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WFRP 4e The Enemy Within Campaign Book 1: Enemy in Shadows Session #14 Who Can You Trust?
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 9581086" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">LETTERS FROM THE OLD WORLD.</span></strong></p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">SESSION #12 The Laughenfest at the Schaffenfest- One Greasy Dawi!*</span></strong></p><p></p><p>*Soon to be none.</p><p></p><p>The PCs</p><p><strong>Fergus McClean, Dwarf Scout (Guide) played by Bear.</strong></p><p><strong>Looks Like: </strong>Rough and ready-for-anything Dawi- a bit unkempt; constantly muttering and grumbling at Seamus his imaginary dog.</p><p><strong>Sounds Like: </strong>Northern 'I wur down t'mine', although taciturn, and always grumpy.</p><p></p><p>[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]</p><p></p><p><strong>Frederich Hass, Human Witch Hunter (Interrogator) played by Jim.</strong></p><p><strong>Looks Like: </strong>Thick-set, tall with a resting angry face, never too far away from a snarl, otherwise well turned out.</p><p><strong>Sounds Like: </strong>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.</p><p></p><p>[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]</p><p></p><p><strong>Lothar Jurgen Muller, Human Witch Hunter (Interrogator) played by Kev.</strong></p><p><strong>Looks Like: </strong>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.</p><p><strong>Sounds Like: </strong>Civil, polite, formal, caring- and entirely without menace. He's a Paladin doing Witch Hunter, which may yet prove amusing.</p><p></p><p>[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 fetid stink and terror.[/spoiler]</p><p></p><p><strong>Olek Hass, Human Artisan- Blacksmith (Apprentice) played by George.</strong></p><p><strong>Looks Like: </strong>Seven (plus) feet tall, and not too skinny with it- lithe and muscled, he's a giant- with wild eyes.</p><p><strong>Sounds Like:</strong> A camp Nazi constantly unfolding, expounding, and explaining the mystery of ongoing events, and seeing the presence of Sigmar everywhere.</p><p></p><p>[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]</p><p></p><p>We spent another forty or so minutes at the start of this one refreshing our memories and going through a bunch of rules- very specifically Talents, this off the back of the rules check above this write-up.</p><p></p><p>The PCs had other questions too that needed answering so, another late start- that's not me complaining you understand, it's just the reality of trying to fix the rules in our/my heads.</p><p></p><p>The to do list has been fixed (note, oldest issue first- not in priority order).</p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The bones of Johann Baumann, found on the road to Ubersreik, now carried by Oleg, need to be interred within the precincts of Morr.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The Purple Hand cultists, why did they want to speak to Kastor/Lothar, what's going on here? Are they protecting the Magical Pickleman (Magister Impedimentae)?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">SCHAFFENFEST! Tax free SHEEP!</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Get a job or make some money.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Find somewhere to stay.</li> </ol><p><strong>Here we go some more.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">MITTERFRUHL (Spring Equinox), 2512.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">Bogenhafen.</span></strong></p><p></p><p>The fight goes on, remember- the titanic clash of Fergus “HOooooooooOOOOLE!” McCleeeeeeannnnNNNN versus CRUUUUU-SHERRRRR Braugen! (Best WWF-style announcer voice for the card please).</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">SCENE 1. The Laughenfest at the Schaffenfest.</span></strong></p><p></p><p>Strap in- it's a very good/bad one. You'll see.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]395741[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>So, we're four turns in (to a 12 turn bout), and neither fighter has managed to land a punch yet, although in truth it's only Fergus that has been trying. Crusher got a good hold of the greasy (Fergus is lathered in pig fat atm) dawi but, somehow he managed to wriggle free.</strong></p><p></p><p>And right now Fergus is maxed out (5 advantage) and Crusher has none. Keep in mind the other three PCs in the crowd have been using their skills to get the crowd chanting- “HOLE! HOLE!” in support of Fergus, or else they've been proselytising- Sigmar & Fergus, or they've been trying to Intuit Crusher's weak spots. They've all been busy, and using Leadership to transfer any points of advantage gained to Fergus- in the form of support or else as the Burner Frederich is- coaching the pugnacious dawi from the side-lines.</p><p></p><p>It's all in- everyone is working for the win.</p><p></p><p>So, here's the countdown.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">Turn 5.</span></strong></p><p></p><p>Fergus goes full cannonball on Crusher and with five advantage, and... Crusher avoids the hurtling dwarf easily and delivers a sturdy elbow in the kidneys- sturdy enough to momentarily lift the dawi off his feet. A staggering Fergus retreats to the ropes with only three wounds left (from full) and now sans all advantage.</p><p></p><p>To make clear Crusher uses Reversal- steals all Fergus' advantage and then hits him real hard.</p><p></p><p>The cheerleaders in the crowd do their thing- Fergus gets a little more advantage from his friends, but he's not in a great place.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">Turn 6.</span></strong></p><p></p><p>It gets worse.</p><p></p><p>Although...</p><p></p><p>Fergus, blowing hard and holding his side, retreats to a corner and... sets Seamus his imaginary dog on Crusher.</p><p></p><p>And yes, that's exactly what he does- he cannot be persuaded otherwise- people try, believe me.</p><p></p><p>Alas the imaginary Seamus proves ineffective against Crusher, although Fergus' Animal Handling (or whatever it's called) is fairly good- but the imaginary hound has no effect, who would have thought it.</p><p></p><p>Crusher, slightly bewildered by Fergus' seemingly random shouting-</p><p></p><p>Northern voice please- “Sick 'im, Seamus!”, and, “Go for his balls! Sick balls!”</p><p></p><p>Anyway, Crusher goes in for a massive straight-arm gut shot, and... Ooooh, that's titanic! Something like seventeen damage (-T) and keep in mind Fergus has just three wounds left.</p><p></p><p>We roll the Crit, and... a fractured hip, that's nasty. And so...</p><p></p><p>We stop to consult the books- and after much reading Bear playing Fergus decides he doesn't want to spend a Fate Point, he wants to spend a Resilience Point and make it so he won the last test by one SL, and so it comes to pass.</p><p></p><p>Which of course means...</p><p></p><p>...Ohhhh, a titanic blow, or else it would have been- at the last moment the greasy dawi dances away from Crusher's massive flailing fist.</p><p></p><p>Crusher loses all of his Advantage, and Fergus gets another point.</p><p></p><p>He's still on just three wounds though.