Tylaerys looks up at Finn with a small smile. "Thay is a country far to the east, ruled by evil redrobed wizards like the the one you saw in the cult encampment, I admit I wasn't aware of any secret war though." She explains and then perks up slightly. "And thanks for your support Finn, I'm sorry for my outburst, again, I will do my best to represent you and the others when I speak to the representatives of the factions. I'll just let Jirel conclude her conversation with Sir Frume first." The blonde half-elf finishes with a nod and a warm smile.
A smile tugs at Tylaerys' lips as Jararaka mentions Cheddar has room for improvement in attitude. "The Harpers are my family, those who took care of me and believed in me when my real family would not. I can't of course know that no innocents ever has been harmed in Harper activities but I can assure you the Harpers are a benevolent organization and our aim is to help those in need, like the people in Greenest, particularly from oppression, and not use them in the way Cheddar unfortunately seems to think. I don't expect anyone to trust us blindly and if trust is truly a problem then I can only say that no one is forcing Cheddar or anyone else to be here in the first place. I have no problem with Cheddar being cautious, only with that attitude you mentioned." Tylaerys says to the lizardfolk, finishing with a sad smile. "Anyway, maybe I should suggest to Sir Frume that we will set out together, working independently and not taking anyones orders, targeting a cult caravan to disrupt their plans and to gather more inormation on where to strike next. Sounds about right?" She says, looking between Jararaka and Finn. Unless she is stopped she would then walk over towards Sir Frume and Jirel, not wanting to interrupt anything but ready to speak with the knight when he is.
Jararaka props her face atop a hand on the table and hums thoughtfully as Tylaerys explains her relationship to and belief in the Harpers. "Sounds like busy work. And it also explains," she gestures vaguely to Tylaerys, "you. 'Show, not tell' would probably work better with someone like Cheddar, but," she shrugs and doesn't make further guesses.
She nods in agreement to the bare plan and before Tylaerys leaves, she taps a claw on the back of the sorcerer's hand for a little boost.
“Not taking orders but if they have intel to share that may point us in certain directions… “ Finn suggests. “You tell us where a caravan is and we’ll likely take it out… but they need trust us to do it how we do things is all.”
“That’s my view, anyway,” she adds with a bit of a shrug. “But whatever. This is my team so I’ve got your backs…”
Ontharr nods in approval. "I didn't mean to put any undo pressure on you and I was unaware of any prior commitments you may have had. Truth be told, I'm not entirely sure how the rest of the Order would take to a barbarian in the fold. In any case, I understand. Living up to the expectations of any one organization can be a struggle. I wouldn't want to burden you with a second."
He considers your offer to be a liaison. "Maybe we could make something like that work. Our organizations... they don't always play well together, if you understand. Partnerships between our groups have almost always been made on an individual level... a personal level. Leosin... the Harper monk those bastards killed in Greenest... he and I have worked together on half a hundred small projects over the years that our superiors never knew about. Because it was easier to just do good works with someone we trust than to go through the rigamarole of getting something approved up the chain of command of two different organizations... one of which is a bunch of smoke and shadows want-to-be spies,"he says with an eye toward the Harpers emissaries. Despite his words, the tone suggests he is at least half-joking.
"I've seen enough to know you're honorable, and that is enough for me. I'll throw my weight behind your idea, for what that is worth."
Back in the main tavern of A Pair of Black Antlers, Tylaerys and Jirel approach the representatives of the Emerald Enclave, the Harpers, and the Order of the Gauntlet with their ideas, their interest in helping, but also their desire to remain free to pursue the cult on their own terms.
At this time, the organizations are facing something of a 'beggars cannot be choosers' problem. None of their organizations are tooled up at the moment to directly confront the Cult of the Dragon, and your party represents competent manpower that is already educated on the nature and extent of the threat. The bottom line is they really do need your help and they are prepared to accept it within your terms. That isn't to say they are necessarily thrilled about it. After speaking with Jirel, Ontarr and the Order of the Gauntlet are largely supportive of your initiatives, while the other two groups consent, though its clear both wish you had been more willing to work under closer direction.
[No persuasion rolls required... mostly because the DM isn't sure what to do if you failed...]
The factions agree to share more with you about what they have learned so far.
