S3E8: Death on the Reik – Nuln to Kemperbad

Recap: Agnes’ Orphans knew Etelka had traveled north into the Barren Hills above Kemperbad. But they decided to sail on to Nuln to research the ‘inheritance’ plot involving Kastor. And potentially gain knowledge of others they’d encountered. Such as Tuegan and Gideon who had come from Nuln.  Father Marcus of the Temple of Sigmar provided them papers to search Etelka’s home in Nuln.  Where they uncovered a nest of beastmen. Her ‘cabana’ boy long run away. 

Henryk (Bill) noble, Ranger/Witch-Hunter level2

Brandiwyn (Tony) RiverWarden

Mallorhan (Brian) wood-elf Messenger

Gary (Matt) Warrior/Cavalryman

Sister Agnes (Duane) noble, Warrior Priestess of Shallya

Katja (Geoff) noble, Entertainer/Bounty Hunter

Etelka’s House: They stood in the entry hallway with dead beastmen around them. “Best search and make sure the nest is clear.” The door to the right opened unto a library that drew Agnes and Henryk’s attention. The left door revealed a dining room littered with broken pottery, dishes, bent utensils. Brandi managed to find one set of untouched dishes, “Maybe worth 15 gold for our troubles.” Gary insisted, “Keep looking; there has to be more treasure around we can claim.” Katja cautioned, “Just make sure they have no markings to link them to Etelka. Wouldn’t want to be accused of robbery.”

Brandi exited the dining room to inspect the door facing the entry. One of 3 doors along the long crossway. Inside, the stench was overwhelming. Brandi gagged as he held his snot-rag to his nose, “They knocked down the sidewalls to make one large room for their nest. God, at least wild animals know better than to crap next to their bedding. These beasts… just don’t care. Let’s hope they didn’t disturb the upstairs’ rooms.”

Meanwhile, Agnes pulled books from shelves lining the library. She shook each one (checking for loose letters or anything) before tossing each onto her growing pile. Henryk could read her intent, “Don’t be starting any fire. We need the authorities to see this too. Document Etelka’s harboring of beastmen.” Agnes cursed as she released her grip on a vial of oil in her pocket, “Evil must be cleansed. I’ll come back later.” Henryk distracted her with the book he found in the desk, “I think this is her journal. It starts 5 years ago. The last entry was 3 years ago. It’ll take time to read the whole thing. Come on, I think it’s time to get the others, report this to the authorities and go chat with the notary who validated Kastor’s affidavit.”

City Hall: Bureaucracy! The long arm of the law? Each with their hand extended expecting a bribe to expedite their effort… at getting off their arses and actually work. It was exasperating hours. The elf paced nonstop. “Will you sit down!?” Finally, they were ushered into Schwungad’s office who greeted them with his own upright palm, “So, I understand you need a notary stamp.” Sister Agnes filled his palm with the Kastor affidavit, “You signed this form and vouched for the man. We want to know more about him.” The notary put down the chicken-drumstick he’d been gnawing on, wiped his greasy mouth with the back of his hand, and scanned the paper. “I sign hundreds of these things. I can’t remember all. What is so special about this one?”

Gary’s intimidating rant had no effect. Nor did Henryk displaying his torture pear. But his lips loosened when Brandi placed coins on his desk. “Ah, come to think of it, I do remember there was another man representing your absent client. He held a Power-Of-Attorney. Frederick Bloch. You’ll have to check the records department for his address.” Which meant more hours of Mallorhan’s inpatient pacing. At least Gary found some satisfaction as he raked his arm across Schwungad’s desk, dumping the contents upon the floor, “Thank you for your assistance.” At least they found the attorney’s address and even records that showed Johanne Teugen registered as a student at the Nuln University some 7 years ago.

Apartment 227: They entered a middle-class building and climbed the stairs. Mallorhan snorted in disgust as dwarf kids ran thru the halls. Clanging, banging, yelling, the sweet aroma of cooking filled the air. Brandi knocked on the door, “Open up. You won the lottery.” The man reeked of liquor as he held onto the open door for support. He snapped to when he saw Gary, “You’ve been busy. Didn’t expect you back. In fact, what are you doing back here?! Word is, you haven’t delivered the goods.” His eyes rolled with suspicion as he scanned the others. Brandi spoke up, “You’ll have to excuse him. Took a bash on the old nogging and forgot much of his assignment.” Gary tried to reassure the man, “You can trust them. They’re with me. I just need you to set me on the right path again.”

