Tales of the Old World 23

<Tales_GM> The year is 2512 on the Imperial Calendar...
<Tales_GM> With the defeat of the ogre, the woods return to their normal, tranquil state. The dwarves continue to work on the young tree until at last they are able to fell it.
* Shivva patches up his comrades; Seig and the Knife-Ear.
<Thorek> "I suppose we'll drag it back then?"
<Afrock> "Aye."
* Roderick bandages Shivva after he has finished patching up the rest of the party.
* Seig begins using his sword to take off the smaller branches.
* Shivva uses a bandage to take care of Roderick's wounds. He tries to heal up the Afrock as best as can. Thorek's minor wounds were also healed.
* Thorek assists Seig, at his direction in sheering off the smaller branches, leaving the sturdier large ones for handgrips
* Afrock starts assisting Seig.
<Tales_GM> Together, you push and haul the tree through the vegetation, and onto the riverbank where Josef awaits with several tools on a workbench.
<Tales_GM> "Aye, you've gone and done it lads!"
<Tales_GM> "Come, Wolmar. Haul that saw over!"
<Tales_GM> "Caught us some fish while you were away," Josef says tapping Seig on the shoulder, "Gilda's preparing you lads a good warm meal for your good efforts."
<Thorek> "Plenty of exercise was involved in getting this to you, use it well Josef!"
<Tales_GM> "It'll get us home, no doubt. Young tree, good properties for our needs here. Sturdy and flexible, just what the Berebeli needs," he says approaching it from one side as Wolmar does the same from the other. Each holds a long saw from an opposite end. Together, they begin work on cleaning out the large branches.
<Seig> "Food sounds good right about now, I think I picked a good enough candidate for our needs."
* Roderick approaches Josef and begins asking him questions while he works. "Tell me Josef, you know these waterways fairly well correct?"
<Thorek> "Oh?" He looks to Seig. "And the candidate, manling?"
<Tales_GM> "Course I do, lad! Wouldn't be any good at my trade were it any other way!"
* Seig presents to tree to Thorek wish a flourish, realising his confusion.
* Roderick scratches his goatee. "Any news of halflings around here?"
<Thorek> "Hah! Silly me. Must be my stomach."
<Tales_GM> "Aye, likely remnants from the pogrom at Castle Grauenburg," Josef says shaking his head. "Townsfolk went mad, convinced the non-human population was responsible for crop failure..."
<Roderick> "I see, they were fairly opposed to us taking one of their trees." Roderick gestures to the one he is working on and chuckles.
<Tales_GM> "Sad state of affairs. Likely thought you one of the Count's scouts."
<Tales_GM> "Right. Looks clean enough to me, eh Wolmar? Seig, do us a favor and lower the hook on that pulley on deck. We need to haul her in."
* Seig stands up from the spot he was resting "Aye aye."
* Roderick nods and thanks Josef for the information and moves onto the ship.
* Thorek watches the tree line, crossbow at the ready as they work.
* Far_Foririan keeps a eye out as well.
* Afrock assists as best he can.
<Tales_GM> It takes several hours for Josef to work the timber into a mast brace. When finished, Gilda serves you a warm meal, and you are off again, in the final Southerly stretch towards Bögenhafen.
<Thorek> "I do any more of this and I might find my sea legs." He laughs. As Bögenhafen comes into view.
<Tales_GM> The Berebeli puts in at Haagen's Wharf. Here, Josef and his crew deal with tying up and pay the mooring fees. The docks are relatively quiet - nothing like the activity in Altdorf or Ubersreik - but sounds of merrymaking can be heard coming from the direction of the Schaffenfest, which has by now already begun.
<Tales_GM> "Have to go see a merchant, Ruggbroder, to arrange the unloading of the wine shipment, and get that payment collected," Josef says separating four small piles of silver shillings on a table. "Here's your pay, lads. Well earned. While I do my work, I recommend you look around and experience the Schaffenfest. I will find you, I'm sure."
<Thorek> "Aye, much appreciated Josef, best manling Captain I've been on a boat with yet."
* Thorek collects his pay with gusto.
* Seig collects his pay "Who thought I'd end up working on your barge eh? Will need to find you to get that quote for our bounty hunter friend too anyways."
<Tales_GM> "Aye, just after I have a word with the Shipwrights," he nods.
* Seig opens his arms for an embrace "You've been too good to us Josef."
<Tales_GM> "Couldn't have made it here without you," he says giving Seig a firm hug.
