My name is Adelaida, and I grew in the Empire. Not because I was born here, but because my mother wanted me to be freer, as a woman, than I could be in my country of origin, Bretonnia. I couldn't be a servant of the gods. I could take arms to defend my country, because I was, and I am a woman, destined to be subservient to men in Bretonnia
She looks at the crowd, calmly
Growing to become a woman, and then a soldier, learning to serve not because of my birth but because I wanted to, I learnt too that whether you were born in the Empire or elsewhere, this place isnt a paradise. This ain't some kind of hell either. Sure , we struggle, we bicker, we fight, among ourselves or exterior threats. Some of us get ill, some of us die, some of us get rich, some of us get poorer. Sometimes we see things and ask ourselves "is it just?" "is it right?". We don't understand everything. Part of our mind struggles. The laws of the Empire seems to make no more sense.
She looks attentively at the halfling's table, and speaks with even more fervor.
Lest we forget: the Empire can only be as good as we are. Banish your doubts. Cast them away. Have faith, in Sigmar Heldenhammer, in the Emperor.The Empire isn't heaven, or hell. It's a promise, made by mankind to mankind, by mankind to dawi, to halflings. The Empire is the dream we build continuously, fueled by the faith in Sigmar, and his holy allies. Idle thoughts, lazy hands, lead to corrupted heart, to tainted souls. The Empire is a dam against Chaos. Obey its laws. Pray to Sigmar. Do eveything you can to be an upstanding citizen. Because we, as citizens, old, young, human, dawi, halfling, man or woman, are the stones and mortar of this dam. We are the strenght of the Empire. Only under the attack of Chaos, of sedition, of treasons, can we be its weakness. The Empire has needs, for the long-term well-being of many, while those who give way to their individual wants only seek their own, short-term satisfaction, reaping the benefits of the Empire without giving anything back. We have to give back, to the community, huse by house, street by street, town by town. Or we will be picked up, one by one, by the incarnation of our own sins. Lest we forget.
She rise her warhammer with both hands over her head, and shouts in the inn
Glory to the Emperor! Hail to the Empire! Pray to Sigmar!
Krizta cheers for Adelaida, but she thinks about what Bert said, and nods in thanks to him before retiring early and going back to the ship.
On the way back she thinks about what Adelaida said about the laws of the Empire making no sense, and about the supposedly non-existent mutants Bert had talked about, and also about her father moving to the garden to talk about Skaven. Although she has a lot of faith in Sigmar, she thinks, she has significantly less than Adelaida does in the Empire itself. Obviously it was not as infallible as the gods.
Although Sigmar himself had made many mistakes when he was mortal... who was she to say how good it was? But declaring something not to exist didn't make it disappear. How do you solve a problem that no one is willing to face?
My name is Adelaida, and I grew in the Empire. Not because I was born here, but because my mother wanted me to be freer, as a woman, than I could be in my country of origin, Bretonnia. I couldn't be a servant of the gods. I could take arms to defend my country, because I was, and I am a woman, destined to be subservient to men in Bretonnia
She looks at the crowd, calmly
Growing to become a woman, and then a soldier, learning to serve not because of my birth but because I wanted to, I learnt too that whether you were born in the Empire or elsewhere, this place isnt a paradise. This ain't some kind of hell either. Sure , we struggle, we bicker, we fight, among ourselves or exterior threats. Some of us get ill, some of us die, some of us get rich, some of us get poorer. Sometimes we see things and ask ourselves "is it just?" "is it right?". We don't understand everything. Part of our mind struggles. The laws of the Empire seems to make no more sense.She looks attentively at the halfling's table, and speaks with even more fervor.
