The adventurers gather at the breakfast table in the Templar's Arms and discuss their plans. They want to revisit the house at the Sign of the Crossed Keys, where they were supposed to deliver the crate. They also want to visit Marktstrasse, where they believe is a hideout of the Red Crown cult. They want to do something about the Skaven threat beneath the city and follow up on Dr. Malthusius contact within the Temple of Verena. Also, that evening Abel has a meeting with a representative of The Man, one of the two crime lords. On top of that, they know that Gotthard von Wittgenstein is somewhere in the city. But most of all, they want to do something about the unjust taxes.
Fritz, the initiate & guide that Otfried picked up at the temple of sigmar is also a lawyer, he informs the adventurers on how laws are created. But, once in place, only the Graf himself has the power to repeal them. In order to be able to do this, the heroes will have to get the support of those who have the Graf's ear. Fritz proceeds to list the people he knows:
- Josef Sparsam, The Chancellor
- Dieter Schmiedehammer, the Graf's Champion
- Rallane Laffarel, the Court Minstrel
- "Princess" Katarina Tödbringer, the Graf's daughter
- Hildegarde Zimperlich, Katarina's Chaperone
- Maximillian von Genscher, Knight Marshal
- Ulrich Schutzmann, Commander of the Watch
- Johann Schwermutt, General of the Defensive Armies
- Albrecht Helseher, High Wizard
- Janna Eberhauer, Deputy High Wizard
- Ar-Ulric, High Priest of Ulric & Elector Count
- Emanuelle Schlagen, Kirsten Jung, Petra Liebkosen & Natasha Sinnlich: Ladies at Court
- Siegfried Prunkvoll, The Knight Eternal
- Allavandrel Fanmaris, Master of the Hunt
- Gotthard Goebbels, Chairman of the City Komission & Head of the Merchant's Guild
- Dr. Luigi Pavarotti, Physician of Baron Stefan, the Graf's ailing son.
- Reiner Ehrlich, Law Lord
- Joachim Höfich, Law Lord
- Karls-Heinz Wasmeier, Law Lord
New laws can be proposed by various means, depending on their demand, one of the myriad guilds or Kommissions of the city, one or more of the above courtiers or, in many cases a combination can propose a new law. The Law Lords then gather in private to hold a secret vote. If this vote is in favor, the law is proposed to Graf Boris Tötbringer, who then rejects or instates the law as he sees fit. And, so, after a lengthy discussion, the adventurers now know that only the Graf can repeal the tax laws.
The Sign of the Crossed Keys revisited
Wile Lothar, Otfried and Gotrak stand guard, the others investigate the burned out remains. They discover the cellar where they find a charred corpse, an unholy (as yet unknown) chaos symbol scratched on the wall and some kind of evil sacrificial dagger.
When trying to use his Wych-Sight on it, Mandred is mentally assailed, blinded and severely shocked. Luckily, these effects are temporary.
Abel uses a ruse to question other neighbors in the area and learns that the house was used by various people coming and going at all times of the day but there was never any trouble (apart from occasional sounds of chanting now and then).
Meanwhile, outside, Lothar encountered a Bone Picker, the old woman sold him an curious ring (rotten finger still attached) with some kind of magical sign on it. He pockets it for later.
The temple of Verena & Marktstrasse
There an address that was given by one of Ethelka's Cronies, who claimed it was a place where the Cult of the Red Crown gathered. The Marktstrasse leads from the food market to the slums. Abel, shadowed by Felix & Lothar goes inside. The place is a dirty, smoky tavern with no sign. After some discreet questions, he finds out that the tavern is under protection of The Man. But no leads whatsoever are found on the elusive cult. They did find out earlier that the Red Crown was all but extinct and the house of the Sign of the crossed keys was, in all likelihood also one of their hotspots.
Reunion at The Hungry Halfling
While dining and discussing their further plans, Lothar shows his ring to Mandred, who is still a bit shaken, he identifies it as magical, something that can be activated. But he has no idea about its purpose. He does find a hidden name writing in it: Klaus Gurtelrose. They decide to take it to the Wizard and Alchemist Guild later. After this, Lothar thinks he recognizes some Arabian woman outside, crossing the square.
He goes to meet her and... recognizes one of his sisters. Najia Kaloffi claims she came to look for Lothar because she found out who killed their father! It was Mr. Gouda, one of the two crime lords of Middenheim. But, that's not all. She came with an ambassador of the sultan. She explains the sultan has lost his mind and goes on slave raids while oppressing the people. She says the Arabs will use their embassy to establish a slave trade in Middenheim. And so, she is also here to kill Sahladd-Bahr & Jasim Mummar, the Sultan's ambassadors.
She gets introduced to the rest of the crew and tells Lothar to meet her that night for a "Surprise".
The Red Moon
Abel's guest arrives, he introduces himself as Jokoff Schnellgeist. Jokoff explains that The Brotherhood of Altdorf and The Man have an alliance. Abel's talents can be put to good use in the shadow war between The Man and his arch rival Mr. Gouda. In fact, Abel can help out using his specific talents. Mr. Gouda is expecting a guest to arrive shortly by coach. The Man would like Abel to stop this coach from arriving on that specific day. Jokoff will let him know when that arrival is due.
Abel agrees to do this, and the two drink a toast to the success of the endeavor.
As Jokoff leaves, Abel is also approached by Dr. Luigi Pavarotti. Luigi is an amazing, larger-than-life character; he is flamboyant, shouts rather than speaks, gestures wildly, and appears half crazy. Luigi does everything to excess; he dresses in outrageous attire, and eats and drinks avariciously. He introduces abel to the strange concoctions called "cocktails" served here. He bursts into opera song at random intervals and gladly boasts to the youth about himself, carnal pleasures and the myriad sights to see at the carnival.