Fyodor Fyodoreski
player, 80 posts
SB: 3, TB:3 Armor:1
W:10/10
Mon 22 Nov 2021
at 23:46 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the Drakwald"Good Da?" the Kislivite says with a big smile while urging Pieter to take another swig.
"Two!" he says holding up two fingers. "Cure all."
|
Jocelin Herzog
player, 75 posts
Apprentice Wizard
Tue 23 Nov 2021
at 04:06 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldJocelin stepped out from the tent and gave a cheerful wave to the sullen men sitting around the campfire, and walked with her small pitcher towards the stream nearby for some fresh water - some for tea, some to wash her face and hands.
After freshening up for some time, aided by some fragrant herbs Granny Moescher had been willing to part with in their otherwise unproductive conversation the night before. At least, she thought, they understood one another better.
Dressed properly for the day's journey, the wizard approached the men preparing to journey with a greeting. When she saw the pendant pass between Pieter and Lukas she said, "Ha. I didn't think Luciana was the careless type. Where did she drop it?"
|
Pieter Marik
player, 70 posts
Ostermarker Outlaw
Tue 23 Nov 2021
at 14:16 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldOOC: @Jocelin, you would have seen Pieter claim the pendant from Luciana's bedroll, not be handed to him by Lukas; there is no sign of either her or Gunther. It was their bedrolls that Pieter asked Lukas to distribute to the needy
Shaking his head at a second slug of the kvas, Pieter handed the flask back, muttering to the Norscan something about keeping some pains to remind oneself. He was still pale, his expression somber as he offered an explanation, "She and Gunther went to work for Morr in the night. Perhaps if she had remembered this it might have turned out better"
With the gathering crowd, his eyes began to become more hooded and wary
|
Game Master
GM, 164 posts
Tue 23 Nov 2021
at 14:28 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the Drakwaldooc: Jocelin would instantly have recognised the pendant (an 'X' stamped on metal) as a common good luck charm most popular among devotees of the trickster god Ranald.
|
Jocelin Herzog
player, 76 posts
Apprentice Wizard
Tue 23 Nov 2021
at 14:29 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldThe smile remained on the wizard’s face but there was only shock and worry in her eyes. “I’m sorry… what do you mean she ‘went to work for Morr’?” She began to look around the camp for the Southerner.
|
Pieter Marik
player, 71 posts
Ostermarker Outlaw
Tue 23 Nov 2021
at 15:12 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldPieter took a breath, exhaled. After a moment he met the wizard's eyes, "She's dead, Gunther too"
|
Jocelin Herzog
player, 77 posts
Apprentice Wizard
Tue 23 Nov 2021
at 16:26 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldThe smile completely dropped and shock remained.
“W-w-when? Where? … Why?!”
OOC:
IC Jocelin is curious.
OOC so am I. Telling a terse story to J is fine RP, but DM would you fill me in on what’s been happening in another thread since September?
|
Fyodor Fyodoreski
player, 81 posts
SB: 3, TB:3 Armor:1
W:10/10
Tue 23 Nov 2021
at 16:50 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldThe Kislevite hadnt inquired about the missing two friends since he suspected they had a reason to leave. But when Pieter revealed they had died his curiosity got piqued.
"Dead?" he asked perplexed.
|
Pieter Marik
player, 72 posts
Ostermarker Outlaw
Tue 23 Nov 2021
at 17:29 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the Drakwald"Aye", exhaled the Ostlander, trying to read the faces of those now gathered round the remnants of the small fire. His eyes flicked to where Captain Schiller and Father Dietrich held sway over the villages and refugees, ready to cease his account if they ambled to close
"We came chasing after stories", he began, "Luciana and Gunther and I. Stories about ... about a Bandit Queen who fled to these parts... So we snuck out last night... And ... well, we found her and her tomb"
He shifted uncomfortably, "By whatever fell means, she wasn't ... She ... She ... rose, and killed them both. And I ran, for my life"
|
Harkrin 'Klinka'
player, 68 posts
Dwarf
Ex-Convict
Tue 23 Nov 2021
at 17:54 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldHarkrin wanted to add something about fools wandering into forests full of elves and beastmen at night, but this time he decided to keep his thoughts to himself. All he did was to shake his head in disbelief at human greed - or foolishness.
|
Lukas Kohl
player, 94 posts
Human, Charcoal Burner
Wounds 10 / 10
Wed 24 Nov 2021
at 12:23 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the Drakwald"He's talking about Elke Kleiber, the Queen of the Drakwald," Lukas said in confirmation nodding, assuming everyone knew about her and her stories, before glancing around the camp. It was probably not a good idea to talk about her in a loud voice around the people of Untergard because her name still inspired fear, and adulation in people around these parts.
After meeting blank looks, and realising that dwarves, Northmen and people from the big cities may not always know the legends of a place he filled in a few gaps. "Why do you think so many people are afraid of the Drakwald? Before the Beastmen there was something far more terrible. The Queen of the Drakwald ruled these parts with her men. She'd rob any one, whether peddlar or merchant. Half the stories about monsters in the Drakwald stem from her reign, and her infamy changing tale to tale. She'd never been captured, but legend has it one day her banditry just stopped.
