You briefly consider shouting something to Svala’s back, but decide to be the more grown up person and simply turn back into Bjorn’s mansion. He re-enters the main room when he hears the door shut, and gives you a questioning look.

“Everything alright there, Haskell,” he asks, slowly and cautiously as he approaches the large, square table in the center of the room.

“Women,” you say simply as you walk up to the other side, leaning onto it’s surface as you shake your head.

“Women,” he replies in kind, nodding at you. “Anyway, you here to talk about that, or what I want out of you?”

“Here for you,” you answer gruffly. “Sick of women for the day.”

“Well,” he says, unrolling a small map onto the table. “The crones say you have... Business in Ireland to take care of.” He pauses, and continues when you give him a small nod. “They’ve twisted my arm, and that’s your next stop. Unless you don’t want to go, not like I can make you.”

“When would I leave,” you ask, eyeing the parchment drawing of Ireland and England. “And who else would be going?”

“Ships sail in two weeks,” he answers, pulling a small ledger from under the table. “Hakon is going, so is Ivarr. Those are the only two from your last raid, though. I assume your pals would be going, as well, but that’s up to them.” He flips through the pages of the book for a few moments before resuming. “This is the only fleet I’m sending to that part of the islands though, they’re usually only good for one a year. If you don’t go with this one, you’ll have to wait for next year. Not sure how Hilda and Helga will take to that.”

“I’m definitely interested,” you begin, looking up to make eye contact with Bjorn. “But I do have some questions.”

“That’s only fair,” Bjorn answers as he lowers his small book down to the table. “Go ahead.”

“What kind of resistance is normally there?”

“Normally it’s pretty light,” he starts, stroking his beard with one hand. “But there have been some grumblings about England crossing the water and taking over. If they have, and depending on how far they’ve gotten, it might end up being pretty heavy, what with English soldiers and all, rather than just house guards.”

“Are we hitting a monastery? Or are there any in the area?”

“None, unless they’ve been put up in the last year. And Christians always take longer than that to get around to doing anything,” he replies, shaking his head. “But as far as I know, there aren’t any. Your fleet will be raiding a few estates of highborn nobles, I’m hoping.”

“Any unusual beasts in the area,” you ask, your hand reflexively rubbing the nearly-healed bite wound on your shoulder.

“The crones mentioned something about a vampire,” he answers as he begins rolling up the map. “Sounds like he’s a pretty big swinging dick in the vampire community, too. I doubt he’d allow any other sentient nasties around his hunting ground. They tend not to, from what I’m told.”

“Where will we be making camp,” you ask, and Bjorn curses at himself softly as he takes the map back out.

“Somewhere in this area,” he says, circling the north-west corner of the island with his finger. “Exactly where depends on the raid master, and where the cliffs break. I’d talk to Torstien about it if you want to be more specific. You can usually find him hanging out around Bow Bjorns, and I bet most of his captains will be there with him.” He waits for you to ask another question, and continues when you’re silent. “Well, if there’s nothing else, then, I’m going to have a bit of planning to do, and a few favors to do for the Crones. So, unless you have any other questions…”

>Actually, I do have more questions
>I’m all out of questions

>Find someone (Who? Why?)
>Do something (What?)
>Go home
>It’s currently late afternoon, about 5 pm

>>1490921
Holy shit! You're alive!

>>1490993
that's what i was thinking

>>1490942
>Go home
Let's start getting the farm put together so things will be easy on dad while we are out.

>>1490993
>>1491020

Maybe you guys want to vote?

And I've been posting on the Twitter that I was coming back

>>1491029
Sorry, was reading the posts. Working cuts into my gaming time.

>>1491046
I know the feeling. Phone questing is slow anyway, take your time

>>1490942
>Find someone (Torstein; Camp location and recommendations on what to bring and expectations)

Unless a new vote comes in the next 10 minutes, we'll go talk to Torstien, since we will likely end up going home anyway.

