Campaign Journal 55B -
Return of The Bloke
(Played on ?????, 2022)
Embedded Files
Campaign Journal 55B -
PREVIOUSLY - CAMPAIGN DIARIES 55 - MYSTERIES REVEALED
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.
After a good night's sleep, and a hearty breakfast, a gong begin ringing in the town square. Isteval is dressed in his fine paladin armor and is ready for action at the first gong. He gathers himself and the Owlbear League follows him to the square, this time the children welcome to come along. A lone gallows is being erected alongside the raised stage in the square, and the citizens are already swarming to see what is going on.
The carriage of Duke Maldwyn arrives, and he escorts Lady Morissa out of the carriage, seemingly forgetting his sister Morwyn, but one of his guards helps her down. She smiles at The League who stands nearby. Isteval steps next to, but a half-step behind Duke Daggerford, and says a short something to him as the wizard Delfen arrives and takes a position between Morwyn and The League near Isteval.
Sherlyn Miller and a squad of guards bring out the cuffed and gagged red wizard, and marches him up to the gallows. She opens a proclamation and reads it. "Any who defy the rule of Duke Maldwyn Daggerford, sneaking univited into his dukedom under disguise and cover of night, risk his grace's swift justice. To additionally kill and assault the defenders of his city brings upon themselves the sentence of death, so is his decree. Theggar Grynn, red wizard of Thay has committed these crimes as witnessed by Sir Isteval, citizen Delfen, and members of the Daggerford watch."
Maldwyn nods while Lady Morissa looks a bit ill. They crowd murmurs. Guards march Theggar Grynn up the gallows and hood him. He is not even given the opportunity of last words. The noose is placed around his neck, and after the crowd silences, he is pushed off the stage by the executioner, and his neck snaps and the crowd murmurs in a subdued reaction. The urchins are wide-eyed.
Then the hooded dead body of the red wizard starts moving. It jerks at first and then starts writhing wildly and falls to the ground, his hood falling off, and his face is transformed with milky eyes and the pallor of the dead. A scream erupts from the crowd and people start backing away, but before nearly anyone can move Isteval takes steps forward with uncanny speed and grace and with one motion draws his great sword and beheads the undead wizard.
The body drops, and Isteval sheathes his sword as he can be heard says "By Lathander's light". The crowd clammors and is settling down when a cloud of black smoke emerges from the body of the dead wizard. Isteval stands his ground, his hand still on his sword, his attention unwavering as screams erupt from the crowd again.
The League grabs the children in protection as Lady Morissa nearly leaps into Maldwyns arms and Delfen shields Morwyn. Maldwyn looks on with terror on his face.
In the dark cloud that forms, a face appears, larger than life. A dry voice booms from the moving image. "I am Szass Tam, ruler of Thay. An attack on any one of our people is an attack on all of our people. Your pitiful lives in Daggerford are forfeit and your time is short. I will see you in death!" and the smoke dissipates as the crowds run off.
Isteval turns and walks from the body, reaching Delfen and whispering something to him, unheard in the chaos. Delfen nods in understanding.
This goes on a minute, the square is almost clear, with but one exception. A face the League recognizes runs towards you all, a sun elf dressed in fine attire, Lord Darfin Floshin.
"Sir Isteval, Darfin, help!" he calls.
"What is it Darfin?" Isteval asks.
"There is something gravely wrong at my estate. I was returning home and as I approached my grounds, I experienced a horrifying pain. When I retreated, the pain abated. There is a weave of magic over all my estate, blocking my return.
I found one of my servants Galen in a battered state by the side of the road, nearly unconscious, and he reports gnolls and undead have attacked my home. I have to find out what's happened! My sister Shalendra was home, my servants are vulnerable.
There were wards on my estate that should have turned enemies away, but they seem to have been somehow used on me!"
Isteval turns towards The League with a concerned look. Maldwyn is rushing into the carriage with Morissa. Morwyn is listening to the conversation with rapt attention, as is captain Miller.
"The Floshin estate is near the Ardeep forest, there is too much going on there for this to be a coincidence. Lord Floshin, aren't there old teleportation portals in the Ardeep.
"Yes, my family has been guardians of those portals for generations, but there are wards on them to prevent misuse."
"Like your home." Isteval says, turning to Delfen who smooths his beard in thought.
"That's where the invasion will come from." Immeral slips.
"Invasion?!" says Lord Floshin, Morwyn and captain Miller.
What can The League do to stop this invasion? Is it already too late? Do they risk being killed by Baazka if they act? What is happening at the Floshin estate and how does it connect? Will all in Daggerford perish at the hand of Szass Tam and his forces?
NEXT - CAMPAIGN JOURNAL 56 - Wards of Floshin
This adventure used material from the D&D Module "Scourge of the Sword Coast".
Google Sites
Report abuse