Having had a really good and relaxing time in Elturel, Tylaerys would still struggle to contain her excitement over the team now being summoned by Sir Frume, hoping they will be offered a new mission, serving together to thwart the evil plans of the Cult of the Dragon. "Lets head over to the Pair of Black Antlers and get a really nice breakfast on our way there." She suggests to the others with a wide smile.
((Is Cheddar assosciating with the rest of us at all, after the sparring? Or have they been off on their own studying and sleeping in the barn? Finn would certainly inquire after them and ask why they were not using their room. "It's surely much more comfortable than a smelly barn," she would assure. "And if you prefer different accomodations we could of course arrange for it." If Finn sees Cheddar with the oversized book Finn would offer carry it while they are together or to help them find a place to make a proper cover for it to keep it safe... But will not press the issues.))
Finn is likely sleeping on her feet as they gather to meet Sir Frume but not hungover. Food sounds good to her but coffee sounds like heaven itself.
"More sparring, you think?" Finn asks to nobody in particular. "I didn't sign up to be a soldier. Too many early mornings. And rules. And gruel... Have you ever had gruel? There is no good gruel. No matter how it is made or what they do to fancy it up, if it is called gruel it is one hundred ways not good. Not going in or coming out... Just say no to gruel."
Finn, too, has enjoyed her time in Elturel but wouldn't mind moving on. The good thing about going town to town, up an down the coast is one doesn't need to hold back knowing you'll see the same marks day after day after day. Oh sure, she could change appearances and clothes and avoid the issue but no need to risk being outed as a Changeling and giving all her kind a bad name using her facedancing talent for such trivial things...
"Perhaps he just got replies to the messages he sent out," Finn offers up as another reason they may have been summoned. "May want to pour over our stories a few more times..."
[DM is just assuming Cheddar is lurking about near enough to catch wind of your movements, else perhaps he has left a forwarding address for messages to be sent to the barn loft.]
Alas, the apple pastry vendor is no where to be found this morning, though A Pair of Black Antlers has coffee, red wine and biscuits. That is all they have when you arrive, as Ontharr has closed the tavern and is holding a meeting, not in his upstairs room, but in the main tavern. The mood is grim. A handful of knights you vaguely recognize from sparring at the High Hall are gathered near the bar. Ontharr has had a few tables pulled together in the center of the room. He is speaking with four figures. Two are human. One of those is known to Tylaerys - it is Nesim, the young monk from Greenest. He is walking with a cane, still nursing his severe leg injury picked up during the raid. At his side is an older, grey haired man with a thin mustache and a crossbow slung over his shoulder. Across the table is a young elven woman in exquisite leather armor fashioned to look like fallen leaves... or hells, it could be made out of real leaves for all you can tell. Next to her is a green dragonborn woman.
When Ontharr sees you enter, he waves you over to the table. There are pitchers of wine and coffee on the table, and many documents.
"We have news, friends. And little of it good."
Ontharr advises that word has come in from Greenest. He points to Nesim and his companion, identified as Corozon Longstrider, as having brought the news. Sir Corwyn and his party - the traveling knights who had ridden down upon the raider camp - were destroyed. The evidence suggested a great number of wyvern's had fallen upon them. This has come as a great shock to the Order of the Gauntlet.
The raider camp was now abandoned. Sign suggested the cultists and their loot has been loaded into wagons and split up, heading in many different directions.
Ontharr introduces the elf, Hamal Hunithraheal, and the dragonborn, Brittaniya. They have been investigating the Cult of the Dragon as well, and their group captured a wagon and its handlers. Under questioning, these cultists admitted they were headed for the city of Baldur's Gate, to regroup with more of the cult and to receive further orders. More, these two have been in contact with others of their order and have learned the cult is moving everywhere. A treasury outside Luskan, in the far north, was hit around the same time as Greenest - that assault aided by a white dragon.
Before you sit representatives of three societies dedicated to the peace and stability of the Realms: the Order of the Gauntlet, the Harpers, and the Emerald Enclave. Together, along with a handful of other concerned leaders and scholars along the Sword Coast, they are in the early stages of organizing against the Cult of the Dragon.
"At this point, you know almost as much about it as we do, and thanks to you, we know twice as much today as we did a tenday ago. Something rotten is afoot. We have no formal organization to oppose these rascals—not yet anyway. We’re working on that. And we need people like you, who know how and when to fight, and how and when to keep their heads down and observe. We can’t promise you anything except long days filled with danger and stress—but what could be better than that, eh?”
They want to enlist the aid of your party to further their actions against the Cult of the Dragon. Though, at the moment, they are grappling with what form that action will take.
Hamal urges the other factions to mobilize and setup roadblocks and checkpoints around Baldur's Gate. The wagon they captured was full of haphazard sacks of coin and treasure. It should be easy enough to identify cult wagons when they are searched. Then it is only a matter of time until the nets catch a leader of the cult, who can be made to divulge their greater plans.
Ontharr Frume has contacts in the shipping and caravan industries. He believes the best option right now is to stalk the cult along the roads. He can arrange for a team to be inserted as guards or laborers in a caravan train. With so many cultist wagons moving north, the chances of finding one and keeping tabs on it should be good. Then it is just a matter of following them to their hidden base - Ontharr is quite hung up on this point. He believes there must be a rally point somewhere, though this belief seems founded in his desire to lead an assault somewhere, rather than on any actual intelligence pointing to such a hidden base.
Corozon proposes a bolder plan. He wants to use the cult wagon the Emerald Enclave captured to insert moles into the cult itself. By taking the treasure and delivering it to Baldur's Gate as planned, he thinks a team of inflitrators could get access to cult leadership and cut the head off of the snake.
They fail to come to an agreement while you listen, and decide to take a break from talks to have a snack and consult with their subordinates.
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Finn rued the disappearance of the apple tasty vendor and promised herself that she would have to set up some kind of automatic delivery next time she saw them. Surely there was a street kid or urchin who would be happy to make a few coppers a day running the treats to the room...
