The Second 7th Sea Run!
Aug. 21st, 2008 08:37 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
realsorienI got it MOSTLY done. Still waiting on a bit for the end. ;)
When we left our heroes last run, all three had left Reisburg to make their way to the famed city of Freiburg, said to be the most worldly and 'free' city in all the known world. Prince Erik and Zora were making their way aboard his ship, which had fortuitously not put out for home yet, while Illyana traveled overland as a wolf. Each had their own reasons- Illyana's was to hopefully find someone who could tell her at least something that might lead her to answers about the six months of her life that she cannot recall, while Erik's reason is far more percunious- while carousing in Reisburg he'd apparently won a house, along with a sackful of money! Zora accompanied him, once again for her own, mysterious reasons.
As the ship rows closer the first sight of Freiburg is less than inspiring. In the far distance there can be seen a strange tower, but slowly spreading before them on the banks of the river is a vast slum of shanteys and the people who dwell within. The sight is jarring to those on board; such sights aren't so familiar to the likes of the prince and his crew! What Zora thinks of it is similar, though she HAS seen such sights before. Erik is of a mind to go ashore, to avoid putting the ship itself at risk. However, he is convinced otherwise by his fellows.
Illyana is as dismayed as well by the sight, and is likely in greater peril; she is ashore after all, and must travel through this cesspit of humanity! Those few that spot her do not recoil in fear of the great wolf, but rather look at her with hunger in their eyes! She gets out of sight of the mob as fast as she can, but ends up exposed to sight from the river itself.
The ship sails on; Erik, hearing the pleas of the poor from the shore decides to be charitable and starts flinging coins to the people. This has a less-than-fortunate effect- for each coin that lands a vicious fight breaks out, and people die. Roughly two for each coin! Taken aback for a moment, Erik looks at the scene from his people's viewpoint that this will cull the weak! "Be strong!" he shouts, continuing the coin-tossing. "Be strong!" echoes back from the shore as the fights continue!
Illyana doesn't see this, but she DOES see that the mobs are moving towards the shore, giving her an opportunity to get clear of the slum; she moves as only a wolf can, quickly getting up to what seems to be the start of the ACTUAL city. She finds a safe place and shifts human, then passes unimpeded into Freiburg. She remembers the ship that fired arrows at her, and is curious as to who and why; with this in mind she makes her way to the dockside to await its arrival. She passes through what seems to be the merchanters district, and the throng of hawkers and salesmen seems greater than those who have come to buy! She manages to find her way through with little incident. The tower that she and the others saw from such distance is far closer now, and seems to be an almost-insane mass of timber, looming precariously over all. She makes small note of this and continues on her way.
Erik's vessel continues its slow progress upriver, passing rundown, semi-abandoned docks as they enter the city proper. The poorest of the poor left in their wake, the yells of "Be strong!" still distantly heard behind them. They make their way to the proper dockside, making the lines fast as they pull the vessel in. Erik looks about for the dockmaster to arrange the port fees, and sees a short, portly Eisen screaming at other ship captains that have made port; in each situation it seems to start with the little man making a demand that results in a shouting match which ends with the belabored ships' man paying what the dockmaster demands.
Erik, of course, is made of far sterner stuff than the average, and is significantly more intimidating than the average river-captain! With Zora as translator, he walks over to the unpleasant harbormaster, booming out a greeting in his own tongue. Immediately, the little man starts a harangue in Eisen, demanding a harbor-price of 50 guilders- this is an insanely high amount, and when Zora translates this to Erik, he LOOMS over the harbormaster and SNARLS back, in his own tongue! Faced with the apparently-enraged Vestin prince, the no-longer-brave man stammers out a request for 6 guilders. This is a fair price, and Erik immediately calms. He tosses the little man 10 for his troubles, and with that the harbormaster makes himself scarce, no longer interested in pressing his luck.
The pair return to shipside, where the crew ask if they can 'pillage' here a bit. Erik goes over to the local guards and (in Vestin) asks where his men can go for a good time. Zora once again translates, and the recommendation is the Copperhead Inn, so named for the hair of the ladies in residence... Erik gives the remains of his bag of gold winnings to the crew, and they head to the Copperhead for some shore leave.
Shortly thereafter Illyana reaches the dockside, and is surprised to see Erik and Zora! She heads towards the pair, but before she reaches them two men approach her friends. She knows the look: salesmen. Before they can start in on their respective sales pitches, Erik spots Illyana. "What are you doing here?" "I was about to ask the same of you," is her reply. The two men interrupt, but Erik silences them, covering their mouths with his huge hands. "She is talking. Wait your turn!"
