Session 0: A Walk In The Woods - Else's Story
General Summary
Angestag 22nd Day of Vorhexen 2512 IC
Time Late Afternoon
Weather A chill wind blows from the south
The village was like many along the fringes of the Drakwald just a collection of wooden shacks clustered around a central well. A small community trying to scratch a living from the forest and the few fields they had managed to clear for crops or animals. But according to the Duke Konstantin this one was being terrorised by a demon and Else knew that such threats once reported would only get worse. Besides she was glad to get away from the Drakenburg estate. The constant paranoia about elven agents was making her uneasy. Else had not been introduced to the elven Prince that Salundra had rescued from Marienburg and she wasn't sure whether to be relieved or angry that she had not been included in that reckless adventure. But when the Duke received reports of strange characters asking questions of the local villagers on his estate he and Sali rushed back from Altdorf and Else was asked to help with the investigation. Not that there was much to investigate it was more like chasing shadows. Any stranger asking directions seemed to be under immediate suspicion. Now there was a demon to add to the general hubbub of speculation and gossip. Else rode into the village late in the afternoon after a cold but uneventful journey from Drakenburg. There was a persistent wind from the south but the sky had remained clear so at least she wasn't wet as well. She walked her horse into the village ignoring the wary stares of the population as she passed. Mothers gathered their children to their skirts and the men stared at her with a mixture of resentment and fear. It was always the same in these rural communities they want the protection but not the consequences. Mentally she began to consider how she would approach the investigation.
Else Sigloben "You!", Else points firmly at the nearest sturdy-looking boy child, "you run right now to the big man, the father of the village, understand. And you tell him the Duke's Witch Hunter is here to see him right now at the well. Go!" "And you", Else beckons an unattended girl towards her, "you are going to walk with me and Clever Hans here to your well, and you're going tell me all about this place..." Else swings the girl up onto her horse's broad back, and raises an eyebrow at her, expectantly, waiting for the talking to start...
GM Else's actions galvanise the villagers into desperate action. [OOC: Intimidation Failed -3 SL You Just Didn't Get This Right At All] The sturdy young boy takes one look at Else's accusing black-gloved finger pointing at him and bolts even before she's had a chance to tell him what to do. The petrified little girl immediately starts sobbing as she is beckoned over and when Else tries to pick her up she screams for her mother and nothing Else can do will stop her. That immediately panic's the village woman who begin rushing around gathering their children and bundling them 'willy nilly' into their huts. One brave woman rushes you and tries to snatch back the little girl. [OOC: If you want to contest possession of the little girl roll Strength: 1d100<32] The men stand around awkwardly unsure what to do one or two reach for pitchforks. Apart from the girls screaming the village goes very silent as everyone stops work to watch the drama. A series of random thuds can be heard as locking bars slide firmly into place on the doors of nearby huts.
Else Sigloben For a split second Else's grip tightens on the young girl and she starts to reach for her dagger. But she catches herself immediately and lets the child go, face hardening as she turns away from the onlookers and marches towards the village well.
GM The woman quickly snatches the child away and rushes into a nearby hut. The door slams shut and Else hears the locking bar slide into place with an emphatic thud. Else gathers herself and grabbing the reins of her horse marches towards the village well. The menfolk watch her pass suspiciously the tension is palpable. As she approaches the well a large stocky individual with an elderly face and grey beard marches over from the other direction and close on his heels Else can see a tall wiry Priest struggling to catch up with him.
Linden Heinuch "What in Sigmar's hairy balls is going on?" Demanded the elderly man "and who in his name are you?"
Father Leopold The priest finally manages to catch up, the race for the well clearly having taken his breath but he manages to intercede and admonishes his companion. "Linden please, just let me handle this."
Else Sigloben Else comes to a halt a foot closer to Linden than is likely to be comfortable for him. "My name is Sigloben and I am here, Herr Linden, as your Duke's representative, on business that is best discussed in private. The priest is welcome to join us." She nods stiffly at the clergyman. "My horse needs stabling and would benefit from a good rub down - plenty of your folk seem to be standing idle, I'm sure one of them will oblige.."
Linden Heinuch Heinuch colours slightly and then turns away and gestures angrily at one of the young male villagers "Rudi! Take this ladies 'orse and give it a good rub down in the stables.' He glares around the village where most of the men are still idly hanging about watching the drama. "The rest 'o yer, get back to bloody work. We got quotas to meet an' it ain't dark yet.' 'She tried to take my little Lotty." one of the men shouts back "She's a good girl, you just ask the Father. Ain't she father pure as Shallya's tits she is." "Shut it!" growled Heinuch "And get back to work." 'Follow me!" he adds gesturing to Else
Father Leopold The Sigmarite falls in step beside Else as she follows Heinuch towards his hut. The largest in the village. "I can assure you Hunter Sigloben there is no corruption in this village. I don't know what Lotty did but she has never shown any signs of corruption. I am very thorough I assure you Sigmar guides me."
Linden Heinuch "For the love of Sigmar stop grovelling Wilhelm. Save it for your Lector in Ubersreich I'm sure Hunter Siglobel has better things to do than listen to you blow you own trumpet." He throws open the door to his hut and leads you through to what passes as his study. Little more than a desk and a few chairs. He closes the door behind you all then turns on the priest. "This is your doing I suppose?" "Been blabbing to your boss again trying to earn browny points. How many do you get for a burning these days father?"
Father Leopold "Don't you take that tone with me Linden Heinuch. I don't tell you how to cut timber so don't lecture me on how to harvest souls. I was bound by my divine duty to report that there was a demon in the woods and I do my duty to Sigmar and my superiors." He added nose in the air in indignation whilst casting a sly glance at Else to make sure she was paying attention. Heinuch scoffed but kept quiet.
Else Sigloben "Gentlemen," Else raises both hands to quell the noise. "I'm sure we are all of a single purpose in this matter. Any hint of Daemonic activity must be investigated immediately. But I have no doubt - at least at present - that young Lotty and the rest of your villagers have had no involvement.. let alone complicity." She turns to Linden: "Herr Heinuch, you have the advantage over me. Please introduce yourself. What is your role in the village, and what do you know of the rumoured corruption in your woods. Any information you can share at this point may be invaluable."
Linden Heinuch 'I'm the village elder. My duty is to deliver the quota of timber demanded by the Graf.' he tries to make this role sound more important than it probably is. "As fer this demon. I think it's nothing more than Ranald's piss." he snaps angrily giving the priest a hostile glance. "Just an excuse to slack off in my opinion. Something farts in the forest an' suddenly it's everyone down tools and call in the hunters." "No disrespect you understand. But t'weren't me who dragged you over here on a fool's errand." [OOC: Interrogation: Failed -5 SL - Wow! I think if he had said the Priest was a demon you would have believed him] The village elder seems like an honest hard working man whose only concern is to do the right thing by his lord and master the Graf.
Else Sigloben "I understand entirely, Herr Heinuch. I will not waste any more of your valuable time! I am sure the Duke will be glad to hear of your diligent commitment to the village's productivity and well-being." Else turns to Father Leopold. "Priest, perhaps you and I could discuss what you have heard of the matter? I would like to see the village for myself, would you walk with me and tell me what you know? Villagers telling tales that waste an official witch hunter's time is a serious matter, of course. We can leave Elder Heinuch to his business." Else nods curtly towards Linden, smiles at Leopold and gestures towards the door.
Father Leopold Linden nods his approval, glad to get rid of the two Sigmarites so he can get on with some work. The priest and Else leave the Elders house and return to the well and the chill of the wind. Else can hear whistling from the stable block to the left of the house where Rudi is busy rubbing down her horse and seems happy with his task. Father Leopold fidget's nervously with his comet pendant "I don't know a lot." he begins "Only what I've been told by the villagers you understand. I've not seen this demon myself." He pauses as if unsure where to begin. "First there were reports from the woodsmen cutting trees along the edge of the forest. They like to keep the tree line back as far as they can from the village at least out of bow shot anyways. Also, it's not safe wandering too deep into the forest if you don't need to. Anyway, they claimed there was a tall dark figure stalking them through the trees. 'Morr's messenger' they called it. Claimed it was a demon of death." he sighed clearly nervous. "Refused to go into the trees for a while but Linden made them in the end." "Then there was the incident in the village. That was when I reported the problem to the Lector in Ubersreik." "Old Mother Runhild claims she came face to face with the demon actually in the village. It was a dark night and she was heading for the privy and stepped out of her hut and there it was squatting in her vegetable patch. A tall dark creature, very tall, she said perhaps twice the height of a man." "We could go and talk to her if you like. Her hut is just over there on the edge of the village." he points towards the treeline.
Else Sigloben "Of course. Lead on, Father", Else makes an awkward sweeping gesture with her arm. "The treeline beyond her hut, is that the area that the woodsman claim to have seen the creature in? How much time between the two sightings? And how many days ago was Old Mother Runhild incident?" As they walk, Else scans the village and the villagers, looking for signs of corruption - weird symbols above doors, furtive or perhaps even malicious glances, evidence of licentious behaviour of some kind, etc., etc.; the litany of signs drummed into her by her mother on boring horse journeys across the region. And though she would not admit it, something in her also hopes for another glimpse of young Lotty - yet what she'd say to the girl is clear as a muddy pool. Shaking herself out of her thoughts, she looks the Priest up and down. "You've served here for some time, I suppose Father Leopold? A devout community, you would say?"