</p><p></p><p>The cheerleading squad in the crowd get into action some more, and what's remarkable here is in the first session of this game I remember there were rounds and/or turns that went by without many folk, if any, actually managing to make a successful skill test- for anything. The cheerleading squad, and they're mostly testing on late-30's and early-40's are making their rolls pretty much all of the time. A few Fortune Points get spent here and there but... they're really up for this- up for helping Fergus.</p><p></p><p>It's a real team effort- all for one and one for all.</p><p></p><p>My point being- Fergus gets another point of advantage from his friends, he's nearly back up to full again- he's on four atm.</p><p></p><p>Also at this point, after lots of success, a good third of the crowd here are chanting-</p><p></p><p>“CRUSHER'S IN THE HOLE!”</p><p></p><p>The latest incarnation of the dawi supporters' chant.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">Turn 7.</span></strong></p><p></p><p>Fergus figures it out.</p><p></p><p>“You'll not get me lad, yer a big' un- I'll gi' ya that! But you're not catching me!”</p><p></p><p>Fergus goes full defensive- no attack but for his defensive check he's +20 plus any advantage he's still got.</p><p></p><p>Crusher swipes wildly- and he's nowhere near.</p><p></p><p>At the end of the turn Fergus is dodging, scampering, ducking- diving, and generally just keeping out of the way.</p><p></p><p>Crusher's stuck on zero advantage and after the cheerleaders continue to do their thing this turn Fergus is back to being maxed out.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">Turn 8.</span></strong></p><p></p><p>Same as above.</p><p></p><p>Fergus full defensive, and now testing on 118- Crusher's fore-arm smash testing on 67.</p><p></p><p>Fergus rolls low, I roll high- I don't even make the test.</p><p></p><p>Crusher can't use his Reversal because Fergus isn't attacking him.</p><p></p><p>WTF is going on here?</p><p></p><p>Has Fergus beat the game.</p><p></p><p>As Bear, playing Fergus, said at the time- “I am optimalised.”</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">Turn 9.</span></strong></p><p></p><p>Same again.</p><p></p><p>Crusher misses by a mile this time- Fergus winning the defensive test by something +14 SL. He rolled '01' and I rolled something like '94'.</p><p></p><p>Basically Fergus is skipping aside, prancing like a pony, or else just waltzing around a flailing, grasping Crusher.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]395742[/ATTACH]<strong>And now Crusher is losing it- big time.</strong></p><p></p><p>He stands in the center of the ring performing the Three Stooges (I don't remember which one) self-face slap routine, with accompanying WHOOPING.</p><p></p><p>Oh, and after encouragement from Fergus the crowd are singing-</p><p></p><p>“There's only one greasy dawi! Only one greasy dawi!”</p><p></p><p>At this point the Ringmaster, Klaus Schattinger, who is also Crusher's manager (of course) is almost in the ring too- screaming at Crusher to-</p><p></p><p>“Put zer damn dwarf down!”</p><p></p><p>Oh, and the cheerleaders have also figured it out- it's at this point that they totally abandon their cheerleading duties and do two things.</p><p></p><p>Lothar, and then Olek, get bets on- Lothar even manages to find a crazy guy (great roll) that will give him 6-1 on Fergus not making it to the end of the fight.</p><p></p><p>This while Frederich goes and has 'a quiet word' with Klaus Schattinger, Crusher's worried manager, Frederich advises Klaus to also get his money on Fergus very quickly, because this is going to go all the way to the very end- the dawi will not be beaten. He also advises Schattinger to ring the bell early, if he wants to keep Crusher from exploding.</p><p></p><p>Then Frederich rolls something like- '02', it's a contested roll, but Schattinger's dice are bust. He's considering Freddy's chat, and at the same time getting some of associates to put a few bets on Fergus to go all the way- it can't hurt to spread the pain a little.</p><p></p><p>Frederich continues this kind of chatter next turn- and keep in mind Jim, who plays Frederich is an ex-wrestler who sometimes works in wrestling promotion, so- he sounds like the real deal, because he is.</p><p></p><p>Next turn Frederich's dice fail him, or else- not fail, they roll double his last score, they roll- '04', it's the same check he's making- Schattinger is finally convinced he's going to get more money on Fergus, and will very likely ring the bell early to save Crusher, because...</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">Turn 10.</span></strong></p><p></p><p>Same again. Fergus avoids Crusher's now frantic maniac attempts.</p><p></p><p>The big man is bouncing from rope to rope to build up enough momentum to get a charge attack- the DM is grasping, to give himself one point of advantage.</p><p></p><p>I've also ruled that the pig fat on Fergus has effectively gone away, been rubbed or sweated off, no more -10 on my rolls.</p><p></p><p>It doesn't help. Fergus wins by about +6 SL.</p><p></p><p>He's skipping around Crusher who is bonkers furious.</p><p></p><p>Frederich even finds enough time to get a bet on of his own- not at as good odds, of course- but now they're all in for the dawi to take it all the way, and keep in mind that Frederich (and now Olek and Lothar) know that the bell is coming early- at the end of the next turn.</p><p></p><p>All Fergus needs to do is survive one more turn.</p><p></p><p>Lols.</p><p></p><p>Strap in.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">Turn 11.</span></strong></p><p></p><p>Fergus attacks Crusher, after taunting him a little more with his fairy steps, the dawi turns and goes full lunge. </p><p></p><p>All out! All in! All for...</p><p></p><p>Nothing, Fergus rolls a '96' and with no Fortune Points left, and Crusher gets in his Reversal- he steals all of the dawi's advantage- all five points, turns the dwarf around, so that he's now facing his friends, and with two hands clasped like an axe- he leans up and back- hands clasped high over his head- and brings the Tomahawk (so, I'm told) down on Fergus.</p><p></p><p>For something ridiculous like twenty points of damage (-T).</p><p></p><p>Fergus collapses... Concertinas would be a better description.</p><p></p><p>The bell rings- early.</p><p></p><p>And the crowd go...</p><p></p><p>Well, there is quite a lot of swearing, and keep in mind some of (most of?) the players are now down to maybe a schilling and a few brass pennies in their pockets.</p><p></p><p>A lot of swearing.</p><p></p><p>Oh, and Fergus is eventually dragged out of the ring on a sort of Butcher's barrow, and delivered to his friends, he seems to be mainly slipping in and out of consciousness.</p><p></p><p>Here's the contender-</p><p></p><p>“Sooo, close... Come on now lads, just 'elp me up.” Fergus cheerily recommends, his fellow adventurers have some not-so-warm greetings for their boon dawi companion-</p><p></p><p>“Why did you...” Olek and Lothar begin.</p><p>“You jeffing little jeffer. Jeff you! Jeff you Fergus, you Jeffing Jeff!” Frederich is much less calm.</p><p></p><p>That sort of thing. It goes on for a little while longer.</p><p></p><p>I'll be honest, at some points there were tears in my eyes.</p><p></p><p>Not happy.</p><p></p><p>Oh, and Bear, playing Fergus, refused to spend a Fate Point and so he took the Crit.</p><p></p><p>Major Muscle Strain- Back, I think- from memory- he's 26 days at -20 on every test that will involve him using his back (and connected limbs), so... that's everything physical. Then 26 days more at -10, as above.