World Revolution

[Brian]

"We're not sure at the number," he says apologetically.  "Sir Garret says probably almost twenty thousand, but at least no Jotun."

[Dracos]

"Twenty thousand.  That'll be a tough fight.  Where's Sir Garret?  Hurry, go get the rest of the commanders, we meet now.  And send out the archers, I want them hidden and treating the force like a pincushion for as long as possible."

Dracos

[Brian]

"Yes, M'lord!" he squeaks, running off to collect the commanders.  Lord Roger shows up almost instantly, with Willis on his heels.  The rest of the commanders assemble shortly, Garret the last.

"I've got a report for you," he says, trailing off when he sees everyone already there.  "Oh," he concludes, rather lamely.

[Dracos]

"Out with it, Sir Garret.  What's the status of the army approaching our position."

Dracos

[Brian]

"Oh, well, there's about twenty thousand of them, and they're coming up along the trench from the south," he says without preamble.  "No visible supply wagons, and no Jotun."

"Eh," Roger grunts.  "That's where the traps are set, anyway."

[Dracos]

"That's good.  How prepared did they look?  How many archers?  How were they arrayed?  Any visible commanders?"

Dracos

[Brian]

"None of them stood out.  They look to have a good number of archers -- I'd guess a full five thousand of them.  The rest have polarms of various kinds -- spears, pikes, halbers.  The ogres are carrying axes, it looks like," Garret adds.

[Dracos]

"Then it's best to wear them out, split them up, hit them against our traps, and then prepare to crush what gets through.  How are they making it through our traps down there so far?  Or have they not reached them yet?"

Dracos

[Brian]

"They've yet to enter the foothills; I give them twenty minutes," Garret says.  "Our archers are already lining the hilltops to get them once they charge the barricades."

"I'd best oversee my men," Lord Roger says, frowning.  "Any last minute orders?"

[Dracos]

"Keep an eye out for any giving commands or rallying them.  This isn't a supply caravan, so they have to someone leading this pack of beasts.  Destroy that and it should leave them less able to react to any movements on our end. That's all.  Let's go."

Dracos

[Brian]

Roger nods approval, and you storm to the defensive line.

The way that the foothills are set up, you're basically in a shallow valley, the floor of which is a good twenty meters higher than the wastes proper.  You remember one of these hills you climbed with Liandral, not long after you first arrived; and does THAT ever seem like it was a long time ago.

The hills are not impassable, just very steep.  There's a much easier way up if someone were to wend their way through the gaps between the hills, but these avenues, which are no more than six meters wide, are all lined with spiky barricades, pit traps, and over-looking archers.

More likely than not the Dreadmarch would have the best luck trying to charge the hillsides themselves, which just puts them at a severe height disadvantage, while your pikemen keep them at bay, and your archers fire arrows at them from the relativel safety of the hilltop.

Even though you're facing a superior force, one that nearly outnumbers you 2:1, you've got a superior defensive position.  Hopefully, you manage to get rid of the dreadmarch before they do too much damage.

[Dracos]

Dracos breathes in, checking his blade and getting in position, keeping silent and waiting for the sound of screams from the traps.

Dracos

[Brian]

No challenge there; you can hear the yells of the Dreadmarch once they start hitting pit-traps, and the archers reason that anything with hearing range is also within shooting range, so pop up and open fire.

[Brian]

