S2E1: Enemy Within - Ubersreik to Bogenhafen

Lead-In: The return from the ‘Tower-of-the-Vain’ was filled with more questions than answers. Who were the blue wizards, Sybille and Carolus? Sybille confessed their intent was against evil and what was assumed a misfire now reasoned success since Tylo WAS a cult leader. Where had Sybille taken the lens-weapon? Who was the glassblower who crafted the thing? Was the witch-hunter in league with the wizards? Just who is ‘Heske Glazer’? Was she the witch-hunter? If so, that would solve one problem.

Henryk (Bill) noble Guard/Sentry…the Gambler

Brandiwyn (Tony) Riverman with trained feral cat

Mallorhan (Brian) wood-elf Messenger - absent

Gary (Matt) Guard/Sentry and blunderbuss owner

Sister Agnes (Duane) noble Nun, worshiper of Shallya

Katja (Geoff) noble Entertainer/Singer

Ubersreik: Lady Nacht sat stoically on her throne as the artist painted her portrait. With an air of political finality, she brushed aside Sister Agnes’ Orphan’s report, “So, Ubersreik wasn’t the intended target. We must have been a testing ground. And they’ve moved on. Then let Altdorf itself deal with the threat. I’ve arranged a carriage for your travel as promised. With vouchers for your stops along the way. You can take the news to the government officials.”

Morning: Days of recovery, healing, and shopping before they gathered before the regal coach. “I am your driver, Jan Van Brugen. I have your vouchers. Please, climb in so we can be on our way.” Gary climbed beside the coachman, laying his blunderbuss across his lap, as the others settled inside on the cushioned benches. “Now I could get used to this!” Hours outside town, riding along the ill-kept road, changed their tune, “These damn cushions only make the ride worse. Hold your ass up off the seat, so you slam harder against the bench with every pothole.”

3^rd day out: Roadway inns gave some respite to their weary travel. Food, drinks, and comfortable beds. Morning rituals included cursed fortune-telling of road conditions ahead. Sweat and stench filled the coach as it rolled along, past miles of trampled lands visited by marching armies. A time back when the Emperor sent an army to dethrone the Jungfreuds in Ubersreik. At least rain knocked down the road dust and smoothed out some of the potholes.

The coach pulled to an unexpected stop short of a river bridge. Soldiers approached, “Papers, please.” Henryk cursed as he expected a shakedown, road tax. That’s what he would have done. But when they looked thru the window and saw Sister Agnes in her white smock, “A servant of Shallya! Just in time. We need a healer. Our surgeon was accidently shot.” Opportunity to stretch their legs, piss, and get life back in their butts as Agnes followed the soldiers to a tent. Where her patient lay. Gut-shot. Days old, evident by the stench of rotting flesh and the discoloration that foretold gangrene.

Agnes did her best, cleaning the wound, and removing almost half of the man’s intestines trying to rid his body of the infection. Prayers, sweat, and toil till she stepped out of the tent, “I can only pray that he will live. Although the poor man won’t have much of a life.” The sergeant thanked her and offered coins for her service, “to Shallya, may she watch over all of us. If you would please…deliver a message to our barracks in Boganhafen. We are in need of supplies and new doctor.”

4^th day: Far to the west, they could make out the outline of the ‘Tower Drachenfels’ rising within the Grey Mountains. Jan suddenly pulled hard on the reins as a lone rider appeared on the road before the coach. With pistols drawn, the road thief slurred, “Hands up! Thrown down your coin and treasure. This is a holdup.” Gary reached for his ‘Bessey’ when 2 shots rang out. [failed ‘Cool’ test] Gary flinched, knowing he was a deadman, the rider’s aim was true. But there was no impact, no blood.

Meanwhile, the rider dropped his pistols and held on for dear life as his horse bucked and bronced to the gunshots. Gary raised ‘Bessey’ just as the man was thrown from his horse which bolted away. The ex-rider motionless; his neck broken. Checking his body, reeking of alcohol, they soon found powder but no bullets for the poor-quality pistols. Jan kicked the body off the road so they could be on their way. They unloaded their baggage at the next town’s inn for their vouchered rest. Drinking at the ‘Enchanted Shadow’ bar, Katja talked about the attempted robbery. Only to learn, “Town drunk. No one sold him bullets. No-one stopped along the road for his idle threats. Till now.”

5^th day: Incessant sprinkling all day long. Such that they were cold-soaked and sought the fireplace within the next stop, the Smith’s Son Inn. Surprisingly busy night of patrons. A table of 5 dwarves. After warming their outside by the fire and inside with warm ale, the group wandered over to the dwarves. Their red-headed leader introduced himself, “Gottri Gurnisson at yer service. So, ya journey to Boganhafen for the Schaffenfest? Then let me introduce ya to our whare as we’ll be selling our home-brew we like to call ‘Bugman’s 6XL’.” Sister Agnes declined while Brandiwyn just ignored the offer. He knew better. He settled into his seat knowing entertainment would soon unfold.

Katja proved to be an angry drunk. Dancing on the tables, she took delight at kicking mugs across the room. Empty or full didn’t matter. Then again, she missed most she kicked at but somehow kept her balance. Henryk wasn’t any better as he became a blubbering drunk, “I love ya man. No, I love YOU.” Brandiwyn’s feral cat showed his return love by scratching the drunk across his face. “I still love you.” Gottri’s chair must have been broken because the dwarf kept falling out of it. In the end, Gary won the drinking contest.

Morning: The drunks had no idea who poured them into their beds. More like tossed then in the general direction. Henryk stumbled down the stairs as he wiped his front, “What ass threw-up on me?!” Brandi pointed out the chunks of wet food still on the sentry’s chin. Katja held her head, “PLEASE stop shouting.” Agnes ignored the hungover fools as she read the flyer she’d pulled from the wall, “It’s a call for adventurers like us. A crown prince no less, residing in Altdorf. Seeks ‘skilled adventurers’ and offers 8 schillings a-day wage. And possible bonus upon completion of the mission.” She omitted the part about “perilous and indefinite period.”

Henryk didn’t complain about riding outside the coach as shotgun. The rain in his face was refreshing and sobering. Inside, Brandiwyn kept an eye on Katja, assisting her head outside the coach whenever she gagged and threatened vomit. “If only we had some of that dwarven beer. ‘The hair of the dog’ my mother always said. Sober ya right up.” They passed thru a tent-city setup outside Boganhafen. “They are already prepping for the Schaffenfest a month away. Looks to be a pretty grand event. Hope we can come back for it.”

Jan stopped the coach before the Journey’s Inn. “We’ll meet in 2 days at the north gate. Need time to tend the horses. Cobble their shoes as needed.” Agnes headed off in search of soldiers, “Take me to your barracks. I have a message for your quartermaster from a patrol near the first bridge south.” The others dug into their coin purses when they learned the voucher was only good for one-night stay. While Agnes stayed at the local temple of Shallya to aid the sick, the others went separate ways. Katja used the opportunity to sleep-off her hangover. Brandi to the waterfront in search of a brothel. A dozen to choose from. “Why limit myself?” Henryk went shopping for a longbow. Gary tried his luck at gambling. His coin-purse lighter at the end of the night.

They had another day to gather gossip. Henryk walked the tent-city to get a feeling what lay in store for the festival in a month’s time. Along the waterfront, Brandi couldn’t help but notice all the boats and barges tied up. Empty decks. No movement of cargo. Grumbling, “Emperor closed the locks for repair. How’s a man to make a living?! Repairs?! A coat of white-wash an excuse to raise tariff and fair. Line the pockets of the already wealthy as we workers scrimp and beg for food.” Another tried to reason, “Improvements to help move forces to quell the rebellion down in Ubersreik.” Still another rumor, “The town elders say they have finally cleansed the sewers. But talk to our chief rat-catcher Gunter. Says worse than ever.”

Day 2 morning: As they gathered at the north gate, Henryk reported his festival sightings, “Many a beer tent advertising the cheapest beer. Livestock market, wrestling rings, jousting, and even a stage for singing contests and an Ompah band. And stockades for the drunkards and troublemakers. I saw some signs and notices nailed to a board. I can show Sister Agnes the way if you want to read them.” But that is when Jan pulled up with the coach, “Thanks for allowing me a few days to visit my family.” Gary burst out, “Wait, it wasn’t about the horses and their shoes?! I lost money at the tables for nothing?” Sister consoled him, “Providence that you helped feed the hungry with the river locks closed. Maybe you’ll be rewarded in a month winning the jousting or wrestling contests. Or maybe another dwarf beer drinking contest.” Katja dry-heaved.

The road angled northeast toward Altdorf another 8 days distant. They passed carts loaded with building supplies bound for the tent-city. “The river may be idle, but the city will be bustling. Merchants must be happy at the prospects of making a killing. Folks miles around will flood to the festival.”

The night inn was surrounded by high walls. Couples sat at the tables within the tavern. Zelda approached with a dirty rag over his arm, “What can I get you? Round for everyone?” Agnes ordered her typical water, “Clean. Boiled please.” Had she not been a nun, surely the barkeep would have spit in the water. Gary couldn’t help but notice patrons at a distant table who seemed to be eye-balling him. Huddled and whispering as they chanced glances his way. He finally approached with his mug and one more as he sat on their table, “Hail friends. Do I know you?” They hesitantly extended greetings as they whispered, “Best we don’t gather in too large a group.” Gary had no clue what they spoke of as they added, “We’re all in this together.” Raising their mugs, “Here’s to a better tomorrow.” And as they rose to leave, “If our paths cross again, it IS a better tomorrow.” Gary was dumbfounded, “What just happened?!”

Morning: They rode on to another town whose tavern included wall paintings of inebriated beasts. Then another morning of heavy rain that would hinder any ranged shot. Premonition. For ahead, in the mist of the heavy rain, they came upon another coach being besieged by warg-riders. Goblins on wolves. The coach driver slumped in his seat with an arrow protruding from his chest. A large man beside him with aimed pistols. “Blam. Blam!” Jan reined the coach to a stop as the group jumped out to lend aid. Brandi blurted out, “That’s my friend Joseph!”

Brandi’s slung stone crushed a goblin skull, knocking him off his wolf. Katja sunk an arrow into another goblin. Outnumbered, the goblins fled the scene. Joseph rejoiced, “Thanks be to Sigmar else we be roasting over their campfire.” Agnes climbed up beside the wounded driver, Wolmar. Care and healing to remove the arrow, cleanse the hole, and stop the bleeding. Brandiwyn puzzled, “Why a coach? What happened to your barge?” Joseph cursed, “The Emperor has the river closed. My barge is stuck in Weissbruck. I’m headed there now, providing bodyguard service to the halflings inside.”

Gary prodded, “Let’s continue this conversation over a round of drinks in the next town. Before those goblins find their courage and return.” 2 hours later, Joseph led them into the Speared-Pike Inn tavern, “Best beer along the river. Be sure to order the Pike-Pie. On me. But first, let me introduce my passengers.” He stepped aside to reveal 2 halflings. “I am Ladie. And this is Fadialia Shortcrust. Why yes, we ARE related to Regia of Ubersreik.” Pleasantries throughout the night. With Joseph tipping Katja 1 gold to sing and dance. And tried to bribe the others, “Join me. Help crew my barge, the Bier-belli, upriver to Altdorf. Once the river opens.”

4 days of riding: They drove side-by-side along the wide dirt road, till they encountered problems. “Potholes and ravens cut the road.” Brandi warned, “Looks recent. Probably a trap.” Gary and Katja quickly volunteered as watch, leaving the others to man the shovels to fill the holes. Slow going, considering Henryk broke a shovel handle [96]. Gary chided the sentry, “Work too hard?! Let me show you how it’s done.” [99] The metal blade broken upon a buried stone. A 30- minute job took hours.

Wolmar cracked the whip and spurred his coach horses onward to beat the setting sun. Joseph sung out, “We’ll see you in Weissbruck.” Henryk took his turn beside Jan who cracked his whip. [failed Perception] Henryk was too busy rubbing his blistered palm to reason why 2 trees on opposite sides of the road suddenly rocked outwards. Ropes tied to their branches lifted a buried log that rose just above the road. At height to break the horses’ legs. The horses tumbled to their deaths. The coach rammed into the bodies and log which shattered the wheels, grinding the coach to a stop. Henryk and Jan were launched 10 yards ahead.

And that’s when the goblins charged. Half on wolves. Jan lay dead with an arrow thru his neck. Henryk lay stunned and assumed dead by the goblins. Till he groggily rose, clutching his bow. An arrow to his thigh triggered his adrenaline, reminding him the threat. He returned fire as he scrambled to seek cover behind the dead horses. Those inside the coach had their ‘bells’ rung as they were suddenly slammed into the interior wall during the abrupt stop. At least the coach provided them cover.

Brandi was the first to lean out a window and fire his pistol. A miss but his exposure earned him an arrow in his shoulder. Goblin arrows pin-cushioned the coach as they tried to target the passengers. Other goblin arrows sunk deep into the dead horses Henryk hid behind. Katja aimed out a window, but her arrow also missed. Gary propped ‘Bessey’ on the windowsill and fired. Goblin and wolf were impacted. Another fled in fear from the blast. Henryk targeted a wolf with his arrows.

Agnes prayed inside the coach, lending aid to her allies. While a wolf bared its teeth and ripped at the coach door, shredding it open. [failed ‘Cool’] Brandi recoiled in panic at the nearness of the drooling teeth. And threw his feral cat at the beast. The cat, scratched and clawed before jumping to safety. The wolf snapping where the cat once was. Gary stepped out swinging his blade and dropped the wolf. Henryk carefully aimed with his pistol, wounding another wolf, before ducking for cover. Agnes spoke her prayers louder, causing fear in another goblin. But 2 other goblins closed on Gary. Katja exited to even his odds.

Gary swung his blade, killing a goblin. And followed thru killing the other. And raised his shield in time to block an arrow that imbedded in the shield. 2 other goblins shot at Henryk, [fumble] but one managed to shoot his own foot. Still, another arrow decorated Henryk’s bicep. While his allies thinned the goblin rank which broke and ran, Henryk slumped between the horses, laboring to breath [2 HP left]. Agnes rushed to his side. Brandi tried to give chase to the lone goblin that got away but lost him in the thick trees.

Too many injuries for the group to walk thru the night to the next town. So, they camped. And rested. And healed.

Morning: They trudged along the road having abandoned the wrecked coach. Hours till they finally entered next town. Still a day and a half out of Weissbruck. They were just about to enter the gated grounds of the ‘Coach & Horses Inn’ when a coach came barreling out thru the open gates. The driver whipping his horses at a frenzied pace. They dove for safety, as the driver obviously saw them but didn’t care. Curses rolled from their tongues as horse-manure (they had dove into) dripped from their clothing. “I hope to the gods Joseph is still here. He can tell us who that son-of-a whore was. Name to a face I swear to kill!”

Next Session: https://rigglewwh.blogspot.com/2021/07/s2e2-enemy-within.html