WFRP Update 4

As the lid to the sewer is pulled back a hideously foul odor engulfs the heroes and they begin to wonder if 30 crowns is worth this. They climb down, hugging the sides of the sewer channels in an effort to avoid the bubbling putrescent mixture that flows beneath the city. Within moments, Rudolpho has spotted the trail of the goblin. A few drops of green blood point the way and lead the heroes under the city streets. They pass a number of smaller sewers, filled nearly to the top with filth, but the goblin's trail never deviates. Eventually they arrive at a T shaped intersection and notice that the goblin has crossed the river of filth to gain the other side. With few options the heroes contemplate the crossing. Magdelaine simply climbs down into the filth and starts to walk across. Max makes a quick leap and clings to Magdelaine, both arriving on the far side with the minimum of effort. Rudolpho, fancying himself some sort of acrobat, launches himself across the channel and lands squarely in the muck. After much complaining he eventually carries Elpham across. As Rudolpho continues to lead them along, they turn a corner and spot a light moving into the distance. Rudolpho gives chase, running quickly and launching himself off the edge of the channel, leaping into the darkness. As the rest of the heroes catch up with him, they find him lying face down in the filth, begging for someone to end his life. After much struggling and a cleansing spell from Magdelaine Rudolpho is free of the muck and the heroes notice a door set into the wall of the sewer. Peering through the barred window they see a room prepared for sorcery. A silver pentagram lies on the floor, with black candles at each point. A silver circle encases the pentagram and the picture of a goats head is inscribed in the center of the pentagram. On the outside of the door is a bloody foot print and a small pile of bones lies at the foot of the door. Elpham starts to break the door down which causes smoke to form in the room. The smoke forms into a small goat headed demon who orders us away on pain of death. With a few direct questions Magdelaine is able to discover that the goblin had come to see the demon, but the demon had forced him away. As the heroes examine the bones they find a strangely shaped pelvis that could have only come from a three legged beast. Rudolpho manages to convince everyone that the light that was seen moving ahead of them was a reflection of something else and leads the heroes out of the sewers. As the heroes attempt to collect their reward they discover the magistrate has retired for the day. As they retire to the inn, they have another shock. The innkeeper demands that they pay for the rooms as they are no longer employed by the city. There are stories that the goblin was slain in a Steinhaguer warehouse down by the docks. The heroes refuse to pay and are told to leave and that Magdelaine's dress will be returned when they can cover their bill. A quick visit to Malethusias, the original owner of the goblin, to return the bones is that last adventure before the heroes head back to the barge and attempt to get themselves clean.

Awaking late, the heroes make their way back to the magistrate and discuss the situation. The magistrate agrees that the bones seem to have come from a three legged creature, but asks that they refrain from telling any strange tales about hordes of three legged beasts inhabiting the sewers. After some negotiating he does authorize a payment to cover the expenses from the inn and Magdelaine recovers her dress. The heroes head off to the warehouse where the goblin was killed and do some investigating. A drunken guard claims to have killed the goblin, but under Rudolpho's steely gaze he admits that it was crushed and that he did not see the body. The suspicions of the heroes arise and they resolve to continue their investigation of the sewers. Planning on questioning the demon further the heroes secure a large quantity of beer and a live chicken as a gift to the evil beast. A rope ladder will provide egress to the sewers and a stout board will keep them from falling into the filth. As they are fastening the ladder in the sewer entrance a group of citizens approaches and demands to know our business. Once again, Rudolpho's silvered tongue convinces them that the heroes are working for their benefit and the heroes are free to enter the sewers. As they retrace their steps they soon arrive at the demon guarded door. But as they peer into the small room beyond they are shocked to discover that the room is empty! Someone has been warned of their activities and is now covering their tracks. Frustrated, the heroes sit down and have a quaff of beer while they contemplate their next move.