The Black Knight vs. Eldrissa Looks-West: Fight! (winner's bracket round 1)

[Yagathai]

Let's have a good, clean bout.

[Kublai]

"Eldrissa, you've lived far too long to die at my brutal hands. Quit the Arena now and go back to your citadel. Live long and in peace," warns the Black Knight.

[Tobias]

"Your offer approaches kindness, young human. For that, I will have my people lament your passing."

She wields her spear lightly, and strides into fighting range. It is on.

[Kublai]

"DEATH to you then!" shouts the Black Knight as he grabs his polearm and rushes towards the elf.

Initial Positioning:

Speed 4, no other bonuses

Result - 1,3,4,5, - 2 Successes!

[Tobias]

Ok, initial positioning: Sp 6, +1 bonus for longer weapon, +2d for defensive stance = 9d.

5,2,3,2,4,2,5,2,4 = 4s.

I'd like to be at lunging, with you outside range.

Here's my script, in three volleys, with hidden text, yadda yadda yadda.

V1

Shockingly, Eldrissa has a good voice, and really knows how to sing as she stops, keeps her light-footed stance, levels her eyes at the knight. A blinding fury flashes around her.

Maintain = 10 D (according to Kublai's calculation) = 3, 2, 1, 1, 5, 2, 4, 4, 1, 5 = 4s.

A1: Avoid & Sing Song of Burning Bright 8D = 1, 6, 2, 1, 6, 4, 4, 5 = 5s! Nat Def vs. B&B=6D = 4, 6, 3, 2, 4, 1 = 3s. B&B does not work.
A2: Avoid & Finish Song of Burning Bright = no opposing action. Song does not finish.


Eldrissa sings prettily, as she dodges and weaves. The black knight's polearms thrusts out straight, forcing the spear off-line slightly, but it's in a direction she's moving anyway, and she recovers without effort. She does, for no known reason, stops singing though, her face filled with grief. Perhaps she doesn't want to unleash the song's power on yet another victim, another stalk of grain, ready to be cut down...


V2

Maintain = 10 D = 2,2,3,6,1,3,2,6,6,5 = 4s.
Strike = 6D (defensive stance) = 2,4,5,2 rolled earlier, need to add 2 dice, which is 6,5 = 4s, so that's an (I) hit after all. VA 2, B3 hit.
Strike = 6D = 2,1,5,5, adding 2 more = 3, 2 = 2s, a miss

Natural defenses against the B&B = 6d, = 4, 4, 4, 4, 2, 5 = 5s! (is 4 4's also something, kublai?)


V3

Maintain
Avoid (unneccesary due to non-set weapon)

[Kublai]

EXCHANGE 1

V1

Positioning - Close: 4D (Speed B4) - 1,3,1,5 - 1 success!
Action 1 - Beat & Bind: 8 grey Dice! (G6 Polearm + Spear and Brawling FoRKs) - 1,1,4,5,5,5,5,5 - 6 successes! (5 5's - the holy number!!)

V2

Positioning - Close 6D (Speed B4 + 2D Aggressive Stance) = 1,3,3,4,4,6 = 3 successes! Gah!
Action 1 - Beat & Bind: 8 grey Dice! (G6 Polearm + Spear and Brawling FoRKs) = 1,1,2,2,3,5,5,6 = 4 successes!
Action 2 - Forfeited to change Action 1

Armor test - 6D vs Ob3 = 1,3,4,5,5,6= 4 successes, but minus 1 armor from my chest!

V3

Positioning - Maintain
Action 1- Strike - NO contest. :(

[Kublai]

Along the northen border between the lands of men and elf, there are the ruins of Castle Glamming. Once an expansive keep and successful trading post, it now lies overgrown and crumbling. It is here that the latest round of The Arena takes place.

In a litter-strewn courtyard, surrounded by a dilapidated wall, the Black Knight struggles against the fleet-footed Eldrissa. All manners of spectators watch the match, sitting along the top of the wall or peeking through cracks in the mortar. Cheers ring out for both combatants as weapon clatter and armor is sundered.

