The Enemy Within - Session 129

 6/12/25

Back on the Road 

Looking through the bedroom windows, back into the inner courtyard, Farfordda can see the fire is spreading throughout the ground floor. He leaves the room and drops down into the courtyard as one of the Eisenhal guards rushes in - where is sir Vaksman, where is Ada! 

Magdalena takes a sheet from the bed and uses it to lower Ada down to Farfordda. He carries her out into the yard where Lady Eisenhal calls out in apparent relief. Amos is up now and has entered the courtyard with his crossbow - Farfordda tells him look after Ada and goes back for Magdalena. Amos blocks Lady Eisenhal from getting to hug her niece. 

Another Eisenhal guard barks wheres Vaksman at Magdalena as she climbs down into the courtyard - up there she gestures. The building is well ablaze now, some of the dozen horses in the courtyard have panicked and fled. Bells ring out as townsfolk join the fight against the blaze - though shouts of burn the nobles are heard sporadically.

Magdalena tells Lady Eisenhal to go to the Meissen house - then heads to the temple of Verena with Ada and Amos,Von Reiter passes them on his way to the blaze - she gives him a quick summary of what actually happened. Farfordda takes the remaining horses to the stables at the Roaming Pint whilst a bleary eyed Norgrim and Thindra get their possessions out of the burning building.

At the temple of Verena Magdalena relates the story to Meyer, that she dispatched Sir Vaksman after he attempted to murder her and Ada. He says Sir Vaksman would never do anything without Lady Eisenhal's say so, maybe says Magdalena, but Elena seemed distressed on Ada's account. Farfordda arriving at the temple proposes that the key question is whether Vaksman started the fire or merely took advantage of it. Meyer thinks on balance that they should still leave the town first thing in the morning and get Ada to the safety of the castle. He heads out to the fire to find Von Reiter. 

Frau Allman arrives shortly after Meyer leaves - Amos had dropped by to get her on his way back to the fire. Magdalena tells her story of the night for the third time (once more leaving out the details of Farfordda's spellcasting), making no accusations. The implication of Lady Eisenhal's knight attempting to murder Ada could not be more serious. Farfordda asks who else at the meal the other night would have had reason to try murder Ada? Could Vaksman have been in league with another? Everyone at the meal would have backed Middenheim over Hochland. With Meyer and the party leaving in the morning it will all be left to Magistrate to deal with.

Amos returns to the temple with Norgrim, Thindra and their gear. Magdalena receives some first aid and crashes out. Norgrim and Thindra head back into the night to help fight the fire - the building burns to the ground, but the fire does not spread.

Before sleeping Farfordda consults the Tarot. Was Lady Eisenhal involved in the attempted murder? Maybe.

After a couple of hours sleep they are roused by the temple staff. A simple breakfast is laid out and a carriage and wagon have been prepped for the journey. Norgrim's injuries are attended by a temple acolyte while Farfordda drops by the Roamer's pint to speak with Karwel. He tells him about the attempted murder. Karwel is clearly concerned and tells Farfordda that he has learned the murder the other night, of Reinaut Scheffers, was almost certainly performed by a Middenheim spy, likely on orders from Baron Todbringer. Does this change his willingness to go help the Baron? He will still go given the severity of everything that has been relayed to him, but he is less sure and perhaps will not tarry for long. 

Shortly after sunrise the party leave for Dunfurter. Magdalena travels in the carriage with Ada, Meyer and Brother Holsenheimer, the Dwarves ride on the outside, a wagon brings supplies for the castle, 20 mounted men-at-arms accompany them and Farfordda scouts ahead. 

They reach Magnus Rest by late afternoon, the Inn has resupplied since last they were here and having been warned of the imminent arrival of Steward Meyer and Lady Ada's party food and drink await them. Farfordda takes the opportunity to speak with his compatriots in private, telling them what he learned from the Strigany, that something will be coming for him on Grunsnacht. 

The Innkeep accosts them at their table saying he suspected they were all together, so they rescued Lady Ada, eh? You kept that quiet - what happened with young Axel, did you find him? His father's funeral took place yesterday.

Norgrim is reunited with his dog Carnac, Thindra loads up their wagon and they all leave for Dunfurter, making good time they arrive an hour after dark on 4th Nachgeheim, its is cold and windy on the edge of the mountains... 

The Enemy Within - Session 128

23/11/25

Festag night's alright...

 Just before the starting bell rings a weasel faced thug leans down to Norgrim and whispers - there's half a crown in it if you throw the fight in the fifth, gesturing up to where a jowly woman, flanked by 2 related looking thugs, smiles down at him from the floor above. Luther the minstrel has the crowd worked up into a frenzy, Thindra well and truly hammered again sways in his corner as support. Norgrim, Norgim! ding ding, round 1... 