<Brian> Okay.  You're jumping out from ... behind a barricade?  Running down a hilltop?  Where are you planning on showing yourself?
<Dracos> Where are most of my swordsman arrayed?  I suspect the Spear/pikemen are up front taking advantage of the fact the surroundings give them an advantage more than pretty much anyone but the archers.
Dracos would likely be joining the swordsman and moving about to anywhere that seemed weak as he fought.
<Brian> The swordsmen and axemen back the pikemen up, so that when the defensive line breaks, skirmishers can give the pikemen cover to pull back, and use their weapons at an effective range.
<Brian> Essentially, you'd be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a pikemen, and when someone got past his weapon, he'd step back, giving you room to maneuver.
Dracos nods.
<Dracos> I'm fine with that.
<Dracos> That's where I am then.
<Brian> In that case, you're standing on a hilltop with a bunch of pikemen -- there's about eight archers immediately behind you, and you've got a decent view of the battlefield.
Dracos nods.
<Brian> The archers can't see their targets across the crest, but the area is so thickly littered with orcs and ogres, it doesn't really matter.  At least half of their arrows are hitting, and the Dreadmarch archers haven't gotten into any kind of organized formation yet.  The defensive line is sixty pikemen wide, every other spot between them filled with a swordsman, or an axemen.
<Brian> Since your swordsmen outnumber your other troops 3:1, more are in reserve, ready for you to lead a charge.  There's about 240 swordsmen, and a few more axemen behind you, waiting for the command.  From where you are, you can also see that the next hills over are equally well defended, Lord Roger handling the one east of you (which is under heavier assault), and Warrick to the west, which has a coordinated Dreadmarch archer squad.
<Brian> The pikemen are braced, and ready to fall back, and the Dreadmarch charge is about twenty meters away.
Dracos waits for them to get close enough, giving the archers and pikemen as much time as possible before shouting "Attack!" and leading the charge.
<Brian> Okay.  The Dreadmarch rushes the wall, and tries to use their own weapons to batter aside the pikes and get into the lines; this means that your short-range melee crew is basically dropped inside the Dreadmarch pikemen range, as they didn't think to have any shoter-range melee foot-soldiers.
<Brian> The pikeman to your right is falling back, and there's an orc in front of you, trying to stab him with a sturdy looking spear.
Dracos roars, attempting to intimidate as he slashes the orc in front of him, aiming to at the least, force his spear down and away from the pikemen.
<Brian> It's now phase 0, the archers have formed a rank behind you, and are focusing on the sides, where none of your own troops are.
<Brian> Go ahead and roll your attack.
<Dracos> Roll 3d6 for "That's my pikeman, thank you"
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for "That's my pikeman, thank you" --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> That is a hit.
<Brian> Roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> Center of mass.
<Brian> Go ahead and roll your damage.
<Dracos> roll 3d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6+1d3 --> [ 3d6=12 1d3=2 ]{14}
<Dracos> roll 2d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 2d6+1d3 --> [ 2d6=3 1d3=2 ]{5}
<Brian> Chest is normal body, x3 stun.  Normally, you would have done no damage against his armor, but your weapon is penetrating, so you do 2 body, and 15 stun.
<Brian> This gets his attention, and you've put some nasty tears in the orc's greasy chain shirt.
<Brian> Phase 6, speed 2s.
<Brian> Dex order, first is you, Dracos.
<Dracos> Describe scene directly around me?
<Brian> Your pikeman is pulling back -- to your left, someone with an axe is hacking into another orc, to your right, a swordsman has taken a spear to the gut, and is being pulled back by another swordsman.  Orcs are in front of you, pretty much as far as you can see.
Dracos brings his blade horizontally at the orc, striking hard and stepping a bit to the right.
<Dracos> roll 3d6 to hit
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 to hit --> [ 3d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Dracos> roll 2d6+1d3 for Orcs are only chest-high!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 2d6+1d3 for Orcs are only chest-high! --> [ 2d6=11 1d3=2 ]{13}
<Brian> Center of mass -- this time, your sword sweeps clean through him, though, separating his chain shirt like a wet tissue, and his spine with scarcely more resistance.
<Brian> Another orc rushes to fill the gap, and more melee storm-riders crowd in behind you.
<Brian> Phase 12, speed 2s.
<Brian> Dracos, again, you have the dex advantage here.
Dracos slashes hard downward at the orc, moving forward.
<Dracos> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=17 ]{17}
<Brian> You missed.
<Brian> The orc counters and tries to skewer you with a spear.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> He hits!
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> Good thing you wear a helmet.
<Brian> roll 1d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 1d6+1d3 --> [ 1d6=4 1d3=2 ]{6}
