Ser Perth nods his assent, and, apparently, Richard is already quietly moving to a position near Gemma's house. Gemma, for her part, wishes them luck and backs away from potential danger, content to watch the action from a safe distance.

As he and his men are about to continue down the path, Perth says to Fost, "If you weren't so mercenary, you'd make a good officer." Fost knows Ser Perth well enough to know that's a friendly jibe, and the smile on the knight of Redcliffe's face confirms it.

OOC: We'll give Loran a chance to roll his initiative and position himself before starting. If we don't hear from him before 4pm US Pacific Time (when I knock off work today), I'll roll his initiative for him and we'll say

That said, where are you all going to be positioned? Richard is over in the door jamb of the hunter's hut, (it's not occupied at the moment, as the hunter seems to be away). I'm going to call that 25 yards exactly.

How far back along the path will Fost be waiting, or will he also make for the huts? Where will Mikhail stand?

For your knowledge, with one of his footmen a crossbowman, Ser Perth will likely stand at the front, with the other two footmen flanking him. The crossbowman will likely be standing back a few yards, with a clear shot at the others.

Also, if you remember the layout of the Crossroads, the house in question is the one where you meet Mother Giselle. It's up a set of stairs from the path, so, unless Perth climbs the stairs to talk to them, everyone will have a clear shot without risking hitting their allies.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:13, Wed 22 July 2020.

Brother Loran took a deep breath and followed the group making sure he stayed out of the fighters way.

He held his staff in one hand as he walked and his carved wooden sign of the maker in his other which hung on a twisted leather thing round his neck

Ooc

18:15, Today: Brother Loran rolled 12 using 3d6+1 with the AGE System with rolls of {1}, 6, 4.  Initiative
This message was last edited by the player at 19:00, Wed 22 July 2020.

The knight and his footmen head out on the path, looking as conspicuous as possible to give the others a chance to find a place to make their stand without notice. They look around as they near the four structures and, as if seeing activity outside the house on the left, stop to engage the workers.

“Good morning, Serah,” he says in a serious tone. “Did either of you or the servant women see an elf pass by here? Likely carrying a full sack that would’ve clinked and clanked.”

The two Tevinter footmen square up with the soldiers, posturing like birds puffing up their feathers, and the yelling inside the building comes to an abrupt halt.

“Why would we see an elf?” one of them asks.

“Well, we had a little local trouble last night; a servant girl made away with her mistress’ fine silver,” Ser Perth explains as the Tevinter crossbowman encountered before appears in the doorway.

“Sorry, ser knight, we haven’t seen an elf at all. My men and our servants have been busy preparing to travel on to Lothering,” he says, his Tevinter accent strong. “My master has urgent business there, and we must load our carts.”

Of course, as you all can see, there are no carts in sight. And that fact doesn’t seem to be lost on Ser Perth. “If you could just let me check in and around your house, I could rule this out as a hiding place.”

“Why would she hide here, ser knight?” the crossbowman replied curtly.

“You’d be surprised where a small thief could slip through and conceal themselves, or how good folks may take pity on a seemingly helpless--”

“What is the meaning of this intrusion?” bellowed a diminutive man in fine Tevinter clothing as his head pops through the doorway. His accent is foreign, but it sounds...strange. In fact, each of you would bet your reputation that the man speaking it was, in fact, Orlesian, not Tevinter, and he was only (poorly) mimicking a Tevinter accent.

The crossbowman has a look of disbelief on his face, before hanging his head and shaking it ruefully. However, Ser Perth looks confused at the crossbowman’s actions, as if he didn’t recognize the accent as fake.

Fost was surprised by the crossbowman taking the conversation. True, the other two men had not exactly made an impression on him for being bright back when he had convinced them to leave Sexta with them. He tried to remember the discussion amongst them, but failed to recall any indication of who might be a leader type.
Either way, the man was playing cat and mouse with their knight, mostly stalling for time it seemed.
Fost made sure to keep the building in sight, maybe someone wanted to use the distraction to run or sneak away.
Then the self-important man interrupted and Fost was also puzzled by the other man's reaction as if the former had spoiled and ruined his ruse.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 08:18, Mon 27 July 2020.

Brother Loran held back and stepped behind one of the out buildings he didn't want anyone to see him but be close enough to rush forward to administer healing aid if his companions requited it.

Richard readies an arrow aiming at the could be dangerous mage.

***

The redcliffe moves to the side of Ser Perth to get in a flanking position.

He could barely hear the speaking guards over the Redcliffe ones, but Mikhail had to trust that Ser Perth had their best interest in this upcoming fight. He had to do some quick thinking to get the proper distance and sight should his magic be required, which he assumed was an inevitability.

