Summary 29

Where to start? You managed to cleanse the mysterious under-levels with a mixture of luck, audacity and heroic stupidity. Reflecting on the various encounters, you resolved to consider the following uncertainties:

The machaira that you discovered remains an unknown. It is a curved bladed sword and very unusual to traditional Old World weapons, as the cutting blade is on the inner of the curved surfaces. It appears to be inscribed with magical words, but you have little idea as to what they mean.

The entrance to the final chamber had a carving of a bearded man wearing a one-piece hide cap, rising to a high peak with neck and cheek flaps. His face is tattooed with a swirling pattern. Again, there are traces of an earlier work over which this has been carved - signs exist of an earlier character with a more cylindrical helmet and ringlets in the beard. The dwarf rune Thindrongul (secret vault) is carved above the head, flanked by the Thagi rune (traitor) and Vengryn rune (vengeance).

Inside the chamber, a circular stone step rises some 6" from the floor and leads to an arch carved into the solid wall. The step is carved into a zoomorphic pattern, whilst the arch itself is carved with dwarf runes. The pattern on the step serves no obvious purpose. The dwarf runes are of two themes intertwined around the arch. These are:

Drek (Far)
Drin (highway)
Gorak (magical)

Got (travel)
Gromdal (artefact)
Izril (jewel)
Rhun (rune, word, power)

You recall a figure retreating into here at the start of the last fight, but it has apparently disappeared.

You pondered the meaning of the word oZo found in jewellery of humans and ghouls, but failed to get very far. Had you asked any of the Kislevans, they would tell you that it is an abbreviation for Diiozo, a local spirit of the mountains. He is seen as very fickle, sometimes defending Kislev from its enemies and sometimes aiding them (without apparent cause). To the Colonies, he is even more feared (and despised) as he controls their lifeline. Diiozo is worshipped by the Hill Men tribes; they are sometimes referred to as the Wildmen of Diiozo (Divji moz in Slavic). You did recognise oZo as the name of a major political group within Marienburg prior to the independence of the city. It retains some current use amongst a few more hot-headed individuals who wish to develop a pan-Marienburg confederation within The Empire (and elsewhere). You did not follow this further, and were invited to an audience with the Council. Some of you were treated rather harshly by a group of the Kislevans, and your reactions varied. Jakob pragmatically accepted imprisonment - on rather fine terms - whilst his Sigmaritism was placed under review, but both Silas and Lazarus reacted with hostility. Both ended up insulting Elder Thordis and were promptly arrested. Threatening to bitch slap the most powerful woman in Kislev is not terribly sensible practice.

It appeared that the region was very paranoid about Marienburgers, and Silas has done nothing to dispel this. The two 'Marienburg' colonies are widely believed in Preslav to be behind much of the troubles and the betrayal of Hunedoara to the Hill Men. Evidence of this was given to you in various forms. For example, corn from those two colonies had been used to make gin, to such an extent that most of the colony was drunk most of the time prior to the invasions. The known Sigmarite leaders were Thomas Rokewood, Heinrich Winter, Beatrijs Aarden and Krijn Keanes. You did not enquire at the time, but Wolf's friends in the Marienburg force were very worried. Thomas Rokewood committed suicide. He shot himself with his crossbow. Rokewood had three bolts in his body when found. Heinrich Winter committed suicide. He shot himself with his crossbow. Winter had two bolts in his head when found. Beatrijs Aarden was expelled from Hunedoara in 2509 for preaching sedition against the Tsar and his rule in the Colonies. Krijn Keanes committed suicide. He stabbed himself with his own sword. Keanes had three sword cuts in his chest and one in his back.

After some rough treatment, Barballe and Jakob managed to negotiate an 'arrangement'. Silas is not keen, but has been persuaded to accept it. It seems that a murder has been committed that needs experienced investigators, neutral of the Preslav authorities. Aer Dressair has apparently been very fulsome in his praise of your group, and persuaded the Veche to offer you the task. This is an opportunity to mend some broken fences.

You have so far obtained the following general information:

Veliki Knez (Grand Prince) Janusz Obichowa was Stannary Warden, representing the powerful interests of the tinners. However, he was not popular with the tinners, who viewed his taxation on tin as an abuse of power. Effectively he had raised taxation on tin as the only product that he could control and (to be fair) as the only product that could withstand the charge due to its high demand to the west. Rumours implied that he was skimming for his own personal income too.

