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Maybe we should go over and introduce ourselves? Green Howl says trying to sound braver than he felt as he grabbed his sword and shield. Maybe WhiskeyJack would like the heads of enemy soldiers? Green Howl says trying to imitate the trash talk he had heard others use around camp. I'm ready whenever you all are. He meant it as a fact, but it came out, much to Green Howl's chagrin, like a question.
Sloade's jaw drops seeing all the cavalry. What have I gotten myself into? he thinks. He nods at Shea's suggestion. If we don't let them know soon, they will be massacred! he adds.
Slioade tries his best to move silently and climb true knowing that the slightest mistake could prove disastotous,
I think I see something to the right. Green Howl whispers to Shea and Rafi. Do you think we should check it out? Green Howl asks, not sure of the protocol and asking his more experienced companions. Okay, that won't be Whiskey Jack or Throatsplitter, this is for real! Green Howl thinks as sweat starts glistening on his brow.
When his opponent goes down, Green Howl blinks in amazement. I...eh...won? he thinks to himself. He then realizes that others are still watching so he makes his warface and let's out a victory howl. Awwoooo! At Shea's compliment, Sloade will say, Thanks! I couldn't have done it without your help training!
Green Howl was frustrated he could not land a hit, but glad he was able to dodge the blows from Throatsplitter as well.
Green Howl is glad to hear words of encouragement, but mad at himself that he missed and got whacked for his trouble.
Well I guess it is you and I now eh Throatslitter! May the best one win! . Green Howl will then bring his sword to bear against his former, temporary ally.
Green Howl, seeing how he is now flanked, thinks to himself, Well, this could have gone better! He will take a five-foot step to get out of the flank and attack Mud again.
Just an FYI... My wife and I are traveling to the Carolinas for two weeks starting this Saturday. Please feel free to bot me as necessary.
Green Howl sees Mud starts to move. Ha! So your the bastard that will get this going! Making his warface, Green Howl will charge Mud and swing his blunt sword at the man. Aroooo!
Sloade feels the balance of the sword and grunts. It could have been better and it could have been worse. he cautiously advances a few steps keeping an eye on his opponents trying to see from the slightest movement, blink, quiver, spasm, which would advance on him first.
He is hoping that they do not gang up on him and instead he can gang up with one of them against the other like Whiskeyjack taught him. The enemy of my enemy is my friend...for now he thought to himself.
Whatever you want to do. If you want to hand wave my training with my squad mates, I'm good with it...
Hmmm...It should be easier to find a training weapon then one of these stupid scorpions! Sloade thinks to himself. Looking around and not seeing Shea or Rafi, he will turn to Ti'ck and Smiles. Anyone want to help me train?
Sloade looks down at his feet again and shrugs, I think I'd have better luck fightin' for 'em then finding 'em. he says cooly. After all, I've faced Whiskeyjack twice and you, my friend, ain't no Whiskeyjack! If your game and your squad agrees and my squad agrees, why, I'll fight you for the little buggers!
I don't know if I be finding them at all! Sloade says as he kicks over a rock scattering just ants.
Feel what? Scorpions? Sloade asks looking around his feet again.
Sloade starts to look down at his feet half expecting a scorpion to be walking across his toes. Any idea where we find these scorpions? he asks Ti'ck, Shea, and Rafi.
Maybe someone who doesn't have a stake in the output can take three rocks and carve the initials of each scorpion onto the rock, puts them in a bag and someone from each squad draws a rock from the bag? Sloade offers helpfully before adding Sir!
The fight with WhiskeyJack rejuvinates Green Howl. He forgets all about his sore feet and when Koryk asks ”So, are you in? Everyone in Borduke and Lull squad is joining.” Green Howl shouts, I'm in! He'll then whisper to Shea, What are we 'in' for?
Wha... Green Howl says slack-jawed as Whiskeyjack's sword goes flying. He had to double-check his own hand to make sure it wasn't his. He was in shock and raised his hand to give Smiles a high-five, then wasn't sure if the dour woman would return the gesture.
Green Howl will stand next to Smiles and whisper to her, I'll distract him while you try to disarm him .
He can't keep an eye on both of us! Green Howl says as he starts to flank with Smiles. When he gets into position he will shout, Now!
