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Skíðblaðnir is a medium-sized “Skeid” (skeið) type longship of the “Drakkar” variant, honed for battle. 26 benches, a shallow draft allowing travel on smaller rivers.
Please realize that if you come aboard, you are conscripted. Join us for adventures far & wide! You will earn treasure aboard the Skíðblaðnir!
*This is a casual travelling RP. the Skíðblaðnir will be found travelling around the world in search of adventure and loot!
It would be cool if you put the location we are writing in at the top of your reply, linked if you feel like it. BTW, I may go in & edit/format your replies for continuity.
Locations: Currently in Turku, we set sail from Ynglinghall in Tälje (Norrtälje), Noregr (Norway), we have woven through the Åland Islands towards the city of Turku, Kalevala (Finland). From there we will sail North along the Balagardssida coast to meet with the armies of King Fornjotr.
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The soldiers led Poh, my son & I through a great hall with high ceilings and walls draped with enormous tapestries depicting great battles and historical events of Kalevala. I directed my soldiers to remain in the great hall while servants came to offer them food and drink. My soldiers knew better than to accept either without a nod from me, in case there was a fear of being poisoned. I gave the nod knowing that we were welcome here and would be safe. Poh, Trygve & I were lead further towards another large hall where the Jarl (lord) of these lands Frode Eriksson welcomed us with a loud deep voice and a wide smile. His servants led us to the high table where he would dine regularly and brought us food and drink. After some casual catching up and merriment, we moved towards more serious topics. The Jarl informed us about the news of King Fornjotur’s armies and fleet moving north led by his sons, Norr and Gorr. He spoke of their battles to suppress petty Kings along the way in search of Goi, the kidnapped daughter of King Forjotur. Their victories, so far, had been easily earned but they drew nearer to the realms of more powerful Jarls and petty Kings in their path.
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Eyvisl & his crew took us up the delta into the river, in rented boats, a short way towards a tall stone wall near the shore. We docked at a rocky protrusion that they called a “dock” with tie-offs for boats like these. We were greeted in a mildly harsh but professional manner until they saw Eyvisl & I. Everything changed instantly. “Lord Eyvisl Yngling, you are welcome here.” The officer then turned to me “Pohjantahti! Your presence here is an honor.” I was shocked by his greeting not knowing that my reputation preceded me & that my face was known so well. The soldiers escorted us around the side of what was now revealed to be a large walled keep of fine build towards a massive carved double door.
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The ancient city of Turku, it has been awhile. After being away from any large towns for a long time this was really strange but good. Entering at the busy port meandering through the nearby markets on our way to our destination was a feast for the senses.
@eyvisl
@arash -
When Poh met me on the dock, we went ashore, into Turku. Our first goal was to get as recent news of King Fornjótr’s sons, Norr and Gorr, in their quest to find their kidnapped sister. An army and a fleet of ships set North months ago.
@poh -
I’ve always found Turku to be an interesting city, obviously an ancient port. Considering the location at what I would consider to be the Southernmost point of what is called “Balagardssida”, the Western coast of Kalevala. The amount of activity here in the Port, in particular, was always remarkable to me. I heard Eyvisl’s booming voice call to me. “POH! Please join me, we have people to connect with while here.”
@eyvisl
@arash -
Rank: Honorary ScribeThe usually busy port of Turku opened before us. I was told that this calm and uncrowded moment was not oft to be seen here. The language of the Finns was gorgeous, I was in love with the sound of this fascinating and exotic tongue. I watched as a portly man, in what I guessed to be a traditional hat around here, waved us towards a spot to dock the Skíðblaðnir. People started ambling towards where we were about to dock, apparently this ship was known here, and famous for her voyages.
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I have admiration to the carpenters that constructed this, they were certainly gifted shipwrights, it is a longboat that I have never seen before, under oar it gives the impression that the hull is bending, ready to tackled the change of direction.
The elaborate anchor is of fine metal work, and a smith with an eye for the structural form of creatures, by the way he has constructed that metallic baby dragon, who is holding fast to that mooring weight.