She gladhands and nods and slaps the backs of the others she knows, has met or so on as appropriate. The mood is too sour for her to walk in and try to liven it up but proper greetings are always appreciated. Taking a seat as indicated Finn is not shy about grabbing for the coffee first and then later, more politely, the biscuits. It is no artisan coffee, to be sure, but it is hot and caffeinated and thus it is heaven to her.
"Wyverns? Did we see wyverns?" Finn asks quietly of the others as she listens to the solemn news. She feels horrible, as if it was their faulty intelligence which led Sir Corwyn to his doom. She knows this isn't true yet she cannot help but feel it anyway, and wonder if things would have been different if they had stayed and joined them. Sure, probably a few more good guys dead. But is that what I am now? A good guy? The thought seemed odd to her...
"Money," Finn answers reflexively, and not as quietly as she would have hoped. But it was the truth of the matter, some people may get off on long days filled with danger and stress but she herself still preferred the promise of a payday after such affairs. Perhaps she wasn't a good guy after all. At least not fully. "Sorry. Habit," she says with a smile if anyone scolds or even pauses to acknowledge her answer.
When the higher up muckety mucks are done talking Finn turns to discuss this with her companions. "I'm not opposed to doing what we can do to help," she says to the others, putting her most reasonable foot forward. "We need to be sure that what we do and how we do it is our call though," she adds, pulling back on the reins a bit.
"Just from our sparring it was pretty obvious we're different fighters than they are," Finn points out. "Sure, maybe mostly me, I'll take the blame for that. But none of us are the suit up in platemail and march blindly as we're ordered to types, are we? We need to do the things we think we'd be good at. We need to do them in the way we know how to do them. We've made a good team so far. I have no doubt we'll make a better one if we keep at it... But we're Team Tumult far more than we're Team Spit and Polish. I'm just saying let's be realistic about who we are, eh?"
Cheddar will follow along, quietly as usual. He is too rapped up in his success to say much. He reviews some of the things he has read and some of the things he recalls. "Yes Cicero." he says quietly. "I shall start writing these things in a book."
Cheddar falls in line and says little during this short journey.
Cheddar listens and responds once the party are by themselves. "They can't even agree on what they want us to do." Cheddar says a bit dismayed. "How do they expect us to trust them at their word let alone follow through if they can't come together to stop a common threat. I bet their coffers are full but not one is willing to spare a copper to save their hides." Cheddar pauses for a moment then says. "I agree with Flinn." he nods. "We answer to ourselves and not some faction. I want to go because there is knowledge to be had here and I am not sure that if left unchecked, this Cult will gain power and with it, Dragons will take control of the region. If they want agents however, then they need to come up with some compensation, armor, equipment and the like. But!" Cheddar pauses again then speaks. "We keep what we find and are not subject to their whims. I'll have no master but myself." Cheddar put emphasis on the last part of his words.
"I doubt they would even ask you to be a soldier Finn."The young blonde half-elf says with a wink and a smile. "But yes, maybe just update us on the latest intelligence."
Arriving at the tavern, Tylaerys gives Sir Frume and Nesim a friendly nod and a small smile, taking a seat and helping herself to coffee and bisquits while she listens to the knight's report. She is heartbroken over hearing the cruel fate of Sir Corwyn, struggling to hold back her tears. She listens to the different options discussed and then to Finn and Cheddar. "I'm sure we will be compensated in some way..." She says, smiling weakly before continuing. "...and yes, as I understand it Sir Frume hopes to use us primarily to gather more information and not on any battlefield. I have a feeling we will have to fight eventually though." She adds, looking up at the blonde giantess beside her. "We could offer to be a team of spies and infiltrators in the way Sir Frume suggested, gathering intelligence but maybe also striking at the leadership of the cult if opportunity arises." She suggests, leaning back to hear what the others say.
Happy to listen to the rogues' side of the offer, she generously calls for double the amount of drinks, and just gestures vaguely to where Finn breaks into song. She narrows her eyes a little when they mention an unclear favour, but tentatively agrees since she doesn't seem to find anything suspicious about them, "only whatever I can actually achieve, nothing life-risking. Look, just a tip, if it's a mission of good-will, the lady you spoke to on the first night is a better person to speak to."
The next day, she goes with the simple cloak and coorperatively does a little twirl for the group. Though she couldn't locate the shadier parts of town, Jararaka swipes everything under the loose floorboards. She weighs Talos' symbol in her hand, listening to the almost ghostly whisper of Ny'rath in this dusty little apartment. "Well, now I know who to pick a fight with."
Jararaka grimaces when she she hears that the knights at Greenest had perished, even when they looked like they were much better suited for the job. She doesn't join the discussion at all, and busies herself with trying not to fall asleep standing in the corner.
She finds herself agreeing to the surprisingly energised Cheddar. "I don't want to just be following orders. We didn't follow orders back at Greenest and did pretty well, I'd say."
"I don't know what these factions' got, they might have a chance," she shrugs, "but the dragons are crazy about their treasure, they'll probably straight up attack to get the shiny things back if all their cargo gets stopped mid-way. So that first idea is a no for me. I kind of spaced out after that. But the other two option is tail, or spy, yeah? Feels kind of bad to say right here right now, but pretending to be fervent worshipers of dragons will be unpleasant, take my word. So not a fan of spy work. But hey, maybe it's bearable if we don't interact much with the other cultists. Tailing one of the caravans sounds most... safe, if we take that job. This probably sounds petty; I just want to mess some of the cult's plans up, but I'm not gonna put my life on it"
Tylaerys looks more than a little dismayed over all the suspicion and doubt at the table, hearing it she wonders how they got this far even. "I believe you already know what I think, no one is giving us any orders as far as I have noticed so you are all obviously free to seek more profitable and less dangerous roads ahead."She says with a tired sigh shaking her head and stepping outside the tavern for some well needed fresh air.
Jirel didn’t rush away from training that morning. It felt like she had been falling into a comfortable rhythm in Elturel when summoned. But her time of ‘ignorant bliss’ was plenty long enough. She wasn’t here on vacation. There was more work to be done.
