It is too bad to see the game go, and I definitely enjoyed the concept of it. Playing this game made me pull out my medieval history textbook and read many interesting articles.
Thanks and good gaming to all.
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Reolus nods. Certainly, Father." Noticing Gunthar's smirks, he adds, "It seems that Gunthar is eager for the challenge, or perhaps I misunderstand?" On another topic, he says to Augustus, "The Graf has given me leave to try to save the souls of our prisoners before their executions. I have yet to devote any real prayer to the matter, but my own thoughts were to focus my efforts on the youngest, as the doctrine of demons will be less firm in his head and heart. We also aren't going to be able convince him with words I fear, as he has no doubt been filled with so much fear and is likely not educated enough to appreciate an honest debate. I believe we shall have to kill him with kindness before the Graf's men do so with fire or noose."
Reolus sighs at the thought of returning to the cold and damp, after they have just seem to struck it rich with this new abode. Gunthar's suggestion brings him right back to earth and the lesser fortunes of others, like the women, and he flushes beet red. "By all means," he barely chokes out, then retreats to a corner to say his Ave Marias.
While I am loathe to ever cite Wikipedia in a scholarly debate, it's 2am here, so I'll do it this once. This article is interesting and supports your side nicely while still acknowledging the existence of members of the clergy and monastic orders who opposed the use of violence in support of Christianity. This excerpt was also interesting reading before my free access ran out. I've read a few other samples and abstracts of more scholarly works which also suggest that debate on the just use of violence occurred in the monasteries and churches of the Carolingian era, but that the more common-place view of the time was that Christian peace came from above, similar to the Roman pax, which came through the strong security offered by the Roman army. Any physical attack on the Empire constituted an attack on Christendom itself, and had to be met with force. Reolus certainly gets that, and he would not risk himself or others on the battlefield with any form a pacifism, but he's also torn because he sees enemies of the faith like these four prisoners as potential brothers. It should make for an interesting internal conflict for him as the game progresses.
Flushed, Reolus replies, "Please, forgive me, My Lord. Were my tongue still numb from the cold and journey, perhaps it would not betray me so easily. I claim only passion for the souls of the lost as my pitiful excuse for this conduct. A month is most generous, indeed!"
Foolish though it may be, a touch of anger colours both Reolus' words and voice. "All you have quoted, my Lord, pertains to an early time when the Israelites had no choice but use such extreme means to purge their nation of evil, as Christ had not come to bring them into a personal relationship with Himself through the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit!! This is no longer the case! However, as you seem Hell-bent on their physical destruction, I implore of you to grant me a season of days to try, futile as it may be, to break through their pagan teachings, and at least save their souls!"
"I am not equal to such a task, but the Holy Spirit is more than equal to lead Widukind himself to take his first communion. Perhaps if we wish these men to acknowledge and follow Christ, we should start acting like we follow Him ourselves. 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.' What crime have these four men committed, save to be uneducated and schooled in the doctrine of demons? Burnings, hangings, beheadings, show me in Scripture where Jesus or any of the saints would use any of those methods against their pagan or Jewish foes. 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they...for THEY shall be called the Children of God!' If we claim to serve God, what gives Him more glory...piles of pagan corpses, or a nation of new brothers in Christ?"
"Winning their souls for Christ would be an even more remarkable display, though not as flashy as a public burning."
Reolus joins in the toast, enjoying the slightly better vintage of wine allowed to the Graf over their usual vinegar. "My Lord, we have learned of some of the Sachsen plans, to bring their forces close to us under cover of winter and hide themselves nearby, ready to pounce on us from all sides with the spring thaw. I hope that our actions have not altered or accelerated their plans. We left no survivors to tell tales, but that doesn't mean the Sachsens won't have riders to learn the news."
Just realized I had never updated Reolus' hit points. He now comes in at a robust 17 hp, which isn't actually that bad for my balding little bookworm.
Reolus bows to the Graf. "My Lord, I would hate to think that any of us acted in a demonic manner; rather, that we fought as King David and other heroes of the Faith. The Sachsens, on the other hand, did fight as demons; selfishly and undisciplined. We destroyed their camp without losing a single man, as you say, due in no small part to Sir Brechthralt's prowess and horsemanship, and the superb training of Your Lordship's infantry, a true credit to their liege."
Hearing of dinner with the Graf, Reolus arrives at the church in a panic, asking Father August if he has a spare cassock Reolus could borrow for the evening.
Reolus takes the women to see Father August. Once he's seen to their injuries, he gently questions the women to see if they overheard any of the Saxons' plans or any other actionable intelligence.