Sound fair?

>>1491118
I'm cool with this

Okay, heading out to Bow Bjorn's to pick Torstien's brain.

Unfortunately with the death of my computer, I have lost almost all of my collected character art. I apologize

>>1490935
BY HEIMDALLS SALTY BALLS YOU'VE RETURNED TO US.

“I have a few,” you say as you glance over the map once more, “but it sounds like they’re better asked of Torstien, not you.”

“Most likely,” Big Bjorn says as he looks up at you from his small book. You wonder to yourself what something like that costs. “Come find me if you need to know anything else. You have two weeks, so try not to get yourself hurt in the meantime. Irishmen are nasty fuckers.”

You give a small wave as you leave the huge estate, closing the door behind you. Bow Bjorn likes his privacy, so his house-slash-hunting cabin is a fair distance out into the forest past town, and you want to get there before dark. You walk out at a brisk pace, and arrive at the cottage about forty five minutes later.

The home itself is small building, clearly meant for only one person, and one that likes to be alone. The area outside, however, is much more inviting. A few tanning racks dot the clearing Bjorn has made for himself, as well as roughly hewn chairs around a fire, looking particularly cozy now that the sun is thinking of setting.

You pass through a small arch that Bjorn says he’s had enchanted to keep out wolves, bears, and the like. With all the animal skulls affixed to it, you’ve always been inclined to believe him.

You see Torstien with a pair of his captains on either side of him, working on cleaning what looks and smells like a few fresh wolf pelts. The raid leader is the first to notice you.

“Haskell, my boy,” he shouts, waving you over. “Big Bjorn said he was going to talk to you about getting onto one of my ships. Is that what brings you out into the middle of nowhere?”

“It is,”, you say as you approach, getting a good look at Torstien. An older man, and one that’s clearly lived a hard life, on account of having more fingers than teeth. Which is funny, because he doesn't quite have all his fingers. “Just wondering what we can be expecting, and anything special I should bring.”

“A big fuckin’ shield,” he says without hesitation. “Those clansmen love throwing shit. Javelins, sling stones, you name it. Cowardly, but a javelin will kill you just as dead as an honest spear. As for what to expect, Bjorn says we’re going there so you can deal with a vampire. Lemme tell ya, I don't approve. Not one bit. But, I’m smarter than to go against the raid master AND the crones. Just keep that business away from camp, or I’ll have ye flogged.

He goes back to his wolf skin, but keeps an eye on you, seeing if you’ll ask any note questions.

>Ask another question (write-in)
>Leave (where?)
>Look for someone (who? Why?)
>Do something (what?)

>>1491347
>What's this about me dealing with the vampire?! No one told me the crones had a wish list

>>1491347
>What's this about me dealing with the vampire?! No one told me the crones had a wish list

Wrrrrritin'

“Seems the crones just can't help but tell everyone about private business dealings,” you say, raising a hand to the back of your head.

“They may be mystic witches,” Torstien says as he peels a strip of fat from his pelt. “But they’re also old women. It’s in the blood. They don't gossip, they might just wither away.”

“Looks like they already have,” one of the captains flanking him says. “Got more wrinkles than hair.”

“Wouldn't be very good witches if they let something silly like time kill them, would they,” the other captain says, then swears as his seax punches through the pelt.

“S’pose not,” the other says absentmindedly, continuing to clean off his wolf.

You silently wonder to yourself what one of those fetches a man, and if it would be worth hunting wolves to get.

“Will that be all,” Torstien asks as Bow Bjorn walks out of his cottage, stretching his shoulders as he does so. He gives you a nod before disappearing behind the home.

>Ask another question (write-in)
>Leave (where?)
>Look for someone (who? Why?)
>Do something (what?)

>>1491564
>Do sometging

Let's tell our friends the news while we are in town

>>1491564
>Do something (what?)

