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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 244
Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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 Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:41 am Post subject: The Grudge of Sheer: A Warhammer Narrative Camapign |
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The Grudge of Sheer Campaign
| Quote: | "The year is 1492 by the Emperor’s reckoning, and a Tilean merchant-explorer by the name of Marco Colombo has return from his year long voyage of discovery to the land of Lustria. His tales of riches beyond imagining have spread far and wide and reached covetous ears the length and breadth of the Olde World."
"Marco Colombo has risen in fame and fortune in his homeland and now leads a second expedition to Lustria. He intends to open a southern sea route from which his family can monopolize trade with the so-called New World."
"However, covetous rivals have discovered Marko’s plans and are jealous of his achievements. These men now gather to contest his monopoly, and a race to plunder the riches of the New World is in the offing. Across the Olde World, armies are boarding vessels, and navigators are consulting crumbling charts and maps (often of dubious origin and purchased from inebriated old sea dogs). In other lands, some look to the approaching invasion with dread, for they know that the young races were never meant to tread the lands of the Old Ones. All the while, the denizens of the jungle stir their defenses, for they sense a new era dawning- a time of invasion and desecration- but they will not sit idly by and see the work of millennia cast down and ruined…" |
The Grudge of Sheer is a narrative campaign featuring Mordhiem, Warhammer & Man O War games that tell the heroic tale of Captain Sheer of Barak Varr and his valiant crew. The Captain is utterly consumed with his desire to fulfill his grudge against the dreaded Orc Pirate IronGob BlackSquig, who sank the ship of his Lord Snurri Hammerhand and commended the Dwarven crew to a watery grave.
Sheer never speaks of the details of the sinking. It is assumed that is where he lost his eye and it is known that that is where his burning hatred for the Orc Karibbean Pirates was born. Captain Sheer nurses his anger with a seething rage unusual even for Dwarfs. He was certain that the object of his wrath had fled across the World Pond somewhere towards the dark shores of Lustria and woe be to all who would stand between the furious Captain and the fulfillment of his sworn vengeance.
It is whispered among the crew that the hatred that lives behind the Captain's eyes boarders on madness . . . and it was madness that drove him to push his vessel, the Heart of Stone, through a powerful hurricane in pursuit of the fleeing Orc Pirates. Damage to the Heart of Stone was extensive and by the time the shores of Lustria were visible through spyglass, the proud vessel could merely limp towards land. The greenskin fleet had not fared little better. Several of their ships had foundered during the storm and sank, while the remaining three had reach Lustria as derelicts, leaving their crews little choice but to make landfall on the debris choked shores.
And so a desperate Dwarven crew are affecting landing even now on Lustria, the Captains orders to pursue the Gobbos inland echoing in their ears. But Lustria isn’t so bad, as rumors of hordes of Slann gold just waiting to be taken, right? Um.......
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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 244
Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:50 am Post subject: |
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Welcome explorers to the 2011 Old Grey Beards Warhammer campaign, known as the Grudge of Sheer!
As the weeks roll on we will be running a narrative campaign that follows the exploits of Captain Sheer and his band of Dwarven mariners and their adventures in Lustria. As is always the case with OGB campaigns, this is not an ongoing competition between members but a narrative Game Mastered campaign that will tell a great story! While the Dwarves are central to the story, the Goblins & Skaven are on hand to see to it the good Captain suffers setback and woe while trying to complete his quest! And no good Hero is great without great villains to fight them and thus the Skaven & Goblins are on hand to do just that! Their main jobs are to harry the Dwarves and advance the plot!
During the course of the campaign we will play many types of scenarios, with varied point values, resources and game mechanics. Scenarios will often present themselves during the course of a narrative campaign. The GM has bare bones plot ideas in place that are flexible based on game results and player ideas. Please don’t be afraid to suggest some sort of scenario based on actions in a previous game, especially if it will keep the plots flowing and provide us with more fun! I am open to any and all suggestions! From Mordheim-level skirmishes to full scale Warhammer games, the campaign will be challenging, rewarding and fun! The GM has quite a full plate of nasty surprises for all concerned!
We will also be using the P.A.T system. What the heck are P.A.T.? P.A.T. are simple abbreviations for Plot Advancement Tokens. These are tools the OGB use to ensure the plot is advanced. Basically, each player will have a pool of P.A.T that can be used at their discretion. It is sometimes impossible to make the dice work when you need ‘em too! So the P.A.T are here to help. They can be used to re-roll a miss, make an automatic break test, and re-roll a stupid upgrade roll, whatever. They are tools to use as needed, within the limit of the narrative of course. It will be possible to acquire more P.A.T during the game as well! But remember they are used to “advance the plot”, not to re-roll a miss that really has no bearing on the game as a whole. More likely uses are to re-roll a character recovery roll after a game, where a main protagonist or antagonist would die because of poor rolling, etc. The GM has the last word on whether a P.A.T. can be used.
Dwarfs start with 6 P.A.T.
Night Goblins start with 3 P.A.T.
I am hopeful you will enjoy following The Grudge of Sheer and that our intrepid Dwarven explorers return home weighed down by riches and full of hubris and tales of your times spent in the dark jungle realms. In the words of Marco Colombo himself “I only ever saw half of what I told!”
X Marks the initial Dwarven landing spot on Lustria.
We are going to be using the following:
Warhammer
Mordheim
Warhammer Skirmish
Man O War
Warhammer Quest
Warhammer Lustria
| Quote: | "Waiting for the multitude of invaders are the perils of the Lustrian jungle. Few races have knowledge of this hostile environment, and many would-be plunderers will perish within days of arriving in the New World. There are insects whose bites carry poisons that can quickly reduce a man’s blood to pus, acidic algae that sear the skin on contact, brain fever and all manner of foul tropical diseases and infections. There are carnivorous plants capable of eviscerating the mightiest warrior, and such creatures as the brainfluke, bladder maggot, and lash wyrm, all of which have gruesome ways of killing and consuming their victims (not necessarily in that order) that would turn the stomach of even the hardiest seasoned campaigner."
"Then of course, there are the larger beasts that stalk the depths of the jungle. Mighty reptiles from prehistory can be heard as they issue roaring challenges to their rivals, the ground trembling and the canopy thrashing as they approach. These beasts are huge, and their taste for flesh is insatiable!"
"Other gruesome ways of perishing are to be found in the treasure filled ruins scattered throughout the New World. Though much declined since the coming of Chaos, the fallen empire of the Old Ones is much in evidence, in the form of crumbling temples, ziggurats, crypts, and all manner of arcane structures. Though most are unoccupied, none are undefended. Their creators knew full well that the day would come when the younger races would seek to uncover the secrets of the Old Ones and set all manner of fiendish traps to guard against intrusion."
"Finally, there are the dwellers in the jungle- the Lizardmen, the Children of the Gods. Though many of their temples and cities have fallen to ruin, the Lizardmen still command a mighty host and are expert in fighting in their own environment. The Lizardmen care little for the most extreme humidity, are all but immune to the most virulent of tropical diseases, and know well how to best avoid the attentions of the jungles many predators. And they are everywhere. Behind the dense growth of the rainforests. On the banks of the darkest streams and rivers. You have been warned…" |
Lots of stuff in the coming weeks! See you in the underbrush.......
| Quote: | “Lord Roderick of Brionne stumbled through the underbrush, his clothes in tatters, his body aching from a tenday in the jungle, drenched in sweat. The food was gone, the water, too. The last of the bearers had fled hours ago, leaving him with nothing but his tunic on his back and his sword in his hand.
Through the lush curtain of vines and broad-leafed plants surrounding Roderick came the ominous sound of Skabi war drums. He glanced up at the thick canopy high overhead. The sun was going down. The Goblins would be after him soon. The howling packs of greenskined cannibals would trail him like bloodhounds through the jungle until the sun drove them into hiding again.
Panic closed around his heart like a giant’s fist, crushing his dreams of escape. The Goblins had killed Kadir Foxworthy and Ryn the Axe as if they had been stripling warriors, not experienced sell swords. And if stout warriors like them were no match for the Skabi, what hope did a gentleman explorer like Roderick have?
In his haste, Roderick stumbled over a mound on the jungle floor beneath him. As he scrambled to find his dropped sword, he saw it was no mound! Dead blank eyes stared at him from the face of Miri, one of his retainers. The face was stone dead, the barbs of numerous poison darts riddling his body. Even now the jungle insects set about devouring the body. Grabbing his sword, Roderick turned and fled the small clearing.
Pushing through the tangle of saw-leafed vines, he stumbled deeper into the thicket. The creature lurking there was huge, at least as tall as a two story building. Splashes of browns and greens covered the beast’s mossy body, perfectly masking its bulk against the jungle.
A dinosaur! Roderick noted in fear-numbed awe, just before the allosaurus snapped him in two with its powerful jaws, the jungle din being interrupted by the sickening crunch of bones…” |
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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 244
Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:56 am Post subject: |
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Wanted to let you all know that I have a number of locals playing in this campaign, some play for several weeks and others step up to take their place. It is an ongoing narrative campaign and any of you folks are wlecome to step in and take up the role if you like. Yes it is a trip to Martinsburg for some of you but the camapign is fun.
