Pirates of the Karibbean

The Lost World
A Lustrian Monster Hunt



Shiek Abdulaha claimed the island was surrounded by a fog bank nearly the whole year round . Achmed Al Kuds knew nothing of these waters first hand, but his ship had braved the fog and cleared the reef. Now it was time to see if the other tales about this island were true. Did the great beasts still survive here? Everyone knew they were common on the mainland, still the Dragon Folk were jealous of their hunting grounds. The beasts themselves were dangerous enough, why risk the displeasure of the Dragon Folk and their gods?

"Shore party, launch the boats!"

Their journey had started from a chance meeting with Almah's family in Torktuga. Her uncle Shiek Abdulaha had mentioned the island as they discussed the Imperial occupation of Torktuga and its impact on business. The wise men of the Empire would pay well for such a curiousity from Lustria Abdulaha explained. Al Kuds supposed any fool with too much money would pay for anything as he fussed with his parrot.

In the end Shiek Abdulaha had outfitted them with the tools to capture such large beasts. He provided a special boat for transporting livestock to ships, that the shiek assured Al Kuds would support a large bull. Al Kuds hoped that a large bull and a stegadon calf were of the same size. The shiek had also sent one of Almah's cousins along with them to further protect his investment, Ali bin Usef. Ali was older than Almah, but seemed untried in Achmed's judgement.

The scouts soon found a game trail into the depths of the jungle. From the size of the tracks it was clear that the legends were true. The Thunder Lizards of the mainland still roamed on this island. The crew eyed the huge tracks and the dark forboding trail with uncertainty.

"The Djinn of this land are evil!' they cried. "Our bones shall feed dragons and our families will know nothing of our deeds!"

Rais Al Kuds was flanked by his mates, who were each armed with an ugly cat o' nine tails. Al Bobo and his janissaries stood nearby with drawn bows.

"You are not children!" cried Al Kuds. "You are the crew of the Dancing Cloud. You have looted the treasures of the Old World. You have seen the wonders of the New. Yet you run from mere beasts? No!"

The crew entered the jungle. After a few hours march on the trail they came to the edge of the jungle. A great plain swept away toward the interior of the island. In the distance the men could see all manner of huge beasts. By chance a herd of stegadons were nearby. The men move cautiously through the undergrowth at the edge of the jungle as they stalked the herd.



"Oh honored Rais," said Abu the Monkey Man. "The hour grows late. We must camp lest the great meat eaters come upon us on the plain."

Abu had a good point, but at the same moment a scout rushed up to Al Kuds.

"My Rais! We have found a calf by itself!" the man reported excitedly. "It has wandered into the jungle alone. Come quickly if you please my Rais!"

All thoughts of establishing a camp fled from Al Kuds mind. He ordered the men to march quickly through the undergrouth. The jungle grew darker around them as they marched. Eventually they blundered into the scouts who had been left to watch the calf.

"Rais Al Kuds," the slave Umbuto bowed. "De calf, he in a clearing beyond de trees, but he getting antsy, him. Ye be lively, master."

A moon had risen over the jungle. By its light the Rais deployed his men so that they could quickly surround the calf while maintaining contact with each other. They had hardly begun to advance when two of the janissaries became entangled in the undergrowth and crashed to the ground in a clatter of weapons and armor. An inquisitive honk came from the clearing beyond.

The men tensed but no other sounds interupted the rhythm of the jungle night. Still they had barely begun to advance when a shrill squeal erupted from the jungle on their right.

"A rat! I shot a huge rat!" reported Baibars.

"Ambush!" cried someone from the right. Sling-stones flew out of the darkness. Akbar fell wounded.

"Quickly advance and secure the calf," Al Kuds ordered Atabeg and five other men. The rest of the crew deployed in the jungle to face the unknown foes on their flank.

Atabeg advanced into the clearing. To his right the calf looked up in alarm. It let loose a terrified honk and backed away from the men. Several other things happened at once. From the north side of the clearing a great thrashing and crashing errupted. The Arabyans could not see what was happening but Atabeg heard the word 'snake' shouted in Reikspeil. From the east the tall grasses parted to reveal the hunched forms of man-rats clad in black. From the west came an angry bellow. The ground began to shake under the Arabyans' feet.

Before the men could react the massive head of the adult stegadon loomed out of the darkness. Naturally Mad Atabeg screamed, "Charge!" He threw himself at the monster. Tariq abandonded the capture stick he had been holding and drew his sword as he followed the madman's example. Umbuto, the former buccaneer, tripped over a vine. Basil froze on the spot and the two other men fled back toward the rest of the crew.

While the Arabyans were occupied with the stegadon cow, a battle errupted between the skaven and the Reiklanders. The Reiklanders reached the calf first, but they reconsidered as file after file of skaven warriors emerged from the jungle. The first two Reiklanders to reach the calf tried to back away but they were rushed by a wave of skaven.

Atabeg actually wounded the stegadon. He had a moment to relish it's maddened cries and then his part in the battle was over. Tariq had fallen before Atabeg. He was replaced by Basil. Basil was killed almost at once. Then the cow charged the skaven trying to drag her calf away. Amazingly a half a dozen skaven attacked the cow as thier fellows attempted to drag the bawling calf from the clearing. From the jungle on either side of the clearing the Reiklanders and Arabyans cheerfully shot into the melee. Reiklander warriors fought the skaven rear guard. Umbuto rushed from the Arabyan lines to stab at wounded skaven trying to crawl away from the enraged cow.

The skaven could not hold both the maddened cow and the persistent Reiklanders. They fled back into the jungle as mysteriously as they had appeared. The cow swayed drunkenly and lumbered toward the terrified Umbuto. She flung his body into the undergrowth and fell dead with the Man With No Name's crowssbow bolt in her right eye.

The Reiklanders and the Arabyans adjusted their aim and attacked each other. The Reiklander warriors who had fought the skaven's rearguard rushed to recapture the calf. They easily corraled the frightened beast and hustled it away from the approaching Arabyans.

The Reiklanders had captured the calf; they had the superior marksmanship and superior weapons (crossbows versus bows); they even had an elven ranger who was shooting deadly elf arrows into the Arabyans from beyond the human's range of night vision. But the Reiklanders broke first.

Post Battle
The skaven lost a giant rat or two, but Tydus the Black Skaven also died. He was crushed by the maddened cow as he led the brave pack that attacked the stegadon. The Assassin Adept failed his leadership test to lead that pack...
Clan Eshin--1 CP

The Reiklanders' casualties all recovered from their injuries. Although one youngblood suffers an Old Battle Wound from an Arabyan arrow.
Reiklanders--1 CP

The Arabyans lost Abu the Monkey Man and Basil the janissary killed. Atabeg recovered from his wounds. The reward from selling the stegadon calf covers the upkeep to the Hired Swords and the cost of replacing fallen warriors.
The Faithful--2 CP
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Wow! That ran a bit long and I had to leave out a bunch of cool stuff. Oh well for those of you who read the whole thing: thanks!

AAH! A Baby Dinosaur...KILL IT BEFORE IT GROWS!
HOORAY; minis at last...more or less.

Hey Alan,
Playtable assures me that he will take photographs of next Thursday's games, so there is hope. He's got a newly painted band of Marienburgers and Chadwic has re-done his orcs. For all I know Playtable will have tons of new stuff done, since he is all fired up from GenCon.

The above is a stock photo of the stegadon family in happier times, but the scenery and the models were used in the actual game described, sort of, kinda.

Week 4.5--Adventures on the Seas and Islands of the Karibbean

The camera eluded playtable this week. The camera is shy and fairly good at staying home when it wants to even if its supposed to be in the car.
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The Bridge of Doom
An Islands variant of Street Fight



There be a couple versions of the tale, well at least a couple. No one who wasn't there can know for certain. Gork' s Teef! I seen the whole thing start to finish and I can only remember so much. 'Ard 'Ead Knokka and his lads had rowed up this here river, see. Ye know old 'Ard 'Ead, always looking for a scrap, never happy except when he found one. (And usually not then, neither.)

Now 'Ard 'Ead and the lads row up this river, I think it was on the big island, called Hispania by the Estalians. The Dragon Folk call it something else, but they call everything something else. Usually it's something hard to say. Anyway, them Knokkas row upstream a bit and they come to a stone bridge! Now bridges is somewhat scarce out here to begin with, but stone? Nobody's built with stone except them old timey Dragon Folk. And they only built with stone on their important roads and such. So old 'Ard 'Ead knows that maybe all he's got to do is follow a road to one of those rich ruins the Dragon Folk left everywhere.

The lads beached the jolly boats on the east side of the river. The bridge spanned above them a good twenty, thirty feet. There was a zoggin' cliff to climb and some jungle to hack through. 'Ard 'Ead left some lads with the boats, but the rest finally got up to the bridge. They get there and zogged if there aren't them skaven gits facing them from the other side of the river!

