Horros begins to cover the retreat attacking any remaining enemies in sight with a toll the dead for 8 necrotic if they fail the dc13 wisdom save. He then commands his spiritual weapon to attack it's nearest foe, flying up to the top of the wall if it has to for: Attack: 10 Damage: 9

He will back track with his eyes still set on the fortress about 15 feet to shield his allies from any potential projectiles "Oi! We've done enough... Taya, Cal, Haj to us!" 

Amidst the dwindling chaos of the battle, Horros, seizing the opportunity to turn the tide, targeted the remaining goblin with a casting of 'Toll the Dead.' He uttered the incantation, and the air around the goblin vibrated with the ominous sound of a spectral bell tolling. The sound, though inaudible to others, resonated directly in the goblin's mind, a death knell that heralded its doom.

The goblin's face drained of color as the spell took effect, its body seizing up in a visible expression of pain and fear. Moments later, it dropped dead, the tolling of the bell proving too much for its constitution. The goblin's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, a silent testament to the power of Horros's necromantic magic.

Simultaneously, Horros directed his spiritual weapon, a glowing longsword, at the last remaining orc. The weapon swung through the air with a force guided by divine will, but the orc, perhaps sensing the end was near, managed to evade the attack. The blade missed its target, slicing through the air where the orc had been moments before.

Realizing its comrades were either dead or fleeing, the orc turned tail and ran towards the castle gates, desperate to find refuge within the walls. Fear had overtaken its warrior's resolve, the instinct for survival now paramount.

Seeing their leader and many of their comrades fallen, the remaining castle residents quickly assessed the situation. With no one to rally them and facing the relentless onslaught of Horros and his companions, they chose to flee back to the safety of the castle walls. Their retreat was hurried and disorganized, a chaotic scramble to escape the battlefield and the wrath of the party.

As the last of the enemies retreated, the party found themselves with an opportunity to escape the fray. The battle at Castle Daggerdale, though fierce and costly, had ended in their favor.

The battle is over if you would like to retreat. Take 380 XP each.

Taya slowly retreats, trying to be the last to leave the battle and making sure everyone gets out safe and sound. 

Back in camp, Taya makes rounds and commends everyone with a reminder of their good work and a friendly clap on their back.

Once back at camp, Galdric is going to very securely tie Riggs up so he cannot move. Then he will just stand above him waiting for the mercenary to regain consciousness. (Would we be able to do a SR while we wait for Riggs to wake up?)

Drax announces that he is leaving the group, near death experiences are not what he was expecting. Before leaving however he offers to help the group one last time, and requests a few moments alone with Riggs. He then casts Words of Terror on Riggs with Galdric as the object of his fear.

If you speak to a humanoid alone for at least 1 minute, you can attempt to seed paranoia in its mind. At the end of the conversation, the target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC or be frightened of you or another creature of your choice. The target is frightened in this way for 1 hour, until it is attacked or damaged, or until it witnesses its allies being attacked or damaged.

If the target succeeds on its saving throw, the target has no hint that you tried to frighten it.

Bell could use cutting words as parting gift if he observes the scene. It would reduce Riggs’ saving throw by 1d6.

Horros stands back watching his allies do the interrogation. He casts guidance on whoever is doing the majority of the talking. He sizes up Riggs diligently. 

Quote from nightbird1219 >>

Once back at camp, Galdric is going to very securely tie Riggs up so he cannot move. Then he will just stand above him waiting for the mercenary to regain consciousness. (Would we be able to do a SR while we wait for Riggs to wake up?)

 (Yes, you all can take a short rest)

Once everyone is rested and gathered, Galdric would like to begin the interrogation. Inorder to assert early dominance, Galdric will use Lay on Hands to heal Riggs for 1 hp. Because Galdric decides when Riggs gets to wake up, not Riggs. Once Riggs awakens, Galdric stands above him looking down, his greatsword resting comfortably in his grip. With no further preamble, Galdric addresses the helpless mercenary. 

“I find myself conflicted in this moment. On the one hand, I am quite perturbed over the fact that you slew me in Shadowdale. But in the other hand, I do feel some gratitude towards you, because that action brought me closer to my goddess. As a result of this discourse within myself, I have decided to allow you to choose which impulse I should follow. Your cooperation and honesty will determine which emotion will win out. With that in mind, my friends and I have a few questions:”

“Who sent you to Shadowdale?”

”What were you looking for there?”

”If you found whatever it is you were searching for, what would you do with it?”

“Where would you bringing this object or person once it was retrieved?”

(Galdric knows the answers to some of these questions already, but Riggs doesn’t need to know that yet)

Intimidation: Dirty 20

Insight + Guidance: 21

As the party, weary but victorious, returned to their camp, they were greeted by Garrick and Thorne, two caravan guards who had joined forces with Taya. The guards' faces lit up with a mix of relief and satisfaction at seeing the party return safely. However, their expressions quickly turned to ones of intense resolve when they spotted Riggs, the mercenary leader responsible for the raid on Shadowdale. Without hesitation, they assisted Galdric in securing the captive, ensuring that Riggs was tightly bound and unable to escape.

Riggs, once awake, was visibly unsettled and aware of his precarious situation. Cautiously, he began to divulge information, albeit with a certain level of vagueness, especially regarding his employers.

