[Game Thread] Chapter 1: For Love or Money

[Glenn Coco]

Groz followed his companions and paid the two silver when it was necessary. Unlike his friends Groz wanted to go to the ambush site.

"I say let's go to the ambush site, no body ambushes a dwarf.... at least no body ambushes a dwarf and lives to tell about it!" Groz said excitedly with a smile on his face while raising his battleaxe in the air.

Judging by the looks of disapproval on the faces of his companions, Groz let out a heavy sigh and lowered his axe in defeat. "But I guess following the blacksmith's tracks isn't such a bad plan either."

[darthcharon]

After following the tracks for several minutes, Ollona notices a most distressing sight: a crashed caravan on the side of the road. Rushing to the scene, you see five bodies: the caravan master, who has three bolts sticking out of his neck, a heavily armored man wearing the marks of a follower of Sigmar impaled upon the wreckage, and three others, who appear mostly unharmed, and look to have only just regained conciousness.

[KronosWarrior]

Drognan slowly stands up, brushing himself off. He looks around worriedly, but relaxes at the sight of a raven looking down at him from the nearby tree. Checking near him, he sees some of his traveling companions also stirring. "Is everyone alright?" he asks, wincing slightly due to the bruises he now had on his body. He offers to help the others stand up, then sits back on the ground still a bit dazed and aching as the raven swoops down and perches on his head.

"Looks like the warrior priest and caravan master didn't make it unfortunately", Drognan sighs and picks up the artifact, clearing the dirt off of it. "We still seem to have this though." Just then he notices a group of people approaching rapidly and watches them warily.

[Insacrum]

Ollona takes out her bow and knocks a flat-headed arrow to it. She doesn’t want to go rushing into any scene given the change for ambush. The bandits were known for it, so if this group has gotten ambushed by them, they might not be too far away. ”Be careful, it looks like this is recent, so their might still be some bandits around”

Ollona steps out to the scene, seeing those who are alive, and quickly looks at each in turn, attempting to determine which seems to be the most injured.

 

Dice heal checks:

1d20+5	(9)+5			Total = 14
1d20+5	(1)+5			Total = 6
1d20+5	(1)+5			Total = 6

[dbaque]

Lunigen awakens to the (not unfamiliar) feeling of aches & pains. He rises to his feet, shaking his head to clear it and trying to blink away the bright morning light reaching beneath his hood. He hears Drognan's question of concern and answers: I seem to be well enough. A look of worry creases his brow but soon relaxes after a quick glance finds their dwarven companion rising to his feet looking no worse for wear than the rest: And Grimnash seems the same.

The sorceror's next words turn Lunigen's attention to the wreckage. A pang of sorrow (but no shock) passes through him with a whispered (in Breton) The Lady keep them.

His travelling companions accounted for, his concern eases up enough to let him notice the group of five rushing towards them. Lunigen walks slowly towards them, the soft clink of mail with each step, keeping his hands away from his arms on his back or side. He looks for any sign of hostile intent from the group. Be these friends or foes, my Lady?
Lunigen addresses the group, politely but warily, as it approaches within hearing range: Hail and well met, fellow travelers. My companions & I have fallen upon some misfortune most grave. We were attacked in the night, and two of our companions now lie dead. He gestures solemnly towards the bodies upon the ruined wagon. Pray, could you spare us some aid with our slain friends?

[DukeofTuring]

Marcus follows Ollona's lead, also checking to see what state everyone is in.

 

Dice Roll:

1d20+9

(4)+9

Total = 13

Marcus nods towards the Knight in response to his greeting. "Of course we could help. Marcus Brandt, priest of Sigmar" he says, paying particular attention to the body with the symbols of Sigmar. "Is there anyone else inside the wagon, or were there just the five of you? And did this have anything to do with bandits?"

[KronosWarrior]

Drognan picks himself up off the ground again, feeling less dazed than before. Walking over to Lunigen and the members of the group, caressing one of the bruises on his side, he introduces himself. "Greetings Marcus and you other travelers, my name is Drognan Fandril." The raven on his head tilts her head at the Elf and flaps her wings happily. "We cannot tell you if it was bandits or some other party wished us harm, however," Drognan turns his attention to Marcus, "I'm fairly certain they did not wish your fellow warrior priest to arrive at our destination." He points back to the impaled man with the symbols of Sigmar.

Sylvia poked Drognan on the head with her beak to get his attention. "Yes, what is it?" he muttered reaching to take her into his hand. Sylvia hopped into his other hand, in which he was grasping the artifact. "Oh of course, thank you for reminding me." She caws and hops her way back up to the top of his head. Drognan holds out an artifact, a portrait. "Our fallen friend needed to deliver this to the Church of Sigmar in Middenheim when we were ambushed, do you perhaps know what this is?"

Drognan edges closer to Lunigen and whispers, (in Breton) "How are you holding up with the sunlight, friend?"

[punkrockguy]

Opening his eyes at the sound of movement as he slowly regained conciousness Grimnash scans the area, taking everything in with his stern glare which is still slightly blurred, Drognan and Lunigen seemed to be conversing, about what Grimnash had no idea. Brushing himself off as he stands, Grimnash shakes his head growling(In Khazalid) "Ruthgad Raggar!" as he momentarily slips into his own tongue as he curses.

As the other two stop talking for a moment Grimash looks up and catches sight of the oncoming group. Quickly readying his sheild infront of himself he steps in front of his newish companions and growls a warning "State who you are before you come any closer, I'm Grimnash Irontooth, Runesmith of Karak-Kadrin."

Relaxing slightly as one of the newcomers introduces himself as a preist of Sigmar Grimnash realises there is a Slayer amoung the newcomers, He speaks directly to the dwarf (In Khazalid) "Gragash nigrago fognish rakaz, grakar nakrak."

