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Perception:
Sir Clarius blithely walks into the clearing cum abbatoir, kneeling at the torn and bloody bodies.
Heal:
Inspecting the wounds with a critical eye, 'These do appear to be gore wounds from a boar, but they're much too large.'
Survival (tracking): (Forester,dogs)
Looking at all the marks and prints in the clearing, Clarius points, 'Those look like boar hoofprints, but again too large.'
Knowledge (nature):
Suddenly, Clarius looks up at Aydan. 'Old Bloodbristle!' He exclaims in quiet wonder. Looking to the rest of the party, Clarius says, 'It has to be Old Bloodbristle! Erastil's seeking arrow! It's him!
Clarius starts moving around the scene of carnage, circling the clearing. 'Look! His tracks head to the south. He's heading right for the farms and hamlets. Farmers forks and threshers will be useless against him. We have to catch him up!
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Heal check:
Knowledge (local): (untrained)
Perception check:
"These men were more than likely illegaly poaching on the baron's land, but even they didn't deserve this end." Brendan whispers a silent prayer for the fallen men.
"The creature that did this must be of enormous size" a slight shiver travels down his spine.
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Despite having little hunting experience, Alaina believes she has done well so far.
As they come upon the grisly scene though, her stomach lurchs and she covers her mouth with a hand. She had seen death before, in the form of stillbirths or mothers who had been unable to handle a birth, but this.. this was almost too much for her to handle. She was grateful the others knew what had done this, because she had not enjoyed the thought of getting close enough to examine the wounds herself.
"My Lady.. I think you should go back and get help. If.. if whatever did.. did this is heading for a populated area.. We may not be able to handle it on our own. I don't think we should even try to handle it alone."
"I must disagree, my Lady Alaina. While we may not be able to handle this on our own, if our expert foresters are to be believed, we do not have time to obtain help before this beast has ravaged much of the fair village we just left."
"Besides, Sir Geoffrey and his goons may still there paying their bar tabs. They will offer us assistance."
Added quietly to Sir Garrett, "And if we don't go, they may deal with the creature themselves and the ego deflation we just gave them will be completely undone."
"Perhaps, my Lady Rebecca, you and your ladies should ride with all haste to your Lord father's castle to summon assistance, while the foresters, Sir Garrett, and I assist the villagers and divert the beast until help can arrive."
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Mere moments ago Lady Rebecca was happily laughing, pleased that she'd managed to take a brace of pheasants and a hare so far with her crossbow, and looking forward to finding the promised hart... even whilst teasing Aydan that Lady Alaina seemed to be out-hunting the hunter and could well have her eagle-eye on bagging herself a crow...
... But since the sudden discovery of slaughter in the clearing she's been both quiet and pale, amber eyes wide with the horror of the scene. When the others start to offer opinions on what to do she stares blankly at them for a few moments, then finally seems to shake off the initial shock.
'Clarius, Aydan,' she addresses the pair, 'you know the monster that did this? It's heading towards farms... towards homes?'
The young noblewoman stares towards the south for a moment longer, then shakes her head and looks at Alaina,
'I appreciate your concerns Alaina,' she says, 'but I can't risk people's lives for our safety...'
'... and nor will I abandon you to combat this thing alone,' she adds, turning to Sir Jaymin, 'if nothing else, I fear there will be need for Alaina's healing arts...'
She holds up a hand to forestall any further argument,
'Time is of the essence, yes?' she glances at the corpses again as her horse paces in a nervous circle, then shudders, concluding, 'then let's ride forth and finish this... this monster!'
Kicking her steed to action she rides off in the direction Aydan and Clarius indicated...
Following Clarius, Aydan, and their faithful hounds as fast as it's possible for them to track the great beast known as Old Bloodbristle, the hunting party rides swiftly through the woods, their horses leaping streams and gulleys, the leaves of trees brushing past them, as they race on in their attempts to catch up with the monster. It seems like an eternity, but is probably only a quarter of an hour before they burst out of the cover of the woods, finding themselves atop a small outcropping, with grasslands dropping away below them to become cultivated fields... and there, in the distance, a village...
