[Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Pendragon: Tales of Chivalry and Sorcery is the place to go if you want to play Pendragon. Cpt._Funkotron will be your GM, with assistance from CarrieVS.

[Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Tue Nov 19, 2019 2:48 am

The snow falls heavy that year. In proud timber halls, ale-soaked taverns, and reed-thatched huts, countless Britons huddle around countless hearths for warmth, and attend the tale of Blains the Bastard and the Crippled Count.

As the stories have it, it was all something to do with a lady. According to one version, Blains had tried to abduct a young maiden, and it was her guardian, the Leaping Knight, who first rode out against him on his own initiative. According to a more popular version, Blains had cuckolded the Crippled Count by seducing Lady Ellen, who had long been known to be the object of his affections, and Roderick dispatched his knights against Levcomagus in vengeance. Regardless of the cause, the Leaping Knight met Blains the Bastard in battle and struck him down for ransom, Roderick took him into his hospitality and vowed honorable conduct to Blains as his prisoner, and that vow was not kept, for he was murdered in his cell while the Crippled Count held a feast in his hall above. Some say it was mere neglect, others that it was on Roderick's biddinghas he toasted his foe's demise. In either case, Terwynn the Mad, a knight of Cornwall avenging a past dishonor, opened his throat before fleeing the castle and ultimately the kingdom.

All of the stories end the same; that to avenge his son, Ulfius, the Wolf of Silchester, aims to make war on the Crippled Count come Spring.

Roderick the 'Sinister' is another name he's come to be known by, originally the Bishop of Londinium's idea of a joke. The Earl has done almost nothing but fret all winter, pacing frequently in his drafty solar, or walking along the icy battlements of his castle talking to himself. His fortieth birthday came and went a week after Michaelmas, and with his greying temples, bags under his eyes, creased brow, and halting gait, he looks every day of it. When he isn't fretting, he's meeting with his advisers and discovering newer and better reasons to fret. Every few days another dozen sell-swords trickle into the city, dragging their sodden boots through miles of murky snow in the hopes of hot food, ready pay, and future plunder. The Earl takes them all, for he can scarcely afford not to. Since the sack of Roe-Deer the previous autumn, Roderick has managed to draw fewer than fifty mercenary knights to his cause, whereas Ulfius is said to have retained a hundred and half again. Moreover, the Duke has gained the support of the Saxons of Berroc, the Baron of Thornbush, the Equites of Londium, and a dozen or so knights of Lincoln, led by young Sir Gelyn of Louth.

King Uther is apparently frustrated at the current state of affairs, to have his two greatest vassals and staunchest supporters at each other's throats while the rebel Cornwall amasses his strength in the west, but by custom can do nothing until either Roderick or Ulfius bring a formal complaint to the royal bench. Since doing so would be tantamount to admitting weakness in the eyes of the other barons, neither lord will seek redress at court until they have done so in the field of battle, however uncertain of victory the Earl might be.

Yet, outnumbered and outmatched, the knights of Salisbury are not without friends.



The night after Christmas, a caravan of travelers, a hundred or more men, women, and children, arrive at the gates of Pillarford Castle. The men among them are garbed in hole-ridden and muddy lorica mail with naked spathae stuck through their belts, chests wrapped in threadbare scarlet cloaks, unkempt beards providing all the service they can in shielding their faces from the howling winds. Their leader announces himself as one Sir Petrieus, who led men under Persidius at Odon and Caen two years ago. He says that the host of King Sygarius was destroyed, and the King himself is presumed dead. There is nothing left now of Gaul, except what the Franks now hold in shackles. He begs refuge for his men and their families, offering the service of the thirty-odd able men among them in exchange.


On the feast of the epiphany, Larksnest Manor is paid visit by a host of fifty Pictish warriors wrapped in warm woolen tartans. They are led by a fierce young woman and a knight with no surcoat and an unpainted shield, who Diane recognizes as Princess Uradech and Sir Jordanus, respectively. "Your sister sends her love" says Jordanus. "She also sent word that you'd need some mercenaries" says Uradech.


Just after the first thaw of the year, a pair of wolf-headed Saxon longships beach themselves on the west bank of the River Avon, just south of Woodford. They blow horns and wave flags to demonstrate their peaceful intent. Sir Elaine, or Thegn Eleach as she is known to her followers, walks before them to greet her brother. "Word's come a long way you've got another war on. Sure it's nothing a few proper Essex lads can't handle!"


A week before Easter, on the cusp of the campaigning season, a party of well-appointed knights and footsoldiers flying the colors of Summerland arrive at Winterbourne, led by Princess Angharad. "It's Sir Angharad now, actually. I bring word from King Cadwy. An alliance is to exist between your house and ours. As you are to be bound to my sister, the knights of Hartcliffe are to be bound to fight and die alongside you. They have come to honor that allegiance" says Haldir Angharad. "I'm here at the behest of my sister to ensure that you don't get yourself killed before her wedding day. Speaking of which-" begins the Princess, before her dark-haired younger sibling bursts out from among the knights, clambers off her horse and rushes into Sir Leiryn's arms.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby Scarik » Wed Nov 20, 2019 2:48 am

The night after Christmas, a caravan of travelers, a hundred or more men, women, and children, arrive at the gates of Pillarford Castle. The men among them are garbed in hole-ridden and muddy lorica mail with naked spathae stuck through their belts, chests wrapped in threadbare scarlet cloaks, unkempt beards providing all the service they can in shielding their faces from the howling winds. Their leader announces himself as one Sir Petrieus, who led men under Persidius at Odon and Caen two years ago. He says that the host of King Sygarius was destroyed, and the King himself is presumed dead. There is nothing left now of Gaul, except what the Franks now hold in shackles. He begs refuge for his men and their families, offering the service of the thirty-odd able men among them in exchange.

Lord Wayford is in a dark mood when a page comes running into the hall to declare a band of ruffians is at the gates. Persidius hefts his blade and rouses himself and his mesnie from the hearths to see what ill fortune is upon them now.

He is astonished by what he finds. One hundred, proud Gauls, forced by fate to make the journey of many miles my land and with a sea in between have come to him seeking refuge. Their leader none other than Sir Petrieus, whome Sir Persidius himself made a knight.