Lest we forget: the Empire can only be as good as we are. Banish your doubts. Cast them away. Have faith, in Sigmar Heldenhammer, in the Emperor.The Empire isn't heaven, or hell. It's a promise, made by mankind to mankind, by mankind to dawi, to halflings. The Empire is the dream we build continuously, fueled by the faith in Sigmar, and his holy allies. Idle thoughts, lazy hands, lead to corrupted heart, to tainted souls. The Empire is a dam against Chaos. Obey its laws. Pray to Sigmar. Do eveything you can to be an upstanding citizen. Because we, as citizens, old, young, human, dawi, halfling, man or woman, are the stones and mortar of this dam. We are the strenght of the Empire. Only under the attack of Chaos, of sedition, of treasons, can we be its weakness. The Empire has needs, for the long-term well-being of many, while those who give way to their individual wants only seek their own, short-term satisfaction,...
The crowd listens carefully to Adelaida’s words and several are nodding in agreement when she finishes. A group of pilgrims following in the footsteps of Magnus the Pius ask her to join them. ”Blessed Sister, we are but a humble group of pilgrims that set off from Nuln weeks ago. The trip has been difficult and we have had many delays. Our spirits waned as one horrible day followed another but now we understand. Sigmar wanted us to be here at this moment to hear your inspiring words. Our steps will not falter again even as we trek to Kislev. May we beg of you a blessing? It is obvious that Sigmar’s light shines brightly in you.”
Discussing their journey so far the pilgrims are all in agreement about the worst place they’ve seen. ” Wittgendorf is an unhealthy place. All the villagers are simple, but ‘that's what happens when too many relatives get married.'”
Krizta cheers for Adelaida, but she thinks about what Bert said, and nods in thanks to him before retiring early and going back to the ship.
On the way back she thinks about what Adelaida said about the laws of the Empire making no sense, and about the supposedly non-existent mutants Bert had talked about, and also about her father moving to the garden to talk about Skaven. Although she has a lot of faith in Sigmar, she thinks, she has significantly less than Adelaida does in the Empire itself. Obviously it was not as infallible as the gods.
Although Sigmar himself had made many mistakes when he was mortal... who was she to say how good it was? But declaring something not to exist didn't make it disappear. How do you solve a problem that no one is willing to face?
As Krizta makes her way back to the barge, she is jostled in a crowded street. Krizta feels a sharp tug at her hair. There is just time to notice a man dressed in purple disappearing into the crowd, but no chance to stop or follow him. You realize that the man has taken a lock of your hair.
When Krizta realizes that someone has cut her hair, she is livid, and tries to go after him, but he must have had friends in the crowd because she kept getting pushed from different sides until it was too late to try to catch up with him. Angry beyond reason, she goes back to the ship and does the best she can to draw his face in her notebook.
She wondered for the first time if leaving home was really worth it. Even if she were going to be her parents' downfall, was it worth not seeing them and having her life be completely out of control for years? Things kept happening TO her rather than her being able to make her own choices. This was no way to live.
As the crew walks down the steep staircase to the docks, a drunken man starts yelling at Valghaz, ”your kin killed my family, murdered em dead in their own house. Folks in Grissenwald ain’t going to take them dwarves killing the farmers anymore.”
Valghaz stopped in his tracks and gave the man a cold look. "And what did the folks of Grissenwald do for such a grudge to be leveled against them? Grimnir's wrath is nay known to fall randomly."
”Do? DO? DO?!? WHAT COULD LITTLE CHILDREN DO TO DESERVE BEING MURDERED?? THEY’RE KILLING FAMILIES!!!…IS THAT WHAT GRIMNIR’S WRATH MEANS?!?” the man screams at the top of his lungs as tears run down his face. The devastated man collapses to his knees and keeps repeating, ”they’re killing families…” between sobs.
”There is precedent for such grudges. We dwarves are the most staunch allies, and the worst enemies, that this world knows. It saddens me to see that wee ones have been caught up in a matter of Clan Honor. Valaya weeps when such atrocities occur. If ye would, please tell me the tale of this. And try to do it as neutral as possible. I cannot understand the actions of me kin if ye do not.” Valghaz kept a stoic pose with pick resting on shoulder, but he could not help but temper his voice with kindness. This was the worst kind of cultural misunderstanding.