Father Leopold Else scans the village for witch signs or other corruptions but nothing seems amiss. Most of the women and children are still in their huts and most of the men are back at work in the distant trees. You can faintly hear them singing in the distance. The priest keeps pace beside Else carefully directing her towards a small cottage on the edge of the village. "I've been here over ten years now. Sometimes I think they have forgotten me." he gives you a twisted smile. "I envy you, you know, must be exciting being a hunter. Smiting the heretic's, purifying the corrupt, a true instrument of Sigmar's justice." He sighs "All I get is terrified mothers asking me to purify the rash on their babies bottom."
Else Sigloben "Like your own, my calling is a responsibility, Father. Neither of us should be in our line of work for the desire of excitement. And I am sure you are not forgotten in the higher orders of the church. If my visit to your village goes well I will likely mention your stalwart service in dispatches.. as it were"
Father Leopold The priest nods his appreciation of your words and offer. "This is the cottage." he notes reaching out and tapping on the door "Runhild, its Father Leopold may we talk to you." he calls. There is an awkward pause before finally there is a sound of movement from inside the hut and the locking bar is slid aside. An elder woman peers around the edge of the door "What is it?" she asks bluntly. "This lady would like to ask you about the demon you saw in your vegetable garden." says the priest gesturing at Else. The old woman scans you up and down "What do you want to know?" she asks
Else Sigloben "Greetings, Mother Runhild. My name is Hunter Sigloben. I am here to investigate what you witnessed in the garden. Please show me exactly where it stood and describe to me exactly what it did and said. Your keen wits and sharp memory will no doubt have kept your village safe from harm on many occasions and this is certainly an important one. Lead on", Else tries to smile winningly and gestures towards the garden. "Father Leopold, why don't you rest your feet here while I talk with Runhild." This is more instruction than question. Once in the garden, Else will examine the ground and plants, the fence and gate and, eventually the land between the garden and the treeline. She will want to know how long has passed since the event and details of the creature's stance, clothing, eyes, hair, mouth and hands. Was it holding anything? Was there moonlight. Did the air feel unnaturally cold? Else will try not to alarm or scare the woman and where possible will flatter her status as a village matriarch with uncommonly fine mental and sensory capability - not to mention an impressive garden, surely one of the finest in the region.
Runhild Heiler Mother Runhild shuffles back and opens the door she gestures for you to enter "Be happy to help in any way I can hunter. Follow me I'll show you where I saw it." She hobbles over towards the back of her hut where you can see another door that opens out towards the woods beyond. "Gave me quite shock I can tell you. Don't expect ta meet a big slavering demon on yer way to the privy. Thought Morr's Messenger had come for me I did." Else is only half-listening to her. Eyes scanning the interior of the hut with professional thoroughness as she follows the old woman. At first sight its a mess. Bottles, bowls and containers everywhere hardly a square inch of wall space is wasted. Everywhere that Else looks there are shelves of jars mostly unlabelled some with cryptic notes tied to them. Both fresh and dried herbs hang from any remaining space including the roof beams and even the air seems equally cluttered with competing smells mostly pleasant. The prevailing smell of rosemary dominates everything. No sign of a black cat though. Runhild reaches the back door and pushes it open before stepping out into her garden and Else follows into the fresh clean air. The garden is less than ten paces deep and the same across with small cultivated patches dotted about and sown with various herbs and vegetables and a small wooden privy in the far corner. "I came out and was heading for the privy when I first saw it. Kind of hunched over on all fours like an animal right there in me carrot patch," she said pointing at a somewhat disturbed patch of soil with just a few remaining carrots evident. "But when it saw me it sort of reared up on its hind legs and looked me right in the eyes. Must have been twice the height of a man, with long gangly arms and dark as night. It had this huge reaper hook in one hand and a bunch of me carrots in the other." She was getting excited now and waving her hands to emphasise the true horror of what she had seen. "Well, I wasn't having none of that. I told 'im. You ain't taking me I said. I ain't ready to go. An I told 'im put my carrots back they ain't yours either." She turned back to Else. "He didn't say anything, just walked off cool as a cucumber with me carrots in one hand an swinging that reapers hook of his in the other and he disappeared back into the forest." Runhild looked at the ground and shook her head as if to indicate the sad state the world has come to when demons nick your carrots.
Else Sigloben As they move through the house, Else notes what she takes to be the paraphernalia of a herbalist (or perhaps something worse) and briefly considers probing Runhilda's herbal activities, but as they emerge into the garden she rapidly becomes more interested in the carrots. "It left with the carrots, you say?" Else remarks, straightening up after crouching to examine the ground around the missing carrot plants, and trying to prevent one of her eyebrows from arching. "Can you show me exactly where it went when it left? Did it float? Leap over the fence? Use the gate? What route did it take?"
Runhild Heiler Runhild looks a bit confused and not really sure about the point of the question she pondered how best to answer. "It were dark dear." she eventually replied, "These old eyes ain't what they used to be." "But it definitely headed off towards the woods and me fence weren't broken in the morning. So, I guess it must have floated over it. Or maybe through it." she ventured as an additional possibility. "Oh! an I just remembered" she added excitedly "It killed a rabbit. Found it right there where your standing." she pointed to Elses feet. "Stone cold dead it was an' not a mark on it. Like it just sucked the life right out of it on the spot."
GM Else begins to search for clues in the garden but as if on cue as Runhild mentions the woods there is a sudden ominous silence from the trees. The sound of woodsmen's axes falls silent and their singing stops abruptly. Else senses something is not right in the woods. [OOC: There you go! A bit of Sixth Sense for you, not very useful but nevertheless.]
Else Sigloben Else stops, staring in the direction of the now silent trees, then glances wordlessly at Runhild for one second before sprinting toward the treeline, vaulting the fence as she goes.
Else Sigloben Else's train of thought as she runs: "This was certainly no daemon stealing carrots and rabbits in the shadows. But the possibility that a strange unknown man (or perhaps not quite a man?) could be on the prowl is worth serious attention given the current situation. And though it may not take much to confuse a herb-addled granny in the dark, it is another thing entirely to spook a whole team of woodsmen in broad daylight. If she moves fast, bloodshed may be averted and just perhaps there could be a Marienburger agent to capture and return with to the estate!"
GM Else sprints across Runhilds garden trying to avoid the vegetable patches and jumps the fence. Not that the fence deserves such a distinction as it's more like a line of sticks with wattle style twigs woven between them. It was only knee height and Else cleared it easily even with the weight of all her equipment. She then began to sprint towards the treeline only to be met there by a mob of about twenty woodsmen heading rapidly in the opposite direction. Most of them skidded to a halt when they saw Else and everyone started yelling at once. Else caught a few snatches of the breathless information. "Demon coming...." "Big...." "Dark...." "Evil grin... "Yellow teeth... "Huge reapers blade..." "Getting torches...." "I got sommat really important I need to do...." "Get im...." "It's your job ain't it."
Else Sigloben Else briefly considers halting, commanding the men to accompany her, and meeting her opponent mob-handed, but thinks better of it as she imagines the chaos that could potentially unfold. Instead, convinced that every second counts, she races past them, gesturing for them to stay back, her eyes fixed on the looming forest and her mouth set in a firm line. She draws one pistol, hoping the fact that it is not loaded won't prevent it from being an effective tool in subduing whatever awaits beyond the treeline.
GM As Else races towards the tree line leaving the woodsmen in an indecisive melee behind her she hears the faint and breathlessly pleading voice of Father Leopold as he pushes his way through the mob in your pursuit. "Wait!" he calls "Let me come with you,.....PLEASE!" he wails hopelessly as he sees you dashing off towards the trees. It seems he was curious and hovering just within earshot of your conversation with Runhild and was quick to chase after you as you ran towards the woods.
Else Sigloben Else, surprised that the old priest has managed to keep up so far, waves impatiently at him to follow if he must, but does not slow her progress toward the trees. She is hoping to either encounter the "daemon" at the worksite or detect some tracks to follow if he has made off - and is keen not to make much noise as she enters the woods.
GM No doubt the old priest would claim that his strength was inspired by his zeal to serve Sigmar. But as he watches Else disappear into the treeline that strength if not his zeal abandons him and Else sees that he has stopped pursuing and short of breath is being helped back towards the village by the entire labour force of woodsmen. Else is indeed on her own for the time being. The work site is quite treacherous underfoot. The woodsmen have felled most of the mature trees only leaving the saplings and small ones room to grow and replace them. But the ground itself is littered with the branches trimmed from the trees that have been felled more recently and as Else rushes into the area she finds her boots catching on the detritus underfoot and kicking up branches in her path. [OOC: Roll for keeping your feet with a -10 modifier for speed of movement.] Dexerity: 1d100<14 Rolled 4
Else Sigloben Else slows her pace as she reaches the edge of the cleared area. If she sights the vegetable thief her plan is to level her pistols at him. If not, she intends to quietly search the treeline looking for evidence of his presence or tracks that she can stealthily follow. She certainly can't afford to lose her footing or crack a fallen branch, giving her opponent more advantage than he already has.
