The Great North Road Report, Volume One by Nicodemus Krebs
Foreward
I have been commissioned to make a report to the Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry of Trade for Middenheim and Middenland regarding the state of The Great North Road from Middenland to Deinste. As Captain Schutzman can attest, my reports tend to be terse things, and I will attempt to write this in a more narrative fashion, as I need to practise my letters in any case.
Several of the rest of my boon companions have also determined that they wish to assist in this scouting mission, we have been collectively called the Seven by some... but among one another we are but friends:
Nicodemus Krebs, Sergeant of the Watch of Middenheim, 18 Years of Age
Andric Vogel, Priest of Sigmar, 19 Years of Age
Oldric Mannheim-Oberholzer, Journeyman Wizard of the Grey Order, Aged 18 Years
Rudiger Kuhn, Protagonist, Aged Approximately 16 Years
Throngor Snorlikson, Engineer 31 Years of Age
Imrak, Trollslayer 71 Years of Age
Luther Mohr, Scout 20 Years of Age
Bezahltag, 13 Vorgeheim 2522
The Seven are now joined by Pippa Darkwater, a Halfling Hunter of 28 years from Averland on the border with Mootland. Pippa came with four mules, provisions for the 300 Mile trip to Deitme, and a recommendation from Silas Greentree. We presume her presence is due to Lady Hornblower's influence.
Andric Vogel has been preaching in the Morrspark at Sir Diebold's grave. I followed him today as he walked through the streets with the banner used to drap Diebold's coffin. A crowd of several hundred gathered to hear his message in the Morrspark. I must admit I find it hard to ignore Andric's words. The message is one of unity between Ulric and Sigmar, of Middenlander and Reiklander.
I fear for his safety at times, as I am sure there are some, fearing for their positions, who would do him harm.
Konistag, 14 Vorgeheim 2522
We travelled West towards Marienburg today. Travel uneventful, road companions sparse. The group overnighted in a recently reclaimed village just west of Middenheim, called Elsterweld. A Garrison of soldiers of the Army of Middenheim are posted here but do not patrol westward aggressively beyond a few miles. Trade is non-existent, rumours of a Orcs, goblins and worse on the road westward. I was approached by an old soldier who knew my father before his death and saw my brother early in the seige of the Brass Keep, but had not had word of his regiment or his condition. I was asked to write letters for a few of the soldiers to their wives and loved ones, which I did.
I watched as Andric performed a small mercy for a bereaved mother who had lost her child in a acribs death, giving it last rites and performing a solemn and serene memorial for the child. His energy seems boundless, as he then walked among the small congregation of Sigmarites in the town, healng them of their ills, listening to their woes, writing their letters and speaking to the Ulrican Initiate, Johann about cooperation between a caretaker selected by him and the other shrines.
The village was once a small town, and was sacked at least twice, first by creatures of fell Chaos, then by the depradations of Orcs and goblins that swept through during the storm. Still the populance was rebuilding, almost content, as if they were purified by the war and destruction that had tried to sweep them all away.
Pippa hit on by human groom loooking for a roll in the hay. Pippa flatly refused the oafish man. She seems a Halfling of quiet competence.
Angestag, 15 Vorgeheim 2522
We decided last night that to best observe and determine the threats the North Road holds, we shall divide our group into two seperate parties, one paralleling the North side of the road at about five miles distance and one paralleling the road on the South at a similar distance. I was somewhat concerned that Pippa was to be our wilderness guide, with Luther, Throngor and Imrak comprising the other party that would travel to the South of the road. We arranged several meeting areas and signs for one another as well.
Pippa awed her travelling companions once it came time to make camp, preparing an incredible meal of such quality relative to the burnt meat and tater slop that Luther usually provides us. I nearly felt that I was sitting at the Cockerel and Cane with fine linen and silver to eat from.
The light fades and I must cease my writing.
Festag, 16 Vorgeheim 2522
Pippa located a large number of boar tracks heading south to the Old North Road. While I could see the tracks and follow them as well as she, I did not know what they meant, as she did: Pippa said that the boar were not acting as they should, rooting in the undergrowth for food. Instead, they were moving together and purposefully. Darkwater called it a sure sign they were ridden by Orcs.
We followed the trail some distance, deciding to pursue them rather than track them back to their source. Eventually we saw Orc droppings and some discarded cloth on the trail, sure indicators that the boar are being used as cavalry mounts.
