Something Wicked This Way Comes (Inactive)

Game Master Fanguar

Molasbar considers for a moment before answering Rose.

"Of course, we can always leave the baron's service and throw in with the group from the south. But perhaps there is a way for us to play both sides."

"We could approach the baron and offer to go with the others, to keep an eye on them while in his territory. All he has to do is offer inconsequential support that can't be traced back to him. In return, we can report back to him on the progress that the others make. He could be seen as helping them, while having deniability and spies in their camp."

"We could then approach this other group, offer our services as peers. Let them know what we told the baron and let them decide what information we feed back to the baron. We help accelerate the demise of the Mitrans; the baron gets to be seen as helping without compromising his cowardly disposition; this other group gets our aid and some aid from the baron; and we, well, we get to truly advance our cause and our positions without burning bridges."

Rose grins as she understands the implications of Molasbar's plan. "You're always the clever one," she says, knowing he was incredibly intelligent and knowledgeable, despite being a half-orc. "Get the Baron to send us out there so we can see for ourselves what the Cardinal's folks are up to. If things go well, we get to have some fun sticking it to the Mitrans. If things go south, make sure the Baron's still got our back."

Rose closes her eyes, speaking a prayer to Eiseth in her thoughts. Great Queen of the Erinyes, thank you for bringing this chance to me. I will seize it and take my vengeance in full!"

Opening her eyes again, she grabs Molasbar's hand and pulls him along. "Come on, then. We just need to have a quick chat with the Baron. I'm sure I can get him to send us after them!"

Albrέkt indulges the petite woman when she shows him her preferred way of feeding.

The armoured brute takes his fill, but does not look convinced at her precise methods;

"Zhis ist nein way to feed Fraulein. Like some Chirurgeon! I take zheir heads und drink from der krimson fountain... Next time I vil schow you mein way."

At the thought of battle he absentmindedly swings his heavy blade with a cruel smile;

"Der Knotten. Ja. I vil bring you to zhem. I varn you... If mein kamerads hav kause to doubt you, I vil butcher you vhere you schtand."

"You are welcome to try." Sariana responds, a curved grin to match his own forming on her pale lips. "I suspect you might find catching me hard. We should test it some time."

I'll leave you to do the introductions. One big meeting scene or should the new arrivals arrive separately? :)

Xanos woke not quite invigorated, but certainly relieved from the throbbing infection he had been ignoring for so long. Sometimes removing an obstical is the same as overcoming it.

The weakness of the flesh irked him, but have him an impetus he had been lacking for some time. Between that and the Mitrans once again reminding him of why he hated them, he felt strangely invigorated.

He looked at the stump of his wrist, his mind whirling with ideas.

But first, food. He made his way to the common area of the inn, paid for bread and cheese, and followed the mental tug of his new familiar towards the room where they had discovered the accoutrements of the previous Knot.

"if they were staying here, they likely were seen elsewhere." he said to Haruk, not bothering with niceties or greetings. "With the map we have an idea of where they went. It is likely they did research in town before leaving. If we speak with trappers or woodsmen we may find out what they were looking for."

Probably makes sense for the newcomers to arrive separately? More organic since they have differing motivations/sponsors?

Albrέkt's eyes narrow and he matches her predatory smile;

"Ja. Ve schud..."

The wretch turns and beckons her to follow;

"Zhis vay. Der Old Vun und der Hölle Laich (Hell Spawn) must hav zhere say..."

As he walks the vampyr assumes the form of the old sage once again...

"Opa" leads her back to their inn, then once inside tracks the other two down to the room where the leader of the failed Knot resided. Attracted by their voices and familiar scent, his heavy steps herald his coming.

Looming at the doorframe the giant stoops, hailing his fellows;

"Greetings Gentlemen. Ve have eine guest I vish you to meet..."

Albrέkt beckons for her to enter.

Once introduced Sariana enters, her footstep much more quiet than those of her companions.

"Greetings gentlemen. My name is Sariana. I have been sent by Kardinal Thorn to aid you in your quest." Her common is extremely precise, formal and largely unaccented, the hint of inflection on 'k' the only off note.

"I have already become acquainted with Albrekt. It is... nice... to meet you." She doesn't offer her hand to shake, neither of the specimens in front of her look capable of it.

The tall, thin human man was slightly gaunt with a craggy face and a short, manicured beard. His scholar's robes were utilitarian and well made, but hardly finery. He wore thin leather bracers like wide cuffs and was missing his left hand.

