Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-17114085-20190505142549/@comment-17114085-20190721195628

The Companions reached the courtyard.

The battle was more in favor of the Orcs, as Chief Bakel's undefeated slaughter of numerous humans inspired the Orcs and put fear into the Companions. There only about 35 Orcs left standing, however. They just had way better moral and were also fighting for their home.

There were about 50 Companions fighting them, led by Captain Bodvar and Captain Rolf. Captain Styrbjorn was dead, his body laying on the ground in front of the chief's longhouse.

Bakel was at about the center of the courtyard, fighting with Bodvar and Helgi.

Randagulf's group were south of the Orcish line, at their flank. The Orcs had not yet noticed them, they were too busy trying to drive back the other humans.

The Harbinger quickly analized the situation and rallied his group. "With me men! Victory or Sovngarde!" He yelled and charged into the Orcish flank.

"Victory or Sovngarde!" Elisiv yelled, following her father along with the other Companions.

They crashed into the Orcish flank and dealt a devastating blow, taking out 5 of the Orcs in their initial charge attack.

In Vindhelm, the Fox Priests carried torches around the city at first dawn. Olaf was among them, they blessed the city in the name of Shor. It was only a few hours later that they were done, finishing with the palace. For that day, Vindhelm was considered a sacred place, where profane activities of daily life were forbidden to accentuate the inviolability of the day's proceedings. This blessing was tradition for a Jarl's inauguration and today was Harald's.

The ceremony was held at the palace. The plaza was full of people after breakfast, eagerly awaiting for the event to begin. At the front of the palace the same platform that was used for Sigurd's funeral was now being used for Harald's inauguration. Instead of a pyre, a simple stone throne with multiple steps was placed atop the wooden platform. Sigurd's vassals and other guests of honor stood right in front of the platform, being the closest to the throne.

The ceremony began with Olaf leading Harald out of the palace and into the plaza, leading him towards the first step of the stone throne. Harald wore his usual get-up, blue noble clothes with gold and white accents and underneath it he wore his armor. A long fur cloak hung from his shoulders. He did not wear his father's crown, that was still in Olaf's hands.

Olaf walked all the way up to the stone throne and stood beside it, but Harald remained below at the first step.

"People of Østmark! After the tragic death of Jarl Sigurd the Farmer, you are without a ruler! One man claims the right to rule over you! What say you, will you hear his words?!" Olaf addressed the crowd of civilians in the plaza.

"Aye!" The people yelled almost in unison, clashing their arms and raising their hands.

"The people have spoken. Now it is your turn, candidate." Olaf addressed his brother.

Harald climbed up the first step. "I am Harald the Heroic, of Clan Word-Bringer! Youngest son of Jarl Sigurd the Farmer and thirteenth in the line of Ysgramor the Bringer of Words, first Jarl of Østmark! With this I lay claim to the throne of Vindhelm and the lands to it pledged!"

Olaf addressed the crowd once more. "What say you, people of Østmark?! Does his claim ring true?!"

"Aye!" The people approved once more, clashing their arms and raising their hands.

Harald took another step up towards the throne.

"Harald the Heroic, the people of Østmark have accepted your right to rule. Now you must answer to the gods. In the name of Shor, King of the Gods, do you swear to uphold the peace and laws of this land?!"

"I swear upon my honor and that of my clan. As long as I hold breath I will do only what is best for my people." Harald replied.

The people clashed their arms and raised their hands once more in response.

Harald climbed another step, this time reaching the throne. He knelt in front of Olaf.

"Then by the authority that Shor has granted me, his humble priest, I name you Jarl Harald the Heroic of Østmark." Olaf said, placing Sigurd's crown upon Harald's brow. "Rise and take your rightful seat, my Jarl."

Jarl Harald stood up and sat down on the stone throne. He looked onto the crowd and raised his arms.

The people cheered him on. "Harald! Harald! Harald!"