The stench of the sewers clung to them like a curse, a foul miasma that seeped into their very bones. But beneath the streets of Bögenhafen, amidst the damp stone and unseen vermin, there was no room for complaints—only grim determination. Qavitrae led the way, her elven senses keen even in the oppressive darkness. Behind her, Nora adjusted the straps of her armor, muscles taut with anticipation. Wanda’s stern gaze flickered over the shadows, while Thindruk muttered ancient dwarven oaths under his breath. Felrick, ever the unexpected element, brought up the rear, his eyes reflecting a coppery glint in the dim light.
They stood before the hidden door that had eluded them for so long, the barrier between them and the festering corruption they sought to expose. The air was thick with tension. Qavitrae’s fingers traced the damp wall, seeking any imperfection.
“It’s here,” Nora whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant drip of water.
Qavitrae nodded. “Then let’s not waste any more time.”
Without warning, Nora stepped forward. Her boot connected with the door in a resounding crash that echoed through the tunnels. The door shuddered, the frame splintering under the force of her kick. A second strike sent it crashing inward.
“Subtle,” Thindruk remarked dryly, his eyes scanning the darkness beyond.
They stepped into the chamber beneath the Steinhager offices, the sudden shift from the oppressive sewers to the silent stillness of the room almost jarring. Dust motes danced in the faint light as they moved cautiously, weapons drawn. The room was sparse, but a staircase spiraled upward, disappearing into the shadows above.
“Up there,” Wanda gestured, her voice firm. “That’s where we’ll find answers.”
As they ascended the narrow stairs, the weight of their quest pressed upon them. Each step took them further from the filth below but closer to a different kind of rot—the kind that festered in the hearts of men with power.
They emerged into a lavish office, the contrast stark. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, and a massive oak desk dominated the room. Qavitrae moved swiftly to the desk, sifting through papers with practiced efficiency.
“Look at this,” she said, holding up a parchment bearing the seal of the Ordo Septenarius.
Thindruk’s eyes narrowed. “So it’s true. They’re deeper in this than we thought.”
Their discovery was cut short by the creak of a floorboard. They turned as the door swung open to reveal Heinrich Steinhager, his surprise quickly masked by a veneer of haughty disdain.
“What is the meaning of this intrusion?” he demanded.
Wanda stepped forward, her gaze cold. “We’re here for your brother. Franz’s dealings have caught up with him.”
Heinrich’s eyes flickered with something—fear, perhaps, or maybe realization. “I have no love for my brother’s… extracurricular activities,” he admitted slowly.
“Then perhaps we can help each other,” Qavitrae suggested, her voice smooth as silk yet edged with steel.
A tense negotiation unfolded, shadows lengthening as words became weapons. Heinrich, sensing opportunity, agreed to assist them—for a price.
“Twenty crowns each,” he offered, a sly smile playing on his lips. “And the understanding that my brother’s misfortune benefits us all.”
Felrick chuckled softly. “Coin’s as good a motivator as any.”
With the agreement sealed, they slipped back into the night, pockets heavier but spirits weighed down by more than mere gold.
“We need to move quickly,” Nora urged. “If the ritual isn’t happening tonight, it’s soon. We can’t let them unleash whatever darkness they’re plotting.”
“The Teugen Estate,” Thindruk said thoughtfully. “That’s where we’ll find our answers.”
They navigated the labyrinthine sewers once more, guided by Felrick’s keen senses. Emerging beneath the Edelring, the city’s opulent district, they hatched a plan.
“We need a way in,” Qavitrae mused, producing a stack of documents bearing the Ordo’s seal. “Thindruk, can you replicate Teugen’s signature?”
The dwarf grinned wryly. “Forgery isn’t exactly an honorable skill, but these are hardly honorable times.”
Moments later, they stood before the estate’s imposing gates, the forged note in hand. The guards, eyes sharp beneath steel helms, regarded them with suspicion.
“This is a private gathering,” one guard stated flatly.
“We have an invitation,” Wanda replied, presenting the note with confidence.