It doesn't take more than a moment scanning the scene to spot the creature which surely must be Old Bloodbristle: a head or more higher at his shoulder than even the tallest of knights the monstrous boar must be more than ten feet from snout to tail, and weigh more than any two horses in the Barony combined! Snuffling at the ground as he slowly makes his way through the long grasses and shrubs towards the fields beyond, the creature's namesake ruddy-hued bristles are all too obvious from the advantage of the outcropping... but the workers in the fields - men, women, and children alike - seem oblivious to the Old Man's approach! As you look on, the giant boar raises his head, great tusks, pocked and chipped yet no less terrifying for that (and still bearing the dark stains of recent kills) flashing in the sunlight as he sniffs the air, turning towards you, and lets out a loud bellow. In the fields some of the closer locals glance up at the unusual noise, yet still it seems they can't see the monster from where they stand, as none seem to be trying to run... even as Old Bloodbristle turns away from you and begins to charge towards them...
Perception
Initiative
Kerdin curses, when he sees the same as Old Bloodbristle. Thinking fastly, what to do he says to others Keep it careful you fools, the Old Hog got scared of something else than us and I believe them to be far worse than us as he points to the both wolfs
We need to stop the boar first! I believe the wolfs are hunting it, so if we are able to turn it towards them, we might have solution. We can´t afford to fight against more "monsters" than we can talking fast and in calm voice, something slowly changes in Kerdin way of acting as he looks at the terrain
KN:Local DC 10
KN:History DC 10
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Perception:
Initiative:
Seeing the boar ready to charge the farmers, Sir Clarius kicks his steed into a charge drawing his sword as he closes on Old Bloodbristle.
Ride (movement): +5 Auto success
Mounted Combat:
Ride (stay in saddle):
Sword Charge:
Damage:
AC: 16 (+3 DEX, +4 Chain Shirt, +1 dodge bonus, -2 charge)
Perception:
Initiative:
Ride check to charge:
Taken aback at the prospect of entering an actual, real-life battle against monsters, Sir Jaymin hesitates, reacting late and failing to maneuver his horse to best effect. Seeing that he failed to cajole his horse down the slope to charge the boar, he instead makes a double move to put himself between Sir Garrett and either of the dire wolves at the treeline.
Ride check to negate hit:
Ride check to guide with knees:
Ride check to stay in saddle:
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Taken aback by the sight of the huge beast Brendan is a slow to react. seeing the creature charging at the defenseless serfs galvanizes him into action. looking at Kerdin he stares uncomprehendingly "What wolves? What are you talking about, man?. I can only see that monstrosity charging those fieldhands."
Unsuccessfully trying to control his fractious mount Brendan is forced to find a less perilous route down the bluff face.
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Zurladew pauses for a moment, watching the treeline cautiously. First things first, he thinks, before turning back to the panicked boar. Let's use your own fear against you... With a muttered phrase and a series of deft maneuvers with his hands, Zurladew creates a duplication of the monsters in the woods in front of the serfs, hoping that the sight of the hunters might scare the boar away from the people, and scare the people away from the scene of battle. The illusion makes a silent but menacing snarl.
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Reacting without hesitation, Clarius fearlessly spurs his mount to leap from the outcropping, landing at the gallop to charge towards the monstrous boar, drawing his sword as he goes; Garrett is a mere heartbeat behind, lance lowering as his steed gains on the massive creature threatening the good folk of the Barony. After a moment's pause, Lady Rebecca follows suit, her horse leaping down to the long grasses and galloping after the other two, although the young noblewoman swings her steed in a wide arc whilst lowering her hunting crossbow, instead of charging directly at the monster.
Seemingly heedless of the danger to himself, Clarius's charge takes him right up to Old Bloodbristle's head, his longsword flashing in the sunlight as he brings it down in a stroke powerful enough to sever the top of the giant boar's left ear before cutting deep into the flesh and bone above its eye! Howling in rage and pain, Old Bloodbristle's gaze swings towards the mounted man... just as Garrett charges past the creature's right side, lance crossed over his horse's neck to carve a long ragged cut down Old Bloodbristle's flank! Lady Rebecca fires a shot from her crossbow, but it flies wide of the mark.
