|
Jason
United States
Arnold
Missouri
-
Our long awaited WHFRP session began, finally on Friday. To break myself and the new players in I chose the adventure in the WFRP main guide "Through the Drakwald".
If you've not played this adventure, and plan on playing it, I suggest you quit reading now. Just a friendly warning.
This is the first part of the session, the second is yet to be played.
"The town Untergard has been under siege for nine days by the Ruinous Powers, under the skillful guidance of Commander Schiller the town has survived, and held the crucial bridge that provided the only crossing to Altdorf south of Grimminhagen. Our heroes ended up in Untergard under various circumstances. Tadier, a Kislevite Cossar was tracking a band of beastmen south west. Lindara, the Elven outrider from the Great Forests, investigating the news of the Chaos incursion before it reached her homeland. Tum Tum Roundeye, Halfling entertainer extraordinaire, was part of a small caravan passing through the area, but was ambushed by chaos mutants, the survivors made their way to Untergard only to find their plight didn't improve much. Two days after the siege, news was brought to the survivors that the Baron Todbringer was sending supplies and aid to the besieged town; as this joyous news was read the town came under assault from the minions of Chaos. Four mutants bellowed a challenge as they charged across the wide bridge separating the east and western sections of Untergard. Lindara coolly took a step back and let loose one of her white fletched arrows, taking the lead mutant in the throat, it’s tentacled limb clutching at the shaft as it fell to its knees, blood pumping from the wound . Tadier readied his great axe, loosening his shoulders and placing his back to the northern pillar of the bridge, as the other three mutants lumbered across, he pivoted on his left foot, bringing the heavy axe down in an arc, taking a pig faced mutant. The blow cleaved the mutant from shoulder to hip, but the force of the blow caused Tadier to lose his grip on the axe as it buried itself in the stonework. Tum Tum darted from his hiding spot at the southern pier, hoping to hamstring one of the mutants that were intent upon the Elven outrider. He slipped upon a patch of mud, which saved his life as a report from across the bridge rang out, the round taking Tum Tum in the arse, spinning the unlucky Halfling to the ground. The mutants lengthen their stride to strike out at the Elf as she drew back and let fly a second arrow which buried itself in the third eye of yet another mutant, it skidded to the ground, unmoving. Tum Tum stumbled to his feet, wincing in pain and watched Tadier unlimber his bow and nock an arrow. The final mutant was upon Lindara, it was a large brute, curling horns and bad teeth; as it charged at the elf it swung a large mace down in an arc but Lindara sidestepped the blow and stabbed it in the arm with the arrow she held, snapping it. Enraged the mutant backhanded her, sending her to the ground. With a bellow the mutant brought up the mace again, only to have Tadiers arrow pierce its bicep, causing the foul chaos spawn to drop it. In anger, the mutant charged at his tormentor, momentarily forgetting Lindara. Tadier sent another arrow at the beast, the mutant slowed it’s charge to a stumble, staring stupidly at the arrow sticking out of its stomach, then arch in pain and fall as Lindara recovered her bow and took the mutant in the back with another white shaft. The attack was over, Granny Moesher rushed forward to help treat Tum Tum, chuckling lightly at the wound, both physical and in dignity of the unfortunate Halfling.
“ News of an attack at the gates forced a debate of the citizenry, but was cut short by Captain Schiller. It had been decided to abandon the town, and march north to Middenheim, Untergard had become indefensible.
"The next morning the remaining villagers and few men-at-arms set out, the trip was planned around the Drakwald, cursed and evil woods. Along the road, the pitiful survivors of less than a hundred came across the town of Grimminhagen; however a long standing feud between the towns ran deep, and allowed no help from either side. Though, it seemed that the township of Grimminhagen suffered worse than Untergard, under Khazraks beastmen armies than Untergard itself. In a twinge of conscious, Tom-Tom warned the towns Bailiff, Gunter, of the fate to the south. Grimly, Gunter promises to keep an eye out, and returns to help the citizens rebuild.
