[OOC] General OOC

[Darkling]

Ah, the fact that Kjersti is unusual, shy and yet very powerful would definitely draw Savriel to her in a hurry. Which means it might've been Savriel that convinced the vikings they needed a duo of awesome ladies as their support and back-up! Savriel herself is averse to combat in the essence that she doesn't want to die very much (would rather talk her way out of a fight if she can), but she's trained and familiarized herself over the years with some martial practices, and knows that getting involved with the vikings would put her at risk of such things. She might consider Kjersti both a close friend, and incredibly useful at keeping her safe, from enemies and from the vikings should they ever turn on her (she plans ahead when she's not distracted with shinies). In addition, there's something very compelling to her about the paladin's story, and I think she'd be very happy to be able to record Kjersti's tale. A female skald (self-proclaimed!) chronicling the tales of a female warrior, that's pretty appealing to her, though she might stray to embellish the story at times. =p

We can work on the shared background here, in PMs, or in Skype if you wish. Whatever floats your boat!

[GLM]

Working on the sheet, should make some good progress tonight.

As for Fionnlagh, this is a bit tricky. He's an outcast in just about every possible way; a former slave, a celt, and a known magic-user. He's also got a bit of a chip on his shoulder about these things. He's really looking to do this for money or access to someone who can get him back to his home in the long run.

So, he'd likely be hired by someone in the group who can overlook his sorcery or at least find it useful. Edit- or of course, someone took pity on him.

[Darkling]

Hm, maybe Savriel got herself and Kjersti into a group with the two viking lads, then ended up taking an interest in the dude she's heard (via knowledge: local!) can shoot lightning from his hands! As an outcast in several forms, she'd definitely still feel affinity for other like-minded pariahs, and one who's better with magic than she is would be pretty interesting to her. She'd be willing to vouch for him to join the team, maybe he's a more recent hire, in order to look into some ruins (or anything vaguely magical/spooky in nature), and she assumed a magic-guy would know a lot about that!

Whether or not he actually does is another story, but the others don't have to know about that, and I think Sav'd find a lightning thrower much more useful on her side than not and would be willing to lie a bit to make it happen.

Savriel's got a kind of 'glue-y' personality once she's befriended someone properly and lowered her own defenses, once she's assessed their worth, so she seems like a good candidate to help at least get the group formed and help it stick together! Once she's made a friend, a proper friend and ally, she fights like hell to keep them. Not an effort on my behalf to make her more important, mind you, she's certainly not got much leader-like qualities to her, she'd likely look to the vikings (as the 'heroes' of this particular tale) as the ones picking the goal and the destination. She'd just do her best to make sure everyone got there in one piece, and a little richer, with any luck.

[Jeigh]

As a note, I'm not sure that Kjersti and Savriel have as much to fear from the vikings as you might be assuming. From what I've read about Sven and from what I know about Orjan, I think you'll find them less than your typical viking. I'm sure Numen can tell us more about Sven.

My character, Orjan, would have made it plain at one time or another that he is bound to his Jarl by a powerful oath. Due to this oath, Orjan is also slightly outside of viking society, as many members of the community view his actions purely based upon the fact that he has no choice but to fulfill his oath and so none of his actions are attributed to himself. Additionally, Orjan's tactics and methods are going to be anything but "CHARGE!" He's a thoughtful, cunning warrior and probably appreciates the caution/trepidation of Kjersti, regardless of its source.
He's also a bit of a protector, so I imagine that, with little to do with his own family, he views the people he works with directly as his "family." While Sven may not need protecting, Orjan likely views both the women and the gooey spell-weaver as objects of his protection.

I feel like it should be clear that this group, including the two viking characters, is not normal for viking society and I daresay they may be misfits.

A magic user, a female skald, and a fledgling war-maid may find acceptance where they are willing to accept as the faults of the others. Perhaps this can be a stepping stone between players as well?

I also think magic and religion could still be major sources of discussion and possibly conflict between characters to explore.

[Darkling]

From those two in particular? Maybe not. But Savriel has had her fair share of prejudice and she treads warily, so I'm sure she'd expect some negativity in some forms, even if they are subtler. I agree on the outcasts among vikings angle, it'd make Savriel far more willing to try and broker a partnership and later a friendship, but she's still the type to to be careful until she knows she can trust someone. And regardless of how much she trusts them, Savriel usually prepares for the worst (like leaving the inn in flames and escaping on horseback 'the worst' kinda situations), and knowing Kjersti would have her back would account for a lot.

As for the protection angle, Savriel would be perfectly happy with being protected, though she might protest on Kjersti's behalf. All the same, I imagine she'd be rather defensive (verbally) for Kjersti against other forms of naysayers, and would definitely do her best to ease the lady's concerns regarding men. Mostly by affirming and reminding Kjersti of her own skills, of course!

And the magic/religion topic could get interesting, as Savriel's viewpoints are a little strange, and the goddess she follows is perhaps a bit unrelateable!

[Digorig]

WOW... You guys ROCK. This is EXACTLY what I had hoped for in this game. The players working together in a way many games do not see at all! I could not be happier!

