S5E11 tHR- Festering Wounds

From the Beginning: https://rigglewwh.blogspot.com/2021/06/s0e1-introductions.html

PCs: Agnes (Duane), Katja (Geoff), Venegral (Tony), Mor (Bill), Gary (Matt), Ymath (absent)

[Mor deals with a head wound suffered in the sewers that turns festering. Feverous: must explain his poor rolls throughout the night… mostly 80s or 90s.]

ReCap: Schutzmann swore them to ‘double-secrecy’ to find and recover the stolen Helm of Mandred. The Purple-hand informant, Jarmund, knew the helm was targeted to support the alliance between the skaven and Purple-Hands. As for who stole it… They learned thru a priest of the Temple of Ranald that thieves are also able to pray to their god, much Like Agnes praying to Shallya. Prayers not detectable per 2^nd sense like winds of magic. Marshall Schutzmann added, “Here’s a list of other stolen items. There may be a link.”

Following the List: 

The Theologica Library: They started at the Theologica Library and missing books, questioning the guards posted before the special access room. Gregor and Ilse recognized their Graf badges, “Only Professor Gunter Kramer signed in around 2am. Now that I think about it, I don’t remember him leaving. Only the 2 black cats. Our librarian, Agnise, opened in the morning and discovered the room cold and 3 books missing. Just like the 3 books stolen the prior night in a different section.” When Agnes showed the etched coin (calling card left during the thief of Mandred’s Helm), they denied finding such. The guards opened the secured room to reveal an entire bookshelf in disarray. Books dumped on the floor before a window. While Mor looked confused, scratching his head, Katja noticed wine stains on the floor but more important: sooty blood stains on the windowsill! Soot, yet no fireplace in the room.

And that’s when Katja noticed her dog sniffing before a pantry door under steps leading up to the 2^nd floor. Katja recoiled when she opened the door and found a man trying to crouch deeper into the corner darkness. Gary pulled him out and noticed its sooty hands and professor clothing. All gasped when they realized it a zombie! Gary blasted its head off. And that’s when Agnise arrived, “SHUSH! This is a library.” Agnes studied the body and realized it zombified only a matter of days before. She read a note found in its pocket, “In death I serve the GraveLord.” Even confused, Mor easily deduced, “The zombie gathered the books and passed them to someone else outside the window.” Katja and her dog confirmed footprints outside, under the window, leading into the city. Long gone.

Gary asked about the books to which Agnise replied, “Tales of the Dead is about a zombie from the south passing advice. Dead is Better is a witch-hunter guide on how to deal with the undead. Bile and Darkness is a list of necromancers dating back a hundred years that also included the geology of the Middle Mountains. As for the books stolen from the other department, they included: The White Wolf Reign, Taking the Shot (the mathematics of ballistics), and Walking Home (a man’s claim to escaping a city beneath the city, ruled by rats).” When asked about the earlier thief from the non-secure section, she replied, “The room is not locked but the books are chain bound to the desks. Recent visitors? The only one who stands out was the blonde man. His accent implied from Marionburg. Nasally fellow with a leer and mocking laugh.” When they inspected that room, Agnes found familiar scratch marks on the chains of the missing books.

Dr Kapernik’s Office: Close enough to walk, and with the tutor still in class, they peered thru his entry door window to see his office crammed with stacks of books in every corner. What they would describe as a cluttered desk. The overhead transom window would lend to an easy break-n-enter. “May I help you?” They introduced themselves to the doctor of astronomical mathematics who let them in and exclaimed, “MY NOTES! Yet look at the fine golden set of 15^th century nosepickers they left. Priceless, yet they only stole my notes 2 days ago. The notes? They detailed the movement of Morrslieb, to know when best NOT to go outside. And when to guard against evil wizards whose spells are more powerful during those times. Help? Why yes, students of Professor Hasche helped me.”

