A Lustrian Dawn

Week 2. Skaven and Undead Dominate.

"Duel on the High Seas" Grootka's Gutrippas versus The Shadow Stalkers. Da Gut Bucket got caught with the wind against it on a sunny day off the eastern coast of Lustria. The black sailed ship held the wind and drove straight for the orcs. Grootka's lads got off one shot before the gobbos mannin' the guns fell to squabbling and spent more time scrappin' wit each other than puttin' round shot into the Ded Uns. The Ded Uns rails was lined with walkin' corpses. Dere wuz so many of 'em dat dey tried flankin' wit a jolly boat. Cookie Wassis burned the jolly boat to the water line, so those bastids never wuz a threat.
The Ded Uns cut dere way aboard Da Gut Bucket. Ded Uns wuz cut down all along the rails but dey kept a comin'. Yohand fell before a rusty cutlass after cutting down two of the fiends. Snagga was killed by a pale humie. Grootka smashed the pasty bastid over the rail but the Boss Ded Un bested Grootka in a fight for the aftcastle. Da Ded Uns took da lads cargo. Cookie negotiated a prisoner exchange and got Grootka back in a swap for one of the pasty humies. Yohand recovers from his wounds.

"The Trail of Death" The Amazons versus the Tilean Trulls. The two bands of women stumbled toward each other down a moonlit trail in the dense jungle. The Tileans were attacked by two hunting Cold Ones, who killed several of the Trulls. The Amazons were having the devils own time negotiating the trail in the dark. One of the Amazons Totem warriors finally located the Trulls only to be killed by the beleaguered Old Worlders. Despite that success the Trulls had to flee the Cold Ones. Amazons win.

"Jungle Skirmish: The Fog of War." Grootka's Gutrippas, The Trulls and Clan Eshin. A foggy day somewhere in the coastal jungles of Lustria. The giant constrictors of Lustria must have a thing for fog. 2 of them lurked in the mists. One attacked the Skaven and the other hunted the orcs. Neither lasted very long against the Rat Ogre or Da Troll. The Trulls tried to take advantage of the orcs fewer numbers but Da Troll met them and defeated them again. Another is frenzied by the experience. Joy.
Clan Eshin hit Grootka's lads next. Cookie was felled by Gnawdoom and the Black Skaven killed Rotgut and Swilla. Da Gut Rippas fled back into da fog...

"The Secrets of the Beujuntae" Amazons versus the Necrarchs. I am unsure of weather or time of day for this battle. I think it was daylight. The carnivorous plants and the evil spirit put paid to the Amazon's hopes. Many heroes fall in the approach to the tomb. The Shadow Stalkers suffer as well but outlast the Amazons. When searching for tomb's treasures the Necrarchs are unlucky and only uncover a few coins...
One of the Amazon heroes runs afoul of a Cold One and is killed in an Animal Attack!

The Skaven have found the Lost City. The Rats remain undefeated. The Amazons have also scored 3 wins, but as Natives have no need to 'find' the Lost City. The Necarchs have posted 2 wins and are now well on their way to the treasures of the Lost City as well.
Grootka's Gutrippas have only won one battle while the Trulls have won none. No Lizardmen have appeared from the jungle but the drums of the Forest Goblins are getting louder...

Marneus sends an update

The Shadow Stalkers (mistakenly called the Soul Stealers in earlier reports...)
Heroes

Melderzhus, Necrach Vampire - +1St, +1W, Spell of Awakening, Undead, Leg Wound, sword, dagger, lucky charm
Nothma, Thrall - resilient, old battle wound, sword, dagger, damned book, lucky charm
Stephan, Acolyte - +1St, +1L, bow, sword, dagger
Samuel, Acolyte - Dodge, sprint, bow, sword, dagger

Henchman

3 Skeletal Spearman - Spear, shield
1 Skeletal Swordsman - Sword, dagger, shield
6 Zombies
Schlotz, Waif - Sword, dagger, bow

Warband rating - 132

Duel on the High Seas




The Trail of Death (Street Fight)




The totem warrior gets surrounded, taken OOA and dies.


Jungle Skirmish
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Secrets of Beujuntae


Dang tough poison plants! Skinks are mean too.

COOL PHOTOS! GREAT LOOKING TERRAIN! AND a Girl Fight! I've died & gone to Heaven...sort of.

Week 3--Da Tri-Umph o' Da Gutrippas

EvilTed was able to attend this evenings games. His diminutive gray soon to be greenskins went from the lowest rated warband to mid-range in 3 short bloody games. Skeptic had family responsibilities, but an actual warband was committed to paper by Jake. Lizardmen may actively defend their ancient monuments in mere days.

The Outsiders moved closer to the ancient city through the tangled jungles and along the broad treacherous rivers. In the jungles the Natives fought the invaders at every step, but not to protect the Lizard-peoples' stone piles. Rather the Natives fought for the right to loot them first or just to resist the invader.

"Mule Train" Da Gutrippas ambushed da Gobbos along a moonlit jungle trail. The night was oppressively hot and all the combatants suffered from the heat. Da Gobbos were moving a captured pack train toward their jungle camp. Da Gutrippas tried to take it away from them. Da little bastids put up a scrap, Rubbed out Clubba Loon and Shagger, but da 'Eadtaker, he take some 'eads. Yo'and Da Nife, he cut down Big Chief Gooba. An' da Troll he finally charge! Da li'l uns leg it. Sadly the mules all ran off, but da ladz salvaged a couple of packs.
Gooba, he git betta.

"Jungle Skirmish: the Fog of War." The Shadow Stalkers, the Pale Moon tribe and da Gobbos all hunted each other in a fog shrouded valley. For a change of pace 2 River Trolls lurked by a pool in the center of the vale. One scented the undead, the other challenged the Gobbos. The Pale Moons lurked along the rim of the valley and waited for their enemies to fall. The fight was bitter but both trolls were killed. The bloodied survivors found themselves attacked from the heights by the Amazons. The Shadow Stalkers broke first. The Gobbos got the Amazon Priestess, but they soon fled her vengeful followers. There were several casualties, but I am unclear of the details.

"The Bridge of Doom" The Trulls found Da Gutrippas blocking a stone bridge across the great river. The Trulls were trying a night crossing of the river. They sent a large group across the river in a jolly boat while the Captain and a small group held the eastern end of the bridge, Da Gutrippas never really got organized. Between the fractious boyz and da Troll and 'Eadtaker's vacant wandering, Grootka and Cookie could not capitalize on their greater night vision. Grootka slipped and fell in the dark at the crucial moment when the Trulls jolly boat paddled out of the darkness. Cookie was able to call on Mate Gork's Fire to burn the boat a bit, but the steady rain meant he couldn't burn her all the way to the waterline. Yo'and had taken the Gutrippas' boat to intercept the Trulls, but the wenches had the current and swept down on him. One of the doxies boarded, but she could gain no headway.
The Trulls attempted to take advantage of Grootka's slip and cut loose of the Gutrippas' boat. They paddled quickly to the shore and fell upon da Troll, who had been looking vaguely out over the river and drooling. Da Troll roused himself and cuffed 2 of his attackers down. Yo'and and his ladz fell upon the doxies' stern and the Trulls gave up the fight.
Cutta Rip is promoted to Boz'un for clearing the jolly boat of humies. One of the Trulls looses a hand to da Troll (burp). Despite 4 opportunities none of the Trulls henchwomen are deemed worthy of promotion.