When we were trading with our cousins in Jorvik, I purchased a North Pointing arrow, encased in silver, the dart deviates from time to time, pointing either west or east, but never south? Kebba, the man I bought it from told me that it was a navigational tool.
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Eyvisl’s ship brought us quickly to Turku, the city marking the south side of the Balagardssida coast of Kalevala. Almost home. The thought of eating an entire Lihamurekepiiras pie warmed my belly and I laughed at the icy wind pushing us directly east to our destination. I glanced to Eyvisl with a big smile, he laughed smiling back. I listened as he ran his crew, taking us to port in this ancient and storied city.
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I smiled as I looked at all of them, the crew and Poh, Anarane, Arash. “Ana, you are the one who needs to know.” She lit up with the prospect. “We head North to assist Norr -who travels by land- and Gorr -who travels by sea- towards the throne of Fornjotr their Father. They both bring thousands of warriors, crafts-folk, livestock and supplies.” All eyes turned to me. “We are to assist the sons of Fornjotr in returning his daughter who was kidnapped last Midwinter.”
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Rank: Honorary Scribe
The five of us sat on row-benches with the rest of the crew to eat the hearty goat, carrot, potato & onion stew with flatbread. The wind came -oddly- from the East, a cold early Spring wind. Eyvisl looked-up from his bowl and smiled at each of us. His träl held his horn of mead while he ate which made me laugh. He thus had the advantage of being able to eat with both hands, while we had to do without that luxury.
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Being from very very far away, a remarkably different culture I found the use of goat odd in that lamb is so good in a stew like this. It occurred to me that the reason may be that a goat is a LOT easier to care for on an ocean voyage such as this.
@eyvisl
@poh
@anarane
@arash
@ipskakt -
As the Skíðblaðnir set out upon the windy wonderous sea I noticed -and heard- a familiar face that I have missed greatly. The one & only Anarane. She took about 6 strides to reach me from mid-deck.
“Dearest, I am a Demigoddess and I go where I damn well please. Eyvisl, I’m BORED! I’ve had a long winter and am ready to stretch my fighting muscles. Please tell me you’ve got a Pillage Plan? I’ll work for ale, bread, and cheese. Of course, I’ve brought a couple wheels with me as I make the best cheese I’ve ever tasted so why eat inferior stuff?Anyway, I’m here. Whether you like it or not.”
I grabbed her in a big hug, then pushed her to arms-length.
“Ana, I cannot think of any face in Middangeard that I would want in this crew more than yours, you scandalous & brilliant woman!”
She tried to stave off laughter and tried to look angry at my words.
“Eyvisl, you scoundrel, you virulent scourge of the seas!”
She let a grin emerge.
“Now where the fuck is the Ale Eyvisl? And I am hungry!”
I looked towards my astonished crew and nodded towards my galley-man.
He nodded and bolted, going to prepare some food.
“Let’s go drink and discuss the purpose of this voyage!”
@arash
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Dearest, I am a Demigoddess and I go where I damn well please.
Eyvisl, I’m BORED! I’ve had a long winter and am ready to stretch my fighting muscles. Please tell me you’ve got a Pillage Plan? I’ll work for ale, bread, and cheese. Of course, I’ve brought a couple wheels with me as I make the best cheese I’ve ever tasted so why eat inferior stuff?
Anyway, I’m here. Whether you like it or not. -
Wishing I had a Lateen-sail as the Northern winds made “tacking” Northeast a real challenge. As we approached the largest Åland island on our way to Turku, a friend that I didn’t even know was on the Skíðblaðnir approached me & demanded my attention. “Hey Eyvisl, I hear you need some experienced warriors… here I am!” Anarane was actually in front of my face. “Ana! How the fuck did you get aboard my ship my friend?!”
@anarane -
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The Skíðblaðnir was refitted, stocked and the crew pushed her back in the water. Northward we sailed, to meet King Forjotur and his sons. Norr, the eldest prince and Commander of the Kings armies, and also Gorr his youngest who most argued was not mature enough to command the fleet in accompanying his brother in a quest to find their kidnapped sister Goi. Following them was a massive entourage of blacksmiths, cattle, knitters, farmers, thousands of people.
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