Sir Tyngyr nods, "as you say, this is a foul place and spending the night out in it seems ill advised when comfort can be found.  Sir Vardilain seems an honorable if somewhat overzealous guardian, so I will take up his challenge," he replies in a low voice.

Grabbing a lance from his squire, he nudges his horse a step forward, "I accept your challenge, Sir Vardilain."  He lowers his visor and waits for the other knight to be ready.

Sir Vardilain takes a lance from his own squire and lowers his visor.  The two knights couch their weopons and urge their steeds forward.  Clods of earth fly as the chargers gather speed and with a resounding crash, the pair come together.  While both succeed, it is Sir Vardilain's blow that does the damage.  Although the blow would have sent many knights to the ground, Tyngyr stays in his saddle as the knights turn to face one another once more.

Sir Vardilain, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Tyngyr, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Lance
Sir Vardilain, rolled 27 using 6d6.  Damage.
Sir Tyngyr, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Horsemanship.
Sir Tyngyr takes 27-19=8 damage but remains on his horse.

Spurring their chargers forward again, the two knights each miss the mark by only a hair's breadth.  They circle around and charge once more.  Again there is a titanic crash as metal impacts metal.  Again both combatants hit but again it is Sir Vardilain's blow that strikes true.  Sir Tyngyr's armor absorbs the blow and the knight remains on his horse.

Sir Vardilain, rolled 19 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Tyngyr, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Vardilain, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Tyngyr, rolled 6 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Vardilain, rolled 18 using 6d6.  Damage.
Sir Tyngyr, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Horsemanship.
Sir Tyngyr takes 18-19=0 damage and remains on his horse.

The knights turn and charge once more, their mounts straining with the effort as the combatants come together with a deafening crunch.  Both knights manage to hit but this time it is Sir Tyngyr's blow that wins through.  Sir Vardilain manages to remain upright and the two face each other once more.

Sir Vardilain, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Tyngyr, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Tyngyr, rolled 20 using 6d6.  Damage.
Sir Vardilain, rolled 6 using 1d20.  Horsemanship.
Sir Vardilain takes 20-18=2 damage and remains on his horse.

Thundering hooves and the squeal of metal once more fill the air as the duo come together for a fifth time.  Both knights score hits but Sir Vardilain's blow succeeds.  Although the blow causes no damage, the fall does as this time Sir Tyngyr is thrown from his horse.  Sir Tyngyr is quickly on his feet with sword in hand and he watches as Sir Vardilain dismounts, hands his lance to his squire and retrieves his morning star.

Sir Vardilain, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Tyngyr, rolled 8 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Vardilain, rolled 19 using 6d6.  Damage.
Sir Tyngyr, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Horsemanship.
Sir Tyngyr, rolled 4 using 1d6.  Damage.
Sir Tyngyr takes 19-19+4=4 damage and falls off his horse.

Sir Vardilain hits Sir Tyngyr with his morning star, but Sir Tyngyr blocks the blow and takes no damage.  Sir Tyngyr then hits Sir Vardilain, who also parries, takes some damage but remains standing.

Sir Vardilain, rolled 15 using 1d20.  Morning Star.
Sir Tyngyr, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Sword.
Sir Vardilain, rolled 17 using 5d6.  Damage.
Sir Vardilain, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Morning Star.
Sir Tyngyr, rolled 13 using 1d20.  Sword.
Sir Tyngyr, rolled 21 using 6d6.  Damage.
Sir Vardilain, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Dexterity.
Sir Tyngyr takes 17-19=0 damage and remains standing.
Sir Vardilain takes 21-18=3 damage and remains standing.

The two square off once more but this time Sir Vardilain lands a staggering blow with his morning star.  Although Tyngyr manages to parry it (saving his life), the blow knocks him unconscious.  Tyngyr's squire, Cadlew, rushes to his knight's side and applies a piece of cloth to the wound, which staunches the bleeding sufficiently that the knight does not die.

Sir Vardilain, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Morning Star.  Critical Success.
Sir Tyngyr, rolled 13 using 1d20.  Sword.
Sir Vardilain, rolled 37 using 10d6.
Cadlew, rolled 2 using 1d20.  First Aid.
Cadlew, rolled 3 using 1d3.  Healing
Sir Tyngyr takes 37-19=18 damage and is rendered unconscious at 0 HP.  He regains 3 HP from healing and is unconscious.

Sir Vardilain steps back to his horse and remounts, taking his lance back from his squire.  He then eyes the other knights, waiting to see if they will attack.

EDIT: Fixed Sir Tyngyr's defense in last two times he was hit.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:42, Fri 23 June 2017.

