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The night was half lit by the waxing moon of Mannslieb above. Everything about the area had just the subtle bleachness to its color. After that though it was more and more difficult to see things as Mannslieb was unable to pierce the shadows casted by the high walls of Castle Bastonne.

Behind the clouds was Morrslieb, waiting amongst the shadow of Mannslieb to surge forward and dominate the sky from its sibling. Many peasants would swear, even as they looked upon the crescent moon, that it looked to have been smiling at its brother from afar. It was simply waiting against its foster brother, a chance for it to leap forward and usurp the skies.

Its chance would come. The moon and those who worshiped its coming knew through prayer that the time of damnation and domination across the lands and tides was upon them. Perhaps, of the chance presented itself, the moon would try and usurp the sun which shined in the day. In doing so it would gain absolute dominion over the Old World.

The guards within Castle Bastonne did not worry themselves with such divine machinations. Their eyes focused instead on the here and now instead of some omens that few mad prophets of the seeing god claim to witness. Their eyes were somewhat tired, even though the time for sleep has yet to come their bodies threatened to abandon their wills. To sleep under the early night of onsetting winter.

They did not though. Instead they stood guard over their ward, Duke Guion, for he saw one last soul fit for his attention. Many of those guards disagreed, seeing the man standing before them as nothing more than a pest upon these blessed steps of Castle Bastonne. No peasant was allowed to even look upon these blessed walls after all, let alone walking inside what was once the home of Gilles the Uniter!

Others disagree, for the one who stood within this hall was the Slayer of an Ork Warlord. Those who had witnessed the maelstrom of violence that a man blessed by the God of the Dead could exact upon all living creatures.

Such was the divide at court. Unlike places like the Empire, in Bretonnia every Nobleman in a sense had power behind their words. If they believed it to be so they would place their blades behind it, by which they create real power.

So even the Guards, as long as they were a Knight, could sway the opinion of a Duke by declaring it as such. The Duke knew this and yet he still opened his court to the Black Knight.

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“Lucian the Durand.” Duke Guion announced the Knight of the Black Knight as the warrior kneeled before the golden throne of a Bretonnian Duke. The light of Mannslieb slowly inked through the windows as the man lounged within his mighty throne still encased in armor, “You have come to my court at a troubling time. Just a few weeks ago the Royarch has been slain and the Damsels tell me that the worst winter in decades are coming. From what I have heard, you have come across an issue that requires my immediate attention.”

“I do my Lord!” Lucian bellowed as he kept his face adverted from the man’s throne, “I need to notify you of issues up and coming, as well as questions to help in an investigation. The authority I come here is not of just a Knight’s Errant, but as a Priest of Morr!”

The Knight heard the long sigh of the King who was obviously tired of all the issues coming these days, “Rise, Lucian, and speak your case, for you carry my respect.”

“Thank you, Lord!” Lucian did as he was told and rose with a small stumble. He wanted to stretch out his legs a little after having them underneath him for so long, “The Knight, my Benefactor who made me what I am today, had wielded a sword of power against me in my duel for the Grail Knight Osmond. We the Priests of Morr have realized, in the haste to travel to battle, that his sword has been lost.”

“An enchanted sword has been lost?” Lucian had seen the Duke move subtly in his chair as those words were spoken, “If you claim as such, then that would mean the Damsel Albera the Golden failed to find it. Do you so willingly slander her name?”

Lucian felt his heart skip at such an accusation though he was quick to point at the rament tied to his arm, “This, this is hers my Lord. She has given me a Lady’s Blessing for my quest. I would never dare slander her name but instead suggest that the weapon might be one of fiendish intent. If the worst is upon us, my Lord, then it might be that the weapon has a mind of its own.”

“A weapon that possesses a mind… I have heard of such things in the tales of Grail Knights as well as those damned by such weapons.” The Duke admitted as he stroked his chin, “I thank you for informing me of the situation Lucian, but in truth I cannot provide you the same labor as last time. As you have witnessed, my Realm is threatening to fall upon itself for I lack manpower.”

The Knight gave a hesitant nod to those words as to not damn himself further.

“I can however give you something other than that, if you think that would be useful. I personally did not oversee the cleaning of the ritual site and neither did any of my Court, for we had to face the Orks in full numbers.” The Duke explained.

>The name of the one who ordered the clean up
>A Certificate of Authenticity, for travel with Lizard People
>Warrant of Authority equal to an Inquisitor

>>5813632
>Warrant of Authority equal to an Inquisitor
It basically gives us the power to do the other two options.

>>5813632
>>Warrant of Authority equal to an Inquisitor
BRUH

>>5813632
>>Warrant of Authority equal to an Inquisitor
Nice
Unofficial pastebin
https://pastebin.com/Q2QQ4CQE

>>5813632
>definitely will help us deal with any chaos tainted nobles too.
>Warrant of Authority equal to an Inquisitor

Thanks for continuing your quest. Has been a blast.

>>5813632
Is the warrant of authority only valid in Bastonne and where the Duke's allies exist? Still best option, but this is now proving we need to fact check lots.
>Warrant of Authority equal to an Inquisitor

>Inform the Duke that we have sanctioned the Baron. The barony now falls to his next of kin.

>>5813632
>Support >>5814133

it would be best for him to know.

>>5813632
>support >>5814133

>>5813632
>>5814133
Backing. Especially as there is a very real chance his heir becomes a questing knight for a while instead.

>>5814133
Yeah I guess we can inform the Duke about Baron Budapest being defeated and a vulture.

>>5813632
>>Warrant of Authority equal to an Inquisitor

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Lucian thought about it. The two of them had discussed this matter between one another for they knew that the Duke was lacking in manpower. A lot of his Knights after all died in the frist engagement against the Orkish threat and a great many more are licking their wounds from the incursion.

It was to Lucian’s Luck that the Duke was willing to give a boon. He thanked both the Lady and Morr, for surely a god’s intervention was placed upon this occasion.

“My Lord, I have had a discussion with my fellow Wendel Wolfmar. He is a Priest that originates from the Empire, and has told me of a practice that could be use in my investigation.” Lucian told the Duke, “They used Inquisitors, men whose authority was unquestioned when it came to rooting out heresy in their lands. In search for this relic, I will need such authority.”

“I have heard of Inquisitors. I have even dealt with a few of their number when they came across the Grey Mountains in search of their prey.” The Duke said as he strummed his hands on the golden throne, “While I can see the need for such power you know I cannot so quickly give it to someone not of my Court, let alone a Knight Errant.”

There was a small stirring telling Lucian that he already lost his chance. He had to remind himself that this was not the case and reached into his mind to remember the etiquette lessons that Remon had drilled into him. After all beyond being able to live by the blade a Knight needed to make sure they did not die at court.

In a sense Lucian could already count the times he risked such a death. Many of them involve the Prince Gillot of all peoples. Here he needed to be careful about the words he used for that was how problems like those happened.

“I come not as a Knight Errant, but a Priest of Morr.” Lucian said as he gave a firm bow, “Does the Temple of Morr not work with you already on these matters? If there is a Baron just like the one who I slayed holding the blade in his care, then surely they are seeking to betray the living for harboring such an item.”

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The Duke thought to himself silently, long enough that Lucian had noticed the candles which were lit across the room becoming slightly dimmer thanks to long use. He stroke a beard that ran down his chin before waving a hand towards one of the Knights at the side.

There the two had a conversation that Lucian could not hear. To what kind of authority this man had the pitiful Knight Errant sadly did not know. What he did know was that he was at least a Knight of the Realm. The Plume and adornments that covered his body were so immaculate that he must have been a close soul to the Duke.

It could be an advisor or perhaps a Monarchsword who the Duke was very close to. What mattered was that they were discussing the fate of Lucian’s proposal between in a hush tone that the Knight could not hear. Because of this it was obvious he should stay silent until they finished the hidden conversation.

When they were finished the Duke turned towards the Peasant Knight, “I will give you this authority, Lucian, but know that you will answer for any actions that would sully my honor by granting this to you. It also does not give you the right to call upon my Knights, this respect only means that if a Knight does not wish to fall afoul of my Court he shall bend over backwards for all requests you make.”

“I would be most grateful for that, my Lord!” Lucian declared earnestly and with such gusto that he hoped it would reach the Duke.

“As you should be.” The Duke said as he waved his hand, “I should make the matter clear that you should not use this Authority against your foe, Prince Gillot. Word is that he is following the same trail that you are.”

“Words travel fast it seems.” Lucian murmured to himself as he realized his rival would be closing in.

“Go forth and find that blade. When you do take it as far from Bastonne as your steed shall carry you.” Declared the Duke as he gestured towards the doors with a flick of his hand, “If you come across another fool, I ask that you inform me of your dealings before the blade is driven into him.”

With those words Lucian turned from the Duke and made his way out. He caught the meaning of those words, that the Duke was well aware of his deeds that had happened a few days ago. If this was a sign of his condonment, the Knight did not truly know.

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Waiting outside the courtroom was Adok, the dwarf having a grin on his face as he saw his fellow come through, “Sounds like it was a success.”

“As much as we can get.” The Knight said as he gave a matter of fact nod to the Dwarf.

“Does mean we are a little lost.” Adok pointed out with a small chuckle, “All we know is that someone picked up the weapon at some point. I’ve never heard of a weapon being able to stand up on hind legs and run away.”

“It is a weapon of Chaos, does that change anything?”

“If they actually wanted it to be a weapon it shouldn’t. Never really heard of Chaos Warriors whose swords can stand up like that.” The Dwarf pointed out, “Now rune weapons are a little different. A weapon can affect the brain but making them into fools is not a good thing.”

“So… this rune was suppose to affect my mind?” Lucian asked as he pointed to the rune that sat over his chest.

“Yup, that's the case.”

“Oh, well, uh, I wish I knew that.” Lucian admitted as he scratched his chin.

“I thought I told you.” The Dwarf admitted as he scratched his beard, “Well nothing we can do right now. Just march onwards and see what we get eh?”

“Yes, the investigation. We should probably figure out where to start.” Lucian said as they went to the Temple of Morr to finally rest in a bed.

>Scene of the Crime
>City Leaders
>Scum of Society

>>5814958
>Scum of Society

>>5814958
>>Scum of Society

>>5814958
>Scene of the Crime

>>5814958
>>Scum of Society

>>5814958
>>Scum of Society

Sadly I will not be able to update tonight. I ran across the state for my job and someone fillibustered my departure from said location.

>>5814958
>>Scum of Society

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The hidden eyes of the people were all upon Lucian as he walked across the dirt roads that threatened to fill his armor with bits of mud. He was able to keep his footing just fine across the slurry of merck and dirt but it had already made its way up to the Knight’s knees with the amount present.

Adok was not fairing much better for like Lucian he was stuck fighting the mud. The fellow, being as short as he was, was constantly fighting the stuff that was clinging to his legs and which threatened to get into his beard. Most of the times the runesmith resorted to swipes of the hand and stopped every few steps to check his mighty facial hair.

“Agh! May the book hear of my troubles encountered here today!” Bellowed the Dwarf as he gave a cursory glance to Lucian, “You Umgi need to keep your cities cleaner!”

“Indeed they do.” Lucian said as he remembered having to make numerous pits or piles outside of his family’s homestead to take care of these things. He glanced around again with an inquisitive eye, “Things have changed though, not many people outside.”

“Heh, you’re right.” Adok said as he glanced around the area.

These were the same streets that two had taken to meet the peasant girl, who eventually led them to the garden which the ritual took place. He was a forigner to these places, always had been, but he knew that such a situation was very unusual for he had seen the state otherwise.

Instead the people who looked at him were hiding.

“Could be we are scaring them off?” Adok presented with a small shaking of the head, “The difference after all is you and your armor.”

“I… can see that.” The Knight admitted as he shook his head, “But I cannot accept anything else. The weapon we search can easily kill either of us if we are not wearing the armor. If its as foul as Wolfmar thinks it is then its not up to the peasant if they want to fight me upclose.”

“Didn’t that Knight fight you head on though?” The Dwarf pointed out as they stopped halfway in the street.

“He did, but you never know if he was being told to simply cut me down.” Lucian said as he felt a small retching of the heart, “The dead are not simply puppetted, but pulled from the realm of death to fight for the Necromancer. Even the skeletons of the barest bones are still the people who used to inhabit them.”

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The door to the tavern was opened quickly as Lucian walked into the room with the full armor of a Black Knight. Before entering the place Lucian had not heard a single word yet the place was filled with men and women of all kinds. They had known he was approaching this hole in the wall and were simply acting like scared animals upon his approach.

They hoped that if they did not move, did not make a sound, that the attention of a Knight would not be drawn upon them. Even the idea of everyone ganging upon Lucian was far from their thoughts, for they would all be killed in the whirlwind of violance.

Such was the strength of a Knight against Peasants and the reason the order of Nobility was held so easily. No Peasant could go against those blessed by the Lady of the Lake and their bloodlines.

The situation was cemented when Adok walked in behind the Black Knight. Clearly he was annoyed at the situation they were all in. The words the Dwarf said earlier about wanting to get a drink while they were out resounded within the ears of Lucian.

They might not be able to get that beer.

“Tavern Keeper!” Adok announced as he walked up to the bar and slammed it with a pair of silver coins in his hands, “Three beers, I’m parch!”

It was like a spell being broken, the words of the Dwarf que for everyone to know that at the very least their deaths were not near. It started with one whisper, then as the dwarf downed a beer conversation and hesitant laughter finally broke.

The dwarf placed the drink on the bar, the bartender quickly coming over to pick up the glass from the alcoholic creature. The dwarf glanced at his fellow who was now standing behind him, “Think this is as good a place as any to start the investigation?”

“It will have to do.” Lucian admitted as he took a glance.

>Talk to the bartender
>A group of worker peasants
>One of the wenches
>The older man in the corner

>>Write in the starter questions you want asked.

