Classes, the accusation, Harp's time off, Chapter 2 begins
Subject Classes
Druid for sure.
From: Ashley
Subject Classes
Definetely a rogue. :)
From: Randy
Subject Classes
Fighter.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
I had a crown put in this morning and so when I got to work I had 24 e-mails and 5 voice mails. I am still digging out. I will work on the leveling up tonight and start with Kal's "trial."
From: Porter
Subject Turn
Oooh! Trial by combat?
From: Mark
Subject Turn
You will just have to wait and see.
From: Porter
Subject Turn
I am going to be away from the computer tomorrow. I haven't had time to update Mund's stats. Feel free to move him along if you need to.
From: Mark
Subject The accusation
The next morning Kal reports to Anglewing's office right on time. He is surprised to see another elf there. This elf is taller than most and finely dressed. He has a sense of age about him though it is hard to tell from his build. He does not stand when Kal enter, but keeps apart from the two warriors. Anglewing stands and greets Kal with a firm handshake. Motioning to chair, the paladin returns behind his desk. As Kal takes a seat Anglewing starts talking.
"Kal, first let me introduce Val-Ril. He is the emissary to Schon from the Elven kingdom. I have asked him here today since you are from the elven kingdom and I wanted to keep him apprised of the situation." Kal nods at the old elf and Val nods back. Anglewing seems to hesitate at this point, seemingly not sure how to progress. "First, let say how much we appreciate your help on the mission you just returned from. According to several of your companions, your aid was crucial in several battles." The paladin hesitates again. "However, something has been brought to my attention and it must be dealt with. Several of the party members have related a story in which you charged in and attacked creatures that other members of the party were attempting to parley with. Is this true?"
Kal nods. "It is essentially true. The creatures were grimlocks, foul beasts known for their cruelty and evil. I helped destroy them." Anglewing nods. "Yes" he says "but the charge is that you did not know that they were grimlocks when you attacked. That you put several of your associates in mortal danger by your actions. They have requested a trial for your actions. Since you were acting on the behest of the Order, you may be tried by the Order, if you wish. If not you must be tried by your people. Which shall it be?"
Kal thinks for a few minutes before answering. "I owe no allegiance to your Order or your cause, however noble it might be. I went along to represent the elves against this evil. If I am to be tried, I will be tried by my people." Val-Ril speaks up at this point. "Kal, I can arrange that. Since you are a member of the Bladesingers, I will send for a Singers Council. They will decide your fate." The elf turns to Anglewing "At the Council, there will be three senior Bladesingers. Kal will tell his story. Any witnesses will tell their story. I will ask that you speak on behalf of the Order. When all parties have spoken their piece, the Council will make their judgment." He turns and looks at Kal. "The decision will be final. No appeal. It will take me a week to contact my King and have the Council here. Let us convene at the same hour a week from today."
Kal nods at this. It was what he expected. Anglewing also nods and then turns and looks back at the elf. "Out of respect for what you have done for us and for the Bladesingers, I will release you on your oath to stay in the city and with in 1 mile of the city. If you violate that, the Order will assume jurisdiction. Agreed?" Kal nods. Val-Ril and Anglewing stand and shake Kal's hand. " I hope this gets worked out" the paladin says and Kal is dismissed.
A week later the trial is about to start. One at a time each member of the party is called forward to relate what they know about Kal. The three Council members lead the questioning. Anglewing relates about the prophecy, Ran's mission to rescue Rochelle, Kal's killing of the werebugbear, Kal's joining the party in the testing grounds and what has been learned since.
OODM: At this point I would like any one who wishes to write a turn which would be their testimony at the trial. I will act as the Council. The Council members are Leb-Raf, Lod-San, and Det-Lar.
From: Porter
Subject The accusation
How much pressure will they put on Mund to testify? He ain't to keen on participating in the elven court.
From: Kevin
Subject Harp's time off
When Harp gets a chance, he will ask Anglewing for a private meeting. He will tell him of Lothnar's warning about his safety.
When released, Harp heads to his quarters in the Chapter House, the new armor resting lightly in his arms. It was SO light, less than 1/2 the weight of his current armor. Having seen how well Mund's armor served him, he was anxious to try it on and practice with it.
