Realistic or Modern From The North With Fury (Always Accepting)

[John Raptorfist]

The year is 880. The the great king of a generation past, Magnus has recently died, leaving his three sons squabbling for the throne of Birsig and its sourounding territories. Not to mention, the past tensions with the old kingdom of Agnar 'Steeleye' have rose once again and threaten to bring all of Scandinavia to total war. Raiding parties travel in all directions, exploring, colonizing, conquering. Europe, nay, the WORLD is within the Norseman's grasp. (Original concept by @JacobLoL)


<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_06/image.jpeg.13402cc4325f40df589e5f4de744da32.jpeg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="133486" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_06/image.jpeg.13402cc4325f40df589e5f4de744da32.jpeg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>

 

[Sharkiee]

((Bbbuuummppsss))

 

[John Raptorfist]

Bump

 

[John Raptorfist]

Rp has started!)


Arvid stood, hanging onto the dragon-headed prow of the lead ship, it's dark wood was carved exquisitely. The cool, salty ocean breeze whipped past the man, causing his dark brown hair to ripple. The only noise was the slosh made by the deep blue water as the boats cut through the sea like butter, and the murmur of his men. It had been about four days since the party had crossed the narrow strait seperating the Kingdom of Kent to the north and the Frankish empire to the south. They had aimed to go to a land they knew may have never even existed, one west of England. On previous raids, the English spoke of this land, an Emerald Isle, who's inhabitants had hair the color of flame. But, Arvid was excited, his father had always told him that the sense for adventure ran in his people's blood, and the young Jarl was certainty feeling it now. The sheer prospect of venturing into the unknown made the man almost feel giddy. That was when a man shouted, "LAND!" He wasn't lying. Out of the dark sea like a polished emerald, rose a forgien coast.

 

[Sharkiee]

Briana sighed, finally being given a moment to herself after looking after the neighbors children all day, she put her hand to her head, hissing slightly as the pain from the discoloured skin around her eye, something her husband thought she sore fit to wear. She tucked a slice of hair behind her ear, fixing the mess that was her house after the children had run through and touched almost everything. She bent down, collecting up a set of wooden cups that had been knocked over when the children tried to make a tower out of them. She collected her wavy red hair onto one side, staring up at her table in the center of the cottage, she could never have kids of her own, she would be driven mad.


Her husband would be home soon, leaving her with little time for herself, she grabbed her basket and headed out the door. Her settlement wasn't too busy, people hurrying around here and there, children playing in the fields, the people close to her glanced up at her with a cautious face, others giving her no attention at all. She had packed herself some bread and planned on heading down to the water to see the wildlife, giving her sometime to think before she had to endure her husband for the evening.

 

[St. Boethius]

Argeus walked down a worn dirt rode stumbling every so often to match his new face. Known to the world as the many faced men the guild of assassins had received a request from the youngest brother of the three in this country to assassinate his two brothers and make him king. It was a heft job so the price would be equally hefty. Sometimes a many faced man would be worth more than an army. Other times they were worth some bread and a place to stay. It was always up the the individual assassination how much a job would cost.


As Argeus walked down the road with a walking stick and tattered filthy robes making him look like an old wanderer he noticed a quaint little house along his way and decided to stop and knock on the door. He had been quite some time since he had some food so maybe the residents would be willing to help this 'old man'. Knocking on the door with his walking stick Argeus waited.


@Sharkiee<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_06/Cainimage.jpg.02c5af5e0e40533164c99ec8053ce7be.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="135996" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_06/Cainimage.jpg.02c5af5e0e40533164c99ec8053ce7be.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>

 

[Ms. Sparrow]

Sadime

Emerald Isle





For once, the Vikings had surprised her. Sadime had defeated every Viking raid she'd come by, due to her stratagetic thinking. But these Vikings... They were smarter. Sadime hadn't expected to hear the news until it was to late. In a camp, on the coast of Emerald Isle, Sadime stood, pacing in a large tent trying to wrap her head around things. She looked at the Officer in charge "And your sure?" She asked hopelessly, she wouldn't be able to do much to protect these people to her fullest. The man in his forties nodded "The Vikings have been spotted by scouts. They'll be here quickly." He said solemnly and in a serious tone. Sadime ran a hand through her dark, blood red hair stressfully before looking at him straight faced.


"Pack up camp. Now! I don't want the Vikings to know there are soldiers here. I have a plan. Get the soldiers to the town the Vikings will raid and hide them. Go!" Sadime commanded, the soldier nodded and ran out, the soldiers hurried to pack the camp.