He commands the guards to throw open the gates, embraces Sir Petrieus and invites him to dine at his table, "There is always refuge at Pillarford for the sons of Rome."

Gladdened, he makes usre ale and wine are brought up from the larders to give thanks that this Christmastide a blessing has be bestowed upon them all. He calls for cloaks and fresh clothes to be given to all the travelers, offering on of his own cloaks to Petrieus and wrapping it around the man's shoulders himself.

"It will not belong before you and your men repay my generosity," he says to his guest. "Wicked men to our east intend to make war on us come spring and we will need every sword we can muster."

Persidius raises his cup and stands to make a toast, "Let us give thanks to Mother Mary, who swaddled her Son so long ago that He might free us all from sin."

And for that night until Epiphany, they celebrate and toast, and Sir Persidius sends mutton and pork and ale out to all his people so that they might feel some of the same cheer.

Come Candlemas, in which Persidius declares that he will raise a shrine to Holy Mary, Mother of God, at Pillarford, the mood begins to turn toward war. To that end he calls on his shield maker to emblazon the image of the Blessed Mother on the inside of his shield so that he can give thanks to Her and take comfort in Her Presence when he marches to battle.

He also sends out a call to righteous men who would defend Salisbury against the predations of Silchester and pledges all the silver that Earl Roderick granted him for the capture of Sir Blains to the effort.

"I lay this war at the feet of the false knight Terrwyn of Larksnest, whose cowardice has blemished our liege and brought ruin on our land. Let her life be empty and her death ignominious."
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby Ladki96 » Wed Nov 20, 2019 7:48 pm

Contributions:
Larksnest: Sir Diane and Sir Tristan, 2 spearmen
Knife Oak: Sir Bryce, 3 spearmen
Sir Jordanus
Princess Uradech
-60L: 8 Lances (8 knights, 16 spearmen)
-40L: 50 Warriors
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby CarrieVS » Thu Nov 21, 2019 6:05 pm

There are some consolations to this war. It's good to have Elaine home even for a short while, and she is evidently delighted to see Woodford again. She contains her excitement as she walks with Eliver up to the manor with her men following behind, taking in the stone wall and other changes. "You've been busy, little brother." And then they pass the gate and she sees her mother waiting in the doorway of the hall, and breaks into a run.

Then there are new faces to introduce Elaine to as well, including all of her nieces - she laughs to hear the names of Eliver's daughters, and kisses her little namesake particularly - and the younger crop of cousins. Of the children, she has seen only Eldrid before, and that when he was scarcely more than a babe.

A few heads are shaken at the sight of Saxon warriors being welcomed with open arms, and a few distrustful glares in return, but it goes no further - Saxons in Logres are a fact of life by now, even if Saxons in Salisbury are not so common. They and the Cymrics keep mostly each to their own side, but that's largely because relatively few of the Saxons speak much Welsh, and almost none of Woodford's inhabitants any Saxon at all.

The day she arrives, Eliver orders as much of a feast as can be arranged by that evening in honour of his sister, and entertains her warband at a rather crowded Woodford with good food, good drink, and good silver. Elaine privately reminds him that it is customary amongst them for a leader to give gifts in advance of the fighting, and Eliver is willing to be generous. In any case, they come in cheaper than mercenaries in the present state of affairs: he also lays out a fairly staggering sum to double the force he can muster from his own manors and Tilshead. The last couple of knights to join his banner in particular know full well that they are almost the last in the kingdom not to have sold their lances to one side to other, and demand fees that would have been absurd in another year. But Eliver's store of Frankish silver can bear the strain; he is determined to do all he can to put right the mistakes of the previous year.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Wed Jan 15, 2020 11:39 am

The Earl accepts the news of the additional help with a thin smile, but does not seem to be cheered in his heart.

After the late-winter rains have passed and the spring sun has had a chance to bake the earth chalky and dry, a pillar of smoke on the eastern horizon first heralds the host of Silchester. No sooner is it spotted from atop the parapet of Castle Salisbury than a pair of breathless riders barrel pell-mell through the crowded streets of Sarum to tell of its import.

Duke Ulfius has taken his army across the River Test and laid siege to Castle du Plain. Sir Bar, the castellan, is well supplied and the garrison well-manned, but the enemy number some twelve-hundred, and the ramparts will surely be overcome if the Duke sends an orderly assault.

As Earl Roderick learns of this, he casts off his melancholy and adopts the form of choler instead. He leaps immediately into action; striding through the castle while barking orders, rousing his knights and captains from their winter doldrums and sending the dour court into a frenzy of activity. The Earl's mercenaries, the mongrel pack of lordless knights, masterless knaves and foreign adventurers, who had been billeted in the city, are ordered out of their alehouses and brothels and into the nearby fields where they can assemble and be counted. Riders are sent out to raise the Earl's vassals and their troops and bring them to join the host at Sarum.

In two days, all are assembled. Before dawn on the third day the host marches east some eight-hundred strong. Lord Persidius has the honor of leading the vanguard, and Sir Eliver the rearguard. As the day reaches afternoon, the smoke is smelled on the wind as well as seen on the horizon. The roads become congested with refugees, some leading wagons, some leading only children, all fleeing the enemy's outriders who have begun to sack and burn the villages surrounding the siege. It is early evening before the foremost scouts come within sight of the Castle and the enemy camp. They ride back down the line and tell the Earl of what they have seen. He refuses to believe them, and orders the column to a halt while he rides forward with a small escort to a nearby hillock where he can see for himself. Before long, the other commanders are sent for to join him.

The Earl sits his horse atop the hillock and stares with a vacant expression out at the scene before him. What had been the beginnings of a siege camp has adopted an entirely different character. The tents are not lined behind a staked perimeter, but below the very walls of the Castle itself. The Keep is burnt black all along the north face, such as to make one marvel that it stands at all. The red wolf of Silchester flies rampant over the open gate.

"The castle has fallen" says Sir Elad in disbelief.
"So it has" says Roderick, simply. "Some treachery I expect. Make camp. His Grace didn't bring twelve hundred men here just to laugh at us behind a fence; I trust he'll deign to give us a battle in the morning".

