Dirnhael's eyes opened.
Confusion was his first thought, but then he remembered the long night before and all that had occurred. He was stretched out on a cushioned couch, which was quite accomodating, and he noticed that his visible wounds had been bound. Across from him, Fengel also slept on an identical bedding and he too looked as if he had been tended in the night.
The Dúnadan sat up and immediately regretted it as his still bruised body shot wracking pain throughout. He let out a groan and Fengel stirred from the noise. Dirnhael forced himself to his feet and went about finding out how Edrahil was doing.
The Sindar was also awake and looking far better than he had the night (or earlier morning) prior. He smiled as his friends entered the bed chamber where he had been treated, "Dirnhael, Fengel, you are well!" Edrahil's voice was happy but somewhat weak.
Durgil was wakened by a soldier of Ilanin. "Lord of Arthedain, my captain has sent word for you to awaken and come see."
The two men rushed out of the garrison and to the battlements of Ulvanin. Once he had crested the stair, Durgil looked out towards the east. Where the Sagath encampment had been the night before, there was now only a few men milling about packing the final remnants of pavillion poles and tents into a few wagons. Smoke came from piles of rubbish and other unknowns, blowing east with the wind. Durgil quickly looked south and east where the staging area of Harizän's wains were the night prior, and save for the few skeletons of burnt wagons, it too had emptied.
Harizän had started his march west - to war.
Galudir felt a touch of apprehension. The past week he had spent with the Éothraim outriders, ranging the prairies west of Ilanin trying to locate the Sagath army that may be coming their way.
One of the horsemen scouts lay on the ground listening. He lifted his head, "It is a great number of moving men, wagons and beasts... two-hundred at the minimum."
Their job was to find the Easterlings, harry them and lead them back to Thuidmar and the Éothraim host. The rogue did not mind the riding about, but war was not his bailiwick. He always preferred the more subtle approach.
The unit commander spoke, "Saddle back up... be ready - all of you. Let's lead the fly into our trap!"
[OOC:] Courage and health points have been taken care of on your character sheets for the new day and the rest and first aid given.
Fengel was glad to see their elf friend was alive and, though not his usual self, doing well. He grabbed his friend by the hand and gave a careful shake, "You had us worried Edrahil." With that he turned to Dirnhael, "I must see what plans have been made in our absence. I fear for the lives of my kin that remained in the Easterling camp."
[OOC:] Hey Paul, what does Fengel want to do? Cross the river? Just go to the river to see what is going on in the remnants of the Sagath camp? Let me know either with an OOC or via story narrative and dialogue.
OOC: Fengel is first going to find Patrel and see what they were planning. Then he will make his plea for aid to go to the camp.
"Soldier, see that any who are coming to fight are made ready for swift riding. The enemy is abroad and has a considerable start on us." May the winds of the West be at our backs, he thinks in silence, a prayer oft given by the sailors of Numenor long lost. Pondering only a moment longer on the sight before him, he turned to go meet with the captains of Ilanin would go to fight and maybe this Patrel he'd heard of.
Fengel found Patrel and his men, re-dressed in more common clothing, and readying to leave their hideout. Patrel looked to the Éothraim, "I am off to the mayoral manse. I go to seek audience with the captain of the guard there and find out what plans he makes to stop the Sagath."
Dirnhael, along with a slow-moving Edrahil, also came into the room. Patrel turned his attention to the newcomers, "Take care of your friend. We will bring news."
It was unnecessary for Durgil to go anywhere, for as he turned, Reyvold came up the stairs. "Good! You are awake Lord Durgil." The Dúnadan noticed that the captain had taken to using the honorifics towards him. "It appears our enemy has left us in the night. It is unfortunate, but there would have been no way to rally our guard in time to waylay them. When you are ready, I have gathered my council and we request your presence."
Fengel grabbed Patrel by the hand, and looked deep into his eyes as he made his plea. "I have seen the way Harizan's men break camp and I beg you to lend me aid. There were still some of my people left alive across the river, but if I don't go to them they will be murdered and their bodies desecrated."
