The Guy's Disguise

Winnacer's idea is to use illusions in order for one member of the party to take the form of Pavel Reinburger, who would be looking to contact the Black Diamonds in order to bring the party to justice for their actions. Winnacer has not, however, worked out the intricacies of the plan in their entireity.

Boris is just about to reply, when Bennett comes up with an alternative. Bennett's plan is basically to pretend to be double-agents, in that Bennett would go to the Black Diamonds and tell them everything about the plot to assassinate the Guildmaster. He would attempt to lead the Guildmaster and his bodyguards towards the remainder of the party, telling him that only they knew all of the details. The Guildmaster would be then led into an ambush where the party would take him out.

Once again, Boris is again about to reply, when the formerly silent Darius launches into a wild outburst. He berates the rest of the party for not attacking the fur farm two days prior. Darius states that he does not care at all about the assassination and that he is only giving the others until sunset tomorrow in order to finish with the mission to take out the Guildmaster before setting back and raizing the fur farm. Darius swears a blood oath that, should the attack upon the Guildmaster not be completed by then, the goblin will head out for the fur farm, alone if necessary.

Boris once again opens his mouth, about to give the goblin a piece of his mind, when Winnacer beats him to it and answers the goblin.

There is not anger in Winnacer's voice, however, just the normal reason that you have all come to expect from the young lord. He patiently explains to Darius that they have not forgotten about their promise to return to the fur farm in order to destroy it, but will embark on it only after they are in a better position to accomplish it, in a month's time. He implores Darius to reconsider his actions, telling him that they would only result in his being killed pointlessly.

All goes quiet for a while, giving Boris the chance to speak that he has been waiting for. He looks somewhat sternly at Darius:

'I don't know what yer's on about with no fur farm, but I 'ad 'oped not to 'ave to remind yer that yer made a deal as a group to fulfill yer obligations. I 'ope that yer 'onorable enough to realize that a deal's a deal, whether yer likes it or not.'

He goes quiet for a second and then starts to speak to Bennett:

'Yer right when yer says that yer thinks it risky. I do too. Too risky. I was tryin' to think what I would do if I was in the situation that yer'd put Pavlichek in. I'd certainly take the bait - too intriguin' not too. But I wouldn't be fool enough to walk into a potential ambush with just a couple or four bodyguards to save me 'ide. No, if I was gonna take the bait, then I'd take most o' me bleedin' crew wiv me. Not obviously, obviously, but skulkin' around in the shadders, circlin' wherever I was, keepin' out o' site. I'm sure me boys'd be able to pull it off an' all. Hradetz is their manor, remember, as it's also the Diamonds'. They'd be able to move through the town an' I don't reckon yer'd 'ave a chance to see 'em. These are thieves, remember - that's what they does for a livin', an' bloody good at it they are too. No, yer might take out Pavlichek, but as soon as yer did, yer'd find yerselves dodgin' arrers from a score or more o' is crew. I wouldn't count it out totally, but I reckon the plan'd need a lot more work on it before it's be a worthwhile risk.'

He then looks towards Winnacer, a crafty smile curling his lips:

'But you, me lad, you could be onto somethin', I reckon. The messenger that Viktor sent with the news told me that they've spread the word around Dvur that the explosion at the Witchfinder's was the result of an accident caused by unstable magickal elements. If Reinburger came to the Witchfinder General in Hradetz, 'e wouldn't get much in the way o' sympathy. The Witchfinder'd just piss 'imself laughin' I reckon! That would be the end o' Reinburger's career, I reckon. There ain't no love between the two Witchfinders. The Witchfinder General of Hradetz, Ondrey Bohach, e's old enough to be Reinburger's Dad what reckons that Reinburger's a cocky son-of-a-bitch that needs to be taken down a peg or two. This would be all o' the ammunition 'e'd need, an' more besides.'

'No, goin' to Pavlichek would be a logical plan for 'im to do in my eyes. The Nyemetz is one way o' lookin' for yers, but they ain't very subtle - a company o' orcs can be seen a mile off, an' can't infiltrate. A Thieves' Guild would provide some very useful assistance. I reckon that 'e wouldn't consider the Dragons, although we're local to 'im, for precisely that reason - too close for comfort. Word o' what really happened would spread too easy. No, the Diamonds would be a good choice for the job. Not too far away, so they know the territory, but not too close as to start every tongue in Dvur yappin' about 'is misfortune.'

