Here’s another game report for the Long Night game. I’m almost caught up with these reports! Thanks to my players for continuing to make this game work despite nightmarish schedules. Since this session ended up being an hour shorter, this post should be brief. See this post for the previous session.

Day 4 of the Long Night Campaign (Session 5)

Date: Day of the full moon in the Month of Three Milkings (Ðrimilce-monaþ). Morning on the of the Seaxwulf’s feast. Equivalent to May 21st, 536 AD.

Players Present for Sessions 5:

  • Wulfgar: Wolf-warrior class, farmer/herder background
  • Eardwulf: Wolf-warrior class, former slave, now free
  • Osbeorn: Bear-warrior class, wandering warrior
  • Wilfrið: Wolf-warrior class, hunter

Session 5

The players awoke the morning of Seaxwulf’s planned feast celebrating the construction of his meadhall. In response to the basic question, “What do you all want to do?,” the players responded with various personal interests that might be accomplished prior to the feast. Wulfgar desired to assist family, and so at Ecgred’s behest, he delivered a family pig to Seaxwulf’s kitchen servants so that it could be prepared in time for the evening festivities. Wilfrið and Eardwulf went hunting in the forest north of the village. These kind of activities continued throughout the morning as the players and community bustled about in preparation for the feast.

Billfrith, Ecgred’s brother and Wulfgar’s uncle, had previously announced his intentions to start a beehive. Osbeorn (who has made known his love of honey and mead) supported this idea enthusiastically, and he decided to seek out Billfrith to spend the day assisting him. The other players all joined in on this change of pace and a hunt for a beehive in the great forest kept the players occupied for much of the day. The hunt was successful and the players and Billfrith were able to secure a beehive without disaster.

Later, while whittling away on his new bow, Eardwulf was approached by three of the sons of Æsca (head of one of the six families in the community): muscular Wilmund (the eldest), square-jawed Ridda, and lazy-eye Oswig. Wilfrið was also present. The sons of Æsca asked about the rumors of a slain monster, and they wanted to know if there was any truth in such talk. Wilmund, despite his impressive size, was polite enough. Ridda was a bit cocky.

Eardwulf assured him that the rumors were true, and as proof he produced the head of the beast and some claws. The sons of Æsca seemed impressed and eventually went on their way without incident.

As evening approached and the community began congregating at the meadhall, the players decided to first go to a secluded place in the forest with old Burgwulf to perform a ritual offering to Woden in the light of the full moon (a deer killed by Wilfrið earlier that day while hunting). In hopes of increasing favor with the god, the players reenacted a hunt with Osbeorn assuming the role of a stag and the other players a pack of wolves.

Afterward, the four of them, along with Burgwulf, set out for the meadhall. Sounds of merriment could be heard coming from inside: the slapping of cups, pounding of tabletops, laughter, song, and boasting. There was activity around the outside of the meadhall as well as villagers and slaves bustled about. Although the sun had set, the light of the new moon and lit torches illuminated the area.

As they stood before the entrance of two great double-doors made of stout oak, they all noticed that flanked on either side of the entrance were sconces holding lit torches, and the light illuminated a newly engraved rune of symmetrical portions covering a center section of each door.

ᛗ

Old Burgwulf then grunted in apparent approval and recited, “Man is in mirth, dear to his kinsman.”

We ended the fifth session here due to time.