"Duel on the High Seas." Da Gutrippas followed the Trulls closely and tried to take their ship (again). Da Gut Bucket had been captured by the Ded Uns, so the ladz were making do with an old galley they had scavenged. The experiment didn't do so well. The Trulls had the wind and kept it. They sailed right around the wallowing galley and escaped the ambush with ease. 2 of the doxies fell overboard but they were able to escape as well as the Trulls dropped their jolly boat for them. Despite losing the prize Grootka promotes Rippa Fil to Bully for his service at the oars.

"The River Temple" Da Gobbos raced the Shadow Stalkers for a desecrated temple of Tzunki. Da Gobbos had the current and reached the temple first. However the first brave to set foot on the temple wall alerted the Guardian. His limp body arced out over the island to splash into the river beyond. The Necrarch took advantage of the guardian's distraction and secured the temple's treasure. The vampire easily evaded the trap that safeguarded the treasure, but one of his minions fell to the deadly arrows released when he removed the chest. The vampire summoned more of his henchmen to guard his retreat even as the Guardian flung a second minion down the stairs after him. Undead climbed the stairs and battled the daemon as a general battle erupted all around the temple island. Goblins fought zombie and skeleton. The daemon crushed a skeleton as a zombie and another skeleton tried in vain to banish it.
The Necrarch gained the boats and paddled for the main channel and his ship. The Gobbo shaman directed his crew to pursue, but the unnatural craft sped ahead of them to safety. On the island the daemon howled its rage and cut down Big Chief Gooba but it could not pursue the thief beyond its wards.
The Shadow Stalkers have abysmal luck rolling for treasure had recover little of value for their brave sacrifice. Gooba suffers a hand injury at the talons of the Daemon Guard. Exact causality figures have yet to be released.

"Jungle Skirmish" The women of the Pale Moon Tribe fought the Trulls in a bitter contest on a hot muggy day in the Great Green. In addition to the two warbands a patrol of skink braves attacked both bands of humans. The skinks were brutally killed. The warbands occupied the heights around the valley and sent their fighters into the lower jungle. Many women fell on both sides, but the Trulls were determined on victory and victory they had. The Pale Moon suffered sudden losses and gave up the fight. Another Amazon hero is killed in the fighting.

The first sighting of the legendary pygmies occurs. The Trulls maintain a little man fought with the Pale Moons. Conformation has yet to occur...

Results: Da Gutrippas and the Shadow Stalkers have both fought their way to the gates of the Lost City. Da Gobbos have gained a lot of experience fighting the Outsiders and have grown in reputation even though Gooba has yet to win a victory. The Trulls have won some difficult victories and have passed the casualty prone Amazons in rating if not in win/loss record.

I only have pictures of 2 games.
The River Temple
Dead things advance.


Green things advance.


Fights break out.


The treasure takes off.


Zombies are left behind.


Jungle Skirmish
Girl fight!


The Amazons deploy and advance.


The Trulls deploy and advance.


The front lines


The better back lines.


More behinds come to help.


Die skink.
(OK, gatuitous shot.)


The 5 skinks are gone and now the real battle begins.
The Pygmy Hunter steps in front of a charge to try to help.
I wonder what makes him so brave.
Is it the 5gc upkeep or something else?


Sniping action dissapoints the Amazons.


After that picture the Pale Moon Tribe got their behinds kicked and forgot about taking anymore pictures. They soon left the jungle to the Trulls.

@playtable: I'm developing a Pavlovesque reaction to seeing that you posted something...not that I drool anymore than normal, but there' an involuntary "OH BABY!" reaction. COOL PHOTOS...LOVE those Babes!

Week 3.5--More Amazons, Many Lizardmen.

The Colts won in Arizona so all is right with the world. Sunday is also game club night here so a few of us went down to show the Mordheim flag.

"The Secrets of the Beujuntae" The Azure Band Amazons fought the Guardians of the Silent Places Lizardmen on a sunny day in the jungles of eastern Lustria. The Guardians had intercepted the Amazons as they attempted to loot one of the forbidden tombs. The remnants of a previous skink patrol were still guarding the tomb but some of them had been corrupted by the foul being imprisoned in the tomb. The skinks were attacked by the Amazons immediately. 2 braves fell to the Sunstaff and Amazon blades. Another was wounded but fought on.
The Guardians approached the tomb in loose order while trilling the song of the Parent-Bird-Who-Protects-the-Nest to hearten the survivors. The Guardians were shocked when two of the defenders turned and charged into the Guardian line. A skink of the Ochre Band was slashed severely. Chicomecoatl was forced to dispatch the traitor. Atl the Totem Warrior killed the other.
The Amazons pressed on, One of the foolish women must have loosened the wards on the spirit within for as the Guardians watched in awe the Amazon band suddenly attacked itself. The warrior women fought each other all over the forbidden glade. Finally only 4 survived. At this juncture Acacitli, the chosen of Tzunki, made a crucial error. He rushed the most recent victim of the internecine violence. A young two-leg-warm-blood female who lay in a swoon. As Acacitli reached her he was transformed into a terrible presence who smote the helpless two-leg mightily. As the being bellowed its victory cry, Acacitli regained control of himself. Alas in the struggle he dealt himself a grievous cut to his right leg. The priest crumpled to the ground and did not rise.
Across the glade Alt found himself attacked by another Amazon. Even as the Saurus warrior moved to counter the two-legs' attacks the invigorated warrior shrugged off the feeble blows of the two-leg female and with a familiar daemonic roar cut her down. The skinks' song of victory was cut short as the big saurus then collapsed on his victim.
The Amazon's were down to 2 warriors. They fled from the avenging skinks.
Acacitli suffers a Leg Wound. Alt and the other warriors recovered from their wounds. An Amazon Totem warrior dies of her wounds. An Amazon Champion is separated from the warband and killed by a hungry Cold One.
As a reward for re-sealing the tomb Acacitli gains a magic sword. Tototl becomes a hero.

"The Hunters become the Hunted." The Azure Band were stalking a skink beast master when Those Who Ward the Serpents Path cut their trail. The skink and his charges attacked their tormentors, but the brave skink was cut down. The Amazons then used his magical whip to subdue the Cold Ones and turn them on Those Who Ward. The Lizardman warband was wiped out piecemeal. All its heroes and a Kroxigor die! The Azure Band has gained revenge of a sort.

"Breakthrough" Clan Eshin surprised the Guardians of the Silent Places with an assault on the City of the Well. To complicate matters 2 of the giant vampire bats were disturbed by the advance of the Skaven. The rat ogre got one and Alt destroyed the other, but the Skaven were able to penetrate deep into the city behind the turmoil caused by the fearsome bats. A bitter struggle ensued. Many skink and Saurus braves were cut down as the rat ogre rampaged through the narrow lanes. Chicomecoatl and Chimalma found themselves surrounded in the processional to the Divine Temple of Cosmic Dissonance. They were able to cut down several Skaven but had to flee the rat ogre. Clan Eshin gains a foothold in the city. Quauhtli is promoted for his bravery in facing the fearsome rat ogre. A saurus brave is killed by the Assassin Adept.
The Skaven sorcerer runs afoul of a poison dart trap but survives.

