In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 58):

"I don't know about stakes and chains and butchers," Brennan says, glaring at Titus. "But I do wonder what happened to the townsfolk. Are we likely to encounter more deserted towns as we proceed? That's... not likely to make for good business."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:55, Wed 17 Feb 2016.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 59):

South

Whether fortunately or unfortunately, Enrei manages to rest a spear from one of the riders.

Again, it's a shame Enrei cannot understand what they are saying, because it's likely that they are calling on some very creative language.

It is at this point that the universal language of "trying to stab someone means we are upset" takes over.

COMBAT ROUNDS

Enrei is standing on uneven ground armed with a long spear.  Three horsemen stand only a few paces away (within reach of spear).  Two still have their spears, the third has a thin sword (like a saber).

Town Square

The men eye their Leftennant, likely waiting for him to give the order to kill this band of southerners.

A few moments pass with the only sounds being the low squawking of the Leftennant's black bird.

"I... have not heard the story of Magalan so told.  To my knowledge he tied the butcher to six sturdy horses: one for each limb, one for the neck and one for his cock, and had them ride a month in each direction."

He sniffs heavily.

"Very well, go about your business.  With any luck my men have already caught this... thief.  As to what you will find North, that all depends upon whose banner you kneel to."

With that (and unless anyone would like to say anything more), he signals for his men to follow him south out of the town.

In reply to GM (msg # 60):

Brennan claps a hand to Titus's shoulder and squeezes uncomfortably tightly as he waves to the departing horsemen.

"Don't say another word until they're gone," he hisses.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:06, Wed 17 Feb 2016.

As Enrei is about to toss the spear behind him, its former owner draws a sword and the business ends of the other two spears find their way toward him.  This earns a frustrated sigh from the Chal'i.  He glances from each of his opponents to the next until spontaneously he tosses his spear at one of the spearmen and grabs the weapon of the other, which he wrenches free even easier than the first. Hoping for an opening he rushes forward attempting to shoulder between the horses.

((8,10,3,1,10,8,7,5,2.  2x8 if I need to roll to just throw the spear as a distraction, not javelin style.  2x10 to martial disarm))

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 62):

Titus stands as if a steel rod was placed in his back and doesn't say anything.  His body language clearly reads


....Not a fucking word from you.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 63):

After the horsemen have taken their leave, Brennan releases a pent-up breath.

"That went a lot more smoothly than it could have, even with that final heart attack."

He looks in the direction Enrei went.

"So... who wants to fetch him?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 64):

Titus says nothing but nods and follows.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 65):

The Town

The rapid drumbeat of hooves almost drowns out the shouting from the south.

Wait, no... the shouting has stopped.  Must be all A-ok then!


South

Enrei tosses the spear casually to the side, raising his arms to fight unarmed.

The horsemen apparently don't take the hint.  Before Enrei can turn to face the first of the spearmen, the other has clocked him across the back of his shoulders with the butt of his spear (4 Shock torso).  In the time it takes for Enrei to react to that blow, another spear butt hits him directly in the gut (3 shock Torso).

The man with the sword adds emphasis to the initial beating by slapping Enrei solidly across the arm with the flat of his blade (4 shock, L. arm)

Combat Round

Enrei is still surrounded by three mounted riders.  Two with spears one with a saber.  We are still in combat rounds but the gestures the men are making indicates they will stop the beatings when Enrei starts walking back toward the town.

Special Combat rules applying:

Spears provide +1 initiative until you close on the opponent (i.e. hit them and stay close.  This is not easy when the opponent is mounted because they can back up faster than you if you do close).

Being mounted provides speed, and unless you have a long weapon, you cannot strike them anywhere but their legs. and lower torso (hit locations 1-2 and 7 are the only valid hits).

In reply to GM (msg # 66):

Brennan cups a hand to his mouth and yells.

"ENREI? You can return to town now!"

He glances at Titus.

"You've got a louder shout, I'm sure. Try to get his attention, would you? I don't feel like organizing a search. We have a village to pillage."

Brennan looks back at Deev and Bryce.

"If you guys want to get started on that, that'd be great. Look for useful materials, supplies, money, anything worth salvaging to make this a worthwhile diversion. Duncan might be able to show you any particularly valuable troves. Then we'll be on our way."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:51, Fri 19 Feb 2016.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 67):

Titus bellows calling Enrei's name as loudly as he can.

I'll see if I can see anything on the high ground.

With that Titus leaps like a cat is on top of the nearest roof in seconds.  He scans and listens.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 68):

Deev nods and vanishes into a building.

It is clear that this sort of task is much more up his alley.

Unable to get between the soldiers while they maintain their spears Enrei gives the spears themselves his undivided attention.  He approaches again and the first spear to lash out he snatches mid-strike, tossing it behind him.

((3,8,8,1,7,3,8,1,1: unnecessary called shot to right arm(spear) with +1 martial init for effective 4x8 to disarm))

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 70):

South

Enrei is fast and capable, but so are the horsemen.

