Year 488 - War on the Continent

[GM Craig]

Picking your way carefully, working up a bit of a sweat, but managing to keep your head. Once or twice, one of the northmen curses as they trip, but a glare from you silences them.

You make it to the edge of the wooded area, knee-deep in a slow-moving stream, and catch your first glimpse of the enemy.

They are clearly arrayed for battle, slightly below the line of a hill. Their plan, likely, is to advance and catch Sir Cedwyn's forces unprepared, forcing them to scramble to form ranks. The enemy is not numerous - about a hundred soldiers, but they all appear to be fairly well kitted. The Irish knifers in your ranks won't stand much against these troops, but even discounting them, Sir Cedwyn has a small advantage in numbers.

Sir Geoffrey counts half a dozen banners in the opposing force - Frankish, as a best guess, though he does not recognize any of them.

The numbers reported by the Northmen appear to have been greatly exaggerated.

[OOC: Unless my math and memory are way off, you guys have about 250 troops, with about a third of that being knifers. The enemy numbers about a hundred, and perhaps six knights.]

[Geoffrey]

Finally, Geoffrey thought to himself as they came upon the enemy.

As he took in the scene he rolled his eyes, it would seem these northerners counted as well as they rode horses.  But now, counting was the least of his concerns.  Despite them having the advantage of numbers, the enemy was better equipped, and if they were better equipped, it was likely they were better trained.  The knifers would not stand up well against them, though they could be used as a distraction or diversion.  Those that would manage to survive the battle would find themselves with much better gear.

[OOC: Can Geoffrey see the whole camp from where they are?  Looking to see if he can notice which banner any apparent leader(s) might be under.  And roughly how long before they're likely ready to move out (assuming they're preparing to move)?]

[GM Craig]

[They're not ready to move - they've set up for a confrontation. Sir Cedwyn will not have a lot of time to form ranks,  unless he slips in under cover of darkness. The enemy camp is not visible from here, and you cannot tell which of the banners might represent a leader.]

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey now had a good deal of information, possibly even enough to report back to Cedwyn already.  However, further knowledge of the terrain around this ambush, and if luck was with him, the location of the enemy camp would be a significant accomplishment.  Even enough to to begin to reclaim some honor from his previous failure.

The risk was high, if they were spotted, any intelligence gathered would be useless.  But if they weren't, there was the potential to capture some among the higher ranks.  In Geoffrey's mind it was worth the risk.

[OOC: Looking to circle the area to look for the camp, and any other possible angles of attack.]

[GM Craig]

It's going to be a lot of work to get there, and some significant time, but you see what you can do about picking your way into the rear of the enemy position.

You withdraw down the marshy creek, and move to the north up a wooded hill, hoping the trees give you cover. Your Northmen scouts seem a little tense, but they grit their teeth and follow you.

You manage to make your way up the flank of the Frankish force. From this vantage point, it looks like the Franks have chosen their ground well. Sir Cedwyn will need to cross the marshy creek in order to engage. There might be some way to force the Franks to pivot, but it looks like Sir Cedwyn will need to either engage them frontally, or try and bypass them, leaving an enemy to his rear.

You move forward farther, keeping to the wooded hills to the north of the battlefield. From here, you spot more banners, about a mile behind the Frankish line. That's probably where their camp is located. Getting through to that spot is going to be rough - there appears to be a fair amount of activity in the intervening space.

As you are contemplating the best way you might get closer, you see a group of 4 soldiers not far away. One of them points where you and your Northmen are crouches, and all 4 of then start making their way towards you at a quick trot. It seems you have been spotted.

[Actions?]

It looks like 4 footmen, militia or poorly equipped men-at-arms. They are certainly not knights.

[Geoffrey]

There was a potential opportunity here.  The soldier's garb might make scouting around the camp easier.  Assuming they didn't get close enough to anyone to actually see their faces.

"Ready yourself but wait for my movement." Geoffrey ordered the two Northerners.

The knight waited for the soldiers to get closer and see if any fell out of step, evening out the odds for at least the initial engagement.

