Nozbat

And why not?... monsters have rights too!!! 😆

I’m not sure morale is the right word although it is a concept used in a military sense and has crept into war simulations and hence combat in roll playing games. I remember being struck by the military historian, John Keegan’s book, The Face of Battle, in which one of his central theses was that not many soldiers fired their guns in anger or in a purposeful way. It wasn’t necessarily a point about morale, more about that soldiers would rarely put themselves at risk out of self-preservation. Examples I remember were of the platoon who hid from the enemy until a group of the enemy surrendered when they all to a man opened up and killed all the surrendering soldiers. Or the Napoleonic era Lieutenant who told his man to stand firm in the Defensive Square as they were pounded by solid shot cannonballs. The troops could see the trajectory of the ball and where it was going to hit, reducing ranks of men to mush. This was all ok until the cannonball was coming directly at the Lieutenant. I’m a Psychotherapist so I tend to look at things from a psychological viewpoint, whether it is behavioural or evolutionary psychology or just rational and logical thought and behaviour. Self-preservation is a behaviour or set of behaviours that ensures the survival of an organism and is universal among all living organisms. Self-preservation is basically the mechanism that prevents an organism being harmed or killed and is considered to be a basic instinct even in single cell organisms who will move away from danger. Pain and fear are further mechanisms that interact with and guide self-preservation. It is unlikely that many sentient creatures will fight to the death unless there are other higher goals or motivations involved (ie altruism in which the sacrifice benefits the group; defending one’s young; a highly motivated political/ religious cause). How are these constructs transferred into RPGs? I think motivations and goals of the individual or group are important, which can be GM dictated and passions (love/ hate/ loyalty) both of which can override self-preservation and fear. Intelligence which makes a risk-assessment of the situation both of the enemy troops and their own capabilities Intelligence and Insight which aid decision-making Dexterity which influences quickness of physical action But should it be a mechanism at all? I’d rather see it as a sensible decision made in terms of not dying (unless you’re a berserker and death is a means to a glorious afterlife). I’m not sure that it should be really down to a dice roll as to whether the fight continues. What is the difference if the opponents fade away into the forest only to stalk the player characters and look for an advantageous time to conduct an ambush or several hit and runs to cause damage, waste defensive resources so that they can gain advantages? I think its all about narrative rather than mechanics. And that quote is definitely a truism

She was obviously protecting or losing her virginity... depending on people’s views of Babeester Gor and celibacy Glad it was good..and look forward to hearing more

It seems that this list is not so much Germanic-type Wergilds but more Pelasgian Greek Kathamos and it’s interesting to see that there is both a temporal and spiritual cost of causing harm within the Clan or Tribe. That price is only for those within ‘the Law’ and not for those outside the ‘Law”. Firstly, the price is high to prevent impetuous behaviour and as a deterrent to breaking the peace of the clan and the price is set as to the usefulness of the person harmed or killed. A useful psychological tool of positive reinforcement to obey the Clan laws. Secondly, there is a blood price to purify or cleanse the Unlawful act to be completed in a ritual act or offering. I assume that failure to comply with the blood price will also bring both bad luck and Devine displeasure, possibly not only on the individual but on the family, clan or tribe? A useful campaign hook...

I don't recall any primary Anglo-Saxon source discussing pagan priests. Most extant MS are AS Chronicle, lives of Saints, prayers, Scripture, law codes or charters with the exception of Beowulf. Most scholars believe there was a strong A-S oral tradition which was lost in the conversion to Christianity unlike the pagan Icelandic sagas or Irish/ Welsh MS. There is a general taboo on killing most priests whatever the era or culture as they are viewed as communing with the unseen powers and to do so would imperil your soul/ shade/ journey to the afterlife... Personally, I would view the taboo as emanating from the priests themselves to scare people

I shot the priest... but I did not kill the priestess...

I would have thought you would have been rewarded by the congregation for ending the droning on of the priests... their sermons did tend to go on a bit

The point about wergilds is that they are neither proportionate nor reasonable and it is important not to see justice within a 21st Century perspective. Historically, they were usually an imposed settlement on the feuding families negotiated as trade-offs by district leaders at the folcgemōt or þing as a way of stopping the already extensive bloodshed, possibly also to stop escalation involving more families. Retributive violence was always the first resort and to ask for wergild was a definitive sign of weakness and dishonour on the family. Feuds were about honour and even minor or alleged slights needed to avenged. Wergild was used to end feuds by trading off one sides wounds and dead against the others. Sometimes this also resulted in time-limited outlawry for some of the protagonists as well as paying of land/goods/silver. Germanic law codes relied on strength and power of the protagonists to achieve an end. None of it was ever fair or proportionate but relied on who had the strongest supporters. Some of the primary sources have blatant miscarriages of justice. You might be awarded 10 cows for your Carl's black eye but you still have to have the power to enforce payment. Remember Violence is always the option...

