Dispel your preconceptions, and we will guide youinto a past as if it were a new world. We confess that the seventeenth century is not an age easily abstracted and reduced into a game. It was a diverse, experimental, passionate, creative and bloody period. For nearly every historical convention we have encountered in our research, we have found an exception. And we have found so many exceptions to received wisdom that we believe history has not done justice to the period. So if you wish to play a Malayan pirate queen, scouring the Straitsof Malacca with her crew, go forth. She existed. If you wish to play a beloved prince of the blood who loves men and is a formidable general, by all means. He existed. If you wish to play a soldier born a woman who presents as a man, that is righteous. They existed. And, of course, if you want to play a petty noble from Gascony who yearns to become a musketeer, that is welcome. He existed as well.
—Modernity, Book 4.
The Dreadful Exchange
"Your child for the accursed dagger, Issie," Armand, the last templar knight, declared, his voice filled with cold determination. He proposed that his companion, Sister Agnes, accompany Isabel to retrieve the cursed dagger. Isabel would return with her child, and then, as Armand promised, "We'll be on our way."
However, when Escroc demanded an escort for 'milady' Isabel, his request was met with disdain. Mouston, standing firm beside Escroc, echoed the demand for truth and safety. This defiance pushed Armand to the brink. With a flick of his hand, he gave the deadly order: "Shoot Escroc."
You don't know how happy I was to find Templar’s conspiracies in the 17th century! Armand lays out terms and promises civility and expediency. I think he's mentioned that maybe the child has been liquored up and stuck in a plot that may have set Escroc off! When both Maoutson and Henrichus agreed on Escroc's position, well, that can be remedied!
The Opening Volley
In the blink of an eye, chaos erupted. Escroc, quick as a flash, fired his first pistol at Armand, striking him in the arm. Mouston, wielding Isabel’s harquebus, failed to get a shot off, and Armand's musketeer missed her mark on Escroc. The fight was on, and there was a grand melee at the front gate!
They had exhausted Armand's patience! It's Armand, a cleaver-slinging nun, a sniper, and two ruffians vs. Mouston, Escroc, Henrichus, and Isabel.
The Fierce Battle
Armand, with his long sword, and Sister Agnes, wielding a deadly knife, clashed with Escroc in a brutal struggle. Henrichus soon joined the fray, followed by Mouston. The battle was intense, the air thick with the sound of clashing steel and shouts of combat. Armand’s bandits arrived moments later, adding to the mayhem.
A sniper from Armand's crew fired into the melee, but his shots went astray. The fight wore on, and in the final, desperate exchanges, tragedy struck. Escroc was run through by Armand’s long sword, falling lifeless to the ground. Henrichus was overwhelmed by a bandit’s assault and crumpled, injured. Mouston, gripped by hesitation by the battle's cost, was knocked out.
This was a hard battle; I almost won, so, so close. I built Armand as per Book 4 --Strong Antagonist. Level 6. All the rest were from the 1st-level supporting cast. I wanted to know how Strong is the strong antagonist. Our heroes aren't particularly soldiers or fighting class. Escroc hit his exertion max; Mouston struggled to fire the arquebus, and they focused much of their strikes against Armand. In retrospect, taking out a couple of the supporting posse may have helped with the morale checks and altered this fight. Armand left this battle with 3 HPs and a ruined buff coat.
The Aftermath
As the first light of consciousness returned, the scene was one of sorrow and defeat. Escroc lay slain, Henrichus injured. Armand and his entourage had vanished, and with them, Isabel. The only sound was the eerie silence of the aftermath, broken by the faint clink of chains as Jean-Pierre Basot, still manacled to the gate, gazed at his child, Denys, who sat nearby, looking over everyone with wide, innocent eyes.
Thus ends the moment, a tale of valor and treachery etched in the cold light of dawn.
Next Week: A New Moment!
Adieu Mon amis!