At sunrise, the camps are struck and the battle lines are drawn. Silchester has not only more men by half, but holds the high end of the slope which unites the Castle mound with the plain below. The northern and eastern approaches to the castle are guarded by the river, while attacking from the west would mean fighting with the morning sun in one's eyes, so the host of Salisbury is arrayed in a fallow field to the south of the castle, with their backs to a flowering cherry orchard. Captain Eliver's company, including Sir Miles' infantry, Sir Diane's Picts, and Thegn Eleach's Saxons, comprises the left flank. Lord Persidius' company, including Sir Leiryn and the knights of Summerland, and Sir Petrieus and his Gauls, comprise the right flank. Earl Roderick commands the center, and Sir Elad the reserve.

The Earl addresses his knights.

"My friends,

this was never your feud. Sir Blains was no more your prisoner than he was your son; my honor was never more yours to bleed for than that was ever your castle. It is my debt, my sin, and my blame. Would God that my own body, such as it is-" he meagerly shifts his crippled sword-arm "-could stand alone for me in this suit of honor. But that which was never your feud, Sir Ulfius has nevertheless made your fight. Not content to seek the rights of a grieving father, he dons the mantle of a conqueror. It is not my hide alone for which twelve-hundred men have come. Twelve-hundred men have have come to stoke their glory with YOUR BLOOD, sate themselves on YOUR WOMEN, and fatten themselves on YOUR LAND! It is not to save my life or prove my honor that I ask you all to ride with me today and shed British blood, but to show all the world and underworld, now and for all time, that YOUR HOMES, YOUR FAMILIES, AND YOUR LIVES, ARE NOT HAD CHEAP!

They say this land is cursed, and I'm starting to think they're right! In that case, let's show those poor bastards what a mistake they made in coming here! TO YOUR PLACES!
"

(Battle already long-since resolved over discord, write-up of that will be forthcoming hopefully soonish)
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Mon Mar 09, 2020 7:59 pm

I had a proper overview post written up but my browser ate it. The hiatus has lasted long enough however, so forgive this quick summary and write your own narrative posts for your character's actions in the battle if you feel like it.

With the waving of pennocels and the blare of trumpets, battle is joined and lasts for six hours.

Persidius is unhorsed by Sir Gelyn in the first tilt and spends much of the battle dueling up at the rival for his second wife's affections from on foot. Eventually he prevails, taking the loverboy of Lincoln as his prisoner and putting his followers to flight.

Petrieus' Gauls are shattered by the lances of Londinium, and the squadron of reserves led by Sir Emrys follows them soon after.

Leiryn and the knights of Hartcliffe slam to a stalemate with the knights of Levcomagus and remain there more or less all day, pushing and pulling for hours over the same few yards of dirt, churning it to mud with hoof-fall, sweat, and blood.

In the center, fighting is fierce, and slowly but surely the Earl's line bows inward under the furious onslaught of the Duke.

Sir Mile's foray into commanding infantry at first does not go very well, but after a false start and a rather high number of casualties, he finds his footing and puts his novel polearm to proficient and bloody use.

Sir Diane charges out recklessly and passionately ahead of the line and for her trouble loses her seat, her consciousness, and not an inconsiderable amount of blood. After being revived by Lady Adwen (put in charge of directing all of the camp's healers), she is able to return to the battle and send off a sortie of enemy knights right at the turn of the tide. The turning of that tide, however, is due in the largest part to the small, swift, knight of Woodford.

No force can stand against the sable griffon for long; Saxon shieldwalls crumble before it, and proud knights are sent scrambling for safety before it. Sir Eliver, impassioned in the defense of his hearth and home, fights like the beast itself. Four full squadrons are driven before him, two able captains with them, and as a consequence, after six hours, the whole army of Silchester is sent into a rout.


A few dozen horsemen manage to make it back into the castle and promptly bar the gate behind them to save their own hides, dooming more than five hundred panicking men to slaughter beneath the walls. The Duke of Silchester rallies what few well-ordered squadrons he can to himself, and hastily withdraws east. In the chaos, the enemy camp is abandoned and a great deal of plunder with it.


Once the blood-frenzy and the looting have died down, the mood of the Salisbury army is solemn yet joyful. Most are exhausted, a good many are injured, but the lion's share of them are alive and in the knowledge that for the moment, against all odds, they have protected their flat little homeland. As the sun begins to set over the gathering of the dead and the tending of the wounded, someone starts up a stirring rendition of 'Non Nobis'
, and before long most of the army has joined in.


The casualties are mercifully light, but not insubstantial; more than a hundred are dead, to the enemy's near seven-hundred. Notably among the slain are:

Sir Tristan, husband of Sir Diane; fell afoul of a frothing berserker and took a battleax to the side of his head while he was leading Diane's forces in her absence.
Princess Angharad of Summerland: as the stalemate was beginning to thaw and the knights of Levcomagus began drawing backwards with the rest of the army, Angharad charged boldly amongst them and began dueling and taunting (with equal ferocity) both Sir Bleant and Sir Ceynes, the half-brothers of the late Sir Blains. In the last few moments before they turned tail and galloped away, as Angharad tilted her head up in a triumphant cry and exhortation for Leiryn and the knights of Hartcliffe to join her, Bleant's spear found a weak link in the chainmail below her breast, and Ceynes' sword struck into her exposed throat. The brothers were last seen galloping north in the direction of Levcomagus with what few followers were in good order to follow them, while the fire-haired faerie princess slumped from her saddle and fell lifelessly into the mud.


Loot per Knight: 1 Charger and £5 in treasure.


