Finally around noon you have time to get together for a quick lunch. The gnome approaches you just as you are sitting down. After glancing around to make sure none of the cultists are watching, she puts her fingers to her lips, then takes the bowl of oatmeal that Eric was about to eat.
After poking through Eric's oatmeal with the blade of her dagger, the gnome lifts it out and shows you an oatmeal-smeared object resembling a tiny bead. She glances over her shoulder toward where cultists sit at their breakfast. It’s a sliver of bone,” she whispers, curled into a circle so you can swallow it in a mouthful of gruel without noticing. Once eaten, it slowly uncurls inside you, exposing needle points that pierce your guts and kill you slowly. I suspect they’re in all your lunches. As she gets up and walks away, she adds, Let’s talk this evening.
"I'd like to verify what our gnome friend told us..." Khessa ponders "How about Nixi making Zale invisible and Zale now sneaking this 'sliver of bone' into a Cultist's lunch? We'd find out if the gnome said true or lied... And if he told the truth, one cultist less. Until today, we pulled our punches not to make them suspicious, but if they start trying to kill us, maybe we no longer have many reasons for pulling..."
In the meantime, the blonde arcane warrior carefully checks her own food, looking for a sliver of bone. Has one been placed in hers too? If Abzara trusts her, he shouldn't try to have the other cultists kill her also...
Finally around noon you have time to get together for a quick lunch. The gnome approaches you just as you are sitting down. After glancing around to make sure none of the cultists are watching, she puts her fingers to her lips, then takes the bowl of oatmeal that Eric was about to eat.
After poking through Eric's oatmeal with the blade of her dagger, the gnome lifts it out and shows you an oatmeal-smeared object resembling a tiny bead. She glances over her shoulder toward where cultists sit at their breakfast. It’s a sliver of bone,” she whispers, curled into a circle so you can swallow it in a mouthful of gruel without noticing. Once eaten, it slowly uncurls inside you, exposing needle points that pierce your guts and kill you slowly. I suspect they’re in all your lunches. As she gets up and walks away, she adds, Let’s talk this evening.
"I'd like to verify what our gnome friend told us..." Khessa ponders "How about Nixi making Zale invisible and Zale now sneaking this 'sliver of bone' into a Cultist's lunch? We'd find out if the gnome said true or lied... And if he told the truth, one cultist less. Until today, we pulled our punches not to make them suspicious, but if they start trying to kill us, maybe we no longer have many reasons for pulling..."
In the meantime, the blonde arcane warrior carefully checks her own food, looking for a sliver of bone. Has one been placed in hers too? If Abzara trusts her, he shouldn't try to have the other cultists kill her also...
You find several small lumps that might be bone slivers, but they might just as easily be oat husks, sawdust, or insect eggs. All the while two of the cultists keep looking in your direction but appear to be trying to hide their interest.
You find several small lumps that might be bone slivers, but they might just as easily be oat husks, sawdust, or insect eggs. All the while two of the cultists keep looking in your direction but appear to be trying to hide their interest.
Khessa tries to cut these things, to better see how they look inside, in section. In this way it is possible to understand if they are in fact food or slivers of bone?
Calvin studies the food, "Yeah, I don't think my abilities would allow me to remove a pieces of bone. It works on poison and diseases, not bones. Someone should really work on a way to remove all foreign objects from food."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
You find several small lumps that might be bone slivers, but they might just as easily be oat husks, sawdust, or insect eggs. All the while two of the cultists keep looking in your direction but appear to be trying to hide their interest.
Khessa tries to cut these things, to better see how they look inside, in section. In this way it is possible to understand if they are in fact food or slivers of bone?
You find several small lumps that might be bone slivers, but they might just as easily be oat husks, sawdust, or insect eggs. All the while two of the cultists keep looking in your direction but appear to be trying to hide their interest.
Khessa tries to cut these things, to better see how they look inside, in section. In this way it is possible to understand if they are in fact food or slivers of bone?
Unfortunatly not :(
Ok Khessa will then be content on having invisible Zale do the 'delivery'... if the companions agree.
And of course she will gladly speak with the gnome when time comes.
"Well that makes talkin to her easier." The dragonborn thinks when the gnome suddenly points out the cultists trap...
When Khessa suggests using the cultist's trap against them, Zale grins at the idea. "Heheh. I sure be willin to do that."
Taking the slivers she nods to Nixi who makes her invisible, then stealthily makes her way over to the cultist's wagons, planning to drop each sliver into a separate cultist's meal.
Zale stealtily drops the sliver in the bowl of an unsuspecting Cultist. It doesn't do anything right away, but during the day the Cultist gets abdominal cramps. They intensify to the point that he has to stop and is placed in a wagon. When the caravan has stopped for the evening, news reaches you that the mysterious disease has claimed a new victim.
