Some traveling Flagellants

This group of Flagellants (or Giessler) were encountered in the village of Saalfeld, three miles north of Wunschau, on the road to Schloss Rabenwald. There were approximately 40 of them, some dragging crosses, others whipping themselves, or others in the procession, with whips, ropes, and chains. Some of the Flagellants were cripples, though several seemed like they were martial people, and seemed well-armed.
The leader of the group, who did not give a name, is a zealous firebrand who urged all the residents of the village, as well as the party, to repent, because the Plague could take them at any time. He claimed that his group were the only true Gaalites, and urged the party to join them on the route back to Wunschau. He did bring many of the villagers to tears, though the party members, led by Dietmar  tried to open a reasoned discussion with him. After Basil tried to send him a magical message, he started experiencing a throbbing pain, which led his companions to suspect that the leader possessed magical powers.  
There was another figure of note in the procession - a black, cowled figure that tried to grab Franz's sword, and left it bloodied. Reinhard der Schreiber attempted to pull back his hood, but the man had already passed them, and only the back of a tonsured head could be seen. 
Apparently, the group of Giessler had come to Wunschau that evening, but were denied entry, even though they apparently have supporters in town (Hilda, the Captain of the City Watch being foremost among them). 
Their current whereabouts are unknown.