So I begin my exile in some backwater village called Brinford. I guess I should introduce myself, I am, of course, the elf Sulven Molinaari. Recently fencing tutor to the children of the noble house of Batiattus, newly adventurer at large. It's not my fault they seriously undervaluedy services, so no wonder I helped myself to a more fitting recompense.
Gods above, this place is so dull. The innkeeper, Olgar, has been keeping an eye on me. As if there was anything worth taking here anyway. Things picked up when, after splashing out for a bottle of rancid wine, I uncovered a story of some demon-infested ruins to the north. Some fool yokels had gone up recently and haven't been seen since. The demons these folk refer to are probably just goblins in masks scaring the britches off the locals to keep them out of their territory. Still, it is worth a quick look if only to alleviate the mind numbing boredom around here. So that's when I decided to recruit some other adventuresome types to mount an expedition. I wrote a note and posted it on the board outside the inn.
I have now four others to join me but not to the ruins. The first to respond was Cora, a strapping human woman that looked ready to cut in half anyone who looked at her funny. Luckily for me she is thoroughly obsessed with money, which I can use to my advantage. During my negotiation with For a the second and most disgusting of my new recruits appear. I would say hanging around like a bad smell but Figgern smells worse than anything I have encountered, which is saying something. I once had to exit a castle via the midden in high summer, so you know he must stink to high heaven. He vaguely appears to be dwarf-like though mostly he just looks like a walking filthy grey beard. Not that Cora is much more civilised. Maybe I can trade them in later for more couth adventurers.
Third to join was Grasshopper, a very young looking human youth, with a kind of wide-eyed look, one can only assume comes from being cloistered most of his short life. Still another warm body is always handy, though Cora was not impressed that her equal share would now be quarters not thirds. The fourth and final addition seems a bit more promising for intelligent conversation, an elven witch. At this point I had to spot Cora some upfront cash to keep her sweet.
So as the new gang gathered Figgern asked that we help his miller friend find his son. Apparently the son had travelled to Tharbad to sell flour but had been seen for over a week. My gut tells me the boy is either in some whores bed or lying rotting in an alley with his throat slit. The promise of 200 gold reward lights up Cora's eyes though. In order to appease her I graciously allow us to head down the road to Tharbad to search in vain for the miller's son, before heading to the ruins.
Brinford is a small place but it seems to have its own seeress. Her familiar seemed quite interested in our conversation and its appearance sparked more than a few comments from the gang. It was a large housecat but with wide brightly coloured butterfly wings. Cora was for bagging it and selling it, most likely back to its proper owner, the town seeress. I discouraged this notion and the witch agreed.
So that is how I ended up on the road with a warrior, a monk, a witch and a walking beard.
The day did indeed pass with little in the way of interesting conversation. As dusk draw on we searched for a campsite. I spotted a likely cave well of the road and on the other side of a fast flowing stream. We approached cautiously. Figgern spotted some tracks leading in and out of it so we discussed whether to move on or investigate further. As we got a bit closer two wolves were spotted in the cave and we hesitated a moment. Before we could go either way two more wolves charged us from behind.
Cora and I were attacked. Cora took a bite to her leg. I avoided injury from the first charge. I retaliated and Grasshopper leapt in to kick the injured wolf to death. The two from the cave charged out and Fiela took a grievous bite. Figgern managed to use healing magic to get her back on her feet. Cora struggled with her opponent; it seemed to be dodging her sword easily. Figgern's dog, Snowbell, made a good showing of itself, fighting well against the bigger canine.
Grasshopper, Fiela and I dealt with the two from the cave, though I did foolishly manage to get bitten. The last wolf, seeing it's pack mates slaughtered, tried to bolt. Cora then finally got a decent strike and killed it. So we got to use the cave after all. Fiela cast some healing magic on those that had taken wounds before sleeping for the night.
Figgern skinned the carcasses and we all smoked some wolf meat for use as trail rations. That night passed quietly. Well as quietly as any night in the wilderness does, damned insects and night birds and animals shuffling around. I mean, what are they up to this time of night, it's not like they are out robbing houses like a proper self-respecting night person.
