(015) Near Saxxon's Gatehouse

[waysoftheearth]

Valandil wrote:
Andaros will follow Victor and charge towards the archers.

"Gustave, come on, into battle!"

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
Gustave sighs deeply at the form of Andaros charging into the fray, then slips his dagger back into its sheath and draws his blade before charging after him, a barely perceptable "merde" escaping his lips.

[waysoftheearth]

heartless wrote:

Wibert pats his short bow and shots again at the line of men, unless he thinks he can backstab Sigmund.

With his craftiness, of course Wibert thinks he could backstab Sigmund. It would take a round to clamber down the to the gully floor and get into position though...

Wibert climbs down the ridge and moves silently as his name, keeping in the shadows of the people around in order to backstab Sigmund. He thinks to himself, "I am getting good at this, but I still need the practice..."

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The parley melee churns on!

On the eastern flank initiative is rolled (1d6; Mads=4+1, Sigmun=3+1). Mads feigns more serious injury than he carries (truely impressive) allowing Simund foward with false confidence. Then, with Sigmund midway through the stride that would overstretch him, Mads spies his half chance and fixes a steady glare upon Sigmund as he draws up his predatory axe. With a gasp of understanding, Sigmund sees through Mads' ruse and knows he is outwitted, for he cannot undo his last step. Mads flings his trusty axe with every ounce of strength left to his thews (1d20=13 -- exactly enough to hit!) and (2dd=4,4) bursting through Sigmund's defense and splits his skull with a wicked crunch for 8 hit points! Sigmund collaspses without a further sound, Mads' axe still lodged in his brow.

Just paces to the west, Olaf and Dieter lie moaning, covered in bright blood from many scratches and wounds. Boris tends Dieter, splashing cold water over his bloody face, washing away grit and gore until at last, he rouses the angry fighter (Dieter now has 1 hp but has lost his helm and thus 1 point of AC).

All the while Wibert has been tumbling down the ridge face, and then trotting around the back to flank Sigmund... but at last sees he is too late!

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
As this unfolds, Pelenwin taunts Wulfric with vehement words, gnashing teeth and clanging blows of his pole-axe. Wulfic -- bleeding profusely from the gut wound given by Olaf -- somehow fights on! Swearing like a trooper he plies vengeful swings of his morningstar as he closes with Pelenwin, leaving Highbough circling artfully to his flank. Initiative is rolled (1d6; Pelenwin=3-1, Wulfric=6, Highbough=2).

Despite his terrible wounds, Wulfric batters in like an enraged giant, moving too swiftly for one his size to get inside Pelenwin's swinging arc, and (1d20=11) smashing the Templar with an unexpected helm to helm head-butt that stuns him for the moment required for Wulfric to bash Pelenwin dead center of his chest with his morning star (2dd=3,5) for 7 hit points!

That hurt like The Fang of Ferifthnudd, but nothing short of Death will stop a Knight of the Seal! Pelenwin roars the first of The Seven Names and strikes back at the raging, hairly bloody murderer (1d20=6) but his balance is all off, and his slashing strokes are awry.

"Har! Anotha Prig of tha Hollow Latrine!" Snorts Wulfric, flinging blood and spittle off his lips. He is about to share another liberal dose of rhetoric as Highbough springs up unnoticed from behind (1d20=10) and thrusting his spear deep into the small of the great warrior's back (2dd=6,2) for 6 hit points. The dagger points drives up and bursts out his chest with a purple gush of fluid.

Wulfric's eyes go wide as he looks at the bloody point, "I'll.." he gasps, "..seee..", he staggers to his knees, dragging Highbough down with him, "..youuh..." he gasps, then crashes heavily to the muddy earth, and finally wheezes "...innn... Hehhhlll,". He dies with a most disturbing grin stretched over his bloody yellow teeth.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
And at the far end of the gully... Andaros, Victor and Gustave charge the line of five brigands, who fire their bows.

Ulric instantly ascertains that the range is too great for his sorcery, so instead makes quick to fire a sharp edged rock from his sling over Gustave's and Andaros' heads as they barrel toward the foemen. Ulric lets fly (1d20=18) and finds his aim is good! There is a rough crunch (1dd=4) as his stone cracks off the jaw of the nearest brigand, even as he looses his own arrow from his bent bow.

Not a moment later the rag-tag line of brigands return fire in the test-of-nerves moment before Andaros, Gustave and Victor crash into them. Target selection (1-2=Andaros, 3-4=Victor, 5=Gustave, 6=Ulric) (5d6=1,2,4,4,5).

The storm of missiles rip into the attackers as they charge maddly into point blank range. (5d20=4,18,19,20,19) And woe, the darts of the enemy are released with deadly accuracy! Only the Man struck by Ulric's stone misses his mark -- the others are all of a fell eye. Andaros his hit by one missile (1dd=3) for 3 hit points. Victor is hit by two black arrows (1dd=1, 2dd=5,4) for 6 hit points, and Gustave is hit (1dd=2) and knocked off his feet. He tumbles to the cold mud at a gallop and does not get up.

Then there is a bold crash as Andaros and Victor plow into the line of enemy and hew about them! Shouting and clash of arms ensue! Andaros (1d20=15) dashes the nearest fellow's bow from his hands, and with a smart slash of Mads' hand-axe (1dd=2) strikes his across the shoulder for 3 hit points. Victor (1d20=3) finds less purchase for his own woodsman's axe, struggling as he is with his own hurts.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
End of round summary:
The Parley Melee has been won; Sigmund and Wulfic are slain, both.

The line of five brigands have just taken Andaros and Victor's charge.. who can tell what courage is in their hearts?

Mads (AC4) 1 of 9
Dieter (AC4 no helm) 1 of 12
Highbough (AC7) 4 of 4
Pelenwin (AC5) 1 of 12
Olaf (AC3) 0 of 10 Incapacitated
Wibert (AC6) 8 of 8
Ulric (AC9) 1 of 4
Gustave (AC7) 0 of 9 Incapacitated
Andaros (AC5) 7 of 12
Boris (AC7) 4 of 7
Fix (AC7) slain
Victor (AC4) 4 of 10

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The battle field appears to be thus;


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[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
What doest thou intend next?

[waysoftheearth]

verhaden wrote:
Mads the Fair

With a rush of adrenaline, Mads yells out a hoarse roar--a pure emotional bout of fear, anger, pain, and joy. He then drops down to see what could be done for Olaf, whose wounds are more serious than his (hard to believe possible!).