The news of a dwarf that was leading a bloodthirsty cult grabbed Valghaz’s attention. Having a dwarf turn away from the ancestors was rare, but it wasn’t unknown. And when that happened it was the duty of all Dawi to hunt the traitor down. But at the same time it was more likely that the dwarf merely had a grudge. Which, incidentally, would make him almost as dangerous as a heretic berserker. So he made his way around, asking everyone that he could for more information.
Landolf's mood soured as he listened to the news coming out of Bogenhafen. The gossip was as bad as he feared, though thankfully not as specific about the Black Thorns as it might have been. That probably wouldn't last long. Making money off their new trading enterprise would be the least of their problems if news continued to filter northward with them.
After concluding their dealings in the Black Gold Tavern, Landolf gathered up the rest of the group present. "We haven't heard back from Adelaida or Krizta yet, but bad news is hot on our heels. I'm planning to take our case to the Sigmarites. Does anyone have other errands to handle around town while I meet with them?"
Yvonne will make her own effort to find merchandise to buy while that goes on. She wasn't in Bogenhafen at the time and has little to add.
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I agree with you, Kritza. Who knows, maybe we could work together toward the fulfilment of your dream, and give the children of the Empire a proper education? But before that, we surely have a perilous a long road ahead of us.
Indeed. It may just be a silly dream. I'm sure that Sigmar will guide us on whatever path we are meant to walk, and my own dreams are likely unworthy of his attention. I must learn to be content with his will. Shall we find the rest of the group now? Are we to meet them somewhere?
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Adelaida seems more relaxed, and in the mood for jest, as she answers
In a human town, there are only two places to look for a dwarf in: the smithy and the tavern. We just passed the smith, and Valghaz was nowhere to be seen, so he's in the tavern.
Krizta grinned.
Ha ha. The tavern it is, then.
She takes the other woman's arm companionably, and heads towards the tavern.
Lo and behold, there he was. In the tavern. The dwarf was not drinking though. Rather, dressed in his suit of mail (that fitted him!) he was making his way asking the locals about this 'dwarven cultist' that he had heard of. To very little effect.
Slightly disappointed that his dealing with the merchant hadn't eked out a few more shillings, Ruprecht helped to work the room with Valghaz, trying to glean some more info on this other 'cult'.
Landolf greets Krizta and Adelaida as they enter. "Good news. We've completed a deal for the salvage on our barge. We'll have some funds to purchase some goods in town before we leave & pay our way."
"There is some bad news as well. The word coming out of Bogenhafen isn't favorable for us. You may have just returned from there, but we should probably go talk to the Cult of Sigmar as a group. If we can persuade them of our side of the story, they may be willing to help us."
After hearing about the request from the Cult of Sigmar, Landolf looks relieved. "Even better. I think the Black Thorns would be willing to help anyway, but if we're able to assist the Cult they may be more inclined to listen," he says
"Krizta, if you are willing to accompany us we have matters to discuss with the Sigmarites. If you could tell them about the mutant attack on the barge & any impression you have of our group, I would appreciate it."
Certainly, I will come with you and vouch for you. Sigmar would not have led me to you if your trustworthiness were in doubt.
Landolf's mood soured as he listened to the news coming out of Bogenhafen. The gossip was as bad as he feared, though thankfully not as specific about the Black Thorns as it might have been. That probably wouldn't last long. Making money off their new trading enterprise would be the least of their problems if news continued to filter northward with them.
After concluding their dealings in the Black Gold Tavern, Landolf gathered up the rest of the group present. "We haven't heard back from Adelaida or Krizta yet, but bad news is hot on our heels. I'm planning to take our case to the Sigmarites. Does anyone have other errands to handle around town while I meet with them?"
Yvonne will make her own effort to find merchandise to buy while that goes on. She wasn't in Bogenhafen at the time and has little to add.
dice=Charm to know more]1d100
The news of a dwarf that was leading a bloodthirsty cult grabbed Valghaz’s attention. Having a dwarf turn away from the ancestors was rare, but it wasn’t unknown. And when that happened it was the duty of all Dawi to hunt the traitor down. But at the same time it was more likely that the dwarf merely had a grudge. Which, incidentally, would make him almost as dangerous as a heretic berserker. So he made his way around, asking everyone that he could for more information.
