Of Battle, Wolves and Winter.

Game Master GM Drachenfels

Krak and Boom are now FROZEN! Albrecht, Caspar and/or Lutke, it is now your action. You are facing three Kurgan scouts (pick one or multiple). Here are the stats you'll need to resolve your combat:

Unwounded Scout: 3 Attack Dice at 35% | 4 Defense Dice at 42%

Wounded Scouts: 1 Attack Dice at 35% | 2 Defense Dice at 32%

You'll note that I reduced the stats on the wounded targets considerably due to the shell-shock from the Dwarvish attack.

Caspar stands in horror. His mind feeling like the Kurgen shaman's head at the moment. YOU STUPID DWARVES!!!! Caspar thinks to himself as he draws his weapon and charges a wounded scout. Hoping to channel his anger at the dwarves into his opponents chest, he attacks.

Attack3d100 ⇒ (16, 25, 13) = 54 3 successes
Defense3d100 ⇒ (28, 90, 10) = 128 2 successes

Wounded Scout
Attack1d100 ⇒ 94 0 success
Defense2d100 ⇒ (52, 14) = 66 1 success

I'm still hazy at what to do after this please help

No problem, it's going to take us a few tries to pick up the new system. Here's what we would do next:

You have a total of 5 successes to just the 1 success of the wounded Kurgan scout. He's been beaten and in epic fashion. Now we need to roll his saving throw to determine how seriously he's been beaten.

We determine the saving throw as follows: Toughness (40) + Wounds (in this case he's out of wounds) -5% per the amount of successes you had over your opponent, in this case 4, so a total of -20%. IE: He's screwed! In the future I see that I'm going to need to post an enemies Toughness and Wound value along with their attack/defend dice totals.

Wounded Kurgan Scout Saving Throw: 1d100 ⇒ 93 vs 20 (T + wounds -20%): FAILED!

HOW IT ALL UNFOLDS:

The Dwarvish ordinance explodes in the Kurgan camp sending blood and snow flying everywhere! In the maelstrom of confusion, Caspar snaps. Day upon day of cold weather, bad food, annoying comrades and bloodthirsty barbarians. Enough is enough!

Caspar charges, screaming! You almost think he's been mortally wounded until you realize it's a howl of rage, not pain.

Bounding across the snow, Caspar can see that one of the shell-shocked Kurgan raiders is now on his hands and knees, desperately trying to recover. Unfortunately for the wounded scout, Caspar is too fast! There is a sickening sucking sound as the mintrel's rarely used Imperial steel slides deep into the heart of the marauder! The Kurgans eyes go wide as he claws the air, dying moments later, legs kicking in the white snow.

Well done, Caspar +10xp! You're currently FROZEN. I'm now awaiting the actions of Albrecht and/or Lutke. Two Kurgan remain, one seriously wounded and the other untouched. They'll be taking their actions soon.

Unwounded Scout: T 40 | W 12 | 3 Attack Dice at 35% | 4 Defense Dice at 42%

Wounded Scout: T 40 | W 0 | 1 Attack Dice at 35% | 2 Defense Dice at 32%

"Caspar, no!" Gretta shouts in alarm as Caspar unexpectedly throws himself into the unfolding melee beyond.

As Caspar charges in Albrecht is thinking similar thoughts. Those damn dwarves! And.... What happened to the shamans head?!

Aiming at the woundedr he begins to quickly throw out bolts of living flame!

5d100 ⇒ (17, 14, 63, 75, 81) = 250 vs 50
3d100 ⇒ (100, 16, 75) = 191 vs 35 I decided agility made sense for a defense stat as its Albrecht attempting to get away from the attacks/ers

1d100 ⇒ 84 vs 35
2d100 ⇒ (72, 20) = 92 vs 42

3 successes against 1 the fight goes to Albrecht!
1d100 ⇒ 84 vs 42
As the Kurgen scout regains his senses and begins to turn on Caspar his back is riddled with flaming orbs. They enter through his back leaving fist sized holes of seared flesh, combining inside his ribcage and flash frying everything inside. Smokes rises from his mouth and eye sockets

Lutke is just beginning to consider the traps situation when two increasingly loud explosions rock the area. The first one causes Lutke to freeze as he sees the Shaman's body fall mostly headless to the frozen ground. The louder second one snaps his mind back into action and he feels a cringing fear that always signifies the beginning of battle.

