Claim of the Rose: Storm the Gates, Pt 2 has started at Outside Arx - Lyceum near The Roseward - Tor - The Roseward - Outside the Roseward.

Dante wields The Edge of Perdition, rose-warded alaricite longsword.

It has been a day since the last skirmish resulted in a number of dead for either side. There has been a moment or two of respite, which soldiers have judiciously used to procure meals for themselves or find a healer to sew their wounds shut. Those that are dying are tended to, of course, but over night, the number of dead among House Eco's soldiers has increased. Very much so.

So the morning of this day, two days since the last battle, seem uneventful, for the most part. Sentries report little to no enemy movement, the occasional skirmish between archers and crossbowmen, and nothing else. That seems almost worrisome, especially as the siege engines outside have been reduced to half their original number, but a couple of catapults remain.

From the ramparts of the Old City, it almost seems as if this was just a nasty raid, and they've gone away. It couldn't be further from the truth.

Especially as those tremors begin.

The filth that accumulates in fighting is more than evident on Vicente. Grime, sweat, and blood is smeared where visible across his body. His beard looks wild and savage and at present he has remained near the pike. He has something of a crazed look in his eyes rather than his typical expressionless disposition. His hand clinches his sword and he turns his eyes to scan about for those other nobles and leaders of the forces.

Lora has been busy with various affairs of morale: praying, helping tend the wounded, praying with the wounded. It's been a long couple of days, even without the major upswing of violence that filled up the first day, but she's made of tough enough stuff that she hasn't let it show much. Yet. It is with the first of the tremors that she goes to find Count Eco and her husband, not necessarily in that order.

As the siege continues and Eco's men start to die off, the situation becomes increasingly grim. Dante's voice is nearly hoarse from barking out orders, blood spattered on his formerly shining diamondplate, the alaricite of his blade given a wipedown between skirmishes. Standing on top of one of the battlements, he gazes down at the notorious Vladislav pacing around on the bridge.

Lora checked perception + survival at difficulty 35, rolling 25 lower.

Dante checked perception + survival at difficulty 35, rolling 4 higher.

Vicente checked wits + war at difficulty 50, rolling 11 lower.

"They're going to dig under us. There's holes over in the ruins in the New City - likely it won't take long before we've got sappers beneath us or the walls." Dante calls out in a hoarse voice from his perch atop the battlements, looking for Lora and Vicente down below.

Of them all Lora is probably the easiest to pick out, even from a distance; she's still managed some blend of silk and steel and made a point of putting on a clean gown this morning. Maybe because there was too much blood on the one from yesterday. The news from above is dire though, and soon diverts her to find Vicente and his wall of pikemen. "Come with me. Bring a few of your..." What. Best-rested? Least wounded? Apparently she can't figure out what the best qualifier for conscripts here is.

Count Eco, such as it is, sustained some wounds in the fighting overnight. He's not too worse for wear, given that his rubicund chainmail, something he bought at dear cost to himself, has taken the worst of the punishment. Reporting to Lora with a bow of his head, he brings an assortment of twelve armored infantrymen with himself. "My lady, my lords, come with me. We've discovered something... preocuppying."

Vicente checked intellect + war at difficulty 55, rolling 24 lower.

Vicente glances over towards his men and barks out for roughly one in ten of his men that had been towards the middle of his line. He then leads them along behind Lora and says, "Of course." His tone more bark than flat at this point.

"Something preoccupying?" That doesn't sound good at all. Dante approaches Lora with Count Eco, a concerned expression upon his face. "I don't suppose it has something to do with sappers tunneling from below, would it? Since it would seem that there are," he reveals to the Count with a frown, listening to the Marquessa with his head tilted to the side. "I wonder what Vladislav is thinking."

The count's arrival and subsequent doomsaying temporarily interrupts Lora's chain of thought. She frowns at this, and at Eco, and then at the walls yonder that attempt to defend them all, despite the savage back and forth. "Show us," she acknowledges. And, Then, "Who is most familiar with the walls? Its weaknesses, its hidden accesses, smugglers' doors, anything at all that would maybe give access to those tunnels?"

"We've forbidden smuggling since the reign of my father, the late Ubert, but it is true that the Old City had been rebuilt a few times, in more uncertain periods. It is not unlikely that the bastard out there would know the weak spots if he captured the right person." The Count of Eco states, before nodding to the command and leading them to the cellar, just past what would be ordinarily a dungeon in a place where people would be kept in captivity. The stone floor is cracked, though not in a way that belies an impact from above, but rather as the result of something behind. Further inspection away from the pillar of the wall yields a hole big enough to stick one's hand in, and the sight of mud underneath it is clear enough to the perceptible.

