Spear Training for Woodmen and Guests

Heriwulf is using the hand-cart to bring archery targets and hay bales out into a clear space within the stockade, and setting up the targets atop the hay bales.
Jessandra breaks off the sizing up she's been doing with Marney and wanders over. "Need help with that? Or would it be too much bother to tell someone else how?"
Heriwulf | Hundr runs up to Jessandra as soon as she approaches and gives her a cheerful yip. Brenn and Dalgo, on patrol around the stockade (but mostly staying near the entrance) don't seem much interested in her.
Jessandra chuckles and gives Hundr a pat and some attention as she listens.
Heriwulf bobs his head cheerfully to Jess. "Not much to it, just getting these up a bit higher, chest level, for spear training." He's simply setting the target atop a bale, then securing it best he can. "Don't want people pointing spear-tips at the ground."
Jessandra nods. "Nope. The butt end, maybe, depending, but not the points."
Marnewyn makes her way nearer, being careful not to be in the way.
Heriwulf nods as he sets a target in place. "Though I probably won't get into that. These folks won't be becoming skilful warriors today, or even in time for the battle, most likely. So it'll be a very simplified training, focused on keeping them alive and making them useful, not making them kill."
Jessandra nods. "Understood. I really hope we can rely more on archers, and that folks like this one," she points her chin toward Marney, though there's a bit of teasing to her tone, "won't have to use their spears at all."
Marnewyn gives a good-natured snort and nods. "Aye. I'm certainly hoping that!"
Heriwulf says, "I was thinking that I would teach people that they whistle twice, two short bursts," he demonstrates, "to mean 'archers, hit my target' so they could do that if they were feeling overmatched, or if they made an opening. One burst would be calling someone else on foot the same way. My hope is the trainees will mostly be keeping orcs busy and tiring them out until more experienced combatants can finish them off."
Jessandra nods. "Sounds good. I wish we thought we had time to teach some shield-work, too, but... spear and shield isn't all that basic. My aunt had some words with me over that this morning to remind me."
Marnewyn eyes the other woman and nods slowly, but keeps her peace.
Heriwulf says, "Leohna offered to do some shield training. If this goes well, I think that might be the next thing to try to set up. I will hopefully get to learn some of that myself. Though depending on who we have, I might be there as an archer more than a spearman."
Jessandra nods. "It's mostly about distance, given the numbers. So I hope you're more used as an archer. We want them dropped at range, as much as possible."
Leohna walks up the path wearing what you see here. She is skipping and singing while she swings her shield. "Bless yer beautiful hide!! Wherever ye may be!! Pretty and trim but not too slim!! Heavenly eyes and just the right size!! Simple and sweet!! And sassy as can be!! Bless his beautiful hide!!" Goes to finish on a big crecendo, wings her shield up and the weight throws her off balance. She knocks herself over mid-finale. "Aye!! He's the lad for----" THUD!
Marnewyn looks over at the singer and just... gapes for a moment.
Heriwulf says with a wry grin, while still setting up targets, "Thing is, I'm a better spearman than archer. If we have three or four trainees with spears, they will need people close by they can count on to come to their aid. So I might be more needed in that capacity." He turns at Leohna's voice and waves warmly in her direction. "There's our shield-trainer!"
Jessandra calls over, "Are you all right?"
Leohna stands up waving her arm, "I'm alrigh'!" She dusts herself off and comes skipping over smiling brightly, though blushing.
Jessandra nods. "Good. And glad to hear and see you." She smiles with only a little bit of mischief to it.
Heriwulf pauses in setting up targets to step over to Leohna to meet her, and casually brushes her hand with his. "Were you going to be learning spear today, Leohna?" he asks brightly.
Marnewyn shakes her head at the exchange, but relaxes a bit.
Leohna pulls her hood down beaming a smile up at Heriwulf, "Aye! Thought I would try my hand at it."
Heriwulf | Hundr is so excited by all the people he's running from one person to another, sometimes not even pausing long enough to be patted before jumping at what looks like a better opportunity.
Heriwulf smiles to Leohna, then turns back to setting up targets. "The practice spears are over leaning on the stockade wall. Anyone who wants to practice or learn, go ahead and grab one."
Ljota pauses outside the door and makes her way over to the group. She doesn't stare, but Marnewyn gets an uncertain look.
Leohna giggles at Hundr and skips over to grab a spear. She smiles brightly at Jess and Marn as she walks by.
Marnewyn nods, having already taken one - as had Jess, during their earlier round of sizing each other up.
Heriwulf turns to see Ljota and beams a cheerful smile at her. "And there's our Hall-Sun!" he says warmly. "Ready to learn the spear?" he asks, his tone encouraging.
Jessandra gives Ljota a cheery little wave.
Marnewyn watches Hundr, but doesn't encourage him too much, though she's friendly enough with him when he's at her.
Ljota knits her brows a touch and opens and shuts her mouth before she comes up with, "Uh, I guess so. Is Wood-Sculptor coming?"
Leohna stands in front of the spears with her hand on her hip. The other holding her shield. She stamps her tiny foot while she decides which one to grab. Every single one is taller than she is by a good foot or more. She shrugs having no idea what she was doing regarding spear picking and picked one up at random. The spear tip was a good two feet above her head. She came skipping back with the spear wobbling above her head like a puppy with a really big stick.
Heriwulf looks around. "She's supposed to be, but perhaps she's running late."
Leohna stands between the two women holding her spear proudly.
Marnewyn smiles at chipper woman next to her. Maybe it's for the spear. Maybe it's for being between her and Jess.
Ljota admits, "I thought I was late. Um... Am I?"
Jessandra quirks a brow at the bard's choice of spear, but then shrugs. It isn't her show, so to speak, and thus not her place to comment.
Heriwulf shakes his head. "We were just about to get started, I suppose. If Wood-Sculptor arrives soon, or if not, we'll start without her and I'll catch her up later."
Ljota | "Um... Alright." Ljota nods and comes a little nearer to Heriwulf, asking quietly, "What did you call me?"
Leohna smiles at the woman next to her. She goes to extend her hand in greeting then stops when she recalls she is holding a spear, "Hi there! I'm Leohna."
