Summary 21

You depart the barrow for Trautenau. Jakob is increasingly more paranoid and you elected to travel cross-country to the River Talabec and take ship to Talabheim, thence to Bergsberg. Not knowing the way, Baron Trautenau-Nebelsfeur seemed rather too happy to offer you a guide. Whilst the guide, Wolfgang, appeared a little shady, he seems genuinely impressed by your stories and that glint in his eye was one you recognised from your own early and naïve days. You offered to let him join you and he agreed. The journey was uninteresting and expensive. Jakob did not even notice the local shrines to the cult of Biersal that seemed linked to your adventures. Still, he made copious offerings to them, much to the disgust of Lothar and the others. At Talabheim, the authorities were persuaded to help you though things were slow and bureaucratic. Bergsberg was not much easier either. Whilst the Cult accepted you, one of the Brothers was very critical of the treatment expenses until a hefty donation by Jakob encouraged him to demand that you get every assistance. A week of cleaning out latrines, ritual purges and regular attendance at ceremonies tired you all. Nebala was rather popular with one of the clerics, who seemed to enjoy her voice. You were glad to travel to Middenheim, your home. Until Jakob and Lothar realised that they were the only ones actually from here!

Entering the city, you went directly to the Worshipful Guild of Legalists, only to find that Augustus Steiner had been hanged the week before. Fortunately, this turned out to be a mistake when the clerk double-checked his records. Everything went smoothly. You were heroes and the Steiner boy was freed. You were even owed over 60GCs backpay! Sadly, it was found that you also owed over 400GCs in expenses and damages. You just managed to pay off your debts and avoided Debtor's Prison, but this cleaned you out. Jakob disappeared off, but was later found to be homeless and sacked from his apprenticeship - though he said that he was above scribing now anyway. He stalked off to the Collegium. Susanna, Wilhelm and new member Wolf managed to obtain employment with the Cult of Verena after some false starts. You did meet up with some of your old friends - the Ulrican Templars, Mungo and saw Augustus Steiner. You discovered that Serjeant Hintzer was dead - killed in a riot by the homeless fearing transportation to Norderingen.

Nebala attempted to find someone to help her with her language, though Wilhelm had tried his best during the journey. Initially, she was introduced to Rallane Lafarel and for a few days was the centre of attention at the Singing Moon and gave performances of her people's songs to great acclaim of the clientele. You are even invited to a performance - though you cannot afford a drink! With such interest, it is not difficult to obtain the assistance of the Wizards and Alchemists Guild to offer analysis upon her native tongue, tutors and/or an improved magical mode of communication. At some stage she simply disappears and no investigation or enquiry can discover her whereabouts. Contacting the Singing Moon, Rallane Lafarel and Janna Eberhauer are involved. They discover that Nebala is being 'held' by a group of wizards and scholars for their academic researches. Janna is unable to free Nebala, since they have the approval of a disinterested Albrecht Helseher and the active support of Karl-Heinz Wasmeier - who you have heard is a 'good guy' since he is opposing purported new taxes on wizards and non-humans. A plan is reached and you elected to aid Nebala and also gain employment in a military expedition to the Wheatland Colonies. 

Nebala is being held at the house of Klaus Kolten, a local wizard of some power. However, your friends have a number of means to arrange for a distraction. The night before you 'spring' her, a number of local gangs attack wizards' premises with stones and there is anti-wizard graffiti. This is assumed to be part of a rise in sentiment caused by rumours of a proposed tax upon wizards. The following night, you await hidden near the house. An attack occurs upon Kolten's house, but 'fortunately' a patrol of watch with two Knights Panther 'happen to be' patrolling past. Whilst two give chase, the others knock on the door and insist on searching the house for intruders. Waiting for a shuttered window to be opened, you creep in, cosh the guard and free Nebala. Simple! One point to note is that Susanna seemed rather keen on helping Nebala to dress….

Marshall von Genscher briefed you and arranged for your various posts. You are to head north along the Erengrad Road to the Forest Inn, where you will break away from the road and rendezvous with a boat on the shore. The Marshall was vague, but it would appear that the ship is a Marienburger. Two days later, the convoy departs. I'll save reminder details on the force until next session.

Day 1 travel to Arenburg. The force camps outside and entry into the village is forbidden. Some traders will come out, but are theoretically not allowed. You were required to set the guard rota. One of the conscripts escaped; you were bawled out and thence took the charges very seriously - joining the sentries, spot checks, counting sleepers etc.

Day 2 travel to the Fox and Crown.

Day 3 travel to Ulric's Vision. Here a young lad wishes to join the group. Kessler opposes this and Wilhelm acquiesces. The lad is later seen tagging along with the camp followers. 

Day 4 arrive at Beeckerhoven.

Day 5 spend a day at Beeckerhoven to rest the troops. A number of the accompanying soldiers leave. A few from the town join in order to patrol to the north. Wilhelm led training and managed - at his own expense - to better equip the Lorenzens. Susanna showed herself to be an incompetent idiot when she fumbled a Leadership test and is not well liked or respected. Damn foreigners telling us what to do! Wilhelm and Nebala seem to be rather attached to each other, though both seem to be acting more like adolescents than adults.

Notes

Jakob and Lothar need various 'housekeeping' matters resolved for the end of the PWC campaign. Experience will also be awarded in person next session. We welcome Julius as a new player - an ex-footpad (though none of you actually know this) hoping for a better life. I'll round out the Expeditionary Force in a handout next session. There might be a surprise or two!