Search Posts
"Let's use these mists while they last. Stick together, and feel our way along the wall." He pauses. "And keep an eye up to the top of the wall, in case brigands jump down at you." The mists and helm do well to cover his blushes.
** spoiler omitted ** ProfPotts: That's what I figured. I'll have him brood about it later. Too many pressing thoughts at the moment.
ProfPotts: Not trying to meta-game it, but while I can see a seed of doubt because he cut down an unarmed man, he trusts Zurladew and knows that a spell-caster is never really unarmed. Having his wizardly friend incapacitate an opponent is no different in many ways from getting a flank from Ayden. Now, I definitely can see him having qualms about the "unsporting" nature of what he just did, but this isn't a tournament ground.
I have no issues with exploring the moral grey areas (that's just part of the fun of playing a paladin), but I'm not looking to explore the "fall from grace" as a story arc unless the RPing takes a compelling direction that way, as I've played the fall from good to evil before and wasn't a fan. That being said, the morality of it all wasn't even on my radar when that part went down and it should have been, so this all makes for a good wake-up call to me to remind myself I am playing a paladin.
Sir Jaymin adds his sword thrust to the group.
With the arrival of Sir Garrett, Jaymin says to the bandits, "Really, I think it would be in your best interest to surrender." He makes another 5-foot step towards a flanking position, then readies an attack for if the bandits don't, to go off before any attack the bandits might make themselves.
"Well, it's a little difficult with all the muck-holes you keep leading us through," Jaymin replies as he swings at the wrestler. Attack:
He also takes a five-foot step to start forming a flank with Ayden.
"Impeccable timing, Sir Ayden," Sir Jaymin calls out through gritted teeth. "These two seem to have mistaken me for one of the farm animals they're accustomed to pleasuring themselves on." ProffPotts & Ayden: Escape attempt 2:
ProfPotts: I went with the attack because I thought inflicting damage on the grappler imposed a penalty on their grapple checks. Don't know why I thought that, though. If it's okay, I will consider a possible replacement character. I have a dwarven druid I absolutely love from a failed game, and now that they're out and about and away from the baronial household, an outside character wouldn't be out of the question.
"Friends, some urgent help is needed," Sir Jaymin calls our into the mists, his voice labored like there's a heavy burden on his chest. ProfPotts: Jaymin attempts to break the pin.
Initiative: "Helpless? You wish!" Sir Jaymin snarls. He brings his sword up and back at the man holding him. Attack:
ProfPotts: Sir Jaymin presses himself against the wall, and begins inching slowly along it. His sword and shield are at the ready.
Sir Jaymin draws his sword as he quickly steps aside of his sleeping horse. Jaymin motions for quiet with a finger on his lips, then, gripping his shield and sword, moves carefully towards where he heard the spellcasting.
"Zurladew, good idea with this fog, or was it you?" Jaymin keeps his bloodied lance point lowered and ready, but there won't be any charging in this. "Sir Garrett, stay close."
Fifth ride:
Oops, forgot one.
Since they can't get a technical RAW charge going, Sir Jaymin will content himself with staying back with Garrett, keeping his shield up to shelter himself and Zurladew. Total defense: AC is now 26.
"Almost," Jaymin says. He lays a hand on Garrett's shoulder, allowing healing energy to pass into the other knight. Healing: "I have a bit of that left, but should save it for more dire circumstances, I think. Just keep your head down and shield up as we cross."
Sorry. Waiting on Zurladew to yay or may Jaymin's plan.
Oh no, he's coming behind the wall with Garrett! His plan is for Z to make an illusion of the four of them charging the bandits at the same time the actual group charges so the bandits will have to divide their arrow fire.
"Zurladew, if we took cover behind the wall, could you use one of your illusions to make it look like there were two groups of us? Then they couldn't know which group to shoot at."
Initiative: Sir Jaymin turns after leaping the wall, lowers his lance, and charges the man.
Sir Jaymin, on the point of flapping his reins to leap the wall, lowers his arms, nodding at Ayden. "Yes, you're right. Let us take this wall first, then the archer, and insist he tell us of the brigand defenses." He finds a low spot in the wall and commands his horse to leap it. Then he'll turn about to apprehend the lone archer, lowering his lance point at the man's chest. Ride:
Zurladew grips Aydan tightly, sighing as he does so. "Knights," he says despairingly, check to see that his marcotte is ready in his hand.
"I have a feeling that these are our bandits," Jaymin whispers to the others. "If we can win that wall, that open area beyond it would be perfectly suited for a mounted charge at any reinforcements, allowing us a tactical advantage on their turf." When it comes to matters of war, for once, Sir Jaymin is more than lucious eye-candy.
Sir Jaymin squints at the wall, then shrugs. "If you say so," he says, and draws his sword and readies his shield, clearly giving away that e man has been spotted.
Sir Jaymin nods to Ayden's comment. "Agreed. I think we should follow these tracks." By the time he's up on his horse, Ayden and Zurladew are already heading off into the brush. Sir Jaymin follows.
Knowledge - History:
Genius over here looks over the scene, looking at all the things Garrett points out, and nods sagely. He takes notice of the warning about the traps and goes about poking every pile of leaves with his lance.
"Huh? Wha?" Jaymin asks, whipping around and his face red. "No! That's not what I meant at all! I meant-" He clamps his mouth shut. He opens it again as if to speak, then shuts it and clambers up on his horse, completely forgetting to even pat it in greeting or calm it. The horse bucks a bit and rears about before he finally gets it under control.
