Walter was able to find and speak with Sir Odo during the journey.  However, Sir Odo, having earned his position as a Knight of the Tower, was not inclined to have conversation with a squire who seemed to hold himself in high esteem being a cousin of the Duke.  As the conversation continued and Walter openly spoke about Sir Odo's sister, Lady Giselinde, Sir Odo became increasingly annoyed; instead of focusing on the tasks at hand or details of the campaign, this foppish squire was speaking of romancing a lady back home - a city that he may never return to, if he did not pay attention.  All this annoyed Sir Odo, but, being that Walter was a cousin of the Duke that had promoted Sir Odo, the knight was inclined to hold a conversation for a bit before excusing himself to tend to military matters.

Thibault was excited, as war - and particularly the spoils thereof - were the saving grace for mercenary knights.  He was familiar with the stark military life, as indeed he had not so much grown accustomed to the relative opulence of the well-to-do landowning knights.  Always with an eye for barter and trade, while stopping in a town he found an emerald ring for sale by a local merchant for 1£.  As there were no emerald mines in the area (either Burgundy or Bastogne), it was clear that the ring had originated far away.  While 1£ was a steep price to pay for a single ring, it would likely fetch much more than that if brought to the markets in the city of Bastogne.

All the while, Gontran played the loyal squire, helping the knights with their armor, the squires with the baggage train, and the supply master with procurement.  While the workings of Buchenborg manor were familiar to him, he had never seen an organization with several hundred knights, men-at-arms, horses, squires, other servants, and hangers-on, all under the name of Duke Thierry.  This was, perhaps, the way that war was meant to be conducted - experienced knights and warriors ready to do battle in distant lands, while squires and servants assist and filled support roles while gaining the experience to one day fight wars themselves.

Gundric was merely happy to finally be allowed to leave his home and follow the court.  His enthusiasm was slightly tempered by the spartan living conditions while on the march, but on the whole he and his cousin Walter spent the time in chat and gossip.

---

The main court, including Duke Thierry, Prince Charlemagne and Prince Carloman, and many other high ranking nobles, held a court to determine the fate and condition of Ogier the Dane.  The squires were in attendance, albeit at the back of the crowd of knights.  The leader of this army was Duke Thierry, though Prince Charlemagne and Prince Carloman generally had more authority, leading to discussion of who even should be the one to decide the fate of Ogier.  Several dukes spoke up for and against different punishments, with increasing fervor.

Soon two messengers approached, one a Lombard¹ and the other a Roman.  Seeing the intensity of the debate that was currently going on, the messengers nevertheless brazenly interrupted, making their message appear more urgent.  They begin announcing a message in Italian, until other heralds stepped forward to translate.  After several exchanges between the messengers and heralds, the heralds turned and proclaimed in a loud voice in common French:
"The Duke of Nepi² has allied with the Saracens. The pagans have landed near Rome and occupy Mount Janiculum³, and these dogs prepare to cross the Tiber and carry fire and sword into the capital of the Christian world as we speak! They have even installed a false Pope! To arms! Liberate the Eternal City from these foul infidels and honorless renegades!”

Many knights were aghast at the news, but by the end of the short speech were moved to action.  Immediately, all the knights and men-at-arms and squires and baggage-boys bustled about, ready to march again.  This required crossing the Alps, a treacherous journey at any time, made more so by the recent end of winter and permanent snow on the mountain tops.  However, the chance to fight and regain Rome and the Papacy from the pagans energized the whole army.



¹ Lombardy being the fertile river valleys south of the Alps, modern northern Italy.
² Nepi being a city and surroundings in Tuscany, just north of Rome.  To call Nepi a duchy is being overly generous, given its rather small size and importance.
³ Mount Janiculum is a very tall hill just outside of Rome proper (not one of the famed seven hills).  It is strategically valuable.

