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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 9015979" data-attributes="member: 16069">LETTERS FROM THE OLD WORLD.The continuing adventures of the usual bunch of miscreants this time playing Warhammer Fantasy Role-Play 4th edition, and The Enemy Within Campaign, of course.SESSION #06 One Less Witch Hunter.The PCsFergus McClean, Dwarf Scout (Guide) played by Bear.Looks Like: Rough and ready-for-anything Dawi- a bit unkempt; constantly muttering and grumbling at Seamus his imaginary dog.Sounds Like: Northern 'I wur down t'mine', although taciturn, and always grumpy.[spoiler= Backstory]Fergus is a short embittered (divorced) Dawi from the mining village of Schwartzstein in the foothills of the Grey Mountains. That is until he discovered his best friend Seamus with his wife Cherrie. Fergus left his village and his old life behind and set off in search of adventure, eventually taking up Scouting as a living. He has business in Altdorf and is at present journeying with three Manlings he has come to trust who are also on their way to the capital.[/spoiler]Frederich Hass, Human Witch Hunter (Interrogator) played by Jim.Looks Like: Thick-set, tall with a resting angry face, never too far away from a snarl, otherwise well turned out.Sounds Like: Whispering menace, accusatory- probing, but charming when he wants to be. Accent is brooding (intelligent) cod-Russian (like a clever but menacing Daktari). Note he sees the hand of the Ruinous Powers behind every untoward event.[spoiler= Backstory]Frederich and his brother Olek watched their parents burned alive, prior to this a normal childhood was in progress. The Cult of Sigmar (with the help of the state) who burned Ma & Pa Hass then took the newly orphaned pair in and raised them to be model citizens. The orphans are Sigmarite through-and-through, Frederich the crusader, he likes the power that it brings; Olek the instrument (or else Prophet) of Sigmar. They're not zealots, not warped and broken inside, no... not at all.[/spoiler]Lothar Jurgen Muller, Human Witch Hunter (Interrogator) played by Kev.Looks Like: Neat, tidy, clean-cut, perhaps even a little dashing- the boy next door, but doable- and always with a smile on his face, and often in his eyes. Lothar carries his own embroidered place mat with matching knife and fork. Manners and civility are so important.Sounds Like: Civil, polite, formal, caring- and entirely without menace. He's a Paladin doing Witch Hunter, which may yet prove amusing.[spoiler= Backstory]Lothar is a baker's son from Ubersreik that just happened to become a Witch Hunter, he didn't just drift into it, he has a plan (perhaps). Lothar however came to Witch Hunting with the thought that he could perhaps be of help- to the Empire, to his family, to the poor wretches that have fallen into corruption, and possibly to help himself (a little) along the way. He is resolutely nice in a world full of foetid stink and terror.[/spoiler]Olek Hass, Human Artisan- Blacksmith (Apprentice) played by George.Looks Like: Seven (plus) feet tall, and not too skinny with it- lithe and muscled, he's a giant- with wild eyes.Sounds Like: A camp Nazi constantly unfolding, expounding and explaining the mystery of ongoing events, and seeing the presence of Sigmar everywhere.[spoiler= Backstory]Olek and his brother Frederich watched their parents burned alive, prior to this a normal childhood was in progress. The Cult of Sigmar (with the help of the state) who burned Ma & Pa Hass then took the newly orphaned pair in and raised them to be model citizens. The orphans are Sigmarite through and-through- Frederich the crusader, he likes the power that it brings; Olek the instrument (or else Prophet) of Sigmar. They're not zealots, not warped and broken inside, no... not at all.