Now for all 'Ard 'Ead knows the road to riches might be behind him in the jungle, but there are skaven gits over there. He's got to fight them. Got to! Plus one of the lads takes a look over the side of the bridge and sees a boat full of skaven rowing for the lads guarding the jolly boats. Cheating rats going to steal 'Ard 'Ead's boats!

So the mob of them orcs just up and charged toward them skaven. The skaven, you'd think they'd have run away. But no, they charge right at the orcs! So the two mobs met kinda in the middle of the bridge. No fancy stuff, just hacking and stabbing. Except those big rats the skaven keep around, they just bit and scratched. Don't know why 'Ard 'Ead and the lads didn't shoot some of those rats. It might have been dark, or it might have been raining or it could have been a rainy night. Its hard to recall. Might have turned out different if the orcs would have shot some rats, might not have. Those rats just kept coming. Kicked old 'Ard 'Ead and the lads right off that bridge!

Post Battle
The 'Ard Knokkas report a hero kilt daid.
'Ard Knokkas--1 CP

Clan Eshin make some money. They report that all their heroes now have Lucky Charms and a poisoned weapon (at least for the next game).
Clan Eshin--2 CP

I can identify with the stay-at-home camera...partially due to the extreme Summer temperatures & partially due to Captain John's approach to driving .
The Report was a success nevertheless for the narrative AND I LOVE the mountain road picture...I have/need to make that.

Indiana is enjoying a cool spell after a record heat wave. Paltry temps compared to Texas, but its Indiana after all.

The Concept Art Forum is a great resource for images. I was going to use playtable's Snake River table, but I couldn't find any images of just the bridge.

The Island Temple
The Sea Gitz defy the guardian of desecrated temple of the Scaled Ones



The small temple rose from the waters of the lagoon like an island. There were fingers of land nearby, but the temple was surrounded by water. Though jungle grew down to the shore line surrounding it, the temple was barren of living vegitation. One giant tree had cracked the walls in the past, but the tree was long dead. Its twisted, blasted trunk loomed above the temple like an undead giant.

Rais Achmed Al Kuds had been studying the temple since the Dancing Cloud had entered the lagoon. Despite the proximity of the jungle the lagoon was quiet. No birds nested in the trees or fished the murky water. No crocodiles basked on the sandy banks of the shore. There were flies, however, clouds of large oily flies that swarmed around his boats. His small flotilla of three jolly boats rowed slowly across the reef. The men were quiet and aprehensive. As usual there was talk of djinni and devils. Still when the ambush was sprung it was a complete surprise.

Three large canoes shot out from behind an island beyond the temple to the east. More warriors appeared from the jungle. Bouncing toothy animals splashed into the lagoon and began to bob awkwardly toward the temple. A janissary toppled slowly over the rail with a crossbow bolt in his chest.

"Fire at the canoes!" Al Kuds ordered. "The lesser beasts will flee if we defeat the orcs."

Unfortunately the Arabyans missiles seemed to have no effect on the attackers. The thick hides of the brutes shrugged off arrows. More humans fell to the orcs' return fire. The two flotillas drew closer. Akbar and Atebeg began to rave. They cast away their bows and flogged the rowers to force them to close on the orcs. The two berserkers cut a bloody swath through the startled orcs, but a crazed orc weilding a glowing green club was bashing two humans for every lost orc. Almah, Baibars and two warriors fell before the gibbering loon.

Al Kuds was forced to order a retreat. One boat was captured by the orcs and the damaged one was abandoned since Akbar had captured one of the large canoes. The canoe was crammed with casualties and sluggish in the water. Al Kuds expected to be pursued but when he looked back he realized that the orcs were turning their attention to the temple.

There a palid, sickly thing capered and gibbered happily as it fought a mob of goblins and squigs. Al Kuds watched the battle until the thing was chopped down by its diminutive assailants.

Post Battle
The Faithful lost three janissaries and First Mate Baibars killed in action. Almah suffered the Old Battle Wound. They captured one boat, an orc boy and an orc hero. The hero was ransomed back to the Sea Gitz for Baibar's body and 3 doses of poison. The orc cheerfully elected to join the crew.
The Faithful--2 CP

The Sea Gitz lost a squig killed and a boy captured. One hero suffered some sort of injury and another was ransomed. 2 of the Arabyans boats were captured for the loss of one canoe. The temple treasure consisted of some gold and 2 treasures (count as wyrdstone shards).
The Sea Gitz--5 CP
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X Marks the Spot
A variant of Hidden Treasure



The wind howled and the rain seemed to be coming from every direction at once including up. 'Ard 'Ead Knokka howled into the storm and pushed his way forward through the scrub jungle covering the small island. This was a real blow and no mistake. His boyz were enjoying themselves. The loon goblin and the duppy human looked miserable. 'Ard 'Ead grinned some more. Them two was useless gitz, not worth their pay, but sometimes he enjoyed tormenting them.

"Master Hard Ed, sir," stammered the humie.

"'Ard 'Ead!" roared 'Ard 'Ead. "Dats me name! Git it proppa!"

The duppy git was holding the map. Duppy map thing was kinda glowy and kinda slick but not wet, even in this crazy storm.

"Master Ard Ed, sir, we are near the treasure, um, sir."

The humie was pointing at a squiggle and an 'X' on the map. 'Ard 'Ead knew that a 'X' meant shiny stuff to humies. 'Ard 'Ead could read.

"Where it at?" roared 'Ard 'Ead into the startled humie's face. The storm tossed islands kinda all looked the same except where trees were down or that boat was aground... Boat?

'Ard 'Ead could see some humies trying to beach a boat in this blow. Right over there. One of the boyz noticed them, too. The lad was trying to get his crossbow unstrapped, like it would be any use in this wind.

"Step lively gitz!" 'Ard 'Ead ordered. "Dem lubbers iz come ta lift our shiny stuff!"

That got them focused! The humie did some chanting and pointing and poof! There was the funny shaped rock that the git had mentioned. A couple boyz did some quick digging and Gork's yer uncle! 'Ard 'Ead was the owner of a muddy old chest. It didn't look like much but it was bloody heavy, that counted for something.

The storm had blown itself out at least a bit. The wind was still howling across the flats. Kicking up waves and making it zogging hard to hit anything with an arrow. Anything excepting the Nutta that is. Git took one high and pitched off a bridge into the surf. 'Ard 'Ead thought about bashing the humies, but there were a bunch of them. And they was a ways off. Might need a boat to get to them. And one of them was a good shot.

'Ard 'Ead hoisted the chest up onto his shoulder and started back toward the ship. The humies would keep. He could get his shiny things loaded in the hold first.

Post Battle
The Faithful watched the orcs escape with the treasue from across the lagoon. No humans were wounded by the smattering of orc archery that covered the greenskins. Al Bobo is promoted for bravery in the face of the storm.
The Faithful--1 CP

The 'Ard Knokkas gained the treasure and suffered no losses. Da Nutta dragged himself out of the surf. Da Boss isn't done counting the shiny stuff yet.
The 'Ard Knokkas--3 CP

The Island Temple sounds like a location that I NEED to make a model of...I'm definitely going to have to ask The Man for a life extension.

The Lustrian Treasure Ship
The Marienburgers and the Reiklanders vie for an honest pirate's cargo



"For Reikland!" the crew of the Emperor Sigismund cheered as the Marienburger burned. The Marienburger had the wind against her, plus the fires started by the Sigismund's last broadside, that should do for the pagan dandies.

Hans and Erich hurried to reload their gun as the Sigismund swung toward the crippled pirate. The gunners were proud of their ship and their captain. They ran the heavy nine pounder out again, but one of the small islands that dotted the Cayman Straights blocked their shot at the smoking Marienburger.

"Prepare boarding parties!" called the Captain. "Helmsman bring us alongside."

The Sigismund closed on the Slashing Shark. Marksmen had taken a heavy tole among the pirate crew. There were few left to oppose the Reiklanders who swarmed over the rails, but the pirates knew they would hang if they were taken. Their captain still stood defiant, so his crew fought.

"For Reikland!" Hans had abandoned his gun once the two ships were lashed together. He and Erich followed the wave of marines. The gunners' blood was up and the pirates looked to be an easy prize whether they fought or no. The pirate's decks were slick with blood, but they were also piled with treasure. Hans expected a hefty share from the prize and it never hurt to pocket a few loose baubles, if one could.

The pirates retreated toward the forecastle to make their final stand. Then the crippled ship rocked as the Marienburger crashed against her bows. Officers in red, gold and blue led a fresh wave of attackers into the pirates' flank. Both the pirates and the Reiklanders were taken unawares. The Reiklander's Captian fell in the first Marienburger charge.

Suddenly Hans found himself facing a veteran swordsman. The fellow looked at Hans' powder stained face and laughed.