"So why ARE you here?" Illyana asks. "I won a house here, and I am here to claim it," Erik replies cheerfully. "And you?" "I mentioned how I wished that I could remember the sights I'd seen... I have six months of my life I cannot recall. I mean to reclaim it. This place is said to be the most... Worldly place you can find, and I hope to find someone who can give me answers." Erik nods, then indicates that the salesmen can speak now. After their short speeches, they DO have things to sell. A 'Welcome to Freiburg' pamphlet and a map of the city! Both being useful, Erik gets both.
With the map, the group of acquaintances now have a goal- the city hall. As they walk, Illyana asks, "Do you know if anyone is in residence in this home you have won?" "No," says Erik. "Oh, THIS could be fun," muses Illyana. They cross a toll bridge (5 coppers per, Zora covers the lot) and reach the inner bailey of the city keep. They finally get a closer look at the bizarre tower, and realize that it isn't wood at all, but some strange, ceramic-looking material. The guards prevent their going further in, and after they're told where the records office Illyana asks what the tower is made of. "Drachen..." The guard whispers back.
The tower itself is wealth unimagined.
They go around as directed and find the office, and are once again charged- this time for the information! It would have been 5 copper, but for Zora the clerk charges only three. It turns out that they're not far at all from their goal. Eric's manor house is just across the Tuttenburg Bridge, and is a proper hall- two stories tall, with gardens and a stables, all bounded by wrought-iron fencing. Crossing the bridge they aren't charged, though any coming from the other direction ARE being stopped and charged.
Once there, they can see that the grounds are well-tended, though the manor itself looks somewhat careworn. Illyana is a bit disturbed by the whole... convenience of the situation and of the place looking inhabited; "What did you win? WHO did you play against?" She asks. Erik just shrugs. "I do not suppose that you have key?" Asks Illyana. "No. I have a deed!" Says Erik. "Deed not open door," she replies. "Sure it will!" He says cheerily, and bangs on the door.
After a short wait they can hear someone inside. There is the sound of many locks opening and an old man peers out, asking "Yes, milord?" With Zora and Illyana trading off on translation, the situation is explained. "Not again..." The old man sighs. "Again?" Zora asks. "How many times has the previous owner lost this place?" "You are the fifteenth owners, Milady." This statement only serves to magnify the bad feeling Illyana has.
The old man lets them in and offers a cold dinner, which is readily accepted. He totters off, leaving the three wondering just what's going on... Although Erik is less concerned. When he returns he is bearing a platter with a huge ham, already carved into slices. Erik invites him to eat with them, and while the meal commences they ask what exactly happened.
The old man is named Armand. He is the caretaker of the manor (Named XX), and he tells of how the ownership of the place passed on so many times- First, the original owner passed on and the deed was sold; one after another the following owners lost the deed, either through actually losing it, gambling it away or death, until at last Erik gained it through his gambling win. Armand seems resigned to the continuance of this almost-curselike progression, but Erik tells Armand that he plans to retain and restore it, directing Armand to arrange the hire of new servants so that the manor can be restored to its old glory.
Armand takes his leave to start seeking hires and employ a runner to fetch Erik's crew. The three companions finally get down to proper introductions with Erik's invitation to remain in the manor. Zora reveals that she hails from the Midnight Archipelago, and that her northerly travels were inspired by 'troubles' she'd encountered down south; she'd angered a Castillan noble and now there is a price on her head! This after Erik has allowed her under his roof... He offers to have his men kill the man for Zora, with the ulterior motive that he wants to get her in bed, but she's noncommittal.
Illyana elaborates a bit on her own situation, telling of how she'd been found dazed and wandering by the Tibesti caravan she'd entered Reisburg with. She has lost half a year of time, and she wishes to get it back, either by learning what exactly happened in that time, or by gaining revenge against those who caused it. Erik's story is far more straightforward, and as he told it earlier he has little to say further.
As things get settled, Illyana decides to explore the manor. As this seems a good idea seeing as they're now living there, Erik and Zora join her. The upstairs is all bedrooms, and surprisingly has running water and a flush-toilet; something Illyana has seen but Erik is totally unfamiliar with! There are a total of eight bedrooms, two of which are kept in good order. The others, while livable, are far less cared-for, attesting to the place lacking the help required to keep it properly maintained. The two rooms at the end of the house each have paired bunkbeds, and look to have been occupied at one time by children.
