The Great Boat Robbery

[Belial]

The first ship was all but taken and the proud mercenaries of Lord Sun Wu's grand voyage put upon the run. Yet, even as those brave soldiers lost their mettle and ran for the safety of the second ship, the pirates pursued. Within a mad charge, those bloodthirsty murderers and cutthroats swarmed the ship. Busting through both the ship's cabins and windows to invade the proper depths of the ships and darting along both sides of that deck for the stern, the pirates put a hard chase upon those mercenaries. It was a running massacre. Arrows, daggers, and even shipping pins was left to fly through the air and take the lives of those fleeing men while the faster of the pirates overcame them and leaped upon their exposed backsides with blades and fists seeking bare skin. It was a massacre that left a carrion stench to linger within the air and for planking to become slick with blood.

Yet, by the moment, the pirates was pouring closer and closer to the stern. Yet, the pirates every step invited new resistance. Mercenaries which once ran turned about and braced themselves for a pitched battle while their allies rushed to join the melee. Once more the brawl was ensued with man forced against man in a close ranged fight for their very survival. Yet, it was a brawl that favored the mercenaries two folds. The thin passage ways limited the numbers who could fight and while the mercenaries laid horribly outnumbered, the terrain aided their fight. Likewise, the every moment they spent brawling, another merchant was free to escape. Upon both sides of the ship, the pirate's charge lay halted. Yet, a stern resistance laid born upon the left hand side of the barge. At the heart of its resistance stood a single man, a man of slender built yet powerful arm who wielded a sword with brute strength and skill alike. Every pirate who came before him was quick to fall as he cut a swathe of destruction.

However, the tides was quick to shift as a man of legendary might and two women of unimaginable skill took to the fight once more. Working through the mass of their allies, Lei Anshui, Alexandrus Publius, and Niu Gongzhu alike came to the front. With their weapons in hand, they might serve to break the resistance. Yet, the question was this. Who would survive this bloody day?

Only a single way laid clear of resistance. The inner ship lay all but abandoned and within a festive and bloody glee, those pirates fell upon the poor merchants and soldiers hampered by age or greed. It was some of these very people whom Sho Tao and his men had stumbled across. With a shout, Sho Tao ordered his men forward and ever to quickly the brave sailor was brought down and his blood left spilled. Even as his life faded away for a other man's riches, Sho Tao and his men continued forward. In a quick jog, Sho Tao and his men raced straight the hall to its very end where they discovered the hallway made a sudden turn to the right. Taking it, the pirates quickly found themselves at an intersection of sorts. The hallway continued forth for a few paces before turning left and into another hallway. Yet, situated at the center of the hallway, two other ways of navigation existed. A single long hallway ran to their right and down an impressive length of the ship while countless other rooms merged off into it. Rooms from which the noise of battle and screaming echoed. It seemed as if their fellow pirates had discovered a few more unlucky merchants. Yet, the other pathway seemingly barred. A thick and heavyset door laid barred from the inside. Yet, peering through the small bronze barred window of the door, a stairwell was revealed... a possible way to the belly of that barge and the prize within.

[alexoren]

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! THE WHITE DEMON OF QI HAS COME FOR YOUR LIVES!!!" the giant foreigner yelled out at the top of his lungs as he burst through the front line of his allies and charged straight into the remaining enemy forces swinging his halberd left and right working with all the skill he had to kill and maim everything in his path.

It seems that this brute has gone into a pure blood rage as he roared loudly with every swing or every stab. To the meek hearted it would seem like the heavens themselves have come down to destroy through this monster from the west.

Name: Alexandrus Brutus Publius
Stats: 81-97-48-59-38
Skills: Faze, Qianshu 2, Maraud 2, Pierce 2, Instructor 2
Items: +4 might halberd, +3 might armor, +1 speed horse, +2 com book, +2 jud book, +3 might +3 cha phoenix's helmet

[scorpion]

Upon seeing the stairs on the opposite side of the door, Tao orders his injured men to look for a key under a mat (or something) or a pry bar for some means to open it.

"Get that damn door open! You three, look for a key or something to wedge between the door. You five, in the meantime we're gonna try and bash it open. Put your backs into it!"

If they succeed, they will continue down the stairs. If not, they will turn around and attempt to confront the slim man that took 2 soldiers and injured another three from him.

Name: Sho Tao
Stats: 69-117-28-48-57
Skills: Challenge II, Charge II, Smith III, Yueshu II
Items: Horse - (+5 speed horse), Head - (+7 mig Helm), Body - (+7 mig Armor), Weapon - (+10 mig ax)
Soldiers: 7(83) Bronze armor and Halberds *Note - 3 injured.