Track down friends, tell them about Ireland

>>1491564
>>Do something (what?)
>Track down friends, tell them about Ireland

Finding the gang, writing

“That should be it,” you say to the three men sitting around the crackling flame. “I should go find my friends, let them know.”

“Sounds good”, the near-toothless Torstien replies. “All four of you stay out of trouble. Don't want to miss out on a raid because you broke your leg or some damn thing.”

You give a wave in acknowledgement and turn back into the thick pine forest, now getting dark since the sun has dipped below the tops of the trees. The walk back takes you a bit longer given the harder navigation, and by the time you’re back in town, only torches on the walls of buildings light the streets.

The mead hall is usually a safe bet to find those louts, and that’s where you poke your head in first. The place is packed to the point people are standing next to the walls. You can barely hear the sound of singing over the din of conversation, but it seems that a traveling skald is the cause for the commotion.

You find Anders and Erik in a ring around the aging man, singing something about a bear and a serpent, and shoulder your way in to stand next to them.

“Got my new raid offer,” you hald-shout over the noise. “Was wondering if you guys would jump in. Where’s Knut?”

“Not sure,” Erik says, not bothering to raise his voice. “Probably, you know, his house.”

“We can go find him if you want,” Anders continues. “Or you could tell us now, and we can fill Knut in later.”

>Knut will want to hear this, and it’s loud anyway
>Knut can wait, you have two weeks before you leave
>Let’s bring Knut back here and talk about it. He’ll want to hear the skald.
>Write-in

>>1491905
>Let’s bring Knut back here and talk about it. He’ll want to hear the skald.

>>1491905
>Let’s bring Knut back here and talk about it. He’ll want to hear the skald.

Everybody is telling us we shouldn't break our leg ... I'm a little worries they're going to try to break our legs now

Dragging Knut out to the bar. Writing. Probably the last update of the night, we'll run tomorrow. Might be morning, might be evening. Keep an eye on the twitter

>>1492177

It's good to have you back Handler

“Let’s grab him and come back,” you suggest, nodding towards the door. “He may be interested in a skald, and we can't let him get away with only being In a mead hall once today.”

The three of you turn to leave, and Erik mumbles something about losing such a good spot as you fight your way through the crowd.

You exit into the fresh air, and Anders takes a deep lung full, enjoying the lack of smoke and the smell of man in the air. You walk to the trading post, purposely avoiding answering their questions about where you’re going until Knut has joined the conversation.

You find him in Olaf’s warehouse, moving bolts of cloth with his little sister, Astrid. Both seem tired.

“Knut, knock that shit off,” Anders says loudly, making Astrid jump. “Traveling skald at Haki’s, and Haskell has some news.”

“I’m kind of in the middle of something here,” Knut replies incredulously as he gestures towards a large pile of cloth yet to be moved.

“Come on,” Anders begs. “It’ll be fine. How often do we get an honest entertainer here?”

>We can't let Astrid do this on her own, Anders. Help them out, and we’ll talk about it then. We can go to the Half-Hand’s later.
>Astrid can do this on her own, right Astrid?
>It’s fine, we’ll catch you up later. See ya, Knut
>Write-in

>>1492216
Good to be back, anon

>>1492304
>We can't let Astrid do this on her own, Anders. Help them out, and we’ll talk about it then. We can go to the Half-Hand’s later.

Between 5 of us it shouldn't take long, especially since I count as an ox.

>>1492304
>>We can't let Astrid do this on her own, Anders. Help them out, and we’ll talk about it then. We can go to the Half-Hand’s later.
>Between 5 of us it shouldn't take long, especially since I count as an ox.

>>1492304
>>We can't let Astrid do this on her own, Anders. Help them out, and we’ll talk about it then. We can go to the Half-Hand’s later.

