Tales of the Old World 31

<Tales_GM> The year is 2512 on the Imperial Calendar...
<Tales_GM> Friedrich Magirius sits across from you, his face betraying deep concern, uncertainty, and fear.
* Seig retrieves his notebook and quill before continuing to keep an eye out the window.
* Roderick gestures towards Far. "I'll have my comrade write up your confession. Once finished you will sign and seal the document. If you cooperate fully with my investigation you will be granted leniency and the document will become...lost. Otherwise it will be handed over and you will suffer the same fate as the others."
* Afrock has a look of concern.
* Thorek strokes his beard, his back still against the door.
* Roderick looks to the Guildmaster, waiting for a response.
* Far_Foririan nodes as he grabs some Parchment and his writing kit.
<Tales_GM> "I come here knowing fully what my fate might be," he nods.
<Tales_GM> "Yet maintaining silence invites cruelty I could never have imagined..." he continues with almost a whisper.
<Roderick> Once Far is ready Roderick nods to Magirius. "Unburden yourself Guildmaster."
<Tales_GM> "Perhaps I can begin by describing the nature of the Ordo Septinarius."
<Tales_GM> "It has two faces. It is a club, if you like, and most of its members are drawn from the merchant families of the town. There are 49 members in all - 42 ordinary members, and an Inner Council of 7."
* Far_Foririan begins to write down the confession of Magirius.
<Tales_GM> "We represent the elite within the Merchants' Guild, and co-operate with each other in order to reap the greatest profit for all. We make donations to the temples, and run a soup kitchen in the Pit for the relief of the poor in association with the Temple of Shallya..." Magirius pauses for a moment, adding, "charitable overtures."
<Tales_GM> "But perhaps I digress... for the outward nature of the Ordo Septinarius reveals little of what now aflicts this town."
<Tales_GM> He pauses, looking up from the blank stare he has maintained as he recalls what he knows.
<Tales_GM> "May I have something to drink?"
<Tales_GM> He swallows hard, his throat dry. "Teugen. You know him well, I believe, the subject of your... curiosity of late."
<Tales_GM> "When he came to us from Nuln, he told us that, with our help, his knowledge of the arcane could influence the economy of the Empire."
<Thorek> "Pah, magic influencing the changing of gold..." He scoffs and shakes his head. "Manlings." He says in a lower voice.
* Afrock prepares a glass of water for the guildmaster.
<Tales_GM> "You don't know the man, dwarf. His intellect is palpable before he even utters the first phrase at you."
<Tales_GM> He gives Afrock a grateful nod as he takes the glass.
* Afrock nods and grunts in response.
<Tales_GM> After drinking near half its contents, he sets it down and continues.
<Tales_GM> "He claimed Bögenhafen would become a great center of commerce, rivaling Marienburg itself. And we would all become rich beyond our wildest dreams. That is why the Ordo Septinarius was established, and the lower ranks are no more than a smokescreen."
<Tales_GM> "Everything was going according to Teugen's plans until the temple under the Steinhäger offices had to be abandoned, following your..." he looks up at all of you, "your discovery."
<Tales_GM> He finishes gulping down the water in his glass.
<Tales_GM> "Last night, Teugen called a meeting. Only the Inner Council. We were informed of the intrusion on the temple. And of... details of what is to come."
<Tales_GM> He looks down at the Elf's scribbling, suddenly very interested in making sure his words are written down.
<Tales_GM> "The ritual will take place tonight. I don't yet know where, but I will get word from Teugen soon. Last night... last night Teugen said that a human sacrifice would be necessary to prepare the new temple."
<Tales_GM> Here, Magirius's expression betrays its most guilt, and pain.
<Tales_GM> "I didn't realize anyone would have to be killed. That is too much, too far. You must help me. Going to the authorities is useless; Teugen and the Inner Council control them all. My only hope was to come here..."
<Seig> "What of the Magistrate?"
<Tales_GM> He reaches into an inner pocket.
<Tales_GM> "Before I left the estate, I managed to take this."
