Vaesen, Session 3/Part 1
The investigators return to Upsala to indulge in some downtime and develop their headquarters. Erik begins to alphabetize the castle's extensive library and discovers a secret room filled with records of the Socities' previous encounters with the Vaesen (new HQ feature: Annals). Arne has developed an unfortunate craving for opiates and makes frequent visits to the Widow Gustovssdottir for sweet release. Svenrich splashes out on some new camera equipment and Gudrun buys a crystal ball, since all the cool occultists are using them. Knutt is confined to his bed, as the wound he suffered on the previous investigation has turned septic, and he may yet lose the limb.
Several days pass. The investigators are visited by Inspector Lundmark of the UPD. He is investigating the mysterious disappearance of Father Niels Klarhed
(who the investigators may have set on fire). It occurs to the investigators that they did just leave the priest's crispy carcass lying in the root cellar of the Witch Cat Inn, where any old flatfoot could find it. The investigators play dumb. Inspector Lundmark seems unconvinced, and states he will also be speaking to Lisa Finkel at Upsala University. The investigators wish him well and take no further action to obfuscate their involvement in the priest's demise, which will
DEFINITELY not have repercussions in the future....
Soon thereafter, the investigators receive an unrelated letter from a living priest named Oscar Uddgren. The body of his mentor Vicar Carl Hedqvist has been hauled from the sea, with what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Oscar does not believe Vicar Hedqvist capable of suicide and suspects his death was engineered by the wicked Herring Baron of Wrecker Isle! Oscar implores the Society to meet him in Fjallbacka, and bring the Herring Baron to justice. With nowt else to do
(like, I don't know, relocating an incriminating corpse or convincing an eyewitness into altering her damning testimony), the investigators hop onto the next coach!
The overland journey from Upsala to Fjallbacka takes several days. By happy coincidence, Svenrich has visited Wrecker Isle before and sends a messenger pigeon to his good friend Malte Sundstrom to secure accomodation for the group. Oscar Uddgren awaits them at the docks, but refuses to follow them into a tavern, claiming such establishments are dens of sin and alcohol is the devil's pisswater. The investigators watch him through the window, shivering in the cold as they knock back a few pints beside a warm hearth. Eventually, the ferry to Wrecker Isle shows up and the entire party climb aboard.
The voyage to Wrecker Isle is short, but the sea is choppy, and Arne loses his breakfast. Oscar reveals a few choice nuggets of exposition;
- The Herring Baron is called Zacharias Amundsson. He is the youngest of four brothers and manages the profitable saltery on Wrecker Isle. His mother Abela runs the inn. There are rumours that Zacharias killed his own father, although his mother does not seem to begrudge him that act of patricide.
- Vicar Hedqvist visited Wrecker Isle many times, hoping to convert the heathen fisherfolk to Christianity. Each time, his efforts were ridiculed and rebuffed. Not to be deterred, Vicar Hedqvist returned to Wrecker Isle one month ago, carrying a pistol to defend himself from the rough devils that sup from the Amundsson's salty cup. He was not seen again until his waterlogged corpse was pulled from the sea.