"Do you want us to dig this out? Or fill it with debris?" He asks of the di Fidante.

Vicente looks to Dante and Lora and says, "If we just fill it in, we don't actually handle the problem do we? Would it be better to place the pressure on them and see if we can't route them from the back. The walls and soldiers filing out it might manage to demoralize them possibly."

"Do you have a vast quantity of flammable oil, Count Eco? If we dig it clear and dump oil down there and then set it ablaze, I imagine that would take them by very unpleasant surprise." Peering down the hole, Dante straightens back up and looks at the Count with a gesture towards the opening. Facing Lora and Vicente, he waits for their opinion too.

"If they make it entirely under the wall, the wall might collapse," says Lora, slowly. "There's no telling that oil would flow anywhere, that it would not simply pool here and burn and cause more structural damage. However, a few jars of it, set up midway and ignited when they are upon them..."

Vicente has an edge on him with all the talk of fire and he says, "It seems too likely to risk catching under girding on fire and, as you said, risking structural damage. I think I would still rather try to come up behind to ambush who we can. Perhaps we can collapse them if we have to do so on our way back. A few people ready to collapse the tunnels while we make our counter offensive as a defensive stance in case that fails?"

"We have some oil, mostly for the lamps. Our stock right now is a little tight, my Lord, especially given the loss of our outer city," Count Eco responds to the inquiry, though he offers, regardless, "I can spare a few jars and we can make sure they aren't trying anything funny on the ramparts while you send your group in."

"Sounds like it wouldn't be sufficient for a real conflagration in the tunnels," says Dante to Count Eco, then nods at Lora and Vicente in agreement. "Very well, I suppose taking a sortie down there while the Count ensures the ramparts remain clear. Perhaps we can find a spot to bring down the tunnels they're using."

Some very specific details of this plan are probably not what Lora was implying but she doesn't counter it; her expression fixes mostly neutral, but for the tension that thins her mouth out. What she ends up with, where she ends up, is "Be careful." Then, "In the meantime we should ensure they aren't making similar attempts in other places around the wall. Or using this to distract from some other endeavor entirely."

"Archers to cover where this exits for the initial departure to help ensure we can get enough men out initially?" Vicente asks flatly to Dante, "Any little edge to turn things our way. Thoughts?"

The set of Lora's lips is noticed by Dante. "Is there a part of what we suggested you would rather not see done? That's a good idea as well, just in case they are working on two things at once. Or if this is meant to be a diversion." He considers Vicente's question. "Can the archers hit from that distance? Also, we'd be giving it away that we know what they're doing. Perhaps just a barrage of arrows in their general area?"

Vicente checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 6 lower.

Vicente checked command + war at difficulty 35, rolling 12 higher.

Dante checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 24 higher.

Dante checked command + leadership at difficulty 35, rolling 9 higher.

Lora checked command + leadership at difficulty 35, rolling 8 higher.

The digging is uneventful; though the noises of activity come from the tunnel, they realize. Eventually, however, they manage to dig out a tunnel that allows for two men, standing shoulder to shoulder, can make their way past the narrow passage and into one that's dripping with water. The lagoon is overhead, serving ever of the reminder of the precariousness of this construction, and their enemies lie right up ahead. A panicked sapper drops a barrel containing something on the floor and starts running, while another approaches with a shoddily-built spear in hand.

That one is summarily cut down. But then there's the sound of troops, and here come some of Vladislav's best armored and armed men, rubicund-tipped short swords and axes wielded as they close in.

Amund GM Roll checked command(4) + war(4) at difficulty 40, rolling 6 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + medium wpn(3) at difficulty 40, rolling 8 lower.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + medium wpn(4) at difficulty 40, rolling 39 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + medium wpn(5) at difficulty 40, rolling 2 higher.

Vicente checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 12 lower.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 11 higher.

Vladislav's men attack Vicente, their vicious onslaught bound to test his armor. 75 inflicted and Vicente is unharmed.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 20 higher.

Vicente checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 12 lower.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(2) at difficulty 40, rolling 7 higher.

Amund has rolled 10 10-sided dice: 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10

Vicente makes his way down into the tunnel with Dante. His sword in hand and ready to charge forward. At the sight of the enemy, he takes a blow from the sword that slides across his armor. His own attempt to swing his sword is hindered by both the strike that comes against him and the confined space preventing his ability to swing in his natural arc. Yet he is able to stay on his feet and attempt to maintain his positioning.

