A Question of Breeding.pdf

Fan Material for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay : A Question of Breeding

A QUESTION OF

BREEDING

Written by Adam Flynn

Fan Material for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay : A Question of Breeding

O VERVIEW

A Timeline of Past Events

The Setup

About 200 years ago (approx. 2320)

Heinrich Haushalter, a knight and veteran of the

chaos incursions, returns home. Much of his

other estates having been destroyed, along with

family members, he builds a stone manor house

on property inherited from his mothers side - the

hamlet now called Marlehof. To house the

bodies of his dead kin he commissions a family

crypt. To see to their souls, he builds a small

Temple of Morr and installs a priest to maintain

it.

A Synopsis of the Current Situation

The Burgher Heinz Haushalter is a respected

merchant whose daughter (Etelka) is engaged

to wed a minor local noble, Karl Volte. The

marriage is favorable to both parties, as Volte is

fairly impoverished and Haushalter is keenly

interested in social climbing. However

Haushalter has a rival, Burgermeister Gunthar

Steinhoff, who would prefer the noble wed his

own daughter. Although Steinhoff can offer a

richer dowry than Haushalter, Haushalter has a

distant claim to noble heritage that is very

important to Volte. To the bankrupt noble it is

vital to maintain the appearance that he is not

marrying below his station. In public Steinhoff

maintains a friendly mien so that, as yet,

Haushalter is unaware of the depth of

Steinhoff's animosity to him.

About 100 years ago (approx. 2420)

Bechtram Haushalter, the middle-aged and

near-destitute Lord of Marlehof, sells the land to

Gerhard Von Kleist, a distant cousin. Bechtram

then moves his family, including his 16 year-old

son Vorster, to the nearest town and invests his

money in a merchant enterprise. By the end of

his life Bechtram leaves behind his destitute

past and re-invents himself as a rich burgher.

Although Haushalter's noble heritage is

commonly accepted history by many townsfolk,

recent rumors (spread by Steinhoff's agents)

have sprang up that it is untrue and the

Haushalter family has been lying for years

about this. Unfortunately Haushalter doesn't

have any proof that his family history is true.

With the rumors now reaching the ears of Volte,

Haushalter is anxious to provide solid evidence

of his heritage.

70 years ago (2450)

The Von Kleist family appropriates the

Haushalter crypt for their own uses during a

time when no priest is maintaining the Temple

of Morr in Marlehof. Older bodies are removed

and stacked in other parts of the crypt to make

room from new ones. By the time a new priest

is appointed, no one admits the crypt holds

anything other than the Von Kleist family dead.

15 years ago (2505)

The head of the Von Kleist family and Lord of

Marlehof, Felix, becomes afflicted with a

disfiguring mutation. Working on his family

loyalty and fears of discovery, his younger

brother Frederik convinces Felix to fake his own

death and live in exile. Once Felix is “dead”,

Frederik conveniently becomes the head of the

family and the new Lord.

Heinz Haushalter was aware that his family

moved into the town four generations ago and

later grew into prominence. But he has recently

determined that prior to this his family held

lordship of the hamlet of Marlehof, some 3 days

journey by foot from the town. Journal entries

made by his great-grandfather (Vorster) indicate

that a family crypt of some size existed near this

hamlet. With the wedding approaching he sent

two of his hired men on horseback to ask

questions and see if there was anything in the

family crypts to prove his great-great-

grandfather's nobility. They were expected

back in a week. It's been two weeks and they

haven't returned. The wedding is 8 days away,

Volte is getting skittish, and Haushalter is

getting desperate. This is where the player

characters come in.

8 years ago (2512)

Hugo Faustmann, an ex-initiate of Morr, poses

as a full priest in order to assume custody of the

Temple of Morr in Marlehof. Over time he

befriends the recluse, Felix, and learns his

secret.

Two months ago (2520)

Lord Karl Volte agrees to marry Etelka, the

daughter of the Burgher Heinz Haushalter,

because of her large dowry and her family’s

noble blood. Gregor Steinoff, the

Burgermeister, is incensed that his daughter’s

hand is refused.

