Freeze Day, Disorder Week, Sea Season, 1616

[BackworldTraveller]

Yelm's second most holy day was graced by a brief showing of his face - before the golden orb climbed into the dull grey of a rain-squall that appeared to have sylphs dancing about it's edges and brought a persistent drizzle that made the steading of Rockwater slick and dirty.

The purpose of being up so early was, of course, to bid a formal fare-well to your Sister and her new Husband as their small convoy loaded the various beasts of burden with their belongings and marriage gifts. The captain's gift - and elegant cow - said farewell to the small square by depositing a filthy slurry from its rear end: which caught the groom's father by surprise and required a delay while he changed.

Eventually, cups of wine were passed round and drunk and the party made their way out and along the west street - the hamlet's grandest route - and only flat one.

With that party departed, the Captain called the men of the village to his hall (those that were to accompany him anyway) and gathering them together also mounted, loaded or led their train and set off through the terraces and across the lower field towards Illynome - a day's trek in good weather.

As they depart, the lady that is your Mother speaks up: Are you two regretting saying you'll mount guard here while they answer the summons? It's not like they are going off to adventure. But we have to answer the call even if it is only to provide an impressive guard for the Hall and Village while the Lunar Governor passes through with his escort - If they didn't go there'd be nothing moveable left despite their being on a friendly visit.

She looks at the soggy square

The two youngsters are inside and have tried hard with their gear. Say something nice when you inspect it - but don't let them get away with anything that isn't right. And whatever's happening, dinner will be served when the shadow from the stellae reaches the Plough-Shed.

Seeing a young girl sneaking round the edge of the square she shouts And don't think I haven't seen you - we need all the rooms tidied and the flags and linens ready for the Waterday Wash - and the rushes swept up - get to it!

She smiles at her two Sons. You two probably need something warming and guaranteed to cure the hammering in your heads. Come on in - dry off and you can make up stories of how dangerous it is guarding rabbits and hunting caravans - or was it the other way round?

[BackworldTraveller]

Entering the Hall, the two young volunteers are visible, standing near the hearth trying to keep warm while looking ready for anything. As you fear, they are Jararm: The newly adult son of the Captain, and Eda: a rash but ferocious daughter of the Steading's carpenter. Jaram appears to still be filling out, but Eda is definitely fully grown and taller than Jaram by a small margin!

Both have Militia Spears and Shields - Jaram's being of fine quality (Wicker and leather shield with painted decoration) and supplemented by a sword and a metal helm while Eda sports a double-headed axe as her spare weapon and a shield that might make a good table-top.

At the back of the dias, the housemaid is pottering about with a broom.

My father has instructed us to heed your orders until he returns states Jaram addressing himself to Bodi.

[kwll]

Waiting for Bodi to answer, Jargian looks quietly around to check if he sees anything unusual in the hall.

[BackworldTraveller]

Waiting for Bodi to answer, Jargian looks quietly around to check if he sees anything unusual in the hall.

The Hall is dim and quiet. After the Sacred Time celebrations and feasting the space seems empty. The shutters have been closed to keep the rain out and the heat in and the detritus that was scattered about has been neatly swept into small heaps by the housemaid. The Murals on the wall no longer seem as bright as when the Heroic Tales of the Godstime were being recited. But at least the visiting singer has left with the Captain - how he didn't get kicked out into the rain for his off-key screeching is anyone's guess!

A perception roll would be good as you are seeking the out-of-place.

[kwll]

[BackworldTraveller]

The floor of the room is a mosaic, the pattern the five runes - air, water, earth, fire and dark

Sitting on the Water Rune is a bucket which is catching drips from the ceiling. The Fire rune is replaced by the room's hearth. The entire space is probably protected by a Blessing - the runes around the hearth have always suggested that this is the case.

As you look about - and step past the bucket, you step on an errant knuckle-bone...and as you about to knock it into one of the dust-heaps you realise it is one of those that were used during the sacred time in the casting for Omens...

[kwll]

Jargian looks closer at the bone. He says: "What is this bone doing here?" to no-one in particular.

[BackworldTraveller]

Jargian looks closer at the bone. He says: "What is this bone doing here?" to no-one in particular.

It's seeping into you and floating your soul through the year - it's what they do.
Andra the housemaid has somehow come right up behind you without your noticing
You don't want them to do that unless you want to be a Hero. Are you a Hero? Dangerous thing to be a Hero! Not sure you're going to anything but wash away and turn into a rabbit hunter. Eda there looks like a Hero. You could give it to her. Not that it chose her.
She peers at the bone
Oh dear - it like you. If you don't want it I'll swallow it - That might be best.
She holds out her left hand.

Andra's palm is inscribed with what look like dots...hundreds...but they aren't dots - each is a tiny Rune mark tattooed there. You haven't seen those before. You'd guess she did them herself.

[kwll]

"You are not making much sense, Andra. It is just a bone..." shrugs Jargian while bending to pick it up.

[BackworldTraveller]

"You are not making much sense, Andra. It is just a bone..." shrugs Jargian while bending to pick it up.

Ha ha ha ha as she walks away spinning about her broom.

[ffilz]

Waiting for Bodi to answer, Jargian looks quietly around to check if he sees anything unusual in the hall.