Reolus would suggest Minden, only because they will have better medical supplies to tend to the women, and they can visit the chapel and speak with Father August, before returning home. He is in favour of retrieving the body of the woman, however.
Were the better warriors in possession of nicer armour or weapons?
Reolus holds the women, mutters prayers over them, and tries to keep the sight of the butchery from them. "Gunthar. Get me some warm cloaks for the women, preferably ones that aren't too bloody or rank with stench."
Reolus, hearing of the women, rushes over to them, and assesses their injuries. "Fear not, my dears. You're safe now."
Reolus will take his cue from Brechthralt, so he goes aggressive as well.
Sadly, no damage.:( His soldiers fight valiantly, but Reolus' inexperience and lack of bloodthirstiness means his squad fails to penetrate the fortification defenses.
Reolus has +2 modifiers in Wis and Cha. Nobody has ranks in Profession: Soldier. Presumably Brechthralt would be a good choice as one commander.
"I would suggest two equal forces of infantry, attacking the camp on opposite sides while we ride around and attack as the third point in the triangle."
"Let me have a look, my Lord," Reolus says, taking out his healer's kit.
If the Saxons are fleeing, Reolus quickly gets down off his horse, whispering soothing words as he pats the animal's neck and rubs his nose. He waits until he can get the animal calmed down before he even thinks about looking at the creature's leg.
If he can get the animal calmed down, and they aren't disturbed by more Saxons, he wraps the animal's leg.
"Nice shot, Sir Lo," Reolus calls out. He directs his horse to attack the same yellow Sachsen.
Alas, he isn't able to control his mount well enough to attack himself.
Reolus, unwilling to abandon Brechthralt, edges his horse closer to the Sachsans. He moves his horse 15 feet north east.
not sure if being on a horse counts as higher ground or not.
Are these light or heavy warhorses? I'm not sure if the x2 carrying capacity for being large and x3 for being a large quadruped stack, or if the latter takes the size into account. Assuming x3, a light warhorse can carry 228 lbs without being encumbered. However, a heavy warhorse has a 20 strength, meaning x3 equals 399 lbs. Reolus' light warharhorse is lightly encumbered, because Reolus is a beanpole.
"They're coming after us! Protect Sister Maria and the girls!" Reolus shouts out.
The infantry is back by the trees, right?
Sarawak? Hmmm...googling.... Okay, looks nice and warm. Probably some nice beaches, and...10m long pythons!! No thanks, I'll stick to Canada. Enjoy!!
Reolus spends another full round praying, exhorting, and directing, so that the co-ordinate bonuses don't lapse.
In that case, add 1 to those amazing rolls in the gameplay thread.
Unlike the subsequent scholar ability Inspiration that builds on Co-ordinate, Co-ordinate doesn't specfically say that the scholar himself doesn't benefit. What's your read on it GM? Is Reolus intended to benefit from his own Co-ordinate ability? It says "your allies", but there are plenty of arguments going around the messageboard that you count as your own ally. Relavent text: Co-ordinate (Ex): When the scholar spends a full round directing her allies, she provides her allies within 30 feet a +1 morale bonus on their attack rolls and skill checks. The bonus lasts for a number of rounds equal to the scholar’s Charisma modifier. Inspiration says mostly the same type of things, except that it adds that the scholar doesn't benefit himself.
On Reolus' turn, the co-ordinate goes into effect; +1 to attack and skill checks. Reolus successfully continues to guide his horse with his knees. This round, he mutters a prayer to God to guide his aim as he did King David's, and he adds a stone to the volley of arrows.
I guess God wasn't listening this time.
Reolus, through a combination of prayers, exhortations, and a good deal of arm-waving, directs everybody to stay together well. For two rounds, starting on his next turn, everybody within 30 feet will have +1 morale bonuses to attacks and skill checks.
Reolus' new co-ordination ability is a full-round action. Is that something he can do on a moving horse? What kind of Ride check would it take, and would it be different during combat?
"Of course, my Lord." Dropping to his knees and crossing himself, Reolus holds his hands up to heaven and says, "Holy Father, we thank you for this day when your holy justice will be meted out. Strengthen our arms and bolster the courage of all your servants. Let your angels and saints fight along side us, so that fear and trembling will strike at the minds and hearts of our enemies, and that they will see your glory. In nomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritu Sancti. Amen."
"Break the camp and rescue the women. Those are our objectives. Once we succeed, we should completely destroy the fortifications, so they will have no incentive to rebuild."
"Not if we made our move just before dawn. It would be too dark for bows, but light enough for melee."