Lutke brings his crossbow around from where he keeps it attached to his pack. Taking aim at the Kurgen who has bounded back to his feet, Lutke says a quick prayer to Ranald asking for assistance with what will most likely be a shot made with pure luck.

BS 28 v. 2d100 ⇒ (49, 10) = 59 = 1

Unwounded Kurgen:

Defense 42 v. 4d100 ⇒ (4, 99, 1, 28) = 132 = 2

So if I am reading this right The Kurgen is completely unharmed

The bolt strikes square on the Kurgen's blade with a loud clang. He had drawn it just in time. Lutke groans knowing he really is pretty useless in these situations.

Lutke begins the laborious process of turning the crank on the crossbow in order to reload it. He hoped Njord would run out and kill the last warrior before he realized what a fantastic target Caspar presented or that the tall skinny man shooting at him had no business doing so.

Albrecht and Lutke you are now FROZEN (reloading is fine). And Njord is about to act. I just wanted to give you two a shot at taking action first before I sent the Norseman in.

Absolute chaos reigns down upon the Kurgan war-party in a matter of moments. From the explosive blasts of Dwarvish ordinance, to the wrathful fires of the Bright Order, the Kurgan marauders never see it coming.

As Albrecht finishes his incantation causing his chosen adversary to burst into flame, Herr Geshurger opens fire with his more traditional Imperial crossbow. Having survived the opening volley of the Gray Wolves, the last Kurgan standing draws his blade just in time, deflecting the incoming bolt from the treeline. Lutke's jaw drops. That had to be pure luck?!

Spinning about, the raider howls in rage. He turns his gaze on Caspar and prepares to strike, but suddenly Njord is there! A whirring dervish of red steel and death!

Njord will have 7 dice to attack! 5 for WS, +1 for his 2 Handed Sword and +1 for his Charge:

Njord's Attack: 7d100 ⇒ (47, 55, 43, 55, 48, 50, 72) = 370 vs 50 (WS): 3 SUCCESSES!

Njord's Defense: 4d100 ⇒ (30, 54, 2, 46) = 132 vs 40 (T): 2 SUCCESSES!

Kurgan's Attack: 3d100 ⇒ (19, 21, 47) = 87 vs 35 (WS): 2 SUCCESSES!

Kurgan's Defense: 4d100 ⇒ (63, 4, 23, 86) = 176 vs 42 (T): 2 SUCCESSES!

Njord has 5 to the Kurgan's 4. Njord wins! Resolving the Saving Throw now:

Kurgan Saving Throw: 1d100 ⇒ 17 vs 49 (T + Wounds -5%): PASS! - Therefore, it's not a killing blow. We'll see what happens next...

HOW IT ALL UNFOLDS:

Njord charges from the treeline, slamming hard into the flank of the Kurgan scout. Both men topple and roll, regaining their feet, blades flashing and dancing in the dying winter light.

Parry! Riposte! Dodge! The Kurgan fights like a caged lion, but Njord is faster. With a feint to the left, Njord throws off the raiders defense, slamming the pommel of his blade into the Kurgan's nose. Blood sprays everywhere as the man goes down like a sack of bricks!

"I capture more prisoner!" the Norseman shouts triumphantly.

The combat is over, VICTORY is yours! All actions are now UN-FROZEN. +20xp for everyone who participated in the combat action.

You now have another Kurgan prisoner, one of which is enthralled to Gretta. The one bleeding upon the snow looks defiant. I await actions/responses.

LUTKE: There is the secret door to consider. When you're ready look it over, describe what you see and how you might go about opening it.

Lutke keeps his loaded crossbow in hand and carefully approaches the man with fire in his eyes and flames curling from his fingertips.

"Look down, Albrecht," Lutke says quietly. Kneeling down, Lutke attempts to write a message in the snow with his hands. The medium is fairly difficult so Lutke really has to concentrate.

