Valghaz gave Adelaida a strong slap to the back. "Oi, snap out of it. Landolf and Yvonne will be back any minute now." Then with a smile he said "And there he is."
Once Landolf filled them in on what had occurred, Valghaz said, thoughtfully "Well this leaves us as a strange place, aye? From what I'm hearing, it seems best to report to the Witch Hunters what ye found out. They're supposed to be good at this sort of shyt. Teugen should be brought in for questioning, aye? Or at the very least, the investigation should focus on him. And if the Witch Hunters won't do anything, then we could work with Heinrich Steinhager. Telling him of his upcoming downfall would make him quite willing to help us take these fookers down. Expose them as chaos worshipers before they can expose him for embezzling. I'm sure that everyone can guess which crime would get the most attention."
Ruprecht was almost crawling out of his skin, "Something bad going to happen. We have to get off of the steets....whahahaaaaaaa" he said, then made the mistake of glancing at the horrible moon.
With horrified fascination, his mouth grew slack and drool began to drip, as his eyes and mind were filled with Morrslieb...
With a sigh, Valghaz gave Ruprecht an even harder slap. "Knock it off." Valghaz said. "Daemon's gone, alright? Know that was a hard time, but yer good now." Being comforting did not come easy, but he reasoned that umgi were not made of the same material as the dawi, and one had to go easy on them.
Ruprecht stumbles fromk Valghaz' slap, but his gaze on the moon was broken. Leaning a bit on the dwarf, Ruprech studiously keeps his eyes on the ground, "My thanks, what a horrid sensation..."
Valghaz nodded. ”Aye.” He responded, keeping up a brave front. But deep inside he knew that they were closing in on the practitioners of the Old Dark. Hostile spells were a distinct possibility. He didn’t see any point in voicing such concerns, given that they had no defense against it anyways.
Adelaida and Ruprecht spend a sleepless night on the Berebeli as every time they close their eyes to rest, a vision of the hungry moon fills their minds and tries to entice them to come on deck to stare at the wonders of Morrslieb. They both know that if they could just watch the moon long enough they could understand why the universe is the way it is. They could see the secrets behind the stars revealed...Luckily for them they have their friends nearby to stop them from being corrupted by the Chaos moon. However, both are exhausted and listless the following morning.
Early morning finds you on the deck of the barge, enjoying a simple breakfast of bread, cheese and fruit and discussing your plans for the day. Your quiet morning is interrupted by an unexpected visitor...
Magirius has come to the barge to talk. He looks pale and worried — a marked contrast from his appearance at the Golden Trout. He insists on being taken to a place where they will not be disturbed or overheard, and only then does he reveal the cause of his agitation.
”When Teugen came to us from Nuln, he told us that, with our help, his sorcery could influence the economy of the Empire. Bögenhafen would become great again — greater even than Marienburg — and we would all become rich beyond our wildest dreams. That is why the Ordo Septenarius was established, and the lower ranks are no more than a smokescreen.”
“Everything was going according to Teugen’s plans until you discovered the temple under the Steinhäger offices. I was instructed to reassure you — to make you go away, so that preparations for the ritual to make us all rich could carry on.”
“The ritual will take place tonight. I don’t know where yet, but I will get word to you as soon as I can. Teugen said that a human sacrifice is necessary to prepare the new temple, and that is too much for me. I didn’t realise anyone would have to be killed. You must help me. Going to the authorities is useless as Teugen and the Inner Council control them all. You are my only hope.”
Ruprecht slowly chewed some bread, even the act of chewing seemingly to hard for his exhausted body to find the energy to perform.
However, his mind still functioned. Fixing one open eye on the man, he asked, "What of the Witch-Hunters....are they under the sway of the Council and Teugen?"
Ruprecht slowly chewed some bread, even the act of chewing seemingly to hard for his exhausted body to find the energy to perform.
However, his mind still functioned. Fixing one open eye on the man, he asked, "What of the Witch-Hunters....are they under the sway of the Council and Teugen?"
