Storm of Chaos IC

[Lord Athos]

With the chaos warrior collapsing in front of them, Sieur Armand kept vigilant, lest the creature would rise again. When he was sure he was dead, the Bretonnian knight looked around him to see how the others fared- they seemed mostly unharmed.
The old inhabitants of the inn though, not so much, judging from their remains scattered about.

He nodded towards Asyrha. He was certain that her magical powers had made the difference, even if he had struck the final blow.

"I will check upstairs." he informed the others, and advanced up the stairs, sword and shield still at the ready.

[dojango]

Amos finishes loading his pistol. As the knight walks up the stairs, he follows behind him, pistol drawn, eyes darting around for any further signs of life.

[DrK]

As Amos follows Seur Armaund up the stairs, the wooden steps creaking loudly under the weight of the armoured knight you are both greeted only by the metallic tang of blood and the sight of bodies strewn around the upper floor of the inns. From the condition of the bodies its clear that some died fighting when the Inn must have been initially stormed, others were captured and tortured. Its a disgusting sight, the bodies strewn across the floor of the chamber in some elaborate chaos ritual of some kind.

Spoiler: WP test or insanity

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As you see the scene please make an normal (i.e. +10% bonus) test to avoid gaining 1 IP from the odd and unholy chaos scene of descecration.

Downstairs the remaining archers secure the outbuildings, reporting the same as inside the main inn where all horses, dogs, sheep, chickens etc... have been killed and partially eaten. The chaos raiders here were thorough in killing everything. However in the stable they also found a rough hand drawn map of the local area with the bridge and Inn marked upon it and several other small farmsteads each with strange harsh runes in a lanuguage that none of you recognise



As the Inn is cleared Albus, one of the older archers looks to Tuli, "Aye lass. Nasty blow you took there" and Bella, "What now then Miss? Do we send for the rest of the company? Its a defensible building aye and we can be in a good place to move onto Zundap or Wendorf at first light in force"

[dojango]

Amos starts sweating nervously. He wipes his face with a filthy sleeve. Weakly, he said, "By all the gods. What madness... those souls. Morr will never take them now...
Aye, we'll make a pyre. Fire cleanses all."

[Haval]

Tuli is stony faced as she checks the body of the archer that the Chaos Warrior had slain. He was brave to have followed them in here but he should never have been there in the first place. The lack of survivors elsewhere in the Inn was disappointing but hardly surprising. These people were not warriors after all. She'll wave away the mention of her wound to Albus, 'I am still alive. Many are not. This place may be defensible, but I think it would be bad to spend the night here if we had any choice.'

Eventually she'll find a private corner where she'll attempt to clean her wound.

[rax]

"Captain Ludenhof said to find a defensible site he could reach by nightfall. No matter what grisly business went on here, this inn fits the bill," Bella answers the archer. "We should clean this place up and send word to the Captain as soon as possible. Perhaps Sir Gottfried and a pair of you archers?" she suggests.

OOC: Since it seems like Janwin's no longer with us, having Sir Gottfried return to the main force seems like a good method of parting ways.

Also, the WP test was only for the people who went upstairs, right?

[dojango]

Coming down from the upstairs, Amos tells one of the archers. "Guard this stairway. Don't let anyone up there until the Captain comes." Seeing Sir Gottfried head back with a few men towards the bridge, he says to Tuli. "We should go scout out the woods, make sure nobody's lurking nearby. Don't want any surprises come nightfall."

[Haval]

'I'm sure they had friends out there somewhere.' Tuli takes note of Amos' face. 'What happened to you?'

[rax]

"What do you mean, 'guard the stairway'? What's up there? It took us three hours to get here, and we're a small mounted party. It'll take a lot longer for the Captain and the rest of the battalion to show up. If there's bodies up there, we should use the time to clear them out and give them as decent a burial as we can manage," Bella says to Amos. "And when you get back from scouting, be prepared to grab a shovel and pitch in..."