The guard eyed the parchment, and for a fleeting moment, it seemed their ruse might hold. But the weight of their disheveled appearance and the lingering scent of the sewers worked against them.
“You’ll need to surrender your weapons,” the guard insisted. “And clean yourselves up.”
Reluctantly, they relinquished their arms, a wave of unease washing over them. Stripped of their defenses, they were led to a mudroom, servants bustling about to rid them of the grime.
As they waited, the atmosphere grew thick with apprehension. Then, a figure appeared—a man of striking features and an unsettling presence. His eyes held a darkness that belied his pleasant smile.
“Enjoying the hospitality?” he inquired smoothly.
“Just eager to join the festivities,” Nora replied cautiously.
He chuckled. “Oh, I think not. Intruding on Teugen’s estate is a dangerous game.”
Qavitrae’s gaze sharpened. There was something profoundly wrong about this man. She sensed a shadow, an abyss where his spirit should be. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
“Who are you?” Thindruk demanded.
“Names have power, dwarf,” the man replied enigmatically. “But you may call me Gideon.”
Recognition flickered in Qavitrae’s eyes. The warnings they had received—the man who is not a man. This was no ordinary adversary.
“What do you want?” Wanda asked, her voice steady despite the tension.
Gideon smiled wider. “To see how this little drama plays out. I’ll offer you a generosity—speak to Councilman Magirius if you wish to learn more about the ritual. And because I’m feeling particularly magnanimous, I’ll give you a head start before I alert the guards.”
“Why help us at all?” Felrick inquired, suspicion lacing his tone.
“Because chaos thrives on conflict,” Gideon replied softly. “And I do so enjoy a good show.”
Realizing the peril, they wasted no time, bolting from the mudroom, the chill night air biting against their skin. Behind them, Gideon’s laughter echoed—a haunting melody that promised no good end.
Felrick, separated from the others, found himself cornered near the guardhouse. Thinking quickly, he created a distraction as only a gnome could, causing enough commotion to slip away amidst the confusion.
Reunited at the estate’s perimeter, they retrieved what they could of their belongings. Weapons in hand but dignity long abandoned, they fled back to the sewers just as the alarms began to sound.
Their flight through the underbelly of Bögenhafen was frantic. Hearts pounded in rhythm with their footfalls, breaths ragged from exertion and fear. The weight of their encounter with Gideon pressed heavily upon them.
Back at the Crossed Pikes, the familiar sight of Reinhold brought a fleeting sense of relief. He raised an eyebrow at their disheveled state but wisely held his tongue.
“We need to find Magirius,” Qavitrae stated firmly, breaking the silence.
“And quickly,” Nora agreed. “Time isn’t on our side.”
Wanda shivered, though whether from the cold or the memory of Gideon’s gaze was unclear. “I don’t like being toyed with. Whatever that… thing is, it’s playing a dangerous game.”
Thindruk nodded solemnly. “And we’re caught in the middle. But we have gold in our pockets and a direction to head. We won’t let their schemes come to fruition.”
Felrick managed a wry grin. “At least we’ve got our things back.”
A strained chuckle passed between them, a brief respite from the weight of their mission. Yet beneath the attempted levity, the grim reality remained. The shadows of Bögenhafen were deepening, and the true enemy was now in plain sight—if only they could figure out how to strike.
As they settled in to plan their next move, the distant bells tolled—a haunting reminder that midnight was fast approaching. The hour was dark, but their resolve was darker still. Together, they would face whatever horrors awaited, even if it meant standing against the abyss itself.
Session Notes
- The session begins with the Game Master (Luke) providing a recap of previous events in Bögenhafen, where Magistrate Heinz Richter lies stricken with the dreaded Purple Brain Fever.
- The party discusses their plan to aid Richter, whom they believe to be the only good man in the city, by investigating the corruption involving Franz Steinhager and others.
- The group debates whether to enter the Steinhager offices while people are still working or to wait until everyone has left. They decide to proceed around twilight when it is getting dark.