"Not your day powder monkey!" the Marienburger scoffed. He cut viciously at Hans' neck. Hans jerked away and tripped on a body. The Marienburger lunged after him as Hans tried to regain his balance. Hans lashed out with his dagger and was surprised to feel the dagger's point punch through flesh.

Hans found himself momentarily pinned by the dying swordsman. "I'm killed," the man said as he died. Hans pushed the body away and regained his feet.

"You have killed Brinn!"

Hans looked toward the sound of the voice to see another Marienburger glaring at him. The fellow was trying to tug his sword free from a pirate's chest. Hans lunged akwardly across the deck, leading with his dagger's point. Once again he looked into the shocked eyes of a dying Marienburger.

The surviving Marienburgers were falling back to their ship. The victorious Reiklanders were too exhausted to attempt to pursue them. But they screamed defiance and victory.

Post Battle
The Penny Pinchers

Quote :

Brinn dies, Gustav II dies and Hector, the halfling scout, dies.
I get 1 full recovery and 1 "hates enemy warband" recovery.
1 hero was laid up earlier and didn't get to fight so, I only had 3 heroes to search with. 
I don't find much. 
I can only afford to replace one swordsman, so now I'm at 16 members, no hired swords, and I go from 239 to 238 rating.
OUCH !!!

The Reiklanders are still counting their gold. Casualty reports are unavailble.
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Campaign Points week 4:

Arabyans: 18 Lure of Fortune
Ard Knokkas: 10 Scourge of the Seas
Castaways: 15 Lure of Fortune
Clan Eshin: 9 Silent Threat
Penny Pinchers (Marienburgers): 19 Monarch of the Seas
Reiklanders: 14 Monarch of the Seas
Sea Gitz (Da Mob): 15 Scourge of the Seas

An Interlude by Von Kirst
Playtable and I fought a Karibbean themed battle with some of our warbands from other campaigns. I used my Arabyan Smugglers from our Toth Amon campaign while playtable dredged up his Slavers from our Relics of the Crusades campaign. Both warbands won the final battles of their respective campaigns, but both were cut up pretty bad in the victories.

The Lustrian Treasure Ship
Narration by Von Kurst, photographs by Playtable

Haroom the Wanderer encounters a Ghost Ship Slavers from Araby far from home
The day was overcast. The sea was choppy but the wind was fair. Haroom the Wanderer had been watching the approaching sail for several hours. A small island sheltered the Dancing Cloud, so the Rais was inclined to wait for this wounded bird to reach him. His prey was clearly damaged, whether by storm or combat mattered not. The Faithful would gather the One’s bounty in His time.

As the crippled ship neared, its tattered sails told of a horrible trial. The hull looked damaged as well. Haroom was frankly surprised the ship was still afloat. But it sailed alone and it sailed from the Lustrian coast. Haroom was new to the waters of the Karibbean, but he had taken treasure ships bound to Estalia from Lustria in the past. This one did not look like it would make Port Sigmar let alone Muros. Perhaps Haroom could save the stricken ship from attempting the journey.

The Dancing Cloud was anchored as close to the island as possible in order to hide her masts from the approaching ship. Haroom waited until the stricken vessel limped within an easy cannon shot before making sail to challenge the doomed ship’s passage. As the Dancing Cloud cleared the island Haroom was shocked to see another ship easing out from behind an island to the northwest. Another captain had apparently had the same idea!

The Dancing Cloud catches the wind.

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The prey is actually a Ghost Ship!

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The Slaver’s ship offers battle. The wind is against the Slavers.

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The Slaver’s Ogre rows around an island.

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The Arabyans clear for battle.

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The Ghost Ship’s harquebusiers fire a volley.

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The Dancing Cloud blasts the stern of the undead ship.

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The slavers are about to collide with the undead ship

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The two ships collide!

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The slaver jolly boat sinks due to being run down by the Slaver’s ship, the ogre survives.

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Slavers board the undead ship!

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The Faithful close with the entangled ships.

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The Arabyans board!

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Melee on the undead ship, Billy Bones is down

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Slaver leader surrounded by Arabyan heroes. The end is near.
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Post Battle
The Slavers are nearly destroyed by the battle.
"I dropped 77 points to 254
10 members (6 heroes now, 1 dog, 2 slaves, 1 eunuch) and 1 Ogre Bodyguard
Still don't have enough money to buy even a bow."

Fathi II, a Caravan Guard hero is killed, along with his faithful servant Fred the eunuch. Baghel the Ogre henchman was captured!

The Faithful lost Guido the Tilean Marksman and Usef the Toothsome, an Ogre Bodyguard. The Faithful add Lustrian treasures to their hoard.

Von Kirst as been after me to write this report up and post it. So here goes.


Press Gang
Marienburgers (the Penny Pinchers) vs Buccaneers
Press Gang is at night (11” sight) in the Monarchist (good guy) port. This makes the evil Buccaneers have to test to keep out of sight of the Watch.

Oh, it was also raining.

So, for shooting: -1 for dark, -1 for rain, and blackpowder fires only on a 4+.
Both warbands were looking for some new recruits to join the crews, voluntarily or not.

It was a dark and stormy night. (Really! Half way through the game, my opponent ran out to his car to roll up the windows.)

Manslieb was out but hidden by the dense cloud cover. Black powder was questionable, unless you wore a greatcoat.

The scouting party said there were 7 prospective crewmen (drunks) in town this night. Coming in from the West side of town Marienburger Captain, Rothberger ordered everyone to rush in.



Well, right away Champion, Big Hoss, found a drunk/recruit singing in the rain and old sea song, outside the shipping depot.

(Far left in the picture.)

Since he was being a little feisty, Big Hoss knocked him out cold.

Pressing a gold crown into his hand, Big Hoss announced "Welcome to the crew".
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He had 16 members in his warband and out of 15 that tried to run, 7 (rolled a 6 and) fell down in the dark and rain. Bad portent that was!
On the South, the town was built upon a hill. Rothberger didn’t want any surprises from up there so he sent the talented marksman lad, now hero, Oscar with his crossbow and 2 swordsmen, Heilman II and Johnny on the Spot, for support. (They squared off against a Buccaneer hero and 2 henchmen.) Rothberger entered town at the foot of the hill with swordsman Gustav III and a new bowman. Just north of him, on the other side of the building was his main force. Little Joe’s “Friendly Flag” allowed them all to start a little farther into town than the opposition.
Speaking of which, the Buccaneers came in from the East.
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Many of the Buccaneers also tried to run but fell, but not as many.
The Buccaneers were split into 5 groups;
the 3 on the Southern hill (wisely not running, not the time to slip and fall),
a group of 4 just below the hill (dragging along a swivel gun!),
a single archer on top of the Port Authority building, the main group of 7 just north of that,
and a group going through the Church of Manaan.

Except for the 3 on the hill, the Penny Pinchers all headed towards what appeared to be a bar, along with a drunk on the porch also singing a raunchy little sea ditty.
Once a little closer, Rothberger and his companions spotted a drunk at the bottom of the hill. Gustav III ran up and convinced him to come quietly.
Most of the main group went into the bar. One more recruit was found in there.
While checking out back, Oliver thought he saw something and got spooked. He fired his blunderbuss into a couple of Buccaneers but his aim was off and he did no harm to them. In return something flew through the air and he was knocked on his backside. Another drunk was seen on the roof and a henchman went upstairs.

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Up on the hill, Oscar’s quick shooting and trick shooting was keeping the Buccaneers back. GustavII and Johnny got impatient and both tried to charge in. Only one could fit on the narrow ledge, but that one was effective. After a few rounds of showing expert swordsmanship and more than a few crossbow bolts, the hill was in Marienburger hands.
It was about this time that the Watch showed up. Behind us!!!
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Champion, Little Joe, was falling behind due to his bum leg and carrying that big “Friendly Flag” in the blowing rain. Two of the Watch charged into him. He tried in vain to tell them he was a “good guy”. “Can’t you see this is a “Friendly Flag”? They didn’t listen. Well, with a bum leg, no skills, and a big flag to lug around, Little Joe isn’t the best at hand-to-hand fighting but he did hold on until help could arrive.
On the porch, swordsman Hop Sing was the recipient of the charge of the other 2 members of the Watch. He held on until Oliver came to his senses and charged in to help.
As this was going on, the Buccaneers brought 2 men up to the roof top and got the drunk, then the Marienburger henchman, who had held back ready to shoot with his crossbow.
And, at the foot of the hill. Rothberger recognized one of the Buccaneers as a former member and turncoat. He ordered him taken. “The Kid” failed with his first try using his blunderbuss then, he remembered he had a greatcoat on and fired true the next time. Unfortunately, neither time did any damage. The Kid did the only thing he could think of, he charged in. He was as good at that as he was at shooting.

