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All of you grew up listening to stories of the Great War Against Chaos. The tale of Magnus the Pious and his victory over the armies of Chaos is well known. While there have been wars and threats in the 200 years since,
there has been nothing on that scale. Until now. This year the Chaos Lord Archaon invaded the Empire with five mighty armies. They swept down from the Chaos Wastes, ranks filled with mutant warriors, nightmarish
monsters, and power-mad sorcerers. Flagellants and other prophets of doom declared these the End Times. And as these armies pillaged and burned their way through the Northern provinces of the Empire, it was easy to believe.
You've heard endless stories over the past few months. They say that Sigmar once again walked the earth. They say an army of wolves attacked the Kislevian city of Erengrad. They say the dead rose from their graves
to defend the Empire. They say a mighty victory was won at Middenheim. They say a plague has choked the streets of Talabheim with bloated corpses.
You can only believe what is in front of your eyes. You are in the town of Untergard in the Drakwald Forest. A one-day battle took place here, as Beastmen tried to force their way across the town's great bridge. They were rebuffed but the price was high. The town is .in ruins and its remaining citizens struggle to survive. The Imperial army has long since moved on from Untergard, leaving behind only its dead. You've heard tell of more battles up North but the war here seems over. Or so you hope. You have been in Untergard for several days, as rainstorms of utmost savagery lashed the Drakwald. You find two things when you awaken: the rainstorm has broken and there is a commotion in the nearby Ackerplatz.
Most of the 75 survivors of Untergard have already gathered in the decrepit town square, and are muttering restlessly to one another. Many still nurse battle wounds, whilst others are clearly too old or young to have taken place in the fighting. All are ragged and pal and some are clearly pinched by hunger.
As you each join the survivors of Untergard in the square you each overhear the locals speaking...
Watch Captain Schiller has an important announcement to make
Watch Captain Shiller recieved a messaeg from Count Boris Todbringer of Middenheim and he's going to read it to the town
Count Boris Todbringer of Middenhieeim has sent a reward to Untergard in recognition of the town's steadfastness during Archaon's incursion
Count Boris Todbring or Middenheim has sent a caravan of food and supplies to help the town get back on its feet!
Elsa stands in her jack and weapons upon her body. She still remembers the battle and the dead. Her wounds had healed ans her gear patched. Thankfully the town had a decent mix of citizens both combat, peasant and artisan. Granted she too learned a trade but it wasnt for her it was the Sheildbreaker core for her.
The dwarven lass stood among them wondering what news would befall this beleagered town who had already suffered under the last attempt. Hopefully whatever it was would be a chance to earn some coin.Elsa would love to book passage outta here.
Normally Alric would be a big young man - broad shoulders and strong arms. But the sacking of his farm and the terror of the past days have somehow diminished him. He is tired and cannot stand straight.
"Here, Frauke... Let's go see what the commotion is about." he scratches the dog behind the ears, and heads towards the square.
Belzakk stands dirty and weary with bandages about his hands. He'd spent the last few rainy days helping put to rest the bodies of the slain. At least the mud softened the ground for digging. He also did his best to say a few holy words of rest to each in the hopes of preventing them arising again. He'd actually never seen a corpse reanimate but had read about them in some of the religious texts.
Many greeted him with words of thanks, and he did his best to make friendly conversation with each though his sore back called for a seat by a warm hearth somewhere.
Gossip (40%)
Gossip results
Constanza too huddles under her ragged cloak from the rain, her eyes scanning the milling miserabile as she trudges slowly toward the Ackerplatz.
As she walks she notes some faces who caught her eye; the Reiklander who'd been burying the dead... but not her dead. Her company were finito, Constanza was their last...
The mercenary pauses, wincing inwardly as she recalls the sounds of Beastmen's frenzied brays in her ears and the screams of her compango.
"Il bastardo caos."
She curses with a spit, then moves onward...