Uh oh! Sloade thinks when he hears his name called. Maybe he wants to show the squad how he can beat Smiles and me at the same time - maybe with one-hand tied behind his back. He moves to the front next to Smiles, gives her a look of pity, and says, Green Howl reporting as ordered, Sir!
Sloade is enjoying sitting there enjoying the respite from marching when he hears Whiskeyjack. Forgetting his discomfort, he stands and quickly runs to where the squad is gathering and stands at attention, lest Whiskeyjack wants him to fight him again. He stands in the back of the squad trying hard to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.
When the horn sounded, Sloade was one of the first to lie down on the dirt. His legs throbbed and he seriously began to think about cutting them off. He heard Braven Truth and Koryk being selected as the scouts. Poor bastards! Sloade thought, They will have to keep going while we can rest. Then he heard something about betting, and as long as he didn't have to move, he couldn't care less what the wager was or what it was being wagered on. He brought his canteen to his lips and drank the last few drops. Darn! It's empty! Now Sloade had to decide which brought the greatest discomfort - Moving to get more water or staying where he was and deal with the overwhelming thirst.
What? He can't be serious? More marching? No problems here, Sir! I can keep marching as long as you want us to, Sir! If my feet don't fall off first, Sir!
Sloade's feet ached. He was glad they had stopped for he did not think he could take one more step. His mouth was dry from breathing in the dirt stirred up by the wagon they were following. His throat felt raw each time he swallowed more and more dust. He hardly realized that Dujek had asked a question. He heard Rafi's succinct answer and Shea's more elaborate one and knew this was his chance to say something thoughtful. They were asking about faith. What did he know of faith? He bit his lower lip and tasted the grime. A soldier always has faith. Either faith that they will die or faith that they won't. It all depends on which one of those faiths you have. Maybe that answer sounded thoughtful; maybe it didn't. Sloade just wanted water and a chance to rest his aching feet which kept his mind off of answering his own question-Which faith did he have? Live or Die?
Sloade gives Smiles a sharp look, then looks back to Koryk. It was..uh...a learning experience, Sir! I'll do better in my next fight, or I won't be around to do anything! Green Howl thinks to himself.
What do I think? Since he's been here, no one has ever asked Sloade what he thought. Thinking back, throughout his life no one ever asked him what he thought. Er..Remember our training, Sir! It was something that Sloade had heard a lot since he joined. "Remember your training", "Remember your Training". He knew as soon as he said it, it was a horrible response but it was the only thing that popped into his head. He liked Shea's answer better. She always seemed to know what to say and do, her and Ti'ck. If they didn't they seemed to be hiding it well. Sloade hadn't formed an opinion yet on the others except that Smiles always made him feel down and he was trying to still gauge Rafi. He admired the cockiness Rafi seemed to exude. Maybe after battle Sloade will feel more sure of himself - if he remembers his training.
The word family made Sloade think back to his family on the farm. He wondered if he would ever see them again but knew it was time for him to become a man and this is something he must do.
It was Braven Tooth, Sir! Sloade answers. It seems everyone here has a nickname, why doesn't Dujek? Sloade is about to ask the man why he didn't get a new name when he joined but decides better of it. Instead, he just stares at the man with a quizzical look.
I am Green Howl Sir! Sloade pipes up although the last time he piped up, he got a beating. Just don't ask him when you'll fight you fool!
When Dujek mentioned that they soon would be marching to join the second in retaking some city, he swallowed hard. The defeat at Whiskeyjack’s hands still stung him mentally and physically and now that it was becoming a reality, he hoped he wouldn’t be the first to fall. He looked at Shea to gage her reaction to the news, then looked at Ti’ck, then wondered why. In all that armor it was hard to tell what Ti’ck was thinking! He then glanced at Aloft. Everyone seemed so calm as if Dujek had just announced that they were going to the evening meal. [/i]If they are terrified, they seem to be doing a good job of hiding it![/i] Sloade will sit there and try to look as dispassionately as everyone else but then he starts to sweat and his stomach knots up. Just remember your training and you will be all right. You are Green Howl and you are of the fifth squad or was it the forth? I must remember what squad I am, it will probably come in handy on the battlefield! When he thought the word ‘battlefield’, Sloade swallowed hard again.
