After having tried repeatedly to catch that bird he swipes sweat off his forehead and considers for a moment to simply kill it before leaving it be. He returns to his companions defeated. "I'm sure any of you could have done a better job." He grumbles as he trails behind the others.

With the note or sign torn off the wall Tyrus looks at the nails with curiosity. "Indeed? Ingenious yet simple." He looks around, protecing his eyes from the sun as he mutters "Though a notice board like that I'd assume somewhere nearer to the town."

"There may have been a settlement here at some point, but these highways make for excellent battlements. Archers and siege engines and the like," the templar smiles. "Or worse: mages."

Erin the farmer notices the earth in this area doesn't seem to be particularly arable at first glance, which might explain why the village isn't immediately nearby.

Tyrus himself recognizes that, while Lothering is near a crossroads, the lay of the land may have dictated the placement of the highway in ancient times, and that doesn't necessarily translate to having a village at every descent.

Fost had listened and tried to sum up.
"So let me get this. If there were a note it would warn us to leave the high road as a section ahead is broken. There is none, though. Bandits may be the cause for this, especially since our dear templar remarks on the excellent battlements.", he kneaded his lower lip in thought.
"So the question is: do we leave the high road or brave it?"
He paused then said with determination.
"We aim for speed to get rid of the apostate. I say we continue on the high road."

Tyrus, thinking about the whole situation for a minute, answers cautiously. "I concur, speed should be of utmost imortance, though perhaps Wendoll and Arnie can keep a look out?"

Erin idly kicked at the ground. "If an ambush is what we fear, then maybe is best that either Wendoll, I or both go ahead of our group, scouting ahead. That way we won't likely fall into some trap."

Fost nodded.
"Stay on the road then and scouting ahead."

On the lookout for danger, the group forges ahead, with Erin, Wendoll, and Arnie on point. Fost, mounted, is halfway between the scouts and the cart, with Ser Ragnall driving and Tyrus riding. An hour later, they spy another ramp down ahead.

Arnie starts to drift to the wall, his snout snuffling along the stone as he seems to have caught hold of something there. A low growl rumbles in his throat as he looks ahead.

Erin notices some dark patches where Arnie is investigating. The pattern unmistakably resembles the remnants of some man's waste water; that the stone is still wet means a man relieved himself recently. Looking ahead, she spies what appears to be a nook to the left, more than 50 yards beyond the ramp on the opposite side. A party between them would be in prime position to be ambushed.

Wendoll tilts his head as something appears to have caught his attention. He looks at Erin and Fost, and quietly points toward his ear and then the area of the ramp.

Fost notices on the right wall next to the ramp entrance has a discolored rectangular area, as if something that had been hanging for some time has been recently removed.

OOC: Okay, folks, what would you like to do? You see no one at the moment (except implied by the clues above). The entrance to the ramp (on the right) is about 17 yards ahead of Erin and the nook on the left is about 55 yards beyond that. Map 0 and Map 1 have been updated to the new scene.

We'll use combat round actions and movement for the moment.

Note to self -

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Thanks to his 5 SP, Arnie receives a +3 initiative if there is combat to be had quickly, and he also can place himself anywhere within 2 yards of his current position.

---

Erin goes back to the bulk group to share her findings. "There is at least one person somewhere ahead, likely more. Can't be too far but couldn't tell you exactly where." She said, pointing ahead. "If I was a betting woman, I would wager they are someplace up the ramp surveying the road or further ahead ready to block it, likely both."

---

Major: Run
Minor: Chit chat.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:32, Fri 01 Mar.

Having spend most of the time riding on the cart he hopped off and steps closer to Erin. "Bandits? Do you think it could have been a merchant or mercenary?" He looks past her, trying to take a closer look at what she might have seen. "Should we stay on the imperial highway and meet whoever we'll meet?"

Fost indicated the spot he had noticed.
"Could this be some sort of trap or previous road block ?"