</p><p></p><p>So, as stated at the time (helpfully) by the DM- 'he's sub-optimalised'.</p><p></p><p>More remarkably after the repercussions have died down Frederich and Lothar get the bandages out and for the first time in this game manage to make a Heal Test, and with plenty of success levels, and so ten or so minutes later and Fergus is back on his feet again. His back hurts- a lot, but he'll put up with it- he's a stoic.</p><p></p><p>There, and now everyone's happy.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">SCENE 2. A Quiet Drink.</span></strong></p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]395743[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Let's cut to the chase on this one, everyone mooches into a beer tent- en route to the Zoocopeia, ostensibly to try to find any new rumours- and in particular the PCs are looking for work, now that they are all mostly broke.</strong></p><p></p><p>Although I think Fergus still has a few schillings- he didn't bet on himself though, smart fellow.</p><p></p><p>The gang pick up a few new rumours-</p><p></p><p>“The hamlet of Stust was overrun by mutants and beastmen from the forests. All that remains are piles of skulls and broken bones.” Told to Olek by a pedlar, Renate Hausier, she's just arrived at the Schaffenfest,</p><p></p><p>And-</p><p></p><p>“The sewers of Bögenhafen are no longer patrolled! What's the town council doing? Things live down there now!” Overheard by Lothar, the speaker- the Boatman is certain, was a member of the Bogenhafen Watch- just having a quick pint to wet his whistle.</p><p></p><p>None of the adventurers do any drinking, although a few of them spend a few pennies buying ales for others- in an effort to find some more rumours, or else employment.</p><p></p><p>Oh, but Fergus tries a different appraoch- the dawi gets up on the bar, or else a nearby table, drinks heartily and starts singing “There's only one greasy dawi! One greasy dawi?”</p><p></p><p>More remarkably he rolls another sub-10 score, and soon after he has an audience and several more beers close to hand. Soon after Fergus is smashed (-30 on all tests = Fatigued 3).</p><p></p><p>There's no time for discussion about the merits of the above.</p><p></p><p>Let's keep going.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">SCENE 3. Zoocopeia.</span></strong></p><p></p><p>And here we all are, sitting comfortably-</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]395744[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Oh, and Dr Malthusius has had to borrow a bigger tent, the interest in his show is phenomenal, everyone at the Schaffenfest has heard about the 'ferocious mutant Goblin that bit its keeper's hand off and almost escaped, if it wasn't for a band of toothsome heroes...' etc. etc.</strong></p><p></p><p>Dr. M has been busy spreading the rumour, or else someone has, or maybe it's down to Lothar and his sign.</p><p></p><p>Anyway, the place is packed.</p><p></p><p>The show begins... but I'm not going to do all of that, and so here's the stars of the extravaganza-</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]395745[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Clockwise- the Ghastly Three-Legged Goblkin of Grisenwald, the Dastardly One-Eyed Dog of Diesdorf (aka Binky), the Horrendously Hairy Horror of Hochland (aka Mr. Timpkins), Grunni- stage hand, the Immeasurable Maw of the Middle Mountains (a Squig), and the good Dr.</strong></p><p></p><p>It's a great show, the Hairy Horror kicks a ball around, pulls funny faces and eats a banana sideways, the crowd love it.</p><p></p><p>Binky may be Dastardly but she also melts people's hearts- Ahhhh!</p><p></p><p>The Squig is a bit terrifying, particularly when it tries to bite/eat Grunni who has to beat it back with a stick.</p><p></p><p>Then... the goblin who, well... snaps the leash he's on- again- how does he do that- and then runs off, snaking under the canvas and clean out of the tent.</p><p></p><p>The audience- who are primed for just such an event- that's what they're here to see, go crazy-bonkers, it's a semi-riot.</p><p></p><p>The PCs, of course, rise above this kind of thing and leap into action.</p><p></p><p>Well, sort of- and keep in mind they are the pros at this now, some of 'em.</p><p></p><p>Frederich is first to the canvas under which the goblin slithered and escaped, alas the Witch Hunter is crossbow loaded and in hand, and soon after- stuck under the aforementioned canvas. As it turns out he's much bigger, and less lithe than a goblin- particularly while toting the crossbow.</p><p></p><p>Lothar makes it to the same spot, or at least a few paces to one side of Freddy- slashes hard with his dagger at the tarp and is through almost all in one move.</p><p></p><p>Fergus tries to follow him- falls down, gets up- runs hard- and boing- gets the wrong bit of tarp and rebounds back into the ring.</p><p></p><p>Olek? Olek stands up and starts talking- about being calm, about everything being under control and about the fact that the goblin is now outside of the tent and so being inside of the tent is probably the best and safest place to be. Oh, and a lot more stuff about Sigmar. He's very good, and after a Fortune Point he rolls very low.</p><p></p><p>By the time the rozzers (Bogenhafen Watch) turn up a fair sized section of the crowd are still inside the tent singing verses of “Onward Sigmar's soldiers...” He's very good is Olek.</p><p></p><p>Meantime, outside of the tent/Zoocopeia- and it's getting dark out now, Lothar spots the goblin about thirty or so feet away working its way along the town walls, and then... it's gone.</p><p></p><p>Moments later he and Freddy have made it to the town wall- and just the spot, there's a rusted grate, most likely a drain or over-flow pipe into the sewer, the hole is just big enough to admit a desperate mutant goblin, and... after investigation- there's green blood on the grate. The goblin is in the sewers.</p><p></p><p>Frederich is remarkably prescient-</p><p></p><p>“I think this is a job for... US!” he declares, in his growling voice. Soon after Olek and Fergus make their way to the grate in the wall, to see what's going on.</p><p></p><p>They're accompanied by Dr. M. and the fellows from the Bogenhafen Watch.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]395746[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>“You again! What the bloody hell is going on here?" Sgt. Dicky Trubshaw is less than eager to discover.</strong></p><p></p><p>As it turns out- there's a goblin escaped into the sewers, there's a little bit of a debate about how many legs the goblin had- some say two- some say three- Lothar swears that it was moving so fast he couldn't count.</p><p></p><p>Fergus insists that it had three legs.</p><p></p><p>Helpfully Fred pulls Fergus away and then equally helpfully explains things to Sgt. Dicky Trubshaw.</p><p></p><p>“Do not listen to him officer Trubshaw”, Fred hisses, “he is a dawi, he is drunk, and he is a fool!” The last part of the orevious sentence is delivered with some vehemance, and directly into Fergus' fat grinning drunken face. The Witch Hunter then offers his services- “We can take care of this for you, for Bogenhafen, Sgt Trubshaw?”</p><p></p><p>As I said before, remarkably prescient.