So next morning we set off back down the road. Around the middle of the day we stopped for a meal. We also noticed a wagon off the trail a way. Going off the road we could see the scene was one of intense fighting. Only two bodies were found, however, a caravan guard and a strange creature that looked like a giant walking rat. The guard had no weapons or armor on him and the horses were also missing. I estimated this happened no more than a few days ago.
Following the tracks away from the battle, we went deeper into the craggy wilderness to the east of the road. I briefly climbed one of the mounds to get a better view but could only make out two possible trails from here, to the east and to the southeast. The trail had gotten colder by now so I decided to go down the southeast trail.
After a while I caught sight of more of the rat creatures. Two of them guarded a cave entrance. They were loose rags and maybe some light armour underneath, and were armed with vicious looking shortswords. Both of them sniffed the air about them.
In order to get close enough to attack them we needed a cunning plan. Knowing they used a keen scent to warn them of danger we needed to stay upwind. We also needed to get across some open ground without being spotted. Then I had an idea. I used the wolf pelts we had taken to disguise the other four. I told them to get on all fours and dash from cover to cover to get as close as possible to the cave entrance. Fiela cast a spell that allowed her and I to communicate over great distance with but a whisper of conversation. This is a great advantage. I went around the other side and climbed one of the crags. I will countdown to the attack.
From my vantage point I could the others moving into position. I must say they did a bang up job of impersonating wolves. The Ratmen below barely twitched a whisker.
So I will shoot one from my elevated position with my crossbow while the others attack from the ground. Hopefully this will work swiftly and they will not have a chance to raise a hue and cry from the cave.
After the countdown one Rat went down with a bolt in the head and another slashed to bits by Cora's sword. Figgern lit a bull's-eye lantern and we entered the dark cave. The smell was awful. Four more Rats were stationed inside and attacked when we came further into the cave. Three went down pretty quick, the fourth tried to make a break for it but Snowbell ran him down. Two branches went off the first chamber, one to a hopefully disused well. Though the Rats may well be used to the stench emanating from it.
Grasshopper and I went first up the other branch. Luckily for him I managed to spot a well-concealed pit trap. Upon further inspection it looked like trigger the pit portion of the trap would also cause a section of wall to collapse down on anyone in the pit. Fiendish. I marked the boundaries of the pit and jammed the mechanism to make it safe to walk on just in case.
Scouting just a bit ahead I noticed light coming from a second chamber. A number of Rats were in there, getting bossed about by a meaner looking Rat. I tried getting closer but one spotted me. I shot him for his trouble, dropping him in one. The chamber floor was a few feet below the corridor, effectively stopping anyone from charging straight in. I could see the first three Rats were poised ready to attack so I faked dropping down. They took the bait and moved forward then stopped in confusion. Grasshopper and Cora leapt down and made short work of two of them. The bully hid behind another Rat whilst shouting in his chittering language, no doubt a stream of obscenities. From somewhere else in the chamber we could tell that someone was spellcasting.
I dropped into the chamber along with Fiela, her fox and Snowbell. The Spell-Rat was too far for me to attack and I had to get passed the two surviving Rats. After a tough fight both Rats were put down. The Spell-Rat put up some kind of mystical defence allowing him to summon a huge looking rat, though Snowbell made short work of that.
Fighting side by side with Grasshopper we fought the spellcaster back. Grasshopper got the killing blow. We moved the bodies into a side nook of the cave. A quick search of the bodies by the group turned up one scroll and some potion vials.
After piling up the bodies in the niche we stop and listen. No alarms or shouts could be heard. I could hear something though, a low moaning, definitely not the chittering chatter of the Rats, coming from two of the corridors branching off the back wall of the chamber. Unsure of which to try first I picked one at random. With an unwise sense of urgency I borrowed the lit lantern from Figgern and rushed up the short flight of stairs in the right hand corridor. Unwise because, as the stairs levelled out and the corridor took a turn, I activated a cunningly hidden pit trap. Next thing I remember was getting a rope dangled down the hole. I tied it round my waist and Grasshopper pulled me up. While this little misadventure was going on, Cora had decided to explore the other corridor.
