Grabbing a drink and raising it to his lips, "He joins to drink with the Chaos Barbarian, what do you think? Still, we will need to breach the guards and defenses of the Tomb first before its even a problem. Many probably are already thinking that far ahead, without thought they may not survive. Things should be safe until the prize is in reach before it becomes an issue."
Finally take a drink, he blinks as he ponders how long has it been since he actually drank something other then his extracts? Three days?
"Who knows, the potential mayhem may be useful."
Sits back and claps a slow clap.
"well done Gale, a very clever bit of politicking right there, saying out aloud so all can hear, []i] don't play politics Smamsn and what every your evil, trusted plans are shame working for the prince, I'll that me Gale, will have nothing to do with them, do you hear, err everyone., yes you at that back, Nothing you hear at all to do with your evil princes planes, yes nothing me Gale."
She can not help but chuckle,
"Well done Gale, a finer bit of politicking well be hard to fine I this camp."
She then turns to the Shaman.
"Go tell your prince that Gale here has made it known to all, what his plans are, to a point none now will help him. Have luck seeking other no word of this will be round the camp and no doubt to the ear of the barbarian with in short order. I would keep out of his way if I was you. And you can thank Gale here for all the troubles to come."
She gets up and takes off, into the air with a gust of wind. iI you talk to her she acts like she did not hear you.
The Shaman chuckles. "I am no servant of the Prince's, and I certainly don't speak for him, in fact..." His hooded head turns to where the Prince sits, drinking and laughing. "He doesn't like or trust me...He did not send me and I have no power to broker deals in his name."
Bjorn smiles and offers Gale a stein of mead as he sits. "Now you are a real warrior, I'll gladly drink with the likes of you!" he states.
The Shaman chuckles. "I am no servant of the Prince's, and I certainly don't speak for him, in fact..." His hooded head turns to where the Prince sits, drinking and laughing. "He doesn't like or trust me...He did not send me and I have no power to broker deals in his name."
Senna has listened to the discussion with no sign of emotion or inclination. Now, she looks at the shaman with curiosity. "If he bears you no love and you, I would think, have little for him... why are you interested in saving his skin?"
The Shaman chuckles. "I am no servant of the Prince's, and I certainly don't speak for him, in fact..." His hooded head turns to where the Prince sits, drinking and laughing. "He doesn't like or trust me...He did not send me and I have no power to broker deals in his name."Senna has listened to the discussion with no sign of emotion or inclination. Now, she looks at the shaman with curiosity. "If he bears you no love and you, I would think, have little for him... why are you interested in saving his skin?"
"A question that mirrors my own thoughts Senna." Bertradis adds turning attention toward the discussion.
Senna has listened to the discussion with no sign of emotion or inclination. Now, she looks at the shaman with curiosity. "If he bears you no love and you, I would think, have little for him... why are you interested in saving his skin?"
"Because I serve Tzeentch, God of Fate, and he favors the intelligent over the strong, the wise over the violent. If the Prince lives long enough I hope to recruit him someday to the ways of my God." The shaman licks his lips. "What a mighty Champion he would make if he would but serve my lord."
As the angel takes to the skies Gale stands and offers the group a nod as he goes to talk with Bjorn.
"Thank you champion of the king. Your words are kind. Forgive my gentle words and appearance. I was raised far south of here, but now return home. I have done much and received the mark of Khorne. I take the kings gold for a chance of power, but am not of his kingdom. I too know you are a great warrior. Even if I did not see you fight I would know by how you carry yourself. Tell me friend what was that business with the prince about. Surely a great warrior of your renown does not care for one kill. It seems you play a dangerous game here friend. Would you not loose favor with the king if you were to duel his son? What honor is there in killing one so beneath your skill. I only ask to learn great champion of the north. I am long removed from the customs of our people. Help me to understand."
Finds the Prince and lands next to him. The bends over and whispers in his ear, Before standing back up.
As the angel takes to the skies Gale stands and offers the group a nod as he goes to talk with Bjorn.
