Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss; A different perspective

Aw, c'mon, guys. It's not even mid-December yet. . .

:pouts:

Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss; A different perspective

Dude, how can I possibly compete with this? I've got nothin'. A published writer I ain't.

Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss; A different perspective

If we have to be published writers to chime in, then I have to bow out too.

Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss; A different perspective

I'm going to hunt you all down and leave small, genetic copies of yourselves in your beds.

And then I shall laugh. HA HA HA!

Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss; A different perspective

I figure what I lack in quality I will make up for in quantity, but the story needs to move a bit first. It has to take Scott a while to write all those dreams. Good thing elves dream so much. :)

Scott any chance of Pensive and Mission ever making it into a book or story someday? I am sure Ty would be honored that he got to play with them first.

Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss; A different perspective

No chance whatsoever.

Shades of them may; and Bannock's Ire is the setting for a lot of my unwritten stories; but Mission and Pensive stay in the RPG world.

Subject: The Second full day of waiting

Garyth sits outside the lodge on the lip of Gully's well, chewing on a piece of salt pork. The air around him grows dimmer and dimmer, the only sign of the setting sun. In spite of the constant cloud cover, there hasn't been any rain, and a hot wind seems to flow of the mountain now. A bit of hair blows into his eyes, and he brushes it away with irritation. It's getting long. He hasn't had a hair cut in how long now? It's sloppy. His old drill sergeant would have kicked his teeth in for being that sloppy. Long hair gets in your eyes when you sweat. Not a good thing during a fight. Maybe he can get one of the others to chop it off with a knife later.

A rock crunches behind him, and he turns to see Rennik standing there. The Halfling is grinning and holding his axe. "Want to practice with me a bit? I feel a like I'm rusty. Gully did a fine job repairing her, and she deserves to be used well."

Garyth can't help but grin. "Of course, master Halfling. You may test your rusty skills on me. Perhaps we should make sure Osred is available to put you back together again afterward."

Rennik gives a loud bark of laughter. "I'll see if I can't cut that newfound sense of humor out of you! Such a thing has no business being in a serious warrior."

The two of them go through some sparring exercises. The clash of steel on steel bringing the rest of the group out of the lodge to watch. After a few minutes, Robert yells out, "Captain, when are you going to stop playing with him and give him a real beating?!" The Falcons laugh.

Garyth raises one eyebrow at Rennik. Give them a real show?

[if garyth and rennik want to spar, I can run it as a combat. This will end the second full day of waiting for the sunmaster.]

Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

Pensive says, "A silver on the Halfling."

He holds out his hand to show the coin and smiles. It was something new for him, gambling. He'd probably regret it. But this is what soldiers did, wasn't it? And more than anything he wanted to feel the belonging that these men felt with each other, even under threat, even under the Shadow's watch.

Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

The confidence his men had in him was nice, but Garyth knows that he and the hunter were well matched. He flashes Rennik a grin and cocks an eyebrow.

OOC: Garyth is amenable. I assume we'll both be on a -4 attack penalty for non-lethal damage?

Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

Sa'id hears the clang of weapons outside, and the laughter and banter of his comrades.

He doesn't go out.

Doesn't want to go anywhere near that elf, though he knows he is only delaying the inevitable. Something gnaws at the back of his mind, something that has been festering at least since Nesalin. The trip to the wizards' school reminded him of it, and now seeing the others again has brought it back to the forefront of his memory.

The spellbook.

Taken from the body of the wizard they hadn't needed to kill, Sa'id knows without needing to look that the trapped spellbook is still nestled in Farron's pack.

We might need it.

...

...I want it.

Which of those two reasons is more important? Does it matter? It would be foolish to let such a valuable resource go to waste at this point. The risk... of course there was risk. But Pelor had already saved his life once. Would the god intervene again on behalf of his ally if Sa'id couldn't successfully dispel the book's magical trap? If it would increase the chances of his plans coming to fruition, Pelor might well do just that. I'll have to talk to Farron. I couldn't just...

...take the book from his pack?

Could I?

No. The elf might know.