"The Pool" The Guardians of the Silent Places gathered by the Pool of the Old One to commune with Xlippahruichakk. The Guardians had scarce begun the Ritual of Summoning when a black-furred horde of Skaven poured out of the rain swept lanes to the east. The rippling waves of the lagoon began to move in odd patterns but the Old One was not seen. The Guardians were driven from the quay and retreated deeper into the fastness of the city. Another saurus brave falls protecting the retreat. The Skaven loot the sacred pool and gain obscene wealth. The Guardians gain extra resources to counter the threat.

The Guardians of the Silent Places after 3 battles:

HEROES
 Acacitli, the chosen of Tzunki, - Leader, The Wrath of Chotec, Mark
of the Old Ones, St4.  Magic Sickle (+1 WS sword), dagger, shortbow,
Bone Helm, Lucky Charm, Leg Wound -1M.
 Alt (Saurus Totem Warrior)- Resilient, W2,  Sword, dagger, Bone Helm,
Lucky Charm.
 Chicomecoatl (Skink Great Crest) - BS4, T3,  sword,
 dagger, shortbow, Lucky Charm.
 Chimalma (Skink Great Crest) -  BS4, shortbow, sword, dagger, Lucky Charm.
 Tototl - Quickshot, Trickshot. L7, LGT, shortbow, dagger x2.
 Quauhtli- BS4, L7, LGT. Shortbow, dagger x2

 HENCHMEN
 The Quick Killer - I5, dagger x2, shortbow
 The Emerald Band (3), BS4, A2, dagger x2, shortbow
 The Ochre Band (1) - shortbow, dagger x2
 Red Jaws - I2, Sword, axe.

 Warband Rating--166

THIS IS GREAT! Thanks mate! As you can see above the Pygmy has already made it into battle and with another Amazon band I expect more use from the HS in the coming weeks. Thanks again for the great fluff!

Week 4--Those Who Tread the Silent Path Arrive at the City of the Well.

Jake's new and improved Lizardman warband fought to defend the City of the Well from rapacious looters. They failed to hold off the equally novice Remasens and da Gobbos, but proved more than capable of defeating Da Gutrippas...(da shame!)

"The Temple of Doom I" Those Who Tread... lured De Guzman's Free Company deep into the heavily trapped Halls of the Anscetors. The humans were led to the Corridor of the Spirits of Greed. There the men of Estalia were haunted by the shades of human looters killed by the traps of the Anscetors. Only Emil De Soto fled from the terrible spirits. The rest of the stalwart mercenaries braved the traps and arrived in the main chamber in time to prevent Those Who Tread... from removing most of the treasures from the Temple. In a brief struggle both the Skink Priest and the Saurus Totem Warrior fell to the (surprised) but skillful swordsmen of Estalia. The great Kroxigor proved unable to penetrate the superior weapon skill of Ernesto Montoya. The Lizards fled into the darkened corridors.
None were killed but the Totem Warrior now hates Don Hernando and the Skink Priest suffered a Leg Wound... Braving a yawning abyss The Free Company liberated a dose of the Water of Eternal Youth and many curious artifacts of gold and precious gems. Emil is found cowering in the dark corridors and is fined his share of the treasure for cowardice.

"Chance Encounter I." Those Who Tread... stumbled upon Da Gobbos as the tribe was spiriting away some loot collected earlier from the Lost City's temples. Unfortunately for Those... a crazed patrol of Plague Monks happened to be stalking the Lizards. Before the Lizards could disengage from da Gobbos or react to the Skaven threat a swirling melee killed the hapless Kroxigor and saw the Totem Warrior fall wounded again. Those Who Tread...fled screaming. Da Gobbos sent their own fanatics to deal with the Plague Monks and collected the treasures that the Lizards had dropped in their haste to flee.

"Island Hopping." Da Gutrippas encountered the Shadow Stalkers and the Trulls in the rain while searching some ancient shrines on some small islands in the Amaxon delta. Cookie and Yo'and commanded a small flotilla of rafts that ran afoul of 2 crocodiles. Cookie killed one, but the other ate Bilge Rat Nog after he caught an arrow and fell over the side. Yo'and gained the center island but couldn't keep the Necrarch off it. Bastid vamps cut 'im good they did. Between the Necrarchs and the crocodiles the ladz had enough and legged it. The Trulls mean while were sniping at zombies and occupying islands. The Necrarchs tried to dispute couple islands but in the end were content to hold the center and the east. The Trulls hold the most ground and gain excessive wealth. Yo'and develops a Nervous Condition (wiping out an advance...) Bilge Rat Nog's croc bait. A zombie is reported destroyed. The Trulls suffer no casualties.

"Chance Encounter II." Those Who Tread... tried it again with Da Gobbos. This time one of the giant constrictors was lurking in the ruins. It fell upon da Gobbos and they rubbed it out. The depleted Lizards tried to capitalize on da Gobbos distraction, but the little runts brushed the skinks aside once more and forced them to flee. (I hope for a more accurate report soon.)

"The Temple of Doom II." Those Who Tread... raced Da Gutrippas for the treasures at the heart of another maze of traps. Da Gutrippas had less luck than the earlier humans, a bound spirit was encountered by Cookie Wassis at the very entrance to the corridor. Cookie didn't care but da Kap'un fled TOWARD the treasure chamber (and set off an arrow trap in his haste!) Without da Kap'un's eye on 'em the last boyz in line legged it back to the safety of the dark.
"Now da arrows wuzna so bad, mind. Shrugs 'em off wez did. Da blasted fallin' cages and snares wuz da wu'st. Pret' soon no ones kenna move. Cookie inna cage. Da grot inna cage. Da udder grot inna snare, da 'Eadtaker, inna snare. DA TROLL inna snare! Yo'and and da udder grot iz trussed up blockin' da door ta da treasure. An' inside da treasure room da boyz kenna sees da Lizzies runnin' 'round dodging dis 'uge rock! An' da Lizzies iz packin' all da gubbinz out da udda door. An' den da rock start rollin' at da boyz... an' wez cut da boyz loose an' legged it!"
Somehow no one dies in all this. Those Who Tread... reclaimed a Plaque of the Old Ones and many treasures. Da Gutrippas escaped with their lives and a few paltry baubles...

