WFRP Update 11
Max creeps through the night, quietly approaching the dilapidated barn, while the rest of the group watches from some nearby bushes. Max pauses by the door and listens, trying to discover what is hidden inside the structure. Hearing nothing and seeing no other choice, Max grabs the door and begins to roll it aside. A loud crack shatters the night as the handle of the how that was blocking the door breaks in two. Max looks into the darkness of the barn and sees a person, just woken by the noise, leaning against a broken wagon. A dim light illuminates the upper floor of the barn, revealing three shadowy figures sitting in a small loft. He can just make out two men and Elvira, bound to a chair and gagged. The first man reaches for his sword as Max steps into the barn and lowers his crossbow. Obviously taking some inspiration from Rudolpho, Max begins to talk to the kidnappers, hoping to resolve the situation without Elvira coming to harm. The leader of the group, a filthy being by the name of Hans, senses something is amiss in Max's story and asks him what the password is. His actions are backed up by him opening the upper door and leaning Elvira over the edge. Hans refuses to listen to any explanation and drops Elvira out of the door. Max fires a crossbow bolt, tearing a small hole in Hans's clothes, and then charges for the upper loft, easily dodging out of the way of the two goons that move to intercept him. Hearing the commotion the rest of the group charges into the barn. Rudolpho and Elpham make short work of the goon guarding the door, while Magdelaine charges past and lands a solid punch on the second goon. Finally having a spark of intelligence, the second goon surrenders and is pummeled unconscious by Elpam. Max has finally arrived at the upper floor door and looks down at the bale of hay and the fleeing form of Hans. Max quickly jumps into the hay and gives chase, with Rudolpho only steps behind. Sensing the end is near, Hans releases Elvira and flees into the night.
As the heroes gather around Elvira they are relieved to find that aside from a few large bruises she is unharmed. Max and Magdelaine lead her back to town while Rudolpho and Elpham question the remaining goon. The goon quickly reveals that he knows very little, aside from being hired by Hans to abduct Elvira. They learn that someone from Altdorf wanted Elvira to use her medical skills for ill and, when she refused, they came to collect her. He does not know who the person in Altdorf is, only that he has something to do with the amulet he was given. He reveals an amulet that is a crudely crafted animal head of some description, most likely a rat. Sensing that his fount of knowledge has run dry, Rudolpho and Elpam escort him into town and turn him over to the town guards. Back in town, Max and Magdelaine recover little Liza from the boat, escort Elvira back to her house and settle down on the stairs to keep watch for Hans.
As the new day dawns, the guards stop by and question Elvira about the previous night's activities and congratulate the heroes for their part in the rescue. The heroes spend much of the day trying to figure out which boat was supposed to pick up the kidnappers but have no luck. Seeing no other option, they say their good byes and head off to Altdorf.
After a few days of boring travel they can begin to see signs that they are approaching Altdorf and they are stopped by a river patrol. After a quick search the river wardens leave the heroes to their business. Realizing that they have never done a throughout search of their newly acquired conveyance, they spent the next few hours finding all of the secrets of their boat. Very little is found except for a small hidden compartment that contains a pornographic painting. Rudolpho spends the rest of the afternoon contemplating the painting alone in his bunk. In very little time the heroes pull up to the dock in Altdorf. Surprisingly, it is Elpam that prods the group into action. While Max is concerned with finding the owner of the rat head amulet and extracting his vengeance, Elpam directs all his activities into finding a buyer for their salvaged cargo. Working with Rudolpho they eventually manage to find a buyer and even though they lose a sizable amount to the taxation officers they still end the day standing in their cabin looking at a huge pile of golden crowns. After much rolling, swimming and rubbing of the coins, Elpam manages to motivate everyone to find another cargo. While they are off looking for an appropriate cargo, Max wanders into the city and eventually finds a hat shop. In the shop he finds a hat that is taller than he is, covered in sequins and feathers; the perfect wizards' hat. He quickly purchases it and presents it to Magdelaine, proclaiming her to be a wizard. When Rudolpho expresses some concern about such a strange gift, Max quickly points out that they will always be able to find her, which, given their history of quick exits from towns, is always a good thing. With little effort a new cargo of metal ingots is purchased, although the heroes have to load it themselves. As they are struggling with their load they notice a wanted poster. The poster proclaims a reward of 20 crowns for a dangerous halfling and a shifty dwarf. they are charged with the murder of a noble. Realizing that being seen together would be a bad idea, Max drops his load and slips off. As the heroes wonder at the wanted poster, Magdelaine reads the other notice on the board. By the order of the Emperor, Mutants are now to be considered people and the use of the word 'mutant' is outlawed. The heroes being to wonder if this has anything to do with the rumors that they have heard about the prince becoming less than human.
