

Well. Now that I know about the road I can try to walk on it. "

I continue to walk to town.

----------

I'll thank the people for the food and water.
Then I'll head out of town.

I'll pick a mountain and start heading up it to get a look around.
I'll talk to Tariel on the way there.
"What can you tell me about Frost Giants?"

-------

I'll set up a camp on the slope of the mountain and gather firewood for a fire. I'll ask Tariel to light it with his laser. Then I'll read the scrolls. And try to figure out how to preform the katas within them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:32, Thu 16 Nov 2017.

To get firewood, Magnus had to go off the path into the lower parts of the mountains. Finding acceptable shelter down here took some time as well, as Tariel's knowledge of the area is more patchwork: his instructions did not include anything beyond the Dragon's Forge. Still, shelter is found amongst fallen dead trees and wind-free fire is created with Tariel's help.

"They are the children of a god of winter and bloodshed, Thyrm, who sided with the Nemesis against the Master when the world was young, and who will march again during the twilight of this world. They work with numerous monsters, and usually have no leaders, such things being rotating rosters based on the moment. For them to have a leader means the tribe has grown large without falling into internal conflict, which requires a formidable member of their species who has earned their dire god's blessings. Those ones are wed the formidable power of a giant with martial prowess and charismatic leadership."

"They are truly mighty foes, and removing one from power is a service to the world."

------------------------------------------------------------

The katas are actually intuitive, and promote solid footing and an understanding of basics. Magnus learns several that night, with two standouts: one that allows him to push himself in exchange for more decisive blows, and another which slams the foe into the ground in such a way that the ground itself becomes a cage, against all odds and physics.

They come naturally and quickly, and in fact, Magnus's Do reacts to them in an unexpected way when sleep arrives: dreams and flashes of other fighting styles he hasn't seen yet, some of which hurt the soul to behold, some of which are just plain strange, some of which fire the spirit. But he can use these techniques he is learning in any situation, and with any weapon he wields...or with none at all.

OOC: Gain one level in every Sword School - your Do intuitively understands these principals. Have two total levels in Stone Dragon, and gain an ability that keys off of both traits gained at LV2. One attack that uses Weight of the Mountain (4 points total to play with), and one that uses Foot-Trapping Blow (-1 points total, which requires at least one point of Restriction to make work).

"I see. They shouldn't like fire then."
-----------

I wake up in a cold sweat from the dream about all the Sword Schools. Some of them there was so much Rage, Cold Malice and Madness. Others where sublime perfection of skill. Even one that blended these schools together with magic. These schools have achieved one if the things I was trying to figure out. I need to master all of them.

I'll get up and fix breakfast.

"Tariel, did you use to do anything for entertainment when you had free time? Did you like music?"

--------
I'll eat breakfast and head deeper into the mountains. I'm looking for signs of inhabitation by the frost giants. After a days travel I'll set up camp and read the next scroll and practice the katas before going to sleep.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 16:25, Fri 17 Nov 2017.

"They have no more fear of fire than any other mortal. Consider the tale of the Unfettered: they have forges, which require fire to work. Fire burns them as anything else. They do resist winter's touch and they prefer the cold."

Tariel considered the questions being posed to him. "We do not allow ourselves entertainment while serving. While others need aid, this one has work to do. But I have wondered what was wrong here in Magnus's world. It is so silent. Elysium always had music in it, but it was harmonious. Until it was gone, this one could not appreciate what its absence meant."

"If Magnus wishes to offer a good deed to this one as his means of getting his task out of the way early, music from Magnus would at least be a new experience. This one will consider what they will do for Magnus without request later on."

Merely getting to a high point reveals a large, wide path winding through the valley below, clearly trod down by large creatures. It crosses into another valley, and leaves line of sight. Following this trail, however, looks like it will take some time - distances are hard to judge from up here, but you know that trail is longer than it looks.

"Yeah. Music only occurs in the mortal worlds when mortals make it. I'll sing some songs from my home world. No one has heard them before here. Although I sort of wish I had an instrument. There where a lot of songs that were instrumental... eh I would have to learn how to play it... I could use magic to make the music. That should be simple enough..."

I'll pack up camp and then I'll take a minute to set up a ritual that will impose the Structure of music into the air around me. Vibrating the air to correspond to the music in my head.

I break off a short straight stick. And start waving it around like a conductor leading a band. After I get the music started, I'll keep time with the improvised conductor baton. Maintaining the spell in that manner. Allowing me to also walk like I am leading a marching band.

I won't play particularly loud. Since I only have Tariel as an audience.

I'll play an eclectic mix of old rock songs from my home world, heroic sounding video game music (Chrono Trigger's sound track is prominent) and music that I like in general.

As I play I'll walk towards the trail I saw. I'll play for about an hour.

I'll walk on the trail for a the day then I'll set up camp a bit off the trail.

I'll fix food, read the next scroll and practice the kata's before going to sleep.

After thirty minutes of charging the area of your spell with magic energies, waving the wand silently, Magnus slowly (oddly so) feels the accumulating energies increasing and creating magic when it is all done, creating a sound rendition of the Chrono Trigger OST. Tariel listens once it begins.

"Fascinating. There is quite the story told in that series of short tunes. Independently, they are short and good only for lounging, but together, it makes a tale. Gauging from the lyrical and magical structure of the song, it seems to be a tale of saving a world from a future it should never have."

"This one has a question. What is it like to die?"

I am mildly confused when it takes that long to set the magic up.

I am surprised with how accurate Tarial's description is. And that he got it from just the music.

"How did you get that from just the music?... Indeed. That music was from one of my favorite video games. And it is the tale of saving a world from a future that it should never have."

I consider the question.

"I have died quite a few times. Generally it is painful because my ends are usually violent. or I end up blowing myself up. At least it is over quickly. Another time I succumbed to a disease that shut down all my organs. I continued on, because I had things I needed to do. The ruler of death in that world helped me continue on. That was painful to continue. but dying in that case was relatively painless. I suppose there are other instances where it is painless.
I continue on after I die. But for most people they go to what afterlife there is for their world. I been to Hades once. Well, the line for it.

Why do you ask?"

"This one is deathless, as with all archons. Archons discorporate, and then reform later. Souls that enter Elysium blissfully forget the worst parts of death, so they cannot be relied upon. Master has informed this one that Magnus can experience death, but that it is not an end for Magnus or his memories."

"This one has never gotten an answer before, and feels they may lack understanding of the urgency of mortal action. Mortals are held in high regard, for they are finite beings that often show great courage in the face of their end."

"As for your song, it wasn't just the melody that told this one the tale. The structure of the magic used to create it also informed me. While this one does not know what a 'video game' is, it understands a tale.

"This one can sing back, however, and in a similar way. Since Magnus seems to prefer his music without lyrics, it pleases this one to admit to excelling at that." When Magnus begins the katas on the scrolls, Tariel begins to vibrate, making a sound akin to a zither, playing a tune that would not be out of place in a Go house in time to Magnus's own movements.

"I see. I guess it is good that they forget. Mortal's time in this world is short and they are always walking towards death every day. Most want to accomplish something in the short time they have before death takes them. That is what caused mortial's energy and frantic activity. They are a flame that burns bright before it dies from the finite nature of it's fual.

That doesn't really apply to me though. I really don't have any fear of death anymore... or fear of anything really. Can't really say I have courage if there is no fear to overcome.



I enjoy Tariel's music as I perform my kata's. I can't help but think that the music is appropriate for them.

After my katas I'll say.

"Thank you Tariel. That music really went along well with my katas. It really had the right mood to it."

"Thank you for the information, and the flattery. And since we have both done a good deed this day, we are good in the eyes of the Master. In fact, this one would recommend Magnus apply foresight, and consider what deed will occur tomorrow. The fact that it seems it is this one who will benefit from it is incidental, as is the circumstance that Magnus will benefit from myself."

Tariel sounds concerned as he continues. "Still, that one was close. This one believes that deeds are best done under the light of the Master. It is not, however, required. Merely suggested. As for courage, what does it matter? If one faces a danger that another will not, who speaks on what is brave? Besides, compassion is our concern. As long as Magnus has the courage to help even an enemy in need, Magnus has all the courage needed."

-----------------------------------

The next day, the trail is broad and well paved, with trees simply having been smashed aside. There is evidence of things not merely giant walking this path, but canine as well. There are also prints from smaller beings as well, some wearing wrappings for their feet, but others wearing boots. All are moving without any discipline at all.

Indeed, Magnus can hear a group coming directly his way from the opposite path, singing some kind of song as they move. He can also feel them coming his way through the ground.

"I guess that is true. I will consider your words. I will try to be compassionate to my enemies."

--------------

I will step to the side of the path, out of sight behind the trees for now and observe the group. I'll size them up as combatants.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:34, Mon 20 Nov 2017.

A group of seven blue skinned large men and women, about ten feet in height each, carrying massive axes, wooden shields, several carved stones in a opened bag, and chainmail...except for one of them, which is wearing heavy fur skins adorned with skulls and fell symbols. Accompanying him are four massive white wolves, breath clearly visible from a distance. Moving ahead of the warriors are four humanoids - two of them have green skin and sharp teeth, are wearing chainmail with furs, and carrying large two-handed swords and bows. The other two are wearing chains binding their movements, and are dressed only against the weather.

"Lok torak! Essal atu dok!" The other giants have themselves a laugh, except the robed one who remains silent. They pass Magnus, and the wolves start growling and barking at his position. The others stop their joking, and the robed one looks to the trees, squinting, trying to see what they do while holding the wolves back with soft words and gestures.

At this point, Magnus sees Tariel drift out of the treeline ahead of them, and fire two shots at one of the greenskins in the front, wounding him. Tariel quickly flies back into the brush, and the war party charges as one into the trees while the one wearing furs yells orders at them.

They are all passing Magnus, having not seen him...except one of the wolves, which is growling in his direction, although not at him.

Tariel can fly, So he is not in much danger from melee.

I'll let them pass and then follow behind them from a distance. Using the underbrush as cover to hide in for now. I assume the the wolf will follow them once they get a distance away.

Magnus keeps his distance, having noticed the wind blowing towards the wolves now, and realizing he smells a bit ripe in the armor after two days on the road. Tariel simply flies away, and the furred giant commanding the wolves finally manages to yell at the others, apparently to regroup and end pursuit. The robed man then talks quietly to the wolves again, as Tariel taunts them with more laser fire.

The apparent leader quickly barks out an order, and the greenskins draw their bows and the giants draw rocks. The now-harsh white Tariel quickly escapes a barrage of stones and arrows, choosing not to engage them any further.

The leader watches the direction Tariel goes towards, and then the warband continues moving down the path, unaware that they are being trailed by a large, darkened heavy suit of armor who goes by Magnus.

They come to a rest once the sun goes down, with the greenskins ordering the other two, who are assumed to be servants or slaves of some kind, to build a fire out of some wood one of the giants was carrying on them. The giant in the robes begins drawing a runed circle surrounding the camp while the other giants simply look outward in a circle.

The wolves are thrown large chunks of jerky, and while they seem less than pleased about it, they devour them voraciously enough.

The night is coming and it is feeling very cold for Magnus.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:28, Mon 20 Nov 2017.

I look around a bit using my senses with Structure and Destruction to find a large tree who's trunk I could destroy with one punch. Then I'll hit the tree as hard as I can using a board breaking technique writ large to knock it over  and produce a loud sound for the giants to investigate.

After I punch the tree down I'll hide again and watch for who they send.

After five long minutes, Magnus sensed several trees around you which can be destroyed with but the proper determination and application of sudden force around him.

Magnus chooses one some distance from their camp, and successfully destroys it with a single blow, causing it to crash down in the woods.

At first, they don't send anyone. After one minute, the camp lights up with blue energy, the circle flaring up. At that point, the robed man, who is some kind of caster apparently, orders the wolves out to search the sound. They eagerly spring into action, and two greenskins follow them as a second response unit...although when they get some distance they start complaining.

The wolves have fanned out, and are clearly looking for Magnus now.

I draw my zweihander, eager for the action that is about to happen. I pick the wolf that is heading in my general direction and start stalking it. I'll wait for it to put it's nose to the ground to pick up my scent. Then I'll leap out suddenly, sword in raised high above my head. bringing it down to hammer the wolf into the grown like a nail with all of my power.

