Aleni misjudged his footing, overextending himself with his strike. When the Orc parried his blow he exposed his left flank. It was a mistake he would pay dearly for as the blade of the axe sank deeply into his his thigh.

He gritted his teeth, denying the Orc behemoth the satisfaction of his pained screams. Instead he side hopped out of the strike and fell back a few paces. Blood dripped from his wounds, mixing with the mud and water. His mind was briefly clouded by pain but images of the wounded towns people came to back to him and his spirit's redoubled.

Raising his spear once again he pressed against his foe.

Another miss and another 17.
Fray Die does another 2 HD to the Mob. Rolled a 7.

Rallied by the shouts and courage of one particular orc, the enemy troops turned their attention upon a small band of knights that had slightly separated from their fellows, and charged ...
     - rolled 24 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 18.  orcs attack knights.
     - rolled 1 using 1d8 with rolls of 1.  orcs damage knights.
... and although their tactic worked, momentarily overwhelming those few knights caught unaware, the orc's weapons met only armour and leather, and were unable to draw blood.

Meanwhile, the knights fought back valiantly against the unholy creatures ...
     - rolled 13 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 3.  Knights attack orcs.
... but without much luck.

However, the spiralling, spitting energies of The One continued to smote down upon the orcs from Sir Amano, even as he faced their mighty commander.


The orc contingency was whittling away fast, and it was evident now which faction would be victorious in this skirmish.
     Surcessant Order is currently at 13HD
      Orc Unit is currently at 5HD

In the uncertain and slippery footing of the riverbank, Aleni was having difficulty finding a weakness in the mighty orc's defences to exploit.

     - rolled 17 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 8.  Orog attacks Aleni.
Yet, by the grace of The One, the large orc commander's axe sailed wide of its mark this swing.



     Aleni is currently at 7HP
      Orog is currently at 1HD

Aleni continued to press his attack. He pushed forward with shallow but rapid thrusts, hoping to keep his guard high. All the while he let the divine power of the One continue to rip at his enemies, blighting their skin and flesh with disease and rot.

Missed. Rolled 8
2 HD with Fray Die. Rolled an 8

The battle between the orcs and the knights had turned badly against the orcs.
While neither side was ostensibly gaining any proverbial ground in the battle itself ... meanwhile, stroking celestial energies continues to wash over their numbers, cutting them down inevitably.
     - rolled 12 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 2.  Knights attack orcs.
     - rolled 7 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 1.  Orcs attack Knights
               ... and I think a roll of a 'natural 1' justifies the next morale check:
     - rolled 5 using 2d6-1 with rolls of 5,1.  morale check.

And so it was that the will of the remaining orcs shattered at that moment.
They didn't so much as 'drop their weapons and run for the hills', but they might as well have.  With screams of 'run away, run awaaay' each orc turned tail* and took off into the nearby woodlands.


      Surcessant Order is currently at 13HD ... having taken no damage at all from the orcs.
      All remaining 3HD of Orcs are scarpering

* yes, they do indeed have tails ... little piggy ones, in fact

The sudden screaming behind Aleni drew his attention for a vital moment, distracting him from the true threat before him, and it cost him ...
     - rolled 20 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 11.  Orog attacks Aleni.
     - rolled 7 using 1d8+2 with rolls of 5.  damage to Aleni.   = 2 more damage
... as the massive orc commander brought his massive orc axe down upon Aleni's shoulder, cutting deep into the armour there.

It screamed in rage as it did so ... maybe as some form of brutal, bloodthirsty warcry,   or perhaps in anger as seeing its troops scattering into the proverbial winds.

And already, rather than chase fleeing targets into uncertain terrain, the Knights of the Surcessant Order were turning their attention, and horse, to consolidate their attacks against the orc leader.


     Aleni is currently at 5HP
      Orog is currently at 1HD
      Surcessant Order is currently at 13HD
          ... feel free to roll for Aleni's knights, as they Overwhelm this last remaining target
This message was last edited by the player at 00:38, Tue 12 Nov 2019.

