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Raneth
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Post by Raneth »

Vryala sneered upon seeing the carven throne; legend had taught her the Dawi were a despicable people, yet the tales had never implied Chaos worship. No sign of those rodents though. Can't make out where that noise came from, either... Intriguing as the throne room was, all in all it seemed like it would rather remain undisturbed, and since the gems had been misplaced she doubted anything of real value remained for the group to loot.

She was about to pack up and lead the way onward when she caught sight of Elysian, who seemed to be greatly concentrating on something. Bemused, she decided to wait for the Mage to reveal his intent.
Vryala Naïlo - WS5 / S5 / T5 / D5 / I4

Equipment: bastard sword of Speed, shield of Defence, repeater (20/20), spear, mace, dagger, Armour of Night, SDC, whip, blowpipe (9/12)
Inventory: amulet of Strength, grapple, grenade x0, smoke x11, map, mage hand, sleep oil x8, cure balms x20, Yori's balms x1, winter gear, old kit, lion mask
Mount: Dark Steed (Blanky), barding, talisman of Protection
Gold: 1735
Skills: Defensive Fighting, Anarin Sarath (2), Basic Ride
Class: Warrior
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Dauricha
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Post by Dauricha »

What the bloody hell had made that noise, Phalx thought but didn't say, not wanting to break the heavy deadly silence. The chair like thrones and the horns didn't help the Shade either. What the bloody darkness had happened here. The chest had also peaked Pahlx's interest. What lay inside. The picks and prongs of his thieves tools had done nothing. Something of great value lay inside no doubt. Was it dwarf craft like some of the tunnels?

Phalx will look around the room for keys, hidden passages, etc.
Phalx Tr'dasr – WS5 / S4 / T4 / D5 / I4
Equipment: Deathspitter (5/20) 4 of these poisoned (1/2x QD, 3xSD), short sword, dagger, punching dagger (Bloodthirst Rune), shade cloak, full leather armour
Inventory: thieves tools, torches x3, healing balms x5, rope and grapple, Vikarh map, dice, winter gear, orc tusk,
Mount: Dark Steed
Gold: 5829
Skills: Basic Stealth, Precision Fire, Basic Ride, Frenzy, Ambidexterity,Suithenlu Khythan (1): SP2
Class: Shade
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Khel
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Post by Khel »

They entered the seemingly deserted chamber, the idols of false gods of aeons past not even interesting Sal in the slightest, but not until at least that the possibility of gems was gone. His joints starting to relax after the recent ambush with the Autarii, Saldrimek decided to let his mind wander a bit over the possibilities of them being down here. The group went about their business of searching the room, while he stood to the side of the doorway, ready to cut down anything that would dare enter the room in an attempt to ambush the party. The noises were seemingly bouncing from outside the chamber, from whoever knew where, then reverberating back towards the group.

Curse the foulness of this situation and curse the arrogant nobles who would not heed the word of Blackthorn. And curse Blackthorn for sending us down once more! And curse the bastard elves who’d dare get in our way. Blood and darkness!

Fuming away in his corner of the room, Sal’s mind lingered back to the chest in the other room. Another obstacle that presented itself! Whatever was in that arcane chest, Sal felt that familiar mercenary greed seep over him. Perhaps one day he would return for the chest, perhaps his friends would salvage it somehow. But that would mean they would need to make it out of here alive.... again.

Finally snapping from a lack of patience, Saldrimek spat viciously Damn and blast! Surely there must be a rat or several around here.

Standing guard on the doorway, sticking to the shadows.
Saldrimek Xenan - WS6 / S4 / T3 / D5 / I3

Equipment: Executioners Axe (Rune of Beastslaying - Heroic Killing Blow), 2 Scimitars (Rune of Speed - Always Strike First), Dagger, Rune Branded Leather Armour, Executioner Helm, Fine Set of Throwing Knives (x4)
Inventory: Amulet of Darkness, Poison Vials x7, Deadly Poison Vials x8
Mount: Dark Steed
Gold: 163
Skills: Ambidexterity, Frenzy, Two Weapon Fighting, Ride
Class: Khainite
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Kinslayer
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Post by Kinslayer »


Standing in the entrance to the new chamber, the group paused for a moment to consider the possibilities of what they had heard. Certainly, no enemy was in sight, and whilst Phalx turned to looking for a hidden passage and Saldrimek went on guard in case of ambush, Elysian decided to open up his mind to the winds of magic. The Mage stepped forth and cast open his sight, his vision naturally turning from that of the mundane world to one of vibrant colours and pulsing energies. The walls and figures around him were still evident, seen in shallow tones as outlines that almost flickered and twitched. Passing through, over and around everything were thin whisps of magical currents, usually visible in eight different shades and colours. Here the winds of Ulgu, Chamon, and Shyish seemed to be most intense, gathered in streams and pools of grey, silvers and purples. The energy around the shifting outline of the stone dais was unsettled, shifting in violent swirls and crashing waves as something malign corrupted it, turning it black.