'Another good thing about yer plan is that I can almost guarantee that Pavlichek will want to do the talkin' with Reinburger 'isself. It's not everyday that a Witchfinder walks into town lookin' for 'elp - specially one from Dvur, 'ome o' the Dragons. Since the truce in Hradetz, we've 'eard that Pavlichek is gettin' bored an' castin' eyes in the direction of our turf there. The chance o' gettin' matey with the Witchfinder General o' the town is gonna be too temptin' for 'im to resist, I reckon.'

'Like yer says, yer've still got a lot o' work to do on that plan. Gettin' in to the buildin', gettin' out - all sorts of things, but it's the best idea that yer've come up wiv yet.'

'Another thing that might come in 'andy, I reckon, is fer one o' yers, or more, to case 'is joint. They know the faces o' most o' my crew, so we can't get too close to them, as there's too much chance of us gettin' busted. Take a good 24 hours at least to do it proper, but it could be a good investment, I reckon.'

Darius' blood vow to return to the fur farm almost immediately, brings a strong reaction from both Yaz and Jihan. Jihan immediately goes to Darius and, grasps the goblin's hand, a look of pain and sorrow crosses his face, and he begins chanting something in ancient elven. His voice is beseeching, begging almost, though his eyes, for all that they are staring into the goblin's own, seem to look beyond Darius to something far distant.

Jihan slashes his own hand, and clasps Darius' own, and says, with tears in his eyes:

"Darius, my brother, you have sworn the most binding oath today. You have given your blood freely to Her in devotion, with ferverence and true intent burning in your heart. I too pour mine out, but for a different purpose. My blood spills to bind your oath with my own, that in one month's time, there will be such a reckoning at this slaughterhouse as to be almost holy in it's destruction. I now also call you brother in more than thought and deed, but in blood, and beg you... reconsider. Time is on our side... too much so to throw ourselves away in futility... Her justice will be meted out, but when it is best to do so. She will watch over her children, and every mark these trappers make against them will be a nail in their coffins... please, my brother... wait..."

Yaz also tells Darius to be patient and that he will ensure that all of the party returns in a month's time it order to ensure that their vow is kept to. With Yaz being the one who was formerly so much in favor of taking on the fur farm immediately, it is obvious that Darius will be on his own if his intention is to carry out his avowed actions.

All look towards Darius, awaiting his reaction, hoping that he sees the wisdom of Jihan's words. Darius, however, simply sits in silence.

Then the party goes back to discussing possibilities for taking out the Guildmaster.

More of them pour scorn on Bennett's plan. Bennett, somewhat annoyed at the lack of interest in his plan amends it slightly to include the mention of a possible turncoat within the Black Diamonds' ranks.

Boris shakes his head again and turns back towards Bennett:

'Sorry, I ain't got it in for yer nor nothin', but I jus' reckon that it ain't gonna work. If you were to tell me that there was a traitor among me crew, then yer'd first 'ave to give me some proof, or why should I believe yer? Then, if yer did, then I wouldn't run out me pad, I'd torture the little bastard traitor before killin' 'im. Runnin's the last thing I'd do. What sort of example's that for yer crew?'

Talk moves round to discussing Winnacer's plan, the idea of making contact as Reinburger. The idea seems to find favor with most of the party, although there is a lot of disagreement concerning the actual mechanics of progressing it. As he listens to everyone's point of view, Boris finally interrupts:

'If yer asks me, there ain't no way that Reinburger's gonna make a big song an' a dance about approachin' the Diamonds. He ain't gonna bring 'alf the Dvur garrison wiv 'im. Dvur troops ain't allowed in Hradetz, there ain't no Protektor that would allow troops from another garrison on 'is manor. They've all got their own agendas. They answer only to the OverLord Protektor in Mnyesto.'

'No, if 'e was comin', then 'e'd 'ave to be pretty subtle about it. 'E wouldn't travel alone, for obvious reasons, but 'e'd just bring a few o' 'is closest an' most useful 'enchmen wiv 'im, I reckons.'