Frederick’s hangover quickly dissipated. The man eyed Henryk suspiciously before continuing his conversation with Kastor (Gary), “You left Nuln after Beatha’s capture and execution by the cult of Sigmar. She knew little more than to divulge your name ‘Magister Impedimentae’. You traveled to Middenheim to meet with other cultists. We lost track of you till the bounty-hunter Herr Kuftsos [episode S2E3] told us how you were to inherit a fortune and needed to go to Bogenhafen to get it. You’re late. I’ve been sending your correspondence to Capt Scharlach, at the Sign of the Crossed Keys in Hoffen Strasse, Middenheim. Why haven’t you written me?” Katja fingered the repeater crossbow at her hip as she remembered the witch-hunter Kuftsos who tried to torch the barge docked in Wiessbruck. She remembered finding the real Kastor along the road to Bogenhafen. Which matched Bloch’s story.

Henryk had heard enough; he raised his blade to kill the man. And was surprised Agnes joined in. The others stunned, “What the hell?! He could have told more.” Henryk wiped his blade, “As he said, the purple-hand members operate independently. They don’t know each other. He told all he knew. I gave him time to confess.” They all paused as they heard Agnes light a match. Only then did they smell the oil she’d sprinkled about the room. “ARE YOU CRAZY?! There are other apartments. Kids. Orphans you’re supposed to protect.” Agnes reasoned, “Shallya will protect them. I just need to cleanse this room.” Thankfully they were able to stomp out the small fire she’d already started.

At least Agnes allowed Henryk to carry the body into the streets where he displayed the man’s purple-hand tattoo upon his chest. Agnes doused the body with oil and ignited it. The citizens cared less. They’d seen such “justice” carried out numerous times around the city. Their only concern…who’d get the now vacant apartment?

Temple of Sigmar: Agnes’ Orphans returned to the dock bar for food and drinks before they retired to the barge for sleep. Meanwhile, Agnes joined Henryk who reported to Father Marcus at the Temple of Sigmar. They told all that had transpired. The beastmen found in Etelka’s home, the confessed cultist they killed. Henryk even remembered Teugen’s letters with the 7-pointed star with ram-head seal of the ‘Ordo Septenarius’. Marcus eyebrows squinched, “Seven. The sign of demonology. You’ve told of Etelka teaching Teugen the spell to consecrate that evil temple in Bogenhafen’s sewers. That is why we burn such forbidden books of evil spells.”

After dinner, Agnes and Henryk settled in a reading room and opened Etelka’s journal. They split it in half to speed up the reading. [Cool/Endurance tests: Henryk failed both] After a few hours, Agnes summarized her half, “Doesn’t say what she was doing in the mines but reveals she’s a cultist of the ‘Red Crown’. She traveled north to find warpstone. The plan is to poison the city water supply throughout the realm to mutate all citizens. She got the idea from Gideon.” It dawned on Henryk, “Maybe Wittgendorf was a test ground. Maybe the witch-Lady Margritte’s dust is ground warpstone that the doctor mixed with his brew. They’ve been poisoning the citizens and thus all the mutations.” Henryk added his own summary, “From my readings, Etelka is a cult member of the ‘Red Crown’ that tries to protect mutants and beastmen from the persecution from the cult of Sigmar.”

It was after 2am when they finally retired to their assigned rooms. Henryk woke to the rhythmic clang of 6am prayer bells. Drowsily he stumbled from his bed. His arms refused to cooperate as he fumbled for the door handle. Luck that a Sigmarite acolyte opened his door from the outside, “Master Henryk, it is time for prayers. I’ve come…SIGMAR PROTECT US!” The acolyte slammed the door shut and ran for help. Leaving the witch-hunter locked in his room.

Agnes sat at the breakfast table pondering Henryk’s absence. Father Marcus arrived with grave news, “I’m afraid the journal you read last night was filled with evil knowledge. Poor Henryk succumbed to the taint of witchery. I can only hope you and his allies remember him as a true warrior of Sigmar, and not the now mutant with 6-foot-long arms! Brothers Martin and Rolf have been assigned the dour duty of his burning.”

Sister Agnes implored, “It was my fault. I showed him a passage I couldn’t decipher. Turns out, Henryk deduced it was a sign from the Tzeentch demon, Gideon. Since he WAS one of my orphans, it is only fitting I should be the one to cleanse his soul. He had always embraced his dooming prophesy of falling from great height. He had envisioned a cliff. Who could have conceived his fall from renown to mutation?” Marcus handed over Henryk’s belongings, “Maybe the others can use his equipment and carry on his cause.”

[associating his ‘Dooming’ with his demise meant his replacement character began with 75% of Henryk’s final total XP]

Morning Departure: As stevedores loaded the armament cargo, Agnes first placed Henryk’s bird-beaked-Henin hat on the prow of the barge cabin before she relayed the sad news of Henryk’s permanent retirement. As Gary pondered ways to honor his ally, Brandi interrupted, “Yeah, yeah. Boo, who. Now who wants his pistols?”