"Well, we were hired by someone," Riggs started, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness. "The name that came up was Zenazara, some sort of intermediary. I can't say who was behind it all; they kept their identities well hidden. But the way things were organized, the secrecy... it felt like someone powerful was pulling the strings."

He paused, taking a shallow breath before continuing. "Our job was specific. First, we were tasked with finding a man named Gort in Shadowdale. Why? I have no idea. They didn’t tell me. Just that he was important to them for some reason." Riggs shifted slightly, the ropes binding him rustling softly. "Secondly, we were to look for magical artifacts, anything of value, really, in the ruins of the old wizard's tower. They seemed to believe there was something significant to be found."

Riggs licked his lips, his eyes darting between his captors. "Once we had Gort or any valuable artifacts, we were to take them to a prearranged spot near Snowmantle. I wasn’t privy to what happened after that. My part was just the retrieval."

“We knew most of that already. You will have to do better than that to earn the Raven Queen’s mercy,” said Galdric grip visibly tightening on the handle of his greatsword. 

“What can you tell us about this “Zenezara?”

”Where did you meet to discuss the job? Did they approach you, or did they name a place to meet?”

(Anyone else have questions? @GM with my 21 insight do I detect any deception or anything glaringly withheld?)

Haj sits quietly, a whetstone whispering along the edge of an already sharp scimitar "Sit still!"

"Garrick check those ropes are still tight."

He keeps his gaze locked on Riggs. Perception 18

As the conversations ensue, Horros grasps his mace in hand to stay on guard in case any stragglers might pop up. “No need to act tough Riggs, yer handy with a blade, but what you thinks gonna happen if you keep holdin out.” He says this while keeping watch of their surroundings. 

Cal will shift around his remaining spellpower until is all concentrated into one last powerful mind-influencing effect, and let loose a suggestion "We need complete answers, there is no need to drag this out and make it painful. Be Forthcoming And Tell Us Everything We Want To Know, Truthfully And Completely."

He continues to lurk just a little further back from the primary interrogators, weighing their options and listening for anything Riggs might let slip.

Riggs, his face etched with desperation and fear under the intense scrutiny of his captors, responded to Galdric’s pressing questions. The sharpening of Haj's scimitar and Garrick’s checking of the ropes added to the tension in the air, while Horros's watchful eye and Cal's potent spellcasting loomed over him.

“Zenezara is a woman,” Riggs began, his voice quivering slightly. “Never met her in person, it was always through messengers. She had a way of making her presence felt, though – like she was watching, always a step ahead. It felt like Zhentarim tactics, all secretive and shadowy.”

Galdric pressed on, “Where did you meet to discuss the job? Did they approach you?”

Riggs shifted uncomfortably. “They approached me. Always in secret, never the same place twice. Secluded spots where no one would overhear – back alleys, derelict buildings. It was clear they didn't want to be traced.”

Horros interjected, his tone firm, “No need to act tough, Riggs. What you think’s gonna happen if you keep holding out?”

Cal's suggestion spell seemed to break down Riggs’s remaining resistance. “Alright, alright,” Riggs blurted out, “There’s more to it. We were hired for another job – to stir up trouble. Not just in Shadowdale, but in Sembia too. To attack both places, make it look like they were at each other’s throats. It was all about sparking tensions, making them suspect each other of aggression. I don’t know why, but someone's playing a bigger game here, trying to pit them against each other.”

“Has the attack on Sembia already happened? If not, when is it supposed to occur?”

Taya is keeping a back seat in the interrogation. She had never liked to interact with prisoners. Somehow, she always pitied them, because they were fighting for what they perceived as right, just as Taya does. They might be misguided or driven by different principles and personal goals but really the only difference between them and her is that they've lost the fight and that makes them the prisoners. She hopes when the day comes and she's the one who lost, someone will pity her. Instead of following the entire conversation, Taya prefers to help organising the camp. Soon, they will have to move. Either continue their journey to confront Riggs' leader, or into a new direction based on what information her companions can squeeze out of the poor fellow. 

"The attack on Sembia... it's already been set in motion," Riggs confessed, his voice strained. "I sent a group of my men there. They're supposed to strike soon, within the next couple of days.“

Galdric pulls his companions away from the mercenary's hearing.

"I admit to be a bit at a loss of how to proceed.  We will not be able to prevent the attack on Sembia, and they will blame Shadowdale.  Shadowdale also blames Sembia for the attack on them.  Both groups will could possibly raise forces for counterattacks.  I fear the only thing that could stop war is the evidence provided by Riggs.  But where to bring him?  I lean towards Sembia because I greatly distrust Lord Varden.  And Sembia would bring us closer to Gort.  But we also have our formal obligation to Shadowdale, who sent us after the Serpents.  They will want to try Riggs for his crimes.  I also do not doubt that Riggs will try to escape our custody at first opportunity.  The longer we travel with him, the more likely that he may be able to slip away, then we will have no proof of this greater plot.  We could also go to Snowmantle and try to learn more about Riggs' employer when his payment is delivered.  Plus we have allies in Dagger Falls that could be of help.  Any choice we make I fear will lead to more bloodshed before this business is done."

"I'd say we continue our way to Dagger Falls as we had planned," opines Taya and provides her reasons, "There we could meet the members of the Arcane Brotherhood and consult with them as to how we could get a warning through to Sembia. We should try to find out where exactly they are planning to attack, though."