Gregor shakes his head grimly, "No." But then he smiles, "But I am confident that I can replicate the sigils and re-link to the circle, if we can find a mage strong enough to re-establish the link."
At the time Gregor and Irma are having this conversation in the Southern Ward, almost two hours have passed since they chased the wounded Urstul Floxin as he fled Gralhund Manor.
What has the rest of the party been up to in the meantime?
It is mid-afternoon, the Nineteenth of Eleint, the day after the explosion in Trollskull Alley.
Upon exiting Gralhund manor, Akai snorts in dissatisfaction and turns to Falshen. "All that effort, and pocket change for reward. If not for finding Zhent man, would be a full waste of time! Krrr!" He trills angrily before taking note of the injured Ian. "We should go back to tavern-home! Let this one rest! Maybe others return with better news - salvage something out of all this!"
Ian, casting Prestidigitation to remove the gore he gained from the body he was unable to negotiate, says,
”I think we can start with what our friends have found. But we have other avenues to pursue too. That is, we have the House of Inspired Hands to investigate. But I see we have some newfound funds that need allocating. If you would be so kind as to hand that over I’ll be sure to add it to our party’s treasury at the Temple of Waukeen.”
Falshen (and/or Akai?) hands over the purse paid by Hrabbaz. With a grin of reassurance, Falshen adds, "I'll meet you fellows back at home. I have to run a quick errand for my family." With that, the young nobelman turns on his heel and takes off at a brisk walk.
Irma tells Gregor, " I say we meet back at our tavern base and regroup. You've allowed us to have a few more options in pursuing Floxin. Let's rest up and then we'll continue."
Having rejoined his companions, Falshen has been quietly nursing a glass of wine for the bettrr part of an hour while looking thoughtful. After a time, he shakes his head as if to clear it before finishing his drink. "It sounds as though Gregor currently has our best lead for tracking the stone. If we can trace Floxin's destination, that may being us some definitive answers. That said, if that option doesn't pan out, I may have a long shot for us to try: the Cassalanters. Recall that, before he fled, Floxin suggested that they may have a role in this debacle."
Irma nods at this, "I feel that Floxin having gotten back to presumably the Zhents have made them not see us as trustworthy at the moment. Would not hurt to see if we can develop a relationship with another group."
Gregor scowls, "Regardless of what side my superiors see themselves on in this Floxin-Grahulnd... debacle, I suspect they will not be pleased with today's results. Nonetheless, I'll let them know the situation and see how they want me to proceed. Does anyone have issues with my sharing the sigil sequence? They may be able to find us a caster with the ability to track Floxin down. In the mean time, making friends with other groups is a fine strategy."
Ian removes his disguise and takes the 27 platinum and deposits it into the Temple of Waukeen and withdraws 6 gp for Akai. Once back at Trollskull Manor, Ian has his ghost friend tidy up the living spaces and the bar for the next day. Grabbing a glass of wine as well, Ian interjects with his update,
"Well, we have enough funds to pay off our debts to the Temple of Waukeen. I say that we hold off paying the debt until we have enough funds leftover to keep a minimum balance in the Temple. We will need another 37 gold pieces to keep a balance. An additional buffer of 100 gp for a rainy day would also be advisable. If we are all agreeable to that, then we will need only an additional 137 gold pieces or so before settling our debt. After that we can continue to invest in our property or do with our funds as we best see fit."
Noting Falshen's comment and subsequent replies from his comrades, Ian takes a sip of the wine and continues,
"It is a shame that things ended the way that they did. We walked into a mess of a situation where these out-of-town Zhents were killing off the guards in a relationship gone south. We did learn a lot though. The Gralhunds did not hesitate to double cross Floxin, a Zhent representative. Why would they consider that a wise move given the size of that organization? Hrabbaz didn't seem particularly surprised, so it can be assumed that it was a planned venture likely at the behest of the Lady of the House. That or some other forces are at play, such as the Cassalanters that Falshen seems to know well."
Taking a gulp, Ian then says,
"I think that we can pursue multiple avenues of inquiry in the near term. I would be happy to inquire at the House of Inspired Hands to learn more about the creature that most recently was in possession of the stone."
Akai chips in his two coppers on the subject. "Kah! Why would any ruler cut off alliance? Simple! Too much risk, no longer beneficial! Why betray, 'stead of ending with words? Also simple! Not 'fraid of reprisals! Gralhund House has confidence in their power - has something to keep them safe from Zhents! Could be soldiers, could be weapons," he pauses for a moment.
"Could be allies! Gralhunds might have new friends - better than Zhents!"
"Which sadly wouldn't be difficult. Zhents are second in strength to the Xanathars, and we have Drow in the city whose numbers and capabilities I can't begin to guess at." Gregor says, "The Gralhunds paid you, which means that they think they can use our group. It might not be a terrible idea to let them continue to think so, however given my actions at the manor I should probably abstain from those dealings."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Falshen has gained 1 hp, the feat Practiced Expert (raising Int by 1 to 18, gaining proficiency in Arcana, and a doubled proficiency bonus on Deception checks), and a new spell (Mage Armor).
Gregor shakes his head grimly, "No." But then he smiles, "But I am confident that I can replicate the sigils and re-link to the circle, if we can find a mage strong enough to re-establish the link."
At the time Gregor and Irma are having this conversation in the Southern Ward, almost two hours have passed since they chased the wounded Urstul Floxin as he fled Gralhund Manor.
What has the rest of the party been up to in the meantime?
