Next was a visitor from the Baron. It was the Baron's squire, Hans. He was about 15 years old. He brought us a keg, and talked about how great the Baron was, and how he wanted to go out in the world to correct injustices, etc. He told us about his past. Hans' foster-father was a wood elf friend of the Baron's named Pradit. Pradit had attempted to unify the local tribes, and had made decent progress towards that goal. However, he ultimately failed, due to some treachery involving Pradit's brother, Pinku. Pinku was a wizard who had studied human magic. Later, we surmised that this Pinku might be the same "Sparky" Draco told us about.
When Hans left, we discussed our visitors. It occurred to us that Lars might be a Drow agent, since his attitude was not the typical one found among Norsemen. I came up with a plan to check him out, using Sanjay's de-charged battery (the same he'd used on Lady Greta). I sent a message to Lars, requesting a meeting. I met him in his quarters. I told him that the Baron had indeed propositioned us for some mad scheme. We then discussed politics and the Baron. Lars actually was a very forthright and honest person, not to mention quite attractive. I seduced him, and poked him with the battery. He did not react to it. So, he's not tainted by the Drow.
The next day, there was a huge banquet. In attendence were the Baron, his advisors, including Lars and a wizard in a big poofy hat, a bluff looking soldier-type, and many others. The wizard came over to our table and talked to Sanjay; the Baron requested that Sanjay sit at his table. The Baron talked to Sanjay about his history, and his school. The Baron like the school a lot, because he thinks it is a good tool for getting the wood elves into the kingdom. The Baron said that Pradit the wood elf was one of his best advisors, and that he'd died a few years ago.
During the banquet, a thin, blonde man came in. He wore the Baron's crest. He went up to the Baron and spoke to him. The Baron then arose and spoke to the room. He said it was time to take a more active role in the affairs ofhis subjects. He'd discovered that one of his loyal subjects, a "fine lady from River's End" had been kidnapped, and that he'd just discovered information as to her whereabouts. He intended to go rescue her. At this point, I had a sinking feeling that was validated when he asked for volunteers to go along. Of course, we all had to volunteer. Other volunteers were the ranger who brought the news, the soldier-type advisor, Hans the squire, and Lars.
I tried to convince Lars not to go, since it was bound to be perilous, and he's not really the adventuring type, and will probably get killed. I couldn't convince him. Meanwhile, the Baron, along with Erose et al and a large squad of soldiers, went to find the person who knew where Throntax was being held. They went to the Union of the Snake headquarters, and arrested an officer named Leon. The Baron said, "I love it when a plan comes together." After some questioning, Leon revealed that Throntax was being held captive by our old pal Goebels. The Baron said that there was one more member of his team. He had heard of a theif who was unaffiliated with the Guild, and who was one of the best in the Dukedom, if not the Kingdom. The Baron knew we could find the thief in a particular tavern, and sent Erose et al to find him.
I was excited to meet the mysterious Shadow again. (S)he came into our quarters in the castle late at night. We greeted one another, and then took an apprehensive Shadow to see the Baron. The Baron was less than polite, threatening the Shadow with incarceration if he didn't help. The Shadow agreed, reluctantly.
We travelled a while. Hal, Sanjay, and Colin took point. At some point, Hal noticed an ambush along the side of the road. When he signalled a stop, a platoon of about 50 orcs jumped out. Everybody attacked. With a cry of "P'orc on the hoof!" Vrba toasted about a quarter of them with a fireball. Meyham ensued. Finally, the orcs were all killed. I picked up a longbow; it might come in handy sometime.
We passed through Stonybrook, where there is a famous High Energy Magick facility. When we reached the border of the Reinhart Barony, we had to stop to deal with bureaucratic issues. Fortunately, Lars is skilled in such dealings, and took care of everything.
We got to Naussberg, and met up with Baron Reinhart. Barons Lubeck and Reinhart discussed the issues. Reinhart decided that Goebels was indeed a Bad Guy and should be removed. He decided to give Lubeck authority to invade Goebels, and to also send troops to invade. The plan was to have a small group go into Goebels' castle and free Throntax, then once she was free, the troops would attack the castle.
Werewolves appear, then a demon. Fighting, etc. something attacks Throntax and she loses the lower-people spell, but not before she lowered Hans and me down. More fighting. Goebels appears and casts spells. I ran to find one of the mages.
Meanwhile, Vrba was making his assault on the drawbridge. He charged into the guard tower. He gassed the guy guarding the door to the control room, and then ran in, magically fixing the door shut behind him. He threatened the gate operator, and forced him to lower the drawbridge. This took a while. While the bridge was lowering, I got to the tower. I banged on the door, and Vrba said he couldn't come out. I told him that Goebels was attacking everybody up in the laboratory. He got out by flying through the window, and we ran back to the tower where everybody was stuck. Vrba cast fire up the stairwell, and toasted Goebels. This gave everybody else a chance to escape. Goebels had vanished. Throntax went to hunt Goebels down. Baron Reinhart's army was charging through the drawbridge. I felt it was time to get out of the way. I found a quiet alcove to sit in and wait until the fighting was over. Hal joined me.
Everybody else ran off after Throntax. They caught up with Goebels, and a mighty battle of magic ensued. Both Throntax and Goebels had mystical shields around them. Erose, Vrba, the Baron, et al set to trying to crack Goebels' while he fought Throntax. They fought for a while, and Throntax finally won, but before he died, Goebels' cast one more horrible spell: Pyramus' Monologue of Doom. He cast it on Baron Arnold (of Lubeck). Once this spell is cast, it cannot be stopped. The Baron was a goner. However, he would live long enough to give a lengthy speech. Some of the Baron's men came over, and helped move him into a guardroom. Hal and I saw them carry him across the keep, and went to see what was going on. Eros, Sanjay, Lars, Hans the Squire, and Throntax were all there; Vrba was not.
The Baron's final speech:
My time has come. I regret that I never fulfilled the promise I made to Prajit, that one day I would go back to the woods and bring Pinku to justice for his sins. The bad thing he did was to bring real magic to the woods. Your school, Sanjay, on the other hand, brings the wood elves to the magic, and is a good way to bring the wood elves into the kingdom. Those many years ago, my mage was in contact with the chiefs; they were willing to have relations with the kingdom. However, the chiefs were swayed by Pinku, who was influenced by the Drow. I implore you, Sanjay, to find Pinku and bring him to justice. I've instructed my mage to give lots of money to rebuild your school.Then he died.I appoint my squire Hans as my heir. A Regent has been appointed. Tell my wife I'm coming to meet her...
Later, we found out what Vrba had been up to: desecrating the body of Goebels. He ate the guy's heart, and stuck his head up on a pike.