[Epilogue] A Ferocious Ordeal - Ser Benjen's Trial by Combat

[Reader]

The time between the end of the tourney and the Marsten weddings was marked by strange weather, as if the seasons themselves contended to involve themselves in Westeros's disputes. The ground is lashed by rain, only to be followed by clear blue skies and sunshine, the uncertainty in the Seven Kingdoms matched by the uncertainty in the heavens.

Mercifully, dry conditions prevail on the day Ser Benjen Frey is due to face the Seven's justice. The tarnished knight faces unusually stringent penalties following Septon Arlyn's incitement of the court - wise old heads mutter that the Faith seems capable of stirring up armed trouble for the nobility even without the Faith Militant to call on.

Ser Benjen sits astride a brown courser, lance in hand, awaiting the Seven's champion. He was an imposing sight, glad in grey mail and plate with the twin towers of House Frey on his shield.

Ser Fredryk Vance, Riverrun's master of arms, reads out the charges against Ser Benjen, prompting a gasp of shock as Lord Forrest Frey turns his back on Lord Tully and the accusations, underlining his displeasure at the elevated punishment to be levied.

"
...Either part may withdraw their accusations or admit their guilt at any point with a cry of "
Hold"
and face the judgment of gods and men,"
concludes Ser Fredryk.

Passive Ride: 10
Health:12
AR: 9
Stance: High in the saddle +2

[OOC: Ser Jorah Holt has the first call on this, followed by Ser Derrock Swann, then any other PC and finally Lord Haig Bracken, due to Ser Theomore's recruitment efforts. Deadline for Ser Jorah is Friday at 9pm UK time, then 24 hour window for Ser Derrock, then the same for any other PC before Lord Bracken steps in.

Observors - feel free to create a separate thread to watch the trial by combat.

Champion - feel free to describe your entrance and/or make a quick speech or get straight down to tilting, whichever you prefer.]

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah run in on his horse, a fine Fousey, clad in brigandine and his shield adorned with his personal colours, a jagged yellow cross splitting the shield into four with a black background.

"
Let this be over as quickly as possible."


He nodded to Ser Benjen, indicating he was ready to begin.

Passive Ride: 14
Health:12
AR: 9
Stance: High in the saddle +2

ooc
I have agreed with Reader some modifications to my character, which is why my health is higher. This only applies from this point onwards though.

[Reader]

Pass 1

Ser Benjen is aware that Ser Jorah has the advantage on him in the saddle and his couched lance is aimed low - too low. His war lance is shorter than the tourney lances used earlier in proceedings, but will likely strike a fatal blow to a horse.

In the stands, Ser Jon Roxton gives Nathaniel Mason a knowing look and shakes his head in sorrow at Ser Benjen's desperate tactics.

Passive Ride: 10
Health:12
AR: 9
Stance: High in the saddle +2
[url=High in the saddle +2 (aimed at horse)][/url]: 7d6k4+2 20 +1 (Talented) -1 injury = 20
10 Damage per DoS to Ser Jorah's faithful steed. If the mount is killed, Animal Handling (Ride) (12) to leap clear [p164, GoT edition of rules]

I/W/F = 1/0/0
Ser Benjen Frey still carried nagging injuries from the melee - Lord Frey's maesters had not been as attentive as one might hope. A cynic may even attribute malice to what appears a simple mistake. But where is the gain for Lord Frey in such a game? And if not Lord Frey, then whose hand pulls the strings on the maesters?

[Ser Jorah Holt]

There were murmurings that the champion came from a house who followed the Old Gods and on the side of House Blackwood, but others were loud in their response that Ser Jorah was an anointed follower of the Seven. There was another shout that Ser Jorah had gone to the rescue of a woman from the clutches of the Faith Militant. In fact, Ser Jorah was beginning to get a reputation as the protector of lowborn women.

Notably, Ser Jorah was wielding a tourney lance instead of a war lance. Some wondered if this was a lack of willingness to injury his opponent, but others realised that this provided Ser Jorah with a longer reach and that he might be able to knock Ser Benjen from his horse without being struck himself.

