DM Lil" Eschie's page

Enjoy the holidays!

Anyone else planning a trip?

Hans bleeds from a head wound, and feels quite dizzy. Some rest will do him good.

Luckily, you're just Stunned, a condition that fades away as soon as you manage an Average Toughness test (+0). After five minutes or so resting you will feel better.

The coachmen and passagers are hurt with bruises and minor cuts, but nothing requiring urgent medical attention.

Of course Lady Isolde screams bloody murder, and her bodyguard looks at you angrily, but maybe someone will be able to appease her.

The coach itself will be a serious problem, having fell on the side, with only one wheel now, and you will need to repair it.

The coachmen tries to calm the horses, and check for any wound.

@Kardin: I mixed Toughness and Endurance, my bad. Realise that means 1 more Wound for Carrot. Resolve helps mostly against psychological effect, and the effect of all Criticals for 1 round. It can be used to remove one Condition (ex: Prone, Blinded, Bleeding..). Resilience helps against Chaos Corruption. Finally, Fate points are used in life or death (or at least grave wounds) situation, while Fortune helps against bad luck rolls.
@Esme: for me, you were inside the coach, with Max, all the rest o the characters were on the roof. So 7 Wounds base for you, but 10 for Max, as he went outside the coach.
@All: Wounds (W) so far
Carrot 3 W
Kardin 5 W (10-5, Acrobatics/Athletics SL roll pending)
Esme 4W (7-3)
Max 7 (10-3, Acrobatics/Athletics SL roll pending)
Lina 5 W (10-1-4)
Hans 8 (10-2)

You're right: 10 dmg-4SL (Athletics)-4 Endurance=2 Wounds

And crash you do...

Oh my...so many critical failures...

Carrot tries his best to do his worst, and succeeds over any expectations.

You don't fully understand what happens, there might have been a real carrot involved, or maybe the horses hallucinated, and keep bumping into each other while galloping madly.

But then Max wants to help too.

"Too many cooks in the kitchen" is an old proverbial saying in Bretonnia.

From worse, the situation cranks up to "worser", if that can make sense.

Max climbs toward the coachmen seats, falls and tries to catch the reins before being run over by the coach, ending a promising career way to soon, at least ffrom is point of view, which is very close to the ground, horses hooves, and coach wheels at high speed.

The wheels of the coach go round and round, then up and down, then bump on the road. Three of them are fed up with the lack of driving skill of the crew, and go away each on their separate way. It's Independence Day for wheels, maybe!? Who knows?

Those inside the coach are shaken, not stirred, hurling themselves to the walls.

Those who were on the coach's top fly away.

Before hitting the ground at high speed, Esme has a brief feeling of professional pride: the only wheel still attached to the coach is the one she fixed.

dmg inside the coach: 1d10 ⇒ 7
dmg outside the coach: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

You can roll an Athletic test to reduce the dmg by 1 for each Success Level. Don't forget to substract your Endurance bonus to the damage. Armor won't help.

Just a Fortune point, not Fate. Want to re-roll?

From inside the coach, you hear an exagerated sigh, then a male voice with a slight Bretonnian accent

I was hoping someone would move, but if I must take matters in my own hands, I'll do it, if only to please you, Milady. I must be honest and say I am not a professionnal driver. Just a man of many talents, who hope his gesture of good will will be smiled upon by the gods.

With poise and even grace, the Bretonnian gets out of the coach and take a starting run before hopping on the coachmen's seat.

Athletics: 1d100 ⇒ 37
Let's try to pick up some speed... What could go wrong?
Drive+20: 1d100 ⇒ 79

The coach itself starts going quicker. After half a mile, anyway, a wheel hits a stone, and Philippe starts losing control

I'll allow anyone to spend a Fortune point and re-roll the dice. Philippe's test score is 54, including the +20 bonus

Sighing soundly as no one comes to take the reins of the coach from their willing hands, the vehicule continues to move, at its slow pace.

Finally, you can't see the Coach&Horses Inn anymore.

By the window, the lady urges the coachmen to ride faster, but you're not sure they have recovered from their drunkeness enough to drive safely at an higher speed

Anyone can try his/her luck to drive the coach, it's a +20 Drive test. BUT if you already have the Drive skill,no test is needed just to follow the road at a normal pace

Think you can do better than us? Feel free to try!