His own charge skidding to a halt with a spray of earth and turf, Old Bloodbristle roars his beastial howl, turning this way and that... only to find that Garrett's momentum has carried him past and out of immediate range of reprisal - and the giant boar doesn't appear interested in anything beyond 'immediate'! Rearing slightly, the Old Man rips his sword-sized tusks at the largest target he can see - Clarius's horse... but with an expert display of horsemanship Clarius pulls his steed to lurch sideways and back a pace, causing the monstrous tusks to miss by a whisker...
Up on the ridge, Kerdin shouts his warning (but fails to recognise the large white wolves)...
As Brendan and Jaymin guide their horses to skitter, slide, and trot down from the outcropping, Zurladew stands in the stirrups of his pony to utter arcane phrases as his hand traces strange sigils in the air...
Suddenly a white-furred wolf, fully the size of a bear, with eyes so pale blue as to be almost white, appears out of thin air where the rise and fall of the grasslands is highest between the farmlands and Old Bloodbristle. The white wolf snarls, although it must be too far away to hear... Old Bloodbristle howls for a moment as the wolf appears, then sniffs the air, and returns his attentions to Clarius... The locals in the fields, on the other hand, point, yell, scream, and run: dropping tools and grabbing up children as they go, the alarm and flight spreading out from those closest to the giant wolf and rippling through all those present...
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Deciding that it is better to remove one target from the field is a better option than spreading out to multiple targets, Garrett wheels his steed around, and charges once more at the massive boar.
Attack: (charge)
Damage:
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Ride (guide):
Ride (avoid attack):
Ride (stay in saddle):
Wrenching his eyes away form the wolves for a moment, Sir Jaymin gets a grip on himself and bears down on the boar, trying to aid his companions.
Charge lance attack:
Lance damage:
Ride checks to:
Guide with knees:
Stay in Saddle:
Negate hit on horse:
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Twin looks of amazement and exhiliration cross Sir Clarius' face as he realizes that the boar missed him. Guiding his horse with his knees, Sir Clarius hacks at the great grizzled beast.
Attack:
Damage:
Ride (guide with knees): +5 auto success
Ride (stay in saddle):
Ride (negate hit): (Mounted Combat)
Following through with his sword cut, Clarius notices that a large white wolf has appeared just past Old Bloodbristle.
Will save:
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"Kerdin, message our knights and tell them not to fear the wolf in the field - it's an illusion to scare away the boar from the innocents. Warn them against the wolves in the woods, though - the boar won't return while they prowl there." Zurladew returns his attention to maintaining the illusory wolf in the distance.
This doesn't make any bloody sense! Aydan thought, gripping the reins to his horse, eyes darting around the field, I've been hearing stories about Bloodbristle since I was at the teat and he's never come this close to... He spots them at the same time that someone else shouts about Wolves, slinking along the edges of the forest. They... they're herding him....
Aydan vaults from his horse and in one swift motion draws his longbow and pulls an arrow from his quiver, "The Boar's not a monster!" He shouts to anyone who can hear, "Don't kill it! herd it from the village, Those Wolves are the threat!"
With that said, he draws the bowstring back, takes a steadying breath, and lets fly.
Kerdin looking at the situation and hearing the request of Zurladew, begin to make motion with his hand as he look at the knights fighting with Old Bloodbristle.
Hearing the voice Aydan and upon seeing Aydan and Alaina shooting at wolves, Kerdin takes a look but soon focuses his attention to ride towards Lady Rebecca and offer some kind of protection Fools... you are endangering her Ladyship! Curses you all
Ride[to move down]
Ride[to avoid any possible damage?]
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Leaping from his mount and running forward a few steps, Aydan yells his warning as he drops to one knee to draw and fire his longbow - the arrow thuds into a tree by the great white wolf. The creature snarls, backing a pace or two as Alaina's crossbow bolt flies through the spot the creature occupied moments before, imbedding in a tree behind it...
Meanwhile, on the grasslands between the woods and the farms Sir Garrett hears Kerdin's whispered message...
A hacking swing of Clarius's sword fails to connect with Old Bloodbristle as the forester-knight tries to simultaneously back his horse away from the enraged giant boar and avoid the snarling beast's massive tusks. Garrett's next charge past connects... but slides off the creature's thick, scar-covered, ruddy-bristled hide with little visible effect. The giant boar lunges once more at Clarius's horse, but seems to stumble a little as blood from its head-wound seeps into its eye, enabling Clarius once more to guide his steed out of harm's way...
