The Battle is Joined - Wave 1

[Eclecticon]

Cue the soundtrack...

[Eclecticon]

As the bear banner returns to the Beorning lines, a murmur passes through the army.  Those within the village have refused to see reason, and words have failed.  Now, it is time for the war-horns to be blown, to kill, and to die.  The thegns lift their voices and raise the swords in their hands, urging their followers forward with shields high, and moments later the fields are trodden beneath the feet of two hundred men.  Cries of challenge ring out from both sides as the Toft-men move to the stockade, ready to defend any breach. 

Though the wind is at their backs, still the Beornings become the target of a handful of arrows fired from holding Stánford.  Most end their flight in the thick wood of a shield, but cries of pain sound to Grimbeorn's left and right.  Without command, the Beorning line breaks into a steady run which ends only when the stockade is near.  Then the bloody work of forcing a breach begins. 


  From here on, you'll be making two Battle tests per assault wave.   Until otherwise stated, the Engagement Mood is 4 – a bold assault, so any failed Battle roll will result in a loss of four points of Endurance.  You can switch positions after each wave, if you so desire. 

Grimbeorn (as commander-in-chief) is an exception to this rule.  Instead of making Battle rolls, he can choose to make Inspire rolls – successful rolls will lower the other TN for Battle rolls in the same location – or Awe rolls – which will lower the number of Battle rolls that characters in that area will need to make.  If he does choose to fight in the front lines (by making Battle rolls) every success grants one automatic success to someone else in the same area. 

Let me know if any of the above is confusing. 

First Battle rolls:
The main assault
Grimbeorn

1d12 : 2, total 2
Rolled 2d6 : 5, 1, total 6

Hathcyn

1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 1d6 : 6, total 6

Tate

1d12 : 10, total 10
Rolled 1d6 : 4, total 4

Anar

1d12 : 4, total 4
Rolled 2d6 : 3, 3, total 6

Inside Stánford
Bandy

1d12 : 10, total 10
Rolled 2d6 : 2, 3, total 5

Esgalwen

1d12 : 10, total 10
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 6, total 7

On the flanks
Arbogast

1d12 : 11, total 11
Rolled 4d6 : 1, 2, 4, 3, total 10

[Eclecticon]

Spears jab like striking serpents and axes are swung wildly as the Beornings reach the stockade.  Bodies press close against one another as each man seeks the protection of his neighbours' shields in addition to his own.  One arrow and then another tear holes in the bear banner, but it stands firm and proud beside Grimbeorn, though he himself must hastily raise his shield to deflect the careless back-swing of one of his men.  At the forefront of the assault, Anar, already bleeding from a gash to the side of his nose, swings his greataxe in a broad arc.  Shivers are sent flying as he cuts into the still-green wood of the stakes. 

To the left and right of the banner, men carry on the assault, each desperately seeking a weak point in the fortifications. 

Inside the stockade, a runner is sent with a burning torch to light the kindling by the barn, but he is felled in seconds by arrows from hidden ambushers, his flame dying in the cold mud.  More will no doubt come once he is missed, but for now the folk within the barn are safe. 


In the initial advance, Grimbeorn, Anar and Arbogast all take damage.  Arbogast's roll has also triggered a Hazard - let's find out where...

Rolled 1d12 : 4, total 4

[Eclecticon]

Looks like there's something going on on the flanks, so Arbogast has to deal with it.  Rolling to see if he can spot what's coming in time:

Awarness 2d, TN 16

1d12 : 12, total 12
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 2, total 8

[Eclecticon]

"HOLD!" comes the cry from the Fire-watcher as the left flank approaches the earthen bank beneath the stockade.  Fortune smiles upon the Beornings, and there is yet time enough to do as he bids, for here, where the ground is softer and muddier, sharpened slivers of wood have been driven just far enough into the earth to be a danger to unwary feet.  Forming a tight shield wall, the Men of the Vales advance once more, though more cautiously.


Righto - everyone has a chance to narrate something they're trying to do as a heroic opportunity before we do the second round of Battle rolls (or equivalent for Grimbeorn).  Exampli gratia:
- Athletics to lift the beam away from the barn door, and Inspire to get the terrified folk within to follow you out
- Craft to aggressively disassemble the stockade
- Insight to spot a friend's morale already beginning to crack, and Inspire or Song to restore their will to fight. 

