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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Mar 12, 2019 9:52:35 GMT 1
Mikel had not yet had a chance to get to know Ser Davos Dayne. They had seen each other often enough since his arrival and made small talk, but nothing more. Today might be the perfect day to change that. House Dayne had a better reputation then most Houses when it came to skill and arms and honorable conduct. So it might be taken as a considerate gesture, if Davos was the sort of man his House was known to produce, to offer Davos the first chance against Mikel in his new suit of armor which Otho had gifted him. Finally ready, and beautiful. The armor was wonderfully made and beautifully crafted. He sat admiring it and the new belt, scabbard, gloves and boots he thought matched it wonderfully. He would continue to admire it until Harold returned with Ser Davos's answer. |
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 12, 2019 16:35:50 GMT 1
Harold did not return with an answer, he returned with Ser Davos himself.
"Ser Mikel, thank you for the invitation. I have been somewhat lax in my practice since my return form Essos - a fault in need of correcting."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Mar 14, 2019 1:42:03 GMT 1
"I imagine a break in training will not be so consequential for a man of House Dayne." Mikel knew time away from the training yard could cost a man of any bloodline his life, but his words were meant to be a respectful courtesy for Davos, and he was polite in its delivery. "And I thank you for joining me. We have not have much of a chance to speak with each other so far, and I had hoped while we prepared for our bout we might remedy that to some extent. I am extremely curious, if you will indulge me Ser, how the companies in Essos wage war? Of course strategy interests me but more so the tools, organization, and tactics common to a field of battle?" A Knight who fought at Princes Pass and then made his way over sea's to wage war, Mikel thought that Davos would care as much for idle conversation as he himself did. "And also, is there anything arms or armor Harold could get for you as we prepare ourselves?" |
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 14, 2019 4:29:39 GMT 1
Davos smiles at the courtesy.
"Thank you for the offer, but I have had my squire, Aethan, fetch my accoutrements, he should be here shortly."
Aethan was not a terribly impressive man, not the sort one would wish to spend a great deal of time with if one valued interesting conversation, but the man was a consummate professional and a half-decent cook too. A professional squire mightn't have the prestige of a noble son or the familiar face of a friendly local boy, but prestige and familiar faces are not as important as well-maintained equipment when it came to staying alive in battle.
"There is no 'one way' war is waged in Essos. Different companies use methods based on where they are from, and much depends on whom and where you are fighting. The Disputed Lands are not all that different from the Reach or Riverlands, and many of the same strategies are used, though there is more emphasis on masses of foot than cavalry charges. Well trained pike walls largely negate the usefulness of heavy cavalry. the horses are smarter than the riders and won't charge to their death."
He chuckles.
"Mounted knights are only still dominant here because most lords don't see the point of having well-trained but expensive professional soldiers when they typically don't face more than a border skirmish or bandit raid. That and many are afraid that if they could not wholesale slaughter their people, those people would not put up with them. I suspect they might be right."
He smiles wryly.
"as you go further east, you are more likely to be facing Dothraki screamers or legions of Unsullied. They require yet different tactics, as a siege requires different tactics than a pitched battle. The Dothraki are fearless, and better riders by the age of ten than any Westerosi you have ever met. Their horses are swift and they do not observe orderly lines of battle as we do. Again, heavy cavalry are al but useless against them, as they will simply break ranks and circle around, making a charge of heavy ineffective. They do not wear armor, but will strike a flank or unguarded rear in lightning quick surges doing far more damage than they sustain. Ah, here is Aethan."
He waves his middle-aged squire over to start donning his armor. It is plain in design, lacking the fancy flourishes that many nobles prefer.
