Summary 12

You spent some time in the 'temple' attempting to discern its purpose and the train of events that had occurred here previously. You each came up with a theory, but solved little. In summary, the following was done:

• You realised that the altar, statue and pentagram were considerably newer than the rest of the room. The pentagram was of gold poured into a cut shape in the stone and had been cleared of slime. Wayland's sticky fingers were slapped back before he could start to prise it up.
• The thin niche in front of the altar was a different size than the two niches that you had believed were mechanisms for opening the doors. More, it had actually contained something (until recently) that must have been removed since it was clean and without slime inside.
• You finally decided to take the armour and weapons - though claimed you were doing so "respectfully".

You determined to return to Ösilia in order to gain treatment for Brian and Lothar, and because Brian remembered that the visiting Cleric of Verena in the Temple of Ulric-Manaan had been able to identify magical artefacts. Healing was obtained from a 'wise woman', whose religion you did not inquire too deeply into, but who called upon the Ancient Spirits. Lothar was actually very seriously ill (losing 1 W permanently). You agreed to make a sacrifice to them of some chickens at a small island containing a mysterious shrine. Brian thought that the statue had too large a head to be human, but it was far too worn to make out details. You took the armour and weapons to the Verenan, Erich Kyriakin, who was very impressed and promised to identify what he could for you despite a constantly whining Wayland almost causing you to be ejected from the temple. You made a suitable donation. Once more relying upon the generosity of Stanislav Uspenski you descended upon his house, and over a fine meal told him of your adventures. Unfortunately, and as Lothar nearly choked first his food and then the halfling, Brian blurted out a version to the effect that you had been tomb robbing and the priest of Mórr politely made his apologies and left. The politics aside, 'your' magical items are now subject to a claim by the churches of Mórr and Ulric and the boyar. Despite warnings, Wayland determined to keep his assignation with Natalja Antonov. Wayland later provided you with his version of events, but the following morning you were all (less Wayland) arrested under a warrant from the governor for the crime of economic sabotage. It seems, however, that the boyar prefers to cock a snook at the governor rather than cash in on the 250GCs reward. Still, your horses and cart were confiscated, as were some of your money and other items - but the Kislevites were surprisingly generous. Lothar muttered more words of anger about the idiocy of his colleagues in falling foul of the governor. You were told to vacate the town by mid-day on the 20^th, which you did.

Electing to travel to Cetatae Alba, you made the famed castle and were greeted by the Order. You were, after a short while, invited to speak before the Council. It was made up of three persons, two women and a man. One woman appeared to be an Empire Sigmarite priestess, whose moniker was a sword through an open hexagon. The other woman was less easy to place, had dyed blond hair, and a symbol of a sword through an open circle on her worn (but well cared for) plate mail armour. The final figure appeared to be of Norscan descent and was wearing good chainmail with a sword through an open circle on a tabard. After initially attempting a cover story, you eventually came clean and showed them your warrants. There was clearly some internal politicking within the Order, and the man and (fake) blonde woman were at odds over something. Eventually it became clear that the Professor was in the castle and, after private deliberation, the Order agreed to hand him over to you. Mission completed. Not, of course! Sadly, he had escaped that night and disappeared with some members of the Order towards a shrine in Tribesmen lands that he had been persuading the Order to help him reach. You did not engage greatly with the Order, and set off (with a knight and scout to help you) after the Professor. You were ambushed by some Shallyan Templar members, but fought them to a surrender and by late on the 21^st you arrived at the temple.

It is early evening on the 21^st Pflugzeit when we pick up events. I'll review the events at the shrine at the start of the session, together with a description of what you have learnt so far. The scout (Olga Pyrieva) is with you, but the knight returned to the castle with the prisoners that you collected earlier.

Wayland 60

Lothar 60

Brian 40

Wilhelm 105

Jakob 60

You have lost your cart and any horses. You will have to delete a horse (if you had one). I'll also need to agree with you any notable valuables that might have been lost.