>>1492304
>>We can't let Astrid do this on her own, Anders. Help them out, and we’ll talk about it then. We can go to the Half-Hand’s later.
AWW SHIT IT'S BACK

Roll call, let's see who's around

>>1493841
YOOOOOO

>>1493841
checking in

>>1493841
I want to beat Svala

>>1493841

Here, I want to raid some shit

Alright, that's enough. Good thing, too. I was just about to call it. I'll start writing once the baby's asleep

Fucking A guys, sorry. Baby started screaming the moment we laid her down and refused to be put to bed.

Now that she's finally asleep, I have to be to work soon. Gonna hit you with an update around 7 central time.

I apologize again, but I can't promise things like this won't keep happening with a newborn

>>1494428
Don't sweat it man

>>1494428

Sounds like a baby, no worries, we'll see you then

>>1494428
No problem. I'm happy that the quest isn't dead.

>>1494428
No problem. Babies'll do what babies do. See you after work, Handler.

>>1494428
You enjoy your parental duties amigo. Well be here waiting

“Astrid weighs a hundred and twenty pounds, dickhead,” you say, giving the ever eager Anders a light one handed shove. “We’re not going to leave her move that mountain on her own. Start helping, we’ll be gone in twenty minutes.”

Anders walks towards the cloth pile grumpily, and Astrid mouths a silent ‘thank you’ before going back to work.

“Well at least tell us what your big fucking news is, then,” Anders demands as he gathers up an armful of the rolls. “Surely that[\i] doesn't have to wait until we’re back at Haki’s.”

“Fine, you crybaby,” you reply as you bucket-brigade a load to Erik. “Big Bjorn has me going to Ireland, and I was hoping the three of you would tag along.”

“Ireland?” Anders asks, nearing outrage. “What, did you have to blow Bjorn to get such a good second outing?” Knut stifles a laugh, and Astrid gasps openly at the thought.

>”I have business with the crones. They twisted his arm into sending me.”
>”Guess he just likes me.”
>”Don't ask questions you don't want answered” [wink]Write-in


Handler time runs an hour and a half late. You should know this by now

>>1495432

I FUCKING KNEW I'd fuck up the formatting from my phone. Lesson learned.

>>1495432
>>”I have business with the crones. They twisted his arm into sending me.”

>>1495432
>”Don't ask questions you don't want answered” [wink]

>"Besides, beautiful buxom lasses should be enough to get you to visit."

Don't want to risk some sort of curse or anything right now.

>>1495465
>>1495486

both of this

I will fetch some buxon lasses

>>1495486
This. Let's not mention the crones. No need to let word get around that we have folks paying us favors for no apparent reason.

>>1495486

This for sure

>>1495432
>”I have business with the crones. They twisted his arm into sending me.”

Looks like we're split over telling them about the crones, which sucks because I was hoping to give you guys an update or two this early, early morning. Oh well, can't be helped. Vote from this post, please

>Tell them about both the crones and the vampire
>Tell them about the crones, but only mention the vampire if they press
>Don't tell them about the crones
>Write-in

Haskell knows Erik is very superstitious, and Anders is afraid of Vampires even if he'd never admit it. Still, they may appreciate being told now than just having it dropped on them once in the field.

>>1496575
>Don't tell them about the crones

>>1496575
>Tell them about both the crones and the vampire

No sense in having it just come out later when we can head the issue off at the pass now

>>1496575
>Tell them about both the crones and the vampire, but not in front of Astrid, for Pete's sake.

>>1496575
>Tell them about the crones, but only mention the vampire if they press not in front of Astrid

>>1496631
Ok, you make a point. Let em know, but not with Astrid present

“Not around her,” you whisper as you nod towards Astrid. “Sensitive ears and all.”

Knut nods in understanding, and sets down the bolts he’s holding. “Astrid,” he starts, raising his voice to catch her attention. “I haven't seen Blern in a few hours. Mind finding him while we finish up in here?”

“Yeah, sure,” she replies, smiling. “Have fun, boys,” she says as she weaves her way through the stacks in the warehouse.

“That was easy,” Erik says skeptically.

