After the moot the group head off to plan the next stage of the raid. You are joined by a number of stickpickers who seem to be very excited at the possibility of a raid even if most of them have probably never been on one. Red, surveying the large group looks both satisfied and slightly nervous “I think there’s too many of us now, for a cattle raid we want just a few of us.” He looks expectantly at Harmast as do all the various Stickpickers. Ah the burden of command.


Once the raiding party has been selected the blessing of the Gods needs to be sought. Mica knows what to do here and gathering up her flock of geese she announces that it’s time for a “proper Goose Dance” and heads purposefully for a nearby copse. Red says “err, right. Be back before midnight!”


Red says “OK we have to do the Girding of Finovan” he looks around expectantly at anyone who is here. After some nervous shuffling Harmast and Iskalla start the ritual which goes something like this:

Red takes on the role of Finovan, one of the Thunder Brothers (followers of Orlanth) and well known for his raiding skills. In turn the rest of the raiding party hands him the various tools:

• “This shirt is Breakblade, may it protect you from harm”;
• “This sword is Searing Bolt may it burn your enemies”;
• “This Horse is Rolling Thunder may it carry you far from harm”;
And so on. Some specific items:
• A vow by the leader to bring back the prize (apparently some prize ram Rad has previously seen;
• A bag of wind into which all the members of the raiding party have breathed (apart from Mica and maybe Ulf – which knows if the Gods will be unimpressed by this?);
• The Cheers of the warband – somewhat ragged given there are what, 3/4 present?
• And a sacrifice, traditionally a black bull but as that’s expensive a black chicken that Red claims he stole from the Orlmarth which should bring good luck.

Normally there’d be a roll here but as it would be made by Red we’ll just go with it: everyone present gains a +3 lingering benefit from impressing the Gods which can be applied throughout the raid.

Meanwhile off in the woods a great cacophony of honking, screeching song and what might be drumming takes place. Anyone attending can gain a charm of “herd the beasts 13” by spending a hero point (Mica can take as a breakout from Earth Witch.

Let me know what you want.

In reply to dashing (msg # 1):

So do they actually have a mail shirt to do the girding with, or are they simply making it up as they go along?

They are using Harmast's sheepskin coat.

Surprisingly part way through the Girding ceremony Mica shows up with Angara Danovan a weaponthane of the clan who is carrying a mail shirt over his shoulder.

Eyeing the group and then cocking an eyebrow at the sheepskin coat currently draped over Red he steps forward and recites “This shirt is Breakblade, let it turn away all the blows of your enemies”. He drapes the shirt over Red knocking the sheepskin coat out of the way. He then stands back and indicates that the rest of the ceremony should take place. It then appears clear that he intends to come on the raid!

I do think it is important that we focus on the key members of the raiding party-  can the stick pickers form a boundary on our lands to help us home and to ensure we are not followed when we return?

Now that is good thinking.

In reply to Harmast Gordangarson (msg # 5):

When are we planning to go this raid?

In reply to dashing (msg # 1):

Ulf will definitely have gone with Mica because he's used to her disdain and just ignores it, plus the goose dance is always strangely hypnotic. I'll spend a hero point to gain the charm. I also probably trailed after Mica when she fetched Angara but would've been completely un-noticed by all, as usual!

In about 6 hours time - always good to make a dawn raid.