Hoodies.pdf

Fan Material for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay : Hoodies!

HOODIES!

Written by Toby Pilling

Fan Material for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay : Hoodies!

I NTRODUCTION

was spared his memory, and he raged long at

the incredulous faces of his friends, who

supposed he had supped overlong on some

heady brandy. At last, he set forth on his steed

into the deep forest of Châlons, seeking solace

in his confusion, for he knew he could never go

back to his previous existence. There it was that

the figure of the Horned One appeared to him,

and secrets were revealed that explained much.

Michel forswore his former life, and now follows

the cult of Taal, of whom he believes the

Horned One is an aspect. He gained a following

of Herrimaults, including his lover, Judi de

Chevalier, herself of noble blood.

“Herrimaults? They are mere vermin: outlaws. I

do not distinguish between them, and neither

shall the hangman’s noose.”

- Nicholas de Rainault, Castellan of Castle

Châlons

The scenario is designed to set players and

characters several challenges beyond mere

combat. All of its protagonists are human, with

not a chaos cultist amongst them, so it provides

some interesting moral dilemmas. You will also

find no details of stats for any of the

protagonists herein. This should provide

flexibility when balancing the encounter to the

ability level of your adventuring party, as well as

hopefully encouraging more diplomacy as

opposed to conflict.

The band of outlaws has protected local villages

from the depredations of the less salubrious

denizens of the forest, as well as from the worst

exploitation of the local nobility. The latter is

mostly represented by the ruthless figure of

Nicholas de Rainault, Castellan of Castle

Châlons, which dominates the western fringe of

the forest. The Castellan has laboured long to

capture Michel and his fellows, and has recently

been presented with his best chance yet. A

Grail Damsel arrived at his door recently,

predicting the location of a source of information

regarding the outlaws. Armed with this

foreknowledge, De Rainault captured an ex-

member of the group, who betrayed his former

companions. An expedition has hence being

launched to rid the forest of this thorn. The

players will get caught up in this, as they begin

the scenario as victims of Michel’s merry band.

Will their motivation to retrieve their belongings

waver as they learn more of their erstwhile

enemy and allies? The scenario explores that

quandary.

It’s setting is the Forest of Châlons, within the

Dukedom of Bordeleux, in the Kingdom of

Bretonnia. Little work is required to set it

elsewhere in that land, and it caters for a party

of any experience level. It can be completed in

an evening, though options have been provided

to extend the encounters.

B ACKGROUND

“ Nothing’s forgotten. Nothing is ever forgotten.”

- Michel, the Hooded One

Michel is the eldest son of Baron Turpin, a local

lord. A life of esteemed privilege awaited him,

and indeed he had already begun a life of

Knight errantry when an event occurred that

changed his life, forever.

One important factor that makes ‘Hoodies!’ work

even better, is to make sure it occurs soon after

the players have been well rewarded for their

recent actions, either through loot, gift or

payment. Indeed, this is your excuse to give

them such a reward, for, alas; they will probably

have little chance to enjoy it. Whilst players may

bemoan being ‘railroaded’ or ‘stitched-up’, I

prefer to see their loss as a vagary of fate, or

even a trial from the Gods. Remind them that

after all, bad fortune oft turns out good. Such re-

assurance should soothe their wailing.

Two years ago, the Fey Enchantress visited the

Grail Chapel of the city of Bordeleaux. A

conclave was held within it behind closed doors,

with various Grail Damsels and Grail Knights in

attendance. Not even the Duke himself was

allowed within, for he has yet to sup from the

Grail. Michel and some of his hot-headed

comrades were so enflamed by the

Enchantress, they dared to infiltrate the sacred

gathering, so as to gaze more upon her

unearthly beauty. What they espied, before their

deception was unveiled, shook their faith in the

cult of the Lady to the core. The Fey

Enchantress herself, rather than punish them,

ensorcelled them, so that when they woke the

next morn, they remembered naught of the

previous night: all was forgotten. Only Michel

Fan Material for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay : Hoodies!