'I also reckon that it would look suspicious if rumors were circulatin' in advance about 'is plan to meet with Pavlichek. Remember that a fast 'orse can get yers from Dvur to Hradetz in much less than a day, so why would anyone in Hradetz know that 'e was on 'is way?'

'No, I reckon yer rights in thinkin' that Reinburger would not just knock on the Diamonds door askin' for an audience. Too grand for that by the sound of it. No, I reckon 'e'd send a flunky to make the appointment for a few hours' later.'

'I reckon that yer've got the basics together, now it's time to work on the specifics. So 'oo's gonna work on what, and when? What do yer need from me? So Jihan an' Yaz wants to go checkin' out their gaffe as soon as poss? Sounds like a smart plan to me. I likes Yaz's plan to 'befriend' one o' Pavlichek's boys. Could turn out to be right useful that.'

'As anyone any objections or any better ideas? If not, then I reckons the two of yer should get on the case immediately, while the rest of yers an' me come up wiv the rest of the plan.'

'So who's gonna be Reinburger an' how many others are goin'? What are they gonna be pretendin' to be? Obviously there ain't gonna be any certainty that Pavlichek will follow yer requests to the letter. It's gonna be a big clash of egos when they meets, both of them are too big for their boots, if you ask me. But where are you gonna suggest meetin' 'im? Are you gonna agree to meet 'im at 'is place? It's risky but wouldn't be at all suspicious for 'im, as Pavlichek will be confident there. Or are yer plannin' on tryin' to get 'im to meet yer somewhere else? It'd be easier for doin' the act, of course, but runs the risk that Pavlichek will take some additional protection with 'im if it starts to look a little curious.'

'So, give me yer ideal scenario in detail, an' I'll try to pick 'oles in it, an' offer my advice when I thinks I can 'elp.'

There is no reaction from Darius following Jihan's plea to take back his oath. It doesn't look as if the stubborn little fellow is going to back down in the slightest.

'Sundown tomorrow' is all that he says regarding the matter.

Having decided to give their full support to Winnacer's plan, all start to put thought towards the details.

Winnacer comes up with the idea of using Granny's powder to disguise the other party members as pillars, plants and sundry other pieces of furniture.

Heimlin spits out his apple juice and starts choking as he hears the young lord's suggestion:

'For 'Oly Spravedelna's sake, don't even think about that!' splutters the gnome. 'When yer takes Granny's powder, yer turns into what yer thinkin' of at that moment, an' yer stays in that form for a week or two, whether yer likes it or not. If yer thinks of a pillar, then yer turns into a pillar, an' all yer can do is be a pillar, which ain't very much at all. Yer certainly can't cast no spells wiv no arms nor no tongue. I'm warnin' yers, yer better be bloody careful wiv that powder, or you'll really regret it!'

Before Winnacer has a chance to respond, Xavier intimates that he wouldn't be averse to taking the position of the fake Reinburger.

Heimlin once more rolls his eyes to the heavens at the thought of Xavier taking the role:

'Bleedin' 'ell, I can just see it now' replies the gnome.

He starts an uncanny impression of Xavier:

'Gutten Morgen, Herr schweinhund Oberfuhrer von Pavlichek. Ich bin die fey ubermensche, Pavel von Reinburger. Achtung!'

Heimlin is shaking his head:

'No, Xavier, yer a brave man for volunteering, but as soon as yer opens yer mouth, the jig'd be up. The powder wouldn't change yer accent none.'

Boris is laughing heartily at Heimlin's impression:

'I don't think that yer needs to worry about speakin' no Nyemetz. Reinburger's a native Bohavian an' so's Pavlichek. I'm sure that Reinburger's fluent in Nyemetz. I don't know about Pavlichek, but I can't see that they're any more likely to speak to each other in Nyemetz than they would in halfling!'

Once the laughter dies down a little, Winnacer get back to more serious matters. He suggests that one or more of Reinburger's flunkies goes to the Black Diamonds' building to set up a meeting at a neutral location where the trap will be sprung.

'Sounds good to me, but what kind o' neutral place 'ave yer got in mind. Somewhere crowded? Somewhere deserted? Somethin' in the middle? Inside the city? Outside the city? Give me a clue as to what yer lookin' for an' I'll be able to tell you a place, no probs.'

