4 - 024: The Fourth Piece

[K Man]

Krysta, Girud, Galdren, Alton, Adelia, Mordorck, Garor and Yuri -

The Kuo-Toan nods understandingly and grumbles.



"Hmm...a duel. We have such things, but they usually take place in ceremony and correct time...not while an army marches..."

For being green and from the sea, the Kuo-Toans are not all that disimilar from yourselves.

Not really understanding why Sturmguard is so intent on this duel, watching every blow with fervor, a few of you try to intervene.

Krysta and Girud yell at the duelers, trying to pull them away from whatever madness has gripped their minds. Though he manages a response, Romar is far from putting his blades down. The 'Faceless Knight' seems just as intent on finishing this, trying to gain the upper hand on Romar as he pushes the attack.

Yuri takes his frustration to the kings themselves, ignoring protocol and just shouting directly at them.

King Grandil Battlehammer, Lord of all Dwarves, turns to face Yuri.



"This be an important duel for the King laddie...I canne say more than that."

"The city be in grave danger, but we have time to plan."

The Dwarven King turns from the duel, looking to all of you.

"What is it ye had in mind?"

Sturmguard however, remain intent on watching the battle, so much so that he can only repeat the Dwarven King's words.



"...yes...we have time..."

Though his jewel shines in the cloudy afternoon sun, King Sturmguard doesn't appear to be all there...

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Romar -

Ignoring not only his companions, but army outside the castle walls and common sense, Romar presses the attack. [Attack Rolls = Nat. 1, DEX Success/22] The first blow is over-extended, almost costing Romar his footing as the 'Faceless Knight' dodges the strike. The spin back however, catches the Knight just below the chin. [Damage Roll = 10] The battle is beginning to wear on the Knight, he staggers her and there, showing signs of wounding.

He takes a step forward, thrusting his blade before twisting it into an upwards slash. [Attack Rolls = 28/22] Both blows are good, striking you in the gut and then along the left shoulder. [Damage Rolls = 10/10] Definetly a good move on his part, the Knight continues to dance about, keeping his footwork steady.

The duel continues...

{Initiative: You, The Faceless Knight}

Map;

|*AKKSGA  **  ***   
|*            ***     
|             **  **
|  R           ***  *                   
| F           ***      
|*****Y** * ***
|***********                 

[/pre]

...Legend...
R = Romar
F = The "Faceless Knight" (27/51) (AC 21)
S = King Sturmguard
G = King Grandil
A = Advisor
K = Kuo-Toan Chief
K = Krysta
Y = Yuri
* = Citizen of Ravenshead
| = Castle Wall

__________________________________________________________________________________________

{A special note:

Fangor, I know you had a lot of questions and I will get around to answering them. I'm starting school next week but I hope to get alot of this preliminary battle stuff done this week. Any advice, input or help is always appreciated.}

[VemuKhaham]

Longsword +10/+5, 1d8+3, 19-20/x2
AC: 20
HP: 32/59

Ouch, those blows did hurt. I was beginning to think I was going to win but now we're on equal terms again.

Also, Japic, I know the logic behind Romar's reasoning is gone for the most part. So I agree with you on all that you've said. I can't explain it more than this.

---

Romar groans as he feels the pain of the last two blows of his foe, but launches another pair of attacks immediately.

[Jevva]

Galdren watches the duel in scorn, sparing none of his concern for fools who put themselves before the defenseless. Then, as the Faceless Knight's blade slices into Romar, the disgust he feels overwhelms and he leaves to watch the approach of the gargantuan army of the Master, feeling that's much more worth his time.

[BluSpecs]

Finally coming to the duel location where the others have gathered

"This duel is poorly timed. While I do not question the honor involved nor know what this is about, I do question the timeing."

"Delay this till after the seige, perhaps you'll get lucky and both die honorably on the field of battle rather than here in a schoolyard tussul.

Remember your seat at the warriors table after death is determined by how you died in life. Die on the battle field against the master and you shall sit at the grand table with the likes of Kord himself. Die in this duel and you'll sit withthe stable boys in the back of the kitchen it's your choice."

Turning to the more sensable party members.....

"We should develop a strike team against the masters ' mobile fortres ' I'm not a tactitcian, how best can we do this?"

[Japic]

Tearing his eyes from the battle before him Girud Clenches his fists and speaks to the newly arrived Garor.

"I had quite enough of duels today myself. Something is amiss here, but I cannot say what it is."

After his commments on a strike force

"Aye, it may be the best way to strike at the Master. If we can bring him down, the army should fall apart, right?"

Methinks it wise to get all of our party mobile (via vein riding), then we can think about striking at the Master's doublewide Fortress.

If we are to combat the army as a whole, it may be benifitial to have certain groups of fighters (say the knights of the purest star) learn to veinride so that they can be ultra mobile as we are. Afterall what good is a vein riding commander if his troops cannot follow?

[GeneralMHB]

Yuri's eyes show a hint of fury in them, not for his King, but for the duelers wanting to continue in the midst of a seige that could end Humanity. Nevertheless, he respects his King's wishes. He does not need to respect Romar's. He silently thinks to himself.

This is madness, there MUST be an answer for this.

With this, Yuri turns to the Dwarven King.

I must know the reason behind this pointless duel. If we can speek privately on this matter, then so be it, but that is my friend's sanity we have at stake here. Not to mention the same Knight that has held this town together for so long. Why must one die here and now? What is so important that one life must be thrown away?

If the Dwarven King is bent on allowing it to continue, Yuri has little choice but to let it go. He cannot risk the label of traitor coming up again on his family's name. He gives his proposal about the defenses, but he is obviously more concerned about Romar's sanity than the seige itself.

It was Romar after all, who prevented him from going to the dark side.

I am no military tactician, but we must be worried about what kind of seige devices the army has in store for us. Beyond this, I know little about planning a defense.

[Fangor the Fierce]

Krysta knows that losing her temper is not the answer to getting to Romar. Perhaps there is another way...

"You are right Romar, perhaps this is the ONLY fight you can win this day. You have turned blind to all around you. Ignoring the fact that you are not the only one that has lost everyone dear to you. A true naive person in this war. I pray that your GOD can overlook your seflishness, should you die here and be sent to the worlds beyond...."

She then turns to the others, saying, "Yes, mobile troops would be the best advantage. If the Knights can ride to Theld's machine, or even be transported there, then their knowledge in using it's power would be greatly needed in this battle. The Roc Riders are going to be tied up with fighting the Master's own flying forces. As for seige weapons, the clerics might be able to help with that. Either by limiting the seige weapons damage on Ravenshead, or to make sure that the seige weapons don't function."

Turning to the Kua-Toan cheif, Krysta asks, "What manner of weapons and troops do you have, and can they help?"