Varen tracked the horse-bound elf as he kept up with the barge. It was unusual. He would figure elves would not be interested in other human pursuits, but perhaps he was not as wise to the elven world as he thought he was. Then again, here he was on his own as well. Perhaps he looked as perplexing to that one as that one had looked to him.

Meeting with his eyes was strangely... anticlimactic. He thought there would be recognition, perhaps kinship there. But no. Nothing. This one was inscrutable. That could spell trouble. If this one was trained as he was, and Varen was only a stripling, both in years and experience, he might be trouble. Serious trouble. He was hoping it would not come to that.

He flagged Sellows over and explained what he saw, as well as his suspicions.

In reply to Varen (msg # 28):

Sellows listen to the report and grunts.

"Shit.  Definitely sounds like a scout for bandits."

He considers a moment, staring up the Azwhen as he does.

"We were gonna put aside in an hour and camp on ground for the night.  But I'm gonna have them pull over here.  At that sandbar there.  How confident do you feel in tracking that scout?  If you can get a glimpse of the gang and get an estimate on their numbers, we can plan appropriately."

Feel free to suggest another course of action.  Sellows is open minded.

Thanks

"Moderately confident. The elf will be able to see me in the dark, but so will I. But with a horse I won't be able to escape if they spot me."

Varen stops for a moment to consider.

"But I will give it a try. I have to." He frowns. "I want to know what this elf is doing here. And why he's working with bandits, if bandits it is. It is unlike my kin to do that."

He turns to see the sandbar, and then his eyes track back to where the elf went off.

"Bring the barge to the shore. I will head out. If I am not back by sun-up, you can assume I have been caught."

Varen returns to his post and grabs his equipment. He also grabs a few more bits to eat and some water. By the time the barge approaches the sand, he's ready to go.

OOC: Other than avoiding the area, Varen has no other ideas.

In reply to Varen (msg # 30):

Moontoad waves at you right before you step off the barge.  She tosses you a small pouch.

"You know how to use herbs right?  There's some Alaf and Halin in there.  Also some bandages.  Be safe."

You slosh up onto the bank and find the spot the elf left the road easily enough.

Let's do some tracking.

Give me three test results and see where that gets us.

Also if you are moving ninja-like, make me a Stalk/Hide check please.

Thanks

OOC: I know for spell casting you can take extra time to cast a spell and get yourself a few simple bonuses to the roll. I went searching for it a few days ago, but I couldn't find anything like that for skills. Have you found anything like that? If you have, I'd like to apply it.

Let me know.

If not, here are the rolls:

Tracking:
13:16, Today: Varen rolled 68 using 1d100+33 ((35)).
13:17, Today: Varen rolled 118 using 1d100+33 ((85)).
13:17, Today: Varen rolled 104 using 1d100+33 ((71)).

Stalking & (Ninja) Hiding:
13:18, Today: Varen rolled 75 using 1d100+68 ((7)).

Not so ninja after all. But then again, he's only level 1.

In reply to Varen (msg # 32):

That's an interesting point.  I haven't seen anything.

I would say no in high stress situations (in combat, being chased, etc.).  The Stalk/Hide roll would fall in that bucket.

But the tracking rolls are a different case. I can see where you would have time to be a little more careful.

Hmmm.

Alright.  Let's try this:  I will not let you adjust your rolls.  But I will give you a chance to adjust the target number, at least on the tracking rolls.  Make me one more tracking roll which we'll call a 'preparation roll'.  If you get it, I'll adjust the target numbers down for the other rolls.  Fair enough?

OOC: Sounds good to me. I am ok with it either way.

So, the roll I got is this one, which makes it a simple success.

16:02, Today: Varen rolled 107 using 1d100+33 ((74)).

Let me know what happens. =)

You find the trail easily enough.  The rider must have been too startled upon being noticed.  His exit into the woods is sloppy.  At one point, he got off his horse and started walking it.

It looks like the elf moved in a curve like a bow.  He went back and to the west from his point of entry into the woods, paralleling the river but not getting back within sight of it.  From your estimate, he's headed in the direction of the barge's original stopping point.

