Although there were many smiles among our soldiers, there were others too who looked shocked: pale, slumped and tearful.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbGgmRfEW9
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'Except those guarding prisoners, fall in to your units!' My order brought their training back and even the most wretched looking stiffened and hurried to find a place in the ranks.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZgrYCqiTv
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'You fought well. Very well! And today will be the day I promised you. You will eat out on the story of the battle of Three Ways for the rest of your lives. But our work isn't yet done. Those of you on horseback…' I made my way to the light cavalry, half of whom were missing, chasing the retreating enemy, 'ride down the road, killing any enemy stragglers you find. Then, when our own soldiers return, scout beyond them until evening and report back here by dark… On you go!'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKGvrc43FH
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As the riders rode off, I turned to our archers. 'Sergeants, have your squads take the abandoned bows and quivers of the enemy; gather any unbroken arrows you can.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgCQOyVcVt
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'You heard the king!' shouted a sergeant, 'on me!'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWIsF8XScM
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'Sergeant of the swordsmen,' this to the squad leader of our twelve heavy infantry, 'take the prisoners and find a way to lock them in the small tower. They can be given food and water but make sure none of them is armed.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEohj17rmcw
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'Yes sire!'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Xt9Y2DRom
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'You,' I pointed to the sergeant of a unit of twelve light infantry, 'are on the same task.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsDgCSxSzl
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'And you,' looking at the sergeant of my other infantry squad, 'get a cart and fill it with the abandoned weapons and any armour that is still useful. Also, tell the ballista crew to report to me at the bridge.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAPckX9bob
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There was a bustle of activity now and the eagerness with which the soldiers set about their tasks was heartening.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VtxCdMsZd
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'Sire?' It was the Cleric. 'May I heal you?'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE3JwuFziP
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I checked my hit points, 33 from 40. 'No.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMv4ZP5FAp
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Coming down the hillside was a weak-looking Parrin, being helped by Carlena. I gestured towards them. 'Go heal the chancellor.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPGxf2PxQV
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By the time they reached me, the Scout was looking a lot more cheerful. 'Sire, permission to shake your hand.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmOc1HzhVR
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'Granted.' I smiled at our Parrin as he took my heavy right hand in both of his and pumped it up and down.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjGF1qhcPE
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'That… that was magnificent. Your charge. I'll never forget it, ever. I don't have the words.' And indeed, I could see tears were welling up in the elderly man's dark eyes.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweIikXDX0c
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'Good man yourself, Chancellor, your backstab was an excellent initiative.' I gave him a slap with my free arm. 'The Shaman might not have been able to save the battle for them, but we were about to lose a lot of men. It was brave too, with the sabre-toothed tiger at his side.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXbTXP2fHO
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I turned to Carlena. 'You too. To face the Shaman's spells and his pet without hesitation was impressive. I'm proud to be working with such courageous comrades.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KVt3XRkC7
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Carlena gave me the warmest smile I'd yet seen from her, a sincere one, from the heart. 'A rhino was a good choice for the potion.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqj1mmJvMm
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'When you said to pick something the size of my body… well, it came to mind.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhKw1rfJl7
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsr4RBAqqs
'Well done sire.' She dropped her voice to a whisper. 'Thank you Sean de Courcy. You really are the warrior we need. King Carlos would have stayed in Carrick. Yet that was a battle we might easily have lost and with it, the realm.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfOZoPxJRf
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Our mutual fan club was broken up by the arrival of the ballista crew, who had come at the double, as if to make up for the fact they had missed out on the fighting. Their sergeant saluted.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM9QrkDgtN
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'Hard luck, sergeant. You were to be the hero of the battle by the original plan.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ576LM4Ty09
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Checking first that I wasn't looking too serious, the powerful-looking young man allowed himself a reply. 'We're very disappointed sire; next time I hope you'll leave some for us.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaJ1bDttgI
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA32nWFA4d
'Good man. Well, I've a task that will make you popular with the rest of the army. Are you honest?'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ58ZzNwOnM
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'As honest as a mirror sire.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh6VXz3u34
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'That's what I hoped. I want you to search all the enemy bodies for coin. Then roll the corpses into the river along with any dead horses. We'll demoralise their army downstream as their dead comrades float past. Our own dead we'll bring home in carts for their families. When you've all the coin, report to me and I'll share it equally with every soldier here. Even you lot.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTHMcXBBsM
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWAYDwU8wP
'You heard the king!' The sergeant gave me a salute and the crew immediately set to their somewhat morbid task as though it was a pleasure. Which perhaps it was. Loot was loot after all. Which gave me a thought.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQNg7nemkf
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'Do you have a Detect Magic spell?' I asked Carlena, who nodded.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnF0xIVZIt
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'Can you use it and see if there are any magic items on the dead, perhaps on the Shaman or their officers?'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMtdyubZi9
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'Oh, I should have thought of that.' Carlena hurried back up the hill.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7upn9udeG
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'Any orders for me sire?' asked Chancellor Parrin.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4za4IJRix
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'Soon I'll want you to go scouting again, in case the rest of their army moves up towards us. I've a feeling that they won't. For now though, if you could find some decent wine and tolerable bread, I could really use it. Being a rhino for eight minutes is a hell of a calorie burn… I mean it gives you an appetite.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6gWNCGkWu
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAP83oq87D
Slowly, I made my way back over the bridge and up to the gatehouse, bringing the Cleric with me. On my way, busy soldiers glanced at me in an entirely different way than they had before the battle. There was respect and admiration in their eyes. Affection too even. I was becoming the king they wanted. And whenever my gaze rested on soldiers performing their duties, they hurried that bit faster, as though wanting to demonstrate their backing for me. This was a complete contrast to the sullen looks and slow responses when I had first gone to the barracks in Carrick.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPdf39RCZW
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCCnBl6ACH
Of course, I'd been wanting to study the effects of the battle on my character sheet ever since the fighting had ended, but only now, after a deliberate pause to consider if I had overlooked any important orders, did I feel the time had come when I could open that menu.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzed7JjGI9
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Sean de Courcy, king of Greyland499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUk4y1uSlgB
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Fighter, Level 5 HP 40 AC 0499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixR2lNbinH
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Str 7499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQuqV73l07
Dex 4499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4b3eoFavn
Con 8499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGberpgaeg
Int 16499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpczWHPhc9l
Wis 16499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLkNb3eak3
Cha 4499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lNkVNTKPW
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IRdQG85Dq
Top Skills499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalZAw9qLqY
Bash 25499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGXwJq5pBf
Impale 25499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK2KNUmEvD
Lunge 5499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bQyEh1HZL
Parry 5499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo5723QcYR
Wield Rapier 5499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3ArIHSpTi
Wield Shortbow 3499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuuUobVgXy
Block 1499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZDBpFtlbF
Defensive Stance 1499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6x8885A8K
Deflect 1499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStmtBhvWhi
Dodge 1499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaN44kXfIVK
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You have 4 attribute points to assign.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wRP66nnUG
You have 15 skill points to assign.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhakrsekat
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XP 2,860 (3,200)
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My attribute points I decided to save, again, tempting though it was tempting to put a point in Dexterity. Assuming I could train up the low stats, I'd want those points for later.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfB0p8NMnU
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There was also a new notification attached to my character sheet, which I opened.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwKbpvseB4
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Congratulations Sean de Courcy on reaching Level 5 in Fighter. You have unlocked the following specialisations within the Fighter class. Please choose one:499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41gTlZCfPK
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Berserker499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXkm512BRq
Champion499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt0UXeyWOi
Paladin499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHADP0C967
Shadow Knight499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SpmSdoPr9
Warlord
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Each had a description, which corresponded to fighter sub-types I was familiar with from Storm Wars: the Berserker specialised in speed, high DPS and was a master of improvisation, downside, medium armour only; the Champion was a duellist, a weapons specialist perfect for one-on-one fights, downside, all the benefits were individual only; the Paladin had holy spells as well as combat skills, downside incompatible with evil troops and creatures; the Shadow Knight was the opposite to the Paladin, with unholy spells and an incompatibility with good; the Warlord was the opposite to the Champion, a tactical specialist, all the benefits were group ones.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIvENehgFe
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Obviously, with Lord Arval being a Paladin, the Shadow Knight was out. And it wasn't smart to replicate his spells and skill bonuses when I could gain new ones for our realm. Even if I got this body into reasonable shape, I was never going to be a Berserker. So that left Champion and Warlord.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQkPX7HSNa
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj91byqpKQ
