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B ohemi a A n A dven venture- E nter ter tain tainme mennt F or C astle astle F alke alkennstein tein By M r . N ichol icholas as I mpe mpey esq esq.
T o c h a l le le n g e a n Un s e e l i e fo fo e ! “R e le le a s e t h e P r i n c e a t o n c e , h e is is n o t y ou o u r p l a y t h i n g !” !” T h e F a e r i e Lo Lo r d ’s ’s c o m m a n d i n g v oi o i c e r a n g a b o u t t h e r u i n e d c a s t l ee.. H is is v a l ia ia n t c o m p a n i o n s w a r i ly ly s e a r c h e d e ve ve r y m o o n l ig ig h t k n o c k a n d c r e v ic ic e fo fo r t h e k i d n a p p e r a n d h e r m o r t a l a l li li e s . H e r s e d u c t i ve ve v oi oi c e fl oa oa t e d b a c k , s e e m i n g t o c o m e fr fr o m e ve ve r y c o r n e r o f t h e r u i n e d fo r t a t o n c e . “He is m ine E lf-L lf-Lord ord , Min Min e! I w il il l h a v e m y r e v e n g e fo fo r w h a t h i s fo r e fa fa t h e r s d i d t o m y fa fa m i ly ly a n d n o t e v e n Au b e r o n h i m s e l f w il il l s t o p m e ! !” !”
A d ia b olic ol ica a l p lot lo t t o b rin g t h e k in g d om of B oh e m ia t o its it s k n e e s !
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A s t r a n g e r i n d i s t r e s s b r i n g s t h e va va l ia ia n t a g en en t s o f Th e S e c on on d C om o m p a c t t o t h e s m a l l b u t a n c ie ie n t k i n g d om o m o f E g r ia ia , s e a t o f t h e Ki Ki n g s of Bohem ia. Th e r e t h e y fi n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l p o li li t i cs cs a n d a n c ie ie n t v e n d e t t a s e n t w i n e d to form form a con sp ira cy agains agains t th e crown crown itself. tself.
A n o t e fr o m t h e a u t h o r Th is ta le of Heroic Ach ievem en t is a pr equ al of sor ts to th e ta le “A S c a n d a l in B o h e m ia ” a s w r i t t en d o wn b y D r s J o h n W a t s o n a n d Ar t h u r C on a n - Do yle (w h o ’s w or k s t h is a u t h o r c a n n o t h e a p e n o u g h p r a i s e upon). It i s s e t in t h e s p r i n g o f 1 8 7 1 a n d b e g in s i n Lo n d o n t h o u g h b o t h o f th ese facts can be eas ily chan ged. However if th e da te is cha n ged to fit th e n eeds of you r pa rticu lar clique of “Role-Players” it mu st be born in m in d t h a t t h e a g e o f t h e yo u n g vic t im o f t h is c o n s p ir a c y m u s t a ls o b e c h a n g ed . As a r u le of t h u m b c o n s i d e r t h a t t h e k in g d e s c r i b e d h i m s e lf a s “B u t t h ir t y n o w ” w h e n h e m e t t h e G r e a t D e t e c t ive in r o u g h ly 1 8 8 8 (I a ckn owledge th e deb t I owe to Mr. Mar tin Fido’s excellent r eferen ce work “Th e World of Sh erlock Holm es” in s etting th is da te) an d a djus t accordingly. Th i s h u m b l y o ffe r e d a d v en t u r e - e n t e r t a i n m e n t i s m e a n t fo r a p p r o xim a t e ly fo u r d r a m a t i c p e r s o n a s t h a t h a v e b e t w ee n t h e m s o m e ta len t for Perception , Stealth a n d b e a b l e t o d e fe n d t h e m s e lve s in a figh t. Th e pres en ce of a Fa erie in th e group will be fou n d to b e ben eficial to th e end eavour . Th ere is little n eed for Sorcery or Steam Tech sk ills in t h is ta le, thou gh th ose of ima gin at ion a n d wit can always find a n ou tlet for th ere talent s in th e mos t u n likely of places. It is h e lp fu l if t h e H e r o es a r e m e m b e r s o f Th e S e c on d C om p a c t .
D r a m a t i s e P er s o n a e i n O r d e r o f Ap p e a r a n c e Mr . R u p e r t K a u fm a n n (a g e n t l e m a n ) G lo b e t r o t t i n g d i le t t a n t e a n d g a m b l e r w h o r e c e ive s , i n t h a t o r d e r , a c r y fo r h e lp a n d a g r is l y d e a t h Th e P h o o k a s (d e a d l y a s s a s s i n s o f t h e U n s e e lie C o u r t ) C on s t a n t ly s h a p e - ch a n g in g c r e a t u r e s o f r e m o r s e le s s d e a t h s e t u p o n M r . Ka u fm a n n ’s trail. Athletics: Gr., E therealness: Pr, Fisticuffs: Exc, Glamour: Pr, P erception: Gd, Physique: Gr. Shapechanging: Gd, Stealth: Gd, Take Animal Form: Exc (one can b ecome a fearsome tiger and the other a giant wasp) Prohibitions: Iron, Prayers, Cannot cross on to sacred ground M is s . M a y Ka u fm a n n (a n i n n o c e n t l a d y o f v ir t u e ) Th e y ou n g w a r d of G e n e r a l F r i t z Ka u fm a n n a n d s i s t e r t o Mr . R u p e r t K a u fm a n n . S h e b e l ie ve s t h a t h e r u n c l e is i n v o lv ed i n S o m e t h i n g S i n i s t e r a n d b e g s h e r d i s g r a c e d b r o t h e r t o r e t u r n t o s a ve h i m . Charisma: Exc, Comeliness: Grt, Connections: Gd, Social Graces: Grt G e n e r a l F r i t z Ka u fm a n n (a v a l ia n t s o l d ie r a n d p u p p e t o f t h e U n s e e li e c o u r t ) O n e o f E g r i a ’s g r e a t e s t h e r o e s a n d t h e fe n c i n g m a s t e r t o W il h e l m Von O r m s t e in . A w id o w er h e h a s t a k e n h is l a t e b r o t h e r ’s c h ild r e n R u p e r t a n d M a y a s h is w a r d s . R e ce n t l y h e h a s f a ll en u n d e r t h e s w a y o f t h e V a m p i r e R a ve n m o on . D u e t o h e r c o n fu s i n g in f lu e n c e h e h a d b e c o m e p r o n e t o v io le n t m o o d s w in g s . Athletics: Gd, Charisma: Gd, Connection: Grt, Courage: Exc, Education: Gd, Exchequer: Grt, Fencing: Exc, Fisticuffs: Grt, Marksmanship: Grt, Perception: Gd, Physique: Gd, Social Graces: Gd W il h e l m G o t t s r e i c h S i g is m o n d Vo n O r m s t e i n (a y o u n g m a n o f H ig h B i r t h ) S o o n t o b e m a d e C r o w n P r in c e o f Bo h e m i a i n a n a n c ie n t r it u a l . H e is a h i gh - s p i r it e d b o y of fo u r t e e n w h o m o s t r e s p e c t s f ea t s o f s t r e n g t h a n d m a r t i a l s k i l l. Athletics: Gd, Connections: Exc, Courage: Gd, Education: Gd, Exchequer: Exc, Fencing: Grt, Fisticuffs: Gd, Marksmanship: Gd, Physique: Grt, Social Graces: Gd, M r . D e r e k O t t o m a n (a i g n o b le b a c h e l or ) An a m b i t io u s n o b l e m a n o f E g r ia w it h d e s i gn s o n t h e l ov el y M is s M a y . Charisma: Pr, Comeliness: Gd, Connections: Grt, Education: Gd, Exchequer: Grt, Marksmanship: Gd, Social Graces: Gd, Stealth: Gd G r u b b e r a n d S m it (P r u s s i a n S e c r e t Ag e n t s ) Tw o of t h r e e P r u s s ia n s e c r e t a g e n t s p o s in g a s b u s i n e s s m e n o n a h ik i n g h o lid a y . T h e i r fi r s t d u t y is t o p r o t e c t D r . Z o la b u t t h e y w il l a i d R a v e n m o o n i f t h e y a r e required. Athletics: Gd, Courage: Gd, Education: Gd, Exchequer: Gd, Fencing; Gd, Fisticuffs: Gd, Marksmanship: Gd, Perception: Gd, Physique: Gd, Stealth: Gd D r . Zo la ( S t e a m E n g in e e r ) A l oy a l Pr u s s i a n s c ie n t i s t s e n t t o E g r ia t o lo c a t e p o t e n t i a l s i gh t s f or P r u s s ia n a r t i ll er y e m p l a c e m e n t s c a p a b l e o f s h e l li n g B a y e r n s i t e s . Education: Gd, Exchequer: Gd, Fisticuffs: Pr, Invention: Gd, Perception: Grt, Tinkering: Grt
R a v e n m o o n a k a M r s . S u s a n We b b e r (a G l a s t i g Va m p i r e ) A r u t h l e s s F a e r ie w it h c o n n e c t io n s t o E g r ia ’s p a s t a n d v e n g e fu l p la n s f or t h e O r m s t e in d y n a s t y . To t h i s e n d s h e is w o r k in g w it h t h e P r u s s i a n s e c r e t s e r vic e a n d h a s b e g u i le d G e n e r a l Ka u fm a n n . S h e i s m a s q u e r a d in g a s a n E n g lis h w id o w co m e t o E g r i a t o t a k e t h e a i r . N O TE : As a G l a s t i g Ra v e n m o o n h a s t h e lo w e r b o d y o f a g o a t r a t h e r t h e n a m o r t a l wo m a n , t h o u g h t h a t c a n e a s i ly b e h id d e n b y clo t h i n g. Allure: Grt, Athletics: Exc, Charisma: Exc, Comeliness: G rt (can be increased to Ext using Glamour) Courage: Gd, Etherealness: Gd, Fisticuffs: Gd, Glamour: Exc, Perception: Grt, Physique: Gd, Shapechange: Av, Stealth: Ext, Take Animal Form: Pr (A raven) Prohibitions: Iron, I nverted clothing, Cannot cross running water unaided, Holy symbols/ sites/ prayer Bloody Bob (a G oblin ) R a v e n m o o n ’s U n s e e l i e h e n c h - fa e r i e . A s k i l le d s h a p e - ch a n g e r w it h a f on d n e s s fo r v ic io u s p r a n k s b u t a t h e a r t i s a c o w a r d . H e i s c u r r e n t ly p a s s i n g h i m s e l f o ff a s (a m o n g o t h e r t h i n g s ) M r s . W e b b e r ’s e l d e r l y m a i d Archery: Gd, Athletics: Grt, Courage: Pr, Etherealness: Grt, E vil Eye: Pr, Fisticuffs: Gd, G lamour; Gd, Physique: Gd, Shape-changing: Exc Prohibitions: Iron. Inverted clothing, Holy symbols T h e W h i t e S t a g o f E g r i a (a F a e r i e B e a s t ) Th e lo ya l p r o t e c t o r of t h e O r m s t e in d y n a s t y a n d s e r v a n t o f Au b e r o n . O n t h e e v e n i n g b e fo r e t h e c o r on a t io n c e r e m o n y t h e s t a g i s h u n t e d b y m o o n l ig h t b y t h e h e i r t o t h e th ron e of Egria. Athletics: Gd, Courage: Grt, Etherealness: Gd, Fisticuffs: Exc, Glamour; Gd, Perception: Grt, Physique: Exc, Rule the Animals: Exc, Stealthy Tread: Av, NOTE: His antlers inflict 4/ 5/ 6 damage) Prohibitions: Iron, Holy Symbols/ prayer cannot free himself if tied An d a c a s t o f s u n d r y c h a r a c t e r s t o o n u m e r o u s t o n a m e . God S ave the Queen!
