The Prophet of Grunwald - Session 1 - Trouble at the Red Orc






As a growing crowd of torch-wielding zealots chanted outside the door of the Red Orc, Emma (the owner) called for the door to be barred. This thwarted Berend's plan to go out and reason with the crowd.

 Siegfried and Ploog scouted out the back exit. They found the way clear only momentarily as one of the zealots rounded the corner. Ploog tried to con him and Siegfried tried to punch him -- doing little more than buying a few precious moments.  

 Meanwhile, Boris (who seems to co-own the Inn with Emma) made the tactless comment that they should just hand over some sinners to the crowd -- without making clear just who he thought would make a suitable offering.

 When Siegfried came back into the main common room, it became clear that it was time to go and Emma told the room to clear out. The plan was to head for the River Wardens' barracks next door -- a fortified stone building which Ploog used as the town jail.

 While Ploog held off a vanguard of the zealots, staff and patrons alike followed Siegfried to the relative safety of the barracks. Olessia cast a spell to shock some of the zealots, giving Ploog a chance to disengage and they all retreated into the barracks. Only Emma and the Elven minstrel Yuliana stayed behind. 

 While two of the river wardens managed to stop the zealots from surrounding the barracks, they did little to protect the inn and sounds of looting came from within for much of the night.
*  *  *

In the early morning, once heads had cooled, the party left the protection of the barracks and surveyed the aftermath. 

Olessia made for the Kislevite quarter to check on those she was charged with protecting. Passing by the main square, she saw that the stockade was still present, although as yet unused. The crowds had dispersed. In the quarter she found evidence of damage done the night before (windows broken, doors smeared with refuse, etc.). She also found both Kislevite residents and some of the apparent zealots helping to clean up/repair.

Confronting the zealots, Olessia found them unfazed by the goings-on. They characterized the repairs they were doing as part of their good works and blamed the damage on some of the faithful going to extremes. They asked Olessia if she had heard the Voice of Sigmar and encouraged her to go to the port to hear it directly from the "Child."

Meanwhile at the Red Orc, it quickly became clear that Emma had managed to lessen the damage to her establishment. Although she had to serve many drinks and several rooms were damaged (and her shrine to Taal disrespected), none of the damage is beyond repair. 

When her brother Boris returned, however, Emma discovered that her daughter Stephanie was missing. A waitress at the inn, Stephanie went with the evacuees but seems never to have made it to the barracks.

Emma then insists that Berend (as a chosen of Taal) find her daughter. He agrees after taking a bottle of spirits in payment. Olessia also offers to help -- although Stephanie is not Kislevite in origin, Olessia has a premonition that finding the girl will help her understand the threat in the town. Siegfried also chooses to help, deciding to turn to his underworld contacts to help find the girl.

Yuric has no interest in missing girls or Empire zealots, but has recognized Siegfried as his contact and so must stay with him.

Ploog meanwhile berates the River Wardens for not controlling the situation and points them toward the Hammer (the zealots' ship), saying they should get it down the river and away from town. 

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