Throughout the night, Varlant constantly sends scouts back south along the road to check for Imperial troops. Fortunately by morning the army reaches Tusurai without event.
Tusurai is a busy town in the no-mans land between the Rebublic and the Empire and often border patrols from both armies pass through here. The arrival of Varlant does not cause much of a commotion. The troops stagger into the Republic HQ underneath the G





reen Ginger tavern.
Grace tends to the wounded as best she can be she also needs rest.
Varlant approaches Cybel. "Lady Cybel; Go to the local church and ask the priest there to aid us. " He hands her a heavy money pouch. "This is 100 gold coins, which you should donate to the church. Take with you whoever you like."

(All characters are currently Fatigued.
Grace has collapsed, Masqurin is about to collapse.
Cybel, Frank and Noon are still mobile.)

Cybel: We shall all go to the church without delay then.
(20:19:10) Marasmusine [Quirk, -1 point]: "We being me and Frank." or something.
(20:19:20) Marasmusine [Quirk, -1 point]: "Looking out for shops that sell healing potions."
(20:19:25) Marasmusine [Quirk, -1 point]: possibly.

Whilst everyone else gets some rest at the HQ, Cybel and Frank step out into the morning sunlight and take a look at the town, suffering a little from sleep deprevation.
Everything is here that you would expect from a border town: Armoury, Herb shop, Church, various houses and the town hall. Several market stalls sell a variety of fruit and goods.
The rotund priest is conducting morning prayer at the church, nodding warmly to Cybel as she enters.
"We need your assistance." Cybel explains, too tired for smalltalk, and offers the bag of 100 gold (I assume.)
The priest, Edmund, agrees jovially and returns to the Green Ginger inn.
Edmund goes here and there, healing the wounded.

Just before entering the HQ thinks he spots a small group of warriors out on the street that were possibly wearing Imperial armour.

In a quiet corner, Noon settles down and prepares to summon his familiar; he prepares the incenses and other ingredients for the ritual.

[There will now follow a period of rest and recouperation. Any business to attend to?]

Cybel talks with Frank

"I know the general took that battle badly. I admire my general greatly but his feelings in battle sometimes well.. I think he's over eager. His desire for a total victory can sometimes cloud his thoughts of welfare for his troops."

Frank replies whilst tearing off another chunk of meat from the boar leg he is eating
"Grrr, we fought well. Should get thanks for that. Nearly died out there. This better be worth it"

"Try not to look upon him too harshly though friend, he does what he does out of a desire to help."

Frank just grunts.

Cybel goes to check on Masquirin and meets Grace on the way.

"Grace.. how is young Masquirin? She fought bravely but impetuously in battle."

"Oh she's coming on now after the priest had a look at her. She's quite a character that young girl. The stories I could tell you of her exploits around the castle.. "

"Thank you Grace, I'll go visit her if I may."

Cybel goes to see Masquirin and checks to see how she's doing after the battle. Masquirin starts yawning and looking bored as Cybel tries to school her on some battlefield tactics..

After this Cybel decides to take a look round town, look for the soldiers that were spotted earlier.

After a good eight hours rest, everyone is back in tip-top shape.
Noon is still secluded in his private corner, muttering strange chants and burning incense.
But our other heroes are free to join Cybel if they wish. [Alexander will shortly (hopefully) be taking over Grace, so I assume she will be joining her.]
[Will make a quick map of Tusurai using RPG2000 :>]

A) Tusurai Mine
Lookout Tower
C) Church
D) Blacksmith
E) Weaponsmith
F) General Supplies
G) Green Ginger Inn (and Republic HQ)

The roads lead west (to Railhead), south (to Saraband and Balsamo) and east (to the coast of Desutonia bay)

The weather this evening is warm and pleasant; the sun is dipping, shadows are long and a few stars are visible. The shops are still open and townsfolk are happily going about their business.

Cybel will visit the weaponsmithee

"Duihu reygbeeftu huduhlspamourtrav bchickenbachev..." mutters Noon, concentration deeply into summoning his scampering familiar.

