Any Amber PBEM games looking for a player?

[SnakeNuts]

I'm sorry if this is something that is discussed elsewhere (if so, kindly point me in the correct direction...) but I'm looking for an Amber PBEM or Play-By-Forum game to participate in.

I GM two D&D campaigns but can't seem to get another one up to be a regular player, and I've always enjoyed the Amber PBEMs I've been involved in before.

I've also just been made redundant and would like something positive to do whilst I go through the rigamarole of finding another job. A PBEM seemed like just the ticket.

So, if anyone has any openings or knows of any games with openings, please let me know. I'll be eternally greatful...

Regards,

Alex.

[Xenon]

a new PBEM game of ADRPG would be nice, I agree. I would also like to play

actually, I'm thinking about running an Amber game, but my ideas are still in the planning stages.

[gabriel_ss4u]

I've never done PBEM with people I don't know, only my gaming group a bit when we all left the military. Most of us kept in touch.

I'd love to try, please know you'd have an experienced Player, just more F2F friendly. (and a slow typist) But If the auction is open, I'm in too...

[Croaker]

I did some PBEM, and would have done it with pleasure if only I had the time.

Good luck to you: personnal and professionnal life are the worst ennemies of a successful PBEM

[moritheil]

Good luck to you: personnal and professionnal life are the worst ennemies of a successful PBEM

Incredibly true.  I've been in 7 PBEM campaigns in the past 5 years and not one of them actually finished (though to be fair a couple did get near completion.)

Anyway, despite that, I'd really like to play Amber, so feel free to notify me as well if someone is starting one up!

[jibbajibba]

i might do one in the Autumn would restrict to folks on this site as I too have played in and hosted games that stumblked and i think the reason was that the only link between the majority of players was the game. This forum might well act as an additional level of glue.

[Schattensturm]

I was trying hard to start one in German since last September until recently, but didn't generate enough players - unfortunately Amber is not well known over here. I'd really be willing to GM a PbeM, but I am not sure whether I feel up to the task of doing it in English. But I'd be keen to join one.
I could even provide the GM with an easy to use sharepoint website and would be willing to help with the web administration.

Just to give you an impression: http://amber.schattensturm.net

Maybe someone is interested in cooperative GMing?

[moritheil]

I was trying hard to start one in German since last September until recently, but didn't generate enough players - unfortunately Amber is not well known over here. I'd really be willing to GM a PbeM, but I am not sure whether I feel up to the task of doing it in English. But I'd be keen to join one.
I could even provide the GM with an easy to use sharepoint website and would be willing to help with the web administration.

Just to give you an impression: http://amber.schattensturm.net

Maybe someone is interested in cooperative GMing?

That really has me torn.

I have run various campaigns online for about 8 years now.  But those were different systems.  I don't want to GM Amber before I have more experience with it as a system.  There's a lot of nuance you don't catch as a player that you absolutely must grasp as a GM, so I don't know if I could do a proper job of it.

What are your thoughts on the metaphysics of Amber, anyway?  I'd imagine you'd want to come to a rough agreement with any prospective co-GM.  Do you run games using all the novels, or just the Corwin books?

[Schattensturm]

What are your thoughts on the metaphysics of Amber, anyway?  I'd imagine you'd want to come to a rough agreement with any prospective co-GM.  Do you run games using all the novels, or just the Corwin books?

An agreement on metaphysics is an absolute must in a cooperative game. Apart from that, a hierarchy is needed. One of the GMs has to have the last say on matters regarding the plot. I, for instance, would be willing to leave this to my co-GM.

The question whether the Merlin books are chronicle-canonic or not is, I agree, an important question. But this is just a component of the larger complex of the game setting. GMs need to agree on where the major NPCs (elder-Amberites) are heading with their plans, what their goals are, what has happened since the end of the according chronicles, what the mood is. If an agreement has been concluded on this, it is not that difficult to split NPCs and tasks between GMs. I've done it before in pen and paper games. Although watching what your co-GM makes of your mutual ideas might seem a little bemusing from time to time, players actually tend to like it. But yes, one has to bite the bullet of giving up total control - which, once you have done it, can be fun.

