[OOC: here will be challenges etc. to learn the O.R.E. and test character ideas.]

In a clearing in a densely wooded section of land, a local lord has erected a small obstacle course for the training and betterment of his Men-at-arms.  His knights, naturally, have their own training facilities on their own estates.

From the starting line, marked by notches in two thin saprolings, there is a short jog through the woods between trees (no roll required).

There is then a series of small trenches filled with mud and water (Body + Athletics or Running).  There is also a slippery log that spans the trenches to one side which you may choose instead to cross (Coordination + Acrobatics, failure means you fall in and get muddy).

Past that is a straight section of path with a wooden training dummy at the end of it.  When you climb out of the trenches, there is a spear you can pick up and throw at the dummy (Coordination + Throw, failure means you miss).

You then jog past the dummy where there is a wall made of logs that is about your height (Coordination + Climb, failure means you cannot climb the wall and must walk around).

Past that you cannot see.  When you get to the top you can look around (Sense + Sight or Hearing).

His Eminence has permitted you to run the obstacle course if you choose.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:29, Mon 24 Nov 2014.

In reply to GM (msg # 1):

"An obstacle course? Really?"

Brennan sighs, then rubs his hands together.

"So be it. Let's see if we can complete this course at optimal efficiency."

He jogs into the trees from the starting line without much effort, but frowns when faced with the decision between the muddy trenches and the slippery logs. Reasoning that he's less likely to harm himself if he stays on the ground, he heads for the trenches and begins to slog through them.

[Body + Running: 7,9,9,4,6]

Brennan plows through the trenches with calculated ease, though not particularly quickly, and makes his way to the training dummy on the other side of the path. He grips the nearby spear with an obvious lack of familiarity, checks the local wind patterns, and chucks the barbed shaft in the general direction of its target.

[Coordination + Throw: 7,10,2,4]

The tip buries itself unceremoniously into the ground, and Brennan shrugs nonchalantly.

"Some things are inevitable," he says to no one in particular, before hurrying over to the wall of logs. "And others are... harder than they look."


[Coordination + Climb: 9,6,7,4]

Brennan struggles for a moment with the wall, huffing and puffing and utterly failing to haul himself over it before letting his feet touch back down on the ground.

"Fortunately, there are many paths -- some better than the others. We must learn to envision more than what we are told to see."

He then simply walks around the wall and, shielding his eyes from the sun, peers into the distance.

[Sense + Sight: 10,6]

"Looks like I'm done," he says, nodding to himself. "Though I believe I'll want to give it another go before our good patron revokes access to his facility."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:56, Mon 24 Nov 2014.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 2):

Between the sun in his eyes or lack of attention, Brennan fails to notice the sandbag swinging toward him, launched by a concealed assistant behind a tree.

The bag collides with Brennan and knocks him head over heels sideways (2 shock to torso and left arm).

Brennan dusts himself off and ignores the snickers of the assistant.

Before him is a long path which twists and turns and goes down a small hill and back up another (no roll required for run, but Body + Athletics to avoid fatigue).

At the end of that long trail is another assistant standing lazily at a fork in the path.  He will be lazily munching an apple when you arrive.

The fork is not labeled, so you aren't sure which way to go.  Perchance the assistant does?

In reply to GM (msg # 3):

OOC: Would I have been able to potentially Dodge that?

Brennan picks himself up with as much dignity as he can muster, and begins the tedious jog to the next section of the course.

[Body + Athletics: 5,2,5,9]

He stops with plenty of breath to spare, and pauses to look at the assistant at the fork.

"Which way's next, good sir?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:13, Mon 24 Nov 2014.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 4):

(OOC: yes)

The man shrugs.  "I know the way, sir, but M'lord said nothin 'bout telling nobody.  Just said sit here."

In reply to GM (msg # 5):

Brennan sighs, taking a moment to consider the man before him.

Lower class. Likes apples. Obedient servant. Potentially lazy. Tell him what he wants to hear.

"Well, well, my stout yeoman, then today's your lucky day."

He takes advantage of the man's confused expression to continue.