I'll visit the Weaponsmithy as well when i'm done.

Now not only have all the pictures vanished, but there aren't any buttons on the forum now, so I can't post anything. (Although this could be my browser) Nevertheless I've decided to abandon using invisionfree for now, and go back to email for a bit.

Here are the weapons of interest available from the weaponsmith:

Cybel (48 gold)
Frank ( 216 gold)
Grace (130 gold)
Masqurin (176 gold)
Noon (100 gold)

Spear, 2 gold each (Cybel or Masqurin)
Lochaber Axe, 18 gold (Cybel. This is a great big long pole-axe that is also good at tripping people)
Rapier, 20 gold (Cybel, Masqurin or Noon)
Punching Dagger, 2 gold (Frank)
set of 20 Darts, 1 gold (Frank)
Heavy Mace, 12 gold (Grace)
Sap, 1 gold (Grace)
Shortbow, 30 gold (Masqurin or Noon)

Healing Herbs are available for 50 gold coins each at the herbalist.

No sign of the Imperial patrol, but they might be around somewhere (someone with a good charisma score could try the Gather Information skill)

Later, back at the HQ for a meal, Masqurin is rooting around the cupboards and barrels with insatiable curiosity.
She opens one tempting-looking closet.
"Eeek! A rat!" she squeals, as something small and brown jumps out.
Noon looks up from his meditation.
"AH! Say hello to my familiar. Her name is Scampress!"
The little rodent scurries over to the elf wizard and hops up onto his shoulder.

Noon gains +2 to fortitude whilst Scampress is within 1 mile of him.
Noon gains Alertness whilst Scampress is within arms reach.
Scampress gains Share Spells: Any spell that Noon casts on himself may also effect Scampress if she is within 5 feet.
Scampress gains Improved Evasion
Scampress and Noon gain Empathic Link: The wizard and familiar can communicate empathically (emotions only) if they are within 1 mile of each other.

Noon buys a rapier and a healing herb.


Our party are just investigating some of the shops around the Green Ginger pub; Masqurin examining some of the flowers at a florists stall etc.
Frank growls as he notices a group of Imperial soldiers coming from the west street who have in turn spotted our Republican party; they are reaching for their battleaxes - their sergeant drawing a longsword.
To compound matters, an Imperial knight is clip-clopping towards our heroes from the south street - the woman at his side with the pointy hat can only be a wizard. Fortunately they don't seem to have spotted Cybel and co yet.
The map shows everyone's positions in addition to some townsfolk who are milling around. The green rectangle is a small wagon laden with bails of hay, pulled by a goat.

Noon decides to prepare spells he hope will be more useful this time round:
Level 1: acid splash, ghost sound, ray of frost
Level 2: shocking grasp, mage armour

(Thanks Vic. One thing I don't think I pointed out before is that you can cast most spells like Ray... and Touch... and hold it in your hand until you are ready to actually unleash it. And don't forget that Mage Armour lasts for ages. Hope this helps!)


