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Post by merctime on Jun 9, 2015 12:41:27 GMT -5
The dawn has broken. And, even at this early hour, amidst a field of fallen men and lines of tired, haggard soldiers, Queen Eleanor of Gallica could see the fires that burnt red to mix with the early light of new day.
How many hundreds had fallen, just at break of darkness? Was it thousands? The invasion, it seems, was truly here at last. Her horse whinnyed apprehensively just then.
Generals astride her royal line conferred with banner-men; The quick and harsh language of orders that would in minutes be relayed via banner signal, as it was in those days. This day, many of her subjects, her countrymen, hadn't yet the time to boil an egg. And yet, so many just gave hours of struggle and even their very life. And it was not yet done.
Banners flipped and caressed in the winds as those skilled signalers who wielded them shot visual orders to huge formations of weary soldiers, on both sides of the field. Those of the mighty lines of Gallica, and those of Iberica.
...And what is this, now? Eleanor, called by men 'The Unquenchable', gasped momentarily as the far Iberican line broke at it's southern formation. Horsemen strode through it.
No. That's not quite correct. One was a horse-woman.
Isabel.
A ululating cry erupted from Eleanor's throat just then, her face contorting in the ecstasy of rage; Here rode Isabel, proud and lofty, towards the center field! Eleanor could take her now and end this.
Her charger surged forward. Her eyes locked on her target. She heard nothing, so loud beat her heart. Behind her, startled generals and bodyguards shook themselves from enstartlement and hastened after their too-brash queen.
The banner-signals kept on signaling, the lines of the army shifted into place to prepare for the next thrusts.
"IS-A-BEL!"
The cry across the field, in which every line-sergeant craned his head, breaking discipline even for but a moment... Was this woman mad, to careen thus into the heart of a field of battle?
She drew up short, at field center, her charger rearing tall and powerful. Yet, Eleanor retained the saddle.
"ISABEL! Come! Come and meet me, blade for blade! Let our soldiers, our peoples, see us settle this of our own power! I challenge you!"
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Post by makofan on Jun 9, 2015 12:49:12 GMT -5
"Eleanor." The words come simply, dispassionately from the fair queen's mouth. "Challenge accepted. Prepare to be quenched. I will liberate the oppressed Iberian minority in this sun-scorched province, and join them again to their kin."
She spurs forward, counting on her strong armor and shield, and loops the lanyard of her deadly mace around her right wrist (she spurns to shed blood).
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Post by merctime on Jun 9, 2015 12:59:51 GMT -5
Eleanor reacts accordingly, her sword held in high guard, as she moves to engage the Queen of Iberica in silence.
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Post by tetramorph on Jun 10, 2015 16:27:50 GMT -5
makofan, merctime: The righteous monarch of Iberia bears down on Eleanor with her mighty mace, dealing a resounding crash upon her shield that echoes across the battle planes of Toulouse. Eleanor breaks a sweat as her body realizes she is up against a queen worthy of a dual. As she goes in for her blow, Eleanor's mighty sword forces her arm to hold her aloft above Eleanor's flowing locks. The renown blade speaks, and all upon the battlefield hear it as though a voice of thunder: "Hail, Good Queen, I have served thee well, as thou also hath served to add to mine own renown. But I, the mighty Praedochaos, have been forged in ancient times, time beyond measure to you or your line of men, for one purpose: to quell the forces of chaos unleashed. I will not aid you in this dual. I will not lend my power to work against so great a Baptized Queen. Perhaps you too, a creature of Law, will listen to my plea. But at least return me to my scabbard so that I may serve thee again. I vow to leap in quickly, that thou mayest choose another weapon posthaste. For I too understand the demands of honor." OOC mechanics report: Initiative: Isabel 4, Eleanor 2. Isabel wins the initiative.
Isabel hits Eleanor, d20 13 (needed 8+), dealing 4 pts damage.
Eleanor looses ego-battle with lawful sword, loosing control of magic sword in combat with lawful monarch.
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Post by merctime on Jun 10, 2015 16:36:29 GMT -5
Heh. Well, there's nothing for it. Eleanor will sheath the sword and draw another weapon as quickly as she may. She intends to keep fighting, as her nation is at stake here. OOC: That was kinda neat
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Post by makofan on Jun 11, 2015 14:44:15 GMT -5
Isabel pauses for a moment in thought. If the sword is trying to stop the fight, does that mean I am engaging in unlawful behavior? Or is it a sign that Eleanor is in the wrong? Isabel decides that the sword is saying Eleanor is in the wrong, which means God is on her side. She continues to attack, sure now that she will be victorious.