Night falls and we are encamped on a low rise within bowshot of the tracks left by the Orcs. Some debate is on about whether we should have a cold camp, but the thought of more of Pippa's cooking has overcome our collective caution, I think.
Wellentag, 17 Vorgeheim 2522
About midmorning we located an abandoned encampment about a mile from the road. The wind was strong out of the east all day, and we could not smell the place until we were on top of it. Once we could, we wished we could not.
Foul does not begin to describe the stench greenskins leave behind. I know sewers and Sewer Jacks that smell prettier. Seriously, after a short time, the nose becomes numb to the stench of a sewer. Not so this camp.
Pippa and I tracked an Orc who left the campsite, he went west a few hundred yards before he met what must be a goblin with one of the giant wolves like the one I had my cloak made of. Oldric was concerned they serve as scouts for the warband. Pippa and I confirmed that worry when we tried to track the wolf prints, and were stymied by some good woodcraft on the part of the goblin. The Orc returned to the camp by a different route.
All the tracks appear to be about a day old, perhaps a bit more. We followed the track for the remainder of the day and encamped again. Another fine meal.
Aubentag, 18 Vorgeheim 2522
Followed the tracks much closer to the road today, locating what looked like an ambush site from which the Orcs might strike. None present. Rudiger climbed a tree on an outcrop to look down the road. He took his time, but eventually came down and told us there was a man on horseback approaching who looked as if he'd seen better days.
To make a long and difficult story short, the man's name is Sir Roland, and he suffers from some strange curse which makes him twitch and shout at odd times. Complicating this is his complete lack of skill with Reiklandish. He speaks Breton only, it seems, and none of us have any facility with that tongue.
As Andric saw to his wounds, I drew a picture of an Orc, which elicited more curses I am glad I cannot understand and crazy gesticulating I could only take to mean he wanted to kill some.
Oldric was able to piece together that he was one of the knights providing an escort to Shallyan priests from their mother temple in Bretonnia to Middenheim. Apparantly the afflicted do this often in the hopes that the White Goddess will heal their woes.
At any rate, Roland was in sad shape and we camped, taking our time in trying to understand what he had to say. Andric saw to his wounds as Roland gestured and repeated himself many times in order to make us understand his story:
It seems he and the caravan of some thirty souls he had been protecting had been ambushed three days earlier on the road. Roland had been knocked out as he fought the greenskins. His horse had carried him some distance before he came to his senses and returned to the place of the attack. All of the knights and men-at-arms were slain and the Shallyans carried off.
Roland carries missives he says he must deliver to Middenheim, and seems conflicted about whether to seek vengeance or complete the task he says he must. At any rate, our goal remains the same. Search out the threats to the North Road and report their locations and strength.
Marktag, 19 Vorgeheim 2522
Today... was an interesting day. I have never faced their kind before and I think if I can ever avoid it in the future, I shall...
I get ahead of myself. At about 3 bells after noon, Pippa stopped returned from her position well ahead of us and stopped our progress, reporting she had found a burned and damaged trapper's lodge or bandit's hideout. She could tell it had been recently occupied by the Orcs we had been tracking.
Sure enough, we managed to sneak up on the group of goblins passed out in the rough huts. We slew the vermin with ease. Pippa, who had held back in case more of the greenskins fell on us from the rear, saw the trolls first. The rest of us were searching about inside the camp when Pippa saw the enormous forms crunching though the wood toward the camp, one behind the other.
Andric shouted to the beasts, attracting their moronic attention and probably saving us, as the massive creatures charged the pallisade surrounding the camp in order to rend Andric limb from limb instead of coming through the open gate. I can still hear the sound of splintering wood.
Roland and Andric attacked the massive beasts from inside the fence as I hurled a goblin spear into one beast's chest. Oldric muttered out spell after spell, stunning the beasts and leaving them helpless for a few seconds at a time. I charged to help Andric and the Breton.
Rudiger, outside the camp with Pippa before the combat, showed great bravery as he charged one of the creatures.
It is terribly unnerving to strike a blow and see the wound and the black blood flow, only to have the wound seal itself in moments. Long moments passed in brutal combat, the warbling cries of the trolls, the grunts of our exertion and Oldric' spell casting the only sounds.
Surely my companions are beloved of the Gods, as each has the proper skills for each terror that befalls us. Oldric stunned the Trolls repeatedly, and I doubt we would have been able to overcome the foul creatures had he not been present and acted as he did.
Pippa shouted to us that there was an orc gibbering and capering outside the camp, just as Roland felled one of the Trolls.
