The Bardbarians

Background and Information

The Bardbarians are an organization of Cause-driven players that engage in a variety of RP and PvP activities. They call no single area home, but often base themselves for days or weeks at a time in various Provinces based on the currently active Cause.

Known Members

Name	Nickname
Byd	The Gambler
Chuno	The Coin Tosser
Gahston	No one Bards like Gahston
Vladmirr	The Impaled

Former Members

Name	Nickname
Akeiro	Stuck in Stocks
Dantia	Now a member of the Northern Watch
Golameth	The Magebarian
Kalinandra	Now a member of the Ravens
Kaldean	Assisting with the Praxium
Madigan	Now a member of the Northern Watch
Mevilan	Missing in Action
Illiya	Insert Clever Nickname
Natarian	THE Bardbarian
Paven	Lost in the Woods
Rakkor	Now serving as head of the Praxium
Tambellis	Her sadness hurts other people
Waydren	Feather Collector

History

History Placeholder

The Ravensblood War

Week 1

Day 1 (1/4/2022)

Last night marked the opening of the Ravensblood War. For weeks, the Bardbarians and Ravens had been jockeying for control of the Bin. Both sides had resorted to laying down personal claim markers declaring their side to be the true owners of the far north territory. This engagement didn't happen in the land where progress forgot, though. No...it occured smack dab in the middle of The Crossing.

Golameth, a founding member of the Bardbarians, patrolled the streets by the Empath's Guild when he spotted them. Four Ravens: Atuen, Psaero, Jondong, and Tweedum. What you need to know about Golameth is that any one of those targets is a piece of cake. Two even, they'd certainly fall at his mighty Bardbarian hand. But four? He was on paths too dark to trod on his lonesome.

Golameth: Feel like a fight?
Me: I'm patrolling the Bin. You have one brewing?
Golameth: Yeah, Crossing
Me: Give me 5.

I quickly made my way to the area outside the Empath Guild. There indeed stood the targets, and one more hidden to boot. But are Bardbarians afraid of being outnumbered? Never.

Atuen fell first, his Halo insufficient to push attackers away. He died to the Bardbarian's signature move...the Bombo, executed by a Moon Mage.

The Ravens were quick to make use of their superior numbers, though. Just minutes later, they found an isolated Golameth and exacted their revenge against the lone Bardbarian.

* Golameth was just struck down!

More Ravens flocked (tee hee) to the cause with Raikage reinforcing their numbers. It was now six Ravens against two Bardbarians. Long odds. Scary odds. The Bardbarians reached out to one of their other founding members for assistance.

Me: Hey Nat, you awake?
Natarian: bagpipesnorebagpipe
Me: Big fight. Much killing. Bardbarians vs. Ravens
Natarian: On my way.

Bagpipes-a-tooting, Natarian's presence steeled the resolve of the Bardbarians. Three against six? Even odds.

Raikage fell to the Moon Mage Bombo. Tylevyn died to the Barbarian Stomp. Jondong met Crossing Bank pavement at the hands of The Bard(barian).

Madigan and Dantia joined the engagement. While not Bardbarians, they are Top Notch (😉) friends who are always on the lookout to defend the innocent against the depredations of the Ravens. They joined. Fought. Participated.

And then, a dramatic pause. A Banner descended on the room. Confusion erupted. Neither side could have cast that Banner with the steely-minded Bardbarians present. We threw weightless verbal barbs at each other, mostly in jest. Without warning, the Banner departed as quickly as it arrived. The battle rejoined.

Golameth tallied his second kill with Nideaya, and Tweedum marking his third. Not to be outdone, The Moon Mage kept pace with another kill against Psaero. The Ravens withdrew once more to recoup, re-buff, and re-organize. Dantia healed all of The Bardbarians and friends.

The lull in the combat lasted nearly twenty minutes. We began drafting a Declaration of Victory, honoring the bravery of the Ravens while simultaneously claiming the Bank as Sovereign Bardbarian Territory. Natarian was three refrains into an epic bagpipe ballad when the enemy returned.

The Moon Mage executed precision surgery on Atuen's head, removing that unnecessary body part. Madigan got on the board with his first kill against Tylevyn, nearly exploding the warrior mage's chest. But the enemy had learned from the prior two chaotic battles. More and more, Ravens on the verge of dropping were drug away from the room by invisible hands. Something was needed to keep that from happening. The Bardbarians called in The Artillery.

Rakkor arrived quickly, Cleric magics in tow. And while he was almost killed upon arrival when beset by four of the Ravens, he anchored targets in place and began to rain down fire from the Heavens. Raikage died to the holy flames, as did Jondong. In between, Madigan notched his second kill by dropping Jeffe.

A quiet settled in at the bank. The enemy had retreated once more. Perhaps to regroup? Maybe calling it a night? The Bardbarians (and friends) stood victorious. We patted Golameth on the back for being the lone Bardbarian death of the night and consoled him that many fights lay ahead where he might enact his revenge.

Thus marked the opening engagement of the Ravensblood War.

Day 2 (1/5/2022)

The second day of the Ravensblood War started off quiet. Too quiet. Recognizing the Ravens had moved Sir Caw from the Bin to the Crossing Bank, The Bardbarians followed suit. The Moonbarian's likeness was relocated, staking claim to the Bank.