Also there is a new narrative coming up in March, likely going to be Bretonninas vs ....
I will post here once the plans are set. Please enjoy the Grudge of Sheer postings and if anyone is interested in playing in the campaign for a few weeks, let me know!
Da Kaptain
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Last edited by Kaptain BlackSquig on Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:59 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 244
Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:59 am Post subject: |
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The Cast: Grudge of Sheer
All
Been some time since I did an update here and I wanted to go ahead and do some group photos of the main Warbands we have been using. Bear in mind some of these are from homegrown lists! Having said that, here we have the characters as they were first portrayed in Lustria:
Captain Sheer and his band of Dwarven Grudgebearers
We have, from left to right: the Dragon Belch Thunderers, Gort the Slayer, Yardarm the Long Gunners, Gringrok the Oldbeard, Captain Sheer, Eugan the Oldbeard, Engineer Krump and the Stone Guard Beardlings.
Quartermaster Murdok and the crew of the Heart of Stone
We have, from left to right: Stone Guard Beardlings, Doc Thrud the Ship’s Surgeon, Chief Engineer Krank, Quartermaster Murdok, Skrager the Slayer Pirate, Kooky the Ogre Chef and the IronGuard Greybeard Marines.
The DeffKap Night Goblin Horde!
We have, from left to right: Da Ded Eye Stikkaz, Snarf da Loon, Boss Spaznatz & Muncha the Cave Squig, Goregut Eadchoppa, Dreg Dreg the Shaman & Wizzbangz da Faceeatta Squig, Fowlhaunches da Mean and da Deffheadz Stabbaz.
And the adventure continues…
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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 244
Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:17 am Post subject: |
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WEEK ONE: ALL ASHORE WOT IS GOIN ASHORE
| Quote: | With heavy footfalls, Capt. Sheer marched from the surf and joined his lads on the white sand beaches of Lustria. Months aboard ship had really made the Dwarves appreciate the feel of solid ground beneath their feet once again and the landing party sucked it for all it was worth. Many of the Beardlings groaned and sweated to bring ashore provisions and ale from the landing boat, while Eugen goaded them to make haste before he got sunburned!
While the supplies were being readied, Gringrok kept a ready eye on the jungle line, an uneasy feeling churning in his gut. And it wasn’t from the lousy mutton the cook had fed the crew this morning. He ran a finger over the keen edge of his axe, aware of a shadow falling across his own.
"What’s eating you mate?"
Turning to the Slayer, Gringrok regarded the Dwarf warrior with shame and pride at the same time. For the many months he had been onboard, Gort had managed to un-nerve all the Beardlings and a good portion of the Mariners as well with his morbid tales of death and unfulfilled vows. He often compared his shame to the Captains, which had put him at odds with Eugen. On more than one occasion Eugen had offered to end his quest for a valiant death when Gort had hinted that the Captain should shave his beard, and had to be physically restrained lest he complete it!
"Doesn’t much like the quite in them trees. A jungle like this, we should be hearing all sorts of animal noises. And I can’t put me finger on it but there is something in the air as well. Do you smell it lad?"
"After 6 months on an iron ship, only thing I can smell is ale, urine and sweat. Going to be a long time before me nostrils smell anything else."
The two Dwarves shared small talk for a few minutes more, while the rest of the landing party kept busy.
As the sun began to set, the Dwarves were set to make camp and uncrate the rations when a foul wind arose. The stench was unlike anything they had smelled before. It was a cloying musk of rot, decay and sickening sweetness. The Dwarves ran to gather their long guns while the Beardlings readied their axes and hefted shields.
"What is that hell-spawned awful smell?" bellowed Eugen.
"Not sure lad but whatever it is, it aint natural! Steady ladz, something’s coming and at aint smelling too friendly" spoke Sheer.
No sooner had the Thunderers cocked the weapon and loaded shot then a swarm of monsters erupted from the dark jungle. Humanoid in appearance, like giant biped rats they came. Skaven! |
| Quote: |
Following the tide of rat vermin was a larger horde of greenskins, all dressed in heavy cloaks and tunics. Night Goblins! The diminutive greenskins struggled to shade their eyes from the glow of the setting sun, preceded by a swarm of Snotlings. The monsters were bull rushing the Dwarves, using their speed and numbers to overwhelm the Dwarves.
Reports of handguns echoed across the beach as the gunners found their mark, taking down several Skaven slaverats and blowing large holes in the swarm of Snotlings. A heavy shot richochetted off the hard skull of one of the greenskins, taking his mate in the ehad and dropping both of the greenskins to the sand! The Dwarves formed up into a battle line while Sheer signaled the Heart of Stone to ready her deckgun!
The Dwarven cannon fired its shot in a low trajectory, missing their target as a rouge wave bucked the ship, and dropping it right in front of Gort, who had broken rank and was rushing towards the charging Skaven! Sand was thrown up in a deafening wall as the cannonball blew a large crater in the beach, throwing the Slayer to his knees and scattering Skaven in random directions. |
| Quote: | | Festering Skaven of Clan Pestilens surged towards the Slayer, scab covered slaves and several Plague Monks swinging weird censers. The Slayer had little chance to shake off the sand before he was swarmed by a sea of rodents, slashing and hacking at him and burying him under a sea of fur. Meanwhile a giant green cloud, in the shape of a giant thumb, descended from on high, smashing into one of the Thunderers and knocking him off his feet! The Dwarves were soon overwhelmed from all sides and close quarter fighting began! |
| Quote: | "Crom's Beard! The damned greenskins are everywhere! Orders Captain?" bellowed Eugen.
"Keep fighting lads. These rodents and scum are not worth the effort it takes to heft an axe! You Beardlings watch that lousy rat swarm. They may be small but even the smallest bilge rat can take you down if you let him and his mates jump you!" intoned Sheer.
Another blast from the Heart of Stone sent several Gobbos pin wheeling through the air, and that shot seemed to take the fight out of the Gobbos. With much screaming and shouting, the greenskined monsters started running back to the safety of the jungle, leaving the Skaven to face the Dwarves! |
| Quote: | Even as the Goblins broke and ran, soiling the beach with fear and other things, the Skaven overran the Thunderers and swept into the remaining Dwarves. Their foul leader jumped over the supply crates, swinging his deadly censer and caught the Captain unawares. Swinging the ball in frenzied arcs, he smashed the Captains pistol from his hand, and sent his axe flying into the surf with its backswing. His final swing took the Captain full in the chin and sent him pitching back into the bloodied surf!
"Retreat!" barked Eugen as he gathered the crumpled form of Gort and dragged him into the surf, towards the fast approaching Monitor! While the Dwarves fell back into the sea towards the Heart of Stone, the remaining Skaven set about devouring the supplies and the cooling bodies of several Thunderers that had been ripped apart during the battle. The beach and the day belonged to the Skaven...... |
AFTERMATH: Yarr!: So the Dwarven attempt to make a beach landing failed in the fading sun. Losses to the landing party included the deaths of two Thunderers and one Beardlings. Gringrok had been knocked unconscious during the battle and the Gobbos had stripped him of all his valuables, right down to his skivvies. And several Snotlings had tried to get those too! The remaining fallen dwarves all survived their wounds.
The Clan Pestilens Skaven, led by Plague Pontifex Splinter, had suffered only minor injuries, escaping the battle with their warband intact. 
The Night Goblins, led by self named Stanley, had suffered the most. Dwarven shot riddled three of the Goblins and they would be coming back. Da Boss had been knocked out during the battle, being head butted in the nose by a Beardling. Upon waking, he discovered the Skaven had stripped him down to his skivvies as well, but he didn’t wear any!
Exploring the nearby ruined temple, the Gobbos and Skaven found numerous piles of gold and gems, which they quickly set about fighting over well into the night, while the Dwarves muttered curses over the ships gunwales and lamented their lost comrades. Night had fallen on Lustria..... 
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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
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Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 244
Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:17 am Post subject: |
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WEEK TWO: LUSTRIA CAN BE A BEACH!
The waves pounded the shore, churning the waters and heralding the approach of a nasty storm. Seasalt filled the breeze and the Dwarves took small pleasures in the salty air, preforming their tasks while singing juanty Dwarven ballads. The Heart of Stone anchored safely offshore while the landing party unloaded supplies from the "mule", a steam powered landing craft.
Surveying the ruins of Montecello, or at least thats what the Norse sailors had called it, Captain Sheer twisted his spyglass to his right to focus upon the thick jungle there. He would not be taken by surprise again, as they had foolishly done the previous fortnight. His pride and anger had clouded his thoughts and nearly cost the Dwarves their lives before the venture even began!
The Chief and his thunderers had taken up position to their right flank, where the open beach afforded a wide firing line. If the jungles wanted to vomit forth anymore vile creatures, they would be met by a wall of lead shot!
Satisfied that there were no immediate threats, he turned back to the Dwarves sweating to unload the "mule".
"Ladz! Spread out! I want skirmishers in the brush to the left and at the ready. You Beardlings scout the perimeters of that ruined monestary, Skrager, with me!"
While the Dwarves hurried to carry out their tasks, more waves broke upon the shore. Over by the lagoon, Chief and his ladz were a bit taken back when a blur of movement eriputed from the jungle to their fore, a wave of Night Goblins preceeded by a mob of crazed Squigs!