</p><p></p><p>Although I'd let the adventurers know much earlier that they would be going adventuring at the end of this session. So, that they wouldn't mess up their PCs too much prior to the coming good stuff. So, that worked well.</p><p></p><p>But the good Sgt isn't convinced, or else he doesn't have the authority-</p><p></p><p>"A goblin, in the sewer- nah! That's not for me, way above my pay grade. You lot- all of yer, are coming with us."</p><p></p><p>"Resist and it'll be in chains, walk nicely and we can whistle, I'll even let one of you buy me a pie on the way. You can get one for yerself, if you like."</p><p></p><p>"We'll go and have a nice chat with the magistrate, get this all sorted out."</p><p></p><p>And so, after a little bit of huffing, they do.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">SCENE 4. All Rise!</span></strong></p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]395747[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Now here's the thing- just outside the large tent that is the Schaffenfest Festival Court is... a very dirty and inebriated dawi in the stocks.</strong></p><p></p><p>Well, it takes one to know one.</p><p></p><p>The dwarf in the stocks just happens to be a fellow called Gottri Gurnasson, who is the subject of Fergus' quest. He's been looking for this dawi since the off.</p><p></p><p>Fergus, of course, is also drunk- he does however manage to extract a little bit of information from the guards hereby, it seems Gottri is a shambling drunken wreck, and it'll cost two schillings to get him out of the stocks. This is the second occasion he's been in the stocks today. He really is a mess.</p><p></p><p>“Two schilling, two schilling, two schilling- DRINK! Two schilling, two schilling, two schilling- DRINK! Two schilling, two schilling, two schilling- DRINK!” Is how Gottri puts it (Father Jack-style).</p><p></p><p>Fergus will pay the fine when he's done inside, because... they're up, before the beak-</p><p></p><p>“All rise! The honourable judge Heinz Richter presiding...”</p><p></p><p>"Swear them in!" Magistrate Richter harrumphs, all business.</p><p></p><p>"Do you swear by all the Gods and Laws of the Empire, and on the life of the Emperor Karl Franz, to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. May all the Gods bless glorious Reikland.”</p><p></p><p>"Sgt Trubshaw report"</p><p></p><p>And so he does-</p><p></p><p>“We were just there for the end of it your Lordship, I'll let these people tell it all, save to say- a goblin seems to have escaped into the Bogenhaffen sewers. That's the long and the tall of it your Lordship."</p><p></p><p>"Do any of the witnesses wish to add to the good Sgt's report, or can we skip to the conclusion here." Richter is keen to get a move on.</p><p></p><p>But, everyone has something to say, and so four speeches later- all of which add nothing to the cause, except to make clear that the foursome before the judge are all keen to take the job.</p><p></p><p>Although... one of the speeches is, well slurred- a bit insulting, certainly fractious- and again Frederich has to drag Fergus aside- and shut him up.</p><p></p><p>But now Dr. M. has something to add-</p><p></p><p>"I would like to offer a reward of five gold crowns for the safe return of the Goblin, as a concerned member of the citizenship, I feel it is important that I play my part in securing this menace!”</p><p></p><p>"These fine folk were foremost at the last incident, and have proven themselves previously, the goblin slipped it's leash earlier in the day, they caught it then."</p><p></p><p>Magistrate Richter takes over-</p><p></p><p>“I see where you are going with this...”</p><p></p><p>“Since you have caught it previously, it should not be too onerous a task. Would you take this job, on behalf of the town of Bogenhaffen we would match the agreed amount- another five gold crowns- making ten in total, for the return or removal of the goblin in the sewers here.”</p><p></p><p>"Do we have a contract sirs?"</p><p></p><p>Lots of nodding, and grinning.</p><p></p><p>Magistrate Richter continues-</p><p></p><p>"Draw it up Andrea"</p><p></p><p>"Sgt Trubshaw, Bogenhafen will also pay for a room for the night for these brave folk, get them situated at the Journey's End, tell Odelina they're under contract. One room for the lot of them- one night only, and no extras. Got that!"</p><p></p><p>The good Sgt nods his ascent.</p><p></p><p>"Oh, and Sgt- get them a ladder, and a light of some sort, once they've left their gear at the Journey's End I want them off and hunting for that thing in the sewer, lickety-spit."</p><p></p><p>A few minutes later and the contract is done.</p><p></p><p>Richter continues-</p><p></p><p>"Sign here, and while you are doing so listen to me."</p><p></p><p>"Catch that goblin sirs, alive- if you can, certainly to satisfy the good Dr. there, although he seems to have a problem with keeping a-hold of this slippery beast. What ho! What say you to that sir?"</p><p></p><p>Dr. M. is saying nothing.</p><p></p><p>"Not much? That's what." Richter grins at the discomforted showman, and then continues-</p><p></p><p>"But my five gold crowns, that's the gold crowns belonging to the good tax paying citizens of Bogenhafen, they want this odd little goblin out of their sewers. Supply proof that you have done this, to claim my half of the reward."</p><p></p><p>"Understood."</p><p></p><p>The PCs nod enthusiastically- one or two of them still grinning. Ten gold crowns!</p><p></p><p>"Then notorised!” [STAMP]</p><p></p><p>"Well done, may the gods speed you on your journey." Richter adds while Sgt Trubshaw leads the adventurers out.</p><p></p><p>"Next!"</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]395748[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>But here's the thing- see Gottri in the stocks in the image above, well... he's gone.</strong></p><p></p><p>Fergus is... unhappy just about covers it.</p><p></p><p>Eventually the drunken dwarf, with a little help from his... I was going to say friends, let's call them colleagues, atm. Anyway, it seems someone else has paid Gottri's two schilling fine.</p><p></p><p>Who it was that rescued the scabby drunken dawi is alas a mystery, as the halberdier helpfully states-</p><p></p><p>“Dunno who paid it, I din't see 'em.”</p><p></p><p>Fergus spends a little time running drunkenly around a bit, generally barging into folk and... well, he's drunk just about covers it.</p><p></p><p>We finally get to here.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">SCENE 5. Journeys End.</span></strong></p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]395749[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>That's Odelina, she's happy to meet the adventurers, and soon after they're very briefly settled into a two bunk-bed room. Several of the PCs have decided to leave some of their stuff here, because, well... they're heading into the sewers and that might not go entirely to plan. We'll see.</strong></p><p></p><p>They also, all of 'em, order (and pay for) hot baths on their return. This because Odelina has already let them know that if they're stinking like the sewers when they return they're not staying here.</p><p></p><p>Sgt Trubshaw, has a pint and a fag while all of this is going on, and then the rest of his patrol turn up with a ladder, a lantern, two torches and half-a-dozen candles.