Magirius shakes his head, ”I know not how the Witch-Hunters stand, but approach them with care as a Teugen is the High Priest of Sigmar at the temple. Also, before I forget, here is a letter I found in Teugen’s study last night when he had the leaders of the Ordo in to finalize details for tonight’s foul deed.”
My Dear Friend,
Here is the scroll you require for the ritual you mentioned in your last letter. Do not forget that the temple for such an undertaking must be sanctified with fresh blood.
As ever, I am filled with awe at the heights (or should I say depths) to which your learning now reaches. It seems like only yesterday that we two dilettantes begged tutelage of the High Master, and now you stand on the threshold of the abyss itself. If you manage to find the time to record your researches, do write with details of how the ritual progressed. Perhaps one day I, too, might follow in your illustrious footsteps.
Your friend, Etelka Herzen
”Well fook.” Valghaz said, as he ran his fingers through his beard. ”Yer a brave man to bring this to us. Looks to me like we’ve found our cultists. Can’t think of anything good that needs fresh blood to make. Except troll blood. Heard there used to be a rune for a mug that refilled itself. Eh...but that’s nay the point. So, how will he contact ye for this ritual and when? I, for one, would rather take the fooker down before the ritual be done.”
”Well fook.” Valghaz said, as he ran his fingers through his beard. ”Yer a brave man to bring this to us. Looks to me like we’ve found our cultists. Can’t think of anything good that needs fresh blood to make. Except troll blood. Heard there used to be a rune for a mug that refilled itself. Eh...but that’s nay the point. So, how will he contact ye for this ritual and when? I, for one, would rather take the fooker down before the ritual be done.”
”Teugen will send a message to the Ordo this afternoon with the location for the ritual. Your investigation has him on edge so he’s holding the temple site secret until the last moment. As soon as I know I’ll notify you. I’ll need to know where you’ll be this afternoon. If you know now tell me or you can send a message to me at the Merchant’s Guild with your whereabouts. I must go now, Teugen has eyes and ears everywhere in this city.”
*
"Thank you for bringing this to us, Freidrich. You've more than earned our trust in return. I was not thoroughly forthcoming with you either last night," Landolf proceeds to outline the nature of their stay in Bogenhafen, not omitting the murders that trailed them.
"Staying in Bogenhafen any further will put your life in grave danger. Even so I'd ask you to take that chance if it is the only way to get the location of that meeting. Can you think of any way we can receive the location on your behalf? Is there another member that we could contact for the information?"
"I'll also need to ask you for three things. First, I will ask you for that letter. It sounds as though this conspiracy ranges far beyond Bogenhafen, and that may be an important lead for us. Second, I want you to tell us the names of the Ordo inner circle. Finally, which of these men do you believe are willing to follow Teugen?"
After the discussion with Freidrich Magirius concludes, Landolf goes to speak with Josef. "I need to apologize. The Black Thorns took up an investigation during our stay in Bogenhafen, and matters have become far more dangerous than I foresaw. We can't back out now, but I don't want to put your family in any further danger. I recommend that as soon as we go ashore, you cast off and set sail for a day. The matter should be concluded by then. If you think anyone is following you, find some riverwardens as fast as you can. With Sigmar's blessing, this trouble should be over by tomorrow and you can return. If you decide to leave us here in Bogenhafen instead of coming back, I'll hold nothing against you."
*
"Thank you for bringing this to us, Freidrich. You've more than earned our trust in return. I was not thoroughly forthcoming with you either last night," Landolf proceeds to outline the nature of their stay in Bogenhafen, not omitting the murders that trailed them.
"Staying in Bogenhafen any further will put your life in grave danger. Even so I'd ask you to take that chance if it is the only way to get the location of that meeting. Can you think of any way we can receive the location on your behalf? Is there another member that we could contact for the information?"
"I'll also need to ask you for three things. First, I will ask you for that letter. It sounds as though this conspiracy ranges far beyond Bogenhafen, and that may be an important lead for us. Second, I want you to tell us the names of the Ordo inner circle. Finally, which of these men do you believe are willing to follow Teugen?"