But The Moonbarian's likeness was not content to sit idly by. No. It desired its own piece of the action. It turned its mechanical attention to Sir Caw, casting its own miniaturized version of Burn. Sir Caw didn't stand a chance. The windsteel moon mage focuses a beam of light on the guard figurine, which sears it in a precise line! Without any preamble, the Grey Raven guard figurine tips over with a clank and stops moving. Roundtime: 5 sec.

No good deed goes unpunished, however. The Ravens would be quick to seek revenge. Thus a guard was stationed outside the Bank. Meradyce. A small, tiny Trader of no renown. Barely past her first circles. A novice, really. She bravely volunteered for the duty nonetheless, undeterred by the danger.

...she died quickly.

Raikage and Rifkinn, in a dramatic tag team of R-letters, cut Meradyce down. The Moonbarian's rescue arrived too late. One to zero, Ravens.

With most of The Bardbarians occupied elsewhere, The Moonbarian led a valiant defense against the Ravens. Time and time again, Rifkinn and Raikage attacked. Repeatedly they were thrown back. But try as he might, The Moonbarian could not drop the aggressors.

Madigan and Dantia, friends of The Bardbarians, arrived on the scene to assist. Dantia healed and Madigan defended. Twin pillars of protection for their beleaguered ally. Their stalwart action granted The Moonbarian a reprieve. He rested, grateful for the break to recharge his magics and renew his spells. The Ravens seemed to avail themselves of the same. (edited)

When friends departed, the Ravens redoubled their efforts. This time, though, things played out differently. The Moonbarian, alone again, leaned more upon his Magics rather than his Weapons. Rifkinn fell first, a victim of Xibar and Yavash's presence in the daytime sky.

You gesture at Rifkinn.
Three black-core beams descend from the sky and shrink into a tiny point centered on Rifkinn.
A billowing aura reinforces the spell.
The beams completely incinerate the head!
 * Rifkinn is slain before your eyes!
Roundtime: 1 sec.

One to one, a draw.

Raikage, alone now, continued his hit-and-run tactics. Again and again he attacked before fading away. Finally, though, he was caught in the open. Exposed. Vulnerable. The Moonbarian lept at the opportunity. Dazzle. Burn. Burn. Dead.

>cast raikage
You gesture at Raikage.
Three black-core beams descend from the sky and shrink into a tiny point centered on Raikage.
A billowing aura reinforces the spell.
The air around Raikage solidifies into a blinding yellow luminescence, collapsing under the force of the attack in a silent cascade of glassy fragments that vanish before reaching the ground.
The beams completely incinerate the right arm!
Raikage is dealt a vicious stun!
Raikage's telothian parazonium falls to his feet.
Roundtime: 1 sec.
R>
Raikage falls down!
Raikage's in shock and dying!

And with that, the war died down until the morrow. Two to one, Bardbarians. The Moonbarian's likeness remains at the Bank. Sir Caw remains damaged. A successful evening all around.

Day 3 (1/6/2022)

A lull in the action presented itself on Day 3 of the Ravensblood War. Both sides seemed to be settling in, getting some training done, and gearing up for a (hopefully) bloody weekend.

The Bardbarians made their rounds, checking the status of things. Sir Caw remained missing from the Bank and the Bin. It wasn’t until much later that we found him just one room southwest of the Crossing Bank. Clever, Ravens. The Moonbarian’s likeness stood upright and functional at the Bank, and The Bardbarian’s mini-me was still present at the Bin.

With little else to do, The Bardbarians settled in for a game of chess.

>observe board
You take a moment to observe the board's layout:
8  r n b q k b n r
7  p p p p p p p p
6  . . . . . . . .
5  . . . . . . . .
4  . . . . . . . .
3  . . . . . . . .
2  P P P P P P P P
1  R N B Q K B N R
   a b c d e f g h
Uppercase pieces are white.  Lowercase pieces are black.

Natarian chose to go second, accepting Black as his color. White fit the virtuous nature of Kaldean. The opening stages of the game saw both players vie to control the center of the board. Natarian struck deep into enemy territory, and Kaldean countered with sweeping advances up the sides. Too late, Kaldean recognized the trap he had fallen into. His backline lay in peril. His King threatened, he mounted a last ditch defense. Alas.

Natarian moves a katambite bishop, capturing a grazhite king!

(Seriously, the chess set is amazing rednames. Way to go, whichever team put this together!)

With no other opposition to be found, The Bardbarians stood down for the night.Ravens, we’ll see you soon.

Day 4 (1/7/2022)

No action.

Day 5 (1/8/2022)

After two days with no action, things picked back up on Day 5 of the Ravensblood War. Nideaya, an infamous Raven of renown, was ill content to wait for her foes to assemble on the field of battle. Instead, she hunted them while they trained. Dastardly. Despicable. Craven. Among her targets were the tiny, barely-out-of-novice-training Meradyce, and the herculean juggernaut Golameth. While Meradyce bravely ran away, Golameth stood his ground in the midst of giants and slowly succumbed to one backstab after another…his barbarian resilience eventually failing.

