Pendragon
Role-Playing => Adventures => Topic started by: GM Craig on October 15, 2014, 03:59:10 PM
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Darkness, interspersed by painful light and pain. In many ways the darkness is a relief.
Slowly you become away of a stone cell. Manacles on your wrists. The stench of mildew and rotten straw.
In the dim light through the tiny window in the door, you make out others in the room. Three of you are here - Sir Rodric, Sir Cedwyn and Sir Gwyn.
It takes some time to sink in, but you come to realize you are prisoners. And not ones held for ransom - the barbaric Saxons are treating you like commoners! Any civilized enemy would treat you as a guest, confident of a ransom to come.
Then you become away of a fourth individual in your cell. Old and weak, with a rattling cough, the old man in rags looks to have been here a long time.
"Good, sir knights. You are awake. I had hoped you would recover soon."
[PM's sent]
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"God's grace on you. But perhaps you can tell us where we are..."
Cedwyn said, checking himself. The wounds he sustained were severe. He should not be standing right now...not at all.
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"God's grace?" Rodric mumbled, his chest ached as if he'd been struck full on from a boulder thrown from a catapult.
"At least in the darkness there was no pain..." he took a shallow, difficult breath.
"What happened?"
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The old man, also in shackles, shrugs. "I do not know precisely where we are - some castle occupied by the Saxons. I arrived much as you did, some time ago. In my time here, I have seen a dozen nights come through that door. They stay for a time, then are dragged out. I do not know their fate, but I am certain it is unpleasant. I have heard the guards speak of a witch who rules this castle. I fear she has something to do with their fate."
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Cedwyn growled, "A witch, eh? So who are you and how long have we been here?"
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He shrugs again. "Me? I am no one of consequence, my lord. Just an old peasant in the wrong place. I do not know how long I have been here, but it has been many months. Perhaps years."
He pauses, and you see something of a glint in his eye. "But I do happen to have a key for your shackles. I can give it to you, and you can unlock each other's chains. I also know the way to freedom - I was in possession of my senses when they brought me here. I can find my way back to the outside. But I am no warrior. I will need the help of courageous knights like you to get free. What say you, will you help me?"
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[Intrigue: Skill=5. Roll=1. Success!]
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Then what are we waiting for, Rodric wondered. The knight struggled to move as the thoughts of escape ran through his head. They'd need weapons, eventually they'd run into guards. Would there be an armory on the way? And where was their gear?
"Then unlock us." Rodric said, his voice hoarse and raspy.
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The old seems pretty cagey. Cedwyn can't see anything glaring, so he questions him to look for holes.
Cewyn holds up his hand to forestall Rodric's command. To the old man he says, "How came you by this key?"
The man nods, apparently impressed. "The last knight they drug out of there struggled. One of the guards had their head dashed against the wall and fell senseless to the ground. When they dragged him out of here, I noticed a key had fallen from him, so I hid it in the filth." He shakes his hands indicating his short shackles. "I cannot use it, but I can toss it to you."
To Rodric he says, "I am an old man, and no warrior. I would never make it out on my own. With your help, I stand a chance. I will give you the key, if you swear to help me. I know Cymric knights are men of their word. Will you give me your oaths?"
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[Are his shackles shorter than ours?]
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[Yes. His hands can't go below the top of his head.]
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"I should think I'd like to know why you have short shackles, friend," Cedwyn inquired.
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He shrugs. "Who can say? Look about you, my lords. Some are longer and some are shorter. Luck of the draw, I suppose. Though it served me well - had I been able to unlock my chains, I might have been tempted to try and flee on my own, which could only have ended in death."
Glancing about the room, the shackle length does seem to be random.
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Cedwyn considered this a moment, placing himself in the position of the guards. With many options, the guards would choose the one most likely to keep a prisoner secure.
"As you please," he said after a moment, clearly the man had some sort of skill with his hands they wished to prevent, "I agree to the bargain provided you do not betray us to the witch or her allies. Nor shall we betray you in the same manner."
[ooc: do I recognize any accent on him? Or clothing style?]
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He seems a peasant, but speaks with an eloquence not typical of the peasantry. He seems Cymric through and through though.