"Then let us all journey there first, Fengel," said Patrel. "I would not see anymore pains to your people within the region of my city, if I can help it. Our hands have been idle for too long!"
The Éothraim could see Patrel's face twist into a visage of embarrassment and guilt. The man had sworn an oath to preserve his city, but within it he had allowed some of the worst atrocities by his inaction.
"Come, we shall go there now. Dirnhael, see to your other friend and if possible, get him to Ulvanin. The healers there will be able to help him even more."
That said, Patrel and a troop of men led Fengel from the house where they had spent the night. The small company ran to the main river crossing and stood on the shores looking across at the smoking emptiness of what once was the Sagath encampment. Patrel called for a bargeman to ferry the group.
"It will be 12 coppers, for you and yer men," said the barge owner. The lieutenant quickly replied, "Sir! You will prepare this barge for crossing my men and you will do it by order of the mayor!" Patrel pulled back his leather jerkin to reveal his colors of station. Though he was on forced leave, the bargeman did not know that, and he quickly pardoned himself and ushered the group aboard.
Once on the other shore, the view was grim. The Easterlings had left the encampment, but the uncovered pavillion frames and posts looked like great skeletons of long dead beasts, and the smoke from burning rubish made the landscape look torn and raped from war. The few remaining workers looked to the newcomers and fear crossed their faces - some went for weapons.
Quote from: tomcat on Jun 08, 2008, 05:33 PM
"Dirnhael, see to your other friend and if possible, get him to Ulvanin. The healers there will be able to help him even more."
Dirnhael nodded - though he wished to accompany Fengel, his aching body made it clear that he was in no position to argue. He needed to be hale by the time they caught up with Harizan and his men, and he hoped that Edrahil would be able to join him, for Dirnhael relied heavily on his Elven friend's sage counsel.
He clasped hands with both Fengel and Patrel and bid them farewell, then went to thank the healers in the guard station who had done them all a service. After he had done so, he wrapped his arm around Edrahil's shoulders, and the two of them made their way to the fortress of Ulvanin.
To many observers during their short trip, it was often difficult to tell if the Man was holding up the Elf, or the other way 'round...
Durgil flushed a little at the title of 'lord'; a title to his mind he had not yet earned. 'Of course, lead on and I shall follow.'
In the garrison, Durgil learned what the town of Ilanin had as far as resources - seventy-five hired soldiers, and a militia, three-hundred strong, that could be mustered in times of imminent danger to the city.
As he and Reyvold discussed numbers and dispositions, another soldier of rank entered the chamber. "So what is going on here, Reyvold?" he asked sharply. "I come back from leave and find that you have suborned yourself to the mayor and town officials... that you have also restricted any sentry to answer to Lord Palagard! And who is this?"
The last question was like a hiss from his tongue. Durgil saw Reyvold straighten a little at the new man's presence and realized that the one outranked the other. The young Dúnadan hoped that Reyvold's will was greater and that he would stick to his oath made the night before.
Outside the garrison, at the main gates of Ulvanin, Edrahil and Dirnhael, along with the remainder of Patrel's men, entered the keep. Other soldiers ran up at first to deter, but then in recognition of their fellow soldiers, gave aid to the two companions that still suffered from their wounds.
[OOC:] I will update Fengel and Patrel once Paul has a chance to post.
Quote from: tomcat on Jun 08, 2008, 05:33 PM
Once on the other shore, the view was grim. The Easterlings had left the encampment, but the uncovered pavillion frames and posts looked like great skeletons of long dead beasts, and the smoke from burning rubish made the landscape look torn and raped from war. The few remaining workers looked to the newcomers and fear crossed their faces - some went for weapons.
"Stay your weapons or you will die!" Fengel barked at those that threatened action. "What have you done with my kin!" Fengel snapped as he stomped toward the nearest easterling that looked a threat, Cerduil drawn and ready.