Still sheen with sweat from her exercises, Jirel arrived with an empty belly and a full appetite. Even if there were only biscuits, she’d grab a fist full of them before propping herself up against a nearby wall to hear what she could only expect to be unfortunate news from Sir Frume. Honey eyes diligently watch those in the room, and in her usual silence, she listens intently.
While no emotion crosses Jirel’s expression, her heart feels deeply for the the lost knights. She knows this won’t be the last, speaking for the relentlessness of the Cult threat, and the fact that it has drawn the attention, and concern, of multiple societies. For good reason.
Of course each faction had their own idea of a solution, their own purpose to engage, and their own reason to be willing to risk so much. Which in truth, was not much different from the group of individuals Jirel found herself working alongside because when it was their turn to parlay, they similarly struggle to see eye to eye. But that doesn’t mean they don’t work well together when ‘push comes to shove’.
After hearing everyone’s piece, and considering her own, the goliath would take a breath, finally break her silence. “It’s made clear.” She gestures to Finn, “Yes, okay, as a group we’re not ‘traditional’.” While this has been a sticking point for Jirel at times on an individual level, she has come to accept it to embrace their unique skills as a team. Then she looks to Cheddar, “We have no master, but ourselves.” She dips her head respectfully, fully noting his emphasis, willing to protect that point. “An’ deep spy work is not preferred, or recommended.” Honey eyes looks from Jararaka’s unchained wrists and nods to her. Jararaka’s words were heard.
“Unless we have a better plan,” Jirel pauses to give anyone a chance to speak up before continuing, “Do we agree on a vote fer what plan we want teh execute?” Honey hues scan the others. “Once known,” She looks to Finn, “Tell ‘em, an’ go on an’ negotiate yer demands fer acceptable compensation upon successful completion of the job.”
”While yous do that,” Jirel gestures with a biscuit. “I’ll check on Tylaerys.” With one last nod of her head, she peels herself from the wall and step outside to do just that, check on Tylaerys.
How can I spend most of my life as a woman and still not understand them, Finn wonders to herself as first Tylaerys and then Jirel leave, both seemingly upset at her reasons she cannot even guess at.
Finn sighs and looks to Cheddar. In some ways the oddest amongst the group. Finn still isn't sure exactly what to make of Cheddar or just what their story is... But they were one of the group so it really didn't matter. "In my experience the larger the group the longer consensus takes," Finn says to Cheddar. "But make no mistake, they will shake the heavens and break the earth to hold onto what is theirs. They may be slow to get into motion, haphazard and disorganized at first... But once pointed at something they think is a threat to their everything? I can think of no scarier force than people threatened and cornered."
Turning to more fully include Jararaka in the discussion Finn continues: "We will take nobodies orders but our own. Whether they realize or not. We certainly want their assistance and intelligence if we are going to actually take an active role in this, but we do the things we choose to do and do them our way. I think some of us may be suited for undercover work, but not all of us. And I think we work best together so..."
"My thinking is targeting this theoretical headquarters in Balder's Gate could just bring retribution on the city itself," Finn suggests to the two of them. "Bad enough they're sacking cities, I'm not sure it's wise to give them a reason to target one for destruction. What if... What if we used the factions for their intelligence on the movement of these caravans but then attacked them on our own? If they each, by their various contacts and factions, feed us information on where these cultists are and we strike the targets we believe we can handle... On the roads, in small groups, whatever... We could do our part by not only striking at the cultists but by also not having any city, any official faction or group to be to blame. We'd be making ourselves targets but we'd be constantly moving and hard to find...."
Finn pauses and leans back. She takes a deep breath and then another. "Am I crazy? I'm crazy, ain't I? It would be stupid to make ourselves some kind of bandit group only targeting the cultists... Ok, nevermind... What ideas you got?"
'Your plan has some merit." Cheddar says to Finn, when she has finished. "But, it does not give us access to needed information. The closer to the physical work, the less you know about the plan, as my master used to tell me. Any information we may obtain by banditry would, usually, be weeks old and limited. But, it could give us a starting point, a direction to look in, or a couple of names to go on." "As for my plan." Cheddar says. "I can only do what I do best, read and research. That may give some answers to what we seek or information to get into the door, as it were. Once there is a direction and a target, then the real planning comes into play."
“I was thinking use the factions. Let them do the spying and identifying of targets, feed us this info do that we could strike the ones that looked vulnerable to our kind of mayhem,” Finn clarifies. “But I’m open to sounder ideas…”
Completely missing Tylaerys' point, Jararaka tilts her head in interestand asks, "what's less dangerous and more profitable than this?" Slightly confused, she nods to Jirel when she steps out as well.
She leans lazily against a pillar and nods as Finn explains her plan. "We're not like the soldiers, but that also means we can take what they can't. We move a lot faster, and a single one of us could probably take several of the cultists by ourselves... or at least get away safely. I actually like the bandit idea, or what do you call it, mercenaries? Or maybe more like robbers." She says nonchalantly, and continues, "we didn't do so bad traveling across the lesser-traveled roads."
The familiar is already so studious, Jararaka can't imagine how bookish his master was. She scratches the back of her head, "we'll probably find something for you to research, but the big bodies don't even have much to go off of right now. I feel like we'd find that in Baldur's Gate. One of those leader wizards might be there."
"We could head straight for Baldur's Gate before most of the cultists get there, doing the hit-and-loot-and-run thing on the way. We can investigate the city then; with trickery, or straight up beat up whoever's already there and make them spit, or whatever else."
Jirel would find Tylaerys standing with arms crossed and jaws clenched, her face a mix of anger, frustration and sadness. As she notices the blonde giantess her face brightens slightly but she can't bear herself to speak, instead hurrying over to throw herself at Jirel's waist, hugging her close. "Oh Jirel, I'm a fool to think this would work out." She whispers, fighting back the tears.
