WFRP - The Blood Relic - Part 4 - The Finale!
10-07-011
Lightfoot and Ella made their way with Henri and his merchant caravan, into the jaws of the foreboding Grey Mountains. The weather proved to be their biggest adversary for a day and half, with blistering snowy winds and cold grey stormy skies making the going tough. Eventually the party came to a great stone 'gateway', like fanged maw that opened up to another snow swollen ravine and long unused trail. Henri explained this was the pathway into Grey Tooth Gorge, and from there, they would find the Prisoner's March track that would lead to the abandoned Prison Fort. The adventurers parted ways with Henri, being given a bottle of fine Bretonnian Brandy for their efforts so far. The two made their way into the gorge, their woollen cloaks wrapped tightly around their noses shielding the cold...
It wasnt long before they found what would be Prinsoner's March, that soon ebcame a dangerous snow covered cliffside trail pushing further and higher into the mountains. Along the trail, the two found old ruined prisoner carts, fitted with rusted manacles and chains. Out of the fog and snow up ahead, the dark square cut shape of the prison fort loomed above them. The path snaked it's way up to what looked like a gatehouse and bridge, which crossed a deep gorge and entered the Fort proper. Approaching cautiously, moving in steps between rocky outcroppings, they noticed a thin tendril of smoke rising from near the gatehouse. They sneaked nearer, seeing now a small dark hunched shape with a spear moving about on the gatehouse tower. Gettign a better view brought them even closer to the crumbling gatehouse. They could see a small camp near the tower, and a number of these small dark humanoids. Another two shapes appeared atop the watchtower - Goblins! The horrid rumours were true!
They saw the road that lead to the gatehouse arch, had another sloping branch that turned away from the entrance tower and bridge, and lead down into the gorge below. They could see the remnants of old mining equipment scattering the road, old turned carts and quarry stones, rusted picks and old useless hammers. The two crept dangerously across open ground, hoping to evade the goblins in this dense weather, and made it cover behind an overturned cart by the sloping gorge road. Thankfully the goblins didn't spot them, and a small bickering fight broke out on the watchtower above, between three guards, which gave the pair a chance to move on undetected. Sneaking away from the camp, the two made their way down the new path, the fog and snow swallowing them up as they descended...
They found themselves in what was left of a deserted labour camp quarry, at the base of the gorge cliffs - the prison fort itself perched high above them somewhere in the fog. It was eerily quiet, save the high pitched squawk of a mountain bird of prey high above, and the fog rolled creepily around the rocky walls around them. They found a number of mine shaft entrances, one of them quite large, and barricaded with man made rows of crates and tipped carts, and signs of lots of human movement in and out of the tunnel. There were scattered goblin weapons around in the snow, and as they crept under the crossbeam of the shaft entrance, they noted the hanging head of a goblin, its little green jaw ajar and dry tongue protruding and frozen stiff.
They crept quietly along the grey dusty corridor, Lightfoot's elf vision guiding them, and a flickering eerie firelight casting dancing shadows along their path. Ahead they could see a small square room and some dark shapes in the shadows. As the two burst into the small chamber, they found themselves partly blocked by makeshift barricades of crates and barrels. Behind them, two robed figures jumped to their feet surprised, drawing weapons! "Raise the Alarm" one man yelled, and the other made a dash to the opposite corner to where a large bell was sitting on a pile of crates. Lightfoot's notched arrow quickly stopped him, hitting his arm, he staggered, having to turn and face the vision of Ella charging in, axe curving towards him! The other cultist joined the fray, brutally wounding Ella, but revenge was fast with the two cutting down the robed men before they could get to the bell. They took the red robes, and pulled them quickly on before moving ahead with the cowls drawn closely around their faces.
They took the ringer out of the bell, and made their way quickly into the dark passageway ahead. They made their way down the dusty path, coming to another antechamber. To the south, they found an empty bunkhouse, lined with rough beds, footlockers and tables and chairs. Off to the side they found a store room, stacked high with barrels and crates and racked weapons. They found nice fitting mail armour and shields, and during their search, stumbled across a false bottomed chest, from which they looted many gold pieces and a collection of what could be a stash of stolen jewellery and stones. Lightfoot found an old quiver of arrows, modified to be set alight with oil or pitch. They noticed something much more intriguing. At the back of the store room, near some old crumbling tunnels that smelt like a privvy, they found some barrels of black-powder, with Imperial Reikswald heraldry stencilled on the side. They filled about 5 purse sized pouches full of the grey powder and made their way back out to the main passage.
They crept deeper down the shaft of the mine, to the growing sound of a strange chanting. They came to a small tunnel entrance, branching off the main shaft, and were surprised to find it half closed with a thick heavy red fabric curtain. Sneaking up to the edge of the passageway, they peeked around to see two robed cultists, kneeling before a strange shrine, eyes closed and praying in a harsh unfamiliar tongue. The walls of the small chamber were lined with hanging red fabric, and various brass incense burners filled the room with a sickly smoke. The altar was small and square, painted in blood, and covered in candles, melted onto skulls - human and goblin alike. A bone bowl of dark red blood sat in the centre of the altar, beside a thin curved knife. The cultists hadn't seen them yet, and Lightfoot sneaked in, pushing carefully through the curtains, her sword drawn and lightly treading on the dusty floor to get as close as she could to the unsuspecting mans neck. Ella was beside her, and they pounced! Taking them unaware, Lightfoot sliced into a neck, the man gasping and gurgling to the ground in a spray of blood. The other realised only seconds too late before Ella sunk her axe into the fiend as he turned, wide eyed.
Behind another partially closed curtain, they found a side chamber, lined with makeshift cell cages, the dusty remains of some poor souls littered the floor. In the end cage, they found a grisly discovery. The cage had to be half full with a giant pile of skulls, both human and goblin alike. Some old, some relatively fresh and white. At the end of this shaft, their path was blocked by a rusted old iron ate. A wooden board was wired to it, painted with a fading skull and crossbones. The door had not been used in ages - if at all. Beyond the gate in the darkness, Lightfoot could just make out some natural cave tunnels. It looked as if the old mine shaft had dug through into a cave system years ago, and this gate had been erected to prevent accidents and possibly escapes. No fire torches lit up the shadows back there, and the two made the decision to turn back and follow the main mine shaft, seeking their quarry...
As the two pushed on into the dimly lit passage, the growing sound of humming voices grew louder. Another chant, though this time much louder - more voices. The mine shaft angled up slightly, and ahead of them, brighter firelight shone through as the passage opened up into a much larger mining cavern. They perched secretly by the heavy old beams at the entrance to the chamber to view a horrifying scene. The large chamber had a square cut sunken floor in the centre, and the cultists were in the middle of some dark ritual. They saw a dark robed man, hands raised near the edge of a large pentagram carved into the stone, filled with a thin pouring of blood, glistening in the light. Beside him was Otto, shirtless and bearing all his strange tattoos. He paced back and forth, snorting and growling as if in some sort of trance or rage, carrying a large bronze ceremonial looking axe. There were other cultists, around the floor, robed in red, swinging bronze talismans as the chanter spoke his dread tongue. In the centre of the floor on a blood painted stone, lay the elven sword stolen from the tomb - twisted and blackened by some strange force, its blade eaten away to a cruel stump.
