After watching the travelers wind their way up the trail into the mountain pass, Trandil Mordsson signaled his men to conceal themselves on either side of the trail. He thought this would be easy, three men and two women headed straight into his trap.
(Rolling on the attempted robbery table)
Urd suddenly stopped, “Wait,” she said, “there’s an ambush ahead.”
Brodir Nikolasson peered ahead and saw nothing. Though he was a ranger, and, in the lead, he was getting on in years. Turning around he asked, “Do you know for sure, or do you just have a feeling?”
“It does look like an ideal spot for an ambush” said Swein Arisson.
“Bah,” grumbled Grimkel Reinnsson, “we’re in a mountain pass, everywhere is an ideal spot for an ambush until we pass through.”
“That is true.” replied Brodir, “What do you think Tofa?”
Tofa brushed back the golden locks the wind had blown into her face, “Brodir, you know my sister as well as I do. Feeling or not, I think we should go on with caution, keeping our weapons near.”
(Urd & Trandil pass same number of dice – go to action table with bandits having advantage)
Trandil was concerned when the party halted but was pleased when it continued toward the boulder he was hiding behind. When the party was far enough into the ambush they could be surrounded, he signaled his men to step out.
“Good afternoon, travelers, where might you be headed?” Trandil asked while clutching a small sword behind his back.
Brodir answered “We are bound for Brimir’s Hold.”
“Is that so?” Trandil smiled, “It’s a dreary place, hardly worth anyone’s time.”
“Dreary or not, we are escorting a powerful seeress there for reasons of her own” replied Brodir.
“Then you are practically there, once you are through this pass. And we might let you live to visit that dreary place after you’ve given us all that you own and the women” said Trandil.
Urd took a step forward, “Are you stupid? Shut up and get out of the way!”
Trandil noticed the grip she had on her axe and another quick glance revealed Brodir’s hand on the hilt of his sword. “Now!” he shouted.
(Bandit’s activation)
The bandit’s bowman, Arnulfr Skapsson, quickly loosed an arrow which sailed wide. The remaining bandits charged.
The bandit Grimar charged Swein who had cleared an arrow from is quiver and almost had it nocked. He had to charge faster but wasn’t fast enough as Swein released his missile. The impact of the arrow on Grimar’s shield nearly knocked him down, when he saw the point had gone through the shield, Grimar ducked back for cover.
Mar Skufsson was a huge man. He howled with glee as he brought his sword down with both hands on the red headed woman in front of him. To his surprise, Urd easily blocked his blow with her shield. He howled again, but this time in pain as Urd’s axe bit through his coat into his side.
These men were fools thought Urd, countryside louts taking on seasoned warriors. They probably thought they were easy pickings since the band consisted of two women and an old man. The idiot in front of her was so overconfident, he hadn’t even bothered to unsling his shield. A few more parries and then Mar Skufsson lay on the ground.
Urd’s sister, Tofa smiled as she dueled with her assailant. Though she was a Volva, a magic user, Snorri the Red had taught both of his daughters to handle a blade. The bandit facing her swung his axe wildly, he had no discipline and he too, soon lay on the ground.
Trandil brought his sword from behind his back and lunged at Brodir. His sword drew first blood as it sliced through Brodir’s sleeve gashing his arm. But his sword got fouled in Brodir’s cloak giving the old man time to draw his sword. Trandil used every trick he knew, he couldn’t find an opening. The inevitable happened, Brodir’s discipline prevailed over the bandit’s trickery, and it cost Trandil his life.
(End of bandit’s activation, fight or flight tests)
From behind the rocks, Grimar witnessed how easily the travelers had beaten his mates. He wanted no more of this slaughter, so he ran.
(Heroes activation)
With another arrow nocked, Swein shot at Arnulfr and missed. Arnulfr returned fire but also missed. As Arnulfr tried to nock another arrow, Tofa and Grimkel charged. Arrow nocked and beginning his draw, Arnulfr looked up in time to watch Grimkel plunge his spear through his heart.
(End of turn, end of encounter)
“Two dead, two bleeding out, what a welcome” said Grimkel.
“Should we bury the dead and bind the wounded?” asked Swein.
Brodir shook his head, “No, let their friend come back and do it.”
“They were stupid” said Urd, “Let’s move on and find a village, I want a drink.”
Next Time
In our point-to-point campaign, the next stop is the village of Logenfir. What encounters await there?
If you haven’t read the first episode of the Brimir’s Hold campaign, you can find it here:
- Episode 1 – Urd and Brimir’s Hold
Speaking of role playing:
Atomic Floozy Adventures 