24 Nuzyael 720

[GM]

You are quickly awake as you catch a noise approaching, like before hands flash to concealed weapons, only to realise that it is one of the guards approaching. "Up and at 'em" the guard says.

Lifting your head you scan the surroundings and see that it is still dark, what remains of the waning yael hangs low in the western sky, providing a little light for you to see by.

Gathering your gear together in the faint light, you double check to make sure you have left nothing behind before closing your packs and making your way out of the thranhold down into the thran proper.

Soon you have had time to wash your face, refreshing yourselves at the well. You are able to grab some dried fruit and small ale from one of the local clanhouse before you head north on your march to Nyron. The mood of the warband seems to have lifted, after a stunning victory, a hot meal and a good nights rest.

You note now that there are several horses added to the warband, the Daas and several of his huscarls sit atop these beasts. One of the huscarls is Thorin.

The warband is soon on the move, your groups is part of the vanguard as the warband moves slowly in the poor light following the road north. The road meanders through clear land you assume could be pastures or fields. Every now and then you pass by a copse of trees silouhetted against the moonlight and the light sky.

By dawns early light the warband crest a small rise and the first sight of the thran of Nyron can be seen in the distance maybe 2 kilometres distant. The thran is surrounded on three sides by fields and meadows with a few stands of trees to the east of the thran. Some 1.5 kilometres from the thran when you notice the defenders (what appears about the size of 50-75 warriors) of Nyron drawn up along a small rise just south of the thran across the road leading into the thran, further to the south you can see that clan Batheson have drawn themselves up against them.

The Daas orders the warband to quicken their step, but does not allow a headlong charge at the enemy. As the pace quickens to aid clan Batheson you can see the clan begin their march forward towards Nyron.

Battle has been joined.....

[Kugald Daas]

Kugald tugs on the strap of his round shield, swinging it around and taking a firm grip on the inside of the boss. He hefts his spear and prepares for battle.

He looks right and left at his friends and comrades.

"Stay together. We have them heavily outnumbered, but even a cornered animal can kill the hunter."

TTYL

- Kerry

[Algared]

Prepares himself for the battle that will engulf them. He swings his shield into position and prepares hefts his spear ready for combat. He looks towards the Thranhold, seeing if the gates are open closed and the number of defenders manning the wall.

[GM]

Clan Batheson charge the enemy line, they disappear momentarily as they drop behind a small rise, they re-emerge again soon as they near the enemy line. The din of battle echoes across the fields towards you. As the warband approaches closer to the thran, details can be picked out. About a dozen men from clan Batheson lay strewn on the ground.

From here Cunate Daas orders his warband to halt and form their own line. There is about five hundred yards between your line and that of the enemy. Our warband form up near the centre of the line as the rest of the warriors close up from behind. The warriors of clan Daas form the right wing and centre, while the smaller clans boost the numbers in the centre and form the left wing. Cunate forms up in the centre of the line on foot with his huscarls forming a protective ring around him, Thorin is no where to be seen at the moment.

You watch and wait as the battle between the defenders of Nyron and the warriors of clan Batheson ensues.

[Jurri Grebel]

Jurri readies his drum and begins a slow but steadily increasing tempo. His aim is to improve morale (per Combat 18).

[Algared]

As the line forms Algared looks to Kugald, and copies his stance as he makes sure that his shield rests easily on left arm. He adjusts the grip of his spear sitting it a little more comfortably in in his right hand and waits. It may feel awkward but at least he wont hinder those next to him.

[Kugald Daas]

Looking over at his cousin, Kugald notes he is holding his shield in this left and his spear in his right. He winks at Algared, "Stick with me cuz, I'll watch your back...and your right...and your left....ugh, you get the idea!"

Joking aside, Kugald's tightens the grip on his spear and prepares for the charge. Despite his armor, weapons and backpack (which he has not had time to drop), he is still remarkably light on his feet. He looks repeatedly at the Daas, anxiously awaiting his command.

TTYL

- Kerry

[GM]

Standing watching the fight ensue towards your front you feel the battlelust start to swim through the ranks.

