Descending quickly and as quietly as possible, Mareike moves to the dark opening. Plastered against the wall, she peers around the edge of the opening to see what the cook is doing.
Stealth. 3 characteristic dice
Rangnir heads follows the servants direction. Even if he cannot find something of use regarding the mur, the library may well contain a trove of knowledge both useful and dangerous.
"He has. Seems ta think that some books in the library might do 'im some good.", he says to Franz. Looking to the Captain he ask,"Safe amongst beastmen? A peculiar notion." Fernis' eyes narrow a bit at this idea. "Are yer men capable of fending them off much longer? Seems that stringy fella would make much less than a new bowstring for them savages."
Mareike is surprisingly sneaky and when he peers round the corner, she sees the cook in front of a wine rack, looking at the bottles...maybe looking for her next drink.
------
Blucher inhales deeply, the following sentence costs quite some effort
I can't say what my men are capable of...the first storm was very very disillusioning.
--------
As you open the library door, you hear someone rummaging in the back, behind some of the monstrous book shelves made of dark wood. The curtains are drawn shut and only two small candles illuminate the room - surprising for a library. The whole room appears smaller than it really is, large oil paintings, heavy carpets and dark-brown furniture create a dark atmosphere.
Mareike watches the woman for a few moments, then if she doesn't do anything strange, creeps back to the stairs and as if she had just descended , calls out "Cook, are you down here? "
"Too few men ... Did I hear right that more house guards were expected soon? Even if the walls were perfect, five men cannot hold this large an area for long against a determined assault." Franz looks as gloomy as the Captain, "Well, if you have need of me, I'll be inside, I want to do more checking on the house. We may need it as a fallback soon." Franz heads to the manor looking for the library and the other dwarf.
"That is a pity,Bulcher. None of the local villages supply men to ya? Humans are beings I'll likely never understand. Stand tagether an' survivin' is a lot easier."
Since the dim lightning won't be a hindrance to Rangnir, he will leave the curtains alone. He walk slowly through the room, examining his surroundings. He will head into the general direction of the noise, eager not to disturb someone working here but also willing to introduce himself to a possible keeper of the library.
@ Zadlu: Are you also inspecting anything in particular in the garden?
-------
Olver grimaces and for a second you can see countless days of battles in the Imperial Army engraved in his features
No, surely they can't Herr Flechter, but we were a disgrace to Sigmar if we didn't try. he bows and returns to the kennels...you leave with the feeling that this man will be solid as a rock should the beastmen attack again.
--------
Blucher just manages a dry laugh
I hope that humans behavior does not surprise you anymore...how much solidarity can you expect of a race that has nothing better to do than plotting and betraying...for every nine devout followers of Sigmar is one praying to the Dark Ones...at least one...
---------
A second passes before the cook answers
No...uh...I mean, yes, but I'm coming up, don't come down here.
I'm already down here....I'll help you with what needs to come up." Mareike calls out approaching the opening. Now that she isn't preoccupied with sneaking , she takes a closer look at her surroundings.
Observation. 3 Characteristic dice.
Sorry Rangnir, didn't see your last post.
As you turn around yet another dusty shelf of even dustier tomes, you nearly stumble right into an obscenely fat man with several purulent warts in his face. You notice that he quickly puts a book under his fur coat, before he tries a weak smile
Yes? he asks nervously.
--------
Mareike spots nothing out of the ordinary (0 successes) and the cook shoos her out of the cellar No need to be down here, go and find the list of the dinner attendees for tonight and check whether everyone has chosen venison or goose.
I am Rangnir Gudrunson, mason. I am here to search the bibliotek for anything that might help me planning the work on the mur before the beastmen will attack. And you are?
"OK, where's the list? Are you sure you don't need help?"
Are you sure you don't need help... the cook repeats with a slightly annyoed tone Can you even read?
--------
Ah, a mason, how nice...at last someone with a brain. Architecture...umm..ah yes, over there, please follow me.
Fernis notes the "at least one" remark, but does not pry further lest he expose himself for what he truly is. Shaking his head he simply replies."A pity to be sure."
Franz strides into the Manor House and speaks to the first servant he sees, "Where is the library?" Franz goes quickly toward that room. Hearing Ragnir ask for someone's name, he stops outside the room and listens for the reply.
"I can read....enough. Like I said, where is the list" Mareike says, her own voice getting a little annoyed.
Are you the keeper of this bibliotek?
Following the stranger, Rangnir continues to look around. What do the paintings show? Do they hint on the past of this lodge? Do any of the books on the shelves we pass have markings on the back? If so, can Rangnir make out what sort of books the humans are keeping here?
The cook stares at you, dumbfounded for a moment You can read? How come? a thick layer of suspicion is audible in her voice now.
--------
Blucher laughs again
You dwarves are funny...a pity...I heard stories of your people and those among them who failed to do their duty. They shave their heads and swear some sort of oath to uh...Grimnir, eh? An oath to seek redemption in battle, right?
--------
The fat man licks his lips nervously
Yes, are you looking for something specific? I mean uh, something specific in the field of architecture...I think we have the Encyclopedia of Steinwerk, a very precious book written by Timodeus Balthasar in the second half of the 21st century...
you are not sure if he ignored your question for his name only by accident or on purpose.