Agnes showed the skaven map with the triangular overlay. Gary referenced the circled intersection, “We were in Boganhafen during a prior Morrslieb full-moon.” To which the doctor exclaimed, “SEE?! If you’ve had my notes, you would have known not to go out during that carnival week!” Agnes asked, “When and where would you say is the next full-moon?” Dr. Kapernik paused, “Well, I’ll need to start from scratch in my calculations, but from what I remember, soon. To the east around the Middle Mountains. Just like your map shows. You know, there was a prior astronomer, centuries ago. A baron Dagmar Von Wittgenstein. Have you heard of him? He spoke of the Barren Hills of old. If I had his notes… the best I can offer on such a short notice without my notes, is a timeframe within a few weeks of the event.”

College of Music: The stage was crammed with students building new sets while chorus members practiced their coming performance. "No, no, NO! I said B-flat not A-sharp!” [the same note] Katja agreed with the music director, Amadeus, “It takes a trained ear to hear the difference.” The director impressed and attentive. “I’m ruined! My libretto stolen. This was to be my Magnum Opus. Now what? I have no copies. No, I demand my students learn by ear, not sight. I have the only key to my office, here, tied around my neck. I’ve advertised the opera throughout the city. I’ll be laughed off stage; ruined I say. It is titled “The Moon, the Cheese, the Rat. It foretells the day the rats bring down the moon and feast on it. Altdorfians deny rats can walk, yet we Tileans know better. Some claim the song would draw the rats out. But it is thrilling and capturing in its musical score. This was to be its first performance in over a hundred years. Well, yes, calamities did occur during the prior performances. But that is just stories by poor directors trying to cover their ineptness at directing.” It didn’t take a trained eye to see the scratch marks of lock-picks on the director’s door. An easy heist. No marked coin.

Temple of Ulric: Brother Schlager greeted them then led them thru multiple locked doors and into the secured room. Where they found another scratched coin. “The missing book is a relic. Detailed battle plans for the attack on the Brass Keep up in the Middle Mountains. Plans to eject Chaos since the Blight-Kings own it. Those Demons of Nurgle have held it since 2370.That keep is cursed, ever since Mandred drove out the skaven. What were the plans? No one alive has read it. Not even I.” Having studied the Graf’s vault, Agnes easily found similar scratch marks on the locks to confirm the same thief as evident by his ‘calling card’ coin. The elf only looked confused as Agnes pieced it all together, “Skaven hate Nurgle more than they hate man. Remember it was Tzeentch cultists who stole the Nurgle gem in Nuln. Now the skaven want to reclaim the Brass Keep. Battleplans, timing per the astronomical notes, the Helm to provide unity between crazed cultists and skaven. They’ve plotted well. We need to thwart them!”

Otmar Zufall Residence: It was late afternoon when they arrived. The servant led them to the study where the depressed art collector sat despondent in his chair, staring at a blank wall. Blank, except for the empty frame where a painting once hung. Otmar whimpered, “My painting has been stolen! Cut from its frame. So lifelike it was, as if the skaven eyes followed you. Of Mandred the rat-slayer striking the final blow that killed the Rat-King. Worth 500 gold, yet this tapestry (Lady of the Lake) is easily double that in value. The painting? Done by Gurloc Vandler, a friend of the Emperor himself. I acquired it a year ago at the Altdorf auction house. My fool of a servant must have let the thief in!” But the servant denied all, “I saw no-one. Other than a black cat walking in the study as if it belonged.” From their discussion with the priest of Ranald, Agnes remembered thieves often prayed for the ability to see thru the eyes of cats. At least Venegral found the auction catalog Otmar kept that included a small reproduction of the missing painting. “From the quality of work, I’d guess the rats are trying to eliminate all evidence skaven exist.”