>>5816897
>Talk to the bartender
>Ask about rumors surrounding the massacre of the priests and the aftermath.
>If they heard of anyone having a shiny new sword

>>5816897
>stand tall and t pose and face everyone
>you know who I am and i bring death and ruin to those who keep a sword stolen and possibly cursed. Bring me the sword so I may go on and bring retribution on the accursed necromancer

>>5816897
>>Talk to the bartender
>Of his clients, did he see anyone acting stranger ? Strange like a man that lost
someone, like night and day.
>There is any voice in town about new or old leaders of bands of ruffians and cutthroaths, arriving or returning for taking over their bands and killing their foes ?
>Did anyone decide to abandon their work and try something new lately ? Say like a son of a craftsman.
>Lastly did he .... ever felt a chill with some of the people he served drinks and food ? Could you describe them to me ? Wtih discretion of course.
Leave some additional coins for the info. If provided.

>>5816897
>One of the wenches
How much?

>>5816897
>The older man in the corner

I wanted to talk with the workers because I feel that Lucian should relate to them since he was one of them. But… I’m a sucker for these dangling plot threads.

Ask him if he has lived in the town for a while, and assuming he has, asked if he has noticed changes in the town since we were last here. E.g is there a shadow over the town affecting the people or not, does he know of any rumours of strange occult activity or a new cult/gang that has recently risen to power. If he is a traveller then just find out what he is up to and pull on the plot thread.

>>5816897
>>Talk to the bartender


>>5817076
Only if the followup is to give a bit more with "there, you won your night. Go home and pray."

>>5816906
>Talk to the bartender

Hmmm if I recall, peasants would not openly carry swords unless it was the rustiest tetanus inducing blade conjured by hell itself, given by a lord to a trusted peasant. So anyone with a sword would certainly stand out. The presumed mind within the blade is also smart or subtle enough to hide from a Damsel. Not to mention this fellow would have had the blade for 6 months or a year since the fight with the undead knight and necromancers? That would be a considerable amount of time for a man with a subtly dangerous magic sword to develop.

Very simple. We are looking for a man who within the last year favors the dark, large cloaks, and dark brooding corners. A sudden gain in fortunes, skill, and swagger. A man with back-alley prominence.

Though if it could be any one that accepted it could even be a youth who needed the coin and took up the job of cleaning the grave battle site. Someone the sword could mold influence more easily. Living in the sewers against creatures the blade could easily whet its hunger against without drawing suspicion.

Bartender
>>5816906
>>5816959
>>5817223
>>5817608

LOL
>>5816949

Wench
>>5817076

The old man
>>5817133

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In truth Lucian did not know where to start when it came to the investigation. Sure the group of workers might have been a good bet but he was second guessing himself now. His ire turned towards the man who was in the corner, minding his own business while sipping from a tanker that a tavern maid had placed in front of him.

Both of these might be equally as good as the workers. One of them was a worker who had probably seen much more than any of the other people within this tavern while the old man knew this place like it was the back of his hand. If either of them had noticed something was off then maybe they would be good choices.

Good ideas, but Lucian could not decide. Too many decisions and he did not want to risk failing at any of these. So when he saw the bartender give his friend another drink a small spark of realization came upon him.

With a movement too swift for a normal peasant to perform, Lucian got himself a seat at the bear, “Do you have any wines in stock?”

He froze for a moment, the obviousness of his fear shown in his eyes. The man was far from fit for the role as a caretaker. He had a rough beard that was as patchy as his apparent health on display. His eyes were drawn into his face just a tad too much like he was experiencing the late term of rigor mortis upon his body. That said though, Lucian knew the man lived for his breat raised and lowered itself just as any normal man would.

Sure, he could just be a vampire, but Lucian remembered back to Von Carstein. That devil would not have accepted becoming a bartender even if it was to keep their cover. Indeed Lucian would more readily believe that she killed the servant that suggested such an idea to her.

With those thoughts assuring his mind Lucian spoke his order, “Do you have any wine?”

“Uh, my apologies, mi lord!” He stammered out as quickly as fear would allow it, “I… don’t have enough money for wine. I only have mead.”

“Then a glass of mead works for me.” Lucian said as all the fear written in the face of the bartender nearly vanished. All it took was showing a little humility, Lucian noted, but he spoke the truth. He just preferred wine since it reminded him of home.

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Lucian could taste the honey within the brew, but the quality was similar to those made by his less able cousins. It did not taste like their works through, instead the Knight could fear the burning of a rot infested barrel staining his tongue with all matters of waste.

Still this did not bother him. He had consumed far dirtier water during his time in the village and survived then. Some stale, moldy ale was not going to kill him that easily. Not after he drank from a well some large vermin fell into and died within.

“I… have a few questions I would like to ask.” Lucian said as he looked up at the nervously waiting bartender, “If you don’t mind me asking them.”

“Iwill a-answer asmany questions as you want, mi lord!” He rolled out with the same quick tongue of fear.

“Has there been any new gangs or bandits roaming the area as of late?” Lucian asked firstly, “Groups trying to grow themselves by cannibalizing others and the like.”

The man looked terrified as he gave his word, “Duke Guine has made sure no Bandits roam his lands mi Lord, I swear by it!”

That was obviously false, for Lucian could call Baron Budapest as Bandit. It also was obvious to him that Duke Guine was struggling to keep the peace within his realm which screamed that he was having problems.

Yet Lucian did not press the issue. In truth if he was asked that he would lie as well. Hopefully the next few questions will get a little more truthful.

“Has there been anyone recently who abandoned their work? Threw their life’s work away in the last year out of the blue?”

The sunken eyes turned and stared almost blank at Lucian. The Black Knight did not say anything else to his words and simply stared down the man.

“Well, a few.” The Bartender said as he gave a nod, “Last year I think Al disappeared, Mason is haunting the well that he fell into a few months ago, and Simon I think has barred himself within his home. M-mi Lord, there are others, but these fellows are those I remember.”

>Focus on Al
>Mason seems really odd
>A basement dweller Simon?

>>5817945
>Mason seems really odd
A ghost? That seems something up our alley

>>5817945
>>Mason seems really odd
I don't think haunting means they became a ghost... but I am with this one! And if they ARE a ghost, what better than Morr to put them to rest

>>5817945
>>Mason seems really odd

>>5817945
>>Mason seems really odd

Mason the Ghost
>>5817948
>>5817985
>>5818522
>>5818885

Odd we don't have that many people. This might be the smallest amount I've had in a while.

>>5819081
I was about to vote!
Weekend likely

>>5819087
I've learned a while ago not to be disheartened by this, because the moment you have something like a Waifu vote they come out in droves.

>>5817608
Good analysis

>>5817945
>>Mason seems really odd
I liked more Al, but lets go with Mason just for confirm it.

>>5819088
I imagine. But i am not that kind of anon

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“There is a ghost?” Lucian knew something was off about the statement but the way the bartender made him just want to say it. After all a Priest of Morr could not hear the potential for undead and just ignore it.

“Oh, uh, its a, uh, joke.” The Bartender gave a half hearted chuckle as he gave Adok another drink of the disgusting mead that he was distributing. If the Dwarf cared about it he did not show it as he downed the alcohol readily.

“Then does it mean he hangs out around the well?” Lucian asked as he raised a brow to the fellow.

“No,” The peasant gave a look of concern as if the words he was about to say did not make much sense to him, “Mason fell into the well about four months back.”

“Did anyone try to get him out of the well?”

“We did…” The peasant admitted as he gave a slight chuckle, “But he just did not want to get out of it. Since the well dried up as he was down there we did not have a reason to kick him out of it.”

Lucian wanted to try and complain that such a thing was unlikely and unreasonable, yet some things within the world never made sense to him, “So he was acting strangely before heading down there?”

“Yes he was, yelling erratically and claiming that the end was near. If you go ask him why he’s down the well he’ll tell you its to avoid demons. I can point out where he is if you want.”

“That would be good, but that does not explain how he is still alive. Even forgetting how awful it must be living down there, how does he get food and water?” Lucian had to question.

“I don’t really know. Rumor is that he’s made himself a little cave with his own hands from the last I’ve heard. His wife throws bottles of wine and bread down whenever she can, end even the beggars will toss their scraps to the deadman if he says something funny.”

“You know.” Lucian turned to see Adok listening with half amusement, “If someone was driven insane and was digging, the sword we’d be looking for could make such mining easy.”

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“Can you tell me where his… well is. Probably include his actual home if you can.” Lucian told the peasant as he took his glass of mead and handed it towards Adok.

“Yes, but you also wanted to know if there was some weird people who came through here right?” The Bartender asked as he leaned in, “The dwarf mentioned something about a sword right?”

Lucian wondered for a moment if the course of action was correct, and decided it was, “Yes, we are looking for a weapon that was lost a while back. About a year ago from today I think. Would you know anything about it?”

The bartender was hushed now as he spoke the next words, “Just last night I saw a fellow come through the streets, the fellow looked like a Knightly fellow just like you. He was asking if anyone knows of a sword that glowed blue. Of course no one saw it, but he went up the street towards the garden where the incident happened last year.”

“What did he look like? Was he pale or something like that?”

“Aye, he was.” The Bartender affirmed with a nod of the head, “Clearly some Imperial from the sounds of it, askin’ us peasants if we ever seen a sword. Last I heard though the Imperials were too busy fightin’ over their crown to send types like him here.”

“Trouble is everywhere.” Lucian answered the man, “Both at home and around the world.”

“Aye, it is. I just hope that the Lady blesses you Knights as hard as she blessed that lad Lucian the Durand. If we have a few more folk like him we might make it out of these times.” The Bartender said as he gave a somewhat warm smile.

“I do to.” The Black Knight said, the simple realization of what it meant to be a Black Knight dawning upon him. Yes people will hear of his deeds, but they might never guess that the person they were talking to was the Black Knight himself.

>Head to the well
>Meet the Wife
>Track down this… Nobleman.

>>5819126
>Track down this… Nobleman.
Either a vampire or an inquisitor. Either way, someone that we want to see.

>>5819126
>>Head to the well
Best lead; QM is clearly trying to distract us from our good guess

>>5819126
>Head to the well
This guy saw something, or could have felt something was happening with the sword. Lucian might not know this, but maybe Mason is sensitive to the Warp and could feel the power of the Sword, or maybe he's someone zealous enough to feel the Chaos, and maybe with some encouragement a new helping hand that could help us with the weapon.

Also, maybe what QM added at the end is something Lucian should be weary of... Some day some random asshole could come and claim to be Lucian, and Guillion could help him to usurp our identity if he's such a scumbag, at the cost of the fake Lucian to admit not giving the final blow and fucking up our reputation. Maybe taking our helmet from time to time and talk to people as Lucian might help, instead of the Black Knight

>>5819126
>>Track down this… Nobleman.
MORE PARTY MEMBERS

>>5819126
>Track this nobleman.

The well isn't going anywhere.

>>5819126
>>Meet the Wife
Actually a great option she literally knew Mason before he became strange, and also when he was strange.

>>5819196
Being a Black Knight is different though. We learned it.
Gilliot will face his end be now or later, has he deserves it. In regard to that the gods do not look kindly on this kind of treachery (it would be also quite pathetic and Gilliot authorizes us to kill him).
For be more specific though, Lucian does take out his helmet plenty of times. So its face has been seen around plenty.
I guess he can start simply presenting ourselves to the people we talk with for begin with. Its quite simple and 0 effort.

>>5819126
>Track down this… Nobleman.

>>5819126
>Track down this… Nobleman.

Somebody else looking for a blue sword immediately after (before?) we started looking for it is suss

>>5819126
>Head to the well
The well, the well, the well.

>>5819126

>Track down this… Nobleman.

Nobleman
>>5819131
>>5819221
>>5819240
>>5819581
>>5820017
>>5820927

Masons down a well
>>5819157
>>5819196
>>5820102

Meet the wife
>>5819456

We shall track down the Nobleman, if he is friend or foe that is yet known.

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The two of them left the bar in good order, the Dwarf having a slight grin on his face as they closed the door behind them.

“So who you thinkin’ of going for?” The Dwarf said as he gave a grin towards Lucian, “This Mason fellow sounds exactly like who we are looking for.”

“He does, and it might be right, but the other man. That Noble…” Lucian had been pondering himself on the mentioning of another investigator within their midst, “I do not like what I heard about him. If we are not careful then he might become an even greater problem than what we had to deal with before.”

“What you think he is? Turned Noble, Vampire maybe? Perhaps he is an unwitting minion of the Dark Gods.” The Dwarf joked as they began walking down the streets.

“Any of those cases would draw concern, wouldn’t they?” Lucian pointed out as they shook his head, “We should find him, if nothing else than making sure that he is not a foe we need to fight. If we do…”


“Should we get the Lizards with us?” The jovial tone he had was melting into something a little more firmer, “Just in case, mind ya.”

Lucian thought to himself before giving a nod, “Let's talk around a little more and get some information on him. Once we get a good location then we can bring in the two.”

“A sound plan then.” Adok said as he marched forward, “And by the Ancestor Gods I hope we find a better tavern than that one.”

“Why did you drink so much mead then? That drink was rotten.” Lucian told the dwarf offhandedly.

“We’ve been sleeping out in the boonies without approaching a city for a week. Any Dwarf wouldn’t complain at that point what mead they get, only that we get some damn drinks.” The Runesmith answered as they crossed into the next street, “Speaking of which…”

With those words the Dwarf inched them towards the next tavern.

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Drink and work carried Lucian and the Dwarf throughout the morning and carried onwards into the evening. Lucian for the most part was talking to the people all about with the Dwarf steadily increasing both his supply and drunkenness laced within his breath. Yet Lucian had to admit it was undeniable that having the dwarf with his was helping talking to the people.

Lucian was a Knight, and even taking his helmet off did not seem to change the attitudes of people. For Adok though who quickly started spending but also enjoying the services provided gave enough cover for Lucian to commit to his duties.