"The Temple of Doom III." Since the guardians of the city were distracted by the orcs, the Shadow Stalkers decided to loot the Temple of Three Hundred Toad Sphinxes. Da Gobbos and the Trulls tried to beat them to the treasure chamber. With 3 players rolling for traps and moving in the darkness this game was a bit slow but entertaining things happened nonetheless.
A Trull henchwoman tripped a Guardian Spirit trap and fled back toward the entrance, ordinarily her flight would have taken her to safety but because she was fleeing she tripped another trap right at the entrance and was prevented from fleeing off the board by a cage landing on her!
The brave goblin who attempted to remove the main treasure triggered the boulder trap. It stunned the goblin who triggered it but squished one of his mates directly behind him. The rock then bounced off the temple wall and began rolling back toward the central melee near the Great Jade Toad Sphinx. It crushed a stunned goblin, careened through several Trulls (not sure what happened to them, they may have jumped out of the way.) The rock then rolled into the corridor that the Shadow Stalkers were entering the temple through. Most of the front line of the Stalkers were stuck in snares. The undead stared at certain doom (which crushed a zombie as it picked up speed toward them). The undead were spared when the boulder hit a wall and bounced directly back the way it had come, smashing a skeleton it had missed on its first pass.
Big Chief Gooba had just re-entered the treasure chamber. (Da Gobbos had collected a number of loose treasures and being assured of the great artifact, packed them off toward the entrance.) Gooba wuz curious wot da yellin' wuz. Gooba saw the boulder coming back into the treasure chamber and decided to flee! Da Gobbos gave up the fight.
Perhaps the boulder followed da Gobbos out, I'm not sure. The Shadow Stalkers attempted to rally and deny the Trulls the Great Treasure but the women dug in their heels and leveled their crossbows... Soon the Shadow Stalkers were fleeing. I am unsure of actual casualties or treasures found.

"Breakthrough." Once the boulder race on the other table resolved itself, Those Who Tread... sought to extend their winning streak of one. On a clear day they attempted to force Da Gutrippas from the Serene Temple of Itzl's Peace. The maneuvers of the warbands flushed another band of Plague Monks into Kap'un Grootka's lines. With true orcy hubris Grootka decided Da Troll could take 4 monks. Yes and no. Yes all the monks were killed, but it tied up most of da boyz, too long and da Lizzies legged it 'round.
Da udder grot iz rubbed out by a nutta skink.
"Cookie smacks da skink a bit 'an wez tradez 'iz hide fer sum gubbinz. Hur!"
Rippa Fil lose a eye inna scrap wit' onez o' dem Sore-us. Mean sucka.

Da Gutrippas heads back ta da Big Green.

All in all a good night. Lots of games, lots of fun!

EvilTed wrote:
"Chieftain Gooba 'ere,
Da weeks fightin' was a good 'un. 

Da lizards put up a decent fight against da rat fings but didn't do enough and den da red fang gobos did their job and rubbed dem rats out good and proppa.    Victory for da boyz of the Dripping Fang tribe.

Day two of fightin' was met wiff da lizards again.  Dey were down da 'uge lizard fing dis time.  Da fightin' was good.  Got a nice snake skin from dat big strictor we found along da way.  Those Red fangs scare me sometimes,  I is afraid dey might become unruly someday.

Day three we found a tunnel into a treasure chamber.  Da ladz wanted treasures and I knew it would be dangerous.  I hear stories about dis place.  Da boyz went through and found a nice little pit good for roasting squigs and 'umies in. Had the stakes and everything in it.  Though dere were plenty of arrer shots comin' from da walls.   Da ladz made it through da hallway to find a nice empty chamber full of shiny fings.  We grabbed up da four biggest we could find but damned Greedy Red fang boyz always gotta find trouble and one of dem picked up da biggest shiney fing and a giant boulder fell from the ceiling.  Before too much could happen we high tailed it outta dere.    WE got the shinies we wanted.  Too bad for da Red Fangs. Good fing I know where to find another to replace dat poor lad who got squished.  An Arrer lad got the boulder treatment too and died as well.
  Bones da Horned Brave is starting to look a little upity in his ways.  He is starting to think those kinda thoughts I need to remove from his 'ead.  Perhaps Fizgig m"have a spell dat can do dat.  Errrr.......nah,  don't need to lose a head or da head of a good warrior."

Week 4.5--Death on the Amaxon.

Captain De Guzman attempted to reach the anchorage of his ship The Saint Magritta, but Those Who Tread the Silent Path were too close behind.

"The Deadly Channel." The Free Company found themselves lost in fog bound islands. They had just decided to explore some crude bridges to see if they would lead to yet another un-looted shrine when a skink priest appeared and a bolt of energy killed the archer, Pedro. The mist then thickened and the skink disappeared. Even as their world shrunk to a few yards, a huge crocodile attacked the Captain's raft. The initial charge was easily defended, thus the crew dropped their guard. The beast's second attack snatched a swordsman off the deck never to be seen again. The fog grew even thicker and the crew of the raft could hear distant shouts and hooted cries, but they could see nothing or indeed tell from whence the sounds came.
The mists parted and the crew beheld a ragged line of skinks and saurus warriors crossing the bridges to starboard. Both the Captain and Senor Montoya fired their crossbows. 2 skinks toppled but the others fired bows and the feathered priest called down another bolt of sorcery against them. The raft slowed as the flimsy structure took damage. The skinks took cover and the Captain sought to hide the raft in the mists. The fog continued to burn off, however so the valiant crew fought on. A crazed skink ran down to the shore line and hooted and waved his swords. The Captain shot him and the limp body slid into the channel.
Brother Ignaceous ordered the other half of the crew to launch the other raft. They rowed into the fog but could never quite leave the vengeful arrows and spells behind. The good Brother was hit by 2 arrows and fainted dead away from the shock.
The Captain despaired, more of his men were down and he could no longer hear Brother Ingaceous' words of faith and fortitude echoing form the surrounding mists. He had the retreat sounded and hoped that the survivors could find the rallying point up stream. As they struggled against the current one of the men fished the skink's body out of the river and looted it. Before Hernando could inspect the creature the man pushed it back over the side.
The men lose 2 henchmen, but gain much experience. The frenzied skink is captured and ransomed for his possessions including a nice artifact. The Free Company manage to find great wealth in their flight through the fog. The victorious Lizards gain little wealth and have less to spend it on this far from their sources of supply.

"River Skirmish" After the cloying fog came stifling heat. The men tried again to brave the treacherous channels to reach their ship. Those Who Tread... intercepted them as the Captain's raft attracted another crocodile. The beast battered the raft even as the crew shot it. The croc was badly wounded but renewed its attacks and snatched Brother Ignaceos off the starboard rail. The Captain killed the croc with a brilliant long range shot, but the good Brother was lost to them.
The crocodile's attacks sunk the raft. The other raft under Senor Montoya's command sought to engage the Lizardmen. Again several skinks were shot down, but the stubborn Lizards fought on, Eventually the Saurus Totem Warrior and the skink priest attempted to board Montoya's raft. Ensign la Plaz fended the mighty saurus off with his pike and in the confusion an arrow meant for the Ensign felled the Totem Warrior! Sadly even the hide of a helpless saurus was too thick for la Plaz's pike to pierce. Another skink fell to De Soto's blade, but la Plaz was down and the raft was in danger of being surrounded. Captain de Guzman sounded the retreat once again.
The Free Company lost its spiritual advisor, but the rest of the crew recovered from their wounds and returned to their ship as Those Who Tread... withdrew back to their jungle fastness...

Grootka's Ladz after 4 weeks of play (10 games).

