Seeing that there was noting more for him to see, Hans yawned, suddenly aware of how tired he was. Plus he had a meeting coming up!
"Well, was a pleasure gents." He said. "Going back to bed. If you need anything, know that I'm sleeping." With a smile he added "Hope to see you all again. Well, except for the thief."
I'll head back with you... I want to see if this key will work on your room, and it's right that you be there for that.
Hans nodded as he turned to walk back.
Hans & Axel go upstairs to try the key on Hans's door and find that it doesn't work, possibly to the relief of the merchantman. Hans's key does work on his own door. It is quite dark in the hallway.
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Maria gets back in her room, and searches it methodically, mumbling for herself
Maybe if nothing was stolen, something was added?
Magda searches through her room and the scattered shipping logs, but doesn't find anything added.
Very well Innkeeper, you might have to choose your staff more carefully but... it is clear this still belongs to you, he says handing back the key reluctantly.
Just like we have attributed no malice to you, I hope that if this every comes out, that you in turn establish no guilt towards us.
Very well Innkeeper, you might have to choose your staff more carefully but... it is clear this still belongs to you, he says handing back the key reluctantly.
Just like we have attributed no malice to you, I hope that if this every comes out, that you in turn establish no guilt towards us.
Ludger works out a schedule with Magda and Axel to make sure one of them is awake at all times during the evening.
Hans, back in his room, used a chair to force the door to stay closed from the inside. He no longer trusted the lock. Once satisfied he collapsed into bed and returned to sleep.
Whats docks justice for this Ludger? Let's handle this appropriately but low key,
After you've had some time to refresh yourselves, a messenger is sent to bring you to meet with Lutz Fischbein, as was planned the day before. You are surprised to see Hans being led along with you to the estate behind the Carved Crown. Albwin takes you swiftly through the common space and entry hall into the same sitting room you met in earlier. He motions for Hans to wait in the entry hall. White sheets have been draped over the seating in the sitting room but it is otherwise set up similarly to your last visit.
Marven is not present this time, but Lutz is there as well as the same raven-haired young woman that was present during your last meeting.
Lutz greets you warmly and asks how your expedition to Ubersreik went. "I trust that your journey was successful? Did you get the papers?"
After you've had some time to refresh yourself, a messenger is sent to bring you to meet with Lutz Fischbein. You are surprised to see Axel, Ludger & Magda led in alongside you, but Albwin, the butler, motions for you to wait in the entry hall. You note that he does not introduce himself to the others, so they must have been here before.
Eventually, the others return from further inside the house and Albwin motions for you to follow him. He leads you into a finely provided sitting room. White sheets have been draped over the seating in the room.
A young man with blonde hair sits in one of the chairs and stands to shake your hand and greet Hans as he enters. A young woman with dark black hair sits in a chair further into the room, reading a book. The butler speaks first, "May I introduce you to Lutz Fischbein. Master Fischbein, this is Hans Schäfer."
Albwin dismisses himself as Lutz gestures for you to take a seat. Aside from the white sheets covering the seating, there are wooden chairs and cushioned couches and small sofas to choose from, as the room was obviously set up for a larger gathering than this.
Magda makes sure the would be thief won't be too rough up, if the boys need to assert some retaliation after the events of the night, and she is adamant the man won't be killed or maimed.
Of course she doesn't partake in the beating, and even takes care of the thief bruises after.
Before they go to the meeting with Lutz, she suggests they should think about what they will say about the papers and what they will keep silent.
What about the shipping logs, for instance?
Just in case people have forgotten, getting the shipping logs for Lutz was the point of the expedition. If Magda is suggesting you hold those back and you did so, it would equate to a mission failure in Lutz's eyes.
That would put the salvage project at a standstill. It wouldn't necessarily end your share in the salvage if the priject was resumed later, but he wouldn't have much reason to work with you right now.
There is always the possibility of trying to salvage the ship yourselves, but I think the group decided not to try that path earlier.
Lets just stick to not making powerful enemies. They hired us to do a job... let's be honest. I'm not a good liar and if they are good at spotting liars it could get ugly.
"Scram pipsqueak before I twist your head around so your looking behind you all the time!" Ludger says in a menacing voice and after seeing the man leave, crawls back into his bed.
Lutz seems saddened when you tell him of Timon's fate. "We had our differences, but no one deserves to die like that. May his soul find its way to the Gardens of Morr."
That done, he rings a small bell to summon Albwin. The butler enters the room holding a small tray with three small pouches on it. "You are partners in this venture, not employees. But you have accomplished a task to bring us closer to our common goal. The Greater Reik Trading Company thanks you," Lutz says as Albwin distributes one pouch to each person. You can tell they are full of coins.
That done, Lutz claps his hands and leans forward. "It will take us some time to prepare an expedition to the Earl of Harwich. We need to study the papers & bring together the manpower to salvage a ship of that size. In the meantime, I've learned of an opportunity for work that you might be interested in pursuing. An associate of mine--not with the Company--named Johanna Stiegler has formed a partnership to build a mill along the Grausee. Her partner is Rutger Reuter, and he is here in Grunberg looking for laborers to work at the camp & guard the supplies he is purchasing. I hear he is paying well."
"If you are interested in this opportunity, I can help make introductions."
Ludger happily takes his pay and after hearing out Lutz he whispers to his friends, "sounds like an easy job and a chance to earn some more bob...I'm going to do it...are the two of you in?"
Turning back to Lutz, Ludger says "the mill job sounds good to me Guv...appreciate any introductions you can make."
We work well together, I'm in
I'm in too. Someone must bandage your wounds and keep a watchful eye on what you eat, after all.
Hans sat patiently while the group he had met last night went in first. All things told, he was glad that this was the case. He did not know what business they had, but he had helped them. That could only mean good things for himself. And Ranald knew that he was due for some good fortune! After everything that had gone wrong, certainly his luck would turn around?
After Albwin introduced Hans and dismissed himself, Hans took a seat. Flopping down onto a small sofa, he idly (or nervously, if he was bieng honest) wondered how long it would be, and whether this was going to be the last bit of comfort that he would experience for some time.
Lutz decides to break the moment first, "I've been informed somewhat of your situation, Hans Schafer. Much of what I hear is not complimentary. Were we in normal circumstances that would be well enough, but the Company has assigned me to look after you. As such, I should hear your side of the story. If you would be so kind, there is no need to use flowery language or make excuses. An account of the decisions you made leading to your imprisonment and why you made them will suffice."
After listening to your answer, Lutz nods. "Well enough. I believe in second chances—I've needed them myself in the past." His statement draws a scoff from the young woman, but he continues on without interruption. "An associate of mine named Johanna Stiegler—not with the Company—has entered a venture to build a mill along the Grausee. Her partner in this endeavor is a man named Rutger Reuter, and he is currently hiring for laborers that will also guard his supplies on the journey northward."
"This is an opportunity for you, Hans, if you wish to take it. Hire on with Rutger's crew and help establish this mill they are building. Of course, you would have little opportunity to prove your skills as a merchant if we simply had you haul boards about. I know something about Johanna's partner, and we shall say he is...inexperienced. Help Johanna's expedition succeed or if it cannot be made profitable, see that the project ends before it bleeds too much money. They will regard you as just an extra hand, so I think this will be a challenge worthy of proving yourself."
"Some in the guild say I should cut you off entirely. Sending you off to the Grausee to do hard work will make it seem so. I'll delay the paperwork to remove your name from our rolls while you are away. If you return successful, I'm sure we can get you back on your feet somehow."
