The Polish in Prague

The winding, cobblestone streets of Prague hold many secrets, but few are as loud and boisterous as the ragged band of Polish mercenaries currently occupying the taverns near the Vltava river. The crew of the Regina had barely dropped anchor in these metaphorical waters when they spotted a familiar, unkempt crest: the men of Marek Worski.

A Golden River of Staropramen

Worski's men had clearly found a new patron, or perhaps a deep pocket to pick, for they were seen consuming vast quantities of Staropramen. The golden lagers flowed endlessly. It was a sight that prompted The Captain to ponder the strange history of such beverages, specifically the origins of the Pilsner and the curious mushroom-brewing traditions of old German women.

Despite the close proximity in the tavern, Marek Worski himself did not approach the crew. He sat brooding in a corner, his eyes fixed on a ledger, a strange behavior for a man known more for his blade than his accounting.

The Noblewoman and the Merchant

Instead of the Polish bandit-captain, the crew was approached by a woman of sharp features and piercing intellect. She introduced herself as Katharina Krajewska.

Katharina is, by her own admission, an impoverished noble from the Polish Crown. Yet, she carries herself with an authority that suggests she has found a lucrative, if highly susceptible, corrupt position within the intricate politics of Prague and the Holy Roman Empire.

She officially acts as a novice legal assistant to an exceedingly ancient, yet fabulously wealthy Pragian merchant known as Grubosk von Leckland. Grubosk is a figure of much whisper and speculation in the city. His ancestry is described by locals as "really strange"—some say he hails from the deep east, others claim he is a remnant of older, forgotten bloodlines. Regardless of his origins, he is begrudgingly accepted by the patricians of Prague for one simple reason: he pays an exorbitant amount of taxes into the city's coffers.

However, Katharina's true nature soon revealed itself. Luscious yet sly, she is known throughout Prague for abusing male lust while feeding her own insatiable desires for flesh, coin, and—most importantly—power. A failed student of law from Paris, she took the position with Grubosk to climb the social ladder by any means necessary. Before the night was over, she had boldly offered sexual services to several of the unwary crew members.

The Captain, however, was not present for this display of debauchery. He had remained safely aboard the Regina, heavily protected by the vigilant receptionist-boatswain from their recent encounters. While Worski's men continued to drown their past in Staropramen and Katharina spun her carnal webs, the Captain slept soundly, knowing that the currents of Prague are as treacherous as any ocean.