Legendary Exploits of Three Not Viking Brothers

[Isn't he trying to basically act as a sniper? So he'll shoot his arrow, but since there are bushes/mist he'll still be hidden? Or is he using tracer arrows ]

[He's practically fifteen to twenty feet from them they'll hear the arrow be fired and even then they could just look at the arrow jutting out of the ground/someone. If he were far enough away that the distance was a factor in whether they could see him he wouldn't be able to see or shoot them either.]

[Ah ok, I was unclear as to the distance involved. I also assumed that there would be some sort of bush or tree or shrub he could use to hide in the forest. How have they not seen him so far?]

[Okay, I'll greater action double shot one of them then. Any minuses associated with the forest/mist? If not, 8k5 x 2 gives 17 and 22 (damage reduction from armor applies to each I think). Depending on how well that goes, I'll tell you who my other guys are shooting at.]

[because he is behind a bush/tree/shrub but that does little to hide you when you've shot them and they can just look over at you and/or hear you. Plus the combat in this system doesn't operate that way]

[Hold on, miscalculated that a bit. Forgot double shot was -1D, not -1B. Should I roll again with 8k4?]

[Oh, I got it, I'll just keep one lest die. So that's 15 and 20. Damage is 5/degree with piercing 1.]

[You need to roll initiative for your men too. They're essentially 3 in all stats except marksmanship where they're 4. You'll be the one rolling for them in combats]

They go on 7. After Gwain shoots, he drops his bow and draws his fencing blade and dagger.

Actually, if my men are going on 7, I'll delay my 10 initiative to 7 so we all go at once.

Two arrows fly from Gwains bow while three others fly from the members of Gwains guard with him one after the other. The two arrows from Gwain sink into the flesh of the nearest one and he collapses with a yell of pain but continues struggling. A third arrow flies into the same man and this silences any retaliation he may have attempted upon you. The fourth arrow flies wide (Gluttony, go figure) while the fifth one finds it's target in the shoulder of one of the women who manages to brace herself from falling onto the ground.

The women who was shot in the shoulder is the first to retaliate. Raising her bow she fires an arrow straight at the one who shot her (gets a 18 on the shot, longbow, so 4 damage per degree). The third one in the open sprints away from Gwain and his men to take cover behind a tree apparently content to leave the other two to die. A second arrow is fired from the direction the other two had went and you see him also hiding behind a tree (gets a 9, doubt it hits). The other women who went off you do not see at the moment.

An arrow flies towards Sloth, cutting through the shoulder of his padded armor and drawing a line of blood [9 hp -> 1hp]. Gwain on the other hand, slices the arrow headed for him with his left handed dagger before it can make contact [actually though, dual wielding gives me +3 combat defense]. With the attack defended, Gwain drops his blades and picks up his bow [lesser action], then fires at the wounded scout [lesser action].

[Gwain gets 23 on the shot. Who else is in sight?]

The wounded women takes the arrow in her forehead and slumps onto the ground ungraciously. There are two more that you can see (both currently using full cover of trees they're behind) and you find it odd that the third one hasn't popped up yet

Sloth stays next to Gwain and quickly scans the area for a sign of the third scout [13 on awareness], then fires an arrow towards one of the two behind cover[16]. Gluttony and Wrath charge forward with blades drawn and attack whoever they can close on, maneuvering to flank an enemy if they can.

[If they get an attack, it'll be 9 for Gluttony and 14 for Wrath on 3k3. What weapons are they using? Either dual wielding Bravosi blade and left-handed dagger like me, or something more standard like a long sword?]

Sloth, despite his injury, manages to land a square shot of one of the men who are peaking out from behind a tree though the man quickly breaks the arrow shaft sticking out of his arm to keep it from impeding him. The other two members of Gwains Guard begin skirting around towards the man who had run away when you threw the stick. As they move however, Wrath is suddenly and unexpectedly charged by the women who Sloth hadn't managed to spot hiding behind a pine tree and risks being run through by her shortsword (16 on the charge so 4 per degree success). The man who Sloth had shot retaliates with an arrow of his own (20, don't ask me how they keep rolling so well) while the last hunter takes a shot at Gluttony (20, OMG!!! good thing he has cover)

Wrath receives the charge with a grunt and soon locks swords with his opponent [9hp -> 2hp]. Gluttony winces as an arrow streaks through the brush and grazes his side [9hp -> 1hp]. None have it worse than Sloth though, who takes an arrow straight to the gut. He cries out in pain and staggers to the side [1hp -> 1hp, 0 injuries -> 3 injuries], but manages to hold on to consciousness.