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The Buccaneers line up at the back of the bar. Bowmen hide behind a tree and shoot while the swivel gun lines up a shot.

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Once help arrived for “The Kid”, the turncoat was taken care of. That left everyone set to be shot to pieces from the close by swivel gun. This time good luck arrived and, with rain water in the powder, it did not fire.

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Now unmatched from above, and showing better than average initiative (I4), Johnny on the Spot jumped off the hill side and charged the swivel gunner.
On the North of the bar, marksman Marshall saw an evil Tilean marksman and attempted to charge him. Unfortunately for Marshall, he was a bit short and was peppered with arrows, went down and stayed down.
Through shooting and fighting, the Marienburgers were taking a lot of losses but, the evil were taking losses too. When the evil rolled 11 on their rout test Rothberger gave a large sigh of relief.

Post Battle:
The Marienburger, Penny Pinchers win. (2 cp)
Total campaign points = 20
They get 4 of the 7 drunks. All live and are sold off.
Red and Patch and their crossbows don’t make it back.
Red died and Patch became a turncoat.
Another needing to be taught a lesson.
Apart from having to use all available cash to replace the 2 marksmen and their crossbows, a Treasure Map was found. Rothberger is not sure weather to use it or just sell it.


Buccaneers got 3 drunks and 1 turncoat recruit. (1 cp)
Unknown what else.

HURRAY...THE PRETTY PICTURES ARE BACK!...there are words too, but it's too early in the day for words.

Great stuff - love the naval action! The atmosphere of the pirate town is spot on too.

Down on the Docks IV
A Sequel in which a main character dies.

Fabrication of events by Von Kurst. Photography by Playtable.

(Note: Both warbands tried to blend into the dark, most by wearing only black clothing and puting lamp black on their skin/fur.)

What happened ain’t exactly clear. The skaven of Clan Eshin was there. If they exist, that is. Depends on who’s asking, ye ask me. Iffen that fella from the Inquisition is asking, I’ll be catching the next fair wind. Ye can count on that.

The Reiklanders was definitely there. Ye can check with the harbormaster iffen ye don’t believe me. Stiff-necked lubbers they was as always. Flush they was with giving the Penny Pinchers a black eye over that pirate, whathisname, ye know, the one they hanged. Anyway, them Reiklanders had heard some tars was unloading illegal cargo and they come for the lads.

</A>






The smugglers came in a little flotilla of jolly boats.





Them smugglers had unloaded a bit of cargo when both the navy and the skaven showed up. Reiklanders pushed through the crowd from the east. Skaven snuck up from the warehouses and such to the west.

The combatants report the usual troubles with the crowds. Folks just don’t seem to have any sense once the arrows start flying. Lubbers running everywhere, duffing those Navy boys up, they was. A good portion ran over the skaven as well, but you won’t hear anybody admit it where the Church of Myridia can hear them, no sir! Right touchy about chaos and mutants the Church is.


</A>





Now it was right windy. Almost a gale, it was. Most everybody agrees on the wind.

And it might or might not have been night, always tricksy to figure that from looking at the pictures. Looks bright enough to me.

Reports are that no one could hit Karl Franz’s palace from 3 paces what with the wind and such, (whatever ‘such’ might have been.) So it came down to fighting face-to-face, steel-to-steel.




The scrap on the docks was right bloody once it got going. Lubbers was fishing pieces of rat out of the harbor for days afterward. Them Clan Eshin killers just up and ran they was so cut up. The Reiklanders cheered and rushed the pirates on the boats.

Post Battle
Clan Eshin reports 2 vermin kin and 2 giant rats killed dead. Otherwise it’s the usual rumors and such about mutants, plots and not really existing.
Clan Eshin—1 CP

The Reiklanders must have been bled a bit by the skaven. They fought the smugglers but lost heart before they could capture the boats. Captain Quinton was reported ‘blown up’ in the fighting. He is listed as killed in action. Perhaps the skaven sorcerer or perhaps a lucky shot from a swivel gun killed him. Likely we will never know for sure.
Reiklanders—1 CP

Game Turn 5.5
(Formerly known as Week 5, but I'm done recording weeks of the campaign, I'll try turns instead.)

The Great Gun V
A Sequel in which the Orcs get the gun



The Marienburg patrol strode down the sun drenched streets of Port Sigmar. The crowd of merchants, stevedores, slaves, pickpockets, whores and thieves parted grudgingly but Captain Benjamin Rothberger was in no particular hurry. Their duty today was the routine collection of one of the port's guns. Battery number 5 had been determined to be superfluous to the defense of the harbor. Rothberger had already decided how he would spend the gold he would earn from the gun's sale.

"Captain? Uncle, sir?"

Captain Rothberger became aware of his nephew's voice. "Yes! What is it Ensign?"

"There is some, uh, disturbance in the harbor, sir," said Ensign Joseph Rothberger. "Orcs seem to be stealing the cannon from battery number 5."

"ORCS!" sputtered Captain Rothberger. "In broad daylight? Orcs dare to raid Port Sigmar?

"Er, yes sir, Uncle, sir."

"Unfurl our standard lad!" ordered the Captain. "Patrol draw swords! Forward at the double!"

Little Joe untied the cords binding the standard. The flag of the Penny Pinchers hung limply from its pole. The crowd reacted to the soldiers with alarm. A woman screamed. A man fell with a crossbow bolt in his shoulder. Captain Rothberger could see greenskin archers on the roof tops of the United Privateer Shipping building. A bounding ball of teeth plumeted over the crowd and latched on to one of his marines. The day was turning out differently than he had expected.

Post Battle

Quote :

In one turn Ted took a 1 hero and 4 henchmen OOA, 4 from shooting, 1 from squigs charging. I wisely routed.
I rolled for the Treasure map.  FAKE! 
I lost Oliver, a marksman with a blunderbuss, sword, hammer, greatcoat.  He will be sorely missed.

Penny Pinchers--1 CP

The Sea Gitz report an ogre has joined the band to repay Kap'un Borgut for a favor done long ago.
Sea Gitz--2 CP

Rock the Boat II
Another sequel in which a character dies

Omar of Siwah stared at the gaudily dressed pirates and their doxies who thronged the darkened streets of Torktuga. He had never been to the notorious pirate haven before. He longed to mingle with the boisterous crowd, but he knew his duty. Tonight he would show these Turjuks what the warriors of Siwah were made of. Omar knew that he must prove himself to the crew and to the officers of the Dancing Cloud. He had every intention of doing so.

“Keep up thou dog of Siwah!” Akbar barked in Omar’s ear. “The harbor is near. Be vigilant as the One charges us. The djinni know thy sinful mind, they shall snare thee if thou stray.”

Omar took the abuse of his superior in silence. Mad Akbar was not a man to cross. Only the Rais seemed to be able to control his fanatical subordinates Akbar and Atebeg. Between them they had made Omar’s life miserable for his first voyage. Omar hoped that when the loot was divided from the prize they were about to take, that there would be time to explore the port.

Suddenly there was an angry shout followed by a WHUMP! Flames shot from the upper floors of a tower the shore party happened to be passing. Several men burst from the ground floor entrance shortly thereafter. The riotous crowd surged as some revelers sought to flee the flames and others rushed to put the fire out or perhaps loot the building before it burned to the ground. Omar and his comrades were caught in the press of bodies.

“Fire brigade! Make way!” Akbar’s voice rose above the tumult of the crowd. “To the harbor lads, we must have water!”

Omar was confused by Akbar’s sudden interest in civic duty. His uncertainty must have shown on his face for the fanatic pulled him close. “We must get to the harbor, Mooncalf. The fire is an opportunity; we shall use the diversion to our advantage! Does not the One tell us to look for His blessings in all things?”

Omar nodded vacantly and began to shout, “Make way! Fire brigade!” His badly accented Estalian drew some stares from the crowd, but most of the mob was now trying to escape the flames as the tower burned merrily. Suddenly from the gloom of the harbor a volley of sling stones thudded into the crowd. Men roared in anger and pain. A woman screamed. One of the janissaries fell stunned. A huge rat leapt from the crowd. Akbar skewered it with his scimitar before it could fall upon the helpless soldier.

“Rat-devils! Skaven!” shouted Akbar. “Forward!”

The terrified crowd slammed into the shore party. Omar lost his footing and went down. Some one kicked him, but Jud pulled Omar back to his feet before he was trampled. Jud was sheltered by a low stonewall. Omar joined him in the lee of the wall. Akbar had reformed the janissaries near the docks into a ragged line. More giant rats rushed at them out of the night. Beyond the rats Omar could see misshapen bipeds rushing toward him along the docks.

From the east Omar heard the voice of Rais Al Kuds, “Forward men of Lashiek! Forward my corsairs!” Some of the Rat-devils turned toward the sound of the voice. The others charged the thin line of janissaries.

