Is that so?

  Present:

• Abellinut "Able" Ugwistan, 31, Moor Arian Fighter from Septum - Jeff
• Aulius "Owl" Lucius Decanter, 25, Polytheistic Fighter from Gades - Jamie
• Elia Ildaria, 24, Basque Pagan Barbarian from Gasteiz  - Richard
• Luigi Abundus Bertolini, 23, Roman Nicene Priest from Ravenna - Chris
• Merkel, 24, Vandal Arian Temple-fighter from Gades - Kevin
• MARMALADE: Vanker Polyester, 22, Vandal Pagan Rogue from Gades - Shane
• Velito Rosso, 24, Roman Nicene Barbarian from Venice - Darryl
• Victor Koshenko, 24, Alan Arian Thief from Gades - Ian

By Jeff

{A brief interlude:

Each game night we take the opportunity to attempt to increase our character's skills before play. For each character, the player rolls one D20 roll to attempt to increase their current LUCK, and five D20 rolls to attempt to increase five of their character's skills, say One Handed Blade, or Stealth, or Cart Riding etc. If the D20 roll exceeds the current LUCK or skill level, then the LUCK or skill level is increased by one. All the rolls could all be used on LUCK if desired, but for skills you can only increase by one point a night. If you are successful on a particular skill roll, you move on to another skill. 

Richard's character Elia is a Barbarian archetype, so essentially a fighter type. But having had some encounters with the pagan God Geryon, Richard figured that it might be an interesting character development to increase Elia's Arcane magic skill. It was currently at 1 (out of twenty) so increasing it would be a cinch, right? To much hilarity for all present, Richard rolled a 1, and failed to increase Elia's skill. It turned out to have been a 3 rather than a 1, but that didn't dampen the laughter and mocking comments. He was successful however, on the second attempt.

And then Jamie rolled two 20's for his attempts.

More laughter!}

Victor continued to ponder on the strange occurrences earlier that night. The beam of golden light, Elia floating naked in the air with her arms spread and breasts jutting skyward, the shocking explosion from the supposed Holy Spear, the gouts of fire blown from Elia's mouth, and the unsatisfying discussion with Sister Justina regarding religion and Victor's own faith not being aligned to the "correct" principles. "Is that so?" he wondered.

"Elia isn't Nicaean" Victor continued to himself, "And she was obviously blessed by that Spear. Mmmmm"
"And God is God isn't he. Why would he favour her over me?"
"Maybe ...." 

Victor stopped thinking about it, he had got a headache from so much deep thought.
And it was his watch now, he needed to focus in case anything attacked the wagon train in the early hours.

As the sun slowly climbed over the horizon in the morning, a cry came from the wagons.

"Where is Francisco?"

The drivers were missing!

It turned out that five of the wagon drivers had disappeared sometime during the night. No signs of an attack or a struggle, and the watches had not heard or seen anything strange. Nor were there any tracks to indicate what may have happened. At least, that was what Velito reported after his brief scout around the camp site.

"Which of you ugly lot can drive a wagon?" yelled Rodrigo, the Centurian in charge.

Three guards were identified that could in fact drive a wagon, and the troops were reorganised. The makeup of the wagon train was thus:

VANGUARD (mounted)

Guard Isidro Ramirez

Guard Pedro Flores

ROAMERS (mounted)

Centurion Rodrigo de Avila

Optio Carlos Rodriguez

Signifer Javier Torres

AULIUS (OWL)

================================

1 WAGON - Supplies

Guard Juan Carlos Vasquez

================================

2 WAGON - Supplies

Guard Sofisto Herrera

================================

3 COACH - Servants

Coachman Manuel

Attendant Luisa

Servant Juanita

Attendant Esmeralda

Maid Beatriz

================================

4 COACH - Ladies-in-waiting

Driver VANKER

Guard VICTOR

Camila Isadora

Esmeralda Aldara

Lady Isidora Beltrana

Valentina Leonor

================================

5 COACH - Ladies

Coachman Diego

Guard ELIA

Lady Florinda La Cava

Lady Isabella de Arvandus

Lady Elvira Juliana

Lady Isidora Felicia

================================

6 COACH - Ladies-in-waiting

Coachman Alejandro

Guard VELITO

Lady Beatrice Octavia

Adela Ysabel

Amalia Seraphina

Maid Constanza

================================

7 COACH - Slave girls

Driver LUIGI

NPC Justina

Guard Marius Reyes

Servant Isabella

Slave Maricela

Maid Catalina

Slave Zaida

================================

8 COACH - Slave girls

Driver MERKEL

Guard Mateo Cortez

Slave Tetona

Slave Puta

Slave Cono

Slave Perra

================================

9 WAGON - Supplies

Guard ABLE

================================

10 WAGON - Supplies

Coachman Luis

================================

11 WAGON - Supplies

Guard Alan Silva

REAR-GUARD (mounted)

Decanus Ines de Leon

Guard Alejandro Soto

Guard Arturo Miranda

The wagon train set off for Hispalis. We were ahead of the original travel schedule by one day, so it was considered "safe" to push on. We would arrive at Hispalis, the great crossroads city of Baetica, this afternoon. (710 AD pop 14K)

Just before midday, the vanguard returned to report a body lying on the road ahead.
Fearing an ambush, a cautious reconnaissance (Victor snuck ahead beside the road) was undertaken, and once it was deemed clear the guards approached. It was Pedro, one of the missing wagon drivers from last night. His head had been caved in by a large, heavy, blunt instrument. Lots of blood, but no sign of the others, or even any recognisable tracks. 

