Speed Chart

Take Post-12 recoveries; everyone should be at full END

Segment 3 - Chang please declare your action.  Note your brand provides illumination denoted by the blue outline around you (yellow didn't show up on the light background).  An attacks within it's light do not have the -2 OCV.

Segment 4 - Everyone else do likewise!  Syssiah's brand provides similar benefits.

It is not noted but the campfire provides clear illumination for 4m out.  Not currently an issue but I can add if situation changes.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 03:46, Wed 23 Oct 2019.

As fast as her feet would carry her, Syssiah rushes herself closeby Marduke, brandishing the torch.

To S23, in NCM if need be.

Sarajen cranes his neck to see what is going on out there. He can barely make out the outline of ... Marduke?... someone was running out there.

... blast the darkness ...

The frightened cry of the horses spurs him into action. Sarajen takes a running jump and vaults over the incline, up the ravine and towards the bushes, looking around for their assailants. If anything, he understands they are beyond the foliage and close by. But he still can't see them. Despite the lack of a viable target, he loads an arrow and begins to scan the area.


Sarajen will do a running half-move to hex Q21, right next to the bushes. He'll load his bow for another 1/2 action, and then do a quick PER roll.

Perception Check: 13-
20:59, Today: Sarajen rolled 5 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,1,2.

Wow! Nice. Critical Perception roll. I think he does a BODY from his piercing searching eyes. =)

On that note, does he recognize these things in any way, shape, or form, perhaps by rumor or legends and lore, from his "Things No Man Is Meant To Know" skill (13-)? Ayan calls them "demon dogs of the sand".

21:02, Today: Sarajen rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,3,5.

Ordinarily you'd need to string your bow first but let's skip that this first time.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:45, Wed 23 Oct 2019.

Keeping a grip on his spear and letting his grip get closer to the spearhead, Tiberio attempts to speak his Hyperborean, get on the back and control the horse with gripping the mane and using his legs.


Seg 4
Hph:  HMv to Horse
Hph:  Ride skill to bring under control and be in saddle

22:22, Today: Tiberio rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,6,2.
Ride 13-, 12 

This message was last edited by the player at 05:24, Tue 22 Oct 2019.

Segment 4

Marduke moves to Q25 and strikes at the creature near him. His great skill with the pick allows him to overcome the difficulties of darkness to strike the creature in the foreleg.


02:25, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 6 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,1,2.  Pick tricks 13- for CSL. CSL +1 OCV

02:25, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,2,2.  Pick tricks 13- for CSL. CSL +1 OCV
2 CSLs counter -2 for darkness

02:26, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 11 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,4,6.  Pick attack OCV 5.
Hits DCV 5.
2 PSLs vs Hit Location allows High Shot (2d6+1)

02:26, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 8 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 4,3.  Hit Location. Arm.

02:27, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 7 using 2d6-1 with rolls of 2,6.  HKA damage.
Damage 7 BODY 14 STUN, Armor-Piercing to right foreleg.

This message was last edited by the player at 09:35, Tue 22 Oct 2019.

"The horses!," Niamh yells, as she plants her spear and moves to gather the reins of the frightened animals closest to her.

(she is going to use animal handling (rolled a 9) to try and gather one or two of the scared animals and bring them closer to the fire.)
This message was last edited by the player at 02:45, Wed 23 Oct 2019.

Chang Jun quickly moves to provide Tiberio some light. Holding the torch high and the spear ready for an attack.


OOC Chang Jun moves to DD24 (I think) to provide some light and a little protection if needed.

Segment 3
Chang Jun - The Khitai strode purposefully to Tiberio, the makeshift brand offering poor light compared to a true torch but better than no light at all.
full move, 8m

Segment 4
Sarajen - Light of foot the thief flows up the rise of the ravine wall behind a grow of foliage.  He feels the nock slide home as his eyes spy the dark mass of the creature before Marduke (P26).  A life of caution and mistrust cause him to glace back...another low mass moves along the ravine edge, coming up from behind.  They hunt in packs Ayan had cried...
1/2 move, 1/2 Phase to load bow.  Crit for PER roll allows Sarajen to detect another predator coming from behind (S15).  See notes in Reference thread added regarding use of Bows.

