South Chaos Desert
The South Chaos desert was separated from the rest of the Warhammer World by a sea churned to white-foamed fury by an endless procession of storms that went all around it. It was a real desert, at least the parts which were recognizable as something of the material world had next to no rainfall. Yet most of it was covered by water in its frozen form. Most of it, but not all of it. Storms reshaped the landscape regularly and drove icy particles that could flay anything in their path in short order. Some valleys were so well shielded from the meager heat provided by a sun that was absent for much of the year that they were very cold indeed. Cold enough to kill an ordinary human being within a minute or two by freezing his lungs. There were warm spots, heated by volcanic activity, magic or both. They were like oasis in other deserts and travel between them was hard and dangerous.
The desert`s denizens had to be able to make do with next to nothing, take their sustenance from the Empyrean or rip it from their fellow beings. The beastmen that made up the bulk of the Chaos Desert`s population were described well by these attributes. There were other beings, and the closer one got to the gate the stranger they became. That "closer" was up to debate was just another feature of the ivy hell.
The stone stood in the shade of a cliff, otherwise it would have disappeared under the endless white eons ago. It could have been shaped by natural forces, by sentient being or both. The lines on its surface might be cracks or sigils of power, none of that could be discerned by casual examination. Even the most casual observer would find its proportions wrong. There was nothing one could lay one`s hands on, there was just the suspicion that its four corners would not add up to 360 degrees somehow. It not unusual in this surrounding and that it started to moan would not have fazed anybody. The dome of blue light that sprung up and the snow was pushed to the side. When the light went off again the space around the stone was occupied by a group of beings. All were clad in furs to the point where they resembled the beastmen and still three groups could be discerned. There were the huge, erect figures of knights who formed a perimeter, there were the nimbler scouts that moved from the place and the even smaller Damsels. In their middle was a single warrior, neither especially tall nor clad better than those around him. Nobody doubted that he was in command, even when the only thing he did was gazing at a far-off mountain in the distance.
"What is your bidding Sir Robert?"
"This mountain, this is where we can fulfill the Lady`s command. Form up for the march, there is no time to waste."
Salzenmund, Empire
Somewhere in the mess of government-ugly buildings was something that looked like it might be a castle. It had been a real fortress once, had been used to house Salzenmund`s defenders who stood valiantly in the way of Norscans, Druchii and occasionally Ostlanders. It had been stoutly build, with thick walls and small windows. Its value had become questionable when artillery was introduced and became about as useful as tits on a boar when it became the centerpiece of the new Imperial Marine Academy. Its interior matched, with too-small hallways, impossible-to-heat rooms and staircases molded with a view to defend against sword-and-shield bearing attackers.
Supposedly it lent gravitas and history to this place and that was why Henrik Gerber`s predecessor had made sure his offices were in the old fortress. Henrik was less than enthused about that choice, given that ventilation was bad, natural lighting non-existent and both electricity and computer access questionable. At least he was spared the constant noise of construction to an extent as the Academy was constantly enlarged. There was a temporary bright spot in his office and that was Sophie Wagenstein-Vos who had married his friend from 1st Landwehr days. They had chatted amicably enough, now it was time for the interview.
"So Kommodore Gerber, you state that the four billion marks that were granted to the Imperial Navy in aid will be well-spent. Why is that so?"
"Germany needs tons of trade if we want to continue as a high-tech civilization, the Empire and the allies likewise if they want to upgrade. We need raw materials and we want to ship products to pay for them. This trade is done by sea even more than on Earth as there are few good railroads or roads around when you leave the Reiksbund. At the same time there are more than a few creditable threats to that trade.
There are the pirates of various kinds, all the way from Araby galleys to Druchii Reavers. There are state-level actors like the Chaos Dwarfs and the Druchii fleets. Some local rulers get the bright idea they could simply impound ships they liked and arrest the crews. And last not least there are some really scary things in these seas that live after a fashion."
