| Eye of the Storm | Vol. 1 Issue 2 | |
|
from countless Sundays before. A sermon of righteous living jumped from his mouth, and flew into the eager ears of his flock. These words no longer burned in his heart. After the sermon, Damien stood at the entrance of the church, like a thousand Sundays before. Thanking his congregation for coming and hoping to see them next week. The hollow act made him want to vomit. As a youth Damien had joined the priesthood because it seemed the best way to further his education, but years later, the priesthood seemed like a prison. A prison in which those above him told him what he could learn and what he could do. Later that day, Damien sat alone in the rectory. His two identities were in conflict. As a priest he wanted to live by the words that he taught. As a seeker of knowledge, he tired of the drudgery of the priesthood and longed for his mind to be set free to learn and experience all things. He stole away to a dark and hidden corner of the rectory’s library and he paused before a book that had sat untouched for generations—the Necrolibron. Forbidden to all, this tome was bound in the flesh of murdered children, and written in their mothers’ blood. The Necrolibron called to him, promising to answer all of his questions. With shaking hands, Damien reached for the book and scattered away dust from ages of disuse. As he sat at his reading desk, two different voices in his mind were arguing over the implications of his actions. The voice of indiscretion soon won the battle and the book creaked its approval as he open the ancient text. The faint smell of decay and must filled his nostrils as the weathered pages were turned. He turned to chapter six hundred and sixty-six, opening the portals of the Netherworld. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and rolled into his eyes. Damien lit a candle. The light fought to keep the dark of the room from swallowing his very soul. Carefully following the instructions, the priest drew a circle of protection on the floor of his chamber. He spoke aloud, “No. I must not do this.” He lit another candle. A voice inside told him What does it matter? The circle will protect me. I shall receive my knowledge, and I will banish the demon. Damien placed a finger on the text and with a clumsy tongue he struggle through a line of text. The ritual words were in a language long forgotten but as he labored along, the words seemed to become easier. Almost without realizing it, he began to chant in the dark tongue and then repeat his words faster hand faster. He tried to stop, but his mouth and tongue refused. He clasped his hands over his ears to block out the sound of his own repetitive shouts. The dark verse ended with a sudden lunatic’s scream. All went silent. Red and yellow smoke issued from the circle.
Flames engulfed the protective
“You bring me here to ask questions and to learn,
perhaps this is true. But we
Value (not yet available — this model is for use with the coming supplement Miracles and Hexxes) Caste 23, Charm 7, Courage 12, Dexterity 12, Intuition 12, Intelligence 18, Leadership 18, Piety 22, Strength 12, Vitality 12, Will 7, Fate 23 Weaponcraft with iron staff B2 Witch Level A1 Faith Quotient 10, Faith Limit 16, 2 Compensations/day Curses A1 Sortilege I2 his bones lay undisturbed in the earth until they were uncovered by the knowledge Damien Suth found in the Necrolibron. Now, by the power of Necrozona and the dark force of the Netherworld, the bone cat hunts again. This time he stalks not for food, or even for pleasure. The bone cat is filled with an endless loathing for the living that he cannot understand, but the bone cat needn’t understand his hatred to act upon it. Because the bone cat was fossilized his bones have turned to stone and are hardened offering extra absorption. The Damien’s bone cat must remain within 9” of the warlock or it returns to the earth from whence it came. (Check at beginning of activation.) A guardian bone cat may be assigned to any other character at the start of the battle, but this cat must remain within 6” of its master. A free-range bone cat can move anywhere the general commands, but costs an additional 20 points. Value 30* (50 for free-range) Caste 5, Charm 9, Courage, 28, Dexterity 20, Intuition 15, Intelligence 1, Leadership 0, Piety 13, Str 20, Vitality 20, Will 0/30, Fate 10 growing army of awakened dead. His expeditions gained strength as they roamed—each opponent's dead adding to his forces. Until he finally needed to return to Necrozona to gather and refine his dark powers and new troops. On one particular trip, Utu visited the Empire