"Nothing has passed along the road, or the surrounds, in weeks" reported Merkel.

{Failed his tracking roll spectacularly}

Pedro's body was carefully wrapped and placed in the empty supplies wagon; "For a proper burial" explained Luigi.

A little later the wagon train circled up for a lunch break.

"Hey, what about healing my burns?" asked Victor, still in some pain after the Spear's explosion yesterday.
"Oh, and I'm still suffering from this head wound" grumbled Merkel.

"I'm sorry" responded Sister Justina, "There is no consecrated ground nearby"

"Perhaps the Holy Spear will bless you with sufficient Power" suggested Owl with a sly grin.

Retiring some distance away from the bulk of the group, Owl unwrapped the Spear and Sister Justina grasped it firmly in her right hand. Her head tilted upward and the familiar intense glow suffused her eyes. Reaching across to Victor with her left hand, Sister Justina invoked the Healing powers of God in mighty prayer and the response was instant. A light green nimbus flashed into being around Sister Justina's hand, and then shot across into Victor's body. Victor gasped lightly as his burns miraculously healed, his headache melted away, and energy filled his soul.

"Ahhhhh" Victor sighed happily.

"My turn" demanded Merkel.

"I think not" stammered Sister Justina, "I am harbouring doubts"

"What do you mean?" asked Owl, "How can you doubt?" 

"It's the voice" replied Sister Justina, "Whenever I touch the Holy Spear, it calls me Whore"

"Well" rationalised Owl, "That's obviously a term of endearment. Wasn't the Holy mother also labelled Whore?"
"And just consider the miraculous Healing you have just performed with the God's holy power" Owl continued.
"Perhaps" muttered Sister Justina, stepping back with a frown, "But I believe I need a break".
"I'll do it" exclaimed Luigi excitedly.

Luigi grasped the Spear with his right hand, his eyes beaming with gifted power. Reaching out his left had to Merkel, Luigi invoked the Healing powers of God in mighty prayer and the response was instant.

"BLAM"

A brief vision of Hell

A loud concussive blast erupted from from the Spear, shot through Luigi, and threw Merkel five meters across the road. As he tumbled through the air, Merkel experienced flickering visons of of dark creatures, backbones being ripped from bodies, and people being immersed in flame. Hell itself!

"What the hell" shouted Merkel, picking himself off the ground, "You were meant to Heal me you idiot"

"It seems Healing does not work for Arian heretics" stated Luigi, "Apologies"

"Bugger that" spluttered Merkel, pointing towards Victor, "What about him?"

Victor had indeed been healed.
"And I am indeed Arian" Victor mused to himself. Something does not add up here"

Elia calmed Merkel with some prompt First Aid and soothing words, and we re-joined the main wagon train group, setting off towards Hispalis soon thereafter. We soon found ourselves travelling through somewhat developed land with small holdings and farms scattered across the countryside. 

Then the walls of Hispalis came into view, and a squad of mounted soldiers.

Centurian Anton Esconda drew his horse to a halt in front of our Centurian Rodrigo and saluted.

"We have come to greet the Lady Florinda" he reported.
"You are early, and have been preceded by rumours of evil among your group" he continued.

Owl discreetly tucked the Spear down beside his horse. Luigi stepped forward and described the attacks and resulting desertion by the drivers, and the subsequent killing of one of their number, probably by the rest of them. 

"Likely they were all involved in the attack on Lady Florinda" Luigi pronounced, "Look to them if you are looking for evil, rather than the good Lady or her remaining party members"

"Well, know that Duke Alfonso Cruz has invited you all to dinner this evening" stated Centurian Esconda.

We continued on and entered the city through the southern gates, escorted by Centurian Esconda and his men. Our first stop was the Cathedral of the Heavenly Beacon where the Lady Florinda was going to be staying. The horses and wagons were settled there, and Lady Florinda's ladies and slaves were housed. Priest Juan Gomez was in charge. Hispalis Bishop Esconda was out.

Then on to the Duke's palace where a sumptuous dinner had been prepared. Lady Florinda of course dined at the High Table with the Duke, and so too did Luigi, Sister Justina, Owl, and Elia. The rest of the party were assigned one of the low tables, although Able was sent to the outer rooms with the other "blacks"!