Sa'id looks around Gully's for Farron. Finding his friend outside with the others, Sa'id approaches him. Speaking softly so as not to be heard over the noise of the battle -- to which he pays absolutely no attention -- he says, "Farron, I think I should try to open that spellbook we found. The chance that there might be something useful in it is too great to just let it sit."

Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

[OOC: It's been so long since I've looked at my character sheet that I don't know what's on it]

Sweat poured off Rennik's brow as he worked the bellows.

The tension of the journey to Gully's had put him on edge, but it was nothing to the building anxiety of waiting for the Sunmaster. The comaraderie of friends and fire had soothed his nerves a spell, but the arrival of Bartok had once again wound his nerves. He had begun to feel much like a jungle cat in a pit trap, and had even taken to pacing a bit.

His muscles flexed in rhythm with the blows of Gully's hammer, and the strain allowed him a semblence of peace.

It was obvious to him that Gully had worked with halfling weapons before by the kindness and care he showed in the smithing. This was no brute's axe, or sword for an infantryman. This was precious - the axe of a Chorrdath warrior. Gully treated the weapon with as much reverence and respect as Rennik himself would have.

It was good, and Rennik's mind eased, if only slightly.

With the axe finished, he bowed low before Gully.

"Mielikki has blessed your hands and smiled on your craft, Friend Gully. May her grace watch over and protect you, and keep the darkness from your door and your mind."

With that, he grips Gully's forearm firmly, and walks out to the courtyard taking some practice swings.

***

The sparring with Garyth was a welcome distraction. The human fought with grace, though not nearly that of the elven swordsmen who he had traveled with what seemed like ages ago. What he lacked in grace, though, he made up for in strength, and it was clear to Rennik that he would not be as easily overpowered with brute force.

He was a worthy fighting partner, and Rennik explored Garyth's range and reactions with ducks, feints and sweeps at the ankles.

"Captain, when are you going to stop playing with him and give him a real beating?!" One of Garyth's men, good naturedly chiding him - Robert, Rennik remembered. Garyth flashed a smile and cocked an eyebrow, and Rennik inclined his head to accept.

Calling back, he shouts, "When I've taught your Captain a few things, I'd be happy to cut you down a peg or two, Guard Robert - all that height makes you clumsy!"

With that, Rennik makes a feint at Garyth's waist, then a sweeping shot with the back of his axe just below the captain's knee.

Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

Pensive says, "A silver on the Halfling."

"I'll take that bet. The captain'll knock his bony little ass halfway up the mountain."

Watching as the fight commences, Osred gives a grunt. This halfling is good--as good as the other little one, Melani. Maybe better. "Tell you this," he says to Pensive, not taking his eyes from the battle, "there's more to these little folk than I'd've thought. Sneak-thieves or bumpkins, that's what people think of 'em, if they think of them at all. If the two we've fought with are any measure, though, they deserve more. They got little folk, where you're from?"

Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

"Not like Rennick, no," Pensive smiles at the sergeant. "But I grew up among Gnomes. They are small as well, and as full of suprises."

Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

Osred raises his eyebrows. "Gnomes? Gnomes are real? Huh." He breaks off to cheer as Garyth forces the halfling back with a flutter of lightning quick blows, then glances back at the elf. "Thought they were just in stories."

Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

Farron is a bit taken aback. "Sa'id, don't you remember. We left the book with Master Thaddeus with the agreement that they would have first use of anything unusual, provided they were able to open it without destroying it. If we ever get back to Nesalin, we should remember to claim the rest, but for now it's not even an option. I'm sorry."

Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

Kasen sits quietly, letting the air of camaraderie swirl easily around him, lost in the twists and swirls of Truth's blade. He had already seen to his armour, polishing every piece to a blinding sheen, carefully scrubbing away the filth that had gathered around the Harts adorning the plate, and finally had reverently set each piece at his feet. But the sword was something else entirely. The armour might mark his as a knight, but Truth made him something more. A symbol of hope, your heart could not help but soar when looking at it. It had a way of simplifying matters, when drawn everything melted away and all eyes were on Truth. It changed him from a man in mail to... to a threat, he supposed. And so he sits, lovingly drawing a whetstone across a blade whose edge had never needed sharpening, finding joy in the ritual.