If the elf is a scout for some bandits, and that seems reasonable, you are probably safe in assuming that they were planning to ambush the barge at its original planned resting place.

As you think this, it starts to drizzle.  And then rain.  The trail gets lost.  You stop, trying to reorient yourself, when your ears perk up.  That crack of a branch.  It sounded a little too...heavy.  Like something more than a squirrel was stepping on it.

You aren't sure exactly, but from around your seven o'clock there's someone there...

You are pretty sure someone is ninja-ing nearby.

Thanks.

Varen's motions ceased. The noise was close, too close. If he'd already been spotted, it would almost be foolish to simply stop and present a clear, easy target, but he was betting he had not been seen.

Turning very carefully in the direction of the noise, he slowly began to crouch. He didn't want to give too much of a surprise by moving swiftly and giving himself away.

He stood as quietly and unmoving as he possibly could, and waited for whatever... whoever... was there to eventually show itself.

OOC: Full Perception Check, if possible.

17:22, Today: Varen rolled 75 using 1d100+38 ((37)).

In reply to Varen (msg # 36):

You tense up, setting your senses on high.  If you're lucky, your watcher isn't too skilled...

Suddenly a sudden screeching/high pitched screeching and then a thud from behind you and to the left.

The elf rider had been creeping up on your blind spot.  But he apparently had been so intent on getting close enough to stab you, he failed to notice the chipmunk that was scampering along the ground before him. He stepped on it, surprising both the chipmunk-which screeched and then ran into the underbrush-and himself, who was so startled he stepped backwards, stepped on his coat, and crashed backwards, hitting his head on a rock.

We have our first fumble for the game!  Yah!

The rider is still conscious.  But he is prone at the moment.

Your turn

Varen thanks his lucky stars that fate had intervened to help him out. He draws his sword and prepares to face whoever was present here with him. Clearly hiding was of no use at the moment.

"Before we engage in swordplay, I'd like to know who you are and what you are doing?"


OOC: Drawing sword, getting ready for battle. If it helps, he's putting all his OB into DB right now, seeing as he can't strike just yet.

And here's hoping you had a Merry Christmas! =)

In reply to Varen (msg # 38):

The rider moves quickly to stand.  "Making cucumber sandwiches for tea time.  What do you think I was bloody doing?"

His accent marks him as being from the south, well past the central plains.  What he's doing so far north is a mystery.

He doesn't seem in a talkative move as he seems to be gripping the haft of the hand axe he is carrying even tighter as he starts to rise.

Mine was good thanks.  Hope you and yours had a good one as well.

To speed up game play, make one init roll and only one for each combat.  With certain exceptions, players will usually go first.

So you may begin.  We are in combat.  He is up at this point. Thanks

18:15, Today: Varen rolled 23 using 1d10+14 ((9)).

In an equally acerbic tone, Varen replied,

"I think... you were spying on the barge in order to prepare an ambush for it. You followed it for a long time, and you shied away when discovered. None of these actions bode well for you.

Now, who are you spying for?"

Varen keeps the blade pointed at the elf's eyes, a classical technique designed to keep an opponent from gauging their true distance to his blade, making defending from it that much harder.

In reply to Varen (msg # 40):

The elf growls instead of answering and lifts his arm.  He seems to be readying to throw his axe.

You win init.  He'll be throwing his axe in a moment.  You guys are about fifteen feet apart.

Thanks

"I don't believe you are quite clear of the gravity of this situation."

Varen charges his foe.

OOC: Charge distance: 15 feet? Assuming a regular combatant distance of 4 to 5 five feet. Tell me if I am mistaken. Varen's move is 10', making a 20' 'Run' possible.

Varen will take the Charge OB bonus and parry with it to offset the Charge DB penalty to stay even. He will then use 40 of his Weapon Skill OB to add to the parry, giving him a final score of: DB 40, OB 6

19:42, Today: Varen rolled 27 using 1d100+6 ((21)).

Not the best result, but it is something.