“So you have seen this nobleman? He has blond hair and a missing ring finger.” Lucian asked this bartender with a hint of suspicion laced within his voice. The information he gathered becoming more and more useful as he talked around.

“Aye, I know him. I even let the man sleep here a couple nights ago.” The Bartender said which only confirmed what Lucian had heard a few doors down, “He was an odd fellow. Seemed like he was measuring me up for all the gold I had yet didn’t even barter me down when I told him the price of a room.”

“Do you think he was looking for something?” Lucian asked, keeping his cards close to his chest now.

The worker thought to himself as he took a bottle of decent wine and drained it into Adok’s glass. The Dwarf happily stayed quite with his alcohol, knowing that he could just focus on getting drunk instead of dealing with what Lucian had to plan out.

The Black Knight did not care, the backup was what he needed now if things get dicey.

“Yes, he said it was a sword. One of those magic ones from the tales of yore.” The Bartender said as he shook his head.

“Did you get his name by chance?” Lucian asked as he leaned in, “You did house him for the evening. Surely you did not have a complete stranger housed here.”

“Aye, it was…” The man stopped to think for a moment, “Ah, Wigmar! I remember it being Adolf Wigmar!”

“And where is he staying now?” Lucian asked as he leaned in, “You do not have a bad place here for a foreigner.”

“Ah, he told me he was staying at Baron Christofle’s estate from what I was told. He said his search for the relic has led him to one of the greats in Castle Bastonne.” The Bartender said with what was genuine admiration.

Thus a location was found.

>Head there, with Lizards
>Go in with the Dwarf
>To honor the Baron, go alone.

>>5821085
>Go in with the Dwarf

>>5821085
>>To honor the Baron, go alone.

>>5821085
>Go in with the Dwarf
We are brothers, oh and by the by what's out accent like when we speak Dawi? Are we gonna get Grudge'd by some Dwarvish Linguist

>>5821085
>To honour the baron, go Alone.

>Have the others wait outside
We can always have them cover the exits.

>>5821085
>with dwarf. All nobles respect the master craftsman.

>>5821085
>>Go in with the Dwarf
Go fast, if they are a baddie then they have agents who are on their way to tip 'em off. Also, having the Runesmith go into the Baron's is a honour for 'em... lastly, did we get the seal of... awesomness?

>>5821085
>Go in with the Dwarf
I imagine it to be like pawnstars and we bring in our magical sword expert

>>5821291
>You found this on a lake?
>Now let me call the expert
>A fucking 5'4'' greasy nasty bearded motherfucker shows up, tipsy at 10 am and walks into the store with an odd gait
>Takes a glance at the sword
>Nah, fake
>Leaves
Not even talking about the quest

>>5821085
>>Head there, with Lizards
I love you Tyny I won't let you go without a fight

>>5821085
>To honor the Baron, go alone.

>>5821299
kek

>>5821085
> To honor the Baron, go alone.

Our dwarf friend can now go and inform our lizard friends

With the Dwarf
>>5821101
>>5821133
>>5821244
>>5821270
>>5821291

Alone
>>5821103
>>5821215
>>5821857
>>5822583

Get the Lizards
>>5821549

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The Estate was one of the closest buildings to the proper fortress that was Castle Bastonne. It would not however partake in the protections that the mighty castle that has been around since the dawn of Bretonnia, provides. Such a thing was not in the consideration of those who made it though.

Castle Bastonne has more than once been the seat of power for all of Bretonnia. In times where Royarch was not living within the Castle of the Founder it was still the seat of the Duchy of Bastonne.

For such a reason it made the greatest sense that Barons and Counts would vye to have some kind of presence within the city. That way they could be at the heart of the province without brothering their Lord of relying upon Peasants for housing. Such shame both of these would have brought upon them that they opted to simply buy the land around the lord.

Lucian looked upon this estate, simply enamored by the workmanship.

“Empire woodwork it looks like.” Adok said as he placed a hand on the furnishings, “The wood itself probably coming from the Grey Mountains if I had to guess.”

“Then this person has some weight to import such things.”

“Aye, if my eyes do not betray me the nails and couplings are dwarven make.” Adok declared as he ran his hand across the bolts, “Bretonnians like their vanity, and I agree with it.”

“Well we should probably start making our way in.” Lucian said as he rapped his fist against the door, “I am Knight Errant Lucian the Durand, I ask to meet with the Lord of this Estate!”

As fast as Lucian’s words left his lips the door swung open. On the other side of it was a Yeoman of moderate build. Someone, like Lucian, had seen the better side of peasant life. Unlike Lucian though who could easily hide his peasantry in his looks this man would never be able to escape the stigma of being a Peasant. His face was just that little bit misshapen and one of his eyes straying just a little too far over.

“Sorry Lord!” The Yeoman said as he gave a bow, “Follow me, I shall take you to the Lord’s Chamber.”

With that the two walked in. It seemed they were welcomed with open hands at the very least.

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Lucian’s eyes glazed across the walls for he was impressed simply by the stonework. Carried on from the outside the walls up to about Lucian’s hip was a white cobblestone. Above that was the wood which made up most of the estate that had paintings of all kinds across it. If Lucian was to guess this place was most closely like a castle, being a castle retreat away from the home of the Knight who lived here.

The paintings were all of either beautiful women or fantastical Knights. However many of them belonged to the Baron who lived here and however many of them were from another bloodline. What it did demonstrate was the chivalric fervor that was within this place and the devotion to the simple idea of Chivalry.

“Well it seems our fellow might be here.” Adok said as he nodded to a nearby pair of double doors.

The Yeoman turned and gave a bow to the two of them, asking that the pair of them wait here for the moment. With those words he walked into the room. It was a few moments later that he came back out and gave a bow asking them all to come in.

The two of them walked in to find that there was indeed two people in the room. What quickly caught the attention of Lucian was the large feathered hat that one of the men was wearing. His blond hair easily visible underneath the somewhat tasteful and outrageous headwear the man was wearing. Quickly Lucian’s eyes gazed upon the chestplate the man was wearing clearly upon his breast as a testament. He made sure everyone knew he was a Noble, even though he was a foreign lord in these lands.

“Lucian the Durand,” The words came from a mostly armored man who was wielding a wineglass in his gauntleted hands, “I am Baron Christofle, Lord of Castle Olfiell. I did not expect someone such as you would come to my home with another guest no less.”

“Thank you, Lord.” Lucian said as he gave a bow, “I am joined by Adok the Runesmith, he is my close companion on my quest.”


“And what brings you here? Do you seek help dealing with the Prince who threatens to arrive in Bastonne within the next few days?” He asked with a raised brow.

>Actually, we were looking for your guest
>Yes, that could help
>We wanted to meet the immaculate Baron!
>Other lies *Write in*

>>5822773
>Actually, we were looking for your guest
>"I've learned that we seem to be searching for the same object, and I wish to know whether he is to be a rival or ally in mine quest. T'was the reason I brought mine friend with me, his expertise is a boon"
>"But I would be a fool to pass the opportunity to meet the greats of castle of Bastonne I've heard he was staying with! And I speak one exaggeration, for these are the exact words that were used to describe you."

>>5822793
"His expertise is a boon for this matter"
and
"one of the greats"

>>5822793
>>5822773
>support
>I vote we butter his bread first before we jump into our quests need in locating his guest.
Ask
>What's this about a prince and and a problem?

>Mention (insert his guests description). Ask where the fellow noble is from. And see if we can see how the baron views his guest.

>>5822773
>Actually, we were looking for your guest
>Write in
>Would your guest happen to know the Morr Priest Wolfmar ? I am aiding my fellow brothers in faith in finding a weapon.

>>5823094
He means Ducal Prince Gillot, we have a feud with him. And people have told us he is travelling here for fight us.

>>5823228
Black Knight, he was using it against us in the fight. And we told Wolfmar we would help the Morrite Cult in finding the weapon

>>5822773
>Actually, we were looking for your guest
>I come seeking a plunderer of a grail knights weapon and a desecrator of the dead but i will hear your plight. If the cause moves me enough to delay my quest i shall assist.
>if it helps i want to accuse this guest of every crime reasonable of the land and collaborating with orcs, chaos and the undead

Do you think the baron would respect a quest for morr and what is basically a bounty hunt, treasure repossession, and execution?

>>5822773
>Actually, we were looking for your guest
The prince is of little threat
>>5822793
We’re looking for the same artefact; are you fried or rival?

I feel Lucian wouldn’t think of subterfuge, especially having a writ from the Duke.

>>5822773
>We came to meet the Baron
Guys....... etiquette

>>5822773
>We wanted to meet the immaculate Baron!

>Other lies *Write in*
"I wanted to meet you but if the Prince and his retinue will be here soon that gives me an idea that you could make use of him, and have the honor of hosting the Prince as well. If you were to hold a gift with a clue to my destination that he seeks, only to be given after he has fulfilled several tasks of your design, then he would be suitably delayed, yourself entertained and honored. Who else indeed could boast to having a Prince to order about."

Maybe put a ship with a sea route map leading to Avalon. The Prince gets his own ship, sails into the fog, and gets turned around as they do.

Here for your guest
>>5822793
>>5823094
>>5823298
>>5823231
>>5823229

Meet the Baron
>>5823562
>>5823643

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Lucian had to think quickly, for the next words were going to be trouble. If he was not careful then there was going to be problems. An angry nobleman after all was someone who could be causing problems for the Knight. Yet at the same time he did not want to be dishonest for it was not his way upon this world. Lying muddied the waters and made a great many men drown in the muck.

“My Lord, I was on the search for an item of great importance.” Lucian began as he tried to pick his words carefully, “I had heard, during these travels, that there was an imperial man whose hair was a bright blond was at your residence. I, decided then, to visit your home right away to complete my investigation. None cannot state the awe I am of your estate!”

Lucian tried to work his words with as much oil as his mouth would allow. It tasted somewhat tangey as he tried to wordsmith words that he was not really used to saying.

“I see…” The man gave an incredulous look at Lucian before glancing towards his guest, “It seems that they were looking for you, Adolf.”

“Yes, they were.” The Imperial said as he gave a courteous smile. He moved the glass of wine that he was carrying to his left hand and extended to Lucian his right, “It is my pleasure meeting you. To think that we are looking for the same relic!”

“I agree.” Lucian said but not shaking the man’s hand. Lucian had already hurt himself once before by being completely honest so he was going to carry himself to the letter. As that letter meant not shaking hands with those not of the same Noble rank, he would do so.

The man carried his smile in stride and took away his hand. He had likely grown dull to all his attempts at introductions failing just like that one, for no one was going to shake hands with someone like him. Not unless they knew for certain he was someone of equal rank to them.

“If you do not mind me asking, why are you looking for my family relic?” The Nobleman asked as he gave as charming a smile as he could muster.

“We were made aware of its presence a few days ago.” Lucian said as he presented a hand towards Adok, “Adok here was going to look at it and make sure it was not dangerous. Such weapons are not to be taken so lightly, especially when wielded by a Grave Guard.”

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Lucian was hoping with his words there would be some flinch of reaction from the blond haired imperial. Instead he gave that simple smile he always seemed to have, “A Grave Guard you say, that is a kind of undead correct?”

“Yes, and I was the one who vanquished him.” Lucian said firmly as he stared into the eyes of the Nobleman. Still, no reaction of any kind.

“Ah, then I thank you for that.” The Noble said almost cheerily, “You see, that weapon belonged to my family for several generations but was stolen from my Father. To hear it within the hands of an undead is quite troubling.”

“Indeed it is.” Lucian said as he could only guess if this was a cover story or the truth that was being told.

“So I see that the two of you have common cause.” There was a hint of irritation from the Baron’s voice as he spoke, “Is that the reason you have come to my estate, Adolf?”

That smile that was adorned by the Imperial did not fade as he turned towards the Realm Knight, “Indeed it is. Such a weapon has been within my family’s possession and I seek it back. My travels took me over the Grey Mountains to your estate, Lord Christofle.”

Christolfe placed his wine upon a nearby table, “I can bring my assistance to both your searches, but I need something in return. It might help that the three of you work together on this, it would be quite the quest to undertake.”

“He doesn’t like us.” Adok pointed out in a breath only Lucian would hear, “I’ll bet he’s going to give us something fun to do.”

>We can help each other on this task
>Do the quest alone
>Claim no interest
>Use some of that authority

>>5823955
>We can help each other on this task

>>5823955
>We can help each other on this task
That weapon be cursed, that grave guard had testicular torsion you know! It must be retreived before it attracts a necromancer whose balls are already dead

>>5823955
>We can help each other on this task
I think since he is open to collaborating we don’t need to force him into it by using the Duke’s authority.

But we’ll only help with a minor thing. I don’t want a major side quest, and it’d be good to leave before the Prince arrives. I assume the task won’t conflict with any of our other priorities. If it does then we can use authority to get his cooperation

>>5823955
>>Use some of that authority

>>5823955
just to make sure, the work together option is to work with the Imperial to perform this task. Wanted to be clear on that.

>>5823955
>Listen to what he requests, but if it's a major diversion, then use our authority. We're dealing with magical weapons here.

>>5824387
Denied, because it will be a job in the city and I dont want indecision.

>>5823955
>>5823962
>support
>I also vote for getting tiny and bok. They might be able to get a chaos to show his true colors.(when we leave the estate)

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“We will deal with it.” Lucian whispered to the Dwarf in the same low tone, “I want to see what happens. Stay close to this fellow.”

If the Baron heard their chatter he did not make note of it. He spoke with the splendor that would be expected of a Realm Knight, not showing in any way what might be a task of discipline, “It has come to my attention that something most foul lives within the sewers of this city. Said creature has been causing my cistern to fail and overflow. You shall get rid of the issue for me.”

