Ulf will take up a position so he can see how Jorund gets on amd report back to Bjarni.
He whispers to Osvald “I know you mean well, Wizard. But sometimes words cannot stop Vikings fighting. Stay calm and prepare, in case there is a battle.”
Then Ulf asks Ivar if departing really would admit guilt. Perhaps it would allow passions to cool?
(Note that a Viking chieftain with uninvited guests arriving armed and armoured on his very doorstep is certainly breaking no code of conduct by meeting them armed himself.)
“Perhaps you are right…
If we need to flee, it would be best to get them all into a smaller enclosed space. So to allow them to approach and enter the house. If they were hostile, perhaps a simple nonviolent spell like Web could entrap them, and allow us a hastier retreat until a later time.
I just do not wish to spill any blood over misunderstandings and mixed intentions. There has been enough of that already, I’m sure. But I will do as you say.”
With that, Osvald tries to calm down, still nervously going over the pockets of his robe.
“Yes blood bad. We go talk. Can always knock smell into them when done talk.” goes back finishes his mead. Then draws out a hammer. “Good for smell knocking” Tapps the hammer against the side of his head.
Ulf is beginning to have second thoughts about Jorund discussing things with the uninvited armed guests.
He asks Bjarni for guidance.
Then he murmurs to Osvald “I like your plan, in case they are hostile. Where should I stand so your spell entraps them, but not me?”
"Well, the spell theoretically should require two walls (or even a floor and ceiling really) to go between, so it would be best to try and gather them all in the same room, as tight as possible. And then we could just try and goo up that whole room, and thusly trap them for a while, while we can make a retreat. But for that sort of thing, we’d need them to enter the house. Perhaps if we could get them all into a waiting room of sorts, while I stand nearby through the door, and perhaps someone talking to them. Is there such a location within the entrance of the house?
As for Jorund. He could possibly speak with them… But i fear he may resort to more… violent means of discussion.
Yet, I’m intrigued by Jorund- ‘smell knocking’? I have no idea what that means, I’m sure if he was to talk to them we could easily buy us some time. Perhaps there should be another one of us nearby to make sure Jorund does not get too… carried away in his discussions with them. If we can determine their goals, and if malicious, I can web them, and then we could apologize and quickly leave, it may be the safest course of action. In the meantime, Bjarni, it might be best for you to prepare your ship and the gather supplies."
Ivar quietly sidles into a corner on the same wall as the door, out of bowshot from anyone outside the door but well in range to cast, preparing to cast Guidance on anyone who might need it in a fight. Likewise, prepare two javelins for throwing; if violence is necessary, those might slow an enemy down nicely.
Waiting on Bjarni. Note that the ship cannot be launched at a few minutes’ notice, certainly not before the visitors arrive.
Jorund goes out side with a throwing hammer in one hand and a regular hammer in the other. He truly doesnt want violence but is prepaided to react. His plan is too let no one intending violence into the house.Smell knocking is his slow way of saying knocking some sense into some one
Sorry, what does [COLOR=Blue]Guidance do?[/COLOR]
Osvald prepares himself mentally, looking over the suitable entrance room to see how he can maximize a potential web without ensnaring his own. In his head, he is going over the Web, color spray, and flare spells just in case, in hopes of trying to nonviolently stop any pursuers. Osvald hopes there will be no such battle, and says a quick prayer to Odin that truly perhaps the visitors mean to come in peace, and are just trying to make a show of force.
He holds his spear upright by his side, propping him up, in a non-hostile manner.
Allows another player (or whatever) to take +1 to the next roll they make. It’s a nice little 0-level spell.
+1 on a die roll of the recipient’s choice within six rounds, you must decide whether to use it before you know what the roll is. (It’s only an Orison, that is, a clerical cantrip.)
Thanks for the Guidance! :eek:
Wait, what? 
I think it best that I meet the oncoming party. I also think the settlement should be on high alert. The timing of this visit does not sit right with me. We must watch our borders carefully.
You guys are the settlement’s “high alert”, pretty much. There are spears in the armoury that can be issued to the field-thralls - and are, when it is time for the vapnshaw when you must present twenty men under arms for your overlord’s inspection - but you are well aware that you and your two berserkers, without need of magic, could slaughter every thrall in the holding and be in good condition for a round of bat-and-ball afterwards.
A few minutes later ten horsemen ride into the settlement. They are mounted on the tough, stocky animals that best survive this harsh climate - shaggy creatures barely above pony-sized, enduring rather than swift - and they themselves are armoured in coats of ring mail, except for their leader who is in chain. Him you recognise as Gautrek, Ketil’s right-hand man. All wear iron helmets and carry round shields, and long swords scabbarded at their side. The use of the lance has not been widely adopted.
The horsemen draw to a halt a few yards away from Bjarni. Gautrek looks you over and there is a sneer on his face and in his voice. “Bjarni. The Jarl will be pleased to see you. Put aside your weapon.”
Ulf quietly says to Osvald and Ivar “I’m going to stand with Bjarni. There may be trouble, so think where you want to stand…”
Ulf stands respectfully behind his friend.
Noting most of the ‘visitors’ wear Ring Mail (one class better than leather, right?), he passes his Pole Axe back to the casters behind him and keeps his Battle Axe and Shield sheathed.
If there’s no trouble, fine.
If trouble starts, he’s going in bear-handed. 
Correct. For the n00bs: it is a coat of leather with rings of metal sewn over it to help keep blades out - lower-tech and cheaper than chain mail.
Osvald takes the Pole Axe, and stays back a good distance, still leaning on his spear as if it were the only thing really supporting him upwards.
His face is filled with relief though, as no blood was shed, and there may be chance for dialog instead. However, he stands back respectfully, and will wait there unless called up.
He notes that since we’re outdoors, Web would not be so effective. He begins to think about backup ideas. And really really wishes he had loaded up Rope Trick to just hide right now.
Rope Trick is fine until the spell runs out. Then you come down to be surrounded by enemies…
Ulf thanks Osvald for looking after his Pole Axe.