# D&D Game 3: Vikings!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [March 28, 2008, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033 "2008-03-28T11:37:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/41 "2008-03-29T17:22:12Z")

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realizing that guarding the house when everyone is out side is a bad idea Jorund moves up to stand next to Bjarni and Ulf.

“why want Bjarni to go he do nothing. . . You leave we no want hurt.”

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**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/42 "2008-03-29T17:25:32Z")

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[QUOTE=glee]  
Rope Trick is fine until the spell runs out. Then you come down to be surrounded by enemies…

[/QUOTE]

That does assume said enemies know what a Rope Trick is and are aware that you will be back. And of course you can perfectly well come down in much better state than you went up. 🙂

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**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/43 "2008-03-29T17:43:28Z")

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[QUOTE=Oredigger77]  
“why want Bjarni to go he do nothing. . . You leave we no want hurt.”  
[/QUOTE]

Perhaps someone More diplomatic should deal with them? Preferably without threatening them?

“Color spray! That would be the solution!” thinks Osvald to himself, with a moment of realization. He starts to calm himself down a bit more, with a Plan B now firmly in his head.  
He also notes that the Pole Ax is quite huge, and bulky for a fight. Simply wouldn’t do for a Wizard like him. Much better to poke things from a distance…

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/44 "2008-03-29T17:47:14Z")

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Ulf nudges Bjarni slightly.  
“How will you answer Gautrek?”

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**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/45 "2008-03-29T19:37:57Z")

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Peace brothers. I know in my heart that I have lived a just and honorable life. I do not fear a meeting with the honorable Jarl.

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**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/46 "2008-03-29T19:39:20Z")

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[QUOTE=RoOsh]

Perhaps someone More diplomatic should deal with them? Preferably without threatening them?.  
[/QUOTE]

Jorund finnaly notices the dirty looks he’s getting and decides to just look tuff and threatening instead of talking.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/47 "2008-03-29T19:42:13Z")

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Taps Bjarni on the shoulder “We go to?”

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/48 "2008-03-29T21:44:32Z")

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Gautrek, barely troubling to hide his contempt: “As many of you as wish may come - but you will all come unarmed, if come you will.”

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**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/49 "2008-03-29T22:02:22Z")

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[QUOTE=Malacandra]  
Gautrek, barely troubling to hide his contempt: “As many of you as wish may come - but you will all come unarmed, if come you will.”  
[/QUOTE]

Ulf places a hand on Bjarni’s shoulder. “Friend, if you are set on this course then I will come with you. Of course we will need to make a few short preparations for the journey.”  
He smiles politely at Gautrek “We will not keep you long.”

Ulf turns to Jorund. “We will find the journey fun. Come inside and pack.”

(Ulf knows that Jorund uses Hammers, but does he know if Jorund can fight bare-handed? If he doesn’t, then if we get a chance to talk in private, Ulf will ask him.)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/50 "2008-03-30T00:36:10Z")

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“Pack? Why need pack?” The light of understanding dawns brightly across the face of Jorund subilty impossible. "Oh . . . We go pack now"I don’t have any special bare handed skill except some defensive bluring

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**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/51 "2008-03-30T01:12:36Z")

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“Packing? Oh yes! I love to pack! I’m great at packing! Let me go and get my things. Say- does the Jarl have comfy beds? Or should I bring my own? Oh, let’s be safe- I’ll bring my bed roll anyways!” blurts out Osvald, to the armed men. “Does the Jarl want us to bring anything special? I’ve got a delightful assortment of Teas somewhere within the house! How far is the journey to the Jarl?  
Oh Bjarni, you need to show me where you keep your foodstuffs, I’m such a picky eater sometimes. Can you come and show me where you keep such things?”

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/52 "2008-03-30T08:21:51Z")

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[QUOTE=Oredigger77]  
“Pack? Why need pack?” The light of understanding dawns brightly across the face of Jorund subilty impossible. "Oh . . . We go pack now"I don’t have any special bare handed skill except some defensive bluring  
[/QUOTE]

OK, thanks for that. 🙂

Ulf was wondering if we could pull off some sort of unarmed combat, but Bjarni and yourself would certainly be at a huge disadvantage. ☹

Ulf is wondering why they don’t ask us to go unarmoured (unless that’s automatically included in ‘unarmed’).