He spurred his horse forward and his lance struck true against Ser Benjen, rocking him in the saddle.

[url=Jousting Ser Benjen][/url]: 8d6k4 16 - could have been a lot better, but there were a lot of 1's on that roll. Even so, that's 2DOS and reach, so Ser Jorah hits first as I understand it and requires 12 to remain on his horse to even strike Ser Jorah.
16 damage - AR 9 = 7 damage to Ser Benjen as well

[Reader]

[url=animal handling (ride)][/url]: 4d6k2-2 5

Ser Benjen Frey desperately struggled to remain in the saddle, but Ser Jorah's lance was placed well enough to unhorse his foe. Ser Jorah's use of a tourney lance set tongues wagging in the crowd - was this foresight? A gesture of peace? Or a mark of contempt for his opponent? Or perhaps he was forewarned of Ser Benjen's character? Somewhere in the crowd perhaps, was one who knew the truth of matters.

Ser Benjen rose from the ground, dented and bleeding, desperately scrabbling for his sword before Ser Jorah could turn for a second pass. Ser Jorah's fragile tourney lance had shattered upon impact, with part of it grimly jutting through beneath Ser Benjen's armpit. House Coldbrook's retainer enjoyed much the better of the tilt, but found himself momentarily disarmed.

Ser Benjen Frey
Health: 1/12
AR: 9
CD: 8
I/W/F: 2/0/0
Takes 7 damage = 5 health left then an additional 8 for being dismounted - 4 for injury = 1 health left.

[url=Initiative][/url]: 3d6-5 9

- Ser Jorah Holt is mounted and four yards from Ser Benjen.

[Ser Jorah Holt]

His lance shattered, Ser Jorah moved to draw his sword.

"
Do you yield Ser Benjen? If not, I will meet you on foot."

[url=Initiative][/url]: 3d6k3-4 6
Health:12
AR: 9
Can't get off the horse until its my turn

[Reader]

"
Seven damn the man that first cries hold!"
shouts Ser Benjen, sounding more ragged than he intends.

He waits for Ser Jorah to dismount while slowly drawing his sword. Ser Jorah was a fellow knight, and Ser Benjen returned the honourable gesture by not rushing his opponent as he dismounted.

Some in the crowd nodded in approval at Ser jorah's chivalry, others shook their heads and inwardly cursed him for a fool.

[OOC: we'll start 4 squares apart with both men having swords drawn if Ser Jorah dismounts, then start again on Ser Benjen's initiative]

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah nodded and dismounted, readying himself.

[Reader]

Ser Benjen Frey
Health: 1/12
AR: 9
CD: 8
I/W/F: 2/0/0
Spends 1 fatigue if attacked.

Ser Benjen Frey feints as if to attack on Ser Jorah's left, then swings at his unshielded right hand side with a bestial roar!

[url=Charge Ser Jorah][/url]: 7d6k4-1 18
7 Damage per DoS

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah had expected to be charged, but even so, he had to grunt as the blow struck his side. However, he had planned for this and was he was able to use Ser Benjen's momentum to spin and trip him onto the floor, his sword striking the back of Ser Benjen's helmet as he did.

"
There is another way out of this for you that avoids the gelding. Take the Black!"

ooc
That's a 2DOS hit, so 5 damage. I didn't specify using fatigue just in case and I'll keep my remaining DP just in case. By the way, with two injuries, he should have deducted two from his roll, not one. Same result though.

Health 5/12
AR 9
I/W/F
0/0/0
contingency use 1 Fatigue on next attack if this prevents some health loss

[url=Knockdown][/url]: 4d6k4 16
Now if I understand the difference between the old rules I have and the GOT edition, I now gain +1d rather than +2 damage.
[url=Attacking prone Ser benjen][/url]: 7d6k6 23 - I make that 4 DOS for 11 damage after armour or 6 if he uses fatigue. Either way, he's going to need to take a wound to stay in this fight.