[flare_knight1]

Frowning, Gongzhou realized that, no matter how hard they pushed, the merchants the mercenaries were protecting continued to get away from the group. Deciding on a course of action, she aimed towards the man who was cutting down each of the pirates that challenged him, and attempted to force her way to the man. "You!" she barked at him, "Face someone who might be your equal, instead of the fodder!"

Name: Niu Gongzhu
Stats: 80-102-36-53-40
Skills: Instructor II, Maraud II, Pierce II, Qiangshu II
Items: Spear(+4 Might), Armor (+2 Might), Horse (+1 Defense, +1 Speed)

[RuffRydeR]

She looks at the pirates with her, and yells, Hold the passageways! Long blades and spears forward! If they're going to crowd together like that, then pin them while they can't swing their swords. Anshui shifted her grip into a thrusting one, jabbing at the mercenaries repeatedly, as she held ground on one of the passageways. She wanted to clear away more of these mercenaries, before pushing on to that fellow leading them.

Name: Lei Anshui
Stats: 53-102*-34-74-78
Injured Stats: 48-94*-31-67-70 (Major Injury)
Skills: Challenge I, Gongshu II, Haste II, Intimidate II, Yueshu II
Items: Horsie (Spd +1), Tribal Headdress (Mgt +7), Battle Harness (Mgt +7), Guan Dao (Halberd, Mgt 2), Composite Bow (Ranged)

[Belial]

Make my tummy quit hating me or I will destroy you all ;-; I apologize for the delayed post and any loss of quality

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! THE WHITE DEMON OF QI HAS COME FOR YOUR LIVES!" Alexandrus shouted as he pressed the line. With his halberd swinging to and fro with a maddening pace, the enemy's numbers was quickly falling. Yet, for every man that his halberd cut down, another seemingly stepped forward to take his place. With primal shouts and curses, however, the large man continued to strike out and to jab. In moments, three lay dead before him. Soon after, five and eventually ten. With his halberd slick with gore and its edge carrying mangled bits of flesh, Alexandrus struck out once more. Yet, the enemy had begun to falter. The one indomitable pace of their approach faltered and more than a few of those once swarming mercenaries had begun to back off, easing away to create more space as men shouted for archers.

Yet, at the mercenaries' head stood a single man, the man of slender build and powerful arm whose sword barely gleamed before it struck down another pirate. With his teeth set in a scowl, Alexandrus began upon the man only to find himself checked. Niu Gongzhu was quick to come to the fro and with her spear drawn, she came before the slender man. "You!" she barked at the swordsman, "Face someone who might be your equal, instead of the fodder!" It was a challenge quickly accepted as the man closed upon her. Deathmatch Duel Tactics required!

With his mad rattled with anger and blood lust, Alexandrus turned his attention away from the slender man and his new opponent. Instead, he had turned his attention upon the enemies once more. Yet, the enemy had become all the more pressed in his absence. While the requested spearmen and swordsman never came to her side, simply because of the pirates lack of the the proper armaments, Lei Anshui had brought herself to the front. With her fellow pirates at her side, Lei Anshui and her men had begun to press the enemy. Once more the rattled soldiers was brought to the very edge and their skills tested. Man after man fell before her spear despite her injury and all to quickly she was gaining ground. By the grueling minute, the pirates was pressing the enemy and leaving a wake of destruction in their path. "Get those men across the ship!" a man shouted from the mercenary's ranks. "Get those merchants across or throw them down! We ain't bein' paid to be butchered!" a mercenary shouted.

While the battle raged along the outskirts of the deck, however, Sho Tao had found himself at the very heart of the barge. Without so much as a hint of opposition, his men had set upon a course of opening the doors. An order to find the key was given and almost immediately two men fell upon the task. Yet, while the others braced themselves against the door, a single soldier stepped forth. "Tao," the man began as he eased closer to the door, "look." he commented as he gazed inside the little panel. "This door is barred from the inside. That means we will have to bust it down. But, it also means they got men in the hold. Someone had to of barred this door down."

[scorpion]

"Well then, we'll soon be having company. I want to see what all these pirates and mercenaries are fighting over. We are going to bust it down. If we can't push it open, we can hack it open. Heft your weapons, and we'll make short work of it. This door has held us back long enough. "

Name: Sho Tao
Stats: 69-117-28-48-57
Skills: Challenge II, Charge II, Smith III, Yueshu II
Items: Horse - (+5 speed horse), Head - (+7 mig Helm), Body - (+7 mig Armor), Weapon - (+10 mig ax)
Soldiers: 7(83) Bronze armor and Halberds *Note - 3 injured.

