Soar, the couple are happy to answer your questions. They are citizens of Elturel, and were born in the city. They know that for some the Companion is so familiar that people don't think about it, but they've always revered it and come often to this location to give thanks to the Gods for this gift. They are in no doubt that it is a gift for the city and shows divine approval for the rulers and laws of Elturgard. When you ask about who made it, they say that many believe it to be the gift of Torm, but the cleric of Torm say that the God himself has refused to claim responsibility, saying instead that the people should regard it as a gift from all benevolent deities. There are many good-natured and scholarly arguments on this point, but to have a real argument or fight over its origin would be, in Elturel, a terrible faux pas. They've never seen undead, but they've heard stories that its light seems to cause them pain and to cause weaker ones to explode on sight. The stories say that more powerful undead might have been able to resist its effects long enough to flee, had the Hellriders and other paladins not faced them down. As you speak, others join you and they all tell similar stories; you get a general sense that the folk here care more about thanking the Gods than about truly understanding the nature of the Companion.
After an hour, you join your friends in A Pair of Black Antlers, the inn you spent last night in. As the afternoon turns to evening, once again there is no dimming of the light outside, but the inn's staff start to draw thick black curtains and close shutters, creating the illusion of the evening within the common room. Leosin arrives, and asks to join you. Well, my friends, I have spoken to Ontharr. He'll be along in a moment. You certainly made an impression of sorts, though of what kind I cannot say for certain.
Thanks! Soar will relay what she heard from the citizens of Elturel to her companions when they meet up again.
When Leosin appears, she greets him warmly, and then points her finger at him, scrunching her face with a grin. "We did, and I hope it was on the whole a good one, though I'd still love some clarity as to why and what the order is doing about the cult... but really Brother Leosin, Sir Untharr told us to ask you about your allegiances. What are you not telling us? And please fill us in before Sir Untharr surprises us with it." She says this all with sunny bonhomie.
The Order? Leosin asks. He seems unfazed by your question, almost as though he was expecting it. That would be Ontharr's business, not mine, but they are friends. And what they are doing at the moment, I think, is gathering information, the same as I am.
He smiles a little apologetically. Ontharr and the Order of the Gauntlet are proud to proclaim their presence. My own faction, we are a little more discrete, because it helps us gain access to places where we must go, to find information we need. But we have much more in common than some might think, in our goals at least. Now let me see. How does Ontharr do this? Ah, yes. He reaches to his neck, and pulls at a silver chain that reveals a necklace shaped like a harp, all in silver. He asks in a deep voice, a fair impersonation of Sir Ontharr Frume, Do you recognise this symbol? However, unlike Ontharr he takes care to cup the symbol in his hand, to ensure that the casual onlooker would not see it, and after only a few seconds he returns the amulet to beneath his robes. Though his tone is light, you notice that he is keeping his voice low.
You can make a History check (no advantage or disadvantage) to identify this:
Soar, you recognise the symbol of the Harpers, and you know that they are seen as good, as enemies of tyranny, but also known to operate from the shadows - in contrast to the Order of the Gauntlet. It would be rare for a Doomguide to be a Harper as well, not because their causes conflict, but because their priorities are so different.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Nate heads to the Inn with Jalt and Elspeth to meet up with Leosin and Ontharr. Nate will definitely have a drink before they arrive (-4cp removed, mug of ale). Nate definitely thought about going to the companion with Soar to see it up close and ask people about it to get some answers to the questions he had, but in the end he just didn't want to say the wrong thing or offend anyone and potentially get him and Soar into trouble, so that is why he decided just to go to the Inn.
To Soar: "You SEE! This is exactly what I'm talking about... they see the companion through almost a worshiping nature and quite blindly by the sounds of it with not truly understanding the true nature of the thing!" Nate takes a big drink of beer and then lowers his voice. "I understand the whole banishing evil and undead thing.... and I agree with that... I just don't understand the blind faith in something and also not being able to even question its existence other than it being from a divine entity. Anyways... thanks for asking Soar. I appreciate it. I will be able to fake my way around this place quite easily I'm thinking." takes another drink "I definitely stand behind my views"he whispered that part.