EMERALD ENCLAVE
As noted previously, the Emerald Enclave confronted and detained a wagonload of contraband treasure on its way to Baldur's Gate. Under interrogation, these cultists confessed to having been part of the group that raided Greenest. They also can share the following information.
The wagon was loaded entirely with silver. Silver coins, candlesticks, mirrors, silver platters and bowls. The cultists did not know why it has been sorted this way, or if there was any greater purpose behind it.
There were seven human cultists with the wagon. One disguised as a merchant, four disguised as laborers, and two disguised as hired guards. The two guards were heavily armed but all of them had weapons hidden on their persons. There were no kobolds or any other creatures with them. During their capture, the 'merchant' and both 'guards' were slain, and the four 'laborers' captured.
They went to great lengths to avoid giving up their disguise, long past when it should have been obvious they had been discovered. Later they divulged that they were under orders to err on the side of maintaining their cover, rather than resorting to violence.
Some of the cultists had tattoos hidden on inconspicuous parts of their bodies. These icons are inconsistent with known Cult of the Dragon iconography, but they appear to be in line with some new direction the cult has taken.
The cultists divulged that they were traveling to Baldur's Gate. Many wagons left the camp south of Greenest, splitting of in all different directions so as to avoid coordinated pursuit. The plan for most, including this wagon, had been to travel to Baldur's Gate and reconnect with the rest of the wagons for a larger journey. As to where they were ultimately set to travel, or how they were to reconnect with other hidden cult wagons in Baldur's Gate, they did not know. The 'merchant' Cultist had been in charge of the wagon and had carried that information to his grave.
There were 12 other wagons that left the camp, bound for Baldur's Gate. Another 5 wagons left with another destination in mind, but the prisoners did not know where they were bound.
HARPERS
The Harper agent Leosin Erlanthar had been investigating the activities of the Cult of the Dragon for over a year. Unfortunately, with Leosin's death and the loss of any records he kept, much of that investigation has been lost.
Leosin had accurately predicted the timing and location of the attack on Greenest. Though whether this was due to spywork, magical scrying, identification of some hidden pattern in the Cult's activities, they cannot say for certain.
He had written to his superiors about some of the things he had learned:
The Cult now answers to a figure known as the 'Red Wyrmspeaker.' Below this leader is a hierarchy of other colored 'Wyrmspeakers' and the rest of the organization follows their orders.
Whereas in the past the Cult of the Dragon was primarily interested in convincing dragons to undergo a transformation into unholy dracoliches, the current iteration of the Cult is instead cultivating relationships with living chromatic dragons, with the apparent goal of working together to free Tiamat from her prison in the Nine Hells.
The Cult is using gold and treasures from their raiding to bribe dragons into joining them.
In addition to raiding for loot, the Cult has been trying to obtain ancient relics called dragon masks. The cult assassinated the staff of an auction house in Cormyr and stole a blue dragon mask before it could be sold last year.
EMERALD ENCLAVE (interruption)
Hearing this from the Harpers, the emissaries of the Emerald Enclave interrupt. Some months ago, they were involved in an incident in the Kryptgarden Forest. An ancient green dragon came under assault, and the resulting conflict drew in local elves and agents of the Emerald Enclave. Ultimately the unknown attackers escaped with the item they had been looking to steal from the dragon's hoard... a Green Dragon Mask. Until now, they didn't realize this could be related.
HARPERS (continued)
Separate from Leosin's research, the Harpers are aware of the Red Wizard cooperation with the Cult of the Dragon. After years of relative quiet, Thayans are moving resources and agents into place to support the Cult. This coincided with a purge of ex-patriot Red Wizards living in the Sword Coast region. Not every Thayan supported the rule of Szazz Tam. Many were living abroad in exile. Now, most of those have been slain or seized. There are only a handful of known former Red Wizards who have escaped this purge... so far.
ORDER OF THE GAUNTLET
Ontharr... doesn't know much about all this. The Gauntlet doesn't have the intelligence network of the other groups, and their own agents who went up against the cult, Sir Corwyn's company, were all lost. What he does have is a significant base of resources right here in Elturel. He is prepared to provide material aid and financing toward this operation.
Having shared this information, they would like to know what your plan - if you won't be following their instructions - is? Also, what further information do you want from them? They've already shared most of what they know. But if you have questions, it's possible they can answer, or at least get people looking into those questions so they can find the answer.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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
[No persuasion rolls required... mostly because the DM isn't sure what to do if you failed...]