HEROES
Kap'un Grootka da Lame - Leader, Quickshot, BS5, I4, A2, L9  dagger,
crossbow,  axe, Peg leg, Lucky Charm, Rope and Hook. Leg Wound -1M.
Quartermaster  'Ead Taker- Resilient, Step Aside, 2W,  axe, dagger, Lucky Charm.
Madness (Stupidity).
2nd Ossifer Yo'and Da Nife - Step Aside, Weapons Master,  sword,
dagger, blunderbuss, Lucky Charm. Nervous Condition -1 I.
Kul'nary Artist Cookie Wassis -  Fires of Gork (reduced to Difficulty
7), Fooled Ya! Ledz Go, Resilient, St4, I4, axe, club, dagger, Rope & Hook, Lucky Charm. Madness (Frenzy)
Cutta Rip - Weapons Master, WS4, W2, LGT, Spear, Club, dagger, pistol, Rope and Hook.
Rippa Fil - Mighty Blow, BS2, I3, A2, Ld8, LGT, Sword, dagger. Blind in One Eye -1BS.

HENCHMEN
Grog Soppa -BS4, dagger, club, bow.
Fas' Jobba - I3, Ld8, dagger, club
Da Press Gang (2) - A2, club x2, dagger
Da Lil' Grotz (3) - x2 dagger, short bow.
Da Udder Grot - I4, x2 dagger, short bow.
Da Troll (needs a name)

Warband Rating--248

Week 5--Da Battle of Itzl's Channel.

Skeptic is out of town, but the rest of us all arrived on time for campaign night at the Game Preserve. 3 4x4 tables going at once, lots of games.

"Chance Encounter III" Those Who Tread the Silent Path intercepted the Dripping Fangs for the third time in the City of the Well. This time another patrol of skink braves had sighted the gobbos first. Those Who Tread... used their brethren as a shield to mask their advance through the rain drenched city.
Gooba and his ladz destroyed the patrol but the Totem Warrior and his Saurus braves were beyond the Dripping Fangs' capacity. The Gobbos fled the city. A Red Fang is reported killed.

"Dems my Gubbinz" Da Gutrippas and the Pale Moons each decided to loot the Dripping Fangs' village while Gooba was occupied elsewhere. The Pale Moons claimed many of the gubbinz including the Sacred Gubbin, but Grootka and the ladz made them pay. Many of the Pale Moon warriors fall to Mate Gork's Fire or Cookie's axe. The Pale Moons fled into the jungle. One warrior woman is Hardened, another gains Horrible Scars. Da Gutrippas carry much loot away from the village and suffer no casualties. (One o' da Press Gangers smacked a gobbo about, da git lived.)

"Surprise Attack" The Shadow Stalkers attacked the Trulls as the Tileans searched the ruins of the City of the Well. The Trulls also disturbed 3 of the Giant Vampire Bats that haunt the ruins. Despite this the ambush failed. The Trulls rout the undead. The Necrarch gains hatred toward the Trulls and despite the loss gains enough components for his Abomination. The Shadow Stalkers return to the Vampire Coast to plot revenge.

Round II
"Skirmish" The Trulls encountered Those Who Tread... as they searched a new section of the Lost City. I know none of the details of this battle except that Those Who Tread... ran.

The Pale Moons had to defend their loot as the vengeful Dripping Fangs caught them in the jungles north of the Lost City of the Well. I have no report or no memory of a report of what happened.

"Duel on the High Seas"
"Kap'un!" cried the lookout grot, "sail ho!"
Grootka scanned the horizon with his far looker. There she was off to the east. A nice fat cog, wallowing along in the faint breeze.
"Rippa Fil." called Grootka, "whip doze grots up! Put yer backs in it boyz! Yon sail be hangin' in irons!"
As they closed Grootka launched the jolly boat with a boarding crew. "Don' git broadside ladz," he cautioned, "dey blows yuz ta bitz!"
The cog turned to bring the sluggish wind abeam and met them with heated shot. The Seahog's hull took a direct hit and fires sprang up the length of the ship. The crew put most of them out although one burned merrily on amidships.
Da grots mannin' da spear chukka hit one o' da enemy gunnas square wit a bolt. Zoggin fing passed right trew 'im! Ded Uns!
"Its Melderzhus' survy crew, ladz! Dems wot took da ol' Gutbucket!" Grootka cranked his crossbow and inserted a new bolt. One of da Pressgangers had put the last fire out with a bucket of sand.
Da Seahog closed steadily although the crew of the spear chukka fell to arguing over which bolt was 'da Lucky un'. Melderzhus' gunners put more round shot into da Seahog, but the old galley held together.
The battle turned when the Ded Uns decided to board the jolly boat. The brave ladz on the little boat held on until the Seahog could close for boarding. Yo'and unloaded his blunderbuss into the enemy gun deck. 4 of 'em went down before the blast. 3 of 'em got back up again.
Before da Gutrippas could grapnel the cog the wind pushed the sea fight right into the Seahog. Zombies thronged the stern and made fast lines between the ships. Melderhus leapt the gap and cut viciously at da Troll. The big lug threw up on him! The Ded Uns lost their captain!
Orcs and men struggled in the jolly boat and in the water between the ships. Cookie Wassis roared a challenge and leapt from the stern of the Seahog into the sea to hack ineffectively but with great energy at a floundering skeleton. Eventually the human servants of the vampires cleared the jolly boat of greenskins. One of them rowed it over to Cookie and the other leapt on him from the boat.
There was another great splash nearby as the Abomination misjudged the distance between the ships and fell into the sea. As Cookie roared his frustration the undead construct began clawing at his back. Cookie fended the monstrosity off, but was dismayed to see fins breaking the surface nearby. A large tooth filled maw seized a skeleton gunner. The odds against him were lessening, but there were still too many of them. A crushing blow struck Cookie's right leg and the maddened orc blacked out.
Grootka bellowed his rage and frustration. He had shot down one complete cannon crew and several of the ded uns had failed their leaps and disappeared beneath the waves but the forecastle was nearly lost. Only Mad 'Eadtaker was left to defend it and he was fouled in the sail. The lesser vampire had cleared the Seahog's bow, the last of the jolly boat's crew had disappeared in the bloody churning waters between the ships, da Troll blocked the waist--drooling.
"Strike da colors! Peace, ya poxed corpses! Wez yield!"
The Shadow Stalkers lost some zombies and skeletons (cannon crew) and one of the acolytes was some cut up, but Melderzhus recovered from his wounds. Cookie Wassis will miss a game. 2 of the Lil' Grotz died, da Udder Grot died and the new guy drowned.

Epic sea fight. Marneus held on stubbornly making 2 rout tests on a 7 Ld. The clock passed 9 pm on my turn and Cookie was overwhelmed! Time to pack up and leave.

Chance Encounter III
Skinks vs Goblins.




Dems my Gubbinz
The gals find the Gubbinz early on.


Da Gutrippas squabble a lot at the start.


a lot


Face off.
The Amazons try to back out with the loot.


The troll is sent in.