The wolf is badly wounded by Magnus's attack, but remains standing despite the gash to its fur. "Black knight!"

The wolf screams this out as it goes for a counterattack with a vicious bite, rime forming on its teeth as it goes for an exposed point.

The other wolves howl and begin to close in on Magnus, as the orcs yell back to there camp. "Oy, 'dey's sayin' 'dere's a dark warrior out here!"

Magnus doesn't have time to see the response given the immediacy of his situation...

OOC: Parry or dodge? And does it push Static Defense past 26?

After I messily kill the wolf with my counterattack. I'll move on to the next wolf and maneuver so that the others can't attack me just yet. Bursting through the brush like an unstoppable juggernaut. I go for a low horizontal swing to cut the wolf in half length wise Using a lower level technique of the stone dragon style called Mountain Hammer. Which produces an explosive burst of power to cut through the wolf's body at the cost of having to wait a bit for me to align my stance properly again.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:31, Mon 20 Nov 2017.

The wolf takes a single strike from you, but learned from what happened to its predecessor before attacking with its two friends. "Time to die, meat!"

Sadly for the pack, they do not make good on this sentiment.

Magnus extracts his blade from the heart of the first wolf rapidly, turning the area around him into a slick zone of gore. He then swings his blade lethally into the paths of all three of them, and turns their efforts to kill him into moments were he effortlessly cuts them open, wounding one, and savaging the other, coming dangerously close to its heart and adding its contents to the ground.

Magnus now has an opening for vengeance...

Magnus smirks under his helmet before unleashing his might. The zweihander in his hands becoming as a steel wind to cut down all of his foes before him.  One two three. Three Strikes. Three Targets. All delivered within a second or two of each other.

The one who spoke is cut in half at the midsection, another is cut in half at the shoulder, and the last has his head fly off towards the giant's camp, momentarily splattering blood in Magnus's eyes, disorienting him slightly.

The two greenskins take one look at the carnage and the blood-soaked dark knight, and run back to the camp, yelling something dire in the giant's own language.

Magnus has a hard time seeing clearly, but he believes he sees the giants all drawing those stones from their bags, clearly intending to bombard whatever comes out of the brush and the treeline. The magic circle flares bright blue, and the sorcerer who created speaks with confidence about something.

I'll back off for now, putting some distance between me and the giants.
I'll take off my helmet for a bit and wipe the blood out of my eyes with my supply sack.
I'll sneak back to where I can see them and then analyse what that Magic Circle.

When Magnus circles around, he witnesses a very different camp. The leader in the furs is asking very calm but clearly pointed questions to the two orcs. The rest of the camp uneasily looks out towards the darkness, pouches continually kept open, and weapons close at hand. The servants are also kept on the inside of the ring of giants.

Conversation in the camp is low and guarded. Gone is the joking demeanor of the warband when they set out.

The leader finally speaks aloud to the wilderness. "Knight of darkness: perhaps we of Thyrm have made a poor first impression to you. We believed you to be a mere trespasser on our people's lands. If you are still here, please, present yourself forward so that we might talk, and perhaps break bread, as one group of travelers to another that is worthy."

I project my voice out, trying to make it seem to come from a slightly different direction.

"I am hunting you for your Slaves, Giant. Give them to me and I'll permit you to return to your home Alive."

I'll shift to another position after I speak.

I am not lying. If they do this, I'll let them return home. Because I need someone to lead me to it.

OOC: Charisma + Intimidation? or perhaps Strength + Intimidation?

22:33, Today: Magnus rolled 44 using 8d10, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2,(10+9)19,6,9,(10+6)16,3,1.  Charisma + Intimidation.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:34, Tue 21 Nov 2017.

The sorcerer looks right at where Magnus was, and scowls. "I see. One moment while I converse with the warband."

They have a brief and clearly heated discussion for a moment, and one of them curses and hurls his stone straight down at his feet, causing an eruption of dirt as he does so. The sorcerer turns back to the woods. "We may have the same end, warrior. In two days we will arrive at a town and raid it. The wolves were going to aid in this, but perhaps we have gained something better in meeting you. You will not ask for any price higher than the cost of Karanak's pack, as you would not be able to hold that many. Will you aid us for a share of the spoils? This will include slaves, and more."

I shout out.
"Give me those two for now. I will consider your offer."

And Immediately reject it.
I'll move my position after I shout.

The sorcerer pauses for a moment as he considers the offer, and smiles. "Of course."

He releases both of them, as the other giants in his warband object. He raises one hand to them as the two go running off towards Magnus's believed direction. Magnus cannot hear what the sorcerer said to his warband, but it gets them to sit down again...although they are looking at the woods with intense eyes now.

I'll let them walk for awhile and then sneak up behind them.
This is also to make sure the giants don't follow them to me.

"Hello. What are your names? I suppose you are lucky that I came along. Let me see your chains."

At this point I'll take off my helmet and take a look at their chains. And analyze how hard it would be to break them.

They introduce themselves by throwing themselves to the ground in fear, and then letting it be known their names are Brom and Adaline. They lie completely prone on the ground, stretching out their hands and feet to that the chains are clearly visible. Whatever has happened to them, they are clearly broken by their experiences, and offer no resistance or argument.

I resist the urge to face palm. these two need to be rebuilt.

I Take off my gauntlet, Exposing the Mark of Pelor. And then let it shine a bit.

"Fear not. Brom and Adaline. I am going to free you in the name of Pelor."

I'll kneel down and examine the chains. What is the constructing of the chains? Will I be able to pull the links apart? Or do I need to cut through them with my sword?

With Magnus's strength, he can pull the chains apart with ease, should he try.

I'll pull their chains apart with my strength.

"There we go. We should probably build a fire to let you two rest for now."

It sinks in to the two of them to look at the light source and realize their chains have been broken. Brom speaks up. "They did not release us with any firewood or possessions, my lord. They told us to march until we found you or died."

Magnus's light, however, is actually warm enough to slowly drive the cold back, though. It seems to be real sunlight, and it is reacting to Magnus's emotional state with the intensity of a summer heat wave.

"So...we are free? Do we dare for hope?" Adaline is almost reduced to tears thinking about it.

"You are free to do what ever you want. I'm going to Build a fire. You are welcome to rest for the night. Tomorrow I'll give you two days worth of food and water and direct you to the nearest town that I know of.
... My name is Magnus. I Bare Pelor's mark. But I'm no lord..."

I realize something and then let the light die down to nothing.

"We need to change positions. There is no way they didn't notice that. Follow me for now. I'll get you two out of this.

I'll walk to a point to get them behind a ridge in relation to where the giant's camped.

"No matter how I think about this, it is going to be showy."

I'll cut down a few trees, cut them up a bit and pile them up into a fire with enough to probably last the night.

I'll test my theory about this world with trying to light it with a quick fireball.

If that fails. I'll preform a short ritual to start fire

I'm going to keep an eye out for the giant's to come and investigate.

Magnus makes camp with little difficulty, and the two of them choose to remain with him.

However, it is but an hour into making camp that a large, magically charged eyeball flies overhead, and pauses directly over Magnus, bearing a cold, blue light down upon him. He feels his connection to his magic diminishing, and his sword suddenly becomes heavier as the magic leaves it. He then hears laughter coming from the eye, the laughter of the sorcerer.

"I have found you, knight of the accursed sun, and my runaway slaves. The lantern from earlier was your servant, wasn't he? It doesn't matter now that you are in the eye of the beholder." The voice booms out. "KILL HIM! DAATROK LATA!"

There are other dark blue lights in the sky closing in on your position, and the warband of giants is now making no efforts to hide its presence, although they are some distance away. Also some distance away, a golden light flickers in the forest, and is flying quickly towards Magnus.

Hmmm... Antimagic. Let's get rid of that eye.

I'll draw my ritual dagger and then throw it at the eye. Twisting the principles of Mountain Hammer to apply to the thrown dagger. Aiming to hit the Eye's center and cause the dagger to pierce straight through.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:09, Wed 22 Nov 2017.

The iron structure of the dagger disrupts the magic, and dispels the eye. A new problem arises, with six other eyes descending on your position, and one of them keeps looking at Tariel, looking away when he vanishes, only to look at him again and cause him to vanish once more. Both are making slow progress to you.

The dagger has also flown off into the treeline, with only your verser sense able to pick it out. Incidentally, your sense still detects another, but at a much longer distance. You can also make out the giant warband - you see six of them, with the sorcerer in the back having drawn a large sword. One of the giants is missing, strangely enough.

The two greenskins are the first contact units, grinning as they close in with their zweihanders. "Oy, 'e's 'ere! Crump him!"

OOC: Give me an initiative roll, and we will PM what we have to from here. If I have to modify this post because I won it, so be it.

I call out to the two I saved before. "Hide For now! I'll Take care of this!"

I charge the Green skins. Running up a tree that I cut down before to gain additional height before leaping and then coming down on one of them with a great overhead slash

He doesn't take the hit very well, but in this case, he grins through the wound inflicted on his head. "'Oy, you gonna get crumped dis time."

Both step to opposed sides, wind up, and as one is parried effortlessly, the other one lands his blow...

Or he would have. If I didn't interpose my own zweihander and deflect his Choppa into the ground where I immediately step on it to keep it there long enough to bring the zweihander  back around in a counter attack.

The wounded orc's guard slips, and Magnus takes off his leg at the thigh, causing him to fall over screaming and die from shock. The other one takes a vicious blow to the sternum, but remains on his feet, breathing heavily.

The giants crash down their treeline, and are now in clear sight, stones at the ready, as another of those eyes brings its baleful light down on Magnus. "Shoulda gone wit' us. Now wot, humie?"

Your sword has -2k0 on attack rolls due to weight issues. It is not a practical weapon without its magic.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:18, Wed 22 Nov 2017.

I charge the giants, aiming for one of them in the front. Closing with them before they can throw the stones at me. I go straight through the brush they knocked over. Exploding out with a shower of wooden shrapnel before delivering a devastating horizontal Mountain hammer slash

Magnus deals the giant a strong blow, but it is not a decisive one. Indeed, he could actually take another blow like that one. "Crush little man!"

Two of them launch stones at him, and four of them draw axes and come down hard with punishing strikes, along with the insane greenskin who charges in screaming. Things are looking grim for our hero...

I am just feeling grim Determination. I refuse to die here.

The ax from the wounded joten comes first. I deflect it to the side and then bring my Leg around into a roundhouse kick. Stunning him slightly and knocking him in the way of the swing of the next giant. Allowing Me to parry the strike with ease. While the Giant is unbalanced from his swing. I counter with a thrust into the giant's guts. I then use my inhuman strenth to swing the giant around to be in the way of the third Giant. Giving me enough time to leap out of the melee. Pulling my sword from the second giant's guts and into a position where the other giants can't swing at me without hitting their allies.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:22, Wed 22 Nov 2017.

They start out laughing as they land blow after blow on the warrior nearly half of their height, finally extracting revenge after a long night of embarrassment and loss at his hands. The rocks hammer into him, and axes and swords rise and fall, coming up red with blood as they manage to find a weakness in the armor.

But Magnus still stands, his symbol blazes with light through the armor in defiance of the cold eye upon him, and they have about two seconds to realize he's not going down that easily...

OOC: Out of 28 HP, you take a whopping 8 damage total. The rocks didn't even scratch you. The one you hit twice doesn't look like he can take a third hit, the one you hit once probably cannot take a second hit, and the greenskin certainly looks like he is going to go down with the next blow. Three of your foes and the sorcerer are unscratched, but the sorcerer cannot be reached, as you are surrounded.

I simply plant my weapon in the ground. As Sunlight shines around me, My Ki ignites with solar flames. Covering my fists and legs with the golden fire of the sun. The snow stars melting where I stand From the heat that doesn't affect me. The Wooden Shrapnel around me starts to burn as I explode into action. I go for the ork first. Performing a perfect sliding side kick into him sending him flying and on fire into a pile of wood that also catches on fire. I use the rebound off the ork to change direction directly into a healthy giant. where My right fist is cocked for a powerful cross punch. My ki ignites Him too. as I move on the the fist injured giant where I Uppercut him right in his jaw setting his beard on fire. I then run over to the next one where I simply Front kick him in the balls. Forcing him to collapse clutching them while on fire. I then use him as a platform to flying side kick the next giant. Knocking her on her ass. Again on fire. Then I pass between the last two where I simultaneously side kick one and punch the other. Knocking them away from me. Have I mentioned that they are on fire?