<Tales_GM> "Wolmar, stay with her. I'm off to see that wine merchant!"
<Seig> "Well I think we should go for an exploring?"
<Thorek> "Aye, join the festivities and get a lay of the city."
<Roderick> "We'll meet back at the barge afterwards and go from there. I suggest everyone go with a partner, especially Shivva, given the interest people have in him."
* Roderick leads his horse off of the barge.
<Tales_GM> "Left on to the Hafenstrasse and keep goin' straight on to the East Gate. You can't miss it!" Josef calls out to you as makes his way to the merchant contact.
<Seig> "Aye see you later!"
<Tales_GM> The Schaffenfest is bursting with activity. The town is filled with people, animals, entertainers, merchants, and more.
<Tales_GM> You find that the increase in visitors has driven prices up, and reluctantly do business with several merchants for their wares.
<Seig> "Carousing anyone?"
<Tales_GM> Several medicine shows dot the town, selling various concoctions. 'Doctor Zimmer's Wonder Tonic' is displayed in one stall. 'Rare Elven Spirit Water'... 'Genuine Norscan Silver Talismans'.
<Shivva> "I have to make some... 'offerings'."
<Thorek> "Oh surely." He looks to Shivva. "I'll come with you Shivva. Better someone watches your back. Then we'll get to some proper drinking."
<Shivva> "It shouldn't take too long."
<Roderick> "Let's all go mates. There's bound to be plenty of...gambling throughout the festival."
<Shivva> "Hmm...I guess."
* Far_Foririan notices the stall selling the Elven spirit water and walks over to it, to him this seems like a fake and not real.
<Tales_GM> "This rare Elven concoction cures colic, rheumatics, warts, and bad breath!" the stall vendor presents to the crowd while holding up the bottle.
* Seig crosses his arms and addresses the group, amused, "So what do you guys think hes gunna do about it?"
* Roderick scratches his chin and shrugs. "This is new for sure."
<Far_Foririan> "May I look at one of these?" he ask the man.
<Tales_GM> "Why..." the vendor pauses, not expecting the interruption to his presentation. "Why yes, you may examine this panacea in a bottle!" He says as much to Farforian as he does to the crowd.
<Tales_GM> Undeterred, he continues, "For only 20 shillings, you may have this curative tonic available in your homes!"
* Far_Foririan picks up one of the bottles to exam it.
<Afrock> "Are you done yet?"
* Far_Foririan looks at it and put it down before leaving.
* Afrock sighs in relief and follows.
<Tales_GM> "Observe how, amazed at the properties, the gentleman rushes to fetch the funds needed to make his purchase of this incredible healing tonic!"
* Roderick begins laughing at the whole bizarre scene.
* Thorek shakes his head. "Elgi."
<Far_Foririan> "Had to be sure."
<Tales_GM> A garishly dressed entertainer stands in front of a roped-off area, inviting hopeful contenders from the crowd to fight a tattooed, and clearly exhausted, champion for a potential purse of 4 Crowns.
<Afrock> "I wanna try for that."
<Seig> "Its got your name all over it."
<Afrock> "See if I can win those 4 crowns."
<Tales_GM> "Step right this way, and make yourself two crowns! That's right, two whole crowns for no more than a few minutes' mild exertion! All you need do is last three minutes in the ring with my champion! Two crowns if you last three minutes, four if you defeat the champion within that time!"
<Thorek> "Show these manlings what a Dawi's capable of cousin." He slaps Afrock on the back.
* Roderick claps Afrock on the back. "Give em hell!"
<Tales_GM> "You, there! You look quick on your feet! Do you think you could stay out of trouble for three minutes? It's not that long, you know! And you! Yes, you! Why don't you show your friends just how strong you are? Just a two-shilling entrance fee and he's all yours!"
<Tales_GM> "Come along, friends, who'll take him on? Just a two-shilling investment, and you could have it back 20 or 40 times over in just three minutes! Why, if I were a moneylender, I'd get locked up for charging interest like that!"
* Afrock approaches the ring master and states "I would like to enter."
<Tales_GM> "Oh? What's this? A brave soul steps up!"
* Afrock presents two shillings.
<Tales_GM> The crowd turns to look at Afrock.
<Afrock> "This slayer shall take the challenge."
<Far_Foririan> "You got this!" he says to Afrock
<Tales_GM> "Excellent! Come right up, sir dwarf and show us all the strength of your people!"
* Afrock approaches.
<Tales_GM> He pockets the two shilling entry fee, and walks you into the ring.
<Tales_GM> "Ladies, gentlemen, citizens and villagers! Gather round! Observe the manly struggle about to take place here for your viewing pleasure!"
<Tales_GM> "The Schaffenfest champion returns to this town. Please welcome the hefty, the powerful, Crusher!"
<Tales_GM> The crowd riles up with cheers and howls.
<Tales_GM> "And now our challenger; of the mountains, of a sturdy and stark people, our allies the dwarves! Watch now as he tests his mettle against our champion!"
<Tales_GM> "Gentlemen... begin!"
* Afrock flies into a frenzy and screams, "AAAAGGGHHHHH!!!!"
<Tales_GM> Crusher begins by circling his challenger, looking the dwarf up and down, trying to size up his opponent.
* Afrock opens with a rush of blows.
<Tales_GM> Crusher does what he can to thwart the initial blows. His demeanor changes, satisfied that he understands the skill of the opponent facing him.
<Tales_GM> Pacing to one side, Crusher leans in for a powerful right jab. Afrock, however, takes the blow to his raised forearm, deflecting the blow.
* Afrock goes in for another rush.
* Seig has quit (Quit: Leaving)
<Tales_GM> With a fierce counter, Crusher pummels Afrock hard. With a sickening crunch, pain fills Afrock's face as the blow fractures his jaw.
* Afrock tries to go in for a counter attack, but is unable to do so.
* Afrock tries to rush his opponent, but is unable to land a succesful blow.
<Tales_GM> Kruger mouths a prayer for Sigmar to grace Afrock with his divine protection.
<Tales_GM> As if a manifestation of the God-Man's will, Crusher's guard is lowered, he grips his side, and falls to one knee. A moment later, the champion of Schaffenfest collapses.
<Afrock> "What?"
<Thorek> "Aye, strength of the mountains!"
<Afrock> "You done Crusher?"
<Tales_GM> "Arrest that man!" the garishly dressed ring master calls out. A woman in simple robe stands close to his side, his finger pointing directly to Kruger.
* Roderick adds his cheers to Thorek's.
* Far_Foririan rises an eyebrow at what just happened, "Interesting."
<Tales_GM> "And the dwarf!"
<Afrock> "What's going on?!"
<Shivva> "I think the champ is dead."
<Tales_GM> "Guards! Guards!" the shouts come from others around the ring.
<Thorek> "Oi! Grimnir's beard, what are you on about Manling!?"
* Shivva yells "I am a doctor! Let me check on the fighters!"
* Afrock calms down.
<Tales_GM> A four-man patrol from the Schaffenfest Watch arrive at quick pace.
* Shivva makes his way to the ring.
* Afrock the pain from his broken jaw sets in.
<Tales_GM> Shivva is allowed in unmolested.
* Roderick strides towards the ringside. "What's going on here? What's the charge?"
<Tales_GM> "You heard the man," one of the Watchmen calls. "What's the charge?"
* Shivva makes his way into the ring and checks on Crusher.
* Afrock takes a rubs his jaw in pain.
<Tales_GM> "They conspire to defraud! That lowly monk abused his power to tip the match in the dwarf's favor!"
* Afrock walks over to Crusher to assist Shivva.
<Afrock> "I heal."
<Tales_GM> "Stand back, dwarf. You are under arrest."
* Roderick raises his eyebrow. "Come off it. The Faithful of Sigmar don't use their power to fell brawlers in a festival game."
* Afrock stops in his track.
<Thorek> "That's a serious accusation. My cousin is a slayer. Slayer's do not accept help in such bouts of strength or combat."
<Tales_GM> "Priest, you too."
* Thorek folds his arms.
<Tales_GM> Kruger says nothing in his defense.
<Tales_GM> In short order, he too is arrested.
<Afrock> "Duel sacred."
* Far_Foririan watches as this plays out not sure what to do to stop Afrock from being arrested.
* Shivva tries to stable Crusher's wounds. He is able to stop the man from bleeding out. He says to the Grand Master "He's gonna need to rest."
<Roderick> "Before this goes further and you make a mistake perhaps have a surgeon determine the cause of your fighter falling on his face."
<Roderick> "Some amount of evidence to support your claims of Kruger harming your fighter."
<Tales_GM> "They will be taken in. Do not interfere. Present any arguments in his defense to Magistrate Richter at the accorded hour."
<Roderick> "Ridiculous." Roderick growls. He tires of the group being arrested.
* Afrock looks at Shivva, "Okay?" and points at Crusher.
<Shivva> "I have no idea what you are saying."