Heriwulf grins. "Oh, Hall-Sun. It's... well, a long story, which I should tell you some time, but in brief. Back in the Vales, in our clanhouse, there's a lantern, called the Hall-Sun. It is thought to be good luck for the clan if it is always lit. It is a symbol of how the lodge is the beating heart of the clan. Knowing it is there is what gives warriors courage in battle, that they have a safe place to return to, a home. The chief of those who keep up the lodge is also called the Hall-Sun, and it is her, or his, duty to be sure the lantern is always lit. She is the most revered of all in the clan, save perhaps Far-Scout, the chieftain. You're our Hall-Sun."
Marnewyn smiles to Leohna more. "Good eve to you! I'm Marney. That's short for Marnewyn."
Ljota squints a moment while she mulls that over. "...Oh. So... alright. I'll ask later. Let's just get started."
Leohna keeps smiling, "Well met Marney!" She turns her attention to Hound-friend and his lesson.
Heriwulf nods, then turns and looks around. "I think I ought to have made some introductions. We have Marnewyn, a wood-worker of Bree in a trade like that of my sister's, who has volunteered to come help us. Leohna, a bard and healer staying with the clan. Jessandra, a trapper and friend of our scout Tree-Walker, who is also helping out. And this is Ljota, a member of our clan."
Marnewyn nods to Ljota with a friendly smile, as the only one she hadn't at least sort of met before now.
Ljota lifts her hand a little in what could pass for a wave.
Heriwulf catches a glimpse of Leohna being towered over by her spear, and grins. "Should have asked Wood-Sculptor to make one a little shorter," he mutters quietly. "All right! Everyone who wants to practice or learn, grab a blunt-tipped spear. No one's going to get punctured, but you probably will get battered and bruised. There's a few willow twigs over on the hand-cart for that."
Heriwulf goes to the cart and picks up his own spear, which is not blunt; in fact, it has a sturdy metal tip with some barbs and a small crossguard, not the big ones for boar-hunting, but enough to make it fierce.
Leohna smiles at everyone again and waves at Ljota with her spear hand bobbing the spear side to side.
Jessandra can't help herself, and chuckles at the waving spear. For the time being, she's using a practice spear, despite having brought her real one.
Heriwulf moves to the line of archery targets, each of which is standing atop a bale of hay, and turns to face the group. "I am not going to try to make you a skilled warrior today! We're going to focus on the basics you need to keep yourself alive and be useful in a fight, not to be a champion. That means if you decide to stick with it and get better you will have to unlearn some of what I will teach you!"
Ljota raises her eyebrows a bit at Leohna, then grabs a practice spear for herself. She inspects it briefly, though for what, she couldn't say. She gives Heriwulf her attention, after.
Jessandra chuckles, nodding. She also holds back. She knows how to do this, and is here to help watch over others.
Marnewyn moves up, keeping Leohna between her and Jess still.
Heriwulf says, 'Since you won't be a mighty and experienced warrior, your goal will to be weaken your foe, to harry him, to tire him out, and maybe to kill him, but maybe to call for another, more experienced warrior to win. Even if you kill no orcs, you will have contributed just as much to our triumph as those who do. And you will do so without getting hurt yourself, thanks to reach.'
Leohna turns and moves to a better position in front of Hound-friend. She looks ready to learn! She is focused, smiling, in the Hero position and is bouncing on the balls of her feet.
Jessandra nods grimly.
Heriwulf swings his spear into a sturdy grip at his right side, his feet planted. "See how far away from me the point is? That's the strength of a spear. Someone with a sword can't even get to me save by trickery. Now, try holding it like this. The rear hand above, the forward hand below the spear, feet braced. Hold it as far back as you comfortably can."
Beastmother arrives just as two ravens caw and fly overhead, leaving the cover of the surrounding forest and landing on the clanhouse roof.
Heriwulf says, 'Your spear feels light now. It's basically a big stick, like a broom. But you're going to find it's a lot heavier than you think. Holding the spear out point first and level for five minutes and you will be sore and exhausted. You'll be surprised how much even after I've said this.'
Jessandra twitches a bit at the ravens, but doesn't let herself get too distracted. She also demonstrates the holding of her spear, so others get two angles of view on it.
Beastmother stands on her side, leaning on her quarterstaff like a long walking stick as she observes and listens.
Marnewyn nods slowly, sparing barely a glance to the ravens, and tries to hold the spear as shown.
Ljota studies Heriwulf and Jessandra for a moment, then mimics their grip to the best of her ability.
Heriwulf says, 'Keep the spear level, or slightly up. Letting it droop is just asking to be attacked. Keep the tip moving. Try making it swirl in a small circle for now. Keeping it moving not only helps you not ache as much, it's vital for blocking enemy attacks.'
Leohna mimics his stance. Her front hand below the spear tip and her rear hand as far back as she could go. Tries to make it swirl in a little circle. Thwaks herself in the nose twice before she gets the swirl right.
Heriwulf says, "You're going to want to focus on enemies that have shorter weapons, not those with spears, and avoid those with shields." He points his spear at Leohna. "I could probably get the tip past her shield, but not without giving her a chance to stab me. But you might struggle to do that. Best to leave foes with spears or shields to the archers or more experienced warriors."
Marnewyn nods solemnly as she experiments with small movements of the tip.
Leohna smiles when she is pointed at and looks to Jess, "I'm to be feared." Wiggles her shield and thwaks herself in the nose again with her spear tip since she wasnt paying attention to her twirling.
Ljota just nods her understanding while she draws little circles in the air.
Heriwulf goes to the practice spears and trades his for one of the blunt-tip ones. "First thing to learn," he says as he approaches Ljota, "is moving. While keeping the spear moving, keep the same distance from your foe. If he advances, move back. If he retreats, advance. Keep the distance so that the tip of your spear is just far enough that, if you stabbed it through him, it would be just emerging from his back." He nods to Ljota, and holds the spear straight up, and moves close. "You first, Ljota. Keep me at that distance." He starts to dance a bit, side to side, forward, back, slowly.
Jessandra nods. "Even with both shield and spear, it's tricky getting past another's shield." She tilts her shield at Leohna, just in case. She's a little dangerous, maybe, with that unpredictable near-lance she's bobbling.
Beastmother looks over to Leohna, "Always be mindful of where your weapon is. I've hit myself many times when I first started practicing with the staff...accidentally, I mean."