When Leosin comes in "Hi Leosin... yeahhhh I think I might've blew it with Sir Ontharr. I sure hope not. I've talked to my friends and I promise I will keep to myself with all of the companion stuff. Won't mention it again. Nope. I can only hope he lets me tag along with you all after today." Nate takes another big drink of his ale and then will inspect Leosin's symbol on his necklace.
"Hmmmm.... you know what my friend Leosin... I like the sound of your... faction... much better than Ontharr's order. Ahem... no offence, guys." Looks at party awkwardly. (Nate knows about that order of gauntlet from his roll earlier, and he likes the killing of evil but dislikes the religion aspects of the order).
(hopefully Nate can crush this roll. If not, Nate would ask Leosin more details about his faction and how they are trying to take down the cult.)
Leosin smiles. Perhaps. But I do not care to reveal too much. We are sneaky, as you say. Suffice to say that in the matter of the dragon cultists, we, along with the Order and with yourselves are agreed on the need to take action to investigate them, learn their plans and oppose them. That will be enough for the moment, I think.
He sighs. I know, good friends, that I owe you all my life. If I stay secretive, it is because the secrets are not mine to reveal. On the matter of the dragon cult, I have only a little more to tell you, and much more to ask of you. When Ontharr returns, let us speak of this together. I hope you have enjoyed Elturel this day, because I'm afraid we may be asking you to leave it soon enough. The cult is on the move, as we know. But more of this later.
You spend a little more time with Leosin, and can ask him any further questions if you wish, with Persuasion checks where appropriate. After that, you will join Ontharr to discuss plans.
Elspeth would have taken the time to have a drink before Leosin arrived. She waves cheerfully when the monk first appears and welcomes him warmly but is more interested in enjoying her drink than speaking with him. She leans forward when Leosin shows his symbol, examining it but without much interest. "A lot of factions at play, here." She said, expressionless. "Any more players we need to know about?"
Nate has no idea about the necklace symbol. He does like the sound of this faction though from what Leosin has described, and while he doesn't have any other questions for Leosin, he is anxious to hear about the cult news and where they could potentially be on the move to, once Ontharr returns. Are they tuck tailing and running now? Or planning more destruction? Nate thinks to himself.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Elspeth's History check: 2. Elspeth doesn't really know anything that the others don't. Which is to say, she barely knows anything about Harpers.
Leosin responds to Elspeth's question: No other factions that we are allied with. You should watch for Zhentarim agents when you can - they are not to be trusted. Their symbol is a dragon in flight - watch for it. They may not be allied with these cultists, but... I would not be surprised to learn they have dealings. And there may be many other players that we have not caught wind of yet.
Soar, Leosin tells you a little of the peaceful monastery in Berdusk he calls home, and his regret that he can spend little time there. You recall your recent visit to Berdusk and realise that the monastery is a few miles outside town and you did not come near it. I believe I was born in Berdusk, though I cannot be sure. Unwanted babies are often left on the monastery doorstep, and so it was with me. I can only hope that my parents, whoever and wherever they are, have found a better life. I myself regret nothing, and have had many opportunities in the monastery that I might have missed, had I grown up a trader's or farmer's son.
Ontharr returns, and Leosin leads you to join him in his chambers. You all take a seat, and Binden serves drinks and also sits in one corner, taking no part in the discussions but listening intently.
You are a very interesting group, Ontharr says. Many different personalities and stories, woven together. I am glad that you have taken up the cause of opposing this dangerous cult. I have no desire to cause offence, but I must ask you once again: Are you committed to this cause? And are you willing to accept help, and perhaps guidance, from Leosin and myself, and the groups we represent.
Leosin interjects: I assure you that we have no thought to give you orders, only to provide you with information that we believe will help you. However, this will require a level of trust between us. You will be independent agents, working in partnership with us. We do not expect you to do what we say or tell us everything you know. Nor will we tell you everything that our allies are doing elsewhere. Is this an acceptable agreement for you?
