Sessions 7 & 8

Recap Actions
You left Neues Emskrank for Marienburg, hoping Cosmin will almost certainly have been here before on
certain events (the wrecking of a ship and the murder one of her voyages, so she will know Brother Ludolf, a
of two road wardens) might blow over. Travelling native of Neues Emskrank and a Priest of Manaan. It
through the Cursed Marshes, you discovered the would make sense to stay with him. Josef might want
remains of a great battle, fought perhaps half a to visit the Engineers’ Guild or shop for materials in
millennia ago. You learned Joseph Schmidt was one of the many markets. Carl and Wulfrich probably
interested in the area. Later, you surivived an feel more like outsides here than they ever have. Carl
encounter with a bog octopus and found a mirror, may want to search for a physician; Wulfrich will likely
comb and artist’s tools that likely belonged to the want to visit Marienburg’s Colleges of Magic. What do
former steward. Perhaps he was there in hope of you want to do?
discovering treasure or something similar. Finally, you
chanced upon a bloody murder and turned over a man Truth
to a witch hunter, Helga Stein. You believed he was When merchant Hendrik van der Steen bought a very
the culprit. old, very fine, very dilapidated townhouse, he also
acquired a strange houseguest: an ancient Strigoi
Introduction vampire, Gregor Barrabas. Using a powerful amulet to
Marienburg is a great mercantile city-state, the largest keep Gregor in check, Hendrik has been selling the
trading hub in the Old World and the greatest of its vampire’s blood on the black market as a potent
ports. The city straddles the mouth of the River Reik as aphrodisiac: “Jus de l’Amour”. Hendrik has made
it drains into the Sea of Claws. It is bustling, himself very rich very quickly. However, Gregor isn’t
overcrowded and full of life: nearly all maritime trade quite a feeble as he appears: Hendrik doesn’t know
that concerns Bretonnia and the Empire happens here. the vampire has enthralled Katarina Smit nor does he
It is a place of great wealth and great opportunity. The know she has been bringing him victims to feed on:
pride and pretension of the citizens of Marienburg poor, easily duped homeless beggars and drunks. As
knows no bounds: they claim to be the equal in every Gregor’s vitality returns, so too does his hunger for
way of the Tileans in art and culture. This can be seen revenge.
in the many Classical style buildings, grand civic works,
the impressive network of canals and the ostentatious Clues:
styles of aristocrats and nouveau riche who flaunt  Bodies of homeless citizens wash up in the
their wealth openly. It is a multicultural and multi- docks, drained of blood.
ethnic city: citizens of Brettonia and the Empire exist  There are fewer rats in the sewers, but those
alongside people from Tilea and Estalia, Cathay and remaining are extremely intelligent.
Araby. There are elves, dwarves, halflings and ogres.  Hendrik buys out a number of his former rivals
The streets echo with a cacophony of languages, and in the horse trade.
every district has its own unique flavor. You can’t help  Hendrik has lost weight recently and quickly; he
notice that beneath the gleaming surface of continues to lose weight and hair.
Marienburg's wealth and splendor lies a harsh reality  Katarina Smit is in Marienburg’s worst areas
for many of its inhabitants. While some live in with ready coin.
opulence, the city's poor navigate a world of  A new illicit drug is being sold in Marienburg:
deprivation, struggle, and uncertainty. In the shadow “Jus de l’Amour”.
of towering warehouses and fine mansions, a different  Some very elderly merchants are seen with
story unfolds. Beggars and street urchins are a much younger lovers.
common sight, their pleas for coins often ignored by  The senior nobility engage in japes reminiscent
the hurried and indifferent crowds. Behind the grand of their student days.
boulevards, narrow alleys and crumbling tenements  Respectable gentlemen’s club are full of snores
are home to countless souls scraping by. The streets during the day, raucous at night.
are lined with makeshift stalls and ragged children; the  Later, a number of aristocrats die from heart
air is thick with the scent of desperation and decay. attacks in risqué circumstances.

