Retribution - Round 5

[tomcat]

The Dúnadan masterwork shone in the morning sun and it flashed all about the Easterling who struggled to parry. Harizän shifted left to block a feint, only to overextend himself. Fengel quickly brought the sword around and slashed at the Sagath's side, cutting deeply into his mid-section.

Reaching for the wound with a groan, Harizän staggered back and the weight of his large axe dragged to the ground. The blood flowed through his clenched fingers and nausea filled him. He was dying.

Anger raged through the man and bile filled his mouth, as he spat "DAMN YOU!"

With whatever was left in him, the Easterling hefted his axe once more and charged Fengel.

[There may be more to this depending on the results of Fengel's parries in Round 4]



Situation: Fengel and Harizän commence one-on-one melee

Situational Modifiers: Warrior-born abiltiy (+2 to all AC, RC, UC, for the duration of the battle). Fengel will get a +2 to his attacks due to Harizän's two-handed attacks, but Harizän's combat manoeuvres give him a +4 to damage.

I am granting the Pawn of Prophecy edge to Fengel for this combat session. [0 PoP points left]

Harizän is standard hit points and wound levels.

Physical Modifiers: Harizän is Wounded -3 (reduced effect due to Hardy edge), and Tired -2 [The poison will continue to reduce Harizän's weariness status; each effect will last in rounds the penalty imposed (i.e. he will be tired for 2 rounds, weary for 4, etc.)]

Initiative:
Fengel - 10
Harizän - 9

[tomcat]

Around the warriors, Dirnhael could feel the tension rising. The Éothraim could see that Fengel was winning the battle, while the Sagath were watching their leader falter.

The Dúnadan knew that the Easterling was more than just a leader, he was their master and it was his will alone that held the army together. Perhaps in time, another of these folk would rise to rally another band of invading wainriders, but for now the threat was beginning to diminish. It would take nothing more than a shove to send the rock that was the Sagath army tumbling over the brink. Dirnhael needed to rally the men around him... and push!

[Palandil]

Fengel was pleased to see the huge man weakening.  He had often thought of this moment since learning of his sisters capture.  And now Harizan would pay for all that he had done.  Once again the brute came at him with his axe, and Fengel responded with a shout of his own.  "Your judgment has come!" he cried, as he ran to meet him.

Fengel attacks Harizan TN12
AC+13; Spec.+2; +2bonus
Action1: Roll(2d6)+17:3,6,+17 Total:26
Action2: Roll(2d6)+17:2,1,+17 Total:20
Action3: Roll(2d6)+17:3,2,+17 Total:22
Action4: Roll(2d6)+17:2,6,+17 Total:25
If needed I'll use some courage to make at least to attacks succeed.

[tomcat]

Harizän attempts to parry Fengel
TN 26, 20, 22, 25 AC +14, Specialty +2, Warwise +1, Weapon Mastery +3, Masterwork Axe +1, Warrior-born +2, Wounded -3, Tired -2, (MAP -5) = +18
-------------------------
Action 1- Roll(2d6)+18: 5,2,+18 Total:25 FAILED [Damage taken: 17 -4 armour = 13 - dropped to Incapacitated -5]
Action 2- Roll(2d6)+16: 5,5,+16 Total:26 SUCCESS
Action 3- Roll(2d6)+16: 2,1,+16 Total:19 FAILED [Damage taken: 10 -4 armour = 6 - dropped to Near Death -7]
Action 4- Roll(2d6)+11: 2,4,+11 Total:17 FAILED [Damage taken: 12 -4 armour = 8 DEAD]



Harizän charged into the Éothraim, but his wounds and the poison had reduced his capacity to react. Fengel on the other hand moved with the grace and precision of an artist.

The Éothraim brought Cerduil down in a low slash catching the Easterling just above the knee, causing the larger man to stagger. Still in motion, Fengel maneuvered under Harizän's flailing arms, slashing upwards through the soft leather jerkin and into the Sagath's stomach, just below the sternum. The Éothraim warrior quickly yanked his sword out and spun, as the Sagath faltered on his feet. Harizän began to fall forward and Cerduil's tip found his neck.

A fountain of blood shot forth onto the dusty ground and the large Easterling landed hard. Fengel took a defensive stance and slowly circled around the dying man, listening to the Sagath's wet and intermittent breathing. He knew it was done.

Around the combattants, things were deadly quiet. Then horns began to swell and the Éothraim people began to shout a victorious cry - a cry for vengeance on all those remaining invaders within their lands. The Sagath, now leaderless, could feel the rage and confidence swell around them. To a man, they broke and began to flee the field, dropping weapons and abandoning wains as they retreated.

Many Éothraim rode forth to ride them down. Fengel stood oblivious to that around him - he simply stared and watched as Harizän took his final breath. Not far away, Dirnhael looked on. He felt no obligation in pursuing the fleeing Easterlings and just waited on his friend, waited for him to have his complete retribution.

[sdrotar]

As the field scattered around him in chaos, Dirnhael did not move. It was over, and within moments, only he and Fengel were left standing on the plain; the fallen Easterling leader at Fengel's feet.

"The day is yours," he called across the dusty terrain while making his way toward his friend. Fengel had ended the war with his own hands.
"Your people are free," he said quietly with a smile, patting Fengel on the shoulder. "And I daresay that they may have found a new leader, as well."

Perhaps this was the beginning of their parting, Dirnhael thought. The notion saddened him even though he knew it was what they set out to do. Fengel was one of Dirnhael's last links to his journey's beginning; a noble spear - and then a steady hand upon the sword he had granted to the Eothraim - faithfully at his side through so many adventures.

If this was to be their end, then Dirnhael found himself wishing that he might be so fortunate as his friend, reunited with loved ones and returned to them a hero worthy of song.

He put his arm around his tired but victorious friend and guided him home, taking each measured step in as if he was watching a comet streak across the sky; brilliant, but never to be seen again.