[/spoiler]Here we go again.Last session I said this-Note, Lothar is, I think, the only PC that has a shilling left. They all, mostly, spent up on their shopping spree.Well, I’ve checked, and Lothar & Olek have a few shillings each, while Fergus and Frederich- they’re down to a handful of pennies each. The pair really did spend up on their shopping spree last session.Also a word about where we are at- XP-wise; Frederich has advanced all of his stats & skills et al to be ready to advance to Witch Hunter proper, which he is now saving up to do. Fergus & Olek are in a similar position, except both of them are now saving for Talents (Sharp & Very Strong respectively) which are available in their present careers (Scout & Artisan respectively). Once they have the Talents the next step will be to go to Level 2.Lothar has a few Characteristics that he needs to advance yet to complete his Interrogator career.However, read on…JAHRDRUNG, 2512.ALTDORF!SCENE 1. The Boatman Inn.[ATTACH=full]284149[/ATTACH]We’re in the Boatman Inn, on the riverfront, and Josef’s favourite bar, and more importantly Olek and Frederich’s uncle is paying- half a pheasant each, and with all of the trimmings, and a bottle of Cabinet Savage, a cheeky Bretonnian plonk, each.That’s right, a bottle each.Lothar, to begin with, is suspicious- how can Uncle Josef afford to spend so much?As it turns out, Josef supplies the wine here at the Boatman, it’s what he does- he ships wine up and down the Reik, mystery solved.Then, much chatter.Uncle Joe has much to say on three specific subjects, which are-<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">the fact that all nobles are either corrupt or else bonkers.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Wizards (particularly those here in Altdorf) are also corrupt and/or bonkers.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Corruption can get you late in life, Uncle Joe tells the story of a riverman he knew that turned (a bit) into a frog-man-thing.</li> </ol>Remarkably the PCs agree with Uncle Joe on all points- although there’s a varying degree of interest/concern with regard to the conversation. Fergus just thinks all manlings are corrupt/bonkers (to some extent), while Frederich wants evidence- and the names of the folk that need his help? He’s keen to make his second pyre of corruption.But we press on, more chatter- the PCs even extract another rumour they have not heard so far out of Uncle Joe- it’s the silver-tongued Lothar that gets another 1 XP. Note the PCs have discovered twelve of the fifteen rumours that are available in this section of the campaign. If they get all fifteen before they hit Bogenhafen the saintly DM has said he will give them an additional 1 XP each.And about Bogenhafen, all of the PCs have signed up to crew on Uncle Josef’s barge to this place, after all they have business there- Kastor’s inheritance, the Schaffenfest, and Crown Prince Hergard Von Tasseninck was also heading there. The PCs were initially trying to get a job with this fellow.So, the PCs are all signed up to travel, and Joe is set to leave at first tide tomorrow morning, and so this is their first and last night in Altdorf, and some of them are drinking.Note, Fergus McClean has some things to do yet in Altdorf, he is however of the opinion that his other task can wait until his next visit, he’s up for Bogenhafen, he likes Uncle Joe (he keeps on paying for things) and he likes a drink.So, back to the Consume Alcohol checks- and Fergus, even after two bottles of Cabinet Savage (-30 check to consume the whole bottle quickly) is not even tipsy. He rolled an ‘06’ and an ‘04’, and neither of these were his best roll this evening.Olek & Lothar both get a little tipsy but then decide to stop drinking, Frederich isn’t drinking much either. The players are still very wary of Consume Alcohol checks, they now figure that they very often precede the ‘action’, when a -10 on everything is least wanted.Would I do that?Josef is getting smashed.[ATTACH=full]284151[/ATTACH]And the evening in the Boatman is getting on, a pleasant night until a pair of nobles, with four threatening looking bodyguards in-tow, start acting the giddy goat. The pair are drunk and very insulting to the bar’s clientele.Note, earlier in the evening a black leather clad tough also took up station near to the bar. The PCs first instincts on seeing this thug was to think it could have been the same guy that met with the two odd fellows who spent an age signalling Lothar in the Konigsplatz earlier. The fellow Olek saw disappear into the Cat & Fiddle there was also wearing black leathers and had swept back black hair- and a scar. Although that’s the