ArdFionn Lightfoot – a female Elven Outrider from the Laurelorn Forest

 

Galadaeg Shadowhelm – a male Elven Hunter from the Laurelorn Forest

 

Gustav Brundlea male human Tradesman (brewer) from the village of Pritzstock,

Middenland

It's hard to find a city or village in the Middlelands that Gustav hasn't visited. He is obsessed. Obsessed with traveling the lands in search of the best ingredients for his ale. The soon to be legendary "Brundle Brew".

His obsession began about 10 years ago. Gustav and his younger brother Thomas worked up the courage to hop the fence at Old Man Covington's farm and sneak off with a keg of his ale. Covington was an amateur brewmeister and always had a few full kegs stacked near his barn. The two boys ran off to their nearby hiding spot in the woods to partake of their ill gotten brew. Before long they were inebriated beyond belief. Surprisingly nothing major happened and they ended up sleeping it off. But from that day forward Gustav had a new best friend. ALE!

Surprisingly he isn't a drunk. He loves ale. More than most things. Yet it's not the inebriation he seeks, but the taste of a well crafted brew. Over the past years he has spent his free time learning about brewing and using his knowledge in herbs to assist in that endeavor. He loves making ale and he loves sampling the ales of the villages and cities he frequents. His dream is to brew the perfect pint.

In his travels to seek out the knowledge he needs and the ingredients he'll use he has spent many an hour in the dark pubs of the Middlelands. There he savors sips of the regions ales. Making notes in his journal as the hours fly by. In these hours he's learned an important thing about ale. The best side dish to good ale is a good story. He loves listening to tipsy travelers tell tales of their voyages. With each pint they get more and more exaggerated. He'll join in the revelry usually, egging them on until the story has become so outlandish that few are able to stop from laughing at its absurdity. A tall tale and a pint of the Empire's finest. Food for the Gods!

 

Konrad Feldstatler – a male human Squire from the village of Luftberg, Nordland

 

LogazNir of Rangenhof – a male Dwarven Pit Fighter from the Village of Rangenhof,

Talabecland

 

Wellentag, the 27th of Sigmarzeit, Year I.C. 2522

Paths of the Damned

Ashes of Middenheim

Deadly Cargo

Do you make any special arrangements before you leave the Shrine?  I take it your goal is to get back to Middenheim as quickly as possible.  Do you seek Roadhouses for the evening?

            I think that when its time to camp seeking a roadhouse is the best. Who knows whats lurking around here after the "Storm of Chaos".

                Konrad agrees, wincing as he instinctively nods his throbbing head.
                "It's not safe out in the wild, especially with what we're carrying."

                "Aye, but lets be findin, ones that are not too busy. Who knows what might be attracted to this thing. We can't be takin' any chances. We all share one room, and we take shifts on guard, two at a time and we only leave the room to get food to bring back up to the room. We stay together and we don't mingle."
                ArdFionn pauses for a moment, looking deep in thought and slightly troubled.
                "Loose lips sink ships. Lets just keep that in mind."

                "Works for me." Gustav says.

                "The sooner we're free of this object the better it will suit me. But I wonder, will the church be capable of destroying this artifact? If not, then what could their purpose be in wanting to acquire it unless they were to use it?"

                "Ain't no use in wonderin' what the church can an' can't be doin'! Let's us all just be worryin' 'bout gettin' this thing back to Middenheim fast-like."

                Gustav speaks, "It is their intention to destroy it, to prevent the form of Khorne being set loose on the Empire."

                You travel on for what remains of the day.  No dangerous creatures nor enemies are seen.  You make a roadhouse before nightfall.  Private rooms are 10 shillings or the common room is 5 pennies. What arrangements do you make for quarters and do you do anything special during the night?

                "One private room for all of us, we take shifts."

            Besides taking his turn at watch, Gustav has no special plans. He makes notes in his notebook regarding their travels so far.

                ArdFionn will sleep with her back on the door so she will know if someone tries to open it. Two people will go get food and drinks for everyone at one point, but noone ever leave the room alone.

                Galadaeg makes sure that all his equipment is in good working order and tries to get what rest he can.
                After eating his share of the food, Gustav volunteers for first watch.

                The innkeeper looks at you in disbelief when you ask for a single room, then shrugs and hands you the key.  Food and drink are ferried in by some of you during the evening.  All comes to 17 shillings.  Gustav takes first watch, what’s the order and duration of watch for the rest?

                Konrad, needing to rest his injured body, requests that he sleep first and be waken early for last watch. He removes his armor, eats his meal despite his nausea, and falls asleep.

                LogazNir, too, volunteers to take up first watch.

                ArdFionn will take second watch.

                Galadaeg will also share the second watch, and will share the third with Konrad.

                Three watches, at least two people per watch and as long as they need to be for everyone to get enough sleep.
                (So it looks like: Gustav and LogazNir first, Galadaeg and Ardfionn second, and Galadaeg(?) and Konrad third)

                The night passes uneventfully until some time between 3 and 4 am.  You are all awoken by a crash as you see in the starlight, Logaznir, arms outstretched and moving to pick up the skull, which has somehow rolled out of his backpack.  Even Konrad is startled awake, as he had drifted off during his watch.  It takes a moment to take everything in.  As LogazNir reaches and picks up the skull, what do the rest of you do?

                Gustav tries to knock it out of his hand, to the floor.
                Quickly.