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"Rodric? Gwynn? What say you? I think the bargain isfair."
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Rodric glanced from Cedwyn to the old man and back before finally nodding.
"Seems a sound enough agreement to me."
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Gwyn nods in agreement, but looks suspicious. "I swear to help you escape, old man, if you give me your name."
He pauses. "I an Powel, son of Howell, of Andredsweald."
Gwyn nods. "You have my oath to see you safely from this place."
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"Do the guards come at regular intervals?" Rodric asked the old man.
"And how many can we expect."
[OOC: How are we arranged? I'm thinking if the one who's furthest from the others can cause enough of a fuss to draw the guards in so their backs are to the others the other two can jump them from behind.]
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You're in a square room. He's on the east wall. You guys are on the south wall, with Rodric closest to him and Gwyn farthest.
"The guards bring something approximating food every morning. There is usually one. He will check through the window before he comes in."
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[ooc: what time is it now?]
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[OOC: No idea. No windows, the only light is a torch out in the hallway.]
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"Do you know when the guard will come again? I wager that we could unlock ourselves and then make the shackles look like they hold with cloth or straw...something that breaks easily."
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The old man nods. "My belly tells me they will come soon. Do I have your oaths then?"
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"You do. We will see you safely from this place."
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Rodric gave the man a nod.
"You have my oath."
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He old man nods, apparently satisfied. He stretches out a leg, apparently working his toes into a pile of particularly disgusting-looking filth. As he struggles, he says, "By your speech, you're from Salisbury, yes?"
He grunts in satisfaction and you see a sturdy iron key emerge from the pile of filth, clutched in his toes. He gives a kick, and the key arcs through the air, missing Gwyn entirely. In lands on the stone floor with a clang and skitters towards a grilled hole in the floor. Cedwyn manages to quickly slide out and trap it with a foot a moment before it would have fallen down through the grate. You all breathe a sigh of relief as Cedwyn drags the key back and manages, through some tortured acrobatics, to get the key into his hand. The key is foul and smells of a sewer, but it is all worth it when you hear the click of the shackle lock opening. Cedwyn gets his other hand out, and in short order the three of you are unlocked.
The old man waits patiently for you to unlock his shackles, looking a little nervous but hopeful.
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Cedwynn replied, "Aye. We are," as he went over to unlock the old man.
"How did you come to be in the place?"
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Rodric gathered up a few pieces of straw and began breaking them to length so they could be used to hold the shackles closed and not be obvious.
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The old man watches as you unlock yourself. "Andredsweald fell to the Saxons. My lord was a good and noble man and I saw him hung and his family clapped in irons and taken away - I never knew where. Most of the peasants were kept to work the land as slaves for the new Saxon lord, but every so often one or two were rounded and and sent away. I never knew where they went until I was taken, and ended up here. Seems the Saxons nearby send prisoners here every now and then. There were others from other lands when I first arrived. Now only I remain."
The shackles are all off now, and the ruse of your capture maintained. You can get free with a sharp tug on the manacles.
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"For what purpose I wonder?" Rodric thought out loud, knowing the old man wouldn't have the answer.
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"It matters little now, but once we are free, it will be time to bring an amry down upon the with."
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To Rodric it mattered quite a bit. There had to be a reason behind what was going on.
"One of us should try to gain the guard's attention in full so the others can catch him from behind."
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Powel says, "When they come, I expect it will be to take me away. When they come for me, you must take them from behind. There will be two, I think."
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Cedwyn nodded, "Why would they take you?"
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He shrugs. "I have been here longest. They might pick one of you young, strong men. But I expect this will be my time."
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Cedwyn shrugged.
"Either way...we need to be ready. We'll figure out what happens next when they get here."
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Not long later, you hear the sound of boots in the corridor outside, and see a light approaching through the tiny barred window of the door. The sound of grumbling Saxon voices reaches you. You then hear a key in the lock, and the door opens. Two men in leather armour and longswords are in the corridor. They laugh at each other as they move to the old man. With their backs to you, they start to undo his shackles.
[Need dex and str roll from each of you. Dex for the sneaking, and str for the grappling / fighting.]
