So, our above campaign has now come to a satisfying conclusion, after about 135 sessions (see previous notes here).
My thanks to @DaveHiggins , Rob, Alex and Sean, and to their characters:
Kai von Ravenstein
(Born Noble, (Peasant) Peddlar, (Village) Barber, (Outcast) Desperate Killer)
Who began as a desperate killer seeking his brother (and their father’s heir), and will, in the aftermath of our campaign, go on to claim lands in Sylvania, a god-touched Priest of Ranald, friend to the downtrodden… and rich merchant-prince.
Dieter Fuchs
(City Born, Criminal, Student, (Noble Court) Court Doctor)
Who began fleeing his powerful noble enemy in the courts of Altdorf, and who, at the end of the campaign, convinced the Emperor to sanction a shadow-war against the vampire lords of Sylvania. An Investigator of Verena, Scourge of Skaven… and rich merchant-(prince).
Benno Bachlein
(Born Village, Village Clerk, (Soldier) Sailor, (Outcast) Smuggler)
Who began as a love-struck smuggler (who impersonated a poet to his noble lady love), pursued by his river-warden brother, and who, countless twists, turns and fake/mistaken identities later, pushed his true love away to keep her safe, became an Agent of the Shroud of Morr, a relentless pursuer of those evil people who share his face, donning “just one more fake identity” to hunt vampires… and rich merchant-(prince).
Sluice
(Born Below, The Gauntlet, Fingers, (Exile) Albino)
Who began as the Empire’s first (accidentally) Gifted Halfling, on the run from criminal bullies, witch hunters and The Law, and who, through con-artistry became the “apostle” to the Skaven (Roden), before becoming their actual Apostle, and leading his (Skaven) people into the light of the Empire. A Magister, a leader, a bridge between worlds… and a merchant-(prince).
What started with a desperate dash north out of Altdorf on Kai von Ravenstein’s barge, ended in the court of the Emperor (in 2 back-to-back Duel of Wits), and then, taken by the ghost of Kai’s father to a dark cellar, to a Fight! with 2 vampires to free the court… and begin their shadow war.
Quite the campaign!
…
May Kai von Ravenstein seize lands and improve the lives of those within them.
May Dieter Fuchs find satisfaction in the Shadow War he launched.
May Benno Bachlein scourge from the Empire all those enemies who have his face.
May Sluice the Apostle protect his people, and build for them a place within this complicated Empire.
…
Having taken as my (vague) inspiration the old “The Enemy Within” campaign, we managed to hit many of the highlights / lowlights I wanted them to see/experience, from cultists and mistaken identities, to Skaven and tough moral choice.
We had reversals of fortunes, so many (PC) fake identities I had to keep checking which NPCs knew who under what guise, stymied invasions, thwarted love, the “relaunch” of a religion, and fundamental changes to the setting, all driven by the PCs.
I couldn’t be happier.