"See, even your sword recognizes you are in the wrong. Yield or die!"
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Post by merctime on Jun 11, 2015 16:39:52 GMT -5
"There shall be no yeilding due to a willful blade that cannot comprehend that it is Iberica that invades! My hammer will suffice nicely. Have at you!" Eleanor retorts, as she re-news combat with her newly drawn weapon.
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Post by tetramorph on Jun 11, 2015 20:32:05 GMT -5
The mighty queens spur their horses towards each other again.
A shot of doubt about her judgment concerning Eleanor's sword streaks through Isabel's mind as her mace easily glances off of Eleanor's shield, unpredictably shaking Isabel's arm.
Eleanor's war hammer, in turn, glances off of Isabel's shield.
Both blows echo across the battle field. The two prepare for another pass.
OOC mechanics report: Initiative: Isabel 6; Eleanor 2; Isabel wins initiative.
Isabel attacks with mace. Attack roll: 1 on d20 = fumble. Fumble roll: 1 on d6 = half damage to self. Roll: 3 on d3. Isabel takes 3 damage.
Eleanor returns attack. Attack roll: 5 on d20. 11 necessary to hit. No damage to Isabel.
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Post by merctime on Jun 11, 2015 20:43:29 GMT -5
((Oh, man... I should have thought to ask for a joust!!!)) Eleanor wheels about, and drives in for another attempt with her mace. "Careful now... I'm the one who's supposed to injure you!" she jeers. ((Couldn't resist, brother ))
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Post by The Red Baron on Jun 11, 2015 22:03:22 GMT -5
((Oh, man... I should have thought to ask for a joust!!!)) I would like to see this
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Post by tetramorph on Jun 11, 2015 23:13:29 GMT -5
OOC: If both parties agree to a joust, I'll study my rules and figure it out!
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Post by makofan on Jun 12, 2015 8:17:33 GMT -5
Isabel will keep up with the attack, until she can get a sense of who is winning and who is losing
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Post by tetramorph on Jun 17, 2015 19:06:34 GMT -5
Isabel's mace rains down a flurry like battery. Eleanor feels a strong emotion pierce her heart: has her fortune turned ill this day, or, perhaps, is heaven on Isabel's side? Eleanor's jeers do not aid her in her attack as Isabel deftly deflects her blows. OOC: merctime and makofan, sorry I've been away so long! Busy week. I should be back daily for a while now. Question: do you want to turn this into a joust?
OOC mechanics report: Initiative: Isabel 4, Eleanor 3; Isabel wins initiative.
Isabel: 11 on d20, needs 9 = contact. Eleanor sustains 3 damage.
Eleanor: 4 on d20, needs 11 = no damage.
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Post by merctime on Jun 17, 2015 19:50:43 GMT -5
((we can turn this into a joust if folks think that would be fun. Otherwise, Eleanor will remain trying to take initiative and continue the combat with renewed vigor))
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Post by makofan on Jun 19, 2015 15:29:51 GMT -5
'Too late fort a joust now' thinks Isabel as she continues to lay a beat-down on Eleanor. 'Much more satisfying to spank the b*tch personally'
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Post by merctime on Jun 19, 2015 18:22:25 GMT -5
((hehe, ok... I concur. Let the fight commence!))
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Post by tetramorph on Jun 22, 2015 10:59:24 GMT -5
makofan & merctime: Eleanor reels around, smashing a deafening blow to Isabel's helmet with her war hammer. Seemingly simultaneously, Isabel delivers a crashing blow to Eleanor's shield with her mighty mace. Both fair queens seem perturbed in their saddles. OOC mechanics report: Initiative: Isabel 5, Eleanor 6; Eleanor wins initiative.
Eleanor rolls to hit: 18, needed 11; Eleanor hits. Isabel sustains damage: 5.
Isabel rolls to hit: 12, needed 9; Isabel hits. Eleanor sustains damage: 3.