There is no anger in the coach tone, in fact they sound like they would be happy if that happened

Paizo was down for me yesterday, don't know if you had troubles too

A feeble voice answers, after some time

Don't speak so loud... sure we will make it to the next inn...

the other coachman adds
Maybe not today but we will reach it. We have to. Or we'll get knutzed.

Finally, when everyone is sitting (inside or outside the coach), the vehicule starts, and you begin your journey.

At a very slow pace.

You really have the time to watch the scenery, and to count the windows on the Coach and Horses inn you quitted. You could probably get down of the coach, walk a little, get a good stretch of the legs, and then jogs to catch up with the slow-moving vehicule.

At this speed, with the horses plodding, the coach’s movement is a slow,gentle rocking that is easy on the coachmen’s aching heads, and for those who are on the coach's roof, and who will only risk to fall from the coach's roof if they get asleep...

Nevertheless, it is obvious that the coach will not make it to the next inn before dark, if someone doesn't push the horses a little.

It couldn't be that dangerous, could it?

It seems the horses know the road, at least for now.

You hear a woman's voice hollering, breaing Carrot's chain of thoughts

Lady Isolde requires the coach to go in a minute! With or without you!

It was the strong, muscled woman who was keeping an eye on you, probably a soldier or some mercenary employed by Lady Isolde.

Quickly, Philippe climbs inside the coach.

Not so quickly, the coachmen tries to get on their seats.

Inside, we have already 5 persons: Lady Isolde, her bodyguard and servant Janna; the quiet reader, name unknown; and now Philippe, the card player. There is still room for one human or two halflings. But with her recent actions, Esme must make a Charm test to be allowed to climb. On the roof of the coach, there is room for five people

My ex wife.

Quickly, it's obvious that Gustav can't keep his composure at his own joke, and he gives out a booming laugh, slapping Carrot's shoulder in a gesture of camaraderie

After a minute or so, he manages to get a hold of himself and answers more seriously

I've seen a few orcs sometimes roaming around here, but mostly it's human scum, bandits and raiders. A few taxmen too, but don't tell the Emperor I told you that. Heard stories by travelers of human corpses still walking by night, or ghosts haunting a twist of the road where an accident happened.Can't tell if that was true. I'm not much a traveler myself.

@All: put a word about money in Discussion thread, we'll see how it works.

Gustav nods to Carrot
Better to have people scared of my rifle than to let them do something foolish. The road wardens do what they can to uphold the Empire's laws in these parts, but they understand an honest man defending his business and home.

About money: I realise that Warhammer players start with less money than in other games (Pathfinder or D&D notably.). In fact, giving the cost of live in the Old World, most of you haven't enough starting money to pay for all that happened in one night at the inn : Meal 1 silver, a night of rest in a private room 10 silver, your travel by coach 2 silver; that's 13 silver, more than half a gold coin.

Starting money is linked with Status. There is an optional rule I will use from now on: you can freely buy any item worth less or equal your status. For example, Lina (status Silver 2) can freely buy any items costing 2 silver or less. Any item costing more will need an Haggle test.

For now, please note this additional money (doubling your base starting money by status)

Kardin, Brass: 4d10 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 2) = 6
Esme, Brass: 4d10 ⇒ (5, 10, 10, 1) = 26
Hans, Brass: 3d10 ⇒ (9, 7, 7) = 23
Max, Brass: 3d10 ⇒ (2, 6, 4) = 12
Carrot, Silver: 1d10 ⇒ 2
Lina, Silver: 2d10 ⇒ (5, 8) = 13

Most of you will acceed to Silver status when you will advance in career. And you can always (at an XP cost) change career if you want.

Thanks for your kind words.

If I ever GM later, feel free to try your luck another time!

Happy gaming to you too!

Of course, Gustav eyes Esme suspiciously, and doesn't let her come too close.

He doesn't point the blunderbuss toward her, but her curiosity could lead her to... well, a first-head experience with a facefull of lead.

Meanwhile, the passengers starts climbing inside the coach, which seems more or less ready to go, even if the coachmen are still passably hungover.

Take care Qstor

I checked again on the book, price for the travel is in silver shillings.

