Full-Conversion Cyborg
He assumed he had been dreaming. He was hunched over a fresh kill, devouring the elk where it fell. Then a woman approached him, covered head to toe in a layer of frost. She had no fear of his true, bestial form. He knew at once she was the great huntress Skadi, and all his instincts led him to follow her. The goddess brought him to a frozen lake, and without a word she parted the ice before him.
Enter your destiny, she bid with a look. The water was beyond cold as he plunged in - it shocked him awake, or so he thought.
The very earth split open on the other side, and he was in his human guise yet again. An ethereal bear coalesced upon the altar. Xarok growled at the sudden appearance, but with a few heavy words it was gone.
Xarok's senses were overwhelmed by the other five warriors that stood upon the peak; each seethed with purpose. He gauged them all in silence, his nostrils flaring as he analyzed their distinct scents in turn. Xarok found they all shared one other thing in common, he could smell it on them; they had all been touched by the divine.
edited 25th Mar '14 9:04:05 PM by StygianEmperor
Flesh is a design flaw.
Wielder of the satireKind Abstratus
Sigrun padded down the halls of the temple. Safety was in short supply, and the invaders were always watching, but nevertheless people still came to the temple seeking aid - though of a more frost-giant-injury nature. As such it was her Duty to ensure their safety. Her fingers itched to do more to aid the people than guard them, but she knew that such an act would be suicidal.
She turned the corner, spotting a woman with a golden necklace standing before her. "Ma'am, I'm afraid it's not safe at night, even here."
The woman smiled slightly. "I see. Thank you. Tell me, are you happy to guard this place?"
Sigrun normally would have ignored such a question, but something in the woman's voice... "Of course. I am protecting those who need it."
"But is that all you want to do?"
Sigrun frowned and tried to focus. There was definitely something strange about the woman, but she couldn't put her finger on it. "...Truthfully? I want to bring justice for those who have been harmed by his invasion," she spat the pronoun out. "I have seen so many innocents come through the temple gates that should never have needed our aid. I want to tear down the invaders, strip them of their power and allies, so that Loki will not find aid even in his daughter's halls."
The woman smiled wider. "Excellent."
Sigrun barely had time to process this when she fell, divine power twisting around her. As she landed, she twisted and turned her fall into a roll, sliding out her knives when had solid ground under her feet. She glanced up, but failed to gain any more enlightenment from the assorted events on top of the mountain.
Exist, pursued by bear
Rise Above Fate
This battle was one the skalds would sing about for years to come, the numbers were stacked against Buliwyf and his warriors one hundred to one but they all fought like the Einherjar themselves. Never did they take a step backwards, neither did they feel fear as the horde of Loki's followers attacked them. Every man and woman standing there knew they would likely die in this battle, but what a death! Slowly, one by one Buliwyf's allies fell in battle until one other man remained. "Well my friend, it has been an honour fighting at your side this day. May we meet in Valhalla and dine with Odin himself." Buliwyf said as Thistle cleaved through the skull of his nearest foe. Then the man who Buliwyf had his back to spoke with a voice that commanded his attention "You fight well Buliwyf and you are worthy of a seat in Valhalla, but you are not fated to die this day. Go forth Buliwyf son of Ragnar and fight Loki's tyranny!" The next thing Buliwyf knew he was being swallowed by the earth under his feet.
As swiftly as the earth devoured Buliwyf, it spat him back out upon the peak of a mountain before the image of a great bear. As he looked around, Buliwyf noticed that he was surrounded by a group of capable looking warriors all with a sense of purpose about them. Buliwyf grinned, he knew that his foreseeable future contained many great battles and moments of glory.
edited 2nd Apr '14 5:56:30 PM by Eachiunn
Hildr was out in the unnaturally snowy woods, far off from her home and climbing a mountain. Grønnby was nothing but faint fire light in the distance now, nestled in the trees. The Ice Giants would be coming for them at any time, her father had said.
"Wood is needed for boats, and they will not allow an avenue for escaping Loki's grasp to stay free." Kory Manningson was serious as he oversaw the village's mounting defense, his mood scaring her more than the impending threat. "And that is why I want you to leave for a while. If we can't defeat the enemy, you must bring reinforcements to retake Grønnby."
"But father, I can't just"-
"Don't argue, pack instead. You are going to be Chief after me, and you can't do that if you're captured as well."
Hildr looked back and saw the village lights flicker before going out. The sounds of battle carried over the wind, and she forced herself to smile and keep going. It was all she could do to help them. As soon as she did so, a light shone in the woods. Curious, she chased after it, the light feeling familiar. She came to an apple tree, still bearing fruit even in the unforgiving ice storm. A blonde haired young woman, taller than herself, stood under it, holding an entire basket of golden apples.