C HAPTER O NE:

R ICH P ICKINGS

the night, if they travel with her small entourage

for the day. A couple of attractive young serving

girls will titter at the players from the back of the

wagon if they require further encouragement to

take up the offer – which is not a particularly

onerous one anyway. If they do, they will get the

chance to converse with Lady Isabelle and her

servants. It does not fundamentally change the

scenario if they do not take up the offer – just

have them ambushed later alone.

“Sackcloth and ashes? My dear boy, I am a

petitioner to the Lady, not a pox-ridden, Shallyan

pilgrim. One maintains certain standards.”

- Lady Isabelle

The encounter begins on a road through the

forest. To add some regional flavour, a rumour

table is available should the players wish to seek

news of the route they shall shortly traverse.

Lady Isabelle

A noblewoman of neighbouring Bastonne,

Isabelle is in her early thirties, but is having

difficulties providing an heir for her husband; at

least, her husband has blamed her for the

difficulties. Therefore, she is on a pilgrimage to

the Grail Chapel in Bordeleaux, to make an

offering and seek the blessing of the Lady in

encouraging her fertility. Some pilgrims might

attempt the journey barefoot or even on their

knees – such baseness is totally beneath

Isabelle. She is haughty and a little distant, and

will certainly not admit the reason for her

pilgrimage. However, she is not particularly nasty,

and is happy enough to gossip and chat with

someone around her social level. Her servants

include a pair of flirtatious maids, Elise and Anne,

her driver Anton and her liveried man-at-arms,

Jacques.

Rumour Table

Roll a d10 and consult the following list.

1-2 “You’ll be passing by the Castle? I warn you

that the entry toll is quite high. The Castellan is

keen on collecting his taxes. Yes… keen indeed.”

3-4 “Of course, there are foul creatures in the

woods. The villagers have their defenders

though. Men-at-arms? Well, err…sort of.”

5-6 “Beware the Herring! Led by a Cod they are:

A voracious pack!”

“What? Man eating fish? Are you mad, or

just stupid!?”

The Ambush

Even with extremely cautious progress (and

Isabelle will demand speed to reach the next

habitation before nightfall), grant the PCs only a

very difficult perception test to allow them a round

of warning. Michel and his band will be well

hidden around the track, placed so as to minimise

the chance of being charged by those they wish

to rob. The ambush will begin with a warning

arrow thudding into the side of the wagon – if it

can pin a PCs sleeve to it, so much the better.

Outlaws will emerge from cover with long bows

bent and aimed – a passed perception test will

identify over a dozen opponents. A hooded

Michel will demand, politely but firmly, that the

guards (including the PCs) throw down their

weapons. If they do so, he shall appear from

behind a tree with a couple more of his

companions, ahead of the wagon. He assures

Isabelle that she and her companions shall not be

harmed, and will be free to continue their journey

once they have made a contribution.

7-8 “You’ll be seeking the Lake then? We get

them coming through here all the time: Questing

knights, Grail pilgrims, Nipponese tourists. If you

want my opinion…”

9-10 “They say Duke Alberic is looking for a

reliable steward, so he can go on his own Grail

Quest. I hear the Castellan of Castle Châlons

considers himself in the running...”

Either way, the characters eventually hear the

sound of hammering and cursing up ahead. They

soon come upon the wagon of Lady Isabelle,

which her driver and man-at-arms are busy

repairing the wheel of. Indeed, they are putting

the finishing touches to the work, and will be

about to re-start their journey as the players

approach. The erstwhile handymen will appear

surly and suspicious of the PCs to begin with, but

Isabelle herself will greet them with the natural

confidence of the noble born, addressing herself

to the most gentrified of them. The damaged

wheel has delayed them in their journey, so dusk

may now fall before they reach the safety of the

next hamlet. She will offer to pay for the food and

drinks of the players when they reach a haven for

If the PCs disarm, Michel will concentrate his

attentions on Lady Isabelle’s wagon, and will

indeed relieve it and her of any riches. Only if any

of the PCs look noble born or wealthy will he

attempt to part them from some of their valuable

Fan Material for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay : Hoodies!

possessions. If the PCs have a great hidden item

of value, even if they look destitute, he will by

some sixth sense sniff out their nervousness and

attempt to locate it. Once he has done so, he will

thank the victims, bid them a good onwards

journey, and disappear rapidly into the forest with

his companions. As they know the forest inside

out, it should be easy for them to evade pursuit,

using streams to mask attempts to track them,

and even ambushing any attempt to follow.

with a lance.

