In Warhammer Fantasy as my ERP Character

103

Faris gasps in a mouthful of air as the shadow steed resurface from the shadows again. The journey has been torturous, forcing him to hold his breath for longer than a minute and repeating it for half a day. Resurfacing in deep forest with plenty of shades as the sunlight weakens his sister. Sometimes it requires him to hold his breath even longer to account for the distance between forests with shades enough to fully cover the sun. But it is worth it, they just passed Kutenholz, the nearest city north of Altdorf. They have essentially covered three weeks' distance in less than a day. Partway through he did ask his sister if there’s a better method but it involves finding old elven waystones to teleport but apparently they will be traceable. (This is the way Ubersreik Five travels in Vermintide 2). Which shouldn’t be a problem when you are riding along with a vampire and that you are a witch hunter. The former means death sentence if known while the latter means being accused of being a heretic by the more zealous witch hunters if he uses magic.

Faris took a deep breath and tapped his sister’s shoulder before hugging her waist. An act he is not very comfortable doing and her constant teasing doesn’t help either. Only after a while without moving does he sit straight again.

“What happens?” He asks not out of concern.

“There’s… something dangerous for me in Altdorf. You have to go on your own.” Fraulein said icily, her eyes never leaving the direction of Altdorf. Faris doesn’t know if he should be glad or also afraid that something can spook his sister like this. But he gets down from the shadow steed and immediately his sister dives back into the shadows. There should be a day's travel left on foot. Just as he starts walking through the snow, a Griffon lands in front of him. Blasting away the snow with the force of its landing and the beat of its wing.

Faris cursed his luck. A wild Griffon at times like this. He drops his bag and pulls out his two pistols. Ready for a fight for his life. The Griffon roared in challenge. That is until a second Griffon lands. Faris looks to the side, thinking whether he can run to the forest for cover in time. But this one growls at the first. Then both Griffons turn into humans. Faris knew the familiar sight and realized that both were shamans, or Amber Wizards. They turned into naked huge burly and hairy men with unkempt long hair and long beards.

“Come on brother, I’m sure no one will miss one witch hunter.” Said one of the shamans. They are twins, Faris saw. One of which still intends on killing him.

“Be quiet!” Said the second one. “I lost sight of the vampire.” Looking warily to the forest and to the north.

“Must be another one running from Altdorf.” Said the first one. “Pity it didn’t kill the lone witch hunter.”

“What happened in Altdorf?” Curious to know what happens in Altdorf that can spook vampires.

“We don’t answer to you.” Said the first one still antagonizing him. While the second one moved closer to Faris and gripped his shoulder.

“Tell me witch hunter? What made you travel alone in winter such as this?” The second one starts. Clearly suspicious of him. Faris simply shuffled and took something from his pocket. The look of surprise from both are quite satisfying. It was a piece of carved antler. He suspects that there’s some kind of magic on the token. He has one and Bertrand has another.

“I have been told this would mean something to you.” He held a token given to him by Captain Grimwald.

“You the messenger?” said the second

“A fucking witch hunter!?” then the first

“Now tell me, what’s happening in Altdorf.” Faris asks with a level tone. Seems like his travel to Altdorf will be much smoother and that someone is expecting him.

—

Gregor Martak feels out of place. Here he is in a banquet hall within the Imperial Palace. The clanking of tablewares, the overbearing smell of perfumes, and the constant chatter between the nobles and the elven envoys. Not even the wild cacophony of the forest is as grating as this. Fortunately he sat at the same table with Lord Teclis and Balthazar Gelt. both having a quiet discussion that clearly didn’t include him or that they both want him to hear too. But what he's supposed to understand when all he hears is, ‘are you certain’, ‘I am’. Then ‘what else do you know?’ and ‘nothing much’. They are clearly referring to something but don't say outright what. But Gregor knows for sure that it is something very important that made Lord Teclis give his undivided attention. As the discussion ends, Gregor manages to see that Teclis’ eyes dart towards Princess Aliathra. Was it a threat to the everchild perhaps? Or something else?

“Lord Gregor.” Teclis finally addresses him.

“Yes?”

“It would be best if you join us in our little excursion after the banquet is over.” Gregor raises his eyebrows, not understanding what or why he is invited. He looks towards Gelt and again he is annoyed that he forgot about his damn mask. But it is clearly an important thing if one of the Founders of Empire’s college of magic invited him.

“Very well. But I was expecting some messenger. It felt really important in my visions.”

“Very well then. We can wait a day or two.” Answered Teclis. Grateful that he doesn’t question him about his visions. He always felt like a madman when asked to explain it. The cataclysms and the attacks on the Empire. As for Gelt, whether he approves or not he doesn’t show it. Content to just sat dazzling in all his gold and ornaments.

As they are stuck within the banquet hall, Gregor’s eyes turn back to the gathering nobles and elves. Passing the time by observing them like when he hunts. A series of laughs, a bit louder than the rest, took his attention. In one of the many tables, sat a lone elven noble. Though his mannerism doesn’t reflect his status as one. He sat on the chair, leaning on one side of the armrest, a cup of wine in hand, while one of his feet was on the seat itself. Regaling his tale of repelling some greenskin invasion to a group of the empire's noble ladies. Gregor also notices the cold disapproving looks with some disgust mixing in from the rest of the elven envoys.

“Who is he?” Gregor can’t help but ask Teclis. He felt like he could be friends with that one.

“That would be Eldarion the Bright.” Teclis answered.

“From his personality or because he’s a mage?”

