S6E2 EIR- We All Must Make Sacrifices
PCs: Sister Agnes (Duane), elf Mor (Bill), Cavalryman Gary (Matt), ogre Ymath (Brian)
About to Depart Middenheim: Gary
applied and was accepted to the order of the Knight Panthers, “I swear to
Sigmar and Ulric my allegiance… unto death.” Agnes returned the axe from the
ghostly King Grimbrin Flintbeard of Karak Skagg to the dwarves. Mor repeated
lip-reading of the Knight Captain speaking to the Graf about the banner of
Carroburg, but Gary thought wisely not to bring it up as he just now an
initiate, “I’ll keep my ears close, but not now.”
Wagon’s Ho: The heroes rode near
Katarina’s carriage (brother, baron Henrich, also inside), accompanied by the
Knight captain Verian and 12 Knight Panthers (not counting Sir Gary), and of
course the Graf and Ar-Ulric in their own carriage. It was to be a 3-day
journey south to the Shining Rock to join with the Grand Theogonist in show
unity amongst the religions. Slow going along the way as they passed an
unending line of Sigmarite refugees fleeing south to Altdorf. The Graf was sad
at the sight and handed out rations. Agnes also provided what care she could.
On the 2nd day, the caravan ground to a halt.
“What’s the delay? Check it out.” The heroes rode forward to find Ulrician toll
men charging the refugees safe passage over a bridge. Sir Gary confronted the
men, “Do you have a permit?” They replied, “From the Ar-Ulric. A chance to
repay these Sigmarites for their years of unending slander against the wolf
legends.” Sir Gary mused, “From Ar-Ulric himself you say? Humm, did you know he
is in that wagon along with the Graf himself? Considering he is right this
minute feeding these people, do you think it wise to take advantage of his
people?” They packed up and left. Otherwise, they would have been hacked down.
Shining Rock: They arrived on the 3rd
day, turning off the road at the boulder marker (painted with the sign of Ulric
on the north, and the sign of Sigmar on the south [defaced]). Tents flying the
Altdorf banner were already erected near the shrine. The Graf’s caravan
followers set up tents nearby as the Middenheim Knight Panthers sought out
their Altdorfian Knight Panthers counterparts. Agnes noticed Yann who informed,
“Volkmar ‘The Grim’ (the High Capitulator) sent the others home. Wish he’s sent
me; not as much wine here. So, did the princess accept the offer of marriage?”
Agnes redirected the conversation, “These refugees… will they be accepted in
Altdorf?” The surplus directed to the river. Agnes silently wondered whether
for drowning or for sailing to distribute them. She asked, “Did the prince make
the trip?” Yann replied, “No, he is still in Castle Reikguard… studying.
Ubersreik… I’ve said too much.”
Gary found time to speak with captain Veiran Thugenheim, and
worked in the topic of the Carroburg banner. “We realize it a sore spot with
our Altdorf relations and thought to present it to the crown prince as a
peaceful gesture.” Gary commented on the Graf’s fair-minded reasoning, then
mentioned the toll-bridge incident. “Yes, the extremism of the Sons-of-Ulric is
over the top. But we Knights have sworn allegiance to both orders, sworn to
stay neutral. It would take an external threat to join them.” Gary asked, “You
mean the skaven threat isn’t enough?”
Agnes checked up on the princess Katarina who was excited to
be included in a delegation. “If the meeting goes well, maybe my
hand-in-marriage won’t be required.” Agnes mentioned she herself joined the
Shallya order because of a forced marriage. Which made the princess hope even
more the meeting a success.
As Agnes stepped back into the camp, she came across,
“Elvyra? The Herbalist from the Schaffenfest last year?” [episode S3E1-Salvage
Rights enroute to Weissbruck] “Didn’t we rescue you from a kidnapping?
Or should I call you Liza, who tried to leave the Thieves guild to abandon your
skill in poison?” Elvyra’s cheeks grew red from embarrassed memories, “I am now
the personal pharmacist for the Grand Theogonist. I now walk with nobles. I’ve
met the Emperor himself, but I must confess I’m not impressed. His court
doesn’t give him much respect. Even the Emperor’s Warhammer (holy relic) isn’t honored.
I’ve never met his son, the crown prince. Rumors he a mutant? That’s the first
I’ve heard of it.”
3pm ceremony: The Grand Theogonist, Volkmar,
and Ar-Ulric joined at the Shrine and began to talk in whispers. Mor read their
lips… not friendly tones but agreement gesture of unity needed. They nodded
then turned for their respective tents for quiet contemplation, with their
guards posted. Tension drew the heroes near also, except for Mor who thought
best to watch the unguarded Shrine, expecting someone to deface the rock (much
like the city thugs who threw shit at the carriages). Indeed, it wasn’t long
before his premonition manifested: the clash of swords prompted a call of
alarm, which drew others to the site. Where White-Wolf and Fiery-Heart panthers
dueled with padded blades while others made bets on the friendly sparing.
1am: While most retired for the night,
Mor stayed on watch, sure his premonition true. He rose at the sound of
wolf-men approaching the shrine, carrying buckets of something. Mor loosed an
arrow to force one man to lose grip… the bucket dropped, spilling the paint, for
them to yell, “Death to the Grand Theogonist!” Mor yelled alarm: Agnes rose and
charged forth while Sir Gary took time to don his armor. Katja loosed her dog
at the men and then mounted her horse to also give chase (along with Agnes and
Sir Gary) as the wolf-men broke and ran. Even Knight Panthers rode forth to
trample the men. Yet, it but a distraction as the real force of 20 Sons-of-Ulric
charged into the camp to attack those left behind.