Suddenly, a commotion is heard below, at the door- "Aha! They're here!" He says, and the trio go to the front door. However, the scene outside is NOT what was expected- Armand is on the ground, groceries scattered about, surrounded by rough-looking men! Erik growls and glares at the men, who pause for a moment at the Vestin prince before them. But they have the courage of numbers, and array themselves for a fight!
This is a mistake. Erik grins an unpleasant smile and, with a small knife, carves a Rune into his palm; the lightning builds in his hands, and the thugs step back! One breaks and runs, and the fight begins in earnest. Erik blasts one of the villains with lightning, and a moment later an axe whips through the air, taking a second down- Illyana's throw is a good one. Zora moves to enter the fray, but before she can strike the mob turns and flees after seeing two of their number struck down in as many seconds! Of course, THIS is when Erik's crew finally arrive.
Of these, the youngest gets detailed with collecting the spilled groceries. Illyana retrieves her axe, then helps Armand back inside while Erik is patched up by the ship's 'doctor.' While this goes on, Erik's first mate stalks up to him and says, "You didn't save any for us?" "They RAN." He replies. The mate spits at the thought. "Which way did they go?" "They scattered." Illyana comes back outside after settling Armand, hearing the conversation. "Do you want to find them?" She asks. "No, no need." Erik replies, and matters settle down. The corpses are dealt with by being tossed into the river.
A bit later, Armand tells Erik that he'll have seven servants in two days, trying his best to speak Vesten. He doesn't do too badly, but Erik has Illyana confirm it. Erik also tells Armand that he'll not go to the market without escort. He then calls his men together and selects two to remain in Freiburg with him; the others will be leaving on the morrow. For the night however... There will be MEAD and a feast! Erik's things will be fetched from the ship along with the mead, and the night will be celebrated. As she walks away, Illyana says 'You should keep the archer here.' Erik misses it... How could she know that Erik had an archer?
The preparation for the celebration goes on, Armand working in the kitchen. Erik wanders in, and inadvertently scares the life out of the poor man! He has a choppy, not-totally-successful talk with the caretaker (a day of practice is not enough to learn a language!) then wanders out to watch his men wrestling and carrying on. Illyana is inside thinking about what she might want to purchase for living in this place, and Zora is walking in the garden hedgerows. The night passes uneventfully with roisterous celebration and games.
The morning comes, and Erik finds himself in his bed; he's not real sure how he got there, but he knows it was a good night. The new day has dawned grey and drizzling, pretty much par for Eisen. The crew is scattered about sleeping off the revelries, but most of the mess from the previous evening has been cleaned away, aside from the muddy, trodden ruin of the lawn. As he looks about, he sees something hanging from the gate. Investigating, it turns out to be a bag filled with excrement! Wrinkling his nose, he tosses it into the river.
He decides that the best way for him to thoroughly wake up is through weapons-practice. He fetches his axe, and starts swinging away. Soon, Zora has wandered outside as well, and has the same idea- she draws her rapier. Erik looks at her with a grin; "I know better than to ask how you could kill something with that, but it is a tiny weapon..." He says. "I'm a tiny woman," is the reply, and they start circling one another.
Erik holds back, calling Zora to strike at him; she zips in and strikes at his ribs! He barely deflects the blow with his axe haft! He decides not to strike back, and she shoots back in for another strike- this time though he easily deflects it. The match continues soon going from a duel to a wrestling match as Erik tries to kiss her. She holds him off somehow, then after a while Erik just starts laughing! Illyana, watching from a safe distance says "I was going to ask if you wanted to go to town, but as you are in mud wallow I think I will go alone..." Erik asks to get more mead, and suggests an escort. Illyana scoffs at this, but fetches one of Erik's crew.
A quick talk with Armand and a consultation of Erik's city map allows Illyana and her 'escort' to find the market, but at the current time there is no mead in stock; she arranges for a shipment to be purchased, which will arrive in three days. She does manage to get a tun of akavit, a bottle of (good but overpriced) vodka and two cases of Vodachi wine, red and white. She also gets four sets of bedding, a cart and a new watercan for Armand (for the one that was destroyed in the melee between Erik and Zora). Her final order is a leather overstuffed chair for her own use- that'll be finished in a month.
When she gets back she shares shots or akavit with one of Erik's men, then with Erik. Both men appreciate the potency of the beverage, but aren't as fond of the flavor. With a grin, she then takes a mouthful of akavit, blowing a fireball by lighting the spray with her lighter! This acts to discourage the crewman from a drinking contest with her....