Egria It m a y w e ll b e t h e c a s e t h a t t h e H e r o e s k n o w li t t le o f t h e n o b l e s t a t e o f E gr i a , w h e r e m u c h o f t h is t a l e is s e t . If a P l a y er e n q u i r es a s t o w h a t t h e ir D r a m a t i c P er s o n a k n o w s o f t h e c o u n t r y h a v e t h e m m a k e a n Ed u ca tion c h e c k . T h e b a s e l e ve l fo r t h i s c h e c k i s G r e a t b u t c a n b e r e d u c e d b y o n e o r m o r e le ve ls i f t h e H e r o h a s a G e r m a n ic b a c k g r o u n d o r c o n s u lt s a g oo d G a z e t t ee r . B a s e d o n t h i s c h e c k t h e H e r o w il l k n o w : Sp ectacular Failure: “E g r i a ” i s o n e o f t h e s t a t e s o f Am e r i c a s i t u a t e d o n t h e e a s t e r n c o a s t . Failure: N o i n fo r m a t i on k n o w n o r g a t h e r e d . Partial Su ccess : “E g r ia ” is a s m a l l G e r m a n ic n a t io n t h a t b o r d e r s B a y e r n , n o t fa r f r om C a r l s b a d . Total Success : As a b o v e p lu s t h e fa c t s t h a t i t h a s o n l y o n e c i t y o f a n y s i ze , t h e c a p i t a l F a ls t a g , p ic t u r e s q u e fo r e s t s a n d m o u n t a i n s , it s m a i n in d u s t r i e s a r e p a p e r a n d g la s s m a k i n g a n d t h a t t h e O r m s t e i n fa m ily h a s r u le d it fo r h u n d r e d s o f y ea r s . T h e C u r r e n t G r a n d D u k e i s o f il l h e a l t h a n d b e d r i d d e n . T h e r u l er o f E g r ia a l s o h o ld s t h e h o n o r a r y t i t le o f “Th e Ki n g o f B o h e m i a ”, a G e r m a n i c s u p e r -n a t i on w h i c h fe ll a p a r t h u n d r e d s o f y e a r s a g o. Spectacular Su ccess : As a b o ve p lu s t h e fa c t s t h a t t o b e c o m e t h e c r o w n p r i n c e t h e h e i r m u s t t a k e p a r t i n a m o o n l ig h t c e r e m o n y a f t e r fi r s t h u n t i n g t h e i m m o r t a l Wh i t e S t a g of E g r i a . T h e H e r o a l s o k n o w s t h a t t h e O r m s t e in d y n a s t y w a s b r ie fly in t e r r u p t e d t h r e e h u n d r e d y ea r s a g o w h e n t h e Ki n g ’s c h a m p i o n B a r o n W a l le n s t i e n , in s p i r e d b y h i s g yp s y w i fe , t o o k t h e c r o w n o n l y t o b e o ve r t h r o w n a s h o r t t im e l a t t e r a n d d i e b y h i s o w n h a n d .
I f t h e H e r o e s a r e c o s m o p o l it a n t y p e s t h e y w il l fi n d E g r ia ’s c a p i t a l , F a l s t a g , t o b e v e r y s m a l l a n d r u r a l . Th e s p l e n d i d C a s t l e F a l s t i e n o ve r l oo k s t h e c a p i t a l wi t h a p a i r o f m i g h t y w a t e r f a ll s c a s c a d i n g d o w n f r o m e i t h e r s i d e o f t h e c a s t l e a n d fo r m i n g a r i ve r t h a t r u n s n e a r b y. It i s c le a r t h a t F a ls t a g is i n t h e m i d d l e of a c e l e b r a t i o n ; b r ig h t b u n t i n g h a n g s fr o m e ve r y b u i ld i n g a n d c r is s - c r o s s e s t h e s t r e e t s . F u n fa i r s w it h s t e a m o r ga n s a r e s e t u p o n t h e g r ee n d u r i n g t h e d a y a n d p e o p l e flo c k t o t h e t a v e r n s f o r a ll n i gh t d r i n k i n g s e s s i o n s o n c e t h e s u n h a s s e t . E ve r y o n e is w e a r in g t h e i r b e s t c lo t h s a n d b e s t smiles. T h e H e r o e s w il l fi n d t h a t t h e E g r ia n s a r e fr i e n d l y, h o s p i t a b l e a n d s i m p l e . If t h e y a s k t h e H e r o e s w il l t o ld t h a t a ll of t h e c o u n t r y h a s b e e n c e le b r a t i n g t h e G r a n d D u k e ’s s o n , W i l h e l m Von O r m s t e in b i r t h d a y a fe w d a y s a g o . Th e y p l a n t o c on t i n u e t o c e le b r a t e t il l h i s s w e a r i n g in a s t h e c r o w n p r i n c e i n t h r e e n i g h t s t i m e (a n d t h e n f o r a fe w d a y s a f t e r t h a t ) .
C h a p t e r On e W h a t H a s G o n e B e fo r e T h e s m a l l G e r m a n i c c o u n t r y o f E g r ia , c a l le d b y s o m e t h e s e a t o f t h e Ki n g of B o h e m i a h a s b e c o m e o f vit a l s t r a t e g ic im p o r t a n c e t o t h e P r u s s i a n G o v er n m e n t . If i t co u l d b e c o n t r o l le d i t c ou l d b e u s e d a s t h e s i t e of s e c r e t , l o n g - r a n g e a r t i l le r y e m p l a c e m e n t s w h i c h c o u l d r a i n e xp l os i ve s h e l ls o ve r t h e b o a r d e r in t o B a y e r n d o i n g t e r r i b l e d a m a g e , p o s s i b ly e ve n d e s t r o y in g C a s t l e F a l k e n s t e i n i t s e l f. T o s e c u r e c o n t r o l of E g r i a , B is m a r c k h a s t u r n e d t o h i s U n s e e li e a l li e s a n d t h e y i n t u r n h a v e s e n t fo r t h e Va m p i r e R a ve n m o o n . Th r e e h u n d r e d y e a r s a g o Ra v en m o on in s p i r ed h e r m o r t a l l ove r B a r o n Wa l le n s t i e n , E g r ia ’s g r e a t e s t w a r r i or , t o s e i ze t h e t h r o n e fr o m t h e O r m s t ie n s . In a n in f a m o u s l y b l oo d y b a t t l e t h e u s u r p e r s w e r e d e fe a t e d . Th e B a r o n a n d h is h o u s e h o l d we r e fo u n d g u i lt y h i g h t r e a s o n a n d c r i m e s a g a in s t t h e c r o w n a n d t h e p e o p l e o f E g r ia . B u t d u e t o h i s p a s t v a l ia n t d e e d s t h e y w e r e offe r e d e x ile r a t h e r t h e n d e a t h . Th e B a r o n a n d h i s (m o r t a l ) fa m i ly , in t h e i r p r i d e , c h o s e t o t a k e t h e i r ow n l i ve s r a t h e r t h e n l i ve b y t h e cha rity of the Orm stiens. N ow t h e Va m p i r e h a s r e t u r n e d a n d w a n t s h e r r e ve n g e o n t h o s e w h o k i lle d h e r c h i ld r e n , t a r g e t in g h e r ve n g e a n c e o n t h e b r a s h y o u n g h e ir t o t h e t h r o n e W ilh e l m Von Ormstein. W it h t h e r i s i n g o f t h e fi r s t f u l l m o o n fo llo w in g h is fo u r t e e n t h b i r t h d a y , i n a c c o r da n c e w it h t r a d i t io n , t h e b o y w ill b e m a d e c r o w n p r i n c e . If fo r s o m e r e a s o n t h e c e r e m o n y d o e s n o t t a k e b e fo r e t h e s u n r i s e s h e w il l l oo s e a l l c l a im t o t h e t h r o n e . S h e h a s a l s o b e co m e e n a m o u r e d w it h G e n e r a l Fr it z Ka u fm a n n in w h o m s h e s e e s Wa l le n s t e i n ’s c o u r a g e a n d m a n ly n a t u r e . R a ve n m o on h a s s e c u r e d a s m a ll co t t a g e on t h e G e n e r a l ’s e s t a t e in t h e g u i s e o f E n g lis h w id o w Mr s . S u s a n We b b e r a n d h a s u s e d h e r p o w e r s t o b e g u i le h i m . U n f o r t u n a t e l y t h e o ld -s o l d i e r ’s l o ya l t y t o t h e c r o w n h a s s t o p p e d h i m fr o m o p e n r e b e llio n b u t s h e h a s p r o m p t e d h i m i n t o m a k i n g a l lia n c e s w it h s o m e o f t h e m o r e p o l it i ca l ly m i n d e d n o b l es o f E g r ia t o e a s e h i s r i s e t o p o w e r i n t h e c h a o s w h i c h w i l l fo ll ow h e r p l a n s . E g r ia w ill b e h e r s a g a in a n d t h r o u g h h e r t h e P r u s s ia n s ! There is , how ever, one problem. Th e G e n e r a l ’s n ie c e a n d w a r d , t h e b e a u t ifu l Ma y Ka u fm a n n is w o r r ie d a b o u t h e r u n c l e ’s b e h a vio u r . H e r a t t e m p t s t o t a l k w it h h i m h a v e on l y wo r r ie d h e r t h e m o r e a n d in d e s p e r a t i on s h e h a s s e n t a l e t t er t o h e r b r o t h e r b e gg in g h i m t o r e t u r n h o m e a n d help. U n fo r t u n a t e l y R a ve n m o o n h a s l ea r n t o f t h i s a n d h e r U n s e e li e m a s t e r s h a v e d e s p a t c h e d a p a i r o f p h o ok a s t o Lo n d o n t o k i ll h i m .
Chapter Two A Cr y for Help In w h ich Fa te brin gs ou r H e roe s to th e s ce n e of a viciou s a tt a ck , a s ta rlin g d is cov ery is m a d e a n d a c ry f or h e lp is a n s w e re d .
T h e H e r o e s a r e t r a v e ll in g t h r o u g h t h e p r e - d a w n s t r e e t s o f o n e o f Lo n d o n ’s m o r e fa s h i o n a b l e d is t r i c t s w h e n a l o n e fig u r e r u n s o u t i n f on t o f t h e ir c h o s e n m o d e o f transport. Wh a t a r e t h e H e r oe s d o in g o u t a t t h is t i m e o f t h e m o r n i n g ? A t a l e fo r a n o t h e r t i m e n o d o u b t ; p e r h a p s o n e o f t h e ir n u m b e r h a s j u s t fo u g h t a n e a r ly m o r n in g d u e l, p e r h a p s t h e y h a v e ju s t c o m p le t e d s o m e v it a l a n d s e n s i t ive m i s s i on fo r t h e S e c o n d C o m p a c t o r p e r h a p s t h e y a r e j u s t v e r y la t e b a c k fr o m T h e C lu b . T h e fig u r e i s h a r d t o m a k e o u t t h r o u g h t h e o ch r e t i n g e of a L on d o n s m o g , b u t h e a p p e a r s t o b e b e i n g s a v a g e d b y a l a r g e b i r d . B e fo r e t h e H e r o e s ’ e y e s t h e b i r d b e c o m e s a m a n y - h e a d e d w o lfh o u n d w h i c h s i n k s i t ’s t e e t h in t o t h e m a n ’s l e g wh i le w h a t a p p e a r s t o b e c r ys t a l b a t s w o o p s d o wn u p o n t h e m a n , w h o h a s n o w fa l le n . H a v e ev er y H e r o p r e s e n t m a k e a G r e a t Ed u ca tion fe a t ( if a H e r o h a s p a r t i c u l a r r e a s o n b e k n o w l ed g e a b l e a b o u t F a e r ie , l ik e b e in g o n e , r e d u c e t h e d i ffi cu l t y t o G oo d o r e v e n Av e r a g e ). Sp ectacular Failure: Th e i gn o r a n t H e r o will r e m e m b e r t h a t s u c h c r e a t u r e s w e r e s a i d t o b e c r e a t e d b y t h e Te m p le o f R a , a S o r c e r o u s O r d e r a n d a r e s a i d t o b e in d e s t r u c t ib l e . Failure: Th e H e r o d o e s n o t r e c og n i s e t h e b e a s t s . Participial S ucces s : Th e H e r o r e c o g n is e s t h e c o n s t a n t ly s h i ft in g c r e a t u r e s a s p h o o k a s . Full Su ccess : Th e h e r o w ill fu r t h e r k n o w t h a t t h e y a r e t h e d r e a d e d a s s a s s i n s o f Th e Ad v e r s a r y . Spectacular Su ccess : T h e H e r o w il l a l s o k n o w a l l t h e a b o ve p l u s o n e o r t w o o f t h e ir w e a k n e s s e s .