Post Battle
Clan Eshin fled when the Assassin Adept was captured. They ransomed him with a blunderbuss and some trifles. Tydus II is killed. One bright spot was the poisoning of an Arabyan hero.
Clan Eshin--2 CP

The Arabyans lost one janissary killed. Atebeg recovered from being poisoned. The Faithful capture the ship and find a Halfling Cookbook among its cargo.
Arabyans--5 CP
___________________________________________________________________________
Last Orders
The first bar fight of the campaign!

The Assassin known as the Silent Terror drank another goblet of the foul swill humans called ‘grog’. His mood had been black ever since those sand dwellers had captured him near that worthless ship. The raid on the ship had gone flawlessly. The crew had been disposed of, the fire set in a nearby building, and then those fool man-things had destroyed all of his plans by accident. The Assassin glowered at his ‘sorcerer’. The sorcerer was an incompetent, that was plain, perhaps a spy. The sorcerer mumbled some excuse and headed for the stairs.

A fresh tankard was offered by one of his servants. The Assassin drained it as well. He felt naked without his weapons. He never should have agreed to come here. What had the sorcerer said? Two of the vermin-kin had been ejected for trying to smuggle in weapons? Ejected? Humans!

“Oh, beg yer pardon mate,” a drunken human stumbled into him. How had the man-thing gotten so close? It was a plot! The Assassin slammed the oaf into the wall to stun him then quickly broke the fool’s neck. Then he turned toward the man’s companions…


Post Battle
Clan Eshin tried to smuggle some knives into the bar but got caught. The sorcerer failed to cast any spells. The humans drove them from the tavern.
Clan Eshin--1 CP

The Penny Pinchers

Quote :

I lost a crossbowman. 
Found a crate with 5D6gc which gave me 20 something gc! and superior black powder. 
In exploration I found a free henchman.  I also searched for a new blunderbuss and found one.

Penny Pinchers--2 CP
______________________________________________________________________________
Fancy meetin' YOU 'ere!
A drunken brawling variant of Chance Encounter

Omar tried to shift the heavy blunderbuss to a more comfortable, drier location. The summer storm lashed the streets of Torktuga without mercy. Merely walking was difficult. The unpaved streets were sucking mires; the few paved streets were submerged. There was no way to keep a slow match lit without protective clothing. The blunderbuss was just an expensive club. Even after all of the stories and the storms of his first voyage Omar was still a son of the desert. All of this water was both a wonder and a curse to him.

The jovial mood that had prevailed in the taverns had literally dissolved under the storm’s torrent. A few of the janissaries were drunk to the disgust of Akbar and Atebeg. Surprisingly, most of the members of the crew who were converts had all remained sober. Omar and his fellow mates had left the shore party in the shelter of two huge arches, remnants of the old harbor fortifications of Torktuga. The port had been sacked so many times that none of its outer walls was intact.

Rais Al Kuds had gone off with his hired mercenaries and the merchants to arrange the sale of the latest prize. The orc, who called himself Geehaid, stood sentry at the top of the stairs, his near useless crossbow cradled in his left arm. Water cascaded down his sloping forehead. Omar wondered that he didn’t drown what with his jutting jaw. The brute swayed a bit as he kept his watch. Omar suspected Geehaid kept a flask or two about his person, the strictures of the One or no.

“Oi! Get back ‘ere ye git!” There was a shout from the direction of the docks. Omar tried to see where it came from, but even in the rain Torktuga’s crowds were impressive.

“Ware!” called Geehaid. “Dats Gooba or Gee’s a lubber! Da Sea Gitz iz in port. Oh Gork! Incoming!”

Omar was trying to translate orcish gibberish when he saw a huge toothy maw hurtle toward him over the startled crowd’s heads. Omar went down under the weight of the thing. He heard Atebeg shout. The huge teeth stopped threatening Omar’s face and snapped at Atebeg. Omar tried to roll out the way but the monster, the tower’s foundation and the startled crowd hemmed him in. Several people stepped on him. He heard Geehaid continue to shout the alarm. Then he was showered in blood and innards. Akbar was holding a fouled sword and looking at the mess that used to be a monster with disgust.

Omar pulled himself to his feet. He looked in wonder at the fluffy white world that greeted his eyes. The pavement was still covered in water, but the rain had stopped. In its place a thick mist had risen from the heated ground. Omar could barely see Akbar next to him. He could hear roars and warcries all around him. But he could see nothing.

Then the mist cleared to reveal a horde of drunken greenskins led by an ogre.


Post Battle
The Arabyans lost 3 killed and 2 captured. However none of the Arabyan heroes fell in the fight and one orc did, so once again a new group of warriors is recruited. A swivel gunner is hired as well.
Arbyans--1 CP

The Sea Gitz rolled right over the Arabyan henchmen. A Reiklander and a former bucaneer desert and join the orcs. None of the many orc casualties die of their injuries. A troll is hired.
Da Sea Gitz--2 CP

Treasure Hunt
A Multi-player brawl in Torktuga

Dog Watch, 2 Bells
’Ard ‘Ead glared around the room at his boyz. They was a good lot, not that he’d ever tell ‘em so. Boyz needed the whip hand, they did.

“Deys gonna be a scrap tonight ladz,” ‘Ard “Ead said. “Dem no good Navy ladz iz in port. Navy gonna raid the Blow Hole around 4 bells. Dem Buccans gonna be hitting their grog pretty hard by then. Otta be a good ‘un. Now ‘eres wot we iz gonna do…”

First Watch, 4 Bells.
Da Mad Bomma looked across the square at the distant lights of the Blow Hole. There was a right ruckus going on over there and no mistake. The late night crowd was rushing to and fro as an ogre duffed up some Navy lads. Da Bomma longed to sail over there and spike that ogre but ‘Ard ‘Ead had given him his orders and spiking ogres wasn’t on the list.

“Away!” Da Bomma shouted. He loved his new catapult. “Weeee!” Da Bomma screamed has he soared up over the town. He cleared the wall of Old Erasmus the Fishmonger’s warehouse with inches to spare. Luckily the warehouse had a flat roof. Da Bomma landed fairly well. He could still walk. Da Bomma limped over to a trap door and slipped inside the warehouse. Outside he could hear the guards fussing with the mob. Moments later Da Bomma climbed back on to the roof and leapt off it to hit his next target. It was trickier flying with the added weight and with just a running start, but he made the roof of the next building, almost.

Fortunately he flipped when he crashed, so Da Bomma still ended up close to his target. He had gotten upright and crawled over to the trapdoor when a rappelling hook clattered over the rampart. Da Bomma risked a quick look over the edge and found himself face to face with one of those Navy gits. Da Bomma didn’t ask why the git was climbing roofs, Bomma just cut the rope and ran toward the far edge of the building’s roof. He heard the git land then Da Bomma was sailing over the edge trying to get some altitude with his wings. Shoulda spiked the git, thought Da Bomma has he glided toward the next warehouse.

Post Battle
The game ended as a draw by store closing.

Da ‘Ard Knokkas gained 3 treasures and lots of underdog experience. Lak'n Gunz was captured by the buccaneers, but ransomed back for 3 great coats.

Quote :

Ard Knokkas
Black Orc Warband after Turn 5

HEROES
Ard 'Ead Knoka, Black Orc Boss
M4 WS5 BS5 S4 T4 W1 I4 A 1 Ld9
Equipment: sword, dagger, choppa, helmet, crossbow, light armour, charm
SKILLS: Oi behave!, Black Orc, Loot the Dead

Lak'n Gunz,Young Un
M4 WS3 BS2 S3 T4 W1 I2 A1 Ld6
Equipment: sword, axe, dagger, lucky charm
SKILLS: Ard Ead, 'Eadbasher

Haz'nok, Black Orc
M4 WS4 BS3 S4 T5 W2 I3 A2 Ld8
Equipment: sword, dagger, crossbow, helmet, lucky Charm
SKILLS: Black Orc, Quick Shot

Byn Chukkn, Young Blood
M4 WS2 BS2 S3 T5 W1 I3 A1 Ld7
Equipment: sword x2, dagger, Lucky Charm
SKILLS: Step Aside, Expert Swordsman, STI, 'Ard Ead INJURY: Horrible Scars

Stankn' Git, Shoota boy LGT
M4 WS3 BS4 S3 T4 W1 I3 A1 Ld 6
Equipment: sword, dagger, bow, crossbow. Lucky Charm
SKILLS: Quick Shot, Nimble, Trick Shot, Sprint

Fut Slogga, Boyz LGT
M4 WS3 BS4 S4 T4 W2 I2 A3 Ld6
Equipment: axe, dagger, bow
SKILLS: Resilent

HENCHMAN
Nuttaz
M4 WS4 BS2 S3 T4 W1 I2 A1/2 Ld5
Equipment: axe, dagger

Boyz
M4 WS3 BS3 S4 T4 W1 I3 A2 Ld6
Equipment: sword, dagger

Boyz
M4 WS3 BS4 S4 T4 W1 I2 A1 Ld6
Equipment: sword, dagger, bow

Boyz
M4 WS3 BS3 S4 T3 W1 I2 A1 Ld6
Equipment: sword, axe, dagger

HIRED SWORD
Bomma, Doom Diver
M4 WS2 BS3 S4 T3 W1 I3 A1 Ld5
Equipment: head spike, dagger x2, leather wings, hook & rope
SKILL: Catapult Crafter

Simonson, Warlock
M4 WS3 BS2 S3 T4 W1 I4 A1 Ld8
Equipment: Staff
SKILLS: Luck of Shemtek, Sword of Rezhebel

RATING:
245

STORED ITEMS:
GC: 28
buckler x2, dagger, pistol (uses misfire rules),

The Reiklanders only gained 1 treasure. No casualties are reported.