"Was the pirate threat not severely diminished during the last decade? The Norscans and the Druchii no longer attack us and the Araby pirates were taken down a notch by yours truly."
"Yes, that is the case. On the other hand, several actors have upgraded their capabilities considerably. The Chaos Dwarfs have launched something that conspicuously like an 1880`s armored cruiser and the Druchii have a small fleet of armored frigates: We have sold weapons and ships to allies who may not stay allied for all time. The Dawi have attained a much better grasp of technology and manufacturing and we do not have full control what they sell and to whom. Long story short is that we need to show gray hulls around, the kind that makes people think better about attacking us.
There is a demand for two kinds of ships: One are the high-end ships like the "Liliental" class Sea Control Ships, the "Sachsen" frigates or the new "Bayern"-class cruiser. They are a "surge" force, deployed when a crisis asks for overwhelming force.
But there is also a need for patrol ships, the ships that are there when the shoe drops and not half the world away from the problem. These can be less refined, built with lots of off-the-shelf components and therefore cheaper. And yet they will be deployed far from the Reiksbund in many cases and stay there for years. The German answer for such a ship is a "Baden-Würthenberg" F125 "frigate" of 7000 tons, costing several hundred million marks. A very good ship with an excellent crew. A crew that wants Internet access wherever they are deployed, will be replaced after six months by airship and who draw a pay reflecting a hardship post far away from Germany.
The Empire can do a very similar job with an "Altdorf" which is a third of the size of the F125, costs about a tenth and is crewed by men who are really glad we abolished flogging three years ago. They do not want to go home as they live better on board then they lived on land. Their pay is less than the hazardous duty bonus paid to German sailors and still they consider themselves made men and woman.
With this aid package the Imperial Navy can put several times the hulls on the water than the German Navy with similar funds, allowing the Reiksbund to patrol what is needed without breaking the bank. As a bonus, it trains sailors in modern technology, they will be able to pick their jobs when they are discharged. The Empire will profit from that and that will rise Germany`s boat too.
So you can tell your readers that the 2033 aid package does not waste money, it provides the freedom of the seas for a discount price."
Fassberg, Empire
The Unimog was one of the new models, so that there was no diesel rumble. Instead a quiet high-frequency whine betrayed the workings of several electric motors that strained to power the small truck and its two trailers forward. They made their way slowly, not because they were so heavily loaded but as the way did not allow for more. The meadows were next to the meandering river Kristall and flooded several times a year. They were divided by small steams and numerus ponds. Crossing it with a truck, even one as capable like the Unimog, would have been impossible a few weeks ago. Now the truck and its cargo made its way along a wooden bridge at the pace of a running human while it was watched by a small group nearby.
"I have seen a lot of things that I would not believe possible since we arrived on this world Herr Trevayne. I can now add a new one, as a truck-bearing bridge made from twigs, cornstalks and matchsticks was not among them. I have to ask, is this safe?"
"Actually we built this bridge based on the trestle bridges used by US Railroads for quite some time. I knew about them and we recreated one from what data was still available. They can be erected quickly at low cost and were used by locomotives and cars weighting considerably more than a Unimog and a few trailers. We have hired a group of craftspeople who will check and maintain the bridge. They will also regulate traffic and make sure that the bridge is not used by too many trucks at the same time. Even so we can now establish motorized transportation to Kristall harbor."
"Yes, I can see that. Well it looks like you have fulfilled the requirements for establishing a Raiffeisen cooperative and in a very creative manner. So what are your plans for your fiefdom, Freiherr?"
"Call me Donald please, I work for a living."
"Then I am Robert. So?"
"We need a school, we need better equipment for the hops fields and we need to upgrade the brewery. Currently it only supplies the closest settlements and I fear that market is going away soon with imports or more modern breweries. And that is the main source of income here. I also want a small hydropower plant for electricity, common freezer house and the likes."
