Ambush Aftermath
The heroes are sceptical but the advantages of her cooperation outweigh the possible disadvantages and they decide to let her live and deliver her to The Man. As thanks for her life, she shares some information she knows. There is a shadow war going on between Mr. Gouda and The Man. Apparently the Thieves guild of Altdorf also has a shadow war going on between them and a cult of Khaine, the assassin god of the Dark Elves.
Rumours have it that the Thieves guild of Altdorf have sent a chosen of their number to Middenheim to support The Man. This person is said to be blessed by Ranald and prophesied to do great things. To offset this, Mr. Gouda has enlisted the aid of the person Winifred was supposed to protect, the second occupant of the black coach.
And so the adventurers finally return to Middenheim after another extremely busy day. They drop off Mr. Nagemann and Miss Hazelenau. However... as they return to The Templar's Arms Inn both Otfried and Lothar have messages waiting. A Witch Hunter, by the name of Victor Kernbrenn came to see Ottfried, he is staying at the Church of Sigmar and request a meeting. Lothar received a letter from Ahmed Al'Aqrab, the Trader who was left behind in Kemperbad to look after the boat. He explains in his letter (written in the Arabian language) that Matthias Blucher, the man who sent them to Middenheim is a cultist of the Red Crown. He tried to steal Renata's Luck (the ship) and kill its crew. This failed and Ahmed further found out that the 7 items the heroes were supposed to deliver are in fact the heroes themselves! Ahmed further informs that he has taken the opportunity to load new cargo onto the ship and make for Erengrad in Kislev via Mariënburg.
Challenge postponed.
Meanwhile Ottfried, Gotrak & Mandred visit the Temple of Sigmar and meet Victor Kernbrenn the witch hunter. Sadly, he is not here to help them. Victor is here to investigate the rumours of slave trade going on between Middenheim and Brettonia. His sources lead him to the Arabian Delegation, some Marienburgers and the Windhund Haulage Company. However, he insures them that help is on the way, Brothers of the Flame are sending reinforcements. Yet for now, the adventurers are on their own. They will meet up at midnight again to share the findings of their investigations.
The Firebreathers.
The heroes enjoy the spectacular fire show from the best seat in the stadium, Abel starts chatting to the princess and before long, something blooms between them. It looks like she has become quite smitten with him and the feeling is mutual. Ofcourse Abel is lying through his teeth about his heritage & origins. He gets the evil eye from Mme Zimperlich but the Princess ignores her, even the knights are afraid of her. When Abel hints to the topic of taxes Katarina
The afternoon continues as the group makes their way to see the Dwarven Valley Choirs in the Royal College of Music, still in the company of the Princess and her entourage.
After that, the crew makes a quick visit to the festival of fine ales.
You are feeling sleepy
In one of the beer tents, the heroes see Dieter Schmiedehammer, who they suspect of being hypnotized. They ask the flamboyant Dr. Pavarotti if he can de-hypnotize the former champion. The doctor happily agrees and the group heads to his home.
Luigi sits Dieter in a comfortable chair, and tell him to fix his eyes on a silver medallion on a chain which Luigi swings before his eyes. Luigi drones in a monotone ...
"Look at the disc, the disc, and listen to my voice. Listen to my voice. All you attend to is the disc, watch it swing, you cannot look away from it, and also my . voice. As you watch the disc your eyes are feeling tired, your eyelids are closing, and you are feeling sleepy now. You are relaxing, listening to my voice, and you are feeling sleepy."
This continues for a few minutes. After this time, Dieter is deeply hypnotised.
They ask him about who and when he was hypnotised.
It was two months ago in The Showboat (the restaurant on the edge of the Black Pool). He ended up mildly drunk at this upper-class establishment. Sitting alone in a quiet corner, he was approached by a young attractive woman named Charlotte. She had red hair, green eyes, mid-20's about 5'6", and medium build, She spoke with a Bretonnian accent.
Luigi then negates the hypnosis, and implant strong suggestions within Dieter's mind against being hypnotized by the same person again.
After that,Dieter awakens and is very grateful to the heroes, but he asks to keep this silent, lest his his fiance Kirsten Jung becomes jealous.
The heroes return to the inn for their evening meal, where they meet Najia again, who has a new hair brained scheme to perform an attack on the Arabian delegation. When they decline this, she stomps off angrily.
The Ar-Ulric affair.
The problem is that two months ago, he received a letter which notified him that certain letters of affection between him and Miss Schlagen were in possession of a third party. The next day one Frau elise Kaltblutich came to see him, she informed him that the condition for the return of said letters was to lend his support for the taxes. He had no choice but to comply. Since the taxes are in effect, he had one more visit from this woman. She promised him the return of the letters in two months time, provided the tax laws were still in effect. If the heroes can recover his letters, Ar Ulric would be very grateful indeed, he will even step down as High Priest and use his influence to let the heroes have an audience with Graf Totbringer. It goes without saying that this is all top secret and he even lets them swear an oath of secrecy.
On their way out, they ask one of the guards if they have seen the woman who spoke with a monotonous voice (the only lead they have). One of the guards says he has indeed seen such a woman, several days ago, her name started with a K, she was here to see the Chancellor. Confused about this, the heroes return to the inn.
a Meeting with Death