[OOC:  My 'see their faces' comment is assuming there are actual facial traits that would give them away as foreigners.  Geoffrey wants to see if the woods force one of them back, or them to separate a bit in the hopes that it might be 3 on 3 for the first round.  But in any event, let's get ready to rumble!

Focusing on a single opponent.

Attack roll result 11 vs skill 15, success.
Potential damage 25.]

[GM Craig]

Sir Geoffrey and his Northmen allies prepare for battle as the Frankish footmen approach.

Opponent	Combat Information	Armor and Shield	Hit Points	Major Wound	Unconscious	Glory
Frankish Footmen	Spear 13 (4d6) Axe 14 (4d6)	12; Leather (6), Shield (6)	30	14	8	30

Allies	Combat Information	Armor and Shield	Hit Points	Major Wound	Unconscious
Northman Warrior	Axe 14 (5d6)	12; Leather (6), Shield (6)	30	14	8

You form a loose line, giving the Northmen plenty of room to swing their axes. The approaching Franks, seeing that you have no intention of fleeting, approach carefully. They apparently, and rightly, view Sir Geoffrey as the greater threat, and two of them pair up on him. Not exactly chivalrous behavious, but these are merely footmen, after all. In moments, battle is joined.

Character	Roll	Opponent Roll	Opponent	Result
Sir Geoffrey	11 (success)	8 (success)	Frankish Footman #1	inflict (25-12) 13 damage
Sir Geoffrey	-	8 (success)	Frankish Footman #2	take (12-10) 2 damage
Northman #1	12 (success)	15 (fail)	Frankish Footman #3	inflict (15-6) 9 damage
Northman #2	12 (success)	8 (success)	Frankish Footman #4	inflict (21-12) 9 damage

Sir Geoffrey ignores one of soldiers fighting him, and scores a solid hit against the one on the left. He receives a blow from the other Frank, but his armour absorbs most of the damage - the wound is barely an inconvenience. To his right, the two Northmen land some solid blows on the Franks.

[Actions?]

Status
Sir Geoffrey 32/34
Northman #1 30/30
Northman #2 30/30
Frankish Footman #1 17/30
Frankish Footman #2 30/30
Frankish Footman #3 21/30
Frankish Footman #4 21/30

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey mentally thanked the Lord for the minor blow and hoped he'd continue to be blessed like that.

Continuing his efforts on his one target he brought his sword down on the footman again.

[OOC:Attack roll result 10 vs skill 15, success.  Damage roll 13.]

[GM Craig]

Character	Roll	Opponent Roll	Opponent	Result
Sir Geoffrey	10 (success)	20 (fumble)	Frankish Footman #1	inflict (13-6) 7 damage
Sir Geoffrey	-	10 (success)	Frankish Footman #2	take (13-12) 1 damage
Northman #1	18 (fail)	19 (fail)	Frankish Footman #3	no damage
Northman #2	6 (success)	11 (success)	Frankish Footman #4	take (19-12) 7 damage

The Franks recover from their initial uncertainty and hold their ground. Sir Geoffrey injures the first footman again, actually smashing through the haft of his spear when he lands the hit. That opponent looks close to falling, and drops the ruins of his spear to clutch at his wound, and staggers back from combat. One of the other Franks all lands a hit, but nothing serious. For Sir Geoffrey, the wound is barely a scratch.

[Actions?]

Status
Sir Geoffrey 31/34
Northman #1 21/30
Northman #2 23/30
Frankish Footman #1 10/30 (withdrawn)
Frankish Footman #2 30/30
Frankish Footman #3 30/30
Frankish Footman #4 21/30

[Geoffrey]

The knight had to put his thoughts and emotions in check.  He'd almost been disappointed the Frank didn't fall, but it presented an opportunity.  Should the others fall, they had a source for information they could bring back to Cedwyn, negating the need for further risk on their part.  However, there were still 3 Franks to deal with.

[OOC: Attack roll result 20 vs skill 15, fumble.]