GM Else moves carefully across the felling area trying to keep her feet and avoid making too much noise. Her unloaded pistol is held upright against her right shoulder a habit to prevent the ball from dropping out even though it's not actually loaded. The other pistol is still in its holster and her other hand is empty for balance just in case, The felled area extends at least one hundred paces into the forest along its entire border and the forest floor in this area is heavily trodden by the woodsmen and rutted with the tracks of hauled logs. However, beyond it, she can see the start of the untouched forest where mature tree's and thick undergrowth obscure her view. [OOC: Secret Observation Test. 1d100<29 + Sixth_Sense] Else's senses are on high alert as she moves toward the untouched treeline. The cold southerly breeze rustles through the leaves and beyond the edge of the forest proper the dusk has already begun to settle. but apart from the swaying of the tree canopy, she can sense nothing ahead of her. Behind her, however, there is a growing commotion as Elder Heinuch has appeared on the scene disturbed yet again from his important work by the rush of panicked woodsmen and is now marshalling a hunting party determined to end these distractions once and for all. Torches are being lit and three large hunting dogs have been fetched from the other end of the village. Those without axes are collecting pitchforks and Father Leopold is busy blessing everyone including himself and loudly calling on Sigmar for support. Else stares into the darkening forest and thinks she sees a trail of disturbed bracken just beyond the treeline heading eastwards deeper into the gloom. It's faint but it looks like something large trampled its way off into the trees.
Else Sigloben Else swears softly under her breath, turns and walks quickly back towards the massing villagers. "Heinuch! Good to see you! It appears that there may actually be something, or more likely someone, lurking outside the village. Well done on gathering your men." As she gets closer to the milling crowd, she lowers her voice to avoid being heard by anyone other than the Priest and the Village Elder. "In this moment, your seniority and leadership will be crucial. I'm sure we agree that it will not do to leave the village unprotected while its men trample into the forest this close to nightfall. If we are to have a chance of capturing whatever is out there we will need a good plan. I have spotted the trail left by our quarry and if you assign me two of your best men, each with torch and hound, we will track down the target while you marshall the rest of the men to ringfence the village in case it is attacked. The chance of that is no doubt slim, but I'd wager it's not a chance that you would want to take. I will return with whatever we capture and your village can get back to its business. Who would you say are your best and most level-headed trackers?"
Linden Heinuch Elder Heinuch strains to understand Else's plan. "So, you're saying just two men an' you are gonna take down this demon. Alone?" He scratches his head dubiously. "Are you sure that's wise?" He leans forward and adds in a hushed voice so nobody else can hear. "Sounds like a suicide mission to me, not sure any of my lads will be up fer it."
Father Leopold Father Leopold jumps in quickly nudging Heinuch aside. "I'll come." he offers excitedly "I can't track and my eyesight's not good but I can pray for our success and call on Sigmar for support if we need it.".
Else Sigloben "There's been no daemons stealing Mother Runhild's carrots, Elder. It's a Wastelander in those trees or at worst an Elf. A posse of men stomping around and we lose him, like as not. But a more careful approach and we've caught ourselves a spy - something you might rightly expect a Duke to be fair grateful for..."
Linden Heinuch "How in Sigmar's name do you know that Witch Hunter?" demands Heinuch, "Twice the height of a man she said," nodding towards Runhild still watching events from the safety of her vegetable patch "An' my men say it has long yellow fangs and a grin like death itself." looking round the clustered woodsmen for affirmation and getting a lot of nods and positive grunts in return "An' anyway what in Verena's arse is a Wastelander?" He's clearly not convinced though the suggestion that there might be a reward from the Duke seems to peak his interest. "Are these Wastelanders in thick wi' the Wallenstein's then. Is that what yer saying?" "Ear! ta sabotage the Dukes timber production no doubt," You can see his mind playing through the possible rewards he might expect from the Duke if he exposed an evil Wallenstein plot against him. Maybe a reward from the Graf himself. Village Elder exposes Wallenstein plot and executes Wallenstein agent. Sounds good....unless it is a twelve-foot tall demon of death out there in the darkness.
Else Sigloben "Good. You have seen to the heart of it, Heinuch. Point out your two best dog-handlers. We don't have time to squabble. And Father Leopold, I think the village would benefit most from your sage ministry at present. I don't want to have you breaking your ankles in a dark forest on my conscience. Rally the men, reassure them that Sigmar brings close protection. And I will bring you a "daemon" to examine as soon as I am able."
Linden Heinuch Heinuch frowned still not entirely convinced but the way he figured it, it wasn't his neck on the block no matter what happened. He turned to his men "Ok! piglets which of you is up fer a walk in the woods with our hunter friend here?" He paused and there was a deathly silence from the crowd. "Right! Burkhard you're going because you know how to keep those dogs under control better than the rest of us. Who else?" Burkhard did not look happy even though the recognition was appreciated. "I'll go!" said a voice from the back of the group and Else recognised the young man called Rudi who had been given the task of rubbing down her horse. "Good! That's it then. Rudi and Burkhard." announced Heinuch pointing out each to Else. "We'll wait here an' guard the village. Shout if you need us." With that Heinuch mentally washed his hands of the whole business. He'd done his best.
Father Leopold Father Leopold looks crestfallen another opportunity for glory and excitement lost. Why did Sigmar hate him so much?
Else Sigloben "Ok men, you heard Heinuch. Let's go. And you can be assured, Rudi, Burkhard, that I intend every one of us to be safely back in our beds very shortly." "Father Leopold, your enthusiasm and bravery has not gone unnoticed, either by myself or, I'll warrant, Sigmar himself. Pray for our safe return." With that, Else grabs a lit torch from one of the villagers, and strides towards the treeline once more.
Angestag 22nd Day of Vorhexen (Winter) 2512 IC Time Early Evening Weather Dusk - The chill southerly wind drops and dark clouds begin to gather.
GM Else heads back into the gathering shadows of the forest, torch held in her left hand and her empty pistol cradled once more against her right shoulder. Burkhard follows with the two large shaggy-haired hunting dogs straining on their leads in his right hand and a two-handed woodsman's axe in his left. Rudi brings up the rear a torch in his right hand and a two-handed woodsman's axe in his left. You cross the felled area and find the trail that you spotted earlier leading off to the east amongst the trees. Surprisingly the going gets a bit easier without all the twigs and branches under your feet and you walk steadily eastwards following the trail of trampled bracken and broken branches. The torches illuminate an area of about ten paces radius giving Else enough light to see the trail ahead beyond that the light reflects off the trees making them look like eerie giants but little detail can be seen of the forest floor beneath. You walk for about twenty minutes and then trail abruptly stops and Else looks around for fresh clues. [OOC: Secret Observation Test:] Else's senses are on high alert now. She can see that their quarry changed direction and the trail now heads south but also the slight reflection of her torchlight on what looks like a small hut nestled amongst the trees ahead about thirty paces ahead.
Else Sigloben Else gets Rudi to hold her torch while she carefully loads both pistols and considers her options. The abandoned hut is interesting, but following the trail, while it's still warm is more important. "Burkhard, we turn south here. Your hounds have the scent by now, let's make sure we don't lose the trail. Rudi, keep an eye and an ear on the trees - we don't want to be jumped."
GM It takes a full forty seconds of fiddling to load both your pistols. Rudi looks on fascinated by the process and at the end of it, you have a loaded pistol in both hands and no immediate way to take back your torch. Rudi is standing next to you holding a torch in both hands with his two-handed axe laying it his feet. [OOC: Basically, your party is a bit overburdened. You can put one of your loaded pistols carefully back into your belt but you will need to stopper the barrel to prevent the charge dropping out. Just remember to remove it before you fire. If you have any better idea's give me a shout]
Else Sigloben Else stoppers and holsters one pistol, takes back the torch from Rudi and gestures for Burkhard to lead on, intending to rely more on the hounds' noses and less on her eyes in the failing light.
GM Burkhard steps off following the trail to the south. Else follows loaded pistol on her right shoulder and torch in her left and Rudi takes up the rear. You walk for just a short time perhaps two minutes when the hounds become restless pulling off to the left. Burkhard tugs on their leads trying to keep them moving south but something to the East is drawing their attention. [OOC: Secret Observation Test] Else stares into the darkness to the left of the trail but can see no reason for the hound's behaviour.
Else Sigloben Else hisses quietly at Burkhard to stop and taps her ear, then points to the East, straining her hearing. After they've had a chance to listen, "You sure the trail still leads South, Burkhardt? The dogs are interested in something over there. Just a rabbit maybe? Or maybe not. What's your feeling? You know the hounds.."
Burkhard The Houndmaster Burkhard considers the question. "Dunno! Hunter" he finally admits "Could jus'be rabbits or summat. But can't see the trail fer looking on account o' me not having a torch-like." Else detects an element of smugness in his demeanour. [OOC: Secret observation Test] Else shoved the man aside and leant past him with the torch. She quickly realised that there was no trail heading south just untouched bracken. The trail had changed direction again and now headed east. The dogs were still on the right scent. Else straightened up and stared into the distance darkness to the east. Either her eyes are playing tricks or there is a faint glow in the sky above the tree canopy about a mile away. A campfire perhaps? But the shade seems wrong not yellow but pure white with perhaps a tint of blue.
Else Sigloben Else gathers her makeshift squad close about her and tries to keep things simple in a hushed, urgent voice. "OK, men. We are headed for that faint light to the East. When we get a bit closer, we will need to be quiet - totally quiet. Burkhard, when I give the sign, you are to stop and keep the dogs with you. We don't want their noise spooking whoever is waiting for us. Rudi, you and I will sneak closer and apprehend them. No torches, weapon drawn. Our goal is to take whoever it is that we find *alive*, so follow my lead. If we need backup, Burkhard, I will call your name and you are to come running with a lit torch and the dogs. If you hear fighting, do the same. If it comes to it, release the hounds, but we don't want them ripping our assailant to shreds - we want them alive so they can spill whatever information they might have to us, not sing it in Mórr's ear..." "Do you understand, lads? Then let's move."
