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A messenger had delivered to you a sealed envelope with your name inscribed as the addressee. Opening the envelope, you find a letter written on the very finest vellum in high quality ink. The scribe for the letter was excellent as you see not a single smudge.
The text of the letter reads:
You are requested to appear at the palace of Her Serene Highness, the Countess Emmanuelle, at the noon bell, on the 10th day of Sommerzeit of the 2505 year since blessed Sigmar founded the Empire.
Yours in faith,
Hieronymous Ostwald, Secretary to Her Serene Highness
You know that is exactly seven days from today. No matter how far away you are from Nuln you do not turn down an invitation from the Countess.
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Adela was in the Altestadt quarter of Nuln when the missive came, drinking at the Griffons Claw Inn. As always, when she drank, she felt thankful to worship a deity such as Ulric. The Sigmarites were pretentious in their faith, screaming it from the roofs of their churches. The tenders of the gardens of Morr were far too dour. The justices of Verena were always so damned busy, and had to keep such a serious image. And the Myrmidians? Always so insistent on being seen as the smartest in the room that they couldn’t relax. But Ulric? She raised her mug. Ulric was easy. All you had to do was kill his enemies in his name, and to do so with courage. Now, the latter was something on an issue, for her order highly discouraged wearing helmets, but besides that the tenants were easy.
Now, certainly, there was more to it than just that. The Liber Lupus, Teutonengeschichte and the Ulric Creed certainly had their share of rules and rituals. But for the most part what Ulric wanted was for his followers to take the direct approach, and relish the inevitable confrontation such approaches cause. He expected strength, honour, ruthlessness, self-reliance and courage from his followers and was angered by dishonourable displays of weakness and cowardice.
And all of that suited her just fine. For she had a knack for killing. One could almost say it was her calling. And Ulric’s tenants? Well she had followed them even before she knew what they were. Which was sometimes a problem, even now. It was why she was in Nuln. She and her men had fought Skaven under Middenheim, and her tongue was too loose about how they died. So she had been reassigned...all the way to Nuln. And thus far it had been a harsh punishment. Week after week of doing nothing but priestly duties. She was now far from the action, and already she was wondering whether she should just ride back on her own initiative just for some excitement.
And that was when the messenger came, with a letter for her. Putting her drink down she opened it, hoping that it was orders to return home. She read the missive with some surprise. Truly, not what she was expecting...she smiled. But perhaps it would be an answer to her prayers?
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Meanwhile in Übersreik, Kutsche Meister Jarvey Glintloque stared hard at the message for a long, quiet minute - taking in words and the sweeping grace of the penmanship they were written in, before running the vellum under his nose with an appreciative nod…
Faint whiff o’ spice. Perfume from Araby per’haps… Damn expensive any-hoo.
The diminutive coach master folded the missive still mulling its words before a gruff voice from upon high snapped him from his dwam.
”Trouble Jarvey lad?”
Turning his attention upon high where Tardy, the veteran driver, sat huddled upon the waiting hackney.
”Not sure Tard. Am summoned to Nuln. Seems that, on some bloody job, on some bloody road I’ve made enough o’ an impression on a patron with the ear of the Countess’ Secretary no less... For good or ill who knows… Alas the royal seal gives the impression that refusal is not an option.”
Jarvey mulled the possible implications of the letter and his own chequered past as employee for the many coaching houses he’d plied his trade with;
- As a neophyte Postillion with Altdor’s Kartak Lines he’d earned his spurs and scars riding the lead horse through all weathers and many hazards. It had been Tardy, a former hand gunner in the Nuln Ironsides who had recruited the wilful young halfling as a Coachman for Nuln’s Cannonball Express after they’d defended a coaching inn from marauding Beastmen together.
- The Express ran their crews hard and fast through dangerous territories. Undesirable routes like Altdorf to Drakenhof - 925 long miles of hazardous terrain and even more dangerous denizens were where he earned his reputation. Many of the passengers were adventurers and mercenaries seeking spoils or a glorious death. Jarvey and Tardy had fought and drunk alongside them, and more than once were roped into a foolhardy misadventure that proved surprisingly lucrative.
Could it have been one o' them damned fools..?
- In recent years Jarvey had bought favour and employ as Kutsche Meister for Imperial Expressways of Nuln, and taken his old mentor Tardy with him. Expressways were all about the luxury an' had cushioned seating for passengers and drivers no less. It had been the least he could do for the hoary bastard and his oft moaned about piles! Once again they carved out further repute by safely conveying the precious artists, courtiers, rakes and dilettantes to and from the Jewel of the Empire.
Most likely one o' them. Dandies, snoots an' sycophants the lot. Hope it was a good word.
With a wistful smile the lean halfling passed his belongings up to his partner, then made the familiar climb aboard the coach.
”Stimmigen to Dunkelburg, then onto the Nuln Road is quickest…”
Blunderbuss resting on his lap Jarvey chuckles at the gnarled hand in wait, before passing the folded message to the eager hands of the grizzled driver;
”Soft and scented Tard. Yer arse’ll be thankful…”
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Hanna watched as the workmen moved her belonging into her new lodgings, satisfied they were taking proper care.
Not that she had to be worried, being a Wizard, all of the the workmen were taking special care not to draw her ire.
Smiling, Hanna thought of the two-edged sword her occupation's reputation provided her, a grudging respect rising out of
Fear....and a seething hatred rising from the same.
With a sigh, she looked out across the yard at the rest of the College, thinking about how she managed to survive all that
came before....
...sitting at her mother's knee as women from the village came to her mother for healing poultices and potions, all sweet and nice, but Hanna saw the hate and fear in their eyes when her mother turned away... a night of fire and screams, her mother torn from her grasp, taken into the night, never to be seen again...cool, hard hands pulling her from her hiding space under the bed , the voices all around crying for flames and death..."So, toss the lass in as well, Kobain?"...a lull in the noise, a flat emotionless voice responds "Nay, this one we'll give to the Mages to deal with; if she has her mothers taint, they'll tame it right quick!"...a frightening voyage through strange countryside, always watched, treated will callous disdain... finally arriving at a terrifyingly large edifice, in a strange city...