[GM Craig]

Character	Roll	Opponent Roll	Opponent	Result
-	-	-	Frankish Footman #1	-
Sir Geoffrey	20 (fumble)	5 (success)	Frankish Footman #2	take (17-12) 5 damage
Northman #1	9 (success)	16 (fail)	Frankish Footman #3	inflict (20-6) 14 damage
Northman #2	15 (fail)	6 (success)	Frankish Footman #4	take (12-6) 6 damage

The withdrawing Frank turns and starts running away, likely to summon help. There's not much to be done about that. Sir Geoffrey takes a swing, but the Frank manages to trap his sword between shield and spear, and manages to twist it out of Sir Geoffrey's grasp. It calls to the ground at his feet. The Frank manages to score a solid his - this one hurt, and the damage is starting to add up. In a twist of luck, the Frank's spear shatters from the blow.

To his right, one of the Northmen takes a solid blow. He's doing poorly, but stubbornly on his feet. The Northman in the middle, though, lands a solid hit, and the Frank looses his footing, going down with a thump and a huff of expelled air.

[Actions?]

Sir Geoffrey will need to spend an attack to pick up his sword, or use another weapon.

Attacks against a prone opponent give a -5/+5 reflexive penalty/bonus to effective skill levels.

Status
Sir Geoffrey 26/34 (disarmed)
Northman #1 21/30
Northman #2 17/30
Frankish Footman #1 10/30 (withdrawn)
Frankish Footman #2 30/30 (disarmed)
Frankish Footman #3 16/30 (knockdown)
Frankish Footman #4 21/30

[/quote]

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey knew picking up his sword would leave him open to an attack should the Frank decide to draw his axe, and the knight made a mental note, carry two swords from now on.

At this point however, he needed to take a slightly less...proper action.  He swung his shield arm out, trying to bash the Frank with his shield.

[OOC: Shield bash attack roll result 1 vs STR 18, success.  Potential damage 18.
Damn I hope he fails his axe roll.]

[GM Craig]

Character	Roll	Opponent Roll	Opponent	Result
Sir Geoffrey	(1+3) 4 (success)	7 (success)	Frankish Footman #2	take (11-20) 0 damage
Northman #1	12 (success)	5 (success)	Frankish Footman #3	inflict (19-6) 13 damage
Northman #2	19 (fail)	12 (success)	Frankish Footman #4	take (12-6) 6 damage

The Frank facing Sir Geoffrey manages to avoid the shield bash while fumbling with his own axe, and lands a glancing blow that is completely deflected by Sir Geoffrey's armour. Beside you, one of the Northmen lands a telling blow, inflicting a grievous wound on one of the Franks, who additionally is overcome by his injuries and falls to the ground unconscious.

The other Northman takes another blow from the spear. He is still on his feet, but the damage is adding up. He is close to falling.

[Actions?]

Status
Sir Geoffrey 26/34 (unarmed)
Northman #1 21/30
Northman #2 11/30
Frankish Footman #2 30/30
Frankish Footman #3 3/30 (unconscious, major wound)
Frankish Footman #4 21/30

[Geoffrey]

It was beginning to be prove difficult for the knight to control his frustration.  He was being shown up, and to a certain extent, bested by a mere footman.

"Get the runner." he ordered the Northman that had overcome his adversary, which was another mark against the Knight...

He drove his shield at the Frank once more, they had to end this, soon.

[OOC: Shield bash attack roll result 10 vs skill 18, success.  Damage 9.]

[GM Craig]

Character	Roll	Opponent Roll	Opponent	Result
Sir Geoffrey	10 (success)	1 (success)	Frankish Footman #2	inflict (8-12) 0 damage
Northman #1	-	-	-	pursuing Frankish footman
Northman #2	12 (success)	18 (failure)	Frankish Footman #4	inflict (15-6) 9 damage

Sir Geoffrey swings his shield, but only manages to slam his shield against the shield of the Frankish footman. One of the Northmen scores a good hit against his opponent. They both look ready to take a knee, but the Northman still looks determined. The second Northman circles the fighting and breaks into a sprint, following the fleeing Frank.

[Actions?]

Status
Sir Geoffrey 26/34 (unarmed)
Northman #1 21/30 (giving chase)
Northman #2 11/30
Frankish Footman #2 30/30
Frankish Footman #3 3/30 (unconscious, major wound)
Frankish Footman #4 12/30