"As for facing Unsullied... well, I have only had to do so once, and that was more than enough for me. Where the Dothraki a fearless from blood-rage, the Unsullied are... it is like fighting a statue. They feel no fear, no joy, no pride, nothing. They feel no pain. You cannot beat an unsullied by running them through, they will push themselves up your blade and try to take you to the afterlife with them. you cannot intimidate them, demoralize them, bribe them, or get them drunk. A blow is either instantly fatal, crippling, or of little use against them. all that on top of immaculate weapon skill and highly trained maneuvers and unquestioning loyalty. No hesitation to march to their death, or to slaughter innocents, or whatever else their owners order them to do."
He shakes his head.
"I hope never to have to face them again."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Mar 20, 2019 23:38:47 GMT 1
When Aethan arrived with Davos's things Mikel greeted him before continuing to pursue his own curiosity. "I have heard of the unsullied, a life of rigors and training to produce a warrior unlike any other, I have often wondered if there was more awe and wonder then meat and bone to what Ive heard, but you have confirmed the truth of the tales."
"And the Dothraki, is it true that they have loose their arrows in any direction while mounted? It is not difficult to imagine how costly a battle against such men could be."
Making his agreement with Davos's assessment on professional fighting men and the fear Lords likely harbor against them, Mikel asks, "Given a war is on the horizon, might I ask how you think we should best prepare? Not as individuals, but collectively in consideration of Starkwoods current resources?"
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 21, 2019 1:49:25 GMT 1
Davos nodded to Aethan to start he process of donning his armor.
"There are two paths I see, in general. The 'safe' way would be to hunker down, make ourselves as little of a threat as possible while also being extremely well defended. In other words, let the war rage on around us and be more trouble to defeat than is worth."
He shakes his head.
"We have good strong walls, so I have no doubt that we would make it through... but no matter who wins we will not have many friends left. Worse, if our enemies win, they will have numerous friends and no matter how good our defenses we would be outmatched."
He sighs.
"The other option is to pick a side, and do whatever we can to make sure that side wins - and try to make sure that the man battlefields are anywhere but here."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Mar 22, 2019 11:07:41 GMT 1
Listening quietly Mikel stands still as Harold follows Aethans example and begins armoring his Knight. Mikel already had his padded chausses and gambeson on, but Harold still had his work cut out for him.
Mikel thought Davos's answer was a cautious one but understood he may not yet be able to offer a more detailed answer as he was new to Starkwood likely did not know the resources Lord Ulbert could muster.
"I can not disagree with you, Ser. If the Seven are kind they would grant us a miracle and this might all blow over, but I fear we will not be so fortunate." Mikel was not overly religious, perhaps even less religious them most, but it seemed a good way to say what he thought.
"Do you have a preferred fighting style, Ser?" Mikel looked to the weapon rack to ensure what he asked was clear.
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 22, 2019 16:39:15 GMT 1
"I can't say I've ever seen a miracle. It seems to me that the gods leave this words in the hands of us mere flawed mortals, and reward or punish us in the next. Whether this world is a hell or a heaven, that is on the heads of men and women, not the gods."
He looks over at the rack of training weapons.
"All sons of House Dayne are heavily trained in the two-handed sword, to seek to be a worthy Sword of the Morning. However, as most men are too fearful to face such a weapon in an 'honorable duel', it is wise to be in practice with sword and shield as well."
[OOC] I am presuming that we would be using blunted practice blades for this? So not Vicious?
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Mar 24, 2019 9:00:56 GMT 1
Davos's thoughts on god's and men are close to Mikel's own. He thinks that they have potential get along well, but only time will tell for certain. "Feel free to pick whichever it is that you prefer. Would you like me to match your arms or be different?"
A page had come out to assist Harold in armoring Mikel. They were just finishing up with his legs as Mikel looked at the weapon rack. It would be nice to test his typical armament against something less seen, but he also held no opposition to refamiliarizing himself with a weapon he had not trained with regularly in quite sometime.
Mikel looked at Davos before asking, "Do you carry your greatsword on your back or keep it on the saddle?"
[OOC: Training weapons if you agree with it. Will PM for rules to match]
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 24, 2019 14:50:32 GMT 1
"A man does not get to choose his opponent's weapon on the battlefield - wield what you will."