A moment later and all of us at the pallisade were struck by a terrifying series of dirty green fireballs. Andric's body smoked and my great cloak was singed.
Rudiger acted with exactly the right instinct, charging the massive orc, who was standing in the wood line a few yards from the pallisade behind the Trolls.
Another few moments passed in combat, with the remaining Troll nearly laying Roland, Andric and myself low with a single swing of his massive stone axe.
Rudiger engaged in a duel with the Black Orc Shaman, each cut and thrust parried and countered by Orc's massive bone staff. Struck by several stones from Pippa's sling, and seeing me strike down the last Troll, the Orc fled in fear, running at great speed.
We gave chase, Andric and Rudiger right behind the tough bastard. Oldric sent some of the magical knives he conjures into its back, but the vitality of hte thingto no avail.
For long minutes the creature led us a bloody chase. Sol ong was the chase that Rudiger fell behind, winded. Andric finally commited to a diving tackle, tripping the Orc. As it struggled to rise, Rudiger fell on it, stabbing it through the neck and ending it's life in a welter of black blood.
We returned to the noisome camp and began cleaning up the evidence of our combat, preparing to ambush the next set of goblins or Orcs that might return.
A more thorough search of the camp revealed the goblins and lone orc in the camp had all been wounded prior to our arrival. The large central area had obviously been an encampment for more then the half-dozen goblins we slew.
Several barrels and shattered crates revealed that some portion of the Shallyan caravan had been brought here. We also found evidence that at least some humans had been eaten at the fires. It always confirms my faith in Ulric that He provides us with so many opponents in need of slaying.
Andric set about healing us all, before he acted to heal himself. Still, we remain sore and stiff, and it should take a few days before we are ourselves.
Rudiger, the least wounded and most stealthy of us aside from Pippa, offered to make his way to the others and tell them where to meet us.
Pippa set a fire as Rudiger communicated with Roland, convincing him to give over the missives he had for the temple. Soon after that he set out on foot. We hope that the other party will be able to meet us in two days.
Roland has communicated to us that he speaks some Goblin Tongue, and will call out to the creatures in their foul language, should some come calling.
A summer thunderstorm is building in the west, and so it looks as if I shall be standing a wet watch. I have been writing for some time here by the fire, and I need to rest if I am to remain alert. I thank Ulric for my fine companions.
I have been commissioned to make a report to the Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry of Trade for Middenheim and Middenland regarding the state of The Great North Road from Middenland to Deinste. As Captain Schutzman can attest, my reports tend to be terse things, and I will attempt to write this in a more narrative fashion, as I need to practise my letters in any case.
Several of the rest of my boon companions have also determined that they wish to assist in this scouting mission, we have been collectively called the Seven by some... but among one another we are but friends:
Nicodemus Krebs, Sergeant of the Watch of Middenheim, 18 Years of Age
Andric Vogel, Priest of Sigmar, 19 Years of Age
Oldric Mannheim-Oberholzer, Journeyman Wizard of the Grey Order, Aged 18 Years
Rudiger Kuhn, Protagonist, Aged Approximately 16 Years
Throngor Snorlikson, Engineer 31 Years of Age
Imrak, Trollslayer 71 Years of Age
Luther Mohr, Scout 20 Years of Age
Bezahltag, 13 Vorgeheim 2522
The Seven are now joined by Pippa Darkwater, a Halfling Hunter of 28 years from Averland on the border with Mootland. Pippa came with four mules, provisions for the 300 Mile trip to Deitme, and a recommendation from Silas Greentree. We presume her presence is due to Lady Hornblower's influence.
Andric Vogel has been preaching in the Morrspark at Sir Diebold's grave. I followed him today as he walked through the streets with the banner used to drap Diebold's coffin. A crowd of several hundred gathered to hear his message in the Morrspark. I must admit I find it hard to ignore Andric's words. The message is one of unity between Ulric and Sigmar, of Middenlander and Reiklander.
I fear for his safety at times, as I am sure there are some, fearing for their positions, who would do him harm.
Konistag, 14 Vorgeheim 2522
We travelled West towards Marienburg today. Travel uneventful, road companions sparse. The group overnighted in a recently reclaimed village just west of Middenheim, called Elsterweld. A Garrison of soldiers of the Army of Middenheim are posted here but do not patrol westward aggressively beyond a few miles. Trade is non-existent, rumours of a Orcs, goblins and worse on the road westward. I was approached by an old soldier who knew my father before his death and saw my brother early in the seige of the Brass Keep, but had not had word of his regiment or his condition. I was asked to write letters for a few of the soldiers to their wives and loved ones, which I did.