                ArdFionn will try to toss a blanket over the skull and pick it up only after it is full wrapped.

                Konrad awakens from a start, pushing himself up from his slumped sitting position. He looks around the room, trying to make sense of the action in the room.
                "Huh, what? What's going..."
                Seeing the skull out of its pack, his hand goes to his sword.
                "Who took that foul thing out?"

                ArdFionn and Galadaeg notice that LogazNir is glassy-eyed and is moving slowly.   

                Gustav tries to knock the skull from LogzaNir’s hands.  Gustav rolls a 3 for an Agility check and knocks the skull, then rolls a 21 for a Strength check compared to LogazNir’s 34, and the skull falls to the floor with a very heavy thud.

                ArdFionn tosses a blanket over the thing, but even as she does this LogazNir is bending to pick it up again.

                What does everyone (except LogazNir) do now?

                Konrad, quickly figuring that not all is well with LogazNir, watches to see if he acts violently. He prepares to tackle him if necessary.

                Gustav holds his action watching Loganzir.... His thought similar to Konrads...

                Galadaeg doesn't hesitate, and moves to restrain the dwarf.

                ArdFionn will attempt to scoop up the skull in the blanket and hold it away from Logaznir.

                Galadaeg grabs LogazNir easily.  But even as ArdFionn snatches up the skull, it is apparent that holding the dwarf will prove to be more difficult.  Konrad and Gustav watch on in the deep shadows in the room, made all the eerier by the fact that the only sounds are heavy breathing and the shuffling of feet.

                LogazNir will continue to try and reach the skull.  What does everyone else do?

                Seeing that the dwarf is going to be tough to grapple, Gustav helps hold him down.

                Konrad helps by trying to bring and hold the dwarf down.

                ArdFionn will wrap the skull up tightly in the blanket and take it to the far side of the room, as far from LogazNir as possible.
                "LogazNir, Stop. You are stronger then whatever magic this is. A dwarf being controlled like this, what would your clan say?"

                "They'd say stop squirming!" Gustav grunts as he tries to keep the dwarf immobile.

                LogazNir easily shakes off Galadaeg and Konrad but Gustav manages to hang on.  The dwarf seems to pay no heed to ArdFionn’s words.

                "So thats how its going to be eh?" Gustav grunts as the others get tossed. Trying to pin the stocky dwarf to the ground.
                "Anyone got a rope?" he hollers to the others.

                Sorry, I didn’t make it clear.  Is anyone else doing anything different, other than grappling  with LogazNir?

                Shaking himself a bit, Galadaeg throws himself back into the tussle with renewed vigor. Attempting a new tactic, Galadaeg tries to put LogazNir in a sleeper hold to knock him unconcious.
                "Forgive me, my friend."

                ArdFionn will put the skull out of sight of LogazNir and then look about for some rope.
                "Father, do you know what might be causing this?"

                Galadaeg tries to increase the pressure around the dwarf’s stout neck, but finds unyielding sinews there (Galadaeg rolled a 40 for his Strength check).

                ArdFionn puts the skull behind one of the beds, but LogazNir’s outstretched arms still grasp for it.

                Father Odo is clinging to a door frame.  “Cause of what, my child?  I hear a struggle, and can only assume the power of the skull has somehow taken hold of one of your friends.  Try rousing him from his thrall!”

                Gustav keeps his weight on top of LogazNir.

                LogazNir struggles to get up and free from Galadaeg, Gustav and Konrad, bit fails to move.

                There is a sharp rap at the door and the sound of someone calling “What is all that shuffling and slamming about from in there?”

                What does everyone (except LogazNir) do this round?

                Gustav hollers towards the door "Mind your own business friend!" and continues to wrestle Logaznir.

                Galadaeg throws himself back into the fray with a growl of frustration and tries the sleeper hold again.
                (If Galadaeg doesn't succeed, I'll use my free success from my Birthday).

                ArdFionn opens the door a crack, "Our apologize Sir, our friend is a bit of a violent sleeper. We'll endevor to keep it down."
                ArdFionn closes the door again.

                Galadaeg fails to do anything at all to LogazNir (a Strength test of 41 and a 90 rolled for the re-try)

                The inquiring person raises a finger and almost gets a word out before ArdFionn closes the door again.

                LogazNir suddenly stops struggling.  It seems as if his wits have returned (perhaps due to the violent shaking of the wrestling match.

                Everyone (including LogazNir) may now post at will again.

                The moment Loganzir stops struggling Gustaz gets his arm behind him and raises it to get Logaznir in a position where he'd hurt himself if he moves.
                "What say you dwarf?" Gustav asks accusingly.

                Galadaeg eases pressure, but remains vigilant.

                "Feeling better old friend?"
                ArdFionn looks over at LogazNir while keeping the skull out of his sight in the blanket.

                Konrad disengages himself with the dwarf, still dazed by the rude awakening from his slumber.
                "I knew this thing was bad news. The sooner it is out of our possession, the better."

                LogazNir looks at the group, first in confusion, then with rage. "What's all this then?! why be all ye lookin' at me so? An' why am I... Let go o' me or I'll be makin' you right 'fraid o' ever touchin' a dwarf again!"
                LogazNir begins to fight for his freedom against the others.

                "A back to your pleasent self I see. Well no matter I think it needs to be someone else turn to watch over the skull, and we should perhaps watch in twos, so that this situation is less likely to occur."
                ArdFionn holds out the heavily swaddled skull. "Who wants it next?"