Normally Valghaz has no trouble charming anyone he meets...
The man telling the story has no more information to share with Valghaz but the general information he's already given. Maybe a glass of wine or two would loosen his tongue.
I agree with you, Kritza. Who knows, maybe we could work together toward the fulfilment of your dream, and give the children of the Empire a proper education? But before that, we surely have a perilous a long road ahead of us.
Indeed. It may just be a silly dream. I'm sure that Sigmar will guide us on whatever path we are meant to walk, and my own dreams are likely unworthy of his attention. I must learn to be content with his will. Shall we find the rest of the group now? Are we to meet them somewhere?
working on..
Slightly disappointed that his dealing with the merchant hadn't eked out a few more shillings, Ruprecht helped to work the room with Valghaz, trying to glean some more info on this other 'cult'.
[dice=Gossip:46]1d100
Unfortunately the topic of the cult in Bogenhafen seems to be of little interest once the original rumor is shared. The feeling seems to be that those folk upriver probably got no more than they deserved. In contrast, the tale of the missing pharmacist is on everyone's lips.
Landolf greets Krizta and Adelaida as they enter. "Good news. We've completed a deal for the salvage on our barge. We'll have some funds to purchase some goods in town before we leave & pay our way."
"There is some bad news as well. The word coming out of Bogenhafen isn't favorable for us. You may have just returned from there, but we should probably go talk to the Cult of Sigmar as a group. If we can persuade them of our side of the story, they may be willing to help us."
After hearing about the request from the Cult of Sigmar, Landolf looks relieved. "Even better. I think the Black Thorns would be willing to help anyway, but if we're able to assist the Cult they may be more inclined to listen," he says
"Krizta, if you are willing to accompany us we have matters to discuss with the Sigmarites. If you could tell them about the mutant attack on the barge & any impression you have of our group, I would appreciate it."
Krizta is able to introduce you to the same priest she met earlier, one Father Herr you gives your tale a listen and then stops you, "Sir Landolf, you really must talk to the High Priest about this but for some reason he's not been available all day," which as he says he glances at the Flagellant for some reason. "Your companion has agreed to help find our missing pharmacist. If you can accomplish that I am certain the High Priest would be more than willing to talk."
After meeting with Father Herr, Landolf thanks him for his time. ”Thank you for hearing us out. With Sigmar's favor, the disappearance of your pharmacist will have nothing to do with events upriver despite the uncanny coincidence from our point of view.”
”Is there anything you can tell us about the pharmacist or the circumstances of their disappearance? Is there someplace that we should begin looking?”
After meeting with Father Herr, Landolf attempts to get a meeting with the High Priest.
1. Inform the Church of Sigmar about the happenings in Bogenhafen generally.
2. Specifically alert them to the potential threat of Etelka Herzen & whoever she and Teugen are involved with. (see the letter obtained by Friedrich)
3. Assuming our story for #1 & #2 are believed, get help from the Church of Sigmar in dealing with the situation in Bogenhafen.
Bonus: I'm hoping to use a good word from Krizta about how we saved her from the mutants to bolster our standing a bit for those negotiations.
After meeting with Father Herr, Landolf thanks him for his time. ”Thank you for hearing us out. With Sigmar's favor, the disappearance of your pharmacist will have nothing to do with events upriver despite the uncanny coincidence from our point of view.”
”Is there anything you can tell us about the pharmacist or the circumstances of their disappearance? Is there someplace that we should begin looking?”
After meeting with Father Herr, Landolf attempts to get a meeting with the High Priest.
[dice=Charm to see High Priest 41 +10 status]1d100
Herr scratches his chin for a moment and then says, "well, you could check her house I guess or maybe talk to the Watch or look around her home. Elvyra’s home is a simple, two-up-two-down cottage near The Happy Man Inn. I believe she was a regular at the Inn. Maybe someone there has some information."
The High Priest's secretary agrees to make an appointment for you to meet with Lector Friedbert Neumayer the afternoon of the next day.
