Summary 04

You spent the remaining afternoon tying up loose ends in Wolfenburg. For example, you found out that the goldsmiths and silversmiths are incensed at the Grand Prince's Kriegsanleihe scheme, that some troubles are brewing over a bridge, and that the Sigmarite Baukompanie Helstrum has arrived in the city. On a more general subject, you heard that Grand Master Aldred Treitszaur of the Order of the Purging Hammer in Grenzburg is a fearsome warrior who local opinion suggests should replace Valmir von Raukov. Rumours of some form of war between the Grand Prince and von Raukov simply will not go away.

Jakob followed up his lead on Doktor Hubertus von Bora who had need for a secretary and guards. Visiting the house of Magdalena Amman in the Estates district, you negotiated the job. For as long as he travels with you (rather than vice versa) you are to be paid 4/- per day between you all and Jakob has become the man's secretary. In game terms, Jakob has advanced to Scholar. This might be a good point to remind anyone close to their next career to discuss this with me, if for no other reason that fate might arrange for an appropriate tutor or event! We can do this after the game or on-line.

Jakob has been working up some of Herr von Bora's notes, though he has not been asked (by the rest of you) what they consist of. The Doktor did prove to be a most useful source of information, offering you some detail on the assorted gods within the Temple to All Gods that so confused you, and some hints at the Cult of the Howling One's origins. This was linked to a question asked by Jakob about the use of "Wolfen" for river and town in a Sigmarite province. Its origins were in the historic worship of nature spirits, and the tradition some time ago of a form of noble lycanthropy (the Wulfen) within the local nobility.

You had a minor run in with the Steel Fist Thief Ring, who wanted you to hand over Hilde. You did not, and Oskar promised to do terrible things to all "200" of them.

You dallied at the Hospital for the Maintenance and Education of Exposed and Deserted Children, run by the Cult of Shallya. You heard that a number of men are apparently travelling the city, local farms and hamlets offering to take unwanted children on behalf of the hospital. These children simply disappear. Since the law does not recognise children as existing until the age of seven, there is little that the Watch can or will do. Secondly, a number of rumours suggesting that the hospital accepts mutants has caused a reduction in donations. Brian wanted to investigate this but was silenced by Lothar. Thirdly, there have been a number of deaths in the hospital from a mysterious illness, which the cult seems unable to prevent. You investigated peripherally, but accepted assurances from an attending physician that it was the flu.

Leaving the town, you travelled to The Forest Inn. Travelling was pleasant - worryingly so for most of the trip, and almost boring - aside from the poor quality plank road. The story you heard concerning the discovery of the body of Schraeder was confirmed. It was found in a small copse on the evening of the 3^rd Jahrdrung and had been there for at least a day as the body was wet from the rain.

You next arrived at the village of Levudaldorf, and at the urging of the templars visited the impressive manor house, where you were welcomed. The village is named after the famed historical leader of the local tribe, who fought along with Sigmar.

You were cordially welcomed by the steward, and offered spacious guest rooms. The Count was unavailable until the following evening, when you were invited for dinner. You tried to clean your clothing and improve your manners in the meantime!

Visiting the village the following morning, you detected some anti-dwarf sentiment, which mirrored some actions from your time in Wolfenburg. This was puzzling, though not helped by Lothar's responses. You discovered the capture of Pankratz Zucker, described below. You also met Father Reinprecht Teschitz, the local Sigmarite priest who was an extremist One-Faith Sigmarite.

That night, the following guests were at the dinner:

Count Konstantin von Pirkheimer.

Adolpha and Achatius von Krantz

Gero von Krantz

Laura and Steffan Truchsess

Helmut von Pirkheimer

Cornelius Blacher

Doktor Dagmar Raab

Doktor Sepp Hoger

Professor Gustav Kozinstev

Professor Axel Lommel

The Count was a gracious host. His warrior hug of the (attractive) female NPCs was a little over-long, but the dwarfs were impressed with his attempts to use a Khazalid greeting.

The following was discovered at dinner:

The trail: the Professor did indeed visit the manor with Jaie Schraeder. The Count knows the latter from his dealings with the Wolfenburg Physicians' Guild and he knew vaguely of the Professor's work. They arrived on the night of the 32^nd Nachexen. Schraeder left the following morning and the Professor the morning after that. He was heading towards Grenzburg.

Religion: the Count's Great-Great-Grandfather was a templar of Shallya in the Magnus Crusade and was highly decorated in the campaign. Basically, these 'templars' were infected during the crusade, and elected to die fighting in Shallya's name than submit to the Fell Powers. His family has continued a tradition of aiding the cult ever since, although he himself has more interest in Sigmar and Verena as better suited to his duties as feudal overlord. Father Reinprecht Teschitz is a fanatical supporter in the doctrine of one god-one nation, a tenet the Count was obviously unhappy with.

Duty: the Count had a favour to ask the party. He has captured Pankratz Zucker a renegade priest of Taal, and leading member of the Cult of the Howling One. He does not have the resources to transport the man and since the PCs are officially empowered, he is sure that they can do the task for him. The prisoner can be escorted either to Wolfenburg of Grenzburg, since both have the jurisdiction to try the prisoner. The Count could simply hang the prisoner, but both the Grand Prince and Grand Master have asked him to transfer captured cultists to their care for interrogation to aid them in their battle against the Cult of the Howling One. You agreed. Pankratz was actually caught whilst visiting his sister in the village. She is a member of the Cult of Sigmar and a devout follower of Father Teschitz's one-god/one-nation creed. Edda Schöner (née Zucker) believes her brother is a heretic, a bandit and a disgrace to her family.

You continued to The Welcome Rest inn, which turned out to be operated by the order of the Sisters of Sigmar. You detected a clear tension between these and the templars. A person matching the description of the Professor passed through here, staying the night of the 2^nd Jahrdrung. An attempt to bribe Lothar and Brian to free the prisoner failed - much to the GMs astonishment!

Continuing, the boring journey was brought to an abrupt halt by an attack by a force of chaotics. The templars etc slaughtered the forces, whilst you tried your best. Brian proved that he could dish some serious damage by killing two wolves, but Lothar had to be saved by Heidi. We ended the game with your apparent victory, although a few wolves are still skulking around as the riders try to chase them off, and you reach for your ranged weapons.

Some inter-personal pointers you might want to consider - or not. Brian appears rather popular with the Ulricans for an unexplained reason. Jakob has been seen in close conversation with Heidi Ubermann, when not writing up notes. Von Bora seems affable and able to look after himself, and so far quite informative. Heinz Benz was trying to butter up Brian. Lothar believes that Christina and Hilde are rather too close. Danderich Flisshausten has been almost friendly. Mungo and Brian seem to be running an eating club. Lucas is saying nothing to anyone.

Oskar 60

Jakob 50

Lothar 50

Brian 50

You must lose D2 points off your social level for the fiasco at the Pedlars Guild warehouse

Oskar's horse has taken a net loss of 2 Wounds (after Lothar's ministration)

Oskar has lost a total of 2 Wounds

Oskar has an extra 112 shillings in pay, and can cash in their tokens. However, he must also shell out 40/- in general food expenses from this.

You have torn a total of two pages from the Khaine book Tenebris Geheimnis - Secrets of the Dark.