Lil" Eschie Warhammer Fantasy -Old World &New Dangers

Game Master Escharid Blackrose

The Night of Silent Ashes

The rain, which has threatened you for an hour or so, is falling with near viciousness, entering your clothes to seek the warmth of your bodies and feed on it.

You stop running in the forest, just for a few seconds, just to take your bearings.

But it's hard to find known landmarks in an unknown forest, under an heavy rain, while the night settles. There is no light to guide you, only the pulsating beats of orc's wardrums pushing your legs another mile. Too many of these damn Greenskins to fight! Some of the people escaped the initial bloody attack, a few rushed toward the forest, just like you.

Orcs have probably sent a few warriors after you. Maybe you could regroup somewhere and add to your chances of survival?

have a few lines about yourself, and how you act. Make a Perception roll (Challenging,+0) and note the SL (Success Level), positive or negative)

Perception: 1d100 ⇒ 54
Perception (I)= 30 (20 due to injury) Nightvision if it matters for penalties
SL -3

Kardin glowered at the forest, as if though sheer force of will alone could force the weather to change. He had finally stopped his inexorable march to take in his bearings. He was experienced enough to recognize the sound of orc wardrums. He was, after all, a clansman of Clan Shieldshatter. A warrior Clan from Karak Norn, their trade was war. His hand instinctually went to his belt and pulled out his hammer. It was a poor excuse for a weapon. Nothing like the one that he had wielded when he was home. On his other arm was a reinforced vambrace. Larger than any normal one, it was more a buckler than anything else, a tool for the pits. It was far from the sturdy shields he had trained with.

He looked around, at the other people staggering out of the forest. His depth perception was all wrong, ever since the damnable grobi arrow had ruined his life. And now it looked like Urk scum would be ending it. He had always known that he would die by the blade. It was a given, something drilled into his head since he could first walk. He had thought, though, that it would be in defense of something worthy. That he would die side by side with his kinsman. Not in the woods, surrounded by umgi, his blood shed for nothing and his body forgotten. It was...fitting, he decided. All things considered, he deserved no better. Mentally he slapped himself. It was pitiful to think that way, and if there was one thing he couldn't stand it was such weakness. He thought of Grimnir, and the halls that beckoned. If he was going to die, he couldn't do anything which would make him be judged unworthy.

But that didn't mean that he was willing to go without a fight. What he needed to do was group up with whomever looked the most capable. That way, they could at least block a few orc axes, so that he could take down one or two before being overwhelmed.

Perception (I) 53: 1d100 ⇒ 22 SL +3 (+4 if sight is involved)

Lina, as they called her, ran, again, the rain did little to dull her senses, her green eyes scanning the surrounding woods for their silhouettes. The drums only heightened her readiness. She wasnt going to let those around her be harmed while she still took breath. She made sure she was the rearguard, always placing herself between the sound of drums and those she was with

Clad in what could only be considered training armor, and her weapons would be mediocre at best, she focused her mind on the training. The basics will save your life. And those you are sworn to protect. As a potential Swordmistress, any blade is deadly in her hands. Perfection isnt on the tool, but its wielder. Dripping blond hair down her back, luckily tied away, or it would really have cause issues, the high elf Warden was ready for the enemy

"If the greenskins want to meet Khaine, they shall, i wont be easy prey" she smirked. her sword drawn, even in the run

Kardin’s one good eye widened. His other, with the scar running across it, resisted his attempt to open it wide. Elgi! What was one of those doing there? He had never seen one before, only heard tales of their perfidy and propensity for betrayal. But, this one obviously knew how to handle a sword. He had seen enough swordsman to tell immediately when someone was actually trained, and she was. Even more important, she was holding her ground. That meant when the orcs came, she would at least take one axe blow to the fore.

He moved to stand by her side, his training in shield walls kicking in. Only now, it wasn’t with hammer and shield with kin. It was with a shoddy man-mad hammer, and a (Grimnir help him) elf by his side. But beggars couldn’t be choosers. He made sure that she covered his bad side, so that the incoming orcs would be less likely to catch him by surprise.

