4 Nuzyael 720

[GM]

With the coming of daylight the camp begins to stir. The boats crew rise and go about their morning routines a place has been found for a latrine and there are a few men using it this morning. Men are by the river bank washing the sleep from their faces and refreshing themselves with the chill water from the Leim River.

A fragrant smell wafts through the campsite, obvioulsy the morning meal. Wisps of smoke lift towards the sky from the glowing embers of the campfire.

Neirin and Madrin continue to wander about the camp patrolling it's perimeter.

Soon everyones bedding and other personal belongings are stowed aboard the 'waverider' with only the cooking utensils left ashore. All the crew to appear to be in good spirits with everyone getting a reasonable nights rest instead of the usual 4 hour watches they are used to working at sea.

A few white clouds drift lazily across the morning sky. The wind has again shifted during the night and now blows from the north east, a steady wind which should see you back in Ygesdram around midday. The day still remains cool but it has warmed up a little since the cool of the night. The fog has all but burnt off with only small, thin patches of fog sitting above ground and does not obscure your vision.

The morning meal is had, a porridge with dried fruits and bread is served, it is a tasty meal considering where you are.

After the meal several of the boats crew take the cooking utensils down to the riverbank and begin to wash them, they take the sand from the river bank and use it to scour the pots clean of the left over food.

While the crew are cleaning and making sure all is stowed aboard, the warband are left around the campsite with several other crewmen who are extinguishing the fire and other small chores. Three arrows fly from the nearby treeline about 150' away.

The first flys harmlessly by, the second takes one of the boat crew in the right shoulder, the man screams in agony with his wound, the third arrow lands by the feet of Thorin.

It is now that Neirin catches first sight of the attackers.

Your actions...

[GM]

The boat is ashore in a small sandy beach on the southern bank of the Leim River. The campsite sits amid a clearing between large fields to the east and west. These fields extend to the south and disappear over a small rise probably not more than 10'-15' feet in height towards the south. The fields are unplowed and stand fallow. To the south about 2/3 of the way up the small rise is a small stand of trees about 50' in width by 100' deep and is about 150'-200' away.

The trees were checked yesterday and all was clear, there was no sign of anyone having camped within this stand of trees.

[Jurri Grebel]

As soon as Jurri realizes there is an attack, he will give the alarm (he's got a good voice, and will most certainly use it now to be clearly heard by both his companions and the crew). Assuming his shield and spear are nearby, he will grab them up and be ready to assume his position (near Madrin) in defense of the camp.

(Unless, of course, Kugald gives some other orders before then.)

[Guest]

Unless the GM is more specific, Thorin will assume that the arrows came from the small stand of trees. Much too far for any accuracy, and now their surprise is lost. He will therefore begin to look around for the real threat...for surely the arrows are to distract from the armed men that now approach unseen or unnoticed......

Thorin Shouts the alarm, and the direction from whence the arrows flew....draws his blade and arms his shield, moves concurrently to find protection from the arrows, (something thick and hard like a tree) and also to protect Kugald, who he will attempt to cover as well.

" Can anyone see the archers?"

"Look out for armsmen....to arms! to arms!"

"Someone see to that whimpering fools pathetic bleating, its making my breakfast churn! Its only a pierced shoulder after all!"

[Guest]

Hovik neither runs away, nor screams like a girl.

He looks around for a shield, and if he finds one that isn't being used he grabs it and then makes his way to the injured crewman.

If he can't find a shield, he will wait a moment for the others to get into the action - he isn't going to jump in front of everyone else and make himself the primary target. Once the others are engaging the enemies' attention, he'll go after the injured man.

He will not attempt to move the man unless absolutely necessary. He just wants to remove the arrow and bind the wound to prevent excessive blood loss. He will probably cut up the man's shirt or cloak with his dagger to obtain the necessary bandages. (Kugald: That's what the Dagger/60 is for! If you ever get into a knife-fight with Hovik, you'll find that he'll never touch you, but your shirt will be neatly cut into a dozen 3-inch strips. )

As others fall he will attempt to do the same for them.