Bringing up their long guns, the Dwarves opened fire on the approaching Squigs. Several shots peppered their hides, dropping one into the sand, his mates advancing even more recklessly. The thunderers calmly reloaded their weapons and took aim again. A huge report from the deck cannon on the Heart of Stone screamed overhead, blasting apart a large part of the monestary and dropping an avalanche of rubble onto the head of Anton the Longbeard, knocking him out cold!
Meanwhile the sounds of gunfire distracted Sheer and his scouts, where they had been investigating the ruins in the treeline. Turning to see what the noise was, Sheer was surprised to see a monstrous Squig leap from the undergrowth, a crazed Goblin clinging to its back and trying to hold a too large helmet on its head!
Sensing the danger to his Laird, Skrager moved to intercept the beast, hefting both his mighty axes and roaring a Slayer battlecry!
"Yer not to be hurting me Kaptain today beastie, but me axes are screaming fer some Gobbo blood!"
Meanwhile all around the jungle came the Night Goblins, with small hordes of viscious Snotlings and Squigs leading the way. Sheer and his Longbeards opened fire on the approaching greenskins, felling several and forcing back one flank of their attack. A lucky shot from Sheer bounced off the chestbone of one Goblin and hit his mate square in the face, dropping both!
A group of archers approached from the jungle to left, a lone Beardling moving to intercept them...
Skarger struggled to fight off the Squig, hitting it in the teeth several times and knocking out one. But the weight of the Squig forced him back and the pinned him beneath its bulk, enabling the Gobbo rider to spear him to the ground, piercing his chest below his left arm. Before the Gobbo had a chance to celebrate felling the Slayer, Sheer charged him in the flank and blew his helmet, and half its headl, clean off with a well placed shot! Eugen the Longbeard was trying to force his way through the wall of greenskins to help the Beardling when a Goblin took him in his flank with a spearthrust, driving the wind from his chest and bubbles of blood to burst from his lips as the spear found its mark. So forceful was the thrust that it carried both Dwarf and Gobbo away from the combat, where the Goblin planted his foot on the chest of the Dwarf to help remove the spear. Eugen hamered upwards with his fist, smashing the Gobbo's nose and shoving bone shards into its brain, where it fell like chopped wood onto the chest of the fallen Longbeard
All along the beach more Goblins roared towards the thunderers, hurling spears into the ranks, trying to break up their formation. But to no avail, as the Dwarves were not to be denied again!
Shot after shot plowed through the ranks of greenskins and Squigs, ending the lives of many of the creatures. The lagoon soon became red with blood, an orche surf beginning to collect at the feet of the thunderers.
Meanwhile the Gobbo known as "Bonz" worked his way around the combat and towards the rear of the Dwarf line, where any good Gobbo hoped to be!
All the while Captain Sheer, embolded by the demise of the Goblin leader at his hands, peppered the remaining greenskins with more shot and axe.
Grotsmack the Shaman took a leadball in his casting arm and was forced to retreat into the brush, an evil snarl escaping his lips as he clutched at his ruined arm.
On the left a brave Beardling struggled to hold the crumbling flank while Sheer reloaded his gun, a swarm of Gobbos stabbing at the Beardling with spears, rusty daggers and claws, unable to get past his armor and sweeping axe. The Beardling fought like a madman, downing several Goblins and holding their advance.
With the rereat of their Shaman and apparent demise of their leader, the Goblins finally decided that running away was the best tactic, and run they did. Bonz retreated with his kin, angry at having to leave the field of battle before having stuck someone in the back. But he did find an elegant greataxe near the stunned form of Anton the Longbeard. Faster than they appeared, the greenskins slunk back into the jungle, leaving the field of battle to the victorious Dwarves!
AFTERMATH:
The Dwarves have succeeded in making landfall on Lustria! Plans are underway to fortify and repair parts of Montecello to give themselves a safe base of operations from which to scout out the surrounding jungle. As the Dwarves bandaged wounds and recovered fallen companions, they found the bodies of two Beardlings that had fallen in battle, slashes and cuts to their fronts. At elast theyt had died with their enemies facing them. Sheer ordered their bodies to be burned, as was the custom of the mariners, and because he did not want the ants and other creatures of Lustria to feed on the remains! Gort awoke with a hurtful headache and again stripped down to his skivvies! Upon refocusing on what had happened, he proceeded to berate the cannon crew, having to wait his turn behind the Chief! The Dwarves found a fair amount of stashed gold and rum in the cellars of the Estalian fort, and toasted their fallen well into the night, the funeral fires burning high into the night sky. Elsewhere in the deep jungle, hungry eyes watched with the determination of a hunter....
The Goblins limped back to their crude camp, laden down with their wounded and several suits of Dwarven mail. Stanley had suffered a severe head wound that continued to pound into his ears. Grotsmack was forced to put his arm in a crude sling, all the while stalking back and worth, muttering curses to himself and promising the Dwarven Captain he would rue the day he shot him! Several Goblins were alive when the trek started but didnt seem to be once they had gotten to camp. Several other Goblins seemed to be sporting new weapons and smiles. Not usre about that.....and of course several swarms of Snotlings had to be rounded up to replace the ones the thunderers had blasted! New recruits had arrived in the kamp, Stanley boxing them behind the ears fer being late! The bickering of the Goblin Boss and the curses of their Shaman rang long into the Lustrian night......
And so the adventure continues...........
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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 244
Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:21 am Post subject: |
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WEEK THREE: BLOOD SURF
Night had fallen on the Lustrian jungle. The parrots hushed, the cries of the monkeys had stilled. The silence was broken by the crash of surf and singing of the Dwarves. The beaches around Monticello were lit by roaring bonfires, driving off the night and the coolness of the air. The dwarves worked at a steady pace, unloading supplies, hacking away at the jungle encircling the ruins and constructing barricades. A steady stream of Dwarves and supplies were being ferried from the Heart of Stone to the beach by the "Mule" as the Dwarves had dubbed it. A wretched little wooden powered craft purchased from unscrupulous traders and fitted with a steam powered engine by the Chief, it served them well. In a moment of thought, the Chief had even fitted it with a swivel gun to defend the craft and its cargo. The "Mule" would be useful for journeys upriver as well, where the Heart of Stone could not venture.
Suddenly, deep in the undergrowth of the jungle, a reptilian creature bellows as it attacks something beyond the sight of the camp. The entire jungle erupts in noise as parrots and monkeys scream, birds fill the air and the branches and leaves rustle everywhere at once! A swarm of animals can be heard moving to and fro, upset by the sudden bellow and thrown into flight...
From the edge of the jungle, sinister eyes observe the Dwarven encampment. Hungry eyes, eyes filled with malice. The Skaven lurked in the brush, tails twitching in anticipation, while their Night Goblin allies seethed with hatred when viewing their age old enemies. The Goblins had been beaten back and scattered a mere three days past and were done licking their wounds. The vile stench of the Skaven carried on the wind, reaching the nostrils of the Troll Slayer Skrager....
"I know ye be there ratspawn. I can smell ye. Let’s have at it then", he muttered to himself. Removing his axes from their carriers, he ran a fat thumb over the blades, drawing a trickle of blood. He moved with simple purpose over to Anton the Longbeard.
"Der be ratspawn in the brush off to the left. Them Miners down the beach aint awares and is gonna get jumped!"
"Aye and I be thinking the Gobbos cannot be far behind. Get ready, I will warn the Laird", replied the Longbeard.
Before he was able to shout a warning, the Skaven made their move, bursting from the jungle and charging headlong towards the Miners. The jungle sprang to life as well, Night Goblins pouring out of the darkness and running towards the Dwarven lines.
As one the Thunderers raised their guns and let loose a volley of shot, felling several Gobbos and a rampaging Squig. The Skaven closed the gap with the Miners, their Rangers unleashing several crossbow bolts into the charging rat swarms, doing little damage.
And then the Gobbos got a taste of Dwarven weaponry as the turret of the Heart of Stone swung round and unleashed a heavy shot. Screaming through the night air, the ball landing deep into the dark underbrush, exploding above a group of charging Gobbos, blowing several to pieces and throwing even more to the ground!
The Goblin leader, Stanley, having recovered from his previous injuries, burst from the ruins at the head of a gaggle of greenskins, his Cave Squig Giggles bounding across the sands and bearing down on a Thunderer, as he sought to reload his gun. Skrager saw the threat and leapt forward to intercept the beast.
Meantime a veritable horde of Night Goblins and Squigs burst into the light of the fires.......
"Back fer more are ye, vile Gobbo? I see yer Squig-beastie is none the wurst fer wear after the boo boo I gave him! Now we settle this in blood!" roared the Slayer.
Even as he cut towards the flank of the Squig, Stanley lowered his spear and thrust deep into the Slayers left flank. The spear punched deep and the impact through the Slayer to the ground, where he struggled to get up.
