Session 6: Mistaken Identity

The next day they arrive at Ferlangen,a small walled town, with a strong town wall. Whilst it is clearly well maintained, those in military or engineering careers will notice that it is not built to withstand a modern siege. In particular, the towers are square, rather than modern round or angled designs, and there is no buttressing or skirting to the wall. However, at the same time, it is clear that such work is underway on certain sections of the wall where what is in effect a second wall is being built, attached to the first.

Ferlangen has a small external caravanserai by the gate. It has obviously been recently renovated, and the central statue, of a mounted Thurini tribesman from the time of Sigmar, has been repainted. In addition, much of the area is clearly marked as the Imperialist garrison. Mungo will park the cart here whilst he arranges provisioning.

The town has only one gate, in the south wall. This is an extremely impressive triple-depth turreted affair, incorporating murder holes, a double portcullis and a detachable mini-bridge covering a trench. Prominent above the gate to the town is a carving of the Ostland bull’s head. Ferlangen is the seat of the von Raukov family. Entering through the gate requires the visitors to touch a small portable altar to Sigmar, in addition to the usual procedures.

The first stop is a boarding house, where Christina Asper takes the group to, operated by Frau Busch. Clearly the rules of the matronly owner (no drinking on the premises, nor are guests allowed to drink elsewhere) didn't appeal to Lothar's group, and they quickly excuse themselves, leaving Christina and her colleague Lucas Pollack behind.

Ferlangen is famed for two things; Bugman’s brewery and as a centre for the antique trade. Ludwig and Wigand decide to get their priorities straight and visit Bugman's first, only to come to the conclusion this ISN'T the famous Joseph Bugman's brewery, but his brother Samuel's, a dwarf outcast who couldn't brew a decent beer is his life depended on it...
In the meantime Castian has made sure to inform the Temple of Verena about the demise of their templar, Hoffman Janitzer.

The decision is made to stay at the Four Seasons Coaching inn. After room and meals were organised, a few questions were asked. For starters, neither the Professor, nor Elfrieda had been seen at this establishment. The waxed envelope sealed with a Four Seasons Coaches mark and counter-stamped Ferlangen to Beeckerhoven in both words and town crests,prompted the clerk to confirm that the letter was sent from here. He explained that they wrap all mail for a destination into a single bundle of waxed cloth for protection. When it reaches the destination office, the cloth is then opened and the mail distributed. They have a regular mail delivery to Beeckerhoven, and do not record who sends mail. However, once pointed out out that this letter was sent alone inside a wrapper, along with a few coins that changed hands, the clerk became more helpful, and mentions that sometimes clerks from the Merchant Guild bring single documents already wrapped and stamped.
In regards to recent coaches, he mentions  that the only coaches that have left the city were to Wolfenburg on the 17th and 26th Nachexen and the 1st Jahrdrung. One arrived from there on the 24th Nachexen and another on the 32nd Nachexen. Their only competition on the route is from the Hofbauer-Bodelstein Trading Company, but they deal only in freight. They have the mail contract with most of the guilds. Only the Silversmiths and Goldsmiths Guilds deal with Four Seasons, and that because they deliberately act opposite to the Merchants Guild.

Further rumours picked up at the inn were the following:

• The Silversmiths and Goldsmiths have grown tired of arguing with the town council over the Merchants Guild monopoly over imported antique gold and silver items, and are to petition the Emperor over the merchants breach of their precious metal monopoly.
• The city authorities are finally prepared to take action about the Antikehüten and have them withdrawn. Many see them as simply a group of thugs hired by the antique merchants to frighten decent citizens away from travelling in their part of the city.
• Some physician was thrown out of the Guild for killing some noble.
• Merchants have been attacked by the Cult of the Howling One. . No one seems to be aware of the purpose of the group, nor its apparent gratuitous use of murder. The townsfolk accept a certain amount of localised thievery, but this is far too serious and they are demanding action. Much talk can be heard about what Valmir von Raukov will do, and of the lack of success of his efforts to date.

Ludwig becomes aware of two men watching him, acting in a strange manner. While one watches the crowd, the other scratches his left ear with the little finger of his right hand. As he does so, he stares straight at Ludwig. This is repeated a number of times, each more pronounced than the last. 

After a while, their expressions suddenly change to ones of relief, and they hurry over to a stocky man who stands in the doorway. They follow him through the door which is quickly shut behind them.

Gottwin visit the Watch at the gate. After showing his papers, they are happy to assist him, and one of the watchmen asks his collegues if they have seen either The Professor or Elfrieda. Later on he returns with the news that the woman arrived early this morning, and the professor had been seen, somewhere around the 17th Nachexen.

From there, they made their way to the Merchant Guild, where an exasperated clerk explains that the Merchants’ Guild deals with a great deal of mail, but they use Hofbauer-Bodelstein Trading Company.  Even mail to Beeckerhoven would normally be shipped to Altdorf because of the competitive rates offered by that company.

Of course, a guild member might request a clerk to arrange the delivery of a private letter. None of the clerks remember such a delivery, but they can point out that there are also private clerks to many guild members. 

The Merchants’ Guild seal is generic and used by all members in sealing their mail, should they either not have their own crest or not wish to use it for business purposes.  The “K” signature to the letter can be checked against membership records, but that would take a long time.. or some quick cash... Soon they received the following list of names:

• Kolomon Tauler
• Kurt Ferdel
• Klaus von Kolditz. 
• Karl Kreitz
• Jurgen Kimmelman
• Anton Kristov
  
  There are two employees:
• Konrad Sander
• Conz Keusch.

They decide to visit a few of the people on the list, starting with Karl Kreitz. The man seems little more than a peddlar, living above his warehouse in the warehouse district, and claims to know nothing at all about this letter. They ask him about Kolomon Tauler, and Karl says he seriously doubt his friend would have sent it. He does however have a number of unbeatable offers to show them...

From there, they made their way into the better part of town, looking up the address off Kurt Ferdel. It doesn't take long for them to be stopped by a few rough looking individuals, wearing some kind of livery, asking the group what their business is in this district. Clearly these are the Antikehuten they heard about in the inn. Playing it relatively cool, the group 'yielded' to the ruffians 'authority' and were escorted to Ferdel's home. An employee opened and apologized, but Herr Ferdel is currently in Wolfenburg on business, having left by coach on the 1st Jahrdrung.

Rather than pushing through and visit Klaus von Kolditz, who's next on their list, they decide to call it a night. Back at the Four Seasons, Ludwig notices the two strangers through his bedroom window. They are looking up at him, one repeating the scratching movement on his ear. All of the sudden, he falls over. The second man looks confused, first at Ludwig, then at his fallen companion, then around. As he bends over to help his friend up, Ludwig sees him falling down as well. 

Rushing down and calling out for help of the innkeeper, they find the two men dead, a crossbow bolt stuck in one's neck and one in the other victim's chest.
The Watch is called and Ludwig informs them of what he has seen.
Once the commotion dies down, Ludwig returns to his room. Casting another glimpse onto the street, he sees the same stocky man from the previous night looking up at him from a dark alley across the road. He's holding a crossbow...

Ludwig opens up to the rest of the retinue that among the bodies they buried at the Forest Inn he found a mangled corpse that looked exactly like him, but with a beard, and how he found some papers on him...