If t h e H e r o e s t r y t o i n t e r ve n e (a n d w h a t T r u e C h a m p i on o f R ig h t w o u l d n ’t ) o n e o f t h e U n s e e l ie w ill a t t e m p t t o d e a l w it h t h e m w h i le t h e o t h e r t e a r s a w a y a t t h e d o w n e d m a n ’s c l o t h s . I t w il l t a k e o n l y a r o u n d t o fin d w h a t i t i s l oo k in g f or , a l et t e r , a n d t h e n i t w ill h e l p it s b r e t h r e n . Vic io u s a s t h e s e n i gh t m a r i s h c r e a t u r e s a r e t h e H e r oe s s h o u l d b e a b l e t o o ve r c o m e t h e m a n d e i t h e r k i ll or d r i ve t h e m o f f (i n t h e l a t t e r c a s e t h e y w il l d r o p t h e l et t e r i n t h e i r h u r r y ). T h e m a n is b e yo n d m o r t a l h e lp a n d w il l e x p ir e a f t er c r o a k i n g t h e n a m e “M a y ” o ve r a n d o v e r a g a i n . Optional Plot: If o n e o f t h e H e r o e s is y o u n g , r e a s o n a b l y d a s h i n g a n d n o t m a r r i ed i t w il l c o m e a s a s h o c k t o a l l t h a t , w h e n t h e y g e t t h e v ic t im i n t o b e t t e r l ig h t , h e i s t h e s p i t t in g i m a g e of tha t h ero!
T h e v ic t i m i s d r e s s e d i n t h e r e m a i n s o f w h a t w a s o n c e a r a t h e r d a s h i n g s u i t , if a s e a s o n o u t o f d a t e . O n h i s p e r s o n i s a c ig a r e t t e b o x , s o m e r a t h e r r u m p le d c a l li n g c a r d s i d e n t i fy in g h i m a s “Lt . R u p e r t K a u f m a n n (3 r d Egrian Household Cavalry)”, a
d e c k o f c a r d s a n d s e ve r a l b a n k n o t e s , m o s t ly c on t i n e n t a l . Th e r e i s a ls o a b a t t e r e d p h o t o gr a p h (a y o u n g e r R u p e r t i n h i s c a v a lr y u n ifo r m a n d a r a t h e r p l a i n g ir l (M a y)) an d, of cours e the letter. Th e l e t t e r is w r i t t e n in G e r m a n a n d r e q u i r es a G o od Ed u ca tion c h e c k f or a n y on e w h o s e fir s t l a n g u a g e is n ’t G e r m a n t o u n d e r s t a n d . T h e l e t t e r r e a d s a s f ol lo w s :
Miss May Kaufmann Kaufmann Estate Egria th 15 February 1871 Dearest Rupert I dearly wish that this letter were one of those childishly innocent ones where I would ask you about your travels and enquire about the state of your health. But there is a far more important reason for me to contact you then the love of a sister for her elder brother. I am terribly, terribly afraid for our Uncle. He seems to have changed so much over the last few weeks it’s as if he were another man altogether. It feels wrong to speak ill of a man who has fed and clothed me, furnished me with an education and seen to it that I want for nothing, but I feel that I must confide my fears with someone else I might explode. He never had a temper (except perhaps where you and your gambling were concerned) but of late he has thrown fits of rage that have been so violent and sudden that many of the servants are afraid to go near him least he lash out. Indeed I fear he almost struck me during one such black spell. It is a small blessing that he never reacts in such a manner in company, Wilhelm Von Ormstein idolises him so and I would hate for Uncle to fall in his estimation. And then there are the secret meetings. Perhaps I am being over dramatic calling them such but you know that Uncle has never had much time for the Ottomans and the Brooches but of late he has taken every opportunity to invite them to the manor and woo their favour. The way that the
odious Derek Ottoman looks at me I shudder to think what promises Uncle has made. There is more I would tell you but if you were to see it in writing you would think that I was being a silly goose so please, for the love we share, put aside your argument with Uncle and return home as quickly as you can. Please do not wire ahead. If money is a problem if have sent a second letter to the Dover offices off the White Star company with sufficient funds to bring you to me. Yours with hope and sincere love
May
C h a p t e r Th r e e Th e Kin g a n d t h e G e n e r a l In w h ich ou r H e roe s rea ch th e a n cie n t cou n try of Eg ria , a n d m e et a Ge n era l, a Da m s el a n d a D u k e a n d s e e f or th e m s e lv e s t h e s u b s t a n c e o f Mis s K a u f m a n n ’s f e a rs .
(N O TE : F r o m t h i s p o in t o n m a n y o f t h e p e o p l e t h a t t h e H e r o e s m e e t w il l h a v e G e r m a n a s t h e ir n a t ive t o n g u e . F e w o f t h e E g r ia n p e a s a n t s s p e a k E n g lis h b u t m o s t o f t h e m i d d le a n d u p p e r c l a s s e s d o . M a k i n g o n e s -s e l f u n d e r s t o o d in G e r m a n is a Good Ed u ca tion c h e c k fo r t h o s e fr o m N e w E u r o p a o r Am e r i c a b u t w il l b e h a r d e r f or t h o s e fr o m m o r e e x o t ic b a c k g r ou n d s . ) T h e H e r o e s jo u r n e y i s a s a fe o n e t h a t c a n b e a c c o m p l is h e d i n a f e w d a y s . If a n y o f t h e i r n u m b e r h a s b e e n s e r i ou s l y in j u r e d in b a t t l e w it h t h e p h o o k a s t h e y w ill e n c o u n t e r a c h a r i t a b l e m e m b e r o f t h e O r d e r o f S t . B o n i fa c e w h o , r e c o gn i s i n g t h e i r i n h e r e n t h e r o is m , w il l c u r e t h e ir i ll s . T h e m o s t l ik e l y w a y fo r t h e H e r o e s t o e n t e r t h e c o u n t r y is t o c a t c h a t r a i n fr o m S t r a s b o u r g t o E g r ia ’s c a p i t a l F a ls t a g . B e fo r e t h e y r e a c h t h e ir d e s t i n a t i o n t h e y w il l s p y t h r o u g h t h e t r a in w in d o w a n i m p o s i n g b u t r u in e d c a s t le h i gh u p o n a m o u n t a in . A t r a i n g u a r d w h o i s c h e c k i n g o n t h e H e r o es i f t h e y a r e i n a p r i va t e c a r r i a g e (o r a fe ll ow t r a v e ll e r if t h e y a r e j u s t t r a v e ll in g 1 s t C l a s s ) w il l i n fo r m t h e m t h a t t h e c a s t l e w a s t h e h o m e o f Ba r o n Wa l le n s t i e n t h e T r a it o r o u s . T h e B a r o n w a s o n c e t h e k in g ’s c h a m p io n a n d m o s t t r u s t e d c o m r a d e b u t “t h e fir e s o f h i s a m b i t io n w e r e s t o k e d b y h i s g y p s y wi fe ” a n d h e s e iz e d t h e c r o w n t h r e e h u n d r e d y e a r s a g o. T h e H e r o e s w i ll a r r i ve i n F a l s t a g l a t e a t n i gh t . T h e y s h o u l d b e e n c ou r a g e d n o t t o h e a d s t r a i gh t f or t h e K a u fm a n n E s t a t e b u t s p e n d t h e n ig h t in o n e o f t h e t a v e r n s a n d le a v e in t h e m o r n i n g (lo c a le s w ill t e ll t h e m t h a t s o m e o f t h e m o u n t a i n r o a d s c a n b e d a n g er o u s in t h e d a r k a n d t h a t w o lve s r o a m t h e fo r e s t s a t n ig h t ). In s t e a d o u r H e r oe s should take the opportunity to sample the local hospitality. If the optional plot is being used and one of the Heroes looks like Rupert Kaufmann he will be warmly r e c e iv ed b y t h e c it i ze n s o f E g r ia . S o m e o n e m a y , in f a u l t y E n g li s h , c o m m e n t t h a t h e h a s l os t h is a c c en t b u t p u t i t d o wn t o t h e t i m e R u p e r t s p e n t t r a v e llin g t h e c o n t i n e n t (an excuse the Hero may want to re-use later). No one will challenge the Hero to a g a m e o f c a r d s k n o w i n g t h a t i t w a s t h e r e a s o n f or h i s fa l li n g -o u t w it h G e n e r a l Ka u fm a n n (u n l e s s o f c o u r s e t h e H e r o is a n e x p e r t g a m b l e r h i m s e l f). O n t h e m o r n i n g t h e H e r o e s w ill b e a b le t o ge t a d o g c a r t t o t h e Ka u fm a n n E s t a t e w it h l i t t l e p r o b l e m . A s t h e y l e a v e F a l s t a g a s h a r p - e y e d H e r o ( G o o d Perception c h e c k r e q u i r ed ) m a y s p o t t h e n a m e “Ka u fm a n n ” o n t h e p l a q u e b e n e a t h a b r o n z e s t a t u e o f a n o b l e lo o k in g s o l d i e r . Th e e n t i r e p l a q u e (i n G e r m a n ) r e a d s : General Fritz Kaufmann H e r o o f t h e B a t t l e o f H e l ga P a s s 1819U n l e s s t h e y p l a n t o b r e a k - in t h e H e r o e s w il l h a v e t o s t o p a t t h e lo d g e w h i c h i s b u ilt into the outer-wall which surrounds the manor grounds and speak to t he elderly l od g e k e e p e r . If one of the Heroes is masquerading (intentionally or not) as the late Rupert then t h e H e r o e s w ill b e le t t h r o u g h t h o u g h t h e s e r va n t w ill wa r n t h e n t h a t G e n e r a l Ka u fm a n n is c u r r e n t l y en t e r t a i n in g t h e y ou n g Von O r m s t e i n . Alt e r n a t e l y t h e H e r o e s m a y , o n a G o o d Connections c h e c k , a s k fo r a n o t e t o b e s e n t t o M is s Ka u fm a n n . If t h e n o t e m e n t i o n s h e r b r o t h e r o r t h e o r i gin a l le t t e r a t a l l s h e will have them brought to her. If the Heroes rely purely on their go od names to s e c u r e e n t r a n c e t h e n o n o f t h e ir n u m b e r w ill n e e d t o m a k e a S p e c t a c u la r S u c c es s