Across the room, an old set of steps and scaffolding criss crossed up the back wall to a heavily barricaded landing and barred metal door - which could lead to the bowels of prison fort above them.
Something (apart from the frakken obvious) made the two adventurers very uneasy, a supernatural feeling had overcome them, and they felt the shadows in the chamber growing as if alive. Something bad was about to happen.
Ella was still heavily wounded, and they needed a different approach than a frontal assault if they were to interrupt the ritual and survive. Lightfoot produced the bags of gunpowder, smiling. Without hesitating, Ella threw a bag into the fray. It missed the mark slightly, but didn't travel far, skidding to a halt near the feet of a cultist, close by Otto and the robed summoner. Lightfoot had already drawn her bow and lit her fire arrow by the torch in the passage. I was confident this was going to be a stretch - but beck - who had been rolling awfully all night - pulled it out of nowhere! Rolling a 03, Lightfoot's blazing arrow sunk into the bag a half second before the terrible explosion! BOOM! Searing flames engulfed one cultists in a ball of light killing him instantly, while another was sent flying to the edge of the ritual floor, his robes alight. Otto was bowled over, taking heavy damage, trying to regain his footing. The dark robed summoner was flung to the ground also, taking heavy damage just as he was completing his dark spell.
His magic was released, but the interruption to the ritual had cost him power and stability, and he lost control of the spell... The room grew dark, and the firebrands seem to flicker to nothing, as a ball of darkness emerged in the centre of the pentagram. Out of nothing came a scurrying dark shape of a beast, two razor sharp long horns and clawed feet. Screeching with an unnatural pitch, the demon flung itself onto the summoner, tearing into the man, killing it's would be master. The demon was drawn to the elven sword, taking it up.
In the confusion following the surprise attack, Lightfoot and Ella prepared another bag of powder to strike again. Ella threw it true, but Lightfoot's arrow flew far wide this time, and by now the remaining cultists, Otto and the terrifying demon were ready to fight. Otto growled and made his way towards them, another cultist right behind him. The demon screeched some more and attacked the nearest thing, being another cultist. Lightfoot slung arrow after arrow towards Otto, one of them hitting home and slaying him. The demon slew another cultist, turning its narrow glowing eyes back towards Lightfoot and Ella, letting forth a terrible howl. Ella had drawn her sword and rushed into the room to meet the challenge straight on! Ignoring the pain of her harsh wounds, she clashed with the foul demon, overcoming the feeling of fear rising in her.
The stability of the demon in this realm had wavered through the broken spell and explosion. The creature suddenly writhed in pain, as its form wavered and seemed to distort slightly as it felt a pull back to its own plane. The demon suffered a huge penalty, making it weaker, while damage against it became doubled (just my luck : / )
Suddenly a large explosion rocked the chamber. Above the room the barred door to the fort above blew apart, and the rest of the barricade collapsed under the weight of a greenskin wave, as a stream of goblins poured into the room, screaming their high pitched war-cries and descending the steps into the chamber. The remaining cultists scrambled to flee in surprise as the goblins rushed the chamber, waving sticks and spears and swords. In the fray, Ella spotted some of the fanatical gobbos carried small barrels of more of the blackpowder!
Ella was locked in combat with the demon as the goblins warparty scrambled closer. Lightfoot covered her with arrows, as she deftly fought back the foul beast, as the tide of goblins swarmed over them, engulfing the demon and another cultist in their path. She struck a final blow, banishing the foul beast, then scooping up the elven relic, she fled to the passage as goblins snapped at her heels - Lightfoot's arrows whizzing past her head to cover her escape!
As they turned to run, Ella dropped another bag of powder in the doorway to the main passage. As they fled, Lightfoot's arrow struck true again - just when she needed it - rolling 05 - and a loud explosion tore through the passage, collapsing the main support beams, caving in the stones and old wood behind them. They could still hear the sounds of screeching and rattling of weapons as the fanatical goblins searched for smaller holes to get through the rubble. The two adventurers fled quickly down the dust filled passage, coughing and making their way for the main exit...
Their path was cut off by the sounds of more goblins approaching from outside. They could hear the sounds of battle - one of the fleeing cultists had met the smaller party of goblins entering the mine from the quarry. Before they knew it, half a dozen goblins appeared around the corner and rushed towards them. Behind them they heard the sounds of more explosions and goblin war cries, and before them the exit seemed blocked! They then remembered the mysterious gated exit into the caves which they had discovered earlier, and made a run for it.
They kicked through the old rusted gate, not knowing where this cave system might lead them - but what had they to lose? Into the dark they ran, through rough natural cave tunnels, leaping dark drops and sliding under sharp stalactites. All the while behind them they could hear the buzzing noise of the goblin host, hot on their heels. Suddenly another loud explosion rocked the cave and in the rumbling the tunnel filled with dust, and rocks began to collapse form the ceiling above them. They ran on in the dark, with the elf's vision and a dying fire-torch - until up ahead through the dust, they saw a dot of light! As the tunnels began to collapse, and dust filled their lungs, the burst out of the cave entrance, flinging themselves onto the snowy ground, as the tunnel behind them completely gave way and collapsed in a crash of dust and rock!
They lay there in the snow, bruised and battered, scarcely believing they had made it out alive... Through the dust around them, dark shapes emerged, coming closer. All of a sudden a stout dwarf burst out of the dust, hammer raised above his head ready to strike, his eyes wide in surprise but caution. The women raised their arms in protest, mustering the last of their energy to call for calm! The dwarf lowered his hammer, offering a hand to help the two adventurers out of the snow,
"Well i'll say this lads! I've never seen no elf come out o' a hole in the ground b'fore! bwAHHAHAaa"
The mountaineering party had been travelling to investigate the rumours of goblin infestation at the old fort. Tired and aching, the adventurers were helped onto some sturdy wagons, and wrapped in fresh blankets. Some nice warm ale was drawn from a barrel, as the party moved off, heading back through the mountains, where the dwarfs had promised to take the two back to Ubersreik, and gather a larger party to return to the old prison. As they made their way down the mountain paths, the sound of muffled explosions could be heard as the old fort disappeared form view in the snow and fog...
Keeping it hidden form the mountaineers, Blackhart gripped the strange elven blade under her cloak. It was blackened and unnatural, something had twisted the metal and eaten away at the blade. They looked at each other, glad to be out of this mess alive, but knowing that this relic held mystery and strange power. They didn't know where it would lead them next or what they would do with it, but they were glad to be heading back to safety and a warm tavern...