Crossbow bolt flying wild, Brendan draws his morningstar as he guides his steed at the gallop to place himself between the great boar and the bear-sized white wolf which is pacing threateningly atop the last ridge of land before the farms...
Head finally in the game, Jaymin kicks his mount into a charge, its hooves kicking up dirt and grass as it thunders across the distance to Old Bloodbristle, ending with Jaymin burying his lance deep in the giant boar's shoulder... Old Bloodbristle howls once more, but rips free of the lance tip - although the creature is bleeding from three wounds there's little sign of it slowing down yet... but he does seem to be getting angrier by the second...
Her horse wheeling beneath her, Lady Rebecca stares at the third white wolf for a moment, then points at it and yells to those fighting Old Bloodbristle,
'That's one of Zurladew's tricks - stay on the boar!'
Despite her skittish mount, Lady Rebecca manages to reload her crossbow.
His pony taking the cautious way down, Kerdin reaches the base of the hill...
Sir Jaymin attacks the boar with his lance, while directing his horse to attack as well. Please add flanking bonuses if applicable. Jaymin would try to maneuver into such a position if possible.
Lance attack: ; damage:
Horse bite: ; damage:
Hoof 1: ; damage:
Hoof 2: ; damage:
Ride check to:
Direct horse to fight:
Negate hit:
Stay in Saddle:
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Taking inspiration from Sir Jaymin using his warhorse to full effect, Sir Clarius urges his mount to attack the boar. He whistles loudly, calling Bosco and Beudreau into the fray, then swings again at Old Bloodbristle with his longsword.
Longsword attack:
Damage:
Horse bite attack:
Damage:
Horse hoof attack 1:
Damage:
Horse hoof attack 2:
Damage:
Ride check to guide with knees: +5 auto success
Ride check to get horse to attack: combat trained, no roll needed
Ride check to stay in saddle: +5 auto success
Ride check to negate hit:
Handle Animal check to call the dogs to attack:
Bosco's attack: Charging
Bosco's damage:
Bosco's trip:
Beudreau's attack: Charging
Beudreau's damage:
Beudreau's trip:
Aydan curses as the arrow thuds into the tree beside the large wolf. He takes a breath to steady himself, and scans the edge of the forest, picking out his target, white among the green, and lets his second arrow fly.
Perception
Trying to stay away from the Bloodbristle and covering the back of Lady Rebecca, Kerdin stay in guard if anything unnecessary were to happen
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Despite his rather good aim, due to the cover of the trees and the creature's weaving between them, Aydan's second arrow also misses... although this one is much closer as it skims past the top of the white wolf's head to hit another tree. The wolf pauses to glance at the arrow, then back to Aydan, as it again snarls...
With his steed rearing and his two hunting dogs called in to bark, snap at, and harass Old Bloodbristle, Clarius plunges his longsword in deep behind the massive boar's shoulder! As Clarius pulls his blood-covered blade free, the Old Man staggers, dropping to his fore-knee on that side, but keeps trying to lash out with his tusks, being driven on, it seems, by pure native ferocity...
Wheeling for his third charge, with Old Bloodbristle staggered and dying, the tip of Garrett's lance finds the creature's right eye, the momentum of the knight's steed and the strength of his arm driving the thrust home: with a final high-pitched squeal the legend which was Old Bloodbristle shudders, then collapses, his massive bulk toppling over on his side as his breathing ceases and his one remaining eye glasses over...
Maneuvering his horse into position, Jaymin coaxes his mount to attack, pulling his arm back to thrust with his lance... only to witness the end of the great boar before he gets the chance to land a final blow of his own.
Dismounting, Brendan sprints over, morningstar at the ready, but likewise draws up short as the mighty beast keels over and dies.
The large white wolf near the farmlands stalks towards the fallen beast, but with Lady Rebecca's warning of its nature, and the closing distance, it becomes more and more obvious that it is, indeed, one of the jester's 'tricks'.
Those remaining up on the bluff hear the cries and see Old Bloodbristle fall, as do, it seems, the two wolves since, with a brief glance at each other, both turn tail and slink off into the darkness of the woods...