"Sloth, lay low for now, you're going to be okay." Gwain double shots the scout who nearly killed Sloth [19 and 21]. Meanwhile Wrath and Gluttony close on the surprise attacker and flank her.

[Gluttony moves and attacks, Wrath assists Gluttony and attacks. Gluttony gets 14 and Wrath gets 9. 2dmg/degree. Sloth uses Catch Your Breath, roll 13, 1 hp -> 4 hp.]

The two arrows you let loose find their target and penetrate the mans chest. Seriously wounded but not mortally he falls to the ground and lets go of his bow in a yielding manner. Wrath's and Gluttony's attacks go out in a dervish and Gluttony manages to pierce through the attackers defenses and scores a hit while Wraths blade is turned away by the defenders armor. In retaliation the women strikes out with her blade at Wrath while an arrow flies at Gluttony (16 for the girl, two damage each and 17 for the archer, 4 damage each).

Wrath suffers a dangerous slash across his chest, but continues to fight [2 hp -> 2 hp, 0 injury -> 1 injury]. Gluttony has it even worse, with an arrow now lodged in his thigh [1 hp -> 1 hp, 0 injury -> 2 injury].

Sloth struggles to his feet and despite debilitating pain, finds an arrow from his quiver and sends it streaking towards the scout locked in melee [16 roll -3 injury = 13]. With trembling breaths, Sloth assists Gwain with his leader's shot.

Gwain continues his hail of arrows and fires two at the still active archer [26 and 19].

It becomes clear to Wrath and Gluttony that Gwain can handle the enemy and they need not risk themselves any further. The two sprint off deep into the woods [6 o'clock].

Despite his injuries Sloth still manages to find his target in the melee and the arrow sinks into the woman's shoulder while Gwains own arrows fly true straight into the archer hiding behind the tree and severely wounds him. With Wrath and Gluttony no longer trying to shiv the woman to death both she and the archer sprint as fast as they can to the 9 o'clock direction and Gwain loses sight of them. Moans of pain from all three members of Gwains Guard can be heard but the potential to chase down the last two scouts is there though Gwsin would have to go alone

Seeing his prey escape, Gwain picks his blades from the ground, then bursts forward, swords drawn. As he runs, he hoots twice like an owl, the signal for Gwain's Guard to fall in to his position. Hopefully the other merry men scattered around the forest can cut the runners off. Then in the direction of Wrath and Sloth, he shouts, "stay safe, see to each other's wounds!" Before losing sight of the wounded enemies, he glances towards them to evaluate their condition. If they seem to be getting uppity, he may have to put them down before he can continue the chase.

Gwain hoots like an owl to his surroundings though how many people can hear it at this moment is anyone's guess. Deciding to give chase, Gwain sprints off after the two scouts on his own and he can't quite see them enough to get a clear shot but he can hear them just ahead of him.

[make opposed athletics test against the two. Look on pg 209 for chase rules]

[12 on the athletics test. The book mentions chasing in somewhere that makes it hard to move (potentially this forest) gives -1D. If so, the test is 11.]

[yes the dense forest does make things difficult]

Sprinting off after them you realize that having been uninjured in the previous fight gives you a distinct advantage over the other two (you beat both of them). Realizing that you are in fact chasing after them the two split off in different directions from each other. If you can gain a little more ground on either one you can potentially take a shot at the expense of any ground you gained.

Gwain chases the one who's route is most directly towards the enemy city. As he runs he readies his bow for a shot. [6 on athletics]

Gwain chases after the man who had very nearly killed Sloth. The women can be heard shouting something as you run off but what it is she says you have no idea. As you ready your bow you trip on a root you failed to see and lose a little ground on your prey. Unfortunately a shot on the individual is almost impossible right now.

Gwain continues in hot pursuit [9 on athletics].