The gathered Sagath were not warriors. They were thin and malnourished, and did not have the heart for a fight with professional soldiers - left here to perform utilitarian functions. They quickly lowered their weapons and then with hesitant motions, pointed to the corral where Durgil and Fengel had found the prisoners two days prior.
Fengel and Patrel ran to the stockade and looked within. Still tied to posts in the sweltering heat of summer, were the few remaining prisoners of Harizän the Easterling. Some were definitely of Éothraim descent, while others looked to be natives of both Dorwinion and other lands east. The Sagath did not discriminate.
Hands were blue from the tight leather thongs that held them and from blood-loss, having been tied above the captives' heads. Lips were cracked from lack of water and those that could, let out whimpers that pleaded for release - be it from their bondage of the Sagath or the hell on earth that they endured.
Once again, Fengel's stomach turned to a ball of ice.
As Dirnhael walked the few yards remaining to the garrison house, he heard a voice call out from the walls above, "OY! Looks like we have people on the other shore now! Might be Patrel and his lads!"
The Dúnadan knew the man was correct in his assumption and he gave a silent prayer for his friend that he not get hurt, but also that he did not lose himself from what he might find.
OOC: Sorry for the absence, the flooding here in Cedar Rapids has been a bit distracting.
"I am Durgil of Arthedain," he said standing tall. "The men have been summoned here to repel the Sagath invasion, and Reyvold, here, has defied the Lord Mayor in effort to deal with the danger that threatens all the lands this side of the river to the mountains and maybe beyond."
Quote from: GandalfOfBorg on Jun 14, 2008, 07:44 AM
OOC: Sorry for the absence, the flooding here in Cedar Rapids has been a bit distracting.
OOC: Holy cow... everything OK?
OOC: Iowa Flood (http://roleplay.avioc.org/boards/index.php/topic,499.0.html)
Quote from: tomcat on Jun 13, 2008, 05:44 PM
The gathered Sagath were not warriors. They were thin and malnourished, and did not have the heart for a fight with professional soldiers - left here to perform utilitarian functions. They quickly lowered their weapons and then with hesitant motions, pointed to the corral where Durgil and Fengel had found the prisoners two days prior.
Fengel and Patrel ran to the stockade and looked within. Still tied to posts in the sweltering heat of summer, were the few remaining prisoners of Harizän the Easterling. Some were definitely of Éothraim descent, while others looked to be natives of both Dorwinion and other lands east. The Sagath did not discriminate.
Hands were blue from the tight leather thongs that held them and from blood-loss, having been tied above the captives' heads. Lips were cracked from lack of water and those that could, let out whimpers that pleaded for release - be it from their bondage of the Sagath or the hell on earth that they endured.
Once again, Fengel's stomach turned to a ball of ice.
"Cut them down!" Fengel yelled as he ran to the nearest captive. Throwing the man's arm around his own shoulders, he cut the strap that held him there for so long. The man couldn't support himself, so Fengel lowered him slowly to the ground. "Rest for a moment and then we will see you are cared for." It was then that Fengel remembered the women Harizan had held in cages. He quickly ran toward the place he and Durgil had found two nights ago. Not even thinking about the fence, he cleared it in one swift leap and kept his pace.
Harizän was a competitive man and he loved his trophies - in all forms. The ancillary pavilion that had housed the captive women was now de-constructed and the wooden stalls that still sat there were empty. Either the Easterling had taken them with him, or worse.
The Éothraim shook his head in self spite - he had left them there. Fengel turned from the empty stalls and went back to aid Patrel and his men in freeing the remaining prisoners. He smiled to see that the few remaining Sagath were now in custody of the soldiers of Ilanin.
It was a beginning.
"Reyvold may be a captain of the guard, but he is not the ranking off.."
Durgil smiled to himself as the newly arrived officer was cut off by Reyvold, "No, I am not the ranking officer in Ilanin... but I am now the ranking officer of those soldiers that will no longer standby and let our city be used by barbarians. You may ask us to leave the garrison, but you may no longer issue commands to us." Reyvold then straightened a bit, looking more confident and professional, "Commander Solus, I regret to inform you that myself and sixty-four members of the Ilanin Guard resign from yours and the Lord Mayor's service and transfer our command to Lord Durgil of Arthedain. It is in the defense and best interests of our city that we do this... and you are welcome to join us."
