johan
Heraldry of Nise
Posts: 58
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Post by johan on Sept 10, 2013 17:01:58 GMT
No matter how many times Johan makes this trip he always feels uneasy about it. Since the rest of his tribe died he has been looked upon by the others as an outcast. None of the other tribes would have him and he wouldn't join them even if they would because his loyalty still lied with his fallen bretheren. All the same he was still a warrior at heart, and a skilled one at that. There is a reason he is the last of his tribe.
He felt much more comfortable in his mountain home than he did walking out in the open in the plains like this. Especially outside of neutral ground and out of habit his senses honed to everything around him. His hand resting gently on his weapons so he could draw them as soon as he needs them. He knows he shouldn't have to worry. He was close enough to Nisengard that the creatures of this area were scarce and today was a day of prayer and worship for his people and no fighting was to happen between the clans but all the same, when you spend years surviving alone old habits are hard to break.
It didn't take long before he saw the raised flags of the meadhall and he heard drums in the distances. Subconciously his pace quickened as he made his way to the town. He knew something was different about today but he didn't know what. When he arrived he spotted the war priest praying near the alter and realized none of the other chieftains had arrived yet. He approached the alter and unhooked his bag producing several skins and ears from monsters he had slain in the last year and laid them at the alter before kneeling and offering his own silent words to his Goddess before he acknowledged anyone else there. After he was done he stood again and looked around at the people moving around the city. He waited for the warpriest to finish his alter prayers to pay his respects to him as well as the last living voice of Nise between all the tribes.
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Post by Steinhoff the Blooded on Sept 10, 2013 17:20:29 GMT
Steinholf finished his prayer and looked up to see the lost one standing near the altar. His mind went through a few emotions in quick succession, fear, sorrow, pity, pride all the while his face remaining stoic. He stood looping his war hammer back upon his belt where it hung heavy. He nodded to one of the young female devotees "Ale and bread for Johan of the Skera Saera, that we may drink and break bread in peace upon this neutral ground" the attendant gives Steinholf a steely gaze and moves off to do so. Steinholf eyes the young girl with a bit of respect and ire all mingled into one.
he then approaches Johan "The young devotees know that the day will come when they take their vows and they will outrank me in the eyes of our Goddess...some of them wish it to be quite soon by the looks they "favor" me with" he chuckles lightly offer his arm in peace "Well met brother Johan, I hope your travel was soft and your bounty fair."
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johan
Heraldry of Nise
Posts: 58
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Post by johan on Sept 10, 2013 19:52:28 GMT
Johan accepts the arm and gives it a hearty shake and even offers a smile and the clerics statement. He held no ill will towards these people. He was just a young boy when the war started and while these men and women were from different tribes they were still brothers and sisters of his Goddess and when the Goddess demands war he answers, just as they all do. He didn't fight his brothers and sisters because he wanted to. He did it because his devotion to his Goddess was stronger than his personal wants.
"Well met Brother Steinholf" *He offers after a moment* "I'm sure that day is not so soon. You've been serving the Goddess loyally for many years and I feel she favors you quite well. I fear they will have to wait until someone finds a way to cut you down in battle"
*His words do convey one of respect for the man as he lets go of his arm and picks his bags back up* "The year was rough but I managed as I always do to procure some pelts for the tribes to help weather the winter months and of course offerings of the creatures infesting the lands around here" *He says as he points towards the necklace of ears at the alter. It might seem odd that he words to provide provisions for the men and women that helped to elmininate his tribe but he understands they are following their Goddess and it is a much larger honor to die in battle than to succomb to the elements.
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Post by Steinhoff the Blooded on Sept 11, 2013 4:36:24 GMT
Steinholf lets our a hardy laugh and slaps Johan on the back "And fall in battle I shall, one day, when Nise sees fit for me to fall. On that day I will dine with Her in Her mead hall and I shall be amongst the brothers and sisters who have gone before us" he says this last bit with only the slightest touch of sympathy, and perhaps apology in his voice. Knowing full well that his own clan played it's part in the destruction of Johan's.
As Johan talks of his hunting the devotee returns with the bread and ale, as well as a brick of cheese, a feast for warriors. Steinholf breaks the bread in two halves and hands one to Johan while filling two cups to the brim with ale and holding his up for the click that would swap the liquids between glasses, proof that no base or cowardice of poison is being used. "To the moot of chieftans and to the pelts you bring, I will gladly have a look over them and take first pick if you will allow it." Steinholf states with a mischievous gleam to his eyes
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johan
Heraldry of Nise
Posts: 58
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Post by johan on Sept 11, 2013 5:46:05 GMT
Johan clicks his glass together and takes a long swig from it after the toast. He tilts the glass back and finishes it in several large gulps. Some of it spilling over the sides of the mug and into his unkept beard. It's clear he hasn't had good mead since his last trip to his home. He holds his cup out for the devotee to refill it before he smiles at the cleric.