---

Walter failed a Courtesy roll, so he made no progress with Sir Odo or Lady Giselinde.
Thibault may purchase the ring or pass on it.
Gontran gains an XP check for Battle

Now, what crazy news!  What treachery!  Get ready for the march to battle!  Huzzah!

Thibault, sighing, payed for the ring and hoped to get a return on his investment.  At the end of the day, he would still have a fairly rare ring, and who knows, if he couldn't make a profit perhaps he could gift it...
____________________________________________

He was milling about at court, performing his squirelly duties, when the heralds delivered the news.  He was taken aback! Those pagans were making a mistake that they would pay dearly for. One that he could perhaps cash in on. He would soon see battle, if he made it over the mountains.

He looked around trying to catch the eye and speak to one of some of the other squires. Guntran, Walter or Gundric. Perhaps they could speak and look after one another.

Then he would ready himself to march...
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Thu 04 Oct 2018.

Gontran, seemingly unlike most of the squires and knights about, was less shocked by the news and more disappointed: he had enjoyed his respite from winter in listening to experienced knights, but now had to set upon the road again for some insult to the Church.  Even so, it seemed that a true battle might be looming, and Gontran set his focus upon that.  He had, like so many children of knights, been raised on the stories of knights coming home draped in the lordly trappings of battle.  While he cared little for riches of his own, such things might be sufficient to bolster Buchenborg.

He was a mere squire and, he suspected, unlikely to be in the thick of things.  Regardless, he checked his weapons and affixed them to the saddle.  Maybe he would find an opportunity to use them...

Gundric was glad to be away from home, more than willing to come to court. Yet, hearing news of battle brought him both worry and excitement.

The army broke camp and marched toward the Alps the following day.  The trial of Ogier was delayed, as everyone agreed that the attack was more pressing. Duke Naymo of Bavaria was placed in command of the vanguard of the army, though many other nobles follow.  Prince Charlemagne leads the main battle formation.




Soon the warm, verdant, spring days of Burgundy give way to the steep and stark Alps.  The vegetation grew rare at the high altitudes, and the cold winds cut through the summer clothing.  Roads gave way to beaten paths, which gave way to barely traceable tracks, and the movement of the whole army slowed to a crawl.  Gontran, a massive man atop his horse, at one point lost his balance on the steep slopes and fell, taking a minor injury.  In another instance, Gundric heard the rumblings of an avalanche and took cover mere moments before several large rocks tumbled down the mountain.  This scared Thibault's horse, but being an able horseman, Thibault was able to reign in his horse.

The avalanche of snow blocked even the smallest paths, and the army was forced to set up camp.  Scouts were sent in every direction, attempting to find different paths through the mountains.  For three days, the army waited and shivered.

As they waited, Gundric noticed a white deer standing on a rocky outcropping.  Driven by hunger, Gundric almost reflexively hefted a spear to pierce the animal for fresh food.  However, the deer darted away.  Gundric followed, climbing the rocks and peering over.  He beheld a decline into a fertile valley below - just the type of path that was needed!  However, Gundric had lost sight of the deer, but it then occurred to him - no deer would live this high up the mountains...

---

Gontran takes 5 fall damage.
Gundric gets an XP check for Awareness.
Thibault gets an XP check for Horsemanship.
Gundric gains an XP check for Hunting.  Gundric has discovered a wath through, but must pass this information along to the commanders.

This journey is even more perilous than the stories say.  We could be crushed by rocks from above or fall and be dashed on the cliffs below.  We could easily freeze to death if this path doesn't open. And waiting for us on the other side are heathen enemies who could kill us or hold us hostage. But we will prevail over all of these obstacles.


While camped, Thibault keeps his ears open for any good gossip or intrigue going around the camp.

During one night of the camping, Thibault goes over the Gontran to check on him.  "Hello Gontran. That was a bit of a fall you took.  How are you holding up?  What do you think about this endeavor we're undertaking to free Rome? What an opportunity to see the world and do some great deeds, eh?  If we don't freeze first."