The greenskin's arm and part of his chest are blown off by the force of the kick, sending him flying away dying and ablaze. Magnus's attacks follow through into another giant, and his chest is blasted with explosive power, igniting him to his dismay (8 HP left). The wounded giant's innards detonate outward in a horrifying steaming river, slaying him instantly as he goes down burning. The second giant turns to barely turn that kick to his groin into a kick in his knees, which he regrets because now his legs are on fire and he cannot move quickly (0 HP, 2 critical taken, 2 fatigue taken). The final foe in front of Magnus takes an airborne fiery kick for immense amounts of damage to the chest (6 HP left), igniting him as well, as expected.

The last two foes are, sadly, outside of the anger zone of pain and fiery death Magnus has established, so his final strikes instead vent themselves on the two foes that have taken his incendiary explosive punches the worst.

The one whose legs are on fire has little time to appreciate how quickly his day can go from bad to worst as Magnus instinctively strikes the upper leg again, detonating it and sending blazing pieces of the jotan's leg flying in all directions as he falls down shocked and dead. The one who was kicked in the chest takes a backhand to the thigh, blasting part of his leg off and knocking him out cold from the combination of being on fire and having endured immense physical trauma. (0 HP, 3 critical taken, 5 fatigue taken, dead next turn).

The remaining two giants and their sorcerer leader are done. They hurl their weapons and shields aside and flee as fast as they can from this embodiment of Muspelheim's wrath. One of them is leaving a clear trail of foul smoke behind her as he runs off after the other two still ablaze (7 HP remaining). The eyes in the sky continue to track and gaze upon Magnus as they were intended to do, but they are clearly having zero effect on him, and only seem to have made him angry.

Magnus, surrounded by the burning remains of his foes and the immediate forest around him, has a choice to make...

I look around and then realize that setting the forest on fire with myself and the people I'm trying to save in it is a bad idea.

I'll have to take care of the other three giants later stopping this fire is more important for now.

I'll blast the kindling flames apart with explosive beams from my fist. Letting the embers die on the cold wet ground.


I'll work on putting out the fires until only my camp fire remains.

Then I'll pick up my sword andclean thedirt off it. Then I'll sheath it.

Then I'll check how the two I saved are doing.

Then I'll use my verser equipment sense to find my dagger.

I'll check to see if my sword beams can knock the Eyes out of the sky. If not I'll use my dagger.

Now that the Eyes are gone. I'll check to see how Tariel is doing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:59, Wed 22 Nov 2017.

The fires are simple enough to put out once they no longer have ki flowing into them, and the moment Magnus finds his dagger again, the eyes momentarily widen and then disappear.

Adaline and Brom come out of hiding, and look at the destruction wrought. Brom smiles. "I don't know what we did in this life or another, but thank the merciful gods for you."

Tariel flies up as quickly as he can. "This one was delayed. Once we were separated, it occurred to this one that a glowing light such as that of an archon might not be suited to dealing with a large force. This one attempted to distract and harass when possible, but the darkness does not favor servants of the light. It was only when the gazers were coming for you, that this one realized secrecy would not aid you."

"Do you plan to go after them, milord?" Adaline in a state of half-shock.

"I will. I need to kill their leader, The one ruling over all the frost giants here. I was going to use the ones I left alive to lead me back to their main settlement.

... I probably should go after them tonight. But I doubt they would hide their tracks. So I can probably track them tomorrow.

So we'll rest for tonight.

...and I'm not a lord. I Don't have any land.

I'll work on getting those shackles off you too tonight."

"If Magnus is seeking to use the Jotun, this one would suggest going to their camp now. One of them was sitting there, and this one does not believe it was guarding supplies. This one wonders if perhaps it was not content with the idea of an attack on Magnus. At the very least, leaving it alone feels wrong."

"One of them remained behind? That's unlike them." Brom was frowning as he thought about it.

"Maybe it would be best to just leave him alone and not take any chances? Who cares why he's there!" Adaline clearly just wants to not bother with it.

Tariel buzzes and goes white with anger, floating away from Adaline. "It was a female of the species, and we should be kind even to our foes, regardless of mortal risk. That one risks divine sanction with its words, and this one is hoping a mortal sanction is forthcoming."

"Who? Me? Are you saying that for what I endured, for what we endured, that we should repay these monsters with kindness?! Speak plainly, you glowing bastard!"

Tariel keeping his harsh light away from everyone, but it is clear the archon is livid, simply replying with an agitated buzzing sound.

"That is Pelor's ideal. Or at least part of it. Stand down for now Tariel. Their kindness would be worthless if forced on them by threat of sanction. I'm meant to be a example of a Man and Warrior following Pelor's ideals. So that others will willingly follow Pelor. Besides isn't part of the code being kind to Friends and Strangers?  And being kind doesn't involve forcing them to follow your code against their will."

I think for a bit.

"You two can stay in my camp. You might want to go ahead and eat. I do need to investigate this lone giant. To see what is going on with her. I'm in no danger from one Jotun. And there is no reason to risk these two. "

If they want the food, I'll get it out for them. Then I'll go to the Giant's camp and walk right up to it.

"Can you understand me Jotun?"

Tariel makes a quick buzz, and goes golden once more, floating slowly and quietly back to Magnus. Adaline and Brom have no problem remaining back at camp with some food, wishing you the best of luck...even if Adaline is giving Tariel a gaze that speaks volumes.

----------------------------------
In route, Tariel breaks its silence. "This one knows that forcing the Master's code upon mortals is not respectful or kind. This one spared that one from the light of judgement, which would likely have hurt the wounded spirit of that one very much. Mortals should judge mortals - that is the law of the Celestine. Only when a violation occurs without being challenged would an Archon even consider sanction directly. Callousness to any being should be admonished by Magnus."

"And as the guide of Magnus for now, consider why giants do what they do, look for virtues, and keep positive qualities in mind as Magnus speaks to the giants. Stay positive."

-------------------------------------
The giant barely glances up at Magnus as the fire next to it is slowly burning down to hot coals. She is sharpening her axe, muttering something over and over. But she does acknowledge his presence at least, and seems to have tensed up. "So, all of them are dead. Axe must be sharp for battle to come, all of them are dead, axe must be sharp indeed..."

I reply to Tariel

"That is true. But consider what she has been through. She has suffered greatly as a slave to the giants. After that, one could easily fall into the mind set of All Giants must die. Instead she just wanted us to leave them alone. Which is about as kind as can be expected from most mortals. Any questions or clarifications?"

-----------------
Something is not right about the Giant. I'll cycle through my various magical senses to see what I notice wrong with her.

I reply to the Jotun

"Most of them are. The rest ran away from me after they saw what I could do. Why did you not fight with them against me?"

"A light encased in darkness, the death of the tribe. All of them are dead, the axe must be sharp. A harsh summer comes for all. The axe must be sharpened, the axe must be sharpened, all of them are dead, the axe must be sharpened..." She keeps using a whetstone on the axe, and its pretty clear that the axe is as sharp as it is going to get.

She is also out of her mind right now, and might not be entirely aware of what she is saying or doing.

"...Joy. I can't leave her like this. I don't think she would eat...
Ok. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm going to try to help.

I'll approach her slowly. When I'm next to her I'll touch her back and head. Slowly move my hand around, feeling the chi flows within her.

Once I have located the irregularities in the flows. I will gently redirect the flows back into a healthy configuration.

If there is something preventing the flows from returning to a healthy configuration, I will analyze what it is. If it is a good idea to destroy it, I will with a very precise application of Destruction.

As you place your hand on her, she immediately stands up and whirls around, holding the axe above her while still sharpening it. "Ea tiy loka! Es shrie kado!"

She is clearly very agitated, and she is shaking.

"This one does not believe Magnus had that in mind."

She snarls at Tariel as she tries to get into a battle position with one hand still sharpening the axe. She is actually starting to cry.

"Huh? What did she say?... no. I wasn't going to do That.


I'll open my helmet and hold my hands up.
"Shhh...Please calm down. I only want to help you now. There is no reason for you to trust me. But if you let me heal you, I'll let you keep that axe by my neck while I heal you. If I do anything inappropriate, I'll let you use that axe on me."

"I am not HURT!" She continues to sharpen the axe unsteadily while yelling. She lowers her tone in confusion and suspicion. "What...what need healing for when I am not hurt?"

OOC: She has spent a point of Resolve, but since this one was stunted I'm counting her as still needing two before a social lockdown.

She is listening, if extremely leery. She hasn't attacked yet, although that might be difficult for her.

"The body isn't the only thing that can be injured. The mind can be injured as well. Tell me. Before you came on this raid. Did you used to sharpen your axe all the time? Even to the point of not fighting with your allies or trying to sharpen it while trying to enter a fighting stance?

"Always sharpen axe. Must sharpen axe." She seems to be straining against her own reasoning, as she apparently just heard herself. "Why death of tribe care? Kill me, let me greet the tribe when they follow!"

OOC: Another Resolve torched. She's fighting the hell out of this. Still two left.

"In fact, if death of tribe not kill me, will kill him! Kill him as soon as axe sharpened!"

OOC: No social defense required. Killing her in this state violates alignment.

"As you are now, You'll never finish sharpening that axe. Something has affected your mind to give you that obsessive compulsion. No amount of sharpening will be enough for you. I can free you from the chains of compulsion if you let me.
The reason I care is because it would be cruel to leave you in this state. You will sharpen that axe until you waste away to nothing and die unless I help you. "

I'll take my helmet off and then move over to put some wood in the fire to start it up again. The giants must get some comfort from it otherwise they would have only built a small one for the slaves.

She strains, clearly stopping herself in the action of sharpening the axe as she stares intently at the axe, before screaming aloud, swinging the axe in a clear effort to kill Magnus. "SHUT! MOUTH!"

OOC: Resolve point spent, and this time she's going right for an attempt to kill. Let's see how this parry goes before we resume...

I shuffle my feet into the proper stance and put a piece of wood on top of my foot. I go for a high guard against her overhead swing. I catch her wrist and then redirect the axe to my side where it embeds itself into the frozen ground.  I then toss the piece of wood up with my foot where it lands on the axe. Then I step on them both. Using the wood to protect my foot from the axe

The axe is stuck in the wood, almost poking through from the force of the impact. She frantically realizes she has dropped her axe, and she realizes both that her axe needs sharpening still AND that she is demeaning herself.

"YES! HELP ME, YOU DAMN SLAVE OF THE WEAK GODS!" She has smashed the wood to reach her axe, and is no longer fighting Magnus with will or action.

OOC: She HAS Resolve left, but she's not willing to break herself over this, especially not after that failure.

"Sit down and hold still. This will take a bit."

Once again I'll move to her back and feel the flow of chi within her. I'll redirect her chi flows back into a healthy flow using massage and pressure point techniques.

If there is something preventing her flows from returning to normal, I'll analyze it.

The ritual goes as it should, as the silence that comes with an axe not being sharpened are the rewards of a successful chi redirection.

She promptly stands up, raises her axe over her head...and promptly breaks down in tears once more. "You could have, and should have killed me. I owe you my life."

Her voice goes bitter and harsh. "Your god must be proud of you, ulfhedin, and I hope mine frees me soon."

Tariel chimes in. "A life debt from a jotan is not a trivial matter. As beings that are part spirit, that one will serve you until you perish, or she does, even unto an order of mortality."

"Thank you, ball, for explaining that to him."

Without a hint of sarcasm, Tariel replies to her. "This one is glad to be of service."

At that she growls, stands up and prepares to destroy the offending Archon.

"Don't kill the Lantern Archon, Tariel. Mortal Sarcasm is a bit beyond him. Let's sit down and talk for awhile."

I'm expecting her to listen to me. But if she doesn't I'll parry for Tariel.

Once we sit down I will continue.

"My name is Magnus. What is your name? What is the meaning of the word Urfhedin?"

She barely stops herself, and Tariel only flickers white for a moment. "Fine."

She sits, stewing, and debates for a moment whether to even reply to Magnus. "I am Frath. Urfhedin means feared warrior, death of tribe."

