No worries Helix - echo the apologies as I should have posted prior to the check in also.
Good luck with all the endeavours and will keep an eye out for your future games.
Cheers All
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Brunhard mulls the way ahead with a furrowed brow; "Do not be so sure the wastelands will take him. In Cymopol there is a saying: Flotsam oft finds the shore. I think it has merit for our erstwhile murderer." The knight winces as he moves; "I fear my condition will also slow our journey..."
Taking in the grim scene Brunhard leans heavily on his pike, then looks toward Robbet; "Should we try and hunt him down Master Reeve? He's killed once... will likely do so again..."
Brunhard nods a mirthless thanks at the Pilgrim and the offered water. He takes a deep draught, then sinks to one knee - weary from the battering and events. "Not this day Lady Nuriah. Though the poor wagon driver took my place... I owe a debt to his soul for that." At the commotion at the rear of the wagon, the knight-errant rises with a grimace and moves toward the sound and its source...
: Head ringing and sticky with blood, Brunhard slowly rises to his feet... He staggers to where his pike stands impaled upon the desert scrub, leaning heavily against it...
No worries GMH - I'll take the chance... Brunhard's a knight after all; Facta, non verba and all that :)
Brunhard once again shifts to his feet, clots of earth and dust coating the warrior's armour. He glances through the maelstrom towards his companions in the distance, then returns his attention to the bulk of the horse; "The Gods cannot hear you wretch... but I do! Know this... Your life and penance are mine if we survive!" The knight grunts, attempting to shift the downed equine and offer a chance of freedom to the bandit... :
Brunhard eyes the man amid the mayhem; "Truly the Port of Redemption welcomes passage from the strangest of currents..." The knight sets his pike into the earth, then attempts to free the brigand; :
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Depsite the threat posed, Brunhard holds firm; "This abomination is summoned... guided by a fell sorcerous hand!" The knight sets shield and pike, as the morass of earth moves toward a downed brigand. "Save what you can! I will give the creature pause..."
TURN V : The brigand's wild swing finds Brunhard's pike arm extended and vulnerable, and its blade bites deep. : He pulls back his arm with a grimace, and a curse - its words lost as he is knocked prone! Through the cloud of dust and debris, the big knight scowls rising slowly back to his feet "What in the Leviathan's name happened?! Do these wretches command magicks o'er the wasteland itself?"
: Ignorant to all else but combat Brunhard ignores the chopping blade, instead focusing his attention on the foe standing before him. He maintains his fighting crouch, shield raised and pike poised... "I am impressed. You still stand..." Seeking to end one foe Brunhard attempts to skewer his wounded foe; : :
: Surrounded, Brunhard once again uses his bulwark to ward off an attack. With a nod to himself he again holds the fighting stance; seeking an opening.. . Aiming his attention at the wounded man, the big knight speaks - his voice flat and matter-of -fact; "You who bear the bite of my pike. Come. Show me your death." Hedge Knight Professional Trait: Issue Challenge:
Confronting a Hedge Knight is a dangerous prospect and many foes quickly find themselves pinned down by their valorous onslaught. Effect: Select one foe in combat. That foe is left Defenceless to all Melee Attacks and Called Shots made with melee weapons you make against them until they are defeated. You may select another foe once the current one is defeated. Mirthlessly, Brunhard stabs his pike into the desert-wretch ;
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As the combat rages, Brunhard keeps his pike and shield raised, once again seeking an opportunity to skewer one of his foes . When one of the scurrilous bandits present an opening, the knight takes it - pike flashing forward :
TURN II As the brigands bear down on him Brunhard instinctively ducks as a heavy blade swings wide of his coifed head, offering an oath to his Goddess; "By the Deep!" The stabbing spear is another matter, and he meets it with a clash of his shield; : As the big knight's skill successfully turns away the rusty spear-tip , he pauses in the chaos - exhibiting a deathly calm... ...before countering with his vicious thrust of his own pike . :
Brunhard holds firm in his spearhead position, grim set - shield readied and pike poised... "They may test us Master Starsoul... but know we will surely test flesh and will of these corrupt wretches..." The big knight bellows an oath; "Queen of the Depths! Guide my pike! Let it bite deep like your shark children and send these scum into the purgatory that awaits them!"