Brettonian House Pub: It was time to talk with Half-Nose. “Back again? So soon? What can I help you with this time?” Gary ignored the offered palm suggestion as he flipped the etched coin. Half-Nose snorted, “Silver? So cheap?” Gary scowled, “Whose calling card is this? We’ve a list of stolen items that point to skaven plots to undermine the city. Surely, you’d have concerns.” It wasn’t till Agnes mentioned the black cats, that Half-Nose offered, “I know who you can talk to… Bleyden. He may be the lowest of the Low-Kings, but still, treat him with respect. Two Tankards tomorrow at noon.” Few noticed the elf stayed behind. With his leather coif removed to scratch his head. Surprised at the leaking pus. The others returned to the prior stops to gather more clues. Although they learned nothing new.

Next Morning: Only now did Agnes notice the elf sweating and confused. She led him to the Shallya Temple for care. The others had to hold Mor down as the procedure required digging and cleansing the wound… with a mixture of bile of ox and their own urine. The elf screamed bloody murder.

[Little did Mor know Agnes’ prayers failed and his disease not completely cured. If not healed in a few days, it could easily turn to bloodroot.]

Two Tankards Tavern: Armed men confronted them, “Don’t reach for your guns. Are you the ones Half-Nose sent?” They were led to a back table where a man with a long, wispy beard, and raspy voice awaited. Venegral offered the barrel of wine to which Bleyden winced, “Room temp please. Cold hurts my teeth.” Agnes showed the etched coin, “We search for its owner who uses a black cat.” Bleyden coughed, “And you thought wine enough to loosen my tongue. Come now, what can you offer of benefit to me? Half-Nose mentioned you’ve dealt with the Big Cheese. Perhaps you know of something to help me gain territory?” Mor wanted to mention the now empty warehouse but kept quiet. Venegral spoke up, “We’ve no intent to get mixed up in your low-kings war. We do know Gouda and the Man are at odds. Perhaps there is your opportunity while they are distracted.” Bleyden smiled his crooked smile and offered, “I specialize in trading of flesh. The soldiers like me. But perhaps you are looking for Gilbert at Luigi’s Shop.”

Luigi and Salvatory Store: It catered to the rich which meant the elf was left out to tend his still pus-leaking scalp. He climbed to the roof as lookout. Gary entered and saw fine clothing and perfumes and answered the clerk, “Something for my mistress perhaps. No, not my wife. She can buy her own. But then we would like to speak to Gilbert.” Sister Agnes asked more politely, “Bleyden thought you could help us.” They were led into the back, thru a maze of stacked boxes to find a man sitting on one stacked as a chair. “You must be Gilbert.” Their questions ignored till Agnes once again showed the coin to which Gilbert answered, “I don’t know his name, but I know who you can talk to… Rudolf or his brother Sigred at the Prospects.” Now Gary pissed, “I’m tired being sent in circles with ‘I know a guy’ redirects. Perhaps you prefer talking with Marshall Shutzsmann yourself while strung up in the dungeon.” Agnes calmed the cavalier. Who stormed out after grabbing a bowtie and knocking over a display case. He failed at tying to bowtie and tossed it in the street.

Prospect Inn: A ‘Norm’ moment as everyone turned to look at the arriving patrons. Till they saw the wizard’s robe and hid their eyes. Agnes confronted Rudolf with the etched coin, “We hear he’s the best. Left this at … the Temple of Ulric.” Venegral noticed black cats inside, rubbing against his leg. Rudolf offered, “Would you like to pass him a message? Meet him? That will cost you… yes, 10 gold should cover it. Be out by the well at Pitty Square in an hour.” The elf went direct to setup as spy while the others lounged around for drinks. Too many for Gary and Katja. Gary growled, “If I’m sent one more place, someone is going to die!”

Pitty Square: Katja’s dog growled when the black cat rubbed against him. The cat ran but stopped to look back. As if inviting them to follow. Down an alley, thru a maze of boxes, where they found a man with a Wastelander accent. Venegral mimicked the accent, “Most of us don’t make it this far east. What brought you here?” The man smiled, “Why, the greatest caper the city has known.” His smile broadened when Agnes showed the coin. “So, you’ve heard of me. Boris the name.” He gazed around, “Please, let’s step inside. Outside… can be bad for your healthy.”