Since Varen is now adjacent to this opponent, and he has an "initiative advantage", I believe this opponent's missile attack can be 'disrupted'. Correct me if I am wrong, please.

In reply to Varen (msg # 42):

He gapes at how fast you move.  As you get closer you realize how young this fool really is.  Just a babe trying to play grown up.

He manages to throw himself aside so you only score a long, shallow cut along his forearm.

His DB is 26.  You nicked him for 5 hits.

Going forward:

His init is 42

His DB is 26.

Thanks

OOC:

Quick check: how did he get an initiative of 42? This is mechanics question.

In reply to Varen (msg # 44):

Because I typed a 4 instead of a 1.  Sorry.  His init is a 12.

OOC:

Ah, ok. That makes sense to me. I was really terrified amazed at this guy's stats if he could do a 42. I mean, it is the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything, but as initiatives go, it is pretty high. =)

New Initiative Roll:

20:23, Today: Varen rolled 17 using 1d10+14 ((3)).

In reply to Varen (msg # 46):

He tries to shift, bringing the axe around...

Your go.  Thanks

There was a pause in Varen's next swing. For a moment he took the time to consider that he was swinging a tool of war against a kinsman. A fellow elf. How did it come to this? The elf brandished an axe at him, and he seemed ready to kill Varen at a moment's notice. He was far too young to realize what he was doing, and the consequences of his actions.

There had to be a better way. But first, he would have to wear him down.

"You know, this doesn't have to end your life. I don't hold it against you that you are fighting me. Is this really where you want to go?"

OOC: Varen swings again.

No charge this time, but the same numbers: +6 to OB, +40 to DB.

12:42, Today: Varen rolled 90 using 1d100+6.  Continuing the fight.

That's a decent attack. It might even leave a scar.

In reply to Varen (msg # 48):

He seems to panic when he realizes your blow will connect...he is young.

He flails, raising his free arm instead of trying to parry.  You score a deep hit along his forearm.  He shouts, stumbling backwards, shocked by what you guess might be the first hit he's ever taken in combat before...

He took 18 hits and is stunned a round.  Nice hit.

"What? A light cut and you are already in fear? Did you think this was going to be easy?"

Varen eases off a bit, seeing as the young elf is clearly in pain, but he takes the opportunity offered to him.

"Now, I don't have anything against you, and I don't want to truly hurt you. Why don't you tell me what you were really doing... without that axe."

OOC: Disarm attempt

Maneuver Roll + 10 AG + 6 Ranks in Sword

19:07, Today: Varen rolled 76 using 1d100+16.  Disarm Roll on Maneuver Table.

So, just for my education, this is how I see the Disarm coming together:

- He takes a -10 from the damage
- He has a +10 to make a Disarm Resistance roll against that 70 Maneuver result
- He is also stunned, giving him a -50 to all actions, which should include this disarm resistance roll.

His final rolling attempt ought to be: 1D100 + OB + 10 - 10 - 50.

This should be fairly hard for him to stop.

Let me know if I got this wrong.

In reply to Varen (msg # 50):

You smack the bottom of his hand with the flat of your blade, sending the axe spinning up in a circle and off to the left.  It lands on the ground with a thunk.

The kid swallows in a dry throat and looks at the tip of your sword.

"Well what do you think I was doing?  Sight seeing?  This is my job.  So if you're going to kill me, just go ahead and do it."

He's obviously talking tough though, you know, he's not.

"You are fairly ready to die then? Should I drive you through? Is that what you want?"

Varen brings the edge of his sword to the elf's neck, making threatening moves. Then shakes his head in disapproval.

"You aren't going to die today. But I do want to know why you were spying on us and who hired you."

He lowers his sword, but does not let it go.

... this elf was certain he was done, and his readiness to die for his 'job' is unsettling... was it so important to him that laying down his life was the proper thing to do in his mind?... perhaps there is something else going on here that I missed...


OOC: I am looking for a way to pull the old 'knock him unconscious with a hit to the back of the head' trick. Then I can carry him back to the barge and interrogate him better. Any suggestions on how to do this?