[D&D-5e] War of the Field = PvP

[MundayKnight]

Tolarian "Iron Rain" Ambestar House: Ambestar Race: Variant Human Class: Deliberating on this still Rank: Lord Backstory: Lord Tolarian Ambestar was born fifty years before the Great Battle of the Field and his father was a kind but ultimately rather ineffectual lord. Lord Tagar Ambestar had, by all accounts, ran their household into the ground and very nearly lost them their title and their lands. When Tolarian was only twelve years of age his father passed away to some unknown illness that even the house cleric, the Firbolg Father Demetrius, was unable to cure. While his mother acted as regent for Tolarian it was only for the first three months of his rule as he devoted himself feverishly to his studies until even his mother had to admit he was more suited to having full control of their lands than herself. Tolarian's first year of rule was marked by civil unrest as he spent the majority of it quelling rebellions from his barons and even one of his viscounts. Most of the rebellions he was able to put down without violence but the viscount, Tolarian's uncle Kalvar, had his eyes upon the Ambestar's Duchy and Tolarian had to take the field for the first time in his rather short life. The youth had less than half the men of his uncle as many lesser nobles had flocked to the older Ambestar's side when he had made his claim. Tolarian had not yet done much research on warfare but where he was very knowledgeable was agriculture, in particular weather predictions. Kalvar's greatest advantage was in terms of heavy infantry and heavy cavalry with Tolarian just edging out his uncle in number of archers so the youth avoided fighting his uncle for the better part of three weeks, losing some of his light infantry in skirmishes with Kalvar's light cavalry but keeping the vast majority of his men, in particular his archers, alive. Blooded Lord When the two forces were finally arrayed against one another Tolarian had taken the high ground on the side of a mountain, the dirt below his men's feet only a breath above the stone of the mountain itself. Far below Kalvar's men fought against the churned ground, the storm that had torn through the valley two days before had left the base of the hill a boggy mire and for all of Kalvar's superior numbers the battle was clearly favoring the young Lord's army. Arrows fell down in sheets of deadly steel and the anguished screams of man and horse echoed up to Tolarian's position. "M'Lord the sappers have gathered the requested stones and moved into position." "Good, let the sergeants know when the enemy archers finish getting into formation to loose. Also Olik remember that we give quarter only to non-nobles, I will not slaughter loyal men because their leaders are fools." "Yes M'Lord." The sturdy soldier ran off and the boy Lord looked on at the slaughter with a frightening chill in his eye. His archers continued to rain death upon his enemy, the front ranks of the shock troopers just now getting through the mire while the cavalry sent to the flanks was still losing the battle to the muck, the first few rows having been shot down just after they had disturbed the mud, their blood watering the sopping soil even further. Kalvar's archers took more time than Tolarian had expected to get into their rigid blocks but finally they finished and just as they were ordered to knock an arrow a deep rumbling could be heard on the mountainside around them as enormous stones were pushed from their hiding spots and began barreling down the steep slope. The area was too steep for Kalvar to send men up and too broken for Tolarian to put his own archers up there in proper formations but a few well placed sappers with their tools and many days to prepare proved even more deadly as the wagon sized stones smashed into, and through, the ranks of arranged archers and sent those that remained into utter chaos. Tolarian let out a sharp whistle and his own archers opened ranks so that the sappers behind them could dislodge their own stones, sending the boulders into the ranks of oncoming heavy infantry and devastating what little headway they had made. The archers formed up once more and began their next volley while Tolarian took a horn from his nearby banner-man and gave the instrument two loud blares, the sound echoing through the valley below and among the mountain tops. Far in the distance the remainder of Tolarian's men, fifty light cavalry and nearly three hundred light infantry, filed into the valley from hidden passes in the mountain. The infantry filled up over half the valley in a simple two row formation while the cavalry screened their flanks. The outcome of the battle was finally clear to his uncle and a white flag was raised from the center of the enemy formation while repeated bleats from a horn broke through the screams of the dying. Tolarian answered the call with a few horn bleats of his own and his archers put what few arrows they had left back into their quivers and his infantry and cavalry stopped their inexorable advance. The flag grew closer and Tolarian walked to meet it, preferring the surety of his foot over that of a horse as he got closer to the base of the hill. His uncle and the barons that had joined him waited for him at the base, their honor guard arrayed around them while Tolarian himself walked confidently by himself, knowing full well his archers would keep him safe. "Well boy you proved yourself the better, your father would be proud, although given his own failure as a commander he may just be confused." The viscount and the gathered barons laughed, the barons much more nervously than their leader. Tolarian waited for the laughter to die down and even waited a few extra moments, now even his uncle showing discomfort as the young lord stared humorlessly at him. Only when his uncle went to speak once more did the boy break his silence. "You will address me as Lord Ambestar. If you call me boy again I will have your wife's tongue cut from her head." The older Ambestar flushed with rage instantly but the barons and the collected honor guard had looks of shock and fear in their eyes. " How dare you threaten my..." "It is no threat traitor and I suggest you watch your words. Look around you, in particular look to your left and right, see if you can spot something off." Kalvar did as instructed, his rage still evident until he noticed what the young boy had indicated and all blood left his face, on either side a dozen previously hidden archers now stood, their outline clear against the gray stone of the mountainsides. "Those are my best archers and you all were kind enough to remove your helmets before coming to speak with me." A smile with no hint of joy broke across Tolarian's face and he took one step back before he raised a finger, a whistle broke the air and in the blink of an eye two dozen arrows sprouted from where the young lord had just stood. "Now that you know better than to think you can bully me let me provide you your terms of surrender. You and all the nobles who pledged themselves to you will lose your title and your names shall be stricken from your house records. Uncle your baby, my only cousin, shall be raised in my home by me as my own son. As for the children of the rest of you they shall retain their position and take your place as long as you agree to my terms. Your wives are all safe as well if you agree, if you do not I shall burn your homes with your families tied within them but only after I have let the family of every soldier who died here today ransack your ancestral homes. Lastly if you refuse my terms I will have the men of your honor guard burnt alive unless they kill you themselves. In addition to the above punishment you will sign a writ giving the family of each layperson who died for you in this campaign ten golden coins and exemption from taxes for a period of six years. Finally as you have committed treason and attempted to slay your rightful lord you shall each be drawn and quartered." The last bit made most of the gathered men stop breathing all together as they looked at one another trying to understand what they had just heard. "I make this offer only once, if you agree get off your horse and kneel, if you don't then please attempt to voice your displeasure." The first to get off his horse and kneel was an elderly baron that Tolarian had known since he was born, the man had always been kind to the boy and Tolarian suspected that he had only agreed to his uncles foolishness so that he could curb Kalvar's darker tendencies and make sure he merely banished Tolarian rather than killing him and while it pained the boy to see the man kneel he knew he could not show it and so his cherubic face remained a mask of granite. In short order all had knelt before him save his uncle, the man's face going through so many emotions Tolarian thought he may just keel over from emotional exertion but finally the viscount dismounted his charger and knelt before the young lord. "Lancers I shall return to my camp, when I am among my men begin marching these traitors to my camp. I shall not hold you or any other soldiers under my uncle's banner responsible for the actions of their liege lords, I ask that the youngest among you go tell your fellows that this rebellion is over and for their commanding officers to compile the names of all who have died in it so I can make sure their families are reimbursed. When that is done they may return to their homes, their families have been without them long enough." The honor guard snapped to attention as one and a man in his late twenties wheeled around, sending his horse through the mire to return to the ranks of his allies. Tolarian turned around and walked confidently up the hill, quiet tears streaming from his face every step of the way. After his first year in power the Ambestar's lands settled and the young lord began to focus on returning it to its former glory. A series of economic initiatives as well as strictly enforced but modestly rated taxes were quickly implemented. Tolarian put the new funds to good use by pouring gold into public works, improving roads, building aqueducts, opening up the first school available to even the peasantry, and a million smaller things that greatly improved the daily lives of his people. While his projects were not universally adored, the nobility particularly chafed at having to educate their poor, more people loved the young lord than hated him and that was truly all he could ask for. At the age of sixteen he was betrothed to the daughter of a nearby Duke and the two had a modest wedding with an extravagant reception open to the public, a feast that solidified the love of the common man for their youthful lord. The two would go on to have three daughters which Tolarian was perfectly happy with, he had told his wife before they were ever married that Valance was his son and heir, the only living people who knew that the boy was truly Kalvar's was the boy's mother, Tolarian himself, and the honor guard that had ridden with his uncle. For decades Tolarian worked at improving the quality of life of his people and the prosperity of his kingdom and it was only in the man's fortieth year of life that he learned the secret that had evaded him for so long, how his father had died. On his deathbed a servant who had been with the family since well before Tolarian was born admitted that he had poisoned the former Lord Ambestar on the orders of the Skelburt Lord of the time. Lord Skelburt had kidnapped the man's child and forced him to do it while shame and fear had kept his lips sealed for so long. Tolarian forgave the man in his final moments and at that very moment began writing a letter to King Magnolix requesting the right to get justice upon the treacherous Skelburt. The King's reply was one that enraged Tolarian but he would not disobey his liege, the outcome of doing so was a painful death followed by a more painful afterlife, but the now wizened lord knew that it was only a matter of time before King Magnolix grew bored and changed his mind so he began building up his forces, training them for the battle ahead with his nearest neighbor.

[Xalnaga]

Originally Posted by Gulielmos

As to the assassin's ability he means the actual ability assassinate where if you attack someone who has not gone yet your attacks are considered critical hits.

Ah, found it

Assassinate Starting at 3rd level, you are at your deadliest when you get the drop on your enemies. You have advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn’t taken a turn in the combat yet. In addition, any hit you score against a creature that is surprised is a critical hit.

The way I read this is that, if a creature is surprised and you hit it then your damage counts as critical. As there is not going to be a surprise round, neither side is surprised the other is attacking, this part of the feat doesn't come into play.
As to the advantage ruling... I'll think on that and come back a ruling at a later date.


To the question if we have a game thread yet, the answer is YES. I'll try and find time to open up private threads but may not be for another 24hrs, sorry.

[AximusLokar]

How are Magic Items priced? The only table I can find gives a pretty wide range.

[Touketsu]

[Xalnaga]

Originally Posted by AximusLokar

How are Magic Items priced? The only table I can find gives a pretty wide range.

You know what, let's say all magic items are based on the bottom end if their price bracket. That makes it nice and easy to figure out what you'd like without having to wait for me to confirm.

[MundayKnight]

I do believe Lord Ambestar is finished up. Not a huge backstory, can definitely flush it out more if desired.

[Zootsuit]

Ok, so, here is my character:

Name: Aiken "Backbreaker" Kree-Kalathi
House: Loyal Ambestar
Race: Goliath
Class: Barbarian (Bear Totem)
Rank: Sergeant (E5, if that matters)
What you are spending your points on: 2 archers, 2 heavy soldiers, 1 light soldier, and 1 mounted soldier.

EDIT: Where is this table of magic items? The only one I know of is in CoEA. I didn't find one in PHB, DMG, Volo's, or XGtE (don't have MToF).

[Gulielmos]

There is one in DMG usually it states that 100 gold for common and 500 for rare.

[Imveros]

Application is updated!

I can write a little backstory if you'd like, but it seems smarter to wait for us to have a lord first as they will have a huge impact on a loyal hero

[MattLovesCoffee]

Have a little bit up, should have the rest up after lunch!

[Ed Starwind]

I hereby pledge my loyalty to House Skelburt!

