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13:24, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 2: The Border Principalities.

Posted by ChanceFor group archive 1
Chance
GM, 286 posts
Tue 19 Mar 2013
at 14:12
  • msg #1

Chapter 2: The Border Principalities

In the center of the city, nestled away from the cheering crowds sat the palace. The whole area would have been surprisingly quiet had it not been for Bjorn and his angry mob. As the warrior priest approached, two well armed knights barred his path at the Mayor's house.

"Hold here priest, I will not have you bringing angry mobs to the Mayor's door. You-"

Here he was interrupted by a man, the mayor, decked out in truly archaic armor, leaning out of an upstairs window and shouting down. "What is the meaning of this?! why are you attacking me when the orcs are at our very door?"
Bjorn Jorgensen
player, 244 posts
Human
Warrior Priest of Sigmar
Tue 19 Mar 2013
at 17:40
  • msg #2

Re: Chapter 2: The Border Principalities

"You abandoned your citizens to their graves and still demand answers from me? No! You will answer me. Where is the apostate witch huntress, Benedikta? I will have her pay for her crimes. If you relinquish her to our judgment, we have no quarrels with you. If you do not, I hold every man inside as culpable and will take this palace myself. You don't want to die, now, do? You can live out the rest of your life known as The Man Who Abandoned Akendorf. We have saved your city. Now tell us: where is she? WHERE IS BENEDIKTA?!

10:34, Today: Bjorn Jorgensen rolled 9 using 3d6. Intimidation 14.
     That includes +1 for Callous. Success by 5 plus whatever bonuses you think appropriate for the displays of strength, bloodthirstiness, and threats of violence, the size and fanaticism of the angry mob, that we are covered in the blood of orcs, that we just saved the city despite being severely outnumbered (and despite Benedikta's naysaying), etc. :)

Chance
GM, 288 posts
Tue 19 Mar 2013
at 18:06
  • msg #3

Re: Chapter 2: The Border Principalities

The Lord Mayor fumbled and dropped a sword he had apparently been holding, and resting on the window ledge. It spun to the ground, and landed in an open barrel of water. Looking up from where it had fallen, he jabbered for a minute, before eventually becoming sensible.

"W-why she's with you lot! why would you be asking me? Right after you all left, I became very cross with that woman. So cross, in fact, that I sent her to the gate t-to fight and fall with you all. She begged me not to send her, pleaded and sobbed, but oh no. My mind was made up!"

"I hardened my heart and sent her right out. She paused only to gather her gear and to write..."


Here he disappeared inside for a moment, to emerge waiving a folded piece of paper. "To write her last confession and a 'goodbye' letter to her family. If I survived, I was going to send it to the Empire for her."

"Now, surely, you saw her there at the battle. She said she was going post-haste! Perhaps she fell and you didn't notice."

Nikolaas von Richtgraf
player, 197 posts
Tue 19 Mar 2013
at 20:34
  • msg #4

Re: Chapter 2: The Border Principalities

A steadily growing clamour approaches the Mayor's Manse as The Count winds toward the building followed a small parade of well-wishers, victorious defenders and their elated families. He is a picture of civil dignity, waving and smiling his ragged smile, but there is an air of uncertainty about him that the companions could pick out; it was obvious by now that he was more comfortable facing a horde of rampaging orcs than a crowd of cheerful revelers. His standard, taken by the musketeers, bobs along in the middle of the horde to rally celebrants as it once did soldiers, and Pip the Drummer boy - secretly drunk thanks to the efforts of celebrating warriors - adds a lively rhythm to the din.

He slows as he approaches the mansion, watching Bjorn and his followers shout their demands at the building's stone face, and grinned to himself; it had been so long since he was on the right side of a priest's wrath that he had forgotten what it looked like. With a cocky stride he comes up to the building, plunges his hand into the water barrel, and fishes out the Mayor's sword which he holds up to the contemptuous crowd. Saying nothing yet he tests the edge against his thumbnail and gives the blade a few test-swings, giving the weapon an appreciative nod. When he speaks, it is to the soldiers and men that fought.