Gossip 44:
Gossip 44:
It has been a long year with too much happening to try and digest all at once. The strange weather, the crop blights and then the attack by what seemed all the chaos spawn from hell itself. Losing the farm was bad enough, but then Ma and Pa disappeared from the refugee camp and the surprise attack by Beastmen nearly broke him. If it had not been for Captain Bok of the local militia, he was sure he would have joined the thousands of dead. As it was, he took to the forests and deserted fields and with several others like himself, started attacking the supply trains of the enemy. Trail bastions they were called...outlaws and wolveshead, but they continued and caused as much damage as they could.
It was not until a week ago that their group finally were called in from the wild...the war was over. The ruins of his little farm were long gone, so Alder trudged on until the town was visible...and here he was now, waiting with the others for some big announcement.
You overhear a scrawny, thin -haired woman opining loudly that many missing love-ones from the town are being held captive by Beastmen in the Forest
You overhear a tall , thin man whisper to another man, "Father Dietrich possesses a Holy relic! "
As you pass a group of younger women, you see they're comforting one of them as she rather loudly states that the Woodsman Hans Baumer has been gone for a week and is probably dead. She then begins to weep.
As you approach a group of three Woodsman, one of them speaks up about refusing to go back into the Forest, "It's still full of Beastmen and stragglers from the Chaos Army...I ain't going out there!"
The people of Untergard assemble, some in small groups , some wandering about alone, but all muttering and arguing about the recent past, the future and the desperate present.
Michel moves closer to Constanza, as he peers over the rest of those gathered "Crazy times we live in, no? Michel. he holds out his hand in greeting
Belzakk approaches the distraught woman with a gentle smile. He lays his hand on her shoulder and addresses her woe.
"There... there. Hans is an experienced woodsman. Let's not count him as gone till we see proof. I promise I'll gather a few and go look for him when possible. Do you know where he was headed"?
Constanza returns the handshake with a hard smile;
"Si, crazy indeed. Constanza."
She eyes Michel curiously;
"Do I detect a hint of Breton accent? Longa way to come to dance with morte Michel... You mercenario too?"
The mercenary tips her head toward a trio of Woodman nearby and lowers her voice;
"The tre boscaiolo there... said something about the forest being full of Beastmen, Caos too. They rifiutato... pardon, refuse, to go in there...
Hearing the talking of Beastmen in the forest fills the halfling with rage! Had they not lost enough! Why can these monsters just leave!
"Someone needs to remove those beasts from OUR lands...permanently!", he hisses between clenched teeth.
Elsa stood looking around wondering if the word on the street was in line with what the Watchcaptian said. Humans seemed odd though not elves, she still found dealing with them strange and perplexing.
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Michel laughs a sad laugh "You may think that, but where I'm from, death is such a constant thing, it walks around the town" but he nods to her question "Correct. Mousillon to be exact." and then as he quietly listens to her whisper he shakes his head "Such rumours would cause a panic if they truely had any merit, so we should take them as is, rumours at worst"
Michel's bleak honesty raises a look of surprise on the mercenary's scarred face;
"Mousillon?! Il Ducato di Sangue..."
She clicks her tongue with a hard look;
"I understand. Some of my compagnia... hardened men... would only whisper of your home..."
At the thought of the news as mere rumour, Constanza's eyes harden and she shakes her head in disagreement;
"No Michel of Mousillon... I lost all my compagni d'armi... comrades in arms to those bastardo Beastmen... I still hear their brays and roars... and the screams of my friends. So if there is a grain of truth in that rumour... my crossbow will spit my vendetta..."
Elsa hears the foreigner and walks over. She stands at thier chest level and does an awkward curtsy.
" I couldnt help but overhear your company perished. Though not all my brethren fell, I do hold our companys rings from thise that died. I tried gettinf as many injured and dead dwarves from the field. I have helped while healing bury many a dead, and prayed to Morr that they see a fruitful afterlife and ward off thise fellows who seek to take bodies" She said her shield on her back and warpick restinf on her shoulder with the butt in her hand.
