[EDIT: It turns out I was writing this at the same time as the GM. Oh well!]

<before>

Khelandria looked out through one of the slits windows in the guard tower. Outside, the situation was no better - it was chaos both literal and metaphysical. She quickly gathered Harold and Tugg, checking to see if they were fit to continue. Luckily neither were unable to fight.

"We should get to the inn," the Witch Elf said, the prospect of the bloodshed promised by the journey making her own blood sing. "We can regroup there. Hopefully the others will remember." She didn't waste too long on the interior of the chamber, there was nothing she wanted here, but she did bow her head in a brief prayer to Khaine.

"Lord of Murder, I shall spill red blood in Your name this day! I will take heads and slit throats! Let the crimson sacrament flow, for I shall kill in the name of Kaela Mensha Khaine!" It was just a quick improvisation, but by the end of it, Khelandria was barely holding back a warcry.

"I will run out and along the flank," she said, shivering a little as anticipation took hold, "and you two make a direct line for the inn. I am faster, so I will move in a skirmish line that should give you the benefit of some interference. Or at least," she said, her hands gripping the hilts of her blades tightly, looking up at the Ogre, "give us all room to swing."

"May your war gods guide you."

With that, she was into the fray. Beastmen ran amok, not caring for strategy, only slaughter. Khelandria leapt up onto the back of the first she killed, slitting its throat. She jumped off the body as it fell, kicking out at the next. Bloodshed and glorious killing in the name of Khaine became a blur. She halted, panting, looking for the next foe, seeing only a Bretonnian's pale face staring back into hers.

The man was young, and he clutched at a short sword without the skill of one trained in warfare, but he was determined and he had blood on his hands. Beside him a girl stood holding a knife from the feast table. She had strong arms - perhaps she was a milkmaid in calmer times, or some other healthy outdoor profession - but she was not a soldier. They regarded the Witch Elf - covered in blood, her white skin pale as the Northern snows, her Elven heritage plain to see - with a mixture of fear and something else that she could not identify.

"Are you from the woods?" the young man asked, not dropping his guard. "Have you come to save us?"

Khelandria took a step towards the pair. She assessed the battle around them. There were beastmen close, and they could not make it to the inn without running into more. Brusquely, she nodded. Khaine would have His fill of blood this day, but not from these two.

"Stay close to me," she said, "and run when I tell you to. We are going to the inn nearby - it has good walls and is a strong defensive position." She would have smiled, but she was only a heartbeat away from communion with her Lord. "Whatever happens - know that I am on your side. Make for the inn, and do not look back for me."

There was no time for debate as a large, braying beastman charged straight for her, seeing what it thought must be a soft target. Khelandria turned and buried her dagger in its eye while the milkmaid stabbed it in the side.

"Go! Go now!" the Witch Elf shouted, pushing the two along. As they ran, she kept pace, keeping whatever she could away from the two Bretonnians, slaying where she might. Killing was her prayer, blood her sacrament to the Bloody-Handed God. Twice a beastman got past her guard, edging around as she killed one of its foes, but each time the pair fought for their lives, stabbing and cutting. At last, bloodied but alive, the trio made it to the inn. A fearsome retinue of men at arms was holding the door. They ushered the two young natives inside, but Khelandria - nodding her thanks - turned to make sure that her two companions from Constantine's band were safe before she entered the inn herself.

Khelandria was glad to keep on the trail of the Beastmen, for such unnatural servants of the Ruinous Powers were an enemy for all who followed Khaine. She stalked along at the perimeter of the small band, but kept close, for she was not a scout. Sometimes she fell in to talk with Constantine; the man had many stories to tell, if he wished to speak of his travels. At others she walked silently, but kept alert, seeking to know more of the ways of the lands and the people by observation.

When they encountered the merchant and his daughters, it was a welcome break from the ill omens of the trail so far. She enjoyed her meal, then took advantage of the chance to seek to buy herself another cloak. She had a waterproof one of thick wool, but if they were going to be travelling much further then she would like a soft, warm one for the nights ahead. Something to snuggle up in while her dreams of the battlefield warmed her heart.

Vacus quietly pulled his blade and readied his shield and had no care after that point he walked readied to kill whomever was there. But then he stopped, his old morals came into play he no longer worked for the Witch King and his mind wasn't ran by pure hate anymore he had restored some of his sanity. Vacus took a deep breath and walked into camp hoping that there was people and not Beastmen that he would have to slay. He waited to say a thing in fear of being assaulted upon entry.

<Vacus' arrival> @Valonox

"Halt, who goes there?!" as Vacus approached the treeline a female human wearing heavy plate armor barred his way. Like himself, she also carried a sword and a shield, and with the decoration on her items he could guess that this one was some sort of a human knight.