Fin
Showing posts with label Play Report. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Play Report. Show all posts
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Sunday, 3 July 2011
The Blood Relic - Play Report Part 3
WFRP - The Blood Relic - Part 3
02-07-011
Lightfoot and Blackhart made their way down through the hills and farming lands, making for the road that would take them to Ubersreik. It grew dark, the only light from the stars and the dancing fire lights from farmsteads off the road around them. They joined the main road, and soon enough found themselves at the Ubersreik gates. Travellers were few, in this cold weather and at this time of night, and the pair made their way through the small ramshackle collection of shanty houses and empty daytime market stalls that crowded the gatehouse. They followed a late coach and a few travellers through the guards post, and handed over their toll. Lightfoot managed to scrounge for some information on Otto Manfred and his party by sparing a few coppers for the beggers at the gates. The noble had arrived in town with the rest of his dusty party, along with a mysterious and dark hooded man that never spoke, and had made Otto pay his toll for him. Intrigued, the pair moved on into town, hoping to find a room and food and rest after an adventurous and dangerous number of days...
They were swamped by young lads touting inn rooms and more beggars as they made their way into the gate square. Lightfoot hadn't really seen a town this large before, and bustling with a number of people on the street, even after dark in the street lamp lights. It was a bustling mix, and the pair noted the number of dwarves, and even Bretonnian accents in the air as they made their way through the square. They ended up at the Blue Pegasus, a nice enough establishment, with a bustling tavern and a room to spare for some shillings.
No sooner had they sat down to rest their bones, waiting for some hot broth and bread, did Blackhart see a familiar face! A dark and brooding man with a rough face and unshaven chin came down the stairs and ordered an ale at the bar. Taking a first sip, he looked around the room, making eye contact with Blackhart! His eyes widened in surprise, and dashed away, back upstairs, pushing past a poor halfling cook, carrying the broth! Certain that he would bring some fellows and come for them, the pair made a quick escape down the narrow hall and into the small steamy busy kitchen. The cook protested, but was soon appeased with a silver or two, and went about her business with a giant pot of soup, mentioning "we've got some new kitchen hands lads! bwahha"
They waited and watched the hallway, to see if the thugs would come for them, however, Blackhart notices out the door behind them, in the courtyard, Otto's man has appeared, angrily issuing orders to a stable boy to bring his horse and saddle. He was still alone. They made their move, dashing form the kitchens across the courtyard to seize the man! He saw them, urgently shoving the stable hand aside, he tried leaping into his saddle, only in the wet and under pressure, he (I) rolled an epic failure on a test of 00 :D and the man got his foot caught in the stirrup, and the horse got so upset that it reared a little, and made a run for the gates out into the street! Our adventurers took chase, and saw the man fall onto the cobbles at the gates, scrambling up and dashing away down the street. A stable boy calmed the horse, as the pair ran out onto the street, Lightfoot preaparing a stone in her sling, and taking a shot at the fleeing man - a miss! As the stone flew over his head, he turned back for a just a second, but thenw as gone, lost in the shadows of unknown streets.
Tired, and fed up, the pair went back inside to finally get their dinner and some rest. They ended up ordering a small bath and some hot water be brought up to the room, and the land lord was able to organise the services of a physician, who for a tidy sum was able to clean and dress some wounds. The two eventually got some rest, despite having to take turns keeping watch by the windows and doors throughout the night. It was the grey, cold early hours of the mornign when they heard it. A shuffling of feet outside their door, and a scratching noise at their lock. Quickly the two leaped into place beside the door, weapons ready for anything. The noises stopped, it went silent, they could hear some fustrated voices outside, before suddenly the door blasted off the hinges, a big boot and cloaked man flying in after it! They could see another couple of men, cloaked in black with red scarfs over their faces, bustling in the hallway, weapons drawn!
The fight was fast and furious - and very bloody - Blackhart's axe cleaved to and fro, spraying blood high and wide - a different kind of bath for our adventurers. Lightfoot tussled with the leader, besting the man and in a few damaging blows, he was beaten back, bloddied and staggering about. He spat out a tooth and blood, and cursed them "You're too late! We already have the relic, and plans are in motion that you cannot stop! You're all doomed, and the Blood Drinkers shall feast upon the bloody remains of your Empire!..." It was a dramatic speech - and the last thing he ever said. On the bodies of all the assailants, they found dark red tattoos, of a horrid horned beast with fangs. Tucked inside the heavy belt of the leader, they found a small note, that read - Bring the bodies to Goblin Rock. We can use them. Make it bloody. O.
The short and violent assasination attempt was over, and the pair managed to convince the landlord to quietly help them clean up and dispose of these thugs for a price. The bar room below was already filling up with noise and cheer, and the smell of breakfast was wafting from the kitchens. They cleaned up - again - and went downstairs, determined to find some answers to all these questions!
They started looking for the whereabouts of 'Goblin Rock' however it appeared that it wasnt a familiar name with the locals, despite their knowledge of the surrounding mountains. An old dwarven miner, enjoying his ale and sausage breakfast mentioned that gobbos were a constant problem in the mountains, but had not heard of any place known as 'Goblin Rock'. A foppish Bretonnian merchant proved more useful. The handsome, fluffy crevat wearing, merchant revealed that there was an old abandoned Imperial prison fort and mining labour camp up in the mountains, that was rumoured to be infested with greenskins - much like any other dark hole in the ground in the mountains. The merchant, Henri, knew the Grey Lady Pass well, and revealed that he had passed by Grey Tooth Gorge many times, which marked a treacherous journey along what was known as the Prisoners March - which led to the old fort. None had travelled that way in a long time however, and the snow was thick, and the way was no doubt plagued with trolls or ogres of some such man eating monstrocity. After some talk and drink, the two discovered the Henri was without hired protection for his return journey to Parravon - his hired swords had left him in town for drink and women, and had not returned to finish their deal. Henri would take them as far as the Grey Tooth Gorge, and our adventurers would help protect him and his wares for the first part of the journey.
They would meet the next day at the cities southern gates, for more adventure into the Grey Mountains. There are worse than goblins and bad weather in those haunted crags, but hopefully they would find Otto and some answers in those dark and forboding snow capped mountains...
02-07-011
Lightfoot and Blackhart made their way down through the hills and farming lands, making for the road that would take them to Ubersreik. It grew dark, the only light from the stars and the dancing fire lights from farmsteads off the road around them. They joined the main road, and soon enough found themselves at the Ubersreik gates. Travellers were few, in this cold weather and at this time of night, and the pair made their way through the small ramshackle collection of shanty houses and empty daytime market stalls that crowded the gatehouse. They followed a late coach and a few travellers through the guards post, and handed over their toll. Lightfoot managed to scrounge for some information on Otto Manfred and his party by sparing a few coppers for the beggers at the gates. The noble had arrived in town with the rest of his dusty party, along with a mysterious and dark hooded man that never spoke, and had made Otto pay his toll for him. Intrigued, the pair moved on into town, hoping to find a room and food and rest after an adventurous and dangerous number of days...