He is devoted to his mission, which he feels is

divinely inspired; hence is more committed than

even other Herrimault leaders to the cause of

justice he pursues. He speaks little of the cult of

the Lady, but views Grail Knights and Damsels

alike as individuals to be avoided, not lauded. He

has no idea that his younger brother has taken

the Grail vow, as he sought to protect his family

by feigning his own death.

Of course, PCs may not willingly submit to such

treatment, even outnumbered as they are. They

may attempt to flee, in which case if they appear

mere peasants, Michel will let them go; though

not before some of his men have loosed arrows

at them.

Will you tolerate this?

The aftermath of the robbery is the time for

Isabelle to belittle the party’s efforts, no matter

what they were; if they ran or submitted, they

were craven; if they fought or brazened it out,

they rashly put her and everyone else at risk.

She’ll also curse the outlaws whole-heartedly,

and promise a reward (which will now have to be

collected from her estate) to capture them and

bring them to justice. Hopefully, the PCs will find

it difficult to tolerate a humiliating situation where

they did not win, or even deal any damage, to

their foes.

If they draw weapons and fight, charging into the

undergrowth, again after a few volleys of arrows

(which will also slay Jacques, Isabelle’s man-at-

arms), Michel will order the retreat – he knows

the religious ritual is approaching tonight, and

does not want to risk unnecessary casualties.

Before the retreat, however, Isabelle will cast a

casket of valuables to him, bidding him take them

and be damned. Make sure the PCs suffer from

their rash action though, and end up having

sustained a few wounds.

C HAPTER T WO:

C ASTELLAN G OT Y OUR

T ONGUE?

Lastly, the PCs may keep their weapons and

attempt to hunker down and defend or negotiate.

Michel will simply give them an ultimatum,

knowing he is in a position of strength. Once

more, the PCs are likely to receive a few volleys

of arrows, before Isabelle will end such

foolishness, again granting Michel a casket of

valuables, which he will be content with.

‘…Thou shalt give unto thine glorious liege the

taxes that he requires.

If the PCs are on the road alone, adapt the

ambush event. Remember, the aim is certainly

not to kill the PCs, preferably only to rob or

wound them. Stupidity though on their part,

should carry consequences.

Thou shall labour all but feast days,

And no more than a tenth-share shall you keep

for kith and kin.

Rejoice! For a knight of Bretonnia provides your

shield...’

The Peasant’s Duty

Michel

Noble and generous, charming and fair, Michel

can also seem at times detached, distracted and

over earnest. His followers however see the latter

as minor foibles in a leader they almost worship.

One way or another, the PCs should continue on

the road to reach Vaysey before nightfall,

preferably in the company of Lady Isabelle.

His confidence and speech befit a noble, but his

familiarity with the wilderness and concern for the

poor mark him as different. His time in the forest,

and his devotion to Taal, has brought him useful

outdoors skills. As regards the arts martial,

unusually for a Bretonnian noble, he was

interested and excelled in archery. This was to

the detriment of more knightly skills, like jousting

They will discover a simple hamlet, obviously

poor, but as homely as the inhabitants can make

it. A successful perception test will accrue the

observation that few inhabitants seem abroad,

and those there are seem nervous, even fearful.

If the test was passed by 20%, characters may

catch a glimpse of the glint of metal within a

shadowed doorway. It is because they are

Fan Material for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay : Hoodies!

currently being observed.

serves to strengthen their group loyalty. Led by a

Villein called Pierre, who tends to keep his own

counsel.

