Editing TROSHammerSession3

=Session 3: The Shape of Things to Come=

Back to [[TROS in the Hammer]]
[[Category:The_Riddle_of_Steel]]
The Shape of Things to Come - quick summary of events.

The party finds themselves waiting at a well known landmark, a lightning split tree, for 'Talks to Lightning' to arrive so that the group can better assess the mood of the town and the changes that have taken place over the intervening years.

As 'Talks' finally makes her way towards the clearing, both 'Thunder' and 'Night Hawk' decide to quickly conceal themselves as best they can, meaning that 'Night Hawk' is greatly successful while 'Thunder' only makes himself look the fool.  'Peregrine' does what hawks do best when not hunting, which is to say, he was perched in a tree, observing what was going on around them.

Coming into the clearing, both 'Talks' and [insert love interest here] make their way towards the split tree.  Seeing that they were returning alone, accompanied by the companions we asked to go fetch her, both 'Thunders Rumble' and 'Night Hawk' made themselves known.  Glad they were to see Night Hawk, and [insert love interest] was suitably impressed by 'Night Hawk' being considered 'adequate' by hunters from the husband tribe 'Sweet but Painful'.  Ecstatic and overjoyed would be the best summary of both their impressions by seeing 'Thunder’s Rumble' once again.  After quick introductions, and a very brief overview of Thunders life over the intervening years and what has been going on in the village, the group were preparing on making their way back to the encampment when they heard the sound of approaching footsteps.  More than 1 of them.

Thunder, concealing himself as best he could, and Night Hawk hiding in the foliage in a most 'adequate' manner, they proceeded to witness [insert first Aunt], [insert first Uncle] and [insert other companion - the wizard] walking into the clearing.  Immediately apparent to all whom witnessed the tension between 'talks to lightning' and [insert first aunt] was palpable and oppressive.  They clearly did not like each other and seemed to be vying against one another.  The First Uncle just looked uncomfortable being in the middle of 'womans' business...  Sheepishly uncomfortable.

After demanding what they were doing out here, and receiving less than satisfactory answers from 'Talks' [First Aunt] next turned her gaze to 'Thunders Rumble' concealed presence and seeing a stranger, asked who he was, and what he was doing slinking about and not making himself known in the village.  Muttering some kind of response about just meeting these people and making himself known shortly, he asked if it was ok to chat with 'Talks to Lightning' in private, if there was some kind of rule prohibiting this, knowing that there wasn't, Thunder and Talks proceeded to make their way back into the forest to continue their discussion.  All the while, Night Hawk remained unseen and observing the interactions between all parties.  Bow with Arrow notched, he had a poor feeling about their foreign companion.  Once Thunder and Talks left the clearing, with no one left to berate, [insert first aunt] spluttered briefly and then rapidly turned about and headed back towards the village.  The [insert foreign companion here] stayed, and with a pensive, thoughtful look, took out what appeared to be a rune carved stick and 'Night Hawk' felt what can only be described as a psychic wave wash over him, but he was pretty sure, it did not penetrate his mental defenses.

Meanwhile, back in the forest, 'Thunders Rumble' has an abrupt and frankly hostile confrontation with 'Talks to Lightning' about what the hell is going on in the village, why she is not accepting the reality of the situation that she is not First Aunt, and how is it in only 20 odd years that all the old ways appear to be disappearing.  Not pleased at all with her reply, 'Thunder' at that moment decides the status que is no longer good enough and asks 'Talks' to assemble the village to the center common area.  Not feeling comfortable with this plan, she demurs but does indicate that her 'faction' will be there.

And Meanwhile...  while this conversation is going on, Peregrine decides now's a great time to scout out the oncoming Gestag army and see their progress and see if he can disrupt them in any way.  He makes haste and flies farther than he should, suffering great pain in the mean time because of it, but does spot the oncoming flotilla, numbering at least 4 barges with many, many more soldiers than at first hoped for.  Both shock troops, scouts, employee soldiers, and worst of all, Golems [did I get this right] who can smash through even the most firmly entrenched phalanx.  Back in the clearing, 'Thunder and Night Hawk' begin discussing their plans on assembling the tribe and their attempt at getting them to understand the mortal danger they are in, and that complacency may have served them well in the past, but will not work this time.  Thunder, asking for help, and thankfully receiving it, is encouraged that not all the old ways have left the blood of the people, as Night Hawk volunteers to enter the village and assemble the people.  He and our traveling companions leave at that moment, with word that Thunder will make his way to the village in 30 minutes time.

Peregrine, having learned all he can at this moment, also makes his way to the village, and changing into his human form, proceeds to help Thunders rumble by speaking to as many villagers as he can.  Oblivious to the strange looks he is getting, Peregrine is doing a good job alarming the people about the oncoming invasion and people start milling about in the center common area.  Thunders Rumble is also doing a great job, but somehow, seems to be talking to a vastly larger percentage of women, and while raising alarm, is also managing to insert whenever he can his exploits, his being deemed 'adequate' by those who call themselves 'Sweet but Painful' and keeps eyeing his kin for any takers in 'pre invasion' dalliances.  So far, no takers.

Making his way to yet another shelter, Peregrine finds himself pinned to the ground, with vines and growths making their way up his legs.  The village spirit seems to have awakened and is taking pains to prevent this foreign spirit from doing anything else in the village until [insert first aunt] has a chance to speak with him.  Momentarily, making her way past the milling people, she presents herself and demands in only the way the spirit tongue can demand, that Peregrine state his name and purpose.  Not resisting at all, he gladly gives up this information.  The interrogation continues, with probing questions which get closer to areas which Peregrine wishes to remain concealed.  Having to resist these points, he is able to answer with as much truth as he can yet still hold back enough to not give everything away.  She knows something is not right with the answers, but cannot delve any deeper.

Just at that moment, breaking through the milling throng of people, 'Thunders Rumble' makes his way into the center of the village.  Still concealed with his full armour, coif and hiding the fact that he is Mohawked, he steps before [insert first aunt] and confronts her directly with the village as witness.  As thunders rumble begins to speak to the gathered people, using his leadership skills he begins to sway the crowd, unfortunately [first aunt] will have none of this, and tries to diffuse the situation by 'offering' to discuss these very valid issues in private.  Paying no heed to her words, Thunders rumble begins by removing his coif, exposing his mohawk and letting the crowd know that he is one of the people, one of the tribe named 'Thunders Rumble', many still remember him and are captivated.  Then, still ignoring the first aunt, he proceeds to remove his chain armour, his shirt, and proceeds to kneel down on the ground exposed for all to see.  Drawing forth a dagger, Thunders Rumble proceeds to cut a deep furrow in each cheek, then along each arm, bleeding (and shocking the assembled crowd), he does the most unexpected thing yet, something not seen in the land for many many moons, something talked about reverently, yet never witnessed live.  Thunders Rumble proceeds to invoke the people’s oath.  An Oath tied to the land, tied to the people, all the people of all the tribes, an Oath stronger than anything else, dedicated to the preservation and protection of the people, by the people for the people.  Taken by the heat and passion of the moment, first Night Hawk, then Thunders traveling companions each take the Oath.  Next, the younglings of the tribe caught up in the moment, and the elders, remembering the times before filled with tradition each take the oath.  Pretty soon, a significant portion of the male half of the tribe have taken the oath to protect the people from this oncoming threat.