"This is a fine sword, and fresh cleaned; how dearly we would have liked to have it with us, eh?"

Lowering the sword he smiles again, turning to face the building and sidling up to stand next to Bjorn, where his expression collapses into it's familiar dour cast as he listens to the mayor's explanations.

"Did she indeed, m'lord? Did she lead men against the threat, and stand among the shooters? Did she dash forth with spear and sword to save us all from a green tide? She must have done, for here we stand - here your people stand - alive, unspoiled, unconquered! Surely, we must owe this salvation to your bold leadership and the martial prowess of your favoured guardians, do we not? Come! Come down here, and tell us of the battle. You must have seen it much more clearly than any of us."

The Count was mocking the mayor, and in his mind he could hear the chiding scolds that Renate would be hissing into his ear; he had no skill at court, and no business addressing a man of status, coward though he is, with such baited disrespect. With a sense of guilt he ceased his tirade, swallowed hard, and changed his tone. Gone was the sarcasm, replaced with a dire stubbornness.

"Come down, m'lord. We have words."
Bjorn Jorgensen
player, 246 posts
Human
Warrior Priest of Sigmar
Tue 19 Mar 2013
at 20:34
  • msg #5

Re: Chapter 2: The Border Principalities

Bjorn's blood could have boiled out his ears. He paced as he considered the options. Turning to the crowd, he motioned for someone to help him up.

"Citizens of Akendorf! Enough blood has been spilled for this man's incompetance! You have fought long and hard! Return now to your wives and children! But may we never forget the glorious victory given us this day by Almighty Sigmar! If e'er again shall danger descend upon this city, Sigmar may once again require your services in battle! Do not depend on the Mayor and his men! Your names shall be e'er writ in history! You are the true protectors of Akendorf! May Sigmar bless you in your endeavors!"

Climbing down, he starts through the crowd and bids farewell to each of the men, thanking them personally for their service and encouraging them that eternal blessings await for those who serve Sigmar. Finally, he returns to the palace and, sheathing his weapon, requests an audience with the Mayor inside.

"I cannot rightly hold him responsible for Benedikta's witchery. I would speak to the Mayor, though, before we leave. I have a few precautions that I must recommend in case of future invasion. We will not always be here to save the city."
Chance
GM, 291 posts
Wed 20 Mar 2013
at 12:57
  • msg #6

Re: Chapter 2: The Border Principalities

At a questioning look from one of the knights, the Lord Mayor agreed. "Very well, come in. I would rather you insult me in private than in front of my beloved citizens."

The party will be ushered into the same audience chamber, much the same as they had left it but for a few extra armored knights. If they want, the group may check the shadows for any listeners.
Nikolaas von Richtgraf
player, 199 posts
Wed 20 Mar 2013
at 14:49
  • msg #7

Re: Chapter 2: The Border Principalities

When bid, the Count steps into the mayor's home, scowling at the guards that bar him and silently daring any one of them to suggest they relinquish their weapons. Ever suspicious these days, Nik nods Nigel and Grigory to keep their attention toward the shadows of the room.

He stands silently for now, waiting for the mayor to arrive and find his comfort before what promised to be a very difficult interview. When the mayor finally arrives, and before he can speak, the Count glares at him and interrupts.

"The letter. Give it here."

He approaches the seat without ceremony, snatching the parchment from his hands if need be (and possible) before walking backward to his line of companions; he holds the letter aside to Bjorn, never having taken his eyes from the miserable politician before him.