Time passes, and relatively little is going on. Erik's crew have left to the ship, leaving Erik and his chosen shieldmen, Illyana, Zora and Armand as the only people in residence. The new hires are not on the property yet, so Zora, being bored, takes it upon herself to start cleaning the windows inside the house, hanging from rigged ropes off the rafter-beams to reach the upper portions. This activity spurs Erik to start cleaning out the disused stables for conversion to a longhouse for his kin to use when in port. Illyana for her part starts cleaning bedrooms.
She starts in the back bedrooms. As she works, she notices a piece of wallpaper that has peeled back- she checks, and it turns out to be a concealed panel! As this is not HER home, she fetches Erik before exploring further. In turn, he hooks Zora into the procession, and together they find... A library! Books are a rarity in the world, and the find does represent some value. They hunt up Armand, and learn that he'd concealed it, removing the door and paneling the opening over to protect the books from the less savory of the previous owners... "And now I can put the proper door back; its a bit large for me to replace, but I can fetch it."
The discovery of the library has put them all to the purpose of exploration, and Armand shows them the cellar- the door to this is in the kitchen. They'd all assumed it was just another pantry-door. There is a nice supply of fine wines there, though there is some hint that the basement leaks a bit, in that there is moisture across the riverward wall. When they get back upstairs, they find a huge oaken door leaned up against the wall! Its for the library... But none of them can explain how Armand could have moved it! "Old men have our ways..." is the only answer they get. The door is brought upstairs and hung, but the lock isn't properly set in place- Illyana finds she lacks the skill. At least the door is mounted...
The next morning comes, and Erik wakes to the sound of breaking glass- intruders! he grabs his axe and heads out of his room. He gets halfway down the stairs when he hears "They're awake! Get your weapons!" from below! He howls "This is MY HOUSE!" as he meets the attack of the first to charge him! The foe's blow is deflected, shaving chips off the bannister. Erik's axe swings again, but misses widely, cutting into the stairs! Zora, who was also wakened by the noise, leaps to the chandelier, swings out and dives upon Erik's foe! She kicks him in the chest, striking him squarely and driving him to the ground, bouncing down the stairs.
The apparent leader of the attackers yells "Paul! Take the big one! Boys, take the wench!" As Zora slides down the bannister at the man she struck. Unfortunately, her strike misses! Another of the rabble takes a gauntleted swipe at Zora's blade, trying to disarm her; he misses, then tries to cut her down with his broadsword- once again missing.
But then... the gang arrives! Twenty or so more foes arrive, but this hinders them as well, as there are now so many that they're almost too many to fight well. Despite this, Zora is struck twice in rapid succession, nearly taking her down! Then Paul steps up and swings at her, missing- looking up, he sees Illyana step out onto the upper landing of the stairs; she looks coldly at her target, then throws! Her axe hits hilt first, poleaxing the goon, knocking him cold.
The leader of the gang starts heading up to the stairs, intent on the Vestin facing him; he manages to cut Erik twice, bloodying the Prince for the first time in the fray. Just as this happens Erik's shield-men arrive, Skovald and Torgin! They make their way to his side; "Its about time!" He snarls, as the pair simultaneously punch the thug in the face! A moment later Zora slices down a foe and Erik... Smiles. With his own blood he draws a Rune, and the lightning crackles about his fingers. His bolt whips out, but misses and merely burns the bannister.
He launches a second bolt, this time frying his target where he stood. With that sharp crack of sound there is a second staccato blast- Armand has fired a rifle, killing another! The old man rapidly starts to reload... Like as not no more shots will be heard in the fight.
Illyana targets the two at the back of the mob, as they seem to be the ones shouting orders- her throw misses, and Erik leaps down the stairs, followed shortly by his men! He slices with the axe, missing, but his men beat another foe into submission. This charge takes some of the heat off of Zora, but it drops squarely onto Erik! The fight rages on, Zora grabbing a vase and throwing it- but she misses.
The mob, sensing weakness dive upon Erik and pound away at him, but the Vestin remains conscious, though nearly unable to move. Illyana throws a third axe (of her four) but misses, preparing to enter the melee with her one remaining blade. Erik fights on, still held by the piled rogues around him- Zora strikes another down with an improvised club, Erik's men also held by their foes but fighting on.
Another bolt of lightning sizzles out from Erik, but once again all that suffers is the manor; despite the punishment he's taken, he still stands... Barely.
... And at this point I had to leave for work; I'm awaiting further notes from the GM or other players to finish off the writeup, but I can't do more til I have that... Much as I'd like to have Illyana slice her way free through the crushing mob of villains...