"I would have it no other way"
*His mug only gets about halfway refilled by the young woman before he pulls it back to his lips and takes another hearty drink. This time allowing the mead to go down slower and savor the taste. He makes a mental note to himself to pack several large jugs of this from the mead hall before the day is through and he needs to make his way back to the mountains.
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Post by Steinhoff the Blooded on Sept 11, 2013 14:46:39 GMT
Steinholf smiles in full as Johan pulls from the mug and joins him with gusto, finishing his own mug and putting it down for a refill. He then bites a chunk of the bread and continues talking while moving toward the pelts Johan placed on the ground. He thumbs through them as he chew upon the rough bread and speaks loudly "Well well brother, is this goat fur from the mountains?" he says pulling a particular pelt from the pile. He notices Johan savoring the mead and smiles to himself. "If so it will keep whomever wears it quite warm in the coming snows. I will be willing to trade a few travel casks of mead for such a pelt." he states with a smirk.
The devotee finishes pouring his drink and despite herself eyes the pelt with perhaps a bit of longing before putting back on her steely gaze of disprovable at the males she is forced to serve. Steinholf eyes her.
"Bah! You think I would let Nise's devotee go cold child? Think of me what you will but I care for every child of Nise, and especially every daughter. Fine then, at the young devotee's behest, do you have more of such pelts brother Johan?"
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johan
Heraldry of Nise
Posts: 58
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Post by johan on Sept 11, 2013 16:11:25 GMT
Johan follows the cleric over to the pelts and grabs a hunk of bread and cheese, eating the two together as they walk.
"Aye, I think I have a few more of those. They are one of the freshest too. I stumbled across a couple of goats in the mountains just a month or so ago. I had been starting to think I would not find anything nearly as warm before I made the trip out here. Something has been scaring off the denizens of the mountain lately. I've also seen an increase in goblins and kobolds in the area so I'm sure the vermin are killing off the animals for food and pelts themselves. They seem to breed quicker than I can kill them too"
Johan walks over to the young devotee and walks around her a bit as if sizing her up and takes another bite out of the bread while he does so. Chewing silently he walks back over to his stock of pelts and thumbs through them a bit pulling out a slightly smaller goat pelt than the one Sheinhoff had picked and takes it over to her, wrapping it around the girls shoulders.
"Ah yes... A perfect fit" *He says looking back up to Steinhoff* "I think travel casks of Mead will more than pay for the pelts. I have a feeling it is going to be a long year if the current trends of late continue"
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Post by Steinhoff the Blooded on Sept 11, 2013 18:10:41 GMT
Steinholf's eyes sparkle at the mention of additional goat pelts, a satisfied smile playing across his lips as the freshness is mentioned. As Johan goes on Steinholf cannot keep a sneer from his face nor his hand from dropping to thumb the heavy war hammer at his side. "Foul creatures, they shall be some of the first things we scour from our lands after the Moot is held. Things are changing brother Johan...things are changing" the last part almost whispered.
His reverie breaks as he watches Johan find a pelt of the perfect size for the devotee who smiles with a bit of pleasure at the feel of the pelt. As soon as Johan agrees to the price Steinholf motions to the girl and this time without any guff she moves away to get the payment for the pelts. Steinholf chuckles a bit and states in a teasing tone "Have a care whom you show kindness Johan, she may well remember the man who draped such a pelt about her shoulders after she takes her vows and goes hunting for a wife"
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johan
Heraldry of Nise
Posts: 58
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Post by johan on Sept 11, 2013 19:41:59 GMT
Johan stiffens at Steinholf's words and turns to face the cleric who he was just a moment ago laughing with and sharing a drink. He stood there for a few seconds asessing the words as if trying to figure out whether or not he should be offended. Either way the look on his face makes it clear that Steinholf hit a nerve with Johan's sudden change in stance. He stares the man down, probably longer than he should of as the silence becomes uncomfortable. A clear indication that he has been away from regular people too long in the solitude of his mountain home, surrounded only by prey.
He finally lets his gaze break and his stance relaxes and a smile appears on his face as he starts to laugh at the words, Taking along long drink from his mug. "Well we wouldn't want that now would we Brother? I'd hate to give you too much competition seeing as this one looks like she'd be a keeper" *He says with another glance down at the woman before looking back to Steinholf.
