Solicitation
to
Marienburg Men of Honor
with
Talent in Arms
in
the Name
of
Pierre Foucault

(by John MacLaury)

    Many of you saw the fire fall from the night sky of several months now past. Those of you who did not witness the wonder and majesty of this event have surely heard of it and seen the air lingering dark and heavy over the eastern skies for too long a period to be considered transient. Some of you may have even heard the first reports from the bands of Marienburg men who have already gone to investigate and returned. For those of you who have not such knowledge, let me now make a report of it for you...

    The province called Mordheim has been razed by the impact of an object not of this world. The object's shards are spread throughout the land and are considered to be of great value. A thriving economy has developed for the trading of these shards, and opportunities abound to demonstrate our military and mercantile prowess. Truly I say there are abundant opportunities for great riches to be earned and plundered, and some of the bands have returned triumphantly and demonstrated this.

    However, many bands have not returned and are not likely to. Some of the bands that have returned do not bear riches, but carry deep wounds and tell tales of things inhuman spawned or mutated in this otherworldly presence. Moreover, other mercenary bands also compete for the plunder, though I say with certainty that we share a common mind regarding our ability to out-fight and out-barter any neighboring tribe.

    So for all men of honor and talent in arms who seek riches and dare to brave the risks, join with me in a band of warriors to travel to the province of Mordheim to test our skills and unravel our fates with all opportunity for profit and glory.

-Pierre Focault

The Knights of Focault - Marienburg Warband - Initial Recruits Captain Pierre Foucault Crossbow, Spear 85gc Champion Jean DeVrai Brace of Dueling Pistols, Spear 95gc Champion Simon Templar Brace of Dueling Pistols, Spear 95gc Marksman (x3) "The Pendulum's Arm" Crossbow, Shield, Dagger 165gc Swordsman(x3) "The Center Guard" Sword, Buckler, Dagger 150gc TOTAL = 590gc

The Journal of Pierre Focault

    My name is Pierre Focault. I hail from a town called Montmartre in one or the outer provinces of Marienburg and count myself a loyal subject of the Lady Magritte, my family’s benefactor and my liege. I am son to Etienne Bernard Foucault and grandson to Jean Bernard Leon Foucault, of whom you may have some knowledge.

    My grandfather was a scientist of some distinction. He had no head for business but was well supported by honest patrons. It was he who invented the Foucault Pendulum, demonstrating that an arm swinging along one axis would navigate an ever-changing path through the sands beneath as the entire mass of lands we call home rotate. From him I gained a deep appreciation for science, and no small amount of knowledge either. But I did not share my grandfather’s commitment to explaining all through science. To me, the pendulum also represented the chaos of the universe, bound by its own fate to change its dance over time to the beat of music neither heard by human ear nor understood by human brain.

    My father was a merchant, having rebelled against his father’s commitment to discovery, knowledge, and things immaterial. While we were already well-supported as a family, my father felt it necessary to re-establish our wealth through his own hands and lord over its increase. I saw him little, though from him I learned much about moneys and trade, along with more than just a little about fighting. From him I learned the attitude of doing whatever it takes to accomplish an end. My father was a loyal subject of Magritte, committed to being part of the establishment and the church. He conformed. I also gained a respect for what the ruling class and the church can do for one’s family. Though I found my father’s faith and worship to be hollow, I sensed a deeper spiritual reality lurking behind the buildings and men that called themselves the church.

    My grandfather is long since gone now - as one would expect - though my father has passed on as well, far earlier than one might expect. I, however, am not surprised, for his dedication to building wealth at the expense of all things healthy was renowned. Ironically, he never succeeded in becoming truly rich in gold. I am well taken care of, and I have my family’s holdings in land, along with great respect in our town, so I have naught about which to complain.

    But I find myself to be restless. I have in me knowledge of science, religion, trade, fighting, and other worldly activities, but I find in these things no truth and no purpose. I sense that there is something much, much deeper in this world that conspires to control all of the above things. I believe there are deep, telluric undercurrents that are not understood by man. It is understanding of these things that I seek.

    Many months ago, when I saw a star fall from the sky into the lands of the east, I became truly intrigued. Many adventured there immediately, and I have heard wild stories of riches and death and things not possible. Clearly most of these tales are fabrications, but I can’t help but consider the possibility that the remnants of a star from the heavens could hold truths previously unknown to this world. As all who have gone before seemed to be seeking adventure and wealth, I can only believe - and believe strongly - that such knowledge would not have yet been sought out.

    I am now firmly set upon the creation of a band of men to explore the eastern regions where the star fell and over which now hangs a shroud of darkness and mystery. I will, of course, have to promise adventure and riches to recruit men, but my true motivations lie elsewhere.

Entry 1: The 18th Day of the 10th Month of the First Year of the Third Millennium

Entry 2: The 26th Day of the 10th Month of the First Year of the Third Millennium

Entry 3: The 31st Day of the 10th Month of the First Year of the Third Millennium

Entry 4: The 3rd Day of the 11th Month of the First Year of the Third Millennium

Entry 5: The 16th Day of the 11th Month of the First Year of the Third Millennium

Entry 6: The 26th Day of the 11th Month of the First Year of the Third Millennium

Entry 7: The 30th Day of the 11th Month of the First Year of the Third Millennium

Entry 8: The 14th Day of the 12th Month of the First Year of the Third Millennium

Entry 9: The 30th Day of the 12th Month of the First Year of the Third Millennium

Entry 10: The 1st Day of the 2nd Month of the Second Year of the Third Millennium

Entry 11: The 16th Day of the 2nd Month of the Second Year of the Third Millennium

Entry 12: The 24th Day of the 2nd Month of the Second Year of the Third Millennium

Entry 13: The 18th Day of the 3rd Month of the Second Year of the Third Millennium