All around the camp, the Dwarves were beset by Skaven and Night Goblins. As the Gobbos got closer to the roaring bonfires, they were forced to shield their eyes from the hurtful light. The Dwarves used this to their advantage, hacking the greenskins down with axe and hammer, their own hatred of the greenskins fueling their fires! The Skaven swarmed the Miners in a tide of rotten fur and oozing sores. The stench, claws and numbers soon overwhelmed the hapless Miners, several of them being stripped of their flesh by greedy plague rats, though the valiant Dwarves did see off several foes, including a hideous Plague Priest that seemed impervious to pain and injury, finally driving an axe blade into its vile chest, causing bubbles of noisome blood to burst forth from it foul jaws. The bile spray landed on several of the Dwarves, sickening them and making them easy prey for the rats and their foul Pontifex leader.
The Dwarves opposite made a good accounting of themselves. Eugen moved to help Skrager as the swivel gun on the "Mule" was brought to bear. The gun roared with its shot, blowing a large hole in a stunned Gobbo, even as a second shot from the Hear of Stone screamed overhead, and landing amidst a small horde of Goblins assaulting the Beardlings. Goblin bodies were pitched into the air like ragdolls, cart wheeling through the air to fall back to the blood soaked beaches. The blast was enough to distract Stanley from finishing off the Slayer for a split second, this pause enabling Eugen to topple the Goblin leader from his mount with a crushing axe blow! Cheers erupted from the Beardlings upon seeing this, their courage bolstered as they began to force the Goblins back with a wall of shield and steel. The Goblins were being assailed on all sides, as their Squigs began to go wild, having been left alone, animosity striking several units of Goblins and the lack of support form the Skaven all started to take their toll...
The crew onboard the Heart of Stone continued to rain down shot upon the enemy, turning their attentions to the Skaven horde approaching from the left. Raining shot after shot into the ratspawn, they finally broke the will (and several backs!) of the Skaven, who turned tail and fled into the jungle as fast as their furry paws would carry them. Even as the crew lined up a new shot at the Gobbos, slimy hands rose from the water, large fish-like creatures began pulling themselves over the gunwales with grasping claws. Unawares the crew kept focused on the conflict on the beach.
The horrid looking beasts gathered on deck and looked up at the Dwarves on the bridge. With an Orcish cry, the creatures threw themselves towards the Dwarves on board, even as more of their kind scrambled out of the water. Soon a huge scrum was taking place on the decks of the Heart of Stone, the weird Orcs trading blows with the hearty Dwarf crew. The turret of the Heart ground slowly around, a canister of grapeshot loaded into the cannons barrel. A trigger was pulled, a blast of sound and shrapnel and several Orcs lay dying on the deck, several pitched overboard by the sheer blast of the weapon, others lolling to the side and falling back into the briny deep. The remaining Orcs dove headlong into the dark waters, leaving behind naught but a trail of bubbles....
While the FishGitz were swarming the deck of the Heart of Stone, more of them emerged from the dark surf on the left flank of the Thunderers. Dripping with water and seaweed, the Orcs clambered onto shore, Lummox the Troll leading the way.
Upon seeing the fires, the Troll began to drool and shy away. One of the Orcs bellowed at the Troll to "Git movin!” which in turn revealed the Orcs to the Dwarves. Seeing this ichthyoidal threat emerging from the surf, the Thunderers calmly reloaded their handguns and opened fire! Several shots tore into Lummox; creating several holes that breifly leaked blackish seawater before grotesquely scabbing over! The FishGitz charged the gunners, a flurry of nets and spears flung towards their foes. Once combat was reached the Orcs drew forth rusty choppas and set upon the Dwarves with a new fury!
Weapons sparked as the Dwarves swung axes at the Orcs, only to be parried by the Orcs using nets and choppas, a crude parody of the skilled Dwarven fighters but still effective enough. Suddenly one of the FishGitz grabbed at his neck, a dark Goblin arrow protruding from it and dark blood running free. The Gobbos were giggling as they sent arrows flying into the combats, not caring who they hit, just shooting arrows for the fun of it!
Captain Sheer lead a determined counter attack into the ranks of the Night Goblins, seeking out the one they called Bonz. The Chief, alerted to the flank attack, turned the swivel gun on Lummox and blew away half the Troll's face with a well placed shot. Grabbing its ruined face, the troll ran like a panzie back into the surf, disappearing as quickly as it came. The Chief then drew his pistols and ran to help the embattled Thunderers. Captain Sheer fought like a madman, felling Gobbos with axe and pistol, while a recovered Skrager finally put paid to several greenskins, weeks of frustration boiling over as he cut a wide swathe through the greenskins. This was enough for the greenskins; they broke off all combat and fled into the night!
The Chief reached his ladz, pistol shots taking one of the weird Orcs down.
But before he could reload, a shark-headed Black Orc bashed him in the back of the head with a heavy club, pummeling the Dwarf into the sand before netting the dazed Engineer. Signaling to his cronies, the Orc hoisted the fallen Dwarf, net and all, over his shoulder and retreated back into the waves, taking their captive with them.....
AFTERMATH:
We used the standard Morheim gaming, but added some riules for night fighting. You could not see or target models unless they came within 12" of a bonfire, but the trade off was the Night Goblins suffered a minus "1" to hit in close combat because of the brightness. Any Dwarves put "out of action" by a FishGit armed with a net was captured instead. We actually captured the Engineer when rolling on his recovery, so it was meant to be that he was captured! Where have the FishGitz taken the Chief? Tune in next time to find out!
The Skaven were seriously hurt in this battle, several of them suffering injuries that left them dazed, stupid or forced to miss upcoming battles. One PAT was spent to ensure one of the rats did not perish from his wounds. Several new skills were gained as well, the Pontifex earning the gift of a Cloud of Flies from their dark deity.
The Goblins lost several of their numbers, none of which were Heroes. Several Gobbos gained characteristic increased, including the henchmen groups, one of which received an extra attack, the archers gaining a +1 to their BS.
The Miner Cadre fared well enough, not losing any of their numbers and gaining a bit of battle experience and some much coveted gold!
Captain Sheer and his crew were the recipients of several increases as well, the Beardlings gaining a +1 to their S. The Longbeard received combat skill upgrades as well. So the Dwarves are set to embark on the next phase of the campaign, finding their lost companion........
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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 244
Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:25 am Post subject: |
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WEEK FOUR: SHALLOW WATER, SHALLOW GRAVES
A brillant morning sun beat down on the coastline of Lustria, burning off the morning mists and revealing a new day. A great wrecked ship, listing to her side, was beached in the shoals, smashed amid the rocks. The tattered canvas sails lay sprawled across the once proud decks, rotten timber and rusty metal scrap littering the forecastle. In the clear waters surrounding the wreakage floated waterlogged barrels and crates, pitching to and fro at the whim of the waves that occasionally swept past the sandbars dotting the coastline here.
Emerging from the surging surf came the Dwarves from the Heart of Stone. Scouts had followed the fleeing FishGitz and their captive Engineer to the ruined vessle that served as their camp. Observing the activities during the night from the safety of the Heart, Captain Sheer had determined a dawn raid upon the Orcs offered the best opportunity to rescue their fallen comrade.
Each Dwarf set about removing their weapons from protective oilskins and waterproofed sacks, moving with practiced ease, strapping on belts, loading shot, ect. Laying on his belly, Sheer turned the ridges of his spyglass to bring into better focus the wreakage of the ship.
On her ruined decks were several of the wierd Orcs, still bedecked in their outlandish fish costumes.
Looking further along the deck, he spied the Orc boss, bellowing orders to his crew. Beyond the boss he spied the trussed form of the Chief, beat up and stripped of armor and weapons but otherwise appearing unharmed. However a vicious little Goblin, sporting a large feathered hat, was taunting the Chief, holding a water flask just out of reach, swatting him with a small cudgel and even rushing forward to pull hairs out of his beard before rushing back out of reach. Sheer could see murder in the eyes of Chief and he chuckled at his friends defiance.
At a signal from Sheer, the Dwarves began to move forward through the surf, the water running up to their chins at times, forcing them to hold their weapons above their heads.
The thunderers moved to a small sandbar to the left side of the ship, taking up firing positions while the remaining Dwarves moved towards the large throng of Orcs gathered around a campfire to the center. Meanwhile the Dwarven Miners, having thrown in their lot with Sheer and his crew, moved along the right flank, silently cursing at the wind and surf. Being above ground was one thing, but the water was a totally alien quality to the deep dwelling Dwarves.
The Dwarves approached, undetected and moving with the surging waves. Several rogues waves moved past the Dwarves, forcing them to dig into the sand beneath their feet lest they be swept towards the Orcs. The wave proved costly to the assualt as several Dwarves, unable to resist the surge, were swept towards the shore,failing to plant their feet in time! Riding these waves, they were slammed into the rocky outcroppings, metal sparking and grinding. The Orcs nearby looked up in total surprise to see seveal Dwarves sprawled out on the sands before them!
Snatching up weapons, the greenskins snapped into action, charging the Dwarves that were emerging from behind the sandbars. From their vantage point to the left, the handgunners opened fire on the approaching Orcs, felling one and causing the others to dive for cover.
All along the Orc front, the FishGitz rushed to join battle, leaping from the decks of the ruined ship and diving through the waves, using their strength and fish getups to aide in their speed, closing the distance with the Dwarves rapidly. Lummox the Troll, in a moment of clear thought, saw the Dwarves approach and lumbered off to intercept them.