They were swamped by young lads touting inn rooms and more beggars as they made their way into the gate square. Lightfoot hadn't really seen a town this large before, and bustling with a number of people on the street, even after dark in the street lamp lights. It was a bustling mix, and the pair noted the number of dwarves, and even Bretonnian accents in the air as they made their way through the square. They ended up at the Blue Pegasus, a nice enough establishment, with a bustling tavern and a room to spare for some shillings.
No sooner had they sat down to rest their bones, waiting for some hot broth and bread, did Blackhart see a familiar face! A dark and brooding man with a rough face and unshaven chin came down the stairs and ordered an ale at the bar. Taking a first sip, he looked around the room, making eye contact with Blackhart! His eyes widened in surprise, and dashed away, back upstairs, pushing past a poor halfling cook, carrying the broth! Certain that he would bring some fellows and come for them, the pair made a quick escape down the narrow hall and into the small steamy busy kitchen. The cook protested, but was soon appeased with a silver or two, and went about her business with a giant pot of soup, mentioning "we've got some new kitchen hands lads! bwahha"
They waited and watched the hallway, to see if the thugs would come for them, however, Blackhart notices out the door behind them, in the courtyard, Otto's man has appeared, angrily issuing orders to a stable boy to bring his horse and saddle. He was still alone. They made their move, dashing form the kitchens across the courtyard to seize the man! He saw them, urgently shoving the stable hand aside, he tried leaping into his saddle, only in the wet and under pressure, he (I) rolled an epic failure on a test of 00 :D and the man got his foot caught in the stirrup, and the horse got so upset that it reared a little, and made a run for the gates out into the street! Our adventurers took chase, and saw the man fall onto the cobbles at the gates, scrambling up and dashing away down the street. A stable boy calmed the horse, as the pair ran out onto the street, Lightfoot preaparing a stone in her sling, and taking a shot at the fleeing man - a miss! As the stone flew over his head, he turned back for a just a second, but thenw as gone, lost in the shadows of unknown streets.
Tired, and fed up, the pair went back inside to finally get their dinner and some rest. They ended up ordering a small bath and some hot water be brought up to the room, and the land lord was able to organise the services of a physician, who for a tidy sum was able to clean and dress some wounds. The two eventually got some rest, despite having to take turns keeping watch by the windows and doors throughout the night. It was the grey, cold early hours of the mornign when they heard it. A shuffling of feet outside their door, and a scratching noise at their lock. Quickly the two leaped into place beside the door, weapons ready for anything. The noises stopped, it went silent, they could hear some fustrated voices outside, before suddenly the door blasted off the hinges, a big boot and cloaked man flying in after it! They could see another couple of men, cloaked in black with red scarfs over their faces, bustling in the hallway, weapons drawn!
The fight was fast and furious - and very bloody - Blackhart's axe cleaved to and fro, spraying blood high and wide - a different kind of bath for our adventurers. Lightfoot tussled with the leader, besting the man and in a few damaging blows, he was beaten back, bloddied and staggering about. He spat out a tooth and blood, and cursed them "You're too late! We already have the relic, and plans are in motion that you cannot stop! You're all doomed, and the Blood Drinkers shall feast upon the bloody remains of your Empire!..." It was a dramatic speech - and the last thing he ever said. On the bodies of all the assailants, they found dark red tattoos, of a horrid horned beast with fangs. Tucked inside the heavy belt of the leader, they found a small note, that read - Bring the bodies to Goblin Rock. We can use them. Make it bloody. O.
The short and violent assasination attempt was over, and the pair managed to convince the landlord to quietly help them clean up and dispose of these thugs for a price. The bar room below was already filling up with noise and cheer, and the smell of breakfast was wafting from the kitchens. They cleaned up - again - and went downstairs, determined to find some answers to all these questions!
They started looking for the whereabouts of 'Goblin Rock' however it appeared that it wasnt a familiar name with the locals, despite their knowledge of the surrounding mountains. An old dwarven miner, enjoying his ale and sausage breakfast mentioned that gobbos were a constant problem in the mountains, but had not heard of any place known as 'Goblin Rock'. A foppish Bretonnian merchant proved more useful. The handsome, fluffy crevat wearing, merchant revealed that there was an old abandoned Imperial prison fort and mining labour camp up in the mountains, that was rumoured to be infested with greenskins - much like any other dark hole in the ground in the mountains. The merchant, Henri, knew the Grey Lady Pass well, and revealed that he had passed by Grey Tooth Gorge many times, which marked a treacherous journey along what was known as the Prisoners March - which led to the old fort. None had travelled that way in a long time however, and the snow was thick, and the way was no doubt plagued with trolls or ogres of some such man eating monstrocity. After some talk and drink, the two discovered the Henri was without hired protection for his return journey to Parravon - his hired swords had left him in town for drink and women, and had not returned to finish their deal. Henri would take them as far as the Grey Tooth Gorge, and our adventurers would help protect him and his wares for the first part of the journey.
They would meet the next day at the cities southern gates, for more adventure into the Grey Mountains. There are worse than goblins and bad weather in those haunted crags, but hopefully they would find Otto and some answers in those dark and forboding snow capped mountains...
Thursday, 23 June 2011
The Blood Relic - Play Report Part 2
WFRP - The Blood Relic - Part 2
23-06-011
We were both a bit rusty with our RP skills, but we played on, picking up the action form last session. A cup of tea helped the session, and Beck had much better luck with dice this time!
----
Blackhart and Lightfoot finally had a chance to talk after fighting off the brigands. After some thanks and other exchanges, Blackhart revealed that she was travelling the forest as the scout for an expedition party led by Otto Manfred, a noble merchant, who was searching for an old battleground, in the hopes of looting some treasures from an age gone by. Blackhart had decided to take the map and escape the party during the night, and make a faster approach on the battlefield herself. She had long heard of rumours in smokey taverns about the place, holding a much more valuable secret than just old antiques of war - and she had hoped to find an old warriors tomb. A day later she was ambushed in the forest by the brigands. After much talk, the two decided to join forces, and make haste to find the tomb themselves.
Now aquainted, the two made their way directly south through the forest, and they came a small road, that lead from the mountains and went east, possibly towards Bogenhafen and the main north south Bogenhafen/Grunberg road. They made their way along the road for a number of hours, finally spotting a wayside temple of Sigmar, nestled amongst the trees on the roadside. Finally a place to rest their bones and maybe get a warm meal after all these days out in the horrible weather. They were greeted and ushered out of the cold by some Sisters of Sigmar, and offered some hot broth and fresh crusty bread. In the small bunkhouse in the temple, there were two gruff, unshaven and tired road wardens, resting after a long ride on the road. They also met an old scholar,travelling all the way from Nuln to Bogenhafen with his grandson, whose parents had recently died.
