History Check: 5

[Back out in the tavern area before coming back here Arliden gave the waitress a description of Lilliana]

"She's a human roughly around my age. She has long black hair, normally she wears it loose but sometimes pulls it up into a ponytail, she has striking blue eyes, and always seems to have a smile on her face. She has a few piercings in the helix of her ears and often wears subtle jewelry there, nothing fancy though. Lovely voice, in fact, I'd wager to say that if she came through and sang for your establishment it would be one of the best performances you'd had in years. Actually here, this might help." and he pulls out one of the journals he keeps around and opens it to the the inside front cover where there is a sketch of Liliana's face in profile.

[Since eventually this conversation would wrap up and Arliden would follow the rest of the group I'm going to put that part of the conversation below]

Arliden happily savors the wine.

"So have there been any attacks on other towns or was the incident at Greenest a unique incident? And no offence to either of you," motioning to Leosin and Ontharr, "but why are you two leading this rather than the government or one of the major factions here in Ferun? I know you said you have no formal organization opposed to them, are they just not aware of the danger or do we not have enough info to go on? And how many people do you already have invested in this, or are we it at the moment?"

Arliden will just ask about the pins, "What are those?"

[I'd also like to get a general sense of the interactions between these two, but Ontharr in particular. Does one seem to defer to the other like one is in charge? We also just met Ontharr and are telling him an awful lot, how does he react to this? Do I sense any ulterior motive to when their saying?
I'm not sure when you want to apply this as Arliden is really trying to gather this over the course of the meeting but here is an insight check for whenever you think it best applies Insight: 18

Arliden the server thinks for a moment and says, "I think she came through and played for us about a month or so ago. We were all sad when she went on her way. She kept to herself mostly, but she did say something about needing to make it up to Waterdeep. That's all I can remember. Sorry."

Rex, you get the feeling that the second you hear what those pins are, you'll remember seeing them before. 

Ontharr Frume smiles appreciatively at your collective skepticism. "You also know when to ask the right kind of questions. Forgive me for neglecting to properly introduce myself. I am the Order of the Gauntlet's representative here in Elturel, and Leosin is a leading member of the Harpers. These pins are the symbols of our respective factions. No formal opposition is in place because we simply do not know enough information, and the Lord's Alliance has refused to take our warnings seriously. That's where you come in."

Leosin chimes in, "Greenest was not the first attack, but it was the largest town that the cult has raided. Up until recently, the Cult of the Dragon has been staying further to the east and more concerned with creating dracoliches. That they have moved to the Sword Coast and are switching their focus to living dragons and Tiamat has both of our organizations more than a little concerned. We don't know what they're planning, but we know that it's something big, and they must be stopped. Thanks to you, we now know that the cult is amassing treasure and shipping it north. Where exactly this treasure is going and what the cult plans to do with it are the next two questions that need answering. We would like you to join the cult’s caravan and accompany it on the journey northward. The simplest way would be to get yourselves hired as guards — if not by the cult’s wagon masters, then by other merchants who are traveling in the same direction at the same time."

Ontharr picks up the conversation, "I have contacts among the many merchants of the region and can arrange the job. This is a lot of information and not a lot of time, but I hope you will aid us in stopping their plans."

Arliden, you get the sense that their is a definite mutual respect between them. Neither defers to the other in any sort of hierarchical sense, but Leosin does seem to be respecting that you are in Ontharr's "office" at the moment. They both seem to be very forthcoming in their motives.

Rex nods as he strokes his chin, “Well, sounds like a great time. I’m in. I thrive in deception. It’ll be cathartic to convert them from the inside out. And of course... The Order of the Gauntlet will remember the kind assistance of the Church of Io, eh?” Rex raises his glass, “To a new partnership.” He downs the wine and looks to the others.

"You're serious? Meriele, that is without a doubt the best news I've heard in months. I honestly can't even tell you how much this means to me. Here," and he puts a small pouch of gold (30 gold) in her hand, "please take this as a small token of my gratitude. And if she happens to come through again, just tell her I am trying to find her. It sounds like we might have more pressing matters at the moment but...actually." And he takes a few minutes to write something down on one of his journal pages, rips it out and gives it to Meriele, "Please just give this to her if she comes through again. Seriously, thank you Meriele, you made me an incredibly happy man today."

[ As the "flashback" ends Arliden finds himself mentally back in the office LOL]

"So just to make sure I understand. You would like us to infiltrate the cult's caravan heading north and act as members of the cult while gathering information? Or are we to just join a merchant caravan generally headed in the same direction? I'm all for infiltration, I'm not quite as good at it as Rex but I'm not half bad. But," and he casts a worried glance at Fjordix, "How do you feel about this plan Fjordix? You willing to put up with the shit from this cult of the dragon in order to infiltrate them?

[What direction is Waterdeep from here?]