The tunnel counterassault could have gotten off on a better foot, the sound giving them away and forcing hand-to-hand combat nearly immediately. While the first assailant goes down quickly, the more trained and better equipped pair prove to be more difficult. Dante ducks a sword stabbed towards his head, barely missing, while the Marquis' alaricite blade flashes in the poorly lit tunnel, running his combatant through the gut. As the villain falls, Dante pulls out his sword, readying for the next enemy to close.

While that one assailant fighting Vicente is tied up, another occupies the one fallen by Dante's feet. This man carries a mace instead of a cutting weapon, and he immediately tries to put it to good use. Other than the sound of metal clashing against metal in the immediate vicinities, at least it doesn't seem like the sappers have been jealously guarded as they do their work.

Lora checked perception + performance at difficulty 40, rolling 6 higher.

Lora isn't going into the tunnel. There isn't room, and there isn't any particular reason for her to be there: she'd be in the way. Instead, after the defenders have disappeared into the tunnel she falls back and heads up to the walls again, half in oversight of what's going on outside of the walls, half to watch to see if anyone makes it out of the hole on the far side.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + medium wpn(4) at difficulty 40, rolling 14 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + medium wpn(3) at difficulty 40, rolling 9 lower.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 8 higher.

The Remnant soldier scores a hit on Dante, but it's likely not strong enough to perforate armor. 40 inflicted and Dante is unharmed.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 26 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(3) at difficulty 40, rolling 7 lower.

Amund has rolled 10 10-sided dice: 1, 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 7, 9, 9, 10

Vicente checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 15 lower.

When the guy with the mace comes for him, Dante turns and lets the blow glance off of his shoulder, then swats at the mace with his diamondplate gauntlet. An opening of a few seconds is all he needs, the longsword hacking down to open up the Remnant soldier's shoulder with a slick cutting sound, severing tendons and blood vessels, exposing bone.

Lora checked command + performance at difficulty 40, rolling 3 higher.

Lora did go up to the ramparts, right? Back to the wall? Perhaps she went to find reinforcements for that tiny tunnel because, behind the small group that followed Dante and Vicente in, there are footsteps. Lots of footsteps. It's hard to tell how many there are, thanks to the echoes off the damp rock, but there seem to be a lot of them, all wearing plate, as the clatter of metal soon becomes a bit of a ruckus. Of course the tail end of their contingent will quickly realize that it is only a handful of guards, maybe all that could be spared, but what they lack in numbers they make up for in determined volume.

Vicente continues to make his attacks in the tunnel but still seems unable to manage to get his swings more restrained for the confines of the tunnel. There's the continued pushing and shoving and general commotion but Vicente is all but useless here.

There is a hurried retreat after Lora's gambit, though the man on the verge of death that Dante has almost felled is definitely going to be an easy mark now that his backup has effectively fled the scene. Once he's taken care of, in whichever way, there is the path ahead.

The tunnel widens, rather than narrows, and proceeding past the muddy part will lead to a clearing on the far side, a little to the left. There, it can be seen, is a group of men, rolling a barrel into the tunnel.

Barrel. Probably filled with oil. Definitely trouble. "Spearmen, throw them at the soldiers rolling the barrel. Everyone else, charge them - and by the names of the Gods don't allow them to get fire anywhere near it!" Dante hollers out, then points with his sword - and then charges for the barrel pushing men, ready to cut them down - but especially anyone holding fire nearby.

Dante checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 13 higher.

Vicente checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 2 higher.

Making his way through the tunnel Vicente hears Dante's direction and pushes forward with those that need further direction. He still has his sword at his side prepared to attack but he's still holding it more as if he were out in the open rather than in a tunnel.

The true extense of the sappers' work can be appreciated from this vantage. At least four tunnels have been dug, though two of them seem to have been blocked shut -- likely they struck water and sank. Two, however, including this one, are still active. The sound of marching through the tunnels has set the sappers into a definite retreat, their digging has ceased, the barrels rolled away to be carried off.

From a distance, a detachment of troops seems ready to march towards the tunnels and likely sally out against these bold defenders, but given the numbers on their ranks, it might not be a wise decision to engage. They might be expecting more soldiers.

