"Dead Heat" WWC, Guild Raid on Southern Slums Resurrectionist Stronghold.

[Omenbringer]

"Extra, Extra, read all about it...

Death Marshal raid on Resurrectionist strong hold fails miserably, leaving Death Marshals to lick wounds.

Article by field reporter Molly Squidpidge."

June 22, started like any other day for the Death Marshals, inspections and purification rites administered by the Exorcists, mission briefings from the Judge, and rehearsals overseen by Lady Justice. Lots and lots of rehearsals. As normal, the mission would begin shortly before midnight. This particular mission however was more clandestine than usual for the Death Marshal Corps. For those in the know, the "raid" on the Southern Slums was really a cover for the Destruction of Evidence that had been collected and hidden by Arcanist saboteurs.

Though a mission like this would normally be undertaken by Sonnia Criid's witchling stalkers, due to several substantiated reports of the debonair fugitive Seamus lurking in the vicinity attempting to claim jump the area from other Resurrectionist Masters, the Death Marshal's were more suited to the job. Due to this additional information, Lady Justice ordered her Marshal's to Assassinate the serial killer on site.

However in a wyrd twist of fate, a long time associate of Seamus and his women of the night happened to learn of the impending operation and provided early warning. Not wanting to abandon his Staked Claim on a building recently purchased at substantial expense from the shrewd realtor Mam'selle Vestige and knowing Lady Justice would also be traveling with the rare and powerful finger bone of Saint Michael to aid in the mission, Seamus began preparing a daring plan to Steal the Relic in the hopes of using it to further strengthen his necromantic arts.

With the streets lit by flickering gaslamp, shortly before midnight a heavy contingent of Death Marshals entered the Southern Slums. Quickly moving thru the area, nearing their objective, a Death Marshal spotted a scantily clad woman as she emerged through a ruined archway. Lured by were feminine wiles he moved closer to her, oblivious of the danger. Before he could regain his senses however, the maniacal killer Seamus emerged with a face of death and laid the man to rest with a single shot from his flintlock pistol. The sounds of his death and the blood splattering both the street and Lady Justice's white leather corset drew the attention of another denizen of the night. The apparition of Bete Noir manifested before Lady Justice and her Death Marshals. Sensing the presence of the finger bone of Saint Michael she attempted unsuccessfully to steal the relic from the temporarily stunned guild master. With the assistance of a nearby Student of Conflict and moving fast the Judge ran to protect the Guild master.

As battle ensued, Lady Justice ordered an unengaged Death Marshal to proceed with the primary mission and destroy the evidence located further in. The Death marshal was met by Seamus' Copy Cat Killer who leveled his comically large flintlock pistol and fired. Fate and the weight of the large gun sent the shot well wide of its target and the little man hard into a wall behind him. Unfortunately for the Death Marshal, the loud report of the gun causes a nearby Punk Zombie to spring into action and slay the man where he stood. With his last dying breath and a valiant effort, the Death Marshal managed to destroy the first piece of evidence.

More "Rotten Belles" joined the fracas, continuing to Lure Death Marshals toward their deathly embrace. Feasting upon their consorts, the bodies of Death Marshals began to litter the cobblestone. Always the Face of Death, Seamus lurked on the outskirts of the fray adding a palpable Trail of Fear to the encounter. Enraged by the lack of success at obtaining the sacred relic from Lady Justice, Bete Noir decided upon an easier course of action. Severing Lady Justice's spine and paralyzing her in place and sensing the fear in her soul, Bete casually reached down to remove the finger from its reliquary. Distracted by its power, Bete never saw the Judge's blade as it sliced through her now fully corporeal form. Slipping back into the aether from wince she came, Bete lashed out with those wicked daggers and slit the Judges jugular. With a parting shot at Seamus, the Judge collapsed gurgling amid the detritus of the slums. A Death Marshal, horrified by the scene unraveling before him, has his attention drawn to an adjoining alleyway. A horrid Shriek pierces the cacophony of steal, gunshots, and gurgling death. With his morale broken, the Death Marshal fell back. After another Shriek, his morale completely broken, the Death Marshal fled the scene. He was last seen running hell bent for leather toward the Quarantined Zone. Though our prayers are with him, it is likely that the shattered marshal will become that which he has hunted throughout his career.

Sensing the fruition of his plans and impending victory, Seamus moves further into the flickering gas lamp which seems to dim in intensity. Leveling his pistol at the Student of Conflict moving to assist his master, Seamus sends the youth to his final resting place. Growing in size as he casts a baleful Gorgon's Gaze upon Lady Justice paralyzing her in place, while Spontaneously Regenerating the last of the wounds inflicted by the Judges Long Arm gun-blade. Taking advantage of the moment of vulnerability, a Rotten Belle gnashes her teeth and strikes at the Guild Master. With a practiced motion and recovered wits, Lady Justice lays the foul creature to rest with a single upstroke of her blade before its teeth or claws find purchase in her flesh. Succumbing to the Darkness of his soul and amid a Gorgon's Miasma, Seamus moves forward to Get Bloody. This time unsuccessful at casting his Gorgons Gaze upon the now isolated Guild Master.

With renewed vigor, Lady Justice avenges the deaths of her faithful crew demonstrating substantial Combat Prowess with her signature Sword Style guided by Fate. Though Hard to Kill, the beast before her that used to be called Seamus, falls amid a winnowing series of Critical Strikes. With out the guidance of their fallen Master and with singular purpose, Sybelle and the Punk Zombie follow Seamus last order securing the brokered tenement.

With dawn approaching and exhausted by the evenings events, Lady Justice staggered off to Guild headquarters without destroying the last of the evidence the Arcanist saboteurs had hidden in the Slums. Amid the preparation of the inevitable pile of mission reports to the Governor General, the good lady will be writing a fair number of condolence letters to the families of the marshals that died today. In the wake of last nights tragic events, this reporter is forced to ask the tough question, is the Guild still able to counter the Resurrectionist threat with such a substantial and devastating loss to the Death Marshal Corps?

---------- Post added at 01:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:58 AM ----------

Final Score of the game was 4 to 3 in favor of Seamus and the Resurrectionist faction successfully defending the Southern Slums from Guild Encroachment.

Jester262 was an amazing opponent and the game was a real nail bitter all the way to the end. I look forward to the inevitable rematch.

[Gruesome]

Very fun report...

Especially the end part where Seamus WON!

[nilus]

LIES, LIES, LIES

Do not trust this clear Ressurectionist propaganda. This Molly Squidpidge is a walking nightmare pretending to be this poor girl. The real Squidpidge has been dead for months. Do not trust these "reports". The Guild is holding back the threat and cleaning out the rabble from all parts of Malifaux.

[Omenbringer]

Very fun report...

Especially the end part where Seamus WON!

When I first saw what he was taking (5 Death Marshals, Judge, Student of Conflict and Lady Justice) I was sure this was going to be a complete rout of the Resser forces.

Lucky for me I was flipping hot and Jester was not (except on riposte strikes and of course the Butchering of Avatar Seamus in one turn).

[Jester262]

that was a great game, dude! Can't wait for round 2. Next time I'm thinking about bringing a different master.