After the discussion with Freidrich Magirius concludes, Landolf goes to speak with Josef. "I need to apologize. The Black Thorns took up an investigation during our stay in Bogenhafen, and matters have become far more dangerous than I foresaw. We can't back out now, but I don't want to put your family in any further danger. I recommend that as soon as we go ashore, you cast off and set sail for a day. The matter should be concluded by then. If you think anyone is following you, find some riverwardens as fast as you can. With Sigmar's blessing, this trouble should be over by tomorrow and you can return. If you decide to leave us here in Bogenhafen instead of coming back, I'll hold nothing against you."
...
Magirius shakes his head, a grim expression on his face, ”I cannot reveal the names of the other members. I feel like they may be innocent dupes which is a reason I must stay in town and see this through. I will speak to some of the members of the Ordo and try to put a stop to this if possible. Worry not, I will be circumspect in my conversations with them and make you a promise: if they seem unwilling to halt this evil, I will provide you the names of all of the members I know when I see you later today to give you the address of this new so-called temple. You may of course have the letter and I hope that it is useful. Now, I most go quickly before I am seen speaking you. Sigmar’s blessing on all of you.” With that, Magirius quickly shakes hands with Landolf and Valghaz, nods to the others and then hurries off into the morning.
Josef pales as Landolf gives him a synopsis of what is happening and quickly agrees to move the Berebeli to a safer location. ”Take care boatmates. If I was a few years younger and a few pounds lighter I would go with you but as you said I must see to the family.”
Even as Josef guides the barge back into the river, a heavy fog begins to settle over Bogenhafen. Unusually it doesn’t seem to originate off the Bogen but instead rises from the ground of the city itself. The fog is shot through with sickly green light and plays tricks with your eyes...sometimes instead of the good people of Bogenhafen going about their business, you see death and destruction all around and fearful blue and pink monstrosities feasting on the dead...other times you see a great emptiness around you filled with some nameless hungry evil...and other times all appears perfectly normal.
”So...” Valghaz said at length. ”Do we tell the Witch Hunters? If we die doing this, it would be good to have others to finish the tasks. That is, if we trust them.”
"Not yet, I think Valghaz. We need their help, but until we know where this temple will be at we shouldn't approach them. Freidrich told us that one of the Ordo Septenarius leaders is the High Priest of Sigmar and any move we make there will be watched."
"Not yet, I think Valghaz. We need their help, but until we know where this temple will be at we shouldn't approach them. Freidrich told us that one of the Ordo Septenarius leaders is the High Priest of Sigmar and any move we make there will be watched."
"Then I think we just sit here. If we leave, we may well be watched. We can't trust the Sigmarites. The Cult of Morr is only about the dead, aye? And Verena just be lawyers from what I've seen. Don't see much help coming from any source except for what is in this room right now." Valghaz responded. He didn't like the idea of just waiting, but they didn't have any other leads to go on or allies to call upon.
I'm afraid you're not totally right, Brother. I might be mistaken , but I think I've heard once that the cult of Morr isn't only about the dead, but about dreams and prophecies too. Maybe they have useful informations about what is happening and what might happen. Besides, we helped them against a vampire, so we can trust them as allies.
"The Cult of Morr has been a good ally for us in the past and we could use the help. They might turn us down, but I see little reason to make that decision for them."
I'm afraid you're not totally right, Brother. I might be mistaken , but I think I've heard once that the cult of Morr isn't only about the dead, but about dreams and prophecies too. Maybe they have useful informations about what is happening and what might happen. Besides, we helped them against a vampire, so we can trust them as allies.
Finally remembering the letters that Father Burke had given you months ago that requested any Temple of Morr to aid you as you need, you decide to make the trek outside the city walls to Morr’s Temple.
Outside the north-east corner of the town walls, the Garden of Morr is a reflection in miniature of Bögenhafen’s society. The great mausoleums and family vaults of the wealthier citizens are on the west side along the town wall, while the eastern part of the burying-ground is crowded with the densely-packed and frequently reused graves and raven-stones of the lower classes. The unmarked mass graves of criminals and paupers lie along the north wall. The dark and brooding black stone Chapel of Morr stands almost in the centre of the garden. There are no doors in the portal leading into its dark innards. The chapel is carved with symbols of Morr, ravens and black roses, though the portentous impression is somewhat undermined by the wind that whips and whirls in through the open portal, bringing dead leaves and detritus in its wake.