Further, Dante's men secure that one barrel they were rolled in. Perhaps it can be used to render this tunnel useless, as well. Perhaps not.

were rolling in*

With the barrel secure, Vicente allows his eyes to scan the length of the tunnel momentarily since the enemy troops are in retreat. He eyes Dante momentarily and yells through, "Well? Try to force the attack out or play the defensive longer?" His eyes scan at the other tunnel still open and adds, "Or try to just ruin the work they've done so far?" His sword remains in the ready but his gaze is shifting back towards their positions defensively and then occasionally over towards the enemy lines.

Observing down the tunnel through the slit in his helm's visor, Dante turns to consider his uncle's questions. "Let's ruin this segment of the tunnels if we can. Perhaps this barrel will be enough to collapse at least this one segment. If we can force them to use only one tunnel, that'll choke off a lot of what they can bring through. Let's try that and back up to where we faced them before and see what comes through." Looking over the troops, "Any of you handy with setting barrels on fire to bring down a tunnel?"

A volunteer steps forth, holding a torch. "Might get messy fast, I suggest running, my Lord." The soldier nods, then, and starts rolling the barrel down, against a place where there should be a pillar if the intent was truly building a tunnel instead of just a way to demolish some walls.

Once Dante, Vicente and the others have cleared, the soldier does climb out of the whole, wherein one can hear a loud boom, and the sound of water filling in the hole left behind by the explosion. That's one tunnel rendered useless.

Meanwhile, the di Fidante can hear the sound of fighting on the ramparts, though it does not seem to be too extensive -- a number of Remnants have been setting makeshift bridges made of planks and made the distance, carrying flimsy ladders. The question lies with destroying the last tunnel or joining the people in the Ramparts.

Having fled the tunnel, Vicente does not stop immediately at the exit but moves well clear before stopping. He stops momentarily to look towards Dante and says, "I could take the ramparts if you wanted to take the other tunnel. We could switch if you want but I assume the tunnel needs to be stopped if we can't break out for a counter." His eyes look back towards the tunnel that has just had the barrel set.

The soldier advises to get out, Dante takes him at his word and hurries down the tunnel to rally with Vicente and their men back up out of the hole. Listening to his uncle, he nods and taps fingertips along the hilt of his sword. Then he looks for Lora. "Tell them to call out to Vladislav that I wish to speak with him. I will issue a challenge to one on one combat in the name of Gloria."

Explosions in the tunnels are not especially promising sounds. Lora waits with a handful of soldiers outside for them to make it back, wan and wary. She also listens, nodding slightly at Vicente's volunteering. She nods, anyway, right up until Dante makes his decision, when whatever was left of the color in her features goes away entirely. It is a couple of moments before she responds, and that is only to bow her head a little; what is there to say? So away she goes, to find Eco's herald, someone loud enough to be heard below, to properly issue the terms of the challenge.

So the challenge is sounded by the Herald. The response comes from Vladislav himself: an arrow shot into the battlements of the wall, narrowly missing the throat of the herald himself. Rolled around the shaft is said arrow and one can read it clearly: "I accept."

So there they are, the duelists. The bridge is drawn, and crowds of combatants of either side gather around at the edges. It is down to Dante against Vladislav.

No doubt it'll be a difficult fight.

Vladislav has taken a near-mythical status, a giant of a man that Dante has never seen up close. That's about to change. When the herald nearly gets got with an arrow to the throat, the Marquis squints and grasps his sword by the hilt, point gently into the soft earth. Kneeling, he whispers a prayer to Gloria while steadying his nerves for the fight against the Commander - for he has staked it all on one fight, now. When finished, he rises and gives Lora a warm kiss and salutes his uncle and the Count. "Let us hope Gloria smiles on me this day." Afterwards, he goes to stand against Vladislav.

Vladislav is indeed a beast of a man. He is very tall, and his muscles are thick, overdeveloped to a point that seems almost unhealthy for him. Or perhaps unnatural. The man moves with ease in his armor, despite the weight, and he brings his diamondplate pike to bear. Circling around Dante in the bridge, he seems about to strike -- but then doesn't. It isn't out of hesitation.

He's looking for the right avenue, just like any predator. Giving the man his due, he seems to adhere to the rules of righteous dueling.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) at difficulty 10, rolling 6 higher.

It's traditional to give champions favors, and maybe Lora didn't expect one to be needed here today. All the same once Dante finishes his prayer she gives him one, removing one of her bracelets. A decorative bit of gold, strung with a number of tiny beads. A little bird, a tiny starfish, a thirteen-pointed star, the sword of Gloria. There aren't even any good places to fix it, but she finds one, fastening it around one of the straps that secures his armor. She kisses him then and steps back to join her uncle and the Count, entirely expressionless.