Heriwulf says, 'If you feel like you can spare the attention, glance at my feet, and my bellybutton. They tell you where I'm about to move so you can move the same way as I do.'
Marnewyn gives a small smile about hitting oneself, but doesn't comment - and doesn't take her attention away from getting the feel of working with this spear.
Ljota tries to maintain that distance without messing up her sturdy footing, but she's a bit slower than Heriwulf. She knits her brows. "So... do I get to poke you?"
Heriwulf grins and nods. "It's a bit early for that, but you can give it a try." He keeps his blunt spear held almost vertical, so it's not threatening Ljota, but ready to block.
Leohna smiles at Beastmother, "Thanks. This one be a bit tricky. It's a fiesty one." She tries to manage a small circle, but gets big wobbly circles instead. She thwaks her face a few more times before she gets a couple small circles. She shouts, "Aha!" triumphantly. She looks to Heriwulf to pay attention to his intructions to Ljota. She thwaks her ear this time. "Oof!"
Jessandra can't help but chuckle at Leohna. "We'll have to get you one that's more in your size, I suspect. But I'm glad to see your effort."
Ljota knits them a little tighter, then leans forward to try and give him a gentle prod in the belly.
Marnewyn nods at what she hears, but is concentrating enough she's managed not to giggle. "I probably have a couple suitable for you, Leohna. I'll have to remember to bring them next time I come."
Leohna sticks the spear between her legs and rubs her ear. She smiles at Jess. "I'll get it. You'll see." She won't. Poor Leo has zero skill with a spear. She won't let that stop her!
Heriwulf brings his spear to block, but given that it is way too high, he can't do any more than redirect the spear tip a bit, so he still gets clipped on the side of the gut. "That's why," he says with a little wheeze, "the spear should always be forward, level or just a bit up, even if you're not attacking!" He then brings his spear to that posture. "Try now!"
Leohna smiles at Marney when she speaks, picking her spear back up, "Thanks!" She sets her feet again and tries to make small circles with her spear tip. More than 2 this time!
Beastmother chuckles slightly as she watches Leohna as well, still leaning on her staff in roughly the same position.
Ljota purses her lips, but tries to stab him again despite her thoughts. She puts a little more force behind this one.
Heriwulf easily knocks Ljota's spear aside, but doesn't capitalize on the opening to thump her. "We'll show you the block and the lunge later. For now, focus on keeping a distance, and keeping it moving. Arms getting tired a bit now, I bet!" He brings the spear vertical and moves down, nodding to Jess, and stopping by Leohna. "Oh, sweetheart, let's see..."
Heriwulf moves in close. "Let's put more of that spear behind you. You don't want to normally hold it at the middle, but a lot closer than that, so it's near to balanced. A spear that fits you better will let you keep it more forward." He takes her hands and guides them down to a different balance point on the spear.
Leohna thwaks herself in the forehead and blinks back stars. She rubs her forehead and smiles. She moves her hands where he places them.
Heriwulf shakes his head. "First things first. Get the spear balanced. Start from the center and then inch it out ahead of you until it starts feeling hard to control, then back up one hand's width. Reach is important but control is more. Here, give it a try."
Marnewyn nods to herself, but actually holds hers a little further back now as she makes circles with it again.
Heriwulf watches her adjusting the grip before stepping back a bit, to give her room to try this new grip.
Ljota looks thoughtful a moment, then just leans on her spear.
Jessandra nods in approval. "Marney, do the ones you have made have any cross-pieces?"
Leohna looking more and more like a puppy with a tree trunk, she adjusts her hands, and moves to adjust her stance dropping the back of the spear into the grass behind her. The force launched her a foot off her feet and onto her bottom. She sits there looking confused how she managed that. "Not the circle I was expecting..."
Marnewyn blinks in surprise, but manages not to bobble her spear. "Small ones. I made them for hunting, as a back-up. I don't keep boar spears on hand, because they take up space - and rust." She bites her lip at Leohna's fall, managing not to laugh at her.
Heriwulf frowns. "All right," he says, and steps back. He sets his spear on the ground and takes out his axe, and starts lopping at it. "You can't practice with something too far out of size for you, I guess," he mutters between thwacks. "While I'm doing this, let's talk about signals."
Beastmother smiles as she watches but manages to prevent herself from laughing as well.
Jessandra has to bite her tongue to keep from laughing, but manages, and nods to Marnewyn after. "Even small ones will help these folks, I think."
Ljota squints uncertainly at Leohna, but keeps her thoughts to herself.
Heriwulf says, 'No one's going to be alone on the battlefield. Trainees will have experienced warriors near them. And there will be archers. Your job is to keep orcs, especially those with short weapons, busy, to tire them, to hurt them. If you have a foe near you that is tired, vulnerable, OR if you need help, you can whistle. One whistle to ask for a warrior to come, because you're hard-pressed, or your foe is tired and weakened and ready to be finished off. Two for an archer to target whoever is in front of you, because you have his defenses down, you've knocked him over, or you need help.'
Leohna stands up and dusts herself off looking sheepish and her cheeks flushed bright red. "I'll get it." Looks more determined, but still good natured. She listens to Heriwulf talk about signals.
Heriwulf stands and returns to Leohna, holding out the shortened spear with a rough butt end to trade for the long one she has. "Try that," he says.
Leohna smiles and winks at Heriwulf and takes the spear. She looks at it like it is now her greatest foe. It was on now! She reset her stance, looking triumphant she didnt fall on her bottom, and puts her hands where he showed her. She give the spear tip the stink eye and twirled. She braced herself for the thwak, having been conditioned to expect it now, and closes one eye. Her spear tip spins in halting little circles. She opens her shut eye and smiles, "AHA!" She bounces on the balls of her feet.
Heriwulf turns his spear to nearly-vertical and steps back, then starts to dance and weave. "Move to keep me at your spear-tip," he says, giving her the same challenge he'd given Ljota earlier.
Jessandra smiles to herself, keeping at the ready, just in case.
Leohna smirks and bobs and weaves with him. THAT part was easy. Keeping the tip of the spear pointed where she wanted it was another. Somehow that coordination escaped her. He bobbed right, her spear went left.
Heriwulf grins at Leohna. "We'll need to practice more on that later," he says, "but your footwork is great. And that's more important. For now, defense is ten times as important as offense." He moves down the line and, after waving a greeting to Em, offers Marney the same dance.
