Spirits and Spellcraft
over 3 years ago
– Wed, Jul 20, 2022 at 08:30:49 PM
Hello!
Today, as promised, I am going to provide an update on spellcraft in the Vikingverse. Here are the various crafts (aka traditions) available to the Wise (and not-so-wise) in When the Wolf Comes:
-
Lyf sciences have a long and distinguished history. Wise-women and conjurers still recite incantations against the spirits of disease, but since the Verðandi cracked the genetic code, their crystals and stones have largely been replaced by surgical instruments. Modern field medicine is built on a solid foundation of dvergtækni and powerful drugs designed to keep soldiers on their feet.
-
Galdar is the mastery of spell-song. Like psalms, these incantations range from the high-pitched to the rhythmic, but they are all pleasing to the ear. Spell-songs act as both codes and keys, first attracting the spirits of the land, then involving them in the harmony of the song, before binding them to the will of the sorcerer. In this way, spell-songs are able to harness the land, terrify foes, or inspire friends.
-
Gand is an understanding of the primal forces from which the worlds were formed. Practitioners are able to control the elements, manipulating root-particles and sister-particles to hurl projectiles or seize the wind. The craft was once the preserve of Finnar sorcerers in their mountain retreats – gandrekr who shot spell-arrows and curses over vast distances – but is increasingly dominated by purpose-built machines who are able to handle its intricacy and complexity.
-
Rúnar - runes are not just letters, but secrets. Each sign is capable of creation, each individual phoneme packed with inherent meaning. Runecraft is not only a means of communication; it is a means to change reality itself – from the double-helix of DNA to the quantum realm. With the dissemination of Grikk mathematics and Hebrew mysticism, the number of glyphs, staves and symbols has proliferated beyond measure, each one a key to unlocking the physical world. Modern rune masters bind these codes to create advanced composites and artificial life.
-
Seiðr is the art of manipulating thought and memory. Its practitioners are well versed in the use of pharmacology and pheromones to change the consciousness of their quarry, freezing the will and clouding judgement. Seiðr is said to be originate as a Vanic craft, fertility rituals which Freyja brought among the Æsir. The modern craft has evolved over time, but still involves unbridled sexuality and the heavy use of stimulants. It also involves a mastery of contortion: a typical spell might require seiðrmenn to bend over and look through their legs, grasping their earlobes.
-
Spácraft is the skill of seeing that which is unseen to others and speaking of what will come to pass. Across the ages, seers have prophesied the örlögs of men - the “law of what will be”. Practitioners were afforded the highest honours as they sat in the very seat of sorcery – the chair of the nornir. Nowadays, the gift of foresight affords both dread and deference, mainly because raw intuition is augmented by the sheer power of information.
For people who want to dive a little deeper, there is a blog post that provides more insight over at Spells & Spaceships.
At time of writing, we are 200% funded (it fluctuates a bit as new backers emerge, or people change (or cancel!) their pledge. All that remains to say is thanks for making the magic happen!
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
Þat, es vér gørum í lifanda lífi, fáum vér goldit í Valhǫllu.
Best,
ISS
Catalogue of Creatures
over 3 years ago
– Wed, Jul 20, 2022 at 08:41:01 AM
Hello!
Having recently returned to the land of the living, I thought I'd share a little about the games Náttúrabók, or Catalogue of Creatures.
Life abounds across the Níu Heimar. From the moment Karl Lind slipped across the Greenways, a new chapter in evolutionary history began. His Verðandi initially sought to reinforce mann’s dominion over the three kingdoms of nature, but they soon found evidence of life beyond the animal, the vegetable, and the mineral. They collected specimens and trophies from all manner of creatures, both familiar and strange, from the tiniest bug to enormous whales - all of which had taken their own path of natural selection. When the Wolf Comes features about 100 of these natural and not-so-natural beasts, but we've just detailed a stretch goal to add yet more from the pages of mythology!
Make sure to check back to the Kickstarter page have a look at the updated stretch goals list. I'll provide a little bit more detail on the others tomorrow.
In the meantime, do keep spreading the word! Or as they say in Old Norse, "If you like this book, tell your friends. If you don’t, tell your enemies". Ef líkar þér bók þessi, seg þú vinom þínom. Ef þér mislíkar, seg þú þínom óvinom.
Best,
ISS
Time for Stretches!
over 3 years ago
– Sat, Jul 16, 2022 at 11:18:10 AM
Hello!
While I have been malingering with COVID, we have already passed two stretch goals, with a third in sight. I'm obviously over the moon (assuming Hati Hróðvitnisson hasn't eaten it), thank you so much for your continuing support and efforts to spread the word.
Which reminds me, we have updated the page with a mock up of the custom D6. The design had to be tweaked to deal with beveled edges - take a look and let us know what you think.
When launching a new setting, it obviously important to help set the stage and tone with a sample adventure and one is well underway. My current tagline is "An apple a day keeps the Jötnar at bay". I should point out, lest you are horrified you have bought into an orchard-based escapade, it revolves around Iðunn and her own unique brand of fruit.
The short story is something I have had cooking for a while. It bridges the first two novels and the RPG, setting up both the dvergar and the Sons of Ivaldi as playable Origins, and addressing the Great Æsir-Vanir schism.
And, given the Vikingverse has it's own creation myth, I really do hope we get to the third goal so we can deliver that tale with eye popping visuals in comic form. Yggdrasil deserves its own splash pages and story., and let's face it, no one has seen enough of Auðumbla, the primeval cow ;)
After that, well, we have plenty more ideas and I'm always interested to hear what YOU want to see. Feel free to ping me on Discord, Twitter, Facebook or email.
In the meantime, keep sounding the Gjallarhorn and let's keep this Great Heathen Army growing!
Þú munt aldri einsamall ganga,
ISS
I see the bad moon a-risin'
over 3 years ago
– Fri, Jul 15, 2022 at 05:47:44 AM
Hello!
There have been a few questions and comments overnight. I am more than happy to answer anything and everything. In fact some extremely nice Acolytes of the Demon Lord have helped me set up a Discord channel, to which you are cordially invited.
Of course, as the campaign proceeds, I'll provide other insights and news in these updates.
You can also find me on Twitter or Facebook @vikingverse, although be warned - today is devoted to "singing" your favourite wolf-related songs. I've had A-ha stuck in my COVID addled brain for too long, so I am trying to expunge it with some Creedence Clearwater. Feel free to come and join in.
It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Don't Feel Fine)
over 3 years ago
– Thu, Jul 14, 2022 at 04:02:42 AM
Hello!
A huge thanks to everyone who pledged on the first day of the campaign. It's an amazing start.
Whether you have lived in the Shadow of the Demon Lord for some time, or are discovering the rules through Ragnarök for the first time, I hope you have endless hours of fun ahead and save the Níu Heimar many times over.
Now, cleverly, I managed to contract COVID on the very day when I am supposed to be paying most attention. In the words of the Gothic king Angantýr: "it will never be forgotten; the Norns' doom is evil"(þat mun æ uppi; illr er dómr norna). It was quite the effort to press the LAUNCH button!
So, rather than wax lyrical today and risk typing sweaty gibberish, I will point you in the direction of deep dive interview I did with Norseplay, a blog dedicated to Norse myth and lore. The blogger, Guillermo, only recently discovered the Vikingverse and wrote this review, calling it "saga-riffic & brutally brilliant".
In the meantime, we've got all kinds of exciting stuff planned for this campaign so do please help spread the word while I am malingering.
And remember: Firðafjarlægð, vinsamliga gætit at fjǫgurra hrafna bilinu (social distancing, please keep at least four ravens apart).