Once the scouting party and the messengers to Captain Ludenhof have left, Arabella busies herself with chivvying the remaining archers to start gathering up the bodies and sorting them in two piles - one for decent Imperial citizens, one for Chaos-worshipping scum. She pitches in herself and makes sure to tell the soldiers that no one should touch the Chaos worshippers without gloves or gauntlets on. Afterwards, she has everyone wash thoroughly if clean water can be found.

Spoiler: @DrK

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While moving the bodies, she also surreptitiously checks them for marks or possessions that could identify them as followers of a specific power. If any appear to be Nurgle-worshippers, she won't let anyone touch the body. Instead, she'll go looking for other means to move them - poles, boards and pitchforks come to mind...

Academic Knowledge (Theology) vs. Int 41 (1d100)[22]

[DrK]

A few of the archers help Amos and Tuli as they tidy up the bodies and drag them down and stack them neatly in the stables. Gottfreid nods to the others "I'll ride back and get the Captain to bring up the vanguard." He offers Armaund a respectful nod before setting the horse to a canter and racing down the muddy road back towards the heavily fortified bridge.

As the bodies are moved into the stable and the doors pushed vaguely closed archers take position on the rooftop and by the gate. The arches chat amongst themselves, Gunther heading into the kitchen and then coming out with a heavy tray of cooked meats and some day old bread. He offers it to Seur Armaund first with a nod of his head before dragging the platter to a table by Amos and Tuli. "You all right lass?" he asks, looking at Tuli's cracked ribs. "Nasty bunch, that. Ales you wanting?" he offers heading behind the bar and drawing several long mugs of frothy ale.

---

A long 5 hours later there is the sound of armoured boots on the road and the leading companies of the Tilean pike and the soldiers of the company can be seen marching in good order down the road, a screen of militia and archers scattered out in front of them watching the woods warily as they scanned for danger. Ludenhof led the force, a mixture of a few hundred militia, spearmen and 50 or so handguns in tow behind him. Seeing the Inn he waved a hand in greeting and trotted forward with a few patrol men at his heels. "Seur Armaund, Miss Bella," he glanced at the bloodsheeting the courtyard and the bodies visible in the damaged stables. "You gave a good account of yoruselves, Sigmar be praised. I hear you even bested one of their leaders..." his voice tails off and he looks at the stable with obvious curiosity. THen shakes his head and glances at the bannerman. "Get the men camped down, no more than a single ale apiece and set a strong picket. With the enemy so close no need to tempt the faces."

As the men scattered into the courtyard, or chopped at the woods to make space for crude bivouacs for the night others headed into the cellar, a great cheer as they discovered several large ale barrels unbroken and soon rolled them up to the yard and started dishing out the good beer. Ludenhof watched for a while before nodding to the the advance party (i.e. the heroes). "Come, lets sit, tell me of the forces you saw and their numbers? Also, in the morning, Wendorf or Zundap? Both are small villages and lie on the road towards Wolfenburg, Wendorf is the more direct route, Zundap offers the chance to loop around and maybe hit the enemy from an unexpected quarter."

[dojango]

Amos rattles off the numbers he'd seen in the inn. "Reavers, most-like. Except for that armored beast. No match for armored knights, but devilish tough. Uhh. Probably keep running into them as they look for food and plunder. Scouting parties should be careful, no fewer than a dozen at a time. As far as route is concerned. I ain't much of a general, but I've spent time on the roads. If the rest of the army is a few days behind us, let them take the short route and we take a longer route. So we's can get there about the same time."

[Lord Athos]

Sieur Armand nodded slightly at Amos' description."Raiders. Mostly northmen, some beastman, your highness. The warrior of the ruinous powers might have been a more formidable foe if we did not have him outnumbered and if we did not have magical support. He was very heavily armoured and a vicious combatant. "
Sieur Armand had glanced to Ashyra at the mention of magical support.

"I would advise to take the route to Zundap. If there is a chance to bring our troops in a more advantageous position, we ought to take it. Also, considering our primary goal, this route is likely to mislead our enemies more."

[Haval]

After helping with the bodies Tuli will make a point of asking Ashyra to keep an eye on her given the manner of her wound. In theory a Wise Woman would be best able to notice and deal with any sickness in her before it became a problem for anyone else. In the meantime she could make herself useful.

