Post by Thomas Arrowford on Apr 16, 2014 5:44:30 GMT -8
Unrestricted entry (it measures 50x50 studs)
Wyvern Pass par Invicta Bricks, sur Flickr
After an uneventful, but pleasant journey through the vast grasslands and golden sandscapes of Loreos they reached the border with the outlaw lands.
They had learned, from their conversations with other travellers that the main border crossings had a heavy presence of the Queen’s guard and so had diverted somewhat from the main routes south. As they picked their way up one of the less travelled mountain paths, they hoped to be able to slip over the border with the minimum of fuss.
The recent history of hostility between Loreos and the outlaw lands had driven a large fortification program all along the border and there were very few paths where at least some sort of Loreesi defensive structure had been erected. Unfortunately this had all been to no avail. For when the Queen assumed her throne via the back door, the entire system of border watchtowers and way castles had been commandeered by the Queen’s troops with little chance for resistance. In one fell swoop, one of the greatest strategic military assets of Roawia had been turned against its own builders. There was no quiet way over the border.
“There’s only three guards.” Gunnar had been scouting ahead. “Right at the top of the pass. One stands at the top of the tower with a crossbow. The others tend to mill around an old miners cottage that seems to be their living quarters. The path passes right between the tower and the cottage. The cliffs each side prevent anyone sneaking past.”
“Only three and we are four.” Kareti, one of Thomas’s men, was willing.
“Yes, but while we could certainly push through the two on the path, what of the crossbow on top of the tower? We have no ranged weapons to take him out and the risk of a quarrel in the back as we ride through is too great.”
“Hmm…” Thomas thought for a moment. “Crossbows take time to reload. If we can get close to the men on the ground, there may be a way. Who’s the quickest at getting up stairs?”
All three remained looking at Thomas.
“You need knees for stairs.” smiled Gunnar “Only the young have knees.”
“Ok, let’s dismount here and Artis can stay with the horses. Here’s the plan…”
Thomas, Gunnar and Kareti made their way up the path slowly with their weapons concealed under their cloaks. The guards pleased for anything to break their boredom watched them come.
“Ah, the Queen’s finest” called Thomas as he neared “You’ll be the perfect people to ask.”
“Ask what?” replied one of the soldiers.
Thomas spoke slowly to allow him time to reach the man. “We are locksmiths and been sent to repair a door lock on one of the watchtowers, but there seems to be confusion as to whether it is the tower at Carlathra or the one here. As this was nearest, we came here first. Were we right?”
“No. There is no lock on the door here.”
“Oh that’s good to know.” replied Thomas, as in one swift movement he drew and plunged his shortsword into the guard.
Wyvern Pass - Part 2 par Invicta Bricks, sur Flickr
As the guard dropped to his knees Thomas grabbed his collar and hauled him back up. Behind him he could hear Gunnar and Kareti close on the other guard and he stepped back dragging the guard with him to provide cover.
With a thwack a quarrel skimmed past Thomas’s ear and skittered across the stone path. “Go!” yelled Kareti and Gunnar together and Thomas dropped the dead guard and ran for the tower door.
Thomas could hear the crossbowman above curse at his miss as he ducked back down to begin reloading. Thomas hauled the tower door open. The race was on.
Vignette Category (8x8 studs with minimal overhang - mainly the guard
Through the Trapdoor (Wyvern Pass Part 3) par Invicta Bricks, sur Flickr
As Thomas dashed up the stairs he was envisaging the motions the crossbowman would have to go through.
First he would drop the end of his crossbow to the floor and insert his foot into the stirrup. Then he would use both hands to draw back the bow and lock it off. If he was strong this would only take him seconds. Then he would load the quarrel. There would be no need for him to wind on extra tension as he didn’t need the range. Thomas would be emerging right next to him.
As Thomas neared the trapdoor he was struck with a sudden thought. What if the man had another weapon? Surely he would then just drop the crossbow and be stood poised over the trapdoor.
Thomas’s momentum wouldn’t let him stop, but he was able to divert. With a roar more of fright then anything he else, he burst through the trapdoor keeping low and dived towards where he hoped the guard’s feet may be.
He was hopelessly wrong. The guard was not where he thought he was. To make matters worse the guard had (just) reloaded in time and was raising his crossbow to meet the threat. But the suddenness and noise, with which Thomas burst through, unnerved the guard who thought half an army had come up the stairs. He pulled hard on the trigger and instantly regretted it.
With a THUNK the quarrel embedded itself into the back of the trapdoor. Thomas jumped to his feet and eyed the now unarmed guard.
