Angry dwarves? Hah...once tonight's over, I wouldn't care much about angry dwarves anymore if I were you, heh. the cook snickers.
"What do you mean?" Mareike demands advancing on the cook, forcing her to back up until her ample rear hits the large oak table in the centre of the room "What is going to happen tonight? Tell me now woman!!"
Franz follows along to see what is up with the smith's mysterious illness. "Thank you Sister, I'm sure that it will only bring benefits."
Franz face darkens as the Doctor enters and makes a scene, Franz thinks, This is getting worse by the minute. Franz, genuinely irritated, decides to respond in kind. "Calm down Doctor, these fine dwarven members of good bearing are seeing to the health of their distant kinsman. I too wish to know more of what's happening here, so please be quiet and let us continue in peace. A few minutes won't matter." Franz will block his path, if needed, to stop the doctor from interfering.
Dr. Schreiber stomps over to you, but before he runs right into Franz stops and hisses
Wouldn't it be great news to the dwarven folk if their maladies could be cured by the sole presence of their kin?!
Meanwhile you have bought enoughh time to hear another of Kordren's ramblings
Me ancestor's fist! T'is the only thing they fear!
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The cook stumbles back, visibly paled (2 successes, 1 boon), surprised she stammers
The moon...I just meant the moon! she points out of the window - you need a moment to understand what she is talking about but then you can see it too. The silhouette of Morrslieb is visible in the distance. A faint green skull looking down on the people of Ubersreik.
I just meant we all won't live long enough to see another dawn...the beasts will surely attack tonight with their gods so openly forecasting our doom.
Just as it would be bad news to the dwarven folk if an ailing soul would suffer even more through the sole presence of their kin!
Rangnir tries to keep back his anger at the Doctors lack of respect.
Doctor Schreiber, I presume? I am sure you are doing your best to help my kin. I just hoped a few words in his fathers tongue would help his mind to gain the focus he needs to fight the darkness haunting his mind and soul, or have you tried that, yet?
The cook stumbles back, visibly paled (2 successes, 1 boon), surprised she stammers
The moon...I just meant the moon! she points out of the window - you need a moment to understand what she is talking about but then you can see it too. The silhouette of Morrslieb is visible in the distance. A faint green skull looking down on the people of Ubersreik.
I just meant we all won't live long enough to see another dawn...the beasts will surely attack tonight with their gods so openly forecasting our doom.
"The moon....Morrslieb..." Mareike says, turning her head back look at the cook, eyes narrowing "How do you come by this? They attack only when Morrsleib is full? Has anyone else figured this out? Why are we having a grand dinner if the beasts are bound to attack? Marieke hisses at the woman.
"Speak of a long beard in such a insolent tone a'gain and I'll split yer head just as I would a stone. Now you stay out of the affairs of dwarves an' you'll find you might live out yer short,pathetic excuse of life span. Do ya understand!?!", Fernis roars as he turns his eyes from the stricken dawi.
Franz seems about to speak when Fernis roars at the good doctor, shrugs as to say that Fernis said it all. He smiles coldly at the doctor, silently daring him to continue his insolence.
Intimidate I presume.
3 blue dice or an assistance bonus applied to Fernis/Rangnir's attempt(s). (Rather give the bonus, not so good with intimidate.)
Franz' stare hits his mark and the doctor nearly squirms under his fiery gaze (3 successes)
I...I'm sorry...but the beastmen attacks and all this, I think I didn't strike the right note, eh, heh...well...okay, I leave you alone, but only for two minutes. Schreiber says, but you can all see that he loathes the whole situation.
He retreats back to Bertoldt and whispers something in his ear - a moment later, like a young deer, Bertoldt jumps up and quickly leaves the hospice.
Meanwhile Kordren has begun his ramblings anew
Never trust the barbers...never...they shave your beard in your sleep...g#&!@$n barbers...
Books, wine 'n sleep....all evil...books 'n wine 'n sleep all evil...
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The cook glares at Mareike and bellows back
I just meant it's a bad omen! And no, that's the first time that Morrslieb shows his ugly face, but can you imagine a better time to attack than tonight, lassie?
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The guard scurries over to the other tower of the gatehouse, climbs it and after two minutes returns without the object. He grins maliciously and returns to where he came from.
Is Sister Sonja still with us when the doctor leaves?
Healing words indeed, perhaps if he could repeat those same words in Khazalid...
Rangnir speaks in a low voice but in the tongue of the empire so Fernis and Herr Flechter might understand him
"I've haven't doubt that man is trouble, Franz. We'll need to figure out what they have in this.", he finishes looking to Rangnir.
Can Franz tell where Bertholdt went?
Franz whispers back to Fernis, "Yes, the doctor is amazingly good, a couple of words to the sufferer Bertholdt and he changes from an invalid to a gazelle."
Franz keeps most of his attention on the doctor but sneaks a glance or two toward Rangir and the stricken dwarf.
If he is reasonably sure that only Fernis and Herr Flechter can hear him, Rangnir recapitulates.