"L-lady Iðunn..." Hildr said, immediately recognizing her. Iðunn smiled and walked over, placing a hand over her iron helmet.
"Hildr, my favorite warrior, do you truly wish to help your village?" She nodded determindly.
"Of course, Milady!"
"Then take this." Iðunn offered her a golden apple. "Will you fully pledge yourself to me as my champion?" Hildr made her decision and touched the apple in seconds, and was immediately filled with a strange power. With only a knowing smile from her patron goddes, she was suddenly pulled into the earth itself and spat out in an entirely new place.
It took a few minutes to get her bearings again, but once she did, she looked at the map on the ground and took a bite of the apple still gripped in her hand, chewing thoughtfully.
"So..." Hildr said through her mouthful of food, as if she didn't just see a spiritual projection of a bear speak to them. "Who's up for a Viking road trip?"
edited 26th Mar '14 6:33:30 AM by ScorpioRat
It was night on the northern shores of Norwegia, but Åshild could not sleep. The people of her village had finally reached a safe haven, after evacuating on their ships. Out there on their island, they were easy prey for Loki's monsters, but here they had a chance. Still, Åshild wished she could do more. It pained her to see her friends and family in this situation, but she was just one warrior...and a fisherman at heart. The other young men and women were new to fighting, and could barely use a spear. What should they do?
A sound from the docks caught her attention. Someone was on the deck of her ship, the one they had arrived on. She frowned. No guard was allowed on there. She walked onto the deck, approaching the tall male figure at the bow. There was something strange about him, she realized. Standing there, gazing out over the sea, he looked...not like a man, but like a beast of nature, an animal in its favoured terrain. He turned, and Åshild gasped. A god!
"Hear me, Åshild Geirleifrdottir, child of the seas. I am Njord, whose waves you have travelled and fish you have harvested. Much have I given you, and you have paid me richly with loyal prayers and sacrifices. But I now stand before you to offer a new agreement. The ability to smite your foes and strike back against Loki, in exchange for your allegiance in the battle against his dark forces and following my guidance."
Åshild's mouth went dry and it took some time before she could answer. However, her answer did not require much consideration.
"I will do as you command, oh lord of the sea. Set the course, and I shall set sail."
Njord raised his arm, and a whirlpool opened before the ship. It whipped up the waters in a ferocious maelstrom, yet the boats lay still at the docks.
"Dive into this gateway, and rejoin the other chosen warriors. Go now, child of the sea!"
Åshild climbed out to the bow, standing on the edge of her ship for a moment. Then she dived off into the icy waters, and swam for the black whirlpool. The current grabbed hold of her and dragged her underwater, and she was swallowed by the sea.
She emerged by the snowy altar, completely dry. Five other warriors were there with her, no doubt gathered here by similar means. So, the gods had chosen them to fight Loki's forces. She approached the map, attempting to gather her bearings. Five areas in five different directions were marked out for them.
"The gods have left us waypoints for us to navigate our journey. To where shall we depart first?"
Join us in our quest to play all RPG video games! Moving on to disc 2 of Grandia!
Wielder of the satireKind Abstratus
Sigrun frowned as she approached the map. She felt a touch of sadness that her own temple hadn't been marked, but if the gods willed that they start in other directions, so be it. Besides, it wasn't as though she played a crucial role in the defenses.
She tapped above the rough location of the Pit of Bolgeblikk. "This lies above a cavern network, yes? If we could get there, we could use the underground as a way to move, with less of a chance to be spotted by Loki's forces."
Exist, pursued by bear
Full-Conversion Cyborg
Xarok stood behind the woman, staring at the map over her shoulder. He had a sense of where he was in relation to his favored hunting grounds, though he had never been here before.
"Caves... Not a comfortable environment," he grumbled. Xarok didn't recognize any of the names on the map, but he pointed to one that stuck out, "A grove sounds more appealing."
edited 29th Mar '14 5:45:37 PM by StygianEmperor
Flesh is a design flaw.
Rise Above Fate
"Who cares about getting spotted by Loki's forces? We can probably take them in a fight and the more we kill, the more we thin out that snake Loki's forces." Buliwyf said eager for battle "But if all of you want to take the underground route, I'll go with you. I'm not willing to split us up over a minor difference of opinion."
Full-Conversion Cyborg
"Perhaps proper introductions are in order, before we head off somewhere," Xarok posited.
edited 30th Mar '14 1:05:59 AM by StygianEmperor
Flesh is a design flaw.
"I'm used to the woods more than caves, but...caves are all dark and mysterious, and that sounds way less boring than a grove," Hildr said, agreeing with Sigrun. In response to Xerok, she stood up straighter and adjusted her helmet, attempting to look serious.
