Tales of the Old World 20

<Tales_GM> The year is 2512 on the Imperial Calendar...
<Tales_GM> The Berebeli is freed from its moorings, and Josef guides the barge into the Kaiser Reik, the largest channel of water passing through Altdorf. As Josef calls out orders with a grin, ropes tauten, sails fill, and the vessel is soon cutting through the waters, heading downstream.
<Tales_GM> The winds are favorable, and in just under an hour the Berebeli is sailing into the Reiksport, Altdorf's massive natural harbor that lies outside the city walls. There, a majority of the capital's dockhands and shipywards can be found.
<Tales_GM> Warships of the Imperial First Fleet are anchored everywhere, pennants flying, cannons bristling on every deck.
* Thorek notes that his cloak is suddenly green....green? It should be blue. He scratches his head and then heads to the elgi, Far'Foririan. "Elgi, I've a favor to ask. Can you sense if this cloak of mine might be...touched by those foul winds of magic you can call upon?" He of course says this in a low tone as to not spook the Captain or the family on board.
* Far_Foririan moves over to Thorek to check out the cloak, "I can try and see."
<Thorek> "So?"
<Tales_GM> "Quite a sight, ain't it?" Josef says looking off at the warships, unaware of the cloak pigmentation troubles.
<Far_Foririan> "I am not sure Thorek, to be honest same thing happened with my hair and eyes while at the colleges." he says in a low voice
<Seig> "Wouldn't wanna get on the wrong side of one of those thats for sure." Seig says back to Josef.
<Tales_GM> "O'course, most of them have never seen the sea. The city of Marienburg, at the mouth of the Reik, charges extortionate taxes for all kind of vessel, warships in particular, to pass through. Ha!"
<Thorek> "Aye, so you're saying your hair and eyes changed colors while you were at that colege of magicks?" Thorek undoes the clasp of his cloak and starts folding it. "I wondered why you were all of a sudden trying out a new style."
<Far_Foririan> "It caught me off guard as well, something is definitely not right in this city."
<Tales_GM> Josef merrily drinks wine, steering the vessel.
<Thorek> "Alas to be on the safe side....farewell old friend." He gives a solemn nod after finishing folding up the cloak before he then lets it fall from his hands into the river. A single tear rolls down from his eye and down his cheek, before he wipes it away.
<Tales_GM> Josef then points to a truly enormous greatship that comes into view.
<Seig> "The Empire's Flagship?"
<Thorek> "Mourning's thirsty work, I'll be back soon." He makes way to the room containing the water barrel so he might hydrate himself.
* Far_Foririan watches as the cloak of Thorek's cloak floats away, before heading back below deck.
<Tales_GM> "That's the Emperor Wilhelm III, said to have a crew of over a thousand - can you believe it? Never left the Reiksport in its 70 years of service. And the ones without masts, there? Prison hulks - fiefdoms ruled by the river criminals they're supposed to incarcerate!"
<Roderick> "Hmmm, well in my studies of late I do know that there are certain entities and types of magic that has to do with colors Thorek. Could always have Far look further into that line, or maybe he knows the specifics of that business."
<Tales_GM> "Right, lads, let's get those yard-arms into position - we'll be turning easy to South and join the Weissbruck Canal!"
<Tales_GM> Already, Josef has started to turn the helm.
* Seig does boat related things.
* Afrock assists as best he can.
* Shivva_Runna tries to assist with the yard-arms.
* Far_Foririan looks to Roderick, "Yea I could try to look into in more, though with what material I have currently, it won't be enough to find anymore information possibly."
<Tales_GM> "Aye, that's good. Tie them down tight, this wind will hold."
<Thorek> "That's up to Foririan, what's done is done. Don't care much for magic, same as me ancestors." He answers before heading in. Later he'll join the others in doing shipboard tasks.
<Tales_GM> The great vessels of the Imperial fleet become smaller and smaller as the Berebeli sails Southward towards the canal opening.
<Roderick> "Perhaps if we put our heads together Far we can discover what's going on. At least we could send word back to the city and provide warning."
<Tales_GM> The vessel comes to a short stop where troopers of the Weissbruck State Army greet Josef and collect the two-Crown toll for passage. Shortly after, you are on your way again, slowly, as the artificial waterway is narrow and governed by strict traffic rules.
<Far_Foririan> "Agreed, unless they known what is happening already, but maybe we might be able to find out something else possibly."