He gave the newcomer a dispassionate once over. He didn't introduce himself or offer any other niceties. "Did you know the Knot that was here previously?"

The description I gave is an illusion. If Sariana has some means of seeing through illusions, let me know.

A strong perception score but nothing else - depending on how you make the illusion I might be able to roll through it.

Doubtful. It's mostly a skin color and clothing change. Nothing drastic. Hard to interact with it in a way that would allow a save. Only way I can think of is if you touched his bracers somehow.

It's worth noting that to heightened vampire senses, specifically about blood, he smells faintly of infection, like a recently lanced boil.

Albrέkt steps into the room behind the newcomer allowing his facade to drop;

"She ist Unvergänglich... Deathlesz like me... but yet nicht."

Sariana breathes in deeply and everyone in the room feels a slight tugging sensation, as though something inside them was being drawn towards the woman in the doorway. As she breathes out the sensation fades.

"Nein, not like you." She responds, staring at Xanos rather than Albrekt. "You were involved somehow in his rebirth." A statement rather than a fact, "There is a hint of your scent in him... a hint of... corruption." This entire sentence is delivered straight-faced, seemingly not caring for any offence she might call.

"I was not born of blood and death. It was a process - a change, an absorbing of others to improve myself. It is the only way to break the spiral, escape the prison of life under the gods." She falls silent for a moment before refocusing on the room.

"You search for something. I will assist as I can."

Two minutes will give her a 36 search check to find things! :)

Albrέkt watches impassively as Sariana speaks, only reacting with to her apparent denial of her nature with a growl and bearing of his fangs;

"Korrupt?! Blasphemie! You are Unvergänglich. A gift only given by Der Blassen Prinzessin!"

The armoured brute bows his scarred head as his hand moves to his heavy blade;

"Old Vun I apologise... I did nicht know she vas insane..."

Xanos blinked, then a small smile crept up his face. A moment later he was actually laughing.

"Not insane. Only mislead. Quite perceptive though," he said, still chuckling. He took a breath and regained most of his composure, but the corners of his mouth still twitched upward.

"Who was your instructor, Sariana?"

"Oh I am Unverganglich, Opa. Test me if you will." In a blink of an eye she is across the room, next to the window and (maybe not unintentionally) within arm's reach of Xanos.

"Why is it your concern?" She responds to the wizard, bluntly.

Glad you picked up on the hint :) This should be fun!

"It is not my concern. Only a curiosity." the tall wizard said with a small shrug.

"I was trained by the Master of the Black Eye." She responds, matching Xanos' indifference with her own. "That is his name as far as I know. Now, unless Opa intends to test for real, what is the purpose of being in this room?"

The wizard looked somewhere between amused and pained. "Black eye. Hmm. Yes, I suppose that is an improvement."

"As for the room, it was rented by the last group sent by the illustrious Cardinal. They are missing." he continued. The way he said illustrious was clearly mocking.

Albrέkt scowls but does not draw his blade.

For the moment he seems content to defer to Xanos, and allow the more subtle interplay to win out.

Haruk does not seem overly impressed by the arrival. He nods slightly when she introduces herself, and hardly blinks at her showing off. When she mentions wanting to help, he replies "We have already found what we were looking for here. Now we're just deciding which direction to go in first."

Sariana nods. "Very well. What are the options?" As she waits she eyes Xanos very closely - something is definitely off there.

As the newcomer continues with more questions than answers, a still seething Albrέkt hisses his thoughts;

"Der options are perhapz you tell us more of vhat you know Fraulein. You ask much but zay little Ja?"

"Haruk and I were discussing speaking with local woodsmen and trappers in hopes that the previous Knot may have met with one of them." the wizard answered.

It's interesting that neither Haruk or Xanos has actually given Sariana their names yet. I'm entertained.

Mages!...

"I have told you what I know." Sariana responds flatly, although an undercurrent of frustration creeps in. "I was sent here by Herr Kardinal. He said I must assist you. I made an oath - it is that simple. Now unsheathe that cleaver of yours and let us deal with this if you must, otherwise stop being a bunch of idioten. Perhaps this will help!" From an inner pcoket she retrieves an iron circlet and tosses it across the room to Albrekt, hard enough to make a distinct clang as it hits the armoured warrior in the chest. "Herr Kardinal provided it. It is meant to help me 'blend in'." Her disgust at the last two words is distinct.