Burkhard The Houndmaster "Can't hold the hounds, me axe and a torch." says Burkhard belligerently "Only got two 'ands." [OOC: The problem seems to be that the woodsmen are only carrying their standard two-hands woodsmen's axes, which unlike warrior weapons don't come with straps or belt fittings and so have to be carried requiring at least one free hand. Likewise, torches unlike lanterns can't readily be hung from equipment and so also need to be carried. You basically don't have enough hands]
Rudolf Herkenhof "Mebee! Burk' I could 'old both our axes in one hand an' me torch in the other." suggested Rudi.
Burkhard The Houndmaster "Oh! Aye an what happens when that demon comes rushin at us in a frenzy 'an I ain't got nuffin to defen meself wiv." 'No! doubt yer'll drop both me axe and the torch and run like Ranald's cat. Leaving me holding two dopy dogs an' a torch ta defen' meself wiv." It's clear that Burkhard is not happy about being left without a weapon and as long as he holds the dogs he has no free hand for a torch.
Else Sigloben Else can't help letting her frustration bubble up to some extent. "My god man, use your head.", she whispers through her teeth. "Where we part, Rudi will wedge a torch in the ground for you, and you can wait with the dogs in one hand and your axe in the other. Should you be assailed, you can simply release the hounds and defend yourself with the axe. Now let's keep moving."
GM Burkhard grunts but bites his tongue hefting his axe protectively in one hand and holding the dogs in the other he follows sullenly behind Else. Else leads off with a loaded pistol at her right shoulder and a torch held aloft in the left. And Rudi once more takes up the rear holding a torch in one hand and his axe in the other. You move rapidly eastwards towards the light, which seems to be stationary in the distance. Nobody speaks although as they draw closer the hounds begin to get excited and Burkhard hushes them with a quiet command. [OOC: Secret Observation Test] Your rapid movement through the trees makes the light from your torches flicker and dance around you so that even the trees seem to be moving. But up ahead you can see that you are getting closer to the strange white light. Perhaps another 1,000 paces and you will be able to make out what it is.
Else Sigloben Else halts plants the two torches and reminds Burkhard to keep his ears open. She tells Rudi to stay close to her while they approach quietly until they get close enough to see who they are dealing with. Then they will spread apart a little so they don't get in each others' way. They want to see but remain unseen. Quiet and careful is the order of the day. Most important: Don't attack unless Else gives the command!
GM Else and Rudi creep forwards through the fringe of the clearing. Rudi is holding his axe in both hands, whilst Else is still holding her loaded pistol against her right shoulder. Burkhart remains behind with the dogs and the two torches. The trees begin to thin as they close on the light. The shadow of a huge creature is cast across the far side of the clearing and an eerie blue light makes it hard to see anything beyond. [OOC: Secret Observation Test] It's hard to make out the source of the light but it seems to be hovering in mid-air at about waist height. Else thinks she can hear voices from beyond the light. A conversation? Two people? Some sort of meeting perhaps.
Else Sigloben Else gestures to Rudi to stop and listen. She herself also tries to hear what's being discussed. Exactly how many are talking? And where are they? She's interested in accents, too. Elves? Foreigners? If she feels that it would help she is prepared to slowly sneak around the edge of the clearing, circling toward the speakers but only if she's able to keep out of view.
GM Else and Rudi halt and drop to one knee at the edge of the small clearing. Else peers at the light hovering in the darkness trying to make out what it is and who (or what) is holding it. Her ears straining to detect any further speech. [OOC: Secret Observation Test] The light is quite dazzling and seems to be coming from a small object held at about waist height that casts a huge shadow across the far side of the small clearing and up the tees on the other side.
Else Sigloben Else gestures to Rudi to circle the clearing clockwise, while she circles around in the other direction, edging slowly around the edge of the clearing hoping to get a better view of the figure with the light and also who they are talking with. She wants to stay out of the light, but get closer to the conversation so that she can hear what is being discussed. The fact that those involved are not standing together has made her wonder whether their discussion is entirely friendly...
GM [OOC: Secret Observation Test] As Else and Rudi diverge to circle the clearing in opposite directions. The creature in the centre suddenly speaks. "I think perhaps you are lost?" it says quite clearly to whatever is in the shadows beyond "These are the Saponatheim estates. Are you trying to get to Drakenburg?" There was a brief pause as though the recipient was absorbing the information. But then it replied from somewhere in the shadow cast by the strange light source. "Did you realise you are not alone?" It asked The creature in the middle of the clearing seems irritated by the question "Of course I realise. " it snaps back "I am talking to you right now."
Else Sigloben Else realises that she might need to move quickly if her movements have been overheard by the speaker in the shadows. But maybe it is Rudi that's been noticed? So she still tries to stay as silent as possible... Are these two Wastelander spies? If so, why don't they seem to know each other? Maybe there are multiple factions of Wastelanders trying to exploit the situation with the Drakenburg's Elf? And the fact that one of them has some kind of magical light suggests that they need to be handled very carefully indeed. She circles further around towards the unseen individual. If she can get sight of both of them she can make a better judgement of how to capture them both - or perhaps capturing only one of them alive would be more feasible given the circumstances...
GM Else is on her own now, Rudi having disappeared into the shadows heading in the opposite direction as she instructed. She is conscious that her movements are probably being reflected in the glare of the strange light and without a torch, she can see nothing beyond its light radius either. Fortunately, the creature seems to be distracted by the voices and looking in the other direction. [OOC: Secret Observation Test ] Else stares into the light trying to make out the features of the creature in the clearing. It looks tall and humanoid in shape. Taller than she is, but certainly nowhere near twice man height as suggested by the old woman in the village. Although she was quite small. Perhaps, the oddest thing about it is the huge reapers hook strapped to its back. It's a sinister item to be carrying around outside harvest season and often associated with death. Else can imagine why Runhild thought it was Morr's Messenger come to lead her to his garden. Else scans the darkness outside the light radius but the lack of a torch and the loss of night vision caused by staring into the clearing makes it hard to see anything but the reflection of the light on the trees. She knows there is something out there but can see nothing. Else was pondering what to do next when there was a loud noise from the far side of the clearing like a branch breaking. She heard Rudi mutter 'Taal's Teeth.' and the creature immediately spun to look in that direction turning his back and the light towards her. Else braces herself takes a deep breath and is ready to demand obedience from these foreigners when suddenly the light goes out and the forest is plunged into total and utter darkness. "Good evening," says a voice from the gloom "It appears these woods are very popular tonight!"
Else Sigloben Else curses under her breath and decides that, unfortunately, their stealthy approach is already over before it had hardly begun. In an attempt to give the foreigners more to think about than just attacking Rudi, she shouts: "Foreigners! Identify yourself and your business! I am Hunter Sigloben of the Reik and you are ordered to respect my authority! Show yourselves!" As she shouts, she continues to move around the edge of the clearing, aiming to get closer to the hidden foreigner and trying to get out of the direct focus of the light, possibly by sinking deeper into the trees surrounding the clearing - she doesn't want to take an arrow from the shadows. She also draws her second pistol and, once her commands have been issued, unstoppers it with her teeth.
GM The forest is now in total darkness and Else hears Rudi whimpering from the far side of the small clearing. [OOC: Secret Observation Test] Else her eyes still seeing the fading ghost of the bright white light can't make out a thing in the darkness around her. She now has a pistol in both hands pulling the wadding from the barrel quickly with her teeth. [OOC: Let me know if you plan to cock these pistols but be warned if you do they may go off accidentally if you trip or fall. Cocking a pistol is normally a relatively trivial action but with both hands, full will need a bit more concentration and can't be done whilst moving.]
GM A voice from the clearing interrupts Else's concentration. "Greetings, Hunter. I myself am no foreigner, being of the Gruber family. Alas, I am not able to speak as to my new acquaintances' heritage, as we have only crossed paths for the first time tonight." There is the sound of someone on the far side of the clearing stumbling through the undergrowth to the west where one can just see the orange glow of the two torches where you left Burkhard and the dogs.
Else Sigloben Else momentarily considers chasing after the unknown figure in the woods, but can almost hear her mother's stern voice admonishing her that "a bird in the hand, as they say"... She turns to the tall figure in the clearing, levelling one pistol at him and cocking it slowly and loudly with her thumb. She looks him up and down in the dark, and, scowling, she moves closer to her captive to get a better look. "Herr Gruber, forgive me, but you will understand that under the circumstances I have to proceed with some caution, maybe even suspicion. Can you prove that you are who you say? And maybe you can explain why a little old lady in a village not far from here believes you to be a daemonic giant with a taste for dead rabbit and her prize carrots? Finally, I am going to want to know why you are meeting with foreign agents in the dead of night in the middle of a forest? Hmmm..." And before the man (who it now appears is totally bald!) can reply, she shouts across the clearing: "Rudi! Get Burkhard here quick with the torches and the dogs - and mind you don't trip over your feet while you are at it!"