Tariel hums briefly. "This one will be returning to Elysium. There is a needed understanding of mortal nuance this one lacks, and this one believes it will only increase the tension among the gathering mortals."

"Go ahead Tariel. I'll summon you back in the morning unless you would like to be back sooner."

I'll turn back to Frath.
"I see Frath. Could you tell me about the details of this Life Debt?
Is there a way to be released from it without the death of ether of us?"

"Make any summon short. It is best for Magnus." Tariel fades with those words.

Froth looks at you and rolls her eyes. "Typical small folk, not understanding this. It is further evidence of your weakness to us. A life debt means you own my life, and can order me to die, or anything short of that. It ends when one of us dies, and I can't be the one to kill you...even if I thought I could. Don't be flattered, though. Jarl Statrorr owns it as well, along the lives of all three of the jotan tribes that serve him."

"Hope you weren't planning on killing him with my help." She grins. "I would not do it, any more than I would kill you."

"That Jarl Statrorr sounds like who I have been sent to kill. You and the others of your tribes are obligated to try to stop me, Correct?

I wonder if there is a way for me just to challenge him directly so I don't have to kill everyone in your tribe."

Frath thinks a moment smiling at a thought, and then frowns. "I want to tell you to do this thing. But clan tradition says he is not required to accept a challenge from small folk, and he would just have the whole tribe beat you to death with rocks while he laughed at your insolent face. So, no. Do not do this thing. I will have to stop you from trying to save your life."

"And yes. We are required to stop you. He is jarl, and his word is law." She looks around, suddenly puzzled. "Where are slaves? I recall them being released as trick to slow you down, and then my head starts to hurt thinking of what happened next. All fuzzy."

"I released them and then gave them some food.

How does your tribe make a living? there is raiding but what else do they do?"

"Waste of good slaves. They will probably get themselves lost and eaten by frostwolves." Frath shrugged, and then got confused as she thought about your question. "I may not understand your words. Warriors go to war; even your word 'warrior' makes that clear. What else is there to do that is not beneath warriors? Anything else is slave work or leisure."

"I see. So everyone in your tribe is a warrior and you rely on slaves to do the chores.
Indeed. The word Warrior implies that they go to war. Some would think it beneath them, others would not.

...So Frostwolfs hunt in this area. Do you know of any packs around here?"

"Not all who do work are slaves. Some of jotan simply too old or weak to fight, either because they are child or because wounded. Unlike small people, they know place - weak below strong - and don't fight or disrespect. Reward is standing above slave." Frath smiles. "Others find thing out of war that give joy like battle. Always personal, and do by choice. Rest of jobs, slave work."

She looked around, in an exaggerated search for something. "And I don't know of any frostwolves here. I know they are in area. We take good frostwolves, make companions of them. Bad frostwolves put down when they forget place, or run away and make more. Serve good purpose either way: weak that cannot or will not serve strong, die or flee, to eventually die in Fimbulwinter."

She grinned at Magnus, which on her is an expression of clear hostility. "Why? Think stupid slaves eaten by wolves already?"

"I suppose I should go and check. I'll let you have a choice. You can ether camp here and fend off the wolfs by yourself while I go back and defend the former slaves for the night. Or you can come with me and help me defend them.

I would say that it is in your best interest to help me. You need to sleep sometime. And it is good to have someone to watch your back.

So What will it be Frath?"

She stands up, giving a cold gaze from her icy blue eyes. "I choose neither, death of tribe. I owe you a life debt, so I will defend you."

"I am ready when you are, death of tribe."

"... Just Fight when I say fight. And Leave the Former slaves alone. Gather the things from your camp."

I'll gather a load for myself and lead her back to the other camp once she has a load.

I'll let my mark shine to light the way.

I probably end up walking past the devastation I caused to the ranks of giants and orks.

Once I get back to camp I'll say to the two there.

"This Jotun owes me a Life Debt. Leave her alone and she won't bother you."

I'll set the load I have down.

"Ok. Can't let the stuff they had go to waste. Time to gather the dead giant's stuff. Help me gather their stuff together Frath "

Do they have something equivalent to a shovel with their stuff?

I'll ask Frath.

"How do Jotun funeral rites go?"

Adaline and Brom uneasily note Frath's presence, as she coldly notes them back. She is not so stoic looking at the scorched terrain and the incinerated remains of her warband. "Muspelheim..."

"Three escaped. I do not see the sorcerer, and I don't know which two escaped with him. Can't recognize bodies." She's taking their deaths well, all considering. Frath looks to the slaves, and then to a pile of clothes and armor near them. Adaline and Brom had armed themselves, and Adaline was now wearing thicker furs than before, armor clearly improvised. Brom was wearing the greenskin chain and using one of their greatswords. "They have beaten you to it. Likely the male did it."

Frath then tosses a shovel to them, one of the things she was carrying from the camp. "Dig holes. Bury dead. Not want to draw scavengers."

Brom goes to pick up the shovel, shrugging. Adaline elbows him sharply, giving him a look of irritation. "Hell no. Dig your own graves for your own people. We aren't your slaves anymore."

Frath stomps up to her, towering over her radiating fury. "I give order, slave. DIG! Or I break you!"

Adaline is barely standing her ground against this, shaking in fear, and Frath is clearly ready to strike her. Brom is putting a hand on Adaline's shoulder, and giving Magnus a concerned look.

"Stop Frath. I gave you an order to leave those two former slaves alone."
My voice radiates calm menace with those words.

"I was going to bury the dead to give the dead their due. But Frath does have a point. Scavengers will be attracted to these bodies. So for camp safety they do need to be buried.

I want both of you to be able to make it back to Civilization. If you don't want to help with camp sanitation. I could have you do weapon drills with one of those great swords to get you ready. Which would you prefer Adaline"

"I ain't got a problem with digging holes and doing work, milord." Adaline suddenly finds her nerve and stops shaking. "My problem is being ordered because this ox thinks we are still her slaves."

"You ARE still a slave, schutta, and always will be!" Frath's voice booms, echoing through the forest. "You are the weak, and owe the strong a life-debt because we haven't killed you!"

She turns to Magnus clearly enraged. "They are not obeying, and dare to talk back to their betters! They forget their place! Punish them, or have me do it!" She glances back to Adaline, speaking coldly. "Please have me do it."

"Frath. They where captured by a being outside your tribe. This being could do what ever he wanted to them. But He chose to free them. Therefor they are not slaves of your tribe anymore.
I choose to treat those weaker than me with kindness and respect. I extended this to you. Now you extend this to them. Treat them Like civilized beings, Like equals to you in your tribe.
You will not like this one bit. But let me put it this way. Someone you owe a Life Debt has ordered it."

"They are not..!" Frath took a deep breath to calm down. "...our equals. You can choose to not use slaves. That is fine. Stupid, but fine. And you do not want me to recapture or kill them. That is also clear, if also stupid."

"But they are useless if they do not help. Slow you down. Burden. It why we send them after you. Paerthaeth believed the views of the small people would slow you down and make you easier to track." She looked again at the scorched remains. "Judging from what is left, he was right. Ramarrhaz chasing, in the end."

"Looks like you are the weak with us, owing your life to the same man. Welcome to the little people tribe, jotan." Adaline is triumphant until Frath quickly feints a punch to her, causing her to flinch reflexively.

"To Muspelheim." Frath doesn't do anything, and just calms down slightly. "So, who burying bodies, if not useless slaves?"

"I will. Lord Magnus and yourself make good points. We should bury the bodies to hide the scent of recent death." Brom immediately begins digging. "But Lord Magnus has done enough for us, and neither Adaline nor you will do it. So it falls on me."

Adaline immediately pulls up one of the large axes from their pile of plunder. "I'll break up the ground for you, Brom. You shouldn't do all the work."

Frath is simply sulking, looking outwards, growling something in her own language. "So, what is plan? Four of us simply come at Jotanheim Castle, and two watch while I die trying to save you from yourself?"

OOC: No events happen that night. Anytime you want to move this on, you may announce it in orange, and start the next day. If you want to continue the scene, you may.

"I do need to exercise a bit tonight. I'll help break up the ground for a bit. As for my plan... I don't have one yet. Probably use myself as bait to draw out a part of his force and destroy it. Whittle him down enough where I can assault. This will be difficult enough for me to actually have to take my armor off."

I'll take off my armor.

Then I'll start doing very stompy kata's in the area that we are planing to bury the bodies in. Hitting the ground with all my might to break up the sod and ground. Using Mountain hammer when I can.

After I do that for about an hour I will read the scrolls and Practice what I read for about an hour.

After that I'll work on making warm cloths for myself using the furs that the giants had. Preferably making them so that I have good freedom of movement.

I look at Adaline and Brom and think for a moment. I'll ask them
"... I would like to make some warm cloths for myself out of these. Would you help me with make this? or... You might be better than me at this. So could I help you make them?"

With a large knife, and some debate during which Adaline takes the lead in the project, Magnus ends up with a surprisingly well-cut coat made of black bear hide. Frath simply looks on, bewildered at Magnus aiding anyone. It's only during katas that Frath shows real interest, but she says nothing.

Brom suggests burying the armor in a bag, for ease and speed of movement, and leaving a marker next to the point of burial that Magnus can recognize.

I smile at the coat and Comment
"This is nice. I really like this coat. Thank you Adaline."

I'll Reply to Brom.
"That is a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion."

I'll oil up my armor and put it in a bag and then bury the bag
I'll make a token mark on a tree with my dagger.

OOC: I'm ready to move on to the next day.

When Magnus begins to leave in the morning, Brom and Adaline are ready to go with him, with Frath taking up second position, giving a casual growl past the other two as she pushes her way right behind Magnus. "So, the armor. You are seriously just going to leave it there, now that you are actually going into battle against my tribe. Or maybe you were planning on trying to talk? The jarl won't have it, unless you have seen reason and are thinking alliance."

Frath stops walking, an idea occurring to her. "Is that what this was really about? Not joining a mere raid, but joining the tribe itself?"

The other two say nothing as she draws this conclusion, clearly willing to let Magnus explain his otherwise mysterious goals to them. Certainly, leaving the armor behind when battle is expected is odd, although Brom doesn't argue with it or seem surprised.

"Nope. I'm going to kill your Jarl. That was my training armor. The only reason I wear it is to make me heavier so I can train all the time with it's weight. My skin is just as tough as it and I'm much more agile outside of it. Funny thing is, One could argue that I'm actually more dangerous unarmed and unarmored."

Frath looked at Magnus incredulously. "So, you go after jarl without armor, but bring weapons? Why not just leave them too? Perhaps you are hoping the jarl will die of laughter? He has a different sense of humor, if you are hoping for that."

"I don't really need weapons ether. I suppose I can hit a bit harder with the sword. But my true skill is with unarmed combat. Maybe your jarl will think I'm enough of a joke to accept a Boxing or wrestling match from Someone half his size. Then..."

I'll select a smallish tree that I know I can destroy and then hit it as hard as I can with a power attack + Mountain Hammer.

I splinter the trunk with my strike and the tree falls over with a crash.

"Then. I punch him a few times and he probably explodes."

Frath looks the tree smiling, and then looks back to Magnus. Suddenly her smile disappears. "That is your plan? Walk up, challenge the jarl, kill him, and leave?"

She walks to the front and stretches out her arms in a path-barring stance. "The jarl will laugh at you for your insolence, and have everyone in the fortress kill us both with rocks. You do not know what he is like! He has three tribes sworn to him already, several frostwolves eat our scraps, a tribe of orcs has been bought, and he even has a dragon of the north the bends knee to him. And that is not counting what he is: a ruthless, black eyed servant of Thyrm himself, trained in the arts of silent and subtle murder, the spirit, and the techniques of the mountain."

Brom speaks at this point. "She does make a good point. The jarl will not fight you in honorable combat if he can avoid it. He does not deal in honor as the other jotan do - he is considered above it."

Frath is clearly concerned about this plan, to the point where she does not admonish Brom for 'speaking out of place.' "I cannot allow you to die facing a foe I cannot kill! Turn back! Please!"

"... I can not turn back. But this information is important. So he is trained in three styles like the one I am learning. I wasn't actually planning to simply challenging him. The actual plan was to systematically eliminate his forces piece by piece Using my superior maneuverability. To that end, That Dragon is quite a problem. I need to kill it. Do you know where it's lair is?"