Beastmother nods a greeting in return to Heriwulf and continues to observe as he moves on to Marney.
Leohna steps back in line and glares at her spear. It was on! She goes back to trying to make small circles and seeing how long she could do that.
Marnewyn nods, and keeps her spear aimed and circling in much the same manner as she's watched Jess do. Her footwork isn't so impressive, but she does all right, and her aim stays true. She even attempts a little side-step and close to thrust, but steps back quickly to avoid being in arm's reach.
Heriwulf is, as he was with Ljota, keeping the spear too high to parry, so he gets another jab and makes a 'whoomp' noise as the wind is knocked out of him for a moment, during which he also jumps back and brings his spear to a more balanced pose. "Nice," he says as his breath comes back.
Ljota winces a little.
Heriwulf says, 'Now, I'm going to give your arms a bit of a break and talk about bracing. If you crouch a bit and plant the butt of the spear firmly into the ground, next to the inside of your foot, and get a good firm grip on it, holding it forward and up, like this...'
Heriwulf plants the spear and points it at a forty-five degree angle, from a position near the targets. "Like this, if my grip is good, I could face down any charge, even a foe on horseback. Try this pose. The trick is not to blanch. Hard to hold still if a horse and rider are coming at you, screaming and waving a sword."
Heriwulf says, 'You probably won't have cause to do this, but if I or any other warrior or captain shouts 'Brace!' be ready to do it. The foe will either veer off, or will impale himself.'
Marnewyn nods, after wincing a little in response to having landed even that good a hit. Bruising the instructor wasn't what she'd had in mind. She nods then at the comment about holding still. "Or a boar with its tusks." She shudders a bit.
Heriwulf nods to Marney. "Very much. Boar-hunting is about the most advanced spear technique!"
Leohna crouches a little and plants the butt of her spear firmly onto her foot. She hops on one foot a second then shakes her foot out. She tries again, but less enthusiastically. She gently sets her spear butt next to the inside of her foot. She holds the tip forward like he showed. She wiggles her foot as she stands there.
Heriwulf says, 'Now, I'd give you the chance to stare me down as I charge you, but I don't want to get myself killed, and if I hurled myself at one of you and you didn't blanch, even with a blunt-tip spear I could seriously hurt myself. Using the foe's movement against him is tremendously powerful.'
Jessandra nods with only a slight chuckle, and pops her spear into position with practiced ease. The notch in the side of her shield and its position strapped to her arm suddenly make a lot more sense, too. She's practically under cover.
Beastmother says, 'If the Orcs come in enough numbers, they will very likely try to rush. Bracing as a group is a good way to hold them off.'
Heriwulf smiles warmly to Jess as he sees her demonstrate bracing so well. "I wager a troll couldn't break past that," he murmurs, negligently waving his spear in her direction.
Marnewyn braces hers, taking just a bit longer than she'd like. She sighs, resets, and tries it again. "Making ourselves into a thicket of sorts?"
Heriwulf says, 'Exactly! And if they come in numbers, and you make a thicket, while they're breaking off, the archers are picking them off.'
Jessandra winces a bit. "I hope not to test out how hard a troll can hit, thanks. But I hope you're right."
Ljota stares at Jess a moment, then attempts the position herself. She looks a bit uncomfortable, but doesn't seem to be doing anything horribly wrong.
Jessandra nods to Ljota. "Good start. Practice getting into position quickly - orcs won't wait on us. But that's a very good start."
Heriwulf says, 'If it comes to a brace you might be asked to do it in a line, or a circle, the thicket as Marnewyn says. You might do a line, if, for instance, they are here, and trying to breach our stockade's entrance. But as I say, this is unlikely. The brace is an easy pose to get, just take some practice. Make sure that the butt of the spear is firmly into the ground. No sliding.'
Leohna tries to mimic what Jess is doing and somehow gets her spear tangled up in her legs and cloak and trips herself. She falls over like a rolled up rug.
Leohna lies down.
Beastmother nods, "Orcs are not brave. They rely on whips and threat of punishment from their masters to keep them in line. So if you brace in a group and leave no opening for attack, they'll break off...most likely."
Jessandra winces and moves toward the bard. "You all right?"
Heriwulf winces and sucks in a breath as he sees Leohna tumble. "Leohna, take it slower. You're not fighting the spear. Don't overextend yourself. There's no big hurry."
Marnewyn starts to offer help, but leaves Jess to it when she gets there first.
Leohna looks up at the sky and mumbles, "Really?" She looks to Jess. "Aye...bu'...I think I'm stuck..."
Jessandra nods and bends down, offering her arm. "Hold and I'll get you up, then, and we'll get you sorted."
Marnewyn blinks at that wording, eyes Jess, and then nods. She is rather a brick.
Leohna calls to Heriwulf, "Aye! Take it slow." Accepts Jess's arm and hops up. Her cloak wrapped around her legs and spear.
Ljota just nods a little at her instructions and practices her brace a few more times while Jess aids the fallen bard.
Marnewyn moves in to help get the cloak untangled. "Here, let me get this for you."
Heriwulf watches while Leohna's getting helped, keeping back as it'd just be more tangle if he tried to get in. "Next we'll do some offense. You're always attacking the person, not his weapon, not his shield. Even if you want to disarm him, it'll be the person, not the weapon, you hit. Go back to the basic pose. Forward hand below, rear hand above."
Heriwulf moves out of the way of the targets behind him. "Now come stand near one of these targets, and try a lunge. Picture the point on the target you want to hit, focus on it, then thrust. For now, nothing but a thrust."
Leohna gets untangled and offers Jess and Marney greatful smiles, "Thank ye." She takes off her cloak and folds it up. She sets it in the grass gently and walks over to the training dummies.
Jessandra nods. "There you go. If it comes to having to fight, you won't want it much, anyway. Or at least tuck it up short into your belt."
Marnewyn nods to all she's just heard, and moves back. She re-sets her grip and moves up to a target herself.
Leohna smiles again at Jess as she stands in front of the dummy. "Thanks. I'll get it. Ye'll see." She smiles determined and gets into her fighting stance with the spear.
Ljota steps over to the targets and gets back in position to stab one. She hits this one a touch harder than she did Heriwulf.