GM SESSION ENDS
The village was like many along the fringes of the Drakwald just a collection of wooden shacks clustered around a central well. A small community trying to scratch a living from the forest and the few fields they had managed to clear for crops or animals. But according to the Duke Konstantin this one was being terrorised by a demon and Else knew that such threats once reported would only get worse. Besides she was glad to get away from the Drakenburg estate. The constant paranoia about elven agents was making her uneasy. Else had not been introduced to the elven Prince that Salundra had rescued from Marienburg and she wasn't sure whether to be relieved or angry that she had not been included in that reckless adventure. But when the Duke received reports of strange characters asking questions of the local villagers on his estate he and Sali rushed back from Altdorf and Else was asked to help with the investigation. Not that there was much to investigate it was more like chasing shadows. Any stranger asking directions seemed to be under immediate suspicion. Now there was a demon to add to the general hubbub of speculation and gossip. Else rode into the village late in the afternoon after a cold but uneventful journey from Drakenburg. There was a persistent wind from the south but the sky had remained clear so at least she wasn't wet as well. She walked her horse into the village ignoring the wary stares of the population as she passed. Mothers gathered their children to their skirts and the men stared at her with a mixture of resentment and fear. It was always the same in these rural communities they want the protection but not the consequences. Mentally she began to consider how she would approach the investigation.
Else Sigloben "You!", Else points firmly at the nearest sturdy-looking boy child, "you run right now to the big man, the father of the village, understand. And you tell him the Duke's Witch Hunter is here to see him right now at the well. Go!" "And you", Else beckons an unattended girl towards her, "you are going to walk with me and Clever Hans here to your well, and you're going tell me all about this place..." Else swings the girl up onto her horse's broad back, and raises an eyebrow at her, expectantly, waiting for the talking to start...
GM Else's actions galvanise the villagers into desperate action. [OOC: Intimidation Failed -3 SL You Just Didn't Get This Right At All] The sturdy young boy takes one look at Else's accusing black-gloved finger pointing at him and bolts even before she's had a chance to tell him what to do. The petrified little girl immediately starts sobbing as she is beckoned over and when Else tries to pick her up she screams for her mother and nothing Else can do will stop her. That immediately panic's the village woman who begin rushing around gathering their children and bundling them 'willy nilly' into their huts. One brave woman rushes you and tries to snatch back the little girl. [OOC: If you want to contest possession of the little girl roll Strength: 1d100<32] The men stand around awkwardly unsure what to do one or two reach for pitchforks. Apart from the girls screaming the village goes very silent as everyone stops work to watch the drama. A series of random thuds can be heard as locking bars slide firmly into place on the doors of nearby huts.
Else Sigloben For a split second Else's grip tightens on the young girl and she starts to reach for her dagger. But she catches herself immediately and lets the child go, face hardening as she turns away from the onlookers and marches towards the village well.
GM The woman quickly snatches the child away and rushes into a nearby hut. The door slams shut and Else hears the locking bar slide into place with an emphatic thud. Else gathers herself and grabbing the reins of her horse marches towards the village well. The menfolk watch her pass suspiciously the tension is palpable. As she approaches the well a large stocky individual with an elderly face and grey beard marches over from the other direction and close on his heels Else can see a tall wiry Priest struggling to catch up with him.
Linden Heinuch "What in Sigmar's hairy balls is going on?" Demanded the elderly man "and who in his name are you?"
Father Leopold The priest finally manages to catch up, the race for the well clearly having taken his breath but he manages to intercede and admonishes his companion. "Linden please, just let me handle this."
Else Sigloben Else comes to a halt a foot closer to Linden than is likely to be comfortable for him. "My name is Sigloben and I am here, Herr Linden, as your Duke's representative, on business that is best discussed in private. The priest is welcome to join us." She nods stiffly at the clergyman. "My horse needs stabling and would benefit from a good rub down - plenty of your folk seem to be standing idle, I'm sure one of them will oblige.."
Linden Heinuch Heinuch colours slightly and then turns away and gestures angrily at one of the young male villagers "Rudi! Take this ladies 'orse and give it a good rub down in the stables.' He glares around the village where most of the men are still idly hanging about watching the drama. "The rest 'o yer, get back to bloody work. We got quotas to meet an' it ain't dark yet.' 'She tried to take my little Lotty." one of the men shouts back "She's a good girl, you just ask the Father. Ain't she father pure as Shallya's tits she is." "Shut it!" growled Heinuch "And get back to work." 'Follow me!" he adds gesturing to Else
Father Leopold The Sigmarite falls in step beside Else as she follows Heinuch towards his hut. The largest in the village. "I can assure you Hunter Sigloben there is no corruption in this village. I don't know what Lotty did but she has never shown any signs of corruption. I am very thorough I assure you Sigmar guides me."
Linden Heinuch "For the love of Sigmar stop grovelling Wilhelm. Save it for your Lector in Ubersreich I'm sure Hunter Siglobel has better things to do than listen to you blow you own trumpet." He throws open the door to his hut and leads you through to what passes as his study. Little more than a desk and a few chairs. He closes the door behind you all then turns on the priest. "This is your doing I suppose?" "Been blabbing to your boss again trying to earn browny points. How many do you get for a burning these days father?"
Father Leopold "Don't you take that tone with me Linden Heinuch. I don't tell you how to cut timber so don't lecture me on how to harvest souls. I was bound by my divine duty to report that there was a demon in the woods and I do my duty to Sigmar and my superiors." He added nose in the air in indignation whilst casting a sly glance at Else to make sure she was paying attention. Heinuch scoffed but kept quiet.
Else Sigloben "Gentlemen," Else raises both hands to quell the noise. "I'm sure we are all of a single purpose in this matter. Any hint of Daemonic activity must be investigated immediately. But I have no doubt - at least at present - that young Lotty and the rest of your villagers have had no involvement.. let alone complicity." She turns to Linden: "Herr Heinuch, you have the advantage over me. Please introduce yourself. What is your role in the village, and what do you know of the rumoured corruption in your woods. Any information you can share at this point may be invaluable."
Linden Heinuch 'I'm the village elder. My duty is to deliver the quota of timber demanded by the Graf.' he tries to make this role sound more important than it probably is. "As fer this demon. I think it's nothing more than Ranald's piss." he snaps angrily giving the priest a hostile glance. "Just an excuse to slack off in my opinion. Something farts in the forest an' suddenly it's everyone down tools and call in the hunters." "No disrespect you understand. But t'weren't me who dragged you over here on a fool's errand." [OOC: Interrogation: Failed -5 SL - Wow! I think if he had said the Priest was a demon you would have believed him] The village elder seems like an honest hard working man whose only concern is to do the right thing by his lord and master the Graf.
Else Sigloben "I understand entirely, Herr Heinuch. I will not waste any more of your valuable time! I am sure the Duke will be glad to hear of your diligent commitment to the village's productivity and well-being." Else turns to Father Leopold. "Priest, perhaps you and I could discuss what you have heard of the matter? I would like to see the village for myself, would you walk with me and tell me what you know? Villagers telling tales that waste an official witch hunter's time is a serious matter, of course. We can leave Elder Heinuch to his business." Else nods curtly towards Linden, smiles at Leopold and gestures towards the door.
Father Leopold Linden nods his approval, glad to get rid of the two Sigmarites so he can get on with some work. The priest and Else leave the Elders house and return to the well and the chill of the wind. Else can hear whistling from the stable block to the left of the house where Rudi is busy rubbing down her horse and seems happy with his task. Father Leopold fidget's nervously with his comet pendant "I don't know a lot." he begins "Only what I've been told by the villagers you understand. I've not seen this demon myself." He pauses as if unsure where to begin. "First there were reports from the woodsmen cutting trees along the edge of the forest. They like to keep the tree line back as far as they can from the village at least out of bow shot anyways. Also, it's not safe wandering too deep into the forest if you don't need to. Anyway, they claimed there was a tall dark figure stalking them through the trees. 'Morr's messenger' they called it. Claimed it was a demon of death." he sighed clearly nervous. "Refused to go into the trees for a while but Linden made them in the end." "Then there was the incident in the village. That was when I reported the problem to the Lector in Ubersreik." "Old Mother Runhild claims she came face to face with the demon actually in the village. It was a dark night and she was heading for the privy and stepped out of her hut and there it was squatting in her vegetable patch. A tall dark creature, very tall, she said perhaps twice the height of a man." "We could go and talk to her if you like. Her hut is just over there on the edge of the village." he points towards the treeline.
Else Sigloben "Of course. Lead on, Father", Else makes an awkward sweeping gesture with her arm. "The treeline beyond her hut, is that the area that the woodsman claim to have seen the creature in? How much time between the two sightings? And how many days ago was Old Mother Runhild incident?" As they walk, Else scans the village and the villagers, looking for signs of corruption - weird symbols above doors, furtive or perhaps even malicious glances, evidence of licentious behaviour of some kind, etc., etc.; the litany of signs drummed into her by her mother on boring horse journeys across the region. And though she would not admit it, something in her also hopes for another glimpse of young Lotty - yet what she'd say to the girl is clear as a muddy pool. Shaking herself out of her thoughts, she looks the Priest up and down. "You've served here for some time, I suppose Father Leopold? A devout community, you would say?"
