Paul's and Rosie's News - Back Story
This is where I started a little back story, related to the story I was working on with Molly, so I could write without waiting for Molly (sorry). It does come back to track of the main story and is just a little lead into the events detailed in Paul's Day I also thought I would add some notes to relate it to the rules of the game -- North Bank is a small village at the southern edge of Eastern branch of the Great Trade Route that runs from Wolfspack to Terraguard. This stretch of mostly undeveloped land tucked in between two great powers to the North and South and between the hills to the West and Mountains to the East It is so small and so close to Wolfspack that Sir Paul, the self proclaimed Protectorate of the Eastern Trade Route does not have a permanent security force stationed here. It is not that he does not care, he just has not yet attracted enough followers to keep then so spread out. What Paul has done is assign one of his squads of calvary to patrol from North Bank to Thead. (For those of you they may be confused, Thead is not to be confused with Thedd, that lies along the Western Trade Route, that has been overrun once again the residence of Krypgarden forest and the surrounding hills) It is near this small village that this story takes place on a cold winter day.
Eric, the leader of this five man squad was flirting with the farmer's daughter as they were filling supplies and giving their horses a well earned meal and drink.
"It certainly seem this winter has been mild in North Bank, either that or I am too close to your warm heart."
She just shook her head and smiled. SO many many, so few lines she thought. She looked out to the fields in an attempt to distract him, or at least change the subject. As fate would have it the subject was changed for her.
"Look, here comes some travelers." she said.
They looked more like vagrants to Eric. The did not even have a horse or wagon. They were just eight of the, bundled in so many layers of skins and rags if they were not moving they might be mistaken for a pile. But he had to sound noble in front of what's her name.
"Well, I have to go back to work and help these simple people. Come on Star." He patted his gentle steed. Eric whistled and waved to his crew as they crowded around the fire in the middle of the town. He road Star out to greet the strangers a few yards outside what he considered the town's borders.
"Welcome to North Bank. You are now under the protection of Sir Paul ElvenStier as you travel through this Protectorate. My name is Eric, one of his representatives. Me and my companions will be traveling with you, if you wish." He could say this speech without thinking. It came in handy usually, in this case it let him read this ragged group and thinking how slow the next week was going to be with this group. He could still not make out their faces through all the rags as they turned to each other as if unsure what to say. One seemed to try and step forward and stumbled. Eric really did not want to leave his horse, it was against procedure until they accepted their assistance, but clearly they were in need.
He straitened his scabbard as he dismounted. He had the thought to leave it with the horse, that it might get in the way, but he was breaking enough protocols for one day. He glanced over his shoulder to see if his crew was on guard or even watching as he approached the strangers on foot. A snort and a particular odor was his only warning before he could shout his one word warning: "ORCs!"
(Both sides roll initiative)
-- Eric got lucky (he made his roll not to be surprised) He got really lucky (he also rolled a low initiative so he could go first) Facing eight Orcs in melee without his horse and the rest of his crew yards away he had to go on the defense. Pulling his sword, he moves back and forth quickly, ready to dodge anything that comes at him. (He decides to do what is called a DMG parry, doing nothing but avoiding attacks, it lowers his armor class making it harder to hit him.) The orc draw their own swords, the first two attack the foolish human and swinging wildly. (they rolled low to hits) The remaining six run screaming to the crown around the fire, hoping to disperse them. (they run which is a full round action, meaning they can't attack this round) The few civilians around the fire run away screaming, except for the farmers daughter, she retreats cautiously, wanting to see what happens. (She moves only one half of her moment) Paul's other four guards men have enough time to grab their swords and engage the wild orcs. (It does not mater, at this point, what their initiative is, because the orcs are done for the round they can do their full rounds, including attacks of opportunities. Because the orcs did not attack, the fighters each get an additional attack) Soon one orc is dead and another is down on one knee with a minor wound (This is a colorful way to say one was knocked down. If the orc won initiative, he simply stands up with no issue, but for fun lets say the human one and gets a bonus to hit the orc next round before he stands up) (New round) With only two on him, Eric knows he can take them and makes quick work of one of them. (He stops his DMG parry, attacks one and get a hit and kill. You don't want too much detail do you. This is supposed to be fun) With his guard down he does get scraped by the other orc, but then again, chicks dig scars. The balance of the orcs and humans exchange blows with the orcs losing two and one of the humans getting seriously wounded. (At low level, almost any hit is major, especially without a priest near by) (New Round) The orcs, realize they do not have the advantage they thought they had and with their leader dead, decide a hasty retreat. (they roll a low moral roll) Paul's men, knowing, they cannot let them run loose in his lands make final blows even as they run. (they get their normal attacks if they won initiative and extra attacks as the orcs run) Those that do get away get the pleasure of an arrow in the back. (end of combat)
Eric congratulates his men and winks at the farmer daughter. "Do you think we could use that bottle of wine you were saving for our date to clean my friends wound."