"Later that same day, Granny Mosier, the town healer, came up missing. Led by the woodsman Hans Baumer, our heroes located her in the woods, surrounded by Kithband elves who mistook her for an agent of the dark powers. Lindara, being of kin, persuaded the rangers of Granny's innocence. They passed on they learned to the Kithband, who then most alarmed at the news, quickly took their leave.
"The third day in the forest, the caravan comes to a crossroads. Only to be met with the ravages of an ambush the day before by greenskin forces, a quick searched turned up no survivors. However, while burying and blessing the dead Father Dietrich fell victim to the other traps laid by the goblin forces and died in a spike pit, with his dying breath Father Dietrich bade Tadier to take a relic to the Temple of Sigmar in Middenheim. To which he agreed. The labourers filled in the pit and laid others to rest near the good Father."
...Our adventure will continue...
-
Jason
United States
Arnold
Missouri
-
Part II
The caravan was quiet as it finally moved south from the crossroads. A pall was cast over the people, expecting a greenskin ambush at any point. The sobering thoughts of what may happen to them, perhaps a similar fate to the unfortunate Delberz travellers. Our heroes were vigilant, jumping at shadows, poking at the long grasses along the roadway, but for naught. No greenskins were around.
That evening, the caravan made camp. As Tadier started a fire, Lindara suggested to Tum-tum that he talk to Granny Moesher. Her disappearance earlier made the Elven outrider suspicious, and given the taciturn nature of the Kislevite, Tadier didn’t trust her at all. Reluctantly, Tum-Tum agreed.
As our heroes approached the crossroads they noticed a large bonfire in the distance, suspicions aroused they investigate. Near the bonfire they found Granny Moesher, chanting, the fire changing colors, and dark ominous shapes prowling around the fire. Large wolves keeping watch. As soon as Tadier, Lindara and Tum-Tum came into view the wolves howled and charged. The fire flickered colors faster, Moesher’s chanting began to rise in pitch and frenzy. Seeing no alternative, Tadier unlimbered his heavy great axe and prepared to meet the remaining wolves. With a sideways swipe, Tadier missed the leader of the small pack who jumped nimbly over the clumsy human, skidding behind Tadier, turning slowly and growling. Lindara ignored the wolves and loosed an arrow at Granny, but the shot went high, disappearing behind the hill.
Feeling the climax of Granny’s ritual Tadier and the pack leader circled warily until the wolf lunged at the Kislevite, but with battle honed reflexes Tadier threw himself to one side and swiped at the wolf with the heavy axe, but the speed of the wolf was difficult to judge. Both combatants missed and began their circling again. Lindara shouted to Tum-Tum to do something, so Tum spurred the Elven steed on faster, trampling a wolf that attempted to get its jaws around the horse’s neck. Tum-tum, astride Lindara’s Elven steed charged towards Granny, shouting her name, pleading her to stop. As he approached Granny, Tum-Tum launched himself off the horse and through long years of tumbling managed to tackle the old woman, crashing both of them to the ground. With a shriek Granny’s chanting cut off and the flames of the bonfire died to a flicker of yellow flames. The remaining wolves shook their heads as if bothered by flies, and loped off into the darkness.
Tum-Tum rose off of Granny Moesher, who curled into a ball sobbing and whispering over and over "I’m sorry, I’m sorry Father.I’ve failed..."
The adventurers placed granny on Lindara’s steed and began the long walk back to the caravan.
Several days later, the caravan arrived at Middenhiem. Along the road, Granny Moesher passed away, after the ordeal on the hill, she would no longer respond to the world; as if she no longer wished to be a part of it.
Aside: We actually finished this a month or so back, sadly time to play has been limited, and my time to write more restricted. At the urging of my wife we'll be bringing up the next part of this campaign with a couple new faces, new dangers, new foes from an old enemy.
-
|
|
|