o n a G r e a t Connections c h e c k , a F u l l s u c c e s s w i l l s i m p l y a s k t h e m t o r e t u r n t o m o r r o w (t h e G e n e r a l i s a f t e r a l l e n t e r t a i n i n g t h e n e x t Ki n g o f B o h e m i a !). If t h e H e r o e s h a v e s e n t a n o t e a h e a d t o M a y s h e w ill b e w a it in g fo r t h e m a s t h e y arrive at the manor. Alternatively she will come down to see who the visi tors are while they wait in the sitting room for the General. If one of the visitors is the s p i t t in g i m a g e o f h e r d e a r b r o t h e r s h e w i ll b e o ve r j oy e d a t h i s r e t u r n . M a y Ka u fm a n n h a s g r o wn i n t o a y o u n g la d y o f t r e m e n d o u s b e a u t y a n d i n n o c e n t c h a r m , a d e lig h t fo r a n y r e d -b l oo d e d m a n (o r F a e r ie ) t o b e h o ld , a n y on e p r e t e n d i n g t o b e h e r b r o t h e r m a y find her sisterly affectation a little…uncomfortable. If t h e H e r o e s m a k e i t c le a r t h a t t h e y h a v e c o m e t o h e lp h e r s h e w il l o n l y h a v e t im e t o g o ove r t h e in f or m a t io n s h e o u t lin e d in h e r l e t t e r b e fo r e s h e i s i n t e r r u p t e d b y t h e a r r iv a l o f h e r u n c l e a n d W il h e l m Von O r m s t e i n . If “Rupert” is amongst the Heroes General Kaufmann will be of mixed emotions. If t h e H e r o in d ic a t e s t h a t h e h a s l e a r n t h is l e s s o n h e w il l g r a c io u s ly a c c e p t h i m b a c k . O t h e r w i s e t h e G e n e r a l w i ll gr u d g i n g ly p u t a s i d e t h e ir d i ffe r e n c e s “i n t h e s p i r it o f t h e o c c a s i o n ”. E i t h e r w a y h e w i ll o ffe r h i m a n d h i s c o m p a n i o n s l od g in g i n t h e m a n o r fo r the duration of their stay. However he will find an opportunity to confront “Rupert” i n p r i va t e a n d t e ll h i m t h a t h i s “ ga m b l in g a n d l ou d b e h a vio u r ” wil l n o t b e t o le r a t e d . If the optional sub-plot is not being used the General will be civil but distant t o wa r d s t h e H e r o e s a n d d o h is b e s t t o m a k e s u r e t h e y d o n o t o u t live t h e i r w elc o m e . M is s M a y wil l h o w e v er s u g ge s t t h a t t h e y co u l d a t t e n d “t h e d i n n e r ” t h a t e v e n i n g . Though he is only fourteen years old Wilhelm von Ormstein is as tall a s a fullygrown man and has an athletic build. He will take a keen interest in any of the H e r o e s w h o a r e w e a r i n g m i li t a r y u n i fo r m o r a n o b v e r s e m i l it a r y b e a r i n g . H e w il l b e s m i t t e n w i t h a n y c om e ly la d i e s in t h e H e r o e s ’ g r o u p , p a r t i c u l a r l y if t h e y a r e a l s o c le v er a n d w i t t y (a h a b i t w h i c h w i ll ge t h i m i n t o t r o u b l e in t h e y e a r s t o c o m e ). H e w i ll m e n t i on t h a t h e a n d t h e G e n e r a l h a v e ju s t b e e n p r a c t is i n g a t t h e m a n ly a r t of (c h o o s e a c o m b a t T r a it t h a t o n e o f t h e H e r o e s is r a t h e r g oo d a t , p r e fe r a b ly F e n c in g ) and enquire if the Heroes indulge at all? If one or more off the Heroes reply in the affirmative he will challenge them to a Boxing Match (Fisticuffs), a Fencing Match (Fencing) or some target shooting (Marksmanship, the challenged Hero may choose between pistols and rifles). If the contest is fists or swords (not to the death, clearly) t h e it i s c o n s i d e r e d a D u e l (a s p e r P a g e a a o f t h e F a l k e n s t e i n r u l e b o ok ), if i t is w i t h fi r e a r m s a s s e r i e s o f t a r g e t s w il l b e s e t u p a t d i ffe r i n g r a n g e s fo r t h e c o m p e t i t o r s t o shot at. If the Hero beats him, or at least puts up a good show, the young man will in v it e h i m a n d h is c o m p a n i o n s t o r i d e wit h h im o n t h e t r a d it io n a l H u n t o f t h e W h i t e S t a g of E g r i a b e f o r e t a k i n g h i s l e a v e . If t h e H e r o e s a r e n o t s t a y in g t h e G e n e r a l w il l p o l it e l y a s k t h e H e r o e s t o d o l i k e w is e , s a y in g t h a t h e is l o ok i n g fo r w a r d t o t h e ir c o m p a n y t h a t e v e n i n g . I f t h e y a r e s t a y i n g t h e G e n e r a l w i l l s o o n d i s a p p e a r . W i t h a n E x c e p t i o n a l Perception c h e c k a H e r o m a y n o t i ce h im r i d in g o ff a c r o s s t h e e s t a t e . H e h a s g on e t o vis i t h i s lover “Mrs. Webber”, a quick thinking Hero may follow him to her cottage wit h a Stealth c h e c k a g a i n s t t h e G e n e r a l ’s Perception , b u t t h is s h o u l d n ot b e e n c o u r a g e d . M is s K a u fm a n n w il l b e v e r y b u s y o r g a n i s i n g d o m e s t i c m a t t e r s a n d w il l n o t h a v e t im e t o t a l k t o t h e H e r o e s b u t w il l p r o m i s e t o s p e a k a f t e r t h e d i n n e r . T h e G e n e r a l w il l r e t u r n b e f or e e v e n i n g , w h i c h w i ll gi ve t h e H e r o e s a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o w it n e s s o n e o f h i s d i s p l a y s o f t e m p e r . T h e y w il l h e r e a c r a s h a n d r a i s e d v oi ce c o m i n g fr o m a n e a r b y r o om a n d , s h o u l d t h e y i n ve s t ig a t e , w it n e s s t h e G e n e r a l b e a t in g o n e o f h i s s e r v a n t s . I f t h e y d o n o t in t e r v e n e t h e m s e l ve s M a y w il l b e g h e r u n c le t o b e c a l m , receiving a back-handed slap for her pains. The shock of this action will brin g the General to his senses. Whatever the outcome the servant will leave the manor at once (May will give him money to keep the reasons for his departure a secret) an d t h e G e n e r a l w i ll lo c k h i m s e lf i n h i s s t u d y u n t i l t h e g u e s t s a r r i ve .
C h a p t e r F ou r Dinn er, Politics & Pass ion In w h ich ou r H eroe s d is cov er m ore a b ou t Mis s Ka u fm a n n ’s s u s p icion s a n d m a k e a n enemy.
(N O TE : M u c h o f t h i s s c e n e , w it h t h e e x c e p t i on o f M a y ’s s u s p i c io n s a b o u t “T h e E n g li s h W id o w ” a r e i n c i d e n t a l t o t h e p l o t a n d c a n b e s k i p p e d o v e r or o m i t t e d a l l together if need s b e.) Th e O t t o m a n s , c o n s i s t in g o f Lo r d J o h n , h i s w ife G e r t r u d e a n d h is s o n D e r e k , a r r ive a t s e v e n t h a t e ve n i n g a n d , a f t e r a g la s s o f s h e r r y p r o ce e d t o di n n e r . Lo r d O t t o m a n i s a p o m p o u s a s s w h o s e e m s t o k n o w l it t l e o f t h e w or l d b e y on d t h e b o r d e r s o f E g r ia b u t e ve r yt h i n g w h i c h g oe s o n in s id e t h e m (o r s o h e t h i n k s ) a n d L a d y G e r t r u d e i s a w o m a n o f fa d i n g b e a u t y a n d v e r y li t t le in t e lle c t . Yo u n g D e r e k is a r r o g a n t a n d s n i d e a n d h a s h i s h e a r t s e t u p o n M a y b e in g h i s b r id e , s o m e t h i n g t h e G e n e r a l h a s h i n t e d a t a g r e e in g t o o. D u r i n g t h e m e a l h e w i ll d o e v er y t h i n g in h i s p o w e r t o d o m i n a t e M a y ’s t i m e a n d a t t e n t i on , a t t h e H e r o e s e x p e n s e if n e s s a r y . If o n e o f t h e H e r o e s i s p a s s i n g h i m s e l f o ff a s R u p e r t , D e r e k w i ll t a k e a n i n s t a n t d i s l ik e t o h i m . H e w il l m a k e i n s i n u a t i o n s a b o u t h is r i ft w i t h u n c le F r i t z a n d s o m e o f t h e “d i s g r a c e fu l ” (o t h e r s m i gh t s a y “d a s h i n g ” o r “h i gh - s p i r i t e d ”) a c t i v it i e s R u p e r t g o t u p t o d u r i n g h i s s h o r t t im e i n t h e 3 r d E g r i a n H o u s e h o ld C a v a l r y (s o m e t h i n g wh i ch m i gh t l e a v e t h e i m p e r s o n a t o r a l it t l e wr o n g fo o t e d ). If t h e o p t i on a l s u b -p l o t is n o t b e i n g u s e d D e r e k w il l s i m p l y t a k e a d i s l ik e t o t h e m o s t h a n d s o m e o r c h a r is m a t i c m a l e H e r o, s e e in g h i m a s a r iv a l. G e t t in g t h r o u g h t h e d i n n e r w it h o u t m a k i n g a n y s o c ia l b lu n d e r s r e q u i r es a G o od Social Grace’s c h e c k , D e r e k w il l b e q u ic k t o p i c k - u p o n a n y b l u n d e r s a r iva l m a k e s . Changing Rooms: Aft e r d i n n e r t h e m e n w i ll h e a d t o t h e s m o k in g r oo m fo r c ig a r s a n d b r a n d y w h i le t h e ladies go to th e Drawing Room. ??
An y f e m a l e H e r o e s in t h e D r a w i n g r o o m w i ll h a v e t o p u t u p w i t h t h e g o s s i p in g o f La d y O t t o m a n a n d m a y m i s s o n e o f t h e s e r v a n t s e n t e r in g a n d p a s s i n g Ma y a n ote (Good Perception c h e c k ). S h e w i ll c on s i d e r i t fo r a fe w m o m e n t s b e fo r e p e n n in g h e r r e p ly a n d h a n d i n g it b a c k t o t h e s e r va n t w h o l e a ve s . U n l es s s t o p p e d M a y w il l s l ip a w a y a fe w m o m e n t s l a t t e r . I f a H e r o a s k s s h e w ill b e r e l u c t a n t t o d i s c u s s w h a t t h e n o t e w a s a b o u t , t e llin g t h e m it is a n u n i m p o r t a n t , p r iva t e m a t t e r . It w il l r e q u i r e a G r e a t Charisma c h e c k fo r h e r t o a d m i t i t w a s a m e s s a g e fr o m D e r e k a n d s h e is g o in g t o m e e t w it h h im a n d s e t h i m s t r a ig h t .