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Post by makofan on Jun 22, 2015 14:58:21 GMT -5
Isabel's dander is up. She keeps pressing on
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Post by merctime on Jun 22, 2015 16:36:19 GMT -5
Eleanor is in the same boat; Thus far, actions in the fight have been less than telling. Aggravated by this, Eleanor redoubles her efforts and presses the attack with renewed intensity.
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Post by tetramorph on Jun 24, 2015 20:53:26 GMT -5
makofan and merctime: The duel continues fast and furious. Both queens rain down blows upon blows. Both begin to feel the consequences of combat upon their bodies and their souls. OOC mechanics report: Isabel 6, Eleanor 1; Isabel wins initiative.
Isabel attacks: d20 = 6; needed = 9. Eleanor sustains no damage.
Isabel attacks: d20 = 8; needed = 10. Isabel sustains no damage.
Isabel 5, Eleanor 5; Simultaneous initiative.
Eleanor attacks: d20 = 11; needed = 10. Isabel sustains 3 damage.
Isabel attacks: d20 = 18; needed = 9. Eleanor sustains 6 damage.
This concludes 6 rounds of alternative combat.
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Post by makofan on Jun 25, 2015 13:39:49 GMT -5
Isabel presses her advantage
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Post by tetramorph on Jun 26, 2015 14:10:16 GMT -5
makofan and merctime: Eleanor reels around delivering a staggering blow to Isabel's shield. But her successive blows seem not to daunt the Iberian Queen. Isabel smashes her foe's shield with her mace. Then something changes, there is a turn of fortune on the battlefield. Isabel's mace comes crashing down on the Gaulish queen's shield, and, while Eleanor attempts to return a blow in kind, sweat dripping down her arm loosens her hold on her war hammer, and, slipping out of her grip, it flings to the ground some feet away. Isabel takes advantage of this, ringing a blow with her mace right against her foe's breastplate. Eleanor is visibly clearly injured, although merely concussive in nature, no blood spills -- yet. OOC mechanics report:
Round 7: Isabel 4, Eleanor 1; Isabel wins initiative.
Isabel 4 on d20, needed 8. Eleanor suffers no damage.
Eleanor 15 on d20, needed 10. Isabel sustains 2 damage.
Round 8: Isabel 2, Eleanor 3; Eleanor wins initiative.
Eleanor 5 on d20, needed 10. Isabel sustains no damage.
Isabel 13 on d20, needed 8. Eleanor sustains 3 damage.
Round 9: Isabel 6, Eleanor 3; Isabel wins initiative.
Isabel 13 on d20, needed 8. Eleanor sustains 5 damage.
Eleanor 1 on d20 = fumble. 4 on d6 = slip: spend next round recovering.
Round 10: Isabel automatically gains initiative due to Eleanor's slip in the previous round.
Isabel 16 on d20, needed 8. Eleanor sustains 6 damage.
10 Rounds of combat conclude 1st combat turn:
Isabel checks against fatigue and remains alert.
Eleanor checks against fatigue and remains alert.
Due to damage sustained, Eleanor must check against loss of morale. Eleanor looses morale. Each successive round all mechanics for Eleanor will take a -1 (attack, damage and ST).
merctime: if Eleanor continues to fight, do you want to retrieve her war hammer, attempt to use her magic sword again, or call for another weapon from her entourage?
NOTE: guys, I'm off on vacation for a week so I took the liberty to get things moving along as I have only received encouragement from both of you, so far, simply to continue the combat. In my Dun Kells house rules I have even PCs check fatigue at the end of 10 rounds (or one full turn) of combat and once they have breached 50% HP they must check against morale loss. I wanted to press ahead and get to that point so that you would have more information to work with for making decisions and role playing.
I will stay in touch with the fora while away this week, but I will probably not be able to post again until after Independence Day.
Thanks!
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Post by makofan on Jun 28, 2015 14:37:23 GMT -5
Isabel yells "Yield!"
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Post by merctime on Jun 29, 2015 15:09:17 GMT -5
Boy, this ain't Eleanor's day!!
She won't yield, though... I'll see how this plays out. If her hammer is near enough she can regain it in one action, she will do so and Fight On. She will attempt to "fight defensively" as she attempts to regain her hammer.
But, if her hammer isn't close enough that she can get it quickly, she'll have to look at other options. I don't know much about how many weapons lords took into battle with them historically, but I'm hoping that 3 and no more is an acceptable number. I'll opt for a horseman's mace as her third and final weapon choice.