Thermedosa, Totem warrior and Pale Moon Tribe's best fighter, gets surrounded and taken OOA.
She gains Horrible Scars for her trouble.


MoAka, the Pygmy Hunter, looses his fight to a goblin.
(Possibly the best picture of the night.)


Surprise Attack
(Buildings by Von Kurst)
Undead things move slow.


Unwanted company gets taken OOA.


Skirmish
Cold Ones as Unwanted Company.


Just goblins in a line but a lot of them.


And just too many to handle.
Amazons run.


More Lost City fighting.

Duel on the High Seas
The Undead sail out.


Green things in the sun.


The ships circle shooting at each other.


And grapple on.


It must be a hot day, everyone wants to fight in the water.


Row, row, row your boat.


Great, more skushy 'umies.


Cookie thinks he can take this little skelleton.


Here comes help for the skelleton.


The Undead ship is almost empty.
The Abomination comes to help take Cookie OOA.


Night time falls and everyone packs up and goes home.

Week 5.5--The Temple of Doom IV

"The Temple of Doom." The Free Company found themselves in a race for riches with the Azure Band of Amazons deep beneath the Temple of Ascending Satellite. Traps felled 2 Duelists and Guardian Zombies got the newest Duelist and the lone Crossbowman. The Captain and Senor Montoya were trapped in a diabolical sinking spiked pit along with Ensign la Plaz. Senor de Soto flung them a rope and they escaped to the freedom of the upper levels. The Azure Band claim all the treasures of the temple including the famous Star Tablet.
One Duelist is killed by an arrow trap. The Amazons gain great wealth. The Free Company is hardened by the ordeal.

Week 5 ends with 4 of the fabled Great Treasures of the Old Ones recovered from the City of the Well. The Free Company have stolen the Shield of Teeth. The Azure Band have escaped with the Star Tablet. The Trulls of Trantio looted the Feather Cloak and Those Who Tread... have recovered the Plaque of the Old Ones.

The Dark Corridor
A Tale Wherein the Journey is the Destination

Captain de Guzman had re-provisioned his expedition and somehow found his way back to the City of the Well. Upon their return they had re-entered the maze of traps that led to the wondrous treasures of the Old Ones. He avoided the looted section of the temple and the crew moved off down an unexplored passage. The Captain took the center of the column with Montoya and de Soto near him. He sent the Duelists Raul and Manuel to the fore. Raul had catlike reflexes and Manuel had braved the Hall of Spirits without quailing. The Ensigns brought up the rear with the newest members of the crew. These men had heard the stories of the Hall of Spirits but de Guzman wanted to avoid exposing them to the unknown too quickly.

"Ware arrows!" Raul called back down the corridor. A couple of spent shafts rattled off the walls but no one was hurt.

"It was a trap triggered by a pressure sensitive paving stone," called Raul. "Mind the..."

There was a crash and clatter as the whole front of the line missed the oddly proportioned step in the dark. De Guzman cursed has he tripped on an outstretched limb in the dimness. The unfortunate Hernando fell on joined in cursing de Guzman for a moment, then realized who had fallen on him.

"Pardon my Captain! I apologize for my clumsiness."

"Quiet! Silence!" Snapped de Guzman. He listened intently in the darkness. In the distance he thought he heard screaming. Was it an echo? Perhaps the tormented spirits haunted these halls as well?

"Is anyone hurt? Raul?"

"He moved up the passage my Captain," came the whispered reply off to his left. It was one of the new men, a crossbowman. One of the men near him groaned, but said, "no just stunned."

"Gomez, how did you get up there? You were at the rear?"

"I felt my way along the wall," came the reply, "and stepped around the tangle on the stair."

"Good man! Follow Raul," the Captain ordered. "We'll catch up, but don't lose Raul!"

To the men around him he hissed, “single file, three pace gap! Point man takes the right, next man takes the left. Look at the tracks in the dust and follow them exactly!”

“Oh Sigmar! Captain, Raul is dead! Here on the right,” Gomez’s anguished voice carried down the dim corridor from the darkness ahead.

“Raul!” Manuel lunged forward, but caught his foot on an unseen wire and went down in a heap again. The rest of the men froze for an instant but nothing further happened. The Captain cut the wire with his dagger.

“Senor de Soto, see to Raul please, carefully.”

De Soto and the remaining ambulatory duelists moved off slowly down the north wall of the corridor. Senor Montoya and the Ensigns followed the Captain along the south. Soon they came to Raul’s body, nailed to the north wall with two iron bolts. Four other bolts were either lodged in the soft plaster of the walls or lay about on the floor nearby.

“He almost made it,” de Soto said has he closed the corpse’s eyes.

“Oh Sigmar, please!” Gomez began to pray from further up the corridor. Everyone looked toward him. Gomez was holding his amulet of Sigmar’s Hammer up before the gibbering shade of a long dead sailor.

“Move on soldier!” de Guzman ordered. “He is past harming you. Have faith and keep moving! Everyone else move to the north wall.”

Even as the men moved to obey the lead duelist was swept off his feet. The men following him stared at his dangling body in horror, until the man cursed them and urged them to free him. De Soto went to his aid and found himself trussed and hanging along side.

“Have care, gentlemen! Have care!” de Guzman growled. “Ensign la Plaz, aid Senor de Soto if you would be so kind. I shall free our good ox, Lucca. Senor Montoya carry on.”

The depleted line moved slowly past the raging ghost and up the corridor. From the darkness behind them they heard an “Oops!” Followed by the rattle of missiles striking a wall and the thunk of one striking flesh. “Manuel?” called de Guzman as he lowered Lucca back to the stone flags.

“A scratch el Captain! Someone missed a trap earlier!” Manuel called from the darkness near the stair.

A loud metallic clang echoed through the corridor. Everyone froze. “It came from beyond the next room my Captain,” Senor Montoya observed from near a great archway. Montoya stepped forward to peer into the gloom beyond the arch and suddenly he was no longer in the corridor.

“Montoya!” called de Guzman.

“Down here Captain!” came the reply. “Ware a drop!”

Indeed there was now a considerable gap in the corridor’s floor just outside the archway. Gomez and the duelist Juan were peering down into it.

From beyond the arch another clang sounded followed by definite screams. Gomez levered a bolt into his crossbow, while Juan drew his cutlass.

“Gomez! Juan! Get through that arch and secure the next room!”

Both men leapt the pit and disappeared into the room beyond.

“I’ll be right up Captain!” Montoya called from the pit, “oh!” Another crash echoed through the corridor.

“Floor of the pit fell away again!” Montoya’s voice seemed farther removed. “A rope perhaps?”

“Coming!” Diego inched forward with a rope. As he neared the pit the floor beneath his feet gave way. Diego disappeared from sight.

“Rope received! Diego is in a bad way! He’s farther down but I can reach him. Mind the floor here, senors!”

From the gloom beyond the pit Juan screamed, “Zombies! Oh Sigmar preserve us!”

“Ware Juan! Behind you!” Gomez’s cries sounded as steel rang on steel.