---

The Redcliffe footman shifted his weight between his feet, not exactly liking where this was heading, especially if even half of what he had heard about these people was true

OOC: Moving into combat rounds. Remember, on your turn, you’re able to take either one Major Action and one Minor Action, or two Minor Actions. (Actions are detailed on pp. 50-51 of the core rules.)

Round 1
The telltale sound of magical energy being summoned fills the air. The Tevinter crossbowman rolls his eyes and mutters, “Oh, Maker…” A sudden pop and what sounds like the sizzle of meat cooking in a pan follows and...nothing. To Mikhail's trained ears, it sounds like someone just failed to properly cast a spell, and it fizzled out on them.

(OOC: Everyone, except Redcliffe Footman 1 & Redcliffe Footman 3, recognize that those sounds came from within the house (behind the magister and the crossbowman).)

“What in the name of…?” Ser Perth growls as his sword and shield are out in an instant, his guard up.

OOC: Ser Perth uses a Ready action to draw his blade and shield, and the Guard Up action (+1).

Okay, we have Mikhail detailing his footman’s actions first, followed by Richard’s actions, and then Richard detailing his footman’s actions.

Also, I created a (very crude) map (Group 0) of the immediate vicinity and relative positions, based on my reading of what folks have included in their posts. PC initials are in red, allies in orange, enemies in brown, and non-combatants in light blue.

(Richard is at the Hunter’s Hut; Brother Loran is just above Owen’s Hut; Mikhail is in the trees at the top left; Fost is to the right of the Tevinter’s House, hiding behind a tree. All of the Redcliffe men are near the stairs leading up to the Tevinter’s House.)

By the way, the gray broken line is a low wall, about 1 yard high. It can be used for cover.

Initiatives

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:09, Tue 28 July 2020.

The Redcliffe Footman responds to his superior's action by drawing his own sword and shield, moving to stand beside and prepares to intercept the attackers blows. "Orders, ser?"

---

OOC: Footman follows Ser Perth and uses a Ready action to draw his blade and shield, and the Guard Up action (+1).

With a confident, even cocky, grin Richard stepped out of hiding, moved a couple of steps closer and released an arrow from his longbow on the Lord.

Minor: Move (to the edge/statue)
Major: Ranged Attack
Richard rolled 11 using 3d6+3 with the AGE System with rolls of {1}, 2, 5.  Longbow short range vs ma.
Damn:/
This message was last edited by the player at 18:19, Fri 31 July 2020.

The Redcliffe footman took up a position in the opposite flank to his companion to protect ser Perry's other flank

Meanwhile brother Kiran kept low and out of sight behind the hut

Ser Perth is about to respond to his footman when Richard’s shot streaks overhead. “Stay alert,” he growls, his hopes for resolving the issue without conflict fading quickly.

Richard
That shot would’ve squarely hit the false magister had the house not been in the way. As it was, however, the arrow sticks firmly in the wall, not a half a foot from the man’s face and nearly taking the crossbowman’s thumb off.

RF1
Prompted by the unintentional warning shot, the other footman also draws his blade and shield, and sets himself in a defensive position. If these ruffians start a fight, the footmen will be sure to finish it.

OOC: Redcliffe Footman #1 is taking the Ready Minor Action and the Guard Up Minor Action (+1).

THC
Richard’s shot shakes the civility from the crossbowman, who dives for cover behind the door and grabs his nearby crossbow.

OOC: Minor Action to Move to cover; Minor Action to Ready crossbow. He’s currently out of Richard’s sight.

THF1
The Tevinter footman draws his maul and shield, prepared to strike at anyone who comes near.

OOC: Minor action to Ready maul & shield; Minor Action to Prepare a melee attack.

OOC: Okay, with Loran’s post, we’re now down to the Redcliffe Crossbowman (played by Fost) and Mikhail himself. Fost, you can post for yourself, too, even though the magister acts first.

Redcliffe Crossbowman

Startled by the arrow streaking past him had they not agreed that the knight would start the fight, it seemed he had not listened well enough to the plan - the man muttered a curse and moved behind the wall for protection and readied his crossbow.

Minor Move, Minor Ready

---

Fost
Fost had moved close enough to be well within the short range of his bow and was waiting for the signal when Richard opened up the fight. He aimed at the footman who had not yet reacted and shot.

Minor Aim, Major Attack
rolled 13 using 3d6+4 with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 4, 2.  Long Bow attack, short range, aimed.
rolled 8 using 1d6+5.  Long Bow Damage.

Mikhail summons up some mana and tries to force a small telekinetic burst near the engaged footman. He lost concentration at the last moment when he briefly turned to look over his shoulder to verify Gemma was staying safe and out of the way, cursing as he lost the spell.

