Galad rushed Desmond and struck him with a strong swing of his sword that struck the knight perfectly. So powerful in fact that Ser Desmond was struck to the ground and knocked out.

Ser Gerold Innmann hurried to his downed companion to check up on him. And having made a quick check, he called for servants to take him to a healer. And quickly servants came to his bidding and took Desmond away.



[OOC: Let's say that the training sword does Athletics in damage. Or 4 damage per degree for you. But this roll was a critical hit.]

Galad stared thoughtfully at the hilt oh the training sword, surprised that it had proven so potent a weapon.

Ser Westbrook would have little use for Galad's sympathy; for the wringing of hands over his wellbeing, so he allowed the servants to take him away and ensure his recovery.

He was left restless, so he made a circuit of the training yard, observing the Sylvayn knights and men-at-arms, and seeing if he could pick out the most competent in their number.

[OOC - just seeing who else is here]

Ser Desmond's companion, Ser Gerold Innmann, rose as Galad was walking away. "That didn't take very long," he said. "I'll fight you. If you're still up for it."

But who will take you to the healer?  Galad thought, but did not ask. Instead, he nodded, drew his sword and shouldered his shield and resumed his position in the square. He was warmed up now, and shifted his weight from foot to foot eagerly. He nodded his readiness to Ser Gerold.

Gerold wore a brigadine armor and wielded a training sword in one hand and like Galad favord the large shield for the other.

He warmed up quickly and faced Galad in a similar manner to how Desmond had done.

[OOC I'm away from my books, but IIRC that's the armor he's wearing.]

Ser Gerold's armour was lighter than Westbrook's, though he wore a broader shield. Galad judged it would be harder to land another meaty blow. He followed Gerold's footwork out of the corner of his eye and tried to judge the moment to strike


10:29, Today: Galad Hunter rolled 5 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,2,1.  Initiative vs Ser Gerrold. [-3 for armour results in an initiative of 2]

[OOC - can I recommend that we ignore the critical hit rules for this training fight and perhaps some other fights? They appear to make heavy armour substantially worse than light armour]

As Galad had done in the previous fight, so Gerold did now and rushed the massive knight. And with a good slice of his sword, he did some damage.


[Galad took 2 points of damage. Fighting 5D+1B, Damage 4, CD 11, AR 8, AP -3, Bulk 3, Move 3, Health 15/13]

[OOC: Which seems to be what they are going for. As even though heavy armor protects you better, it also makes you easier to hit. And thus easier to crit hit too.]

Galad’s instinct was to use his height and reach to knock the other knight off his feet or commit to a single overwhelming strike, but he fought the instinct. He had tested his strength against Ser Westbrook, now he tested his skill against Ser Gerold. He exchanged a series of quick strikes with the knight, each parrying the other with blade or shield, looking for an opening. Abruptly, Galad broke the pattern, striking low when Gerold had expected high and then, while the knight recovered from the attack, feinting to his left to force him away from Galad’s less protected right side, to better fend off his next attack.

(22:18, Today: Galad Hunter rolled 17 using 6d6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 5,1,4,4,3,1.  Manoeuvre Ser Gerold. Vs passive fighting.
22:16, Today: Galad Hunter rolled 18 using 6d6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 3,4,3,1,6,2.  Attack Ser Gerold With 4 damage per degree.)

Despite Galad's moves, Gerold held his own and would not go to where Galad wanted him. And even though Galad's swing connected, no damage penetrated his armor.

Gerold returned the favor with a swing of his own. It was a powerful swing that hit perfectly.

[OOC: Having considered critical hits further, I'm fine with doing this fight without critical hits as we are fighting with training weapons.]

[Galad took 12 points of damage, unless you want to do something with injuries or wounds. Fighting 5D+1B, Damage 4, CD 11, AR 8, AP -3, Bulk 3, Move 3, Health 15/1]

As Gerold turned aside Galad's feint without breaking his rhythm, Galad knew that the man was his match with the blade, and as he felt a thundering blow to his shoulder, he reckoned the man probably had the edge on him.

Galad slammed his shield into the other knight's chest, hoping to knock him off balance for his counterstrike. He came in high with an overhead slash, trying to find a weakness in Ser Gerold's impressive defences.

He took a step back and tested the mobility of his shoulder after Ser Gerold's impressive attack.


[06:36, Today: Galad Hunter rolled 20 using 6d6, dropping the 2 lowest rolls with rolls of 5,5,5,1,5,3.  Knockdown [pg 174] vs Ser Gerold. [this is vs passive agility-ap]

06:40, Today: Galad Hunter rolled 22 using 7d6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 1,5,4,2,2,6,3.  Attack vs Ser Gerold [Ignore last die if Knockdown failed].

Not sure if we're using the fatigue rules [175]. If we are, Ser Galad will take a point of fatigue to move back a yard to put some distance between the men. If we are not, Ser Galad will instead take an injury to leave him at 6/12 hp.]

Galad slammed his shield into Gerold, who was forced off his feet and landed on his back on the ground. The massive knight then followed up with an overhead swing of his sword that struck the downed knight, but only slid off his armor. Galad then stepped away.

Gerold rose from the ground, stepped to follow Galad moving away from him, and thrust his sword past the large shield.



