[dice=Gossip, 21]1d100
[dice=Fortune]1d100For his part, Valghaz went to see Heske Glazer. He had met her when he had first come to the city. She was a glassblower whom he had come to the city. If anyone would give him a sympathetic ear, it would be her.
Frau Glazer's eyes light up as she sees Valghaz. "Look at you, making your mark on the world, heard about you and the troll. Well done my friend, well done indeed."
After a few minutes of pleasant conversation, Valghaz is able to steer the conversation to the Theatre and Herr Gurkenfeld. "Gurkenfeld is an odd man. He can be ever so charming when he wants something but can fly into a rage when things don't go his way. I guess that moodiness can be expected with actors. I've heard, but can't really say from who, that the Theatre were in serious financial trouble. It was going to close I heard but then Gurkenfeld got himself a silent partner. Since then's business is been better I think probably because the competition seems to be going away. I'm not saying that's all connected, but you know that they say a winks as good as a nod."
Ruprecht drifts through the crowd, greeting likely candidates for information...
[dice=Gossip:]1d100
... he is distracted, no his usual genial self.
Ruprecht does turn up a couple of rumors. The first is that Gurkenfeld is actually Emperor Karl Franz in disguise. The second is that Gurkenfeld is actually a goblin scouting the town for attack.
Talther enters the Rabid...Pig?...and begins to ask around about Fosten the Fiery and Benedict Gurkenfeld.
[dice=Gossip 44 inc Trollslayer]1d100
Talther is able to spark up a conversation with the barflies hanging out in the tavern in the middle of the day. "Shame about ol' Fosten. Seems like such a good man. Supposed to be getting a partnership up with some halfling traveling show and going to buy the Theatre. Heard he told Gurkenfeld that he was going to put him out of business. I durn't think ol' Gurkenfeld took that too well. Some new business partner of Gurkenfeld I hear threatened Fosten but ol' Fosten just breathed flames right at him. Ran him he did. Good ol' Fosten. Barkeep, another round on our new friend Talther in memory of Fosten the Fiery."
Talathel sees an opportunity.
"Aye, a round to Fosten! Any word on whom this silent partner might be?"
Talathel sees an opportunity.
"Aye, a round to Fosten! Any word on whom this silent partner might be?"
[dice=Charm 49 with Trollslayer and any alcohol bonus?]1d100
The barflies look at each other and then the barkeep and finally one works up the courage to lean over and whisper to you, "Einauge Spaltmann, the man with the magic eye."
Talther quickly tries to recall if he has heard anything about this Spaltmann. In the mean time, he asks, in a whisper:
"I see. You have my thanks. Where might Herr Spaltmann be found?"
More audibly:
"Another round, first!"
Talther quickly tries to recall if he has heard anything about this Spaltmann. In the mean time, he asks, in a whisper:
"I see. You have my thanks. Where might Herr Spaltmann be found?"
More audibly:
"Another round, first!"
[Dice=Charm 49 with Trollslayer and any alcohol bonus?]1d100
[Dice=Lore (Local) 38]1d100
[Dice=Lore (Reikland) 36]1d100
Talther racks his brain and then remembers some of the worrying details about Spaltmann.
Spaltmann is a bully for hire whose thoughts have recently turned dark. For reasons unknown, he’s found he can see through his milky, dead eye — indeed, he can even see in lightless rooms with it. Spaltmann carries an elaborate heavy crossbow with a double set of strings that allow him to fire twice before needing to reload.
The barflies break out into song.
"For Talther's A Jolly Good Fellow!"
"For Talther's A Jolly Good Fellow!"
"For Talther's A Jolly Good Fellow...!"
"So say we all!"
"So say we all!"
"So say we all!"
The happy barflies don't have any other information about Spaltmann.
Ruprecht does turn up a couple of rumors. The first is that Gurkenfeld is actually Emperor Karl Franz in disguise. The second is that Gurkenfeld is actually a goblin scouting the town for attack.
It's after the second man walks away laughing that Ruprecht shakes his head and mutters, "Your losing your touch, man, get a grip!"
He see Talfer enter the newly re-named tavern and waits outside for his comrade to emerge. Hearing the cheers of his name, he smiles, Seems Talfer is having better luck than I...
Landolf will start asking questions now about the man who lost an arm during the scuffle. Landolf heard that some sot cut his arm off with a shovel but that's hard to believe. Who was this guy? Helmut maybe?
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Landolf will start asking questions now about the man who lost an arm during the scuffle. Landolf heard that some sot cut his arm off with a shovel but that's hard to believe. Who was this guy? Helmut maybe?
[dice=Gossip 44+10 Trollslayer]1d100
Unfortunately the criminal element doesn’t normally hang out in the square on market day because of the soldiers patrolling around. All Landolf can gather is that some ruffian got chopped up by a dwarf wielding a magic shovel.