The sound of steel on steel rings through the air and Kasen finds himself chuckling in the doorway. He'd been so drawn into his thoughts that the sound of it had brought him hurtling across the room, sword in hand, only to see Garyth and Rennik poking and prodding at one and other, with both words and weapons. He quietly steps into the outside air to find a better vintage point and gets lost in their dance of combat. He cannot help but size the two warriors up, watch how they move, how well they understand their weapons, their art, and pit himself against them in his mind. There was a familiarity in how they approached each other, they had so often seen each other in combat they knew the other's styles almost as well as their own. He had often found that he brought something different to a battle. Men were not used to fighting someone so large, with a reach sometimes half again as much as their own. This often made them wary, trying to decide how to use his size against him, not expecting him to be as light on his feet as he was. So many battles had ended with a sudden step in, a quick shift of his weight, and one solid blow. Not that either of these men would allow something like that to be done to them. Still, he thinks with a smile, if they were forced into a situation where they could not run it would probably not be a long fight.

Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

OOC: What? Aw, crap. >_< No, I don't remember.

IC:

Sa'id blinks. "We what? Oh. I'm clearly muddled." He shakes his head. "I'm sorry, I don't know... I think I need some more sleep."

Subject: Waiting for the Sunmaster; Sparring round 1 (Rennik's POV)

OODM: You guys both rolled 7's for init, so Garyth's Improved Init wins the day J All attacks are at -4 for subdual.

[Initiative Garyth 14, Rennik 11]

Rennik nods to the young guardsman, then backs away, shifting his grip, lowering his stance. They would fight with the flats, so as not to cause serious injury, but Rennik knew that even the flat hurt. He didn't plan on getting hit any more than was necessary. He moves to sweep Garyth's leg with his axe, and end the spar quickly, when the guardsman dances sideways and lunges at him suddenly. Damn. The kid was quick. He'd forgotten how fast he was. Almost faster than the eye can follow, Garyth has launched three quick strikes at the Halfling [Attacks 11, 7, 11], but Rennik turns the first with his axe, and ducks to the side to avoid the next two.

Using his sideways momentum, he spins and brings his axe in a flat arc at Garyth's thigh. [Attacks 12, 20; miss, hit; damage 9] Garyth easily sidesteps the first, but Rennik muscles the axe out if its path and reverses it in a lightning fast backstroke that catches him on the left buttock in a stinging slap.

[you can do smack talking or strategy changes before I do round 2]

Subject: Re: Waiting for the Sunmaster; Sparring round 1 (Rennik's POV)

Garyth's experience served him well, and Rennik had only barely avoided his first series of blows. The comfortable weight of the axe reacted almost before he saw the first in the flurry, and he silently thanked Gully for getting the balance just right.

Rennik laughs as his axe makes contact, and calls out - "If you were Chordath, you'd be just the right age for a spanking, friend Garyth!"

[OOC: Is Garyth using both sword and mace? And is the mace a light weapon? If so, Rennik will first Fight Defensively for this turn, and on his action will attempt to disarm the light weapon. He'll get a +8 bonus to do so (two handed weapon v. light weapon), but Garyth will get a +4 for size bonus. Rennik would also take a -4 to attack being defensive, making things even steven again, but he'll get +2 to dodge for the turn (and against the AoO). Even so, I'll pit my +13 against his two weapon BAB, and we'll see who wins. :)

If Garyth is only using the sword, Rennik will instead make to sweep his legs, but intsead bring the back of the axe up into Garyth's midsection to knock the wind out of him.]

Subject: Re: Waiting for the Sunmaster; Sparring round 2 (Garyth's POV)

[OODM: man, the disarming rules are harsh. If you attempt a disarm, you not only get the AOO, but if you fail, your opponent gets an automatic disarm attempt on you, with no AOO. I can see why people don't just go around attempting disarms all the time.]

The halfling's blow to his backside is still stinging when the Halfling follows it up with a taunt. Garyth doesn't let the jibe get to him. He knows the hunter's skill with that axe. It's no shame to take a blow from him. What bothers him now is his own inability to land a hit. He decides to change that right now. [Full attack 9, 21, 14, miss, hit, miss; damage 7] Rennik is fighting very cautiously, and easily deflects both of Garyth's sword swings. But the guardsman waits until Rennik's axe is tied up in a block, then swats the Halfling across the wrist with his mace. He lands the blow using only the wooden handle, but it still leaves a nasty lump. Garyth knows that if he'd used the metal head, he could have broken or sprained the joint.