... it amazed her that she could still recall that voice so clearly...
...years and years followed at the College, learning to control the Winds, lest they control her and necessitate the end of her life, to protect others. She learned, and learned, and was finally allowed to go out into the world, to use her powers in aid of the Empire, under the strict eye of her Master, the Wizard Antonix Snell. A hard man, surely, but fair....he taught her much about surviving as a Wizard out in the Empire and beyond.
It was with Master Snell that she traveled to Kislev, participating in quelling of a vicious rat-man invasion....then down into the lands of the Border Princes, likewise dealing with an incursion of the undead.
....departing her Master after he deigned her ready to take on the mantle of Wizard, she was officially attached to the 232nd Footmen of His Majesty's Royal Army. The time in the Army was tedious and mundane, with no wars to participate in, she was glad when her time with them came to an end...
...Returning to the College for a time to continue some of her studies, she was offered an opportunity to travel with a research team , hunting for holy relics in some of the more remote areas of the Empire. Gladly taking part, her powers grew in the difficult environments, battling greenskins, skaven, undead and a myriad of other opponents to the team's endeavors...
...and that was how she was now watching workmen provision her own library and workshop at the College, for after that work, retrieving a number of sacred relics, Hanna had been offered a position at the College, a very prestigious honor.
Smiling, having allowed herself the momentary reveirie , Hanna calls out to her apprentice "Max, have them be careful with the alchemical instruments!" He waves back, hurrying after the workmen.
About to inspect her library, Hanna is irritated when a runner calls out to her, breathing hard and digging into his leather satchel for a missive for her.
Nodding her thanks to the boy, she notes the wax seal, "Ostwald....hmm, Nuln..." she mutters, cracking open the letter and quickly scanning it's contents.
Brow furrowed, she tried to recall who might have recommended her to the Countess, then it occurred to her, it must have been the Priest, Father Este...he'd claimed to be from Nuln...
Now what could the Countess want with me...beside the obviousness of the power I possess... Hanna thought to herself, folding the letter up once again and setting off in search for her Apprentice.
She found Max directing workers in setting boxes of delicate glass instruments on a wide table, "Max, I have been summoned!" she declares, handing the boy the letter.
Without formatlity, he opens it and reads, "The Countess?!! Herself !!?? What did you do?" he half asks , half accuses, smiling. Shrugging, Hanna smiles back, "I'm not sure...though I suspect Father Este may have something to do with this. He was quite impressed by me." she says, pretending to be proud and insufferable.
With a laugh, Max says, "Impressed...more likely in-lust...all of those religious innuendo's, what a disgusting man.."
Smiling, Hanna says "Indeed. But, notwithstanding the reason, I've been summoned...and I must present myself to the Countess in seven days. I shall ride Thomas, he needs the exercise. Gather my expeditionary gear, I'll draft a letter to the Dean explaining my absence. "
As the boy ran off the fetch her gear, Hanna shooed the workmen away from the table, and quickly penned a letter to the Dean : Dean Whitlien, my apologies but I have been summoned to Nuln by none other than the Countess herself. Of course, such a summons cannot be ignored, so I shall begin my duties to you upon my return. Seek out my Apprentice, Maximillian should you need further information. Wizard Lord Achenbach.
Satisfied that propriety had been preserved, Hanna motioned for the workmen to continue and walked to the stables to prepare her warhorse, Thomas for the journey.
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Ubaldo Hartig walked amid the well-loaded shelves of the Hall of Archives, seeking his quarry. Pale grey eyes fix on a particular sheaf of documents.
There.
Unruffled dark brown hair lies above those eyes and his fine robes of office.
The magistrate - Still getting used to that title. - had found the copy of the sewer plans thought lost.
Merely misplaced. I do wonder why Lady Becker wanted me to study these. Perhaps she has suspicions that she wishes me to confirm independently?
Ubaldo takes the scrolls, as is his right under the appropriate code. He of course signs for them in the appropriate papers on the clerk's desk, beady-eyed glare of the little man or no.
"Good day to you.", says Ubaldo, as he walks out - and is met by a familiar face. Godfrey Eichelbaum was even younger than he and keen of wits, albeit destined for different duties to their shared mistress.
"Ah, Godfrey. This is unexpected.
"Herr Hartig, this is for you and you alone. The Lady's orders."
"I see. Then good day to you."
Before he leaves the Hall of Archives, Ubaldo finds a quiet desk - Hardly a difficult proposition. - and sits down to tackle the letter.
He opens it. He reads.
That is absolutely from Ostwald's hand. This is no forgery, which saves me filing a complaint.
Ubaldo tucks the letter back into its envelope and deposits the stationery within his robes. The maagistrate leans back a little in his chair, rests his elbows on the table, and steeples his fingers.
This is not to be refused. At least I have time to consult with Lady Becker and put matters in order first.
As the great clock in the massive clock tower strikes the last of its 12 notes at noon, you approach the enormous gateway of the Palace of Nuln, invitation in hand. Heavy oaken gates shod with bronze looking like they could withstand any dwarven steam powered ram stand open. Palace sentries scrutinize each person as they approach the gate. A few are recognized by the sentries and allowed entry without challenge but most are stopped and interrogated. Those with the right papers are allowed into the palace and those without turned away. After presenting your invitation to the guards, a sergeant of the guard is called. The sergeant request that you come with him. ”If you would be so good to wait here,” the sergeant says as your shows you to into a small room off the gatehouse. ”Once all five have arrived, Herr Ostwald will collect you.” Palace sentries wait outside the door of the room.
Within a minute or two of the last of you arriving, a tall, lean man with cold grey eyes joins you in the room. ”Ladies and Gentlemen, if you will accompany me please? I am Heironymous Ostwald, personal secretary to Her Serenity.” Following Ostwald, you realize that three heavily armed guards of the elite Life Guard of Nuln follow along behind you. You are escorted through long corridors, huge galleries hung with paintings and even a ballroom before finally make your way into a large and exquisitely decorated office. Herr Ostwald sits himself behind a ornate desk and the men at arms take positions by the door. Five leather armchairs have been drawn up in a semi-circle in front of the desk. Ostwald gestures to the chairs, ”please make yourselves comfortable. A small luncheon will be served once we conclude our discussion.” Turning his attention to the guards, Ostwald says, ”Gert, will you and your men please wait outside.”