                "I will not say that I want it, for the very thought of that thing makes my spine tingle. But for the next watch at least, I will guard it. Who will join me?"

                "Aye, I will..." Gustav offers.

                "I'd suggest we leave it wrapped up and put it in a far corner, just keep an eye on it. That way no one is having to actually hold on to it for now."
                With that ArdFionn sits back down in front of the door and goes back to sleep.

                Gustav keeps an eye on the wrapped up skull. If there is anything heavy in the room that can be placed on top of it he does so....

                Konrad glares are the wrapped up skull, rubbing his head wound.
                "I don't know if I can sleep with that thing in the room but, if others will take the watch, I could use the rest."
               
Gustav and Galadaeg both start awake at the same time.  Inexplicably they had dozed off during their watch.  They wake to find the skull out of its wraps and sitting on the table, almost as if it was watching them.

                In the early morning light Galadaeg notices that the shadow cast by the skull is of the wrong shape and size.  It seems too big, too black, and seems to move of its own accord.

                No resistance is met as the skull is re-wrapped, however, and noting else happens before full sunrise.

                Does anyone wish to do anything before heading out again?

                "Yeah... Thats real normal...." Gustav says. A shiver going thru him.
                "I don't like this thing. And the sooner we get it back to the church the better."

                LogazNir grunts in accordance with Gustav's comment. His face retains the dark and sour look of the previous evening, and the dwarf seems to be keeping the haft of his axe closer at hand than is his norm.

                "All right you lot, stop fussin' over that there spook skull, and lets beat feet back to the city so we can be rid of it. We'll take shifts carryin' it, just so as none of us get taken over by it again. No one 'olds it for more then an 'our at a time. Let's pack up and head out so as we don't endanger any of the people 'ere, any more then we already 'ave."
                "Sound good to you Father? Let just be 'oping that your crew 'ave done their part and found a way to be gettin rid of it for good."

                Konrad starts packing up as soon as the idea to leave is introduced.
                Great idea. We should leave immediately."

                "Indeed, the sooner we're free of this accursed thing the better off we'll be."

                Father Odo agrees wholeheartedly.

A Call to Arms

It is Aubentag, the 25th of Sigmarzeit, 2522 I.C.

You begin your journey one again.  Konrad is having quite a time keeping control of his horse, as it seems quite spooked.  I assume ArdFionn now carries the blanket-wrapped skull, and any time she gets near Konrad’s horse it goes out of it’s way, and off the path, to avoid her.

It is well into the day and you are in a very deep part of the forest when a piercing wail sounds from within the blankets wrapping the skull.  Regardless of your efforts to silence the scream, within a few minutes the skull’s call is answered by a distant bellows from deep in the woods.

What do you do?

                Gustav quickly tries to assess the number of answering bellows...
                "I suggest we move as quickly as we can. We're going to have company very quickly. We need to find a place of tactical advantage in case this thing doesnt shut up!" 

                Galadaeg draws his bow and nocks an arrow while looking around intently. "At the very least, we need somewhere a bit more defensible than in the middle of the road, surrounded by forest!"

                "Agreed, Lets get off the path. ArdFionn will jam the skull, wrapped, into her pack. All right we need to keep this thing out of the hands of whatever it's trying to call. We kill whatever is coming or die trying."
                ArdFionn looks for a place to hide Father Odo, so he will not get caught in the battle.
                "If I go down some grab my pack fast, we don't want this thing falling into the wrong hands."
                ArdFionn grabs her bow and looks for a place to position herself facing the answering bellows.

                Gustav loads his crossbow and follows the others to wherever they determine is the best spot.

                You make all the arrangements stated and find excellent positions in the trees.  Father Odo seems safely out of harm’s way.  It is almost 10 minutes since the answering  bellows was heard before your attackers can be seen crashing through the forest.  Eleven   beastmen! The leader appears to have the legs of an animal, the face of a beast and large horns and suckers on it’s hands.  Armored in full mail it wields a greataxe.  Behind it are 2 creatures with the upper bodies of men but the hindquarters of a horse and an ox, respectively.  Their torsos are armored in leather jacks and they wield demilances and shields.  Following closely behind are 2 creatures that look much like the lead beastman, only in leather jacks and wielding swords and shields.  And bringing up the rear are 3 beastmen with smaller horns, no armor, swords and shields; and 3 beastmen with no horns, similarly equipped.  One of these last creatures has running sores all over its body.

The Beasts of Chaos

                They seem to be making a bit of noise moving through the forest, so it’s no surprise when they come into view.  Likewise it seems some of you are more visible to them than others, so they seem to be able to pick out your group almost immediately.  This translates into no surprise round.

                You have a round or 2 before they are upon you.  What does everyone want to do?

                Gustav open fire with his crossbow. Aiming for the closest beastman he can see. He'll use the aim action for his first shot. (since its already loaded)

                Whispering curses in Elven, Galadaeg begins to rain down a flurry of arrows on the beastmen leader hoping to demoralize the lesser creatures.
                Actions:
                Fire at the beastmen leader (if there's a clear shot, if not he'll aim for one of the ones armed with demilances).
                Reload (free)
                If the first target went down, then pick a new target, if not, then fire a second shot at the same target.

                ArdFionn will open fire on the leader in the hopes of taking down the leader.

