Argan was waiting for the reaction of the man, seeking to know if he knew about the elf or not. It could be he spoiled his plans into the forest, who knew?
"Whistles inside his head"
"You have quite extensive knowledge of the going on's of this town, to even know of a single elf. Perhaps a threat... or a simple fool. Know you which he might be, through your contacts?" The older voice definitely sounded impressed. It wasn't particularly obvious if one were judging by his tone, but his words gave clear indication that he thought the Baron worth listening too. Beneath his hood, the appearance of an aged, grey skinned and haired tiefling narrowed it's dimly lit eyes to study the Baron closely as he answered.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+14
The Baron smiles, pleased, Likely a fool. Though to be honest, I expected you might know more of him. It seemed that he had also mentioned a horn to some.
"Well enough business talk, let's enjoy ourselves for the night. Sounds like tommorrow we're gonna be in the woods."
Aye! Go to the woods cause a Villain you are!
Kharn's ready to go exploring.
Seth considers this, just as he had spent time considering the Baron to learn the right notes to play. Then he nods slowly,"It is certainly more then we had. Hope him a fool, prepare for a threat I say. I thank you Baron, and I do apologize for the... eagerness of some of my comrades. They each have their skills and for some dealing with those worthy of respect is not one of them."
Seth sounded less insulting and more... accepting of his comrades 'limitations'. The tiefling was secretly enjoying this fun, as he had rarely had the chance to enjoy such delicate deceptions. Farmers and merchants did not take much to fool or corrupt after all.
At Vladamir's suggestion, Seth's eyes briefly brighten, and he turns to look at the man for a moment before nodding and looking to the Baron. It was subtle, but it seemed he had been looking to Vlad for a sign of some kind, perhaps? "If the Baron would entertain us for the night I would much appreciate it, but I would not wish to burden him with our presence if it would be troublesome. T'would not be becoming of our recently forged... alliance."
The Baron laughs, and the group moves into a long night of drinking and frivolity. At some point, the Baron excuses himself, but leaves his servants at your disposal. You spend a luxurious night in the Baron's home. When you wake, one of the servants approaches. There was a note left for you early this morning. You can almost hear Tiadora's mocking tone as you read:
"Dearest,"
I am sorry to have abandoned you last eve', but I had my own work to be about. Do not forget the clay seal. Break it when it is needed, but do not be overeager. It is not becoming.
The Seventh Knot will arrive today. I suggest a meeting with them. Though whether you do or not matters little to me.
I hope to hear soon of your success, I may shed a tear or two after killing you should you fail.
Sincerely,
Tiadora
Lil wakes up in good spirits, although she doesn't like the warmth to the house. She prepares her things to get moving.
"Thanks!" Lil exclaims happily to the servant. After reading it aloud to the group she grabs her pack. "So we ready to set out than?"
Argan is in a bad, baaaaad mood. "Yes, grab your things and let's get moving. Use the remaining time we have to purchase supplies and after we meet the 7th we will be on our way."
"If the 7th knot is arriving today they will most likely be directed to meet the Baron as well. We should just relax here, met them, and then get underway."
Seth, still in his elderly disguise, looked aghast at Vlad. His cloaks hood was down now, showing pale grey skin touched with red, wrinkles and age abounds. He risks a subtle glance around, then shakes his head slowly. "It is doubtful that our... 'master' would send that Knot here. Remember, only one or two were intelligent, the rest mostly brutes the 'leader' used up like cannon fodder. Better to meet them before they meet the Baron anyway, lest they do something stupid."
Argan shakes his head. "Indeed we should meet them outside, but not for those reasons, Seth. You're confusing the knots. The brute one is Kael's, and they are probably all dead in the forest. The 7th is the knot with the twins and the slutty leader."
"Mmmmm.. Slutty Leaders I do enjoy.."
Seth tilted his head to the side, then grunts. "I haven't heard of them. Are they dangerous?"