Cantering her horse over to the fallen giant boar, one hand on the reigns, the other clutching her loaded hunting crossbow, Lady Rebecca stares for a few moments at the corpse of the beast, her face pale and her eyes wide... then suddenly releases a breath she didn't seem to realise she'd been holding...
'Is it..?' she begins, but then stops herself from asking the stupid question and instead takes a few calming breaths. Trying again she tosses her (rather bedraggled after the gallop through the woods) red hair out of her amber eyes and says, 'Well done... well done all! By the gods, what a brute!' she glances towards the farmlands, then adds, 'someone needs to go tell the locals what happened... and to get a cart or something, I guess... we're going to need help getting this one back to the castle.' Suddenly she turns to stare at the group still on the bluff, 'Wait - didn't someone say something about wolves? Or was that just Zurladew's doing?'
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Garrett looks the group over to make sure no one was wounded by the massive boar.
"Well one wolf was Zurladew's doing, or at least that is what he told me." Briefly turning and nodding in respect to the gnome.
Seeing that no one is the worse for having dealt with the legendary boar, a smile crosses Garrett's face as he addresses Lady Rebecca.
"Perhaps Aydan was not able to find the great stag he had planned for your hunt, m'lady, but I suspect that the trackers brought us to an even greater trophy."
Aydan's eyes narrowed as he drew back his third arrow, hearing the Wolf's words on the winds. He cursed as both wolves slunk back into the Forest, he wasn't exactly sure what those beasts were yet, but glancing back at the corpse of the fallen boar, he knew what they had done...
Shoulders slumped in frustration, Aydan walked to the edge of the forest to retrive his arrows, then whistling for his horse, he mounted and trotted back to rejoin the group.
Aydan knew his friends well, and knew that most wouldn't see this the way he did. He also knew no reason to ruin their fun.
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Sir Clarius breathes a sigh of relief that the legendary beast has fallen. Looking around to make sure all of his companions are still standing, and specifically Lady Rebecca is uninjured, he dismounts to check his mount and dogs for injuries.
'That was incredible! Once I had hacked off his ear I thought for sure he was going to gore me. Well done, Phaethon!' Clarius pats his noble steed on the neck. Bending to the dogs, 'Good boys, good boys!'
Looking up to his companions, Clarius finally notices that some of them are distracted. 'What is it?'
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Sir Clarius breathes a sigh of relief that the legendary beast has fallen. Looking around to make sure all of his companions are still standing, and specifically Lady Rebecca is uninjured, he dismounts to check his mount and dogs for injuries.
'That was incredible! Once I had hacked off his ear I thought for sure he was going to gore me. Well done, Phaethon!' Clarius pats his noble steed on the neck. Bending to the dogs, 'Good boys, good boys!'
Looking up to his companions, Clarius finally notices that some of them are distracted. 'What is it?'
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Zurladew dismisses his wolf with a wave of his hand - the monstrous beast winks out of existance. He frowns at the dead boar for a moment, but looks up upon hearing his name.
"Well one wolf was Zurladew's doing, or at least that is what he told me." Briefly turning and nodding in respect to the gnome.
"While I accept your thanks and respect, Sir Garrett, you might need your ears cleaned out, for Kerdin's voice warned you as to my sorcery - and if you can't tell the difference between jesters, than how shall you ever keep your prey straight while hunting? You'll wind up as lost as our Crow here," he says, with a keenly amused look to Lady Alaina.
He turns towards Rebecca while she asks her questions. "Only one wolf was my doing, milady - the better to keep our late friend away from the village," he says, gesturing towards the fallen boar. "The others were by the woods, and seemed only too glad to let us fight the boar - hardly normal behavior for something looking to eat. I fear something is afoot in these woods."
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"While I accept your thanks and respect, Sir Garrett, you might need your ears cleaned out, for Kerdin's voice warned you as to my sorcery - and if you can't tell the difference between jesters, than how shall you ever keep your prey straight while hunting? You'll wind up as lost as our Crow here," he says, with a keenly amused look to Lady Alaina.
Garrett's look of gratefulness, quickly turns to a disapproving scowl.
"Hmm..I guess my head is still ringing a bit from the one shot I took during the melee."