Later evening, after most of the travelers have bedded down the gnome seeks you out. She begins by introducing herself as Jamna Gleamsilver. (I assume you do the same)
Looks like we’re all on the same side—we share a belief that the Cult of the Dragon must be stopped. I need to know what they’re carrying in those wagons and where they’re taking it. Will you help me find out? We can do it tonight.
Zale stealtily drops the sliver in the bowl of an unsuspecting Cultist. It doesn't do anything right away, but during the day the Cultist gets abdominal cramps. They intensify to the point that he has to stop and is placed in a wagon. When the caravan has stopped for the evening, news reaches you that the mysterious disease has claimed a new victim.
Khessa takes the time to comment, with a Cultist: "It is so sad, this disease... It keeps claiming victims... without any real need! And look at how hard it is to predict the next victim... Sometimes, you think to know who will get ill... only to find out, not much later, that the disease claims someone else. I really hope it stops, before more lives are uselessly lost".
Later evening, after most of the travelers have bedded down the gnome seeks you out. She begins by introducing herself as Jamna Gleamsilver. (I assume you do the same)
Looks like we’re all on the same side—we share a belief that the Cult of the Dragon must be stopped. I need to know what they’re carrying in those wagons and where they’re taking it. Will you help me find out? We can do it tonight.
"Pleasure to meet you, Jamna!" the blonde arcane warrior shakes hands with the gnome "I'm Khessa, Khessa Cabbagefield. Yes, it seems we are on the same side; just be careful, while spying on that cultists... They seem exceedingly inclined to kill those they deem too curious".
"Are you good at playing the harp, by chance?" the tall adventuress winks "Anyway the Cult is transporting loot in the wagons. Loot from raid in various places. We don't know what they plan to do with it, but they are in league with a Thayan wizard that seems to be able to use Tiamat-empowered magic... maybe they want to organize some espensive magical ritual. For creating a horde of dracoliches and sending them on the conquest, perhaps? But something big for sure... Tiamat herself is involved".
Calvin nods, "The Cult of the Dragon must be stopped at any cost. Unfortunately, stopping the cult has cost the lives of allies. But, we cannot let the cult to continue in its operations. Especially if it involves Thayan wizards and Tiamat."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
There's a sign of recognition in Jamna's eyes when Khessa asks if she can play the harp, but she doesn't elaborate.
You have my gratitude! I must say, I'm relieved that I don't need to risk breaking into their wagons. Tiamat you say? This is new information for me... I did notice the Red Wizard... Indeed, why is a Red Wizard chumming it up with Cult of the Dragon members? I don't think dracoliches matches with Tiamat and the Red Wizard... Most Red Wizards currently not in Thay are being hunted by Szass Tam and his undead zulkirs...
There's a sign of recognition in Jamna's eyes when Khessa asks if she can play the harp, but she doesn't elaborate.
You have my gratitude! I must say, I'm relieved that I don't need to risk breaking into their wagons. Tiamat you say? This is new information for me... I did notice the Red Wizard... Indeed, why is a Red Wizard chumming it up with Cult of the Dragon members? I don't think dracoliches matches with Tiamat and the Red Wizard... Most Red Wizards currently not in Thay are being hunted by Szass Tam and his undead zulkirs...
"Same holds for this Red Wizard, Azbara Jos, then, probably..." Khessa starts reflecting again "He spoke with contempt of the 'undead obsessed'. I had thought of the Dracoliches because that was the specialty of the Cult of the Dragon... wasn't it? But you're right, this would contrast with Azbara's aversion to the undead. However, I'm sure of Tiamat's involvement. So, either the expensive ritual they have in mind is for something else... or the loot itself is for something else. I had thought of a ritual because some have expensive components - and Red Wizards could have brought arcane know-how needed for the process, but the loot could in fact also be used to finance something else. We are trying to find out where they take it... so maybe we'll then be able to prevent them from using it".
"I'd like to verify what our gnome friend told us..." Khessa ponders "How about Nixi making Zale invisible and Zale now sneaking this 'sliver of bone' into a Cultist's lunch? We'd find out if the gnome said true or lied... And if he told the truth, one cultist less. Until today, we pulled our punches not to make them suspicious, but if they start trying to kill us, maybe we no longer have many reasons for pulling..."
In the meantime, the blonde arcane warrior carefully checks her own food, looking for a sliver of bone. Has one been placed in hers too? If Abzara trusts her, he shouldn't try to have the other cultists kill her also...
