Return to Red Larch

The party makes a lasting impression on the people of Red Larch, most of whom have become quite fond of their new celebrity adventurers.

Alexander, Leopold, LiKi, and Kahntun threw discretion to the wind, descending into the exact center of the town of Red Larch, regally poised upon the backs of four majestic hippogriffs and escorted by an anointed Knight of the Feathergale Society. Children stared and pointed; old folk shook their heads ruefully; a drunken haberdasher stumbled and fell over the railing on the porch of the Helm at Highsun after rushing outside to see what all the commotion was about.

The party said goodbye to their mounts, which was particularly difficult for our gnome LiKi who had become very fond of her own. Everybody looked on as the knight took flight upon his own giant vulture and escorted the hippogriffs back to their stables at the base of Feathergale Tower.

Imdarr Relvaunder

Kahntun immediately visited the All Faiths Shrine (Location 1) in order to pray and consult with his contact. Imdarr had just gotten word that:

The missing caravan from Mirabar were providing an honor guard for the body of a fallen member of the Order of the Gauntlet, Narl Elrok.
Elrok had fought and died honorably in the Northern Skirmishes.
He was also a member of the Knights of Samular, which is why his body was to be interred at their stronghold at Summit Hill.
The Knights of Samular, headed by Lady Ushien Stormbanner, are staunch allies of the Order of the Gauntlet.

Kahntun was ready to jump on his horse that moment and dash toward Summit Hill, but thought better of it. He would need his friends. But this did not abate his anticipation, and as soon as the opportunity arrives, he plans on becoming acquainted with the Knights of Samular.

Haeleeya Hanadroum

Leopold and LiKi went to visit Haeleeya at her bath house (Location 15). LiKi investigated the dress Haeleeya made for Quelline back in Phandalin. She approved, crafted a beautifully composed letter, and went back into town to commission the delivery of this missive; she held on to the dress, hoping to present it to her companion in person.

Leopold and Haeleeya spent some alone time in a private bath, but when LiKi returned, she witnessed an awkward and tense farewell between the two new lovers. As Leopold turned to depart as disaffectedly as possible, Haeleeya rolled her eyes and smirked at LiKi. Now alone, the two of them shared cups of tart herbal tea and information. LiKi learned:

The Emerald Enclave has been watching the Feathergale Society for some time. They mostly appear to be what they seem, but still, suspicion persists that their power in the region could disrupt delicate balances.
The Feathergale Society are known to engage in violent scraps with strong, monk types (similar to the "Bringers of Woe" and the priest Larrakh). The enclave knows far less of these other mysterious zealots.

Lymmura Auldarhk

While they were taking tea, LiKi and Haeleeya were joined by priestess, Lymurra. They discussed recent events in Red Larch, and Lymurra and Haeleeya spoke of a wedding they were involved with.

However, Lymurra suddenly seemed to remember something and asked LiKi if her if she also went by the name Noam Chompsky Sylvan Esoterica. LiKi confirmed that she did, and Lymurra informed her that a book that she either wrote or edited had turned up in Vallivoe's Sundries, a sort of pawn shop run by old Endrith Vallivoe. LiKi found this odd news indeed. She had some scriveners make copies of a collection of stories Quelline's father had written (which she edited) and had them sent off too . . . (then it hit her) . . . Mirabar.

Stannor Thistlehair

Kahntun spoke with Stannor. He has been out of work since his previous employer, Waelvur's Wagonworks has gone out of business due to the fact that the owner, Ilmeth is currently under arrest, awaiting trial for the murders surrounding the "Believers" conspiracy.

Alexander told Stannor that he would put in a good work with Thelorn's Journeys, the other (far more reputable) wagon-making company in town.

Harburk Thuthmarillar

Alexander and Kahntun spoke with the acting constable, Harburk. The investigation was slow-going. Nobody wants to talk. However, he has been getting some information from Albaeri Mellikho and Aerego Bethendur who, although former cultists, are cooperating. They were uneasy with the dark direction the secret organization was headed and relieved that the plot had been uncovered. Busy with immediate threats to Red Larch, Harburk had little insight to offer about the Hidden Keeps or Feathergale Society.

