S4E12PBtT- Unraveling Threads

PCs: Agnes (Duane), Katja (Geoff), Brandywyn (Tony), Rega (Bill), Gary (Matt), Ymath (Brian)

Breakin: Dwarfs posted along the street to keep riffraff and guttersnipes away as they broke into the scorched home in the seedier Ostwald district. A few picked locks and they were inside the house, abandoned per signs of fire months old. Until Ymath found the trapdoor. Ogre oaf tried to open it while he stood on it. No caution… he moved and opened it, breaking the internal string that held the cans. Now a clattering alarm as they crashed to the basement floor.

They entered with caution, confronting a woman blathering, “This is private property.” Gary interpreted her words as spell incantations and fired. Cornered, with few minions to call forth, it was fast work to secure the house. And Gary got the opportunity to blow another wizard

away. Some gold for their efforts. The green-eyed woman’s room included various colored wigs and clothing to support her various personas: be it Frau Kennar, the Baroness Marlana Klochmann at the Garden party, Brunhilde Klaglich who stole Ar-Ulric’s love letters, or Elise Kaltbultig. At least they recovered Ar-Ulric’s letters. All the while as Ymath noisily in the background ate parts of the woman and her pigeons.

Another room held the kidnapped niece, Reya Ehrlich. Second, third, fifth thoughts to re-gag the whinny spoiled brat who insisted they drop everything and return her to her uncle. She wasn’t even scared with Ymath standing over her drooling while Agnes denied the ogre, “No, she’s not an appetizer.” 

She led them to her uncle’s home, and past the guards, into the noble home where her bedraggled uncle came rushing down the stairs at the news, “REYA!” They ready to be rewarded. Reiner Ehrlich denied them as he explained, “Höflich kidnapped her and forced me to support the taxes. We need to confront him now! He enjoys his opera and is most likely at the festival opera now.”

Reiner leaned out his coach window as it raced thru the streets, “Outa my way! Law Lord business!” He pushed past the opera ticket takers with Agnes’ Orphans in tow. Höflich’s private box empty except for the lady-in-waiting. “He left 10 minutes ago for a private meeting with the Graf.” Brandi offered to keep her company till the others reminded him of the reward still to be paid.

Reiner just as demanding as he stormed into the castle and past the guards wanting to check weapons. The Graf’s Knight-Panther personal guards just as surprised and off balance at his brash demands as he burst into the Graf’s private chamber. Where they all stood baffled at the sight of Graf Todbringer fighting with himself! Doubles! Doppelganger? Confusion except for the realization the one winning not the out-of-shape Graf they had heard about all those weeks in Middenheim. The winner of the chokehold surely the imposter. Especially when he/it began speaking daemon speech as he stabbed the real Graf and bolted for the interior door. Even transformed into a Tzeentch demon!

All were affected by the evil spellcasting and its corrupting impact. And only those with ranged weapons were able to tickle it during its escape. For it easily escaped, considering Brandi’s gunbarrel melted from misfire, Gary sported a longbow arrow in his back from Agnes’ fumble, Ymath too frightened to chase, Rega too slow to chase. At least Ymath covered the Graf when the departing demon rained fire down upon them from the burning ceiling. A changeling! Gary hesitated to accept Agnes’ offer of healing and corruption removal.

At least the Graf was conscious enough to tell his guards what happened, “Höflich attacked me. Search his apartment and bring him to me now. Alive preferably but dead if necessary.”

Reiner instructed the heroes, “Follow me!” Ulrich Schutzmann (Commander of the Watch) quickly appointed them deputies and accompanied them to Joachim Höflich’s apartment within the castle. Ymath kicked the door open to the empty house. In the back bedroom they found a desk and trunk. Incriminating letters in the desk and a month-old decomposed body of the original Joachim. 

They reported back to the Graf who had already gathered his influencers (Most. Missing Emmanuelle, Gotthard, and the 3^rd Law Lord, Karl-Heinz Wasmeier). Reiner found his voice, “I propose we rescind the taxes.” Agnes flashed the recovered letters to Ar-Ulric who now changed his stance, “I agree.” 

The Graf with only one of his Law Lord advisers and Reiner SO ready to blame all on Höflich till Agnes showed him the handwritten instructions. Reiner whispered to the Graf who in turn shouted, “Bring that traitor Wasmeier before me!”

Karl Wasmeier’s castle apartment also empty and the bedroom window open. Finding an empty vial under the bed, Rega quickly took it to the Graf’s chamber for the wizards to analyze. “Potion of Invisibility. Short duration.” Rega asked a guard to bring flour from the kitchen to Wasmeier’s apartment where Rega informed his allies. They used the flour to search for anyone invisibly hiding and for footprints. Katja tracked prints outside the window that led south outside the castle grounds to a large house. After breaking thru the gate and the front door, they lured the guard dogs outside so they could search indoors. Minutes wasted in a library and kitchen till Gary stepped into the lounge to pour himself a drink. Where he felt a breeze of air behind the case.

A secret passage that opened into a carriage stable. Horses already hitched and being whipped into action as the driver shot at them. Rega and Gary try to blast a rear wheel, but the metal bands deflect most of the bullets. The carriage raced into the streets with blades extended from the wheels, shearing anyone or anything near. Carts, horses, people. Screams erupted in the streets. (Gary +Katja) and (Brandi +Agnes) jumped onto extra horses in the stable and gave chase, trying to avoid the carnage in the streets. Another shotgun blast aimed their way and someone inside the carriage cast spells.

They finally got close enough to take out the rear wheel just as the carriage was turning toward the cities’ northern viaduct. Slow motion… the carriage wheel shattered flipping the carriage on its side in a skid. The carriage underside broke free and a body came flying out. As if a vampire in flight kind of flying. And casting. A fireball erupted the wagon that triggered an explosion, “KA-BOOM!” The carriage obviously loaded with gunpowder. [meant to destroy the viaduct to deny pursuit]. Once the smoke cleared, Karl (or whatever he was) was gone.

They returned to the house where Rega greeted them with a coded letter he found. They returned to the Graf with news and evidence. The Graf ready to reward his “Heroes of Middenheim” as he bestowed badges for each. Gary’s request for Katarina’s hand denied so he settled for his long-rifle. “Once we get one back from the frontier.” Agnes wanted land to start her school. “Land outside the city.” Katja settled for lessons from a sword-master while Ymath surprised everyone with his request for a “Painting Instructor.” While the Graf confirmed the taxes would be revoked, Rega asked for a signed letter he could deliver now to the dwarfs about to depart. “And I highly request you consider appointing a dwarf as an adviser for what goes on beneath the city. Your rat-catcher guild is lacking.”

Next Session:  https://rigglewwh.blogspot.com/2022/06/s4e13-pbtt-finally-time-to-enjoy.html