Turning his attention to Kerdin, with smile returning to his face...
"I apologize for confusing you with Zurladew, Kerdin. I really should have known better, my thanks goes to you, my friend."
Aydan either doesn't hear Zurdalew's jibe, or doesn't care. He nods grimly at the jester's later words. "Wolves may not be an apt description. Judging by their size I would say they were Worgs... though I'll admit I'm not sure." He looks sadly at the fallen boar, "And Zurdalew is right, they were watching our fight, if I was to guess..." he lets out a small sigh, never looking away from the boar, "I would say we just killed an old man who was running scared for his life."
He bows his head a moment, and then looks to Rebecca, and for a second wonders if this girl who's known him so long can see how much this upsets him, "My lady, I beg your leave to go retrieve and bury the bodies we found in the Forest. The others can make sure you return safely, and no matter those mens crimes, they deserve a grave."
Perception & Sense Motive
Hearing or thinking to himself as the snarling of the wolf carries on the wind, Kerdin looks for a moment at the woods and then at Aydan, sensing his frustration
Not commenting anything but standing near Lady Rebecca and turning his gaze towards Bloodbristle, Kerdin notes all this to his memory Better to tell Baron Redwyrm about this. Something is wrong here
The commotion soon and Lady Rebecca´s words about getting cart and lifting the Bloodbristle to it and all the way castle would be heavy task Uff.. how much this one boar will weight and takes time, but better to do it sooner than later. Looking at his Ladyship I will go to locals and talk with them to assist us, if you allow? and as he turns, he catch the words of Zurladew and Sir Garrett. Turning back towards sir Garret and thinking for a moment It is just a small trick I had learned. Some wizard long time ago had teached me this as a reward for a good show I had presented and smiles to Garrett.
Bluff
Something is off with the way Kerdin is not telling the thruth. Seems like he is hiding something and don´t want people to know about his abilities or what he is actually capable off. Keeping his secret and there is something else than just a jester
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Aydan either doesn't hear Zurdalew's jibe, or doesn't care. He nods grimly at the jester's later words. "Wolves may not be an apt description. Judging by their size I would say they were Worgs... though I'll admit I'm not sure." He looks sadly at the fallen boar, "And Zurdalew is right, they were watching our fight, if I was to guess..." he lets out a small sigh, never looking away from the boar, "I would say we just killed an old man who was running scared for his life."
'Worgs? Those are as dangerous, or if Aydan's suspicions are correct, more dangerous than this boar.' Sir Clarius looks to the woods, but of course the worgs are out of sight.
He bows his head a moment, and then looks to Rebecca, and for a second wonders if this girl who's known him so long can see how much this upsets him, "My lady, I beg your leave to go retrieve and bury the bodies we found in the Forest. The others can make sure you return safely, and no matter those mens crimes, they deserve a grave."
Sir Clarius places his hand on Aydan's shoulder. 'You are right, my friend. There have been foul killings today and they should be buried, but do not do this alone. I'll join you and while we backtrack, we can look for the tracks of these worgs to learn their number and perhaps where they came from.'
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ProffPotts, I have a pretty good idea what these wolves are actually, but I'm rolling the skill before I make any IC assumptions. Would Aydan need a roll to also realize that sneaking in the woods and letting humans do your work isn't how wolves normally hunt, as well? if so, the roll's for that too
"Perhaps Aydan was not able to find the great stag he had planned for your hunt, m'lady, but I suspect that the trackers brought us to an even greater trophy."
Lady Rebecca grins - more relief than pride in their prize... but her smile rapidly fades as Aydan approaches...
"Only one wolf was my doing, milady - the better to keep our late friend away from the village... The others were by the woods, and seemed only too glad to let us fight the boar - hardly normal behavior for something looking to eat. I fear something is afoot in these woods."
Lady Rebecca glances nervously back towards the woods,
'Others..?' she asks hesitantly, '... Other giant wolves?'
"Wolves may not be an apt description. Judging by their size I would say they were Worgs... though I'll admit I'm not sure... And Zurdalew is right, they were watching our fight, if I was to guess... I would say we just killed an old man who was running scared for his life."
