Legendary Exploits of Three Not Viking Brothers

Taking advantage of the surprise, Robillard bursts into motion. He lunged forward, The Rising Dawn making a shining arc as he tries to bury his blade deep into the nearest wolf

[25 on fighting, 9 damage per degree of success]

"I think you'll find your beasts are much happier to eat prey that doesn't fight back." Gwain retorts as he delivers a kick to the man's chest with just enough force to send his limp body backwards into the mass of hungry predators waiting patiently behind him.

Leewan will progress forwards only as the area is deemed secure. His intention is to maintain a strong chain of command.

Gwain kicks the man away from him and sure enough, the beasts in front of him descend upon the fresh meat and begin devouring him. Whether the man is still conscious is unclear as a not even a single sound comes from the body as it's torn to pieces. Robillard strikes out at the nearest beast but is only able to graze it as it deftly dodges out of the massive strike. In revenge, the same beast and one other bite at Robillard as the creatures all begin to flash red.

[21 and 14 on attack 5 damage per DoS]

As the beasts attack Robillard, Gwain sees his brother in danger as more creatures prepare to leap upon them and overwhelm them through numbers. Gwain quickly looks over in the direction of his houses forces and can see the gleaming helmets of spearmen trying desperately to make their way to them. Meanwhile the members of Gwains Guard fire arrows at the creatures to little effect except forcing them back for a moment.

Expecting his mighty swing to bisect the creature, Rob is unprepared for the returned onslaught. Luckily, even with the mighty blows of the enemy [2 degrees on the 14 and 3 on the 21] he is able to use his shield and armor to prevent most of the damage. His shoulder may be sore, and there may be terrible gouges in the paint on his shield, but he is still ready to fight [took 5 damage, down to 10].

He takes his time with his next blow, feinting and lining up his swing. Clearly raw fury won't be enough to carry him through this fight.

[Taking the Aim lesser action, then an Attack lesser action, all going for the one he wounded. Rolling 9k5 for a puny 20. 9 damage per degree.]

"Robillard, this is no time for heroics, let's get the hell out of here!" Gwain shouts to his mental brother. "Come men, fall back to the reinforcements while the beasts are busy chewing their master!"

Robillard brings his blade down with focused energy but not with the force he quite hoped for. Though he deals tremendous damage to the beast which is more focused on attacking Robillard he, unfortunately, fails to fell the creature. In the midst of this Robillard hears his brother call the retreat and turns to see both Gwain and his men running towards the oncoming armed forces.

Before Robillard can respond he is suddenly lept at by a pair of creatures which splay their horrific stomachs open and make to pin him.

[23 and 20; no damage, I'm not trying to roll this high]

Suddenly Robillard is knocked to the ground and pinned beneath not one but two of the beasts as the three others make to bite him while he is down.

[18, 25, and 19; 5 damage per DoS]

Pushing his muscles with almost inhuman reserves of strength [Gaining one fatigue to ignore armor penalty for one round] Robillard manages to move deftly out of the way of the worst damage. His muscles scream in protest, but he has yet to be seriously injured or wounded (5 damage taken, down to 5).

He then tries to shove the foul creatures off him. [13].

Gwain looks over his shoulder to see his brother beset by the beasts. "Didn't I tell you to run you big oaf!?" He shouts, knocking an arrow. "Men, shoot those beasts off my brother, but keep your distance." Gwain looses the arrow at one of the creatures on top of Robillard and directs the others to do the same.

[Gwain gets 25 on archery, 6 damage per degree + 1 piercing. Gwain and his Guard use their other action to keep retreating.]

"Hurry men!" he rallies to the incoming reinforcements, "there's a Griswald down over there!"

Despite his immense size, Robillard finds himself unable to remove the beasts from him. As the beast he had struck earlier makes to bite down on his throat and finish him off an arrow suddenly strikes the creature in the chest. The creature rolls over in a slump off of Robillard leaving him free to stand up.

