Trouble at Stutzung part I

by Borstennskoldmund

I walked in to the tavern I was directed to by some fellow down at the docks. I had made my way up to Eisen thinking that it was most likely where I was to meet up with my companions again, if not, I could always cross over to Vodacce from here and see what I could find out.

Anyway, as it would happen, it was my former companions staying here. I made my way up to see Franz, as he apparently was in a bad way, and perhaps I could be of assistance. Anyway, I opened the door to his room and found him happily sitting up with a large bowl of lumpy porridge and a broad grin on his face. His wounds had healed nicely, and I determined he would be back to his good old self within a couple more spoonfuls of his favourite meal.

The next day, we wandered downstairs to what was usually a busy barroom, even at this time of the day. There was not a soul to be seen, bar a nervous looking boy behind the counter. Franz and I were immediately suspicious and headed back upstairs to gather our weapons. Meanwhile Dandelion and our new companion, a charming Vodaccean called Antonio, managed to eke out from the poor, scared boy that it was tax collection day.

Franz was able to fill in some details. Apparently the situation in this part of the country is even worse than many others. The Eisenfürst had been forced to cede part of the land to Montaigne and Castille, but had salted the land to make it unpalatable to the invaders. But as a result, the land is now very poor, and life is very much a day to day struggle for the people here.

However, apparently the situation has led to some over-harsh measures. The Eisenfürst has allowed a moerderbande of soldiers to run the tax collection. The Moerderbande is feared by all the people, as they not only take more than their exhorbitant share of duties, but are known to beat up and abuse the people.

As we hear this, we hear the arrival of horses outside the inn. A scream is heard outside, and I see a large, heavily armoured thug, with a pig-mask, brutally attacking a poor servant girl, obviously about to rape her. A rope hangs nearby the window, so I grab it and swing down to the action, pushing the thug out of the way and scooping up the poor girl in my arms, before swinging back to land back on the window ledge (fortunately I've never heard of any laws of physics).

The leader of the band sends in a group of men to teach us a lesson, but we are waiting for them at the top of the stairs, and Eduarde and Franz quickly dispatch them. I shout at the window "Next!", and the leader is well and truly riled, and soon we face him and the remaining members of his Moerderbande in the barroom.

A fierce battle ensues, the leader and Franz have exchanged blows before I jump in. Antonio is on the other side of the room standing on the bar, happily dispatching any who come before him. Eduarde stands beside Franz, and deals quickly with the remaining thugs. But seeing the fight turn against them the leader retreats, jumps on his horse and heads away.

The villagers come out to cheer us, and we are suitably chuffed. But there is still an undercurrent of concern. We find out that the Moerderbande is based in Stutzung, some day or so to the west. The villagers are very concerned that a greater force will return soon, to wreak vengeance. They plead for our help.

We find out that there is one man who has stood up against the Moerderbande, it is Hans Jost, the son of the mayor of Stutzung. But the Moerderbande have captured him, and he is to be executed in a couple of weeks time. Members from each village are to be forced to watch the execution.

We quickly come to a decision. We must rescue Jost, and deliver the people from the cruel hand of the Moerderbande.

So, who has a plan....?

Borstennskoldmund of Vestennmannavnjar.