Where Captain Dronk Cragpush concludes some business in the river-burg of Diesdorf, before the party head out into the mighty forests of the Reikwald, in search of some charcoal-burners.. THE BOTTLED FRUIT AFFAIR Around midnight, as expected, a group of men approached the Wayward Derelict. All of them wore over large black socks to the knees, or had dyed their clothing black from the knee down. These were Black-Legs, no doubt about it, thought Dronk. The leader addressed himself to Dronk and asked about the shipment. As they parleyed, Red and Drake emerged from the Naked Witch, shoving past the men and Drake rudely inquiried what was going on. The man, Finius, grew increasing nervous as Drake and Dronk engaged in an intense discussion. Drake was aware something of dubious legality was going on, and wanted to know details, details which Dronk steadfastly refused to provide. Finius informed them he had only paid off the Watch for a short period, and that they needed to hurry, while the men with him fidgeted anxiously. It was around this time a much larger group of men, all wearing travellers cloaks dyed slightly red, and carrying red scarves, emerged from the shadows. Their leader, a large man, addressed Finius, the Black-Legs representative, as he drew a rapier and dagger. The rest of the men were also armed and produced weapons. Red smiled to himself, as the possibility of a good scrap loomed. "Are the Black-Legs moving in on Diesdorf, Finius? It certainly seems so to me. I think we need to show you what we do to usurper dogs like you." JUST A SUGGESTION It was as the man finished the sentence that Cornelius weaved a magic hex, a suggestion, directly to the man. 'You will leave us alone, without fighting, and not return' he whispered. The man's eyes glazed over briefly, then with a start, he turned to his men, all dozen or so of whom were brandishing various weapons, and yelled "Lets go boys, we will catch up with these scum, later!" The other thugs looked shocked "You m-mean wer're going, boss?" He growled and cuffed the man, and then the group disappeared into the shadows of Diesdorf as quickly as they appeared. Finius of the Black-Legs had cracked open the crate of bottled fruit and was inspecting the contents, bottle after bottle of illegal Bretonnian brandy. Smiling, he through a heavy coin purse to Dronk, and said the "Cutter would be pleased." They began unloading the crates from the Wayward Derelict, with Hugo and Dronk producing the crates from below, and the Black-Legs carried them into the night. THE PERFORMANCE They were nearly finished when Drake, scowling as the process continued, noticed a group of men coming down the street - the Watch! Saying nothing, Drake headed off the boat, onto the dock and down the road towards the men. Meanwhile, the Black-Legs moved as quickly as they could, but would soon be in direct view of the Watch. "Whore's teeth!" cried Finius. "What's that bloody fool Templar up to?" Reaching the Watch patrol, Drake introduced himself, trying to block their field of vision to the Wayward Derelict. "We are new in town, and I need to find the Temple of Sigmar' he said - despite the temple being in plain sight, on the hil directly in front of him. The Watch-men, bemused, began answering his questions, before noise from the docks got his attention. "What's going on at the dock there-" he started to say, ignoring the gesticulating Templar of the Firey Heart. It was at that moment Drake took a purposeful noise dive into a muddy puddle, splattering water and dirt everywhere. The four Watch-men, turned, then broke out into laughter at the sight of the large, nobleman Templar covered in the muck and filth of the street. One offered him a hand up, which he took - while meanwhile, the last of the crates was unloaded. Finius offered Dronk a wink and a nod, and gave him a small coin, telling him it would mark him to other Black-Legs, and left with the rest of the men. The Watch recovered from their laughter, escorted Drake back to the Wayward Derelict, looked the party over, and left. The group breathed a sigh of relief, and Drake asked Dronk to come belowdecks to speak to him. Hugo and Red followed them and a spirited conversation ensued, with Drake angrily accusing Dronk of endangering their mission and their liberty by smuggling the cargo. Worse, he said, he hadn't shared this fact with the group. Dronk apologized (as much as it was possible for him to do) and offered to ensure his illicit dealings were known to the others, in future. PREACHING TO THE CHOIR In the morning, Baroon, Red, Hugo and Drake headed to another tavern, The Smirking Donkeys, where they were served a hearty