Grand Duchy 37

Grand Duchy of Adventure

Session 37
October 6, 2014

Ambush at the Ford, part 1

Lunadain 18th of Flaurmont

The rain started just before the sun came up. Surely this would slow the Company down as they made their way to Xitaqa. Undaunted, they pressed forward. It was decided that they would ride to the ford and Bahaznic and the other boys would take the horses back to the camp at Sielo. They were supposed to wait there for several days and then return to Susikyn if it seemed the Company would not be returning. They were also to hunt and fish to keep their stock of provisions up, as the Company took most of the remainder of the food. The ride to the ford took a little longer than expected, but not too much, and by the time they were there, the rain had subsided and the sun shone through a break in the clouds. Though it was only just after midday, some of the riders were already worn out, having experienced very difficult and uncomfortable riding conditions that morning.

Farewells were spoken and the boys galloped off to the south. As soon as the company started crossing the ford, the sound of horses once again filled the air, but this time, the horses were coming from the north. A group of 8 riders was seen galloping out from behind a wooded rise just north of the ford, on the western bank. The riders were clothed in black and all bore bows. They did not wave or call out friendly greetings so the Company prepared for battle. 

A small rocky rise was seen to the south of the ford, just past a wooded area and it was deemed the most defensible spot within reach. The riders galloped their horses down the muddy riverbank as the members of the Grey Company scrambled up onto two rocky shelves near the water. The riders pulled up and dismounted just to the north of the trees and started shooting their bows. 

The attackers take up positions and start firing arrows at the Grey Company

Hoping to sneak up on some of the bandits, as that is what it was assumed they were, Marcel climbed back down from the rise and moved to the left, heading through the thick trees. The others held their positions on the outcropping. The bandits each loosed an arrow or two in the direction of the Company, but none of their shots were accurate enough to cause any harm. The archers then dropped their bows, drew their swords and charged, yelling and crying out in anticipation of battle.

Marcel moves through the trees in hopes of getting a better vantage point

 While sneaking through the woods, Marcel ran into two of the bandits who were also sneaking through the woods. He tried to get the drop on them, but was unable to and shortly they got him into a poor predicament and he was bleeding profusely.

Marcel found some of the other bandits attempting a tactic similar to his

 The others engaged the bandits near the river and Akaios and Griffin quickly dispatched two of them while Ree and Remar sent slingstones and magical bolts flying into their adversaries.The bandits, which Griffin noted, did NOT number 8 now, attacked with a ferocity that bordered on berserk and their skill with their blades was not that great. Despite their lack of skill, they began landing some telling blows on the members of the Company. Akaios and Burik had both taken good hits from the wildly swinging swordsmen.

The others disengaged and charged the archers on the riverside

The battle raged on, with neither side showing a distinct advantage, except for the two on one battle in the trees to the left that nobody else was paying any attention to.

Session Notes

When we play our live sessions, we only play for 2 hours, and they are every other week, spaced apart by long play-by-post style sessions. The battle took nearly the entire session, and we didn't even make it halfway through. I LOVE being able to play with so many different people online using Roll20.net but the online play and short session times make it difficult to get much done. That's really ok though, as we are able to continue the battle out using the PbP and Roll20 for each characters move. Can't wait to get on with the group's current mission!

Cast of Characters: 

Garrett "Griffin" Constantine, a Thyatian rogue of a gambler from Penhaligon rolled by +Arne Jamtgaard 

Marcel Maas, a homely but sincere wielder of spears aspiring to cooking greatness commanded by +Christian Blouin 

Draven Rickart, a Thyatian Acolyte of the Church of Karameikos ministered by +Jason Packer 

Iris Varda, a Thyatian explorer and historian searching for answers and adventure guided by +Alex Safatli  

and +Jason Woollard as The DM