“You think there is a monster underneath the city?” Adolf asked with an almost humorous tone, “Wouldn’t someone have gone over and tried to slay it if it was a great beast? How do you know?”

“The Knight Errants I would have sent seemed more content with raiding their neighboring villages for plunder.” There was a distinct annoyance within the voice of the Bretonnian Noble, “I know that it is some creature because I have sent ten peasants down there to take care of the issue. None of them have returned.”

The words of the Baron helped everyone there realize it. For the first time since meeting the man Lucian noticed a hint of concern within the eyes of the Imperial. It was a true sense of surprise coming across him. Lucian would agree at the surprise at there being a monster underneath the city, but he was also witness to a month’s long conspiracy within this very city that was very much the same.

Horrors knew how to hide until the last moment.

“Then we will all fight it.” Lucian said as he stepped forward, “Adolf, if you are willing, another blade against horrors would be appreciated.”

His concern quickly became a smile as he heard that, “I would be up for that.”

“Then lets get going.” Adok said as he turned heel already, “Lets kill ourselves a monster already!”

With those words they all set off, the Baron looking upon them with some hint of disdain. At the very least if they succeeded he would not need to go down there himself like he was planning. It would have been far too dirty and dishonorable for a Noble Knight of Bretonnia.

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The access to the sewers was at one of the residential districts where the peasants lived. The stench was that Lucian, once a peasant, could hardly fathom the origin of. Yet these people who lived about the drain had made their livelihoods around it.

“Why would anyone live here?” The Noble said as he walked next to Lucian waving his hand, “There is an outlet here. Do they not fear the plagues of Nurgle which come from such muck!”

“They do, but they wished for a home more.” Lucian said as they turned another street to finally see the open pipe, “The people live here because their betters will not remove them. If a plague affects the peasants it will not matter to the Nobles. For the peasants they get a place to stay with little rent to work off.”

“Your people really that desperate?” The Noble said as they closed in on the open drain.

Lucian thought to himself for a moment, trying to realize the words that would address his thoughts on his fellows. It took a moment but he slowly came to a conclusion, “These peasants are… pathetic.”

The Noble shook his head as he heard those words, “I guess those are some words to use. Can’t say they are not said anywhere else.”

Finally they arrived at the pipe, which was more of a tunnel from what they were looking at. Dirt walls that were supported by wooden bracers which were erected across the top of the structure. There was some wonder within Lucian how the place did not collapse from the weight above, then he realized that any issues might have simply been patched up by hand through the residents.

After all issues caused by the sewer would bring the attention of the Nobles, and no one wanted that.

“Looks too small for us to travel side by side.” Adok said as he looked at it, “Well, whats our pecking order going to be?”

>>Rear to Front
>Adok, Adolf, Lucian
>Lucian, Adolf, Adok
>Adolf, Lucian, Adok
>Lucian, Adok, Adolf

>>5824715
>Adok, Adolf, Lucian
With Adok in front, it would let the person behind him to see as well, and since we are the most armored, we can go in the back to protect against any ambushes

>>5824715
>Lucian, Adolf, Adok

>>5824721
Rear to front Anon, I think that means you want the opposite

>>5824741
You are right, thanks
>>5824721
Changing to
>Lucian, Adolf, Adok

>>5824715
>>Lucian, Adolf, Adok

>>5823955
>>5823953
AI gens are one heck of a drug
>>5824715
>Adolf, Lucian, Adok
I don't trust this mdfker. No way I will leave anyone's back to thim

>>5824715
> Lucian, Adolf, Adok

We keep an eye on Adolf and Adok should be in his tunnel element to handle whatever we come across.

>>5824715
Adok, Lucian, Adolf

>>5824715

>Lucian, Adolf, Adok.

>>5824715
>Lucian, Adolf, Adok

Please the Dwarf to the front
>>5824741
>>5824743
>>5824788
>>5824911
>>5825361
>>5825796

You did though
>>5824816

For being the weirdest vote I have done in a while, we actually had a few votes. Also, lots of people here probably read/listen to Gotrek and Felix to know that you should always put the Dwarf upfront when spelunking.

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“You should probably take the lancehead, right?” Lucian asked the Dwarf as he peered into the hole that seemed almost endless.

“You're going to make me walk in front of everyone in that muck.” Adok spoke in a tone that betrayed the literal meaning of the words, “Aye I probably should be. You Umgi do not know what you are looking for.”

“Yeah that's a really good idea.” Adolf said as he peered into the hole, “By the gods it smells worse than the sewers of Nuln.”

“The sewers of Nuln?” Adok repeated the words of the Noble with a raised brow, “I didn’t take your kind to be swimming in those places.”

“My line of work at the time required it.” The Noble addressed as quickly as he logically could, “They were dark days when I foolishly ‘renounced’ my birthright.”

“Something like that is not take easily in these lands.” Lucian said as the Bretonnian blood within him shook at the simple notion, “Even peasants know without our families we are but rodents to be killed by monsters. Are you even a Noble now?”

“I am.” The man shot back, “Before my Father died we made amends, and no one would question the right to Nobility of an Imperial Captain from Altdorf!”

“High and mighty are ya, in the lands of the highest and the mightiest.” Adok joked as he got out his hammer.

“Things are a little different here.” The Noble said as he took out a longsword that was roughly the length of his arm, “Do you want me to go next or should you, Lucian?”

“You’ll walk in front of me. Best we have the most armored defending the rear in case something happens.” Lucian addressed the thought while masking the truth of the matter. That being he did not trust this man at all even if he had a heartfelt story.

“I can do that~” He said without care while getting in order.

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The smell was the first and the most abundant thing that Lucian could ever think of as they ducked into the hole in the ground. His body wanted him to gag to try and purge the dreadful smell yet when he did the smell only became worse than before.

Upon his face, underneath the helmet he wore, was a cloth that was strung across Lucian’s nose and mouth which was soaked in something Adok did not want to talk of. It made the scent bearable and even allowed the Knight to breathe while amongst such muck.

Adok’s hammer glowed with a soft warm light. At the suggestion of both the Dwarf and Adolf they did not light any torches before walking into this area. They claimed that the place would explode in an instant because of the toxic air they were currently swimming in.

Lucian could not imagine such magic but deferred to their judgment. If there was sorceries like that in the world then he did not want to try Morr’s judgment on the situation. Death will come but one does not seek it out when they follow the Death God. Death will come, you only must accept it when it does.

“Well thats odd.” Adok said as he walked to the side and rubbed his hands on a wall, “There has been digging here recently. Claw marks…”

“Claw marks? Are there digging monsters in Bretonnia? Beastmen perhaps?” Adolf asked as he leaned in to look at the same thing the Dwarf was.

Lucian took the moment and looked around the place. His eyes studying the room as he began to notice something, “Has something been widening the passageway?” Lucian asked as his eye was caught on the wood, “Someone moved this post over.”

“Aye, its shoddy workmanship but someone has been working on these tunnels.” Lucian could see the nose of the dwarf twitch, “It stinks too much down ‘ere, I can’t smell em out. Best be on your guard though.”

Lucian heard a subtle click of metal coming from the Nobleman, the man’s hand reached for his hip before taking it off in the next second. Sitting there was some odd handle like this that the peasant knight had never seen before. He tried to remember in the past but was drained of all ideas of what it could be.

It was obvious though that by instinct the Imperial reached for it when the going was becoming tough. It was probably a weapon of some kind, but as to the reason he could not use it down here the Knight did not know.

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They continued to walk through the tunnel, now starting to branch out into numerous ones which all seemed somewhat insignificant to the Dwarf who was leading them. Adok was guiding them through the area as if he was a native to this place and that its inner workings was designed by his own hands.

Such was the reason that he did not express surprise when there was light at the end of their tunnel.

“Why in the name of gods is there a light down there!” Adolf spoke aloud as he stopped to look at the brightness.

“We are right underneath the city.” Adok said as he shined his light towards the wound in the ceiling. He continued his march not caring that he was now making distance between both of his companions, “I felt a breeze since we walked in this and wondered why I was feeling it so easily. Looks like someone dug themselves into one of the peasant wells.”

The meaning of the words were obvious to Lucian as the Dwarf knew he would pick up on it. This was likely the same well that Madman Mason fell down and had been living inside of. But he was not just living within the well but the entire sewer network.

“Why did no one realize it? This place would have contaminated an entire ward’s water supply wouldn’t it?” The Imperial pointed out as he closed the gap between him and the blinding light.

“A sick Bretonnian Peasant and a healthy one are barely different creatures. They might have simply stopped using the well as well.” Adok began making excuses, not wanting to say that people stopped using it because they knew thought the place was home to one of their insane brotherin.

“But this is a grave issue. Something has been digging the tunnels wider! As a sewerjack I was told to watch for these things.” Adolf was now with Adok in the sunlight. The light of which seemed to make the darkness even more acute as they stood there discussing and arguing.

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Lucian stood back watching Adok and the Nobleman talk about the situation. Theories and thoughts now being traded between the two of them. It was an intellectual experiment the two of them with the mentions of goblins and what Adok had to describe as rat-like beastmen coming up.

It was there that Lucian noticed something on the ground, “I see something over here, I’m going to check it out.” His words did not seem to reach them yet he could not stop himself. Curiosity was gripping him at what looked to be an odd stain.

The ground was a disgusting brown from the slurry of feces, piss, and other materials the nobles threw down here. That was the reason this spot in the near darkness caught the eye of the Black Knight. It looked to be a puddle of red in the murky waste of an entire city.

As he came upon it the realization that it was a bloody crimson shot him like an arrow. His eyes, blinded by the light which washed in from the well opening, adjusted just that little bit that he was led into another of the tunnels off to the side.

His heart skipped as he followed the trail. A hint of copper came upon his tongue as memories of battles long ago replayed within his mind. A phantom he realized, but it was mimicking what he should be smelling in reality if it was not for all the sewage that he was crawling through for the longest time.

It was blood, and its trail led Lucian to a corpse. It was probably Mason, freshly killed with a crude knife to the back.

>Walk towards his companions
>Study the corpse
>Give a mighty swing of the scythe

>>5826241
>Study the corpse
Interesting, so both Mason and the noble lead to the same place.
Shame we didn't manage to save him in time.

>>5826168
no I- wait-
huh?
wait- fuck

Could you please retconn the imperial's name? Adok, Adolf, Adok, Adolf...

>>5826241
I think that mason outlived their usefulness. He was a thrall, that's for sure, digging the hole or working as a lookout for whoever rules this sewer systems... and needs to widen them... WHAT NEEDS TO WIDEN THE TUNNELS, ANONS??? THINK DAMN IT THINK!!! Necromancers/Vampires would have no need for this, because they can just magic their way into whereever... who wants to put an army below Bastonne?

>Give a mighty swing of the scythe

>>5826376
Got a good name suggestion?

>>5826404
Rudolfo. Rud (¿Ruth?) for short

>>5826241
Harvest time

>Give a mighty swing of the scythe

>>5826404
Gunthard Mayr.
Different names are better.

>>5826241
>Give a mighty swing of the scythe

>>5826404
Adolfo

>>5826241
>Give a mighty swing of the scythe
Undead beastmen begone

Swing the Scythe
>>5826389
>>5826432
>>5826725
>>5826663

Study the Corpse
>>5826246

One of you obviously knows whats the enemy now is. Rats, Rats, we're the Rats

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Lucian suddenly felt a surge of power welling up within his chest. A beating fury of fire that was threatening to overwhelm him with its sheer anger for all who have stained the tunnels underneath the earth. The action was given to Lucian by what could only have been divine providence, telling him to attack the area around him with this might so that he might live.

He did not second guess this feeling, a feeling that Lucian would only claim came from the gods above. His scythe, within a second, was slicing into the air around him with such force that it caused the very wind itself to scream.

A second later Lucian noticed the a black fluid falling around him. It was not just the air that was screaming but the several creatures who have found themselves bisected by his god divine strike. In the darkness Lucian could only see their pained beady red eyes that were staring at him with such hatred that Lucian should have died instead of them.

As Lucian took a step back he realized that the black fluid which covered his blade was infact the blood of the abomination that he killed. Another action, this time a block as three knives came from in front of him, the creatures throwing themselves just enough into the spotlight for the Knight to see them.

Their red eyes were apart of an elongated face which was completely covered in fur. Their limbs were spindly and gaunt, the sight loudly yelling just how brutally starved for human flesh the creature was. Three chittering mouths with long rows of gagged teeth tried to bite, so with the brutal fire that was welling within his chest Lucian sent them flying back into the darkness with a mighty push of both body and will.

When he made one step back, five more came from the shadows.

“SKAVEN!” Yelled Adok as he bellowed a warchant in his dwarvish tongue, “Today I shall right the wrongs in the book, come at me you sycophant craven raki!”

It was then that a cry came from deeper into the tunnel, “KILL-KILL THEM ALL-ALL! DO IT-IT, OR I KILL YOU-YOU MYSELF!”

Suddenly, there were more rats in the room then there was breathable air. As Lucian had gone just a few feet underneath the earth he was now walking amongst the realm of the evil gods that he must dare defy, lest it takes his life.

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The Knight found himself fighting at all angles. Unlike before where the Ruin of the Slayer God implanted into the armor’s chest was simply urging him to go forth and kill something that was the enemy of the good races of this world, now it was seeking out the blood of all the Skaven who were trying to kill the Knight.

Lucian did not mind and infact found that he welcomed the power that was coming into him because of the sheer amount of rats. So thick were their numbers that a single slice by Lucian’s blade was killing six of their number with a single swing. The black blood only stained his armor darker as he rounded his weapon for another swing that took six more of their lives for his count.

The power of the rune roared within his chest as he became closer to the manifestation of Morr and Grimnir matted together. The wrath of Grimnir tied with the sheer lethality that the Death God could manifest upon the ground.