They (the coachmen) charge 4/– per Character to ride on the outside, but if they lose an Opposed Haggle Test, they lower their price to 3/–; twice if they travel inside. Currently, they ask 2 silver per person (inside or outside the coach, but there are only one place left inside-two if halfling sized)

One of the coachman fearfully says to Esme

But we have to charge you somethin, or the company will sack us... We can't go lower than 2 brass pennies per person.Really, we can't. And thanks for the wheel, miss, we haven't seen that. Could have been real dangerous.

Meanwhile, the innkeeper comes back with a blunderbuss A kind of rifle, effective at short range, and keeps an eye on Esme, even if she has no weapon in her hand anymore.

He mutters something you have an hard time understanding
Make a +0 Perception, with a +20 bonus or Acute sense-Hearing Talent

The scene freezes as Esme gets a dagger out.

Esme: makes an Intimidate test at +0 (based on Str), opposed by a Cool test for the Coachmen

The innkeeper, who was watching you from doorstep as you tried to hurry things with the drunk coachmen, retreats quickly inside.

RL comes always first, but thank you for your apologie, I appreciate.

Do you think you'll be able to dedicate time with consistency to this game in the foreseeable future?

Fortunately for Kardin, the coachman is in no shape to discuss the price of the trip, and agree to the discount before running toward the inn's outhouse.

2/- (silver shillings) per character on the roof, 3/- or those inside the coach. Its a long trip, 50 miles

@Esme: there are a few tools in the coachmen personnal chest, and they don't mind you using them-as long as you don't do much noise. Give me a Trade-Engineer Average (+20) test to fix the wheel. It will take you half an hour, maybe less if you succeed by a good margin.
@Max: a Charm test will be enough to have the noble's permission to stay inside the coach-no modifier if you roll, -20 or anyone else
@Anyone: you still have to pay for the ride, but your help isn't unnoticed. Any Haggle roll will get a +20 bonus
@Everyone:spending Fortune point might help in these Tests, as always

Lina springs into action, and do all the work needed all by herself, in half the time needed.

She even spots that one of the wheels needs to be fixed correctly, but she has no tools for that. Probably Esme can do it.

Now, you can argue easily to get a better price on the travel, provided the coachmen are sober enough.

But who will travel where?

So far, inside the coach, there are the noble woman, her servant and her bodyguard, and Philippe and the bookish student. So there is "room" for one person more (maybe two if they are halfling sized). Be creative about how you want to do this. I'm open to suggestions

Mumbling incoherent words, the two drunkards get up, with difficulties, and they get outside on wobbly legs, trying to get the coach and horses ready, which seems to be very slow and soooo difficult-Kardin and Carrot feel only their continuate presence right behind the coachmen push them to do their job, out of fear of retaliation.

The quality off what they are doing is uncertain.

You can roll a Drive (+20) test (based on Agility) to help and reduce the preparation time. The coachmen alone will do the job in, well, maybe two hours...

You soon realise, whether you help them or not, that there might be another problem: the coach is designed for 6 persons. And there are already 5 people who wants to get inside the coach, having paid for the seats. And you haven't yet paid anything...

Waiting for others to post as it is the week end

I guess you will have to pay.

At least or the damages. ^^

Drive is an AGI test, so you have 3 characters, if needed, who can try their luck (Lina, Max and Carrot)

The innkeeper answers Lina respectfully
Getting them out of the bed won't be the hardest part, I guess. Be my guest, they are still in the common room, milady.

He points an half-opened door, and your elfin ears hears snoring from where you are

Then he listens to Kardin, and nods
I have no authority on them, unfortunatly, and can't guarantee anything, even if I agree with you. That said, I've seen people on the roof of a too crowded coach more than once. I hope you'll get a price... That's no way to conduct business.

Gustav seems genuinely angry at the coach drivers, but his hands are tied, as they aren't his employees.

If they are THAT drunk, I hope one of you can drive a coach. That might be safer.

Back! The way the doors open isn't indicated, let say they open inside the corridor

Surprisingly, the night is calm, without any incidents, and you sleep long hours until the morning, feeling much better.

Outside, the sky is misty, there will be perhaps some rain on your journey.