You find Mother Carlitz, priestess of Morr busily sweeping up the floors of the chapel. Upon presentation of the letter from Father Burke, she becomes friendly and welcoming. She shows you into her office and puts a tea cup in front of you and hangs a kettle of water on a hook over the fire in the fireplace. While the water heats she pulls a key out of one of her pockets and opens a small locked cabinet and pulls out a small leather bag that’s been tied shut with a golden rose vine. She carefully unties the bag, making sure to not prick a finger on a gold thorn and sprinkles a bit of the dried leaves from the bag into each teacup. As soon as the water is boiling, she fills each one of your cups. The water in the cup becomes completely black, so black that it seems to absorb the light in the room.
”Drink up, drink up while it’s hot,”
Ruprect agrees wholeheartedly with the suggestion of visiting the Morrites, less so the idea of making and hurling explosives.
Remembering the good Father Burke, running a finger over the black rose attached to his tunic, Ruprecht gladly takes the offered tea.
He looks down into the inky blackness of the tea, then raise an eyebrow to the Priestess and then drinks...
His gaze grows unfocussed, then begins to blink furiously, muttering "13 bells...ah....no!"
Blinking again, his eyes once again sharp, he looks to Mother Carlitz, "Is that what will happen....or what could happen?"
Adelaida is not used to tea, but obeys the priestess nonetheless, out of her reverence for her position
She seems to experience a vision too, and hope to keep any important details commited to memory
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Valghaz regarded the tea with a cold expression. He had always been told that tea was an elven drink, for leave it to the elgi to drink boiled leaves! Still, it was rude to refuse. He took the proffered cut, sniffed it, and then downed the contents. Not used to drinking anything hot, he barely kept it down. And that was when the visions hit him.
---
When the visions subsided, he looked at the priest with a look somewhere between being hurt and furious. The last thing he expected was such a horrific vision. He almost growled at a challenge, thinking the priest to be in league with the ruinous powers, when Ruprecht's question stopped him in his tracks. Why would a chaos cultist forewarn them of the impending doom? And Adelaida had warned him that Morr was not only the God of the dead, but dreams as well. So he kept quiet, but was still quite unhappy. They bloody well knew what was going to happen, so why not just say it plainly? It was all show as far as he was concerned. But what was he to expect of Umgi Gods? They were still young, all things considered, and were evidently trying their best. So he figured that he'd go easy on his judgement of them.
Ruprect agrees wholeheartedly with the suggestion of visiting the Morrites, less so the idea of making and hurling explosives.
Remembering the good Father Burke, running a finger over the black rose attached to his tunic, Ruprecht gladly takes the offered tea.
He looks down into the inky blackness of the tea, then raise an eyebrow to the Priestess and then drinks...
His gaze grows unfocussed, then begins to blink furiously, muttering "13 bells...ah....no!"
Blinking again, his eyes once again sharp, he looks to Mother Carlitz, "Is that what will happen....or what could happen?"
”The future is not written in stone young man. Morr shows you a likely future but also a future that you can change. The closer the future is to the present the harder it is to change. Imagine someone throwing a rock and breaking a window. If you try to save the window, it is very difficult to do once the rock is thrown. But if you can intervene before the rock is thrown there are innumerable ways to keep the window from breaking. It is up to you to determine how to save the window, Morr simply warns you that a window is likely to be broken but your own free will determines your response. You may decide to do nothing. If you do decide to save the window keep in mind that the rock thrower will resist your attempts.” Mother Carlitz gives you a smile and adds, ”i hope your vision was useful.”
Adelaida is not used to tea, but obeys the priestess nonetheless, out of her reverence for her position
She seems to experience a vision too, and hope to keep any important details commited to memory
[dice=Int (31) or Will (41) check to remember]1d100
** spoiler omitted **
The details of the horrible vision fade quickly but you are able to hold on to a single thing. A voice powerful and majestic whispers two words to you as you watch the horror unfold. ”The River”
Valghaz regarded the tea with a cold expression. He had always been told that tea was an elven drink, for leave it to the elgi to drink boiled leaves! Still, it was rude to refuse. He took the proffered cut, sniffed it, and then downed the contents. Not used to drinking anything hot, he barely kept it down. And that was when the visions hit him.