Sinister. The trip was less fortunate than planned, and Utu set back towards his lands of the undead. On crossing the Dorok Mountains, Utu's army encountered a settlement of peculiar giants; one-eyed, horned, savage brutes of creatures. In ancient days these intimidating megaloids enforced the will of the giant overlords, but countless millenia of stagnation had reduced these cyclopes to near beasts, even by troll and giant standards. Utu's army was nearly destroyed by the cyclopes—but no matter—Utu was pleased. He had completely destroyed this tribe of giants, and had added a legion of strong, mindless soldiers to his personal guard. Value 169 Caste 4, Charm 4, Courage 30, Dexterity 14, Intuition 6, Intelligence 1, Leadership 0, Piety 12, Strength 27, Vitality 26, Will 0/30 Weaponcraft I1 * Devastating blow — May forfeit one attack to take a single devastating blow, if so Damage is 2d4+3d8+2d4 The cyclops can execute a pass-through charge, but may not sprint and charge. Charge damage is d10+3d8. The cyclops may only charge at creatures that 1.5” or taller. Fate 55 and ambitious leader, he would always go out of his way to prove himself to his liege. Young though he was Luther and his men had never lost a battle. Luther yearned to be included in Jasper’s war council, but time and time again, Jasper turned down Luther’s pleas. Jasper told him, “The war council is a place where we need the sober wisdom that comes with age. Your blade cannot win your place in the war council.” Luther shouted, “I’m twice the warrior of those old men you surround yourself with.” Jasper nodded. “Perhaps you need a respite, to gather your senses and remember how to talk to your seniors.” Luther put his hand on his blade and eyed Jasper angrily. “I could take you down now.” Jasper’s stern gaze was unmoved. Luther shouted, “You’re making a big mistake! I’ll show you.” And he stormed off. Luther and his most trusted guards left the army that day and they headed for the place they could prove their worth—or die trying—the cold and burning sands of Necrozona. Luther took with him only 4 men (two stalwart halberdiers and two steady crossbowmen) and his own mighty destrier with him. These men were great warriors, foolhardy like Luther, and rough at the edges. Together they set off with visions of winning glory and fame. When the band reached the lands of the dead, they battled zombies and skeletons time and time again. And again and again, they were victorious. They pushed onward, while supplies would last to the hidden and legendary palace of Deathmaster. At last they came to the ruins of a great temple and nearly buried columns. “This … must be the place, “ Luther told his men. Almost immediately they were met with a troop of armored skeletons and muttering zombies, but they feared not, though they were outnumbered three-to-one. Luther shouted, “Attack!” Luther’s two crossbowmen (William Baine and Jack Spaid) fired, and two undead halberdiers fell to the ground. The footmen Kayne Jacobs and Kyle DeBoise charged as Baine and Spaid popped off two more skeletons. Zombies and skeletons hungry for the flesh of the living charged back at Kayne and Kyle. The rusty weapons of the skeletons bounced powerlessly off Kayne and Kyle’s armor. Rotting flesh peeled off of the zombie’s dead fingers as they flung themselves against the quality platemail that Kayne and Kyle wore. The undead were no match for these well-equipped humans and all the undead were quickly dispatched. As Luther and his men were pilling up the undead corpses to be burned, they heard a laugh—the hideous laugh of the Deathmaster Utu Ekong. Utu and three wraiths stepped into view. Luther readied his lance. He welcomed the opportunity to test himself in battle against the mighty Deathmaster. The wraiths wailed an unearthly moan as they flew at the humans. Overcome by an insane fear, Kayne and Kyle threw down their crossbows and fled in terror—only to be struck in the back. Platemail and shields could not stop the mist-like attacks of the wraiths. Soon they both lay on the ground chilled to the bone. The wraiths turned toward Baine and Spaid. Luther had never been bested in battle before; Kayne and Kyle had fought by his side in many battles, often without so much as a scratch. Though two of his best men lay dead already, Luther nodded from atop his massive, “At last, an opponent worthy of my attention.” The Deathmaster held up his scythe. He grinned the wicked grinned that all skeletons are doomed to smile for eternity. “At last, a warrior strong enough to call my own.” With a battle cry, Luther cast off his thoughtful pause and charged the Deathmaster. He