Spying the leader of the Miners, Lummox let out a bellow, hefting his cannon club, and rushing the small demi human. Suddenly Skrager the slayer moved to intercept the Troll and a ferocious battle enrupted. Swinging the rusted cannon barrel in sweeping arcs, Lummox was set to smash the Dwarf into pulp. Sparks flew as the Slayer parried blow after blow with his twin axes, sweeping under the Trolls defenses and cutting large gashes in his blubbery flesh. Some of the slashes healed with sickening pops and gurgles while others spilled dark blood into the surf. Enraged, the Troll swung madly, smashing aside the whirling axes and landing a crushing blow into the ribs of the slayer. Skrager fell to the surf, several yards away and lay unmoving, his axes fallen into the waters around the sandbar.
All around battles raged on! Dwarf versus Orc, in a war as old as the seas. Baddun the Black Orc made a good accounting of himself, felling several Miners and Eugen the Longbeard as well. The pile of fallen Dwarves was soon causing him to lose footing, nearly costing him his life as a Beardling pick swpet by his head. One of his ladz blocked the pick with his choppa, reversing the strike across the Dwarfs throat, ending his life in an instant.
Captain Sheer saw the huge form of Lummox moving to engage the remaining Beardlings and drew his pistols, firing them in a fulsade of lead and dropping the Troll face down in the drink! Roaring with hatred of the greenskins he dropped his smoking guns and drew his axe, joining the melee involving the Miners.
Oddgit the Shaman moved from the shadows of the wrecked ship, casting greenish fire from his fingertips as he closed with the Beardlings.
One of the Dwarves erupted in flame, his waterlogged beard catching fire and forcing his from the combat with the Orcs.
Kaptain Brine finally joined the fray, sweeping into a unit of Miners, his rusty hook catching one of them in the gut, hurling him over the sandbar. Laying about with his club, the Kaptain felled several more Dwarves. Looking about him, the Kaptain saw many of his Orcs had fallen to the righteous fury of the Dwarves and decided to fight another day! Screetching a bone-chilling call, the Kaptain and the FishGitz fought a fighting withdrawl and dissappeared into the jungles beyond the ship. Realizing the day was lost, Niblet the Goblin swatted the Chief one more time across the nose for good measure and leapt overboard, joining the fleeing Orcs as they sought refuge beyond the maddened Dwarves.....
AFTERMATH:
The scenario yielded a great amount of captured gold and other treasures, the FisgGitz having hoarded a large amount of ill gotten booty! The Beardlings continued to increase in fighting prowess, gaining an extra attack while Sheer gained the abilty of Quick Shot. One Beardling was killed during the fighting but was replaced from among the crew compliment. Skrager again was none the worst for the wear but the crew bagan to wonder about the slayer, and his ability to get taken out of action with out really doing anything. During the nights they began to do cruel little jokes, such as placing his hand in a bowl of warm water or tying his bootstraps together.....
The Miners were overjoyed to reap the profits of the hoarded gold, celebrating their success into the night! No Miners were slain and gained an extra attack each!
And so with the rescue of the Chief, the Dwarves had secured their base of operations and now turned their attentions to the Lustrian jungle and all her secrets......
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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 244
Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:28 am Post subject: |
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WEEK FIVE: DEEPENING JUNGLE, TIMELESS BEAUTY
After pouring over the captured maps and charts from the ruined FishGitz vessel for days, it became very clear to Captain Sheer that the wrecked ship was no doubt part of greenskin BlackSquig fleet! The crude greenskin language was difficult to translate and sift through but what clues could be garnered by the Dwarves was that the pirate greenskins had come to Lustria in search of something the writer described as "Da Waterhole of Yoof" While having no idea what Da Waterhole was, the Dwarves assumed it must be some sort of hidden pirate port, perhaps this Yoof being the leader. The log went on to describe how the crew that had survived the shipwreck journeyed into the jungles on foot, the Kaptain hoping to find a way to rendezvous with the rest of the fleet and its Kommadore Veinthrob.
And so the Dwarves spent a day or two preparing themselves for the coming journey. Weapons were sharpened, provisions were packed and powder was stowed. Hefting packs, the landing party set out into the jungle and their destiny...
After being in the rain forests for over a fortnight now, the Dwarves were beginning to get a healthy respect for the jungle. Backs ached, boots were soaked through with primordial mud from the forests floor and exposed flesh was ravenously set upon by myriad swarms of bloated bloodsucking mosquitoes! The vines and tangled undergrowth was trampled here and there, making passage a bit easier, until the next turn revealed the jungle reclaiming its own. The noises became very familiar to the Dwarves, the squawks, the chattering, the same silences. The canopy overhead was so thick that it became hard to determine if it was day or night. From time to time, birds such as a green conquer or spectacular quetzals would flash by, forcing even the short demi humans to duck their heads!
Hacking further into the jungle, one of the Beardlings yelled back to Sheer.
"Captain! Best be coming forward to see this."
Stomping forward through the oozing mud covered ground, Sheer parted the low lying thicket beyond the Beardling with his pistol barrel. Beyond the large ferns and cattails was a large jungle clearing, steeped in a thin mist. Towering over the clearing was a large pyramid-like structure, surrounded by overgrown ruins. The entire area was completely silent now, even as the sun above began burning off the morning mist. Glittering in the sunlight was the telltale flash of gold. Gold from an immense gong hanging atop the pyramid, gold from the crude rendering of serpents on the various faces of the pyramid. Gold for the taking!
The Miners burst past Sheer, their eyes firmly fixed on the gold they could see before them, throwing caution to the wind. And it cost them as several of them fell prey to a spiked pit on the southern edge of the clearing. Sheer could only shake his head at their foolishness, and ordered the Beardlings to lower some ropes to the Miners. While the group set about freeing the Miners from the pit, the rest of the group surveyed the ruins with a more cautious eye....
Once the Miners were patched up and ready to move on, Sheer ordered the group to advance, the Miners taking the left flank, the Thunderers taking the right and the rest moving up the middle.
Moving towards the glittering monument of the Old Ones, the Dwarves marveled at its construction and stonework. While gazing at the structure, the warband came under sudden attack! Rocks and arrows peppered the warband from the bushes beyond, a Beardling falling to a well place stone and a Miner falling to the ground, clutching his leg and trying to pull out the two black fletched arrows embedded there! The Dwarves were quick to react, the Thunderers putting shots into the bushes and the Miners rushing up their flank to try and outflank their ambushers.
The brush on the far side of clearing parted and an enormous white horse galloped into the clearing, an unnaturally beautiful woman in the saddle! A bone chilling shriek erupted from her lips as she spurred her steed towards the Dwarves, a glittering spear in one hand and an ornate staff in the other. Suddenly the jungle exploded with motion as more of the warrior woman appeared in places the Dwarves would swear were empty but a second ago!
The warrior women shrieked as they charged, releasing arrows and stones at the Dwarves as they came. Sheer ordered the Thunderers to open fire and drive the she-demons back into the undergrowth! Fire and smoke spoke from the barrels of their handguns, mowing down several of the women and forcing the rest to take cover beyond the ruins, where they moved with feline grace to circle around the Dwarven flank. Right into the onrushing miners! Dwarf, human and horse all meant in a swirling melee to the left of the ruins, steel ringing out across the clearing, stirring up the silent jungle.
A strange priestess, in robes of snakeskin and feathers, chanted at the Dwarves, and the ground erupted in swarms of biting and stinging insects. These creatures crawled all over the fighting Miners, causing them to swat at their eyes, cover mouths and let down their guard against the mini onslaught. The woman fought like banshees, parrying clumsy Dwarven blows and striking down their enemies.
Rounding the ruins, Sheer was shocked to see that the Miners were falling to these woman like ripe wheat stalks! Pulling his pistols, Sheer, Skrager and Eugen roared forward to aid their brothers! As they fought their way towards the melee, they were set upon by more of the warrior woman, as they sprang out of the ground from concealed pits and struck the Dwarves hard. Sheer was forced back into Eugen, the two of them falling to the muddy ground, where the woman battered & clubbed them senseless. Skrager moved to save his Laid and caught an arrow in the throat for his troubles, joining them on the ground!
The tide of battle was surging in the warrior woman’s favor when The Miners struck back. A high swing at the leader of woman succeeded in unhorsing her, casting her into the brush where she did not rise again. Several more of their warriors were cut down by the newly fighty Miners!
Even as the nerve of the Dwarf Mariners broke, the Miners pressed home their attack and drove the remaining women from the clearing, taking their dead and wounded with them. The Miners had turned the tide of battle in an instant and the Dwarves gained possession of the Tower of Timelessness, as its marking proclaimed it to be....
AFTERMATH:
Well, the Dwarves managed to capture the Tower of Timlessness, despite the mariners routing off the field when they were forced to make their first Rout test!
The Beardlings are becoming a terror to be sure! They have increased to +1 S and +1 attack. All the fallen Dwarves were OK after the battle, Sheer gaining Quick Draw, letting him shoot twice per round so long as he had a brace of pistols.
The Miners found the motherload of gold! Searching the Tower revealed lots of gold and Lizardman treasures. Using the gold found there enabled the Miners to recuit more Miners to their cause as well as a much needed Sapper! They alos found a pouch of Crimson Shade amid the trampled ground of the melee with the lead warrior woman. This they gave to the Slayer, in hopes he would FINALLY do something helpful during coming combats! LOL!