The former.”
“Why did the rest of the elves not like him?” Gregor asks but then feels a bit ashamed. He doesn’t like how nobles keep gossiping about each other and now he did the same.

“He’s from Tor Yvresse.” Again Teclis answered clearly and shortly. “It was a hard place, regularly harassed by pirates and greenskins from the Old World.” He continues before Gregor can ask for more explanation.

“As for why he is not liked, he is pretty much an insolent and vulgar man. By elven standard. That in itself is not much but he served directly under Prince Eltharion the Grim. And Eldarion has the complete opposite personality to his lord and everyone in his kingdom in general. I believe, in your term it would be… He makes the skin of other elves crawl seeing him behave in contrast to his lord and everyone else.” Teclis explains and ends with a small chuckle.

“So he made an impression on you too.”

“Indeed. He once visited Hoeth along with his lord. Prince Eltharion, demanded the smallest room as he believes comfort will distract him from his duties. Do you know what Eldarion said after?” Gregor perks his ear. 

“‘then I will take his room.’ Said Eldarion and claims the princely guest room reserved for his lord.” Both had a small laugh at the story. It is clear that Eldarion is somehow not punished seeing that he is here. Gregor could understand how Eldarion made an impression on Teclis. If the rumor that he heard is true. Then Teclis was once an outcast, shunned, and constantly compared to his twin Tyrion early in his life. At least before he studies magic. And that is why Teclis can speak more freely and jokes but mostly with humans and not his own kind.

“It’s good that you showed interest in him.” Teclis then said.

“And why is that?”
“He will be coming with us.” Gregor nodded, at least there’s something to look forward to from this annoying gathering.

—

Faris kept one hand pressing down on his hat so that it wouldn't fly away. He tries to push away the image of himself sitting on top of another person. The person is now the Griffon he is riding and there’s nothing wrong with it. It is finally evening and Altdorf has finally come to view. He distracts himself by realizing that he is one of the few people privileged to see the Altdorf from the sky. Though unfortunately most of the city’s rooftops are covered in snow with only the royal palace and the many towers still distinguishable. It must be a very nice view in spring. He had been briefed by the shamans about the arrival of the Everchild and drove many vampires living in hiding in Altdorf running. Her presence is like an anathema to the vampires and undead. Some of the more hotheaded shamans that await his arrival, the messenger, have taken some liberty of trying to hunt them. They manage to kill three with only one casualty as they caught them during the day. Though many more managed to slip away using magic. Then he let out an embarrassing yelp as the Griffon suddenly dived down. Landing some distance away from the eastern gate in front of one other shaman, fortunately this one is clothed with animal skins and furs. He shuffled to reorient himself before showing the other shaman the token like he was told by the shaman turned Griffons.

The shaman took a horn and blew it before leading the Griffons to the city. Running while the Griffons trot and follow him. A great eagle flies overhead before landing beside the griffons, walking along as it inspects him. It squawks at him in annoyance but still it follows along. Guess him being a witch hunter is an irritating fact to the shamans. He can’t blame them. Due to how shamans dress, they are often still treated like hedge wizards and witches with no backing and therefore can still be hunted by the more zealous witch hunters. Another beast appears, this time it is a demigryph. Faris catches the glances from the people along the way and from those whose home is just outside the gate, beside the imperial road. He felt hiding his face, as a witch hunter he had used to be the center of attention but not this kind of attention.

“HALT!” said one of the gate guards trying to stop the shaman and the menagerie of beasts. The leading shaman, a head taller than the guard and much wider, simply shoved him away to the side with one hand. The rest of the guard either point their guns or halberd at the group. Though they are visibly nervous. The shaman and the gate guards glared at each other.

“It’s all right gentlemen. Official Witch Hunter business.” Faris said to dispel the tension. Last thing he wants is an unneeded bloodshed just outside Altdorf gate. 

“Let them pass men.” Seeing the tension and the nervousness of his men, the officer finally spoke. His eyes focused sharply on Faris to remember his face. He would have a hard time explaining this event to his superior. Entering through the gate, a sizable group of people already gather because of the commotion and Faris feels like he is a kid parading himself with the beasts of the Imperial Zoo.

Fortunately for him, the ones expecting him are the ones going out to meet him. Though what he sees does not exactly make him feel relieved. There are four of them. Two humans and two elves. One is another shaman he doesn’t recognize, the other human is the Supreme Patriarch Balthazar Gelt, while the elves are Lord Teclis and an elven noble. Faris gets down from the griffon and stands beside the shaman escorting him to the city. Again he took out the token, not knowing why it was enough to explain everything. The shaman beside the Supreme Patriarch immediately takes it from his hand.

“Aye. it belongs to Heilgard alright. Tell me, how’s Captain Heilgard faring?” Faris remembers Heilgard is the shaman that shapeshifted into a huge bear beside Captain Grimwald. So this is a test.

“Captain Grimwald you mean? Heilgard is the shaman accompanying him.” Faris answers. 

“HAHA! This has been an auspicious day. I am Gregor Martak. Technically the patriarch of the Amber Brotherhood. Now tell me, what’s the message?” Gregor slaps Faris' shoulder.

“Its-only if you help me relay this message to the Emperor.” Faris almost answers but remembers his main priority. The rest of the shamans turned beasts lean in curiosity.

“Aye. And you will need us to vouch for your message no doubt.” Then he looks at the griffons, great eagle, and demigryph behind Faris. “As for the rest of you, Shoo! I don’t want to get another report of one of you getting stuck in the Imperial Zoo!” to which, the shamans leave after much complaint in their beast form.