"Let me ride down the ramp and see what there is to see."
He readied shield and sword

---

Minor: Ready + Minor: Ready

As Erin, Fost, and Tyrus discuss the possibilities of bandits and merchants and ambushes, Arnie moves to the middle of the highway and Wendoll sidles up to him, warily scanning ahead for danger.

Ser Ragnall secures the reins to the cart, hops down to join the others, and adds, "If these are bandits, it's likely the highway ahead is impassable before the next ramp down. That means they'll want to wait for us to pass before they spring their trap.

"You mentioned riding over to investigate," he continues, indicating Fost. "Perhaps you should have the elf cover you with his bow?"

Fost nodded.
"Sure. That ramp looks to be turning on itself, though, once I have gone down a turn he won't be able to cover me anymore I guess."
"Stay vigilant."
The warrior nudged his horse along.

---

rolled 6 using 3d6+2 (1 stunt point) with the AGE System with rolls of {1}, 2, 1.  PER
Yikes, OMG! I'll be riding right into the ambush

Tyrus looks ahead and tries to understand whatever Fost is saying. He watches Ser Ragnall making his way to the others. Clearly, something is going on. Deciding that at least one should remain with their "guest", Tyrus stays where he is and instead keeps his eyes open on the sky.

Do I see any crows around us? Dragons?

11:42, Today: Tyrus Morven rolled 10 using 3d6+1 with the AGE System (({6}, 1, 2)).

Fost rides forward toward the ramp, the rest of the party moving forward (Ser Ragnall leading the cart horse by its bridle) to be ready to help in the likely case their suspicions are proven correct. Arnie strides forward as well, a low growl in his throat as he continues to watch ahead.

He realizes quickly that the inside wall (to his right in this upper section) is only about mid-torso high on a man, much easier to look over than he originally suspected. Wendoll sneaks onto the ramp just behind the warrior's mount and uses the cover to peer over the edge and down; Fost is busy looking to the switchback and doesn't see what the elf does.

"Look out! Bandits!" he calls. Only then does Fost notice the four unruly-looking humans at the base of the ramp, pressed up against the inside wall, waiting for the opportunity to attack. The one in front clearly appears to be the leader.

OOC: Okay, fight's on! Everyone roll initiative!

I'm going to rule that Fost's poor Perception result means that he wasn't expecting the bandits to be right there and is somewhat taken aback. He will act last in Round 1. He will act normally on his initiative starting in Round 2.

Luckily Fost had already drawn sword and readied shield.
Still, he clearly had not anticipated, despite warning and indications, that enemies might be waiting so near.
Not an accomplished rider, or at least not specially trained in mounted combat, the burly warrior slipped off the horse and readied for the attacks to come.

---

Minor: Move, Major: Defend

Immediately tensing up when she heard the alarm, Erin held her glaive in both hands and ran towards Fost. Whatever those bandits may happen to have in numbers over them, they would neutralize using the outlaw's choice of terrain against them, or so she hoped anyway.

---

Minor: Ready Glaive
Major: Run

With his shoulders tensing up, Tyrus takes a second longer than he'd like and looks back at the wagon and Ser Ragnall: "I won't go far." he explains before moving a couple of yards forward. Holding his staff with both hands in front of him.

Minor Action: Move 4 yards forward

Major Action: Defense +2 defense

Round 1
With a feral shout, the lead bandit moves quickly in his light mail up the ramp and around the corner to meet Fost with a thrust of his long blade. He’s able to slip his weapon by the shield and impacts Fost’s armor solidly, but the veteran’s heavy mail fully deflects the attack, which the bandit uses to try to twist the shield off Fost’s arm. (Fost, please give me an attack roll, opposed by the lead bandit; you get a +1 to the roll for your height advantage.)

Erin readies her polearm and moves forward, easily reaching the fray.

The other thugs, with their simpler weapons and leather armor, rally up the ramp as they mimic their leader’s battlecry. The first two have their mauls ready for action, but the third, with his loaded crossbow in hand, raises it to try to pick off his archer counterpart. His shot impacts the stone wall just below Wendoll’s exposed head.