He also managed to spot others sitting around a campfire and they were indeed a motley crew. He saw an Ogre with an oversized cleaver, a big Lizardman of some kind, a burly human wearing priestly robes and hefting a massive warhammer accompanied by a giant wolf, a female wizard with bright red hair and similar tattoos on her body, a rouge-like human carrying a repeater crossbow looking as if its design was stolen right from the Druchii's very nose and another human with a long trench coat and pointed hat that was in the middle of oiling his pistols.

Black Guard also saw couple of other female humans going around three small horse carts, but what was most interesting is that he actually saw another two Dark Elves nearby - one clearly a Bride of Khaine, a Witch Elf, and yet another bride, although this one married to Malekith, a Dark Elf Sorceress (OOC @Maleth I believe that I read somewhere that every Sorceress is also married to Malekith, as a part of the ritual for becoming one etc although I might be wrong).

If anything, after so much time, it would seem he might even share a company with his own countrymen, if this woman barring his way doesn't turn out to be a cold-blooded murderer and stabs him in the back. As if on signal, she put her sword in a fighting stance, obviously not knowing what to expect from him.

<Shopping> @Jorimel

Turns out that this merchant was well-supplied with items Khelandria was looking for. One of his daughters pulled a board down from one of the wagons and turned it into a proper shopping stand. "If you find anything you like, just let me know," the girl, no more than fifteen years of age, told Khelandria and remained sitting in the back, letting the Witch Elf inspect the goods in peace as long as she wanted.

There were many other pieces of clothing, but as for cloaks in specific, she saw at least ten items who overall were looking quite similar. Each one was made of wool taken from mountain goats native to the region around Middenheim and that part of the Middle Mountains. They came in variations of grey and light brown, and each piece had a hood as well as option to tie it up front on couple of places so it can shield your entire body and keep you warm. There were also many sizes, from small ones for children to big ones made to be worn across armor.

Seeing what Khelandria was looking at, the girl selling also added "All of these cloaks are waterproof and will last quite a long time. They will also retain the color for many years and they require only simple cleaning from time to time. We also give a free comb to help you with the wool for each cloak you buy."

Vacus lowered his sword and shield like it was if he was stuck in a dream this many people so many different ideals. His face was filled with astonishment he looked at the knight and fixed his emotional deformation locked his steel coloured eyes on her. "I am a weary traveller looking some nourishment may I speak to the person in charge here swordsman I am no threat you may even take my weapons to ensure the truth of my words." Vacus looked at the knight he did not want to insult someone not knowing what rank they were. His weapons lowered but still ready to protect himself against the knight.

<Before>
the fight with Gog had been quickly resolved, the other ogre proving himself alot of a lesser ogre than Tugg was, before moving out into the battle proper, Tugg first whent in to get a few fist fulls of meat from the dead ogre, doing some hasty eating to do such thing was the only right thing, he would come back for the rest when the battle was over, he might be of the butcher caste, and Gog just a normal ogre, but ogre infighting was still holy and so was eating the oponent.
Being quickly done with that Tugg whent out into the fight, Khelandria allready out killing with all the jumpy quick movement she did, and Harold shooting them with his crossbow, Tugg also fought on his own signature way, swinging his cleaver-hammer, in broad swings, one side brutally cutting and the other pummeling the smaller brutish creatures, sadly no minotours amongst them right now.

<Fight resolved>
The fight had been over alot quicker than Tugg had expected, he allmost seing himself start bounding after the beastmen as they ran away, though seeing he was the only one to think that was a good idea for now, Tugg just had to accept they would properly go after them later, and for now an after fight meal had to be cooked up, and he had just the right ingredients with the myriad of deferent dead present, though he properbly should cook up normal human, they dident seem to like that alot, what a waste of food it would be, though with the dead ogre and beastmen present, Tugg was sure he could cook up something good as soon as he found himself some cooking tools.

<retreat from boat filled with Beastmen>
Xiuhcoatl was denied final vengeance against the surviving greatswordsman, the guard brutally cut down by the abomination that came out of the ship's hold. The stench of chaos was palpable to the Saurian. Children of madness, worshipers of the dark ones. They were not of the Great plan, their very presence an act against it as they try to defile and destroy it all. Letting loose a roar of rage and hatred at the pawns of the old enemy, the former Temple Guard chopped and cleaved the braying tide of stinking fur and horns, keeping the beastmen back to let the veterans time to get off the tainted ship and to the town, lingering behind longer than a sane man would advise to fight the filth. Acting as rear guard, the town was no better as it too was caught in a tide of chaotic savagery. With blade, shield, and dwarven chainmail he was still thankful for, Xiuchoatl help clear a bath to the tavern where they would meet up with Constantine and the rest of their group.