As Enrei lunges for one, the other catches him across the leg (5 shock R. leg).  Enrei manages not to give up on the spear, however, and he catches it and easily twists it away from the rider.

The third rider slaps Enrei's arm with the flat of his blade, forcing the Chal'i to drop the weapon to the ground (4 shock, R. arm).

They go back to shouting... something at Enrei.

Combat Round

The Town

From the top of a low roof, Titus can spy the riders moving toward a group of three of them a little ways off who are currently engaged with Enrei.

The blunted beatings seem to be taking a toll on Enrei even as he refuses to give ground against his assailants.  He attempts to snatch at the last spear but he fails to catch it from its owner.

((9,3,1,7,7,3,2,9,5 can't hit either arm to catch the spear even with a called shot))

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 72):

Brennan et al. remain too far away to help :(
This message was last edited by the player at 18:57, Tue 23 Feb 2016.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 72):

Titus sees the fracass from the rooftop and points it out to Brennan.

SHIT!  It looks like they are fighting.

Titus takes the fastest possible path to Enrei's location going over or under any obstacle to get to him.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 74):

Swords now raised, two of the horsemen wheel around to attack again, shouting as they do.

The third rears his steed and loops around, moving carefully out of range of Enrei's hands but well within the range of his spear were he to throw it.

Which he prepares to do.

A loud shout echoes over the stones and hills and the horsemen lower their weapons.

Enrei spins around to see the rest of the mounted soldiers barreling down on him.  They quickly circle Enrei, but stay well out of his range and make no further actions to herd him anywhere.

There are words exchanged between them, and then they all ride off further south, leaving Enrei to lick his wounds and wonder what the word "retarded" means.

END COMBAT

OOC:  Enrei, go ahead and remove all SHOCK accrued this combat.  It still hurts.

In reply to GM (msg # 75):

Brennan allows Titus to go collect Enrei while he remains in the town to supervise Bryce, Deev, and Duncan... if the man is anywhere to be found.

"They certainly didn't seem to be bringing the populace back," he muses. "And they did not return the way they came. If they took the people somewhere, where'd they go?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:54, Wed 24 Feb 2016.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 76):

"I've heard rumors," Bryce replies slowly.  "Heard there's a number of towns past the border went abandoned.  Xander's got a lot of forces on patrol or... scouting for... something.  I heard there was a town they did the same, marched everyone north.  Recruits maybe?"

Enrei is wary about the new arrivals, but when they fail to assault him and take his erstwhile opponents away he sags a bit and rolls his shoulders to work out some of the weariness of being battered by soldiers.  Then he scratches his head, not sure if he should continue chasing the horse or inform the others that he lost it in the woods, now that the larger group of riders had likely demolished its trail.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 78):

Titus barrels recklessly towards Enrei.  When he gets within yelling distance of the knot of men he belts out

Leftenant!  STAY YOUR HAND!
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Thu 25 Feb 2016.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 79):

South

The Leftennant along with his group gallop off into the distance, leaving Enrei and Titus to chat.

The Town

A quick search reveals the following about the town:

Only two buildings have been burned, the rest are untouched.

By the state of things, people left in a hurry but did prepare somewhat for their trip.  Valuables such as coin and jewelry are gone, as are most clothes, blankets and all the animals.

However, the bulk of people's property is left, indicating that they packed but traveled light.  You find no shortage of basic tools, food stuffs, pottery, rope, firewood, a book or two and any other basic equipment you might imagine.

OOC:  let me know if you're looking for anything in particular

Duncan peeks carefully from his hiding place.

"Friends, I thank you most warmly for your help.  Few men are so generous with their lives to risk it for a stranger."

In reply to GM (msg # 80):

Brennan will see to it that all the food, tools, and other useful items are divided into organized lots. The books he sets off to one side for later personal perusal.

"Excellent work," he says warmly.

"If there's anything here you particularly want, speak up and it's likely yours," Brennan says to Deev and Bryce, motioning to the piles that are not books. "A finder's bonus, you might say. I'll claim the remainder for the good of the company, to sell or use on later jobs."

He watches to see which items they take, then turn to address Duncan.

"I'm not one to leave someone staked up to die for speaking his mind. Still... I'm not sure how much we really helped you. Your life as you knew it is over."

Brennan scratches his chin for a moment.

"If you have any marketable skills, it's possible I could find a place for you among my men. Every man among us is paid and fed; that's not a bad lot these days. We're heading northeast, toward work and the wilds. A dangerous profession, to be sure, but sometimes profitable. And always interesting."

"They did not let me catch the horse," Enrei informs Titus once he's close enough to speak to at a normal volume, "I do not know where it went.". The disappointment is evident in his voice, as is confusion about what the appropriate course of action should be.  Left no better options, Enrei looks expectantly at Titus.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 82):

Titus pats Enrei on the shoulder affectionately.

Neither did I...

She says that we can make up for it later.

He says in a reassuring manner.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:37, Fri 26 Feb 2016.