Fan Material for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay : A Question of Breeding

One month ago (2520)

Vicious rumors surface, spread by Steinoff’s

agents, that the Haushalter family are

commoners and liars. Word of this reaches

Volte’s ears and he demands proof of the nobility

of his betrothed before the wedding date.

Steinoff sets men to spy on Haushalter to see

what he does in reaction.

nearby hamlet of Marlehof) can be located almost

anywhere in the Empire that the GM desires. The

only constraints are the roles of the NPCs and the

distance between the town and Marlehof. The

default assumption is that the town in question is

Delberz. Throughout the text the word “town” is

used in favor of Delberz to minimize confusion if

the GM moves the adventure to another location.

Ignoring Scenes

If for purposes of playing time, pacing, or lack of

interest the GM wishes to exclude certain scenes

this is easily done. The only crucial scenes are 1,

4, 6, and 11. All others could be removed to have

a very quick and straightforward story with

minimal conflict. The optional scenes, if included,

serve to add complications, opportunities for

roleplaying, and interest to the adventure.

Two weeks ago (2520)

Haushalter uncovers where his family is from. He

sends two of his men (Udo Hockschwarzer and

Fritz Mansel) to Marlehof to find evidence of the

family’s noble line. Steinoff dispatches Adolf

Grobschmeid to follow them. Grobschmeid

meets with the Lord of Marlehof, Frederik Von

Kleist, after Haushalter’s men do. Grobschmeid

convinces Frederik that the men are searching for

evidence that will be used to dispossess the Von

Kleist family of their land.

Altering Scenes

In order to provide the maximum flexibility to the

GM, many of the scenes presented below include

suggestions on how to modify them to improve

pacing or to address problematic situations.

Hockschwarzer and Mansel meet with the priest,

Faustmann, and ask to see the crypt of the

Haushalter family. Faustmann knows of no such

family and, in searching the temple archives,

pieces together how the Von Kleist family stole

the crypt from them. Infuriated, Faustmann

opens the crypt for the men to search but, while

waiting for them to return, is discovered by Felix.

When confronted by the priest about the Von

Kleist family’s dishonorable action, Felix kills

Faustmann rather than have it revealed. Then he

locks the two men in the crypt to die.

Sections titled “Keeping it Short” offer ways to

bring the scene or encounter to a quick and

decisive end. These can be used to make the

adventure play faster and to increase or maintain

the energy level of the players.

Sections titled “Drawing it Out” offer ways to

expand a scene into something larger or more

elaborate. These can be used if the players are

enjoying a specific scene or to make the

adventure play longer. Note that using the longer

version of more than a few scenes will likely

cause the adventure to run longer than one or

two sessions.

Hockschwarzer and Mansel recover a book of

Haushalter family records and the signet ring of

Heinrich Haushalter. But before they can leave

they are set upon by giant rats and both men are

killed.

Sections titled “Solving Problems” offer the GM

ways to get the game going again if the PCs

make choices or mistakes that derail the plot.

This is not to say that the GM can’t give the PCs

a free hand to make any choice they want to and

wander into uncharted territory. It only offers

tools for GMs who want to run the adventure as

described without improvising additional scenes

or content.

Two days ago (2520)

Haushalter becomes resigned that his men will

not return. Determined to hire armed

mercenaries, he seeks out a printer to print an

offering notice. Steinoff’s spy notifies his

employer of this. Steinoff send Adolf

Grobschmeid back to Marlehof with another

warning for Frederik. Meanwhile, Steinoff sets

about hiring some mercenaries of his own to take

care of anyone lured by Haushalter’s offer.

Sections titled “Victory Nigh” apply to combat

scenes where the PCs are close to winning.