The Buccaneers gained 3 treasures and Captain "Claret" George Baldwyn captured the notorious Lak’n Gunz , which yielded a ransom of great coats. One swabbie, a former Marienburger, was killed.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

End of Turn 5 Campaign Points:

Arabyans: 24 Lure of Fortune
Ard Knokkas: 12 Scourge of the Seas
Castaways: 19 Lure of Fortune
Clan Eshin: 13 Silent Threat
Penny Pinchers (Marienburgers): 24 Monarch of the Seas
Reiklanders: 16 Monarch of the Seas
Sea Gitz (Da Mob): 20 Scourge of the Seas

Turn 6
Many Island temples are encountered, but first some local fauna...

The Ghost and the Darkness
A tale of greed and hunger



The big cat growled deep in its chest. There were two-legs in front of it and others behind. There were many of them. The two-legs carried fire. The cat was trapped. It paced along the closest line of advancing two-legs. The cat stayed out of sight in the deep jungle. It judged each of its tormentors. It found the weakest. This one was young, but it was not strong. It was slow. It was afraid.

The crew knew the young man as Oliver. He was new to the service of Captain Rothberger’s Penny Pinchers but already he had discovered that the company’s name was literal. His boots were too tight and they leaked. His sword was a cheap trade item that he hoped to improve on by looting the dead. The blunderbuss he carried was equally utilitarian. Oliver hoped not to have to fire it.

So far he could see no enemies in this dense jungle but he knew they were out there. Oliver was not sure if he and his comrades faced men or orcs. He had heard war cries that sounded like men, but one of the archers had claimed to have “hit the big green bastard.” Oliver had seen a large body lying in the trail before he had ducked into cover to avoid the arrows that seemed to seek him personally. The skin was green, it looked like an orc. Oliver saw an orc pirate hanged in Port Sigmar once, so he knew an orc when he saw one.

Boom!
There were screams to Oliver’s right. He couldn’t see anything, but he felt unfriendly eyes seeking him. Oliver burrowed deeper into the jungle. He could feel bugs crawling on his body. He hoped his blunderbuss would fire. Oliver checked the match. Even thought the day was clear, everything in the junge was wet. His feet felt raw in the tight new leather boots. The sensation of being watched had increased. A blunderbuss had fired over there; had to be the enemy. The other blunderbuss in the company was to his left; at least Hans had been a minute ago, before the arrows. Some one was still screaming on the right.

Boom!
Another shot to his left and in front. More screams. Maybe that was Hans taking it to the enemy. Something moved behind Oliver. He looked around frantically. Something was there. He couldn’t see anything but something was there. He checked his slow match again and loosened the sword in its scabbard. Oliver began to crawl to his left. He didn’t dare shout to locate his comrades, but he could try to move toward them. He eased past the trunk of a huge vine covered tree. Something grabbed him from behind!

“There you are, skulker!” Captain Rothberger spun Oliver to face him. “Hiding out eh? I’ll deal with that later. Now I need your weapon on the right flank. Forward you coward!”

The Captain pushed Oliver away from him. Oliver stumbled on a root. He tried to think of something to say. The Captain was not alone. Kliene Joseph, the standard bearer, was there too. Both men were ignoring Oliver. They advanced toward the screams on the right flank. Now that he could see his officers, Oliver could hear others moving through the jungle as well. He was back with his company. He would show them he was no coward. Oliver rushed forward.

Oliver had only taken a few steps when an ear splitting roar froze him in his tracks. A huge spotted or striped, fanged something was hurtling at Oliver from the jungle. Oliver swung his blunderbuss, but he was too slow. The huge body hit him; claws and fangs tore into him. Oliver knew no more.

Captain Rothberger stared in horror. The monstrous feline had demolished the man. It glared at the other men. It seemed to stare into Rothberger’s eyes for a moment. Rothberger felt that he was be next on the menu. Then the cat started to drag the gunner off. The Captain saw that the gunner’s blunderbuss was still attached to the man’s body by a leather strap. Not only was the cat stealing a valuable recruit, it was taking the man’s weapons as well. Those were expensive!

“Stop that tiger!”


Post Battle
The Ghost cut through the men who tried to block its path. The Arabyans pressed their attack on the Marienburger’s right and broke the assault on the left. With mounting casualties the Marienburgers fled. Oliver and his equipment are taken by the Ghost never to be seen again. The rest of the casualties recover from their injuries.
Penny Pinchers--1 CP

The Arabyans had lost Geehaid and Almah the Merchant to missile fire. Both recovered. The Darkness never pounced. Despite the presence of the sabre-tooths the island is well stocked with game and fruit. The Arabyans leave well provisioned (count as 2 sizes smaller when they next sell treasure.)
Arabyan Smugglers--2 CP

The Bridge of Doom II
Another summer blockbuster sequel about bridges and doom

Like most tales that are about skaven this ones kinda hard to pin down. Them Reiklander fellas might have been camped by this here bridge out in the jungle. Or they might have been looking to camp, or they might have been crazy to be out on such a night when their mothers raised them better. Long story short, there was a bridge so there was a river to flow under it.

For some reason these Navy lads were out on the water after dark, deep in a trackless jungle. Might have been patrolling, might have been searching for Lost Cities of Gold, might have been drunk, with them lads you just don't know. There was a river, there was a bridge over it. Nice sturdy, stone bridge like them old timey Dragon Folk made once upon a time. And then the skaven showed up. Don't know who raised the alarm first. There was a long boat on the water. There was pickets out on that bridge. Coulda been either, coulda been that elf thats been tracking for them Rieklanders. Somebody raised cane and them Navy boys stood to.

Now them boys couldn't see spit in the dark. Sling stones falling on them like hail. That nasty sorcerer them skaven run with blasting lads with magic fire. Still what broke them was those crazy Clan Eshin killers. Jumping on lads out of the dark, all poisoned blades and tiger claws and all. Them Riekland boys stood a lot, proud Empire men every one, but they up and run all the same.

Post Battle
The Rieklanders might have lost a man or two. Expedition that far out in the boonies who would know?
Reiklanders--1 CP

Clan Eshin won, that much everybody knows. If them skaven exist, which they might just.
Clan Eshin--2 CP
_________________________________________________________________________________________
The Island Temple II
The Penny Pinchers pay more blood for treasure

Captain Rothberger scanned the interior of the ancient Scaled One temple. Blasphemy was all around him. The huge half dragon, half man statues had been defaced by time and war. Strange symbols were carved into the original stonework. The priest chanted prayers of purity and warding. His men clutched their amulets and added prayers to personal gods. Rothberger put his faith in his sword.

Rothberger was pleased for all the strangeness of his surroundings, though these huge flies were a nuisance. Flies were everywhere on this strange island. His men had found the treasure room and eluded the guardian traps. All they had to do was retrace their steps to the jetty.

“What do you here?” A voice queried from the shadows at the far end of the room in Riekspiel. “Ach! What is that?”

Rothberger stared with disbelief as a file of Rieklanders marched into the room as though they were on the parade ground at Altdorf. There was an ominous click as one of the fools triggered a trap. The very atmosphere of the room seemed to change. The Rieklanders cried out with shock as the trap sprung. But Rothberger didn’t hear them. He heard high, gibbering laughter from the jetty, behind him.

Captain Rothberger spun about. One of the men who had been carrying the chest was down in a pool of his own blood. The other was fighting for his life against a strange capering being that seemed to be joyously deteriorating before the horrified eyes of the landing party. The thing was a nightmare of decay and putrescence. The flies seemed drawn to it, there was a virtual cloud of them around the creature.

“Abomination!” screamed the priest.

The temple was a scene of chaos. The Rieklanders had recovered from the surprise of the trap. They fell upon the Marienburger crew with a vengeance. Rothberger and his men met their human foes with steel as the priest battled the supernatural guardian of the temple. In the lagoon surrounding the temple a small naval skirmish erupted as jolly boats from both Empire ships fought their rivals.