---
When the visions subsided, he looked at the priest with a look somewhere between being hurt and furious. The last thing he expected was such a horrific vision. He almost growled at a challenge, thinking the priest to be in league with the ruinous powers, when Ruprecht's question stopped him in his tracks. Why would a chaos cultist forewarn them of the impending doom? And Adelaida had warned him that Morr was not only the God of the dead, but dreams as well. So he kept quiet, but was still quite unhappy. They bloody well knew what was going to happen, so why not just say it plainly? It was all show as far as he was concerned. But what was he to expect of Umgi Gods? They were still young, all things considered, and were evidently trying their best. So he figured that he'd go easy on his judgement of them.
Mother Carlitz gives you a saucy grin and says, ”the Gods give us no more than we need friend dwarf.” It’s almost as if she can read your thoughts...or has dealt with annoyed dwarfs before.
Valghaz gave the priestess a withering look and said ”Then they should have given me some Bugmans.” Then with a sigh he added ”So, got any knights in black plate armor hiding around here who can help us, or is this more of a warning that we best not fook this up? As good as the tea was, we could use some secular help. Mayhaps a blessing on our weapons?
After drinking the tea and witnessing the alarming vision, Landolf agreed with Valghaz.
"The warning is appreciated. With the favor of the gods, we hope to stop the rock as it were. The way ahead is perilous though. Is there any aid you can give us in completing our task?"
Valghaz gave the priestess a withering look and said ”Then they should have given me some Bugmans.” Then with a sigh he added ”So, got any knights in black plate armor hiding around here who can help us, or is this more of a warning that we best not fook this up? As good as the tea was, we could use some secular help. Mayhaps a blessing on our weapons?
[dice=Charm]1d100
Even though Mother Carlitz is not very charmed by Valghaz (unlike most who encounter the dwarf), she asks you all to wait a moment and bustles out of her office into the main section of the chapel. When she returns, she is holding a censer that emits a pleasant aroma. She swings the censer around each of you in turn and you do feel something special happening...you can almost see yourself smashing an army of undead single-handed.
When Mother Carlitz returns to her chair she tells you to take her blessing of Morr with you and asks all of the gods to watch over you.
Leaving Morr’s Garden, you reenter Bogenhafen to again find yourself back in the unnatural fog. Now besides seeing unnatural scenes of horror, sounds begin to play weird tricks with you. Blood curdling screams of terror are revealed to be the sound of a lonely merchant selling his meat pies. The hideous laughter of daemons turns out to be the sound of a group of boys at play. The from somewhere ahead, hidden by the fog, the clock on top of city hall begins to peal out the time. Your skin prickles as you count the strokes...1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10...11...12...all grows quiet as if the entire city is holding its breath and then the sounds of the bells fade away and time begins to move again in the city.
Valghaz broke the silence. "Entire place feels wrong, aye? Can't wait to bury me pick into the head of dumaz* scum."
* chaos worshipers
With a deep sigh he added "Know we've got time to perhaps see one more. I'd like to stop by that tavern we met at. Some good lads in there who treated me right. Would like to warn them to get out of town until tomorrow night. Know it isn't fair, putting them above anyone else here. But they treated me right proper so I feel like I owe it to them, ye know? Hope ye all don't mind the detour, but it's important to me. If we fail in this, it'll be one less regret to take with me, ye ken?"
Making their way back to the tavern, Valghaz walked in and went to the bartender.
"Oi there. Back because whatever the fookers be up to will be going down right quick, mayhaps even tonight. If we don't stop them, then this town may well be spoken of like we do with Praag. Stopped by here to tell ye to get yer kin out as fast as possible. Come back in a few days. If nothing has happened by then, then that means we're all good. Ye've done well by me, and it would be dishonorable if I didn't bring warning while I still could." With that said, he tapped his fist to his leather jerkin and said "Me pick and leather has seen me through worse, so when this mess be cleared up, I'll be lookin' forward to comin' back here. Preferably after bein' washed up first." He joked. His face turning more serious, he said "But seriously. Get yer kin out, and don't cause a panic in doing so. Last thing we want is for these ancestor-cursed umgi to get wind that we know whats up, aye?"