Zomith

Zomith accompanied Harburk at the Helm at Highsun Tavern (Location 3). She nursed a dark ale and seemed far more sober than their previous encounter. Kahntun bought her a drink and encouraged her. He seemed to be flirting in his awkward, half-orc paladin sort of way. She didn't beat him up, so that could be read as a good sign. Since the party left Red Larch, Zomith has been helping Harburk with his investigations and protection of the the town. She seemed to be in much better spirits.

Ilmeth is currently being held on charges related to the murder of three travelling performers found in the Tomb of moving stone.

Albaeri is under surveillance, but no formal charges have been brought against her.

Aerego appears to both be fully-cooperating with investigations into the murders and in possession of little useful information. He continues his duties as owner of Bethendur's Storage. The party's wagon is currently being stored on his lot, under his protection.

Down there at the Pawn Shop (and a new lead)

Villivoe's Sundries: they've got it all!

Endrith Villivoe

Location 22 (See Map): Vallivoe's Sundries

Aside from the bewildering profusion of doors, barrels, rotting old furniture, and tools leaning against its outside walls, this building looks like a private home. A small faded sign on the front door reads "Vallivoe's Sundries." Rooms are crammed to the rafters with new wares and used items of all sorts.

The party quickly learned that Endrith Vallivoe is a retired caravan merchant who sells new and used goods: furniture, lamps, carpets, mirrors, weapons, shields, helms, and a little bit of everything else. Almost anything might be available to buy here, buried under heaps of other stuff, and Vallivoe carries a good running inventory in his head. He's the only vendor in town selling blank books and parchment.

Endrith is a shy, scuttling little man who employs a small army of local children. He's heard most of the rumors and monster sightings, but doesn't know--and doesn't want to know--what's really going on. However, he watches and listens attentively.

The party soon found out that Endrith bought some books from a passing merchant just a couple days ago. One of these was the literary manuscript LiKi had edited for her friend Quelline and sent to a publisher in Mirabar. Endrith had read it and was surprised by the avant-garde structural choices William Alderleaf had made. The other book was a beautifully illuminated manuscript written in Dwarvish. LiKi quickly determined that it was a genealogical history of the dwarf clans of Mirabar, a rare, valuable tome indeed (and not something a dwarvin family was likely to let go of easily). Endrith explained that he bought the book from a peddler passing through town. The peddler told Endrith that he bought it from a shady keelboat skipper in Womford who had somehow come by a dozen similar books. LiKi gave Endrith 50 gps for the book.

It was clear to our adventurers that who ever sold this book to the merchant might have information about the missing caravan from Mirabar. Although Kahntun was intensely eager to visit Summit Hall, it appeared that they would first need to visit the town of Womford and ask around for this shady keelboat skipper. Perhaps this would lead them to the missing caravan; perhaps this investigation would lead to Rivergard Keep.

The party is off to Womford!

TLDR:

The party has made quite a splash in Red Larch. They are known to all.
The investigation into the "Believers" conspiracy is slow-going, but one arrest has been made.
The Knights of Samular are friends of the Order of the Gauntlet (to which both Alexander and Kahntun belong); the body of a fallen brother of the Knights of Samular never arrived at Summit hall where it was to be interned (it was travelling with the missing Mirabaran caravan).
Books that were also presumably travelling with the missing caravan have turned up in Red Larch. They were bought by Endrith Villivoe from a travelling merchant in the town of Womford.
The party is headed to Womford to follow up this lead.
They are still looking for Rivergard Keep as they promised Savra Bellabantra of the Feathergale Society that they would root out the pirates using this (one of the four) Haunted Keep as their base of operation.

Go here for the next installment: Crossing Words with Pirates (Womford)

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