The room became quiet as Solus realized he had no more authority. In a huff, he turned and left the room leaving Durgil and Reyvold to continue their plans.
The afternoon came and passed, and as was expected, Solus issued orders to those few that remained faithful to the court of Korman Pelagard to remove Reyvold, Patrel and Durgil from the mayoral facilities. And so, the Company with their newly recruited troop of soldiers all gathered on the western field of Ilanin, where Nain and had remained amongst the merchants. The Dwarf had remained with a small group of his kin - the others had moved on - but he had made promise to see through the night, protecting Fengel's sister. With the return of the Company, goodbyes were said, and friends parted ways.
The commanders of the new troop, made up of the Company members, Reyvold and Patrel, sat around a fire as the night settled in, and discussed the next day's course. They would be able to muster a good number of horses, but not enough for the entire troop. In any case, the small host would move out in the morning and head west, towards Thergas, Thuidmar and the gathered Éothraim army.
Under the same night sky, Galudir sat in the dark with his companions. They had been harrassing the edge of the Sagath army, leading them in the direction of Thuidmar.
The rogue removed the dirty rags that he had wrapped around his hand where he had taken a stray arrow. The shaft had pierced his hand as they had ridden to escape the angered Easterlings. One of the Éothraim had broken the arrow and drew it from his palm; now it bled and Galudir feared infection having no way to tend it properly. Again he questioned his decision to leave the quiet lands of home, far away, west of the Misty Mountains.
Durgil is glad to see all is well with Fengel's sister but of course is sad to see his companion go. "I will continue to wear your sword as a reminder of our friendship; it is an honor to bear it hence. Go in good health and good stead, my friend."
[OOC:] Everyone can feel free to add some narrative here for the next day, but I am setting up the new series of Narrations and the upcoming battle.
I hope you guys remember our last big battle at Barad-dur... I will be running it the same way. You guys will have combat actions while around you the battle is waged.
I will say that there is one way to avoid the bloodshed - if one of the characters challenge Harizan in one on one melee - the prize is the field.
Your call... but I ask that if your PC has that intention, please let me know before I spend a lot more time organizing our mass-combat game mechanics. ;)
Lastly, with the end of this chapter, we will be taking a short hiatus from this campaign so that I can give some time to my dungeon crawl (below). We will re-start back with our Company sometime in late July - of course, it could be sooner if my brains start churning. Then again, we may pick up the Star Trek story... either way, we have a big battle to fight still.
OOC: I kind of had the idea that Fengel would challenge Harizan earlier, but I never found a suitable place. So if you want to work that in I will plan on Fengel doing so. You know he has that proud and short tempered flaw.
Quote from: Palandil on Jun 17, 2008, 03:07 PM
OOC: I kind of had the idea that Fengel would challenge Harizan earlier, but I never found a suitable place. So if you want to work that in I will plan on Fengel doing so. You know he has that proud and short tempered flaw.
OOC: I suppose that makes sense. Thinking in character, Dirnhael would be
extremely uncomfortable putting Fengel's life at risk over his own, but given that this involves Fengel's people and lands, he would likely relent.
Also, while we're here, how injured is Dirnhael? Edrahil?
[OOC:] Dirnhael's and Edrahil's well-being are both displayed on their online PC sheets. This will be their health as of the day you all arrive at the field of battle.
The link above Battle Map (http://roleplay.avioc.org/battle.htm) displays the field and also gives the specs on the armies involved. I need to tweak some stuff, but for the most part it is set.
You guys will be able to guide the battle if you want, or I can do it as a background event to your interactions on the field... you guys let me know your preference.
Lastly, the map has hotspots on it that can be clicked that will bring up details of what is going on in that theater of the battle.
Any questions, give me a shout.