So whatever is going on here, we can make the reasonable assumption that the librarian, the doctor and the gardener are involved...anyone else on that list yet?
The cook glares at Mareike and bellows back
I just meant it's a bad omen! And no, that's the first time that Morrslieb shows his ugly face, but can you imagine a better time to attack than tonight, lassie?
"Well, yes I can...the new moon when there's no light at all, these beasts can probably see in the dark. " Mareike hisses "And keep your voice down, there's , no doubt, people here in league with those beasts, I'd rather they didn't over hear our 'discussion'".
Mareike pauses but keeps the woman pinned, "What do you know about the sleep that's been afflicting the lord and the serving staff, all but you and Hanna ..."
Yes, Bertoldt was the gardener.
No, Franz has no idea where Bertoldt went, he just left the hospice - you could still pursue him though.
Yes, Sister Sonja is still with you, but prefers to stay silent in the presence of the doctor.
"That sounds like the bit of it.",Fernis replies,hefting his shield and resting his hand upon the head of his hammer. Glancing about the infirmary, he says, "Let's keep an eye on our backs while we check this dawi. Where are the other two we came with. I don't think it wise to lose track of them."
The cook's eyes widen as Mareike mentions that someone could be in league with the beastmen
How? Who? Why?...the sleep? Oh maybe it's the fresh country air? but then as Mareike's fiery gaze burns into her soul, she quickly gives up any resistance (2 successes, 2 boons) I don't know, but I've seen Bertoldt harvest some strange looking plants..he gave them to Dr. Schreiber some weeks ago and then it all began!
"Plants...Dr Shrieber...if he's concocting some witchy potion how is he giving it to people? " Mareike asks.
Franz lets the lazy gardener go, not wanting to leave here. He whispers back to the dawi, "Don't forget Mareike is suspicious of the cook as well, and both the chief servant and even Herr Hendrick have been a little off, and my last talk with the guard captain was odd as well, but I may be a bit unsettled here, over suspicious."
That sounds like half the household! Something is very wrong here!
"Problematic indeed."
The cook shrugs
I don't know, I'm just the cook...nad that's what we have to do now, cooking. So get moving, we still have to make a lot of preparations. I'll prepare the venison now, please, go into the cellar and get me:
A bottle of vinegar, two handful of cranberries, bottle of Nuln Rothschild vintage and a bottle of cream.
-----
Kordren falls silent for a moment and Sister Sonja joins you at his bed again...Were you able to make any sense of the things he said?
The cook shrugs
I don't know, I'm just the cook...nad that's what we have to do now, cooking. So get moving, we still have to make a lot of preparations. I'll prepare the venison now, please, go into the cellar and get me:
A bottle of vinegar, two handful of cranberries, bottle of Nuln Rothschild vintage and a bottle of cream.
Giving the cook a hard look, Mareike steps back and nods."Vinegar, cranberries, wine and cream....is that all?"
She then walks over to the cellar trapdoor and opens it if it wasn't already open.
Still not trusting the cook, she looks down at the trapdoor to see if there's a way to prevent it from being shut.
Now suspicious of everyone he meets, as most bounty hunters are, Fernis says, "Not at all. Just blatherings of fever maddened soul." The dwarf cast an eyebrow at Franz as if to say what do you think.
No, there is no way to prevent that the trapdoor is being shut, you could just put a wooden wedge between it, but that could also easily be removed.
Pausing at the top of the stairs down into the cellar, Mareike glances over to where the cook was back busy preparing the meal; then with a silent prayer to Sigmar, descends into the dank, earthy cellar.
Franz looks over at the sufffering dawi, "Yes, I suppose, still doesn't sound like homesickness, but I'm sure kinsmen know best."
How big is the room this infirmary is in? Room enough to have a private conversation?
It was a good idea to take a candle down into the cellar. The small rooms are crammed with large sacks, barrels and shelves on which alls kinds of provisions rest.
Soon she finds everything she needs...but on the way back up, she...(Fortune die for observation roll?)
------
No Franz, you will have to ask the doctor to leave :)
It was a good idea to take a candle down into the cellar. The small rooms are crammed with large sacks, barrels and shelves on which alls kinds of provisions rest.
Soon she finds everything she needs...but on the way back up, she...(Fortune die for observation roll?)
Once down there Mareike will bee-line to where she saw the cook earlier, just to check out what she was looking for. Then look for the other ingredients.
"We need to teach the boy a proper tongue.", Fernis says to Rangnir in Khalzid.
Hah, could be helpful!
Rangnir agrees. As he continues to speak Khalzid, he faces the sick dwarf, as if he was talking to him.
We should get a hold of that lasqa, Mareike. Now we have a few more suspects it might be interesting to see that list again!
Mareike stumbles over a sack with potatoes (chaos star), but grabs a nearby shelf for support (2 boons) and suddenly notices from behind the shelf through a small gap in the wall a draught of fresh air.
-------
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@ Mark: I'm waiting for your next move.
