Chapter 33 - Return to Matlida's Kingdom
General Summary
Fearful that the crows are Matilda's spies, the companions try to move stealthily through the open gates, and keeping to back alleys, arrive at the back entrance to the cathedral compound - the way they came before. Cilly stays outside the city to watch the group's rear, and to be able to intervene should a rescue become necessary.
Opening the door to the cloister, the rest of her companions file inside the courtyard, which is empty, except for one cloaked figure. Dietmar seems to recognize one of the members of the Wunschau City Watch, but not one whose name he can recall. Asking him what he's doing here yields the following response: he has come at the margrave's behest, to reclaim this town for his lord. Dietmar finds this amusing - this man has come alone, on the orders of a magnate who does not even control his own capital city. The stranger then asks several questions of his own. He demands to know if the group is in the employ of the landgrave, which Dietmar and the others deny. They then warn him that a witch controls the city, and tells him they have come to see to her victims, who last they know were housed in the cathedral. The stranger says that he has seen the victims - they look sickly, but in better condition than he expected.
The companions introduce themselves, one by one. Dietmar confidently asserts that the man knows him. At this point, the illusion falls away, and the stranger is revealed to be Franz der Schwarzhoffen. "Still trying to help?" he asks Dietmar. "Still feeling a little furry?" Before the two can have a full conversation about what has transpired since they have seen each other, the internal door to the compound opens, and a dozen or so of the victims, led by Reimar , pour out. Reimar welcomes the visitors, and asks if they have come to join the ranks of Matilda's supporters. No, they reply, they have come to liberate them. All the people here are faithful servants of Matilda, Reimar asserts, as the visitors will soon be. He adds that Dietmar was obviously drawn here to be with his own kind, and when Dietmar denies that he has experienced a transformation, Reimar invites him to drop his pants. Offended, Dietmar calls on the people to leave Hegenburg with him. Instead, Reimar orders them into action, and they begin to transform into rat people.
Johann gets a spring one everyone else, and charges into the crowd of ratty-looking folk, while they fan out, trying to double up on the martial-looking people. Reimar hangs back from the melee, and unleashes a magical assault on Nit, who is engaged by no ratfolk. Dmitrei and Ingrid have a tough time of it, lacking any weapons to hurt the rats. Dmitrei's frustration leads to him leaving himself open to several bites form his opponent at close range. One circumvents his armor, and rat saliva enters a now open wound. Seeing their plight, Carrot the Donkey picks up a dagger off the ground, and tosses it to Ingrid. She is a bit slow on the uptake, and one of her enemies picks it up first, and begins to swing away at her. Franz feels the creatures' teeth on his skin as well.
But soon it becomes clear that despite their initial problems, the intruders simply have too much firepower. Dietmar chastises the rats with divine whips and scorpions, and though they prove tougher than they look, eventually, this begins to bring them down. Franz is able to effect the creatures with his glaive, Ingrid smites one with divine light after finally retrieving Carrot's dagger, Nit causes one to cover its ears to keep out some frightful sound that no one hears, and Erich keeps grappling the vermin, though one turns into a rat and escapes. Dmitrei then repeats the feat, and gets hold of another shapechanger that has taken rat form.
After five of the creatures have been vanquished, Reimar calls for a retreat, and runs back inside the cathedral. The rest follow as best as they can, but only three manage to make it inside - the rest are killed or caught. Johann, heeding the call to stop them from escaping, runs inside also, but then the door is shut, and padlocked. His companions hear the most unpleasant noises coming from inside. Dmitrei tries to batter the door down with his shield while his companions help. Suddenly, the courtyard is filled with the sound of mewling cats. Soon after, the door opens, and Johann emerges, bruised up, but apparently not seriously harmed. There is some talk about pursuing Reimar and the rest, but Johann indicates that there are many more inside. Instead, the group beats a retreat, back outside the city, to lick their wounds, catch up with Franz, and strategize their next move.
Rewards Granted
- Dagger that works against wererats (courtesy of Carrot the Donkey)
Missions/Quests Completed
- Reimar of Hegenburg and his underlings forced to retreat back to the cathedral
Character(s) interacted with
Report Date
08 Jun 2021
Primary Location
Comments