In the interest of streamlining the game, I'm happy to allow the GM to narrate Hovik's actions during the battle. He'll deviate from this modus operandi only if he's injured or directly threatened. (In which case he might just scream like a girl and run away. Or he might do something heroic. Hard to know until you've been there.)

[Kugald Daas]

"TO ARMS!" Kugald cries, adding his voice to the others.

"Jurri, Alagred, Thorin," pointing to a spot in front of the 'Waverider' and behind a thigh high driftwood log, "Shield wall, NOW!"

"Madrin, Neirin, BOWS!"

Kugald steps behind the protection of the small shield wall, drops his shield and spear at his feet and strings his bow with a swift economy of motion, nocking an arrow as quickly as possible.

As soon as he is ready, he stands up behind the shield wall and scans the tree line, looking for a target.

"Hold your arrows 'til we have a clear target," he yells...a trifle unnecessarily, Neirin is a skilled hunter and Madrin has participated in all the same drills as he has, but still it gives him something to do and makes him feel better.

Kugald looks to Sheld to see what he is doing.

TTYL

- Kerry

[Guest]

Neirin pulls an arrow, quickly fitting it to the string, all the while yelling, "There are ten attackers in the trees there." He aims and releases at the nearest archer he can see.

[Kugald Daas]

"I see them. I have the archer on the far right." Kugald takes the time to aim and fire as carefully as he can, so as to ration his arrows and so as not to embarrass himself in his first engagement.

All the while thinking to himself, damn Neirin has good eyesight.

- Kerry

[Jurri Grebel]

Jurri moves as directed, listening carefully.

He adeptly focuses on and identifies each sound...bows being drawn and released, the buzz of arrows in flight, cries of the injured...at each step becoming slightly more aware of the rhythm of the battle, and any sounds that don't belong.

He will pay special attention to any of the following:

1.) Oars or other sounds indicating boats,
2.) Hoofbeats or other sounds indicating horses, or
3.) Discernible orders being shouted by the enemy (seen or unseen).

[Guest]

Thorin moves to Kugald's side, presenting his shield to cover him while he shoots back.
Sword in hand he follows direction, ready to defend his comrades should a threat present itself.

"Loose the arrow already Kugald.....we dont have time for you to spend all day aiming.....and where in Sarajins beard is Algared?!"

[GM]

You see the boats crew begin to fly into action at the same time you do, there actions are not as unified as your warbands. They scamper to find spears, clubs and hooks all the while trying to arm their shields.

Sheld to has begun to give orders to his crew as they one by one prepare themselves for the coming fight. Sheld points to where Kugald is beginning to form up his shieldwall and orders his sailors to do the same.

Neirin's first arrow appears to strike one of the warriors but he remains standing amid the trees.

Kugald's follows the flight of his arrow but it is lost in the trees doing little damage that he can see.

Hovik moves towards the wounded sailor and takes a knee near him, a first glance the wound looks serious but there is no bleeding with the arrow having passed all the way through the mans shoulder.

There is no sign of any other attacking force as yet. But approx ten warriors begin to advance from the treeline with shields locked they are advancing at no more than a slow walk.

The second volley of arrows arrives, the first hits the woodwork of the 'waverider', the second strikes the driftwood where the sailors shieldwall is forming up and the third lands barely 6" from Kugald's left foot.

Your actions....

[Algared]

Thorin moves to Kugald's side, presenting his shield to cover him while he shoots back.
Sword in hand he follows direction, ready to defend his comrades should a threat present itself.

"Loose the arrow already Kugald.....we dont have time for you to spend all day aiming.....and where in Sarajins beard is Algared?!"

Running into position from the river bank where he had been cleaning pots he grabs his shield and spear. As he moves into position he says 'One can fight without all the yelling like a girl Thorin,' and laughs. From behind his shield he adjusts his helm then levels his spear.