"You see, I awakened today with a glimpse into the future -- hazy, of course, but the meaning was clear. I was to find a bruiser of a man with a solid core about him, and look at yourself. As sure as I'm standing here, that man is you."

Brennan points at the bruised ares of the apple where the skin has been removed, and nods at the core itself.

"What I wouldn't give to be you, sir, for you are destined to find a great fortune in return for kindly helping a stranger in need."

Brennan points to himself with one of his thumbs.

"And I am that stranger in need. Tell me, if you please, what lies in either direction, and then make haste back to your home, for I have it on good authority that your good lord has left you a gift befitting your diligent obedience."

[Empathy + Persuasion: 10,1,7,3,1]

Brennan smiles his most charming smile, and awaits the bewildered man's response.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:09, Mon 24 Nov 2014.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 6):

The man is clearly taken aback.  he looks dubiously at his apple for a piece then at Brennan.

"Sure 'n if that's true, sir, I'll be grateful for your counsel.  The path t'the right's the one for you.  T'other is a dead-end.

Following the suggested path leads to a small ring formed by sharpened stakes driven into the ground.

There is a gap in the ring, beside which stand a bow, a small shield, a halfhelm and a waster (wooden sword).  There are also several arrows tipped with leather balls.  (each does Shock +1 damage).

In the ring stand two opponents.  These are large men bare but for leather breeches and metal halfhelms.  Each holds a waster of his own.

"Arm yourself, sir, and enter the ring," one announces.

(OOC:  after you pick up one or more weapons you may enter the ring.  The combat round begins when you declare your action and roll.  The men stand together about one round's movement away).

In reply to GM (msg # 7):

Brennan arms himself with a helm, straps a waster to his side, grabs a quiver of blunted arrows, and takes the bow.

"As you wish."

He takes one step into the ring, nocks an arrow, and lets loose at the closer of the two men.

[Archery + Coordination: 2,10,7,2,6,5,8,7]

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 8):

Brennan's shot flies true and low, striking one man in the left thigh (hit location 2 as that was the first die rolled for 5 shock damage).

He stumbles slightly but keeps coming.

(OOC: if you have multiple sets, you can choose which to use.  If not I'll assume the one that looks better, here being the 7's which did more damage)

Round 2

The two big men aim to ring Brennan's bell by means of their wasters.

In reply to GM (msg # 9):

OOC: I don't understand why I hit the 2 instead of 7. I thought higher numbers were generally more critical targets? I don't mind either way, just want to understand. If I roll 2,2,10,10, do I get the 2 instead of the 10 because the 2's came up first?

Brennan drops his bow, unwilling to risk it in melee, and brings his waster up and at the ready.

[Melee + Body: 3,10,5,9,1,8,8]

OOC: Would it be better to hit him in the 8 slot, or to double up on the same slot I already hit (assuming I can aim for a lesser result than I actually hit at will).
This message was last edited by the player at 14:50, Tue 25 Nov 2014.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 10):

(OOC:  exactly.  In the 'base' ORE, the height of the match sets target while width sets damage, which is somewhat incongruous with the 'speed vs. aplomb' feel.  In the modified damage rules, height is damage, width is speed and hit location is a separate die.  For simplicity, we'll just go by the first die rolled whether it's part of a set or not.  That way you only need roll one set of dice.)

The melee is fast and furious.  Having given little to no thought to defense, all three land blows to opponents

(OOC:  in the future, please specify which opponent you are trying to hit in combat.  I'll assume here you wanted to hit the most injured dude.  If you had preferred to defend, you would have used Block or Dodge, but you'd have to specify WHICH enemy you are defending against.  When a shield is used, it applies to all attackers you are aware of.)

Brennan smacks the limping man in the R. Arm for 5 shock (hit location 3) while he is promptly smacked in his own arm (location 4) for 6 shock and by the man's companion for 4 more shock.

(OOC:  I have updated your sheet to show damage.  2 shock to body and left arm from sandbags, plus 10 shock from these attacks.  Since the arm can only hold 8 shock, the next 2 points turn 2 shock into Killing.  Brennan's right arm is now incapacitated.  One enemy's leg and arm are very sore.)

"Yield!"  The non-wounded man shouts.