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

[Loran]

[OOC]
Well... I suppose that a total victory with an unused mastery probably doesn't lead immediatly into a trap or I have a problem with the defintion of total victory :-). Also in my understanding of the HQ rules, there is no 0W2 but a 20W1 => "20" is then a failure (one bump), not a success (with two bumps) and "1" is a critical with only one bump to lower opposant result.

Against missiles, Azhur just got western knight heavy armor (for him as a nobleman warrior) and probably western medium armor (for the others of lesser status) and I suppose that the warhorses are also protected... and a better asset with the movement from the horses. 
But first, even if I'm french I do remember Azincourt (battle of Agincourt) :-D. So direct movement doesn't seem to be a fair option against missiles and outnumering enemies. Second I don't want to undermine King Broyan's authority among his fellows (by the magic of the ritual bond, he is a friend now). So Azhur's orders should be to have an organized retreat and a repositionning into King's Broyan plan and forces. 

If the unused mastery can serve there, feel free. if not, Azhur still got 2 HP to save his men from defeat.

Adequate skills to go away, may be : One (squadron?) against several tactics 18, Scan for danger 17, Mounted combat 19, Riding 17, Relationship to Blackmane the Stallion 17 who is Loyal to his Master 18 (could we add "Trollish customs 14" for the hit and run tactic?) and let's not forget that even if intrepid (19) and combative (17), Azhur is also Loyal (17) and Disciplined (17) so there is really no reason to play a blacksheep.

More important than all of that, it is the liberation fight of the Orlanthi so it is important that this battle remains their victory or defeat (even with external support), so Azhur wishes to remain a supportive power (even if decisive). It should appear to be King Broyan's success, not Azhur's (but Azhur would happily accept to have Brotan in debt with him ;-).

Loran


----- Message d'origine ----
De : Lev Lafayette <lev at mimesisrpg.com>
À : HeroQuest Glorantha ignorance at mimesisrpg.com
Envoyé le : Samedi, 22 Novembre 2008, 10h42mn 19s
Objet : [HQ Ignorance] Scene 76: The Battle for Iceland (Part Two)

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.



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