Today's story involves a bit of verbal sparring between King Mannaz and King Nordri.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 20, 2019
While Nordri is mentioned in the Eddas, we don't know much about him.
Mannaz is based on the rune Mannaz, a rune of mankind, leadership, and cooperation. #futharkvillage @CeruliasCircle
King Nordri sat himself down hard into a high-backed but sparsely cushioned chair at the head of the table. King Mannaz had been placed near the head of the table, so that he would be on King Nordri's right once he arrived.#futharkvillage @WolfofOdin420 @MjolnirForge
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 20, 2019
Nordri scowled up at Mannaz's crown, then set to eating without a word. King Mannaz smiled pleasantly, and looked to the other end of the table at Gebo. Mannaz looked back at Nordri and said, "I that you are the man we should talk to about trade opportunities."#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 20, 2019
Nordri's scowl deepened at Mannaz's forwardness. He chewed his food slowly before answering. "I would be. The kingdom of Svartalfheim and the city of Nidhavelir are home to the finest craftsmen in the nine realms. What wares do you boast, human?"#futharkvillage @Hyrrokkin89
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 20, 2019
King Mannaz could see now that his dwarven counterpart was trying to set him off his stride with this rudeness; it was an intentional tactic to strengthen the dwarf king's position in the negotiation. "For one thing, we have warriors," he said smoothly.#futharkvillage @ILupine
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 20, 2019
"My kingdom is overrun with warriors," Nordri countered. "And now you bring more into our midst because of the warriors who are already here. This is supposed to please me?"
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 20, 2019
"Please you? No. But surely you see the value of warriors signed to your interests."#futharkvillage
"I have those. My city watch protects the walls of my city."Mannaz kept the smile on his face from deepening. "You do at that. How do you think your city watch will fare if either of the armies of Einherjar, either of the sons of Thor, attacks?"#futharkvillage @wing_paranormal
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 20, 2019
Nordri looked around the table. "If these that you bring before me are representative of your 'warriors,' I don't see how you would fare better. You and that one," he gestured to Ansuz, "look like you were strong in your youth."#futharkvillage @MarieHa44988077
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 20, 2019
"But those two," he waved a hand dismissively at Kenaz, who had kept her belly full during the Fimbulwinter, and Gebo, who was small and pretty. "They look better suited to a warm kitchen than to the flames of battle."
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 20, 2019
At this Mannaz did chuckle.#futharkvillage @rhipossessed
"Warriors were not the ones I wanted at a meeting with the rulers of this city," Mannaz said. "I only brought one here, Algiz, former huscarl to my predecessor. She has defended cities greater than this, with guile, cunning, and some little bloodshed."#futharkvillage @Apez140
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 20, 2019
"But Futhark Village has plenty of warriors. Thurisaz the Giantslayer alone slew a full dozen of the einherjar who assaulted our village, in a sneak attack without his armor."
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 20, 2019
"And where is this Giantslayer now?" Nordri asked in a mocking tone.#futharkvillage @SRCExplores
"He is on his way to Magni's fortress now. We have also sent warriors toward Modi's fortress. Perhaps, even as we have this conversation, your problems are being solved for you."King Nordri turned as green as Heimdal's teeth when he heard this.#futharkvillage @MightySigurd
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 20, 2019
"You sent warriors to the fortresses of both Thor's sons?" Nordri asked, appalled. "Are you trying to cause a second Ragnarok, this one pitting Aesir against Aesir? Was the destruction of your world not enough? Now you would destroy mine as well?"#futharkvillage @blithgunde
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 20, 2019
"When Magni and Modi first washed up in Svartalfheim after Ragnarok, each with a contingent of warriors who had just lost their war, they destroyed large swaths of this world. We sent messengers to Asgard, but it was over a week before they returned.#futharkvillage @blithgunde
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 21, 2019
"When the messengers finally returned, they brought Odin's sons, Vali and Vidar with them. Vidar was able to stand up to either of Thor's sons, while Vali talked sense into the other. Eventually, the gods and einherjar stood down.#futharkvillage @SRCExplores
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 21, 2019
"But they claimed that they needed some way to resolve the disagreement about Mjolnir, Thor's hammer. The prophecy had said that they both would inherit it, but still they fought over it. Vali asked if I would adjudicate, as king of the dwarves.#futharkvillage @rhipossessed
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 21, 2019
"So I was given the power to solve all of the problems. Thinking quickly, I ordered them to go to Jotunheim. I told them that they needed to slay as many frost giants as possible. Whosoever possessed the power of Thor would be deemed worthy to hold Mjolnir.#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 21, 2019
"But it didn't work. I ordered them to Jotunheim, and they agreed in good humor. Then they set up their fortresses here in Svartalfheim. They made day trips into Jotunheim, each holding the hammer for the day, to kill as many giants as possible.#futharkvillage @MarieHa44988077
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 21, 2019
"It has been an uneasy truce between them ever since. Every day at dawn, the two Aesir gods and their armies will meet to exchange the hammer. And every day, I worry it will be the day that their war resumes. #futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 21, 2019
"Now you have disrupted this balance. You have sent soldiers to the homes of the gods. If one army is significantly weakened, or even strengthened, but the presence of your warriors, then the fighting will resume. Svartalfheim will be destroyed."#futharkvillage @ILupine
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 21, 2019
King Nordri ended his tirade and glared at King Mannaz with eyes that screamed, "It will all be your fault." Mannaz sat stunned. After how curt the dwarven king had been for the entire beginning of their conversation, this monologue was overwhelming.#futharkvillage @Apez140
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 21, 2019
"It sounds to me," General Algiz said into the silence, "like there needs to be a little bit of distance between the two armies."
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 21, 2019
"If we are only one hot-headed comment away from another war between the gods…" Kenaz ventured.#futharkvillage @NacternalDeath1
"The exchange should be done by courier, not by a meeting of opposing armies," Gebo chimed in.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 21, 2019
"We maintain three good ships, several carts, and a stable of well-maintained horses," Raidho pointed out.#futharkvillage @wing_paranormal @CeruliasCircle
"But that is only the short-term," King Mannaz pointed out. "Have you considered the longer term, King Nordri? What will happen when you declare one side the winner? Will the other side lay down their arms and lose gracefully?"#futharkvillage @MjolnirForge
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 21, 2019
King Nordri sat ashen faced at this question. "Yes," he croaked. "Yes, I have. I do not believe that I will walk away from the pronouncement alive. Magni is currently winning, by a wide margin. I believe that Modi, god of berserkers, will kill me when I say it."#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 21, 2019