The dinner was lovely, the Duke entertaining, and a good time was had by all. Elia even managed to engage the duke in conversation and appeared to captivate him with her exotic beauty and charm. {Literally rolled a success against her Persuade skill}

After dinner, the party divided their forces. Luigi, Velito, and Sister Justina chose to stay at the Nicaean Church of the Luminous Hope (Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza Luminosa); Elia was offered a full stateroom by the duke and stayed at the palace, while the rest of us accompanied Lady Florinda and the guards back to the Cathedral. Luigi took advantage of the consecrated ground of the Church to cast a Heal Major Wounds on Merkel ("No explosions or visions of Hell" noted Merkel to himself).

St. Eulalia of Merida

The next morning the plan was to assemble at the Cathedral one hour after dawn and escort Lady Florinda to her first shrine visit. There were five shrines in Hispalis that Lady Florinda wanted to visit, so our stop at Hispalis was going to be at least five days. The first shrine was to be the shrine of St. Eulalia of Merida, an Arian saint. 

Once again, at first light we found that last of the wagon drivers had disappeared. Now there were no fully qualified drivers left from Lady Florinda's original compliment, so we had to improvise with our own party, and hope that no serious difficulties would be encountered. None of us were particularly skilled in wagon riding! A smaller wagon compliment of three was used for the Hispalis shrine excursions. The city was very busy, even at such an early hour, and all the guards were on foot. There was much shouting and pushing to clear the roads in front of the wagons to allow us to pass.

We were keeping a sharp eye out for any issues and did spot a suspicious black-clad person loitering on a street corner watching us. Victor was assigned to watch the watcher, and quickly faded into the crowd. Elia then openly "spotted" the person and started towards him, at which point he backed away and disappeared into the crowd himself. We continued on to the shrine, where Lady Florinda spent three-four hours in quiet contemplation and prayer.

Victor later returned and reported that the black-clad spy had retreated to the roof tops, where he had then followed the wagons to the shrine, watched there for around thirty minutes, and then made his way to the Velvet Ribbon Tavern and met with two others in a dark corner booth. Some unheard discussions occurred, and then the spy had returned to the shrine and maintained a watch on Lady Florinda's group until they returned to the Cathedral in the afternoon.

Later that afternoon, Victor returned to the Velvet Ribbon Tavern to see if he could find out anything about the two men he had seen there earlier. Having named them Broken Nose and Eye Patch, on account of the one having a distinctive broken nose and the other wearing an eye patch, Victor peered in through the window beside the door to see if he could see them. They didn't appear to be there, but the black clad spy was, and he was looking straight at the window as Victor peered in. "Bother" muttered Victor as he hastened away into the crowds, "Busted"

Elia, on the other hand, had been invited to the grand Hispalis Library by the duke once he heard about her interest in learning and ancient history. Once there Elia had perused the ancient stacks, looking for a hidden and quiet corner where she might experiment with her newly improved Arcane Magic skill. Finding a likely spot, settling to the floor and quietening her mind and racing heart, she "reached" out with her thoughts.

"Geryon" she thought.

"WELCOME MY FRIEND" came the immediate reply.

"I seek to Detect Magic" she earnestly prayed.

"OF COURSE" the reply echoed throughout her mind.

And then a tingling sensation crept down from her head, through her entire body, and manifested at her feet as a soft red glowing circle on the floor around her. That glowing circle then slowly enlarged and crept across the floor towards the stacks around her. Elia could feel its progress as the ring of expanding magic slowly traversed the whole of the level that she was on, passing every item, scroll, and book present. 

"NOTHING" came the disappointed response after the magic circle had expanded and then faded out to nothing.

"Nothing" whispered Elia in reply, "But WOW, just so cool, I did it ... um, we did it"

Leaping up with an excited buzz and a huge grin, Elia hurried back to the duke and led him back to the palace.

The group was again split up between the Cathedral, the Church, and the Palace.

That night passed without event. 

St. Ignatius of Antioch

The next morning, Velito and Elia travelled to the Velvet Ribbon Tavern, to have breakfast and enjoy a quiet day together at their leisure. Well, to watch for Broken Nose and Eye Patch and hopefully follow them back to whoever was pulling their strings. 

The rest of the party assembled at one hour after dawn in preparation for the next shrine visit, to the shrine of Saint Ignatius of Antioch. 

At the Velvet Ribbon, Broken Nose sidled into the tavern around eight, and slipped into the shady back corner booth. Some minutes later, another man entered the tavern. 

No eye patch, but Elia recognised the black-clad spy as he crossed the tavern and joined Broken Nose in the corner booth. He slipped around to the back of the corner table and turned his back to the wall. Just before he sat down his eyes scanned the room and rested on Elia. 

{Richard rolled a twenty against Elia's Luck, automatic and spectacular fail}
He gave a start of recognition and leapt out of the booth and hurried for the door.

