Session 17 - Recovery at St. Gertrude's
General Summary
The party arrives at St. Gertrude's Abbey with Chlothar's body, entrusting Sister Michaela and the others to prepare their fallen comrade for a proper Gaalite burial. While there, they discuss their recent discoveries—both beneath their manor and in Silberbad —with Sister Michaela. They reveal to her that the coins found in the cellar were counterfeit, with no silver among them. Some bore the symbol of a rat, which Toten pocketed. When the topic of the silver mines and the dwarfs arises, Sister Michaela contradicts what they had previously been told. She explains that it was not the dwarfs, but rather the town militia, who allowed the Sensenmann to take control of Silberbaad. She also mentions Hegenburg, a town several days east, which could serve as a base for the wererats they encountered in the cellar.
After several days of recovery, the party splits up to tend to their own affairs.
Brother Ernst, who had been staying with the Riese, decides to leave, and ventures into Silberbad, where seeks sanctuary at the town's largest church - St. Lorenz, and its incumbent priest Father Gabriel. They exchange pleasantries and local gossip, including news of the Riese camp outside town. Ernst admits his purpose for traveling with the Riese and shares excerpts from the book he has been transcribing. Father Gabriel immediately recognizes the text as the Clavis Arcana, a doctrine of Günther the Great. Alarmed by this revelation, he urges Ernst and his companions to kill the Riese and claim the book to establish a new following in Silberbad. After their conversation, Ernst rejoins the party at the abbey.
Meanwhile, Belak, frustrated by the Abbey’s impractically tall furnishings, takes matters into his own hands—quite literally. Using his magical hand, he rearranges objects to better suit his stature. Amused by this, Abbot Jonas offers to create a designated area within the Abbey for Belak’s convenience. The priest also suggests that the party acquire a cat to help with their rat problem. Belak, ever the problem solver, sets out to do just that. He visits the Abbey’s granary, where working cats are kept, but his shrub-like appearance unsettles the animals. When he attempts to grab one, several cats retaliate, scratching and chasing him off—leaving him cat-less and worse for wear.
Toten, still recovering from recent battles, spends a few days resting. His body mends surprisingly quickly, and once he’s regained his strength, he meets with Klein to discuss the inevitable conflict with the Riese. Klein remains at Frostwindring with Toten and Ernst while they wait for the others to return.
Bertrand, needing to speak with Ferdinand, borrows a horse from Heinrich and travels to Riesenhain. Upon arrival, Ferdinand introduces him to Sir Heinrich, a knight of an ancient order known as the Graalsritter. Sir Heinrich explains that their order is sworn to protect the Holy Grail, and to seek out other sacred artifacts. Bertrand recalls hearing of these things in his youth and realizes this is what Ferdinand had been preparing him for. Sir Heinrich offers him a place among the Graalsritter—if he swears to uphold their vows. Bertrand accepts, taking the Oath of a Graalsritter Knight, a decision that will forever shape his path. Sir Heinrich also reveals that the book the party has been following is connected to the Holy Grail and must be retrieved for safekeeping.
Before leaving Riesenhain, Bertrand visits the chapel, where he meets Brother Matthias, who has returned from Greifstadt. Mattias successfully found a replacement priest for the parish, who is expected to arrive within days. With his business concluded, Bertrand rides back to Silberbaad to reunite with the party.
Woda spends time conversing with the brothers and sisters at the abbey, and taking long excursions into the woods.
Once gathered at the house in Frostwindring, Bertrand suggests visiting the Burgomeister to return the counterfeit coins. In response, the Burgomeister offers them a job—scouting the Silver Mine to determine if any dwarfs remain. He intends to "flood the streets with silver" and needs the mine operational again.
With this new objective, the party disperses once more to make preparations—some seeking armor, others money, and others supplies. When they regroup at their residence, they reach a consensus: their next course of action is clear.
The Silver Mine awaits.
Comments