Father Leopold Else scans the village for witch signs or other corruptions but nothing seems amiss. Most of the women and children are still in their huts and most of the men are back at work in the distant trees. You can faintly hear them singing in the distance. The priest keeps pace beside Else carefully directing her towards a small cottage on the edge of the village. "I've been here over ten years now. Sometimes I think they have forgotten me." he gives you a twisted smile. "I envy you, you know, must be exciting being a hunter. Smiting the heretic's, purifying the corrupt, a true instrument of Sigmar's justice." He sighs "All I get is terrified mothers asking me to purify the rash on their babies bottom."
Else Sigloben "Like your own, my calling is a responsibility, Father. Neither of us should be in our line of work for the desire of excitement. And I am sure you are not forgotten in the higher orders of the church. If my visit to your village goes well I will likely mention your stalwart service in dispatches.. as it were"
Father Leopold The priest nods his appreciation of your words and offer. "This is the cottage." he notes reaching out and tapping on the door "Runhild, its Father Leopold may we talk to you." he calls. There is an awkward pause before finally there is a sound of movement from inside the hut and the locking bar is slid aside. An elder woman peers around the edge of the door "What is it?" she asks bluntly. "This lady would like to ask you about the demon you saw in your vegetable garden." says the priest gesturing at Else. The old woman scans you up and down "What do you want to know?" she asks
Else Sigloben "Greetings, Mother Runhild. My name is Hunter Sigloben. I am here to investigate what you witnessed in the garden. Please show me exactly where it stood and describe to me exactly what it did and said. Your keen wits and sharp memory will no doubt have kept your village safe from harm on many occasions and this is certainly an important one. Lead on", Else tries to smile winningly and gestures towards the garden. "Father Leopold, why don't you rest your feet here while I talk with Runhild." This is more instruction than question. Once in the garden, Else will examine the ground and plants, the fence and gate and, eventually the land between the garden and the treeline. She will want to know how long has passed since the event and details of the creature's stance, clothing, eyes, hair, mouth and hands. Was it holding anything? Was there moonlight. Did the air feel unnaturally cold? Else will try not to alarm or scare the woman and where possible will flatter her status as a village matriarch with uncommonly fine mental and sensory capability - not to mention an impressive garden, surely one of the finest in the region.
Runhild Heiler Mother Runhild shuffles back and opens the door she gestures for you to enter "Be happy to help in any way I can hunter. Follow me I'll show you where I saw it." She hobbles over towards the back of her hut where you can see another door that opens out towards the woods beyond. "Gave me quite shock I can tell you. Don't expect ta meet a big slavering demon on yer way to the privy. Thought Morr's Messenger had come for me I did." Else is only half-listening to her. Eyes scanning the interior of the hut with professional thoroughness as she follows the old woman. At first sight its a mess. Bottles, bowls and containers everywhere hardly a square inch of wall space is wasted. Everywhere that Else looks there are shelves of jars mostly unlabelled some with cryptic notes tied to them. Both fresh and dried herbs hang from any remaining space including the roof beams and even the air seems equally cluttered with competing smells mostly pleasant. The prevailing smell of rosemary dominates everything. No sign of a black cat though. Runhild reaches the back door and pushes it open before stepping out into her garden and Else follows into the fresh clean air. The garden is less than ten paces deep and the same across with small cultivated patches dotted about and sown with various herbs and vegetables and a small wooden privy in the far corner. "I came out and was heading for the privy when I first saw it. Kind of hunched over on all fours like an animal right there in me carrot patch," she said pointing at a somewhat disturbed patch of soil with just a few remaining carrots evident. "But when it saw me it sort of reared up on its hind legs and looked me right in the eyes. Must have been twice the height of a man, with long gangly arms and dark as night. It had this huge reaper hook in one hand and a bunch of me carrots in the other." She was getting excited now and waving her hands to emphasise the true horror of what she had seen. "Well, I wasn't having none of that. I told 'im. You ain't taking me I said. I ain't ready to go. An I told 'im put my carrots back they ain't yours either." She turned back to Else. "He didn't say anything, just walked off cool as a cucumber with me carrots in one hand an swinging that reapers hook of his in the other and he disappeared back into the forest." Runhild looked at the ground and shook her head as if to indicate the sad state the world has come to when demons nick your carrots.
Else Sigloben As they move through the house, Else notes what she takes to be the paraphernalia of a herbalist (or perhaps something worse) and briefly considers probing Runhilda's herbal activities, but as they emerge into the garden she rapidly becomes more interested in the carrots. "It left with the carrots, you say?" Else remarks, straightening up after crouching to examine the ground around the missing carrot plants, and trying to prevent one of her eyebrows from arching. "Can you show me exactly where it went when it left? Did it float? Leap over the fence? Use the gate? What route did it take?"
Runhild Heiler Runhild looks a bit confused and not really sure about the point of the question she pondered how best to answer. "It were dark dear." she eventually replied, "These old eyes ain't what they used to be." "But it definitely headed off towards the woods and me fence weren't broken in the morning. So, I guess it must have floated over it. Or maybe through it." she ventured as an additional possibility. "Oh! an I just remembered" she added excitedly "It killed a rabbit. Found it right there where your standing." she pointed to Elses feet. "Stone cold dead it was an' not a mark on it. Like it just sucked the life right out of it on the spot."
GM Else begins to search for clues in the garden but as if on cue as Runhild mentions the woods there is a sudden ominous silence from the trees. The sound of woodsmen's axes falls silent and their singing stops abruptly. Else senses something is not right in the woods. [OOC: There you go! A bit of Sixth Sense for you, not very useful but nevertheless.]
Else Sigloben Else stops, staring in the direction of the now silent trees, then glances wordlessly at Runhild for one second before sprinting toward the treeline, vaulting the fence as she goes.
Else Sigloben Else's train of thought as she runs: "This was certainly no daemon stealing carrots and rabbits in the shadows. But the possibility that a strange unknown man (or perhaps not quite a man?) could be on the prowl is worth serious attention given the current situation. And though it may not take much to confuse a herb-addled granny in the dark, it is another thing entirely to spook a whole team of woodsmen in broad daylight. If she moves fast, bloodshed may be averted and just perhaps there could be a Marienburger agent to capture and return with to the estate!"
GM Else sprints across Runhilds garden trying to avoid the vegetable patches and jumps the fence. Not that the fence deserves such a distinction as it's more like a line of sticks with wattle style twigs woven between them. It was only knee height and Else cleared it easily even with the weight of all her equipment. She then began to sprint towards the treeline only to be met there by a mob of about twenty woodsmen heading rapidly in the opposite direction. Most of them skidded to a halt when they saw Else and everyone started yelling at once. Else caught a few snatches of the breathless information. "Demon coming...." "Big...." "Dark...." "Evil grin... "Yellow teeth... "Huge reapers blade..." "Getting torches...." "I got sommat really important I need to do...." "Get im...." "It's your job ain't it."
Else Sigloben Else briefly considers halting, commanding the men to accompany her, and meeting her opponent mob-handed, but thinks better of it as she imagines the chaos that could potentially unfold. Instead, convinced that every second counts, she races past them, gesturing for them to stay back, her eyes fixed on the looming forest and her mouth set in a firm line. She draws one pistol, hoping the fact that it is not loaded won't prevent it from being an effective tool in subduing whatever awaits beyond the treeline.
GM As Else races towards the tree line leaving the woodsmen in an indecisive melee behind her she hears the faint and breathlessly pleading voice of Father Leopold as he pushes his way through the mob in your pursuit. "Wait!" he calls "Let me come with you,.....PLEASE!" he wails hopelessly as he sees you dashing off towards the trees. It seems he was curious and hovering just within earshot of your conversation with Runhild and was quick to chase after you as you ran towards the woods.
Else Sigloben Else, surprised that the old priest has managed to keep up so far, waves impatiently at him to follow if he must, but does not slow her progress toward the trees. She is hoping to either encounter the "daemon" at the worksite or detect some tracks to follow if he has made off - and is keen not to make much noise as she enters the woods.
GM No doubt the old priest would claim that his strength was inspired by his zeal to serve Sigmar. But as he watches Else disappear into the treeline that strength if not his zeal abandons him and Else sees that he has stopped pursuing and short of breath is being helped back towards the village by the entire labour force of woodsmen. Else is indeed on her own for the time being. The work site is quite treacherous underfoot. The woodsmen have felled most of the mature trees only leaving the saplings and small ones room to grow and replace them. But the ground itself is littered with the branches trimmed from the trees that have been felled more recently and as Else rushes into the area she finds her boots catching on the detritus underfoot and kicking up branches in her path. [OOC: Roll for keeping your feet with a -10 modifier for speed of movement.] Dexerity: 1d100<14 Rolled 4
Else Sigloben Else slows her pace as she reaches the edge of the cleared area. If she sights the vegetable thief her plan is to level her pistols at him. If not, she intends to quietly search the treeline looking for evidence of his presence or tracks that she can stealthily follow. She certainly can't afford to lose her footing or crack a fallen branch, giving her opponent more advantage than he already has.