Read/Write - Reikspiel (Int 37) v. 1d100 ⇒ 95 = Failed

Perhaps, Albrecht is smart enough to read it despite Lutke's clumsy attempts. Lutke isn't certain if he succeeded and quickly scuffs the "message" with his boot once he thinks Albrecht has had a chance to see.

I am assuming Albrecht will need to make an Int test or something to see if he was able to see Lutke's poorly formed snow words

Awaiting Albrecht's reply. Everyone else please feel free to add descriptions and/or roleplay as you see fit.

LUTKE: +5xp for the inventive use of Read/Write Reikspiel. That's the kind of thing I'm talking about that makes the story fun!

Gretta leaps through the snow like a rabbit, bounding up to Caspar and Njord.

"Oh, thank the Gods you're all right!" she exclaims leaving over to kiss...

CASPAR: make a Fellowship check. Also roll for Njord as well. His Fellowship is 31. After you've determined that outcome, write up the description of what Gretta does and who she chooses to kiss.

Lutke now turns his attention to the rock and the secret door as indicated by dwarves. Lutke looks critically at the crack the Shaman had put into it with his magic. Lutke shook his head knowing this could complicate things.

After a few minutes, everyone close by can hear Lutke muttering to himself as he approaches on side of the "door". "If I was making this, I would definitely put the switch over here...but I strongly doubt whoever did this would have been aware of the Berthold Hingebreaker, so they wouldn't know that putting it over there would make it vulnerable..." Lutke suddenly reaches to a corner area of the stone and seems to insert his fingers into the snow and moss. "Ah-ha! Just as I thought."

Set Trap (Ag 40) v. 1d100 ⇒ 63 = Failed

The stone groans and begins to shift as if it is going to retreat into the wall, but suddenly a loud crack! is heard. The rift caused by the terrifying magics by the shaman widens, and the entire stone shifts in its position. Half of the stone falls into a position wedging it diagonally while the other half still tries to move. A horrendous grinding noise is heard and then suddenly stops and the stone door is in two pieces pressed together in an almost impossibly airtight formation.

"Skeever Dung!" Lutke cries. He attempts to examine it for any possible means to correct the broken pieces and get them on track.

Trade: Locksmith (Ag 40) v. 1d100 ⇒ 45 = Failed

With a forlorn look, Lutke turns to the party. "That thrice-damned warlock ruined our path in." Shaking his head, Lutke gestures to the break in the stone. "We don't have the tools we need to repair this, and if we force it open, we create an access point the enemy is bound to exploit. We would not be doing our comrades a favor."

I suppose I should state these are assumptions Lutke is making since he assumes he knows more than anyone present about it, and the process is baffling him based on his rolls...though that final roll is only a little off his skill...

LUTKE: You're on a roll with the updates today. So that I don't lose track over time, I'm going to start handing out xp faster and more often to reward posts that move the story forward and/or amuse me. That being said: +10xp for your response. The part about the Berthold Hingebreaker won my heart!

Drachenfels, does the party know how far away from the actual city walls we are? Is this like miles, or can we see it in the distance, so we can somewhat gauge how far the tunnel is supposed to be taking us?

1d100 ⇒ 65 vs Int of 35 Failure But not to fear, I actually had the same idea Lutke

Looking slightly confused as Lutke draws in the snow... Is that.. A turd? Albrecht begins speaking to the group.

"Right, well, now that's settled, we have no more use for these Kurgen and to be quite frank taking them into Wolfenburg would only be dangerous to ourselves and the populace. Njord, if you would..." Albrecht gestures towards the Kurgen.

"Lutke, can we get in? Is there no other way. Perhaps we force it open and you can collapse it behind us?"

Seemingly forgotten, and with Gretta no longer near him, Largyn begins to sway and stammer, looking about with a confused expression. Then his eyes fall on the bodies of his dead tribesmen:

Will power check time (again):
1d100 ⇒ 95 vs 33 (WP): FAILED!

The brief moment of clarity passes as Largyn slides once again under the strange bewitchment of Gretta. Like a love sick puppy he trails her slowly as she reaches up to plant a kiss on...