[moritheil]

An agreement on metaphysics is an absolute must in a cooperative game. Apart from that, a hierarchy is needed. One of the GMs has to have the last say on matters regarding the plot. I, for instance, would be willing to leave this to my co-GM.

You bring up an interesting point.  Yes, I see that a hierarchy is needed to prevent bad things from happening once different ideas arise.

The question whether the Merlin books are chronicle-canonic or not is, I agree, an important question. But this is just a component of the larger complex of the game setting.

Of course, it is not the only issue.  But it clarifies a great many metaphysical questions which are, I think, even more basic than the questions like "What is Dworkin's real agenda?"  Nevertheless, you are right; all such questions need to be concluded agreeably before two people can GM together.

[jibbajibba]

when i have done co-Gm'd games the GMs tend to split the elemets So GM 1 gets pattern and Trump, GM 2 gets Shapeshift and Logrus. Agreement is done on the other stuff as it comes up (who runs Tir who runs Chaos who runs amber etc)

[jibbajibba]

oh if i did run somethign i woudl probably recycle elements from http//://www.jibbajibba.com/Amber

[gabriel_ss4u]

Maybe someone is interested in cooperative GMing?

I may be talked into doing Chaos if Jibbajibba needs the help on that frontier.
But I'd rather play my 1st time Pbemin' to get the hang of it... if neds be, I have a slew of Chaos houses and characters to pull from Jibba, I'll e-mail you the stats if ya need. Until then, sounds like it would work well with the forum being the 'glue' as it was put. I know there are some eager players. I'm one.
Keep me advised please.

[Schattensturm]

oh if i did run somethign i woudl probably recycle elements from http//://www.jibbajibba.com/Amber

Recycling is good for environment.

[jibbajibba]

oh an example of my prior PBEM play - the nice thing about PBEM is that it leaves artifacts in this cate a wiki chat entry between 2 PCs and me that happened over a month or so (the slowness is hte downside :-)


Royce: So, take me to these captives. Or, if you prefer, I can take the captives myself to someplace else. Up to you.

Etienne: okay come with me.

Etienne walks out of the castle and through the gardens as he walks he starts to manipulate objects and you see a couple of flowers appear that are found only in Arden. The two of you round a set of bushes into what would be a quiet part of the garden usually and you find yourself in a glade in the forest.

A small squad of men dressed in the uniforms of the Rangers of Arden camp round a small fire. Another man sits crosslegged to the side playing a tune on a wooden flute. Unlike the others he is bare chested and his skin is stripped like that of a tiger. A half dozen horses are grazing nearby.

Etienne : I learnt a few tricks on my hunting trips with Dad. Rama get everyone together.

The tiger skinned guy puts down his flute and organises the rangers who saddle horses etc.

Etienne: Okay Royce you are going to have to wear this . Nothing personal but you know how it is. It's only a 15 minute ride.

Royce looks dubiously at the blindfold, then back at Etienne. "A blindfold... while surrounded by your men? I confess, brother, I am a little...disturbed. If you wish, I can wait here while you bring the prisoners this way."

Etienne: These prisoners are our only link back to Pheonix. If you see where they are and then we get attacked or they are eliminated then I am going to have to think you did it and then I am going to have to kill you, and neither of us want that. This is the only way I can be sure of your loyalty to the realm.

Royce: "I will do this thing, for the sake of the Realm. Do not presume, dear brother, to question my loyalty. And remember this act I take when I ask you in the future to place your trust in me. Put on the blindfold." When you get closer, I will say quietly so that none of your men hear, "And, brother, be both very careful and very serious when you threaten me with death: be sure it is a fate you can deliver when you speak that threat. Unlike some of our siblings, I do not hold ill will towards you, nor do I speak contemptuously of you, as some have, so I am truly sincere when I say I would regret it if we came to blows and I was forced to kill you. If we are both fortunate, that will not ever happen. You may blindfold me now."

Etienne: Okay, and I had no intention to insult you brother. Rama lead the line.

The horses are saddled and ready for the off. Etienne ties the thick blindfold round Royce's head and helps him onto a mount.They travel for 15 minutes at a steady pace and then the groups stops and Etienne dismounts. Etienne helps Royce dismount and removes the blindfold.

