OOC: XP for the characters. Our first combat last session, so it's 100xp for the 'main' characters - Cintoria, Hatto, Kanna and Thargrad - and 50xp for the Henchmen, Bax, Haali and Raark.
The combined efforts of the Roadwardens and the party soon had the coach righted and the human bodies loaded inside it. The Mutant bodies were piled beside the road and burnt by the Roadwardens, despite Cintoria's protests. She wanted them buried as Morr's creed required, saying that 'all are equal under Morr's gaze', but the Roadwardens wouldn't hear of it - 'Mutant scum don't deserve it'. It was an argument that she had lost many times before and now made through weary belief rather than any expectation of success.
The road clear once more, both coaches set off toward Altdorf. If any of the Roadwardens had noticed the similarity between Hatto and one of the bodies they had not remarked upon it, but it was certainly the topic of conversation upon the roof of the coach.
"I am yet to be convinced about this impersonation," began Cintoria, "It's wrong to the core.""It's an opportunity," responded Hatto, "It'll enable all of us to achieve our goals. You can create your temple-repository, Kanna her library, Thargrad his practice and I can build my tower."
"So you'll share it?" asked Thargrad.
"Of course!" replied Hatto indignance in his voice at the implication that he might not. "We all promised each other to share what we got on our journeys together, didn't we?"
"We did," answered Thargrad, "It's just that Humans are as bad as most of us Unboki when it comes to keeping their word."
"What we're saying is that we have - from experience - very low expectations," said Kanna, scowling at Thargrad, "Thank you for being a man of your word."
"I feel my greed stirring," admitted Cintoria honestly. "I would very much like to found a temple, although I don't believe I'm ready to do so yet." She paused for a long moment, then continued. "What do you know of the Lieberung estate Hatto? Is it known to you?"
"It is. The Baronet died last year and as no will could be found the estate is tied up in court between rival claimants." explained Hatto. "This letter claims a will exists and that man was the named heir, so it fits the facts." He paused, "As I know them at least," he caveated.
"Well, I suppose there is no harm in investigating it further," began Cintoria hesitantly. "We are intending to go to the Schaffenfest at Bogenhafen anyway," obviously conceding to her temptation.
Hatto knew better than to say anything, so the conversation ceased and the coach continued along the road.
* * * *
The coach left the edge of the forest and entered the Altdorf Flats, the vast marshlands surrounding the imperial capital. Eventually, the land rose to become a patchwork of farmlands and small villages, and not long after that the white walls of Altdorf could be seen glimmering in the distance, stretching far to the east and west.
The queue to enter Altdorf's south gate - known as The Witch's Gate - took an hour for the coach to negotiate, but eventually they were waved through and began the tedious trek to the Konigplatz, where they could alight. They had all been to Altdorf before, in fact all but Cintoria had lived there, and all of them felt the turmoil and change that seemed to be infecting the place. Some buildings were being torn down, others built in the spaces created, yet more were being remodelled and still more redecorated. People ran hither and thither on seemingly urgent missions and tasks, Agitators preached to the throngs on street corners and fistfights seemed to break out at the drop of a hat. All in all it was like an ant's nest kicked by a child, and a petulant one at that.Eventually they reached the Konigplatz and the coach pulled up outside the headquarters of the Ratchett Lines coaching company. As soon as a porter opened the coach's door, the bodyguard, Marie, leapt out and began to scan the crowd around the coach. Once satisfied there was no immediate threat, she handed Lady Isolde von Strudeldorf down and they both swept into the Ratchett Lines' offices - no doubt to complain about the drunken coachmen. Her maid stepped out and began to supervise the transfer of the Lady's voluminous baggage into a handcart that had appeared from who knew where. Ernst Heidlemann - the "physician's apprentice" - clambered out laboriously, retrieved his small bag and disappeared into the crowd, ignoring the many bawds hawking establishments and services, all the while suspiciously watched by Thargrad. Last out was Phillipe Descarte, the Bretonnian gambler. He was bumped by someone from the crowd as he stepped down so missed the coachman handing his bag down and a hand reached out and grabbed it before running off. Phillipe saw this as he turned from the bump, and with a forlorn cry of "Stop, thief!" set off in pursuit.
The group from the coach's roof shouldered their packs before climbing down as Raark flew off - he would meet them later. The area maintained by the porters was now filled by the party who were readying to move off just as a loud baying accompanied by cries of alarm erupted from the rear of the coach.
"Some fool is trying to steal Haali again," said Cintoria resignedly. "I really think I should let him deal with them ... but then there'd be a mess and the watch ..." and she pushed into the crowd. It was obviously Haali - he never barked or 'woofed', he bayed or if there was real trouble, then he growled.
Whomever had been trying to make off with Haali had disappeared - he stood there with a length of rope around his neck looking happily at Cintoria. She removed the rope, dropped it to the ground and then rejoined the others with Haali following. Reunited, the group began the trek to the south-east heading towards the Toteninsel and the Temple of Morr, with Haali watching that nobody tried to 'liberate' any of the group's belongings. Bax danced around Thargrad, clearly happy to be on the ground, and Raark circling lazily above them.
