Semi-Finals



Sir Galendir Wettel VS Sir Jaison de Chateau Guest

Lord Nike VS Baron Gaston le Byron



The Semi-Finals were set to begin. The crowd had gathered once more, and the day was brilliantly clear. Sir Gindle sat foremost amongst the Knights seated in the pavillions, and was surrounded by two dozen other noble men and ladies, all of whom wore excited expressions on their faces. They were all eager to see how today's events would unfold.

Interrupting their thoughts, the musicians let loose a blare of their instruments. This signalled that the four Knights were ready to begin the Jousting. The crowd broke into loud cheers in an uproar of excitement.

Rising to his feet, Sir Gindle silenced the crowd with a wave of his hand. He then spoke loudly and clearly.

"My friends, we come here today to view the spectacle of the Semi-Finals of the Jousting Tournament of Thierulf's Gauntlet. Today, it will be decided, by the Lady's divine will, which two Knights will face each other in the Finals of this most grand of Tournaments."

He unrolled the scroll of parchment, and read aloud...



"To decide whom will take the position of first contender for the prize of Duke Theirulf's Gauntlet, a mighty Joust shall occur. Sir Galendir Wettel shall do battle against Sir Jaison de Chateau Guest. The winner shall move on to the Finals, the defeated Knight shall be honourably eliminated from the Tournament." This caused the crowd to burst into a wave of cheers, as the two chosen warriors rode out into the arena, and took their positions...

VS

Sir Galendir Wettel

(Empathy Virtue) - (0-0)

Sir Jaison de
Chateau Guest
(Discipline Virtue) - (0-0)

The signal was given, and the Joust began with a flurry of movement. Sir Jaison lowered his lance quickly, and aimed as best he could at his foe's Shield. Sir Galendir Wettel chose a more lofty target, that of his opponent's Helmet. Sir Jaison would strike first, but Sir Galendir would have more strength behind his attack.

With an ear-splitting *crack*, Sir Jaison's lance impacted heavily with the Shield of his opponent (on a 6), smashing the lance to pieces (on a 5) and causing an obvious wound to the noble Sir Galendir (on a 3). He was not unhorsed, however, and remained mounted (on a 4). The cheers from the crowd spurred Sir Galendir to hit despite his wounds (auto-hit due to Virtue) but his wound had caused him to lose strength, and the lance did not break (on a 1)!

The second Pass began, and ended, quickly. Both Knights aimed for each other's Helmets, eager to finish the match with one mighty hit. Unfortunately, neither of the two valiant Knights was able to aim properly, and both missed (on a 3 from Galendir and a 1 from Jaison)!

The third Pass commenced with both Knights changing their tactics. Attempting to improve his aim, Sir Galendir targeted his opposition's Shield whilst Sir Jaison aimed for the Crest of his foe. If he could knock it off, his opponent had no chance of victory. Sir Galendir struck first, but to his great dismay, he missed (on a 2)! Sir Jaison de Chateau Guest also missed, although only by the smallest of margins (on a 4 due to aiming for the Crest).

At that point, the match came to an end. Sir Jaison de Chateau Guest had won by having 1 more Lance Break than his opponent. Both Knights shook hands and waved to the crowd, who cheered deafeningly at the two brave Bretonnians. Sir Jaison de Chateau Guest gains entrance to the Final, to Joust for possession of the Gauntlet, whilst Sir Galendir Wettel is eliminated.



"Next, a Joust shall be fought to decide who will face Sir Jaison de Chateau Guest in the Final of this glorious Tournament. Lord Nike shall do battle against Baron Gaston le Byron. Begin!" Announced Sir Gindle, which caused the onlookers to burst into another wave of cheers and applause. The Knights entered the arena, and took up their positions. And so it began...

VS

Lord Nike
(Knightly Temper Virtue) - (0-0)

Baron Gaston le Byron
(Knightly Temper Virtue) - (6-6)

Sir Gindle gave the signal, and in an instant the Joust began. The two Knights lowered their lances, and chose their targets. Baron Gaston aimed high for his opponent's Helmet, whilst Lord Nike went even higher, aiming for the Crest. Baron Gaston would strike first.

Gaston's lance impacted hard with the Helmet of his foe, and sent shards of lance flying into the air (hitting on a 6 and breaking on a 4) and injuring the valiant Lord Nike (failed Armour Save on a 1). He was not dismounted, however (on a 5). Lord Nike was stunned by the hit and was unable to aim his lance properly, and missed (on a 2).