Brunhard listens to the others speak - his heavy jaw set as he holds position outwith the wagons protective barrier. Squinting, he blinks, clearing the dust from his eye that leaves a salty tear to track down his scarred cheek. : He frowns, not recognising this Hooded One deity that they speak of, so instead focusses on more pressing matters on this mortal coil; "You say ten blades against over a dozen Master Hummel. Remember that amongst we ten, you have a knyght... Worth a balance of six of theirs at least..." Brunhard's low voice is neither boastful, nor frenzied - merely uttering pragmatic words of a man disciplined in the violence he may be required to commit... In actions well-versed the hulking warrior readies his wooden shield, whilst gripping the long pike in his other heavy hand. :
Enjoy Helix M - Brunhard's iconic trapping will be a helm of some description... Still mulling which historical era to take my inspiration from...
Brunhard sits mulling the journey thus far, the mud and slow progress making him yearn for the salt spray and openness of the sea. The burly knight was not one for idle conversation, but his companions were an interesting lot. He'd learned the elf, Hedir's parents were navigators - and took this as a strong portent that his path still had the Leviathan Queen's fickle blessing. His musings are short lived when Hummel's shout goes up. Rising to his feet, he instinctively grabs pike and shield, before attempting to follow the directions of both the zverg scout and the canny pilgrim Nuriah... : Oblivious to where the threat lies, Brunhard grimaces, holding fast ready to meet the threat if need and buy the others time; "By the Deep! I cannot see them... How many?"
No worries Robbet :) Apologies on the tardy posting Helix - being doing a tonne of research into Frankish/Carolingian Knights and warriors - modelling Brunhard's culture on them. Need to nail down his trappings and final gold - then get a post up. Appreciate the patience :)
@Nuriah: Makes sense - Hedir and myself share a nautical Burgher background (shipwright for me, Navigator for him) so they'll be some degree of common interest between us both.
@Hedir: Makes sense - Port of Einsburg sounds good. @Helix M: Keep forgetting about an iconic trapping. Presuming this item would be more flavour over function? For Brunhard thinking of a Murmillo style helm of antiquity for his. @Robbet: You mention a dirk in your background - perhaps its one that is symbolic of your past position of Reeve? A ceremonial arm bearing the emblem/sigil of Kelvin Keep on its pommel? Failing that a set of Iron Manacles?
Hey Helix - have an additional question regards starting equipment. I purchased the Complete Armour pdf (which lists all the Weapons and Armours from the Core Rulebook and Main Gauche) - there's a much wider spread of particularly weapons - how open are you to us straying from the starting trappings?
Thanks for the selection Helix - didn't envy your decision as there were a bunch of interest characters (present company included). Going to give Brunhard a review before posting in-game. Helix - any specific feedback on my background etc? Brunhard hails from the coastal city of Cymopol, but has been wandering the lands in his calling as a "hedge knight" (knight-flotsam to followers of the Leviathan). Much of motivation to travel to the Great Holy City is the nearby Sea of Trials... Essentially he could have joined the caravan at any juncture and am happy to weave a collaborative reason with anyone else :)
The background looks very good to me, as I mentioned before. Short and sweet, fills in some setting info related to his past, provides some character hooks and his reason for heading to Xanaste. I would, however, like to hear a bit about how he ended up becoming a Hedge Knight. I'd also be interested in hearing about why he's turning toward the path of the adventurer (admittedly not a large step from his prior way of life), and why he's taken up with this caravan rather than just embarking on his own errant way. Have expanded upon his expanded background below - hopefully answering your questions :) Do feel free to make the Leviathan your own, by the way. What manner of God do you see it as: Divine, Fey, or Demonic? You can answer this from either your own perspective or Brunhard's/the worshipers' (which might be different). Drawing on the rulebook’s description of the faith and its priesthood that The Leviathan Queen (as I’ve renamed her) is viewed by her worshippers as an ancient goddess; monstrous daughter of The Demiurge. I’ve pulled that further - drawing themes/influence from within the Ancient Greek pantheon and the Titans - specifically Cymopoleia, Scylla and the primordial sea god Phorcys. As such I leaning toward The Leviathan Queen as a primordial goddess and primal force. She is divine in origin, but her elemental