- The party returns to the basement beneath the Steinhager offices via the sewers. The basement is in the same state they left it previously.
- They search for the secret door they previously missed, aiming to find an entrance to the upper levels of the building.
- Kovitrae uses a bellows to blow dust around, hoping to find cracks indicating a hidden door. Felrick and others assist in the search but initially fail to locate anything.
- Nora notices a fragment of paper fluttering across the floor, which disappears under a brick in the wall, suggesting the presence of a hidden doorway.
- The party examines the area and finds the outline of a doorway. They attempt to open it but realize the hinges are on the other side.
- Kovitrae tries to pry the door open with a pry bar but is unsuccessful due to the door’s construction.
- Wanda attempts to kick the door open but fails, prompting Nora to step in.
- Nora performs a running dropkick with Wanda’s assistance, successfully breaking the door open but landing on her back. Her armor absorbs the impact, preventing injury.
- They acknowledge that the noise from breaking the door might have alerted others.
- The party ascends a narrow wooden staircase revealed behind the secret door. The staircase seems to go above street level.
- At the top, Nora finds a handle connected to a heavy bolt. She unlatches it, and the door swings outward into a well-furnished office.
- The office contains a large desk, bookshelves, several paintings, a polished hardwood floor, and a portrait of an elderly, wealthy man.
- Nora examines the portrait but does not recognize the subject.
- The party begins searching the office for useful information.
- Kovitrae and Thindruk examine documents on the desk, finding contracts, letters, and papers signed by Franz Steinhager, confirming the ownership of the office.
- Thindruk notices a large drawer with a keyhole. Using lockpicks provided by Bauman’s associate Reinhold, he successfully picks the lock.
- Inside the drawer, they find:
- A leather-bound book tied with a cord.
- A small coin purse containing a modest amount of money.
- A stack of papers and letters.
- They examine the papers and discover two significant notes:
- The first note reads: “Franz, if all goes well, the temple is ready for use. The ceremony can be performed as planned. I shall inform the Inner Council at the meeting tonight. Signed, J.T.”
- The second note reads: “Franz, great news—the Red Crown is on the run. Albrecht is dead. There is nothing now standing in our way. Signed, O.S.”
- Underneath these notes, there is a stack of blank sheets bearing the stamped symbol of the Ordo Septenarius.
- Kovitrae decides to take half of the stack of stamped blank papers.
- The party realizes that a significant ceremony is planned for tonight and that they have limited time to act.
- While discussing their next move, Thindruk hears footsteps approaching outside the office door.
- He signals the group about the approaching footsteps. Nora and Wanda prepare to ambush anyone entering by positioning themselves beside the door.
- Kovitrae prepares to pull the door open to catch the person off guard.
- As the door is opened, Kovitrae attempts to grab the man entering but only partially succeeds.
- She puts the man into a chokehold, attempting to subdue him quietly.
- Meanwhile, they hear heavy footsteps moving away, indicating another person is fleeing.
- Felrick decides to pursue the fleeing individual.
- Felrick opens the door and sees a heavyset man in fine clothing attempting to descend the stairs.
- Using his bow, Felrick performs a takedown maneuver, shooting an arrow that pins the man’s sleeve to the wall, effectively stopping him.
- The man identifies himself as Heinrich Steinhager, brother of Franz Steinhager.
- Wanda manacles Heinrich and forces him to sit at the desk for interrogation.
- The party questions Heinrich about his brother’s involvement with the Ordo Septenarius and any demonic activities beneath the office.
- Heinrich professes ignorance about the secret door and denies knowledge of any chaos cult activities.
- Kovitrae and Wanda scrutinize his reactions:
- Wanda believes Heinrich is telling the truth.
- Kovitrae senses that while he may not have known about the cult, Heinrich sees an opportunity to remove his brother and advance himself.
- Heinrich offers the party a deal: if they eliminate his brother Franz, he will reward them financially.
- After bargaining, they agree on a reward of 20 gold crowns each, with five crowns paid upfront.
