112: Report from Fred

Report taken Verbatim from Friederick Denkhfel

So, after that second ratman patrol hit us, things were looking a little sticky. Frau Hoffnung was down, as was the Halfling Harry – I’ll give him this though, brave chap, not one to shy away from the enemy, although a bit rash maybe. I did what I could to patch up Hoffnung, I may not have quite the ‘dab hand’ that Guido has, but I got the job done, and she was back on her feet. Guido patched up Harry as well, but the pair of them looked rough, not sure what happened there maybe the pair of them got a whiff of some noxious ratman potion or something.

We took stock, I was very aware we were in a rough place, and many more scraps like that last one could be the death of us, and you know, I feel a certain responsibility for those in my patrol. However, as was pointed out, the trail could only get colder if we left, so we needed to press on – although in a more cautious and quieter method than we’d managed so far.

I’ll admit I was worried about Harry, he has this tendency to run shouting to attack every ratman he sees, in my opinion, which is somewhat counter-intuitive to a stealthy approach. Given both were still a bit out of it, I suggested Guido and Harry waited for us just back a bit from where we’d been fighting, securing our route out, in case a hasty exit was needed. Guido was a little reluctant, likes to be the centre of attention sometimes I think, but I gave him a speech about duty, bravery and the like, and he agreed to guard his halfling friend and our backs.

Between you and me, a little part of me was thinking ‘Its a Middenheim artefact we’re after, blessed by Ulric himself (I it might be think anyway)’, and I wasn’t entirely sure I like the idea of it being recovered by a Sigmarite, or whatever Guido is. But I digress, without Harry we had to turn to our local guide, the lad who’d been able to lead us to the students who’d paid to have the helm stolen.

He was looking a bit rocked by it all himself in all honesty, and had been rather less effective than, well maybe not Vinnie, but most of us in the fight. So much so that he handed over his crossbow pistol (handy little weapon that) and last 3 bolts to Hoffnung so she’d have a more quiet option in a fight. Clever thinking that man.

Tightening the straps on my shield, aware I was the only real fighting man going forward as it was just me, Vinnie, Hoffnung and the guide, I sighed and nodded for Boris, that’s the guide by the way, to lead on. I had my lantern of course, but only just a little open, enough light for us to navigate, but hopefully not enough to give us away.

Give him his due, he was a good tracker, he led us deeper into the tunnel, past our fallen foe. He always seemed to know where to go when the tunnel split. First into a smaller tunnel, which made me relax a little, easier to hold on me own, and being smaller hopefully less frequently used. Another split and a smaller tunnel again, I had to bow me head down a bit, given me height. A little way down the tunnel, at least I think it was a little way, hard to keep track in the near dark, Boris motioned us to be even quieter, pointing to an opening and making some hand gestures, which Vinnie seemed to understand – I have some thoughts on that, but they’re not important.

Leaning close to Hoffnung I asked her if she could hear anything, as I’ve noticed before she seems to have superior hearing to most people – which is a miracle of Ulric given how fond she is of firing those damned pistols of her – they make quite the racket really. She told me she could hear the scratchy voices of what she assumed were two ratmen, seemingly arguing with one another.

Motioning the other to back up the tunnel a bit, we held a hushed conversation about how to proceed. The trail led into the room with the ratmen in, maybe the helm was in there? Vinnie offered to sneak in to see if he could find and recover (he said steal but he meant recover) the Helm. Given the size of the opening I was pretty confident I could hold it whilst the others retreated if need be, it was unlikely more than one foe could come through at a time. Hoffnung agreed it was probably our best plan, so we gave young Vinnie the go ahead.

Vinnie snuck forward, and he’s a quite one that lad, even tired and hurt. He told me later he could see 2 ratmen in there, with a large wooden chest behind them. Supposedly they were facing the opening, to protect the chest from intruders – such as us – but in actuality were arguing with one another, and not really looking at the door. Vinnie motioned at us to back away as he slipping into the opening. I waved Boris and Hoffnung back up the way we came, not far, close enough to help, but not in quick view when coming through the opening. I went the other way, and readied myself just past the opening, ready to step in and hold the ratmen back when (not if I believed in him) Vinnie came out with the recovered helm.

