Chapter I: The Secret CampaignJoeuf Garrison CampHippolyte gratefully takes the envelope and says his thanks.
"No, mon colonel, that will be all, unless my companions here have any requests? Now if we could be provided with somewhere to rest for the night?'There are a number of inns in the town, doctor. Use them. I am not responsible for your wellbeing from this point forward.'
"Fair enough. What exactly were
your orders, colonel?" the surgeon asks.
'Well... let me see.' the colonel looks around and moves over to his desk. His eyes go over a crumpled piece of paper and he frowns, as if still not believing what he's seeing. ''Assist the Emperor's investigators into the paranormal to the best of your abilities', 'their task is imperative to the stability of France and the ideals we hold dear', and so on and so on. I think that is the gist of it.'
Behind him, Aruno notices that the commander has absinthe and all the needed tools to prepare the drink beside his bed.
"Can I make myself a drink?"'What? No.'
The monster hunter moves to do so regardless, picking up the various tools and bringing them up to eye level for closer study. He gives a satisfied grunt and begins diluting the alcohol, while the commander looks on with an expression equal parts shock and disbelief.
"Don't you believe in supernatural beings, commander? They are very real, very dangerous and your god won't be much help against them." Aruno says and points at the cross that the commander is wearing. Taking a careful sip from the glass of absinthe that he's preparing, Alexandre shows the commander the cross of the dead.
"This would be of much more help - it is mine, though."A faint red begins to creep up Duval's face, his lower lip quivering - but, fortunately, d'Oberlin is there to save the day. He gives a polite cough and takes Aruno by the shoulder.
"Come, Aruno. We'll talk about it over something to eat... somewhere quiet."Alexandre shrugs.
"Very well then. I think that a nearby inn will do? Also, commander, please tell your men not to nose on our business, it is for their own safety as they don't know how to and they don't have the equipment to fight monsters."Seeing the colonel ready to explode, d'Oberlin guides Aruno and the rest of the group out of his tent as quickly as he can. Only the Turkish priest is left behind, to ask one final question in broken French.
"If I may ask monsieur, have any of your men disappeared into the night or found dead?"Duval, saying nothing, closes his eyes and seems to count to ten. He makes a painful effort at a smile, and walks so close to Aydin he can smell his breath. He places both arms on the priest's shoulders and stares straight into his eyes for a few moments moment. Then, slowly, he leans in and whispers;
'Ab-so-lutely not.'
Turning the smaller man around, he physically pushes the priest out of the tent and pulls the flaps of the tent violently shut. Aydin, after a moment's hesitation, heads after his companions, out of the garrison camp.
Jouef InnThe town of Jouef, barely bigger than a village and located across the hills from the camp that shares its name, indeed contains several inns of varying quality. After careful study, the group decides on a bustling middle-class building on the main street, which proves not too cheap or too expensive. They settle in around a table downstairs and open the envelope.
Greetings,
As you should be aware, you will have upon reading this letter entered the service of His Imperial Majesty Napoleon I, Emperor of the French and King of Italy, with all that this entails. Utmost secrecy is required, and you may consider all previous ties of nationality or brotherhood broken. Should you break the terms of this service you will be seen to have committed high treason against France and her people and will be punished accordingly. If these terms are not acceptable to you, termination of your service must be negotiated about at the earliest possible opportunity.
After careful study and deliberation, the Emperor has determined there is a new enemy rising against France in the dark places of the world. We have and are still receiving at ever-increasing pace reports of fantastic creatures and events amongst the people and all across the world that have at times been claimed to have been the cause of severe harm to Imperial interests and military forces. There are a variety of explanations that have been considered, and we find it unlikely that superstitious legends and fairy tales have so suddenly come alive in the world, but regardless, the Emperor himself has tasked you and other men and women like you to investigate into these matters and if possible deal with their sources. We cannot press the importance of the matter enough. If things continue at the present pace, we may see a severe drop in the morale and operational capacity of the troops.
The Emperor has all faith in you. Do not let him down.
Your first task should be a simple one. You have received this letter from Colonel Jean-Baptiste Duval, the commander of our garrison in the region. Treat him with all the respect a man of his rank requires, for you cannot always rely on the assistance of His Imperial Majesty's armed forces. You cannot enjoy his hospitality for too long, unfortunately. Your actual destination is the village of Bartelsberg just across the old border. There has been a murder matching earlier reports of 'supernatural' attacks. Find a carriage driver called Jacques in Jouef - he has orders to take you directly to the village. Investigate into the matter and bring the murderer to justice.
Your Friend,
Louis-Alexandre Berthier, Marshal of the Empire
---
8/8 Health Points: [
IIIIIIII]
The Preacher – Aydin Kyrotomanios
Equipment: The Quran, Prayer Mat (rolled-up), Walking Stick, Simple Clothing, Packet of Foodstuffs
Speaks: Turkish, Arabic,
Rudimentary Greek,
Rudimentary French,
Fragmentary Italian, Fragmentary PersianSkills:
Man of the Faith 8/8 Health Points: [
IIIIIIII]
The Spy – Regina Boulanger
Equipment: Flintlock Pistol, Dagger, Fake Papers, Fine Clothing, Packet of Foodstuffs
Speaks: French, English, German, Italian, Swedish, Russian,
Rudimentary Turkish, Rudimentary Spanish,
Fragmentary Hungarian, Fragmentary ArabicSkills: The Spy's Tools 10/10 Health Points: [
IIIIIIIIII]
The Woodsman – Viktor
Equipment: Woodsman's Axe,
Ancient Musket, Woodsman's Rags, Tinderbox
Speaks: Serbian,
Fragmentary French, Fragmentary TurkishSkills:
Skilled Hunter,
Wilderness Survivor 8/8 Health Points: [
IIIIIIII]
The Surgeon – Hippolyte d'Oberlin
Equipment: Surgical Gear, Notebook, Clean Cloth, Empty Bottles, Travelling Clothing, Packet of Foodstuffs
Speaks: French, German, English,
Rudimentary Swedish, Rudimentary Turkish,
Fragmentary Russian, Fragmentary Arabic, Fragmentary LatinSkills: Field Surgeon,
Natural Scientist 10/10 Health Points: [
IIIIIIIIII]
The Monster Hunter – Alexandre Aruno
Equipment: Flintlock Rifle, Silver-coated Knife,
Bag of Tools, Fine Clothing, Flask of Wine, Packet of Foodstuffs,
The Malleus MaleficarumSpeaks: French, German,
Rudimentary Italian, Rudimentary Swedish, Rudimentary EnglishSkills: Scholar of Evil,
Famous Hunter ---
Researching absinthe and it's preparation and the writing style of 19th century letters (though I didn't really get anything for the latter) - the things I do for France!
Author
Topic: Bonaparte's Hounds - Monster-hunting in the 19th century - Turn XI (Read 9550 times)