Aleni's thrusts were deflected with casual ease as the Orc leveraged his superior strength, reach, and footing to turn aside the paltry man's attacks. Luckily for Aleni the enemy's weapon was large and slow, easy enough to dodge so long as he stayed on the defensive. Aleni's tactic was simple then. He would harass his foe into providing him with an opening. Still when a cry of pain and rushing footsteps rang out behind him he lost focus and the axe weaved through the air to capitalize on his failing.

Aleni returned to the fight, only quickly enough to erect a poor overhead defense. The axe bit through his armor and into his shoulder, blood issuing forth in a spray as he was briefly brought to his knee by the impact. Rolling out of the strike he was forced to wield his spear in one hand, the other limp and lifeless as blood began to flow.

If it's all the same to you I'll be treating the spear as a 1d6 weapon to reflect having to wield it an unorthodox fashion.

But the glory of the One had not left him and he was still prepared to fight. Especially now as his knights rallied to him, their weapons flashing forward and striking at the creature. He too rose and unsteadily attacked his foe.

Overwhelm. 0 HD. Rolled a 1
Aleni's Attack. 0 HD. Rolled a 15.

The orc commander growled and screamed in rage, as he found himself then surrounded by trained men on horse, with glistening armour and glinting weapons.

     - rolled 16 using 1d20 with rolls of 16.  1-10 attack Aleni, 11-20 attack knights.
Using his own spinning momentum, the massive orc spun, swinging his massive axe at the unit of knights that came thundering down upon him ...
     - rolled 20 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 11.  Orog attacks knights.
      - rolled 2 using 1d8 with rolls of 2.  damage to knights.
... catching one of Aleni's comrades square in the chest, and sending him reeling from his mount, bleeding.


     Aleni is currently at 5HP
      Orog is currently at 1HD
      Surcessant Order is currently at 11HD
This message was last edited by the player at 21:35, Thu 14 Nov 2019.

Aleni brought his weapon up in defiance. With a short run on his wounded and pained leg he made a wipe overhead swing at the Orc. It stepped to the size with a sneer at the weapon missed him by inches. But it was Aleni would would get the last laugh. His men ran the beast through, weapons buried to their hilts. They were a shuttering grunt and then a clatter of iron before the Orc commander fell to the ground lifeless.

Aleni Amano rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  Overwhelm. 1 HD
Aleni Amano rolled 16 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 12.  Attack. Missed

Aleni too fell to the ground, his body a graceless heap of limbs that tumbled into the mud and murk. He was bleeding from several places but was alive. Dredging his head out the mud he called out to his men.

"Sir Bolphry! Sir Aleric! Are they still with us?"

Within moments, Sir Ganulan was at Aleni's side, rolling him over carefully to check his wounds.
"Others are tending to Sirs Bolphry and Aleric, sir.

Bolphry should be alright, sir, though will need care.   Aleric, though ..." his words hung in the air, and drifted off with the wind.
"We just need to get your wounds cleaned, sir, and bound against infection".

And so it was that several knights added Ganulan to help Aleni to his feet.
They wanted to lead him to the water, to wash his wounds away from the muck and dirt.

Along the way, Aleni became aware that several knights had a couple of wounded orcs bailed up and contained nearby ... orcs who'd been unable to run away with their fellows.

Aleni grimaced but nodded in understanding.

"Be sure to collect his weapon. A honorable knight deserves his weapon."

He allowed his men to carry him to the water and clean his wounds. He did not resist them and instead focused his full intention on the captured Orcs. Once he was cleaned and they were performing whatever field dressing they would he spoke.

"We will retreat before the survivors can rally their forces. We've dealt a blow to them today and I would see us exit the field victorious. We will take the prisoners with us although I cannot say as to what we shall do with them."

Aleni would have preferred they died or fled. Prisoners were an unsavory reality of wartime. He was not a coldblooded murderer and could not in good conscious kill a being that was already defeated. Still what were they to do with the Orcs? Keep them indefinitely in prison? Return them to their warmasters? Perhaps in the future they might be traded for human lives; he could hope for such utility.

It took some time to resolve the scene by the riverbank:  to tend to the wounded, and respectfully prepare to transport the dead, secure the prisoners.
Aleni’s knights worked admirably, and efficiently.