"In the courtyard, in plain sight. Cryptalshek is the centerpiece of his forces, and the jarl wants all the tribes to know he has it. The lair itself is underground, but dangerous to reach. Like ramarrhoz hunt - a creature you will chase that you do not wish to catch. Even if you reached it, the sounds of battle would alert the whole fortress. It is suicide to attack headfirst. Find another cause that doesn't put me at odds with my oaths. I want to die facing something I can actually kill back."

"That creature is fearsome. If that monster is a child of its kind, I shudder to wonder what the adults are like." Adaline looked at Frath. "I'm actually agreeing with her, in a way. This is insane."

"I have to side against you as well, Lord Magnus. Any plan that doesn't involve facing a dragon is a better one than this. Perhaps another path exists?"

Frath scoffed at Brom. "It is a real fortress, not your worthless small folk attempts at defense. There are no weaknesses to it, within or without. It is strong on every side, even above and below."

"Well If I was lazy, I could just blow the entire fortress up with magic. Probably would take a hour or two to set up with how this world limits magic to rituals. And I would have to figure out how to not draw attention to the ritual.
Long, Boring but doable.
I might meditate on this to see if I can come up with a better Plan."

"You aren't the first to try that. We killed them afterwards." Frath cuts off the other two before they can speak. "The fortress is directly connected to Niflheim, and not even you can shatter the power of a god, Death of Tribe. You will cause a pretty light in the sky as it shatters against the dome of Thyrm's aegis, and then they will come for us."

"Even a mountain has cracks in it. Surely this fortress has a back door?"

"Yes, in Niflheim. Our home. That is where two tribes came in from."

Adaline mutters to herself. "Pity you couldn't be bothered to stay there."

Frath just glares at her, but doesn't follow up on it.

"I would dispute that. Given enough time and effort I can destroy anything. But that is not the most efficient method here. Maybe I should sneak in then kill the Jarl. Stealthily. I'm not bad at sneaking and I can probably get on the roof fairly easily."

"Hah!" Frath laughs at this. "Anything, huh? Maybe you destroy life debt, eliminate the problem I have with this whole 'kill jarl' idea you want to do. What did he do to you, anyways? Kill family?"

Adaline actually goes red in the face at this, taking a step towards Frath and Brom again puts a hand on her shoulder. Frath glances at her, and does nothing else.

I state manner of factually.
"Do to the hand Fate dealt me, I was separated from my family long ago and I gave up hope that I would ever see them again. In fact, Seeing them again would be fairly close to an impossible task... So No. The Reason I need to kill the Jarl is simple. He is a component for a quest to recover Unfettered. He is the biggest, Meanest Giant around. I am simply killing him because it needs to to be done for the Quest. And I believe that the world would be better without him in it.

... and I would also like to point out all my other thoughts before this. I would much rather fight him head on.

Actually. I'm going to let you in on a secret. Nothing you can do can affect whether I live or die in the grand scheme of things. I am a being called a Verser. When killed, I simply wake up in another world. So nothing you, your tribe, that Dragon or the Jarl can do to me will permanently kill me.

So who are you going to Fight for Frath? As you say, You have two Life Debts and you can't save them both. I Respect your devotion and Honor to try to turn me from this path and fulfill both your obligations.

"So...I am in a life debt to an immortal being and the jarl?" Frath frowns, and speaks sarcastically. "Lucky me, because you speak as if I can choose these things, and I can't. Because if I could right now, I would choose the jarl. At least he has the courtesy to die one day."

"Can we make it tomorrow?" Adaline chimes in, unable to resist the opening.

Frath snarls at her, and continues. "And we know of this accursed sword, this Unfettered as the short folk call it. The weapon of a slave that rose above their station, and who died in obscurity for doing so. A cautionary tale to us. Why do you seek this sword out? You clearly don't need it, and if you are immortal, why do you care about one jarl 'in the grand scheme of things?'"

That last line is spoken in a mocking tone as Frath is clearly becoming more frustrated at her lack of options.

"I seek Unfettered because I seek the secrets of the Stone Dragon school. And I care because I need to care about to world. But You are frustrated because you have no way out of this under your own power. Submit to my magic and I will break all of your chains and oaths. Sit down. this will take a bit."

I'll start a ritual by walking around her slowly. Isolating her from the essence of the world. I'll look with my metaphysical senses to locate all the oaths that bind her. Then I'll preform a subtle kata that flows around her. Building up the precise power needed to shatter ALL of her oaths. Since she is metaphysically isolated from the world, the consequences of the shattered Oaths don't have anything to target as the destruction travels along the oath into the consequences. Destroying the consequences as well.

"Bah. Magic gets me into this mess, and now you try to magic me out of it." She sits in the circle. "Whatever. Worse that happens is that I die anyways."

---------------------------------------------------------

The ritual partly works, shattering the oaths that bind her. However, the consequences of those oaths are another story. Both man and jotan are blown up, through the world between worlds, but Magnus doesn't sense that he has perished this time.

Magnus arrives face down in the snow, with harsh winds blowing around him. Frath, laughing, picks him up, and brings part of Magnus's fur in front of his face, as she leans right into him. "Do you know where we are, little Magnus? We are home! My home!"

She turns to the blizzard, shouting triumphantly. "I am Frath of the Shattered Oath! No one has claim on me! Not god, not mortal, not spirit!"

She is giddy with laughter as she turns back, shrieking with joy, with Magnus barely able to make her out in the snow. "You are truly a miracle worker, small one! Even as it kills you, you free me! You are just too useful to throw aside! Come, follow me! We must find shelter, and kill whatever is using it!"

She is moving with purpose now, and is trekking through the snow with ease, even with the armor and weaponry.

Damn it. Not as planed. But there are plenty of giants here.

I'll follow her.

The wind whips around Magnus, threatening to carry him and his considerable physical frame off. The symbol on his right hand is glowing gently, eagerly awaiting more input from its master. "That light is good and bad. Good, in that light is often used by predators to draw stupid prey in, and smart creatures avoid light. Bad, in that sometimes, we hunt predators if there are enough of us."

Magnus and Frath make it to a cavern, where the wind dies. The walls of the cave are smooth and slick, ice repeatedly thawed and frozen and thawed again. The floor is hard to stand on, requiring a hard stomp to make footing. Frath looks around her, at the light reflecting from Magnus off the walls, reacting to create a bright blue, and beautiful cave.

She is whispering. "This is bad. Ramarrhaz home, of all things. But its the only shelter we find, and so we must fight and kill it, or be killed by weather and ramarrhaz. Be careful. Cornered ramarrhaz are legendary here. Anything you want do before we go in?"

I'll let the light shine. Eager for any warmth that I can get from it.

"What is a Ramarrhaz?
I could do a ritual to make my next strike devastating. But rituals take time."

"Shhhhhhh!" Frath's attempts to shush Magnus are answered with some kind of clicking sound deep within the cavern. She crouches instinctively. "Big, armored digging beast. Like one of your world's weak bugs, only much bigger. Glows red hot, hot enough to melt metal. Their plates can be used in place of metal, and their secretions make heat and fire, in fact...if you can actually kill them to use it."

"Thankfully, always alone, unless mating. Then they part ways. Some crazy tribes will try to tame them, but they are always too dangerous. Feral, and too smart. I hear they know what we say, and they learn."

"Is ritual noisy or involve much moving? If so, no good. They go through the ground, and hear you."

I whisper back
"Generally. I could just meditate. But I don't think that it will give us time."

I'll draw my Zweihander. Something effectively indestructible sound like a good mach for something that is hot enough to melt metal.

"So any thoughts on how to draw it out? Or should I go in and start making noise to lure it out. I think I could dodge out of the way when it comes out to play."

Frath just looks at Magnus like he's crazy, and then chuckles quietly. "Little man, you should have been Jotan champion. A cheat of the gods made you born small. Fine, though. You draw it out, and I will help kill it when it comes for you. Or we will both die. Remember, it is hot like a furnace, and will come at you from below, if it can."

The crystalline cavern sounds like it is almost breathing, from the ambient winds going through it.

I smirk at her complement.

I leap into the cave jumping to and from wall as I make all sorts of noise and remain mobile at the same time. Then I'll land in the center of the cave feel for vibrations under me. Feeling the incoming vibrations and danger I will dodge out of the way of the creatures bite when it bursts out of the ground.

Magnus manages almost to glide from wall to floor and back again effortlessly, using the smooth floor as a means to get around. It occurs to him after glimpsing some of the side tunnels that the entire cavern is honeycombed with tunnels, allowing the creature to break through to any part it needs to with brute force.

However...the presence of small droplets of water forming ahead means the creature is-

Erupting from ice pretty much right under Magnus, who manages to evade it without thinking about it. A gigantic, bluish-white centipede with thick bony plates crashes from the ground, fins on its back holding up webbing that looks like a flapping cobra's fan. It opens its fanged maw with its four antenna protrusions, its back is glowing red hot with a heat that its fan is blowing to Magnus, and roars aloud, clearly intent on striking hard and ending the fight with its second move.

OOC: Initiative time...

I smile as I dodge back from the creature's initial attack. As I dodge, I shift the zweihander into a back stance. The creature is just where I want him when I unleash my counterattack.

I start with brutal overhead swing that hammers the Ramorrhaz into the ground. Hammering it like a nail. Immobilized by the ground, it can't dodge and I will just cut through any parry.

Since the tip is already pointing at the Creature. I will thrust into a weak point in it's armor. Then I use my monsterous strength to swing sword and monster into a wall opening up and cutting a wide gash in it's exoskeleton. I pull the zweihander out, take a wide swinging step and then hammer the bug into the wall again with a powerful horizontal slash.

OOC: I have the Initiative.
So I'm going to open up with a Multi-attack. 2 baseline for multi-attack and 2 for lightning attack. Using the dodge and parry reactions from feats to fuel the multiattack. All of them are 5 point power attacks. The first one is a Hammering Blow.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:59, Sat 23 Dec 2017.

OOC: 33 damage total + 1 critical. You lose 1 HP and take a level of Fatigue, because you are now on fire.

The creature is smashed into place and cut open deeply, and it pulls the rest of its twenty foot bulk out of the ground in a futile effort to deal with that. It has no time to respond to the repeated precision attack Magnus delivers to it, however, receiving three move massive wounds in the chinks of its chitinous armor, taking its head cleanly off where it lands on the wall opposite. Almost in retribution, Magnus is set on fire from the heat his sword has picked up.

Frath steps forward, rather uncertainly, once Magnus. "Right. So...cave is safe, and we have food and shelter."

"The blizzards do break here, and when they do, I can read the stars, and get direction. Then..." She stops, not quite knowing what her next step is. "Hmm. Maybe find a tribe. Challenge them for leadership. I have no clue what to do next - too much freedom. Killing the jarl is an action that has just as much a chance of success as killing you, and I have equal reason for both and neither. Neither being the thinking 'why die?' Both being that I don't really like either one of you."

"Difference is, you are too useful to abandon. My weapon would have turned to slag. Yours didn't." She is deep in thought as she begins sectioning the ramorrhaz out with repeated axe blows. "I think the jarl would likely kill me once he knew I was no longer bound to him."

I'll let my sword cool down before I sheath it.

I sit down near the dying heat of the Ramorraz.

"I still need to kill the Jarl. I think that the quest requires that I Fight him personally.
As for taking over a tribe... Damn it Brain. Sign...

You have seen me kill a creature that even jotun fear by myself. Do you think that Jotun Tribes would follow me if they knew how strong I am? You could be my second in command.

That way. I could face the Jarl's forces with a few Jotun tribes backing me up."

"Heh. You are funny, small one." She is looking at the ramorrhaz parts irritably. "Slaves normally do this. You see why we use them? Give hand while I talk."

She continues to hack it apart, sliding the guts aside as she continues to speak as well. "They would never accept small folk as a leader, no matter how strong he is. Especially not here, in Thyrm's realm. Oathbinding them would work, until he sent a priest or an avatar, who would give a blessing from Thrym himself breaking the oath's power and transferring it to Thyrm, who doesn't care about such things. They would accept you as MY head slave, but you would hold no real power over them."

She recalls something. "You know, the back door into the fortress is on the Niflheim side. It is not well guarded against small folk either. They are expecting larger threats, things native here. One crazy mortal in bearskin could slip in the back, if he could get past our camp. That is where my tribe took up home, waiting to join."