They now stand in a low hollow. The trees here are more dense and less perfect that Amber trees usually seem. Six soldiers are tied in the center of the small clearing. They wear black uniforms with a red insignia of a Phoenix  . The soldiers are all bound face down feet and hands tied behind. They appear to be dark skinned humans of a general sort.

The tiger skinned guy Rama sits to one side and now he has been joined by another fellow of similar appearance except his skill is spotted like a leopard and he carries a mighty curved bow. The rangers can't be seen anywhere.

Etienne: Right. These are the guys we captured. These fellows are Rama and Tetch of the Seekers. I can't risk having any of the Rangers about in case they overhear information. The Seekers are the only people I trust unreservedly. However, that having been said there are rangers in the woods all around with bows...

Okay Royce they are all yours. They seem to speak a variant of Thari but are quite understandable.

Royce: "Have your men start a fire, please, brother. Also, if you have any surgical supplies, I could certainly use them. It does us no benefit to have these men die before we learn whats necessary." Turning to the prisoners, "I believe you prisoners may have useful information. I intend to have it. I am short on time, so we will begin before I get my tools." Royce strides over to one of the prisoners, picks one at random and drags him off. The prisoner isn't taken far, so his fellows will hear his screams, but they won't hear what information he offers. Looking down at the man, Royce loudly makes an offer, "Tell me all you know, or the pain begins." Without waiting for the man to answer, Royce begins cutting the mans clothing away. He immediately begins working sensitive areas with his knife, not cutting too deeply as he wants the man to live for a while.

The man does his utmost not to scream, bites down on his tongue and grits his teeth. You admire his bravery but eventually after about 4 minutes of probing he cracks and lets out a mighty scream. Now he is screaming loudly and weeping. "What do you you want to know Demon?" he cries out

Etienne:

Royce: Everything. Tell me everything. I can increase or decrease the pain you are feeling. Tell me who you are working for, and I might stop using my dagger as a bow and your nerve tissue as a violin. Tell me all."

Amongst the screams you get the following information. "I work for the Lord Phoenix and The Lady Raven. We are here to avenge the defeat at your hands against the Heavenly Host. We are here to wipe the evil that is amber from the map and free our people from your tyrany. Before we failed but this time we are planning more carefullty and we shall be victorious."

There is an almost religious zeal as I have mentioend before. A couple of others confirm the tale. Basically, they are Outriders for the army of Lord Phoenix and Lady Raven. They are here as part of a crusade to free their people, long lost and taken into slavery by the Amberites, and destroy the evil of Amber. They truly beleive this. The army is camped in a nearby forest that is separated by "The Veil" which thay can not cross unassisted.

Royce: Describe your Lord & Lady. What do they look like? Who are their people?

Royce proceeds to interrogate them further. Once their resolve is broken they are very pliant. Generations ago their country was ravaged by the army of Amber. The women were raped and the men killed or taken into slavery. Slowly they recovered but their civilisation never reached such heights again. Then a few years ago The Lord Phoenix and Lady Raven arrived. They were accompanied by a few troops and were in a bad state. They had just returned from Amber where their army was narrowly defeated. They were welcomed as heroes and in time began a crusade. They formed a new army and bought it back to Amber. The Lord Phoenix is a great warrior tall and handsome, his Lady Raven is dark haired and beautiful and she has some powers as a mage. Both have suffered at the hands of Amber and both have dedicated their lives to ridding the world of that evil menace.

Royce: Do you have any questions, Etienne, to put to these people?

Etienne: Yes. I need details on troops, number and variation. Does Phoenix still have any of those angel guys with him? How do the troops cross the veil?

The soldiers look at Etienne, they ignore his questions at first but a gentle prod from Royce is enough to loosen their tongues some more. The army numbers about 100,000 men, mostly infantry with a high proportion of Archers. Of the Host only 11 remain these are Phoenix's personal guard and the only ones save the Lord and Lady themselves who can lead troops across The Veil.

Royce: Thats a large army. Etienne, we need to muster troops and damned fast. Ideas?

