[15:44, Today: Gwydion rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, 0, 0. +2 Devotion Defense.

+1 total, and I'm not adding any aspects yet, so he manages to make the aspect.]

Gwydion's plan seems to be working, up until the opposing knight starts mouthing off. Pride swells and his calculated rush becomes a bit more wild, opening where he shouldn't. It's obvious to him that this loss of control might well cause him to lose, and a glance down at Iliza's pendant reminds him of just how many people are watching. Failure so early is not an option.

"Chess isn't won in a single move, Sir Sturm!" The words are punctuated by a strike from the Longsword's shield, followed by a swift slash.

[Now making a Melee Attack roll.

22:02, Today: Gwydion rolled 3 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 0, 1, 1. +3 Melee Attack.

So that's +6 before aspects. Invoking Iliza's Favor (free), The Best Defense (free) and Louder Than Words (-1 FP), for a total of +12.]

Sir Padrig's plan seems to have backfired as the young prince of Avaluna unleashes a furious assault. Thankfully, the knight's anger makes his blows more than a little wild, but that doesn't stop him from scoring several heavy hits. Alarm bells begin to blare in Sir Padrig's cockpit.

On the station the crowd cheers. The match has gotten off to a wonderful and exciting start. Nearly every man, woman, and child is glued to a view screen, but no one is watching more intently than Iliza. Despite the dictates of decorum, she gives a cheer when she sees the effects of Gwydion's onslaught on his opponent's armor.

OOC:
09:49, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir Padrig, rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 1, 0, 1. Defend vs. Gwydion. Melee +2, Free Tag on Anger Makes Mistakes +2. Total: 5. Gwydion wins by 7! This dude has got to absorb some stress somewhere. We'll do it on his armor. 6 for that armor and a 1-stress hit.

Absorbing 6 stress on the armour means he has to shut down two of his systems. I pick one and you pick one. My selection is crossed out below. Pick your choice and then I'll post the rest of his turn.

Head: Double Redundant Systems (+2 to Smithy rolls to repair Systems)
Front: Quantum Spike (On a success with style when defending with Melee, you may inflict a 2-shift hit on your attacker instead of getting a boost)
Back: C.R.O.S.S.bow (+2 to Blast on first physical attack in a conflict)
Arms: S.P.e.A.R. (Use Melee instead of Blast vs. targets one zone away)
Legs: MaGrav Stabilizers (+2 to Armour to attack when braced against metallic surface)


  Near Station
   /         \
Start 1 --- Start 2
            Gw  Pd
   \         /
  Above Callisto
        |
Callisto Surface

Ein Illodo Stress
Phys: [x] [] []
Ment: [] [] []

Aspects in play:
Iliza's Favor
The Best Defense

[Woo! I'll shut down his S.P.e.A.R. That oughta put a dent in his offensive.

If I still have the option, I'd like to take the opportunity to move one zone over to Above Callisto. All part of my master plan. That I just came up with. :P]

When he finds an opening, Sir Padrig launches an the C.R.O.S.S bow missle mounted on his Armour's shoulder. It goes streaking toward it's opponent ready to unleash its heavy payload.

OOC:
Head: Double Redundant Systems (+2 to Smithy rolls to repair Systems)
Front: Quantum Spike (On a success with style when defending with Melee, you may inflict a 2-shift hit on your attacker instead of getting a boost)
Back: C.R.O.S.S.bow (+2 to Blast on first physical attack in a conflict)
Arms: S.P.e.A.R. (Use Melee instead of Blast vs. targets one zone away)
Legs: MaGrav Stabilizers (+2 to Armour to attack when braced against metallic surface)

21:07, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir Padrig, rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, -1, 1. Attack. Blast +1. +2 Crossbow. Total: 2


  Near Station
   /         \
Start 1 --- Start 2
             Pd
   \         /
  Above Callisto
        Gw
        |
Callisto Surface

Ein Illodo Stress
Phys: [x] [] []
Ment: [] [] []

Aspects in play:
Iliza's Favor
The Best Defense

[18:23, Today: Gwydion rolled 3 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 1, 1, 0. Armour Defense +2, KIloton Kite Shield +2.

