toughness 34
Although grievously injured I move to defend the elf that bravely joined our fight against the foul beastmen.
Well...I'm going to speed things up, not snapping at you guys but I do not want my first PBP game to go dead.
The Guards butcher the remaining Ungors, everyone is patched up and soon back on the road after a few hours of hard labor clearing the road and the injured warriors being treated like...well the guards are thankful, that's about it.
You are all now back on the road, feel free to Roleplay for a while, you will not reach the next waypoint in your joruney towards the Blood Vale until Tommorrow. I give you all then to try and barter/steal/whatever to get some more gear off these people.
COMBAT 1:
4 Ungors, 5 EXP each
4 Gors, 10 EXP each
Champion, 30 EXP Each
Archer (Killed entirely by Lloyd) No EXP awarded
EXP TOTAL: 90
Roleplay Awards: 20 EXP to each
EXP TOTAL: 110 EXPERIANCE to all.
Well I do need a drink and some rest now if you don't mind me, I'll take my leave
Oh. And you have an unconscious Elf who so bravely defended you.
You all will recieve "healing" from either Magnus or the barber-surgeon that travels with the convoy, either way, you all will return to full health by tommorrow morning.
again, Feel Free to Roleplay out anything and everything your characters want to do.
OH and on your profiles, I want 2 clearly marked spoilered tables for Experiance.
One for the Total amount recieved.
One for the Spent Experiance and what you used it on.
Thank you all :)
I spend time in contemplative prayer to Sigmar, giving thanks for sparing me from the Beastmen. The battle has shown my shortcomings... This initiate has much work to do. But I lived which means the Lord of the Hammer has greater deeds for me to do.
I then see to the elf and tend his wounds. I do not consider myself an elf-friend but this archer deserves our thanks.
Finally I root around the caravan for a spare buckler or shield.
As you go about in your search, a more helpful and thankful guard hands you his own shield. While somewhat battered, it is still stout enough to deflect a few blows at least, and emblazoned with the Emperor's Hammer and Comet no less.
Add one Shield to your Character Ottmar.
Gratefully receiving the shield, I grasp the guard's forearm.
"Blessings upon you. May this shield protect me as Sigmar will protect you."
Even though the Caravan-Master is of questionable character, it is good to know that some of his men are of stout heart. I move along the line of travelers and help as one can.
Priest! I might need a hand when you are done with the rest, I'm not that great at patching up wounds as I'm on inflicting them
Laurenor nlinks blearily and raises his head up looking around carefully. Around him he sees moving humans. Damn I am with the humans, perhaps I shouldve found another caravan for the orcs to waylay. Seeing his bow he manages to stand and inspects it for damage, seeing none he begins to study the company he has fallen in.
"Peace friend elf. You are safe and free." The voice comes from behind you and you turn to see a young human in a black robe sitting beside the driver of the wagon you are reclining in.
"We are travelling to black lake. You are welcome to join us or not as you feel best but I would welcome the opportunity to travel with you." The human extends a hand. "I am Marius late of the Academy in Averheim."
Seeing the young student conversing with the elf I approach for introductions.
"Greetings, Sir Elf. I must admit I consider myself a dwarf-friend but your valor is much appreciated. I am Brother Ottmar, Initiate of Sigmar Heldenhammer. Consider yourself among allies. Bless you. May your bow never break."
"Young Marius, for one not trained in the arts of war you availed yourself quite well. That was quick thinking with the wagon. I thank you too for your bravery."
Hearing Brenog's hail, I then move off to see about his wounds.
Laurenor regards both humans silently not offering his hand in return What a strange custom he merely nods his head in return and asks
"Where is this black lake?" he asks in a strange slightly melodious voice the words lilting in odd places due to his asccent with the unfamliar tounge.
Priest! I might need a hand when you are done with the rest, I'm not that great at patching up wounds as I'm on inflicting them
"Hail, Brenog. How goes it?" I inspect the mercenary's wounds. Cleaning and using herbs if necessary.
Hail there priest as I lean forward a bit I'm made of tougher material but I won't scoff a good patching when I need it taking a drink of water from a waterskin in the wagon Care for some?
"Thanks, friend." Taking a swig from the skin, "What make you of our Caravan-Master? He was a bit tardy in joining us against the Beastmen."
Laurenor regards both humans silently not offering his hand in return What a strange custom he merely nods his head in return and asks
"Where is this black lake?" he asks in a strange slightly melodious voice the words lilting in odd places due to his asccent with the unfamliar tounge.
