Mordheim... or Shallowell?

Mordheim... or Shallowell?

Our very own LordBloodTheHungry decided some time ago to run a Tallowlands gang campaign using the Mordheim rules – and what an amazing start we had.  The game was sent in the spooky town of Shallowell, a destination set within the Tallowlands with a reputation for danger, risk and reward for anyone foolhardy or brave enough to make their fortune there.

This is my gang.  I painted it myself which was an achievement given my occasional brush aversion.  I am the second worst painter in the PCRC so please do not look too closely.

LordBloodTheHungry is, I hope, going to say more in a future post about the campaign, which many fondly remember even if it did get sidetracked after starting.

The game had a great narrative, beautifully-crafted terrain, a great result and most importantly for the purposes of this blog it significantly contributed to the background of the Tallowlands.  I used the story below to introduce my Merchant caravan 'gang' as well as to tie in a few places in the Tallowlands.

This is a mid battle scene with cool models and looming scenery.

***

"Now, what are we going to do about you, Theodore?" the councilman pondered. "No merchant has been found guilty of this particular offence; well, not since the Ponzi mausoleum business when my father sat in this seat."

"We have been friends a long time – since we were lads, Hadwin. Surely you can overlook this?" pleaded Theodore.

"It's too late for that, my friend. We have overlooked this kind of thing for too long." Hadwin paused to relight his pipe and to mutter at the poor quality of the pipe weed he was smoking. "When you decided to sell deer meat poached from the Duke's estate 'off the books', you went too far."

"I had no idea that it was stolen, Hadwin!" protested Theodore, putting on his best impression of sincerity.

"Don't give me that fake shock routine. You know as well as I do that your trespass was that you did not pay the Guild its cut of your proceeds. It would be a... shame if the guild couldn't afford to... protect you from the Duke, were he to find out about this."

There was a pause whilst Theodore tried desperately to think up further excuses. Hadwin let him squirm a bit more.

"Now, seeing as we are friends, I have managed to convince the guild to offer you a way out of this." Theodore's face lit up as he saw a way out of his predicament.

"The guild is looking for new avenues of income and we have... ahh – how should I put this? – 'reliable information' that there are riches to be exploited by setting up a trade route with the town of Shallowell. It could be an opportunity to repay your debt to the guild, and to become very wealthy."

Theodore's apprentice Guire, dutifully standing behind him, dropped his master's hat which thudded comically on the wooden floor. "Shallowell? I heard what happened down there, that is suicide – you might as well kill me now!" Theodore exclaimed.

"Come now Theodore, there is no need to get hysterical. An enterprising and careful merchant can make his name and his fortune down there. Besides, the Merchants of Ulfheim Guild are not dwarfs: we don't keep grudges – only money! The Duke himself has an interest in this working and will be sending you two of his knights to accompany you. He has a cousin down there, too, and would like you to pick up an item from him of a... ahh... personal nature. He is not in a hurry to retrieve the item, which gives you plenty of time to do business there. The guild will also waive the remaining payments you owe for your wagon."

Hadwin paused for a moment to see what reaction he was getting before making a quick decision. "We will also send Robin with you. His magic should keep you safe from any arcane threats."

Theodore decided that, despite the danger, this was the best chance he was going to get to salvage the situation. He knew that the wizard they were going with was persona non grata after allowing himself to be hired for the last Blood Bowl match – not by the Ulfheim Exiles, but by the opposition. 

Theodore knew what the guild was doing: clearing the town out of problems. More importantly, however, he knew that the guild's main interests was still making money, and he would receive their support as long as he was nowhere near Ulfheim.

"Fine, I agree to your terms. The Craggy Forest Merchant Company will spearhead the guild's efforts to establish a presence in or near Shallowell." And with that, he spun around, grabbed his hat and marched off towards the door and down the stairs, trying to salvage at least some of his dignity.

Hadwin's assistant emerged from the door behind the councilman. "Did he agree, sir?"

"Yes he did, Hildric, yes he did. Let us see how successful will be the journey of the 'Merchant of Venison'..."

***