"We should not be here..." was all the Mage found himself able to mutter, and then a moment later he continued, "Something dark rots down here at the heart of our civilisation. Something ancient, something evil."


At this, Phalx looked over and gave up his fruitless search of the old feasting chamber, having found nothing in the way of hidden tunnels, items or a source for the noise they had heard. The Shade suddenly felt unsettled and made his way back to the group, just as an eerie chill seemed to pass over them all for the briefest of moments. Confused and more than a little deterred, the group decided to head back out into the main hall and continue to hunt the ratmen rather than the ghosts of a civilisation past. Saldrimek formed the rearguard and went out last, giving the dark chamber one last cold sneer of dissaproval before he turned and left the place in darkness once again, following the light of the brazier back through the tunnel to the vast hall beyond. As they left, they all caught the sound coming from behind them, a distant howling that seemed destined to die out on the wind before it ever reached open ears. Perhaps it was a terrible cry of fury and hate, or perhaps the last desperate wail of something monstrous as it was brought down.

The group returned to the main hall, and here they continued to follow the line of archways to the far side of the chamber, opposite where they had entered. They would leave the warded stone chest and disturbingly empty room for now, and locked on to a new set of skaven footprints that perhaps seemed fresher than the rest. These ones led out from a nearby tunnel and straight across the hall to the door below the staircase at its end. It was to this arched doorway that Vryala led the group next, and this time they found themselves walking out into some sort of ancient gallery. They were in a long hallway almost as long as the first, but with a much lower ceiling that would of perhaps still seemed grand to the dwarves but which was not much higher than twenty feet. All the way down its length stood arches on either side, but where those in the grand hall had led out to side chambers and tunnels, here they were simple alcoves no more than a couple of feet deep.

In each of the arched alcoves stood a stone warrior, a squat looking dwarf resting his palms on the hilt of an upturned axe, a long beard running over his belly and down to his knees. It was an absurd scene to find below Vikarh, but the group couldn't help but move a little closer and investigate the statues. Each dwarven warrior bore a small round shield on one forearm, and wore a helmet with a long nose guard that covered most of the face. After a moment viewing the stone replicas, the group decided to follow the skaven trail through the gallery to the archway at the far end. It was only when they were halfway down the chamber that they noticed the change. Each pair of statues that they passed was identical, but slightly different to the last. Where the first pair of stonework dwarves had been regal and proud, they slowly deterierated until they bore horned masks and shields carved with daemonic faces. By the time they reached the end of the hall, the statues had long, twisted horns growing from their heads rather than their helmets, and rested clawed talon-like hands on their axe hilts. Was this gallery showing the downfall of the civilisation? They had to wonder why the dwarves had even bothered to sculpt the statues however, if it had been the dwarves at all. Their earlier visit to the room with the strange dais had given them the feeling that chaos had long since taken over down here.

Moving on through the next door, the group finally caught on to what might be a sign of their prey. Here the tunnel went immediately to the left and right, the space right in front of them just beyond the doorway given over to another, much larger alcove that depicted a huge horned and bat-winged daemon. The skaven footprints went left, and so too did the group. As they rounded the next corner however, they forced themselves to stop and listen as the distant sound of a pick working stone echoed down the tunnel. The sound was faint but audiable, and the mercenaries locked on to it and began to follow what soon became a maze of tunnels. First they went straight, but they quickly found themselves making one turn after another, passing through small chambers and bypassing crossroads. Only a few minutes passed, and the group couldn't have travelled far, but already they were beginning to forget which way they had come. Here the sounds of the mining work were loud and clear however, and the group knew that if they followed the tunnel they were in they would emerge to find it.

Not wasting any time, they left the brazier behind them and pushed on cloaked in darkness. The closer they got, the more the noises intensified, until they could hear was a mass of chittering and smashing stone. The tunnel led out onto an open sided walkway above a large chamber, much similar to the first, before once again connecting with another tunnel some twenty yards in front of them. Judging by the roughly hewn sides of the massive chamber, the group guessed this had at one point simply been a tunnel, and the ratmen had excavated the side of it and worked it into a massive chamber like pit. How long the digging must have taken them was a mystery, the skaven must have been down here for years, perhaps even decades. The ratmen worked down below in their mine, smashing away at yet more rock and stone, perhaps to extend their warren or perhaps in search of more of the arcane warpstone. A ramp of sorts had been carved down into the mine below, and it was slick with mud and filth where the rats had been using it to gain access.

Down in the pit some thirty feet below them, several dozen more of the ratmen slaves laboured under the watchful gaze of a huge black furred rat warrior.
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Layne
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Post by Layne »

They wandered on some more. K was beginning to feel stiff in the limbs. No matter who drives it it's still just an Elvish body, and it could only take so much. She imagined a man being taken by Khaine, and tearing himself to pieces with the force of it. Yes she was glad to be an elf. She had never heard of any creature but an elf worshipping Khaine ; she supposed no other creature could take the strain, except a Manticore. But then, there was something about the Manticore, it was like a thing not driven by Khaine, but in fact a little piece of him roaming the mountain tops, and terrorizing the valleys.