“She likes that dog more than she likes me,” Knut responds with a shrug. “And it’s not hard to convince someone to let someone else to do work. Now,” he says, turning to you. “What’s so damn secret we can't talk about it in front of my sister?”

“There’s a vampire in Ireland, a pretty old one.” Anders groans and Erik’s face sinks into a scowl. “He has a book, and the crones want it. If I bring it to them, they’ll give me a choice of enchantments to choose from.”

“Haskell,” Knut says slowly after a brief silence. “What are you getting yourself into?”

“You mean what is he getting us into,” Anders snarls. “I assume you expect us to help you? What’s in it for us, you bastard? The satisfaction of helping you? Fuck that.”

Erik turns to you for an answer as well, while Knut just shrugs and goes back to moving cloth.

>”I’m sure the crones would make you the same offer.”
>”I’ll pay you with my earnings from the raid. Cold, hard gold.”
>”I’ll owe you a favor, anything you ask, any time.”
>”I don't think I’ll need your help.”
>Write-in

>>1497358
>"We're supposed to be a team, aren't we? I wouldn't let any of you go against that thing alone, that's for sure. And anyway, I’m sure the crones would make you the same offer.”

>>1497358
>”I’m sure the crones would make you the same offer.”
>”I’ll pay you with my earnings from the raid. Cold, hard gold.”
>"At least assume I'm not going to stiff you, Anders. I told you about the vampire before this raid rather than just before entering the cave, right?"

>>1497358
>”I’m sure the crones would make you the same offer.”
Failing that
>”I’ll pay you with my earnings from the raid. Cold, hard gold.”
>"At least assume I'm not going to stiff you, Anders. I told you about the vampire before this raid rather than just before entering the cave, right?"

>>1497379
This

>>1497358
well I was more telling you this because the Irish like throwing shit at their foe so before we go in 2 weeks you should find a way to deal with that as for the vampire he is old and powerful so you 3 coming won't really change much if he wants to end me.

>>1497532
This.

>>1497379
this

“I’m sure the crones would make you the same offer,” you say with your hands extended, trying to placate Anders.

“And who are you to be speaking for the witches,” Erik accuses as he steps closer to Anders, as if he wasn’t already clearly on his side.

“If they don't,” you begin, thinking on your feet, “I’ll pay you in the gold or other goods I get from the raid. Sound fair?”

Knut begins to say something, but Anders shoots a hand up to cut him off.

“How much gold are we talking,” he asks. “Enough for all three of us?”

“I don't need any,” Knut chimes in, smiling oddly.

“The point still stands.”

“Depends a lot on what the vampire wants for the book,” you reply.

“Wait,” Anders says, confusion hitting his face. “We’re making a deal with him? Not killing him and taking it?”

“What,” you say, your turn to be both confused and flabbergasted. “Gods, no. He’s old enough to have forgotten his name, the crones said. He’d tear us apart!”

“I’m not sure I’m more comfortable with that,” Erik says, always the pessimist.

You’re about to reply when Astrid barges in, Blern following happily and dumbly along behind her.

“He was right outside, genius,” she says, the insult sounding strange in her kind, quiet voice. “You must not have looked too hard.” The dog, upon seeing Knut, leaves the girl to sit beside it's master, staring off into the distance.

>Get rid of Astrid again (write-in only)
>Continue the conversation with her around
>Change the subject
>Finish moving the cloth and go to the mead hall, finish the discussion there
>Finish moving the cloth and go home
>Write-in

>>1502029
>change the subject
>finish moving the cloth and go to the mead shall afterwards to finish the discussion

Why are we being so secretive?

>>1502029
>>change the subject
>>finish moving the cloth and go to the mead shall afterwards to finish the discussion
>>1502215
We are being secretive since dealings with the crones aren't normal and we want to be as "normal" to others as possible.

>>1502029
>>Get rid of Astrid again (write-in only)
Make up a pun so bad that she can't even stay in the same room as us.