As luck would have it both lead to the same spot, so we all met up again. A section of worked stone was before us. Looking like an old square shaped catacomb that had one wall broken down and a double door on the opposite.
The sounds could be heard quite clearly now from the other side. The doors were opened and we rushed in. Four Rats were arrayed near the door though they were mainly watching a large glass tube in the centre of the room. On the other side of the large chamber was another Spell Rat and a taller Rat with a greataxe, presumably the Boss. On the floor having energy drained from him was a human male. That energy was being directed into the glass tube. Swimming in some vile looking green fluid was a huge Rat creature. It would easily be the size of an ogre, but with rat features.
Three Rats went down quickly. Priority target was the spell rat to interrupt the ritual he was performing. The fight was quick. The boss Rat quaffed a potion before fighting and proved to be very tough indeed, he took a massive swing at Cora who sensibly backed off. That left Grasshopper and I to deal with it. Grasshopper grabbed it in a chokehold but before he could knock it unconscious it broke free. Cora then seemed to get very angry that she had been injured and strode right back up to it and cut it down with a vicious swing of her sword.
The Spell Rat tried to escape but the fox and Snowbell managed to harry it long enough for the rest of us to catch up. Once we all corner it we were able to deal a killing blow. The man on the floor was the miller's son. Luckily for him he is a cleric and could heal himself after his ordeal.
Now all we have to do is get him back to Brinford in one piece.
I picked up a couple of shortswords from the bodies lying around as back up weapons. Theo the Millers son asked that we try to find the caravans cargo and hinted at a reward for doing so. Upon further exploration we did not encounter any more Rats and I uncovered another cunningly hidden pit. The goods were all together, which was more than could be said of the horses. We all carried them outside. There were several large canvas bags and a few smaller ones. Inside seemed to be long bits of wood, though a chink of metal could be heard when the bags got jostled. We didn’t pry as to what was in there.
The journey back to town was less eventful. Brin was overjoyed to see his son safe. They had a private conversation that Figgern would later fill me in on. Brin was as good as his word and paid the 200gp, which we shared out. I reminded Theo of his promise of another reward should the goods make it back to town. He agreed to meet us at the Bronze Griffon in an hour. When he arrived he had a box full of healing potions, 6 in total. These too were divided amongst the group.
I paid for a room and went to see the town Seeress. I had a feeling that she could point us in the right direction to get more information about these Rat folk. I was partially right. She told me that she has heard rumours and whispers of a new race that is on the rise and could become as widespread as the civilised races. I shared some of my observations of our recent encounter with her for which she paid some coin. When I asked about where to get more she pointed us to the ruins to the north.
Back at the Inn Figgern pulled me aside to tell me about what he had overheard between Brin and Theo. It seems that the cargo we helped get into town was a cache of weapons to supple a "Resistance". Brin and Theo were both worried about the militia finding. This piqued my interest slightly, seems there is more to this sleepy little town than I first thought. Guessing that Olgar would be in the know I discreetly asked him about it. He ushered me into a small side room. Acting in a very paranoid manner he pushed me to the wall with a dagger to my throat. "What do you know of the Resistance" he asked. I explained that it was overheard when we brought the weapons into town. I assured of my discretion and persuaded him to tell me about it. He explained the situation. The Rats call themselves Skaven and they are invading this world. The Resistance has to be secret because they have Assassins that can shapeshift into people and Olgar was sure they have infiltrated the town. I explained that we had already killed some Skaven to the south and as a group could be powerful allies to his cause.
He seemed to agree but no doubt will wait to see how we fare in the ruins before committing to anything. I told the group that our next mission was to the ruins to the north, they didn’t argue about it.
The next morning we all got equipped to deal with the cold and I purchased a mule to carry the big tent we will need each night. Just as we had made all purchases needed and were heading out of town Theo came running up to us. He explained that he wanted to come with us. Well not so much want as had been told to come with us by his Order to keep us safe. We agreed he could come with us. His healing magics will come in handy.