As Gwain shouts for aid, several men advancing through the tents hear him and rush ahead of the rest of the forces to aid the Griswalds under attack. Seeing the oncoming forces, the creatures suddenly change the flashing colours from red to blue and begin to flee leaving Robillard lying on the ground covered in saliva. As Robillard stands up the men run towards him with pikes outstretched and make a defensive perimeter around him allowing him to collect himself.

Rob stands up slowly, testing his limbs to see if any injuries or wounds slipped past his armor. Thankfully, there is nothing except a few scratches and a deep sense of fatigue.

"Good job men! Now we have to get to Noske's tent."

Rob also looks to see if anything remains of the body Gwain kicked to the wolves.

Rob looks at the dismembered body of the man he had been speaking to moments before and even he has to do his best not to gag at the sight. The torn flesh and splayed innards would force any man to feel pity for even anyone given such a grisly death. Still, Robillard can see that a shoulder pad with the symbol of House Noske is still intact on a severed arm that was tossed two feet from the body.

Rob will shuffle over to try and hide the arm from any curious shoulders. He will also beckon Gwain over, so that they can discuss what to do with the body and their evidence.

Gwain saunters over to his brother as he silently savors how lucky they were to escape the encounter mostly unscathed. "Seems like lord Noske is going to have some questions to answer. Let's keep this item from the soldier's eyes for now," he says, motioning to the shoulder pad. "There's no need to foment dissent if the man was simply a spy. We'll have to let Lord Griswald decide on how to proceed from here though.

"Regardless, we still have work to do. The other camps may still be in peril."

"Indeed, we have yet to actually reach Noske's tent. Perhaps you should send one of your men with the arm to our brother. He can decide what to do with it. Now, let us head out to vanquish more foes!"

After his speech, Robillard takes a moment to breathe. He pushed himself hard in that last fight, and he knows his reserves of strength are not limitless.

"This time, we should bring some more men with us. Gwain's Guard, I hate to say it, don't seem to be particularly helpful in such small numbers."

As Gwain and Robillard discuss what to do with the limb one of the soldiers that saved their lives approaches them. The man is quickly recognized by the two brothers as the same scout lieutenant that had been leading Daratra's squad. With a big grin, he looks at the two and says "Perhaps one near-death encounter is enough, sirs. We'll be happy to see you to Lord Noskes camp."

Not needing any verbal acknowledgement the lieutenant begins quickly organizing about two dozen men to move with them leaving the brothers to whatever decision they may come to about the arm. Soon after the brothers leave with the newfound reinforcements and begin moving towards Noskes camp once again. Thankfully, perhaps having been scared off or regrouping, no beasts assault the group as they move slightly ahead of the combined Griswald and Frey army. Moving through the tents further towards the outskirts of the camp the scene around the brothers becomes more and more bloody. Dismembered and devoured soldiers lay where they fell; some having died alone or in small groups likely trying desperately to regroup with a larger force.

Finally, a barricade comes into sight with dozens of men standing at the walls each ready for another horror to leap out from the shadows. Robillard and Gwain can clearly see the dead bodies of numerous beats that lay at the base of the crude wall proving once again that the soldiers of Acren are masters of defence no matter the conditions of the walls they stand behind. Looking beyond the wall the brothers can see a clearing has been created where tents once stood likely to ensure room for the soldiers inside.

Upon approaching closer a man in a rather pompous helmet shouts out to the approaching group "Who goes there?! Be ye beasts in disguise or denizens of this hellish land? If you are then know a pike through the heart is the only response you will receive from us!"

"We be not beasts, but men, though we wear their blood! You gaze upon two Lords bob Griswald, aye, sent by the Leader of our house to lighten you torment and free your men. Will you let us inside your walls, that we might speak in safety?"