Arrivals NPCs
You enter through the cities Eastern gate where you’re
stopped by the City Guard. You are charged the city Hendrik van der Steen
tax (½ SS or 12d a leg, including horses). Occupation: Merchant Guildmaster. Description:
Hendrik Steen (“van der” is a recent affectation) is a
middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard, pale
skin and thinning hair. He wears opulent clothing
adorned with gold embroidery and carries an air of information to various factions in the city. Dieter has
authority and confidence. Once portly, he has lost found three dead sailors in the last three weeks. The
weight recently and appears stretched. Background: PCs might encounter him selling a telescope he found
Until a year ago Hendrik was a gang boss and horse on one of the dead sailors. Equally, the PCs might
trader; now he is the secretary of one of Marienburg's learn he was friends with both Josef Schmidt / Josep
most influential merchant guilds, the Neeskens and Hendrik van der Steen. As the PCs
Paardenhandelaars’ Guild. Known for his shrewd question him, he’ll point out the sewage pipe where
business acumen and extensive network of contacts, the exsanguinated corpses were found. The pipe leads
he is both respected and feared in the city's trade directly to Hendrik van der Steen’s fine new residence.
circles. Hendrik started as a dock worker and rose Dieter also knows “Josep Neeskens” has recently
through the ranks through sheer cunning and bought an impressive townhouse nearby. Personality:
ruthlessness. Recently, he has become one of the Street-smart and resourceful; friendly but always
richest men in the city. Nearly a year to the day, cautious; prone to drink and gamble. Motivation:
Hendrik purchased a dilapidated townhouse. The move into a more profitable line of work; provide a
house allows easy access to Marienburg’s sewers and good life for his wife and children.
canals, a feature that would facilitate Hendrik’s
“other” business interests. Under its foundations, It’s not completely fantastical to suppose a steward
Hendrick discovered a ruined mausoleum: the last could purchase a property such as Schmidt’s,
refuge of the Strigoi vampire Gregor Barrabas. For half especially if he were frugal and invested his money
a millennia, he has lived a pitiable and wretched wisely. Still, Schmidt is (was?) barely 30. The building is
existence, unable to leave the confines of his tomb. in an enviable location on a residential street near the
Seeing the feeble monstrosity, Hendrick hit upon a docks. It has four stories, a basement and a yard with
brainwave: why not bottle the vampire’s blood as a stabling. It neds cleaning, painting and minor repairs.
medicine? “Jus de l’Amour”! Through his friend “Josep Presently, it is closed: there are no servants and the
Neeskens” (Josef Schmidt), Hendrik obtained a cursed rooms are unfurnished, aside from Schmidt’s small
amulet that prevents the Strigoi from attacking him. office. This contains a desk, chair, artists’ materials and
He has been exsanguinating the vampire weekly, a few sketches of the house. The PCs might see people
blissfully unaware of the vampire’s relationship with (disguised Norscans) breaking into the property, in the
Katarina Smit, Gregor’s nocturnal feeds and hope of stealing more of Schmidt’s drawings of the
consequent increasing resistance to the amulet. The Waystones in the Cursed Marshes. The Norscans work
PCs might discover Hendrik knew Josef Schmidt / for Jarl Hrothgar Oleksvan. The PCs might also witness
Josep Neeskens and sometimes fenced items Schmidt Christan Janes retrieving a store of firearms from a
found in the Cursed Marshes. Or the PCS might also secret store. Finally, the PCs might search the house
encounter him as a distant figure as they’re trading and find a drawing of the Waystones alongside a
horses. Personality: Ambitious and cunning; polite but sketch of Luci Othe. These are hidden under the
calculating; generous but exacting. Motivation: buy floorboards in Schmidt’s office, along with a
out his rivals to obtain a monopoly in Marienburg’s promissory note for 1100GC at a Marienburg bank. To
horse trade; leverage his power to become ennobled. cash the note, the PCs would need extensive
documentation. If they do make an attempt,
The tarnished silver amulet Josef Schmidt found in the Hrothgar’s soldiers will follow them in order to extract
Cursed Marches is covered with strange writings and information.