“You’re a quick re-loader” smiled Thomas. “Shame about your aim.”
Wyvern Pass par Invicta Bricks, sur Flickr
After an uneventful, but pleasant journey through the vast grasslands and golden sandscapes of Loreos they reached the border with the outlaw lands.
They had learned, from their conversations with other travellers that the main border crossings had a heavy presence of the Queen’s guard and so had diverted somewhat from the main routes south. As they picked their way up one of the less travelled mountain paths, they hoped to be able to slip over the border with the minimum of fuss.
The recent history of hostility between Loreos and the outlaw lands had driven a large fortification program all along the border and there were very few paths where at least some sort of Loreesi defensive structure had been erected. Unfortunately this had all been to no avail. For when the Queen assumed her throne via the back door, the entire system of border watchtowers and way castles had been commandeered by the Queen’s troops with little chance for resistance. In one fell swoop, one of the greatest strategic military assets of Roawia had been turned against its own builders. There was no quiet way over the border.
“There’s only three guards.” Gunnar had been scouting ahead. “Right at the top of the pass. One stands at the top of the tower with a crossbow. The others tend to mill around an old miners cottage that seems to be their living quarters. The path passes right between the tower and the cottage. The cliffs each side prevent anyone sneaking past.”
“Only three and we are four.” Kareti, one of Thomas’s men, was willing.
“Yes, but while we could certainly push through the two on the path, what of the crossbow on top of the tower? We have no ranged weapons to take him out and the risk of a quarrel in the back as we ride through is too great.”
“Hmm…” Thomas thought for a moment. “Crossbows take time to reload. If we can get close to the men on the ground, there may be a way. Who’s the quickest at getting up stairs?”
All three remained looking at Thomas.
“You need knees for stairs.” smiled Gunnar “Only the young have knees.”
“Ok, let’s dismount here and Artis can stay with the horses. Here’s the plan…”
Thomas, Gunnar and Kareti made their way up the path slowly with their weapons concealed under their cloaks. The guards pleased for anything to break their boredom watched them come.
“Ah, the Queen’s finest” called Thomas as he neared “You’ll be the perfect people to ask.”
“Ask what?” replied one of the soldiers.
Thomas spoke slowly to allow him time to reach the man. “We are locksmiths and been sent to repair a door lock on one of the watchtowers, but there seems to be confusion as to whether it is the tower at Carlathra or the one here. As this was nearest, we came here first. Were we right?”
“No. There is no lock on the door here.”
“Oh that’s good to know.” replied Thomas, as in one swift movement he drew and plunged his shortsword into the guard.
Wyvern Pass - Part 2 par Invicta Bricks, sur Flickr
As the guard dropped to his knees Thomas grabbed his collar and hauled him back up. Behind him he could hear Gunnar and Kareti close on the other guard and he stepped back dragging the guard with him to provide cover.
With a thwack a quarrel skimmed past Thomas’s ear and skittered across the stone path. “Go!” yelled Kareti and Gunnar together and Thomas dropped the dead guard and ran for the tower door.
Thomas could hear the crossbowman above curse at his miss as he ducked back down to begin reloading. Thomas hauled the tower door open. The race was on.
Vignette Category (8x8 studs with minimal overhang - mainly the guard
Through the Trapdoor (Wyvern Pass Part 3) par Invicta Bricks, sur Flickr
As Thomas dashed up the stairs he was envisaging the motions the crossbowman would have to go through.
First he would drop the end of his crossbow to the floor and insert his foot into the stirrup. Then he would use both hands to draw back the bow and lock it off. If he was strong this would only take him seconds. Then he would load the quarrel. There would be no need for him to wind on extra tension as he didn’t need the range. Thomas would be emerging right next to him.
As Thomas neared the trapdoor he was struck with a sudden thought. What if the man had another weapon? Surely he would then just drop the crossbow and be stood poised over the trapdoor.
Thomas’s momentum wouldn’t let him stop, but he was able to divert. With a roar more of fright then anything he else, he burst through the trapdoor keeping low and dived towards where he hoped the guard’s feet may be.
He was hopelessly wrong. The guard was not where he thought he was. To make matters worse the guard had (just) reloaded in time and was raising his crossbow to meet the threat. But the suddenness and noise, with which Thomas burst through, unnerved the guard who thought half an army had come up the stairs. He pulled hard on the trigger and instantly regretted it.
With a THUNK the quarrel embedded itself into the back of the trapdoor. Thomas jumped to his feet and eyed the now unarmed guard.
“You’re a quick re-loader” smiled Thomas. “Shame about your aim.”
LoR - Myles of Lenfald --------- 