However many he was killing Lucian did not know. What he knew was the terror written across the faces of those that were facing him as they barely raised a weapon to stab into his armor. These poor fools, he realized, had been pushed forward by those falling in the rear that pushed them towards him to exact their final death.

How had so many of them hidden from him? It must have been the muck and the tunnels. The rats must have taken advantage of the dirt tunnels already existing in Bastonne and expanded them into a network only the rats they were could truly understand. What made it even more prefered was that no Peasant was going to go down into the sewers without need and the Nobles would scoff at the sheer notion of dirtying their armor.

The sewer will surely be running black by now. He could hear roars of might from both above and below his head as he tried to slaughter as many of their kind as he could give. The rune within his chest screamed that he should fully give into the wanton slaughter of the slayer god yet Lucian found himself hesitating to accomplish such a feat. If he was to assume such fury it would only be the firelight of the rune lighting the way for him.

The others were holding themselves at the well light, Adok and Wigmar fighting back to back as they tried to keep back the terrors from the deep.

>Give into the rune
>Stand this ground
>Consolidate with the others.

>>5827277
>Consolidate with the others.

>>5827277
>>Give into the rune
ACCEPT THE POWER
DO IT1

>>5827277
>Consolidate with the others.
Lucian isn’t a mindless killer. He has great strength of will. The big bad isn’t going anywhere, let’s fall back a bit and then thin the herd

>>5827277
>Consolidate with the others.
A calm anger is a superior form of anger

>>5827277
>>Consolidate with the others.
Multiple enemies are best fought together.

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The Rune urged him to bring the fight to the front. To submerge himself into the lethal brawl of tooth, claw, and steel that they would exact upon one another. A brutal carnage would then erupt as Lucian righted all the wrongs these foul creatures have brought upon the world order. All the death, murder, and mayhem that their kind had orchestrated from the darkness.

It would be a glorious, blessed genocide!

Yet he held himself back, pushed down the urge for carnage and mayhem that the rune wanted him to attempt. With a mighty stroke he cleared and entire circle of Skaven around him that were trying to attack at him from all different sides. Their bodies easily severed by the scythe with such ease that they were but wheat to the Priest of Morr.

He then stepped towards the light, the rune only giving a moment’s protest before the burning fires of Grimnir ebbed away from the Knight’s heart. It knew that the bloody vengeance was still coming, yet it also understood that it should not overwhelm the user. After all, unlike the brutal relics of the Chaos Gods, the Gods of Order looked upon their people favorably.

As he stepped towards the light he had to work through the ruinous mud that had spawned from the several dozen corpses around him. Even though there were enough corpses that not a shred of ground should have been seen, their blood had seeped so deeply into the dirt laden sewer that their bodies had begun sinking into the ground as if it was water.

The sanity of any who looked upon such a sight would be tested. Even if these were foul monsters that crawled in the darkness beyond they were still clearly thinking creatures who were smart enough to lay a trap for them. That their bodies could so quickly return to the earth was an indictment to the fighters that the same could be them.

Lucian felt a wave of Skaven throw themselves at his body, each of them trying to bring the Black Knight down. Rage filled Lucian and the Rune burned with the fury of the spiteful dead. In the next moment the Skaven who were being carried on the back of Lucian became a mass of broken bones and limbs as they were all sent flying across the ground. The broken daggers that were all being jammed into his joints were sent flying across the ground as none of them found purchase in the mighty armor.

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“Lucian!” Adok yelled as he brought back his hammer and struck one of the Skaven with a shining hammer, “Damned Skaven, get over here!”

The march was arduous as he had to slaughter the Skaven in front of him now. Those that were meant to be attacking the pair who stood within the light were turning towards Lucian. He could see the terror in their eyes as they threw themselves forward in an attempt to stop his advance. Perhaps it was the terror of Morr’s blessing which drove them to such an insane frenzy. They were to throw themselves at death because it was the only way they knew to try and avoid it.

Lucian could not understand such logic, yet he ended their lives all the same.

“Damn it get over here!” Adok yelled as he broke formation for just a moment to smash the remaining Skaven that were between him and Lucian. On instinct Lucian reached his hand forward and the Dwarf ensnared it with his heavily calloused hand.

The Dwarf pulled with the strength of the gods, pulled Lucian out of the river of death and onto the hill of bodies so tall that it was above the muddy black mud wash that was rising underneath their feet.

With a quick strike Lucian dispatched the Skaven that was trying to stab Adok in the back. The two quickly walking past the other as Adok had done exactly the same for him. So long had the two training together that they knew eachother’s workmanship, adding in the memories of the brutal campaign against the Orks only reinforced their will.

“We need to kill the Warlock!” Shouted Adolf Wigmar as a roar could be heard from above, “Something is above us! They are going to kill us if we stand here!”

“Let it come! We have good weight underneath us!” Adok laughed as he smashed the head of another Skaven, “Why would the Skaven be outside in the day I can’t think!”

As they spoke, the light above their heads began to dim. The beastial roar they heard earlier shook their very bones.

>Stay on the island
>Make way for what is to come
>Go for the leader

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>>5828570
>Make way for what is to come
Is it time for lizard vs rats?

>>5828570
>Go for the leader

>>5828570
>Go for the leader
Hmm yeah let’s not do what they want. Instead of being distracted by whatever is coming let’s get the leader. Together

>>5828570
>Go for the leader
If their chaff is afraid of dieing, their leader must be terrified

>>5828570
>>Go for the leader

>>5828570
>Go for the leader

Charge as one.

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Lucian felt that burning anger resting within his chest. As the Imperial mentioned the idea of charging forward and fighting the enemy, the Rune that rested in Lucian’s chest began to ache with anger. It was irritated before being denied the brutal fighting and now it was being given that chance now. The chance to slaughter the Skaven who damned Dwarfs to the World’s Edge Mountains.

Maybe it was through the influence of this relic, but in truth Lucian had agreed with it, “We cannot stand here and take whatever comes down! We slay the Warlord!” His words were met with another onslaught of Skaven rats who at the mention of their master went into a frenzy.

“Thats a risk, laddy.” Adok pointed out as he turned three of their kind into paste with a single blow of his hammer, “But if I did not follow I’d become a Slayer, WE CHARGE!”

Lucian watched as the odd magical energies that Adok channeled were swelling around his body. The hammer glowing red hot even as no fire seemed to pour out of it. With a strike upon the skull of a Skaven a rune was imbedded within the skull, the next moment Lucian felt his body become lighter and his senses sharper than even under the Rune’s influnce.

Lucian felt his heart elate as he screamed at the top of his lungs, “FOR MORR AND THE LADY, WE CHARGE TO GLORY!”

Upon his command they all threw themselves into the muck. Lucian could feel himself sinking along with the corpse that he had stepped upon, yet he did not have trouble freeing himself. The magics infused within Lucian had encompassed his own wear, making it pass with ease in such dogged terrain.

Forward they all charged forward. Adolf skillfully stabbing through a great many Skaven necks while Lucian removed their legs from their torsos. The Runesmith was turning the slaughter of Skaven into an artpiece as several perfect blows made it seemed like he was at the forge.

As whatever was coming down the well completely swallowed the light behind it, the only illumination was the hammer of Adok. Light danced with each blow the dwarf made the figures on the walls animate to even a greater degree than reality. At one point the Horde would appear to almost consume the heroes, in the next they were triumphant against the incoming horde.

The hammer, in one moment covered in the black blood of Skaven, dimmed to what might be the darkest moment in Lucian’s entire life.

Then light flooded the room as a Beastial Roar they were fleeing fell onto the ground. With ti so close, Lucian finally recognized the roar of Bok.

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Whatever fear the Skaven had for Lucian and his team it was multiplied twenty fold upon the appearance of the Kroxigor. The horde stopped in their traces as the nearly eight feet tall Kroxigor rose to its full height. Lucian looked back to see Tee-Nee-Tyny rising from behind the creature and already casting a spell.

Quickly an onset of wind roared through the tunnel as magic snared the air in a vicelike grip. With a single motion the Skink drove all the rotten air that was threatening to consume the warriors out through the well with a fury that threw Skaven across the walls and floor.

The three warriors were already taking advantage of the fight and charging forward towards the rear. The terror of the Skaven causing many to fall down and be caught into the maelstrom of death which the well lit portion was quickly becoming. Any of those rats which came close were turned into butchered meats as Bok began his reign of terror against all Skaven kind.

Magics from Adok made the torrent of mayhem simply brush across their armor and bodies, failing to take any grip upon them as they advanced towards the rearmost horrors. There, just in that moment, Lucian caught sight of the creature who was commanding these ratmen to their deaths.

His fur was grey and long with black spots, beady red eyes that contained an intelligence far beyond anything that Lucian would have been comfortable knowing of. He was simply mortified by the creature having four arms instead of the expected two arms that all of these other Skaven had.

“F-Flee-Run! Vengeance-Revenge will be mine!” The rat yelled as he somehow ran against the winds deeper into the cave.

While they were resistant to the winds and mud there was still impediment by the hundreds of Skaven who were struggling to flee with their leader.

Where Lucian stood, it was apparent that things were worse than he could have thought before. Whatever these dreadful beastmen were, they surely have the magical sword if their original guess was correct.

>Inform Wigmar of the situation
>Keep him in the dark
>Admit you don’t trust him

>>5829497
>Admit you dont trust him

>>5829497
>Inform Wigmar of the situation

>>5829497
>Admit you don't trust him
I don't care for this new party member

>>5829497
> Keep him in the dark

It changes nothing. We were asked to kill the ‘beast’ of the sewers and it is fortunate that the sword we seek is here as well. One step at a time.

Also if we tell him we don’t trust him then he’ll be less likely to show his true face

>>5829497
>Keep him in the dark
We don't have full confirmation if they have the sword

>>5829497
>Inform Wigmar of the situation

>>5829497
> Keep him in the dark
Why bother saying anything?

>>5829497
>> Keep him in the dark

Admit it
>>5829505
>>5829533

Inform
>>5829511
>>5829655

Keep him in the dark
>>5829633
>>5829698
>>5829876

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Lucian felt the weight of the battle upon his shoulders as he caught his breath into a steady rhythm. His body, flaking off the powers of both the Rune and the adrenaline, were starting to ache all over the body of the warrior who just participated in a life or death battle.

The shock ebbed away quickly though as the sounds of Skaven running away were replaced by the guttural bowel movements of a Kroxigor.

Bok stood next to Lucian now, the giant of a creature shaking off the black blood of Skaven from its white scaled body. It was a murder machine whose task was completed with rapid efficiency that even Lucian in those moments of battle was capable of. Next to it Tee-Nee walked up to Lucian.

“Vermin are here, Sotek will eat well.” The Lizard said as his eyes focused upon the party, “New Warmblood, who is thou?”

“Adolf Wigmar.” The man said cheerily as he looked at the blood spattered hat that he was wearing, “Skaven, I guess they are everywhere.”

“Aye, under anything they can get their grubby little paws under.” Adok said as he crushed on of the skulls underneath his steel highboots.

“You were lucky there Lucian.” The Imperial said as he leaned in, “I did not hear them coming and you were in the darkness with them.”

“It was a blessing of Morr.” Lucian said simply, “He did not wish to have me dead from these beasts.”

“Is that so?” He asked with a raised brow, “And why were you over there? In the darkness.”

“I think I saw one of their corpses in the muck.” Lucian lied with a quick thought.

As if it was a prompt the man glanced at where Lucian was before all this started. Whatever he could find there was gone though, for the bloody much and the numerous Skaven corpses that were there had consumed the body that was Mason.

“I see.” The man said simply, “Well, we are going after them right?”

“Yesss.” The Skink said as he slithered onto the back of Bok.

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The party made their way into the tunnels, their objective set for the erradication of the Skaven monsters who were controlling the cistern. It was clear, at least to Lucian, that the Skaven had been modifying the dirt laden sewers to more of their liking. Doing things like sealing tunnels meant to help furrow out the waste from upper Bastonne to make their place more habitable.

As they walked down the slops the structures that the Skaven were building were becoming more elaborant and demented. It was clear at one point, where the tunnel suddenly jetted in one direction, that they were crossing into the holds that were for ratmen. The scaffolding made by man’s hands had become butchered and haphazard, like they were going to collapse at any moment.

Such was things made with the hands of Skaven.

Occasionally the Skaven would prepare an ambush, but even before the party would approach them the giant Kroxigor was already saying something in its gutteral tone to the Skink master.

“Another ambush has been laid ahead.” The Skink said as he raised a hand, “Vermin do not get far from Sotek.”

As if a leash had been released the Kroxigor rampaged quickly ahead of the group and made a sudden direction change into the hole that the vermin had made for themselves. Instead of being a place of ambush though it was a prison that had not escape from the vicious jaws of the monster who was their greatest terror.

They waited a moment for the slaughter to slow before advancing, by the time they were finished the Kroxigor was returning to them to take point infront of Adok. While a Dwarf would never find themselves lost underground it was the nose of a monster bred for this exact combat which made their advances so easy.

The one thing that irked Lucian as they walked wordlessly was that the tunnels have yet to shrink. He would have thought that the Skaven, being a race of small rats, would have purposefully made their warren tunnels small to prevent this very kind of intruder.

It was a corner after they passed it that they arrived in another long tunnel, at the end clearly being the fortifications of the Skaven strung up in preparation for their onslaught. Would it help them the Knight did not know.

>Let the killer kroc go in
>Charge in with the Lizard!
>Ask the mages to kill them from afar

>>5830471
>Charge in with the Lizard!

>>5830471
>>Ask the mages to kill them from afar
Yes-yes our strong kill-hole will stop the man-things!! Oh nyooo magic nyoooo

>>5830471
>Charge in with the Lizard!
Kill rats, get sword, maybe slay adolf for wanting a clearly cursed sword

>>5830471
>Charge in with the Lizard!

>>5830471
>>Charge in with the Lizard!

>>5830471
>Charge in with the Lizard!

