Legend
Solid red stars - Egil's swordsman
Half solid red stars - Bowmen
Green star - Bjalfi
Skullcrossbones - Unconcious Hrafn
The Party
Purple - Kveldulf
Blue - Vladimir
Green - Dorvarr
Red - Utgaror
Black - Ragnarr
Yellow - Ottar
Kveldulf:
You get a clear line of sight at the edge of the clearing. Your bow is knocked and ready.
That is correct.
"Halt yourself! What's the meaning of this? Who harmed our friend?" Vlad has his dagger drawn, and looks every bit as dangerous as an armed swordsman.
The warrior keep their guard but you see the bowmen visibly relax their hands.
Sense Motive DC 10
Bjalfi and his opponent pause but remain ready to pitch themselves in battle. The man that had called out earlier steps forward with his hand raised. He is a tall black-bearded man with piercing gray eyes and a stormy expression. He shouts back with barely contained anger. "No one is permitted on the grounds of the Earl's estate until Unn's trial for poisoning and witchcraft is adjourned. This is by the order of Hersir Egil himself. Your two friends attacked us. We only defended ourselves. Take them and begone!"
"Poisoning!?! What nonsense is this? Unn is preparing the cure for this sickness!" Vlad is angered by the harm to his friends Hrafn and Bjalfi, and isn't willing to back down so quickly.
Kveldulf grins, his bow unflinching his arm steady.
I know just the thing to break them archers if my new found friend's negotiating skills should fail
The stout glances at the situation, edging forward if he can, attempting to ascertain the extent of Hrafn's injuries. His shield is still up, but he has drawn no weapons.
"Who is she supposed to have poisoned? I am a healer of no small skill, as well as smith. Perhaps we should be witness to this trial?"
Ottarr whispers to the others The archers do not want to fight." before putting away his bow and stepping forward. "Yes, and I am a neutral party in these matters. What evidence do you have for these accusations?"
The black-bearded man responds tersely to your questions, "That is for the trial to decide. Unn stands accused of bewitching Earl Thorolf. As he was given this cure he has become struck senseless and paralyzed. A bone cast with runes was found under his bed." He pauses for a moment but abruptly finishes, "I have been given orders."
Bjalfi breathing heavily barely containing his fury spits on the ground and curses at the man. "Swine!". The logger stays his anger looking back at you waiting to see how events turn out.
Sense Motive 14
As Dorvarr edges forward to inspect the incapacitated Hrafn the man nods to the cleric, "Take your man if you wish." As he looks down upon Dorvarr as he removes Hrafn he furrows his brow and regards more closely the others.
"Were not some of you the men Egil promised reward to for finding Unn's ingredients?" he calls out.
Also:
Knowledge(local) 10
A bit of background that has been referred offhandedly but not detailed. Unn's kin were the original settlers of this land and once held the office of Goddi (local judge/magistrate). Since the establishment of the monarchy, control was awarded instead to Thorolf's family that had helped establish the King upon the throne. This has long since been a bone of contention to many in Unn's clan. For their part Thorolf's clan have never been too graceful or considerate to Unn's family who they view as dim rustics. A few of them have in the past baited Unn's relatives with insults or slights.
Knowledge(local) 15
Kveldulf continues to take in the scene silently bow still drawn, grimacing sternly.
Will the plans of those in power ever stop shedding the blood of the common man in exchange for more power? By this time tomorrow Unn will likely be dead and all who oppose the idea will either join her or have there pockets lined with gold until they no longer care. What a sad animal man is..
Kveldulf shakes his head slightly returning him from his thoughts. With hesitation he speaks, "You there! What business have you between an old woman and an old man? They will both be dead and buried before your babbies grow up to hold a sword. Do you not want the blood of an old woman on your hands? She will be gone from this life soon enough without the help of Egil's men. Go back to your crops, your women, and your babbies. You are but a piece in Egil's game no doubt and it will be you that will bear shame in your hearts. What say you?"
Kveldulf shakes his head slightly returning him from his thoughts. With hesitation he speaks, "You there! What business have you between an old woman and an old man? They will both be dead and buried before your babbies grow up to hold a sword. Do you not want the blood of an old woman on your hands? She will be gone from this life soon enough without the help of Egil's men. Go back to your crops, your women, and your babbies. You are but a piece in Egil's game no doubt and it will be you that will bear shame in your hearts. What say you?"
Ottarr stands back, listening to each side's arguments.
The bowmen listen with stony expressions to Kveldulf's exhortations. The captain of the guard grits his teeth growling at his men keeping them in line. "Name yourselves. Be quick about it I am fast running out of patience."
Bjalfi responds with his own low growl brandishing his blade, "As am I pig!"
"As am I!" Vlad bellows.
"I am Vladimir Kjelsbergsson, apprentice to Halfdeane, and if Unn be the one who cursed the Earl, then I will bring her before him myself. Is this the King's Law of Thorvann, or just armed men beating an old woman on the orders of a man half-mad with pain? Begone with you!" His eyes flash with anger as he stands before Egil's men, arms spread open, almost daring them to attack him.
"As am I!" Vlad bellows.
"I am Vladimir Kjelsbergsson, apprentice to Halfdeane, and if Unn be the one who cursed the Earl, then I will bring her before him myself. Is this the King's Law of Thorvann, or just armed men beating an old woman on the orders of a man half-mad with pain? Begone with you!" His eyes flash with anger as he stands before Egil's men, arms spread open, almost daring them to attack him.
The captain's expression become stormy and his grips tightens upon his sword as he levels his gaze at the approaching knight. "Walk away. This is your last warning." The other guards tense feeling that at any second ,bloody battle will flare.
"And yours also. Unn is a good woman, who meant no harm to the Earl. I will bring here before him myself, as I have said, but I will not allow your men to carry her like a naughty child. Now stand back!"
The captain of the guard roars, "Cut them down, men!"
Initiative
Kveldulf 22 (readied action)
Egil's enforcers 21
Utgaror 20
Dorvarr 18
Ottar 13
Bjalfi 7
Vladimir 6
Ragnarr 5
Thord (Captain) 3
Kveldulf would like to ready an action to shoot an arrow at the first person in the clearing to take hostile action against his new found friends. Attack: 12+6=18 Damage: 2+3=5
Kveldulf looses an arrow at one of the charging swordsmen. It sails true, the arrowhead easily piercing the leather armour and sinking deep into the man's left shoulder. He howls in pain but remains steadfast.
The bowmen loose their readied arrows in a quick flurry.
The two men with swords drawn converge on Dorvarr. The one injured by Kveldulf's arrow badly missteps on the ground almost falling on his face but his companion strikes with great force.
Kveldulf grins wryly as his arrow finds its mark.
"Lo did I give all of you a gift and foolishly you have refused it," he continues grimly, "Now you will not live to see your women and children in this life. Odin is your master now. Accept your fate!"
The stout man draws his warhammer, taking a protective posture over his prostrate ally. Spitting, he addresses the swordsmen:
"Oh, how the gods do despise a coward. Two armed swordsmen attacking an unarmed man dragging an ally to safety. Hel will see your souls even if you send me to Valhalla!"
The stout man preapres to fend off the swordsmen until backup arrives.
Utgaror up.
Wyrd_Wiklund:
An idea flashes across Utgaror's face. The wild haired man rushes across the field quickly to support Dorvarr. As he nears the melee the druid bellows out an incantation gesturing with his hands across the wheat field. Suddenly, the tall stalks of wheat in front of the cleric come to life wrap, twisting and entwining around the hapless soldiers who shout in fear.
Two of the bowmen and the injured swordsman on Dorvarr's right flank become entangled in the writhing vegetation. The grim Captain evades the tangling weeds with skill but is clearly unnerved by this display of magical power.
[ooc] Ottar up.
Ragnarr races to Dorvarr's side, starts twirling his great axe, and bellows deafeningly at the advancing swordsmen like some demon from the depths of Nifelheim. "FLEE or DIE, COWARDLY MAGGOTS!!!" He curls his lip up into a sinister grin that reveals his bestial fangs, and his eyes begin to glaze over... The man-beast's fury is palpable...
"It is shown to me that early on the son of Aldaföðr wanted to try his strength against the sea-lashed snake of the earth..."
Ottarr begins telling the tale of Thor's fishing for Jormugnandr which inspires bravery in your hearts.
Ottar's tilting voice rises above the din of battle steeling the hearts of his comrades. Ragnarr moving up to Dorvarr and the unconcious Hrafn roars with fury. The Swordsman faced with the man-beast's wrath is visibly shaken as his fighting spirit is diminished.
Vladimir rushes over the field to come up against the Guard Captain. "Surrender, man! Blood does not need to spilled. It is your choice."
Bjalfi holds readying to parry against the Guard.
The Captain sneers. "Forsake my orders. You give no choice, boy." He swings his sword in a slashing arc at Vladimir scoring a telling blow.
atk 17 dam 9
Bjalfi roars as he levels a blow back at the Guard but the swing goes wide.
atk 5
top o round
Initiative
Kveldulf 22 (readied action)
Egil's enforcers 21
Utgaror 20
Dorvarr 18
Ottar 13
Bjalfi 7
Vladimir 6
Ragnarr 5
Thord (Captain) 3
Kveldulf carefully adjusts his position in order to have the best possible vantage point to draw aim on the enemy bowman 60' ahead of him. With grim determination he draws back a raven fletched arrow and looses it upon the enemy archer. He then extends his arm pointing at the bowman in front of him. "Bring him down Uruz!" shouts Kveldulf.
With a snarl Uruz bursts into movement and hurtles towards the bowman with uncanny speed and ferocity.
Kveldulf's arrow slams into the bowmen tearing a bloodied scream from his lips. Grievously wounded but still alive there is little fight left in the archers.
The two entangled archers frenzily attempt to escape their writhing growth but are unable to break free (str check 19, 16). The third bowman flees in the direction of the shed though his movement is hampered greatly.
The wounded swordsman also attempts to break free of the vegetation to no avail. (str check 9)
The other swordsman quickly seeing the way the tide has turned withdraws to the southeast hoping to make a break into the forest.
The Captain seeing his men scatter roars, "Cowardly dogs!"
Utgaror's spear sails through the air piercing the fleeing archer in the back. The force of the spear hurls the man forward his face slamming into the shed door where he rests ceasing motion.
Dorvarr up
Ragnarr continues to stand fast beside Dorvarr, and makes a monstrous grin as the swordsmen and archers begin to flee. "I would help our friends Vladimir and Bjalfi," mutters the giant to the cleric, "but I fear that Thor would not consider it fair for three to gang up on one... I'm sure our friends can hold their own. The other cowards are not worth the effort..."
Watching the battle dissolve around him, the stout man tends to the wounds of his comrade.
The guards retreat turns into a full rout as the warriors stumble through the writhing crops fleeing into the forest. The one felled fighter remains motionless by the shed. You quickly surround the Captain who scowls but seeing the futility of his position drops his sword.
He eyes you coldly, "So what'll it be?"
Watching the battle dissolve around him, the stout man tends to the wounds of his comrade.
Hrafn rouses from his stupor though he is still weakened by his wounds he is able to stand on his own two feet.
The guards retreat turns into a full rout as the warriors stumble through the writhing crops fleeing into the forest. The one felled fighter remains motionless by the shed. You quickly surround the Captain who scowls but seeing the futility of his position drops his sword.
He eyes you coldly, "So what'll it be?"
Ragnarr steps right up to the captain, barrel chest and reeking sheep skins level with the man's eyes, and looks down on him. "What'll it be?" The man-beasts's voice is hoarse, his breath rank, and he trembles with barely contained rage as he speaks. "How about you tell us where this non-sense about Unn is coming from... without her, this whole town would be dead... We only found the herbs that were needed to develop the cure... she had the knowledge to make the cure... How many do you really think will accept this non-sense about her poisoning Egil? Are you all so blind and petty? Slay her, and you'll have a blood feud on your hands the likes of which the gods have never seen... I swear I'll slay every last one of your kinsfolk if you or your cowardly lackeys so much as touch a hair on her head... So... what'll it be?"
The Captain holds Ragnarr's furious gaze. "The hersir Egil has leveled the charge. The Earl was provided this cure and is now in a coma. A runestone was discovered under his bed. Unn and her clan have long disputed Thorolf's claim. Those are the facts I know. Egil holds court to decide her fate. If this god forsaken village had provided me with stouter men I would uphold my duty. Speak with Egil and the court in Thorolf's hall."
Bjalfi spits upon the ground before the Captain and turns to all of you, "I'll bring men from the Alf and we'll see about Egil's court." Eyeing Hrafn's weakened state the logger adds, "Ye'd best come with me. You're in no state for battle if that's what it comes to."
Kveldulf returns his longbow to it's resting position across his back beneath his cloak when the threat of violence dissolves.
"It would appear that you have landed in a difficult position my new found friends. I was just passing through. However, if you would care to hire me on as muscle, I'd gladly accept for an offer of ten pieces of gold and my fill of mead when the killing's done. And... if we fail to make haste from this field soon I fear those cowardly hired hands will be laying more trouble at our feet."
Kveldulf scratches Uruz behind the ear, somewhat lost in thought, as he awaits an answer. "Yes soon now Uruz, it won't be long.." he mutters quietly to himself.
listening intently to what he capt. has to say, a deep frown forms upon his already sour face.
Spellcraft DC5
Spellcraft DC 8
Kveldulf returns his longbow to it's resting position across his back beneath his cloak when the threat of violence dissolves.
"It would appear that you have landed in a difficult position my new found friends. I was just passing through. However, if you would care to hire me on as muscle, I'd gladly accept for an offer of ten pieces of gold and my fill of mead when the killing's done. And... if we fail to make haste from this field soon I fear those cowardly hired hands will be laying more trouble at our feet."
Kveldulf scratches Uruz behind the ear, somewhat lost in thought, as he awaits an answer. "Yes soon now Uruz, it won't be long.." he mutters quietly to himself.
Ragnarr snorts as Kveldulf makes his offer. "You speak to those who laid low the dark dvergar and the the demon wolf Greypelt of the old Droskar monastery, who met the test of the three spirit witches of the Darkmoon Wood, who slew a score of goblin raiders, who defeated the sorcerous terrors of Uzimilas's hut, and who brought back the cure to the disease which affects this town... All this in little over a week... We fear no trouble and hire none to fight our battles... If anything, you should pay for the privilege of joining our ranks, to stand among Thor's favoured... And what, exactly, are you expecting will happen soon???"
An unusually dark look crosses the stout man's face. He looks up from his task and eyes the captain head to toe. He almost looks like he's about to bring the wrath of the gods themselves into the clearing. Just as it seems he is about to act, his expression changes suddenly. He smiles and turns to regard the captain.
"It seems we have business with Egil, then. Would you care to guide us, or should we find our own way? Hrafn will, of course, need his rest. Bjalfi, lad, will you see to his needs? I assume there is a trial to be had? And we, as prominent figures in this incident, ought to be present, correct? Egil is trying to uphold his laws, right? Lead on lad, let's get this over with..."
The Captain cooly regards the exchange between Ragnarr and Kveldulf. He nods bleakly to Dorvarr's words and gestures towards the hall, "Aye then, follow me this way if you wish."
Bjalfi supporting the wounded Hrafn turns to head back to the village. The logger cautions to Vladimir, "Keep your sword ready lad. I like not the sound of Black-Heart's justice."
Utgardr looks to the others.
"I know a little something of Unn's way of magic. We should delve deeper into this mystery, find this supposed cursed runestone, I don't know what connections the rest of you may have to her, but I owe it to her to figure this out."
He turns to Hrafn, and grasp him by the arm,
"you've done well lad, go rest ye self."
...The stout man hands Vlad back his sword. "If what Bjalfi says is true, you'll need this right now.
Ragnarr snorts as Kveldulf makes his offer. "You speak to those who laid low the dark dvergar and the the demon wolf Greypelt of the old Droskar monastery, who met the test of the three spirit witches of the Darkmoon Wood, who slew a score of goblin raiders, who defeated the sorcerous terrors of Uzimilas's hut, and who brought back the cure to the disease which affects this town... All this in little over a week... We fear no trouble and hire none to fight our battles... If anything, you should pay for the privilege of joining our ranks, to stand among Thor's favoured... And what, exactly, are you expecting will happen soon???"
"Never would I imply that a man the size of yerself would not have accomplished equally large endeavors?" Kveldulf Snorts. "Lo, Ragnarr I do not mean to diminish your deeds. I am sure one day the skalds will write an epic. But ware the fool who refuses competent aid offered so cheaply. Odin smiles upon me, beast man, and so it is blood and bone, and steel for me all of my life. As for what is to happen soon, I hear the wolf call in my dreams. Fires will cover this land soon and Ragnarok will come! Go see Hersir Egil without me I care not, nor will I weep when he tresses you out for the carrion birds to dine." finishes Kveldulf in a much more grim tone.
Vlad, seemingly stunned by the battle, finally regains his senses , and speaks to Kveldulf.
"Kveldulf, we don't do our duty here for money. In the service of my Lord, Halfdeane, I am given my keep. For ten coins of gold and your fill of mead, you become a bought sword," And he gratefully receives his own blade from Dorvarr, belting it on with relief.
"And that means you follow my commands, you swear your loyalty. You become my man. If that is acceptable to you, then kneel and I will accept your loyalty. But we must be gone from this place!"
Just to clarify: Did we kill any of the warriors, or just wound 'em?
AlKir