Largyn's eyes go wide with jealous shock!

LUTKE: Since your character is the master of numbers and distance, I'll leave this description to you. What do you think would be logical?

Lutke's face pales a little as Albrecht makes plain the suggestion he had attempted to recommend without alerting the Kurgen. He begins to pull the crossbow into a more easily retrievable position as he imagines the Kurgen are not going to go quietly.

Until their reactions to their death sentence are posted, Lutke continues.

Looking down, he says in a small voice, "We could in fact probably 'force' it open, but collapsing it is most likely going to require the use of some of the more volatile chemicals Krak and Boom are carrying." Lutke takes a breath. "Also, we would run the risk of bringing the tunnel down on our heads since there is no way to know its stability."

Lutke tilts his head, "Not to mention, I am not sure if we will be able to open it wide enough for the donkey..." Lutke gives the poor Donkey a sympathetic look.

Looks like the combat went well...a bit confusing at 1st, but well.

"Kumon Donkay, lets get down dere befoe mo Kurgen show up"

With that Krak and Donkey rapid make their way down the hill

"He he he....zat iz der goot girl!" Boom speaks to his rifle as he reloads. Still smiling he looks about the wilderness around them and suddenly gets an idea which drops his smile. Turning back to the team...

"eeerrrr, Ve may hawft tu hurray. I zink you ver all a bit too loud."

Well, I think you can all see the direction I was going with the story with Gretta's kiss and Largyn becoming enraged by who she favored, but these things are very organic and I think Largyn's life might just now be coming to an abrupt end...

Njord clearly understands the soft spoken command of his new Captain and Daemon Master, Albrecht. The savage Norseman strikes almost immediately!

The first blow is a downwards cut that quickly (and neatly) severs the head of the Kurgan prisoner. Blood SPRAYS into the snow like an opened ale cask...

LUTKE, make an agility check or the fountain of blood will spray all over you!

And poor Largyn, he never sees it coming. Njord's final slash is a downward cut that sinks with a horrible crunch into the top of Largyn's skull. Teeth fly everywhere! As his body hits the snow, the blade slides lose of Njord's grasp, a grim testament to the power of the Norseman.

...

Gretta turns a pale shade of green as blood and teeth spray all over her...

1d100 ⇒ 1 vs 30 (T): EPIC 01 SUCCESS!!!

A moment later the hue of sickness passes, and Gretta simply brushes the blood away from her eyes and smiles. Covered in a sheen of red, she has an almost demonic look about her now...

"Hrm, I bet he didn't see that coming." Gretta laughs.

THERE'S SOMETHING NOT RIGHT ABOUT THAT WOMAN!

"eeerrrr, Ve may hawft tu hurray. I zink you ver all a bit too loud."

BOOM: You could not be more right about that! Make a check against your Fortune (Fate Points x 10). Let me know the result...

"Good. Now that that's settled. Lutke you think all of these are possibilities? Perhaps you can set a trap so that it will collapse whenever the Kurgen inevitably attempt to use it? We'll get through safe, kill some Kurgen while we're at it? Dwarves what do you think? Caspar! You fought bravely, truly you have the makings of a great warrior!"

Caspar: 1d100 ⇒ 79 vs 42
Njord: 1d100 ⇒ 4 vs 31

Gretta rushes to Njord planting a kiss right on his lips. "This really isn't my day is it?" Caspar says to nobody in particular.

sucks I felt I had an awesome description for everyone but I refreshed and saw all that was posted recently

Almost caught off-guard by the Norseman's quick and brutal swing, Lutke attempts to side step the fountain of arterial spray erupting from the now headless body

Ag 40 v. 1d100 ⇒ 40

Lutke's move to the side is almost comical as he ducks behind the Camp Follower of Mystery and and whatever would have landed on him lands all over her. She makes a joke and laughs as her "seduced" Kurgen falls lifelessly to the ground. A chill comes over Lutke hearing her mirth, but that seems to happen often enough, Lutke thinks it might just be the cold.

Then as if nothing unusual has happened whatsoever, Lutke considers Albrecht's proposal.