In reply to Sir Thibault (msg # 11):

Gontran nodded to Thibault.  "Thibault," he says, as he helps to set up a tent while favoring his left leg.  It seemed to him that Thibault's concern was sincere: moreso than that of some of the other knights, who had jeered and reminded him of the fall since it occurred.  How would he ever be a proper knight if he was unhorsed by mere terrain?  Not even in combat?  The memory of it, and the associated laughter, made his blood boil.

His face turned red... perhaps rage, embarrassment, or merely the cold.  Perhaps all three.  "I'm doing fine," he stated, taking pains to stand up straightly as evidence.  "My pride is hurt worse than my body."  His cheeks burning, he turned towards the expanses of snow.  "Besides, nothing for a bruise better than the cold, and we have plenty of that."

Thibault was relieved to hear that Gontran was ok. The fall didn't seem terrible, but you could never tell with horse falls. Besides, he knew that hurt pride sometimes lasted longer than any physical injury. "Glad to hear it. I'll leave you to your duties and healing. I just wanted to check in with you. After all the squires of Duke Thierry should stick together and look after one another so far from home. The lord has other things to do." With that, Thibault took his leave to perform his own duties and listen for any good information.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:57, Thu 11 Oct 2018.

As Thibault departed without snide remark or laughter, Gontran frowned: some from the effort from concealing the pain, and some from his underestimation of the man.  Thibault was not cut from the same arrogant cloth as the others.  Of course, none of them were knights.

Gontran wondered if those who had earned their spurs were once modest as well.  Would Gontran himself change once... no... IF he became a knight.

At this rate, it didn't seem likely he'd ever have the chance to find out.

And so, Gundric turned around, beginning to ride back towards the Duke's men. This pass would hopefully prove useful to the army.

Once Thibault returned to camp and pointed out the way to the dukes, the whole army filed through the pass.  Going single file took more than a whole day for the army to cross, but assembling and marching on the other side the army resumed its travel.

Moving through Lombardy, the army stopped and camped at a place called Spoleto.  King Desiderius of Lombardy made camp there, and it became a mustering ground for loyal Christian troops.  It would be several days before Charlemagne and the main body of troops would reach them, giving the vanguard time to prepare.  Many Roman exiles, particularly loyalist clergy (even many cardinals), were in the camp as well, giving eye witness accounts of the pagan army.

Clearly there would be a battle soon, but the question remained whether Charlemagne and his body of troops would arrive before open battle.

---

With several days in Spoleto, the squires have several options:

• There is no shortage of rumors and gossip between the Italians, the pagans, and the Franks
• Rest at an abbey and heal HP equal to your healing rate (otherwise, all this marching and activity precludes you from healing)
• Make allies with the Lombards
• Pray for a blessing from a cardinal
• Make other battle preparations

After hearing the news the fellow squire Gundric had found the pass which got the group moving again, Thibault went over to congratulate him before they break camp. "Hello Gundric!  What a great find!  You may have single handedly gotten us moving again. I had heard some tale about a great white stag or something leading you through the woods?  Is that true?  I also heard something about me having found that path, but I tried to set everyone straight. My goodness, I hope you get recognition for this find."

______________________

Feeling relatively hail and hardy after the march Thibault decides he doesn't need to rest up at the Abbey. Trying to decide what to do with his time after his duties, he finds himself wandering over to visit a cardinal.  He knows, like everyone else here, that battle is on its way and that it's not safe for a squire.  In fact, that's one of the points of introducing them to battle so early and lightly armed. He's never been a religious man, but maybe god will here him and see him through.

"Hello Cardinal, my name is Thibault. I am a squire of Duke Thierry and I was hoping to get a blessing from you to help me face what's soon coming. I know the LORD is with me but feeling his hand while we fight these heathens would be immense."