"Thank you champion of the king. Your words are kind. Forgive my gentle words and appearance. I was raised far south of here, but now return home. I have done much and received the mark of Khorne. I take the kings gold for a chance of power, but am not of his kingdom. I too know you are a great warrior. Even if I did not see you fight I would know by how you carry yourself. Tell me friend what was that business with the prince about. Surely a great warrior of your renown does not care for one kill. It seems you play a dangerous game here friend. Would you not loose favor with the king if you were to duel his son? What honor is there in killing one so beneath your skill. I only ask to learn great champion of the north. I am long removed from the customs of our people. Help me to understand."
"Lose the King's favor? Nay, I would gain it be cutting down the whelp!" The Champion grins. "The King himself wishes to be rid of the stripling, he was not born to a warrior Queen like his brothers, no he was born of a slave woman stolen from the south and he takes after his mother, small and weak. While his noble born brothers have unfortunately met their ends this cub lingers on. The weak have no place in the world, he is an offensive stain of a Norsemen, much less a Prince of the North."
Finds the Prince and lands next to him. The bends over and whispers in his ear, Before standing back up.
"I see. How does the challenge or duel work. What if he presents a champion to fight in his place? Is this allowed? You have taught me much. For that you have my thanks great champion."
"Many deities would favor a smart follower and could not disagree with you on this matter. Of course, I would stand to defend anyone undeserving of aggression, the Prince is no exception, but I would not do it for the favor of someone with personal ambition or suspect agenda such as yourself." Bertradis says rather bluntly turning to look at the Prince.
Senna seems amused by the shaman's answer. "So you are attempting to influence future events in the service of a God of Fate?" She smiles widely, "I admire your flair for irony. I can't say for certain that I'll intercede in a duel... but I might, if only to nudge fate."
"Chaos God of Manipulation and Change, Senna." Jasper interjects. "Also referred to as the Architect of Fate or God of Fate, due to his method of manipulation." Jasper recalls having looked up the one Chaos God he could relate too, even if he would rather shy away from it still.
"I may not be the most religious of a person, but it pays to at least understand a land's deities. No matter how horrifying they may be. Still, Tzeentch is the only one of the Chaos Gods that might be willing to work with others. And the most dangerous of the lot in my opinion as well due to that very reason."
Senna punches the alchemist lightly on the shoulder, enjoying his comments. "You're handy to have around, Jasper. I didn't study the Gods of these parts - truth be told - because I didn't figure on meeting any of them. I hope that holds true. Gods can really complicate matters."
"I see. How does the challenge or duel work. What if he presents a champion to fight in his place? Is this allowed? You have taught me much. For that you have my thanks great champion."
"The challenger must fight himself, but the challenged may select a Champion." Bjorn admits. "Not that a real man would ever let another fight his battles."
The Shaman shrugs at the responses he receives. "If this world has one true God it is mighty Tzeentch, I merely attempt to please my deity with...appropriate offerings."
"So do you plan on challenging the whelp? I heard the shaman say he has a head fro numbers and makes a good master of coin. While not a mighty warrior he keeps your pockets filled does he not? Thank you for sharing a drink with me Bjorn. I look forward to the days ahead and sharing the field of battle with you. I think I will go talk with the whelp now."
If Bjorn doesn't see me as a threat I hope he doesn't care about me going and talking with the prince. Looking to gauge how he sees what went down here.
[occ]Alright got a little info, hope to have kept him off guard with my flattery. Lets see what happens here.[/ooc]
If Gale comes over, the Rosa is talking with the prince.
She gives him a look as he comes over, smiling.
"Gale well meet, and how go"s your talk with the chalining champion"
The Rose can see Gale is a little taken aback with the fact she is still there.
"Do's something vex thee Gale?"
She asks.
"So your the whelp. Bjorn doesn't not like or respect you much prince. He has explained the ways of your people. Tell me what are your thoughts on the situation? As an outside party I am curious."
