WFRP Update 12

The heroes had finally finished loading their new cargo into the boat, thankful avoiding anyone looking for a killer dwarf and a homicidal halfling. They then proceeded to make plans to ferret out the owner of the animal pendants. Still not wanting to be seen together, Max plans to follow the others as they make their way around the city, inquiring about the pendant as they go. Since the former pendant owners had been hired at the 'Pig and Whistle' inn, that is there first stop. As they make their way through the crowds Rudolpho notices someone staring intently at the group. Rudolpho reaches up and scratches his ear in the same manner that we had seen people do before, which prompts the stranger into action. The stranger crosses the crowd, grabs ahold of Rudolpho's hand and whispers in a sinister voice, 'we know who you are'. He then tries to disappear into the crowd. Rudolpho gives chase, but is blocked by a large man who claims that Rudolpho has insulted his sisters honor. With a few quick words Rudolpho manages to talk his way out of the situation, but the distraction has worked. The stranger has vanished into the crowds. It is at this moment that Rudolpho notices that his hand has been stained purple. Perhaps it is a special sign that has been planted by the stranger. If it is, then the sign was missed by everyone. The heroes spend many fruitless hours questioning people and searching the city, but no knowledge of the pendant is uncovered. Eventually, with Rudolpho in a cunning disguise someone claims to have some knowledge of the pendant. They claim that they have seen similar ones in the hands of cultists and that we had best not show them around town. Realizing that there are no further leads to be found, the heroes reluctantly pack up and sail off towards Delburrs.

Once they arrive in Delburrs, Magdelaine rushes off towards her old teachers home with Rudolpho in tow. 2 days slowly pass for the heroes. Magdelaine's time is consumed with her wizardly teachings, while the rest of the group quickly discover that there are no buyers for their cargo in town. They have no other choice but to spend the night drinking heavily and relaxing, while they await Magdelaine's return. When Magdelaine finally returns to the boat, ladened with her certificate of wizardry, the heroes set sail for Kemperbad, following a rumor of a buy looking for metals. Since their path takes them back through Altdorf, they manage to secure a passenger. Worries about becoming broke and having to abandon the boat begin to press on their minds.
Past Altdorf they begin to see the Emperor's newest projects; tall towers equipped with a set of signaling flags. The emperor has a plan to enable communications across the empire that will take days, not weeks. As the heroes sail along their way, they pass one of these partially constructed towers and are signaled by a pair of frantic dwarfs. Pulling alongside them, the heroes discover that the pair are in a hurry to get away from this place and are willing to pay nearly any price. Negotiations are still taking place when a third dwarf, some sort of supervision comes running down from the tower, screeching for everyone to stop. Some words are exchanged in the dwarfs native tongue and the original pair reluctantly turn around and head back towards the tower. As the supervisor catches his breath, he eventually tells his tale. They had begun to construct the tower on a previous tower that had long been abandoned. However, strange happenings had been going on and the original crew of 12 is now only 6. The supervisor offers to pay the heroes for protection, pleading with them to accept so that he might finish his project in time. Having no pressing meetings, the heroes agree and start up the hill to survey the situation.