Rereading the description of both, the Champion appealed to my pride. Following that path would ultimately lead to a character who could defeat anyone else in the world in a face-to-face encounter. I could visualise myself using Lightning Draw to bring a sword into my hands faster than my opponent anticipated and cutting them down with Critical Strike before they'd even drawn breath.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5pRyuPCt6
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It was clear though, that in this world of twenty-five kingdoms battling for mastery, the Warlord was going to be the right option. As a Warlord I'd get feats that could rally shaken troops, that could heighten the combat skills of those nearby and at high level could identify unfamiliar enemy troop types. I selected it and immediately got twenty or so new skill options and my first Warlord feat, Charge! All friendly units in the vicinity got a 20% increase to base movement and a temporary 5 hit point increase.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcUpnQmyg4
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As for the skills, since I knew I would learn fast from practice, I would simply put one point in each to unlock them. With 15 skill points to assign, I could get all but five. My exact choices, however, could wait.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjI83JZ8GHo
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9qUAvzB9q
Closing my character sheet, I had a look at the state of Greyland's army on the military menu:499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb09YRxVpOM
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Military499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgQQHXqhq5
Light infantry: 26*499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdHMFMgxMi
Heavy infantry: 11*499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb5Oifvy6W
Archers: 34*499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44wGe3ddqi
Light cavalry: 18*499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspvjJXLBe3
Heavy cavalry: 4*499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgUUaT4sQ8
Ballista: 1499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqJ19Roc8C
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(*veterans)499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFpfQTYlZ2
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Hospital: 18499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFveugiwdKZ
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Military upkeep cost: 43 gold, 6 silver499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDzhcaTwWk
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Currently training:499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju8IbOCOma
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Buildings: keep level 2; curtain walls level 1; towers level 1; town walls level 1499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrLACqrhpj
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Currently building: tower machicolations, 23 hours
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Not at all bad. In fact, considering my original plan, which would have been costly in terms of archers and probably infantry, it was a fantastic result. Greyland's army was small, but it was still intact, a viable force with which to face the other half of the army of our enemies, should they dare advance. If anything, we were actually stronger than when the day had begun, since a new veteran tag had appeared over most of the troops.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39pS9vW8Z5
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There were rooms in the larger tower and although I struggled to get up the wooden stairs, which creaked loudly beneath me, I found a bench on the first level that could accommodate my bulk. The Cleric stood uncertainly by the door.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlu1p7rAvq
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'Take a seat.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx1VLUzIkR
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She obeyed me.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS5WFJyEHD
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'What's your name?'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Rr0lxs7g1
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'Anthea Greyford, sire.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwFGq9iZGe
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'Anthea, you know I have menus for the running of ths realm?'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBhtBb6TaT
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'Yes sire.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf38iTAKXLI
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'Well, you aren't…' I struggled for the words that she might understand. 'You are listed under the church menu but you aren't a special person. You can't level up, or can you?'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW56fooZRI
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'Apologies, sire. I don't really know. If you were to upgrade the church perhaps?'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CuEFxibno
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'I was reading about the various levels of church earlier and while it's not a priority …' I held back from expressing my concern about the food supply, 'that upgrade will happen. But it wasn't clear if you would gain a level. I learned only that the town would gain a second Cleric and those attending the church would be able to obtain cures for moderate wounds and the delay of poisons and disease.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAAfNtRbU3
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'I think it likely I would become second level sire, since those prayers are available to those who have reached it.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG89xdfuKMx
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50n15IVWxL
'Let's hope so. And let's hope you can join me progressing. Because we are going to need a strong healer, both to level me up as fast as possible and for future battles.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXY0N6bwlc
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It was hard to see her response: in her full chainmail armour the coif put most of her face in shade. Her mouth looked determined enough though and she gave a nod.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIc2QuCXvP
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmn7Nr1jiy
Footsteps from below announced the arrival of the chancellor, bearing the very welcome load of two bottles of wine and four tin goblets. Behind him, a soldier had a basket with bread rolls and apples.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QmI6vlvyN
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'Well done Chancellor.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKlhp3AHtC
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'Thank you sire.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UYLb0mdhq
