SDMB RPG: The Rule of Three - Game Thread

The Game Room
581

Sir Harrow briefly considers the field before responding to Henry. “It doesn’t look like there’s anyone of quality worth negotiating with over there.”

*Suddenly there comes another horn blast from the north, this time immediately close. Even the members of Cyrus’ Bull group seem shaken when the first line of soldiers crests the northern hill. Unarmored pikemen wearing purple Shedlund tabards. They spread out their ranks as they descend the hill, the angle revealing their number: There are thirty columns each about ten men deep. About halfway down the side of the hill, perhaps 200 yards from the northern side of the Ironhall force, there is another horn blast and the men come to a halt.

Four mounted figures appear at the top of the hill, two noblemen in the yellow and black of Roland, a third nobleman in the purple of Shedlund and a fourth peasant bearing against his shoulder a large Shedlund standard. The horsemen ride to the front of their force before pausing to converse among themselves. After what seems like an eternity they break their huddle and ride out ahead of their army to parley, stopping midway between the opposing forces. The mounted figures leading the peasant force ride out to join them.

Harrow is still soaring from the recent victory.* “I suppose we should see to the terms of their surrender! Who’s going with me?” With that he spurs his heavy frostbred mount and rides out to meet the enemy. Choke gives Henry a look of warning.

582

Cyrus spits on the ground. “I won’t be talking ‘surrender’ with anyone. If you ladies want to negotiate, find someone else. Let me know when you want something dead.”

583

Henry follows behind Harrow, pausing briefly to whisper to Cyrus.

“Cousin, I don’t need you to talk. However, I would appreciate it if you accompany us. I’m not letting Harrow do this alone, and the two of us won’t stand a chance if they jump us. So I am asking for your help. If they make any sudden moves, you have my full blessing to destroy them.”

584

Cyrus glances around uneasily at Henry’s request, until he sees Hrothgar.

To Hrothgar: “What do you think, Firebeard? We’ll surely meet in neutral land between the armies, but if they dare to try any tricks, could you put a crossbow bolt in the wench holding the flag?”

It’s clear to everyone that Cyrus’ enthusiasm has waned, and he sighs heavily, muttering to himself. “Don’t know why we’d trust any agreement with that lot, anyhow. Ambitious and rich 'ain’t meant to sit in idle peace.”

Cyrus reluctantly follows Harrow and Henry, with Roland’s sword drawn.

585

“How was that brother? Looks like all that combat practice from the good old days has paid off. And I see you’ve started to adapt to your temporary form as well. Really, blinding that soldier’s face and letting me get in a clear shot. Sheer brilliance!” Týr preens, his furry face beaming.

Baldur stares intently at the advancing enemy armies. “But, I also recall begging you to stay put. This next tussle looks like it will be the real thing. Please, I couldn’t bear to lose you again…”

Baldur’s gloomy introspection is interrupted by the four men on horseback advancing to parlay. “This looks like something we should bear witness too. Don’t worry; I’ll let Henry do all the talking. Now stay hidden for once!”

586

To Cyrus: “I’ll shoot nobody while there’s good faith, but any treachery and I ain’t plannin’ to be the first takin’ a pull on the hellhorn, that’s for sure.”

587

“My Lords, what do you wish me to do?”

588

Edit: Oops. Hit submit by accident.

589

*Harrow, Cyrus, Baldur and Henry ride out a hundred or so yards to meet the ten horsemen representing the opposing force.

The pair of Rolands could easily be brothers. They’re both in their mid-to-late 30s and slightly overweight. One of them has a quite pronounced double-chin covered in dark stubble and has a brutal-looking mace hanging from his saddle. His kinsman is in better shape but has the same unkempt shave and weapon-of-choice as his fellow. The nobleman in Shedlund colors is somewhat elderly, perhaps in his late 50s or early 60s. He has an unhealthy sallow look about him and is the only member of the trio of nobles not wearing mail. He has a sword on his belt but looks barely strong enough to lift it.*

“Sir Harrow.” The eldest nobleman addresses Ironhall’s retainer with a raised hand, his voice and face grim.

“Sir Dragton.” Harrow returns the gesture.

“You’ve done well.” Dragton observes the carnage indifferently.

“Marcus and Danneth. Do they live?” The chubbier of the two Rolands interrupts. Dragton looks from Harrow to his companion and back again.

“The Rolands, I’m assuming. They fell in battle.” The pair of Rolands with Dragton are immediately incensed, the healthier-looking of the two actually reaching for his weapon. Dragton is quick to deliver a firm look to his fellows.

“A shame you could not take them alive.” Dragton’s voice is even, controlled.

“They died bravely.”

“I’m sure.” Dragton surveys the field, taking in both forces before allowing his gaze to fall on Harrow’s compatriots.

