Campaign Journal 55 -
Mysteries Revealed
(Played on Nov 20, 2022)
Embedded Files
Campaign Journal 55 -
PREVIOUSLY - CAMPAIGN DIARIES 54 - SIEGE OF HARPSHIELD
The Owlbear League has taken Harpshield Castle from the clutches of a force of orcs and orogs and ogre with the help of two dozen soldiers of the Lords Alliance. The forces of good have not lost a single ally, although some are wounded and unconscious. Dain and Nowhere are a bit beat up, but they lick their wounds and are still ready for fighting. It is late and cold, but the buildings have not been investigated yet. The troops are excited at their victory, and about the approximately 100 gold pieces they secured from looting the orcs.
The forces of the Lords Alliance start to take over the camp of the dead orcs and build the fire higher to drive off the cold.
They move some of the orc corpses out of the way in a rubble pile in the collapsed southwestern corner of the castle, with the exception of the massive corpse of "Lutha" the female ogre, and less massive lead ogre "Seezy".
Lady D starts sniffing around in the area where Lutha ran out from. Almost completely enclosed by the foundation wall, this space might once have been the base of a great tower. An enormous ring of rusted iron or steel juts from the eastern wall. Underneath is a pile of dried grass, bones, and fur.
The Owlbear makes her way over the to the bedding and then wanders back to an orc body, dragging it over to the "nest" and she lays down.
Orryn, the only one who can communicate to Lady D. asks the Owlbear, "Does this place remind you of the castle we rescued you from?"
Lady D. replies "No, but I am getting very tired. It is almost time for my long sleep."
Orryn says "This is not a good place for that. We will find a safer place."
Lady D. closes her eyes and sleeps.
QUOTE at 17:40.
Nowhere says "Let's make sure its safe here." and she leads the group to a door to the southeast. They open it, and find a pantry. This room has an earthy, spicy smell. It contains several chests, crates, sacks, and barrels. The containers are found to hold wild potatoes, chestnuts, cured pork, sausages, blood puddings, and a barrel of pickled grick tentacles. The larger barrels contain watered beer, while smaller casks hold watered whiskey.
"What's in there?" Jidjack, one of the sergeants asks.
"Food, beer and whiskey."
"WHISKEY!" cheers the soldiers, and Dain brings out the keg. Nowhere takes a pull of whiskey, she could use some healing, but the whiskey will do for now.
Nowhere is intrigued by the barrel of pickled tentacles. She hauls it out and Jidjack asks "What do we have here?"
"Pickled grick."
Some of the soldiers are disgusted, some are intrigued.
Jidjack says "If we roast it wont make you sick."
Nowhere asks "Can you cook it?"
He replies "I can cook anything!" and she nods as he pulls the barrel over to the fire.
K'ronk says "Get grilling."
One of the soldiers says "One of these gricks hit me before, I'm definitely going to eat one." as the Owlbear League enters the room to the south.
The Owlbear League enters the southern door off the courtyard, This room contains a table, several stools, and a weapon rack. Wooden stairs lead up to a door on the southern wall. Dain checks out the weapons, finding the rack holds a halberd, two short swords, a long sword, and a flail, but none seems special.
A stairs rises up to a door to the south, and The League enters. The room is a sort of covered bridge, crossing over the roadway below, with broken windows on either side. There are a couple of
This elongated wooden room contains a couple of abandoned stools with a barrel of arrows between them and two dropped long bows. There is a fireplace to the northeast. The southern wall has a wooden door in it.
The League searches the room with little more than starlight and their own darkvision, but find no secrets.
They move on to the door to the south.
When they open the door to the south, an orog in waiting yells HYA HYA! and sends through the door a rush of several dozen pigs! Chaos erupts as the orog runs off, and the porcines manages to knock down only Immeral as they run by. Immeral gets to his feet, and looks around, but no longer sees the orog.
K'ronk notices that the orog is squeezing out a broken window on the ground level below him, and in the heat of the moment launches a fireball spell. A mote of fire flies down through a broken window to the corner of the tower and explodes, destroying the entire corner of the tower. The orog is gone, and bricks and such fall from the remnants of the tower.
Nowhere yells "Incoming!" to the soldiers of the Lord's alliance.
The pigs hurry their rush out the northern door, startling Jidjack, descending the stairs and entrance to the courtyard. The soldiers in the courtyard, startled by the rushing porkers, kill the pigs and start chanting again "Bar-B-Que, Bar-B-Que, Bar-B-Que!" as flakes of snow start falling.
Capture 24:00
Immeral looks at K'ronk, asking "was that a bit much?"
K'ronk replies "We don't know what he was up to."
One of the sergeants, Jidjack peeks into the northern room and yells "is everything under control?"
"No" replies Orryn, shaking his head.