Driving in with exacting precision, Nideaya thrusts a scarlet glaes pasabas inlaid with Eth'ral'khh symbols at you. 
You fail to evade, stepping partially into the shot. The pasabas lands a heavy strike (7/23) that pierces clean through from one side of the neck to the other (Looks like a party gag, except for being quite dead). 
* Golameth was just struck down!

Revenge.

The Bardbarians are fighters. Every last one of us. And aggression against one of us is aggression against all of us. Rakkor, a Bardbarian Paragon of Justice, signed up to avenge the novice Trader’s plight. He found Nideaya honing her skills for upcoming battles and rained fiery destruction down upon her.

Nideaya is revealed from concealment.
A billowing aura reinforces the spell.
A bolt of holy fire strikes Nideaya's small shield and slams into her abdomen, utterly immolating surrounding flesh and bone in a conflagration of roaring silver flame!
 * Nideaya is slain before your eyes!

A calm before the storm set in. The Bardbarians eyed the northern horizon. The miniature Bardbarian had been placed at the Bin nearly a week prior. Rumbles, heard faintly on the wind but with growing certainty, pointed to this night being the night of shed blood. That eve, The Bardbarians Natarian, Golameth, Kalinandra, and Waydren gathered at the Bin, checking on the status of their miniature comrade.

But what began as a small defense quickly ballooned into the biggest gathering in Therengia. Tankata, Dantia, Madigan, Remyngton, Tichond, and more (henceforth denoted as Not-Bardbarians) saw that friends and acquaintances were staged to do what the Theren Guard and Order of the Dragon Shield had never been able to do, hold their claimed land and repulse the enemy from it. The objectives: defend the miniature Bardbarian against all encroachment, kill the enemy, remain in control of the territory, win the day.

It was a pyrrhic victory.

The Bardbarian placed his Bardic magics at the Bin, negating the Raven’s primary advantage of stealth. The minutes drug on. First one, then ten, fifteen, twenty. The Ravens refused to engage where fading away into the blackness of night was impossible.

Raikage says, "Unfair."

Having secured the bin, members of The Bardbarians took up patrolling the streets of Langenfirth. This is when the Ravens struck, catching Golameth unaware. Before help could arrive, the Ravens were already up one to none, Rifkinn seizing the kill.

The Not-Bardbarians began patrols of their own, meeting with some initial success. Tankata struck down Jondong not once, but twice, as the Raven’s barbarian re-engaged in the fight. These would be the first of many dirt naps that Jondong experienced over the course of the evening.

To our great joy and celebration, The Bardbarian Kalinandra’s fearsome presence made itself felt on the field of battle. For too long, Kalinandra was afraid of what world-shaking consequences would occur should she unleash her Empathic magics on others. Would the Guardians step in to quell her in the same manner that they dealt with the Wind Clan? Overcoming that fear with righteous fury and an almost offhanded gesture, Kalinandra’s withering magic turned Jondong’s chest into little more than a dusty ruin.

Kalinandra's hands tremble.
Kalinandra leans forward, her arm outstretched at Jondong for a touch.
Kalinandra reaches past his ka'hurst shield.
A shockwave of transformation ripples throughout Jondong's chest, molding a pillar of dust amid withering, screaming ruin.
* Jondong was just struck down!

The score sat even between Bardbarians and Ravens at one each. But then, the turn.

The Bardbarians are not meant to hold territory. They are conquerors. Removers of claim. An offensive force instead of a defensive bastion. Out of their element when protecting a static position. And it showed. Two more Bardbarians dropped in quick succession, Golameth dying far from the Bin upon the withering blade of Cined, while The Barbarian himself experiencing the tag-team-triple-threat of Rifkinn, Cined, and Nideaya. Even one approaching heights mere mortals can scarcely dream of is brought low when outnumbered three-to-one.

Score: the Ravens three, the Bardbarians one.

Meanwhile, the consistent lack of organization in the defenders of the Bin proved to be their undoing. The Ravens capitalized on this confusion. The sharp staccato of silent slipping blades felled Remyngton, Tankata, Sothios, Darkgaze, and Kenamer, each in rapid succession, before their bearers vanished without a trace. Hit, kill, run. Repeat. Hit, kill, run.

The Raven’s proved their point with the drip, drip, drip of crimson tears upon the streets of Langenfirth.

The Bardbarians had one last answer to the onslaught. The Moonbarian, not present for the first half of the events, singled out a single Raven as the rest of her companions withdrew. Focused moonlight shone down upon his victim, reducing Nideaya to a smoldering heap.

You gesture at Nideaya.
A brilliant beam descends from the sky and shrinks into a tiny point centered on Nideaya.
A billowing aura reinforces the spell.
The beam completely incinerates the right arm!
* Nideaya is slain before your eyes!

As stated, a pyrrhic victory. The official tally of three-to-two, Ravens marked the first engagement in the Ravensblood War where the Bardbarians the Ravens caused more damage than they received. A quiet moment of review on the objectives was needed:

Defend the miniature Bardbarian against all encroachment, check. The Barbarian miniature remains present and undamaged at the Bin.

Kill the enemy, check. Many people died on the enemy side, many more than the final Bardbarian tally can claim.

