Armies march in step across a large plain with mountains in the background. They are
lovely, the sun glints off burnished armour and banners of many colours fly from raised
standards. As you edge closer, you cannot see faces as they are enclosed in helmets,
but these must be truly beautiful creatures. They wear what appear to be leather skirts,
metal cuirasses and plumed helmets, though what you take to be their leaders wear large
plumes that hang around their shoulders, much as long hair does. The soldiers appear
to be both male and female humans … and the vaguest hint that there is something else
about their build that you ought to realize.
(session 12)
The same armies move forward but this time they are clearly ready for battle, using
lowered pikes in a well managed phalanx. Their enemies fail before this armoured
might as men and elves … that is it, some of these soldiers are men and others are elves
fighting unified together in the same uniforms. Wait, their leader is a female, a beautiful
woman wielding a two-handed sword – and she is human!
Elves and men are marching together across a very rugged landscape. They wear
chainmail and carry oval shields, painted red and inscribed with a vine leaf. They
carry javelins and swords. These do not appear to be the same soldiers as those before;
something intangible is different. There is perhaps not the same confidence or freedom
of movement? Their equipment is not so glorious, but perhaps that is because the sun is
not shining?
...
A female warrior fights surrounded by hideous beasts. She wears a golden cuirass,
leather kilt and carries a spear and shield. Enemies fall before her, but there are so many.
But, wait! A male figure appears dressed in dendra plate and with a large two-handed
sword. He hacks his way towards her and together they must surely be victorious. As the
woman slays the last creature, the man turns towards her and cruelly strikes her down.
He leers maniacally as he stoops over her, foot on her back and hand under her chin. His
sword comes down and you awake.
...
Human soldiers in a phalanx march forwards towards a horde of beastmen, who break
upon their raised pikes. The men wear linen cuirasses, a few have helmets and less
have greaves (and some only one). Each has a shield, mostly quite small, but some with
larger ones. Whilst they are still impressive, your earlier dreams have led you to expect
better from your dream-warriors. Still, the beastmen are no match for the drilled phalanx
that cuts through the enemy swathe.
...
As before a phalanx advances against beastmen. The warriors are still unevenly
equipped, though recognisably to a similar standard as you have seen before. However,
their enemies appear to be less intimidated and are swirling away from the advancing
unit. and around its sides. Here lighter armed figures, men and women, attempt to hold
the flanks but they are gradually beaten away. As the beastmen close in on the flanks,
the phalanx begins to disintegrate as men try to react to the new threat. However, some
elect to flee, and this trickle becomes a stream and then a total rout. The unpleasant end
is curtailed by your awakening.
No comments:
Post a Comment