The League enters the southern room from the top of the stairs, and finds it is a pigsty. The whole place reeks of offal and rot. Crudely cut logs partition the southern section of this roofless area into several pig pens. In the northern part of the room are a watering trough and two mangers. A large water barrel stands in the northeast corner. In the center of the northern wall, a short flight of wooden stairs ascends to a wooden door. The northwest corner of the room had a window, but now is filled with fresh rubble. Beneath the stairs, opening to the main road is a burly exit door which is barricaded with more rubble.
The League searches for a bit, but finding nothing of interest, leaves to return back to the courtyard.
Heading back to the north as the soldiers are butchering the pigs and preparing a late-night meal, The League decides to explore the doors on the main building to the north to ensure they have no more unexpected visitors.
First there is a small building to the southeast, and they open the door. It is a latrine and an orc sits on it, in distress. The heroes can hear the eruption from his bowls and he groans, looks up, and says in orcish "who are you?" He then grabs his gut and shits again horribly, moaning.
The orc starts grabbing his pants and Nowhere rushes in, drawing Icerazor.
Capture 35:20
The orc quickly drops his pants and flings nasty black feces at Nowhere, hitting her in the eyes, temporarily blinding her. Blindly stabbing with her magical sword, she stabs the vulnerable orc, striking deep into his guts, but he dodges a second attack.
The League, seeing the foulness of what is going on, hesitates to join the fight, but Dain throws up his shield and rushes towards to privy, but since his eyes are closed, he crashes into the doorframe, fearful of the poo.
The orc screams and tries to runs out from the shitter.
Seraphina casts sacred flame and the blinding light of the spell sends him reeling back and knocks him unconscious. The orc teeters, then falls head-first into the latrine, shattering the boards and falling face-first into excrement where his life ends.
Nowhere emerges filthified, and the soldiers snicker. "Any of you need a headlock? You!?" she says, pointing to the closest laughing soldier, Jidjack. He runs, laughing "Don't get the crap on me! I have to cook!"
Pitying his friend, Immeral casts prestidigitation on the ranger to magically clean her of the foul orc discharge. She thanks him profusely as the soldiers turn back to their drinks and the food on the fire.
The League decides to continue investigating the unsearched building. They pass through an entry hall first. It contains two benches, two stools, and a stack of firewood in the northeast corner. On the wooden walls, among other obscene and disconcerting graffiti, are many drawings of an upturned crescent moon with two slashes, a bloody maul, and a scythe with a serrated blade.
They search the room quickly, but find nothing of particular interest, so they move on to the larger room the orogs came out of. It is a common room.
This room contains a huge stone fireplace, two long tables, several stools, and two sets of shelves. A pig carcass lies half eaten on one of the tables. Bones, bits of rotten food, and other debris litters the hall. The stench of rot is pervasive.
The League searches again and this time Nowhere finds a hidden trap door in the southeast corner of the room. It opens to reveal stairs descending downward to the north.
Capture 54:18
Six stone pillars support the ceiling of this massive basement. Many straw beds, covered with woolen rugs and hides, are laid along the walls, several have occupants, maybe six or seven. The southern wall has a huge fireplace. There is a fire and a cooking a pot of something is in the fireplace.
Kronk detects magic but spies nothing. Somewhere below crying and whimpering can be softly heard.
Orryn steps onto the stairs looking for traps and the others follow. Tentatively looking around and stepping carefully, there are two unconscious orcs who have landed on a pile of rocks underneath the stairs, and Orryn gathers that the final two orcs they saw running into a door crashed through a trap and fell on the pile. One of the orcs is moaning and Orryn looks back at the group.
Capture 56:18
"Put them out of their misery." Atlas says.
"Do they want to be put out of their misery?" K'ronk asks.
"Nobody wants to be put out of their misery." says Dain, but we should still do it.
Nowhere approaches as the one opens his eyes. "This is what happens when you run from fate." as his eyes go wide.
"They might fight back if we go in there." says Immeral.
Orryn asks Nowhere "can you cut their arms off? Then we can beat them to death."
Seraphina says "Just take them out quickly." shaking her head.
Nowhere rushes in with Icerazor as the one awkwardly throws its sword at the party, striking and scratching K'ronk. She kills the first one, but the second defends himself and survives as he screams "no, no, no! Don't kill me!" in orcish.
Immeral says "couldnt he help us understand why all these attacks are going on?"
Nowhere growls at Immeral, but drags the hobbled orc off the rock pile and out into the main room as he screams in pain. The tiefling menacingly asks "What's going on with these attacks?"
"I don't know about any attacks, only that we were to secure Harpshield castle and hold it." the orc replies.
"For whom?" Nowhere asks
"As ordered by my leader Wartsnak the pale chief."
"Why do you answer to him?" Immeral asks
The orc states "He killed several other chiefs in fair combat to form a new tribe."
Nowhere asks "So this is all about just making a new tribe?"
"I just know with the weapon Wartsnak got from the duergar at Firehammer we are a stronger and more powerful tribe."
Dain asks through his teeth "Did you take prisoners from Firehammer?"