”Never thought I’d die side by side with an elf.” He remarked, bitterly, as he glared at the treeline.

i will TRY to use setting appropriate terms, but i will forget at times, so please excuse the discrepancy when it does happen

She smirks down at the Ylvathoi next to her "At least someone here can pick up a weapon, Ylvathoi or not. Right now, we are all that stand between unknown numbers of greenskins and a possible slaughter, i will not shun help in this regard, so, together then?" she doesnt let her eyes size him up, even if instinct wants her to. In combat, any ally is better than no ally. Yet to receive a proper shield, she was happy she did spend some on some form of extra defense, as she angles her buckler towards the oncoming fight

”Aye.” His voice was low, introspective. He didn’t even look at her, he was too focused on the orcs that would come. Inside he shuddered. Orcs…they howled and they hacked. They fought with a savage furry that could overwhelm even the most skilled warriors. And they enjoyed every second of it. What truly mattered now was how many orcs came. Too many? And it didn’t matter how skilled they were, they would die. And it would not be a clean death. The only way they were going to survive is if the fleeing humans (and Halflings even) joined them.

”After we win ye owe me a drink.” He said, loudly. ”No point running. Safer to fight them here.” His voice boomed.

It was a lie, of course. But if it meant even a single extra manling joined them, then it was worth it. Better to die together than to be hacked apart alone. And perhaps, given their appearances, someone else would take false comfort in their presence…

"I could say the same to you, you're honoured to fight by my side. Hope your skill with that lump of metal is as good as your bravado." she taps her own sword "As skill is all that matters when wielding training weapons" her eyes on the growing drum sound

Fight and die alone or not. They will face her and the dwarf, hopefully he could hold his own. Though she didn't expect much of the others there, since most were just every day plebeians and commoners. So far the dwarf showed some of his ancestral stubbornness

Kardin winced. Many dwarfs would have taken offense at the elf's words, saying that he should feel honored to fight alongside her. But there was a reason that his personal book of grudges only included Urk, Grobi, and Thaggoraki. He knew how he looked. His old, stained leather. The battered human-made hammer, which indeed looked like a lump of steel more than a true warrior's weapon. His cauliflower ears, the nose that had been broken far too many times, the lines on his face that had been gained from hardship rather than age. He was a mess. And even putting aside the fact that she was an elf (a fact that he couldn't fault her for, as it was merely a misfortune of birth and not a choice), she obviously looked high class. What she said was, objectively speaking, reasonable. It would take more than a careless word to get into his book.

Rather than looking to her in anger, he steeled himself. It was better to prove himself than to be angry at her. And at the moment, the only way to do so was to kill some orcs.

Perception 28: 1d100 ⇒ 22 0 SL

Ferdinand Anitoli Theodosius Maximilian Adonis Xavier Brandysnap rolled as he got tossed out of the coach in the middle of nowhere and came up on his feet. Smile on his face and gave a bow toward the coach. "Tough crowd. Those riding seemed so nice. Driver made a big deal about a ticket. Anyone in the Moot would have been happy to have me along for the ride. Guess it's walking time"

Ferdinand walked along in the gathering darkness. Whistling as he walked falling into time with the drums. Drums? Ah it's nothing! That was until he started hearing the screams and people ran past him. Then he saw the orks in the dark and he took off into the woods, running, occasionally running into others running.

Then he saw them an elf and a dwarf standing to face the orcs. DESTINY! He came up behind them and started playing on his fiddle in time to the drums and started singing. "Dwarf and an Elf standing in the dark. Outnumbered and out smelled, but ready for a fight..."

Play Violin 50: 1d100 ⇒ 20

Due to his orientation talent, Carot automatically knows where north is

perception 31: 1d100 ⇒ 64 -3 Success I think
Thanks for correction below!

Hearing an Reikspiel speaker with a dwarfen accent, Carrot moves towards where he thinks they are.

Hail He says curtly but politely he nods to both dwarf and Elf, and instantly starts trying to improvise a fortified position[/b]

Could you only give our position away after preparatory defensive operations are completed? Unless you have already laid traps I am unaware off. he says neutrally to the haflling.

Carrot is a bulky man, his well muscled frame showing clear signs of physical labor and constant military training. He is also... curiously professional and seemingly unafraid.