Landolf walked to where the Watch members had agreed to meet after their investigation. What he had learned wasn't much. Fosten had been working with the halfling performance troupe, however. The start of the riot had forced them out and Fosten had died. Gurkenfeld got everything he had wanted.
Was it really that simple though? If he ran in and started accusing Gurkenfeld of the murder, would he be any different than the Witch Hunters? He needed more.
Just how good are Specht's people? He seemed like a smart man, but this is coming together too nicely...too much like the scenario he outlined. What am I missing here?
On the other hand, what if it is just that easy. Gurkenfeld might be guilty. But how do we prove it? Landolf was thinking too much. It was time to do something, even if he wasn't sure that that would be.
Once together, Valghaz said ”So... Spaltmann seems to me to be the weakest link. That’s how ye kill someone wearing mail. Hit the weak link. If we can catch him, we can cut him a deal. Testify against his boss and we don’t turn him over to the witch hunters. Otherwise all I’m seeing right now is logic, instead of proof. Put some testimony together with the logic, and we’d be good as gold.”
Let's see if we can find our man, and how we can apply some pressure for information. Maybe a priest of Verena can help him alleviate his soul from his misdeeds...
After relating the details he knows of Spaltmann, Talther adds:
"We do not have limitless time. Gurkenfeld should be accessible now, and Spaltmann may well be present to prevent retaliation for their joint crimes."
”Bloody...aye, aye. Fookin’ ridiculous this is. These time constraints. As if all crimes in the Empire are solved within a few days.” Valghaz grumbled.
Landolf walked to where the Watch members had agreed to meet after their investigation. What he had learned wasn't much. Fosten had been working with the halfling performance troupe, however. The start of the riot had forced them out and Fosten had died. Gurkenfeld got everything he had wanted.
Was it really that simple though? If he ran in and started accusing Gurkenfeld of the murder, would he be any different than the Witch Hunters? He needed more.
Just how good are Specht's people? He seemed like a smart man, but this is coming together too nicely...too much like the scenario he outlined. What am I missing here?
On the other hand, what if it is just that easy. Gurkenfeld might be guilty. But how do we prove it? Landolf was thinking too much. It was time to do something, even if he wasn't sure that that would be.
"Let us pressure Gurkenfeld then. If we are squeezed for time, let us squeeze him that much more!"
”Aye then. Given that we are under a time crunch...we could make him think that cutting a deal with us is in his best interest. If anyone here has a straight face, we could tell him that he’s a popular man. That since we visited the Witch Hunters, everything has pointed to him. Say that after we talked to them, it led them to burn a sect of cultists, and now we’re looking into the riots. That we thought Spaltmann was acting alone on that one, but the finger is at him. See how he reacts. ‘Ain’t a single lie in there, but a whole lotta blanks for him to fill in. Think it might work...but I’m nay the best man for that job. Don’t think I have that kind of acting skills.”
"I like the plan. Myself or Landolf would be suited, and the other will back them. Let's get in there."
Being in the Watch has its privileges such as ignoring the ticket seller and pushing directly through the theatre patrons. You make your way to the stage and seeing a path to the wings of the stage take it and make your way backstage. The stage manager attempts to block your way but one look at the stony set of your faces and he backs away.
"Gurkenfeld?" one of you snaps and the scared stage manager points to a closed door. Those of you that can read, see a nicely painted title next to the door. Gurkenfeld, Actor, Director, and Producer it reads.
Without pausing to knock the six of you push your way to Gurkenfeld's private dressing room. He's seated at a low table in front of mirror applying make-up.
"Oi, what's all this then? Autographs are given after the show," Gurkenfeld says coolly.
”We need to talk. As a courtesy to ye, we’re doing this in private.” Valghaz’s hand was on his hammer, not his club, and his eyes said that he both knew how to use it and was willing. ”Me lads here want to talk to ye.” Without breaking eye contact he closed the door behind them and stood by it. It was clear that the only way out was through him. ”Go ahead lads. Talk to him ‘afore the Witch H-nah. Jus’ go ahead.” He finished, feeling that his part was done well enough, and not feeling comfortable saying anything that could be taken as being untrue. Best to let others work the deception.
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dice=Intimidate]1d100-45
”We need to talk. As a courtesy to ye, we’re doing this in private.” Valghaz’s hand was on his hammer, not his club, and his eyes said that he both knew how to use it and was willing. ”Me lads here want to talk to ye.” Without breaking eye contact he closed the door behind them and stood by it. It was clear that the only way out was through him. ”Go ahead lads. Talk to him ‘afore the Witch H-nah. Jus’ go ahead.” He finished, feeling that his part was done well enough, and not feeling comfortable saying anything that could be taken as being untrue. Best to let others work the deception.