Along the way, it became apparent that the captured orcs spoke a language unintelligible, and so communication came down to simple non-linguistics.    While antagonistic and largely uncooperative, they didn’t resort to violence again.


And so it was that his entourage returned to their temporary stronghold in the hills as dusk came upon them.
The ‘village’ was very glad to see them;  the thought of the added protection, and the exciting stories that were told of the day’s events.
Dinner had been prepared; and the knight’s were hungry from their day of adventure.   The prisoners were better secured.

And as the small community ate, they gathered around to hear not only tales from the day, but to hear from Captain Amano about The One.


Morning came without incident.   And with the sun’s warmth and light, Aleni found himself rejuvenated.   The night of rest had been peaceful and filled with dreams that opened his consciousness to an ever expanding connection with divinity and power.



Id like to see you narrate the events of that morning.   I know you intend to perform quote the miracle, and I’d like to see that roleplayed into the narrative, as you see fit.
Also, I’d like to see the ‘new Fact’ that you are creating within the Knightly Order narrated into the story, please

Aleni gave a speech upon return to the village.

"Today we have championed against the foes of the One. We have brought them low and broken their forces. Tonight they sulk back into the night, defeated, and us victorious!"

He held up his spear triumphantly, basking in the rallying calls of his fellow knights and the cheers of the townspeople. He allowed them to come a natural pause before calming his voice allowing a somber but hopeful tone to take him.

"But we are not without lost. Sir Aleric, a noble and honorable knight of the order, gave his life in pursuit of the ideals of the One and the protection of Ancallian citizens. His death is a heavy burden to bear but we should harden ourselves to his lost. He would want us to perverse and to know that in his sacrifice was not in vain. Let us pray."

He bowed his head and spoke aloud.

"Oh great and mighty One. We gather in this place to call upon your mercy. Guide our dearly departed into your kingdom so that he made live within your glory. We humbly ask that you watch over us and guide our hands. In your name we pray."

With that he dismissed the crowd and retired for the night. In his sleep he had a dream. One of Sir Aleric standing at the celestial gates. His armor now made of light and gold, his spear a celestial flame. He stood vigilant and waiting but he did not face towards Heaven, nor did he stand among other angelic beings. No he looked upon the world, ever vigilant. A voice called out to Aleni, whispering to him.

Call upon me Chosen of the One. Call upon me so that I might fight again.

Aleni awoke with a start as the sun rose and the power of the One filled him once more. He moved out of his tent, still in a matter of undress. A few of the knights were awake, the night's guard. He called to them.

"Take me to Sir Aleric! The One calls upon me to do his work!"

They were confused initially but moved to comply. He was brought to a small tent and there was the shrouded body of Aleric. His armor removed and his weapon placed by his side. Aleni placed his heads over the man and began to pray fervently. His voice was loud, almost booming, and it drew a crowd that gathered around him.

Light poured out of him and into Aleric. Then he breathed, his bone and flesh righting itself as he rose once again. Color returned to his flesh and he took a few ragged breaths.

"The One has deemed that you shall live again Sir Aleric! Live again you loyal son and protector!"

The crowd fell to their knees and prayed, tears flowing as they witnessed the miracle of resurrection.

Aleni commits two effort to replicate Lifegiver

---

Riding out later that day, the Knights returned to Nekoik. In tow were the villagers and their Orc captives. Upon their arrival Aleni turned the Orcs over to the commander and informed him of the events that had occurred since he sent his runner. He then asked for the commander to gather the knights that were on duty to meet with him for he had further blessings to bestow.


---

When all had gathered, Aleni spoke.

"The One has truly blessed us. I can feel his power moving within me. I can feel him calling to me to wield that power to bless those who serve in his name. We Knight of the Surcessant Order are protectors, healers, and guardians. Trained in the ways of the Merciful Hand and armed to fight against all vile and corrupt threats. As a merciful man I so augment your merciful hands."

He held his hands aloft and allowed light to gather there, forming a small and brilliant star. It rose out of his hand, flowing upward into the sky before erupting into streams of golden power that flowed into all knights within Ancalia.