At the time the tinners were demanding that a tinner be elected as Warden. Effectively, there were three competing candidates. Alexander Popov was popular in the east and was theoretically the biggest tinner in the north. He employed large numbers of men in traditional workings along the many small streams and rivers to the east. His primary opponent was Anton Galvan, whose family is originally from Estalia but who is third generation Kislevan. His workings are smaller than Popov's, and he is known to have had a number of offers to purchase workings rejected. He has succeeded in buying out some smaller businesses. Both of these are based at Vutka. However, a newer rival, Arenski Okram, was increasingly more powerful for he was adopting newer mining methods in the mountains to the east with very effective results. However, Okram was very unpopular with the Hunedoaran elite as he was demanding greater independence and recognition for the economically powerful but politically weak tinners. He also aped the nobility, such as his interest in hawking. His demands included formation of a guild, direct representation with the Prince, tax rebates, monopoly protection, the creation of his own independent Worlds Edge Mountain Tin Company and direct trade with Kislev.

Mezyk Seerak is currently acting as Stannary Warden, primarily as he is deemed politically strong to the immediate needs of the province. This has not placated the tinners, who required Alexander Popov to be elected. The death of Okram has unified the tinners - mostly - behind their man. Seerak is known as the 'Tin-pot Smith'

Serious disruption has occurred within the tinning operations of Hunedoara. Okram was slain and his mines overrun at the start of the war and with the loss of the Pass, all export has ceased and thus the price has collapsed.

With the loss of the west, war and the many outlaws and armed raiders of the last two yearsraids on the tin workings had occurred continually. However, despite the relative security of the east and the generally improved situation throughout the region, sabotage of equipment has continued. When the overseer of one of Popov's workings was found dead an investigation (of sorts) did take place, but found nothing. It is generally assumed that this activity is the result of the breakdown of central control and either Marauder raiders or certain princes within Vlachistan or Petzinak seeking to take advantage of the current situation. However, reports have now reached Preslav that Alexander Popov has been found dead and a serious investigation by experienced professionals is needed. If this is the work of Marauders, Petznak or Vlachistan rebels, then the culprits need to be dealt with in order to dissuade others. If this is an internal problem, it must be resolved so as not to upset tin production. This is your brief. You are neutral of the establishment and thus better able to deal with the tinners.

Alexander Popov was the leading tin miner with a large number of workings and workers. Alexander was touring his digs, but did not return for his expected evening meal. When his horse was found by a group of locals a search was organised. The body was found, stabbed, stripped of cloak and boots and robbed of his money pouch and fine sword. He had been dead a few hours, but no one with requisite skills was available to be more precise. 

Markus Popov is the brother of Alexander. He is based in Preslav and dealt with the secondary smelting and shipment to the west. He has been badly hit by the loss of trade, since his money was made in the shipment and smelting. 

Ivan Sagun is the stepson of Alexander Popov (being the son of his new wife, Anya) and manages Markus' work. His mother re-married to Alexander Popov. 

Anton Galvan becomes the leading tinner on the death of Popov. He had attempted to buy a number of Popov's workings but been rejected. 

Georgi Georgivich was overman of the Vutka workings and was found dead one morning. 

Ekaterina Etluk is the new overman of the Votka workings. 

Anya Popov is a new wife for Alexander, much younger than he was. 

Natascha Vladescu is the engineer professionally qualified to open new operations. She is an employee of the state and can be relied upon to assist you.

Mikhael Meecha is an itinerant druid. He travels the region preaching on various issues, mostly linked to the damage done to the environment by the tin production. He is known to have damaged equipment and even attacked tinners, but has not actually slain anyone. No one knows where he lives or even if she has a single home.

Olaf Vishnevski and Skarde Newky are the local nobility. 

For information: In the east tin is obtained from river beds and banks in the form of an alluvial ore taken from gravel through a series of sluices in a quite complex ore washing system. The tin ore is then carried to a bowing-house where it is weighed (and taxed) and given its first smelting. From here the ore is transported to Preslav where it is smelted again to improve purity (and subjected to a second tax) and then packed for shipping west to Praag and then by river to various destinations.

We find you about to leave the next morning with Mezyk Seerak, Brother Petre, Markus, Ivan and four militiamen.

Experience
Jakob  35 
Lothar  25 
Wolf  30
Barballe  30
Silas  55
Lazarus  50

We need to deal with social level amendments.