She half hisses half scowls at the sudden appearance of the halfling, "This is not a tavern or a town square little one, your... music... will only attract more, and we dont even know how many are coming, would you be so kind as to NOT play?" she was showing restraint, she understood their need to be jovial, but this was not the time nor the place to do that. Perhaps if they made it out alive, then MAYBE she would let him indulge in his musical whims

She looks at the Reiklander ashe spoke; another body between the oncoming attackers and the fleeing civilians, hopefully this one does not flee at the sight of the enemy. His demeanor and garb did say he was somewhat proficient in the art of war, but how much, that has yet to be seen and determined

"Hope you can hold your ground, unlike the others of your kind, seem to bolt when their fear gets the better of them" she comments to the side

Due to his orientation talent, Carot automatically knows where north is

[dice=perception 31]d100 0 Success I think

Sadly thats -3SL, you have to roll = or below your stat. each 10 is a + or - to your success level

While Orcs are not strictly speaking faster then humans, their often have more physical endurance, and better nightvision The human says conversationally

I prefer to fight them when I am not tired, or have a random sprained ankle from running through the night.
In addition, I am a city guard, which implies I am supposed to guard others, if I was suppoed to run away, I would be a city runner. Which is a different profession.

Your Eyesight, honored visitor, should exceed mine by a considerable margin, if you see any better spots for improvised pit traps then please point them out

he politely addresses the Elf in formal Reiksspiel.

Guten Tag Wächter der Berge, es ist eine Ehre neben Ihnen zu kämpfen

He turns to the dwarf and addresses him in actually surprisingly good Khazalid. It is not even as annoyingly high pitched as most humans trying to speak it sound, which often puts them into the uncanny valley for a dwarf. Carrot probably talks with the cadence of a Dwarfen Soprano equivalent.

While speaking, he did not stop shoveling a pit trap for even a moment, and after finishing one, starts making another.

"Do we even have time for more playing in the mud? I doubt these greenskins will even be slowed." she shakes her head, wasting time digging, it will just tire him out and make him even more sluggish than he was implying

now to wait for GM and see how far the enemy is behind them. As digging will take a lot of time.

As a reserve soldier in the German army, digging is way faster then people think and not that tiring, unless you overdo it. :)

understood. Though if I'm not mistaken, I think it's raining too. But I'll go on your expertise

”Gazul-thrund.” Kardin replied (literally: Gazul, the ancestor god of death, watch over you.”)

He did a double take, shocked to see a human speaking Khazalid. In his experience only human priests of Sigmar and the like spoke the tongue, and even then it was an old way of speaking. To hear a human speak his language fluently took him by surprise. There was obviously a story there, and he was curious to hear it. If they survived.

Ignoring the rest, he turned back to the woods. Listening to the drums and waiting…

Without an e-tool or the like no ditches will be made. Kardin has no such items in his trappings

Good question, and as specifically a city guard, carrot may not actually have a shovel (on him). 30 year war mercs, and the empire is kind of 30 year war coded in some aspects, absolutely had entrenchment tools and made frequent use of them, although not neccessarily as trenches.
The Russian Gyulai Gorods, which they used on their steppe facing fronts rather then blocks of pikemen (for which they often lacked the manpower) where a bit different. The also warhammer compatible hussites were pretty big on both Wagenburgs and frequently supported them with pits and ditches.

@All: will wait until everyone has posted. You have no tools (and no time) to dig. So, that idea must be ditched.^^.
@Linathallion: permission to shorten your name as Lina when I post as a GM ? (not as an NPC)

** spoiler omitted **

@All: will wait until everyone has posted. You have no tools (and no time) to dig. So, that idea must be ditched.^^.
@Linathallion: permission to shorten your name as Lina when I post as a GM ? (not as an NPC)

I use it too :P blasted elven names with all their vowels

As she keeps scanning the horizon, her eyes fall on a hidden path between all the underbrush and difficult terrain

"It seem we have a way out, there! A path that will at the very least slow the greenskins down to a single file, if they do persue us. Hopefully we can remain undetected. Now, quick, before we are discovered. We shall hold back till everyone has traversed at least till out of sight!" she was no commander, but the non-elves needed some guidence in their disorganised state

An excellent idea, if our position is on the mouth of that, its three of us against one Orc, and knowing the greenskins those behind are more likely to push then to actually assist those in front

Carrot does as bid.