Elia watched the tavern door crash closed behind spy and gave chase. Crashing through the door only seconds behind the spy, a knife appearing in each hand, Elia let fly one knife and followed immediately behind it into melee. Still buzzing from the previous night's successful spell casting via Geryon, Elia attempted the Cough of Flame skill she had picked up during her transfiguration a few nights ago. But this proved unsuccessful, as she would have known if she had had any experience as a spell caster. You cannot maintain the required concentration for magical effects (spell casting) while in melee combat. That momentary distraction opened her to the spy's attack, and Elia was struck a wicked blow across the shoulder (five points of damage) by the spy's blade. Elia made the next successful hit with her weapon, and the spy went down. 

The streets were crowded

Pausing briefly, Elia considered her options. "We could question him" she thought.

But she leaned forward and pulled her blade across his throat. "Or not" she concluded.

A quick search brought her a nice knife, a few coins, and a small dark red ruby, all of which she tucked quickly away.

Looking up she watched Broken Nose and Velito fly around the distant street corner.

Seconds after Elia had chased the spy from the room, Broken Nose had stood, glanced around, and also slipped out the door. Velito followed. As Velito exited the tavern behind Broken Nose, he could see Broken Nose walking hurriedly off among the crowd. Keeping one eye firmly focussed on Broken Nose's dark cloak, Velito gave chase. Dodging the pressing crowd, Velito was able to keep close behind Broken Nose as he ducked and dodged through the crowds and eventually turned down a small ally.

Hastening to the entrance of the ally, Velito ducked low and peered around the corner. Broken Nose was just disappearing out the other end of the ally, so Velito prepared to again give chase. As Velito turned into the ally, Broken Nose stepped back in at the other end and drew a weapon. He stood there comfortably, flicking the knife from right hand to left hand and grinning wickedly. 

"Guards, guards, help, heelllpp" yelled Velito as he paused and warily watched Broken Nose play with his knife.

Broken Nose suddenly turned and disappeared out of the end of the ally with a snarl.

Velito again gave chase. Velito was quite far from the tavern now, and he wondered at the wisdom of chasing down an obvious thug, in his home environment, with none of his own allies nearby.

"What am I, Barbarian or pussy?" he briefly wondered, then ran after Broken Nose, blades in hand.

Rounding the corner at the end of the ally, Velito saw Broken Nose a short distance ahead. He wasn't running though, he had stopped and was waiting for Velito, knife in hand. He charged.

Velito had a chance to throw one of his own blades {a hit, four damage} before melee commenced. A rapid exchange of blows followed, and Broken Nose soon collapsed to the rough cobbled pavement, blood welling from a series of deep cuts. {Darryl's judicious expenditure of Luck during the combat ensured successful attacks and the battle was won without another scratch to Velito} Hoping to be able to question Broken Nose later, Velito attempted to render First Aid, but Broken Nose bled out and died under Velito's ministrations. 

Which was unfortunate for a number of reasons, primarily because just then the city guard, whom Velito had called for he recalled, also exited the ally just behind him and rushed over.

"What have we here then?" said the tough looking guard with the armour and drawn long sword.

"He attacked me" declared Velito, "I am the personal guard of the good Lady Florinda, guest of the duke"

"I can only assume this man was part of the plot to attack and capture the good Lady" Velito suggested.

"Is that so?" exclaimed the guard, grabbing Velito by the shoulder, and leading him off.

A Plan Well Executed

 

Present:

• 
  Abellinut "Able" Ugwistan, 31, Moor Arian Fighter from Septum - Jeff
• Aulius "Owl" Lucius Decanter, 25, Polytheistic Fighter from Gades - Jamie
• Elia Ildaria, 24, Basque Pagan Barbarian from Gasteiz  - Richard
• Luigi Abundus Bertolini, 23, Roman Nicene Priest from Ravenna - Chris
• Merkel, 24, Vandal Arian Temple-fighter from Gades - Kevin
• Vanker Polyester, 22, Vandal Pagan Rogue from Gades - Shane
• Velito Rosso, 24, Roman Nicene Barbarian from Venice - Darryl
• Victor Koshenko, 24, Alan Arian Thief from Gades - Ian

By Richard

We sat exhausted, the battle won but not without loss. Seven guards were dead (Alonso Gomez, Catalius Ortega,  Marta Valenzuela, Gabriel Peralta, Diego Mendoza, Terence Gallego, Claudius Fernandez) – oh poor Diego, we will miss him so.

Merkel also had a large melon-like lump in his head where he had taken an arrow shot and a sword hit. Fortunately, one of his least vulnerable parts.