Since it is going to take a while for you to get that appointment, perhaps we should go to the pharmacist's home and to the inn to ask around?
"Ach, that's fine. That's fine." Valghaz said to the man. "How about I buy ye a drink, or two, eh? Seems to me that it was right rude of me, askin' a stranger like this. Mayhaps once we get to know each other a bit better we can talk?"
The dwarf woke, sitting straight up. Another dream of raki. But this one was different. It was no longer just scratches in the dark and red eyes that vanished when looked at. It was no longer being alone in the dark, clutching a pick with a guttering candle on his head. No, instead it was standing tall with a gromril helm, fighting back against the darkness. He shivered, despite himself, wondering what had prompted such a vision. He wondered if he was already feeling so much pride.
----
Once together with the group, he listened to the news about the High Priest. Chewing on a chunk of bread, he said "Seems clear then. We've got to save this pharmacist if we're gonna move on ahead. What do we know so far on where this umgi is?"
What's an umgi?
”Oh! It means, eh...manling. Err...human. Aye, human.” Valghaz said, removing his helmet and scratching his head. ”Sorry. This isn’t me first tongue, see? Still have a habit of mixing me tongue into it.”
"An investigation with an appointment the next day. This sounds unhappily familiar. The town isn't about to collapse into a chaos storm, is it?" Landolf frets unhappily when away from the Temple of Sigmar.
He noticed that their tale hadn't run Krizta off yet.
"Let's go talk to the locals in the area. Maybe they can give us some clues as to what happened." Landolf begins heading in the direction of the Happy Man Inn.
Krizta falls in beside Valghaz as they walk to the inn.
Is it a polite term for a human, or a rude one? If I used it, would dwarves think I was strange to say it that way?
Valghaz coughed awkwardly. ”I-its nay an insult, lass. Just means humans.” He replied. He knew that humans liked to apologize in situations like this. It never made sense to him. It was admitting wrongdoing and offering recompense. And he didn’t think that he did anything wrong. So he continued ”If ye used it, then most would just wonder where it was picked up. It isn’t a common language. I’ll try to remember to explain more if it comes up, aye?”
Ruprecth wakes from his dream all a-sweat his heart beating a quick tempo in his chest. The particulars of the dream fade quickly, but the suggestion in it lingers...
Later, he nods at Father Herr's suggestion, "A most sensible suggestion Father! Her house and her favorite tavern is where we must go!"
He overhears the conversation between Krizta and Valghaz, and adds his own opinion, "It is to our betterment to have Valghaz with us Krizta, not only do we obtain a significant exposure to an important language and culture, but Valghaz' integrity gives us Black Thorns' an anchor to cling to in these trying times."
He says the words earnestly, but inside he burns with shame at the fact in his mind he had begun to lean towards following the advice of his dream....
its no more an insult for a human to be called an umgi by a dwarf than for a dawi to be called a dwarf by a human. It's just a different langage, that's all, Krizta. Valghaz is a Brother for me, I trust him in battle as in everyday life.
Speaking of battles, what a strange dream I had... details are lost, now, I just remember I had to go to Aldorf.
Adelaida seems a little lost in her thoughts, looking at her warhammer
... oh, I wasn't saying that I don't want Valghaz here. You misunderstand me. Sigmar honors dwarves, and so must I. I only am trying to learn the language. Sorry for the confusion.
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"Aye, an anchor I am. Swim like one too." Valghaz said. "Though truth be told, they keep me here just for me looks. But it's alright. I'm used to it." He said, trying to lighten the mood.
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"Aye, an anchor I am. Swim like one too." Valghaz said.
Adelaida burst in laughter at Valghaz unexpected joke.
She even cries in laughter, and finally manages to say
I'm glad the troll we killed all together never threw you in the water! The first "fait d'armes", as the warrior knights of Brittania say, of the Black Thorns!