I'm not familiar with the situation in Grissenwald. Please tell us what you know, fact you witnessed with your own eyes. No hearsay.
[dice=Charm 40]1d100
”There is precedent for such grudges. We dwarves are the most staunch allies, and the worst enemies, that this world knows. It saddens me to see that wee ones have been caught up in a matter of Clan Honor. Valaya weeps when such atrocities occur. If ye would, please tell me the tale of this. And try to do it as neutral as possible. I cannot understand the actions of me kin if ye do not.” Valghaz kept a stoic pose with pick resting on shoulder, but he could not help but temper his voice with kindness. This was the worst kind of cultural misunderstanding.
The sobbing man calms down a bit as he hears the kindness in Valghaz’s words. He tries to relate his tale as calmly as possible. ”Them dwarves, they've burnt down three farms and killed every soul. Watch has done nothing. Them dwarfs are spending coin like it's going out of fashion. They've come into money all of a sudden. Don't take no wizard to put two and two together. Someone has paid them to do in the good folk round Grissenwald.” The man stumbles back to his feet and begins to climb the long stairs up to Kemperbad without a backwards glance.
[dice=Lore about Grissenwald? (31)]1d100
I'm not familiar with the situation in Grissenwald. Please tell us what you know, fact you witnessed with your own eyes. No hearsay.
It’s common knowledge that Grissenwald is a small settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Grissen and Reik. It is a favourite stopping place for riverfolk and boasts a number of wharfside inns.
”Haven’t seen them dwarves killing cause they don’t leave no witness, now do they? But seen that the whole lot of them left their coal mine and moved to Grissenwald. Seen them spend money like there’s no tomorrow. Seen that they’re always drunk. And seen the attacks started after they came to town.”
Valghaz thanked the man, and turned to his comrades. ”I think we should stop by this village. Have a look to see what is happening. This situation feels like there is more to it.”
That sounds like a good idea, Valghaz.
The trip up the River Reik to Grissenwald is only a journey of a few days. The first day of the trip passes quietly as no doubt you all enjoy the extra elbow room and being able to sleep in your cabin again.
Early on the second day, as the sun rises above the forests to your east, you spot a huge castle that broods ominously on a cliff above the Reik. You quickly realize that all the passing river traffic hugs the opposite bank staying as far from the castle as possible. As your boat passes through the shadows cast by the castle's gloomy towers, you are hailed by a passing vessel. Its crew warn you to keep to the west bank, and direct your attention to something floating in the water.
As you move nearer the floating object you realize the thing, once human, now resembles a bloated fish.
This is what Bert warned me about. It's surely a mutant corpse, but we can't report it because officially mutants don't exist... but we don't want it corrupting anyone either. is there a way to destroy it or get rid of it? If not, I suggest we avoid it.
Krizta wishes that Sigmar would just send down a bolt from heaven and cleanse it from the earth, but she guesses that instead the gods were going to allow it to happen until humans figured out a way to deal with it themselves... unfortunately, ignoring the problem (on both sides) wasn't helping anyone.
"Fire?" Valgahz said. "Flames are purifying, are they not? Let's fish it out and burn it. That way it doesn't taint this 'ere water. And, eh, let's try not to breathe in any of the smoke."
"Fire?" Valgahz said. "Flames are purifying, are they not? Let's fish it out and burn it. That way it doesn't taint this 'ere water. And, eh, let's try not to breathe in any of the smoke."
As you try to drag the body from the water decaying limbs come apart, and the skin sloughs off exposing hideously rotted flesh. The stench is almost overpowering.
When you fish the body out of the river, the passing vessel that pointed out the corpse to you will head away as fast as it can. It’s captain bellows, ‘It's another wretch from the castle! Who knows what diseases it has? And now you might have them, too! Throw it back before it’s too late for you!’