[Galad took 8 points of damage, unless you want to do something with injuries or wounds or fatigue. Fighting 5D+1B, Damage 4, CD 11, AR 8, AP -3, Bulk 3, Move 3, Health 15/1, Fatigue 1/5]

[OOC: Gerold took three lesser actions too. I'm rolling really well for him.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:05, Thu 13 Aug 2020.

Galad was caught off guard by Ser Gerold's quick recovery. The thrust took the wind out of him, and a follow up attack knocked the training sword from his hand, leaving his hand throbbing.

He gave a quick bark of laughter and held up his sword hand in a gesture of submission. "Well struck Ser Gerold, well struck. I fear I must ask quarter lest I find myself in the Maester's care alongside our comrade."

He wondered if he would have done better with his own blade, or mounted, but did not raise the idea, for it would seem like poor sportsmanship, and Ser Gerold had carried the day.

[OOC: Ser Galad Yields]

As Galad yielded, Gerold stod down, switching the sword to his off-hand and while doing so changing his grip on the training sword to blade down. "It's what I do," he replied and nodded. "The tides of war can shift quickly with changing circumstances."

He headed off the training field towards where the two had first met, returning the training sword to the armory.

Galad watched Ser Gerold go with a smile. It was good to be reminded of the discipline and skill of those he would rely on on the field of battle. As he rubbed his right wrist he felt feeling return to his fingers and retrieved his own training weapon, returning it to the rack beside Gerold's.

He had had his fill of mock duels for now, but still found himself restless. He thought of checking in on his daughter, but she was learning important duties, and it was not his place to distract her.

Instead he sought out the Master of Arms, Ser Ben Stone, hoping to put his restless energy to the proper service of his house.

"Ser Ben, if I am not imposing, I had hoped to speak with you for a moment."

"Of course, Ser Galad," Ben said. "What do you want to talk about?"

Galad eyed the man, a little curiously. By birth, Galad was of higher station than the bastard, but the man had risen to higher rank and certainly made a strong impression with his valyrian features, though these were not uncommon in House Sylvayn's retainers. He respected Ser Ben as a man who had earned his position.

"As Master of Arms you must hear more of the threats to House Sylvayn and the lay of the land within its borders."

"Do you know if there is a prospect of upcoming conflict for House Sylvayn? I am eager to be of more active service to our Lord, but have heard little news." As a sworn sword, his prospects for advancement were limited without a chance to earn reputation, which would come from real combat or tournaments, not practise in the marshalling yard.

"Bandits," Ben said. "Right now that's all we've got. "Two of the Lords even went out on their own to investigate the latest reports this morning. I'm not sure why they didn't bring anyone. But I have a feeling that there will be bandits in our near future."

Galad's brow furrowed as he heard this, "Thank the gods they returned without incident, else our reputation would be shredded to ribbons. Men would say that House Sylvayn's knights cannot even safeguard their lord from robbers and thieves, let alone the warriors and champions of other houses.' It was a difficult notion, for it was not his place to reproach his lordship, even if decisions seemed dangerous, even foolhardy.

"Once we have cleaned such miscreants from these lands we can perhaps aim for even more honourable pursuits."

"I wasn't talking about Lord Sylvayn," Ben said. "I was talking about his younger brother and uncle. And they are still out there. And they explicitly ordered me not to come or to send anyone after them."

"I did not mean to cast aspersion on your diligence, Ser Ben. We can often be put in challenging positions when we are instructed to follow a course of action that seems," he gestured with an upturned palm, seeking to articulate his point, "less than ideal."

He thought for a moment. The Sylvayn men had put  Ser Ben in a difficult position, for their safety was in part his responsibility, but they had ordered him not to send anyone to provide for their security. "I find myself a little restless today, and eager to put that to good use by taking in the lay of the land beyond House Sylvayn's walls. Perhaps I will take with me a brace of hounds I have been training. However, I would not want to stumble across bandits unprepared, and you mentioned there was a report of their recent activity?" A slight smile played at the edges of Ser Galad's mouth as he made his inquiry.

It was an obvious ruse, and he did not expect to fool Ser Ben. The master of arms had been instructed not to send others after Ser Corwyn and Vardan; he had not been instructed to halt those who chose to do so of their own accord.

"I can't send you with or without dogs," Ben said. "And especially I cannot send you with or without any other knights or archers or soldiers."

"And since I can't send you anywhere, this seems like a great time to deal with restlessness. In large groups even. As long as you don't do anything stupid."

"Excellent." Galad nodded his agreement.

"Well, you have a far better grasp of the readiness of the men than I. How shall we arrange this large group."

[OOC - I'm a little unclear on what is being suggested, as it's hard to read the tone of Ben's response. Are we talking large groups out looking for the Sylvayns, or some kind of mock combat in the training yard?]

"Who you bring with you to combat your restlessness is completely up to you," Ben said. "I need to remain here at Arrowmark."

Galad rubbed his chin in thought, muttering as he did so  “A group small enough to travel quickly,  but large enough to travel safely. A pair of trackers, a handful of crossbows and another sworn sword, backed by our squires should be fitting. No need for more than ten in all, and perhaps fewer.”

“Very well Ser Ben, I shall see if other have a wish to stretch their legs and put their steeds through their paces.” He nodded deferentially and began to seek out some allies.

As Galad went looking for the trackers, he eventually found Thaddeus, the younger and more attractive of them, near the smithy. Thaddeus also dressed more expensively than his brother or anyone else of his station at Arrowmark.

"Ser Galad," Thaddeus started. "How can I help you?"