GM Else moves carefully across the felling area trying to keep her feet and avoid making too much noise. Her unloaded pistol is held upright against her right shoulder a habit to prevent the ball from dropping out even though it's not actually loaded. The other pistol is still in its holster and her other hand is empty for balance just in case, The felled area extends at least one hundred paces into the forest along its entire border and the forest floor in this area is heavily trodden by the woodsmen and rutted with the tracks of hauled logs. However, beyond it, she can see the start of the untouched forest where mature tree's and thick undergrowth obscure her view. [OOC: Secret Observation Test. 1d100<29 + Sixth_Sense] Else's senses are on high alert as she moves toward the untouched treeline. The cold southerly breeze rustles through the leaves and beyond the edge of the forest proper the dusk has already begun to settle. but apart from the swaying of the tree canopy, she can sense nothing ahead of her. Behind her, however, there is a growing commotion as Elder Heinuch has appeared on the scene disturbed yet again from his important work by the rush of panicked woodsmen and is now marshalling a hunting party determined to end these distractions once and for all. Torches are being lit and three large hunting dogs have been fetched from the other end of the village. Those without axes are collecting pitchforks and Father Leopold is busy blessing everyone including himself and loudly calling on Sigmar for support. Else stares into the darkening forest and thinks she sees a trail of disturbed bracken just beyond the treeline heading eastwards deeper into the gloom. It's faint but it looks like something large trampled its way off into the trees.
Else Sigloben Else swears softly under her breath, turns and walks quickly back towards the massing villagers. "Heinuch! Good to see you! It appears that there may actually be something, or more likely someone, lurking outside the village. Well done on gathering your men." As she gets closer to the milling crowd, she lowers her voice to avoid being heard by anyone other than the Priest and the Village Elder. "In this moment, your seniority and leadership will be crucial. I'm sure we agree that it will not do to leave the village unprotected while its men trample into the forest this close to nightfall. If we are to have a chance of capturing whatever is out there we will need a good plan. I have spotted the trail left by our quarry and if you assign me two of your best men, each with torch and hound, we will track down the target while you marshall the rest of the men to ringfence the village in case it is attacked. The chance of that is no doubt slim, but I'd wager it's not a chance that you would want to take. I will return with whatever we capture and your village can get back to its business. Who would you say are your best and most level-headed trackers?"
Linden Heinuch Elder Heinuch strains to understand Else's plan. "So, you're saying just two men an' you are gonna take down this demon. Alone?" He scratches his head dubiously. "Are you sure that's wise?" He leans forward and adds in a hushed voice so nobody else can hear. "Sounds like a suicide mission to me, not sure any of my lads will be up fer it."
Father Leopold Father Leopold jumps in quickly nudging Heinuch aside. "I'll come." he offers excitedly "I can't track and my eyesight's not good but I can pray for our success and call on Sigmar for support if we need it.".
Else Sigloben "There's been no daemons stealing Mother Runhild's carrots, Elder. It's a Wastelander in those trees or at worst an Elf. A posse of men stomping around and we lose him, like as not. But a more careful approach and we've caught ourselves a spy - something you might rightly expect a Duke to be fair grateful for..."
Linden Heinuch "How in Sigmar's name do you know that Witch Hunter?" demands Heinuch, "Twice the height of a man she said," nodding towards Runhild still watching events from the safety of her vegetable patch "An' my men say it has long yellow fangs and a grin like death itself." looking round the clustered woodsmen for affirmation and getting a lot of nods and positive grunts in return "An' anyway what in Verena's arse is a Wastelander?" He's clearly not convinced though the suggestion that there might be a reward from the Duke seems to peak his interest. "Are these Wastelanders in thick wi' the Wallenstein's then. Is that what yer saying?" "Ear! ta sabotage the Dukes timber production no doubt," You can see his mind playing through the possible rewards he might expect from the Duke if he exposed an evil Wallenstein plot against him. Maybe a reward from the Graf himself. Village Elder exposes Wallenstein plot and executes Wallenstein agent. Sounds good....unless it is a twelve-foot tall demon of death out there in the darkness.
Else Sigloben "Good. You have seen to the heart of it, Heinuch. Point out your two best dog-handlers. We don't have time to squabble. And Father Leopold, I think the village would benefit most from your sage ministry at present. I don't want to have you breaking your ankles in a dark forest on my conscience. Rally the men, reassure them that Sigmar brings close protection. And I will bring you a "daemon" to examine as soon as I am able."
Linden Heinuch Heinuch frowned still not entirely convinced but the way he figured it, it wasn't his neck on the block no matter what happened. He turned to his men "Ok! piglets which of you is up fer a walk in the woods with our hunter friend here?" He paused and there was a deathly silence from the crowd. "Right! Burkhard you're going because you know how to keep those dogs under control better than the rest of us. Who else?" Burkhard did not look happy even though the recognition was appreciated. "I'll go!" said a voice from the back of the group and Else recognised the young man called Rudi who had been given the task of rubbing down her horse. "Good! That's it then. Rudi and Burkhard." announced Heinuch pointing out each to Else. "We'll wait here an' guard the village. Shout if you need us." With that Heinuch mentally washed his hands of the whole business. He'd done his best.
Father Leopold Father Leopold looks crestfallen another opportunity for glory and excitement lost. Why did Sigmar hate him so much?
Else Sigloben "Ok men, you heard Heinuch. Let's go. And you can be assured, Rudi, Burkhard, that I intend every one of us to be safely back in our beds very shortly." "Father Leopold, your enthusiasm and bravery has not gone unnoticed, either by myself or, I'll warrant, Sigmar himself. Pray for our safe return." With that, Else grabs a lit torch from one of the villagers, and strides towards the treeline once more.
Angestag 22nd Day of Vorhexen (Winter) 2512 IC Time Early Evening Weather Dusk - The chill southerly wind drops and dark clouds begin to gather.
GM Else heads back into the gathering shadows of the forest, torch held in her left hand and her empty pistol cradled once more against her right shoulder. Burkhard follows with the two large shaggy-haired hunting dogs straining on their leads in his right hand and a two-handed woodsman's axe in his left. Rudi brings up the rear a torch in his right hand and a two-handed woodsman's axe in his left. You cross the felled area and find the trail that you spotted earlier leading off to the east amongst the trees. Surprisingly the going gets a bit easier without all the twigs and branches under your feet and you walk steadily eastwards following the trail of trampled bracken and broken branches. The torches illuminate an area of about ten paces radius giving Else enough light to see the trail ahead beyond that the light reflects off the trees making them look like eerie giants but little detail can be seen of the forest floor beneath. You walk for about twenty minutes and then trail abruptly stops and Else looks around for fresh clues. [OOC: Secret Observation Test:] Else's senses are on high alert now. She can see that their quarry changed direction and the trail now heads south but also the slight reflection of her torchlight on what looks like a small hut nestled amongst the trees ahead about thirty paces ahead.
Else Sigloben Else gets Rudi to hold her torch while she carefully loads both pistols and considers her options. The abandoned hut is interesting, but following the trail, while it's still warm is more important. "Burkhard, we turn south here. Your hounds have the scent by now, let's make sure we don't lose the trail. Rudi, keep an eye and an ear on the trees - we don't want to be jumped."
GM It takes a full forty seconds of fiddling to load both your pistols. Rudi looks on fascinated by the process and at the end of it, you have a loaded pistol in both hands and no immediate way to take back your torch. Rudi is standing next to you holding a torch in both hands with his two-handed axe laying it his feet. [OOC: Basically, your party is a bit overburdened. You can put one of your loaded pistols carefully back into your belt but you will need to stopper the barrel to prevent the charge dropping out. Just remember to remove it before you fire. If you have any better idea's give me a shout]
Else Sigloben Else stoppers and holsters one pistol, takes back the torch from Rudi and gestures for Burkhard to lead on, intending to rely more on the hounds' noses and less on her eyes in the failing light.
GM Burkhard steps off following the trail to the south. Else follows loaded pistol on her right shoulder and torch in her left and Rudi takes up the rear. You walk for just a short time perhaps two minutes when the hounds become restless pulling off to the left. Burkhard tugs on their leads trying to keep them moving south but something to the East is drawing their attention. [OOC: Secret Observation Test] Else stares into the darkness to the left of the trail but can see no reason for the hound's behaviour.
Else Sigloben Else hisses quietly at Burkhard to stop and taps her ear, then points to the East, straining her hearing. After they've had a chance to listen, "You sure the trail still leads South, Burkhardt? The dogs are interested in something over there. Just a rabbit maybe? Or maybe not. What's your feeling? You know the hounds.."
Burkhard The Houndmaster Burkhard considers the question. "Dunno! Hunter" he finally admits "Could jus'be rabbits or summat. But can't see the trail fer looking on account o' me not having a torch-like." Else detects an element of smugness in his demeanour. [OOC: Secret observation Test] Else shoved the man aside and leant past him with the torch. She quickly realised that there was no trail heading south just untouched bracken. The trail had changed direction again and now headed east. The dogs were still on the right scent. Else straightened up and stared into the distance darkness to the east. Either her eyes are playing tricks or there is a faint glow in the sky above the tree canopy about a mile away. A campfire perhaps? But the shade seems wrong not yellow but pure white with perhaps a tint of blue.
Else Sigloben Else gathers her makeshift squad close about her and tries to keep things simple in a hushed, urgent voice. "OK, men. We are headed for that faint light to the East. When we get a bit closer, we will need to be quiet - totally quiet. Burkhard, when I give the sign, you are to stop and keep the dogs with you. We don't want their noise spooking whoever is waiting for us. Rudi, you and I will sneak closer and apprehend them. No torches, weapon drawn. Our goal is to take whoever it is that we find *alive*, so follow my lead. If we need backup, Burkhard, I will call your name and you are to come running with a lit torch and the dogs. If you hear fighting, do the same. If it comes to it, release the hounds, but we don't want them ripping our assailant to shreds - we want them alive so they can spill whatever information they might have to us, not sing it in Mórr's ear..." "Do you understand, lads? Then let's move."