<Brian> The stun multiplier is x5, so before defenses, take 6 body, and 30 stun.
<Brian> After defenses, you take 0 Body, and 5 stun.
Dracos shakes his head, grinning at the orc.
<Brian> Post segment 12, everyone takes a recovery.
<Brian> Segment 5, speed 2s, Dracos, you first.
Dracos attempts to sever the orc!
<Dracos> Roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=17 ]{17}
<Brian> Whiff!
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> He hit your thigh, which is, unfortunately, where you are unarmored to provide maneuverability.
<Brian> roll 1d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 1d6+1d3 --> [ 1d6=2 1d3=3 ]{5}
<Brian> Take 5 body and 10 Stun, no defenses apply.
<Brian> The orc seems a little puzzled by you not dying, and grunts something, pulling out his spear and preparing to stab you again.
<Brian> Segment 12.
Dracos is smiling. The smile of OW, FUCK IT.
<Dracos> Roll 3d6 as I bring my blade about to try and strike him down for once
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 as I bring my blade about to try and strike him down for once --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> Go ahead and roll your damage.
<Dracos> Roll 2d6+1d3 for orcs are only chest high!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 2d6+1d3 for orcs are only chest high! --> [ 2d6=5 1d3=2 ]{7}
<Brian> This one's wearing much less durable leather armor, so you cut him pretty badly, but he's not dead.  Though, you have dazed him.
<Brian> Segment 12.
Dracos brings his blade back around for the finishing strike!
<Dracos> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> That's a hit.
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
<Brian> Legs -- unarmored.
<Brian> Roll your damage.
<Dracos> roll 2d6+1d3 for "Orcs are only chest-high, one way or another"
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 2d6+1d3 for "Orcs are only chest-high, one way or another" --> [ 2d6=6 1d3=3 ]{9}
<Brian> That finishes him off.  The body tumbles to the ground -- you've felled Jotun, what's an orc to you? -- when the body is crushed beneath the foot of a heavily armored orc wielding a nasty looking axe.
<Brian> From what you can see of the battlefield before he rushes at you, the majority of your swordsmen are stuck in the press, unable to make a charge that will let all of them attack.  Below, the Dreadmarch archers are forming ranks.
<Brian> If you can get rid of this orc quickly, there's an opening behind him that you can lead a charge into, to try and press for the archers before they can get ready.
Dracos shifts his footing, trying to protect his wounded leg as he aims for the axe hilt, moving low. If he can get both axe and orc at the same time he does so.
<Dracos> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> You do not push your strength.  Go ahead and roll to hit.
<Dracos> roll 3d6 for please hit
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for please hit --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> That's a hit.
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> Center of mass.  Roll your damage.
<Dracos> roll 3d6 for DAMAGE
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for DAMAGE --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> The ogre grunts, but is not dazed (though his blood is getting all over his rusty plate mail).
<Brian> He brings his axe to bear.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
<Brian> He hits your legs, which are armored.
<Brian> roll 2d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2d6+1d3 --> [ 2d6=7 1d3=1 ]{8}
<Brian> You receive 8 body and 16 stun before defenses.
<Brian> After defenses, you take 0 body and 0 stun.
<Brian> Segment 12.
<Brian> You're running out of time....
Dracos roars, pushing his strength and trying to take out the ogre in a single blow.
<Dracos> roll 3d6 to push the strength
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 to push the strength --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Dracos> roll 3d6 to hit
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 to hit --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> You push your strength by five points, and that is a hit.
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> Chest.  Go ahead and roll your damage (3d6+1).
<Dracos> roll 3d6+1 there is no chest!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6+1 there is no chest! --> [ 3d6=12 ]{13}
<Brian> This staggers him, and he is now dazed.
<Brian> Segment 6.
Dracos slams into him, intending to knock him aside, one way or another, his blade leading the way as he charges through.
<Dracos> roll 3d6 to hit
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 to hit --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> That's a hit.  Roll your damage.
<Dracos> Roll 3d6 for stay down, I'm going through
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for stay down, I'm going through --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> That does it.  The stomach stab and the knocking the ogre to the ground leave you at the head of the storm-riders who were penned behind the lines, which quickly follow in your steps, racing towards the enemy archers.
Dracos rushes down, trying to close the distance before the archers can start raining arrows.