She screwed her face up, and thought again of the tunnel she was in. She had now only the vaguest idea of how to get back. But Khaine watched, and Khaine would know ; if it came to it she would lead the way back and trust in Khaine. The others had found a stone chest. They could not unlock it with thievery or with magic. K thought that unless there was a rat persons head in there, there was no sane reason to open it, not now at any rate.

In the next room, the strangest find of all ; K didn't know what to make of it, other than that it looked both Dwarfish and strangely Featherish. She had no idea that Dwarfs had ever looked to the gods for anything, but some had it seemed. And the wrong gods by the look of it. K wanted to get away before anything ... uncontrollable happened. The magic guy said somewhat about the city having a dark heart. K thought that nobody who had seen the place should doubt it.

As they left, a wind came from inside, but shallowly, like from far away but also long ago. That was not the place to be. She wondered how the rats got away with it - but maybe they didn't know. The sound of picking was closer now. If the elves would let them be, the rats would get their surprise soon enough.

She went on. She had stopped looking behind some time back. She listened still, and saw in the sudden stops and quiet breath that the others heard also. Wherever they were going, they were nearly there. K wondered what exactly would be on the surface right above them now. She really had no idea of her place in the world just now.

And then they came to it. A massive pit, far bigger than the one they had discovered first - full of ratmen, many more than before.

Hey, Magic, is that magic rat anywhere about?
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Karonath - WS6 / S4 / T4 / D5 / I3
Equipment: Bloodfeather, heavy armour, helm, Sea Dragon Cloak, rope x 2, month rations x 2
Inventory: longspear, 2 short swords, glaive, winter gear, shade cloak,
Mount: Dark Steed (Shiny), talisman of kurnous
Gold: 2294
Skills: Ambidexterity, Controlled Frenzy, Basic Ride, Drukh Kaganth
Class: Khainite
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Raneth
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Post by Raneth »

Elysian but confirmed what she'd figured already; the underground keep was haunted by spirits of times past, not necessarily obstructing their current assignment and ultimately irrelevant. Following Saldrimek out, who was visibly annoyed with their lack of success thus far, the group ventured deeper into the labyrinth of grand corridors and makeshift tunnels.

Along the way was a gallery. Many stone warriors stood on guard, and it was here that V's suspicions regarding the Dawi were confirmed - her disdain for the stunted folk at an all-time high, she pressed on through the pathway beyond, and here that familiar sound could be heard again. A mining pit... The group made their final approach in darkness and silence, all could see the chittering, malodorous mass of fur overseen by a single black warrior-rat. K inquired about the magic rat's location, yet V knew enough for the moment. She slammed in a clip of sleeper bolts and took up position. This is the chosen prey. Kurnous, please guide my hand!

Sleeper bolt in the Stormvermin's eye, please. Maybe even cause a slave revolt! FREEDOM!
Vryala Naïlo - WS5 / S5 / T5 / D5 / I4

Equipment: bastard sword of Speed, shield of Defence, repeater (20/20), spear, mace, dagger, Armour of Night, SDC, whip, blowpipe (9/12)
Inventory: amulet of Strength, grapple, grenade x0, smoke x11, map, mage hand, sleep oil x8, cure balms x20, Yori's balms x1, winter gear, old kit, lion mask
Mount: Dark Steed (Blanky), barding, talisman of Protection
Gold: 1735
Skills: Defensive Fighting, Anarin Sarath (2), Basic Ride
Class: Warrior
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Drainial
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Post by Drainial »

The winds were disturbed, Dhar concentrated here and while a convent sorceress might welcome such a well of dark power he was not one and the warped nature of the imaterium could not bode well. Even the concentration of Chamon and Ulgu, normally a cause for celebration in his eyes, was scant comfort. Still they had a job to do and soon they were on the right track.

Looking out over the mining operation Elysian reminded himself that disgusting as these creatures were they needed to take one alive. In order to do that they would have to go in close but first the numbers needed thinning. To that end the mage took out two fire bombs though he did not throw them yet, he would wait until either the group or the rats attacked.

Beside him the now relatively sane Karonath raised a pertinent point; if the rat mage was around things would become twice as hard in a moment. Unfortunately he was unable to give a definitive answer.

"I can't feel it but if it isn't using magic currently I probably wouldn't. I could try and find out more but probably not without alerting the mage if it is around."

Elysian will get out a couple of fire bombs and keep them ready for when we close up and will go with whatever the general consensus is vies a vi charging madly or hanging back.
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Khel
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Post by Khel »

Peering down into the grimy pit, Sal surveyed the ground, his eyes darting right and left as he noted that there was more stormvermin this time. His gut tightened as if he was expecting the mage to appear from nowhere. Sighing heavily and beginning to limber up once more, Sal took the axe from his shoulder.

We’re relatively safe up here. We should stay hidden up here and pop a few of them instead of venturing down like last time.