I'll help her clean the Ramirrhaz.

"Damn. There goes that plan. If I had green mana to draw on, I could cast Giant's Growth to be as big as a giant for a time... maybe a version with snow mana... that would probably require a maintenance ritual.
Eh. The plan is too complicated with too many points of failure.

Moving on. Sneaking in like a mad man in bear skins. Is your tribe camped next to where I would enter the fortress?"

"Should be. It's why I am waiting for the snow to clear, so I can find out what direction they should be in." She continues chopping. "Honestly? My tribe is probably absorbed into another tribe now. I doubt the jarl will be forgiving of a failed raid. I'll probably be expected to play second fiddle to some other tribe. Probably the Howling Dirges. Those dogs were always at our heels."

"Well. My 'plan', such as it is, Is to sneak in to that fortress and then make it up as I go along. With the goal of killing the Jarl. Since I don't have any intelligence on the fortress that is the best I got for now...I suppose I could try scrying on it. You wouldn't happen to have anything made in the Fortress?"

Frath thinks for a moment, halting her work. She draws out a knife with a handle as long as the blade. "Slave craft, and it shows. They never get handle size right until you beat it into them. Made at the fortress, by a new slave. He didn't get beat, because the blade was good, if a bit small."

She hands it to Magnus. "Use it well. I actually like the knife, and will need it in a moment to cut this thing down further."

I think for a moment then smile. Handing the knife back to her
"Go ahead and use it to clean the Ramorrhaz. Rituals take a while to complete. You'll need it before I'm done."

I'll help finish cleaning the Ramorrhaz.

"Ok now it is time for magic."
I'll get the knife back from Frath

I'll trace a circle on the stone ground with the knife and then sit down in the middle of it.
I will start meditating. Connecting my mind to the Akashic records. I will look up where this knife was made in the records and then use that connection to get the layout of Fortress.

Upon being read, Magnus gets not only a feeling of the castle's layout, and its multidimensional link to Niflhiem, but also get a look directly into the dining hall, which also doubles as the throne room, and gets a good look at Jarl Statrorr himself. Instead of blonde hair like the other Jotan, his hair is stark white, and his eyes are pitch black orbs instead of the cold blue of the others. He wears heavy black plate of his own, even here in the comfort of his own halls, and has a massive sword at his side.

The others are enjoying their meals immensely, and he is the only one who seems completely disinterested in what is doing on around him, almost absently chewing the meat he has. He glances directly at the point of Magnus's vision, and starts to squint a bit like he's focusing on something when the meal is interrupted. "Jarl! We have caught some runaways!"

He looks bored, as the conversation fails to stop at the table. He booms back, almost without seeming to make effort to raise his voice. He slings his massive legs over the side of his chair, indolently, no longer paying any mind to the scrying he almost noticed. "And? Why is this important? Runaways are punished in the normal fashion, and then put back to work."

"They are the ones who saw the black knight Paerthaeth spoke of!" The conversation dies down at the table, and the jarl slams his fist down. His voice does not raise more than needed to be heard.

"Your lives are mine, and you will not waste them being spooked at phantoms." That gets some conversation awkwardly starting. The jarl waves a hand. "Bring them in. I could use some entertainment."

Adaline and Brom are both herded into the room in chains, with Adaline showing signs of a savage beating, as the others continue talking and looking at them. The jarl takes a close look at them, and chuckles at Adaline. "Who taught you that you were more than jotan-slave, human? This one understands his place."

Adaline's spirit has undergone a resurgence of late. "Lord Magnus is coming for you, and when he gets here, your place will be six feet under."

Jarl Statrorr casually slaps her hard enough to send her backwards, causing much laughter at the table. He doesn't even crack a smile as she staggers back to her feet. "But he's not here now, and he left you behind. That's unlike a warrior of the sun. Why did he do that?"

Adaline seems completely confident as she speaks. "He returned home, along with one of your kin, to remove a curse from her and prepare to kill you."

"Hmm. The curse of the mind, from Paerthaeth's ritual. Demons from beyond whispered into the minds of all nearby, filling their minds with visions of the future. A waste, really, that she could not be brought back here. I love opportunities to get messages from them." He leaned back in his chair, and tipped back a glass of wine. "So...woman. How do you know the two of them didn't just go to bugger one another and never come back here?"

Adaline is undeterred by the jarl's suggestion. "I know because I've seen his return to this world in dreams of light. I was told by a voice I trust."

"You dreamed it, and that makes it true?" This actually causes Statrorr to crack something almost resembling a smile, before it goes back to grim again. "I tell you what, slave: I'll give you different dreams tonight. Taskmaster, after you discipline her in the usual fashion, and once she's done in the mines for the day, send her to the orcs for the night and tell them they can do anything they want to her. I don't know if they breed or even have women, but I'm certain they will think of something on par with that, or they will just kill you and free the other slaves of your idiocy. If you are still alive, I'll ask about your dreams in the morning...if I remember who the hell you even are."

"The name's Adaline, you giant, frozen bas-!" A crack of a whip interrupts her, and a second hit from the whip drags her back to the slavemaster. The jarl doesn't even blink at this as he pets the wolf at his side. "Slaves have no names until we decide they do. Now begone. We are making merry."

The both of them are brought out, with Brom not saying a word the entire time. One of the jotan whispers something to the jarl, and the jarl responds aloud. "Hmm? What for? No one is coming here, and if they do, they will die. There is one way into this fortress, and it is suicide for one mortal, no matter how formidable he thinks he is."

He glares at the jotan who whispered, his voice menacing. "Now eat. We are warriors, not slaves. Disobey me again, and you will share the mines with the slaves."

Magnus's mind leaves the throne room, and takes a tour of its halls a second time, with the vision lingering on one of two gates from the back: one coming from Niflheim, and the other from the mines where Brom and Adaline have been pointed to after a whipping Magnus is mercifully spared from watching.

Magnus now knows the castle, and where to enter from. Now, he needs to know where the camp is. Thankfully, in the time it took for him to come back from his trance, Frath had made a fire from one of the ramorrhaz glands, and was cooking the meat. "So, the blizzard has almost cleared up. You ready to move out? You find what you were looking for?"

This vision of abuse fills me with Rage. My mark flairs like an angry midday sun in the desert. A wrath-filled Warrior of the sun is about to descend upon them.

But the time to rage is not now. I hold my anger in check and subdue the light from my mark.

"I found what I needed to know. I have one ritual that I need to do. The two former slaves where recaptured. I need to make hast to the entrance to the fortress.  Please read the stars as soon as the blizzard clears up enough to do so. I'll be ready as soon as the ritual is done."

I'll hand Frath's knife back to her and then draw my black iron dagger. Then I consider the ritual for a moment and then sigh.

"I'm planning on cutting the link between the fortress and Niflhiem behind me to cut off the Jarl from the reinforcements from your tribe and the other tribes."

I'll let any comment or conversation happen then start on the ritual. I'm planning on binding the spell in the dagger. And make it release the spell when I stab the gate.

I'll start by preforming an energetic kata with more grace than one would expect from someone my size. Strikes flow into one another in a unending dance of controlled chaos.

I'll gather the destructive energies of the kata and start forming them into a spell.
Using the knowledge of the metaphysical nature of the link between worlds. The spell will metaphysically cut the magic that is holding the gate open. First it will target the weak points in the magic, cutting them to introduce instability into the gate. Then it will unleash the rest of it's energy into the cosmic keystone that is holding the magical structure of the gate open. Damaging it enough to cause a controlled collapse that vents the energy released to the Niflhiem side.

Once I finish crafting the spell, I'll prevent it from staring and then bind it into the Dagger. locking it so that it will only release when I unsheathe the dagger and stab the gate with it.

OOC: So what would that be? Destruction + Willpower or Power + Willpower? something else?

The spell is bound to the dagger, and will work as desired, but it is shaking with iridescent power, and it will not hold longer than four days.

The blizzard outside has cleared up, and Frath holds up her hand to the shining sky. "Hah! You are truly lucky, small one! That light in the sky is the wandering rainbow bridge! Where it comes down at, someone is crossing the world, and we are very close to its point."

She packs up the food, and buries the gland and the plates it was on into the ice before pulling them out again. "I'm going with you, little man. Knowing what little I know of you, you will blow everything for miles on this side of the gate apart for miles with that ritual knife of yours. I don't know how, and I don't care to find out. You aren't killing ME on accident, or at the least, you will see me when I die."

"Also, I owe the jarl something of my own."

I'll sheath the dagger and pack what little I have.

I nod at her assessment that everything on this side is likely going to be blown up. Then I think of something.

"Frath, how many slaves does your tribe have? Normally I would figure that Niflhiem would be too rough for them. Or that the Jarl would keep all of them in the Fortress."

She had to think about that figure for a moment. "A lot, actually. They outnumber us over here, because they are actually easy to corral. Where will they run? They need no cages, and they cannot survive long here away from heat. We don't even bother chasing them if they run from us here - too much work for too little frozen meat. Just don't give them actual weapons, because some of you small folk have a suicidal streak to you, and will kill the jotan bringing them food."

She took a bite of the ramorrhaz meat she had cooked on short notice. "Why? Thinking of an uprising of the small?"

I'll start walking towards that rainbow bridge.

"No sentient being likes being a slave. Some would rather take as many slavers with them into the afterlife then stay alive as a slave.
As for whether I'm thinking of leading a slave uprising. I am now. There is a distinct possibility that when I destroy the gate, it will destroy everything for miles on this side of the gate... And now I only have four days to do it in.
This causes so many problems... No time to train them or anything...
ok. How much outnumbering are we talking about here? 2 slaves to one Jotun? 3 to 1? How many jotun are in your tribe?
How settled are your tribe around that gate? Have you made permanent buildings out of stone and wood or are all of you still in tents?"

"Not a matter of wanting here, but whatever you think, small one. If you think the slaves aren't worthless, sure, you can probably kill their masters and have more worthless chaff with you. Maybe the other jotan will get confused, and not know which of you to kill because you all look the same...oh wait. I 'forgot.' Kill the glowing one."

"As for how many...two to one, three to one...either one close, at least near the fortress. Further out, lucky if one for one. You are right - they tend not to last long here. Usually just become wolf food."

She thinks a bit. "Likely only ten after you hit us and killed our best warriors. Other tribe probably brought in ten to fifteen more, for a total of something between fifteen to twenty-five, depending on how hard we fought them. Likely with a priest or a sorcerer of some kind, and a small pack of wolves. Sometimes, we have greenskin mercenaries, good for boring work that can't be trusted to slaves or wolves."

"And there are no tents there, small one. We build from existing stone sometimes, but mostly build from snow and ice. Always near a mountain, though. Without shelter, the winds will eventually tear down whatever you make. No wood here for the same reason; that's from your side if you find any of it."

She's walking with, and moving fairly fast. Magnus can actually see the sparks of light from several fires in the distance. "That's not normal. The jarl must be really confident if he is making a camp visible in Niflheim. He is trying to draw danger in with that."

I smirk to myself.
"He probably knows I'm coming. He seemed to notice my scrying.

Let's see if he brought out his forces to meet me. Mayby he withdrew the slaves to get them out of the way or to prevent me from freeing them.

And they are not worthless. Every one of them has the potential to be like me. I used to be like them. But after few short years of training and quite a few deaths, I became this strong. Hopefully they will be more careful than me and not die like me. Even if they didn't follow me, they are still not worthless. You would be surprised at what mortals can do hiven the proper tools and materials."

I'll go to where I get a better look at the camp while still remaining hidden.

Magnus tries his best to close in on the camp, but a nearly seemingly featureless tundra doesn't offer much in the way of concealment aside from the wind, which is reduced in power from what it had before.

Frath, on the other hand, has made herself nearly impossible to see. Then again, she's more willing to dive into the snow - it doesn't bother her at all.

Three of the jotan casually walk out of their camp and approach Magnus directly, two of them with axes and shields drawn and one with a net made of of some kind of strange material and several coils of rope made of the same. He's the one that is speaking. "So, little one. Had enough of the cold?"

One of the other giants speaks to the one with the ropes. "Grod dorin na. Reti extorma, ya?"

They get a good laugh out of that. "He says, start groveling, or we drive you back into the cold again."

