The little keep you arrive at seems a strange place to be holding a joust. Far from even a large town, there seems to be no rhyme or reason for the keep's existence. A remnant from the Shoanti conflicts, the keep is the northernmost remaining evidence of the power Korvosa once projected over the Cinderlands. That it continues to thrive in peacetime is a mystery.
The small market is abuzz with excitement -- if you can call half a dozen people talking casually "abuzz." The stall keepers and guards look at you as you approach.
"There's another one for the joust, I reckon," says a guard loud enough for you to hear.
You see a good looking young knight brushing down a warhorse near a tent set up near the lists. You see that the shield hanging next to the opening of the tent has the VonFalkenburg coat of arms. As you come closer, you see the horse has an evil glint in his eyes. The knight salutes you in passing.
And then you see a man already in his armor, coming in a caravan, with a stunningly beautiful lady sitting in thier caravan. The horse who is the "Driver" takes a very nasty look at the guards. When approaching a guard, the horse scowls and attempts to charge. But Kornelius never leaves the horse out of his sight and the horse will act like a normal horse when Kornelius is looking.
"Good day to you noble sir," says Kornelius to a guard. "My name is Sir Kornelius Rowel the Second of Korvosa. I am a caravan guard who enjoys to joust. This here is my adopted horse, Sting. (he points to the horse). And here's Lady Widdel of Myrhtille City. She is my special guest. We are here for the joust."
"Hello noble sir," says Lady Widdel in a very sweet and kind voice. "How are you doing today?"
“‘The Rogue Knight’ I am called.” declares the grim-faced rider. He opens the demon-faced visor of his helm to allow the sun to caress his ebon skin. To shrug off the dust of the road, The Rogue Knight flips his cloak over the left shoulder revealing a well-used battle axe still stained with blood. Curiously, a red silk garter is tied to his right wrist; while his shield is devoid of any device save for the many cuts and slashes that it has deflected.
“Given is your fealty to whom?” he demands of the guardsman, as he scans the people in the area.
He acknowledges the presence of his fellow knights.
"By what code do you live by?"
The purple silk shirt is open and shows a manly chest as the halfling trots up on his heavy shaggy pony. Behind follows an open topped cart filled with gear and equipment for a tourney, tent poles, ropes and colourful silk material are piled high.
The halfling comes to a stop at the gate guard and smiles, "I am Prince Percival Pineperry of the Free Cities of My People, would thou let thine master know I doth await the opportunity to tilt and joust with yon fellows. If I may?"
As the cart pulls up, four halflings jump off in purple and white livery. They form into a small line behind the halfling on horseback, three have horns and the one on the end a drum.
"Esquires and entertainment doth help pass the time, don't you know?" He clicks his fingers and picks up the reins, the music blares out and the halflings march in, keeping pace with the well trained pony.
"You will look after the tent of course? I shall send my esquires out to help set it near the field of honour. Thank you my good man." the words are shouted back over one shoulder as the Prince makes a grand entrance.
Uathach, never one for pomp and circumstance, merely rises, and gives a quick salute with his cold iron blade.
"A hive of scum of hive and villainy it is not," TRK mutters.
He urges his horse onwards.
A scowling man spurs a snorting dark grey horse through the market. He ignores the children playing tag in the streets and almost tramples one of them. As he rides past each of the other newcomers, he looks them over in turn. His eyes linger longest on Kornelius Rowel. He says nothing.
A scowling man spurs a snorting dark grey horse through the market. He ignores the children playing tag in the streets and almost tramples one of them. As he rides past each of the other newcomers, he looks them over in turn. His eyes linger longest on Kornelius Rowel. He says nothing.
Kornelius watches the man very carefully. Then he exclaims "Kargan! Is it really you? Kargan! I went back home a few days ago to meet Dad and Mom but they said you were having adventures all around Golarion!" He then pulls Lady Widdel by the wrist and says "Sheila, this is my older brother Kargan!"
"Nice to meet you.." says Lady Widdel in a trembling voice. "Seems a little cold and rusty and rude. " whispers Lady Widdel still in her trembling voice.
Kornelius shakes his head.
A scowling man spurs a snorting dark grey horse through the market. He ignores the children playing tag in the streets and almost tramples one of them. As he rides past each of the other newcomers, he looks them over in turn. His eyes linger longest on Kornelius Rowel. He says nothing.Kornelius watches the man very carefully. Then he exclaims "Kargan! Is it really you? Kargan! I went back home a few days ago to meet Dad and Mom but they said you were having adventures all around Golarion!" He then pulls Lady Widdel by the wrist and says "Sheila, this is my older brother Kargan!"
"Little brother," Kargan growls in greeting. That Kornelius is much larger than him may explain the bitter irony in his voice.
As the knights begin to gather in the central marketplace of the keep, and the locals become less timid and begin to converse, word reaches the Lord of the keep that they have arrived.
An older man, who carries himself like an experienced soldier, arrives. A pair of his armed guards remain back while he comes forward and greets you warmly.