Valghaz broke the silence. "Entire place feels wrong, aye? Can't wait to bury me pick into the head of dumaz* scum."
* chaos worshipers
With a deep sigh he added "Know we've got time to perhaps see one more. I'd like to stop by that tavern we met at. Some good lads in there who treated me right. Would like to warn them to get out of town until tomorrow night. Know it isn't fair, putting them above anyone else here. But they treated me right proper so I feel like I owe it to them, ye know? Hope ye all don't mind the detour, but it's important to me. If we fail in this, it'll be one less regret to take with me, ye ken?"
** spoiler omitted **
Unusually for an afternoon, there’s not a single patron in the place. The tavern keeper, Virton Caskward, is slowly wiping down an already spotless bar top as he whistles a mournful tune. Seeing Valghaz he cheers up, ”Oi, daemon slayer, what’ya have today. Just broached a keg of the XXX if you’re wanting a right treat.” His friendly patter winds down as Valghaz’s words sink in. ”Aye Valghaz, right good advice it is I’m thinking. I’ll get the family underway straight away but as for me,no filthy Dum lovers are driving me out of my own place.” Virton pulls a stout cudgel from under the bar. ”Send some them my way, I’ll bash their heads in for you!” Virton fills a mug with a frothy beverage and hands it to Valghaz, ”here you go friend, a little drop of the XXX to get you ready to smite more of them daemons.”
”Spoken like Katalin Kandoom himself.” Valghaz replied as he took the proffered ale, savoring the taste. ”A’int a dawi who’d choose a different taste to bring with him.” He said, as he took his leave and rejoined his companions, ready to face what was to come.
Adelaida was silently praying while walking in the streets of Bogenhafen, hoping to find a blacksmith to sharpen her sword before the next battle, maybe buy another weapon to honor Sigmar.
But she knew, in her mind, soul, heart and body, that the best way to honor Sigmar was to cover her weapon with the blood of servants of Chaos.
Adelaida was silently praying while walking in the streets of Bogenhafen, hoping to find a blacksmith to sharpen her sword before the next battle, maybe buy another weapon to honor Sigmar.
But she knew, in her mind, soul, heart and body, that the best way to honor Sigmar was to cover her weapon with the blood of servants of Chaos.
Passing the time, waiting for a location to the cult’s new temple, Adelaida is able to check the inventory at the weapon shop of Adalbero Elsner. You find a well-made two-handed Warhammer available.
Adalbero hands you the Warhammer to examine and says, ”I bought this from a down on the luck retired Reiksguard. As you can see it’s a fine weapon. I’m willing to let it go for the bargain price of 3 Gold Crowns.”
Feeling the weight of the moment press on him, Landolf joined Adelaida in searching out new weaponry. He'd hoped to talk to his family's debt holders today, but the chaotic visions swirling about the town made him keenly aware of his priorities.
Feeling the weight of the moment press on him, Landolf joined Adelaida in searching out new weaponry. He'd hoped to talk to his family's debt holders today, but the chaotic visions swirling about the town made him keenly aware of his priorities.
Adalbero assumes a more subservient tone talking to Landolf. ”Your foil is in fine shape my lord...I’d be happy to trade it straight for a rapier. I also have some well balanced throwing knifes, I will make you a special deal and sell this matching pair of throwing knives for 30 Shillings.”
Late in the afternoon, word finally arrives from Magirius. The messenger is a servant in Magirius’s livery. He hands over a rolled-up piece of parchment bearing the town seal and leaves without a word.
From the Town Hall, Office of Councillor Magirius.
I must see you urgently. Please come to my house on the Adel Ring as soon as you are able.
Magirius
When you reach Magirius’ house the door is opened by the servant who delivered the message. The servant nods when you ask to speak with Councillor Magirius and with a bow and a hand gesture to follow shows them to his study, knocking on one of the heavy oak doors and motioning them to enter. The servant silently backs out of the room and closes the door behind him.