"Sounds like a reasonable business plan Donald. If I may offer a recommendation: There is a small consultancy that offers good services for local breweries. Made a first-rate job in Nuln and now wants to repeat elsewhere. Drop a hint and I`ll make sure that old man Koch takes care personally."
"Old man Koch as in Kochbock?"
"Exactly."
"Please consider the hint dropped then, this is good stuff."
South Chaos Desert
The mountain had grown smaller. It was no illusion, he had measured apparent height against a stick he held at arm`s length. Robert and his troop had marched most of the day towards the mountain that held what his Lady desired. It did not seem to be far away at first but now the goal had become measurably smaller. He had been warned about that, he had to follow the direction the lodestone the Lady had implanted in his mind provided. And that told him unambiguously to go forward. It did not tell him how far that might be and that could pose a problem.
As all other members of his party Robert de Grail had to learn to walk again. While some parts of the white hell they traversed made for easy marching others were very lightly packed snow. Heavily laden as his party was they would have sunken into the soft whiteness, so they had brought snowshoes. And while they allowed to traverse the white softness it forced them into a waddling walk that conspired with the heavy clothing to exhaust them. They were all in great shape, nobody chosen by the Lady could be otherwise. To them it was merely challenging, to lesser beings it would be deadly in short order. And so they made their way through the white desert, wondering where the ground ended and the sky began as they blended into each other. All sounded like old men with breath wheezing from labored airways. Icicles formed on eyebrows and beards and they constantly wiped their noses as they were running ever since they had arrived in this Ladyforsaken desolation.
In the distance, the yellow glow of an oasis beckoned, promising warmth, possible detection and death. He would not go there.
Röntgen-Museum Würzburg, Germany
Sigrid von Heideck as the 3rd kid of the Count of Heideck had a lot more freedom what to do with her life than her older siblings. While a useful marriage was a fallback option, at the moment she was studying medicine in Germany. Sigrid had always had a talent for healing, which had been seen the first time when she healed a wounded falcon while still being a young lady.
Today was one of her days off and so she was sightseeing the city. Sigrid wore a mix of German and Imperial fashion, marking her as an imperial student, but not overly so. Actually, she would not be recognized on casual view. Boots and Jeans were fashionable in Germany too, the only true hint was her short cape. These short capes, often from expensive cloth, were Imperial fashion, but with the Empire a friend and neighbor, Imperial fashion trends partly seeped over to Germany. Seeing such a cape hinted at an Imperial citizen wearing it, but there were a number of Germans who wore them as well. Her first visit was the small, but informative museum for Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, the discoverer of the Röntgenstrahlen. (lit. Röntgen rays = X rays, renamed in German in his honour. X-Strahlen is still valid too, but rarely used. In Japanese e.g. you can see rentogensen, ekkususen and in younger times xsen)
It was fascinating how far the technology had come. Germany invented the X-Ray machines in the late 2300s/early 2400 IC and that were massive things, like the Siemens & Halske X-Ray machine on exhibition in the museum, one of the oldest surviving.
The machine looked more like a high tech confessional box of the belief the Germans brought with them to Warhammer than a modern X-ray. Another interesting exhibit was the first real x-ray picture, showing a hand.
Röntgen pictures were as much a shock for the Empire as they were on Earth when the first ones were made. Still they inspired several Orders of Magic and Technici to produce magical variants. The possible uses were obvious. X-rays could be very dangerous, as had been found out by the Germans with rising experience over the years, but the invention was too useful.
Outside Gröbern village, Waidhofen, Germany
The two police officers tried to psuh the resisting man into their police car, while Günter Koch tried to reason with him too. Still the dark robed, twenty-something looking man with the slight Border kingdoms accent kept yelling.
"What are you doing, you oxen? Don´t you see... I can solve the case! Just let me do my thing! You do not-"
"I, we understand quite well! I assure you, it tickled me in the fingers to do exactly the same, but it is NOT a good idea in this case. You might mean well, but don ´t you feel the Winds here? Believe me, soon after we Germans arrived on this world and learned that magic is real, I came to this village to solve the mystery once and for all. But the moment I opened myself to the Winds I felt the magical background imprint and I stopped. Nothing good can come out of it.
