Tales of the Old World 30

<Tales_GM> When the setting sun gives way to Morrslieb, the moon is even larger than the nights previous, bathing the town in its sickly green light.
<Tales_GM> It seems to hang low above the town, and as you catch reflections of it on wine glasses and windows, it appears impossibly close - as if it were scraping the tallest buildings.
<Tales_GM> At this time in the evening, the Adel Ring is home to a certain amount of activity. A Watch patrol can be seen doing their duty of protecting the citizens, and they ignore the occasional group of rowdy young rakes leaving for a night on the town. As the Schaffenfest comes to a close for the year, foot traffic to and from the festival tents ramps up.
<Tales_GM> Those of the better off classes pass by for dinner engagements, often accompanied by servants with torches and cudgels to ward off footbads, and the occasional out-of-town reveler.
<Tales_GM> A young couple holds a rendezvous, seemingly finding a good place to observe the bizarre display of the pale green moon.
<Thorek> "Quite the forboding night." Thorek says to the elven wizard. He does his best to look like a menacing bodyguard for a wizard who enjoys such green nights as these.
<Tales_GM> Several people exit the Steinhäger house, several wearing travel cloaks that obscure their faces.
<Far_Foririan> "Yes it seems that way." he says to Thorek.
* Afrock nods.
<Seig> Seeing the group leave the Steinhäger house Seig, breaks off from Shivva to attempt to eavesdrop on them, they are remarkably unaware of his presence and he gets close enough to overhear some conversation.
<Tales_GM> "More than the last dinner meeting. More than expected." One of the cloaked men says. "Is it not a risk? And what of that foreigner? Hardly anyone knows why he was invited but it seems important to our host that we meet him," another replies.
<Tales_GM> "The foreigner has every credential we require," says a third in a low yet commanding voice that stops all further discussion.
<Seig> Sensing he can only linger on their periphery for so long, Seig re-joins Shivva.
<Seig> "Pay particular attention to anyone wearing a foreign garb..."
<Tales_GM> At a moment of particularly dense traffic through the Adel Ring, several figures break off into the Teugen Estate. Even with their cloaks, the guards appear to instantly recognize them, and permit their entry.
<Tales_GM> From the townhome in the North, known to be the residence of the Guildmaster of the influential Merchant's Guild, a well dressed man exits, carrying a package, and crosses the Adel Ring towards the Teugen Estate.
* Thorek makes a note of the man and the package, as discreetly as possible.
<Tales_GM> Some the minutes later, Franz Steinhäger emerges from his house, accompanied by his two bodyguards. He too carries a package under his arm, and walks across the Adel Ring to the Teugen Estate.
<Tales_GM> Over the next half hour, after both of these entered the Teugen Estate, another five visitors arrive. All are on foot and well-dressed, and each carries a bundle. Some are in the company of bodyguards, and nearly all come from houses near the Adel Ring.
<Tales_GM> It's clear by now that many well-armed folk are now in the Estate. And when the last of the visitors arrive, the gates are closed.
<Tales_GM> Two bodyguards stay by the closed gate while two others patrol the grounds. A short moment later, three guard dogs are released to roam the grounds of the estate.
<Thorek> Once things have quieted down, Thorek shares what he's seen with Far.
* Seig makes sure Shivva is on the same page in terms of what was seen and heard.
* Far_Foririan makes note of the ones person he missed, adding it to the list of people and notes on them from what he already has.
* Seig also makes some notes in his journal summarising what was seen and heard.
<Shivva> "You said 'foreign garb' earlier. No other details?"
<Tales_GM> From every street into the Adel Ring, men slowly begin to converge. All are dressed in rough, tattered clothing, and they carry clubs, chair legs, chains, and similar brute weapons. No one else, not even the Watch patrols, remains in the Adel Ring with you.
* Roderick speaks quietly to Afrock. "Slowly make your way towards Far and Thorek, something is going on."
<Roderick> "Ah that's why, scratch slowly. Group up before they jump us."
<Seig> "Naw, there is apparently a foreigner in attendance, but they didn't hint at where from..... also we might have a problem..."
* Roderick moves towards Far and Thorek at a quick pace.
<Tales_GM> Morrslieb appears to grin wide over the town, now.