Burkhard The Houndmaster "Can't hold the hounds, me axe and a torch." says Burkhard belligerently "Only got two 'ands." [OOC: The problem seems to be that the woodsmen are only carrying their standard two-hands woodsmen's axes, which unlike warrior weapons don't come with straps or belt fittings and so have to be carried requiring at least one free hand. Likewise, torches unlike lanterns can't readily be hung from equipment and so also need to be carried. You basically don't have enough hands]
Rudolf Herkenhof "Mebee! Burk' I could 'old both our axes in one hand an' me torch in the other." suggested Rudi.
Burkhard The Houndmaster "Oh! Aye an what happens when that demon comes rushin at us in a frenzy 'an I ain't got nuffin to defen meself wiv." 'No! doubt yer'll drop both me axe and the torch and run like Ranald's cat. Leaving me holding two dopy dogs an' a torch ta defen' meself wiv." It's clear that Burkhard is not happy about being left without a weapon and as long as he holds the dogs he has no free hand for a torch.
Else Sigloben Else can't help letting her frustration bubble up to some extent. "My god man, use your head.", she whispers through her teeth. "Where we part, Rudi will wedge a torch in the ground for you, and you can wait with the dogs in one hand and your axe in the other. Should you be assailed, you can simply release the hounds and defend yourself with the axe. Now let's keep moving."
GM Burkhard grunts but bites his tongue hefting his axe protectively in one hand and holding the dogs in the other he follows sullenly behind Else. Else leads off with a loaded pistol at her right shoulder and a torch held aloft in the left. And Rudi once more takes up the rear holding a torch in one hand and his axe in the other. You move rapidly eastwards towards the light, which seems to be stationary in the distance. Nobody speaks although as they draw closer the hounds begin to get excited and Burkhard hushes them with a quiet command. [OOC: Secret Observation Test] Your rapid movement through the trees makes the light from your torches flicker and dance around you so that even the trees seem to be moving. But up ahead you can see that you are getting closer to the strange white light. Perhaps another 1,000 paces and you will be able to make out what it is.
Else Sigloben Else halts plants the two torches and reminds Burkhard to keep his ears open. She tells Rudi to stay close to her while they approach quietly until they get close enough to see who they are dealing with. Then they will spread apart a little so they don't get in each others' way. They want to see but remain unseen. Quiet and careful is the order of the day. Most important: Don't attack unless Else gives the command!
GM Else and Rudi creep forwards through the fringe of the clearing. Rudi is holding his axe in both hands, whilst Else is still holding her loaded pistol against her right shoulder. Burkhart remains behind with the dogs and the two torches. The trees begin to thin as they close on the light. The shadow of a huge creature is cast across the far side of the clearing and an eerie blue light makes it hard to see anything beyond. [OOC: Secret Observation Test] It's hard to make out the source of the light but it seems to be hovering in mid-air at about waist height. Else thinks she can hear voices from beyond the light. A conversation? Two people? Some sort of meeting perhaps.
Else Sigloben Else gestures to Rudi to stop and listen. She herself also tries to hear what's being discussed. Exactly how many are talking? And where are they? She's interested in accents, too. Elves? Foreigners? If she feels that it would help she is prepared to slowly sneak around the edge of the clearing, circling toward the speakers but only if she's able to keep out of view.
GM Else and Rudi halt and drop to one knee at the edge of the small clearing. Else peers at the light hovering in the darkness trying to make out what it is and who (or what) is holding it. Her ears straining to detect any further speech. [OOC: Secret Observation Test] The light is quite dazzling and seems to be coming from a small object held at about waist height that casts a huge shadow across the far side of the small clearing and up the tees on the other side.
Else Sigloben Else gestures to Rudi to circle the clearing clockwise, while she circles around in the other direction, edging slowly around the edge of the clearing hoping to get a better view of the figure with the light and also who they are talking with. She wants to stay out of the light, but get closer to the conversation so that she can hear what is being discussed. The fact that those involved are not standing together has made her wonder whether their discussion is entirely friendly...
GM [OOC: Secret Observation Test] As Else and Rudi diverge to circle the clearing in opposite directions. The creature in the centre suddenly speaks. "I think perhaps you are lost?" it says quite clearly to whatever is in the shadows beyond "These are the Saponatheim estates. Are you trying to get to Drakenburg?" There was a brief pause as though the recipient was absorbing the information. But then it replied from somewhere in the shadow cast by the strange light source. "Did you realise you are not alone?" It asked The creature in the middle of the clearing seems irritated by the question "Of course I realise. " it snaps back "I am talking to you right now."
Else Sigloben Else realises that she might need to move quickly if her movements have been overheard by the speaker in the shadows. But maybe it is Rudi that's been noticed? So she still tries to stay as silent as possible... Are these two Wastelander spies? If so, why don't they seem to know each other? Maybe there are multiple factions of Wastelanders trying to exploit the situation with the Drakenburg's Elf? And the fact that one of them has some kind of magical light suggests that they need to be handled very carefully indeed. She circles further around towards the unseen individual. If she can get sight of both of them she can make a better judgement of how to capture them both - or perhaps capturing only one of them alive would be more feasible given the circumstances...
GM Else is on her own now, Rudi having disappeared into the shadows heading in the opposite direction as she instructed. She is conscious that her movements are probably being reflected in the glare of the strange light and without a torch, she can see nothing beyond its light radius either. Fortunately, the creature seems to be distracted by the voices and looking in the other direction. [OOC: Secret Observation Test ] Else stares into the light trying to make out the features of the creature in the clearing. It looks tall and humanoid in shape. Taller than she is, but certainly nowhere near twice man height as suggested by the old woman in the village. Although she was quite small. Perhaps, the oddest thing about it is the huge reapers hook strapped to its back. It's a sinister item to be carrying around outside harvest season and often associated with death. Else can imagine why Runhild thought it was Morr's Messenger come to lead her to his garden. Else scans the darkness outside the light radius but the lack of a torch and the loss of night vision caused by staring into the clearing makes it hard to see anything but the reflection of the light on the trees. She knows there is something out there but can see nothing. Else was pondering what to do next when there was a loud noise from the far side of the clearing like a branch breaking. She heard Rudi mutter 'Taal's Teeth.' and the creature immediately spun to look in that direction turning his back and the light towards her. Else braces herself takes a deep breath and is ready to demand obedience from these foreigners when suddenly the light goes out and the forest is plunged into total and utter darkness. "Good evening," says a voice from the gloom "It appears these woods are very popular tonight!"
Else Sigloben Else curses under her breath and decides that, unfortunately, their stealthy approach is already over before it had hardly begun. In an attempt to give the foreigners more to think about than just attacking Rudi, she shouts: "Foreigners! Identify yourself and your business! I am Hunter Sigloben of the Reik and you are ordered to respect my authority! Show yourselves!" As she shouts, she continues to move around the edge of the clearing, aiming to get closer to the hidden foreigner and trying to get out of the direct focus of the light, possibly by sinking deeper into the trees surrounding the clearing - she doesn't want to take an arrow from the shadows. She also draws her second pistol and, once her commands have been issued, unstoppers it with her teeth.
GM The forest is now in total darkness and Else hears Rudi whimpering from the far side of the small clearing. [OOC: Secret Observation Test] Else her eyes still seeing the fading ghost of the bright white light can't make out a thing in the darkness around her. She now has a pistol in both hands pulling the wadding from the barrel quickly with her teeth. [OOC: Let me know if you plan to cock these pistols but be warned if you do they may go off accidentally if you trip or fall. Cocking a pistol is normally a relatively trivial action but with both hands, full will need a bit more concentration and can't be done whilst moving.]
GM A voice from the clearing interrupts Else's concentration. "Greetings, Hunter. I myself am no foreigner, being of the Gruber family. Alas, I am not able to speak as to my new acquaintances' heritage, as we have only crossed paths for the first time tonight." There is the sound of someone on the far side of the clearing stumbling through the undergrowth to the west where one can just see the orange glow of the two torches where you left Burkhard and the dogs.
Else Sigloben Else momentarily considers chasing after the unknown figure in the woods, but can almost hear her mother's stern voice admonishing her that "a bird in the hand, as they say"... She turns to the tall figure in the clearing, levelling one pistol at him and cocking it slowly and loudly with her thumb. She looks him up and down in the dark, and, scowling, she moves closer to her captive to get a better look. "Herr Gruber, forgive me, but you will understand that under the circumstances I have to proceed with some caution, maybe even suspicion. Can you prove that you are who you say? And maybe you can explain why a little old lady in a village not far from here believes you to be a daemonic giant with a taste for dead rabbit and her prize carrots? Finally, I am going to want to know why you are meeting with foreign agents in the dead of night in the middle of a forest? Hmmm..." And before the man (who it now appears is totally bald!) can reply, she shouts across the clearing: "Rudi! Get Burkhard here quick with the torches and the dogs - and mind you don't trip over your feet while you are at it!"
GM SESSION ENDS
Rewards Granted
Character(s) interacted with
NPC Characters
In Order of Appearance
Linden Heinuch
Father Wilhelm Leopold
Runhild Heiler
Burkhard The Houndmaster
Rudolf Herkenhoff
In Order of Appearance
Linden Heinuch
Father Wilhelm Leopold
Runhild Heiler
Burkhard The Houndmaster
Rudolf Herkenhoff
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