Dante checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 7 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

Amund has rolled 10 10-sided dice: 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 8, 8, 8, 9, 10

Amund has rolled 8 10-sided dice: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 58 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 34 higher.

Amund has rolled 11 10-sided dice: 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8

Vladislav attacks Dante with a powerful cleave. 85 inflicted and Dante is unharmed.

Huge. A giant. Dante is no small man himself, tall and well-built, but Vladislav is - kind of a monster. The Marquis stands before him, giving the enemy a dip of his head in respect. When he circles around him on the bridge, the di Fidante starts to move with careful grace. Each step calculated, he waits until he can find a right moment to strike - when the Remnant commander moves a bit slowly for a second, he lashes forth with the Edge of Perdition, grasping the blade in his left hand halfway down the length to drive it into his chest, leaving a bloody wound. Perhaps it was the bracelet that Lora gave him, with the little beads upon it. He glances at it with a smile, then steps back in a hurry.

For his part, Vladislav howls in pain when Dante stabs him through the chest. But it isn't enough to make him fall, nor was it particularly fatal. The howl, though, that is unnatural, ending abruptly. The pike is lifted and then swung quickly towards Dante, seeking to cleavehim on the side. The attack is stopped by the Sword of Tor's armor, and he steps back to lift his weapon over head and bear it down once again at his enemy, his expression twisted in hateful rage.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 73 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 74 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 29 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Amund has rolled 10 10-sided dice: 1, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

After Dante makes a poorly timed swing that misses Vladislav by a mile, the diamondplate pike nearly catches him but goes wide. The Marquis recovers and spins on his heel, narrowing his eyes into mossy green slits. Watching for an ideal time to strike, he leaps like a cat in full plate, slashing upwards and catching the Remnant leader right along the collarbone, shaving flesh and muscle away and leaving blood dripping in his wake.

The flesh and muscle is indeed sheared from Vladislav, and that just makes the towering man look more frightening, the blood leaking out from the wound as he attempts to respond to Dante's attack with one of his own. It flies wide, and he steps back, bringing the pike back, also; as if ready to charge Dante.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 20 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

All all around, soldiers on both sides are yelling, cheering, calling threats and insults, but otherwise it is about as civil as such a duel can be expected to be, no doubt. At least the ceasefire has held, people crowding in to watch the blood. And there is now a fair bit of it, red on pale plate. There's no sound from Lora, though. She's just pale, very pale, unable to do anything but watch with slightly glassy fixation.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 24 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Amund has rolled 2 10-sided dice: 2, 2

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

A vicious slash is aimed for Vladislav's neck but the gorget stops Dante's blade cold, the sound of metal crashing on metal loud around the bridge and everyone who has come to watch, the cheering and cursing momentarily stopped. The Marquis shakes his head, then steps back to prepare for another attack.

Likewise, Vladislav's lunge with the spiked end of his pike doesn't work the way he thinks, Dante stepping out of the way just before it connects. He recovers his momentum with surprising ease, lifting the poleaxe for another attack as he charges forth.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 52 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 53 higher.

Amund has rolled 4 10-sided dice: 1, 2, 5, 7

Vladislav manages a brutal attack at Dante's chest. 75 inflicted and Dante is unharmed.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 25 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 52 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 42 higher.

Amund has rolled 9 10-sided dice: 1, 3, 5, 6, 6, 7, 9, 9, 10

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 21 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 32 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Vladislav manages to score a nasty blow to Dante's shoulder! 90 inflicted and Dante is unharmed.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 41 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 15 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 41 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 13 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 57 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 29 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 142 higher. Amund GM Roll rolled a critical!

Dante checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 6 higher. Dante rolled a critical!

Because even if it catches Lora's favor, there's still a damn powerful attack to reckon with. 99 inflicted and Dante is unharmed.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 48 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 17 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 72 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 46 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 26 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 19 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 34 higher.

Amund has rolled 9 10-sided dice: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 48 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 44 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 64 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 56 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Dante receives another of Vladislav's attacks -- a nasty jab. 100 inflicted and Dante is unharmed.

Dante receives another of Vladislav's attacks - a rear slice. 99 inflicted and Dante is harmed for minor damage.

It is a nasty, mostly even fight. Dante has an advantage, from the various wounds inflicted on Vladislav, and the fact his armor has held steady despite the many assaults by the Remnant cavalryman. Vladislav is struck once again at the gorget, stabbed at the throat, but it doesn't seem to deter him, strangely. The blood leaks over the pale armor, just as he becomes more and more aggressive. Somehow, that also means that is responsive in his defense, often keeping Dante at bay to parry his strikes.