SFN
# Round 1 #
## Right ##
Persidius: -1
failed battle, defeated by Sir Gelyn - no wound, unhorsed

Petrius: -2
unit broken

Leiryn: 0
impassioned by loyalty to lord (crit - FP)
succeeded battle, defeated by knight - wound of 4

## Left ##
Eliver: +2
impassioned by love of family
succeeded battle, smote thegn
enemy unit broken

Diane: 0
impassioned by loyalty to lord
succeeded battle, fighting boldly
- vanquished hearthguard
- vanquished by hearthguard - wound of 17, unconscious

Miles: -1
failed battle, defeated by hearthguard - wound of 5

# Round 2 #
## Right ##
Persidius: +1 = 0
impassioned by love of family
succeeded battle, fighting boldly
- tied with Sir Gelyn (crit - FP)
- defeated knight

Emrys: reserve unit moving to engage enemy left

Leiryn: +0 = 0
failed battle, defeated knight

## Left ##
Eliver: +2
engaging enemy reserve unit
succeeded battle, vanquished knight (captured)
enemy unit broken

Diane's unit (NPC): +0 = 0

Miles: +1 = 0
impassioned by loyalty to lord
succeeded battle, defeated thegn

enemy company broken

## Camp ##
Adwen: succeeded chirurgery, Diane


# Round 3 #
## Center (1-3): 0

## Right ##
Persidius: -1 = -1
failed battle, tied with Sir Gelyn

Emrys: -1

Leiryn: +0 = 0
succeeded battle, defeated by knight - wound of 1

## Left: waiting to engage enemy reserve company

## Camp ##
Adwen:
- succeeded first aid, Diane
- succeeded first aid, Miles

# Round 4 #
## Right ##
Persidius: +2 = +1
succeeded battle, vanquished Sir Gelyn

Emrys: +0 = -1

Leiryn: +0 = 0
succeeded battle, defeated by knight - no wound

## Left ##
Eliver: 0
succeeded battle, defeated by knight - no wound

Diane: 0
succeeded battle, defeated by knight - wound of 2

Miles: -1
fumbled battle, fighting boldly
- defeated by knight - wound of 2
- vanquished knight

## Camp ##
Adwen:
- succeeded chirurgery, captive knight
- crit first aid, captive knight (life saved)
- succeeded first aid, captive knight

# Round 5 #
## Right ##
Persidius: +1 = 2
failed battle, enemy driven back
- vanquished Sir Gelyn (captured)
- vanquished Sir Malus (captured)
enemy unit broken

Emrys: -1 = -2 ?
unit broken

Leiryn: -1 = -1
failed battle, defeated by knight - no wound

## Left ##
Eliver: +2 = 2
crit battle (FP), vanquished knight
enemy unit broken

Diane: +1 = 1
succeeded battle, defeated knight

Miles: +1 = 0
succeeded battle, defeated knight

## Camp ##
Adwen:
- crit chirurgery, Sir Gelyn (life saved)
- succeeded first aid, Sir Gelyn
- succeeded first aid, Sir Gelyn

# Round 6 #
## Center (4-6): -1 = -1

## Right ##
Persidius:
engaging enemy left unit
succeeded battle, fighting boldly
- vanquished knight (captured)
- defeated knight
enemy unit broken

Leiryn: +2 = 1
succeeded battle, vanquished knight

## Left ##
Eliver: +2
engaging enemy reserve
succeeded battle, vanquished knight (captured)
enemy unit broken

Diane: +1 = 2
succeeded battle, defeated knight (captured)
enemy unit broken

Miles: -1 = -1
succeeded battle, fighting boldly
- defeated by knight - no wound
- defeated by knight - no wound, disarmed

enemy company broken

Silchester defeated, decisive victory

# Aftermath #
Adwen:
- succeeded first aid, Leiryn
- succeeded first aid, Leiryn
- succeeded first aid, Miles
- succeeded first aid, Diane
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby Scarik » Wed Mar 18, 2020 12:33 am

For the first time Caius Persidius Pacilus faces a combat against Britons that he does not regret. In some ways this is the first battle where he feels no sadness at all. Sure, in the past that would fade when the clarion sounded, but it was at least there.

But Blains was a cur, a blackguard, unworthy of being called 'sir', and though his death was improper it was well earned. And it was his own fault. He should have let Blains die on the field, forbidden his wife to tend the rogue's wounds, so rightly delivered by Sir Miles. They would still be here, facing the Duke on the field, but they would be entirely in the right.

Eheu...

And across from him is Sir Gelyn, will his mercy for that boy be proven a fool's errand as well?

He has little time to wonder. The brass blares and, sword held high, he spurs his company forward with his cry of 'Por Sorviodunum!' And at the front of his own company who but Sir Gelyn, charging straight for Persidius crying a wordless challenge that must needs be answered with iron.

They crash together and Persidius barely has time to see the fire in his enemy's eyes as spear meats shield and the Lord of Wayford is hurled from his saddle to crash down in the soft, spring grass. He rolls to his feet, cursing himself and calls to his knights to hold firm. In the general melee he has no chance to remount, too busy is he hacking and hewing at Lindsey knights.

So he finds himself afoot, and with bare time to reform his unit he spies Sir Gelyn and rushes to meet him. Both men's passions are now aflame and the battle becomes an afterthought, barely a murmur as they strive each to spit the other like a roast.

Shields are hacked and tabards torn in the frenzied duel. Gelyn has the advantage of horse but Persidius is unrivaled with the sword and at last he seizes a moment and with a mighty crack the northerner's weapon splinters. It is enough time for Rufus to find him a horse and he wheels and calls to his flagging company to hold.

Sword to sword the two knights continue and despite his greater skill Persidius manages no advantage over Gelyn and his knights are once more driven back to shelter among their spearmen.

With a roar and renewed vigor Persidius rallies his men and turns the tide of the battle finally in their favor. It is then Sir Gelyn's turn to take a lie in the spring Salisbury grass. They come upon another once more and Persidius winds up a mighty stroke and knocks Gelyn from his horse.

He calls for his squires and his brother Rufus appears at his side.

"Give me your spear, brother," he says and hefts the weapon, point down over the fallen knight.

"I should kill him. This is the second time we have met, and I know if he lives it shall not be the last."

"But brother," Rufus cries with alarm, "is it not written that vengeance belongs to the Lord? You have struck down your foe, and now his life's blood nourishes the soil he sought to despoil. Leave it to God to decide if he lives."

Persidius pauses and regards his brother with newfound appreciation, "Thank you, brother," he says handing back the lance with a nod, "Take him to Adwen."
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby Kivutar » Wed Mar 18, 2020 5:32 pm

Miles likes this new weapon. It took him some time to grow accustomed to the weight and feel of it, but now, he thinks, it will be his first choice. He'll stay on horseback from now on, though.