The next morning, Harp decides to focus on his weapons training. During the adventure in the Training Grounds he had come to realize that there were some fighting techniques that he did not use as much as he would have thought. So, he decides to search out one of the weapons masters to talk about that. Sword Master Garlon laughs at Harp's comments, telling him that all someone Harp's size needs is a blade, and the knowledge of how to use it." I tell you what, Harp. You come down here for the next week or so and I will give you some tips on how to make sure your blade does as much damage as possible. Your strength IS your strength. Don't be pussy footin around like some. Wade in, swing as hard as you can, hit what you aim at. That is all you really need."
That evening, after a long, difficult day of sword training, Harp starts to leave the training yard. One of young privates, full of piss and vinegar, is taking archery practice under one of the other drill sergeants, shooting at targets many yards away. Harp greets them as he passes, and he says a few sarcastic words about the bow not being a man's weapon. Drill sergeant Miles says a few choice words back and before long, a small wager on Harp's ability to even hit the target has been placed.
D.I. Miles hands Harp the longbow and shows him how to nock the arrow, sight down the shaft, draw, aim and release. Harp does as he is instructed but, as he draws the bow to its full extent, the bow shatters in his hand, the stress from the draw greater than it was designed to handle. A bemused look on his face, Harp hands the remains of the bow and says to the sergeant "Maybe my enemy will get a splinter from the wood". The drill sergeant growls at Harp, telling him to stay put.
He stomps away and returns a few minuteslater with a couple of larger, more elaborate bows. Miles tells Harp that this is known as a composite bow, and is designed only for those with above average strength. Harp tests the bow, feeling the extra resistance as he pulls. However, he is still able to draw it pretty easily.
The sergeant gives him an even more robust looking bow. This one really makes Harp have to work to get it pulled to his chin. Feeling better that this one will not snap apart in his hands, Harp takes an arrow, nocks it, draws the bow, aims, and while he barely hits the target, the arrow nearly passes straight through the hay bale. This bow and arrow stuff was not as easy as it looked, but Harp had never really considered using a bow before. He had always relied on the crossbow, and that shot the same no matter what size you were. With some curiosity in his mind, he asks drill sergeant Miles if he would mind giving Harp some instruction in the evenings on the use of the composite longbow during the next few weeks.
The next day, Harp spends most of the morning working with his sword with Master Garlon. at the end of the afternoon, Harp heads over to see sergeant Miles to take his training with the bow. As he gets there and starts to prepare, he hears Master Garlon call from behind "What the hell are you doing Harp? " Harp calls him over and explains that he is trying to learn how to use a bow since it was one of the combat techniques the group had been a little weak on on his last adventure. "And, you never know when you need to shoot something that's in the air" Harp says with a nod.
Master Garlon growls at Harp "What I meant, you smelly offspring of a diseased maggot, was how were you going to hold that thing when your arm is gripping your shield? You can't do both, you stupid ass. If you're going to try this, you need to get the right equipment." With that, the Sword Master calls one of the privates over and tells him to get something from the armory. A few minutes later the young man trots back out carrying a small shield in his hands. It barely looks big enough to cover one of Harp's arms. "Here, this here is a buckler. It's designed to be strapped to the hand you would hold the bow in. It's not as good as you normal shield, but if you want to be able to use that bow, this is the only way to go."
Harp tries in on, and then tries to fire the bow. The shield is a little unwieldy, but at least it gave him some protection from that off side. Unfortunately, it did not improve his ability to hit the target.
By the end of the next two weeks Harp has honed his sword skill, feeling confident that he would be able to dish out more damage each time he hit something. He was also feeling better about the speed of his attacks. His archery training moved along at a steady pace. He was becoming a decent shot, but whenever he stood up in competition against those training to become archers, his lack of skill was painfully obvious.
(OOC: Mark, Harp is taking Weapon Specialization as his Ftr4 level feat. His BAB is also now at 6/1, so he should get 2 attacks per round. Mark as we discuss earlier, and as provided for in the PHG II, I am going to re-train Harp on 1 feat. He has never used the Shield Bash. I would like for him to take Weapon Focus (Longbow). With his new light armor, his +2 DEX bonus would make this a reasonable selection, as would his selection of a mighty composite longbow (+4).
From: Kevin
Subject The accusation
OOC: Mark, I will probably write something up, but it will not be until tomorrow night or Saturday. Is that OK?
From: Mark
Subject The accusation
They will ask him to testify but will not make him speak. He can make a "No Comment" if he wants to. It might make him look bad if he does not confirm what others say he would have seen.
From: Mark
Subject the Accusation
Sure.