Aleni spends 2 Dominion to grant Lay on Hands to the Knights of the Surcessant Order.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:57, Mon 09 Dec 2019.

The people did indeed fall to their knees and prayed, tears flowing, as they witnessed the miracle of resurrection.
In the last day, these knights had witness miracles and blessings as never had any seen before.

Through Sir Aleni Amano, truly did The One provide, protect and bless.
And in truth, by the time Aleni led the precession of Surcessant Knights back through the gates of Nekoik, many of those knights were devoted to his service.

Each of them, to some degree, believed in The One;  and in each, their admiration for Aleni either bolstered or challenged that belief.
For some, Aleni stood as a shining example of the true might and love of The One.
But for others, well, it was sometimes hard to believe in something that couldn’t be touched or seen; something of which there was little proof, only faith.
But Sir Amano!   There was a symbol:  a symbol of everything they fought for, died for.  A symbol that could be touched and seen.
A symbol that they could truly worship.

And after blessing every trained Surcessant Knight, before their very eyes ... having felt his power surge within them, after he’d resurrected one of their own ... Aleni looked out over the gathered masses, and saw in the eyes of several Surcessant Knights that their devotion was no longer for The One, but for him.

I wonder how this knowledge will affect Aleni.  That there are some now who worship Aleni, and not Aleni’s god?!


Once this gathering was done, and the masses slowly drifted apart, to attend to their business, great joy radiated through Nekoik.
And Sir Aleni Amano found himself surrounded by joyful well wishers.

If he’d hoped for some private time, some semblance of quiet time to contemplate his own thoughts, he would have to seek it out himself; perhaps create the opportunity.

Aleni looked into the eyes of the people gathered before him and his heart felt heavy. He was a servant of the One, a messenger of divine will on the ruinous world. A sign that the One had not betrayed them as the heretics claimed. Now, however, even some of the most stalwart believers looked upon him a messiah and lord.

He wasn't sure what this meant. He knew, instinctively, that he had received no commandment or instruction to become such a being but at some level he did feel...divine. He was conflicted but now was not the time for such meditations.

"Rejoice and be well. Use your gifts to exalt the One's cause. To bring peace and prosperity to our people once more."

With that he rejoined the celebrations, shaking people's hands and speaking with them but never remaining over long with any particular group. His heart was light but his mind was focused, perhaps in an effort to distract. He had repulsed the Orcs but they would return. The Night Road that allowed them such easy access to their realm still remained open.

There was also the powerful fetid sickness that he felt within the city, a source of taint and corruption. If Nekiok was to become the true bastion of life and safety he would have to root it out.

The celebration to St Targon had been several days ago;  on that night when Aleni Amano had arrived.   But that was days ago, and the city had returned to the mundane drudgery of ‘business as usual’ by now.

But they’d gathered this morning to witness the return of Sir Amano and his troops, and to hear their tales.   And while such brought great joy to the people, they still had their tasks and jobs to do.
Once this gathering was done, and the masses slowly drifted apart, to attend to their business, Sir Aleni Amano found himself surrounded by joyful well wishers.

Off yonder, near the barracks, Aleni saw Jerrim Minbane speaking with someone of apparent nobility: the two walking off into one of the council rooms.

Remembering the illness that he’d noted upon his arrival, Aleni again set his mind to locating its source.

As he moved through the streets, Aleni spoke with the people, and bore witness to their everyday lives.

The folk of Nekoik were a hearty breed; and cured of their general malaise day’s ago, they were in an upswing of health, happiness and productivity.

The only people who seemed still to be ill were various children running around; little flu merchants they are, they were oblivious to their runny noses as they played happily with their friends.

And as Aleni wandered, watching, he was often accosted by young men who wanted to meet their newest hero, and old folk who wanted to pinch his cheeks in appreciation, and eligible women who saw him for the ‘man he was’ beneath the armour and robes.

Because it was what he noticed these days, Aleni saw the birth defects, the scars and the signs of wounds not quite healed right.