Once on the trail I made sure Theo was out of earshot before I told everyone about what was going on in town, the Skaven and the shapeshifting assassins, to better prepare them for what's to come.
Two days after leaving Brinford we finally made it to the valley that the ruins sat in. the weather had got quickly worse, inches of snow now lay on ground. I do not like being this cold. Visibility was reduced so we could only see a few hundred yards; it looked like there was once a large city here. The first set of ruins we encountered looked a bit like a town square and a main street. Most of the buildings had been reduced to rubble, corners still here or there. A well lay in the middle of the square, completely frozen over.
We soon spotted several flying figures, moving quickly between the ruins. Pale white creatures with wings, it was difficult to get a good look at one. We moved cautiously into the ruins. Grasshopper, Theo and I went left while Cora, Figgern, Fiela went right. Pausing at one broken wall to survey the next building I spotted one of the creatures. It was peeping out from another building. When it saw me looking it came out of cover slightly, limping with some injury or other. Before I could take aim at it, Grasshopper tried to kick down a rotted door on the building next to ours. Just as he was pulling his leg out the hole he had created the flying creatures all popped up from cover and let fly with magical bolts of energy hitting me, Grasshopper, Cora and Figgern.
Cora reacted by racing up the injury-faker and grabbing it. Her threat to the rest of them that she would kill it if they attacked fell of deaf, or misunderstanding, ears. I hit the one closest to me but the creature was obviously some kind of demon, my crossbow bolt simply bounced off.
Next thing it did was to use some kind of ice-cold breath attack. I avoided the blast but Grasshopper was caught in it. I saw him shivering violently with the fiendish cold it unleashed.
In revenge he managed to grab it and hold it still. Drawing both shortswords I attacked it while it was held. The damned thing was tough, it took both of us attacking in concert to kill it and even as we struck, its lesser wounds were healing up before our very eyes.
Meanwhile on the other side of the street, Cora decided that using her sword would be the best tactic. The one she grabbed initially managed to get away but another demon had been summoned and this was the first to be killed in one savage blow. Theo attacked one, getting a good hit with his divinely enhanced mace. He also had help from a mangy looking buzzard that Figgern had summoned. Cora then charged and chopped that demon up too. Fiela, Figgern, Snowbell and the fox all held the fifth and final demon, but were not able to harm it significantly harm. Once our demon was finally dead Grasshopper and I raced over to help deal with, using pretty much the same technique. Pin it down and stab it to death.
So taking a quick count, we lost no one and killed four demons. One did, however, get away. Now we must heal some wounds taken and proceed with utmost caution.
And I must remember to pick up my crossbow and go back for the mule.
After licking our wounds, literally in Figgern's case, we explored a little further into the ruined city. We soon spotted the only structure that had survived intact. It appeared to be a large fortified building near the far end of the valley. I scouted ahead and spotted many recent Skaven tracks going in and out of a portcullised entrance. Two other doors that lead into the building did not looked like they were used. The outer walls were all covered in markings, a crude inverted triangle, presumably the Skaven marking their territory. Fiela checked and there were not magical glyphs.
I reported back to the others and collecting the mule, went back to the main building. At first I wanted to try the two unused doors, but we soon found out why they were not used. The first was solidly built and reinforced. The second the same, though this time I could see through a gap in the door frame. Large boulders had been placed behind the door. I also spotted what could be cattle stalls but could not see any livestock. So I had to come up with a different way in. Grasshopper and I scouted the rest of the way round the back of the building and we couldn’t see any more wooden doors Though I did spot something else.
A thin line of snow had built up on top of a stone jutting out from the wall. It was in the shape of a door. I sent Grasshopper back to get the other and I started to jimmy the door open. Once it was open we could see it was actually a wooden frame with plaster on the outside to disguise it. We closed it behind us.