 

[Ruckingdom293]

Sigr was in his own boat, sailing next to his brother's. He grinned when he heard the call of land, and clapped one of his men on the shoulder. This was perfect, exactly what he'd been waiting for. Him and his oldest brother would take the fools by surprise. He turned to one of his captains. "Ensure that every man carries arrows with him for our archers, in addition to their regular equipment. When we meet the enemy in battle, I want ranged superiority," he said.


The order shouldn't have come as a surprise. Sigr loved, and excelled, at positioning his archers in battle. They were his favorite part of war. Most people preferred the strong axe and shield wall, but to him, the real joy was in locking an enemy down and pelting them while they were unprotected.


Across the waves, three more boats sailed. They stood off from the main fleet, and had different shield patterns adorning their longboats.


Harald was excited, but kept his scowling gaze on the lead boat. He'd been invited by Arvid on this expedition, he assumed in order to build trust between neighbors. He didn't know whether to trust him or not, but he did know that his father and Arvid's father had fought against each other for the independence of Hagevik, his home.


Arvid's family had a long way to go in his eyes. three boats with 140 men was a small force to send, but he would not leave his town unprotected. Most of the fighters were still back home.... just in case.

 

[Sharkiee]

Briana opened her door carefully, poking her head out to see the old man, she was a little taken back by him, no man had come to her door when her husband was not around. "Jamie is not in sir" she spoke quietly her voice rich with an irish accent, looking down at his feet when she referred to her husband, "how may I help you?" she opened her door a little wider, leaning against the door frame, her green eyes scanning him, unsure what to make of the tattered clothes and the bearded face.


@SleepyBuddha

 

[John Raptorfist]

The boats began to race faster, almost if they themselves where excited by the prospect of plunder. It was a bright May Day, and the sun beat down on the Warriors as they advanced to the gentle shore. It looked as though the party had reached a coastal village, for sooty smoke rose in columns from just over a slight rise in the land. Arvid felt a small grin tug at his lips, he glanced at his brother before turning to his own men. "Today, we make both the gods and our people proud. Even if you fall today, your names will go down for centuries in tales of great valor. Fight on, men of Bersig!" The young man shouted, earning a cheer from the raiders. Slipping on a helm that had belonged to his father, the half-swede gripped his father's shortsword in his palms that grew slick with sweat. The jewels that belonged to the family seax glinted in the sunlight even when Arivd made slight movements. Soon enough the ships glided onto the sandy banks of this green isle, birds could be heard calling, along with the gentle buzz of bees as they went from flower to flower. Before anybody else, Arvid jumped off his ship, his feet connecting with the alien soil. The sand was much finer than the sand back in Bersig, Arvid noted. The brown-haired man even scrambled farther up the band and into the small Forest the separated the raiders and the villagers. Picking up a handful of the dark soil, Arvid couldn't help but smile. Fertile land. For this wasn't just any raid, this was a mission to conquer and colonize. Bersig was hungry, and the Emerald Isle might be exactly where to get the food it so desperately needed. The half-swede spotted the larger cargo ships that carried women and men arrive, these were peasants, not soldiers. A sure sign colonization would soon ensue if the attack when well enough.

 

[St. Boethius]

Argeus simply smiled a nice old man smile and said, " I don't know your husband miss but I was wandering if I could trouble you for a place to stay. I can't travel for very long at my age and I hear that Viking raiders will be approaching soon. If your worried about payment I can help around the house if you like and I can sleep on the steps just fine." Argeus said pulling off the harmless old man act flawlessly.


@Sharkiee

 

[Sharkiee]

Briana blinked blankly at the man, speaking of viking raiders, she frowned as she noticed the soldiers entering the settlement, "you are welcome to come in, but I cannot promise my husband will allow annoy more than one meal" she held the door open for him, turning to tidy up her packed basket, she would not have time to herself today. She pulled the bread out, placing it down onto the table, "I have nothing prepared other than bread at the moment, Jamie normally brings home a rabbit or quail" she called to the man. She pulled out a small bread knife from one of the draws, slicing the bread.


@SleepyBuddha

 

[St. Boethius]

"Oh I wouldn't want to cause any more trouble than this so just some bread will do Thank you for your kindness." Argeus said with a smile as he walked in.