When everything is finally over, he stumps off to find Eliver.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby CarrieVS » Thu Mar 19, 2020 2:02 am

Some bleed, all run: now's when all the murder's done. Eliver spurs his horse after fleeing men. A few turn at bay as the sound of hooves bears down on them, to make a futile attempt to defend themselves, but most are cut down as they run.


Six hours earlier, the waiting - waiting in one form or other all winter - is finally coming to an end. The shield-wall of the Berrocings begins to throb with the rhythmic pounding of spears and swords on the backs of shields, proclaiming their readiness and defiance. From behind his ranks, Eliver hears the same sound start up as Elaine's Saxons reply.

For all their bravado, the Saxon line cannot stand against a well-delivered charge by a solid mass of knights. The shield-wall crumbles, and when the tall thegn who stands fast in the centre, bellowing at his men to form up and almost restoring a measure of order, is struck dead by Eliver's own lance, it is as good as over.

He sees Miles and Diane falter, on his left and right, but both hold, and ahead, an eschille of Silchester knights rush to plug the hole in the centre of their company. Eliver calls his men back to order, but rather than wheel around to make space and gather the impetus for a charge, letting their fresher opponents do the same, he has them move in at a steady canter in close formation.

It seems to take the foe by surprise, and their commander tries to change formation, too late, to receive them. Their cohesion shatters, and the sleeping griffin heads a bloody wedge carved deep into their lines. Mounted knights last longer against their peers than the infantry did, but soon enough those who can retreat before the Salisbury attack can break through to their rear. Seeing this, the rest of the Berrocings are not too slow to withdraw in fear of being flanked.

And now, there is little the Salisbury left can do but watch as the right begins to crumble. They reform their lines, breathe their horses, send their wounded and captives behind the lines, and wait for the Silchester rear to advance near enough for them to launch an assault without leaving their own flank and that of the centre dangerously exposed.

Finally, the tension is released and now cavalry charge cavalry. The thunder of hooves swells as both lines pick up speed only to be eclipsed by the clash of metal and the splintering of wood. Eliver's men seem to have the better of it in the first impact, though he himself meets the point of a lance with a shock that sends him reeling in his saddle. He keeps his seat and regains his balance, casting aside his own spear to draw his sword and defend himself as his opponent tries to press the advantage.

He is unhurt, but not far from him he sees one of his own knights - at least, one of the mercenary knights his for the campaign - slip from his saddle and disappear amid the crush of horses and men. Eliver's unstoppable momentum cannot last forever. The Silchester men fight with grim determination, and both sides grind to a halt, the ground beneath them gradually churning to mud.

It is well after noon, and across the battlefield the Salisbury army's right flank is on the verge of shattering. Eliver is hard pressed by a knight bearing a leaping stag on his shield, who seems determined at any risk to take the black griffin. They have been striving for some time in their own private battle, when Eliver spurs his tiring horse to a burst of energy and contrives to manoeuvre the two of them right to right - his shield to his opponent's less protected side. Now it is his turn to press close, not letting him turn to put them back on an even footing.

"I'll teach you bastards to laugh at Sinister!"

That particular piece of mockery against his lord has rankled, for Eliver, but now he makes the most of the advantage of a sword in the wrong hand, until finally the point of his blade finds its way past metal links and comes back crimson. The knight of the stag at last gives up his goal, and retreats. With a moment's breathing space at last, Eliver manages to rally his men and drive forward, until all the stag's companions start to follow suit.

He holds them back from pursuing. Only the left is making headway: Persidius will hold the right, he must hold them - but not for ever. The entire battle threatens to pivot deosil. No time for seeking plunder until this job is finished.

Yet more fresh troops are headed their way, and Eliver again has his men advance to keep them from having the space to gather speed. Rested horses cannot but have the better of a charge against those that have been ridden hard all day, and their riders are little less weary. But the new victory has given them new heart, and they summon new strength from somewhere.

The Silchester reserve breaks before the griffin of Woodford. Their flank exposed, the Duke's own company begins to rout as well, casting aside the hard-won advantage of the last six hours' bitter fighting.


At long last, the wild joy of pursuit dies down. The victors, having taken everything they can turn back towards their own camp. Eliver's horse is blowing hard, and he slips out of the saddle and hands the reins to Rhidian. Even he is feeling the ache of fatigue, but sheer triumph and elation put a spring in his step in spite of it. Liberally splashed with blood, but without a scratch on him, he looks for Miles, as around him, men begin to sing.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby KleinerKiller » Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:18 am

Leiryn barely remembers the battle by the time he lays eyes on its aftermath.

By now, these skirmishes are routine to him, and by the measure of what he’s lived through — by ferocious performance or narrow, skin-scraping survival — this is nothing too special. Nor is he terribly invested in the reason he and his allies are on the battlefield in the first place; he’s always felt Blains would be better off dead, and this is just a natural consequence of what, to him, was a righteous act. Hell, given enough time and steady irritation, he might have done the job himself. Leiryn the Mad, wouldn’t that be something?

Yet the blur this time is harrowing. A painful wound here, some routed soldiers there, victories scant and fleeting and distinctly unrewarding. He is caught in a tide of bodies and yet deadlocked in place, seconds turning into minutes turning into breathless, unforgiving hours. Has he grown complacent, having survived and prevailed all of those times before, against all of those overwhelming odds and nightmarish beasts? Is this enemy army somehow just... better than the others, better than him? Or has this all just been a few critical moments of bad luck?

It doesn’t matter. None of it. By the time the knights of Levcomagus have withdrawn and he has been healed and tended to, all of what he just did is an indistinct mess. He gathers that their side took much less of a beating than the enemy’s, which he supposes makes sense; wouldn’t be very sensible to retreat from a fight on the cusp of victory. Still, they have lost a great many, and a few of his compatriots might have fallen as well if not for Adwen’s timely intervention.

Angharad was not among the lucky.