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T h e G e n e r a l a n d Lo r d O t t o m a n w il l e x c u s e t h e m s e l ve s a l m o s t i m m e d i a t e l y. If a H e r o fo ll ow s t h e m , m a t c h in g h i s Stealth a g a i n s t t h e G e n e r a l ’s G o o d a n d O t t o m a n ’s Av e r a g e Perception , h e w i ll d is c o v er t h a t t h e y r e t ir e t o t h e h o s t ’s s t u d y w h e r e , b e h i n d c l o s e d d o o r s t h e y wi ll d i s c u s s D e r e k ’s a n d M a y ’s w e d d i n g . Th e G e n e r a l w il l b e t h e a c t iv e p a r t y i n t h e s e d i s c u s s i o n s s a y i n g t h a t t h e t w o fa m il ie s a r e s t r o n g e r t o ge t h e r t h e n a p a r t , t h a t d e s p it e t h e ir n o b le b l oo d t h e O t t o m a n s a r e n o t p o p u l a r a t c o u r t w h i le t h e Ka u fm a n n s a r e a n d t h a t t h i s is i m p o r t a n t a s “w h o k n o w s wh a t c ou ld h a p p e n i n t h e fu t u r e ”.
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B e fo r e h i s fa t h e r r e t u r n s D e r e k w i ll r e c ei ve a n o t e f r o m a s e r v a n t a n d a l s o l e a ve t h e S m o k i n g R oo m a ft e r t h r o w in g t h e n o t e in t o t h e f ir e . A q u i ck a c t i n g H e r o c a n s a v e t h e n o t e f r om t h e f ir e i f h e m a k e s a G o o d Courage c h e c k (D w a r v e s , d u e t o
t h e i r n a t u r a l im m u n i t y t o fla m e w ill n o t fli n c h a n d n e e d n ’t m a k e t h e c h e c k ). Th e n o t e is w r i t t e n i n t w o h a n d s ( Ma y ’s a n d D e r e k ’s ) a n d s a y s :
My Daring May, I must meet with you and discus your future as my cherished wife. Simply name the place and time and I will be there on Eros’s wings. Yours
DO Meet me by the Oriental Pond as soon as you are able
F o l lo w i n g D e r e k w i ll r e q u i r e a Stealth c h e c k a g a i n s t h i s Av er a g e Perception . If n o one i n t e r r u p t s t h e r e n d e z v ou s M a y w ill b e g in b y t e lli n g D er e k t h a t s h e d o e s n o t a n d c o u l d n e ve r l ov e h i m . D e r e k w i ll r e fu s e t o t a k e h e r s e r i o u s l y s a y in g t h a t h i s f a t h e r a n d h e r g u a r d i a n h a v e a l l b u t a g r e ed t h e d o w r y a n d t h e n p l a n t s e ve r a l h a r d k i s s e s u p o n h e r . Th e v ir t u o u s M a y w il l s l a p h i m b u t t h i s s e r v es o n l y t o e n f la m e h i s p a s s i on s . I f o n e o r m o r e o f t h e H e r o e s h a v e fo ll ow e d o n o f t h e p a i r t o t h e m e e t in g D e r e k w i ll b e g in t o t a k e l ib e r t i e s w i t h M i s s K a u fm a n n (s u r e l y a T r u e M a n w i l l i n t e r j e c t a t t h i s p o i n t ! ). If t h e p a i r is t r u l y a l o n e M a y wi ll s o m e h o w e s c a p e f r o m D e r e k ’s l e ch e r o u s c lu t c h e s a n d fle e in a t o r n d r e s s b a c k t o t h e h o u s e w h e r e s h e w ill t u r n t o t h e H e r o e s f or h e lp . T h e r e w il l n o d o u b t b e r a i s e d v oic e s b e t w e e n t h e H e r o e s a n d D e r e k , p e r h a p s e v e n a c h a l le n g e t o a d u e l. Th i s w il l b r i n g t h e G e n e r a l w h o w il l b e fu r io u s a t t h e H e r oe s , d e m a n d t h a t t h e y a p o lo gis e a n d m a y e v en d e c id e d t o c h u c k t h e m o u t o f t h e h o u s e ! It w ill t a k e a G r e a t Charisma c h e c k t o c a lm t h e General. N o t s u r p r i s i n g l y t h i s w il l e n d t h e e ve n i n g a n d t h e O t t o m a n ’s w i ll b e o ff. Wh e t h e r t h e H e r o e s s p e n d t h a t e v e n in g i n t h e m a n o r o r b a c k a t a t a v e r n M a y w ill fin d a w a y t o s p e a k t o t h e m la t e t h a t n ig h t . S h e w i ll t el l t h e m t h a t h e r u n c l e b e ga n t o a c t s t r a n g e ly s h o r t l y a ft e r a n a t t r a c t i ve E n g li s h w i d o w a n d h e r e ld e r l y m a i d c a m e t o s t a y in a c o t t a g e on t h e G e n e r a l ’s e s t a t e , s h e d o e s n o t k n o w t h e l a d i e s n a m e a n d r e fe r s t o h e r a s “ Th e E n g l is h W id o w ”. S h e h a s n o t i c e d t h a t h e r g u a r d i a n v is i t s t h i s w om a n s e ve r a l t im e s a w e ek a n d t h a t h i s b l a c k m o od s a r e w or s e w h e n h e r e t u r n s . Aft e r a m o m e n t ’s p a u s e s h e w il l a l s o a d d t h a t h e r u n c le h a s b e e n s l e e p in g b a d l y o f l a t e (s h e k n o w s t h is b e c a u s e h e r b e d r o o m i s d i r e c t ly a b o ve h i s ) a n d o n o n e o c ca s i on s h e is s u r e t h a t s h e h e a r d h i m c a l l ou t “S p a r e h im , s p a r e h im ! H e is j u s t a b o y!!” an d “Forgive me , m y Kin g!!”.
C h a p t e r F ou r S p i e s o n t h e D oo r s t e p In w h ich th e He roe s in ves tig a te Th e En glis h W id ow , en cou n te r s om e s u s p iciou s touris ts an d, through w it and da ring, discover them to be agen ts of a foreign pow er.
T h e n e x t m o r n i n g t h e H e r o e s s h o u l d p a y a v is i t o n T h e E n g li s h W id o w . If t h e y a r e w is e t h e y w il l n o t t r a v el a l l t h e w a y b y d o gc a r t o r h o r s e b u t m a k e t h e fin a l a p p r o a c h b y fo o t . It is a n u n s e a s o n a b l y w a r m m o r n i n g a n d a s t h e H e r oe s a p p r o a c h t h e y w il l s e e t h e b l a c k c la d w i d o w in a w ic k e r b a t h c h a ir t a l k i n g t o t w o m e n (D r . Z ola a n d o n e o f h i s b o d y g u a r d s ). If t h e y c a n g e t c l os e e n o u g h t o g e t a g o o d lo o k a t t h e p a i r a n y H e r o w it h a n i n t e r e s t i n S t e a m Te c h w i ll r e c og n i s e D r . Z o la o f Pr u s s i a o n a G o o d Perception c h e c k . Li k e w is e a n y H e r o w it h c o n n e c t io n s w it h a n i n t e l lig e n c e s e r v i ce (T h e S e c on d C o m p a c t d o e s c o u n t ) w il l r e c o gn i s e S m i t a s a m e m b e r o f t h e P r u s s i a n S e c r e t S e r v ic e o n a G r e a t Perception c h e c k . B e fo r e t h e H e r o e s c a n g e t m u c h c l os e r t h e p a i r w ill w on d e r o ff a c r o s s t h e o p e n m e a d o w s . T a l k in g t o t h e E n g li s h W i d o w “M r s W e b b e r ” w il l b e s u r p r i s e d t o s e e v is i t o r s b u t n o t in h o s p i t a b l e , o ffe r i n g t h e m r e fr e s h m e n t s . S h e s p e a k s w it h a w e a k v oic e a n d h e r h a n d s s h a k e , s h e w e a r s a l on g b l a c k g o wn w i t h a b la c k v e il , t h o u g h t h e f a c e b e h i n d i t is o f a h a n d s o m e w om a n a p p a r e n t l y i n h e r t h i r t ie s . H e r m a i d , C la i r e , w il l a l w a y s b e n e a r t o h a n d fe tc h i n g a n d c a r r y in g f or h e r m is t r e s s . S o m e l in e s o f e n q u i r y t h e H e r o e s a r e l ik e l y t o t a k e i n c lu d e : W h y is s h e s t a y i n g in E g r ia ? S h e w i ll s e em r e lu c t a n t t o s p e a k a b o u t h e r b a c k g r o u n d o r r e a s o n s f or b e i n g in E g r ia . I f p r e s s e d s h e w il l t e ll t h e H e r o e s t h a t h e r n e r v o u s h e a l t h d e t e r i o r a t e d a ft e r t h e s u d d e n d e a t h o f h e r h u s b a n d a n d h e r d o ct o r a d vis e d h e r t o s e e k t h e c le a r a i r of Bohemia. ??
H a s s h e s e e n m u c h o f G e n e r a l Ka u fm a n n ? S h e w il l l ie a n d s a y t h a t s h e fir s t m e t t h e G e n e r a l w h e n s h e c a m e o f l iv e o n h is e s t a t e b u t , t h o u g h h e o c ca s i o n a l ly h e r i d e s b y , s h e h a s n ’t r e a l ly s p o k e n t o h im since. ??
Wh o w e r e t h e t w o m e n s h e w a s t a lk i n g t o ju s t n o w? M r s We b b e r w i ll c la i m t h a t s h e d o e s n o t k n o w t h e m , t h e y we r e s i m p l y a p a i r of Au s t r i a n t o u r is t s w h o h a d b e c o m e lo s t a n d w a n t e d d i r e ct i on s . ??
If o n e o f t h e H e r o e s i s p a s s in g h i m s e lf o ff a s o r j u s t l o ok s l ik e t h e l a t e R u p e r t Ka u fm a n n s h e w ill b e s h o c k e d t o s e e h i m (a G r e a t Perception fe a t t o n o t i c e h e r m o m e n t a r y la p s e ) a n d w il l t r y t o s t e e r t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n a r o u n d t o w h a t h e i s d o in g h e r e . O t h e r w is e d u r i n g t h e c on v e r s a t i on a n y H er o w h o m a k e s a n E x t r a o r d in a r y Perception c h e c k (h e r E x c e p t io n a l Charisma p l u s o n e r a n k f o r t h e h e a v y ve i l) w il l c o m e t o t h e c o n c lu s i on t h a t s h e i s ly in g a t s e v er a l p o in t s . T h e H e r o e s ’ i n t e r v ie w w i ll b e e n d e d b y t h e a r r i v a l o f G e n e r a l K a u f m a n n o n h o r s e b a c k . H e w i ll b e c le a r l y e m b a r r a s s e d t o s e e t h e H e r o e s a n d s t i ffl y fo r m a l in g r e et in g M r s W eb b e r c l a im i n g t h a t h e is o n a t o u r o f t h e e s t a t e . U n l e s s t h e H e r o es a r e r e a l ly in t h e G e n e r a l ’s b a d b o o k s h e w il l k e e p u p h is r u s e a n d i n v it e t h e m t o c o m e w it h h i m . M r s W e b b e r w ill s u g g e s t t h a t h e l ea v e h i s h o r s e a t h e r c o t t a ge a n d s e n d a s e r v a n t fo r it l a t e r . F o r h e r p a r t t h e w id o w w il l s a y t h a t s o m a n y vi s it o r s h a v e t i r e d h e r o u t a n d a s k C la i r e t o w h e e l h e r b a c k i n d o o r s fo r a lie d o wn .