Beastmother nods at Jess' advice, "If you have a second hand free and are in a desperate situation, sometimes you can use your cloak as a distraction or last resort. Just...be careful not to obscure your vision with it."
Beastmother adds after a moment, "I've even seen someone catch a blade with it...but I wouldn't try that until you are very skilled."
Jessandra watches again for now, and nods at Em's comment. "A cloak is almost even a shield, sometimes. But not while you're still learning how to keep two hands on a spear."
Heriwulf says, 'Now, if you were doing that to me, I would be able to see, from your stance and movement, where the spear was going before it moved, and be able to block it. But I am experienced and clever. Most orcs are neither. You'd be surprised how often just picking a spot and then hitting it works on them. Not on attercops, but on orcs.'
Leohna lunges at the dummy and misses. She resets and tries again. And again. And again. All misses. After her fourth miss she throws the spear down and examines the dummy's base. "Ye must be on wheels! How are ye movin'!?" She steps back eyeing the dummy suspiciously. She draws her sword and wakes it with the weak side. She hits. She bounces up. "AHA!" She sheaths her sword and picks up the spear triumphant. She lunges again and her spear tip hits the dummy square on surprising her immensly. So jumped up in triumph and hugs the dummy. "It hit!"
Marnewyn nods, and moves in to take her own pokes. The fact that she's hunted with a spear before helps immensely.
Heriwulf says, 'Try a few more thrusts, then when you feel comfortable, try this. Switch your forward hand to be above the spear, same as the rear, and try again. You'll find there's a lot more force, you hit harder. Overhand is stronger at attack, but underhand is stronger at defense, and you should be fighting defensively. Switch to overhand only if you're sure your foe is vulnerable.'
Marnewyn nods, and tries it - and has to wrench even the blunted spear out of the dummy. Oops.
Heriwulf demonstrates, keeping his rear hand's grip firm, but flipping the forward hand to the top of the spear and thrusting. The thrust is a little lower, but much stronger; he pierces deep into the archery target.
Marnewyn blinks, then loses it and just giggles.
Heriwulf says, 'If you're feeling comfortable with underhand thrusts, you can try practicing switching between over and under. If you're really sure you can switch quickly and smoothly, you can switch to overhand when you have a good opening. But only if you're sure. Good job, Leohna!'
Jessandra chuckles for a moment, but manages to clap for Leohna. "So it did!"
Beastmother says, 'Be careful not to impale an enemy too strongly. It...might seem wise to do so to inflict as much damage as possible, but especially against foes that come in number like Orcs...I have seen fighters cut down because they couldn't dislodge their weapons from a body.'
Ljota spends a while sticking her target with the new grip, then the underhand again for further comparison.
Leohna bounces back on the balls of her feet smiling brightly. She resets her stance and tries to hit the dummy over, but hadnt watched Heriwulf's demo and thwaks the dummy like you would with a sword. One handed and over her head. It bounces back and thwaks her on the top of the head.
Marnewyn winces, and keeps an eye on the bard. At least that stopped her giggling.
Heriwulf says, 'Em makes a good point. Which brings me to my next point. Suppose you get a good strike on an enemy and he is dazed. You probably think you should press the advantage. I would. But a trainee, no. You should draw back and take a defensive pose. I know it seems counterintuitive. But the most important thing you can do in battle is SURVIVE. Don't tire yourself out. Don't risk making yourself vulnerable. Be patient. Later when you're more experienced you can learn when to press your advantage.'
Jessandra nods. "That's when you might whistle, but don't risk getting stuck by an orc. You call for the likes of him or me, or an archer."
Heriwulf says, 'In fact one of the best things any spear-fighter can do is just wear the enemy down. Keep him at range, let him swing his short heavy weapon, get a thump in once in a while, but just let him get himself exhausted. Then he can be finished off easily. If you keep a defensive posture you can do this for hours.'
Marnewyn nods thoughtfully, going back to practicing thrusts with grip-changes for now.
Heriwulf continues giving the target in front of him a few good jabs as he speaks.
Leohna rubs the top of her head and eyes the dummy again. She smiles and laughs, "AHA! Have at thee knave!" She giggles and swings the spear like a sword, boucning around the dummy, jab, strike, strike, jab, twirl!! She fences the dummy with the spear twirling and jumping back like it was an epic battle!!
Heriwulf says, 'All right, so I said a bit ago that a spear is a thrusting weapon. You're going to be mostly trying to pierce. But now I'm going to tell you that I was lying. In fact, one of the best things you can do with a spear is a thwap with the blunt side. Because the foe isn't expecting it! You may be thinking, being stabbed is bad, being thumped is no big deal. Anyone who thinks that, come here and let me hit you upside the head with the side of my spear, and see how well you can block the thrust to follow!'
Beastmother nods, "It may not kill them, but it will certainly throw your enemy off balance."
Marnewyn winces. "Ow. Too many bar fights to take you up on that voluntarily."
Leohna pauses mid-battle and rubs her sore head, "Yer tellin' me."
Heriwulf says, 'A great and easy trick is to thrust too wide to the side, let your foe think you missed, then yank it like this and hit them on the side. If you hit an arm, it might loosen his grip on his weapon, or even make him drop it. It might knock him down or leave him off balance. It'll sure hurt him and tire him!"'
Heriwulf says, 'Just don't overextend doing that. If your spear is behind him AND to the side, you're now vulnerable to a counter-strike.'
Jessandra nods. "And don't leave it there long enough for him to get smart and grab it. Keep it moving."
Heriwulf turns and nods to Jess. "I sure hope none of the orcs is smart enough to grab a moving spear! If there is one smart enough for that, hopefully one of the experienced warriors will be focusing on him."
Jessandra nods. "Fair point. But any of them might hack at it with a sword."
Heriwulf says, 'That'd be another good time for a whistle for help, though, if he did manage to grab your spear. Never be afraid to retreat. They say there are old warriors, and bold warriors, but no old, bold warriors. You'll strike down far more of our enemies by retreating and surviving to fight some more.'
Leohna nods also agreeing with that statement having been beaten up by her own staff...by her own hand! all lesson. She watches him demonstrate and looks at her spear judging how painful this attempt might be. She shrugs, smiles, and goes all in. She thrusts, aiming wide, and tries to yank the spear to thwak its 'arm'. What resulted was a wide aim as planned, yanking the spear back and it flying out of her hands and over her head, landing a few feet behind her.