At first glance, the study appears to be deserted. It is dominated by a huge oak desk, and a heavy wooden chair is overturned behind it. Under the desk, and only visible from behind it, lies the body of Friedrich Magirius. His throat has been cut, and a widening pool of blood soaks into the carpet. You notice traces of drying blood on the side of the desk — it appears to be a last, desperate message from Magirius, scrawled in his own blood as he lay dying. The message consists of the letters ‘WHSE’ and a number: a 1, followed by a digit that trails off and might be a 3 or a 7.
Looking at the corpse Valghaz shook his head. "Bloody well thought something like this would happen. Fookin' hell." Seeing the last desperate message he took a moment and said "Mayhaps that says warehouse? Could be the number of it. 13 or 17? Anyways, someone go raise the alarm so the watch can come. We'll look like murderers if we stand here like this."
"We'll use what you've given us, Freidrich," Landolf growls as he learns of the man's death.
Looking at the corpse Valghaz shook his head. "Bloody well thought something like this would happen. Fookin' hell." Seeing the last desperate message he took a moment and said "Mayhaps that says warehouse? Could be the number of it. 13 or 17? Anyways, someone go raise the alarm so the watch can come. We'll look like murderers if we stand here like this."
While you all are pondering the meaning of the message and considering Valghaz’s wise advice about alerting the watch, you hear a loud cry of, ”Help! Help! Murder!”from the front door of the house. Looking out of the window, you see a four-man Watch patrol running towards the house.
At the very same instant, the silent servant appears in the room, apparently out of thin air. ”You know,” the so-called servant says, in a multi-toned, resonant voice that is spine-quiveringly unnatural, ”you really should have minded your own business.” It vanishes again, but its deep, many-throated, mocking laughter continues for a few moments after it has disappeared.
"We'll use what you've given us, Freidrich," Landolf growls as he learns of the man's death.
Valghaz’s comment has helped you all remember that the warehouses along the river that you pass every day leaving the docks are numbered from Warehouse 1 to Warehouse 24.
"Well." Valghaz said dryly. "Time to go. Can't save this umgak town if we're in jail." He glanced over at the body and the desk, and for a brief moment considered looting it. How much gold could there be in there, he wondered? The man was wealthy, to be sure. And he was too dead to be in need of it. Then he shook his head, dispelling such dishonorable thoughts. To take what belonged to the man's clan would be an insult to the living and to his own ancestors. He felt ashamed for even having considered it.
Unnerved by the spectre, Landolf still begins to move at the sound of the approaching guards. "We already did the framed for murder thing, and it was overrated. Let's get out of here."
He starts toward the hallway, looking for another exit from the building.
Unnerved by the spectre, Landolf still begins to move at the sound of the approaching guards. "We already did the framed for murder thing, and it was overrated. Let's get out of here."
He starts toward the hallway, looking for another exit from the building.
Landolf finds a back door that opens onto the estate’s gardens. You can hear shouts coming from in front of the house as you hustle out the back. The unnatural fog is thick in the garden, making details hard to pick out but you spot a 10 foot tall stone wall at the back of the garden. It appears that the only way out is over the wall. Even though the fog obscures Morrslieb you actually can feel its evil light shining down on Bogenhafen. It’s a weight pressing down on you, it’s a seductive sibilant whisper in the ear, it’s the sweet sickly smell of corruption, it’s Chaos in all of its horror.
As you reach the garden wall, a voice shouts from inside the house, ”they’re in the garden!!”
Make sure and read the note in the discussion section.
”Umgak town, umgak umgi, umgak bloody wall.” Valghaz mumbled bitterly. ”Grungni, I’ve got an oath made to ye, aye? Gotta stop these fookin’ chaos worshipers and make it to yer order. Now, if ye be listening, guide me pick, aye? Could use some help here to save these umgi from themselves.” And with that Valghaz walked towards the wall within mining pick in hand. All he had to do was find the right point. It was just like digging a tunnel. Find the fault and watch the rock crumble. It wasn’t like this was a proper dawi build wall. No, this was just stone haphazardly thrown together by manling laborers. He told himself that he could do this. All it would take was one swing...