The scenario itself used the rules for concealed Amazons, pit traps and Amazon magic, which atually worked a few times against the Dwarves, unlike the gobbo magic in earlier battles. Possession of the Tower gives the Dwarves +1 to their Scouting rolls for territories within 3 spaces of the Tower itself which is located in Area# 59. Since they can add +1, it is more likely the Scouts will return with accurate info and impossible for them to not return. Basically the golden gong can be seen above the canopy, acting as a becon for the returning scouts.
And so the adventure continues.......
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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 244
Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:36 am Post subject: |
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WEEK SIX: AMID ANCIENT RUINS
The jungle noises were deafening during the nights and maddening quite during the days. The occasional droning of a swarm of insects, the scream of an animal being pulled down by a predator, that was all the Dwarves heard during the daylight hours now. Having trekked into the godsforsaken jungles for many weeks now, they were growing used to the strange enviornment, No longer did they leave their boots on for more than a few hours at a time before removing them to wash and dry them lest the primordial mud that clung to the jungle floor burn its way through their soles and start work on the tender skins beneath. No longer did they wash their boots in the dark streams and rivers, but instead they boiled water and cleaned their belongings. "Brave Kanar rest with the anscestors, worry not about those that remain behind, for we shall find your remians and slay the river beast that took you from us!" Kanar had gone to wash his clothes in a stream and disappeared when a slimy black tentacle emerged from the water, pulling him under in an instant. The explosion of bone and gore that followed stained the expeditions clothes and souls for days after.
Having driven off the strange Amazon women a fortnight ago, Captain Sheer had called up the Heart of Stone to sail upstream to the ruins they had secured. The ship had ploughed its way through the thick canopy obscured river nearby, her horns blarring as the pilot chased off alligators and other animals to make way for the iron vessel. The river proved deep here and the ship made the trek with relative ease. The ships crew began unloading supplies near the ship, setting upa forward base camp for the expedition.
Meantime, Captain Sheer and the Miner Expedition used their time to explore the ruins, finding priceless treasures of gold and silver, as well as strange tablets of gold covered in arcane runes. Consolidating their forward position, the good Captain and his clansmen set about making preperations to explore the jungle shrouded ruins to the north. The rangers had returned with tales of an immense collection of toppled stone pyramids and ziggerauts less than a days trek away. The thought of more treasure fired the bellies of the Miners, who set about packing up their treasures for storage on the Heart of Stone with redoubled effort!
Meanwhile, in the darkening jungle canopy, the Night Goblins were gathering again. A coming storm sent peels of thunder rolling across the ruins of The Tower of Timelessness, shaking the ground and driving the greenskins into a frenzy! Beady red eyes watched from the shadows....
A the same time, the scattered remnants of Pox's warband of Skaven also prepared to attack the Dwarves flank, seeking to drive them out of the ruins so they could pollute the pools and posion them to the native Lizardmen...
As the storm broke, the monsters attacked! The clearing around the Tower of Timelessness was riddled with black arrows that fell with the rain, piercing one of the Beardlings in the throat and dropping him into the growing mud. Stanley the Big Boss and his small pack of Squigs emerged from the foilage, and charged towards the Thunderers and Captain Sheer who were out away from the main group, investigating a fallen column.
Meanwhile the Heart of Stones crew came under attack on the far side of the ruins as the Skaven poured out of the undergrowth like a foul torrent. Ghenar, the Long Gunner sighted his weapon at an approaching Plague Monk and fired!
The Skeven was thrown back into the mud, tail twitching and not moving even as Ghenar calmly reloeaded the weapon.
The fighting grew fierce as the Skaven used their speed and the jungle cover to close the gap between the themselves and the Dwarves, while the Goblins swarmed the isolated pockets of Dwarves. Captain Sheer himself was set upon by Stanley and his Cave Squig Gnarla, the beast ripping into the Captain with teeth and horns and flinging the good Captain into the dirt. Struggling to his knees, Sheer fired his pistols to no avail as the wildly bouncing Squig confounded his aim. Drawing his axe from its holder, he swuing at the Goblin, who parried the heavy blade with its own. Reversing his parry, the Goblin sliced across Sheer's midesction, drawing blood. The Captain stood dumbfounded for a split second, allowing Gnarla to bowel him over into the mud and begin jumping up and down him! Ribs cracked with sickening cruntches as the heavy beast sprang again and again.....
Skarger the Slayer and Eugen rushed to the aid of the fallen Captain, lest he end up in the belly of the beast! Axes cut a whirlwind through Goblin and Squig, forcing both into a defensive posture, teeth, horns and rust choppa parrying heavy blasded axes. The Beardlings met the Squigs with hammer and shield, forcing the beasts back into the jungle while more arrows rained down on the Thunderers...
The Thunderers were finally able to see the Night Goblin horde through the growing downpour and let loose with several wicked volleys, throwing aside several Goblins, Squigs and even Big Boss Swordy himself!]
Meanwhile, the crew of the Heart of Stone, led by Master Engineer Furnark "Gearbox" Stonehand, were being overwhelmed by the Skaven hordes. Despite the constant report of the long gun, there were simply too many of the accursed ratmen to stop. As the Skaven drew near, Gearbox ordered his boys to prepare for battle. Hammers were readied, shields were hefted and they met the Skaven menace with a wall of metal and sinew. The sounds of battle were loud and fierce all across the clearing as the rain continued to fall and the ground became more treacherous....
Eugen managed to fight off the monstous Squig being ridden by the Night Goblin leader, forcing it to the ground and forcing Stanley to throw up his sword and fight off the furious rain of blows. At that moment, Skrager was grazed in the temple by a stray slingstone from the hidden Grotsmak and fell to the ground, right in front of a VERY hungry Squig!
As the Slayer was about to become a hot meal, the renewed fire from the Thunderers plowed into the orange monster, splitting it apart like a ripe melon as shot after shot tore into its tough hide. As the Squig fell next to the Slayer, one of its kind was set upon by the raging fury of the Beardlings, Led by Old One, all seeking to drive the creatures away once and for all.....
As the Goblins began to fall back, several of the little beasts decided to take it out on the Skaven! Volleys of arrows cut down several slaves, enraging Pox! Frothing at his foul jaws, the Plague Pontifax charged into Stanley! But as he was about to land a killing blow to the Big Boss, he was brought low by, in all the world, a nimbous of green light that looked alot like a ginat green thumb! Somewhere in the bushes, Grotsamk the Shaman chuckled in his little throat before laying back down in the concealing brush. Meantime a savage fight ensued between Stanley and a dazed Pox, the Goblin proving too much for the ancient Skaven, a spear thrust catching him in the loins and drawing forth putrid blood that ran in dark rivers across the muddy ground. Even as Gnarla prepared to finsish off the Skaven, Eugen struck from behind, embedding his massive axe in the flanks of Gnarla and forcing a blood chilling screetch to escape the beast!
Bounding away with a wildly flailing Stanley on its back, the remaining Goblins saw this as a chance to fall back too and played follow the leader! Grotsmak crawled on his belly through the mud, joining the retreat. He paused only once to see if the Dwarves were pursing. And to pick up a bloated, green/orange beetle, which he stuffed into his mouth and began crunching as he withdrew! Even as it looked as if the crew of the Heart of Stone were going to be wiped out, the Skaven lost heart as well, with the apparent demise of the leader and slunk off into the gathering storm. The Dwarves had once agian proved to be the victor!
AFTERMATH:
All, sorry about the late update! I have been playing in the Crisis in Marienburg and neglected the blog!
So the Dwarves were joined by the Heart of Stone crew this report, a new Warband we made to add some more flavor to the games. I will be posting complete armylists for those that are interested in my next update. This will incliude the Dwarf Mariners, Ironclad Crew, Night Goblins and Clan Pestilens lists, so stay tuned.....
After the battle, it was determined that only a pair of Beardlings had perished during the game. Sheer was fine, while Skrager somehow gained another skill! Must be nice not to do anything and get better!
The Heart of Stone crew survived in tact, with the Long Gunner gaining +1 to his BS. gee, that isnt really appropriate, is it? LOL! They lost only a single Beardling to the Skaven, though the Doc suffered a leg injury that cost him his speed. His crushed leg means he may not longer run, and will likely be forced to walk with a crutch for his remaining years....
The Skaven suffered the most, losing one of the Plague Monks to the Long Gunner, Drips the Plague Priest recieving a head injury that left him suffering from stupidity, three dead Slave Rats and Hiv the Plague Priest missing the next game with injury as well!
The Goblins suvived nearly scott free, losing only the Snotling Swarm! But since there are always plenty more around, these were quickly replaced. Several of the Gobbo Henchmen units recieved characteristic increases and Stanley, who took down BOTH leaders he faced, gained +1S and the Sneaky Git ability. It gives him, in effect, a 5+ Ward Save. Very handy for a little bugger greenskin....
And so the adventure continues.........
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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 244
Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:41 am Post subject: |
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WEEK SEVEN: THE SERPENT GOD'S DUE
"Boss! The foul Skaven have broken and are fleeing into the brush, shall we pursue them?"...yelled Yuri the Beardling.
