In response to Giri’s question of what happened after I left half-way through, Ralph replied
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| Into the Wolf’s Den
In response to Giri’s question of what happened after I left half-way through, Ralph replied: Vladimir staked out Wolfgang's apartment, hiding in a conveniently situated barrel until the giant left his apartment at the crack of dawn. Vladimir then proceeded to break into his apartment by stealth and stole a stash of documents hidden in a locked strong box. After returning directly to the Golden Nugget, and divvying up the documents all the characters learned of a host of leaders of various groups that corresponded with Wolfgang including one that named himself "the Heir" and sealed the letter with an unknown heraldic device with the letters HT on it. Noting that this might be good evidence but that more was needed the group decided that the letters had to be returned! After transcribing the letter and noting all the key names Vlad then broke in AGAIN and replaced all the letters in exactly the same place, locked the strong box, repositioned the bed over the hiding place and then exfiltrated, locking the door behind him. There was but one hiccup, Wolfgang was returning up the only stairwell in the building. Vlad then had to escape onto the roof whilst the mark entered his apartment. Once the mark was inside, Vlad got back into the stairwell before escaping without a sound! Ninjas couldn't have done it much better! The tension was awesome! It's definitely going into my list of favourite encounters ever! Based on the information gathered we got a lead on some visitors for Wolfgang Blitzen due to arrive in the city imminently. An Ostland ulrican priest and "enthusiatic member of their organisation" as introduced by one Herr Wanner. There is a plan to debase the Ulrican moderates within the city, we also think that the HT character sending the letter is likely to be the missing Son of Count von Tassenick of the Ostland Empire and that his supposed assassination by Talabec agents is just the excuse his father needed to declare war on his neighbours the Talabeclanders and allies in Hochland. Why HT is assembling a guerrilla force in the guise of Ulrican extremists is still unknown however. As a result of the anti-Ulrican intentions outlined in the letter, Werner went to warn his brothers but they are unable to do much in the face of an unknown threat. Juergan tried to find the identity of the heraldic device at the Verenan Library and the rest of us then went and did a tour of the city in order to learn where things are. On the way: Vladimir tried and failed to purchase some sleeping drugs, Malamir spotted a potential safe house and we all bumped into a bunch of rowdy Kislevite ex-pats intent on hero worshipping Vladimir!... We left the game on Sunday investigating the potential safe house, a haunted ruin on a hill in the south of the city and with Werner and Vladimir opening introductions to the underworld of Bergsburg. I'm pretty certain my facts need fleshing out but that was the jist of it.... Charles later added: Indeed, having identified the possible location of Herr Blitzen's abode, the party decided it was time to enter the wolf's den! So, early on their 3rd day (Aubentag 21st Plugzeit) Werner woke a sleepy Gregor in the darkness of their room. With only a couple of hours before sunrise, Gregor sneaked down to the Der Rachof part of Beilheim. After sitting a couple of hours cramped and in the gloom, Gregor pulled of his best piece of cat burglary, evah. Better still he managed to uncover the correspondence (hardly easier as it was hidden under a chamber pot and underneath a floorboard). Gregor was probably as surprised as anyone, especially he did it single-handed, i.e. no-one helped him. After scanning the correspondence and in particular the letter from "The Heir" (see attached Word document), the party felt that they were close to finding a link but we're quite there. So it was decided to try and sneak them back in. This time however Gregor received help from Malimir. Meanwhile Werner and Juergen went to the Temple of Ulric to warn them that "something was about to happen to the appeasers". Unsurprisingly the Keeper of the Shard pushed for more details. So eventually they told him that they thought that the "church would be attacked soon". When asked who? when? why? and how? Neither Juergen nor Werner could answer. They suggested instead that the church raise their vigilance. Venerable Wolf Kant replied that he'd seek help from "men he could trust". Meanwhile Gregor and Malimir spent the morning sending their missives by carrier pigeon and courier. The party met at the Gold Nugget for lunch and discussed their next steps. That afternoon Juergen disappeared north to Kirch Platz to track down the heraldic device on the seal, i.e. to confirm whether or not it belongs to Hergard von Tassenick (son of the Elector of Ostland and heir apparent) thanks to the huge tome Heraldicae Imperialis. At the same time, eager to discover the brokers of power (banks, merchant houses and nobility) and in search of a safe house, the party re-called the bawd Herr Glauer that had tried his luck the day before. The party were rewarded with 4-hour of the city, its quarters, streets, monuments, businesses, history and even legends. After an unsuccessful attempt at purchasing a sleeping draught (illegal) over the counter and Bergsburg's most reputed herborium, Gregor decided that he should visit the city's most dangerous street. It was decided that Werner would accompany him as back-up. Meanwhile Juergen and Malimir would scout out the the city's most feared area, the Helmsburg Hill in an effort to locate a quiet area. Realising that he lacked any armour and only one 3-foot piece of steel, Werner decided to nip back to the Gold Nugget leaving the party with their freshly-purchased pies in the Pottsplatz. The others then realised that, despite the potentially explosive letter, Wolfgang hadn't been watched all day decided to have a quick look to see what he was up to. It turned out to be a good idea as several interesting exchanges were taking place. To cut a long story short the party are all back together in the Gold Nugget inn watching a group of half-a-dozen heavies who are watching a mud-stained traveller who is accompanied by a familiar-looking man. Malimir and Werner managed to pick-up that the traveller was angry after being told that "Wolfgang can't meet you tonight as he's very busy". Instantly the mud-stained stranger "Do you know how far I've come?". His companion tried to reasure him by blurting out "Calm down, he's agreed to meet you tomorrow night at dusk!" Gregor the decided to walk directly up to them and asked "Can I join you?" only to receive a very quick and brutally firm "No" after which they discussed in low voices, such that no-one really heard anything else for the rest of the evening... As far as I can guess, the party seems to be looking to: a. secure a sleeping draught (more powerful than a bunch of dill) b. secure a safe house c. learn more about the stranger d. learn more about the traveller e. learn more from a young lad who occasionally acts as a messenger for Wolfgang f. open connections with Bergsburg's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen g. watch over the Temple of Ulric |