Sal glanced towards the horribly efficient slaves who had erected an even hastier ramp down into the pit. It looked to be the only way in and out too, not that it stopped a Skaven from simply hoisting themselves up the mine wall. If someone was to go down there, they would be almost trapped as the ramp was so slippery and sodden that it was highly unlikely that someone who wasn’t nimble could scramble back up to safety. Pulling himself along the edge quietly, Sal positioned himself at the top of the ramp, ready to repel any rat that tried to scamper up.

Try to leave one alive... Was the last words Sal breathed before settling himself into a nook and shadow.

Waiting for other’s to start firing, making sure that any rat who figures out where they are and attempt to climb the ramp or wall to get them, will get quickly scythed down.
Saldrimek Xenan - WS6 / S4 / T3 / D5 / I3

Equipment: Executioners Axe (Rune of Beastslaying - Heroic Killing Blow), 2 Scimitars (Rune of Speed - Always Strike First), Dagger, Rune Branded Leather Armour, Executioner Helm, Fine Set of Throwing Knives (x4)
Inventory: Amulet of Darkness, Poison Vials x7, Deadly Poison Vials x8
Mount: Dark Steed
Gold: 163
Skills: Ambidexterity, Frenzy, Two Weapon Fighting, Ride
Class: Khainite
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Dauricha
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Post by Dauricha »

The dwarf statues were most unexpected, as were there growing demonic appearance. What bloody nightmare existed below their city, besides the sewers and the rat men. They came upon a pack of them finally perfect for what we need.

We only need the one, he whispered. Lets make a noise to drag one over here knock it out, and be on our way.

Phalx will put forward his idea.
Phalx Tr'dasr – WS5 / S4 / T4 / D5 / I4
Equipment: Deathspitter (5/20) 4 of these poisoned (1/2x QD, 3xSD), short sword, dagger, punching dagger (Bloodthirst Rune), shade cloak, full leather armour
Inventory: thieves tools, torches x3, healing balms x5, rope and grapple, Vikarh map, dice, winter gear, orc tusk,
Mount: Dark Steed
Gold: 5829
Skills: Basic Stealth, Precision Fire, Basic Ride, Frenzy, Ambidexterity,Suithenlu Khythan (1): SP2
Class: Shade
Check out, http://thingsfrom1934.com/
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Raneth
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Post by Raneth »

V will take the shot, damned be the consequences
Vryala Naïlo - WS5 / S5 / T5 / D5 / I4

Equipment: bastard sword of Speed, shield of Defence, repeater (20/20), spear, mace, dagger, Armour of Night, SDC, whip, blowpipe (9/12)
Inventory: amulet of Strength, grapple, grenade x0, smoke x11, map, mage hand, sleep oil x8, cure balms x20, Yori's balms x1, winter gear, old kit, lion mask
Mount: Dark Steed (Blanky), barding, talisman of Protection
Gold: 1735
Skills: Defensive Fighting, Anarin Sarath (2), Basic Ride
Class: Warrior
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Kinslayer
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Post by Kinslayer »

OOC - You still out there Sidorio?

IC -

The group quietly moved into position at the edge of what had once been the tunnel wall, and was now open space looking down on the large mine below. What troubled them the most was that although only a few dozen skaven toiled in this new pit, side tunnels led off to other rat infested places that lay out of sight. Who knew how many of the vile creatures were really down here? Fortunately for the group, they only needed the one. The infamous Drach of Vikarh was apparently not yet convinced of the skavens existence, despite them offering him proof in the form of severed ratmen heads. Blackthorn wanted them to bring one of the foul things back out alive, so that the Drach would finally recognise the threat and send someone, perhaps even Blackthorn, down into the sewer tunnels to wipe them out. It seemed there was great profit in the venture for Vikarh as well, for the place seemed to be heavily deposited with the valuable warping stone. That in itself could lead Vikarh to bigger problems however, for already it seemed some of the nobles were fighting over the spoils of a war which had not yet begun.

Still watching from the dark ledge above the mining pit, the group threw about a few ideas for catching one of the ratmen. Phalx wanted to draw one away from the pack and take it hostage with minimal fuss, whilst Saldrimek and Elysian readied themselves for combat by moving to better positions and taking out weapons. Karonath was more concerned with where the grey seer had gotten to, but Elysian reminded her that if he tried to seek it out he would open up their position like a beacon. Before any of them could confirm the masterplan however, Vryala seized the initiative and raised her crossbow, aiming straight at the biggest, blackest, meanest looking of the skaven warriors. Her bolt flew sure and true, the well aimed shot taking the hulking rat straight in the side of the face as he turned to crack his whip at one of his underlings. A moment later all that remained of the stormvermin warriors head was a splattering of purple brain matter on the rocky wall behind his body, which promptly tumbled forwards into the pit.

The stormvermins' body landed in amidst the still digging skaven, who seemed to be unnerved rather than releived at their slavedrivers' death. A foul smell rose up into the air, as if fear itself could be spread on the wind, and then the small skaven horde burst into motion. The ratmen began to run all over, clambering out of the deepest recess of the pit onto the more level terrain that circled it, glancing left and right before finally setting their menacing red eyes on the Druchii that watched them from above. Even as the fear spread amongst them, the majority of the skaven did not opt to flee down the adjacent passages but rather rally up in front of the elves and begin clambering up the slippery slope towards them. Literally like a bunch of cornered rats, the skaven turned their fear into savagery and came bustling forth with teeth gnashing and blades slashing at the air in anticipation.