"I am Hildr Korydotter of Grønnby, chosen by the goddess Iðunn!" she announced. "And what is your name, Wolf Man?"
Full-Conversion Cyborg
Xarok frowned at the nickname, peering down at his detailed armor. He raised his head and made eye contact with everyone in turn, "I am Xarok. The huntress Skadi has given me her blessing."
Flesh is a design flaw.
Wielder of the satireKind Abstratus
Sigrun's mouth quirked. "I'm not sure if boredom is the main concern..." She looked up. "I am Sigrun Roskasdottir, dedicate to the goddess Freyja."
Exist, pursued by bear
Åshild studied the map, considering the options. The more she thought about it, Bolgeblikk was the best place to start.
"Caves...maybe mines, too? If we can deny Loki those resources, that will benefit us in the long run."
She turned to the others, trying to smile a little. They were going to have to work together from now on, so no sense in being hostile from the start.
"I am Åshild Geirleifrdottir, a warrior of Njord, lord of the seas."
Join us in our quest to play all RPG video games! Moving on to disc 2 of Grandia!
Full-Conversion Cyborg
"...And the huntress's ex-husband, as the legends go. I hope no animosity lingers between our patrons."
Flesh is a design flaw.
Wielder of the satireKind Abstratus
Sigrun smiled. "If we pay attention to each feud between our gods we'll never get anywhere. Well, other than feuds against Loki, of course," she added.
Exist, pursued by bear
Rise Above Fate
"We're doing introductions now? Alright. I am Buliwyf, mighty warrior and Tyr's chosen in this quest. I hope none of your chosen gods or goddesses have a problem with Tyr, he seemed nice enough when I met him." Buliwyf said, grinning.
Full-Conversion Cyborg
Xarok gave a small smile to the man. Some of his own people had worshipped Tyr's enemy, the great wolf Fenrir, as a god. He chose not to bring that up, instead, taking the initiative for the group; "Good, let us be off. If both of you think it more tactically sound, then we'll head for this 'Bolgeblikk.' I'll endure the tight quarters as best I can."
edited 2nd Apr '14 5:15:13 PM by StygianEmperor
Flesh is a design flaw.
As for the titular pit, it was nearly a quarter mile in diameter, and several hundred feet deep. A wide, clockwise, gradually-sloping walkway was carved into the walls, descending down into the depths. Down near the bottom, there were about thirty men and women with shackles around their legs, and pickaxes in their hands, chiseling away at the walls and piling up materials in carts. Behind them, six frost giants were standing still as they oversaw the work.
At eight and nine feet, with most closer to eight, these were the smallest, most-common Jotuns. Ranking lowest in the warrior scale, they were nothing when compared to their larger brethren. However, for keeping two and a half dozen men and women in check, they were more than sufficient. Their height, red eyes, and cold blue skin made them imposing figures as they stood guard over the prisoners.
Full-Conversion Cyborg
Frost giants. Xarok could smell them for miles, and it made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. It seemed as though the population of the village was enslaved, toiling away in the pit for Loki's forces. Åshild may have been right to come here first.
Xarok noticed something else, "There's someone in the mead hall. Before we do anything else, let's find out who."
Flesh is a design flaw.
Rise Above Fate
Buliwyf was infuriated when he laid his eyes upon the Jotuns keeping watch as once free men and women laboured against their will. Gripping Voidshaker, Buliwyf turned to his allies "We have to free those people, what they're being forced to do is wrong and I will not allow it to stand."
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On the peak of a lonely mountain that stood out amongst the infinite icy tundra, an ancient stone altar resided, looking as though it had been abandoned for a thousand generations.
Until now.
A glow began to encompass it, and six small fissures appeared on the ground surrounding the altar as light began projecting upwards from earth. The bodies of six men and women appeared from them, and the fissures closed again, leaving them on the snow-covered ground.
Above the altar, a spiritual projection of a bear appeared. "Champions, there is not much time, quickly now," it spoke to them. "The fate of Norwegia is in your hands. And your axes. Seek out your country men, and seek out your gods." The bear disappeared, and in its place, it looked as though a map of the land of Norwegia was carved upon its surface. Muddy and blurry, the majority of the map was a sea of black, with a lone white region in the center that drew attention to itself. It showed the Pillar of Skrrgn in the center, carved in red. Its name was written in an ancient language, yet somehow they would be able to comprehend it. Around the marker for the mountain, five small markers surrounded it, each one carved in black, corresponding to the nearby areas.
If one were to look around, a thick, unnatural fog covered the surrounding areas below, obscuring the land below. Where one could once gaze for miles, now the frost covered all. Below them, in five different directions around the mountain, shone five different lights in the distance.
edited 25th Mar '14 1:52:50 PM by nman