</p><p></p><p>“That's everything you'll need!” Dicky states, finishes his beer, and then leads the PCs off to the sewers.</p><p></p><p>But that's for next time.</p><p></p><p>The final XP table for this session is below, oh and you are down to half rations for the Session XP now, all the way to session 20, if it lasts that long.</p><p></p><table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>PC</td><td><p style="text-align: center">Crusher</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">Rumours</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">Zoocopeia</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">Gottri</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">Court</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">Session XP</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">Total</p> </td></tr><tr><td>Fred</td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">22</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">30</p> </td></tr><tr><td>Fergus</td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">1</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">5</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">18</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">29</p> </td></tr><tr><td>Olek</td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">1</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">20</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">29</p> </td></tr><tr><td>Lothar</td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">1</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">20</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">29</p> </td></tr></table><p></p><p>What to say about Fergus- he's broken, he's drunk and he wont be winning any popularity contests atm. The rest is a mystery that only Bear truly comprehends, although... in the fight I guess he thought he had one chance to make his mark on Crusher and so he went for it, and as Bear said at the time in the Beer tent, he has a Consume Alcohol of 50+, he thought he was semi-safe. Failed all three and got his backside kicked in the ring, so- it sucks to be Fergus atm, I can't imagine his trip into the sewer is going to be all plain sailing, let's find out together shall we.</p><p></p><p>Stay safe and well.</p><p></p><p>Cheers goonalan et al.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 9581086, member: 16069"] [CENTER][B][SIZE=7]LETTERS FROM THE OLD WORLD.[/SIZE][/B][/CENTER] 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. [B][SIZE=7]SESSION #12 The Laughenfest at the Schaffenfest- One Greasy Dawi!*[/SIZE][/B] *Soon to be none. The PCs [B]Fergus McClean, Dwarf Scout (Guide) played by Bear. Looks Like: [/B]Rough and ready-for-anything Dawi- a bit unkempt; constantly muttering and grumbling at Seamus his imaginary dog. [B]Sounds Like: [/B]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] [B]Frederich Hass, Human Witch Hunter (Interrogator) played by Jim. Looks Like: [/B]Thick-set, tall with a resting angry face, never too far away from a snarl, otherwise well turned out. [B]Sounds Like: [/B]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] [B]Lothar Jurgen Muller, Human Witch Hunter (Interrogator) played by Kev. Looks Like: [/B]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. [B]Sounds Like: [/B]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 fetid stink and terror.[/spoiler] [B]Olek Hass, Human Artisan- Blacksmith (Apprentice) played by George. Looks Like: [/B]Seven (plus) feet tall, and not too skinny with it- lithe and muscled, he's a giant- with wild eyes. [B]Sounds Like:[/B] 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] We spent another forty or so minutes at the start of this one refreshing our memories and going through a bunch of rules- very specifically Talents, this off the back of the rules check above this write-up. The PCs had other questions too that needed answering so, another late start- that's not me complaining you understand, it's just the reality of trying to fix the rules in our/my heads. The to do list has been fixed (note, oldest issue first- not in priority order). [LIST=1] [*]The bones of Johann Baumann, found on the road to Ubersreik, now carried by Oleg, need to be interred within the precincts of Morr. [*]The Purple Hand cultists, why did they want to speak to Kastor/Lothar, what's going on here? Are they protecting the Magical Pickleman (Magister Impedimentae)? [*]SCHAFFENFEST! Tax free SHEEP! [*]Get a job or make some money. [*]Find somewhere to stay. [/LIST] [B]Here we go some more. [SIZE=7]MITTERFRUHL (Spring Equinox), 2512. Bogenhafen.[/SIZE][/B] The fight goes on, remember- the titanic clash of Fergus “HOooooooooOOOOLE!” McCleeeeeeannnnNNNN versus CRUUUUU-SHERRRRR Braugen! (Best WWF-style announcer voice for the card please). [B][SIZE=7]SCENE 1. The Laughenfest at the Schaffenfest.[/SIZE][/B] Strap in- it's a very good/bad one. You'll see. [ATTACH type="full" size="1473x789"]395741[/ATTACH] [B]So, we're four turns in (to a 12 turn bout), and neither fighter has managed to land a punch yet, although in truth it's only Fergus that has been trying. Crusher got a good hold of the greasy (Fergus is lathered in pig fat atm) dawi but, somehow he managed to wriggle free.[/B] And right now Fergus is maxed out (5 advantage) and Crusher has none. Keep in mind the other three PCs in the crowd have been using their skills to get the crowd chanting- “HOLE! HOLE!” in support of Fergus, or else they've been proselytising- Sigmar & Fergus, or they've been trying to Intuit Crusher's weak spots. They've all been busy, and using Leadership to transfer any points of advantage gained to Fergus- in the form of support or else as the Burner Frederich is- coaching the pugnacious dawi from the side-lines. It's all in- everyone is working for the win. So, here's the countdown. [B][SIZE=7]Turn 5.[/SIZE][/B] Fergus goes full cannonball on Crusher and with five advantage, and... Crusher avoids the hurtling dwarf easily and delivers a sturdy elbow in the kidneys- sturdy enough to momentarily lift the dawi off his feet. A staggering Fergus retreats to the ropes with only three wounds left (from full) and now sans all advantage. To make clear Crusher uses Reversal- steals all Fergus' advantage and then hits him real hard. The cheerleaders in the crowd do their thing- Fergus gets a little more advantage from his friends, but he's not in a great place. [B][SIZE=7]Turn 6.