Once the six of you are alone and the door closed, Ostwald removes a leather-bound journal from his desk and opens it. Consulting his notes, he begins:
”Adela von Suderburg, Priestess Captain of Ulric, victor over the mythical ratmen below Middenheim,”
”Jarvey Glintloque, Kutsche Meister, Imperial Expressways of Nuln, famous for always getting his passengers to their destination,”
”Hanna Achenbach, Wizard Lord and Professor, Colleges of Magic, and victor over the mythical ratmen below Kislev,”
”Ubaldo Hartig, Magistrate of Nuln, Lady Becker’s designated expert on the Nuln sewer ways,”
”and finally,”
”Dirk Liestag, elder of Medrev's Hollow, demonstrated ability to survive dangerous missions.”
”All of you with unique skills that according to my calculations should mesh together perfectly for a mission that Her Serenity requests that you perform. Sewer jacks are the lowest of the low, the dregs of Nuln, men who literally could not find other employment, but are critical for any city, but most especially Nuln to function.” Flipping pages in his journal he finds what he was looking for and continues, ”twenty-two squads, each made up of from five to seven men, dwarfs, and halflings. Twenty-two squads as of six weeks ago, now left with three squads that refuse to enter the sewers. Every other squad has disappeared to the last. Each squad composed of veterans that have been going into the sewers for years and successfully clearing out infestations of smugglers, goblins, and even beastmen. Now gone. Nuln soldiery sent into the sewers find nothing, except to find sewers having been emptied of all life. Herr Serenity agrees that only a small squad, seemingly an easy target, can attract whatever is lurking under Nuln. You have been carefully selected from many potential candidates as having the optimal mix of skills to both find and then defeat whatever is murdering the sewer jacks. At minimum, at least one of you must return with information about What’s That Under Nuln.”
Closing his journal, he looks at you all. ”Your Empire and the City of Nuln need your help. Now, I am sure that you must have many questions. I open the floor to you.”
Adela leaned forward, intently listening. Her blue eyes were as sharp as daggers as she digested every word, getting only more intense as the story unfolded. At length she nodded, having made up her mind already. This was the reason that Ulric had sent her here. It was the depths of Middenheim all over again. She even felt that familiar stab of fear. That voice in her head which told her that this wasn’t going to end well. She had never listened to it before and knew that she wouldn’t listen to it now. For whenever it was there she always had that uncontrollable urge to silence it by running towards whatever made her feel that way. She distinctly remembered the rat men, and of how they had slaughtered her men. Of seasoned veterans screaming their last in the dark, of ambush after ambush until the last assault with what was almost overwhelming force. She had survived where many had not. Everything she had heard just then sounded like it would happen again.
Her sharp eyes turned to her companions. She wanted to see how they would react, as it would be a certain way to judge their character.
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Lift and swing. He enjoyed the movement of his muscles as he worked the axe through his paces. Some of the folk of Medrev's Hollow had a name for it, he knew. Thinking a tree down: their term for Dirk's habit of cutting firewood when he had a particularly thorny problem to solve. He supposed that they believed that going through the routine motions helped him to think. It wasn't worth correcting the misunderstanding.
Dirk went into the woods to not think. Solving a dispute between two stubborn families arguing over a land border was the easy part. Mostly he let his wife Maven handle things.
Lift and swing.
"..ddy!" a small voice caught the edge of his attention. "Daddy!"
Pausing with the axe mid-heft, Dirk stepped away from his work and turned around to face his younger daughter, Else. The small girl was only four years old with a mop of adorable dark hair that was out of place due to her running through the field. He frowned for a moment as he looked down at her before thinking better of it. His older daughter Reina would have gotten herself a tongue-lashing for interrupting him for some childish reason. Else though...Else would have a reason.
Setting the axe down by the tree, Dirk walked the twenty paces to where the small girl had stopped to shout at him. "How long have you been shouting at me?" he asked.
"A long, long time."
Dirk sighed inwardly. Else was learning to sass from her sister. "Well I hear you now. What did you want to tell me?"
Only now certain that it was alright to do so, Else ran forward and hugged his leg. Dirk's daughters were only this side of terrified of him. He hated it. There were plenty of men in the village who were warm to their children. They could hug them, play with them and get them to fall asleep in their lap. Dirk wasn't one of them. He was missing something that those men had, and he didn't know what it was.
"A man came. He had a pa... paper. Mommy said to come get you!" Else's smile as she looked up at him warmed his heart.
Paper wasn't the sort of thing you saw around Medrev's Hollow. It would be someone from the city, then. "Let's go see what the man has to say."
----------
When Dirk walked up to his house and saw a man seated at the table through the window, he knew it was a bad sign. It had been a long walk for Else back from Dirk's tree cut, and he now carried the young girl. The messenger had to have been waiting for at least an hour, and there had been enough daylight left for him to make it back to Mosheim before. There wasn't now. That meant the messenger would need to have his letter signed for, and he needed it badly enough to lose coin over it.
He was going to have a fight with his wife again tonight. He wondered what it would be about this time. Dirk had no need to announce himself as he clomped through the front door of his small home. Maven looked back at him from her cooking and smiled to see their daughter in his arms but held her peace for now.
"Herr Liestag!" the man at the table exclaimed. "I have a letter from..."
The words died on his lips as he met Dirk's stare. Setting his daughter down, Dirk moved to embrace Maven as she continued working from the hearth and held her for a few moments. Finished, he turned back to the man and held out a hand.
Clearly shaken, the man passed over the letter to Dirk. The envelope was finely made, with exquisite handwriting on the front. He thumbed the paper open and withdrew the folded parchment inside, looking over the handwriting carefully. Then he handed the letter to Maven, allowing her to inspect it.