These discuss not only the exit strategy of the

opponents but also additional complications the

GMs can throw in to further challenge PCs and

add spice to a “cakewalk” combat

M ODIFYING THE

A DVENTURE

Sections titled “Looming Defeat” apply to combat

scenes where the PCs are close to losing. These

discuss ways the GM can believably offer rescue

or relief to PCs confronting death who are unable

Location

The town in which the adventure starts (and the

Fan Material for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay : A Question of Breeding

(or too stupid) to flee.

to convince Lord Karl Volte to wed his own

daughter, Anna, instead.

S CENE O NE: T HE O FFER

3+ degrees

Same as 2 degrees + two men who were loyal

family retainers of the Haushalter for many years

have recently disappeared. The story is they

were seen riding out of town 2 weeks ago and

haven’t been seen since.

Setting the Scene

Getting the PCs Involved

On the day that the PCs arrive in town, notices

are being posted around the town in the main

plazas and near the gates. The cheaply printed

pamphlets read as follows:

Arriving for the Interview

When the PCs arrive at Haushalter's warehouse

it is busy with men loading and unloading goods.

However, mention of the offer will cause

Haushalter to be quickly sent for. Although

obviously distracted (he's followed by his

accountant, with two lists - one of business

matters and one of a menu for the wedding feast)

he is eager to greet the PCs. The better dressed,

and better armed, the PCs are the happier he will

be in meeting them (if the PCs don't carry

weapons openly Haushalter may worriedly

remark on it).

To reliable persons of virtue and skill:

Your assistance is required with a short task of

singular importance and minimal danger. A

single week of work will be sufficient to complete

the task. Applicants who are accepted will be

handsomely rewarded upon success. Interested

parties should present themselves at the

Haushalter warehouse on Handelsstrasse during

daylight hours.

A few town criers, paid by Haushalter, also

wander through the market shouting a shortened

version of the offer and brandishing more of the

pamphlets.

After dismissing the accountant (who appears

miffed at this interruption) and inviting the PCs

into his office, Haushalter will spend but a few

minutes asking after the names, skills, and any

credentials they care to offer. He especially asks

regarding their skill at arms, all the while

downplaying any danger involved in the task he

has. As long as the PCs don't prove highly

disreputable, he will be willing to offer them the

work.

Learning the Lay of the Land

The PCs may make a Routine[+10%] Gossip

Test upon entering the town or on learning of

Haushalter’s offer. The degree of success

indicates which tidbits of information they are able

to gather regarding it. Note that even on a failure

they hear about the offer itself, since everyone in

town knows about that.

Haushalter openly explains the wedding situation

(as he knows it – he is unaware of Steinoff’s

secret activities). He then asks them to travel as

fast as possible to the hamlet of Marlehof, seek

out his family crypt there, and locate any

evidence that indicates the family's noble origins

(he is certain there is some to be found). If the

PCs press him for specifics, he will state that he

is unsure what may be found, but urge them to

look for the oldest family relics and any records of

the Haushalter heritage.

Failure

The PCs hear a town crier shout in their ears

about the Haushalter offer.

0 degrees

Same as Failure + the PCs hear that Haushalter’s

daughter, Etelka, is getting married to Lord Karl

Volte in 8 days time.

1 degree

Same as 0 degrees + the Haushalter wedding

may not go forward. Lord Volte only agreed to

marry her because Etelka possessed a good

pedigree, but the talk amongst town is that the

Haushalter family is actually as common as mud

and the Haushalters have been lying all these

years.

If one character is designated to represent the

group to Haushalter and does most of the

speaking during the interview, have that character

make an Average[+0%] Charm Test. Alternately,

if all the characters are speaking for themselves,

have the character with the lowest Charm skill

make an Average[+0%] Charm Test. This

determines Haushalter feeling for how trustworthy

the characters are as a group.

2 degrees

Same as 1 degree + the PCs hear that

Burgermeister Gunthar Steinhoff tried and failed

Haushalter offers the group 1 gc each up front,

plus 5 gc each if they are successful in returning

with the evidence in time. If the Charm Test was

Fan Material for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay : A Question of Breeding

a success, Haushalter adds an additional 1 gc

each up front.

