Night had settled over Bögenhafen, its streets awash in the eerie glow of Mórrslieb’s baleful gaze. The green moon hung heavy in the sky, casting twisted shadows that played upon the cobblestones like specters unleashed. Qavitrae stood at the edge of the Crossed Pikes inn, her keen elven eyes piercing the darkness as she contemplated the path ahead. The weight of their discoveries pressed upon her—whispers of the Ordo Septenarius, the malevolent presence of Gideon, and the looming threat of a ritual that could doom the city.

Behind her, the companions gathered. Thindruk Steelbone, the unlanded dwarf viscount, stroked his golden beard thoughtfully. His autumn-hued eyes reflected a mixture of concern and resolve. Wanda Hahnemann leaned against a worn pillar, her raven hair veiling her stern gaze. Beside her, Nora Abendroth paced lightly, muscles taut like a coiled spring, each movement betraying her restless energy. Felrick Flappan perched on a barrel, the gnome’s mustachioed face animated as he recounted strategies, his copper eyes flickering with mischief.

“We have little time,” Qavitrae said, her voice carrying the melodic cadence of the woodlands yet edged with urgency. “Gideon plays a game we cannot afford to lose. Magirius holds the key. We must act tonight.”

Thindruk nodded. “Aye, under the cover of darkness. But we need a plan to reach the Edel Ring without attracting unwelcome attention.”

At that moment, Bauman, the ever-resourceful innkeeper, approached them. “I’ve arranged for a diversion,” he whispered. “A few loyal friends will cause enough chaos to draw the guards away. And—” he gestured to a bundle in his arms, “I believe these might aid your endeavors.”

They unfolded the bundle to find an assortment of trousers. Wanda raised an eyebrow. “Pants?”

Bauman chuckled softly. “Can’t have you sneaking about the Edel Ring half-dressed. These should help you blend in, at least somewhat.”

Nora grinned, her eyes flashing with amusement. “Well, can’t argue with that.”

As midnight approached, the streets emptied, and the city held its breath. The companions moved like shadows, slipping through alleys toward the gates of the Edel Ring. The distant clamor of Bauman’s orchestrated disturbance echoed behind them—shouts, the splintering of wood, the flicker of flames licking at stone walls. Guards cursed and scrambled, their armored footsteps receding as they rushed toward the commotion.

“Now,” Felrick whispered, leading the way.

The wrought-iron gate groaned as they eased it open. Qavitrae winced at the sound, her ears attuned to every creak and whisper of the night. They paused, hearts pounding, but no alarm was raised. One by one, they slipped into the shadowed garden of Magirius’s residence.

The mansion loomed before them—a testament to wealth and arrogance, its grandeur tainted by the secrets it concealed. Thindruk gestured toward a servant’s entrance at the rear. “This way.”

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of polished wood and old money. They moved silently, each footfall measured. Ornate tapestries watched them with woven eyes as they ascended the stairs. On the third floor, behind a pair of double doors adorned with a brass knocker shaped like a cluster of grapes, their quarry slept.

Felrick pressed his ear to the door. “He’s alone,” he mouthed, a sly grin creeping across his face.

“Let’s proceed carefully,” Wanda cautioned, her voice barely audible.

They slipped into the chamber, the moonlight casting a sickly green hue through a sliver in the heavy curtains. Magirius lay ensconced in opulent bedding, oblivious to the intruders. In a swift and practiced motion, Wanda clamped a hand over his mouth as Nora and Thindruk pinned him down. His eyes snapped open, wild with terror.

“Silence,” Qavitrae whispered sharply, leaning over him. “We mean you no harm—if you cooperate.”

He thrashed briefly, then stilled, his gaze darting between their stern faces. Wanda removed her hand just enough to let him speak. “What do you want?” he gasped, his voice trembling. “Is it money?”

“We want the truth,” Thindruk rumbled. “Tell us about the ritual. Tell us about Gideon.”