If on e o r m o r e o f t h e H e r o es m a n a g e t o s n e a k in t o h e r c o t t a g e a t a n y p o in t t h e y w ill fin d n o t h in g a t a l l w h i ch lin k s h e r t o t h e P r u s s i a n c o n s p i r a c y. R a v en m o o n w ill b e s u s p i c io u s o f t h e i r m o t i va t i on u n l e s s t h e H e r o e s h a v e b e e n e x t r e m e ly c a r e fu l (i f in d o u b t , m a t c h t h e Charisma o f t h e H e r o w h o d i d m o s t o f t h e t a l k in g a g a in s t h e r Perception ) a n d s e t B l o od y B o b o n t h e i r t r a i l. I f o n e o f t h e H e r o e s i s R u p e r t t h e r e i s n o w a y t h e y c a n e s c a p e t h i s fa t e . T h e G o b l in w il l fo ll ow t h e m u s i n g h i s E t h e r e a l n e s s a n d S h a p e -c h a n g i n g t o ge t c lo s e t o t h e m . P e r c ep t i ve H e r o es m a y oc c a s i o n a ll y s e n s e t h a t t h y a r e b e in g wa t c h e d b u t t h e y w il l n e v e r b e a b l e t o c a t c h t h e s p y o r d e t e r m i n e h i s i d e n t i t y, o n l y s c a r e h im a w a y . If h e d e t e r m i n e s t h a t t h e y a r e e n e m i es o f P r u s s i a n s B o b will p u ll a fe w d a n g e ro u s p r a n k s o n t h e m (p u s h in g t h e m d o w n s t a i r s , s e n d in g a r u n a w a y c oa c h in t h e i r d ir e c t io n , c a u s i n g r o c k s l id e s w h e n t h e H e r o es t r a v el o n m o u n t a i n r o a d s , e t c . ) u p t o t h e d a y of t h e Hunt. F o ll ow in g t h e P r u s s i a n s Zo la a n d S m it h e a d t o t h e m o u n t a in s t h a t fo r m t h e b o a r d e r w it h B a y e r n (a G o o d Ed u ca tion c h e c k w il l b r i n g t h i s t o t h e H e r o e s ’ a t t e n t i on ). F o ll ow in g t h e m r e q u i r e s a Stealth c h e c k a g a i n s t t h e P r u s s i a n ’s Perception, Great for Dr. Zola a n d Good for Sm it o r G r u b b e r . Th e y w il l h i k e a p p a r e n t l y a i m l e s s l y t h r o u g h E a s t E g r ia d u r i n g t h e r e s t o f t h e d a y s t o p p i n g e ve r y n o w a n d a g a i n f o r Zo la t o p r o d u c e s u r v e yi n g a n d w in d m e a s u r i n g e qu ip m e n t o r t o s k e t c h s t r e t c h e s o f t h e c o u n t r y s id e . H e is i n fa c t c a l c u l a t i n g b a l li s t ic t r a j e c t o r ie s a n d d r a w in g s k e t c h e s o f t h e p r o p o s e d a r t i ll er y b a s e in . If t h e H e r o e s t a l k t o t h e g r o u p t h e y w i ll c la i m t o b e t o u r i s t s f r om A u s t r i a o n a h i k i n g h o l id a y , h o w e ve r o n a G r e a t Ed u ca tion c h e c k ( lo w e r fo r a H e r o fa m i li a r w i t h A u s t r i a o r P r u s s i a ) t h e H e r o e s w il l b e a b l e t o t e ll t h a t t h e y d o n o t h a v e Au s t r i a n a c c e n t s b u t P r u s s i a n . I f a s k e d a b o u t t h e m e a s u r in g e q u i p m e n t D r . Z ola w i ll cla i m t h a t h e is a k e e n a m a t e u r Na t u r a l H is t o r ia n . U n l e s s s t o p p e d b y t h e H e r o e s t h e P r u s s i a n s w i ll a r r i ve b a c k F a l s t a g m i d a f t er n o o n a n d h e a d t o t h e in n w h e r e t h e y a r e s t a y in g t o m e e t wit h G r u b b e r . Th e y s p e n d t h e r e s t o f t h e e v en i n g i n t h e ir i n n e a t i n g , d r i n k i n g a n d , i n t h e D o c t or ’s c a s e , p l a y in g c h e s s (i f a n y of t h e H e r o e s w a n t t o c h a ll en g e h i m t o a c h e s s m a t c h t r e a t i t a s a D u e l u s i n g Perception , t h e f ir s t p e r s o n t o s c o r e 1 5 p o i n t s w i n s ). G r u b b e r a n d S m i t w ill t a k e i t in t u r n s t o g u a r d t h e i r r o om o ve r t h e c o u r s e o f t h e e v e n i n g . T h e n e x t d a y wi ll b e t h e s a m e e x c e p t t h e y wi ll n o t v is i t R a v en m o o n , a n d S m i t a n d G r u b b e r w ill ch a n g e j o b s . I f t h e y a r e s t i ll a t l ib e r t y o n t h e a f t e r n o o n o f t h e H u n t S m i t a n d G r u b b e r w i ll l ea v e D r . Z ola a t t h e i n n a n d h e a d f or t h e r u i n s o f C a s t l e Wa l le n s t i en b u t t h e H e r o e s w il l p r o b a b l y b e a t C a s t l e F a ls t e i n b y t h e n . If a n y of t h e H e r o e s g a in e n t r y t o t h e P r u s s ia n ’s r o o m h a v e t h e m m a k e a G r e a t Perception c h e c k w it h t h e fo ll ow in g r e s u l t s : Sp ectacular Failure: B e fo r e h e c a n f in d a n y t h i n g t h e H e r o c lu m s i ly k n o c k s o ve r a j u g o f w a t e r w i t h a r e s ou n d in g c r a s h . Failure: Th e H e r o fin d s n o t h i n g o u t o f t h e o r d in a r y . Partial Su ccess : T h e H e r o fi n d s D r . Z o la ’s s a t c h e l a n d i n s i d e h i s s k e t c h e s a n d c a l c u l a t i o n s . It t a k e s a G r e a t Ed u ca tion c h e c k t o w or k o u t w h a t t h e n o t e s a r e fo r b u t t h e s k e t c h e s a r e s e lfexplanatory.
Full Su ccess : Th e H e r o fin d s a b o o k o f P r u s s i a n S e c r e t S e r v ic e c o d e s h i d d e n i n t h e l in i n g o f S m i t ’s t r u n k a n d a s l ip o f p a p e r w it h t h e d a t e o f t h e H u n t w r it t e n o n i t . Spectacular Su ccess : Th e H e r o fin d s c u n n in g ly c o n c e a le d c o m p a r t m e n t s w it h i n G r u b b e r ’s s h a v in g k i t a r e t h e p a r t s o f a T e le g r a p h k e y w h i le h i d d e n i n t h e s o l e of S m i t ’s s p a r e s h o e s i s a collaps ible, two sh ot pistol.
T h e H e r o e s m a y w e ll a t t e m p t t o t h w a r t t h e t r i o of S e c r e t Ag e n t s e i t h e r b y d o i n g -a w a y w it h t h e m o r e x p o s in g t h e m t o t h e E g r ia n a u t h o r i t ie s , t h e r e ’s c e r t a i n l y e n o u g h e v id e n c e . I f t h e y d o t h e l a t t e r t h e y w il l b e i n v it e d t o j o in t h e H u n t i f t h e y h a v e n o t b e e n a lr e a d y . Th e y m a y a ls o u s e t h e o p p o r t u n it y t o c a s t s u s p i c io n o n M r s W e b b e r . H e r e t h e H e r o e s m u s t b e m o r e c a r e fu l a s t h e y h a v e n o e v id e n c e ju s t i n s i n u a t i o n . It w ill t a k e a n E x c e p t i o n a l Charisma c h e c k t o g e t t h e E g r i a n a u t h o r i t ie s t o m o ve a g a i n s t t h e w id o w a n d o n a Spectacular Failure t h e ir a c c u s a t i on s w il l b e c o n s i d e r e d s o b a s e l es s a s t o je o p a r d i s e s t h e ir p o s i t io n o n t h e h u n t . If t h e y s u c c e ed B l oo d y B ob w il l w a r n h i s m i s t r e s s a n d t h e a u t h o r i t ie s w i ll a r r i ve t o fi n d “C l a ir e ” m o r n i n g h e r d e a d e m p l o ye r , w h o h a s p a s s e d a w a y in h e r s le e p (i n fa c t a G la m o u r o f M r s . We b b e r created by Ravenmoon).
C h a p t e r F ive A Very Wild Hu n t In deed In w h ich ou r H e roe s ta k e p a rt in th e Hu n t for t h e W h ite S ta g of Eg ria , a n e ven t m a d e all the m ore ex iting by a jealous lover and the Faerie Tricks of Bloody Bob a nd his Da rk Mis tre s s .
Th e fa m o u s H u n t f or t h e Wh it e S t a g o f E g r ia t a k e s p l a c e a n h o u r b e fo r e s u n s e t t w o d a y s a f t e r t h e H e r o e s fir s t m e e t Wil h e lm Vo n O r m s t e i n a t t h e G e n e r a l ’s m a n o r . Th e r e i s a g o od c h a n c e t h a t t h e H e r o e s h a ve b e e n i n v it e d t o r id e w it h t h e s o o n t o b e Crown Prince. If t h e H e r o e s h a v e b e e n t o o b u s y in d u l gin g in s l e u t h i n g a n d i n t r i gu e t o a s k f or t h e m s e l ve s t h e h i s t o r y o f t h e r i t u a l w ill b e e x p la i n e d t o t h e m b y o n e o f t h e G r a n d D u k e ’s s e r va n t s .