It's my circlet of disguise - and its identical to yours :P Its literally the only proof she can offer! :D

"Stand down, Albrekt." Xanos said calmly. "She is who she claims to be."

Albrέkt glares down at the lithe woman, then nods obediently;

"As you vish Old Vun."

The armoured brute's gauntlet slips from the grip of his blade and he stoically looms, before addressing Haruk for his thoughts:

"Vhat say you on all of zhis Hölle Laich? (Hell Spawn)"

"I trust you to persuade him, if he can be moved. I wish we had the luxury of giving him time to cool and reflect, but we should move sooner rather than later. Tomorrow morning at the latest. These others may move out into the wilderness where it will be much harder to catch up to them."

"Yup, that's what I'm thinking too." Heading back inside, Rose seeks out one of the Baron's close servants. "Can you please inform the Baron that Rose and Molasbar wish to see him to discuss recent events?"

She then waits, and starts to feel nerves. She tries to push her nervousness aside with small talk, spoken quietly, of course. "Did the food in the hall look good? Since everyone left so fast, I hope there are some leftovers." Rose starts to move around and pace.

I'm back. Let's roll out.

Earlier, at the Baron's manor:

After a short wait, the servant returns and leads Molasbar and Rose to the Baron's private study. He opens the door for them and then closes it quietly behind them. The room is full of magnificent books and reams of other papers and maps.

The only light come from the fireplace and thick shadow dance around the room. The Baron sits by the fire in one of a pair of overstuffed armcharirs, staring moodily at the flames.

"Well," he says, not looking away from the fire, "what did you make of all that?"

Molasbar looks at Rose as he responds "Well, it was behavior and plans I would expect coming from a more abyssal inspiration, rather than infernal. It puts you in a strange place. You cannot openly oppose them, I believe. Nor can you openly support them. Perhaps a more nuanced response can avert potential disasters and claim some share of any advantage that may come from it."

Aid another, Diplomacy for Rose 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17

Rose curtsied instinctively, even as the Baron was turned away. In truth, she was a little annoyed that the Baron wouldn't look at her. Part of her persuasiveness was being pleasing to the eye, after all. But maybe the Baron understood that as well.

"Baron Vandermir, these are strange times. Whatever is happening here will cause great changes, perhaps to our benefit or detriment. What we need most here is information. An understanding of the Cardinal's schemes unfiltered by the words of his lackeys." She pauses momentarily, wanting for the suggestion to sink in before making her proposal.

"That's why we propose you allow us to join with them. We can learn more about their cause and even channel it in a better direction. At the same time, we will claim that we are acting on our own accord, unrelated to you. If we are caught, and they try to trace us back to you, you can plausibly deny any involvement, just say that we were rogue agents. What do you think?"

Diplomacy, with Molasbar's Aid, and Guidance: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 24

Rose waited on the Baron's thoughts with baited breath.

The Baron grunts noncommittally.

"You'ld probably just be throwing your lives away. Still your idea has merit."

"Thorn put much faith in these disappointing pawns and know that while dangerous, this Cardinal is not nearly as clever as he thinks he is. Striking Balentine was stupid. There are a half-dozen other border forts that would have been easier to overrun and would have provided a more strategic invasion point."

He turns to look at you, "Regardless of his obvious deficiencies, Thorn currently has the Master's blessing, so as you say, it might not be best to stay neutral."

"I approve of your plan. Join his lackeys. Aid them, and keep them from disrupting my affairs. I look forward to your first reports. And while you're at it, try to find out where Thorn's pet vampire is nesting in the city. If they cause any problem, I'd like to know where to send the Sisters."

He waves a hand in dismissal, but as you start to leave, he speaks again. "One last word of caution: Stay away from the Cardinal's woman. She is more dangerous than you could imagine and not one to be trifled with."

[dice=Knowledge (Religion) re "Sisters"]1d20+9[/dice].

"Thank you, Baron. We will serve the Master's will." Rose curtsies, and as she turns, an unmistakable grin crosses her face. Finally, she would get to DO something, to really strike a blow.

Once out of the presence of the Baron, Rose addresses the half-orc once more. "I'll go pack for the trip, I've been looking forward to finding a good use for my bow. Then we should find out where Thorn's men are staying and pay them a visit."

"Thank you, Baron. We will work out a way to get messages back to you."

