Manndom

In the cold frozen north are a race of unrivalled strength, tenacity, and viciousness. Some call them raiders, some call them thieves and murderers, but they call themselves “Manndom”. In this micro RPG you take the role of a 16/17 year old youth seeking to gain your manndom. You, with the aid of your friends will have to overcome the five challenges, culminating in the slaying of Varulv, the werewolf.

The game is only 8 pages long and provided in standard PDF form, and in "PocketMod" PDF. You can print the PocketMod PDF version on a single sheet of paper and fold it into a tiny booklet that slips easily into any pocket.

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A vignette:

Garuth slid his empty trencher onto the table and wiped his bearded face with one gnarled hand. Finished with the food, he turned his blue eyes to his daughter. “Smiling Utred?”

Her voice almost failed because of tense excitement, only a whisper passed her lips, “Manndom.”

“Aye.” A smile slid onto his face. “Where are the elders sending you?”

“Monkton Ube.”

“Gods! Old Berna chose Monkton again?”

“Yes. What’s wrong father?”

Garuth’s smile was gone. “Manndom in the spring were sent to Monkton.”

“Oh. You think they’ll be ready for us?” Her brow furrowed.

“No lass,” he chuckled, “they’ll have no axes left in the place. Well, I suppose Berna has thought about that.”

“There’s one at least there. Erik lost his axe to a lad from Monkton.”

Garuth burst into laughter and the trencher bounced as he pounded the table. As his laughter subsided, the smile faded and his manner became sterner. “Utred. I laugh, indeed I do, but Manndom is a serious matter. Erik would have killed to keep that axe. Those in Monkton Ube will be just as willing.”

“I know father.”

“Aye, you know the words. But you don’t know the feel of it. The excitement, the thrill. But Utred the bloody hell of it, is just as real. When the Manndom descend upon Monkton, some will die. It’s the way of the thing. Those who die will be of two sorts, the unlucky, and the rash. When you get there, don’t rush in, bide your time. Remember the trial starts for everyone when the elders send you on your way, but it ends when you return, whatever day that be.

“Utred, you are the last of my kith, I would not have you die, so heed my words. Do not enter anywhere with but one way out, and know the ways of escape. Watch everywhere and everyone before you move, know where each man is, and be sure you make no mistake.”

“Watch. Escapes. No mistakes. Take time. Yes father, I shall remember.”

Garuth stood and Utred rose to stand before him. “Now. Go join the others, make me proud, and let me feel the warmth of your mother’s smile all the way from Hel, when she sees you come back with an axe.”