It is a close fight, he loses the first, suffering a cracked rib before Farfordda intervenes to call the round, then comes back in the second, concedes the third and fourth but KO's Jolly Joss to win in the fifth. Much cheering.

Farfordda collects his winnings, reluctantly paid out to him in the form of 20/240 and heads back to town, also carrying Amos' borrowed book on engineering to leave them unencumbered for the celebrations. His sixth sense tingles and he sprints for the gates to avoid a heavy local after his coins. He deposits the book at Holzbek Manor then pays a visit to The Roamers Pint where he manages to trade in many of the pennies for shillings before dropping in on Karwel the wizard. 

Karwel tells him he is intending on setting out for Altdorf tomorrow, Farfordda asks what came of uniting the north? There is more chaos at play than he can deal with alone, it is better to report in. He managed only the briefest of conversations with Baron Todbringer before he left for Middenheim, interestingly the Baron was not skeptical about the Skaven. 

Farfordda impresses on him that he should instead make for Middenheim to aid the Baron as he fears for his safety. Check in on the Baron and the Wizards Guild, and tell the Inquisition about the human, beastmen-with-rat-head cult, based in The Drowned Rat, with its kingdom of tunnels below the city. Turn enemy against enemy. 

Ok says Karwel, he will drop by Middenheim before heading south. What if you manage to rescue your friends, what then? We'll meet or send message to Coppershiners. Karwel tells him Janna, one of the only people Farfordda trusts in the city was heading for Altdorf too as far as he knows. He will travel north with them at dawn then - just as he leaves Farfordda mentions that the Skaven have some plan they intend to prosecute on Grunsnacht next- how do you know this? Because one of the cult who attacked them and murdered his companion Uhtred had a note saying so...

Back at The Pit the dwarves celebrate, Norgrim gets drunk, Thindra is already smashed and Amos buys some weirdroot... they manage to leave before getting into any more trouble, though not before Valeria the ale merchant buys them drinks - she had put 3/- down on Norgrim and has stocked up on Taalwater to drive south for Altdorf tomorrow. 

They arrive back at Holzbek Manor at the same time as Farfordda and shamble off to sleep in the coach house. Farfordda takes first watch with the guards. 

Magdalena wakes to the sounds of shouting and screams, someone is pounding on the door she has wedged shut and she can smell smoke. Stand back she shouts and opens the door - Sir Vaksman rushes in, Ada, Gilbert!  

Downstairs Farfordda hears shouting from within and opens the door - a servant comes running through the courtyard yelling Fire! He can feel the heat coming from behind the kitchen door and see the flicker of flames through the windows to the courtyard - he directs the guards to wake the dwarves and get water, and prevents the panicking housekeeper from opening the smoking door. 

Magdalena grabs a pillow to douse in water for Ada, then suffers a sword blow from behind - Sir Vaksman has pushed Gilbert out the door and lunges at her again. She lands a blow on his arm, then suffers another herself, to the face. 

Gilbert drops to the courtyard, followed by Lady Eisenhal who lands badly. Farfordda rushes forwards to help, more servants flee the building. Where are Ada and Magdalena? she looks up, shouting Ada! Farfordda takes out Herzen's wand and teleports into the children's room. Both Vaksman and Magdalena are shocked at his sudden appearance by her side, he reaches forward, casting sleep on Vaksman, and Magdalena runs the knight through as he falls...

Its not quite an hour into Nachgeheim 4, Farforrda, Magdalena and Ada are in the burning building and the dwarves are waking to the screams and cacophony through an alcohol induced haze in the coach house...

The Enemy Within - Session 127

14/11/25

The Will

The reading of the Will provides no surprises - Ada is to inherit the Barony and assume the title on her 14th birthday, Steward Meyer is to rule in her stead until then and provide her with a tutor in the meantime. 

Meyer says he is willing to speak with any of those present at the Merchant's Hall in an hour and implores them to come together, saying the Baron's death should not be in vain and that Ada's heritage is not in question. 

Count Ludenhof announces that he will pay a 50 gold crown reward for the head of Gazrin One-horn, that his friend should be avenged. Baron Todbringer says he must leave for Middenheim and Kepler Karzburdger acuses him of fleeing as he had Renault Scheffers murdered! Suddenly everyone is talking at at once. 

Magdalena takes Ada and Gilbert back to the house with Jean Saunier, agreeing to bring them to the meeting at the Merchants Hall shortly.

Amos manages to get the clock in the temple of Verena working for 1pm, then heads out to The Pit, but a commotion on the other side of the gates has led to the guards preventing entry or exit, so he makes his way to the Roamer's Pint to join Farfordda and Norgrim. He arrives shortly after Taciana Petraska, who having spotted Farfordda sitting at the window has dropped by to tell him the Strigany are breaking camp and intend to leave Holzbek by sunset. From the window they see Baron Todbringer leaving the town.