“On! On! Leap the pit!” De Guzman urged his remaining men forward. “Manuel aid Senor…”

Captain de Guzman found himself sitting on top of Ensign la Plaz’s body. The edge of the pit had supported the men who leapt before him, but la Plaz had misjudged his jump and his flailing arms and the crumbling pit had resulted in both men landing in the pit. The Ensign was considerate enough to land first to break his captain’s fall.

“Welcome my Captain! Would you take his arms?” Montoya was attempting to lift the limp form of Diego up from a lower ledge.

Manuel appeared at the lip of the pit with another rope. Above the Captain's head de Soto was struggling to pass Diego’s body to Ensign de Vera.

“The way forward is blocked, el Captain!” De Soto spoke as he tried to balance Diego on the lip of the pit and look into the room behind him at the same time. “The room glitters with treasure, but there are fell zombies on guard and the warrior women are pressing them toward us! Even now they may cut us off from the world above! The room glitters, but the blood, el Captain, the blood!”

De Guzman looked off into the black passage that opened up behind Senor Montoya. Perhaps there was a way out…

Week 6--The Death of Qutal the Fearless, now known as Qutal the Deathless.

The group was missing 3 players this evening, but those in attendance had an eventful night nonetheless.

"The Treasures of the Old Ones" (Wyrdstone Hunt) On a rainy day in the Lost City of the Well, da Gutrippas fought Those Who Tread... for the loot of some Skaven Plague Monks. The Skaven were surprised into dropping their treasures but they rallied and fought for them. Da Troll was hacked apart faster than he could regenerate. Indeed any of the lads who got with in sword range got a bit cut up. As da Gutrippas fought a melee, the lizards sniped and tossed some magic around. One hoppy-skippy skink git (known as Qutal the Fearless) grabbed 2 of the treasures from under the noses of the Skaven and the Orcs. Neither side could try to stop the git without turning their backs on the other. He got away. Grootka put paid to 2 of the monks, still the third one stuck a blade in Grootka. Without him, the ladz had had enough and scampered. Raaza of the Jaguars, a saurus Totem warrior, rubbed out the last monk and won the field for Those Who Tread...
Rippa Fil suffers Horrible Scars. Grootka recovers. The lads made off with one treasure and found some trinkets to sell as well. Those... recover 2 treasures and collected a huge reward for 4 skaven skulls (even if they only killed one...) The rumored Kroxigor is finally purchased.

"The River Temple." The Shadow Stalkers made a moonlight raid on a temple of Tzunki. The Trulls were camped nearby and rowed out onto the river to investigate the disturbance. Melderzhus and the Thrall braved the traps and the guardian to loot the hidden treasure. Together the vampires defeated the guardian and were making for their boats when the zombie sentries were attacked by Trulls. Also the defeated guardian suddenly reappeared and attacked the thrall again. Melderzhus was nearing the beach when the Trulls broke through the zombies, the third Tilean boat rounded the island and the guardian blocked him again. Melderzhus and the Shadow Stalkers broke under the pressure. The Trulls fought the guardian over every inch of the desecrated island, until it was banished for good. The Trulls loot a Statue of Sotek from the temple and destroyed a foul Vial of Pestilence. The Shadow Stalkers licked their wounds and counted their paltry loot. A zombie is destroyed.

"Breakthrough" Those Who Tread... attempted to drive the Shadow Stalkers from the Lost City of the Well. The undead took heavy losses and retreated, but with them they carried the body of Qutal the Fearless. Soon Those Who Tread... would see their old comrade shuffling out of the darkness muttering, "brainssss!"

"Defend the Find" Da Gutrippas waz plannin' on cuttin' in on da Trulls, 'cause da doxies foun' demseffs some shiny stuff. Itz pourin' buckets out. Da gunz no works. Cain't hardly seez. Cookie gits Mate Gork ta burnz 'em. Da ladz cain't shoot 'em so dey clubs 'em, an' cuts 'em, an' da doxies legz it. One o' da Pressgangerz iz rubbed out. Cookie, he git betta. (Doxie cut on 'im a mite.) Da ladz trade one o' da boss doxies fer sum mores shiny stuff. Another Trull is attacked by a Cold One but defeats it (and makes back the ransom!) Da ladz feels rich!

"The Temple of Doom V." Those Who Tread... found the Shadow Stalkers looting another temple. The undead nearly succeeded but the Lizardmen's guardian zombies delayed the Vampires until Skinks, Saurus and Kroxigor could catch up. Even then most of the damage caused to the undead warband was inflicted by the shell of a recently dead necromancer who cut a swath through the undead ranks until the Abomination crushed it. Once again Melderzhus was within sight of victory when his nerve failed and he abandoned the Major Artifact to Those Who Tread...
Those Who Tread... recover the Pendant of the Old Ones! [Yike!] And a Saurus warrior rolls Lads Got Talent. [Oh dear.]
Once again it was after 9 pm so the end game was a bit muddled for me. Reports should clear things up.

Week 7--Raaza of the Jaguars, he who wore the Pendant of the Old Ones, was killed by Cookie Wassis!

"Chance Encounter IV" Da Gutrippas ran into Those Who Tread... Da Gutrippas had done a good days lootin' an' wuz flush. Those Who Tread... sniped and retreated deeper into the ruins, but Raaza of the Jaguars used the Pendant of the Old Ones to attack an isolated Cookie Wassis. Despite being weakened by the oppressive heat Cookie hung on doggedly defending himself until da Troll and Rippa Fil could help out. Da Troll stunned the Saurus hero and Cookie slit its throat. Then the Kroxigor hit the advance guard and the some Vampire Bats attacked Grootka. The ladz legged it. Ripper Fil develops Hatred for the Skink Priest, Tzunki. Quik Bil was killed by Raaza (before Cookie got 'im.)
Despite fleeing the lads gain lots of gold. The Lizards are equally rewarded for their victory.

"Skirmish I" The Pale Moons met the Trulls on another rainy night in the Lost City. A skink patrol attempted to fight both warbands. The patrol was wiped out. The Pale Moons suffered heavy casualties and withdrew. Tereis II, a totem warrior was killed in the ruins. Thermedosa, the other totem warrior was attacked after the battle, killed and eaten by a Cold One.

"The Lost Temple of the Slann I" After their defeat by the Trulls the Pale Moons retreated to an even more ruined section of the Lost City of the Well. There they discovered the tracks of the hated Undead and trailed the abominations to an abandoned temple of the Lizard people. Night had fallen and there was no moon, but the Pale Moons attacked anyway. They could hear savage war-cries and see strange fires to the north as some one else attacked the undead as well. The walking corpses sallied forth and broke the Pale Moon's attack. The Pale Moons fled back to the south.
Da wild doxies legged it. Da Dead Uns wuz lurkin' ins da Big Stone Hut, an' snipin' off da roof. Cookie burns a sniper or two an dez back off. Da Troll he fights hiz way inna door. Bashin' da zoombie an' da Big Dead Fing. Cookie an' 'Eadtaker iz both nuttas! Dey cuts dey way inta da Big Stone Hut, bashin' sickly humies and ded uns. Melderzhus kills a pressganger, but da ladz bash hiz minions purty gud! Da Ded Uns legz it!
Da lookouts spy a lizzie patrol marchin' up from da south. Grootka takes da loot an' da Gutrippas nip back inta da night. Leavin' da lizzies ta bury da ded an' burn da ded uns.
Da Lost Temple iz a major haul, lotz o' shiny stuff--a Gromril sword, the Cloak of Mists, a Dispell scroll, an Un-holy relic, a Lucky Charm and the ridiculously easy to find Tome of Magic...An' sum Healin' 'erbs, an' Crimson Shade. No need to visit port, wez got it all!