* Thorek grips the haft of his axe as he notices the converging men. "Ahhhh umgak, best prepare yourself Far." He notices Roderick coming towards them at a brisk pace.
<Seig> "Lets head over to everyone else, not sure we can sneak out of this one."
* Far_Foririan whispers to Thorek, "Yea I see them as well." his grips his staff.
<Shivva> "Yea."
<Seig> Upon reaching the group "There should be a sewer grate by the guild masters house if we are wanting to call it a day here..."
<Tales_GM> One of these men moves toward you as the rest keep their positions along the passageways out of the Adel Ring. He walks with a steady demeanor, chain wrapped his forearm.
<Far_Foririan> "Might be a good idea."
* Roderick raises an eyebrow and draws a pistol, pointing it squarely at the man. "I don't think they're going to let us go Seig. Much to their demise."
* Roderick pulls the trigger.
<Thorek> "Shite."
* Afrock prepares for combat.
* Shivva pulls out his quarter staff.
<Tales_GM> The pistol's crack echoes dryly across the night air. The approaching man doubles over for a moment, incredulous, before lifting his head again to lock eyes with Roderick.
* Far_Foririan decides in a instant to grab his bow fires one of his arrows and the approaching man.
<Tales_GM> The arrow travels silently through the air, impaling itself on the man's left arm. He lets out a cry of pure rage that riles the others.
* Seig charges the wounded man but he somehow manages to recover and parry the blow.
<Tales_GM> Roaring and calling, one of them begins a charge; the brawl promises to be bloody.
* Shivva walks up to the nearest enemy and tries to hit the thug in the head. Though Shivva's attack is block, the pole still hits the thug in the eye.
<Tales_GM> The man plants his palms over his eye in an instinctive protective motion, yet a mere second later, he collapses.
<Tales_GM> The effect is sufficient for the rest of the thugs to begin backing out, disappearing into the side-streets in every direction.
* Seig checks the pulse on the downed enemy.
<Far_Foririan> "Well that was, short lived."
<Thorek> The bountyhunter keeps his axe handy, not trusting what his eyes are telling him. "This doesn't feel right."
* Afrock nods in agreement.
<Seig> "You got him." Seig then checks what he had on him.
* Roderick reloads his pistol.
<Tales_GM> The Teugen hounds bark fiercely, trying to push through the gates. Soon, several guards emerge, and the gates of the Estate are opened.
* Far_Foririan goes to recover the arrow in the man's arm but it is broken.
<Shivva> "I felt or rather still feel a sickly aura in night."
<Seig> "Lets clear out."
<Tales_GM> The kennelmaster bids the beasts to hunt, and without skipping a beat... they do so.
* Far_Foririan moves to clear out.
* Afrock prepares to move out.
* Shivva moves out with the group.
<Roderick> "It is unlikely we will outrun the hounds."
<Roderick> "However we may be able to put enough distance that we can then hide."
<Roderick> "Let's get moving."
<Roderick> "We'll turn and fight if we must."
<Thorek> "Better not be long distance!" Thorek grumbles as he moves.
<Roderick> "Don't fall behind Thorek, I know those stumpy legs will slow you down!"
* Roderick chuckles as he runs
<Thorek> "You'd better take that back! I'll put your name in my book of grudges!"
<Roderick> "I can't hear you all the way back there mate!"
<Tales_GM> The hounds bark and claw their way closer and closer.
<Tales_GM> At a critical moment, a hound leaps at Thorek...
<Thorek> His instincts scream for hims to spin and lash out with his axe. Perhaps Griminir and Vallaya smile upon the dwarf, as the flat of the blade cracks into the left leg of the hound with a crack. He hears the hound yelp as it flips and stumbles off to the side. Thorek gives praise to the ancestor gods as he concentrates on putting one leg in front of the other as fast as he can.
<Roderick> "We move to the tavern, nobody split off. We've had enough surprises tonight."
<Seig> "Sounds good."
<Thorek> "Aye, lead the way...you'd best take what you said earlier back."
<Tales_GM> It takes twenty minutes, but you successfully make it back to the Journey's End. As far as you are able to tell, no one has trailed you...
<Roderick> "It was only a good-natured jest Thorek. I don't hold your height against you."
* Thorek takes a deep breath and puffs his cheeks out. "Good, I'd have to have to grudge you, azumgi."