The caravan would now be as follows:

VANGUARD (mounted)

Guard Isidro Ramirez

Guard Pedro Flores

ROAMERS (mounted)

Centurion Rodrigo de Avila

Optio Carlos Rodriguez

Decanus Ines de Leon

Signifer Javier Torres

AULIUS (OWL)

================================

1 WAGON - Supplies

Wagoner Antonio

No GUARD

================================

2 WAGON - Supplies

Wagoner Carlos

Guard ABLE

================================

3 COACH - Servants

Coachman Manuel

Guard VICTOR

Attendant Luisa

Servant Juanita

Attendant Esmeralda

Maid Beatriz

================================

4 COACH - Ladies-in-waiting

Driver VANKER

Guard ELIA

Camila Isadora

Esmeralda Aldara

Lady Isidora Beltrana

Valentina Leonor

================================

5 COACH - Ladies

Coachman Juan Carlos Vasquez 

Guard MERKEL

Guard Sofisto Herrera

Lady Florinda La Cava

Lady Isabella de Arvandus

Lady Elvira Juliana

Lady Isidora Felicia

================================

6 COACH - Ladies-in-waiting

Coachman Alejandro

Guard VELITO

Lady Beatrice Octavia

Adela Ysabel

Amalia Seraphina

Maid Constanza

================================

7 COACH - Slave girls

Driver LUIGI

NPC Justina

Guard Marius Reyes

Servant Isabella

Slave Maricela

Maid Catalina

Slave Zaida

================================

8 COACH - Slave girls

Coachman Luis

Guard Mateo Cortez

Slave Tetona

Slave Puta

Slave Cono

Slave Perra

================================

9 WAGON - Supplies

Driver Pedro

================================

10 WAGON - Supplies

Driver Francisco

================================

11 WAGON - Supplies

Wagoner Juan

Guard Alan Silva

REAR-GUARD (mounted)

Guard Alejandro Soto

Guard Arturo Miranda

Elia, Victor and five guards had successfully come up behind the six bowmen and launched a surprise attack. Victor blew the warning whistle to alert the wagons as they charged in. Three rounds later, six bowmen and one guard were dead, and the small group was able to rejoin the caravan, which had sped up slightly as planned. (so far, the plan was going smoothly and even Velito agreed).

Alas, and to be expected, we now hit a road bump (literally). A tree had been felled across the track rendering it impassable. The caravan ground to a stop 100m from it, and we could see a number of heads bobbing up behind the trunk.

Victor bravely volunteered to sneak up on the tree and see what was going on. He did so [ having made is Stealth roll ] and saw four bowmen hiding around and near the fallen tree. Victor came back and told us, and so the guards quickly fanned out to the right of the caravan whilst Merkel, Victor, Elia and four guards darted off to the left with a view of coming up behind the fallen tree.

A few minutes later they, rather noisily, came up behind the tree and charged what were now two bowmen. (no idea where the others went). Merkel took a shot directly to the head but brushed it off, as the rest of us entered the fray. It took three more rounds to kill the bowman, but during the melee Merkel had taken another blow to the head dropping him (a critical had been rolled). 

By the time the fight was over Merkel's unconscious body was looking rather pale from blood loss. 

Victor had tried to bind the wounds but was rather inept at First Aid [skill of 2] and predictably failed. Elia crouched beside the body of Merkel quietly pondering and mumbling something to herself before applying her paganist herbs and poultices. Amazingly it worked [given her skill of 4] and Merkel stopped bleeding and slowly came around.

"Ouch" he exclaimed.

The rest of us started clearing the track.

Meanwhile at the time this fight was going on the caravan was being attacked from the side. (as expected)

Velito threw his daggers, father Luigi scored a good shot using his sling, arrows were released and guards entered the battle. 

Owl could be seen charging on horseback with the "black spear of god". 

When he hit a man, an explosion occurred and the brigand was torn apart. Owl saw the leader (who we later learnt was named Marcus) in his fancy armor and charged. Marcus couldn't escape the spear piercing his back. Another massive explosion and pieces of Marcus rained on the party.

This was too much for the remaining brigands who turned and ran, but not before five were either captured or saved from the brink of death. In all, only three escaped.

"See see – I knew the plan was good" called Velito.

We reassembled and sat exhausted, the battle won but not without loss. Seven guards were dead (Alonso Gomez, Catalius Ortega, Marta Valenzuela, Gabriel Peralta, Diego Mendoza, Terence Gallego, Claudius Fernandez) – oh poor Diego, we will miss him so.

Velito clearly had a little more energy than most of us and began questioning the captured brigands by dubious means. None of them knew or at least were saying much, but we did learn that Marcus was their leader (now dead) and that he had assembled this group a week or so ago and camped by the sacred lake waiting for Lady Florinda.

"Ha it was an organized ambush" said Owl. "Who would have known that we would come here? I must talk to Lady Florinda" Owl mused.

We also searched Marcus' backpack – about the only remaining item of his that was intact. There were various unimportant items of little value but a letter caught our eye. "Can you read this Father Luigi?" asked Owl.

King Roderic of Hispania,
710 AD

The letter was an instruction to Marcus from King Roderic's key advisor Septimus Maximus seeking Marcus to apprehend Lady Florinda and bring her to Toledo (the royal seat) and present her before King Roderic himself.

Much speculation broke out amongst the party. Who knew about this trip? Is Lady Florinda's husband, Count Julian, behind this? The debate went on.