Turns to the prince noting Gakes lack of egnolagment of her.
"I advice my prince, course when divulging plans with this one, he seems to want to know many things, most of all the privet thinking of factions with in the army."
Looking back at Gale,
"How about you tell us what you and the one seeking to kill the prince talked about first Gake, I see, to recollect you where in agreement with him, or are you now seeking to play both sides, lets see seeking to find out the brick head of a chaps plans, must have taken all of 20 words, kill prince, I hate him, he is weak and so on and all the while of course NOT playing politics"
She gives him a sweet grin of.
come on the. Lets hear it then
Then looks at the prince to see his reaction.
"Bjorn's plans are not hidden. He seeks to challenge the prince. The king, him and army see the whelp as a weakling not fit to lead. He believes to earn further favor from the king. The shaman seeks to keep the prince around by playing us to work with him, I am sure you told the prince such if not well he knows now. If challenged the prince can put forth a champion according to the customs. I came to negotiate. I have no interest in their politics but this seems a chance to line my pockets. So since you have taken up an interest advice the young whelp. He can run or he can fight and die, or he can hire me though I am not cheap, but as master of coin I suspect he can find the money to pay me."
Says nothing but waits to see what the prince says.
The Gem on her head shines for moment however.
"So do you plan on challenging the whelp? I heard the shaman say he has a head fro numbers and makes a good master of coin. While not a mighty warrior he keeps your pockets filled does he not? Thank you for sharing a drink with me Bjorn. I look forward to the days ahead and sharing the field of battle with you. I think I will go talk with the whelp now."
Bjorn snorts; "What does money matter when my master will soon be The Daemon King? I'll kill the Prince and reap the endless rewards from Hrothagar!" The Champion says, looking unconcerned when Gale moves to engage the Prince.
The Prince's eyes are closed as he sips his drink and savors it as the mercenaries exchange words. Finally he opens his bright, clear eyes and speaks;
"Bjorn seeks my blood and if he comes for me he will most likely have it. I would not have another fight in my place, even one with a much better chance of winning than I and certainly not a hireling. I surround myself with friends I trust only." He says, gesturing to the men and women sitting around him.
"Not employees. When Bjorn, the Crimson Bear, Champion of Khorne, comes for me I will face him myself, and if I fall I will be mourned by good friends."
"Your braver then though or stupid. Either way I need no more friends. Enjoy your death."
The Prince smiles without malice. "I will, enjoy your final death as well."
Interesting. I see much of myself in this one. Perhaps some coin can be made. Final death? He or the angel has seen through my disguise. No matter. The angel has shown to be too foolish to leverage the knowledge.
Galendir offers a nod and returns to the company of Bjorn and his men.
"The whelp shows no fear. He seems to have excepted his fate. Why don't we make things interesting here. I will wager my pay from the king. Five thousand gold on the whelp. Something in his words surprised me. What do you say Bjorn? I'm sure you will win, but this will make things interesting to watch for me anyways. He showed no desire to have a champion fight for him."
Galendir offers a nod and returns to the company of Bjorn and his men.
"The whelp shows no fear. He seems to have excepted his fate. Why don't we make things interesting here. I will wager my pay from the king. Five thousand gold on the whelp. Something in his words surprised me. What do you say Bjorn? I'm sure you will win, but this will make things interesting to watch for me anyways. He showed no desire to have a champion fight for him."
"Ha! I accept that wager! Just tell me when and I will cut the stripling down!" Bjorn declares, beating his chest.
As Gale moves off THe Rosa nods to the prince and with a bound takes off over his head lands close to Bjorn,
As she lands she folding her arms she waits as Gelendic now walks up to him and says.
"The whelp shows no fear. He seems to have excepted his fate. Why don't we make things interesting here. I will wager my pay from the king. Five thousand gold on the whelp. Something in his words surprised me. What do you say Bjorn? I'm sure you will win, but this will make things interesting to watch for me anyways. He showed no desire to have a champion fight for him."