<Tales_GM> You notice that the berthing points have inns adjacent, ready to service the needs of weary crews. Narrow boats showing the same heraldry are a frequent sight, and many of them provide the inns with the business that keeps them running.
<Tales_GM> Along the towpath running parallel to the Berebeli, you spot roadwardens following the progress of your vessel in lock-step.
<Tales_GM> At one of the narrower segments of the canal, the patrol catches up to the barge, and trots alongside it a stone's throw away.
* Roderick steps below decks to begin researching the magical phenomenon with Far.
<Tales_GM> The patrol leader then raises a hand, hailing those on deck.
<Thorek> "Oi, Captain!" Thorek makes Josef aware of the road wardens.
<Tales_GM> "Coming out of Altdorf, are you?"
<Tales_GM> "Aye, I'll be right up," Josef calls from below-decks. A "rattle" on the helm had caught his attention just moments earlier.
<Seig> "I'll keep an eye on the helm for you."
<Tales_GM> With a slight shift in tone, the patrol leader rewords his question.
<Tales_GM> "Where are do you hail from?"
<Thorek> "I'm just a deckhand, master warden. If you'll give us a moment my Captain will be with you shortly."
<Tales_GM> He exchanges glances with one of the riders to his right.
<Tales_GM> "Do you require your captain to tell you where you cast off, deckhand?"
<Tales_GM> At this moment, the rider which whom he had just exchanged words breaks out of formation at full gallop.
* Thorek shrugs. "I get paid to wait on the Captain's behalf and work his ship, surely you understand that, sir."
<Seig> "Generally seen as rude to speak on the Cap's behalf even if it is something menial."
<Tales_GM> Another rider produces a small looking glass.
<Tales_GM> He slows his mount down somewhat and gives the Berebeli and its crew a good look-over.
* Seig salutes playfully when the rider's looking glass is aimed at him.
<Tales_GM> "Right, what's going on?" Josef says as he climbs back on deck.
<Thorek> "Aye, that it be." Thorek checks over some knots but keeps at his station while waiting for Josef to step up.
<Tales_GM> The rider catches up with the patrol captain, and appears to say something to him.
<Tales_GM> "Ahoy!" Josef calls out, now back at the helm.
<Tales_GM> "Captain, you will pull aside at the second lock," the patrol leader calls.
* Far_Foririan pricks up at the commotion going on as he hears those on deck talking to some other group.
<Tales_GM> Satisfied that Josef has understood him, he leads the patrol away from the towpath.
<Far_Foririan> "Wonder what going on?"
<Tales_GM> Once they're out of sight, Josef turns to Seig.
<Seig> Once the patrol is clearly out of the way Seig fills Josef in on the exchange and that they were scouting our faces.
<Tales_GM> "What on earth did you say to them, lad?"
<Seig> "When they started shooting questions we just said it'd be rude for us to speak on your behalf, not much else was said."
<Tales_GM> "They asking about me? But why?"
<Tales_GM> One of the narrower boats just barely squeezes by the Berebeli's wide size.
<Thorek> "Asking where we were from and the like, Josef....hope it's not related to that spot of trouble earlier." Thorek folds his arms.
<Tales_GM> "Get your fat barge off the Weissbruck!" a voice calls from the boat. Josef waves it off, his mind preoccupied.
<Seig> "Aye if they want Roderick I don't know how we could prove to them that he didn't do jack."
<Tales_GM> "You've attracted suspicion, lads... we'll have to hide Roderick. It'll be another hour before we reach the lock. Let him know."
* Seig heads below deck to tell Roderick the bad news.
* Roderick looks up at Sieg when he enters the below-decks, seeing the look on his face Roderick fears that his assumptions were correct.
<Roderick> "What is it Sieg?"
* Far_Foririan looks at Sieg.
* Seig fills the the two of them in.
<Far_Foririan> "Can we not catch a break?"
<Roderick> "Sigmar's balls."
<Tales_GM> "You're too big!"
<Tales_GM> "Bögenauer's blessings to you, lad," Josef replies.
<Roderick> "We apparently cannot. I suppose Josef has a plan?"
<Seig> "Well he said 'we'll have to hide Roderick' but nothing specific"
<Tales_GM> "Gilda, darling! Let me put a word in your ear!" Josef calls.
<Roderick> "He knows his vessel better than anyone else, you should ask him the plan, I'll stay down here to not attract attention."