“These are the Faramonds.”

“Ah, of Hammerfall.” Dragton gives the Faramonds a curt nod. “My father served as hostage[sup]1[/sup] there during his childhood.” He considers them for a moment before addressing the group. “Your victory here was impressive, but this is the end of the line. I’m in a position to offer each of you manor titles-” Dragton is interrupted by both the Rolands as well as Harrow, the former likely outraged that their kinsmen’s killers would be made such an offer and the latter likely outraged that his loyalty would be questioned by such an offer. Dragton pauses to lift both his hands in an attempt to silence them. “I’m in a position to offer each of you manor titles both in the north and in Ironhall once the region has been captured. That is the best deal you’re going to get. Refuse it and your army will be killed to the man.” There is no menace in his manner-of-fact voice. “I want to avoid as much unnecessary bloodshed as possible.”

1 - The practice of exchanging children as a sign of goodwill or, more commonly, to enforce the terms of a deal. Occasionally children involved in a hostage exchange are sent to neutral third-party locations, as was likely the case with Dragton’s father.

590

A bit of the old fire returns to Cyrus’ eyes upon hearing Dragton’s threat.

“How many times are we going to have to pick a bleedin’ side?” Cyrus mutters, a bit too loudly.

591

Shoot anyone that makes any treacherous moves during our parlay. And if you have any ability at lifting up the troops’ spirits, now might be a good time to do so.

*Upon hearing the offer from Dragton, Henry is inclined to pass, seeing as how he’s pretty much committed to seeing this Ironhall thing through to the end, but he will defer ultimately to his brother’s decision in this.

To Dragton:*

My brother and I would like to discuss your terms amongst ourselves, if you don’t mind.

To Cyrus, matter-of-factly:

Make sure they don’t try anything funny. Strike them down if they do.

Betraying nothing of his feelings in his manner or countenance, Henry gestures to his brother to follow him as he guides his horse more than an earshot away from the rest of the parlay group.

592

While Henry’s back is turned, Cyrus leads his horse to pace back and forth before Dragton and the others. It’s clear to everyone that Cyrus can barely restrain himself as he sizes up each of the nobles before him. When Cyrus catches the eye of the fat Roland, he gestures subtly to the sword he carries, in hopes that the Roland can recognize it.

593

Harrow gives Henry an incredulous look. “Discuss his terms? There is no need for any discussion! You are men of Ironhall!” Before he can continue there is a bellowed ROAR from among the opposing leadership as the chubbier of the two Rolands spurs his horse directly at Cyrus, mace in-hand. Hrothgar and Sohan are incapable of safely making a shot so close to allies from as far away as they are.

Surprise round

The Roland uses willpower to attack Cyrus with his mace. The heavy iron weapon slams horizontally across the Faramond’s chest, dealing eight bashing damage, resounding with a sickening crunch against his mail and sending a simultaneous spray of blood from his mouth. Cyrus successfully stays mounted and barely remains conscious.

Cyrus now has 8 bashing damage.

Dragton gives a despairing shout. “No! Stay your hand!”

Before I continue with the combat, tell me what your characters are doing.

594

“Before I continue with the combat,” you say? So…that ‘stay your hand!’ won’t be listened to I assume? :D.

595

Henry will burn a willpower to drive his sword into the back of the Roland who attacked Cyrus.

“Dragton, if you want Delacroix alive, you leave this Roland to his fate! He made his choice!”

596

“Anyone else who wants to violate a flag o’ truce, the first such will swallow eight inch of steel! Stay back, all who want to live!” bellows Hrothgar, raising his bow and preparing to loose at the first man not of our party who approaches any closer to Henry and Cyrus.

597

Baldur will protect his brother and uncle. He will act purely in self-defense until the situation devolves into a full-out brawl. He briefly considered the thought of having a manor title, but is much too loyal to actually accept it.

598

I’m at a friends for a couple of days for the New Years. I’ll try to find the time to post. Thanks for your patience and happy New Years! :slight_smile:

599

Sorry for the post delay! Work was crazy for new year.

Cyrus spits with contempt. The fluid is thick with blood, and Cyrus is clearly injured badly, but he still sneers with his usual hate.

“You want to see your kinsmen again so soon?” Cyrus says to the Roland. Cyrus then uses willpower to attack the fat Roland. If Brute has not already jumped into the fight, Cyrus’ will give the kill command.

Cyrus will not yield or offer to surrender, and will not accept surrender or listen to Dragton’s pleas until the Roland is dead. Once the Roland dies, if any other enemies show hostility, Cyrus will flee back to Ironhall’s army. Otherwise, Cyrus will follow Henry’s lead.

600

Back! Hope you all had a happy New Years. The next post will hopefully be later today. :slight_smile: