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Situation: The Black Tarn has been attacked by raiders, and Arbogast takes up arms in defense

Situation Modifiers:
• No opening volleys
• Company has initiative.
• Arbogast combat advantage - failed TN 14 die roll
• Mass combat will gain the advantage of three re-rolls (may take the better of the two results) due to Arbogast leading the people in song


Physical Modifiers (complications):
• none

PC/NPC	PARRY	ARMOUR	HOPE [HATE]	ENDURANCE
Arbogast	6 (shield +3)	(headgear +1)*	15/16	0/26
Raider	4 +1 (buckler)	2d+2	2/2	12/16

*Arbogast only donned his iron cap

STANCE	TN (+parry)	PC / LM-NPC	Options...
Forward - action order 1 Close combat	TN 6+	none	Intimidate - may forgo attack and make Awe or Battle roll to remove 1 or more Hate from enemies on success; fail PC loses 1 Hope
Open - action order 2 Close combat	TN 9+	Arbogast	Rally - may forgo attack and make Inspire or Song roll, restore 1 or more Encumbrance to all PC's on success; fail PC loses 1 Hope
Defensive - action order 3 Close combat	TN 12+	none	Prepare Shot - spend an entire round aiming shot, if your attack succeeds in the next round, you achieve a Called Shot
Rearward - action order 4 Ranged combat Must be 2 other PC's in Close Combat May not use if outnumbered 2:1	TN 12+	none	Protect Companion - choose a companion in Open or Forward, if they are hit you may spend 1 Hope and become the target of the attack instead

MASS COMBAT TABLE

Roll	Effect
:~~:	The raiders push hard against the defenders and many folk of the Black Tarn fall. Four :~~: rolls and the Black Tarn is lost. Arbogast is set upon by THREE attackers for the round.
1, 2, or 3	The raiders push hard against the defenders and a number of defenders die equal to the Feat roll. Arbogast is set upon by TWO attackers for the round.
4, 5, 6, or 7	The raiders and allies hold the line, no gains made by either side. Arbogast is set upon by ONE attacker plus any left over from previous round (if applicable) - max of 5
8, 9, or 10	The allies push hard against the attacker and a number of attackers die equal to the Feat roll. Arbogast is set upon by only ONE attacker for the round.
:g:	A cheer goes up as the enemy is dealt a lethal blow. Two :g: rolls and the Black Tarn is saved as the Raiders are driven away. All enemies have been swept away from Arbogast for this round.

---

MASS COMBAT ROLL
(http://rpg.avioc.org/boards/Themes/default/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d12 : 8, total 8

:ooc: This is a test to see how long it would take to end this combat based on my rules. The dice rolls are to be looked at individually - each number - not the sum of them all:

:ooc: Again...

:ooc: So it would take 15 rounds of combat for Arbogast before the raiders would finally be driven off...

5 defenders die; 26 attackers die

Seems a bit unbalanced...oh well, it's all for narrative purposes mostly.

Ok...instead of us using the roll to see how many confront you each round, I am going to make Arbogast take on six enemies - two maximum each round until they are all dead.

Again, this is for narrative purposes - and bragging rights for Arbogast. Might earn a couple good scars.  ;)  So we'll make our attacks in this thread and I will track the hit points until someone falls.

Anyway, I will have to think about a re-tool of the MASS COMBAT CHART.

The raider staggers back beneath Arbogast's blow, and his return swing is wild and easily deflected by Lafdag's shield.  Arbogast presses his advantage as more painted men close in on the defenders. 


:ooc: Attacking as before:

Heavily wounded, the man makes a feeble attempt to slay the Woodman defender, even as another warrior charges into the fray.

TN 18 sword ♦♦♦○○○

:dmg: 5 Edge :~~: Injury: 16

 :ooc: Still alive... still alive... 

Incidentally, I assume that Arbogast found time for some long conversations with Radaghast about the Shadow during the last Fellowship phase, and that my self-imposed limitation on his Shadow-Lore speciality can fall by the wayside.  What do I know about the red moon symbol these guys are carrying, and/or the symbolism of the warpaint?

:ooc: Yea, Arbogast would have had time to have conversations with Radagast.

What he knows about the Blood Moon sigil is that it has appeared only recently - and when I say recently, I mean in the last 5 years. The first hints of this new allegiance came in 2946 T.A. - and the sigil has been carried by both men and orcs. The attacks from them have been reported through southern Mirkwood and the Anduin Vale.

But no one knows from where they originate. The raiders attack and then fade back into the woods.

I marked your sheet for 5 Endurance and you can go ahead and make another attack.  :csu:

 :ooc: Yeah, let's take care of this guy.  Not that I have anything much to complain about - it's the first time I've been (physically) hurt in the campaign. 

DC 14 Long-hafted Axe 3

{:dmg:} 5, Edge :g:, Injury 18

:ooc: Cool, you have two more opponents that face you before the raiders are driven from the Tarn.

---

Arbogast did not get but a moment to catch his wind and check his chest where the raider's knife had slashed him, before another took his place. The Woodman stepped over the fallen man on the ground and brought his weapon up again to engage this new foe.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/52987685/arbogast_engaged.jpg)

TN 18 sword ♦♦♦○○○

:dmg: 5 Edge :~~: Injury: 16

:ooc: Ok...maybe I should limit the PC's to only so many opponents! We learn as we go.  ;)

Another 5 Endurance lost for Arbogast :csu:

:ooc: So, it turns out you can't attach .mp3 files to posts.  Accordingly, I recommend downloading and listening to this track (https://www.dropbox.com/s/nkrkzu8uwsza9kc/10%20Glagolitica%2C%20for%20men%27s%20chorus.mp3?dl=0) while you read the following. 


The new raider's blow knocks the iron edge of Lafdag's shield into Arbogast's face.  For a brief moment, he sees stars and hears nothing.  When he regains his senses, he is down on one knee with blood upon his brow.  Still, the fire within him burns hot, and he draws strength from his friends and kin.  He forces the shield into the raider's body, ruining the man's blow, and uses the momentary room to resume his place in the shieldwall.  Though their numbers have dwindled, the Men of Black Tarn Hall are holding fast.  They have broken the momentum of the raiders' attack. 

It is time to throw them back.

Ignoring for the moment the ineffectual blows that ring upon Lafdag's shield, he fills his lungs and strikes up a new song.  It is in the tongue of the Northmen, but of an ancient mode, and the song was old when the Woodsmen's forefathers carved out the East Bight.  It is a song that, even today, is sung when the time has come for a shieldwall to advance. 

Arbogast leads the time, stamping his feet in the mud until the men beside him take up the tune.  Ponderously, the defenders of the Hall begin to push the raiders back, towards the burning huts and the ruin of the south gate. 


:ooc: I'm shifting in to Forward stance and using Battle to Intimidate the raiders (p 179)

:ooc: ...and I'm spending a Hope point to make it stick.  :csu:

Quote from: Eclecticon on Nov 11, 2015, 02:06 PM:ooc: So, it turns out you can't attach .mp3 files to posts.  Accordingly, I recommend downloading and listening to this track (https://www.dropbox.com/s/nkrkzu8uwsza9kc/10%20Glagolitica%2C%20for%20men%27s%20chorus.mp3?dl=0) while you read the following.

:ooc: Yea, MP3 files, or video files can be pretty big - and I have never wanted to take advantage of my buddy's server. I control RPG.AVIOC.ORG 100%, but it is due to my friend providing the server bandwidth and space.

So, I limit the attachments to images and docs (sheets). Sorry, Paul.

Cool song though!

The clan of the Black Tarn fell in with Arbogast's chanted song and the voices raised above the roar of flame and screams of the dying. The invaders began to break, in small groups at first, but then in larger numbers. The momentum had definitely shifted to the Woodmen and they were pressing the advantage. The shield-wall advanced, shoving the enemy while spear and shortswords bit into flesh. The archers let their bows sing and the raiders fell.

It was done...but the cost had been great. The southern wall was burnt along with many of the houses and barns. Even as the raiders broke, men and women of the Black Tarn re-emerged with buckets to try and quench the fires. Other came with shovel and mattock and they began to shove against any burning structure so that it would collapse away from any that had yet to be damaged.

Arbogast smile at the enemy before him, singing loudly through his grin. The raider swept his sword at the Woodman, for he had no other choice - the Black Tarn folk were closing in around them and blocking their retreat.

