(Hello there! I apologize for the long break because... I don't know. I just didn't feel like it. I'll try to keep a schedule now.)

The Story

When Freya has entered the Holy City of Warrior Gods, she didn't know what horrors were going to happen. The priest-warriors led her into the main hall, with great statues of Old Gods covered in gold and silver and ocultum, lit with lamps that hat flame but no fuel, and a bound Worshipper of The Saviour, gagged and kneeling in front of the statues. The priests gave her an offer - as a great warrior, she may become one of the Cut-Teeth, legendary warriors of the Gods of the North. She had to undergo a trial however. The priest gave her an obsidian ritual knife, and told her to cut upon her own teeth without flinching. Her player accepted it, and rolled a Physique save. Her save was 13+. She rolled 12. Gods (I) gave her a choice - she may either fail the initiation, dropping the dagger, or she may pass. At a great price. Of course she chose the second option, and cut straight through her own cheek. The priest smiled, revealing his own cut teeth and gave her a second trial as blood gushed from her cheek - he gave her a hurley and pointed at the bound sacrifice. Soon, her blood mixed with his. Only then did he burn her wound.

The Moral

A victory at a cost is awesome, and most players will choose it when they have the option. Winning with sacrifices is much more heroic than just losing.

A rule I will use from now on

When a player fails their roll by 1, give them a choice - they may succeed, but it will cost them. It may be that they break their tools, or expose themselves to further attacks, or it may even have permanent consequences. Or they may fail with usual consequences.