The various noble parties convene at the Merchants hall to argue their cases. Lady Eisenhal that Ada should stay with them in Sohk as Dunfurter is no place to raise a young Baroness, Elector Count Ludenhof that she should be raised at his castle in Hergig for the same reasons, plus she can get to know her betrothed then too. Magdalena weighs in with what turns out to be a seemingly acceptable compromise; Ada should be raised at Dunfurter but the Eisenhal's will provide her with a tutor and the Ludenhofs a troop of soldiers to protect her. 

The Duke of Immelscheid is called away during the debate - the east gate has been locked down as men of his were in a scuffle with the Freelancers and a sergeant was killed. Meyer manages to have a brief chat with Magdalena, asking that she comes with them and stays close to Ada until they reach Dunfurter. The plan is to leave at dawn tomorrow.

Farfordda and the Dwarves leave the confines of the town walls for the Oststrasse, Amos picking up a copy of the Holzbek Herald on route - its piece on the Baron's Will prints the details and Meyer's speech verbatim with almost nothing in the way of commentary or opinion. 

As the Dwarves go for a drink in The Pit, Farfordda visits the Strigany camp, which is in the process of packing up. Petru Uriah tells him things are getting too fractious here, they are moving on before they start getting the blame for all the ills of the town. Farfordda presents him with his share of the Oberholzbek glimmer-lead as a gift and asks that he pass word back to Farfordda's kin via his Strigany confreres of old who know them; that he has spent the past while fighting the forces of chaos and that should he survive this coming Grunsnacht he can be found at the Eonir settlement near Altdorf. Taking a not-so-subtle subtle hint Uriah gifts Farfordda a bottle of Dreamwine and then they haggle over potions. 2 Sun stones (Farfordda & Norgrims) and a few gold crowns are exchanged for a Panacea Universalis and a Draft of Forms. They say their goodbyes and Uriah gifts Farfordda a lucky charm as they part.

When they return to the town Amos drops by the print works, he found another copy of the seditious pamphlet at The Pit and comparing it with the type on the Holzbek Herald is not entirely sure if it was printed here. The printer claims he would never let such a thing be printed, it looks like a Middenheim job to him. Amos tries to pass on some engineering tips about the machinery before he leaves.

It is time for the funeral rites of Baron Holzbek. Magdalena attends the service at the temple of Sigmar with Elena and Ada, while the others join the crowds in the town square outside. Fog gathers as the sermon reaches its climax and the Baron's body is carried out by Von Reiter and his household guard to the chanting of a Sigmarite dirge. 

Brother Holsenheimer speaks on behalf of Morr, then Sister Garner on behalf of Verena and finally Wolf-born Heinlein on behalf of Ulric. Steward Meyer lights the Pyre and the body burns as the sun sets. Farfordda with his Second Sight and Amos with his glasses can see the twisting colours of Dhar rise up in the smoke as the corruption burns.

 Once back at Holzbek Manor Magdalena takes up position in Ada's room - after asking Elena where is Sir Vaksman, he's been sorting out travel arrangements all afternoon apparently. Magdalena stresses to Ada that even though Dunfurter might not be as fancy as some castle in Sohk it will be an easier life than growing up on a farm in the shadow of the Middle Mountains. She then jams the door shut and settles down for the evening.

Norgrim and Farfordda make for The Pit, time for Norgrim Reaper vs Jolly Joss Volker - well it will be after the first fight, where Tyson Eisenmenger absolutely destroys Waldron Jaekel. Farfordda turns a few heads by putting down 1 GC on Norgrim, the odds are even.

Amos turns up just in time for the starting bell - he dropped by the temple of Verena to receive Sister Garner's thanks for fixing the clock and borrows a book on engineering saying he'll leave it at Dunfurter.

Its 9pm, Festag, 3rd Nachgeheim, damp and foggy outside, but hot and sweaty in The Pit, packed to the gunnels and heaving with chanting and stamping as the starting bell rings... 

The Enemy Within - Session 126

7/11/25

A Word to the Wise

Farfordda pauses before leaving Karwel's room - saying that there is more he would say if he knew he could trust him and that he really needs to speak to Baron Todbringer. He descends the stairs to the bar but all is quiet, no one is about. He sits and waits, the innkeeper surfaces to lock the place up. Farfordda asks him about the drunks who were sat at the table in the corner - apparently they left a while ago.

On the way back to Holzbek Manor he hears the Holzbek troops moving into the town and approaches two watchmen warming themselves at a brazier. This was found in The Pit earlier he tells them and hands over the seditious pamphlet, but a poor reaction roll combined with illiteracy results in the pamphlet being dropped in the flames and being told to make himself scarce.