The rooms and corridors inside this section of the building were dusty and quiet. I figured that we would be better off heading left and sticking to that side of the building. As we slowly explored Fiela told me she heard a sound from further into the building, like a large animal crying in pain and a thud against a wall. Since no doors seemed to lead in that direction, we will have to press on regardless.
One room we found had a large hole covering most of the floor with a single plank placed across it. I got across ok but the others seemed to balk at the precarious nature of it. Theo especially needed some encouragement. Fiela tried to get across but fell in, why she didn’t tie a rope first is beyond me. However she did the come up with an idea to help everyone across. Placing the plank at angle with one end in the hole and the other up against the side, the others were able to slide down it. Then repeating the process but with the plank pointing up from the hole to this side.
However as we were getting this all sorted I heard squeaks from further down the corridor. We decided that a quick attack would be the best course of action and we were just getting ready to charge when Fiela piped up. She had spotted something on the wall. Three holes, about the right size to launch longspears at anyone passing. I soon discovered the pressure trigger on the floor and bypassed the trap so we could carry on. By now, however, the noise from ahead had stopped and I am guessing we have lost the element of surprise.
We charged round the corner and saw four Slave Rats; three went down to Cora's blade in short order. The fourth tried to escape by unbarring the door behind him but was quickly killed. Again we heard the sounds of pain from some distant creature and the banging against walls.
After this room we saw more corridors, one turn lead to the stable area I spotted earlier. Fiela and Grasshopper opened the top half of the stable door to peek inside. They described the creature they saw inside as a giant rat. Really, really, giant, as in the size of a small pony. It was harnessed up as if it was a riding animal, which makes some sense for the Skaven to be riding giant rats.
Another room we passed was full of rubble. The third room Cora decided to boot in the door. She gave it such a kick that it flew right off its hinges and twenty feet across the room. At first it appeared to be a dead end but from the layout of the building and given our progress so far we gave it a search and found a not very well concealed secret door. The passage beyond was very tight.
The room beyond had four more Skaven, these were of the better calibre, armed and armoured with decent quality arms. This fact did not save them, however, and Cora again sliced them up.
This room also had arrow slits and a quick check confirmed that we had made it back to the front and we were in the gatehouse. I listened at the only door out of here, many voices from the next room and the sounds of tables being shoved over. I paid particular attention to their squeaks. Hopefully soon I will be able to decipher their language.
After a quick group discussion and a burst of healing from Theo we opted to charge in, again. The next room did indeed contain a larger number of Skaven, Slaves, officers and a Spell Rat.
Grasshopper was first in drawing a hail of crossbow bolts for his trouble, though only one managed to hit. I had no idea he could deflect them with his bare hands. Cora was in next. Fiela and I followed. I quickly realised why something was wrong, a magical silence had descended on the room. This was quickly followed by arcane darkness. This made things a little difficult but Figgern had his lantern and my eyes adjusted to the dim conditions quickly.
I had entered the room and stayed along one wall. Whilst I could not hear anything I could feel the wall shake and saw the dust fall. The monster on the other side of the wall was obviously of a size. Grasshopper was fighting an armoured Skaven so I moved round to help him out. The Spell Rat then tried to move behind me to open a door that would lead to the monster's room. I stepped in front of the door and realised that I was no longer in the area of silence. I shouted to the others, those that could still hear me anyway, that there was a big creature in the next room.
Cora and Snowbell had a hard fight at the other end of the room. Fiela took a poisoned crossbow belt which Figgern was able to help with.
The Spell Rat was nasty opponent and with another armoured Rat they battled desperately to get the door open. I took some big cuts and was forced to my knees at one point and was forced to drink the healing potion I had. Theo stepped over me and continued to block the door. He managed to hurt the Spell Rat and prevent the door from being opened. Grasshopper killed one rat then disabled another. Putting him in an advantageous position to block the Spell Rat from retreating when it realised it was on the losing side.
So after some hard fighting we had won. Then the door rattled again reminding us of the large creature next door. We all agreed that retreat was the best option. I quickly took some items from the Spell Rat, two potions and well-made shortsword. We then headed back to the study.