Let's hear what you've got! 

[tomcat]

Esgalwen signaled for the flight of arrows and the torchbearer died. She and the Beornings had positioned themselves in hides around the barn. She would litter the ground with Toft-men before allowing spark to be placed to kindling.

The idea to rush the barn door and free the people was ever in her mind. Will they be safer without or within? she pondered, as sounds of battle began to rage. From the gates, the cries of men and women could be heard and stray arrows began to fall around the streets of Stánford - fired from archers who were unaware of what might be hit.

A Beorning muttered something to her right, "We must get them now!"

Esgalwen looked from the man to the barn and back again, her mind struggling with the decision. If we free them, they can move to the opposite side of town where the fighting has not engaged. Surely the Raiders are all massing the gates where Grimbeorn attacks.

"Yes," she said. Her mind cleared of doubts. "You three with me! We shall force the barn door open and secure the prisoners. The rest of you...keep us from being harried by any Toft-men!"

Esgalwen ran with the three Beornings towards the barn doors and the massive wood beam that held it closed. Once there, they all put shoulder underneath and heaved upward.
A roll to get the barn open. Not sure if I get any benefits from other people helping, but this is just Esgalwen's strength as rolled. Add to it if you want, Paul...or detract. 

TN 14 athletics 2d

1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 2, total 8

[tomcat]

Great success!
The beam was lifted up and over their heads and then it was dropped to the ground, making a dull SLUMP sound in the mud.

Esgalwen backed away, her bow once more in her hands with an arrow nocked, as the Beornings pulled upon the barn doors. The villagers inside looked out in terror, not knowing if death had come for them, but the fear was quickly abated when they saw their kin beyond.

"COME!" cried one tall Beorning, his beard and mustache clattering with beads. "YOU MUST AWAY!"

The villagers of Stánford exited the trap and were quickly ushered by their kin away from the skirmish, in a direction that would lead them to the opposite side of the town.

The Ranger, pleased with the results, signaled to the three men who had followed her, "Now we hunt!"

[Telcontar]

Do we have an assault wave roll to see how we are doing before we narrate?

[Eclecticon]

My plan is to do those at the end of each wave - the PCs kinda lift their heads from whatever they've been doing and see how the tide of battle is going. 

[Telcontar]

Hathcyn heard the crash of wood and metal all around him. The cries of the men, indeterminable, between friend and foe sounded all around him. There were some voices that he knew, seasoned men, calling to their kin and comrades as they pushed against the stockade. The ash pole of the standard tugged in his hands as the wind whipped the banner and ever his attentions were made to ensure that Grimbeorn was not surrounded or beset upon from a side. Hathcyn knew that only his body would act as a shield for his lord as the banner took all of his attention. No idle hand for a shield and only in dire need would an axe or blade be available to defend him.

The standard bearer was not idle in his charge. Grimbeorn's spot on the battle field was marked for friend and foe to see by its presence.  The long stride of Hathcyn stepped upon a cross bar of the defenses, the standard held aloft in his young strong arm and the ram horn of the dwarves blew a long clear note above the din of the battle.

"THE CUBS OF THE BEAR ARE UPON YOU!"

Awe Roll to intimidate and inspire.
This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d12 : 3, total 3
This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 3d6 : 5, 2, 3, total 10

[Telcontar]

cross posted while you were posting Paul. Roll is as is.

[tomcat]

I forgot to give you the requested Inspire roll:

TN 14 inspire 2d; noble lineage - roll 2 feat die, keep better of two

2d12 : 9, 11, total 20
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 1, total 2

[tomcat]

Well that sucks... at least I do not have to worry about the result, but my two success dice fall on snake-eyes!

Okay, in for a penny, in for a pound - Esgalwen is already miserable so she will spend another to see this through.  

That makes that 15 result. If the TN's are 14, we have a success. If the TN's are 16 or higher, I will save my point.

[GandalfOfBorg]

 
 

Awe -  1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 3d6 : 6, 3, 5, total 14

Hope if it helps.

[GandalfOfBorg]

Grimbeorn continues his press toward the barricade for they must gain entrance quickly to end this fight.  He swings into the fray with axe and shield, and a great roar of the bears of his ancestors.  "For your people! Beornings forward!" With a great swing of his axe, he brings a raider low, skull cloven to his shoulders.