The group had the high ground and the bonus of ranged weaponry, but even as some of the ratmen fled they were still outnumbered four against one. This was going to get messy.
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Raneth
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Post by Raneth »

The gambit paid off; Vryala was rewarded with a spray of gore and chaos among the Skaven slaves. Well, maybe not entirely. Somehow, leaderless, the rats managed to rally against their ambushers and mobbed up to increase their morale. V grinned; now knowing the mindset of these creatures, she felt more confident facing them. Plus, she'd seen Fiat do this stuff a thousand times before.

Drawing her sword, she called out to her companions: Grenades! Thin their ranks! We only need a single specimen!

Attempts to hold the line against the Skaven tide!
Vryala Naïlo - WS5 / S5 / T5 / D5 / I4

Equipment: bastard sword of Speed, shield of Defence, repeater (20/20), spear, mace, dagger, Armour of Night, SDC, whip, blowpipe (9/12)
Inventory: amulet of Strength, grapple, grenade x0, smoke x11, map, mage hand, sleep oil x8, cure balms x20, Yori's balms x1, winter gear, old kit, lion mask
Mount: Dark Steed (Blanky), barding, talisman of Protection
Gold: 1735
Skills: Defensive Fighting, Anarin Sarath (2), Basic Ride
Class: Warrior
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Drainial
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Post by Drainial »

Here they come Elysian thought as the Skaven mob began its' chittering charge.

"Grenades! Thin their ranks! We only need a single specimen!" he heard Vryala call out. Elysian smiled

My thoughts exactly, with that he threw his fire bombs into the heart of the mob.


Bombs away!!! then out with the staff to support the heavy troops.
Moding a group of Druchii.net players is much like directing the musical 'Cats' using actual cats. Frustrating, difficult, chaotic but ultimatley satisfying and a great deal of fun.

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Layne
Arnold Layne
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Post by Layne »

K had a whole bag of bombs. She laid it on the ground as the vermin tide washed up the ramps and stairs toward them. She loosed the string at the top, and began hurling.

Bombs for all!
Layne
Global Moderator. Everything but the weather.


Caveat Numptor.


Karonath - WS6 / S4 / T4 / D5 / I3
Equipment: Bloodfeather, heavy armour, helm, Sea Dragon Cloak, rope x 2, month rations x 2
Inventory: longspear, 2 short swords, glaive, winter gear, shade cloak,
Mount: Dark Steed (Shiny), talisman of kurnous
Gold: 2294
Skills: Ambidexterity, Controlled Frenzy, Basic Ride, Drukh Kaganth
Class: Khainite
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Post by Sidorio »

OOC - hey sorry, I've had issues logging into the site and then our internet sort of died on us for 2 days :?

IC - He was hardly one to disagree at the plab, especially in this case where he was outnumbered by the stinking things. Lets see how well these things burn. Then we just need to grab one and get back to the surface and hopefully this will no longer be our problem to deal with. Taking hold of one of his grenades he readed to throw it into the masses along with the others.

kaboom twisted: probably followed by the usage of swords. :
Vash’nir - WS5 / S4 / T4 / D5 / I3
Equipment: 2 asrai short swords, assassins dagger, silver dagger, modified repeater crossbow (20/20), hunting spear, Cloak of Dusk, full leather armour
Inventory: talisman of protection, talisman of night, smoke bombs x6, rope x2, healing balms x10, climbing axe x2, skinning knives, winter gear, Vikarh map, pouch of powder, 4 fire bombs
Mount: Dark Steed (Falken)
Gold: 2270
Skills: Stealth, Two Weapon Fighting, Basic Ride
Class: Shade
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Kinslayer
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Post by Kinslayer »

OOC - That's cool, just checking Vash'nir is still alive and kicking. He hasn't had much focus due to your absence but he's still there.

IC -

The skaven rallied quickly as their stormvermin slaver was assassinated, a trait the group found most odd for this often cowardly race of loathsome creatures. It wasn't the first time the ratmen had stood their ground and even counter charged the Druchii, and from what little they did know about the skaven they found it a little bit unnerving. Those who had witnessed the greyseer vanishing in a puff of magical green smoke the last time they had come down were reminded of the rat seers' last words to them, and it sent a shiver down their spine. 'The Dark Master will hear of this...' Could it be that the ratmen were more afraid of running back someone or some thing that was controlling them than they were of facing the mercenaries? If so, the group didn't want to know what it was that instilled such fear in the ratmen. They wanted to be back on the surface again before they got into more trouble than they could handle, and that meant catching a rat.