She'll shrug off any praise from Ludenhof, 'There are always more like the one Armand slew. If he was really important to them he would have had a lot more followers to guard him.' She agreed with Amos and Armand, 'Better to be where the enemy does not expect. We have no idea what might be waiting for us on the longer road, so it is better that someone goes to take a look.'

[rax]

"We saw no other enemy forces other than the ones we fought here, Captain. There's a good chance we killed them all. They attacked us and seemed more...enthusiastic...than desperate, so it's unlikely to have been a distraction while some of them slipped off to warn another force," Bella adds to what the others have said. "However, we did recover this map in the stables. It's hand drawn, but the enemy seems remarkably well informed of the lay of the land. See - both the Struhelspan and this inn are clearly marked. The rest of these markings are probably farmsteads, but none of us have been able to decipher the meaning of these runes. They could just be showing places that have been sacked, but they could also be noting the location of other Chaos forces."

"Captain, the Ostlanders that were holding the bridge said they were coming from Zundap when they were ambushed. Whether or not Zundap was in Imperial hands when they left, it seems likely that it must have been taken or fallen under siege soon after if the enemy was confident enough to send cavalry to chase down the column. I think there's a good chance we'll run into a sizeable enemy force if we go by way of Zundap. In addition, the battalion is hardly a quick-moving formation, so overall I believe we should advance via Wendorf rather than take the longer route. However, sending a small scouting party towards Zundap would also be wise - if the enemy is there, we'll know to protect our flanks and can warn the Emperor as well."

[Lord Athos]

The Bretonnian Knight regarded the map found in the stables with interest, while also listening to the mercenaries' words. At the mention of "cavalry", he raised his eyebrows. Was that something he had missed?

"Zundab seems to be nothing more than a small village." he stated after a second of silence. "I doubt there was much of a siege, or that they fared much better against these marauders than the inn. What is there to suggest a sizeable enemy force?"

[rax]

"Zundap may be small, but it's a strategic location. All the main roads in this area pass through it - west from the Struhelspan, east from Kislev, south from Talabecland, and even north to Wolfenburg. If they hold Zundap, they can block the advance of any relief force coming from Talabecland, they can protect their supply lines to the north and east, and they can prevent the Emperor from marching east to fall on the rear of the army besieging Wolfenburg. And even if we march on Wolfenburg via Wendorf, we still have to pass through Grünackeren - another choke point - whether we go through Wendorf or Zundap," Bella explains.

OOC: If you check the large map of Ostland and compare it with the smaller one, it's clear the main road to Wolfenburg runs through Zundap and then Grünackeren. Wendorf is on a branch road west of Grünackeren.

The cavalry Arabella if talking about is mentioned in this post. The Ostlander mentions that he was wounded while marching back from Zundap by Norsemen on "accursed, evil ponies".

[Lord Athos]

"It is still a small village." Sieur Armand said after a moment of pondering. "It is not a castle that truly projects control of an area. Also, if there were any forces present there, they have probably either heard of our crossing by now, or will so soon. I expect them to march towards the bridge."

His gaze wandered to Tuli and Amos.
"You do know these parts, do you not? Is Zundap defensible?

[Haval]

His gaze wandered to Tuli and Amos.
"You do know these parts, do you not? Is Zundap defensible?

Tuli shakes her head, 'All these Empire villages look the same to me. Even if I came through here before.'

'Maybe there's a castle out there somewhere, but I don't know how many Northmen would stay there when there are villages still to raid or a chance of battle with people like us. Much depends on whoever leads them.'

To Bella, 'If Zundap needs to be scouted do we need to send someone who knows what they're doing? We could go ourselves and take your Tileans with us. Or do we move fast towards Wendorf and allow the Emperor to deal with anything that might be coming from Zundap to encircle us?'

[dojango]

"Defense? Against these reavers? Sure, with fifty stout men and strong will. Should it come to that. With these fellows we can turn it into a fortress with a few day's work. But we're here to rescue Wolfensburg. We should keep moving until we reach the enemy lines. The long road will let the other battalions catch up so we can attack together."