Valghaz kept his stomach where it was meant to be, though it was not necessarily easy. Doing his best not to touch it, he went about starting a fire to burn the body. When called out to, he bellowed back:
”Nay, it should be burnt! This filth shouldn’t pollute the waterways. What’s the story with the castle?”
Even the battle hardened Adelaida grows pale at the sight of the rotting corpse, and within seconds she empties her stomach
Krizta is calm at first, but after Adelaida throws up, Krizta does too. She still agrees with it being burnt, but she has to retreat to her room to wash and change.
[dice=Cool 43]1d100
Valghaz kept his stomach where it was meant to be, though it was not necessarily easy. Doing his best not to touch it, he went about starting a fire to burn the body. When called out to, he bellowed back:
”Nay, it should be burnt! This filth shouldn’t pollute the waterways. What’s the story with the castle?”
[dice=Charm]1d100
[dice=Outdoor Survival to burn the body 37]1d100
After a few false starts Valghaz is able to set the various body parts on fire. However, once kindled the fire begins to burn hotter and hotter and an abhorrent green smoke billows out from the corpse. Fortunately, Valghaz is able to boot the body parts back into the river before any damage more serious than some scorched decking is done to the Lucky Lady. Ruprecht shakes his head seeing his beloved barge damaged.
As the other barge pulls further away its captain shouts, ”That’s the von Wittgenstein castle. Folk say the castle is cursed, and the family along with it, and a plague will take anyone who goes near!”
Grissenwald nestles on a point of land at the confluence on two mighty rivers, the Reik and the Grissen. For a town its size it boasts an inordinate number of wharves, warehouses and taverns. You see a large ferry being pulled across the River Reik to the far bank where there’s a major road that runs away to the southeast towards Nuln.
The dockyard is busy with merchants, rivermen, and locals. Despite the large size of the crowd, the riverside is unnervingly quiet. People look at each other suspiciously and hands do not stray far from their weapons.
Your barge slides into a spot on the wharf and you quickly tie up. Valghaz seems to drawn an inordinate number angry glances.
Krizta says to her companions (not in a voice that will carry to others)
No dwarves here. That doesn't bode well. Sigmar is certainly displeased.
Valghaz nodded as he looked over the hostile crowd. Deciding that it couldn’t hurt he walked to the front of the barge and waived to them. ”Oi!” He called out. ”Why all the hard looks? Can’t all be beard envy?!” He reasoned that humor would disarm the crowd better than acting tough would. ”Whats the best place to get a drink around here? Been a long journey.”
Most of the people on the docks refuse to even look in your barge’s direction but a couple of women who are obviously part of the crew of a visiting barge wave at Valghaz and say, ”check out the Empty Head, handsome. They’ll treat you alright, they know that it’s us riverfolk that keep them in business. Probably stop there ourselves tonight.”
”Drinks and good company? Hope to see ye there!” Valghaz called back. Hopefully there’s be some friendly faces now who could fill them in on what was happening.
Landolf barely managed to keep his composure through the bloated corpse incident.
"Let's go find out what we can at the Empty Head."
The sign in front of the Empty Head depicts a smiling fat man, dressed in the traditional garb of the riverfolk, emptying a chamber pot. Walking inside the tavern you realize that the barkeep is a spitting image of the man on the sign. It really is a remarkable piece of art for a cheap tavern’s signage.
The barkeep looks over Valghaz for a moment then as it satisfied by what he sees, he smiles broadly and says, ”welcome new comers to the Empty Head. It’s not the worst tavern in town so congratulations finding your way to us.” A couple of drowsy looking barflies chuckle weakly at the jest clearly having heard it many time and then go back to their drinking.
Valghaz came in with a smile, that slowly faded upon seeing the reception. Deciding that it was prudent to let the others do the talking, he quietly found a table to sit and drink at.