"To the east. It is some way yet. I am not sure how far as I am not sure exactly where we are at the moment."
As you all converse the caravans rumble on late into the evening. After the convoy makes camp, you all are treated like heroes, larger portions of food and the many services that the Caravan's camp followers can give at no charge. The Guardsmen, ignoring their Master, each pool their paltry purses and hand each of you, including the elf despite their hesitancy around him, 20 Gold Marks for defending them so valiantly.
Far to the East and barely visible in the gloom save for a few able to see in such lighting rise the Black Mountains. Lloyd informs you during the evening meal that you will arrive at Black Water on the morrow around midday.
Coward to say the least is the first thing I think about the caravan-master, he should be used to been attacked and help here and there as I rub my chin with one hand Damn it priest! I'm bleeding already no need to choke me with the bandages there I will lose the leg from lack of blood in it! saying it with a grin, and then suddenly looking startled but attempting to hide it Hey, what happened to the pointy ears could they be chasing him all this time and ran into us? then discarding it all entirely with a wave of a hand Guess I got hit hard to think that don't I?
The Caravan sets off again in the morning with everyone well rested, the heroes still being treated well and several of them looking particularily bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
The Black Mountains grow steadily larger and larger with every passing mile until the caravan arrives at a small outpost built onto a hill overlooking the pass into the mountains. Several haggard looking guardsmen patrol the watchtower and aim drawn bows at the group until they are sure of their race and intent.
All of the adventurers gather their things and are instructed by the Guard Captain, a Talabheimer by the name of Gustav Lausten, to wait at the base of the watchtower while the caravan bids farewell to their guards, while Lloyd stays back grumbling while his "loyal" guardsmen bid their new companions farewell, and then the caravan rolls on.
Captain Lausten is a large man, easily as big as Brenog, or at least he used to be. His large frame is sunken and sallow from malnourishment, his beak-like nose is a little blue and the bags under his eyes reveal he probably hasn't slept well in almost a week. Nonetheless, he manages to glare at each of you so fiercely that not even the most outspoken of you would dare break the silence. His guardsmen keep their weapons close at hand, their eyes both on all of you as well on the pass, as if expecting Archaon's horde of Chaos to descend on them at any moment, despite the fact that the entire Chaos incursion is to the north.
"So you're the adventuerers huh?" he eventaully says, not as a question but as a gruff statement to himself and he spits on the ground to the side. He jerks his head of white hair and scars at the pass. "Black Water be a day in through there. You can leave now, or in the morning, but either way, start trouble here and you won't need to worry about Chaos beasts or Greenskins."
With that he stomps away, and a guardsman with a heavy mustache shows them to their overnight quarters should you all choose to stay the night and leave on the morrow.
"A good night's rest here in the safety of the outpost seems best. Shall we stay and then start the final leg of our journey in the morn?"
"Yes it will be nice to be somewhere that isn't moving. Maybe I can finally update my notes."
Well I rather go drinking and whoring if I could, but I guess I'll just have to stay here and rest this arrow wound looking at the the priest Can ya check it again I don't like the idea of something festerin' my leg and lose it, seen that plenty of times with some trace of fear when I sed losing the leg Not that I fear losing the leg but I wouldn't be much of a mercenary like that now would I!?
Laurenor takes one look about him and securely pulls up his hood and mask.
"It would probably be best if you all kept quiet about my race...we...I am not usually welcome in human settlements. Else I will find some cover in the forest. I leave the decision to you, I can find you in the morning if needed. You humans leave tracks a mile long."
"I will vouch for you, Elf-Friend and Beast-Foe." I see about finding a meal and then a place to bed down for the night.
You all settle into your simple but functional bunks and rise early the next morning at the sound of a trumpet awakening the entire post for the morning. You are all given a nod and a small pack of food to last you till Black Water by the quartermaster, and then sent on your way through the gates through the pass. Behind you, as the last of the group passes through the doors they crash closed with a boom and the guards on the walls keep their bows raised and their eyes ahead of the group of ill-fated adventurers, many of the sure they will never again see the group alive again.
You all hike for hours, taking breaks whenever you need to for food, water or anything else. The path through the pass is clearly marked if rough and far off in the distance you can see the smoke of a village near a great shimmering expanse of water, but it is quite a few leauges away. All around you are the Black Mountains, as well as thick trees. No one knows for sure what lurked in the Bloody Vale, but it was certain that such a group should remain on their toes.