[Quadra Wield]

Holly, walks slowly behind her companions heading towards the caravan. Suspicious of the downed caravan, as it might be a trap set by the bandits, Holly checks her surroundings and maintains a hand on the butt of her pistol.

 

Dice Perception:

d20+6

(16)+6

Total = 22

She walks to the caravan, and after Marcus introduces himself she says, "And I am Holly Hold, we are out here to take care of the bandits."

[DukeofTuring]

Marcus looks irritated and frustrated when he realizes that he has gained another traveling companion who talks to their pet in public as if it were another person. He does, however, quickly return his facial expression to a polite neutral look and accepts the portrait. "I've never been to that particular temple, but I would be honored to deliver this relic, if that was the wish of your late friend. Just let me take a look at this for a minute."

 

Knowledge Religion/Nobility Check, whichever is appropriate (same modifiers)

Dice Roll:

1d20+5

(13)+5

Total = 18

Marcus is lost in thought for a moment, looking at the artifact. He then looks over and examines the body of the dead priest.

 

WIS Check, to see if I recognize anything about him

Dice Roll:

1d20+5

(13)+5

Total = 18

[darthcharon]

OOC Just posting secret responses to several dice rolls, just ignore this (unless you see something below, in which case read on)

[dbaque]

Lunigen's cool polite smile warms at the offer of help. He gives a slight nod. You are most kind. I am sure that your brother cleric and our other companion would be most grateful. But, to your question, no, it was only we five traveling together.
As Drognan told you, we know not who struck at us. It was night, and our assailants struck unseen, leaving only their quarrels as evidence. He turns to Holly. They may be the bandits you are seeking, huntress, or they may be long gone. This attack would seem strange for bandits though. Our assailants struck as assassins with swift death, not with force and intimidation as robbers are wont. Moreover, there seems not to have been any looting of our wreckage. All in all, most strange.

At Drognan's question, Lunigen whispers back: (in Breton) Thank you for your concern, friend, but it is only a bother; you needn't worry so.

Lunigen once again addresses the new arrivals. However, beyond a proper burial, our once companions would best be served with justice against their murderers. Friends, can you tell us of these bandits you hunt, and what brings you to hunt them? His countenance takes on a grim aspect. If they be our quarry, they shall answer for this blood, and no more of it shall they spill.

Lunigen moves with Marcus towards the wreckage. He winces ever so slightly at the profuse blood on the bodies. Giving Marcus an opportunity to examine his dead compatriot, he then accepts Marcus' offer of help and (holding his breath to avoid the scent of blood) with him carefully lifts the bodies from the wreckage, laying them gently on the ground, whispering a short Breton prayer for their souls.

[Quadra Wield]

Holly ignores all the foreign languages being thrown around, and decides to just focus on the paladin's question.

"I'm afraid we are under oath to not discuss the details of our job." Holly frowns "But if all of you want to help, I suppose we could divulge some details on the bandits and our grievances with them."

Holly didn't want to betray the trust of her employer, but if they were going to help them fight the bandits, she wanted to make sure that her new companions didn't accidentally kill the girl they were trying to save either. Holly moves over to the caravan master's body and examines the three bolts in his neck.

"These crossbow bolts, they're strange, I don't believe they were fired by humans. They seem too small and...different... has anyone seen these sorts of bolts before?"

Holly then starts walking towards where the blacksmith's tracks were, she turns her head back towards the party and says,"Well I'm going to go after the bandits, if anyone wants to help, follow me."

Holly sighs and whispers to herself, "I've already wasted too many days here."

[punkrockguy]

Already warming to the group as they talk about killing the bandits that attacked him Grimnash raises his rune encrusted dwarven waraxe above his head as he moves over to Holly, "You'd have to tie me to a tree to stop me from going after them bandits, i'm certainly in, and the others will be too I dare say" he bellows giving his axe arm a few practice swings to loosen it up after the ambush.

[DukeofTuring]

"It's a portrait of Sigmar himself, blessings onto him. A rather old one at that." Marcus says suprisedly out loud to nobody in particular. He puts the artifact in a safe place in his backpack.

Marcus busies himself removing the bodies from the wreckage and laying them out with Lunigen. He also searches the late priests body, with an eye towards any writing or unusual possessions, but not taking anything else. "Did you know the late man's name?" he says to Lunigen. "The priest, or I suppose the other dead man too if you know that."

Marcus listens in respectful silence to Lunigen's prayer, then raises his holy symbol in his right hand and begins some prayers of his own. "Sigmar Heldenhammer, first and last emperor, protector of mankind, lay to rest your fallen children this day. Forgive your faithful any trespasses made in error, but damn the most faithless souls to the chaos that they have earned. Gather your fallen children up to be judged, and bring those you deem worthy to your great halls beyond this world, where you may reward them for their tireless service and where they may continue to serve you. Blessings and glory to Sigmar."

Marcus pauses and releases his holy symbol, then continues. "Morr, father of death, keeper of things beyond, gather up the souls of the lost from their ruined bodies and let them know peace in your gray embrace. Blessings to Morr." Marcus then observes a period of respectful silence before the bodies.

Turning back to the main group, Marcus waits for a pause in the general conversation before clearing his throat and interrupting. "If the dead and injured have been tended to, I think we should continue on towards the bandits. Anyone who accompanies us," he says with a gesture towards the new arrivals, "will get an equal share of the rewards if they follow orders and aid us in our task. Which, as Holly mentioned, we cannot discuss in detail. We should be back in town before nightfall, and we can pick up the bodies and return with them for a proper burial when we are done with our work out here." He looks towards the enlarged group for a response.