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With the backs of both guards turned, Rodric ripped his hands from the shackles and charged towards one of the guards, trying to drive his shoulder into the man's back and send him head first into the wall.
[DEX = 17 (failure), STR = 5 (success)]
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Cedwyn made the same attempt as Rodrick. He shifted his weight and made a slight twist of his wrists. The knot (if such a term could be used for the straw) slipped past his hands and he was free!
With a deep breath, he rushed a guard and with a grunt slammed the man's head into the wall as hard as he could.
[Dex roll: 10. Success! Str roll: 4. Success!]
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Cedwyn moves like a cat towards one of the guards, but Rodric scuffs some of the straw and one of the guards turns around. Reacting on instinct, Cedwyn slams his doubled fists into the face of the guard that turned towards Rodric, rocking his head back. That alerts the other guard who spins on Cedwyn, drawing his sword. Rodric is already on the move however, and drives his shoulder into the guard. The man is driven back, and Rodric hears a satisfying crunch when the guard is driven into the wall.
Cdwyn's target slumps to the floor, momentarily stunned. Rodric's target groans and clutches at his ribcage - he's alive, but has no fight left in him.
[Actions?]
Note: Powel is still locked up.
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Cedwyn makes a grab for the Saxon's sword he pummeled and runs the man through.
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[OOC: Hoping Rodric can get him to surrender before Cedwyn tries to run him through.]
Rodric picked up the sword of the guard he'd just driven into the wall. Seeing that at least one was out of the fight he turned his sword on the other that was down, but not out.
"Yield." he commanded.
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Rodric levels the sword at the stunned guard and commands him to yield, but Cedwyn draws the man's sword and quickly runs him through while he kneels there trying to recover his wits. The man collapses, while his life runs out on the floor.
The man with the broken ribs is obviously no threat, and he cannot catch enough air to do more than groan.
[OOC: Cedwyn earns a check for Cruel. Rodric earns a check for Merciful. <We resolve those in the winter phase>]
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"Was that really necessary?" Rodric asked of Cedwyn as he moved to help the old man to his feet.
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"If they're dead, they can't wake up and yell for help," Cedwyn explained.
"I have my people to get home to and they serve a witch. A Saxon witch at that."
Cedwyn seemed adamant about that.
"We need to get moving. Let's tie the survivor properly and keep him bound so that he cannot speak. We have precious few moments."
Cedwyn reached over to undo the manacles on the old man.
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When you release the old man, his face turns serious. He no longer appears the dottering old man.
"Quickly, take their weapons. Leave everything else - we have little time."
He moves to the open door as if he had just woken from a bed, rather than spent weeks clapped in irons. No limps, so signs of stiffness, and with a clear purpose to his stride.
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Cedwyn bent down to quickly scrounge their weapons. He hoped for a dagger or dirk as well as the sword.
"Which way is out," he asked.
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[OOC: They each have an axe and dagger.]
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Rodric relieved the still living guard of his weapons and gave him a blow to the head with the pommel of his sword. It was unlikely the man was in any condition to call out anyway, but better safe than sorry.
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[OOC - Earlier I may have said the saxons had swords. I lied. Saxons carry axes as their default weapon.]
Without answering, the old man turns right and strides confidently out of sight as if he know exactly where he is going. You hear his voice call after you, "Come along now!"
As you step into the corridor, you find it dark and dank and lined with doors similar to your own. You can hear moans and the rattle of chains from other cells. You are not alone down here.
The old man is halfway down the corridor towards a door at the far end. Through the grate of the far door you see stairs leading up.
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Cedwyn said as he caught up to the old man, "What about the others? We can't just leave them here. They'll be taken eventually as well."
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Rodric took up the rear, letting Gwynn follow behind Cedwyn. Hearing the moans, he tried to glance into a few of the cells they passed. His thoughts echoed Cedwyn's words, but he also wondered if by trying to save others, they would greatly decrease their chances of escape.
The knight remained silent, and waited for the old man's reply.
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He waves a hand dismissively. "Yes, yes! We will release them of course - they are all Cymric folk and worthy of their freedom. But we will not help them if we die because word of our escape reached the Saxons. We must move quickly. There will be time enough to saving once the witch is dealt with."