Yaz speaks at this stage:

'Well it seems that no one has any objections to Jihan and I going out for a spot of spying and enchanting. We might as well go off and start now and leave the rest of you to work up the next steps a little more. Are you ready, Jihan?'

Jihan nods, but then remembers that they have no idea as to where the Diamonds Building is.

'It's on the east side of the Big Square in the center of this city. Just 'ead for south o' the castle an' temple an' yer can't miss it. The Black Diamonds building 'as an 'uge black diamond sign on it. As I've said, everyone knows the Diamonds, so there's no point in 'em keepin' their place a secret.'

'Keepin' an eye on 'em without risk o' being caught's dead easy during the daytime, as there's a market in the square up until 6.00. There's 'undreds o' people there, so there's no chance o' yer being spotted. I reckon the chances o' clockin' yer as the ones that done 'em over at the ford are one in a million, but I'd recomend yer wearin' 'em dark cloaks what Viktor gave yers as yer wanders about. Hradetz is mostly 'umans with dwarves. Although elves an' half-elves come through 'ere often enough, there ain't many that lives 'ere, so I'd keep yer ears out o' sight if I was you. If yer wants to carry on stakin' 'em out after that, then I'd suggest takin' a room at the Green Frog on the south side o' the square. But make sure that yer gets a room at the front, obviously. 'Ere's a little cash for expenses that yer might need.'

With that, he places 10 gold pieces into Jihan's hands.

Yaz and Jihan bid the others farewell, and head on out of the building.

Winnacer thinks for a short while and then replies to Boris' questions:

"I was thinking more on the deserted side, like a warehouse or reserved tavern room, private enough to do what we need to do without calling extra attention to us, close enough to people as to prevent the Diamonds from bringing an entire army with them without seeming suspicious. Maybe we could clear out an entire tavern and replace the people in it with ourselves, changed by Granny's powder. We could conduct the meeting as normal, springing on the poor saps when the servants - who are us - bring in refreshments. As service begins, perhaps Jihan could get close enough to stick a dagger in his gullet as the rest draw blades and cast sorceries to quickly incapacitate those present at the meeting. Perhaps this can be done so swiftly and quietly as not to alert those watching the building. Once that's done, it's all a matter of escaping the city. I'm sure there are a number of other ways to approach this as well, but we should attempt to make sure whatever we do, that all of us are capable of being present."

Boris nods quietly as he hears Winnacer's suggestions:

'I reckon that I could find yer either of them spots, either a deserted warehouse or a tavern where we could arrange for everyone to leave us the place for a while. It'll take a bit of arrangin' though. The thing is that most of Hradetz is carved up between us an' the Diamonds. I don't reckon that Pavlichek'd agree for a meet anywhere on our turf, an' I don't reckon it would be a good idea if yer was to try anythin' on their turf.'

'That leaves only two possibilities. The real high class areas that pays both us an' the Diamonds off to leave 'em in peace. Problem with them areas is that the Nyemetz are always pokin' their noses round there. The other alternative is to do it in one of the areas that are so scummy that neither us nor the Diamonds are interested in 'em, as the folks there ain't got nothin' of interest to neither of us. Twen'y per cent of bugger all is still bugger all, so we both jus' leave 'em alone. Could set yer up with either a warehouse or a tavern there. Yer might 'ave some explainin' to do to Pavlichek for choosin' such a shit'ole though.'

'So what's yer want me to try an' arrange? A deserted ware'ouse, or a tavern that we could rent for a day or two?'

While Yaz and Jihan are out scouting out the Black Diamonds' building, the others continue to discuss their plan of action.

Winnacer waits a while for the others to comment on the current evolving plan. When nobody else seems to speak up, Winnacer offers the following:

"I kind of like the idea of clearing out a tavern in the nicer part of town. The less I have to explain away, the better. But I'm sure Reinberger would not want the Hradetz garrison catching him in the act, so if we need to do this in the worst parts of town, so be it."