As they began to cross the Konigplatz, a loud blare of trumpets and the tramp of marching feet came from away to their left and the crowd surged towards them, pushing them back the way they had come. The source of the disturbance soon became apparent as a phalanx of soldiers marched into view, and cries of "The Emperor! The Emperor!" swept through the crowd. At the centre of the Imperial Guard's phalanx, an heroic-looking figure, square of jaw and proud in full armour rode on a magnificent ebony steed caprisoned in cloth-of-gold. Beside and behind him marched ranks of knights in their full ceremonial regalia.
As the procession marched away, they all heard someone nearby say, "That's the fourth time he's been through here this week ... like he's got something to prove ..." The party shared a glance, but said nothing.
Then two non-descript men came up to the group and stood directly in front of Hatto. One scanned the crowd, whilst the other began to scratch his left ear with the little finger of his right hand, looking expectantly at Hatto. He was completely non-plussed, so the stranger repeated the gesture with exaggerated motions. And then did it again. And again, but this time he was interrupted by his companion, elbowing him in the ribs and nodding in a direction to the rear of the group. The men took off that way and the group, almost as one, turned to look that way. They saw a stocky man in mail and leather, with a crossbow on his back and a big hat pulled low, standing in the open doorway of a house. The two men hustled into the house and the stocky man entered behind them closing the door.
"Well that was odd," said Hatto in a puzzled tone.
"It was you they fixated on," replied Cintoria. "So possibly something to do with your double. We'd best be alert - but then we always are in Altdorf ..." and on that, they resumed their journey.
The bridge that crossed the branch of the Talabec to the Toteninsel was known as Reaper’s Crossing and before long they had crossed it and headed to 'The Raven and Portal' an inn where the Order of the Knights of the Raven perpetually rented rooms for its members and their companions.
As the group entered the quiet bar, the landlady, Rebeka Fretz, looked up and recognising Cintoria, greeted her with a smile. "How many rooms Cintoria? They're all empty at the moment."
Disappointed that none of her brethren were present, nevertheless Cintoria answered in a light tone, "Two please Rebeka, plus meals and ale for six."
"Ah, Haali," Rebeka said, coming out from behind the bar to ruffle the big brute of a dog's ears. "And Bax!" she crouched and scratched Bax under the chin, getting happy barks in response.
* * * *
After a pleasant, restful night, the group gathered for breakfast.
"We're going to the Khazid Urbaz town hall to settle the grudge against me," said Thargrad, with Kanna nodding in agreement.
"I'm going to my College," said Hatto, "I want to check in and if possible, speak with my Master, if she's there."
"Well that's us all busy today then," concluded Cintoria, "I'm off to the Temple to report on our mission. We'll meet here this evening then?" All nodded in agreement and went their seperate ways.
* * * *
Thargrad, Bax and Kanna had walked through Altdorf to the Metallschlake district, known to the Dwarfs as Khazid Urbaz, and were now in the Town Hall waiting to see the Grudgemaster.
"Welcome, I am Grudgemaster Aidrod Goldbasher," said the Dwarf behind the desk that the Dwarfs sat before when their turn came. "As you probably know, but I am still required to say, I and my staff provide a service for settling grudges and, most importantly, informing all concerned parties. Tell me to whom the grudge relates please.""Vuroar Caskbelt, Ratchatcher, clan Gromheld," answered Thargrad.
"Yes, I have it," said Aidrod after leafing through several volumes on the desk. "Absconding from an apprenticeship. The value is set at forty shillings. It is noted that under Imperial law, there is no claim if you have lived a year-and-a-day in an incorporated town. Have you done so?"
"I have, in Ubersreik," answered Thargrad and produced a document signed and sealed by the Secretary of the Physican's Guild of Uberseik and handed it to the Grollmeister.
"That is most satisfactory," he said, after examining it closely. "There is a four shilling fee - ten-per-cent of the Grudge's assessment - for our services. Do you wish the Grudge resolved on these terms?"
"No," replied Thargrad, "I'll pay the assessment in full - I'll not hide behind Human law. Despite being Unboki, I am a Dwarf and will not be known for maintaining the Unboki's weasel reputation." He pulled out a pouch and put it on the table. "Here is the value of the assessed Grudge," and he dropped another 4 shillings on the table, "and your fee."
"Very commendable, you do yourself credit," replied Aidrod and he began to write in the book. When he had finished he added notes to two seperate sheets on the desk. "There. The Grudgemaker will recieve the assessment," he picked up the pouch and the four shillings. "We have the fee and the heads of clans Unboki and Gromheld will be informed."
"Thank-you," said Thargrad as the Dwarfs stood and left. "Thank-you for coming Kanna," he continued very quietly; "Although there was nothing for you to do, it was good to have you with me." Kanna said nothing for there was no need and just punched her brother on the shoulder. She loved her brother and although she was unable to say it - she could show him.