<Brian> You're still moving at a good clip when another orc with a spear jumps in front of you, and tries to stop you.
<Brian> Segment 12.
<Brian> You will (still) act first.
<Dracos> roll 3d6 for moving through
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for moving through --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> Go ahead and roll your damage.
<Dracos> roll 3d6 for DAMAGE
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for DAMAGE --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> He didn't need that head.
<Brian> The orcs are now charging OUT of your way, and you've got a clear path to the archers, who are breaking formation at the sight of the charge headed at them.
Dracos rushes into them, slashing at the first archer within range, intending to shatter their organization.
<Brian> Segment 6, the archer's trying to flee, but you can get him.
Dracos slashes at his back as he keeps running into horde.
<Dracos> roll 3d6 for backstabbing
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for backstabbing --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> This is actually good enough to hit, though barely.
<Brian> Go ahead and roll your damage.
<Dracos> roll 3d6 for I hope you have armor!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for I hope you have armor! --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> You take off an arm.
<Brian> While he's still alive, he's not liable to be shooting anyone any time soon.
Dracos ignores him, moving right to the next archer.
<Brian> Segment 12.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your attack roll.
Dracos charges ahead, bringing his blade around in a wide arc trying to hit as many archers as he can.
<Dracos> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> Are you actually trying to sweep multiple targets, or Move-By multiple targets?
<Brian> To move-by three targets, I need you to make three attack rolls, each at a -6 OCV penalty.
<Dracos> roll 3#3d6 for I am crazy
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3#3d6 for I am crazy --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}, [ 3d6=8 ]{8}, [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> All three attacks hit.
<Brian> Go ahead and roll your damage, which is going to be 2d6+1d3.
<Dracos> roll 2d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 2d6+1d3 --> [ 2d6=8 1d3=2 ]{10}
<Dracos> roll 2d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 2d6+1d3 --> [ 2d6=6 1d3=2 ]{8}
<Dracos> roll 2d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 2d6+1d3 --> [ 2d6=4 1d3=3 ]{7}
<Brian> roll 3#3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3#3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}, [ 3d6=15 ]{15}, [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> Stomach, legs, and head.  You think one of them (the last) is dead, but they all fell down, and were ar least KOed.
<Brian> This seems pretty swell, even though that took a lot out of you.  You've actually put a little distance between yourself and the rest of your charge, though.
<Brian> Another of those large armored ogres charges you from the mess.
<Brian> Segment 6.
Dracos breathes in and attempts to send the ogre's axe flying with a hard strike of his blade.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your Disarm roll.
<Dracos> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}
<Brian> That's a good hit!  Now roll 1#1d6 for every 5 points of STR you have.
<Dracos> roll 5d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 5d6 --> [ 5d6=28 ]{28}
<Brian> I'm sorry, that was 5d6, not 5#1d6.
<Dracos> roll 5#1d6 ;_;
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 5#1d6 ;_; --> [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}
<Brian> roll 4#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 4#1d6 --> [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}
<Brian> The ogre barely manages to retain control of his axe.
<Brian> He's pretty shocked and unhappy about this, too.
<Brian> Roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Dracos> Abort to block!
<Dracos> roll 3d6 to deflect that
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 to deflect that --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> That successfully blocks the incoming attack.
<Brian> This is one confused an unhappy Ogre.
<Brian> segment 12
<Brian> You act first (because you blocked).
Dracos tiredly stabs the ogre, trying to get some room to catch his breath.
<Dracos> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> That's a hit.  Go ahead and roll your damage.
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
<Dracos> roll 3d6 for stupid ogre
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for stupid ogre --> [ 3d6=17 ]{17}
<Brian> You shorten the ogre by the height of its thigh.  Too bad he didn't think of armor.
<Brian> Your charge catches up and flows past you at this point; you can either follow, or stay back and catch your breath.  That last attack cost you STUN.
Dracos stays back for a moment, spending some time to recover.
<Brian> We'll declare combat over here, since you just took out their commander, they're overwhelmed, and Rez's forces are falling on them from behind.