---

08:58, Today: Mikhail Loren rolled 11 using 3d6+4 (1 stunt point) with the AGE System with rolls of {1}, 5, 1.  Casting Mind Blast.
Spell Fails. 12/15 MP
Move a few yards closer to the fight.

With the Redcliffe warriors taking a defensive stance, Mikhail attempts to knock the Tevinters down, but his spell fizzles and the magical energy is lost from his reserves.

The false magister is spooked by the presence of a mage on the other side, and adjusts himself in the doorway to cast a spell at Mikhail; however, his spell also fails. The mages collectively wonder if the veil is perhaps too strong in the vicinity.

Fost buries his arrow into the Tevinter footman's shoulder. The man cries out, partly out of alarm at the new foe. (4hp gets through) He draws his weapons and moves to near the door, to protect his master.

OOC: Ready Minor Action, Move Minor Action.

Round 2
The strike of a staff blade against the floor can be heard from within the house, and a bolt of snow and ice lances out at Ser Perth, narrowly missing.

OOC: Ranged Magic Attack Major Action. Unknown Minor Action, if any is taken.

Ser Perth appears to have had enough of this magic slinging around, and steps up to engage the footmen, urging his men forward. He brings his blade against the man on his right. His attack is so effective, he's able to bring the blade down with crushing force on the back swing. The man-at-arms crumples to the ground, out of the fight.

Hit with a 14 (5 Stunt Points generated). Spending 2 Stunt Points to Pierce Armor (halve target's armor)

8 damage rolled, 6 hp gets through.

Spending 3 Stunt Points for Lightning Attack. Hit with second attack with a 14. 9 damage (5 hp gets through).

Richard calls out, "I think our elf friend just slipped out the window!"

OOC: Okay, Ser Perth quickly puts down the man-at-arms whom Fost just pierced with his arrow.

We have Redcliffe Footman #2 (Mikhail) & Richard (Fost) going next, followed by Redclifee Footman #1 & two Tevinters.

Damage Taken
Tevinter House Man-at-Arms 2: -15 hp, dying

Initiatives

The Footman presses forward to attack, "Aye, ser. Surrender, fools."

He lashes out and attacks to reinforce his point.

20:19, Today: Mikhail Loren rolled 18 using 3d6+5 with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 6, 4.  Attack with longsword.
20:21, Today: Mikhail Loren rolled 12 using 1d6+6 with rolls of 6.  Longsword damage.

Davy (Evil GM) here. Longsword damage should be 2d6+3 (my mistake). Rolled a d6 on behalf of Mikhail's footman, and got a 6. Total damage is actually 15, instead of 12.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:53, Wed 05 Aug 2020.

Eager to intercept the fleeing elf - he had come to the decision that he felt personally runtled by the presuming she-devil - Richard ran back to the hunter's hut, briefly hesitated to assess the danger in jumping down, and then decided to jumpo or use the stairs instead

Minor: Run, Minor : Move (either the jump/leap itself (then continue along the edge of the pond) or covering more gorund to the stairs)
Richard rolled 9 using 3d6+3 (1 stunt point) with the AGE System with rolls of {1}, 1, 4.  DEX (jump ledge if difficulty easy (9) or less).
This message was last edited by the player at 06:09, Wed 05 Aug 2020.

Hiding behind the hut brother Loran heard Richards call and hurries round the back of the hut he was hiding behind to try and cut off the elf girls escape.

He cut a strange sight running between the huts staff in one hand the makers symbol in the other, robes flapping behind him as he went

Ooc

Brother Loran will not head for the elf but  Ut across to try and get in front of her

The Redcliffer steps forward and brings a powerful blow down on the other Tevinter man-at-arms. The Tevinter recoils in pain, though he somehow remains standing. (11 hp gets through)

Richard drops down to ground level with ease and starts after Sexta, who has taken off up the path toward the Outskirts.

(Richard can hop down and move half his speed (6 yards) with the Move Minor Action. He can then use the Run Major Action to move twice his speed (26 yards). This will put Richard at the very bottom of the map (under the 4 on the bar scale, which I've marked with an arrow and Richard's and Sexta's relative distances from that spot).

That said, Sexta’s placement on the previous map is inaccurate, since she also would’ve had a second action to move. Her speed would’ve allowed her to get down to ground level with her Move Minor Action, and 23 yards up the path ahead of Richard’s final position by the end of her Run Major Action. It’s plain to Richard that she’s faster than he is.

I had written something about offering to take Richard out of the fight to pursue Sexta behind the scenes, but with Brother Loran also giving chase on his turn, I’ll leave it in the fight narrative for now.)

The first footman moves up the stairs on Ser Perth’s right, and stands ready to aid the knight’s assault on the house. (Move Minor Action, Prepare Minor Action: follow Ser Perth into the Tevinter’s House.)