Well you could always slaughter us with a dragon and make us reroll more cooperative characters :)
"The fact that it was seven humans on the caravan is a large part why us going undercover as a team could be problematic," Finn points out. "And it is not that we are opposed to direction... We just need the freedom to follow that direction in our own way."
"Where are the captives and the bodies now" Finn inquires. "And do we know where in Baldur's Gate they were headed? If we have no leads on other wagons to hit we could at least start with the wagon we do have. We could head towards the Gate on the likeliest route and act as if we had been victims of bandits. Perhaps other wagons of cultists would see us and reveal themselves to try to assist us, or secure our payload?"
"We wouldn't bring it all of course, just enough to make it look like we salvaged what we could..."
"And contacted or not, if we knew where the wagon was heading then I could go in as a spy, alone, with the same story - hit by raiders on the road, others killed. I can play human better than the others, I suspect. I wouldn't move in and hang out with them long, just a quick in and out similar to our earlier job with the Garbage Men..." Finn says reluctantly, not loving the idea but she has none other at the moment.
Jararaka hums absentmindedly as all this information is shared, but then forces herself to focus since this very much could cost lives if she doesn't remember this. She comments dryly at the end, "so evil wizard cult is working with crazy dragon cult. Great."
"There are four cultists left... well, doesn't that work out wonderfully for us." She looks at the group gathered. Throwing ideas, she wonders, "us sneaking in as these remaining 'labourers' is an obvious plan. I don't care for being stuck inside the cult with no safe way out though... Not that I see an alternative." She sighs at that, then continues, "it might be suspicious if all of us hid inside, should two of us act like temporary hired guards while the other two stayed inside?"
She squints thoughtfully when Finn suggests that she could go in alone, "it'll be tough by yourself, if there isn't other convenient Garbage Men nearby. I could go with you if that comes up, but you are going to have to take the lead." She pauses, "that being said... we gotta steal the dragon masks out again. It just feels safer if these masks were anywhere but with a bunch of dragon-obsessed maniacs."
(gosh sorry I only managed to digest all this information today!!)
“The fact that all captured cultists were human gives me pause in regards to us pretending to be them,” Finn explains. “Jararaka… you just don’t look very human .”
Tylaerys listens attentively and nods as the representatives of the three factions shares their gathered intelligence. "I think you taking on the role of that merchant is a good start Finn...." The young blonde half-elf says with an encouraging smile. "...and couldn't the rest of us simply take the roles of replacements recruited by you as the others were all lost in the attack. We have tricked cult before, especially you and Jararaka, and I think we can do so again. Important part right now is to gather more intelligence and to do that we should head to Baldur's Gate and hope to find out where all this is transported. I fully agree relieving the cult of those dragon masks should be a priority as soon as we locate them."She finishes, nodding at Jararaka.
"I'm confident we could convince or deter other wagons we may meet upon the road," Finn replied. "I have less confidence if we make it to the final destination for the cart. They could be racist prigs who have a Humans Only policy. Or it could just be a security tactic. Or it could just be a coincidence of the one wagon they captured... More information in that regard would definitely be helpful."
Tylaerys nods in agreement with Finn. "Hopefully we will have a plan for that when we reach that destination. Otherwise we will split up like we did when we infiltrated that secret encampment, or we just strike, quick and hard, falling back when we come upon too strong enemies, hopefully snatching a dragon mask or two." She suggests with an optmistic tone, glancing up and smiling warmly at Jirel to see if she has anything to add.
Jirel clears her throat. “Maybe I can just be a big human?” A soft grumble leaves her. Yes she was a goliath, but a ‘runt’ goliath who only stood 6’8”. Many of her own people didn’t even accept her because of this. Her own father was ashamed. But maybe her ‘curse’, could ‘help’ today?
Tylaerys smiles up at Jirel and nods, then turning back to Finn. "I think we will come ways to trick the cult, we are a very resourceful group after all with many tricks up our sleeves." She says with a wide optimistic smile.
Jararaka nods to Jirel, fully convinced, "yeah, you are just like a taller more muscular human. I can't really see the difference anyway."
She shrugs about the all human policy, "we'll have to find out. I could just be like your guard or subordinate anyway. There were some lizardfolk around in greenest, can't be that of a rare sight."