Etienne: Without the leaders the army is nothing, it's trapped in shadow for one thing. I say we take down this Lord and Lady and then the threat goes away, although I think the 'Host' represent another threat that needs to be dealt with. Then there are a lot of questions to answer. How do these guys walk through shadow, where did these stories about Amber attacking their country in the past come from and how does it relate to the other stuff we heard about this morning.

Royce: Does it relate to the meeting earlier? I am not sure; it is rather coincidental if it doesn't, but life is stranger than fiction, they say. Your skills with the Pattern seem a bit stronger than mine... are you able to find this army and take us there? It may be possible to find the Lord & Lady and learn their identities.

[GM Note: it's night now about 10:30pm you left the library at about 7:15pm]

Etienne: I can follow these guys trail back to where ever it came from. In fact I am already working on it.

With that a hawk flies down into the hollow and alights on a log. The form shimmers and takes on the form of a man bare chest covered with feathers. A pair of wicked looking scimitars hang at his belt.

Etienne: This is Hosta. Hosta did you follow their trail?

Hosta: [I am assuming I can speak for him as per email] Yes. There is a force of maybe 100,000 or so they are 2 shadows clear it is an easy path. They are well encamped master. Fortified ditches and a wooden palisade. The men are wel drilled and ready for war. But there is one more thing another shadwo trail leads out of that place this one well trod and more of the seem to be soming down it. I would have to observe longer to get more details.

Etienne: Well Royce I suggest you, Hosta, Rama and I go and take a closer look. What say you?

Royce: I am ready to go. Do we want anyone else... that is, can we think of anyone else to bring you is both useful and trustworthy?

Etienne: I think the four of us should be able to cope with two of them. If they are able traverse shadow that suggests the possibility of a family member. What do you think do we have any missing brothers who can lead an army?

Royce: Any of us can lead or recruit an army... the question is how well can it be done. Well, have your people leadus onwards then. Let's see what we can find out and make a decision then.

[GM: Okay i need to know how you are goign to travel. Foot Horse etc and how you intend to move as well, fast, slow and sneaky. I will take a lead from either of you]

OOC- I prefer slow & sneaky. Screw the horses; we can always steal some when its time to leave.

[GM: okay I will take that as a given then and proceed]

The four of you set out. Hosta shape changes to a hawk and takes point. The other three of you move on foot. Taking your time you move through a version of Arden. The forest is similar to the true Arden but shifted by one degree. The group moves with silence and assurance, three men all used to quietly moving easily and comfortably and leaving very little trace of their passing.

Following Hosta's lead you move through the dark woods. You can both feel the slow shift in shadow as you move forward. Then after a thirty minute walk, as you drop down toward a narrow stream bed, you can hear it. The sound of an army at camp. An army of a hundred thousand is not a quite beast and less wise mean would be astounded as to why you were unable to hear them a moment earlier but of course you know only too well that this army was not present a few moments ago but only exists in this shadow you now occupy.

Rama takes the lead and drops to his belly inching forward to peer over a low mound. You following staying low and out of sight. The army is vast. Tents spread out before you lit by thousands of campfires. The troops are at rest but they are not idle , they clean weapons and polish their lacquered black armour. Just before you, perhaps 300 meters away you can see a figure unlike the rest. Clad in white it stands amongst the fires, an angel. Fair of face with blonde hair tousled in the wind it stands taller than the others maybe 7 feet you would guess. It seems to be directing the soldiers round it, it's hard to make then out in the shadows.

Etienne: Okay I am going to look for the biggest tent. If we can't see it from here I will send Hosta to scout from above. When we know which one it is Rama and I will sneak up on it

You can see a area of the camp that looks busier but from here you can't make out any detail. Hosta flies high above the camp and circles a couple of times. He returns and shift back then explains that at the centre of the camp is a large collection of tents one of which flies the Phoenix banner that you saw on the uniforms of the captured soldiers. He also saw another half dozen of the angel creatures gathered there.

Etienne: Right I am going to see if we can get some uniforms from somewhere and then perhaps we can infiltrate this camp. Are then any sentries , lookout boarder guards ? Anything like that at all?

