In this blog post, I will narrate a short skirmish and go in-depth into combat rules. If I miss anything, please let me know, so I can go back and correct it, or at least make a note of it. Characters' Status and Rank are not deducted from their point totals in this scenario, however, if you wish to replicate the characters, adjust their point totals accordingly to reflect that. Characters on Team 2 all use the character sheet of Dietrich. This entire combat was a turn of luck after a turn of luck on either side, and was truly riveting to play out. I am looking forward to playing out more!
Our Characters
Team 1 ("the Heroes")
Mark of Thalm, the Knightslayer [120/-30]
TL3, Status 1, Military Rank 2, Average Wealth
ST 13; DX 11; IQ 10; HT 10
BS 5.5; BM 5
Thrust: 1d; Swing 2d
Traits: Combat Reflexes*, High Pain Threshold, Striking ST 1, Lifting ST 1, Duty (To the Count of Thalm; FR 9), Sense of Duty (Friends and Companions), Bloodlust (CR 12), Code of Honor (Soldier's)
*: Combat Reflexes is factored into Active Defenses
Skills: Shortsword-14, Axe/Mace-13, Shield (Shield)-13, Fast-Draw (Knife)-12, Knife-12, Brawling-11, Heraldry-10, Savoir-Faire (High Society)-10, Leadership-10, Hiking-10, Housekeeping-10, Gesture-10, Savoir-Faire (Military)-10, Riding (Horse), Wrestling-10, Area Knowledge (Thalm)-10, Farming-10, Stealth-10*, Soldier-10, Survival (Woodlands)-10, Animal Handling (Equines)-10, First-Aid-10, Armoury (Body Armor)-9, Armoury (Melee Weapons)-9, Tactics-9, Targetted Attack (Knife Thrust, Skull)-9.
*: Encumbrance penalty not added here.
Equipment: Scabbard, Sword ($80, 0.6 lb), Cheap Shortsword ($160, 2 lb), Small Mace ($35, 3 lb), Rondel Dagger ($40, 1 lb), Kite Shield and Carrying Strap ($125, 18.2 lb), Pot-Helm ($100, 5 lb), Mail Coif ($55, 4 lb), Mail Hauberk ($230, 25 lb), Mail Sleeves ($70, 9 lb), Backpack, Small ($60, 3 lb), Purse, Small ($10, 0.2 lb), 16 Copper Farthings ($1, 0.008 lb), Wineskin ($10, 0.25 lb), 1 Torch ($3, 1 lb), 3 Traveler's Rations ($2, 0.5 lb).
Final Carried Weight: 73.8 lbs; Encumbrance Level: 1 (Dodge @ 8, Move @ 4)
DR: Skull 10/8, Torso 4/2, Groin 4/2, Arms 4/2, Legs 4/2
Attacks:
Shortsword, Swung. SL 14, 2d cut. Reach 1. Parry 11.
↳ Thrust. SL 14, 1d+1 imp. Reach 1. Parry 11.
Small Mace, Swung. SL 13, 2d+2 cr. Reach 1. Parry 10U.
Rondel Dagger, Thrust. SL 12, 1d imp. Reach C. Parry 9.
Kite Shield, Thrust. SL 13, 1d cr. Reach 1. Block 10. Grants +3 DB.
Tristan [80/-30]
TL 3, Status 0, Military Rank 1, Struggling Wealth
ST 11; DX 12; IQ 10; HT 10
BS 6; BM 6
Thrust: 1d-1; Swing 1d+1
Traits: Combat Reflexes*, Increased Basic Speed 0.50, Lifting ST 3, Duty (To Mark of Thalm, FR 12), Code of Honor (Soldier's), Struggling Wealth
*: Combat Reflexes is factored into Active Defenses
Skills: Bow-13, Knife-13, Fast-Draw (Knife)-13, Fast-Draw (Arrow)-13, Climbing-11, Stealth-11, Hiking-10, Armoury (Body Armor)-10, Carousing-10, First Aid-10, Savoir-Faire (Military)-10, Armoury (Missile Weapons)-10, Observation-10, Savoir-Faire (Servant)-10, Animal Handling (Equines)-10, Fast-Talk-10.