So that comes to a +7 defense, meaning I get a boost! We'll call it Left Wide Open.

On reading it, I'm not sure the CROSSbow pack gives him that +2 bonus now, since it's no longer the first attack of the conflict. Even so, that was a disgustingly good roll I got, and he really could use the help.]

After the surgical onslaught disable his opponent's melee capability, Gwydion's thrusters shoot him away again. The hit and run tactic leaves only one response, and Sir Sturm behaves exactly as he's been led to: unleashing a volley of missiles from his shoulder launchers. As the missiles close distance, Gwydion releases another sharp beam from his sword, knowing full well how difficult it is for missile launchers to be mobile and still accurate. The warheads themselves pound fruitlessly on the waiting kite shield.

[And one more Melee attack oughta do it.

18:30, Today: Gwydion rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, 1, 0. +3 Melee Attack, Energy Gunblade.

So that's +4. Invoking Left Wide Open for free, The Best Defense for 1 FP, Iliza's Favor for 1 FP, and Louder Than Words for 1 FP. That's +8, giving me a +12 total and leaving me with 2 FP. I am a bad man.]

Gwydion's second assault is absolutely devastating. Sir Padrig Sturm's Gladius armour is caught in the energy wave and takes an incredible beating. It's takes only a few seconds after the wave dissipates for the knight to broadcast, "It appears I have underestimated you, Sir. I yield."

OOC:

Gwydion:

On reading it, I'm not sure the CROSSbow pack gives him that +2 bonus now, since it's no longer the first attack of the conflict. Even so, that was a disgustingly good roll I got, and he really could use the help.]

It was his first physical attack though. If it was only for the very first attack anybody makes, then it'd be useless. Somebody beats you in initiative and there goes that system.

09:39, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir Padrig, rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, 1, 1. Defense vs. Gwydion. Melee +2. Total: 3. 9 shifts to absorb. 8 on the armour and 1 on his physical stress track. he's already got one so it rolls up to two.

Head: Double Redundant Systems (+2 to Smithy rolls to repair Systems)
Front: Quantum Spike (On a success with style when defending with Melee, you may inflict a 2-shift hit on your attacker instead of getting a boost)
Back: C.R.O.S.S.bow (+2 to Blast on first physical attack in a conflict)
Arms: S.P.e.A.R. (Use Melee instead of Blast vs. targets one zone away)
Legs: MaGrav Stabilizers (+2 to Armour to attack when braced against metallic surface)

All his systems are shut down. Technically he could keep going, but he's at a huge disadvantage, so he's just going to yield before he gets hurt.


  Near Station
   /         \
Start 1 --- Start 2
             Pd
   \         /
  Above Callisto
        Gw
        |
Callisto Surface

Ein Illodo Stress
Phys: [x] [x] []
Ment: [] [] []

Aspects in play:
Iliza's Favor
The Best Defense
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:16, Sat 12 July 2014.

[Reducing my 9-shift hit to 8 shifts to create a boost: Controlled Strength. The boost becomes a full situation aspect from my Duelist's Finesse stunt.

Also going to reduce the severity of the opponent's consequence by one level, effectively allowing him to retain his Double Redundant Systems in exchange for 1 FP, using my Quality of Mercy stunt.]

At Sir Sturm's surrender, Gwydion's Longsword armour straightens up and gives a salute with the gunblade.

"It was a pleasure and an honor, Sir Sturm." It would probably be insulting for Gwydion to offer to help his opponent back to the station. They have people for that, though, so off the prince goes, keeping his swelling pride to himself.