pointed his lance at the vile heart of the undead lord, but Utu ducked the blow and returned a swing so stinging that Luther fell from his horse. Luther came up quick though and he drew his sword. Luther swung at Utu, hitting the Deathmaster in the head and knocking him to the ground. Again, Luther swung striking a vicious blow to the Deathmaster’s chest. Utu Ekong’s armor split open, revealing bone and rotting organs. Utu groaned in agony, but used his scythe to roll aside. He came to his feet huffing and puffing. Steam rose from his armor as he said to Luther, “You are a great warrior.” Luther raised his sword. “And this great warrior will be your end.” The Deathmaster only laughed. “Perhaps, Luther, but not today.” With unexpected suddenness, Luther was slammed in the side by a wave of bitter cold. He is vision was fogged over, but he could see the wraiths that had impacted him racing away. Luther staggered in pain, but he still held his sword aloft as he approached the Deathmaster. Utu nodded. “I could use a general like you—someone who doesn’t give up at the first setback. You are powerful Luther, and whoever let you come here was a fool.” Luther closed with his sword. “It doesn’t matter who sent me—I’m going to strike you down.” Utu’s scythe was longer and he struck the first blow, clocking Luther into a stupor. Luther’s spirit spun free from his body but he could still hear the voice of the Deathmaster. “Luther. Luther, you’re not dead yet.” Luther looked down below and he could see his body sprawled on the ground below him. His sword lay at the Deathmaster’s feet, but the Utu was looking up—looking at Luther’s spirit. “Join me in a place of honor where you may use that sword forever. I need a great warrior like you. You and your men may fight again and at last exact your revenge, because it’s not me you want to kill anyway. It’s Jasper.” Luther blinked and looked up from his corpse reborn. “I accept the challenge, my lord.” A/R 1 (lance) or 2 (sword) C.E.R. 0 (lance) or 1 (sword) Damage d12 (lance, add 2d8 bonus in a charge) or 2d6+d10 (sword) Evasion 6 Absorption 2d10+d8+2 Value 64 Caste 26, Charm 12, Courage 20, Dexterity 21, Intuition 12, Intelligence 12, Leadership 19, Piety 14, Strength 21, Vitality 19, Will 13 Weaponcraft w/Lance I1, Weaponcraft w/ Sword A3, Shield Use I2 Fate 19 A/R 1 C.E.R. 2 (crossbow) –1 (sword) Damage d20+d10 (crossbow) d10 (longsword) Evasion 38 Absorption 2d10+1 Value 38 Caste 19, Charm 7, Courage 19, Dexterity 21, Intuition 9, Intelligence 8, Leadership 10, Piety 13, Strength 15, Vitality 18, Will 12 Weaponcraft w/ crossbow A3, Weaponcraft w/ Shortsword B2, Marksmanship A3, Focus w/ Crossbow I1 Fate 9 A/R 1 C.E.R. 2 (crossbow) –1 (sword) Damage d20+d10 (crossbow) d10 (longsword) Evasion 38 Absorption 2d10+1 Value 35 Caste 19, Charm 7, Courage 19, Dexterity 21, Intuition 9, Intelligence 8, Leadership 10, Piety 13, Strength 15, Vitality 18, Will 12 Weaponcraft w/crossbow A3, Weaponcraft w/ Shortsword B2,. Marksmanship A3, Focus Crossbow I2. Fate 9 A/R 2 C.E.R. -1 Damage 2d8+d8 Evasion 5 Absorption 2d10+1 Value 34 Caste 20, Charm 7, Courage 19, Dexterity 21, Intuition 9, Intelligence 9, Leadership 10, Piety 13, Strength 20, Vitality 18, Will 12 Avoidance I2. Focus Halberd B1, Weaponcraft w/ Halberd A1, Fate 9 A/R 2 C.E.R. -1 Damage 2d8+d8 Evasion 5 Absorption 2d10+1 Value 34 Caste 19, Charm 7, Courage 19, Dexterity 21, Intuition 9, Intelligence 9, Leadership 15, Piety 13, Strength 20, Vitality 18, Will 12 Avoidance I2, Focus w/ Halberd B1, Weaponcraft w/ Halberd A1 Fate 9 Value + Caste 20, Charm 5, Courage 24, Dexterity 11, Intuition 9, Intelligence 1, Leadership 0, Piety 13, Strength 24, Vitality 17, Will 15 * Strength of mount may be added to charge attack. + Included in cost of rider
|
||
![]() |
![]() |
|
|
Battlestorm is a trademark of Ral Partha Publishing. Ral Partha (and add any others) is/are a registered trademark(s) of Ral Partha Enterprises, Inc. All images and text appearing on this website are the property of the listed authors, Ral Partha Enterprises, Inc., and/or Ral Partha Publishing. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of these materials for any commercial purpose is strictly prohibited. Reproduction or use for non-commercial purposes are permitted provided the author(s) receive credit and any copyright notices are included. New rules, stats, and fiction appearing on this site should not be considered an official part of the Battlestorm multiverse until they either appear in an official Battlestorm supplement or are transferred to the appropriate part of the Ral Partha Publishing Web page. |
||