Leiryn finds her body quickly, two bloody holes punched through her neck and chest like she was bitten side-on by an enormous snake. He did not know her too well himself, something he regrets sincerely now but finds little time or energy to dwell on. In his exhausted mind, all he can think about is how Avice will feel when the news reaches her. Will she be wounded beyond recovery by the grief of losing a sister? Gods, will she think him a failure for allowing her to die in such a senseless manner, in a battle that meant nothing to her, and in the closing moments at that?

To say nothing of how her father ought rightfully to react. At that thought, and the many variations of “Avice will be devastated” and “Avice should hate me” that flood into his mind, Leiryn slumps to the ground, breathes deeply into his filthy hands, and lets out a long groan.

This could be bad. This could be very bad.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:39 am

The dead given due short-term provisions, Sir Elad begins staking out a perimeter of the castle and posting sentries in order to propare for tomorrow's siegework, while the rest of the army gathers the booty into their camp and begin celebrating. Several riders are sent out to notify the other garrisons of their victory. As the sun begins disappearing behind the westward treetops, a great heap of enemy shields is lit into a bonfire. A few of the local smallfolk begin to trickle in and mingle with the camp followers, bringing wine and ale with them. Roll Temperate/Indulgent.

Earl Roderick sits in a folding chair nearby, bathed in the flickering orange light of the great inferno, holding a facsimile of a court with his commanders and senior knights. He holds the great wolf banner of Ulfius bunched up in his hands, captured from the field during the rout. He calls for silence, and rises to his feet. "Sir Eliver, this is the second time you've brought me a pelt. I hope you will forgive me if I've rather gone off hanging the skins of beasts in my hall!" a laugh erupts among the knights. He walks forward and pushes the banner into Eliver's hands. "T'would hang better in yours, my young friend. This victory was yours." He puts his good hand on Eliver's shoulder and plants a paternal kiss on either of his cheeks. The assembled knights all cheer. The Earl then steps up near the fire and draws his sword, extending it into the air and declaring "We shall retake what we have lost, and exact a cruel and usurious interest! There shall be lands and moneys for the seizing! By the virgin we shall make the House of Silchester rue the day they set foot upon our Plain!", as he is silhouetted against the raging bonfire. The men begin chanting "Roderick! Roderick! Roderick!". For the first time in over a year, the Earl's smile reaches his eyes.


***

Late the next morning, Leiryn is awoken by his squire and brought to the tent where Princess Angharad's body has been lying in state with the knights of Hartcliffe all standing vigil outside. Princess Avice is inside, weeping inconsolably over the corpse of her sister, her face red with tears, her hair and clothes in disarray from the hard gallop she had just made from Sarum. When Leiryn gathers up the courage to enter, she wails "I asked her to come! If it weren't for me she'd still be-" her voice croaks off in a sob as she collapses into his arms. After a few long moments like this she grips the front of his tunic with surprising strength, her knuckles whitening as she raises her bleary eyes to his and he sees within them, replacing her sadness, a resolute fury. "I want their heads!" she hisses up at him through gritted teeth. "Swear upon the love you bear me that you will not rest until my sister is avenged, or never think look upon me again!" she says, before her vengeful vigor fades and she can do nothing else but continue weeping.

Just then, a page boy enters, announcing that Earl Roderick is holding another war council and expects Leiryn's presence.

The other players are likewise summoned.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby KleinerKiller » Mon Apr 20, 2020 12:12 am

Leiryn nods at the page boy to let him know he’s been heard, but does not move from the grieving Avice. He waits for a lull in her wracking sobs, then gently lays a hand on her shoulder and crouches down to her eye level.

“I swear to you, my dear,” he whispers, “the men who did this, and the men above them, will breathe their last before I return to you. I will cut them down in Angharad’s name and yours, or I will die trying. And if at all possible, I will return bearing as many of their heads as I can carry.”

Already steeling himself to do exactly this (and considering just how he’ll manage it), he takes her hand, kisses it once, and starts to turn away. A second later, thinking better of following proper etiquette now of all times, he turns back to her and kisses her fully, wiping one of her tears with his thumb before finally parting — with a stammered “I love you” that he wishes sounded cooler — and heading off to the war council.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Thu Jun 04, 2020 6:41 pm