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At the Happy Man Inn (early evening)
You can hear the buzz of happy conversation spilling from the inn. Warm yellow light shines through the windows and smoke rises lazily from the chimney before being blown away by the evening breeze. Unlike the dockside inns and taverns you have frequented before, the Happy Man clientele is composed of locals who are sitting comfortably while they drink their beverages of choice and gossip. At the sight of a flagellant, dwarf, nobleman, soldier and boatman walking into the inn together, the crowd falls silent and stares at you all in surprise. You overhear one wag at the bar begin a joke by saying, "did you hear the one about the nobleman, dwarf and flagellant that walked into a bar," only to be quickly hushed by the barkeep who wants no angry dwarfs or furious flagellants causing trouble and definitely doesn't want to make a nobleman mad.
"An investigation with an appointment the next day. This sounds unhappily familiar. The town isn't about to collapse into a chaos storm, is it?" Landolf frets unhappily when away from the Temple of Sigmar.
He noticed that their tale hadn't run Krizta off yet.
"Let's go talk to the locals in the area. Maybe they can give us some clues as to what happened." Landolf begins heading in the direction of the Happy Man Inn.
[dice=Gossip 44]1d100
Chatting with the barkeep Landolf hears a bit of gossip about the town before he directs his questioning to the missing pharmacist. "Had three strangers, all men, took rooms for a few days, they were asking about Elvyra Kleinestun. They checked out yesterday," the barkeep offers.
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SL3
Valghaz gave Adelaida a grin. Feeling buyoed by her laughter, he felt in the mood to push his luck. "Aye, I heard that one. They said 'ouch!' Ha!" Valghaz said in a loud voice back. Walking over to the table he grabbed a seat and sat down. "Name's Valghaz. Miner by trade, aye? Here, got another joke for ye. Grab ye drink while I tell this one. Me jokes are better that way. Anyways, there's this barge, see? Sailin' down to Altdorf. On it is a soldier who'se goin' home. He's walkin' up and down the barge lookin' for a seat and can't find one. But he sees this noblewoman, who has a wee dog sittin' on a seat next to her. So he says to her, ma'am, I'm awfully tired, would ye mind movin' yer dog? And she says to him, ye Reiklanders, for she was from Marienburg, see, she says ye Reiklanders must be blind. Can't ye see me dog is sittin' here?" Valghaz made a mock face of surprise as he continued "So the lad he bites his tongue, apologizes, and walks off. He walks another two laps around the barge lookin' for a seat, and there be none. So he walks back and says 'ma'am, I'm comin' home from fightin' in the north. Me legs are fallin' off. May I please have this seat?' And she replies 'Ye Reiklanders must be deaf and dumb! I told ye that me foofoo is sittin' here!' Now, this lad had just spent months fightin' northerner scum, and he had it. So he reached down, grabbed the wee dog, and threw it out the window and overboard." He stopped here, letting the tale sink in. Then he said "There be a yip and a splash and the noblewoman, she started screamin' 'He killed me dog! He killed me dog!' Makin' a noise. An old man, sittin' nearby, he said 'Boy. Youth these days just keeps gettin' it wrong. Ye threw the wrong b~#!$ out the window!"
If his jokes go over well, then Valghaz will spend some time regaling the locals with stories of their heroism, especially in Bogenhafen.
Krizta is happy with the free food, but her attempts at small talk fall flat as people look at her uncomfortably. She's never been super great at that, but where normally she likes a little distance, because it reminds her to not get too attached to anyone, now she sort of wishes that she could chat comfortably like the others were.
Instead, she lets the group try while she eats. If they can't get any leads the nice way, she plans to stand up on a table and put the fear of Sigmar into this little congregation in order to motivate them to share information. ... Whatever it takes to do his will.
Landolf settled in to talk with the barkeep & decides to talk up the Thorns without edging on the topic of Bogenhafen, ”My friends and I were travelling by coach from Bogenhafen down to Altdorf a few weeks back when we came across a wreck alongside the road. We stopped to take a look and no one was left inside. Some hadn't died from the crash though. We looked around further & found some tracks. The Black Thorns aren't cowardly, so we followed to find out more. Found a nest of goblins & some of their wolves. One of us went to go pen the wolves in tight while the others snuck up on the greenskins. Some of my friends are better in a fight than I am, and we put them down quickly. A few snuck away in the confusion, though, and we never did see any survivors. Dangerous times these...”