Some say she died of old age, some that she retired to a Convent of Shallya and repented her sins and distributed her wealth. Others say she turned to dark powers and there are many other variations of this..."
Lukas could have told the group to ask anyone from Untergard about Elke Kleiber and everyone would tell the truth but there would be fifty or more different stories.
"Sounds like she's not dead anymore...not really..."
Lukas shivered at the thought of the Bandit Queen rising from the dead and reinstating her reign - as if they didn't have enough problems...
|
Fyodor Fyodoreski
player, 82 posts
SB: 3, TB:3 Armor:1
W:10/10
Wed 24 Nov 2021
at 17:38 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the Drakwald"Everywhere evil. We take villagers to Middenheim. Come back. Take care of Queen, da?" Fyodor said after taking a big swig of the kvas. Some versions kvas itself was rumored to provide supernatural powers in form of bravery and in some cases invulnerability for a short period of time.
|
Jocelin Herzog
player, 78 posts
Apprentice Wizard
Wed 24 Nov 2021
at 17:47 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldJocelin took a moment to process what she’d heard and say down next to Pieter, putting her arm around his waist and her other hand on his. “Oh you poor thing! I know how intense it can be, these encounters with the… Other Wind,” she finished, not wanting to name it. “It always stains us, but it need not corrupt us, if we remain steadfast and pure!”
At Fyodor’s suggestion she nodded, but said, “There are some in Middenheim who can help; we should seek them first.”
|
Lukas Kohl
player, 95 posts
Human, Charcoal Burner
Wounds 10 / 10
Wed 24 Nov 2021
at 19:58 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the Drakwald"Middenheim first," Lukas confirmed to the Northman and the wizard. Despite this distraction there was still the small matter of the rampaging beastherd gaining on them with each passing hour. They needed to get the good people of Untergard and themselves behind the unassailable walls of Middenheim as soon as possible. Once the threat of the beastherd had been obliterated then they could consider what to do about once thought dead Bandit Queens...
|
Pieter Marik
player, 74 posts
Ostermarker Outlaw
Wed 24 Nov 2021
at 20:02 | Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldStruggling to mask his surprise at the ... support ... he was seeing, Pieter slumped back to his seat, remaining there when Jocelin sat next to him and Lukas affirmed their destination. After a moment he shrugged off his pack and unwrapped the rags on the bundle he had slung beside his bedroll and his bag. Beneath was a blade, a king's blade - or, more rightly, a queen's. It was three-and-a-half feet long, strikingly beautiful, and made from bluish steel with a long tapering blade and a fine delicate grip and rounded pommel, encased within an equally fine scabbard.
He sighed, taking a moment to meet everyone's eye, "When I fled her, the corpse-wight that once might have been Elke, I had this in my hand. It seems unsafe to throw it away, and so I will carry it. I claim it, through the blood of my-" and he struggled for a moment "-my friends. But I will forge my own path if you think its presence, or mine, endangers these folk. Regardless, it seems I must aim for Middenheim and I would prefer to do so in the company of ... friends"
"As for taking care of her", he continued, softer and fearful, "She ripped through Luciana and Gunther in a moment; I was paralyzed with fear and fled... and I am a man who has lived on the outskirts of the Empire's rule fearlessly for many years"
Whilst he did not say the word 'outlaw', his own past was clear, at that moment.
|
Fyodor Fyodoreski
player, 83 posts
SB: 3, TB:3 Armor:1
W:10/10
Wed 24 Nov 2021
at 22:55 | Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldFyodor whistles at the sight of the blade and nods approvingly. The warrior knew weapons and from the sight of it, this was a fine piece of handy work. Of course no blade was worth its steel until it had been tested in battle.
He pointed at the blade "Bandit queen blade? You go to woods to look for that?"
|
Game Master
GM, 165 posts
Wed 24 Nov 2021
at 22:58 | Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldThe sword was indeed striking, and to most of you of unfamiliar design: 
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:58, Wed 24 Nov 2021.
|
Jocelin Herzog
player, 79 posts
Apprentice Wizard
Wed 24 Nov 2021
at 23:42 | Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldJocelin withdrew her hands from him when Pieter displayed the blade — many curses traveled through such items from wielder to unsuspecting wielder. Positioning her hands and fingers just so she closed her eyes and opened them again, gleaming, her hair and robes unweighting by an unseen updrafting breeze. Scrutinizing the sword she sighed in relief, and blinking the light of her eyes dimmed and the breeze ceased.
Jocelin’s hand again rested on Pieter’s shoulder. “Bear this sword in their name and memory. It is free of taint, and imbued by interwoven strands with powers I can’t clearly read.” She laughed. “It was foolishness how you came by it, Pieter, but a lucky fool you are, I guess.”
|
Lukas Kohl
player, 96 posts
Human, Charcoal Burner
Wounds 10 / 10
Thu 25 Nov 2021
at 20:43 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the Drakwald"Pieter, I told you I owed you, Gunther and Luciana my life after you saved me, and I know you said my debt was paid. But once a life is saved that life is a friend for the rest of his days. So come with us, to Middenheim and yes, as friends."