From a stand of trees to your right you see a group of around twenty warriors emerge they mark directly for the flank of clan Batheson. You stare wide eyed as you fear you are about to witness the destruction of around one hundred of your warband.

"Kugald, get your men up there and stop them!" you hear the Daas' voice yell above the din. You can hear Cunate's voice boom out some more instructions but you have already lept into action and are not sure what he has said.

As you move forward you can see that there are several extra men tagging along to join the fight. Kelsi and about twenty of his skirmishers are also moving forward to aid you in your attack....

[Barak Daas]

Barak will move forward with Kugald, but will hang back a few feet and to the side (the wooded side). Once he gets within 100ft (shortrange) he'll drop his knapsack and sacks, thrust his spears in to the ground (within easy grabbing reach), and string his bow and ready an arrow, as he has been trained to do. He'll look round for a suitable enemy target - perferably the leader - and fire ahot at him (he tries for a lucky shot [OoC: Aim high] hoping to hit him in the chest or head). Afterwards he'll concentrate on disengaged targets, especially those who appear to be lightly armoured or inexperienced. [Barak's intent is to disable as many people as possible to encourage them to break and flee].

[Kugald Daas]

Kugald spots the flanking band of attackers. When he hears the Daas' command, he smiles slightly.

"WITH ME!" He yells in his booming bass voice.

He steps forward of the line and raises his spear high, sweeping it forward in a broad arc to point out the attackers.

Kugald steps out at a quick marching pace, but does not run. As they move forward, he yells out right then left, "STAY TOGETHER! HOLD THE SHIELD WALL!" He continually looks left and right, calling out to the overly aggressive warriors, "ALGARED, STAY WITH THE SHIELD WALL. DON'T GET AHEAD." He calls out to the men he recognizes on the extreme right and left (I am assuming our warband is located mostly in the center of the attacking group), "ALREK, KELSI, STAY LEVEL WITH ME!" As they close the distance to the attackers, the pace naturally quickens.

Seeing Barak drop back and pull his bow, Kugald smiles. Excellent. He turns to three other men he knows to be decent bowmen, pointing with his spear, "YOU, YOU AND YOU, FALL BACK AND JOIN BARAK WITH YOUR BOWS. FOLLOW HIS COMMANDS."

Forty feet short of the enemy, he yells out "HALT!"

"FRONT RANK, LOCK SHIELDS AND PREPARE FOR BATTLE!"

"SECOND RANK, PREPARE JAVELINS!"

He waits a moment while the warriors shift their fighting spear into their shield hand and pull out one of the two javelins the Daas had provided them with before they left Ygesdram. Once he sees most of the men are ready, he screams out, "SECOND RANK, THROW!"

Kugald waits to see the results of the first volley.

TTYL

- Kerry

[Algared]

When Cunate calls out for the band to stop the attempted flank attack Algared sets off towards the the foe, starting at a jog. As he draws nearer the advancing foe he yelling, "DAAAS!" both in an effort to distract the advancing foe and give encouragement to his comrades already engaged in battle. Having taken off as soon as the Daas gave the word, Algared is conscious of others advancing but cannot tell how many are following. He knows his advance may be considered foolhardy, but if he falls at least they wont say he was a coward.

Hearing Kugald call some others back into line Algared slows falling back into the line, he locks shields and readies his spear as he advances more slowly and prepares his throwing spears. Algared hopes to be able to hurl the two throwing spears the Daas issued into the ranks of the eneney, whether they have turned to meet the new threat or left their own flank exposed once within throwing range of the enemy.

[Borygg Raal]

Borygg takes up a position near Barak. He drops his knapsack and places his shield and spears close by. He then strings his bow and gets an arrow ready.

[Algared]

As Algared had slowed to re-join the line several accompany the warband, Kelsi who had drawn ahead falls into the line at the point Algared stands, as Algared makes room for kelsi to rejoin the line he finds himself in the second line. As such, when Kugald calls upon the second line to hurl their javlins, Algared is amongst them. he throws the first hoping to skewer the foe. As he watches the line and the results of the first volley he prepares his second javelin.

[GM]

Looking over your shoulder as you move forward you can see nearly thirty men advancing with you. As the warband closes the distance to the enemy line, they see you approaching and form their own shieldwall, there advance slows down now that they are threatened with an attacker of there own.

Kelsi and his skirmishers close to around 50 yards from the enemy line and begin to pour volley after volley into the enemy line. Enemy archers return fire at Kelsi's skirmishers. The enemy shieldwall slows to a crawl and it looks as if their attack is halted as they lock their shields to protect themselves from the arrows of Kelsi's skirmishers.

Kelsi and his men appear to be lossing the engagement until at last your line advances past them, they fall out to the flanks still harrassing the enemy line with their arrows.

It appears that one enemy warrior has been felled by Kelsi's skirmishers before you arrive.

Barak, Borygg and the other archers prepare their bows and nock arrows joining in the missile attack on the enemy line.

[GM]

Your advance is slowed by enemy archers loosing arrows in your direction forcing you to hide behind your shields. The cry of "Arrows" forces you to lock shields and take cover as best you can from the incoming hail of steel and wood.

Jurri is the first to feel the bite of an arrow as it strikes his shield, the arrowhead piercing the timber and protruding not more than an inch through the shield. Soon all of you have the 'pleasure' of feeling the thud of an arrow striking your shield. But your advance to forty feet continues.

From behind you, you hear the cry of a wounded warrior, turning quickly you can see the man kneeling behind you to the right with an arrow in his shoulder. He is still concious but in pain.

Kelsi, his skirmishers, Barak, Borygg and the other archers attempt to keep the shieldwall from advancing while striking at the enemy archers.

By the time you have advanced to forty feet another of your shieldwall have been struck by an arrow and fallen behind, three of Kelsi's men have been struck as well and lie on the field, but several of the enemy archers have also been hit and another 3 men from the enemy shieldwall have fallen to the ground as well.

[GM]

With the order "THROW!" a volley of around a dozen spears are hurled towards the enemy line. Three fall short of the mark and it would seem that another four have sailed harmlessly over the enemy shieldwall. The others find their mark landing amid the enemy shieldwall. It would seem that two have struck shields as two men hurl their shields to the ground but more importantly you can see another enemy warrior fall to the ground having been struck by one of the spears.

You think the other spears may have found their mark but without any obvious signs of injury....

[Kugald Daas]

After seeing the effects of the first volley of javelin's, Kugald decides that their best chance is to close with the enemy. He looks right and left, making sure everyone is ready and then screams at the top of his lungs....

"CHARGE!"

Kugald leads the attack from the front rank, sprinting the last 40 feet. He aims for someone young and scared looking, putting his shoulder against the back of his shield. He throws all of his weight and strength behind it in hopes of throwing him backwards and breaking their shield wall.

He has his spear ready for combat.

He screams "DAAS" like a berserker as he runs (for maximum intimidation effect).

TTYL

- Kerry

[Algared]

As the effects of the first volley have mixed results, Algared says to Kugald, 'Another volley before we charge? The more without shields the easier our job will be"

Even before Algared has drawn breath after his question, Kugald yells the order to charge, and with that the band surges forward yelling 'DAAAS!'

[GM]

As the warband begin their charge a volley of arrows and spears is fired from the enemy line.

Kelsi and his men continue their movement towards the enemy flank.

One of the young warriors in your warband has a spear deflect from his shield but a second spear finds it's mark striking the lad in the right shoulder. The lad halts for a moment the wound looks serious but after a moment the lad rejoins the charge.

The only other member of the warband struck is Jurri - an arrow fired from the enemy line catches the rim of your shield and deflects into your left arm. The damage from the weapon does not appear to be to bad, but you notice the strike none the less.

The enemy line charges the last 10' to meet your charge......