Sir Dalan, expression dismayed, gestures to his own squire to help carry his brother knight away. Then he turns to Sir Vardilain.

"Good Sir Knight you have bested our brother in honourable combat. In the name of the brotherhood of chivalry and the knights that all of us share I ask you is there is a healer you know of where can we find him or her?"

Sir Vardilain does not stir, apparently awaiting the next challenger.  His squire, however, looks quite sad and just shakes his head from behind his knight.

"I WOULD DAMN YOU TO HELL SIR VADILAIN IF I DID NOT THINK YOU WERE ALREADY THERE!" Sir Gracian shouted in anger and dismounts rushedto Sir Tyngyr's side. There he saw the squires tend to his friend's wounds.

He looked around trying to see if there were anything that could be used to create some kind of strecher.

---

Out of curiosity (and desperate need): Chirurgy is more than simple first aid so I take it it requires things like a warm place to stay and all sorts of utensils .. all things we dont have right?

"Be calm, if you can, Sir Gracian.  Your anger will only cloud your ability to help our comrade," Caradwg said.  His eyes blazed but his manner was very calm.

"My brothers," he paused, "We need to decide now.  Is the village the best hope to save brave Tyngyr?  If so, and with Dalan's injuries...should you, Gracian, or I, assail this knight next?"

Caradwg awaited his friends response.  He knew that any fight he might partake against this man would be hard, but he was always willing to test his skills.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:46, Mon 26 June 2017.

Sir Dalan shakes his head. "This strange knight is a potent foe; even should you triumph we will have two badly wounded knights - three if you count myself - and then how should we accomplish our quest? No, I say let us leave this village to the rain and the weeds and the crows."

Sir Gracian lets out a great shout of anger and stares at the Mad Knight. He tries to calm himself and focus on his breathing and finally he nods and mounts his horse again. "I hate to admit it but you speak wisely Sir Dalan. Our honor dictates that we continue our quest instead of trying to avenge Sir Tyngyr. Let the crows feast on the Mad Knight and let us continue our quest... you ... squire ... uhm ... your name is Cadlew isnt it? Can you bring your Master back to safety while we continue our quest?"

While the knights talk the squires put together a rough stretcher and attach it to Sir Tyngyr's horse before laying the unconscious knight upon it.

Cadlew nods, "I will get him to safety," the squire promises.

Sir Vardilain takes little notice of the knights as they give no further indication of attempting to enter the town.  As they depart in one direction and Cadlew departs in another, the knight turns back toward the town.

The group rides on for another hour or so, eventually camping near a copse of dead, tangled trees.  It is not a pleasant night as the stench of decay is all around them and the memory of Sir Tyngyr's fight still fresh in their minds.

Day 15

The next day dawns grey and misty.  After breakfast, the knights head off in search of the Queen of the Wasteland.  However, despite a long search they find little more than the blighted landscape.  On more than one occasion they feel that they might have come around in a circle but it is difficult to say as there are few landmarks.

Day 16

After another restless night, the knights of Salisbury break camp and head off once more into the grey tractless wastes.  By afternoon, they have not come across any fresh water in a while and are starting to become a little thirsty.  They are forced once more to campout.

Day 17

The night passes slowly.  As the meager dawn lights their surroundings, the trio pack up and head off once more.  At around noon, it is difficult to tell the time here, the knights come across some brackish water that is fit for neither man nor beast.  The body of a dead wolf can be seen partially submerged in the dark liquid.

As they ride down a dry, desolate gully, feeling lightheaded from thirst, the knights hear a fearful roar and an equally tremendous hiss up ahead.  Turning a bend in the gully the band see a large tawny lion confronting an equally large white serpent near some rocks in a clearing.  Both creatures are bleeding and torn.

As the lion and serpent come at each other once more, the group hear the voice of a small child to their right, "Will you not intervene in this conflict, sir knights?"  Looking down, the three see a three-year-old boy with golden hair and a smug smile.  He is attired in a tunic, its left side white and its right side black.  His breeks are likewise hued, except that the colors are reversed.  No one saw this child upon arriving nor saw him appear, it is as if he just materialized out of thin air.

He speaks once more, "Come, sir knights, can Good hope to defeat Evil without the help of men of goodwill?"  Although it is clear that the boy is asking them to take part in the combat, he gives no indication of which side they should choose.

They had been riding for days and a bit of dreariness had set in to their moods as it appeared to be no end of gray...nothing...

When they came upon the creatures fighting, Caradwg was torn, help one or the other, OR, watch the majesty of their fight.  It was only as his mind pondered these thoughts that he noticed the child and heard his words.

