Franz nods, "It's decided then, off the see the those three, I think I know where the houndmaster and the Guard captain are but I'm not suree of Herr Hendrick location, I guess we go see the first two and maybe we'll come across the other." Franz bows to Lord Rickard and then opens and holds the door courteously for the lord to proceed out.
Yawning, Lord Rikkard leads the way out into the open ground, the low purple afternoon sun stands above the forest and it would be a quite picturesque scene without the ugly grimace of Moorslieb that leers down on the mansion. At the gate, Olver Gand and von Blucher are having a quiet discussion which ends abruptly as soon as they spot you.
Blucher strides over to you, nods to Lord Rikkard and Franz and gives Zadlu a rather dismissive look
M'lords...may I have a word with you? ...without the gardener?!
-------
Once the bodies are safely stowed away, you check the belongings of the stripped steward:
key ring
dagger made of molten lava
22 silver pieces
The body of the steward shows no other mutations, Obviously the Blood God had decided to use this one as an agent who - at first glimpse - would always pass as a normal human.
-------
Once the bodies are safely stowed away, you check the belongings of the stripped steward:
key ring
dagger made of molten lava
22 silver piecesThe body of the steward shows no other mutations, Obviously the Blood God had decided to use this one as an agent who - at first glimpse - would always pass as a normal human.
Face pinched with disgust and not a little fear at having to touch the corrupted man, Mareike examines the dagger.
"What do you make of this?" she asks the dwarves, having no knowledge of weapons and their manufacture.
Franz nods as Zad withdraws, "Please proceed, we also have news, but I'd like to know what you do." Franz waits the news eagerly, but seemed oddly offended at dismissal of Zad. They do not know that Zad has the power of the gods behind him. Should I tell them? Franz thinks.
"Never seen anything like it. Rangnir?"
No, nothing like that...I would think it would not hold up in a clash against steel...probably more of a ritual weapon.
"Indeed, maybe we've stopped a key part of the ritual they had planned for tonight?"
The blade of the dagger is a mixture of molten reddish glas and rather stony parts that remind you of consolidated lava - a very uncommon weapon it surely is.
------
Blucher waits until Zadlu has backed away a little before he says
Ok...something is happening among the guards - one has lost his rifle, two others have fallen asleep an hour ago and don't wake up anymore. I'd say they're dead ifn't their breathing was still working...but that's not the worst news... Blucher sends a dark look over to the tops of the black fir trees surrounding the mansion like an evil army I've seen ungors...large packs of them, staying out of our reach but still taunting us with our presence...they're only Ungors, but you know too, where so many ungors are...
"In any case we'd better stash that damned thing in some sort of container. We don't want ta be touchin' anything they had fer too long.", Fernis finishes as he seeks out a bag or box for items of dubious nature.
Mareike takes a pillow case from the bed and hands it to Fernis.
Jangling the key chain, she looks at the keys attached. Do any share a likeness with the dagger?
Franz looks even graver as he hears the fell news. "I see, most dire indeed, I can shed some light on why what has happened. We have enemies within as well as without." Franz repeats what he told Lord Rikard above.
"So in light of that, clearly your men have been poisoned, they will not recover before battle is joined. Houndmaster, check your hounds they may have been fed poison as well. Subdue what cultists you can out here, I'll rally the others and take the evil-doers we do not have the time to wait on the dinner now. Do you wish mi'Lord to stay with these men and fight outside or come with me to the others and purge your household? We need to start at once." When the Lord Rikard, Olver, and the captain have their say, Franz will go rejoin the others to start a bloodbath.
The dagger is quickly stowed away, but suddenly it knocks on the door again
I'm sorry to disturb you once more, but have you seen Lord Rikkard? And will you please come to the dinner? The cook is slightly annoyed by the delay...ahem...
Vern says and you can literally feel that he fears the cook a bit...
----------
During Franz' reports Olver's face turns into a mask of ice and stone. Once Franz has ended his report he kracks his knuckles
Give me some names and - Sigmar is my witness - I swear they won't live another day...
Blucher gives Gand a wooried look, but does not question the man's fury, instead he says
Lord Rikkard, I would recommend you stay close to me, I have had some experience as a bodyguard in Nuln. We will wait at the Sigmar shrine until the house is clear.
Lord Rikkard nods slowly, then turns to Franz
Yes...uh...Franz, do you have your list with the names again?
Raising one of his thick fingers to the others, he says, "I got my clothes on now, Vern,ye can comein if ye feel so inclined." Moving back to his position next to the door, Fernis readies himself to deal with anyone "escorting" the manling.
Vern opens the door, but he doesn't enter, just gives a short and rather girlish shriek as he notices the puddle of blood
Oh! Sigmar, what has happened in here?!
"Sigmar's justice, Vern. Sigmar's will." Mareike states calmly, jingling the key ring. "Do you recognize any of these keys?"