                Konrad, still badly wounded, moves to Father Odo's side and waits for the enemies to close. He has dismounted, not trusting in Gorgon in his spooked state. With his sword and shield at the ready, Konrad prepares to patch the holes that will form in the defenses of his allies.
                OOC: Konrad will attack the first charging beastman who comes into range. If any of his companions fall, he will step in to defend them. Also, was Konrad able to get any more healing before the battle?

                Everyone healed an additional point of damage.  Unfortunately Father Odo is a priest of Ulric and knows only petty healing spells.

Galadaeg’s first arrow misses (79 rolled).

                ArdFionn puts an arrow right into the Bestigor’s body, but it seems to have done no damage due to armor and toughness.

                Gustav puts a bolt into the right arm of the Bestigor, lightly wounding it.

                The creatures will be on you after the next round.  What do you do?

                If there is any cover near Gustav, he'll move to cover before aiming and shooting. If he would have to move so far that he cant get his shot off this round he'll forgo the cover.

                As you had 10 minutes to prepare I assumed everyone was in cover.

                And the results of my second arrow?

                Gustav aims and fires again.

                It will take a full round for Gustav to re-load his crossbow.

                Galadaeg may only fire one arrow per turn.  Even though he has rapid re-load, the only way to make more than 1 attack is to make a swift attack, and that only allows you to make a number of attacks equal to your attack rating.

                ArdFionn will fire again and then draw her sword.

                LogazNir plants himself firmly between the beastmen and Konrad/Father Odo. He will attack any beastmen who close with him, striking at the seemingly weakest ones first. His top priority will be to protect Konrad and the priest.

                Galadaeg will load and fire 1 arrow using the same targeting rules as before. After that, he will draw his sword and shield.

                Galadaeg’s arrow strikes the body of the bestigor.  A 1 rolled for damage, even though armour-piercing, fails to cause any harm.

                Galadaeg can drop his bow and draw his shield this round.

                ArdFionn’s arrow misses with an 81.  She draws her sword.

                The beasts are upon you in a cacophony of brays, snorts and bellows!  Initiative order is Galadaeg, ArdFionn, gor 2, bestigor, bray 1, ungor 2, bray 3, gor 1, Gustav, ungor 1, ungor 3, centigor 2, bray 2, Father Odo, centigor 1, LogazNir and Konrad.

                Please post your actions for the round.

                Galadaeg will do a charge attack on the nearest creature.

                "FOR THE EMPIRE!"
                Gustav drops his crossbow and makes an all out attack on the nearest enemy.

                ArdFionn will advance on the nearest one, keeping her back to a tree or another alley so as to keep them from getting behind her, and will attack.

                LogazNir continues to hold.

                Galadaeg charges into one of the smaller beastmen with no horns (a bray), and deals 12 points of damage to its left arm, heavily wounding the creature.

                ArdFionn strikes one of the larger, horned beastmen (a gor) in the right arm for 11 points of damage, lightly wounding it.

                Another gor strikes Konrad’s right arm.  Konrad fails to parry the blow with his shield, and takes 4 points of damage. Konrad is heavily wounded.

                The leader in full mail with a great weapon (a bestigor) attacks Konrad but misses.

                A different bray than the one he charged attacks Galadaeg and misses.

                A smaller beastman with small horns (an ungor) misses Konrad.

                Another bray strikes at Galadaeg’s left arm, bu the elf just parries the blow with his shield, but damages his shield in the process.

                A gor makes it through to Father Odo and swings at the priest but misses.

                Gustav hits the same gor that ArdFionn attack for 7 damage to its left arm, still only lightly wounding it.

                An ungor attacks Father Odo and misses.

                Yet another Ungor gets to Father Odo and strikes him heavily in his chest, knocking the priest down, heavily wounding him and knocking the wind out of him.

                One of the half-horse creatures (a centigor) strikes Gustav’s right arm with its sword, dealing 1 point of damage after toughness bonus.

                Another centigor hits LogazNir’s left arm for 8 points of damage after armor and toughness bonus.

                The last bray attacks ArdFionn but misses.

                LogazNir is up and then Konrad.  What would you like to do?

                LogazNir will move to attack the Ungor who struck Father Odo, if possible, otherwise he retaliates agains the centigor.

                When able, Gustav makes another all out attack against his enemy.

                Bleeding and desperate, Konrad will swing at the Ungor that felled Father Odo, ignoring his own attackers to defend the fallen priest.

                LogazNir swings at the ungor but misses (79 rolled).

                Konrad likewise misses the beast (82 rolled).

                ArdFionn and Galadaeg are up.

                Galadaeg will do an all out attack on the heavily wounded bray to bring him down then turn to defend himself against the one still standing.

                ArdFionn will keep fighting the heavily wounded creature attacking her.
                "Wow, you guys are ugly then I thought you'd be? I mean damn, you seriously answer a bunch of questions I 'ad as a lil' one. What do you get when you cross one butt ugly 'uman with an old nag whose been around the field a few times... Oh wait, it's you!"
                ArdFionn taunts some of the nearby creatures attacking the priest hoping to get them off the helpless man.

                OOC: Is there a reason why Konrad does not get his second attack?

                Yes.  The GM screwed up.  Konrad’s second attack was a miss (86 rolled). Doubly sorry.

                Galdaeg cuts into the bray’s left leg (39 rolled) and deals 4 points of damage.  The bray still stands, though heavily wounded.