"Hmmm...I hadn't really given that type of trap much thought simply because there would be no way to discriminate against if the people entering the tunnel would actually be friendlies, but yes I can do it." Lutke points to Krak and Boom. "Those two are demolition engineers after all. If they can create the blast formula that has enough power to crash this hill, I can rig the trap that does it."

3d100 ⇒ (68, 94, 69) = 231 No successes.

"Ah vell, zere is too much noise frum ze battle anyvays."

finishing reloading, Boom puts the rifle over his shoulder and casually strolls down the hill kicking up dead leaves and rocks while his whistles.

"Right, well, we do have a wee keg dat we canna use, but it no gonna blow der face off der mountain o anyting. *chuckle*, but yeh can have at it laddie anna seee waht yer canna doo."

4d100 ⇒ (53, 75, 3, 54) = 185 +10% for engineering? 1 success vs intelligence as Krak looks about the rock face.

"Well noowe, seems deyve dun a gonnaenough job wit dis wun ere. Looks like Dwarf workmanship for shure.." Krak sounds impressed as he looks for a secret entrance.

Dagon, any rolls which are not combat rolls are done as the regular (skill) v 1d100. The extended spam rolls are just for combat related goodness. ;-)

Thank you, Pinvendor. But yes, just normal 1d100 rolls for non-combat tests. The reason for the multiple rolls in combat is to simulate multiple actions/attacks/defense over the span of time.

CASPAR: Sorry your moment with Gretta got interrupted. The events span out of control.

KRAK/BOOM: The story now hinges on you. Describe what you do to rig the tunnel entrance with explosives. Then make a roll and I'll grant you +20 since this is what the Dwarves do best.

LUTKE: You may have missed it, but go ahead and describe the tunnel and it's distance from Wolfenburg. Any details you want to add please do.

I await responses and reactions.

Duh, still recovering from yesterday I suppose.

1d100 ⇒ 32 vs. Academic know. Engineering 38. success.

Looking about the rock face....

"Right! Ere it is." After running his hands al;ong the rock, Krak stops at a spot and hen hits it with the heel of his fist. A slab of rock big enough to allow a horse slide back into darkness.

"Boom, grab the mini-powder keg offer Donkay anna bring it ere alung wit der deto wire...."

"Now den Lutke, werra gonna fix it soz if sumone finds dah passage anna opens it, we send 'em to dare Chaos gods missin a limb o two anna we seal der passage, right enough? Gud, nows den oabout ya rig sum sotta trip mechanism?"

"VAT?! Do I look like, yer nurse-maid?"

"You! Red hair, commen ze here unt grab dat keg. Gonna sho u sumtink fun!" Pointing at Caspar and then the keg on the donkey, Boom doesnt wait for a response and walks over to the now open passage.

"VAT?! Do I look like, yer nurse-maid?"

"You! Red hair, commen ze here unt grab dat keg. Gonna sho u sumtink fun!" Pointing at Caspar and then the keg on the donkey, Boom doesnt wait for a response and walks over to the now open passage.

"Yes Lutke, I know there is no way to discriminate, but unfortunately we do not have that luxury. Any who pass through will be a necessary loss for the greater good."

Albrecht watches on as things come together.

Long day of recovery indeed, Dagon!

If you read up in the previous posts, the door had been discovered by the Shaman. The Shaman had tried to blast it open with his spells and failed. Later, after the combat, Lutke had attempted to use his engineering skills to open the passage but he discovered that it was jammed shut and no longer able to open. Your description (while good) of simply opening the door isn't quite on par with what we've described thus far.

That being said, we'll use your success roll to arm the door in preparation to blow it off the hinges so that the party can proceed inside.

"I think things looking up," Njord says as he retrieves his blade from the skull of Largyn, watching as the Dwarves pack the entrance to the damaged secret passage with explosives. "First kiss from woman of Empire, then kill two Kurgan pigs! Life good, ja?"

"All you need now do is to ride me like a horse." Gretta muses, toying with the locks of her hair. Dripping in human blood, it's a ghastly sight. Njord doesn't seem to mind in the least.