Wendoll stands and returns the favor; his aim is true and the arrow buries itself deep in the crossbowman’s midsection. (9 damage to Thug A)

Ser Ragnall responds to Tyrus, “I’ll wait to see if any decide to attack from ahead, since the mabari seems to think they’re there.” He gestures toward Arnie, who continues to growl quietly as he stares down the highway. The Templar continues forward after Tyrus stops, and raises his shield.

OOC: Fost, since the bandits were able to engage you this round and you haven’t acted yet, you’re welcome to change your actions for round 1 as you desire. Once you post that, I'll post the Bandit Leader's actions and call for Round 2 actions.

Fost
Evil GM, for the NPC Bandit Leader, rolled 19 using 3d6+4 (5 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {5}, 5, 5.  Longsword +5, -1 for height difference vs Fost.

Evil GM, for the NPC Bandit Leader, rolled 7 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 2,2.  Longsword Damage 2d6+3.

He spends 2SP to use Disarm on Fost, and another 2SP to use Advance (which allows his subordinates within 12 yards to move 2 yards in any direction).

Opposed attack roll: Evil GM, for the NPC Bandit Leader, rolled 12 using 3d6+4 (1 stunt point) with the AGE System (({1}, 6, 1)). Fost has to roll a 12 or higher (he wins the tiebreaker for Ability Scores).

Erin
I purposely placed Erin so that Fost can dismount on his turn at the end of the round (if he wishes to keep that action). Thankfully, there are age-old tactics for a polearm user attacking opponents from behind a shield bearer (and she still can attack from reach if he stays mounted)..

Wendoll
Evil GM, for the NPC Thug A, rolled 11 using 3d6 with the AGE System.  Crossbow +3 vs. Wendoll, -3 for Heavy Cover.

Evil GM, on behalf of Wendoll Ethen, rolled 18 using 3d6+6 with the AGE System.  Dalish Yew Longbow +6 vs. Thug A.

Evil GM, on behalf of Wendoll Ethen, rolled 13 using 1d6+7.  Dalish Yew Longbow Damage 1d6+7.

Tyrus
In his current position, Tyrus can see a bit of Thug A’s head. Everyone else is obscured by the highway wall.

Health
Erin 60/60
Fost 62/62
Tyrus 41/41
Wendoll 40/40
Arnie 25/25

Ser Ragnall 0 Healthy

Bandit Leader 0 Healthy
Thug A -9 Heavy
Thug B 0 Healthy
Thug C 0 Healthy

NPC Health Conditions:
Uninjured (100% Health remaining)
Light (at least 75% Health remaining)
Moderate (at least 50% Health remaining)
Heavy (at least 10% Health remaining)
Critical (less than 10% Health remaining)


This message was last edited by the GM at 14:45, Wed 10 Apr.

Fost cursed as the obvious leader of the thugs advanced quickly on him and deftly swung his blade at the still mounted warrior.
He felt the impact on his swordarm and was glad to wear sturdy armor. A small turn of his own blade's angle at the last moment allowed him to prevent being disarmed.
While bolts and arrows filled the air and his companions closed with the enemy he slipped off the horse, took a short step to allow him to swing his own new sword with more force and solidly struck the foe on the shoulder, the light mail's metal rings parting from the mighty blow and drawing blood.

---

Round 01: Move, Attack
rolled 17 using 2d6+5.  Long Sword Damage.
rolled 18 using 3d6+7 with the AGE System with rolls of {5}, 4, 2.  Long Sword attack.
rolled 20 using 3d6+8 with the AGE System with rolls of {4}, 3, 5.  Longsword, oppose disarm, +1 included.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:32, Tue 09 Apr.

Trusting Arnie's instincts, Tyrus takes a few steps back, holding his staff with both hands tightly, he talks to their prisoner "I guess these are not your friends? If you're lucky then they'll kill you quickly." secretly he hoped that whatever is attacking Fost, Erin and Wendoll is quickly dealt with.