Once inside the old man looked around, " You have a wonderful home. Is your husband an important person in the village?" Argeus asked making it seem like he wasn't used to a house this large. As Argeus turned for an answer he noticed the bruising that came with a beating. ' So the husband likes to beat her does he? Well it's not really my concern how these people treat one another. Though her kindness does need to be repaid.' Argeus thought to himself as he could hear a commotion outside. Did Sigir and his brothers arrive already?

 

[Ms. Sparrow]

Soldiers were hidden in the coastal town the Vikings would soon be raiding. The Vikings would have no sight of the soldiers, there were 200 hundred soldiers, hidden in homes, or in the busy crowd. Sadime didn't know the skill of these Vikings however, and if she saw it had to be fled, she had a backup ship ready for peasants and soldiers to escape on for backup. Not all, but at least half could make it on. Sadime prayed it wouldn't come to that however. Sadime's light gray eyes flitted around alert and cautious. For now, this village would come off helpless and defenselessto anybody. Sadime however had to keep herself hidden for other uses. Due to her strategies, Sadime gained a great deal of recognition in Europe. Abd became a high ranking commander in Europe, the Vikings would probably know her well. So to keep her face hidden, instead of wearing a soldiers uniform, she wore a fine, corset green dress, with a hood on it, it was a light material, so it wouldn't completely shadow her face, but at least it would buy her some time.

Sadime casually strolled through the village, buying vegetables and looking casual.

 

[Spyro]

Inside of a forest, a figure laid down on top of a branch, high in a tree. Normally from his position, he could see the coast, and couldn't help but smile as he watched the waves roll up onto the coast. Today was different for the figure when he saw the ships pull up onto the coast. silently he got up in a crouched position and jumped quietly to other branches, barley making a sound except for leaves rustling, but if any heard it they would think it would be a animal. Tis what all thought when they did hear what he couldn't control. Besides, who looks up, no one but the dead in their graves, that's who. The figured looked down from one of the branches he was in and saw a man looking at the soil. The figure looked from the man to the ships and saw many people with armor and weapons.


"Just what are these people doing here?" The figure mumbled to himself.

 

[Sharkiee]

"He is out with a hunting party, he is a tanner by trade" she paused as he seemed to have noticed the discolouration around her left eye, she smiled glad that he did not question it. Briana placed the wooden bowl of bread in front of the man, turning back to grab some jam from the counter, "what brings you to this area?" She asked trying to avoid the awkward silence. The commotion outside making her feel a little anxious, were the soldiers going to stop whatever was landing, she peaked out her window, people were hurrying into their houses. Briana places the jam next to the bread, her attention still held on the window.


@SleepyBuddha

 

[St. Boethius]

"Looking for work I'm afraid. My home was raiding by Vikings and I was one of the few that made it out. So I traveled as far away as a could." Argeus said as he calmly spread the jam onto the bread with a knife he had produced seemingly from no where. " And it seems they've followed me...." Argeus said referencing the commotion outside. "But enough about me I'd much rather talk about that bruise on your face. Has your husband struck you?" Argeus said decided to offer his services to the woman to repay her kindness to him. Honestly if she had turned him away he would have starved.


@Sharkiee


@Spyro @DarknessSpirit @John Raptorfist

 

[Leusis]

Hafthor plummeted to the ground as he jumped from his ship, landing with a splah into the water below. His men following along he gripped the ropes at the front of the ship tightly, bellowing out in a deep voice "Pull!". His fellow warriors grabbing the ropes as well, all of them pulled hard, dragging their ship onto the beach in one swift burst of energy. It was then that the full fifty men disembarked, rushing to Hafthor's side to form a disciplined line with three ranks. Hafthor standing in the center of his men dwarfed all others around him, a beast of a man with a large beard that stretched down to his chest, his helm hiding his face from those close by. Unsheathing his massive sword that would usually be held with two hands he also brought his massive wooden shield off his back, holding it firmly in his left hand.


Looking to make sure all of the other ships had disembarked as well Hafthor would begin moving forward slowly, making sure that the larger forces from the other earl and king were at the front when they reached the town.

 

[Ruckingdom293]

Sigr's two ships beached themselves and his men set about lowering the anchor and ensuring that they wouldn't drift away during any high tides. He walked over to his brother, Arvid. "Brother," he said, nodding. "I've told a few of my scouts to go around the woods to see if they can find any settlements, and bring back some small game should they find any," he informed his brother and king.


