Year 487 Summer Campaign

[GM Craig]

[OOC: There could be more ships drawn up on the beach for ten miles yet.]

[Geoffrey]

"An army moves too slowly, it would not be possible for it to return to these ships daily while raiding these lands. Small forces to collect supplies or drop off spoils," Rodric motioned to the chest Artaigne had found.

"Would likely come and go but nothing sizeable," the knight paused, his thirst for blood warring with reason within him.

"Still, travelling with the others would allow us to more effectively deal with those forces. Very well, let us return."

[OOC: Awareness roll result 19 vs skill 13, failure.]

[GM Craig]

As Sir Cedwyn leads Arne and Valke to follow Sir Rodric's tracks, Sir Cedwyn spots a dark smudge of smoke about a mile distant. Concerning, but perhaps Sir Rodric had more success.

Artaign's sharp eyes spot Sir Cedwyn, Arne and Valka before Sir Rodric does. In fairly short order, both groups have linked back up. Sir Cedwyn notices a familiar style of small chest lashed to the back of Artaigne's saddle, and Sir Rodric and Artaigne both smell of pitch and smoke.

[There is about another 10 miles of navigable river to the west that could hide Saxon ships.]

Actions?

[Cedwyn]

[gm request: awareness, roll of 8 versus skill 12. success.]

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn nodded to Sir Artaigne's chest.

"I see you had some luck as well, Sir Artaigne," Cedwyn indicated the chest lashed to his saddle.

He look up to the greasy pall of smoke in the sky ahead.

"Your work Sir Rodric?"

[Geoffrey]

"Our work," he corrected, including Artaigne. The Irishman had defeated 3 of the 5 after all.

"The force was small and we were able to take them completely by surprise."

[Artaigne]

Artaigne nods his thanks at Rodric for the recognition and responds to Cedwyn, "Aye, milord, I was able to find these coins.  They are certainly better off in our hands, than in the clutches of these Saxon swine."

[Geoffrey]

Rodric looked at the chest Artaigne had secured to his mount and noticed a chest secured to Cedwyn's.

"That coin should be turned over to the Praetor." he began.

"It is likely most if not all of it was taken from his people and many of those people were probably slaughtered for it.  I cannot say if the Praetor would return any of it to the survivors, but returning it to him in hopes that he does return it to his people would be the right thing to do.

But that is a discussion for another time.  We should continue on with all haste, there are likely many more camps that need to be dealt with."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn noted the ones on Peredur, "These at least appear not to be looted from Malahaut. Unless the Praetor asks for them, it is my intent to use them for our expenses as needed."

[Arne]

Arne nodded his agreement to Sir Cedwyn's sentiments about the cash.  "Where to next? The Saxons are scum, but not stupid.  Once they see the smoke, they might cease their raiding to come back to their ships lest they become trapped here.  Striking at the next set of ships down this coast would be very predictable.  I am surprised that we have not seen mounted Saxon scouts yet."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn smiled and repeated Arne's words back at him, "The next set of ships down the coast."

He then pointed up and said, "Distance and a breeze will disperse the smoke effectively. We can barely see it a mile away. The Saxons are off a_raiding as yet so it will most likely be a while afore they return hence."

[GM Craig]

You ride past Rodric and Artaigne's handiwork. Cedwyn notices the bodies of 5 slain Saxons on the beach near the fully involved fires of the ships.

You go another mile down the beach and find two more ships pulled up without any sign of guards. You set these vessels alight, and continue upriver. Then about a mile later, you are about to crest a low hill when Cedwyn quickly calls a halt. He points ahead, and you see the smoke from several campfires curling lazily into the sky. Cedwyn walks his horse forward, and spies a wide, sweeping beach a short ways below you. Drawn up on the sand there you see a dozen Saxon ships. Standing in formation on the beach are 10 Saxon warriors armed and equipped much like all the Saxons you have faced this day - light leather armour and greatspear.

Thanks to Cedwyn's quick reactions, they have not spotted you yet. Their preparations are likely in reaction to the smoke they have seen from the other ships than any particular notice of you. Either way, you are not going to be able to charge these Saxons without being spotted.

[Actions?]

Charge or no? If Cedwyn is going to order a charge, I'll need a Battle roll.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn wheeled Peredur.

"They're ready for us this time. We'll give a charge like before and let it is carry us through. Then wheel again for another."

[battle roll: 1 <= 13. success!]

[GM Craig]

I need everyone to make an attack roll. You get bonuses to effective skill of +5 for Lance Charge (if you use a lance) and +5 for being mounted against troops on foot. There are plenty of spears for everyone.

I also need a Horsemanship roll to see if you can clear their line for Cedwyn's planned second charge.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn again organized everyone into a line with him and Peredur at the center. He silently signaled the charge (no sense in calling it out so soon).

The thrill of the battle ran through him again this day. Feeling Peredur's power underneath him, Cedwyn nearly whooped for joy. This was what it meant to be a knight in service to the King.

He lined his spear up with a Saxon and knew instinctively that it was spot on. There was a satisfying meaty think as it slammed directly into the warrior's chest.

[attack: 21 (16+5) vs. 20. Crit Success! Dmg: 42 (21*2). Horsemanship: 14 vs. 12. Failure.]