"Yes, but they died, we didnt kill them. They were too weak." the orc states. "Maybe Wartsnak killed one or two."
K'ronk asks "Where is this Wartsnak?"
"Down here in the audience room. It was the red wizard who brought the dwarves and the weapons." he states as Dain looks ready to pounce.
Immeral says with fear in his voice "Is there a red wizard here too?"
The orc says "I have not seen him in a while. All I know is he wanted us to keep mankind away from the forest."
"What's in the forest?" Nowhere asks.
"I don't know." says the orc.
Orryn says "I feel like you do know."
"Only Wartsnak and the red wizard knows."
"Where is Tinkerchap?" asks Atlas, as the other characters look at her oddly.
"I don't know a Tinkerchap. Was he one of the adventurers from Daggerford? Wartsnak had them killed to keep our operations secret." the orc says.
"What did they look like?" Immeral asks.
"Like you people!" the orc replies.
"What about the succubus lady?" Immeral asks.
"She's gone!" he pleads.
"What was she doing here?"
"I don't know, she reports to the red wizards." says the orc, moaning and holding his leg.
"If you let me go I will tell all the orcs in the Forlorn Hills never to mess with mankind again!"
Immeral asks "how will he get out of here with a busted leg?"
"I'll find a way!" the fearful orc says.
They gather to whisper. Immeral says "He might give away our position." The others nod. K'ronk says "He's obviously a murderer." Orryn says "I have this."
The party surrounds the orc and starts offering terms to be free when Orryn crushes the skull of the wounded orc with his flail, splattering blood all around. Orryn cuts off the head and says "Lady D." and the others wait while brings the head to his owlbear companion.
The smell of roasted grick tentacle fills the courtyard, and it smells delicious. Orryn tosses the skull to Lady D, is offered a drink of ale from a keg the Lords Alliance troops had cracked open, and he takes it back downstairs.
As Orryn drops off a snack for Lady D, the others glance down the hallways, but hold their position. They decide to follow the southern corridor.
"Where did you get that beer?" Atlas asks.
"They are having a little feast in the courtyard. The grick smells good, and someone has a fiddle." Orryn replies
"I want to go." says Atlas, and Dain is nodding.
"We should kill whomever the boss is first." says Nowhere, "Or the party might be interrupted."
"I hate party interrupters" says Dain.
They start moving south and pass by the door of a jail cell. There is a metal jail door. Inside, the reeking cell has a depressed floor, and it is full of rotting waste and filth. There is a key hanging across the hall on a peg.
The party looks, thinking about passing this area, but Nowhere believes she spies a leg in the pile of debris, and wants to investigate. Only Orryn is interested. As they step in, rustling quickly happens in the pile and a swarm of rats attacks.
Seraphina casts sacred flame but the rats scurry away from the radiant attack.
Nowhere flails at the rats and strikes several, but they still are snapping and attacking.
Orryn fires arrows into the pile, hitting a couple and they scurry down deep in the filth pile and are gone.
Nowhere pulls on the leg and finds the fresh corpse of a half-elf. He looks to have been tortured and is severely beaten and his flesh looks to have been chewed on by the rats.
K'ronk uses his amulet of the dead and asks the deceased elf who he was and what happened. "I am Furyo, I came from Daggerford a few weeks ago, but we were captured by the orcs and killed."
"Did you see what happened to your friends?"
"No we were all separated." says the deceased half-elf whose pale eyes stare at them.
K'ronk asks "Should we return my body somewhere?"
"Just bury my body in the woods of the Ardeep."
K'ronk says "I will do this for you."
Furyo says "In thanks, I have a gift for you. In my right breast pocket is a ring of invisibility. I was killed before I could put it on and save myself."
K'ronk says "Thank you" and Furyo lays back in death and K'ronk recovers the ring. "We will come back to lay you to rest."
They continue down the hall to the south.
In the hallway, a makeshift but sturdy-looking barrier of logs blocks a section of corridor. Two narrow openings the size of windows pierce the barrier.
The corridor turns to the west beyond the barrier, and a double door just to the east. They approach that door.
A moldy set of double doors stands closed. The door can be barred from this side, but it unlocked. It feels colder here, and The League opens the door.
A shaft has been carved into the floor here, creating a well. There looks to be a matching round tunnel extending upward some fifteen feet where stars can be seen above and cold air flows down from the night sky. It is obviously the courtyard well as the noise of Jidjack's soldiers can be heard.
The water level is 2 feet below the dungeon floor. Nowhere examines and tastes the cold dark water and finds it unremarkable.
The League travels to the east and opens the lone door. This room contains the remains of tables and chairs, shelves, crates, empty bottles, and small kegs. A banded wooden door stands closed in each wall. The door to the north is open.
They cautiously enter the ruined tavern, and Dain takes a sniff at the kegs but finds nothing left to drink.
Suddenly a deep menacing voice cries out from somewhere "Adventurers! Come to me!"
The voice comes from the northwest.
They proceed cautiously, Immeral thinking of cloaked and watching from the etheral plane. K'ronk thinking of wearing the invisibility ring.
"Adventurers! I guarantee your safety, we must talk." It sounds like a voice from the underworld. Gravel and smoke and an inhumanly deep timber. "Time is short!" continues the voice.
Nowhere says "They know we're here, we might as well just go. Maybe get the troops?"
Immeral responds "It's kind of tight quarters. Not sure what they could do." and they hesitate.
"Let's not take all night!" yells the voice, and they decide to march together towards its call.
Nowhere yells back "What do you want?"
The voice replies "Your survival in the impending doom."
Orryn says "Can we just leave?"
Immeral yells "Who are you?"
They walk to the source of the voice from hell.
The party heads into the western passage which turns south, and then opens into a room. The western part of this room is divided into two identical cells constructed of wooden bars. Each cell contains filthy piles of straw and a wooden bucket. The cells are open, chains and padlocks hanging loosely from the bars.
In the northern cell is the pale corpse of a human, whose bruised neck and stained clothes contrast with his serene expression in death. On his cheek, now colorless with death is a birthmark that looks like a star, and hanging from his neck is a brass and silver symbol of Amaunator. The former human rises in undeath, smelling your living flesh and approaching hungrily, and steps out of the cell and attacks.
A voice, now closer and to the east now calls out "Sorry, I forgot about Gissen!" and then laughs a maniacal laugh.
Seraphina uses her ring of command undead and she commands him to follow. They then turn to the east. A short distance down an open hallway, you see a glowing light in what looks to be a throne room and the voice calls "Come here, time is wasting."
The League looks at each other and hestitates.
"I can see you all, even the one in the cloak." meaning the cloak of elvenkind that Atlas wears.
"Fucker!" she says.
Embers in the iron braziers flanking a throne give off enough light to illuminate the room.
In the middle of the eastern wall of this room is a makeshift throne of stones, bones, severed heads, and skulls, many in various states of fresh and fragrant decay.
On the throne sits a mighty orc, the likes of which you have never seen before. He is large and his flesh is more whitish-gray than green. He holds something his right hand, but the small object cannot be seen clearly. In his left hand he holds the handle of a greataxe, resting on the floor.
Beside the throne and along the walls are ten zombies, standing as guards.
He calls out to you by name and invites you in. His voice is raspy and dry, but has an otherworldly echo “Come in, come in, pardon this shabby form I am communicating to you through, it is but a nearly mindless vessel. Don't mind the zombies behind me, the red wizard left them, I must admit I find them somewhat revolting. I understand you’ve been looking for this...” and he holds out The Bloke.
Nowhere flippantly says "Yes we are, who are you?"
He throws The Bloke to Nowhere, who snatches it out of the air and he replies "You may call me Baazka. Our toy Alvin brought it to me. Walked it right out of Daggerford. Ha ha ha!"
Is it precious to you? To Moldwyn (sic)? Take it, it’s served its purpose – but you all, I’ve been watching you.
Atlas interrupts. "What purpose did it serve?"
The strange orc goes on... "To create disarray." He pauses, then continues, "You carry yourselves well, better than that fool militia in Daggerford. You could be of great use to me. I need some insurance in case some associates of mine don’t keep up their end of a bargain. Here is my proposal…
You go back to Daggerford, bring the Bloke, tell Moldwyn you found Alven with it and had to kill him for it. Bring him his head if you like, he doesn’t need it anymore! Ha ha ha! Then you lay low, just stand by in Daggerford, no more investigating, no more running around. You twiddle your little thumbs and wait. If I need you, I will call you. I will send you an artifact. A little toy I have been saving for a special occasion. That little toy can end the Red Wizard invasion, if dropped in the right place of course. He laughs some more."
For doing nothing, you get to live. When my associates do what they intend, Daggerford and Waterdeep is not going to be very hospitable for your kind, but you’ll get a chance to clear out and save your hides. I’ll even guarantee your safe passage out of town, I was going to watch the rats fleeing the ship anyway, ha ha ha!"
If the wizards double-cross me, you can swoop in and save the day. You’ll be heroes – they’ll give you the keys to the city, but if you don’t lay low, I’ll know, and I’ll come for you – you and Moldy and the rest of that little boil on the ass of the coast. And you’ll get some of what this stupid orc body got, death and eternal slavery. You will be collateral damage – just like that pathetic guard at the gates back in Daggerford.
It won’t be easy to sleep knowing I can make one of you put a dagger in your friend’s heart in the middle of the night, right? And then I will see you in hell, I am very familiar with it, I will take you on a tour and we will have enormous fun together. It will be a never-ending adventure for all you grave-robbing vagabonds.
Tell me you understand our deal."
"Can we have a moment?" Nowhere asks.
They circle together and whisper. Nowhere says "Is he asking, or telling?"
K'ronk says "Telling - he didn't ask if we agreed, only that we understood. It's a threat."