Shouting in anger and desperation, the Black Knight grows more and more frustrated at his failure to knock aside the elven spear that keeps him at bay. Cursing every breath the elf takes, the knight can only wait for his enemy to make a mistake. He only hopes his plated chain holds out until that moment!

[Tobias]

As to Eldrissa - she smiles sadly at the man battering her spear. It's a dangerous game, this - should he close but once, the game shifts radically in his favor.

That cannot be allowed to happen... she's seen people rebuild and raze this keep many a time, it is too sad a place for her to end up - and, preferrably, even the human will stand down should it become clear his life's in too much danger.

Already, his harnas has taken the first dent from her spear.


Maintain = 10 D = 6,4,2,3,4,4,1,4,2,2 = 5s.
Avoid: Sing Song of Burning Bright = 6D = 5,2,4,5,3,1 = 3s (correct error: kublai mentions I get 2 more dice: 6,4 = 5s total)
Avoid: Sing Song of Burning Bright = 6D = 4,3,3,3,4,5 = 3s (correct error: kublai mentions I get 2 more dice: 4,3 = 4s total) - but irrelevant





Maintain = 10D = 4,4,1,3,4,4,6,2,3,3 = 5s.
Avoid: Sing Song of Burning Bright = 8D = 4,1,3,4,5,2,4,2 =4s. If I need my weapon dice: 6D = 4,2,5,1,3,3 = 2 more s.
Set for great strike: Sing Song of Burning Bright. Picking +VA

Song of Burning Bright: G4 = 2,5,6,6 = 3s! Don't have the book with me, can you look it up, Kublai?

3 more dice from the 6's: 4,2



Maintain = 10 D = 3,6,5,4,4,5,1,6,2,1 = 6s
Strike = 6D = 5,6,5,4,5,5 = 6 sucs!

[Kublai]

EXCHANGE 2

V1

Positioning - Close - 6D (4 speed + 2 Aggresive Stance): 3,3,4,4,5,5 = 4 successes!
Action 1 - Beat & Bind - 8 grey Dice! (G6 Polearm + Spear and Brawling FoRKs): 1,2,2,2,3,4,6,6 = 4 successes! Noooo! Cursed Pink Horrors!

V2

Positioning - Close - 6D (4 speed + 2 Aggresive Stance): 1,1,1,4,5,6 = 3 Successes!
Action 1 - Beat & Bind - 8 grey Dice! (G6 Polearm + Spear and Brawling FoRKs): 1,2,2,3,3,3,4,5 = 5 successes!
Action 2 - Forfeited

Steel Test from Burning Bright - 7D versus Ob 9 = 2,2,4,4,4,4,5 = 5 successes! I hesitate for 4 actions!

V3
Positioning - Withdraw 4D: 4,4,6,6 = 4 successes!
Action 1 - Hesitate/Run Screaming

Armor test (Left Arm)- 5D vs Ob4: 1,4,4,5,6 = 4 successes, but I lose a point of armor!

[Tobias]

The fight between Eldrissa and the Black Knight seems like little fight, for a bit, as the knight swipes at the elf's weapon again and again, but not finding enough resistance to drive the spear off-line - Eldrissa keeps moving and shifting.

But as she does, her song has started again, and this time, it's full of fury! The shadows seems to retreat to nooks and crannies in the ruins, as a burning, furious light starts to sheath Eldrissa.

The Black Knight realises he faces the experience, grief, and horrors of an Elf who's soon more death than he ever will. And this time, she's out for him! It's too much to bear, and as he turns to flee, Eldrissa flows with him like a beacon, solidly connecting with the knight's armoured arm, before the spear bounces of, vibrating madly from the solidity of the hit.

[Kublai]

"I sold offf my lands and horse for this! AAAAAUUUUGGGHHHH!!!" screams the Black Knight as he flees from the scary elf.

EXCHANGE 3

V1
Positioning - Withdraw 4D: 1,3,4,5 = 2 successes
Action 1 - Hesitate/Run Screaming
Action 2 - Hesitate/Run Screaming

V2
Positioning - Withdraw 4D: 1,2,5,6 = 2 successes
Action 1 - Hesitate/Run Screaming

First Armor Test (Left Arm): 5D vs Ob3 = 4,4,5,6,6 - 5 successes! The Pink Horrors have awakened!
Second Armor Test (Left Arm) - 5D vs Ob3 = 2,3,3,6,6 - 2 Successes! NOOOOO! I take a B3 wound which is a Superficial for me. +1 Ob to everything! Wicked spear!!