Gustav collects the money you own him for the night, and it doesn't seem as expensive as you expected

Collectively, you own him 16 silver shilling, Esme managed to get a small bargain (+1 SL on a Haggle test vs -2 SL from Gustav)

You have a quick wash in your rooms, a breakfast at the bar, and you realise, after hearing the other passengers speaking, that the coach might be mightily crowded... There will be at least five people in the coach, and you aren't even included in these five!

If only the coach drivers could be found.. You are ready since half an hour, when Gustav comes back from the room upstairs with bad news

I guess they drank too much yesterday... You might have to wait.

Hi all!

Just to say I'll be offline for the week end (Friday to Monday)

Lina and Esme take a room, the men taking another one.

There are two beds per room, so the girls really have the advantage, as their male compagnons have to share a bed.

The rooms can be locked, so you feel safer that night

If you are still wounded, you can make a +20 Endurance Test to regain lost Wounds

The night pass quickly, and without incident
Unless you have other plans!

The three women go to their room, and the two drunks are half asleep at their table.

Seeing no one is interested in a game of chance tonight, Philippe soon retreats to his own room, and the innkeeper gives you two keys for your own places, so you can have a good night rest.

Feel free to add something if you like.

In Clint Eastwood voice
[b]The real question is: do you feel lucky, punk?[b]

Lâchent
*Has voted for unluckiest punk in the world*

79 dmg on a Crit. Wow indeed.

The man who was speaking with Hans earlier come to your table, and slightly bows to Lina and Esma before talking, with a foreign accent.

Mes Exxcuses for interrupting you, my name is Philippe Descartes, and I grew bored drinking alone at the bar. I wonder if anyone of you was willing to participate in a friendly game of cards, just to pass the time, to socialize. I know I'm taking risks, as you have a student in your small coterie and students are welle known for their aptitude in game of chances, but the night is still young, and you seem such a wonderefful groupe...

he winks at Max
And if you're dreaming of coins, what a better way to make your dream come true than playing cards?

@Lina:
Unfortunatly, despite her prowess, there aren't any customers in the inn interested by the elf's display of martial mastery outside. Perhaps the slow, cold rain doesn't help.

Of course, the innkeeper himself keep an eye on Lina, and he looks in awe, but the coach drivers are too drunk, the man with his book just sneak a peek over his tome before returning to his reading, and the last customer speaks with Hans.

At the women's table, Lina notice SHE has been noticed by the tall, muscular girl. But the noble lady doesn't seem to care, and her servant comes back to her seat after a few words exchanged with Max.
Other players can watch Lina outside, of course.

@Max
The servant quickly adds, before returning to her seat
You must be joking...You MUST know about Shaffenest! Shaffenfest is the most famous spring feast, held each year in Bogenhafen.

@Hans
Hearing you, the man smiles nonchalantly
Ah, a student. All our best years spent getting drunk, playin" cards till next morning and seducin" womin, is that so? I'm sure you would easily beat me at cards, isn't that true? Specially after the few drinks I had...

@Esme:
While you are waiting for your food, you spot a parchment nailed to the wall. All you can read for now are these few words :"Wanted! Bold Adventurers!"

Waiting for your reactions/posts

The innkeeper would prefer you to try that outside. ^^

But why not?

@Max

Jenna is a young woman, barely out of her teenage years, having probably seen some fiteen or sixteen summers, thin with fine, mousy hair and blue-grey eyes. She is shy, and isn't accustomed to speak or herself, and when she does speak, you hear a slight accent

Oh, I don't know much...I just hope to have a day off for the Schaffenfest. It's a great feast, and it might even be bigger this year!

@Hans:
The man is a bit surprised by your lack of tact
And woo are you to ask? I don't now you.

Now that you see him closely, he appears to be in in mid 40, tall and handsome, and wears a lace-trimmed shirt and embroidered jacket with breeches. He has long, dark curly hair and an artificial beauty spot on his left cheek. A ladies man, probably, not from the Empire as you hear his voice. Probably a Bretonian.

@Esme and Kardin
That's more what I hoped to hear. Any inn is looking to attract more customers.

The innkeeper walks back, litteraly.