[RuffRydeR]

She grins at their retreat, and presses the attack even harder, C'mon, it's working! Push 'em hard! Anshui kept jabbing, increasing the slaughter. The dead foes did form a lovely wall to protect her bare legs, and she kicked them before her through the methodical advance.

Well, if you don't wish to be butchered, get out of the way then. Yield or fall! She hissed at the mercenary trying to rally his fellows, pushing on to bring her blade to bear against that most unfortunate fellow who'd chosen a rather rash time to speak up.

OOC: Should be uninjured now, as Shen Feng had me doctored in KT...

Name: Lei Anshui
Stats: 53-102*-34-77-78
Skills: Challenge I, Gongshu II, Haste II, Intimidate II, Yueshu II
Items: Horsie (Spd +1), Tribal Headdress (Mgt +7), Battle Harness (Mgt +7), Guan Dao (Halberd, Mgt 2), Composite Bow (Ranged)

[alexoren]

Blood and gore splashed about as the self proclaimed White Demon of Qi sliced about and murdered more and more of the mercenaries. None was even of the slightest challenge until he came across a swordsman that did try' to fight back. Alexandrus roared at him only for the swordsman to run off and fight the woman. He grumbled. "You dare run from me?!" he yelled out at the man as he began to fight Niu.

He turned his gaze back to the mercenaries which began to gather themselves together again. "I'm becoming tired of this!" he grumbled with a loud voice. He clenched his hand into a fist and stuck it into the air. "FIRST MAN TO BREAK THROUGH THIS GROUP AND KILL A MERCHANT GETS 20 GOLD!" After yelling this out whether or not it was answered by the pirates the brute charged forward and began to eliminate any more mercenaries that dared to challenge him. "DIE!!!!!!!" He roared.

Name: Alexandrus Brutus Publius
Stats: 81-97-48-59-38
Skills: Faze, Qianshu 2, Maraud 2, Pierce 2, Instructor 2
Items: +4 might halberd, +3 might armor, +1 speed horse, +2 com book, +2 jud book, +3 might +3 cha phoenix's helmet

[Belial]

Duel Mechanics:
Bout 1:

Round 1:
Sungao Yao HP: 82 Might: 82
Niu Gongzhu HP: 74 Might: 74

Sungao Yao lands the attack.(6)
Niu Gongzhu fails to hit with the attack!

Round 2:
Sungao Yao HP: 82 Might: 82
Niu Gongzhu HP: 68 Might: 74

Sungao Yao lands the attack.(6)
Niu Gongzhu unleashes a critical blow!
Niu Gongzhu lands the attack.(8)

Round 3:
Sungao Yao HP: 74 Might: 82
Niu Gongzhu HP: 62 Might: 74

Niu Gongzhu attempts to trip Sungao Yao!
Niu Gongzhu fails to trip Sungao Yao!
Sungao Yao lands the attack.(7)
Niu Gongzhu lands the attack.(5)

End of Bout 1:
Sungao Yao HP: 69 Might: 82
Niu Gongzhu HP: 55 Might: 74

Bout 2:

Round 1:
Sungao Yao HP: 69 Might: 82
Niu Gongzhu HP: 55 Might: 74

Niu Gongzhu's quick shot fails to cancel Sungao Yao's taunt attempt.
Sungao Yao attempts to taunt Niu Gongzhu.
Sungao Yao succeeds!
Sungao Yao fails to hit with the attack!
Niu Gongzhu lands the attack.(4)

Round 2:
Sungao Yao HP: 65 Might: 82
Niu Gongzhu HP: 55 Might: 72

Sungao Yao attempts a combination attack on Niu Gongzhu.
Sungao Yao lands a combination!
Sungao Yao lands the attack.(7)
Niu Gongzhu fails to hit with the attack!

Round 3:
Sungao Yao HP: 65 Might: 82
Niu Gongzhu HP: 48 Might: 72

Sungao Yao attempts a combination attack on Niu Gongzhu.
Sungao Yao lands a combination!
Sungao Yao lands the attack.(8)
Niu Gongzhu lands the attack.(6)

End of Bout 2:
Sungao Yao HP: 59 Might: 82
Niu Gongzhu HP: 40 Might: 72

Bout 3:

Round 1:
Sungao Yao HP: 59 Might: 82
Niu Gongzhu HP: 40 Might: 72

Sungao Yao fails to hit with the attack!
Niu Gongzhu lands the attack.(5)

Round 2:
Sungao Yao HP: 54 Might: 82
Niu Gongzhu HP: 40 Might: 72

Sungao Yao attempts a combination attack on Niu Gongzhu.
Sungao Yao lands a combination!
Niu Gongzhu attempts to trip Sungao Yao!
Niu Gongzhu fails to trip Sungao Yao!
Sungao Yao lands the attack.(8)
Niu Gongzhu lands the attack.(5)

Round 3:
Sungao Yao HP: 49 Might: 82
Niu Gongzhu HP: 32 Might: 72

Sungao Yao attempts a combination attack on Niu Gongzhu.
Sungao Yao lands a combination!
Niu Gongzhu attempts to trip Sungao Yao!
Niu Gongzhu fails to trip Sungao Yao!
Sungao Yao lands the attack.(10)
Niu Gongzhu lands the attack.(4)
Niu Gongzhu successfully retreats!