The man peers out at Robillard with suspicion and instead of him responding a shout comes from out of sight behind him "And here I was worried we were being left to our own devices. Is that one Robillard I hear hollering at our walls."

Emerging alongside the officer Robillard is extremely shocked to see Edward Holzer standing on the walls resplendent in gold armour marking him as one of the Kings Guard. With a great smile, he says "Get these soldiers of yours inside the walls I'm sure Noske will want to speak with you."

Quickly, the men begin entering the enclosed area and the rest of the combined forces follow suit shortly after. While Gwain and Robillard wait for Leewan to arrive they take the time to look around the new cage they find themselves in. Soldiers and support workers rush about in a half panic in all directions with some carrying wood to add to the wall and others carrying orders or weapons to various defensive positions. Still others carry the wounded or dead to separate locations of the camp. Dozens of dead lie in the open with only torn cloth of tents to cover them though blood still stains through the sheets underlying the disheartening scene hidden beneath. The wounded, at least, are carried off towards some of the few still standing tents in the area with those passing by moaning about their poorly bandaged cuts and breaks.

At the centre of the enclosure, the brothers can see a circle of Kings Guard in a defensive posture. Within this circle can be seen the King, Noske, and Holzer bickering among themselves. Aside from them but still within the circle of guards Gisgo can be seen with a miserable expression on his face. Immediately wondering where the giant Yenin has gone he is quickly spotted several paces from the circle sitting on the ground next to a peculiar woman (of some description) who herself sits atop a barrel.

"Edward! My brother in arms! Thank goodness you were here. I am sure no lich-beast would be able to find its way past a wall guarded by your shining armor." Rob moves closer, almost as if the mention of the armor activated some sort of magnet.

"And what fine armor it is. Golden plate, shimmering in the moonlight. So smooth, yet still so hard. I'm sure it could resist almost any attack, turn aside any penetration."

He gives himself a shake, as if waking from a dream. "My apologies. I was simply overjoyed to see you here, alive, and in one piece. I know these are not the best of times, but still, a happy meeting demands a drink. And when you have captured two (perhaps three?) heretics from these blasted lands a drink is most certainly called for."

Next to Yennin and sitting on a barrel is a short, extremely scruffy woman in her early twenties. Thistle has dark hair, roughly tied up and out of the way, and light eyes. She is smallish and malnourished but wearing bulky, warm clothing common to Blasted Lands folk.

She's covered in mud but under the filth she seems to be wearing clothing similar to the well made clothes that the party found on the first Blasted Lands peasant they came across. Various pockets have been sewn under her cloak and coat and a few of them might be full. A bag filled with something wriggling (and squeaking) is tied to her hip. A long spear is propped up on the barrel next to her (unless she was disarmed by the guards) and there's a shabby looking bow next to it. They're both engraved with small pictures of various animals, but don't look special in any other way.

Thistle drums the heels of her feet on the barrel she's sitting on and casts her awareness out for Nibs, but hears nothing. She's starting to get a little worried about the cat, but is rapidly becoming more concerned with her current predicament. She hasn't been around this many armed and very angry looking people in a long time and things are not looking particularly great. She furtively tries to look for a way she can sneak off but doesn't see any immediate opportunities.

Trying not to panic, she elbows the giant a little in the ribs. "So these are your new friends?"

Edward returns the hearty greetings by banging his fist on his armour giving a metallic thud "Being in the Kings Guard certainly has its perks. Can't say I've felt my life anywhere close to being at risk with this armour on and how superb of fighters the others are."

He turns to look at the odd pair of a giant and a scruffy woman "Heretics I think those two are not. If it wasn't for that guide of yours Lord Noske would be in the belly of those beasts. Have to say that woman is more peculiar than even that giant you brought in."

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Not even remotely bothered by being elbowed in his ribs Yenin looks over at Robillard and Gwain and looks down at Thistle despite being sitting on the ground "The big un's a loud one and the tight pants is boring but ya, they're one's Gisgo brought us to."