Using terrain as a choke point spoke to Kardin. His assessment of certain death was now one of merely probable. He fell back with the others, quickly repositioning to take advantage of the path.

Miserable would be one way of putting it. But that that would be quite an understatement. Sopping wet, all alone, and lost in some Sigmar-damned parts of the woods. With all the survival skills of Altdorf-born city boy.

"We need some fern flowers, they said..." the wet young man mutters and grumbles. He has already almost fallen down a few times, stepping on the slippery tree roots. "They cost... three pennies in the market. But would the great wizards open their purses? Nooo.. when there's free labor available." His breathing is becoming heavy, he tries to keep up the pace, but wasn't really ever a fit one. Perhaps he could use some exercise. "Hans can go, they said. He never gets into trouble with the wildlife." Which was true, oddly enough. All animals seem to be very friendly towards him, even beasts of the wild. So no trouble from wolves nor bears.

So why it had to be bloody orcs!!??!!

Big, green and nasty. Hans didn't stick around to find out what they were doing in these parts. Instead, he did as any sane man would - turned on his heels and ran. He hopes they didn't see him, but didn't exactly turn around to see if he was followed, either. But in (hopefully) losing them, he has lost himself. No idea where he is, and where is home.

But hey, some voices! And not of the orcish kind. Clearly some Reikspiel, some with Altdorf accent. Hans storms in the direction of the voices. "Hello there! A wizard coming in, seeking aid!"

Perception (32): 1d100 ⇒ 9 +3 SL

"Human wizard? One of the young ones stumbling around in the dark when it comes to magic? I suppose one such as yourself would be somewhat useful against the incoming enemies. Stay behind us, and try not to blow us up" she sighed as she opens a gap for the human to pass by

"Stumbling in the dark quite literally at the moment..." Hans mumbles an answer and joins the group. One would think a day couldn't get much worse after a wet day in the woods with the orcs. But add a lecture from a hoity-toity pointy-ear - priceless.

Orcs and an elf, what the heck is going on? And then he sees the dwarf and the halfling... If this was a joke, they would at least be comfortably dry entering a tavern. With a sigh, Hans finds himself gravitating toward the only other human in the group.

"Good day, sir. Lovely... evening we're having."

Good Day as well Mr. Wizard The other human nods politely, eerily nonplussed about the prospect of impending anti orc violence, but seemingly perhaps expecting a pointy hat on top of him.

I do not know enough about magik to speak about possible approaches, but if you can... reach out of touch someone... it would be effective here I beleive

"A spell that would get us out of this trouble?" Hans raises his eyebrows. Get-out-of-trouble magick would be much wanted by the apprentices. If such is known by the senior wizards, it is a secret well guarded.

"Nope. Would be lovely, though. But nope."

Now that he isn't running from the orcs anymore, Hans feels terrible urge to just collapse to the ground. But as the said ground looks to uninvitingly wet, he merely leans on his staff (not particularly wizardy item, mind you. Merely a crudely cut piece of oak.)

"Sooo, what's the plan? Any ideas how to get back to town? Preferably without meeting those orcs."

Kill a few of them from a advantadgeous position, utilize that this will cause some infighting...
The big man says with a shrug
While we could try running, they are probably faster then we overall, so they would catch us while we are tired.

He continues

Also, they think they already one, and have likely split up to loot and plunder. Its not probably that the whole warband is going to run into us

He finishes his take on the situation, quite calm, as if talking about the weather of what he ate for breakfast.

Not good not good not good she says moving about in the muck of wet earth and grass. She had looking at the supposed bridge and its wonderous embrace of classical engineering!

The halfling lass was left behind by her fellow students. Jealously was the most likely culprit as she was a country bumpkin who was beating all the noble kids scores.

She cursed in Mootish as she then came upon large shapes.
Perception: 1d100 + 10 ⇒ (72) + 10 = 82

She couldn't make them our so she krept closer. Hand on dagger. She hoped it wasn't greenskins at least bandits she could hand over her coins and make her way back to town. Honestly she was regretting go on this trip for extra credit. She just wanted to study her gun schematics and get it down pat!

Goblin approaching engag

Ceasing engagement, not a goblin, a halfing, female

She sees a large burly man wearing a sword and, maybe, having a pickaxe or shovel next to him

I recommend you get behind us
the large man says matter of factly

The orcish shouts don't seem to come closer... for now. But you know they are close enough to be dangerous, and any fight might only attract the attention of many more greenskins.