Jirel couldn’t promise she smelled as fresh as the morning air, but it didn’t deter her from letting Tylaerys in. She doesn’t say anything at first, taking the half-elf in a gentle embrace. In that moment of silence, the goliath leads Tylaerys to breathe through her emotions with some steadying breaths as she pets her silvery hair. “It’s okay Tylaerys.” Jirel then softly tilts her chin to look up at her. “Yer not a fool fer being excited, passionate or optimistic.” Honey hues meet hers. “Yer not a fool fer having hope.” She emphasizes with a pet of her thumb against her cheek. It’s one of the toughest jobs, being positive during dark times, or times of chaos. Not everyone appreciates it, or understand its merit. Jirel sees how hard Tylaerys tries to keep spirits uplifted and to build enthusiasm for the next task as a group. It would be a shame, and a great loss, to smother out any light of hope. Trying her best to give a small encouraging smile, her fangs poke out.
“I think,” Jirel starts cautiously, and gingerly, “Everyone jus wants teh have their voice heard an’ personal situation considered before riskin’ more, even though we have gone through these steps already, before each previous job.” She understood Tylaerys’ frustration with recycling these resisting conversations each time they’re being asked to step up and stand against a force bigger than them. It feels similar to ‘beating a dead horse’ in that way. “Now knowing where our companions are comin’ from, after sharin’ stories, they’re navigating holding onto, an’ maintaining control of their freedom.” The goliath also sympathized/empathized with their situation. In comparison, the decision seemed easier for someone like Jirel who doesn’t have much else to lose, potentially more to gain, since her banishment, while Tylaerys may have been committed to something like this since the beginning due to her connections with the Harpers. It doesn’t make it any less challenging, and by no means invalidates Tylaerys’ feelings, it just… is. “Perhaps we may have teh compromise more than we like on negotiations, an’ do things their way, but if we are patient, they do eventually come ‘round.” Jirel exhales a little, offering what comforting smile she could. “Things will work out.”
Tylaerys holds on to Jirel, her soothing and comforting words slowly lifting her spirits, staying in her embrace to savour the gentle pets, looking up into the blonde giantess' honey hues with a grateful smile, a single tear trickling down the half-elf's cheek. "Thanks...I'm sorry, I know I get too emotional, wanting to help the good cause so much, I should just slow down and let the others decide if and how they want to contribute to opposing the cult. I hope to make a real difference though, and I fear that course of action will be found either too dangerous or too unprofitable. I promise I will wait and listen now though. Not my strongest suit perhaps." She finishes with a weak smile, another tear trickling down her other cheek.
"It’s okay. No need teh feel sorry fer yer emotions Tylaerys. Not around me.” Jirel meets Tylaery’s weak smile with a small sheepish one of her own, brushing away her tear. Considering how explosive the giantess can be with her emotions, she’d be the last one to fault any one for having and expressing them. Feelings are valid, no matter what they are. “I understand the desire teh make more of a difference. But we also can’t discount what differences we have already made. Be it small, or not, somethin’ is somethin’.” She pauses for them to reflect on how far they’ve come, for encouragement sake. They’re currently facing this ‘dilemma’ of which faction to assist and/or how because of their contributing efforts in Greenest. “An’ I believe we can continue teh build on that momentum, even with the occasional bump in the road.” She nods. “I think they be brainstorming what’s satisfactory fer them as we speak.” Then after a moment she’d add, without any sense of rushing, while offering her hand. “An’ when yer ready, we can head back in fer their consensus.”
The Emerald Enclave yield on their suggestion. They would have relied on the others to supply most of the manpower and logistics for their proposed checkpoints around Baldur's Gate, and without their buy-in the idea could never be implemented. Further, the parties were in agreement that they could not consider such an undertaking without first involving the Lord's Alliance... yet another organization that would have to be brought to the table.
Still, there was dispute about how to proceed. The Harpers had been working on the Emerald Enclave, who have possession of the captured wagon, during the break and were selling their idea that an undercover mission was the best plan. Ontharr and the Order of the Gauntlet, meanwhile, continue to press for a safer, less risky route... following and observing the cult as they move their ill-gotten gains until the final destination can be determined, and a decisive military strike organized.
Whatever plan is settled on, they very much hope to have your party's assistance when it is time to begin.
[DM NOTE: We can go in a variety of different directions from here. I've heard suggestions ranging from participating with these organizations, to using them for intel and then striking off on your own guerilla campaign against the cult. For those familiar with this module, it has a reputation for being super-railroady, especially in this stretch. I would like to do what I can to minimize that and give you lot the freedom to explore the story in your own way.
This is the time to influence these organizations, if you wish. If you want to convince them to take a particular course of action (whether one of their plans, or something completely different) make your best argument and throw in a Persuasion check. Likewise, if you want to work them for information you plan to use for your own independent field work, probably make a Persuastion check for that too, unless you are outright lying to them, in which case Deception is the way to go.]
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Tylaerys keeps holding on to Jirel, her breathing slowing, finding her inner balance and calm again. She was so grateful to the goliath being there, not judging her for her outburst. She didn't know about the others but she felt ready to find out now, accepting Jirel's hand with a warm smile. "I think I'm ready to go back in and listen to the others now." She says, wiping away the last tear. "Look at me, some Harper Agent huh?" She says with a weak smile, then nodding at the blonde giantess, ready to join her back inside the tavern.
[DM NOTE:Stuff the DM said. It's right up there if ya wanna read it...]
((Player note: I'm fine with being railroaded from time to time if it's needed... And if it best we work better with a faction, I can accept that...))
((To the other players: I do like the idea of getting fed intel on where cult caravans or hideouts may be and being all hit and run on those targets, but we could also do either of the more laid out ideas. I think acting like we're cultists could be hardest, Jiral and Cheddar are likely to stick out, but who knows? But following known cultists and trying to find their hideout seems doing... But hell, I'll give anything a try. We just need a group decision...))
((And to keep it all parenthetical, when time does come to do the convincing it should prolly be Ty... They and Finn have some modifier for persuasion but Ty is likely a more acceptable spokesperson to these sorts...))