                ArdFionn’s voice barely cuts through the grunts, snorts and brays, but does elicit what may be taken to be laughter from the bray she aims her blow against (no reason not to take an aimed attack, 50 rolled), striking it in the head for 9 points of damage, shattering its face and driving it to the ground.

                The Gor continues hacking at Konrad, dealing 4 wounds to the squire’s right arm.  Konrad failed to parry the blow with a 64 rolled.

                The bestigor slams it’s greatsword into Konrad’s body, dealing 6 wounds after armor and toughness.  Konrad fails to dodge the blow (53 rolled) and is stunned for 3 rounds.  Konrad gains an insanity point for suffering a critical hit.

                One of the brays misses Galadaeg with its spear.

                An ungor stabs Konrad in the body with its spear for 4 wounds after armor and toughness bonus.  The blow results in serious internal bleeding.  Konrad is helpless and slumps to the ground.  Konrad earns another insanity point.

                A bray makes an aimed attack with its spear at Galadaeg but misses.

                A gor spears father Odo in his body.  There is aa great gout of  blood as the priest stops struggling to get back up.

                Gustav makes an all-out attack against that same gor, bue the beast blocks the attack with it’s shield

                An ungor jabs at Ardfionn’s head with its spear, inflicting 3 points of damage and lightly wounding the elf.

                Another ungor breaks from where Father Odo lays and attacks LogazNir with its spear but misses.

                The Centigor attacking LogazNir misses with its demilance

                The Centigor attacking Gustav strikes hi s right arm with its demilance, dealing only 2 points of damage after toughness bonus.

                LogazNir is now up, but everyone can post what they want their actions to be when their turns come up, or indicate if you want me to pause when it gets to you so you can assess the situation as it stands on your initiative.

                Galadaeg is lightly wounded at 11 out of 12 wounds.  ArdFionn is lightly wounded at 10 out of 13 wounds.  Gustav is lightly wounded at 8 out of 12 wounds.  Konrad lays helpless on the ground.  LogazNir is unharmed.  Father Odo is not moving.  Two brays are unharmed.  One gor is unharmed.  One gor is lightly wounded.  Three ungors are unharmed.  Two centigors are unharmed.  The bestigor is lightly wounded.  One bray is dead.

                OOC: Did one roll go my way this combat? Even one? Konrad is certainly the punching bag of this campaign. You'll all miss him when he's gone, which seems to be certain to happen soon.

                OOC What about fate points and things like that can we use some of those to try and change the last round of combat?

                yeah, this is a good time to revisit what fortune and fate points can do.

                Agreed there!
                LogazNir will make an All-Out-Attack on the Ungor that dropped Konrad. If it proves to far away, then he will make the attack on the Gor that attacked Father Odo.
                LogazNir, seeing the horde of beastmen crash into, and begin to roll over, the group, summons up all the anger and rage within his sturty frame and attacks with a wide, sweeping swing of his large axe, hoping to cleave one of the creatures in half and halt their growing momentum. The attack, unfortunatly, leaves him more than a little open to counters!

                ArdFionn will continue her attacks going for wounded creatures where possible in hopes of dropping the enemies numbers.

                Galadaeg will aim, and then do an all out attack on the other Bray he's in combat with.

                OOC: I've already spent a fate point in this campaign to avoid outright death. I'll do the same if Konrad is attacked again. As for fortune, I would spend one to try to reroll the parry that dropped me unless it is too late. I may have gotten the fate and fortune mixed up. It's all in good fun, though. I see Konrad as brave and loyal, but not that competent. My rolls seem to back up that idea.

                ((I'd rather loyal and incompetent than treacherous and skilled!))

                Gustav will all out attack his combatant again. Using a fortune point if the attack roll misses.

                Fate Points:  Fate points are a finite resource.  Once spent they are not replenished (unless awarded in game.)  You can spend a fate point to avoid death or maiming.

                Fortune Points: Fortune points are replenished each day.  You gain a number of fortune points equal to your fate point value. You can spend a fortune point to

a) re-roll one failed characteristic or skill test

b) gain an extra parry or dodge

c) gain an extra 1d10 on your initiative roll

d) gain an extra half action during your turn

                Konrad can use his 1 daily fortune point to gain an extra parry against that last attack: he rolls a 67 however, and fails to block the blow.

                LogazNir cannot reach the beast that downed Father Odo and also attack.  The same holds true for Konrad’s attacker.  LogazNir is be-set my multiple enemies and must attack one of them if he is to attack at all this round.  LogazNir makes an all-out attack against the Centigor, rolls a 23 and hits it in the right arm.  LogazNir invoke’s Ulric’s fury but fails to follow up with a 94; LogazNir deals 14 points of damage, lightly wounding the centigor.

The centigor attacks LogazNir a second time but misses.

                The other centigor attacks Gustav a second time and strikes him in the head with its demilance, but deals only 1 wound of damage.

                We go into a new round of combat.

Saved!

The Witch Hunters

                At that moment, three humans charge into the field of battle.  One, an imposing man over six feet tall and rangy,  sits astride a light warhorse, is armed with a demilance, has a well-crafted great sword strapped to his back, wears 4 throwing daggers on his belt and wears full plate armour over well-crafted clothing.  He has dark hair, blue eyes an bears a scar down the left side of his lower jaw.  The second also wears full plate and rides a light warhorse and holds in one and a pistol and in the other a crossbow pistol.  He is fair-haired and heavily built.   On his belt hangs a well-made sword, a morning star, a rapier, a main gauche and 4 throwing knives, and on his back is a greataxe.  The third is also mounted, wears full mail armour, and has a sword, 5 knives and a flail in his belt.  He is holding a net.  This man is squat and balding.  All three men bear some sort of religious symbols about their necks.

