The Enemy Within Prologue: A fork in the road (Session 9)
On the 27 of March 2026, I ran the 9th sessions of my home Enemy Within Campaign.
Morning, 3rd of Nachexen, 2512
Our vagabonds awaken early on the 3rd with vague ideas that they might have more work, but absolutely no certainty which offer they will take up. Over porridge they discuss their options.
Erik Kleinsen mentions he has people he'd like to visit in Kemperbad and points out that Josef's tutelage would be invaluable.
Diethart Drechsler points out that the patronage of a man like Oldenhaller might be valuable and that more coin is alway useful, but also points out that there are some really strong reasons for him to take the job guarding Maria Della Miragliano, he is particularly vocal about his opportunity to work as a guard to her person(I offered him a 0xp jump to the second rank of the guard career). He is less keen to mention Maria Della Miragliano's 5 ranks in Attractive.
Erik Kleinsen mentions he has people he'd like to visit in Kemperbad and points out that Josef's tutelage would be invaluable.
Diethart Drechsler points out that the patronage of a man like Oldenhaller might be valuable and that more coin is alway useful, but also points out that there are some really strong reasons for him to take the job guarding Maria Della Miragliano, he is particularly vocal about his opportunity to work as a guard to her person(I offered him a 0xp jump to the second rank of the guard career). He is less keen to mention Maria Della Miragliano's 5 ranks in Attractive.
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| Maria Della Miragliano at the grand opera of Miragliano. |
Connie suggests that it might be possible to point Maria at Altdorf, that way the group being able to earn a little more on route, but also seems less than thrilled to make a decision between the different options. The lads make a decision to gather some more information.
Erik heads to the docks to talk with Josef. On his way to the dock, Erik spots a large wagon carrying crates, what Erik recognizes to contain handguns based on the crate style, seeking to find out more about the crates he stops to ask a passerby about the marks on the site of the boxes, only to discover to late that the passerby is a very over enthusiastic barker, who spends several minutes telling Erik about the upcoming Schaffenfest in Bögenhafen; its significant livestock market, fair, archery tourniment and other attractions. When Erik finally breaks away, he makes his way to the Berebeli and there finds Josef. The old bargee explains that he isn't certain when he will be leaving as the stevedores are on strike, but that as soon as the barge is loaded, he is pushing off, and that he cannot promise to stick around.
Erik heads to the docks to talk with Josef. On his way to the dock, Erik spots a large wagon carrying crates, what Erik recognizes to contain handguns based on the crate style, seeking to find out more about the crates he stops to ask a passerby about the marks on the site of the boxes, only to discover to late that the passerby is a very over enthusiastic barker, who spends several minutes telling Erik about the upcoming Schaffenfest in Bögenhafen; its significant livestock market, fair, archery tourniment and other attractions. When Erik finally breaks away, he makes his way to the Berebeli and there finds Josef. The old bargee explains that he isn't certain when he will be leaving as the stevedores are on strike, but that as soon as the barge is loaded, he is pushing off, and that he cannot promise to stick around.
Meanwhile, Diethart visits the Tilean songbird in her rooms and broaches the possibility of travel to Altdorf instead of Ubersreik. The Opera singer gives the mercinary a look over decides that perhaps his company and swordarm wouldn't be unwelcome, and tells him that she will consider making the trip. After all, she might be able to audition for the troupe of Detlef Sierck in Altdorf.
Gathering back up, the group decide to go and talk to Oldenhaller.
They find themselves in Oldenhaller's office only a little later, watching him clean his finger nails with a stiletto. He explains that since they have shown some metal and some discretion, he would be willing to hire them to recover a stolen, and allegedly, cursed gemstone from a rockery called the asylum. If they do so, he will pay them 10 crowns each.
Afterwards, the group discuss what to do next, concluding that significant amount of coin and the alleged curse are reason enough to turn down the job, and so settle on heading for Altdorf.
The vagabonds make their way to the Berebeli to tell Josef that they will take the work and the free trip. They negotiate on Maria's behalf, and Erik agrees to work the passage. The group ask some more questions about the strike and learn that some odd things are afoot in the city.
According to Josef, the stike is being caused by one Theodora Steinbecker, a woman who styles herself an "industrialist". Josef explains that she has acquired as much power personally, as an entire guild, and that she has built a massive handgun foundry capable of outputting enough handguns to equip a regiment at a time. The strike has been caused by Steinbecker's company trying to break the guild monopoly on loading and unloading vessals, and that the stevedores are currently so busy trying to prevent this that nothing is moving.