sticking point, the fellow from the Konigsplatz had a scar on his neck, the rough in the Boatman has a scar on his right cheek.A lengthy discussion develops on the back of the tough’s arrival at the inn, but the accompanying dice rolls all point clearly to the fact that this isn’t the same guy they saw earlier.But back to the two ill-behaving nobles, Fergus is at the bar, and clutching a gold crown given to him by Uncle Joe, along with the instruction- ‘more booze… (Hic)’.Fergus is suitably delighted, he’s even showing it every now and then, that is until one of the nobles starts shouting “Brandy Bounce!” and the other, seconds later, yacks up all over his trousers.Remarkably the dwarf is a lot more sanguine about events then anyone at the Virtual Table expected.“Better out than in, I s’pose. You’ll wanna watch what thar’s doin’ a less ‘appy fellow could’a tuck umbrage”, then there is pushing, it’s mostly the noble’s four bodyguards securing their charges.However, lots of other things happen quickly-Frederich is to Fergus’ side, and the man in black- the tough that intrigued the PCs earlier- he’s also in Fergus’ face, and happy to hand out a few choice insults, both to Fergus and Frederich,[ATTACH=full]284152[/ATTACH]It all looks very threatening, things are getting heated, and so it’s a little bit odd that it’s Lothar that actually starts the fight. The Witch Hunter explodes into action, dashing from his table- at which he was previously sitting quietly, and delivering a hefty thump (with knuckledusters) to the antagonist’s kidneys.It kicks off.But it only takes two turns to play out.Max Ernst, the bad man in black, punches Frederich hard in the gut and then smashes the bottle he is drinking from into Lother’s head. The first Witch Hunter is left sucking in air, the second- Lothar, is Stunned (1) and sent reeling, down to about half of his wounds.I get up to three Advantage with Max.But it doesn’t last.Frederich has to gain a point of Corruption- Miss, Fortune Point- Miss, the Whispers of the Ruinous Powers (courtesy of the DM- and yes, I’ll do it!)- Hit, in order to connect with the villain, but it’s only a glancing blow. But that’s the end of Max’s Advantage.Note everyone here is fighting with fists (knuckledusters), so far.Fergus hits Max hard, real hard- something daft like six Success Levels (my dice were broken) plus all the rest.Max is quickly down to just two wounds, and so goes for a dramatic Intimidate check- remarkably only Lothar is affected, but the Burner is still also Stunned (1).Fergus smashes Max again, an uppercut to the jaw, and for a daft amount of damage (even more success levels than the last time- he rolled ‘01’ and I rolled ‘98’).Max’s jaw is broken- teeth fly, and he’s Stunned (lots) and also after a failed Endurance check- Unconscious.There is cheering, and the bodyguards grab their noble charges and swift-exit the Boatman Inn.Soon after the following events occur, in no particular order-Max gets robbed.Note, as soon as Max hit the deck Olek started shouting something like- “Remember to rob the deviant fool, Sigmar needs to get paid!”Things have changed very quickly.Lothar decides to leave Max with enough money to pay for someone to fix his broken jaw, he’s all heart.Next...Several patrons from the bar help the PCs to make the unconscious Max disappear, the body is dumped in an alley.And...Frederich attempts to help Lothar to recover some of his wounds, the Burner’s magic touch doesn’t fail him- Lothar takes an additional wound.As always when Frederich gets involved.Also...Fergus doesn’t pay for another drink all night and is later chaired around the bar by its inhabitants.