Atlas says "What would Isteval do?"
Orryn says "I don't think we have a choice."
Immeral states "I don't like this at all."
Atlas replies "I don't trust a thing he is saying. We should not be doing any sort of deal with this guy."
Dain asks "Can I kill him?"
Orryn says "Remember he is only communicating through that body, so even if you kill him, the true enemy still lives."
Dain looks disappointed.
Atlas says "We play along."
"Enough chatter." Wartsnak says. "Tell me you understand the deal."
Atlas nods "We understand."
Wartsnak replies "Then get out of here and take Gissen with you.
Nowhere probes "We'd like to know the nature of who we are really working with."
Wartsnak laughs "Just an old resident recently returned to the area. Ha ha ha."
Immeral asks "And Natyssa is your colleague?"
Wartsnak rebuffs him "You have all the information you need."
Immeral continues "Why would you do a deal with the red wizards if you don't trust them?"
The voice from the orc states "That's none of your concern."
Nowhere adds "The orcs were told to stay out of the woods. Does that apply to us too?"
Wartsnak snarls "If you were intending to lay low, you wouldn't need to answer that question."
Nowhere nods and says "We'll leave with the troops in the morning."
"I'll be watching." the hellish voice says. "I'm done with this body now."
The red light goes out of the eyes of the huge orc and he looks around confused as the zombies turn towards him and attack. Wartsnak screams as they tear him to pieces and devour him.
The League hurridly backs out and marches off, leaving the dungeons of Harpshield, taking zombie Alvin with them.
Immeral turns to K'ronk "I don't like this" and K'ronk responds "I don't like this either." They have zombie Alvin drag the body
Upstairs the forces of the Lords Alliance are settling down - settling in their own tents or some spruced up orc ones, their bellies full. The League covers Alvin in a cloak and says little, Seraphina taking an orc tent for her commanded undead and ordering him to stay in there. She closes the tent.
The League eats some of the remaining grilled grick - finding it delicious, surprised at the cooking prowess of Jiddy. Sitting by the fire for a short moment, Immeral notices up in the trees backlit in the moonlight, the silhouette of a massive winged, horned creature, his red eyes reflecting the fires in the courtyard. Immeral calls The League's attention to it and the creatures rises up, unfurls its huge wings and flies away.
Atlas takes out her lute and starts to play, reviving some of the energy, and Jidjack gets a second wind and starts doing a remarkable dance with deep squats and kicks and everyone starts clapping. When exhausted he steps back from the dancing and after some frosty breaths to recover asks Nowhere "How did it go in the rooms below?"
Without a moment she says "There's a dozen zombies that just ate a huge orc who was possessed by a powerful creature that sounds like he's from hell. The being wants us to go back to Daggerford before some sort of apocalypse happens. We leave in the morning."
Jidjack nods, takes a drink, and orders a few extra soldiers to guard the stairway down to the dungeons. A short time later the forces not on watch, as well as The League go off to sleep.
CAPTURE 2:02:20
CAPTURE 2:05:40
CAPTURE 2:06:00
The Swords of the Lords have efficiently packed up camp and are ready to leave Harpshield, but let The League sleep in to finish a good night's rest. K'ronk says the the camp, could I get some help with a burial, getting several volunteers. Seraphina brings dead Alvin out of the tent and informs The Swords that he is harmless, but he carries the dead elf Furyo into the edges of the Ardeep, and they bury his body as best they can in the nearly frozen ground.
As they head out, Orryn notices that Lady D is getting lethargic, and she communicates to Orryn that she wants to do her long sleep. He assures the Owlbear that he will get her a safe place to bed down for the winter.
As they are leaving the courtyard, a creaking noise can be heard and The League turns to see a single orc leaving the barracks, limping on a splinted leg.
He hobbles off to the west, heading for the courtyard exit, glancing at The League, but hoping they don't go back to finish him off, submissively giving them a wave.
They do not pursue, and they depart for the hard, cold two day march back to Daggerford.
Along the road, they discuss what to do with Alvin Gissen. "We can't bring a zombie into Daggerford." Nowhere says.
Dain says "Can I kill him?"
They think about this for a moment and Nowhere says "Yes, before we get into Daggerford."
At the gates of Daggerford, they are stopped by the city watch and question them as Dain is carrying the dead body of Alvin Gissen slung over his shoulder, wrapped in a blanket.
"Whose body is this?" the guard asks.
"Alvin Gissen, the thief who stole The Bloke from Duke Daggerford. We are here for the reward."
The guard looks surprised, calls over a superior, but they let The League through, clearly glad the Bloke business may finally be at an end.
The League parts ways with most of the Lord's Alliance troops which set up camp outside the gates. Joined by the four lieutenants, they immediately proceed to the townhouse of Sir Isteval. Niceties are exchanged with Smithfield and the three urchins, and Isteval shares his relief they have returned safely.
Smithfield asks "May I ask sirs and madams, why is there a body under the portico on our front steps?"