He peers over at Gisgo in the ring of Kings Guard and says "Stick close to Gisgo or me, little un'. Them two's older brother is scarier than anyone else here."

[Gwain indeed agreed to have two members of Gwain's Guard carry the arm to Leewan's tent, kept well hidden from prying eyes of course. Upon meeting up with Leewan, he fills him in on the details of the previous battle.]

"Enough with the pleasantries," barks Gwain, "we came here to organize our defenses, not oogle at each other's armor. Sir Holzer, let us through to the king. Lord Griswald and his kin have critical intelligence which cannot afford to be delayed."

"Indeed, Edward, we must see the king. I apologize for my brother's harsh words; the mountain snows can make us Griswalds brusque.

"And you say these are not heretics?! I would hate to question you, but is the man not a stranger to these lands, the woman not a mud-peasant of the Lich Lords, and the giant not an abomination, waiting to be slain?"

[Leewan takes heed of Gwain's report and warnings.]

Leewan arrives minutes later to the gathering with soldiers in tow. He scans the present company for injury and suspicious articles and especially notices Gisgo has found another blasted folk denizen to add to his growing force. Without any regard for conversation between his brothers and their comrades.

"I have already sent out orders for the men to secure and reinforce the position until lords Bronstein and Holzer remove infiltrating forces elsewhere in the camp. A scouting squad has been sent to look for oncoming armies that may lie in wait outside the ridge."

Leewan approaches the King and gives the appropriate nod of deference.

"Your majesty, I urge that we hasten our plans to march as two. These enemy spy networks are handed too vast a quantity of knowledge on the logistics and maneuvering of our forces whilst we rest here as one."

After Leewan passes by his brothers to speak with the King, Thistle sees the senior Griswald give her a brief and contemptuous stare. Edward responds to Robillard as dozens of men march past them into the camp "No need to apologize if you have important information. Follow me, undoubtedly the King will want to hear it."

As Gwain and Robillard walk towards the King, Edward gestures towards Gisgo "Your guide fought like a man possessed. Why he was in Noskes camp at the time of the attack he hasn't said but if not Noske would be a few limbs if not his life. I was guarding the King as he came to meet with Noske about tomorrows travels and next thing I know we're being attacked by two dozen of those monsters. Noske got separated in the attack and storming our of some tents comes that giant who beats them off with a barrel. That woman tends to space out at strange times but your guide seems very keen on keeping her safe."

Now reaching the circle of Kings Guard a way through is made and the brothers are able to catch the King responding to Leewan "I have as much desire to leave this camp as you, Lord Griswald, but I would not condemn more men to death in the darkness outside it."

Holzer interjects before Leewan can respond "Sir, we have no walls to defend and here we simply play our enemies game. We must strike an offensive posture lest we give our enemies more time to consolidate. This attack is undoubted because our enemies learned of our intentions and are using it as a distraction to allow themselves to fortify."

The King glares at Holzer and barely holds back a harsh retort "We cannot hope to take both forts right now with our forces so scattered." Frey enters the circle with a concerned look on his face. The King looks to him to acknowledge his arrival and his expression turns to one of realization "Lord Frey are your forces all assembled here with Lord Griswalds?"

Frey simply responds "Yes my liege, they are."

A smile creeps along the Kings face and he says "Good. Then perhaps we can accomplish an offensive and minimize our losses here simultaneously..."

Noske cuts in before the King can finish his train of thought "As soon as any of our forces attack one of the forts the other will send reinforcements if not pressured. It'd be suicide for whoever we send lest they take the fort in less than half a day. Even then, we know not the condition of Ettlinger's forces so Themis knows if we could even rescue those trapped within in time."

Having successfully seen Lord Griswald to the king, Gwain politely takes his leave of the discussion knowing he will have little to contribute. He approaches Yennin and the strange new figure in muddy clothes.