"Of course we pursues them Lad! Da stinking Skaven are running back to their holes and we can root them out! After them Maties, run them to ground!" ordered Grang.
The Dwarves, being low to the ground, were able to make gains on the fleeing ratmen, bowling through the low hanging thickets like steam driven pistons and keeping the fleeing Skaven in sight. The cursed ratmen had led them off the trails and into deep jungle, and the Dwarves soon lost their bearings and had left the Tower of Timelessness far behind. The members of the crew blew their whistles to keep in contact as they hacked their way throught the thickening underbrush. Grang himself squashed a diseased giant rat under his boot, coating the boots with putrid inards. Gagging on the stench, the Engineer stumbled and slipped on the gore soaked ground. As he pitched forward his hammer went flying amid his flailing limbs and he tumbled down a steep incline, tearing up vegetation as he rolled through the brush before coming to an end with a splash! The Dwarf sat upright and took in his bearings. He had been on the lipmof a ravine and fell a good two hundred feet in his roll before landing in a shallow stream that flowed along at a goodly pace. Placing his hand in the water he sampled it and found it to be quite refreshing and cold. Slaking his parched throat, Grang drank his fill while looking around to get his bearing. It was then that he saw he was sitting at the edge of an enormous ruined city, overgrown and retaken by the surrounding jungle.
"Grang! Grang!", echoed in the jungle above....
"Aye! Down here Lads! Best get some ropes down here and come on down. Mind yer step, its a long drop but I think we have found something, to be sure!"
Getting to his feet, Grang saw that his hammer had fallen nearby. While wiping hte mud from the haft, Grang took in a further picture of the ruins. All throughout the over dozen structures could be seen the glint of gold and silver! Beams of sunlight that speared the jungle canopy reflected off the ancient structures, revelaing them in all their majesty. Many of the buildings were multi-level ziggerauts and pyramids, with toppled ruins and rubble strew alleyways in between the buildings.
Several ropes came flying down with a thud to land in the water nearby. Looking in that direction Grang saw a flurry of movement as another Skaven dashed across the stream and into the ruins of the city. So, this is where you vermin have been hiding is it........
(The Maw of Sotek)
(Birdseye view of the ruins)
(Another close up of the ruins)
(Ancient ruins to be sure)
Grang was joined over the next hour by the rest of the crew as they one by one descended the rope ladders once they had muddled through the jungle thicket. Each Dwarf checked their weapons and adjusted straps and buckles, freeing up their arms for fighting and hacking as needed. Several of the Beardlings produced hatchets and began hacking their way through the vines screening the entryway leading into the ruins. Sweat soon beaded on arms and faces as the Beardlings continued to swing their hatchets. Soon the way was clear and Grang stepped forth through the archway and he and his crew got thier first good look at the ruins.....
As the Long Gun was brought up and put into firing position, the rest of the crew spread out in a skirmish line, Beardlings to the left with one of the Enineers while the rest spread to the right flank.
Signs of recent Skaven intrusion were visable in the muddy ground, as was the spore of some unknown animal. An evil silence seem to hang over the whole ruins and the chittering of unseen creatures could be heard. Wherever one looked out of the corner of their eye, they caught a glimpse of red eyes staring at them from behind the ruins or jungle brush. The Dwarves hefted their weapons and pushed on, meanwhile the hidden forces of the Skaven lay in ambush.....
Suddenly the jungle exploded! Swarms of Skaven led by a monstrous Rat Ogre thundered out of the brush, their speed once again closing the gap far to quickly for the Heart of Stone crew! The report of the Long Gunshattered the charge, blowing an enormous hole in the Rat Ogre and pitching it face down into the dirt, its just a bloody ruin! Enraged by the demise of the Rat Ogre, the Skaven charged forth into the Beardlings led by a swarm of infected Plaque Rats, most of which were crushed to foul bloody pulps under the blows of the Beardling hammers!
The skirmish continued with the inexperienced dwarfs being harrowed by vile mists and swarms of flies as they attempted to smash the ratkin with their hammers. The foul magic of the Skaven mage was sending forth the very jungle to kill the hated Dwarves! Noses and ears were soon swarming with bloated black flies, distracting the Dwarves from fighting effectively and hiding the fact that the Rat Ogre was struggling to its feet!
With rusty chains swinging, the fell skaven monster struck the melee and sent several of the Dwarves fying in all directions as its claws and chains flailed about the demi humans with maddened fury!
The furious battle continued and the number of dwarfs still able to fight dwindled but their resolve kept them from leaving the field of battle. Grang himself strode forth at this point and drove the spike of his hammer into the brow of the rat Ogre, that fell without a sound to the ground in front of the Skaven leader! Seeing his beloved pet cut down was enough for the cowardly ratman and he ordered the withdrawl. But before they could fall back away from the Dwarves, strange allies appeared from the ruins themselves! The creatures were clearly reptilian in nature and slithered forward on elongate swollen bodies, tongues tasting the air and clutching ancient wepaons in the scaled hands!
These new comers struck at the Skaven like a lighting bolt, spitting venom and hacking the ratmen down with razor sharp axes and fangs! Afterwards they opened wide their jaws and began to swallow the putrid carcasses whole! The sight was enough to turn even the stout stomaches of the Dwarves, Grang ordering his group to collect their wounded and fall back to the entranceway, leaving the field of the slain to the fearsome Snakemen.....the Snakemen however were not eager ot let them escape and a full pldged rout insued as the Dwarves dispersed into the woods as couds overhead grew dark...
AFTERMATH:
Those still remaining mended to the injuries of their kin - Maurii suffered a deep wound and wouldl need several weeks of rehabilitation before he could fight again. Oskari developed a debilitating nervous condition having had his back splintered by the force of the rat Ogre. The Long Gunner Uri and Wolfgang recovered from their injuries without incident. Grang gave a field promotion to Salvatorii - one of the Beardlings - due to his bravery and tenacity on the battlefield. Not to mention stepping in to take a blow that had saved Grang himself! As they left the ruins, the Beardlings discovered an unopened stone chest which held a suit of finely wrought mail. The coverings were worked out of glittering metal scales of gold and the suit came with matching grieves and leggings. A truly wonderful suit of armor the Engineer quickly packed in his rucksack for the journey back to camp. A rich prize indeed!
Grang and his throng were forced into the deeper jungle, unable to regroup while the Snakemen slithered after them through the dense underbursh...
And so the adventure continues............
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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 244
Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:44 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | “The more I learned of the gods of the lizard people, the more my head spun with incredulity. Their pantheon was nigh indecipherable to me and appeared to include one whose place is to exist outside said order and to be worshipped by no “True Children of the Gods”. A being that supposedly supped on the very blood of civilizations and could outlast even time itself, a font of everlasting violence that could know no peace if you will. Yet it is also written that this outsider shall be tended unto the end of time by “Those Who Came Before.” Was this being one of the Old Gods, or was it a mortal cursed by them for some past wrong?”
“The answer would only come after many long months of research among the lizard people, and even then I would be led to question everything I had come to believe. It moves unseen, as silently as death. It always watches-the paths of the jungles, the ruins of the Old Ones. It is always hungry, with a hunger too violent, too unspeakable to remain satisfied. And it is always waiting. Behind the dense growth of the rain forest. On the banks of the darkest streams and rivers, where it rules the land of the living and the dead. It dwells in a place the lizard people refer to as Chilpancingo, the place of endless Darkness. Believe me when I write this that I am quite sane, though the things I have seen might lead one to lose ones mind, I still retain my mental faculties”
“After the long months laboring under the swelter heat of Lustria, I had never thought to come this far. The months of trekking in search of the Lost City of Zinge, as the savage Norsemen called it, weighed heavily on our expedition, sickness, monsters and the jungle itself rising up to stop us. One by one my men perished that the rest of us might continue upriver to our doom. The perils of the natural life in the jungles have been one thing, but far more dangerous, far more tiring have been the perils of unnatural life, the deadly lifeless things that keep approaching, with no regard for their own safety.”
“Once the daylight seemed to stop them, at least when the faint rays of sunlight shattered the thick jungle canopy; I did not readily see them among the ruins of Zinge. But now…now as I come closer and closer to the unhallowed place where it has waited for centuries, the monsters have redoubled their fierce and relentless pursuit. It was folly to seek the Font but the lure of immortality pulled strong on my pride, thoughts of unlimited time to collect, catalog and study every aspect of nature outweighing simple caution.”
“And so now I must continue, even into this great heart of evil. I hope that some day this journal may be found. But I cannot imagine a future at this point, my Skink guide has perished and I alone remain, they gather even now beyond the light of my fire. I have but one shot left in my pistol and it waits for me to take my own life, lest I join the ranks of Those That Came Before…these be my final words. Merciful Myrmidia, please carry me home to my beloved Estalia…”
…Prelude to Chapter Seven, “In the Lands of Gods”
Final journal of Estalian naturalist Juan Mendoza on the New World |
Sheer stared once more at the faded parchment before him, the edges of the page wrinkled with age and water damage. How long the journal had been here among the jungle growth, even his aged advisor Anton could not say. Humans felt the need to use fragile means to record their thoughts and so their very history became fragile as well, vast wealth of knowledge lost down through the centuries when if only they had used stone.