Without waiting for a response, he throws open the door and moves briskly up the stairs.
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Cedwyn almost stopped. He'd thought they'd been fleeing for their lives.
"Oh right. How do we fight a witch? We can stand against any Saxon but a witch? We have no talismans or amulets nor a priest to call God's eye down on the sorceress."
Of note, excepting for a slight hitch in his step, Cedwyn had kept moving. There was an edge of concern in his voice but his heart and courage would not let him stop.
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"Deal with the witch?" Rodric mumbled to himself. Who was this old man that he was so ready to battle a witch? But if they were successful, it would mean a great blow to the Saxon filth.
"Axe or dagger?" he asked Gwynn, offering him the choice of which weapon the knight wished to wield.
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"Dagger," he says. "Never had much truck with axes."
The old man opens the door and, bewilderingly, you find yourselves walking into the great hall of the castle.
A revealingly-dressed woman is standing over a table. On the table, a Cymric male has been strapped down. There are perhaps a dozen guards in the room.
The woman hisses at the old man. "You!"
The guards ready weapons. The old man says to you, "I will deal with her, you take care of the guards! Keep them off me!" As he says this, he waves a hand at the great double doors, and they slam shut. A moment later, the bar drops in place, seemingly of it's own accord.
[Actions?]
You'll each face a single guard the first round, more will come after unless you move.
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Cedwyn had opted for a dagger as well, having never practiced with an a e; a Saxon weapon after all. He wished for a sword but twas not to be.
He silently went for the closest guard, hoping to get inside his reach.
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[OOC: You guys are unarmoured, so that gives you a +5 on your weapon skill.You guys also have a +5 from a source I do not want to mention at the moment. So, even if you are unskilled with your weapon, you will still have an effective skill of 10.]
I need combat rolls from each of you.
Also, we haven't mentioned it before, but you can invoke a passion. It's a risk, but if you succeed, you could gain bonuses to combat. This might be a good time to try. Failure, however, can hamper you in combat, so the choice is yours. Successfully invoking a passion will earn you a check to increase that passion in the winter phase. Note that passions and traits above 15 may take some decisions for your character out of your hands in the future.
6 SAXON WARRIORS (using Axes)
SIZ 16, DEX 8, STR 14, CON 14, APP 11; Move 3; Armor 6 + shield; Unconscious 8; Major Wound 14; Knockdown 16; Hit Points 30; Healing Rate 3; Damage 5d6.
Combat Skills: Axe 14
Skills: Awareness 15, Boating 12, Swimming 10.
Traits: Valorous 12.
Passions: Honor 10.]
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[Also note that daggers do 1d6 less damage than your damage stat, with a minimum of 1d6]
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Cedwyn sidled into the closest guard, holding the dagger pommel up and extending out from the bottom of his fist like the wicked claw of a badger.
Somehow, he managed to get it past the defenses of the Saxon and score a solid blow against his hated enemy...and an ally of a witch to boot.
[Dagger Attack. To Hit-15 (base 5 + 5 (no armor) + 5 (special)). Roll: 10, success. dmg: 4d6. Roll: 21]
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Rodric felt a swell of energy as he engaged one of the guards. He swung the unfamiliar weapon with a surprising measure of skill at his opponent.
[Adding +10 from successful passion roll to Axe skill.
Axe attack, to hit: <=20, roll result 5, success. Damage 5d6, roll result 17.]
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[OOC: What passion?]
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OOC: Hate Saxons.
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[Rodric has earned a check for his Hate: Saxons passion.]
| Character | Roll | Roll | Opponent | Result |
| Rodric | 5 | 8 | Saxon Axeman | Axeman hits for 20 |
| Cedwyn | 5 | 3 | Saxon Axeman | Cedwyn hits for 21 |
| Gwyn | 4 | 8 | Saxon Axeman | Axeman hits for 20 |
The Saxon gets the jump on Rodric, and the axe gets past his defences. However, the blade seems to get partially deflected and a solid blow to the chest becomes a glancing blow to the leg.
A saxon, spittle flying from his lips as he screams, charges at Cedwyn. The knight slashes with his rever-hold on the dagger, and the screams of the saxon turn to gurgles as his slit throat starts to drown him in blood. The saxon falls back, clutching at his wound.