Once away... "I'll ask around and see where they went. I don't think they'll be too hard to find..." Diplomacy (gather information) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

@Rose: There is an abbey in town full of warrior nuns. The baron is simply referring to the local religious order.

The knot hasn't gone to ground so it shouldn't take too long to track them down. To void confusion, let's just say that you are waiting for them when they return to their own inn after investigating their current lead.

GM, do you want to handwave that scene? All we're going to be doing is talking to woodsfolk about whether or not the previous knot talked to them. And by we, I mean Haruk. Albrekt doesn't get to talk to people.

Feh. Shpoilzport.

I can watch right? That way I know if they're lying.

Sure. I had forgotten about that.

Some asking around reveals that the missing knot did ask around and the grizzled men that speak to you say the same to you as they did to the other knot. The lands to the south aren't safe for decent folk.The great temperate rainforest that rises up at the edge of the farmlands marks the edge of The Caer Bryr, the great forest that spreads for hundreds of miles. It is untouched by men and full of nastiness. Salt marshes, swamps and countless unnamed rivers and streams crisscross the area. And one crippled old man warns you about the frogmen, which, as he puts it, "are damn near well everywhere."

Molasbar brings drinks to their small table, placing one in front of Rose.

"The proprietor says they went out, but he expects them to return because they didn't take all of their belongings with them. I would guess they are out gathering information. We should be able to see them come in from here."

He sits down and with a chuckle adds "I almost bribed him to not say that we were asking about them. It seems weird to be approaching openly rather that just spying. Old habits die hard, I guess."

"So, we know that they went, but not where." Sariana states. "We could find the frogmen. Make one of them talk."

Although she can tell some of the others are less than convinced of her intentions she keeps looking for an opportunity to speak to the 'Old Vun' alone. Something he said is bothering her...

"We know where. Roughly. We have enough information to begin our own search of the wilderness." Xanos said. "The last time I was at the Horn I teleported there. I am afraid I have no idea how to get there on foot."

"Then maps are required." Sariana responds, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I will be able to kover a lot of ground if searching is needed, but the forest is vast you say. We should narrow the area first, if possible."

Finally seeing her opportunity she falls back next to Xanos and addresses him, bluntly. "You said 'Yes, I suppose that is an improvement'. What did you mean?"

"If your name was Grundle, would you want to be known as something else?" Xanos asked rhetorically.

Sariana simply stands there, waiting.

Whilst out of town Albrέkt takes the opportunity to check on his undead horse which he "stabled" in an old ruined barn on the town's outskirts.

Happy that the corpse-steed remains undiscovered and ready for their forays to locate The Horn, the vampyr rendezvous with the others to plan their next steps.

(Will presume this occurs after the interplay betwixt Xanos and Sari above)

Of the frogmen and other "nastiness" that potentially lurk in the Caer Bryr and surrounding wilderness, the brutal warrior flashes a toothed smile;

"Der Froschmänner vil be brought to heel Ja? Or butschered in zher svamp-homes. I vil grant zhem Übergang in her name...

"Your master is a very old acquaintance." the wizard said, seeming slightly amused. "He never liked his name. He is also one of the least creative individuals I have ever known. Master of the Black Eye is exactly the sort of thing he would consider fearsome. "

Sariana arches an eyebrow at this before gracefully sinking cross-legged to the floor. "Interesting. And this makes you older than a two thousand year old vampire. Combined with the scent of your blood and your response to my aphorism... You knew Xanos."

We can handwave the rest if you want.

"Yes. Quite well." he chuckled.

Molasbar brings drinks to their small table, placing one in front of Rose.

"The proprietor says they went out, but he expects them to return because they didn't take all of their belongings with them. I would guess they are out gathering information. We should be able to see them come in from here."

He sits down and with a chuckle adds "I almost bribed him to not say that we were asking about them. It seems weird to be approaching openly rather that just spying. Old habits die hard, I guess."

Rose is dressed in simple hunter's garb, which hides both her chain shirt and a winged serpent, the unholy symbol of Eiseth. Across her back is a ebony wood longbow. "How long do you suppose we'll have to wait for them? If it's going to take a while, I'm tempted to go hunting in the forest, just to play out my persona."

She takes a sip of the ale that Molasbar brought to her. "The Baron said something about finding out where the vampire sleeps. Is there really a vampire that travels with this group? And if so, do you think it can come out in the daytime?"