Once father Marcus and brothers Martin and Rolf boarded, the lines were cast off and the ‘LostnFound’ sailed north with the current, with the ‘Maria Borga’ close behind, towing the empty skiff. Once the sails were raised, Father Marcus settled near the railing to watch the land pass by. “How long till we reach Altdorf? I’m to consult with the Grand Theoginist about grave matters concerning the realm. Layout plans to address the emperor’s mutant decree and to stifle this rising blasphemy of a Sigmarian heresy. HE is to argue the point in Middenheim.”

[Sigmarian Heresy: the belief that Sigmar is not a god, but a great hero whose reign was blessed by Ulric.  Clerics of Sigmar are at best dupes or, at worst, active allies of the Daemons who give them their powers.  This doctrine was outlawed as heresy by the Concordat of Nuln, 2304 I.C., ratified by the High Priests of Ulric and Sigmar.  This fanatic faction of Ulricans, some of whom are high-ranking members of the cult, seek to restore the heresy as dogma and resume the persecution of Sigmarites.]

Rega Alriksonn (Bill) dwarf Investigator

Meanwhile, Mallorhan sulked in the crows-nest, “Why the hell did they have to bring that dwarf along?!” So much for being a lookout as the elf’s attention was focused on the dwarf’s conversation below. “You said Etelka bought a mine south of Grissenwald, in the Black Hills. Do you suppose she was mining warpstone there?” Gary explained how they’d never entered the mines, “We turned it over to the original owners and let the dwarfs clear it of goblins and wolves. I guess we should check it out.”

Grissenwald: Even before docking, they could see the shanty town deserted. The dwarfs long gone over the last 4 days. Even though Agnes’ Orphans had reported goblins and not dwarfs were responsible for the attacks on surrounding farms, the citizens were still skeptical. Which pleased Mallorhan. Meanwhile, Father Marcus secured them horse and wagon to check out the mine as Brandi and Agnes stayed in town to barter for more cargo.

Tents were setup outside the mine. Dwarfs scampered about. A pile of broken ware was stacked outside the tower. Gorim appeared, “Good that you had us go in. They were growing goblins. Warpstone? No new digs. Didn’t even bother to maintain the bulwarks and bracings. But don’t you worry, we’ll get the mine operating in no time. That is, as long as you front us for supplies. We’ll need raw materials to begin digging. Wood for bracing, metal to craft our own picks and digging axes. Yes sir, we’ll have ore flowing in no time. You’ve chosen a wise investment.”

Morning: Agnes dug into the company coffers as she counted gold coins, “Gorim and his dwarfs have been digging for centuries without finding a profitable vein. What makes him…what makes US think he will find anything now? I say we a feeding a lost cause.” Mallorhan quickly jumped on the bandwagon of discontent. Brandi handed over 30 gold to Gorim before coming back aboard, “I have faith. I’ll cover the debt myself if it proves fruitless. But you’ll each owe me 5% if they turn a profit.”

They still had a 5-day sail to Kemperbad, and that was with the current. And with the elf still in the crows-nest. [failed perception] Occasionally glaring at the dwarf aboard. Which explained his late sighting. What he thought were griffons turned out to be, “We’re under attack!” Three large undead carrion dove from on high. Fear arrived first. [Fear 3: only Gary and Rega passed] Mallorhan’s arrow struck but didn’t slow the undead. [his critical hit – bleed- did not affect the undead]

The dwarf Rega raised his bolas and waited for one to come near so he could entangle its wings. But the 3 carrion swooped straight at Marcus. As if HE their only target. On a mission. Talons sunk into his flesh as one bird then carried him aloft. Katja loosed a crossbow bolt at another carrion. Gary rushed to the rear cannon and carefully aimed. “BOOM!” The bird splattered into a million undead pieces. His grin replaced with horror as he watched Father Marcus fall from great height before striking the river water. Another carrion swooped in to claw the lifeless body.

Brandi fought thru his fear and aimed his pistol and blasted. [fumble] Improper grip: the pistol tumbled from his hand. It took another arrow and bolt hit before the carrion flew away, trailing chunks of flesh in its wake. Brandi rushed to the wheel to steer the barge closer to the body. [sail-000] And proceeded to ram the body. They lowered a dingy to collect the body. Only to find a hole where his heart used to be. Gary began making arrangements for a burial at sea till he was interrupted by brother Martin, “We must deliver his body to the temple in Kemperbad for proper services.”

And that’s when Mallorhan yelled out, “A carrion still flies overhead. Circling. Can’t tell what…what is that?” “THUMP!” A fist-size rock hit the deck. A note tied to it. Agnes read, “So perish all who cross the GraveLord.” Rega spoke up, “HE is the one who ordered the infiltration of vampires into the city. Lord of the undead?!”