"Elia come and let's talk to Lady Florinda" said Owl. (it would have been Father Luigi not Elia but he had collapsed with marmalade flowing from his mouth and so Elia was the only one who could read)

"Sure" replied Elia walking off with Owl "but I would like to see the spear more closely" Elia requested. 

"Later, but somewhere private" responded Owl "Too many eyes around here"  

Owl and Elia took a private audience with lady Florinda. 

"My trip was quite public" she said "and I was quite open about wanting so bathe in the sacred spring, see shrines, and go to the University of Cordoba." 

"and do you trust Centurion Rodrigo" questioned Owl

"He was assigned to me in Gades – he was one of Count Julian's trusted men"

"and do you trust your husband?" Owl bravely ventured 

"of course," she responded as expected.

"It's just the rumours are that it is a bit rocky" pushed Elia

"It's perfectly fine, Elia – it was an arranged marriage, but its as good as you could expect" she lied. [ Both Elia and Owl made Perception rolls and clearly picked up the lie ].

"And do you intend to still visit these shrines and the university?" Elia asked

"Hmmm – I will need to think about that" the Lady pondered.

"Thank you for your time, Lady Florinda – we'd better get this caravan moving" Owl bowed as he left.

The caravan carried on its way to the main road and after an hour or so found a suitable place to stay the night. We set up camp in a lightly wooded area with a natural stream.

Everyone settled down peacefully with some honey mead being distributed to reward the guards for a hard day. A hearty meal was cooked.

"Owl" called Elia "I want to see that spear" 

"yes, but let's go into the trees and way from camp "said Owl

Owl and Elia went 50 or so metres into the trees and found an open glade. Owl unwrapped the spear and held it adoringly out for Elia to hold. Elia cautiously and inquisitively took it in both hands. As she did her eyes glowed red and a voice was heard in her head – "give yourself to me and I will reward you"

Elia was sufficiently aware to know this was the voice of Geryon (a pagan and ancient Greek demi god) and being pagan herself was willing to submit. As she did so a beam of light descended and grasping the spear she was raised into the air and suspended there. Her clothes caught fire and burned away.

The air was electric and Owl's eyes glowed a deep red. Vanker, who had crept out of camp, stepped forth his eyes also glowing. "The Master is here" he murmured.

Poor Victor had also crept out of camp and was watching from the edge of the clearing. He saw Elia eventually be lowered slowly to the ground – she was naked and grasping the spear. Other than the drool coming from his lips there was little he could say.

Stepping forth he stammered "what's this? What's happening Owl?"

"The Lord is upon us and has blessed Elia – she has become one of us" 

"Buuuuuut why is she naked"

" I have had my soul purged in the fires of the Lord" exclaimed Elia in a strangely deep voice. As she did this, balls of fire leapt from he mouth barely missing Victor. This scared the shit out of Victor and somewhat surprised Elia. That surprise quickly turned to a satisfied smile. 

 

"Let me hold the spear and be blessed too!" said Victor nervously. 

At his request Elia handed the spear to Victor, who immediately was thrown across the glade with the spear dropping by his side. As he was thrown he saw visions of dark creatures, backbones being ripped from bodies and people being immersed in flame. Hell itself!

Back at camp everyone had awoken to a loud explosion and the beam of light 50m from camp. 

"The air is alive" sung Priestess Justina. 

"You can't go," Centurion Rodrigo said. "Everyone stays here and be ready."

 

Time passed. Vanker snuck back in; as did Victor. Elia (with Owl's cloak) and Owl came back to camp. 

"The Lord had blessed us through the spear" proclaimed Owl. "Elia has been touched. Hail be"

Victor was totally confused. "Why didn’t the Lord bless me? Why was Elia naked and have flames coming from her mouth? Why were their eyes red?" 

He went and spoke to Sister Justine. He explained what he had seen. 

"You are Arian, aren’t you Victor?"

"Yes" he responded

"Well that explains it – now go and get some rest and don’t worry your simple head"

But worry he did as things seemed to settle back to normality. 

Lady Florinda

  Present:

• 
  MARMALADE Abellinut "Able" Ugwistan, 31, Moor Arian Fighter from Septum - Jeff
• Aulius "Owl" Lucius Decanter, 25, Polytheistic Fighter from Gades - Jamie
• Elia Ildaria, 24, Basque Pagan Barbarian from Gasteiz  - Richard
• Luigi Abundus Bertolini, 23, Roman Nicene Priest from Ravenna - Chris
• Merkel, 24, Vandal Arian Temple-fighter from Gades - Kevin
• Vanker Polyester, 22, Vandal Pagan Rogue from Gades - Shane
• Velito Rosso, 24, Roman Nicene Barbarian from Venice - Darryl
• MARMALADE: Victor Koshenko, 24, Alan Arian Thief from Gades - Ian

By Richard

Just as we'd calculated, about midday after leaving Nabrissa on the road to Orippo we came upon Lady Florinda's caravan, which had stopped for lunch.

The caravan was quite sizeable. "I'm sure we will be a welcome addition", Elia thought as we approached.