* * * *
The sixteen towers of the Gold College reared skywards as Hatto's cab approached 'The Foundry', as Altdorfers commonly called it. It was a jumble of buildings, galleries, towers, smokestacks, and workshops, presenting a severe, almost grimy face to the world. The usual foul odours came from it with coloured smokes belching from the chimneys. Flashes of multi-coloured light came from a couple of the windows and the sharp report of an explosion rent the air. All everyday occurences as Hatto's experience here as an apprentice had taught him.
Hatto paid the driver, descended from the cab and passed through the main doors of the College. He walked past the iron statue of an alchemist peering at the contents of a flask — said by locals to be a past magister who had an unfortunate lab accident — and across the floor of marble laced with gold. The walls of fine hardwood decorated with gold and silver ornamentation, and hangings of cloth-of-gold held the stained glass windows in various shades of yellow that gave the entrance plaza a golden cast. Statues of famous past magisters were in marble niches around the area, but long familarity with the statues enabled Hatto to ignore them, intent as he was upon meeting his master - Master Alchemist Gerlinde Harrer.
Hatto was close to completing his time as an Alchemist and when - pehaps if? He was not entirely sure that he would - he progressed to Master Alchemist, he would be required to take on an apprentice, the actual mechanics of which he wanted to discuss with Master Gerlinde.
Hatto eventually reached his Master's rooms which were on the third floor of the thirteenth tower. As was his custom, Hatto knocked upon the door and immediately opened it before he realised that as he was no longer her apprentice, perhaps his right of access had changed? Undecided, he didn't cross the threshold, calling out instead, "Master Harrer?"
"Hatto, you can come in, you damned fool!" came the melodious voice of his Master. As Hatto entered and shut the door behind him, a large smile was on her face. "You're always welcome here, you should know that!"
"Well I do," he said, "But it occurred to me that I should wait to be welcomed, rather than assume a right of entry, given that I'm no longer your apprentice."
Gerlinde considered for a moment; "Actually, you're probably right," she admitted, "You always were better with protocol than I." She turned to the apprentices that were working with her - "Out - all of you; I need to talk to Wizard von Unger." Wordlessly, they all hurried to obey the instruction.
"We need to talk about your future ..." Gerlinde began after the door had closed behind the last of the apprentices.
* * * *
Cintoria reached the massive stone edifice that constituted The Temple of Morr. She followed the walls of the Temple to her left rounding its corner and heading along its side between it and the wing of the Garden of Morr that flanked it. She ignored the burial taking place in the Garden and eventually, towards the rear of the Temple, she reached the modest wooden door that was her goal. It bore a black metal raven in the centre at head height and a keyhole as its only adornments. From under her clothes she pulled out a key that hung on a chain around her neck and unlocked the door. Opening it, she went inside, then closed and locked the door behind her.
A couple of minutes later, Cintori entered the office of the Abbess of the Order of the Knights of the Raven (OOC: WFRP 2e Night's Dark Masters pg99) in Altdorf, Revered Sister Hildrun Weininger.
"Revered Sister," said Cintoria as she bowed to Hildrun.
Hildrun struggled to her feet and returned the bow. "Sister," she replied, returning the bow and then collapsed back into her chair. Prior interviews had taught Cintoria that despite her protests, Hildrun would insist upon the formality of returning the bow despite her physical injuries. Those injuries were severe - the left side of her body was badly burnt and, although somehow her eye had survived, her hand was gone, replaced by a hook, and she had a peg leg from her knee down.
"We dealt with the Dire Wolves that plagued Grosslin in The Hagercrybs," Cintoria began - with Hildrun it was always business first. "There were only two of them."
"Good," replied Hildrun in her raspy voice. "Expenses to my secretary as normal." She pulled open the drawer to her right and there was a tinkle of coins. "Two Dire Wolves, two crowns." She placed the coins on the desk in front of Cintoria, who picked them up. "What are your plans?"
"Stay in Altdorf for a couple of days, then head to Bogenhafen for the Schaffenfest," replied Cintoria.
"Very well," Hildrun rasped. "Check with the Temple at Bogenhafen for any communication. Anything else?"
"No, Revered Sister," said Cintoria.
"Then you are dismissed," said Hildrun. She did not rise, so Cintoria knew that her injuries were troubling her badly today.
Cintoria stood - "Leave the door open," said Hildrun, so Cintoria did and stepped out of Hildrun's office and into her secretary's.
The halfling, Maesys Amberwater - known to all as 'Maze' - sat on a high chair behind a human-height desk. Maze shook her head at Cintoria - telling her that today was not a day for chat; on a 'pain day' for Hildrun chat would only draw her ire. Cintoria nodded back and handed over a list of expenses incurred by her party during the trip to Grissenwald. Maze ran eye down the list, nodded as she reached the end of it and pulled open a drawer. Coins tinkled once more as she withdrew the amount claimed by Cintoria before placing it on the desk.
Cintoria swept the coins into a pouch, nodded to Maze and left.OOC: All the characters have completed their short term ambitions, so will get +50xp in their next award. However, it does that they'll need new ambitions ...
End of this post.
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