Two weeks later...
"Still no word from Captain Biedelmann's patrol, sir." Lieutenant Erasmus reported. He was a young eager officer, ready to please.
"Very well," Commander Nulner replied after a long pause, sizing up the soldier before him with slow ponderous eyes. If Captain Biedelmann and his men had failed, another patrol would have to be sent out. The Hellcannon was wreaking untold destruction on the Imperial forces. "Lieutenant Erasmus, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Captain. Assemble your men and prepare to undertake the mission to destroy that infernal Hellcannon once and for all."
"Sir, yes sir!"
Commander Nulner watched the now Captain Erasmus depart the room. This scene had played out time and again. How many more men would he have to send to their deaths? And how long until help finally arrived?
The fate of Wolfenburg, and our heroes, remains a mystery...
"What do you mean, gone?!" Commander Nulner nearly choked. He could not believe the news he was hearing.
"Uh, yes sir. Gone. Right out from our very noses." Sir Brechton replied, his face a mask of regret and confusion. "My men never left their watch. One moment he was there, and the next..."
"And the next moment he simply vanished?" the Commander replied. "How is that even possible?"
"Sir, this is a question that vexes me greatly."
The silence that hung between the two men was nearly fatal. The enigmatic Champion of Tzeentch had been held under the providence of Commander Nulner himself, and now this Champion had apparently, on a whim, disappeared; whereabouts unknown.
Sir Brechton was the first to break the silence. "Perhaps if you had sent me more to work with other than a locksmith this may not have happened?"
The stare Commander Nulner gave the man was withering. Regardless, he let this slight insubordination slide, taking long moments to steady his rising anger before replying.
"I had it on high authority that the locksmith was, in fact, the right man for the job. But yes, it would seem he has failed. Regardless, this news will not sit well with the emissary of Sigmar, Brother Pieter. Nor will the Gravins pet Witch Finder find this very amusing."
"Well, perhaps some good news." Sir Brechton counters, trying to muster a smile. "Word has it that the Lady herself sent Harlen Vesh back to Nuln. Apparently he has fallen out of her favor..."
Commander Nulner raised his eyebrows at this, "That is interesting, and one might say it's never wise to invoke the Gravin's wrath. And yet, this is not our true concern. Sir Brechton, mobilize every man you can spare and find that Chaos Champion! He cannot be allowed to roam free if we can help it."
"Aye sir!" Sir Brechton responds curtly, snapping to attention before turning on his heel, marching from the Commanders private quarters.
Commander Nulner watched the man go. First the Farseers sudden death and now this. Things were unraveling rapidly. He could only pray to the Gods that Captain Biedelmann was able to carry out his mission to silence the Hellcannon.
"Bloody hell!" Commander Nulner shouts, crouching for cover as flaming stones and burning bricks fall from the sky like meteors. Looking up, the tower of the Farseer was no longer there; a raging inferno of death!
"Get the fire teams down here, now!" the Commander ordered, staring in abject horror at the ruins before him. Had that been a direct hit from the Hellcannon? Or something else?
"SOLDIERS?! What is the meaning of this?"
Oh Gods, the men thought. It's Commander Nulner! The man was omni-potent! He could somehow be everywhere at once. The soldiers immediately stop kicking the Norseman and fall into line, huffing and puffing, their eyes locked forward in dread.
"Sir, we were teaching the Kurgan spy a lesson!" One of the braver of the soldiers speaks up, his lip trembling.
"Were you now? And who says he is a spy? I personally cleared the Northerner and you've officially disregarded my orders."
This comment was met with a dreadful silence.
"Captain..." Commander Nulner says at last, turning his gaze to the man on his right.
"Sir?" Captain Biedelmann says, stepping forward.
"Latrine duty for these three. Make sure they take their time with it too. I want to see my ass shining on the wood by morning."
"Yes sir..."
There was an audible groan from all the gathered soldiers as they lowered their heads and marched off towards the latrines that awaited them like a row of hangmen. Captain Biedelmann followed close behind them.