Maybe it was the Pigs that started the taboo? Pigs are pretty clever animals, even if they are susceptible to periodic demonic possession, and it seems to me a sensible idea to start a taboo to increase your chances of survival. I’m sure they then went on to make sure that they developed some magicks against possession. I have to say I’ve always wondered about ‘Spare ribs’ and who coined the phrase? I’m pretty certain it wasn’t a pig idea as I’m sure they had the view none of their ribs were in fact spare and they were attached to all of them

No... it means you get ejected from the Bridge of death to the gorge....

So what is the Flight Velocity of a flying Cow... and hence its damage?

I like the idea of FireCow.. perhaps I need to HeroQuest for it... but really ..What would Uralda say?

It depends how you coin it... Heroic Cows volunteer to be Forlorn Hope by lighting the way for our troops and sacrifice themselves to clear the Motherland of invaders... or.. Despicable foreign soldiers murder cows by setting them alight and tossing them over walls in vain hope of scaring our lads All is fair in love and war

I’m wondering if we provided the cow with an armed and armoured rider would it be even more effective? Oh and some boarding for the cow to soften the landing

Some further research has identified a Pig War.. (actually there were a few of these..but this is the earliest) The so-called Saukrieg ("Pig War") of 1555–1558 was a feud between Hans of Carlowitz and Zuschendorf and the Bishop of Meissen, John IX of Haugwitz. During the course of the feud, Carlowitz had hundreds of pigs, belonging to the bishop's subjects, driven away in order to pursue his claims, which explains the rather unusual name of the feud. and a Latin poem Pig War (in Latin Pugna Porcorum) by a Flemish Dominican Monk, Jan Leo Struyven published under the nom de plume, Publius Porcius, published in Antwerp in 1530 Paraclesis pro Potore Perlege porcorum pulcherrima proelia, Potor, Potando poteris placidam proferre poesin. A Summons to the Drinker Peruse the pigs' glorious battles, my drinker! Drinking lets you produce placid poetry. I’m not sure what to make of that...but it might be an option to consider different types of cavalry mounts rather than the usual suspects

Historical accounts of incendiary pigs or flaming pigs were recorded by the military writer Polyaenus and by Aelian. Both writers reported that Antigonus II Gonatas’ siege of Megara in 266 BC was broken when the Megarians doused some pigs with combustible pitch, crude oil or resin, set them alight, and drove them towards the enemy's massed war elephants. The elephants bolted in terror from the flaming, squealing pigs, often killing great numbers of their own soldiers by trampling them to death. Maybe incendiary pigs would be useful against Bisons, Rhinos or High Llamas ? The problem being that it would also be hard to ride a flaming war pig without suitable fire resistant clothing or armour. In different news... Pigs win Wars.. well according to a 1918 poster (below)... so maybe war pigs are winners

I remember many years ago being chased by a flock of geese while rambling on the west coast of Ireland.. it was a frightening experience as I didn’t have a large sword usually carried by adventurers to chase them off.. my dog was particularly put out as he considered himself very macho and not afraid of anything. He learnt to his cost that its not a good idea to stand up to a flock of geese

Geese can make excellent "watchdogs" or guards. In fact, geese are used to guard businesses such as whiskey warehouses in Scotland and military facilities in Europe. Geese are loud and quick to respond when they hear the slightest questionable noise. Geese naturally understand, without any training, that any people and animals living on the property are part of their flock. They tend to have no fear of challenging a human or animal that intrudes on "their" property or that threatens "their" people and animals. A flock of geese may be an unusual method of home security, but they can be effective without any special training.

Absolutely... war geese are excellent.. except when they migrate for the winter...then there’s a problem And didn’t they prevent the sack of Rome in 390 BCE? https://www.warhistoryonline.com/ancient-history/how-holy-geese-saved-the-republic-in-390-bce-during-the-first-sack-of-rome.html

Rod I’m very late on this but are you still looking for play testers? I’d be happy to help in any way that would be useful

I had been looking at using Futharc Runes and Beth-Luis-Nion Ogham/ Tree alphabet as a means for magic in Northern Germanic/ Celtic systems had had been going to ask for advice when a friend gave me a copy of the Mongoose Vikings in Legend which uses the runes already. Has anyone developed it further? Or used the Tree Alphabet in a similar way?

I absolutely agree with that

Could we have a Mythos: Lore (goats) ?

As a half-scot I feel I need to let people know that my (Scottish) Great-uncle said, "The only thing worn below kilts is your socks." Any self respecting Kilt-wearing Orlanthi would never do a Charles Hawtrey and wear any sort of underwear