Fjordix spent no time nursing the wine, instead downing it in a few quick gulps. It was as if his thirst was unquenchable, he motioned towards the bottle, "Mind if I have another...?" despite the answer he looked to Arliden to answer the question, "I can put up with some Dragon lovers if it means *hiccup* getting the location of another dragon to kill"

Ontharr pours himself and Fjordix another glass. Raising his toward Fjordix he says, "Business as it should be!" To everyone, he says, "If my calculations are correct, the cult will arrive in Baldur's Gate in about a tenday, so we have a small amount of time to prepare. I can arrange passage for you on a sailing vessel down the river and get you there in three. When you get there, speak with Ackyn Selebon. He operates an equipage business in the Outer City north of the city wall, in a district called Blackgate. He should be able to get you hired on as guards for some of the merchants traveling north. If you can get hired by the cult's wagon masters, so much the better, but as long as you leave Baldur's Gate at the same time they do, it shouldn't matter which wagons you're with."

[Are any of you interested in joining either the Order of the Gauntlet or the Harpers? Or you could essentially contract yourselves out to them just for this specific job.]

[That is a fine question. If I recall, the Harpers are a secret organization, correct? While the Order is a large coalition of religions. Really, I could see Rex going either way. However, I feel like getting on the Order’s good side would be a strong point in favor of Io...]

Novot slowly picks up the pin of a gauntlet, studying it almost unbelievingly. "The Hand of Righteousness," she whispers to herself.

[Novot literally has a tattoo of the white gauntlet of Torm on the right side of her face. So she takes this offer to join the Order as a sign.]

Fjordix downs the glass of wine, his head is starting to get light and his vision a bit blurry. "Ackyn Selebon... ya? Wait, we are going to take a boat, oh to be back on a boat"

Fjordix slumps down in the seat and grabs up the Harpers pin, he is nostalgic now as he looks over the harp in the crescent moon. The moon in his mind expands and the night sky fills with stars as a memory makes it's way to the forefront. The sounds of ocean waves striking the side of the boat reaches his ears, he can feel the netting beneath his back as he lay atop the barrels on the deck of the ship. So peaceful, so calm, the best kind of memory. 

[OCC: So I don't really know much about the Harpers because I don't really play D&D in Ferun. I'm 100% ok to go look stuff up about them so you (GM) don't have to explain it all but if I wouldn't know it all feel free to explain what Arliden would know]

"The river sounds good to me, anything else we should know about this Ackyn?"

OOC: The Harpers were a semi-secret organization dedicated to promoting good, preserving history (including art and music of old) and maintaining a balance between civilization and nature by keeping kingdoms small and the destruction of animal and plant life to a minimum. They considered the elven empire of Myth Drannor shortly before its fall to be the pinnacle of civilized history and strove to recreate the world in that image. Source

[Yeah, I probably should have explained them a bit more. Here's the bare minimum your characters know about these factions. If you want to know more, your character can know all of the information on the WOTC website about them. (Harpers) (Order of the Gauntlet)

The Harpers are dedicated to furthering equality and justice and to keeping power out of the hands of those who (they feel) don’t deserve it. They are a loosely organized faction; agents are allowed wide freedom of action.

The Order of the Gauntlet emphasizes faith, vigilance, and constant struggle against threats of evil. They are distinctly more structured and hierarchical than the Harpers. Many of its members are clerics and paladins, but the Order welcomes anyone who shares its ideals.

Joining isn't a requirement of moving the story forward, but it will offer certain perks (travel expenses, equipment, etc.) at the cost of being accountable to the faction leaders.]

[Novot is very clearly in.]

Rex is also in. The Order will be very valuable allies.

OOC: Fjordix isn't overly religious, but the Harpers might interest him. He's a bit intoxicated right now to make the decision but he'd definitely inquire about joining.

[So, Novot and Rex are interested in joining the Order while Fjordix is interested in joining the Harpers. What about Arliden and Arryn?]

[The Harpers look cool, Arliden is down with that]

"The Harpers huh? I think I'd be ok with seeing a little more of what you're all about. I hear you have an interest in accumulating knowledge which I'm already interested in myself," and he taps on the the notebooks he carries around. "Is there any kind of official duties or joining ceremony? Or are we just in now?"

After you accept joining your respective factions, Ontharr smiles and says, "The day is getting late, and you've been traveling for quite some time. Speak with Meriele and show her your insignia. She'll make sure you have room and board here. Get some rest. In the morning, I'll have a list of merchants you can see to stock up on gear for your trip. When you're ready, make your way to the river and find a ship called The Olive Branch. That ship will get you to Baldur's Gate. May Torm guide you."

[You may all have one Weapon from Chapter 5 of the PHB and whatever provisions you want from the Adventuring Gear section of the same chapter (no limit on the amount of items from the Adventuring Gear section, but no items worth more than 5 gp).]