It seems I ‘failed to understand his clear hand signals’ cheeky shit, as he was actually hoping to trick the ratmen to leave the cave, however it all worked out – kind of. First I knew of it was when a stone his the wall inside the opening and fell at my feet – out of sight of the chamber thank Ulric. Rolling me eyes, I held me sword and shield ready – seemed likely I was going to get some company. The arguing voices got louder it seemed, I could make them out a bit more now, not that I could understand the scratchy nonsense they were saying.

They must have decided something as I heard one of them moving towards me. I looked over and could see Hoffnung ready with the crossbow, and Boris ducked behind her, dagger in his hand. A ratman appeared out of the tunnel, back bent head out front a bit, as it turned to me I swear I saw its eyes widen in shock. Too late though, I brought down me blade, in a mighty stroke even if I do say so myself, especially given me back still ain’t proper, and cleaved the thing almost in half, cutting through its spine. I shook me sword clear as it collapsed, and heard the other one shout what sounded like ‘Scritch!!’ It burst out of the tunnel and attacked me, not aware of the others up the tunnel. I turned aside its blade with me shield, just as Hoffnung loosed a bolt. It was a good shot, and buried into the things shoulder, causing it to snarl and chitter in pain.

Apparently, whilst this was going on, Vinnie decided that we had the fight well in hand so opened up the chest, with what he called ‘an ominous creak’. From what he told us later, and I don’t believe he held anything back it contained – A cat skull charm, and unfathomable map of underground tunnels (more on that later), a tattered banner depicting some godless ratman design, an earring with a ratman rune on it, one Iron Greave, a small brass telescope, a phial of black liquid with a label on it, a sheaf of papers in Reikspiel, a chunk of cheese, a cracked fondue, a child’s brown stuffed bear toy and the Horned Helm we were after.

Back to the rest of us, just told you that bit to keep it all in the proper order. As the creature reared in pain from Hoffnung’s bolt I brought my sword swinging into its spear arm, cutting through it and into its chest. I saw the life leave its eyes as it fell, which gave me the shivers, just a bit too human that for my liking.

Quickly I stepped into the room, followed by the others.

‘What’ve you found Vinnie’ I asked

‘Some Cheese’ he replied, like it was the most important thing ever – but then he’s a street kid and probably gone quite hungry from time to time, so maybe to him it was.

‘What about the helm?’ Says I.

He didn’t reply but pushed past to search the bodies of the ratmen, maybe thinking an answer wasn’t needed as the helm was clearly there, tucked under his arm.

I held me tongue and let him finish then said it was time to leave, although I did warn everyone to keep their eyes open as we were presumably deep in enemy territory. Boris motioned us close, then started murmuring to himself, and I’ll swear till the day I die I head dice rolling in the air.

Anyway whatever that was about Boris said if we didn’t shout, and didn’t fire any guns (with a pointed look at Hoffnung) he should be able to lead us out undetected. And he did, very well, we picked up Guido and Harry on the way, and got out without encountering another ratman – and I’m sure there’s plenty down there still.

Once were out into the late night and early morning cold air of Middenheim I gave my thanks to Boris, and prepared to head off. Vinnie pulled him aside, and they held a quiet conversation, although I know Vinnie was asking for help with something. Boris told Vinnie if he visited him at The Fifth Finger he’d give him some pointers.

With the Helm now firmly in my protection, we headed to the main watch house, and sent a runner for the Captain. Whilst waiting Hoffnung started to look through the various papers we recovered. Some are useless, but others are of interest I think. There’s a plan to improve the sewers, which I guess may have impacted on the ratmen’s ability to move freely if it had gone ahead. There was the map of tunnels, which I think we may be able to start to line up with what we know, in which case it would be very useful. There was also a scrap of folded parchment which once more seems to highlight Brass Keep as an area of import – my gut tells me I my find myself there in the not too distant future – although first things first – protect the city.