Valghaz has reduced Gurkenfeld to a sobbing pile of goo. Gurkenfeld slips out of his chair and falls to the floor, sobbing. It’s actually a bit hard to watch...”I didn’t know he was going to kill him, honest, he was just supposed to scare him, oh no, NOW HE’S GOING TO KILL ME TOO!!,” Gurkenfeld wails at the top of his lungs.
Landolf hunkers down next to the sobbing man. "Alright then. I was going to approach this a little differently. From everything I've heard today, you're a disgusting toad of a man."
"If you really didn't kill Fosten and if you fear for your life, though, I think we can help you out. Tell us what you know, and we'll get you to the Watch. If someone is already after you, you don't have anything left to lose. And look, you've got the famous Trollslayers on your side now."
You want a last chance? Deal with us. As honestly as we will deal with you. You know what we are able to do, what we have done: fight a troll, and killed it. And it's no fairy tale, no stage fight either. We had plenty of witnesses, and it was a fight to the death. So tell us everything we want to know, we need to know.
Seeing Valghaz reduce the man to tears and Landolf and Adelaida barely reaching him, Talther joins in.
"Gurkenfeld, we can help you but you have to talk first. So talk."
You want a last chance? Deal with us. As honestly as we will deal with you. You know what we are able to do, what we have done: fight a troll, and killed it. And it's no fairy tale, no stage fight either. We had plenty of witnesses, and it was a fight to the death. So tell us everything we want to know, we need to know.
dice=Charm (40+10 Trollsayer)]1d100
Gurkenfeld manages to get his emotions under control a bit but tears are still running down his cheeks. "All I wanted was a loan to keep the Theatre running during this chaos but then I couldn't pay it back and then they said...they said...that they owned the business now and I had to work for them. Wouldn't do any good to run cause they've got agents everywhere they said. They hired Spaltmann to keep an eye on things. And Spaltmann said we had to get rid of the competition so I told him that Fosten and that traveling troupe were taking business and then...and then...Spaltmann said he'd take care of the competition...and...and I thought he was just going to scare them but then he started the riot and killed Fosten and bragged...BRAGGED!!! about how he killed him and said if I didn't keep quiet I'd be next and I thought that was it but now you're here and they're going to hang me and I ALL I WANTED WAS A LOAN!!!"
Landolf looks up at the other Watch members. "Let's get him to Pfeffer."
Turning his attention back to Gurkenfeld, Landolftries to bolster the man's confidence. "Pull yourself together. If what you say is true, you've only got one way out of this. Come with us right now and we'll keep you alive."
Landolf looks about the room for anything that might help.
Ruprecht follows the others into the theater, and allows them to talk to Herr Gurkenfeld. He feels some pity for the man, but not much, "You're only chance now is to come with us." he re-iterates.
Talther searches for a usable costume.
Talther searches for a usable costume.
dice=Perception 36]1d100
Talther finds a blonde wig and a black cape that can be used as a disguise. Gurkenfeld lets you dress him in the disguise alternating between crying hysterically and keeping a stiff upper lip. You bundle Gurkenfeld out the back door of the theatre.
"Who exactly did you get a loan from?" Landolf asked the disguised man before they left his room. "We need to know who we are up against."
”Straight to the Watch House then. Let’s move quickly.” Valghaz said, his hand resting on his hammer.
"The disguise is on. Let us not wait to bring him to the Watch House."
May I offer a suggestion before we go straight to the Watch House? I think the temple of Verena could be useful to hide someone endangered by criminal elements. Will they be willing to help, that's another matter, but at least there won't be anyone for which money is more important than laws and honor in the Temple, while our "good sergeant"...
Adelaida let everyone finish her sentence in her mind
"Who exactly did you get a loan from?" Landolf asked the disguised man before they left his room. "We need to know who we are up against."
Gurkenfeld stops in stunned amazement and gives a bitter laugh, "you fools don't even know who you're up against, do you? Oh Sigmar, you are as dead as I am...it was Andreas von Bruner, scion of the von Bruner family, ally to the his most excellent Imperial Majesty Karl Franz. You idiots realize that you cannot even touch him, don't you?"
Valghaz shook his head. ”Don’t care. We have a job to do, and right now that job is getting ye safely to the captain. And besides, people like him are someone else’s problem, and I’m sure that they have their own enemies.”
It seemed like everything was slipping into “nope” category. That place where every decision leads down dark tunnels with no end. And at times like that, Valghaz reasoned that the simplest path was the best one. And here, the simplest path was turning the man over to their superior so that it was her problem, not theirs.
Landolf nods along with Valghaz. "it doesn't matter if I can't touch von Bruner. I'm not trying to do so. Keeping you alive is our job. Let's get moving."
"Quite the answer but we have a case to solve and you breathing expedites that. Move it."
