Year 488 - War on the Continent

[GM Craig]

[OOC: I'm going to move things along. Sir Cedwyn and Artaigne can continue this on a private board if they want.]

[GM Craig]

The next morning, before dawn, the order passes to pack up the camp. Sir Cedwyn runs a tight camp, and while there is some grumbling, that is to be expected. Scouts are dispatched before the camp is even half packed up, and by the time the sun is a finger width into the sky, the entire column is on the move. It was pretty backbreaking work, and the men are tired, but you have a lot of ground to cover.

During the day, scouts and outriders spot horsemen in the distance, but they withdraw before your scouts can investigate. Then, during a brief rest stop around noon, a pair of Northmen scouts come riding up with lathered horses.

"Sir Cedwyn! Frankish troops to the south! A couple of hundred foot, with maybe a score on mounts. They were forming ranks when we spotted them. Looks like they are setting in for a battle."

Troops to the south. If you wanted to avoid them, you would need to move closer to the main army, which leaves the Prince's flank more exposed. If you go wide, you leave the Franks between you and the main army. If the numbers are accurate, you outnumber them.

[OOC: Every PC heard this report.]

[Cedwyn]

[couple questions...

1. Do we have knowledge of the lay of the land? I want to fight on favorable ground.
2. Do I still have the bonus I rolled earlier for Battle Skill?

End Questions]

[GM Craig]

[OOC: 1. No, you would need scouts to gather those details. That will take time.
2. The bonus would apply if you were ambushed or otherwise attacked while marching. This will be setting up battle lines, etc. so a new battle roll will be required.]

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn signaled to Arne and Valka.

"We need scouts to get us the lay of the land. I want to know the Franks' march direction and the ground between us and them. We're either going to ambush them or let them 'ambush' us. Either way. I want to choose the ground for the battle."

[Arne]

Arne nodded and waved their chief veteran, Gunnolf over.  "Gunnolf, see that Ivar and Holger here get fresh mounts, and pick two more scouts to go back out with them." 

He thought about that for a moment, then sought the veteran warrior's counsel. "Hmm . . . what say you, Gunnolf?  Four scouts, or perhaps six?"

[Geoffrey]

"Sir Cedwyn," Geoffrey began.

"I would like to lead the scouting party."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn nodded to Geoffrey. It was a good choice. He'd not seen any action yet and this was a good time for him.

"Granted," he replied and added with a bright grin, "Find us a place where we can engage them and show them the glory of Logres's knights."

[Geoffrey]

The knight gave Sir Cedywn a nod and waited only long enough for the two Northerners to get their fresh mounts before spurring his own off to begin scouting the area.

[GM Craig]

Sir Geoffrey does not have to wait for long. Fresh horses are brought, along with five other Northmen mounted warriors. They sit their horses well enough, but it is obvious to Sir Geoffrey that these warriors are not experienced fighting from horseback.

The warriors take the lead, and the somewhat larger party heads out into the rolling grasslands. About an hour of trotting later, the two lead scouts reign in.

"M'lord, the lie over the next rise. We saw their lines and rough numbers, but little else before we left to bring word."

[Geoffrey]

It was tough for the knight to keep his frustration in check when he noticed the inexperience of the Northmen riders.  No wonder the group he sent after the fleeing riders had failed.  Lesson learned, he thought to himself.

When the group stopped the knight took in his surroundings.  If they were going to take a peak over the rise he didn't want anything giving them away that was easily avoidable.

[OOC: Where is the sun in the sky right now (is it even sunny or is it overcast), and is there some tall grass or other structure(s) natural or man made nearby that can be used as cover?]

[GM Craig]

[OOC: It's a little after noon. Party cloudy today. There is a fairly overgrown creek you could use for cover, if you dismount. You won't have the advantage of height, but you should be able to approach unseen. otherwise, the hill ahead appears bald.]

[Geoffrey]

"You two with me." Geoffrey ordered 2 of the northerners as he began to dismount.

"We'll make our way on foot to that creek and get a look.  The rest of you be ready, if we're spotted we may need our mounts quickly."

[GM Craig]

The Northmen remaining behind nod, and take reins from their countrymen.

The three of you start forward. You are certainly not stealthy, but there is plenty of cover, so you should be able to get a view without being seen by anything that could be a threat.

You move through the brush, splashing through the creek, but the undergrowth is very thick, and you are having trouble making any progress. It looks like it may go on a ways, but you cannot see an end to the brush.

[Actions?]

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey almost cursed out loud.  He, who'd spent much of his life in the wilderhness, was being stymied by underbrush.  He was almost tempted to starting cutting through it with his sword but he knew better, and after a few moments calmed his mind and continued to push forward.