Remain in control of the territory, check. The Ravens withdrew from the Bin, leaving the Bardbarians to claim the field.

Win the day…a single failure in the midst of four goals. Not only did the final tally fall against us, many of our friends fell as well. A high cost for defending the Bin.

A pyrrhic victory indeed. Well done, Ravens. Until we meet again.

Day 6 (1/9/2022)

With our normal scribes not in attendance last night, the last founding member of The Bardbarians offered to write up the summary of events.

Ravens kill people
Hot rage from Chuno stirring
Bardbarian go

Empath Guild battle
Cold steel leaves Ravens running
Bardbarian fight

Red hot scars fading
Touch like mountain river cold
An Empath heals hurts

Bardbarian win
Victory like Summer wine
Sweet end to fighting

We’re still waiting on additional non-haiku details for the rest of the reporting.

Day 7 (1/10/2022)

As seems to be the natural course in conflict, a day of heavy activity or late night action is followed by one of rest and celebration.

The Bardbarians gathered in front of the Empath Guild and held a bagpipe concert while officially welcoming in their two newest recruits. Madigan and Dantia (collectively, House De’Mascus) have proven stalwart allies, fast friends, and capable fighters over the past few months as The Bardbarians slowly coalesced into a formal organization. Always spoiling for a fight, we are happy to count them among our ranks.

With no Ravens Flocking, alternative competition needed to be found. The Bardbarian himself challenged Chuno to a drinking game. Despite high hopes and much boasting, though, unconsciousness quickly took the Bard. Victory, Chuno.

Afterward, The Bardbarians settled in for spars at the cemetery. Before leaving the Empath Guild, however, they placed a Barbarian miniature to stake their territorial claim. It now stands vigil at the site where enemy forces were routed on the prior eve.

(16-6)

Week 2

Day 8 (1/11/2022)

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. At the end of Week 1, The Bardbarians took a long hard look at their strategy. We carefully examined what worked, what didn’t, and what the Ravens executed in a superior fashion.

It didn’t take long to find one area where the Ravens consistently outperformed The Bardbarians. Day 1, the fight at the bank. Day 2, another fight at the bank. Day 5, the fight at the bin.

That strategy? Their unerring ability to drag off their wounded before a final blow could land. With synchronized perfection, their next-to-dead compatriots would suddenly slide out of the room, hauled away by invisible hands. “Ca caws” would cry out from the shadows with each successful rescue, the opposing killers stymied time and time again.

The Bardbarians cannot, will not, settle for second best. The objective for the evening made itself clear: out-drag the enemy.

[Raikage]: "Bardbarians representing tonight, although they gonna need to clean the backs of their pants with all those drags to save their lives"

Mission successful.

Golameth and Tylevyn got the skirmishing started off the right way, trading kills against each other. Golemeth fell to the Raven Warrior Mage first, but the Bardbarian returned the favor not long after.

A lull followed. Of The Bardbarians present that evening, many were exhausted from the full day of perfecting their drag-away techniques. Natarian, Madigan, and Dantia headed out to rest or hunt. The call to stand down was given.

And then the Ravens came out to play.

Rifkinn, Raikage, and Tylevyn gave a good showing. Bolstered by the familiar surroundings of the city environment, the Raven Thieves proved nigh impossible to spot before striking from the shadows. They struck first at The Bardbarian’s newest recruit, Vladmirr. Silent blades slipping, stabbing, and cutting. Appearing and then disappearing before any retaliation could be aimed their way.

The moment arrived. Vlad’s health dipped precipitously low. It was time for The Bardbarians to show they’d studied their enemies tactics. Execute order “drag away.”

Success. Not just on the first opportunity, but on the next three as well. Vladmirr saved from certain doom. Flawless execution.

On the other side, the Ravens had grown lax in the strategy they’d pioneered. Tylevyn and Rifkinn, both in mortal jeopardy, did not receive the same rescues Vladmirr enjoyed. Death visited itself on both Ravens.

The Ravens withdrew from the field, and exhausted Bardbarians followed suit. The final accounting for the evening: Barbarians four kills, Ravens one.

Day 9 (1/12/2022)

No action. Everyone took a break. Will make this more entertaining later. Probably recap the Vlad vs. Twee song-off. These were amazing.

Vlad:

I do not love Mr. Tweed's forever Ham
especially since they think he be da man

I would that we not fight them in the city
I definitely don't like the little one, itty bitty

I chose to lay back, plugging holes with a rag
Until ole Chuno decided to drag.

I would not dance with with Raikage last night
Cuz he was just reveling in my plight

Next time I'll eat that dang good Ham
then slap a Raven with my withered old cleric hand

So rest up dear combatants and today stay chill
For tonight I'm coming to kill kill kill KILL!

Tweedee:

Be real, you like the tweeds for-ever ham
because they are not one, but two man.

Your just the thing that's itty bitty
since you would not, could not, fight them in any city.

You sit with what you say are holey clothes
but here you run, after throwing ragged blows!

Do you say Chuno comes to drag you away
We saw your bloody nose call Chuno to save your day!

We know Dong would dance and sway and lay you at night
but then morning would come for you to pay the Baron’s price.

