Posted on by Magnus Seter

WFRP: The Reiksport Bezirk

A view over the Reiksport Bezirk, as seen 
entering from the north.

The Reiksport Bezirk, which lies just outside the northeast walls of Altdorf, is the newest part of the city. It has grown from being a humble gathering of sheds and jetties, to become one of the capitals most important defenses against invaders, smugglers and Marien-burgers. The district has benefited greatly from the military prescence of the Imperial Navy, and the fact that the Emperor raised funds to extend the walls of the city to encompass most of Reiksport.

It is a rough and tumble area, and one has to keep a sharp eye out for thugs and cutthroats. The district is made up mostly of docks, warehouses, barracks and living quarters for the navy and those civilians who make their living off servicing the large merchant and army vessels that moor there.

Adolphus Altdorfer

Konistag, Sigmarzeit 2

Reiksport Bezirk

/Magnus

Posted on by Magnus Seter

WFRP: The times they are a changing

The world is ever changing. There is no solace in the belief in the uncorruptibility of the laws that govern our bleak existence. Now that I have finally been allowed free from the clutches of the Witchhunters, I sit down to review my notes. And it is all very baffling. I find references to events I now know nothing about. It is as if the history of our Old World is being rewritten in front of my very eyes.
The laws of nature, the nature of magic, it seems as if they have all been changed.

Was it all a dream? Did a storm of chaos rage across the lands, or was it just a breeze of malcontent blown out of all proportions? Maybe it is as they say, that the invasion was merely a ruse, a conspiracy to strengthen the Emperor’s grip of the provinces. But what does it matter? It now seems but a dream, an image of the past that keeps changing depending on the whims of the powers that be and the state of my sobriety.

Shall I cling to the past or embrace the present? No doubt I will be branded a heretic whichever path I choose to tread. This decision weighs heavily on my mind, as heavy as the snow that engulfs our fair city of Altdorf. Everything is white, and maybe this is the time of year when the capital is at its most beautiful. The filth and the muck, the dirt och the dreck, all is covered in soft and cruel snow.

Soon the year will be at an end, and everything will start anew. What will I do then?

Adolphus Altdorfer
Festag, Ulriczeit 27, 2521 IC
Posted on by Magnus Seter

Don’t Pay the Ferryman

The people of Altdorf enjoy telling ghost stories, both as entertainment and as sincere warnings of the horrors of the unknown. The Niederhafen Pike is one such legend, and this is often accompanied by the fable known as Don’t pay the ferryman. The source of this ballad is unknown, but it is easy to imagine that it has some truth to it, given the amount of ferries that cross the Reik. There are bound to be incidents, even if they are more mundane than the legend makes out.

The popular and skilled lute player and folk singer Christoph Von Kleinestadt has followed up on his success at the taverns and bars in the docklands, and has written another catchy tune, inspired by the old legend of the sinister ferryman.

It was late at night on the Volkerweg
Speeding like a man on the run
A lifetime spent preparing for the journey 

He is closer now and the search is on
Reading from a map in the mind
Yes there’s the ragged bridge
And there’s the boat on the river 

And when the rain came down
He heard a wild dog howl
There were voices in the night – “Don’t do it!”
Voices out of sight – “Don’t do it!
Too many men have failed before
Whatever you do

Don’t pay the ferryman
Don’t even fix a price
Don’t pay the ferryman
Until he gets you to the other side 

In the rolling mist then he gets on board
Now there’ll be no turning back
Beware that hooded old man at the rudder 

And then the lightning flashed, and the thunder roared
And people calling out his name
And dancing bones that jabbered and a-moaned
On the water 

And then the ferryman said
“There is trouble ahead.
So you must pay me now” – “Don’t do it!”
“You must pay me now” – “Don’t do it!”
And still that voice came from beyond
Whatever you do 

Don’t pay the ferryman
Don’t even fix a price
Don’t pay the ferryman
Until he gets you to the other side
Don’t pay – the ferryman!

Adolphus Altdorfer
Wellentag, Sommerzeit 20, 2521 IC
Here’s the video of the song performed live! It’s kind of a silly song, but I love it. Too bad I couldn’t find the original video, with De Burgh dressed as a vampire!

/Magnus