                Galadaeg aims a blow at bray #2, but misses (67 rolled).

                None of the creatures attacking ArdFionn are wounded.  She must attack one of them if she s to attack at all this round.  ArdFionn aims a blow at the same bray Galadaeg attacked, striking it’s body (61 rolled; bray #2 attempted to parry the blow with its shield but failed.)  ArdFionn deals 2 points of damage and heavily wounds bray #2.

                The fair-haired rider fires his pistol at the bestigor and strikes it in the left leg. 

                The rider with the demilance charges that same bestigor, piercing it’s right leg with his demilance.  The leader of the beastmen is still only lightly wounded.

                The stout man rides up beside the demi-lance wielder and throws his net at the bestigor, successfully snaring the creature.

                The gor with two swords aims a blow at the charging rider, striking his right arm, but the blade does not get through the rider’s full plate.

                The bestigor struggles to break free from the net but fails.

                Bray #1 strikes Galadaeg in the body with its spear (Galadeag failed to parry with a 96 rolled), dealing 5 points of damage.  Galadaeg is lightly wounded at 6 wounds remaining.

                The ungor that brought low Konrad also attacks the charging rider with its spear, but misses.

                Bray #3 aims a spear blow at ArdFionn.  The lef attempts to parry the blow with her shield but the spear is too fast.  ArdFionn is struck in the right arm for 5 points of damage, and is lightly wounded at 5 wounds remaining.

                Gor #1 aims a spear blow at Gustav and strikes his left leg, but Gustav shrugs off the damage (no damage penetrated armor and toughness bonus.)

                Gustav makes an all-out attack on that same Gor, and misses with an 86 rolled and a 91 rolled after spending a fortune point.

                Ungor #1 aims a spear blow at ArdFionn’s head and only by use of a fortune point to gain an extra parry is she able to deflect the blow (22 rolled.)

                Ungor #3 aims a spear blow at LogazNir, but misses.

                Centigor  #2 attacks LogazNir with hits demilance and misses.

                Centigor #1 pierces Gustav’s right arm for 4 points of damage.  Gustav is heavily wounded at 3 wounds remaining.

                LogazNir makes another all-out attack against Centigor #2, but misses with an 86 rolled.

                The rider with the pistols fires his crossbow pistol into the body of the netted bestigor, heavily wounding it.

                Centigor #2 strikes again at LogazNir, this time hitting the dwarf in the head for 8 wounds.  LogazNir suffers a level 2 critical hit to the head, and earns an insanity point.  The demilance inflicts a nasty scalp wound.  Blood runs into LogazNir’s eyes causing him to suffer a -10% WS penalty until medical attention is received.

                Centigor #2 strikes again at Gustav but misses.

                Please post your actions for the next round.

                ArdFionn will continue fighting the creatures attacking he and will if possible move to Father Odo and Konrad while fighting.

                LogazNir will continue making all out attacks on the wounded Centigor, even as the blood courses down his face to matte his beard. ((Should he miss his next attack, he will use a fortune point to redo the roll.))

                Gustav will continue all out attacks, rerolling if missing until all fortune points are depleted.

                I’m assuming Galadaeg continues to make aimed attacks at his enemies.

                Galadaeg aims a sword blow at bray #1’s left leg (39 rolled), but the creature parries the blow with its shield.

                ArdFionn likewise aims an attack at the same bray but misses (63 rolled.)

                The horseman with the pistol and crossbow pistol drops both those weapons, dismounts, draws his great axe with lightning speed and attacks the bray being attacked by ArdFionn and Galadaeg.  His axe slices through the bray’s arm and buries itself in the creature’s chest.  Without a sound, but with gouts of blood, the creature slumps to the ground, obviously dead.  The axe man grins wickedly.

                The armored man with the demilance drops it to the ground, dismounts, and draws his great sword.

                The squat fellow dismounts, draws his sword, and stands right next to his compatriot.

                Gor #2 strikes the great sword wielder in the body with its long sword, lightly wounding the man.

                The enraged bestigor continues to struggle against the net; unsuccessfully.

                Ungor #2 pierces the left leg of the great sword wielder, but the man is still only lightly wounded.

                Bray #3 turns its attention from ArdFionn and aims an attack against the obviously more dangerous man with a great axe, and even though the beast’s spear makes contact with the man’s right leg, it fails to penetrate his full plate.

                Gor #1 aims another spear blow at Gustav but misses.

                Gustav makes another all-out attack on gor #1, misses (79 rolled), uses his last fortune point for the day and slices the creature’s leather jack on it’s right arm (03 rolled), rendering the armour at that location useless.

                Ungor #1 stabs at the great axe wielder with its spear and misses.

                Likewise does ungor #3 miss its attack against LogazNir.

                Centigor #2, however, stabs its demilance into LogazNir’s right leg.  So furious is the blow that the mail leggings on the leg are damaged (-1 AP).  There is fearsome gout of blood and, after a fraction of a second, the dwarf collapses.  LogazNir must use his last fate point to stay alive and earns an insanity point.