You could not, would not pay when they protected your land
Now the Raven demand 111 plats with 458 interest at hand.

So eat the ham and hate the man
Grab some friends and hatch your plan!

We are happy to let you think we lose
when all your doing is hatching up the deaths you choose...

Day 10 (1/13/2022)

The tenth day of the Ravensblood War. It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times.

The evening began when we found a lone Jondong standing guard outside the Empath Guild. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to rouse him. Killing a sleeping individual is craven behavior, and with rumors of inbound invasions on the rise, we wanted to ensure Jondong’s safety and security.

Thus began the adventure of first taking him to the Bathhouse (where he was too large to fit through the locker room doors), before gracefully inviting him upon Madigan’s boat for a sea voyage to Ratha. Madigan, Dantia, Kaldean, and Natarian all committed themselves to keeping their sworn enemy from coming to any harm.

Halfway through the voyage, our guest stumbled out of his sleepy stupor. Confusion set in as he took in his surroundings.

Jondong exclaims, "What am i doing here!" [9:59 pm]
You say, "Don't worry, you're in safe hands now." [9:59 pm]
Natarian asks, "Sailing?" [9:59 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "Hoe dare you!" [9:59 pm]
You exclaim, "We are rescuing you!" [9:59 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "I do use the womans bath house!" [9:59 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "And i like it!" [9:59 pm]
You exclaim, "We took you there too!" [9:59 pm]
Natarian says, "You didn't fit through the door." [9:59 pm]
Madigan says, "Sir, we did not want you to die and not be able to defend yourself properly. We intend to take you to a safe island." [9:59 pm]
Natarian says to Jondong, "Don't worry, Madigan is going to catch us dinner." [10:00 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "What island!" [10:00 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "This is kidnapping!" [10:00 pm]
Madigan says, "Ratha of course sir." [10:00 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "Ratha!" [10:00 pm]
You exclaim, "Kidnapping? No! Safeguarding!" [10:00 pm]
Dantia says to Jondong, "It's a very nice island." [10:00 pm]
Dantia says, "Very safe." [10:00 pm]
Madigan says, "You will be safe there from my zweihander." [10:00 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "That place stinks, and noone pays for a good body there!" [10:00 pm]
You say, "You can try docks, many vessels there...men who have too long been at sea." [10:01 pm]
Madigan slowly says, "Gads." [10:01 pm]
Madigan says, "But, to each their own." [10:01 pm]
Dantia asks Jondong, "Isn't the sea air nice?" [10:01 pm]
You say, "Don't worry, you're safe here." [10:02 pm]
You say, "We'll protect you." [10:02 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "Well let it be known i did not let you ravish me for free!!" [10:02 pm]
You say, "This is not a murder boat." [10:03 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "Unguard!" [10:03 pm]
You say, "You're in safe hands." [10:03 pm]
Jondong asks, "Ever heard the sound of two balls slap?" [10:03 pm]
Madigan says, "We will not hurt your sir since we have taken you into protection for the time being." [10:03 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "I cant believable!" [10:03 pm]
Jondong says, "I will cut you B..." [10:04 pm]
Dantia says to Jondong, "You are feeling very invigorated. I think this trip is doing good for your complexion." [10:04 pm]
Natarian says, "Sea breeze does that." [10:04 pm]
Madigan says, "We also sent you to the baths in advance sir." [10:04 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "I have been vadalized!" [10:04 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "And for free!" [10:05 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "This is not good!" [10:05 pm]
Natarian says, "Actually, there is the matter of the transport fee..." [10:05 pm]
Madigan says, "This is a fair point." [10:05 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "Ill fight for it!" [10:05 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "I choose you!" [10:05 pm]
Madigan says, "Sir, I am sworn to see you safely to Ratha." [10:06 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "Ungh!" [10:06 pm]
Madigan says, "The Code requires that I complete that task." [10:06 pm]
Dantia asks, "Oh! Did you bring us a boat warming gift of a pillow?" [10:06 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "You have enough of my pillows!" [10:07 pm]
Dantia exclaims, "But none on the boat!" [10:07 pm]
Jondong exclaims, "Catch me if you can!" [10:07 pm]

Our ship arrived at the Ratha docks. Jondong experienced a forced bath as he was removed from the vessel.

A group of sailors surround Jondong then throw him off of the ship.

[General] Your mind hears Raikage thinking, "Has anyone seen Jondong?" [10:03 pm]
[General] Your mind hears Natarian thinking, "He's safe" [10:03 pm]
[General] You hear your mental voice echo, "We are escorting him safely out of the combat zone." [10:03 pm]
[General] Your mind hears Raikage thinking, "just don't feed him after midnight and let him have his pillow" [10:03 pm]
[General] You hear your mental voice echo, "Understood. We did take him for a bath first, but he wouldn't fit through the women's locker room door." [10:04 pm]
[General] Your mind hears Raikage thinking, "gonna need a lot of soap and someone is gonna have to hold him down...he's start biting when he's afraid " [10:05 pm]
[General] Your mind hears Raikage thinking, "We've been trying to get him to wash for a while now, we probably would have paid you in advance " [10:11 pm]
[General] Your mind hears Madigan thinking, "Jondong, we feel you are safe for the time being on Ratha. See you on the field sir." [10:15 pm]
[General] Your mind hears Raikage thinking, "did you at least wash him?" [10:15 pm]
[General] Your mind hears Natarian thinking, "He got a wash when we chucked him in the bay" [10:17 pm]
[General] Your mind hears Raikage thinking, "quick and effective" [10:17 pm]
[General] You hear your mental voice echo, "*Safely* chucked him in the bay." [10:18 pm]
[General] Your mind hears Jondong thinking, "They ravaged me! now i know why its called a gang plank!" [10:18 pm]
[General] You hear your mental voice echo, "Jondong's virtue is intact." [10:18 pm]