<Tales_GM> Half an hour passes, and the warm, sweet smell of a baking cake fills the Berebeli.
<Tales_GM> Josef emerges into the cabin.
* Thorek joins Josef before inquiring in a low tone. "What's the plan on hiding our dear friend then, Josef?"
<Tales_GM> "How well can you climb?" he says to Roderick.
* Roderick shrugs."I'd not make a profession of it but I'm not feeble."
<Tales_GM> "Good. You'll make your way up the main. There is a bundle of spare sailcloth tied to the yard just by the crow's nest. Drape yourself in it as best you can. I'll come in after you... and tie you to the mast."
<Seig> "Thats better than what I was thinking..."
* Roderick shakes his head. "A crazy plan Josef...but you haven't steered us wrong thus far. I'll trust you." Roderick moves to the mast and begins climbing.
<Thorek> "Here I was thinking you were going to throw some heavy net over him and have him hang off the side."
<Tales_GM> "Thing is..." Josef says from the bottom of the mast, "spare sailcloth doesn't do much talking. So you'll need to keep it quiet. No doubt they'll climb to check on the crow's nest, so odds are they'll pass right by you."
<Roderick> "I understand."
<Tales_GM> "Shivva, go fetch a couple of wine bottles below," says Josef as he begins his climb.
<Thorek> "Just curious, Josef...have you done something like this before?" Thorek asks out of genuine curiosity.
<Far_Foririan> "Lets hope this all works out."
<Tales_GM> For his hefty size, Josef is surprisingly nimble on the ratlines. He makes it to Roderick before he is done draping himself.
* Roderick climbs up the mast and finds the sailcloth. He unties it and tries to cover himself with it as best as he can.
<Tales_GM> With a roll of extra sailcloth, and a length of rope, he begins to wrap Roderick. "Now if you can't breathe, tell me now. It will only get tighter when I secure you."
* Seig keeps an eye out on shore for any spectators.
<Tales_GM> Rope wraps around cloth, tight around Roderick's chest. By now blinded, Roderick is asked to... "Fall. Forward, that is."
<Roderick> "I can still fill my lungs for the moment, I'll just start flailing if I start to suffocate."
* Far_Foririan keeps a eye out as well.
<Tales_GM> "No flailing," Josef corrects.
<Roderick> "Aye it just a joke Josef."
<Tales_GM> "Sailcloth don't flail," he adds, adjusting his grip on the rope. "Now fall."
* Roderick falls.
<Tales_GM> As everything in his body tells Roderick he has made a lethal mistake, the rope around his chest tightens, and he is suspended just above the yard arm. Slowly loosening his grip, Josef lowers Roderick closer and closer.
<Tales_GM> "Right," he says, dropping the rest of length down to the deck. "Seig, attach this to the base. Tight."
<Seig> "Aye... you done this before?"
<Tales_GM> "Haven't you?" he retorts with a hearty laugh.
<Tales_GM> "You're all set, Roderick. Still as you can. Take a nap. We'll have wine and cake for you when it's over."
<Seig> "Tried to keep myself ignorant of any illicit dealing going on ships I served I'll be honest."
* Roderick doesn't make any noise as sails don't talk.
<Tales_GM> Taking a rope down to deck, Josef asks the rest of you to assist in preparing the Berebeli to slow, and come to a stop by the lock.
<Far_Foririan> "I could help him take a nap."
<Tales_GM> Josef both shakes his head and wags a finger.
<Tales_GM> "None of your tricks on the ship. None."
* Thorek does as he's told, working the deck to prepare the ship for slowing down and the eventual docking at the second lock.
<Far_Foririan> "Well just a thought."
<Thorek> "Don't take it personally elgi. You're a rarer sight than I and Afrock. And not as...trusted." He starts laughing as if he's made a great joke.
* Afrock joins in the laughter.
<Far_Foririan> He should be annoyed at Thorek but lets it go.
<Tales_GM> It isn't long before you reach the lock, with its berthing widths (the canal is at its widest in these points) and adjoining tower and inn.
<Tales_GM> As promised, the road wardens await as the Berebeli docks.
* Seig helps bring the boat into dock.
<Tales_GM> "Glad to see a familiar face!" Josef waves them over.
<Tales_GM> "Come on board. Join us 'fore we begin celebration! It's the little lass's birthday, you know."
<Tales_GM> The cabin door is wide open. Inside, Wolmar, and baby Elsa sit by the table, where Gilda brings in the freshly baked cake.