Here now, why you looking at me like that? My Pa worked for a noble who had some high faluting notion that all should know their letters. So I had me a tutor for two whole years. Spent most of my time fending his hands off than learning, but some of it stuck." Mareike says with a grimace of distaste on her face.
"This is true, Bulcher. A dreadful lot. Failed a task and seek to redeem their name through throwin' themselves against the most fearsome of creatures. Though they bring forth some of the most fantastic of stories for their immense bravery, it is only due them having failed so completely . A pity to be sure." Fernis says far more solemnly this time.
Franz notes the lack of introductions and decides it's time to enter. He strides into the library say, "Ah, Master Mason, right where I was told. How is the search for ways to bring our walls back to health going?" Looking at the unknown man, "Uncle Rikkard is tired now so meetings were delayed, pleased to make your acquaintance, Herr....?" Franz stops obviously waiting for the man of lesser station to introduce himself.
Well, Herr Fernis, I have to look for a blunderbuss...one of the guards says it was stolen from him... you can literally hear him grinding his teeth in annoyance...
---------
Geizhals...Otto Geizhals...and you're Lord a relative of Lord Rikkard? the man asks even more nervously now.
Rangnir was afraid that the stranger would take his omission of his clans name as an insult, but him being unwilling to speak his own name at first was not only insulting but shameful - the stranger in the library just moved to the top of Rangnirs 'possible traitors' list, even if he finally introduced himself at least to Herr Flechter.
I was just about to start as thie ukendt was about to show me the relevant section in the bibliotek
Franz nods slightly at Otto, "Franz Flechter, Scion of the line of Baron Flechter, and my mother is cousin to Lord Rikkard, I'm the new Huntsmaster." At Rangnir's statement Franz, somewhat familiar with dwarves, common enough at the academy, raises an eyebrow slightly, "Good then, ... Herr Geizhals, what exactly is your position here? You seem a librarian which is even more out-of-place at a hunting lodge than this well-stocked library."
Extending a massive paw to the equally stout human, Fernis says, "Should ya be needin' any assistance,jus' come an' get me." With that Fernis tromps off to find Rangnir.
Otto tries a weak grin and repeats slowly
U..Uk...? Uh yeah, heh...alas, Herr Flechter, you have to know that the former owner Martin von Bruner - may the gods watch over him - was a very literate man and interested in various topics. But in general you're obviously right, much too fee nobles keep well-stocked libraries.
@ Fernis: You may arrive at the library after another two more posts of either Otto or Rangnir/Franz
----
Your pah, eh? she still seems a bit suspicious, but shrugs If you say so...the list's there, take it and check it, but not in the kitchen, you always get in my way, girl. of course a blatant lie...
Mareike takes the list and gives the cook a look that would pause a gor, then stomps up out of the cellar.
Pausing at the top of the stairs, she briefly considered "accidentally" causing the trapdoor to close and trap the nasty woman beneath...
With a smile, she went to the hearth, snatched up a couple of largish splinters and dipped them in the edge of the fire. Blowing on them to put them out, she was satisfied she had two rudimentary writing implements to make her marks on the list.
She then takes herself and the list through the door out into the garden to read the list.
Franz notes the dodge of Herr Geizhals in not addressing his position. Moving on, "Oft true, Herr Geizhals but I was surprised by these valuable books here in so isolated a place rather than a townhome. So this was Lord von Bruner's main residence? But don't let me impede your work, please locate the books the Master Mason requires, the curtain wall of this place is in dire condition and work sooner begun, the sooner done." With that trite remark Franz ceases his pointless blather and looks around the room for anything even more out of the ordinary, than its current occupants.
Observation 3 blue.
You may well continue with your own work, Herr Geizhals. I am sure I will find what I need.
If Geizhals takes the hind and lets Rangnir more or less alone with the books, he will not only look for works about masonry, but also books about the history of the area and the lodge and of course, for books on topics that should not even be kept here.
Please assign and roll dice for a possible observation or education check, ZZ, he has specialties in noticing minute details and in history.
One of the guards looks at you with weary eyes, but as a guttural howl pierces the silence quickly turns back to eye the black wall of forest again.
The list reads as follows:
Lord Rikkard Aschaffenberg
Vern Hendrick
Dr. Schreiber
Otto Geizhals
Captain of the guard Andreas von Blucher
Olver Gand
Steward Gregor Piersson
Sister Sonja
Bertoldt Granhof
Albrecht Krug
Master of the Hunt Herr Flechter
Two dwarven masons
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Yes, his main residence...ah yes, you will surely find the books on your own, heh.
He lets Rangnir alone and quickly steps next to Franz
And you are also from Altdorf?
Well, you know what Rangnir is doing then.
One of the guards looks at you with weary eyes, but as a guttural howl pierces the silence quickly turns back to eye the black wall of forest again.