Gwyn is also a little too slow, and the saxon axe strikes him. The blade is also mysteriously deflected, and only scores a glancing blow to his hip.
While you are fighting, the Saxon witch slits the throat of the struggling figure on the table, and speaks strange words that make you all feel like you are covered in filth. A moment later, a ghostly red serpent shape rises into the air from the dead body. It gives a roar that shakes the room then lunges at Powel. Powel throws his hands up, and a silver ghostly serpent springs into being. It immediately grapples the red one, and their ghostly bodies slam into a stone column, knocking some plaster loose and making the column creak.
[Actions?]
Rodric is 16/27 health.
Gwyn is 15/25 health.
Cedwyn's blow seemed to hit a weak spot, and cut right through the saxon's armour.
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I need attack rolls again. Rodric and Gwyn have two opponents each, so decide how you want to split your rolls.
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Cedwyn spun through the impact of the dagger on the Saxon's throat, picking his next target.
[Attack Roll: 9 (Success! vs 15). Damage: 14 (on a 4d6 roll)]
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Rodric, was surprised by deflection, but also thankful. Now facing two opponents he attempted to engage both.
[Split attacks at 10 and 10, both failed with a 17 as the result for each roll.]
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| Character | Roll | Roll | Opponent | Result |
| Rodric | 17/10 | 20/14 | Saxon Axeman | Both miss |
| Rodric | 17/10 | 3/14 | Saxon Axeman | Axeman hits for 15 |
| Cedwyn | 9/15 | 7/14 | Saxon Axeman | Cedwyn hits for 14 |
| Gwyn | 1/10 | 12/14 | Saxon Axeman | Gwyn hits for 16 |
| Gwyn | 14/10 | 6/14 | Saxon Axeman | Axeman hits for 20 |
Rodric tries to handle the unfamiliar axe, but trying to take on two opponents proves too difficult, and he fails to connect. Mercifully, one of the axemen misses badly, and breaks the haft of his axe. Now unarmed, he steps back to draw a dagger. The other axeman gets in a chop, though the hit wasn't as bad as it should have been - again the deflection absorbs a good part of the hit.
Cedwyn keeps up the deadly dagger play - his family is known for more subtle skills after all - and the Saxon staggers back, gasping for air, with a spurting stab wound in the chest.
Gwyn has mixed success, somehow reversing a hit by the Saxon into a stab with the dagger. The first Saxon staggers back, dragging a leg. The second saxon however scores a solid hit with the axe. The same deflection affects Gwyn, and must of the blow is absorbed, but Gwyn is not looking well.
Three more Saxons close with you. The ghostly serpents continue to struggle, slamming into walls and knocking over furniture. One of the Saxons heading for Rodric is caught when the struggling serpents when they crash into the floor. The Saxon is crushed by them, and does not get back up.
The old man, who appears to be out of breath, hisses, "The weapon racks, you fools! Swords and shields! There's a rack of spears over there!" He grunts in pain as the serpents slam into a stone column and focuses on whatever he is doing.
Rodric is 10/27 health.
Gwyn is 5/25 health.
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Cedwyn yelped a loud "Ha!" And immediately went for a sword and shield.
[ooc: can I use them this round? If so, I'll post attacks].
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No, you'll be under attack. Roll dagger this round, one opponent. If you are successful, you'll get to the sword and shield at the end of the round and can re-arm then.
Same for Rodric.
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[Roll: 4 (success). Dmg: 9]
In his haste to get to the sword and shield, Cedwyn relaized he got sloppy a little too late. His attack was not quite how he was taught. Stupid! He thought to himself.
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Rodric was almost ready to curse, the unfamiliar weapon was proving quite the challenge so it was time to switch tactics and focus on a single opponent at a time.
Bring the axe to the ready he took a swing at his opponent.
[OOC: Finally! And thank heaven I didn't decide to try to take on one of Gwyn's opponents as well.