He arrives back shortly before Von Reiter, who tells Farfordda and Amos (who's standing guard) that the plan is to prevent anyone in uniform, or anyone bearing arms entry to the town for the next 24 hours. Magdalena takes the second guard shift and Farfordda the last, waking to remember Mariposa finding him in his dreams.

By 8am the house and yard are full of the sounds of servants preparing breakfasts and hot water and Elena shouting for the tailor and where is Jean Saunier. Magdalena sits in the dining hall and greets Ada when she arrives. The girl has no idea of what is to happen today - Magdalena tries to explain but Ada gets upset, her father died a week ago, killed by bandits... Magdalena speaks with Lady Eisenhal in her room, she explains that she will accompany them to the reading of the will, Elena does not contradict her, saying the carriage will take them just before 12. Amos chats briefly with Ada and her cousin in the yard before they get chased up to get ready. Amos asks Gilbert does he not resent losing his inheritance, perhaps he can be Ada's advisor?

Farfordda and Magdalena head to the Roamer's Pint to speak with Baron Todbringer. They are shown up to his room, Magdalena does the introductions and Farfordda relates to him their fears about Middenheim. 

He tells them the Purple Hand (who he has heard of) have infiltrated the aristocracy, he believes they have some way of mimicking faces (which they acquired from Wittgenstein, the castle that collapsed into the Reik), that some sort of 'doppelganger' has replaced his father and others. That Rallane and other faithful members of the court have been murdered. 

Todbringer mentions that this new Inquisition has caught some conspirators, that they are on the case. Farfordda says not to trust them, the chief inspector is some sort of fraud. The Baron says come to Middenheim with me and we can deal with this evil together, no we are wanted in Middenheim, we are known enemies, wanted for 'consorting with dark powers' - also we have an even more serious and urgent threat. The Baron is incredulous that anything could be more important. 

He asks who do they trust in Middenheim - Allavandrel the huntsman and Jana Ebenauer the wizard. He intends to ride for Middenheim after the reading of the will and thanks them for their warning.

They head back to Holzbek Manor, with a hungover, breakfasted Norgrim in tow. Although still foggy the main square is filling, people gather at the temple of Sigmar to pay their last respects to Baron Holzbek while a pyre is being built in the center of the square.

Amos goes to the Temple of Verena to see about fixing the clock - a young acolyte tells him Sister Garner cannot see him, everyone is busy preparing for the reading of the will. He enters anyway, climbs the tower stairs and sets about the repair.

Back at the house Magdalena gets ready, they hear the Duke of Immelsheid has recently been by, complaining that his troops are being denied entry. Where is Von Reiter! Where is that tailor! Ada, now clad in mourning black is upset - she's starting to understand what is happening. She tells Magdalena she doesn't want to be separated from her cousin and her aunt, she doesn't want to be stuck in a tower like a fairy story princess. Magdalena tells her that as a knight-to-be she must often do things she doesn't want, that she must perform her duty. Somehow this gets through to her, at least for now.

Norgrim and Farfordda visit the Temple of Sigmar, the Baron's body is laid out in an open coffin. Sir Vaksman and many locals huddle in around the coffin, crying and praying. Brother Holsenheimer oversees impassively from an alcove. They retire to the Roamers' Pint, planning to take up window seats so that they can survey the square - Ernst the promoter from The Pit spies Norgrim and enthusiastically tells him to come to The Pit for 7, everyone is eager to see the saviour of Lady Holzbek take on Jolly Joss Volker!

Magdalena travels to the Temple of Verenna in the carriage along with Ada, Gilbert, Lady Eisenhal and Sir Vaksman. Nobles and local dignitaries gather around the great Statue of Verena where Frau Allman and Sister Garner will present the will. Baron Todbringer is here dressed for travel, then there is Elector Count Ludenhoff who Magdalena sees for the first time, draped in regal finery and accompanied his guards and a crooked woman in green. 

Elena scowls when she sees Meyer who simply nods at her. At the last minute Kepler Karzburdger enters - he manages to push his way through to Magdalena who ignores him and whispers supporting words to Ada as he spits out, 'if anything should happen to me everyone will know who you are!' The tolling bell stops for the first time since dawn and Frau Allman begins to read the will. It is midday on the 3rd Nachgeheim and the fog has almost lifted... 

The Enemy Within - Session 125

 31/10/2025

Lockdown

 No sooner do the dwarves and Farfordda enter The Pit than Thindra barfs - tonight's drinking has finally got too much for her and the contents of her guts are now all over the floor. Amos decides the smartest thing to do is shepherd her home. The vomiting has somewhat alerted the bar to their presence though - Domu Toma Petraska says - ah these must be the crew who rescued the wee Holzbek girl. Farfordda greets him in Strigany and Toma buys them drinks. Farfordda says he has a wise Pertu and that he will drop by to see them tomorrow with a gift for the Petraska family. 