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One of the joys of a high Dexterity, it seemed, was the ability to draw a cork from a bottle with just a narrow blade from his Scout's tool kit and it was only a moment's work before the comforting gurgle of wine being poured was heard.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAJTxrKhbZ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72RmusSJym
'To Greyland!' I offered the toast and my two companions responded.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKvPtavXve
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLcHIWETYX
I asked Parrin about his sneak attack on the Shaman and was listening to his account – it reminded me that the Scout had an extremely important Ring of Silent Movement – when Carlena joined us, a look of quiet pleasure on her face that made me hopeful. That and the finely made rapier she carried.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCinsryUOih
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOacuI70LF
'Four magic items sire.' She emptied a bag onto the bare wooden floor with a satisfying clatter from the three items that fell out. 'I've used the rest of my mana for the day casting Insight to discover their properties, but I thought you'd want to know.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomxbBUCBKV
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I nodded.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy37tEKXO77
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'Their Shaman had a scroll of Hold Animal and an amulet with the spell Hide from Animals stored in it; one of their officers had Bracers of Archery; and the other had this: a plus-two rapier.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuxzVFL74p
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'Excellent, what do the bracers do?'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngfAuiylPn
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29GPQo7Auf
'Give you five skill points in your wield skill for all bows; a slightly faster rate of fire; and fifty-percent increase in all ranges.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8W8PmKK0iq
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGW6Pr67qs
'Very nice. I'll keep them and the rapier. Can you use the scroll and the amulet?'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs8XVfVmuA
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjefRJ9J8Gg
'The pity is that I can't add them to my spell book, with their being Shaman spells not those of a sorceress, but as a once off, I can cast those spells.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0MftYwAhY
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmYaT5eFgT
'Very good, they are yours. Sorry Chancellor, nothing for you it seems, though you deserved it.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFN4CZsr6De
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XvoQe0mPM
Parrin smiled and spread his hands. 'What's good for us all is good for me.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvxGDeB592
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQbg6W2fgO
We were well into the second bottle of wine and nothing but crumbs and apple cores remained in the basket when Lord Arval bounded up the stairs and into the room. A glance, then he stepped over to me, knelt and clasped my hands in his.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe1PkiEyuq
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYyYVD4UeK
'By Miya! What a day. What a day. When I rose this morning, I could not dare hope for such an outcome.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiop50tX0gK
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uG93RSmVi
'Nor I Lord Arval, now take a seat and a drink.' I freed my hands from the warrior, picked up my goblet and passed it to him. 'I'm only sorry we ate all the bread.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbo4bSObbqZ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpDfYXfPql
Our general was clearly exhausted, his face was wan and he sat with obvious relief. Yet his eyes were darting to check we all shared his happiness. And watching him, I had another thought. Perhaps the PCs had levelled too? I raised my arm. Carlena and Parrin were both still level 9. But Lord Arval had reached level 8.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMPiDaxhak
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmRD0RXHAc
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Lord Arval: Paladin Level 8499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX70ppEXJuT
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HP 79499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hdQQn6phT
AC 18499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgilSHakVv
XP 30,124 (64,200)499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQonvcHs5i
Str 17 (18), Dex 12, Con 16, Int 8, Wis 9, Cha 9.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxwW3ElZLP
Shield of Defence +1, Trueblade +2, Ring of Strength +1, Potion of Healing.
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTicAmAn9e
'Another toast!' I declared, though I no longer had a goblet and had to raise just my hand. 'To Lord Arval, our level eight Paladin!'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3ZxtTxwLB
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'Congratulations!'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3YlYwW546
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4g5XjnrHe
'To Lord Arval!'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjz2Abp02Z
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLE4w1oZX5
Our general acknowledged the goodwill in the room with a cheerful wave. Then Carlena told him about the magic items we had gained and he told us about the rout of the enemy, whom he pursued for miles down the valley. After that we fell into a comfortable silence, the silence of those who had been through battle together and who were reflecting on the day's events.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lVsELil4S
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl97Axz3nO
At least, that's what I thought they were doing. Lord Arval, however, looked over at the cleric and spoke: 'Can you leave us some privacy, please.'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCCOeGCEIK
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGVtCtd84N
'Of course,' she got up at once and descended the stairs.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2VXbIqFGQ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhUV32YqVn
I looked at Lord Arval and no doubt my expression was curious.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloUiKJqq34
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNisyz0nvDQ
He smiled. 'It's nothing urgent. But I wanted to know: how did this day compare to the battles you experienced in your world? You must have had other victories like this?'499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7fwQoZiFv
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How, I wondered, should I reply to that question? I could hardly say that the only battles I had fought in had been games.
