CH 2: Trials and Diversions

[JadedDM]

Erastin and the other candidates show up at the courtyard promptly, wearing the plate mail and armed for battle. Lining up, they watch a Knight of the Sword approach, looking quiet stern. "Attention, ladies! I am Sir Michael McKennen, and I will be your drill instructor for today's physical trials. I sincerely doubt most of you will even make it past today. Have no doubts--the physical trials are actually the easier ones!"

Several of the squire candidates squirm, and McKennen seems to enjoy this. "Get to it, maggots! Hup, hup, hup!"

By the end of the first hour, three of the squire candidates have collapsed, unable to continue. McKennen shouts at and insults them, but does not make them continue.

By the end of the second hour, five more candidates have fallen, exhausted. Erastin continues strong, though. He's had plenty of exercise before, especially thanks to Targin's training.

Come the end of the third hour, two more young men have dropped. There is only just over half of the group remaining.

At the end of the fourth hour, Erastin is drenched in sweat, but he still pushes on. But three more candidates can't take it anymore and fall, leaving just Erastin and six others.

One of the young candidates, a lad with a shock of red hair, is next to Erastin when he collapses. McKennen approaches him with a sneer. "Get up, you pathetic little weakling. I’ve seen newborn colts with more stamina than you! Do you really think you’re worthy of the knighthood? Pah! Your puny little body probably couldn't stand the strain of carrying a shield, much less a sword! Come to think of it, I don’t know what good a shield would do for the likes of you. We could save them for better specimens-like the draconians. Your only possible value to us would be as a battering ram! Get up, you grovelling worm!"

Sergeant McKennen stands there and continues to harangue the lad while the other hopefuls stop what they’re doing to watch. At last, the lad climbs to his quivering legs, leaning on his sword. With contempt in his flat, grey eyes, the drill sergeant turns away from the lad. Erastin notices a gleam of anger in the redheaded lad's eyes, and he looks about ready to pounce the sergeant from behind.

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Candidates must make a CON check every hour, although as Erastin has the Endurance proficiency, he need only make one every two hours. I'm only going to post the rolls for Erastin, otherwise this post will get awfully cluttered, as there are twenty candidates total.

6 AM - 7 AM
Three of the candidates fail their CON checks and collapse on the ground.

7 AM - 8 AM
Erastin makes a CON check (1d20): 10, pass.
Five of the candidates fail their CON checks and collapse on the ground.

8 AM - 9 AM
Two more candidates fail their CON checks and collapse on the ground.

9 AM - 10 AM
Erastin makes a CON check (1d20): 4, pass.
Three more candidates fail their CON checks and collapse on the ground.

It is now 10 AM (Fourth Watch).

[Jerrard]

Erastlin keeps his head down and his mind on the task before him, occasionally glancing to the crowd to see if his friends are there before returning his attention to the trials.

Upon seeing the boy he gives him a kindly glance, saying nothing he raises his hand in a simple "halt" gesture, he shakes his head softly before looking away.

[Breila]

Karathos sits there, watching the trials. It all looks very familiar to him, and he shifts in his seat uneasily. He bends down towards Targin and whispers:

"I thought this was all about honor and respect? What honor is there in insulting subordinates?"

[HorizonsDream]

"This isn't just about honor and respect," Galenye says softly to Karathos. "This is about proving you are worthy and able to perform the duties of a squire and then a knight. If these men are ever in a war, they are going to have much worse things shouted at them. Besides, I think he is trying to push them to do better. Those men down there are going to want to prove that knight wrong, that they are worthy of the knighthood. "

[Nuke]

"Bah, it is a simple mind game, those who are worthy would never surcome. The knight is just being an ass on purpose, just as I have been, in the interest of pushing the lads as far as they can go. Some know and have seen it before, others take it personally."

Targin yells during a respite, "Act like a dwarf"

[Breila]

Karathos shakes his massive head. "You're not getting the best out of people if you tell them they are worthless. This kind of treatment is exactly why I left my people. I had hoped to find better among humankind. It seems I have been wrong."

He's agitated and looks as if he considers leaving, but then he remembers Erastin has been looking up at them time and again. So for the sake of the morale of his friend, he settles back in his seat, arms folded.

[JadedDM]

His face red from both exertion and embarrassment, the redhead lad draws his sword. "I challenge you!" he calls to McKennen.

The Sword Knight turns back to the lad, a grin on his face, as if he had been anticipating that. "Very well," he says.

The redhead lad steps forward. The other candidates begin to form a large circle around the two, all thoughts of exercise forgotten. Were they expecting an epic battle, however, they were quickly disappointed. McKennen draws his sword and without even saluting, immediately disarms the lad and knocks him to the ground with one quick motion.

Sheathing his blade, McKennen then stands over the fallen lad. "Sometimes, my lad, you’ll face an enemy without honor. Oftentimes, this is true even when your opponent is vastly superior in skill to you. Never let down your guard for an instant in combat. Only in tourneys can you fully expect your foe to follow the same code of honor as you. Your hand, please!" As he pulls the lad to his feet, Erastin could swear he might have seen a glimmer of compassion in his eyes.

"All right, enough of this horseplay. It's time to move on to the second trial." He leads them to another part of the courtyard, where there are a score of wooden dummies and a large weapons rack holding some wooden swords. "You will begin practicing with these fake dummies before moving on to the real ones," McKennen says with a grin.

Each candidate takes a wooden sword and proceeds to start attacking the wooden dummies. This continues for two more hours, until Highwatch, before McKennen calls for a halt. "All right, good enough. Split up into pairs. Now things will get more interesting."

The candidates are all split up into groups of two, and Erastin finds himself paired up with a young man with slicked back black hair and a wispy mustache that was still coming in. When McKennen calls for them to begin, the young man salutes Erastin formally with his wooden blade and goes into a defensive posture.

==============

The wooden blades inflict 1d6 points of damage, but only 1/4 of this is actual damage. The rest will fade within an hour. Anyone who drops below 0 hit points is knocked unconscious.

It is now Highwatch (12 PM, Noon).

(Actions for Round 1?)

[Jerrard]

Erastlin draws the blade up in a salute to mirror his opponent, "Lets get to it shall we?" he swings his blade slowly, considering his opponent before attempting to land a blow on his right arm.

1d10=10, 1d20+1=18, 1d6+1=3
Init 10, Hit AC2, 3 Damage

(Assuming non proficency doesnt apply here)

[JadedDM]

The dark-haired youth goes first, striking toward the upper torso. Erastin, however, has always been fairly nimble, even when wearing plate armor. He easily evades, and counterattacks with a slash across the boy's exposed flank.

Quickly, the lad backs away, wincing from the blow. He seems a bit surprised, but then nods in respect for a well-done attack. He prepares for his next attack.

=========

Initiative Order
Erastin (1d10+5): 15
Candidate (1d10+5): 13

Round 1!

Candidate attacks Erastin with his wooden sword (1d20): 10, miss.
Erastin attacks the candidate with his wooden sword (1d20+1): 18, hit for (1d6+1): 3 damage.

(Actions for Round 2?)

[Jerrard]

1d10=7, 1d20+1=3, 1d6+1=3
Inint: 7, Miss.

Erastlin buoyed by his success so far swings his blade wildly.

[JadedDM]

Erastin and the candidate attack each other at the same time, their wooden blades meeting with a loud 'clack' sound. Neither can get the upper hand, so both back up a bit, to give each other space.

"You are quite skilled," the candidate notes, never taking his eyes off his opponent.

===========

Initiative Order
Erastin (1d10+5): 12
Candidate (1d10+5): 12

Round 2!

Erastin attacks with his wooden sword (3, miss) just as the candidate attacks with his own (1d20): 4, miss.

Ahh, the thrilling excitement of two low-level characters fighting each other.

Actions for Round 3?

[Jerrard]

lol.

Erastlin salutes him again, grinning, "I try my best. Again?" He asks, swinging his blade once more.

1d10=9, 1d20+1=12, 1d6+1=5
Init 9, hit AC8, 5 damage

(This might take a while - Jen)

[JadedDM]

As the duel continues, every now and again Erastin hears the clatter of armor as a candidate goes down. He and his opponent remain focused on each other, though, both determined to win this duel.

The candidate moves in suddenly, going for an overhead slash. Erastin easily sidesteps, using a maneuver he learned from Galeneye. 'The best defense is to not be there,' she would often say to him when he was training with Targin.

Erastin counters with a thwack at his opponent's shoulder, but unfortunately his armor absorbs it entirely, protecting the dark-haired lad.

"I would know my opponent's name," the candidate states, a growing respect in his eyes.

===========

Initiative Order
Erastin (1d10+5): 14
Candidate (1d10+5): 6

Round 3!

Candidate attacks Erastin with his wooden sword (1d20): 11, miss.
Erastin attacks Candidate with his wooden sword (12, miss).

(OOC: Hmm, yeah, this could take awhile. Erastin needs 18+ to hit, the candidate needs 19+ to hit.

Actions for Round 4?)

[Nuke]

OCC - So, just let Jaded roll it??? we could be here for days lol

[Breila]

Karathos' attention had been wandering due to his discomfort, but it snaps back into focus when the red-headed boy challenges McKennen. He sits upright, if any of his friends watch, they can see he is unusually tense. When the boy is disarmed, he almost looks away, then relaxes when McKennen pulls the boy back up.

Later, Karathos watches Erastin's duel with interest in both opponents.