After a few days of Shea and Ti'ck taking care of his bruises, Sloade looked almost back to normal. His bruises soon became a faded yellow and he only hurt when he moved in certain ways. Unfortunately for Sloade, moving those certain ways happened often under Dujek's training. When Dujek split them off into pairs, he tried to be paired up with Shea or Ti'ck. Sloade loved the dull CLANG the wooden weapons made when they hit Ti'ck's armor. Shea was a challenging opponent as she was quick. Not as fast as Whiskeyjack but Sloade wouldn't be surprised if someday she was.
When he opened his eyes, Sloade was sure that he would find himself outside of camp-thrown out like so much camp litter. He was surprised to find himself lying in a cot in a tent. He saw the woman and the armored hulk standing above him. They did not look pleased, at least the woman didn’t, he couldn’t tell about the one in the armor. Come to think of it, the woman never looked pleased. Sloade tried to figure it all out but his head was on fire in fact his whole body was on fire. Every part of him ached and he was sure he would never stand again or move his arms. I guess I lost? he said to the two and tried to laugh but instead erupted in a coughing fit, which in turn caused more pain to ripple through his body. Sloade lets out a pained Ohhh and closed his eyes again. The next couple of days the pain in his body lessened more and more, as he began his training under Dujek. His encounter with Whiskeyjack showed him that he had a lot to learn and learn he did. He paid attention when Dujek spoke. He paid attention when the woman spoke, who he found out is named Shea. He listened when the armored woman spoke, who he found out is named Ti’ck. He listened and watched everyone. Sloade was surprised that he was something of a celebrity among the ranks. Some called him brave, some called him foolish, some called him reckless but all seemed to respect him. He endured many good-natured ribbing: ‘You’re lucky you still have your head to eat your chow!’, ‘Hey Green Howl, Whiskeyjack needs someone to demonstrate swordwork on!’ and his personal favorite: ‘There goes Green Howl In Pain’. He did try to avoid Whiskeyjack though, for if the man challenged him again, Green Howl would probably rise up to meet it – and get beat back down for his trouble!
Green Howl knew he didn't stand a chance, but he didn't think it would be over that fast! The blades flashed before his eyes and the pain around his body exploded-ribs, shin, arm (that one sent his blade flying!), back, buttocks, ribs again, thigh and finally and mercifully, the back of his head. The last thing Green Howl saw was the ground coming up to embrace him and then the pain died away-for the moment.
Sloade gulps audibly. Now you've done it, you fool! if you back down, you will definately get latrine duty or be kicked out of whatever brigade Whiskeyjack said you were in. Yes Sir! Green Howl shouts as he makes his warface and draws his short sword. ARROOOO! He will clumsily attack the seasoned veteran making sure his attack is not lethal.
When do we fight, Sir? Sloade says and instantly regrets it. Probably not the right time to ask it he thinks to himself, but he is anxious to start training.
Sloade tries to keep tack of all the numbers as they flow from Whiskeyjack's mouth, and by the end he couldn't remember if he was the 9th squad in the 3rd legion or the 4th company of the 2nd squad. The only thing he seemed to remember was the name Dujek who will train him to be a soldier and that was the only thing that matter to Sloade.
I am sure he will correct us with latrine duty if we're wrong. :)
Si..Uh...Yes! I'll learn it! Sloade replies. He was about to sir him but remembered that he needs to be less formal. Golden Moranth? Never heard of it, but I like their armor; and I sure am not going to ask that lady about her tattoos! Sloade repeats his new name several times in his head.
How the hell do I know?! Sir! I don't know, Sir! He seems friendly enough, but they all seem friendly until they start yelling at you! Compared to Tick and Braven Truth, I kinda like Green Howl. Sloade decides to add, Sir! Perhaps it is because our enemies will howl with fear before me! Sir! Sloade then makes his warface. Arrrrr!