Syssiah - Her rags trailing as do the sparks from her burning brand, Syssiah does blaze across the ravine floor.  The proximity of the fire seems to agitate the horse closest to her even more as she brings its light upon Marduke.
full move, NCM 16m

Qul Aldabe - The beast before Marduke shows no fear as the mighty Vanir approaches though it does seem to recognize the threat the man provides is greater than that of the horses.  Turning lunges for the warrior but its jaws taste only air.  It's mate continues the attack upon the nearest horse and another scream of pain echoes across the night.  Meanwhile Sarajen's shadow darts forward, perhaps recognizing that the old man had seen it sulking for a surprise attack.  It is only just able to reach Sarajen but not yet able to bite the old man...yet.
another horse sounds hurt

Niamh - Leaving her weapon by the fire, the better to free her hands to take the reigns of the frightened mount, Niamh sprints to horses aid.
full move (12m) to reach the nearest horses

Horses - Just as the Pict reaches the horses it becomes clear which have broken their reigns.  With a thunder and cloud of dust three of the mounts burst away disappearing into the dark...which suddenly erupts in more howls of bestial laughter.  The pack which Ayan referred to must be a short distance down the ravine and has lain in wait for the prey to be driven to them.  Screams of horses couple with the sound of further hooves upon sand and stone.  At the moment it is unclear if any have been further injured or if they will escape the trap laid for them.

But a fourth mount limps away, startled by the light from Chang's brand it turns and moves to the opposite side of the ravine from its attacker.  It appears injured and uncertain where to run for the moment.

The remaining horses are still tied to the old tree with the fangs of the predators close by.  With one of the creatures directly behind it the mare to Marduke's right kicks back.  The predator reacts with surprising reflexes but manages to take a glancing blow to its side.  It stumbles for a moment, the reeling from the blow.

The remaining 2 mounts heave back, Naimh and Tiberio are both close enough to recognize the both have broken their leads and will likely flee.
Three horses bolt apparently into an ambush by more of the creates attacking, 1 kicked a predator and manged to STUN it.  The last horse is nearby and injured.

Marduke - The creature before him reeling from the hooves in its rib-cage, Marduke strikes surely, opening a gash down the beast's foreleg.  It limbs fail it and it collapses at the Vanir's feet.
1 creature killed between the damage from horse and pick

Tiberio - Tiberio grabs the mane of the frightened mare and leaps upon its back.  To his left the second mare prepares to flee unless Niamh can manage to stop it.  To his right one of Ayan's devil-dogs still lingers, throwing the horses into further terror.
1/2 move, mount the frightened horse.  riding + animal handling will be required to keep control of the mare but you won't be able to fully calm it so long as the predators linger
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 03:50, Wed 23 Oct 2019.

Speed Chart

Demon-dogs Ayan named them and truly they seem possessed of an other-worldly cunning.  This attack one to injure and scatter the horses, drive them into a waiting ambush.  Though one of the creatures is dead, how much damage has already been done?

Chang - you then Ayan will take your actions.  Will you prevent the remaining horses from escaping though you are unfamiliar with the beasts?  Will you aid Sarajen who is threatened by hungry jaws?  Or will you attack the remaining demon in your camp?  Something else? Declare it now!

Everyone else - proceed with your actions for the next phase of combat!
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 00:07, Mon 28 Oct 2019.

Sarajen's eyes widen in surprise, but not disbelief. Arrow on the string, his reflexes kick into high gear. Running down from the ravine, his mind goes fully into a battle state.

[Language unknown: "Ovesan'theconati! Etpenc entonetra san, ss la ugheauing a se tandanst wilaveles ilca wh ostofi me petrek fien unularho a cengou wh utis ofceai ess! Ant Ter! Na wiiv Foilec, rutbleone ev nd houantoun, encavesan k os Enwhin Mesari! Rom andouseau les k the wi ticureast. Urees, sssa, ofno fi, ec!"]

Sarajen's vaulting steps take him next to Syssiah, and into the range of her light.


Once in place, his practiced body control turns him into a statue, mind and body calmly acting as one, becoming one with the bow. He aims at the moving devil dog, and releases a precisely aimed arrow...

Sarajen runs a half move down to hex T22, next to Syssiah. He'll turn and aim back up at the creature he just left.