Gontran helped to set up the camp, and then heard how long it would be before they moved out again.  He sought someone for permission to rest: his injury was aggravated by all of this activity, and he would need to be in top form if there was a battle to be had.

"Hello Thibault! I am glad to have found this place, especially after the army stalled. I did see a white stag, though what it means I know not. It could be a sign from God that our quest is just. I do know the stag got away, though."

"That probably would have made a nice stew, but I'm glad you weren't able to get to it before it could show us the path. One more sign that we are meant to be here and doing the right thing."

Thibault went about the camp and found a page of a cardinal running an errand.  Thibault asked how he might procure a blessing from the cardinal, and the page informed him of a mass was to be conducted in the morning by Cardinal Mauritso in the chapel of Spoleto.  Like nearly everything in the city, the chapel was an appropriate size for normal activity but was overflowing with the sheer number of men, leaving many men standing in the aisles and along the walls of the chapel.  Thibault, being only a squire, had arrived early enough to secure such a place for himself standing along the side wall to attend the cardinal's mass and receive a blessing for the warriors, knowing that battle was coming any day.

Gontran, meanwhile, stayed at a small abbey outside Spoleto.  Refugee monks from Rome had also taken up residence, leading to overcrowding, and Gontran was forced to sleep on a cot in a windowless wine cellar.  However, the cool of the cellar and the uninterrupted dark allowed him to sleep nearly a whole day, and his body to mend after the fall he had taken in the Alps and the long marches after.

Gundric marched along with the army, happy to be of service.  His luck in finding a passage through the Alps was a stroke of good fortune for the Franks, though the enormity of the discovery was perhaps lost on him.  Like a loyal squire, he followed the army into Italy and assisted in setting up the camp and preparing for the coming battle.

Two days later, a huge force of men led by Prince Charlemagne arrived in Spoleto.  Their numbers were so great that they could be seen while still many miles away from the town's watchtowers.  The town was already overflowing with people, and a huge encampment had to be set up in the grape fields nearby.  Word quickly spread among the various ranks that Prince Charlemagne had arrived and was in a war council with the other dukes and kings, and by the time the fires were extinguished for the night, the warriors all throughout the city knew they would be facing the saracens in open battle the next day.  Some dreamt of the battle, or the saracens themselves and their strange ways, or imagined walking the marble streets of Rome itself.  For some, sleep came quickly with these dreams, and for others it was a restless night worried about the upcoming battle.

---

Thibault receives a blessing (unspecified mechanical advantage)
Gontran heals his normal healing rate

Tomorrow, I will post the first part of the battle!

The morning mists burnt away, leaving the camped Franks and Lombards within view of the saracens.  Even without an accurate count, it is clear that the green and yellow banners in the distance vastly outnumbered the Christian forces in Spoleto.  Still, the combined forces rose and armed themselves, setting their battle lines according to their ranks.  Prince Charlemagne grants the Oriflamme, a huge red banner of the Franks, to Sir Alory of Lombardy, a great warrior.  Archbishop Turpin of Reims gave a blessing to the troops, before they marched toward the Saracens shouting the battlecries of the Franks.

The squires, along with other squires Roland, Renaud, Oliver, Guy, and Ogier the Dane, were left behind to guard the camp and baggage train.  They watched as the two armies approached one another, then the forces and banners intermingled.  From such a distance, unable to identify individual warriors or hear the sounds of war, it appeared almost as two waves slowly crashing together.  The squires watched nervously, anxious to help in the battle.

As the battle went on, various knights and lords one by one returned to the camp.  Some merely needed new weapons or a shield, others were wounded and required aid to staunch their bleeding.  Each warrior gave a quick account of the battle, telling the victories and defeats that he had seen.  This only served to tantalize the squires, as no single warrior could tell which side was winning.  Then Duke Thierry himself came riding back to the camp.  "Squire," he shouted, "attend my wound!"  The duke dismounted and pulled back his armor to show a minor stab wound where a spear had pierced the armor.  Quickly, Thibault grabbed gauze and began to pack the wound.  Duke Thierry pulled his armor back to hold the dressing in place.  "Shield!" he shouted, and Gontran was immediately at his side, arming him.  "I must return to battle, for Count Anquin of Normandy and Count Guydelon the elder have been captured by a near giant!  I must return!"  The duke spurred his horse, and was off.