Nowhere responds "We didn't want to make a mess inside. It is Alvin Gissen, thief of The Bloke. We need to bring him to Maldwyn."
Smithfield nods and says "I shall send for a cart." Receiving nods from The League.
Orryn brings Lady D to the stables and sees she is incredibly tired and ready to hibernate. He asks the stableman "How much to house her per day? She won't need any food or water?" The stableman consider the requests and says "1 gold piece a day since she takes our largest stall."
Orryn quickly counts out 90 gold to cover the next three months. "If we need more please contact me through Sir Isteval." Then he hustles back to the Townhouse where the conversation begins about their expedition.
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/forgottenrealms/images/5/54/Isteval-Portrait.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20171014231225
When they settle down after some food, Isteval asks "what have you found at Harpshield?" Before the conversation gets going, the League expresses concerns they could be spied upon.
Nowhere states "There are forces aligned against us that can listen from the etheral realm and even possess minds. We have to communicate cautiously."
Seraphina says "We could use the rod of security to take us from this plane of existence, but that takes it out of use for 10 days."
Nowhere says "I have the rope trick but it can only fit eight of us in that extradimensional space."
K'ronk adds "We can see out of the rope trick realm, too."
Immeral raises his hands and quickly pops in and out of the etheral plane using his robe of stars. "I don't see anything in the border etheral."
Isteval looks more and more concerned.
Nowhere begins speaking aloud. "It appears that Alvin was acting alone, maybe he wanted to sell The Bloke, or just cause chaos."
Isteval looks unsure. "You found him dead?"
Nowhere responds "No, but he would not come, and he threatened to destroy The Bloke. We killed him."
Isteval says "This makes little sense to me."
The lieutenants of the Lords Alliance look uncertain what to say.
Nowhere casts rope trick and invites Isteval into a pocket dimension. "We can speak privately above, we have an hour." In climbs Isteval, Jidjack, Nowhere, Immeral, Seraphina, Atlas, Orryn and K'ronk. Dain goes and has a drink with the other three lieutenants.
Quickly Nowhere recaps the situation at Harpshield with the orc forces and their successful battle against them. The others nod in reinforcement. She shares that the orcs were to stay out of the Ardeep forest and, only Wartsnak their leader knew their true purpose along with the red wizards. Also, that Natyssa the succubus also reports back to the red wizards.
Istval ponders this as Nowhere continues.
"There was also a massive orc on a throne in the dungeons of Harpshield castle. He had a squad of zombies besides him, and Alvin was zombified nearby. The orc spoke to us, but admitted he was mentally enslaved by a being called 'Baazka' and offered us a strange deal."
Istevals brow grows more and more knitted as the conversation continues.
"Baazka in orc form threw us The Bloke and admitted Alvin's actions were enabled by them, and they were a distraction, but did not clarify from what. We were to come back to Daggerford, lay low, and be his insurance policy if his associates, assumingly the red wizards, reneg on their bargain with him. He threatened that the red wizards are aiming to destroy Waterdeep, Daggerford and probably the rest of the Sword Coast. If they betray him he has an object that can stop them, and will give it to us, otherwise he will tell us when to abandon the town and save our own lives."
Isteval says "It is amazing story, and now I understand why we needed to secret to this location."
Immeral adds "He additionally threatened us that if we told anyone he would possess us and stab each other in the middle of the night."
Isteval says ."We can take some action to add protections to my townhome. I will chat with Delfin and Luk Sunbright."
Nowhere adds "Baazka referred to himself as being a former resident of the area, recently returned. He might be a fifteen foot tall winged and horned humainoid we saw flying off in the darkness."
Immeral adds "He also mentioned he is very familiar with hell, and I suspect he is a devil of some sort."
Isteval says "Delfin might be able to help us with that. I have some information to share too, but maybe it is better to show you than tell you."
The League looks worried. They also describes to Isteval the silhouetted creature they spied flying above the trees.
K'ronk adds "I suspect it is a devil. We have to assume from this point on that we are constantly being watched. Even coming into this magical space is a risk if it suspects we are not 'laying low'."
Isteval says "Agreed. Please follow me." After climbing down, "Smithfield, can you send a page for Delfin to see if he would be kind enough to join myself and The League after we see the Duke?"
Smithfield nods and moves to action.
Isteval says "it would be good for us to inform Sherlyn Miller about The Bloke's status, then take it to Duke Daggerford."
The party agrees, and they walk towards the jail, Isteval at the lead with his walking stick, and additionally the cart with Gissen's covered body lead by a driver.
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At the jail, Isteval asks to see Captain Miller outside and she comes to them in short order. He removes the canvas and presents Alvin's body, clearly giving credit to The Owlbear League for tracking him down.
"Did he have The Bloke?" she says?
Immeral replies "He did. We will give it to Duke Daggerford immediately upon leaving here."
