Summary 32

Lazarus was heard to mutter "But it was all so obvious" as you finally managed to 'solve' the murder. There was still a lot of disagreement, and you rather accepted the word of a 'Chaos Marauder' as eye-witness. Still, all is well that ends well. It would appear that Alexander was indeed slain by the Marauders after all (Zinafer to be precise) as he happened upon a meeting between them and Galvan. Your initial move was to ensure that Galvan was stitched up via the witness, and your employer was very pleased indeed. Sadly, the witness was murdered by a guard who then disappeared, but it was unclear (well, no it wasn't!) how anyone knew who this prisoner in custody actually was. Your rewards were withdrawn, but Seerak remained a(n albeit less) pleased ally when you gave him additional 'dirt' on Galvan. Jakob also offered the Emi to him as a Stannary Warden militia, with which he was very pleased. Not a brilliant reward, but you have one friend on the Veche now. Oh, and Lothar bought a chainmail overcoat. For cash. And Lazarus managed to pillage a couple of hides from the camp that you looted. Not very druidic this avaricious behaviour - but he did become the first player not to fall for the crap coinage routine. At least one player reads up the summaries and background!

Returning to Preslav, Professor Diliberto offered his thoughts on the runes on the 'gateway' that you found. He believes that you need an item and password to trigger some form of transportation magic. Jakob said that he already knew this; Jakob seems to dislike the Professor. Heidi was also pleased to see you all and is clearly having difficulties managing the Middenheim WheatCEF soldiers. She tells you that many in the force are unhappy here, remain unpaid and that politics within the command structure is playing out regarding using the troops - particularly the Marienburg soldiers. Local unrest against the 'foreigners' is also present, though not too serious. Wolf thinks this is more a 'noble' thing than a genuine populist hatred. This might link to the Sigmarite pogrom and other activities in the past couple of years? Nebala was off 'somewhere'.

Heidi was not the only person impressed by your better performance, and the Veche felt able to ask you to engage in a diplomatic mission to the town of Turov in the north. It has refused to recognise the Defence Council and although it has not formally seceded, it has effectively done so. The Veche needs to know what exactly is happening there, and asks you to go. A 'proper' diplomat (Ivan Arbuzov) will accompany you in disguise, but as agents of the Tsar (rather than Hunedoara) and as clear independents, your input can only help. They can tell you very little, since political contact has been refused since the invasion.

Turov is in part a military town defending the north-east against the Wayfoot giants, but also deals with Hunedoaran lumber and some mining. Its leader is Knez (Prince) Petrov Nakhimoff. The only message from him to the Veche has been that he is now to be known as The Artist, formally a prince. His mother Euphema was a power-behind-the-throne, but is believed dead, as it seems ceremonies were held for her. The Chancellor is Yustina Zavoiko. There is a halfling community there. Otherwise, your briefing was extremely vague - minimal official contact has been had it seems.

Experience (including carried over)
Jakob  50 
Lothar  45 
Wolf  40
Silas  90
Lazarus  90
Nicolai  130
Dieter  90