Session 06: Hunting the Hunter

The Berebeli glided smoothly along the River Bergen, its bow slicing through the dark waters. The vessel had just exited the Weissbruck Canal, leaving behind the confined waterways and entering the more expansive river route. Though larger than most canal vessels—drawing irate glares from some barge captains—the Berebeli now seemed appropriately sized for the river’s breadth. The bustling merchant town of Weissbruck spread out before them, a tapestry of rapid expansion and construction, with warehouses crowding the canal and riverbanks.

Having paid the toll at Altdorf, Josef, their seasoned navigator, steered the Berebeli with a practiced eye, scanning the docks for a suitable berth. He instructed the group to take in the sights while Gilda and Wolmar, the stalwart crew members, managed the sails.

As the group surveyed the town, a sense of unease settled over them. Wanda’s sharp eyes caught sight of a man at a waterfront tavern, his scowling visage partially obscured by the shade. He cradled a crossbow, its presence sending a chill down her spine. She nudged Felrick and pointed out the man. Felrick’s jest about shooting him elicited a wry smile from Wanda, but the humor quickly faded as the man noticed their scrutiny, stood up, and disappeared into the inn.

Josef announced that they would stay the night in Weissbruck, offering the option to sleep aboard the Berebeli or find a bed in town. He paid each of them six shillings for their recent work, but Wanda’s mind was elsewhere—on the mysterious crossbowman. Without hesitation, she declared her intention to find the man, and the group decided to accompany her to the Black Gold Inn.

Inside the inn, their quarry was nowhere to be seen. Wanda’s cosmopolitan finesse served them well; she gleaned from a grizzled river man that the crossbowman was a dangerous bounty hunter who frequented the area, likely slipping out through the back door. The group, sensing the gravity of the situation, opted to pursue him.

Nora, ever the voice of caution, expressed her intent to prevent any reckless actions. Wanda’s self-deprecating humor lightened the mood briefly as Felrick checked the back door. It was propped open, and Felrick’s keen eyes confirmed no immediate threats. The group deliberated on their next steps, considering urban tracking and local inquiries.

Wanda and Felrick discussed the importance of uncovering the central figure in the conspiracy they suspected. Thindruk, with his noble presence, and Wanda worked together to gather more information, ultimately learning from a local woman that the crossbowman might be at the Trumpet Inn.

Felrick, utilizing his urban stealth, entered the Trumpet Inn. He found a man intently watching the door, likely a lookout. Approaching stealthily, Felrick startled him and asked whom he was looking for. The man, flustered, moved to another table. Nora joined Felrick, and he asked her to distract the lookout while he inquired about the crossbowman from the bartender. Nora’s charm kept the lookout occupied while Felrick bribed the bartender, learning that their target might be at the Happy Man Inn.

The group reassembled outside, and Felrick shared his findings. They decided to head to the Happy Man Inn, with Felrick and Nora staying outside to avoid being recognized. Qavitrae and Wanda entered to gather more information. The patrons inside were tight-lipped, but a bribe revealed that the crossbowman was a bounty hunter, likely staying at a hostel or flophouse.

Reconvening, the group speculated on the bounty hunter’s intentions, suspecting he might be trying to capture them for information rather than kill them. Returning to the Trumpet Inn, they found Josef had purchased a bottle of brandy. While Felrick and Josef engaged in a drinking contest, Old Bill, a known informant, returned. Wanda’s intimidation coaxed information from him: the crossbowman had stevedores working for him and had met with a man named Gert near the docks.

Josef’s concern for Gilda and Wolmar’s safety prompted the group to consider their strategy. Old Bill described Gert as a short, feral-looking man. Qavitrae insisted they finish their drink before leaving, ensuring Old Bill stayed put. Nora suggested Josef keep Old Bill company, and the group set out into the streets of Weissbruck.

The night was alive with sporadic lighting and active nightlife. They spotted a big yellow and red banner on a warehouse, marking Mad Dog Gert’s location. Felrick, moving with practiced stealth, followed Gert to a nearby warehouse. He returned and relayed the information to the group, noting the gang inside.

With a plan forming, Wanda and Nora boosted Felrick up to a window. He saw a group of people playing cards, one with a crossbow and wearing mail armor. Confirming their target, the group decided on a pincer approach: three would enter through the front, and two would sneak in from the back.

As they prepared for the confrontation, the group’s resolve hardened. They had outnumbered and outmaneuvered their foes before, and they would do so again. The warehouse loomed before them, a silent testament to the perils they faced. With the count to 300, they moved into position, ready to face whatever awaited them inside.