Give me a Wisdom check, please, as you seek for the source of the disease

Aleni saw the subtle changes in defects and scars. Where his power had set them right this foul force sought to undue. He corrected them once more, a subtle exertion of the divine power bestowed him and channeled through a lingering touch or a firm handshake.

He spoke to them then, albeit briefly, and learned of their neighbors and their fairing. Of their friends and kin. He built a web of connections in his mind and placed it over the city. Narrowing down on where the taint was so that he could root it out, burn it out of the heart of Nekiok.

Got a 10 on my wisdom check so I passed this time around.

For clarification
When Aleni arrived days ago, he used Ender of Plagues to clean out and cure the city of all disease and illness.   That is when he sensed a source of disease that existed within the city: which was infecting the city.

He also used Flesh Made True on individuals that he met, which cured them of their physical defects.

However, on that night of celebration, he met (percentage of the populous) only a small number of people.   There are still many, many, many that he has not used ‘Flesh Made True’ upon; and ‘Ender of Plagues’, while a city-wide effect, had no effect on physical defects.

The source of disease that he now seeks hasn’t been ‘recreating’ physical defects that Aleni healed.

Does that make sense?


As Aleni searched, it became apparent that the disease was affecting the children first.
Without 'Ending the Plague' again, Aleni couldn't actually sense the source, but it was the children who were again affected, so common sense suggested that they must somehow be in contact with the source.

Aleni had no problems correcting the defects of Nekoik's citizens: a process that would take some time, but was slowing changing the city for the better.
And as he moved among them, shaking hands and kissing babies, he further developed the sense of community and ownership that had begun within him on that first night that he had arrived.
And the community was quickly coming to own him also ... seeing him not only as one of themselves, but as a guardian and protector ... and a spiritual guide.  For many already, Aleni was a skilled preacher of the One's doctrine: something they valued highly, and sought out in him.

Aleni healed the children and spoke to their parents, asking them where they gathered to play or dwell during the day. He also inquired if their were learned men, or women, who might be instructing the children in their numbers or letters.

His primary goal was to generate a list of potential sources and then to track them down. Of course it would not do to simply run off tonight. No whatever had been in this place still dwelled here and he would root it out come morning.

So he instead continue to heal the people and speak to their spirits. He prayed over them and spoke of the One's doctrine: their infinite love, forgiveness, and the miracles that they worked on their behalf. Both in the world and through mortal agents like himself and the other knights. When the celebration ended he would rest.

By the time Aleni found his way to his bunk that night, he was again exhausted.
Ministering to the people of Nekoik ... their health and their souls ... was a taxing endeavour, but worthwhile.   Aleni was happy with the work he'd achieved tonight, healing and fostering the citizens within these walls.

And along the way, he'd discovered enough about the childrens' play throughout the city, that he had locations he could focus on and investigate with the new day.

Solomayn Peer off the north edge of the ports was a favourite place for children to gather; fishing, and building their own shanty town beneath the jetty's there.

Near the centre of 'old town' was King's Green, the biggest of Nekoik's few remaining city commons; it provided that part of the city with water from the well there, and many tree's still stood on the relatively fertile earth there, in which the children could play in the shade.  Several ramshackle 'tree houses' were constantly in course of repair and renovation by the children.

And of course, the School House on Blakely Boulevard, along the southern wall, was open to the children at all daylight times.  It was a miniature City Hall for the kids.   Classes were held there, when the adults could find time to share their wisdom and knowledge with the children:  though the cities constant need for maintenance and nurture left little time any more for such.


As Aleni ate a meaner bowl of rice and ... well, goop ... before bed, he also heard the rumours and tales abounding throughout the rank and file.   Apparently a nobleman claiming to be from the lands of Fae had arrived in Nekoik.  It was said that he claimed a desire to aid the city, and could summon human beings from thin air.
There was, of course, much suspicion among the troops over such a strange individual ... especially in a refuge city that guarded itself against so many unworldly threats beyond its walls.  Many questioned (quietly) Minbane's decision to allow this figure to remain.

As Aleni ate his dinner he contemplated what location was likely to hold the source of corruption. It was what maintained the core of his attention but when asked his opinion of the stranger and their strange abilities Aleni gave a short but intentional response.

