Sjøfjelltre: Session One Synopsis

If you missed the first session of the new campaign (or just want to know how it ended, since the audio cut out), here’s what happened:

On the banks of Grensefjord, in the town of Småbyelv, the funeral celebrations for Knud Blackmane were being held outside Celebration, the town’s inn and tavern. His son, Ulfar, as the head of the family and owner of Blackmane Boat Builders, loosely presides over the festivities, but is also somewhat distracted by the recent discovery of a sword that he believes belonged to his grandfather, a man with a local reputation as a roving hero who disappeared when Ulfar was young. The travelling bard, Brego, has recently arrived in town, making arrangements to stay at Celebration for a time in exchange for providing regular entertainment. Ulfar has paid Brego a small sum to speak some proper words in memory of his father. Following the formal part of the funeral, Ulfar approaches Brego, inquiring about his grandfather.

Ulfar has heard that his grandfather was a hero to the people of the region, but Brego has heard some less flattering rumours, that he was a rogue amongst his own people, a raider and brigand. However, Brego is reticent to share these things during the funeral for Knud.

The conversation is broken up as Brego suddenly makes a grab behind him and turns, now holding the arm of Hogak, the adopted son of the local woodworker, Tresk, who has made an attempt at Brego’s purse.

Brego seems somewhat amused, but chastises Hogak, but Ulfar is furious at the interruption in the celebration of his father’s life and entrance to the afterlife. He proclaims that Hogak owes him a debt for his offense and calls Tresk to confirm. Tresk affirms his families close ties to the Blackmane family and gives Hogak into Ulfar’s keeping until the debt is fulfilled.

As the evening wears on, Hogak becomes slightly restless, and wanders to the edge of the village, where he is surprised to hear the baying of wolves surrounding the village and drawing nearer. He brings this to the attention of Ulfar, who, not wanting to interrupt the festivities of those still present and conscious, goes by himself with Hogak. Determining that the wolves may indeed pose a threat, he sends Hogak to go to Celebration and rouse the villagers.

As he waits, Ulfar draws his grandfather’s sword, contemplating the life of a hero. The clouds part, and the pale light of the moon reveals an intricate rune of unknown origin cleverly inscribed within the decorative metalwork of the pommel of the sword. As Ulfar considers this strange marking, the snarl of a wolf breaks him from his reveries.

Meanwhile, Hogak finds most of the town has either gone home or passed out from drink and exhaustion, but with the help of Brego, manages to rally the remaining people to go to the defense of the village.

Ulfar loses his sword but manages to kill one of the wolves before being overcome by two others.

Brego, Hogak, and the villagers arrive on the scene in time to see three wolves attempting to drag  Ulfar’s form off into the night, and several other wolves pouring into the town from other directions. During the conflict, a flash of lightning illuminates the night for a moment, and Brego spies the form of a massive wolf outside the dim light of the village streets which disappears from sight as the lightning passes. After a brief skirmish, during which Brego falls, along with a few of the villagers, several of the wolves are killed until a distressingly loud howl breaks the night and seems to signal the wolves to retreat from the village.

Brego and Ulfar, along with the few other fallen, are stabilized and brought back to Celebration, while others run through the village to bring the rest of the villagers to the inn, where for the remainder of the night a watch is kept against the potential of another attack. As the others make their way to Celebration, it is revealed that there were many other wolves present throughout the village, but that all left at the sound of the loud howl.

The rest of the night passes without incident.

In the morning, a thick fog covers the land. Three villagers are found to be missing. Parties leave to seek for the missing and hunt for the wolves, but all of the paths are eventually lost, even to the most practiced hunters.

The group approaches the mayor and decides to go seeking the missing villagers, or, failing to find them, to hunt the monstrous wolf that Brego saw. Seeking a guide to aid them in their hunt, Ulfar seeks for adventure, Hogak, the opportunity to repay his debt and perhaps find riches, and Brego, answers to questions.

Session 2 will start at (or just after) 7pm est Monday, August 2nd.
Listen in live at https://www.twitch.tv/mightythunderbeard or catch it after on my Youtube Channel.

More information will be coming soon on how you can possibly be a guest player in the game. Follow the game, sign up for email updates, and keep an eye here for more info.