Sherlyn says "Oh thank the gods we can put this matter to rest. Thank you all!" and The League receives her gratitude and the apparent positive impression on the city watch nearby.
CAPTURE 2:41:50
Isteval additionally asks if they may see their 'newest guest'. She looks serious and nods, bringing them to a guarded cell in the basement of the substantial Daggerford jail. He asks "How is he?" and she responds "Quiet as ever" a bit flippantly.
In the cell is a red wizard of Thay. The man is tied up, sitting on a chair, with a metal cage around his head and barring his mouth. Additionally he wears leg manacles and is chained.
Isteval says, "meet Theggar Grynn, or at least that is the name he goes by. This man is the reason I had to stay back, he caused a bit of commotion nearby and was caught trying to sneak into Daggerford."
Sherlyn says, "we could not have captured him without Sir Isteval" she says, and he begrudgingly accepts the praise. "Thank you, Lathandar has blessed me to be his blade and cut darkness from the world yet still." A closer look reveals slashes the the red wizard's garb and bruises to his face. She adds "The duke has given his approval, this man will be killed in the morning for entering his city under false pretense. Before the Thayan embassy in Waterdeep interferes."
Immeral asks "Have you gotten any information from him."
Captain Miller says "We are hesitant to remove the head restraint and give him the ability to speak."
Isteval adds "I doubt someone of his caliber could be persuaded to give up much information without serious convincing."
The red wizard leers at the group with a nasty scowl.
Immeral adds "We can be quite persuasive."
Isteval says "Captain Miller, may we have your permission?"
She looks leery, but agrees, opening his cell with her keys, and the guards glance at each other a bit wildly.
Isteval withdraws his great sword and stands behind the prisoner.
Atlas says "just in case..." and wraps the wizard with her rope of climbing as Captain Miller unlocks the head cage on the wizard, unbarring his mouth.
The wizard stretches and says "I was not aware Duke Daggerford employed a troupe of fools for his delight."
K'ronk speaks "We are the Owlbear League, and we can have a lively back and forth discussion while you state over and over how you will tell us nothing, but you have so little time left to live. Tomorrow you will die, and even a red wizard has to be concerned it will be their end, no matter who their master is. You may be standing in judgement before a god and have to account for your actions, revealing what is going to may ease your sentence."
"I have less worry about death than you do, than all of you" says Theggar Grynn.
"But you don't know what dying is like." K'ronk replies.
"Some of my closest acquaintances do, and assure me all will be well."
"Unless they've lied to keep you in line." K'ronk says.
The Thayan seems to have no fear of death.
Nowhere interjects "But have they said dismemberment is painless too?"
The wizard stays silent.
Immeral starts says "Although we would appreciate you telling us what is going on..." but is interrupted by the laughter of the prisoner. "No need to be a dick about it."
"My masters know what is on the other side and have prepared a place for me. I am sure you cannot say the same."
Nowhere laughs now "My masters, sounds like something a dog would say."
Atlas says "Let's go question the succubus instead." and his brow raises a hair in surprise.
Nowhere says "You may not be afraid of death, but the succubus is trying to avoid it."
K'ronk says "She even revealed where this was." and he pulls out The Bloke, and the wizard looks confused. "Look where your cult has landed you, a short sleep away from the gallows."
The man swallows, perhaps a bit less sure of himself, but still says "I will either be broken from this jail, or released of this life. Either is better than I can say for you and this miserable town. You don't know the power of the zulkir's of necromancy in Thay."
Atlas says "Boring, let's go deal with the succubus then. This one can go to hell in the morning."
"Pencheska knows nothing." he slips, "that creature is a dog."
Atlas replies "as opposed to you? What does that make you, a rat?"
K'ronk adds "You are fodder, you are nothing, why would the red wizards bother to even breathe a spell to save your sorry ass."
"My reward is clear and beyond your reckoning." Grynn replies.
Nowhere says "unless we kill them, if we kill the leaders of Thay you stay dead, their promises lay empty." Let's do that. Captain Miller, make sure you toss his body into the sea to feed the fishes, then there will be nothing left to resurrect, unless he comes back as a minnow."
K'ronk adds "So sad to see someone so proud, in your final moments, servicing dead cock."
Isteval says "It's time to see the Duke." and Sherlyn nods and rebinds the wizard.
?
Sir Isteval and the Owlbear League head to the gates of Castle Daggerford and the guards, immediately recognizing the paladin of Lathander stiffen to attention. "My companions and I seek an urgent audience with Duke Daggerford. We have the body of Alvin Gissen and are returning The Bloke to his Lordship."
The guards stand in shock, amazement, and some relief. "This is wonderful news, we will send a page immediately." The guard motions for a young man, and tells him of the need for an audience. The page runs to the castle, but before a reply could even physically come, the guard says "I am sure the Duke will want this news. Please proceed to the castle," and Isteval nods at the efficiency and the four guards who escort him and The League to the doors.