To hit: 20, roll 19, Success. Damage 18]
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| Character | Roll | Roll | Opponent | Result |
| Rodric | 19/20 | 20/14 | Saxon Axeman | Rodric hits for 18 |
| Cedwyn | 4/15 | 1/14 | Saxon Axeman | Cedwyn hits for 9 |
| Gwyn | 12/10 | 4/14 | Saxon Axeman | Saxon hits for 18 |
| Gwyn | 16/10 | 13/14 | Saxon Axeman | Axeman hits for 19 |
Rodric, hungry for a sword, swings the axe and buries it in the chest of the Saxon. The Saxon falls back, and Rodric reaches an arms display on the wall with a shield and two swords. A moment later, the shield and a sword are in Rodric's grasp.
For his part. Gwyn stabs the Saxon in the thigh, and manages to get past him, reaching another weapon rack, and a moment later has a sword and shield in his hands.
Alas, poor Gwyn is outmatched, his wounds having taken their toll. The fist axeman buries his axe in Gwyn's chest. The poor knight falls to his knees when the second axeman steps up and swings, nearly taking Gwyn's head from his shoulders. His body falls back in a spray of blood. The two axemen that killed Gwyn look to Powel. They seem intent on attacking him next.
Meanwhile, two more axemen reach Cedwyn and Rodric, looking to bring down the Cymric knights.
The two serpents are still wrestling, making an ear-shattering din. They slam into a collumn, and it fractures. A chunk o stone falls on top of Cedwyn, but the knight manages to dodge out of the way, and it crushes the Saxon that had been closing with him.
[Actions?]
Rodric is 10/27 health.
Gwyn is dead.
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[You guys still get the +5 unarmoured bonus, and the +5 from another source for a total +10 to your effective skill level. skill numbers over 20 get added to the die roll (the surplus that is) which increases the chance for a critical
So, a 25 skill you roll 1d20+5, and any result of 20 or greater is a crit.]
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"Deal with them," Rodric indicated the two that were moving to attack Powel.
"These two are mine."
With the now familiar weapon in hand Rodric took a pair of swings.
[OOC: Splitting attacks, 8 and 7 for DCs of 18 and 17.
Roll 1 13/18, success. Damage 19
Roll 2 1/17, success. Damage 25]
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Cedwyn nodded and bolted for the two approaching Powel. With a sword in hand and shield on his arm, Cedwyn felt much more confident, once again a knight in the full flower of his strength. Without a sound, he attacked the two Saxon axe-wielders threatening Powel.
[Split rolls, 8(18) on Saxon 1; 7(17) on the second. Roll 1: 1 (success!). Dmg: 20. Roll2. 14 (success!). Dmg: 14]
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[OOC: Did we forget Rodric's +10 from the successful passion roll? I lost track.]
| Character | Roll | Roll | Opponent | Result |
| Rodric | 13/18 | 12/14 | Saxon Axeman | Rodric hits for 19 |
| Rodric | 1/17 | 13/14 | Saxon Axeman | Saxon hits for 20 |
| Cedwyn | 8/18 | 8/14 | Saxon Axeman | Saxon hits for 20 |
| Cedwyn | 7/17 | 3/14 | Saxon Axeman | Axeman hits for 14 |
Rodric charges into the two closest saxons, and runs the first one through. He falls back with a serious wound. The next one takes advantage of Rodric's distraction, and gets in a cut before Rodric can bring his blade around. Rodric catches much of the blow on his shield, and the strange effect reduces the damage further, so a major hit is turned into little more than a scratch. However, the damage is adding up.
For his part, Cedwyn runs across the hall, intercepting the two axemen before they can get to Powel. He cuts the legs out from one, and takes the other down with a thrust. They both go down, groaning from their wounds.
The only warrior left in the room is fighting Rodric. The witch appears to be unprotected, but some intuition warns Cedwyn that when a witch is involved, appearances can be deceiving.
[Actions?]
Rodric is 8/27 health. At 7 he's unconscious.
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[OOC: The passion roll bonus was applied to his axe skill, he grabbed a sword and shield for this round.]
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Cedwyn finished cutting down the last Saxon threatening Powell and looked to see how his friends and boon companions fared. The pit of his stomach fell when he saw Gwyn in the ground unmoving and Rodric sorely pressed.
His face twisted in fear and anger for his friends and with a cry leapt across the room to aid them.