symbols. Possibly Arabyan; possibly something much
older. Hendrick wears it beneath his shirt. Vampires Lady Annika von Stahl
cannot attack or otherwise harm anyone wearing the Occupation: Noble and Socialite. Description: Lady
amulet. In addition, wearers can make an Opposed WP Annika is an elegant woman in her late twenties, with
Test with a vampire to give simple commands. It is a long auburn hair and striking green eyes. She dresses
source of (Minor) Corruption and the cause Hendrik’s in the latest fashions and is often seen at high-society
weight and hair loss. events, mostly in the company of older, wealthier
men. Background: Annika comes from an old noble
Dieter Wijnand family. Despite her appearance, she is in debt. Her
Occupation: Dockworker and Informant. Description: husband made a number of risky speculations and
Dieter is a rugged man in his late thirties, with a committed suicide when they failed. Now, she relies
muscular build and a perpetually scruffy appearance. on her male “friends’” generosity to maintain her
His clothes are worn and stained from years of hard lifestyle. She finds this humiliating and degrading. She
labour. Background: Dieter grew up in the slums of also makes a small profit selling Hendrik’s “Jus de
Marienburg, working the docks since childhood. l’Amour” to her lovers. The PCs might encounter her
Known for his extensive knowledge of Marienburg’s arguing about the price of a horse: she can’t pay.
underworld (“Tell me what you want and I’ll get it…for Alternatively, they may see Katarina Smit delivering a
a price.”), he supplements his income by selling package to her Marienburg residence, or see her in the
company of an older man. Personality: Charismatic other illegal items with Josef Schmidt, and was aware
and witty; manipulative but discreet; enjoys the finer Schmidt used the name Josep Neeskens when in
things in life but knows their price. Motivation: marry Marienburg. He payed Schmidt well.
an elderly aristocrat who will die and leave her to
enjoy an extremely comfortable widowhood. Luitpold Popp
Occupation: Wizard and Pawnbroker. Appearance:
Brother Ludolf Luitpold is thin and haggard, with unkempt brown hair
Occupation: Priest of Manann. Description: Brother and tired eyes. Though it’s plan to see his robes were
Ludolf is an elderly priest with a kind face, white hair, once very fine indeed, they are now tattered and
and a weathered appearance. He wears simple robes patched, a testament to his impoverished state.
and a necklace bearing the symbol of Manann, the sea Background: Once a noted teacher at the Colleges of
god. Background: Having served in the temple of Magic in Altdorf, Luitpold’s obsession with forbidden
Manann for decades, Ludolf is a respected spiritual knowledge led to his expulsion. Now, he ekes out a
leader among Marienburg's seafaring community. He living as a pawnbroker to Marienburg’s criminal
provides guidance and blessings to sailors, as well as classes. Luitpold is able to analyse the properties of
tending to the city's poor and needy. The PCs might magical items. Consequently, Luitpold’s finds this
encounter him as he recognises the Neues Emskrank additional, discrete service is always in demand among
accent: he emigrated from the city only recently. thieves, grave robbers and the like. The PCs may be
Equally, the PCs could be staying with him. He might given his name by Dieter Wijnand, or come across his
even ask after Neues Emskrank’s old priest, his friend name in relation to Hector van der Poel’s expedition:
Baldwin Oberholtzer. It’s obvious that Brother Ludolf Luitpold’s study of it lead to his expulsion. Wulfrich
is concerned: five of his charitable cases have might search him out as a patron…or as a means of
disappeared in the last few months. They were all achieving a licence. This might involve theft! Equally,
former sailors, down on their luck. Personality: Wise Luitpold knew and provided services for both JS and
and compassionate; patient and humble; deeply HvdS. Personality: cautious and cowardly; greedy and
devoted to his faith. Motivation: ensure the health opportunistic; curious and secretive. Motivation:
and safety of Marienburg’s sailors; discover the killer obtain an item of great power that would allow him to
in order to prevent more deaths. have his revenge on the wizards who were responsible
for his expulsion.
Christian Janes
Occupation: Agitator and Sailor. Appearance: Ingrid Schultz
Christian is a Nordland man just past middle age. He is Occupation: Alchemist and Physician. Description:
tall and robust, with fiery red hair and a commanding Ingrid is a middle-aged woman with glasses, unkempt
presence. He dresses in sturdy, practical clothes, often hair, and ink-stained fingers. She dresses in plain,
adorned with the axe and boat, symbols also favoured practical clothing and always carries a satchel filled
by his master Theodoric Gausser. Background: with books and notes. Background: Ingrid is a
Christian is an influential public speaker, a leader of respected physician who specializes in developing new
men known across Nordland. He was radicalised after medicines. She has also spent years studying the
witnessing the exploitation of his fellow sailors by occult and alchemy, hoping to uncover the secrets of
greedy ship owners. He leads a growing movement immortality and the undead. She has heard about “Jus
demanding fair treatment and better working de l’Amour” and its miraculous effects. She wishes to
conditions. He has thrown in his lot with Theodoric obtain a sample that she may analyse in detail. The
Gausser who promises to address Janes’s concerns PCs might encounter her if they’re seeking gunpowder
once he accedes to the Electorship of Nordland. The or a cure for an ailment. She also treated Josep
PCs might meet him as he removes a hidden store of Neeskens / Josef Schmidt after he was wounded in the
guns from Josep Neeskens / Josef Schmidt’s place. Cursed Marshes. Schmidt presented her with a small
Alternatively, he might seek confession from Brother trinket (a very old and very ornate dagger) in
Ludolf, or notice the PCs are natives of Neues exchange. Personality: Curious and intellectual; often
Emskrank and ask after Ulrica. Personality: plain- distracted by her thoughts; terminally optimistic.
speaking and down-to-earth; intelligent and able to Motivation: obtain a bottle of “Jus de l’Amour”;
compromise; charismatic and a natural leader. reproduce it to help Marienburg’s most needy.
Motivation: he is no fool and sees change can only be
achieved through collective action and a willingness to Katarina Smit
work within the current system. Occupation: Vampire thrall and messenger.
Description: Katarina is a young woman with a
Christian, funded by Theodoric Gausser, purchased the haunted look in her eyes. She wears simple clothing
guns from Martha Ritter. He plans a popular uprising and has several bite marks hidden under her collar.
in Salzendmund in support of Gausser’s bid to She is polite but nervous and jumpy. The nature of
overthrow Baron Nikse. He frequently stored guns and vampire thraldom means she is unable to talk about
her predicament, ask for help, or even mention her or be “overcome with desire”. This should involve at
master’s name. Background: Katarina is a street least a Stunned Condition.
urchin employed by Hendrik van der Steen as a
messenger. Initially, Hendrick had her delivering Gregor Barrabas
messages between figures in Marienburg’s Occupation: Strigoi vampire. Description: Gregor is a
underworld. However, Katarina was turned into a hideous, monstrous figure with pallid skin, elongated
thrall by Gregor Barrabas. She now serves her vampire limbs, and yellow, predatory eyes. His rusted armour
master, gathering information and running errands hangs from an emaciated frame. The rest of his
during the day. Despite her enslavement, she retains a clothes are tattered and tarnished remnants of a
spark of her old self and desires freedom. Hendrik is bygone era, and he exudes a foul odour of decay.
unaware of her relationship with the Strigoi. The PCs There are numerous gaping wounds over his body that
might encounter her running a message for Hendrik slowly heal as he drinks more and more human blood.
van der Steen (delivering “Jus de l’Amour” to Lady Background: Gregor has been trapped in his
Annika, for example) or for Gregor Barrabas (perhaps mausoleum beneath the city of Marienburg for over
luring a potential victim into the sewers). Later, she 800 years, unable to pass beyond the doors of his
might spy on the PCs for Gregor, or even lure one of tomb. Why? Nobody knows. Perhaps in a former life
them into his lair. Personality: Fearful and submissive; he was a great warrior or tyrannical ruler. Perhaps an
clever and resourceful when pushed; holds a deep- emperor or wizard wanted to punish him. Gregor has
seated hatred for her vampire mistress. Motivation: rotted for so long in the city’s sewers that even he has
somehow break the hold Gregor has over her. forgotten. For centuries, he fed on nothing but rats,
and then even few of them: he is so weak and
Baron Horst von Steinberg enfeebled he can catch only the most slow, most
Occupation: Corrupt Noble. Appearance: Baron Horst stupid rodents. However, Hendrik van der Steen’s
is an extremely elderly, portly man with a round face, unexpected intervention reinvigorated him. Firstly, he
jowls that wobble when he speaks, and a belly that enthralled Katarina. Now, he drains the victims
spills over his belt. He wears fine clothing befitting his Katarina brings. Still weak, he must return to his
station, often stained with food and wine. mausoleum during the hours of daylight: it hardly
Background: Baron Horst is a high-ranking official in matters that there is no natural light down in
Marienburg’s government, tasked with overseeing Marienburg’s sewers. As his vigour returns, he is able
trade regulations and tax collection. Despite an to venture further and further from his prison, for
outward show of respectability, he is infamous for his longer and longer periods. Soon, he will be free of its
gluttony and greed, using his position of power to line confines. The PCs will only encounter him if they enter
his own pockets and indulge in extravagant feasts at the sewers, and only during the hours of darkness.
the expense of the city’s citizens. Recently he has Personality: Paranoid and vengeful; brutal and
added infidelity and fornication to his vices. He is merciless; hates Hendrik van der Steen and wants to
addicted to “Jus de l’Amour”; consequently, he’s be free. Motivation: continue to feed on humans;
decidedly more energetic than one might imagine a break free of the mausoleum.
man of his age to be. Several prominent nobles have
fallen under his sway: Lord von Schlachtenberg (a Gregor Barrabas, Strigoi vampire
stooped, bald man with immense moustaches, a M=4 WS=40, BS=30, S=40, T=40, Agi=40, Dex=30,
former general in the Marienburg army) and Professor Int=40, WP=50, Fel=20, W=16, Soak=6.
von Grubendorf (a wizened scholar of antiquities with
a huge monocle and immense head of curly white Traits: Armour 2, Bite+7, Dark Vision, Die Hard, Fear 2,
hair) are the two most surprising members of his Hungry, Stealthy, Vampiric, Tracker, Undead,
septuagenarian gang. The PCs might encounter Horst Wallcrawler, Weapon +8.
von Steinberg causing a disturbance in a bar or club or
even on the street. This might lead to an encounter Over the course of the adventure, Barrabas will feed
with Lady Annika or Ingrid Schultz. Personality: every other night. After the 1 st night, he gains +1M and
arrogant and entitled; lustful and gluttonous; ruthless +10 to all Characteristics (except Fel). After the 3 rd he
and willing to exploit anyone or anything to satisfy his gains the Trait Regenerate and is able to venture
insatiable appetites. Motivation: drink, eat, fuck to above ground. After the 5th, he gains the Trait
excess; ensure Baroness von Steinberg doesn't find Spellcaster (Death). After a week, he gains another
out about the latter. +1M and +10 to all Characteristics (except Fel) and he
can venture as far as he wishes, as long as he returns
“Jus de l’Armour” provides +10 to all Characteristics; to the mausoleum before the sun rises. At this point,
moreover, people who have consumed the “medicine” Gregor will become very difficult to stop indeed.
are unable to attack or otherwise harm Gregor
Barrabas. Characters must past a successful Cool Test Giant rat swarm
M=4 WS=40, BS=0, S=30, T=30, Agi=40, Dex=0, Int=15, Traits: Bestial, Bite +7, Infected (Rat Pox), Night Vision,
WP=15, Fel=0, W=25, Soak=3. Swarm (+10 WS but +40 to hit, can’t be outnumbered,
can use Deathblow rule).

Session 9

Key News  Martin Bravermann is grateful for the news,

Your return to Neues Emskrank is uneventful. covers expenses and asks about an expedition.
However, much has changed in the few weeks you’ve He invites the PCs to look at the town’s Eastern
been gone. Firstly, you learn Neues Emskrank’s elderly towers and suggest how it may be made more
Priest of Manaan, Baldwin Oberhaltzer, was found defensible.
hanged this morning in the town’s old Temple of the
Sea. Two members of the Dreamers in the Deep,  A local hunter (Henrik) reports he discovered a
Leopold and Luci von Othe, have been arrested on number of wild animals covered with webs,
charges of conspiracy to murder. They were seen half-eaten. He also saw a huge nest nearby,
leaving the Temple late last night. Worryingly, you also crawling with red spiders: they pursued as he
remember Luci and Oberhaltzer arguing. Secondly, fled.
you hear Jan and two others are missing. The three  Gudrun warns Wulfrich that Will (stableboy)
sailors took a boat the day after you left for has been making it known that he saw
Marienburg and have not been seen since, but their Wulfgang, Cosmin and Carl take the Butter
boat was found adrift off the coast. Baron Von Wolder Brothers’ wagon on the night of the murder.
has accused the men of being smugglers (Why else sail  Ragged children watch the PCs. They ask for
at night?) and, as a result, is refusing to pay the men’s alms, giggle, pick pockets. They return to Stoldo
widows’ their pensions. Jan’s wife, Helga, has three Torboli (note his brutally scarred face and one
hungry children and is desperate. Finally, two milk-white eye) of the Ever-Turning Tide.
strangers beat you into town this morning: firstly, a
dwarf: Skalda, a muscular sailor with plaited blonde Future Ideas
hair and beard. You hear that he claims to be
Skallida’s brother. He demands the return of her boat 1) Fishermen have been disappearing at sea, their
and her body so that she may be buried with dignity in boats found abandoned and bloodied. The characters
the family’s ancestral home. Before you arrive home, must track down the cause, leading them to a hidden
Ulrika stopes to inform you a fur trader called Ragnar island where a tribe of Deep Ones worship an ancient
Ragnarsson is staying at The Seahorse. He asked for sea god. A stone circle dominates the centre of the
Josef Schmidt by name. He claims Schmidt wanted to island. Markings are reminiscent of the stones in the
buy furs. He also claims Schmidt was his friend and the Cursed Marshes. Can the PCs rescue the captives and
steward had promised him some sketches. He seems put an end to the dark rites without awakening a
genuinely surprised that the man is missing. long-dormant threat?

Baldwin Oberhaltzer was murdered by Wolf and 3) Verenan investigator Wolfgang von Kusenholtz
Bertram on orders from von Wolder. Clues: the rope searches for the missing handguns. He is a tall, lean
was tied with a poor knot; ceremonial wine drunk & man with a bald pate and studious air. His eyes are
sacristy smashed; circular mark where silver grey and piercing. He suspects the Butter Brothers
candlesticks (stolen) were kept; back door broken stole the guns from a Nordland garrison during a
open; big boot prints in the grass (L & LvO wears performance. Hans Muller (buying the guns on behalf
sandals); blood splatters as if a struggle; boot prints on of Ritter and, ultimately, Christian Janes) is a “liability”.
corpse; marks suggesting body was likely strangled Can the PCs prevent von Kusenholtz from discovering
first & hanged after; Wolf & Bertram selling loot to their guilt?
Ritter (later).
3) Witch Hunter Helga Stein arrives. She is compact,
Other Events dressed in leathers with the traditional Henin hat. She
 Ulrika of The Seahorse has borrowed from has slate grey hair and bright blues eyes. She is in
Martha Ritter to help Jan and the other sailors’ Neues Emskrank at Von Wolder’s request. She is to
widows. Unable to afford the interest, Ritter inetrogate Leopod and Luci von Othe on charges of
has asked Ulrika to spy on the PCs. murder, sedition and heresy. Her methods are brutal.
 Niels looks thin and pale, as if he hasn’t eaten. She recognises the PCs from the incident at the
He owes Ritter money after “losing” stock, and farmhouse. Can they convince Stein to free their
Dag Olson after betting heavily on cockfights. friends or mount a prison break?
Ritter leverages the PCs; Dag threatens them.