Post Battle
The Rieklanders fled from the wrath of the Marienburgers.
Rieklanders--1 CP

The Penny Pinchers

Quote :

Heilman II, Jamie Hunter and Oliver III died. Obviously Oliver is a cursed name!
I found 15gc. and a 'skaven only' Vile of Pestilins. 

Penny Pinchers--2 CP

The Haunted Wreck
A night of blood and terror



Rais Al Kuds searched the darkened lagoon for signs of the wreck. The night was slightly overcast but the pale moons overhead gave sufficient light to row by. The Geehaid's huge body rode in the prow of the center boat. The orc's inhuman eyes saw more than the Arabyans could in the gloom.

"Ta starb'ard!" Geehaid cautioned. "Dere be somefing rowin' out from da big isle."

The crew muttered among themselves at this news. This wreck had a fell reputation, the crew were uneasy to learn that something else stirred on the waters of this cursed lagoon.

The crew fell silent as they passed the fatal island. The bare mast of the wreck could be seen rising above the few palms that grew on the rocky patch of land. Suddenly the shape of another jolly boat seemed to materialize out of the night. Red beady eyes reflected the moonlight. Angry chitters and squeaks sounded in a chorus from the approaching boat.

"Rat-devils!" cried Atebeg. "Slay them!"

BOOM!
The swivel gun opened up from the far boat. The rest of the Arbyans showered the enemy with arrows.

"Close with them quickly!" ordered Rais Al Kuds.

Zzapp!
A flash of magical fire lit the night. The crew of the center boat took a direct hit. Flaming bodies fell into the lagoon. Screams rose from the men left onboard. The Arabyan flotilla lost its formation. Only the Rais' boat could reach the enemy. Akbar attempted to leap into the skaven craft but misjudged the distance and fell into the lagoon. War cries, screams and squeals rang over the waters of the lagoon as the skaven craft fought the Rais' boat.

Men fought mutants over the gunwales of small boats. Bodies pitched into the lagoon. A ships bell began to toll from the wreck. The combatants paid this development scant heed. The two unengaged Arabyan craft attacked the skaven boat. The skaven were outnumbered by at least two to one, but the sorcerer invoked Warpfire one more time. Al Bobo took the brunt of the blast. He and two of the crew of the third Arabyan boat fell before the sorcerous blast.

Rais Al Kuds abandonded the fight.

The Arabyans lost one janissary killed. In the flight from the cursed lagoon they encountered castaways. One of the grateful survivors of a shipwreck joined the crew.
The Faithful--1 CP

Clan Eshin suffered grievious casualties during their encounter with the Arabyans and the undead guardians of the wreck. Most survive. The Skaven gain much wealth from the wreck.
Clan Eshin--2CP

The Island Temple III
The Sea Gitz Return

The goblin known as Gooba sat in a leaky jolly boat. He and his lads were rowing hard trying to keep up with their squigs. To think that he, Gooba of the Red Toofs, should come to this! A squig herder! What would his old paps say iffen he could see this? Big Chief Gooba who led the Red Toofs to greatness looking at his git herding squigs! It was embarrassing, it was. Gooba swatted one of the fat flies that swarmed the boat. Gooba knew what the flies meant. They all did this time around. Da Boss was taking another run at that duppy rock hut on the lagoon. Old Borgut must figure there be more shinies there. Gooba knew what was there for sure. One of those Nurgle fingies was waiting there, that was sure!

Gooba and the lads had barely survived the last run at the place, not that anyone cared. Traps and flies and duppy Nurgly gits with pointy fings was a goblin’s lot in this outfit. Gooba had tried to get the lads to sneak off a couple times now, but they was thick as rocks his lads. Salt o’ the earth they was, but right thick. Gooba’s stroke was off. His oar caught the oar of the lad behind him.

“’Ere, wot ye! Zoggin’ uppity git, ye row like a snot!” shouted the lad.

“Ise show ye snot!” snarled Gooba. Before the git could react Gooba slashed the blade of his oar into the lad’s spindly throat. Git started to choke and Gooba hit him again. Knocked the git right out of the boat. Sorted that.

“I fink ye done for Gob an all,” said the other git. The git was looking at the unbroken surface of the lagoon. No sign of Gob, that was sure. Gooba tried to remember what the git that was left was called. Gooba had known them both since they was all runts. Couldn’t remember the git’s name, Wassis Sumfing, salt o’ da earth. Gooba swatted another fly.

“Close it up there!” an orc voice broke Gooba’s revery. “Wot ye grots up to then?”

Gooba looked for the squigs. One of them was floating kinda funny. Had arrows sticking out of him, he did. Likely come from those humies and such over yonder. The squig sunk out of sight. Just ducky this was, Nurgly gits and humies. They was lots of humies. Tree boats full of them if there was one. They was an ogre and at least one orc over there as well. All them humies was shouting and shooting arrows and guns and Boom! Gooba was happy to be rowing toward the duppy stone hut all of a sudden. A squig clambered out of the water on to the duppy stone hut. Gooba watched real close to see how that duppy Nurgly fing would get it. Gooba was watching but all of sudden there was the Nurgly beast and there was a dead squig. Duppy, that was!

“Ye done fer Gob!”

Gooba felt a knife slash his right shoulder. Hurt like a zoggin’ troll bite, it did.

“Gob an’ ye, Wassisface!” Gooba shouted as he twisted around to bash the other git with his oar. Caught the git flush in the face. All of sudden Gooba was alone in the boat. It was harder rowing by himself. Gooba kept the duppy hut between him and the humie boats. All around him orc boats were rowing about. Orcs was shooting at humies, the troll roaring all the while. All Gooba had to do was row a bit and prod squigs up out of the water.

“Ise get ye, ye uppity gobbo!” Gooba heard the orc shout just as the crossbow bolt hit him, knocked Gooba right out of the boat, too. Gooba splashed around in the water, shocked at th sudden attack from behind. Wassisface and his knife, Gooba could understand, but that orc could have shot a humie! Gooba was on his side.

Gooba felt around. Didn’t feel nothing more threatening than the little gash on his shoulder. Musta hit the boat first or something. This was some scrap! Gooba had been shot, stabbed and killed a couple gits and he hadn’t even got near the humies yet.

Post Battle
The Buccaneers gave up trying to hurt the orc heroes and fled. Gooba joins the Buccaneers. The Buccaneer’s long-suffering orc swab deserts to join the Sea Gitz.

Quote :

Gooba, da little boss, defected to some humans and Da Long Reacha dies in battle as well as one of Gooba's ladz (the other lad didn't die after all despite Gooba's best effort).

Borgut Facebeata did find a nice Chameleon Skink Skin (a Minor Artifact) after beating the humans and their crap ton of hired swords up.

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Campaign Points End of Turn 6:

Arabyans: 27 Lure of Fortune
Ard Knokkas: 12 Scourge of the Seas
Buccaneers: 20 Lure of Fortune
Clan Eshin: 17 Silent Threat
Penny Pinchers (Marienburgers): 27 Monarch of the Seas
Reiklanders: 18 Monarch of the Seas
Sea Gitz (Da Mob): 22 Scourge of the Seas

Turn 7—Further adventures in the ports of the Karibbean

The Pressgang II


The Reiklanders and ‘Ard Knockas make a daylight raid on the Blow Hole
A fictitious version of events by Von Kurst with illustration by Playtable


’Ard ‘Ead Knokka looked around the crowded Torktugan square.

There were lots of lubbers to choose from, the fleet was in and the party was going in earnest.

‘Ard ‘Ead turned to da Bomma, “Dat fella ovva dere, Bomma, go git ‘im!”

“Chocks away!” screamed da Bomma as he was shot into the sky.

‘Ard ‘Ead watched the git fly for a moment, and then kicked the rest of the ladz forward.

Da Bomma swoops toward an unsuspecting drunk.
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More orcs head for the Blow Hole.

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The Rieklanders approach from the west.
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Da ‘Ard Knokkas deal out some ‘ard knocking!

The orcs encounter mainly ‘angry drunks’.

Could be the approach they are using: “Ye! Aye ye, laddie, take da shillin’ or Ise gut ye!”

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Rieklanders close on the Blow Hole.

The men from Riekland find many recruits eager to take the ‘Emperor’s Shilling’.
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The ‘Ard Knokkas scrappin’ with drunks.

(No idea what da Bomma is up to, git might have crashed.)

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The Navy confronts orcs near the bow of the Blow Hole.
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The rival pressgangs skirmish over turf and a diminishing supply of drunks.

A Rieklander swordsman confronts the young ‘un, Lak'n Gunz.

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Lak’n Gunz is rubbed out!