Franz quitely asks Rangnir and Fernis, "Has your followship eased this poor sufferers mind?" Franz is polite but looking like he's ready to leave.
"Afraid not. It is something far more distasteful than homesickness that afflicts this one, Franz." Looking about, he says"It is time we find the other travelers."
"Guess it's best to see how they are settling in, I know they didn't expect to be as in danger from the beastmen as they are, let see how they're holding up." Franz walks over to the blind sister. "Sister would you bless us in Sigmar's name? The beastmen may return at anytime." Afterward Franz leads the group out.
Mareike stumbles over a sack with potatoes (chaos star), but grabs a nearby shelf for support (2 boons) and suddenly notices from behind the shelf through a small gap in the wall a draught of fresh air.
Stumbling around in the half-darkness, Marieke manages to find most of the ingredients the cook requested, only hitting her head once and stubbing her toes twice. After almost falling over the sack of potatoes, she steadied herself against a shelf and felt a draft moving over her sweaty forearm.
"What's this then?" she mutters to herself.
Putting her items down she investigates the shelf from where the draft is emerging.
Sister Sonja gets her copy of the "Life of Sigmar" and reads out a short passage of the chapter "The Hammer and the Hill". After her short sermon you feel really inspired and even a bit comforted.
------
After some cautious pulling and pushing, the shelf suddenly gives a metallic "clack" and swings away to one side. Behind it is a small gap, just wide enough to squeeze through...
"In my travels, you're always in danger. If it ain't greenskins, then it is one of these chaos derks. Pretty sure we will be laying blade toskin in short order, boy. Let's hope that there be some coin in it at the end of the day."
After some cautious pulling and pushing, the shelf suddenly gives a metallic "clack" and swings away to one side. Behind it is a small gap, just wide enough to squeeze through...
Eyes wide with wonder and fear, Mareike glances back to the trapdoor and the sounds of the cook in the kitchen. Steeling her resolve, she holds the candle ahead of her and slowly eases her way into the gap...moving the flame up and down so that nothing surprises her...
Unseen by any prying eyes, Zadlu climbs the tower. The platform on top of it is crammed with all kinds of large and small boxes, ammunition supplies, a barrel full of now solid tar and tools to fend off any possible besiegers or attackers.
-------
Mareike has just squeezed through the gap and entered a corridor whose flagstone floor looks more ancient than the cellar-storeroom architecture, as she suddenly hears the cook's annoyed voice from behind
How long can it take to find some ingredients?! I'm coming down...I'll show you where to find'em!
Franz heads toward the last location he knew for Mareike, the kitchen, he looks around for her. If he sees the cook he'll ask her. Along the way he'll reply to Fernis, "I suppose but this is a bit much so soon and close, as to coin I hope so but I'm sure the purse is not overflowing."
Mareike has just squeezed through the gap and entered a corridor whose flagstone floor looks more ancient than the cellar-storeroom architecture, as she suddenly hears the cook's annoyed voice from behind
How long can it take to find some ingredients?! I'm coming down...I'll show you where to find'em!
Squeezing through the gap, Mareike had a few moments of panic when she thought that the stone surrounding her had begun to press in upon her, squeezing the life from her...but then the passage widened slightly and her fear receded to the usual background noise of imagined sounds and peripheral shadows.
Reaching the end, Mareike took a deep breath and emerged into the strangely older area...her heart almost stopping when the cook's shout reached her from kitchen. With a gasp, she lurches back into the gap,hopefully her familiarity with the passage allowing her to make the journey back to the cellar a mite quicker than the original, tentative trek.
When franz reaches the kitchen the cook has just begun to descend into the cellar, stopped by his commanding voice, she pauses and with that gives Mareike enough time to get back into the cellar!
-move your counter one space-
The cook returns into the kitchen proper, crosses her meaty arms under her breasts and asks
M'lord, what is it?
-------
On top of the tower Zadly has meanwhile found the object. A superbly crafted highland-rifle!
When franz reaches the kitchen the cook has just begun to descend into the cellar, stopped by his commanding voice, she pauses and with that gives Mareike enough time to get back into the cellar!
-move your counter one space-
The cook returns into the kitchen proper, crosses her meaty arms under her breasts and asks
M'lord what is it?
Having just reached the shelf, Mareike's heart sank as she heard the heavy tread of the cook on the top of the stairs. A silent prayer to Sigmar was answered when another voice addressed the cook and she paused in her descent. Taking advantage, Mareike quickly escaped the secret passage and closed the shelf, concealing the metallic click of the latch by kicking a nearby box and cursing.
Gathering up her ingredients she hurries up the stairs, thrusting them into the cooks ample arms "It's mighty dark down there, even with my candle...took me forever to find the cream."
Seeing Franz, she sketches a curtsy "Evening, m'Lord"
The cook only grunts when Mareike returns
Yeah...now whip the cream, I have to talk to the lord.
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Just as Zadlu has finished hiding the rifle behind the shrine's metal plate, he notices another guard coming from the gatehouse-tower. The man is obviously searching for something and as he spots Zadlu he beckons him to come over.