Sailing past the Castle: They docked for the night in the small town of Achern, south of Wittgendorf. Brothers Martin and Rolf kept watch over the body as the others sought out beers at the local tavern. Come morning, Gary raised his new telescope to sight Castle Wittgenstein and then the city north. No movement upon the castle ramparts. As for the city: he watched ‘up close’ as beggars cornered a stray dog, chopped it up, and fought for pieces. The pub they had partook drinks since boarded up.

Kemperbad: This time they docked along the southern Stir River side of the city. The brothers used a litter to carry the body to the lifts for the 500ft ride up to the city proper. Rega joined them. The others followed in other lifts. Townfolk had gathered to welcome Father Marcus. They gasp when they realized him dead. They parted to allow passage of the holy procession enroute to the temple of Sigmar. And that’s when a greenish mist streaked toward the litter, striking the body wrapped in white linen. More gasps. Especially when the body rose to a sitting position as the linen fell away. And Father spoke, “Hear me! I crossed the will of the Gravelord and though I paid with my life, it was not enough! Witness his unquenchable wrath and tremble at his name.” Only then did the body become engulfed in purple flames. Gary blasted the unholy body with his pistol. It flopped back prone on the litter.

A stampede. The crowd of townfolk scattered in fright. It was during this commotion someone grabbed Gary and whispered as they tugged him aside, “We just want to talk. What’s your game Kastor? You’re supposed to deliver your windfall to the Inner Circle. You’re months late. The purple palm has been passed. You meanwhile, best be on the road for Middenheim!” They melted into the crowd. 

The others rallied around Gary, “What was that all about?” They chatted enroute to the temple where last rites were performed for the deceased Father. Brandi remembered, “Inner Circle? Could that be the same Inner Circle Teugen meet with in Bogenhafen in the noble district? They’ve now moved on to Middenheim?” Agnes added, “We already knew the ‘purple palm has been passed.’ Remember that letter to Loorbeer from someone calling themselves ‘The Arch Lumen?”

The rest of the day was consumed with business. Brandi and Agnes soon found a buyer for the armament shipment and haggled for a reasonable profit. No sooner than that deal complete, Brandi was haggling for another as he offered up a portion of the gold, “Now what do you have to offer as we plan to sail up the River Stir. Grain? That sounds reasonable, especially considering Unterbaum is only a small outlying city who can’t afford luxurious items.”

That night, they all gathered at the tavern. Brothers Martin and Rolf there too, “We still need passage to Altdorf to carry the Father’s message.” Brandi had already decided the fate of his fleet, “Our hired crew has proven themselves. I think it’s time to let them break off. They will sail passengers to Altdorf as we sail up the Stir to reach the Barren Hills.” The others raised mugs in agreement. It was near midnight when they finally exited the tavern to head for the barge. Till Brandi remembered, “The barge isn’t available for the next 3 days. It’s being refitted with a broad-rudder for better steering.”

Over the next 3 days, they listened to local gossip. Rega stayed at the temple to do research. Back in Nuln, he’d listened to Henryk’s recount of their travels. And seen his collected evidence. His mention of Etelka having accomplices here in Kemperbad. Henryk had even shown a letter from the real Kastor to an Ostmark Lorbeer at Plummet’s Prospect here in Kemperbad. Two rivals with contacts in the same city.

Meanwhile, the others soaked in local gossip:

• “I heard the Emperor was seen in public at a military graduation.”
• “There have been border skirmishes between Ostland and Talabecland as the Grand Prince of Ostland is blaming the Grand Duke Gustav von Krieglitz of Talabecland for the death of his son Crown Prince Hergard in the Grey Mountains.”
• “The Emperor has called the Elector Counts to Altdorf to discuss the strife between Ostland and Talabecland as well as the anti-Sigmarite violence in Middenland. However, the Elector Counts are usually slow to respond to such summons as a way to show that the Emperor is an elected monarch.”
• “A party of Sigmarite witch hunters were attacked on the road to Middenheim. They were found hung upside down and killed.”

It was the evening of the 3^rd day when Mallorhan suddenly ushered the group into the shadows as he pointed toward the end of the street. “Remember that portrait in the mine tower? THAT’s Etelka coming toward us.” Gary squinted, “And that looks like Ernest Hidlemann at her side. I think we should follow.” And that’s when Rega spoke up, “As an Investigator, I’m good at tracking.” Mallorhan somehow missed the fact the dwarf had joined then, “Who invited you?!” Rega reasoned, “Come now. She doesn’t know a dwarf is a member of your little party. Even if she sees me, she has no reason for concern.”

Next Session: https://rigglewwh.blogspot.com/2021/12/s3e9-enemy-withindeath-on-reik-up-river.html