Tales of the Old World 12

<Tales_GM> The year is 2512 on the Imperial Calendar...
<Tales_GM> The morning is misty and overcast. Your night of drinking has you in a sorry state, yet you can hear guests assembling in the  barroom for breakfast.
<Tales_GM> The room shared by Far'Foririan, Thorek, and Shivva has its door ajar, as both Afrock and Seig have left their travelling companions for a chance to catch fish at the nearest stream.
* Thorek rises with a long yawn, noting his bed is no longer shared. The smells of the kitchens cooking breakfast has roused him. He hops out of bed and does his morning stretching.
<Tales_GM> From the room paid for by Roderick, a steady stream of morning litanies can be heard, as Kruger thanks Sigmar for another day, and another chance to serve the ascended God with a stream of well-practiced prayers.
* Roderick joins the priest for morning prayers and afterwards takes the time to get to know his traveling companion a little better over breakfast.
<Roderick> "So what drove you to join the Cult of Sigmar Kruger?"
* Shivva_Runna crawls out of bed to get some food.
* Far_Foririan makes his way out of bed to got to breakfast, noticing that both Afrock and Seig are not in the room, "You know where the other two are Thorek?"
* Thorek finishes his stretching as the elf asks him about their whereabouts. "Not the slightest idea, Elgi. I'm sure they'll turn up."
* Thorek will collect his things and follow Shivva to the barroom for a simple meal.
<Far_Foririan> "Yes they may be at bar room." the then gets up from the bed and gathers his belonging before heading off to there.
<Tales_GM> "He called to me, as a young man. My father and I had come upon a village destroyed by beastmen. A dreadful sight. Yet the temple to Sigmar had been untouched. In it, while praying for the dead, I was filled with an impossible peace. Sigmar's peace, despite the horrors around me, assured me of humanity's place in the world. Of His empire's place, a righteous nation. I knew then... my
<Tales_GM> life would be dedicated to Sigmar."
* Roderick chews thoughtfully before answering. "So you felt Sigmar guided you towards the path you're on now?"
<Tales_GM> "You shit on my plate!" an almost perfect immitation of Gustav exclaims from a corner of the barroom.
<Tales_GM> Taking a moment to register that, Kruger turns again to Roderick. "Yes, I've never had any doubt on the matter."
<Tales_GM> By a stream about an hour's walk from the Inn compound, the water runs calmly, the heavy fog providing a measure of difficulty for Seig to spot a suitable location for his efforts.
* Shivva_Runna finds an empty and takes a seat. Waiting for the others to awake.
* Far_Foririan finds his way to bar room with Thorek and finds a table that Shivva is sitting at already, but no Seig or Afrock, he then takes a seat at the table.
* Thorek finds Shivva at on the tables and joins him, before being joined shortly by the elf. The bountyhunter looks over to the corner of the room, not surprised to find the corvid there. "Funny guy."
* Roderick nods understandingly. "I see, I have only recently been called to serve Sigmar so I was merely curious what drives others that do so. Thank you for enlightening me Kruger."
* Afrock whispers to Seig, "We may have trouble."
<Far_Foririan> "Yes indeed, last night was interesting to say the least. How did you sleep Shivva?"
<Tales_GM> Blackie stares at Thorek for a prolonged period of time, as though deciphering the meaning of his words.
* Afrock put's his hand near his axe.
<Tales_GM> "Hear him, Roderick. Sigmar calls to us. We must find that calling."
<Thorek> "Umgak! Can you say that, Blackie? Umgak!"
* Seig turns "Hmm?" slowly putting down his spear and placing his hand near his sword.
<Roderick> "I do not turn from his voice Kruger, I will endeavor to listen more closely."
<Tales_GM> A low, grumbling snort can be heard beyond the thick fog along the stream.
* Shivva_Runna staring at the ceiling and doesn't pay some attention to elf.
<Shivva_Runna> "What ya say?"
<Seig> "That sounds like it might be more food....."
* Far_Foririan looks at Shivva for a moment, "I said how did you sleep?"
<Tales_GM> "Umka!" the corvid calls opening its beak wide, "Umka!".
<Afrock> "Aye."
<Thorek> "Good try, Blackie." He guffaws as he gets comfortable at the table.
<Shivva_Runna> "In a bed, next to a dwarf."
<Far_Foririan> "Well.... that is, informative."
<Tales_GM> "Smart bird, Blackie! Already learning the tongue of the dwarves!" Gustav calls as he brings out food for the patrons who have seated before you.
<Afrock> "Will it need aggressive treatment from me?"
<Seig> "I mean if its food I want help yes, lets check it out."
<Thorek> "Oi Shivva. I wouldn't be complaining too much, could be much worse."
<Afrock> "Aight."
