Session 1 - The Funeral of Martin von Horst

General Summary

Martin von Horst, a noble and a friend of Duke Ludwig von Greifswelde, has died. The funeral is to be held in the Duke’s castle - Schloss Feeklause (“Fey hermitage”) on the southern side of Markwald. Martin's son, affectionately known as Klein, and brother Ferdinand are called to the castle for the funeral. In Spad, Klein encountered a scholar named Clothar going the same way. Chlothar tells Klein he is going to the castle in search of a book, the Clavis Arcana, the magnum opus of Günther the Great. Günther was his teacher's teacher’s teacher, and the greatest thinker Chlothar has ever heard of. The book will, no doubt, be a life-changing read.
After the funeral, Klein and Chlothar go to the Duke’s palace where Chlothar presents a letter from his teacher Hugo, to the Duke’s chancellor, Hanno von Vielgebel. Chlothar explains he is interested in seeing the Clavis Arcana which he thinks the Duke possesses. The chancellor is tired of scholars asking for this book, and he proposes this: Chlothar can see the book if he agrees to help the Duke and, it turns out, help Klein.
Martin Horst was lord of an estate called Riesenhain (“giants' grove”). Unfortunately, the fief has been overrun. A contingent of 20 men from the city watch went there recently to take stock of the area, but only one of them, Ulrich Wolmar, returned. The chancellor proposes that if Chlothar helps Klein restore Riesenhain, he could then look at the book.
Chlothar agrees, and he and Klein set off to find Ulrich. They find him in Greifstadt, drinking in a tavern near the arsenal, and enduring the counsel of Brother Ernst, a friar from an abbey nearby. Chlothar buys a beer for Ulrich to get him to explain his unit’s failure, but Ulrich is nigh able to talk sensibly when he is sober, and Chlothar gets only short, disconnected pieces from him like “wolves” and “Riese”, but nothing else which makes sense.
The group attempts to grow the party over the next two days. The first day, Chlothar and Klein canvas the city for people willing to free Riesenhain, but they find no one else besides Ulrich and Ernst. The second day, they head to the castle where they find Ferdinand geared up on his horse. Chlothar asks him to join them, and the knight agrees, almost too eagerly.
As Chlothar is talking to Ferdinand, Klein slips into the palace to consult with the Duke’s Marshal, Enzo Vogler. Although the Marshal could not tell him who ordered the city guards to the village, he told Klein that, if he takes the village back, he will be in a stronger position to find out.
Ulrich, meanwhile, has done some introspection. He realizes his death will cause hardship for those who depend on him. He wishes to establish a fund when he dies. Klein agrees to help him with that.
Ernst, for his part, cannot simply leave his abbey. He engages a monk there to take over his duties, but it will cost him 8 marks. Nevertheless, a deal is struck, and Ernst is free to leave the next day.

Report Date

13 Aug 2024

Primary Location

Greifstadt