“Seems like fate that we go there next. Makes too much sense to pass up. Tombs often have secret passages and can feel like a maze if we ain’t careful. Perfect for scum to make a hide out.” Horros chimes in noticing Galdric faltering slightly, "Steel yourself, Moradin is with us so long as I stand."

Fletcher's Shop

The fletcher, recognized Haj's contemplation. "This artifact has been hidden for ages, protected by ancient magics. It's not something that needs to be rushed. Discuss it with your companions, and when you're ready, we can organize an expedition," he said, his voice calm and encouraging. "I have detailed notes and sketches of the area—no formal map, but my guidance should suffice. Take your time to decide; the ruins aren’t going anywhere."

Red Rock Inn

The leader of the cloaked figures paused before revealing more, his gaze stern and calculating. "The location we've shared is coveted, not just by us but by others with less scrupulous intentions, particularly some agents of the Zhentarim. They're as eager as we are, perhaps more dangerously so, to harness the relic's power." He pushed the map closer to Cal. "We need to be strategic and discreet in our approach. Consult with your group, and if you decide to proceed with us, you'll not only be gaining potential allies but also engaging in a larger play against formidable opponents. Let's ensure we stay one step ahead."

As the cloaked figure mentions the Zhentarim, Cal's expression shifts from wary to relieved, his shoulders visibly relaxing as tension he didn't even realize he had dissipates.

"Oh, thank the gods," he breathes out, a wry grin spreading across his face. "Here I was, ready to dance with the Zhentarim, and it turns out it's just a friendly chat with... well, I'm not quite sure who you are, actually."

He chuckles, shaking his head at his own mistake. "In any case, it seems we're all on the same side here – keeping this relic out of the hands of those less savory than ourselves." Cal leans in, adopting a more serious tone. "If the Zhentarim are involved, we'll need to be as discreet as possible. We wouldn't want to tip our hand too soon."

He straightens up, nodding decisively. "I'll confer with my companions and we'll let you know our decision. But rest assured, if we do decide to proceed, we'll be as strategic and elusive as shadows in the night."

With a relaxed smile, Cal bows, "We'll be in touch... you want to meet back here?" He asks, waiting for their reply, then excusing himself to quickly locate his allies.

Quote from ArlingLongsword >>

Fletcher's Shop

The fletcher, recognized Haj's contemplation. "This artifact has been hidden for ages, protected by ancient magics. It's not something that needs to be rushed. Discuss it with your companions, and when you're ready, we can organize an expedition," he said, his voice calm and encouraging. "I have detailed notes and sketches of the area—no formal map, but my guidance should suffice. Take your time to decide; the ruins aren’t going anywhere."

"Very well, I'll see what their thoughts are. If this ties in with our plans I'll be back for more information. One last question. Would you wish to travel with us, or simply to hire us?"

Quote from Vedar >>

Quote from ArlingLongsword >>

Fletcher's Shop

The fletcher, recognized Haj's contemplation. "This artifact has been hidden for ages, protected by ancient magics. It's not something that needs to be rushed. Discuss it with your companions, and when you're ready, we can organize an expedition," he said, his voice calm and encouraging. "I have detailed notes and sketches of the area—no formal map, but my guidance should suffice. Take your time to decide; the ruins aren’t going anywhere."

 

"Very well, I'll see what their thoughts are. If this ties in with our plans I'll be back for more information. One last question. Would you wish to travel with us, or simply to hire us?"

 The fletcher guffaws “I’ve my shop to attend to and I’m not a young man. I can give you the directions but you will need to put them together.”

"Ok, I'll speak to the others and get back to you."

Haj heads out to find the others. If the information from the fletcher ties in with what the others have found that would be a bonus, otherwise he could maybe deal with it as a solo effort at some point.

In the bustling town square of Dagger Falls, under the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the cobblestones, the party reconvenes. The square, lively with merchants hawking their wares and townspeople going about their daily routines, provides a vibrant backdrop to the serious gathering of adventurers.

Galdric recounts what they learned at the Tower

”Our friends with the Brotherhood are currently attempting to enter the Whispering Tombs just outside the city. It seems they are searching for something which they believe will be helpful in dealing with the events that we are trying to stop. I’m of the opinion that we should consider helping them. Strengthening our ties with the Brotherhood couldn’t hurt our chances, and if whatever they are searching for can help, it seems to me to be our best option.”

Taya agrees with Galdric and adds, "We also learned that Snowmantle, the place where we were headed to meet up with Riggs superior, is actually a Zhentarim outpost. I think Zhentarim are much more organised than Riggs' mercenaries and we had a hard time attacking his makeshift fortress. Therefore, a direct attack on Snowmantle is probably beyond our capabilities and infiltrating the outpost seems very risky, too, especially with the goal to question a high ranking officer. So, yes, I absolutely agree that helping the brotherhood is our best option."

Cal shares "I also ran into some folk looking for the... well, whatever it is. At first I didn't know if they were friend or foe, but managed to extract some secrets from them. Not who they were, exactly... but, well, they're also aligned against the Zhentarim. And they got a map. I got a brief look at it. I figure they seem eager to work with us, and they're back at the Red Rock Inn if we want to hash something out with em."

"While I was upgrading my gear I came across something which may tie in with all this. The fletcher has an arrow, which apparently will seek out treasure and secrets. It's supposed to be tied to something in the ruins to the north. He wants us to investigate for him, and share what we find."

"To my ears it sounds as though we all have reasons to go to these tombs.  My only concern is whether the artifacts each group is looking for are separate items, or all one in the same.  If it's only one item, we will have to decide when the time comes to whom we give it and how it should be used.  Cal and Haj, do you think it would be prudent to meet with your contacts again before we depart to learn specifically what they are looking for?  If we agree to help, it shouldn't be difficult to glean additional information from them about what these artifacts are."

"I shall speak to the fletcher and offer our help, in exchange for better information; but without making any truly binding arrangements." Haj heads back to the fletcher.

"We'll likely have to choose who to collaborate with if I'm being honest...I can't imagine that if there's an arrow to guide us to the treasure that there are multiple major items in this tomb. It'll be helpful to clarify one way or another though." Horros pauses looking towards Cal before continuing, "Who exactly are these people at the inn? Are they trustworthy? Regardless the quicker we wrap up here the better, i've got a bad hunch things are just going to be more and more complicated."

"I agree with Horros here. Whatever laid dormant in that tomb, that caught attention by several groups, is probably something unique that each one involved wants it exclusively. We can, however, agree with everyone to investigate the tombs without any promises of delivering anything to anyone." 

"Trustworthy?" Cal considers the question a bit. "No we should operate on the assumption that no one is trustworthy. There is too much skullduggery and intrigue for us to properly trust anyone. And, I'm not sure who they are precisely either. Just that they opposed the Zhentarim. Which... doesn't really narrow it down..." 

He hears out everyone and then adds, "I'm happy to meet them again before we leave if we want or to just head out. It wasn't even them I went to go see, I just stumbled across them. In fact... I never even accomplished the reason I went to the Inn in the first place."

Galdric thinks hard if he’s ever heard of anyone acting against the Zhentarim in the past

History: 17

"We could all return to the inn and see what exactly they want us to do there," Taya suggests. "Or do you think this will scare them off? But then, they do want us to work for them."

“I think Cal bringing in one extra person would be alright. May even give off the impression we are very interested in our proposal. But if all of us went I fear it would come off as a show of force and work against us rather than for us.”

Galdric recalls a number of groups who have made enemies of the Zhentarim but none as distinguished as The Harpers. Based on Cal's story, it sounds like the strangers fit the bill.