It seems like his initial response was more of a kneejerk reaction because of his solitude and he was back to his normal self. "So when are the other tribes to arrive? Surely we can't be all that's left?" *He asks and there was actually a hint of concern in his voice at the possibility*
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Post by Steinhoff the Blooded on Sept 11, 2013 19:58:36 GMT
Steinholf notes the feel in the air and keeps his smile and jovial look on. He matches Johan's stare and doesn't bend before it, however when Johan breaks the look Steinholf notably breaks it almost at the same instant, so as not to appear to have stared him down, or declare that it wasn't his intent. As Johan smiles and laughs Steinholf nods. He doesn't offer apology, there is no need to, nor does he comment on the air that just left the room, what is past need not be remembered.
As Johan barbs him back by making an off hand comment about someone Steinholf no doubt views as a daughter he can't help but feel his face go red with a little heat. He accepts the riposte gracefully and spreads his arms wide in defeat "Aye she is indeed a keeper" he affirms.
Steinholfs face matches the concern in Johan's voice after the last question. "I know not when they are do, I sent the runners, but we both know how Nise works, those meant to deliver their messages will, those not will fall from the trials of the wilds. As for us...no, we are not it. I Know Fleda of the Fang still stalks the forests, and Snorre still stands to swing his axe and carry his shield." he pauses "I have also sent to the Order for a Caster."
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johan
Heraldry of Nise
Posts: 58
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Post by johan on Sept 11, 2013 21:31:24 GMT
Johan's look of relief at hearing the other Chieftains were still alive quickly turned back to concern when he hears the last part and he sets his mug down on the nearest table.
"A Caster? From the Order... they have not been invited to this yearly celebration in nearly a decade. Why would you call for them now? This is meant to be a day away from the war. It has been a long time since the Order has been welcome in Nisengard"
*He brings a hand up and rubs his forehead, letting his fingers move back through his hair as he processes the information*
"I trust your judgement Brother, but I just hope this is the wisest decision"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2013 21:41:44 GMT
A cool breeze cuts across the room as the door opens and someone enters. "Brothers, Steinholf it has been to long!" Gerath proclaims as he steps into the room with open arms. "I had just been on a journey to the north of here when I was driven to come back bearing gifts," he steps to the side and gestures to the man behind him. "I am once again a member of the Order and I come with Garrett the Clannless," he says unable to keep the grin from spreading across his face. "Please, I wish for no animosity between us as I have heard whispers of why we are all here and have come to lend my aid." As he draws his cutlass and cuts his palm open from middle finger to wrist in an offering of blood he proclaims, "By the Stormmaiden I swear to you."
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Post by Steinhoff the Blooded on Sept 11, 2013 21:48:28 GMT
Steinholf nods "I know brother, I know. Trust me in this please we will have need of a caster is what is to come. I cannot declare it the wisest idea, but I can claim it the most logical. This is a day without war, but all the same time it is a day that declares war...all will be known when the rest arrive, I do not enjoy having to repeat myself." at that the door opens.
Right before Gerath speaks Johan hears Steinholf whisper a name "Gerath..." there is heat in his voice, not hatred but perhaps a modicum of dislike. Steinholf for a moment watches Gerath, not at loss but perhaps thinking of how to approach him. "Welcome Odin Sworn, this is neutral ground, give you offer to Nise." he motions to the altar where dried blood stains abound.
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johan
Heraldry of Nise
Posts: 58
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Post by johan on Sept 11, 2013 22:09:40 GMT
Johan just offers a nod to the cleric. While me may not like the decision, it is not his place to question it. He doesn't have long to contemplate on the matter though as not more than a minute later the men they were just speaking about open the door. Johan makes it a point to stand tall in front of Caster and the Guard sent to accompany him.
Johan didn't really fear the caster. An arrow in the right place would do the same thing that it did to the animals and creatures he hunts for sport but all the same it is hard to feel at least around someone that can harness the type of unnatural power that this one does. He has seen casters do some amazing, and some very destructive things in the past. A part of him wanted no part of being around that kind of power again, and then another part of him was slightly envious that he was unable to wield such power himself. He had heard of magical items that could simulate the effects and he made a mental note to look into that late, if for no better reason than to be able to better defend himself should the caster turn his powers on him and the Guard fails to do his job.
All of that quickly went through his mind before he looked towards the newcomers and speaks.
"Greetings to the both of you. I hope you are both hungry for when everyone arrives we will hunt, and then we will feast"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2013 22:44:41 GMT
Gerath eyes the two men and walks over to the alter. With a clenched fist he squeezes a little blood onto the altar a little to unceremoniously. Taking a second look at the 2 men he decides to take it a litle more seriously. Kneeling down before the altar he takes a second as a gesture of faith before standing and walking back to the others. "Brothers, I know the only truth we know is blood. So lets wait until the hunt for questioning my faith. For now we should just drink and pas time until the others show up." And with that he helps himself to some mead.
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