O well. ;)
When we left our heroes last run, all three had left Reisburg to make their way to the famed city of Freiburg, said to be the most worldly and 'free' city in all the known world. Prince Erik and Zora were making their way aboard his ship, which had fortuitously not put out for home yet, while Illyana traveled overland as a wolf. Each had their own reasons- Illyana's was to hopefully find someone who could tell her at least something that might lead her to answers about the six months of her life that she cannot recall, while Erik's reason is far more percunious- while carousing in Reisburg he'd apparently won a house, along with a sackful of money! Zora accompanied him, once again for her own, mysterious reasons.
As the ship rows closer the first sight of Freiburg is less than inspiring. In the far distance there can be seen a strange tower, but slowly spreading before them on the banks of the river is a vast slum of shanteys and the people who dwell within. The sight is jarring to those on board; such sights aren't so familiar to the likes of the prince and his crew! What Zora thinks of it is similar, though she HAS seen such sights before. Erik is of a mind to go ashore, to avoid putting the ship itself at risk. However, he is convinced otherwise by his fellows.
Illyana is as dismayed as well by the sight, and is likely in greater peril; she is ashore after all, and must travel through this cesspit of humanity! Those few that spot her do not recoil in fear of the great wolf, but rather look at her with hunger in their eyes! She gets out of sight of the mob as fast as she can, but ends up exposed to sight from the river itself.
The ship sails on; Erik, hearing the pleas of the poor from the shore decides to be charitable and starts flinging coins to the people. This has a less-than-fortunate effect- for each coin that lands a vicious fight breaks out, and people die. Roughly two for each coin! Taken aback for a moment, Erik looks at the scene from his people's viewpoint that this will cull the weak! "Be strong!" he shouts, continuing the coin-tossing. "Be strong!" echoes back from the shore as the fights continue!
Illyana doesn't see this, but she DOES see that the mobs are moving towards the shore, giving her an opportunity to get clear of the slum; she moves as only a wolf can, quickly getting up to what seems to be the start of the ACTUAL city. She finds a safe place and shifts human, then passes unimpeded into Freiburg. She remembers the ship that fired arrows at her, and is curious as to who and why; with this in mind she makes her way to the dockside to await its arrival. She passes through what seems to be the merchanters district, and the throng of hawkers and salesmen seems greater than those who have come to buy! She manages to find her way through with little incident. The tower that she and the others saw from such distance is far closer now, and seems to be an almost-insane mass of timber, looming precariously over all. She makes small note of this and continues on her way.
Erik's vessel continues its slow progress upriver, passing rundown, semi-abandoned docks as they enter the city proper. The poorest of the poor left in their wake, the yells of "Be strong!" still distantly heard behind them. They make their way to the proper dockside, making the lines fast as they pull the vessel in. Erik looks about for the dockmaster to arrange the port fees, and sees a short, portly Eisen screaming at other ship captains that have made port; in each situation it seems to start with the little man making a demand that results in a shouting match which ends with the belabored ships' man paying what the dockmaster demands.
Erik, of course, is made of far sterner stuff than the average, and is significantly more intimidating than the average river-captain! With Zora as translator, he walks over to the unpleasant harbormaster, booming out a greeting in his own tongue. Immediately, the little man starts a harangue in Eisen, demanding a harbor-price of 50 guilders- this is an insanely high amount, and when Zora translates this to Erik, he LOOMS over the harbormaster and SNARLS back, in his own tongue! Faced with the apparently-enraged Vestin prince, the no-longer-brave man stammers out a request for 6 guilders. This is a fair price, and Erik immediately calms. He tosses the little man 10 for his troubles, and with that the harbormaster makes himself scarce, no longer interested in pressing his luck.
The pair return to shipside, where the crew ask if they can 'pillage' here a bit. Erik goes over to the local guards and (in Vestin) asks where his men can go for a good time. Zora once again translates, and the recommendation is the Copperhead Inn, so named for the hair of the ladies in residence... Erik gives the remains of his bag of gold winnings to the crew, and they head to the Copperhead for some shore leave.
Shortly thereafter Illyana reaches the dockside, and is surprised to see Erik and Zora! She heads towards the pair, but before she reaches them two men approach her friends. She knows the look: salesmen. Before they can start in on their respective sales pitches, Erik spots Illyana. "What are you doing here?" "I was about to ask the same of you," is her reply. The two men interrupt, but Erik silences them, covering their mouths with his huge hands. "She is talking. Wait your turn!"
