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Post by TheUdjat on Mar 24, 2009 14:56:49 GMT -5
[Excellent first posts, everyone!] As the hours stretch on, the dozen Covenant members continue on down the road to Freiburg. A village is passed at some point, one close to the Covenant that knows of its strange personage. Wary looks are given, especially to the magi, but there is no need to stop here. A couple of militia men watch the group depart, clutching crude spears warily.
Further on, the days grows dim as the guards start to exchange jokes and travelling banter, with Arnaud’s fiddle a pleasant background. Mostly the soldiers keep to themselves, even as far as Elric is concerned—the man is their commander, and they respect his orders, but they seem to have little like for him otherwise. Even by their crude standards, he is awkward. Perhaps it is his intellectual pursuits, or perhaps it is something more basic, an inability to connect—in the end, it doesn’t matter.
Suddenly, Amalric’s hawk cries out in an alarmed tone, and the magus instantly knows that something is amiss. Sure enough, all can soon make out the figures standing on the road in the distance. An overturned wagon much like their own lies across much of the little road, and five figures stand near it. The guards suddenly shift to an alert, hands on their weapons, ready for trouble—and indeed, four of the men carry spears openly, while another has an axe held across his back. They are all armored, their equipment crude, ragged, and ill-fitting, but still serviceable.
One of them—the man with the axe on his back, steps forward, clearly meaning to speak with those approaching. The guard at the reins of the wagon slows to a stop within shouting distance, a hand on his crossbow. “We should be careful,” he advises Elric unnecessarily, and urges the others to keep to the cover of the wagon.“Ho there!” shouts the man with the axe in a gruff voice. “Travelers! I’ll make this quick. You’re on our road, so you pay the tax, just like everyone else. A quarter of your goods, and you can be on your way.” He doesn’t offer an alternative, but it is felt anyway, with the way the other men hold their spears, ready for a fight.
Amalric’s hawk screeches in alarm, still, though it has taken to a tree somewhere to keep out of sight.(Character Status)
Amalric – Normal
Arnaud – Normal
Elric – Normal, Mounted
Jakob – Normal, Mounted
Joseph – Normal, Mounted
Rupert – Normal
Tawno – Normal
Guardsman 1 – Normal, Driving Cart
Guardsman 2 – Normal, Mounted
Guardsman 3 – Normal, Mounted
Guardsman 4 – Normal, Walking
Guardsman 5 – Normal, Riding Cart |
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Post by Japic on Mar 25, 2009 0:41:07 GMT -5
First let me apologize for missing the very first post, I hadn't seen it until today. Second good job out of everyone so far; this has helped me get a little perspective on who I'm showing about. That said, game on. Jakob had been largely quiet since leaving the sanctuary. Most of these people hardly knew him. And those that did, knew that he usually preferred his own company. The mages trouble him little, for his job was simple; keep to the road and deliver them all to their destination. He very much doubted that either would even approach him. Magi were an aloof bunch more interested in their tomes and readin, then the wilderness. It would certainly not be a difficult trip... though with the addition of the troubadour and gypsy this was an unusual caravan for the yearly trip. No matter, things would be back to normal soon enough. Riding out in front of the group, an unnecessary guide on such an easy road, Jakob is instantly uneasy as the men come into view. They didn't appear to be troubled farmers, but vagabonds; and not very smart ones based on his traveling companions. They would learn of their mistake soon enough he thought with a faint smile. Jakob halts his horse and half turns in the saddle, looking to Elric for guidance. He was in charge of the guard and this was a matter for him to handle. Waiting, as if unconcerned about the men in the road he speaks nonchalantly for those near enough to hear him. "Seems the road is no longer free to travel on." Turning back to the 'tax collectors' Jakob's eyes scan the trees for signs of additional vagabonds. Five would be foolish against such a large and well armed group. Likely there were more men close at hand. Notice roll at +6 I suppose [dice=20] [rand=3410245891193137772347156823998971971487032011536319147944048239285] |
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Post by Badasterysk on Mar 25, 2009 9:20:08 GMT -5
“Well,” noted Arnaud in a heavy and undeniable French accent, “zey appear uneenterested een deeplomatic parlez, non?”
