Rideon "Hawk" Hawkwood's page

He watched over the battlefield, the fighting was fierce and his men were fatigued. Unlike their foes, who never tired, never slept and never fell unless completely destroyed. He grimaced as waves of dark magic were hurled from the ramparts surrounding the fallen town of Lenusya. His mercs were smart enough to hold back to where the mages could counterspell but the ramshackle troops from Orlov's noble houses were taking it in the teeth.

Lord Grenalf's dragon laid nearby, the pathetic thing had fewer scales with every day they stayed here. Hawk's gaze swept over it and to the approaching horsemen in foreign armor coming closer with each gallop.

When the ronin had dismounted near him on the edge of their command tent, he gave the tian man an impassive gaze before looking back at the battlefield. Hawk didn't like this siege, it was messy and they lacked the numbers to properly hold the enemy down. The holes in their line would invite further disaster. Finally, he bit what was bothering him. "Whats the word?"

The ronin showed no emotion, like g*& d*!n usual, as he spoke. "Nothing, rode as far as the lowlands before being attacked by spiders and centipedes the size of men."

"G#%-d##n insects. What is wrong with this land..."

"Cur-"

Hawk shot him a glare that ceased his talking. "None of that... injuries we can treat. But panic we can't..." He sighed. "I'm calling it. No more searching, we crush these dead bastards first."

At Hawks word's the Tian man touched the pommel of his curved blade. "She is alive."

"She's on her own." Hawks words were a cutting command, he knew the Ronin's loyalty and for some reason, he was attached to Rhavenna. Like several other members of the unit. Much of the pain in his ass it was, he was fond of her too. "We can't keep sending out some of our best to find someone with the speed of the finest mare. It's pointless..."

He paused as the mysterious Lady Lenusya made her appearance, ducking out of the command tent with two of her personal bodyguard. Hooded bastards gave him the creeps. They had no weapons save for their large muscles and a single shield gauntlet on opposite arms from where they always stood near the Noblewoman. Just plain weird. Though where the other two ran off to this time he hadn't knowledge nor a care.

She wasn't alone as Lord Grenalf's made an appearance as well, bastard he was... The arrogant noblemen rankled Hawk and he had half a mind to let some ghouls lose in his tent so he could be rid of him. Not that anyone would care about his passing.

As the lord started to blubber about the cold and their lack of 'success' Hawk spat on the ground...

Wonderful...

That Night

Lenusya's walls had held, burning the gates did nothing like the town itself was hell-bent to repel them. The noble houses lost another dozen retainers and thrice that was wounded again. However what irritated him most was his ronin was gone as soon as the battle was called off for the night. He didn't send anyone after him, he knew the man lived by his own code and nothing Hawk could say would deter him.

"He's on his own..." He mumbled in annoyance.

He looked out across the open ground, at the ominous glow coming from the walls of Lenusya. Listening for the sound of music on the wind again tonight. The same sad tune that pervade the air around the dead town...

*Sneezes* Looks around suspiciously. Shrugs. "Damn elevation messing with my nostrils."

Stepping out into the sunlight, he spied the two Gourmites making trouble and wasn't pleased by their constant and incessant need to fight everything that looked strong or bloody interested them. Firming his jaw he bellowed an order over the din of the milling about mercs. "Pack up and ready to ride out within the hour! I'll not weather another night in this ruin and we have a commission to sign! So get yer asses moving! Doman and Yugiri, I need to speak with you two. Now!"

Yugiri didn't hesitate for more then a moment before turning on her heel and making her way over to Hawk alongside her brother. Accompanied once more by their tall warhorses.

Hawk

Bharrog gives Wallace an appraising look but says nothing else. He silently stands up and shuffles off to do work else where as Hawk considers Wallace's idea. After several long moments Hawk nods and looks to Wallace. "That dragon is an odd one, usually they don't offer service for free. However if we can get its aid temporarily I'm willing to pay the cost to get past the Maw. So you may do as your planned, we'll have to stay on our toes as you are correct. With these harpies we are more then likely going to get unwanted attention."

The noble was well away before your words came out, I made the assumption Wallace was smart enough not to insult people. :)

Tadis, doesn't show any emotion as Wallace speaks so easily of the Maw of Karth, he does however looked to Rhavenna before moving into the ruin to do as asked.

Hawk waits almost a minute to make sure that Tadis was long gone. "He stays with you lot. I don't want, nor need him in our camp but staining his honor would be a slight against his House. However he might prove useful so utilize him however is needed. Hopefully we can turn him around before we pass through the Maw."

"So what do you have to tell me?" As he waits for your response he sends Yolanda off to retrieve the Forgemaster. Xiang Yu is sitting nearby his sword leaning against his shoulder as he watches his fellow mercenaries around the Dragon's Corpse.

