The Secret History of the Order of the Holy Lance (RP - TLW)

[Dan the Man]

Adriano Mancini and his small band of monks arrive in the Collinese capital to pledge their new order's allegiance to the Duke.

[Barry Goldwater]

OOC: Aight, I think I'll manage this personally.

The monks arrive at a crowded recruitment and levy center. Thousands of conscripts are kissing their wives, girlfriends and children goodbye or else being escorted by rough-looking Grand Ducal veterans, and a recruiter is arguing over prices with a crowd of mercenaries. He sees Mancini and bellows,

"You're another one, aren't you?! Vultures, you're all vultures looking for money, it's the same everywhere - but even a vulture can be of use under the Biancofiore! D'you have any combat experience at all?!"

[Dan the Man]

"Please, sir. We are warriors of Christ, not mere mercenaries. We have no combat experience, but we have trained ourselves for several years in the use of the horse, the sword, and the lance."

[Barry Goldwater]

"That so, eh? Hmph...let me think...your background, holy man? Hope you've at least got a few drops of blue blood coursing through your veins, it's what all the officers are looking for..."

[Dan the Man]

"My father is...was...a Collinese nobleman." Adriano begins, carefully avoiding mentioning his status as a bastard son. "I joined a monastery upon my coming of age."

[Barry Goldwater]

"Er, OK?...I'll ask you why later, if I remember...fine, last question - your boss just took a town and, heheh, wants to exercise his prima noctis. You just gonna sit back and let him, try to defend the serfs' daughters - by killing him, if you have to - even if it means you could be branded an outlaw or even killed on the spot, or even join him?"

[Dan the Man]

Adriano sighs. He knows what's coming.

"Sir," he begins, slowly. "As soldiers of Christ, my men and I cannot, and will not, look the other way as a woman's honor is defiled, no matter the rank of the man committing the crime against her. I would die in her defense, and my brothers with me. Our holy duty to God as monks comes first, and our status as soldiers of the realm second."

[Barry Goldwater]

Surprisingly, the recruiter grins and claps.

"Good answer! Our Grand Duke fancies himself one of the 'last knights', not a chance in hell he'll allow someone to pull that off under his watch. You should do fine in the Esercito - you an' your boys and hired!"

[Dan the Man]

The monks cheer.

"Wonderful! God's blessings upon you, noble officer! To whom shall we report?"

[Barry Goldwater]

The recruiter points at a large castle on the other side of Lampsaco, where the Biancofiore is flying high and proud over the battlements.

"None other than His Highness the Grand Duke. He's actually preparing to go on campaign right now, so you'd better hurry while he's still reviewing his army."

[Dan the Man]

The monks rush over to the castle.

[Barry Goldwater]

At the Castello di Biancofiore, the young Grand Duke is inspecting his new army. None seem to notice the newcomers, save for a few Heavy Pikemen who sneer at them and an Elmeti who throws them one disdainful look before turning away. The Granduca seems to be wrapping up a speech...



"...good men, I have nothing left to say to you. You know who are in the wrong, who must fall by your bright swords for invading our beautiful country and despoiling it, for killing our men and boys and raping our women and girls. We will march tomorrow morning to oppose the evil Bergamese invaders from the north once again - until then, have a good night's sleep!"

[Dan the Man]

OOC: Now what?

[Barry Goldwater]

OOC: Go to bed for the night

[Dan the Man]

The monks say their prayers and go to bed.
ZzzzZzzzZzzzZzzzZzzzZzzz

[Barry Goldwater]

The next morning, the Granduca has mustered his force just outside the city, and riding in plate armor with sword in hand he cries,

"Right, men! From now to harvest season we will oppose the Bergamese at every turn. These scoundrels are every bit as bad as their wicked Prince, and as we can expect no mercy from them we must show them none. Within the next six months we shall drive them back where they came from, and God willing we'll chase them back all the way to Bergamo and rid this island of their evil presence once and for all! My scouts report that the younger Albizzi brother and his fellow pawns of the Walking Mountain of Death will be challenging us, so it is him and his army that we will have to destroy! Let us go forth - now!"

The Grand Duke's army begins its march northeast...

[Dan the Man]

The Order follows, but keeps a slight distance, so as to extend the army's knowledge of the surrounding area through their nightly scout reports. The brothers, however, only monitor enemy positions, and do not participate in any raids, as they refuse to spill the blood of innocent civilians.

[Barry Goldwater]

Many boring weeks later, the Brothers hear some unfamiliar voices in the woods while on their nightly patrol. On closer inspection, it appears they have run into a Bergamese raiding party...

Enemies:
1x Light Horseman (Sergente da Mare - commander)
2x Swordsmen
2x Arquebusiers

[Dan the Man]

Adriano withdraws a small hunting horn from his pack, and blows it as loud as he can, partially to scare the raiders off, and partially to call for help. The other monks begin to chant loudly to the heavens, begging for God's aid.

OOC: You'd be pretty freaked out if you were marching through the woods and suddenly heard a trumpet and a bunch of men shouting, right?

[Barry Goldwater]

The surprised raiders fall back after firing off a shot, and three rather disheveled-looking men come into sight of the Order; a flamboyantly-dressed mercenary with a rapier and buckler, an armored pikeman wearing the green of the Grand Duchy and a mercenary arquebusier. The flamboyantly dressed man says,

"What the hell happened? This better be good, I was having a good dream too..."

OO: Your reinforcements are:
1x Blade Dancer
1x Granducale Picchieri
1x Arquebusier