fatal

Under-extension: This is the accident of
the fumbler misjudging their blow or foe by underestimation
or the application of too little force.
• Bows: Surges of adrenaline and their resultant
valleys of such an absence in the veins of the
fumbler sometimes occur with poor timing. At this
moment, the fumbler hurries to release 2 arrows
against their menacing foes, though their finger slips
and releases an arrow too soon. The flight arrow
hardly flies into the air, traveling only a few yards
before falling to the ground, well short of its target.
• Fists: The fumbler misjudged and punched
the air shy of their foe with all of their might, confident
they would connect and failing to predict the
last minute shift in the foe’s position. Punching air
without reserve sure hurt the fumbler’s arm. As the
fumbler recovers, the foe gains an additional attack
on them.
• Sword, Zweihander: Well aware of this heavy
weapon’s tendencies at over-extension, the fumbler
habitually steps and simultaneously leans back with
the weapon to counter that possible mistake, to proportion
their mass as a better fulcrum. Further, the
fumbler does not want to wind up too far. Hence,
their mistake this time is that the blade fails to get
good momentum, follow-through, or projection.
Unfortunately, the slow blade passes far from its
intended victim very predictably. The foe gains an
extra attack, the opportunity to maneuver around
the large blade and thrust their weapon into the fumbler.
Loss of Grip: More common than one
probably thinks in combat, weapons get dropped
and not purposively. Examples of this annoying
and infuriating phenomenon follow:
• Sweaty palms: Well, in this case sweaty palms
don’t mean money, but lubrication, and undesirable
lubrication at that! The fumbler must remember to
wipe their hands off now and then! Their weapon
flies from their hand, and it may be dangerous to
retrieve it.
• Leather Grips: The leather grip gave/broke/
twisted at an inopportune moment. Just the
fumbler’s luck. The fumbler tosses their weapon
and it may be dangerous to retrieve it.
Loss of Balance: For one reason or another,
the character loses their balance. Examples
of this unlucky and unfortunate effect follow:
• Personal slip: The character misjudges their
footing, misplaces a foot, and falls to the ground.
The foe takes this opportunity to make a free attack.
Next round, if still alive, the character is back
on their feet.
• Unexpected bump: The foe, or another
character, unexpectedly bumps the fumbler, causing
a loss of balance. The character falls to the
ground. The foe takes this opportunity to make a
free attack. Next round, if still alive, the fumbler is
back on their feet.
Environmental Cause: These fumbles can
be frustrating because they usually originate beyond
the character’s control, typically due to weather, terrain,
or simple distractions. Examples follow:
• Wind: The biting winds shift quickly during
an unfortunate moment, forcing the character to
lose their poise. A move of the character is foiled,
and the foe takes the opportunity to make a free
attack.
• Foot Fumble: Beneath one’s foot the (mud,
snow, etc.) causes the character to lose their footing.
The character falls to the ground. The foe takes
this opportunity to make a free attack. Next round,
if still alive, the character must pass an Agility check
at TH 17 to be back on their feet.
• Vision: (Snow, rain, sand, hail, sweat, blood,
hair, etc.) gets into the character’s eyes, forcing them
to have to wipe their eyes during combat. Aware of
the momentary inconvenience, the foe gains an extra
attack and lunges forward with the opportunity
of hitting the fumbler.
• Distraction: Nearby something occurs (a
companion says something, drops unconscious, the
fumbler swears they hear something behind them,
was that lightning in the distance, etc.). Normally
unaffected by such trivialities, this one captures the
fumbler’s attention, though only for a second. It is
during this second the foe gains an additional attack,
the opportunity to wound the character.
Chapter 10: Combat
489