Tylaerys nods in agreement with Jararaka, then turning to the representatives of the different factions. "I believe we've decided to help with gathering information about the cult and it's activities through the use of that wagon that was detained, taking it to Baldur's Gate and see what we can find out." She says, glancing about at the others in the team to see if they have anything to add.
The factions listen to the party and debate some things amongst themselves. The primary snag is an argument over the use of the wagon. The Harpers desired to move forward with the 'infiltration' plan, with or without your party. So the idea of your party taking the wagon but using it for something less than full undercover work to insert spies inside the cult, chafes them terribly.
Regarding Finn's question, they do not know where the cultists were supposed to meet the other wagons in or near Baldur's Gate. According to the surviving cultists, that knowledge was only known to the 'merchant' cultists, who died rather than be captured.
Ontharr interjects. "So... if we don't even know how to get the wagon back to the cult... how is it you plan to insert your spies then?" he asks of Corozon Longstrider of the Harpers. "I'm no clandestine operative...".
"You are not," says Corozon.
"... But it seems like it would be hard to insert spies somewhere if you don't know where the somewhere is, no?"
"Even now, we have agents exploring that question. By the time the wagon reaches the city, we hope to know the location of their rendezvous point." The conversation goes round in circles but once it becomes clear the Emerald Enclave is willing to release the wagon to your care, the Harpers yield on the subject.
It is clear that simply possessing the wagon may not be enough. Unless you can find other cultists to show you the way, or somehow attract their attention once you reach Baldur's Gate (or one of these organization's obtains more intel and shares it with you) you may not be able to link up with the rest of the Cult and treasure in the city.
What all of the organizations agree on is they cannot release the wagon with all of the silver loot into your care. Argues Nesim of the Harpers, "This represents the stolen wealth of citizens of the realms, rich and poor alike. Already, we have sent emissaries to Greenest and other settlements to advise them we secured some of their stolen items and to begin the process of returning it. We simply can't send this treasure back on the road now." The Harpers had been prepared to supply a wagon-load of their own treasure in its place, but if they are not going to be controlling this mission they are reluctant to turn over many thousands of silver pieces over to a team of mostly unfamiliar ronin, even if one of their junior members is among them.
Ontharr does his best to find a compromise. He offers to supply several thousand silver pieces from the Order's treasury. Coupled with pewter and tin plates and candlesticks, which could pass as silver under the most cursory of glances (especially if surrounded by sacks of coin), this could be enough to pass of the wagon as the real thing. And it would fit your espoused plan of claiming some of the treasure was stolen by bandits.
As to the wagon itself, and the surviving cult prisoners, they are currently at an Emerald Enclave encampment within the Wood of Sharp Teeth, a day's ride to the southeast of Elturel.
Hamal and Brittaniya are prepared to lead you there once you are ready to depart Elturel.
The question is... do you have more to do here in Elturel? Or are you ready to leave immediately?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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
"Perhaps the use of this wagon is limited anyway."Tylaerys says, biting her lip while pondering all the information. "I think we should still talk to the cult prisoners and use the information we have to find other cultists in Baldur's Gate and work from there. It's not much of a plan but it's something. Perhaps Finn can take the guise of the merchant and go with the story they fled from an ambush?"She suggests, otherwise ready to proceed to the Emerald Enclave encampment within the Wood of Sharp Teeth.
"It would be best if I can see one of these merchant cultists who chose death, if possible," Finn suggests. "As Ty suggests, I could adopt their guise and perhaps I may be recognized by another cultist?"
"As for the wagon... Is there something that sets it apart from other wagons? Surely some tradesmen could be hired to disguise another wagon to look like the one you took? And tailors to replicate the cultist clothing. I would think close enough should be good enough for such mundane things? I'm frankly shocked such is not already underway..."
"As for the silver, my friends, surely such subterfuge could be done there as well?" Finn goes on. "Of course the real thing needs to be on top but most of the sack could surely be filled with coppers or even scrap metal in order to have the correct weight and sound? I think it is a given that we will not pass a thorough investigation so we have little cause to be prepared for such. Anything more than a cursory look and my band of compatriots and I shall be in a fight or flight situation... Please trouble yourselves not over a few silver to needlessly try to save us from such."
"It would be best if I can see one of these merchant cultists who chose death, if possible," Finn suggests. "As Ty suggests, I could adopt their guise and perhaps I may be recognized by another cultist?"