Earl Roderick, Sir Elad, and Sir Nidian the Constable are already seated in the Earl's pavilion when the other knights begin to arrive. First the routine business of going over the casualty totals is resolved, then the discussion turns to the topic of what to do next.
"We shall have to retake du Plain; that, I think, is obvious." says the Earl.
"They haven't more than three-score defenders at most, far too few to threaten us with a sortie but more than enough to cost us dear if we try to scale the walls." says Sir Elad.
"We're still near to six hundred strong! You mean to tell me that a mere sixty men can hold that ditch against us?" asks Sir Nidian, incredulously.
"I'm sure we would prevail eventually, taking the castle is not in question, what is in question is the number of lives that it will cost us. Unless reclaiming du Plain is the extent of our ambition, we ought to conserve our strength." replies the Marshall.
"But surely the castle isn't at its full strength" reasons the Earl. "The keep has been fired, it's a wonder what remains of it hasn't been blown over by the wind already."
"Aye, the keep is all but gone, but I took a walk of the perimeter at dawn this morning and the outer ramparts are as high and strong as ever, the bailey AND the motte." says Elad.
"That doesn't make any sense, how is it that they've taken the castle and destroyed the inner redoubt while keeping the outer defenses in tact?" asks Nidian.
"We won't know for sure until we have those bastards in our hands to question, but my guess is that the castle never fell to assault. Rather, they were let through the gates by a traitor on the inside. Perhaps one of our own men, possibly Sir Bar himself, set fire to the keep when he realized what was happening, to deny it to the enemy." says Elad.
"This is all very interesting" says Earl Roderick, not meaning it.
"But what then is our course of action, if not scaling the walls or knocking the gate through?"
"We can either starve them out, or set about reducing the walls, either by fire or by mine. Both will take time." says Sir Elad.
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Sir Nidian strokes his grey handlebar mustache and frowns. "I don't think we can afford to devote our entire army to an extended siege. Ulfius' men are broken and scattered for the moment, but he isn't the High Marshall of Logres for nothing. He may yet rally the greater part of his surviving men and outflank us while we sit here immobilized, even if he cannot accomplish that he will surely shore up his garrisons and hinder us from pressing the war into his own domains; in either case, we will have lost the initiative."
"My lord," Persi begins, "I say you must give chase now or forfeit the opportunity to put the Duke out of this war for the season. Invest them with a company of infantry commanded by some of the ambulatory, but injured, knights while the rest of your knights ride into Silchester."
"I agree; we can't just sit here and wait." says Sir Eliver.
The Earl nods and looks to Sir Elad. "How many men would you need to hold the siege?"
"At minimum, of bows to hold the perimeter and strong backs to begin the siegework, I can make do with two hundred" says the Marshall.
"Good, that leaves four hundred at liberty to drive a sword into Ulfius' back. What do we know of his movements, Sir Nidian?" says the Earl.
"The Duke withdrew with the greater part of his dregs due east back across the Test towards Winchester; a couple dozen were spotted flying north to Levcomagus like a pack of bats out of hell" replies the Constable.
The Earl frowns and rubs his chin, looking down at the crude linen map deep in thought. "He'll most likely be headed back to the city of Silchester itself to rest, resupply, and regroup. Meanwhile, the North probably lies mostly undefended."
"The question, my lord, is whether it would be better to try and intercept his remaining men before he can reach the safety of the town, or to ride north and sieze the lands of Levcomagus before he has a chance to reinforce them." says Nidian.
"How many men has Ulfius with him now?" asks the Earl.
"Of troops in fighting shape, my outriders report a few hundred, possibly two but no more than three; but as many men if not more fled the field in disorder and some of them may yet rejoin him on the march."
"Perhaps we could split half the knights into warbands to chase down and scatter any troops who try to reform. The remainder along with the infantry not needed for the siege can march on."
"March on in which direction?" asks the Earl
“I say we aim for Levcomagus. Finally clean up that nuisance, bring justice to every one of the cowards who followed Blains, and claim some measure of undeniable victory all at once. If we still wish to get our hands on Ulfius after that, of course, I’m certain we can contend with his forces, but I feel Levcomagus holds more immediate value to us.” says Leiryn.
Looking around at the other knights and hearing no objections, the Earl makes his decision. "Very well. Sir Elad, you and I will remain here with two hundred of our infantry and hold the siege of du Plain; I will not part sight from my castle until I have it again in my control. Sir Nidian, you shall take fifty knights in five bands to harass Silchester's withdrawal. The rest of our forces we shall reorganize into a new Battalion to march north and invade the lands of Levcomagus."
"Wayford, you proved yourself something of a conqueror in Gaul, so I'm entrusting you with the command. Woodford, Wylye, Larksnest, and Winterbourne's contingents shall join you. Plunder at your discretion, but as hot-blooded as we all rightfully are, it would be best if you didn't make a desert of the place. The true prize, if you can accomplish it" he points on the map "is to take and hold Castle Andover, which overlooks the town of Levcomagus and commands the whole vale of the river Anton. If we have the castle, we have not only the land, but a strong foothold to drive even deeper into the heart of Ulfius' dukedom. If there is nothing else, you are all dismissed to see to your preparations."
"Aye, my lord. Sir Leiryn, you have the vanguard. Cousin, you take the rear. Wylye will conduct the siege with his infantry in the center and Larksnest will hold the reserve in the battle line. We make for Castle Andover at first light." says Persidius.


***

When the new battalion arrives at Levcomagus, they find that the town has not yet been abandoned. The elders of the town come out to greet the invaders and explain that the garrison of the castle has barred the gates against them. They offer 40 libra of tribute in return for the town being spared, which the commanders accept.

The army lays siege to the castle, and attempts to scale the ramparts of the outer bailey on the morning of the fourth day. Sir Miles, in overall command of the siege, leads a scaling party up a ladder himself. At the top, he has the rotten luck to encounter one of the few able knights within, who promptly strikes him off of the ladder and down into the dry moat below. Not to be deterred, once he has shaken off his daze he takes another crack at it. More or less the same thing happens again, this time he is left bleeding and motionless on the ground to be dragged back to camp by his squire. Eliver, leading his own ladder party, sees Miles fall for the second time and this sends him into a rage, inspiring him to rush up the ladder run the foeman at the top through the heart in one stroke.

Leiryn meanwhile ascends to the parapet like and orangutan with a grudge. An archer who at one moment has his aim trained on him, in the next moment cries out in pain and grabs his face as his bow string snaps. At the top, he briefly duels with a spearman before chopping off his spearhead and following through with a thrust to the man's belly. Stepping onto the walkway, he quickly finds himself with Sir Bleant, one of the slayers of Princess Angharad. The duel is swiftly over, ending with Leiryn standing over an unconscious Bleant. Leiryn looks up at the motte where he sees the knight's brother, Sir Ceyenes, looking down at the scene. They make eye contact, and without breaking it, Leiryn drags Bleant to his knees and swipes the man's head from his shoulders; the vow to his lady love now half fulfilled.

The attackers overrun the Bailey, sending the surviving defenders to take refuge atop the motte. After the siege camp has migrated into the lower ward of the castle, the hostilities pause for several days (save the occasional opportunistic exchange of arrows) while the attackers send for additional supplies. Eventually, they launch another assault to scale the scarp and overcome the inner ward. Leiryn and Eliver both lead the climb themselves and do great mischief to the defenders, but they're efforts are not enough and the attackers are repelled. A few days later, they try again. Leiryn once again successfully led his men up the wall. Eliver took a tumble down the scarp on his first climb, but achieved the parapet on his second. At last, the attackers occupy the motte as the last of the defenders rush behind the great doors of the keep and bar it shut.

A few days later, the attackers bring up a battering ram and knock the gate through. Amid the clash of steel, Sir Leiryn and Sir Ceynes come face to face; one impassioned for the love of his lady, the other in vengeance for his slain brother. Ceyne's rage unbalances him, and after a few wild misjudged swings he finds himself dueling from the ground. Eventually, Sir Leiryn gains the final advantage and spills his foes blood in a torrent. The Castle is won.