"Someone needs to remove those beasts from OUR lands...permanently!"
"Agree with you on that, little friend." Alric says, happening to overhear the halfling.
"They've caused a lot of suffering..." But instead of rage, there is only resignation in Alric's voice.
Looking over at the human talking to him, Alder feels his anger evaporate and he releases a long sigh.
It is a shame we have to fight all the time just to live...but this war went above and beyond the regular struggle farmers like us endure. I just want to get back to tending the crops and dreaming of a boring, quiet future!"
The woman looks at Belzakk with blank, shell-shocked eyes, tears welling up...unending. The women gather around her, some of the even give Belzakk dirty looks, as if his attempt to comfort the woman was an affront.
As Michel, Constanza and Elsa make acquaintances, across the square Alder and Alric do likewise.
A ripple runs through the crowd as Captain Schiller appears. One of his watchmen sets up a box for him to stand on. He mounts it spryly for a man of his age. Though his uniform is torn and his armor dented, Captain Schiller still commands the respect of the crowd. He only needs to motion once before the crowd quiets down.
"People of Untergard" he begins, "this is a glorious day. I have received a letter from Count Todbringer of Middenheim. The old wolf still lives and the city of Middenheim also stands strong!"
The crowd cheers and once again Schiller must motion for silence.
"Count Todbringer sends his thanks to all of Untergard for the part we played in hampering the invaders. He said and I quote 'the battle for Untergard Bridge will do down as one of the most glorious battels in Middenland's history'. Be proud, people of Untergard, for our sacrifices have not been in vain!"
When the cheers die down, Schiller continues, "To show his gratitude for our valor, the Count has sent us a token of his appreciation." The Captain reaches into a bag and pulls out a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine, "We were honored to receive thirty loaves of bread an a dozen bottles of wine, straight from Middenheim."
The crowd goes wild at the sight of the Count's largesse, hungry eyes fixed on the fresh bread in the Captain's hands. They begin to chant, "Long live the Count! Long live the Count!". Schiller holds bread and wine high in the air as the hardened survivors of Untergard shout themselves hoarse.
Suddenly, there is a loud crack and the bottle shatters, showering Schiller and the bread with glass and wind. Pandemonium erupts as the crowd scatters in panic.
You spin around and look towards the source of the gunshot...the ruined coaching station on the eastern side of the bridge.
A scream from someone near the bridge sends everyone's eyes that way...to see a four hideous Mutants coming across the bridge. Each sports a fantastical deformity, are dressed in dirty rags and are armed with clubs. As they get closer, you can see the hatred that burns in their eyes!
On the other side of the square, Captain Schiller shouts at his watchmen to defend the crowd....they begin to make their way towards the bridge, but won't get there before the Mutants do....who will save the nearby villagers?
The joy of perhaps a wine - albeit sour Middenhiem vintage, is short lived as the mutants charge the bridge.
Muttering curses under her breath Constanza leans against the bridge abutment and unshoulders her crossbow...
"La feccia maledetta e crivellata di vaiolo mi tiene lontano dal mio vino!"
"The accursed pox riddled scum keep me from my wine!"
... before calmly loading a bolt.
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Elsa will move up to the crack and pull her war pick and Shield. She awiats the onslaught of the Mutants, but also makes sure the missile fighters can get clear shots.
Michel, even not the most proficient combatant, gets his spear ready as he too join those around him to defend the others
"Those who can, should protect those who can't."
"No... not again..." Alric feels cold sweat of fear rising. He draws his flail and places himself on the way of the mutants' advance. Trying to look braver than he really feels.
Belzakk steps forward to address the approaching hoard as well, mumbling prayers to Sigmar under his breath. Finally, as he gets closer his muttering increase in volume.
"For Sigmar"!
.
NO...not again....I can't let them die..."
The halfling removes his sling and places a stone in the pouch and starts swinging it as he moves towards the attacking beasts.