<Tales_GM> "It was chaotic, as fire rang out in the Ring, and guards were scrambled."
* Roderick scans the letter. "What do you know of this?"
<Tales_GM> Satisfied that his testimony is being written down, he turns to Seig. "The Magistrate's influence is minimal. He is given the task of petty dispute resolution and signing onto warrants that never affect the interests of the powers that be."
<Tales_GM> "I know nothing more than what the ink-strokes tell, I'm afraid. We were never told of the first temple's preparations. The thought that its preparations already cost one life..." he trails off incapable of finishing the thought.
<Roderick> "I see. Continue your testimony Guildmaster."
<Tales_GM> He looks outside for a moment, searching the sun.
<Tales_GM> "I will sign what you require, but I must leave. Teugen is sure to send word of the new temple soon, and will act rashly if he doesn't find me. I will send word as soon as that information arrives."
* Far_Foririan informs Roderick of some of the knowledge he knows of two of the location listed on the paper, the Black Peaks on the south east boarder of the empire and the Grissenwald being one of the denser forest in the same region.
* Far_Foririan then hands off the parchment of the confession to Roderick to look over.
<Roderick> "Very well, do not falter in this Guildmaster. Lest your sins grow in number. As you say send us the information as quickly as possible, we must act with haste." Roderick looks it over before passing it to the nobleman to sign.
<Tales_GM> He hunches over, making his mark.
<Tales_GM> "As Teugen has his many eyes on you, so will I be able to find you. You will be the first to know," he nods with determination.
<Roderick> "Send the information with a messenger if you must. It won't do for us to meet at your home."
<Seig> "If it makes your work easier I can linger somewhere such as the crossed pikes? Rather than having somebody approach our entire group."
<Tales_GM> He rises, and heads for the door. "Gods guide your success, Witch Hunter."
<Roderick> "Sigmar provide you strength Guildmaster."
* Far_Foririan watches as Magirius leaves the room.
<Tales_GM> You can hear his steps down the stairs, and a short exchange with Odelina before any trace of the Guildmaster is gone.
<Thorek> "Grimnir watch over you." Thorek says as he opens the door for the guildmaster, and shuts it behind him. He then turns to the rest of the group.
<Roderick> "Alright, Seig pair up with someone and tail the Guildmaster. Your choice. Use disguises and be discreet. Magirius as good as said we are being watched."
* Seig retrieves his cloak an dons it over his other clothing. "Shiv?"
<Seig> "Follow me but we will travel slightly apart so we can't be jumped together."
<Shivva> "I suppose so."
<Seig> "Alright lets go."
<Thorek> "Take care, you two."
<Roderick> "Don't get caught, that's not what we need right now."
<Tales_GM> The two scouts manage to trail Magirius to his Townhouse on the Adel Ring.
<Tales_GM> At no point does the Guildmaster spot his trackers.
* Shivva after following behind Seig, he sees something amiss. He hurries up to Seig and whispers "We are being followed."
<Seig> Seig mutters in return "A drink then?" as his adjusts his course and begins to head towards the wolves tail.
<Tales_GM> Two thugs become very apparent to you as they cross to your position at a steady pace.
* Shivva continues to follow Seig towards the tavern.
* Seig maintains a pace so to try and avoid the gap being closed too quickly.
<Seig> Upon rounding the corner and breaking line of sight with the followers Seig and Shivva make a dash for the door of the Wolves Tail.
<Tales_GM> The Wolf's Tail is a small tavern with an actual wolf's tail nailed to the door. Despite the pub's somewhat imposing exterior, you discover a surprisingly warm interior, lit by two roaring fires. Inside, guards and mercenaries, all armed, all drinking, pass their free time, and spend their coin.
<Tales_GM> A tough-looking woman, likely a former mercenary herself, runs the pub with one eye and a thin smile.
<Tales_GM> "Grab yourselves a table, lads. I'll be with you in a minute," she says with a raspy voice.
<Shivva> "Thank you, Madam."