<Camp>
The lizard was content in the plan to hunt down the herd to go after the lost trinket, more opportunity to strike at those disrupting the Great plan. The march through the dark dank woods, ones familiar to the ones he had walked through near High Rock, with the group coming across desolate villages left in the wake of the thundering heard. Just more proof that these things should not exist. Keeping his weapons out and ready throughout the march, the lizardman seemed more agitated than usual. After coming across the merchant with his daughters and setting up camp, he sat near the fire as he sharpened and cleaned the stone teeth of his blade. @Keidivh "How did the tournament go at the Baron's lair? I see Pierre hasn't rejoined us yet. We still have those villagers back at the castle to train after all." The Saurian had asked the burly warm-blood as he tried to bring some mirth back, thinking he would be the one to know where the other knight had gone to. (Ooc: bit of an old callback that one is. )

~Baron Fight End~
A ferocious roar was heard from the Wolf Priest as he brought the hammer down, slaying the beast that had so gruesomely killed Pierre, ensuring nothing was left of the mans head. He would die in obscurity, his name forgotten. As was the fate of any who made an enemy of Ulric's chosen. Of course this wasn't enough. Bringing up Pierre's sword, he drove it through the knights heart, ensuring his honor was restored.

Holstering his hammer and sheathing Pierre's sword, Kristoff walked over to his ever faithful companion, picking up the bloodied up with ease. "Well done my brother. Couldn't have taken him without ya." He muttered as he stroked Vorgen's matted fur, the injured arctic wolf giving a small yip of victory before slipping into unconsciousness.

While he took pride and satisfaction in that he destroyed his friend's murderer, he knew he failed the true mission, the amulet was gone, and even Constantine couldn't mask his anger at the failure. The Baron seemed to mutter his final words, but amidst the mindless gibberish one word stuck out. Everchosen.

Before he could inquire Constantine commanded they move out immediately, and Kristoff decided it would be best not to bring it up so soon after their failure. So he gave a grunt of approval, carrying his wolf out of the gaudy hall and back to his company. They had a hunt to finish.

~Camp~
While some may have been uneasy, or even frightened to be going into the deep dark of the Drakwald, Kristoff couldn't have been more at home. Out of all the places of the Old World, he had spent the most time here, hunting Beastmen and cultists, slaying monsters that had terrorized villagers.

"It's good to be home." Kristoff muttered to himself, Vorgen giving silent agreement as he traipsed back into camp with a large hare in his bloody maw.

But he couldn't help but feel a slight sense of agitation, still being a step behind their prey. His prey. He had let that shaman escape, and he could only redeem himself by prying that amulet from it's battered corpse. The thought made him smile.

While Kristoff sat lost in though, and getting inebriated, the strange Lizardman approached him. He was a strange creature, but a skilled and honorable warrior. Him mentioning the poor excuses of guardsmen back at High Rock made the Wolf Priest burst out in genuine laughter. "Ha, those sorry louts, wouldn't be surprised if they all skewered themselves by the time we get back. Bloody fools probably can't tell a sword from a sheath."

The laughter died somewhat, as did the smile, Kristoff pulling out a Pierre's sword which he had wrapped in cloth to ensure it's safety.

"Pierre died in sacred battle, Ulric's sacred realm. And I crushed the bastards head that did it." A fearsome grimace was on his face as he said so.

@BuriasDempsey

@Keidivh The Saurian nodded, face grim now, after hearing the news. "Good to hear about getting his killer. I guess the knight's part in the great plan is over." Xiuhcoatl said solemnly as he continued cleaning his belongings "...We lost the Ork as well, two guards with greatswords. Got one of them, the other had the gall to die to the beastmen instead of me. The damn Baron's ship was full of the abominations, just laying in wait or something." He informed Kristoff of both Tuska's demise and the unsavory discovery, to which he was still surprised at. He did not think there would be those in league with the dark ones, at least anyone still sane for the most part.

"Mariah, let him through," said the man with the pointed hat who was until then cleaning his pistols. The human knight let Vacus go through but still remained close by although with her weapons lowered now, leaving the Black Guard armed.

The man with the hat offered Vacus to sit next to him on a nearby tree plank and offered him a glass of scotch. "Forgive Mariah, but the recent things that happened to us and the nearby region forced us to remain vigilant.Hope you understand this."

"My name is Constantine and these men you see are a part of my mercenary group. We deal with doing jobs no other would and we get payed for it handsomely, to say the least. You look capable enough, have you had any thoughts about having a mercenary life? If so, I might just be able to help you with that," Constantine asked Vacus, interested in his answer before doing anything more

There were no cooking tools for Tugg to find, all of those used by the merchant daughter were quite small and inadequate for his big hands. But then again, every decent Butcher can make food with what he has (or hasn't) at his disposal, and Tugg was surely one such.

As for the food, he had lots of it, the bodies of various Beastmen, the other Ogre and the pieces he acquired during the earlier missions were all there, he just had to mix them up and make something. Maybe others would eat the food this time around, maybe not, but in the end did it matter really? If they don't eat it it only means he would have more for himself.

OOC ok, you can make whatever meal you like with the ingredients you have, and you can make it provide any sort of a bonus (after eating), so feel free to be creative. After you make it, I'll add this custom dish to your trait list (Cookbook) so you can make it again whenever you want