"Skirmish II," Those Who Tread... found the Trulls pushing toward the Sacred Precincts of the Ancient Ones. Even rain and a Sacred Serpent (giant constrictor) did not help the Lizards repel the invaders. Those Who Tread... fled. No accurate casualty reports have been received yet...

"The Lost Temple of the Slann II" The Trulls, Those Who Tread... and the Pale Moon Tribe fought for another temple in heavy rain. Those Who Tread tried to hold the temple but they suffered from the joint attack of both their hated enemies. Another of the giant constrictors appeared but I don't know if it was enough to force their enemies to flee. An insistent voice proclaimed "Time to pack it up! Closing time!"

In a major reversal Those Who Tread... have lost the Pendant of the Old Ones. No other Major Artifacts were uncovered by tonight's battles. Although both the Trulls and Da Gutrippas got rich.

Yarr!

Week 7.5--The Free Company Prevail.

Playtable's been missing some games for the last few weeks, so he stopped by for a Sunday game...

"Duel on the High Seas" The Santa Magritta had left the mouth of the Amaxon behind and was making for the open seas with the wind abeam when she was challenged by another ship that had hidden within the many islands of the delta. Captain de Guzman decided to fight. The ships exchanged canon and small arms fire. The canon did little damage, but fighters fell on both sides to arrow, bolt and energy beam. The crew of the Santa Magritta were suffering until the enemy forced a boarding action. Senor Montoya and Ensign de Vera met the rush and slowly pushed the warrior women from the ship. The Pale Moons lost several heroes and struck their colors. The Free Company gained loot and experience from the encounter. Gomez, Diego and Alphonso died in the engagement. The Pale Moons suffered 2 deaths, one hero is Hardened. Another defeated a young saltwater crocodile that attacked her while she was marooned on a small island.

"Skirmish" The Azure Band (more Amazons) challenged the Free Company for looting rights to the palaces of the Lost City. A steady rain fell as the two maneuvered through the overgrown ruins. A skink patrol became trapped between the combatants. The skinks elected to fight their way out, but were quickly wiped out. Both sides pressed on though the veteran men attempted to lure the frenzied Totem warriors into a trap. Their companions attempted to restrain their crazed sisters but the taunts of the men lured the berserkers into combat. The rest of the Band followed to support the charge, but the jaws of the trap closed and the warrior women fell back before the blades of the Tileans. One of the crazed warriors loses an eye. 2 Amazon warriors are killed. The Free Company did not escape unscathed. Manuel was killed as he sought to protect Brother Tomas Torcamarda.

Week 7, Chance Encounter IV




Skirmish I










The Lost Temple of the Slann I












Lost Temple of the Slann II








MoAka (Pygmy Hunter) finds it is not wise to jump in front of a Kroxigor.




A Skink finds it is not wise to let a giant constrictor charge you.

You've got some SPECTACULAR terrain pieces there, Amigo. LOVE the SERIOUSLY large snake. COOL PHOTOS!

Thanks Deaf! Ain't it grand? We can do Lustria, Khemri and Sartosa really well.

A tale from week 6--Defend the Find.
       
Ladz got Talent.
A tale wherein Sharper Snik seeks advancement.

“So dere I iz,” screeched Sharper Snik, “da rain comin’ down like I swimmin’, dese crazy doxies hackin’ at da Cookie wit dose big choppas dese humies gots, da Cookie howlin’ an’ floppin’ ‘round.  Da bow noes gud!  Da Boss neva git ussun a gud string fer ‘em!  An’ did I sez it rainin’?  Dat big orc loon Cutta stan’ dere strikin’ da flint on da slow match like dat’ll hep!  Wot I do?”

The eager faces of his audience all leaned toward the big goblin, who was standing on an overturned jolly boat.  The goblins’ fire was off to the side of the Seahog.  The orcs had one of their own nearer the ship. The Seahog had been dragged onto the beach as far as the straining backs of the crew could get it.

“Wotcha do Sharper?” chorused the goblin voices.

“Only fing I cu’d do,” began Sharper.

“Ya runz and hides?” said an anxious voice.

“Noes!” shouted Sharper.  “Ise draws me pig ticklers an’ I rushes ‘em!”

“All 2 hands o’ ‘em?” squeaked Dull Snik.

“Dere wuz 4 hands dere ins dat big lizzie stone hut!” countered Sharper Snik.  (Sharper hated sharing the good Snik name with Dull.)  “Meybe 5 hands o’ dose bloody crazy doxies!  Alls wit dose bloody big choppas, an’ boom sticks, an’ crossbows an’ loads o’ shiny stuff!”

“Ise runz up da step inta da doors, an’ da boss doxie, she cuts at Sharper, mez!”

“Oh noes!” chimed the group.

“Oh aye! She cuts at mez!” Sharper proclaimed.  His greenish face was glowing red in the firelight. “An’ I sez, ‘yuz an’ me doxie!  Weez fights!’  An’ weez do fights! Cuttin’ an’ hackin’!  An’ da doxie boss, shes screamin’ an’ shoutin’ likes doz humie do.  Ise gits behind ‘er likes, an’ Ise stabs ‘er inna back!  An’ den I cuts a couple more doxies an’ deyz runz!  An’ den dat lot o’ orc show up!  Claim da shinys dat Ize jus’ taked!”

Sharper paused and surveyed his audience.  All of the goblins on the beach looked back at him in awe.

“Shinys dat I’d a shared wit yuz all!  Wuz dat fair, wut doz orc do?  Noes!”  Sharper could see that he had them now.  "Deyz keepin' da gobbo..."

The assembled goblins were all dead quiet. One or two were even pointing at him.  Or were they pointing behind him?

“Mate Gork Care For Us!  Ise, Cookie Wassis, calls Ye!”  Sharper whirled to see the huge shaman standing on the beach behind him.  Cookie had a couple of blood stained bandages on his head and arms, but he stood on his own glaring at the small goblin now frozen in place on the hull of the jolly boat.

“Mate Gork!  Ise calls Ye to judge dis uppity git call Sharper Snik!  Judge ‘im byes da Code! Judge ‘im byes da powder! Judge ‘im byes da rum!  Judge ‘im byes da blood!”

“Noes!” screeched Sharper Snik.  Cookie Wassis threw back his head and twin jets of green fire engulfed the goblin and the jolly boat.

As normal color returned to the night a fine ash settled on the sandy beach.  The assembled goblins gawked at the scorched sand and the glowering orc that faced them.

“Mate Gork haz spoke!  Dat Sharper, he no gud!” bellowed Cookie Wassis,  “an’ yuz lot!  Ise be needin’ a news jolly boat by mornin’!  Hop to!”