<Thorek> "I've been looking forward to this." Thorek chuckles. Best to play along.
<Tales_GM> Taken aback by the boarding-turned-invitation, the warden sergeant steps on board, and removes his helm in respect.
<Afrock> "Better than my last birthday."
<Tales_GM> Beckoning them into the cabin, Josef puts a fresh bottle of wine in the sergeant's arm with a wink.
<Thorek> "Had you yet taken your oath, cousin?"
<Seig> "Will be ready to join you momentarily I'll finish up securing our berth." Seig says, stepping off to tie the rest of the mooring ropes.
<Tales_GM> "Sorry to barge in, ma'am," one of the junior wardens says, stepping in.
<Afrock> "That was an interesting birthday to say the least."
<Tales_GM> Gilda, without a words nods to the man in a warm, motherly way.
<Afrock> "And aye."
<Tales_GM> "Are these all your passengers?"
<Tales_GM> "Aye! All here and ready to give little Elsa a proper celebration."
<Tales_GM> "Peculiar group..." the sergeant says looking around. "What is the name of this vessel?"
* Thorek chuckles despite himself at Afrock.
<Tales_GM> "Berebeli," Josef says. Then turns to his side and taps his extended belly with one hand.
<Tales_GM> "I see," the sergeant says with little expression. His junior, however, visibly fights off a chuckle.
<Tales_GM> "I will need to search the... barge."
<Tales_GM> "Why of course, but don't be long. We'll be carving that cake soon."
<Tales_GM> The sergeant turns back to the docks, and waves over another two wardens.
<Tales_GM> Together, they search the barge, tapping barrles, opening crates, and climbing the rigging.
* Seig having tied the mooring lines, returns to the cabin stepping aside to allow the men by.
<Tales_GM> Despite a road warden's fumbled climb resulting in him stepping on Roderick's calf, the wanted Witch Hunter remains perfectly still.
<Tales_GM> When the inspection is over, a couple of the road wardens loosen up and accept Gilda's offer of cake. Though they don't partake of the wine, they do make off with two bottles before being recalled back after a one-to-one between Josef and the sergeant.
* Far_Foririan is able to year part of what the sergeant and Josef say in the one-to-one but not a lot, just enough to know they are looking for Roderick it seems.
<Tales_GM> As soon as Josef climbs up the rigging and helps free Roderick, the skies darken and begin to pour.
<Tales_GM> The "sailcloth" is lowered on the deck, and rolled inside.
* Thorek gives his compliments to Gilda on how tasty the cake was.
<Roderick> "Thanks, I don't imagine I'd have enjoyed being lashed to the mast while this was going on." Roderick jerks a thumb upwards towards the clouded sky.
* Far_Foririan has some of the cake as he talks to Afrock, "So when are you going to tell me about your last birthday?"
<Tales_GM> "Seig. Get us cast off. With a quickness. Wolmar will give you hand."
<Seig> "Aye Cap."
<Afrock> "Hopefully never."
<Thorek> "Enjoy your nap, Roderick?"
<Roderick> "I wish I had napped, Thorek as unalarming as their visit was. It did catch me a bit off-guard when one of the bastards stepped on me."
<Thorek> Thorek cackles and slaps his own leg. "Aye, well, could've been worse. Could have stepped on that pretty face of yours, or your gemstones for that matter."
<Roderick> "Would've been a feat those, they'd have had to flip me over first."
<Roderick> "But if were talkin pretty faces you've got me beat Thorek, that's why you wear the beard isn't it?"
<Thorek> "Hahahaha! Good one, Roderick. Thankfully neither you or I will ever find out if that's the case. Unless you mean my nose, which is quite lucky I'll have you know."
* Roderick joins in the laughter. "At finding bounties or ale!"
<Thorek> "Aye, now you're getting it!" He slaps Roderick on the back in good spirit.
<Seig> When a moment allows him, Seig takes the time to thank Josef for helping despite having only recently met his friends.
<Seig> Returning to the barge after a few drinks in one of the riverside inns during the journey, Seig takes Forian aside simply to say. "You should endeavour to keep your craft hidden, people are even more suspicious of the colleges than normal right now."
<Tales_GM> The canal journey takes almost three days. Fortunately, besides all the grumbling bargees cursing Josef and his huge barge, it is an uneventful trip. At night, the Berebeli is tied up near to one of the lock-side inns, and you're able to make trips for beer, spirits, and fresh foodstuffs found there.