Heriwulf says in a flat voice, "Or you could save him the trouble and disarm yourself..." and then grins.
Leohna smirks at Heriwulf, "Be lucky yer cute" and walks over to grab her spear.
Ljota blinks.
Heriwulf says, "Or what, you gonna come hit me with your spear?" still grinning.
Marnewyn only doesn't duck because she's in the midst of making her own attempt. Hers has none of the entertainment value, though she's not satisfied with it. "Hmm. Dropping back, and getting them hacked at with swords. Sounds like I should bring my entire stock of them, so we have spares."
Leohna laughs as she walks back. "I might do more damage to me than ye if I use a spear."
Heriwulf nods to Marney. "Depends on where this fight happens. If we take it to them, we might not have a lot of spare spears. Which is why I'm not going to try to teach anyone how to throw a spear. All right, spears up and take a rest. We're going to learn how to breathe now."
Marnewyn happily raises hers up to let it rest against her, and shakes out her arms a bit.
Heriwulf says, 'When you're working hard like this, it's very easy to get out of breath. Fighting takes a lot of air, and you can easily panic and start panting. Breathe deeply, in through the nose, out through the mouth. Try it now.'
Heriwulf says, 'If you find yourself panting or panicking, withdraw. You're vulnerable, even if you don't feel it. Spear up, retreat, whistle if you can. Then, two or three deep breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth, will settle you. It's remarkable how quickly it works.'
Leohna leans her spear on the dummy, they were all safer with it in the dummy's hands, and readjusts her shield. She breathes deeply with a smile on her face and exhales slowly and calmly.
Jessandra murmurs, "Hard to throw one through armour, anyway."
Heriwulf says, 'The trick is to practice it so much you can do it without thinking. From now on I want you to try to remind yourself to deliberately breathe that way while you're doing other things. Anything strenuous. Sweeping, chopping onions, carrying firewood, anything. We don't breathe that way naturally, until we make it natural through practice.'
Jessandra nods her agreement.
Heriwulf says, 'The battlefield will be full of terrible smells. Blood and death. You will be amazed how powerful, how demoralizing, this is. That'll make you want to breathe in short shallow gasps. The last thing you want to do is draw in big lungfuls of that carrion stench! Nevertheless, you must. It will actually sicken you less than the short breaths will.'
Marnewyn ponders, and nods slowly.
Beastmother nods, "Calm is important. Orcs relish fear, and their twisted nature and foul appearance can often invoke it. Coming face to face with an Orc for the first time can be...frightening."
Heriwulf says, 'There's not much you can do to prepare yourself for that smell. Just remember what I'm saying now, when it hits you, and grit your teeth, and breathe your way through it.'
Leohna nods in agreement with Beastmother, "And smelly..." She rubs her sore head and sits in the grass.
Heriwulf says, 'All right, we're going to end the training with some practice sparring, but first, does anyone have questions, for me or Jess or Em, or anyone?'
Leohna stands back up again and picks up her spear.
Marnewyn ponders, and shakes her head. "None I can think of now, anyway."
Ljota looks thoughtful while she practices her breathing, but pauses to ask, "Hmm... Can I stab Jess first?"
Heriwulf chuckles. "Jess, would you like to be Ljota's sparring partner?" he asks, grinning but still serious.
Leohna shakes her head still rubbing it in spots. She has a welt on her ear, her nose is bright red, and her forehead as a lovely bruise and bump forming.
Jessandra mock-pouts. "And I thought you liked me!" She chuckles and nods. "Sure."
Heriwulf says, "And Em, would you be willing to be a target as well? My thought is, since we have three trainees and three experienced people, we'll pair off that way. The trainees can try to get a hit in, and we'll just block."
Beastmother nods, "I can do blocking. Who should I pair with?"
Ljota turns and gives Jess a smile on her way over.
Heriwulf says, 'That depends. Do you want to take your chances with Leohna? I'm not sure if she's more or less dangerous than Marnewyn.'
Leohna looks at Heriwulf, 'Hey!"
Beastmother chuckles, "That is a good point..."
Jessandra has her spear at the ready, but is just waiting. She nods to Ljota.
Marnewyn shakes her head. "I'm... going to wait to see who she tries to poke, now...."
Heriwulf says, 'I would say I'd take Leohna but people might think I'm playing favorites just because we're sharing a bed, so why don't you take your chances with her.'
Heriwulf moves to across from Marnewyn, hefting the practice spear into a defensive pose, and gives her a little bow of his head.
Beastmother nods and finally moves her staff, proving that she's not a troll that's turned to stone.
Marnewyn nods back and re-readies her spear. She steps in and aims with the underhand grip first, not sure what to expect for a response. Her aim is good and the footwork true, but a deer or a wolf doesn't also hold a spear.
Leohna smirks at Heriwulf and walks to Beastmother, "Fancy meetin' ye here. Care for a dance?" She holds her spear in the fighting stance she was shown.
Ljota goes for the underhanded grip and gets in position, but then she glances at the others and knits her brows back at Jess. "Are you supposed to tell me to start, or... uh, can I just stick you?"
Heriwulf gives Marnewyn a good example of some quick footwork. For an old fellow he's spry, but then, the same can be said for his sparring partner. He keeps his spear tip whirling in a circle, and is able to break out of the circle to knock aside her attack and go right back into the spin.
Jessandra smiles with a soft chuckle. "I'm ready. It's good."
Beastmother holds her staff ready with both hands positioned about a third from the tip. Being significantly taller than Leohna, she appears quite threatening even if she doesn't mean to do so, "Ready when you are."
Marnewyn recovers, at least, getting her spear back in-line. She dances in for another go, trying to watch how he does that blocking.
Beastmother stands over 6' tall and is probably closerto Ljota in height than the others here.
Heriwulf keeps up the blocking, but as he does, he says, "You're watching the spear. Watch me. Watch my torso, dead center. You can see where I'm going to move, pick a spot, and move at it when I'm moving the other way."
Marnewyn chuckles. "Fair call. Game only dodges, and I'm used to that." She does shift her gaze, resuming their odd dance, and going in for another thrust when it looks opportune.
Leohna smiles and lunges forward towards Beastmother. Her aim runs wide and to the left. She goes flying off to the right.