I'll need to think of one, but hopefully using that, we can begin to weaponize them against the Irish.

Then
>Finish moving the cloth and go to the mead hall, finish the discussion there

>>1502029
>>change the subject
>>finish moving the cloth and go to the mead shall afterwards to finish the discussion

>>1502029
>>Finish moving the cloth and go to the mead hall, finish the discussion there
>>1502263
We don't need to be secretive with them as they are part of the prophecy too, they all had the same kind of dreams that we did, and the crones are already telling everyone we are going to Ireland to visit a vampire, everybody already knows about it, we don't need to hide


after we discuus with them at the mead hall I say we take our friends to the crones so they can negotiate a spell too

>>1502925
They only claim to have had the same dream as us

>>1503005

what? you don't trust or friends? you think they all came up with a story about a dream at the same ti8me as us? even Knut?

cmon man, they are destined too, let's not start withholding information from our most trusted allies

“Anyway, Knut,” you say with a wink while Astrid has her back turned, “you’ve gotta see this skald that Haki’s brought in. Guy’s got a hundred stories, and Olaf will have to drag you away from him in the morning.”

“I know, I’m excited,” so earnestly you’re not sure he even realizes what you’re doing. “Let’s burn through this and get down there!”

You turn to Anders and Erik, and they each give you a half-hearted shrug. Knut is an easily distracted young man.

You finish moving the product shortly after, with only boring small talk slowing the process down.

You leave the warehouse, and each wave goodbye to Astrid as she heads back into Olaf’s modest, but still impressive house.

The walk back to the mead hall is quick, and nearly silent. Nearly. The three of you can't get a word in edgewise with Knut’s imagination running wild, switching between the skald, Ireland, and meeting an elder vampire. He’s also easily excited.

You arrive at Haki’s, and walk in the aged and abused door. The place isn’t nearly as packed as it was two hours ago, but it’s still pretty busy and loud. There are a few seating options.

You think you can muscle your way into the half-circle surrounding the skald, who is currently singing something about a Valkyrie falling in love with a pirate captain. There are also a pair of empty tables, one in the thick of the crowd, surrounded by tables with seated patrons, and another off in the corner, away from all the bustle.

Knut is already trying to dodge through the crowd that has formed around the performer, so you’ll probably have to decide on a hurry.

>At the front of the gathering of onlookers
>At the table in the center of the room
>At the table in the corner
>Maybe we should just leave
>Write-in

>Regardless of the option, what would you like to discuss there? Be specific

>>1505422
>At the table in the corner
Discuss plans for the raid, any hopes we have for it, and plans for preparing within the next few weeks.

>>1505422
>>At the table in the corner

>>1505422
>At the front...
Best to get in on that sweet skaldic lore when we can

>>1505422
>At the front

>>1505422
>>At the front of the gathering of onlookers

Tell them we should look for the crones and see if they have spells for them too, also,call dibs on buxom lasses to bring back as thralls

Writing. At work doing diddly, so today will likely be a pretty productive one for our Paladins.

File: Ron Swanson Approves.gif (396 KB, 320x180)

396 KB GIF

>>1513039

You watch Knut twist and turn through the crowd. You consider calling out to him, but eventually settle on sighing, and signalling for Anders and Erik to follow him. You manage to work your way to the front row, and raise your voice to be heard over the chatter and the music. Even in these tight confines, you doubt anyone could eavesdrop over the clamor.

“We should go to the crones in the morning,” you begin, pulling on Knut’s elbow to make sure he’s paying attention. “They’ll probably work something out, but we should make sure.”

“Man,” Anders says, shaking his head. “I hate dealing with those witches. And a vampire on top of that? You’re a real piece of work, Haskell.”

“I imagine Odin and the rest of the gods have a lot more in store for us down the road,” Erik says, not bothering to raise his voice to be heard. It’s through a combination of straining and lip reading you can understand him. “I bet in a few years, you’ll be begging for a pair of old witches and a single vampire.”

