As they continue their journey to Naerytar Evendur quickly volunteers to recount the tales of the companions to Kenny the prospector. "Mighty Torm brought the companions together outside a town far to the south called Greenest." Evendur starts pompously. "In the town of Greenest we fought off raiding cultists and encountered the blue dragon Lennithon. My companions and myself convinced it to leave Greenest, but we have seen many battles since then, both in Greenest and in the camp of the cultists. We have found out that the Cult of the Dragon are amassing a great hoard of treasure in order to usher in the reign of the evil goddess Tiamat and we believe they are moving the treasure to a place called Naerytar." Evendur explains.

"Excellent summary, Evendur," Kosef says. He'll add a description of their battle with the tentacled stalagmite.

Kosef also thinks back to his experience in Baldur's Gate. If they haven't already, with Kenny's help, he'll recommend a different city to them, some safer place like Port Nyanzaru or Tribor. 

Kendes sees the image of the gnome still, but as he stares the image seems superimposed over a kobold. The kobold gulps nervously as Kenny identifies the spell.

The journey continues. The weather improves over the next few days. No one attacks, and all goes very well. The road winds through small hills, and the sea can be seen at times. Eventually a large marsh, known as the Mere of Dead Men, becomes visible. It has tangled trees, brush, with standing water and reeds everywhere. A few days after the marsh first comes into view the group arrives at the roadhouse. It is a large stone building. Several wagons are seen stationed outside, and a few people are guiding a wagon into the compound while a large half-orc gives instructions.

OOC: Which way are you all headed? I am writing my above comment assuming you are still headed to the roadhouse, but if I am incorrect, ignore it.

* Prior to departing, Kenny will comply with Kosef's request.  He will repeat the spells and rituals to find another messenger bird... same target, Evendur's friend in Waterdeep.  He will ask Kosef to write a tiny note with his family's name and contact info in Baldur's Gate, and then attach that message to the bird's foot.  The spoken message this time will be:

Sorry for another bird message - see foot.  Evendur's friends in Baldur's Gate may be in danger.  Please send word.  Do NOT involve Flaming Fist.

"Our friend here is a kobold," Kendes informs the others.  "One has to wonder if he can be cooperative and reformed, like those two kobolds who helped us.  Or if he will go down with his masters, like that pack of kobolds we met that refused to listen," he adds, more for the kobold's benefit.  "If you've a name, you can tell us.  It could be the start of an uneasy truce.  Or at least a name to put to your legacy, if you'd rather have something else."  Over the days of travel, Kendes continues to keep an eye on both prisoners, though he spends more time with the kobold, observing him.  He's not overly harsh or cruel to the kobold, simply strict, as the Leosin taught him to be, and allowing the kobold to make his own choices without the influence of others to guide him.  To that end, he makes very sure that Severin and the kobold never have the chance to converse while they travel.

When the roadhouse comes into view, Kendes takes the others aside, making sure their unwilling followers are not listening in on the conversation.  "So, if I understand it correctly, Ivor and his buddies have a contact within the Roadhouse, who was going to handle the transportation of their cargo.  What is our plan here, besides that I will have to be very careful about my appearance, or not there at all?  Severin and this kobold are going to make things exceedingly difficult for us if we are trying to be subtle.  I suppose then I should stay behind to watch them while the rest of you move publically.  Or, if we want to root out the spy, we could bring them with us, and reveal the kobold's illusion spell as proof that the Cult of the Dragon is using this waypoint for their own ends, and turn those who are not working for the Dragon there to our side."

Kendes frowns.  "I'm no good at planning.  I tend to be more of a person who does the hitting than the talking.  What would you suggest?"

"I will gladly participate in any planning of a field battle but as you are all aware by now, subtlety is not my strong suit." Evendur responds. "However, I believe our best course of action would be to let Kenny the prospector use his considerable subterfuge skills to go into the roadhouse and find out how we get to Nearytar, possibly by posing as a cultist. Then we all ride to Naerytar and battle it out with the cult and their dragons." He says plainly and confidently to the others.

Kosef thanks Kenny for sending another bird messenger.

"It might be risky for Kenny to go in alone, but he has proven his infiltration abilities. I'm comfortable with what Kendes proposes." Kosef thinks for a moment, scratching at his beard. "Is there a signal we could agree on? In case Kenny needs rescue or a sword or two?"

Another crow is able to work with Kenny in exchange for some rations and happily takes the message to Waterdeep.

The kobold looks at Kendes with a mixture of dislike and fear, and says, "My name is Rizvik." As he says this, the illusions fades away revealing a dark red kobold. Severin seems to have relaxed ever since they brought him along, and the kobold gradually seems less nervous as Kendes and the others continue to not harm him. Both remain very silent during the trip.

Kenny thinks for a long while as they look down upon the Roadhouse.  

"Ok.  I've got some ideas."  He dismounts and rummages through his saddlebags.  After a moment he climbs down toward the marshy wetlands and proceeds to shave his head.  He takes some of the oils and hair dyes and - using his reflection as a guide, traces some arcane-looking runes upon his newly bald head.  Satisfies, he returns to the group.  "You don't mind if I borrow this, friend?" he asks of Severin as he takes the hooded cloak from the bound man.  The look complete, he shows off his new 'red wizard in disguise' disguise.  "What do you say, Kosef?  Does this look like the hooded figure who was skulking about with Ivor?  But for the mustache, I mean?"

"I'm thinking about the direct approach.  I march down there, ask for the man or woman in charge, and tell them I am with Ivor, he's coming soon, and I was sent ahead to deliver a message to Naerytar.  Ask them to show me the way."  He shrugs.  "How could this fail?"

"It is certainly worth a try Kenny." Evendur says. "We will await you here Kenny, ready to ride on Nearytar as you return."

