The air crackled with tension as the party stood before Vatumlador, an ancient dragon cloaked in the shadows of a conspiracy. His majestic form shimmered with the light of Chakek, yet the gravity of his words sent chills down their spines. He unveiled a sinister plot orchestrated by the Red Mantis, aiming to eliminate Blood Mistress Jacqueline and isolate her allies. Vatumlador revealed that they were the intended recipients of a contract for the assassination of General General Ordulf, a revelation that underscored the urgency of their mission.
As the weight of the dragon’s warning settled upon them, Vatumlador urged the party to return to Ilizmagorti and investigate the assassination attempts that had already begun to unfold. He proposed a daring plan: stage their deaths to mislead their enemies, as the conspiracy had been brewing for months. With a few last words, he shared the secret of his shape-shifting abilities and vanished, leaving the party to orchestrate their deception.
Quickly, they sprang into action. Kaida Arashi dragged bodies while Aguta the Dreadice conjured ice to create a gruesome tableau of mutual slaughter. Rumors were sown at Glacier’s Rest about a violent clash among Red Mantis assassins, and instead of using Prince Bernard the Third’s undead thralls, they resorted to grave-robbing to bolster their ruse. After lowering their profile, they rested before teleporting to the outskirts of Ilizmagorti, where they faced the daunting sight of guarded gates and a host of entry options.
Upon arrival, their disguises were tested by the presence of wanted posters bearing their faces and hefty bounties. Negotiating with the gate guard, Greg, Aguta the Dreadice cleverly introduced Kaida Arashi as a rare blue fox from the Vlashmar Jungles, securing their entry. Inside the city, they found themselves at the Murdered Manticore tavern, where Shark, the barkeep, shared crucial intel on local factions and the omnipresent threat of the Red Mantis. As they sought more information, Dockmaster Torvald scrutinized their claims, revealing a wanted poster of Kaida Arashi and proposing a deal for protection in exchange for intelligence on the assassins.
Realizing the precariousness of their situation, the party opted for less conspicuous disguises and set their sights on the Blood Circus, hoping to find Nasha the Gnasher, an elusive information broker. The arena greeted them with a brutal execution, a grim reminder of the city’s ruthlessness. With determination, they placed bets and prepared for a challenging bout against the Black Scorpions, believing that a display of strength would earn them the vital information they sought.
Threads to Watch:
- The Red Mantis’s conspiracy against Blood Mistress Jacqueline.
- Vatumlador’s shape-shifting abilities and potential hidden motives.
- The influence of the Red Mantis in Ilizmagorti.
- Dockmaster Torvald’s intentions and the value of information.
- The upcoming fight against the Black Scorpions and its implications.