"As for the wagon... Is there something that sets it apart from other wagons? Surely some tradesmen could be hired to disguise another wagon to look like the one you took? And tailors to replicate the cultist clothing. I would think close enough should be good enough for such mundane things? I'm frankly shocked such is not already underway..."
"As for the silver, my friends, surely such subterfuge could be done there as well?" Finn goes on. "Of course the real thing needs to be on top but most of the sack could surely be filled with coppers or even scrap metal in order to have the correct weight and sound? I think it is a given that we will not pass a thorough investigation so we have little cause to be prepared for such. Anything more than a cursory look and my band of compatriots and I shall be in a fight or flight situation... Please trouble yourselves not over a few silver to needlessly try to save us from such."
"The bodies of the slain are at our encampment, along with the living prisoners. Do you plan to craft some disguise or mimicry?" asks Hamal. She advises that there is really nothing special about the wagon itself, but it was marked with a powerful ward to block divination magics. They presume that all the wagons were likely warded this way, to keep scryers from hunting them down one by one. It is a concerning degree of preparation on the part of the Cult, and likely the influence of their Red Wizard allies.
The cultists were not dressed unusually, other than the fact that of those who wore leather armor, it was dyed black. Though they were all armed, those disguised as the merchant and laborers did not wear armor. Their tattoos were all that marked them as members of the Cult.
As far as another wagon goes, they agree any random wagon could likely pass just as well. But then it raises the question of whether they will check to confirm it has the same ward, which would require trying to duplicate it with spellcraft - or fake it and draw a false ward and hope that is good enough. Recreating the spell will take more time as no one nearby possesses those kinds of spells. So, with the real wagon in hand, any plan to pass off as cultists just made more sense to use the real wagon.
If you think you can make do without silver, or with just your pocket silver, they won't fight you on that.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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
((Not arguing we don't need silver... Lords above perish the thought! The idea is that we don't need to fill the bags. We could pad them with less valuable metal and top off with silver to pass quick inspections? Just a thought but we'll take silver if they're not against it.))
"You can call it mimicry if you wish," Finn says even as her features flow and adjust themselves into those of Hamal. "I tend to think it more as duplication..." Finn uses her skills as a performer to try to, indeed, mimic Hamal's voice. This does not go as well as the features. ((Performance: 7))
"Heh, yeah...' Finn says with a blush upon Hamal's features. "Hopefully they won't know what the real one sounds like."
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Tylaerys looks up at Finn with a small smile. "Thay is a country far to the east, ruled by evil redrobed wizards like the the one you saw in the cult encampment, I admit I wasn't aware of any secret war though." She explains and then perks up slightly. "And thanks for your support Finn, I'm sorry for my outburst, again, I will do my best to represent you and the others when I speak to the representatives of the factions. I'll just let Jirel conclude her conversation with Sir Frume first." The blonde half-elf finishes with a nod and a warm smile.
A smile tugs at Tylaerys' lips as Jararaka mentions Cheddar has room for improvement in attitude. "The Harpers are my family, those who took care of me and believed in me when my real family would not. I can't of course know that no innocents ever has been harmed in Harper activities but I can assure you the Harpers are a benevolent organization and our aim is to help those in need, like the people in Greenest, particularly from oppression, and not use them in the way Cheddar unfortunately seems to think. I don't expect anyone to trust us blindly and if trust is truly a problem then I can only say that no one is forcing Cheddar or anyone else to be here in the first place. I have no problem with Cheddar being cautious, only with that attitude you mentioned." Tylaerys says to the lizardfolk, finishing with a sad smile. "Anyway, maybe I should suggest to Sir Frume that we will set out together, working independently and not taking anyones orders, targeting a cult caravan to disrupt their plans and to gather more inormation on where to strike next. Sounds about right?" She says, looking between Jararaka and Finn. Unless she is stopped she would then walk over towards Sir Frume and Jirel, not wanting to interrupt anything but ready to speak with the knight when he is.
Jararaka props her face atop a hand on the table and hums thoughtfully as Tylaerys explains her relationship to and belief in the Harpers. "Sounds like busy work. And it also explains," she gestures vaguely to Tylaerys, "you. 'Show, not tell' would probably work better with someone like Cheddar, but," she shrugs and doesn't make further guesses.