Anders grumbles something impolite, and turns to you. “What else will be you be hoping to take back from Ireland? Besides your innards after dealing with a vampire this old? May be best to start making deals now, so people have time to get ready to pay, and you aren't sitting on product for a few weeks.”

Well isn't that a good point. What are you hoping to raid from the island?
>Young livestock. Goats, sheep, the like. I’ll try to just cut out the middleman
>The farm will need thralls for the field. Maybe I’ll try to take a strong hand, or a pretty daughter.
>Trading goods, so I can hire help without worrying about them stabbing me in my sleep
>Trading goods, so I can help fund the farm without feeding animals on the way back
>As much gold, silver, and jewelry as I can carry
>Write-in

>>1513072
>>Young livestock. Goats, sheep, the like. I’ll try to just cut out the middleman
>>The farm will need thralls for the field. Maybe I’ll try to take a strong hand, or a pretty daughter.
If we can take the goods AND the one who raises them? Awesome.

Good to have you back, handler

>>1513072
>Young livestock. Goats, sheep, the like. I’ll try to just cut out the middleman
>maybe a thrall or two

>>1513072
>Young livestock. Goats, sheep, the like. I’ll try to just cut out the middleman
>The farm will need thralls for the field. Maybe I’ll try to take a strong hand

Looks pretty unanimous. Gonna let my phone charge for 30-45 minutes and then write

“I’ll mostly focus on small livestock,” you say, reaching your hand up to the back of your head. “Goat kids, lambs, the like. But I’ll keep an eye out for thrall or two as well, depending on what happens.”

“The farm should be ready for animals,” he replies, rubbing his chin. “But I’d be careful not to get too many thralls. Sven isn't the fighter that he used to be, and we wouldn't want some farmer with a shovel getting any bright ideas.”

The thought had crossed your mind, but you hadn't given it much consideration, figuring it was a long way off.

“That pretty little Slavic girl won't be an issue, I don't think,” Anders continues. “However, if you get more than two or three able-bodied men, I’d considering hiring a guard or two.”

“You’re right,” you say, soaking this in. Your father doesn't quite have two hands to use his two-handed sword, and as a result he’s kind of let his combat prowess slip. “And, we live too far out of the village to expect help fast enough.”

“Exactly,” Anders says, snapping his fingers. “I know a man in Gaular, a few days down the coast. He runs something of a mercenary company. Odds are, he’ll be the best blades for your money.”

“If we end up with more than a handful, I’ll look into it,” you say, wondering what it would cost to have a household guard. Most likely depends on the guard, you decide with a shrug.

Looks like Anders has shifted back to the skald, who has moved onto a story about a fisherman lost in a storm.

>Ask someone a question (Who? What?)
>Order a round of drinks (4 coins)
>Find a patron you know
>Find a patron you don't know
>Leave (where?)
>Write-in

>>1513423
>Order a round of drinks (4 coins)

Let's just have a good time and focus on prepping for the next raid

>>1513072
>>Trading goods, so I can help fund the farm without feeding animals on the way back

no thralls

>>1513423
>Order a round of drinks (4 coins)

>>1513423
Order a round!

" I hope we find some girls while we are there too, that slav is not nearly big enough" *make a cupping gesture with hands*

>>1513423
>Order a round of drinks (4 coins)

“Hopefully we find some girls, eh,” you say. Nudging Anders with an elbow to get his attention. “Danica, that Slavic thrall, isn't quite curvy enough to get my attention,” you say, using your hands to do a rough, and frankly offensive, approximation of the female figure.

“Finally, you bring her up,” he says, hands shooting towards the ceiling. “The girl’s a twig! Pretty face, but I’m not even positive she has any tits! Why’d you even bother with her?”

“She was a business decision,” you say, hands out in front to defend your actions. “I took her hoping she could care for the critters, but it turns out she can read and write. That goes a long way.”