<Tales_GM> Rest is imperfect, as you take turns keeping watch... after all the suspicions you now hold imply a deep web of conspiracy.
<Tales_GM> As the knock to rise you for breakfast comes, so does a discreet slip under the door.
<Tales_GM> Another bill, yes, but also a folded note from the Madame Innkeeper.
<Seig> Seig, being the final watch retrieves the note.
<Tales_GM> 'The Guildmaster Magirius wishes to break fast with you. I have set a table, though the gentleman refuses any service until you have joined him. Please leave any linens to be washed by the door.'
<Seig> "Huh..."
<Tales_GM> "The head of the Merchants' Guild himself. Very impressive," Kruger says standing beside Sig to read over the note.
<Roderick> "And most likely one of the council given his prestigious position. Let's go meet with this heretic and see how he implicates himself."
<Thorek> "I have a niggle of a feeling, and it isn't a good one." He recalls yesterday's events and their implications. "This is more than a coincidence." He then yawns.
<Roderick> "Of course. I assume he is here to threaten us further, given his thugs didn't accomplish their goal."
<Seig> "Likely, we shall see.
* Seig readies to leave.
<Far_Foririan> "Shall I ware my robes then?"
<Thorek> "Well, I think I could eat my own weight in bread and cheese, so let's at least break our fast while we're threatened." He smacks his belly and chuckles as he buckles his pants.
<Seig> "Forian you don't need us to dress you do you?"
<Shivva> "I'm gonna need to pick up my coat."
* Afrock grunts.
<Roderick> "Wear what you wish Far, Shivva gather your coat after we break our fast. Let's go."
* Far_Foririan glares at Seig for a moment. Then just decides to wear them all the same in the end.
<Tales_GM> When you arrive downstairs, you find the Innkeeper pouring a cup of tea for a man you instantly recognize as the first man to emerge, holding a package, from the Guildmaster's Townhouse.
<Tales_GM> He has neat grey hair, sky-blue eyes, and a short, forked beard, and wears some of the finest quality clothing you've seen.
<Seig> "By what do we owe this honour?" Seig takes a slight bow.
<Tales_GM> Yet despite the jovial demeanor with which he walked across the Adel Ring, he appears pale - and worried.
<Tales_GM> "Is there..." he leans forward. "Is there a place we may speak? Where we may not be disturbed, or... or overheard?"
* Roderick turns towards the innkeeper. "Our suite has privacy. If it will be amenable we would like to break fast there Madame."
<Tales_GM> "Certainly," she says with her usual warmth.
<Tales_GM> "You've heard Mr. Haynes. Set the---"
<Tales_GM> "Please. This is urgent," interrupts Magirius.
<Seig> "Well then lets urgently head upstairs."
* Roderick raises an eyebrow. "Perhaps hold off on the vittles until after we meet with the Guildmaster. You have my apologies Madame."
<Tales_GM> "We will be ready to serve the suite when you call, Mr. Haynes."
<Thorek> "This had better be important." The dwarf grumbles as he turns around and starts stomping up the stairs.
<Roderick> "Your hospitality is appreciated as always." He nods his head in thanks and follows the rest back upstairs to the suite.
<Tales_GM> "Apologies for the intrusion, Madame," says Magirius with automatic, unfelt politeness, dropping four golden coins on the table.
<Tales_GM> Once in the suite, Magirius looks around, uncomfortable.
<Tales_GM> "Are we alone?"
* Seig goes to the window and keeps and eye out.
* Roderick nods. "Short of someone hanging on the window ledge outside or living in the walls I'd say we are."
<Tales_GM> "Right. Yes... may I take a seat?"
* Roderick gestures to a seat and sits across from it.
<Thorek> Once the door is shut, Thorek leans against, keeping an ear out for the hallway.
<Seig> "Just the pigeons."
<Roderick> "I assume this has to do with your secret meeting at the Teugen Estate."
* Far_Foririan stays standing near the door with Thorek.
<Tales_GM> "You are the Witch Hunter. Roderick Haynes, of... of the Templars, yes?" He asks with such certainty that it feels nothing at all like a question.
<Roderick> "Correct."
<Tales_GM> "I am Friedrich Magirius, Burgomeister of the Merchant's Guild. And I am here to make my confession."