"So why ARE you here?" Illyana asks. "I won a house here, and I am here to claim it," Erik replies cheerfully. "And you?" "I mentioned how I wished that I could remember the sights I'd seen... I have six months of my life I cannot recall. I mean to reclaim it. This place is said to be the most... Worldly place you can find, and I hope to find someone who can give me answers." Erik nods, then indicates that the salesmen can speak now. After their short speeches, they DO have things to sell. A 'Welcome to Freiburg' pamphlet and a map of the city! Both being useful, Erik gets both.
With the map, the group of acquaintances now have a goal- the city hall. As they walk, Illyana asks, "Do you know if anyone is in residence in this home you have won?" "No," says Erik. "Oh, THIS could be fun," muses Illyana. They cross a toll bridge (5 coppers per, Zora covers the lot) and reach the inner bailey of the city keep. They finally get a closer look at the bizarre tower, and realize that it isn't wood at all, but some strange, ceramic-looking material. The guards prevent their going further in, and after they're told where the records office Illyana asks what the tower is made of. "Drachen..." The guard whispers back.
The tower itself is wealth unimagined.
They go around as directed and find the office, and are once again charged- this time for the information! It would have been 5 copper, but for Zora the clerk charges only three. It turns out that they're not far at all from their goal. Eric's manor house is just across the Tuttenburg Bridge, and is a proper hall- two stories tall, with gardens and a stables, all bounded by wrought-iron fencing. Crossing the bridge they aren't charged, though any coming from the other direction ARE being stopped and charged.
Once there, they can see that the grounds are well-tended, though the manor itself looks somewhat careworn. Illyana is a bit disturbed by the whole... convenience of the situation and of the place looking inhabited; "What did you win? WHO did you play against?" She asks. Erik just shrugs. "I do not suppose that you have key?" Asks Illyana. "No. I have a deed!" Says Erik. "Deed not open door," she replies. "Sure it will!" He says cheerily, and bangs on the door.
After a short wait they can hear someone inside. There is the sound of many locks opening and an old man peers out, asking "Yes, milord?" With Zora and Illyana trading off on translation, the situation is explained. "Not again..." The old man sighs. "Again?" Zora asks. "How many times has the previous owner lost this place?" "You are the fifteenth owners, Milady." This statement only serves to magnify the bad feeling Illyana has.
The old man lets them in and offers a cold dinner, which is readily accepted. He totters off, leaving the three wondering just what's going on... Although Erik is less concerned. When he returns he is bearing a platter with a huge ham, already carved into slices. Erik invites him to eat with them, and while the meal commences they ask what exactly happened.
The old man is named Armand. He is the caretaker of the manor (Named XX), and he tells of how the ownership of the place passed on so many times- First, the original owner passed on and the deed was sold; one after another the following owners lost the deed, either through actually losing it, gambling it away or death, until at last Erik gained it through his gambling win. Armand seems resigned to the continuance of this almost-curselike progression, but Erik tells Armand that he plans to retain and restore it, directing Armand to arrange the hire of new servants so that the manor can be restored to its old glory.
Armand takes his leave to start seeking hires and employ a runner to fetch Erik's crew. The three companions finally get down to proper introductions with Erik's invitation to remain in the manor. Zora reveals that she hails from the Midnight Archipelago, and that her northerly travels were inspired by 'troubles' she'd encountered down south; she'd angered a Castillan noble and now there is a price on her head! This after Erik has allowed her under his roof... He offers to have his men kill the man for Zora, with the ulterior motive that he wants to get her in bed, but she's noncommittal.
Illyana elaborates a bit on her own situation, telling of how she'd been found dazed and wandering by the Tibesti caravan she'd entered Reisburg with. She has lost half a year of time, and she wishes to get it back, either by learning what exactly happened in that time, or by gaining revenge against those who caused it. Erik's story is far more straightforward, and as he told it earlier he has little to say further.
As things get settled, Illyana decides to explore the manor. As this seems a good idea seeing as they're now living there, Erik and Zora join her. The upstairs is all bedrooms, and surprisingly has running water and a flush-toilet; something Illyana has seen but Erik is totally unfamiliar with! There are a total of eight bedrooms, two of which are kept in good order. The others, while livable, are far less cared-for, attesting to the place lacking the help required to keep it properly maintained. The two rooms at the end of the house each have paired bunkbeds, and look to have been occupied at one time by children.