(Oh, I’ve asked the DM for some information regarding Viking behaviour in these situations…)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/53 "2008-03-30T08:24:49Z")

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[QUOTE=RoOsh]  
“Packing? Oh yes! I love to pack! I’m great at packing! Let me go and get my things. Say- does the Jarl have comfy beds? Or should I bring my own? Oh, let’s be safe- I’ll bring my bed roll anyways!” blurts out Osvald, to the armed men. “Does the Jarl want us to bring anything special? I’ve got a delightful assortment of Teas somewhere within the house! How far is the journey to the Jarl?  
Oh Bjarni, you need to show me where you keep your foodstuffs, I’m such a picky eater sometimes. Can you come and show me where you keep such things?”  
[/QUOTE]

I can just visualise your character from such posts 🙂 … but I have the worrying feeling that some big ugly taciturn Viking thug is going to give you a smack sometime… :eek:

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/54 "2008-03-30T08:32:07Z")

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Roosh, I can just visualise your character from such posts 🙂 … but I have the worrying feeling that some big ugly taciturn Viking thug is going to give you a smack sometime… :eek:

And I’m going to seize upon one of your comments as a catchphrase too… 🆒  
Front runners are:

- Osvald ‘delightful tea assortment’
- Osvald ‘I love to pack’
- Osvald ‘picky eater’
- Osvald ‘he’s considered dead?’
- Osvald ‘what about the ravens?’
- Osvald ‘use last resort first’

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/55 "2008-03-30T08:39:27Z")

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Ivar, what did you think of my suggestion (in the setup thread) that you load more [COLOR=Blue]cures tomorrow?

And can you safely ESP Gautrek now?  
How about an Augury on what happens if we fight him? [/COLOR]

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/56 "2008-03-30T14:02:16Z")

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The DM has kindly answered some questions about Viking tradition:

- is Gautrek insulting Bjarni by bringing armed men onto his land without warning?

- can Bjarni legitimately order Gautrek to leave or die?

- can either side attack each other without warning?

- is Bjarni facing a possible death sentence from going to the Jarl?

- is going unarmed to the Jarl an admission of guilt?

- if we manage to flee, do we become outlaws?

- do outlaws get sentenced to death?

- can we earn a living if we flee?

- Yes, very much. Gautrek isn’t even Bjarni’s equal - he is lieutenant to Ketil, a somewhat poorer chieftain

- It would be quite ordinary to do so, although assuming Gautrek is acting on the Jarl’s authority there might be consequences

- Such things have been known, same assumption for your side though

- Maybe, if the Jarl is feeling bloody-minded

- Not in and of itself. Mind you, the Jarl could have made his mind up already. Sverre Grey-hair seemed to fear something of the sort

- Pretty much by default

- No, but they live without the law’s protection, which means anyone who happens to feel like killing them is free to do so

- Five men with various martial skills, a well-found ship, thralls to help crew her and a store of goods amassed ready for the new season? Many have started with less 🙂

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/57 "2008-03-30T20:10:20Z")

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Anyone other than **glee**?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/58 "2008-03-30T21:38:20Z")

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DM - you could pop in to the Mafia thread which Bjarni is running and remind him…

Thanks for discussing non-weapon-proficiences. 🙂

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/59 "2008-03-30T23:02:15Z")

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I don’t really know what you’re asking of me.  
I’m afraid my initial reservations about playing Bjarni was accurate. It seems too prominent a role to be played by someone new to the process.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-3-vikings/443033/60 "2008-03-30T23:13:04Z")

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[QUOTE=sachertorte]  
I don’t really know what you’re asking of me.  
I’m afraid my initial reservations about playing Bjarni was accurate. It seems too prominent a role to be played by someone new to the process.  
[/QUOTE]

No worries.  
(I have no idea what’s going to happen next, but the important thing is to keep things moving.)

Bjarni seemed happy to face the Jarl. (Fair enough)

Ulf then suggested to Bjarni that we pack before the journey. (Ulf intends to have a private meeting and ask everyone what they want to do about 10 armed insolent men outside…)

So you just need to continue the conversation e.g.

- “no need for packing, Ulf - let us go” ☹
- “of course we need to pack. Wait here, Gautrek.” 🆒
- “I don’t like your tone, Gautrek - leave my land at once.” 🙂
- " run for the boat, everyone!" :eek:

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