---

TN 18 sword ♦♦♦○○○

:dmg: 5 Edge :~~: Injury: 16

I removed their Ability modifier due to the loss of morale.

For a moment, Arbogast feels the temptation to disengage, to declare to the world that his work for the day is done and let others take care of those raiders who will not surrender.  But it is not to be - already some Men of the Black Tarn are exchanging their axes for buckets and tools, fighting the fire now that the raiders are contained.  Already, the heat from the roaring flames is drying the blood on Arbogast's face and chest.  He tries to draw resolve from it and ready himself, for blow must be matched with blow until his kinsmen are safe. 



:ooc: Shifting back into Open stance again.  Let's see who drops first! 

 :ooc: second attacker takes 7 Endurance loss for 7/16.

I will resolve his actions in a little bit.

With their position flanked by chanting, furious Woodmen, the raiders were hard-pressed to attack, or fend off attacks. Arbogast and his fellows were creating a pincer that was wedging the enemy together and thus creating a kill zone.

As Arbogast fought his enemy, another charged him only to be taken through the back by a spear. Then there was another, but he too fell from a sword slash to the throat. The Woodman turned to see Amaleoda by his side, her face a terrible mask of rage. She met his eyes and gave a smile. They would have this day!

Even as they made their quick communication of looks, the raider tried to take the advantage, swiping his sword low to high, at Arbogast's midriff.

---

TN 18 sword ♦♦♦○○○

:dmg: 5 Edge :~~: Injury: 16

Arbogast blocks the blow with his shield almost reflexively, the weight of it on his arm having become comfortable and familiar over the years he has carried it.  Nodding his thanks to Amaleoda, he presses his attack. 



:ooc: Using Shadow-Lore again, have these guys ever been known to surrender?  I'm more than willing to take captives at this point. 

The young woodman wondered at his attacker's resolve. Would this man die for whomever he served? News of the raids quickly passed through the forest, but little was told of the end results as to whether any raiders had been captured. One thing was certain, there was fear in the other man's eyes. Arbogast could see as the group of attackers were whittled down in numbers, the man in front of him stumbling over the dead as he backed away towards the south gate.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/52987685/Black%20Tarn%20burning.jpg)

WHOOSH!

A great mushroom of heat, fire and smoke rose into the sky as one of the barns fell to the flames. Arbogast was now aware of everything going on around him, instead of just his opponent and his flashing sword. Animals bleated and cried, men shouted, and the wounded screamed.

It was a terrible morning.

The Woodman made to speak and offer surrender, when a spear came from his right to impale his opponent. The man slid to the ground, his eyes staring dead at Arbogast.

And with his death, it was done - at least for Arbogast and those immediately around him. Further down the line, skirmishes continued but things were wrapping up quickly for the defenders of the Black Tarn. Having naught to do and tired of the killing, Arbogast wandered over to a fence and leaned into it - his mind troubled by another awful event.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/52987685/arbogast_troubled.jpg)

Arbogast's eyes are half-blinded with sweat, blood and smoke, but as he catches his breath he sees a magpie sitting on a nearby post, as if oblivious to the bloodshed and destruction taking place around it.  "Go," he says to the bird.  "Tell Radaghast what has happened this morning." 

Whether or not it understands his request, it flaps its wings and flies away, disappearing into the smoky sky before Arbogast can tell which direction it flies.  His concerns are, for now, more terrestrial.  Though he counts few dead among his kin, there are many who will need the attentions of a healer.  He gives a weary sigh that he hopes no-one else notices, then staggers to his feet to find what, if anything, is left of his stocks of healing herbs.  And Lindwine, the thought suddenly lurches up in his heart.  What has become of her?


:ooc: First things first - I recover six points of Endurance, which puts me out of danger of imminent Weariness. 
EDIT: :csu:

I'm going to the house to see just how much it's burned to the ground along with everything I own in the world that I'm not currently carrying.  I'm also keeping my eyes peeled for Lindwine. 

In the slightly longer term, I'm obviously going to strike out for Rhosgobel to report the news in person once the situation here has stabilised.  Would you like me to play out making my farewells, or should I just turn up in the other thread?

:ooc: And now, having re-read the adventure phase thread, I see that we're kicking this one off exactly where Arbogast is.  So instead of all that stuff above, I'll stay here and help rebuild. 

 :ooc: I will bring the two threads together in my next post.