Archery Tricks:
21:47, Today: Sarajen rolled 4 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,1,1.  13- Ranged Martial Arts.
Good to go!

Marshaling his accuracy:
21:48, Today: Sarajen rolled 14 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,6,3.  CSL 13-.
21:48, Today: Sarajen rolled 13 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,3,6.  CSL 13-.
Only a +1.

Attacking with "Hit where it hurts": -1 OCV, -1 DCV, +4 DC: Final OCV 5, Final DCV 2
21:52, Today: Sarajen rolled 9 using 11+5-3d6 with rolls of 1,2,4.
Nice! Hits DCV 9. (Or 7, with the -2 on Darkness.)

21:53, Today: Sarajen rolled 8 body damage and 16 stun using the Hero 6th Edition, Killing Attack system with rolls of 2, 6, 2.
Hmm... the system auto-calculated the multiplier. I will roll for location to override that.
(I'll also not use that from now on seeing as we are using hit locations.)

Location:
21:54, Today: Sarajen rolled 13 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,2,5.
Wow! Brilliant Shot! Right in the vitals!

21:47, Today: Sarajen rolled 4 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,1,1.  13- Ranged Martial Arts.
- I'm not clear what this roll was for.  You don't have to roll your Power Skill to use your Martial Arts.  You simply couldn't purchase them without having already purchased an associated Power Skill. 
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:27, Sat 26 Oct 2019.

Niamh does her best to control the horse she was able to reach and draw it toward the main camps fire using lead and mane. "Tiberio, bring yours closer to the campfire!," she says in not quite a shout, but her voice full of urgency, as she does her best to lead the frightened animal.

"Ayan, we are coming to you!," she shouts, whether Tiberio follows or not.


23:14, Today: Niamh rolled 5 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,2,1.  Animal Handling (13-).

Tiberio exerts the control in a measured way, not dominating, forceful, but working with the animal, letting it feel his control, let it turn and then feel it's position, manage the fear.

The Aquilonian hears the language, makes no sign that he understood any words.

Seg 8
Hph:  HMv Exert AH and Ride, move backwards 4m into the light, keeping Devil dog in my forward arc.
Hph:  Save: Attack the devil dog if it advances towards the horse

22:43, Today: Tiberio rolled 8,11 using 3d6,3d6 with rolls of 2,3,3,6,1,4.
AH 12-, 8
Ride 13-, 11 control Horse.

22:59, Today: Tiberio rolled 5,11,5 using d6+d3,3d6,14-3d6 with rolls of 4,1;4,6,1,5,1,3.  Attk w Spear v Devil Dog, Loc,  OCV 5/2=3+11-14.
HIT DCV 5, Loc: Chest, 5 BODY, 15 STUN 

Depends on Light, if Light negates -2, if not, hit DCV 3

This message was last edited by the player at 06:10, Wed 23 Oct 2019.

Marduke moves to R26 to strike the other wolf-monster. Once more his pick slams down to slice open a foreleg.



00:57, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 15 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,3,6.  Pick tricks 13- for CSL. No CSL

00:57, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 7 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,1,5.  Pick tricks 13- for CSL. +1 CSL

00:58, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 5 using 16-3d6 with rolls of 3,6,2.  To hit target in partial light. Taking -1 OCV for partial lighting.
Hits DCV 5

00:58, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 8 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 6,1.  Hit Location. Hits arm (foreleg)

00:59, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 5 using 2d6-1 with rolls of 1,5.  HKA damage.
DAMAGE 5 BODY, 10 STUN ARMOR-PIERCING

Chang Jun moves a little closer to the tree where the horses were tethered as he eyes the darkness looking for a target.

OOC: Half move to Y23 then hold action to either assist or defend those saving the horses.

In future if you are looking for creatures in darkness please make a PER roll.
 Rolled for you: 5.  Yep, you see them
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:30, Sat 26 Oct 2019.

Syssiah stays where she stands, and change the torch from a hand to another, then raws a dagger with her combat hand, ready to defend herself.