Perception Checks everyone, made at Challenging Difficulty -10%
Marius walks on pausing every now and again to note the rock strata or a useful herb or a lovely viewpoint.
Marius you suddenly get the feeling that there is something definitely wrong with this part of the forest. As you look around however you see nothing out of place nor hear anything either, but something has the hairs on the back of your neck standing up.
Marius speaks to the others
"Hey do any of you feel odd. It may be the city-boy in me but....."
31% success-10= 21
It might be the after effect of your first fight boy, some people get horny, others go into shock, you just feel out of place with a big grin Relax for a moment boy, there is nothing to fear and probably just that
"The large human is right I do not hear or see anything it is merely your human nerves acting up." Laurenor replies after a moment of scanning the woods about him though as the party notes he does fit an arrow to his bow.
Ottmar, you also feel as if something is not right. The forest is natural but something beyond your hearing or sight is making your scalp prickle and the warhammer at your side seems to itch to be drawn.
Ottmar, you also feel as if something is not right. The forest is natural but something beyond your hearing or sight is making your scalp prickle and the warhammer at your side seems to itch to be drawn.
I raise my hand and signal the others to halt. I look to the elf, wondering if he senses anything. "Careful," I whisper sharply, "Trouble is near."
I take my shield off my shoulder and ready my hammer as well, hoping the others follow my example. To the elf, "Do you want to scout ahead while we hold?"
"Aye ill do that if ye wish." Laurenor nods before moving off into the brush scanning the trees for signs of foes.
52% on concealment and silent move each with rover talent.
Ottomar I really think pointy ears is having some trouble scouting with his wounds, I can hear him over my headache as I ready again for fighting in case something hapens Mind telling me what's all the commotion if ya don't mind me asking your holiness
"I am unsure, Brenog. Perhaps the spirit of Sigmar warns of some danger near to us. It is a feeling, an intuition. Perhaps it is nothing."
I walk slowly in the direction of the elf, hammer and shield ready.
By Ulric I hope you are right Ottmar as I grumble behind the priest, putting my armor on, with axe in hand and shield at the ready.
Perception
Perception Check:
A sudden rustle in the bushes sounds from in front of your group and as you all draw weapons and face down the newcomer, a scraggly goblin appears from the brush. His filthy little face is covered in long branch cuts and his eyes are swollen from pitiful self-pity and crying. However, when he sees you all, he simply stares for a second, then looses a high-pitched scream loud enough to make you all wince and he points at the elf archer crying out "Elveses! Elveses! Elveses is scary!!!"
And then he dashes back through the forest away from you, screaming at the top of his lungs. His flight is so swift and random that none of you can even draw a bead on his little green form before he is out of range. You can all still see him, running away helter scelter. His antics cause you all differing amounts of humor, but it begs the naggingly serious question...What is a goblin doing out here?
Goblin! Never seen one of those before.
When you are all done puzzling over the appearance of the random goblin, making of it as you will, you all continue down the road and it is nearing dusk and the village seems a good few miles further although you can make out some simple details about the place despite the gloom and the distance, such as the ramshackle wall built around it and the watch fires blazing every 50 feet or so. The Black Water lake shimmers in the light of the bright sunset, but ssomehow sinisterly, as if one of the great Chaos God's eyes glare up from the surface of the world, mad and wide and hungry to devour the village before it.
Along the way of your voyage, you all discover the remnants of several abaondoned farm houses, and what looks to be a ship-making shop now taken apart to supply the wood for the repairs and defences of the nearby village.
Well let's set camp and enter the town during daylight men just be wary I don't like getting poked at by some filthy goblin
"&*#$^(" cries marius using a word you are pretty sure his tutors didn't teach him. (but then again he is studying philosophy.)
"A goblin. They never travel alone. Never. If we are lucky that was a lost scout. Otherwise it means a whole clan nearby. Grand. If we were expected I would recommend heading for the town, but since there are goblins about they are likely shooting at shadows. Perhaps we should fortify that farmhouse. It looks studry enough to last until dawn."
"I agree. Let us make for the village in the morning. Also let us be content to eat cold rations and forgo a fire tonight. We don't need to attract the attention of any wandering greenskins."
"I will take first watch tonight."
Fine, more work to do then and best get at it grumbling and cursing my luck.