I smirk and then draw my zweihander when I notice that the Jotun have noticed me. That is ample warning of my intentions for the Jotun.

When I get into range, I charge the one carrying the net. I roll to the side when he invariably throws the net at me. I come out of the roll near him, leaping up and slashing him from below with Mountain Hammer from this odd angle.
Killing him instantly. With which I follow up with a downward slash on the next Jotun.

OOC:
Magnus rolled 12 using 1d10+8, rerolling max with rolls of 4.  Initiative.

Full power attack for the attacks in this round.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:10, Mon 25 Dec 2017.

Magnus draws blood with a shallow blow to his foe's chest (9 damage), barely missing the heart only by the marginal strength of the armor. The other two strike, not particularly caring that the slaver wants Magnus alive, and get almost effortlessly parried for their trouble. The slaver casts his net in a panic, missing completely due to surprising agility on Magnus's part.

One of them has a wide but shallow cut to his arm as a result of Magnus's return strikes (5 damage), but the second of them parries the incoming counterstrike by a near hair. The slaver is seriously rethinking his decision to melee this strange human, and instead shouts something:

"REGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS!"

A horn blows behind him in response.

Frath, oddly enough, is not visible.

My blade begins to blur as I swing it. A blood red wind that brings death. First, I Swing overhead and hammer the uninjured one into the ground. I run up him and then leap back to the other two, A wide swing goes through the slaver's head and continues to the other jotun. Slashing through him and then followed with a stab through him.

The initial jotun is pounded into the ground like a stake, his armor catching the brunt of the impact but failing to protect him from the punishment of that attack (4 damage). The slaver takes a savage gash to the head, just barely keeping his footing in the wake of Magnus's mighty blow. The follow though, as a result, isn't the stab Magnus intended but a quick slash, bisecting the slaver jotun and insuring he will not be taking anyone prisoner again.

The other one takes a lightning fast stab to the chest that checks his movements and draws a shallow amount of blood, and Magnus performs an instinctive follow through against his now unbalanced foe and lops off one of the jotun's right arm, sending the axe flying away with his arm in a crimson arc (0 hp remaining, missing arm, 4 critical damage).

The jotan, infuriated, pulls his way out from the ground, but decided to leave his one-armed ally to distract Magnus for him. "Yatawa! YATAWA DA!"

The one-armed giant replies immediately. "NEIN!"

A barrage of polished stones pummel the area around Magnus, several only missing because of instinctive dodges, but one is rather accurate (07:38, Today: Mentat rolled 31 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,(10+3)13,8,5,1,9.  Jotan rock.). The other two smash into the jotun he is fighting, killing him instantly.

Magnus's tactical situation: he has one fleeing foe, but he's retreating in good order, facing Magnus. There are six jotun that have already shown up, and they are drawing a second volley of stones from in front of the snow buildings they are in front of, with one holding a horn on a high point. That one blares his horn again, this time in two quick blasts.

Magnus dodges towards the foe that is fleeing. Being narrowly missed by the polished stone falling behind him. He then Breaks out into a run. Then the snow explodes from below him as he leaps to the Jotun. Coming down like a meteor in a great overhead slash with the added momentum from gravity.

OOC:

20:01, Today: Magnus rolled 27 using 9d10, keeping the 4 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,2,3,7,5,7,2,5,4.  Dodge the rock.

Static Defense is 26 + half of Dodge result (27/2=13.5 round down)= 39 Static Defense

I'm charging the fleeing Jotun.
Minimun Charge distance is 4 meters. Maximum is 26 meters.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:27, Tue 09 Jan 2018.

The fleeing Jotan is cut down hard, falling to the snow as the blade bisects his heart from the collarbone.

At this point, an inhuman roar is heard from the skies, and all of the Jotan stop their barrage, and promptly run. The air turns a strange color of bruised purple, and Magnus can feel the presence landing behind him. "Paladin of Pelor. What brings you to the land of the Jotan?"

The speaker is a smooth voiced horned demon with massive bat-like wings. The whole of the twelve foot tall monster is sculpted from ice that is obscenely alive. It casually wields an axe in its left hand, and its blank eyes stare down at Magnus, as it sizes him up. "Look at them withdraw. Not out of fear, but tactics, an understanding that I am not here for them, despite the call of their priest."

I smile up to the Demon of Violence before me. My zweihander held before me in a casual stance.

"Greetings Demon.
I'm on Vacation. I hear it is lovely here this time of year.
But enough joking around.
I need the life of the Jotun leader here for my own reasons.
I suppose that you are here for me?"

"The Jotun leader?" The monstrosity sneers at you. "Which one? The dead priest? All of these meat beings look alike to me, and half of them think they lead something. Fools. The only real Jotun leader is Thyrm, the true god of this world."

He raises a clawed hand, and bellows, a screeching roar that almost compels violence towards anyone and anything just to make it stop RIGHT NOW. The fleeing enemy stops fleeing, and you hear the sounds of human and jotan roaring, both sides yelling oaths of death to each other. "Pathetic, aren't they? The humans will die at the hands of the strong, as it should be. The Jotan will themselves then die for being weak at one of our hands, as they should do."

Its face splits into a shining maw, what seems to be an attempt to grin. "You aren't leaving, though, until I've fought you. And I will be your death, warrior."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:01, Mon 19 Nov 2018.

My eyes narrow at the Demon and what he caused the Humans and Jotun to do.

"I doubt that Demon. You deserve to die and I will be the Executioner."

My grip Immediately shifts to a spear like girp on the red zweihander. I  charge forward, plumes of snow spray out behind me as I push at the limits physics will allow. I'll thrust my sword into the first target that presents itself on the demon's body.

OOC: I assume that you need a new Initiative.

12:32, Today: Magnus rolled 13 using 1d10+8 with rolls of 5.  Initiative.

I assume that I am at least 4 meters away. If not I will shift up to him and then do a standard attack.

I will be Power Attacking for 5. I get +1k0 to hit from the charge and +1k0 to hit because my hatred for Demons applies. 12k5 base - 5k0 + 1k0 + 1k0 + stunt = 9k5 + stunt.

This message was last edited by the GM at 20:43, Fri 16 Nov 2018.

Magnus's blade strikes true, and the demon shudders under the weight of the blow. It then clutches his blade in its hand, while it is still in its chest, and gives a point-blank icy grin. The injury actually closes around the blade, as it winds up a bladed forearm, slashing at him with both forearms in a pair of vicious strikes. "Useless, useless, useless, USELESS!"

09:06, Today: Mentat rolled 39 using 8d10, keeping the 4 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+7)17,6,7,4,4,5,8,7.  First of two attacks.
09:07, Today: Mentat rolled 37 using 8d10, keeping the 4 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+8)18,4,5,7,5,4,5,7.  Second of two attacks.


"Where will you banish me, warrior?! We are already here! Slay me, and I will return as two - such is my legend!"

The rest of the world seems to lose importance in the immediate nature of the fight in front of Magnus.

I throw myself to the side, rolling under the first horizontal strike from the demon and kick up snow as I roll about 4 meters from the Demon. Standing up at the end of the roll.


I am annoyed. Annoyed at the Demon bullshit that no selled my attack. Annoyed at it stealing my sword. Annoyed with this world For having magic be so Slow.

But a small part of me is enjoying the puzzle this presents.

First I'll keep my distance and analyze what I am seeing. This one's gloating is next to useless. Is it healing from the cold? Or is it something more conceptual?

In the meantime,  I'm going to try commanding my sword to to light on fire.
It's done it before when there has been an excessive amount of essence around me from entering a world. Also that seems like a thing that Magic items should be able to do here.
I will send some of my Essence to the sword to fuel the fire.

"Awaken My Blade, for there is worthy foes around.
Awaken My Blade, Burn with the Energy of your Creation"


OOC:
Dodge using the Reaction from Step Aside

10:23, Today: Magnus rolled 44 using 9d10, keeping the 4 highest rolls, rerolling max, rerolling ones of 18, 9, 9 & 8 ((7,(10+8)18,2,3,5,9,5,8,9)).

My Static Defense is 26 + 44/2 = 48
Evasion triggers and I move 4 meters. Out of range for his next attack.

What should I roll to analyze what I am seeing?
Int + Arcana or Int + Forbidden Lore?

What should I roll to command my Sword.

"YES, INDEED!" The weapon is enthusiastic over being invoked, and this world of loose rules makes it a bit more willing to come forward. Magnus notices that the demon is gaining power from the pain and havoc around it - conflict gives it power, and it has rendered itself difficult to defeat while the combat goes on around it.

The weapon blazing in its chest causes it pain. It is not empowered by this, but it is not badly hurt by it either. "MAGIC?!"

The ice demon is actually itself enraged by this. "You dare have another fight your battle for you? An automaton with no true soul of its own?"

It pulls the sword out of its chest with great effort, and fails to hurl it at Magnus, instead just managing to drop the blade to its feet as the weapon spun uncooperatively in the demon's hand, ruining its worth as a thrown weapon. The demon belches a wave of frost at it from its maw, freezing the weapon to the earth. Its voice drips utter contempt. "Any more tricks?"

I'll take my standard Martial Art stance and send more Essence to my sword so it can melt itself out.

I let the Mark of Pelor shine to hopefully heat up the area and help my sword melt itself out.

"That is rich, coming from one that uses their power to make conflict and then heal nearly instantly from the conflict they Produce. Clever by the way."

I need to isolate us so that the Demon doesn't get that massive boost from the conflict around us.

I will look at the area with mage sight to try to find any weak points or mystically significant points that I can use to cut the area off from outside conflict.

Magnus's mind drifts itself to the now unguarded portal to the "real" world. While it will not kill the demon, it will remove its source of power...or perhaps turn the demon into an asset if it follows behind him - reducing the fortress he is aiming for to utter chaos.

"I am fighting you, not my weapon." He charges Magnus, aiming to smash him with one overwhelming blow. "As for my powers, I was made with them. My power doesn't come from anything beyond what I am!"

OOC: Just a single 18 to the hit...although that swing is going to cause damage, and it is making the air scream.

I will dive between the Demon's legs and roll acrobatically to my sword. Pick it up or rip it out of the ice. And then start running to the portal.

"It's not fear..." The ice demon seemed almost intrigued, and then chuckled. "Fool. I know your plan already. I am war incarnate."

He followed, but wasn't closing. He seemed content, actually, to let Magnus move ahead of him. He was actually becoming a bit more substantial as he followed. "Your plan gives me power. Your resistance gives me power. The rage of these fools here - GIVES ME POWER! You cannot win, half-paladin!"

With that said, the portal was just ahead and with no guards posted on this side. Magnus plummeted through, almost pulled, and felt a comparative shock of warmth at his face, despite what would otherwise be considered an intolerable cold. Before him were two surprised and amused Jotan guards. They started to apparently crack a joke between themselves before tensing up and grabbing their spears more tightly.

The portal behind Magnus was radiating clear, very clear demonic energy. There was no question what was coming through, and although it would be mortal, its form was going to change.

I briefly consider stabbing the gate with my knife to destroy it before the demon comes through. But that would sacrifice all the Jotun and Humans within a few miles. I quickly determine that the cost is unacceptable.

I turn and watch as the demon goes through the gate. Picking apart how he is putting his body together with my mage sight to find something that I can use against him.

The original form appears in a flicker as a cold shadow, before the muscle and blood form first out of thin air, molding themselves into a vicious serpentine form, and then another, and then another, laughing as they do so.

The first head inhales deeply, and you see the flames along the edge of your blade nearly dying out as it does so. The heat is literally being pulled in, and even the two Jotan originally inclined to mock Magnus have decided to turn around and run. The scales of this many-headed serpent, a hydra, are a deep blue, and its eyes are liquid solid pools of obsidian.

"I have been gifted with a truly powerful form! This world truly wishes for you to die, mortal!"

On the plus side, the hallway away from this beast is cleared up. Shouting and rage start echoing down the halls, and the hydra being rooting itself into the ground and walls, as more heads begin growing out of them like bloody flowers.

I'll cause my mark to shine as brightly as I can to help counteract the heat loss caused by the Demon Hydra.

It is obviously based on cold. Perhaps it is weak to fire like the classical Hydra. Lets cut off a head or two and then sear the stump just like a classical Hydra.


I charge forward, leaping into the air then coming down like a meteor where the heads attach to the trunk.. going through several of them and then cracking the ground with the force of my landing.