                Centigor #1 attacks Gustav twice with its demilance, the first blow missing, but the second turns Gustav’s right hand into a bloody ruin.  Blood spurts from the hand as Gustav drops his sword.

                Please post your actions for the next round.

                (Can Gustav use a Fate Point to save his hand?)

                If so, I will. If I cant, can he still attack?

                What looked like a horrible wound must have simply nicked a vein as, after the initial few spurts of blood, Gustav’s hand wound seems superficial. (Yes to the use of a fate point.)

                Great. Gustav presses his attack. (All out!)

                LogazNir uses his fortune point, and plans to lay motionless for the remainder of combat.

                (auto-post for Galadaeg) Galadaeg makes another aimed attack at the remaining bray attacking the great-axe wielder, but misses (54 rolled.)

                (posted on behalf of ArdFionn) ArdFionn aims a blow at the same bray and just misses (59 rolled).

                The great-axe wielder concentrates on the ungor, and delivers a blow to the beastman’s body, that the creature parries at the last second with its shield.

                Taking into account the intensity of the battle, the mail-clad human drops his sword, draws a flail and attacks ungor #2; also almost striking the body were it not for the creature’s shield.

                The human with the greatsword slashes at the netted bestigor’s left arm, disabling that limb.  The creature’s greatsword falls to the ground.

                Gor #2 aims a blow at the greatswordsman, and misses.

                Still the bestigor fails to tear free from the net.

                Ungor #2 also misses the greatswordsmasn.

                Bray #3 aims a blow at the greataxeman and misses.

                Gor #1 aims a spear blow and strikes Gustav’s.  Gustav must use a fate point to stay alive, gains an insanity point and knows only darkness for the time being.

                Ungor #1 attacks the greatxaeman, but misses.

                Ungor #3 moves in and attacks the greatswordsman and misses.

                Centigor #2 attempts the same, and also misses.

                Centigor #1 joins the pile on the greatswordsman and, amazingly, also misses!

                The greataxeman makes another attack against the ungor, striking the creature’s right arm and causing it to drop its spear.

                The greatswordsman misses his second attack against the netted bestigor.

                The greataxeman misses his third attack against the ungor.

                On his third attack this round the greatswordsman sweeps the right leg out from under the bestigor, calling upon Ulric as he does so and severs the creatures lower limbs from its body, instantly killing it.

                ArdFionn and Galadaeg are the only party members left in fighting condition.

                Next round!

Galadaeg aims a blow at Bray #3 and hits its right arm, delaing 12 points of damage and heavily wounding the bray.

                ArdFionn attempts the same but misses.

                The greataxeman brings his axe down towards ungor 1’s left arm but the creature parries with its shield.

                The mail-clad human makes an all-out attack against ungor #2 but misses.

                The greatswordsman attacks Centigor #2 but just misses.

                Gor #2 misses the greatswordsman.

                Ungor #2 strikes the greatswordsman’s plated arm with its spear but fails to do any damage.

                Bray #3 misses the greataxeman.

                Gor #1 moves in to almost completely surround the greatswordsman but misses its attack.

                Ungor #1 has to retrieve its spear and then misses its attack against the greataxeman.

                Ungor #3 aims a blow at the greatswordsman and misses by a hair’s breadth.

                Centigor #2 strikes the greatswordsman in the right leg, still only lightly wounding the human.

                Centigor #1 does the same but misses.

                So great is Konrad’s blood loss that he uses a fate point as the darkness closes about him.

                The greataxeman misses his second attack against ungor #1.

                The greatswordsman delivers a blow to Centigor #2’s head, seriously wounding that beast.

                Centigor #2’s second attack again lightly wounds the greatswordsman with a blow to his body.

                Centigor #1 strikes his right arm but fails to do any damage.

                The greataxeman deftly removes the head from ungor #1 and its twitching body collapses to the ground.  The axeman lets out a triumphant howl.

                The greatswordsman laughs at the sound and removes the right leg from Centigor #2, sending it crashing to the ground as gouts of blood spurt from the wound.

                Next round!

                Galadaeg aims a blow at the Bray, crushing ribs as the elf connects with its body.  The creature seems to have some difficulty now wielding its spear and sword.

                ArdFionn aims a blow but misses.

                The greataxeman takes the right leg of bray #3, leaving ArdFionn and Galadaeg with no enemies in melee.

                The flailwielder brings his weapon down on the left arm of ungor #2, lightly wounding the monster.

                The greatswordsman just misses Centigor #2.

                Gor #2 disengages and moves 10 yards from the melee.

                Ungor #2, #3 and Gor #1 do the same.

                The last Centigor moves 16 yards away.

                The enemy is outside of charge range and will quickly disappear into the woods before anyone can engage them again.

                Within seconds the woods are eerily still once more, except for the sounds of heavy breathing and groans from the wounded.

                The man with the greatsword sheathes his weapon and begins calling upon Sigmar to heal your wounds, as the man in mail attends you with a physician’s kit.

            The caster seems to be having some difficulty so he removes his armor to better his casting.

                You are all eventually completely healed.

                ArdFionn, Gustav and LogazNir each notice and recognize the symbols around their saviors’ necks: a sword and hammer crossed in front of a twin-tailed comet and flanked by the letters O and E; the same emblem from Kroen’s gravestone.

A Few Questions

The tall, lean man seems to be the leader of this group.  He runs a searching eye over you as your wounds are being treated.