Rennik curses and leaps forward, swinging his axe flat and hard at Garyth's left hand. Garyth quickly sees it is a disarming blow, and uses the opening to swat the Halfling across the shoulder with his sword [AOO, Attack 20, hit; Damage 13]. Rennik's blow is driven off target by the attack, and misses the mace completely. Garyth uses the opportunity to try and knock the halfling's wrist again, and knock the axe from his hands. [disarm attempt 8 vs 25, failed] Rennik shifts his hands on the haft of his axe, and Garyth's mace only strikes wood.

The two combatants continue to circle each other warily.

Subject: Re: Waiting for the Sunmaster; Sparring round 2 (Garyth's POV)

Inside Gully's Bartok hears the sounds of combat but since there is no outcry he figures it is just a couple of guardsmen sparing. Hearing the cheers from outside, Bartok decides to see what all the fuss is about.

He heads towards the door and where the fight is taking place. He watches intently, judging the quality of the two combatants.

Mark

Subject: Re: Waiting for the Sunmaster; Sparring round 2 (Garyth's POV)

[OOC: Yeah, that's why I was fighting defensively that time, to try to avoid damage from the AoO... of course, that's when Garyth's sword finally decides to wake up. Heh. The dice gods did not favor me.

Shaking his bruised arm for a moment, Rennik narrows his eyes at Garyth. His trick hadn't worked, and he was left with a nasty bruise for the attempt. Not wasting any time on words, Rennik growls in his throat and launches a full attack, aiming his first blow under Garyth's arm at his ribs [Power Attack 2 to knock the wind out of him]. Releasing his low hand, he then swings the end axe handle up for a blow at the Garyth's jaw.

Subject: Re: Waiting for the Sunmaster; Sparring round 3 (Garyth's POV)

Rennik shakes his arm and works hard to keep himself from shifting into the battle rage that made him so dangerous in a real fight. Garyth was still dancing around, using his footwork to keep himself out of range of Rennik's axe. He Halfling kept his guard up, and pushed forward, forcing himself into Garyth's space, forcing him to attack or retreat.

Garyth lashes out again with three rapid blows. [Full attack 10, 15, 17, miss] This time though the hunter is ready, and catches the first blow on the head of his axe, then shoves Garyth back hard. His next two blows flail wildly and catch only air.

While the soldier is off balance, Rennik presses the attack and launches a heavy blow at his ribs. [Attacks 24, 11, hit, miss; damage 12 +2 power attack, 14] The first shot lands with a heavy thump, and Garyth blows out his breath with a loud 'oof'. Rennik steps in to end the match with one more blow, trying to land a shot on his opponents jaw. But even winded, Garyth is quick as a cat, and jerks his head back just in time to avoid the blow.

[Garyth down 23, Rennik down 20, they are still basically neck and neck]

Subject: Re: Waiting for the Sunmaster; Sparring round 3 (Garyth's POV)

Osred sucks in a breath through his teeth as Rennick's blow hits home. "Come on Captain, put him on the ground!"

Subject: Re: Waiting for the Sunmaster; Sparring round 3 (Garyth's POV)

Pressing his advantage, Rennik continues his attack. Making as if to swing hard again at Garyth's side, he pulls his attack short and plunges the hard top of the axe into his opponent's midsection just above his belt line. (Power Attack 1). A move taught him by his father, the intent is to double the target over enough to quickly bring the flat of the axe up under the jaw on a second attack.

Subject: Re: Waiting for the Sunmaster; Sparring round 3 (Garyth's POV)

Garyth gasps for breath--that gut shot had really knocked the wind out of him. Almost without thinking, he finds himself stepping back into a defensive guard stance. Rennik's small stature combined with the axe's wide head were proving an effective defense. If Rennik wouldn't give him an opening on his own, Garyth would just have to trick him into doing so.

OOC: Fighting defensively, Garyth feints high with the intention of striking low in the following round.