A meaty fist grabs the man's collar and jerks him into the room. "Shut yer mouth, ye old fool. Do you want to be beastman manure?",Fernis hisses.
In a louder voice he adds, "Cut myself after questioning Sigmar's power...seems I got my answer."
Franz wonders at Lord Rikard's request but complies. "There is a chaos altar in a hidden chamber below the manor, and a chaos cult of the Blood God here;
Otto Geizhals, the librarian, Gregor Piersson, the Steward, Bertoldt Granhof, the gardener, Dr. Schreiber, the doctor, Gunnan Wetzel, Josef Vacmark, Konrad Voss, servants, Albrecht Krug the coachman, Anton Richter, a guard,and Karla Wagner the cook, are comspirators. Hanna the servant girl seemed forced into their terrible plot. I have arrested Piersson and Hanna, under my authority as an Imperial Officer. We must take all others. If you can, seize any you see outside here, Captain, Olver, any way you can. I'll go back with Zad and see to the ones in the house." If not otherwise detained, and nothing else happens, Franz gets back to the manor before everyone dies.
Vern pales visibly and whispers
You cut yourself?
obvisouly the blood has especially drained from his brain...
--------
Lord Rikkard still under the effect of the Schlaf poison, nods.
Correct.
Gand looks over to the gate and hisses
I'll find this Anton Richter...
then leaves and walks over to the kennels.
Blucher meanwhile leads Lord Rikkard to the shrine.
--------
When Franz and Zad return to the manor proper, they more or less run into one of the servants whose name they don't know yet. He's still nearly a boy, with crop black hair and some missing teeth.
M'lord, we are all waiting for you!
Fernis shakes is headed at the dull witted manling's response,replying "Yes, Vern, I cut myself.", then raises a single finger to his mouth and shakes his head no.
Uncharacteristically, Mareike snorts a laugh at Fernis' jab at Vern's stupidity.
Cleaning her axe with a corner of a bedsheet she says to Vern "By Sigmar's grace, Vern, this is why you brought us here, don't get all stupid on us now, we need everyone on side for this!"
Franz listens to the breathless servant. "Excellent, I've just finished waiting upon your Lord and Master. You can continue your excellent waiting upon me, now where is Herr Hendricks? I wish to see him and I'll be along when the time suits me." Putting the peasant in his place the young lord waits the answer while moving slowly further in the hall.
The servant steps aside and says
I've seen Herr Hendrick walking down the corridor to the guests' rooms, m'lord.
-----
Slowly Vern begins to realize
Did you find any of the rebels among the staff? You had a fight with them? Vern's hands begin to shake - he surely isn't made for any kind of violence...
"Easy, Hendrick. We have seen to the destruction of two servants claiming allegiance to the Blood God. It is better you do not know who. Your hunch about the staff was correct. Take heart in you perception of how things truly are. Now the rest of the evening is what shall focus upon. What do you know of this evening's events?"
Franz goes looking for Herr Hendricks. If he makes it there what does he see and hear?
W...well... Vern begins to stammer We are already late for dinner, the dragon of a cook has surely become suspicious of us if she is also with the cult. Actually we should all be sitting around the dinner table in the fireplace room and be eating or goose or venison, ahem...
-----
Franz reaches the guests' rooms and after a moment of concentrated eavesdropping, he hears Vern and Fernis speaking behind the door of the room in which Piersson died.
Fernis' eyes narrow in on the old fellow and ask, "How long have ye been involved, Vern? You brought us here to see how well your cult had covered their tracks didn't ye? I'm not stupid, manling. My clan makes living bringing in the wanted. It matters not to me what they did. All that matters is the coin at the end of the day. It seems to me you would have sacrificed us all tonight. What's worse is that ye would defaulted on a debt to a dwarf, Vern. Do you know there is a special place for those who cross a dwarf? My clan will swear grudge against yer whole line, manling. I doubt ye understand the gravity of this decision, Hendricks. Consider all you, all those who know ye, and all that could come te be forfeit."
Scratching his chin he says,"Where do ya hide yer mark? Strip an' maybe we'll hand ya over to the witch hunters or the roadwardens. I shoud have known when they said that the coachman was involved...." Even as he speaks the dwarf has moved is stout, armoured body to block the door and his axe has slid into a battle grip with the head nearly touching the floor. "Move.", is all Fernis says in a deep and meaningful whisper.
Mareike's eye widen at the connection Fernis makes between the coachman and Vern.
Striding over to confront the unfortunate man, her axe head thrust in front of his face , hissing "What do you know?"
Easy, Fernis! Dou you really think this manling could be the leader of the cult? For no other could inspire the fear or loyalty in his followers to be spared in their own confessions!
Vern pales visibly as Fernis' begins to threaten him, then with a quiet sigh he just faints...
That...is not what I would expect the leader of a cult of the abomination of slaughter to react.