[attack on last saxon. ToHit: 25. Roll: 3 (+5. 8 total). Dmg: 23]
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Rodric's strength was beginning to falter but he pressed on, taking another swing with his sword. If he was going to die, he'd die on his feet.
[Attack roll result, 1 + 5 = 6/20, success. Damage 18.]
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| Character | Roll | Roll | Opponent | Result |
| Rodric | 6/20 | 4/7 | Saxon Axeman | Rodric hits for 18 |
| Cedwyn | 8/20 | 16/7 | Saxon Axeman | Cedwyn hits for 23 |
Rodric sets his jaw against the pain of his wounds and snakes his blade past the saxon's shield. The Saxon grunts and falls to a knee clutching his side. Then Cedwyn runs up and neatly takes the Saxon's head off. The body slumps to the floor, spilling red.
Before you can celebrate the victory, there is an ear-shattering roar and the coiled serpents crash into the pillar over your heads and fall to the ground. You both scramble out of the way, Cedwyn diving in one direction and losing his footing, while Rodric fairly dances out of the way. The serpents slam into the ground, right next to Rodric.
[Actions?]
Rodric can take at attack on the witch's serpent if he chooses. Cedwyn won't be able to hit the serpents, but could try for the witch if he's so inclined.
Rodric is 8/27 health. At 7 he's unconscious.
Note that Rodric gets a check for Dex (not sure of it's applicable, but we'll sort that out during winter phase.]
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Most likely, Rodric should have taken the opportunity to disengage. He was badly wounded, barely managing to keep his feet under him and blood was flowing freely from many wounds.
But as the serpent lay at his feet he couldn't bring himself to step back. Was it foolishness or pride, or his sense of duty and honor he couldn't be sure. But in the end, he drove his sword into the creature.
[Attack roll result 20 + 5 for 25, critical success. Damage, 9*2 18.]
Too bad the damage roll ended up being so low...
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Saying a prayer, Cedwyn made for the witch.
"Lord in heaven guide your servant's hand and arm. May it please you that I strike down the eil of this witch. Lord in heaven...guide my hand and sword in Your name..."
[atack roll: 1 (+5, 6 total). Dmg roll: 24]
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Rodric takes a mighty swing against the struggling serpent, but the hide is like iron. He manages to pierce it, but does not do much damage. It is enough, however, to allow the other serpent to catch the wounded one in it's jaw. The serpents struggle again, lashing out at each other. Rodric manages to jump out of the way a moment before the entwined serpents crash into the stone column.
Meanwhile, Cedwyn gets back to his feet and spots the witch standing before the lord's throne. Saying a prayer, he charges at the witch. Just before he reaches her, the witch cries out in pain as if she had been injured. She is so consumed with it that she does not react as Cedwyn closes and makes no move to defend herself when Cedwyn runs her through. She gasps, her attention suddenly on Cedwyn, and clutches at the blade in her chest. She hisses in fury as she sinks to her knees and, which blood foaming her mouth, says, "Cymric dog! I curse you! May your line..."
She never finishes. Some sixth sense warms Cedwyn, and he releases his grip on his sword and rolls to the side as Powel's serpent, suddenly freed from combat, lunges at the witch. The serpent grabs the witch in powerful jaws, and snaps her clean in half as it carried her body forward to crush it against the wall.
In the aftermath, as your pulse slowly fades from your ears, you hear the thunder of someone trying to break down the door of the great room - likely more Saxons.
Powel, looking much older and very tired, leans against a nearby stone pillar, gasping for breath.
[Make a note - 10 glory each. Rodric for the strike on the serpent, and Cedwyn for taking down the witch.]
-
"I think it may be time to go..." Cedwyn noted, "Gwyn is gone and neither of you look ready to fight more."
-
Hearing the thundering against the doors, Rodric quickly glanced around the room. He was searching for two things, the first, something with which to reinforce the door. The second was another exit.
He gave a nod of agreement at Cedwyn's words.
"If I stub my toe I would be done for." he replied jokingly, though the sound of his voice obviously conveyed the amount of pain he was in.
-
Cedwyn looked to Powell, "I don't suppose you can tell me if te witch finished that curse...."