* Seig begins advancing towards the noise sword ready.
<Tales_GM> A breathy, scoff-like growl appears to reply to Seig and Afrock's exchange.
<Shivva_Runna> "I ain't complainin' but there was 5 of us in there."
* Afrock draws his slowly axe in preperation.
* Thorek shrugs. "I would have thought you'd be used to sleeping in small places with lots of bodies given your previous experience." He gibes.
<Shivva_Runna> "I had to hid in a coffin or two but they were usually empty."
<Tales_GM> "Breaking fast? Better now than later, got soups nice and warm, and eggs boiling," Gustav calls over to your table.
<Thorek> "What kind of soup, Gustav?"
* Afrock follows Seig.
<Tales_GM> "Pig-scrap and sausage soup. Good hearty meal after a long night of drinking!"
<Thorek> "Aye that does sound nice, perhaps some water as well. Feeling a bit dry already."
<Shivva_Runna> "Oh that sounds delicious." He puts down a shilling. Shivva "Some water would be nice as well."
<Far_Foririan> "Ill take a soup as well along with some water as well."
<Tales_GM> As Seig and Afrock approach, a figure materializes through the fog. Low to the ground at first, and wide, it then rears up, taller than a horse on its hind legs and lets out a menacing roar.
<Seig> "...Afrock... not food..."
<Afrock> "Battle time."
* Seig charges the bear, cutting it across the front before ducking under its paws.
* Afrock enters a rage and charges the creature.
* Seig uses the momentum of his dodge to slash at the beasts leg.
<Tales_GM> With another roar, the bear brushes both Seig and Afrock out of the way, choosing to bolt for the treeline up-stream.
<Afrock> "YOU LIL SHITE!!!"
<Seig> "Fucking hell, thats a win in my book."
<Seig> "Good eye Afrock, lets get that fish."
* Afrock settles his rage.
<Afrock> "Well we should probably go back to fishing."
<Tales_GM> Further undisturbed, four fish are caught before the pair make for the Inn once more.
<Tales_GM> "Umka!" Blackie continues to call, enjoying the newest addition to its vocabulary. As breakfast comes to a close, the doors open to reveal Seig and Afrock's return.
<Afrock> 'We fought a bear!"
<Far_Foririan> "Ah there you two are."
<Afrock> "Ran away like a coward though."
<Tales_GM> "Umka!"
<Seig> "Got the two of us grub the day though so win some lose some."
<Thorek> "You left this morning to go fight a bear in the woods? I guess that fits your goals, cousin," he looks to Seig. "Why were YOU fighting a bear?"
<Seig> "We were fishing, apparently the bear thought we had a good spot."
<Afrock> "It wanted our fish."
<Shivva_Runna> "Well, it is a bear."
<Thorek> "Now that makes more sense."
<Seig> "Also, may of had some illusions to getting a pelt but alas."
<Far_Foririan> "Well sounds like it was a interesting morning for both of you."
<Thorek> "Roderick still in his room then? Haven't seen him yet."
<Seig> "Well he didn't come with us."
<Tales_GM> Your Coachman enters the barroom, asks for some water, and informs you that the coach will soon be ready for departure before exiting once more.
<Far_Foririan> "Most likely, I think I heard them praying earlier."
<Thorek> "Well lets start getting our things onto the coach. And fetch our two compatriots as well if they don't show up soon."
<Far_Foririan> "Aye, also don't forget our friend from last night."
<Thorek> "Aye, haven't seen much of him since last night." He shrugs before going to collect his things and bring them back to the coach.
* Shivva_Runna packs his belongings into the coach.
* Far_Foririan finishes his water and makes his way to the coach to put his things on board.
* Afrock prepares for the coach ride.
* Seig loads his stuff up before going to enquire about the Bretonnian's whereabouts.
<Tales_GM> Gustav explains that Descartes left earlier, and is likely to be found in the stables.
* Seig goes to find him and pass on our intent to leave soon.
<Roderick> "We should find our compatriots Kruger. I imagine it will be time to leave soon."
* Roderick gathers his gear and leaves the room to locate his traveling companions with Kruger in tow.
<Tales_GM> The Bretonnian is found tightening the saddle on his horse, ready to mount up and ready to go.
<Seig> "See you on the road." returns to the coach.
* Thorek makes small talk with the coach-driver after stowing his things. Whether he's heard good or bad things about the roads ahead.
<Tales_GM> The coachman confesses to some hesitation on account of fewer road-wardens in the road networks ahead, but appears to be confident in the ability of his passengers to defend themselves if the worst were to happen.
<Seig> "Yeah I heard about that, not ideal but I'm sure we'll be fine."
<Thorek> "Are you any good with a weapon then, Dietrich?"
<Tales_GM> "Enough to buy me a way out, aye," he nods.
* Roderick walks out of the inn. "I'd imagine we have weapons enough that our coachman can focus on driving Thorek."
<Tales_GM> Kicking his heels to move his horse along to the gate of the inn compound, Descartes turns back to your coachman.
* Far_Foririan makes his way up into the coach.
<Thorek> "Never hurts to be prepared, dawri," he says turning back to Roderick.
<Tales_GM> "You are burning through the daylight, monsieur. Get your passengers sorted, and let us put hooves to road."
* Roderick throws his and Kruger's gear aboard the coach and climbs inside. "Mister Phillipe speaks the truth and we have many miles to go, everyone climb aboard."
<Thorek> Without another word Thorek climbs in.
* Shivva_Runna gets in the coach.
* Seig boards.
* Afrock gets into the coach.
<Tales_GM> Coach and steed hit the road, travelling at a steady pace.
<Tales_GM> The skies refuse to clear, even as the sun rises further. The sunlight is diffused around you, equally bright on all sides.
<Thorek> "Bit dreary out today, isn't it?" Thorek is looking over some of this equipment to help pass the time.
<Roderick> "Fine enough for the inside of a coach though eh?"
<Far_Foririan> "Yea it is."
<Thorek> "Aye, more's the pity for our new travelling companinion." He pulls out his dagger and examines it, sheathing once he's satisfied that it's in propr sharp and oiled.
<Tales_GM> A couple of hours after the coach joins the main road, it rounds a bend, coming upon a grisly sight. You catch a glimpse of a human figure, its back to the coach, bent over the body of what appears to be another man. As the figure turns, you see a severed human hand hanging out of its disgusting mouth.
<Tales_GM> The creature is recognisably human, but flesh hangs in tatters from its face and hands, green ooze seeps from its eyes.
<Tales_GM> Spitting out the hand, it rushes towards the coach, brandishing a dagger.
<Tales_GM> As he rushes the coach, the horses panic and bolt, snapping the traces as they do so. Dietrich, who is gripping the reins, is pulled off the coach and dragged behind them.
<Tales_GM> Reacting to this sudden threat, Seig struggles to apply the brakes and stop the coach from crashing into the trees on the turn. He succeeds in doing this, but then faces the horrifying figure leaping up at him.
<Tales_GM> The mutant lands on Seig, dagger first.
* Far_Foririan seeing everything unfold, grabs his Grimoire from his sack and jumps out of the cart.
<Roderick> Kruger begins citing verse and invoking Sigmar's name, beseeching him to protect the sailor from this horrid aberration.
* Shivva_Runna pulls out his crowbar and hops out of the coach.
* Thorek readies his axe and exits the coach. An abrupt stop followed by a scream and a yelp means violence is afoot.
* Afrock draws his axe and gets out of the coach.
<Tales_GM> The mutant shoves Seig out of the way, and leaps down, slashing at Far'Foririan's face with his dirty blade.
* Roderick moves up to Far and slashes at Rolf, his former comrade in crime, with his keen blade.
* Far_Foririan annoyed from being hit with the dagger he chants his spell of sleep as he hits the creature causing it to get knocked back prone on the ground.
<Roderick> Kruger steels his mind against the creature on the road and continues his chants, continuing to bestow Sigmar's blessings upon the faithful.
* Seig jumps down off the coach and brings his sword down on the prone creature severing its arm and endings its life.
* Seig confirming the creature is no longer moving with a kick from a boot, Seig sits down next to the coach.
<Roderick> "Everyone back away from the afflicted."
* Far_Foririan backs up and away for the creature
* Seig stands up and backs up further.
<Roderick> "In the case that it can be spread do not risk yourselves."
<Thorek> "Grimnir's beard. Got my blood up for nothing." He moves around the group and notes the missing horses and Dietrich.
<Tales_GM> The body of the mutant's victim remains several yards ahead, a crossbow bolt through the neck. He is a coachman in uniform, wearing his sleeved mail shirt. The tracks of his coach can be seen continuint along the road away from your location on the curve, and out of sight beyond it.
* Roderick bends down over the body of his former comrade and attempts to puzzle out what afflicted poor Rolf, careful not to touch the corpse directly. "I am unsure if it is a contagion that can be spread through touch or otherwise, though the effects are grisly. Someone bring me kindling and a torch, it will be best to burn this creature!"
<Tales_GM> "Yes, the impurity corrupts Sigmar's realm," Kruger nods.
* Afrock nods and does his best to assist.
* Shivva_Runna looting the coachman.
<Tales_GM> From beyond the bend, a bestial cry rends the air.
<Tales_GM> Crashing sounds can be heard coming through the undergrowth beside the road - something is coming out of the woods towards you very fast.