Vinnie kept the telescope and earring, and went about divvying up the rest. Honestly I think its mainly trash, but made sure to keep hold of anything linked to our investigations, including the banner. I didn’t trust the look of the potion at all, and suggested if it wasn’t being thrown away taking it to an expert to identify, like their friend the halfling Willow Thistledew.

The Captain then arrived, having made good time in order to be sure we had recovered the helm – I think his job has been on the line about this so he needed to be sure. After that we showed him the other stuff, he agreed with my assessment that the banner suggests a level of organisation to the ratmen which could prove troublesome. It was an odd looking thing that banner, with one Triangular icon on it, made up of three slashes, not unlike the marking we keep finding on maps. The pattern is repeated further down the banner too.

The map of tunnels he agreed could use further study, and left it with us for now. He also agreed that Brass Keep seemed of some import, but that he couldn’t see sending us there to investigate until the current threat to the city was over – which given the reason for KITUM was very fair in my mind.

After that the boss told us to take a well earned rest, and make a fuller report the following afternoon, he was taking the Helm straight to the palace, but will of course share our part in its recovery.

We headed back to Hoffnung to rest up, but were taken aback to find the door ajar. Although in hindsight spreading a rumour about a much desired text being there and then leaving the house was inviting trouble. I insisted we search the ground floor before rushing upstairs. The place had been clearly searched, but nothing appeared to be missing so I can only assume they were after the non-existent Wittgenstein Diaries – whatever they are.

Vinnie suddenly muttered something about the gardeners, as they’d not been given the night off, and dashed out to check on them. Both were dead, expertly killed in my opinion, by a single blade wound at the base of their necks, their bodies dumped under Harry’s wagon. I’m just glad Hoffnung had the foresight to give the rest of the servants the night off.

Vinnie was looking rather sheepish as he admitted the gardeners were actually working for the man, I’ll admit I wasn’t completely surprised, but had done my best to stay out of it. He wanted to dump the bodies, but I tried to point out to him that The Man isn’t likely to believe his men got up and walked away from the job. Hoffnung was clearly in distress, and maybe a little hysteric - she kept going on about Vinnie making sure to lock all the windows.

I tried telling Vinnie that honesty would be the best approach with The Man, there might be punishment but being up front and honest might mean its just painful not fatal, but he was unconvinced. In the end I reluctantly helped him dump them away form the house, but for someone reason he insisted on leaving a note saying ‘Sorry, not my fault. V’ with them. I can only imagine that will come back to haunt him at some point.

Finally we settled down for some rest – well I did, I don’t think the others slept well. My view on it is you don’t worry about being broken into it, it’ll likely happen whether you worry or not, and you just deal with it at the time.

The next morning, well more like afternoon for us, the servants were back and tidying up. We sat down for food and discussed what to do to protect the house from further break ins looking for non-existent books. Vinnie said he might be able to help, and headed off to speak to his friend Maurice.

He looked whiter than a sheet when he came back – a clean sheet that is, not his own grubby sheets. Apparently Maurice agreed that the note would do more harm than good with the man. Almost like a calling card, and Maurice though that other than Vinnie coming clean himself, nothing anyone else would say would help at all. No surprise there. I half expected Guido to give Vinnie some speech about taking responsibilities for his actions, but he didn’t today. I think Vinnie managed to sell some of his ‘loot’ to Maurice, but even this didn’t cheer him up, given The Man was likely to be after him soon.

Hoffnung and I left Vinnie to console himself, or possibly even come clean, and headed over here to make this report. Discussing possibly allies in any upcoming moves against the ratmen. Problem is of course convincing people they exist. We did think that maybe the Dwarves and Sewer jacks could be approached.

And that’s it, here I am now making my report – you don’t need to write that bit lad, or tha….