Segment 6
Chang Jun - Chang proceeds warily, brand held high and behind so that the light might not completely spoil his vision in the gloom.  His keen sight picks out the fur-clad bodies that threaten the camp.  He remains ready to react to the events around him.
1/2 move, Chang sees the creature in P20 and S27.  Still have 1/2 phase available

Ayan - Grimly the old man grips a branch meant for the group fire but now a club to stand against the demons of the night. He listens and watches, huddled close to the fire.  If he is afraid he makes no show of it.  He stiffens, widens his stance and he peers back towards the dim shape of the nearby tree...
1/2 move arm himself with branch, PER roll

Segment 8
Sarajen - Falling back, away from the hungry fangs, the elder thief edges into the light of Syssiah's brand before raising the arrow to his cheek, a slow breath, and release.  The shaft disappears into the night but the cry of bestial pain is sweet in answer as the outline of the predator falls where Sarajen previously stood.
Impairing wound to the vitals, the demon-dog drops immediately and will bleed out over the next few Turns

Syssiah - The struggle of survival all around her, dimply seen just outside the comfort of her light.  The princess does not flee or cry for protection, drawing instead her blade and watching for any creature that would dare come close.
1/2 draw weapon, 1/2 phase delay

Qul Aldabe - For all their viciousness, Ayan's demon-dogs are only interested in weak opponents.  Their tactics are one of speed and surprise, strike and fade away and in this they have succeeded.  3 mares have been driven into the night where the rest of the pack waited.  If only one is killed they will eat well.  But in moments 2 of their number have fallen.   This is not their way.  With a final burning glare to the Vanir, the predator before him turns and disappears into the darkness.  Whatever Ayan sees near the tree does not approach, fading into the night with no sign if it had ever truly been there.  The sounds of the guttural laughter fades into the distance and away.
predators fail their moral check, they run

Niamh - The words and touch of the Pict are in time, Niamh can see the roll of the mare's eyes focus on her and knows another moment and it also would have run into the jaws of the night.  Still skittish yet it heeds her command and follows as she leads it toward the light of the fire.
nice roll, mare is still on edge but follows

Horses -  The mare beside Marduke, Syssiah and Sarajen still looks about with fear, can smell the bodies of the demon-dogs nearby but perhaps the lack of sound from the beasts help it to recognize they are no longer a threat.  It is still on edge but no longer strains against the strap binding it to the old tree.  Tiberio struggles as his mare tries to buck, to run as its instincts instruct but the Aquilonian guides his mount to calm in short order.  The injured mare turns back towards the fire, away from the direction the predator fleeing Marduke has gone.  As it moves closer the wound to its leg becomes clearer.  Tiberio knows it will never bear another rider.
3 horses are saved and unharmed, 1 is injured, 3 are lost to the night and the jaws that chase them

Marduke - The Vanir can only glower at the hindquarters of his target as it disappears back into the dark.

Tiberio - With his mount under control, Tiberio is able to move towards the fire and reach the stricken mare's broken lead.



Combat is ended

The horses are brought closer, tied to the nearer tree and second watch set for the night.  Tiberio and Niamh examine the wounded mare and find its hamstring muscles almost completed severed.  Seven riders for 3 mares will slow the group's progress severely.  Grim is the coming dawn now, a each realizes they can no longer maintain a pace ahead of the hunters and the inhabitants loyal to them.

Ayan has been unduly silent since the attack, but as the first rays of the day find the camp he rises and points South, [Language unknown: T eveur estearshe pro latwa ngme itset.  Er avetinmeneve Man a virinttionti, th Tinectwer entes Ill latet elniar u on.  Ast ectme finot ivwa Prontithi, prentiter ectallant ainon neerfo wasourdin poand.  P teei oerbleher allthiwer m ome i wit Earsomoun asceni fo ingie hamiof on oveestrut ivpl acol enc sheth la ive ndompl.  Hiis, al nde k il outta, day stiectare ec li hire outoerany all ons ter houwhithe.  N is il elmifo os ieie ei e toosst, n me u el whnt re ss pa ich ntrom setnt.  Nailpr se ne notte, wasth issta lisesa moare ev ant.  O ulnd ceriwe instr ficela hou eenstrpre foie ic poun'caas prend on ho sahiut meus ncaibe.  T our ome u ch ous whi nt red yinlar'larthooer, et ck wh mi prader, miou houillast oreiveone wiliv ter pleve for m noompr.]