<Seig> "Aye thanks."
<Tales_GM> "Ha!" she scoffs with amusement. "No madame here. Ulka's the name," she says coming to your table.
<Tales_GM> "We waiting for anyone?"
<Tales_GM> "I'll be with you soon. Just take a seat," she calls out towards the opening door... at your pursuers.
<Seig> "Well we'll take two drinks each and if they don't show its more for us."
<Tales_GM> "Right away, lad," she says with a nod.
<Tales_GM> The two thugs wait for her to turn away, and close in.
<Seig> Seig gestures to the other seats "I ordered for you lads."
<Tales_GM> One of them stands behind Shivva, gripping Shivva by the shoulders, as a friend might... yet the hold is firm and unrelenting. "How generous," says the other, sitting next to Sieg.
<Tales_GM> When Ulka returns with the drinks, she turns her head inquisitively before setting the mugs down.
<Tales_GM> "Everything alright?"
<Seig> "The manhandling of my companion certainly isn't alright, why don't you just both sit down and enjoy the drinks I purchased for you instead."
<Seig> "You wouldn't want to cause our good host Ulka any trouble."
* Shivva is visibility confused and uncomfortable by the thugs.
<Tales_GM> Ulka leans forward at this, about to ask a question. "Mind your business, vvench," the man gripping Shivva snaps, dismissing the woman without even turning to face her.
<Tales_GM> "Now that we can talk, why don't you follow---" red snot follows a wet thump, teeth falling on the table's surface. The grip on Shivva's shoulders loosens.
<Tales_GM> No words are needed, every patron rises, weapons drawn.
* Seig reaches for a tankard on the table and throws the content in the face of the second thug.
* Shivva enraged. He brings the bottle and smashes it on the thug's head who assaulted him.
<Tales_GM> A hammer blow shatters through the backrest of the thug sitting down, ending with a thump that empties his lungs.
<Tales_GM> A bottle is hurled across the air, and shatters just behind Sieg's head. Almost simultaneously, a blow with the flat of a blade strikes Shivva's assailant on the heel.
<Seig> "You better frakking yield!"
<Tales_GM> Unable to catch a break, he drops unconscious after Ulka follows up with a strike to the face with her tray.
* Shivva pulls out his quarterstaff and attempts to knock out the thug that Seig grappling.
<Tales_GM> The unconscious thug gets grabbed by another patron, and dragged towards the door.
<Tales_GM> The grappling struggle continues as the thug seeks to gain an advantage over Sieg. In the process, he badly bends his opponent's arm, yet is unable to break free.
<Tales_GM> This is sufficient for a second hammer blow to descend and land, this time on his head. With heavy, repetitive breathing, the man's body goes limp.
<Tales_GM> "Drag them out, to the alley," Ulka says, picking up her tray.
<Tales_GM> A rear door opens, held wide by the cook.
* Seig stumbles as the resistance to his grapple suddenly evaporates falling onto the body. "Thank you for the assistance."
* Shivva panting loudly. He turns to Ulka and says "We are sorry for trouble."
<Tales_GM> "Weren't you who started," she says moving out of the way of the patrons dragging the thugs out.
* Seig picks himself up onto his own chair and puts two silver onto the table before taking a swig of one of the drinks that remains.
* Shivva grabs 2 silver from his pouch and leaves it on the table as well.
<Tales_GM> "On your way, everyone. Got a mess to clean up."
<Seig> "... Aye I suppose, still, least we can do." Seig turns to the mercenaries that helped, "By the by, whats your lads day rate?"
<Tales_GM> Without a word of protest, every patron gulps down the rest of their drinks, and makes ready to leave.
<Tales_GM> "D'pends on the job, lad," one replies, wiping away blood from his hammer.
<Tales_GM> "It's nine shillings. Now come, let's get out of here," another says passing by and tapping the first on the shoulder.
<Seig> "Alright will keep that in mind."
<Seig> "Lets be off ourselves."
<Thorek> In the mean time Thorek is going over his equipment, sharpening and oiling his axe and dagger, checking over his crossbow and hand crossbow.