"Herr Liestag, if you could just sign..." the messenger spoke up again. Dirk ignored him.
Dirk looked over Maven's shoulder as she looked at the words on the paper. Fine ink, with no smudging. Even he could tell that the handwriting was excellent. It was worse than he thought. "I'll need the trunk," he said. Maven nodded, but didn't say anything. Dirk tried to suppress a shudder.
"Herr Liestag?" the man asked, attempting to get his attention again.
This time, Dirk turned around to face him after carefully taking the letter back from his wife. "Do you know what this letter says?" he asked.
The messenger turned an odd shade of pale rose, looking both horrified and offended at the same time. "I would never!" he sputtered. "I'm a professional!"
"Then I'll make it easy for you," Dirk said as he shoved the letter in front of the man's face. Dirk repeated himself. "Do you know what this letter says?"
Demoralized, the messenger looked at the piece of paper for a few moments before he responded. "No sir, I don't. I can't read. It's actually quite helpful in this line of..."
Dirk turned and walked into the room he shared with Maven. His house was small, but it was one of the few in Medrev's Hollow large enough to have a separate bedchamber like this. Maddeningly the messenger followed while Dirk shoved aside a large pile of winter blankets and picked up a large trunk from Maven's side of the bed.
"Reina, Else!" Maven called out for her daughters in the other room. "I need you to fetch some eggs from Frau Hauswer. She'll know which ones. Hurry now. You don't want to be late for supper." Dirk heard the sound of the girls' halfhearted protests as Maven swept them out the door. They had agreed long since that their daughters were not to see the contents of the trunk.
Pulling a key out of one of several narrow crevices in the wooden wall, Dirk unlocked the chest and lifted it open. He heard a cut off cry of surprise from the messenger as the man saw the weapons and armor within, sitting snugly alongside a sturdy pack and a coiled length of rope. Dirk pointed in the direction of the bedroom door and waited for it to shut before he began pulling off his dirty shirt.
A few minutes later, Dirk stepped out of the bedroom with a thump, now fully armored with a hammer and an axe hanging off his belt and a pack strapped to his back.
The messenger looked even more pale than before, but still managed to protest. "Herr Liestag, please sir. All I need is for you to sign this ledger..."
Dirk looked down at the man. "That's what we're doing. If we leave now, we should be able to make Hesserode by morning. You're coming with me."
"Hesserode!" the man nearly exploded. "It would take all night to get that far! If you could just sign..."
"Can't," Dirk said. "Old man Gerwin in Mosheim could, but he's a git. So we need to make it to Hesserode by morning. Frau Silwin can read the letter and sign for you there. If we hurry, we might be able to catch a barge by noon."
"But it will be night!" the messenger continued to protest. "Herr Liestag, the roads aren't safe in the dark."
Dirk just shrugged. "You don't have to come if you don't want to," he said. "Maven can put you up until morning if that's your decision. But no one can sign for you here and whoever wrote that letter wants me in Nuln sooner than I can get there. After all..." Dirk leaned over the man. "You were late getting here weren't you?"
The messenger could only gape for a few moments. Finally he replied in a small voice. "How did you know?"
"All the runners go through Mosheim on their way to Medrev's Hollow, even the faster ones. If you hadn't got turned around at Hunter's Pike, you'd have been here sometime around noon."
Finished with the messenger, Dirk turned to face his wife. Her icy glare bore down into his soul. "Your daughters won't even get to say goodbye to their father," she hissed at him. Dirk doubted that the messenger could even make it out.
It was an old argument. It would have to wait. They both knew that. Blessedly, Maven didn't have enough time to come up with anything novel to throw at him today. "I'll be back," he promised her. "Surprise me." Dirk leaned down and they kissed.
Dirk shouldered his pack and walked past Maven to the door. She wouldn't turn to watch him leave. He would return, so she didn't have to.
----------
Days later, Dirk faced down Herr Ostwald in the Palace of Nuln as the man finished explaining their mission to explore the sewers under Nuln. "It all sounds simple enough. How much are you paying?" he asked.
Jarvey listens intently, weighing the scenario placed before them and the underlying implications.
At Dirk's blunt question he flashes a grin;
See now there's a man who cuts to the chase. As Tardy would say: "That's a fella ye can understand an' stand be'side."
Hooking his gloved thumbs through a belt dressed with pistols and dirk, the diminutive Kutsche Meister adds his own voice to the meeting;
"Master Liestag has the right o' it. Seems to me, that for all our virtues and accomplishments this endevour could be conceived as a forlorn hope o' sorts. Such as it is, you'll be offering a stipend that reflects the risk? Specially for them whose talents are best suited to above ground and conveyance..?"
Ubaldo takes a bit of leeway with the instructions. After all, it did not rule out arriving early. A whole four minutes in his case.
When the tower bell strikes noon, Ubaldo approaches the gate, as do others. He does a preliminary visual assessment, noting the differences in social standing and obvious profession.
Not a gathering of engineering or legal debate. So why Lady Becker's insistence that I get familiar with those maps?
*************
Once alone in the room with Ostwald, Ubaldo gets to fill in a few details that he missed in his first few glances.
Patience, Ubaldo. You will learn more in due course.
Ostwald speaks.
By Verena, this is concerning indeed. A covert invasion by enemies of the Empire? Or that the ratmen may not be just myths by his implications? Or either are a cover for something even worse? Speculation. I must have answers...Hmm. Quite a mercenary approach from Liestag. False bravado? Likely not if Ostwald has done his job well, which I would expect. Glintloque seems more realistic - or pessimistic.
Ubaldo breaks his train of thought and speaks.
"Herr Ostwald, I of course accept. I would know where the members of the three remaining squads are currently located and anything that they have said in reference to these developments in the sewers. I would also know if there have been any clues, even esoteric or fanciful-sounding, as to the identities of the responsible parties unknown. I also advise - without wanting to know details - that sewer exits and entrances near key buildings be watched and guarded. These losses appear the result of coordinated assaults, which bodes ill for the safety of Nuln."