[GM]

As the lines meet Kugald barrels into his opponent, they clash shields and there is the sound of cracking wood, but both of you manage to keep your feet. Kugald quickly eyes of his shield and all appears to be ok, not so with his opponents, the timber near the boss has a split running through it - the shield is still servicable but it will break alot quicker if it is struck. Kugald and his opponent are both unable to follow up the attack.

Vidar charges the line seeing his opponent drop down behind his shield Vidar does so as well, the men clash shields. There is the cracking of wood as Vidar's opponent is sent sprawling to the ground. Vidar is unable to follow up the attack as another warrior has stepped forward over his comrade to protect him.

Jurri seeing his opponent duck behind his shield prepares himself for the crash, there is a crash as the warriors meet. Jurri is hit hard by his opponent and stumbles to keep his feet but he does so. Jurri's shield also takes a beating during the clash, it is still usuable with only a dint in the boss.

Algared also puts his weight behind his shield as he drives against his opponent. The both charge into each other and both are forced back by the blow and neither are able to capitalise on the charge. The warriors behind them protect them from any follow up attacks.

Looking to the left and right as the lines clash several men are forced to the ground from where you are amid the melee you are able to see from who's side they are from, this first engagement sees the two shieldwalls crashing against each other to try to gain advantage of the other. But for now all seems even.

[Jurri Grebel]

Jurri will keep his shield up, trying to avoid any gaps in the shield wall that an enemy might exploit. If he can, he'll thrust his spear toward his foe's feet (aiming low), hoping to either hobble him with an injury or distract him and keep him off balance.

Singing loudly all the while, of course.

Thrusting your spear towards your opponent you catch at a momentary disadvantage and drive your spear point into his hip, there is a grimace of pain from your opponent, but he keeps his balance despite the wound and thrusts his spear directly at your left foot in return you are able to drop your shield low enough in time but you could feel your shield nearly falling from your grasp

[Kugald Daas]

As soon as Kugald is able to act, he strikes at his opposite number with his spear.

TTYL

- Kerry

You see an opening in your opponents defence and strike with your spear the enemy warrior is able to block your attack with his shield as your spear point bites into his shield, you feel the jarring of your weapon against his shield and there is a sound that catches your ears that might indicate your spear has been damaged. Your opponent then thrusts with his spear at your face, you quickly bring your shield up to block this attack and fend the weapon away.

[Algared]

Algared thrusts with his spear when there is an opening, but chooses to block with his shield any attacks from his opponent.

Algared does not attack first but instead finds himself with a spear being thrust towards right shoulder, he is able to bring his shield up to protect himself knocking the spear away. Algared then returns with his attack driving his spear at his opponents right foot, but his opponent catches his spear with the rim of his shield, there is a metallic sound as it seems the attack may have damaged the steel rim of his shield.

[Kugald Daas]

"Curses!", Kugald snaps out as he hears the shaft of his spear crack.

He uses his shield to do a shield bash, while jamming his broken damaged spear between his opponents' legs to try and trip him.

TTYL

- Kerry

Lunging forward Kugald attempts to bash his opponent with his shield, the enemy warrior is able to fend off the blow with his own shield. Apart from the crash of wood on wood their does not appear to be any damage. Your opponent sensing a weakness strikes at you with his spear, your counterstrike is both a blessing and a curse all at once. His spear point finds it way through your armour as it pierces your left hip. Meanwhile your attempt to trip the warrior catches him off guard and he is only just able to keep his feet as he stumbles a few steps.

[Jurri Grebel]

Jurri will stab high next time, trying to unbalance his foe. If his opponent raises his shield, Jurri's next move will be to either kick or shield bash, trying to knock him back. He's gambling that with an injured hip, it will be harder for his enemy to maneuver if he has to keep moving his feet, so Jurri's goal is to keep forcing him to change his footing.

(Can I tell how well he's armored?) Not more than cloth and leather as best you can tell - with a plate 1/2 helm

Jurri's opponent is able to block the thrust to his opponents face there is the sounds of wood cracking as your spear strikes his shield. Your opponent thrusts back with his spear, he is able to beat your defences and he lands a strike against your skull, there is a searing pain as sweat mixes with the wound.

[Sponsored content]