Haushalter will mention that he would very much

like to know what happened to his men, but this is

of secondary importance because of the wedding.

If a PC makes a successful Opposed Haggle

Test, Haushalter can be talked up to 3 gc each up

front and 7 gc each if they are successful in

finding evidence in time. He is also willing to use

his business contacts to help the PCs secure

information or materials of a legal nature if they

are successful. Note that if the players believe

that the sum offered is insufficient, it may be

valuable to remind that for a week’s work they are

being paid more than twice what an average

mercenary receives in a month.

An Enemy at Work

Because of the loss of his two men, coupled with

the recent rumors spread about his family,

Haushalter has begun to suspect that someone is

working against him. He won't reveal this final

conclusion unless pressed by the PCs regarding

any enemies he has. Haushalter doesn’t know

who would wish him ill. If the PCs have heard of

Steinoff and suggest that he could be the culprit,

Haushalter will dismiss this concern. He will state

that Steinoff and he do business, and both have

made overtures to insure that there is no bad

blood. Steinoff even sent two silver goblets as a

wedding present.

If the PCs accept Haushalter’s offer he will urge

them to leave town with all speed, since time is

short. He wishes them good luck and tells them

to bring the evidence straight to him as soon as

they return.

The Invocation to Morr

Before the PCs leave, Haushalter will press upon

them a sealed piece of paper that contains a brief

invocation to Morr (see handout 1). Haushalter

will state that he is eager for the PCs not to

offend any lingering spirits of his ancestors and

consulted with a priest of Morr. So when they

enter the crypt or remove any evidence they find,

he would be appreciative if they would read the

prayer to placate any listening ears. If asked he

will tell the PCs that he did not supply his hired

men with the prayer as neither of them could

read. Note that this invocation is just a standard

prayer, is not magical and, unless the GM intends

otherwise, has no effect when read. It’s just

something to make the PCs worry.

Keeping it Short

Just the Facts

The pace may slow down if the PCs are being

slow to accept the offer or have gotten all the

information they need and are asking

unproductive questions. To move things alone

the GM can have the accountant, Etelka

Haushalter, some of the warehouse workers, or a

combination of these enter the office

unannounced and demand Haushalter’s attention

on another urgent matter. Haushalter will delay

any intruders for a moment and then, looking both

eager and resolute, ask the PCs if they will

accept his offer. The PCs can make one

Opposed Haggle Test (if they have not already

done so) before accepting or refusing the offer. If

they accept, Haushalter is gratified and pays

them immediately. If they refuse he looks

disappointed but thanks them for their time and

tells them that they should return if they

reconsider. In either case, he then shows them

to the door.

Solving Problems

What if the PCs aren’t interested?

If, after meeting with Haushalter the PCs are

undecided or uninterested, the GM can try to

coax interest with the arrival of Haushalter’s

daughter, Etelka. She can arrive at the

warehouse as the PCs are leaving, or later at the

inn in which the PCs have taken lodging. In

either case, she will attempt to persuade them to

help her family. She will confess that although

she doesn’t love her betrothed, she wishes

greatly to please her father and that being Lady

Volte would be no bad thing. At the GMs

discretion she can simply cajole the PCs with

praise, offer additional money (up to 10 gc total),

a prized piece of jewelry (worth 25 gc), or an

glowing introduction to her new husband at the

wedding feast.

Drawing it Out

A Few Things Left Unsaid

The Loss of Two Men

If asked about any danger, Haushalter will admit

he sent two of his own men (Udo Hockschwarzer

and Fritz Mansel), both loyal and reliable, to

perform the same task 2 weeks ago and they

have not returned. He has no reason to suspect

the area is particularly dangerous (though as a

townsman he hears tales of the dangers that can

fall upon travelers on lonely forest roads), but

thinks some evil has befallen these men.

What if the PCs are on foot?

If the PCs don’t have horses, the deadline still

allows them enough time to walk there (3 days),

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