Again you find yourself losing ground to this wounded man. You hear him shout something your way in what you can only assume to be a taunt

Gwain curses. Too much partying in the halls of Heretics End to be ready for this kind of running. He still tries to keep following [6 on athletics]

Indeed the days in Heretic's End has taken some of your youthful fitness out of you as the scout seems to be outpacing you all of a sudden you dig your toes into the dirt and you gain on the archer you've been pursuing.

Gwain musters one last burst of speed, ready to take revenge for his injured comrades [11].

Gwain surges forth with as much speed as he can muster. He begins to close the gap at break neck speeds before the awful truth dawns on him: the scout had stopped running and before Gwain can stop his headlong rush a dozen archers stand before him with longbows pointed straight at his chest. Gwain can't help but notice the smirk across the face of the scout he had been pursuing. Beyond the archers Gwain can see an entire army with a raven emblazoned on a flag at it's front. The scout had let him catch up, and Gwain had fallen straight into the hands of the enemy forces.

"Well that's a pickle," mutters Gwain. He stops running, lays his weapons on the ground, and lets out a long sigh. This is not the first time Gwain has been captured, nor certainly will it be the last. He can only hope that all his men make it back to Leewan safely. Perhaps some of them who heard the hoot are hiding nearby and will be able to report back about the enemy army.

[Gwain and his capture will transition to a solo thread]

Robillard and Leewan having been travelling with the army this whole time are currently enjoying a nicely roasted lamb leg as the walk along. The lamb had been coated in some spices the support unit had brought along and it tastes a lot like the cooking you would normally have at Heretic's End. Unfortunately this refreshing meal is interrupted by shouts up ahead of wounded coming from the scouting party and Leewan and Robillard head to investigate. When they arrive they find three members of Gwains scouting group (those he'd gone with himself) all seriously wounded with one near death (may still die of infection). Not far off you can hear the shouting of two other men of Gwains Guard beating on some native with a raven symbol on his shoulder. You both find it alarming that Gwain isn't present

Robillard quickly drops the leg of lamb and leaps towards the oncoming men. "Where is my brother?" He shouts.

The potentially dying scout (Sloth you remember his nickname to be) coughs out a reply despite his obvious arrow inflicted wounds "He ran off chasing two scouts we had encountered. A group of five, two dead and one captured. Gwain chased after the remaining two alone."

"Damn him," Robillard mutters. "Go get yourself patched up. I must speak with Leewan."

As he leaves, he signals the less wounded of Gwain's men to come with him. He is hoping to find Leewan, so they can set up a rescue mission of some sort.

you find Leewan as he's probably there with you

Turning quickly to the side, Robillard speaks to Leewan, who was clearly there the whole time. "Brother, how many men can we spare to rescue Gwain. We cannot assault the town if they hold him hostage. Perhaps if we hurry we can reach the enemy before they bring him into the keep."

He then addresses Gwain's men. "Tell us everything you saw. How far away was this fight? How many men were there? Is Gwain unharmed? Can you find your way back there? Every scrap of information will help."

One of the less injured men speaks this time "We were half a days scouting ahead. Where not sure where he may have run off to but he didn't come back from his chase. Since there were enemy scouts this far up it's quite possible there's an army not far from where we fought them."

Robillard grinds his teeth. "I'm sure he's just frolicking around out there, without a worry in his mind. I'd hoped the last eight years would have made him more serious. Still, we ought to make sure he's alright."

Leewan finishes chewing his midday jerky ration while Robillard frets over Gwain's capture. He swallows down the the salted pork and takes a moment to stand up and properly face his brother.

"We battle. They only have the time to threaten us if we permit it. That ... and Gwain will handle himself."

Leewan beckons for a runner and gives him a message to spread through the force:

"We march for blood. Sharpen your tools and fall in line. No mercy for us and no mercy for them."

As he watches the messenger run through the camps the first son of Griswald wonders how much jerky he has left.

Robillard is shocked at his brother's harshness. Clearly the past eight years have aged him more than he knew. However, as much as he feels it is important to save his blood, he knows better than to countermand his brother's orders. He goes back to his leg of lamb, brushed off any dirt, and begins eating again. While he chews, he wonders why Leewan would rather eat salted pork instead of fresh, spiced lamb.

