"I agree. We are already delayed in our travels, so I suggest we continue on and drag Riggs with us, suitably bound of course."

“Good a plan as any at this point.”

He turns back to the mercenary leader.

”What else can you tell us about this Sembian attack? Where will it happen? How many?”

Horros nods along in agreement suggesting the two guards that have accompanied them take the rear. “As we get back on the road, Haj mind takin point? I’ll keep good ole Riggsy here company. I can make proper shackles through the blessings of Moradin if given an hour” 

(I’d like to use my channel divinity to make shackles with chains to bind Riggs with.) 

"That is not a problem, I can see and hear better up front, where I don't have to worry about people clanking about in tin suits."

“So it is decided. We make for Dagger Falls in hopes that our friends in the Arcane Brotherhood can warn Sembia and Shadowdale of the plot to orchestrate war between the two.”

Galdric pulls Horros aside so only the two of them can be heard:

”If you are going to keep an eye on our guest, keep the other on our two extra companions from Shadowdale. I can’t shake the feeling Lord Varden is involved in this business somehow. If that’s the case we should be wary of the guards he sent here with us. Riggs is our only proof. If he were to be silenced, war is almost a certainty.”

The Road to War

Under the canopy of stars, as the camp settled into a tense silence, the party made a crucial decision. With the weight of Riggs's revelations hanging over them, they agreed unanimously that he must accompany them on their journey north towards Dagger Falls.

Before they embarked, Horros, invoking the solemn rites of his faith, called upon the divine to forge ethereal shackles. With a prayer and a gesture, he bound Riggs securely, ensuring the mercenary could not escape justice. The glow of the shackles in the dim light served as a stark reminder of the gravity of their quest.

At dawn, with the first light piercing the darkness, Haj led the party west, then north, navigating the terrain with a determined focus. The roads, deserted and eerily quiet, spoke of a land holding its breath, ahead of a brewing storm. For three days, they traveled, the quietude of their journey belying the urgency that drove them.

On the fourth day, as the afternoon faded into evening, the party’s path brought them to a stunning vista. The River Tesh stretched before them, its waters a shimmering ribbon cutting through the landscape as they made their way from the Desert Mouth Mountains towards the Moonsea. It was here, in the fading light, that the party beheld the horror of what was to come.

Arrayed along the southern side of the bridge across the rover was a large encampment. Dozens of tents and fires painted the scene, but it was the banners that caught the party’s attention. Alongside those of Dagger Falls fluttered the banners of Shadowdale, united under a common cause. This was no mere gathering; it was a war camp, poised on the brink of action.

The air was suddenly rent with the roar of troops, a sound that chilled the bone. As the party watched, effigies caricatured as Sembians, wrapped in the flag of Sembia, were set aflame. The effigies burned fiercely, their destruction met with cheers from the assembled soldiers, a macabre celebration that underscored the camp’s purpose. This was an army ready to march south, fueled by bloodlust and a desire for revenge.

Shackled and subdued, Riggs witnessed the preparations for war, a direct consequence of the seeds he had sown. The party, too, felt the weight of their mission anew. With every step towards Dagger Falls, they raced against time to avert a crisis they now understood was far greater than they had imagined.

Please deduct 4 rations. This is an RP  encounter, I should be much faster on posting this one because I don't have to update a map. Let's target one post per 2 days each.

Taya observes the scene with mixed feelings. „If they discover that we have with us the one responsible for the attack on shadowdale with, they might want to bring him to justice. I would have much more liked to speak with someone from the brotherhood first. They might even want to silence us, if they hear we are about to warn Sembia.” Taya cautions her companions. “I say we proceed with great care and say as little as necessary, or do you think we can still avoid to enter this camp?”

"I think we have no choice but to follow the road, and it would be best to approach openly, any hint of subterfuge is likely to be taken badly."

"It may also be beneficial to allow Garrick and Thorne to be at the front. If they are recognised by their comrades it should help to calm things."

“If we are going to have to surrender Riggs to these people, I think we need to present our evidence loudly and publicly. Make it harder for Varden to silence the mercenary’s testimony.”

"I agree. Does anybody have the ability to amplify our words?"

"I suggest we march in proudly and openly.  I have the writ from Varden himself to give us legitimacy.  We should have no trouble entering the camp and getting an escort to whoever is in charge here.  Whoever that is will likely want to bring the conversation somewhere private.  We should politely decline and shout our story to anyone and everyone in the area.  Rumors spread wildfire in a camp like this, which is exactly what we want.  Voice amplification would definitely help.  But we also need to be wary.  Our revelations could cause chaos within the camp.  Violence within the camp as a result would not shock me.  Having an exit plan just in case may not be the worst idea."

At the start of their journey Horros acknowledges the concern noting that he can hear the shackles with his magic to make me sure Riggs won’t escape. “I ain’t one to trust too easy when times are this complicated.” He makes mention in a somber tone. 

Horros agrees with the bold plan of stating their claims and evidence loudly. “I can’t magically augment my voice and it’s been a while, buttt I could invoke the name of my lord Moradin and play the preacher role. Be big and loud as needed. Not my strong suit but it can help. Or I can guide someone to improve their chances mignt be good to keep one more person next to me and Riggs just in case.”

"Ok, let's do it," Taya agrees with the others, yet with a strand of worry in her voice, and begins marching towards the camp. "I can stay with you and Riggs, Horros. I'd rather not give him up, but there's nothing we can do against this force. They are - in principle - on our side, or we're on theirs, anyway." 

"How did you plan to pass this army, Riggs?" Taya asks the mercenary leader for insight. After all it might be his best bet to avoid the camp.

Cal is quiet and thoughtful more than usual after their discovery of the large forces ready for battle. His typically flippant or comedic tone is absent. 

He seems lost in thought as he fiddles with his gear, perched on a nearby rock. Eventually he approaches the others, "Something about all this doesn't add up. How are these forces already here. How were they marshalled so quickly and beat us here? We weren't exactly slow moving, were we?"

"I'm... just worried someone within the Shadowdale forces preemptively knew this would happen, and was preparing for it. Is that crazy? Ugh. It might be. Maybe I'm just paranoid."

Galdric turns to Cal

”That may well be a possibility. I would not be shocked at least. But even if that’s the case, I’m not sure it would alter our present course. We need to fill every ear of that camp with the story of Riggs and the Black Serpents.”

Cal nods, "You're right of course, Galdric. It may even make it more important what we do is very public, so that a shadowy figure cannot easily pull strings behind the scenes. I'm fully on board, with our plan." He seems muted still, not certain what type of reception they'll have, but steadying his nerves to face it, all the same.

“When we do it, we should try to add a bit of dramatic flair. If we look like arrogant arseholes trying to show off, it could remove any suspicion that we may be up to something more.”

Horros nods along to the groups plans. Appreciating Taya’s willingness to stay back with him. “I’ll keep eyes peeled. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve to keep him protected temporarily, in addition to burning his arms off hehe. I’ll light some incense, make it look like a procession from dramatics. Let me put on my vestments over my armor. People tend to want to avoid hurting a priest.” (In addition to casting guidance on whoever will be doing the negotiating, Horros will also be prepared to cast sanctuary on Riggs.)

Horros hands Riggs over to Taya as he drapes his ceremonial vestments atop of his chain mail. He brings out a censer and chops in some incense ready to light when they approach. 

Taya takes over Riggs, and follows the other's lead. She observes carefully the camp when they approach and the faces of the soldiers when they get closer.