It was the unlikeliest of circumstances that they'd come together but whilst there was safety in numbers there was also camaraderie and support in a group of others. He cared little for their histories or their past - what mattered was the future.
All that aside, he was still glad when Jocelin seemed to intimate that the sword wasn't cursed. He just hoped Elke didn't want it back...
|
Pieter Marik
player, 75 posts
Ostermarker Outlaw
Thu 25 Nov 2021
at 21:18 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldRelieved at Jocelin’s pronouncement, Pieter cracked a smile at the camaraderie such by Lukas and Fyodor, “Let us hope she doesn’t want it, indeed”
He wrapped and sling the long sword once more, using the act to regain some of his personal space, “For now, let us move with the camp, before they leave us behind”
|
Harkrin 'Klinka'
player, 69 posts
Dwarf
Ex-Convict
Fri 26 Nov 2021
at 07:58 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the Drakwald"Leave the dead and death behind. But never forget about them." Harkrin offered and picked up his chisel to carve Pieter's and his companions' stories on the largest tree he could find around.
It was true humans were foolish and reckless, but the loss of two good fighters was always a loss, regardless of their other qualities. Hopefully Pieter would learn something from his experience and put that sword into some good use - cutting down elves and greenskins alike.
|
Game Master
GM, 167 posts
Sat 27 Nov 2021
at 22:51 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldThe morning passes without incident. Father Dietrich finishes his service and the Untergarders finish packing up their belongings for another slog of a day. Those picked for scouting slip ahead while the other able bodied guards take up position along the line.
Jocelin notices that Granny Moescher occasionally shoots glances in her direction. The old woman had been cagey the night before, but now there was something thoughtful in the manner she regarded the young wizardess. She looked like she was thinking something through even if she doesn't approach.
Edgar clambers aboard Nibbles. The pony seems content, having been snuck carrots by some of the children in the morning.
Fyodor Fyodoreski keeps an easy vigil at the rear of the convoy. The Kislevite keeps his eyes trained on the long road back in case any band of beastmen and mutants had started following them.
Pieter, Lukas and Harkrin find themselves in the middle of the mass of refugees, mingling with the locals. The surly dwarf has few friends among the 'civilians' and Pieter from Ostermark (a place as exotic as Lustria to most of the survivors) fairs little better but Lukas has an easier time surrounded by his neighbours.
The forest is dark and oppressive, but quiet, like a calm before a storm. Midafternoon the scouts return to the caravan with grim tidings. At a crossroads up ahead there is the remains of an ambush and the road is choked with bodies. The corpses and wreckage will have to be cleared before the caravan can continue on its way.
Captain Schiller calls a halt: "Right, I want a group of able men and women ahead to clear the blockage. Any volunteers?"
The old soldier's shrewd gaze seems to alight on each of you. Clearly he wants people who can fight in case there is more to this than just moving dead bodies
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:33, Sun 28 Nov 2021.
|
Pieter Marik
player, 76 posts
Ostermarker Outlaw
Sun 28 Nov 2021
at 08:39 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldIt suits Pieter's mood to travel with the huddled mass of the refugees, one sorrowful soul trudging anonymously besides so many others. It suits his temperament that his companions are nothing like those he has left behind as corpses - the dwarf's surly nature and the charcoal burner's honesty providing few reminders of Luciana's feistiness or Gunther's bookish stoicism. It suits his troubled mind to have a little time to reflect upon his own terror, though only a little and certain worries have begun to gnaw at him by the time the Captain asks for volunteers to clear the dead.
With a glance to Lukas and Hakrin, he steps forward, a single nod before he winds past the man. No words are needed for this task, not when his courage is in need of shoring up. He knows he must face the dead once more, but perhaps these will stay where they lie until he lays them to rest
|
Jocelin Herzog
player, 80 posts
Apprentice Wizard
Sun 28 Nov 2021
at 16:16 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the DrakwaldSlightly nodding her head to the Captain, Jocelin carries on forward towards the crossroads. As she walked her clothes and hair took on a momentary weightlessness, before settling down again: mundane threats perhaps, but she sensed no magical danger. And besides, there might yet be those clinging to life among the carnage.
|
Lukas Kohl
player, 97 posts
Human, Charcoal Burner
Wounds 10 / 10
Sun 28 Nov 2021
at 20:25 | Re: Paths of the Damned - Prologue: Through the Drakwald"I'll go Captain," said Lukas willingly. Feeling he was still on 'borrowed time' he felt it important to support Captain Schiller and the townsfolk. Glad that Pieter and Jocelin had volunteered he felt a little grateful in the safety of numbers.
"Probably want to take it slow around here and keep our eyes and ears about us," he said. He didn't particularly fancy falling off a bridge again and he was still very wary about what happened the last time he had met mutants in battle. The road was definitely the safest place to be in times like these but it didn't really mean anything in the big scheme of things.
(OOC: How close are we to the crossroads? From our place in the group can we easily see what has happened or what the damage looks like? Once they get nearer to the site Lukas will be walking cautiously, looking and listening for any signs of an ambush.)
|
Dice Roller|
Game Info|
The Cast