Nate is beyond happy as it seems Ontharr has forgotten about his blatant rudeness earlier... or at least has seemed to not mention it.
"Sir Ontharr, if I could speak first just for a moment. I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier today before the ride. I am not exactly tactful to say the least, and I've learned from talking to Binden and my friends that I need to make better decisions when speaking to people. I believe we have a common goal regardless of our faiths and beliefs and I would be honored to be a part of this. I think I can bring a lot to the table. I am committed to tracking down and destroying this cult... I know Leosin can vouch for me on that as well. I will accept any guidance you can provide and I will continue to earn your trust as we work together."
Nate then looks to the others to see how the respond to the Knight and Leosin.
Soar, who was about to begin her response with a long argument for why Nate was actually the member of the party most committed to opposing the dragon cult, smiles as the young Druid talks. She claps her hand on his shoulder. When she has a chance to weigh in, she says, “you can trust a doomguide to follow through on this. Kelemvor is not a fan of Tiamat, and since he has been helping me fight the cult, I've gotten stronger. You have my sword, in this fight.”
Leosin and Ontharr exchange glances, and then both nod and turn to you.
The cult headed west from Greenest, Ontharr begins, and are turning north to Baldur's Gate. We have... some confirmation of that. Ontharr doesn't offer to clarify the source of this. They will reach Baldur's Gate and then head north, perhaps to Castle Naerytar, or perhaps that was a ruse to distract us. In any case, much remains unclear about them and their purpose. We need to get closer, to learn more that cannot be learned by those who watch from afar.
Tell me, Leosin asks, do you think any of the living cult members would recognise you?
Soar, the couple are happy to answer your questions. They are citizens of Elturel, and were born in the city. They know that for some the Companion is so familiar that people don't think about it, but they've always revered it and come often to this location to give thanks to the Gods for this gift. They are in no doubt that it is a gift for the city and shows divine approval for the rulers and laws of Elturgard. When you ask about who made it, they say that many believe it to be the gift of Torm, but the cleric of Torm say that the God himself has refused to claim responsibility, saying instead that the people should regard it as a gift from all benevolent deities. There are many good-natured and scholarly arguments on this point, but to have a real argument or fight over its origin would be, in Elturel, a terrible faux pas. They've never seen undead, but they've heard stories that its light seems to cause them pain and to cause weaker ones to explode on sight. The stories say that more powerful undead might have been able to resist its effects long enough to flee, had the Hellriders and other paladins not faced them down. As you speak, others join you and they all tell similar stories; you get a general sense that the folk here care more about thanking the Gods than about truly understanding the nature of the Companion.
After an hour, you join your friends in A Pair of Black Antlers, the inn you spent last night in. As the afternoon turns to evening, once again there is no dimming of the light outside, but the inn's staff start to draw thick black curtains and close shutters, creating the illusion of the evening within the common room. Leosin arrives, and asks to join you. Well, my friends, I have spoken to Ontharr. He'll be along in a moment. You certainly made an impression of sorts, though of what kind I cannot say for certain.
Thanks! Soar will relay what she heard from the citizens of Elturel to her companions when they meet up again.
When Leosin appears, she greets him warmly, and then points her finger at him, scrunching her face with a grin. "We did, and I hope it was on the whole a good one, though I'd still love some clarity as to why and what the order is doing about the cult... but really Brother Leosin, Sir Untharr told us to ask you about your allegiances. What are you not telling us? And please fill us in before Sir Untharr surprises us with it." She says this all with sunny bonhomie.
The Order? Leosin asks. He seems unfazed by your question, almost as though he was expecting it. That would be Ontharr's business, not mine, but they are friends. And what they are doing at the moment, I think, is gathering information, the same as I am.