"You do resemble him, Kenny," Kosef says, "and because he usually traveled with others, I think, your disguise might not be complete without henchmen. Should we try to disguise ourselves similarly and go with you in to the inn?"

He glances at Rizvik and Severin. "Someone will still need to stay and guard our prisoners, but we won't be split to the same degree."

"Ok.  But, if this is truly a front for the cult, we should assume they have eyes on the road and have already spotted our little group.  One of you can come with me.  We will say that the others are the rest of my escort."

OOC: For when you are ready to go:

When Kenny (and possibly others) approach, the half-orc looks at them irritably and says, "Can I help you?" in a rude way. He is dressed in a dark green tunic and has a shortsword in a leather scabbard decorated with dragons.

Kosef says, "I can wait with Rizvik and Severin. But first," he'll lock eyes with the two of them, "what do we need to know about the roadhouse? Is there a password to get in, for example?" He will try and intimidate/persuade them into sharing information: Persuasion/Intimidation 9 (OOC: He has the same modifier for both.)

With help/advantage from the others: 16

Evendur will look down on Rizvik and Severin, giving them a stern look.
(Help action to Kosef)
He also offers to come along with Kenny although he is not at all good with subterfuge.

Kendes insights whatever answer the two give - if there is no password, or if the password they offer seems to be in order.

Insight: 25

He then says, "I'll stay back with Kosef.  As a dead triton, I really shouldn't be showing my face around anywhere."

"Ok, Evendur, it looks like you're with me.  Remember, we are trying to trick these villains into thinking I am an evil wizard and you are my musclebound henchman.  I am going to try to sell this gimmick as hard as I can, but if they don't bite, things could turn ugly.  Be ready."

(If these guys were really just hired muscle sent to kill us, I doubt Ivor would have given them the secret handshake for the Roadhouse.  So I will post Kenny's action assuming we don't learn any details from the prisoners.  )

Kenny strides purposefully toward the half-orc.  His hood is up, in a way that is almost covering the head 'tattoos' but letting them peek out.  "I was told to seek out the one in charge."  He looks pointedly down at the scabbard.  "Ivor and a baggage train are a day or so behind us.  I've ridden ahead with a message for Castle Naerytar.  You'll have to point out the way.  We will also need hot meals."  Then, lower, "May she rise."

If necessary, Deception (w/advantage from the Actor feat): 18

Severin says, "Ivor hired me the day before you left. I really don't work for the cult, and I don't have a password." He pauses for a moment and then says, with a slightly hurt expression, "Wait, how was he going to pay me if he was leaving Waterdeep?" Kendes senses that his feelings of betrayal are real. Also he does not seem to be lying about not knowing a password. Rizvik says, "I don't have a password. If there is one it is reserved for higher ranking cultists." He also seems to be telling the truth, and Kendes detects some slight resentment around the higher ranking cultists.

The half-orc looks at Kenny for a moment and then says, "Rezmir told me one of you red wizards had joined the cause. I guess she didn't bother to give you any instructions though. Let's not talk about this outside. I'm going to finish up with this wagon", he gestures at the wagon being unloaded, "And then I'll get you a meal and some directions."

He guides Kenny and Evendur to his room after he is done work. It is large, and contains several books on philosophy and natural history. He leaves and returns with some bowls of stew which he offers to each of them. He also gives Kenny a piece of bread, but neglects to give Evendur one. "To get to the castle all you have to do is go through the tunnel in the storage room which will exit right into the mere. From there you can follow the lizardfolk's trail. As long as you follow their tracks, you should have no problem getting to the castle. When you're ready to go, I'll unlock the door for you." He looks at Evendur, and adds, "I hope you're a skilled bodyguard, because there are dangerous things in the mere. One of our groups of lizardfolk got slaughtered by a troll. You two might want to wait until the lizardfolk come so you can have some extra protection."

Meanwhile, Severin says, "What happens to us? You're not just going to keep travelling with us forever, right? I don't want to be murdered and thrown in the swamp. I can change my ways and put my skills to good use. I could help children. And priests. And other good people." Rizvik remains silent.

Evendur would at least leave his shield by Bayard, trying to not make it too obvious that he wasn't the bodyguard of a Red Wizard, well maybe one that had charmed him with some evil spell. He simply nods as the half-orc suggests they should wait for the lizardfolk.
Evendur Deception to play the part of the body guard: 11
As soon as the half-orc leaves again Evendur turns to Kenny. "That name Rezmir, She is a leader within the cult, we are getting close. I would much prefer to take them on openly but I defer to your better judgement on whether we should try to get to Naerytar with an escort of lizardfolk."

Back at the camp...

Kendes sighs at Severin's slow realization.  "Did you really think you were going to get a fair deal with the Cult of the Dragon?  They lure people in with the promise of money or power, but they only "reward" their true believers.  Those who want to see the return of Tiamat and destruction of civilization.  Even if they did pay you, if you helped them accomplish their goals, it's very likely there wouldn't be much left in the way of places to spend the coin you were paid.  That's how cults tend to work out.  We wouldn't be calling them cults otherwise."

He listens to Rizvik's answer, and nods, deciding to play in to Rizvik's apparent insecurities.  "We've run into them several times before.  Even met a rather high-ranking half-dragon who challenged me to a duel.  I've never seen a kobold ever ascend in the ranks, not even from my time as a smuggler.  They were always doing the dirty work for the other cultists - interacting with people like my father and I, for example.  Or being thrown up against the front lines to die against the mercenaries hired to defend the villages being sacked.  It's almost as if they considered kobolds to be both gullible... and expendable.  Really a shame, when I consider how clever your people have always been.  It's as if their eyes simply don't see your worth."