Trial by Combat
Tiax comes round just after everyone else. "So are we ready to go?"
"We are ready," says Curate Anselm as he walks toward the inner gatehouse. Two clerics of Heironeous follow him.
Korax and company saunter into view as well, laughing and talking quietly among themselves.
"Looks like you're missing someone," says one of the humans as he draws near.
Indeed, he is correct, for Kyl has not shown. Curate Anselm explains that the trial must continue as scheduled, and speculates that it would appear as if Kyl has had second thoughts.
Soldiers stand aside to allow Curate Anselm to lead the two groups through the formidable inner gatehouse. This stone structure is itself like a small fort. Its rear portion stands at least 30 feet high. The heavy gates are doubleboud with iron and spiked. Murder holes overhead denote the presence of more guards than just the six that can be seen.
The inner bailey is a grass-covered yard more than 100-foot square. Cavalry stables occupy the northeastern corner. The keep fortress, with its 60-foot-high towers and thick stone walls, stands across the inner bailey opposite the inner gatehouse.
Near the center of the inner bailey a square has been marked off by wooden posts and ropes. The Curate explains that the trial will take place within the square. He and his clerics will be on-hand to stave off death. A viewing platform has been set up farther away. A older man sits on a bench there. He wears platemail and his tabard shows the sign of Borderland Keep: a green shield with a yellow diamond in the center. Several soldiers in platemail stand guard near him.
Curate Anselm's clerics show the opposing sides to the respective starting positions. The Curate raises his staff, and then strikes the earth.
"Begin!" he commands.
[sblock=OOC]
The battle map is
here.
Post initiative checks and first round actions, please.
BTW, I'm going to Galveston for the weekend starting this Friday, and I'm not planning to bring the computer with me.
[/sblock]