V3
Positioning - Close 4D: 2,3,4,5 = 2 Successes! Minus 1 Success for Superficial wound.
Action 1 - Aggressive Stance

First Armor Test (Left Arm): 5D vs Ob3 = 1,2,3,4,5 = 2 Successes and 1 point of lost armor! I take another B3 wound which is a Superficial for me.

Armor Summary:
Head 5D
Chest 5D
Right Arm 4D
Left Arm 4D
Right Leg 5D
Left Leg 5D

Wound Summary:
2 Supies! +1 OB total

[Tobias]

Ok then. Posting this first, then editing/rolling once I look at your V1.


Maintain (use dice to position) = 10D = 2,2,1,4,3,5,6,3,3,3 = 3s - we're still at my lunging
Go Agressive Stance; Tandem action: Sing Council-Caller;
Strike; Tandem action: Sing Council-Caller; 6D at ob4 (or 2?)= 3,1,5,3,3,2 = 1s = a wild miss!

No changes in my script, so rolling for V2 - feel free to have a look when you like.



Maintain = 8D = 4,3,4,3,5,6,5,1 = 5s = I'm guessing we're still at my lunging.
Strike - use stance dice to strike; Tandem action: Sing Council-Caller; 8D at ob 2 = 5,5,6,6,2,3,3,3= 4s = A Mark hit! - I'll take whatever location you're offering
Strike - use stance dice to strike; Tandem action: Sing Council-Caller; 8D at ob 2 = 3,2,4,3,4,3,4,2= 3s = An Incidental with 1 over - I may move the location depending on previous result and what you're offering. Unless you're avoiding or somesuch, of course, we'll see what happens then.

And oh yeah - you need to make a wonderment Steel check at this point, I think?



Maintain = 8D = 4,4,6,3,6,2,4,5 = 6s! Eldrissa's a maintain-wizard!
Strike - use stance dice to strike; Tandem action: Sing Council-Caller; 8D = 3,6,2,1,2,5,1,3 = 2s - another incidental, whereever you like

[Tobias]

As the knight runs, there is no mercy. With a cold and steely grimace, Eldrissa strikes over and over and over. The knight's armor stays good under the heavy blows, but they must be taking it's toll - the spear slips in, lightly.

Perhaps spurred into a rage by the pain, the knight swivels and tries to barrel in on Eldrissa - only getting the spear again for his trouble! Fear is definitely no longer an issue, though!

Ex 4


Maintain = 8D = 3,3,3,2,5,1,2,5 = 2s! uh -oh.
Strike, using agressive stance dice (and sing on forever) 8D = 5,5,4,6,2,2,2,4 = 5s .
Strike, using agressive stance dice (and sing on forever) 8D = 3,1,3,3,3,5,2,5 = 2s .
Defense against the B&B: 6 = 5,4,2,3,4,4 = 4s! it works!

Strike 1 resolution: If your close moved me into optimal at the same time you went to lunging, I'll take the superb hit, on the location you offer. Otherwise, I'll shift the Mark result to the chest;
Strike 2 resolution: if in optimal, shifting to your chest, if at lunging, wherever you offer. Incidental.

I'll be forfeiting in V2 and have made the change.



Maintain, Forfeited to Withdraw, using stance to position = 9D = 6,6,5,5,3,4,4,3,4 = 7s! - I'd like to be in lunging, but I think I overshoot?
Strike 6D = 6,4,2,2,3,6 = 3s (ob unknown at this time) :)
Forfeited to change positioning



Maintain = 8D = 3,5,4,3,4,5,4,3 = 5s
Strike, using agressive stance dice (and sing on forever) = 8D = 5,3,1,3,3,2,3,2 = 1s. A miss!

[Kublai]

First blood goes to the Elf and is quickly followed up by another nick to the knight's arm. The crowd erupts in delight!

"Enough of this! I do not run!!" hollers the Black Knight as he again begins to press the elf, looking for an opening to exploit. "Wicked, spiteful Spear!!" he curses as he takes a swing at the glistening weapon.