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“The foe is here, we shall charge them!” Cheered Lucian as he pointed his scythe towards the fortifications. The burning fury of hatred came into the man’s chest and lit the relentless fury of killers throughout his body.

Bok gave a roar in response and started his advance with a speed that would rival other beasts. Yet with the power of the Dwarfen God within his chest the Knight was able to keep a rough pace with the giant monster.

“Damn it you’re all too fast!” Adok complained as they left the stubby Dwarf behind.

Pellets of stone an dirt slammed into both of the fighters. Each of these blows rattled against the steel wrought hide of Lucian with such impacts that it threatened to steal his hearing. Yet he did not waver in his advance. He charged through the hurtling bullets of death and faced them with a firmness that only a true Knight of Bretonnia could feel against such adversity.

It was then he noticed that instead of more of these flying missiles making themselves known against his armor they began to dim. He could feel through his armor the flow of air that was like a shield against these unhonorable actions.

Was the Lady with him? He could not think about it for he was already upon the Skaven in that instant. Their defences were shattered by the battering ram which was Bok, the monster easily killing seven of the pest with a rolling charge.

Lucian himself gave those still standing a shoulder that caved in its soft chest and caused its eyes to pop out of their sockets. The next four behind him were quickly harvested for the crop of Morr’s fury. Thie blood scattered across the wall in a decorated artwork that was all the value their lives had.

The next moments were a blur as Lucian and Bok committed themselves to the slaughter wholesale. Their screams were a warning to all around that the adventurers have pierced the defenses that were meant to hold them back for a century at least.

Nothing more to kill, Lucian noticed that his world was no longer lit with torches or the light that was in the hands of Adok. Instead he looked out into a large cavern which was as large as a city that glowed with the green residence of Morrslieb.

But the light was not from the sky but the crystals laid about. What Lucian looked upon was not Bastonne but instead an entire city underneath one of the most holy sights in Bretonnia.

It was a Skaven Undercity, the sight of which chilled Lucian to the bone. He did not fear his own death but no one above knew. None of them had an inkling that this was what laid underneath their feet.

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Lucian stood in the green light as the rest of his troupe came forward. None commented on the awe that Lucian had and instead studied the place for themselves.

Tee-Nee was ontop of Bok as the Lizardman moved himself to the top of the lizard, “Vermin are deep it seems. Possibly planning aboveground attack?”

“Would explain why they were expanding the tunnels above. These rats were planning an invasion.” Adok said as he placed a foot upon a nearby rock and looked out for himself, “They probably hit several of the tunnels above ground during their work and risked flooding their little base here, so they’ve been sealing parts of it.”

“Tee-Nee-Tyny finds agreement in Adok’s statement.” The Lizard said as he looked over, “There is not enough water to flood the place, Tee-Nee understands.”

“Well if we undamned everything they damned we might be able to cause some problems for them.” Pointed out Adok as he shook his head, “Hmm, if we broke some of their supports though I think we can bring the entire place down upon them?”

Lucian felt a moment of concern at those words that snapped him into reality, “Wait, won’t that kill everyone above?”

“Ha, there is no one above us.” Adok cheered as he took out a map and pointed at a nearby forest, “We are underneath this forest here. Its night right now so the only creatures that are above us are going to be beastmen as well. So its the perfect time to bring it all down! That is, if you think that’s wise?”

The Dwarf was asking specifically those words because he knew what Lucian was hiding. If they brought down the entire ceiling upon this place it would likely mean that the relic they were hunting would be lost down here.

But with the kind of relic it was would it really be buried for long? Especially if that cowardly vermin has it. The bastard might take it even deeper into the tunnels.

>Bring the Ceiling down!
>We hunt for the Warlord

>We hunt for the Warlord

Getting the sword back would be nice.

>>5831719
>We hunt for the Warlord

>>5831719
>We hunt for the Warlord
That rat might escape alive. I want kill confirmation and weapon reposession

>>5831719
>We hunt for the Warlord

>>5831719
>We hunt for the Warlord

Yeah gotta get that sword

But some good subsequent plans are to bring the roof down on our way out and then let the nobility know about it all.

>>5831719
>We hunt for the Warlord
He probably has a bomb anyway, to take out his most likely assassin (other rats)

>>5831719
>We hunt for the Warlord
For Honor and Glory boys.

>>5831719
>>We hunt for the Warlord

>>5831719

>We hunt for the Warlord.

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“We need to track down the Warlord.” Lucian declared as he pointed towards the numerous ruin-like houses scattered about them, “Somewhere among these hordes is the rat that was preparing the invasion against Bastonne. If we do not kill it first then they will just rebuild.”

“Terror is to be struck into Vermin.” Tee-Nee said as Bok walked towards Lucian, “However their absolute destruction must be assured. It does not matter which of the vermine survive or die, for each that lives brings the risk of reconstruction with the vermin.”

“Uh huh.” Wigmar said as he stepped forward as well, “I… would like us to kill as many of the rats as we can. After all once we have murdered all of them then we are one step closer to my Family’s relic.”

“If we kill their Warlord, then the destruction of their home will come swiftly after.” Lucian claimed as he pointed above his head, “Above, on the grounds above our heads, is one of the greatest Fortresses in all of Bretonnia. If we cause Chaos among the Skaven it will give the Duke enough time to bring an army down here and subjugate the rats.”

“Will they even bother coming down here?” The Imperial questioned, “Your Duke has already fought a war against the Greenskin and you expect him to fight another war against the Skaven now?”

“Well, if we kill the Raki’s leader, then it won’t be too hard.” Adok said as he presented the option, “I’ve seen a couple battles against these rats. Its hard to kill their leaders but if we succeed then the rats will just start eachother. Ain’t I right, Tyny?”

“Vermin are traitorous among both others and themselves.” Declared the Lizardman in words that held the certainty of a god in their weight, “Warmbloods are right. Tee-Nee-Tyny wishes to kill as many as he can, but to sacrifice the heart of the leader to Sotek would bring them into ruin all the same.”

“Who knows, if they fall into civil war, they won’t even follow us up.” Adok laughed.

“I see… then we can go.” Adolf’s tune changed as he focused on both Adok and Lucian.

He suspected something was there for the pair had a completely reasonable plan beforehand. For the Dwarf, who was clearly in support of the plan, to change tune quickly was unnatural for his kind. Lucian wondered if he was understanding the two of them knew more than they were letting on.

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They began their march through the warren, their feet finding purchase on either stone, dirt, or the makeshift horrors that were Skaven workmanship. Lucian was fearful for himself for every step that he made caused the wood to seemingly creek with an unbearable strain. It was like the method used to shape the wood, instead of simply setting its there, was being contorted to the mishapen wreck that supported them now.

He saw Bok as a lucky lizard, looking over to see the giant walking the path as if the wood didn’t want to be blessed by Morr. For once his companion, Tyny, was not riding him for he was sapient enough to understand the horrors that were beneath their feet.

Occasionally there were Skaven, many times when they turned a corner or walked underneath something that was just tall enough for the rats to not die from the sudden drop attacks they were performing. Each time they fought off the attacks with brutal applications of violence.

At one point when the rats came at their party one of them had blades that were made of that green crystal which scattered the ceiling. Only Bok, the monster whose nose smelled everything, killed the assassin before it was able to leap upon Adok with those vicious talons.

Slowly they made their way forward down the slops and through the place roughly described as a city. The Skaven masses keeping their assault on as they crossed through.

It was then, as they turned their corner into a wide plaza, that the screams and hollers of death came from above. They were in what could be described as a plaza of dirt and rubble built for the purposes of speeches and parades. Lucian could see what was roughly a mockery of a stand above their heads as said places were quickly coverrun by the crawling bodies of Skaven.

“Ready yourselves!” Lucian roared as he prepared his blade, “We fight for Bretonnia, Morr, and all that is good in the world!”

Against his words all the Skaven could do was scream.

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The onslaught of rodents against them was like a tide of meat and flimsey bones. First they sent the ones who were obviously malnourished with little flesh upon the bones to speak of. They died quickly as the grouping of warriors cut them down into ribbons of tenderized meat. Said creatures, Lucian realized, were likely meant to try and exhaust them for the true horde to come.

“FOR KAZAK ANCHOR!” Shouted Adok as the Dwarf slammed his hammer into one of the Skaven, its glowing power quickly reaching out and striking in a mimicking hammer.

Suddenly an entire grouping of the Skaven were killed were turned into a smudge upon the ground for their fellows to run over.

Those that were trying to get near Tee-Nee-Tyny were quickly slaughtered by Bok. The giant of a lizard using its giant club to batter and mulch the Skaven into brutal stains of barbaric violence. The Skink did fight a few, but the small Priest dispatched the many Skaven that faced him with a staff that seemed to come from no where and severed their necks.

One of them, whose life still gushed the black blood of their damnation, was turned over by the Skink and its chest ripped into with a single stroke of the Priest’s hand. Ripping out of the Skaven’s chest was the still beating heart of the Skaven warrior who was quickly consumed in full by the Skink.

As if his god was answering a prayer the Skink’s eyes became lit and with a reaching of his hands torrents of lightning escaped from them. Several dozen Skaven from his side were frozen for an instant until they were killed in an explosion of divinely roasted gore.

It was through these acts of bizarre sorcery and brutality that allowed Wigmar and Lucian to both fight together in the final flank. Both of them becoming caked in the gore of the Skaven as sword and scythe reaped their bloody reward. However unlike the reserve standoffish manner of the Imperials, the Bretonnian had thrown himself into the rats with trust in his armor to keep him alive.

It was good trust, the Knight decided, for none of the weapons nor missiles that the Skaven used were finding purchase upon his body.

As he cut down five of them Lucian noticed something in the back. One of the Skaven walking up towards them but not in the tattered rags of the vermin dregs. This one’s face was covered from head to toe in some sort of parchment cloth with crystals for eyeballs.

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Lucian looked at the bizarre creature for a moment, his mind wondering just what kind of horror it was before it took something from its side. It reminded Lucian of the weapon that Wigmar had not used yet, but much bigger. The hole of the weapon pointed directly at Lucian with purpose that he sensed before he could understand.

Before he even understood that a warning had been whispered into his ear Lucian had thrown himself onto the ground and rolled into a standing guard. Heat washed over his body as the weapon the Skaven was using roasted the ground where he was once standing.

These rats had mastered the art of controlling flame. That vermin which attacked Lucian just now was something comparable to a sorcerer of their kind. Said sorcerer was now fleeing as he failed to get his mark, taking to hiding behind a wall before Tyny could release a torrent of thunder in its direction.

Lucian then felt a gaze upon him, one which did not belong to the thousand of ratmen that wanted him but one that was much more sane than them. He heard a call reach out, “I’ve got that one!”

Lucian did not know what possessed the fool but he broke ranks and threw himself toward the hiding rat. Sure that rat needed to die but it was not a reason to break ranks! Not when one could quickly be surrounded by the rats and killed by their kin.

>Chase after the fool
>Let him go
>Other

No post tomorrow, will resume Saturday.

>>5832676
>Let him go

>>5832676
>push towards his direction
We should kill mages first but we can't move too fast in this gore pit

>>5832699
>>5832676
>support
He might know the swords with the mage better keep him in eye sight.

>>5832699
support
good idea, we take out rat warlocks and lieutenants, and then the way for the warlord is open

>>5832699
>>5832676
>support
yeah there.
>>5833232
cool ?

>>5833234
I'll point this out since it's no trick this is a Warpflame Thrower. Lucian, once a Peasant whose never seen a gun fired, mistakes it as magic.

>>5833239
i know

>>5832699
Ditto

>>5832676
>Chase after the fool
I can only assume he saw the sword

Go after him
>>5832699
>>5832861
>>5833234
>>5834081

Let him go
>>5832679

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As he watched the Imperial run towards the flame throwing rat he felt that a decision needed to be made. Here he was going deeper into the horde to fight against a creature whose strength Lucian did not know. Whatever the case the horde itself was a terror amongst itself.

He felt at first he should chase the man, to try and defend him against this stupid mistake. Surely the fool was going to get himself killed by whatever horrors. Yet was that something Lucian wanted?

Wigmar had been nothing but suspect until this moment. Was it worth going after him and Lucian risking himself? Or perhaps was it exactly that reason that Lucian needed to go for him?

With a push of effort Lucian shoved a grouping of Skaven to the side and gave a swipe of his scythe. In a single motion he cleaved through a dozen of the monsters with a single stroke of his weapon. In doing so he walked forward three feet and gave another slice into the next group that were coming towards him.

He repeated this three times, each time getting closer to the building that the fool had run into. A bloody path of terror was laid to waste as Lucian surely crossed the field of mayhem and bodies. He was a steady encroachment of death that was able to make sure that everyone between him and the fool were laid within the bloodied tides below his feet.

Marching forward Lucian noted that the others did not come towards him. Each of his fellow companions were tied up in their battle for survival against the horde. None will be able to follow him, but atleast Lucian making his way in this direction was enough to keep his side of the battle cleared.

He did not know really why he was doing it. That was something to figure out later. What he needed to do was kill the Skaven that were between him and the fool so that Lucian can reach the fool.

After what felt like a century of war but only a minute in real time, Lucian passed into the building that the fool had thrown himself into.

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Lucian had come upon a sight that he expected. Brutal terror and blood were everywhere as the man was fighting his way through the tide. In the corner Lucian could see the Skaven witch wielding the weird weapon-like staff in the man’s direction while the man fought. There were several pathways in addition to the one Lucian crossed over. Skaven poured out of all of them and the wood screamed as it was nearing complete collapse.

Lucian looked to see the man at the other end of the room, a side which was not shared with the Skaven flamethrower. He looked over his back for a moment, likely out of habit for the brawl he was in, and found looking over it Lucian who was making his way in.

Confusion wrecked his face with no other emotions being expressed as he was pressed down against a concentrated horde of Skavens coming out of the door he was near.