"Welcome, all! I am honoured that you have travelled such a great distance to be part of our small competition. We hope, by hosting you, to extend our friendships with your kith and kin."
"I am Lord Kerrigan. My son, Falcon, will give you more information about the contest tomorrow."
A man in loose fitting clothes, steps forward with a soldiers helm. He draws stones from the helm on which have been scratched decent likenesses of your shields.
"And me," growls Kargan Rowel.
"And me," growls Kargan Rowel.
"We await others," replies the young monk calmly.
Prince Percy searches out Uathach in the crowd and waves.
Then he comes over to the knight. "Thou art mine first foe. Well tis all I can say, may the Good Lady of Luck smile on you and myself when we tilt. By my honour, I wish you well, Sir."
Then the halfling prince offers a small hand to the fellow jouster.
"Welcome, all! I am honoured that you have travelled such a great distance to be part of our small competition. We hope, by hosting you, to extend our friendships with your kith and kin.""I am Lord Kerrigan. My son, Falcon, will give you more information about the contest tomorrow."
"I, The Rogue Knight, thank you for the hospitality of your house."
TRK removes his gaunlet and offers his right hand to Lord Kerrigan in friendship.
A man in loose fitting clothes, steps forward with a soldiers helm. He draws stones from the helm on which have been scratched decent likenesses of your shields.
The Rogue Knight will be fighting Kornelius Rowel II Ormizd will be fighting Sir Manfred VonFalkenburg Uathach of Iomedae will be fighting Prince Percival
"I see that we are paired for tomorrow's joust, Sir Kornelius."
"I see that we are paired for tomorrow's joust, Sir Kornelius."A man in loose fitting clothes, steps forward with a soldiers helm. He draws stones from the helm on which have been scratched decent likenesses of your shields.
The Rogue Knight will be fighting Kornelius Rowel II Ormizd will be fighting Sir Manfred VonFalkenburg Uathach of Iomedae will be fighting Prince Percival
Kornelius grumbles and says, "Yes, indeed. You seem like a strong one. But be prepared. You will be defeated. Good luck." says Kornelius and winks to TRK with a smile. And then he says to Sir Manfred "Please do win. We need to make our folks happy. Good luck."
Prince Percy searches out Uathach in the crowd and waves.
Then he comes over to the knight. "Thou art mine first foe. Well tis all I can say, may the Good Lady of Luck smile on you and myself when we tilt. By my honour, I wish you well, Sir."
Then the halfling prince offers a small hand to the fellow jouster.
Uathach raises his hand in salute to the diminutive adversary.
"Sir, may the best man...errr, halfling? Aasimar? Humanoid! win."
"Sir, would you humor me and consent to defer our little match until after the second pairing."
Sir Manfred grins, claps Sir Kornelius on the shoulder and calls out;
"Sir Ormizd! Looks like you and I are up!" and proceeds to don his greathelm...
At the signal, Sir Manfred lowers his lance and kicks Trouble into a charge...
2. Attack roll as normal for a charge (+2 attack role, with -2 to your AC. Lances do double damage on a charge).
3. Player Options:
___a.) Aim at helm: -8 to attack but Ride Check = DC15+damage dealt. Diplomacy check will be required to avoid disqualification if used.
___b.) Crouch defensively: -4 attack; +2 to AC.
___c.) Tighten the reins (reins are held tighter, restricting shield use): = -2 to AC; +4 to ride check.
4. Wooden lances break at 15 points of damage, doing a maximum of 15 points of non-lethal damage.
5. If hit, opponents must make a Ride Check (DC=5+Damage sustained) to stay mounted.
___a. 5 ranks in handle animal = +2 on ride check.
___b. War saddle provides +2 to ride check.
___c. If knocked unconscious, riders have a 50% chance of remaining in the saddle (75% if in a war saddle).
6. If unhorsed, Ride Check (DC15) or 1d6 damage
FIRST COURSE
Charge attack, no use of options
Lance charge: (1d20+7+2=19)
Lance charge damage: (1d8+3+1d8+3=12) (Lance is intact)
Ride check if hit (no warsaddle, no handle animal bonus):
Ride Check: (1d20+7=26)
Remain in saddle chance if knocked unconscious:
Remain in saddle chance: (1d100=15) (Stays in saddle)
SECOND COURSE
Charge attack, no use of options
Lance Charge (1d20+7+2=21)
Lance charge damage: (1d8+3+1d8+3=14) (Lance is intact)
Ride check if hit (no warsaddle, no handle animal bonus):
Ride Check: (1d20+7=20)
Remain in saddle chance if knocked unconscious:
Remain in saddle chance: (1d100=26) (Stays in saddle)
THIRD COURSE
Charge attack, no use of options
Lance Charge (1d20+7+2=16)
Lance charge damage: (1d8+3+1d8+3=9) (Lance is intact)
Ride check if hit (no warsaddle, no handle animal bonus):
Ride check: (1d20+7=15)
Remain in saddle chance if knocked unconscious:
Remain in saddle chance: (1d100=88) (Falls from saddle)
Ride check vs. damage:
Ride check or damage: (1d20+7=12)
Damage is:
Fall damage: (1d6=4)
Uathach is explaining his name to his assigned squire..."It's pronounced OO-AH-Thahk...it means Spectre, Ihavfe no idea why my mother named me that..."