As discreetly as possible, he drew his crossbow and loaded a bolt. “Zough eef you weesh,” he suggested to Captain Elric, “pearhaps we could negotiate a lowair fee.” The smirk on his face implied his comment to be as much a jest as a serious suggestion.
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Post by Yakumo on Mar 25, 2009 10:44:42 GMT -5
"Ahh, bandits, the great equalizer between the poor and the soldier. I almost considered going that route once. Too bad it is for the weak." Elric thinks. He scans his surroundings for enemy reinforcements briefly and orders his men to do as such in a simple phrase, "Eyes open men." Notice roll: [dice=20]+4 Listening to the bandits' brief demands Elric appears to take the demand seriously. He looks at the orders given to him, pretending as if he could read and then speaks up, "Regretfully, the Covenant didn't allot money for bandits. I'm afraid you will have to move from the road, or be moved." Elric draws his longsword, knowing that his men will follow suit. "Bows at the ready men, Cavalry ready for charge."
He speaks with less a tone of command than before, noting that the rest of his companions aren't subordinates. "If you are not willing to fight, stay behind us. Those who are willing, take no unnecessary risks and support my men if you aren't sure of your own abilities. Keep your eyes open because we don't need more of them sneaking up on us."
He turns back to the bandits, riding to the head of the group, "Your move, friend." On the defense for now, giving them an alternative from fighting. But readied action is an attack on the first man to come close to Elric. PS: Why don't my men like me?  [rand=564115154733530480875165206202220637089975126747808487471528174706]
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Post by menatkhufu on Mar 25, 2009 17:17:31 GMT -5
Upon seeing the bandits and the toppled wagon, Tawno joins the men in prying about the environs. She witnessed some of their tricks before, and none came without an ambush.[/td][/tr][/table][/spoiler] Half sticking out from the cart, she silently listens the captain. When the Frenchman loads his crossbow, she frowns in disappointment. T'will turn bloody soon, she thought, if I interfere not. As far as she knew, bandits were often desperate rascals, common scum gathered under the will of a single stronger man. If one had the leader, the rest usually dispersed easily. The bandit-in-command looked sharp and mean, but Tawno -through the shell- saw a superstitious villager.Pushing through the others gently, she approached a few feet towards the man, but she was still behind the warriors and Elric. A crooked smile in the corner of her mouth, she seized the opportunity when the bandit was momentarily shocked to see a woman amongst his... victims." T'is a good trade not, I tell ye. Yer target y'ave not chosen well. However strong, yer men aren't game for our warriors." " Coin and wealth be what ye crave for, but in this lot, there be nothing but death and demise for you. I've foreseen this errant attempt at muggery through divinations, and also how miserably it fails. The fortunes spoke of men who'd try to waylay us, yet only to be cut dead by our blades." Tawno spoke in a compassionate tone, as if she is bothered by the fate that'll supposedly fall on the bandits. She grabs the charm dangling form her neck, a rabbit's skull tied to shells, ribbons and a copper coin, to strenghten the image of a fortune-teller.Her smile abruptly ceases, and she croaks wickedly, her black eyes fixated on the man. " Ya'll will perish if you fight, brigand-leader! T'is not worth it." [/td][/tr][/table][/spoiler][rand=644500480818853559533163501682278002793333719012023219318392548704]
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Post by at on Mar 26, 2009 6:57:49 GMT -5
Glacing towards Joseph, was this part of the test? Amalric did not wish to be last to act, but then perhaps patience was called for, or perhaps these were simple fools with know knowledge of the danger they had placed themselves in. High above him Isabeau flew beyond the wagon, peering down upon it. The trees were an obvious place for an ambush, but the wagon itself could conceal many things. Let the stragglers talk, make their jokes and wordy threats, all the more time to study the foe. Amalric moved to the side of the wagon, suitable cover if required, while keeping the apparent leader of the bandits in sight. Isabeau's notice check
[dice=20]+14
If anything is seen Amalric will relay the information to the guard captain using mind touch. [rand=654327824751723918723581629073904133517653493168247014285268680185] |
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