I watched as Andric performed a small mercy for a bereaved mother who had lost her child in a acribs death, giving it last rites and performing a solemn and serene memorial for the child. His energy seems boundless, as he then walked among the small congregation of Sigmarites in the town, healng them of their ills, listening to their woes, writing their letters and speaking to the Ulrican Initiate, Johann about cooperation between a caretaker selected by him and the other shrines.
The village was once a small town, and was sacked at least twice, first by creatures of fell Chaos, then by the depradations of Orcs and goblins that swept through during the storm. Still the populance was rebuilding, almost content, as if they were purified by the war and destruction that had tried to sweep them all away.
Pippa hit on by human groom loooking for a roll in the hay. Pippa flatly refused the oafish man. She seems a Halfling of quiet competence.
Angestag, 15 Vorgeheim 2522
We decided last night that to best observe and determine the threats the North Road holds, we shall divide our group into two seperate parties, one paralleling the North side of the road at about five miles distance and one paralleling the road on the South at a similar distance. I was somewhat concerned that Pippa was to be our wilderness guide, with Luther, Throngor and Imrak comprising the other party that would travel to the South of the road. We arranged several meeting areas and signs for one another as well.
Pippa awed her travelling companions once it came time to make camp, preparing an incredible meal of such quality relative to the burnt meat and tater slop that Luther usually provides us. I nearly felt that I was sitting at the Cockerel and Cane with fine linen and silver to eat from.
The light fades and I must cease my writing.
Festag, 16 Vorgeheim 2522
Pippa located a large number of boar tracks heading south to the Old North Road. While I could see the tracks and follow them as well as she, I did not know what they meant, as she did: Pippa said that the boar were not acting as they should, rooting in the undergrowth for food. Instead, they were moving together and purposefully. Darkwater called it a sure sign they were ridden by Orcs.
We followed the trail some distance, deciding to pursue them rather than track them back to their source. Eventually we saw Orc droppings and some discarded cloth on the trail, sure indicators that the boar are being used as cavalry mounts.
Night falls and we are encamped on a low rise within bowshot of the tracks left by the Orcs. Some debate is on about whether we should have a cold camp, but the thought of more of Pippa's cooking has overcome our collective caution, I think.
Wellentag, 17 Vorgeheim 2522
About midmorning we located an abandoned encampment about a mile from the road. The wind was strong out of the east all day, and we could not smell the place until we were on top of it. Once we could, we wished we could not.
Foul does not begin to describe the stench greenskins leave behind. I know sewers and Sewer Jacks that smell prettier. Seriously, after a short time, the nose becomes numb to the stench of a sewer. Not so this camp.
Pippa and I tracked an Orc who left the campsite, he went west a few hundred yards before he met what must be a goblin with one of the giant wolves like the one I had my cloak made of. Oldric was concerned they serve as scouts for the warband. Pippa and I confirmed that worry when we tried to track the wolf prints, and were stymied by some good woodcraft on the part of the goblin. The Orc returned to the camp by a different route.
All the tracks appear to be about a day old, perhaps a bit more. We followed the track for the remainder of the day and encamped again. Another fine meal.
Aubentag, 18 Vorgeheim 2522
Followed the tracks much closer to the road today, locating what looked like an ambush site from which the Orcs might strike. None present. Rudiger climbed a tree on an outcrop to look down the road. He took his time, but eventually came down and told us there was a man on horseback approaching who looked as if he'd seen better days.
To make a long and difficult story short, the man's name is Sir Roland, and he suffers from some strange curse which makes him twitch and shout at odd times. Complicating this is his complete lack of skill with Reiklandish. He speaks Breton only, it seems, and none of us have any facility with that tongue.
As Andric saw to his wounds, I drew a picture of an Orc, which elicited more curses I am glad I cannot understand and crazy gesticulating I could only take to mean he wanted to kill some.
Oldric was able to piece together that he was one of the knights providing an escort to Shallyan priests from their mother temple in Bretonnia to Middenheim. Apparantly the afflicted do this often in the hopes that the White Goddess will heal their woes.
At any rate, Roland was in sad shape and we camped, taking our time in trying to understand what he had to say. Andric saw to his wounds as Roland gestured and repeated himself many times in order to make us understand his story:
It seems he and the caravan of some thirty souls he had been protecting had been ambushed three days earlier on the road. Roland had been knocked out as he fought the greenskins. His horse had carried him some distance before he came to his senses and returned to the place of the attack. All of the knights and men-at-arms were slain and the Shallyans carried off.