EXCHANGE 4

V1
Positioning - Close 6D (Speed 4 + 2 stance dice): 2,3,4,4,5,6 = 4 Successes, minus 1 for the Supie... OMG!!! I beat you by 1! I get to my Lunging!! (That makes this battle a moral victory for me!)
Action 1 - Beat & Bind - 8 grey dice: 1,2,3,4,6,6,6,6 = 6 successes, -1 = 5 successes! My B&B works!

First Armor Test (Right Leg): 5D vs Ob 3: 3,5,5,4,6 - 4 successes! PINK HORRORS be praised!!
Second Armor Test (Right Leg moved to Chest): 5D vs Ob 3: 3,4,5,5,6 = 4 successes! I'm ALIVE!!!!

V2
Positioning - Close 8D (Speed 4 + 2 stance dice + 2 longest weapon by two categories): 2,3,4,4,4,4,4,5 = 5 successes minus 1 = 4 successes... you get back to your Lunging. (You may move up to two categories, but you don't have to.) :(
Action 1 - Set - No contest
Action 2 - Great Strike - No contest

(Your ob to hit was 3 - Base 1, plus Lunging and Moving Quickly)
First Armor test - (Go right leg, go!!) 5D vs Ob 3 = 1,3,5,5,6 = 3 Successes but minus 1 armor! Poor right leg! But you did your job. Rest well, my friend.

V3
Positioning - Close 6D (Speed 4 + 2 stance dice): 1,1,2,3,5,6 = 2 Successes minus 1 = 1 success. (I saw paradise but for a brief moment. Now it is gone forever.)
Action 1 - Strike - No contest

[Tobias]

For a slight moment, the human is in range, and the crowd sucks in it's breath, hoping for the polearm to hit home - but they boo in disappointment as eldrissa slips away again!

Ex 5


Maintain 8D = 2,5,2,2,2,1,5,4 = 3s. Maintain works (right?)
Strike using agg dice = 8D = 5,5,6,4,1,3,4,6 = 6s! I'll take the S again... you tell us where I glance off your armor! :)
Strike using add dice = 8D = 3,4,3,6,4,5,5,5 = 6s again! The virtual Horror are with me! S, you tell me where.




Maintain using agg dice
Strike
Strike





Maintain using agg dice
Strike

[Kublai]

The gleaming spear is all the Black Knight sees. He is transfixed. The elf is no longer there, just the spear and its unholy dance.

EXCHANGE 5

V1
Positioning - Close 6D (Speed 4 + 2 stance dice): 1,2,4,4,5,5 = 4 successes minus 1 = 3 successes! Hurray for the average!
Action 1 - Beat & Bind - 8 grey dice: 1,1,1,1,3,4,5,6 = 4 successes minus 1 = 3 successes. These Pink Horrors SUCK!

First Armor Roll (Head!!!) - 5D vs Ob 3: 1,2,3,4,5 = 2 successes! I take a B9 and lose a point of armor!
Second Armor Roll (Chest) - 5D vs Ob 3: 1,1,3,3,6 = 1 Success! I take a B9 and lose a point of armor!

That's two SEVERE wounds for me for a total of -6 dice! I am down!

V2
Positioning - Close:
Action 1 - Set
Action 2 - Great Strike

V3
Positioning - Close 6D:
Action 1 - Strike

[Tobias]

Eldrissa is staccato, unimaginitive, and almost a blur as the elven spear lashes out again, and again, and again, and...

Wait!

There must have been a moment when the crowd wasn't paying attention, because the Black Knight is falling - and two sprays of blood simultaneously explode from the knight's face-plate and the hole in his leg armor!

Eldrissa stops singing immediately. Her body slides to a rest, still at a (lunging) distance from the knight. Ironically, the knight's spurting blood is better at bridging the range to the elf than the knight was himself, as Eldrissa is slowly covered with tiny red spatters.

"The presence of my fellowmen is not as important as aid to you, sir knight. I had hoped to inflict lesser wounds on you."

"Is there anyone in the crowd that might aid this man? You have my promise as Althing that you will find ample payment once I've returned to my citadel."