Lucian wanted to say something but the sounds of metal hitting metal clicked through the room. Eye contact between the two warriors was lost as the Warpflame Thrower raised its nosel towards Lucian and the creature pulling back on a lever that was on the wand.

A bang like thunder cracked in the room coming from the Imperial. The man raising his own wand and firing it at the Skaven with the wrath of a thunderstrike. He was too late though for while his attack stopped the Skaven from throwing fire into Lucian it had also pierced the contraption that gave the wizard his power.

The mechanisms that made this rat into a witch exploded with a bang throwing green flame across the room. It would not have been enough to injure the two humans but the wood gave a final cry of anguish before welcoming the embrace of Morr.

The floor underneath the two men and the nearly three dozen skaven broke, shattering under the weight of all of them, the explosion, and the fire tearing apart the last fibers which could have held them all float.

Like children throwing themselves over a hill everyone within that chamber found themselves thrown into a tunnel laid underneath them all. It was a rough fall that was followed by not only the collapse of the single building, but a cascade failure which brought the entire block down upon this tunnel that they they were falling into.

Lucian watched it all as he felt his body tumbled and thrown about. So many pieces of debris threatened to sheer him into pieces only for the warrior’s armor to rebuff the attacks.

The last light Lucian saw was the green glow of the crystals before his face was covered in dirt, rock, and wood from the Skaven’s own stupidity.

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Morr did not bless Lucian with death. The Black Knight knew this the moment he was settled under a layer of dirt and wooden planks that settled on top of him. He lifted himself out of the filth and looked to see that he did not have any light. The air was stuffed with debris but Lucian found that he could still breath through the cloth that Adok had insisted he wear on this expedition.

As he felt those planks Lucian had taken a piece of wood and flicked it. It was a rough guess but the Knight guessed that the wood was about two feet in length. He could make a torch out of this but he needed something to strike the wood and perhaps some cloth to set the fire upon.

The later was the easiest as his eyes adjusted to see the numerous dulling red eyes around him. Each of these were dead Skaven laid out around them and Lucian remembered that many of them had cloth on their backs in mockery of mankind who lives above their heads. He reached to the nearest one and felt its body, quickly ripping off the cloth as his hands brushed against the material likely stolen from a peasant.

“By the gods!” Lucian turned in the direction of the cry, his feet already carrying him towards the voice of Adolf Wigmar, “Whose there? Are you Lucian?”

The Knight crept forward, not knowing what he should make of the situation. It was not hard to hide who he was as his metal armor clanked with a characteristic cling thanks to the workmanship of Adok.

“Damn I am.” The fellow said as the sounds of boots hit the ground, “Why did you follow me? I was able to handle myself and I would have had a better shot if not for you!”

>Because I wanted to save you
>I don’t want you out of my sight
>End him, in silence

>>5835026
>Because I wanted to save you
>to leave a comrade to fight a witch on his own, would leave me without honour

>>5835026
>A man against the hoard alone is foolish, especially when they have a wizard of flames.
>I wished to save you

>>5835026
>End him, in silence

>>5835026
>Because I wanted to save you
You are part of our team, if only for a time

>>5835026

>Because I wanted to save you.

I'm tired of seeing people die in vain.

>>5835026
>Are you actually retarded or suicidal? Breaking formation by going alone was stupid, and either you would be stabbed to death or lit on fire by the witch.
>I wanted to save you
>Now, we stop fighting and either we move to the surface or we climb, the longer we're down here, it's more probable that any of us die on this shithole

I was really about to just vote for the "I wanted to save you" option and leave it at that, but I remembered he's a noble so he's going to realize his own retardation by our words

>>5835026
>I don’t want you out of my sight

>>5835026
>>Because I wanted to save you
A Knight is foremost a protector.

Also I see you Adolf. In position to go down that tunnel, knowing that blowing up that skaven flamethrower would cause a collapse that stopped anyone from following you down this path, the path towards the warlord.

Save ya
>>5835207
>>5835223
>>5835735
>>5836030
>>5836350
>>5836413

Other
>>5836367
>>5835270

Trying to keep up the lie, eh?

>>5836481
More like a half-truth. If our distrust is correct, we get to keep an eye on him, if it's incorrect, we get to save him. We win either way.

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Now was the perfect time to kill the man, Lucian noted, for he was in the complete darkness against a warrior who was far more armored than he. If the Knight really wanted to try he could have injured or killed the fool within an instant flick of his blade. If he had done that the troubles would have been it.

Yet he did not, so he held his tongue.

“I came in because I wanted to save you.” Lucian said simply as he revealed himself fully from the darkness, “Here you ran away from the formation and almost got yourself killed by a horde of ratmen falling upon us. If you failed to kill that witch earlier you would have died in vain.”

“You really going to give me that?” The Imperial barked with what sounded like anger and ruin within his voice, “Things have been odd since we’ve gotten down here. Neither you nor the Dwarf seemed rather surprised that there were tunnels running close to that well. You wanting to kill the verminlord who lives here, I know Bretonnians look for glory but that wasn’t your excuse.”

“I wanted to kill him, make sure the bastard didn’t get away while we were tearing down his empire.” Lucian fired back with haphazard rebuttle, “His threat would still be around if he was alive.”

“No, thats not the main reason.” The Imperial pushed in, “A Dwarf would not have given up an idea he got so quickly just because someone suggests something else. Frankly I liked that plan too, but you’re looking for something. Just like me.”

Lucian felt his blood flare as the man realized the truth of the matter. It was an oppressive heat that plagued throughout Lucian’s life when he was caught doing something stupid or had to fess up to something. He didn’t trust him, that much was clear.

“We need to get out of here, together.” The Imperial said as Lucian saw sparks coming from in front of him. The silhouette of the Imperial shinning for just a moment as he managed to produce fire, “You have a torch or something we can light?”

“Yeah, here it is.” Lucian said as he presented the tip of the fire to the man. There was a couple of sparks coming from his hand before the ragged torch came aflame, “I’ll tell you now, whether you believe me or not, I protected you because that is my duty. You are not my enemy yet, just an Imperial and an odd fellow..”

The fire was shared between the two of them, Wigmar looking Lucian with a harsh glare that would not have been shared between fellows, “So it is, Bretonnian.” The man quickly made his own torch before the two of them began venturing down the tunnels.

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After a few minutes the two of them set off, the time being taken for Lucian to make sure his scythe was within his hands and that the Imperial finished readying his weapon. Seeing the wand fired before Lucian could guess that it was something closer to an arrow than the mystical mayhem that was under the control of Tee-Nee-Tyny.

Perhaps it was not magic at all. It was just something that Lucian had never seen before. After all it was so simple compared to the powers that the Skaven Warlock had used earlier and the kinds of magic that his two companions used. Simply something that was loaded and fired against the enemy which could do nothing else.

The Knight did not discount the idea and instead kept the former theory in motion. There was no reason to not assume that Wigmar was not a wizard of some variety because of that weapon. That he was simply far weaker than others.

Wigmar did not walk straight up like he had. When Lucian glanced in his direction the man would prefer his left leg instead of his right. There was also a nice smattering of blood on his left arm that was blood red, the color of human blood. Currently the man was holding the torch in his right hand but if a fight came after them he would likely place the torch in his left hand.

If there were even more injuries he was hiding them from someone he declared to be untrustworthy.

Lucian had the same agreement.

His body, which at this point Lucian wondered if it was blessed, did not sustain injury like that. The armor that Adok had made for him blocked the majority of the battering and his body seemed strong enough not to be bent out of shape. There were some aches and pains but Lucian was far more survivable than his Imperial counterpart.

They crossed through several other tunnels, each one more numerous than the last. To think that such a bizarre complex of tunnels was down here Lucian could only dream that they were going in the right direction.

It's looking to be a quiet walk as they tried to figure out these dreadful deeps.

>Keep silent in the hunt for an exit
>Apologize for past conduct
>Talk about something… *Write in*

>>5836498

We already told him we are searching for an item of great importance, and our search led us to him. I’m not sure why OP is suggesting we are lying, when we just have multiple motives (e.g trying to find the sword, trying to kill rat men, trying to keep our comrades alive, trying to find out if this man is righteous or wicked).

See
>>5823953
“To think that we are looking for the same relic!” So it isn’t really a lie. But sure, part of why I wanted to follow him was in case he found the sword by himself.

>write in
Ask him how his family lost the sword. What does he plan to do with it if he obtains it. Try to discern if he has evil intent

>>5836598
You guys hid from him the body of Mason, the potential owner of the blade.

>>5836498
>Apologize for past conduct

>>5837129
>support
If he ends up being evil we got the attack lizard bok and us blessed by morr and the lady. He won't win. Accept that we may have been wrong in our distrust. Until he proves us right.

>>5837283
>Maybe we explain about cursed weapons. And not say anything else. Let him connect his own dots.

>>5836498
> Ask him how his family lost the sword. What does he plan to do with it if he obtains it. Try to discern if he has evil intent
or
>Keep silent in the hunt for an exit

>>5836498

>Ask him how his family lost the sword. What does he plan to do with it if he obtains it. Try to discern if he has evil intent.

The truth is that we have real reasons to suspect him, for example: Who informed him about the whereabouts of the sword? Does he even know how the blade crossed the border?

>>5837346
Smart
>>5837283
>changing vote for clever write in

Apologize for past conduct
>>5837129
>>5837284

Why are you here, how do you know??
>>5837301
>>5837346
>>5836598
>>5837283

I was worried for a while that I would not have a reasonable size vote.

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Lucian took these hours to measure and feel out his feelings on the situation. It was leaving a bad taste upon his tongue, one that soured and festered the longer that he sat upon the issue. Yet he did not feel like he understood everything. That he was woefully inadequate for the discussion they were to have.

As they passed into a long tunnel, whose end their torches could not light, Lucian realized that this silence was going to continue until he said something.

“How did you lose your family’s sword?” Lucian asked as he looked towards the man with a glance. The question did not stop them in their tracks for there was simply too much ground to cover.

“Do I really need to tell you?” The man asked as they went so far into the darkness that shadows swallowed the turn they used a few minutes ago.

“You do, otherwise neither of us will make it out of here alive.” Lucian said as he glazed his torch across the shadows around them, “The Skaven will be waiting for us at whichever end we come near, and I prefer to know if who I am fighting really serves the interests that he claims to.”

“You would die to.” The Imperial gave back.

“So be it, Morr would champion it.” The Knight said firmly in his conviction.

A click of the tongue came, the Imperial defeated by the potential striking of his fellow, “My Father lost it in a duel about a decade ago. In that duel he was killed, the killer taking the blade with him.”

“That was so long ago.” Lucian pointed out without hiding his suspicions on the matter.

“The weapon has been apart of my family for over a century. I will not have some ratmen have it, if thats what we are down here to retrieve.” The man declared firmly.

“And how did you know it was here?” Lucian asked as they continued what Lucian realized was a long ascent, “It's been a decade, how did you know?”

“I was told so by a seer.” The man said simply.

It was obvious that was all the information Lucian was going to get from the man.

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It was upon divine providence for them for as they ascended the steps they must have been going in the right direction. After traveling for what must have been a full hour the sounds of things other than themselves began to make itself known to the two men.

When the green glow of that green crystal began to shine at the corner of their travel both of the men extinguished their torches. It was best not to attract much attention especially when Lucian would need to drop his torch anyways to wield the Scythe.

The faint glow was joined by the hooting and hollars of things that were clearly not human. Neither of them spoke it but they both would agree that it did not sound like the high pitched ratmen that they have been fighting. These were beastial grows much closer to the sounds the Kroxigor Bok used instead of the screams of dying rats.

When they turned the corner to see the massive room, they were witness to the monstrosities that laid within.

As a peasant knight, one who barely understood the outside world except for his trips towards Aquitaine and bedtime stories, these were not even the things of nightmares. His eyes glanced across the pits scattered about and saw things that he could not comprehend.

Some of the monsters were hulking abominations whose muscles were the size of Lucian. The obvious strength of the monsters rupturing through their flesh.

Others were far more like beasts, simply that their size was several times that of what they should have been. Large elongated teeth that looked capable to bite and tear a man in half with a single thrust of its mighty jaws.

Many had multiple limbs and looked less like finished products but the stuff of lucidity. An abstract idea of what a living creature could be if you tried to build a person from what you see through a rather murky lens.

All of these monsters shared one trait, that they were all some variation of Skaven. Lucian could not understand how these creatures were made or produced, for they were the stuff of horrors.

>Sneak among the lesser hellpit
>Run through as fast as one can
>Start the slaughter

>>5837521
>Start the slaughter

>>5837521
>>Start the slaughter
Grimmir...

>>5837521
>Slaughter.

>Set fire to the pits

He has to have some means of doing it, this imperial.

>>5837521
>Start the slaughter

>>5837589
>support
I love slaughter and I love fire.
>>5837521

>>5837521

>Set fire to the pits.

"Napalm sticks to rats!"

>>5837520
>“I was told so by a seer.” The man said simply.
>It was shown in a dream

Can't argue with that

>>5837521
>>Run through as fast as one can
the imperial might get killed because they are slow... direct conflict wil also get the imperial killed because they are wounded

objective clear, let's get some rolls! Bo3 d100.

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>5838316

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>5838316

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>5838316

>>5838323
>>5838326
MY WARLORD A SECOND KNIGHT HAS HIT THE UNDER TOWERS!

>>5838331
My liege... A knight just hit the Round Table...

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The two men were huddled around the corner, each of them peering into what was a museum of mayhem and insanity. It felt as though the sight of these creations were itching at the head of Lucian even through there was no magic directed at him.

It was the simple sight of this… hellpit… that struck such feelings in the Knight.

“What the hell are you doing?” Wigmar said to Lucian as the Knight rose to his full stature, “Those rats will find you fast if you’re standing like that.”