"Sir Minbane has served the people of Nekiok tirelessly and selflessly. We should all place our trust in his judgement and remember that the One calls us to cherish all our neighbors as our own kin. Strange powers or no so long as they wish to help Nekiok and not harm it I shall see that their work is done."

With that he retired for the night.

--

The morning came and Aleni prayed to the One to give him guidance. He felt a tugging on his spirit and elected to travel to the King's Green. If nothing else he could he see if old town might become serviceable again and what labors would be required to restore it.

Near the centre of 'old town' was King's Green, the biggest of Nekoik's few remaining city commons; it provided that part of the city with water from the well there, and many tree's still stood on the relatively fertile earth there, in which the children could play in the shade.  Several ramshackle 'tree houses' were constantly in course of repair and renovation by the children.


As Aleni strolled through old town, it was a stark reminder of the hollowness the city now felt.  Its population had suffered greatly in these last five years.
It wasn't just war, or disease.  It was famine also: the city unable to feed its already failing populous due to an inability to maintain any ongoing farms outside the city walls.   Farmers were attacked and killed; and the knights that watched over the city were too few to provide standing protection for such.   While the lands outside the walls remained fertile, it took seasons to produce any kind of crops.   When an attack came, Minbane's forces would ride out to respond, but by then ...

So most of the cities food was shipped in via the ports and sea-going merchants, from far off lands.  Supplemented by whatever could be encouraged within the walls of Nekoik.  But even that was meagre, as most people were needed for other duties.

Old Town could house ten times its current population, twenty even.
And in its centre (proverbially) was King's Green.  A 'city common' now overrun by five years of mostly untended, uncounted growth.  Thickets of gauze bush rubbed shoulders with old trees and saplings alike.

And the children ran rampant here.  It was the very definition of a 'children's garden': and if it takes a village to raise a child, its was here that the village sent the children to play.
And without adult supervision, play is what they did.

Most of the children didn't recognise Aleni ... not like many of their parents did.
And those that did maybe didn't register (or care about) his presence; play being preferable.


Along with your narrative of Aleni's doings now he had arrived, please make me a Wisdom check (7+ for you)

Aleni was saddened by the state of Old Town and the King's Green. In a different circumstance he might have thought to how he might set this place right once more. The children would not be as free to play in the area but being able to grow abundant food outweighed such matters.

Still in the moment Aleni enjoyed the simplicity of children at play, their laughter and unmarred enthusiasm for life in spite of the world that they were born into. He would protect their innocence, their joy. To his dying breath.

--

Looking about the area he searched for any signs of the corruption, moving through the scrub-brush and overgrown grass. 3 on Wisdom save.

Aleni passed among the children as they played.  Their youth, innocence and naivety was a blessing by The One ... and something that, in His time, they would grow out of, to take their place in society as productive adults (hopefully).

But something was affecting these children; for even as he moved among them, only days after having driven all sickness from this city, he could see snotty noses, hear the occasional sneeze or cough.
Here, a child with reddish eyes, or reddish nose.   There, a kid whipping their nose across their sleeve.
Oh, they were unbothered by this.  Such was their life, and they were used to it.

But Aleni knew, KNEW, that this should not be the case.
He could feel it out there, somewhere: some insidious source of illness, working its way back into the population, via the children.

His growing ability hunt down and root out the cause of corruption and illness about him was a gift from The One, and his senses tingled with anticipation as he sensed himself close to the source.

But it took him some time to realise why he was having so much trouble homing in on the problem.
It was moving.

Aleni was displeased to see the children ill, even mildly. He had worked hard to cleanse the town of Nekiok of such things and this malignant force, this fetid being of plague and miasma, was undermining his work. Still it would serve no one for him to give into his displeasure. Instead he called out to the nearest child, kneeling so that they could be at eye level.

"Young one have you seen anything or anyone amiss in this area? Perhaps some manner of creature or animal? Maybe even a person that you are unfamiliar with?"

If the child could give him any indication as to who or what he was searching for he might be able to get closer to his goal. Otherwise he'd need to search for some other clue.