Hanna greets the guards at the gate and the others inside with warm smiles, but she can't unsee the wide eyes and the unconscious way they edge away from her once the realize what she was.
Truly she was used to it, but it still rankled her somewhere deep down...But there was nothing to do about it, so she enjoyed the journey through the magnificent castle and it's grandeur.
Finally as Ostwald spoke of the reason she and the others were assembled here, she stood separately, both listening to the Secretary and examining the others as he named them.
Hmm, the Priestess of Ulric...an obvious choice...as am I...the magistrate for his knowledge of the Sewers, I'm sure...the Carriage-man, obviously a man...or rather halfling of character and resoluteness to have advances so far for one so little...and then the burger, the blunt instrument I think...
She waits for some of the others to query the Secretary, before adding her own observations, "You tell an interesting tale, Secretary, though what I find interesting is the lack of evidence...no bodies, no scraps of armor...if it were the ratmen or other brethren of Chaos, there would be ample signs of both struggle and outcome...This , most of all, is what has caught my interest..."
Quite pleased with the line of questioning from her companions, for there was not a trace of cowardice in any of them. ”A forlorn hope? Heh. Ulric smiles on us, indeed.”
** spoiler omitted **...
"Pay Elder Liestag? I believe you have children, yes?" Ostwald consults his journal. "Oh yes, two children, girls, Reina and Else, yes? We could pay you in gold crowns if you wish, but I think I have something of more value to offer. Herr Serenity would provide tutors for the girls as they grow up and guarantee them a place in the University, free of cost. How do you put a value in crowns on that?"
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Jarvey listens intently, weighing the scenario placed before them and the underlying implications.
At Dirk's blunt question he flashes a grin;
See now there's a man who cuts to the chase. As Tardy would say: "That's a fella ye can understand an' stand be'side."
Hooking his gloved thumbs through a belt dressed with pistols and dirk, the diminutive Kutsche Meister adds his own voice to the meeting;
"Master Liestag has the right o' it. Seems to me, that for all our virtues and accomplishments this endevour could be conceived as a forlorn hope o' sorts. Such as it is, you'll be offering a stipend that reflects the risk? Specially for them whose talents are best suited to above ground and conveyance..?"
"Kutsche Meister Glintloque, a stipend? Yes, we could provide you a stipend or we could," Ostwald consults his journal again, "we could offer a 10% share of ownership in the Imperial Expressways of Nuln. As you may know, Her Serenity, is a silent owner of most of the shares of the company. You would no longer be an employee Kutsche Meister, you would be an owner. But if you prefer a simple stipend..."Ostwald lets his voice trail off.
Ubaldo takes a bit of leeway with the instructions. After all, it did not rule out arriving early. A whole four minutes in his case.
When the tower bell strikes noon, Ubaldo approaches the gate, as do others. He does a preliminary visual assessment, noting the differences in social standing and obvious profession.
Not a gathering of engineering or legal debate. So why Lady Becker's insistence that I get familiar with those maps?
*************
Once alone in the room with Ostwald, Ubaldo gets to fill in a few details that he missed in his first few glances.
Patience, Ubaldo. You will learn more in due course.
Ostwald speaks.
By Verena, this is concerning indeed. A covert invasion by enemies of the Empire? Or that the ratmen may not be just myths by his implications? Or either are a cover for something even worse? Speculation. I must have answers...Hmm. Quite a mercenary approach from Liestag. False bravado? Likely not if Ostwald has done his job well, which I would expect. Glintloque seems more realistic - or pessimistic.
Ubaldo breaks his train of thought and speaks.
"Herr Ostwald, I of course accept. I would know where the members of the three remaining squads are currently located and anything that they have said in reference to these developments in the sewers. I would also know if there have been any clues, even esoteric or fanciful-sounding, as to the identities of the responsible parties unknown. I also advise - without wanting to know details - that sewer exits and entrances near key buildings be watched and guarded. These losses appear the result of coordinated assaults, which bodes ill for the safety of Nuln."
"Of course Magistrate Hartig, the members of the last three squads have been sequestered and await you convenience. I do have additional information that will be shared with you if all of you accept the undertaking. If one of you refuses, we will go to our second choice group. None of you would be part of that group has your skills do not mesh as well. And yes, that is good advice about the exits being watched and guarded." Ostwald makes a note in his journal. "It will be done as you suggest."
Hanna greets the guards at the gate and the others inside with warm smiles, but she can't unsee the wide eyes and the unconscious way they edge away from her once the realize what she was.
Truly she was used to it, but it still rankled her somewhere deep down...But there was nothing to do about it, so she enjoyed the journey through the magnificent castle and it's grandeur.
Finally as Ostwald spoke of the reason she and the others were assembled here, she stood separately, both listening to the Secretary and examining the others as he named them.
Hmm, the Priestess of Ulric...an obvious choice...as am I...the magistrate for his knowledge of the Sewers, I'm sure...the Carriage-man, obviously a man...or rather halfling of character and resoluteness to have advances so far for one so little...and then the burger, the blunt instrument I think...
She waits for some of the others to query the Secretary, before adding her own observations, "You tell an interesting tale, Secretary, though what I find interesting is the lack of evidence...no bodies, no scraps of armor...if it were the ratmen or other brethren of Chaos, there would be ample signs of both struggle and outcome...This , most of all, is what has caught my interest..."
"Yes Professor Achenbach, it is an unique situation. It is not just a lack of evidence of a struggle that is stunning but the fact that there were no rats seen in the sewer. That's unheard of...what could have happened to the thousands and thousands of rats that live in the sewers. I admit to waking from nightmares of mutated rats surging out of the sewers to overwhelm Nuln."
”Well, for the record I accept. The Cult of Ulric would never turn down such a task.” Adela said, hoping that no others would refuse. Because imagine if the next group contained a Signarite. They’d never hear the end of it!
Ubaldo nods at Ostwald's comments.
"Very good, Herr Ostwald. Does the additional information that you refer to shed any light on the disappearances of these rats - or men?"