[/SIZE][/B] It gets worse. Although... Fergus, blowing hard and holding his side, retreats to a corner and... sets Seamus his imaginary dog on Crusher. And yes, that's exactly what he does- he cannot be persuaded otherwise- people try, believe me. Alas the imaginary Seamus proves ineffective against Crusher, although Fergus' Animal Handling (or whatever it's called) is fairly good- but the imaginary hound has no effect, who would have thought it. Crusher, slightly bewildered by Fergus' seemingly random shouting- Northern voice please- “Sick 'im, Seamus!”, and, “Go for his balls! Sick balls!” Anyway, Crusher goes in for a massive straight-arm gut shot, and... Ooooh, that's titanic! Something like seventeen damage (-T) and keep in mind Fergus has just three wounds left. We roll the Crit, and... a fractured hip, that's nasty. And so... We stop to consult the books- and after much reading Bear playing Fergus decides he doesn't want to spend a Fate Point, he wants to spend a Resilience Point and make it so he won the last test by one SL, and so it comes to pass. Which of course means... ...Ohhhh, a titanic blow, or else it would have been- at the last moment the greasy dawi dances away from Crusher's massive flailing fist. Crusher loses all of his Advantage, and Fergus gets another point. He's still on just three wounds though. The cheerleading squad in the crowd get into action some more, and what's remarkable here is in the first session of this game I remember there were rounds and/or turns that went by without many folk, if any, actually managing to make a successful skill test- for anything. The cheerleading squad, and they're mostly testing on late-30's and early-40's are making their rolls pretty much all of the time. A few Fortune Points get spent here and there but... they're really up for this- up for helping Fergus. It's a real team effort- all for one and one for all. My point being- Fergus gets another point of advantage from his friends, he's nearly back up to full again- he's on four atm. Also at this point, after lots of success, a good third of the crowd here are chanting- “CRUSHER'S IN THE HOLE!” The latest incarnation of the dawi supporters' chant. [B][SIZE=7]Turn 7.[/SIZE][/B] Fergus figures it out. “You'll not get me lad, yer a big' un- I'll gi' ya that! But you're not catching me!” Fergus goes full defensive- no attack but for his defensive check he's +20 plus any advantage he's still got. Crusher swipes wildly- and he's nowhere near. At the end of the turn Fergus is dodging, scampering, ducking- diving, and generally just keeping out of the way. Crusher's stuck on zero advantage and after the cheerleaders continue to do their thing this turn Fergus is back to being maxed out. [B][SIZE=7]Turn 8.[/SIZE][/B] Same as above. Fergus full defensive, and now testing on 118- Crusher's fore-arm smash testing on 67. Fergus rolls low, I roll high- I don't even make the test. Crusher can't use his Reversal because Fergus isn't attacking him. WTF is going on here? Has Fergus beat the game. As Bear, playing Fergus, said at the time- “I am optimalised.” [B][SIZE=7]Turn 9.[/SIZE][/B] Same again. Crusher misses by a mile this time- Fergus winning the defensive test by something +14 SL. He rolled '01' and I rolled something like '94'. Basically Fergus is skipping aside, prancing like a pony, or else just waltzing around a flailing, grasping Crusher. [ATTACH type="full" size="895x415"]395742[/ATTACH][B]And now Crusher is losing it- big time.[/B] He stands in the center of the ring performing the Three Stooges (I don't remember which one) self-face slap routine, with accompanying WHOOPING. Oh, and after encouragement from Fergus the crowd are singing- “There's only one greasy dawi! Only one greasy dawi!” At this point the Ringmaster, Klaus Schattinger, who is also Crusher's manager (of course) is almost in the ring too- screaming at Crusher to- “Put zer damn dwarf down!” Oh, and the cheerleaders have also figured it out- it's at this point that they totally abandon their cheerleading duties and do two things. Lothar, and then Olek, get bets on- Lothar even manages to find a crazy guy (great roll) that will give him 6-1 on Fergus not making it to the end of the fight. This while Frederich goes and has 'a quiet word' with Klaus Schattinger, Crusher's worried manager, Frederich advises Klaus to also get his money on Fergus very quickly, because this is going to go all the way to the very end- the dawi will not be beaten. He also advises Schattinger to ring the bell early, if he wants to keep Crusher from exploding. Then Frederich rolls something like- '02', it's a contested roll, but Schattinger's dice are bust. He's considering Freddy's chat, and at the same time getting some of associates to put a few bets on Fergus to go all the way- it can't hurt to spread the pain a little. Frederich continues this kind of chatter next turn- and keep in mind Jim, who plays Frederich is an ex-wrestler who sometimes works in wrestling promotion, so- he sounds like the real deal, because he is. Next turn Frederich's dice fail him, or else- not fail, they roll double his last score, they roll- '04', it's the same check he's making- Schattinger is finally convinced he's going to get more money on Fergus, and will very likely ring the bell early to save Crusher, because... [B][SIZE=7]Turn 10.[/SIZE][/B] Same again. Fergus avoids Crusher's now frantic maniac attempts. The big man is bouncing from rope to rope to build up enough momentum to get a charge attack- the DM is grasping, to give himself one point of advantage. I've also ruled that the pig fat on Fergus has effectively gone away, been rubbed or sweated off, no more -10 on my rolls. It doesn't help. Fergus wins by about +6 SL. He's skipping around Crusher who is bonkers furious. Frederich even finds enough time to get a bet on of his own- not at as good odds, of course- but now they're all in for the dawi to take it all the way, and keep in mind that Frederich (and now Olek and Lothar) know that the bell is coming early- at the end of the next turn. All Fergus needs to do is survive one more turn. Lols. Strap in. [B][SIZE=7]Turn 11.[/SIZE][/B] Fergus attacks Crusher, after taunting him a little more with his fairy steps, the dawi turns and goes full lunge. All out! All in! All for... Nothing, Fergus rolls a '96' and with no Fortune Points left, and Crusher gets in his Reversal- he steals all of the dawi's advantage- all five points, turns the dwarf around, so that he's now facing his friends, and with two hands clasped like an axe- he leans up and back- hands clasped high over his head- and brings the Tomahawk (so, I'm told) down on Fergus. For something ridiculous like twenty points of damage (-T). Fergus collapses... Concertinas would be a better description. The bell rings- early. And the crowd go... Well, there is quite a lot of swearing, and keep in mind some of (most of?) the players are now down to maybe a schilling and a few brass pennies in their pockets. A lot of swearing. Oh, and Fergus is eventually dragged out of the ring on a sort of Butcher's barrow, and delivered to his friends, he seems to be mainly slipping in and out of consciousness. Here's the contender- “Sooo, close... Come on now lads, just 'elp me up.” Fergus cheerily recommends, his fellow adventurers have some not-so-warm greetings for their boon dawi companion- “Why did you...” Olek and Lothar begin. “You jeffing little jeffer. Jeff you! Jeff you Fergus, you Jeffing Jeff!” Frederich is much less calm. That sort of thing. It goes on for a little while longer. I'll be honest, at some points there were tears in my eyes. Not happy. Oh, and Bear, playing Fergus, refused to spend a Fate Point and so he took the Crit. Major Muscle Strain- Back, I think- from memory- he's 26 days at -20 on every test that will involve him using his back (and connected limbs), so... that's everything physical. Then 26 days more at -10, as above. So, as stated at the time (helpfully) by the DM- 'he's sub-optimalised'. More remarkably after the repercussions have died down Frederich and Lothar get the bandages out and for the first time in this game manage to make a Heal Test, and with plenty of success levels, and so ten or so minutes later and Fergus is back on his feet again. His back hurts- a lot, but he'll put up with it- he's a stoic. There, and now everyone's happy. [B][SIZE=7]SCENE 2. A Quiet Drink.