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
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
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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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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
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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
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10 WAGON - Supplies
Driver Francisco
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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 |
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
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.
"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.
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