The Rosa
::Well the endless politics you get us into, But we gained here, not a lot but we did. I also think I think I have Gale now thinking about us as we wished, his a new player in this, what is play is had yet to be full known, but it looks like He, it is after the same thing as the other in this great game.::
The winter game.
::For now he is the least of our worry's. Hands are being played now, The Bjorn move and his backer has make their move. When this player makes there play, hands are shown in others. Gale is just seeing if the prize is worth it and then try and take it. Like some of the others. The big players.::
The Rosa
::so what now?::
The Winter gem
::Back him up, this has an upside and works for us, lets get some real sport going here, the army needs a cool down, take its mind of things.::
The Rosa
::And the great game gos on::
The Gem
::And the great game gos on::
As he agrees, she calls out for all to hear around the group.
"and I agree with Fine Gale here, this will be a fine fight to see, that kill was taken, would any real man stand for just some words in apology, no!, but to make this sport of death interesting as Gale says, lets see who stands with Bjorn as a true believer in his course of might. I'll also wager the same as Gale with any other who stands with Bjorn, My coin on the prince Vs that of any here who will hold that Bjorn will slay him."
She beings out a bag of coin and looks around for takers.
"That is for you to decide great champion. As you said he stole your kill. It is your challenge to issue. I'm sure your victory will be swift. Five thousand is a small some to give you when you win. We will drink and laugh at my foolish bet. I will take my leave now champion."
Not sure what the angel is playing at. He may have learned something of the prince as well. I must pay close attention to it.
Gale returns to sit with the other mercenaries.
"Seems Bjorn plans on challenging the prince. We will have some sport to watch soon. I have had enough for the day. I bid you all a good night."
Gale retires to his tent. He laters slips away to his routine.
Stands with her men, and enters a drinking competition, she wins as alcohol has no effect on her. The they play a game of throw the Axe, hard north men throwing axes to see if they can cut off some poor girls pony tails. Last of all they bring out the logs, large lumps of tree trunk. The game is simple, but throw the trunk 1st and you win, there are a few rounds before someone calls for rosa to pick up an axe and have a swing. She waves no a few time but they being insistent, she walks up to a log. Torig a large massive armed barbarian wakes to another.
"Come cold Rose, chop wood with my, if I win you will be my bride, what say you."
She gave him. a grin,
"Arr I see Torig, and what if I win, what will I get for such a high wanger? How dos this sound, if I win, I get one swing of this"
She bent and picked up a small throwing axe, one made for a child.
"axe at you, but you must not move out the way or flinch, you must stand and take the blow. What say you Torig?
He hit his chest, the bellowed,
"As a man then I will except your turms rosa , now are you ready"
She still held the small axe
"Ready"
"SWING
He swing is axe as he said the and cut deep into the trunk.
Rosa dropped the small Axe, took a step back and unfolded her wings, she then started to spin, as her wings spun the very tips started to hit the trunk, cutting deep into it, Torig could hit harder but not any where as fast, cut after cut The Risa steel like wings made.
Soon it was over, with one great kick of her feet she sent the top of the log flying across the field to slam into the ground. Torig was good, his log top fell just a moment after but after. He stood pantnting.
He walked over,
The chalinge is you'd Winter Rosa, a bet is a bet.
He dropped his axe and the bore his chest to her.
"Use thee axe and cut deep"
She to was out of breath, she bent and picked up the small halfling hand axe, walking over to him, she pulled him to the stump of her log. He did not flick nor fight, but his eyes went wide as she reached into his kilt and placed his manhood on the stump.
Phew moved a small amount.
"Are you flinching Borig?"
As bellows of murth broke out in the ranks of troops looking on..
She walked around him swing the small axe back and forth.
"One chop you agreed to, with no flinching or moving, take my blow you said.
She came crack around to his front, now let me aim the chop up right"[/B]
She held the axe above that which made him a man, he cloud not look, he closed his eyes and waited for the blow. She brought the axe up high the down in one clean blow.