With Jondong safely out of the conflict zone, we sailed back to The Crossing. Things…did not go well from there…

It seems that no one but The Ravens is permitted to keep Jondong safe (or bathed). They struck back with a precision and ferocity not yet witnessed in the Ravensblood War. One Bardbarian after another fell, with Raikage being the lone Raven loss.

* Dantia was just struck down! [10:43 pm]
* Madigan was just struck down! [10:52 pm]
* Raikage was just struck down! [10:53 pm]
* Natarian was just struck down! [11:07 pm]
* Madigan was just struck down! [11:07 pm]
* Kaldean was just struck down! [11:09 pm]
* Vladmirr was just struck down! [11:14 pm]
* Natarian was just struck down! [11:16 pm]

It was a route. A massacre. And a learning experience. “Ca caws!” chorused from the shadows as the Ravens withdrew from the field, each a subtle reminder of their superiority that eve. The Bardbarians, in turn, licked their wounds and set about devising an alternative game plan for future engagements. Their enemy was learning…they needed to adapt as well.

Ravens seven, Bardbarians one.

Day 11 (1/13/2022) - Day 14 (1/17/2022)

No action. Both teams had other matters to attend to.

(20-14)

Week 3

Day 15 (1/18/2022) - Day 16 (1/19/2022)

No action. Both teams had other matters to attend to.

Day 17 (1/20/2022)

For a full week, the white hot action of the Ravensblood War cooled. Both sides had other pressing matters to attend to. To be clear, the reprieve was welcome. It gave The Bardbarians another chance to re-evaluate strategies used, and what to do in commonly presented situations. The Ravens continued to demonstrate superiority in a number of areas that required mitigation. A wise man once said, “A strong enemy’s primary purpose for continued existence is to make you, yourself, stronger.” The Bardbarians resolved to be stronger.

Seven days without action is a long time. The stage was set. Strategies had been formulated. Pent up aggression boiled over into conflict around The Crossing once again.

As seems to be the case in every engagement, a sacrificial Golameth is required to get the fighting started. Cined, Rifkinn, and Raikage lay in wait outside the Empath’s Guild in the Crossing. They cut Golameth down before he could do anything, let alone cry out for assistance.

* Golameth was just struck down! [8:50 pm]

Bardbarians zero, Ravens one.

The Bardbarians relocated to the Crossing excavation site. Rumors had begun spreading that artifacts of one Emperor Nargles, a person of much import to The Ravens, had been unearthed at the site.

[General] Your mind hears Golameth thinking, "HAR HAR! the excavation site is secure from the Ravens!" [9:07 pm]

Unwilling to let The Ravens get their hands on the pieces, The Bardbarians stood their ground and prepared for the next round of the fight. It wasn’t long before The Ravens obliged.

Cined, Raikage, Rifkinn, Jondong, and Tylevyn struck first at Tankata…a friend of some members of The Bardbarians, but not a Bardbarian himself. Dantia strategically relocated Tankata out of harm’s way, before death could visit the walking tin can. The call was made to target Cined first, and he fell in a scant seventeen seconds at the hands of Golameth…revenge for the earlier death. Tylevyn became the new primary target, but was drug away before the final blow could land.

* Cined was just struck down! [9:20 pm]

Bardbarians one, Ravens one.

[General] Your mind hears Golameth thinking, "Crossings rejoice, the streets are clear of all clucking!" [9:26 pm]

The Ravens retreated to their hidey holes to recharge their concentration and re-up their magics. Rather than heading back to the Excavation Site, however, they returned to the familiar grounds outside the Empath Guild. Suddenly they were the one claiming territory. They were the ones remaining in place. They were the ones daring us to engage.

We did.

Jondong fell immediately, and the rest of the Ravens scattered.

* Jondong was just struck down! [9:31 pm]

Bardbarians two, Ravens one.

Abandoning their “die in place” strategy of defending the outside of the Empath Guild, The Ravens cycled back to their more traditional tactics of hitting, running, and fading away. They systematically would pull one or two of The Bardbarians into a chase before turning, engaging, and attempting a quick kill. Time and time again their re-aggression was stymied by quick reinforcement and debilitation.

While the majority of The Barbarians withdrew to the Excavation Site once more to re-apply their spells, Kalinandra offered to remain on guard outside the Empath Guild. Rifkinn’s final attempt at quick aggression failed as he entered an unexpected, imposed sleep at the hands of Empathic Magic. He died before he awoke, Golameth notching another kill.