<Brian> Currently, Erik, Farwell, and about 17000 other storm-riders are running next to you, right into the read-guard of the Dreadmarch forces that are between you and Phil.  If you can cut your way through about three thousand armed rear-guard, then you've got almost nothing but archers to fight, and they tend to suck at melee.
<Rez> Tend to.
<Brian> The approach is currently a gentle slope, though it's quickly going to turn into a trap-filled pass, or a steep hill, with storm-rider pike-men at the top.
Rez grins cheerily. Some people are exceptions!
<Brian> Alrighty.  You're coming up on the rearguard, who see you coming (it's difficult to conceal 17k charging barbarians screaming bloody murder), and set to receive a charge.  The orcs and ogres have a defensive line that you're going to need to breach to reach their archers.
<Brian> If you fail to breach the line, they rain arrows on you and your forces.  This is a bad thing.
<Brian> Unfortunately, this defensive line is lined with orcish spears (and a few storm-rider pikes -- which is unsettling).
<Rez> Good thing we ain't cavalry, I guess!
<Brian> You are still rushing them, which means unless you stop to shoot at them, they'll get the first attack on you.
Rez continues charging. You don't stop in the middle of a mass rush, you get trampled!
<Brian> Okay.  You rush a spearman.  He's going to get the first attack on you.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> He's also going to hit you.
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
Rez is going to try to smash his spear out of the awy and block, if I can . . .
<Brian> I'll let you.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Blockage!
<Brian> Go ahead and make your block roll.
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Blockage! --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> Go ahead and roll for your transfer.
<Rez> roll 4d6 for Suck it down!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 4d6 for Suck it down! --> [ 4d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> The spear disintegrates with a 'foom!', your sword is now humming and shedding a (visible, in this darkness) golden light, and the orc's eyes have become saucer-sized.
<Brian> Phase 6, speed twos act, and you blocked, so you go first.
Rez is speed 3!
<Rez> Not that it affects the order here.
<Brian> True.  Phase 4, speed 3s, then.
Rez drops his two +1s onto Damage Class, and runs first and chops down onto the now unarmed (but not armoured) orc.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Chop Chop!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Chop Chop! --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}
<Brian> This is a hit.
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> Go ahead and roll your damage.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Damage!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Damage! --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> You sever a limb, and he goes down, howling in pain.  He's probably not dead, but doubly-unarmed, he's probably not as big a threat as the next orc running at you.
<Brian> Phase 6, speed 2s.
Rez sidesteps as he goes down, and holds his sword ready for the next orc.
<Brian> Another orc rushes to fill the gap in the defensive wall, and tries to run you through with a spear.
Rez aborts to block.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> Go ahead and make your block roll.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Blockage!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Blockage! --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> That's good, you deflect his spear.
<Brian> Roll your transfer.
<Rez> roll 4d6 for Transferance!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 4d6 for Transferance! --> [ 4d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> That's enough to crumble this weapon into fragments, leaving another stunned looking orc before you.  This kind of power is pretty awesome....
<Brian> The sword is now shedding enough light that the orcs can't look directly at it.
<Brian> phase 8, you recover your action.
<Brian> phase 12, everyone acts, you first.
Rez grins darkly.
Rez keeps his +1s on Damage Class, and lunges forward in an attempt to run the orc through.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Thrust! Parry! Riposte!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Thrust! Parry! Riposte! --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> Go ahead and roll your damage.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for SMACKDOWN
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for SMACKDOWN --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
<Brian> Your sword smoothly severs both jugular veins, without interfering with the spine.  The orc's head snaps back, and it bleeds out before it hits the snow.
<Brian> Post segment 12, everyone gets to take a recovery.
<Brian> Your men are rallying behind the fabulously deadly and glowing sword, but the enemy is also pressing their most powerful warriors at you, as well.
<Brian> Having a sword that glows brightly does make you stand out; better hope you can get to those archers soon.
<Brian> Segment four, speed threes.
Rez glances around - where's the nearest orc or whatnot?
<Brian> There's three armored, shield-bearing, axe-wielding ogres bearing directly towards you, shoving the lesser orcs aside in their haste.
<Rez> How far?
<Brian> You could reach them with a half-move, or hold your action, and they'll reach you on segment six while you've got a held action.
Rez raises his sword and yells loudly, "FLEE, WRETCHED ORCS, YOU CANNOT STAND AGAINST THE MIGHT OF THIS BLADE!"