He smiles a little apologetically. Ontharr and the Order of the Gauntlet are proud to proclaim their presence. My own faction, we are a little more discrete, because it helps us gain access to places where we must go, to find information we need. But we have much more in common than some might think, in our goals at least. Now let me see. How does Ontharr do this? Ah, yes. He reaches to his neck, and pulls at a silver chain that reveals a necklace shaped like a harp, all in silver. He asks in a deep voice, a fair impersonation of Sir Ontharr Frume, Do you recognise this symbol? However, unlike Ontharr he takes care to cup the symbol in his hand, to ensure that the casual onlooker would not see it, and after only a few seconds he returns the amulet to beneath his robes. Though his tone is light, you notice that he is keeping his voice low.
You can make a History check (no advantage or disadvantage) to identify this:
Soar history: 18
Soar, you recognise the symbol of the Harpers, and you know that they are seen as good, as enemies of tyranny, but also known to operate from the shadows - in contrast to the Order of the Gauntlet. It would be rare for a Doomguide to be a Harper as well, not because their causes conflict, but because their priorities are so different.
Nate heads to the Inn with Jalt and Elspeth to meet up with Leosin and Ontharr. Nate will definitely have a drink before they arrive (-4cp removed, mug of ale). Nate definitely thought about going to the companion with Soar to see it up close and ask people about it to get some answers to the questions he had, but in the end he just didn't want to say the wrong thing or offend anyone and potentially get him and Soar into trouble, so that is why he decided just to go to the Inn.
To Soar: "You SEE! This is exactly what I'm talking about... they see the companion through almost a worshiping nature and quite blindly by the sounds of it with not truly understanding the true nature of the thing!" Nate takes a big drink of beer and then lowers his voice. "I understand the whole banishing evil and undead thing.... and I agree with that... I just don't understand the blind faith in something and also not being able to even question its existence other than it being from a divine entity. Anyways... thanks for asking Soar. I appreciate it. I will be able to fake my way around this place quite easily I'm thinking." takes another drink "I definitely stand behind my views" he whispered that part.
When Leosin comes in "Hi Leosin... yeahhhh I think I might've blew it with Sir Ontharr. I sure hope not. I've talked to my friends and I promise I will keep to myself with all of the companion stuff. Won't mention it again. Nope. I can only hope he lets me tag along with you all after today." Nate takes another big drink of his ale and then will inspect Leosin's symbol on his necklace.
"Hmmmm.... you know what my friend Leosin... I like the sound of your... faction... much better than Ontharr's order. Ahem... no offence, guys." Looks at party awkwardly. (Nate knows about that order of gauntlet from his roll earlier, and he likes the killing of evil but dislikes the religion aspects of the order).
(hopefully Nate can crush this roll. If not, Nate would ask Leosin more details about his faction and how they are trying to take down the cult.)
History for Symbol inspection: 1
Nate, Harpers are people who play the harp.
Jalt history: 8
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
Jalt, you know they're some sort of political faction. Good guys, or so people say. That's about it.
Soar’s eyes widen and she smiles when he shows her the necklace. She whispers:
“Wow, Harpers! Secret sneaky good guys! I’ve heard of you. Tell me more!”
Leosin smiles. Perhaps. But I do not care to reveal too much. We are sneaky, as you say. Suffice to say that in the matter of the dragon cultists, we, along with the Order and with yourselves are agreed on the need to take action to investigate them, learn their plans and oppose them. That will be enough for the moment, I think.
He sighs. I know, good friends, that I owe you all my life. If I stay secretive, it is because the secrets are not mine to reveal. On the matter of the dragon cult, I have only a little more to tell you, and much more to ask of you. When Ontharr returns, let us speak of this together. I hope you have enjoyed Elturel this day, because I'm afraid we may be asking you to leave it soon enough. The cult is on the move, as we know. But more of this later.
You spend a little more time with Leosin, and can ask him any further questions if you wish, with Persuasion checks where appropriate. After that, you will join Ontharr to discuss plans.
“Where are you from, Leosin? Or is that a secret too? And how did you become a monk?”