nature aligns her with seaborne fey. Longer Detailed Background/Flavour: Born and raised in the coastal city of Cymopol, the Schölhamer family were renowned shipwrights and fervent followers of The Leviathan Queen. Their reverence to the capricious goddess of Seas and Storms granted their vessels perceived favour by merchants and royalty alike, who sought their brine blessed services for their fleets. A large, jovial boy Brunhard enjoyed his childhood and adolescence - the port of Cymopol bustled with tales of the wider world, and of the great Holy City of Xanaste itself - the cradle of all civilisation. The scion of the Schölhamer’s delighted the myths and stories of heroes, villains, gods and monsters that the seafarers and mariners spun to him. Inspired by these legends young Brunhard sought to purse a career more martial than mercantile - he sought to be a hero, and earn a place in the myths for himself. The lad trained with the household guard, earning their respect with his growing strength and fearless enthusiasm. The Captain of the Guard - a grizzled veteran named Vithos, bequeathed to him a hoplos (heavy wooden shield) traditionally carried by the Order of the Crashing Wave - knights who devoted themselves to the enigmatic ideals of The Leviathan Queen. Old Vithos claimed to have won it in a taproom game of chance, though the idealist Brunhard preferred instead to believe the old man had once been a knight himself. Regardless, the shield became his most treasured possession, and symbol of his dreams and martial aspirations - much to the chagrin of his parents. His family, driven by their status, and portents of the Leviathan Queen’s sacred clergy - The Drowned Ones, had other ideas for the young man: he was charged by his father Georg, to accompany a newly clinkered merchant cog - The Ardent, to sea on its maiden trade voyage. The belief being Brunhard would gain experience of the waves and replace his fair-weather fantasies with hard tack and harder work. Despite his protestations, the young Schölhamer was indentured upon the ship to begin his voyage into a life industrious. However fate (and perhaps The Leviathan Queen herself) had other ideas… A mere day out of port and The Ardent was beset by a sudden and violent storm that sundered the vessel and scattered the crew to the treacherous waves. Somehow Brunhard survived, and was found 3 days later by a small fishing boat - half-drowned and weather-beaten, clinging to the buoyant hoplon gifted to him by his mentor at arms Vithos. Though he recovered from the ordeal, the near drowning had damaged Brunhard’s lungs, leaving him with a damp cough. To the Drowned Ones however, the portents were clear: Brunhard was flotsam that had survived the storm - and the hoplon bearing the symbol of The Leviathan Queen had saved him. No longer was no longer his life voyage to be one of keels and cargo. Through augur’s of seaweed and fishbones they decreed he would become a knight-jetsam (knight-errant); wandering where his compass took him, living by honour and strength of arm until such time as he is ready to be tested by The Leviathan Queen once again… and prove himself worthy to take a place in the ranks of enigmatic Order of the Crashing Wave themselves… So it was that Brunhard took leave of his family, his heritage and home in Cymopol to take up his arms and armour in the name of The Leviathan Queen as a vagabond knight-jetsam. In the 7 years hence he has wandered the realms - honing his trade - fighting for righteous causes, indifferent lords and the necessary evil of coin. Scant days ago he encountered a Soothsayer, who in payment for protection from a gang of bandits granted him this portent: "The chosen of the Leviathan Queen were born from the sea, and to the sea they shall return... Too long have you toiled in mud and blood Son of Cymopol. Seek now the Holy City. Seek now the Sea of Trials. Flow back to your birthplace and rise anew crashing wave upon your next tide." The prophetic words cut true with Brunhard, who now finds himself amongst other disparate souls seeking to earn keep and passage to the Holy City of Xanaste upon a caravan…
Welcome mrkrrtft :) @Helix: Am still here - work's been brutal since mid-week so not had time to look at Brunhard's background and flavour - will do so on the morrow.
@Helikon: Pride (Law) and Arrogance (Chaos) are another decent fit? Perhaps it was arrogance that saw him turn his back on his military heritage - overlooked in favour of one who hardly measured against your prowess? Pride - the pursuit of self-perfection would have meant when you found a niche as a pit-fighter (or had it thrust upon you) that you went it full bore - to become a champion? Brunhard currently has the those diametrically opposing alignments - but Heroism (Law) and Martyrdom (Chaos) seem better fits for the background I'm crafting...