<Shivva_Runna> "Now, that business is taken. I believe our scholar's leg needs some attention."
* Thorek shares plenty of harmless stories with Josef and the others between drinks and good food.
* Shivva_Runna takes out his tools from his doctor's bags.
* Shivva_Runna tries to patch up the elf's leg.
<Tales_GM> At the end of the canal, opening into the river Bögen, sits Weissbruck. A swiftly growing town on the river, it is ruled by the recently ennobled House Gruber. It is now a bustling merchant town, and the sound of construction rings everywhere as new buildings expand the outskirts to all sides. Warehouses line the canal and river banks, storing coal and iron ore from nearby mines, wool
<Tales_GM> and wine from Bögenhafen, and all manner of goods from Altdorf, Carroburg, and the Vorbergland Canals.
<Tales_GM> Since the Berebeli's toll was paid at the Altdorf side, the barge is waved through the final lock by its keepers, and turns upstream on the River Bögen. There are a number of barges tied alongside the wharf, and shipping can be seen moving up and down the river. Several inns look out onto the river and the canal. It is early evening when you arrive at Weissbruck, and as you prepare to
<Tales_GM> tie up the barge, you can't help but notice a shadowy, travel-stained character standing in the doorway of the Black Gold, a nearby inn.
<Seig> Returning to the barge after a few drinks in one of the riverside inns during the journey, Seig takes Forian aside simply to say. "You should endeavour to keep your craft hidden, people are even more suspicious of the colleges than normal right now."
<Far_Foririan> "Yea makes sense, will keep it under wraps for now."
<Far_Foririan> "Though while I was there I was not able to find out if there was anything going on there."
* Roderick mentions the shady character to Seig. "I can't be certain..but I am sure that man was staring at us." Providing a brief description to Seig, Roderick ponders. "He went inside that inn, the BlacK Gold."
<Seig> "Sounds familar... should I go buy him a drink?"
<Thorek> "Oi....Grimnir's beard." He catches Roderick and Seig's attention and then the others. "You saw the man going into that inn, he looks like the weird umgi who was making those weird gestures back at the temple of Sigmar. The ones related to Shivva, yeah?" He ponders a moment. "I think I saw a rough outline of a crossbow on his back as well."
<Thorek> "By my ancestors, call me paranoid but perhaps he and his fellows are the ones who set you up Roderick."
<Afrock> "Grudging time?"
<Tales_GM> Josef and Wolmar finish tying down the Berebeli, unaware of your concern.
<Seig> "Hmm. They wouldn't start something in the inn I wouldn't think? How about a few of us head over see whats what."
<Seig> "If we've been followed this far they probably aren't giving up any time soon."
<Roderick> "Wether or not they set me up I think we should have a conversation with them either way. Of course, if they are and we cause problems they could easily alert the guards and point me out."
<Roderick> "I say it's worth the risk but I'll hear alternatives."
<Seig> "Potentially we could have you stay here to avoid the risk of you being called out?"
* Roderick nods. "It's an option, I can always ply my trade should you take him."
<Thorek> "Perhaps we should not inconvienence our vessels crew before we get to Bögenhafen. If they're following us, we can always confront them there."
<Roderick> "I can agree with that, Josef and his own have already stuck their necks out for us."
<Seig> "Good point."
<Afrock> "Aye."
<Far_Foririan> "Same."
<Roderick> Resolved to not confront the man Roderick returns to the barge to bed down.
<Tales_GM> "Alright, lads. Final stretch. If you go on shore, don't be gone too long. Got us a good pork dinner in the works!" he says with a laugh as he unties the pig.
* Seig salutes the pig for its service. "Its been an honour serving on the same crew."
<Tales_GM> Loud, but brief, the process of killing the pig is followed by the butchery. Its rear legs tied to a line, the animal is lifted just off the ship, so that blood drains to the river. With Wolmar's help, the pig is cut up into choice pieces, while Gilda begins to light the fire on the stovetop.
<Thorek> "You treat us quite right, Josef, a treasure you and your crew are."
<Roderick> "I agree with Thorek, Josef. I can never repay you for what you've done for me."
<Tales_GM> "Help me get that wine to the Schaffenfest, lads, and we'll call it even!"
<Afrock> "Aye."
<Roderick> "That is the least we will do Josef."