Hawkmoon - Secrets of Tragic Europe play report #001
The one where the players meet an old friend
Preamble
One of my 2024 RPG goals was to run a campaign for my local group and settled on the 2008 Mongoose campaign ‘Secrets of Tragic Europe’, using the most excellent Black Sword Hack [A handsome book that comes with a tomTremendous seal of approval].
While I’m using Discord to run the game, thought I’d utilise this space to keep a record of the events that take place.
Set pre-Hawkmoon, our four ‘heroes’ are deserting Gran Bretan soldiers, who've fled the British Isles in the weeks before the Dark Empire embarks on its invasion of mainland Europe.
The cast consists of Bruach Na Frithef (the Assassin), Dunglas Arkyl (the Doctor), Darkle Finn (the Barbarian) and Liac Abernethie (the Charlatan).
Landing in the low countries, they fled east. Getting involved in a few scrapes along the way. Notably razing the Hollandia border town of Hoog Begraven to the ground and eventually reaching the safety of Germania’s capital: Berlin.
Play Report #001
The Charlatan is otherwise engaged [off on his own doomed campaign following the Scottish football team on the Rhine, armed with little more than a kilt, drum and bottle opener - Ed.] Leaving the Barbarian, the Doctor and the Assassin to play.
Our heroes find themselves in a cheap tavern in the poor quarter, pooling funds to pay for the next round; amounting to a few pennies and the last two doses of a hallucinogen the Doctor had concocted on route.
The tavern door is slammed open and in roars Hadred the Bastard, a fiery broad chested fighter, short sword in hand and trailed by two thugs. His eyes fall on the PCs and roars “there you are! Your red eyed bastard won't save you now!’
There's a skirmish, blows are exchanged. One thug gets a burst nose. The Assassin, who dabbles a little in dark lore, brings matters to a close by casting scream [think Aztec Death Whistle - Ed.] momentarily freezing everyone. During which he pulls a blade and methodically saws through Hadred’s jugular. His lackeys scarper.
As the stunned locals recover, a familiar figure walks in, clapping. It's Keann, the Irish rogue the Charlatan freed from a dungeon during their Hoog Begraven escapade.
Keann apologises: He'd heard the group were in Berlin and had been looking for them, intending to recruit them to act on behalf of his master in an upcoming duel. The other side had got wind and dispatched Hadred to disrupt things.
Having looted Hadred’s body for enough coin to buy a round, the group agrees to return with Keann and listen to his master’s offer.
Residing in the Lietzenburg palace, Count Tierkreis cuts a lonely figure. The frail albino aristo spends his time pouring over ancient texts in a sprawling library. He is thrilled to hear of tonight’s exploits and offers them a generous stipend to represent him in a duel with Sir Reinhardt, whom he accidentally insulted at a recent party. With little else on the offing, they agree.
Over the following dinner Tierkreis proves to be a poor host. Swinging from admiration for Dark Empire’s science to insulting and boorish dismissal. They do meet Lady Phora, a beautiful but distant young lady who flits in and out of the dining hall. Keann explains she is a ward of the count.
That night, Keann takes them to the Barbary Plaza where Sir Reinhardt waits accompanied by his close confidants known as The Kestrels and a small group of courtiers and sycophants. Disappointed that the Count has sent a proxy, Reinhardt is keen to settle affairs and make a display for his onlookers.
Despite being the better swordsman, it is Reinhardt who sustains an injury first. Though it is supposed to be to ‘first blood’ the wound spurs the knight on. A flurry of blows forces the Barbarian onto his backfoot.
Momentarily that is… the Doctor had well lubricated the Barbarian’s blade with the last of his hallucinogenic potion. Having entered his bloodstream it takes only minutes to take effect. As Reinhardt’s faculties begin to slip, the Barbarian gives a blood curdling roar. It’s too much for the Knight, who succumbs entirely to fear, fouls his leggings, turns tail and flees.
There’s stunned silence before the small crowd whoops in delight and begins to chant the Barbarian’s name.
On returning to the palace, Tierkreis is pleased with the matter and pays the party what he promised. He goes on to offer them another job: Journeying to Carpathia to retrieve a rare and ancient copy of the Book of the Forgotten by Joyeuse of the White Tower. Its current owner, Duke Konrad has agreed to trade it for an elixir the count holds.
To be continued…