Nicholas de Rainault, Castellan of Châlons

Vain, cruel, proud and prone to dangerously

paranoid rages, the Castellan can also be urbane

and witty when the mood takes him; be sure

though never to trust him. He is more sly and

cunning than intelligent, and is careful to only ride

roughshod over those below him. Certainly, his

over-riding ambition is to feather his own nest and

rise up the ranks of the nobility. Saying that, he

does not lack courage, fuelled as it may be by an

utter contempt for the many groups he despises;

including of course, peasants and outlaws.

Until something goes wrong, when the PCs meet

him he will be in an ebullient mood, looking

forward to vanquishing his foe. Repaying the

many previous sleights he has suffered at the

hands of Michel, it is obvious, has become almost

an obsession for him.

Mounted Yeomen

Highly motivated when well led, and capable

enough; they are armed with spears, bows and

shields. Marcel leads them as Warden – a

somewhat boastful man of crude manners.

Men-at-arms

Willing enough, though not greatly skilled - lightly

armoured, half carry swords and shields; the

others, mighty halberds. Louis is their Yeoman

Warden, who seems dull witted and

unimaginative; though his doggedness and

loyalty impressed the Castellan.

Welcome Party

If the PCs exhibit suspicious behaviour, or when

they reach the centre of the village, the Castellan

himself will reveal himself, as will a force of his

men-at-arms. Their appearance will affect his

reaction, as is usual in Bretonnia. If they are still

with Lady Isabelle, he will be courteous and

address himself to her, unless he has good

reason to do otherwise.

The Castellan of Châlons has taken over the

village, garrisoning his men in hiding within its

hovels, whilst sending out some peasants (not

beyond line of sight) to maintain a facade of

normality. Their families, alas, serve as hostages

to dissuade misconduct: He has threatened to cut

out, ‘with a spoon’, the tongues of the loved ones

of any who speak a word of his presence to

outsiders. None of those so threatened know

what such an act would entail; neither do they

wish to find out.

Generally, he would be suspicious of commoners,

as he may believe them to be agents of the

‘outlaw vermin’, as he terms the Herrimaults.

News or proof of their own conflict with the

outlaws will interest him, and help allay his

suspicions. What he’ll then do is invite the party

for refreshments, pressing them for information

whilst he gets Souris to covertly observe them

and assess their risk.

Peasants

Subservient and sullen in front of the Castellan

and his men, these poverty stricken wretches

labour under a noticeable shadow of fear. If

spoken to alone, some successful fellowship tests

(influenced by the PCs social level and how they

have behaved towards the peasants thus far)

may elicit news of the Castellan’s threats, the

high taxes they labour under, and the help the

Herrimaults offered in driving off some starving

Beastmen last winter.

Souris

Lean and mean looking, Souris has a rat like,

furtive face. He was a bandit in the forest before

Michel arrived and ‘subverted’ them, as Souris

sees it. He felt he had little choice but to join

them, but over time his greed and callous

methods began to jar with the Herrimault’s oath.

He was forced out of the band, though some

argued for his death; Michel’s mercy, however,

has not been repaid. With Eloise’s help, he was

captured in a nearby town after an act of violent

robbery, and pleaded with the Castellan to trade

his life for information on his enemy. A deal was

struck, and now an unrepentant Souris is

enjoying his own revenge.

The Castellan’s Forces

A mixed bag of around fifty individuals; the best

are the dozen foresters, and half a dozen

mounted yeomen. The rest are footmen; poorly

trained but well armed.

Foresters

Outdoorsmen dressed in drab greys and greens;

taciturn loners on the whole, but well skilled in the

use of the longbows they bear, and in forest lore.

They know they are hated for enforcing the King’s

laws on poaching, but such knowledge merely

He knows Edouard is a supporter of the

Herrimaults, but has not denounced him as he

has designs on the Headman’s pretty young

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika: