S2E2: Enemy Within - Carriage Ambush enroute to Altdorf

Lead-In: They were on foot, considering the coach was wrecked and Jan dead. At least Katja claimed his wallet full of vouchers. They wondered if the ‘Coach & Horses Inn’ was one of the planned stops that would accept the voucher. They were still a day and a half out of Weissbruck where they were to meet Joseph at his barge.

Henryk (Bill) noble Guard/Sentry…the Gambler

Brandiwyn (Tony) Riverman with trained feral cat - absent

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

Coach & Horses Inn: Songs and laughter boiled from the inn along with some loud, colorful jokes. “Your mudder is so ugly…wait. That’s my mudder. HA! Ha, ha!” Henryk walked towards the carriage house while the others entered the inn. No stable-hand to tell him who drove the coach that almost ran them down. Only the sight of a freshly painted coach labeled as belonging to the Racket-Line-Livery company. An independent line as opposed to Jan’s coach line. Henryk entered the inn where he found his friends gathered among the patrons.

Two coachmen sat alone with empty mugs lined before them. They were the source of the caterwauling and jokes. Gary was engaged in a game-of-cards with a Bretonnian at the end of the bar. Katja sat silent at the bar eyeing a noble woman sitting in the far corner with a guard and handmaiden beside her. Sister Agnes was at the bar ordering her tea while trying to get a room from the heavy-set bartender/owner. “Sorry sister, but that Lady in the corner rented all the rooms for herself. Only thing left is the common room. 3 silver you say? Well, I could offer you MY room.”

Gary was wise enough to realize the card-shark was playing him. Gary won the first 2 hands too easily. A pair of 3s won? When Gary stopped after his 3^rd round loss, the card-shark quickly lost interest and tried to find another mark. “You, pretty ladies. Care for a game of chance? A simple game of ‘Scarlet Empress’. Why sister, you could win for the orphans.” The bartender intervened, “You’ll have to excuse the Bretonnian, sister. Mr. Phillip Descartes doesn’t know his place here in the Reikland.” Phillip faked injury to his heart then laughed before he turned toward Henryk at the singing table.

Meanwhile, the coachmen Gunter and Halyt welcomed Henryk to their table as they ordered, “Two mugs apiece…for us.” Leaving Henryk to order his own. “The last coach? Why that was Johan driving the Four-Seasons-Line coach. Running late for Altdorf. We tried to warn him…no one drives this late at night.” Henryk told them about their own wrecked coach, “Finder’s fee for me. Salvageable for you. Only 5 miles south.” But they too were traveling north, “Lady Isolde over there returns to her home in Altdorf.”

Henryk had a good beer-buzz going when Phillip approached with his cards. Henryk was slow to recognize the gambler’s slick hands as Henryk’s easy first winnings soon vanished along with his own coins. Phillip retired to his room as the others approached a young man in the corner peering into a book. Agnes read the title of his book, “Anatomy? Are you a student? Ah, studying for your exams for Physical College in Altdorf.” Obviously focused and displeased with the interruption, the student picked up his book and glass of goat-milk and retired to his room.

Gary led the group over to the corner table where the finely dressed lady sat. But when he tried to strike up conversation, she’d have none of it as she instructed her attendant, “Hilda, tell these rift-raft to leave us alone. Begone with their low-life stench.”

Agnes approached Gunter seeking passage, “Do you have room on your coach for us? Here is a voucher from Lady Nacht in Ubersreik.” But Gunter drunkenly but politely declined (after a voluminous belch), “Sorry sister but that voucher is only good for the Four-Seasons-Line coaches. The Lady has the inside reserved. It’ll cost you 4 silver each to ride on top.” Much discussion with a drunk as Agnes’ Orphans described the wolf-riding goblin attack that wrecked the last coach. “You could use additional protection. And we’d only charge 2 silver each. Tell you what. We’ll call it even trade.” Agnes steadied Gunter’s hand as he booked them in his ledger.

Morning: Eggs and bacon had already been served, yet Lady Isolde sat impatient, “Where are those fool drivers?!” Almost 9am, when a loud snort and snoring betrayed the coachmen still asleep in the common room. Hungover. Agnes grabbed some extra breakfast as the others drug the coachmen down the steps. Henryk atop the coach pulling them up as the others prodded their rumps upwards, till they were seated. Only then did Lady Isolde’s entourage climb into the coach. First the lady, then her guard and servant, then Phillip, then the student Ernst Hidelman.

Past 10am, ready to roll, when Halyt scrambled off the coach and headed to the outhouse. Phillip took bets whether he’d make it in time. More delay as they had to help Halyt back aboard. Where he quickly fell asleep, just like Gunter. Henryk took the reins, “Can’t be that hard. I’m sure the horses know the way. Gunter said they’d been making this trip near 20 years now.” Agnes pulled a tarp over those atop the coach as a light sprinkle began.

It was hours before Gunter woke and took the reins, looking puzzled at Henryk who reminded, “Don’t you remember hiring us?! 2 silver each to assist and guard.” Gunter only winced in pain, “OK, OK. Just stop talking so loud.” Another hour, when the snoring Halyt was thrown over the foot-board and onto a harnessed horse as Gunter pulled hard on the reins, “WOO. Woo I say.” A form squatted in the middle of the road. “Damn drunk! Get off the road before I…” Gunter stifled his words when he saw the form turn toward him, with a bone in its mouth. The bone plucked from the body that lay before it. “GHOUL!”

Gary pulled his blunderbuss from under the tarp and took aim, but was interrupted by Agnes, “Wait! Stop. That’s Rolf! My dear friend Rolf. No, no, it can’t be!” Katja questioned, “I thought he was sick and transported to Altdorf to be cured.” Too much delay and distraction. Rolf stood and charged. The horses reared in fright, then broke free of their harnesses and ran into the woods. A now sober Halyt hung on for dear life as he was whisked away.

Frightened, Katja hopped off the coach and backed away. Gary steadied his aim from on high and blasted the beast. [critical] Small holes where the multiple pellets went in…shredded back where they exited. The creature dropped, lifeless. Agnes rushed to the form. She ignored the rotting stench and strips of flesh that hung loose. Realization kicked him, “He wasn’t just sick last I saw him. He was transforming. A mutant turning to ghoul. How could I have been so blind?!” Gunter now could see the other body on the road, “That is Johan. The coachman who almost ran you over. I told him night-riding was a bad idea. Is that a crossbow bolt sticking out of his neck?”

Katja assisted Agnes starting a fire to burn the bodies, when another bestial cry echoed from up the road, around a curve. “Johan’s coach! There must be more of them attacking the passengers.” But that is when crashing sounds came from the side forest. “The crossbow man or more ghouls!” They readied their aim at the horseback form that emerged. “Halyt! We thought you a goner.” More screams sounded from the road ahead. “Gunter! Hitch the horse and let’s check it out.” But the coachman resisted, “My duty is to protect Lady Isolde. She’s the daughter of the noble house of Von Strudeldorf. You’re the hired guards. YOU go deal with it.” Phillip exited the coach to join them.

They found the other coach around the corner. Overturned. Its horses struggling to get free. In panic from the cloven beasts that feasted on a lifeless body obviously thrown forward of the wreck. Katja’s arrow dropped one of the deformed beasts with a small head. Agnes’ prayer weakened others. Gary blasted another while Henryk sank an arrow into an already prone and wounded beast. And that’s when a crossbow bolt zipped from the tree line, just missing Katja.

The attacker dropped his crossbow and charged with his blade, hitting Katja. Phillip’s pistol resounded with a miss. The blast startled Gary and Katja causing them to swing wide with their blades. The attacker had the upper-hand till Agnes’ prayer shamed him into running. Dropped with an arrow in his back. Henryk rushed to finish him off, turning him on his back. “What the frack?! It’s Gary! You have a twin brother?!” Henryk searched his body finding official papers along with his coin purse. “Sister Agnes, what do these papers say? Who is this man?” Gary stood over the body, “Yes. Who is he?”

Agnes read the first letter with the seal of Boganhafen, “Just an official announcement of the Schaffenfest. Commences on Mitterfrubl Day. Lasts 3 days during daylight hours. And includes a joust. Livestock market and a traveling fair.”

Another paper included signatures, “Affidavit. Witnesses attesting to him actually being someone named Lieberung.”

She unfolded another paper that had a broken wax seal, “Now this is more interesting. From lawyers in Boganhafen. The deceased is/was Herr Kastor Alopsius Lieberung. Long lost heir and only living relative of Baronet Lieberung of Ubersreik. Sole beneficiary of the title, manor, and estate worth twenty thousand gold crown. Gary, you sure you’re not his brother?”

Henryk was undressing the body, “Gary, those guys at the other inn must have thought YOU this Lieberung. Put these cloths on and see if they fit.” But Gary was already pulling noble clothing from the man’s trunk strapped to the coach. “Whadda ya think? I’m gonna be rich!”

Henryk stared at the naked body, “Uh, Gary. How do you feel about hand-print tattoos? It might be helpful to get this one inked on your chest to help prove your identity as Lieberung.”

And that’s when the sound of horses approaching from the north interrupted their plans. “Quick. Hide the body.” 4 Road-Wardens arrived and took note of the finely dressed noble, “My lord, are you alright? Ghouls?! Foul beasts. If you’d have your help clear the coach from the road, we’ll burn the beasts.” Gary smiled as he ordered his allies, “You heard the man, get this coach off the road.” Henryk sneered as he [Animal Care 04] hitched the horses to aid in pulling the wrecked coach off the road.

Katja mentioned the other coach around the bend. Warden Balwin rode to check up on them. Gary panicked thinking Lady Isolde and the others might betray him. Till he realized “Gary” was a nobody to the noble. Even her people looked down on Gary and the others. Maybe Gary, aka Lieberung, could pull this off. Phillip spoke up, “Yes, sir. I think we will be rich. I’ll be sure to look you up…for my cut.”

Fortunately, the wardens rode south to the other wrecked coach where Jan died. Gunter scratched his chin as he helped the new noble into the coach, “I’m sure the lady won’t mind. Have I seen you before?” Before climbing atop the coach, the others peered in, “Lady Isolde. It would be kind of you to write a chit for us to be paid upon your safe delivery to your father in Altdorf. Lord Von Strudeldorf we hear.”

Seven-Spokes Inn: Beer, brats, and bedding all paid with the voucher. And a 4-Season coach that would give them passage per the voucher. Gary tipped his hat as Lady Isolde rode away in her coach. “I could get used to this life.” Agnes agreed, “Yes, to know you will donate mightily to the church is comforting.” Gary found time to go thru the other trunk of Lieberung. “Robes, dagger, traveling gear. Odd hodge-podge assortment. As if he packed in a hurry. I need to find out more about this man before I try to pull off the switch.” Katja suggested, “Let’s ride to Wiessbruck and Joseph’s barge. More time to think and plan and slip into the city.”

Black-Coach Inn: As promised, Joseph waited for them to arrive. “Just in time for another round. Wolmar, Gilda. These are the new crewmembers I mentioned. They are with my friend Brandiwyn. We’ll need their backs to sail upriver against the current.” Drinks flowed throughout the night. Joseph tossed another gold to Katja to climb onto the stage to entertain. Gary, in his sentry clothing, told his fish story, “We were sailing the River Verfelfluss, when I killed a 10-foot-long pike. I would have had it stuffed and mounted but decided to stuff ourselves instead.”

Meanwhile, Agnes sat at the bar listening to gossip. Katja too heard gossip from the stage. “Don’t buy horses at the Schaffenfest. I hear they have blisters on their backs.” “Too many wizards about. Why, my cousin stared at one and her hair suddenly turned black.”

Meanwhile, Joseph repeated his plans to Brandiwyn, “Supply and Demand. I plan to load up on wine from Altdorf and sell it at the Schaffenfest. I’ll make a killing.” But Brandiwyn questioned, “I hear tell beer will sell cheapest at the festival. Are you sure there is a demand for wine? You say 2 days sailing north and 3 locks to pass. At 10 silver per lock. 2 gold plus 2 silvers just to dock in Altdorf. 2 days to purchase and load the wine. Are you sure you’ll make money out of this venture?” “Trust me. I know what I’m doing.” It was midnight when Joseph staggered to the docks and boarded his barge for sleep.

Altdorf/Boatsman Inn: No sooner did they tie up the barge at the dock, then they were off. Joseph yelling, “Remember! One week. I sail in a week.” Gary grew up in the city. He knew his way around. And soon had the group standing before the gates to the Von Strudeldorf estate. “Please show your master this letter from his daughter. We saved her along the road.” They were left at the gate. Long minutes. Half hour almost. Till the servant returned and placed 6 gold coins in Gary’s hand. “Thank you. Now be gone.” Just like that. No invite in. No pat on their backs. No cigars. As Gary turned to leave, “I wonder if Lord Von Strudeldorf would treat Lieberung the same. We’ll see.”

As they walked toward the College of Magic, the streets became clogged with the throng of people. Loud trumpeting heralded someone’s arrival. They were all pushed back. “Make way for the emperor!” Indeed, a procession lead by the emperor dressed in full armor riding an ebony warhorse. Ranks of Knights marched behind him. Cheering from the crowd seemed…forced. “This is the 4^th time in a week. He’s interrupting commerce.”

Entry into the college was also difficult. “But Lady Nacht of Ubersreik thought you should know about the rogue wizards.” They waited. And waited. Till some magistrate finally agreed to see them. “Now what is this about rogue blue wizards? Sybille and Carolus? Yes, we have them registered. A glass-blown instrument of death? What evidence do you have?” Gary pulled the amulet from his neck, “Sybille said this would protect me from Carolus’ magic.” The magistrate laughed, “Cheap bauble from a toy store. But if you insist. We’ll investigate. Need statements. In triplicate. They have a right to trial. To stand before their accusers. If you’ll wait here. We need to investigate… whether we need to investigate. Sister Agnes, if you’ll fill out the forms as you wait.”

5 hours was a long till to sit on the wooden bench. Agnes was the first to notice… a girls’ thing. “Katja, when did you color your hair jet black?”

Next Session: https://rigglewwh.blogspot.com/2021/08/s2e3-enemy-within.html