"You say it is Good and Evil we see fighting and struggling before us.  I see two beasts that, depending on the lore you choose to believe, could be good OR evil," he paused a moment and continued, "Good and Evil are two sides of a coin.  If either should ultimately prevail, then that does not mean it would be best for the world.  Too much Good, can lead to oppression while too much Evil can lead to, well, chaos.  The struggle between the two must go on."

He tried to watch the child for any indications of good or ill to his words before continuing, "For me, I will do what I can against both chaos and oppression for the betterment of the people of the land...they are what matter to me.  If my friends choose to intervene," he said, "then I will endeavor to help them. But only then will I intervene between these two beasts."

Again, he was keeping a careful eye on the child as he spoke...

Sir Dalan pauses for a moment studying the combatants, then glances down at the child. Turning to the others he whispers so the boy cannot hear: 'Let us try and grab the boy. If one of these beasts is truly good it will abandon it's foe and try to save him.'

Sir Gracian sat silent on his horse and listened to Sir Caradwg's words while viewing the battle. He had never thought much about Good and Evil as his whole life had more or less been a matter or survival and the eloquent Sir Caradwg made him feel ashamed of how uneducated Sir Gracian was.

He reached out for his lance that was handed to him by his squire and spurred his charger the moment Sir Dalan began to speak charging the white serpent intend on helping the lion - a symbol of royalty, dignity and courage.

---

1) I have no idea if I picked the wrong side.
2) How do we resolve combat now? We roll our own dice or what?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:51, Thu 29 June 2017.

Caradwg watched Sir Gracian prepare his weapons and noted the direction of his charge.

"I said I would engage only to support my friends. Now, I do what I must," he finished speaking, couched his lance and charged the tawny lion.

"Wait my brothers!" Sir Dalan calls out after the already charging knights. With a sigh he waits to see the outcome, unable to intervene without fatally tipping the balance one way or the other.

The two knights charge forward through the dusty, grey landscape.  The beasts do not react at first and Sir Gracian manages to hit the Serpent on his first pass while Sir Caradwg hits the Lion.  Although neither blow seems to do more than scratch the beasts, they stop fighting one another to face this new threat.

Sir Gracian, rolled 10 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Caradwg, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Gracian, rolled 11 using 6d6.  Damage.
Sir Caradwg, rolled 22 using 6d6.  Damage.

The Serpent takes 1 point of damage and the Lion takes 7 points of damage.

Turning, the pair charge once more.  However, this time the beasts are ready and strike back at the knights.  Although Sir Gracian's lance finds its mark, it glances off the snake's armor as the serpent strikes his right shoulder.  Meanwhile, the Lion strikes at Sir Caradwg with both paws, each raking the knight and knocking him unconscious, even though Sir Caradwg was able to parry one of the blows.  Sir Gracian makes an attempt to keep his brother knight from falling from the saddle, but he is unable to.

Sir Caradwg, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Lance.
Lion, rolled 24 using 2d20 with rolls of 9,15.  Claws.
Sir Caradwg, rolled 13 using 1d20.  Defense vs 2nd Claw (Lance).
Lion, rolled 11 using 7d6-16.  Damage.
Lion, rolled 13 using 7d6-10.  Damage.
Sir Gracian, rolled 6 using 1d20 with rolls of 6.  Lance.
Serpent, rolled 12 using 1d20 with rolls of 12.  Bite.
Serpent, rolled 6 using 7d6-16.  Damage.
Sir Gracian, rolled 7 using 1d20.  Horsemanship.

Sir Gracian takes 6 damage but remains on his horse.  He is close to unconsciousness.  Sir Caradwg takes 24 damage before falling unconscious from his horse.

Sir Gracian turns as he reaches Sir Dalan and sees Sir Caradwg's body lying not far from the two beasts, which are turned toward the knights, awaiting the next charge.  The small child appears amused but does not say anything.

Wasting no time the wounded Sir Gracian turned his horse and rode with all haste towards the fallen Sir Caradwg. He realised he didnt not stand a chance against the serpent but he was not going to leave his brother knight unconscious on the ground.

---

OOC: The puny Sir Gracian will not charge the Godzilla-like behemoths but will "just" try and get hold of Sir Caradwg.

"My brothers fall back!" Sir Dalan calls out, voice edged with horror as Sir Caradwg falls.

He looks desperately at the child for moment then at Sir Gracian. "My mother told me a story once of a bard of olden days who lulled a great and terrible dragon to sleep with his music. Perhaps there is truth in the tale?"