Suddenly, a commotion is heard below, at the door- "Aha! They're here!" He says, and the trio go to the front door. However, the scene outside is NOT what was expected- Armand is on the ground, groceries scattered about, surrounded by rough-looking men! Erik growls and glares at the men, who pause for a moment at the Vestin prince before them. But they have the courage of numbers, and array themselves for a fight!
This is a mistake. Erik grins an unpleasant smile and, with a small knife, carves a Rune into his palm; the lightning builds in his hands, and the thugs step back! One breaks and runs, and the fight begins in earnest. Erik blasts one of the villains with lightning, and a moment later an axe whips through the air, taking a second down- Illyana's throw is a good one. Zora moves to enter the fray, but before she can strike the mob turns and flees after seeing two of their number struck down in as many seconds! Of course, THIS is when Erik's crew finally arrive.
Of these, the youngest gets detailed with collecting the spilled groceries. Illyana retrieves her axe, then helps Armand back inside while Erik is patched up by the ship's 'doctor.' While this goes on, Erik's first mate stalks up to him and says, "You didn't save any for us?" "They RAN." He replies. The mate spits at the thought. "Which way did they go?" "They scattered." Illyana comes back outside after settling Armand, hearing the conversation. "Do you want to find them?" She asks. "No, no need." Erik replies, and matters settle down. The corpses are dealt with by being tossed into the river.
A bit later, Armand tells Erik that he'll have seven servants in two days, trying his best to speak Vesten. He doesn't do too badly, but Erik has Illyana confirm it. Erik also tells Armand that he'll not go to the market without escort. He then calls his men together and selects two to remain in Freiburg with him; the others will be leaving on the morrow. For the night however... There will be MEAD and a feast! Erik's things will be fetched from the ship along with the mead, and the night will be celebrated. As she walks away, Illyana says 'You should keep the archer here.' Erik misses it... How could she know that Erik had an archer?
The preparation for the celebration goes on, Armand working in the kitchen. Erik wanders in, and inadvertently scares the life out of the poor man! He has a choppy, not-totally-successful talk with the caretaker (a day of practice is not enough to learn a language!) then wanders out to watch his men wrestling and carrying on. Illyana is inside thinking about what she might want to purchase for living in this place, and Zora is walking in the garden hedgerows. The night passes uneventfully with roisterous celebration and games.
The morning comes, and Erik finds himself in his bed; he's not real sure how he got there, but he knows it was a good night. The new day has dawned grey and drizzling, pretty much par for Eisen. The crew is scattered about sleeping off the revelries, but most of the mess from the previous evening has been cleaned away, aside from the muddy, trodden ruin of the lawn. As he looks about, he sees something hanging from the gate. Investigating, it turns out to be a bag filled with excrement! Wrinkling his nose, he tosses it into the river.
He decides that the best way for him to thoroughly wake up is through weapons-practice. He fetches his axe, and starts swinging away. Soon, Zora has wandered outside as well, and has the same idea- she draws her rapier. Erik looks at her with a grin; "I know better than to ask how you could kill something with that, but it is a tiny weapon..." He says. "I'm a tiny woman," is the reply, and they start circling one another.
Erik holds back, calling Zora to strike at him; she zips in and strikes at his ribs! He barely deflects the blow with his axe haft! He decides not to strike back, and she shoots back in for another strike- this time though he easily deflects it. The match continues soon going from a duel to a wrestling match as Erik tries to kiss her. She holds him off somehow, then after a while Erik just starts laughing! Illyana, watching from a safe distance says "I was going to ask if you wanted to go to town, but as you are in mud wallow I think I will go alone..." Erik asks to get more mead, and suggests an escort. Illyana scoffs at this, but fetches one of Erik's crew.
A quick talk with Armand and a consultation of Erik's city map allows Illyana and her 'escort' to find the market, but at the current time there is no mead in stock; she arranges for a shipment to be purchased, which will arrive in three days. She does manage to get a tun of akavit, a bottle of (good but overpriced) vodka and two cases of Vodachi wine, red and white. She also gets four sets of bedding, a cart and a new watercan for Armand (for the one that was destroyed in the melee between Erik and Zora). Her final order is a leather overstuffed chair for her own use- that'll be finished in a month.
When she gets back she shares shots or akavit with one of Erik's men, then with Erik. Both men appreciate the potency of the beverage, but aren't as fond of the flavor. With a grin, she then takes a mouthful of akavit, blowing a fireball by lighting the spray with her lighter! This acts to discourage the crewman from a drinking contest with her....