"Sir, would you humor me and consent to defer our little match until after the second pairing."
"Why, certainly."
Sir Manfred notes to himself that he should ask Lord Kerrigan to shorten up the course for the next joust. It felt like he was chargeing for days now...;)
Prince Percival watches the form of Sir Manfred and seeks out his squire.
"Your master doth have fine natural style and shows a great deal of bravery. What is his history in the tourneys? Has he won many such as this in the past?"
Percy hands out pastries to all around. It helps pass the time. "Not for myself, thy servant ma'am, no please take another, and you Sir will you have one? Ah, I cannot, not before a joust, slows the reflexes a touch."
Lord Kerrigan takes one of the pastries from the halfling prince and eyes it suspiciously. Popping it in his mouth, he chews it once before turning to the guard beside him and muttering something that sounds suspiciously like, "Real knights don't eat quiche."
1. Warhorses (heavy or light) will charge willingly. Other horses will only charge on a DC 20 ride check.
2. Attack role as normal for a charge (+2 attack role, with -2 to your AC. Lances do double damage on a charge).
3. Player Options:
a.) Aim at helm: -8 to attack but Ride Check = DC15+damage dealt. Diplomacy check will be required to avoid disqualification if used.
b.) Crouch defensively: -4 attack; +2 to AC.
c.) Tighten the reins (reins are held tighter, restricting shield use): = -2 to AC; +4 to ride check.
4. Wooden lances break at 15 points of damage, doing a maximum of 15 points of non-lethal damage.
5. If hit, opponents must make a Ride Check (DC=5+Damage sustained) to stay mounted.
a. 5 ranks in handle animal = +2 on ride check.
b. War saddle provides +2 to ride check.
c. If knocked unconscious, riders have a 50% chance of remaining in the saddle (75% if in a war saddle).
6. If unhorsed, Ride Check (DC15) or 1d6 damage.
Falcon rolls his eyes at Kerrigan's sneering attitude towards hors d'œuvre and takes a few with a gracious nod.
And the audience cheers as the knights close with each other...
"That one seems a little slow off the mark..Perhaps his heart isn't in the joust?" points out the halfling prince to his nearest neighbour. Showing the lack of diplomacy only the truly wealthy and noble can get away with.
"Ah here he comes.."
|
wakes up and reasize he is beeing charge at.
"Never try to out drink a orc"
Charge attack, 1d20+8+1+2=21
Lance charge damage:1d8+1d8+1d8+6=18
Ride check if hit ( +2 warsaddle, +8 handle animal bonus):
Ride Check: 1d20+8=12
"Never try to out drink a orc"
"Didn't I see that one at the 'Old Mess Hall' with our half-orc friend Hru?"
Sir Manfred VonFalkenburg charges down the dusty road that has been smoothed, packed, and cleared to serve as the field for the jousts. The audience, which includes a large number of keep guards, merchants and a handful of Shoanti cheer, rousing Ormizd from his slumber. Ormizd's pale purple mount uncurls its body, surging forward with a flick of its tail ...
For the first round, players will be randomly assigned their opponent. Every player will have one match in the first round. Each match consists of three courses. To win, the player must have a point advantage over their opponent after 3 courses. Contestants are allowed to re-mount if unhorsed.
Points are assigned as follows: 1 Point for hitting opponent, 1 Point for staying on the horse, 2 Points for unhorsing opponent.
If one player decides to surrender, the match is forfeited to the opponent. If there is no clear winner at the end of three courses, contestants continue until one gains a point advantage. If both players are unconscious, and there is no clear winner, the contest continues after magical healing.
All those who win their match in the first round qualify for the second round. (Players receive magical healing at the end of Day 1).
Manfred, the Keep's champion and calvary trainer, scores a reasonably solid hit on Ormizd's shield. Ormizd's lance, although well-aimed, is knocked by Manfred's shield. Ormizd is hit hard and knocked from the saddle. The rules allow him a chance to remount with magical healing from those at the Keep. It is all the guards of the keep can do not to run in terror from the riderless ashworm until Ormizd can restrain him.
Ormizd does better on his second course. He scores a solid hit on Manfred, while Manfred barely connects. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Manfred has been hit hard. Manfred remains in the saddle while Ormizd falls from his.
Ormizd's third round is his best yet. Perhaps guiding an ashworm in a joust against horsed riders takes a little practice. On this final course, Manfred misses the ashworm dragoon but Ormizd nails him and knocks him from his horse.
Manfred is hailed by most witnesses as the clear winner. This is confirmed by Falcon Warchild shortly later. Still, his victory was not as easily won as some of his previous jousts had been.
"I say, One wonders who is next. Doth the changes so far mean that Silkwind and myself may face battle sooner than we expected. Lucky one never partook of a pastry."