SL 2
Smiling at the small joke, Adelaida retorts
I guess it would be poor form to ask which tavern deserves to be called the worst of the town... I'm in the mood for some wine, more than a cold, fresh beer. What would you counsel us, bartender, so we can drink to your success of being the head of the Emty Head, famous for not being the worst tavern in Grissenwald?
Did some of Count Boorman's confident presence rub off on Landolf? For the moment at least, he comes off as far more reassuring and approachable than he has in the past.
Yvonne stands nearby as Landolf's attendant in the Empty Head.
Krizta shakes her head at the people in the tavern and sticks with Valghaz in case someone attacks him in the anti-dwarf town.
Landolf found himself speaking with an old man at length before returning to the Black Thorns, motioning for them to join him for a private conversation.
"We have a good lead. Word is that Lady Herzen bought out a coal mine the dwarves were working at & lives in a house nearby, mostly keeping to herself. It wouldn't surprise me if she was behind the recent killings."
"We should find out what the dwarves know about her if we can. She bought their mine if my source us correct & they should know something."
He looked at Valghaz next, "We'd be best off if we didn't draw unneeded attention. I doubt that remaining incognito is possible, but let's present our appearance in town as investigating malfeasance by your kin. I think that would be a matter for someone of your station? Would that be an approach you could honor?"
”Maybe. It depends on the situation. What the grudge is. I don’t want to give false hope. Think it’s best to keep me head down until we really know what is happening.” He said, glumly. He really didn’t want to end up spilling the blood of kinsmen, one of the townsfolk. But everything was on the table, and that was not a good feeling.
"That's what I'm hoping to find out...what is really happening here. The townsfolk are blaming the dwarves for these deaths but so far as we've been told that is an assumption. I don't think we can get at the truth without talking to them."
"If Etelka Herzen hears of our presence in town, that will put her on her guard. It would be best if we remained unknown, but I doubt we could accomplish that now. If I stay here in the tavern and assure the townsfolk that a dwarven officer has come to look into the killings, hopefully that will convince her that we are unaware of her presence."
"If your kin have been killing people, we can at least know why, and we can look into it then. I don't know the ways of your folk well, but it doesn't sound like they are in pursuit of a grudge to me. You wouldn't stop to make merry until you set things right--so I don't think that's it. Moreso if Lady Herzen is about: it would be a surprise if she isn't behind this. Can you find out for us?"
”If we can find these dawi, then aye. I can find out. We should talk to the lass first, and then find the kinsfolk and hear their side.” He replied.
”If we can find these dawi, then aye. I can find out. We should talk to the lass first, and then find the kinsfolk and hear their side.” He replied.
Almost as if on cue, two very drunken dwarfs burst through the front door of the inn. They sweep their glances around the inn and then one says loudly looking at your group, ”look Kroagaic, it’s an umgi lord, looks sort of like a cross between a stupid elgi and a stinkin grovi.” The other dwarf laughs loudly and says, ”nay Gograk, I think it looks more like a Thaggoraki that’s shaved his whiskers. Maybe crossed with a goat.” Gograk glares at Landolf and says, ”so manling, which are you…an elfgoblin or ratgoat?”
Krizta takes out her flail and stands between the dwarves and Landolf.
I think my friend Valghaz there has some questions for you, honored dwarves.
Valghaz walked forward. ”Ye two.” He growled, anger clear in both voice and face alike. ”He is a proven friend of our people, in deed and blood spilt. And I? Name’s Valghaz, Clan Ironhammer. Templar of the Order of the Stone Wall.” Showing his badge he continued ”Came here hearing that a group of Dawi had forgotten the oaths between the Karaz Ankor and Sigmar’s realm. That they had been acting as nay more than murderous bandits. And here ye be, insulting me companion unprovoked. Yer names, including Clan. Now. And an explanation on yer actions, sworn before Grungni. Me investigation begins now.” He finished, his pick held in both hands.