She nods in agreement to the bare plan and before Tylaerys leaves, she taps a claw on the back of the sorcerer's hand for a little boost.
“Not taking orders but if they have intel to share that may point us in certain directions… “ Finn suggests. “You tell us where a caravan is and we’ll likely take it out… but they need trust us to do it how we do things is all.”
“That’s my view, anyway,” she adds with a bit of a shrug. “But whatever. This is my team so I’ve got your backs…”
Jirel:
Ontharr nods in approval. "I didn't mean to put any undo pressure on you and I was unaware of any prior commitments you may have had. Truth be told, I'm not entirely sure how the rest of the Order would take to a barbarian in the fold. In any case, I understand. Living up to the expectations of any one organization can be a struggle. I wouldn't want to burden you with a second."
He considers your offer to be a liaison. "Maybe we could make something like that work. Our organizations... they don't always play well together, if you understand. Partnerships between our groups have almost always been made on an individual level... a personal level. Leosin... the Harper monk those bastards killed in Greenest... he and I have worked together on half a hundred small projects over the years that our superiors never knew about. Because it was easier to just do good works with someone we trust than to go through the rigamarole of getting something approved up the chain of command of two different organizations... one of which is a bunch of smoke and shadows want-to-be spies," he says with an eye toward the Harpers emissaries. Despite his words, the tone suggests he is at least half-joking.
"I've seen enough to know you're honorable, and that is enough for me. I'll throw my weight behind your idea, for what that is worth."
Back in the main tavern of A Pair of Black Antlers, Tylaerys and Jirel approach the representatives of the Emerald Enclave, the Harpers, and the Order of the Gauntlet with their ideas, their interest in helping, but also their desire to remain free to pursue the cult on their own terms.
At this time, the organizations are facing something of a 'beggars cannot be choosers' problem. None of their organizations are tooled up at the moment to directly confront the Cult of the Dragon, and your party represents competent manpower that is already educated on the nature and extent of the threat. The bottom line is they really do need your help and they are prepared to accept it within your terms. That isn't to say they are necessarily thrilled about it. After speaking with Jirel, Ontarr and the Order of the Gauntlet are largely supportive of your initiatives, while the other two groups consent, though its clear both wish you had been more willing to work under closer direction.
[No persuasion rolls required... mostly because the DM isn't sure what to do if you failed...]
The factions agree to share more with you about what they have learned so far.
EMERALD ENCLAVE
HARPERS
EMERALD ENCLAVE (interruption)
HARPERS (continued)
ORDER OF THE GAUNTLET
Having shared this information, they would like to know what your plan - if you won't be following their instructions - is? Also, what further information do you want from them? They've already shared most of what they know. But if you have questions, it's possible they can answer, or at least get people looking into those questions so they can find the answer.
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
"The fact that it was seven humans on the caravan is a large part why us going undercover as a team could be problematic," Finn points out. "And it is not that we are opposed to direction... We just need the freedom to follow that direction in our own way."
"Where are the captives and the bodies now" Finn inquires. "And do we know where in Baldur's Gate they were headed? If we have no leads on other wagons to hit we could at least start with the wagon we do have. We could head towards the Gate on the likeliest route and act as if we had been victims of bandits. Perhaps other wagons of cultists would see us and reveal themselves to try to assist us, or secure our payload?"
"We wouldn't bring it all of course, just enough to make it look like we salvaged what we could..."
"And contacted or not, if we knew where the wagon was heading then I could go in as a spy, alone, with the same story - hit by raiders on the road, others killed. I can play human better than the others, I suspect. I wouldn't move in and hang out with them long, just a quick in and out similar to our earlier job with the Garbage Men..." Finn says reluctantly, not loving the idea but she has none other at the moment.
Jararaka hums absentmindedly as all this information is shared, but then forces herself to focus since this very much could cost lives if she doesn't remember this. She comments dryly at the end, "so evil wizard cult is working with crazy dragon cult. Great."
"There are four cultists left... well, doesn't that work out wonderfully for us." She looks at the group gathered. Throwing ideas, she wonders, "us sneaking in as these remaining 'labourers' is an obvious plan. I don't care for being stuck inside the cult with no safe way out though... Not that I see an alternative." She sighs at that, then continues, "it might be suspicious if all of us hid inside, should two of us act like temporary hired guards while the other two stayed inside?"