"I accept as well." Hanna states plainly, "There is an air of subtlety to this matter that intrigues me...no rats..." she trails off ...lost in thought.
Dirk seems startled by the offer. This is both too good to be true and suspicious. They're desperate, but they can still drag me on with what is to them just a bit of coin. It's always been that way. But if it's true...if I can do it one more time...Reina and Else won't have to be the same.
"That offer will be sufficient. I'm on board." said Dirk, recovering from the moment's loss of composure.
”Well, for the record I accept. The Cult of Ulric would never turn down such a task.” Adela said, hoping that no others would refuse. Because imagine if the next group contained a Signarite. They’d never hear the end of it!
"That is excellent news Lady von Suderburg, I think your leadership skills will be critical to the success of this enterprise. I am pleased to say that your behaviour matches almost perfectly what was predicted from the personality model I had constructed."
Ubaldo nods at Ostwald's comments.
"Very good, Herr Ostwald. Does the additional information that you refer to shed any light on the disappearances of these rats - or men?"
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I must speak plainly and confidentially to you all. There are those within Nuln that oppose this plan. They've taken the position that the disappearance of the normal fauna of the sewer system is great news for Nuln and that no further inquiry is warranted. To them, the loss of a few lowly sewer jacks is of little import. These people have control over the secret police so you must mind your P's and Q's or end up in the dungeons of the secret police."
"Nuln's wizards have been trying to divine if there is plan guiding what we are seeing. Oddly enough, the seers believe that there are plans within plans, plans that are at cross-purpose to other plans, even parallel plans from completely unrelated species. We have a meeting scheduled tonight at the palace for you to meet with seers and be able to answer your questions. One strand that keeps showing up though is that someone or something is calling all of the rats of Nuln to it, calling them even further underground than the sewers and once there those rats are poisoned by magic and warpstones and made into something else, something terrifying. I will let the seers provide you with any specifics though, my feeling is it is best to go straight to the experts."
"It pains me to suggest this but I must be thorough. Malice be hiding under the scoffing of at least some of these elements. It may be a fruitful avenue of investigation for now or at a later date. It would also behoove us all to obtain defenses against magic and warpstone, should such be open to us. We should speak with the seers if they are available otherwise the remaining Sewer Jacks."
Jarvey's smug stance dissolves as he hears the offer and mulls its gravity.
"Stipend be damned! I'll take the most generous 10% share... and most assure'dly climb aboard..."
The halfing pauses dramatically, then with a wry smile continues;
"However... Should I do not return, but we complete our mission, then that share in Imperial Expressways be conveyed to my mentor and associate, one Grunwald Tardy."
At Ubaldo's tactical acumen he cocks an eyebrow before offering his own thought;
"I ain't an expert on the sewers nor the law like Master Hartig o'er here, but it might also be worth loosening some tongues in Nuln's more... unsavoury quarters. Chances are some of the less law abiding amongst its fair citizenry may have had cause to enter the sewers. Could be they know sum'thing that the Jacks don't..?"
"It pains me to suggest this but I must be thorough. Malice be hiding under the scoffing of at least some of these elements. It may be a fruitful avenue of investigation for now or at a later date. It would also behoove us all to obtain defenses against magic and warpstone, should such be open to us. We should speak with the seers if they are available otherwise the remaining Sewer Jacks."
You all have a delightful luncheon with Herr Ostwald. The food is of wonderful quality and the conversation sparkling touching on topics ranging from Empire politics, history, philosophy, travel to the spices of Far Cathay, rumors of the new world and the religions of Nippon. Finally Ostwald bring the lunch to a close, "I regret that I can not continue to while away the afternoon with you all but duty does call. You have a few hours before your meeting with the seers so perhaps you may want to get settled?"
Throughout the meal Adela was more than a bit distracted. The mission loomed over her. She couldn’t help but remember her last foray below ground and the disastrous results. She did not want a repeat. She could not wait for the seers to arrive. They needed more information so that they could formulate a plan of attack.
Hanna smiles at Uldaldo's caution, "You are right to be wary of both magic and the warpstones. That is why , I think, I have been recuited. Should there be any enemy spell casters, and I think that's a certainty, I will be able to attempt to thwart their magical attacks. As for the warpstones...the best defence is distance. Those fools that think to increase their powers by using such a substance soon learn that the very fabric of their souls are in jeopardy."
Hanna chooses to not divulge that merely using the Winds does so as well, just to a much less extent.
Hanna nods to the Secretary, "Excellent, Herr Ostwald, who shall see me to my quarters?"
Ubaldo turns to Hanna.
"Professor Achenbach, that is quite a relief to hear. I would be glad to escort you back to Lady Becker's estate, at least enough to show you to the guest quarters."
Addressing the others:
"We should find a central, secure place to meet. Lady Becker's estate is a relatively secure option, given our grave task and the need for discretion."
Despite getting no committal to his request , Jarvey enjoys the luncheon, eating as much as any longshank and pocketing any choice morsels for sharing with Tardy afterward.
Given the chance he decants any wine or spirits present into his flask or waterskin to wash down the planned evening supper with a shrug and a smile "Always grab one for the road." is his justification.
As talk turns to magic, he interjects a question between the intellectuals discussion;
"Pardon my ignorance. Regarding spell-casters and their ilk. They typically immune to blackpowder and bullet? If they ain't then we're gold... got plenty for 'em in me arsenal. If they is, then my arse-nal might well beat a hasty retreat at first signs!"
He chuckles grimly, then snoots some snuff as he listens to any responses...
At the prospect of settling in ahead of the Seer's meeting the halfling Coach Master rises, patting his pot belly as he mulls Ubaldo's words;
"Lady Beckers sounds a fine enough meeting place for us to re-convene... I'll be bunking at the Expressways Coaching Inn. Home ground an' all that. Ain't as fancy as Lady B's gaff... but any o' ye are more than welcome to join me. I'll vouch for your lodgings and grub. Ale an' wine comes from your own pouches mind!"