A short time later, the very visible Oriflamme banner turned and seemed to flee the field!  The wave of Frankish warriors slowly followed - an apparent retreat.  Soon the banner of Prince Charlemagne, with Archbishop Turpin and Duke Naymo, appeared to be surrounded by saracens.

Ogier the Dane let out a great cry of frustration, picked up a stone larger than his head and hurled it in anger.  He shouted, "Are we to idly stand by while the Franks and the seat of all Christendom is taken by these idolators?"

Sir Alory, still holding the Oriflamme, rode up on his horse.  His voice sounds terrified, directing his men, "Alas, Prince Charlemagne has fallen and most of his men are dead!  We must withdraw and negotiate, while we still can!"  This was too much for Ogier, who ran towards Sir Alory.  Grabbing him by his armor, the giant Ogier overthrew Sir Alory and picked up the Oriflamme.  Mounting the horse, Ogier rallied the squires and the retreating Franks, shouting, "This is the hour of need!  We must defend Prince Charlemagne and defeat the Infidels!  Monjoie!"  Looking around, the squires quickly arm themselves and prepare for battle.

---

Now what do the squires do?  Clearly the battle is not going well, but a new wave of enthusiasm may turn the tide.  Are there any traits or passions you wish to engage?

Thibault yells "I'm with you Ogier! Our honor demands that we do not run and leave Charlemagne in their clutches!" He arms himself, his honor stoking the flames of battle within him. Concerning himself with not much than his name and the survival of himself and anyone else he can help.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:27, Fri 19 Oct 2018.

"I will help you!" Gundric cries as he races ahead with Thibault.

Gontran surveyed the battle, trying to keep in mind what he had learned from the veterans on the road.  At the beginning, numbers were against them, but he knew sound tactics, good terrain, or superior skill could even the odds.  As the battle progressed, however, it seemed the Franks possessed none of these.  It might be numbers that won -- or in their case, lost -- the day.

As Sir Alory wavered and was thrown down by Ogier.  He remembered that Ogier was a prisoner, whose very fate was in question.  Ogier might have taken the opportunity to retreat, but he aimed to rally instead.  With so few men, it seemed a risky proposition... bordering on recklessness.

Gontran knew something of recklessness.  Discretion, to him, was not the better part of valor, but an excuse invalorous men used to mask cowardice.  Reckless and valor were sometimes one in the same, and today Gontran knew that that volatile mixture would mean blood spilled and glory won; for whom was still in question.  It mattered little.

"My friends!  To the Duke!" he bellowed.

Not sure what "engage a passion" means, but Gontran is reckless, valorous, and honorable!
This message was last edited by the player at 03:17, Sat 20 Oct 2018.

Seeing the Oriflamme itself, Thibault's blood surged and he could not help but rally to the cause.  He mounted a horse and charged with Ogier, heedless of the danger.  Gontran was caught up too, and nearly rushed off without a shield, but recovered himself and fully armed before entering the battle.

Charging down the hill, Ogier and the squires were confronted with a scene of mass confusion.  The retreating Franks, Lombards, Romans, and allies were a mess of bleeding men and horses, staggering back toward the camp.  The occasional Saracen pursuer broke through, attacking the fleeing men in the back.  The push by Ogier quickly cut down these lone men, until whole groups of Saracens, the vanguard of the attack, was located.  Ogier and the squires lined up and charged at the armed men.

The Saracens were not prepared to face a counter-charge by mounted men, and Thibault, Gundric and Gontran each found their mark with their lances.  Now the battle was joined man to man, with armored bodies pressing one another and weapons striking from all around.