Equipment: Longbow ($200, 3 lb), Pot-Helm ($100, 5 lb), Cloth Cap ($5, 0 lb), Cloth Armor ($30, 6 lb), Cloth Sleeves ($20, 2 lb), Large Knife ($40, 1 lb), Hip Quiver ($15, 1 lb), 10 Arrows ($2, 0.1 lb), 10 Bodkin Arrows ($2, 0.1 lb), Rope (3/8", 10 yards long) ($5, 1.5 lb), Personal Basics ($5, 1 lb), Purse, Small ($10, 0.2 lb), 30 Copper Farthings ($1, 0.008 lb).
Final Carried Weight: 22.9 lbs; Encumbrance Level: 0 (Dodge @ 10, Move @ 6)
DR: Skull 7, Torso 1, Groin 1, Arms 1, Legs 1
Attacks:
Large Knife, Swung. SL 13, 1d-1 cut. Reach C, 1. Parry 9.
↳ Thrust. SL 13, 1d-1 imp. Reach C. Parry 9.
Longbow, SL 13, 1d+2 imp. Reach 210/280. Acc. 3, RoF 1, Shots 1(2), Bulk -8.
↳ Bodkins, SL 13. 1d+2 (2) pi. Reach 210/280. Acc. 3, RoF 1, Shots 1(2), Bulk -8.
Team 2 ("the Brigands")
Dietrich [53/-20]
TL 3, Status -1, Poor Wealth
ST 12; DX 11; IQ 10; HT 10
BS 5.25; BM 5
Thrust: 1d-1; Swing 1d+2
Traits: Combat Reflexes*, Social Stigma (Criminal Record), Poor Wealth
*: Combat Reflexes is factored into Active Defenses
Skills: Axe/Mace-13, Shield (Shields)-13, Running-11, Stealth-11.
Equipment: Mace ($50, 5 lb), Medium Shield ($60, 15 lb), Cloth Armor ($30, 6 lb), Cloth Cap ($5, 0 lb), Cloth Sleeves ($20, 2 lb)
Final Carried Weight: 28 lbs; Encumbrance Level: 0 (Dodge @ 9, Move @ 5)
DR: Skull 3, Torso 1, Groin 1, Arms 1, Legs 1
Attacks:
Mace, Swung. SL 13, 1d+5 cr. Reach 1. Parry 10U.
Medium Shield, Thrust. SL 13, 1d-1 cr. Reach 1. Block 10. Grants +2 DB.
Gernot (See Notes)
Erdwyn (See Notes)
The Background
The Year is 1483. Most soldiers are in the far east, fighting against invading warriors from lands unknown. Mark of Thalm and his Squire, Tristan, are some of the last Men at Count Ortwyn of Thalm's disposal. Mark is a Yeoman, and is normally in Count Ortwyn of Thalm's cavalry formation, however, Mark was quite sick when Count Ortwyn and his retinue set out for the Eastlands, so Count Ortwyn gave him leave to stay and protect Thalm along with the remaining garrison, of mostly levies.
During this time, Countess Alice of Thalm was left in charge, along with her two children, Hartwyn and Isabel. Hartwyn was too young to fight in the war, only being 15 years of age, and it is unbecoming of a noble woman like Isabel to go to war.
During the War, Countess Alice had noticed that the garrison was lighter than usual. Three of the levies in charge of manning the battlements of Castle Thalm at night were missing. The three were named Dietrich, Gernot, and Erdwyn. Initially, Countess Alice worried that foul beasts were afoot, but then, something much worse happened.
A week or so after the three levies disappeared, Hartwyn went missing. The entire castle was in panic. Soon after, a message came to Alice. It was a ransom for the life of Hartwyn, in the order of 10£ ($7200). The treasury of Castle Thalm couldn't fathom giving away 10£ while Count Ortwyn was away in the East; how could they pay their own garrison!
Thus, the Countess devised a plan. She would send noble Mark and his Squire to "give ransom" to the bandits. They would pay with their own lives. However, the two noble warriors were given the order to leave one alive, so they can track down the whereabouts of the Countess' noble son.
Thus, the two men set out on this quest to save the noble child. They felt that God was smiling upon them, and that they couldn't possibly fail. Mark of Thalm wielded his blue and white shield, with a black boar painted in the middle; the heraldic colors of Thalm. These blue and white colors were also painted upon his and Tristan's helms.
When they finally reached the point called Eagle's Ridge, where the road began to narrow and become uneven at the edge of the forest on a ridge, they saw them: the dirty brigands ahead of them. They were armed with no more than gambesons and maces, with roundshields. The shields had the paint scratched off and were covered in mud, though the mud was most likely unintentional.