If she only had two weapons and her hammer is more than one action away from retrieval, she say screw it and charges Isabel in a bull rush (overbear/knockdown attempt) and will fight on the ground hand to hand, or attempt to arrest a weapon from Isabel that she may be wearing.
Also, if she lives, Isabel is going to have the magic sword destroyed and will acquire a new primary weapon. If that sword, lawful though it may be, cannot reasonably see the chaotic act of surprise invasion from Isabel and won't accept a need for lawful defense of Gallica's lands, it has no place whatsoever as the primary weapon of a defender of a nation and is completely useless. She will tell the sword this later and inform it that it will be replaced by a normal sword that at the very least has the intelligence and honor to both recognize treacherous invasion if even by a Christian and will also work to defend it's own people. It can think about that before it's destruction.
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Post by tetramorph on Jul 7, 2015 18:20:17 GMT -5
merctime: I take it this means that Eleanor does not yield to Isabel! Eleanor has indeed suffered a series of unlucky rolls and for my part I am sorry about that. But, as you know, the dice never lie. I will give a ⅔ chance that Eleanor can both retrieve and attack with her war hammer in one round. If the roll fails she will loose the round in the attempt. You decide success on a d6: high or low? Eleanor will also have multiple weapons at the ready with her entourage eager to lend aid. If she calls for a halt, Isabel should obey, or risk changing alignment, as she is a lawful knight. This will give Eleanor time to choose a new weapon. Or to have a conversation with her magic sword. There is nothing defective about the sword. It is just extremely powerful and so it won the ego contest. "Law" in this campaign does not mean "nice." None of Isabel's actions are unlawful at this point. (If, for example, Eleanor asked her to halt and she chose not to do so, I would roll against alignment change for her. Either way, if she refused such chivalry your magic sword would leap (literally) at the chance to get in on this fight!) You could have Eleanor make a return speech to her sword and based upon that speech I would rule up another ego struggle roll, taking into account the persuasiveness of her rhetoric. Who knows? Things are different 10 rounds later, even for a sword! Let me know your choices and I will proceed!
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Post by makofan on Jul 8, 2015 9:15:50 GMT -5
As a parfait gentil knight Isabel would of course let her honorable opponent rearm, before continuing to kick her fat butt
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Post by merctime on Jul 9, 2015 13:46:09 GMT -5
Eleanor, seeing Isabel's noble act, turns to bow towards her with a forced smile before turning to re-arm. She chooses a sword from an attendant, and continues the battle.
((Sorry for delaying the game further people.))
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Post by tetramorph on Jul 9, 2015 21:06:19 GMT -5
makofan and merctime: The mighty Eleanor selects another weapon, fighting against her body's sense of a broken spirit. Again the two queens meet in fierce melee. In the initial engagement, Eleanor again receives an echoing blow against the shield. But luck begins to turn against Isabel. Her helmet slips. Rather than yield or cry for a boon, she feints in order to give herself time to readjust her helm and see freely again. At first, it still seems that Eleanor cannot seem to batter down the Iberian queen. But Eleanor's almost Amazonian strength comes through, dealing a crushing blow upon her foe. The battle labors on until a metalic voice sounds forth from Eleanor's sheath: "I, the mighty Praedochaos, sense that thou blamest me for the ill turn in this battle. Isabel has fought thee fairly and with chivalry. Know this: I am loyal to thee and I have fought well with thee these many years. But I will surrender myself unto Isabel if thou attempteth me any harm. Lose thou me by choice or no, but loose thou me thou wilt. I therefore make thee this offer: draw thou me once again, proud queen, and seest if thou might not bend me to thy will once more. If thou thus provest thyself unto me, perhaps I too then shall prove myself true unto thee yet again." But what is this? Provoked by the voice of Praedochaos sounding forth again, Isabel senses the jealousy in the telepathic voice which enters into her mind: "And why, mighty queen, have you not tried my metal yet? If Eleanor attacks you with the Praedochaos, will you not wield me, the mighty Ferrum Perceptionis?" OOC mechanics:
Round 11
Isabel 4, Eleanor 6; Eleanor wins initiative.
Eleanor rolls 2; Isabel sustains no damage.
Isabel rolls 14, needs 9 to hit; Eleanor sustains 2 damage.