[/SIZE][/B] [ATTACH type="full" size="1920x1160"]395743[/ATTACH] [B]Let's cut to the chase on this one, everyone mooches into a beer tent- en route to the Zoocopeia, ostensibly to try to find any new rumours- and in particular the PCs are looking for work, now that they are all mostly broke.[/B] Although I think Fergus still has a few schillings- he didn't bet on himself though, smart fellow. The gang pick up a few new rumours- “The hamlet of Stust was overrun by mutants and beastmen from the forests. All that remains are piles of skulls and broken bones.” Told to Olek by a pedlar, Renate Hausier, she's just arrived at the Schaffenfest, And- “The sewers of Bögenhafen are no longer patrolled! What's the town council doing? Things live down there now!” Overheard by Lothar, the speaker- the Boatman is certain, was a member of the Bogenhafen Watch- just having a quick pint to wet his whistle. None of the adventurers do any drinking, although a few of them spend a few pennies buying ales for others- in an effort to find some more rumours, or else employment. Oh, but Fergus tries a different appraoch- the dawi gets up on the bar, or else a nearby table, drinks heartily and starts singing “There's only one greasy dawi! One greasy dawi?” More remarkably he rolls another sub-10 score, and soon after he has an audience and several more beers close to hand. Soon after Fergus is smashed (-30 on all tests = Fatigued 3). There's no time for discussion about the merits of the above. Let's keep going. [B][SIZE=7]SCENE 3. Zoocopeia.[/SIZE][/B] And here we all are, sitting comfortably- [ATTACH type="full" size="1107x695"]395744[/ATTACH] [B]Oh, and Dr Malthusius has had to borrow a bigger tent, the interest in his show is phenomenal, everyone at the Schaffenfest has heard about the 'ferocious mutant Goblin that bit its keeper's hand off and almost escaped, if it wasn't for a band of toothsome heroes...' etc. etc.[/B] Dr. M has been busy spreading the rumour, or else someone has, or maybe it's down to Lothar and his sign. Anyway, the place is packed. The show begins... but I'm not going to do all of that, and so here's the stars of the extravaganza- [ATTACH type="full" size="1920x1160"]395745[/ATTACH] [B]Clockwise- the Ghastly Three-Legged Goblkin of Grisenwald, the Dastardly One-Eyed Dog of Diesdorf (aka Binky), the Horrendously Hairy Horror of Hochland (aka Mr. Timpkins), Grunni- stage hand, the Immeasurable Maw of the Middle Mountains (a Squig), and the good Dr.[/B] It's a great show, the Hairy Horror kicks a ball around, pulls funny faces and eats a banana sideways, the crowd love it. Binky may be Dastardly but she also melts people's hearts- Ahhhh! The Squig is a bit terrifying, particularly when it tries to bite/eat Grunni who has to beat it back with a stick. Then... the goblin who, well... snaps the leash he's on- again- how does he do that- and then runs off, snaking under the canvas and clean out of the tent. The audience- who are primed for just such an event- that's what they're here to see, go crazy-bonkers, it's a semi-riot. The PCs, of course, rise above this kind of thing and leap into action. Well, sort of- and keep in mind they are the pros at this now, some of 'em. Frederich is first to the canvas under which the goblin slithered and escaped, alas the Witch Hunter is crossbow loaded and in hand, and soon after- stuck under the aforementioned canvas. As it turns out he's much bigger, and less lithe than a goblin- particularly while toting the crossbow. Lothar makes it to the same spot, or at least a few paces to one side of Freddy- slashes hard with his dagger at the tarp and is through almost all in one move. Fergus tries to follow him- falls down, gets up- runs hard- and boing- gets the wrong bit of tarp and rebounds back into the ring. Olek? Olek stands up and starts talking- about being calm, about everything being under control and about the fact that the goblin is now outside of the tent and so being inside of the tent is probably the best and safest place to be. Oh, and a lot more stuff about Sigmar. He's very good, and after a Fortune Point he rolls very low. By the time the rozzers (Bogenhafen Watch) turn up a fair sized section of the crowd are still inside the tent singing verses of “Onward Sigmar's soldiers...” He's very good is Olek. Meantime, outside of the tent/Zoocopeia- and it's getting dark out now, Lothar spots the goblin about thirty or so feet away working its way along the town walls, and then... it's gone. Moments later he and Freddy have made it to the town wall- and just the spot, there's a rusted grate, most likely a drain or over-flow pipe into the sewer, the hole is just big enough to admit a desperate mutant goblin, and... after investigation- there's green blood on the grate. The goblin is in the sewers. Frederich is remarkably prescient- “I think this is a job for... US!” he declares, in his growling voice. Soon after Olek and Fergus make their way to the grate in the wall, to see what's going on. They're accompanied by Dr. M. and the fellows from the Bogenhafen Watch. [ATTACH type="full" size="907x541"]395746[/ATTACH] [B]“You again! What the bloody hell is going on here?" Sgt. Dicky Trubshaw is less than eager to discover.[/B] As it turns out- there's a goblin escaped into the sewers, there's a little bit of a debate about how many legs the goblin had- some say two- some say three- Lothar swears that it was moving so fast he couldn't count. Fergus insists that it had three legs. Helpfully Fred pulls Fergus away and then equally helpfully explains things to Sgt. Dicky Trubshaw. “Do not listen to him officer Trubshaw”, Fred hisses, “he is a dawi, he is drunk, and he is a fool!” The last part of the orevious sentence is delivered with some vehemance, and directly into Fergus' fat grinning drunken face. The Witch Hunter then offers his services- “We can take care of this for you, for Bogenhafen, Sgt Trubshaw?” As I said before, remarkably prescient. Although I'd let the adventurers know much earlier that they would be going adventuring at the end of this session. So, that they wouldn't mess up their PCs too much prior to the coming good stuff. So, that worked well. But the good Sgt isn't convinced, or else he doesn't have the authority- "A goblin, in the sewer- nah! That's not for me, way above my pay grade. You lot- all of yer, are coming with us." "Resist and it'll be in chains, walk nicely and we can whistle, I'll even let one of you buy me a pie on the way. You can get one for yerself, if you like." "We'll go and have a nice chat with the magistrate, get this all sorted out." And so, after a little bit of huffing, they do. [B][SIZE=7]SCENE 4. All Rise![/SIZE][/B] [ATTACH type="full" size="1257x753"]395747[/ATTACH] [B]Now here's the thing- just outside the large tent that is the Schaffenfest Festival Court is... a very dirty and inebriated dawi in the stocks.