He trailed off. It's not that Cedwyn felt antipathy towards Powell but tere was some trepidation. Christian children were taught magic came from evil spirits but he was magic being used to defend and save Cymric lives. To cedwyn, that was much more important but it was still hard for him to overcome years of conditioning.
-
Powel does not address the question. He points to Gwyn's body. "Grab that fellow. He died honourably, and deserves better than to be left to the tender mercies of the Saxons." Limping, Powel heads towards the doorway you entered the great hall through. "Come with me. I do not think we can save your countrymen still locked in the cells if we wish to survive this. My seal on the door will not keep them out much longer."
-
Being the most able-bodied at this, Cedwyn volunteereed himself go pick up Gwyn's body.
"And he deserved to be buried with his forefathers and honored dead in the county."
"So where to?" He asked as he made ready to follow.
-
With Cedwyn taking the body, Rodric moved to retrieve Gwynn's head and cradled it gently in his shield arm so he could keep his sword at the ready.
-
Powel nods towards a door. "Help me." Rodric lends the man an arm, and the three of you move through the great hall to the door. You open it, and step through into a hallway that looks nothing like the stairs to the dungeon. Uneasily, you lead him down the corridor to another door. You open that door and step out into a large field tent. Startled, you look behind you and see nothing but embroidered canvass.
Powel all but collapses, and Rodric helps him into a chair.
-
Sorcery! A cry went up in Cedwyn's startled mind. For a moment, he panicked. What would God think of him for having gone with a wizard.
"Where are we?" He asked after taking a moment to find his voice, "We may need a patrol to sweep for enemies."
-
Powel says slowly, "The camp of the King, on their march back to Sarum."
-
Cedwyn blanched..."How?"
-
After helping Powel into the chair, Rodric himself looked for an out of the way place to sit, either in a chair or on the floor. This had been a lot to take in, and in a very short time, he'd been wounded badly, once very near to death and the knight was exhausted. Add to it wizards and witches and even his mind had grown weary.
So out of that exhaustion the knight remained quiet, holding the head of his fallen friend in his lap. 'I am sorry my friend.' he thought to himself.
'Had I performed better you could very likely still be alive. May your spirit find peace and your loved ones forgive my failure.'
-
You hear the sound of steel being drawn from outside the tent, and three armed men rush in. They threaten you with swords and one of them yells, "Intruders in the king's tent!" You hear a larger commotion outside as the one who yelled says, "Drop your swords!"
In the chair beside you, Powel begins snoring.
-
Rodric slowly looked up and realized he was still holding the sword in his hand. He cautiously moved to place the weapon on the ground, giving it a bit of a flick at the end so it would be out of reach.
-
Cedwyn immediately dropped his sword.
"It is us! Sir Cedwyn and Sir Rodric!" He called, giving Powel a glare.
-
The squires look dumbfounded for a moment, but someone else shoves his way through them to stand before you. You immediately recognize King Uther. He takes in the situation in a moment, glancing quickly at each of you. His eyes linger on Powel. Looking back up, he sees satisfied.
To the guards he says, "Stay your blades! Do you not recognize the first of my knights?" He points to one of them. "Away with you, and notify Salisbury that his lost knights have returned. They will be in their tents, recovering." The squire runs off. He points to two others. "Lewis, see these good knights to their tents. with all courtesy. Malverne, kindly see to their companion. And Delwyn? Find the chiurgeon Sannan and ask him to attend Sir Rodric at my request." Without another word to you, the Pendragon dismisses you.
With what be kindly described as brevity, you are whisked away from Uther's tent. Your last sight of him was him kneeling before Powel and gently taking his hand.
"My lords, if you will follow me," says Squire Lewis. A quick walk through the camp brings you to Sir Rodric's camp. Dejected looking soldiers suddenly stumble to their feet when they recognize Sir Rodric. Someone bellows a name, and the squire Suger emerges from a nearby tent, an arm in a sling and a bandage around his head. He runs up and salutes. "Lord Rodric! I thought you were dead!"
Leaving Rodric to get reacquainted with his household, Sir Cedwyn moves on with the king's squire.
[Splitting you guys to your personal boards. If you want to discuss things, you'll need to see each other out later.]