"Now: explain yourself."
Nigel Plaskitt
Player, 118 posts
Human
Brettonian Longbowman
Wed 20 Mar 2013
at 19:34
  • msg #8

Re: Chapter 2: The Border Principalities

Nigel takes a walk around the outskirts of the room, his weapons are away, but he is mentally preparing to fast draw his shortsword if he finds anyone in the shadows; if the chaos-addled fiend of a woman is found hiding, Nigel will put an end to her.
Bjorn Jorgensen
player, 248 posts
Human
Warrior Priest of Sigmar
Wed 20 Mar 2013
at 21:06
  • msg #9

Re: Chapter 2: The Border Principalities

The priest opens the letter.
Grigory
player, 162 posts
Former Rat-catcher
BS: 6.5 HP: 12 Ddg 9+2
Wed 20 Mar 2013
at 21:09
  • msg #10

Re: Chapter 2: The Border Principalities

Grigory keeps his hand near his blade, and keeps an eye on the room.
Chance
GM, 293 posts
Thu 21 Mar 2013
at 12:14
  • msg #11

Re: Chapter 2: The Border Principalities

Nigel and Grigory scan the room but turn up nothing out of the ordinary in the shadows. A few eavesdropping servants, a sleeping dog, and the like.

The Mayor runs his hand anxiously over his beard. "I-I admit that I was unfair to you, and that the Witch Huntress was far more foul than I had thought. But, can you really blame me? I was sure the city was lost, what else could I do but try and survive? People come across the pass constantly in the Spring and summer. I'm sure I don't need to tell you, Count Richtgraf, that peasants are replaceable."

"You seem to indicate, though, that Benedikta did not fight with you? I find it hard to believe that a sworn hunter like her would not be true to her word..."


He shifted in his seat again. "I owe you lot my life. Despite the insults you hurled at me outside I realize that, and I'm not sure how I can repay you. I can try though. Your cargo, the cloth, I'm willing to buy it at thrice the price you purchased it for. You're an honest man and I expect you will tell me, honestly, the figure."

As the mayor spoke, Bjorn opened the letter. The former opened his mouth to protest, but, decided better of it and continued to prattle on at Nikolaas. The contents of the document were sparse, to say the least.

I'm headed to Brovska. I trust I will see you there and maybe this time you won't think of some excuse to avoid a fight with me.
Bjorn Jorgensen
player, 251 posts
Human
Warrior Priest of Sigmar
Thu 21 Mar 2013
at 20:51
  • msg #12

Re: Chapter 2: The Border Principalities

"Your lack of faith disturbs me," says Bjorn. "Your people would not hesitate to fight and die for you if you would but show them their due respect. As their mayor, you are responsible for their well being. If you are not afforded the luxury of a small army, you should turn to your people to help defend their own city—their families! I am confident that you have eyes and ears ubiquitously established within your walls. Use those to help muster the courage of your citizens. As you have seen in this battle, complete strangers can lead ordinary people to victory, given the proper strategies.

"If the greenskins once again descend upon the city, first and foremost, you should have gates. What manner of foolishness has befallen you that you would remove the gates!? No thanks to your brilliant defenses, we managed to establish a barricade, but were there gates, we may not have lost the number that we did. Their blood is on your hands. While you have become obsessed with consumerism, you have abandoned vital defenses.

"Additionally, if such a dire situation were to befall you once more, the survival of the city depends on strong leadership. Consider using this tragedy to unite these people, foster that unity, and they will follow you to any end. Sigmar's grace shines upon those who would fight honorably, not hide in a holes like a rats. They need you on the battlefield. I expect better of one in such a position as yours."


Bjorn pauses for a moment, allowing his indignance to subside. "Now, there is the matter of how you might assist us, something for which we are grateful: Benedikta is a conniving fiend. Wherever ahead of us she goes, she will do anything to hinder us. She has sought our lives before and will do so again. If there be anything in your power that could assist us in avoiding her political traps, I would be forever in your debt. Though all within my company consider her our primary foe, I especially must deal with her evils, for she claims to be a Sigmarite like myself. Her atrocities are the taint of chaos itself within her heart, and I will see her brought to justice before it spreads throughout our order, even if it be the end of me. Is there any document that would be recognized by the authorities in the nearby regions that would aid us both to avoid her treachery and warn them that she cannot be trusted?"

13:47, Today: Bjorn Jorgensen rolled 12 using 3d6. Diplomacy 12.
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