Magirius’s face paled further at the mention of the name. “Gideon? He’s… he’s Johann Teugen’s cousin. What is this about?”

“Don’t play coy,” Nora hissed. “We know about the Ordo Septenarius. We know something dark is coming.”

Beads of sweat formed on Magirius’s brow. “I… I don’t know what you think you know, but yes, there is a meeting. Tomorrow night, at Warehouse Thirteen. But it’s just… it’s just business.”

“Business that involves chaos magic?” Qavitrae’s eyes flashed dangerously. “We are not fools.”

Magirius swallowed hard. “I didn’t sign up for this,” he whispered, despair creeping into his voice. “It was supposed to be about prosperity, about lifting Bögenhafen to greatness. But Gideon… there’s something wrong about him.”

“Then help us stop this,” Wanda urged. “Withdraw your support. Warn the others.”

He shook his head vehemently. “You don’t understand. Teugen controls everything. If I cross him…”

“Your life is already in danger,” Felrick interjected. “Gideon wants you dead. We’re the only reason you’re still breathing.”

A heavy silence settled over the room. Magirius’s eyes flickered with a glimmer of realization. “I can get you proof,” he said hurriedly. “Documents, ledgers. Just… just let me live.”

Before they could respond, the muffled sound of voices drifted up from below. “Sir? Is everything alright?” a servant called, suspicion threading through the words.

Time was slipping away. “We need to go,” Thindruk urged.

“Remember,” Qavitrae said sternly to Magirius. “Your choices now will determine not just your fate, but the fate of this city.”

They retreated swiftly, descending the staircase as whispers of alarm grew louder. At the base of the stairs, they heard the front door creak open—the guards summoned by the servant’s fears.

“This way,” Nora gestured towards the back.

They raced through the garden, the high wall marking the boundary of the estate casting ominous shadows. Wanda glanced back to see lanterns bobbing as the guards pursued. “We’re running out of time!”

Thindruk knelt, lacing his fingers to boost Felrick up the wall. The gnome scrambled over with ease. Qavitrae followed, her elven grace carrying her swiftly upward. Nora scaled the wall next, muscles bunching as she pulled herself over. As Wanda made her attempt, the shouts of the guards grew closer.

“On the wall! Stop them!” a voice barked.

An arrow whistled past Wanda’s ear as she hauled herself up. Her foot slipped, and she tumbled over the other side, landing heavily. Pain jolted through her, but she gritted her teeth. “Go!” she urged, pushing herself to her feet.

They vanished into the labyrinthine alleys of Bögenhafen, the clamor of pursuit fading as they blended into the sleeping city. Breathless, they regrouped near the docks.

“That was too close,” Thindruk muttered.

“We have what we came for,” Qavitrae said, though a shadow of doubt crossed her features. “But we may have stirred a hornet’s nest.”

“Our faces are known now,” Wanda noted grimly. “We can’t move freely here anymore.”

“Then perhaps it’s time we sought refuge,” Felrick suggested, a glint of cunning in his eyes. “I know just the place.”

Morning light crept over the horizon as they approached the docks where the Berebeli was moored. The riverboat rocked gently against its moorings, a familiar sight that brought a semblance of comfort. Nora’s face softened at the thought of her uncle, Josef, and the warmth he always extended to them.

As they boarded, they were greeted by Gilda and Volmar, who eyed them with mild surprise but welcomed them nonetheless. Descending into the cabin, they waited. Tension hung in the air, each of them wrestling with the weight of their situation.

Footsteps heralded Josef’s arrival. He entered with a jovial smile that faded as he took in their serious expressions. “Well now,” he began cautiously, “seems you’ve had quite the adventure.”

Nora stepped forward. “Uncle Josef, we need your help. It’s… it’s serious.”

He listened intently as they recounted the night’s events—the conspiracy, the impending ritual, the danger that now pursued them. His brows knit with concern. “Chaos in Bögenhafen,” he muttered. “It’s worse than I feared.”