@Helikon: As a burgher you are from an (effective) middle class upbringing. My Hedge Knight is also of burgher stock, but from an Industrious background - hence I went with the scion of a shipwright family. As from Militant stock you have a long tradition of soldiers and warriors - with discipline and a harsh upbringing being the norm. Sounds like he/she has skill at arms running through their veins, but for some reason you've scorned a traditional route and found yourself as a pit-fighter, entertaining folk with blood and death... Expectation and family history would definitely been there - so its an interesting tale why you spurned that :) Rebellion as your Chaos Alignment would fit the backstory better - but its Helix's call. I'll drop you a PM shortly with a breakdown of your XP purchase options.
@Helix: Will definitely run with Brunhard being of the same background as he was previously - son of a shipwright who was also a zealot follower of The Leviathan (am just running with the pantheon in the rulebook for simplicity). As part of his baptism into the faith he was submerged into low tide seawater and held there until near drowned (Hence his Drawback of Weak Lungs). Brunhard, although not the zealot his father was, is still a devout follower and has been drawn to Xanaste due to its close proximity to the Sea of Trials, the dangerous body of water the subject of many tales involving horrors which lurk in the depths... and a place where those Faithful of the Leviathan seek to test themselves...
Hey Helix - apologies for not joining the dots :) Yeah that game was immense fun while it lasted - Little Aurelie was another great character in that crop of misfits. Will look at Brunhard this weekend and have a dig into notes for his Order etc. Like the idea of a shield and pike, water themed knight, but also want it to "fit" into your setting & Xanaste. @kamenhero25: Will have a dig into Main Gauche - don't have it but might get it (if that makes sense). Cheers for the heads up. @Markus: Good to see you my friend - potential to be sparring partners again lol. Always a pleasure sharing a virtual table with you mate.
@Helix: Black Dow noting a grim interest... I have the rulebook (and a thing of deadly beauty it is). Brunhard is a Hedge Knight created for another Zweihander game that sadly came to an end all too prematurely. Would be very keen in giving him another tilt if you'd include him for consideration? Am happy enough to roll other archetype/profession choices - but unlikely i'd select anything over what I rolled previously (just fit). In the previous game he was a Knight of the Leviathan - who followed a waterborne god/order - however not sure if anything similar exists in your setting?
@Nuriah: Would definitely be up for that should you decide to run it - any opportunity to run Brunhard in The Old World would be welcomed (easily see him as a Sigmarite :)
Thanks for the opportunity Scran - was a great game, loved the system and the setting. 'Tis been a pleasure my friend.
Brunhard studies the brass medallion with a hard look; "We need to find out the meaning of this image. I am troubled by its use of one of The Leviathan's children... The beast itself referred to me as salt brother. For this reason alone I cannot allow its destruction... not until I know its significance." The knight clutches the symbol with a grimace; "We deliver the scholar... and as Murgrim says - the priests and library may provide more answers for us..."
More than happy to crack on with the 4 of us, but 6 does give the game a more merc "company" feel. Ultimately whatever's decided I'm good to go with. Cheers
Brunhard's brow furrows ever deeper as he takes in the dead kobold - stung to death by a swarm apparently influenced by the doddering old scholar. His confusion is replaced with a grimace as Murgrim reminds them all that their brush with the chaos spawned abomination was merely a fell portent for the evil it would bring. "By The Deep..." The big knight rises from the fire, to place a hand upon the doughty dwarves' shoulder; "Murgrim old friend. We cannot fight what we cannot hurt. Aye... All of us could die nobly, halting it for a day whilst our corpses were consumed... but it would be for naught..." Brunhard eyes the others, clearly at odds between honour and duty. Twin tenets the knight constantly tried to balance. "When we have the means, I swear we will carry the fight to chaos. We will scour its taint wherever it is found. The Leviathan will provide... and the tide will turn. I have faith..."
Brunhard's brow is in deep furrow and he nods at Murgrim's words; "Was beyond us old friend. My pike bit deep and the wound healed in a breath... and its blood scoured the metal..." The knight levels his pike, showing the pock marks of corrosion on its spearhead as he speaks. "We could track it. If it lairs we can warn of its presence. That much we can do..." Brunhard's words trail off as he notices the small form enveloped by Frye's favoured insects; "... What lies there?"