He watches the trees to where Neiran indicated the attackers and watches neiran's arrow strike home, glancing left he tries to determine if more attackers are making their way down towards the ship while keeping his eyes on the attackers to their front.

[Kugald Daas]

Kugald nocks a second arrow, gauging wind and distance he loosens a second and then a third arrow. He gauges the distance of the approaching troops. When they reach 40 feet, he yells out, "Madrin, SPEAR AND SHIELD. Neirin, KEEP FIRING YOUR BOW!" At the same time, he drops his own bow and scoops up his spear and shield.

He looks right and left, he sees the seamen joining up with their small shield wall. "HOLD THE LINE. NO ONE BREAKS RANKS. TAKE ONE STEP FORWARD OVER THE LOG." Once the band clambers over the log and has secure footing again, he yells out in a loud, clear voice, "ONE MORE STEP FORWARD, PREPARE TO RECEIVE THE ENEMY!"

He yells to Capt Sheld, "JOIN YOUR MEN TO OUR WALL."

Kugald gestures to Madrin not to join the line yet. Kugald steps up on the log, gaining a foot or so in height, allowing him to look around. He scans the scene, looking for flanking troops or boats from the rear. He says to Madrin, just loud enough for him to hear, "We should wait in reserve and see where this goes."

He smiles wolfishly and says, loud enough for Algared, just in front of him, to hear, "We have them now! Stay close, cousin."

TTYL

- Kerry

[Algared]

Algared grins, "We'll have them." Algared settles a little more hearing his cousin behind him organising the line, knowing that he'll be there to assist him if required. As more sailors join the line following kugald's instructions, Algared falls to the second rank so as not to let his left handedness disrupt the battleline that would otherwise place him in its middle. not wishing to be seen as cowardly he begins to He to move to the extreme left of the line much as Kugald had once suggested when helping him fit in with the Thran shieldwall. When Kugald' tells him to stay close. Now he stays behind the centre of the line a step behind the warrior to his front, in a postition that would enable him with his his spear into an opening made by the foe.

Trusting his cousin is watching for further attackers, Algared guages the distance between the lines as they close and decides that he will attempt to cast "Breath of Dhivu", he looks for the least armoured in the enemy line and decides he will attempt to cast as they close to within contact. Algared hopes that his target will be overcome with the sudden blast of cold and fall but also reasons that with the mist the effect should be rather spectacular and should startle or stun them allowing several well aimed thrusts to break the line. In order to hopefully prepare the sailors and his compaanions for result and also have the desired effects result in praise to Sarajin he says, "Sarajin may you freeeze the hearts of our foes and grant victory." While not beseeching the grey slayer persae Algared hopes that praise will go to Sarajin, should the spell be successful and thus spread fear among their foes and embolden their allies. He also silently hopes that Sarajin does not view his intentions as blasphemous, afterall surely his abilities are because Sarajin chose grant him the ability to employ the esoteric.

[GM]

As the warband prepare themselves another volley of arrows from the treeline arrives. The first takes one of the sailors in the throat, he collapses to the ground with a strange gurgling sound coming from his mouth within moments this noise has stopped.

The second arrow strikes the shield of one of the sailors in the front rank of the shieldwall, the arrow pierces the shield cleanly with the arrowhead stopping mere inches from the sailors body.

The third arrow sails harmlessly over the shieldwall to land in the sand near the 'waverider'.

Sheld is softly talking to his crew doing his best to steady their nerves.

Hovik kneels some 20' in front of the shieldwall tending the wounded sailors shoulder. He is in the process of deftly removing the arrow and treating the wound.

As you look about you can see fear on one or two of the sailors faces, for now they hold their positions in the shieldwall.

Kugald's second arrow lands amongst the advancing warriors now a little over 100' away but it does not appear to strike at target. The advancing warriors are still closing the distance.

Assuming Neirin follows Kugalds instruction

Neirin taking his time launches his arrow towards his target, watching it arc towards the advancing warriors he sees the arrow strike the leaders shield and bounce harmlessly away.