A large blood gorged mosquito chose that moment to buzz by the Captain’s nose and paid the price as Sheer lashed out with a gnarled hand and smashed it hard into his other hand. Drops of blood ran through gaps in his fingers as he wiped his messy hand on the back of the parchment.
“At least it’s good for something, eh Anton?” grinned Sheer, his annoyance at marauding insect temporarily sated.
“Ye, that it be Captain, tis a shame twernt a few thousand more. Yon cursed marsh mosquitoes will be our death yet, and that there's a fact.”
As the party of Dwarves moved further into the depths of the rain forest they were forced to stop and clear a path every few yards as the tangled mass of vegetation fought to keep them penned in, as if the jungle was aware of their presence and was revolting against them.
For over three months now, the crew of the Heart of Stone had pursued their quarry, through jungle, ravine, ruin and river. The first few weeks had been spent in cautious exploration of the jungle and combat with a tribe of Night Goblins that dwelt in the snake infested caverns under Lustria. It had been some time since they had seen the Night Goblins and had little idea where to start searching for the Orc Pirate BlackSquig.
A journey up the coast to the Northmen outpost of Skeggi had borne fruit. Not only had the crew been able to slake their thirst on strong Northman ales but the Captain had been able to speak at length to their savage Shaman, regarding the Font of Youth and more.
Rumors of the dwelling place of the Font, crude maps and the need for something the natives called the “Eye of Sotek” were all collected by the Dwarves, at the cost of large amounts of gold. The Miners in the warband were visibly angry at the amount of gold the old Shaman had demanded in return for parting with this information but a stern gaze from Sheer made them grudgingly hand it over. The Shaman assured them that the “Eye of Sotek” was needed to find the Lost City of Zinge, resting place of the Font of Youth.
And so the Dwarves, now armed with fully replenished provisions, full barrels of ale and a handful of ancient rumors and maps, sailed south once more, turning west from the coast into a dark tributary know simply as the Serpents Tongue. Their maps showed them that upriver was an expanse of Lizardmen ruins, where it was said that the Eye of Sotek could be found. The Orcs needed this bauble, whatever it was, and would have to come in search of it at some point. And the Heart of Stone would be waiting…
And the adventure continues...
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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 244
Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:46 am Post subject: |
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The Coming Storm
The sound of distant thunder reverberated across the iron deck of the Heart of Stone. Bobbing in the greenish, muddy waters that passed by the ship at speed, the stout Dwarven Ironclad began to fight against her mooring ropes. The evening sun had begun its descent in the sky, the air starting to cool even as the warm metal decks groaned under the cooling conditions. The Heart was presently moored on this small island in the middle of a mile wide tributary of the Serpent’s Tongue, a makeshift dock having been erected so the crew could forage inland for supplies to repair the ship. While the Norsemen of Skeggi had happily volunteered the use of the their shipyards, the Dwarves had decided that discretion was the better part of common sense, and not fully trusting the humans, they had left the repairs to be done once underway.
Quartermaster Murdok walked up onto the deck from below, the moisture heavy air immediately drawing his already damp clothes tighter to his rotund frame. The usually noisy rainforest had grown suddenly silent and the lookouts had sighted distant lightning on the horizon to the north. The tall jungle ferns and cattails began to bend in the growing breeze, the water rippling with movement as the shoals of crocodiles sensed the coming storm and swam back to their thickets and underwater lairs.
Drawing a gnarled hand across his sweating brow, Murdok turned his gaze to the north, where the landing party had gone on shore hours ago. Sure enough the sky there was a sinister black, with sporadic bolts of lighting streaking across the sky before striking the ground. Peals of thunder once again rumbled across the jungle canopy, scattering flights of brightly colored birds & bats into the darkening skies. A ping sounded next to Murdok, followed by another and then another as the thick rain drops began to fall from the heavens. The air was so charged with electricity that the hairs on Murdok’s beard stood straight and away from his face, bristling with barely contained charge. Blasts of energy unlike any he had seen in his 250 odd years ripped across the horizon dark horizon, forcing him to look away.
Cursing silently to himself, Murdok raced back to the main hatch and descended, pulling the massive iron disc closed after him. A twist of the wheel sealed the hatch shut even as the rain began to fall in torrents, drenching the Heart of Stone in sheets of rain that sizzled as they struck the rapidly cooling deck.
“Gonna be a rough one dis night lads! Yon storm is a bad one, The Capatan be in for a rough one, he is.”
Some of the Beardlings smiled at one another. Leave it to Murdok. His grip on the Dwarven tongue was as frayed as his beard! Captain Sheer always bristled when Murdok referred to him as Capatan, a sight that was not lost on the Longbeard and he always made it a point to call Sheer Capatan whenever he was left in charge. The Beardlings returned to their work as Murdok stalked past, the sound of hammers replacing the sound of the pounding rain. Soon the interior of the vessel began to fill with the smells of frying onions and livers, many of the Dwarves smacking their lips in anticipation of the coming meal.
Outside, even as the rain continued to pour down and clouds turned blacker, hate-filled eyes stared at the Heart of Stone from the cover of the reed beds. Hungry eyes….
...and the adventure continues
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Kaptain BlackSquig
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 244
Location: The Wilds of West Virginia
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| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:47 am Post subject: |
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Week Eight: Prelude to Twilight
The path before Sheer began to narrow, the tangle of undergrowth so twisted on either side that the Dwarves were forced to march single file. The path had seen heavy use in previous centuries but now the jungle had grown back to cover the trail in greenery once more. Occasional beams of sickly yellow sunlight pierced the thick jungle canopy, serving little benefit save to raise the level of humid air that clung to beards & body. And more endless chopping!
Every day, an endless procession of slow walking, hacking aside centuries of old growth vines and branches and dodging blood loss from bloated marsh flies! The small party of Dwarves was nothing if not relentless and thus they went about the routine with usual stoic silence. Captain Sheer paused to wipe the sweat from his brow and drew forth a flask of water from his belt. Draining a large pull, he motioned to the rest of the party to take a short break. Several of the Beardlings moved past Sheer and into the thick brush, scouting ahead while the rest of the Dwarves found restful purchase on the moist ground.
Brailling, a stripling no older than 40 winters, moved off to the right of the party, crawling close to the ground when needed, avoiding thickets, bloodvines and strangle fronds as he moved as silent as his greased mail would allow. Up ahead, great rays of tropical sun pierced the ground through the overhead canopy. As he approached the light, it became apparent to the Dwarf that some form of a clearing was up ahead. Crouching in the heavy brush of the treeline, Brailling was faced by a 25 foot tall stone pillar, ancient carving covering the side that faced the young Dwarf. The ground around the pillar was bare, the withered remains of jungle plants scattered around the base. Even as he moved to his left for a better view of the pillar, the sunlight disappeared from above as thick heavy clouds rolled in from the west. Beyond the pillar was an ancient stone archway-some sort of gate-way to the continuing trail west.
Soon a light rain began to fall, the braches becoming drains for the cold water falling from above. Tiny rivulets ran down the massive fronds of the jungle plants, soon turning into floods as a downpour started. Even as distant thunder began to shake the clearing, Brailling was still transfixed by the pillar. A series of carvings went up the front face of the rock, crude renditions of skulls running to the top where a great bat-like creature lay draped in thick vines and moss. The demonic visage on the creature seemed almost alive in the flashing of lightning that heralded the storm, a shudder of fear rippling through the Beardlings breast as he drew his axe from his belt.
The rain fell in sheets now, the rumbling of thunder drowned out by the drone of falling water and rustling of the jungle as the winds whipped the trees into a chorus of swaying and bending, almost like the jerking movements of a novice puppeteer. Shouting to his fellows, Brailling received no answer, his voice muffled under the pounding storm. Beyond the treeline, several figures approached from the jungle beyond the archway, tall figures that staggered to move under the relentless winds, swaying like boats caught in a storm. That was when the stench hit the Beardling. An overpowering stench that clung to the air of the clearing, despite the swirling winds. A smell that the young Dwarf had learned all too well. The sickening rotten smell of death!
Brailling breathed a sigh of relief when he felt his companions hand upon his shoulder, the sudden presence of his companion bolstering his failing courage.
“Bout time ye bastard. I been callin fer ye. What do you make of yonder figures, be they enemy?”
His companion did not answer him, instead increasing the pressure of his hand on the Dwarf’s shoulder until it dug into the padding of his armor. Spinning around, Brailling was confronted by a monster, an abomination that had once been Frelix, his childhood friend. No eyes remained in the skull of the Dwarf, merely empty sockets filled with fresh viscera. Strips of flesh dangled on one check, fluttering sickly in the wind. Pieces of his armor still clung to the batter framed of the Beardling, pools of blood collected in nooks and crannies, even as the tattered blood drenched remains of his undercoat clung limply to his ragged shoulders. Brailling barely had a chance to scream as his once friend ripped his tongue from his mouth, falling upon the Beardling in a savage flurry of cracked teeth. The rain continued its downpour unabated, the fresh blood mixing with the muddy, moss-covered ground of the clearing. Very soon two new Dwarven Zombies lurched forth from the undergrowth, joining the rest of the nightmarish horde staggering down the trail towards the unsuspecting Captain Sheer...
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