Meanwhile, Harald's crew was hard at work fortifying the beach. Digging some trenches, and getting their axes out to cut down some of the smaller trees. Harald slowly made his way towards Arvid and Sigr, two of his trusted hirdmen at his side. He folded his arms over his chest, looked over the horizon, then back at Arvid. "So..." He said with a small grin. "What's the big plan, Arvid?"

 

[Sharkiee]

Briana glared at nothing, taken back a little by the personal question, she thought back to the reason for her bruises, making her shiver in disgust. She blinked, bringing her attention back to the room, "I'm sorry if I sound rude, but it really is none of your business" she glanced over at the man, Briana pushed her hand through her hair, letting out a sigh as she did, she knew the vikings were here, the sound of panic drifted through the walls of her home. "We should probably hide" she shifted on the spot, her anxiety making her feel sick, it was worse knowing her husband would be returning, hopefully to his death, the idea helped her a little.


She slipped off her shoes, an attempt at making the floor boards not creak so much as she tiptoed across the room, "are you able to walk?" Briana recalled the walking stick the man had been holding.


@SleepyBuddha

 

[John Raptorfist]

Dropping the clump of dark, loamy soil from his palm and returning to a stand from his crouched position Arvid's eye drifted towards his brother, Sigr. "Brother." He said back, curtly nodding to the man. "Scouts? Scouts. Okay." Sometimes Sigr made Arvid feel somewhat uncomfortable. He knew that was a bad way to think about one's kin, but something about Sigr didn't seem right ever since their parents passed. His thoughts were soon jolted by Harald's deep voice. "I'm glad you asked." The young man said with a grin, crouching down again and snatching up another handful of the soil from the forested beach. "The soil, my friend...This soil will solve all of our problems back in Bersig. This land will feed our people." Arvid beamed, pacing around Harald. He allowed The rich dirt to fall between his fingers. "If the battle goes as planned, we will incorporate this city into my Jarldom." He huffed out a breath before motioning to the party to move onward. "Try to be quiet now, you lot..."


@Ruckingdom293 @Leusis

 

[Ruckingdom293]

Harald's face didn't change to one of joy, as Arvid's did. "Of course, it will solve Bersig's problems. However I am no here to fight for Bersig. I'm fighting for my people, the people of Hagevik. You invited me here as a sign of friendship, and I came with the expectations that we would be able to... share in our gains," he said, smirking and tilting his head to the side.

 

[John Raptorfist]

Arvid slapped his forehead as Harald spoke. "Sorry, I almost forgot." He chuckled, a thrush in the dappled light of the forest called somewhere. "If you aid me in taking this town, I promise you that the next port town we come across, is yours. Along with everything inside it." The young man grinned slightly before turning his attention back to the path ahead. "Sigr's scouts should be getting back anytime...By Odin, I hope the locals haven't captured them..." He muttered under his breath as he scrambled up a small hill, grabbing the young trees that jutted out the ground as support.


@Ruckingdom293

 

[St. Boethius]

Briana glared at nothing, taken back a little by the personal question, she thought back to the reason for her bruises, making her shiver in disgust. She blinked, bringing her attention back to the room, "I'm sorry if I sound rude, but it really is none of your business" she glanced over at the man, Briana pushed her hand through her hair, letting out a sigh as she did, she knew the vikings were here, the sound of panic drifted through the walls of her home. "We should probably hide" she shifted on the spot, her anxiety making her feel sick, it was worse knowing her husband would be returning, hopefully to his death, the idea helped her a little.
She slipped off her shoes, an attempt at making the floor boards not creak so much as she tiptoed across the room, "are you able to walk?" Briana recalled the walking stick the man had been holding.


@SleepyBuddha

She was right of course. He was a stranger and what went on in her home was none of his business and if she was willing to endure the beatings that was her choice. "Forgive me I didn't mean to pry." Argues said standing heavily leaning on his walking stick, "Yes I can walk thank you miss." Argeus said said ready to hide, run, or fight if need be.


@Sharkiee

 

[Ms. Sparrow]

The village went on usual, although some of the more aware civilians hid in their homes. However, Sadime and a few of her soldiers were behind some buildings. In front of them lay three dead scouts. Thankfully one if her soldiers had found them spying. Viking scouts, they were close. "Hide the bodies." Sadime commanded the two soldiers, who instantly started to drag the bodies off. Sadime needed the Vikings to be surprised. she sure as hell wasn't going to let scouts ruin everything. Sadime resumed walking around on the streets, if this plan didn't come off, they were doomed.