Master of the spoken word

Image by https://www.mantelligence.com/viking-quotes-and-phrases/

[3 min read]

A flavour piece for my character, Sigurd Jarlsson, to help narratively explain away why his real life player can't stay in a Norse accent during sessions!

Standing atop the wall of the keep, seemingly a giant as he looms over the crenellations, Sigurd bellows down at the ragged band of kobolds and dark clad men gathering outside the gates - “Fear not death, for the hour of your doom is set and none may escape it! And I, Sigurd the Strong, will ensure that you do not wait too long!” His voice is deep and strong, and the words carry the rugged, curling accent of the Reghed barbarians of Icewind Dale when they attempt to speak the common language of the south.

Breathing heavily as he descends the stairs into the keep, the warm blood of battle slowly subsiding, Sigurd’s bearing changes. The way he moves is more relaxed and assured, no longer stomping heavily on the echoing stone stairs but moving nimbly through the scattered weapons and injured townsfolk that crowd the dirt floor of the courtyard. Before the fearful eyes of the watching crowd, Sigurd seems to reduce in stature - still a tall man, but no longer resembling the brutish warrior of the tribes from moments ago. 

Pausing to stand on a small wooden block used to chop wood, Sigurd addresses the fearful inhabitants of Greenest. His bloodied longsword now sheathed, and holding out his hands imploringly, Sigurd calls out in a voice that is calm yet commanding, melodic and moderate of tone, and with only a hint of the northern accent he affected so heavily before. “Fear not gentlefolk, for your doom is not upon you. My comrades are very capable fellows indeed! Our situation may on the surface appear grim, but it calls to mind when Revjak, King of the Elk Tribe, helped the good citizens of the Ten Towns break the goblin siege at Caer-Dineval and routed them back to the Spine of the World! Let me, Sigurd the Skald, humbly regale you of this story whilst you tend your wounds and look to your loved ones.”

With that, Sigurd sits on the stump and takes out his hand drum, his tantan and his horn, using them to punctuate certain moments through the story, conveying the fear, resolve and elation of the townsfolk and barbarians involved in the saga. You can tell whilst listening to the performance that Sigurd is a master of the spoken word, manipulating his tone and accent to add believability and heighten the emotion to the story. Drawing on his knowledge of the south from the many hours listening to the teachings of Remallia, his Harper ally, Sigurd is able to adapt the saga and make it relatable to this non-worldly audience of farmers and weavers, bakers and shopkeepers. And for ten gripping minutes, these good folk put aside their current troubles and have their spirits lifted by the deeds of past heroes, spoken by the unlikely hero in which they must now put their trust...