[Reader]

Ser Benjen Frey
Ser Benjen slashed and stabbed upwards recklessly, with barely a thought to his defence. He strained with all his might to ignore the staggering blow Ser Jorah had dealt, determined to avoid choosing between a Black cloak and castration. However, the route out offered by the thought of taking the black seemed to distract him...

Health: 1/12
AR: 9
CD: 8 (3 - Reckless attack)
I/W/F: 4/0/2
Spent fatigue to ignore armour penalty during Jorah's attack and takes two injuries to reduce Ser Jorah's damage to 0.

Reckless attack, takes fatigue to ignore injury penalties, -2 penalty from fatigue, +1 from Talented.
[url=Reckless attack][/url]: 8d6k6-1 24
5 Damage per DoS

[OOC: he was only -1 in his roll despite his injuries, as he's "
Talented (Fighting)"
, as people may well have noted from his jousting thread.]

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah proved as elusive to hit as ever, Ser Benjen's blow barely striking him enough to notice, but Ser Benjen had left himself wide open. He slammed his sword into his opponent's side, hearing something crack.

“Your strength and courage in battle are not in doubt;
nobody can accuse of you of not being willing to face your enemies face to face. Whatever the truth of what happened, should you lose, the Night’s Watch offers you a fresh life and they could use men of your skill.”

Ser Jorah feinted, making Ser Benjen aim for the wrong place and have to readjust to attack.

‘Not to mention a lack of women might curb your issues’ Jorah thought, ‘and if you do survive, it means you are as far away from the ladies you have wronged as possible.’

ooc
1 fatigue used to reduce armour penalties, so that will be a 2DOS hit on Jorah for 1 damage.
Health 4/12
AR 9
CD 12
I/W/F
0/0/1
contingency use 1 Fatigue on next attack if this prevents some health loss

[url=Attack on Ser Benjen][/url]: 6d6k5-1 16 - Just as well he's got a low CD this time. That's 3 DOS for 6 damage after armour.
[url=Maneuver Ser Benjen][/url]: 6d6k5-1 22

[Reader]

[OOC:

1) maneuver is a fighting test, so you don't get your bonus dice from Longblades. Shame to waste a good roll, so simply roll 1d6 and drop that dice, moving left to right. Remember to include five dice in your total if you're dropping one of the currently kept dice
2) if you succeeded in maneuver, do you want him to remain adjacent to you or to drive him back so he has to use a lesser action to move closer?]

[Ser Jorah Holt]

[url=random][/url]: 1d6 5, so lose the two and the roll is now 20, so still succeeds. going to drive him back to the jousting line

[Reader]

Ser Benjen reels under Ser Jorah's attack, powerful enough to crack a rib even through plate. The Frey holds his shield aloft as he is driven back towards the jousting barrier.

He leans against barrier momentarily, desperate to catch his breath.

The Watch, yes. Better the wall intact than remain in the Realm but unmanned. Still, the Ferocious Frey betrayed no sign of yielding yet, determined to fight while there was still breath left to him.

Health: 3/12
AR: 9
CD: 8
I/W/F: 4/1/2
Takes a wound to reduce damage to zero,
Greater action: [url=Catch your breath][/url]: 4d6k3-6 8 - recovers two health (included above)

Ser Jorah and Benjen are no longer engaged.

[Ser Jorah Holt]

"
This fight is almost done. Yield now and leave the Riverlands with your head held high."


ooc
[url=recover][/url]: 4d6k4-1 15
4 health
Health 8/12
AR 9
CD 12
I/W/F
0/0/1
contingency use 1 Fatigue on next attack if this prevents some health loss

[Reader]

Aware that his opponent was recovering more rapidly, Ser Benjen attempted to bullrush grapple with Ser Jorah and bring him crashing to the ground too. Despite Ser Benjen's strength being enough to floor most men, the redoubtable Ser Jorah somehow held firm in the face of the Frey's onslaught.