-- Eric trusted his crew. To take care of themselves more so than to stay out of trouble or to stay away from his girl. Someone had to report in and only Frank was faster, but he was in no condition to ride. They would all be ok if they stay together and stay out of harms way. Between looking brave for going off alone and his leading the defense of the town, all he needed know was for the farmers daughter to miss him, just a bit. Stevie was a great girl, she will make a great wife. He was thinking how well she took care of Frank's injuries, how that could be him some day. As he thought that to himself, something didn't sound right. "That could be me some day?" Like a slap across the face a strong gust blew down from the mountains as he raced though the hills. Only a few hours out and it was getting colder as he rode. Generally this is the quiet leg of the run, fewer people make fewer targets he was told once. But not today, someone was about. What was clearly a small group of sheep were being chased by humanoids too small to be anything but Goblins or Kobolds, and their voices that carried seemed a bit more Goblin to him. Still there were a few of them and in the hill, no telling how many more. He careful got off his horse and quietly pulled his bow and quiver. He fired a warning shot into one of the Goblins, ok so it was a warning to the other Goblins. It took them a few seconds of Eric yelling for the rest of the Goblins to figure out where the shot came from. Eric tried to communicate as much as possible, waving and pointing another arrow. Finally they looked at each other and made up their mind to run in fear. Eric felt better as he walked down the hill towards the sheep looking to see if the shepherd was dead or alive, keeping an eye to make sure the Goblins kept running, then he felt the cold shiver of being followed. He took a quick breath, then in one smooth move (that only took one full round) he dropped his bow, drew his sword and turned around to face his new enemy. Cyclops were not the biggest of the giant kin, but when they have the higher ground and you are alone, they can be quite intimidating. "Come on, let's go" Eric yelled, wondering if those were worthy last words. "Oh thank you." was the surprising kind response. "There were some many of those pesky little guys. You didn't have to kill him." Eric had to laugh at himself. "Sir Paul sends his greeting, my name is Eric. My apologies, I did not expect you to be so far south." The Cyclops just shrugged. Together the two made sure the rest of the heard was accounted for and even took the time to bury the fallen goblin. Then they each continued on their way.
--
Eric was beginning to think he was crazy. Traveling further north, alone in the coldest winter in recent history just to follow policy set up my someone who would have teleported and probably made it warmer also. Why hadn't he listen to his father and taken up magic. He realized he was not the only crazy one traveling north today. At least he was sure they were human. With a couple of oxen and a wagon with a giant cauldron with a fire inside the cauldron, these were smart and civilized humans.
"Hey, mind if I join you for a bit." he called out as he slowed his horse on approach.
The few people in the back sort of shrugged and pointed forward.
There was no real difference in the people he saw so he could not say who was a guard or who might be a leader. They were all dressed warm, no one was wearing armor or anything nicer then another. He considered this strange for such a well organized, well planed caravan, as he approached the front side near the wagon.
"Hello" he said, waving his friendliest wave.
These cloned villagers pointed to a tall fellow leading the oxen.
Odd. That's all he could think about this group. The lone warrior thought it best to dismount and let his horse walk along as he made his way towards the inside of the group. It was actual fairly warm as he caught up to the oxen. He could undo his hood and talk to the leader face to face.
"Going my way, I see" Eric tried to work on his comedic timing.
The gentleman was not impressed, but at least he responded. "Yes. We have business in Gon."
"Well then, I guess we will be traveling a while together. My name is Eric, I work for Sir Paul ElvenStier. I am surprised I did not see you before. I have traveled up and down this part of the trade route. You must have gotten off the road somewhere. Good to see your back on track."
The strange man look almost confused. He stopped for a moment and raised his hand to his mouth to cough. (Eric failed his observation roll) Instead of coughing, the man blew a strange whistle. It was not the last thing Eric heard, but close to it. He was immediately surrounded, disarmed and thrown to the ground. He thought it had not been his week as the picked him up. At least they did not kick me while I was down. What could they want from me as they striped him down, no point to struggle. He was grabbed from the back, and he prepared to be hit until someone else grabbed his feet and he realized to late the horror of his situation. They handed him up to a pair on the wagon and Eric found himself tossed into the burning cauldron.
Whatever business they had in Gon, was going to be unannounced.