Glancing at the boar with new sympathy obvious in her expression, Lady Rebecca hangs her head a little,
'Oh Aydan,' she says softly, 'I'm so sorry... I... I didn't know... and the people were in danger... weren't they?' Whatever bout of confidence she experienced during the chase appears to be gone, as the young noblewoman turns away, nervously chewing on the corner of her lower lip...
'Worgs? Those are as dangerous, or if Aydan's suspicions are correct, more dangerous than this boar.'
"My lady, I beg your leave to go retrieve and bury the bodies we found in the Forest. The others can make sure you return safely, and no matter those mens crimes, they deserve a grave."
A horrified look crosses Lady Rebecca's face,
'Aydan - no! Those... those worgs are in there! It's too dangerous!'
'You are right, my friend. There have been foul killings today and they should be buried, but do not do this alone. I'll join you and while we backtrack, we can look for the tracks of these worgs to learn their number and perhaps where they came from.'
Judging from the worried expression on Lady Rebecca's face she's still not happy with the idea, but eventually she nods,
'I... I suppose if you both go... just be careful, okay? I... I don't want to...' she turns away again as she finishes, '... just promise me you'll be careful.'
A little later and Kerdin returns with a group of villagers - who nervously approach both the group and Old Bloodbristle's carcass at first, asking for confirmation that the giant wolf was, in fact, not real (and about to eat them, their families, and their livestock... not necessarily in that order)... Once assurances are made, and fears put to rest, the mood of the locals starts to turn from worry to jubilation - Old Bloodbristle's slain! By the time a suitable cart with a pair of oxen is found and brought, and the difficult process of loading the dead giant boar onto it has been started (with lots of standing around, scratching of heads, and various 'expert' opinions on the matter being offered) the story of the valiant Knights of Redwyrm and their mighty victory is already spreading like proverbial wildfire! Lady Rebecca does her utmost best to smile and act as a noble Lady should, but seems subdued - letting others sort out the loading and transportation of the boar as she keeps glancing towards the woods...
The journey back to Castle Redwyrm is a slow one, at the speed of the heavily laden ox cart, with the throng of villagers accompanying it happy to pass on the story of what happened to everyone they pass along the way. Wanting to hasten the return, Lady Rebecca makes sure that both the market town of Redwyrm, about a half-mile from the castle proper, and the tourney ground with its masses of colourful tents, are bypassed... still, the sun's already setting by the time the procession appraoches the walls of Castle Redwyrm...
Legend has it that the original castle was a wooden motte and bailey affair built by the first Baron - the near-mythic figure of Gustav of Many Quests - right after he slew they great red wyrm, and that as a central fortress and symbol of authority and power the castle was instrumental to Gustav's bringing order and peace to what were, back then, chaotic lands. Over hundreds of years, and scores of generations of the Redwyrm bloodline, subsequent Barons each added expansions and improvement - replacing wood with stone, building larger and more sturdy fortifications, diverting the local river to turn the dry ditch into a moat - until, eventually, the mighty Castle Redwyrm as it stands today came into being. Even now, Baron Otto continues with repairs, maintainence, and improvements - for no working castle can ever afford to just be left to slowly decay into ruin.
Approaching the castle you first come to the moat - the local tributary of the mighty Veduran Fork river having been diverted to the purpose years ago when canal building was all the rage in Taldor. Immediately beyond is the motte - a twenty-five foot high, steep-sided man-made hill of packed earth, long since grown over with grass. Atop the motte is the curtain wall - a massive six-sided stone structure encircling the bailey yard: this outer wall is a full forty feet high, with machiocolated crenated battlements (with alternating plain and pierced merlons) and a walkway running the length of the inside. Nine feet thick at the base, tapering to five feet thick at the top, each of the six sections of the curtain wall runs over three-hundred feet in length, and at each of the six corners rises a thirty-foot diameter flanking tower, standing fifteen feet higher than the wall itself. In the middle of five of the wall lengths there's a thirty foot diameter bastion each topped with a mangonel catapault. In the middle of the sixth wall sits the gatehouse - it's ten-foot tall and wide iron-shod wooden gate flanked by two additional towers, and further protected by both drawbridge and portcullis. Each of the eight towers is topped with a lead-sheet covered conicle roof, to protect against missile fire (and, more to the point, to keep the rain off the poor guards!). From the tip of each of these eight towers flies the Redwyrm flag, fluttering in the evening breeze...