"The guards tell us Gisgo fought like a demon to protect Lord Noske. Why? He owes nothing to this war and House Griswald are his only employers. And what of you?" he addresses Thistle, "Gisgo made no mention of more hired help."

"At least this one is not a monster," mutters Robillard. "Perhaps her soul can still be saved."

He raises his voice. "Speak, woman! Who might you be? Why are you cavorting with this cursed pair?"

While he speaks, his mind is turning. Why would Gisgo fight so hard to protect Noske? Heretics aren't supposed to protect honest, Themis-fearing folk. Unless, he suddenly realizes, Gisgo was truly fighting to protect himself. He knew that armored man was here and didn't want to get captured any more than we might have.

His bigoted world-view settled back in place, Rob turns to pay attention to the strange woman.

"I'm not sure about this Lord Noske," Thistle begins, slowly, a little alarmed by suddenly having two curious lordlings  interrogate her. "But I'm a guide from here."

She nods towards the giant. "Yennin is a friend from way back. I mostly know Gisgo through Yennin but, uh, they needed someone who is a little more attuned to tracking and getting around at night. I only arrived here a few hours ago and well, it looks like I had good timing."

She does a quick mental check in for her missing cat and turns up with nothing still. Where the hell is Nibs?

Trying to be friendly, Thistle grabs for the squeaking bag at her hip, unties the the top, and offers it to Robilliard and Gwain. It's filled with a dozen terrified mice.

"Not sure what you west folk eat, but want one?" She very casually pops one into her mouth and starts chewing noisily.

Gwain raises an eyebrow in disbelief. "Uhh, no thanks, I wouldn't want to fight on a full stomach. You say you're a tracker? Not that I doubt you, but... don't trackers typically have more meat on their bones? You know, many long nights following a trail without stopping?"

Robillard, still in his armor, might as well be a statue.

I need that drink, he thinks.

After shaking the bag at both of you in a no? Are you sure? kind of way, she shrugs and puts it back.

"I make do, I have help most of the time anyway- oh, there's Nibs, finally." A large, tawny mountain lion looking thing pokes its head out of a cluster of barrels nearby, yawns, and then promptly goes back to sleep. One huge paw stays poked out of the heap of barrels.

Thistle jabs a finger in the cat's direction. "That's Nibs and she's great with tracking things over long distances. She's help."

She sizes Rob and Gwain. "And what do you two do around here? Oh! I'm Thistle, by the way."

"You speak to Robillard and Gwain von Griswald, lords of Heretic's End," rumbles Rob. "I do not care for the company you keep. You say Gisgo has hired you?

"Gisgo!" he calls out. "Why have you brought this woman here? Who are you two tracking, and why do you need to travel the night?"

"Yes, Gisgo hired me." Thistle says. She walks over to the circle where Gisgo is and listens in (if the guards let her).

"Then we ought confirm the status of the other lords and if none lay dead on dirt we leave them to organize their forces while we move ahead. Unless there are yet unrevealed machinations at work here."

The men encircling the nobles of Acren do not allow Thistle to pass simply standing firm as a pseudo wall of metal. As the strange woman who eats live mice listens she can hear the lords arguing over how best to assault some fort and remedy the current situation. Before Thistle can catch more of the conversation the men in front of her suddenly part way and Gisgo strides forward from between them. Pausing at Thistle, he flashes her a smile of reassurance before he takes a more serious disposition and continues towards Robillard and Gwain.

While taking the last couple of step towards the brothers Gisgo responds to Robillards summons "I'm not tracking anyone but someone is undoubtedly tracking this army. Covering ones tracks and hunting down those tracking you are good for longevity."

Yenin, still sitting, yawns and adds "A big piece o' metal does better. Keeps em too scared."

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Leewan notices Gisgo taking his leave of the circle after Robillard shouts something to him. The King watches him leave while Holzer retorts to Leewans statement "We're to lick our wounds while the enemy makes the battles ahead of us all the more difficult? The lives we'll save here will simply be lost several times over because of the time we allow them."