"As for you, Northerner. Since you are so eager to prove that you are NOT a Kurgan, I think you've just earned yourself a spot with your friends for something special I have planned." Commander Nulner says, holding his hand out to help Njord up from the frozen flagstones.
"Give chance to kill Kurgan, I show you what I good for." Njord responds, spitting blood.
KRAK AND BOOM:
Rolling Commander Nulner's Will Power to see how he reacts to the situation.
1d100 ⇒ 76 vs 45 (WP): FAILED! - He's not pleased, but wow! How close is that?
"You think this funny?!" Commander Nulner snaps, his head still ringing as if in a vice. "You nearly cost us all our lives, and look!"
Rolling for the integrity of the Cannon. We'll do a standard 50/50 roll to see if it survived the misfire: 1d100 ⇒ 13 - Luckily, the cannon is not destroyed!
"It will take days to clean up this mess! If I were a lesser man I'd have you two flogged through the streets for this foolishness!"
Commander Marcus Nulner takes a long pause, looking down at the two clumsy Dwarves covered in soot and debris. And then, quite unexpectedly, he begins to laugh.
"You two rascals!" he bellows, reaching down to help both Krak and Boom regain their feet. "Well, at least we know the guns still work. And the Kurgan soon will as well."
Swiveling on his boot heel, Commander Nulner shouts into the haze of smoke and dust.
"Gunnery Sergeant?!"
"Sir, yes sir?" A voice responds.
"Get these last two batteries operational as fast as you can and direct their fire towards the far end of the Wolfenburg bridge. Waste no time. Our lives depend on it!"
"Aye, sir. Yes sir!"
"As for you two," Commander Nulner says, leveling his finger at Krak and Boom. "You will help repair this damage. Then, and only then, will you earn those barrels of ale I promised you."
Turning from the room and marching off into the darkness the Commander shouts one final command.
"GET TO WORK!"
KRAK/BOOM:
Quote: "Right, wellnna nowe zeems like mah collueg will right take ya up on de offa. ON ONE CONDITION!!! We gat ah room anna tapped keg." "I'll see to it at once, Master Dwarf." Commander Nulner says, smiling grimly as he extends his hand. "If you can get those two cannons working again, I'll give you access to the whole cellar."
Now awaiting your description of what's wrong with the cannon and your rolls to fix them. Remember, two of the six cannon are no longer working and the Empire engineers cannot figure out why.
LACKEY:
The shouts and cheers from the streets spoke volumes. The men were playing Snotball again and it was all Corporal Lackminister's fault...
"I'd shut that nonsense down right now if it wasn't so damn good for morale," Commander Nulner snaps, turning his attention back to his new Captain. Just then a quivering, half-dead, tied and naked snotball crashes through the window, bouncing across a table filled with maps until at last landing in the fire!
There is a loud muffled yelp followed by a pop as the Snotball explodes. A group of puffing, sweating men hit the door at top speed and slide to a stop the moment they realize who's door they are about to enter. With eyes gone wide with terror, they stare at Commander Nulner who turns slowly towards each of them.
"Sir, sorry sir!" they snap in unison, their battle worn Wolfenburg uniforms in sorry shape from the impromptu snotball game.
"LACKMASTER?! GET IN HERE! NOW!" Commander Nulner howls as the men fall back into the street as if running for their lives. A moment later the worlds largest man shambles into the room. His flat face speaks volumes as he bends down low to enter The Bloated Dragon, casting a pathetic salute into the air before turning his burning gaze on his Commander and Captain.
"From the first day you signed on with us," the Commander begins, "You've been nothing but a headache for me. You have no respect for command, you're constantly fighting and you have the brains of a Bretonnian's dung-herder!"
Lackey Gunterman couldn't help but smile. He especially liked the dung-herder reference.
"Still," Commander Nulner continues, "The men love you. That alone counts for something. And so, I've finally found a purpose for you."
A brief hangman's moment of silence and then...
