Erok (NPC)

Erok Hammerson was a priest of Modi, and was very despondent when his deity died. One of the most physically impressive men you have ever seen, Erok was intimidating presence and he knew it. Every muscle stood out in sharp relief, and he wore only a short kilt, with several pieces of jewelry of massive design. However, he showed a sharp political knowledge. He was often seen with a warrior woman named Siona, who is a skilled fighter. When he died, he willed much of his gear to the players and other associates.

After the players and their associates helped kill Arioch in Shintapoor, Erok began bragging of his part in the deed back in Aertael. This was a thinly disguised plan to die in combat, as he no longer wished to live after his deity Modi had died. He killed four men in a street fight, and was banished from Attellaria as punishment. He was later killed by a force of Arioch worshipers, among the last of them in the world on November 27, 1162, including the emperor of Calendriahn, Cirle.

The players each received an invitation from Siona to the funeral for Erok. Those of Norse religion will know that this will mean a funeral pyre, probably in a ship of some kind (although, in Aertael, probably a mockup, since it’s landlocked), sacrifices and testimonials, and a drunken revel that will last until everyone is passed out.

The funeral is being held at Erok’s home, a small manor on the outskirts of town. His house is a medium sized stone building, stoutly built, probably four bedrooms. There is ample evidence of training areas, a wrestling pit, stables with some big Clydesdale type horses, and a stairwell down to an extensive mead cellar. Siona welcomes them, inviting them to visit Erok one last time before the pyre is lit at midnight, when the veils between the worlds are thinnest and Erok can most easily and quickly make the passage to Gladsheim.

Also present are Bashir, Amily, Jade Feather (who was teleported in for the occasion), Venetia and Hawk, and a number of Norse priests. Jade Feather is trailed by two servants, from Shintapoor. Other locals are: Gamli, Sterki, Smior, Skald, Sigland, Breior, an older man, grey hair, Hvalro, Musa, Rymgytla, Skapti, Skjaldar, Torf, Voovi, Spakona, and Gryfalcon.

Erok has been laid out on a carven table that is on a replica ship in the middle of the yard. His wounds have not been covered in any way. He is wearing chain mail, has a hammer by one hand and a shield by the other. He wears a number of gold armbands, rings, and necklaces. There is a coil of long black hair laid across his chest.

The funeral begins as a casual gathering, and becomes a bit boisterous after a couple of hours. There is much drinking; many casks of ale and mead are brought forth from the cellar, and the cart of food never seems to empty. A number of servants carry trays of food and pitchers of drink around at all times. Siona has cut all of her hair very short; apparently that is her hair on Erok’s chest.

Sterki and Breior end up in the wrestling pit, grappling and roaring, both obviously quite drunk. Neither is able to pin the other, and eventually, laughing they go back to the tables and drink more. There is a bit of bragging going on, arm-wrestling, axe-throwing, and so on.

Around 11 p.m., Gamli climbs up onto the ship, near Erok’s body, and thumps his spear on the deck until he gets everyone’s attention.

“Warriors! Erok’s spirit watches over us this night. Odin himself has his eye on us. Perform on base deeds, unless you wish to spend eternity in Niflheim. Show no cowardice, unless you wish to wait for Ragnarok in the cold barrow-fields. And tell no lies, unless they are bigger than mine!” This provokes more laughter than it really deserves, mostly because so many of the attendees are drunk. “Erok chose to follow closely in Magni’s footsteps, and die fighting, like a warrior should. For that we honor him – no straw-death for him, no tottering about like a toothless crone. We send him to Valhalla tonight, to feast and fight until the end of the world. We honor him by seeking our own fate, for none can avoid what the All-Father wills for them. For myself, I send with him this death-gift.” He inverts his spear, and drives the blade inches deep into the deck of the ship, then walks away.

Sterki strides up the steps, and lays a heavy bow and a sheaf of arrows on the table next to Erok. “May you slay many giants, and may I fight at your side again one day, my friend.” Smior says nothing, but puts a fine pair of leather gauntlets on the table, and steps back down the stairs. Skald reads Erok’s Funeral Song, and then places the scroll of the poem by his knee. Sigland stops and looks over the crowd. “My brother was always ignorant about the proper weapon for a warrior-priest, so I send him to Valhalla with this.” He places the club he has carried on the pyre. Breior removes a golden armband, and puts it around Erok’s wrist, saying nothing. Hvalro puts a golden ring on his hand. Musa places a silver helm on his head. “See you soon, old friend,” he says. Rymgytla lays a feathered cloak across his legs. Skapti places her hands on Erok’s chest, and concentrates for a round. His wounds all vanish, and he looks as if he is asleep. Several of the priests gasp. Skapti’s minions help her down the stairs. Skjaldar sets down a pair of armored boots. “Kick some giant ass with these!” Torf places a single golden apple in Erok’s hand. Voovi places an armored belt on the table. Spakona places a fabulous gold necklace on his chest. “This will blind a giant or two, I think,” she says. Gryfalcon places the two-handed sword by his siade, holds her hammer over him, as if blessing him, then steps down. Bashir looks around, apparently he was not expecting this. He seems to feel like it would be a good idea to add to the pile, and he goes up the steps, pulls a ring off his hand, and puts it on Erok’s hand. Amily was apparently prepared for this, and she pulls out a platinum engraved armband, set with diamonds, and puts it on Erok’s wrist. Most of the Norse priests show signs of approval. Jade Feather gestures to a servant (a Shintapoori man), who opens a chest and brings him a wooden shield. Jade Feather places it by the table, bows to Erok, and returns to his seat. Venetia places a drinking horn, silver plated and gold rimmed, on the table, pats Erok on the shoulder, and sits. Hawk places a long dagger, in sheath, by Erok’s hip.

There are a few sidelong glances at the players; if any of them add to the heap, they get approving glances from the crowd. After the last of them is done, Siona will walk to the stables, leading two of the big horses. She will lead them up the stairs, and tie them to the mast. “Erok will need fine mounts to serve him in Valhalla, and Hill-Breaker and Lightning-Chaser were raised from birth by his hand. Now they go to join him.” She cuts both their throats in a single lightning slash of a sword, then places the sword on the table. She descends the steps, takes a torch, and uses it to light several barrels of pitch that are on or under the ship’s deck. The flames roar up quite high. Several of the priests are apparently casting spells of some sort, blessings or protections.

Everything on the pyre will be completely consumed, even bones and metal.