As the four of you hunker down you can make out a couple of shapes about forty yards from the main camp they are huddled round a tall brazier. Careful observation reveals that there are more figures like these placed at perhaps 200 yard intervals around the whole camp. Now obviously they have selected this area as its clear of trees and these guards are perhaps a hundred yards from the tree line on this side. The moon is just past full and the sky is clear so its a bright night and it would be difficult for you to eliminate a set of these guards without anyone in the main camp noticing, not impossible of course but difficult. Of course you do have a bunch of prisoners wearing the right uniforms tied up back at home...

Etienne: Royce this is going to be much easier if we have some uniforms we could then just walk into the place. I can't shift shadow here to create tehm but I think I could take a short shadow walk to go and collect some. I will be gone about 15 minutes just hold here and I will leave Hosta and Rama to guard you in case anything kicks off.

With that Etienne rises and sprints off baack the way you came. [I will shift shadow to an adjacent where the army just happen to have placed an unguarded supply tent just to the side of their main force].

Royce under his breath after Etienne leaves: "Guard me. Cute."

Etienne returns to the hollow. He is wearing a black uniform similar to those of the troops below. He has a canvass bag with him and is carrying a couple of long spears.

Etienne: Okay the store room wasn't entirely unguarded but wasn't too great an issue (he grins). I have the uniforms. They are not identical but as good as. The emblem is slightly different.

Opens the bag and spills the uniforms onto the ground. The two Seekers grab shirts and trousers and get changed.

Etienne: Well Royce not sure its an exact fit but help yourself.

Royce looks at the uniform, "It will fit well enough, I am sure." Gets dressed. "So, are we ready to head out then?"

Etienne: Yeah lets do it. We'll need to keep our faces covered we are a little paler than these guys and you two need to hide your markings (guestures to Hosta and Rama). Right we sneak through the camp avoiding the guards until we get close to the largest tent we slip inside and end this before it starts.

Royce: Lead the way, brother.

Etienne: Okay lets go. I think we should try and make it past their defences unseen then we can walk round the camp relatively unmolested. I don't think we can bluff them in a face to face situation.

(GM reading the whole thread through you say that the camp is surrounded by a ditch and pallisade but the most recent descriptions seem to indicate a more open set up... I guess just a slip I wil assume a pallisade and a ditch with the outer perimeter guards another 40 yards beyond that .. Since you have not mentioned guards along the top of the pallisade I will again assume there are none)

Etienne: The plan is Rama makes a distraction and the three of us sneak into camp in the confusion. I can see 2 ways in. Either we get down into the ditch and then climb up over the pallisade or we use the confusion of the distraction to slip in through one of the gateways. Climbing is less complex but physically harder I think it's our best bet. Royce you able to climb up that wall? I have climbing daggers for such work and Hosta has his claws... you will need something and there will be a drop the other side.

GM : Fair point on the palisade. Yes there is a palisade with a ditch around the camp. The palisade has 4 gates one in each cardinal point. The southern gate is the closest to you and the western gate is the closest to the forest, still about 150m away from the treeline though. Each gate has 4 guards. The palisade is made up of the trees stripped from the edge of the forest to enlarge the clearing and is about 25 feet high. There do not seem to be guards along its length but as stated there is an outer ring of guard points each with a fire about 200 yards apart. Over all the palisade is about 500 meters across and is roughly circular.

Royce: Yea, I suppose my sword won't help much for climbing, but I sure as hell won't leave it behind. I don't suppose you have two sets of daggers do you?

Etienne: You can never have too many daggers (grins and passes Royce a pair of daggers pulled from his boots). I guess these spears aren't mush use then ... Okay lets go to work!

Rama nods and heads off into the forest, as he leaves his form shifts to that of a large tiger. A few minutes later there is a roar followed by a couple of loud shouts and a scream.

Etienne: That should distract them.

Etienne moves forward keeping very low and starts the 40 yard crawl to the ditch.

Royce follows as stealthily as possible.

The three of you move toward the ditch. All experts at the art of stealth you reach the edge of hte dith and roll down into the shadows.

