[HQ Ignorance] Scene 76: The Battle for Iceland (Part Two)

[Lev Lafayette]

Scene 76: The Battle for Iceland (Part Two)

As dawn breaks and the Lunar Tarsh soldiers advance on the position of
the Orlanthi barbarians and their allies, members of the Fellowship
prepare for the battle, with some engaging in the initial ambush.

Giving thanks to the Creator, Azhur casts "Endless Warrior" on the
western squadron of four men, recognising that the day ahead will be
long as tiresome [Roll 9, failure, bumped to success vs Roll 15,
failure. Minor victory, so Endless Warrior succeeds]. The shaman Karala,
had send her Reindeer Spirit towards Beast Valley, calling for the
promised Telmori. Summoning a Gnome from the earth, she called the
Telmori to fight alongside her for the day and found an unusual ally in
the Godlearner, Rikku.

When the moment was right, Karala attempted to release her Oakfed
spirits, and although there was some resistance (when they objected to
the cold and moisture on the trees, the shaman prevailed upon them [Roll
11, failure 7W1, bumped to success vs Roll 2 success; spend one 1 HP to
make the result a marginal success]. This sudden conflagaration
surprised the Tarshites who were not expecting such magics, but their
alertness protected them and they found away around the flames. [Roll
10, bonus 20 well hiddent to "Live in Tundra" 17W1 ability equals
success, bumped to critical success versus 6 from 5W2 alertness, failure
bumped to critical success, minor defeat overall]. Riku however came
forth with his Fire Spirit sight and found he could direct the flames
and, in a rare situation, his fear of fire actually assisted him in this
situation [13 base Fire Sight, +1 bonus, roll 5 equals success vs roll
15 resistance, failure] and he was able to funnel the Tarshites
appropriately.

Which was just as well, for the headstrong Azhur, trained in knightly
combat, or perhaps considering himself independent of King Broyan's
proposal because of his regal stature, chose not to engage in ambush,
but to charge headlong into the Tarshites, using mounted combat and
heavy lance. Calling out in the language of his people the cries for
duty for the poor, the heavily armoured knight and his allies crashed
into the Tarshite skirmishes, causing great destruction [Roll 3 for
13W3, success bumped to critical vs Tarshite shield and spear roll 19
for 18, failure, bumped to critical failure, a Total Victory with an
additional bump still available!]. The Tarshites were indeed smashed to
the charge of Azhur and his allies; many were killed, or became caught
in Oakfed's feast as they attempted to flee back the way they came.
Those front-ranking Tarshites will not be rejoining the battle this day,
and many of them will never see another battle again.

For a moment there is confusion, for many of the Orlanthi wish to press
their victory, but others want to follow their King's orders and fall
back. Admist the fighting, Azhur's incredible victory becomes very
shortlived. Flanking him his small force, a large number barbarians
dressed in furs and claws appear - and regrettably, they do not appear
to be Telmori. First they attack with a volley of javelins (roll 7 for
10W1, +10 for surprise, so 0W2, failure, bumped to success, bumped to
critical vs ....  what do you have for defense against ranged combat,
Azhur...) and then they close for melee with cruel, broadswords.