Chapter 4: Desperate Flight Report

General Summary

The party splits in to two groups, another unknown stranger recused from the cells disappears off in to the distance.
The first group leads the way out of the Dark Encampment. Viktor is still carrying Erika, Lukas, Bertram and Adrik follow close behind him.
The group in the rear comprising Grimbald, Edgard, Johnny and Vixen take one final look behind them. Edgard and Vixen stare back at the great stone monolith at the centre of the Dark Encampment for a little too long and fail to resist the pull of Chaos, each suffering two corruption.
Both groups plunge back in to the darker path and set a good pace.
As the rear group passes the blood spattered trees, Johnny Sins notices that a small group of hound shaped figures are close to the group. He tells everyone that they may be about to be ambushed.
At the main trail the rear group containing Grimbald, Edgard, Johnny and Vixen are attacked by three lesser warhounds of Chaos. As Johnny had prepared the group for the attack, the ambush is foiled and the party sweeps in to combat.
At the outset of the battle Johnny fires off a critical arrow which gut shots one of the warhounds and leaves it stunned, prone and badly injured.
The warhounds then leap to the attack. Vixen manages to dodge aside, just about avoiding the slavering jaw of the second warhound. Meanwhile Edgard deflects the other warhound with his shield.
In response Vixen takes a swing at her assailant but in turn the hound leaps aside. Edgard pushes through the warhound attacking him, taking a bite of opportunity for his efforts as he attempts to aid Vixen in her struggle with the second warhound. He hits the second warhound with a nasty blow to its back, rending its armour.
Grimbald calls for the others to follow but otherwise hesitates.
Johnny dashes forwards and puts the badly injured warhound which he had shot previously out of its misery and continues to meet up with Grimbald.
Vixen dispatches the second warhound with a vicious blow from her club, and runs to also rendezvous with Grimbald. Edgard takes all of the parties accumulated Advantage and slams downward with two mighty blows of his axe, which slays the final remaining warhound.
The group makes good its escape, having very efficently dealt with the warhounds. The first group is seen disappearing in to fog ahead.
As the group passes the fallen tree on the main trail, they forget to check for Karl Blackwood who was left here, wrapped in a cloak. Also Edgard, rather than slowing the group down, chooses to gain a Fatigued condition. Vixen and Johnny pass without issue.
The group then makes it to the shallow stream on the main trail, their pursuerers are slowly closing the distance. Because of this Vixen attempts to vault the stream, and fails badly, suffering 4 wounds. Johnny does the same, failing but only suffering 2 wounds. Edgard clears the stream in a graceful fashion.
As the group leaves the area they can hear their pursurers splashing through the river close behind them. It is at this point that Vixen remembers they've forgotten to collect Karl Blackwood but it is too late to go back.
Entering the opening in the trees, Edgard astoundingly fails his athletics check to maintain his flight and is blindsided by significant opponent.
A great beast wearing a red gut plate, spiked shoulder guards and large trophy rack slams in to Edgard's side. It throws him to the floor although the majority of the impact was luckily absorbed on his shield. As he rolls on to his back, the beast raises it's barbed great axe above it's head but then pauses and shakes its head as if trying to clear its head.
The beast then looks down at his great axe as if in shock, or perhaps... disgust? In an unexpected turn of events, rather than ending Edgard's life the great mountain of fury and muscle throws his axe back in to the forest. This gives Edgard enough time to escape.
The two groups burst out in to the Tranquil Clearing, they see what later turns out to be the 9th Nuln Outriders in formation around the Helmbrecht Caravan.
The groups both make good enough time to keep just about ahead of their bestial pursurers. As they arrive at the caravan, and safety, the group turns around to witness the 9th Nuln Outriders cutting down the onrushing beasts with waves of devastating gun fire. The beasts soon panic and flee. Johnny Sins using his excellent sight, sees the shaman eyeing the caravan before he disappears back in to the fog.
A joyous reunion is had by all. It is bittersweet for Grimbald and company as Erika is still not awake, although she is still alive. They carefully bandage her head wound and make her comfortable.
Elise Blackwood and Lukas Blackwood are reunited but as the party forgot to recover Karl Blackwood, he is absent. Elise is overjoyed to have her son back but is desperately worried for her husband Karl. Vixen tells Elise they saw no evidence of Karl and don't know where he is, although they don't think he was caught by the beasts.
Grimbald, Johnny, Edgard and Vixen spend some time explaining everything that has happened to the newly arrived Markus Sturm, captain of the 9th Nuln Outriders. Grimbald explains the core of eveything that has happened and then Vixen attempts to fill in some further details but fails and re-rolls in to a critical failure, meaning she just babbles incoherently. Markus takes little notice of her warnings of the great red beast and the shaman.
The party notes that Grimbald's armour displays images of the Order of the Blazing Sun, and notes the connection to the Cult of Myrmidia. Johnny intends to show the Silver Amulet of the Cult of Myrmidia to Grimbald at the next opportunity.

Campaign

The Long Road

Protagonists

Vixen Thornlock

Vixen Thornlock
Human
Rogue, Bawd 1,

Brass 1

WS	BS	S	T	I
34	32	28	32	24
Ag	Dex	Int	WP	Fel
35	43	27	32	40

Johnny Sins

Johnny Sins
Human
Peasent, Mystic 1,

Brass 1

WS	BS	S	T	I
32	33	31	30	34
Ag	Dex	Int	WP	Fel
37	33	34	33	31

Edgard Cutterford

Edgard Cutterford
Human
Burgher, Begger 1,
Pauper
Brass 0

WS	BS	S	T	I
28	36	32	50	35
Ag	Dex	Int	WP	Fel
36	34	32	37	42

Report Date

21 Jun 2024