Toma's companion at the bar is the fight promoter, he asks if this be Norgrim the pitfighter, aye I used to be. How about you come fight our champ tomorrow - 8pm, 4 shillings for a win plus free entry for you and your friends. Ok says Norgrim but free drinks for me now - 5 Taalwaters. Coming right up. 10 minutes later Norgrim is hammered and disappears into the crowds of the bar while Farfordda turns to Jean Saunier the tutor, and his female companions. He recognises Farfordda from the castle. Farfordda says you must be teaching young Ada, not so far he claims, Farfordda, with some menace impresses upon him that she should be treated well. Then having lost Norgrim heads back to Holzbek house.

Magdalena before leaving the Meissen house chats with the merchant and his family - they ask her how the meal went, who was there, what do they think of the girl? Magdalena essentially says we need to hear the Will and see what Steward Meyer thinks before determining Ada's fate. Anneliese Meissen says she met Lady Eisenhal at a soiree the other night, before the Baron died. Magdalena aks her what was Lady Eisenhal saying about her niece then? Oh she didn't mention her, it was all about Gilbert her son. Aniliese says Holzbek is no place for the girl if the town is allying with Hochland - they are such crude people. Dieter her husband begs to differ, the Baron knew what he was doing and the brother thinks the town could do fine on its own, what with that glimmerlead being found in Oberholzbek.

Finally she heads out into the foggy night with the watchman. She gets to the barracks to hear that Von Reiter is expecting her in the Temple of Verena, so she heads there. She is ushered in by a young girl in a grey gown and shortly after finds Von Reiter eating in a small room off the main hall with Sister Garner and Steward Meyer. 

The Steward thanks Magdalena for all she did at Oberholzbek, Ullman the hunter told him about the giant rat. She plays it down saying the dwarves are prone to exaggerate. Meyer asks her about the situation at Holzbek Manor - she says most of the diners favoured taking Ada to Sohk, but she does not seem in immediate danger. She also mentions that Elena asked the Duke of Immelsheid to bring his troops within the town in case there were any trouble at the reading of the Will. 

Meyer tells Von Reiter bring your men within the walls and seal off the town for the next 24 hours. Magdalena says he should speak with Frau Allman the magistrate before taking such predictably controversial action. He asks her to fetch the magistrate then return to Holzbek Manor and stay close to Ada and make sure she is at the reading of the Will tomorrow. He intends to stay here incognito until the reading. This she does, Frau Allman is clearly exhausted, but gathers herself and is lead to the temple.

Meanwhile back at Holzbek Manor Amos puts Thindra to bed and chats with the guards. A member of the watch shows up - some seditious literature has been found in the taverns of the town, inciting the people to rise up against the aristocracy. Amos tells them that this likely came from a mummer he saw in The Pit - she was part of a troupe ran out of Lindenheim just before Ada's sigmarite disguised abductors were ambushed close by. The guards say they cannot leave their posts, they'll need to wait till Von Reiter returns - but he could always go tell. Amos thinks it wiser to wait here. 

Shortly after Magdalena and Farfordda return. They compare notes and Farfordda heads off to the Roamers pint to find Karwel.

He arrives to find a drunk Norgrim with a couple of Lubrecht thugs trying to cause trouble. Farfordda scoops Norgrim from the situation, and steers him out the room. A thin faced guy in a rush brushes past them glancing at Farfordda as he does so. They reach they courtyard to see Baron Todbringer at the foot of the stairs, deep in clearly troubled thought. As soon as he heads upstairs Farfordda casts Sleep on Norgrim and deposits him in the hayloft. 

He returns to the bar to find the owner beset by the thugs and helps chase them off. The owner introduces himself as Baltzer, and excitedly tells him the inn was reputedly built by a wood elf over 200 years ago. He goes to pour him a wine and Farfordda asks for the bottle and 2 glasses then makes for the stairs. 

This time as he leaves the room he hears a somehow projected whisper in his ear 'we should talk when you're done'. He follows the subtle wisps of magic hanging in the air to face what he took to be 2 drunks in the corner, one is slumped over the table, but the other, a filthy woman wearing an eye patch nods to him. He nods back, tells Baltzer not to throw these two out, then climbs the stairs. 

Soon he is sharing the wine with Karwel Eyrich, a grey wizard from the Altdorf schools of magic. Did you find your Blitzen? No he and another Blitzen knew at the Collegium were captured by enemies, taken underground. Farfordda is evasive and asks Karwel what he has been doing - he was in the north investigating Nordland separatist plots. Farfordda tells him a woman they knew in Middenheim was involved, and arrested. Karwel asks what do you mean by underground? They were taken by human skaven cultists - to Karak Skygg, now they go to rescue them. Karwel says you claim this cult has an operation in Middenheim? Also why would humans consort with Skaven? The woman arrested (Olinda Ketternich) was holding letters for Blitzen, she exposed one of her tavern colleagues as in league with this cult. One of them turned into a skaven - they were attacked by them.