Hans sighed. It was the sigh of a man who didn't have anything to lose. "Times...have been hard. I take full responsibility, for I was a poor judge of character. I met a halfling that I thought was on the up-and-up. He paid me a fair wage to bring a package for him when I was bringing goods to town. Said it was for his mum." He chuckled and leaned back as he continued, lost in the tale. "It seemed like an easy enough way to make a few extra coins, for it was a small package and I was going anyways. You can imagine my surprise when it turned out to contain Spit and Ranald's Delight. As it turned out, the cooking supplies for his mother were far more exotic than I had expected." He smiled ruefully. Truth be told, he knew exactly what was in the package. But that was a detail which wasn't really important to share. "As you know, all of the goods were impounded and a lien was placed on them by the Stevedore's Guild when I couldn't pay the dock fees. The fees just began rolling up...true evidence of an official being offended. I was thrown in prison while my story was verified. Due to my obvious innocence I was released, but I was let out empty handed. The heavy weight of bureaucracy cares little for that. A hard earned lesson on the dangers of a friendly smile." It seemed better to admit to the sin of naivety than to smuggling. Both were terrible ones when it came to being a merchant, but at least he'd be more likely to keep his head with the former than the latter. He knew all too well that he had to take responsibility. It was just a matter of for what.
With his story told, he listened to Lutz in silence. His respect grew, for Lutz was setting him up for a difficult task that might well require being underhanded. But he was doing it in a way that couldn't be tied to him unless it succeeded. And should he fail? Then the paperwork was all ready to cut him out.
"It would appear that we have a deal." He said, for this was not a negotiation. No, he had failed far too spectacularly for that. Part of him wanted to negotiate a price, but that ran the risk of Lutz saying no to the entire venture. Lutz could walk, and he could not. The best that he could hope for was to find profit where he could. And worst come to worst? To simply cut his losses and leave for a different corner of the Empire, should it all become unbearable. The nice thing about being at the bottom was that there was nowhere to go but up.
After meeting with Lutz, you find your way to the warehouse on the docks of Grunberg that you were told you could find Rutger Reuter. He's a young man, a merchant's son by appearances, and exudes an air of inexperience. A number of Stringany roam about the warehouse, seeing to preparations.
Rutger takes notice as you enter, "Oh good! Are you here to hire on? I put that sign out on the front door, but no one has been coming in." Rutger looks genuinely confused, but otherwise happy to see you.
We were told because no one was applying that you were offering better money now, he says hopefully.
... wow... lol
Maybe its because few people know how to read, and those who do can hope for better paid jobs?? You would have a better chance by hiring a public crier?
Somehow Axel's pitch for more money comes off as incredibly crass, even to himself. Rutger seems offended by him for a moment until Magda's suggestion distracts him.
"Oh! That does make sense. I hadn't thought of that." He looks around at the people gathered nearby. "I think we should be good with who we have on hand, though. Something to remember for next time!"
Somehow Axel's pitch for more money comes off as incredibly crass, even to himself. Rutger seems offended by him for a moment until Magda's suggestion distracts him.
"Oh! That does make sense. I hadn't thought of that." He looks around at the people gathered nearby. "I think we should be good with who we have on hand, though. Something to remember for next time!"
"Our group can help you out. The Halfling is a wonderful doktor. Axel, despite uh, being a bit rough around the edges Axel is clever and quick, and I am Ludger Braunlich. You've probably heard the stories about me, slaying greenskins and zombies, fighting crocs single-handidly, an expert on the river, etc., etc." Ludger looks at Rutger hopefully to see if he recognizes Ludger's name.
"So, what's the job pay? Now, don't be stingy considering the skills we bring to the table, eh..."
Ludger will attempt to Haggle to see if they can get more money for the work.
Shopping
Ludger will hunt for a hand weapon and finds what seems like a decent sword.
"Not to worry. You shall be well compensated. We'll get you sorted out at the camp," Rutger states.
*
With the negotiations concluded (more or less), you help load up the barge he has arranged for, the Trandafir with supplies including food, fresh water, lumber & bricks. Space on the barge is limited, and the piles end up much more rickety than you would like. Rutger has appointed one of the Strigany as the barge master and he seems displeased by the state of the cargo and orders it all tied down. It might not fall over on you.
Before the group sets sail, Rutger gets up on a barrel to give a speech. "Thank you all for coming! I'm delighted to have you all aboard. At our campsite, we have much work to do. There are certain things I would rather well-muscled and disciplined folk such as yourselves oversee. I'm not expecting any trouble, but if you could keep your eyes open and help muck-in should anything come up then I'll make sure you are well rewarded for any work you do."