[A reference to him easily spotting the elf who apparently was distracted scratching his scalp.]

The barkeep kicked everyone else out to give them privacy. Gary jumped right in, “Who funded your operation?” Boris answered, “A group of students who wanted to prank the rich.” Venegral fluffed the man’s ego, “Well done! Took us awhile to figure it out.” Boris lamented, “But ever since, my prayers to Ranald have been ignored. At least once I gave the helm to the students.” It was now Gary’s turn to spoil the mood, “Ranald didn’t warn you the students are agents of chaos? Followers of the Fly Lord.”

So much for lookout. Mor’s fever returned. Him too distracted to see students sneaking thru the streets and toss something into the bar windows. Inside, Venegral was in the middle of telling Boris about the skaven when 2 windows shattered with broken glass as Molotov bottles broke open, starting a fire! Boris jumped up and tried to put it out. The barkeep too, but he only managed to catch himself ablaze. Venegral cast ‘Create Water’ and doused most of the fire. Gary and the others used their cloaks to beat it out. And put out the barkeep, “Stop, drop, and roll!” Venegral used the incident to prove his point, “Show us where you meet them. You are under our protection.” Outside, they found Mor returning from an alley. “I tried to follow but they escaped. I did see they were missing their front incisor teeth and had their ears clipped. Just like those cultists you confronted in the sewers.”

Flop House: Boris led them to the meeting house. They cautiously entered and stood before a rear door. Gary kicked the door open to reveal a clawed cavern. In time to see a mass of clipped-eared students with one of their kind at the rear, handing the helm to a skaven! Who had brought along two Rat-Ogres!

Mor fast-shot but his arrow sailed wide of the skaven now putting the helm on. [called shot] Gary fast-shot blasted the skaven in his face, destroying an ear before the helm in place. Agnes twanged an elf arrow to drop him dead. Which allowed the wanna-be-rat-student to reclaim the helm for himself. Katja jumped into melee with students that closed on them. [critical block] She lost a piece of armor in the process. Venegral was prepared: he cast a fireball in their mist that wounded and blinded most students and a Rat-Ogre.

Crazed from fever, Mor charged thru the foe to get at the helm. While Agnes and Gary dealt with the students in melee, the helmed student charged Mor who dodged. But the elf did not account for the other Rat-Ogre who was untouched. That creature charged and smashed the elf who only ducked into the blow.  [failed dodge 98, failed dodge 86] A staggering hit to the elf’s left arm, followed by a tail-whip. [spent only Resilience point since down to 2HP and the tail would cause certain death] Only by the grace of his god Kurnous was the elf spared as the tail hit the student instead.

Meanwhile, the other blinded Rat-Ogre (RO) could still smell its foe and attacked Agnes. Tried, as it fumbled and hit a student instead. Three other students swung at Gary who blocked them all. Katja kept her range from the RO as she fired a bolt. Venegral cast another fireball trying to aid the elf in trouble from 2 foe. Which gave the elf clearance to disengage, [spent 4 advantage] and twang an arrow at his RO assailant. Meanwhile, Gary and Agnes cleaved thru one student after another till only the Rat-Ogres remained. One gravely wounded and bleeding from an elf arrow. Soon dead from an overwhelming assault by Agnes’ Orphans. Agnes free to tend wounds.

[it will be another 3 weeks before Mor’s wounds, suffered at the claws of the Rat-Ogre, reveal their disease effect: Ratte Fever. Better known as rabies.]

Along with the Helm of Mandred, they found a chest full of mundane items: cat skull, earring with skaven symbol, a triangular shuriken, a child’s stuffed bear toy, a map of the sewers (stolen from the inspector). 

But most astonishing: a skaven map proclaiming the Brass Keep the site of a ‘Crystal of Immortality’.

Next Session: https://rigglewwh.blogspot.com/2022/10/s5e12-thr-odd-smell-in-altmarkt.html