Time passes, and relatively little is going on. Erik's crew have left to the ship, leaving Erik and his chosen shieldmen, Illyana, Zora and Armand as the only people in residence. The new hires are not on the property yet, so Zora, being bored, takes it upon herself to start cleaning the windows inside the house, hanging from rigged ropes off the rafter-beams to reach the upper portions. This activity spurs Erik to start cleaning out the disused stables for conversion to a longhouse for his kin to use when in port. Illyana for her part starts cleaning bedrooms.
She starts in the back bedrooms. As she works, she notices a piece of wallpaper that has peeled back- she checks, and it turns out to be a concealed panel! As this is not HER home, she fetches Erik before exploring further. In turn, he hooks Zora into the procession, and together they find... A library! Books are a rarity in the world, and the find does represent some value. They hunt up Armand, and learn that he'd concealed it, removing the door and paneling the opening over to protect the books from the less savory of the previous owners... "And now I can put the proper door back; its a bit large for me to replace, but I can fetch it."
The discovery of the library has put them all to the purpose of exploration, and Armand shows them the cellar- the door to this is in the kitchen. They'd all assumed it was just another pantry-door. There is a nice supply of fine wines there, though there is some hint that the basement leaks a bit, in that there is moisture across the riverward wall. When they get back upstairs, they find a huge oaken door leaned up against the wall! Its for the library... But none of them can explain how Armand could have moved it! "Old men have our ways..." is the only answer they get. The door is brought upstairs and hung, but the lock isn't properly set in place- Illyana finds she lacks the skill. At least the door is mounted...
The next morning comes, and Erik wakes to the sound of breaking glass- intruders! he grabs his axe and heads out of his room. He gets halfway down the stairs when he hears "They're awake! Get your weapons!" from below! He howls "This is MY HOUSE!" as he meets the attack of the first to charge him! The foe's blow is deflected, shaving chips off the bannister. Erik's axe swings again, but misses widely, cutting into the stairs! Zora, who was also wakened by the noise, leaps to the chandelier, swings out and dives upon Erik's foe! She kicks him in the chest, striking him squarely and driving him to the ground, bouncing down the stairs.
The apparent leader of the attackers yells "Paul! Take the big one! Boys, take the wench!" As Zora slides down the bannister at the man she struck. Unfortunately, her strike misses! Another of the rabble takes a gauntleted swipe at Zora's blade, trying to disarm her; he misses, then tries to cut her down with his broadsword- once again missing.
But then... the gang arrives! Twenty or so more foes arrive, but this hinders them as well, as there are now so many that they're almost too many to fight well. Despite this, Zora is struck twice in rapid succession, nearly taking her down! Then Paul steps up and swings at her, missing- looking up, he sees Illyana step out onto the upper landing of the stairs; she looks coldly at her target, then throws! Her axe hits hilt first, poleaxing the goon, knocking him cold.
The leader of the gang starts heading up to the stairs, intent on the Vestin facing him; he manages to cut Erik twice, bloodying the Prince for the first time in the fray. Just as this happens Erik's shield-men arrive, Skovald and Torgin! They make their way to his side; "Its about time!" He snarls, as the pair simultaneously punch the thug in the face! A moment later Zora slices down a foe and Erik... Smiles. With his own blood he draws a Rune, and the lightning crackles about his fingers. His bolt whips out, but misses and merely burns the bannister.
He launches a second bolt, this time frying his target where he stood. With that sharp crack of sound there is a second staccato blast- Armand has fired a rifle, killing another! The old man rapidly starts to reload... Like as not no more shots will be heard in the fight.
Illyana targets the two at the back of the mob, as they seem to be the ones shouting orders- her throw misses, and Erik leaps down the stairs, followed shortly by his men! He slices with the axe, missing, but his men beat another foe into submission. This charge takes some of the heat off of Zora, but it drops squarely onto Erik! The fight rages on, Zora grabbing a vase and throwing it- but she misses.
The mob, sensing weakness dive upon Erik and pound away at him, but the Vestin remains conscious, though nearly unable to move. Illyana throws a third axe (of her four) but misses, preparing to enter the melee with her one remaining blade. Erik fights on, still held by the piled rogues around him- Zora strikes another down with an improvised club, Erik's men also held by their foes but fighting on.
Another bolt of lightning sizzles out from Erik, but once again all that suffers is the manor; despite the punishment he's taken, he still stands... Barely.
... And at this point I had to leave for work; I'm awaiting further notes from the GM or other players to finish off the writeup, but I can't do more til I have that... Much as I'd like to have Illyana slice her way free through the crushing mob of villains...
O well. ;)
