Posted this in the Almanac as well, but below is the sum of your pooled knowledge

The last true strongholds of paganism in Europe run from Pomerania east until Lake Chudskoe in Russia.  The area between are lushly forested, dotted with deep swamps, and blessed with very bitter winters.

The people who live in these lands aren't well known to their western and southern neighbors, though the Byzantines traded with them through the Russian river system.  You have heard the names of the major tribes as Livs, Letts, and Estonians.

The Church turned it's attention to the area around 1170.  They sent missionaries and established small churches.  They began working on converting the various tribes in the area.  They met with little success.

Then a new bishop, Bishop Alfred, founded a bishopric in the town of Riga. He also invited crusading orders to enter the area.

Currently, an independent crusading order named The Knights of the Sword has established a headquarters in Riga near Alfred's under construction cathedral.  They began operations 15 or so years ago.  Word is the Knights of the Sword have stabilized a good amount of the area around Riga.  But that the Church's influence is still rather dim.

Riga has grown in importance however.  The crusades brought traders, and the traders have discovered how handy it is to have a functioning port on the voyage to Lake Chudskoe and Novgorod.

There are rumors of some internal conflict between Bishop Alfred and the officer corp of the Knights/Sword (KOTS going forward).  But the source of the conflict, if a conflict even exists, is unknown.  It is known that the KOTS seem to be struggling.  Their recruiters are scouring every major port in the north, trying to drum up recruits.  And word on the street is a couple of the larger merchant houses have cancelled some contracts with KOTS.  But this is just gossip.

Emrys relays what he knows and adds, "Gustav isn't likely going to be too friendly talking to another magi given how things were left between him and Amis.  I'd appreciate if you could ask him what happened and where Amis may have gone Alfred."

Returning his attention to Calliope the magus adds, "Well as I said you are welcome to travel with us as we are sure to deal with other magi in our journey.  I can't promise they'll be helpful but if you don't find answers during this quest I am planning on setting up a covenant in the near future that you'd be more than welcome to stay at.  Just have to find the right spot and while the work won't be easy as it is at Fengheld the offer is open to all of you."

Vellum regards you Calliope, then shrugs...which is apparently something talking cats can do.

"Any who aid me in finding my errant human can take part in the reward.  I am not choosy about who gets the job done as long as it gets done.

"Now.  When we find Gustav, I think it may be best if he not know I am about.  He and I did not get along well.  Do you have any questions about him?  If I can answer them, I will."

---

Two days later, you are all on deck, blinking in the dawn of an overcast day.  A cold, wet drizzle is dousing the ship.  But while the sailors grumble, they move with speed and accuracy.  Port is just ahead.

The ship has been hugging the coast for the most part.  But a while ago, the lookout cried out that he spotted Riga.

It's not Hamburg.  Either in size or depth.  A wooden palisade surrounds the town, but it appears that it's slowly being replaced with a stone wall.  A hillside is dotted with peasant shacks.  Farther up the hill, the buildings become more cosmopolitan looking, though they seem painfully new.  You'd guess the fancier buildings had only been built within the past five years.

At the top of the hill, it looks like a cathedral is being built.  It has come quite a ways.  If the weather is good this summer, it should be completed by the fall.  It won't be grandiose.  Germany is full of much more ornate houses of worship.  But it looks like it will be fancier than a town of this size probably needs.

The captain walks up to Affare, doing his best to ignore Emrys and Calliope.  "We should be docking within an hour.  I ask you get all your gear.  It'll be best if you deport as quick as you can.  If any of your things are missing, let me know and I'll settle with you before we dock."

And with that he turns away, barking out orders before any of you have a chance to ask him anything.

The sailors have given you and your things a wide berth.  So there is nothing missing.

You can stop one of the sailors if you want to ask them anything.  But the questions best be short.  Even if they are avoiding you, they are busy.

I'll let you flag a sailor if you have any questions about Riga.  If not, we will move forward on Thursday.  Thanks