His militia would work to take those prisoners home as Whitefield and the knights finished his business with these mercenaries. The sight of his Warden alongside the exotic looking centauress. "I see you are still alive Redfield. We found your message, the nobility was slow to act however we were not. Are you any worse for wear?"

Tadis approached his lord and bowed his head. "No Milord, they were too weak to break me. I will send you a full report once my debt is repaid."

Adrian nods and raises his fist. The knights wheel around and begin riding after the retreating militia. "I will see you again then my friend. Work hard and don't let these Mercenaries best you." Tadis nods as Adrian wheels his horse around and rides off after the trotting knights.

As there banners disappeared Hawk looked to Tadis askance before looking at Wallace and especially Rhavenna. "Care to explain you two?"

Tadis offer's an explanation first though. "Without your attack we... would have never made it. My plan was impossible so long as Dresskel dwelled in the central chamber. However th- Rhavenna did what we could not. So until I have repaid my debt I will serve as your Warden and scout."

Hawk shakes his head in disapproval. "I have scouts, Rhavenna is the fastest I have or need, go hom-"

Tadis cut in bluntly much to Hawks annoyance. "You head to the Maw of Karth. Have you sent men ahead? Do you know what awaits you in those peaks?"

Hawk growled in annoyance before answering Wallace. "Nothing. The house of Whitefield is an honorable one, he wanted nothing to do with this ruin either. All he wanted was his people returned without delay and I have no need for prisoners." His barbed comment doesn't affect Tadis who watches you all calmly.

"However..." Hawk was more concerned with coordinating his fighters than answering Tadis, especially as Wallace's comment was obviously something he too was thinking about. "... I agree with you, so most of the advance force will pull back to the main camp. I will leave some of you here to search this ruin while we prepare for the next move. Gather whatever you can and we will retrieve you in the morning. Before we depart we need to skin that beast over there, lest its scales go to waste. I'll send for the forgemaster, perhaps that old dwarf has dealt with dragon scales..."

The rangers raise their bows as a gap forms in the shields, The gap is quickly filled with the tip of a crossbow bolt. The bolt flies and strikes one of the warrior's at the front of the column...

Heavy Crossbow, 2nd Mercenary Fighter: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Confirmation: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Damage - Critical not confirmed.: 1d10 ⇒ 3

2d20 ⇒ (17, 16) = 33
2d8 + 8 ⇒ (2, 6) + 8 = 16

The warrior takes the shot in stride, puncturing his shoulder plate and splitting his skin as Hawks two ranger retaliate. Their arrows punching through the gap and as the crossbow falters backwards the gap in the shields closes. The hobgoblins chanter doesn't falter, instead it is bolstered by the combat to come.

Hawk grunted and Yolanda's tone changed. Her words turned to magic as "Focus on Mia, Livain, Rhavenna, Wallace and myself."

He nods to one ranger and directs him towards Rhavenna, when the man hesitates he shoves him that way with a gruff bark. "Get over it! Now lets show these bastards how we reach the trees so easily."

Yolanda casts Haste on Mai, Livain, Wallace, Rhavenna and Hawk

Ranger casts Jump on Rhavenna +10 on acrobatics checks.

Lingering Performance (Inspire Courage continues for 3 rounds without needing to be maintained.)

Xiang Yu's challenge remains active as well.

Hawk and his remaining ranger raise their bows and fire off Smoke arrows just in front of the enemy lines. Hawks hands were like a blur as he launched three arrows and his ranger companion launched two themselves. The arrows obscured the sight on btoh sides, allowing for a safer approach and preventing the Hobgoblins from getting a clear view of those charging them.

Xiang Yu's Tian battlecry split the air as his entire form became blurred, as though he were harder to percieve and with speed equal to Rhavenna he charged up the ramp and towards the waiting line of enemies. The Mercenary fighters follow Xiang Yu in as they try and break the Hobgoblin's lines...

NPC/PC's Ini equal, Hobgoblin's are bracing for the coming charge.

As Hawks attack's land the shadow dragon let go of the ruined keeps wall and plunged downward to the rear of the hobgoblin's lines. Its intent was unclear as it appeared to be timing its actions with that of the Mercenaries...

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Hawk curses loudly as he can't hear what the hobgoblins are shouting from so far away. He than raises his bow and sends another arrow skyward. Yet again it explodes as it begins to arc leaving a large plume of black in the sky. He motions forward and continues to advance on the ruin. "We're finishing this! Press the attack. Take no prisoners if needed! But the Blades are finishing this once and for all!"

As the two archers and Hawk press forward, Yalanda abandons her bardic song andfocuses everything on Xiang Yu. Trying to stem the bleeding from his blackened and cracked skin, she casts what could only be a healing spell and gasps in shock as the samurai's eyes snap open in fury. He sits up stiffly and looks to where the dragon had fallen, anger burning in his eyes as he staggers to his feet.