For what felt like minutes, the two handsome warriors stared down the brigands. The tension in the air could make an eagle fall from the sky. Finally, once the brigands realized what was going to happen, everyone sprung to action.
Turn Order
The turn order is as follows:
Tristan
Mark of Thalm
Erdwyn
Dietrich
Gernot
Turn 1
Tristan draws his bow, and aims at Erdwyn.
Mark of Thalm steps forward, and draws his sword.
Erdwyn runs forward five yards, as do Dietrich and Gernot.
Turn 2
Tristan steps forward and waits for Erdwyn to come within five yards to fire at him.
Mark of Thalm steps north and prepares to strike anyone that might come in range, though unlikely.
Erdwyn runs forward... but is fired at before he completes his move!
Tristan rolls against a 14 (13 - 2 (range of 5 yards) + 3 (acc. bonus)), and succeeds! (11, MoS 3)
Erdwyn attempts a Dodge vs. 9+2, and fails! (12, MoF 1)
Tristan rolls 1d+2 damage, and rolls a 4. He subtracts Erdwyn's DR, to deal 3 imp damage. This totals to 6 injury to Erdwyn. At HP 12, this is not a Major Wound!
Erdwyn continues to move forward, attempting to make a Move and Attack at Mark of Thalm, but Mark's wait triggers first!
Mark strikes at Erdwyn, at SL 14. He succeeds! (7, MoS 7)
Erdwyn attempts to defend, with a block, at 10+2. (9, MoS 2)
Dietrich and Gernot move in as well, closing the gap.
Turn 3
Tristan readies his bow, fast drawing his arrow and knocking it.
Mark of Thalm makes a slash at Erdwyn! He succeeds his roll. (11, MoS 3)
Erdwyn makes a block, at 10+2. He succeeds this!
Erdwyn then makes a strike in retaliation, using his Mace, at Mark, at SL 13.
This attack fails, despite Erdwyn rolling a 10, due to the penalties of Shock. (10, MoF 1)
Dietrich turns, steps, and attacks Mark at SL 13. This succeeds! (7, MoS 6)
Mark attempts to Block at SL 10+3, but fails! (14, MoF 1)
Dietrich deals 1d+5 cr, for a total of 7 cr damage. This is subtracted from Mark's 2 DR vs. cr, for a total of 5 injury. This is not a major wound.
Gernot runs up, but does not attack.
Turn 4
Tristan fires his bow at Gernot, for an SL of 12. He succeeds! (11, MoS 1)
However, his foe, Gernot, manages to Block vs. 10+2! (12, MoS 0)
Mark then goes, stepping back and waiting for someone to approach him to strike at them.
Erdwyn then moves, pressing his luck, with an All-Out Attack (Strong), granting him +2 damage. This is at 13 to hit. However, first, Mark gets to swing at Erdwyn. Erdwyn does not get to defend.
Mark succeeds in the attack (11, MoS 3), dealing 8 cutting damage. This is subtracted from Erdwyn's DR 1, meaning he takes 10 injury. This is a major wound! However, it also calls for a consciousness check. Erdwyn fails this HT (10) roll. (13, MoF 3)
Dietrich then steps to the south west, attempting to strike at Mark. Mark makes a retreating Parry, for a roll against 11+3+1. He succeeds this, narrowly, stepping out of the way of the blade. (14, MoS 1)
Finally, Gernot turns and runs toward Tristan, to make a Move and Attack!
Rolling against a 9, Gernot misses.
Turn 5
Tristan drops his bow, and tries to Fast-Draw his Large Knife. He succeeds in this (12, MoS 1), immediately swinging at Gernot at an SL of 13. He succeeds in this! (9, MoS 4)
Gernot attempts to Dodge at 9+2, and succeeds. (6, MoS 5)
Mark steps towards Dietrich and makes an attack, which he succeeds. (10, MoS 4)
Dietrich successfully Blocks (10+2) this, however. (11, MoS 1)
Dietrich then turns and attempts to strike Mark! This succeeds. (7, MoS 6)
Mark attempts to retreat away from Dietrich's blow, with a Dodge (9+3+3)! This succeeds. (11, MoS 4)
Gernot attempts to strike at Tristan, which succeeds. (10, MoS 3)
Tristan retreats away from this blow, Dodging vs. 10+3, and succeeds! (6, MoS 7)
Turn 6
Tristan moves to the north, and prepares to strike at Gernot if he comes within range.