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Having had a really good and relaxing time in Elturel, Tylaerys would still struggle to contain her excitement over the team now being summoned by Sir Frume, hoping they will be offered a new mission, serving together to thwart the evil plans of the Cult of the Dragon. "Lets head over to the Pair of Black Antlers and get a really nice breakfast on our way there." She suggests to the others with a wide smile.
((Is Cheddar assosciating with the rest of us at all, after the sparring? Or have they been off on their own studying and sleeping in the barn? Finn would certainly inquire after them and ask why they were not using their room. "It's surely much more comfortable than a smelly barn," she would assure. "And if you prefer different accomodations we could of course arrange for it." If Finn sees Cheddar with the oversized book Finn would offer carry it while they are together or to help them find a place to make a proper cover for it to keep it safe... But will not press the issues.))
Finn is likely sleeping on her feet as they gather to meet Sir Frume but not hungover. Food sounds good to her but coffee sounds like heaven itself.
"More sparring, you think?" Finn asks to nobody in particular. "I didn't sign up to be a soldier. Too many early mornings. And rules. And gruel... Have you ever had gruel? There is no good gruel. No matter how it is made or what they do to fancy it up, if it is called gruel it is one hundred ways not good. Not going in or coming out... Just say no to gruel."
Finn, too, has enjoyed her time in Elturel but wouldn't mind moving on. The good thing about going town to town, up an down the coast is one doesn't need to hold back knowing you'll see the same marks day after day after day. Oh sure, she could change appearances and clothes and avoid the issue but no need to risk being outed as a Changeling and giving all her kind a bad name using her facedancing talent for such trivial things...
"Perhaps he just got replies to the messages he sent out," Finn offers up as another reason they may have been summoned. "May want to pour over our stories a few more times..."
[DM is just assuming Cheddar is lurking about near enough to catch wind of your movements, else perhaps he has left a forwarding address for messages to be sent to the barn loft.]
Alas, the apple pastry vendor is no where to be found this morning, though A Pair of Black Antlers has coffee, red wine and biscuits. That is all they have when you arrive, as Ontharr has closed the tavern and is holding a meeting, not in his upstairs room, but in the main tavern. The mood is grim. A handful of knights you vaguely recognize from sparring at the High Hall are gathered near the bar. Ontharr has had a few tables pulled together in the center of the room. He is speaking with four figures. Two are human. One of those is known to Tylaerys - it is Nesim, the young monk from Greenest. He is walking with a cane, still nursing his severe leg injury picked up during the raid. At his side is an older, grey haired man with a thin mustache and a crossbow slung over his shoulder. Across the table is a young elven woman in exquisite leather armor fashioned to look like fallen leaves... or hells, it could be made out of real leaves for all you can tell. Next to her is a green dragonborn woman.
When Ontharr sees you enter, he waves you over to the table. There are pitchers of wine and coffee on the table, and many documents.
"We have news, friends. And little of it good."
Ontharr advises that word has come in from Greenest. He points to Nesim and his companion, identified as Corozon Longstrider, as having brought the news. Sir Corwyn and his party - the traveling knights who had ridden down upon the raider camp - were destroyed. The evidence suggested a great number of wyvern's had fallen upon them. This has come as a great shock to the Order of the Gauntlet.
The raider camp was now abandoned. Sign suggested the cultists and their loot has been loaded into wagons and split up, heading in many different directions.
Ontharr introduces the elf, Hamal Hunithraheal, and the dragonborn, Brittaniya. They have been investigating the Cult of the Dragon as well, and their group captured a wagon and its handlers. Under questioning, these cultists admitted they were headed for the city of Baldur's Gate, to regroup with more of the cult and to receive further orders. More, these two have been in contact with others of their order and have learned the cult is moving everywhere. A treasury outside Luskan, in the far north, was hit around the same time as Greenest - that assault aided by a white dragon.
Before you sit representatives of three societies dedicated to the peace and stability of the Realms: the Order of the Gauntlet, the Harpers, and the Emerald Enclave. Together, along with a handful of other concerned leaders and scholars along the Sword Coast, they are in the early stages of organizing against the Cult of the Dragon.
"At this point, you know almost as much about it as we do, and thanks to you, we know twice as much today as we did a tenday ago. Something rotten is afoot. We have no formal organization to oppose these rascals—not yet anyway. We’re working on that. And we need people like you, who know how and when to fight, and how and when to keep their heads down and observe. We can’t promise you anything except long days filled with danger and stress—but what could be better than that, eh?”
They want to enlist the aid of your party to further their actions against the Cult of the Dragon. Though, at the moment, they are grappling with what form that action will take.
Hamal urges the other factions to mobilize and setup roadblocks and checkpoints around Baldur's Gate. The wagon they captured was full of haphazard sacks of coin and treasure. It should be easy enough to identify cult wagons when they are searched. Then it is only a matter of time until the nets catch a leader of the cult, who can be made to divulge their greater plans.
Ontharr Frume has contacts in the shipping and caravan industries. He believes the best option right now is to stalk the cult along the roads. He can arrange for a team to be inserted as guards or laborers in a caravan train. With so many cultist wagons moving north, the chances of finding one and keeping tabs on it should be good. Then it is just a matter of following them to their hidden base - Ontharr is quite hung up on this point. He believes there must be a rally point somewhere, though this belief seems founded in his desire to lead an assault somewhere, rather than on any actual intelligence pointing to such a hidden base.
Corozon proposes a bolder plan. He wants to use the cult wagon the Emerald Enclave captured to insert moles into the cult itself. By taking the treasure and delivering it to Baldur's Gate as planned, he thinks a team of inflitrators could get access to cult leadership and cut the head off of the snake.
They fail to come to an agreement while you listen, and decide to take a break from talks to have a snack and consult with their subordinates.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Finn rued the disappearance of the apple tasty vendor and promised herself that she would have to set up some kind of automatic delivery next time she saw them. Surely there was a street kid or urchin who would be happy to make a few coppers a day running the treats to the room...