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[dice=Gossip 21 + 20 = 41]1d100 SL3
Valghaz gave Adelaida a grin. Feeling buyoed by her laughter, he felt in the mood to push his luck. "Aye, I heard that one. They said 'ouch!' Ha!" Valghaz said in a loud voice back. Walking over to the table he grabbed a seat and sat down. "Name's Valghaz. Miner by trade, aye? Here, got another joke for ye. Grab ye drink while I tell this one. Me jokes are better that way. Anyways, there's this barge, see? Sailin' down to Altdorf. On it is a soldier who'se goin' home. He's walkin' up and down the barge lookin' for a seat and can't find one. But he sees this noblewoman, who has a wee dog sittin' on a seat next to her. So he says to her, ma'am, I'm awfully tired, would ye mind movin' yer dog? And she says to him, ye Reiklanders, for she was from Marienburg, see, she says ye Reiklanders must be blind. Can't ye see me dog is sittin' here?" Valghaz made a mock face of surprise as he continued "So the lad he bites his tongue, apologizes, and walks off. He walks another two laps around the barge lookin' for a seat, and there be none. So he walks back and says 'ma'am, I'm comin' home from fightin' in the north. Me legs are fallin' off. May I please have this seat?' And she replies 'Ye Reiklanders must be deaf and dumb! I told ye that me foofoo is sittin' here!' Now, this lad had just spent months fightin' northerner scum, and he had it. So he reached down, grabbed the wee dog, and threw it out the window and overboard." He stopped here, letting the tale sink in. Then he said "There be a yip and a splash and the noblewoman, she started screamin' 'He killed me dog! He killed me dog!' Makin' a noise. An old man, sittin' nearby, he said 'Boy. Youth these days just keeps gettin' it wrong. Ye threw the wrong b%%*# out the window!"
If his jokes go over well, then Valghaz will spend some time regaling the locals with stories of their heroism, especially in Bogenhafen.
One of the gaffers sitting near Valghaz laughs so hard that beer shoots out of his nose which triggers huge laughs from his friends who said they'd call him beer fountain from now on. After regaling his new found friends, Valghaz manages to steer the conversation to something useful. The beer fountain tell you that the three men who checked out yesterday told him that they are getting picked up tomorrow morning by a boatman friend who is supposed to take them to Altdorf.
Landolf settled in to talk with the barkeep & decides to talk up the Thorns without edging on the topic of Bogenhafen, ”My friends and I were travelling by coach from Bogenhafen down to Altdorf a few weeks back when we came across a wreck alongside the road. We stopped to take a look and no one was left inside. Some hadn't died from the crash though. We looked around further & found some tracks. The Black Thorns aren't cowardly, so we followed to find out more. Found a nest of goblins & some of their wolves. One of us went to go pen the wolves in tight while the others snuck up on the greenskins. Some of my friends are better in a fight than I am, and we put them down quickly. A few snuck away in the confusion, though, and we never did see any survivors. Dangerous times these...”
The barkeep listens with wide eyes to your story. Hearing you all have a boat he says that he's heard, "The river wardens and excisemen are becoming more corrupt by the day, levying non-existent taxes and stealing anything that takes their fancy. Petitions have been sent to the Emperor, but he hasn’t done anything yet."
Ruprecht enters the crowd, glad to take advantage of the good cheer Valghaz' unexpected ribaldry has created! He sees if he's able to find anyone who was familiar with the unfortunate pharmacist.
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Adelaida, too caught up in her last dreams, doesn't pay attention to the bar customers, and restraint from too much drinks, as she feels that her calling to Sigmar's service gives her higher standards to attain
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[dice=Gossip:46+20]1d100
Ruprecht enters the crowd, glad to take advantage of the good cheer Valghaz' unexpected ribaldry has created! He sees if he's able to find anyone who was familiar with the unfortunate pharmacist.
Ruprecht gets an old-timer talking. It seems Old Hermann (as he's known to everyone, being at least 40 years old) spotted something as the sun was coming up this morning. It'll cost you a pint of beer for Old Hermann...