Now be a cooperative, nice colleague and I promise you, the police will be merciful and not raise a fuss about your profession as long as you go back to your job or leave for your home country soon and without returning to Gröbern. You want to do the right thing, we give you that, but rules are rules."
Finally the calm, soothing voice of Günter Koch reached the resisting foreign necromancer and he nodded and went into the car without any resistance anymore. The police officers nodded in a thankful manner and asked Günter "Meeting in an hour?"
"Ja, passt! See you"
The police car left the scene, a field outside the village of Gröbern, part of the Waidhofen community, leaving Günter alone with a group of people. One was the mayor of Waidhofen, Josef Lechner, the rest were members of the private Hinterkaifeck investigation group, in essence hobby detectives, even if some real police officers were among them. Actually, Günter was a longtime member of the group himself, but today he was here in his occupation as a sorcerer.
The investigation group had been founded while Germany was still on Earth to solve the mystery of the Hinterkaifeck murders. In the night from the 31st March to 1st April 1922 the 6 inhabitants, among them two children, of Hinterkaifeck, a partly isolated farm lying about 300m outside Gröbern, were brutally murdered. The complicated case with lots of strange circumstances was singular in the German criminal history, there is no really similar case.
It took the investigation group years just to boil down the likely scenarios for the murders to about a half-dozen, because so many things do not want to fit.
Odd, very unusual behavior of the murderer/s, wild rumors, incest, a watch post under the roof, a number of suspects with motives but few evidence are just some "highlights" of these case.
As one can imagine, a century ago the village police was totally overwhelmed with this case and even the leader of the special homicide division called in from Munich, an Inspector with a perfect record of murder investigation, could not solve Hinterkaifeck back then, the only homicide case in his career Inspektor Reingruber had to leave unsolved.
When the new Hinterkaifeck investigation group formed, they had to wade through the same mess the official police had to roughly nine decades earlier. It did not get easier with most of the documents burning with Augsburg in World War 2.
Even getting a halfway fitting course of events was complicated with all the ill-fitting evidence.
There were hints for an escalated robbery, but contradicting this was the fact the murderer or murderers left large sums of money behind, which he or they cannot have overlooked. Many think the "robbery" is a deliberately placed wrong hint.
The murders were discovered 4 days later and the chicken and cows, which had no way to get to food and water on their own still lived. The murderer must have fed them and not only on the first day.
In the night following the murders, a citizen of the village returned from a pub visit and witnessed a person starting the oven of Hinterkaifeck . It could never be determined who this person was.
The village mayor became the main suspect, due in part to his on and off relationship with Victoria Gabriel, the owner of Hinterkaifeck. He spent the rest of his life trying to convince others of his innocence. In the investigation group, the opinions are mixed. Many in the group consider him the most likely culprit, since there are a lot of hints into his direction, but many others, most of them long-time members of the group, tend to consider the mayor innocent or a confidant against his will.
One of the biggest problems is finding the motive. The old police was never satisfied with their findings and even with the advantage of decades of new knowledge the investigation group is having the same problem. There is so much contradictory evidence, things which do not fit, no matter how they are put into theory. It could be jealousy, hate, rage, revenge, greed, even legacy hunting, madness and the good, old wrong place, wrong time.
Since a time, the investigation group theorizes with a motive mixture and the possibility of two independent crimes executed shortly behind each other as well to tackle the ill-fitting motivation of the culprit.
If one witness´ observations are correct, the murderer or a confidant was a foolhardy man. Leaving the crime scene just minutes before a search team reached the farm, staying there or returning four days after the crime and maybe not the first time at that, see feeding of the animals.
The murderer searched for something in the farm. It is unknown if he found what he looked for.