Mark steps forward and strikes at Dietrich! This barely succeeds. (14, MoS 0)
However, Dietrich defends just barely with his shield. (11, MoS 1)
Dietrich strikes at Mark, with one level of Deceptive, trying to trick Mark. Dietrich fails in this attempt however, due to being inexperienced with this art of trickery. (12, MoF 1)
Gernot steps to the south east, attempting to attack, but is met by the blade of Tristan!
Tristan swings true (9, MoS 4) however Gernot manages to defend against this blow using his shield (10, MoS 2).
Gernot then swings back at Tristan (10, MoS 3), however, Tristan retreats away from this strike. (11, MoS 2).
Turn 7
Tristan waits for Gernot to step forward to attack him, flourishing his weapon elegantly.
Mark makes another strike at Dietrich! This succeeds! (8, MoS 6)
Dietrich attempts a defense and does so in such an elegant manner! (CS: 4, MoS 8)
This manner causes Mark to drop his weapon, as it hits his shield, and he loses his grasp on it! (CF result: 9)
Dietrich then strikes at Mark, feeling that God is in his favor today. He succeeds. (9, MoS 4)
Mark steps back, and parries with his shield (6, MoS 8). He decrees that "God has not chosen me to die on this day!" with a shout!
Gernot steps forward at Tristan, who swings at him! This swing soars true! (9, MoS 4)
Gernot manages to block this, however. (5, MoS 7)
Gernot then strikes at Tristan! (11, MoS 2)
Tristan retreats, barely evading this attack from Gernot. (13, MoS 0)
Turn 8
Tristan makes a risky maneuver. He steps forward, making an All-Out Attack (Determined), striking at Gernot However, this attack has two levels of Deceptive on it!
Despite this, Tristan fails spectacularly! (CF: 17, MoF 4). Tristan's weapon flies from his hand, five yards ahead of him! Surely Tristan has met his doom today.
Mark grabs his mace from his belt, and grimaces at the sight of the knife flying away from the edge of his vision.
Dietrich steps forward and strikes at Mark once again! This succeeds (8, MoS 5), but Mark, with God's vision upon him, succeeds his Block. (11, MoS 2). "Anubus will protect me!" he shouts at the highwayman assailing him.
Gernot makes an All-Out Attack (Strong) at the defenseless Tristan. In a miraculous turn of luck, Gernot misses the defenseless Tristan! (14, MoF 1)
Turn 9
Tristan, defenseless and without options, hones in his Dodge with an All-Out Defense (Dodge).
Mark makes a strike at Dietrich with his mace, succeeding! (10, MoS 3)
Dietrich tries to block, but finally slips up, letting Mark strike him! Mark deals 8 cr, and after DR, deals 7 injury. This is enough to majorly wound Dietrich! Dietrich fails his HT (10) check (13, MoF 3), and is stunned and knocked to the floor!
Gernot, the last bandit standing, tries to strike at Tristan! With the gaze of Anubus upon our handsome protagonists, Gernot misses! (16, MoF 3)
Turn 10
Tristan performs another All-Out Defense (Dodge), while praying.
Mark steps and turns to Gernot, making an attack! His attack swings true! (11, MoS 2)
Gernot, however, manages to block this blow. (9, MoS 3)
Dietrich attempts to recover, and succeeds! (8, MoS 2)
Gernot turns and swings at Mark! (8, MoS 5)
Mark blocks expertly and defends against the blow. (7, MoS 6)
Turn 11
Tristan, once again putting his life in the hands of Anubus, prays and makes an AoD (Dodge).
Mark attempts another strike at Gernot, and his mace swings true! (9, MoS 4)
Gernot tries to defend using his shield, but fails his attempted block! (15, MoF 3)
Mark's mace whacks into Gernot, dealing 8 cr damage, which after Gernot's DR is subtracted, is 7 injury. This is enough to majorly wound him!
Gernot is not overly fazed by this, however, succeeding his HT roll to not be stunned! (7, MoS 3)
Gernot uses this turn to All-Out Defend (Block)!
Turn 12
Tristan grabs the Rondel Dagger from the belt of Mark, who has no issue with this.
Mark strikes Gernot once again! (8, MoS 5)
Gernot attempts his defense, succeeding in blocking the blow. (8, MoS 6)
Dietrich, while on the floor, grabs his mace.
Gernot strikes at Mark once again! (12, MoS 1)
However, Mark blocks this blow. (8, MoS 5)
Turn 13
Tristan steps into C range of Gernot, making a Thrust at his torso! (12, MoS 1)
Gernot attempts to block this strike and step back, and succeeds in this endeavor! (10, MoS 2)
Mark spins around, attempting to hit Dietrich in the leg! (6, MoS 7)
Dietrich, without a shield and kneeling, fails to defend! (9, MoF 2)
Mark deals 9 cr damage to Dietrich! The damage to legs are capped at 1/2 the HP of the target, meaning he only deals 6 injury, however, Dietrich must see if his leg is crippled or not!
Dietrich rolls HT, and succeeds! This wound is only temporary, however, his leg is still unable to be used. Dietrich is also at -1 HP, meaning he must make a roll to stay conscious. He succeeds this, and is still conscious. He falls back to the floor.
Dietrich writhes around in pain and Does Nothing.
Gernot attempts a strike at Tristan, who cannot retreat!
With no one to turn to but God, Tristan dodges, in such an expert manner, that only Anubus could have performed such a trick for Tristan! (CF: 4, MoS 6)
This causes Gernot to drop his weapon, as it slides out of his hand! (CF result: 11)
Turn 14
Tristan steps into C range of Gernot once again, stabbing at him, but he misses! (14, MoF 1)
Mark turns and jogs over to the side of Tristan and Gernot.
Dietrich starts standing up once again, but must make a consciousness roll. He goes unconscious! (11, MoF 1)
Gernot backs up, and strikes at Tristan! (8, MoS 5)
Tristan, still believing to the in the favor of Anubus, does not retreat, but simply sidesteps the blow. This works! (8, MoS 2)
Turn 15
Tristan waits for Mark to attack before stepping into C range of Gernot and striking at him.
Mark strikes at Gernot, but misses! (15, MoF 2)
Tristan then moves forward to attack Gernot! (5, MoS 8)
Gernot steps back and defends against this, however! (7, MoS 5)
Gernot then deftly strikes at Tristan! (13, MoS 0)
Tristan, not trying to test his faith, backs up, and dodges out of the way of this blow. (12, MoS 1)
Turn 16
Tristan waits for Mark to strike before acting!
Mark, wanting this ordeal to be over, charges forward with one powerful step, making an All-Out Attack (Determined) and investing two levels of Deceptive into this attack! (11, MoS 2)
Failing to block the strike (14, MoF 4), Mark's strike connects with the brigand!
Mark deals 6 cr damage, which after DR is subtracted, is 5 injury; enough to put Gernot into the range where he must make rolls vs. his HT (10) to stay conscious.
Gernot fails this roll (12, MoF 2) and goes unconscious.
The Aftermath
Tristan and Mark of Thalm, immediately as the danger became trivial, took a minute to rest. Both Tristan and Mark could have died a horrible death in that fight, and almost did. While Tristan chocks it up to faith, Mark knew that Tristan's life was in the hands of luck alone.
Mark retrieved his blade and cut off the head of Erdwyn and Dietrich, but spared Gernot, who he applied First Aid to. Once the man woke up, they forced him to bring them to Hartwyn, who was kept in a small cage half submerged underneath the earth. He was dirty, but unscathed. He was overjoyed to see the knight Mark and his noble Squire, despite Mark's Hauberk being covered in blood.
Mark of Thalm, Tristan, and the noble child Hartwyn all ventured back to Castle Thalm, where they returned the child to his rightful place inside the castle. As a reward, both Mark and Tristan were rewarded with a sum of 1£ ($720), which Mark declined to take from Tristan, meaning that Tristan could afford mail for himself now. Mark decided to not use these funds yet. Now, these two noble heroes will have songs sung of their names within the Court of Castle Thalm for seasons to come.
My notes on this fight
First of all, shields are far greater than I remember. This entire fight would have been over within four turns if the combatants did not have shields. Also, the pure amount of luck that went into saving the life of Tristan and Mark was unreal. I thought that the protagonists of this Combat Example would have surely died!
Characters in this experiment were made almost completely with the GURPS Basic Set 4e, though some items came from Low-Tech, and there was one Targeted Attack skill which did not come up during play that was taken from Martial Arts. Overall, it was a fun experiment. In the future I would like to do this within a YouTube video, to hopefully introduce players to GURPS in a non-written format, as videos are the preferred format these days.
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