Sometimes two people are simply fated to cross paths again and again. A parent and a child; two lovers; siblings, twins or otherwise; even a hero and their nemesis. The history of the world is changed by the relationship between these two people.
No matter your connection, your story weaves in and out with the other and together, even if your objectives differ, you complete the various required objectives.
Starting Story Connection
You have joined the expedition to the tower at Kekkell with Hrolf to seek adventure and glory and to secure the resources you need to become your clan’s next jarl.
Heroic Tasks
- A Hero’s Voyage. Obtain a longship and crew. Reward. If Rivals, the bonded that becomes the ship’s captain gains +1 glory. Additionally, if Allies or Rivals, each selects a feat for which they meet the prerequisites.
- Proof of Betrayal. Gather evidence that proves your jarl cheated your family and others.
- Wisdom of Peers. Assemble a council of jarls to review your accusations and pass judgment against your jarl.
- Trial by Combat. With your evidence secured you may issue a challenge against the other jarl. There may be other ways to secure becoming the jarl as well. Reward. Each bonded selects one item from the following list (they cannot select the same item):
› dwarven plate
› oathbow
› staff of striking
› sword of sharpness - Becoming Jarl. Once either you or your Rival or Ally are the jarl, your heroic tasks are complete
Epic Goal: Atonement
An innocent has been wronged and you must find a way to rectify the injustice. Until you do, your clan never completely follows you. And, if rectified, you stand poised to obtain even greater power over all raiding clans.
The Jarl’s Right. As long as your clan still follows you faithfully, once every two weeks you assemble another explorer class longship complete with crew at your clan’s home port. This crew will die for you without question.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Athletics, Insight, Persuasion, or Sleight of Hand Both characters do not need to pick the same skills.
- Tool Proficiencies: Any one from artisan tools, Navigator’s tools, vehicles (water). Both characters do not need to pick the same proficiencies.
- Languages: One of your choice, but must be the same for both characters (and it can be a unique language that only you two understand)
- Equipment: A letter from the other bonded, a mead horn, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Shared Runes ( ᛖ ). You both received the same rune tattoo, the symbol ᛖ. You may have had them tattooed at the same time or one of you added the symbol to the other—not necessarily out of kindness. Regardless these shared symbols have reinforced your bond. At certain moments in the story additional runes will be drawn, adding to your story, your abilities, and your penultimate reason for existing.
Curse of Undying. When your character is created decide the nature of your bond: Allies, Rivals, or Enemies. Allies and Rivals adventure together, but Rivals tend to compete against, instead of directly support, the other. If your bonded is your Enemy, they are an NPC. This influences many of the abilities you may gain. Based on your decision you have one of the following:
- Allies. If you are within 10 feet of your Ally, you gain a +1 bonus to all skill checks and saving throws.
- Rivals. If you can see your Rival and your Rival rolls a natural 20, you roll your next d20 with advantage.
- Enemies (optional, GM discretion). While your Enemy can see you, you have advantage on all of your rolls. They gain the same benefit.
In each case, your ambition is to protect the people of your clan. Ultimately you must undertake tasks that make you become their jarl (even if that’s not your initial intention).
If a Rival or Ally. Rivals compete against one another to see who becomes jarl but are willing to work together to overthrow the existing jarl. Allies have agreed to share the position of jarl, once secured.
If Enemies. The most logical course of action if your bonded has an Enemy is that the NPC is the jarl of the clan you want to rule. You and your game master can work together to determine this.
Suggested Characteristics
Depending on your choices above, how each of you behaves can vary significantly! Use these tables as guidelines and each partner may select different traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws.
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I do not like doing things without my partner around to help. |
| 2 | I idolize my partner and constantly praise them and seek their approval. |
| 3 | I respect my partner, but we seldom see eye to eye. |
| 4 | I assume that my partner will always be there for me, and I trust them implicitly. |
| 5 | I secretly (or overtly) believe I am superior to my partner. |
| 6 | It is hard for me to trust anyone other than my partner. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tradition. My connection to my partner is defined by the laws of the land or those of the Stone Court. It is unbreakable. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Change. We should avoid clinging to the past and accept that we have little control over the world. What will be, will be. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Fairness. I deserve everything that my partner has and am upset if I do not receive it (Lawful) |
| 4 | People. I do whatever is needed to help my allies. Principles can be set aside when my friends are in danger. (Neutral) |
| 5 | Retribution. My partner was wronged, and I will deliver upon our enemies a terrible consequence. (Evil) |
| 6 | Aspiration. I would do anything for my partner (or I would do anything to outdo my partner). (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My strongest bond is with my partner, and I would do anything for them. |
| 2 | I have tried to break off contact with my partner and define my life by their absence. |
| 3 | The town (or other location) where I first met my partner is important to me and I do what I can to protect it. |
| 4 | I owe my survival, success, or downfall to my partner. |
| 5 | I have searched my entire life to learn a secret related to my partner. |
| 6 | I am in love with someone who is not my partner. I would do anything for them. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I always try to finish my partner’s sentences. |
| 2 | Whatever my partner has, I believe is also mine, so I take it when needed. |
| 3 | When separated from my partner I tend to drink heavily and make poor decisions. |
| 4 | I place myself in danger to impress my partner. |
| 5 | I banished my partner from my life and wonder if I made the right choice. |
| 6 | My partner knows when I am lying. |
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