Chapter VI : The Hunt - The Adventure

The scenario is here.

In the teeming streets of Yaralet, excitement is at its peak.  Despite its muzzle, the giant bear that will provide today's entertainment, is strong enough to force a mighty roar out of its throat.

 

The most valiant captains of Yaralet are out in the streets to prove their worth.  Their men have put down their weapons, and laid aside their shields and armour, ready to wrestle with the strangers as custom dictates.  That these two strangers are women, makes them believe it will be an easier affair.

From one house comes the sound of struggle, curious onlookers try to get a glimpse.  Inside, Sathach is trying to wrestle open a chest in which her weapons have been stored, for she has spotted armed men in the street.  Two of them have followed her in and are trying to stop her.  The Queen of Four is ultimately successful however, but finds only an explosive orb.

Meanwhile, Brude is attempting, from the rooftops, to spot the Emir that he saw conspiring the previous day.  He narrowly dodged a blow from one of the Emir's armed men, that he only escaped by climbing up the wall. At its top, he was taken by surprise by one of Yaralet's captains.  Although the man is unarmed, his well-aimed blow leaves the Nemedian reeling.

The Giant Bear is rampaging through town, knocking over food stalls, and making sheep and goats in their pens, bleat with terror.

Sathach has, in the meantime, found Zoraya's spear.  An explosive orb disperses the crowd for a few moments, and also knocks out one of the Emir's men, and lightly wounds a captain.

Brude had already pushed back his assaillant and got a clear look at his face.  In the now cleared streets, he got a good look at the second captain - the Emir !  The crowds gathered once again, drawing back in dismay as the Emir drew his sword.  Sathach tossed Zoraya her spear, and the Sultan's emissary simply ran the Emir through, with one swift stroke.

The two split up, Sathach heading across town to try to find her gear, which she managed despite interference from the third Yaralet captain; and Zoraya trying to get closer to the beast to wrestle it down.  Unaware for now of the blood spreading across the ground, the crowd still thronged in the streets [the Overlord now trying to clog up Zoraya and Brude, in the hope of the third captain, on the other side of town, being able to master the ever-weakening bear].

Despite a good fight, this proved impossible, however, and it was left to Sathach to slip through the crowds.  Never one to underestimate the importance of a good show, she leapt onto the giant bear's back, wrestled it to the ground and triumphantly rose with its leash in hand !  The Yarelet captain, who had hoped to do the same, was honourable enough to acclaim her.

Not yet having heard that the beast was down, one of the captains leapt off the roof - almost killing himself in the process - and punched Zoraya in the shoulder.  This sent her reeling into one of the Emir's men, still intent on her death, but the Turanian noblewoman parried the blow.

The thronging crowd was now carrying the sound of triumph, and taking a more than concerned interest in the activities of the armed guards, who decided that discretion was the better part of valour [the game had run its 8 turns].

Zoraya and Sathach - and Brude, from the shadows - had scored a considerable victory in the streets of Yaralet.  The Queen of Four - whose identity had begun to be known in the town - had proven her reputation in the bear hunt, whilst Zoraya's skilled spearwork only increased her reputation.  That she had acted in self-defense was not questioned, and it did not harm her that the slain Emir was little appreciated.  Obviously, it did not improve her standing with the remaining four brothers and conspirators....

Both Zoraya and Sathach escape the adventure without any serious injuries.  Brude, who only found his sword and shield late in the day, was quite badly beaten, but struck by more knuckles than cold steel.  The bruises will disappear in a couple of days.

Sathach lost her Turanian sword, which she had to drop in order to haul the bear away.  I decided however that it was returned to her, in awe, by the town-dweller that picked it up, given Sathach's new-found reputation.  Her parrying dagger, on the other hand, which she had thrown at one of her assailants, is forever lost.

For having slain the Emir, Zoraya gains +1 XP; for her exploits, Sathach gains +2 XP.  All three gain an additional +1XP for having defeated the Overlord.

This was a fantastic scenario.  Although a little complicated to play - it is important to remember that those guards that are not with the Emir can still throw a punch, and can only be struck bare-handed - the interaction of the various elements worked really well.  The Overlord chose his Emir wisely, but should have protected him with one of his Guards, since they have "Sacrifice".  That mistake cost him his life, although Zoraya's attack was particularly well-aimed.