<Rez> roll 11d6 for GET OUT OFF MY YARD!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 11d6 for GET OUT OFF MY YARD! --> [ 11d6=37 ]{37}
<Brian> The average orc's ego is 13.
<Rez> :)
<Brian> At 20 higher than their collected egos, the orcs flee.
<Brian> The ogres, however, stand their ground (though, they don't look happy about it), and the storm-riders behind you raise a deafening battle-cry.
<Brian> It's worth noting that the only directions that the orcs can flee, due to flanking, is into a cliff wall, or off the sides of the trench to the west.
<Rez> "THEN COME FORTH, AND FEED MY WRATH!"
<Brian> Regardless, the orcs are running to their own deaths, and the ogres, are marching towards yours.
<Brian> They hope.
<Brian> It is still your action.
Rez holds it and waits.
<Rez> Both my +2s are on OCV.
<Brian> Phase 6, speed 2s.  Three ogres, and one storm-riders.
<Brian> The ogres act first, and are all going to (obviously enough) attempt to hit you with their axes.
Rez whirls his sword, and moves to parry.
<Brian> roll 3#3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3#3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}, [ 3d6=15 ]{15}, [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> Okay.  All attacks will hit you (thanks to the cumulative attacker penalty) unless you can block them.
<Rez> roll 3#3d6 for Block-fu!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3#3d6 for Block-fu! --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}, [ 3d6=10 ]{10}, [ 3d6=3 ]{3}
<Brian> Surrounded by a cage of whirling axes, you deflect the axes of the ogres.
<Brian> It's worth noting, at this point, the exhilarating rush of realizing that at least half of the skill you're exhibiting here is skill you've refined yourself.  Skill with a blade you've honed since being newly introduced to the snowy wastes, so far away from the earth you were born on.
<Brian> Skill that, in all honesty, probably just saved your life.
<Brian> Now go ahead and roll your transfer.
<Rez> roll 3#4d6 for And now, you die.
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3#4d6 for And now, you die. --> [ 4d6=13 ]{13}, [ 4d6=15 ]{15}, [ 4d6=15 ]{15}
<Brian> All three axes are dusted; your sword is vibrating in your hands -- you think if you set it on a solid surface, the blade would sink through steel like butter.  The light doesn't blind you (or the enemies) but it's shedding enough light to illuminate everything for nearly a hundred meters in day-bright detail.
<Brian> Alec acts.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> roll 2d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2d6+1d3 --> [ 2d6=8 1d3=3 ]{11}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> And he actually decapitates one of the ogres.
<Brian> Segment 8, speed 3s.
<Rez> Both +1s on OCV, I sweep them - once each.
<Rez> roll 2#3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2#3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}, [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> You hit -- barely, the second time.
<Brian> Go ahead and roll your damages.
<Rez> roll 2#2d6+1
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2#2d6+1 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{8}, [ 2d6=7 ]{8}
<Brian> roll 2#3d6 for hit locations
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2#3d6 for hit locations --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}, [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> You snag a femoral artery on the first ogre, who collapses, and smash through the breastplate of the next.
<Brian> Even though it's gratuitous at this point, roll your transfer versus his armor.
<Rez> roll 4d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 4d6 --> [ 4d6=15 ]{15}
<Brian> His armor explodes into dust, just like the axes did.  If the light brightens, you can't really tell at this point.
<Brian> This ogre is not dead, though he's certainly not in a good way.
<Rez> Rez doesn't say anything, and simply glares death at the final ogre, raising his blade ready to strike again.
Rez draws in a breath.
<Rez> "YOU CANNOT STAND BEFORE ME, WRETCH! GET YOU GONE BEFORE I CLEAVE YOU IN TWAIN!"
<Rez> roll 14d6 for COWER, mortal!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 14d6 for COWER, mortal! --> [ 14d6=42 ]{42}
<Brian> The last few pockets of resistance turn and flee towards the abyss, throwing their weapons as they go.  You never even got to the archers, but they're already running.
<Brian> (Combat is over at this point).
<Brian> The storm-riders who ran with you are currently holding you in complete and total awe.
<Rez> Rez raises his sword and cries a wordless yell of triumphant exaltation!
<Brian> When you march over the rise, you find what Dreadmarch didn't dive to their deaths rather than face you, and Phil.

[Rezantis]

The first thing Rez does is walk towards Drac's force, bringing the army with him.

The second thing is to consider, briefly, the fact that he really is - personally - getting to be good with both the sword and the bow, and not just relying on the skill that's been gifted to him.  It's a good thought, but one that he shelves for consideration later.

The third thing Rez does is eye off the battlefield to ascertain roughly how much damage got done to Drac's forces before they arrived.  His own casualties, he figures, should be pretty minimal if the archers didn't even get off a volley.

The fourth thing Rez does, while walking towards Drac's force, is to eye off the battlefield and see if there are any supply wagons around.

Insult to injury, even if Dreadmarch rations do taste like crap!