I have been using the Ironsworn dice roller at Chartopia's Ironsworn Play Aids, but for this session, I got real, physical dice out and used them. It felt so much better, so I will try to do that in future; just wanted to share that, normal service now resumes ...
Entering Woodwatch itself, Radulf found the Council-of-Five assembled and waiting for him. He completed both First and Second Duties, the last of the salt-sacks being unloaded from the sledge, now only urns and their supplies remained upon it. Surprisingly, the village had no further tasks for the Charun. This left Radulf with a dilemma; he could try to get back to Halfway today, or remain here at Woodwatch until the morning. .
He considered leaving then as he would have liked to get back to Templemount, but his Duty as Charun was to guide the souls of the faithful and he could not help the people of Woodwatch if he were not here ...
Ask the Oracle: Does something happen during the night? Unlikely 76+ is yes => 78
Used the Chartopia Horror generator => oh dear ... well, this will be interesting ...
Radulf was startled to full wakefulness in an instant - the village warning was being given, the bell above the council ut was being rung as loudly as it could be. Knowing that this meant a serious emergency, Radulf, despite his urge to run and help, took the time to don his full armour.
Radulf is Geared for War once more
Striding from the temple with his Hammer-of-Charun ready, he found the Council in front of the hut, in an animated discussion - cut short by loud banging on the village gates and suddenly a rotting stench filled the air.
I rolled a 91 which is a Chimera; an Extreme foe (2 ticks per harm; inflicts 4 harm) and is described as a shambling mass of dead creatures and offal with a rotting stench
Lili, Priestess-of-Vanth turned to Radulf, her face drained of colour, "It is a Chimera," she said, her voice quivering with fear. "The wardens saw it approaching."
Radulf felt his insides turn to water and his knees very nearly betrayed him - only by praying to Charun did he find the strength to keep standing. His voice shook as with a great effort of will he was able to reply, "My duty is clear - show me to the postern gate." Almost before he realised - and long before he wanted - Radulf was at the postern. A prayer to Charun for His strength of purpose and power of limb, and Radulf nodded to the warden who stood at the gate. Before he could think about what he was doing, Charun ran through the now-open gate and screaming wordlessly he charged the Chimera.
Enter the Fray: facing off, Extreme foe, +Heart; 4 +3 vs. 10 & 7 => miss => foe has initiative
Mark failure track, progress now 1.5/10
But as Radulf's eyes fell upon the monstrosity that was before him, his legs did betray him and he stumbled to a halt, mouth agape at the horror of what he saw. It was a mass of writhing animal corpses - there was a bear, a stag, wolves, too many to clearly see, not that any sane person would want to!
And it's heaving, writhing mass, ponderously turned to confront the puny creature that dared to challenge it. Slithering its stinking, putrescent bulk it struck at Radulf even as he found his Faith and struck out at the monster with his Hammer-of-Charun.
Clash: +Iron; 4 +4 vs. 6 & 5 => strong hit => inflict 2 harm, + 1 strong hit; 1.5 progress, total 1.5/10, take initiative
Strike: +Iron; 2 +4 vs. 9 & 4 => weak hit => inflict 2 harm, 1 progress, total 2.5/10, lose initiative
Clash: +Iron; 3 +4 vs. 5 & 4 => strong hit => inflict 2 harm, + 1 strong hit; 1.5 progress, total 4/10, take initiative
The foul horror was slow, and Radulf used this to his advantage moving constantly after each strike of his Greathammer. First the snarling wolf head was smashed by the grace of Charun, then the stag's antlers were broken by a wide sweep and Radulf began to believe that he was slowly getting the upper hand.
Strike: +Iron; 6 +4 vs. 8 & 7 => strong hit => inflict 2 harm, + 1 strong hit; 1.5 progress, total 5.5/10, take initiative
Strike: +Iron; 5 +4 vs. 10 & 9 => miss => lose initiative => pay the price => Radulf is struck by the Chimera Mark failure track, progress now 1.75/10
Endure Harm: -4 Health (Extreme foe), now 1; roll +Iron (at 4 is higher than 1 Health), +2 Ironclad (Geared for War); 5 +4 +2 vs. 9 & 1 => strong hit => shake it off, -1 momentum (now 8) for +1 Health now 2, +1 momentum Ironclad (Geared for War) now 9
Yet again, Radulf's overconfidence led him to a mistake. A step too slow and the bear's head caught him with its slavering jaws. Fighting off the pain, Radulf tore himself free, and swung once more.
Clash: +Iron; 4 +4 vs. 5 & 3 => strong hit => inflict 2 harm, +1 strong hit; 1.5 progress, total 7/10, take initiative
Strike: +Iron; 6 +4 vs. 10 & 8 => weak hit => inflict 2 harm; 1 progress, total 8/10, lose initiative
Clash: +Iron; 2 +4 vs. 9 & 6 => miss => lose initiative => pay the price => Again Radulf is struck by the Chimera Mark failure track, progress now 2/10
Radulf was tiring now, his lack of training with full armour was starting to take its toll. Once more the horror struck him, this time with what was left of the stag's head - it came down in a wide arc smashing into Radulf's chest, knocking him completely off his feet.
Endure Harm: -4 Health (Extreme foe), now 0 & -2 momentum now +7; roll +Iron (at 4 is higher than 0 Health), +2 Ironclad (Geared for War); 2 +4 +2 vs. 5 & 1 => strong hit => shake it off, -1 momentum (now 6) for +1 Health now 1, +1 momentum Ironclad (Geared for War) now 7
Thanks to his armour though, Radulf survived the horrendous blow, the metal plates of his brigandine sufficient - just - to diffuse the impact. He rapidly rolled to his feet and with a roar put his whole might into what he prayed would the final blow of the fight.
Turn the Tide: steal initiative and +1 on next move
Strike: +Iron +1 Turn the Tide +2 Thunder-Bringer asset (reroll any dice, +2 harm strong hit, but weak hit is a miss); 1 +4 +1 +2 vs. 7 & 5 => strong hit => inflict 2 harm, +1 strong hit, +2 Thunder-Bringer; 2.5 progress, total 10/10
End the Fight: 10 progress vs. 10 & 7 => weak hit => overcome, endure stress
"CHARUN AID ME!" bellowed Radulf as loud as he knew how and swung his Hammer-of-Charun as hard as he could in a huge overhead arc. Charun must have guided his hands for the Greathammer landed squarely on the bear's head at the centre of the quivering, disgusting mass. A mighty crack resounded as the ursine skull shattered into a thousand pieces, and the monstrosity was finally stilled.
Endure Stress: -4 Spirit, now 1; +Heart (higher than spirit); 4 +3 vs. 8 & 2 => weak hit => press on
"PRAISE CHARUN! PRAISE HOLY VANTH!" shouted Radulf. After a pause he fell to his knees, then slumped backwards to the ground. The horror he had just faced was finally stole the strength from his limbs, as it had demanded from his first sight of it.