Action: defense +2 defense until the beginning of my next turn.

Fost’s strike drives deep past the brigand’s armor, wounding him. (12 damage to Bandit Leader)

Meanwhile, the horse is on the verge of panicking as it’s surrounded by combatants on all sides and presses itself against the wall to its right.

Round 2
Stung by the ferocity of his quarry’s riposte, the bandit leader takes a defensive stance and yells, “Open a hole! I don’t care how!”

OOC: Just be aware the horse may become a problem.

The bandit leader is performing Stand Firm and Defend this round.

Round 2 actions for everyone (but Tyrus), please!

Health
Erin 60/60
Fost 62/62
Tyrus 41/41
Wendoll 40/40
Arnie 25/25

Bandit Leader -12 Moderate
Thug A -9 Heavy
Thug B 0 Healthy
Thug C 0 Healthy

NPC Health Conditions:
Uninjured (100% Health remaining)
Light (at least 75% Health remaining)
Moderate (at least 50% Health remaining)
Heavy (at least 10% Health remaining)
Critical (less than 10% Health remaining)

Whith a growl Fost pressed the attack. His Avvar heritage made his vision turn bloodred as he swung his sword at the bandit. There was no finesse in his attack, just sheer and merciless strength.
Despite his foe's focus on defending himself, clearly hoping that numbers would soon carry the day for their side, Fost's relentless and brutal downward slash bit deep into the enemy's arm that was futilely raised to block the attack.
The warrior expected the bandit to lose his courage soon enough and he counted on him yielding space and retreat, presumably with the other thugs covering his retreat. Fost had no reason to kill the man, if he retreated he could well accept chopping away at the other thugs.

---

Round 02
Attack, Press the Atrack
rolled 20 using 3d6+7 with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 4, 6.  Long Sword attack
Bother, I had need of SPs to skirmish/move that horse :(
rolled 13 using 2d6+5.  Long Sword Damage
This message was last edited by the player at 15:50, Wed 10 Apr.

Finally, in position to both assist Fost and completely block the ramp, Erin swung her glaive at the brigand ahead from the top down. Outlaws like these were particularly despicable to her, even the freak things they had faced not so long ago were victims of their own twisted nature, these people, however, they chose to be the scum they were...

---

Major: Attack    Minor: Press the Atrack
12:21, Today: Erin rolled 11 using 3d6+2 with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 4, 2.  Glaive attack.
12:23, Today: Erin rolled 12 using 2d6+3.  Glaive Damage (maybe).

Fost’s second attack easily overpowers the brigand’s shield and strikes with a mighty crack against the man’s mail. The brigand seems to momentarily wither under the force of the blow, but he shakes his head and recovers quickly. But, make no mistake, those strikes in succession stung the man. (Bandit Leader takes 8 damage)

 Erin follows Fost’s attack with one of her own, using reach to her advantage to find a gap in the brigand’s defenses. The bandit staggers again and seems nearly done in by that third hit. (Bandit Leader takes 7 damage)

Ser Ragnall remains vigilant, drawing his sword.

The crossbow-wielding thug drops his weapon and slips forward, using cover to his advantage as he reaches around the corner to try to gain control of the horse. Fost’s mount, on the edge of being fully spooked, makes it impossible just to grab its reins, let alone trying to get control.

The next thug is already tired of the beast’s presence, beats his sword against his shield in an attempt to intimidate it into retreating. It has some effect, and the horse retreats a yard. The thug follows his quarry.

The third thug in the group maintains his position, though his leader’s condition isn’t lost on him, and he seems less interested in engaging the enemy than he was just a few seconds ago.

