Arrival at Refugium

Thankfully, the explorers and their passenger have a thoroughly eventless ride to Refugium. While the roads from the Long Ago are in a sorry shape, someone put up posts and warning signs to guide travelers towards the settlement – also a hint, perhaps, at the dangers lurking off the safe roads. Mal makes good time, and the group reaches the former high security jail at about midday.



The old concrete building looms over the little farming community like a fastness of ancient times. The farmers’ homes are small boxes in the shadow of the large hexagon, its walls still crowned with rusting razor wire. After entering the settlement, the Nissan Conquistador is stopped by a small group of armed men led a tanned, burly brawler in metal armor with an impressive red beard that nicely complements his skin color. He introduces himself as Rupert Ropehands to the explorers, responsible for the security of the village and contact person for any strangers that come into town. He seems to be polite enough, if wary of the well armed visitors and their armored conveyance – at least until sister Duerrenmatt exits the car. She introduces the group and Rupert’s behavior changes at once. He gives some short orders to the other guards, who shoulder their shotguns and crossbows and leave the group. Then, Rupert readily answers many questions. Yes, this is Refugium, although they will probably want to talk to the monks, and not to the farmers. Yes, the monks will receive them, at least during daylight hours. Getting the information that a traveler came looking for might take a few days, though. There are two hotels in town, of which Sue Snell’s is the nice one, while Dago’s caters to those visitors who are on a budget or do not mind his dodgy food and unctuous manners. For those who do not want to pay anything at all, there is a small clearing close to the walls of the jail where one might put up a tent or two, and there is also a hand pump for water. Yes, there are other visitors in town: A group of travelers “just like you people”, and a single man on a street bike, both have business with the monks. No, Rod is the first benefactor who has visited Refugium in months.

While Rupert informs them about the wheres, whos and hows, the explorers get a good look at the square and the surrounding buildings. The houses look clean and well-built, as if following a certain pattern, and there are many signs with stenciled letters. The fields surrounding the village look fine, at least to the untrained eye. Adults and children mill about without giving more than a glance to the armored jeep: Refugium seems to do well. Dan is the first to spot the surveillance camera. It sits on a high pole and points at the middle of the small square where Rupert stopped the car.

After about half an hour, Rupert takes off, not without offering further help and information. Sister Duerrenmatt has long taken her heavy backpack and walked off towards the fastness. The group retreats into the armored jeep to deliberate. They have very little to base their further actions on: the false benefactor might be here, he could even be in the jail, infiltrating the small society there. They know next to nothing about Refugium and decide that their next steps should change that. Dan mentions the security camera above their car – he might be a bit overly cautious, but no one disagrees with his reminder that this is surely not the only camera pointing at them. Rod, who lit up after the stressful conversation with Rupert, asks “It would be nice to have some inroad or leverage when talking to the monks. Do you gentlemen have an idea, apart from me offering my services to any people in the jail who suffer from some injury or sickness?” Zed just glowers through the heavy smoke, but Mal smiles. “A few months back I stumbled across something that might fit the bill. They collect books? Rare, valuable books? I think I’ve got just the thing to get their attention.”