He picks up one of the blunted training greatswords, testing it's heft and balance. Hardly more than a sword-shaped metal club, it would still hurt like hell - if not be outright lethal - to be hit with it unarmored.
"If traveling a long distance, on my saddle. Otherwise, on my back. A man cannot always return to his horse before engaging in combat on foot."
He makes his way to the center of the yard, and gives it a few swings. It would do. He does a few stretches while he waits for Mikel to choose his arms.
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Mar 26, 2019 8:25:43 GMT 1
Mikel of Harroway
CD: 13 (Large Shield)
AR: 11 (Superior Full Plate, AP 2)
* Benefit Armor Mastery factored in *
Movement: 4 yards after Bulk (3)
Health: 12
7d6k5, 5 damage (Bastard Sword - Training)
5d6, 4 damage (Stiletto - Training)
[P1 Starkwood Practice Yard] Initiative: 4d6-2 12
Soon Harold and the page assisting him had Mikel fully armored. As Harold held up Mikel's shield for him to take the page ran to the weapons rack and took two blunted items, a bastard sword and stiletto, and brought them back to Mikel. Tucking the stiletto into his belt he took the bastard sword in hand and took a moment to get the feel of it. Mikel was still warm from exercise then light drill with some Starkwood men at arms when he took his place across from Davos and saluted him, a show of respect and a sign that he was ready.
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 29, 2019 17:31:12 GMT 1
Davos adopts an unusual stance, almost sideways. When Mikel nods that he is ready, Davos surges forward with unexpected quickness, his large two-handed practice blade flashing in the morning sun before crashing with intense power against Mikel's new armor.
Ser Davos Dayne CD: 8 (12 with fatigue) AR: 10 (Full Plate, AP 4) Movement: 3 yards after Bulk (3) Health: 12/12 F/I/W: 1/0/0 8d6k5+1, 9 damage (Greatsword - Training) [P1 Starkwood Practice Yard] Initiative, fatigue to cancel AP: 4d6k3+5-1 173D Agility 1b Quickness +5 Water Dancer II -1 Fatigue [P1 Starkwood Practice Yard] R1 Charge, 1 fatigue: 8d6k4+1-1 19 vs CD 13, 2 DoS x 11 = 22 - 13 AR = 9 Damage 5D Fighting 3b Long Blades -1D Charge +1 Talented -1 Fatigue |
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Apr 2, 2019 8:57:18 GMT 1
Mikel of Harroway
CD: 13 (Large Shield)
AR: 11 (Superior Full Plate, AP 2)
* Benefit Armor Mastery factored in *
Movement: 4 yards after Bulk (3)
Health: 12
7d6k5, 5 damage (Bastard Sword - Training)
5d6, 4 damage (Stiletto - Training)
Health 1/12 I/W/F
[P1 Starkwood Practice Yard] Knockdown: 4d6 13 v. 12 [P1 Starkwood Practice Yard] Cautious Attack v. prone opponent: 8d6k4 18 v. 8 CD = 3 DoS for 3x6= 18 - 10 AR = 8 damage [P1 Starkwood Practice Yard] Cautious Attack v. prone opponent - Talented re-roll: 1d6 2 not talented enough to replace one of the 3's (+1b prone, +1 base damage prone)
Mikel used Cautious Attack this round, improving his CD to 16 Mikel will take a point of fatigue if attacked to improve CD (improving CD to 18)
Davos had surprised Mikel with his speed and while he brought his shield up to block the incoming slash it had battered his shield down and struck heavily on the armor between his shoulder and neck. Mikel lost a moment to blackness then was pressed into Davos. He hooked his lead leg around one of Davos's, put all his weight into his shield, and surged into Davos. Mikel threw a slash of his own down as Davos fell, but was careful not to over commit.
[OOC: Forgot my +1 talented, but my fault and will leave it off. I think you did 2 more damage to Mikel (maybe confused AR and CD?) so had him take 11 damage.]
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