* Rifkinn was just struck down! [9:45 pm]

Bardbarians three, Ravens one.

[General] Your mind hears Rifkinn thinking, "you all wernt so cocky last time, but cherish this slight win" [10:04 pm]
[General] Your mind hears Natarian thinking, "We were still a bit seasick from our tour with Jondong" [10:05 pm] 

With that, the Ravens withdrew. One might say they were spotted flying south for the upcoming winter. Sightings of Ravens around Ilithi have increased in frequency in recent weeks, pointing to a potential relocation of future conflict. With the Crossing secured, the south may soon receive aid.

Day 18 (1/21/2022) - Day 21 (1/24/2022)

No action. Both teams had other matters to attend to.

(23-15)

Week 4

Day 22 (1/25/2022) - Day 28 (1/31/2022)

No action. Both teams had other matters to attend to.

One quick fight. Less than 10 minutes long. Tylevyn died. Nothing else to report.

(24-15)

Week 5

Day 29 (2/1/2022)

For almost two weeks, the war between the Raven and the Bardbarians cooled. Ravens couldn’t be found anywhere outside of their hunting grounds, an area strictly off-limits in the ongoings. They had fully gone to ground. And while rumors of new combat opportunities circulated on the horizon, nothing had yet to materialize.

It was not, however, without celebration. Akeiro, an empath of some renown, gave in to the Bardbarian’s recruitment efforts and joined the family. We welcome him to many a death and life-saving heal in the future.

Atuen rescued us from the intermittent fight fasting with a public declaration and invitation to attend a Raven-run rally in Riverhaven. The Ravens, planting their flag fully in the Town Hall of Haven, trumpeted ODS’s failure from the mountaintops. “There’s a new sheriff in town,” their announcement declared. And while the primary thrust of their rabble rousing aimed itself squarely at ODS, the Bardbarians are never one to turn down an invitation from our favorite Raven friends.

As expected, the audience hall filled quickly, well in advance of go-time. Ravens. Bardbarians. ODS. Therengian hangers-on citizens. Those unaffiliated with any party but interested in the show. The stage was set.

Curtain.

Atuen began the meeting asking for the various groups to introduce themselves. The attempts at diplomatic dialogue were stymied, though, when the acting Speaker for ODS declared the Raven presence in Haven a violation of Therengian protocol. Emmajin, Vice Speaker of ODS, made it clear early and often that the Ravens had a limited timeframe to work with, and should relocate themselves to other environs. Minutes passed. Rather than state their case, though, the Ravens railed against “the man”, complaining early and often about the stipulations.

Meanwhile, the Bardbarians waited like stallions chomping at the bit, ready for the go ahead to engage in their favorite pastime. “Not yet, we hear them out,” came the order repeatedly.

Enter two new characters, Stage Left.

Middler and Tweedum made an interesting comedic duo during the proceedings. Middler, whom we assume is a Therengian-aligned hanger-on, did his level best to antagonize the Ravens, repeatedly leveling Moon Mage magics against them. The Ravens showed incredible restraint, largely ignoring the antagonistic actor, or expressing their pity at the otherwise insignificant activity.

Tylevyn says to Middler, "Yes, you're cute."

But Twee’s will do what Twee’s will do. Always a passionate wildcard, Tweedum eventually opted to respond to the provoking Moon Mage with a sledgehammer instead of a scalpel.

Tweedum draws his arms together in a sinuous, flowing motion before sounding out a roar of deadly warning.
A spotted leopard looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
A grey and cream muted tortoiseshell leopard looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
A smokey grey leopard with hypnotic crimson eyes and flecks of ashes on her fur looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
A tan lynx looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
Remyngton looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
Moly looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
Kattena looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
Crayzeke looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
Kleis looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
Cadderrly looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
Kintryn looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
Eurynomile looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
You shrug off Tweedum's poor attempt to frighten you away.
Elizzibiana looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
Senthic looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
Kamisama looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
Merilwen looks frantically for an exit, but cannot find one!
Tweedum's actions quickly stir up a ruckus in the area, as annoyed citizens quickly move out of the way.  One mentions to his friend that he's off to report Tweedum for disturbing the peace.

Rather than dealing with the irritant, the Ravens engaged all parties present.That was all the provocation that the Bardbarians needed. In an instant the battle was joined. The Bardbarians focused their weapons and magic on the visible targets, striking down Tylevyn.

You take a step back and ready your zweihander behind you.
Dashing in, you attempt to cleave Tylevyn in half!
 
Your flame-bladed zweihander lands a powerful strike (10/23) to Tylevyn's right eye!
 * Tylevyn is slain before your eyes!

The Ravens dispersed immediately, retreating to the Crossing to lick their wounds and regroup.

And regroup they did. As the Bardbarians casually, lazily arrived in the Crossing, the Ravens struck back. Akeiro died first, separated from the rest of his Bardbarian allies. The honed edge of tactical combat had dulled in the weeks of inactivity. The Bardbarians sluggishly pulled their fighters together, but too slowly to mount an effective defense against the chaotic, stealthy opening from the Ravens. Chuno, Madigan, and Dantia fell in rapid succession.