[Language unknown: U ome utol ul li eele'foti eve ardoerort Wh prati a ingratyin.  T eiar o undatiore wilut Lo isoun ilparo hepe, eveastnot pe thoounset ta ataron te ateatiset ha but ectss.  Anythance ne itng Pa eaudi ulad m ion po n po isrut admete ur m thostrest.  Tha ch poine was o combutomeith.  Usent thu estnc nti leou setyintha en earoresta rat of ticlatwil n Il.]

If you have any plans before the trek South, announce them.  The actual journey will take nearly two weeks and will only be lightly described.

Sarajen peers into the darkness as he hears the creature wail in pain. The horses around him begin to calm, and go into the hands of those who are better qualified to lead them than him.

With little indication that the beasts remain around, Sarajen knocks another arrow and cautiously returns to the campfire. There he nods to all his companions, reassuring himself they are all well. It is clear they've lost some horses. That would make the trek more difficult, but not impossible. If anything, their tracks would now be even easier to hide.

Putting the bow away (and unstringing it), he cuts a branch from the nearby brush and lights it on the camp fire. Then he proceeds to approach the creature he fell with his short sword drawn. He'll dispatch it if it's still alive, and then drag the body back. It might make for a good meal if cooked thoroughly.

[Language unknown: "Pela, preortoun wapron sasa... me ndepl teilniee, an red ilhofi. Pr caone mehare at er, fo erpe osmo m k. Ounwernce nian po ofma osce a. Sonng k wer ar ec ieio lin whhat som convenwhe."]

Marduke swears  He proceeds to use his short sword to skin the beasts and carve away meat for the fire.

17:40, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,2,5.  Survival 12-.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:40, Mon 28 Oct 2019.

No immediate plans. If we know we'll have a hard trek, Sarajen will help more in the hunt and conserve food and water where possible.

Can Sarajen get that one arrow back? He's only got seven now.

Niamh is grateful she was able to take control of one of the horses and save it, but the loss of the others angers her. She was also initially rather incensed at Ayan's lack of effort in the fight, but as he spoke while they gathered themselves, she better understood his mind. The animals that accosted them seemed to operate as a bit something more than pack hunters. She worried what it could mean for their further travels.

The loss of the horses is troubling, as is their situation. There journey, already perilous, had just been lengthened and made more difficult. She is still concerned about heading even further away from home, but she also knows full well that the Picts have a reputation that puts her in a difficult position should she decide to head back west and north toward her home.

Ayan's warning about eating the strange dogs is not lost on her. She is superstitious enough to take it to heart, the truth of it neither here nor there. "The old man has warned us off the meat, eat it at risk," she offered, but will not stop those that decide to eat it anyway. She will watch them and see how they handle it. For her, she will likely wait until their fourth horse is no longer able to continue and partake from it.

She will make efforts to continue to heal those that are injured and then put her efforts toward survival on the journey.

Syssiah sighed aout loud as the beast were all slain, or defeated. She looked around, and saw her fellowship already geting busy with various things to do. Skinning animals, mending wounds, handling horses. It was normal to her, that others would work, while she just stood around, but also, she felt she wasn't showing any real usefulness to the group.

"I'm sorry.. I couldn't do more.. I wish I could help you all out, or do my part.." she muttered loud enough for all to hear.

As Marduke carries the skins and meat back to the fire, he heeds the warning about the meat and hurls it into the night for scavengers to feast upon. He draws nearer the fire and sees the young beauty looking forlorn. He had not recalled seeing her fight during the escape, but he had seen the guards take advantage of her from time to time. To Marduke, women came in two categories- Warriors and Wenches. However, so soon after escaping the Red Pit, he did not think she would welcome the arms of the giant Vanir. Still, it was obvious she was looking for something to do. In the light of the campfire, he says  Perhaps he could teach her some basic survival skills, perhaps even the use of a bow, until she was recovered enough to satisfy his other needs.

This message was last edited by the player at 20:59, Mon 28 Oct 2019.

It was troubling losing the horses, now they would have to follow Ayan's course and head south.

As they journey south Chang Jun will assist with the recovery of the wounded and continue to look for any herbs or plants that have medicinal qualities or are edible. Those that could be used for poisons he will gather and keep separate.