After talking with the sisters, who inquired about the pair's travels, they were directed to the existence of an old hunter's path that travelled directly south through the forest, along the edge of the Grey Mountains. Many hunters have passed by the temple, after hunting treks into the Reikwald. The road must be dangerous though, since the hunters don't really pass this way anymore. Blackhart and Lightfoot also learn that the roadwardens passed Otto Manfred's party on the road south towards Ubersreik or Grunburg, moving quickly. The pair decided that despite the added danger, the old hunter's path could be quicker, and they may yet get to the battlefield before Manfred and his now angry companions.
The two head off early the next morning, pushing directly south into the woods behind the temple. After a while, they emerge into a clearing, where they find a small cairn of stones, that marks the old hunters path. Following the old disused and snow covered trail through the woods is hard, but they manage to piece together animal tracks and use their intuition to make their way south. As night approaches, the two come across an old hunter cottage, worn and in disrepair. A whistle of wind can be heard as they approach, as a cold draught swirls through the broken windows. The thatch and wood roof is heavy with snow and rotting, but the place could prove good enough shelter from the elements. The two cautiously approach the hut, only to discover that a large bear was now the sole occupant! After much thought, they decided to let the sleeping giant be, and continue into the dark, deviating form the woods slightly into the rocky hills to find any shelter they can.
The next day they press on to the south, following the edge of the Grey Mountains, until they find themselves in the area of the forest marked on their map as the ancient battlefield. Deep in this part of the woods, the first thing they stumble across is an old ruined fort watch tower, brokenly climbing out of the overgrown forest like a crooked claw. The remains of old stone steps offers Lightfoot the chance to clamber up to what remains of the old battlements to afford her a better view of the surrounding area. From the top, she could see the vast snowy forest below. Way off in the mountains to the west, a thin trail of smoke swims up, maybe from some camp or settlement, while in the distance over the forest, she can see what must be dotted farmsteads and the river Teufel. Nearby, Lightfoot notices a small clearing, and the snow covered ruins of a small stone structure. She quickly clambers down and they both investigate the new find.
The small grove hid a shrine under the snow. They found an elven stature, with broken arms that may have once held a fine carved sword. They discover an old carving, which Lightfoot reads as she brushes away mud and snow. In the hands of Kharnos is helf Ellardin, vanquisher of the abomination Arkhul, bearer of the Axe of The Blood God. They notice that the statue is slightly sunken, and further cleaning and searching around the base of the stature,reveals some buckling flagstones. Blackhart busts through one of them, and the stones fall away to reveal a dark hole, and cut steps leading into the darkness. Fashioning a firebrand with a branch and some rags and oil, the two descended into the small tunnel.
The small corridor slants down for a few metres, then travels flat for a few more. In the carved panels flanking the tunnel are carved some ancient elven symbols and images of Kharnos. The two emerge into a small square chamber, a small statue of Kharnos sits on a block of stone in the centre, surrounded in piles of dusty herbs, which could have been offerings at one time in the past. Cautiously moving closer to investigate, the stones beneath Blackhart's feet sink a inch or so, and there is the sound of cracking! A trap! They both leap out the way to the edge of the chamber just in time, to the flagstones and the statue in the centre of the room, fall away into a dark and deep hole in a cloud of dust an clattering rocks!
On the other side of the chamber, they find an ornate wrought gate, which breaking through, leads them to another chamber, this time with a stone sarcophagus in the middle - the lid slid off, and cracked slightly beside it. In the far corner, leading into the dark earth is a roughly hewn tunnel! In the muddy earth and rubble around the chamber, the two find heavy large cloven hoof prints. Searching the tomb, they find the skeleton remains of an old warrior, which has been disrupted smashed, and obviously had a sword taken from its resting place. They knew danger was close before them, but this was the quarry they had been seeking! They extinguished the firebrand, and guided by the elf's night vision, they made their way into the hewn tunnel, prepared for what lay ahead.
They emerged into a cave, and immediately found the remnants of a camp. Old coals, stinking rags and the smell of animal and filth was in the air. Beastman - it had to be. Creeping past piles of gnawed bones, they made their way through some short tunnels, cautiously into the light of day just ahead. They emerged into a steep sided ravine in the Grey Mountains, rocky and snowy, the ground covered in countless hoof tracks leading down the length of the gorge. Their eyes tracked up and around them, noticing many small warren like holes of caves dotting the walls of the ravine. Blackhart was uneasy, and out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw a dark shape move in one of the caves above her. They decided to move, quickly, but the air was suddenly cut by the guttural howl of a Beastman as it burst from the darkness of its cave, charging down the ravine wall towards them. With loud grunts, another two beastmen appeared form the opposite side fo the ravine, form another tunnel, and followed their bellowing leader into battle!
Lightfoot managed to loose a couple of arrows as the beasts approached, hitting well both times, but doing nothing to stop the barreling monster! The leader engaged first, clashing with Lightfoot, but I rolled awfully for a few rounds, doing little but scratching her, until the other beastmen arrived into battle. Blackhart hit well and hard as usual, dealing soem serious damage to the largest beast. Lightfoot dropped her bow, drawing her sword and began to cut into the second beastman that had charged her flank. Like true adventurers, the pair fought well, taking small damage in the furious fray, but cutting down the leader in the snow! One beastman fled, only to be brutally hacked down by Lightfoot - who scored her first CRIT - and sent the poor creature's head flying a few feet into the air! The remaining beast was soon bested by Blackhart, and as it was forced to flee, it too was cut down.
Before they had much time to gather their thoughts, they could sense more creatures would be gathering in those dark caves, and decided to move off in a hurry, following the ravine. After a while, the track rose up the side fo the ravine, becoming a treacherously thin clifftop track, which the pair followed until they could hear a deep growling up ahead. As they edged around a large rocky fall on the path, they came to a thundering waterfall, pouring over a rocky lip above them, and tumbling into the river below, that ate its way back through the mountains towards the forest to the east. The track continued and became dangerously wet and slippery steps that climbed towards the lip of the waterfall above. In the waterspray and snow, Lightfoot lost her footing! She slipped off soemr ocks, falling towards the edge fo the fals, onyl to grab onto some rocks for her very life! Blackhart struggled to haul her back up, and they lost grip, Lightfoot falling a couple of rocky yards to a small ledge that was between her and the furious cold water below. After some wrangling of a staff and blanket 'rope' Blackhart managed to help the elf clamber back up ontot he slippery ledge, and they continued upwards.