She squints thoughtfully when Finn suggests that she could go in alone, "it'll be tough by yourself, if there isn't other convenient Garbage Men nearby. I could go with you if that comes up, but you are going to have to take the lead." She pauses, "that being said... we gotta steal the dragon masks out again. It just feels safer if these masks were anywhere but with a bunch of dragon-obsessed maniacs."
(gosh sorry I only managed to digest all this information today!!)
“The fact that all captured cultists were human gives me pause in regards to us pretending to be them,” Finn explains. “Jararaka… you just don’t look very human .”
Tylaerys listens attentively and nods as the representatives of the three factions shares their gathered intelligence. "I think you taking on the role of that merchant is a good start Finn...." The young blonde half-elf says with an encouraging smile. "...and couldn't the rest of us simply take the roles of replacements recruited by you as the others were all lost in the attack. We have tricked cult before, especially you and Jararaka, and I think we can do so again. Important part right now is to gather more intelligence and to do that we should head to Baldur's Gate and hope to find out where all this is transported. I fully agree relieving the cult of those dragon masks should be a priority as soon as we locate them." She finishes, nodding at Jararaka.
"I'm confident we could convince or deter other wagons we may meet upon the road," Finn replied. "I have less confidence if we make it to the final destination for the cart. They could be racist prigs who have a Humans Only policy. Or it could just be a security tactic. Or it could just be a coincidence of the one wagon they captured... More information in that regard would definitely be helpful."
Tylaerys nods in agreement with Finn. "Hopefully we will have a plan for that when we reach that destination. Otherwise we will split up like we did when we infiltrated that secret encampment, or we just strike, quick and hard, falling back when we come upon too strong enemies, hopefully snatching a dragon mask or two." She suggests with an optmistic tone, glancing up and smiling warmly at Jirel to see if she has anything to add.
Jirel clears her throat. “Maybe I can just be a big human?” A soft grumble leaves her. Yes she was a goliath, but a ‘runt’ goliath who only stood 6’8”. Many of her own people didn’t even accept her because of this. Her own father was ashamed. But maybe her ‘curse’, could ‘help’ today?
just an unstable unicorn.
Tylaerys smiles up at Jirel and nods, then turning back to Finn. "I think we will come ways to trick the cult, we are a very resourceful group after all with many tricks up our sleeves." She says with a wide optimistic smile.
Finn shrugs. “Sure. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Jararaka nods to Jirel, fully convinced, "yeah, you are just like a taller more muscular human. I can't really see the difference anyway."
She shrugs about the all human policy, "we'll have to find out. I could just be like your guard or subordinate anyway. There were some lizardfolk around in greenest, can't be that of a rare sight."
Tylaerys nods in agreement with Jararaka, then turning to the representatives of the different factions. "I believe we've decided to help with gathering information about the cult and it's activities through the use of that wagon that was detained, taking it to Baldur's Gate and see what we can find out." She says, glancing about at the others in the team to see if they have anything to add.
The factions listen to the party and debate some things amongst themselves. The primary snag is an argument over the use of the wagon. The Harpers desired to move forward with the 'infiltration' plan, with or without your party. So the idea of your party taking the wagon but using it for something less than full undercover work to insert spies inside the cult, chafes them terribly.
Regarding Finn's question, they do not know where the cultists were supposed to meet the other wagons in or near Baldur's Gate. According to the surviving cultists, that knowledge was only known to the 'merchant' cultists, who died rather than be captured.
Ontharr interjects. "So... if we don't even know how to get the wagon back to the cult... how is it you plan to insert your spies then?" he asks of Corozon Longstrider of the Harpers. "I'm no clandestine operative...".
"You are not," says Corozon.
"... But it seems like it would be hard to insert spies somewhere if you don't know where the somewhere is, no?"
"Even now, we have agents exploring that question. By the time the wagon reaches the city, we hope to know the location of their rendezvous point." The conversation goes round in circles but once it becomes clear the Emerald Enclave is willing to release the wagon to your care, the Harpers yield on the subject.
It is clear that simply possessing the wagon may not be enough. Unless you can find other cultists to show you the way, or somehow attract their attention once you reach Baldur's Gate (or one of these organization's obtains more intel and shares it with you) you may not be able to link up with the rest of the Cult and treasure in the city.
