Necdum Spiritum Romanus: Phase 1 [Bloody Beginning]
Carl Anderson could see the entirety of the first Barbarian wave from his position atop a house. The young Roman soldier scanned the Barbarian forces to find a suitable first target. Among them, above their axes and clubs, stood a Barbarian that dwarfed all other members of his raiding party. Anderson thought that the Colossi were only legends, yet here was one charging right for his home. There wasn't time to hesitate, as a Tormenta, it was his job to stop the largest, most dangerous threats immediately present in the opposing army. His first arrow was already loaded into his Ballista, so he pivoted the wooden weapon, taking careful aim. (9+2 vs. 4-1) It was the best shot Carl could hope for; the arrow managed to impale the Colossus through the neck. The giant didn't make a noise or suddenly jerk his body, he was charging one moment, and then suddenly fell to the ground.
The Colossus has been slain!
Carl Anderson receives 15 Points for killing him single-highhandedly in one shot!Alex Raman charged into the battlefield, confidently to meet the toughest they could throw at him. His first target was the largest, most intimidating Barbarian he had ever seen. Alex ran at him undeterred. Just before he could make clash with the Colossus, Alex saw something strike the giant under the chin. The Colossus immediately falls onto his face, causing Alex to prematurely slow down, as to avoid being crushed under the massive body. Always the glory seeker, Alex places one foot onto the head of the fallen Colossus and shouts, "We are Roman! Run while your kind still have a fleeting chance!"
Derres Patrione triumphantly advances onto oncoming Barbarians, greeting them with nasty jeers and hollers. Seeing the Executioner run up to the city, Derres takes a moment to mock him, "FIGHT ME, YOU CRAVEN WHOREBRED MONGREL OF A FLEA-RIDDEN DOG-FUCKER!" The Executioner stops his run, and doesn't say a word. Perhaps his expression changed, but it was hard to gauge his face under his dark hood. Needless to say, the Executioner turns and runs for Patrione. The Gladiator smiles and takes a classic fighting stance, just like in the arena.
Asinus Ultricies rode his horse up to the front line of the Romans. "TONIGHT WE DIE BROTHERS, BUT WE DIE NOT AS MEN BUT AS HEROES!" He prods his horse into a full speed Charge out towards the Barbarians. As he closes in on them, he sees that they too have a Horseman! Seeing as he's the only one who could keep speed with this mounted Barbarian, Asinus makes a beeline straight for him. The Horseman is not caught off guard, and simultaneously begins galloping towards Asinus. It was an improvised joust of sorts, with both cavalry members aiming their spears right for their rival's bodily center. (1+2-2 vs. 10-2) During the Charge, Asinus's horse stumbles over a collection of rocks, and he's forced to drop his Pilum in an effort just to hold on. Meanwhile, the Barbarian Horsemen seizes this opportunity. (7 vs.
As Asinus steadies himself, he feels the head of a Spear rip right by him, which manages to rip off a fair bit of clothing from his shoulder.
Aurus Romuli sets out to the battlefront, Hasta firmly gripped in one hand, Scutum laid out forward in the other. Looking for his first target, he finds the Demolishers running at his homestead, Torches lit up above their head. As they could start a fire, Aurus preemptively engages them first. He charges them, his javelin pointed out before him. (4+1 vs. 1) One Barbarian is killed instantly as Aurus rams straight through his chest cavity. The other Demolishers begin to react, with one swinging his flame at Romuli. The Triarius simply knocks him away with his shield. This results in him falling, and Aurus quickly pulls his spear out of one Barbarian to skewer it through the body of another. As he expires, the rest of his group retreats back a bit.
As Thorsten Bohn runs out to confront the incoming Barbarian menace, he sees a Horseman nearly take out Asinus Ultricies via Spear. As the Horseman turns around to face Asinus in another joust yet again, Thorsten runs up behind him, and attempts to stab him from the back. (10 vs. 1-1) Thorsten puts all his might into a single thrust, and his Hasta goes right through the Horseman's spine, out his chest, and into the back of his Horse's neck! Thorsten pulls his bloodied javelin out, and the Horseman and his steed collapse simultaneously.
The Horseman has been slain!