The Strigany are wandering folk of the Old World and are known for their dark superstitions. They seem like capable folk as they labor, their hooped earrings clinking in their long, dark hair as they chatter amiably, speaking Reikspiel with a heavy nasal twang. As you begin to board, you notice that an elderly woman accompanies their group, swathed in a black woollen shawl. As the sailing gets underway, she sits on a stool and rocks to & fro as she mutters to herself.
Hans was glad to me making the trip with people that he more-or-less knew. If this was to be a new start then at least he wasn’t alone. ”Of course. It will be a pleasure.” He said in response.
Making his way to the old woman he found a place to sit down beside her. In a kindly tone he said ”Hail and well met. Are you with the strigany men here? I had a drinking friend, once, who said that he was from old Strigos. I loved his stories, and hope that on this trip I might trade some while sober.” With a friendly smile he continued ”My name is Hans. Hans Schafer. What is yours?”
Axel looks longingly at bows but settles on a sling.
He looks for 2 pouches. One of suitable slinging stones and one of leaden sling bullets...
1/6d
He'd love something more substantial in weapons and armour but damn, money is short and prices are, as usual, high.
He also buys a pack, and a small sack... something he figures he's gonna need.
5/10d
Total 7/4d (12 pennies to shilling)
It leaves him some SMALL reserves for food etc.
Ludger is well pleased with the idea of being paid well so doesn’t push the issue.
Once the cargo is placed, Ludger rests his arms on the gunwales and is content to watch the scenery go by. If asked to help with something on the barge he will but otherwise he loafs during the voyage.
Hans's efforts at conversation with the elderly Strigany are mostly fruitless. She does look at him and smiles slightly, but continues muttering to herself rather than respond.
One of the Strigany comes over to Hans as he 'converses' with the old woman. "You should leave Mother Vadoma be. Just let her pray."
As Rutger goes below decks, another Strigany comes to introduce himself to you. "If any of you lot can help keep the barge in order, I'd appreciate it."
Your sail up the Teufel goes smoothly enough on the first day. Late on the second, you hear a cry coming from one of the Strigany working near the front of the Trandafir. "Ship adrift!"
When you can look for yourselves, you do see a ship quite near to the Trandafir now. No sailors are on its deck. It looks like a riverwarden vessel. The Strigany are conferring amongst themselves. "cursed" is a frequent word in the conversation.
As Rutger goes below decks, another Strigany comes to introduce himself to you. "If any of you lot can help keep the barge in order, I'd appreciate it."
Weeks on the last barge weren't wasted on Axel and he heads on deck to assist. He's far from a seasoned riverman but he's no longer a landlubber. He understands most of the jargon barked at him and can manage the cables and their knotting and unknotting.
As the regular crew mutters about the unmanned river craft, he looks for his allies and for their reaction.
Hans was by no means a skilled sailor, but he had spent a fair amount of time on barges. Moving goods around the Empire necessitated such a skill. So he had enough experience to be of use, aiding the more experienced sailors in their tasks.
When the “ghost-ship” came into view he muttered darkly. It seemed like every venture was cursed in some way. Still, he was alive, at least. Unlike the owners of the other vessel, it seemed.
There might be someone wounded, or needing our assistance, on board. We should check.
Magda tries to rise the crew interest, but has an hard time being noticed or heard
Sounds good, he said standing and shaking the cables.
Avast dock rats, let's pull to and see what mysteries it holds, he says knowing the Captain can beat the s!!~ out of him for this sort of nonsense but backing his friend.
The Strigany look reluctant, but do help pole the Trandafir over toward the patrol boat. As you get closer, you see no one aboard.
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I think I spent too much time reading these last few days.. my vision is usually better..
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Hans boarded the ship. "Come on! The barge itself is worth quite abit. Let's see what else is on board. Finally, fortune is starting to look up. Who would imagine that such a gift would just float by?"