Karwel claims things are improving in Middenheim, this new Inquisition is hunting down all such, the plot against the Graf and the like. In fact he helped out while he was there - he identified the abductor of Rehya Ehrlich as a grey wizard who had been expelled from the Grey Order years ago. He doesn't entirely agree with the mutant stonings, but things are in hand. 

Farfordda says a chaos cult called the Purple Hand have infiltrated the authorities. He is skeptical and starts to get wary and suspicious. Farfordda asks him what he is doing now. He won't say anything specific. His job is fighting to hold the empire together. Just this night a noble was killed in this town - he was a Nordlander envoy from the Gaussers, the people behind the separatist movement. Farfordda tells him if he has any influence with Baron Todbringer to warn him of what he might run into in Middenheim. And you - are you really going to infiltrate some Skaven stronghold? That's suicide. Yes, so if you have any good ideas or help please do let us know. Karwel says he'll send word before he leaves. Its midnight on the 2nd of Nachgeheim and foggy out. 24 hours have passed since Baron Holzbek died...

The Enemy Within - Session 124

26/10/2025

The Mark

 Frau Allman leaves to deal with the aftermath of the murder, saying she will provide accommodation for Magdalena and impressing on everyone that they do all they can to keep the peace in her town. 

Once the main course is finished Lady Eisenhal asks Magdalena what she thinks about Ada - can't she see that the girl should be fostered in Sohk, she was raised on a farm, she has neither the etiquette or knowledge to deal with a noble life. Magdalena says what's most important is that she is safe. Baron Todbringer asks what she thinks of the girl's character, has she the making of a Baroness? Magdalena says she doesn't know but the girl has showed resilience in the face of adversity and terrible circumstances. 

Baron Todbringer - Cubicle Seven TPBTT

 The priest of Ulric stresses again that the Baron's body should be laid out in the Shrine to Ulric not in the Sigmar Temple. Lady Eisenhal says she'll deal with it, the last thing she would want is more chaos in the town. She asks Artur, Duke of Immelscheid to have his troops standing by in case there is any trouble at the reading of the Will. Karwell repeats that they should all they can to resolve this situation in as peaceful a way possible, listing the troubles that beset the Empire.

When the meal ends Von Reiter appears and speaks with Lady Eisenhal in private. Magdalena gets changed and goes to head for The Bad Pfennig when a coach pulls up outside - it is from the Meisson family and has been sent to take her to their house where she can stay. As she boards it she sees Von Reiter leaving the house. Lady Eisenhal has agreed to have the Baron laid out in the Temple of Sigmar so he is going there now to organise having the body moved. He knows little about the murder and does not let it deviate him from his tasks. She leaves a note at Holzbek Manor for the gang saying where she's headed and telling Farfordda that Karwel can be found in room 10 at The Roamer's Pint.

basis generated from https://watabou.itch.io/village-generator

 Back at the Bad Pfennig as soon as the word goes around that a body has been found close by, Valeria's companion Schmidt makes a sharp exit. Now free of her companion Amos manages to get out of Valeria that she's not so much an ally of Gaius but rather a smuggler who runs errands and that Gauis' contact at the picket (who she delivered a letter to) is one Sergeant Brantner. 

In the background a drunk Norgrim having lost at darts is bellowing that he is Norgrim Reaper, pit fighting champion who beat Morgan the Mauler in Kemperbad. An even drunker Thindra amplifies this - Norgrim Reaper Baby Eater, also known as the bear! Some local says he should go fight Jolly Joss the current bare knuckle boxing champion at The Pit.

Farfordda enters with Kezia who leads him to the table where her elder sister reads the tarot. He settles down and buys them a bottle of wine and matches her cards on the table by spreading out his own. She notices that like his hand there is a digit missing. The Emperor he says - how appropriate says she, some say the Emperor is ill, that no one has seen him in an age. A few verbal exchanges soon lead her to invite him to come meet their Petru, Uriah and they get up and leave.

They exit the tavern just as a short minstrel enters announcing that he has come to find the dwarves who helped the Knight rescue Lady Holzbek, there is much laughter as he heads straight for Thindra and Norgrim who are loudly proclaiming their feats on the far side of the bar. Before reching them he spots Amos - who he walked alongside on the road from Hohenfarht to Lindenheim - It was yous who saved the girl! I thought you were taking that sick prisoner to Hope Square - where did you meet the knight?  

