Story: Maargog's Awakening
When the Emperor's first attempt at revenge against D'nashk Re'at from Firestorm Peak failed, the Emperor blamed Ashardalon, that "old fool of a Dragon", and even considered it fate because the Dragon was the only creature among the living who had intimate knowledge of Maargog's secrets, and he had been trying to figure out how to deal with that "loose end" for some time.
When the Emperor's second attempt at revenge in Barovia failed, he was quite frustrated. It was obvious to Maargog that Count Strahd was a poor choice to lead a civil war against the Royal Family. His heart just wasn't up to it - all that wining about his lost spouse was proof that effective Agents of Darkness need to be free from all relational attachments.
When the Emperor's third attempt failed, he began to realize something much larger was going on, and that someone must be withholding information from him.
"How many of these so-called heroes were at Firestorm Peak?" he asked his Agent of Darkness.
"Five, my lord", it answered.
"And they alone defeated my Orc commanders, my Beholderkin and its followers, and Ashardalon, the great Red Dragon leader of the Monster Races?"
"Yes, my lord."
"And how many heroes were in Barovia?"
"Five".
"And they alone defeated my Vampire, my Werewolf and the Dracolich?"
"Well, they did have some help from the villagers."
"I see. And these were the same five?"
"No, my lord, they were different."
"And now," continued Maargog, frustration and anger building in his tone, "you are telling me that more of these heroes have arrived in Kerrindale and defeated all of my forces there?"
"Yes, my lord. But this time there were twelve. The twelve had split into four groups. Three heroes went to the north, three to the mountain pass, and three to the south. The last group of three stayed behind to defend the town."
Maargog's voice dropped to a whisper. "Groups of three?"
"Yes, my lord, and each group used a summons spell along the way."
"I assume, to call forth an army of Royal Guards?"
"No," the Agent of Darkness hesitated, "one group called forth a Giant Eagle, another summoned a swarm of Ravens, and the third group summoned a Centaur warrior".
Maargog fell silent for a moment, but then stood up from his throne and screamed at the top of his voice, "How can this be! How can these so-called heroes decimate my forces!"
"They appear to have some form of powerful magic that we have not seen before".
Maargog fumed and fell silent again. Then he sat down, regained his composure and continued, "What manner of magic?"
"Whenever one of these heroes fall in battle, the others hover over the body and wait for a short period of time. Then the fallen one springs up alive, ready to fight again."
"Springs up alive? How long do they wait?"
"Sometimes only a short while. Sometimes as long as half a day if the body was badly damaged."
"I see, " and Maargog pondered for a while.
"This is what you shall do - contact our spies in Zule and do whatever it takes to infiltrate Kel'Calathorn. Find out what my previous protégé has been up to in there, and report to me at once."
"Yes, my lord" and the Agent of Darkness bowed and left the room.
"So, Keanot, " The Emperor said to himself, "You have been busy after all…"