breakfast of catfish soup with parsnips. Red grilled the innkeeper about the nearby forest, and was told many whispered there were beastmen in the deeps of the forest, and no-one with any sense went there. Meanwhile, back at the boat, Dronk was trying to convince Cornelius, over a toast of Bretonnian brandy and a light breakfast of dry rations, that he should be the skipper of the Wayward Derelict, that is "Captain" Dronk Cragpush. Bemused, Cornelius was arguing with him, then asked him to come to town to purchase items for the assumed identity he planned to create. Baroon, Hugo, Red and Drake went to the Temple of Sigmar after breakfast, and Baroon attempted to preach to the few peitioners there. Unfortunately, despite enthusiasm, the people there seemed confused by his talking and he was asked to stop before long, by a attendant and a junior priest. Embarassed, he headed outside, where Red was still waiting, and the group headed back to the Wayward Derelict, meeting Dronk and Cornelius who had purchased the clothing they were looking for - a complete set of female clothing - and also employed carpenters to fix the damage to the boat. The repairs could take up to a day - 'we dont work at night' - according to the foreman. TO THE CHARCOAL-BURNER CAMP Red convinced the group to head out north of Diesdorf, to find a charcoal burners camp. He had heard this camp was the most isolated camp nearby, deepest in the forest. The group agreed and everyone headed north, along the road, before following a trail some hours single file into the Reikwald. The forest was alive with life, and deep in shadow - the trees dense and claustrophobic. After some time traveling, it was late afternoon when Red, in the lead, could see a clearing - with smoke coming from the embers of a large wood-fire - the charcoal burners camp! The group headed into the clearing, Dronk positioning himself near a rock, when he noticed a man covered in a white substance near a rock, and a dead dog near the smoldering ashes. EIGHT LEGGED HORRORS Dronk dropped to one knee and loaded his crossbow, his eyes alert, and shouted a warning to the party. They were set apon suddenly, by monstrous shapes, falling from the nearby trees. Spiders - spiders the size of road-coaches! With an amazing shot, Dronk killed one of the creatures with a single crossbow bolt that penetrated its skull and shredded it's brain. One began spitting silk from the trees above Hugo and Red, while another spit at Baroon, who was hit and became covered in the stuff, unable to move. Drake rushed over, tearing at the silk and freed his friend. Two of the creatures rushed Baroon as he tried to dodge their attacks - in his mind Cornelius saw Baroon getting bit and dying from the spider's deadly venom. He used his power of portent to shout a warning to Baroon, changing the fate he saw - or so he thought. For although the first spider missed, as Baroon dodged, the fangs of the other plunged into his neck. Baroon's face turned pale, black lines spreading from the wound and he screamed in agony before collapsing on the ground motionless. Drake cried out in rage. SIGMAR PROTECTS The others continued throwing spells, javelins and handaxes at the spider who lurked yet in the trees, but all missed. Dronk hit another spider with a crossbow bolt as Drake reached Baroon, the poison coursing through his body. He looked as though he would die any second, as the two spiders loomed over them both, each the size of three horses or more. He let the power of Sigmar flow from him as he whispered a prayer, and he managed to stop the poison - bringing Baroon back from what was a nearly-certain death. Baroon's eyes flickered open. Meanwhile the battle continued. Red, frustrated by the tree-bound spider hide-and-seek rushed one of the spiders that had bitten Baroon, and with two massive axe-blows, severed the thing in two. Cornelius blasted the spider in the trees, first with lightning, then with acid just after Hugo missed it with a thrown handaxe. The acid caught the spider in the face and it collapsed, falling from the tree to land in a heap. A few seconds later, a sweep of Drake's greatsword finished the last of the giant spiders. Scanning the camp, they could see the dead charcoal-burner, and his dog, both likely killed by the spiders. The forest was eerily quiet, and the sun was starting to set..they began to search the camp, a scene of death.
1 Comment
Graham
9/10/2016 08:54:59 pm
Oh man, captain DRONK is so badass
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The WizardIn time, you will come to know the tragic extent of my failings... Past Journals
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