"Corporal Gunterman!" the Commander barks. "If you insist on playing Snotball with these men off duty, then you best make a damn good showing of it! I'm talking about order and organization. I want uniforms. I want a play book. And I want a winning team. You will single handily whip these men into shape and prepare them for the games."
A smile begins to form on the large lips of Corporal Gunterman.
"In the unlikely event we actually survive this Gods forsaken mess," Nulner continues, "I want something to look forward to. You will build me a Championship Team, Corporal. I don't care how you do it, but get it done!"
Lucas Biedelmann couldn't believe his ears. Watching the exchange, he looked from his Commander to the giant of a man, and back again.
"Oh, and you have one week. After which you'll report to Captain Biedelmann for a covert mission into No Man's Land. That is all. Dismissed!"
Turning without a word, Lackey stumps off into the street. In the shadows his fellow snotballers watch with wide eyes, alert and ready to make a dash for safety at a moments notice.
"Oi den men," Gunterman begins, "We gotz work ta do!"
Inside the tavern turned war-room, Captain Biedelmann turns to Commander Nulner is shocked disbelief. After a long moment, the amused Commander speaks.
"What? I've always wanted my own team and a man must look beyond his current station. Marcus Nulner, owner of the Crown Champion Wolfenburg Warriors!"
"Very good, sir." Captain Biedelmann says, frowning deeply.
"Now, let's go over those plans you've drawn up for the Hellcannon assault. Show me what you have in mind."
LACKEY: This is an extended descriptive challenge. Using all appropriate skills and talents (make appropriate rolls/skill checks), describe what you do to whip a ragtag band of Imperial soldiers into the worlds finest snotball team. Describe team uniforms, tactics and strategies. This is an open xp challenge.
LUCAS:
"You're not going to like this, Lucas. I'm promoting you to Captain."
Oh, Gods... you think. Why now? While certainly a great honor, you can't help but feel the hangman's noose on your neck. The previous two men your Commander how promoted met with ghastly ends worthy of even the grittiest Altdorf play.
You think you sputter out something along the lines of "Sir, thank you sir..." as Commander Nulner continues.
"And you're not going to like your mission much either." Commander Nulner pauses, then with a stern stamp of authority continues. "Captain Biedelmann..."
You snap to attention at being addressed by your new rank.
"...we need to silence that dreaded Hellcannon once and for all. Once these new reinforcements complete the tasks I've assigned them, I want you to whip them into shape and prepare them for a covert mission to enter No Man's Land, find that Hellcannon, and destroy it!"
Oh Gods... you think again.
"And bring that trouble maker, Corporal Lackmeister with you."
Great, just great.
ALBRECHT:
"It is not often we see many with your talents here in Wolfenburg, Magister Baer. We are far from the great Capital of Altdorf and the illustrious schools of magic. How is it a man of your stature came to be conscripted in the standard army?"
Commander Nulner seems to half listen to your tale, pouring over maps and papers as you speak. As you finish your explanation, he looks up, his fists planted firmly on the table in front of him.
"We have need of your special skills and abilities, Magister. My Imperial Farseer, Nicodemus, is hard pressed making preparations to defend against an imminent enemy attack."
The Commander pauses, looking down and then abruptly snaps his gaze back to yours.
"Daemons," he says at last. "Daemons of the Blood God he tells me. They are massing and preparing to stage an assault. I've ordered every able bodied man to defend the bridge, but I fear it won't be enough. We need men of your caliber and insight as well. Will you assist us?"
ALBRECHT: This is an extended descriptive challenge. Using all appropriate skills and talents (make appropriate rolls/skill checks), describe what you do to assist Farseer Nicodemus in preparing the defenses of Wolfenburg against demonic attack. This is an open xp challenge.
LUTKE:
"Herr Geshburger, I'm beginning to think the arrival of you and your cohorts was a gift from Sigmar himself. Tell me sir, are you a religious man? Do you obey the strictures of Sigmar?"
