WHFRP: Through the Drakwald

[FatherJack]

Alice quizzes a local about the old woman.

Is that Granny Musher? I heard she's survived all this time in a gingerbread house out the woods, I bet she knows loads of magic!

The priest doesn't have a beard, but I don't imagine that makes any difference to Alice.

Indeed. She appears to have a very...enthusiastic perception of reality. Initially he had a huge flowing white beard, but upon hearing that he can't do magic it's now more of a grey goatee.

[Dog Pants]

The local begins to answer, but Granny Moescher looks over and approaches as though she heard your question, although she was too far away to hear. She addresses Alice, then all of you.

You fight more bravely than many with much greater stature. Thank you to you all for your help, please allow me to tend to your wounds.

She sets about dabbing and wrapping, assuming you let her. If the priest feels put out by being overruled it doesn't show.

I am Granny Moescher. Well, that's what the townsfolk call me anyway. I suppose you could consider me a town elder, if we paid heed to such titles.

At this point Capt Schiller emerges from the crowd, bringing a bow-wave of people who cautiously crowd round you all.

Thank you all! These wretched beasts still dwell in the woods, clearly we need to be more on guard. Good job we have brave citizens who will take up...

A watchman pushes throught the crowd and takes the Captain's attention. He quietly explains to him that during the panic there was a larger attack on the main gate. Several guards were killed, but the attack was rebuffed. He kicks one of the corpses.

Damn things. I'll hang their heads over the gate so their friends in the woods can see what happens.

This has caused something of a commotion in the crowd. Panicky rumours pass among them. You overhear one state that she swears the mutants look familiar. Another declares there to be snipers everywhere. His friend retorts that only a Hochland Long Rifle could make a shot like that.

In the meantime those of you who are hurt get some TLC. Buzz gets 10 wounds back, Joose 9. Since neither of you lost that many consider yourselves fully healthy again.

[FatherJack]

I'm uninjured, so will let the others thank Granny if they chose to let her heal them.

Alice nods her head to Granny in recognition of the compliment about her bravery.

Another declares there to be snipers everywhere. His friend retorts that only a Hochland Long Rifle could make a shot like that.

Well, somefing shot that bottle out of the Captin's hand. We should keep an eye out until we know where it came from. Keep yer heads down...like me.

She remains standing.

You overhear one state that she swears the mutants look familiar.

Not addressing who she overheard, but to the party while looking down at the mutants.

Hmm, I wonder what she means by familiar - 3 eyes, tentacles and pig-face? Sounds more like a plate of offal than anyone I'd recognise. Maybe they met at a party once?
"Hi, have you met Bob?"
"Arargh, argh, rarrarg arble!"
"Nice to meet you, too Bob"

I never get invited to those sort of parties.

[Dog Pants]

[Dog Pants]

While all this is going on there is a sudden shout from the direction of the gates. Fearing another attack, several of the townsfolk snatch up weapons and look around, but it turns out to be a large, bearded man coming out of the forest. He's followed by a ragtag band of people, with fear in their eyes and their few possessions on their back.

Captain Schiller and Granny Moescher see the man and set off across the Ackerplatz towards him. Anyone fancy a Gossip roll (+20) to pick up who he is?

[FatherJack]

Whoosat?

vs 42 Fel +20
Roll(1d100)+0:
89,+0
Total:89

...anyone?

[buzzmong]

Thank you very much for the healing madam, swordplay is a horrible business all round.

I'm going to head in the direction of new bearded man, but I've got ears, so I'll do a gossip role on the way.

Fel 34 / 2 = 17 + 20 = 37
Roll(1d100)+0:
60,+0
Total:60

Say, does anyone know who that bearded fellow is, or who the rag tag band that are with him are? No? Hey, I'm asking questions here, will someone please answer me!

Can I also do a perception test to see if anyone is lurking in high places who could be snipers, or at least figure out what positions they could be at a good advantage from? I'm a bit nervous from what happened before the melee.

[Dog Pants]

You can.

[buzzmong]

Larandar casts his eyes around the roofs, windows and walls of the buildings surrounding the 'platz.

Perception + Excellent Vision (+10%)

Int: 32 + 10 = 42
Roll(1d100)+0:
66,+0
Total:66

Gah, this sun is far too bright, I can't see a thing!

[Dog Pants]

One day you're going to pass a roll, Buzz. And when you do.. boom!*




*It'll probably be for something completely inconsequential.

[Dog Pants]

Pressing on then. The woodsman addresses the group of people headed by Capt Schiller and Granny Moescher.

I've been scouting the surrounding countryside and picking up stragglers. These folks with me are survivors I found wandering in the woods. They come from villages all over Middentland. As I was bringing them back, I found fresh Beastman tracks south of here. It looks like a warherd over 200 strong is headed towards Untergard. I rushed back here to warn you. I will of course defer to Captain Schiller but it is my feeling that we should leave Untergard before the Beastmen arrive. I don't know if we could withstand them and there is no help to be had in time. I visited Grimminhagen six days ago and it's a wreck. We can't expect help from there. What else is new, eh? I must also report that while Grimminhagen was sacked, Graf Elster Sterhauser survived by hiding out in his keep.

As he mentions the Graf the crowd boo. Even kindly Granny Moescher has a scowl cross her face.The gathering breaks into furious debate. Hans, the woodsman, leading the faction who want to leave the town, and the town's new priest, Father Dietrich, heading those who want to stay and fight.

Feel free to join in, try to gather more info from the crowd (more gossip tests), or just listen and see what happens.

[buzzmong]

Picking a random townsperson:

Excuse me, but can you tell me who this Graf Elster Sterhauser is? And what's with the booing? Is he some sort of local taxman?

[Dog Pants]

He's an ass.

Eventually Captain Schiller steps in and addresses both parties.

I've listened to both sides of the argument and now, as Untergard's rightful leader, I must make a decision. As much as it pains me to say, I agree with Hans that we cannot hope to stand againt so many Beastmen. At first light tomorrow we'll head north to Middenheim. We know Count Todbringer is there and within the city's walls we can find safety. And with the Count's aid, we will return here and finish rebuilding our homes. Untergard will rise again! Now, let us enjoy the Count's bounty and then prepare to depart. There is much to do before sunrise.

The people do just that. You all know that Drakwald forest is a dangerous place, and that marching the best part of a hundred people all the way to Middenheim (which you all would have certainly come through on the way here) will take days.

[Dog Pants]

By the morning the town is ready to roll, and a sorry looking bunch they are. Men, women, elderly and children. They have three ox carts (one containing Granny and a gaggle of children), and around 85 people on foot carrying their possessions on their backs or in wheelbarrows. Captain Schiller forms the remains of the guard up, splitting them between the front and rear of the group, and a scattering along the flanks. Hans sets off early to scout. What are you all doing?

[FatherJack]

Not sure on where things are. Are we going back the way we arrived? Is that away from where the snipers might be? What direction are the beastmen supposedly coming from?

Alice will go with the people I guess, sort of near the front but not conspicuously so, perhaps keeping near Granny and the kids, who she will make ridiculous faces at when noone else is looking.

Are we nearly there yet?

She winks at the kids conspiratorially.

[Dog Pants]

You're heading to the nearest city, which is in all likelihood the way you came here. How long ago is up to you. You don't have to cross the bridge to get there, and the Beastmen were routed in the opposite direction by the Imperial Army, so while not explicitly stated it's probably safe to assume they're not coming from the same direction as the city. Everyone seems to have completely forgotten about the sniper, a product of this slightly poorly written adventure I'm following. The next one is better, then I might start throwing my own in when I've a better feel for things.

[buzzmong]

Have we set off yet?

If not, I'd like to take a moment to have a look around the ackerplatz at the guard stations to see if anyone has left a bow and arrows behind.

[Dog Pants]

I'm afraid they haven't. Even the guards are lucky to have a sword, most have cudgels, and the healthy men of the town are armed with various farming tools.

Since nobody seems to have anything else to do, the procession sets off and I'll assume you all go with them. They head off down the road at a slow pace, which only gets slower as the day goes on. By the time they pitch camp that night you reckon you've gone maybe fifteen miles. Capt Schiller sets five tired guards to watch. During the day you've picked up that they're going via Grimminhagen first - to take these people through the Drakwald, away from the roads, would be suicide.

The first day and night of the match are uneventful. Progress is slow, with carts and children to deal with, not to mention the lack of sufficient food. Half way through the second day you approach Grimminhagen. Without a word Hans leads the column around the ruins of the town. You've heard enough from the townsfolk to know the reason for this. The people of Untergard are not welcome in Grimminhagen and will find no solace there.

If anyone wants to examine the ruined town from afar as you pass you're welcome to make a perception test at +30.

[FatherJack]

Alice has a look over at the ruined town,

Perception, Int: 29 + 30 = 59
Roll(1d100)+0:
85,+0
Total:85

but instead she gets distracted and joins in a rude song with the children.

[buzzmong]

Larandar! What do your Elven eyes see?

Int 32 + 10 (Excellent Vision) + 30 = 72
Roll(1d100)+0:
73,+0
Total:73

Fuck all m'lud!

(As an aside. Highest target thus far and I still missed it ).