Gretta then turns her gaze slowly towards Caspar as if to judge his reaction to her weighted comments. Wickedly, she smiles at him, toying with the last and final button of her now very strained blouse.

Gretta will be rolling against her Fellowhip as she begins to toy with Caspar once again:

1d100 ⇒ 98 vs 55 (FEL +10% Seduction): FUMBLE!!! - Oh, this WILL BE INTERESTING!

CASPAR: As Gretta tries to lure you back into her strange web, something goes terribly, terribly wrong. Instead of seducing you, the opposite happens. An unholy rage perhaps? Bring the scene to life!

For the sake of Caspar getting a shot at story interaction, everyone is FROZEN until he's able to respond to this latest development with Gretta. I have faith Caspar will be updating soon enough that it won't cause any grief.

Caspar looks at the scene before him. Something in him tells him he shouldn't be here. He looks at the Dwarves rigging the stone with explosives. Lutke and Albrecht watch, calculating the weak points in the secret entrance.

"I know I'm not military genius, or even a competent soldier for that matter, but you don't think they'd have a guard posted watching this entrance? Perhaps we could just knock? I mean, what are the chances of them leaving an entrance, even a secret one, ungaur-" Caspar is quickly interrupted as Krak hawks and spits at Caspar's feet. The two Dwarves share a hearty laugh and get back to their business.

"All you need now do is to ride me like a horse." Caspar hears over his shoulder from Gretta to Njord. A chill runs down his spine, but only because after they embrace she approaches him. She tries to look her best even after she's been covered in blood. "And don't think I forgot about you either!" She said, running her hand down her hand down his chest and stopping at the crotch.

Caspar saw something in her eyes he hadn't seen before. What he saw he couldn't describe, only that he knew it wasn't good. "Let the Norseman ride you into battle for all I care!" Caspar said as he removed her hand from his groin. He saw it flash again as she reached out again for him. A color he'd never seen before flashed in her iris. A thunderous clap broke everyone's attention from the secret door to Gretta and Caspar. Gretta sat up from laying on back, clutching her cheek. "I think you've overstayed your welcome here, don't you!?" Caspar screamed, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

I think I'll stop here as there's probably some reactions to be made. Thanks for the pause GM

Gretta hits the snow HARD, a red welt rising from her blood stained cheek. Her eyes burn with rage and anger at being scorned and struck.

Will Power check for Gretta to see how she handles this.

1d100 ⇒ 62 vs 39 (WP): FAIL!

"How dare you strike me!" she screams, howling like a banshee.

A moment later she's on her feet, launching herself at Caspar, all spit and venom. And then Njord is there, stepping between the two quarreling lovers like a living wall.

"You two fight like angry cats," Njord jokes, struggling to keep the fiery gypsy away from the minstrel.

Agility check for Njord to see if he can keep Gretta away from Caspar.

1d100 ⇒ 60 vs 31 (AG): FAIL!

Gretta breaks free (she's slippery being soaked in blood), hurling herself at Caspar with all her strength!

CASPAR: make an opposed Agility check as Gretta launches herself at you. Roll for both Gretta and yourself. Her agility is 38. After you get the results, post what happens. Note: Gretta HAS NOT drawn her dagger. Keep that in mind before you lop her head off.

Caspar Agility 1d100 ⇒ 4 vs 39
Gretta Agility 1d100 ⇒ 65 vs 38

Gretta frees herself and charges in blind rage at Caspar, her face slightly swollen on one side. Not being the first woman to charge Caspar in a fit of rage, Caspar knew exactly what to do. Planting his left foot, he used Gretta's momentum against herself. Grabbing hold of her he dropped her, and not lightly, on her back and pinned her there.

"By Grimley's hairy butt!!! Ve hawe our own girl on girl vrestling for our entertainment!!! HAWHAWHAWHAWHAW*SNORT*HAWHAWHAWHAW!!!"

"Donkay,hand me der 9splitter. Danks. I need the 7gauge wire...no, no SEVEN GAUGE yer daft pony!"

"SNORT!!! SNUFFLE...HURMPH!!!"

Donkey and Krak continue working on the door