Stepping back suddenly after Dante goes for his throat once more, he tries for a lunge, but it goes wide. Then, they come at each other again, and Vladislav just gets the better of it. His weapon sweeps and catches Dante -- straight towards that area of the ribs that would allow him to pierce Dante's heart outright. But it doesn't, as it snags Lora's charm and rips it away; it seems that Limerance smiles upon the Sword of Tor today. Another couple of attacks and finally the Remnants' leader's pike comes away bloody. At great expense to himself.

Vicente watches but does not appear especially worried at any point in the battle. He eyes the swinging back and forth but there appears to be less to worry about as the fight continues. At one point, he pulls out his flask of vodka and looks for Lora to ensure she's holding up well. If she's around he offers her a drink from the flask.

"Surrender, Vladislav, and I will guarantee your life as an honorable opponent! Your people will be allowed to settle in the Roseward peaceably and contribute to it. You do not need to meet your end here, unless that is how you wish it." The charm that gets ripped away by the strike that could have taken his life is blessed, or close enough to have Dante gazing back at Lora for a moment with deep gratitude, then he prepares to strike at his for once more, should Vladislav not toss down his pike and go onto a knee.

Amund GM Roll checked willpower(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 37 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 46 higher.

The only response Dante gets is yet another charge by the monstrously tall man, along with a blood-curdling howl.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + huge wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 55 higher.

Amund GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + dodge(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Amund has rolled 8 10-sided dice: 2, 2, 4, 4, 7, 9, 9, 10

Vladislav manages yet another scary charge attack. 100 inflicted and Dante is harmed for moderate damage.

After making a generous offer and having it met with a crazed howl, Dante prepares for another clash of arms. Vladislav charges at him, and Dante leaps forward to lash out at the huge man's neck. This time, the alaricite bites true and severs half of his throat in a wet, slick sound - but not before that pike bites him right in the gut, hard enough to pierce the diamondplate and cause a nasty scratch. A bleeder, but nothing that penetrates anything vital. The Marquis lands on a knee, turning to look backwards with his sword partially flat against the bridge.

Vicente watches the conclusion of the battle, taking another drink from his flask after the man refuses to bend the knee. Vicente does not seem especially disturbed by the death of Vlad, perhaps even a touch relieved. As he sees the man preparing to hit the ground though, Vicente is already heading down to organize out a sally and attempt any type of route or capture of forces that might not immediately bend the knee.

Lora is difficult to miss: she stands on the far end of the bridge, watching, unable to do anything else. To concentrate on anything else. Is she holding up? It's difficult to tell; it's long moments before she realizes Vicente is offering the flask an she shakes her head at him. The sweep of the pike that almost spears Dante instead sends the bright links of her bracelet flashing through the air and she sucks in a breath. A little too early, maybe, because it's clear that the fight has worn them down. Worn Dante down, and when the pike does finally make it through his plate she's the one who looks like she just got stabbed in the gut.

It's not easy. The light in his eyes dim as his head is nearly severed clean, and he's falling backwards, into the water. He sinks like a heavy stone while his men stand, stunned, and stare at the Sword of Tor. They all bend the knee, obeying the terms of the duel, while the soldiers of House Eco cheer with the victory. They cheer, then fall silent. One third of their holding is fully destroyed, and it will take years to rebuild it to its former glory, but before further bloodshed could occur, the Sword of Tor fought a battle to the death and survived. Perhaps due to the power of love and devotion, perhaps by sheer luck. It will be hard to know.

The giant topples and Dante murmurs a prayer, wiping some blood off of his forehead. When he stands and watches the soldiers of House Eco cheer, they and their Count are given a grim smile before the Sword hobbles over to Lora. Their holding is in bad shape, but for now they'll know peace. Sheathing his sword after giving it a quick wipe, he gives the Marquessa a kiss and sighs with a gaze over their new subjects. "I wish he had surrendered, but at least the rest will survive. Thanks to Gloria, Limerance, and you and your charms, love."

With the victory ensured, Vicente allows the soldiers to stand down.

When it's clear that the leader of the Remnant is not going to get up Lora finally moves, crossing to meet Dante about halfay across the bridge. She crouches there to retrieve her bracelet from where it's caught between boards, slim fingers prying it loose with painstaking care, and it's clutched almost as tightly as Dante is when he reaches her. "Thank Josephine," she adds quietly.