[D4, LA, EVENT] The Joust II: The Helm Show

[Cearnach]

"I say that my cousin is sadly deluded, and that God will prove the right."

[William Marshal]

The Marshal sighs.

"Right. So, it falls to me to devise a test to allow God to show us the right, here. As you are both fighting men...or claim to be...it would seem most appropriate that a trial by combat resolve this."

That it would resolve both claims and save the true Warwick from a possible drubbing just before the joust might not be lost on the savvier members of the crowd.

"Is that satisfactory to you, Leicester?"

[Robert Whitehands]

Whitehands glowers at the false Waleran, hard eyes unmoving.

"At my word, Marshal," he says levelly. "He'll recant, or I'll put him to the sword."

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

Through all of this, Geoffrey just watches. It was not his house, and not his issue to handle. But he clearly disapproves of this. Whitehands was right that a true noble would not have made a farcical show of things. Not that he knew whether or not Waleran had a noble heart or not, but the man claiming theft certainly didn't.

[Margaret de Beaumont]

Margaret has watched with interest, leaning back to comment to Miriam quietly at certain moments, she eyes the crowd, debating turning them against this charlatan but holds back. When Simon speaks she responds appropriately: stamping her feet gently to voice her approval.

[William Marshal]

Whitehands glowers at the false Waleran, hard eyes unmoving.

"At my word, Marshal," he says levelly. "He'll recant, or I'll put him to the sword."

Marshal looks up at the knight. "Do you recant, sir?"

[Cearnach]

"I cannot." However much he may wish to. "Let us put it to the test."

[William Marshal]

The Marshal sighs. "Very well. Prepare a space for these men and call the King. We'll put an end to this right now."

[King Richard Lionheart]

In a few moments, a circle has been cleared and the King arrives from the palace, flanked by Longchamp and his brother. John's expression is one of open curiosity. Richard just looks annoyed.

"Well?"

Marshal quietly explains to him what has been happening.

"Whitehands? Oh, this is gonna be good. Whenever you're ready, gentlemen."

[Cearnach]

The knight dismounts and draws his sword. He salutes you as a worthy opponent, but it's easy to see that you have him outmatched. He's alright, certainly, but he's got nothing like your experience. His stance is three flavors of not-quite-good-enough. He might have given Waleran trouble, but Waleran is a kindly soul and not a scrapper. Not like you.

[Robert Whitehands]

The knight dismounts and draws his sword. He salutes you as a worthy opponent, but it's easy to see that you have him outmatched. He's alright, certainly, but he's got nothing like your experience. His stance is three flavors of not-quite-good-enough. He might have given Waleran trouble, but Waleran is a kindly soul and not a scrapper. Not like you.

Whitehands gives an appraising look and doesn't even immediately draw his sword.

"What say you, Marshal? Have this knave out of his plate and we'll have done with it immediately? I shouldn't like to delay the show awaiting my own armor."

Whitehands takes a step away from Waleran's horse, eyeing the imposter to make sure he doesn't try something dishonorable - as Robert assumes he will at this point. He looks suspicious that there's some more surprise or trick to come, but is ready to draw and fight as soon as Marshal commands.

[William Marshal]

The Marshal nods. "That would be just."

The False Waleran is bade to stand before you in his clothes and with his sword at hand. He salutes you in the proper form, and lowers himself into a stance, ready to receive your attack.

This is a foot combat with live weapons and no armor, with the characters beginning Engaged. As situations go, this is pretty lethal. A Contested Weapons skill Roll will be sought. The winner of that roll hits and rolls his damage stat, which is applied without soak to the loser. If a person should Crit, they will inflict double damage. If they should critically fail, they might slip or otherwise screw up, creating problems on their next roll, should they have one.

[Robert Whitehands]

Whitehands has thoroughly appraised his opponent, whoever he is in reality, and by the time Marshal bids them begin, he's feeling confident. Not confident enough to take chances, or to lash out with the true level of righteous indignation that he feels at this affront to his family, but confident enough. He's had to put tougher enemies to the sword than this one, and looks for his moment to strike true.

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Contested sword roll: 16, which actually crits with skill 24?

[Cearnach]

The False Waleran sweeps in with a strike toward Whitehand's legs.

Attack roll of a lifetime on Whitehands, tn 15: 1d20 9

On any normal knight, that might have been a telling blow, but Whitehands' skill and experience have far outclassed this up-jumped back-country hedge knight.

[Robert Whitehands]

The False Waleran sweeps in with a strike toward Whitehand's legs.

Attack roll of a lifetime on Whitehands, tn 15: 1d20 9

On any normal knight, that might have been a telling blow, but Whitehands' skill and experience have far outclassed this up-jumped back-country hedge knight.

Robert, seeing the sweeping strike beginning, steps inside the arc to frustrate its execution. At the same time, he brings his sword in with a downward thrust at the False Waleran while his defense is sacrificed for the otherwise effective sweep.

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Kind of envisioning Robert's strike hitting the unarmored man's collar bone/chest if he's at all leaned into the strike and Robert using his height.

Damage roll: 18, doubles to 36 from crit strike.

[Cearnach]

The sword strikes true, severing the jugular and causing the False Waleran's steaming blood to erupt in a geyser, puddling on the muddy ground around them. The look of shock on his face is pronounced as he drops first to his knees and then flat on the ground.




Robert Whitehands has defeated the False Waleran. He can now choose whether the False Waleran dies here of his injury, or recovers and is taken into custody.

[William Marshal]

The Marshal steps forward.

"This matter has ended. God has seen to the right, and by dint of the honor of his arms, Robert de Beaumont has proven the mendacity of this person who now lies broken on this our field. Let us bear in mind, then, the veracity of the true Earl of Warwick and the might of God's works."

[Robert Whitehands]

"All will know the House of Beaumont withstood this attempt at villainy, by the grace of God and in honor of our dedication to King Richard!" Robert roars, certain to be heard widely. In a kinder, more staid voice he continues, "If this knave can, by the will of a merciful God, have his life saved, let it be so. I would take his life today, but the Beaumonts would have custody of him if he lives, to help prevent future affrontery to the realm."

With his decision made, he waves in aid to the stricken man, hands his sword to a Beaumont squire for attention, and stalks off to change his clothes that have been splattered with blood on what should have been a peaceful day.

[Cearnach]

+15 Glory for defeating an inferior opponent in a telling fashion in the public eye, +10 for critical hit=+25 Glory for de Beaumont.

The man is taken off to the tent for the injured, where he will be joined by the unfortunate Sir John Castle the next day. His fortunes rode high on the name of Beaumont, but this False Waleran has been well and truly crushed by the forces of truth and right.

King Richard gives Whitehands a nod of approval as the ring of spectators breaks up.