[dice=Gossip +20 (63)]1d100
Adelaida, too caught up in her last dreams, doesn't pay attention to the bar customers, and restraint from too much drinks, as she feels that her calling to Sigmar's service gives her higher standards to attain
An empty space seems to open around Krizta and Adelaida as the patrons give them both lots of room. It's not that the two are disliked, in fact it's they're almost held in awe. The drunkards whisper to the rest of you that both of the women are sort of lit from inside, kind of like they're glowing, and seeing them makes you think that you really need to go to the temple more often.
When he gets a moment to talk with the other Thorns again, Landolf explains what he learned. "I heard about three men that were asking around about our missing person. They checked out yesterday. Coild gave just been looking for some help from her though. Should we go take a look at her home?"
Best question the men first I think. If they are the ones that took her, there might not be a lot of time to recover her. Did you get an idea of where they are staying or where they went? We can take a look at her home later, if we need more leads.
"Well, I heard that they're gonna be picked up tomorrow mornin' by a boatman who'll take them to Altdorf. So we have until then to figure this out. And aye, the house won't be goin' anywhere, but the men are."
"The only lead we have on these men are where they'll be in the morning as far as I know. Elvyra's home is supposed to be just around the corner. I don't imagine it costs us anything to check there first."
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Ruprecht smiles at Old Hermann, respecting his desire for payment for imformation. He signals the barman, and slides 3 pennies across the bar, "Another for my friend..."
Ruprecht listens to the man's tale, his face serious. When Old Hermann finished his tale, Ruprecht leaned in and said, "You've more than earned that beer, my friend...here have another." and slides another 3 pennies to the barman.
Later, he's cornered by several younger farmhands, having heard Landolf's tale , sought verification or another tale from Ruprecht. Motioning the young men closer, Ruprecht looked each of them in the eye , then began his tale, "Not so long ago, when I was a younger man, I courted a young maid, Ellena, daughter of a local wool merchant. A good catch, my father said, " he said , to knowing grins from the assembled youth, "Now, " Ruprecht continued, " I'd arranged to take Ellena for a wagon ride through the countryside. But, she was nervous, you see, there'd been tales of a bandit plaguing the local area, a man cursed by the low Gods, deformed into a hideous parody of mankind. I, of course, young and confident dismissed the tales and out we went. " The young men, listened, rapt as Ruprecht paused and took a pull of his own drink , "Now being young, I hadn't really planned our trip too well and turned down a ill-used track that narrowed and took us deep into a dark wood. The trees grew dark and twisted, and the bright sunshine quickly faded. Ellena shivered in the sudden coolness, and her eyes were bright with fright. I must admit , I was much more craven in my youth, and I too began to grow unnerved. Suddenly, a noise came from behind and the horse began to wicker nervously. I peered behind..." Ruprecht paused, taking another drink, "I peered behind and saw...something in the darkness, blotting out the small frame of sunlight at the end of the track. Alarmed, I flicked the leads and got the horse and wagon moving quicker. The sound followed us, growing louder. It was hard to hear over the horses' hooves and the racket of the wagon, but I swear I could hear a whining, panting voice rising out of the darkness. It didn't say anything that I could discern, but still it brought a sweat of fear to my body and I began to whip that horse with all I could muster. The wagon rattled and smashed over rut and root, until finally the patch of sunlight at the end of the track beckoned to us. Furiously whipping the horse and wagon flew down that track, but still I could hear that voice...whining, panting...just behind us. I dared not look back! CRACK! " the sound made the youths jump, as Ruprecht had slapped his empty glass onto the table, "It felt like a miracle as we jumped out into the darkness, leaving behind whatever had pursued us. I slowed the unfortunate horse, and brought us back to Ellena's village. There I helped her down, murmured a polite farewell and began to walk away. But a scream brought me back quickly, where I found that Ellena had fainted dead away as she passed the back of the wagon. There I found what had afrighted here....a sharp, hooked talon embedded in the wood there, rotted flesh dangling from where it had torn from whatever had pursued us!"
---Later ---
Rejoining his friends, Ruprecht shared what the old man has told him, "The old man at the bar told me he saw the three men carting a large burlap sack to a nearby barn, on the other side of the canal...here he drew me a crude map."
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"Now that on the other hand sounds like a lead. Good work Ruprecht. Let's go see what sort of burden those men were carrying."