The Hall is dim and quiet. After the Sacred Time celebrations and feasting the space seems empty. The shutters have been closed to keep the rain out and the heat in and the detritus that was scattered about has been neatly swept into small heaps by the housemaid. The Murals on the wall no longer seem as bright as when the Heroic Tales of the Godstime were being recited. But at least the visiting singer has left with the Captain - how he didn't get kicked out into the rain for his off-key screeching is anyone's guess!

A perception roll would be good as you are seeking the out-of-place.

Perception is a roll against Spot Hidden or something else? In any case:



Nope - nothing to see here...

[ffilz]

I'm not clear what Bodi might expect to do with the militia to respond to them other than a "stand by" type order.

[BackworldTraveller]

I'm not clear what Bodi might expect to do with the militia to respond to them other than a "stand by" type order.

Well, you are the only professional still in the steading and these guys are keen to impress. Welcome to your new command!

Your Mum is an Elder and may have ideas/information/details of how things are normally done. Andra seems to be taunting/flirting with your brother - though getting a normal conversation with her is always tricky.

On the other hand, it's grey and drizzly and a warm fire, mug of beer and peace and quiet may be the order of the day. But to do that you'd need the lose the enthusiasts. You can just see it in their eyes. They want to know THE stories. (No, not the ones about traipsing after a convoy in the snow while suffering from the runs and being put-upon by a sergeant!)

[ffilz]

I'm not clear what Bodi might expect to do with the militia to respond to them other than a "stand by" type order.

Well, you are the only professional still in the steading and these guys are keen to impress. Welcome to your new command!

Your Mum is an Elder and may have ideas/information/details of how things are normally done. Andra seems to be taunting/flirting with your brother - though getting a normal conversation with her is always tricky.

On the other hand, it's grey and drizzly and a warm fire, mug of beer and peace and quiet may be the order of the day. But to do that you'd need the lose the enthusiasts. You can just see it in their eyes. They want to know THE stories. (No, not the ones about traipsing after a convoy in the snow while suffering from the runs and being put-upon by a sergeant!)

Can I set them to patrol the steading while I relax a bit? Or at least while we investigate this bone?

[BackworldTraveller]

I'm not clear what Bodi might expect to do with the militia to respond to them other than a "stand by" type order.

Well, you are the only professional still in the steading and these guys are keen to impress. Welcome to your new command!

Your Mum is an Elder and may have ideas/information/details of how things are normally done. Andra seems to be taunting/flirting with your brother - though getting a normal conversation with her is always tricky.

On the other hand, it's grey and drizzly and a warm fire, mug of beer and peace and quiet may be the order of the day. But to do that you'd need the lose the enthusiasts. You can just see it in their eyes. They want to know THE stories. (No, not the ones about traipsing after a convoy in the snow while suffering from the runs and being put-upon by a sergeant!)

Can I set them to patrol the steading while I relax a bit? Or at least while we investigate this bone?

You can.
The two youngsters take your suggestion to head outside surprisingly well. Their first, unsupervised, patrol. At mid-winter. In the rain.
That's a bit cheeky says you mother, carrying a jug of beer and three bowls. They have spent ages getting all their gear looking polished and now it will just get wet - and you didn't even look at it. Keep that up and they'll be feeling properly unappreciated in no time!
She sets the bowls down on a table and pulls up a bench.
So now your sister's married, when are you two going to settle down and provide me with children to care for?
Clearly the roles of Hunter and Mercenary are not expected to be any impediment to that duty.
Still you are only Young - but if you don't get started soon you'll not be young enough to enjoy them when they come along.
And now you remember why travelling mercenary/hunter seemed to attractive!
So what is that bone that you have found?

[kwll]

Jargian takes a quick but close look at the bone, before showing it to his mother. "I don't know. Andra thinks it has ill intentions."

[BackworldTraveller]

Jargian takes a quick but close look at the bone, before showing it to his mother. "I don't know. Andra thinks it has ill intentions."

Karran takes a look at the bone.

Andra - What have you been doing with the Lady's Bones?

Andra: Nothing - It escaped all on its own!

Karran: And have you been cursing it?

Andra: Cursing? Cursing? No - It's looking for someone. I just hope he lives. I did say I'd swallow it - but he refused.

Karran: Lives? My Son?

Andra: She's never been kind. And the day is weeping. Something's happening - Can't you see the signs? They are all around you.
And to emphasise the statement, the fire hisses and smokes and a choking cloud swirls about the room - the drip from the ceiling turns into a small waterfall for a moment.

As the mixture of steam and smoke distracts, Andra rapidly withdraws via the Podium door on silent tread and can be heard laughing in the room beyond.

Andra

[kwll]

Jargian winces while looking at his mother, not sure to completely understand the exchange. "What's all this fuss about a bone?" he asks.

[BackworldTraveller]

Jargian winces while looking at his mother, not sure to completely understand the exchange. "What's all this fuss about a bone?" he asks.

It's not "Just a bone". Its a bone used for divination. It's a bone that is seen by the gods. It's a bone owned by the lady of the Steading! It's a bone of portent.

And you picked it up!

Why?

Even the dogs didn't touch it.

Jargian isn't given time to answer the questions as the party are interrupted by Eda bursting into the steading

The river-bank's collapsed and the sacrificial bull for the Plough-Blessing Ceremony is in the river!

Jaram's gone to look and sent me to get anyone who can help

[ffilz]

We will hasten to the river to see what we can do. We will grab some rope if there is any handy.