Upon his return to the station's hangar, Gwydion is greeted with cheers and congratulations from his fellow Avalunars. "Well done! Fierce, yet chivalrous. Would that your Uncle had seen that. You're more like him every day!"

Among the crowd is one particular Venusian who, if they had been available, would be waving a giant foam #1 hand out of enthusiasm.  Of course, she'd have ensured it was a 2 instead of a 1 because she is clearly going to win the tournament, but she still wants to cheer on others.

"That was amazing!  You were all zwoosh, zam, powie!" she exclaims, making motions with her arms to mimic his maneuvers in the arena and being careful not to hit anyone around her - not that they could really tell with how close she comes to smacking at least one person in the face.

Gwydion accepts the praise with some degree of modesty, thanking people for the kind words and reminding them that his teachers are just as much to be commended. He can't help but laugh a bit at Meara's tactical analysis of the battle.

"That was the plan all along! Catch the enemy by surprise and keep the pressure on until they make a mistake. Trouble is, I can only pull that trick once. Now everybody knows it, and I'll have to be extra careful in the next round. Still, it never hurts to throw people off guard, right?

I can't wait to see your match, Meara. I've seen you and Brunhildr in action. It's going to be spectacular."

Its another few moments before Brun can make it near Gwydion and Meara.  In his scruffy, patched pilot's jumpsuit very few recognized that he was, in fact, a tournament knight as well.  Outside a social event he commands little attention.  when finally close enough, "Sir Gwydion!  A very fine first showing.  Congratulations."  He might have said more, but when he spots Meara he quickly quiets and bows his head, "Oh, Dame Meara...  If I interrupted..."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:15, Thu 24 July 2014.

"So what's your plan, Meara? Flit around until your opponent's frustrated, then cut 'em down to size? We've got a few more fights to watch before you're up." About then is when Brun approaches the group. Gwydion's smile widens and turns to his friend.

"Brun! Interrupted? What? No, don't worry about being so formal. We're friends, right Meara? Everything's...uh..." About then, he glances down at the pendant still in his hand, the chain wrapped around his wrist to make sure it doesn't fall. When he looks back at the two of them, his smile has tilted awkwardly and there's a bit of a blush on his cheeks.

"Oh, I have a, um...I have a thing. That I have to go do. Important stuff, fate of the solar system, politics, all that. Very serious. I'll see you two soon, okay? We'll do stuff!" He starts moving away as he talks, and eventually is heading toward Iliza. After all, he has to return the favor. (Quite literally!)

It doesn't take Gwydion any time at all to find Iliza. She's waiting patiently nearby along with a pair of her household guards. She smiles brightly when she see Gwydion moving toward her. "Sir Gwydion, you were wonderful! Sir Sturm is well-known for his skill in combat, but you defeated him soundly and you did so as the paragon of chivalry. You honor all who see you fight."

Meara was about to reply when Gwydion ran off with the pendant in his hands.  Instead of saying something to him, she simply watched him go with the biggest, knowingest grin on her face, then looked over at Brun without changing her expression and holding a hand to her mouth to stifle a potential titter.

"He is adorable when he is flustered."

Brun did his best not to look betrayed as Gwydion ran off on his "errand".  Probably some lady fair.  Iliza would seem to be a good bet.... And there she is.   It took a moment before he realized Meara had made a joke.  So,  he laughed.   It was a little late.   A little forced.   A little too much.   Altogether embarrassing. Ahem.  "Yes.   Adorable.   Right..... " Neutral topic.... neutral topic....   She is just another knight.   Focus.   "His duel was.... Impressive...   I have little desire to be on the receiving end of such.   He attacks with wild abandon."

With a proud smile on her face as Brun tried to change the subject, Meara quite happily declared, "He is not nearly as reckless or crazy as I am in Armour!  You should see how I pi-Mmmmmmmmmph!"

As she spoke, a hand gently came around and placed itself on her mouth as Freyr sighed and gave Brun an apologetic smile.