                “A good job we were tracking you, wouldn’t you say my friends?  You have Jakob here to thank for our timely arrival.  Otherwise who knows what could have happened.

                “Since we saved your lives, I’d say you shouldn’t mind answering a few questions.  If I like your answers, we’ll escort you back to Middenheim safe and sound.  If not, there are plenty more Beastmen where those came from.”

            Hopin' so, 'cause I was just gettin' started!" the dwarf responds, in a surly manner. He takes in the scene as he talks, looking over the bodies and body pieces, while gingerly probing with his hand the wound that felled him. "So why're you been followin' us, then?"

                Konrad sits sullenly on the ground, his arms and upper body resting on his knees. He picks at the shredded links of his mail, his fingers becoming stained by his own drying blood still clinging to the oiled chain. Despite being at full health for the first time in days, Konrad looks beaten. His always deep-set eyes are unusually buried in the dark shadows of his brow. Konrad looks to have aged years in the last few weeks.
                "No needs for threats, brother. We are good Imperial men, like you, and we seek to banish evil and chaos, as our Lord Sigmar would want. We carry a vile artifact which we need to carry to Middenheim to be destroyed fully and completely."
                Konrad looks past the lean man, staring at nothing beyond him.
                "I beseech you ask no more about it. It has a corrupting effect and I imagine it would find devout men as yourself to be irresistible."

                Gustav, in a bit of a daze. Says nothing. Though at Konrad's mention of the artifact he shoots a glare at him.....

                The lean man waves his hand at LogazNir’s question.  “All in good time, but for now, I’m the one asking the questions.”

                “I heard that you were asking questions back in Middenheim, about one Gerhard Kroen,  recently deceased.  Who were you working for, and what is your interest in him?”

                As Konrad speaks, the man casts a steely eye just past him.

                “Where in Sigmar’s name did you get that thing?!”

                For it lies on the ground, in the open.  ArdFionn and Gustav notice that the blood on the ground seems to be running the wrong way; running towards the skull.  The skull looks damnable…satisfied.

                “Who sent you after that vile thing of Chaos?  How did you know where to find it?  Has it exhibited any strange magical abilities?”

                Gustav looks for Father Odo. Is he ok?

                Father Odo seems fine, if not even more shaken by this most recent attack.

                LogazNir snatches up the skull and looks around for something to wrap it in once more.
                "I don't seem to do any more than give me a bad dream o' two. Aint so tough as it could be stoppin' us from takin' it out o' its hole!"

                "The priests of Ulric in Middenheim have sent us to retrieve this object. The priests seem to think they are capable of destroying this artifact, and to that end, we are helping them." says Galadaeg, sheathing his sword and approaching the group. "Jakob, if we're still friendly when we get to Middenheim, your tracking skills have earned you a well deserved ale."

                Konrad looks with horror at the skull. After a moment, he looks away with a shudder.

"Father Odo here had visions of it. Helped us to track it down to eventually destroy it. It is a thing of corrupting power, capable of swaying your mind, even controlling it when it finds you weak or tired. It won't be satisfied until it destroys us all."

                "Aye, it be a cursed thin' for sure. 'Ere now back in the bag wit it, no need for it to be castin' it's filthy gaze round 'ere.
                Our thanks to you to be certain, but the sooner we can be rid of this 'ere skull the better. So if'n we could at least be talkin' and walkin'. I 'ave no doubt your fairly confident of yourselves and while I know I sure as Sigmar like a good fight, I don't think the good Father 'ere is too keen on mixin' it up again, and I'd be willin' to lay odds that the beasties would love to be gettin' their filthy paws on this 'ere trinket. So can we at least be movin and not lettin' our position be known to 'alf the forest, while ye be questioning us."
                ArdFionn pauses a second and looks at the symbol around the mens necks.
"I be guessin' that that there symbol means your goup ain't so none existant as people might be lead to believe. The Ordo Fidelis if I'm not mistaken, saw that mark on a mans tomb in the city awhile before we started this little jaunty trip."

                The fair-haired, heavier-built man nods in acknowledgment to Galadaeg’s offer, but no emotion shows on his face.

                The lean man sits back on his heels.  “Very well, I feel you have answered me fully and true.  We will be true to our word and escort you back to Middenheim.  I am Matthias Hoffer, that fellow with the axe is Jakob Bauer and the man in mail that seems to think I will die if he is not right by my side is Ulrich Fischer.”

                He turns to ArdFionn.  “That is the sign of the order to which we belong.  And you know the name.”  He leans in very close, almost menacingly but his hands are at ease and away from his weapons,  More than that you will have to find out for yourselves.”

                We can red-line the travel so if there’s anything in particular you would like to ask or say, please do so.  You will not be stopping in any cities as your protectors seem to wish to avoid contact as much as possible.

                We will also be ending a chapter when you reach the City of Middenheim.  You each will earn 130 Experience points so please let me know where you would like to spend them. 

                The dwarf gives Matthias a suspicious look at the man's final words. He says quietly, while looking around the bloodied ground, "Bah, but it's nothin' but a child's toy."

                Red-lining it is fine with me.
                Gustav will take his remaining advance in Strength.
                Saving the other 30 for later.

                Galadaeg will take his final BS upgrade for the current career.
                Galadaeg will also try to sell his shield and one animal trap when they reach Middenheim.

                While Galadaeg does his selling, LogazNir will do some buying. He will seek out a mail coif and two bottles of good quality spirits.