Roland carries missives he says he must deliver to Middenheim, and seems conflicted about whether to seek vengeance or complete the task he says he must. At any rate, our goal remains the same. Search out the threats to the North Road and report their locations and strength.
Marktag, 19 Vorgeheim 2522
Today... was an interesting day. I have never faced their kind before and I think if I can ever avoid it in the future, I shall...
I get ahead of myself. At about 3 bells after noon, Pippa stopped returned from her position well ahead of us and stopped our progress, reporting she had found a burned and damaged trapper's lodge or bandit's hideout. She could tell it had been recently occupied by the Orcs we had been tracking.
Sure enough, we managed to sneak up on the group of goblins passed out in the rough huts. We slew the vermin with ease. Pippa, who had held back in case more of the greenskins fell on us from the rear, saw the trolls first. The rest of us were searching about inside the camp when Pippa saw the enormous forms crunching though the wood toward the camp, one behind the other.
Andric shouted to the beasts, attracting their moronic attention and probably saving us, as the massive creatures charged the pallisade surrounding the camp in order to rend Andric limb from limb instead of coming through the open gate. I can still hear the sound of splintering wood.
Roland and Andric attacked the massive beasts from inside the fence as I hurled a goblin spear into one beast's chest. Oldric muttered out spell after spell, stunning the beasts and leaving them helpless for a few seconds at a time. I charged to help Andric and the Breton.
Rudiger, outside the camp with Pippa before the combat, showed great bravery as he charged one of the creatures.
It is terribly unnerving to strike a blow and see the wound and the black blood flow, only to have the wound seal itself in moments. Long moments passed in brutal combat, the warbling cries of the trolls, the grunts of our exertion and Oldric' spell casting the only sounds.
Surely my companions are beloved of the Gods, as each has the proper skills for each terror that befalls us. Oldric stunned the Trolls repeatedly, and I doubt we would have been able to overcome the foul creatures had he not been present and acted as he did.
Pippa shouted to us that there was an orc gibbering and capering outside the camp, just as Roland felled one of the Trolls.
A moment later and all of us at the pallisade were struck by a terrifying series of dirty green fireballs. Andric's body smoked and my great cloak was singed.
Rudiger acted with exactly the right instinct, charging the massive orc, who was standing in the wood line a few yards from the pallisade behind the Trolls.
Another few moments passed in combat, with the remaining Troll nearly laying Roland, Andric and myself low with a single swing of his massive stone axe.
Rudiger engaged in a duel with the Black Orc Shaman, each cut and thrust parried and countered by Orc's massive bone staff. Struck by several stones from Pippa's sling, and seeing me strike down the last Troll, the Orc fled in fear, running at great speed.
We gave chase, Andric and Rudiger right behind the tough bastard. Oldric sent some of the magical knives he conjures into its back, but the vitality of hte thingto no avail.
For long minutes the creature led us a bloody chase. Sol ong was the chase that Rudiger fell behind, winded. Andric finally commited to a diving tackle, tripping the Orc. As it struggled to rise, Rudiger fell on it, stabbing it through the neck and ending it's life in a welter of black blood.
We returned to the noisome camp and began cleaning up the evidence of our combat, preparing to ambush the next set of goblins or Orcs that might return.
A more thorough search of the camp revealed the goblins and lone orc in the camp had all been wounded prior to our arrival. The large central area had obviously been an encampment for more then the half-dozen goblins we slew.
Several barrels and shattered crates revealed that some portion of the Shallyan caravan had been brought here. We also found evidence that at least some humans had been eaten at the fires. It always confirms my faith in Ulric that He provides us with so many opponents in need of slaying.
Andric set about healing us all, before he acted to heal himself. Still, we remain sore and stiff, and it should take a few days before we are ourselves.
Rudiger, the least wounded and most stealthy of us aside from Pippa, offered to make his way to the others and tell them where to meet us.
Pippa set a fire as Rudiger communicated with Roland, convincing him to give over the missives he had for the temple. Soon after that he set out on foot. We hope that the other party will be able to meet us in two days.
Roland has communicated to us that he speaks some Goblin Tongue, and will call out to the creatures in their foul language, should some come calling.
A summer thunderstorm is building in the west, and so it looks as if I shall be standing a wet watch. I have been writing for some time here by the fire, and I need to rest if I am to remain alert. I thank Ulric for my fine companions.
posted by Semper Septum at 21:00
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