It is mid-afternoon, the Nineteenth of Eleint, the day after the explosion in Trollskull Alley.
Upon exiting Gralhund manor, Akai snorts in dissatisfaction and turns to Falshen. "All that effort, and pocket change for reward. If not for finding Zhent man, would be a full waste of time! Krrr!" He trills angrily before taking note of the injured Ian. "We should go back to tavern-home! Let this one rest! Maybe others return with better news - salvage something out of all this!"
Ian, casting Prestidigitation to remove the gore he gained from the body he was unable to negotiate, says,
”I think we can start with what our friends have found. But we have other avenues to pursue too. That is, we have the House of Inspired Hands to investigate. But I see we have some newfound funds that need allocating. If you would be so kind as to hand that over I’ll be sure to add it to our party’s treasury at the Temple of Waukeen.”
Falshen (and/or Akai?) hands over the purse paid by Hrabbaz. With a grin of reassurance, Falshen adds, "I'll meet you fellows back at home. I have to run a quick errand for my family." With that, the young nobelman turns on his heel and takes off at a brisk walk.
Upon opening the purse, Ian discovers it holds 27 platinum pieces.
Akai is back off to Trollskull Manor, Ian to the Temple of Waukeen, and Falshen about his own business - what do Gregor and Irma do at this point?
Irma tells Gregor, " I say we meet back at our tavern base and regroup. You've allowed us to have a few more options in pursuing Floxin. Let's rest up and then we'll continue."
"Agreed."
It is evening by the time the party regroups at Trollskull Manor.
Is there anything else you wish to do or discuss before retiring for the night?
Having rejoined his companions, Falshen has been quietly nursing a glass of wine for the bettrr part of an hour while looking thoughtful. After a time, he shakes his head as if to clear it before finishing his drink. "It sounds as though Gregor currently has our best lead for tracking the stone. If we can trace Floxin's destination, that may being us some definitive answers. That said, if that option doesn't pan out, I may have a long shot for us to try: the Cassalanters. Recall that, before he fled, Floxin suggested that they may have a role in this debacle."
Irma nods at this, "I feel that Floxin having gotten back to presumably the Zhents have made them not see us as trustworthy at the moment. Would not hurt to see if we can develop a relationship with another group."
Gregor scowls, "Regardless of what side my superiors see themselves on in this Floxin-Grahulnd... debacle, I suspect they will not be pleased with today's results. Nonetheless, I'll let them know the situation and see how they want me to proceed. Does anyone have issues with my sharing the sigil sequence? They may be able to find us a caster with the ability to track Floxin down. In the mean time, making friends with other groups is a fine strategy."
Ian removes his disguise and takes the 27 platinum and deposits it into the Temple of Waukeen and withdraws 6 gp for Akai. Once back at Trollskull Manor, Ian has his ghost friend tidy up the living spaces and the bar for the next day. Grabbing a glass of wine as well, Ian interjects with his update,
"Well, we have enough funds to pay off our debts to the Temple of Waukeen. I say that we hold off paying the debt until we have enough funds leftover to keep a minimum balance in the Temple. We will need another 37 gold pieces to keep a balance. An additional buffer of 100 gp for a rainy day would also be advisable. If we are all agreeable to that, then we will need only an additional 137 gold pieces or so before settling our debt. After that we can continue to invest in our property or do with our funds as we best see fit."
Noting Falshen's comment and subsequent replies from his comrades, Ian takes a sip of the wine and continues,
"It is a shame that things ended the way that they did. We walked into a mess of a situation where these out-of-town Zhents were killing off the guards in a relationship gone south. We did learn a lot though. The Gralhunds did not hesitate to double cross Floxin, a Zhent representative. Why would they consider that a wise move given the size of that organization? Hrabbaz didn't seem particularly surprised, so it can be assumed that it was a planned venture likely at the behest of the Lady of the House. That or some other forces are at play, such as the Cassalanters that Falshen seems to know well."
Taking a gulp, Ian then says,
"I think that we can pursue multiple avenues of inquiry in the near term. I would be happy to inquire at the House of Inspired Hands to learn more about the creature that most recently was in possession of the stone."
Akai chips in his two coppers on the subject. "Kah! Why would any ruler cut off alliance? Simple! Too much risk, no longer beneficial! Why betray, 'stead of ending with words? Also simple! Not 'fraid of reprisals! Gralhund House has confidence in their power - has something to keep them safe from Zhents! Could be soldiers, could be weapons," he pauses for a moment.
"Could be allies! Gralhunds might have new friends - better than Zhents!"
"Which sadly wouldn't be difficult. Zhents are second in strength to the Xanathars, and we have Drow in the city whose numbers and capabilities I can't begin to guess at." Gregor says, "The Gralhunds paid you, which means that they think they can use our group. It might not be a terrible idea to let them continue to think so, however given my actions at the manor I should probably abstain from those dealings."
Irma nods in agreement, "anything we can do with the Xanathars?"
The party ascends to Level 4!
Endure. In enduring, grow strong.
Falshen has gained 1 hp, the feat Practiced Expert (raising Int by 1 to 18, gaining proficiency in Arcana, and a doubled proficiency bonus on Deception checks), and a new spell (Mage Armor).
Akai gains 9 hit points, maxes out his Charisma, and learns Acid Splash and Shield.
Gregor gains 2 hit points, Maxes Intelligence, reaches 18 in Charisma, and learns Detect Thoughts and Suggestion.