Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tecklenburg" data-source="post: 6498022" data-attributes="member: 6781356">Before I do that, I want to resolve something else.  As I'm engaging them and the situation escalates, I'm thinking on what I know from my tenacious studies on war theory during my training and on the knowledge I've gleaned from this world in the last few years here with Saerie.  I know of two Gods that warring humanoids would serve here.  The Lord of Battle and Storms, Kord.  The tyrannical God of War and Conquest, Bane.  Hobgoblins typically serve the latter.  I'm looking at their shields or the hobgoblins armor for any signs of which God this clan reveres.  I'm then thinking on how I might provoke a rite of challenge in either of that religion.  I'm hoping to invoke this and either force him into single combat or undermine his credibility with the troops under him if he refuses.  [sblock]Discern Realities (Wis)2, 5 + 0 = 7Who is really in control here (from a god perspective).  Take + 1 forward when acting on the answers.Spout Lore (Int)4, 1 + 3 (+1 for martial tradition and + 1 for DR) = 10The GM will tell you something useful on the subject.[/sblock]I've trained with wooden practice swords as hard as steel since I was a child.  My forearms and shin bones are iron due to the constant barrage on them.  I give the hobgoblin and his goblin troopers a show of strength, will and martial prowess becoming of a member of their faith.[sblock]Defy Danger (Str)6, 6 - 1 = 11[/sblock]As the spear comes in for my throat I wait until the very last moment before it hits me.  I then throw my head to the side and slam my forearm down upon the shaft of the spear.  I corral it so that when he attempts to extract it, I come with it and we're face to face.I stare into his eyes and look at him grimly.  Still no weapon drawn I throw my scarf free and pull the coif of my fine elven mail down.  I abrade the skin of my neck with the sharpened edge of his spear.  I step back, letting the warm blood flow.  I reach up to wet my hand with it and then flick it sharply on the ground before me so the snow is reddened at our feet.  I slowly draw my sword and bring it to the sky, invoking the Storm Lord in their tongue the best I can, and challenge the hobgoblin to a trial by combat so we may find who is more revered in Kord's eyes.This is an improvised version of the same ritual I've seen time and time again while on recon missions in Nachtur, the goblin kingdom in the Feywild.  Bleeding the neck is key because it is so close to the carotid.  It shows bravery and willingness to die for the right to prove the better.  Obviously I'm challenging him to a duel, so...[sblock]Throw Down the Guantlet (Cha)5, 5 + 1 = 11If he doesn't accept, GM chooses 2 of 3* You take +1 ongoing against them until they defeat you* They lose the respect of their peers and underlings* They retreat[/sblock]Nice.I immediately become a blur of spins and a torrent of diagonal slashes and follow-ups.[sblock]Flawless Bladework (Int)4, 1 + 3 (+ 1 OG from TDtG) = 9Deal damage and apply one technique.  Damage is only 2, so less his 3 armor is 0.Torrential: Your attack ends with a flurry of strikes that your opponent must dedicate effort to blocking or avoiding. If they instead attack you in response to your attack, deal your damage again (this does not apply techniques).His damage to me is 1, 4.  So 4 - 2 armor = 2 damage to me.My counter due to Torrential is 6 - 3 armor = 3 damage to him.[/sblock]We're locked in a dance of death, spear and sword both wetted.  My attacks are initially cut short by his proficient shield-work, but when he mounts an effective but futile counter, he pays for it with a gash across his spear arm, severing his thick leather armor.  The white snow reddens further.QUICK EDIT BECAUSE THIS WON'T AFFECT ANYTHING WITH SAERIE -Now that we've crossed swords and I have a feel for this guy's speed, agility and the rudiments of his combat routines, I'd like to get a feel for what he is going to do next.  [sblock]The Riddle of Steel (Wis)When you cross swords with a humanoid opponent, gain +1 forward to  discern realities about them. In addition, you may add the following to  the list of questions you can ask: <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What is this person about to do?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What emotion drives this person?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What is this person trying to hide?</li> </ul>5, 2 + 1 = 81 question and + 1 forward when acting upon the answer.  I'm going to ask "what is this person about to do?"[/sblock]</blockquote>

Verification