Four horsemen rode toward us and one called us to stop and introduced himself as Lieutenant Rodrigo de Avila. "what is your business?" Rodrigo demanded. 

Our self-appointed leader, Owl, stepped forward and introduced himself and told Rodrigo that we had employed to help guard the wagon and handed over the sealed envelope of instruction.

"Excellent… these roads are dangerous – you lot will help" – "now introductions please"

We went around the group introducing ourselves. He seemed most interested in our fighting prowess. Things had gone fairly well until we got to Merkel. " I'm a fighterrrr", he exclaimed "and I will proveeee it"  - "I will fight Vanker"

Vanker shuffled uncomfortably but things got ahead of him and the Lieutenant seemed rather pleased with this turn of events. Wooden swords were quickly handed out with the other caravan guards and indeed ladies in waiting gathering around. Side bets were made (led by Velito) and the fight began ………. and finished rather quickly.

Vanker made a mighty swing but with Merkel's dodge, hit the ground breaking his sword. Merkel didn't bother to respond. Another sword was thrown to Vanker who immediately charged, tripped, broke the second sword and was rendered unconscious by Merkel with a powerful blow to the back of his head. 

[ Shane – Vanker – threw two fumbles and Merkel – Kevin a critical ] – the fight was over.

"See… I can fight!" exclaimed Merkel. 

"And clearly Vanker can't" said the Lieutenant. 

We brought Vanker around.

"Did I win?" questioned Vanker. 

"Nope" we all exclaimed.

Lieutenant Rodrigo then went about assigning us jobs and wagons. The details were :

VANGUARD (mounted)

Guard Isidro Ramirez

Guard Pedro Flores

Guard Alonso Gomez

Guard Catalius Ortega

ROAMERS (mounted)

Lieutenant Rodrigo de Avila

Sergeant Carlos Rodriguez

Corporal Ines de Leon

Guard Javier Torres

AULIUS (OWL)

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1 WAGON - Supplies

Wagoner Antonio

Guard Marta Valenzuela

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2 WAGON - Supplies

Wagoner Carlos

Guard ABLE

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3 COACH - Servants

Coachman Manuel

Guard VICTOR

Attendant Luisa

Servant Juanita

Attendant Esmeralda

Maid Beatriz

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4 COACH - Ladies-in-waiting

Driver VANKER

Guard ELIA

Camila Isadora

Esmeralda Aldara

Lady Isidora Beltrana

Valentina Leonor

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Lady Florinda

5 COACH - Ladies

Coachman Diego

Guard MERKEL

Guard Sofisto Herrera

Guard Juan Carlos Vasquez

Lady Florinda La Cava

Lady Isabella de Arvandus

Lady Elvira Juliana

Lady Isidora Felicia

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6 COACH - Ladies-in-waiting

Coachman Alejandro

Guard VELITO

Lady Beatrice Octavia

Adela Ysabel

Amalia Seraphina

Maid Constanza

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7 COACH - Slave girls

Driver LUIGI

NPC Justina

Guard Marius Reyes

Servant Isabella

Slave Maricela

Maid Catalina

Slave Zaida

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8 COACH - Slave girls

Coachman Luis

Guard Mateo Cortez

Slave Tetona

Slave Puta

Slave Cono

Slave Perra

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9 WAGON - Supplies

Driver Pedro

Guard Gabriel Peralta

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10 WAGON - Supplies

Driver Francisco

Guard Diego Mendoza

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11 WAGON - Supplies

Wagoner Juan

Guard Alan Silva

REAR-GUARD (mounted)

Guard Alejandro Soto

Guard Terence Gallego

Guard Arturo Miranda

Guard Claudius Fernandez

How Owl got a horse is anyone's guess but we got on our way toward Orippo.

Orippo was 1.5 days away and that time passed relatively uneventfully, except for the normal group antics.

Firstly, what was that 10' wrapped item that Owl has on his horse? He was very secretive about it which of course only brought attention to it. Sister Justina seemed particularly fascinated and was hanging around Owl – "oh well – something to investigate in due course". 

[ Of course, this was the "Holy Spear of God" – which Owl had told Father Luigi he had destroyed but Elia doesn’t know about that. ]

Secondly and more perversely, a number of men seemed attracted to Merkel – raised voices could be head from his wagon. "Don’t – I like girls" – "stoooop touching me". In fact, on the second day there seemed to be an altercation from Merkel's wagon and the driver Diego fell from the wagon and was rendered unconscious breaking his jaw. The horses bolted and the wagon was careering toward a ditch when the ever-present (and somewhat annoyingly smug) Owl rode in and gathered the reins – just in time. "It was underrr control!" shouted Merkel.  

As it turned out Diego had come onto Merkel and this time Merkel had landed a punch, and in rolling a critical, he ensured Diego flew from the wagon. The incident was covered up by pouring whisky on the unconscious Diego and labelling him a drunk. Despite that, a far larger and more menacing driver was teamed up with Merkel this time.