Egil really had no memory of events since they had left The Green Man Gorge. He did, however, have lots of memories of the dreams he had been having and was able to recount all the dead family and friends who he had met while unconscious. He insisted on telling of his travels in a land of apples. Both Graphen and Darkon sat bleary eyed and exhausted. The events of the last week had removed all sparkle of life from both and they hadn’t had the benefit of some Goddess inspired healing. Darkon, in particular, was feeling very sorry for himself. His left eye socket still hurt and periodically it would start bleeding again. The Goddess could have done something to help me he thought sourly. Stove, by comparison, had weathered events relatively calmly. He recognised that being a donkey was an advantage in situations like this. Darkon tried to reconcile what had happened but it was too far outside his experience and knowledge to fully comprehend. What was important now was to push on, get back to Santos, get paid and then rest for a while. He would need to make a decision soon if this was the kind of life he wanted. Graphen was ruminating on their meeting with the Mother. He knew there must be some connection between their actions of releasing the Red Horsemen, the increase of Moon Magic and the appearance of the Triple-faced One. He needed to get to a library and question some scholars to work out what it all meant. Both Graphen and Darkon looked at Egil across the firelight. Only yesterday, he was dying a slow, painful death and now was waxing lyrical about the wood nymphs he had met in his dreams. If he hadn't been such a good friend they would probably have stuck a knife in his liver or cut out his tongue in some sort of ironic revenge. Or perhaps they could do both. "We should make it to Santos tomorrow," said Darkon trying to change the subject, "the plan is to release our prisoner and let him go on to Santos ahead of us, we need to wait an hour before going on ourselves. We have to disavow all knowledge of him". They all looked at the prisoner. He was curled in a foetal position. None of them had heard him speak any sensible words apart from crying for his mother and a brief reference to his father, who would probably be displeased. "His mind is broken,” said Graphen, "and its flown far away. Why do you think he is so important, Darkon? The whole set up stinks a bit. Didn't you ask the Fatman for some more details?" "I did," replied Darken, "but he wouldn't say. You’re right it stinks, and I fear there is something about this, some vital information, that we don't know and will be critical to our well-being.” Egil went over to the broken, naked man, “Oii, you," he shouted in the man's face, "Who are you? What’s your name?" The naked man didn't reply. He now only communicated in whimpers. Egil poked him with the point of his spear to make sure the man was aware that Egil was addressing him. "Leave him," said Darkon, "I'm uneasy about this. However, we've gone along with the plan this far. Do we have any options apart from finishing?" The discussion had dampened the mood and they all stared moodily into the dying fire. They set watches and retired for the night resolving to get up early to make the final push on to Santos. Darkon had reckoned another 3 hours travel. They could have made it that night but would have arrived after dark which would have been to late to release their prisoner as the gates of Santos were always closed at sunset by orders of the Patrician. The night passed quietly and they got up well before sunrise. They stopped, as far as they could ascertain, about an hour before Santos. They released their prisoner but he didn't show much intention of moving, lying on the ground and whimpering quietly. It took Egil to prod him with a spear to get him moving in the right direction. "Better give him two hours," said Graphen," someone should find him on the road and bring him in to the city." "Or kill him. Or enslave him," said Egil," Mind you making a slave of him is probably useless, so killing is more likely." None of the three felt any compassion for the man. He was after all a smuggler and outside the law. They were actually doing a service for the Patrician really. "Why did we let him go?" asked Egil," we might have made more money as a reward from the Justice than the 150 silver pieces from the Fatman.” "Not likely," said Graphen, “he's probably just some minor cog in the smuggling wheel. But l would like to know what was in the small barrel that caused the firestorm." "I think that might be part of the Fatman's plan,” said Darkon, "something going on here that we don't know." "A lot of things are going on here we don't know," said Graphen, "where would you like me to start?” "Let's forget it," said Egil, not one for over analysing any situation , " It is what it is. No use crying over spilt milk as my Mammy used to say. We get the money, we get drunk, but not on milk.” They began to pack up, when Egil, sounding confused shouted, "Where is Stove?” He had tied him to the tree root with the other three horses and he wasn't there anymore. His bridle and the bit of rope were still there and still attached to the root but there was not any sign of the donkey. "No donkey tracks leading away either," said Graphen after searching the ground. "Someone’s been here though. See the tracks there, someone who was barefoot?" The others searched the surrounding scrub but couldn’t find any trace of the donkey. They eventually had to give up due to lack of time and decided that they had lost the donkey. "Pity""' said Egil," I rather liked Stove. Maybe I should have let the caravan driver geld him and he might not have run off." From the scrub, a young dark-haired man watched as they mounted their horses and rode off. "That's a year and a day since I was transformed, the spell has finally worn off" he said to no-one in particular. He stretched and moved around, thankful to be able to do the things a human could do. When they arrived at the Fishgate of Santos, they found it in uproar. There was a massive queue of various traders who had arrived to sell their wares and were angrily complaining to anyone who would listen. “What’s going on?” asked Darkon of one of the traders. “Gates have been closed on orders of the Patrician. Someone had robbed his youngest son, stripped him naked, shaved his beard and set him loose to go back to his father.” “Someone with a death wish,” said another trader. “Patrician has sworn that the culprits will have a slow lingering death,” said another. “I’d buy him a drink,” laughed a fourth, “Before they get horribly tortured.” Darkon went a whiter shade of pale and hurried to the other two. “Pack up,” he whispered, “Get the horses. Leave the wagon. We need to go. Fast.” The End. For Now.