Session 8 - The Book Goes South
General Summary
After the baptism of Totengraber, now known by the Gaalite name ‘Bertrand’, Klein was able to discuss with him and with Bertrand von der Marwitz what they were doing in Riesenhain. Bertrand explained that he was looking for his lord, Ferdinand von Horst and that he had hired Totengraber as a guide to help get him here. After Klein explained the situation with the Riese to Bertrand and Totengraber, Bertrand insisted he go speak with Ferdinand, who was staying at the von Horst estate. After Bertrand and Totengraber left the chapel, Klein tried his best to battle the exhaustion he was already facing but was unable and succumbed to a full night’s rest.
Once Bertrand and Totengraber arrived at the estate they spoke with Ferdinand for a time but, the old man did not provide many answers about the situation and was insistent on helping his nephew, Klein, secure Riesenhain. Not having clear instructions from his lord, Bertrand decided to give his aid to Klein, as Ferdinand was likely to be of little use if a battle were to start. Bertrand and Totengraber both decided to spend the evening at the estate, with Bertrand finding a room and Toten setting up in the cellar.
Meanwhile back at the chapel, Belak was recovering from his wounds and Chlothar Jäger was contemplating what to do with the book of Günther. Chlothar decided to continue reading, but as he opened it, he was engulfed in a bright light, as he had been when he was trying to solve the mystery of the fresco. He fell, covered in burns, and had to be resuscitated by Ernst.
In the middle of the night, all party members, at the chapel and the estate were awoken by the sound of a murder of crows flying in a particular direction overhead. They readied themselves for something awful to happen, but the crows flew off, and the party went back to sleep.
The next morning Klein headed in the direction of the von Horst estate to retrieve Bertrand and Totengraber when he noticed a rising plume of smoke in the direction of the mill. Belak joins him in the direction of the smoke. Bertrand and Totengraber also noticed the rising smoke and head toward it as well. Chlothar stayed behind to tend to his wounds.
It seemed the Riese had attacked in the early morning and set the local mill ablaze, Belak, Bertrand, Klein and Totengraber had a tough time dealing with the fire at first but through teamwork are eventually successful in squelching the flames, saving most of the mill. The locals were very unhappy with the result of the Riese attack and blamed Klein for not dealing with them earlier.
The party made their way back to the chapel to discuss what they plan on doing with the Riese, their “curse” and the book of Gunther. Ernst shared his ability to look at the book of Gunther without being harmed by it and also shares that it may have to do with his connection with two particular trees in Riesenhain. He added that the elderberry tree that seemed to be bound to the spirit of Brother Anselm Triar 'gave' him a branch and sent him a dream about the book.
Feeling demotivated by the recent attack and the people’s wavering belief in him as a leader, Klein decided to take matters into his own hands and sets off, alone, to confront the Riese, in hopes of striking a deal with them. Brother Matthias attempted to stop him, saying that removing the book was contrary to Anselm's wishes, and harmful to the village, but Klein forced his way past him.
Bertrand, Belak, Chlothar and Totengraber all decided to follow behind Klein, trying to remain unnoticed as they all crossed into the woods. A short while after entering the woods, Klein was descended upon by Riese and their wolves. They took him to their encampment , where their elder, Mutti Gunde, first accused him of treason, but then tried to come to terms. However, it seems the only thing she wanted was the book of Günther.
The negotiating does not go in Klein’s favor and he Is forced to walk a group of Riese back into Riesenhain proper to retrieve the book of Günther from the chapel. Matthias has no part in this and would rather become a martyr than to give up the book. Bertrand von der Marwitz aids Klein in securing the book away from him. When emotions are at their highest it seems like a fight is about to break loose, when Klein hands over the book, much of those emotions fade, and the Riese begin to leave.
Belak, Klein, Bertrand, Chlothar and Ernst decide to follow the Riese in hopes to copy the information from the book of Gunther, while Toten, afraid the Riese might find out who he is, decides to stay behind in at the mansion in Riesenhain.
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