Through the Drakwald- Chap 1 ICC

[Bitter_Dice]

The characters are in the town of Drakwald, brought here by the circumstances of war. How each got to Untergard is a story known only to themselves. The small town was important in the war due to the strategic location of the town's bridge. Khazrak, the most powerful Beastman warlord of the Drakwald and the arch nemesis of Count Todbringer,* led a surprise night time attack against Untergard. Khazrak’s Beastmen assailed the walls, broke inside, and completely overran the eastern half of town. The defenders rallied at the bridge, however, and a nine-day battle for Untergard ensued. Thousands of Imperial troops and Dwarf allies reinforced the town and the bridge became a scene of unbelievable carnage. Stymied, Khazrak destroyed the eastern half of town and took his forces north. The focus of the campaign soon shifted to Middenheim itself and Untergard seemed safe. Regiment after regiment was called away from Untergard to strengthen Imperial forces elsewhere.

The survivors began to rebuild. The eastern half of town was so thoroughly destroyed that it had to be temporarily abandoned. Untergard natives, plus many refugees from even less fortunate settlements, went to work in the ruins. The task of burying the dead took weeks and the rotting corpses caused a contagion that further reduced the survivors’ numbers.

The population of Untergard is currently around 75 people, mostly Peasants and Burghers. All able-bodied residents are expected to contribute to the town’s defence, standing guard duty on the town walls and the river-front palisade for a few hours a day in addition to their normal activities. The town is effectively under martial law, run by Gerhard Schiller, the Captain of the Watch.

* Count Boris Todbringer, Graf of Middenland

[LtTibbles]

Oddome Ramberg silently cursed his luck as he performed his guard duties at the "insistence" of the Captain Gerhard's men. Even though he wasn't one of the soldiers that had fought in the nine day battle he felt exhausted, the thought of the beastmen returning haunted his dreams when he tried to rest and standing up on the wall praying to not see a warherd charging toward the town just made matters worse for him in his own mind. "How much longer until our replacements relieve us?" He asked wistfully into the sky.

[Quetzal]

Olga Wombsplitter

Olga awakens to a sound she has not heard in several days: silence. The rainstorms have finally broken. She rubs the sleep from her eyes and pushes open the door, or what's left of it, to her ruined shelter in the unfortunate eastern part of town and steps outside. "Sunshine", she mutters to herself and stretches as she basks in its warmth. The silence is quickly broken by a loud rumble, which turns out to just be her stomach. She heads west in hopes of acquiring something to quiet it.

As she walks another rumble begins to fill her ears, this time one of loud shouts and other commotion. "Have the invaders returned?!?!", she wonders in a moment of panic. She quickly realizes that the sounds are coming from the ackerplatz, and don't seem to be those of a battle. Something important, however, she surmises. Curiosity gets the better of her and she heads in that direction.

[Bitter_Dice]

"How much longer until our replacements relieve us?"[/dialog] He asked wistfully into the sky.

Slender as a reed with a head of long lanky grey hair, Henne suddenly shows up with surprsingly timing. Formerly a gameskeeper, the old man had served as an archer during the nine-day fight over Untergard. He's got another archer in tow. "Oddome, our shift's over. Here's your replacment."

As they make their way off the wall, Henne points out to the other end of town, where the old bridge is. "There's a commotion over at the plaza. Come along wi' me? I'd like to see what the ruckus is all about 'fore we get a nip at the tavern."

[Bitter_Dice]

Olga Wombsplitter

Olga awakens to a sound she has not heard in several days: silence. The rainstorms have finally broken. She rubs the sleep from her eyes and pushes open the door, or what's left of it, to her ruined shelter in the unfortunate eastern part of town and steps outside. "Sunshine", she mutters to herself and stretches as she basks in its warmth. The silence is quickly broken by a loud rumble, which turns out to just be her stomach. She heads west in hopes of acquiring something to quiet it.

As she walks another rumble begins to fill her ears, this time one of loud shouts and other commotion. "Have the invaders returned?!?!", she wonders in a moment of panic. She quickly realizes that the sounds are coming from the ackerplatz, and don't seem to be those of a battle. Something important, however, she surmises. Curiosity gets the better of her and she heads in that direction.

A figure steps out from under the shadow of a ruined wall. Of average height yet thick in the shoulders and arms with muscle, the man you know as Tannhauser looks at you with a pair of weary ice blue eyes. He's a ruggedly handsome man with a strong jaw and ash white hair. A sword hangs from his belt, his shield slung over one shoulder. You understand he's a mercenary, or was, or maybe still is. His company of mercenaries was all but wiped out in the fighting and spent a few days after drinking himself blind. That's how you met, drinking in a war damaged tavern. You also met Oddome and that old man with a bow, Henne, at the same table. Birds of a feather and all that...

"I wondered where you lay your head at night," Tannhauser spoke before taking a swig from a small jug. "Something's up at the plaza, but I'm sure you've heard the commotion."

[LtTibbles]

Oddome nods "Sure thing, maybe it'll be some good news." He had his doubts though.

[Quetzal]

"I wondered where you lay your head at night," Tannhauser spoke before taking a swig from a small jug. "Something's up at the plaza, but I'm sure you've heard the commotion."