"Clear the way...take cover!"
Each of you steps up bravely to confront the chaos mutant attack, waiting as the slavering monstrosities run at you.
Memories of the recent battles come rushing back, embodied by the grunting, staining , mutated bodies rushing across the bridge.
Two of the mutants advance to the ground in front of Elsa and Belzakk, the other two skirted the hole in the bridge, one just skipping around the edge in its haste to kill, the other having some sense of self-preservation to stop and not fall into the water below.
Global Condition: |Party Condition:
Elsa Ingot Wounds: 11/11 AP: Head Arms Body 2 Legs 2 Status:
Alder Tiller Wounds: 9/9 AP: Head 0 Arms 0 Body 0 Legs 0 Status:
Michel D'Armignac Wounds: 12/12 AP: Head 1 Arms 1 Body 1 Legs 1 Status:
Constanza Wounds: 11/11 AP: Head Arms 1 Body 2 Legs Status:
Belzakk Wounds: 13/13 AP: Head 1 Arms 1 Body 1 Legs 0 Status:
Alric Reiss Wounds: 14/14 AP: Head 0 Arms 0 Body 0 Legs 0 Status:NPCs:
Mutant - Green Wounds: ??
Mutant - Blue Wounds: ??
Mutant - Yellow Wounds: ??
Mutant - Red Wounds: ??
Crossbow locked and loaded, Constanza swivels and draws a bead on mutant shambling toward the dwarven warrior
With a hard smile she let's fly at the wretch of chaos!
Elsa steps into the charge with shield forward. She follows it up with two strikes a stout powerhouse seeking to end this beast.
She swings twice but to no avail. Still she keeps herself set for whatever onslaught comes herway.
"That shot came from the ruined coach-house. Beware"!
Belzakk feints at the creatures' legs, then follows up with an attack elsewhere.
* Feint
* Attack (Mace): WS 49%
* Damage: 5
Michel moves forward and stabs at the mutant close to Elsa
but in the chaos of it all, misses his target
Aiming, Alder fires at the creature hanging back. (green)
BS(46+10% aiming=56):
The rock skips past the beast...failing to make contact.
Alric takes a step in to block the incoming mutant, and swings his mighty flail with the momentum of his own movement. The weapon meets its foe with a sickening crunch.
"Go back whence you came, beast!"
The mutants attack with no subtlety or seeming purpose....except to kill and maim!
The mutant assailing Elsa runs into her shield, making the stout warrior slide back a few inches, before a flex of her powerful thighs stops the unwanted movement. This mutant's body is twisted and deformed, with an eruption of sharp teeth and tusks marring her lower face, the rest disturbingly unblemished. Before she can swing her crude club at Elsa, Constanza's bolt takes it in the eye, flinging the body to side and over the broken stone rail of the bridge.
Alric strikes a telling blow to the mutant in front of him, similarly disfigured with a disgusting amount of quivering tentacles emerging from his back.
Belzakk engages with a mutant whose head has half-transformed into that of a wild boar, leaving its still human-like eyes brimming with madness and rage.
The mutant's continue to attack, but are unable to penetrate Belzakk and Alric's defense. The late coming mutant launches itself at Elsa, it's insectioid eyes gleaming with hate. It's attack was so furious that it battered Elsa's shield to the side and it was only with a quick , practiced flick with her pick that Elsa was able to turn the mutant's strike to the side!
Global Condition: |Party Condition:
Elsa Ingot Wounds: 11/11 AP: Head Arms Body 2 Legs 2 Status:
Alder Tiller Wounds: 9/9 AP: Head 0 Arms 0 Body 0 Legs 0 Status:
Michel D'Armignac Wounds: 12/12 AP: Head 1 Arms 1 Body 1 Legs 1 Status:
Constanza Wounds: 11/11 AP: Head Arms 1 Body 2 Legs Status:
Belzakk Wounds: 13/13 AP: Head 1 Arms 1 Body 1 Legs 0 Status:
Alric Reiss Wounds: 14/14 AP: Head 0 Arms 0 Body 0 Legs 0 Status:NPCs:
Mutant - Green Wounds: ??