Boris replies:

'Reinburger don't know Hradetz that well though, I'd reckon, so I don't think that it would look suspicious. He prob'ly doesn't know nothin' 'bout the dives in the city, jus' the posh places that 'e'd 'ave prob'ly visited at some time in the past. But yer right about 'im wantin' not to be seen by the garrison 'ere. Bear that in mind when yer gets ready for the part. 'E prob'ly wouldn't be dressed up in 'is Witchfinder garb in that case. 'E'd prob'ly dress so as not to draw any attention to 'isself. Same thing goes for any flunkies that 'e 'as wiv 'im'

Winnacer nods, and then continues:

"So if I am to play the role of Witchfinder General, what roles are the rest of you guys going to play? Anyone feel like being an orc bodyguard for a week or two?" Winnacer deliberately avoids looking at Bennett when he says this.

Xavier looks Winnacer in the eye.

"Yar, Yar my lord a Witchfinder I may not be in this strange one act play we wish to perform. But as much as it grieves me to become a hellspawn, for a week, one I shall become, to stand by your side. Gotten in himmel!!! For Rodengast in his perverse wisdom granted me their tongue. If the gods wish you to die, then so shall I by your side."

Xavier stands to his feet and in a loud voice swears, as he thumps the table vehemently:

"By all that is holy, will I never again be der last man standing, der last wandering soulless survivor of a lost cause! I am ready my Lord. Are you?"

Winnacer thanks Xavier for his offer before continuing:

"We also need someone to play barkeep and serving wench and anything else that would seem appropriate to a bar."

"If we decide to go with this approach, would it be possible for some of the Dragons to sweep the area while it is going down? They are sure to have some thieves posted around the building who would benefit from having their throats slit to keep them from interfering with our escape. We also need a plan to leave the city for ourselves and our gnomish friends."

Boris is thinking hard:

'An exit route for yers shouldn't be no problem. Jus' let me know which o' the gates yer'll be wantin' to leave by and we'll make arrangements wiv them not to give you no problems on yer way out.'

'Avin' some o' my crew 'angin' about makes me more nervous. I want to 'elp yer out as much as possible, but I'm jus' worried about what 'appens if it breaks out into a 'uge fight all over the streets an' the Nyemetz get called in an' find out what's goin' on. That would be violatin' the terms o' the truce, which could mean that both us an' the Diamonds would get thrown out o' Hradetz, which would be a disaster.'

He goes quiet again:

'OK. I'll 'ave to 'elp you out. I'll 'ave some o' my crew in the area in case things get outta hand. But I need your assurance that they only get called in only as an absolute last resort. The Big Boss back in Dvur would 'ave a fit if 'e found out what I was offerin'.'

'So, is that yer plan then? D'ya want me to arrange for the use of a tavern in the posh part of Hradetz for the job? If so, 'ow long will yer need it for?'

The conversations regarding the plan of action continues throughout the morning and into the afternoon. After the decision to take over a tavern in a high-class area is agreed upon, Boris takes his leave of them in order to arrange the details, leaving the others to continue their discussions.

It is early evening by the time Boris returns. They see that he is wearing his trademark grin as he sits down amongst them and helps himself to the food and drink that is on the table.

'Orright, I think I got it sorted. There's an inn called The Queen's Head in the posh part o' town that I thinks will do the job nicely. I've got some plans 'ere for yers to 'ave a look at. As yers can see, the ground floor is mostly taken up by the tavern area. There's also a private room that could make things easier to take 'em out. The upstairs is all taken with accommodation for visitors. I reckon it should do the job well. It's a decent type of establishment that someone o' Reinburger's standin' would be likely to base 'isself at. 'Owever, it's not the biggest or most prestigious inn in the city, so it's unlikely that 'e'd run into no one that 'e didn't want to meet. I've arranged that the owners let us 'ave run o' the place for the next three days, which I 'ope will be long enough to do what yer needs to do.'

'So, 'ow's the plan been comin' along this afternoon? When I'd left yers, yer'd agreed that Winnacer was gonna take the role o' Reinburger, with Xavier as 'is orcish bodyguard. Actually, thinkin' about it, p'raps it would be better if yer was an orog. The Nyemetz officials usually take orogs for the most important duties as they's 'arder than yer average orc. Bennett was gonna take the role as the bar man. What about the rest of yers. Got any suggestions as to what yer's could be? As well as that, what staff from the Queen's does yer want to stay around for what yer 'as in mind? Also, it's time to start thinkin' about a timetable as to when yer goin' to get things movin'.'