Commander Nulner listens carefully to your reply, then continues, pacing the long hall of The Bloated Dragon slowly.
"In one of our more daring counter attacks, we staged an assault deep into No Man's Land. That's what we call the part of the city the Kurgan now control."
The Commander seems to choke on his words as if they were venom, then continues.
"Anyhow, we lost many good men but the attack wasn't in vain. We manged to secure a prisoner. A Chaos Champion by the looks of it. My Farseer tells me he's aligned with the Architect of Fate, whatever that means. In truth, I've never made much of a study of the Chaos Gods. To look too deep into the eyes of the enemy is to become your enemy."
It is here Commander Nulner seems to peer into you as if looking for imperfections. Mercifully, he seems to find none. With a nod of his head, he continues.
"We've been forced to keep this Champion under constant guard. I've assigned some of my best men to stand watch, men who I'd rather have on the front lines. You see, no lock or cage seems capable of holding this infidel. There's something strange about him. We need this man restrained! Only then can we properly question him and glean whatever information he has."
Nulner pauses, turning once again to face you. His cool black eyes seem to be sizing you up.
"I hear you're something of an expert when it comes to locks. Can you do this?"
LUTKE: This is an extended descriptive challenge. Using all appropriate skills and talents (make appropriate rolls/skill checks), describe what type of lock or shackle you build/construct that would be capable of holding a man, a champion, who seems somehow immune from such things. This is an open xp challenge.
KRAK/BOOM:
"It's most fortunate that you arrived when you did," Commander Nulner continues, midway through your debriefing. "Though you are not the full contingent of support we are hoping for, I think there is something you can do for us."
Here in the main tap room of 'The Bloated Dragon', Commander Nulner has transformed the once jovial inn into a war-room. Tables are covered with reports and parchments, the walls lined with colorful maps of the city itself, the various districts outlined or crossed out. It is from here that the campaign to save the capital of Ostland has been fought.
"The only thing truly standing in the way of us being completely overrun is our cannon. The six heavy batteries we have were gifts from Nuln, given to Wolfenburg in the great trade agreement of 2010. But that's a story for another time."
Commander Nulner stops on his heel, wheeling about in such a way that his long battle stained field cloak swirls around his high black boots.
"Of the six guns, only four are now operating. The other two have malfunctioned and our engineers are at a loss as to why. Tell me, Brother Stonefist and Herr Blackfoot, can you bring the considerable craft of your people to bare and get those two guns working?"
The dark eyes of Commander Nulner come to rest evenly on the both of you. Standing with his hands behind his back, the Commander heaves the question into your laps, hope and expectation on his dour face.
KRAK/BOOM: This is an extended descriptive challenge. Using all appropriate skills and talents (make appropriate rolls/skill checks), describe what malfunction has fowled up the workings of the Imperial Cannon and what you do to attempt to fix the problem. This is an open xp challenge.
Commander Marcus Nulner watches his best officer depart, rounding up his men to meet the latest threat of the Chaos forces. He'd been meaning to promote Lieutenant Biedelmann to Captain, but had hesitated. The last two men he had promoted had promptly died horrible deaths. Marcus was beginning to feel as if he was somehow cursed; that his promotions were not advancements so much as death sentences.
"Sir!" a young soldier reports, saluting the Commander.
"Report, soldier. What news?"
"Sir, our scouts have detected activity near the Great Bridge. Farseer Nicodemus suggests that it is an offensive of..." the soldier breaks off, swallowing hard.
"Of? Of what?!" Commander Nulner snaps.
"An offensive of Kurgan enforced by daemons of Khorne..."
Daemons? Here?! the Commander ponders, trying hard to hide the rising fear in his heart.
"Tell the Farseer to find whoever he can talented in spellcraft and form a unit. Enforce our men on the front and inform the artillery officers to direct their fire to the far side of the bridge. Not even daemons can withstand the cannonade of the Empire!"
"Sir, yes sir!"
This is going to be a long night. Sigmar preserve us.
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