Sigmar Reborn
The Nuns of the Order of the Bleeding Heart have been running the Frederheim Sanatorium since memory serves, even though, in effect, it is part of the Empirial Estates. The Hospice is the largest mental institution of the empire, if not the entire Old World. Frederheim lies not far from the point where the highway from Altdorf forks for Middenheim and Delbertz. A small dirt road is capable of handling coach traffic and winds through the dark forest for two or three miles until the high, grey walls of the Great Hospice suddenly loom out of the trees.
The Hospice is a nunnery of Shallya and the whole area counts as Consecrated ground. There are certain rules which must be observed by all those visiting. No weapons or armour are permitted to be carried inside the grounds and neither are any magic items that are not obviously dedicated to Shallya. Items such as these must be kept under lock and key for the whole duration of the visit; and one of the Sisters keeps the key. No violence of any kind is permitted within the walls of the Hospice and Visitors must do as they are asked by the staff at all times.
Enforcing these rules are two massive Ogres, Gurk and Murk, who also patrol the grounds. The Mental institution is run by Matron Abbot Margaret von Aschendorf, high priestess of Shallya and exactly the person the heroes came to see. They hope she has a cure for Neiglish Rot, the disease that afflicts both Felix and Lothar. However, much to their dismay, the Matron tells them she can only alleviate the symptoms, not cure the disease.
Frustrated, the adventurers are led on a tour of the hospice, where they meet inmates and staff. It's during this tour that they discover something is off with the sanatorium. Solar sends his ethereal pigeon to snoop around with mage sight and discovers there is a strong magical presence in the room next to the room of the Matron.
That night, the rogue types in the group go scouting and break into the secluded room. It is small windowless and unfurnished, only a bed frame with some straw on it stands an a corner. On it lies a young, bald man, about 8 years old.
The child radiates unmeasurable power. Gathering the others, the heroes return to the chamber and wake the child. He says his name is Valten and due to a birthmark shaped as a twin tailed comet and a prophesy, he is held here for his own protection. People think he is Sigmar reborn. Abel gives him Otfrieds pendant and as thanks he unleashes a blast of holy power that burns away the disease, some corruption and blisters their skin. He asks them not to tell anyone of his whereabouts. After solemly swearing to keep his secret, the heroes make a run for it before thier trespassing is discovered.
Arrival in the Capital
The heroes decide to meet Gavius Klugge, the Master of Secrets, who lives in a mansion outside of Altdorf and find out what he knows of the Anathema. They learn that in it's original form, the three daggers were the once the blade of a great Chaos champion at the time of Magnus the Pious. This last Anathema is called the Dagger of Sotek, or the Dagger of Yul K'chaum, depending on the source. It is described as a large, heavy dagger made of iron with a bronze hilt. The blade of the dagger passes through the mouth of a skull, Human apart from the fact it has three eye sockets. The back of the skull was omitted, allowing the face to form a basket hilt. This weapon had been property of a Cult of Tzeentch called the Cult of the Caterpillars before they were wiped out by a group of adventurers some 30 years ago. One of these adventurers still remains in Altdorf. She is the last of a noble line named Lady Elsa Hundinmose.
On the Anathema trail
Explosive sermons
Since the Grand Cathedral is closed to outsiders, the adventurers continue their investigations into the Anathema.
The Broken Battle Sister
When on location, it is clear that Sister Steinhalle has seen too much. Her mind is shattered, her blathering makes little sense. She goes on and on about the end of the world, deamon machinations and mad visions she has of bloodshed and the great Evil that heralds the apocalypse: Archaon the Everchosen, the Three-eyed King and Lord of the End Times. She's still feverish in her devotion to Sigmar, who will return to save his children. The companions direct her towards Frederheim, telling her of what they believe to be Sigmar reborn (against the express request by Valten to speak to no one of his existence). Once convinced, Helga tells them that she gave the cursed dagger to the Defenders of Truth, a fanatic sub cult of Verenean zealots who believe in the prevention of destruction of any knowledge, including forbidden tomes. Just how or where the heroes can find these extremists, Helga refuses to tell.
Meeting the Emperor
The heroes notice the man wearing the Emperor’s regal attire looks like a man in his late 50s rather than a man of 37 years. Many in the crowd have seen the old man. A few make the sign of the hammer to ward off any possible evil while others pray to Sigmar and Shallya to heal whatever affliction ails the Emperor. On top of that, he is flanked by what can only be described as a smaller version of Karl-Heinz Wasmeier! Or someone who looks a lot like him. They decide to follow the procession and are allowed entry to the palace thanks to their official capacity of official messengers from Count Totbringer of Middenheim. It takes them a while but after some serious waiting, they are finally granted an audience with the emperor himself!
Despite this huge honour, the heroes don't have a lot to say to the Lord of mankind. There is not enough evidence to speak about the enemy within, so they only deliver the message of Graf Boris Totbringer. They do notice the emperor looks sick, much older than his true age would suggest and similar to count Totbringer, he seems distracted, unfocused.
Solar Listersildra manages to charm one of the ladies at the court, thereby leaving a foot in the door for possible future machinations.