The Dragon Rising: A Pendragon Solo campaign. Episode 12
Year 487 - Summer
King Adeon has called his banners! After rejecting peace overtures from the Blesh King Osric, who has conquered the province of Stragoll, Adeon is summoning his lords with the intention of regaining his lost territory.
Does Lord Lytton try to sideline Tremayne again? Unlikely: No
Is Tremayne used as a scout during the march to Stragoll? 50/50: Extreme yes.
The sun beat down and Tremayne shifted in his saddle as sweat trickled down his back. “Maidog, wineskin.” The young squire trotted up and handed one over.
The younger son of a vassal knight from House Gwynne, Lady Ava had secured Maidog’s services.
Reining up at the crest of a hill, they looked down over a village and watched as flames licked up from several building and men ran after animals and villagers alike. Screams reached their ears as they watched on helplessly.
We’ll make an opposed roll of prudent v reckless for Tremayne.
Roll 1D20 (Prudent 13): 1, a success.
Roll 1D20 (Reckless 7): 8, close but no cigar.
Tremayne gritted his teeth and turned in his saddle, “We need to report back and let Lord Lytton know the Blesh are this far west.” He called back to the men sitting on their horses behind him.
Do the Blesh see Tremayne and his scouts? Unlikely: Yes.
Do the Blesh chase and attack them? 50/50: No.
Tremayne reports back and plans are drawn up for the upcoming battle.
The Battle of Hallow Hill.
King Adeon has a battle skill of 20.
Lord Lytton has a battle skill of 19
King Osric has a battle skill of 18.
Out on the left flank Lord Lytton rolls 17 for a successful battle roll.
Roll for opponents: 14 - Javelineers.
Tremayne gets +5 for his lance roll.
Lance skill of 10(+5): Rolls a 16 and fails.
The horns sounded and Tremayne glanced back at his squire Maidog, “Ready?”
The young lad swallowed and nodded, his face beet red.
Gripping his lance, he pushed his heels into his charger, Nesta and started forward at a trot. The House Harwis knights to either side of him trotted, cantered and then broke into a thundering gallop. The sound of several hundred, heavily armored knights rumbled across the field as the Blesh they were facing brought a row of shields up as they prepared to face the onslaught.
His whole body seemed to vibrate from the drumming hoofbeats as he lowered his lance.
As they came within twenty yards of the Blesh warriors, the shield wall dropped, and a sea of javelins greeted the oncoming knights.
On a 1-2 on a D6, a javelin hits Tremayne or his horse Nesta.
Roll 1D6: 1. So a javelin hits its mark.
Roll 1D6: 4, it hits Nesta.
Javelin does 3D6 damage and Nesta’s major wound is 12.
Roll 3D6: 10. So not a major wound and Nesta keeps going but we’ll need to make a horsemanship roll.
Tremayne’s horsemanship is 15. Roll 1D20: 4, a success.
The javelin thudded into Nesta’s flank, the charger reared, Tremayne dropped his lance to hang onto the reins for dear life.
The wave of knights smashed into the shield line of warriors facing them in a crescendo of metal and horseflesh.
Blood and brains sprayed as Nesta’s hooves found their mark as she plowed into the massed ranks of Blesh warriors. Men scrambled backwards out of the deadly range of the war horses sharpened hooves as Tremayne drew his sword. The jewels in the hilt glittered in the morning sun.
The standing stones on Harwis lands, four days earlier.
Tremayne knelt between the standing stones. Gwaelod and several robed figures intoned a deep incantation as Lord Gwynne, Tremayne’s grandfather, stepped in front of him.
“This sword was given to your grandfather Taliesin by Prince Karrag many years ago.”
Tremayne eyed the glittering jewels embedded in the hilt with awe and reverence. “Dyrnwyn” He breathed.
The unarmored javelineers scattered before the onslaught of the knights. Tremayne struck left and right, blood fountaining into the air.
“Hold! Hold!” He shouted as the lightly armored javelineers melted before them and his knights reined up in response.
“Maidog, a lance.” Tremayne shouted behind him.
We’ll test Maidog and see if he delivers a lance in time for Tremayne to be ready for the next charge.
Roll 1D20 (15): 11. a success.
“My lord.” Maidog trotted up next to Tremayne and handed him a fresh lance.
“Good lad.” The young lord smiled.
“Osric, for King Osric.” Shouts came from the massed ranks of the Blesh.
Tremayne squinted against the sun and watched dozens of horn helmed warriors streamed forward.
“Prepare!” He held Dyrnwyn aloft and looked up and down the line of his metal clad warriors. Horses whinnied and pranced in anticipation of the next clash. With a swing of his sword Tremayne shouted, “Charge!”
Tremayne quickly sheathed the blade, kicked his horse forward, readying the lance as they galloped towards the Blesh.
Spears, rocks and arrows, a flood of missiles improvised and otherwise washed over the knights, causing the organized charge to disintegrate into a disorganized mess.
“To me! To me!” Tremyane shouted as he wheeled his horse around, trying to rally his men into some semblance of formation.
He glanced up in time to see the massed ranks of howling Blesh tribesmen crash into them.
The line immediately began to buckle.
Hopefully he can rally his knights. Finally caught up.
Incredibly tense scene! Here's hoping Tremayne makes it through this one.