A morning of festivities commenced as the Knights prepared for their Jousts. Minstrels and entertainers from across the lands and beyond made appearences and did great and impossible feats. It was midday when the Herald arrived to start the Jousting and the Ladies and nobles arrayed in the pavilions were pleased by the entertainment but looked like they could wait no longer for the jousting.
Again the trumpet's noise blasted through the air, quieting the crowd and allowing the Herald to speak clearly through the silence. "Today's events will be short but of the finest quality, only two jousts shall be held and thus only two Knights shall make it to the next round," he paused for dramatic effect, before finishing his sentence "The pair of exceptional Knights who make it to the next round shall have one, final, decicive joust to see who the Lady has deemed shall be gifted with the Blessed Helm!". The Herald then picked up a small scroll of parchment and read from it, "The first match of the day will involve Joc'de Tayl'ore who will be the opponent of Sir Ralph, the Duke of Brionne!" The crowd roared with excitement with this announcement. The Knights then took their positions in the Tilt-yard and waited for the signal to begin.
VS
Joc'de Tayl'ore
(Valour Virtue) - (4-4)
Sir Ralph
(Purity Virtue) - (0-0)
When the Herald gave the signal, the joust began. Joc'de Tayl'ore and Sir Ralph charged at each other, leaving a shower of stones, dirt and grit in their horse's wake. Joc'de Tayl'ore aimed at his opponent's Shield, Sir Ralph aimed at Joc'de Tayl'ore's Helm, seeking to gain an early victory. Joc'de Tayl'ore's lance struck first, hitting on a roll of 5 but being deflected off Sir Ralph's shield without breaking on a further roll of 3. Sir Ralph then attacked back but missed on a roll of 3. Neither Knight had broken his lance, but neither Knight had given up yet either.
On the second pass, the crowd was silent with anticipation and the Knights could only hear the sound of their hearts beating and the horse's galloping hooves. Both Knights aimed at each other's Shields, Joc'de Tayl'ore's attack hit on a 6 and shattered his first lance with a roll of 4, Sir Ralph's armour saved him from harm though, as he rolled a 5. Sir Ralph's aim was true and he broke his first lance with a roll of 6 to hit and a 5 to break it. The force of the lance blow burst through Joc'de Tayl'ore's armour with an armour save of 2, so he took a wound. He remained seated on his horse with a further roll of 5, however. At the sight of both Knight's splintering their lances, the crowd went wild!
In the third pass, Sir Ralph aimed high for his opponent's Crest, hoping to capture the lead by knocking the Crest off. Joc'de Tayl'ore continued aiming for Sir Ralph's Shield, his hopes were to steal the lead or unhorse his opponent. Rolling a 1 to hit (or to miss!), Joc'de Tayl'ore's luck turns against him in this hour however, his horse falters and stumbles forward, nearly falling over. Sir Ralph's aim is not effected however and he successfully knocks the Crest off Joc'de Tayl'ores Helm (6 to hit and 5 to knock it off), this scores him a healthy lead of 2 lance breaks and victory in this round! As the crowd loudly cheers and applaudes, Sir Ralph salutes his unlucky opposition and Joc'de Tayl'ore, a great and noble Knight, salutes back.
Sir Ralph, the Duke of Brionne won by having more LANCE BREAKS than his opponent.
"The next joust, and the decider of who shall challenge Sir Ralph for the Blessed Helm, is between the crowd favourite, Hercule Achille du Bois Guilbert and his opponent, Sir Bran Belfort, Knight of Rosemont Castle in the province of Quenelles!!!" With this the two Knights rode out to take their places on the field.
VS
Hercule Achille du Bois Guilbert
(Valour Virtue) - (6-6)
Sir Bran Belfort
(Purity Virtue) - (2-2)
With a battle-cry the Knights spur their steeds onwards towards their opponent. Both Knights nursed minor wounds (1 Wound each) but they did not let these injuries effect them. Hercule Achille and Sir Bran targeted each other's Shields. Hercule Achille's first lance attack hit (a 5 re-rolled from 1) with great force and was smashed into tiny pieces (a 6 to break lances). Sir Bran's armour saved him on a roll of 5. Sir Bran struck at the same time and hit on a 4, with a thunderous crack his lance broke on a 6. Hercule Achille's armour also held and saved him (a 5 re-rolled from 2 saved him).
Both Knights looked confident as they began the second pass, shouts of encouragement came from the crowd as people supported their favourite Knight. Sir Bran aimed for Hercule Achille's Helmet whilst Hercule Achille kept his aim at the battered Shield of Sir Bran. Hercule Achille attacked first but luck was not with him and his lance missed by a wide margin (rolled a 1 to-hit). Sir Bran attacked next but also missed with a roll of 3. The crowd were pumped up now and people were on their feet, cheering and waving.
The third pass began in a flurry of dust and earthen sods, both Knights certain they could take the victory for themselves in this pass. They both aimed at each other's Shields and thus it would be an equal test of pure skill that decided this joust. Hercule Achille hit with a 6 but to his dismay his lance did not break on a roll of 3, it slid off the side of Sir Bran's Shield. His last chance of victory was now to see if Sir Bran suffered the same misfortune. Unfortunately for the aged Knight, Sir Bran hit with his lance on a 4, broke it on a roll of 5 and thus claimed victory for himself! Hercule Achille du Bois Guilbert, a Knight of no small fortitude, was protected by his armour on a roll of 6 so did not take a wound.
With many Ladies sobbing in the pavilions at the departure of Hercule Achille from the tournament (and many men, tired of Hercule Achille's hold over the women, cheered happily), Sir Bran is victorious!
Sir Bran Belfort, Knight of Rosemont Castle in the province of Quenelles, won by having more LANCE BREAKS than his opposition.
With an estatic crowd howling with delight behind them, the two victorious Knights rode their horses before the Herald's seat in the pavilions. "Some of the finest Knights of Bretonnia have jousted for the Blessed Helm in this Tournament, many have been eliminated, now only you two before me are left. Tomorrow, victory shall be at hand for one of you. The other may not win, but will still be one of the very best Knights in Bretonnia. Until tomorrow, rest and recover. May the Lady be with you!!!" And with that the Herald finished his speech and both Knights left the Tilt-yard. The Herald then turned and left the pavilions, the onlooking crowd soon followed.