Another volley of arrows arrives from the attackers, the men of the shieldwall duck behind shields or attempt to dodge the missiles at the last moment. The first to arrive catches a sailor in the left foot, it appears to have only just cut his leather shoe and done very little damage, with a grimace of pain he holds his position in the line.

The second arrow arrives whistling past Thorins left ear by what he thinks is inches, the arrows plunges harmlessly into the ground just behind him.

The third arrow lands on the metal boss of a sailors shield, the arrow shatters sending shards of wood towards the man's face. He looks around after the arrow has gone and there is a small cut on his left cheek and he beams from ear to ear at his luck.

Kugald sends his third arrow towards the advancing warriors. He watches the flight of the arrow as it finds it's mark. It has caught one of the advancing warriors in the left thigh. The arrow hangs loosely from his quilt gambeson and does not appear to have struck to deep.

Neirins next arrow

Neirins third arrow sails towards the warrior he picks out as the leader, this warrior apparently with other things distracting him misses the arrow and it strikes him in the chest, the man takes one perhaps two more steps and collapses to the ground.

The warriors continue their advance.

[Kugald Daas]

Kugald yells at the top of his lungs, "HOVIK! BOTH OF YOU GET BACK BEHIND THE SHIELD WALL! GET THAT SAILOR ON HIS FEET AND DRAG HIS ASS BACK HERE."

He looks over the Captain Sheld and his crew. Kugald sees the captain talking to his men quietly. He thinks to himself, the captain knows his men and knows how to motivate them. Kugald doesn't say anything specifically to the crew. The captain seems calm enough. He is experienced. Kugald shoots a quick glance over the the sailors every minute or so just to make sure they are holding.

The weaponcrafter notes the enemy footman go down with Neirin's arrow in his chest and says, in a calm tone, "Excellent shot my friend. Keep up the good work." Kugald picks out the next most dangerous looking warrior (OOC: the next most experienced or well equipped looking man). He points his spear at the man, "Neirin, see if you can take him out too."

He looks to the others in the warband and the sailors close to them, in a calm voice, he says, "Steady boys. Madrin and I are right behind you. Keep your shields locked and stick together. Madrin and I will deal with any who try to break through. Sarajin is with us."

TTYL

- Kerry

[Guest]

You didn't mention whether Hovik found a shield. I hope he did - Hovik did not intend to get in front of the others unless he found some sort of protection.

If the man is safe to move, then he'll help him back to the rear. If he isn't, then Hovik calmly responds, "You wouldn't mind stepping forward a few paces, would you?"

[Guest]

Assuming Neirin follows Kugalds instruction

(OOC) Neirin does indeed continue to send arrows into the ranks of the enemy! He will fire until his position is too close or an enemy breaks off to engage him.

[GM]

Hovik picking up the wounded warrior begins to drag him back to safety. Sheld not sure whether Hovik will make it to the shieldwall before the advancing warriors arrive yells "Shieldwall, ADVANCE!" with that the sailors take no more than 10 paces before Sheld orders "HALT!"

With Hovik now almost level with the shieldwall, Sheld is now confident that his wounded sailor is now in a safer position to be treated.

Neirin looses another arrows towards the advancing line, the arrow flies straight and true but strikes a warriors shield.

Kugald too fires another arrow like the arrows before it flies towards the advancing warriors, the arrow disappears among the warriors, the target appears to stagger for a few steps but continues his advance with his companions.

The return volley from the treeline arrives with the first arrow catching the journeyman shipwright in the left arm just above the shield, the wound on first inspection appears minor. The second arrow lands harmlessly short of the shieldwall, the third arrow catches the first mate in stomach there is a yelp pain but the burly warrior stands his ground, drops into a crouch and snaps the arrow shaft close to the wound. Beads of sweat can be seen forming on the mans brow as he does so.

The warriors now less 100' stop and deploy from double line into a single line. From this distance it can seen that most are wearing at least a quilt gambeson, carry shields, have several throwing spears and all are carrying a melee weapon on their belts.

[Kugald Daas]

OOC: for easy reference

Edit: Replaced with more up to date map below.