Kroagaic and Gograk burst out laughing when Valghaz finishes. ”Ironhammer, which one of us do you to take a beating from? Ach, never mind,” Kroagaic says and begins a whispered conversation with Gograk. After a moment you see them make odd motions with their right hands as closed fists strike the palm of their left hand three times in unison and then the dwarves show each other their right hands. ”Ha, boulder crushes miner! I win!” Gograk exclaims happily.
Gograk unsteadily advances on Valghaz with fists up, ”Come on then Ironhammer, let’s see if you know how to brawl or did hanging out with the long legs make you forget our traditions. Loser buys beers for the winner and their friends.”
Valghaz’s face flashed with anger, bordering on hatred. Their laughter had insulted his clan and his order. He threw his pick on the ground with a clang, stepped forward and threw a right hook, straight at the offending dwarf’s face.
Krizta stood back, letting the dwarves fight it out, but she kept an eye on the fight and the other dwarf, ready to step in if it became two on one, or if Valghaz signaled for help, or, come to think of it, if one of them just pissed her off. She wasn't sure why, but she was feeling like a good fight.
Adelaida stared at the other dwarf, ready to act if he tries to double team her Brother.
Don't get involved, and start counting your coins to pay for our beers. Your friend will need you to pick him from the floor and bring him home.
Earlier in Kemperbad, Landolf and Yvonne approach a brandy dealer over 28 encumbrance of his wares.
Following that effort, they try to acquire some armaments at a favorable rate. (50 encumbrance)
----
In Grissenwald, Landolf watched the bar fight begin with interest. It wouldn't do to take great offense at drunken insults, however crass, but he also didn't want to casually ignore the affair. At any rate, Valghaz was taking enough offense for the both of them. He kept an eye on the remaining dwarf while watching the fight.
Valghaz’s face flashed with anger, bordering on hatred. Their laughter had insulted his clan and his order. He threw his pick on the ground with a clang, stepped forward and threw a right hook, straight at the offending dwarf’s face.
dice=Initiative 30]1d10
dice=WS 60 attack, add 5 if this is melee basic]1d100
Gograk lunges forward at Valghaz swinging a grubby fist.
Gograk’s fist connects with Valghaz’s stomach but the mighty dwarf is almost completely unfazed by the blow. Meanwhile Gograk shakes his hand trying to get some feeling back after slamming it into Valghaz’s armored body.
Gograk takes a nasty punch to the face and staggers back a step, then tries to gather himself but trips and falls onto a table which groans under his weight.. At that point, the tavern owner steps between the 2 dwarves, ”Enough, Gograk! I’ll not have you breaking my furniture again! Apologize and come have a beer. You too Valghaz of Clan Ironhammer. Come have a beer, Gograk’s not a bad sort, just drinks a bit too much.”
Gograk groggily rises back to his feet and holds out a hand to Valghaz, ”you punch as harder as a mountain goat kicks, Ironhammer. Sorry for insulting your companions but most of the humans haven’t treated us too well lately.”
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Valghaz retrieved his pick, looked at the innkeeper and then the dwarf’s outstretched hand with a hard look on his face. At length he took the dwarf’s hand and said a single word in Khazalid: restitution.
There was no word in Dwarven for forgiveness, but there were several variations of restitution, each one indicating a different degree of seriousness based upon the slight. Then, switching back to Reikspel he said ”Ye punch hard as well. Would have hurt much worse if ye didn’t punch chain.” He didn’t smile when saying that, instead he merely stated a fact. ”The beer makes right for the slight against me companion. But for me, I need answers. Word is spreading beyond this town that the dawi have been murdering men, women and children. I want to know who has been doing it, what exactly what is happening, why it happened and where I can find them. And I want it done with an oath towards honesty. Given the seriousness of the matter, the only account I can trust is one made by oath-bound kin.”