Round 12
Isabel 6, Eleanor 3; Isabel wins initiative.
Isabel rolls 2: fumble. 4 on d6 indicates slip. Isabel looses the an attack in the next round.
Eleanor 3; Isabel sustains no damage.
Round 13
Eleanor automatically wins initiative.
Eleanor 6; Isabel sustains no damage.
Round 14
Isabel 1, Eleanor 2; Eleanor wins initiative.
Eleanor 16, needs 12; Isabel sustains 6 damage.
Isabel 6, Eleanor sustains no damage.
Round 15
Isabel 6, Eleanor 5; Isabel wins initiative.
Isabel 2; Eleanor sustains no damage.
Eleanor 9; Isabel sustains no damage.
Reaction check, Eleanor's sword, Praedochaos = 7. The sword reenters negotiation with Eleanor.
Reaction check, Isabel's sword, the Ferrum Perceptionis = 6. The sword enters into negotiation with Isabel.
NOTE: I am learning from my mistakes here. From now on I will be doing 5 full round of combat per player interaction. This has been fun and I am still having fun but I feel we need to speed things along for you, the other players and for me.
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Post by makofan on Jul 10, 2015 8:40:00 GMT -5
Isabel raises her hand for a pause in the fighting.
"Forgive me, Queen Eleanor, for not taking your fighting prowess as seriously as I should have. Let me honour you now by using the most feared sword in the history of our nation, Ferrum Perceptionis!"
She tosses aside her mace and ceremoniously draws her magic sword
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Post by tetramorph on Aug 3, 2015 13:02:03 GMT -5
Eleanor draws forth her mighty blade. In her ferocity she conquers it and holds sway over it, wielding it with strength. Likewise, Isabel unsheathes her powerful steel, and although presenting it before another lawful monarch, the blade yields to her will! With magic swords flashing in hand, the battle seems to be made more equal, each monarch in the end dealing similar blows to the other. However, Isabel is visibly weakening. Perhaps she feels her luck is turning facing so mighty and opponent and so mighty a blade! Although no mortal wound is visible, it does not seem that the good queen could take too many more hits. Eleanor is also clearly weakening, but not at so rapid a pace, she feels as though the blessing may now have returned! OOC Mechanics:
NOTE: merctime seems to be MIA. I am NPCing his character until he should return.
Further NOTE: merctime and makofan: I have not been reporting HP, because I have wanted relative HP to be unknown to the opponent. This may be a good time to check one's HP before making a further decision towards the duel!
Eleanor tries her magic sword again: ego-struggle: Eleanor 21 vs. Sword 26: 75% higher score will prevail. d%= 76, Eleanor prevails!
Isabel tries her magic sword vs. lawful monarch: ego-struggle: Isabel: 16 vs. Sword: 21: 75% higher score will prevail. d%=88, Isabel prevails!
Round 16
Isabel 4; Eleanor 4: initiative simultaneous.
Isabel d20=8 needed 7: hits; Eleanor sustains 6 damage. Eleanor d20=2 needed 11; Isabel sustains no damage.
Round 17
Isabel 5; Eleanor 1: Isabel wins initiative.
Isabel d20 = 18, hits: Eleanor sustains 1 point of damage. Eleanor d20 = 4: fails to hit; Isabel sustains no damage.
Round 18
Isabel 6, Eleanor 3: Isabel wins initiative.
Isabel d20= 11, hits: Eleanor sustains 3 damage. Eleanor d20 = 15, hits: Isabel sustains 4 damage.
Round 19
Isabel 2, Eleanor 3: Eleanor wins initiative.
Eleanor d20=13, hits: Isabel sustains 3 damage. Isabel 9, hits: Eleanor sustains 2 damage.
Round 20
Isabel 5, Eleanor 6: Eleanor wins inititiative.
Eleanor 11, hits: Isabel sustains 5 damage. Isabel 3, fails to hit: Eleanor sustains no damage.
Both have sustained more than ½ total HP damage: Morale check vs. WIS: Eleanor fails morale again, -1 to all attempts next combat turn. Isabel fails morale for the first time, -1 to all attempts next combat turn.
Both have engaged in combat for one full turn or more: Fatigue check vs. CON: Eleanor remains unfatigued (amazingly!). Isabel remains unfatigued.
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