We re-started the morning of the 19th Sigmarzeit (Kaiserzeit).

Aldhelm volunteers for duty with the Carroburg militia in their campaign against the ‘river pirates’ within the Furdienst. He is actually ‘pressed’, though rather more surprisingly expects the others to get him out of it. This after he gets himself into real difficulty deciding who he is going to be, and whether he has papers that will allow him to avoid duty. The other party members are respected citizens or are pretending to be. Aldhelm can choose to be himself, up on charges against his guild, or a foreign surgeon. He chooses the latter and is surprised to get drafted. He then gets Beatrix involved, ultimately deciding that the death penalty for desertion is slightly worse than serving. He spends the week getting filthy slogging through the swamps, but is paid as a surgeon. Fortunately, no pirates are found, and he successfully treats the various bites and the like of those who come to him. He also hires a camp follower to keep him clean and amused. He is paid, although this turns out to be campaign coinage. His response is to find it hilarious that he has had a woman serving him in every which way for a mere penny a day.

Johannes and Pieter witnessed what happens to thieves on their site, and it was not pleasant. The only noticeable occurrence during their work was that Plato von Fitz-Snobbislakt was seen being shown the site by Eberitter Ruprecht Edel. Odd friends you thought. The former is known as a puritan, and the latter anything but!

Despite squabbles and a veritable cock-up, in which your ‘plan’ seemed to be to allow an illegal trade to go ahead, you arrested the heretical Morr priest Hans Bahlow. He was dealing with three rather smelly individuals, poorly dressed, and each with a patch over one eye. The leader was a young girl, who was desperate to deal for a relic that Bahlow had been trading. It turns out that they are the Frater, who live near/ in the Furdienst. They were trying to buy a three-eyed human skull, said to be Saint Hestia, who tore out a third eye, and then one of her ‘normal eyes’, to “confound” the Chaos. The girl looked familiar, but it was only when you had all left that you realised that clean her up and remove the eye patch, and she looked like Agneta.

The two wizards are officially drafted into the army as Imperial Battle Wizards. Captain Schnork has a plan to create a trap. She will run a ‘trader’ out of the city once the militia return, but secretly load it with Imperial Army and mercenaries. The wizards enrol the rest of the party. The captain also hands Johannes a letter from Master Dietrich.

Schnork’s plan works a treat, and the 32nd saw a fight between the crew of the Cite Soleil and the pirates - who turned out to be orcs. A brilliant victory was won, recapturing two ships (Free Spirit and Eloise) and a fishing boat, and killing 14 orcs and a human. Six were lost on your side. Walter von Blomberg was present, but did little as he was plucked from the bridge by a great green hand, and dropped into the river (sans armour and equipment). You are heroes and Captain Schnork was very pleased indeed. Bounties were paid out on the recaptured ships. Bodies were removed for investigation. The apparent leader jumped - fully armoured - into the river to escape. You did very well indeed, and everyone except Aldhelm was noted for his bravery.

Aldhelm walks away without any smell in his own eyes, much to the amazement of anyone else. I mean anyone else would think they were hosed. His parents are well and truly censured, and will never recover. They are effectively ruined. He is banned from trading within the City and fined - but this latter is paid for him by a grateful Karl Brodtman. Beatrix’s business is established as she licenses herself as a trader, and does good business with mercenaries - including one with one arm.

Given your fame, you have been asked to consider a couple of jobs.

The Schwiffert company are doing a lot of loading/unloading trade. They pay guild rates, but charge customers less. How, wants to know Eberitter Ruprecht Edel? He paid you a small retainer.

It seems likely that someone was giving the pirates inside information. There seems to be more to this. You have been requested to visit Plato von Fitz-Snobbislakt, who wishes you to follow this up.

The party discussed but never actually followed through a number of other stories. Inter alia, these include:

Ehrman Ossman’s disappearance.
Albright Kunstler’s disappearance.
The paranoid returned crusader.
Aldhelm’s revenge.

We also have the problem that Phil’s PC is a Wanted Felon. Johan Schmidt is wanted heretic. 5GCs reward. Willi Gruyden is also wanted for crimes against the Cult of Ulric. This will be tried by an Ulrican Court since it was on Ulrican lands!

We restart on the 3rd Sommerzeit.

A message has been left for Johan stating that he will be collected by coach that evening if he wishes to earn 2GCs for a night’s work.