“I suppose, Haskell. Easier to just take gold, though. Don't gotta feed it,” he says, trailing off. “Speaking of, we’ve been here for fifteen minutes, and I don't have a drink! What the fuck?!” He stares at you. For an uncomfortable amount of time.

Sighing deeply, you dig out four coins, and hold them up in the air. Before long, you hear Haki swearing his way through the crowd, without you even needing to say anything. It’s like he can smell the stuff. Eventually, he reaches you, and passes off four mugs. Anders drinks his in a single, long fraught. You take a healthy chug as well, while Erik and Knut baby theirs a bit, more interested in the skald than the mead.

>Choose a new topic (what? With whom?)
>Find someone new (Anyone in particular, or a Rando?)
>Leave (to where?)
>Write-in

>>1515127
>Write-in

See if we can request some lore of the Gods and their Champions from the skald, we might be able to learn something and if the tales are impressive and heroic enough it might also inspire the rest of the guys, give them an idea of the heights that we can reach

>>1515127
>>Write-in
>See if we can request some lore of the Gods and their Champions from the skald, we might be able to learn something and if the tales are impressive and heroic enough it might also inspire the rest of the guys, give them an idea of the heights that we can reach

>>1515127
>>Choose a new topic (what? With whom?)
Ask Anders and Erik if they ever tried bedding foreign women on their previous raids.

>>1515555
Forgot to add:
>"Gold also doesn't cook something other then dried beets and salted beef for breakfast, and look relatively pretty doing it."

“Gold doesn't cook breakfast,” you say before finishing off the cup. “Or look pretty cute doing it.”

“That’s fair, “ Anders says, taking his turn to pay for drinks. “Pays for it, though.”

You answer with naught but a scoff, and turn to the skald. “Anything of the Gods, or their champions? I’m in something of an inspirational mood,” you say, making the request.

“Aye, I do,” he answers, giving you a short look over before smiling softly. “Not Odin or his kin, though. I prefer another tale in that fashion.”

He dives into a rather long poem, rather than a song, about a man with a name you could never hope to pronounce. Very throaty, and you would say it sounded more like a groan than something to call a person.

Shaking the offshoot from your mind, you pay attention to the story. The man of the story was contacted by his diety, whose name the skald claims has been lost to time and ash. He was tasked to bring the god’s light out of darkness, and after a number of trials and tribulations, eventually succumbed to the very ash that had claimed his god.

The atmosphere in the tavern grows quiet and solemn, before the skald begins a second poem, this much faster and much more upbeat.

This one, about a man whose name sounds like it was spoken exclusively through teeth, was set upon a quest to find the means to heal his god, who had been mauled and maimed by a rival. The man succeeds, and also ends up killing his patron’s assailant. In reward for his deeds, he was gifted with finding riches beyond his wildest dream along his journey, and he and his descendants ruled his kingdom for thousands of years.

The man, strangely, gives you a small wink before moving onto a more jaunty drinking song to get the coin flowing again. This one has much less symbolism, and is about a man who begins regretting taking so many female thralls after they start agreeing with his wife about everything.

You look over to your friends, each a different mixture of solemn and awed.

>Say something to your friends
>Find someone else (who?)
>Do something else (what?)
>Leave (where?)

>>1515738
>Do something else (what?)
Get some more drinks, then when the skald's finished, ask him to describe the land where the first song was. Then after that, tip him (if appropriate) a fair bit and head home.

>>1515738
>Do something else (what?)
>Get some more drinks, then when the skald's finished, ask him to describe the land where the first song was. Then after that, tip him (if appropriate) a fair bit and head home.

remember to inform them that the Irish like throwing shit and they are gong to have to figure out how to deal with that especially in anders case

>>1515985
>>1515768

both are good to me

>>1515985
>training day with Anders consists of throwing rocks, rotten beets and the occasional farming implement at him as he wades through calf deep mud.