And they probably have scouts around, mostly goblins, slimmer and faster, so you have to act quickly.

Lina's path seems to be a reasonable choice, even if you don't know where it goes, but you have to be quick, and as discreet as you can.

Options: Move as quickly as possible in the path, hoping for the best (Stealth Difficult-10, but maximum movement) OR Move inside the path slower, but with more discretion (Stealth Easy+10, your movement speed his halved)

"Stay in the path, keep your heads down, we need to get the civilians to safety. Report the attack." she advises the throng of people "Do not leave the path. We can not risk being spotted" she adds the latter as a stern warning

"And we need to move as quickly as possible." Kardin growled. "No matter how fast I run, it'll be slow then that lot. So anyone near me will naturally be the rearguard." He turned to move, knowing that every second counted. Too long spent standing in deliberation would likely prove fatal.

Nor am I friend dwarf, lets take on the rear then.

The ginger halfling lass in a yellow and green dress pulls her dagger. She lets the tall people converse and hears stealth. As she does, she then adjusts her feet and breaths. Her mother told her something once about sneaking. It's how she got the recipe for Old Phiina Crumpletoes' Apple crumble.

Stealth 28: 1d100 + 10 ⇒ (35) + 10 = 45 -1SL(?)

The halfing looks around and listens to the conversation and then says, not particularlly quietly, "So you want us to move back up that trail. Umm... Not very heroic but, ok I guess. We'll see where the story leads." He then moves up the trail looking like he is trying to be quiet but not succeeding very well.

Stealth Rural 41: 1d100 ⇒ 88 -3 SL on slow.

So my Stealth goal would be 38, at slow with 35 meeting goal at +0?

So my Stealth goal would be 38, at slow with 35 meeting goal at +0?

correct

** spoiler omitted **

Nor am I friend dwarf, lets take on the rear then.

-4

"So we'll just leg it? Fine with me!"

So much for resting and drawing breath, and back to fleeing from the orcs. But as the old saying goes, you don't have to be faster than the ones who chase you - you only need to be faster than the other chased. And the number of short-legged people here give even a out-of-practice academic an edge.

I think only voiced out suggestion was to go fast - so maybe we go with that? I doubt there'll be much successes, tho :)

bunch of short lived Neanderthals :P can't even hide properly

As they move through the underbrush, keeping her head low, her body as light as she steps and weave, barely managing to make as little sounds as possible. She realises that she was the only one actually managing to keep quiet. Frustration flares within her, but she wrestles it down. Not elves, these lower races are just that, they don't have the skill, just let them be, and protect them when all this fumbling comes back to haunt them she has to remind herself, slowing down so she can help the rear guard, as it felt she was advancing too fast for them to even remotely keep up

One by one, you advance into the path, as the rain now pours on you. It seems to you that the numerous Greenskins voices are a little closer now, and maybe more high-pitched than you expected.

Lightning cracks the sky open, as you hope to disappear more or less quickly inside the path, then one of you Carrot nearly falls into the thorny bushes.

You can't know if you have been seen, you can only pray for the best and go on.

After maybe ten minutes walking on, hidden by the vegetation and the rain, you reach the border of the forest. In a quite barren vale, you spot some buildings, a few houses, probably a small village still asleep.

There you could find some protection, probably, perhaps a place to fortify against the orcs.

Or you could run away in the night and the rain, hoping to escape a bloody fate under the Greenskins blades.

I'll need a Perception (Intuition) skill roll and a Lore-Reikland (Intelligence) roll

Perception 66 + Keen Sight: 1d100 ⇒ 3 +6/+7 SL

Perception 32: 1d100 ⇒ 51
Lore-Reikland 41: 1d100 ⇒ 87

Intuition 30: 1d100 ⇒ 13 SL2

Lore Reikland untrained 30: 1d100 ⇒ 60

Grobi scum were nearby. Or perhaps a scrawny urk. Either way, Kardin was as alert as he could be…

I'll reply with her actions when I find out about the perception result

Perception+Acute Sight+Nightvison 37: 1d100 ⇒ 89 -5SL
Intelligence 36: 1d100 ⇒ 78 -4SL