The Camp has come to life as men rush to the Southern Gate to deal with the tiger that has emerged from the woods and eviscerated a couple of guards.

The are of wall you have chosen sits in shadow and is equi-distant from the Western and Southern Gates.

The Logs have been stripped of bark and are smooth but a dagger can gain purchase, or indeed in Hosta's case a wicked set of Talons he grows from his hands.

Hosta climbs first ascending with ease. He reaches the top and staying low to reduce his outline he slides over the top of the wall.

Royce waits a moment or two to see if there is any reaction and then follows suit.

Etienne follows having checked round one last time

The area on the other side of the wall is dark and deserted. There are a set of tents nearby clustered round a small camp fire. In fact it looks as though the smallest aremy unit here is made up of these fire teams 5 tents with 2 men to a tent so squads of 10 men.

The three of you move keeping out site towards the centre of the camp. Hosta leading as he has an idea of the geography of the place from the sky. You slowly work your way towards the centre of the camp. You occasionally see a few tents larger than the rest. You take these as officers quarters. A guess would say one per ten squads. The men you do observe seem to be engaged in general soldierly duties playing dice, eating, drinking, telling, tales the type of activity found in any camp when battle is not imminent.

Carefullly picking your way towards the centre of the camp, taking a circuitous route to avoid the main concentrations of activity. You arrive at it's centre. The General's tent is more of a pavilion than anything else its front is currently open and some sort of feast is going on. Staying low and keeping to shadows you find a position that allows you to observe the procedings.

There are a number of tables arranged in a U and about 20 peole seated about them. At the head sits a tall black haired man. He wears his hair long and is cleanshaven. He laughs a lot and often looks to the woman sitting on his right. A handsome man there is something about the eyes or the mouth that seems familiar to you both.

The woman to his right is stunning. She wears her thick black hair in a braid, a simple gown of some silky dark material hangs off one shoulder and exposes just enough of her pale skin to make it difficult to move your eyes from her.

To the man's left sits an older fellow perhaps in his 50's. He sports a grizzled beard and a large scar down the left side of his face. It is his story, a tale of a young man's lucky escape from the father of his paramore that the others are listening too. His voice has depth and humour and the tale is well told. There are 2 other figures at the top end of the U. To the woamn's right sites an elderly fellow. He has a long beard and laughs at the tale often whilst picking at a bowl of fruit. on the the other sits the fist of these fellows to have the same appearance as the men you captured and questioned in Arden. Dark of skin he wears a black jacket. He laughs less than the rest and seems perhaps less at ease in their company.

Of the remaining 15 who sit on the tables forming the arms of the U 10 are of an angelic appearance like the one you saw earlier. Tall and slender they smile a lot but do not openly laugh at the story. They are the only ones at the table to be wearing armour, elaborate polished breast plates and possibly greaves though that is difficult to make out. The remaining 5 are dark skinned fellows in the black jacketed uniform. One of them has a shaved head and his unform has a different cut from the rest. He seems more serious than the others.

A handful of lower ranks are on hand to wait on these notables. It appears they have already cleared away the meal and this is hte end of the evening. As you watch the shaven haired fellow rises, bows formerly tot the head of the table and takes his leave. The meal seems to be breaking up now and the various parties are departing.

Etienne: Okay Royce do we stick together and take the head guy, split up and take out his seconds and then come back for him or another plan? I think we cut the head off this beast and it will wither and die what do you think?

Royce: I'd love to take him out, if its possible. If we could get any of the other leaders, so much the better. Basically, anyone who can move through Shadows needs to give their ass for their cause, and they need to give it right quick. SO, whats your idea for going after him?

Etienne: I suggest we wait until they go to sleep. It's my guess that he and she will be together. We slip in and take then out in their sleep. Knife across the throat, nice and quite then we set a fire in this place and cause as much havoc as possible. We can slip away in the confusion. Then we can pull an army together and hit this place and mop up what ever is left.

Royce: That would be fine. Do you have any trumps on you? We might wish to have our brothers in the city start arming troops and preparing to bring them here when we need them.

Etienne: I do. How about Lysander he seems the most likey. Don't trust Arden, I can't see Thomas doing much in a battle. Cailin is off in shadow. The rest are sorcerors or not to be trusted or both.

Royce: Cailin, even when not off in shadow, is suspect. Lysander may be the one you feel the most competent, but what I think we may need is someone to muster the troops. In Ernaux's absence, it does make sense to ask Thomas to assemble the troops. He doesn't need to lead them. Just get them ready for the two of us.

Etienne: Okay Thomas it is. You want to call him or me?

Royce: I can, if you wish. I thought that you and he were not on the best of terms.

Etienne: I have to admit to having an adversion to those that talk more than they act.

Royce takes Thomas's card and begins concentrating. [I will try emailing him rather than inviting him here and letting him see everything thats happened.]

 

Royce puts away the card after a little while. "He'll get an army ready. So, are we ready to start this?"

Etienne: Born ready .

Knives out Etienne moves forward through the shadows the the back of the large tent. Hosta follows bearing his scimitars. Taking one of his razor sharp hunting knives Etienne will gently cut a slit in the back of the tent.

Royce moves behind them, as silently as he can, all the while watching behind in case anyone comes that way.

Inside the tent is lit by a number of dim laterns. There is an odour of incense in the air. You can hear the sound of two people engaged in amourous activity. By the light you can just make out the form of the female though a gauzy curtain. She is in the throws of extasy. You have to guess that Phoenix must be underneath her.

Royce nods to Etienne and moves as quietly and stealthily as he can to a position that will let him attack either the woman or the man under her. He gestures for Etienne to move to a position opposite him. He prepares and waits.

Etienne, keeping low moves toward the far side of the tent to get behind the girl. Hosta will remain where he is ready to pile on in if things get messy. Etienne is wishing they had worked out a signal in advance...

Royce moves in quietly, draws his blade and attempts to strike the man under the woman.

As Royce moves toward the bed the woman flicks her head up her eyes wide with suprise.

"Fuck, Royce!" she all but whispers as your blade starts it's journey.

Then things become blurred her body flies off to one side and your blade connects but the man is fast exceptionally so. Using the leverage of one arm he somehow arab springs himself off to the other side of the bed. A slight wound to his shoulder drips blood down his arm.

"PSSCHAPP" he shouts and Royce feels everything cloud for a moment and go dark. Then the man shouts out again this time in pain.

A moment later your eyes clear and you before you you see ...

Phoenix stands next to the bed. He looks young perhaps in his 20s, tall and lean with an athletic build. A shallow cut to his shoulder drips a thin trail of blood down his arm. He hold a bloody dagger in his left hand and you can see the wound where Etienne's dagger struck home in his back. His is injured, naked and armed only with a dagger against two armed and ready Amberites but he does not look like he is in any mind to run from this fight.

On the other side of the bed the girl, still tantalisingly naked, has risen to a sitting position and has just about recovered her senses, behind her in shadows Hosta is drawing close those wicked scimitars at the ready.

"So I wondered how long it would take you to stumble across us , perhaps I grew too complacent after all. Raven another look to the rear."

Royce: "So, what brings you back to Amber again? Why the grudge? And who are you that you walk in Shadow?"

Etienne will look round for another weapon, I am not convinced that my remaining dagger will be enough. Hopefully something log and pointy a spear is ideal but a sword will do. Also I keep an eye on the girl and if she even looks like she is casting a spell or anything she gets my second dagger in the throat.

"I heard you liked asking questions Royce. In answer to the first question I hate to leave a job unfinished and my business with Amber is not yet done. My grudge is simple much like that of the men outside. Amber is a tyrany, you lay waste to cities, kidnap the young and defenseless and cause havoc. Each time like a thief in the night striking when and where you are least expected and then running for shadow. This evil can not be allowed to fester. As for my own abilities if you survive this meeting it will give you something to ponder."

With that he flicks his foot out and launches something from the floor toward Etienne and turning his dagger comes at you in a low arc. He is fast, the dagger blade is but a blur.

Royce, seeing the attack on Etienne, joins the fray.

Etienne: Assuming I don't yet have a spear and still have just the knife, I will move into the arc of his blade and use my left foot to block his incoming arm, trying to catch him on the forearm and maybe stun the blade loose and then I will move in close and try and upwards thrust with my dagger into his ribs.