Thorsten Bohn receives 12 Points for eliminating both rider and mount simultaneously!Bigus of Dickus runs out into the battlefield, screaming and whooping just like the enemies he faced. Ah, it was only too soon for this to happen, Bigus was ready to leave his tribe from the early days. He had many enemies back home, as it seemed that the other men were jealous of him because he had something bigger than any other man had. He a had a big heart, a heart and spirit they would never know! He witnesses the Demolishers running from Aurus Romuli. He grins, tailing them as he takes a Throwing Axe from a cloth on his clothes, and tosses it at them with an arc. (2 vs. 4) The axe falls short, and lands in a patch of dirt. Bigus decides to retrieve it quickly, though it seems that the Demolisher try to get to it first. (9 vs. 1) Big swings his Double-sided Axe at them, which keeps them at bay temporarily. He does manage to get a hold on the handle his Throwing Axe, but just as he does, one Demolisher deals him a heavy blow on the side of his head via Torch. Bigus falls down, stunned. The other two Demolishers join in, smashing Bigus with their Torches and stomping on him. The Mercenarius doesn't even get to react, and is soon suffers one too many blows to the skull, and becomes comatose. This is a good thing in the end, as he doesn't feel it when the Demolishers set fire to his body and weapons.
Bigus of Dickus has been slain by the Demolishers!Anders Andersson von Anderland runs into the foray, making the Horseman his first target. The Legionary reaches into a pouch, pulling out one of his Plumbata. He tosses it right at the Barbarian rider, and it hits him right in the side! This would be a fantastic hit, except that the Horseman was killed instantly a mere second before when Thorsten Bohn stabbed him through the backside.
Clyde thunders into battle on his Equss. He spots the Executioner, who is currently charging Patrione. Clyde Charges forward, Pilum first, with the aim to interrupt this little encounter between Barbarian and Gladiator. (7+2 vs. 6) Before the Executioner can meet Derres in proper combat, Clyde charges him from the side. The Executioner leaps out of the way to avoid instant death, but isn't fast enough to completely dodge as Clyde stabs him through his robes, the Pilum driving into his right ribcage. The Executioner falls to his knees, his ribs painfully broken and now bleeding profusely, as the Equitatum rides off. "You're welcome!" Clyde calls out to Derres as his horse takes him further into battle.
John Doe stays near the buildings, waiting for anyone who could use his medical assistance. He was going to help Dickus, until he saw that he was beaten to a pulp and promptly set aflame, which no amount of healing would fix. He simply checked his bearings and stayed put for now.
Dalen knocks an arrow into his Composite Bow as he surveys the carnage. Many of his fellow men were already engaged in battle, including Bigus of Dickus, who was quickly beaten to death by the Demolishers. He was a good man in Dalen's eyes, a Barbarian who decided to stay loyal to Rome. Bigus didn't deserve to die like that. In retaliation, Dalen quickly lit the tip of his arrow. Aiming down the Demolishers, he decided to give them a taste of their own medicine. (5 vs. 2) The arrow embeds itself in some moss in front of the Demolishers, a patch of moss that quickly turns into a rising flame. The Barbarians are forced to halt their charge, and waste a few precious moments diverting themselves around the fire.
Zachariah Sinistra is the last Roman out of the city, and he stays rather close, aiming to stay away from the gangs and giants further out. Rather, he would stop the Barbarians that slipped through the defensive line from getting any closer. One of them was the first Grunt, whom Zachariah decided to distract with some ringside banter. "Come on little boy I bet you couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with that thing!" He insulted the Grunt, accompanied by a mocking chuckle. The Grunt turned to face him, "You wretched pig, I'll kill you!" The Barbarian ran at the Gladiator, just how he planned.
The Barbarians all flooded the outskirts of the city in mob form, with the Grunt (I) being the closest. Rather than begin pillaging, he was distracted by Zachariah Sinistra. With his pride bruised, the young Barbarian decided to kill the Roman first. (10 vs. 9+1) The Grunt swung his club overhead at Zachariah, who was able to roll backwards out its range. While the Barbarian was recovering, Zachariah launched forward with a diagonal slice from his Scissor. The Grunt raised his Club up in time to deflect the attack. Zachariah stumbled backwards a bit, managing to regain his stance. The two of them had shown equal offensive and defensive capabilities, it would boil down to their wits and tactics to determine who would manage to deliver a hit to the other first.
While Alex Raman stood atop the fallen Colossus, the Beserker witnessed his spectacle. How could a mere Roman mock the death of such a great fallen warrior. This made the Beserker mad, very mad. In fact, he went totally Berserk. He roared with a feral passion as he sprinted down the dirt path. Alex looked downwards, and his expression changed from one of boast to one of surprise. (4+3 vs. 1+1) The Beserker spun around, swinging his mighty Double-Sided Axe around until it sliced right through Alex's left forearm. The Beserker roared once and ran past the Gladiator, who did not seem very pleased with his new bodily change. "SHIT SHIT SHIT-" Not had he now lost one valuable weapon of his arsenal, he was losing blood fast, and if wasn't treated reasonably soon, he could bleed to death. Assuming that another Barbarian didn't kill him first.