Three thugs rush out of the alcove, two running at breakneck speed toward the travelers, while the third gives himself a shooting angle and - realizing he can’t reach the templar from his position - fires at the mabari. His aim is true, even at the edge of his effective range, and a bolt strikes Arnie hard. The dog yips and leaps in pain. (Arnie takes 12 damage)

The thug quickly steps forward, a ready bolt slipped into position and the string pulled back, and he gets within the edge of his range against the templar and fires. Again, his aim is true, and the bolt finds a weak spot in the holy warrior’s plate armor. (Ser Ragnall takes 2 damage)

Wendoll decides he needs to end the bandit leader and tries to thread an arrow past his allies. The arrow finds its mark and puts the elf’s quarry to the ground. (Bandit Leader takes 3 damage and is reduced to 0 Health)

Arnie surges forward toward the two advancing bandits, ready to attack if one gets close.

OOC: I’m stopping here, since Thugs D, E, and F appeared before Tyrus could act. Feel free to adjust your post, if you’d like to change your actions for Round 2.

Also, the folks on the ramp can tell the three bandits are unnerved by their leader’s collapse.

*~*~*~*~*
Erin enjoyed a 2-to-1 and height advantage over the bandit leader, which turned her miss (11) into a hit (13).

Evil GM, for the NPC Thug A, rolled 7 using 3d6-1 with the AGE System with rolls of {2}, 1, 5.  Communication (Animal Handling) -1 vs. TN12.

Evil GM, for the NPC Thug B, rolled 13 using 3d6+5 with the AGE System with rolls of {1}, 2, 5.  Strength (Intimidation) +5 vs. TN14.

D & E Move and take the Run Major Action. F Moves and makes a Ranged Attack

Evil GM, for the NPC Thug F, rolled 17 using 3d6+1 (5 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {5}, 5, 6.  Crossbow +1 (long range) vs. Arnie.

Evil GM, for the NPC Thug F, rolled 12 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 6,5.  Crossbow Damage 2d6+1 vs. Arnie.

Thug F spends, in order, 1 SP on Skirmish (move 2 yds forward), 1 SP on Rapid Reload, and 3 SP on Lightning Attack.

Evil GM, for the NPC Thug F, rolled 8 using 3d6+1 (1 stunt point) with the AGE System with rolls of {1}, 1, 5.  Crossbow +1 (long range) vs. Ser Ragnall.

Evil GM, for the NPC Thug F, rolled 10 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 3,6.  Crossbow Damage 2d6+1 vs. Ser Ragnall.

Evil GM, on behalf of Wendoll Ethen, rolled 15 using 3d6+5 with the AGE System.  Longbow +6, +1 High Ground, -2 Def. in Melee.

Evil GM, on behalf of Wendoll Ethen, rolled 8 using 1d6+7.  Longbow Damage 1d6+7.

Arnie is using the Prepare action to attack if one bandit comes within range.

D is 5 yds from Arnie, 23 yds from Ser Ragnall, and 29 yds from Tyrus.
E is 7, 25, and 31 yds, respectively.
F is 33, 51, and 56 yds, respectively.

Health
Erin 60/60
Fost 62/62
Tyrus 41/41
Wendoll 40/40
Arnie 13/25

Ser Ragnall -2 Light

Bandit Leader -28 Dying
Thug A -9 Heavy
Thug B 0 Healthy
Thug C 0 Healthy
Thug D 0 Healthy
Thug E 0 Healthy
Thug F 0 Healthy

NPC Health Conditions:
Uninjured (100% Health remaining)
Light (at least 75% Health remaining)
Moderate (at least 50% Health remaining)
Heavy (at least 10% Health remaining)
Critical (less than 10% Health remaining)

Glad that he stood back while watching their prisoner, Tyrus watches Arnie darting forward and shortly after being hit by a crossbow bolt. "No!" He exclaims rather quietly as he concentrates on the arcane energies, he summons a powerful force, pushing down upon two nearby attackers. Once he cast the spell he calls out "There are more here!"

Action: Mind Blast Bandit D and E, they have to pass a (Might) TN 16 or be knocked prone and skip their major action on their next turn.

21:03, Today: Tyrus Morven rolled 13 using 3d6+6 with the AGE System (({1}, 2, 4)).
This message was last edited by the player at 02:14, Wed 17 Apr.