Sorry, there is a misunderstanding, I don't want to be linked to violent acts, I respect the laws of the Empire. Of course, if beastmen attack the inn, I hope you will help me defend it. All I was hoping for was ... I don't know, you tell everybody you meet in Altdorf to have a rest at the Horses and Coach.

Gustav surprise himself, as he hums Carrot's song, then Esme tries to get a better price for the rooms, making the bald man grumble and complain, in a low voice.

We all have to make a living, you know...I have customers that paid the full price, how would they feel if I gave you a discount right now... You lot goin' to Altdorf, right? Maybe we can work a deal..Lemme think about it.

What can I say? There are many travelers, and they come and go, carrying some news from all part of the Empire... The roads from here to Aldorf aren't what they used to be. They are in bad shape, mostly, but worse are the groups of bandits and highwaymen waiting in ambush. Last week, a coach was attacked on the road to Altdorf. Three men slained, I heard. But if you think you should avoid the roads to go through the woods, forget it! Beastmen have been spotted. They not only kill people, they EAT them. I just hope they kill them first. But I don't want to spoil your appetite, enjoy your meal while it's warm, the nights are cold. Probably rain or snow tomorrow. Winters are harsh for us, but I had a Kislevite guest here once, who got roaring drunk, and jumped into a bank of snow outside without much clothes on, no offense meant, I saw it with my own eyes. Foreigners...

His face reddens suddenly
Forgive me, my tongue got too loose.. You aren't from these parts of the Empire, I guess, milady?

It's obvious Gustav hopes to hear a few words about Lina's native realms

@Lina: as said earlier, you can always try to Haggle with the Innkeeper, and being two per room (or more) you will divide the price anyway

The answer to Ferdinand is short, and a bit stern maybe, but unfortunatly, it is honest, and shows the gap in social status between a noble woman and a wandering mistrel
She wouldn't expect less.
After a few awkward seconds, the servant adds, nearly whispering to the halfling

For my part, I really enjoyed you playing! It reminded me of my folk, back at home..I'm Jenna!

Meanwhile, the man who was sipping wine alone at the bar, still watches you from time to time, perhaps longuing for company.

Gustav starts bringing you your meals, and sighs at the two more than slightly drunk men sitting a little farther
Those two are the coachmen, you should talk to them if you want to ride tomorrow.

The crow perches himself on Esme's head, and comically messes with Gustav's words
Want to ride the coachmen? Talk tomorrow!

@All: any of you can try to get a few informations by a Gossip test.Tests are modified by Average (+20) with Gustav (Easy +40 for Lina), Challenging (+0) with the man at the bar or Jenna (+10 for For Max with Jenna), Difficult (-10) with the drunks (or automatic success if you buy them a drink) or the muscled woman with the noble, Very Hard (-30) with the bookish man (he doesn't really care), and simply impossible with the noble woman (altrough Fat Max can try at-30, but he better get at least one success)

About botting characters:

From now on, I will bot a character for a skill roll either after 48 hours have passed (in non combat-situation, and I won't use Fortune points) or after 24 hours in a combat situation, using a fortune point only in defense rolls if needed.

Do you agree with that?

Fat Max rolls

Entertain (53): 1d100 ⇒ 94 SL -4
Play violin(50): 1d100 ⇒ 63 SL -1

Entertain (53) Fortune Re Roll: 1d100 ⇒ 44 SL 1
Play violin(50) Fortune re roll: 1d100 ⇒ 2 SL 5

Using 2 fortune points or Re Rolls

Max has a bad start, his joke about the priest of Morr getting in a brothel being judged too scandalous, and his violin lacking a bit of energy.

But as a true professionnal, Max manage to get back the crowd, telling the tale of your recent valiant fight against a creature of ash and Chaos. But its his music that truly captures the heart of the small audience, using traditionnal tunes to soothe the souls, then picking up speed and style before coming back to a slow waltz which evokes memories of loved people.

There are a few seconds of appreciative silence, then the crowd erupt in applause.
From the next table, one of the three women, the youngest one, brings an handul of coins to Max

A gesture of appreciation from my mistress, Lady Isolde.
Brass pennies: 5d10 ⇒ (7, 1, 5, 2, 3) = 18

If anyone is interested , I found back in an old game a spreadsheet or your characters

Here it is: Warhammer 4th edition character sheet