Elysian was the fastest to react, hurling the two firebombs he had drawn earlier at the oncoming horde as Vryala steeled herself to meet the charge. The hurled projectiles were joined a moment later by a couple thrown by Vash'nir and K, who had opened her bag of them to allow for the others to make use of it. The stallkeeper who had been crafting the bombs from blackpowder and lantern liquid was unable to make more of the bombs for several weeks, but that didn't seem to stop Karonath making good use of them while they were needed. They would surely run out if they continued to use so many, but it was certainly the most effective way to deal with the skavens' superior numbers. The explosives flew straight into the front ranks of the ratman mob, blowing apart the closest warriors in a shower of weapons, limbs and gore. Those behind were blown backwards, some of them catching alight as others were dismembered beyond the ability to fight. The skaven numbers went from thirty to less than twenty in an instant, but still the savage ratmen surged forth once again.

The slope was now not only slick with filth but wet and slippery with still burning gore, and the ratmen advance slowed enough to allow the Druchii time for another flaming salvo or crossbow fire, and a few precious seconds to align themselves on the lip of the mining pit and prepare themselves to meet the charge. Almost twenty of the warrior slaves still lived to fight them, and they surged up towards them not just on the badly cut slope but also the rocky edges of the pit leading up to the tunnel ledge above. The skaven spread out into a line twice as wide as the Druchii warband stood, bettering their chances of survival against the closely-wrought carnage each fire bomb could cause and getting ready to lap around the edges of the group and encircle them.

With pickaxes and swords at the ready, the skaven swarmed towards them without showing any intention of backing down before the end.


Elysian, -2 fire bombs
Karonath, -2 fire bombs
Vash'nir, -2 fire bombs
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Raneth
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Post by Raneth »

Vryala grimaced as several rats clambered over the rocky outcrops, threatening to outflank and swamp the group unless they reacted fast. Form a defensive circle! Try not to get isolated! she shouted, hoping to dissuade her Khainite friends against meeting the Skaven head-on in glorious combat. There would plenty of bloodletting before the end of the mission, of this she was sure.

Will step back to the rest of the group and hold position as described. Here ratty ratty...
Vryala Naïlo - WS5 / S5 / T5 / D5 / I4

Equipment: bastard sword of Speed, shield of Defence, repeater (20/20), spear, mace, dagger, Armour of Night, SDC, whip, blowpipe (9/12)
Inventory: amulet of Strength, grapple, grenade x0, smoke x11, map, mage hand, sleep oil x8, cure balms x20, Yori's balms x1, winter gear, old kit, lion mask
Mount: Dark Steed (Blanky), barding, talisman of Protection
Gold: 1735
Skills: Defensive Fighting, Anarin Sarath (2), Basic Ride
Class: Warrior
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Khel
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Post by Khel »

Sal faced away from the carnage that his friends were wreaking upon the Skaven. Listening to each repeater crossbow click and the whistling air that the bolt created, Sal smiled to himself as he heard the dull “thunk” noise as the bolts struck home. The chattering grew louder within an instant as the Skaven mingled momentarily in a dull panic. Screeches then came, followed by the scraping of claws on stonework as the rats begun their assault on the Druchii.

Amazing... Thought Sal, finding himself impressed with the Skaven’s ability to locate their attackers in such low lighting. He put it down simply to them being better suited to fighting within the ancient catacombs where foes fought tooth and nail and drowned each other in blood and darkness.

Sal jumped suddenly as he heard the fire bombs starting to do their work, the noise created by the bombs underground amplified tenfold, making Sal jump with each successive explosion. Gibs and muck was starting to lightly sprinkle down onto them, smouldering clumps of rat hair following the aerial assault of severed limbs and gunk. Vryala was shouting for a defensive circle. Forming a circle with only six people was going to be harsh, especially since Sal needed so much room to work when he set to his swords. His scimitar had not seen blood in quite a while, yet Sal was still determined to anoint of new axe in holy bloodletting.

The Skaven were almost upon them, their gnashing teeth and squinted eyes clearly gleaming through the darkness. He was still hidden in a shadow near the top of the ramp, his axe already held back to quickly deliver a huge swipe at the first rank of the rats. Looking back towards Vryala, Sal spat in frustration as he quickly left his spot of hiding and joined Vryala by her side, jostling shoulders as they quickly tried to form a crude circle. As he formed up, Sal laughed a few words to the female warrior.

We’re going to be surrounded now, you watch my back and I’ll watch yours as well as the squishiest behind.

It was easier for some however, as Sal needed to place himself at the front so he may cause as much damage with his huge, scything axe. But he didn’t have a spear, or a shield, or even heavy armour to hold the tide of filth at bay. It would be better, he thought, that he form one of the corners of the circle, so he may deter any rat going around him and making it to the back of the group without having to avoid a brutish Khainite who would surely lop off their limbs before letting them through unscathed.