FYI, I do have a LONGER and SHORTER version of this Sandbox-with-a-goal game. The one we use depends on the group. It is starting out VERY WELL!!

I feel I made the right selection for players!

If ANY 2,3,4 PC's want a Private thread, just let me know!

DiG

[GLM]

Originally Posted by Darkling

Hm, maybe Savriel got herself and Kjersti into a group with the two viking lads, then ended up taking an interest in the dude she's heard (via knowledge: local!) can shoot lightning from his hands! As an outcast in several forms, she'd definitely still feel affinity for other like-minded pariahs, and one who's better with magic than she is would be pretty interesting to her. She'd be willing to vouch for him to join the team, maybe he's a more recent hire, in order to look into some ruins (or anything vaguely magical/spooky in nature), and she assumed a magic-guy would know a lot about that!

Whether or not he actually does is another story, but the others don't have to know about that, and I think Sav'd find a lightning thrower much more useful on her side than not and would be willing to lie a bit to make it happen...

This could work. I like the recent hire/partnership idea, and the idea of him looking for you while you look for him.

He has a reputation up north, though it's been a couple of years since he's been there. Still, it could be the type of thing people still talk about for a while, and Sav would pick up on; the time the village chased the red-haired lightning thrower who signed on to work the fields out of town.

He'd be willing to work for payment or a share, that's still going to pay more than he makes now. He headed north (with some trepidation) from the only place he's been comfortable so far, as he heard rumors of a viking or two looking for recruits. Eventually, we'd find each other. Asking him if he knows something will be met with a straightforward "Of course!" (Bluff!) if he thinks working with you hangs in the balance.

[mountainbound]

Sounds like Savriel is the glue that connects this group. Good to have someone in this role.

Reading through the character backgrounds, it's looking like there's plenty of opportunity to RP their development. It's ok if some of the party doesn't react well to Kjersti. She probably won't react well to Fionnlagh, since she shares her society's distrust for magic (her magic is more of a miracle to her, and she views it as Fjorgyn answering a prayer, rather than herself casting a spell).

I'd be glad to jump into a micro-game with one or two other characters to work out initial bonds and personality quirks.

[Numen Wraith]

At the risk of running over that connection, the fast healing bit caught my eye.

Sven (my character) starts the story having just coalesced from being brutalised heavily enough to have temporary amnesia. If you're a healer, there seems to be a simple connection there. Perhaps something along the lines of Savriel saw Kjersti heal Sven and insisted that Sven owes Kjersti for it. Sven isn't the most honourable of men, and wouldn't like the arrangement, but if he's organising his first band under his own name, his resources would be limited, and he'd probably take anyone that was willing to associate with him for cheap.

[Jeigh]

Orjan would likely be pressuring Sven to honor any agreement that he's come to with Kjersti, being that he himself is very strict about his own oath.

I'm kind of imagining that the group at this point knows each other, but they are not yet cohesive. Some of the characters in the group might even be grudging acquaintances for others. It sounds like Sven is going to be rather isolated at the beginning, though he'll have Orjan to rely on when he needs a real viking to mingle with. I'm imagining Orjan himself as keeping close to the group, but not having been able to successfully mingle in the with non-vikings yet. He feels some reservations about Fjorgyn and the source of his powers and he'd probably feel as if Savriel is a little unpredictable at this point. Her extravertedness would seem oddly placed on the high seas or the open roads to him and would likely throw him off for quite some time.

As for Orjan's protective streak, he'd likely be doing that whether or not the others wanted him to. It's in his nature to be fiercely protective of those things he values and companions tend to top that chart. Although the others might find him cold or obtrusive at first, in time they may be able to recognize that he is only doing what he thinks is best for the group.

[mountainbound]

Originally Posted by Numen Wraith

If you're a healer, there seems to be a simple connection there. Perhaps something along the lines of Savriel saw Kjersti heal Sven and insisted that Sven owes Kjersti for it.

Awesome, I say we run with that connection and play up the begrudging yet honor-bound oath. Also liking Orjan as the oath-enforcer.

[Numen Wraith]

Just so long as she doesn't turn me into a newt.

[GLM]

If no one minds, I'd like to start up a "Campfire" game thread for RP without the constraints of an actual, linear game thread. We can settle into the characters, define inter-party relationships and all of that. Once the game starts, it's a way to react to in-game situations after the main game thread has moved on, as you sit and rest by the fire and reflect on the days' events.

[Numen Wraith]

I'm not opposed to the idea at all, but my experience has shown it to be better in theory than practice. They seem to quickly become ghost towns.

That said, if people are willing to commit to one and use it, I'm 100% for it.

[Digorig]

Originally Posted by GLM

If no one minds, I'd like to start up a "Campfire" game thread for RP without the constraints of an actual, linear game thread. We can settle into the characters, define inter-party relationships and all of that. Once the game starts, it's a way to react to in-game situations after the main game thread has moved on, as you sit and rest by the fire and reflect on the days' events.

Even if you folks only post there a few time, I think it's a good idea as well. There is room for some of that in game as we start as well.

DiG