Ruprecht adds sardonically, "Haven't you heard of us...we're the Trollslayers....and Vampire Slayers...taking down the friend of His Majesty...just another day on the job."
Surrounding the ugly blonde in the hideous dress the six of you hustle Gurkenfeld out the back door of the theatre and into the streets of the Marktplatz. Clouds cover the moons which helps make the darkness even deeper. Keeping as much as possible off the well traveled streets you force your prisoner up the hill to the precinct district. Anytime Gurkenfeld slows and starts to complain, a single growl from Valghaz is enough to get him moving again. Despite feeling like eyes are watching you from the blackened windows and the dark roofs, your trip to the Watch Barracks is uneventful. The guards at the entrance to the barracks try to engage you in conversation but you bull your way past focused on getting your prisoner in front of Captain Pfeffer before a spanner is thrown in the works. You catch bits of sentences as the guards call after you..."Rudi...missing...arrest warrant...about time."
The door to the Captain's office stands open and Pfeffer sits at her desk during paperwork. "What's all this then? Who's the ugly woman and why did you bring her to my office?"
Mostly oblivious to other events going on around him, Landolf salutes to Captain Pfeffer. He starts by tearing Gurkenfeld's wig off. Were they saying something about the Sarge?
"This is Benedict Gurkenfeld, sir. He claims knowledge of Fosten's murder. He is scared that the murderer will come for him next, so we brought him here."
He pauses briefly before adding. "It sounds like this might get political."
Talther salutes the Captain, then turns to Gurkenfeld:
"Herr Gurkenfeld, kindly tell the good Captain about your arrangement."
Valghaz remained silent, his mouth suddenly feeling dry. Dealing with the captain often felt more nerve wracking than fighting a troll or vampire.
Gurkenfeld thinks about trying to spin a web of lies for Pfeffer, but the dwarf glaring at him convinces him to come clean. Sobbing again, he lays out the entire story for Captain Pfeffer from the very first loan to the riot and the murder of Fosten. Captain Pfeffer lets him tell the story at his own pace, without interrupting, without taking any notes, just letting him talk. Once he finishes, she has him begin again but this time she challenges his statements, calls out every discrepancy, points out every flaw, taking notes. Then she makes him do it yet again, this time writing it down word for word. Once finished, she slides it across the table to Gurkenfeld. "It's your confession. Sign it. If you don't want to sign it I'll have Valghaz here break every bone in your right arm with his bare hands and then you'll have to sign it left-handed. Clear?" Hands shaking, Gurkenfeld signs the confession.
"SERGEANT! GET IN HERE!!" Captain Pfeffer shouts. Then there in the doorway, big as life, stands Sergeant...Koenig, not Rudi Klumpenklug. Koenig take this worm to Black Rock Castle and put him in the deepest, darkest dungeon you can find. Talk to no one. Anyone have questions, tell them to come find me. Now go!"
Once Sergeant Koening leaves with Gurkenfeld, Pfeffer reaches into a drawer and pulls out a mostly full bottle of vodka. Opening it, she takes a drink then hands it to Valghaz, "share it around Watchman."
"This isn't easy for me to say, but here goes. I was wrong about you miscreants. I'm satisfied you're innocent. Of course, as of now you're still stuck in the Watch for the next 2 years and 10 months."
"Thank you, Captain," Landolf says, taking a drink of the vodka when his turn comes around. "It's been a wild ride, but thank you for that. Not everyone can change their mind about someone."
He pauses and allows himself to enjoy the moment for a short time. It's not everything, but my name is clear, at least in this office. I wonder how much it will cost me to get word back home?
He turns his attention back to Pfeffer. "I only caught a bit of the word going around the station on the way in. Did something happen with Sargeant Klumpenklug?"
I serve the Empire, Captain, and the Watch is a good a place as any for that.
Adelaida salutes her superior
On a personal note, I'm glad we are no more suspect to your eyes, Captain. It will makes things easier for everyone.
"Thank you, Captain," Landolf says, taking a drink of the vodka when his turn comes around. "It's been a wild ride, but thank you for that. Not everyone can change their mind about someone."
He pauses and allows himself to enjoy the moment for a short time. It's not everything, but my name is clear, at least in this office. I wonder how much it will cost me to get word back home?
He turns his attention back to Pfeffer. "I only caught a bit of the word going around the station on the way in. Did something happen with Sargeant Klumpenklug?"
"I confronted Klumpenklug with the information you brought. Of course, he denied everything. He said he had evidence to prove his innocence back in his room and he would go get it. I guess I still trusted him too much. He took a runner. So, now Rudi's a wanted man in Ubersreik and soon his name will be circulated throughout the Reikland as a fugitive. Keep an eye peeled for him, he has a grudge against you and we know he is a violent man. I'm sure that the bounty hunters will bring him in soon."