End of Bout 3:
Sungao Yao HP: 45 Might: 82
Niu Gongzhu HP: 22 Might: 72

The battle ended as quickly as it began. Within moments, the tall swordsman and Niu Gongzhu had met. With sword against spear, the duo quickly set against each other. Yet, the duel was quickly pressed. As the duo began their battle, a seeming wave of fatigue struck Niu Gongzhu. A wave of nausea and sickness that nearly crippled her and left her every attack to all but fail. Yet, while nausea struck her, the swordsman pressed all the harder. With his sword dancing, countless wounds was given to the proud general of Qi as the mercenary pressed the attack. Finally though it came to that end. Even as the man drew away from another vicious assault, Niu Gongzhu could only turn and flee as she desperately sought a moment's respite. With blood pouring across her arms, legs, and even her torso, she was forced to fall behind her companions. Niu Gongzhu has received an additional level of injury! Her serious injury (gained from PT) has elevated to a Critical Injury. It is highly advised you remain cautious in the quest until you are healed because dropping out is no longer possible.

However, even as Niu Gongzhu was forced to flee, both Lei Anshui and Alexandrus Publius pushed their assault. With their weapons flashing, their every opponent fell before them. Yet, with the man of slender build's duel with Niu Gongzhu having came to a draw, the man turned his attention onto his allies once more. Where Lei Anshui and Alexandrus Publius pressed their hardest, the man shifted to counter their attack. Yet, the deck had become more than slippery with gore. More than one pirate and mercenary alike had been forced to slip amongst the gore or simply gone over the ship's railing. Even as the pirates pressed their attack and unengaged men could close enough to toss bodies overboard, another body fell from the conflict. "Get them across that bridge!" a mercenary shouted once more even as Alexandrus roared his own challenge. "Get them going and into hiding! Ask the men on the second ship where their men are going!" that mercenary's voice echoed once more.

Yet, the voice was quickly lost as the brawl continued. With their weapons gleaming and flinging thick blood with their every swing, men and women fell and died. A brawl of such grand levels echoed across the river as mercenaries struggled against the pirates. For almost two more minutes the brawl continued before a shout was raised. It was an order of retreat, a claim that the mercenaries laid safely aboard the second ship. A shout for the mercenaries to retreat and destroy the planking behind them. The pirates would have to press their assault or they'd be forced to board that second ship by rope once again. "Retreat!" the slender man shouted, echoing his companion's call as he struck down another pirate. "Retreat!" he shouted as he withdrew from the press. Rather than abandon themselves to a wanton rout, however, those experienced mercenaries kept their wits as they continued a fighting retreat. It was slow moving and it saw more than a fair share of men die upon either side, yet by the second both groups was nearing that ship's stern and the planking to the second barge's bow. From where the pirates and mercenaries brawled, the pirates and mercenaries who had fought upon the right side of that deck could be seen. The mercenaries upon the right side seemed all the worse for the wear and seemed upon the edge of flight as the pirates descended upon them.

In the heart of that first barge, Sho Tao and his men continued their investigation. With the search for a key abandoned and realizing the sturdy door would hardly be pushed aside, the pirates had set upon chopping down the door and breaking through. It would be a slow and tedious task, yet it would reveal the wonders of the treasure within. Yet, even as they began their work, a noise sounded along the hall. Turning his attention to the noise, Sho Tao ordered his men back to the work as he stepped aside and braced himself for a possible threat. Yet, even as yells echoed throughout that barge and along its deck, it was clear what approached. With their clothes ripped and hair disheveled, a group of younger women laid roughly bound by ripped shreds of their own clothes. Guiding them came a small group of men, perhaps six or seven in total. In bulging sacks several of the men carried hints of loot, perhaps what little treasures the merchants had kept locked away within their own rooms. Yet, eve as the men stumbled across Sho Tao and his lot, they came to an awkward stop as they gazed upon Sho's men and their work. With greed gleaming within their eyes, one of the men stepped forth from that group and closed upon that door. "Ya found the hold, aye?" the man slurred in a drunken voice.