Ljota just nods a little and advances, stepping uncertainly about for a few moments before she'd aim a lunge at Jess's belly. She tries to stay gentle, but perhaps too much so.
Heriwulf is able to block this one, but not nearly as well, and the tip comes very close to hitting him. "Better. You're hesitating though. You've chosen the moment, you've chosen the target. Once you chose, go all in. Quick thrust, then quick withdraw. Once you've practice a bit you can do that fast enough that it won't make you vulnerable."
Jessandra deflects the thrust to the side with very little movement required, all of her spear-end. "I'm wearing gambeson, besides being experienced, Ljota. Don't be afraid to give it a harder go."
Heriwulf says, 'Oh! That reminds me! Leohna is going to make boiled leather undercoats for everyone who needs them. Don't be surprised when she comes to measure you!'
Beastmother takes a slight step back and deflects the thrust downwards with one end of her staff. "Be sure to control the counter-motion. When you throw a punch, you move the other shoulder back. Move more with the weapon, so it doesn't move you."
Marnewyn nods, stepping back a bit with the prescribed breathing, then dancing in for a thrust and back. "Oh... I should repair my gambeson. Had a buck get fiesty with me."
Ljota knits her brows a touch, but does't hesitate much to go for a harder, quicker blow.
Heriwulf takes a glancing blow, as he doesn't quite block fully. It doesn't seem to faze him. "Good footwork, good breathing," he says. "You're pulling back quickly too, but as you come back you aren't going into a defensive spin. I could have turned that back on you."
Jessandra nods, deflecting this one as well, though moving some herself this time. "Good. Again."
Leohna resets squaring her shoulders, "Move with it. Aye." Lunges again and it goes wide and to the left. Leo goes with it stumbling forward.
Marnewyn nods, giving it another go, paying attention to her circling again on the retreat.
Heriwulf partially blocks this one as well, but it's clear he's having to work at it, and that he's going to have a few bruises. "Very good! You feel up to trying to block, if I counterattack? If you aren't afraid of a little thump now and then."
Beastmother instinctively dodges to the right then chuckles, "Make sure not to move too much either. It can be hard to find a balance...just keep practicing. Once you know the weight of your weapon like your own arms and legs, moving it will come...well, just as natural."
Marnewyn chuckles. "I suppose that's only fair. I should have worn more padding, though. Silly me for not thinking of it."
Heriwulf grins. "I didn't wear my undercoat. If you don't leave a spar with a little hurt, you don't learn, I think." He takes a half-step back and brings the spear into a more balanced pose, and starts to make short jabs, just testing her blocking.
Ljota frowns a little, but comes after Jess and repeats the same motion, and she'd keep on trying it as long as it takes.
Leohna picks herself up from the grass with a smile. "Ye know, I'm real good with a sword. This bloody thing keeps throwin' my whole balance off and I'm an acrobat!" She laughs and dusts herself off. "I've never been more frustrated in my whole life. It's a stick!" She picks it back up shaking her head as she walks back into position. Resetting her stance.
Marnewyn tries to keep the circling doing what it should for blocking, but she's clearly much less used to this part. At least she doesn't move it too widely, but that's the best to be said for that part. She's much better at defensive footwork than the spearwork.
Beastmother nods, "That may be why you're not used to it. A sword has most of its weight in front of you. A spear or staff has weight on both sides. I find it easier to control...but that might be because I've had much more practice with staves."
Jessandra shifts a bit and deflects it again, nodding. "Good. If you can, but a bit more weight behind it - but only if you can pull back after. Actually hurting your opponent is just a bonus. No getting yourself hurt."
Heriwulf tests out, instead of moving forward and back, moving in a circling direction, forcing Marney to turn to her left. After a few steps of this he leaps quickly to that side and brings the spear in to lightly tap her upper arm, just below the shoulder. "Don't forget," he says loud enough for everyone to hear, "thrusts are best but thwaps also get the job done!"
Marnewyn starts to turn to take it more on the back, but sighs. "I should have expected that." She sets up again.
Beastmother says, 'Keep in mind where the other end of your spear is. That might help you better judge the balance. But...don't look behind yourself. A spear is straight, so seeing one end means you should know where the other is. When you're familiar enough you won't have to think on it...but it might be worth paying more attention to it at this stage.'
Ljota pauses uncertainly in her stabbing and glances at Heriwulf, then Jess again. "So... I just lean in more, or what?"
Jessandra ponders. "Hold a moment. I'll demonstrate - at the air." She steps back, and makes more of her footwork carry the spear, not just her arms and torso, and springs back.
Heriwulf shakes his head. "It's all experience," he says. "I've been doing this longer than most of these lasses have been alive. It's... hmm... at least five and twenty summers since I first put a spear through an orc. But you've got the knack. Especially the footwork. You will do well tiring your foes out. Keep them coming at you, let them wear themselves down."
Leohna gets ready to lunge and stops when Heriwulf spoke up. She nods, "Don' have to tell me twice." She lunges again and attempts to twirl out of it, swinging the spear around to wack Beastmother's bottom. What actually happened was a well executed lunge, she noticed and got excited, and forgot her plan mid twirl. Her spear spun around and thwaked her on the back of the head.
Leohna drops to her knees seeing stars a second.
Beastmother moves to block, then sees Leohna thwak herself and chuckles again before stepping forward to offer her a hand and help her up.
Marnewyn chortles at the man's comment, nodding. "Fair enough. And I've been hunting a while, but I expect I'll always be better with a bow. Still, if I can tire out some orcs, that'll do."
Leohna takes Beastmother's hand with a smile, "Yer all sparkly." She giggles. "I think I may need to take a minute to find all the little pebbles I just knock out of my head."
Heriwulf nods. "Though there's a good chance you'll be sticking to the bow, but even so it'll be good to be ready to switch to a spear if things get close."
Marnewyn nods. "Exactly. That's the main reason I came to this. I can hope to stick to my bow, but... what if?" She shrugs.
Beastmother gives a smile in return, "This is why you should keep track of the whole spear."
Jessandra murmurs, "Pebbles? Sparkly? Did she knock gemstones out of her head?"
Heriwulf says, 'You're doing great on the breathing too. Keep practicing it, and just remember to focus on the enemy, not the weapon.'
Marnewyn nods, breathing that way again. "Right."