The crossbowman, from his position of cover on one side of the door frame, loads his crossbow and takes aim at the footman attacking his compatriot. (Reload Major Action, Aim Minor Action)

The remaining man-at-arms hesitates for a brief moment, as if he’s about to bolt, but steels his resolve and brings his maul to bear. (Guard Up (+1) Minor Action, Melee Attack (-1) Major Action)

Even as he keeps his guard up, he’s able to deliver a hefty blow through the soldier’s armor. (3 hp of damage gets through)


OOC: Okay, we have Loran’s footman, Fost’s crossbowman, and Mikhail actions next. (Brother Loran has already posted his actions; by the way, Loran is further away from Sexta than Richard was before his actions, so, unless he’s trying to cut off a possible escape route to the left (on the map, instead of down), he’ll be playing catch up.

FYI, the map doesn’t yet reflect Loran’s actions, which are still ahead; I’ll include it in the next map.

Damage Taken
Tevinter House Man-at-Arms 1: -11 hp
Tevinter House Man-at-Arms 2: -15 hp, dying

Redcliffe Footman 2: -3 hp

Initiatives

The allied crosbowman loaded his crossbow and took careful aim...

Mikhail focuses once more and releases a mental blast of force into the opening of the house as he walks towards it, letting the magic of the Fade gather as he moves. Then, as if with a bit of luck from the Maker himself, he let loose the invisible force to knock down the Magister.

---

Major Action: Casting Mind Blast, center
12:18, Today: Mikhail Loren rolled 14 using 3d6+4 with the AGE System with rolls of {6}, 1, 3.  Casting Mind Blast. -3MP  9/15
Opposed checks: Spell Power 14 vs. Strength(Might)
  Based on where I'm trying to hit, I believe a 2 yard radius(4 yard diameter) will knock down everyone inside the house...
Minor action, move half speed closer to the house.

Moving forward and passing ser Perth the footman swung at the soldier (t1) in front of him

Ooc
22:11, Today: Brother Loran rolled 13 using 3d6+1 with the AGE System with rolls of {2}, 4, 6.  Melee attack.

The third Redcliffer’s blade strikes true, the deep cut taking the man-at-arms down.

(The Redcliffe footmen have a +5 to their attack rolls with a longsword, so the result of the attack is actually 17...not that it changes the fact that it was a hit. For convenience, I also rolled damage; 10 hps of damage gets through, far exceeding what the poor man-at-arms had remaining.)

Brother Loran moves as quickly as his legs can carry them, reaching the path that leads to the cave tunnel and the Witchwood beyond.

(Going across the footbridge and moving to the stairs on the left side of the map will take 21 yards of movement, and 4 more yards get him down the stairs and to the edge of the map. His Move Minor Action grants him 11 yards, so he would need to use the Run Major Action to get to the edge of the map, and he’ll have 7 yards of movement left, getting himself close to the path that leads to the cave tunnel (which is some distance up and to the left, beyond the map). That would allow Loran to cut off Sexta if she decides to double back and head toward the Witchwood (beyond the other end of the cave tunnel.)

Note: The Witchwood is the area of the Hinterlands in DAI where the rebellious mages were hiding.)

Loran is off the map to the left, 7 yards from the tip of the arrow at the base of the stairs.

The trio inside the building is knocked down; the magister is sent tumbling into the door threshold, his mistress against the back wall next to the hearth, and the crossbowman slammed against the front wall as he falls stunned, unable to act.

(The False Magister (15) and his Mistress (14) were able to succeed on their test vs. Mikhail’s spellpower; the Tevinter Crossbowman (12) was not. All are knocked down in accordance with the spell’s effects, and the crossbowman cannot take a Major Action on his next turn.)

The false magister seems to panic at his predicament, and attempts to cast a spell that produces flame, but only a tiny spurt of magical fire puffs from his fingertips and winks out. Now in a real panic, she scrambles to his feet and returns himself to his place behind the door. (Cast a Spell Major Action, Move Minor Action)

OOC: Fost is next to close out the round. Both footmen are down. The crossbowman is partially visible from his current vantage point (though with some cover, due to two allies being in the way of the shot; this will impose a -2 to Fost's ranged attack roll from there).

Damage Taken
Tevinter House Man-at-Arms 1: -15 hp, dying
Tevinter House Man-at-Arms 2: -15 hp, dying

Redcliffe Footman 2: -3 hp

Initiatives

Fost had wanted to drop the bow but seeing the enemy warrior defeated he feared the crossbowman more. Thus he notched another arrow and released the string. The arrow streaked towards the partially covered crossbowman...


rolled 9 using 1d6+5.  Long Bow Damage.
rolled 11 using 3d6+1 with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 1, 6.  Long Bow attack, short range w/-2.