Frey glares at Holzer and gestures in the direction of Ettlinger's portion of the camp "Those are soldiers of Acren dying over there! If we leave them to die then we're no better than the savages who live here! So what if our enemies fortify while we save our own? More glory to each of us and Themis!"

Holzer returns Frey's glare in equal measure "What glory is there to be had if we all die like the crusaders before us? We cannot follow the same strategy of those that failed."

Noske mumbles audibly to all "At least they were smart enough not to perform a suicidal attack."

Gwain eyes the giant feline suspiciously and wonders what the King's Guard could have been thinking to let such a beast inside. Seeing Gisgo approach, Gwain suddenly fills with rage at the thought that more of his men nearly died because of him. Wary of Nibs and Yennin however, he does his best to keep his composure.

"It would seem you could use some more practice at covering your tracks then, because we ran in to someone near here who was looking specifically for you and was far less than friendly. Do you have any idea who this might have been?"

Gisgo raises an eyebrow at Gwains questions "Not a disgruntled former employer I hope? My apologies for any danger that I may have indirectly put you in."

"Former indeed. I heard you risked your life to save Noske. I've never pegged you as a sentimental man, so what gives?

Gisgo shrugs and says "No man deserves to be eaten alive. Your lot may not risk themselves to save a Farasian but I try to look past petty differences. Makes for better business anyway"

"Then you hope to gain the employment of House Noske once this is all over? Or is this another business venture of which you speak?"

"No such desire, sir. Simply better business if employers know I won't ditch them once things get dangerous."

"Very well. I can only help you serve us with as much fervor as you served Lord Noske. Lord Griswald will likely want a word with you once he's done with the other lords."

Gwain gestures to Thistle, "In the mean time, you've brought quite a curious one with you. Care to explain?"

"As I told your brother; a good tracker, nothing more. Certainly is peculiar I'll give you that one."

"Thistle isn't it?" says Gwain, addressing the gnarly woman before him. "How did you come to meet Gisgo?"

"Hold, Gwain," Robillard rumbles. "I do not think we should waive aside Gisgo's 'former employer' so easily. Men died because of you, Farasian. Tell us what you might know of a man, slender, clad in shining armor, with a cold voice and eyes shallow as the grave."

Gisgo gives Robillard a puzzled look. He ponders for a moment then finally speaks "Slender and clad in armour are hardly descriptions of a single man but you may be speaking of Bohdan. That or his master Lich Loup Devillers. Only two men I've ever met in this hellscape with eyes "shallow as the grave"."

"No lich would be so easily killed by his own hounds. This must be Bohdan. Tell me more of him, and his master, this "Loup Devillers". From where do they hail in the Blasted Lands? What do you know of their forces and their aims? Why might they want you dead?"

"I'm from a village not that far from here and Yennin is a friend who passes through occasionally." Thistle says, scratching Nibs' head. "So when Gisgo put out the word that he was looking for someone who knew the area well, Yennin asked me."

"I only met Gisgo not that long ago, but he's not hard to ask." She opens the bag again and chucks a mouse at the cat, who snaps it up. "Not sure why y'all are this tense around him, this is dangerous country we're in and you folks need all the allies you can get. If it wasn't that lich servant, it'd be another one most likely. There's no lack of them around here."

"I have seen too many dear friends murdered by beasts and heretics to ever be comfortable in these horrid lands. Indeed, my usual manner is not so open with your kind. However, recent events have forced me to become more... open, shall we say, to dealing with those who have not yet found Themis' light.

"But we can speak of theology another time. I wish to know more of your village. It does not happen to be ruled by a lich lord known as The Snake, does it?"

Yenin scratches at his chin and speaks up "Naw Snake thinks himself too good for her small town. He fights it out for the really worthwhile stuff up North. Slaves."