They emerged over the crest of the falls, to find a grisly scene. Dozens of beastmen lay dead in the rocky waters, chopped up and cut down, lying brokenly over rocks, their blood darkening the icy waters. Waving the crows away, Blackhart finds someone she knows, the decapitated body of one of Otto Manfred's mercenaries! Another human body is found, another of Otto's men, and many horse tracks were found on the other side of the river, leading down a thin mountain trail. How had Otto found the beastmen host? Where was the sword form the tomb? The pair began to think there was something more to this ordeal than first imagined. The two followed the trail through a rough mountain pass, through rocky cuttings, until dusk, when they emerged from the mountains onto the side of a rocky hill, the expansive view of the Reikwald laid out before them. In the dusk, the glinting lights of what should be Ubersreik could be seen, standing guard over the infamous Grey Lady Pass just to the south. Maybe in town, they could find more answers. They gripped their weapons tightly and wrapped themselves in their woollen cloaks, and made their way down through hills, towards the farms, and the road that would take them to Ubersreik...
23-06-011
We were both a bit rusty with our RP skills, but we played on, picking up the action form last session. A cup of tea helped the session, and Beck had much better luck with dice this time!
----
Blackhart and Lightfoot finally had a chance to talk after fighting off the brigands. After some thanks and other exchanges, Blackhart revealed that she was travelling the forest as the scout for an expedition party led by Otto Manfred, a noble merchant, who was searching for an old battleground, in the hopes of looting some treasures from an age gone by. Blackhart had decided to take the map and escape the party during the night, and make a faster approach on the battlefield herself. She had long heard of rumours in smokey taverns about the place, holding a much more valuable secret than just old antiques of war - and she had hoped to find an old warriors tomb. A day later she was ambushed in the forest by the brigands. After much talk, the two decided to join forces, and make haste to find the tomb themselves.
Now aquainted, the two made their way directly south through the forest, and they came a small road, that lead from the mountains and went east, possibly towards Bogenhafen and the main north south Bogenhafen/Grunberg road. They made their way along the road for a number of hours, finally spotting a wayside temple of Sigmar, nestled amongst the trees on the roadside. Finally a place to rest their bones and maybe get a warm meal after all these days out in the horrible weather. They were greeted and ushered out of the cold by some Sisters of Sigmar, and offered some hot broth and fresh crusty bread. In the small bunkhouse in the temple, there were two gruff, unshaven and tired road wardens, resting after a long ride on the road. They also met an old scholar,travelling all the way from Nuln to Bogenhafen with his grandson, whose parents had recently died.
After talking with the sisters, who inquired about the pair's travels, they were directed to the existence of an old hunter's path that travelled directly south through the forest, along the edge of the Grey Mountains. Many hunters have passed by the temple, after hunting treks into the Reikwald. The road must be dangerous though, since the hunters don't really pass this way anymore. Blackhart and Lightfoot also learn that the roadwardens passed Otto Manfred's party on the road south towards Ubersreik or Grunburg, moving quickly. The pair decided that despite the added danger, the old hunter's path could be quicker, and they may yet get to the battlefield before Manfred and his now angry companions.
The two head off early the next morning, pushing directly south into the woods behind the temple. After a while, they emerge into a clearing, where they find a small cairn of stones, that marks the old hunters path. Following the old disused and snow covered trail through the woods is hard, but they manage to piece together animal tracks and use their intuition to make their way south. As night approaches, the two come across an old hunter cottage, worn and in disrepair. A whistle of wind can be heard as they approach, as a cold draught swirls through the broken windows. The thatch and wood roof is heavy with snow and rotting, but the place could prove good enough shelter from the elements. The two cautiously approach the hut, only to discover that a large bear was now the sole occupant! After much thought, they decided to let the sleeping giant be, and continue into the dark, deviating form the woods slightly into the rocky hills to find any shelter they can.
The next day they press on to the south, following the edge of the Grey Mountains, until they find themselves in the area of the forest marked on their map as the ancient battlefield. Deep in this part of the woods, the first thing they stumble across is an old ruined fort watch tower, brokenly climbing out of the overgrown forest like a crooked claw. The remains of old stone steps offers Lightfoot the chance to clamber up to what remains of the old battlements to afford her a better view of the surrounding area. From the top, she could see the vast snowy forest below. Way off in the mountains to the west, a thin trail of smoke swims up, maybe from some camp or settlement, while in the distance over the forest, she can see what must be dotted farmsteads and the river Teufel. Nearby, Lightfoot notices a small clearing, and the snow covered ruins of a small stone structure. She quickly clambers down and they both investigate the new find.
The small grove hid a shrine under the snow. They found an elven stature, with broken arms that may have once held a fine carved sword. They discover an old carving, which Lightfoot reads as she brushes away mud and snow. In the hands of Kharnos is helf Ellardin, vanquisher of the abomination Arkhul, bearer of the Axe of The Blood God. They notice that the statue is slightly sunken, and further cleaning and searching around the base of the stature,reveals some buckling flagstones. Blackhart busts through one of them, and the stones fall away to reveal a dark hole, and cut steps leading into the darkness. Fashioning a firebrand with a branch and some rags and oil, the two descended into the small tunnel.
The small corridor slants down for a few metres, then travels flat for a few more. In the carved panels flanking the tunnel are carved some ancient elven symbols and images of Kharnos. The two emerge into a small square chamber, a small statue of Kharnos sits on a block of stone in the centre, surrounded in piles of dusty herbs, which could have been offerings at one time in the past. Cautiously moving closer to investigate, the stones beneath Blackhart's feet sink a inch or so, and there is the sound of cracking! A trap! They both leap out the way to the edge of the chamber just in time, to the flagstones and the statue in the centre of the room, fall away into a dark and deep hole in a cloud of dust an clattering rocks!
On the other side of the chamber, they find an ornate wrought gate, which breaking through, leads them to another chamber, this time with a stone sarcophagus in the middle - the lid slid off, and cracked slightly beside it. In the far corner, leading into the dark earth is a roughly hewn tunnel! In the muddy earth and rubble around the chamber, the two find heavy large cloven hoof prints. Searching the tomb, they find the skeleton remains of an old warrior, which has been disrupted smashed, and obviously had a sword taken from its resting place. They knew danger was close before them, but this was the quarry they had been seeking! They extinguished the firebrand, and guided by the elf's night vision, they made their way into the hewn tunnel, prepared for what lay ahead.
They emerged into a cave, and immediately found the remnants of a camp. Old coals, stinking rags and the smell of animal and filth was in the air. Beastman - it had to be. Creeping past piles of gnawed bones, they made their way through some short tunnels, cautiously into the light of day just ahead. They emerged into a steep sided ravine in the Grey Mountains, rocky and snowy, the ground covered in countless hoof tracks leading down the length of the gorge. Their eyes tracked up and around them, noticing many small warren like holes of caves dotting the walls of the ravine. Blackhart was uneasy, and out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw a dark shape move in one of the caves above her. They decided to move, quickly, but the air was suddenly cut by the guttural howl of a Beastman as it burst from the darkness of its cave, charging down the ravine wall towards them. With loud grunts, another two beastmen appeared form the opposite side fo the ravine, form another tunnel, and followed their bellowing leader into battle!