Leohna leans on the spear and rubs her head. She is still smiling, "I'll get it. Move with it. Balance. Keep track of the whole spear. Next time wear a helmet." She laughs.
Heriwulf takes a few steps back and leans on his spear. "How's everyone else doing? Leohna, have you hit Em more or yourself more?"
Ljota knits her brows over at Leohna, but refrains from commenting and attempts the lunge as demonstrated. Whether successful or not, she'd draw back and ask, "Can I keep trying to poke without coming back, or do I have to, uh, reset and do it again each time?"
Beastmother laughs slightly, "That may actually be a good idea..."
Jessandra smiles to her. "Good try, but the idea is, ideally, not to break the formation. We'll be outnumbered, and keeping shoulder to shoulder with your mates is a big part of your survival. So, you step back, unless all are advancing together."
Leohna is wobbly leaning on her spear and rubbing her head as she slowly turns to pause rubbing her head and wave, "Both still alive! M'Lady was the victor though I gained the knowledge. It was a win for both!"
Heriwulf nods to Leohna, then shouts at her, "Leohna, Brace!"
Leohna sits up and moves to put the staff inside her foot, sits up too fast, gets lightheaded and faints falling forward in the grass.
Leohna faints dead away.
Beastmother kneels over Leohna, "Are you alright? You...didn't even hit yourself..."
Heriwulf holds a hand over his mouth to hide the laughter. "I think Leohna has had enough for today. Go have some cider and put yourself to bed, and practice more tomorrow. How's everyone else doing? Feeling like you've learned something, I hope?"
Leohna shakes her head mumbling, "Did we win?"
Marnewyn blinks. "Uh-oh.... Um. Yes, definitely learned something. Wear gambeson. And a helmet." She grins.
Beastmother chuckles, "That depends on how you define win. You didn't hit yourself doing that..."
Ljota nods slowly and takes a thoughtful look for a moment, but then relaxes and gives Heriwulf a glance. "I haven't stabbed her at all," she laments.
Beastmother offers Leohna a hand again.
Jessandra chuckles. "Oh, don't let that worry you! Your form has been good, and you might well have done in an orc! I'm just... experienced, and know what you've been taught. It makes a difference."
Leohna slowly sits up with a chuckle and a grin, "Got excited. Stood up too fast." She takes her offered hand and slowly stands with a building chuckle. "Told ye I were fearsome."
Heriwulf watches but before he can ask Jess she's answered what he was about to ask. "I'm going to leave these targets up for practice. Come by any time to work on your posture and make the spear feel comfortable in your hand. You'll be surprised how much of a difference it makes."
Beastmother nods, "Just being used to the weight and length of the spear alone from that will be very helpful."
Marnewyn nods. "Aye. I'm sure getting more comfortable holding it will help a lot."
Leohna leans on the spear. "I'll keep working on it." She smiles and rubs her head.
Heriwulf says, 'And after Leohna recovers, we'll talk about whether she'll feel up to teaching us all a bit about using shields. I'll speak to Wood-Sculptor and Home-Wright about knocking up some mock shields for us to try practicing with.'
Heriwulf says, 'Leohna, you should ask one of them to smooth the butt end of that spear, since I hacked it up pretty roughly and you could tear skin bad with it if it went the wrong way, which all things considered seems inevitable.'
Leohna was about to answer his comment about shield training and smirks. "Ha. Ha. I'll get better. I'll also do as ye say and ask one of them to smooth it out." Winks and rubs her head.
Ljota frowns some, but nods after a bit. "Sorry, Jess. I guess I might just, uh, have to wait and stab you once I'm better."
Heriwulf says, 'All right, thank you everyone! Keep practicing! And on your way out, grab one of those willow twigs. If you arms aren't starting to feel the burn they will soon as you stop moving. If you want any more training from me, or a spar, just ask me any time.'
Jessandra chuckles. "I'm just as happy not to get hit. I'll admit it. But yes, I'm sure we'll get you good enough to land a some blows on me with time."
Leohna limps on her sore foot, leaning on her staff, and rubbing her head; she walks over to her cloak and slowly kneels down to pick it up.
Leohna calls over her shoulder, "Thank ye for the sparr M'Lady! I learned a lot."
Jessandra muses, "I'm tempted to just carry her inside at this point."
Beastmother nods and smiles, "I'm glad that you did. Do...you need help getting in?"
Heriwulf snickers. "I was thinking the same," he admits. He walks over to the practice spears, and trades the one he's using for his proper spear, then crosses towards Leohna as well.
Marnewyn also trades back for her own proper spear, deciding that the residents have it all well enough in hand.
Ljota sighs a bit, but gives Jess a smile and goes to return her training spear to its place.
Leohna laughs, "I'm alrigh'. Nothin' a little rest and care of a gentle healer won't solve. Luckily I am the healer."
Heriwulf nods. "A fair point, you'd have the salves for that," he says. "Still and all, getting some help in isn't a bad thing." He pauses, and turns towards Jess. "Thank you ever so much for helping with the training," and he brings his fists together in a Woodmen salute. He then turns to offer the same thanks to Em.
Beastmother offers a nod of recognition, "Just doing everything I can to make sure we are all ready for the Orcs."
Jessandra shakes her head. "I've said it before. It may be your stockade, but it's... well, this place is the best hope of defence that I see. It's my fight, too."
Heriwulf says, "I've been learning recently, that when a person is just doing their job, they still should be thanked. Forgive me practicing on you two!" He turns and walks the rest of the way to Leohna, offering a hand to help her on the way into the lodge.
Leohna takes his hand with a soft smile. She rubs her head and leans a little on him as they walk to the lodge.
Marnewyn nods with an affirming grunt as she stretches for the road. "If I didn't have my daughter's place to look after, and my aging horse... well. I'll be here a lot, because you'll be wanting my bow. And like Jess hinted, I'll be wanting not to go it alone."
Heriwulf walks Leohna into the lodge. "You're always welcome, Marnewyn, though I hope the fight won't come to the villages at all, if we do well at our part! They won't, as usual, even know it happened..."
Leohna follows hima nd sets her shield and weapons down on the bench. She sets her cloak next to them. "That was fun."
Heriwulf laughs as he also sets his spear down. "I'm glad you think so, given how much of a beating you gave yourself! Come, let's go upstairs and I can help you put some salves on all those bruises."
Leohna smiles, "Lead the way handsome."