Elspeth would have taken the time to have a drink before Leosin arrived. She waves cheerfully when the monk first appears and welcomes him warmly but is more interested in enjoying her drink than speaking with him. She leans forward when Leosin shows his symbol, examining it but without much interest. "A lot of factions at play, here." She said, expressionless. "Any more players we need to know about?"
History check if still applicable: 2
Nate has no idea about the necklace symbol. He does like the sound of this faction though from what Leosin has described, and while he doesn't have any other questions for Leosin, he is anxious to hear about the cult news and where they could potentially be on the move to, once Ontharr returns. Are they tuck tailing and running now? Or planning more destruction? Nate thinks to himself.
Elspeth's History check: 2. Elspeth doesn't really know anything that the others don't. Which is to say, she barely knows anything about Harpers.
Leosin responds to Elspeth's question: No other factions that we are allied with. You should watch for Zhentarim agents when you can - they are not to be trusted. Their symbol is a dragon in flight - watch for it. They may not be allied with these cultists, but... I would not be surprised to learn they have dealings. And there may be many other players that we have not caught wind of yet.
Soar, Leosin tells you a little of the peaceful monastery in Berdusk he calls home, and his regret that he can spend little time there. You recall your recent visit to Berdusk and realise that the monastery is a few miles outside town and you did not come near it. I believe I was born in Berdusk, though I cannot be sure. Unwanted babies are often left on the monastery doorstep, and so it was with me. I can only hope that my parents, whoever and wherever they are, have found a better life. I myself regret nothing, and have had many opportunities in the monastery that I might have missed, had I grown up a trader's or farmer's son.
Ontharr returns, and Leosin leads you to join him in his chambers. You all take a seat, and Binden serves drinks and also sits in one corner, taking no part in the discussions but listening intently.
You are a very interesting group, Ontharr says. Many different personalities and stories, woven together. I am glad that you have taken up the cause of opposing this dangerous cult. I have no desire to cause offence, but I must ask you once again: Are you committed to this cause? And are you willing to accept help, and perhaps guidance, from Leosin and myself, and the groups we represent.
Leosin interjects: I assure you that we have no thought to give you orders, only to provide you with information that we believe will help you. However, this will require a level of trust between us. You will be independent agents, working in partnership with us. We do not expect you to do what we say or tell us everything you know. Nor will we tell you everything that our allies are doing elsewhere. Is this an acceptable agreement for you?
Nate is beyond happy as it seems Ontharr has forgotten about his blatant rudeness earlier... or at least has seemed to not mention it.
"Sir Ontharr, if I could speak first just for a moment. I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier today before the ride. I am not exactly tactful to say the least, and I've learned from talking to Binden and my friends that I need to make better decisions when speaking to people. I believe we have a common goal regardless of our faiths and beliefs and I would be honored to be a part of this. I think I can bring a lot to the table. I am committed to tracking down and destroying this cult... I know Leosin can vouch for me on that as well. I will accept any guidance you can provide and I will continue to earn your trust as we work together."
Nate then looks to the others to see how the respond to the Knight and Leosin.
Soar, who was about to begin her response with a long argument for why Nate was actually the member of the party most committed to opposing the dragon cult, smiles as the young Druid talks. She claps her hand on his shoulder. When she has a chance to weigh in, she says, “you can trust a doomguide to follow through on this. Kelemvor is not a fan of Tiamat, and since he has been helping me fight the cult, I've gotten stronger. You have my sword, in this fight.”
Leosin and Ontharr exchange glances, and then both nod and turn to you.
The cult headed west from Greenest, Ontharr begins, and are turning north to Baldur's Gate. We have... some confirmation of that. Ontharr doesn't offer to clarify the source of this. They will reach Baldur's Gate and then head north, perhaps to Castle Naerytar, or perhaps that was a ruse to distract us. In any case, much remains unclear about them and their purpose. We need to get closer, to learn more that cannot be learned by those who watch from afar.
Tell me, Leosin asks, do you think any of the living cult members would recognise you?
(I think we managed to eliminate all witnesses, right?)
(Did you?)