The was a chop sound as axe meet wood.
Borig held a moment, then opened one eye, feeling no pain he looked down, the axe was in the wood just a away from the most prized belonging. He looked up at the Rose who took one fast steep and kissed him full on the lips, then throw him doom founded to the floor, the men around broke out in laghfing and pointing at his face.
She went and grabed another ale. Drank it, walked back and pulled him up. Come Borig, let's go see if that little thing of yours has survived its ordeal. She pulled him to a tent and they went inside.
No one can match the amount of gold Lorenna wagers though many clearly would not even if they could, the Prince clearly an inferior warrior to the massive Champion. Bjorn himself seems in no real hurry to cut the Prince down, seeming to enjoy the extra attention the incident is gaining him and he sleeps through the night after drinking himself into a stupor.
The next morning the army moves on across the blasted wastes, braving the magically polluted lands with its endless red dust, wiry black trees, and foul, warpstone corrupted pools of water.
Goblin wolf riders can be seen picking over the remains of the battle the Norsemen left behind but none pursue the deadly horde and they are soon left behind.
Weeks (or perhaps months?) pass in the endless desert, time itself seemingly stretched thin and inconstant, the warping effects of the far north and its Winds of Magic befuddling perception, added to the more natural effect of the lack of a sense of night or day as the shadowy umbra in the sky muffles sunlight during the day and glows softly during the night, confusing the senses.
Eventually the army begins to run low on food and drink and the horde gets restless and agitated, deeply bothered by the endless purgatory of the wastes.
As more and more fights of frustration break out King Hrothagar declares that any who squabble will be put to the sword, regardless of the reason. It deters violence temporarily but is obviously a stop gap measure. Eventually the King declares; "We of the North are the strongest of men, but still we must eat and drink. I offer a position of rank to any who can find a way to solve our resource problem!"
Galendir approaches the king.
"Good king. This land is quite barren. It seems the men can't even forage. I can provide all the water needed and up to 31 gallons can be made into ale or mead a day. I can also provide an average of seven healthy wolves for consumption a day. If you would like a hero's feast can be provided for you and ten of your generals daily. I would suggest checking with the sorceress and see if she has the ability to teleport. IF so she can get more provisions. All of this would be taxing for myself and my loyal companion so I would have to ask for compensation, but what is gold to a future demon lord."
Senna considers the issue and glances at the strange sky. "There are limits to what can be done. I can move the equal of 4 burly men and all their gear about 400 leagues . But a magic field like this may make the task dangerous or even impossible. And even if I could bring your strongest men with me and load them with food, they couldn't carry enough to feed the army with the number of trips I could make. It might be better if we scout for sources of food here.... and for the end of this plain."
"This environment is confounding. How long have we been traveling? How far have we come? Is the land stretching to prevent us from reaching the end? Are we blinded by an illusion? I will scout to see if I can find food and answers. In this land of unreality, it may be that we must believe our way out of this plain or into a place rich with food."
Leathery dragon wings sprout from her back and she launches into the air and flies straight up.
Sits on a rock while the others talk, then stands and jumps down. She has not eaten anything for days but seems fine, so also never seems to sleep. Just cat nap now and then.
she follows Senna Proviso with here eyes then looks back at the king.
"I Agree with Senna, this could all be the 1st layer of defenses for the tome, have any one trying to get to us walk around and around for days. Nice idea but there is always a way past it or who could get to make the rest of the tome. Some good Skyships would have been nice. OR down dig into this earth and see if there are roots to the tome we missed."
She bends and picks up a hand full of earth.
"Personally, last thing I would do is have a big old zigurate with temple of doom written all over it. I would hide it underground. Then may the above a wast land to get lost in. Seems they must think like me."
She lets the earth fall throw her fingers.
"Your Food problem, well if you have Mages and clerics with the skill and craft, start making Demi-planes and gates. You could even ask some of the nature or best planes for help. Get a lot more sorceress that some magicked water and what 4 men can carry throw a magic-port. Not saying it want be hard but just a few will get you a lot."