***

A few days later, the eighteenth since the Battle on the Plain, the host of Salisbury rests and resupplies within the safety of the conquered castle. They have now buried a hundred-ten of their own men, to thirty-five of the enemy. It was a costly victory, but a victory nonetheless. Two knights, five squires, and three archers surrendered themselves to the mercy of Sir Miles once they saw that the keep had been overrun, Sir Ceyenes had fallen, and all hope was lost. A dozen or so horses and a modest fortune in arms, armor, and treasure are gathered safely within the keep.

At mid-day, two riders are spotted approaching the castle. As they near, it is apparent that one is a squire, and the other is a wounded knight slung over the back of his horse. The gate sentries halt and question them, before escorting them inside the walls with some urgency. The squire, a lad of fifteen, is sallow-faced and unkempt, though his tattered and sweat-stained tunic looks as if it were once very expensive. The knight's blood has run and streaked down the flanks of his fine white horse, some
matting his bushy grey mustache. "It is the Constable, Sir Nidian!" cries one of the sentries. "He is badly hurt!"
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Tue Jun 30, 2020 7:17 pm

Sir Nidian is taken into the care of Lady Adwen, and the squire tells his tale. The fifty knights who had been sent out to harass the Duke's withdrawal had been caught in a large ambush two days before; baffling the knights and all those hearing of it as to how Ulfius was able to regain his forces so quickly, and catch the Constable so entirely off his guard. As a few more battered and bloodied knights begin to trickle into the castle, Sir Persidius sends word to the Earl informing him on the situation and asking for instructions. The Earl's instructions, which arrive the following day, are as follows: hold the castle, expect relief within five days.

At the end of the next day, a great number of campfires are spotted on the horizon to the southwest. By dawn the following morning, the siegework has begun. Over the next few days trenches are dug, pavises raised, and arrows exchanged across the dry moat.

Five days from Earl Roderick's message come and go, and no sight of the relieving force is had. At dusk on the sixth day, battering rams are ready and laid near the gates for employment. More than six hundred men of Silchester pitch down to sleep for an assault a dawn. A familiar-looking knight from the enemy camp rides up to the gate and requests a parley. It is none other than Sir Bar, Castellan of du Plain. He relates that he is now Ulfius' prisoner, honor-bound to remain in his custody until released by ransom. He does not appear to have been mistreated. He delivers a message from Ulfius, the customary one in a case such as this: that if Persidius and his lieutenants surrender the castle before dawn, their lives will be spared; else, all found within will be put to the sword.


Suggested Trait/Passion Rolls:
Valorous/Cowardly
Loyalty (Roderick)
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 490 Adventure - "The Battle of the Plain"

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Thu Jul 02, 2020 5:24 pm

Persidius watches Sir Bar approach, conflicted about why he is the one delivering the message and set to ask the man when he became a messenger boy for the Duke when a cold dread grips him. "Roderick isn't coming," he says almost to himself.
"He will come as soon as he can." Eliver rebutts, "He must have been delayed - Ulfius may have found enough men from somewhere to keep him at Du Plain even while he lays siege to us here - but he will not abandon us."
Persi doesn't seem to believe his cousin, but it does provoke him to shout from the pallisade, "Sir Bar, how did Du Plain fall?"
Sir Bar shakes his head. "It was a mystery even to myself until I became the duke's prisoner. I kept the castle well-stocked, well-guarded and on high alert, only to awake one morning from my chamber atop the motte to find the bailey below swarming with Silchester's men-at-arms. It was all I could do to put fire to the keep before offering my surrender and those of my men. After accepting my sword, Sir Ulfius was all too pleased to gloat tome about how he did it. To hear him tell the tale, the night before his army marched on du Plain, he was approached in his camp by an old knight with no sigil and a hidden face, who offered to show his men a secret way into the castle; an ancient escape tunnel from the time of the Earl's grandfather that led from the chapel to a reedy bank half-a-mile east. Sir Ulfius sent some men to investigate, and found that the strange knight had spoken true; and thus his army gained entry and the castle fell."
"I think I understand what has happened. Thank you, Sir Bar. Tell Ulfius we will consider his terms." says Persidius.
As the talk among the knights turns to flight, there is considerable grumbling among the Saxons in their language, and Elaine/Eleach steps forward to be their British voice. "More than a hundred men gave their blood to take this castle, many of them our kinsmen. Hrorik there lost a son, Eadwulf lost his father. Osgar here has two sisters whose husbands will never see them again. You would give up what their lives and all of our blood, has taken, so easily? And you would not even have us surrender, but would dash us against six hundred spears to save your purses from ransom? No sire. We will not go. If we are to fight, we will fight to keep more than our own hides. It matters not to us whether you go or stay, but do not fail to tell your liegelord that it was the blood of Saxon men who honored this ground, and not yours."

Eventually it is decided that everyone will stay and defend the castle. "Molon Labe", Persidius can be heard saying to himself, although none present can pretend to know what that means.

***

Dawn comes, and with it a storm of arrow volleys and teams of laddermen and ram crews rushing the walls. The moat quickly becomes peppered with corpses, but the living carry on. No sooner have the ladders been laid and the rams have struck oak, than suddenly the horn of retreat is sounded. It takes a few hectic minutes before the attackers overcome their confusion and bit by bit begin falling back to their own camp. A cry comes up from the sentires atop the keep. Over the din, they can just be heard to say "The Earl! The Earl is coming!". Sure enough, within minutes a force of knights and soldiers flying the Or-and-Azure banners of Salisbury become visible in the distance. Not to be outflanked, as Sir Roderick's army approaches, Sir Ulfius' army hastily strikes their camp and withdraws in good order to a nearby hill.

As the Earl and his troops approach the gates of the castle to raucous cheers from the defenders, it becomes evident that many of the foot troops, horses, and wagons are unkempt amd splattered with mud. The gates are flung open for them without anyone having been ordered to do so.

"Well well, seems that our timing was impeccable!" says the Earl with a pleasant smirk, dismounting from his horse and going to heartily embrace each of the commanders in turn.
"We came as quickly as we could, but the rains turned our roads to muck" says Sir Kennian, at the Earl's side.
"What's become of the constable's party?" asks Sir Elad in a grim business-like fashion, glancing away from the cheering throng and towards the new camp of the Silchester host.

Everyone gains a checkmark in:
Valorous
Loyalty (Roderick)
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