Derres Patrione was squaring off against the Executioner, a Barbarian already wounded from a cavalry charge. 'This is going to be even easier!' Derres thought to himself. What he didn't expect was for another Barbarian to provide back-up for the Executioner, namely, the Pseudo-Legionary. (8+1 vs. 6+1) The Pseudo-Legionary came from the side, flanking the unsuspecting Patrione. The Pseudo-Legionary stabbed at Derres with his Gladius, though Derres was able to react to this attack quickly with a side-step. What he didn't react to fast enough was the follow-up Scutum bash. The shield crashed against Derres, sending him stumbling backwards. Yet, that wasn't even the real attack, as the Pseudo-Legionary performed a low slash, deeply cutting the Gladiator through the front of his left thigh. Blood began pouring from the wound, and Derres could feel himself losing coordination in the afflicted area.
Brute (I) ran through the outlying fields of the Roman town, when he witnessed Aurus Romuli run his javelin through two Demolishers like it was nothing. This pissed him off a lot, sending him into Rage. The Brute charged Aurus Romuli, yelling and screaming, which alerted him. Aurus took up his normal defensive position, preparing to counter-attack. (5+1 vs. 6) The Brute stops mid-charge when he realizes the Roman in front of him is equipped with a long spear that would simply impale him if he ran any closer. Instead, he stood firmly and insulted Aurus from a few safe meters away from the Hasta, using the Romuli family as the target for most of his speech.
The Executioner had been wounded quite badly from being run through with a javelin, but that did not impede him from moving further onto Patrione's position. He would make him pay for those foul words, and now it would be much easier thanks to his teammate. The Executioner gave the Pseudo-Legionary a quick nod of approval as he charged the wounded Gladiator. (7+2 vs. 4+1) The Barbarian swings his Double-Sided Axe quickly to the right, cutting through the Roman's throat. Derres's head shot up quickly as a long stream of blood began to stain his armor. He made a gurgling sound and fell onto his back, blankly staring straight up into the azure sky. The Executioner grunted with satisfaction, he was able to execute another Roman. He looked towards the town hopefully, as perhaps he would be able to execute more.
Derres Patrione was slain by the Executioner!Grunt (II) ran forward, as a Plumbata from Anders Andersson von Anderland flew over his head. The Grunt looked backwards momentarily to see a Horseman get killed, before fixing his body forward again. He saw the direction where the Plumbata had come from, and from there spotted the Legionary. The Grunt was all to familiar with stories from older Barbarians and their frequent battles with the Legionaries. If he could kill one himself, surely he would be able to gain respect in his village, enough so to possibly win a wife! The Grunt held his Club up in anticipation as he targeted Anders. (1 vs. 5) The Grunt swung his Club when he ran upon Anders, only for his arm to be knocked out the way by a swing from his enemy's Scutum. (5 vs. 7) The Legionary slashed at the Grunt's chest, missing it by inches. At this point, the Barbarian understood why his superiors thought of the Legionary as such a loathsome opponent.
Brute (II) stuck towards the outer-edge of the combat zone, avoiding the main portion of fighting; he wished to get in to bag some nice treasures and take a Roman woman or two for himself. Still, he remembered his command to wipe out resistance before the looting could commence, since it would not be easy to pillage while getting attacked. He sighed and looked for the nearest Roman to deal with, but he had passed most of them on his initial running. However, nearby on a rooftop, the Brute heard the sound of a Ballista being fired. He found the source to be a Tormenta upon a rooftop, the dreaded foe that could kill you from any distance. The only weakness of the Tormenta, as he was told, was from his backside. The Brute slipped into the city, where he found the stairwell to the particular house. He climbed the stairwell, and leapt onto the roof, utilizing the Tormenta's vulnerability. (9 vs. 7-2) Carl Anderson, while tending to his Ballista, was rudely interrupted when a wooden Club smashed into his back. His whole body convulsed, and then he slowly sunk to the foot of his weapon, in great agony, his hands still gripping it.
Fleetfoot was notoriously fast, so fast that he could catch up on unsuspecting cavalry. That's exactly what happened when Clyde was looking for his next Barbarian to run over. He failed to notice the sly Fleetfoot come up from behind him, who jumped up and slashed from his rear. (6 vs. 2) Clyde only realized that something was wrong when one of Fleetfoot's Dual-Axes cut into his the small of his back. The force behind the slice was strong enough for Clyde to fall off his horse. Clyde managed to recover without getting too hurt from the fall, and he wasn't in much pain either. However, though his armor was able to mitigate the wound somewhat, he was still bleeding pretty seriously. He got back on his horse, only to find his assailant long gone.
