Summary 06

Brian, fearing halfling folklore that reminded of the halfling who had starved to death in Kislev for want of edible food, did sterling work in arranging for provisioning. Jakob offered some help, though was of minimal practical help as he was avoiding Christina for the rest of the day. Oskar was also beaten up by persons unknown (so he said), and badly imaged. Hilde managed to salve his worst wounds, but he remained bruised. You believe the Templars did this to him in revenge for his earlier behaviour to them. You also learned that another farm had been the scene of a gruesome killing an "innocent will die" note left at the scene.

Leaving for Kislev you firstly stopped at a shrine of Sigmar in the guise of a drinking god. Covered in faeces, Jakob cleaned it somewhat. That night you were attacked by ghouls and who you assume to be your nemesis priest. Brian did sterling work, and Jakob pitched in so that they were routed in short order. The priest (alone) escaped. You continued on your way the next morning.

The next night you stayed at a farm belonging to an ex-Imperial Guardsman given the land for 25 years service. You managed to persuade the family that you were not robbers, and most of you spent the night in an outhouse. Von Bora stayed in the house. You learned that the Professor had treated the daughter and stayed the night of the 11^th Jahrdrung. The three Kislevans had stayed in the outhouse. Setting off the next day, you somewhere on the road [how you long for Ostland roads again] cross into Kislev. There you met a group calling themselves Children of the Kraken, but they seemed simply mysterious for the sake of it - and tried to buy Christina from you. Spending the night at a shrine to Ulric, you meet some Kislevans there. Friendly passing the night away, your watchfulness seems to thwart an attempt to rob you. You go your separate ways in the morning, Jakob realising that these men were probably stragglers from the raiders. That evening you approached your first Kislevan settlement, a Dragoon Village whose inhabitants were not even aware of its name. Poorly maintained walls and dike simply mirrored the rest of the sorry place. You rested in a hall, but maintained a guard. The next day's travel brought you to a village called Ersatzheim, who warned you of bandits and 'witch-hunters' in the village next along the road. Arriving at this village the next evening, you were quite pleasantly surprised. Rheiden was very Imperial, though with a mixture of locals. You learned that you were in lands owned by Count von Wallenstein of Bechafen. Christina recognised some of the local military as being ex-witch-hunters from her Chapter who had been expelled for breaking the Order's regulations. She did not wish to discuss the matter further, although Hilde and Oskar did prevent trouble in the inn that night. The next day you met a mysterious, fully armoured stranger who enquired pleasantly of your business and wished you well on your journey. Jakob and Brian thought they saw a wolf in the forest, but said nothing. You later arrived at the village of Kulm, the nominal capital of the area. You have been following the Professor's trail to this point, learning that he was here on the evening of the 16^th Jahrdrung, and continued the next day upon the road with his three companions.

However, investigations in the 'town' uncovered that the current baron, Helmuth Mullner, was a lesser noble sent by the Count to assist the incumbent Antonescu family. However, last year the baron died and Helmuth took over. However, there was a daughter who should have inherited. You quickly learnt not to progress this avenue of discussion. However, Jakob was approached by a pedlar called Levan Rubrov with a plot to free the daughter - Katrin Antonescu - from imprisonment at a farmhouse some 25 miles to the east. It would appear that Helmuth kidnapped her and took over, though you are unsure upon what authority or with what aid. However, most people (especially the 'Imperialists') do seem happy and he seems to run a good fiefdom. You set off, and we start again as you near your goal. It is mid-day on the 4^th Pflugzeit.

General point: so far, Old Worlder has adequately got you through all encounters. Not all the Kislevans can/will speak the tongue, but the leaders of the communities have been fluent. Within the Wallenstein lands Reikspiel seems to be as common as Slavic. Jakob is trying to learn Slavic, but with no help from von Bora.

Jakob 35

Brian 45