“Am ‘avin’ a grert night!”Inevitably...Lothar, when recovered, manages to hoover up another errant rumour from the happy punters in the bar, that’s just two left to find, and another 1 XP for the silver-tongued Burner.And finally, the Boatman closes its doors and the PCs follow a drunken Josef back to his barge, the Berebeli.SCENE 2. To Me…The back alleys and narrow passes between warehouses and flophouses, and other low class Dockside establishments, the PCs following the staggering Josef to his barge, only…Lothar can hear someone following behind them, trailing them… and a little while later Fergus concurs.The PCs corral the wandering drunken Josef and keep him occupied, and shushed, while they hide out, waiting to see who is following them- a figure appears at the top of the alley/street in which they hide, but passes over and across- not tempted in.A second shadowy figure, only a few steps behind the first- the pair are clearly together, takes the bait. He heads into the alley and towards the hidden PCs.Eventually, after a sudden clattering sound- which briefly arrests all action- nothing happens, the shadowy figure continues to creep forward and at last steps into a convenient shaft of light from the gibbous moon o’erhead.Lothar instantly steps forward, also into sight.[ATTACH=full]284155[/ATTACH]“To me?” The familiar odd fellow (from the Konigsplatz) asks.“To you.” Lothar confirms with a nod and starts forward- towards the strange man.The Burner gets within six feet of the fellow, when-“Huh!”A crossbow bolt suddenly erupts from the odd fellow’s eye- pointy-end first.The man falls into Lothar’s arms, although the Burner is quick to let go of the fellow, and suddenly all of the PCs are in a panic.The fallen fellow with a crossbow lodged in his head (and poking out of his right eye) is dead.Lothar cautiously heads forwards, towards the end of the alley- it’s Fergus that spots the shooter there, a big man with, of course, a crossbow.Olek and Frederich dismiss all thoughts of finding cover and charge straight out of the alley, at which point- with Lothar et al catching up, the second body is discovered.[ATTACH=full]284156[/ATTACH]It’s the second fellow from the Konigsplatz.The PCs are keen to find the shooter, particularly when they espy that the second body here has a crossbow bolt lodged in its neck and is obviously also very dead.But the PCs, who are still having to look after the drunken Josef are stretched thin here, and rolling high when they’re aiming for low- the shooter is very quickly away. In truth they didn’t spot anything at all, save Fergus’ glimpse- this wasn’t an amateur hour event; this was clearly a professional at work.There follows a lengthy and somewhat fractious discussion, which in retrospect could have gone quicker/better. This after the two dead bodies are dragged into a much smaller and lonelier alley, for further inspection, then to the discussion.Frederich is certain that these two odd fellows are/were cultists, Fergus- for whatever reason, is not convinced, and equally happy to let Frederich know this- the pair bicker for a bit. Right up to the moment that Lothar and Olek discover that the pair both sport matching tattoos on their right breast, a five-fingered purple inked hand each.At which point everyone is convinced that these two fellows were indeed cultists, and not of the good kind, not of Sigmar variety.This is what actual card-carrying members of the Ruinous Powers look like.The PCs take a good long look at their enemy.Frightening.For a variety of reasons.[ATTACH=full]284157[/ATTACH]There are no other clues to be found, although Olek also makes sure that the two dead folk are relieved of their purses, and then… after another twenty minutes of addled wandering Uncle Josef eventually locates the Berebeli. Here we are…Hammocks up, and then sleep.Although…SCENE 3. Isolation.So, OOC all of the players are aware that Olek caught a Cold all the way back on the road to the Coach & Horses Inn, we did all of the checks out in the open- as part of the tutorial, anyway Olek’s Cold will begin its effect in a few hours.Simply put Olek will start Coughing & Sneezing (making him contagious), develop a Malaise (Fatigue 1).Lothar wants to avoid catching the Cold, and so the DM decides that if the PCs can make a difficult Perception check then they can wake up when Olek starts coughing, and then attempt to isolate him somehow.And so it comes to pass, and guess who it is that awakes in time to save the day- Lothar. Lothar, for some reason has gone all Howard Hughes at this point, a germaphobe. He awakes when the coughing and spluttering starts, wakes Olek and convinces him to isolate and then… MISTAKE awakes Josef and tries to explain to the bargemaster that Olek needs his cabin, because- he has a Cold.