“Following the ambush in which the traitorous Baron Wallenstien had killed the Grand Duke and stolen the crown of the King of Bohemia the heir to the throne, a boy barely fourteen summers old, was left lost, alone without food or water in the forest. When it looked like he would die he spied a mighty White Stag. The Stag spoke to the young man and told him to hunt him down. If he could catch him and struck the fatal blow not with a sword or knife but a branch or rock not only would he have food but, if he dug where the stag fell, he would find water. The young man did as the stag had said and everything occurred as he was told. Fed and watered he was able to find the scattered remains of his father’s army and lead them to victory against Wallenstien. On the night of their final victory, in the light of the full moon the brave young man was crowned ruler of Egria and the King of Bohemia. Years latter, when the new Grand Duke took his son on his first hunt the same White Stag appeared to him again. It told him that he would appear again on the evening of his son’s crowning and if he hunted him again, using weapons only of wood or stone, the Stag would watch over him during him reign. This ritual has carried on till this very day.” W or l d ly w is e a s t h e y a r e t h e H e r o e s m a y w el l s u s p e c t t h a t t h e Wh i t e S t a g o f E g r i a is a F a e r i e c r e a t u r e b u t t h e c it i ze n s o f E g r i a a r e s i m p l y g r a t e f u l fo r it s e x i s t e n c e a n d s e e i t a s d i vi n e p r o v i d e n c e . T h e H e r o e s w i ll b e g i ve n h o r s e s fo r t h e o c c a s i o n a n d a s l in g of fi n e l y c a r v e d w o od e n h u n t i n g s p e a r s (To u s e a s a w e a p o n w i ll r eq u i r e Fisticuffs fo r c lo s e u p w o r k a n d A th let ics fo r t h r o w in g , t h e y i n fli ct 0 / 1 / 2 a n d h a v e a r a n g e of 1 0 y a r d s ). Th i s i s o n l y s y m b o l ic t h o u g h , a s i t w i ll b e t h e G r a n d D u k e w h o k i ll s t h e S t a g . T h e y wi ll b e a s k e d o n t h e ir H o n o u r t o le a ve a n y m e t a l w ea p o n s b e h i n d . As w e ll a s t h e H e r oe s a n d t h e y ou n g h e ir , t h e H u n t c on s is t s o f G e n e r a l Ka u fm a n n , M r . De r e k O t t om a n a n d t w o r o ya l s e r v a n t s . T h e s e r v a n t s h a ve h u n t i n g r ifle s (r a n g e 1 4 0 y a r d s , d a m a g e : 4 / 5 / 6 ) in
c a s e t h e p a r t y c o m e s a c r o s s w o lve s o r b e a r s (t h e y b o t h d i s p la y G r e a t Ma rk s m a n s h ip ) a n d t h e d is h o n o u r a b l e O tt o m a n h a s a r e vo lve r a n d a d a g ge r h i d d e n a b o u t h i s person. As t h e H u n t r i d e s o u t t h e y h a v e n o id e a t h a t t h e y a r e r id i n g in t o R a v e n m o o n ’s c lu t c h e s . D u r in g t h e d a y s h e a n d h e r a l ly (s ) h a ve t r a c k e d d o w n t h e Wh i t e S t a g a n d c a p t u r e d h i m . U n le s s t h e H e r o es h a ve b e e n a lm o s t s u p e r h u m a n l y c a r e fu l a n d n o t r a i s e d R a v e n m o o n ’s s u s p i c io n s s h e w il l a l s o h a v e a r r a n g e fo r M a y Ka u fm a n n t o b e k i d n a p p e d a n d t a k e n t o C a s t le W a lle n s t e in . B lo o d y B ob w i ll t a k e t h e S t a g ’s p la c e a n d l ea d t h e H u n t in t o h is m is t r e s s ’s c lu t c h e s . T h e V a m p i r e ’s P la n : ??R a ve n m o on w ill b e gin t o w e a ve a lig h t m is t a r o u n d t h e h u n t . ??B lo od y B ob w ill le a d t h e h u n t i n t o t h e l a i r o f a p a c k o f v ic i o u s w o lv e s t h a t h a v e b e e n d r i ve n m a d b y t h e Va m p i r e. S h e h a s u s e d h e r p o w er s o f G la m o u r t o g ive t h e m a m o r e t e r r ify in g vi s a g e ; a n y on e s e e in g t h e c r e a t u r e s m u s t m a k e a G o od Courage c h e c k n o t t o lo s e t h e f ir s t r o u n d o f a c t i o n t o fe a r . T h o s e w h o d o m a k e i t w il l h a v e t o m a k e a G o o d Ath letics c h e c k t o c o n t r o l t h e i r m o u n t s . (Th e w o lv e s h a ve 1 0 H e a l t h a n d a t t a c k w it h A ve r a g e a b ilit y fo r 1 / 2 / 3 d a m a g e) ??W it h t h e H u n t i n c o n fu s i o n R a v e n m o o n w il l t h i ck e n t h e m i s t i n t o a f og wo r t h y o f Lo n d o n w h i le B lo od y B ob u s e s G la m o u r a n d S h a p e - ch a n g i n g t o c o n fu s e e v e r yo n e a s t o e v e r y o n e - e ls e ’s l oc a t i o n . ??An u n e x p e c t e d b o n u s t o t h e U n s e e lie is t h a t O t t o m a n w ill t a k e a d v a n t a g e of t h e c o n f u s i o n t o fi n i s h o ff h i s r i va l . ??T h e H e r o e s w i ll fi n a l ly b e a l lo w e d t o fi n d w h a t t h e y t h i n k i s W il h e l m V o n O r m s t e in s t a n d i n g o ve r t h e c a r c a s s o f t h e W h i t e S t a g . Th e s t a g i s in fa c t a n o t h e r G l a m o u r a n d t h e b o y i s r e a l ly Bl oo d y B o b . Th e r e a l Wi lh e lm V o n O r m s t e i n h a s b e e n w h i s k e d a w a y b y Ra v e n m o o n ; s h e c o u l d e a s i ly k il l h i m b u t h a s fa r w o r s e p l a n s f or t h e y o u n g m a n . D u r in g t h e jo u r n e y b a c k t o t h e c a s t le it i s p o s s i b le t h a t t h e H e r oe s m a y n o t i ce t h e s u b s t i t u t i o n i f t h e y c a n o ve r c o m e B l o od y B o b ’s E x c e p t io n a l Shape-changing with t h e i r Perception. If d i s c o v e r e d t h e G o b l in w i l l a t t e m p t t o fl e e b a c k t o C a s t l e Wallenstien. If t h e r u s e is n o t d is c o v e r e d “W il h e l m Vo n O r m s t e i n ” a n d h i s e n t o u r a g e , in c l u d i n g t h e H e r o e s w i ll b e e s c o r t e d t o t h e G r e a t H a l l o f C a s t l e F a l s t e i n w h e r e E g r i a ’s n o b i li t y , i n c lu d i n g t h e a l ly in g G r a n d D u k e , a r e w a i t in g . H ow e ve r o n r o u t e t h e y m a y o n a G r e a t Perception c h e c k n o t ic e G e n e r a l Ka u fm a n n s l ip a w a y . (O n a P a r t ia l s u c c e s s t h e y w il l s i m p l y n o t ic e h e i s g o n e , o n a F u l l S u c c e s s t h e y w il l s e e h i m d e p a r t . ) If t h e y fo ll ow t h e G e n e r a l t h e y w il l n o t i c e t h a t h e s e e m s t o b e i n s o m e fo r m o f t r a n c e , m u t t e r i n g o ve r a n d o v e r “I’m c o m i n g , m y lo ve ”. H e w i ll fi n d a h o r s e a n d g a l lo p o f f i n t o t h e n ig h t t o j o in R a v en m o o n a t C a s t l e Wa l le n s t i en . Th e h a l l h a s a l a r ge r o s e t t e w in d o w t h r o u g h w h i ch t h e fu ll m o o n b e a m s a n d t h e r e t h e Bis h o p o f F a l s t a g w ill a t t e m p t t o c r ow n t h e y ou n g m a n h e b e l ie ve s t o b e t h e n e x t G r a n d D u k e o f E g r ia a n d K in g o f B o h e m i a . T h e C r o w n o f t h e Ki n g o f B o h e m i a h a s a s m a l l a m o u n t o f S t a r Ir o n c r a ft e d i n t o i t ; s o m e t h i n g t h a t a n y F a e r i e H e r o w il l b e a b l e t o s e n s e . As i t is b r o u g h t c l os e t o t h e im p o s t o r a n y o n e w h o m a k e s a G o o d Perception c h e c k w i ll s e e h i m s t a r t t o l o ok u n c o m f o r t a b l e a n d n e r v o u s . As t h e a n c i e n t B is h o p go e s t o p u t it o n t h e yo u n g m a n ’s h e a d “W il h e l m ” fa l ls f r o m h i s t h r o n e i n a g o n y , h i s f or m s e e m s t o c olla p s e a n d a f t e r a fe w m o m e n t s r e b u il d s i t s e l f a s B lo o d y B ob . T h e n o b l e s w il l b e i n u p -r o a r . An s w e r s w ill b e d e m a n d e d a n d s o m e o n e w i ll p o in t o u t t h a t i f t h e t r u e Wil h e lm Vo n O r m s t e i n i s n o t b a c k b y t h e t i m e t h e m o o n s in k s b e l o w
t h e h o r iz on h e w il l l os e a l l c la i m t o t h e t h r o n e o f E g r ia . T h e G r a n d D u k e w i ll c ol la p s e fr o m t h e s h o c k . Wh e n e ve r t h e G o b li n i s r e v ea l e d h e w ill fl y a r o u n d t h e H e r o es h e a d s t a u n t i n g t h e m t h a t t h e b o y is i n “R a v e n m o o n Vo n W a l le n s t i e n ’s h a n d s a n d s h e w il l n e v er l e t h i m go!!” before heading off to join his mistress. N O TE : If M is s M a y Ka u fm a n n h a s n o t b e e n k i d n a p p e d s h e w i ll b e in t h e G r e a t H a l l. T h e b r a v e yo u n g la d y w ill in s i s t o n h e l p i n g t h e H e r o e s i f t h e y h e a d o ff t o fi n d t h e r e a l W il h e l m Vo n O r m s t e i n .
C h a p t e r S ix Th e Vam pire ’s Ven gean ce In w h ich ou r H e roe s con fro n t th e m a d Va m p ire Ra ve n m oon a n d h er a llies , fle s h -an d blood a nd Faerie a lik e. Pursuing he r even into the Fae rie Veil in the e fforts to res cue the h eir to the throne of Bohe m ia.
