Something Wicked This Way Comes (Inactive)

Game Master Fanguar

Lifting one of the ruined corpses of the fallen adventurers, the ironclad wretch holds it aloft;

"Ve kud azzume der identitiez ov zhese dummkopf? Dopplegangers..."

Haruk chuckles "And they say you're the dumb one of our group Al. That's actually a genius plan. Would you like to come with me, taking on the form of one of their warriors? Your 'sister' could also accompany us, in her alternate form. This way, we should have plenty of backup should things go wrong."

GMF: Any chance of providing us with a breakdown of the last failed group?

"This will be fun." Sariana agrees, her fangs bared in that disturbing rictus that vampires call a 'smile'.

Umurn scowls. "I note that this plan does not offer me a taste of their flesh," he growls.

"My ferocious friend, this plan is currently only an information gathering mission. I am taking our vampiric brethren in case it turns into something more. That is not my intention, *yet*. Fear not, when it comes time for their death, you will get your fill of their flesh."

Albrέkt matches his fellow vampyr's jagged grin, then hisses words in the tongue of the dead;

"Die Höllenbrut wünscht sich, dass dies eine bloße kleine Schwester ist. Dennoch wäre es keine Jagd ohne ein Fest am Ende. Einer der Siebten Knoten sollte ja verschlungen werden?"

"In der Tat, Bruder. Sie beschwören uns ... wir essen sie!" Sariana replies, still smiling. The expression is becoming even more unsettling than normal...

"I could fabricate corpses that match our own bodies. We could deliver the seventh knot our own heads," Xanos offered, sounding amused by the plan.

@Haruk: They are members of the 7th knot. Elise Zadaria – human witch of Winter; group leader, Titus Rackburn (“Trik”) – human cleric of Asmodeus, Tallus Rackburn (“Trak”) – human ranger, Dostan Alfson – half-elf barbarian (Trik and Trak are twins)

@Albrekt: The last group consisted of a male gnome sorcerer, male dwarf barbarian, female elf ranger and female half-elf druid. If you need more detail let me know

@all: The actions of the 7th knot are clearly in violation of the Pact of thorns, signed by all in the Cardinal's service

"Why wait to kill them? They have not waited to seek our deaths," Umurn growls. "Let us surprise them when they think these 'heroes' have returned, only for us to turn our fangs upon them!"

"We want information first my friend. I would like to know why they have broken their scared pact with the King of Hell. I also want to know if they have any other schemes to ruin all of our hard work. Then too, there's a chance others work against us, unknown to ourselves, but perhaps in league with the 7th knot. We can't learn any of this if they're all dead." He pauses, thinking for a moment and flashing a grin at Xanos "Well, I suppose we could talk to them if they are dead. But, it might be easier with them alive."

"Define 'easier," the necromancer deadpanned.

Umurn growls softly. "Fine. I will guard the Horn, then. Be swift about it."

Albrέkt stands stoically listening to the merits of each course of action, motionless for the slow drip of viscous saliva hanging from his maw...

At Haruk's logic, his cold gaze shifts and he speaks;

"Traditionell I vud nicht agree vith Das Höllenbrut, but he makez vorsichtig (canny) point. Zhey schould schütten (spill) zheir truth, so ve knett (know) zheir intent und plan."

The ironclad vampyr smiles, thin skin tightening across his increasingly misshapen features...

"Only vun of zhem is bedürfen (required) Der Hexe perhapsch? Mein Kleine Schwester und I vill leeren (empty/drain) her of truth before ve unburden her blut und seele blood and soul)..."

"If one will be left alive, make it their leader, Elise. The others may not have sufficient answers," Xanos advised.

Sariana nods. "We will bring her back. Not all of her perhaps... But enough that she kan speak!" She cracks her knuckles slowly. "Let us go Höllenbrut, before they katch on."

"Okay, Xanos will sculpt their corpses to look like ours, and Al and I will pose as sorcerer and barbarian. Meanwhile, Sariana can follow us stealthily. There's four of them, but we really only need Elise. Perhaps we can find away to isolate her. We can always deal with the others later." Haruk pauses, thinking a moment.

"Would it be possible to also disguise Albrέkt dread mount? It might be helpful to have it with us."

Albrέkt flashes a jagged smile at Haruk;

"I kan aufrufen (call/summon) Golgotha to meine zide Höllenbrut. Nein need to dizguise his schönheit (beauty/elegance)."

The sorcerer nods and smiles back "Even better, as that will grant us an even bigger element of surprise. The sudden appearance of Golgotha should cause quite the panic among our foes."

"Better a wolf appearing than a horse, Umurn grumbles under his breath, still disappointed about being left behind.

I think I get what you're planning. Couple of things: First, are you going to get in touch with the Cardinal first? Second, Elise et al, don't know that they were made by the other party, so how do you plan on making contact?

Ah, yes, I knew I forgot something. I believe we plan on contacting both Tiadora and the Cardinal, but we wanted to gather more info on the the betrayal first.

Is anybody capable of casting Speak with Dead? Can we try and ask one of the dead 'heroes' how they were to meet with Elise should they have been successful? Or is there a likely tavern/other obvious meeting spot we can go to? Since we're gonna pose as members of the good guys, we should try and pull of going to where they would have met Elise.

Speak with dead is on the cleric spell list, so I could memorize it. They get a will save to avoid answering us, though, so it's not a reliable way to get information.

You folks know where Elise an Co. are headquartered, so arranging to 'bump' into them isn't an issue. It's more about what you are trying to do specifically. If you just want to be in the vicinity of the 7th knot to make them believe that the adventurers were successful (to lure them into a trap or whatnot), that is easily done. The adventuring party never really interacted with any of the 7 knot directly. They met with a disguised member (Trik or Trak, whichever is the cleric), so as far as the 7th knot know, none of the adventurers should be able to recognize a knot member.

Albrέkt assumes the dopple-form of the strange foreign barbarian, complete with red skin, horns and curved falchion.

The vampyr chuckles to himself at his new skin, nodding toward Haruk;

"Hahah! Ve kud be bruders Höllenbrut!"

As the group's journal detailed that they were met with a "holy man" who brokered the assignment to storm the Horn, and through their intel the know a white haired woman who may bear the name Z is their leader... Makes sense of us to claim we've been successful and throw coin and flash some treasure in a tavern? Perhaps even offer up something from the Horn as proof - or if Xanos can fashion a dopple-lefty (or righty) from dead flesh we can claim to have taken the hand from the necromancer who led the den of evil*?

We all of course know Xanos is more of an advisor and strategist to the real leader** of our Knot...

Are we waiting on anything in specific here?