Summary 27

Wilhelm RIP

The favour that Prince Hayk requires is straightforward. Whilst his forces engage in a diversionary attack, you are to slay a lone giant that has broken through his eastern flank. You agree and ruminate over many possible plans. Quite why you bother to do this is unclear, since Wilhelm appears bent on a suicidal attack. Sadly, his wishes are achieved and he is slain by the creature. This sends Nebala into a fury and she slays the creature, after strong additional work by Flint and some good shooting by Lothar. In fact, you are all quite pleased with your individual efforts, to the extent that Jakob is heard repeating all the way back as to why the plan was not followed. Some pieces of giant are collected for possible selling on, but no one thinks to try and preserve any of the material!

The Prince is pleased and declares you as Heroes of Belyerotova. Jakob is seen attempting to toady up to the Princess, but she ignores him. Perhaps refusing her when she was simply a 'smelly peasant' might have had something to do with it. The Prince honours his side of the bargain and also provides you with a replacement as his means of repaying his debt to Wilhelm. Apparently, Barballe is some sort of Kislevan wizardess, but Jakob seems far from impressed with her beads, trinkets and furs. She isn't like wizards in Middenheim!

Returning to WheatCEF, you set off towards the end of the Pass. You come across some of the Forever Tsarists, who attempt to stir up trouble amongst your Gospodars, until re-educated by Dressair's people. You are also met by some Hill Men claiming to be followers of a 'Prince Thurimuth' and who try and persuade you to return since the Colonies belong to them as the 'True People'. This seems to be a theme, as a group of Dolgans, followers of 'Halqa Gorkipok', will also attempt to chase you off. When you reach the end of the Pass, it must be admitted that you feel like going home as a line of crucifixions lead towards Preslav amid the litter of burnt farms and overgrown fields. The Commissar is notably quiet!

The City of Preslav was never terribly impressive, but is now pitiable. There is no sign of habitation around the city; fields are wild and unkempt. Preslav had clearly been attacked in force at some time in the past and been badly sacked. Approximately two thirds of the town has been burnt down. However, the Commonwealth flag flies over a part of the city, along with two other (unknown) flags. One is crossed swords loosing a teardrop where they cross (Order of the Exaltation of the Teardrop) and the other is of a bear strangling a giant insect. The city walls have been rebuilt in part and also within the original layout of the city. In other words, the current settlement is about half the size of the original. Much of the walls surrounding the settlement are now earth, with timber clearly in short supply. A very large ditch has been added. 

The makeshift walls were manned primarily by peasants, though your welcome was gracious, formal and warm once the suspicion had been placated. You entered as heroes. The city inside is filthy and run-down, although some order appears to apply here. Food is being grown inside the town in the many vacant plots that are located everywhere. The people look starved and are ill dressed. A number of buildings exhibit the sign of the Order of the Exaltation of the Teardrop; worship of this faith appears to be booming.

Veliki Knez (Grand Prince) Janusz Obichowa and most of the noble and military elite are dead (or presumed dead) having been slain in the battles in the last year. It appears that Hunedoara has been at war with certain revolutionary states within the Commonwealth, but also suffered attacks from the Hill Men. These became critical at just the time Dolgan raiders broke out from the north. Finally, Preslav itself whilst besieged by the Hill Men (an unknown event in itself) was betrayed from the inside by an unknown force. 

Hunedoara is currently ruled by a 'Defence Council', at which you assemble the following morning. The council members present at the meeting are as follows:

Beg Jan Ligezy appears of medium height, slight build and studious air. The term 'beg' is a military-religious one. He is leader of the Cult of Ulric, Templar of the White Wolf and elected regent.

Bocland Mikolaj Kalisj is rotund with care lines engraved into his face. He is the administrator and his primary issue is that WheatCEF is yet more mouths to feed during what is bound to be a harsh winter. He is senior priest of the Cult of Svarog (a minor Ancient Spirit), administrator and de facto advisor to the regent. 

Elder Thordis commands the Order of the Exaltation of the Teardrop and has been highly successful at mobilising the entire population to defend the region. She is clearly an immensely popular figure.

Mezyk Seerak is a Master Goldsmith and posadnik (portreeve), who represents the city's (business) interests.

Jakub Tarnow is a Master Builder and city posadnik (portreeve). He represents the city's (business) interests, but has also proven an able planner in ensuring that Hunedoara remains supplied.

Kihelkond Klemens is a noble, who says nothing. 

Two additional members are mentioned at the Council. Krystyn Todleben is acting military commander for the United Commonwealth of Wheatlands Colonies, primarily as everyone else is dead. She is campaigning in the north around Koporye to keep the Dolgans in check. Kihelkond Zygmont is the most important remaining member of the local nobility and is with her.

A number of issues are raised at the Council that will need attention.

Disappearances have started again, after a period of peace.

Turov has refused to recognise the Defence Council and need to be integrated into the Principality. Its leader is Knez Petrov Nakhimoff.

There is trouble at Gorodec, where peasants have been disappearing.

Garrisoning, campaigning and (ultimately) winter quarters will need to be arranged.

The Emi are a clan of 'friendly' Dolgans who have been missing since the various incursions. The Council needs to know where they are and whether they remain loyal vassals. 

A diplomatic offensive is needed to re-unite the United Commonwealth and thence regain lost land from the Hill Men and Dolgans.

The most notable feature in Preslav is the central stone keep. By a series of chances, Jakob discovered some peculiar glyphs in the rooms where recent disappearances had occurred. Wolf utilised his philosophical learning to open the code and discover that they unlocked doors into the thick walls. You had discovered that the building pre-dated Preslav and determined to enter. Discovering a staircase, you descend. A hideous reek assails and overpowers your sense of smell as we leave the session at yet another cliff-hanger.

Experience
Jakob 30 
Lothar 10 (carried ocer)
Wolf 45
Flint 50
Barballe 60

Issues
Lothar has reached 12 IP and needs to test. He and Flint also need to make Cool tests.