Okay his arm slips up at the last moment and he rolls to the left away from bed. His blade slices across your leg its a deep cut but along the front of the shin so no real damage hurts though and the blood starts pumping. As he turns he is now in a position away from the two of you so in effect he is facing both of you as opposed to having you in front and behind in. As he does this it checks Royce's attack as he is now in a position to parry with his dagger as the attack come in.

Etienne: okay I am guessing that I didn't get in close enough and I am starting to think on the warfare front he has the edge. Haven't really asked this before but do you count Hand to Hand combat, which runs on Strength not warfare to include martial arts type stuff or just wresting and your ability to absorb a blow? Also what about using Pattern in Combat? specifically can I manipulate probability in combat?

Okay Strength takes over when you get your hands on your opponent, so effectively grappling in some form and yes I would say the damage you can take from blows and stuff is Strength as well, though how long you can continue with a serious injury is Endurance. Pattern takes total concentration so if you were in combat and did nothing but concentrate for 30 seconds you could use it of course you can whack a guy with a sword a good few time in 30 seconds if he is doing nothing to stop you so as a tactic it is ill-advised.

Royce will take a measured approach against our enemy. I want to feel out his defenses, see if I can find a vulnerability. If possible, I will try to create an opening that Etienne can take advantage of. Additionally, I will watch for openings he provides to me. If possible, I will move to a flanking position. Finally, I am not looking for killing thrusts. With two of us here, we can wear him down possibly with smaller blows, so I look to inflict several small injuries, leading up to the big strike that maims him (or puts him out of the fight.)

[Sorry about delay I was moving house] Okay Royce adopts a steady offense pressing and engaging Phoenix but never exposing anything. This guys is good, naked and with only the knife blade, he parries your assaults and throws in a few moves of his own that Royce really stretches to get to. His wounds don't seem to slow him down much although he is still bleeding. I am assuming that Etienne is waiting for a change to strike [please confirm] but even though Royce is pressing him he never takes his spare eye off Etienne.

Royce you get the impression you are not going to break him down alone and you need Etienne to more fully engage.

However, there is another conflict going on. Hosta rapidly closes to engage the woman. Phoenix shouts out though to warn her though and she turns to meet him. He is quick, Amber quick, but she is faster though unarmed. They spar for a moment or two he is going for a quick kill. She uses this and tricks him and closes in on him gets her hands to his throat. As the two of you spar with Phoenix you hear a dull crack and Hosta falls limp to the ground her hands about his neck.

She turns to face the two of you and her body begins to shimmer and starts to form itself into a different shape. A huge serpent.

Etienne: Fuck .. okay my impression is that one on one we are no match for Phoenix. and we have the girl coming in on us as well. I can't believe that Hosta couldn't hold her I should have told him to be more defensive and just keep her occupied. Okay, I should have a bigger weapon by now and I am going to use it to engage the serpent woman. while Royce deals with Phoenix. Brother i think we might need an exit strategy if you have any ideas please let me know.

Royce: "Buggered if I can think of anything other than killing these assholes." Royce begins looking for anyway to cause an "incident" that can be used to manufacture an escape: knocking over candles and starting a fire, that sort of thing.

Etienne has collected a spear and now fends of the Serpent which is fighting a defensive battle of it's own and holding him at bay. The two are well enough matched to continue at this for a while. Phoenix starts to press Royce and Royce is finding it harder and harder to block the incoming attacks. Even going to a fully defensive stance is proving tricky and after a few minutes Royce takes a cut to the forearm and another to his leading leg as Phoenix switches between different attacking styles looking for an opening and finally settles on a kind of mix between Silat an Kali knife fighting.

Royce there are a lot of candles just about everywhere.

Royce fights totally defensive while trying to knock over enough candles to light a fire.

Okay Etienne will do the same. I will also reach out to the other Seekers and get them to home in on me. Royce once the fire starts get ready to run I will Hellride us out but you will have to stay close. I am hoping they won't be good enough to follow me and the Seekers will catch up as we go.