She flexes her steel like wings
"Well I'm going to help Senna, see if there is a way out of this trap. Next time great King, get a better logistics commander. An army marches on its stomach As they say"
She is then in the air following Senna.
Galendir approaches the king.
"Good king. This land is quite barren. It seems the men can't even forage. I can provide all the water needed and up to 31 gallons can be made into ale or mead a day. I can also provide an average of seven healthy wolves for consumption a day. If you would like a hero's feast can be provided for you and ten of your generals daily. I would suggest checking with the sorceress and see if she has the ability to teleport. IF so she can get more provisions. All of this would be taxing for myself and my loyal companion so I would have to ask for compensation, but what is gold to a future demon lord."
"Excellent!" The King declares. "You can do what I need, how much do you request for your services, in addition to the rank I can provide?"
"It shall be done then. Bring any dyeing or upset men to me my king. My loyal companion is an Undead lord. He is a man of many talents. We will make these men loyal to us in undeath. This will help to keep the size of the army up. I think 5000gp a week should do. Now let us keep on the march and claim your prize."
No one has seen the rather quiet human eat or drink since they have begun this treck, outside of his elixirs and potions of course.
"I question what have the orcs and other beasts eat in the area, before we resort to undeath. I fear quite a number of those you plan to turn might object to such treatment." Jasper comments, pondering the logistics needed to get food to an army. Why oh why, hasn't anyone thought of this before?
"Though admittedly, it might be better then my own first thought of using an extract of Skinsend to turn them into constructs so that they may last a while longer. Dragging their own carcass along in the efforts to save calories, sadly that would only help a handful at best," he amends with a grumble.
Pondering further, he delves through his mind palace in an effort to seek other possibilities.
"On water though, I can help provide some more. A simple Water Purification Sponge should help deal with that issue, and are quite simple to make for me but I doubt they would deal with the nature of this corruption. On the other hand ... I might be able to craft something to help alleviate the problem of food, provided I can find the right vegetable to use as a seed. Instant Fertilizer might actually be handy for once."
"It shall be done then. Bring any dyeing or upset men to me my king. My loyal companion is an Undead lord. He is a man of many talents. We will make these men loyal to us in undeath. This will help to keep the size of the army up. I think 5000gp a week should do. Now let us keep on the march and claim your prize."
"I agree to your deal." The King replys, looking pleased. Once the specifics have been worked out the army continues its march.
The King listens to the others ideas but seems to dismiss them out of hand, having rather arbitrarily decided the problem is already solved.
He promotes Galendir to the trusted rank of Huscarl and grants him command over one hundred Norse Raiders ( Savage Mercenaries )
It takes another three weeks before the army breaks free of the wastes and then only to be confronted by gargantuan mountains towering over everything from horizon to horizon.
"The Razorbacks." The King identifies the mountains. "Within their deadly range we will find the Tomb!" The king calls for a halt and the army camps in the shadows of the knife like mountain range.
The King calls a celebration that night in honor of the armies escape from the wastes. The King seems in a good mood, his anticipation high, and he publicly speaks to Prince Sigmar for the first time you've seen, ordering him to play the lute and sing for his royal amusement and that of the camp.
Prince Sigmar proves himself quite the musician, his play skillful and his singing voice divine. He begins with songs of victory and heavy drinking, drawing the men of the camp in until they sing along at the top of their lungs and bang there cups along with the tune.
As the party begins to wind down the Prince changes tack and sings a long, soulful, and heartrending tale of broken hearted lovers and the cruelty that life circumstances can inflict on young love. But the end there are few dry eyes in the audience, including the Kings.
"You never were good for anything Sigmar." He says to his son in a maudlin tone. "But you have your mother's voice and can touch even the stoniest heart with your meek singing."
"Thank you father." The Prince acknowledges as he bows, taking the backhanded compliment gracefully.