Previous Turn: Jahred, Henri Latour, Boris, Triadel & Dora have been exploring an old Egar-Colmetch temple for many months. On this latest visit the frustrations of not being able to discover anything of real value are begining to show, plus it seems that Henri has been rather loose tongued, since Karak-Cadrin has just turned up. Jahred even hit Dora when she tried to stop him stomp into the temple. At this point yet more people arrived - Gloria Beanbag, Meskar the Necromancer and an undead snow-cat.
Stats: CA 964, MP 200, VIT 466, SA 100, PER 100, Fame +4/-2
Players travel: How far is it from where I'm standing to where Gloria is standing?
Players actions: Fortunately, Jahred totally fails to restain himself...for now. Instead (with his second, and possibly final, poem whirling around his head) he grabs Moustique from his belt and spins round, hurling it as dangerously as possible at the beanbag. He then charges in its wake emitting a battle-cry which sounds almost (but not quite) entirely unlike "Latour gnakl yooo...!!!" [The following page of actions are contingency clauses, some of which are used in the turn.]
Bonus: 58
As often seems to be the wont with latterday adventurers, a whole load of people all start off by trying to make a speech. Specifically, Gloria, Triadel and Henri (as he's getting closer) all decide that the time for dialogue is now. {'It was never like this in my day,' thinks the Necromancer to himself.}
However, this sort of thing can only be to the advantage of those who are more concerned with acting rather than prevaricating. Dora whimpers as she gets to her feet and starts towards the side of the temple. Jahred's hand flies to his dagger as he spins to face Gloria and Meskar. Mesar strokes his chin thoughtfully. Gloria begins to speak in the general direction of the retreating Dora... "Good Lady..." But she is cut off by the action of Jahred whose dagger, Moustique, is arcing through the air towards her. Gloria flinches sideways, avoiding the full force of the thrown weapon, but it still caromes off her shoulder, pommel-first and causing her quite a shock. "Come now," she continues as Jahred draws his sword and closes the distance between them, "We offer you our help." By this time Jahred's intent is very clear. A broad smile crosses over Meskar's face as he senses some death on the cards, but he restrains the zombefied snow-cat from any action. Gloria turns to him and says something along the lines of "Sic the 'cat on them, But Meskar shakes his head, thinking to himself 'Nah... I've invested far too much into this creature to have it slashes to pieces by a maniac in plate-mail.'
Jahred moves with ease past Triadel who for a brief instant stood in his way. He shoves her hand off his breast-plate while Gloria carries on her exchange with Meskar. Then Jahred is right alongside Gloria who just manages to get out her own sword and fend off a violent and strong swing. Jahred is snarling some very unintelligibile battle-cries, and Meskar suspects that underneath his full helm the fellow is probably drooling or frothing at the mouth.
Henri and Boris continue to plod towards the scene, but Boris stops when he sees Karak-Cadrin riding towards the temple once more! It looks rather much like the situation is about to get even more complicated.
Back in the fight, Gloria starts to get desperate as she realises that Jahred is a far better swordsman than she, AND he's all armoured up. She strikes him two or three times, but her blows cause little if any damage through all that metal. Meanwhile, the maddened Jahred hits back four times, each time drawing blood. Gloria pleads and whines all the while, trying to persuade Meskar to aid her. As she begins on a "But you said you owe me your life..." Jahred scores with a raking slash that cleaves through Gloria's comparatively flimsy armour and slices deep into her left breast. Despite herself, Gloria screams, dodges out of reach and starts to run for it. Jahred starts chasing after her, but is well out-paced by the woman, his leggings simply don't have the give to allow such free movement. Meskar stands idly by watching and supremely confident. He begins to chuckle, then laughs uproariously.
Jahred turns and heads back towards the side of the temple, where his horse, Hirsute, is tethered. Grim lines of determination show in his walk. Triadel, who has been checking on Dora nearby, gives him a piece of her mind, but he ignores her. Outside the temple courtyard, Gloria runs as fast as she is able, Henri and Boris close on the temple gateway, arriving scant seconds before Karak-Cadrin. The latter seems torn in indecision between going after Gloria and having words with Jahred. His mind is made up when Hirsute canters from the yard, with Jahred unclipping his lance from the horse's flank as he goes. Karak gees his horse to follow. Henri, who also wanted an angry word with Gloria looks a little disappointed that she's gone, but informs the others stood there that he most certainly did NOT invite Gloria to come along and join the group. He stamps his foot in annoyance that he, too, is unable to communicate with Jahred just now as well.
The courtyard remains tense, with virtually everyone shying away from the Necromancer and his great cat as they walk towards the opening of the courtyard and begin to watch the events outside. Jahred has moved his horse up to a gallop and is outdistancing Karak's nag with ease. He is also closing on Gloria at a rate of knots. Realising that there is a good chance she will be ridden down by the maddened Jahred, Gloria continues on but begins to follow a more zig-zag pattern of running. Jahred closes.
Meskar 1aughs again, claps his cat on its shoulder and turns rather menacing1y on the rest of the group. "Well, since it seems we are not to adventure with you - a shame really, as I was quite 1ooking forward to turning on you all and sending all of you to Renchu's halls - I guess I'd better go." He starts out of the compound, then, on impulse, turns around, "Hang on, though. I'm sure Glo. indicated that you're all quite rich. I'd really appreciate it if you could give me a few cadocs, as I'm rather short at the moment." He glances at the cat, which moves with mind-blowing speed for a zombie, and rears up to pin Henri against the wall, one massive paw on each of his shoulders. Boris, Dora and Triadel all take an instinctive step towards aiding Henri, but the cat merely stands overbearing him. Meskar steps up and removes Henri's bulky purse, then takes a look inside. "Pah. Where's the REAL money?" He throws the purse to the ground and copper coins spill out. Turning to look at the other three adventurers present, Meskar demands: "Hand over your purses and I'll be on my way."
Outside Jahred is almost right on top of Gloria, who shows no sign of surrendering, despite the man's shouts that she does so.
DEADLINE: 18/4/90
Outside the temple, Karak-Cadrin reins in his mount and starts to turn towards the courtyard once more. Jahred, meanwhile, yells a final demand for surrender at Gloria: "Throw down your arms now!" He continues to thunder towards her but now she stops turns and fires off a spell at his horse. There is a loud 'SNAP' as leather gives way, then Hirsute's saddle slips off' to Jahred's shield side, and the plate-mail clad warrior is dumped unceremoniously into the dirt. Hirsute stops his charge almost immediately and wheels to stand over Jahred, who is struggling to get to his feet. Gloria wastes no time and is soon sprinting at top speed towards the little copse.