Ruprecht's face shows his dissatisfaction with the Priestess of Morr's answer, but still accepts her benediction with good grace.
-----
Later, Ruprecht nods at Landolf's suggestion on procuring some throwing knives, "A wise suggestion, as I'm sure our Company purse cannot accommodate the purchase of more suitable ranged weapons."
-----
Ruprecht looks down at the Concillor's body in dismay, then glares at the spot the 'servant' just vacated, "Why do I get the feeling we've been 10 steps behind this whole time!" he complains to any who'd listen.
Rushing out into the back garden, he tries to scale the wall, looking askance at Valghaz' attempt to vent his frustrations out on the masonry...
... the first attempt, he misplaces his feet and slips back down.
Once again, he was making some headway, but lost his balance and slid back down to earth!
His third attempt was the most pathetic, not even getting a foot above the ground.
Landolf races toward the wall, attempting to stay ahead of the guards.
SL +3
Is it religious fervor? is it a kind of miracle? Is it detiny, or sheer luck, or a powerful drive which pushes Adelaida prowess with words?
She tries a few swings with the warhammer, and feels totally confortable with it.
She wants it. It needs her.
But at a reasonable price.
We should have seen that coming..
Adelaida sees her Brother's intentions, and tries to give him as much help as possible, using her newly bought warhammer
I'm no miner but I'll do my best to help you, Brother.
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”Umgak town, umgak umgi, umgak bloody wall.” Valghaz mumbled bitterly. ”Grungni, I’ve got an oath made to ye, aye? Gotta stop these fookin’ chaos worshipers and make it to yer order. Now, if ye be listening, guide me pick, aye? Could use some help here to save these umgi from themselves.” And with that Valghaz walked towards the wall within mining pick in hand. All he had to do was find the right point. It was just like digging a tunnel. Find the fault and watch the rock crumble. It wasn’t like this was a proper dawi build wall. No, this was just stone haphazardly thrown together by manling laborers. He told himself that he could do this. All it would take was one swing...
[dice=Knock down the wall. Str50]1d100
[dice=Fortune Reroll]1d100
Valghaz gives a mighty swing with his pick aiming for a carefully picked point on the wall. With a loud bang Valghaz’s pick demolishes a small rock in the middle of the wall turning it into rock dust leaving a little hole behind. For a heartbeat nothing happens and then with a muffled groan, lines of cracks begin to spread out from the small hole. The entire section of wall trembles and with a huge crashing noise collapses at Valghaz’s feet. Dust fills the air as the way to freedom opens in front of you.
Behind you, you hear a shrill whistle blowing from inside the house and from what sounds like a few blocks away you hear an answering whistle respond. Then another whistle blows from a few blocks in front of you. You know enough to realize that the watch patrol is calling for reinforcements. You literally have only moments before you are surrounded by an overwhelming number of watchmen.
Ruprecht's face shows his dissatisfaction with the Priestess of Morr's answer, but still accepts her benediction with good grace.
-----
Later, Ruprecht nods at Landolf's suggestion on procuring some throwing knives, "A wise suggestion, as I'm sure our Company purse cannot accommodate the purchase of more suitable ranged weapons."
-----
Ruprecht looks down at the Concillor's body in dismay, then glares at the spot the 'servant' just vacated, "Why do I get the feeling we've been 10 steps behind this whole time!" he complains to any who'd listen.
Rushing out into the back garden, he tries to scale the wall, looking askance at Valghaz' attempt to vent his frustrations out on the masonry...
[dice=Climb(38-10:28)]1d100
... the first attempt, he misplaces his feet and slips back down.
[dice=Climb(38-10:28)]1d100
Once again, he was making some headway, but lost his balance and slid back down to earth!
[dice=Climb(38-10:28)]1d100
His third attempt was the most pathetic, not even getting a foot above the ground.
Luckily for Ruprecht, his pathetic attempts to scale the wall are now moot as a giant opening appears in the wall in front of Valghaz.