The two Knights came around for the second Pass as the crowd continued to rain down cheers upon them. They both chose to aim at each other's Helmets, and would therefore strike at the same time! Baron Gaston's lance did connect with its target (on a 5), but only scraped the side of Lord Nike's Helmet, and did not break his lance (on a 2)! Lord Nike was more successful, and his lance impacted heavily (on a 5) with the Helmet of his opponent, smashing his lance to pieces (on a 6) and causing an injury to Gaston. Baron Gaston was strong, however, and remained mounted (on a 4).

As the third Pass began, Baron Gaston le Byron decided to change his tactics, lowering his lance at the Shield of his foe. Lord Nike aimed once more for his opponent's Helmet, and would strike that area once more. The result of this Pass was very important, and both Knights blocked out the sounds of the screaming crowd and focused instead on the task at hand.

Baron Gaston's lance hammered into his foe's Shield (on a 6) and shattered it into two pieces (on a 4). Lord Nike's Armour was once again pierced (on a 4) but despite his now serious wounds, he remained mounted (on a 5). Even with his wounds, Lord Nike heroically aimed his lance and it smashed into Gaston's Helmet (on a 4) and broke his lance (on a 5). Baron Gaston le Byron was badly injured by this hit (on a 2), but like his opponent, he was no weakling, and remained mounted nonetheless (on a 4).

As both Knights had equal lance breaks, a fourth Pass would occur. Both Knights were badly injured, and their horses were exhausted, but they continued anyway. Baron Gaston aimed for his opponent's Helmet, whilst Lord Nike returned his aim to the Crest of his foe, hoping to earn victory in this Pass. Unfortunately, neither Knight was able to put enough force behind their attacks, as they both hit (Gaston on a 3 due to his Virtue and Nike on a 5) but they were both unable to break their lances (Gaston on a 1 and Nike on a 2)!

The fifth and final Pass began. Putting the last of their waning strength into this last charge, the two Knights aimed their lances at each other's Helmets. Baron Gaston, despite suffering two wounds and being utterly exhausted, aimed his lance well (hitting on a 3 due to his Virtue) and smashed his lance apart on his foe's Helmet (on a 6). Lord Nike had suffered three wounds, and was both dismounted (on a 3) and knocked out by this final blow. Lord Nike's attack (they both had the same ploy, so they would strike at the same time) missed (on a 1).

Lord Nike's unconsious body went crashing to the ground, causing gasps to eminate from the crowd. Healers quickly rushed to the brave Knight's side, as Baron Gaston looked on worriedly, hoping that he had not seriously harmed his fellow Bretonnian. When the Healers reported that he would be fine with a few day's rest, the crowd burst into cheers for Lord Nike's efforts, and the noble Baron Gaston le Byron's victory by Unhorsing and Knocking Out his opponent. Baron Gaston le Byron would go on to face Sir Jaison de Chateau Guest in the Final of the Tournament. Lord Nike is eliminated, but has displayed such honour and courage in battle that he has earned the respect of all.



The crowd's cheers flowed down towards Baron Gaston and Lord Nike, as they were both taken out of the arena. Once the two Knights were gone from the tilt-yard floor, Sir Gindle arose to his feet and signalled a blast from the trumpets, which quickly silenced the crowd.

The Bretonnian looked over the crowd, before speaking aloud.

"Knights of the land, approach!"

To this, three Knights and a peasant emerged into the tilt-yard. Lord Nike was still unconsious and unable to ride out with his felllows, but a peasant bearing a flag of that brave Knight's Heraldry stood for him.

The crowd's applause filled the arena for the Knights, and Sir Gindle allowed it to continue for a few moments, before signalling the trumpets to sound, silencing the crowd. He then spoke.

"Today, it has been decided who shall compete for the ultimate prize of this Tournament. For Lord Nike and Sir Galendir Wettel, this is the end of your participation in the Tournament, but feel no shame, for you have proven yourselves as Knights of vast skill and great honour, rejoice in your accomplishments, for you have earned it."

A burst of cheering from the crowd (including Sir Gindle) went on for a moment, before quieting so Sir Gindle could continue his speech.

"For Sir Jaison de Chateau Guest and Baron Gaston le Byron, however, the Final is still to come. Then, one of you shall carry home the prize, and be Blessed by the Lady above all others, for surely only the greatest of champions can possess such a talisman. However, now is not the time to think of such things, rest well and celebrate your achievements."

Sir Gindle then saluted the Knights before him, who saluted back, and turned to leave the arena. The Knights (and peasant) soon followed suit, and the crowd slowly filed out soon after.

The Jousting was almost over, but the result was anything but certain...

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