Dismounting he walks forward towards the lion and serpent, but does not draw his sword. Instead he begins to sing in a soft yet clear voice:

"Sleep sweet beasts, your battles ended,
The sun bows before his sister moon,
As rest leaves all strife and mended,
Eyes close and dreams come soon,

Sleep comes not as thief,
Or a cruel lord's command,
But as a balm for all grief,
A reward you will understand,

Let you lower your heavy heads,
As peasants and kings alike go,
To slumber in their in beds,
And follow where their dreams show..."

Sir Gracian reared his horse and halted his attempts to get to Sir Caradwg when he saw - and heard - Sir Dalan start to sing. Could this really work? Could his brother knight tame these mighty beasts?

At first, all that could be heard was the hooves of Sir Gracian's horse as he charged toward the Beasts in the hope of recovering his friend's body.  But Sir Dalan's voice cut across the gully like a knife, halting Sir Gracian's charge.

For a moment, all was silent as those present observed the knight dismount and walk forward.  A stillness pervaded that gloomy place as if the world itself was holding its breath.  Sir Dalan's voice started small and fought to overcome the oppressiveness that surrounded him.  However, as he pressed forward his voice broke through and rang out with a force and power of surprising magnitude.  The words and tune were a thing of unearthly beauty, touching all of those present.

As he finished his song, the clouds briefly parted and a shaft of pure sunlight shown down on the clearing.  The Serpent's body dissolved into a puff of smoke and dispersed on a slight breeze.  The young boy transformed into a more normal sized snake and slithered away, disappearing into a hole before any could lay hand on him.  The clouds then reformed, casting the area once more into an infernal twilight.

The Lion turned to the large rock it had been guarding and upended it with a paw to reveal three cubs.  The Lion gently extracted the cubs, laying them down at its feet.  The Lion then transformed into a knight in black armor with a shield half black and half white.  He wore a black tabbard on which a gold lion's head was stitched.

Looking at the knights, he stated, "the innocent are saved though the serpent's spawn lives.  The Grey Knight's cause is unjust."

Sir Dalan doesn't have a Loyalty (Friends) Passion, so I had him invoke Valorous in order to approach two Mythical Beasts on foot and unarmed (at -10 as each has a -5 modifier).  Success gave him a +5 on his Singing, which he then criticalled.
Sir Dalan, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Valorous.
Sir Dalan, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Singing.

Sir Caradwg is at +1 but unconscious.  He will remain unconscious until tomorrow morning, game time, for reasons that may become clear.

Sir Dalan and Sir Gracian +125 Glory each for defeating the Serpent.
Sir Dalan +50 for a unique approach to a problem and a beautiful song.
Sir Gracian and Sir Caradwg, check in Lance.
Sir Gracian, Sir Caradwg, and Sir Dalan, check in Valorous.
Sir Dalan +1 point to Singing.

Sir Dalan's eyes anxiously flick over to the crumpled form of Sir Caradwg but he feels he must speak with this strange knight first. He dipped his head in a respectful nod to the stranger before looking up and speaking.

"These are strange and wondrous happenings Knight of the Lion! Can you tell us what took place here? Who was that creature with the mien of a boy?" He paused, then added: "We are three knights of Salisbury and our squires seeking the Queen of the Wasteland for her aid against the Grey Knight. Know you of her?"

Sir Gracian knelt at Sir Caradwgs side and tended to the wounded knight. While interested in what the Knight of the Lion had to say he had full confidence in Sir Dalan. There was no need for Sir Gracian to interfere in the conversation with the strange Knight of the Lion.

Sir Caradwg appears to be badly wounded and unconscious but stable.  Sir Gracian has seen enough battlefield wounded to guess that he is not in any immediate danger but probably will be out for a while.

The knight points to the northeast and states, "ride there, sir knights.  Ride through the blackest knight and stay not from your good quest.  Your goal you shall find with the dawning."  It seems that he is about as useful as anyone in this god-forsaken place.  The knight and his cubs then disappear, leaving the remnants of the party standing (or lying) alone in the gully as if Sir Caradwg just ran into a bunch of razor-sharp brambles and fell unconscious off of his horse.

The squires lay out Sir Caradwg on a stretcher similar to the one that carried Sir Tyngyr.  It is only slightly disturbing that they seem to be getting rather good at it.

"I cant wait till this is all over and we are back in Salisbury." he said as they continued there slow journey towards northeast. He had little hope of succeeding in their quest. They had already lost two companions and he figured it was only a matter of time before he himself would end up on a stretcher.

"As do I," Sir Dalan agreed mournfully. "Yet it seems we have no wiser course than to follow the Knight of the Lion's advice. If we can find the Queen's court perhaps she has a healer who can aid our brother."