Strange things are afoot in the empire.
As the heroes gather around Elvira they are relieved to find that aside from a few large bruises she is unharmed. Max and Magdelaine lead her back to town while Rudolpho and Elpham question the remaining goon. The goon quickly reveals that he knows very little, aside from being hired by Hans to abduct Elvira. They learn that someone from Altdorf wanted Elvira to use her medical skills for ill and, when she refused, they came to collect her. He does not know who the person in Altdorf is, only that he has something to do with the amulet he was given. He reveals an amulet that is a crudely crafted animal head of some description, most likely a rat. Sensing that his fount of knowledge has run dry, Rudolpho and Elpam escort him into town and turn him over to the town guards. Back in town, Max and Magdelaine recover little Liza from the boat, escort Elvira back to her house and settle down on the stairs to keep watch for Hans.
As the new day dawns, the guards stop by and question Elvira about the previous night's activities and congratulate the heroes for their part in the rescue. The heroes spend much of the day trying to figure out which boat was supposed to pick up the kidnappers but have no luck. Seeing no other option, they say their good byes and head off to Altdorf.
After a few days of boring travel they can begin to see signs that they are approaching Altdorf and they are stopped by a river patrol. After a quick search the river wardens leave the heroes to their business. Realizing that they have never done a throughout search of their newly acquired conveyance, they spent the next few hours finding all of the secrets of their boat. Very little is found except for a small hidden compartment that contains a pornographic painting. Rudolpho spends the rest of the afternoon contemplating the painting alone in his bunk. In very little time the heroes pull up to the dock in Altdorf. Surprisingly, it is Elpam that prods the group into action. While Max is concerned with finding the owner of the rat head amulet and extracting his vengeance, Elpam directs all his activities into finding a buyer for their salvaged cargo. Working with Rudolpho they eventually manage to find a buyer and even though they lose a sizable amount to the taxation officers they still end the day standing in their cabin looking at a huge pile of golden crowns. After much rolling, swimming and rubbing of the coins, Elpam manages to motivate everyone to find another cargo. While they are off looking for an appropriate cargo, Max wanders into the city and eventually finds a hat shop. In the shop he finds a hat that is taller than he is, covered in sequins and feathers; the perfect wizards' hat. He quickly purchases it and presents it to Magdelaine, proclaiming her to be a wizard. When Rudolpho expresses some concern about such a strange gift, Max quickly points out that they will always be able to find her, which, given their history of quick exits from towns, is always a good thing. With little effort a new cargo of metal ingots is purchased, although the heroes have to load it themselves. As they are struggling with their load they notice a wanted poster. The poster proclaims a reward of 20 crowns for a dangerous halfling and a shifty dwarf. they are charged with the murder of a noble. Realizing that being seen together would be a bad idea, Max drops his load and slips off. As the heroes wonder at the wanted poster, Magdelaine reads the other notice on the board. By the order of the Emperor, Mutants are now to be considered people and the use of the word 'mutant' is outlawed. The heroes being to wonder if this has anything to do with the rumors that they have heard about the prince becoming less than human.
Strange things are afoot in the empire.
posted by groodude at 7:11 p.m.
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