Amos sets to getting Luther drunk and distracting him from any connection between the prisoner and the knight, sharing the free beer they're being served for Norgrim having buried Mortimer Rumster. 

Then the watch enter. The gammon faced sarge starts questioning the clientele while a bear of young watchman with a black eye blocks the exit. 

 Were you in here earlier, did you see a well dressed gentleman with long red hair and a neatly trimmed beard? A drunken Thindra says yes, and I saw him before at Felangst Castle! All 3 Dwarves troop out with the watch and head to their barracks to identify the body.

Holzbek - courtesy ChatGPT & Imogen 4

 

The Strigany camp, 3 caravans drawn up around a fire, is out the east gate in the Ostrasse, close to The Pit. Uriah, a cracked leather faced Strigany with young eyes, dyed black hair and a bone ring through his nose bids Farfordda enter. His caravan stinks of sulfur and cinnamon, a pot boils on a hob at the back. The place is stuffed with beakers, jars and dark bottles, herbs and small creatures hang from every part of the ceiling. 

Farfordda says he has traveled with the Strigany, Uriah makes plain that he has heard of him, and that he can see 'the mark' upon him - for a small price he can inspect it, he'll require some blood though. 

Farfordda says he wants a parlay - he had a run in with Mariposa, he wants to talk. What did you do to Mariposa asks Uriah, to have her put the mark on you?

 Back and forwards they talk. He knows that Wittgenstein castle collapsed into the Reik, but not how or why. Beatsmen, Skaven and mutants were all involved in the chaos there says Farfordda, the castle contained a lump of Weirdstone the size of a house. But what did you do? He had been hunting down a Chaos Witch called Etelka Herzen. Lady Wittgenstein got blown up. That can't be it thinks Uriah. What was Mariposa doing there? Uriah admits she is a friend, but he hasn't seen her since the last great gathering a few years ago - she is a powerful Petru though admittedly with some crack brained schemes. 

Farfordda eventually relents and gives Uriah a thimble of blood from his thumb. He mixes it with Dreamwine and grave dust, boils it then drinks. There can be no parlay. The mark is faded but Farfordda's doom will come next Grunsnacht - some great monster, likely undead will find him. Can the mark be erased? No but it will fade if Mariposa fails to find him in his dreams before then. There is something else too, something other than his taint, but Uriah can't quite make it out. 

 Mariposa had the remains of an Old Father - the vampire overlords who ruled the Strigany back in Strigos millennia ago. Likely she sought Lady Wittgenstein's help to bring it back. There are some among the Strigany who think bringing back the Old Fathers would free them from their wanderings, let them reclaim their ancestral home. Uriah is not so keen on the idea, he might think ill of the Emperor Karl Fanz, but he surely can't be worse than an ancient vampire. Mariposa has long worked at this scheme. Thwarting this would certainly focus Mariposa's ire.

 Their caravan was bound for Middenheim, but Uriah has heard ominous tidings and so may travel south to Talabheim instead. Farfordda tells him Middenheim is not safe, that it is the hands of a chaos cult known as the Purple Hand who infiltrated the aristocracy of the city right up to the Graf himself. Uriah thanks him for the information and says he has potions for sale should the elf have enough coin. Farfordda says he'll return before he quits Holzbek and leaves.

At the watch HQ a drunken Thindra confirms the body is indeed the Nordlander noble she saw at Felangst with Kepler Von Karzburdger. The watch send out to fetch him. Norgrim chats to Axel - the huge young watchman who was with the sarge. He and Amos tell Axel that his father was killed by a giant rat down the mine which they in turn slew. That his father's funeral is imminent and that his mother is moving to Gladbeich to join her recently widowed sister - oh yeah your Uncle was recently hung in a case of mistaken identity, this bounty hunter Lars and these 2 road wardens thought he was the notorious bandit Heinz Gerber. He remembers Lars coming to Oberholzbek - he's gonna kill that guy. 

 The dwarves decide to head on to The Pit, maybe Norgrim can get in that fight with Jolly Joss - the sarge tells them be careful - the place is hoaching with Lubrecht scum (local crime family) and mercenaries. They troop off and leaving the east gate run into Farfordda leaving the Strigany camp. 

The Pit is packed and but they spot a couple of faces they recognise. Jean Saunier, Gilbert Eisenhal's tutor is chatting with some young women, Domu Petraska stands at the bar with a monkey on his shoulder engaged in conversation with a rough looking local and in the eponymous  pit at the rear of this barn Amos sees the writer from the team of mummers they saw back in Lindenheim, the hulking woman who wore the Red Crown ring. She's entertaining an unsavoury crowd who hang on her every word. 

Meanwhile Magdalena spends her evening at the Meissen residence, as she enters this well appointed town house she spies Kepler leaving the house next door - Frau Allman's, with a member of the watch. 

