The dwarf and his camel walk in from the north of the arena, the elf and his horse from the south. The two are incredibly contrasting, as are their mounts. One pair is tall and graceful, the other more squat and powerful looking, but either team looks prepared to give any quarter.
Bruno moseys onto the field, his bowed legs betraying a lifetime in the saddle. His features are dark. He has lost two in a row, and is in as foul and bloodthirsty mood as a Dwarf can be. Bruno himself wears chain mail and a heavy shield. He balances a finely crafted lance in the other hand. At his belt is a wicked pick and three Pilum poke out from behind his back.
His companion, Esmeralda, is an ugly, foul-smelling camel with a worse temper than her rider. She enters wearing blood-stained studed leather barding.
Bruno takes one look at his opponent and his eyes narrow dangerously. The game is on.
Vatale strides into the arena beside his mount. He glances with disdain at his opponent, although it's quite obvious that he's a pompous ass. He holds a longbow carved from a dark wood, a quiver of matching arrows is slung across his back. He wears parade armor with an armored kilt.
His mount, Gyllir is a midnight black horse clad in studded leather armor. The equipment on both appears new and unbloodied.
Vatale's eyes focus on Bruno, boring into him as if to seek out every weakness.
The eye focusing is Ranger's Focus on Bruno as a swift
Ride check For DC 20 check to mount as free action.
Ride check For DC 5 check to guide Gyllir with knees.
He leaps into the saddle in one quick motion and kicks Gyllir into motion, she trots to the right (or the left from Bruno's perspective) while Vatale knocks an arrow and lets it fly at Bruno.
Gyllir is moving from KL1112 to HJ1819. Attack is made half-way through move at IJ1415.
to hit
If I succeed Damage:
Bruno mirrors his opponent and mounts with equal speed and skill. Ignoring the projectile launched at him, he wheels Esmeralda about and darts to his left, trying to maintain a clear lane. When he regains a visual, he lowers his lance and shouts, Have at ye! followed by a sailing projectile of thick phlegm.
For DC 5 ride check to guide with knees.
Vatale nocks another arrow as he kicks Gyllir into motion once more. I accept your challange! Only one of us will leave here Dwarf. As Gyllir begins galloping to the left Vatale takes aim and lets loose another arrow at Bruno.
My acceptance of challenge was a swift not free action and was my declaration of a challenge as per the Samurai class feature.
Gyllir is double moving to HI0203 imposing a -3 to all attacks. The arrow is shot half way at HI1011
To Hit:
Damage:
The arrow veers left and clatters against the arena wall. Even at his distance Bruno can hear Vatale cursing.
Bruno wheels Esmeralda around again and seeks to limit his foe's ability to run. He crosses the arena just behind the elf and disappears behind the wide arena pillar, obviously using it for cover.
(-2 per 20ft beyond 20)
Crit to hit=21
Crit damage=19
If I guess right and he's a luring cavalier, I have a +4 to hit him until I hit him in melee, thus giving these pillum a nice boost. :)
Using a standard action I'm readying an attack against Bruno on sight.
Then I'm moving Gyllir via my knees for DC 5 Ride check.
We're moving to KL1314 sticking to the lower wall of the arena. It's a double move so if I see Bruno the attack will suffer a -3 penalty.
Riding out from behind the pillar Vatale and Gyllir head to the right along the lower bound of the piller. Upon seeing Bruno he lets loose a third arrow.
To Hit:
Damage:
As Vatale comes in to view of Bruno, he is greeted with the sight of an empty handed Bruno and a sharp pillum flying toward his chest.
The pilum flies true and pierces Vatale's chest. He cries out as it travels through one of his lungs and bursts out of his back.
Well 21 damage puts me at -5 but I'm using Resolve as an immediate action to stabilize and remain conscious. However, I am now staggered.
for a DC 5 Ride check to stay in the saddle. +10 from ride +2 from military saddle.
So despite being in the negatives I should be conscious and Gyllir should finish his move to KL1314.
With the tip of the pilum now lodged in his chest Vatale unleashes what you assume is a string of the most foul elven curses. Despite having a javelin in his chest he seems to be clinging to life and not only does he remain in the saddle but Gyllir continues moving. Upon stopping you here Vatale call out, Good one dwarf, but I'm not done yet.
Bruno smiles, but doesn't retort. He draws the wicked looking heavy pick at his side and spurrs Esmeralda forward. He rounds the pillar from the north at high speed, swinging the weapon in a wide lateral arc.
The horse can make an AoO as well, if I'm not mistaken.
I kinda feel bad for my luck. Here's hoping we meet again in the future. :)
I think it wasn't just your luck but also my complete and utter lack of luck. Hopefully next time we meet I'll be able to put up more of a fight.