”Put your faith in steel and courage.” Came Adela’s reply. ”Our Empire was built upon it. If users of Magic did not bleed and die like the rest of us, our civilization would not have been built.” She said with a smile. ”As for your offer, perhaps later. There is much for us to prepare before we descend, and not much time.”
The evening of Day 1
You all find yourselves back at the palace gates again shortly before sunset. This time you are not stopped by the sentries as a young page is waiting for you. ”Gentlefolk, if you will come with me, I am instructed to take Herr Ostwald’s guests to the Blue Room.” This time your trip winds through the gardens of the palace which are lit by softly glowing lamps of dwarven design. The walk seems unnecessarily lengthy as you take a very serpentine route through the gardens. You end up traversing almost the entire length of the palace before finally arriving at a windowless tall tower whose sole entrance is guarded by a pair of the elite Life Guard of Nuln. ”Ladies and Gentlemen, it is here that I leave you. You’ll find the Blue Room at the top of stairs inside the tower.” With a courtly bow whose elegant affect is a bit spoiled by a cocky grin, the page withdraws.
One of the sentries unlocks the door to the tower with a large metal key and silently gestures for you to enter. As soon as all five of you are inside, he slams the door shut behind you and you hear the lock being turned. If you try the door, you will find it securely locked behind you. A lantern on a small table next to the tower door provides the only light. Except for the table and single lantern, a long set of stairs along the outer sides of the tower are the only feature. The stairs wind their way without pause up to the top of the tower and before ending at a small landing and a closed door.
Up the steep stairs you climb. If you are the type that counts stairs as you climb you find it is exactly 111 stairsteps to the landing. The door at the landing is unlocked and a faint blue glow can be seen leaking from under the door. Pushing it open reveals Herr Ostwald who is speaking quietly to three older men, all with long white beards and eyes that glow with a soft blue light. Their robes look to be made of the finest materials and are all midnight blue. All three are adorned with pendants, rings, earrings and brooches in the shape of stars and moons. The furnishing of the room are also all various shades of blue and a large circular blue marble table stands in the exact center of the room. On top of the table, in a comet tailed holder is a flawless crystal globe that also glows softly blue.
A set of cleverly constructed skylights have been opened revealing a circular hole in the roof. Above you are the stars of the firmament as well as Mannslieb glowing a pearly white.
”Good, good, my nephew brought you here as instructed. Welcome to the Blue Room. Hopefully by taking the circuitous route through the gardens, my nephew escorted you here without attracting notice. Forces within the palace wish to curtail your investigation before it begins and unfortunately they may have the ear of Her Serenity,” Ostwald says welcoming you inside. ”So, the less noticed the better.”
”Please allow me to introduce the senior faculty for the Celestial Order at the Nuln College of Wizardry, Professors Traub, Kehlmann and Holthusen. They will use their gifts to pierce the veil that has been drawn around Under Nuln and hopefully give us all an idea of what you face. I will let you introduce yourselves to the Professors and ask them any questions before they begin. Once the ceremony starts, you all must be completely quiet.”
"This isn't a question for the wizards, but I'd like to know more about those who are trying to stop the investigation," Dirk said. "When you told us about it yesterday, it sounded like some were just arguing that our work is unnecessary. This feels like more than that."
”Adela von Sudenburg.” She said simply, to the magister, and then added with more than a hint of derision ”There is always more to it when politics is involved.” She said ‘politics’ as if though the word had a bitter taste.
Yesterday
"Meister Glintloque, that is a fine offer though not for me tonight. Also, that is a rational policy on fare, if often frowned upon at higher-end tables."
*******
Ubaldo sends a servant to acquire a fine lamp and oil.
*******
Today
Ubaldo arrives at the palace and takes his place being led to the Blue Room.
He looks upon his surroundings with approval, though he adds to the other's notes:
"I too would know more of this opposition, for reasons prior discussed."
After that is resolved, Ubaldo turns to the mages:
"Greetings, Professors. I am Ubaldo Hartig, Magistrate of Nuln, servant of House Becker. We would know more about whom or what threatens harm to this city."
Hanna bows her head in respect to the three assembled mages, "It is an honor to meet you, esteemed Magi."
She also add her approval of hearing more about the forces opposing action in the sewers.
Then she takes a place next to the elderly mages, "If you don't mind my inquiry, you have divined some of the nature of the threat beneath Nuln...could you elaborate?"
dice=Lore(Magick)]1d100
Hanna bows her head in respect to the three assembled mages, "It is an honor to meet you, esteemed Magi."
She also add her approval of hearing more about the forces opposing action in the sewers.
Then she takes a place next to the elderly mages, "If you don't mind my inquiry, you have divined some of the nature of the threat beneath Nuln...could you elaborate?"
Professor Traub appears to be the spokesperson for the group. "The honor is ours, Professor Achenbach. We have heard much of your accomplishments and your recent appointment to the College of Magick in Altdorf. Kehlmann actually foresaw your coming to Nuln, actually said he say the coming of a bright light that would be dimmed but that was obviously in reference to you. Some of our other divinations now become clear too. We saw a wolf being swarmed by rats and a coach run off the road with a broken spoke and a law book with all words crossed out and a smithy with a broken hammer. In all frankness the omens are not completely positive."
Traub looks at the his colleagues and they gesture for him to continue, "now that you are all here, we hope to be able to look deeper for the source of the threat. If no more questions, we should begin. Please take positions in a circle around the three of us and we will form an inner circle around the table. Watch the crystal, it will reveal flashes of insight. Make note of everything you see as you may not see the same as others. Once the ceremony is finished we will compile a list of what was seen and interpret as we can."
Assuming your positions as instructed you stand quietly waiting for the visions to begin. The blue glow from the perfect crystal globe slowly fades away and a picture forms within. Each of you see yourselves inside a sewer alone, holding a guttering candle with the flame about to go out. A horrid feeling of dread seeps into you but then four more candles are joining yours. Your spirit soars, the flames strengthen, the light begins to prevail and push against the darkness. You see shadows form on the walls around you: a rat, a man and a demon all take shape.