Satisfied with the outcome, Thunder then dedicates his loyalty towards the first aunt, as any tribe member should and proceeds to ask for permission to have his tribe flee the spring encampment with the forest trackers and to provide enough spear and bowmen to cover the retreat.  Outflanked at this particular moment, the first aunt had no choice but to relent to the demands, but made if very clear that this issue was not over.  Seething on the inside, Thunders Rumble is pretty sure his actions that day created a blood enemy.  Now, with the tribe firmly under his temporary control, and beginning to scurry into action, Cary Grant [is that the right name?] strides into camp and comments on the ‘bold’ action that Thunder took by invoking the Oath.  He indicates that his people are ready to begin moving the tribe into the forest and indicated that it would be wise to not let those who remain know where they will be taking them.  At this same moment, the first uncle strides up, and as he is the nominal military leader of the tribe, tries to assert his control over the unfolding events – but does so in such a way as to solicit recommendations from Thunders Rumble and then make them sound like his own orders.  Used to too many years campaigning with inept leadership, particularly the general staff, Thunder had a sure fire way of dealing with this buffoonery.  Asking Night Hawk to deal with the First Uncle, Thunder steered Cary Grant away from the gathering and proceeded to give him orders on the orderly evacuation of the people and asking how much time they will need in delaying action to effect a successful ‘get-away’.  Being told 4 hours, Thunder can only promise 2.

Now, with activity afoot, plans laid, and things generally under control (though a little chaotic), Each party member proceeds to do what they do best.  Thunder, being a solid campaigner in many a battle, knows that rest is precious and decides to grab sleep whenever and wherever he can.  Giving orders to be woken at first sighting of the ships.  Night Hawk, being a promiscuous and salacious sort, proceeded to court, then woo a tribes member – claiming of all things, that this might be his last night on this fair land and he’d like nothing better than to spend it with her.  Peregrine proceeded to scout out the oncoming flotilla and try and delay them as much as possible.

As he leaves his earthly confines and takes to the sky, Peregrine decides that the best course of action would be to try and delay the oncoming ships in whichever way possible.  Concocting a spell to cast, Peregrine thinks the best method would be to physically slow each ship if possible.  Under Golem power, running in an oversized “mouse wheel/paddle wheel” contraption, the ships make way by this tireless force.  Circling above, Peregrine proceeds to cast his magic and managed to delay 1 or 2 [cannot remember] of the ships, with the others wondering what is wrong.  Satisfied that this has delayed them enough, he proceeds to make his way back to shore.  On his way back, Peregrine makes out the faint speck of another flying bird – it can only be his arch nemesis, his twin [need his name] come looking for him.  Weakened though his is through the use of the magic, Peregrine nevertheless decides that now is the time to strike his hated foe, and banish him back to the spirit world.  Gaining the high ‘ground’ in that Peregrine was both in the sun and higher than his foe, he launches a blistering attack using surprise and momentum to hopefully take away any advantage his foe may have due to larger stores of magical energies.  Winning initiative, Peregrine executes an all out attack, and as the 2 birds are entwined with one another, and are plummeting towards Earth, he strikes a solid and bloody blow to the shoulder/wing of his foe.  Weakened, but certainly not out of the fight altogether, Peregrine’s enemy tries to seize the initiative but is outmaneuvered and his fate is all but sealed.  With one more crushing all-out attack, Peregrine decimates his hated enemy who promptly explodes and his spirit is banished back to the spirit world.

Delayed, but not stopped, a group of military engineers are working on the Golems to “force” them back to speed.  Peregrines fight caused him to lose his concentration with maintaining the effects of slowness and the engineers were able to reestablish control over the speed of their vessels.    Buying some time, and unable to regain control, Peregrine has no choice but to return back to the village.  Back at the village, final plans were made to make the landing as difficult as possible.  Working together, Night Hawk and Thunders Rumble decide that the only way to survive this onslaught is to practice hit and run tactics, to try and drive the opposing force away from the northern escape route his people are taking, and to use the trackers and hunters that stayed behind as pathfinders to both set up assembly points for further attacks and to set up traps to delay/harm the enemy.  To try and stop an easy landing, one final step was taken, that of releasing the entire winter stock of lumber into the lake around the village in the hopes that either the army will have to go out of its way to find suitable landing, or to get damaged as they try and force their way through the logjam.  

With his available force deployed, avenues of escape and attack marked, and traps set, Thunders Rumble, Night Hawk and Peregrine can do nothing but wait as the barges come into view and make their way towards a landing.  I’m sure they are not expecting the reception they are about to receive…

Only time and history will know if the actions begun today will be remembered as a tragedy or as an historic epic of weak fighting the strong.