Having agreed a price and settled on a course of action the group head back to Oldenhaller, and turn down the job. They then set about doing a last few chores, including Diethart warning Lois of Chez Lois about Maria Della Miragliano cutting and running. Lois took this well, and the pair part friends, with a promise of a meal next time Diethart is in town.
Gathering back up, the group decide to go and talk to Oldenhaller.
They find themselves in Oldenhaller's office only a little later, watching him clean his finger nails with a stiletto. He explains that since they have shown some metal and some discretion, he would be willing to hire them to recover a stolen, and allegedly, cursed gemstone from a rockery called the asylum. If they do so, he will pay them 10 crowns each.
Afterwards, the group discuss what to do next, concluding that significant amount of coin and the alleged curse are reason enough to turn down the job, and so settle on heading for Altdorf.
The vagabonds make their way to the Berebeli to tell Josef that they will take the work and the free trip. They negotiate on Maria's behalf, and Erik agrees to work the passage. The group ask some more questions about the strike and learn that some odd things are afoot in the city.
According to Josef, the stike is being caused by one Theodora Steinbecker, a woman who styles herself an "industrialist". Josef explains that she has acquired as much power personally, as an entire guild, and that she has built a massive handgun foundry capable of outputting enough handguns to equip a regiment at a time. The strike has been caused by Steinbecker's company trying to break the guild monopoly on loading and unloading vessals, and that the stevedores are currently so busy trying to prevent this that nothing is moving.
Having agreed a price and settled on a course of action the group head back to Oldenhaller, and turn down the job. They then set about doing a last few chores, including Diethart warning Lois of Chez Lois about Maria Della Miragliano cutting and running. Lois took this well, and the pair part friends, with a promise of a meal next time Diethart is in town.
With everything down, the vagabonds decide to see if they can lend a hand to the stevedore's so they can get on their way, only to witness a bloody act of strike breaking, as Steinbecker's men, liveried in black and reddie-purple cloths, charge the stevedores with swords and bucklers, and advance on them with military drill and hand guns.
The vagabonds flee, and very quickly arrange to get everyone onto the boat. The broken strike means that some stevedores return wot work, and just before dawn...
Morning, 4th of Nachexen, 2512
The Berebeli pushes off. At roughly the same time as the ship they have seen being loaded up with crates of handguns. Josef starts swearing loudly, until he is asked why, and then explains that the other ship is the Broadalbin; who's captain Josef has been in a multi-year feud with. The two ships race for the river gate and end up slamming into each other as a result of Erik Kleinsen's poor piloting. Just as it seems that the broadalbin's crew are going to leap aboard and start killing, they are called back by a sturn blond woman, and the two ships slowly pull apart.They assess the damage, and then get back on their way. The entire day the Broadelbin is in sight, as Erik is pushed to the brink of his new found responciblities on board the ship, as the crew sail through frosty farm land, then into the empires forests, while dodging the heavy shipping traffic near nuln.
The rest of the day goes uneventfully. Eventually the crew arrive in Grissenwald, and Josef appoaches them and suggests raiding and sinking the broadalbin in revenge. The vagabond turn down this idea, and instead suggest steaking the barge's figurehead.
Another fun session. The characters earn 100xp for the session, and gain 50xp for completing a party ambition of getting back to the reikland. Important plots for gunpowder week, and Death on the Reik have been revealed, and the characters are one step closer a certain muddy road in Middenland. Time to start planning some material for Kemperbad and Altdorf. However, I have little breathing room to do so, as they have a little light larceny and a rough night ahead of them to act as a buffer.
The rest of the day goes uneventfully. Eventually the crew arrive in Grissenwald, and Josef appoaches them and suggests raiding and sinking the broadalbin in revenge. The vagabond turn down this idea, and instead suggest steaking the barge's figurehead.
Another fun session. The characters earn 100xp for the session, and gain 50xp for completing a party ambition of getting back to the reikland. Important plots for gunpowder week, and Death on the Reik have been revealed, and the characters are one step closer a certain muddy road in Middenland. Time to start planning some material for Kemperbad and Altdorf. However, I have little breathing room to do so, as they have a little light larceny and a rough night ahead of them to act as a buffer.
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