Th e H e r o es w ill e n c o u n t e r n o p r o b l em s r e a c h in g t h e c a s t l e b y w h a t e ve r m e t h o d t h e y c h o o s e t o e m p l o y. Th e c a s t l e is a r u i n e d s h e l l, o n l y t h e fo u r w a l ls o f t h e k e e p s t i ll s t a n d a n d t h e r e a r e a fe w h a l f- s t a n d in g w a l ls i n s id e fo r m i n g a l co ve s a n d r e c e s s e s b u t n o t h in g t h a t c o u l d b e c a l le d a r o o m . It is s it u a t e d o n a m o u n t a i n r id g e (b e l ow w h i c h i s t h e r a i l t r a c k fr o m w h ic h t h e y a r e l ik e l y t o h a v e s e e n t h e c a s t l e b e fo r e ) a n d t h e a p p r o a c h f r om s id e s i s o p en , b r o k e n g r ou n d . If t h e P r u s s i a n s a r e s t i ll a t l ib e r t y , S m i t a n d G r u b b e r a r e o n t h e c a s t l e ’s c r u m b l in g b a t t l e m e n t s w i t h r i fle s (r a n g e 1 4 0 y a r d s , d a m a g e : 4 / 5 / 6 ) a n d w ill t r y a n d p i c k - o ff t h e H e r o e s b e f or e t h e y r e a c h t h e c a s t l e . D r . Z o la i s w a i t i n g in s i d e t h e g a t e w it h S m i t ’s c o ll a p s i b l e p i s t o l , w h i c h h e w i ll fi r e a t t h e fi r s t H e r o h e s e e s b e f or e r e t r e a t i n g i n t o t h e d a r k n e s s o f t h e r u in e d c a s t l e . If t h e S e c r e t Ag e n t s h a v e b e e n a r r e s t e d o r k i ll ed R a v en m o o n w il l h a v e h i r e d fo u r P e t t y Th u g s (c r u d e Ar m - B r e a k e r s o n l y d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e b y t h e i r G o o d Physiques a n d Fisticuffs ) to a id h er. Two will be in S m i t a n d G r u b b e r ’s p o s i t io n s (w i t h t h e r i fl e s ) w h i le t h e o t h e r t w o w il l b e a b o v e t h e m a in g a t e r e a d y t o ju m p d o w n o n t h e f ir s t t w o H e r o e s w h o e n t e r t h e c a s t l e a n d g iv e t h e m a g o od p u m m e ll in g . If M a y Ka u fm a n n i s w it h t h e H e r o e s B lo o d y Bo b w il l m a k e u s e o f t h e d a r k n e s s a n d c o n fu s i o n ( h e ’l l c r e a t e a b i t o f c o n fu s i o n o f h i s o w n i f t h e r e i s n ’t e n o u g h ) t o s n a t c h h e r fr o m t h e g r o u p a n d e s c a p e . R a v en m o o n h e r s e l f h a s r e t r e a t e d t o t h e F a e r i e Ve il w it h h e r c a p t i ve (s ). O n c e t h e H e r o e s h a ve fin i s h e d w it h t h e P r u s s i a n s / Th u g s s h e w ill p r o je c t a G la m o u r o f h e r v oic e (w h i c h h a s n o n e o f t h e w e a k n e s s o f p r e vio u s e n c o u n t e r s ) in t o t h e c a s t l e m o c k i n g t h e m a n d s a y i n g t h a t V on O r m s t e i n is h e r s , fa i r t r a d e fo r t h e c h i ld r e n t h a t h i s fo r e fa t h e r s t o o k f r om h e r . Th e e n t r a n c e t o t h e W or l d o f F a e r i e i s l oc a t e d i n a d r y w e l l i n o n e c o r n e r o f t h e c a s t l e , a l l t h e y h a v e t o d o is c l i m b ( or fl y i n t h e c a s e o f F a e r i e ) d o w n i t t o p a s s i n t o t h e Ve il . It r e q u i r e s s o r c e r y o r a n Av e r a g e Et h ere a ln e s s c h e c k t o o p e n . T h e H e r o e s w i ll b e a b le t o l e a r n o f i t s l oc a t i on b y q u e s t i o n i n g h e r m o r t a l a ll ie s . I f t h e r e a r e n o F a e r ie s a m o n g s t t h e H e r o e s a n d t h e y a r e n o t fa m i lia r w it h t h e p r o h i b it i on s o f F a e r i e P or t a l s a s r e g a r d s t o i r o n , t h e y w il l fi n d T h e Wh i t e S t a g t e t h e r e d n e a r t h e w e ll wit h a s t e e l c h a i n . H e h a s b e e n m u c h a b u s e d b u t r ea d y t o t a k e o n t h e Va m p i r e a n d w i ll w a r n t h e m n o t t o t a k e a n y t h i n g m a d e o f ir o n o r s t e e l t h r o u g h t h e p o r t a l. R a v e n m o o n ’s d o m a i n o n t h e fa r s i d e of t h e p o r t a l is a r e c o n s t r u c t io n o f C a s t l e W a ll en s t i e n b e fo r e it w a s d e s t r o y e d t h r e e h u n d r e d y e a r s a g o. To r c h e s t h a t b u r n w i t h a c r i m s o n f ir e il lu m i n a t e t h e c a s t l e . Th e s e s h e d b o t h a b lo o d y li gh t a n d d e e p s h a d o ws a r o u n d t h e c a s t l e. Th e c a s t le is e m p t y a p a r t fr o m t h e G r e a t C h a m b e r . O n a d a i s a t t h e fa r e n d a r e t w o t h r o n e s . O n t h e la r g e r o f t h e t w o s i t s R a v e n m o o n , s h e is n o lo n g e r p r e t e n d i n g t o b e M r s . We b b e r a n d i s r e ve a l e d in a l l h e r V a m p i r ic s p l e n d o u r . If t h e G e n e r a l h a s b e a t e n t h e H e r o e s t o t h e c a s t le h e i s s i t t in g a t h e r le ft h a n d a p p a r e n t l y in a t r a n c e . R a ve n m o on h a s u s e d h e r G la m o u r t o c h a n g e h i s u n i fo r m fo r a s e t o f 1 5 0 0 s a t t i r e a n d fu r n is h h i m w it h a h e a v y s wo r d (w h i ch m a y on l y b e a G la m o u r b u t is r e a l e n o u g h t o k i ll ). U n l e s s t h e H e r o es h a v e a lr e a d y d e a lt w it h h im , B l o od y B o b is s t a n d i n g a t h e r r i g h t h a n d . H e i s a r m e d w i t h a s h o r t b o w a n d a q u i ve r o f E lf- S h o t (S i x a r r o w s w it h 3 0
y a r d r a n g e d o in g 4 / 5 / 6 d a m a g e, t h e a d d i t io n a l e ffe c t s a r e ig n o r ed b e c a u s e t h e H e r o e s a r e i n t h e r e a l m o f F a e r i e ). If t h e H e r o es d id n o t e n c o u n t e r t h e Wh i t e S t a g i n t h e r e a l c a s t l e h e w i ll b e s e c u r e d i n a n a l c o ve o f t h e r oo m , r e a d y t o jo in t h e fr a y if t h e H e r o e s r e l e a s e h i m . Wh a t i s m o s t l ik e ly t o co m m a n d t h e H e r o e s a t t e n t i o n i s t h e d r a m a b e in g p l a y ed o u t i n t h e c e n t r e o f t h e r o o m . I f t h e fa i r M is s M a y h a s fa l le n i n t o t h e e n e m i e s ’ h a n d s s h e w il l b e la s h e d t o o n e o f t h e c o lu m n s w h i ch s u p p o r t t h e h i g h v a u l t e d c e il in g w h i le a t w is t e d , lu s t - fi ll e d m a n b e a s t a d v a n c e s o n h e r . Th i s u n s i gh t l y m o c k e r y of a m a n i s i n fa c t W il h e l m Vo n O r m s t e i n , h i s yo u n g b o d y t w i s t e d b y G la m o u r s a n d d r i v e n fr o m h i s w i t s b y t h e V a m p ir e t i ll h e i s lit t l e m o r e t h e n a b e a s t . N o w i s t h e t i m e fo r t h e H e r o e s t o p r o v e t h e i r m e t a l a g a i n s t t h e t w o U n s e e l i e fi e n d s a n d t h e t w o b eg u ile d m e n ! ??T h e y w il l h a v e a p o w e r fu l a l ly in T h e W h i t e S t a g w h e n t h e y fr e e h i m b u t B l o od y B o b w ill d o h i s b e s t t o m a k e s u r e t h e y d o n ’t g e t t h e c h a n c e . O n c e fr e e h e w i ll a t t a c k t h e Va m p i r e . F r e ed o r n o t h e w il l u s e h i s o wn G l a m o u r t o c r e a t e s w o r d s s o t h e H e r o es m a y d e fe n d t h e m s e l ve s . ??T h e M a n - B ea s t t h a t i s W il h e l m Vo n O r m s t e i n w i ll v ic io u s l y a t t a c k a n y o n e w h o g et s b e t w e e n h i m a n d M a y Ka u fm a n n . S o c h a n g ed i s h e t h a t i t wil l t a k e a G r e a t Perception c h e c k t o r e c og n i s e h i m a s t h e n o b l e yo u n g m a n t h e y k n e w . An y H e r o w h o m a k e s a n E x c e p t io n a l Charisma or Courage c h e c k w i l l b e a b l e t o g e t t h r o u g h t o h i m . O n a P a r t i a l S u c c e s s h e w ill b e p a c i fi ed f or a fe w m o m e n t s ( A s e c o n d a t t e m p t c a n b e m a d e a t o n e d i ffi cu lt y le s s ) , a F u ll S u c c e s s w il l r e s u l t in h i m b e c o m in g c a t a t o n i c u n t i l r e m o v ed f r om t h e F a e r i e Ve il a n d a S p e c t a c u la r S u c c e s s h e w ill t u r n o n h i s t o r m e n t o r s . ??If G e n e r a l Ka u fm a n n i s p r e s e n t R a v e n m o o n w il l c o m m a n d h e r “c h a m p io n ” t o d e fe n d h e r , w h i c h h e w il l d o w it h h i s u s u a l s k i ll a n d c o u r a g e . O n l y if Ka u fm a n n i s n o t p r e s e n t , a l r e a d y e n g a g e d in c o m b a t o r in c a p a c it a t e d w i ll s h e e n g a g e in c o m b a t h e r s e l f. S h e w il l n o t k e e p s i le n t w h i le s h e fi gh t s a n d w il l v ow t h a t O r m s t e i n “ w il l n e v e r b e c r o w n e d K i n g o f B oh e m i a !!” I f s h e i s “k i l le d ” t h e G e n e r a l w il l c o m e t o h i s w it s a n d t h e G l a m o u r s o n W il h e lm Vo n O r m s t e i n w i ll fa d e . F u r t h e r m o r e t h e c a s t l e wi ll b e g i n t o s l o w ly fa d e a w a y a s w e l l. E v e n t u a l l y a l l t h a t r e m a i n s w il l b e a v o id o f s h a p e l e s s e n e r g y, a n y m o r t a l w h o s t a y s t o lo n g h e r e w i ll l oo s e h i s m i n d . T h e H e r o e s m a y fi gh t t h e fo r c e s o f t h e U n s e e li e C o u r t “t o t h e d e a t h ” (t h o u g h t h e y h a v e n o w a y o f i n fl ic t i n g a T r u e D e a t h o n t h e F a e r i e w it h o u t i r o n - b a s e d w ea p o n s ) o r s i m p ly t i ll t h e y h a v e fr e e d W il h e lm (a n d t h e Ka u fm a n n s ). O n c e b e y o n d t h e Va m p i r e ’s r e a c h t h e fu t u r e K in g o f B o h e m i a w il l r e t u r n t o h i s n o r m a l s e lf, i f a l it t l e s h a k e n . If h e is f r e e a n d a l ive T h e W h it e S t a g w ill c a r r y h i m b a c k t o C a s t l e F a l s t e in u n l e s s t h e H e r o e s h a v e a q u i ck e r w a y .
C h a p t e r S ix Th e Epilogu e In w h ich a re Kin g is crow n ed a n d th a n k s for a job w ell d on e giv e n .
Th e H e r o e s a n d a s s o c ia t e s w i ll h a v e n o fu r t h e r m is a d ve n t u r e s o n t h e w a y b a c k t o t h e c a s t l e a n d W il h e l m Vo n O r m s t e i n w i ll b e c r ow n e d t h e n e w C r o wn P r i n c e o f B o h e m ia a n d h e ir t o t h e k i n g d o m o f E g r ia . As h e is i n v e s t e d a s u d d e n w in d w i ll p ic k u p t h e H e r o es w i ll h e a r a t o r m e n t e d w a i l b l o wn u p o n i t , R a v en m o o n ’s h a s t y p r o m i s e t h a t t h e c e r e m o n y wo u l d n o t t a k e p l a c e h a s b e e n h e r u n d o in g . T h e n e w p r i n c e w i ll in v e s t t h e H e r o e s a s “ Me m b e r s o f t h e O r d e r o f F a l s t e i n ”. If t h e P r u s s i a n ’s i n v o lv e m e n t i n t h e a f fa i r i s b r o u g h t t o h i s a t t e n t i o n t h e P r i n c e w il l v ow t h a t n o P r u s s i a n m i lit a r y fo r c e w ill s e t fo o t in h i s k i n g d o m w h i le h e h a s t h e s t r e n g t h t o s t o p t h e m . As s u m i n g t h e H e r o es e x p la i n t o h i m w h o t h e G e n e r a l w a s u n d e r t h e Va m p i r e ’s s w a y , Vo n O r m s t e i n w i ll fo r g iv e h i s fa v o u r i t e s o l d i e r . J o k i n g l y h e w il l a d d t h a t i t i s a l e s s o n a l l m e n s h o u l d l e a r n : n o t t o l e t a p r e t t y fa c e o v e r- r u l e o n e ’s r e a s o n (i r o n i c co n s i d e r in g h i s la t e r p r o b l e m s w it h t h e a d v e n t u r e s s Ir e n e Ad l e r ). If o n e o f t h e H e r o e s is i m p e r s o n a t in g R u p e r t K a u fm a n n a n d h is r u s e h a s n o t b e r e ve a l ed a lr e a d y i t is t i m e h e d e c id e d w h e t h e r t o b r e a k t h e n e w s o f h i s d e a t h t o Ma y a n d h e r u n c l e o r le t t h e m l iv e o n i n b l e s s e d i gn o r a n c e , n o t a n e a s y c h o i ce t o m a k e .
Go d S a v e t h e Q u e e n !
The End