Lightfoot managed to loose a couple of arrows as the beasts approached, hitting well both times, but doing nothing to stop the barreling monster! The leader engaged first, clashing with Lightfoot, but I rolled awfully for a few rounds, doing little but scratching her, until the other beastmen arrived into battle. Blackhart hit well and hard as usual, dealing soem serious damage to the largest beast. Lightfoot dropped her bow, drawing her sword and began to cut into the second beastman that had charged her flank. Like true adventurers, the pair fought well, taking small damage in the furious fray, but cutting down the leader in the snow! One beastman fled, only to be brutally hacked down by Lightfoot - who scored her first CRIT - and sent the poor creature's head flying a few feet into the air! The remaining beast was soon bested by Blackhart, and as it was forced to flee, it too was cut down.
Before they had much time to gather their thoughts, they could sense more creatures would be gathering in those dark caves, and decided to move off in a hurry, following the ravine. After a while, the track rose up the side fo the ravine, becoming a treacherously thin clifftop track, which the pair followed until they could hear a deep growling up ahead. As they edged around a large rocky fall on the path, they came to a thundering waterfall, pouring over a rocky lip above them, and tumbling into the river below, that ate its way back through the mountains towards the forest to the east. The track continued and became dangerously wet and slippery steps that climbed towards the lip of the waterfall above. In the waterspray and snow, Lightfoot lost her footing! She slipped off soemr ocks, falling towards the edge fo the fals, onyl to grab onto some rocks for her very life! Blackhart struggled to haul her back up, and they lost grip, Lightfoot falling a couple of rocky yards to a small ledge that was between her and the furious cold water below. After some wrangling of a staff and blanket 'rope' Blackhart managed to help the elf clamber back up ontot he slippery ledge, and they continued upwards.
They emerged over the crest of the falls, to find a grisly scene. Dozens of beastmen lay dead in the rocky waters, chopped up and cut down, lying brokenly over rocks, their blood darkening the icy waters. Waving the crows away, Blackhart finds someone she knows, the decapitated body of one of Otto Manfred's mercenaries! Another human body is found, another of Otto's men, and many horse tracks were found on the other side of the river, leading down a thin mountain trail. How had Otto found the beastmen host? Where was the sword form the tomb? The pair began to think there was something more to this ordeal than first imagined. The two followed the trail through a rough mountain pass, through rocky cuttings, until dusk, when they emerged from the mountains onto the side of a rocky hill, the expansive view of the Reikwald laid out before them. In the dusk, the glinting lights of what should be Ubersreik could be seen, standing guard over the infamous Grey Lady Pass just to the south. Maybe in town, they could find more answers. They gripped their weapons tightly and wrapped themselves in their woollen cloaks, and made their way down through hills, towards the farms, and the road that would take them to Ubersreik...
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
The Blood Relic - Play Report 1
WFRP - The Blood Relic - Part 1
20-06-011
So we finally got around to playing a new adventure for my wife's character/s. It is a setup adventure, involving how her two PCs meet and how they become entwined in a story of danger and adventure. So we cranked the Oblivion soundtrack, poured some Stoneleigh Pinot Gris, gathered some new dice (which proved unlucky for Beck that evening) and got started.
----
The young elf shepherd Gauren, or 'Lightfoot' as most in Graustadt called her, awoke to a frosty and still morning. She had been tracking her wayward sheep for a day or so into the chill forest, and managed to find a rocky outcropping in which to sleep overnight, protected from some fo the wind and snow. Really she was looking for a new life, and knew she would never return to Graustadt to that penniless existence at the drunken, heavy hand of the angry landowners.
She felt hunger in her gut, but decided to press on and find those damned sheep. She picked up a trail in the snow and mud beneath that drew her further into the forest. She crouched, feeling some tufts of wool on a spikey bush, and looked ahead, noticing the trees part a little revealing a misty clearing
She drew her bow and notched an arrow, approaching carefully. The mist rolled away to reveal a bloody red find on the snow - obviously at least one of her sheep had met its fate here. Searching about, she found a broken arrow, and plenty of footprints - human. Feeling a growing anger, she took to the human trail, which lead her further up into the rocky snowy foothills of the Grey Mountains.
A sudden and cruel storm suddenly rose up and engulfed the hillside. Gauren wrapped herself tighter in her woollen cloak, but had soon lost the trail. She had tog et out of the storm, and looking up the mountains side ahead, she thought she saw what could be a cave - maybe some respite from this awful weather? She clambered skilfully over the tricky rocks and found a small dark cave, warm and out of the wind. Her keen eyes saw no danger lurking in the shadows, and as she investigated the back of the cave, she heard the whistling of wind through a couple of natural tunnels that lead back into the darkness.
Intrigued, she decided to carefully make her way into the small tunnels. Surprisingly enough, she also found some Hallorns Rest mushrooms in the dark of the tunnel, knowing how to put that to good use at some point. It wasn't long before she saw the glaring light of day at the end of the tunnel - it was clear that the honeycomb of tunnels joined the two sides of the rocky hill. She stopped as she caught the whiff of wood smoke in the air. She carefully emerged from the tunnels, keeping to the shadows and found herself at the back of another cave, behind a stack of old crates and an ageing barrel and piles of lanterns and other stores. At the mouth of the cave, she could see the silhouette of two figures, hunched in the cold near a fire, noisily slurping on freshly roasted lamb.
Angered, Gauren prepared to attack these brigands, but something in the dark to her right caught her eyes. She raised her bow, aiming into the dark, but as her eyes adjusted, she found the form of human, bound and gagged in her sights, eyes wide open. She approached, keeping to the edges of this cave in the shadows, and took the rags from the prisoner's mouth, cutting through her bonds with a well used knife. "I thank you Elf, just call me Blackhart" whispered the young woman, "We can get acquainted later, Elf, but I think for now we have other pressing matters..." and she gestured to the brigands nearby - still completely unaware, devouring the best meat they'd had in weeks.
Gauren drew her bow, covering Blackhart as she carefully and quietly dug into a crate at the back fo the cave, retrieving her sturdy hand axe. Making her way to the other side of the cave, she nodded grimly at Gauren, and the elf let fly with her attack!