"We don't need to worry about that, as long as she does her job."
You move down out of the comfort of the Baron's home to meet with the White Ravens (the Seventh Knot). When they arrive, Elise comes to meet with you herself, while the others of her knot get settled. Well, she says with a tight smile, Shall we get down to business? She leans forward, exposing a considerable expanse of bossom. She lowers her voice then continues, While traveling here with Tiadora, I have already been putting together my plans. I intend to start setting up spies in every inn, tavern or any other place adventurers and guards may gather before moving on to the horn. Once you have the horn, send a message to me. Those adventurers I cannot make disappear, I will gather information on and send it on to you. She looks cooly down the row at each of you. Any questions? Also, is there anything I should know about your plans?
"Ooh, that's pretty smart! That way we'll know they're coming and stuff!" She rocks on her chair. "Not that I can think of, for now anyways."
Vlad can't help himself and stares hard at the woman's exposed chest. He licks his lips before snapping out of it. "Sounds like a fine plan Miss Elise! As far as our plans go we're much more spontaneous." He smiles revealing a bit of fang. "Although I am conjuring up some plans for you and me. Perhaps I could share those with you in a much more private setting?"
well s@%#..
Argan shakes his head to the vamp who shagged no one, but keeps the focus on more important stuff.
"Just the basics. We will move in, get the thing, and move out. You don't need to move on the horn, just take care of whoever dares to bother us. The horn might get visible for anyone within dozens of miles when we start breaking the seal, so don't underestimate your task."
Seth was the old man disguise again. It was his favorite really. An old man could be seen as powerful or weak, intelligent or senile. You could get away with almost anything if people thought you were senile. The old man he was dressed up as steps forward, his hood falling back to reveal the pale red skin and many wrinkles, along with a shock of white hair so counter to his own. Dim eyes narrow at the woman, and then he speaks in a rasping tone. "Think we are simpletons? I see through your mask. Speak plainly, or be left out of our report to Thorne when we succeed."
Kharn waits to see what is going on.
Elise looks cooly at Seth, I am afraid I do not know what you are talking about. But you are obviously out of your depths here. She looks back to Vlad, I do not remember this one with you before, is he new? You may wish to keep a tighter leash on him. As for your offer, I may consider it. She arches an eyebrow, At least I give you permission to approach me with it again at a later time . . . say over a nice dinner? Elise smiles warmly and stands, If there is nothing else, I am sure we will meet again. She looks pointedly at Vlad. Then--unless stopped--begins to walk slowly away.
"I've been around. Perhaps you just didn't see me. And having you for dinner sounds like a fantastic idea. We shall definitely have to arrange that at some point." He smiles once more making sure his fangs are shown.
As she leaves he turns to the group.. "What a tight little piece she was.. If only I had more time. Shall we be under way?"
Seth wasn't fooled, and his old man guise sneered at the woman. But when she was gone he seemed to calm down... a little. No telling if she had actually left, or was monitoring them somehow. The point of it hadn't been to out her though. He could have done that after. He wanted her on her toes.
Actually, he thought about it for a moment, then muttered in infernal. "Sha re da ves nigh te."
A brief breeze picks up the long, thin and grey hair that Seth had in this disguise before settling down again. Seth looked to the others, his expression curious more then anything. He waited, though, until he had what he needed.
Lil familiarizes herself with the basic layout of the town, especially the magic shops, but has nothing else to get done at the moment.
Vlad is ready as well. He will instrust Snagger to fly out in front 50' and report back in he see's anything.
After several hours searching the forrest you find several large spires that could be the horn. Yet none seems to be of any significance. Finally, at the end of it all, you return to the Baron's, bedraggled and dirty, with nothing to show.
"It seems this place is gonan be hard to find.. Perhaps Kharn should lead the way next time considering he has the best eyes in daylight.. If we fail to find it again I'll have snagger commune with the all powerful one for advice."
Both assist so +4 to Kharn's roll.