The doors open as the page races back to them. "Oh, the Duke will see you right away." An escort brings Isteval and the League to a dining room where a dinner is in-progress with Duke Daggerford, Lady Morwyn Daggerford and an unknown woman. Before introductions can be made, the Duke rises.
"Normally I would be highly disturbed being disturbed at dinner, but given my Bloke has returned, I am willing to let that go. This is fantastic news, let me see my Bloke and tell me where you found this."
Nowhere hands Duke Daggerford the Bloke and he gleams with joy for a moment. "Come in, come in, forgive my manners, this is Lady Morissa Breen of Gillian's Hill" The duke waves a hand at a lovely young woman seated at the dinner table. She is dressed in rich attire and jewelry and nods in greeting with a big smile.
Suspicious this woman may be the succubus in disguise, Immeral looks upon her with detect magic, but sees none, but then he realizes shape changers do not show magically once changed.
Not offered any drinks, Atlas sits next to Morissa. "I am Atlas, a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine she says, holding out a dainty hand for a friendly handshake."
"I want to hear how you recovered the Bloke" Maldwyn says to Isteval, but he looks over and nods at Nowhere.
"We found it in the ruins of Harpshield Castle. Alven took it." she states.
"Gissen! I suspected as much" the duke declares.
Nowhere states "Nothing to worry about, he is dead, his body is in a cart at your gates if you would like to verify."
"Serves him right, thieving artist!" exclaims the duke. "Hardly better than a grave robber. What sent you to Harpshield?"
Immeral states "following rumors about where he fled to."
Nowhere adds "When someone flees town, they usually have a reason to."
"How you were able to track him down astounds me, I was assured by everyone that all leads were followed."
"We are not everyone." Atlas replies, raising a glass and sipping her wine.
"Yes, but why Harpshield?"
Immeral responds "as good as any run-down castle to hide out in."
"It all sounds a bit suspicious" Maldwyn states. "Sir Isteval, do you believe..." and as Isteval raises a quizzical look, he trails off.
"Anyway, I am thankful The Bloke is returned, um... My agent Felson will deliver the reward to you in the morning. I take it you are still staying at Isteval's townhome?"
The duke's sister speaks up for the first time. "I am also so incredibly thankful. Hopefully now we can return to normalcy in Daggerford.
Atlas changes the subject. "How long have you and lady Morissa known each other?" Morissa blushes.
Daggerford replies happily "Several weeks now."
Nowhere considers casting a command spell on the lady to potentially unmask her, but the repercussions of doing it in front of the duke are too great, and the shame on Sir Isteval would be greater.
Sir Isteval speaks "Your grace, we must discuss another urgent matter. The red wizard I captured and is in our jail. If we wait much longer, I am sure the Thayan embassy in Waterdeep will seek his release."
Duke Daggerford asserts "We have no treaty with Thay, they can seek all they wish, Daggerford is my duchy."
"Yes, but if they petition Waterdeep and The Lords Alliance, your grace may be wrapped up in a larger political conversation."
"Of which I want nothing to do with." the Duke asserts.
"Of course your grace, but the way to assure less entanglements is to cut the thread as it were. The Thayan snuck into your city under cover of night and disguise and killed several citizens when uncovered, including an attempt on wizard Delfen and myself. We should hang him in the morning."
"Yes, yes, yes, whatever you think Isteval." Maldwyn says, looking fondly at The Bloke.
"Thank you your grace." Isteval adds.
"I shall now bid you all good evening as I finish my meal with Lady Morissa Breen and Lady Morwyn Daggerford."
The League and Isteval stand and they exchange final pleasantries. Isteval thanks Duke Daggerford for his hospitality and casually mentions that The League and Isteval is dining with the wizard Delfen this evening.
Nowhere whispers at Immeral "Command spell?" Immeral shakes it off "too risky." Nowhere nods, looking to Isteval for guidance, but getting a "time to go" vibe.
"I will escort our guests out." Lady Morwyn says.
As she walks the party to the doors of the castle, she again thanks everyone for their assistance in putting this matter to an end, and wishes to learn more about Gissen in the future.
They make the short trek back to Isteval's townhome and they spend some time finally relaxing, and hearing tales of the kids small adventures in Daggerford. Delvin arrives and joins the party, there is awkward lack of conversation about topics that matter. Everyone concerned that they may be observed by the succubus from nearly anywhere.
Isteval does the speaking to a curious Delfen, but he is obviously evasive, and Delfen picks up on the clues of non-discussion. Delfen nods and probes no further. Isteval calls for a page, and in short order a young runner arrives as Isteval finishes a note. "To captain Miller of the Daggerford Watch, to be delivered immediately with orders from Duke Daggerford." The boy runs off.
"The red wizard will be executed in the morning." Isteval informs Delfen. "It would be good of you to join us there Delfen."
Delfen nods, and exchanging pleasantries with you all, bid you a good evening.
NEXT - 55B RETURN OF THE BLOKE
This adventure used material from the D&D Module "Scourge of the Sword Coast".
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