Lord Rolen Moonbrook Skelburt House: Lord of Clan Skelburt Race: Wood Elf Class: Monk Rank: Lord of the Clan Skelburt What you are spending your points on -5 Archers, teamed in groups of 2 and the 5th with me. (100 Points) -5 Light Soldiers, 2 for each pair of archers and the 5th with me. (50 Points) Description: Rolen is a battle-hardened Veteran whose tan skin shows the pale and stretched scars of many battles. He wears simple clothes that fit comfortably with minimal excess. His long, black hair is usually seen pulled back into a loose ponytail that flows as he walks. His eyes are the brightest of blue and almost glow, with a sharpness that gives the impression that he is looking deep into your soul. History: I fought in the forests surrounding the Keep of Clan Skelburt, under the leadership of Lord Varrash the Cruel. Trained in the martial arts, instead of any “proper battle skills”, they placed me in Lord Varrash’s command in hopes that I would “Learn my place and either grab some armor and a bigger weapon like a proper soldier, or go back and breed some young, strapping boys to learn how to fight like men” is how they put it. Yes, I had wanted to be a solder since I was a youth of 45. I was never considered strong, not like the Dwarves or even most of the humans, and for that I was bullied as a youth. But I was fast, and my ability to hide in almost plain sight taught me a great lesson. I learned to strike fast and strike where it hurts. The bullies never really accepted me, but they did begin to respect me and stop teasing me as brutally. After I had received my basic education, I tried to become a smith, forging weapons as elegant as they were deadly, as my parents had wished. The foolhardy nature of my youth, coupled with my love of adventure and the thrill of contest made it all but impossible for me to remain in such a career. I did learn the art, though it took me many more years than it should have, the wanderlust of youth is to blame for that. When I reached the age of 50, after much arguing, I enlisted in the army. They tried at first to weigh me down with bulky armor and huge weapons, but I was barely able to move, and felt almost claustrophobic in it. I pulled a prank on my training officer that earned me not only my first of many scars, but they grudgingly allowed me to train in the nearby mountains with a monastery known for its prowess in martial combat. When war broke out, I was approaching my 60th birthday. I do not like to speak much of the horrors and pains of war but suffice it to say that I found myself no longer seeking out battles. I still enjoyed demonstrating my battle prowess, and I will always pick up a weapon if the need arises, but my lust for confrontation was ebbed and tempered with the wisdom that comes with time. I spent the next many years as a trainer in the Army, but I taught special tactics to archers and special troops. When Lord Aberdeen took ill, around my 125th birthday, A council of Elders was called. They were to decide the fate of Clan Skelbert. Lord Aberdeen had no children, therefore no heir to the Lordship. It was decided for each Elder to put forth their heirs as Champion for a contest. I, being known as a most unorthodox but successful trainer, was appointed as trainer for all of the Champions. During their training, I reprimanded one of the young men for his lackluster attitude in training. He called me to a challenge, which I used as an opportunity to teach all of my students a lesson in humility and brashness. When the lesson was over, the young lad pulled himself off of the ground for about the tenth time when he suggested that if I was so smart, and so skilled that I should join the contest myself. Lord Aberdeen responded by appointing me the Champion of the People. My victory ended my service to the military and brought me into a new school of battle. I was taught politics like battle tactics, and I learned to fight a war with words, not just my sword. Lord Aberdeen died on the eve of the new year in the third year of my training, Gods rest his soul. I then took on the mantle of Lord Skelbert, which is something I still am in shock of and hold as the highest honor. When the coming battle was announced and the domes were created, I was called out of the field of politic and the everyday squabbles of ruling a Clan to once again lead troops into the field of battle.

[Phil]

[Ed Starwind]

Might be a strange question, but can I change the language known by my soldiers?

[Xalnaga]

Originally Posted by Ed Starwind

Might be a strange question, but can I change the language known by my soldiers?

Yes you may. Go for it.

[Phil]

Name: Jaeger Nox
Class: Wizard (Bladesinger)
Race: Wood Elf
Allegiance: Ambestar Loyalist Hero
Rank: Captain
Points: 1 Watchtower, two archers, 1 10/10 section of trench extension.
Backstory: Jaeger Nox has been the Ambestar family ambassador to the Seelie Court since as long as anyone can remember. He must be over seventy years old, and yet he doesn't look a day over thirty, and never has. When Tolarian Ambestar took over his father's lands, Jaeger assured him that Princess Llaelorana, sovereign of the Seelie fey of the wild lands at the southern border of both Ambestar and Skelburt lands, supports him. This alliance has yielded real dividends for Ambestar: crops yields are record-breaking, the woods teem with game, and fish practically leap into the nets of Ambestar's fishermen, all for the price of a nightly bowl of milk on each doorstep and promises not violate the deepwood. But Lord Skelburt dishonors Llaelorana and her ways, his people harvesting timber and game from the deepwood with utter disregard for tradition, or so claims Jaeger Nox. And so the Seelie princess has loaned Jaeger a portion of her power to see to it that Abestar is the victor over Skelburt.