“Let them.” Lucian said as he felt the burning anger of a dwarven god rest its power upon his chest, “I am not going to sneak about like the rats they are, trying my best not to heed the horrors that I am seeing.”

“Are you insane?” The Imperial asked, “Are you going to galavant up to these monsters and cut each of them down!?”

“What else do you suggest? To sneak around and lie in ambush is the way of Liars, Cheaters, and Fools.” Lucian declared as he remembered back to his lessons, “To fight against your foe outright, to face them with a blade held at the ready, that is how you fight. It is what tales are made of.”

“No one is going to be around to tell your damned story if you die here!” The whisper of Wigmar was becoming harsh as he tried ot contain his anger, “You damned Bretonnians and your honor! Who is here to even witness it besides us!”

“The Gods.” Lucian said as he took a step forward. As metal came upon stone it seemed to shout across the room with ten times the force than any of their voices could, “Morr, Grimnir, and the Lady of the Lake all watch over me at this moment, Imperial. They have sent us both down into the depths of this damnation with the clear intent that we should slaughter them all.”

The Imperial looked upon Lucian with an expression Lucian had never seen directed against him. Eyes wide, he looked almost blank in expression that showed only wonder at those words.

“Light this for me at least and then flee. You can escape in the chaos I am to bring.” Lucian said to the stunned man.

The man grew a slim smile as he took out that weird wand of his and took a piece off it. He then struck it against his sword and sparks flew, lighting the torch. Then he reattached the weapon and drew his sword.

“Fine, let's make the Gods happy.”

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Two torches lit now Lucian was the quickest of the two, his flames being brushed against one of the many wooden structures within the hall. This one was connected to a series of massive bottles that seemed to be made from the green crystals.

It was rotten dry wood, the kind of stuff which quickly became kindling to a fire just like the one dancing within Lucian’s hand. It quickly ignited and was carried throughout the structure. It danced across the beams and slithered across both the top and bottom of the bottles.

Quickly Lucian was already moving towards the next one when the fire caused an explosion. He turned to see green fire dancing across the room as pieces of the green crystal covered the ground along with a clean green frost. Said explosion had quickly reached the other containers and caused them to explode at the same amount of intensity, some of them failing to detonate while another shattering violently.

The material made no sense to Lucian and he honestly wanted to keep it that way. His torch quickly lit other things alight as he glanced to see Wigmar doing the same across the way.

“Man-things intruder-invaders!” A Skaven yelled at the top of his lungs from one of the many wrecks above Lucian’s head.

Lucian ditched his torch and took out the scythe. The burning rage of dwarfs came into his chest and gullet, causing him to feel almost primal in the anticipation for a fight. He could not help but yell, “Face me Skaven, face me one and all! I am a Knight of Bretonnia and I will kill you all!”

He was answered with a guttural roar that was both high in pitch and loud as a screaming swine. Several pieces of Skaven makeshift pens and contraptions were shattered as one of those giant rats came after him. The Knight could only describe it as something like an ogre, similar to the tales he had heard of the giant men from the farthest eastern reaches of the world.

As it charged him Lucian threw himself to the side, the blow clearly something that would have sent the Knight flying if he failed to commit such an athletic maneuver. Another fist came right after, the ball the size of Lucian’s torso.

The Knight met it with his blade, the feeling of a cow’s worth of weight falling upon the Knight as he braced for the impact. The blade of his scythe was easily sinking into the fist presented to him yet if he fell such an event would be meaningless.

He did not though. As Lucian felt the burning of his legs he felt another flare of anger and wroth. With a roar of emotion Lucian’s legs pushed against the ground and brought his body forward, the blade cleanly ripping through the knuckles of the Ratogre.

As the massive beast roared in pain Lucian’s blade had cleanly went through the neck of the titanic monster, severing its neck.

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Black blood scattered across the ground as Lucian was not diminished one bit. He felt the wet pellets of ichor raining upon his armor yet the Black Knight’s armor was not diminished one bit. Instead he allowed the rune settled within his chest to fill him with that mammoth amount of strength that was beyond anything the Knight had known before.

Perhaps, it seems, Lucian was learning and understanding the rune. That this bloody execution was just a hint at a Slayer’s Might!

Screams of Skaven roared as the ratmen could not comprehend the destruction of their abomination. Quickly their fear of the Knight who was now advancing towards them overrode their sense of preservation and understanding. With the stank of fear washed in the air they broke every bar and lock that was holding in the rest of the Ratogres.

Lucian did not stand idly and charged the nearest ratman who had made himself known. Said creature was so scared that it failed to bring up the massive instrument within its hands, a weapon that reminded Lucian of a mancatcher from Aquitaine’s city guard. Yet it was filled with so many spikes that it was much closer to a torture device than even those used by the guard.

The Skaven lost its head, quickly followed by three others who were standing near him.

As if brought into a blood craze another of the abominations came charging at Lucian with jaws ajar. Lucian had to be quick, a fluke of dodging just a moment ago being ingrained in his body as he rolled under the monster and struck it in the back. It gave a mighty roar before flying around to slam its fist into Lucian. It was somehow ignoring the bloody tearing of its torso Lucian had made thanks to its motion, and it did not really care.

Lucian raised an arm and received the attack. His body shook to its core as such a massive weight was placed upon his relatively small frame. Yet he stood firm, the vast majority of the monster’s strength being lost in the blood that Lucian had caused it to spill.

Another burst of strength from the rune, Lucian battered away the quickly weakening limb and completed the cut that the creature was too stupid to realize it had. It was all muscle with bones too brittle to be considered worthy, so the scythe went through it as easily as it did when cutting the necks of Orks.

Another bleeding on the ground Lucian wondered to himself just what was happening. The rune sated for just this second, he realized just how surreal it was to quickly dispatch a monster like that. He shouldn't have, he shouldn’t have been able to.

He ignored those thoughts a moment later, for two more Ratogres had made themselves known along with a wave of indescribable hellspawn now swimming at the feet of such monstrous abominations.

>CHARGE!
>Lead them to a place to fight one at a time
>Best to start running!
>Other ideas

>>5838584
>Lead them to a place to fight one at a time
When outnumbered, funnel your enemies

>>5838584
>>Lead them to a place to fight one at a time
The skavens dont build buildings in a organized matter. Neither their settlement. As such: rat ogres cant really pass everywhere beside with strength

>>5838584
>Lead them to a place to fight one at a time
Im not trapped in here with you. Youre trapped in here with me where i can 1v1 all of you

>>5838584
>Lead them to a place to fight one at a time

Maybe step on the head of the ratogre we just killed to make it go splat and put the point across.

>>5838584
>Lead them to a place to fight one at a time

>>5837082
Thanks. So it seems like he suspects we’re concealing stuff from him, but he also knows it is down here.

>>5838584
>write in: Start singing a battle hymn that praises Morr, The Lady, and Grimnir. The Dwarvish way.
>Lead them to a place to fight one at a time

>>5838584

>Lead them to a place to fight one at a time.

If the Imperial had a pistol, now would be the time for him to use it. A point-blank shot through the eyeball would turn this battle into a fair fight.

Rolls once again! Bo3 d100

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>5839286

Rolled 88 (1d100)

>>5839286

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>5839286
small money

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Lucian knew the dangers of the creatures coming towards him. Each of them carrying between their muscles enough strength to crush a man into a butter-like paste. If they were given the chance then they would fling him around in attempts to remove him from his armor, likely deciding that the best action was simply to stretch him apart.

The two of them were quickly upon him as Lucian imagined the ruin they would wreath upon him. Imagination was almost becoming reality as the creatures for some reason tried to flank him and pincer him between their massive bodies.

Heart pounding Lucian threw himself back. The two monsters smashing the ground where he was once standing with battecries that were both deeply primal yet high pitch just like their brotherin. Robbed of an easy kill they both came towards Lucian with barks and bites, tongues rubbing their lips looking for the taste of blood that would soon be upon them.

These things were both beast and rat, Lucian decided. Their wits had been robbed but some of the fundimentals of being Skaven, such as ambushes, were still within their blood. They did not realize the tactic was being done but did it anyways.

He needed to stop that. He needed to make sure they were not able to surround him and go at him like wolves against bovine. Such a thing was not hard as he noticed a gap nearby that looked only wide enough for one of them.

He took it, throwing himself as fast as he could against the bellows of the enemy. The two Rat Ogres had gotten on all fours and were running like some brain dead human would. Their massive front arms throwing their hips forward so that their legs could catch the ground below them and allow them to swing the arms forward.

Cumbersome but fast. With such simple motions they were crossing ground even as Lucian had a faster start due to being the first actor. With a leap Lucian threw himself through the cracks into a modest size ditch whose purpose Lucian only understood because of the smell.

He had a moment to look up and watch as the two ripped at eachother in an attempt to get into the crevace. There was a sense of morbid fascination as he watched one of them bear his ratlike fangs and sink them into the neck of the other.

The betrayer tore his fellow to shred, scattering black blood like rain upon Lucian. There was no honor amongst rats its seemed and even their monsters were exemplars of this.

Throwing the two halves of its victim, the Rat Ogre threw itself into the chamber with Lucian.

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Lucian had thrown himself onto the edge of a wall just encase these monsters had enough of a mind to try and flank him again. Now that there was only one of them though such a position gave Lucian regret as one of the fists came to slam into him. There was no space for him to roll out of the way and he could only brace for impact.

The fist slammed into his brace and shook Lucian to his core. Such a strike was far more than even the Ork Warboss who he fought before. The monster did not betray the nature it showed as Lucian had to give a mighty growl of pain just to withstand the impact.

He did not taste blood through and while his body screamed Lucian did not fall. The Black Knight against all odds did not even lost his footing as this creature should have easily thrown him into the wall with the ease of a peasant against a chicken. Instead Lucian brought his weapon forward and rebounded the attack back towards the Ogre with a push of flaming muscles and will.

The creature took a step back from the impact and Lucian quickly brought his weapon forward for a deep cut against its chest. Lucian could see the red muscles trying to flex within the chest as the monster did not care for the wound that was inflicted upon it. The Rat Ogre simple roared forward and gave another brawler’s cuff in the direction of Lucian.

As before the KNight had to take it, this one knocking him from the side and successfully pushing him into the nearby wall. Yet Lucian, who had been fearing the strikes of these creatures, had opted to strike the offending limb instead of doing a defence of it. He trusted his own body and armor, which was the truest bet he could make. The scythe which was now imbedded in the fist of the Ogre was ripped out and had completely shredded the monster’s forearm.

In the end the monster was still a living creature, falling over as it lost its strength.

Looking up Lucian to see that the horde of Mutans were upon him. He did not hesitate a moment and with three mighty slashes of the scythe ended the lives of a dozen of them before advancing upon their corpses out of the chamber that he found himself in. Each step harassed by these abominations that were coming out of their jars.

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A bloody tithe was reaped as Lucian stepped out into the main room. Green smoke now covered everything from one end of the place to the other. Yet, as the looked, Lucian realized that there was not just two fires but three lines of fires across the field. Lucian did not need to think more and he heard the mighty roar of the Kroxigor that was within the air.

Running forward Lucian slid down a small hill and slaughtered another grouping of those mutants. They were all following one of those rodents carrying the large ringed polearms and a whip, said whip quickly striking at Lucian on reflex. The Knight did not even entertain the Skaven as he severed its torso with a simple swing of the weapon.

He kept the rush, seeing another of those Rat Ogres coming across his side as the two of them were chasing towards the same chaos. Said beast quickly changed directions and threw itself towards Lucian to which the Knight threw himself into a dodge.

Poised below another of those monsters Lucian struck, ripping out its chest with a single stroke. This one unlike the others could not ignore such a strike and fell as its beating heart spilled from the opening in its chest.

“There he is!” A mighty cheer came as Lucian looked up to see Adok sliding down to meet the human, “You lucky Umgi! You didn’t die from the collapse! Where is the other?”

“He’s here somewhere.” Lucian said as he looked around, “We lost eachother when the monsters started coming.”

As Lucian finished his words the earth under him tembled, the massive size of Bok falling upon the ground next to him as Tee-Nee-Tyny was still sitting upon him. The tongue of the lizard licking the air as its eyes were searching, “Magic near, dark magic!”

“What do you-!” Lucian felt a chill across his body as a roar came across the room. He looked to where it was coming from and there he saw that odd looking Skaven with four arms waving what was clearly a sword that glowed an aching blue chill.

“You-you will pay for all this bad-things! Face-face achievement-trophy of CLAN MOULDER!” He bellow as the ground underneath them all shook once again.

Lucian did not think much about why the tunnels needed to be so massive, or how the ratmen were easily able to make said tunnels even in places they did not have their slaves. He was thinking it was for the Rat Ogres, for getting a horde of them out into the shanty town that was Bastonne would be perfect.

He was wrong for he watched as the nearby building shattered into a billion pieces.

Things Lucian had seen before could not be described, yet this one was beyond even that. All he could say was that it was white skinned and like a worm. No other words would describe… the terror that he was facing.

And it was not alone, for the rest of the Rat Ogre batch Lucian had been slaughtering had arrived. The master of them quickly running behind the cover of his horde.

>Focus on the Rat ogres,
>Take on the Hellpit Abomination
>Other

>>5839668
>Take on the Hellpit Abomination
The way we were carving up the rat ogres I think we can leave them to our friends. Time for the next challenge (also the glory of taking down the boss)

>>5839668
>Take on the Hellpit Abomination

Does this guy count as a great monster if part of the quest is just getting to Albion? Also if the Slayer Rune was pumping out good mojo before, it must be an absolute torrent of power for this thing. Hopefully the boys can slap Lucian with a buff or something too.

>Other
On the off chance, does the Hellpit Abomination happen to be standing beneath a large warpstone chandelier or stalactite?

>>5839668
>Take on the Hellpit Abomination
I think we can take em, we're a biggun