Let the gods decide: A mini adventure for D20

[ardh05]

Wulf, feeling calmer after the talk from his brother, walks beside him. He takes the snowballs almost as impassively as Bjorn, only trying to dodge the snowballs that are aimed at his face.

[Grimbold]

Display

Trying to intimidate the onlookers, eh? Well, let's see:
Bjorn: Intimidate total rolled 15, not bad.
Wulf: Intimidate total rolled 13, ok.

The Sigurdson brothers keep calm and stern and do not react to the insults thrown at them.
The two other prisoners clearly seem frightened, but they are trying to hide it.

They are all brought to a central meeting area where many folks have gathered to witness the trial (and punishment) of the prisoners.

The Rathgar Chieftain, Ulberth, stands in the center of the attention. He is a tall man of sixty winters with grey hair. He still seems physically very fit and he is strong and tall. On his belt, he wears his famed axe Tree-Splitter and he looks at the prisoners sternly. Like everyone else, he is dressed in animal hides but the quality show his high status.

Next to him, an even older man is standing, tall but slender, the shaman. Gwynnfrymm is almost ninety years old but he looks at the prisoners with piercing eyes full of clever wit. He is carrying his spear, Itrurin, its metal head is still sharp and has the form of an eagle.

The shaman starts a slow, monotonous singing and dances around the fire. After a while, he stomps his spear on the ground and gives the men a signal.

The Rathgar warriors pick up the Fromgard tribesmen, stand them up against some rocks and, while the shaman is chanting loudly, cut their throats. Their bodies slump to the ground.

The Sigurdsons are then thrown before the Chieftain and the old warrior speaks: "You two are no Fromgards, like those" he points to the two bloody corpses, "but say, why should we not sacrifice you to the gods as well?"

[sempai]

Bjorn smiles, finding bravery in a last act of defiance,

"perhapse your gods would not approve of you killing feirce warriors in such a cowardice way?", Bjorn sneers "let us entertain you in a trial by combat, it is our tribes way, If we loose, we die entertaining you, if we win, your entertained and still have us captive"

[ardh05]

Wulf nods to Bjorn, remaining silent while his brother attempts to save their lives, at least for the moment.

[Grimbold]

"It is my way" says Ulberth "Not to play with my prey like a cat, but to kill it and be done with it." He motions for the guards to stand the two next to the rocks. He has a cruel sneer on his face and shows no sign of mercy in his face that shows years of battle, hardship and cruelty.

[ardh05]

"Perhaps it is not your way, but wouldn't your people enjoy a bit of a show before the sacrifice? We can offer that through combat." Wulf says, finally speaking up. He remains impassive while he says this.

[sempai]

"a cat? our heritage is that of the bear, only the strongest survives" Bjorn looks around at all the others in the room and nods his head. "I'm sure everyone here agrees with your judgment'

[Grimbold]

Display

You are outside.

"I will not change my decision." Ulberth's face is hard and stern. "Kill them". He motions for the shaman to plunge the Dagger of Blood into the ground to validate his judgment. Just then, one of the warriors steps forward and holds the shaman's arm.
His deep clear voice sounds over the area and he proceeds to talk about Ulberth's rule over the tribe and focuses on his many wrong and cruel decisions and diplomatic blunders that resulted in bloodshed. He calls the prisoners "innocent trappers".

Ulberth starts yelling wildly and urges the shaman to strike the Dagger of Blood into ground to seal the prisoner's fate. The old shaman is listening intently though and does not say anything.

The men and women start to talk among themselves and soon there seem to be two groups: A group of old warriors and women want to stick to Ulberth's decision as he is the chieftain and must be respected. The second group, mostly the younger warriors want to listen to Jarle, the warrior that challenged the old chieftain.

Just before they start brawling, the shaman raises his voice: "It should not be us to decide who is right and wrong. Let the gods decide. These two" he points to the two prisoners "have already chosen their fate themselves. Let there be a contest. If they win, they shall be freed and can travel where they like. Should they lose, they will be sacrificed to the gods. Thus I have spoken."

The people gathered agree.

"The contest will begin tomorrow, when the sun rises."

Ulberth and Jarle are still standing at the fire, facing each other and staring grimly into the other's eyes, not wanting to back down.

[ardh05]

Wulf watches the proceedings with practised impassiveness. Inwardly, though, he breathes a sigh of relief as the shaman announces that there will be a contest.

[sempai]

Bjorn, remains a stone, taking in everything around him through his peripheral vision, yet he is focused on some place, something far away.

he does this to help his brother remain strong, and at the same time to show no emotion, to give any of the potential warriors a reason to think him an easy fight, hoping that they are intimidated.