Session 41

Siegbert and Kaspar spent the rest of the night under Middenheim with the Dwarfs. Enjoying a hearty meal they discover that these areas are very sparse as most Dawi have either left the city due to the taxes or are above ground for the festival. Gaining rapport with the Dawi the pair manage to get two dwarven helms and Kaspar receives a dwarf miners lamp to better hunt rats. Siegbert retires early while Kaspar celebrates the life of Darit with the Dawi, getting incredibly intoxicated in the process. Siegbert sees his reflection in a basin of water and dons a Dwarf helmet in shame. He struggles to sleep after Kaspar barges in, comments on the size of his eyes, and then passes out. Leaving poor Siegbert alone in the dark with his thoughts.

Herbert travels with Wighard back to the Gutplate and Wighard wishes him the best. He does not follow him inside, only having escorted Herbert for his own safety. Eventually giving up on trying to convince him Herbert heads inside for some ale and food. Inside he finds a rather odd sight, a Gnome by the name of Addic is enjoying Besso's patronage. They get talking and Addic mentions he is leading the children's procession on the eve of the last day of the festival. Eventually the topic of drink comes up and Herbert asks Addic if he knows any drinking games, the Gnome smiles.

Siegward ends his shift with Dieter, Kirsten and the girls. Kirsten informs him that they are looking to attend the Elven Lightsingers at 3 tomorrow. With free time available to him Siegward makes his way to the temple of Sigmar, and on route, comes across a huge procession of people following a large mechanical contraption that displays mechanical riders in a celebratory fashion. After he gains entry to the temple of Sigmar where he prays to the Deity of the Empire with dozens of others. He eventually leaves, heading for the Ogres Gutplate.

Ava ponders over the decoded message before leaving the college to meet Waldor. On her way out she bumps into Marianne who queries where she's going. Upon learning it's a tavern Marianne invites herself along. While travelling Ava attempts to get some conversation out of her but Marianne shoots most of these attempts down. Just outside the Gutplate, the two run into Siegward who's also arriving at the same time. They enter and find a merry commotion. Inside are 8 halflings, Herbert and Addic, linked arms in a line(except Herbert who's holding hands due to his size) and spinning rapidly around. The rest of tavern are cheering them on, their applause and noise rising to a crescendo. At the peak of this noise, Hilda yells "Pull!" and Besso tosses a wet rag across the room and smacks a halfling in the line in the face. The crowed cheers and the halfing that got hit is forced to down a drink. At this point the line reforms and it starts again.

Ava spies Waldor sitting in the dark in a corner. She then points out Waldor to Siegward as she and Marianne get a drink(Ava doesn't want Marianne to notice Waldor. Siegward speaks to him quietly, hands him Bel-Ezan's poetry book and fetches Herbert, then the three head into the backroom. Waldor gets to work hoping to discover the secrets of Herberts past through a magical ritual while Siegward gets himself some food. Marianne and Ava knock back drinks courtesy of Besso while he continues to throw the wet rag at the dancing halflings. Ava doesn't get much information out of Marianne besides that both the head wizard and deputy are more than meets the eye, as well as she doesn't touch drugs. At the end of the ritual, Waldor apologises to Herbert and mentions that his memory loose isn't magical. He suggests speaking to a physician. While discussing what this could mean Waldor asks the two if they can hear that. Siegward listens attentively and hears the unmistakable sound of screaming. He puts on his mail shirt and they head into the tavern, at the same time 9 Beastmen barge in!

Marianne is the first to react, charging up a spell. Herbert lets loose stones from his sling and Siegward engages an ungor. Several halflings are cut down by beastment and Herbert is charged. Ava lets off magical spells, weakening the beastmen. Marianne lets off a spell that creates a wall of fire from the patrons and most of the beastmen. It also begins to get out of control and the building soon catches fire. Herbert dodges away before felling the creature attaching him but Siegward isn't as lucky. Surrounded he is brought down(fate point expended). Ava is also surrounded, almost dying but Marianne kills the remaining beastment with a fire bolt. The patrons flee the tavern and Ava and Herbert drag Siegward out of the building. Herbert rushes to their bedroom window to find it open and jumps inside. He is able to save the money, Siegward and Kaspars sack and Siegberts lute before the smoke gets too great and he has to flee. Returning to the group he consoles Besso and Hilda over the loose of their tavern when a young urchin hands him a note. Handing it to Siegward they discover it reads

"Hope you didn't loose the money Kastor. Time is running out"

Marianne claps Ava on the back and commends her on an excellent choice of tavern as they all watch the Ogres Gutplate go up in smoke and flame.