A1 to A3 = Enemy archers in the tree line.
E1 to E9 = Enemy infantry approaching

H = Hovik
J = Jurri
T = Thorin
A = Algared
K = Kugald
N = Neirin
M = Madrin

CP = Captain Pilot (Sheld)
JP = Journeyman Pilot
FM = First Mate
MS = Master Shipwright
JS = Journeyman Shipwright
BS = Bosun
P1 to P4 = Port Watch Sailors
S1 to S4 = Starboard Watch Sailors

S2 is dead (red)
P4 is wounded (orange)

Note: This graphic presumes that Hovik successfully gets the sailor (P4) through the shield wall to safety.

TTYL

- Kerry

[Kugald Daas]

After firing his third arrow, Kugald drops his bow and switches to his shield and spear.

Kugald pitches his voice so only those of his warband can hear.

"Jurri, Thorin and Algared, your job is to engage the three warriors to the right (E7, E8 and E9). Madrin, you support Jurri. Neirin, once we engage, shoot Thorin's man (E8) at point blank range. Algared, I will come around shield side (right for Algared) and we will gang up on the end warrior (E9), you stabbing from the left, me from the right."

"Once we take out our three warriors, we wheel left. Jurri, Thorin and Madrin, you start to roll up their line beginning with the fourth man from the right (E6)."

"Algared and I will provide protection from the archers. Neirin, once we wheel, change aim to the archers."

"Everyone clear on the plan?"

TTYL

- Kerry

[Jurri Grebel]

Jurri nods. "Ready when you give the word."

[Algared]

'I was thinking of employing the skills Sarajin gifted me, but I think we do need to charge. I am tired of letting these dogs have their day. We are Daas Cousin it is time we collar these dogs and send to the doom of their making" Algared responds in a soft voice.

Algared Hopes their sudden charge will work in their favour and give spirit to the crew. "Cousin," he say quietly to Kugald, " If Sheld and his crew follow your lead charging as well, once our foe is taken care of we should ensure those archers are silenced."

[GM]

With the enemy approaching closer Neirin looses another arrow towards their line. Watching it arc towards the target you see the arrow land squarely on one of the warriors helmets. The arrow deflects away from the target and shatters before hitting the ground.

The enemy line have now advanced to within about 50'-60' of your shieldwall. They halt. They grabbed their light throwing spears and send the first volley towards your line.

Of the eight spears heading towards you 5 land harmlessly around your defensive wall. Of the other three, the first strikes the journeyman shipwright high in the chest near his shoulder and neck. He crumples to ground from this injury. The second spear takes a sailor (P1) in the right thigh, he lets out a quick scream of pain and nearly stubbles to the ground but manages to stay on his feet. The third spear thuds into Algareds shield, the spear now making the shield almost impossible to wield.

Another three arrows arrive as well the first strikes Jurri's shield but does little damage, the second falls just short of Sheld and the third arrow strikes Jurgaan's shield piercing it by several inches but otherwise doing little damage to Jurgaan himself.

You can see the crew of the 'waverider' are now becoming quite nervous, a better armed group of warriors are about to bear down on them. Several of their own lie bleeding and dead at their feet. Sheld is yelling to his crew to hold as he stands firmly at the centre of his men. There is more than one man looking nervously about his companions determining if they should stay..... but for now Sheld seems to be setting the example.

Hovik has dragged the wounded sailor behind the shield wall but in doing so left his shield behind.

(Kerry the warrior E3 has been disabled and now lies some 50' or so behind the enemy line - thanks to one of Neirin's arrows)

[Jurri Grebel]

Jurri begins to sing a fighting song (I assume there are many of those in this culture), choosing one the crew is likely to know. He'll sing the verse, then encourage his companions and the crew to sing the chorus (something like a marching cadence). He'll ad lib lyrics as needed, trying to personalize it to the crew and maybe trash-talk the enemy while he's at it.

Hopefully, he can bolster their courage and help keep their minds off running away.

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