The shadow of the rat turns and attacks the man and the shadow of the man attacks the demon. Slowly the demon's shadow swells, overwhelming that of the rat and the man until only it's shadow remains. The shadow turns it's face to you and you feel demonic eyes gazing on you, actually looking back at you through the globe. The globe no longer glows with a white light, it is overwhelmed by the shadow and then the shadow is reaching out of the globe towards you. With a huge explosion of ruptured glass the globe shatters and the shadow is upon you.
You realize that the vision and reality have become one and the globe really is shattered and shadow is loose in the room. The shadow swirls around the seers before abruptly entering the body of Professor Traub. You sense Traub is fighting the invasion...then his glowing blue eyes turn black as a pit. Traub's body changes as you watch in stunned silence, his features distorting, his muscles swelling, his arms and legs lengthening and talons forming on his hands and feet...in just a few seconds he has doubled in size and his skin has torn away. With stunningly fast motions the taloned hands scythe out and rip out the throats of Kehlmann and Holthusen. The creature looks at you and sneers, "the master sends his regards," before it leaps at it you in attack...
COMBAT
Roll for 1d10 and add to Initiative
Stunned by the speed with which the demon both emerged from the crystal and possessed the body of Professor Traub, Hannah is quick to react, drawing up on Hysh, her hands glowing brightly with the Wind of Light! A bright column of light strikes from her hands towards the demon...
She then sensibly moves so that Adela is between herself and the demon...
Ubaldo is shocked by how swiftly the demon seizes the flesh of Professor Traub and slays the other magisters.
He is almost as surprised at how swiftly his fine sword is in his hand and his legs are bringing him towards the fell thing, a wordless cry on his lips.
He reaches - and swings!
:
Adela reached for her axe, but she was slower than the demon, and apparently her companions. This was why nobody should trust magic, she thought to herself, as she locked eyes with the possessed magister.
The words were already on her lips. This was the demonic, and thus the best Defense was faith. And the best defense was always a good offense. She knew just the prayer to bring Ulric’s eyes down upon her axe...
Combat Round 1
Order
Hanna and Ubaldo
Demon
Adela and Jarvey and Dirk
Hanna uses the words the Elves had taught mankind in Ages past to bend the source of all magical power, the Aethyr, to her will.
Her bolt of light strikes the demon in the torso...or does it?
For an inexplicable reason the bolt fades away to nothingness just as it reaches the demon.
Hanna gains Advantage +1
Even as Hanna's attack fades away, Ubaldo is rushing to attack with his trusty sword and he charges the demon before it can gather itself to continue its attacks. Ubaldo has Advantage +1 for charging.
A flaming sword appears in the demon's hand as it attempts to block Ubaldo's swing and fails so...
...so that the sword slices into the demonic flesh...or does it?
Ubaldo is dismayed to find his sword repulsed by something before it reaches the demon's body.
Ubaldo gains Advantage +1 (total +2)
"Puny meat bags, you have no power against me. Look at me and despair! I shall eat your souls and regurgitate them at the Master's feet to become his play toys!"
"And now you die, little human wizard"
The demon's flaming sword slices the air as it attempts to detach Hannah's soul from her body
Success with SL of +1
Seeing the demon's assault on Hannah, Dirk readies his warhammer and moves to intercede.
Knowing something of Daemons, Hanna isn't too surprised by her bolt of Light not affecting the creature. She also isn't too surprised by it's boastful talk.
However, the daemon's quick sword strike at her precludes any more musing by the Wizard as she rolls to the ground to avoid the flaming sword...
Knowing something of Daemons, Hanna isn't too surprised by her bolt of Light not affecting the creature. She also isn't too surprised by it's boastful talk.
However, the daemon's quick sword strike at her precludes any more musing by the Wizard as she rolls to the ground to avoid the flaming sword...
[dice=Dodge:68]1d100
[dice=Dodge:68]1d100
Hanna's roll of 2 is an automatic success with a total SL of +6 for the dodge and +1 from Advantage.
Demon Attack Roll was 48 (Skill is 55) which is also a success but Hanna wins the opposed test SL +7 vs SL +1 so Hanna easily and gracefully dodges the fiery sword. The sword hit the marble floor hard enough to crack the marble and it also scorched it pretty badly. Hannah now has Advantage +2
Knowing something of Daemons, Hanna isn't too surprised by her bolt of Light not affecting the creature. She also isn't too surprised by it's boastful talk.
However, the daemon's quick sword strike at her precludes any more musing by the Wizard as she rolls to the ground to avoid the flaming sword...
[dice=Dodge:68]1d100
[dice=Dodge:68]1d100
If I understand the question correctly you should have had SL +7 (6 for the roll and 1 for the perfect diction).
Seeing the demon's assault on Hannah, Dirk readies his warhammer and moves to intercede.
dice=Melee (Basic) 63]1d100
The demon sees the big man charge him spinning his war-hammer like it weighs nothing. This one looks challenging, the master will enjoy playing with it.
The demon does himself well and get his blade up to parry the war-hammer but unfortunately the demon has just discovered how strong a smithy can be.
SL Difference is +8 for the roll (counting the gang-up bonus) and +1 for charging for SL +9 total...the demon has a SL +3 so that's 6 wounds of damage just for success level
Total Damage is SB+6 + Weapon+4 + SL+6 - TB3 = 13 Wounds inflicted
Dirk slams his hammer with all of his considerable might into the body of the demon...or does he?
This time whatever was protecting the demon was overwhelmed and did it no good. The demon is lifted off its feet and flies backwards to crash against the table.
Dirk has Advantage +2 now
Total damage 13 wounds
Adela’s axe now radiated the cold fury of Ulric...but she wondered if she would even get to use it. The demon seemed as if though it would fall in mere seconds as the group ganged up on it. It was almost disappointing. Almost. This was a demon in the heart of Nuln. The sooner it was destroyed the better.
As the demon is slammed backward Jarvey admires it flailing arc with a hard grin.
Big lad hits hard. Remember to let 'im win at dice...
The halfling draws his 4-Barrelled Repeater Pistol drawn and in one fluid motion -levels and fires at the fell creature!
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