She gladhands and nods and slaps the backs of the others she knows, has met or so on as appropriate. The mood is too sour for her to walk in and try to liven it up but proper greetings are always appreciated. Taking a seat as indicated Finn is not shy about grabbing for the coffee first and then later, more politely, the biscuits. It is no artisan coffee, to be sure, but it is hot and caffeinated and thus it is heaven to her.
"Wyverns? Did we see wyverns?" Finn asks quietly of the others as she listens to the solemn news. She feels horrible, as if it was their faulty intelligence which led Sir Corwyn to his doom. She knows this isn't true yet she cannot help but feel it anyway, and wonder if things would have been different if they had stayed and joined them. Sure, probably a few more good guys dead. But is that what I am now? A good guy? The thought seemed odd to her...
"Money," Finn answers reflexively, and not as quietly as she would have hoped. But it was the truth of the matter, some people may get off on long days filled with danger and stress but she herself still preferred the promise of a payday after such affairs. Perhaps she wasn't a good guy after all. At least not fully. "Sorry. Habit," she says with a smile if anyone scolds or even pauses to acknowledge her answer.
When the higher up muckety mucks are done talking Finn turns to discuss this with her companions. "I'm not opposed to doing what we can do to help," she says to the others, putting her most reasonable foot forward. "We need to be sure that what we do and how we do it is our call though," she adds, pulling back on the reins a bit.
"Just from our sparring it was pretty obvious we're different fighters than they are," Finn points out. "Sure, maybe mostly me, I'll take the blame for that. But none of us are the suit up in platemail and march blindly as we're ordered to types, are we? We need to do the things we think we'd be good at. We need to do them in the way we know how to do them. We've made a good team so far. I have no doubt we'll make a better one if we keep at it... But we're Team Tumult far more than we're Team Spit and Polish. I'm just saying let's be realistic about who we are, eh?"
Cheddar will follow along, quietly as usual.
He is too rapped up in his success to say much. He reviews some of the things he has read and some of the things he recalls.
"Yes Cicero." he says quietly. "I shall start writing these things in a book."
Cheddar falls in line and says little during this short journey.
Cheddar listens and responds once the party are by themselves.
"They can't even agree on what they want us to do." Cheddar says a bit dismayed. "How do they expect us to trust them at their word let alone follow through if they can't come together to stop a common threat. I bet their coffers are full but not one is willing to spare a copper to save their hides."
Cheddar pauses for a moment then says.
"I agree with Flinn." he nods. "We answer to ourselves and not some faction. I want to go because there is knowledge to be had here and I am not sure that if left unchecked, this Cult will gain power and with it, Dragons will take control of the region. If they want agents however, then they need to come up with some compensation, armor, equipment and the like. But!"
Cheddar pauses again then speaks.
"We keep what we find and are not subject to their whims. I'll have no master but myself." Cheddar put emphasis on the last part of his words.
"I doubt they would even ask you to be a soldier Finn." The young blonde half-elf says with a wink and a smile. "But yes, maybe just update us on the latest intelligence."
Arriving at the tavern, Tylaerys gives Sir Frume and Nesim a friendly nod and a small smile, taking a seat and helping herself to coffee and bisquits while she listens to the knight's report. She is heartbroken over hearing the cruel fate of Sir Corwyn, struggling to hold back her tears. She listens to the different options discussed and then to Finn and Cheddar. "I'm sure we will be compensated in some way..." She says, smiling weakly before continuing. "...and yes, as I understand it Sir Frume hopes to use us primarily to gather more information and not on any battlefield. I have a feeling we will have to fight eventually though." She adds, looking up at the blonde giantess beside her. "We could offer to be a team of spies and infiltrators in the way Sir Frume suggested, gathering intelligence but maybe also striking at the leadership of the cult if opportunity arises." She suggests, leaning back to hear what the others say.
Happy to listen to the rogues' side of the offer, she generously calls for double the amount of drinks, and just gestures vaguely to where Finn breaks into song. She narrows her eyes a little when they mention an unclear favour, but tentatively agrees since she doesn't seem to find anything suspicious about them, "only whatever I can actually achieve, nothing life-risking. Look, just a tip, if it's a mission of good-will, the lady you spoke to on the first night is a better person to speak to."
The next day, she goes with the simple cloak and coorperatively does a little twirl for the group. Though she couldn't locate the shadier parts of town, Jararaka swipes everything under the loose floorboards. She weighs Talos' symbol in her hand, listening to the almost ghostly whisper of Ny'rath in this dusty little apartment. "Well, now I know who to pick a fight with."
Jararaka grimaces when she she hears that the knights at Greenest had perished, even when they looked like they were much better suited for the job. She doesn't join the discussion at all, and busies herself with trying not to fall asleep standing in the corner.
She finds herself agreeing to the surprisingly energised Cheddar. "I don't want to just be following orders. We didn't follow orders back at Greenest and did pretty well, I'd say."
"I don't know what these factions' got, they might have a chance," she shrugs, "but the dragons are crazy about their treasure, they'll probably straight up attack to get the shiny things back if all their cargo gets stopped mid-way. So that first idea is a no for me. I kind of spaced out after that. But the other two option is tail, or spy, yeah? Feels kind of bad to say right here right now, but pretending to be fervent worshipers of dragons will be unpleasant, take my word. So not a fan of spy work. But hey, maybe it's bearable if we don't interact much with the other cultists. Tailing one of the caravans sounds most... safe, if we take that job. This probably sounds petty; I just want to mess some of the cult's plans up, but I'm not gonna put my life on it"
Tylaerys looks more than a little dismayed over all the suspicion and doubt at the table, hearing it she wonders how they got this far even. "I believe you already know what I think, no one is giving us any orders as far as I have noticed so you are all obviously free to seek more profitable and less dangerous roads ahead." She says with a tired sigh shaking her head and stepping outside the tavern for some well needed fresh air.
Jirel didn’t rush away from training that morning. It felt like she had been falling into a comfortable rhythm in Elturel when summoned. But her time of ‘ignorant bliss’ was plenty long enough. She wasn’t here on vacation. There was more work to be done.