Franz enters the room, looking around he demands, "What's happening here? Oh, never mind Vern for now, I'm pretty sure he's not involved or things would have moved differently than they did. What is this blood? I hope the two were saved for the burning as the law and guidence of Sigmar requires. Well, if the dawi choose not to do that I'l leave it for their clanheads to deal with. Of course, no peasant girl would ever violate the law of Sigmar and his blessed Empire and do anything that could get her charged for a hanging offense by a court, so that did not happen! We have bigger problems, I'll be going to the dinner now, wait a minute then charge in and take the cultists and only the cultists, we will need everyone else, the beastmen are gathering outside the walls, and several guardsmen have already been drugged. We have no time left for sideshows. Any questions?"
Franz waits for a reply, impatiently, ignoring the blood dripping from Mareike's axe.
At first Mareike bristles at Franz's words and tone, but as he continues , especially his mention of Sigmar's respect for law, a bit of comprehension pierces her fervour . There may occur at times, just like now, where good men like Franz may not appreciate the value of her actions, not being privy to the enlightenment she enjoys; his perception of her act clouded by real world concerns like law and honour.
To the others, all you see is Mareike's face screw up into a furious frown when Franz starts in on his rant, then slowly relax until she is gently smiling at him.
"I'm ready Franz" she says softly , her eyes aglow with certainty.
Fernis laughs at the nobles attempt to admonish him and replies, "You need to get out of the county and into your country's cities, manling. Then you'll see how far your laws extend. But, we'll set aside the foolishness of mankind for now see to these beastmen. I warn you to not stand in my way as I will be laying all that align themselves with chaos this eve." Fernis retrieves a gilded held sporting a rather large set of horns and shoulders his finely crafted shield before tromping out of the room.
Franz reaches the fireplace room - a large oaken table has been placed in its centre with several chairs around it. Sister Sonja, the good doctor and Otto Geizhals are already there, but Dr. Schreiber looks most impatient
Ah, at last, Herr Flechter - what is this all about? Where is your uncle, where are Blucher and Gand and everyone else? Frau Wagner had already prepared the dinner and now...
Suddenly Sister Sonja rises from her chair and shouts
It's a trap!
Alarmed by her warning, schooled by your military training and powered up by your adrenaline, you realize that you had no chance to take a look behind the door to the room - you fall to one knee and feel the whoosh of air above your head. (Coordination 1 success 1 bane)
Bertoldt had hidden behind the door and nearly decapitated you with a broad axe.
Daggers in Geizhals' and Schreiber's hands leave no doubt - the cult must have somehow guessed that their plan didn't work out.
Now you are to decide whether you return to the relative safety of your companions or you defend Sister Sonja...
Out of earshot :)
Mareike is fairly bouncing with impatience, "When do we go?" she says to Rangnir.
"Did they do somethin' to yer brain too, Morrite? Why would a dwarf ever stand before a manling god. Yer kind is but an infant to the dwarven people,much less the fact yer Sigmar carries a dwarven hammer." Looking at the frail body attempting to block his advance and simply shakes his head. "I respect your courage and yer convictions, but ye have to move....now."
Franz leaves the insolent dawi, and the clueless Mareike, that so throughly misunderstand his position, and goes to the dinner. There he is ambushed. At Sister Sonya's warning, Franz yells, "Rally to me, In Sigmar's name, rally to me!" He draws his already loaded pistol, and shoots the armed person nearest to the Sigmarite nun. He tries to stay alive after that but doesn't have much hope of that in this position.
Ballistic skill - Dice pool:4 blue char, 1 yellow, 1 white, and anything else the GM puts in.
St:3, To:3, Ag:4, In:3, Wi:3, Fe:4 -- Def:0, Soak:0, Wound Threshold 12 - Wounds:0, Corruption Threshold 8 - Coruption:0, Fatigue:1, Stress:1 --
Stance:Neutral (Reckless - default) -- Current Action: Ranged shot; Recharging Cards: none
Other available action : Extreme Shot -- Action Recharge: 0 (This action is my only non-basic action card.)
While speaking with the priest, Fernis' eyes go wide as he says, "Gunshot. That fool noble has gotten himself into the mix without me! impetuous youth always trying to steal the fun!" Brushing past Zad he makes for the dining hall eager to get a piece of the action.
Mareike's head snaps up at the sound of pistol fire.
Grinning at Fernis' comment, she makes ready to follow the dwarf, but is suddenly overcome by a dreadful terror of the combat to come, a violent shivering comes over her body and a low moan involuntarily escapes her. A moment goes by, then another until she grows aware of Zadlu's steady gaze upon her.
Straightening, the shivers dissipating, she croaks to Zadlu " Come son of Morr, you'll be needed i think." and then turns and sprints after the dwarves.
Rangnir runs after the others, weapon drawn.