As Radulf, Runbjorn and Vrusk are travelling to Woodwatch in mid-winter, I'm going to make it a journey; due to the heavily patrolled nature of the area - although it is less so in winter - it will be troublesome
Undertake a Journey: +Wits; 4 +2 vs. 9 & 4 => weak hit => mark progress, now 3/10, -1 Supply, now 4
Halfway. Radulf was thoroughly bored with this place. His fourth visit to this place now in the last... was it 6? or 8? weeks. Either way it was too many. At least this time, with Vrusk and not Otaan, it would be easier cleaning out the stable in the morning.
That morning came and Radulf was able to set out considerably earlier than the previous times he had stayed at Halfway. It was not a propitious morning however, as the heavy clouds were threatening to unleash the snow that they obviously carried.
Undertake a Journey: +Wits; 5 +2 vs. 10 & 4 => weak hit => mark progress, now 6/10, -1 Supply, now 3
By the time Radulf and his companions had got half-way to Woodwatch, the snow had arrived and it was heavy. Thankfully, there was virtually no wind, so although cold, the conditions were bearable. Vrusk was proving to be just as reliable and steadfast as Otaan always was, but he was nowhere near as clever, tending to just fight his way through drifts and obstacles rather than avoiding them as Otaan would. Perhaps it was the lack of height to see 'round them? It was strange the things Radulf found himself considering when trudging through snow for hours ...
Undertake a Journey: +Wits; 3 +2 vs. 7 & 2 => weak hit => mark progress, now 9/10, -1 Supply, now 2
Reach Your Destination: Progress 9 vs. 4 & 2 => strong hit => +1 on next move!
Radulf was grateful that the rest of his journey was uneventful - at least until he got close to Woodwatch ... then he saw the smoke rising from the village ...
I have to thank Drakonspyre on the Ironsworn discord server for the inspiration for what comes next - thanks my friend!
Breaking into a run, Radulf whistled Runbjorn up and pulled on Vrusk's harness, trying to get to the village as fast as he could. From the woods to his right, he could hear the all-too-familiar yaps of Hyenas ... Luckily though, they seemed far off and Radulf hoped to get to the village before the Hyenas reached him. Ahead he could hear shouts from the wall-wardens and, beautiful to Radulf's eyes, the gates beinning to open for him.
Head down, concentrating on reaching the safety of the gate, Radulf clung to Vrusk's harness exploiting the Bison's strength to help him through the snow. From above came the twang of bowstrings, and then, from behind, he heard the scream of a Hyena, obviously struck by the arrows launched from the wall. And then he was through the gate, the wardens were closing it with a loud thunk, followed by the blessed sound of the massive bar falling into place.
Waiting for Radulf by the council's hut were Lili, Priestess-of-Vanth and Mayor Birgitta and they were joined by Warden-Captain Erik as Radulf approached
Mayor Birgitta's descriptors: Warm-hearted, Organised, Gregarious
Warden-Captain Erik's descriptors: Cold-hearted, Sad, Reserved
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| Varou Warrior |
"Mayor, Warden-Captain," Radulf nodded to each, noting both the smile on the Mayor's face and the sneer on the Captain's. "What happened?"
The Mayor indicated the Captain should speak. "The Varou attacked yesterday." He indicated the two smouldering buildings, the source of the smoke Radulf had seen. "They used flaming arrows to fire those homes before we knew they were there and tried to scale the walls as the wardens organised the fire-fighting. They took Snorri." He paused and continued in a flat tone, "His screams lasted almost the whole night."
"Yes ... well," said the Mayor after an awkward pause. "We expected you yesterday Radulf and thought that they had caught you on the road. It seems that, luckily for you, something delayed you?"
Embarrassed, Radulf chose not to answer and asked his own question, "That seems ... coincidental ... Was there anything unusual about the Varou?"
"Their leader," answered the Captain. "It's left arm was crippled - it hung at its side like a dead branch on a tree."
"And it was tall? Bright blue shoulder-length braids on the left?" asked Radulf. At the Captain's nod, Radulf explained, "I fought and defeated this cowardly monster near Highfall, apparently crippling it in the fight. It must have learnt I was coming and planned to take me on the road."
"But Radulf," asked Lili, "How could it possibly know when you would arrive?"