<Tales_GM> Just before the noon bells, Sieg and Shivva arrive back at the Journey's End. Already, Odelina's kitchen is hard at work preparing for lunch service.
* Seig nods greeting to Odelina before heading up.
<Seig> "Alright, so two more of their thugs won't be bothering us, our Guildmaster simply returned to his home. If you haven't seen anyone else shady we might have a small window to act with less impedance."
<Thorek> "You were jumped? Where and when Seig?"
<Seig> "Shiv noticed them, they followed us into the Wolves Tail, that mercenary tavern, they offended the matron and it didn't end well for them."
* Shivva gets his medical bag and patches up Seig's wounds.
* Seig flexes his arm after Shivva had taken a look at it. "Bit stiff but it'll serve."
<Roderick> "It seems what Magirius said is true. For now let us break our fast and wait for word."
<Seig> "'Preciate you waiting for us to return to eat."
<Roderick> "Thank the dawi, they weren't best pleased with waiting."
<Seig> "Oh as an aside, there's some mercs we could get for 9 shillings each day rate if we need them."
<Far_Foririan> "Seems you both had a interesting time, hope that no one else followed you," he says as he looks out one of the windows.
<Tales_GM> Noon turns to afternoon, and with the passage of time, so rises your concern. It is in the late afternoon that a young man in the red and orange-yellow livery of Magirius enters the inn.
<Tales_GM> The young messenger finds Roderick and hands over a rolled up piece of parchment bearing the town seal.
<Tales_GM> Once received, he leaves without a word.
* Roderick unrolls the parchment and scans it.
* Roderick turns to his companions. "It seems the Guildmaster didn't listen. He requests us at his place for a meeting."
<Seig> "Well thats a trap, surely."
<Seig> "Should we turn his confession in to the magistrate?"
<Thorek> "And then what? We still won't know the location of where we need to go to finish this."
<Far_Foririan> "Definitely could be a trap."
<Seig> "If we could get some of the magistrates men on standby it would be somewhat reassuring."
<Seig> "I see a world were the guildmasters house is the where the new temple is and one of us is the intended sacrifice, it would be our kinda luck."
<Roderick> "I have a feeling your assumptions are correct. The others of the Ordo Septinarius may have decided to use him as a trap and dispose of us. Especially if they are having us watched. Handing this to the Magistrate does us no good. We would need a higher authority. However, we may also find more information by attending this meeting, or possibly acquire evidence inside of his home. As we do have an invitation."
<Seig> "We have some spare shillings lying around, could swing by the Wolves Tail and pick up that extra muscle."
<Thorek> "Hmph. And what's to keep these merchants and nobles from offering better pay to fight for them?"
<Roderick> "I'd rather not rely on sellswords for exactly that reason."
<Roderick> "For now we go ourselves."
* Seig shrugs "Alrighty."
* Far_Foririan gathers his things to be ready to head out.
* Afrock is already to go.
* Roderick leaves the signed confession and a note explaining the circumstances into the hands of the proprietress with instructions for her to not read either and to see them delivered to Graf Wilhelm von Saponatheim should she not here from us by midnight.
<Roderick> "We have left our payment up until this point with our man Dietrich. He shall settle the bill on our account should the worst happen Madame."
<Roderick> "We have left our payment up until this point with our man Dietrich. He shall settle the bill on our account should the worst happen Madame."
<Tales_GM> "Oh, dear. You do worry me so."
<Roderick> "We must all do our duty Madame, thank you again for your hospitality."
<Tales_GM> "I will keep you in my prayers."
* Thorek informs Dietrich of what the group is going to do, and if the worst should happen and he doesn't hear from us to find Joseph back at the Half-Measure and see if can take up with him.
<Thorek> "Grimnir smile upon you manling, should we not return."
<Tales_GM> "I will be waiting with a round of drinks, dawi."
* Afrock grunts a response.
<Far_Foririan> "Aye if all goes well, drinks are on me then."