[Lord Athos]

"Against us." Sieur Armand stated.
"We should know what could await us in Zundap. We do not want to be tied up there, or deal with getting harassed by them if we refuse."
For a moment, he studied the map.

"If Sergeant Eisenhauer is correct, and the ruinous powers field a large number of men in Zundab, they may be marching to the bridge by now. They will do so on the direct way, and would meet us on the road if we made Zundab our next target. In that case, travelling to Wendorf whilst scouting the road to Zundab may allow us to not only protect our flanks but to harass and misdirect any forces travelling from Zundab to the Struhelspan bridge, buying the Emperor more time."
He turned towards Ludenhoff.
"Your Highness, if you could elaborate - what troop positioning and movements of our foes were you expecting?"

[rax]

"I haven't said there will be a large force there, I said I think there could be. It may well be that these savages care nothing for the strategic situation and their commander may exercise no control over the bands we've met so far, but if I were leading them - yes, I would attempt to hold Zundap and Grünackeren to secure the siege and my supply routes. Even the most foolish Norse warlord will know that the Emperor must use the main roads - the Imperial artillery won't make it to Wolfenburg through the forests."

"As for whether Zundap is defensible? Well, most Imperial villages will have at least a palisade, and troops with time and proper training could certainly improve on that. However, these Norsemen may lack both the inclination and training to do so. Even so, just quartering a force there and in the immediate surroundings will be enough to hold the village unless a strong Imperial force were to be sent to push them out."

"With all that said, Captain, it's still the case that we are the vanguard of the Emperor's army. Our mission is surely not to raise the siege of Wolfenburg by ourselves, but to find, clear, and hold a path that enables the Emperor to do so as quickly as possible. If we meet the enemy on the way, we must surely engage and destroy them when we can, but we should not go looking for unnecessary fights that won't contribute to the main objective even if we win."

"If it is possible for us and the main army to advance on Wolfenburg via Wendorf, that is my recommendation. Zundap should be scouted by a small, swift force to find out if there is a dangerous enemy there or not, but we should not march via Zundap unless we must...which would be the case if Wendorf is too strongly defended or if it's simply not possible for the Emperor to march that way with any speed."

[Lord Athos]

"You need not worry, Sergeant.
Nobody thought you claimed to know for sure." the Bretonnian Knight assured Bella.
"You raised excellent points. A possible concentration of enemy forces in Zundab is definitely worth discussion."
His gaze returned to the map.
"However, I disagree about the conclusion drawn. As vanguard, it is necessary for us to engage a force coming from Zundab towards the Struhelspan bridge. It is most certainly a necessary fight we would pick. Not only to clear the path, but also to buy our main forces time."

[DrK]

Ludenhof looks at his semi-advisors and grins as he drinks heavily on the flagon of ale. "Not bad for peseant fare" he muses, still looking at the crude map that they had unrolled on the table. He thinks for a moment before turning to the nearest spearman and ordering Sgt Voss to get here. A few minutes pass before the leader of the 1st comapany appears and appraises the Captain of the situation.

"Capt' Ser, most of the men have arrived. We had word of outriders of the main force arriving, a good few hundred of them so your brother will be here by darkness fall with the artillery, we'll have the whole regiment Captain." At the words Ludenhof shakes his head, "damn it brother, always impetuous." Then he looks at the others, "This is good, we will have the full regiment here along with the artillery. I agree with you Bella. We can take Zundap and secure the route. With full force and the artillery it should be easy, as Seur Armaund says the village will have a thin palisade at best. It should fall easily."

He looks at the Inn, "We can leave some men here to secure the inn if Zundap is thronging with the enemy but otherwise we can advance in force." Glancing at the party he pauses, "You have done well today. I'm impressed by your skills. On the morrow if I give you elements of the 1st and 4th company and the Tileans will you lead the advance? THe main body can follow on with the supplies and the artillery train? I shall leave it up to you if you see the village is empty of the enemy you can take it, if it looks reinforced then establish some defensive positions and wait for the rest of us?"

Spoiler: Numbers

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~50 Empire Spearmen
~50 empire archers
The 40 Tilean Pike

"Are ant of you injured, I can ask my personal medicant to tend any injuries you may have suffered"

[rax]

"I'm sure we can manage that, Captain," Bella answers with a smart salute.