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More pressure on the ‘Ard Knokkas from the Navy lads, an archer is down.
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Post Battle

The Rieklanders and the ‘Ard Knokkas resolved the dispute by the time honored tradition of our group: Despite taking the most casualties the ‘Ard Knokkas were declared the winner by virtue of capturing the most surviving drunks.

The Rieklanders report one drunk killed out of 4 captured. The survivors net the Navy a profit when their bounty is paid.
Rieklanders—1 CP

Da ‘Ard Knokkas report Lak’n Gunz ‘kilt daid’. A new lad is hired to replace the ‘daid git’. One squishy humie also dies out of the 5 the ladz duffed up. Another orc may or may not have been killed, but that is not news.
‘Ard Knokkas—2 CP

Ambush


The Penny Pinchers suffer a dastardly attack by the Arabyans and Clan Eshin on the darkened, rain swept streets of Torktuga’s harbor.

Fabrication of events by Von Kurst with ample illustration of the facts by Playtable

Captain Rothberger would always remember that night. The rain came down in buckets.

Ensign Little Joe could hardly walk, what with his peg leg and the treacherous footing of the filthy streets of the pirate town.

The Captain had just collected the ‘Emperor’s Due’ from the proprietor of Lenge’s Dry Goods. He had divided the proceeds (for security reasons) with his officers and non-coms, (two shares for himself and one for each of the others).

A crossbow bolt clattered on the floor of the drenched roof.

“Sniper!” someone shouted. “Traitor!” someone else shoved Lenge hard.

The man fell over the low parapet.

“Foes in the night! Beware!” The late night crowds took up the calls of alarm.

Soon the streets were empty of all but the quick and the dead.


The men of the Penny Pinchers trapped on the roof of Lenge’s. The stealthy orc who fired the crossbow bolt can be seen on the right. Due to their poor night vision the humans could not see the orc.

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Clan Eshin creeps toward one of the Marienburger sentries hiding in the merchant’s stall.

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More Skaven stalk the Marienburgers.

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Big Hoss (don’t ask) draws the Arabyans out of hiding.

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Big Hoss attacked by Atebeg, Tariq and Fisal as he walks down the street.

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Mad (hates everyone) Adam takes on Al Bobo and the remaining janissaries on Lenge’s porch.

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Little Joe charges to avenge Big Hoss.

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Clan Eshin mobs another isolated Marienburger.

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The view from the harbor.

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Crossbow bolts and clumsiness break up the Arabyan attack.

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Little Joe hangs on. Mad Atebeg and Crazy Akbar have him surrounded.

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The Man with No Name covers the street.(Tilean marksman)
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Skaven interrupt a duel between Al Bobo and Mad (more like angry) Adam.

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Adam was losing too!

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Post Battle
With most of their henchmen out of action the Penny Pinchers fled (back to the Ponderosa). A swordsman and a marksman were killed.
Penny Pinchers—1 CP

The Arabyans had several of the Penny Pinchers’ treasures. However, the skaven were at full strength and Atebeg and Akbar would have had to charge into them instead of flee off the board. Fisal died of his wounds. Both Almah and Ali (my merchants) were out of action at the end of the fight, so there was not much buying or selling. An ogre is hired to replace Fisal.
Arabyans—1 CP

Clan Eshin suffered no casualties while picking off the Marienburg speed bumps one by one. They collected all of the abandoned treasure. A Rat Ogre is hired.
Clan Eshin—2 CP

Another FINE report backed up by OH-SO-COOL photos. The Penny Pinchers would have fared better if Ben & Hop Sing had showed up...maybe.

Turn 7.5—Electric adventures in the ports of the Karibbean

Playtable suffered a fall on the 15th and was placed on injured reserve for the night. EvilTed was AWOL.

The Long Pier II
Da ‘Ard Knokkas woes continue

“Wots dere den?” ‘Ard ‘Ead Knokka squinted into the gloomy night. There was something big out there in the crowd. It was blocking the pier. The thing looked to be alive. ‘Ard ‘Ead was hoping it was a troll. ‘Ard ‘Ead had decided he needed a troll.

“Looks ratty,” Haz’nok observed. “Zoggin BIG and ratty.”

“Kill it den,” said ‘Ard ‘Ead as he boarded the jolly boat. “Row meez ta da Blow Hole ladz! Ize powerful thirsty!”

Haz’nok watched the boat pull away from the pier. It looked like there was a boat full of rat devils out there in the harbor waiting for the Boss. Haz’nok shrugged. It was the rats’ funeral; they try to stop the Boss from getting to the Blow Hole.

Haz turned to the waiting nuttas, “Ye heered da Kap’un! Rub dat fing out!”

Post Battle
The Black Orcs tried to row around the rat ogre blocking the pier, but one boat was captured and the other got its rudder shot off. The rat ogre bashed anything that came near. One of the boyz is killed along with a nutta. Newly hired Orrr’K suffers horrible scars after his encounter with fighting claws.
Da ‘Ard Knokkas—1 CP

Clan Eshin reports no casualties or anything else, secretive blokes, them Eshin.
Clan Eshin—2 CP
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Pressgang III
Depredations against the Blow Hole’s clientele continue

Clan Eshin
The Assassin known as the Silent Terror looked over the crowded street below. The hour was late but still the streets of the man-thing burrow-above-ground-stink thronged with drunken fools. It was good, Clan Skavvy would pay good warp-tokens for more slaves for their galleys, and the rat ogre was always hungry…

Da ‘Ard Knokkas
“Dis time don’t drive ye spike threw da git!” ‘Ard ‘Ead growled at the grinning Bomma. ”Da fleet ain’t payin’ fer no ded uns. Tap da git, gentle like, sos weez can cart ‘im off.”

“Aye, aye Boss!” chirped da Bomma. The little winged git hopped over to his catapult to fuss with the tie downs. ‘Ard ‘Ead scowled at the goblin’s back and ran his fingers along the edge of his choppa. Da git was incorrigible. Still it was fun to watch the loon land splat on some poor lubber. Lubbers never knew what hit ‘em!

Post Battle
Another nutta got kilt. The game was declared a draw.
Clan Eshin and Da ‘Ard Knokkas—1 CP each
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Warring Houses
Pirates clash with the Navy during a lightning storm

The Pathfinder
The man once known as Harkonson looked at the dark clouds above the town. He figured anyone could smell the ozone, but his Arabyan employers bustled around preparing for battle as though there was not a cloud in the sky. The taciturn scout spat over the parapet. The Rais’ coin was good, but the man had no sense, and the Rais’ superiors had even less. Showing the flag in Torktuga, like anyone cared who ruled this nest of thieves and vipers!

The scout looked around. None of the mates were nearby. A man wouldn’t want to attract the ire of those crazies. The Navy lads were stirring across the way and the smell of ozone was getting stronger. It was time to get inside, no point in standing around with a ‘shoot me’ sign on a day like this.

ZZZAPPP!


The scout felt the power of the gods run through him. He was staggered by the experience but frozen to the spot. He didn’t fall, but he had no energy to move. He tried to remember how to breathe.

ZZZAPPP!

The scout was still rooted to the spot Akbar had assigned him. His skin tingled and his hair had escaped its intricate braids to stand on end.

ZZZAPPP!

Though he was still alive the scout no longer felt blessed.

The Orc
Geehaid jumped as Gork’s Zap struck the building for the, the, well LOTS of times. Them Arabyan bosses had told him to guard this here door with his life, but they never said nothing about old Gork getting revenge for Gee’s lack of faith. Geehaid hoped this here ONE fella really was tougher than old Gork, cause Gork sure was pissed!

ZZZAPPP!

Zog it! Geehaid rushed away from the cursed humie hut. He could hear scrapping going on out there somewhere’s and both the One fella and Gork loved orcs what scrapped.

ZZZAPPP!

The scout looked down at the smoldering orc crumpled in the gateway. Only the scout’s eyes could move. His lungs sucked air. He felt strength returning to his legs. He prepared to lunge for the safety of the doorway.

ZZZAPPP!

Post Battle
The Rieklanders suffered horribly from Buccaneer shooting and an always strikes first mate with a halberd. They fled with nine or ten warriors out of action. Five henchmen are reported killed. A hero suffers Stupidity, bringing the Rieklanders total of stupid heroes briefly to 3. A swordsman is promoted and one of the madmen is invalided out.
Rieklanders—1 CP

The Arabyans’ Pathfinder is struck by lightning 6 times with no damage, just frozen to the spot. Geehaid is struck once and goes out of action. An ogre and a dark elf assassin are killed. The last pressed Rieklander deserts to join the Buccaneers.
Arabyans—1 CP

The Buccaneers may have lost a hired sword or two and they may not. One pirate comes within charge range of the unguarded Rieklander standard, but is struck by lightning twice.
Buccaneers—1 CP

The game ended in a store-closing draw between the Arabyans and the Buccaneers. The orcs and skaven first game was over before our first turn had completed.