Elia dressed up

We arrived in Orippo that evening and took lodgings at the Orippo Inn. (a much more original name than the other inn – The Crown and Anchor).

Lady Florinda and her entourage took over the entire inn and we managed to secure a room. A banquet was set for that night and the Lady Florinda (who is indeed beautiful of looks and spirit) provided me a dress and allowed her maids in waiting to bathe me and dress me.

I was quite pleased with the outcome even if I do say so myself. So was Velito – that wee Italian man has an insatiable appetite and he's taken quite an interest in the servant girl Isabella from Coach 7….. and me.

We set guards and Merkel again found himself in trouble with guards coming onto him. A nasty rumour was going about that he liked it rough and that his protestations about liking girls was a farce. Eventually Lieutenant Rodrigo had to step in as things were getting out of hand. "shave that moustache off" he told Merkel – "it's like a magnet to the men".

Merkel

Other than Mekel causing trouble, the night passed peacefully and we head off the next day on he road to Hispalis. It would be two days and what could go wrong with this large troupe?

As we near lunchtime Rodrigo advises us that the ladies wish to bathe at nearby sacred springs. "Of course Lieutenant" pouts Owl as his rides to tell us.

"Dis is stupid – eh" says Velito – "is it your idea Merkel?"

"wah" Merkel responds.

A small side track approaches and Rodrigo beckons us to go that way. "It will only be a mile or two" he says. Down the narrow track we pass two groups of men – one of 6 and one of 12. The first group had one man with rather good-looking leather armour – but generally both groups were ragtag and unarmed.

Our hackles were raised though and we became extra vigilant.

 

We arrive at the spring where Rodrigo orders all men to form a guard while the women bathe. Elia offers to stand guard at the spring. The wagons were stopped and horses tethered some 400m from the spring and the guards (including us) formed a formation encircling the lake but (as Velito pointed out more than once) "it had more holes than a hooker" or however the saying goes.

" Dis is not good" Velito once again murmured. "Dis is not a good position is we is attacked".

"Shut up" stormed Owl who was tiring of Velito's voice.

As if on cue, moments later four men were spotted slowly approaching the horses with knives in hand. A volley of arrows and a javelin or two killed three and saw one scamper off. "See see" persisted Velito " dis ees not good"

Meanwhile the women were bathing, blissfully unaware of he events unfolding.

Eventually, a guard called out to Elia from some distance "there is trouble – get the women dressed!" 

Arriving back at the wagons Elia asked "what is happening?"

"we were attacked " said Velito – "our defenses were terrible"

"Shut up Velito" demanded Owl "no one was hurt"

"see see but how we get out of here now – there only one way – back the way we came" 

This was true – the only way back was the way we came, and if this was an ambush then there would be at least 15 men, assuming the ones we passed were the likely candidates. Of course there could be more.

"Two of my men are dead" Rodrigo interrupted as he stomped toward us.

"see see the defenses were very poor" Velito volunteered for the 10th time and drawing angry looks not just from Owl but also Rodrigo.

Elia shoved another thought to the back of her mind – "how did the ambushers know we would be coming down here?". That’s something to think about later.

"I think we should scout out toward the main road" volunteered Vanker. "I will go with you Vanker" said Elia, and in the blink of an eye both disappeared [both made very good Sneak rolls].

The track was about a mile to the main road. 500 metres along the track and just off it to the left were six bowmen. They were well hidden with views of the track. Another 200 metres toward the main road and to the right was a further force of 12 men including the bastard with the nice leather.

Vankar and Elia return to camp some 60 minutes later and update everyone.

A plan is formed – in the usual manner – arguing – yelling – bullying and needless repetition. It comprises

• We head to the main road with the wagons and everyone on board
• We fortify the wagons the best we can on their left to protect against arrows
• 7 people including Elia and Vanker and 5 guards will go inland to the left of the track and come onto the bowmen from behind. 
• The guards are:
• Sofisto Herrera
• Juan Carlos Vasquez
• Diego Mendoza
• Marius Reyes
• Mateo Cortez
• They will attack when they hear the wagons approaching (and maybe when the bowmen get off their first volley of arrows thinks Elia)
• They will make a loud sound with a whistle as they attack the bowmen (to alert the wagons) 
• The wagons will speed up slightly.
• The wagons are ready for an attack on he right and have put the guards with missile weapons at he ready near the front but hidden from obvious view.
• Everyone is ready for the attack
• If it all goes horribly wrong the ladies' wagons (which are near the front) will speed up and rapidly make for the main road while everyone else bravely sacrifices their lives.

"This will go like clockwork" thinks Owl – "what could go wrong?"

"The seven lead by Vanker and Elia will take out the bowmen and we will surprise the other 12 or so with our missile weapons and our readiness to engage"

"We have 7 vs 6 bowmen and 17 (excluding drivers) vs 12 ambushers" (overall there are 24 remaining guards including us and excluding the two dead guards)

"What could go wrong?" Owl thought with Velito's voice ringing in his ears "see see…."