Hailing the Captain of the Watch the procession rolls over the castle's drawbridge, through the gatehouse tunnel (with it's 'murder holes' in the ceiling above), and beneath the raised portcullis to enter the bailey yard. The packed earth of the bailey sports patches of grass here and there, and even some wildflowers growing where they can avoid getting trampled, for the bailey is, as always, a busy place. The many outbuildings of the castle are built up against the inside of the curtain wall, each around twenty feet high (to the tip of the sloping slate-covered roof) - the largest being the stables, then the castle smithy. There's also the kennels for the dogs, the mews for the hawks, the exterior kitchens (the keep's own kitchens not being used on a day-to-day basis), barns, storage, barracks for the men-at-arms (those not of high enough rank to sleep in the Great Hall of the keep), and all the other buildings needed to keep the place going. Goats and milking cows are tethered in one corner, and chickens, ducks, and geese flutter and flap about the place... not to mention the men-at-arms, castle servants, and their families all hurrying about their business - the upcoming tournament having everyone on edge.
Standing a little back from the centre of the bailey is, of course, the keep itself. Seventy feet to a side, and a full eighty feet tall (not including the extra fifteen-foot height of the four corner towers - each with conical roofs and flags like those of the curtain wall) the building dominates not only the castle but the surrounding area for many miles around. There's no access or windows on the plinth-reinforced ground floor, of course, but rather a narrow stair running side-on up to the keep's own gatehouse and entrance on the next floor up...
Finally inside the bailey yard, the procession draws to a halt, with young grooms racing over to take horses from the riders as they dismount and, of course, the story of the great deed of the day being spread once more to the castle inhabitants... who, it seems, had only just been caught-up with the events of the earlier passage of arms and the Knights' victory over the forces of Lord Geoffrey at Dwarf's Bridge! The excitement seems infectious, taking the worried edge off of the concerns about preparations for the tournament - surely such victories must indicate that the House of Redwyrm will both impress and triumph on the tourney ground? Even the exclaimations and outrage of the plump, rosey-cheeked, head cook when she's led out to see Old Bloodbristle ('And 'ow's I supposed to cook that monstrousity then, eh?') only result in more laughter and merry making.
Brushing the dust of the road from herself after dismounting and handing her horse off to a groom (and her crossbow to a squire), Lady Rebecca appears to spend a little time just enjoying the happiness of the castle community, before turning to face the great keep. A frown creeping across her young brow, she says quietly,
'I guess I better go face Father... although I'm not sure exactly what to tell him,' she sighs, 'after today I'll not be surprised if I'm never allowed to go hunting again!'
"My lady, if your Lord Father would seem to dwell too much upon the dangers we faced this day, you may remind him that you were well guarded by some of His Lordship's finest knights and retainers, that you were successful in winning the respect of an honourable and powerful young Viscount through your conduct and chivalry, and that you showed true bravery in putting the lives of the common folk above your own safety (as all good Liege Lords should be prepared to do), while at the same time, keeping yourself and your ladies out of unnecessary peril. You have raised the esteem of His Lordship in the eyes of his people, as well as powerful outsiders, and have uncovered a danger which even now prowls His Lordship's lands."
He bows to her. "All in all, my Lady, a fine day of 'hunting'."
stupid git... Aydan berated himself, He trots his horse up beside Lady Rebecca's and for once decides to ignore protocol and all that. Placing a hand on her should he gives a reassuring smile, "Becca you made the right choice," he pauses and looks her in the eye, letting her know he's being sincere, "No matter his reasons for running, Bloodbristle would have ravaged Dwarf's Bridge and there's no telling how many could have died. What happened to the Old Man saddens me, but it could have been much worse." He squeezes her shoulder one last time and nods to Clarius. "Let's go then, I'd rather not be handling corpses in the dead of night if I can handle it." He gives a whistle for Valeros and Damiel and trots back towards the forest, he turns back and smiles to Lady Rebecca and the others "We will be careful m'lady, I've no intention of missing Sir Garrett trounce Geoffrey another time."
He smiles and nods goodbye and heads into the woods.