Forming on the right of Vryala at the corner front of the circle (a circle with corners!), will attempt to stop any rat from scooting around without receiving an axe chop or several.
Saldrimek Xenan - WS6 / S4 / T3 / D5 / I3

Equipment: Executioners Axe (Rune of Beastslaying - Heroic Killing Blow), 2 Scimitars (Rune of Speed - Always Strike First), Dagger, Rune Branded Leather Armour, Executioner Helm, Fine Set of Throwing Knives (x4)
Inventory: Amulet of Darkness, Poison Vials x7, Deadly Poison Vials x8
Mount: Dark Steed
Gold: 163
Skills: Ambidexterity, Frenzy, Two Weapon Fighting, Ride
Class: Khainite
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Dauricha
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Post by Dauricha »

Phalx saw the ratmen charging up at them through the blood and the gore of their fallen comrades. They were no fleeing. What could that mean? For one brief moment he felt the overwhelming urge to throw himself at the oncoming horde, and slay them as the came upon him, laughing and roaring like a mad man as he did. He forgot such thoughts, what had come over him?

He had a moment or so left to act before they were upon them all, a chittering beady eyed mass of stinking fur and rusting iron.

Phalx will unleash a full clip from Deathspitter. He will stick to the left of their defensive formation, and after unleashing a full clip will resort back to sword and dagger.
Phalx Tr'dasr – WS5 / S4 / T4 / D5 / I4
Equipment: Deathspitter (5/20) 4 of these poisoned (1/2x QD, 3xSD), short sword, dagger, punching dagger (Bloodthirst Rune), shade cloak, full leather armour
Inventory: thieves tools, torches x3, healing balms x5, rope and grapple, Vikarh map, dice, winter gear, orc tusk,
Mount: Dark Steed
Gold: 5829
Skills: Basic Stealth, Precision Fire, Basic Ride, Frenzy, Ambidexterity,Suithenlu Khythan (1): SP2
Class: Shade
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Layne
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Post by Layne »

She had only time to throw a couple before it became clear the rats would not stop. But the group were not here for a fight, they only wanted to capture one. So they wanted to keep the fighting to the minimum. The rats spread out to keep the fire from burning them all - K wanted them bunched back up again.

K will throw a few bombs to one side of the tunnel, to narrow the rats avenue of attack.
Layne
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Karonath - WS6 / S4 / T4 / D5 / I3
Equipment: Bloodfeather, heavy armour, helm, Sea Dragon Cloak, rope x 2, month rations x 2
Inventory: longspear, 2 short swords, glaive, winter gear, shade cloak,
Mount: Dark Steed (Shiny), talisman of kurnous
Gold: 2294
Skills: Ambidexterity, Controlled Frenzy, Basic Ride, Drukh Kaganth
Class: Khainite
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Drainial
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Post by Drainial »

"Here they come," Elysian muttered to himself, the fire bombs had thinned out the furry ranks a little but it seemed that their blood lust was up, time for a more primal way of doing things.

Vryala's call for a defensive circle seemed daft to Elysian, if they were going to be surrounded anyway why not take the momentum and let the Khainite's use their blades to full effect? Still the others took her at her word so the mage had little choice but to fall in as well. Taking his staff in a two handed grip Elysian took up position towards the right of their 'circle' and a little behind Saldrimek.

So be it, bring on the fur
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Kinslayer
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Post by Kinslayer »

The skaven attack was relentless, and even as some of them were blown apart and shot down the rest just kept on coming. Karonath continued her destructive barrage, drawing out two more fire bombs to throw at either end of the skaven line, forcing them in closer to one another just in time for Phalx to open up with Deathspitter. The Shade let a whole clip of bolts fly into the closest ratmen, sending half a dozen of them sprawling backwards, those nearest to him riddled with bolts and dying as they fell. Karonaths' explosions had killed another three and drawn the hunched warriors in together, but now the scrambling ratmen finally reached the lip of the mine crater and poured over it, still more than a dozen strong. Fortunately for the group Vryala had called them into a defensive circle, and as the skaven surged forth and enveloped them, the real bloodshed began.

Standing as the closest point of the circle, Vryala was the first to have a pick axe swung her way. She batted it aside with her shield and lashed out in return, forcing the skaven warrior to move to the side where she shield bashed the creature away into Saldrimeks' field of attack. The Khainite wasted little time in stepping forth to behead the vile creature, just as Elysian drew up behind him and used his staff to knock back those rats trying to spill around Saldrimeks' flank. The other side was held by K and Phalx, with Vash'nir forming the back of the circle and acting as rearguard, his crossbow firing off the occasional shot into any opening that presented itself. Karonath had succeeded in pushing the ratmen formation back together, so rather than pour around their flank the rats ended up coming at them head on. She stepped out to meet them, Bloodfeather slicing through leather armour with ease as her own golden armour turned aside the rusty picks and swords. Phalx darted in and out of combat behind her, his sword and dagger making short work of any skaven that avoided the wrath of the Khainites.

Holding the high ground and having moved into a defensive formation, the mercenaries were in a good position to repel the skavens' rushed attack. Within just a few minutes the skaven numbers had dwindelled and their morale finally seemed to be effected. Vryala had done a good job of staying put while the ratmen rushed her, deflecting their attacks on shield and armour and turning them aside onto the blades of Saldrimek and K. Those rats who tried to get around these threats were either cut down by Phalx, beaten to death or knocked back under the axe by Elysian, or shot down by the shadowy figure that lurked behind the rest, Vash'nir. What had begun as thirty had become less than twenty before they were even engaged, and already another dozen had been cut down. Losing the advantage of superior numbers, the ratmens leadership failed them and they turned tail to flee.

Unfortunately for the group, the skaven were still fighting on the lip of the muck covered rocky slope down into the mine. As they decided to flee, they simply leaped backwards out of swords range and half-ran half-slid down the messy slope, heading for the bottom of the mining pit and no doubt the tunnels beyond. Those that turned to flee too slowly were hacked down by axe, Draich and sword, and although the group only needed one of the creatures alive, four of them were nimble and perhaps lucky enough to get away before they died. Now the rats were in full flight, and if they wanted to give chase they would have to take their chances descending the unstable and slippery slope that led down the thirty feet into the huge pit below. By the time they drew crossbows or reloaded, the lightning quick ratmen would already be most of the way across the pit and into the tunnels.

They had won the fight with ease, but now they risked losing their prize. It was pursuit or failure, and they only had seconds to decide.

Phalx, -1 crossbow clip
Karonath, -1 fire bomb
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Layne
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Post by Layne »

K threw bombs to either side - the rats herded through nice and tight - things were going to be OK. She swung left, she swung right. Rats died. Rats ran - ran fast. Faster than she could run. She looked about quickly - she knew the Shade had rope - but he had not roped. She stared him some murder. She looked back to the rats. She had to block them or stop them.

K will try and throw more bombs to block the rats retreat, and failing that, will throw knives after them.
Layne
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Karonath - WS6 / S4 / T4 / D5 / I3
Equipment: Bloodfeather, heavy armour, helm, Sea Dragon Cloak, rope x 2, month rations x 2
Inventory: longspear, 2 short swords, glaive, winter gear, shade cloak,
Mount: Dark Steed (Shiny), talisman of kurnous
Gold: 2294
Skills: Ambidexterity, Controlled Frenzy, Basic Ride, Drukh Kaganth
Class: Khainite
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Khel
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Post by Khel »

They died as quickly as they came, the rats falling over one and another in a great heap at their feet. Heads were cleaved from shoulders, limbs summarily dismembered and guts and entrails spilt. It almost would’ve been fun if they didn’t need to capture a ratman alive. The mist of battle ascended once they had butchered a good few of the rats, only for them to see about four or so rats scuttling away, teeth gnashing wildly in a strange, grotesque form of speech, all the while their elongated razor nails catching and splinting as it tried to grab onto the crude rocks that formed up the floor of the ramp that led down to a great stinking pit.

They needed to get down after them and Sal wasn’t prepared to let the rats get away, their task being to capture one of the foul things. Heaving his axe to his shoulder as he ran Sal began to gingerly make chase but at a steady pace, drawing his dagger from its sheath as he did so. Hissing at the rats, Sal knew that at least one of them would have to go down the ramp after them. Seeing as he was as nimble as any here and less weighed down, Sal chased after the rats, dagger drawn and ready for more blood and annoyance.

Chasing the rats, sticking to one side of the ramp so others can either pass him or shoot past him. Will take any shortcuts if necessary. If the rats are caught, will grab at their mangy fur and slice at their joints/legs.
Saldrimek Xenan - WS6 / S4 / T3 / D5 / I3

Equipment: Executioners Axe (Rune of Beastslaying - Heroic Killing Blow), 2 Scimitars (Rune of Speed - Always Strike First), Dagger, Rune Branded Leather Armour, Executioner Helm, Fine Set of Throwing Knives (x4)
Inventory: Amulet of Darkness, Poison Vials x7, Deadly Poison Vials x8
Mount: Dark Steed
Gold: 163
Skills: Ambidexterity, Frenzy, Two Weapon Fighting, Ride
Class: Khainite
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Raneth
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Post by Raneth »

Ranks closed tight at V's urging, the enemy found themselves unable to reach anyone's backside and were forced to risk being caught in K's fiery blasts or meet the group blade to blade. The Skaven's lack of skill and actual blades saw them butchered in short order, and the last few retreated as fast as their gnarly feet would take them. A slippery slope they followed, apparently leading into another pit - V wasn't keen on giving chase, but didn't want the survivors alerting their entire ****ing nest. Luckily, the Khainites felt the same way; kill these few if you have to, I'm sure we'll find more of this vermin...

No squealers! V will try for her repeater and get a couple of shots in.
Vryala Naïlo - WS5 / S5 / T5 / D5 / I4

Equipment: bastard sword of Speed, shield of Defence, repeater (20/20), spear, mace, dagger, Armour of Night, SDC, whip, blowpipe (9/12)
Inventory: amulet of Strength, grapple, grenade x0, smoke x11, map, mage hand, sleep oil x8, cure balms x20, Yori's balms x1, winter gear, old kit, lion mask
Mount: Dark Steed (Blanky), barding, talisman of Protection
Gold: 1735
Skills: Defensive Fighting, Anarin Sarath (2), Basic Ride
Class: Warrior
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