The list reads as follows:
Lord Rikkard Aschaffenberg
Vern Hendrick
Dr. Schreiber
Otto Geizhals
Captain of the guard Andreas von Blucher
Olver Gand
Steward Gregor Piersson
Sister Sonja
Bertoldt Granhof
Albrecht Krug
Master of the Hunt Herr Flechter
Two dwarven masons
Scowling at the list of names of people she's never met, Mareike starts when the howl pierces the air. Shivering slightly, her wide eyes stared at the black trees of the forest, the gnarled limbs semminly to grow taller and taller looming over the lodge....With a shake if the head and a shuddering breath, Mareike turns to go back inside, a quick glance at the guard as she does.
I saw the dwarves in the main hall... library I think. Maybe I can find Suzanna, she'll know all of these people...
When Herr Geizhals closes within Franz's personal space, Franz steps to the side going further into the room. As he talks to the odd man his eyes continue to roam around the room. "Yes from an estate close enough by. Often have been in The City for various reasons."
Observation 3 blue.
As Fernis enters the main doors of the library, he says"Find ya anythin...."getting cut off mid sentence by the howl. A grim smile splits his lips as he continues,"Looks like more antlers for the hearth are in our future, Rangnir."
Inside you nearly run into Susanne who was about to rush out
Oh sorry, I didn't see you coming - Have you seen the new gardener? Sister Sonja wants to speak to him.
--------
Simultaneously speaking with Otto and looking for clues makes you dizzy, Franz (3 banes 0 successes - 1 stress gained)
Ah yes, a mervellous city isn't it? Especially the colleges of magic...I always wanted to become a wizard myself, you have to know.
-------
Before Fernis can interrupt Rangnir's concentration, the dwarf spots a book that looks odd (2 succcesses, 2 banes - gained 1 stress). The small leatherbound book has a strange cover application that looks like a purple flower, but seems to be made from human skin. It is such a delicate piece of craftmanship that you can hardly believe this was made by a tanner, it rather looks af if it grew that way - just like a real flower.
"Just the person I was looking for.... I'll help you find the new gardener, just help me with this list, I don't know anyone here. " Mareike says holding the girl to prevent them both from falling.
Another thought comes to her as she and the girl head towards the garden, "Suzanne, could you tell me who on this list have suffered the same fainting spells you have? Also, if any of the always choose venison or goose?"
We haven't had goose for quite a while, actually I guess you brought it with you from Ubersreik. Let me take a look at the list... she takes a look at the parchment and quickly you realize that she has difficulties to read it What letter is this here?...oh and that...that could be Schrefer, right? But we don't have a Schrefer here - you sure this list is correct?
That's Schreiber.... here let me a read the names out and you can tell me whether they like goose or venison and if they've fallen asleep like you. Does that sound OK?"
Rangnir takes note of the books whereabouts and will pull it out once he is sure Otto can't see it. probably when he has other, legitimate books in hand, so he can hide the strange book between them.
As soon as possible he will hide the book on his person to research it later, possibly while he has less suspicious company than the librarian...
"Are ye still foolin' about in this joke of a room? We have work ta be gettin' to.", Fernis calls out as he enters the library.
Franz replies to Fernis, "Sorry, Master Mason, I appear to have distracted everyone from their good purpose. Your companion is still looking for good references to aid in the reconstruction. This gentleman appears to be the librarian in service to the Lord of the Lodge."
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: none ; Recharging Cards: none)
Other available action : Extreme Shot -- Action Recharge: 0 (This action is my only non-basic action card)
Fernis simply responds with a hrumph.
Together wit Susanne you go through the list, the result looks like this:
Lord Rikkard Aschaffenberg - V
Vern Hendrick - V
Dr. Schreiber - G
Otto Geizhals - G
Captain of the guard Andreas von Blucher - G
Olver Gand - V
Steward Gregor Piersson - G
Sister Sonja - G
Bertoldt Granhof - G
Albrecht Krug - V
Master of the Hunt Herr Flechter - ?
Two dwarven masons - ?
---------
Otto scratches his chin and one of his big warts bursts open - blood and ichor run down his neck but he does not seem to notice it
Ah, you must be the other mason, right? he greets Fernis.
@ Rangnir: Book secured.
Together wit Susanne you go through the list, the result looks like this:
Lord Rikkard Aschaffenberg - V
Vern Hendrick - V
Dr. Schreiber - G
Otto Geizhals - G
Captain of the guard Andreas von Blucher - G
Olver Gand - V
Steward Gregor Piersson - G
Sister Sonja - G
Bertoldt Granhof - G
Albrecht Krug - V
Master of the Hunt Herr Flechter - ?
Two dwarven masons - ?
Lord Rikkard Aschaffenberg - V - affected
Vern Hendrick - V - not affected / not sure if ever dined here
Dr. Schreiber - G / not affected
Otto Geizhals - G /not affected
Captain of the guard Andreas von Blucher - G /not affected
Olver Gand - V /not affected
Steward Gregor Piersson - G /not affected
Sister Sonja - G /not affected
Bertoldt Granhof - G /thinks he's affected, but not sure
Albrecht Krug - V/ not affected
Master of the Hunt Herr Flechter - ? /newly arrived
Two dwarven masons - ? /newly arrived
Susanne adds that mostly members of the staff are affected, but they aren't invited to the dinner.