Health: 3/12
AR: 9
CD: 8
I/W/F: 4/1/2
Lesser action: move to engage Ser Jorah
Lesser action: [url=Knockdown][/url]: 4d6k3-2 11 -4 injuries, +2 movement bonus [a very narrow failure thanks to injuries previously inflicted by Ser Theomore's machinations! ]

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Once again, Ser Jorah used Ser Benjen's momentum to throw him onto the floor.

"
Let us end this then,"
he said solemnly, bringing his sword down onto his foe.

[url=Knockdown][/url]: 4d6k4-1 13
[url=Attack on Ser Benjen][/url]: 7d6k6-1 21
so 3 DOS for 6 damage after AR 9

Health 8/12
AR 9
CD 12
I/W/F
0/0/1
contingency use 1 Fatigue on next attack if this prevents some health loss

[Reader]

One last desperate surge from Ser Benjen, but his strength is spent. Ser Jorah is able to deflect the assault as easily as he would train squires in the practice yard.

Health: 3/12
AR: 9
CD: 8 (3)
I/W/F: 4/2/4
Takes 1 wound to ignore the damage.
Takes 2 fatigue to ignore 1 wound and 4 injuries.

[url=Reckless attack (talented, fatigue ignores inuries and 1 wound)][/url]: 8d6k5-1 14 -2 extra fatigue = 12= 5 Damage -9AR =0

[Ser Jorah Holt]

He tried to break Ser Benjen's sword to end this quickly, but he only succeeded in damaging it.


Aim +1B
[url=Sunder Ser Benjen's sword][/url]: 7d6k5-1 15
Assuming his weapon counts as formidable, thats 1Dos reducing it to 7

[Reader]

[OOC: 12 for a normal weapon as the old FAQ indeed said: http://utrpg.memethief.com/images/5/5c/ ... ta&
FAQ.pdf, future difficult to shatter reduced by 5]

Ser Benjen was not the most cunning fighter, but he saw the wisdom in Ser Jorah's approach and rained down blows upon his opponent's shield. However, his foe was able to skilfully angle his shield such that the attacks simply deflected from it rather than shattering it beneath their weight.

Health: 3/12
AR: 9
CD: 8 (3)
I/W/F: 4/2/4

Greater action: [url=Reckless sunder jorah's shield][/url]: 8d6k4-8 11 - fails

[Ser Jorah Holt]

"
This is now over,"
he told Ser Benjen, "
end this whilst you can still stand and make a choice. The watch or a gelding."


he caught Ser Benjen's sword on his shield and used it as an anvil to break Ser Benjen's sword in twain.

[url=Destroy weapon][/url]: 6d6k5-1 20
Difficulty of 7 3Dos, which is 15 damage.

[Reader]

The crowd gasped at Ser Jorah's elaborate maneuver, turning Ser Benjen's tactics against him.

Ser Benjen looked down at his shattered longsword, briefly considering an improvised assault or casting it aside and wrestling Ser Jorah to the floor.

Discretion and his broken body win out over bravado and he eventually casts the useless hilt away.

"
[size=85:27wpc8gl]The black,"
he pants. "
The black."


"
Lord Tully, my noble opponents offers me a black cloak. [size=150:27wpc8gl]I wish to offer my services to the Night's Watch."


Lord Tully pauses for a moment, seeking affirmation from the Seven's champion.

Ser Benjen Frey
Free action: drops his broken longsword.
Greater action: yields.

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah nodded in affirmation to Lord Tully

"
The Seven have shown that there can be no doubt of Ser Benjen's guilt. The Watch offers absolution and a chance to serve the Seven Kingdoms to redeem past mistakes and misdeeds. Let Ser Benjen take the black."

ooc
Waiting for a glut of lowered dispositions

[Septon Arlyn]

Thank the seven, at least he was defeated, his guilt proven twice now, there can be no more doubt, And he has taken the black, so he will be far away from poor Brenna Thinks Septon Arlyn And Ser Jorah fought bravely and honorably, showing great restraint in not taking his life. The Seven could not have had a better champion today

[Sponsored content]