"I took a small hit to the leg, but I'll walk it off on the march tomorrow. Tuli took a nasty blow to the ribs though. You might want to order her to let your medicant take a look," she says with a grin.

[Haval]

Tuli grinned at Ludenhof. 'It looks worse then it is Boyar. I am hard to kill. The problem may be whatever zza **** the creature had on his weapon.' This was more serious, but Tuli was fatalistic about such things. 'I would suggest your friend the Woods Wizard keep an eye on me. Along with the Elf they might see such things before they become a problem for everyone else.' She shrugs, 'Perhaps I worry too much, but you cannot take any chances with those armoured kayazak. I must endeavor to fight better next time.'

They had a plan so Tuli was content.

Spoiler: ooc

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I did not bother to look up how healing works for some reason. Took 6 wounds, passed the heal test and healed 5 so Tuli isn't in much danger, but I felt that superstitious paranoia was appropriate.

[dojango]

"Aye, we'll scout out the town. And clear any roadblocks the enemy may have thrown up. There may still be reavers lurking in the woods, so watch the baggage train closely. Hate to see them spike the guns while we're looking intently forwards."

[Lord Athos]

Sieur Armand nodded thoughtfully. His question was left floating in the room, but once the decision had been made, it didn't matter.

"As you wish, your Highness."

[DrK]

THe nights passes swiftly in the inn. With so many men available the rooms were quickly swept clean of taint and blood and as those who had liberated the Inn the heroes were offered rooms and beds rather than a space on the stable floors like many of the soldiers. In the morning the inn is awash with the sounds of soldiering as the fires are lit, bread is handed around and hard beef jerky and chunks of cheese join the twice baked bread as the men look nervous.

Within the Inn Seur Armaund, Bella, Tuli and Amos are given fancier fare, hot stew prepared in the kitchen and a robust local Averlnad Red to warm up the insides in the slightly greying skies outside. Made even more forbeboding by the plumes of oily black smoke dotting the horizon! As you finish your breakfast you can see the ranks of the 1st, the 4th and the Tileans slowly forming into a loose column, the men looking serious, as the 50 spears, 40 or so Tilean pike make a brave looking train of men on the road, the 50 or so archers clustered around in groups of 7-8 spreading out slowly, a few of the more well to do (~10 or so) mounted on robust looking horses. THe men salute as Seur Armaund and Bell emerge from the Inn.

Captain Ludenhof offers you a greeting. "We will break camp and try and be close, but we'll still be some distance behind you." He looks at the plumes of smoke drifting over the forest across the northern and eastern reaches. "Have a care, do not over extend. If you find too many of the enemy dig in or retreat back to us. You cannot face an army alone!"
With a cheerful wave he watches you march towards the east, heading down the forest road...

So whats the rough plan, marching order etc...

[Haval]

After seeing to her horse Tuli will take the offered room. Better to be as rested as possible as she couldn't guarantee that they wouldn't be attacked again during the night. Still, it didn't entirely sit well with her to be receiving special treatment. She would need to do something to justify it.

She'll arrive leading Tylik just as Ludenhof is leaving. 'He is right. I think we should be prepared to ride like hell when the time comes. Although if we do not come back I think that will tell the Boyar something by itself.' Tuli is matter of fact about that. 'On the other hand, if we stumble across any smaller bands I think it is better they meet us then someone less able to deal with them.'

If Amos is here she'll ask him, 'Are there any high places around here. I think it would be better to see what might be ahead of us if we can.'

Spoiler

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Looking for hills if possible, although maybe the area is mostly flat


Tuli will go ahead unless someone stops her.

[dojango]

Amos nodded thoughtfully at Tuli. They would be riding in front of the column, eyes and ears looking for trouble, to spoil ambushes and return the favor to the enemy, if possible. "I grew up a hundred miles east of here, might be a knob or tor hiding in these woods, but we'd never spot it unless we stumbled over it." He chewed on the hard bread. "Best pack rations for two days at least."

Spoiler

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(1d100)[77] v. 69 common knowledge Empire to see if there are any high vantage points around here.