Chapter Nine - The Womb of the Black Witch

The end approaches. After exploring the village of Zhidovsk, the PCs learn Karl went into the Womb of the Black Witch, somewhere at the bottom of a foul pool. The PCs must descend into the depths, locate the entrance, and explore the endless corridors of the Black Witch's lair. Using the clues presented, the PCs locate the keys to open the doors to the Inner Sanctum. They must be quick, for the Witch will conclude her ritual in a matter of hours. If she succceeds the doom of the Empire will be at hand.

Chapter Eight - The Black Witch

Having run afoul of rhe Von Carstein Vampires, the PCs discover they have been duped and Karl is nowhere near Sylvania. The PCs must race to catch up with the boy in Kislev before he falls in the clutches of those who would use him for their own nefarious ends. They cross the Empire once more, learning that the Crusade has been shattered by infighting and treachery, and that the tattered remnants head for Kislev. A1though a month behind, the PCs make good time and locate what's left of rhe Crusade in the tiny village of Zhidovsk, discovering no shortage of weirdness and terrible secrets in this place.

Chapter Seven - Death Do Us Part

Karl goes missing once more, and the PCs are called upon ro find him. Tracking him to the great city of Talabheim, the characrers inadvertently pick up the wrong trail and follow the abducted Ahmed south into the haunted lands of Sylvania. Finding themselves caught up in a myriad of side-treks, false leads, and dynamic environments, the adventurers finally catch up with the lad, only to find he's to wed a dread Vampire countess, who believes her ritual will bring forth the terrifying Reign of the Thousand Thrones.

Chapter Six - Heralds of a New Dawn

Having dealt with Ruprecht's minions, the Eternal Malady cultists, and recovered Karl, the PCs make their way to rhe Crusader encampment settled in the outskirts of Wolfenburg. Like the ruined city, the encampment is in terrible shape. The boy's absence has led to widespread fractures and new power groups that each have their own designs for the Crusade. Moreover, the shabby condition has enabled more sinister forces to infiltrate the group: in particular a Necrarch Vampire Lord who intends to destroy young Karl to prove that he himself is the legendary Champion of Darkness. The PCs return to rhe Crusade, navigate the confusing intrigues, and finally thwart the Vampire as he makes his move against the young man in the middle of a grand performance put on in the boy's honour.

Chapter Five - Metamorphosis of Villa Hahn

Hot on the heels of the fleeing Nurgle cultist Tobias, the PCs must brave a long journey through the Drakwald to find the Necklace of Unfailing Loyalty, a cursed device presumably left in the traitor's home. The characrers arrive too late and discover the item is gone. However, in exploring the ruins of the old cottage, they acquire the name o f Ruprecht, learning Tobias has another master, this vile Chaos sorcerer. With some investigation and exploration, the PCs eventually come upon the childhood home of the servant of Chaos and find a macabre infestation of a Chaos cult called the Eternal Malady. Eventually, their persistence pays off and the PCs uncover a hidden temple in which the adventure culminates with an epic three-way battle between Vampires, cultists, and the PCs.

Chapter Four - Written on Blood

Having saved or helped save (or maybe even just watched others save) the Child, the PCs have earned their place in the Crusade. Abandoned by the Wood Elves, the PCs rake up guard duty and have a chance to get to know the members of the inner circle that protect young Karl. While making their way to Altdorf, the PCs are asked to investigate the allegations of a Chaos cult working within the ranks of the Crusade and in doing so find the corruption that riddles the ranks of the mob, going all the way to the top.

Before they have the chance to expose the corruption, the Crusade reaches Altdorf. After the Emperor and the Grand Theogonist rebuff Karl, one of the boy's advisors suggests sneaking him into the city. The PCs are asked to go along, but their presence is not enough to stop the trap. The advisor gets away with the boy, leaving the PCs to fight for their lives.

This betrayal sparks an investigation that takes the characters into the slums ofAltdorf. Following the leads, the PCs eventually expose the vigilante to be a Mutant traitor, find themselves wanted by witch hunters, and make important allies along the way. In the end, they are not fast enough to find the boy and learn that he's to be subjected to an awful ritual that would transform him into a willing slave of Chaos!

Chapter Three - The Crusade of the Child

Having survived deadly plots in Pfeifeldorf, the player characters continue their pursuit of the Crusade of the Child. As they draw closer, they see more and more of the destruction wreaked by the Crusaders, reflected in the rubbish left in their wake and in the ruined countryside. After meeting a particularly unimpressive priest and surviving an arrack by Mutants, the PCs are rescued by a group of Wood Elves. The Elves ask the PCs to help them scout our the Crusaders' encampment. Once there, the PCs witness fitst hand the power of the Child and may find themselves serving this proclaimed Scion of Sigmar.