What all of the organizations agree on is they cannot release the wagon with all of the silver loot into your care. Argues Nesim of the Harpers, "This represents the stolen wealth of citizens of the realms, rich and poor alike. Already, we have sent emissaries to Greenest and other settlements to advise them we secured some of their stolen items and to begin the process of returning it. We simply can't send this treasure back on the road now." The Harpers had been prepared to supply a wagon-load of their own treasure in its place, but if they are not going to be controlling this mission they are reluctant to turn over many thousands of silver pieces over to a team of mostly unfamiliar ronin, even if one of their junior members is among them.
Ontharr does his best to find a compromise. He offers to supply several thousand silver pieces from the Order's treasury. Coupled with pewter and tin plates and candlesticks, which could pass as silver under the most cursory of glances (especially if surrounded by sacks of coin), this could be enough to pass of the wagon as the real thing. And it would fit your espoused plan of claiming some of the treasure was stolen by bandits.
As to the wagon itself, and the surviving cult prisoners, they are currently at an Emerald Enclave encampment within the Wood of Sharp Teeth, a day's ride to the southeast of Elturel.
Hamal and Brittaniya are prepared to lead you there once you are ready to depart Elturel.
The question is... do you have more to do here in Elturel? Or are you ready to leave immediately?
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
"Perhaps the use of this wagon is limited anyway." Tylaerys says, biting her lip while pondering all the information. "I think we should still talk to the cult prisoners and use the information we have to find other cultists in Baldur's Gate and work from there. It's not much of a plan but it's something. Perhaps Finn can take the guise of the merchant and go with the story they fled from an ambush?" She suggests, otherwise ready to proceed to the Emerald Enclave encampment within the Wood of Sharp Teeth.
"It would be best if I can see one of these merchant cultists who chose death, if possible," Finn suggests. "As Ty suggests, I could adopt their guise and perhaps I may be recognized by another cultist?"
"As for the wagon... Is there something that sets it apart from other wagons? Surely some tradesmen could be hired to disguise another wagon to look like the one you took? And tailors to replicate the cultist clothing. I would think close enough should be good enough for such mundane things? I'm frankly shocked such is not already underway..."
"As for the silver, my friends, surely such subterfuge could be done there as well?" Finn goes on. "Of course the real thing needs to be on top but most of the sack could surely be filled with coppers or even scrap metal in order to have the correct weight and sound? I think it is a given that we will not pass a thorough investigation so we have little cause to be prepared for such. Anything more than a cursory look and my band of compatriots and I shall be in a fight or flight situation... Please trouble yourselves not over a few silver to needlessly try to save us from such."
"The bodies of the slain are at our encampment, along with the living prisoners. Do you plan to craft some disguise or mimicry?" asks Hamal. She advises that there is really nothing special about the wagon itself, but it was marked with a powerful ward to block divination magics. They presume that all the wagons were likely warded this way, to keep scryers from hunting them down one by one. It is a concerning degree of preparation on the part of the Cult, and likely the influence of their Red Wizard allies.
The cultists were not dressed unusually, other than the fact that of those who wore leather armor, it was dyed black. Though they were all armed, those disguised as the merchant and laborers did not wear armor. Their tattoos were all that marked them as members of the Cult.
As far as another wagon goes, they agree any random wagon could likely pass just as well. But then it raises the question of whether they will check to confirm it has the same ward, which would require trying to duplicate it with spellcraft - or fake it and draw a false ward and hope that is good enough. Recreating the spell will take more time as no one nearby possesses those kinds of spells. So, with the real wagon in hand, any plan to pass off as cultists just made more sense to use the real wagon.
If you think you can make do without silver, or with just your pocket silver, they won't fight you on that.
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
((Not arguing we don't need silver... Lords above perish the thought! The idea is that we don't need to fill the bags. We could pad them with less valuable metal and top off with silver to pass quick inspections? Just a thought but we'll take silver if they're not against it.))
"You can call it mimicry if you wish," Finn says even as her features flow and adjust themselves into those of Hamal. "I tend to think it more as duplication..." Finn uses her skills as a performer to try to, indeed, mimic Hamal's voice. This does not go as well as the features. ((Performance: 7))
"Heh, yeah...' Finn says with a blush upon Hamal's features. "Hopefully they won't know what the real one sounds like."