Battle of Maserfield
The Battle of Maserfield reaches its bloody conclusion as King Penda of Mercia stands victorious over the fallen King Oswald of Northumbria. The battlefield is littered with the dead and dying, while
Setting
A wide, open field near the modern-day town of Oswestry, surrounded by rolling hills and scattered with patches of woodland. The battlefield is strewn with the bodies of fallen warriors, their weapons and shields scattered in disarray. The ground is trampled and muddy from the movement of hundreds of feet and hooves.
Characters
King Penda of Mercia
primary
A powerful and imposing warrior-king in his late 40s, standing tall with broad shoulders and a muscular build from years of battle. His face is weathered with deep-set eyes that gleam with fierce intelligence and a long, unkempt beard streaked with grey. His left cheek bears an old scar from past combat.
Oswald's Bodyguard
secondary
A battle-hardened Northumbrian warrior in his late thirties, with a muscular build from years of combat. His face is weathered, with a prominent scar running from his left temple to his jawline. His dark brown hair is matted with sweat and blood, tied back in a warrior's knot. His piercing blue eyes burn with defiance despite his exhaustion.
Mercian Warrior
secondary
A battle-hardened warrior in his late 20s, with a muscular build from years of combat training. His face is weathered, with a deep scar running from his left temple to his jawline. His dark hair is tied back in a practical knot, and his beard is trimmed short. His hands are calloused from wielding weapons, and his stance exudes confidence.
Northumbrian Wounded
background
A young Northumbrian soldier in his mid-20s, with a lean but muscular build typical of warriors. His face is streaked with dirt and blood, his light brown hair matted with sweat and grime. A deep gash runs across his left shoulder, and his mail shirt is torn where a spear pierced his ribs. His left leg drags uselessly behind him, leaving a trail of blood in the churned earth.
Dialog
King Penda of Mercia
See how Woden's ravens feast upon your fallen dryhten, Northumbrian! The Allfather has given his judgment this day.
Oswald's Bodyguard
May Thunor strike you down, oath-breaker! My lord's blood cries for vengeance!
King Penda of Mercia
Vengeance? *laughs darkly* Your Christ-god could not save Oswald when Thunor's hammer fell upon him. What makes you think your steel will fare better?
Oswald's Bodyguard
Then send me to join him in the mead-halls of heaven, Mercian dog!
King Penda of Mercia
So be it. Let your corpse feed the same ravens!