- Heinrich retrieves the gold crowns from a safe hidden behind a painting in his office.
- The party accepts the initial payment of five gold crowns each and agrees to return after completing the task.
- Before leaving, Kovitrae ensures she takes some of the stamped blank papers for potential future use.
- The party returns to the basement and meets Reinhold, who is waiting for them.
- They discuss their next steps, realizing they need to prevent the impending ritual involving Johann Teugen.
- Reinhold confirms that the Edel Ring, where Teugen’s mansion is located, is heavily guarded and difficult to access.
- The party decides to use the sewers to reach the Edel Ring district discreetly.
- Reinhold guides them through the sewers to a manhole near Teugen’s mansion.
- Felrick peeks out from the manhole cover and observes well-dressed individuals entering the mansion gates, suggesting an event is underway.
- The party considers forging an invitation to gain entry into the mansion.
- Kovitrae suggests using the blank Ordo Septenarius papers they obtained from Franz’s office.
- Thindruk, skilled in counterfeit, successfully forges an invitation with Johann Teugen’s signature.
- Emerging from the sewer, still covered in sewage and emitting a foul odor, the party approaches the mansion gate.
- They are stopped by guards who are immediately suspicious due to their disheveled appearance and smell.
- The lead guard, a woman with a scar on her cheek, cannot read and is skeptical of their forged invitation.
- The party attempts to persuade the guards:
- Kovitrae and Wanda try to convince the guards of their legitimacy.
- Felrick uses his charm and ‘Way of the Gnome’ ability to engage the guards humorously.
- A literate guard reads the invitation and, after some hesitation, allows them entry but insists they surrender their weapons.
- The party hands over their visible weapons while attempting to keep small hidden weapons concealed.
- They are escorted into the mansion and directed to a mudroom, where their pants are taken to be cleaned, leaving them without pants.
- While waiting in the mudroom, a young, well-dressed man with sharp features named Gideon appears.
- Gideon addresses the party mockingly, expressing amusement at their situation and questioning their plan.
- Kovitrae uses her magical sight to assess Gideon and perceives a dark shadow of Dhar surrounding him, indicating he is connected to black magic and possibly not human.
- Recognizing the warning to “beware the man that is not a man,” Kovitrae realizes Gideon may be a demon or demonic entity.
- Gideon reveals he knows they are imposters and informs them that the ritual is not occurring tonight but soon.
- He offers them two pieces of assistance:
- Information that Councilor Magirius knows when and where the ritual will take place.
- An allowance of one minute before he raises the alarm about their presence.
- The party, understanding the danger, decides to leave immediately.
- Wanda attempts to bargain for more time, suggesting they will shout a catchphrase for Gideon’s amusement, but he remains firm.
- Kovitrae urges the group to exit quickly, and they begin to leave the mansion without their pants.
- Felrick, who had been escorted to the guardhouse earlier to use the facilities, attempts to rejoin the party.
- To distract the guard and escape, Felrick pretends to have an accident, soiling himself and causing the guard to recoil in disgust.
- Felrick rejoins the group as they attempt to retrieve their weapons and exit the mansion.
- The guards, confused and disturbed by the situation, reluctantly return the party’s weapons but not their pants.
- The party leaves the mansion, walking through the Edel Ring district pantsless, attracting unwanted attention.
- Realizing they cannot remain on the streets in such a state, they decide to re-enter the sewers to avoid being apprehended by the city guard.
- They make their way back through the sewers to the Crossed Pikes tavern, where Reinhold is waiting for them.
- Reinhold observes their bedraggled and pantsless condition, expressing surprise and curiosity about their misadventure.
- The party cleans up using barrels of clean water and Bretonnian perfumed powder provided at the tavern to remove the stench of the sewers.
- They share a brief summary of their encounter with Gideon and the new information about the ritual.
- The session concludes with the party contemplating their next steps, recognizing that they must find Councilor Magirius to learn more about the impending ritual and prevent the Ordo Septenarius from carrying out their plans.