While Robillard does his very best to not ride out into the forest in a desperate attempt to save his brother Leewan ponders on the situation. Searching his knowledge on military tactica that his father had drilled into him since he could walk he pieces together the current information. An enemy group of scouts being found nearby and so far from the town likely means there is an enemy force of some size nearby. The direction of this force is unknown but it is likely situated between him and the town. The number of enemies and composition is also completely unknown but no scouts have been seen near the Griswald army but the women they released would have known enough and as such the enemy holds the advantage there. Realizing that charging into what is likely a prepared enemy force without any previous information isn't a good idea Leewan realizes that it is likely the best course of action for the army to go on the defensive. As to where to setup is another matter. Trees provide cover from potential enemy archers but can hinder sight and movement of the men. Setting up atop a cleared hill would allow a larger field of view though at the risk of exposing his men to a hail of arrows. The decision of where to setup is up to Leewan though he may still elect to charge off against his own better judgement

Leewan instructs his forces to setup around the hill. To give high ground to the archers and set the infantry squads to the 1:30 and 10:30 directions of the archers (vaguely aimed in the direction of the scouting party).

Your three units set up as you instructed and as they do so there isn't the usual bravado among the men as they prepare themselves for the coming battle. Not long after taking up this defensive posture the remaining scouts of Gwains Guard return with reports of further enemy scout contact. None of them were seriously injured in any confrontations but as night comes many reports of enemy scouts being spotted from the hilltop begin pouring in. Sure enough, come morning, a half a mile from the Griswald armies encampment is a barbarian force. Leewan counts among their forces numbers three infantry units, one archer and a unit of cavalry. They have organized themselves with three infantry in front of the archers all in fairly dense forestry. The unit of cavalry is about two hundred yards two the right of the infantry formation (from the way your looking they're to the right). Leewan does see a trio of horses riding towards your position with a banner bearing a raven on its fabric. You notice that as they approach only two of the horses have riders while the third one bears someone laid across the horses back.

Begin warfare

Leewan permits the envoy to come into the camp to speak. While the envoy reaches his position on the hill he remarks to Robillard:

"Perform gloriously this day brother. Fear must be struck into the hearts of overwhelming numbers to rout them."

The envoy moves up the hill past your lineman. Now that you get a better look at the enemy formations while waiting for the envoy to approach you realize that two of the infantry units are peasant levies who have been given armor and the third infantry unit appears to be what could amount to professional soldiers who all wield long axes. Once the envoy reaches your position you realize that the horse with the man slung over it is in fact carrying Gwain who has a black eye and looks like he's been covered in feces (whether it's human or horse you have no idea). Upon arrival the envoy descends from his horse and removes his helmet to reveal a handsome face. a purple raven is emblazoned on his breastplate and a sword and shield are on his back (he has a war lance but it's on the side of the horse right now).

In what most closely matches a Russian accent in reality the man speaks "I am Vetrov Larionavitch, first son of Czar Larionavitch ruler of these lands. You have invaded our lands and killed our people. By all the goddesses will we have the right to kill you for your crimes but my father wishes to offer you a chance at peace nonetheless."

Robillard can't help but stare at the golden symbol of a hawk grasping a sun and moon in its talons held about the mans neck with a small chain.

Robillard is furious at this barbarian's shameless arrogance. How dare he profane Themis' holy symbol by letting it touch his heretic flesh. He is barely able to hold his tongue, but realizes that to burst out in righteous anger now would ruin the negotiations. He waits for Leewan to speak.

After an unnerving stretch of silence, Gwain speaks up and breaks the awkwardness. "Hello brothers. Nice weather today eh? This kind gentlemen here has treated me very well and I think he'd like to have a chat."

Leewan approaches Vetrov with slow and steady paces.

"We abide by the laws of one goddess. We do not cow before threats. But. We will offer you a single chance for reprieve as reciprocity for not executing this kin of ours. House Griswald will spare a single member of the Larionavitch house and make death quick for the remainder."

Now Leewan stands four paces from Vetrov.

"Make no mistake, that shit covered kin of ours will not return to your camp unhindered. If your will is to leave unharmed and with your prisoner then you have two paths before you: To best the champion of our house, Robillard Von Griswald, or for you and your guard to fight off fifty men and break for armies."