Sir Jaymin looks shocked at Ayden. He exchanges glances with Garrett, makes an attempt at a secret gesture towards Sir Garrett which includes Ayden, the ladies, and a crotch area (Bluff to convey secret message: ) and says, "It's highly unusual for knights of the realm to take their direction from the daughters of the local liege, rather than the liege himself. Certainly without a good reason, which I take it you are unwilling to provide?"
"Vows? What vows? Why does everybody always assume that we warriors sworn to holy causes automatically have vows against having a good romp in the sack? Makes us all sound like a bunch of uppity prudes or something! Of course, I would never dream of defiling the daughters of our gracious host, but that's simple chivalry and common decency, not some great and holy vow. And there would certainly be nothing unholy or unchivalrous about asking one or both of our host's daughters for an innocent moonlight stroll on the battlements, either. Of course, I would feel compelled to request permission of Sir Everard first, which is something I would not do of him tonight given the current mood or our arrival." Sir Jaymin, slightly irked, makes his way out the door and towards the ladies' chambers. Seeing Zurladew innocently on guard where he and Garrett would be unable to go, he smiles. "I trust that you will keep the watch and sound the alarm at anything amiss, Master Jester." With that, he retires for the night, grateful for some actual rest. But he makes sure his sword and shield are within easy reach of his side of the bed...
Jaymin removes his armour with a sigh and leaves it outside their door for a page to clean/repair. He washes himself and checks the wardrobe for any spare changes of clothing. If he finds any, he'll gratefully change out of his three-day old clothes, otherwise he'll content himself with a thorough sponge bath at the washstand and put the dirty ones back on. Once washed, he'll say to Garrett, "Do we dare both take our ease, even here, and sleep the night, or should perhaps one of us stand guard on the ladies' door? I would hate to insult our host by suggesting we don't trust his security, but the Usurper could have spies in Sir Everard's household."
"The Usurper probably didn't think there'd be anybody close enough who could handle the boar so quickly."
"We know the Usurper has employed Galtan mercenaries to aid him. It'snot beyond possibilities that he's hired a magic user to keep one of the Baron's staunchest allies busy and away from the tournament."
"His plan probably didn't involve Lady Rebecca's escape. The barbarians we evaded in the marsh indicated they only wanted her to bring back. We think we planned to wed Rebecca by now in front of half of Taldor's nobility, cementing his claim on the barony without any further fighting."
Jaymin pauses with Alen for a moment to hand him five silver coins. "I did win, sir, but I fear it may be a long time before you are able to claim your prize." Perception:
"It is sad that we bring such ill news, Sir Everard. Have you heard none of this news before now? What about news of worgs or blue-skinned strangers in the countryside?"
"You are well met, Sir, Alena, is it?" Sir Jaymin says, with one ear taking in Ayden's introductions. "Sir Garrett and I are escort for the Ladies Rebecca and Beatrix. Tell me, what news is there of interest in town of late?"
Sir Jaymin moves to speak as well, but seeing as there are enough forces ganging up on Clarius and Ayden, he returns to his watch, nodding grimly to Sir Garrett's whispered statement upon his return.
"There was something that white dragon said, just before we fled. Zurladew had made an illusion of a red dragon which started to scatter folks, and the dragon guy said something like, 'Impossible. She can't have progressed that far yet,' or something like that. Perhaps Lady Rebecca is like that fellow in some ways, only with red dragons instead of white."
"Indeed. A good thing the traitor has been discovered. Tell me, Sir Traitor, will honest Taldane steel bring death to you, or is your heart too twisted with evil?"
Bluff: Ayden or anybody with Sense Motive DC 9: Sir Jaymin's really asking if normal weapons will be effective against these creatures
"I hate to do it, but I think we need to wake good Sir Ayden." He goes over and gently shakes Ayden awake. "Sorry to do this, my friend, but what does it mean when tiny fairies inside glowing balls are swarming around us? Is that bad?"
"What exactly did Ayden tell us about floating lights?" Jarmin asks Garrett nervously. Perception:
"Thank you, but I'll do the first watch, and then wake you in, say, three hours?" He continues to sharpen his sword and watch. He eventually adds the other directions to his patrol, listening even more than looking into the mists for sounds of pursuit.
"Well done again, Sir Ayden," Sir Jaymin says, zero mocking in his voice. He sets himself up with a good position to watch the direction they came and sharpens his sword. "Sure wouldn't have minded being able to relieve some of those mercenaries of their horses, though," he mutters quietly.
"I believe we should leave them to the bog. They'll waste time getting their friend out. We can get a lead, and Ayden might find us some better terrain to fight them on."
Leaning close to Zurladew, Sir Jaymin whispers, "Perhaps now, while the barbarian has lost control and already yelling, the wisps should attack him. It might just be enough to scare off the Galtans." He readies his sword for an enemy to get within ten feet, and scopes out the ground where he'll make his five-foot-step.
Strength: Jaymin reaches out, grabs Ayden and hauls the two of them onto dry land. "Well, Ayden did need a bath," he quips as he shoved his lance beneath Argos' saddle strap and readies his sword and shield for the onslaught.
"Ayden. Hurry up, they're less than a minute away." "Lady Rebecca, forgive my impertinence for suggesting action on your part, but perhaps you could throw another of those balls of fire you used on the giants at these guys? It might slow them down a bit, maybe even scare off the Galtans."
|