Sir! Yes Sir! Sloade says and then walks quickly away. Hammer some sense? Have I just been insulted? No matter. It sure beats driving the wagons or working in the mess. I came here to learn how to fight and it sounds like this Whiskeyjack will be just the one to teach me. As Sloade finally finds Whiskeyjack he sees that there are two other people standing in front of him. Well at least one person- gods only know what is underneath all that armor standing next to a woman, but dern if that armor doesn't look nice! Sloade walks over and stands next to the armored one. Ye gods! I was right! That is nicely crafted armor. I wonder if they will let him or her keep it? Sir! Recruit Sloade Reporting as ordered Sir! Then he remembered that Tooth called him something else. Err...Tooth refered to me as Green Howl. Sir! It is then that he notices the tattoos on the woman and the hard way she looks at Lieutenant Whiskeyjack. I don't remember these two as fellow recruits, but then I was just trying to keep my head down.
Sloade considers the man's questions. Is he asking if I'm not brave enough for the front lines? And if so, is that a bad thing? Regaining his courage, Sloade says (in a voice not as loud as before) Sir! I am not familiar with that weapon Sir! On the farm we used longbows and shortbows against predators, Sir! He then pauses to consider his next answer carefully, Sir! I would want to get up close and use my hands to make sure he will be an enemy no more! Sir! Sloade then makes the most ferocious face he can.
Sloade will stand at attention. Is this some sort of test? Is he waiting for me to say something, but if I do, will he punish me for my presumptiveness? Why is everything with these people a test? After a few moments of uncomfortable, at least for Sloade, silence, Sloade will say in a loud, clear voice, SIR! Recruit Sloade reporting as ordered! SIR! Sloade will now wait to see if the man would be pleased or angry. Sloade began to think that the man would be angry whether he said something or remained silent. Such is the life of a recruit!
Sloade, a hulk of a youth, sandy haired and with sad, quiet, blue eyes listens to Captain Kindly’s speech, or was it more of a rant? Sloade did not make eye contact with the captain-no one made eye contact with the capain. One poor recruit learned that the hard way. “My horse does not make eye contact with me. Are you better than my horse?” the Captain screamed. He had the youth drag a huge, heavy log around the perimeter of the camp for an hour to prove to the recruit that he was no better than a horse. Sloade smirked when he thought how misnamed the captain was as he was anything but kindly. Sloade then remembered himself and quit smirking. I am sure the kind Captain Kindly’s horse doesn’t smirk either. he thought to himself. The captain must not have seen the smirk since he continued on with his rant. He was glad when they were dismissed to their tents and away from the captain and his rants. What have I gotten myself into? he thought for the hundredth time since joining.
Sloade walked everywhere and nowhere. Most people avoided the boy-grown with soot-smears on his face and singed clothes. Mothers pulled their children tighter as he passed with a vacant look in his eyes. He had no idea where to join the army but he thought it would be easier than this. He finally saw some soldiers and decided that they must know. He approached them and hesitantly said, Excuse me good sirs. Where can I join up? "Did you hear him call us sirs?" One of the soldiers scoffed, "He must think we are knights or something!" The soldier let out an annoying guffaw. "We ain't no knights and we ain't no officers neither!" another soldier jeered, "But we are better than raw recruits which you seem to want to be!" One soldier seemed a little more sympathetic, perhaps she had seen battle, perhaps Sloade had reminded her of some stray dog she had once rescued from the streets. "If you really want to join up, then continue down this street, make two rights and a left and you should find someone to process you." Sloade turned and started following the directions that the kindly soldier provided him. When he was out of earshot, one of the soldiers remarked to the others, "If he thinks they will let him keep that sword and steel, he is in for a rude surprise. He'll be given the standard equipment like we all were." "I don't know" the kindly soldier mused, "You are probably right, but there is something...odd about him. If anyone might hold onto his possessions it might be him." She watched as the youth disappeared into the crowd.
@ Melasoul Thanks for the feedback! It is pronounced Slo-awd. I added Dodge as the other feat. It is an interesting character concept and one that has been floating around in my head for a while and this seems like the perfect campaign to try it out. I know that magic will be different in this campaign where it seems that there are not spell lists but rather we 'discover' we can use certain magic. (Correct me if I'm wrong Aku) If that is the case then I would like him to be able to 'cast' the cleric weapon-focused spells, on his armor spikes. i.e. Align Weapon, Magic Weapon, Greater MW, etc. Being able to cast some extra elemental damage would be ideal. I would eventually like to see him grapple the baddie and let the armor spikes do the rest. Let me know if this makes any sense or is workable and keep the feedback coming! |