[/B] Well, it takes one to know one. The dwarf in the stocks just happens to be a fellow called Gottri Gurnasson, who is the subject of Fergus' quest. He's been looking for this dawi since the off. Fergus, of course, is also drunk- he does however manage to extract a little bit of information from the guards hereby, it seems Gottri is a shambling drunken wreck, and it'll cost two schillings to get him out of the stocks. This is the second occasion he's been in the stocks today. He really is a mess. “Two schilling, two schilling, two schilling- DRINK! Two schilling, two schilling, two schilling- DRINK! Two schilling, two schilling, two schilling- DRINK!” Is how Gottri puts it (Father Jack-style). Fergus will pay the fine when he's done inside, because... they're up, before the beak- “All rise! The honourable judge Heinz Richter presiding...” "Swear them in!" Magistrate Richter harrumphs, all business. "Do you swear by all the Gods and Laws of the Empire, and on the life of the Emperor Karl Franz, to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. May all the Gods bless glorious Reikland.” "Sgt Trubshaw report" And so he does- “We were just there for the end of it your Lordship, I'll let these people tell it all, save to say- a goblin seems to have escaped into the Bogenhaffen sewers. That's the long and the tall of it your Lordship." "Do any of the witnesses wish to add to the good Sgt's report, or can we skip to the conclusion here." Richter is keen to get a move on. But, everyone has something to say, and so four speeches later- all of which add nothing to the cause, except to make clear that the foursome before the judge are all keen to take the job. Although... one of the speeches is, well slurred- a bit insulting, certainly fractious- and again Frederich has to drag Fergus aside- and shut him up. But now Dr. M. has something to add- "I would like to offer a reward of five gold crowns for the safe return of the Goblin, as a concerned member of the citizenship, I feel it is important that I play my part in securing this menace!” "These fine folk were foremost at the last incident, and have proven themselves previously, the goblin slipped it's leash earlier in the day, they caught it then." Magistrate Richter takes over- “I see where you are going with this...” “Since you have caught it previously, it should not be too onerous a task. Would you take this job, on behalf of the town of Bogenhaffen we would match the agreed amount- another five gold crowns- making ten in total, for the return or removal of the goblin in the sewers here.” "Do we have a contract sirs?" Lots of nodding, and grinning. Magistrate Richter continues- "Draw it up Andrea" "Sgt Trubshaw, Bogenhafen will also pay for a room for the night for these brave folk, get them situated at the Journey's End, tell Odelina they're under contract. One room for the lot of them- one night only, and no extras. Got that!" The good Sgt nods his ascent. "Oh, and Sgt- get them a ladder, and a light of some sort, once they've left their gear at the Journey's End I want them off and hunting for that thing in the sewer, lickety-spit." A few minutes later and the contract is done. Richter continues- "Sign here, and while you are doing so listen to me." "Catch that goblin sirs, alive- if you can, certainly to satisfy the good Dr. there, although he seems to have a problem with keeping a-hold of this slippery beast. What ho! What say you to that sir?" Dr. M. is saying nothing. "Not much? That's what." Richter grins at the discomforted showman, and then continues- "But my five gold crowns, that's the gold crowns belonging to the good tax paying citizens of Bogenhafen, they want this odd little goblin out of their sewers. Supply proof that you have done this, to claim my half of the reward." "Understood." The PCs nod enthusiastically- one or two of them still grinning. Ten gold crowns! "Then notorised!” [STAMP] "Well done, may the gods speed you on your journey." Richter adds while Sgt Trubshaw leads the adventurers out. "Next!" [ATTACH type="full" size="1920x1160"]395748[/ATTACH] [B]But here's the thing- see Gottri in the stocks in the image above, well... he's gone.[/B] Fergus is... unhappy just about covers it. Eventually the drunken dwarf, with a little help from his... I was going to say friends, let's call them colleagues, atm. Anyway, it seems someone else has paid Gottri's two schilling fine. Who it was that rescued the scabby drunken dawi is alas a mystery, as the halberdier helpfully states- “Dunno who paid it, I din't see 'em.” Fergus spends a little time running drunkenly around a bit, generally barging into folk and... well, he's drunk just about covers it. We finally get to here. [B][SIZE=7]SCENE 5. Journeys End.[/SIZE][/B] [ATTACH type="full" size="1920x1160"]395749[/ATTACH] [B]That's Odelina, she's happy to meet the adventurers, and soon after they're very briefly settled into a two bunk-bed room. Several of the PCs have decided to leave some of their stuff here, because, well... they're heading into the sewers and that might not go entirely to plan. We'll see.[/B] They also, all of 'em, order (and pay for) hot baths on their return. This because Odelina has already let them know that if they're stinking like the sewers when they return they're not staying here. Sgt Trubshaw, has a pint and a fag while all of this is going on, and then the rest of his patrol turn up with a ladder, a lantern, two torches and half-a-dozen candles. “That's everything you'll need!” Dicky states, finishes his beer, and then leads the PCs off to the sewers. But that's for next time. The final XP table for this session is below, oh and you are down to half rations for the Session XP now, all the way to session 20, if it lasts that long. [TABLE] [TR] [td]PC[/td] [td][CENTER]Crusher[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]Rumours[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]Zoocopeia[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]Gottri[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]Court[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]Session XP[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]Total[/CENTER][/td] [/TR] [TR] [td]Fred[/td] [td][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]22[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]30[/CENTER][/td] [/TR] [TR] [td]Fergus[/td] [td][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]1[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]5[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]18[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]29[/CENTER][/td] [/TR] [TR] [td]Olek[/td] [td][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]1[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]20[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]29[/CENTER][/td] [/TR] [TR] [td]Lothar[/td] [td][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]1[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]20[/CENTER][/td] [td][CENTER]29[/CENTER][/td] [/TR] [/TABLE] What to say about Fergus- he's broken, he's drunk and he wont be winning any popularity contests atm. The rest is a mystery that only Bear truly comprehends, although... in the fight I guess he thought he had one chance to make his mark on Crusher and so he went for it, and as Bear said at the time in the Beer tent, he has a Consume Alcohol of 50+, he thought he was semi-safe. Failed all three and got his backside kicked in the ring, so- it sucks to be Fergus atm, I can't imagine his trip into the sewer is going to be all plain sailing, let's find out together shall we. Stay safe and well. Cheers goonalan et al. [/QUOTE]
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WFRP 4e The Enemy Within Campaign Book 1: Enemy in Shadows Session #14 Who Can You Trust?
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