Mutant - Blue Wounds: 10
Mutant - Yellow Wounds: 5
Mutant - Red Wounds: dead
Elsa from the deflection shifts her weight and strikes hard with her pick seeking two strikes to kill the creature before her.
Once more her tip finds no hold, sliding off the flesh,bone, or what not unable to find a hold.
The dwarf grunts and holds the line trying to get them to focus on her.
Constanza flashes a hard smile as she drops one mutant. As the melee rages on she once again loads her crossbow
Before drawing a bead on another foe, she heeds Belzakk's warning and casts her gaze across the bridge towards the ruins - hoping to spot a hint or glint of the hidden sniper...
...but can see naught.
Alder drops another stone into his sling and whips it around, aiming once again for the same beast.
BS(46+10% aiming=56):
Damage:
"Damn you..." Alric curses. A flail to the face... Such a blow should have killed a mortal man. No telling what these creatures can do.
Alric swings the flail again, this time with more care to leave him time to block the enemy's attacks.
Belzakk continues his assault, this time taking the time to wait for an opening before striking.
WS 49 + 10% for aiming)
Damage to the 36... but looks like he just missed.
Michel also takes a more controlled jab at his adversary, hoping to pierce it's body with his spear
(if we get gang up bonus, he hits, if not, he misses)
Alder's sling stone skips off of the forehead of the mutant trying to smash it's way past Elsa's defenses, rising a large welt but not slowing it down in any measurable way.
belzakk's blow is much more telling...had he actually hit the mutant. He was sure that his blow would have taken the mutant's arm clean off, but a sudden move and his blade skittered off the mutant's tough hide.
Michel rushes to help Elsa, successfully using her as a distraction, drawing blood from the ferocious mutant battering at her shield!
The mutant facing Belzakk aims a might blow at the temple guards' midsection, but made it's intent too obvious, allowing Belzakk to avoid it in its entirety.
With caution, Alric strikes a telling blow, hitting his mutant in the other side of the head...sending it senseless over the bridge rail and into the water below!
Likewise, Elsa's adversary comes close to braining the sturdy dwarf , but a quick pivot with her shield stopped the attack!
The labored breathing of some of the townguards can be heard behind as the race to help those holding the bridge!
Global Condition: |Party Condition:
Elsa Ingot Wounds: 11/11 AP: Head Arms Body 2 Legs 2 Status:
Alder Tiller Wounds: 9/9 AP: Head 0 Arms 0 Body 0 Legs 0 Status:
Michel D'Armignac Wounds: 12/12 AP: Head 1 Arms 1 Body 1 Legs 1 Status:
Constanza Wounds: 11/11 AP: Head Arms 1 Body 2 Legs Status:
Belzakk Wounds: 13/13 AP: Head 1 Arms 1 Body 1 Legs 0 Status:
Alric Reiss Wounds: 14/14 AP: Head 0 Arms 0 Body 0 Legs 0 Status:NPCs:
Mutant - Green Wounds: 7
Mutant - Blue Wounds: dead
Mutant - Yellow Wounds: 9
Mutant - Red Wounds: dead
(again if helped, its a hit)
Michel takes another jab at the abomination in front of him
"You shall not pass this line, chaos brute!"
Unable to see any distant targets, Constanza instead returns her attention to the immediate threats of the two remaining mutants.
Crossbow once again cocked and loaded, the swivels and draws a bead on the mutant threatening Elsa
Jaw set with grim determination she fires another vengeful bolt toward the creature of chaos
After a quick dodge to the side, Belzakk continues to try and eliminate his foe.
(WS 49 + 10 for Aim 59%)
Swing!
Mace Bash to the 20
Alder twirls his sling once again, aiming for the beast before him (Yellow)
BS(46+10% aiming=56):
Damage: