Session 27 - The Hospitality of Drachenstelle

General Summary

We start in with Manfred succumbing to his infection. The wound caused by Reinhard's arrow begins to fester, and in a few days, the wandering scholar accepts his fate. He starts to send away anyone tending to him, his erstwhile traveling companion, Kaleb first and foremost. The small man then focuses on blocking the basement, because Engelbert Humperdinck reappears, and begins to threaten him and pushi him out. Dagobert von Linz tries to locate Kaleb and to figure out what he is up to, so as to keep him out of trouble. Kaleb then shows Dagobert where the castle's secret denizen is hiding. Engelbert Humperdink then confronts Kaleb, telling him to leave. Kaleb is struck by Engelbert Humperdink and a fight breaks out, though Kaleb wisely decides to flee. He leads Dagobert to to the basement to show him the makeshift barricade of furniture he has made to keep everyone safe from Engelbert. He continues checking on manfred throughout the week, but the scholar's condition deteriorates.
As he prepares to depart with his lady, Edmon checks on the smiths' progress of converting Sigisar's armor to fit him. He also talks to the Hirschenwald confessor about the Knights of the Tomb. He is told they are an evil group that lived off the wealth gathered during the first Holy War. Winifred, meanwhile, is in a panic as she watches Manfred fade. She gives herself mindless tasks to pass the time, and while wandering around, follows Kaleb to find Engelbert. She tells the heinzelmensch that they will all be gone by week's end, and Wigand wil take over. Engelbert insults Winifred for being a “lazy girl” for not growing the family wealth. Later, Dagobert asks Winifred if she will guide her people to the domain of Ingo the Pious, but she is reluctant. Finally she agrees but secretly plans to leave after her people are all safe behind Ingo's walls.
Meanwhile, Uisce and Rodrick make their way to Ingo's castle after being expelled by Winifred. After being stoped at the gate they tell the guardians who they are and soon are admitted. Ingo meets and questions them, asking what they do. He seems to take an interest in Rodrick's studies. The two are given separate rooms and allowed to stay. Over the week, Rodrick studies in the castle scriptorium, reading up on Ingo's family. They are an old family, it seems, and Ingo's older brother Friedrich was supposed to inherit the house but died young, and Ingo, who was studying in a seminary and preparing for a career in the Church was forced to take over. Uisce, for her part, entertains Ingo and his coterie, attempting to charm the lord and his closest servitors. She seems successful, which causes the lord to take an interest in her past. She tells him of life in the Northern Isles.

* * *

Mechtild Wendler, hailing from Darbenheim, is currently traveling through the land and finds herself in Ingo's lands. She make her way to the castle and is interrogated by Ingo about who she is and what she wants. A mercenary, she is looking for work, so Ingo tells her about the wererats that roam the surrounding forests. She is told not to kill the rats in the woods as it could bring huge numbers of rats upon her and upon his domain. Ingo talks about a festival witches and fiends celebrate at the end of the month called Walpurgisnacht. He askes if maybe she can be of help when this occurs. He puts her up in the stables.
At week's end, Manfred expires. Winifred buries him, and then immediately departs with all her people. After she arrives, she is unexpectedly met by Rodrick and Uisce. She tells ingo of what has happened in Willmar and at her castle. She then pointedly accuses Uisce and Rodrick of thievery and deception. Ingo askes for total truth from all party to find the truth, and makes all the parties swear on the Lord to only speak the truth. Winifred speaks first, and relates the story of how she paid the two of them to deal with Reinhard, and then betraying her, but keeping the payment - her mother's crown. Ingo grows incensed with all three, and orders that they leave his domains. Mechtild can stay on, and goes on a stroll with Rodrick and Uisce and suggests that they might figure out a way to help each other, but in the end, they part company, as the pair head south along the river.
The departing Winifred takes Dagobert aside to talk about how see sees the current situation, and to air out her grievances and frustrations at seeing Rodrick and Uisce. She complains of the life she lived up until now, where she was always a pawn used for political gain. Dagobert tells Winifred she is being childish, and ultimately convinces her to return and she grudgingly agrees. As they return, they are met with Mechtild, who has been waiting to ask them what they know the were rats and the approaching danger. They join together and return to the the castle. Mechtild accompanies them back to the castle, and then entreats Ingo to readmit Winifred, and after a hard persuasion, he relents.
Rodrick and Uisce continue up the Blau. Toward nightfall, they encounter three hairy creatures. Rodrick offers money to avoid rough treatment, and the creatures take them to a nearby cave where more of their kind dwell. Once inside, Uisce offers a magnificent performance, and soon, a raucous party breaks out. Rodrick helps a matron suffering from gout. Mechtild returned to the castle asking ingo to let us back in, with a hard persuasion and the session comes to a close.

Report Date

08 Feb 2024