The Meissens are a wealthy merchant family. After being shown the room they have cleared for her she is invited to the drawing room for tittle tattle over sherry. She tells the tale of her Ada saving adventure for the umpteenth time and shortly after a watchman arrives at the door - Von Reiter has sent him to bring her to the Watch HQ. She heads out into the damp, cold and foggy streets. It is near 11 o'clock on the 2nd of Nachgeheim...

 

The Enemy Within - Session 123

18/10/2025

A Table for Seven

Magdalena is called in for dinner. Von Reiter having just read the broadsheet the dwarves brought and seeing it say that the Baron's body will be laid out in state decides to head to the temple of Sigmar to actually make this so, feeling he can as the PCs are here to hold the fort. He tells the servants to make up beds for them and leaves. 

Farfordda retires to the stables to do the Tarot. Is the strigany woman who read Norgrim's future in league with Mariposa? A strong hand with a Joker tells him no.

The dwarves eat with the guards in the courtyard - they are the same men-at-arms that were with Von Reiter at Oberholzbek so Amos take the opportunity to ask them about Axel Muller. Oh yeah that kid - built like a bull - Von Reiter drafted him into the town watch - he did them proud at the battle with Ulkin Blackheart, be a waste having the boy rot in a jail when the town needs every loyal soldier it can get. Norgrim asks him to tell Axel that his mother is having his father's funeral then moving to Gladbeich to live with her recently widowed sister. Then they head to the Bad Pfennig.

Magdalena enters the dining room dressed in her yellow dress and carrying a Blazing Suns sheild as a gift for Ada. She is introduced to Frau Allman the town magistrate (and effectively the mayor), Duke Immelcheid and Wolf-born Erich Heinlein the priest of Ulric. They ask Magdalena about her adventure rescuing Ada, she tells them the truth leaving out her initial captivity and stressing that the abduction was carried out by bandits disguised as Sigmarite pilgrims. 

The monocle wearing wizard Karwel Eyrich after having inspected the Baron's corpse descends the stairs to join them, then some half an hour late Baron Heinrich Todbringer makes his entrance. 

Ada and Gilbert are presented to the Baron and Magdalena gives her sheild to Ada saying that it is a symbol of  the protection afforded her from Myrmidia and the Order of the Blazing Suns.

Once the childfren leave Heinrich shows them the broadsheet - what is this! - Baron Holzbek is to be laid out in the temple of Sigmar. The Ulrican priest is furious, Elena says this is not her doing, she does not know how this can have come to pass, it will be dealt with. 

The starters arrive and afterwards Heinrich addresses them - strife abounds, the empire creaks on the brink of civil war - old alliances must be maintained, the Barony of Holzbek must not become part of Hochland. Elena stresses that Ada must be taken somewhere safe - she would raise her in the castle at Sohk. All press on Magistrate Allman that regardless of the will's outcome the alliance with Middenheim should take precedence and Ada be raised in Middenland. 

Heinrich says he must travel back to Middenheim tomorrow after the reading of the will. His eyes and ears in Middenheim have grown silent and he is worried, but he will do all that he can to support Lady Eisenhal's cause.

Magdalena also talks with Karwel - he recognises her from the coach to Middenheim when they were travelling to the carnival - did they find their friend? He did not realise that she was with the elf Farfordda, she says they should talk and he agrees to afterwards. He tells Heinrich that he was investigating a Nordland Separatist plot - he was invited to the Conclave by Count Jurgen Karzburdger to try keep his feckless son out of trouble, he visited Dunfurter on route and as a result traveled here with Lady Eisenhal's entourage. This evening was his opportunity to meet Heinrich. Magdalena mentions that she unhorsed Kepler at the Jousting, bravo says the Artur Duke of Immelscheid, he missed that day at the jousting but had heard a female knight had beaten Kepler.

Half way into the main course they are interrupted by the commander of the watch who tells the magistrate there has been a murder in the town...

Amos, Norgrim and Thindra run into Valeria Roth in The Bad Pfennig. Norgrim goes off to drink and drunkenly loses a wager at darts while Amos chats with Valeria. She has sold all of her ale and looking to buy up some Taalwater and heading for Altdorf - her associate here is telling her The Pit is the place to go. Amos asks her who were the people she sold the ale too back at Magnus Rest - were they friends of Gauis? She looks askanse at her companion and says yes - she claims not to know where they were going or who they were though.

Farfordda finally leaves the stables and heads for The Bad Pfennig keeping an eye out for Strigany. As luck would have it he spots young Kazia, she makes a beeline to him - will he buy a plague charm - he answers her in Strigany, paying her and asking can she read fortunes - she says no but her sister can and so leads him to The Bad Pfennig.

They arrive and spot the dwarves, just as a murmer runs around the tavern - a body has been found a few streets away, there's been a murder...