"If I let her speak too much, she will give away all her secrets out of enthusiasm.  You under-yii!"

Freyr's face changed into one of surprise as she pulled her hand away from Meara's mouth to reveal Meara's extended tongue and precocious grin.

[XD Holy crap, Meara's adorable.]

Gwydion gives a polite bow to Iliza, still smiling a little more awkwardly than before his match. Knight of Avaluna, fearsome warrior, Emergent hunter, and apparently a silly little boy as well.

"I've been taught well, Miss Iliza, thank you. I, ah..." It seems he's lost his next sentence, so quickly makes a new one. "Oh! My friends are over there, if you'd like to meet them. Sir Brun and Mea--um, Princess. Princess Meara."

If Iliza picks up on Gwydion's awkwardness she shows no sign of it. "I would like very much to meet your friends." She slips her arm through Gwydion's without waiting for an invitation as though it's the most natural thing in the world.

Brun was a little startled by the abrupt silencing of Meara.   Perhaps he had forgotten the aside was even there.  As for Freyr's admonishment,  Brun reflexively assumes all the blame,  "No...   No...   I was not trying to.... I just meant that,  Gwydion was..."  That went well.   Brun looked plaintivly back to Gwydion on the off chance his friends was already returning.

Gwydion indeed begins making his way back, now with the Baron's elder daughter on his arm. He's pretty obviously excited with the way things are going, and either doesn't seem to notice Meara and Freyr's shenanigans, or he's so used to them that it doesn't give him any pause. Probably the second one.

"Miss Iliza, these are my friends, Princess Meara and Sir Brun. Oh, and Meara's caretaker, Freyr. I'm sure you all remember Lord Gehenmis's daughter Iliza. I thought the banquet might have been a bit too crowded for proper introductions. Maybe we can watch Sir Liamont's fight together." At the suggestion, Gwydion looks over his friends for their opinions, also glancing to Freyr, the expert on good and bad ideas.

Iliza curtseys before the party, "It's a pleasure to meet those of you I haven't. Some of us were introduced yesterday, but I haven't had the pleasure of your company until now.

I must say Princess Meara, I am in your debt. I don't believe I have ever seen my sister as excited as she was this morning. She spent the entirety of breakfast speaking of you and your fabulous Armour. I very much look forward to seeing you compete, as does Irina.

Sir Brun, I understand you are a roaming knight who protects travelers from bandits in the Wreck, is that true?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:08, Thu 24 July 2014.

Brun relaxes visibly as Gwydion and Iliza approach.   A respectful how is offered to the lady,  measured precisely deep enough for her station plus a touch more.  Of course,  this allows him to note his patchwork jumpsuit.   Nothing for it now,  so he just makes a vain attempt to at least straighten some of the wrinkles out.  To the question,  the Edge Knight gets a momentarily uncomfortable look,  then tried to cover it with a polite smile,  "That is true,  miss.  That was my most recent....endeavor.   Though,  I have heard that Avaluna may have a place for my lady and I.  Sir Gwydion seems
 to think we would be of good use to the efforts there."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:46, Thu 24 July 2014.

Iliza looks very pleased by the news, "How wonderful, Sir Brun. I'm certain that you will make a wonderful contribution to Humanity's cause under Avaluna's banner."

Doing her best not to smirk with a knowing look at Gwydion and Iliza, Meara is happily distracted from the sight of two nobles flirting as nobles do with the mention of Irina and her enthusiasm for Brunhildr.  "Oh, she's no trouble at all.  Really, you should have seen her eyes when she poked her head around the reactor.  She was more focused than most knights I've seen preparing for battle, then she moved around and tweaked the systems like she was the one who built Brunhildr in the first place.  Lady Irina's got some serious talent."

Iliza smiles, "That's kind of you to say, Princess Meara. Irina is quite intelligent when it comes to the sciences. Most of the time when she speaks about it, I haven't the faintest idea what she's saying at all."