[ATTACH=full]284158[/ATTACH]Uncle Josef is not happy at all- and still flailing drunk, eventually Lothar is kicked out of Josef’s cabin- many more PCs awake, and eventually the contagious Olek is stuffed in the storeroom of the barge.Job done.The DM tells the PCs, if Olek stays fairly well isolated for the rest of the day (the duration of his Cold is only 1 day- good roll) then I will allow the other three PCs to make a +40 Endurance check, now- to see if they’re going to also succumb to the infection.Fergus and Frederich are all good.Lothar rolls a ‘100’.He’s already used all his Fortune Points today.The word ‘reciprocity’ shuffles into my brain.It’s a very good word.SCENE 4. The Morning After the Night Before.The Berebeli is on the river early doors, this after Josef awakes the PCs at the crack of dawn- he has a few last errands to run in Altdorf, and then they’re off.So, it comes to pass.But Uncle Josef is in a foul mood this morning, eventually the Berebeli gets into the channel, and the PCs have been introduced to the other crew members- Wolmar and Gildar and little baby Elsa, and… Josef wants a word- “NOW!”The PCs, somewhat sheepishly, are herded into a cabin-“WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED LAST NIGHT?”And then the PCs get to explaining, mostly Lothar doing the chat, in short- Olek had a Cold and, but, “NO!” Joseph doesn’t mean then, he wants to know what happened earlier in the evening, or else later in the evening. Did the PCs head back into Altdorf when he was asleep?Uncle Joseph is furious.The PCs are not sure what they are being asked to explain, although they’re not trying to work it out either- they’re mostly just talking over each other to tell a variety of stories about last night’s events.It is chaos.And so Josef stops the bickering.[ATTACH=full]284159[/ATTACH]“Olaf the Giant, Wanted!” Josef berates his young nephew, “for the murder of a noble”, Josef asked around, “a Georg Von-Somethingorother! What the hell happened last night?”Eventually an explanation takes shape, the PCs have no idea who killed Georg, although some of them have their suspicions, they are however certain of their actions last evening, and explain to Josef all that occurred.Lothar even managed to extract one of the Purple Hand tattoos from one of the fallen cultists, he used his special interrogation tools. He shows Josef his work- grisly!It’s all coming back to Josef, and the PCs checks, now they have decided to try and make some, are all good to great.Normal service is resumed.We’re on the Berebeli bound for Bogenhafen.What could possibly go wrong?And that’s all she wrote this session, except to say in the final moment, Lothar delivered the following-“I’m sorry about last night Josef. I’d like to make amends, I’d like for you to teach me how to be a Boatman, Josef. It seems an honest trade, and perhaps one to which I may prove suited. I think I’ll leave the Witch Hunting to your nephew Frederich for now.”Josef shakes Lothar’s proffered hand whole-heartedly.Note, I made the offer- a free (0 XP) transfer to Boatman if you join the crew of the Berebeli, Kev (playing Lothar) has decided, he’s going to try and take every free opportunity that comes up along the way- and see where it takes him.Note, back at the beginning when we randomly rolled these PCs up Jim (playing Frederich) did everything he could to become a Witch Hunter. Kev (playing Lothar) took the first roll of every dice and lucked into Witch Hunter.He’s going to try to continue that approach it seems.The final XP table for this session is below.<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>PC</td><td>Rumours</td><td>Max Ernst</td><td>To Me?</td><td>Berebeli</td><td>Session XP</td><td>Total</td></tr><tr><td>Fred (Jim)</td><td>0</td><td>7</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>45</td><td>59</td></tr><tr><td>Fergus (Ben)</td><td>0</td><td>8</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>45</td><td>60</td></tr><tr><td>Olek (George)</td><td>0</td><td>6</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>40</td><td>53</td></tr><tr><td>Lothar (Kev)</td><td>2</td><td>7</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>35</td><td>51</td></tr></table>Stay safe and well.Cheers goonalan et al.</blockquote>

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