Cined leaps from hiding and ambushes you, completely surprising you.
Cined manages to position his strike toward a vulnerable location.
Your tenacity allows you to shrug off some of the incoming assault.
* Moving with dominating grace, Cined thrusts a black glaes pasabas capped by a prominently placed glittering rainbow sapphire at you.  You attempt to dodge, avoiding only some of the blow.  The pasabas lands a powerful strike that shoves the pasabas clean through the mouth and out the back of the head (Say 'ah'!).
* Chuno was just struck down! 

It was not a rout without reply. In the chaos, as near mortally wounded Ravens were being pulled to safety time and time again, Byd’s dagger found Raikage in the back and dropped the foe. New Recruit Akeiro proved his empathic prowess by rescuing Natarian from the Raven assault, bringing The Bardbarian back from the drink of death not once, but twice before hilariously finding himself arrested and stuck in the stocks

Enter a new character, Stage Right.

Sephetis has long been on the Bardbarian radar as a friend to the Ravens. He has been witnessed on multiple occasions as providing direct aid to their fighters. Time and time again we’ve ignored the interloper, showing restraint in the face of the enemy. As the Bardbarians stood outside the shrine, a deathly wail echoed out from the interior. In what we can only imagine as a rookie Empath mistake, Sephetis lay dead on the floor of the shrine’s interior, dead from taking too many of his comrade’s wounds. More than half an hour later, the Bardbarians visited their own justice on the Empath, dragging him outside of the shrine and finishing him off on the streets.

The remaining Ravens exited the shrine and flocked back south to resume their training. The tally of the evening ended slightly tilted in their favor, Bardbarians three, Ravens four (we’re not counting Seph’s overheal death). Till next we meet on the streets of battle, feathered friends!

Curtain.

In Haven:
* Tylevyn was just struck down! [9:20 pm] (Chuno)

In Crossing:
* Akeiro was just struck down! [10:10 pm]
* Chuno was just struck down! [10:19 pm] (Cined)
* Madigan was just struck down! [10:19 pm]
* Dantia was just struck down! [10:21 pm]
* Raikage was just struck down! [10:22 pm] (Byd)
* Sephetis was just struck down! [10:23 pm] (not us…probably overhealed. Not counting this one)
* Sephetis was just struck down! [10:57 pm] (Byd)

(27-19)

Day 30 (2/2/2022)

The well laid plans of Ravens and Men oft go awry.

Late last night Rakkor (The Artillery) spotted Tylevyn running through the Crossing. A quick survey of the main gathering places revealed the enemy Warrior Mage hadn’t gone hunting, but had fallen asleep in the Empath Guild. The Bardbarians maintain a long history of safeguarding or relocating their inattentive enemies to secure environs. As such, The Artillery dispatched Golameth to babysit the sleepy slumberer and ensure no harm came to the Raven. Upon arrival, the Bardbarian did his level best to wake the Mage with witty repertoire. Alas. Minutes passed without reply while Golameth stood solemn vigil.

But awake he did. Did Tylevyn express thanks for the protection? Nay! Instead, he sent circumspect messages to other Ravens: He would serve as bait while the Ca-caw Cavalry rushed to assault his benefactor.

Jondong and Rifkinn arrived on the scene in mere moments. Jondong attempted a flying War Stomp on Golameth, but Golameth stepped aside at the last moment. Jondong landed in a sheepish heap, drawing the attention of the Bardbarian.

Rifkinn used the distraction for his opening, appearing from the shadows with a quick slash to the back of Golameth’s leg. The cut tore through Golameth’s hamstring, dropping the Bardbarian to one knee.

Jondong redoubled his efforts to hit the superior Barbarian, planting his feet and swinging his sword in a wicked arc in his opponent’s direction. Steel met steel as Golameth parried. Another impotent attack.

Golameth took stock of the situation. Three versus one was long odds for any fighter. He had to change the status quo, and quickly. Bull rushing Jondong and Rifkinn to the ground, he locked eyes with Tylevyn from across the Empath Guild. The previous target of Golameth’s defense became the outlet for his rage.

Before his opponent could react, Golameth War Stomped his way across the room. Both kicks landed on Tylevyn, stunning and staggering the Mage. In rapid succession, Golameth cleaved, crashed, and twirled his weapons against the helpless foe.

* Tylevyn was just struck down! [10:31 pm]

One opponent down, Golameth tactically repositioned his way outside the Empath Guild…right into the arms of a waiting Guard. The Crossing Guard locked manacles onto the Bardbarian and escorted Golameth away before the Ravens could enact vengeance for their fallen fowl. Stymied, The Ravens circled the Empath Guild for a few moments longer, but no further action was had.

(28-19)

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The Split

Year 442 (June 2022)

Several of the prominent members of The Bardbarians went on sabbatical late 441, which stretched into 442. During that time, old allies sought adventures of their own. Madigan and Dantia left to re-form the Northern Watch. Kalinandra saw the plight of the Ravens, the lopsided losses they received and sought to bolster the enemy ranks.

Those Bardbarians on sabbatical haven re-awoken and are taking stock of the situation. A trio instead of the duet holds the potential for fascinating and unpredictable events.

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