By the time Clyde was back on his horse, Fleetfoot had already crept past enemy lines. Looking for a good target, the Barbarian found a harmless looking Roman citizen hiding in behind some shrubbery. John Doe began to regret his decision to become a combat medic right at this moment. He ran out of the bushes, screaming for help. (10 vs. 6-3) The Medicus ran, but was nowhere as fast as his pursuer. Fleetfoot came behind him, and slashed him right across his back. John fell to his knees, in pain and shock. This gave the speedy Barbarian the perfect opportunity to bring his other axe upon his prey's skull. Doe's life faded within a second of the axes crashing through his head. The doctor had checked out.
Fleetfoot has slain John Doe! The Demolishers did not get to burn as they wished, since they had to avoid getting burned themselves from a spontaneous fire that broke out in front of them.
The Barbarian Soldier ran proudly into the battlefield in a true professional matter. He had ascended the ranks to become an elite, cream-of-the-crop fighter. He was quick to pull out a Throwing Axe, as his first order of business in a battle was to launch a projectile upon the most immediate enemy. And from his perspective, Asinus Ultricies, the Equitatum who had ridden out to meet his people, was the biggest threat at the moment. Taking careful aim, he flung his axe at the horseman. (3+1 vs. 5) If Asinus was sitting just a bit further back in his saddle, the axe would have gone into his arm. However, he wasn't, and thus was alerted to the Soldier nearby. Asinus rode towards the Soldier with his Spatha drawn, and the Soldier cursed, pulling out his Circular Shield and Curved Blade, knowing that those weapons were his best for combating this sort of threat. He ran at an angle away from Asinus, yet still facing the rider. (9 vs. 8+2) Asinus swung his blade right at the Soldier as he passed, but the latter was able to shield himself. The blade made an incision into the edge of the Circular Shield, but did little else. Asinus pulled his sword back and rode away while the Soldier reflected on all his training, deciding that it really had all payed off in the end.
New Barbarians!:Slingers - A group of Barbarians not strong enough to be infantry, as have been relegated to wielding the ancient sling as their choice weapon. Although they are physically weaker than their brethren, Slingers are just as fierce in combat, and will not hesitate to engage in close combat.
High-Velocity Projectiles: The stones flung by the Slinger's travel fast and have a large impact area, meaning that they have a higher chance to Break Bones than most projectiles, especially if the impacted region is inadequately armored.Inventory:
Slings - A device that allows its user to build up momentum with a stone before flinging it over a sizable distance. Simple but devastatingly effective.
Carving Knives - These knives are used by the Barbarians to clean animal's and cut their meat. They lack the power and reach of a normal sword, but should not be scoffed at.
Health: 4/4
Point Value: 6
Bandits - A duo that specialize in subtly that most other Barbarians lack. They are quick to strike and disappear, only to reappear when their enemies least expect it.
Reaction Stealth (Passive) : Upon receiving any injury, no matter how minor or how deadly, the Bandits will run from combat and seemingly vanish, as if they were dead, and cannot be targeted while they are 'gone'. However, they will come back at another random turn and strike a random Roman. This can only be done once, and if both Bandits are killed by the first attack they receive, they can not perform this Ability.Inventory:
Curved Blades - Sharp swords that each Bandit carries in order to quickly and fatally cut down unwary foes.
Hide Armor Outfit - Barbarians prefer to wear a full-suit of armor, head-to-toe, composed of hardened animal hides rather than metal. This type of armor sheds some protection in exchange for mobility.
Health: 2/2
Point Value: 8
Sentinel - A Barbarian that focuses on defending more feeble or wounded Barbarians. He is nowhere as big as the Colossus, but is still holds quite an imposing figure.
Guardian (Passive) - The Sentinel is trained in holding off attackers from his vulnerable comrades. +1 when functioning as a Guard.Nerves of Steel (Passive) - Protecting the lives of others means you can't spend much time dwelling on your own injuries. The Sentinel ignores Pain.Static Guard - The Sentinel moves as little as possible from his protective position, which makes him an easy target. -1 to Defending against Projectiles when functioning as a Guard.Inventory:
Jagged Spear - A nasty looking weapon which, instead of having a clean sharp head, has several ridges near the end. This makes it much more painful to be impaled by.
Toughened Hide Armor Outfit - The hides worn by the Sentinel have been created tougher than most other hide-based armors. This makes it more stiff, but nearly as strong as common metal armor.
Poll
7 (53.8%)
Author
Topic: -The Last Stand- Final Pre-Round 2 Poll: Combat (Read 39787 times)