Brunhard scowls, then spits... Damned dwarves. Always the damned dwarves... ...then repeats his bellow toward the stubborn dwarf;
The big knight continues to back up cautiously, conscious of Skeggi's reassuring presence joining him, acknowledging the hard-bitten Northman with a nod.
Apologies on my low profile this week - work's been brutal and dealing with pranging my car at the same time...
As he witnesses the aberration take, then heal the keen hit he scored gives the doughty knight pause. He holds position, bellowing back to his companions-in-arms;
Brunhard begins to back away, shield and corroded pike still as he attempts to get distance betwixt himself and the abomination... As he shifts away the knight defiantly curses the creature; "As you spake unto me Creature of the Abyss; destiny will perhaps draw us into bloody conflict again... Should it, you will find this servant of The Leviathan with sharper teeth!"
: As the horror rises from the fetid waters, Brunhard curses under his breath and half-heartily attempts to skewer his fleeing kobold foe;
: As the kobold flees, the knight grits his teeth, raising his bulwark to shoulder and advances pike readied... He moves toward the aberration as it rends it summoner , before pausing muttering a prayer as he searches for an apparent weak spot on the thing ... "Lord of the Seas! Guide my pike! Let it bite deep like your shark children and send this abomination back to the fell place it crawled from!" ... before spearing the creature : :
Brunhard scowls with contained anger as he looks between the kobold and the bubbling morass at the centre of the pool... As the kobold stymies his strike, the knight pulls his pike back attempting to catch the creatures spear on the larger weapons hooked head; : With a roar of frustration he rams the pike back toward the creature; "Enough wretch! You tarry me too long from my true opponent!" : :
As the company's beserkr engages the shaman drawing blood, Brunhard watches with hard eyes. He shifts, about to moves toward the scrap, only to be given pause by the ritualistic actions of the crazed shaman; : The knight's scarred brow furrows as he watches the murky waters, pointing his pike as he bellows a warning; "By The Deep! Something foul has been summoned... Ware the waters! Ware them!" Filled with righteous fury the knight strides forward and stabs at the nearest kobold with his pike "Wretched scum! I offer your lives as bait to The Leviathan! Heed me Lord of the Seas and guide my red hand!" : :
Regards the scene before us and the ensuing battle - wouldn't Skeggi's Indifference talent apply to this scenario? As written in the rulebook below it would seem to apply to exactly what we're up against... INDIFFERENCE: You’ve grown accustomed to the battlefield and the smell of rotting corpses doesn’t bother you. Effect: When viewing blood-soaked and visceral scenes of death, you always succeed at Resolve Tests to withstand their potential psychological effects (such as with Stress, Fear and Terror) and don’t suffer Corruption due to such scenes. (Not trying to second guess you SB - just wasn't sure you'd clocked this/taken it into account? Know the write up suggests you have, but thought I'd ask on behalf of my brother in arms :)
As we've fought before as a company - and as an easy reminder for our good GM - keep in mind the following talents that Brunhard has; Hedge Knight Talent: Gatecrasher: When you Take Aim and then make a successful Melee Attack, add 3 Damage.
Hedge Knight Talent: Impenetrable Wall: Opponents do not gain an advantage (such as additional Damage or bonuses to strike) when they flank, outnumber or surround you in combat.
GM doing initiate makes sense and does speed things up - so all good from my pov.
Great scene SB. Probably our last lol... but suitably grim chief :)
: Despite being faced with such a macabre scene, Brunhard shrugs off any sense of revulsion or fear, replacing it with righteous anger. The knight turns his baleful gaze toward the figure central to the gruesome vista - that figure sacrificing the woman. :
Gleaning nothing from his gut instinct, the warrior bellows his challenge at the creatures; "Murderous scum! By the anointed powers invested in me by The Leviathan and for all civilised folk, you will all die for this abominable act!" He points his pike toward the "priest"; "You. By The Answerer's edge. You will suffer for this." Then with shield and pike readied, the hulking knight advances upon his foes... Hedge Knight Trait: Issue Challenge: Confronting a Hedge Knight is a dangerous prospect and many foes quickly find themselves pinned down by their valorous onslaught. [b]Effect[/i]: Select one foe in combat. That foe is left Defenceless to all Melee Attacks and Called Shots made with melee weapons you make against them until they are defeated. You may select another foe once the current one is defeated.
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