Where the party retreats from the gatehouse of Castle Eslohe after their companion is slain - and a most terrible pact is sworn by one of their own.. A TERRIBLE PACT The group stood, stunned despite themselves. Their longtime companion Drake Blackheart was dead, slain by the cruel blade of one of the monsterous guards of the mysterious Castle Eslohe. Only Cyrus, Witch Hunter, did not pause as he hacked down another of the black-mailed guard with his rapier, finishing him with a single pistol shot. Edmee, outside, felt a sudden emtpiness - she knew then something terrible had happened, and whirled just in time to see Drake's now-lifeless form strike the hard stone. She stifled a scream, and rushed into the tower towards Drake. Dronk Cragpush could only stand, open-mouthed, the melee forgotten for a moment. Cornelius Heinrich (nee Centaurii), bleeding from multiple crossbow bolts, his clothing in tatters and stained with his own blood, finally snapped. Long had he wondered what had led his ancestors to the part of Chaos - the path of ruin. Now he knew. Sigmar would not help his fallen servant - no-one could, no God of men or elves or dwarves. But there were other Powers, who the weak, desperate and fearful would call on in their time of peril. Cornelius's eyes burned now with an inner fire as he called out, with a voice that seemed unreal somehow, to Tzeentch, the Changer of the Ways. He beseeched Tzeentch to save his friend and battle-brother Drake, falling to his knees as he made his plea. Somewhere in the Realms of Chaos, the terrible endless hells within which the Ruinous Powers ruled, something was listening. As Cornelius finished speaking, it seemed for a moment that time stopped. The group became vaguely aware of a sound like paper tearing, and looked up, to see what appeared to be a monsterous clawed hand rip open - reality. As it did so it revealed a nightmarish landscape of demonic figures tearing one another to pieces. A tower of blue stone stood, impossibly high, and perched apon it was a bizarre figure with multiple gigantic heads. As they looked, each felt their hold on their sanity slipping, for they knew they stared into the impossible Realm of Chaos. Cornelius was by this time babbling and laughing hysterically, the last vestiges of his mind torn apart by the vision of infinite hells unfolding above him. Two huge fleshy tubes struck suddenly, from somewhere on top of the demonic tower, covering both Drake's corpse and Cornelius's kneeling form - who greeted the demonic appendage with arms outstreched, to his new God and saviour. There was a tremendous sucking sound, and a hideous cacophony, like a thousand disparate voices.... Then there was a flash of violet light that blinded the group momentarily, and the vision had faded - but both Drake's corpse and Cornelius Centaurii were gone. A wispy pink smoke rose from the places where they had been. The two guards who remained in the tower seemed frozen, shaking in place. Recovering their wits, Dronk, Edmee and Cyrus quickly finished them off. "What just happened?" asked a dazed Dronk, but Edmee could only shake her head. Cyrus started to say something, but then heard noises from the courtyard. A TACTICAL RETREAT As they did so they could hear noises from the other side of the courtyard. Looking out from the battlements they could see a number, at least a few dozen, additional guards. Leading them appeared to be a woman wearing blue finery marking her as a noblewoman, mounted on a palfrey. "I think its time we leave.." said Dronk. "Yes, we have lost enough this day. We...we will have our revenge." stated Edmee, anger in her voice. Cyrus, considered the situation briefly then nodded his assent. The group quickly scurried down Dronk's rope and fled back down the old road towards Eslohe. They heard the gates open as they reached the safety of the woods, but didnt look back as they moved as fast as their legs would carry them back to the dilapidated town. Meanwhile, on the Wayward Derelict tied at the rotting stumps of the Eslohe dock, an increasingly drunken Hugo was aggravated having lost another hand to Dumpling, their Halfling cook, who was clearly delighted. They sat on the deck, Hugo pouring himself another large glass of the cooking wine Dumpling had brought out from the kitchen, and cursing under his breath. Dumpling smiled broadly and began to deal the cards... LUCIEN BLACKHEART Then there was a sudden crash of water from the opposite side of the bank. Hugo sprung to his feet, his martial training kicking in, hand immediately on his war-maul, Vilkas. He quickly went to the edge of the boat and peered out, into the dark night, where the noise had come from. There was a loud splashing sound, gradually getting closer. Hugo held the lantern out infront, hoping to see better. Then it moved into the light - the figure of a large, powerfully built man, atop some sort of large beast. As Hugo watched, the creature reached the edge of the water near the boat and hauled itself up. It was...a large bear. As the two climbed up the bank, Hugo was shocked to see the man was the spitting image of his friend and travelling companion, Drake Blackheart. "What manner of sorcery is this.....?" he muttered. The man too, was now aware of the boat and looked out in their direction. Dumpling quickly gathered her winnings from the barrel-top and headed into the mess, shutting the door firmly behind her. Hugo could only stare as the man who looked just like Drake approached, the large bear at his side. He tensed, weapon at the ready - another doppelganger, like Kastor Liberius? he wondered. Another trick of the Powers of Chaos? "Hail." said the man. "I seek the Wayward Derelict, and my brother, Drake Blackheart." Hugo didnt drop his guard. "Brother, he did not tell me of any brother." "You know him then." said the stranger. "Indeed, he is a true friend and brother-in-arms. But who are you then?" "Lucien Blackheart." said the man, with a nod. Hugo, despite himself, found himself believing the man, whether it was the influence of the wine, or something else, and invited the stranger aboard - without his bear. They began to talk and drink..Hugo found out the man was a Venator, strange and brave warriors who fought the beasts of Chaos in the northern wastes. WOE AND LOSS A short while later, the bedraggled Edmee, Dronk and Cyrus appeared, wounded and battered. They approached the Wayward Derelict and were surprised to hear two men talking, one of whose voice they did not recognize. Dronk loaded his crossbow as Cyrus's hand went to his pistols. Hugo stood up in greeting, as did another man who looked exactly like their fallen companion, Drake Blackheart. After some intense discussions and introductions, the situation was made clear to all. Lucien introduced himself, and his bear, Balu, then Edmee, Dronk and Cyrus related their tale of woe - the death of Drake on the battlements, and of Cornelius's turn to Chaos. They decided it was best to leave Eslohe for now, in case they were pursued, and return to seek vengeance later. They quickly cast off the rotted quay, out into the river Baren, and headed downstream, only dropping anchor when the cursed town was far behind them. With a whistle, Lucien summoned Balu, who clambered aboard the Wayward Derelict. Dumpling was aghast at this and again barred the door to the mess abovedecks. Hugo was beside himself with grief and anger and poured another drink. Lucien was stunned into silence. Edmee, tears in her eyes, said a prayer to Manaan. Dronk sat, absently playing with a dagger, deep in thought. Cyrus brooded, before saying "This wizard who travelled with you was clearly not to be trusted........" but stopped when Edmee shot him a look filled with daggers. That night, few slept, and fewer spoke. They bandaged their wounds, sharpened their knives, and planned their return to Eslohe. Planned their revenge.
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The WizardIn time, you will come to know the tragic extent of my failings... Past Journals
September 2017
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