Olga Wombsplitter

"Hail, Tannhauser. Yes, it would seem that my curiosity has won out over my hunger and I was headed in that direction. You may tag along if you'd like." She adjusts a strap on the harness for her wooden foot and continues on towards the ackerplatz.

[Bitter_Dice]

Most of the 75 survivors of Untergard have already gathered in the decrepit town square, and are muttering restlessly to one another. Many still nurse battle wounds; whilst others are clearly too old or young to have taken place in the fighting. All are ragged and pale, and some are clearly pinched by hunger. Off to the east is the bridge and more ruined buildings further beyond.

As you finally wander into the plaza, there is much talk and speculation about what is going on, but the common gossip is that Captain Schiller is going to make an announcement. The four of you meet.

OOC: Please give me a rough indication of where your characters will be standing.

[Quetzal]

We meet in the southeast corner of the acherplatz, exchange pleasantries, and grumble about what is causing all of the commotion.

[Bitter_Dice]

OOC: Just to clarify, no one lives or has business on the east side of the bridge. Everything is west of it, where you two and comrades are at the moment.

As you collect at the southeast of the square, you hear rumors flying.

Oddome, you hear that rats the size of men feasted on the dead in Grimminhagen.

Olga, you hear a rumor that Count Boris Todbringer of Middenheim has offered a 10,000 Gold Crown bounty on the head of Khazrak One-eye, the Beastman warlord whose forces ravaged Untergard. Khazrak and Todbringer have been bitter enemies for many years.

A ripple runs through the crowd as Captain Schiller
appears. One of his watchmen sets up a box for him to stand
on. He mounts it spryly for a man of his age. Though his
uniform is torn and his armour dented, Captain Schiller still
commands the respect of the crowd. He only needs to motion
once before the crowd quiets down.

“People of Untergard” he begins, “this is a glorious day. I
have received a letter from Count Todbringer of Middenheim.
The old wolf still lives and the city of Middenheim also stands
strong!”

The crowd cheers and once again Schiller must motion
for silence.

“Count Todbringer sends his thanks to all of Untergard
for the part we played in hampering the invaders. He said,
and I quote, ‘the battle for the Untergard Bridge will go
down as one of the most glorious battles in Middenland’s
history.’ Be proud, people of Untergard, for our sacrifices have
not been in vain!”

When the cheers die down, Schiller continues. “To show
his gratitude for our valour, the Count has sent us a token of
his appreciation.” The captain reaches into a bag and pulls
out a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine. “We were honoured
to receive thirty loaves of bread and a dozen bottles of wine,
straight from Middenheim.”

The crowd goes wild at the sight of the Count’s largesse,
hungry eyes fixed on the fresh bread in the Captain’s hands.
They begin to chant, “Long live the Count! Long live the
Count!” Schiller holds bread and wine high in the air as the
hardened survivors of Untergard shout themselves hoarse.
Suddenly, there is a loud crack and the bottle shatters,
showering Schiller and the bread with glass and wine!

Pandemonium erupts as the crowd scatters in panic.

OOC: Make a perception check. Post your rolls.

[LtTibbles]

Oddom's cheers abrubtly stop as the loud crack causes him to yelp and instinctively duck his head. As the crowd starts to panic he tries to keep himself from being trampled while he looks for where the shot had originated.

Perception = 44 Roll: [1d100] = 18

[Quetzal]

Perception = 41 roll: [1d100] = 58

Olga, her mind on other things, is slow to raeact to the sudden change of events.

[Bitter_Dice]

As the sound of the shot echoes in the air, it is drowned out by the screams and cries of the people scattering around you. Pandemonium has erupted within the square!

Olga, the noise is just too much for you as you whirl about, eyes searching...

Despite his years and to his utter surprise, Oddom's eyes and ears do not deceive him. The shot came from across the bridge, probably coming from the ruined coaching station on the eastern side of the bridge. You see four hideous...things...coming across the bridge. It is hard to believe, but it is clear they were once human yet now twisted and damned by Chaos. One has tentacles instead of arms, the second has horns and thick fur, the third has a pig-like snout, and the fourth has a third eye in the middle of his forehead. They are dressed in filthy rags and armed with clubs. As they get closer, you can seethe hatred that burns in their eyes.

Henne, the old woodsman, sees them too and his face blanches. His hand moves, makes the gesture of the cross before reaching for an arrow. "Damn, they're ugly," Tannhauser mutters grimly, dropping the shield down from the back of his shoulder before drawing the sword at his waist.

You are just a few yards SW of the bridge. Anyone wishing to do a missile attack can do so now, others may move into position.

[LtTibbles]

Oddome points across the bridge and shouts, "Mutants!" They're coming from across the bridge!" With that he rushes to the southern post of the bridge and takes cover retriving a throwing dagger from beneath his robes.

Current Action Points: 0

Move Action: 1 AP
Take Cover: 1AP
Load Action for Throwing Dagger: 1AP

[Quetzal]

Olga

Hearing Oddome's warning jolts Olga out of her confused state she "rushes" behind Oddome to the southern post of the bridge and retrieves her sling and a stone.

Move Action: 2 AP (due to Veteran's Boot)

Load Action (sling): 1 AP