Still sheen with sweat from her exercises, Jirel arrived with an empty belly and a full appetite. Even if there were only biscuits, she’d grab a fist full of them before propping herself up against a nearby wall to hear what she could only expect to be unfortunate news from Sir Frume. Honey eyes diligently watch those in the room, and in her usual silence, she listens intently.
While no emotion crosses Jirel’s expression, her heart feels deeply for the the lost knights. She knows this won’t be the last, speaking for the relentlessness of the Cult threat, and the fact that it has drawn the attention, and concern, of multiple societies. For good reason.
Of course each faction had their own idea of a solution, their own purpose to engage, and their own reason to be willing to risk so much. Which in truth, was not much different from the group of individuals Jirel found herself working alongside because when it was their turn to parlay, they similarly struggle to see eye to eye. But that doesn’t mean they don’t work well together when ‘push comes to shove’.
After hearing everyone’s piece, and considering her own, the goliath would take a breath, finally break her silence. “It’s made clear.” She gestures to Finn, “Yes, okay, as a group we’re not ‘traditional’.” While this has been a sticking point for Jirel at times on an individual level, she has come to accept it to embrace their unique skills as a team. Then she looks to Cheddar, “We have no master, but ourselves.” She dips her head respectfully, fully noting his emphasis, willing to protect that point. “An’ deep spy work is not preferred, or recommended.” Honey eyes looks from Jararaka’s unchained wrists and nods to her. Jararaka’s words were heard.
“Unless we have a better plan,” Jirel pauses to give anyone a chance to speak up before continuing, “Do we agree on a vote fer what plan we want teh execute?” Honey hues scan the others. “Once known,” She looks to Finn, “Tell ‘em, an’ go on an’ negotiate yer demands fer acceptable compensation upon successful completion of the job.”
”While yous do that,” Jirel gestures with a biscuit. “I’ll check on Tylaerys.” With one last nod of her head, she peels herself from the wall and step outside to do just that, check on Tylaerys.
just an unstable unicorn.
How can I spend most of my life as a woman and still not understand them, Finn wonders to herself as first Tylaerys and then Jirel leave, both seemingly upset at her reasons she cannot even guess at.
Finn sighs and looks to Cheddar. In some ways the oddest amongst the group. Finn still isn't sure exactly what to make of Cheddar or just what their story is... But they were one of the group so it really didn't matter. "In my experience the larger the group the longer consensus takes," Finn says to Cheddar. "But make no mistake, they will shake the heavens and break the earth to hold onto what is theirs. They may be slow to get into motion, haphazard and disorganized at first... But once pointed at something they think is a threat to their everything? I can think of no scarier force than people threatened and cornered."
Turning to more fully include Jararaka in the discussion Finn continues: "We will take nobodies orders but our own. Whether they realize or not. We certainly want their assistance and intelligence if we are going to actually take an active role in this, but we do the things we choose to do and do them our way. I think some of us may be suited for undercover work, but not all of us. And I think we work best together so..."
"My thinking is targeting this theoretical headquarters in Balder's Gate could just bring retribution on the city itself," Finn suggests to the two of them. "Bad enough they're sacking cities, I'm not sure it's wise to give them a reason to target one for destruction. What if... What if we used the factions for their intelligence on the movement of these caravans but then attacked them on our own? If they each, by their various contacts and factions, feed us information on where these cultists are and we strike the targets we believe we can handle... On the roads, in small groups, whatever... We could do our part by not only striking at the cultists but by also not having any city, any official faction or group to be to blame. We'd be making ourselves targets but we'd be constantly moving and hard to find...."
Finn pauses and leans back. She takes a deep breath and then another. "Am I crazy? I'm crazy, ain't I? It would be stupid to make ourselves some kind of bandit group only targeting the cultists... Ok, nevermind... What ideas you got?"
'Your plan has some merit." Cheddar says to Finn, when she has finished. "But, it does not give us access to needed information. The closer to the physical work, the less you know about the plan, as my master used to tell me. Any information we may obtain by banditry would, usually, be weeks old and limited. But, it could give us a starting point, a direction to look in, or a couple of names to go on."
"As for my plan." Cheddar says. "I can only do what I do best, read and research. That may give some answers to what we seek or information to get into the door, as it were. Once there is a direction and a target, then the real planning comes into play."
“I was thinking use the factions. Let them do the spying and identifying of targets, feed us this info do that we could strike the ones that looked vulnerable to our kind of mayhem,” Finn clarifies. “But I’m open to sounder ideas…”
Completely missing Tylaerys' point, Jararaka tilts her head in interestand asks, "what's less dangerous and more profitable than this?" Slightly confused, she nods to Jirel when she steps out as well.
She leans lazily against a pillar and nods as Finn explains her plan. "We're not like the soldiers, but that also means we can take what they can't. We move a lot faster, and a single one of us could probably take several of the cultists by ourselves... or at least get away safely. I actually like the bandit idea, or what do you call it, mercenaries? Or maybe more like robbers." She says nonchalantly, and continues, "we didn't do so bad traveling across the lesser-traveled roads."
The familiar is already so studious, Jararaka can't imagine how bookish his master was. She scratches the back of her head, "we'll probably find something for you to research, but the big bodies don't even have much to go off of right now. I feel like we'd find that in Baldur's Gate. One of those leader wizards might be there."
"We could head straight for Baldur's Gate before most of the cultists get there, doing the hit-and-loot-and-run thing on the way. We can investigate the city then; with trickery, or straight up beat up whoever's already there and make them spit, or whatever else."
Jirel would find Tylaerys standing with arms crossed and jaws clenched, her face a mix of anger, frustration and sadness. As she notices the blonde giantess her face brightens slightly but she can't bear herself to speak, instead hurrying over to throw herself at Jirel's waist, hugging her close. "Oh Jirel, I'm a fool to think this would work out." She whispers, fighting back the tears.