The brigand was bowled over in surprise, the leg of lamb flying into the air as the first arrow struck home, deep into an arm. Amid the panic and screams, the other bandit stood, dumbfounded as Blackhart came swiftly from the dark, charging into him, striking hard with her axe. Gauren let loose again, missing the wretch as he scrambled to draw his sword with a limp arm. Blackhart didnt stop, pushing forwards into the bandit and striking hard again, the blow smashing through his arm, almost severing it and knocking him to the ground in a bright red splatter on the crisp snow. The bandit scrambled back, yelping in pain and tried to flee. As his back turned, the vengeful Blackhart struck him down, finishing him and turned to see the other bandit hefting an axe and charging her flank, but the misjudged blow swept wide.
A loud yell form the forest rim revealed another bandit, wide eyed and unhooking a bow from his pack. He quickly notches an arrow, preparing to defend his comrades. Gauren loosed another arrow at the newcomer, but the arrow hit the branches and leaves and bounced harmlessly away. Blackhart sidestepped the axeman, returning an attack that connected wit the brigands shoulder with a crunch. The man dropped to the ground dazed, clutching his arm and dropping his axe. He desperately tried to scramble away, yelling for this archer friend to run, when an arrow from Gauren's bow silenced him forever. Blackhart didn't stop moving, gripping her axe, she ran through the powdery snow towards the forest rim, hoping to cut down the last brigand before he could escape.
The lone bandit fired shakily, missing and desperately tried to reload as Blackhart came at him, axe raised ready to cleave. Gauren fired another true arrow that found its mark, and the brigand dropped to the snow in pain as the arrow sunk into his gut. He dropped his weapons and tried to haul himself away into the trees, but he would not escape Blackhart's furious axe.
The two women stood shaking, the adrenaline surging through their veins. They looked at each other, nervously smiling and surprised to be alive. The two unlikely companions had many unanswered questions, but both somehow knew that they were bound for adventure, and most likely - great peril...
20-06-011
So we finally got around to playing a new adventure for my wife's character/s. It is a setup adventure, involving how her two PCs meet and how they become entwined in a story of danger and adventure. So we cranked the Oblivion soundtrack, poured some Stoneleigh Pinot Gris, gathered some new dice (which proved unlucky for Beck that evening) and got started.
----
The young elf shepherd Gauren, or 'Lightfoot' as most in Graustadt called her, awoke to a frosty and still morning. She had been tracking her wayward sheep for a day or so into the chill forest, and managed to find a rocky outcropping in which to sleep overnight, protected from some fo the wind and snow. Really she was looking for a new life, and knew she would never return to Graustadt to that penniless existence at the drunken, heavy hand of the angry landowners.
She felt hunger in her gut, but decided to press on and find those damned sheep. She picked up a trail in the snow and mud beneath that drew her further into the forest. She crouched, feeling some tufts of wool on a spikey bush, and looked ahead, noticing the trees part a little revealing a misty clearing
She drew her bow and notched an arrow, approaching carefully. The mist rolled away to reveal a bloody red find on the snow - obviously at least one of her sheep had met its fate here. Searching about, she found a broken arrow, and plenty of footprints - human. Feeling a growing anger, she took to the human trail, which lead her further up into the rocky snowy foothills of the Grey Mountains.
A sudden and cruel storm suddenly rose up and engulfed the hillside. Gauren wrapped herself tighter in her woollen cloak, but had soon lost the trail. She had tog et out of the storm, and looking up the mountains side ahead, she thought she saw what could be a cave - maybe some respite from this awful weather? She clambered skilfully over the tricky rocks and found a small dark cave, warm and out of the wind. Her keen eyes saw no danger lurking in the shadows, and as she investigated the back of the cave, she heard the whistling of wind through a couple of natural tunnels that lead back into the darkness.
Intrigued, she decided to carefully make her way into the small tunnels. Surprisingly enough, she also found some Hallorns Rest mushrooms in the dark of the tunnel, knowing how to put that to good use at some point. It wasn't long before she saw the glaring light of day at the end of the tunnel - it was clear that the honeycomb of tunnels joined the two sides of the rocky hill. She stopped as she caught the whiff of wood smoke in the air. She carefully emerged from the tunnels, keeping to the shadows and found herself at the back of another cave, behind a stack of old crates and an ageing barrel and piles of lanterns and other stores. At the mouth of the cave, she could see the silhouette of two figures, hunched in the cold near a fire, noisily slurping on freshly roasted lamb.
Angered, Gauren prepared to attack these brigands, but something in the dark to her right caught her eyes. She raised her bow, aiming into the dark, but as her eyes adjusted, she found the form of human, bound and gagged in her sights, eyes wide open. She approached, keeping to the edges of this cave in the shadows, and took the rags from the prisoner's mouth, cutting through her bonds with a well used knife. "I thank you Elf, just call me Blackhart" whispered the young woman, "We can get acquainted later, Elf, but I think for now we have other pressing matters..." and she gestured to the brigands nearby - still completely unaware, devouring the best meat they'd had in weeks.
Gauren drew her bow, covering Blackhart as she carefully and quietly dug into a crate at the back fo the cave, retrieving her sturdy hand axe. Making her way to the other side of the cave, she nodded grimly at Gauren, and the elf let fly with her attack!
The brigand was bowled over in surprise, the leg of lamb flying into the air as the first arrow struck home, deep into an arm. Amid the panic and screams, the other bandit stood, dumbfounded as Blackhart came swiftly from the dark, charging into him, striking hard with her axe. Gauren let loose again, missing the wretch as he scrambled to draw his sword with a limp arm. Blackhart didnt stop, pushing forwards into the bandit and striking hard again, the blow smashing through his arm, almost severing it and knocking him to the ground in a bright red splatter on the crisp snow. The bandit scrambled back, yelping in pain and tried to flee. As his back turned, the vengeful Blackhart struck him down, finishing him and turned to see the other bandit hefting an axe and charging her flank, but the misjudged blow swept wide.
A loud yell form the forest rim revealed another bandit, wide eyed and unhooking a bow from his pack. He quickly notches an arrow, preparing to defend his comrades. Gauren loosed another arrow at the newcomer, but the arrow hit the branches and leaves and bounced harmlessly away. Blackhart sidestepped the axeman, returning an attack that connected wit the brigands shoulder with a crunch. The man dropped to the ground dazed, clutching his arm and dropping his axe. He desperately tried to scramble away, yelling for this archer friend to run, when an arrow from Gauren's bow silenced him forever. Blackhart didn't stop moving, gripping her axe, she ran through the powdery snow towards the forest rim, hoping to cut down the last brigand before he could escape.
The lone bandit fired shakily, missing and desperately tried to reload as Blackhart came at him, axe raised ready to cleave. Gauren fired another true arrow that found its mark, and the brigand dropped to the snow in pain as the arrow sunk into his gut. He dropped his weapons and tried to haul himself away into the trees, but he would not escape Blackhart's furious axe.
The two women stood shaking, the adrenaline surging through their veins. They looked at each other, nervously smiling and surprised to be alive. The two unlikely companions had many unanswered questions, but both somehow knew that they were bound for adventure, and most likely - great peril...
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