Suddenly, a Saracen mounted on a beautiful sable horse charged forward, wielding a curved sword from his native Arabia, his arms a yellow field with a green crescent Moon.  The men around him rallied to his side, and began to reform their line.  The knight shouted in a foreign tongue at the mounted squires, then charged toward them.

---

Thibault succeeded at an Honor check, so he gets +5 to rolls for the battle.  Gain an XP check for Honor.
Gontran is Reckless, but failed a Reckless roll, so he didn't do anything too crazy.  Gain an XP check for Prudent.
Each of you succeeded in your Lance rolls (though you had some nice bonuses to begin with), so you each get an XP check for Lance.
Next, you are fully engaged with a Saracen unit in regular battle.  None of you are injured, now switching to regular weapons.  Also, your surprise bonus is gone.  The Saracen knight is ready to engage in close combat (no more charges), if someone wants to take up the challenge.

Gontran eyed the Saracen Commander and his beautiful horse: such a beast would make a fine trophy if he could claim it.  So would that blade.  Gontran found himself overwhelmed by the juxtaposition of such elegance among so much carnage, and he remembered the stories of valor from his youth.  Before better sense could weave prudence into his actions, he raised his sword to salute the Commander and charged in himself.

As he rode, he quickly realized that this might be his last ride.  Still, it was too late to change his mind, and so he drew a deep breath and spurred on his horse.  Lost for the type of words that every young boy fantasizes shouting at their enemies, he simply yelled as loudly as he could: allowing the energy of battle to mask his hesitancy.

If this would be an end, it would be a good end.

Thibault sees Gontran making his way to the Saracen commander and believes that his compatriot has the situation well in hand. The fighting is all around him now and the action is thick. The stories he can tell about today will be long, if he can survive.

He turns his attention to another Saracen to enter combat with. None of them are in this alone and so each enemy that Thibault strikes down is one less to attack an ally. He enters battle with one of the enemy.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:25, Thu 25 Oct 2018.

Gontran and the Saracen knight charged at one another, swords flashing.  The movements of the pagan were strange, his horse large and majestic but with strange proportions compared with the horses of the Franks.  Likewise with his armor and his sword, the rhythm of his strikes unlike anything Gontran had seen before.  Still, the movements of the squires - a combination of traditional Frankish cavalry maneuvers and the jittering inexperience of squires in their first battle - befuddled the saracen as well.  With a single well-timed blow, Gontran used his large frame to knock the knight off the horse where he was lost into the fray.

Thibault, still horsed himself, struck on the left and right against the enemy footmen.  The speed and ferocity of his strikes was unmatched, and he was untouched by the saracens.  Likewise Gundric rode through the melee striking, but an enemy sword struck at him.  Gundric easily parried the blow, but it slowed his assault.

"Onward, to the Prince!" cried Ogier, urging his makeshift unit forward.  Prince Charlemagne, now visible across the battlefield, had remounted a horse and brought his banner up again but was surrounded by saracens.  Ogier charged, leading deeper into the clashing arms and choking dust of the battle, with the Oriflamme banner still flowing behind him.

---

Gontran was surprisingly successful and gets 25 Glory for unhorsing the knight.  Gontran and Thibault both get an XP check for Sword.  Gundric failed his roll, but did not take any damage and is still horsed.
You have the opportunity to ride in and rescue Prince Charlemagne, but it is very dangerous as he is in the heaviest area of the battlefield.  Or you could remain here to gain strength and slowly fight toward him.  Or try to finish off the saracen knight you wounded.

Thibault looked around the battlefield when he had a chance to catch a breathe. He saw Gontran defeat the Saracen Commander and give whoop of relief.  He was also happy to see Gundric still horsed and fighting.

At Ogier's call, Thibault rallied again and delved deeper into the fray, charging in to help save Charlemagne.