1st Battle with Abstract Rules (target
30SL): Mor twanged arrows while Ymath waded into the berserker sons
with his club. At first the defenders seemed to gain ground, till
(complication) more Sons-of-Ulric arrived. But they were offset by the arrival
of the horsemen who had slain the stone defacers. Agnes swung her Warhammer
from horseback while Katja loosed crossbow bolts (missed). Sir Gary swung his
blade and reined his warhorse to trample another. Did they see Ymath
outnumbered such that his gut-plate armor hacked off?
[Keith
sure did roll a lot of critical 44s! Gary’s armor ignores odd crits. But most
crits were against Ymath without his gut armor. But we too rolled a lot of
defensive crits; and a few attacking crits.]
Ymath staggered backwards from another blow, momentarily
stunned. Gary almost amputated his foe’s leg. Now in melee, Mor swung his blade
and ruptured his foe’s leg tendon. Yet the Sons-of-Ulric raged as if
madmen/berserkers with their hatred for all things not Ulrician. (complication)
A Fiery-Heart Knight Panther fell near the end of battle as it so close… [29SL]. Mor critically
blocked his attacker [needed 2 wounds to kill him but only managed 1]. Gary
swung at his foe who critically blocked the attack, thus gut hit stunning the
newest panther. It was Agnes who killed the last of the foe to save the day! [30SL] When Ymath recognized
their leader as one of the White-Wolves who rode down with the Graf’s
contingent, the ogre shit on the man.
2nd Battle (target 40SL):
Yet the battle not over… more sounds of swords clashing rose from inside the
Priest’s Quarters. No time to heal or find replacement armor for those pieces
hacked away. The woman rabblerouser from the streets of Middenheim yelled
threats to Ar-Ulric, “Spineless! At least your brother showed control.” She
blocked Mor’s swing, “Tree fucker!” To Sir Gary, “Demon worshiper!” And Agnes,
“Pacifist!” Her followers poured forth thru the windows to come to her aid. She
a more-than capable fighter (89 melee). Katja critically blocked her attacker,
causing him to bleed out. Mor managed to hack off a piece of the woman’s armor.
Gary sliced another who began to bleed. Agnes ruptured the leg tendon of her
foe and then
stood over him to deliver a coup-de-grâce.
And yet the foe swung back… hard. Ymath was cornered,
fighting for his life. Gary had to step out of the fight to stop his own
bleeding, as Agnes too busy dealing with her attackers: almost decapitating the
man who quickly bled out. (complication) An axe thrown at Katja, hitting her in
the body. Mor slashed his foe who managed to get in a lucky (crit)
counter-smash to the elf’s leg (twisted ankle). At least Agnes saw the ogre’s
plight. While she couldn’t reach him, she ‘blessed’ him with ‘martyr’ such that she
received his wounds instead. Fortunate timing as Ymath hit in the leg by his
foe… damage that would have dropped the ogre. [26SL]
But they fought on. Mor had to hobble against his two foe.
Agnes staggered from wounds…delivered against Ymath. Her own attacker sliced
off a piece of her armor. Ymath pummeled first one then another foe. And the
other defenders held their ground and even won back some. [31SL] The ranks of the
enemy thinned enough that the tide turned. One at a time they dropped…[32SL] [33SL] [35SL] Till 2 attackers
managed to sneak in fearsome hits on Mor, who staggered from a dislocated knee.
Ymath seemed to have gained his 2nd wind; so, Agnes chose to pray
once more, blessing Mor with ‘martyr’. But in the end, the other defenders swayed the
night… [40SL].
Agnes gathered her breath to heal herself first before
kneeling beside each of her allies to heal their wounds. “Pop.” She reset Mor’s
knee. The elf at least able to walk… he grit his teeth at the pain as he needed
further healing over many days. And in the background, the Grand Theogonist and
Ar-Ulric tended the other troops. But it was easy to hear grumbling from the
Altdorf delegation, “What can you expect from those northerners.” Agnes tried
to reason, “Do not blame all. Did you not see most of them fighting alongside
you? One of their Knights gave his life defending you!”
7am: Forget sleep. The Altdorf
delegation packed and started to head out. In a show of good faith, Agnes
stepped forward to help clean their campsite.
As the Altdorf delegation departed, baron Heinrich
approached the heroes with his own request. “If we are to heal the rift in the
empire, we must all make sacrifices. But tell me, there are a lot of rumors
about the crown prince being a mutant. Have you heard such?” Mor had no
compunctions about saying so. Sir Gary was more diplomatic, “They are but
rumors my lord. Just like rumors against your father and your sickly brother.
Proof is in the beholding.”
Heinrich smiled, “Well said, sir Knight. That is why I wish
to impose on you and your Agnes’ Orphans. My sister and I would like you
to travel to Castle Reikguard and deliver news of Katarina’s acceptance of his
proposed marriage. But I also ask you spend time with the man to get a measure
of him. Did he have anything to do with this Mutant Edict or the Ubersreik takeover?
What sort of ruler does he plan to be? Most importantly, why does he ask for my
sister’s hand? Surely he knows she a bastard child like myself. When you’ve
gathered info information, you can find us in Altdorf at the Helstein Manor in
Mauerblumchen.”
Next Session: S6E3 EIR- Nine Eyes (rigglewwh.blogspot.com)
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