Jirel couldn’t promise she smelled as fresh as the morning air, but it didn’t deter her from letting Tylaerys in. She doesn’t say anything at first, taking the half-elf in a gentle embrace. In that moment of silence, the goliath leads Tylaerys to breathe through her emotions with some steadying breaths as she pets her silvery hair. “It’s okay Tylaerys.” Jirel then softly tilts her chin to look up at her. “Yer not a fool fer being excited, passionate or optimistic.” Honey hues meet hers. “Yer not a fool fer having hope.” She emphasizes with a pet of her thumb against her cheek. It’s one of the toughest jobs, being positive during dark times, or times of chaos. Not everyone appreciates it, or understand its merit. Jirel sees how hard Tylaerys tries to keep spirits uplifted and to build enthusiasm for the next task as a group. It would be a shame, and a great loss, to smother out any light of hope. Trying her best to give a small encouraging smile, her fangs poke out.
“I think,” Jirel starts cautiously, and gingerly, “Everyone jus wants teh have their voice heard an’ personal situation considered before riskin’ more, even though we have gone through these steps already, before each previous job.” She understood Tylaerys’ frustration with recycling these resisting conversations each time they’re being asked to step up and stand against a force bigger than them. It feels similar to ‘beating a dead horse’ in that way. “Now knowing where our companions are comin’ from, after sharin’ stories, they’re navigating holding onto, an’ maintaining control of their freedom.” The goliath also sympathized/empathized with their situation. In comparison, the decision seemed easier for someone like Jirel who doesn’t have much else to lose, potentially more to gain, since her banishment, while Tylaerys may have been committed to something like this since the beginning due to her connections with the Harpers. It doesn’t make it any less challenging, and by no means invalidates Tylaerys’ feelings, it just… is. “Perhaps we may have teh compromise more than we like on negotiations, an’ do things their way, but if we are patient, they do eventually come ‘round.” Jirel exhales a little, offering what comforting smile she could. “Things will work out.”
just an unstable unicorn.
Tylaerys holds on to Jirel, her soothing and comforting words slowly lifting her spirits, staying in her embrace to savour the gentle pets, looking up into the blonde giantess' honey hues with a grateful smile, a single tear trickling down the half-elf's cheek. "Thanks...I'm sorry, I know I get too emotional, wanting to help the good cause so much, I should just slow down and let the others decide if and how they want to contribute to opposing the cult. I hope to make a real difference though, and I fear that course of action will be found either too dangerous or too unprofitable. I promise I will wait and listen now though. Not my strongest suit perhaps." She finishes with a weak smile, another tear trickling down her other cheek.
"It’s okay. No need teh feel sorry fer yer emotions Tylaerys. Not around me.” Jirel meets Tylaery’s weak smile with a small sheepish one of her own, brushing away her tear. Considering how explosive the giantess can be with her emotions, she’d be the last one to fault any one for having and expressing them. Feelings are valid, no matter what they are. “I understand the desire teh make more of a difference. But we also can’t discount what differences we have already made. Be it small, or not, somethin’ is somethin’.” She pauses for them to reflect on how far they’ve come, for encouragement sake. They’re currently facing this ‘dilemma’ of which faction to assist and/or how because of their contributing efforts in Greenest. “An’ I believe we can continue teh build on that momentum, even with the occasional bump in the road.” She nods. “I think they be brainstorming what’s satisfactory fer them as we speak.” Then after a moment she’d add, without any sense of rushing, while offering her hand. “An’ when yer ready, we can head back in fer their consensus.”
just an unstable unicorn.
After a time, the parties reconvene.
The Emerald Enclave yield on their suggestion. They would have relied on the others to supply most of the manpower and logistics for their proposed checkpoints around Baldur's Gate, and without their buy-in the idea could never be implemented. Further, the parties were in agreement that they could not consider such an undertaking without first involving the Lord's Alliance... yet another organization that would have to be brought to the table.
Still, there was dispute about how to proceed. The Harpers had been working on the Emerald Enclave, who have possession of the captured wagon, during the break and were selling their idea that an undercover mission was the best plan. Ontharr and the Order of the Gauntlet, meanwhile, continue to press for a safer, less risky route... following and observing the cult as they move their ill-gotten gains until the final destination can be determined, and a decisive military strike organized.
Whatever plan is settled on, they very much hope to have your party's assistance when it is time to begin.
[DM NOTE: We can go in a variety of different directions from here. I've heard suggestions ranging from participating with these organizations, to using them for intel and then striking off on your own guerilla campaign against the cult. For those familiar with this module, it has a reputation for being super-railroady, especially in this stretch. I would like to do what I can to minimize that and give you lot the freedom to explore the story in your own way.
This is the time to influence these organizations, if you wish. If you want to convince them to take a particular course of action (whether one of their plans, or something completely different) make your best argument and throw in a Persuasion check. Likewise, if you want to work them for information you plan to use for your own independent field work, probably make a Persuastion check for that too, unless you are outright lying to them, in which case Deception is the way to go.]
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Tylaerys keeps holding on to Jirel, her breathing slowing, finding her inner balance and calm again. She was so grateful to the goliath being there, not judging her for her outburst. She didn't know about the others but she felt ready to find out now, accepting Jirel's hand with a warm smile. "I think I'm ready to go back in and listen to the others now." She says, wiping away the last tear. "Look at me, some Harper Agent huh?" She says with a weak smile, then nodding at the blonde giantess, ready to join her back inside the tavern.
((Player note: I'm fine with being railroaded from time to time if it's needed... And if it best we work better with a faction, I can accept that...))
((To the other players: I do like the idea of getting fed intel on where cult caravans or hideouts may be and being all hit and run on those targets, but we could also do either of the more laid out ideas. I think acting like we're cultists could be hardest, Jiral and Cheddar are likely to stick out, but who knows? But following known cultists and trying to find their hideout seems doing... But hell, I'll give anything a try. We just need a group decision...))
((And to keep it all parenthetical, when time does come to do the convincing it should prolly be Ty... They and Finn have some modifier for persuasion but Ty is likely a more acceptable spokesperson to these sorts...))