“You could leave,” Nora offered, her voice tinged with worry. “We don’t want to bring trouble to you.”

Josef shook his head firmly. “Nonsense. This boat has weathered worse than a few corrupt merchants. You have a safe haven here as long as you need it.”

Relief washed over them. “Thank you,” Qavitrae said softly. “Your kindness may be the very thing that saves this city.”

Felrick leaned back, a hint of his usual mischief returning. “Now, about those supplies…”

Josef chuckled despite the gravity of the situation. “Always the opportunist, eh? Very well. Tell me what you need.”

As they settled into the relative safety of the Berebeli, plans began to take shape. They would need equipment, disguises, perhaps allies. The ritual loomed ahead—a storm gathering on the horizon—and they were the thin line standing between Bögenhafen and the abyss.

Wanda gazed out toward the city, determination hardening her features. “Tomorrow night,” she murmured. “We’ll be ready.”

“One way or another,” Thindruk added solemnly, “this ends.”

The companions exchanged resolute glances. They had faced darkness before, but never had the stakes been so high. United by purpose and fate, they steeled themselves for the trials to come, unaware of the full magnitude of what awaited them but certain of one thing—they would not falter.

As the sun climbed higher, casting its golden light over the river, the grim shadows of the night seemed to recede. But the true darkness was yet to descend, and when it did, they would confront it with every ounce of strength they possessed.

Session Notes

  • The session begins with the Game Master (GM) recapping the previous events:

    • The party plunged into the foul sewers beneath Bogenhafen.
    • They followed a path lit only by grim determination, leading to a hidden door beneath the offices of the Steinhager family.
    • Nora kicked the door open, revealing the dark secrets within.
    • They emerged from the filth into the lavish chambers of the Steinhager offices, where rich tapestries and ornate furniture starkly contrasted with the rot beneath.
    • They discovered a document sealed with the mark of the Ordo Septenarius, confirming their suspicions that the city’s elite were entangled in a dark conspiracy.
    • Their investigation led to a tense confrontation with Heinrich Steinhager, who, eager to betray his brother, offered his help for a price.
    • With a pouch of gold heavier, they set out for the Teugen estate, where they believed the answers lay.
    • Forging a path through deception, they used a falsified note to gain entry but were forced to relinquish their weapons.
    • Inside, they met a figure of dark power: Gideon, a man who was not a man, whose cryptic words and sinister smile chilled them to the core.
    • With a haunting laugh, Gideon granted them a head start, and the group fled into the night, narrowly escaping pursuit.
    • Their hearts pounded with fear but also with resolve; Bogenhafen’s secrets were unraveling, and the time to strike was near.
    • With the bells tolling midnight, they prepared to face the abyss, determined to thwart the coming darkness.

  • Back at the Crossed Pikes tavern, the group discusses their next steps:

    • Gideon had told them that Guildmaster Magirius knows the time and location of the coming ritual—a name they had not heard before.
    • They debate whether to act immediately or rest and recover.
    • They contemplate the possibility that Gideon is a demon or infused with dark magic.
    • They consider the dangers of confronting Magirius, especially given their current state.

  • The party realizes they need to clean up, as their clothes are soiled from the sewers:

    • Their pants were taken away due to being covered in filth, leaving them without proper attire.
    • Franz Bauman, the proprietor of the Crossed Pikes, offers to help them.
      • He agrees to provide them with pants and helps them clean up.
      • He also proposes creating a distraction to clear some of the town guard from the Edel Ring, the wealthy district where Magirius resides.
    • Bauman organizes a group to set fires as a diversion, aiming to draw the guards away.

  • The group prepares to infiltrate Magirius’s mansion:

    • They receive ill-fitting pants to replace their soiled ones.
    • Bauman’s plan is set to be executed around midnight.
    • They discuss their approach and decide to be stealthy, entering through the back of the mansion.

  • At midnight, the diversion takes place:

    • The party sees flames as Bauman’s associates throw bottle bombs against walls, creating a disturbance.
    • Guards rush to respond to the fires, leaving the Edel Ring less guarded.
    • Using the distraction, they navigate to Magirius’s mansion—a three-story townhouse with a heavy wooden door and a distinctive brass knocker shaped like a bunch of grapes.

  • They decide to enter through the servant’s entrance at the back:

    • They pass through a squeaky wrought-iron gate into a small garden.
    • Thindruk picks the lock on the servant’s entrance door.
      • The door swings open quietly into a dark hallway, revealing the kitchen and pantry.
    • They lock the door behind them and take the key to prevent anyone from following.

  • The party stealthily makes their way upstairs:

    • They climb the marble stairs, which make almost no sound.
    • On the third floor, they find two doors:
      • One is a set of large double doors with a grape motif.
      • The other is a single door with ornamental wood carving.
    • They listen at the doors to determine which room Magirius is in:
      • Felrick listens at the first door and hears the sound of a single person snoring.
      • Thindruk listens at the second door but hears nothing.

  • Deciding that Magirius is likely behind the first door, they plan their approach:

    • They prepare to restrain him upon waking him.
    • Wanda plans to cover his mouth to prevent him from screaming.
    • Nora and Thindruk position themselves to hold him down if necessary.

  • They quietly open the door to the bedchamber:

    • It’s a large room with a four-poster bed, heavy curtains drawn over the windows, a luxurious rug, and ornate furnishings.
    • Magirius is asleep in the bed.
    • The party moves into position around him.

  • The party executes their plan:

    • Wanda covers Magirius’s mouth and wakes him.
    • He awakens in a panic but cannot scream due to Wanda’s hand.
    • The party begins to interrogate him, demanding information about the upcoming ritual.

  • Wanda demands that Magirius tells them when and where the ritual is to take place:

    • She informs him that he has been sold out and that they know he is part of the Ordo Septenarius.
    • Magirius, frightened, offers them money to spare his life.
    • The party insists they only want information, not money.
    • Wanda removes her hand momentarily to let him speak.

  • Magirius confirms that there is a meeting planned by Johann Teugen:

    • He states that the meeting is in two nights at Warehouse 13.
    • He tries to downplay the significance, claiming it’s nothing sinister.
    • The party remains skeptical, believing it’s a demonic ritual.

  • Thindruk questions Magirius about Gideon:

    • Magirius explains that Gideon is Johann Teugen’s cousin.
    • The party reveals they know Gideon is more than he appears, possibly a demon or infused with dark magic.
    • Magirius seems confused and frightened by this information.

  • Nora becomes suspicious, thinking Magirius might be a monster:

    • She contemplates killing him, pulling out her shiv.
    • The party debates whether to kill him or let him live.
    • Magirius pleads for his life, promising to leave town or help them.

  • A servant speaks through a speaking tube, asking if everything is all right:

    • Magirius tries to scream for help.
    • Wanda covers his mouth again, and the party realizes their time is limited.
    • Nora speaks into the tube, attempting to deceive the servant by saying there’s a misunderstanding.

  • The guards are alerted and begin approaching the mansion:

    • The party hears voices outside, indicating that guards are on their way.
    • They decide to escape before they are caught.

  • As they prepare to leave, Felrick considers killing Magirius:

    • He draws his bow but ultimately decides to fire a warning shot.
    • He shoots an arrow into the headboard beside Magirius’s head to intimidate him.
    • Magirius is terrified but unharmed.

  • The party makes their escape:

    • They move downstairs, intending to exit through the back.
    • They lock the front door to slow down the guards.
    • Upon reaching the back door, they unlock it using the key they took earlier.

  • Exiting into the garden, they face a challenge:

    • They need to climb over a high wall to escape.
    • With teamwork, they boost each other over the wall.
    • Wanda struggles due to her size and heavy armor.

  • Wanda attempts to climb the wall:

    • She uses her axe as a makeshift grappling hook to gain extra reach.
    • As she climbs, a guard spots her and readies a crossbow.
    • She loses her grip but, with effort, manages to get over the wall.
    • She drops down on the other side, injuring herself slightly in the fall.

  • They flee into the night, with the guards pursuing:

    • The town guard is now more active, searching the streets for them.
    • While moving through the city, they encounter a patrol that notices them.

  • Felrick employs a clever ruse to avoid arrest:

    • He pretends to be a drunken gnome, slurring his words and acting inebriated.
    • Thindruk assists by playing the role of a concerned companion, explaining that his friend had too much to drink during Schaffenfest.
    • The guards, seeing no immediate threat, let them go with a warning to get off the streets.

  • The party debates their next move:

    • They consider returning to the Crossed Pikes but worry it might not be safe.
    • They decide to return to Magistrate Richter’s house, where they had previously stayed.
    • They believe it offers some safety and familiarity.

  • Back at Richter’s house:

    • Gertrude, the housekeeper, recognizes them and allows them inside.
    • They rest there for the night, tending to any minor injuries.
    • Wanda and Qavitrae have a tense conversation about their differing approaches during the interrogation of Magirius.

  • The next morning, they reassess their situation:

    • They acknowledge that the guards may be looking for them after the incident at Magirius’s mansion.
    • They discuss the need for disguises or new clothes to avoid detection.
    • They consider that, as non-humans (elf, dwarf, gnome), they will still stand out despite any change in attire.

  • They decide to seek out Josef, a riverboat captain and Nora’s uncle:

    • Josef had previously offered them passage and might be able to help them now.
    • They believe he can provide shelter and assistance.
    • They plan to avoid the main streets to reach the docks unnoticed.

  • Making their way to the docks:

    • Felrick expertly leads the group through back alleys and side streets to evade patrols.
    • They successfully avoid further encounters with the guards.

  • Arriving at the Berebeli, Josef’s boat:

    • They are greeted by Gilda and Volmar, the crew members.
    • The crew is surprised to see them, noting their disheveled appearance and mismatched clothing.
    • They are invited aboard to wait for Josef.

  • Josef arrives and is surprised but pleased to see them:

    • He senses that something is amiss due to their urgent demeanor.
    • Nora and the party explain the dire situation in Bogenhafen.
    • They reveal that a demonic summoning ritual is planned to occur at Warehouse 13 the following night.

  • They share the details of their findings with Josef:

    • They mention the involvement of important figures like Johann Teugen and Magirius in the Ordo Septenarius.
    • They explain that Magistrate Richter has been poisoned and is incapacitated.
    • They express their concerns about the widespread corruption and the danger facing the city.

  • Josef reacts to the news:

    • He is deeply concerned about the threat of chaos and the potential summoning of demons.
    • He inquires if they have sought help from the authorities or the Church of Sigmar.
    • The party explains that they cannot trust the local authorities and that the church may not be able to help in time.

  • Josef offers his assistance:

    • He agrees to let them stay on his boat, providing a safe haven.
    • He decides to delay his departure, despite potential financial losses, to help them.
    • He commits to supporting them in any way he can, including helping them acquire supplies.

  • The party begins to plan their next steps:

    • They discuss the need for better equipment to confront the impending threat.
    • They consider purchasing weapons such as bows and shields to enhance their combat effectiveness.
    • They recognize that going into town themselves is risky due to the guards searching for them.

  • They decide to have Josef and his crew procure supplies:

    • They compile a list of items they need, including weapons and possibly disguises.
    • Josef agrees to send Gilda and Volmar to purchase the items discreetly.
    • They plan to use their remaining funds to equip themselves adequately.

  • The session concludes with the party resting on the Berebeli:

    • They are determined to stop the ritual at Warehouse 13 and save Bogenhafen from the coming darkness.
    • They reflect on their recent challenges and prepare mentally and physically for the confrontation ahead.
    • The group is unified in purpose, resolved to thwart the plans of the Ordo Septenarius and prevent the summoning of chaos forces.