Reolus is happy to have as many bodies as possible in his tent, as to increase the shared warmth. As the men prepare the camp, Reolus mingles, offering encouraging words, prayers, and other exhortations to help cheer up the men. Once they have whatever they plan to eat prepared, Reolus takes the ladle and serves the men himself. Diplomacy: With that done, he retires to the knights' tent to help with the planning. He takes a handful of loose dirt, spreads it evenly on the underside of his shield, and with a stick, starts sketching what he remembers of the Saxon camp, offering the stick to Gunthar and Lo to add their own details.
After breaking his fast, Reolus heads out to see if he can find a small tent to tie to his horse, as well as a bundle of dry firewood. At the gathering, Reolus nods to Lord Brechthalt and steps forward to address the men. "Thank you, my Lord. Good morning, men. The purpose of this excursion is many-faceted. This is a rescue mission. Good Christian women have been taken by these pagans, and the Lord God only knows how they have suffered these past two days. We go to break their bonds and return them to their families. But this is also a mission of the utmost strategic importance. Pagan forces have established a permanent base of operations less than a day's ride from Minden. As a man of God, I would personally rather see these barbarians brought into the fellowship of Christ than cut down on the moors, but with tensions so high, that outcome seems unlikely. Our primary objective here is to ensure the safety of this town." "The pagan forces outnumber us only slightly, but even if they outnumbered us a thousand to one, we have the Lord God Almighty on our side. Abraham had the Lord on his side when his 318 kinsmen destroyed the combined armies of four heathen kings. Joshua had the Lord on his side when his group of road-weary travellers destroyed the city of Jericho with a trumpet blast. Judah's army of mere thousands repelled the invading army of over a million Ethiopians. And let us not forget that 12 simple men gathered in an upper room after the Resurrection of our Lord and changed the world forever. The Lord will fight for us today, and through the strength of his arm, we shall claim his Victory." "Let us pray." Reolus drops to his knees in the dirt and waits for the men to do likewise. When they are ready, he begins to chant.
With his psalm finished, Reolus rises and mounts his horse.
Reolus tends to his physical needs first with food and warm wine. Once he feels more like himself again, he heads to the church to pray, both for the souls of the fallen, and the safety of those who head out tomorrow to fight the Saxons. Once that's done, he heads into the yard to practice his spear, though he has enough sense to hide behind a building or off in the corner where the men can't see his ineptitude.
How are we doing hit points for level 2 and beyond (apologies if this has already been mentioned somewhere)? I went with the co-ordinate scholar secret. It basically works like a watered-down bless spell, granting +1 morale bonuses to attacks and skill checks to all allies within 30 feet, though it takes him a full-round to get it online. It's the precursor to inspiration, which grants +2 bonuses to attack, damage, and saves. Since these scholar secrets basically work under the same mechanic as rage powers and rogue talents, would it be okay to have a feat Extra Secret, if I wanted to pick up more than one every even level?
"Yes, my Lord. Please forgive my frost-bitten brain, but that is the most important part. It looked like an outpost, perhaps for scouting. We approached at night and were able to reach the edge of their firelight undetected, as they don't know to use perimeter fires. Though we couldn't see in the darkness, there was no doubt evidence of traffic between it and any other outposts imprinted in the ground. The Saxons were not careful and will not be expecting to be found. We can take them by surprise and perhaps head off this attack."
Reolus nods. "He speaks truth, my Lord. I know some of the Saxon ways, and this is more. Saxons have packed up their own hofs, taken their animals and congregated. I am certain that young Uwe learned something while visiting his family, something he shouldn't have, and the pagans knew he would betray them. What they did to that boy, they only do to traitors. I fear the pagans march for war, despite the harshness of the coming winter."
Exhausted and chilled through the bone and back out again, Reolus makes his way into the kitchens straight away, barely taking enough time to toss his reins to some soldier. Teeth chattering, he barks, "Tea! Hot! Blankets for three! Someone find Father August and Graf Theodoric."
Looking around, Reolus sees that Gunthar is right, and he nods. "I fear we shall have to leave the women's fates to The Lord."
"We need a distraction to draw a bunch of them away from their camp," Reolus whispers.
Fort:
Reolus will take 10, noting that this process is a lot like trying to sneak into the chapel when late for morning offices, something he was never very good at. Taking 10 results a 9. As they get closer, Reolus will let the others go closest, so he doesn't give them away.
Reolus bows his head over the woman, and smears a bit of holy oil on her forehead. "Requiem eternum. Dona eis requiem. May light perpetual shine upon this daughter of Christ. Holy Father, her earthly trials have ended. Speedily welcome him into your loving arms, and grant her peace. In nomine Patri, et filiii, et spiritual sanctu. Amen."
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