Viktoria Gabriel and her father had an incestuous relationship, that was more or less an open secret in the village. There were rumors that the youngest child, Josef, was actually the fruit of that relationship, not the son of the mayor.
The new maid started her service on the day of the murders, becoming a victim just hours after arriving there. That is quite suspicious and there is speculation that the murders might be connected with her arrival, but nothing concrete has been found.
In 2007 a new investigation by the police came to the conclusion that with modern methods and equipment the case could have been solved. But after so much time and with so much evidence lost, the case of Hinterkaifeck will likely be never solved concretly, unlees some lost documents resurface. The new report even named a prime suspect, but is kept confidential because of the living relatives.
The killing weapon was a mattock belonging to the farm. The overkill and extreme brutality of the murders stood out from the beginning. There are very few cases in the criminal history of the German-speaking lands of comparable brutality.
Young Cäzilia, the eldest child of Viktoria, actually did not die fast like the others. The rest of the family and the maid had gotten "make sure" hits, Cäzilia´s wounds were comparatively "light" instead. The poor girl suffered for hours until death finally came. The saddest part is that according to some reports from the environment of the coroner Cäzilia would have made it, if a medic or doctor would have gotten to Hinterkaifeck in time.
As said, the new investigation group are hobby detectives from all walks of life together with some interested police officers. All are united in the wish to come as close to the solution of the case as is possible today. They and the new police investigation unearthed quite a bit over the years. Like some suspects the old police overlooked or did not know about.
An information for those getting interested: While Andreas Gruber, Viktoria´s father, was definitely not the most pleasant person you can meet, a lot of the stories on the internet about Hinterkaifeck pumped up many things. and it´s forum is the home of the case experts. When you read there, it becomes quickly obvious that the family was not shunned by the community and the worst rumors about them came from persons with decided interests.
There are many more interesting facts about this case, if your interest is awoken, you can look here if your German is up to it: Der Mordfall Hinterkaifeck - .net and it´s forum is THE ressource on the case
For non-German speakers, just google Hinterkaifeck murders
As it is quite obvious with such a special case, the wish to solve it did not end with Germany´s travel to the Warhammer World. On a world with real magic absolutely not.
Günter was one of the first sorcerers to think about using magic to solve the case once and for all. After he had some training, Günter traveled to Gröbern to use his powers to finally lay the case to rest in more than one way.
So years ago he stood near the memorial, erected in honor for the victims and opened his senses to the Winds of Magic. And directly shut them off again. The imprint the violently brutal murders and death left on the magical background was bad enough, but managable. He could push that aside, but the rest. The violet streams of the Death Wind, the foreboding, the stagnant pools of magical energies, the feeling that something was off well beyond the murders... No, conjuring the spirits of the deceased to talk with them and finally solve the case and bring final rest to their souls here was not good. Not good in capital letters. Günter was unsure if this strange magical environment happened due where Germany landed on Warhammer or if the close forest called the Hexenholz (Witch´s wood) was named more aptly than the name givers could have known
Günter left and informed the officials. Rather soon wizards in state employ were tasked with keeping an eye on the crime scene. Not round the clock, but in steady intervals. And it helped. Over time, 4 sorcerers had tried to do what Günter did and it could be stopped in time. Once the sorcerer in question saw the problem herself, in the other three cases, people stepped in.
But one thing was left. Once a year the investigation group met in person in the Waidhofen area to talk and compare notes, with a walk to where Hinterkaifeck had been. It was not a closed society, so new members of the group and interested people sometimes walked with them to hear about the case.
In the time since Germany arrived on Warhammer, twice now a wizard came incognito with the group to conjure the spirits, solve the case and Günter intervented.
While up to now there had not been time, he hoped that passive magic from the Order of the Heavens might be helpful to find lost evidence or tickle out things directly out of time, instead of active magic. He was in contact with the higher-ups in the Order about sending some specialists.
But until this happened, well-meaning, but reckless wizards had to be hindered from doing things which could go bad massively.