Make an Investigation check.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Khessa's Investigation: 20
You find several small lumps that might be bone slivers, but they might just as easily be oat husks, sawdust, or insect eggs. All the while two of the cultists keep looking in your direction but appear to be trying to hide their interest.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Khessa tries to cut these things, to better see how they look inside, in section. In this way it is possible to understand if they are in fact food or slivers of bone?
Calvin studies the food, "Yeah, I don't think my abilities would allow me to remove a pieces of bone. It works on poison and diseases, not bones. Someone should really work on a way to remove all foreign objects from food."
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
Unfortunatly not :(
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Ok Khessa will then be content on having invisible Zale do the 'delivery'... if the companions agree.
And of course she will gladly speak with the gnome when time comes.
Zale, assume that Nixi agrees to make you invisible. If you want to make the "delivery" make Stealth check with advantage.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
"Interesting" mumbles the dwarf "I also wander if such a thing is actually able to kill anyone"
Medicine check to find it out (if allowed): 5 + 3 (if guidance allowed as well)
Eric is 100% sure such a thing would have killed him! Slowly and painfully.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
"Well that makes talkin to her easier." The dragonborn thinks when the gnome suddenly points out the cultists trap...
When Khessa suggests using the cultist's trap against them, Zale grins at the idea. "Heheh. I sure be willin to do that."
Taking the slivers she nods to Nixi who makes her invisible, then stealthily makes her way over to the cultist's wagons, planning to drop each sliver into a separate cultist's meal.
Stealth: 15 (advantage)
[There's only one sliver that you are sure of.]
Zale stealtily drops the sliver in the bowl of an unsuspecting Cultist. It doesn't do anything right away, but during the day the Cultist gets abdominal cramps. They intensify to the point that he has to stop and is placed in a wagon. When the caravan has stopped for the evening, news reaches you that the mysterious disease has claimed a new victim.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Later evening, after most of the travelers have bedded down the gnome seeks you out. She begins by introducing herself as Jamna Gleamsilver. (I assume you do the same)
Looks like we’re all on the same side—we share a belief that the Cult of the Dragon must be stopped. I need to know what they’re carrying in those wagons and where they’re taking it. Will you help me find out? We can do it tonight.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Khessa takes the time to comment, with a Cultist: "It is so sad, this disease... It keeps claiming victims... without any real need! And look at how hard it is to predict the next victim... Sometimes, you think to know who will get ill... only to find out, not much later, that the disease claims someone else. I really hope it stops, before more lives are uselessly lost".
"Pleasure to meet you, Jamna!" the blonde arcane warrior shakes hands with the gnome "I'm Khessa, Khessa Cabbagefield. Yes, it seems we are on the same side; just be careful, while spying on that cultists... They seem exceedingly inclined to kill those they deem too curious".
"Are you good at playing the harp, by chance?" the tall adventuress winks "Anyway the Cult is transporting loot in the wagons. Loot from raid in various places. We don't know what they plan to do with it, but they are in league with a Thayan wizard that seems to be able to use Tiamat-empowered magic... maybe they want to organize some espensive magical ritual. For creating a horde of dracoliches and sending them on the conquest, perhaps? But something big for sure... Tiamat herself is involved".
Calvin nods, "The Cult of the Dragon must be stopped at any cost. Unfortunately, stopping the cult has cost the lives of allies. But, we cannot let the cult to continue in its operations. Especially if it involves Thayan wizards and Tiamat."
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
There's a sign of recognition in Jamna's eyes when Khessa asks if she can play the harp, but she doesn't elaborate.
You have my gratitude! I must say, I'm relieved that I don't need to risk breaking into their wagons. Tiamat you say? This is new information for me... I did notice the Red Wizard... Indeed, why is a Red Wizard chumming it up with Cult of the Dragon members? I don't think dracoliches matches with Tiamat and the Red Wizard... Most Red Wizards currently not in Thay are being hunted by Szass Tam and his undead zulkirs...
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
"Same holds for this Red Wizard, Azbara Jos, then, probably..." Khessa starts reflecting again "He spoke with contempt of the 'undead obsessed'. I had thought of the Dracoliches because that was the specialty of the Cult of the Dragon... wasn't it? But you're right, this would contrast with Azbara's aversion to the undead. However, I'm sure of Tiamat's involvement. So, either the expensive ritual they have in mind is for something else... or the loot itself is for something else. I had thought of a ritual because some have expensive components - and Red Wizards could have brought arcane know-how needed for the process, but the loot could in fact also be used to finance something else. We are trying to find out where they take it... so maybe we'll then be able to prevent them from using it".
"I am not the kind of guy that sneak into a guarded wagon at night. But I'll watch your back and my magic will help you" nods the dwarf.
OCC: What does Eric know about the Red Wizards and their possible relationship with the cult?
If history check is needed: 3 + 4