Masqurin takes a Ready action (will cast Burning Hands if an enemy approaches)
Grace withdraws from combat.
The three Imperial soldiers move forwards cautiously, to either side of the wagon, battleaxes ready to strike.
The soldier to the right of the wagon is now nicely lined up for Frank to charge at.
He howls and charges forwards!
The soldier strikes with his readied battleaxe and hits for 4 damage (9 hp left)
Frank bites for 5 damage; the soldier falls, defeated! (37 XP each)
Noon casts Mage Armour upon himself then prepares to enter combat with rapier drawn.
"Republican scum!" announces the sergeant, stepping up to his fallen comrade, ready to strike Frank should he step closer.
The townsfolk, alarmed by the sudden hostilies, move a little to see what is happening.
Cybel moves up behind Frank, drawing her spear.
Masqurin moves to back-up Noon.
The warrior on the far side of the wagon walks down the street, his eyes on our two spellcasters, keeping the wagon between him and Cybel.
The other warrior steps up to Frank, and kicks low in an attempt to trip the wolf-man over. Before he gets chance, Frank lunges forwards and bites the warrior for 6 points of damage, felling him. (38 XP each)
Frank, on a roll, steps forwards to engage the Imperial sergeant. He tries to raise his shield, but too late; Frank bites him in the arm for 3 damage.
Along the south road, the wizard and the knight pick up the pace, seeing the scuffle up ahead.
The wizard adjusts her pointy hat, moves closer to the action, and begins to cast a Sleep spell, waving her hands at Noon and Masqurin.
Noon passes his will save! Masqurin passes her will save!
"Your turn to sleep, wizard!" Noon shouts, charging forward to attack with his rapier.
"Hah, pointy-ears!" the wizard mocks, easily dodging his strikes.
The Imperial Sergeant, toe to toe with Frank, strikes with his longsword but doesn't get in a strong hit. He side-steps a little, looking nervous at the Centaur looming up ahead.
Cybel steps forwards and hurls her spear at him; the shot is true, hitting him for 5 damage but not downing him.
The Imperial Knight moves forwards to join his wizard, and strikes at Noon with his very long Ranseur; stopped easily by the elf's Magic Armour.
Masquirin moves nearer to Noon, chanting the words for 'Burning Hands'; she is lined up nicely to hit both the wizard and the knight. Flames goosh outwards from her fingertips, narrowly avoiding Noon and the nervous-looking villager.
The wizard fails her reflex save and suffers 7 points of damage; she is burninated! (75 XP each)
The knight passes his reflex save and suffers 3 points of damage.
The remaining warrior, unperturbed by the presence of magic, moves forwards to attack Masqurin.
He strikes with his battleaxe and hits for 3 damage. (She has 1 hp remaining) Forgot Magic Armour again! she groans.
Frank gets in a strong bite on the Sergeant, causing 4 points of damage and knocking him to the ground, dying. "Raaaar!", Frank shouts, and earns everyone 75 XP.
"Fear not, little one. I am here to aid thee!" shouts Noon; he maneuvers around the corner of the street to attack the Warrior from the north (he is almost in flanking position but not quite). He strikes with his rapier but does not score a hit.
Cybel about turns and rushes to aid Masqurin, drawing her Halberd on the way. She moves into position next to Noon and strikes the warrior for 14 points of damage! He falls, defeated. (37 XP each)
The Imperial knight, seeing his all his troops fallen, stamps the base of his long ranseur into the road and calls out: "You have bested my troops. Shall we finish this with honour? I will fight only you, lady knight." He points to Cybel.
"While I have confidence in my skills, I would not be willing to chance the lives of all citizens and my friends on the basis of one battle.
I will give you the opportunity to leave peacefully at this time."

[Cybel passes her Diplomacy check]
"Very well, lady; seek me on the battlefield should we clash again. I am Sir Vankar."
With that, he turns to leave.
[Total XP gained by everyone: 400 XP each]
Frank advances to level 2!
Masqurin advances to level 2!
Noon advances to level 2!
(I'll post up specific advances later on)
Whilst our characters may or may not want the grisly task of 'looting the bodies' it is nevertheless traditional for our Shining Force good-guys to receive treasure from felled foes, so here we go:
The wizard had 30 gold, a tiger-eye turquoise and an aquamarine gem.
The warriors had 1 gold coin each.
The sergeant had 10 gold coins and a snazzy-looking pair of winter boots.
You can divide this up as you like, or I can put it into a group piggy-bank.
Very shortly after Vankar leaves, the townsfolk go back to their routines whilst a dozen members of the town watch arrive in response to reports of hostilities.
The Tusurai guard captain steps forwards.
"Who is responsible for this?" he cries out, looking across everyone at this street corner.

Your Actions Here

>>This kind of fizzled out didn't it?

>The game works better when players actually submit their turns.

>>It does rather doesn't it? I've kind of forgotten about it for a long time. I wonder if Vic Remembers to look.

May as well keep everything on hold until I move back to Doncaster.