OOC: I'm charging with a full power attack and a Mountain Hammer to boost damage further. I am going to assume no stunt since we can easily add stunt dice later.
12k5+5 base attack with sword + 1k0 Charge -5k0 power Attack = 8k5+5

11k3+7 base damage with sword +5k0 power Attack + 1k0 Charge + 2k0 Mountain Hammer = 19k3+7 = 11k7+7 = 10k7+7

08:44, Today: Magnus rolled 68 using 8d10, keeping the 5 highest rolls, rerolling max, rerolling ones with rolls of 2,{1}3,(10+10+10+7)37,3,2,9,(10+2)12,7.  Charge power attack Mountain Hammer roll.

It 73 because I forgot to add +5 to the roll.

08:48, Today: Magnus rolled 51 using 10d10+7, keeping the 7 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,1,(10+1)11,5,2,5,4,3,1,7.  Damage Roll.

Lets see how many heads 51 damage cuts off before I do the next part of my plan.

Three of the forming heads are severed in a stroke and a reflexive follow-up, and the blood spray from the stumps makes quite a mess, releasing a blast of steam into the area. What Magnus can see is the blood forming into tiny blades of bluish grass with a serpentine demonic head coming out from them, one that is breathing in the steam and growing. Other stains on the wall have similar plants coming from them, and the steam is clearing fast and the temperature is dropping as quickly as it rose.

The severed stumps are also beginning to regrow two heads apiece, laughing as they do, and worse, even the sword is becoming shot through with aqua roots, as the magic in the weapon is fighting for its right to have this form instead of another one. The sun sigil goes dark briefly, as a flare of light surges through Magnus, burning corruption out of his body by reflex.

"You won't get another chance, mortal. Perhaps you should grab a larger blade, and this time put some fire on it." It laughs as the heads start to grow. Its lower half is growing a network of roots, trying to link up with the smaller ones, and they are doing the same.

Meanwhile, the barred door under guard behind Magnus swings open, apparently not locked. Angry shouts start to erupt down the hallway, and clearly this fortress is beginning to mobilize.

I leap to the open door and say

"Since you are rooted to that spot, I will take my leave. I came here to do other things besides fight you."

Then I turn and head through the door.
I should know where the mines are relative to my current position due to viewing the plan for the Fortress. I need to free the humans and get them out of here.

As I walk. I'll filter the remaining magical energy that I am carrying through the mark to turn it into solar aspected magic. Then I'll feed that to My Sword to help it destroy the demonic corruption.

Hopefully I can purge the corruption quickly enough while no one is looking. I might have to go vulger to keep my sword.

The remaining magical energy in the Mark is empty for now, usable only for radiating light, used up in protecting Magnus. Thankfully, he realizes this quickly.

The sword is not winning its fight for its own existence either as its light dies down, and sends out a mental surge to hurled away as fast as possible, one mingled with a slight desire to be hurled at the enemy hydra...and a quick addendum of explosively at the walls.

It has two minds, and they are both quickly becoming one. Which one it is becoming is evident from the rapid growth of the roots on the weapon.

I think farewell to the sword as I move south. Scanning the ceiling quickly with Destruction to note a weak point.

"Return to the fires of your creation and Become Your own Funeral Prye. Dig your own Grave so that none will disturb it. Stop the Demon with your Sacrifice!"

I will hurl the Sword at the Weak point I detected. Destroying the magic holding the sword together as it flies. Making it an Unstable mass of magic with only my final command to guild it.

The sword detonates with relish, the will of the blade realized and the will of the demon subverted, and the ceiling collapses along a particular fault line barely detectable to the naked eye. The hydra's rage on the other side is palpable, and Magnus felt the ground shudder. He has delayed it, not stopped it.

Still, that might be enough to achieve a goal, and a minor victory is still a victory. Magnus's fists will have to carry him through the rest.

He feels a glimmer of a familiar presence as these foreign thoughts enter and exit his mind, and then it fades just as fast.

Huh? What was that Familiar Presence I felt?  The Sword's Spirit? Pelor? Something Else? ... have to go now. Get everyone out before the demon gets through that. After I get them out. I can come back for the Jarl

I will head south to the mines. Checking the miner's quarters on the way to make sure I don't miss anyone.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:36, Fri 01 Feb 2019.

Here there are a trio of those large greenskins from earlier, although in the moment of your arrival they seem more interested in trying to herd the slaves back into large cages. "Alright you gits! Playtime in the mines is over. Back to the chains, and wait 'till big boss says you can play again."

One of the greenskin punches a slave to force them into the chains. The lead one yells at him. "'Ey! Zog dat, big boss says punchin' 'em don't make 'em 'arder, an' if we break 'em we buy 'em."

The second one objects, not securing the slave in the chains before arguing. "So what does make 'dis gits 'arder? Dey soft 'umies no matter how many days 'dey play in da mines!"

The third one notices Magnus. "'Oy! We got a free 'umie, glowin' like, an' I 'tink 'e wonts to play 'wid us!"

All three of them draw axes and shield with incredible speed. "Iz he fightin'?"

OOC: Roll initiative.

The slave, for his part, seems to tear his own clothes to get something, and begins picking at the chain to free the rest.

OOC:
07:59, Today: Magnus rolled 15 using 1d10+8 with rolls of 7.  Initiative .

These orcs remind me of the Orks from Warhammer 40 that I played so long ago. I got a basic Idea of how their Kultur works, therefore I  know how to manipulate them into just focusing on me and Ignoring the slaves completely.

I bellow out a taunt and a challenge. Using my best Ork/Cockney accent.
"I'z da Biggest an' da Strongest. An' I was made for fight'n' an' winn'n. Kome at me ya gits."


With that I charge. Going Directly to the nearest Ork. At the last instant I leap and perform a perfect flying side kick. Applying the full force of my charge combined with the force of my leg kicking out to become a devastating strike on the ork.

OOC:
On my turn I will charge the nearest ork. I'm using Mountain Hammer and a full Power Attack.

My attack doees Explosive damage and has a Pen of 4.

Unarmed Attack Roll: 12k6+5 Base - 5k0 Power Attack + 1k0 Charge Bonus = 8k6+5

Unarmed Attack Damage: 9k3+7 Base + 5k0 Power Attack + 1k0 Charge Bonus + 2k0 Mountain Hammer = 17k3+7 = 10k6+7

10:13, Today: Magnus rolled 54 using 8d10+5, keeping the 6 highest rolls, rerolling max, rerolling ones with rolls of 6,8,5,8,3,(10+6)16,6,3.  Unarmed attack roll.

10:15, Today: Magnus rolled 49 using 10d10+7, keeping the 6 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,5,3,5,9,2,8,6,1,6.  Unarmed Damage roll.

10:23, Today: Magnus rolled 9 using 1d10 with rolls of 9.  Where did Magnus hit?

I think that is the right arm.

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:25, Fri 01 Mar 2019.

The orks take Magnus up on that challenge. They do not live to regret the mistake.

OOC: Been noticing something - the rank and file cannot meaningfully harm you, no matter what configurations I use. I'm speeding this up a bit until I find something I think might do that.

The slave finally picks the lock when the last of the mercenaries perish, and the other slaves begin celebrating, cheering loudly. He speaks as he takes the guards' keys. "I don't know what I did right for the gods to send you. There is a way out at the end of the tunnel. I suggest you come with us, stranger. There is a fearsome dragon that lairs in the courtyard, and their dark warchief is certainly above the rest."

"I am going to have to decline that offer. I am looking for that Jotun Warlord. Anyway I need your help. I want to free all the slaves in here. But I am under a strict time limit because there is a Demon Ice Hydra that feeds on Violence that way."

I gesture in the direction the demon is in.


"Do not fight it. It will just infect and kill you.

I need you to free everyone and escape. I will distract the jotun, orks and the Dragon.

Do you know if there is other orks guarding the other slaves?"


I'll keep an eye out for more enemies.

"Not that I've seen. They don't need many down here, and they don't like keeping a lot of the hired help here. They get bored easily, and take it out on us." He glanced at the dead bodies. "They won't have that problem anymore."

"Come on, ladies and lads! It will take a couple of days, but I think our masters are going to have bigger problems than us! To the mines! Victor and I know the way out!" He waved, and the slaves followed without question, with only a few looking back apprehensively. A few took the mercenaries' weapons. "Good luck, you maniac! You are going to need it fighting that dragon!"

And with that, soon it was just Magnus and the empty cells. It was quiet for now.

"Good luck. Try to recover the cloths that you can. It is cold out there..."

I think a moment and take the bear skin coat off my back and give it to them.

Here. share this amongst yourselves as best you can. You might also want to take the Ork's armor and cloths they might help out there."


After they leave I consider where the best place to go to next is.

Then I head for the main entrance to the fortress. So I can see if the Warlord is outside with the Dragon.

Magnus had a split second to realize he was in danger as the world split open behind him and a massive blade as large as Magnus himself scythed itself from the darkness, swinging in a deadly arc at head level.

21:35, Today: Mentat rolled 65 using 10d10+5, rerolling max with rolls of 9,1,9,9,5,3,3,4,5,(10+2)12.  Iaijutsu strike from incoming teleporting Jotun, head shot.
21:46, Today: Mentat rolled 32 using 9d8+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4,4,6,5,1,4,3,2.  Potential damage.

"Die." The Jotun chieftain emerged as the shadows disappeared, proud, cold and in full battle regalia. His shield at the ready and his massive blade already preparing to swing again. His eyes were black as pitch as he took Magnus's measure, with no visible whites or iris.

Deeper in, the cavern rumbled as the demonic tree stirred once more to life, and began to grow faster, feeding off the conflict of the mighty.

I sense the incoming magic that alerts me to the danger and hear the blade cutting the air. I immediately shift into a low stance and bring my arm up to protect my head and redirect the Giant's Blade over my head by pushing up on the flat of the blade. The blade shrapes along my arm. Not finding purchase in my unnaturally resilient flesh.

OOC: I would rate that as a one dice stunt. I am going aheadand rolling.
Since It is likely the parry won't matter.

08:05, Today: Magnus rolled 35 using 10d10, keeping the 5 highest rolls, rerolling max of 8, 7, 7, 7 & 6 ((7,8,3,6,2,4,7,7,1,1)).

And it doesn't matter because that isn't high enough
Damage Calculations

Hoarfrost Grand Daiklave 32-(9-2)=25
23/7=3 wounds
Take 1 fatigue from this.


I step in close, going under the sword arm of the Jotun Chief and striking him in the abdominals with a right hook as I get into position then follow through with an elbow thrust into his side. Using the technique of Mountain Hammer on the elbow strike.

OOC:I wouldn't count that as a stunt.

I am doing a multiattack. But only two attacks to get a feel for what he can do.
12k6 base attack -1k0 fatige=11k6
If I do get a stunt dice ot will let me keep one more dice

09:16, Today: Magnus rolled 33 using 10d10+5, keeping the 6 highest rolls, rerolling max of 8, 6, 4, 4, 3 & 3 ((4,6,3,1,2,8,4,3,1,1)).

Wow. That is a lot of ones and a low roll.
Does my brawl Specialties apply to this roll?

09:29, Today: Magnus rolled 17 using 3d10, rerolling max with rolls of 8,6,3.  Reroll for hook in case Specialty applies.
(8,8,6,6,4,4)+5=41 if his Specialty applies.

Anyway. Mountain Hammer Elbow Thrust.
09:19, Today: Magnus rolled 72 using 10d10+5, keeping the 6 highest rolls, rerolling max of 28, 14, 8, 8, 6 & 3 ((6,8,1,1,(10+4)14,8,(10+10+8)28,2,1,3)).

...

Anyway I'll go ahead and roll damage incase the first one hits.

09:23, Today: Magnus rolled 39 using 9d10+7, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3,5,9,7,(10+6)16,4,5,6.  Magnus Multiattack hook damage .


09:24, Today: Magnus rolled 56 using 10d10+7, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(10+2)12,8,6,8,(10+10+9)29,8,8,7,5.  Mountain Hammer Elbow Strike .

...

Anyway.  This deals explosive damage and has a pen of 4

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:34, Thu 12 Dec 2019.

OOC: Let's hop to another thread for a moment. To "How I Learned to Stop Worrying And Love the Botch".