AMATH SECCENT:
CHES 28th (The Claw of Sunsets – 1492 DR)
03:50 am
Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, is the last woman standing and it will be harder to interrogate her. As an affected creature, of the ‘Zone of Truth’, she may be aware of the spell, this means that Amath Seccent can avoid answering questions to which she would normally respond with a lie.
Vara: “If Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, fails she can be evasive yet must be truthful.”
The Adventurers agree to take, Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, back down to the Cellar where the Paladin’s Spell, ‘Zone of Truth’ was still running and there they would question Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, about Urstul Floxin, the ‘Teleportation Circle’, the Zhentarim Lair, Manshoon and more.
Vara carries Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, and she if followed by Alley and Merf. Alley is wanting to discover the workings of the ‘Teleportation Circle’, which would be the most obvious way of access the Zhentarim Lair.
Alley: “So given that, so far, Urstul Floxin and now Amath Seccent, are the only members of the Zhentarim Faction Members with one of these Silver Discs marked with a “DK”, I conclude that the ‘Teleportation Circle’ leads to one of the ‘Eyes of the Stone of Golorr’, Manshoon and the so the Zhentarim Lair.” The Bard deduces to herself.
Alley then uses one of her charges from her Magical Earing to ‘Message’ Merf.
Alley: “Remember Merf, guard what you say and be weary of Vara, she’s still an unknown.”
Merf: “OK. Don’t tell her about ‘The Stone of Golorr’.” Merf smiles at Alley and she returns the smile.
Meanwhile, Merf and Vara discuss the possible meaning of the letter “DK” on the Silver Disc. Alley asks to take a look as she is currently the one Waterdavian amongst the team.
Alley keeps hold of the Silver Disc.
Once they reach the Cellar, Vara places the unconscious Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, into a chair and the Halfling Rogue goes about tying her up.
Vara then prepares to interrogate Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, as she alerts the other that they only have 10 questions given that there was only a couple of minutes left of her Spell.
Vara: “Let us wake Amath Seccent and then hope that she does not resist the Spell. Do we have some water to rouse her from her Hellish dreams.”
Merf: “I have a better idea that will only take a second.”
Merf, the Halfling Rogue, stands to the side and slightly behind Amath Seccent and proceeds to slap her, full in the face. Amath Seccent wakes, shocked but composed.
Vara begins the interrogation with an attempt to intimidate Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, pitting the belief of her God, Bahumat, against Bane. Amath Seccent is not intimidated and knows that the Paladin would not just take her life, justice must be seen to be done.
Vara, fearing that Amath Seccent had been emboldened by her resistance, proceeds with questioning the Priestess of Bane. Merf stayed close but out of sight and Alley was investigating the dead Zhentarim Thug, in the doorway into the chamber with the ‘Teleportation Circle’ and who was killed earlier by Vara.
Vara asks her first question and she ask about the Silver Disc with the “DK” and what purpose does it serve. Immediately, Vara can sense that Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, had not been affected by her Spell, ‘Zone of Truth’. This meant that she knew that they had no hope of extracting any relevant information from her.
Merf: “Stand back, let me try.”
Merf pulls out his ‘Raven’s Dagger’ and threatens Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, with harm if she does not answer the Paladin’s questions.
Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, totally ignores Merf and his attempts to scare her, for as Merf moves his Raven’s Dagger point close to Amath Seccent’s eye, Vara calls out to the Halfling Rogue to stop.
Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, has a smile on her face, knowing that the Good Deities only made their followers weak by not allowing them to handout proper justice, fear and pain.
Then the Paladin has a great idea which would reveal the information that Alley was chasing all along. The Paladin copies the action, used by Alley, to request Merf to speak using his Spell ‘Message’.
Merf is wary but contacts Vara.
Vara: “How about we use the ‘Potion of Mind Reading’, that you found earlier, to question Amath Seccent.”
Merf: “OK, I will message you what she is thinking when you question her.”
Vara, the Dragonborn Paladin begins to question Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane. Knowing that the Halfling Rogue would only learn what is most on the target’s mind right now, unless he uses the probe feature.
Merf is not sure what the ‘Potion of Mind Reading’ does, apart from the clue in the name, and as he has done very little Magical research the Halfling Rogue, drinks all of the Potion.
Vara knows that if Merf communicates with her they will lose precious time and questions. The Paladin will need to guess as to what to ask Amath Seccent and hope either Merf or Alley helps with the questioning.
04:00 am
Amath Seccent Interrogated:
Questions for Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane:
- Vara asks what is the Silver Disc, with ‘DK’ written on it, used for?
- Amath Seccent had, travel to see Manshoon, on her mind. She stays silent and says nothing.
- Vara then asks what were you doing to Shaun Chien and why?
- Amath Seccent was thinking about the ritual to make him show the Zhentarim in a good light, propaganda.
- Vara then says that they will use the Silver Disc now and follow Urstul Floxin.
- Amath Seccent wants them to use it and be dealt with. She beings to pray or chant and Vara both gags and places a hood over her head.
- The Paladin then demands to know Urstul Floxin has gone to?
- Amath Seccent knows that they are trying to sense her lies and so is evasive and refuses to talk. As she has Manshoon, her leader, on her mind.
- Vara then asks about the Grand Game and how they know what they are up to.
- How does the Paladin know of Neverembers Enigma, these must be new players? She begins to Pray or Chant once more, Vara tries to discern what she is saying but the gag makes it incredibly difficult.
- Merf tries intimidation on Amath Seccent, he is unsuccessful to the point that she does not even look in his direction. Vara looks about to see where Alley has gone. Alley is in the ‘Teleportation Circle’ Chamber investigating it.
- Vara then threatens Amath Seccent with being taken to the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors, saying that they will hand her over to them.
- Amath Seccent is amused that the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors would do anything to hurt her as they are week do-gooders. She laughs a muffled laugh.
- Merf talks to Vara saying he will kill Amath Seccent and have done with it.
- Amath Seccent knows that Vara, the Paladin, would not allow that to happen without provocation.
- Vara tells Amath Seccent that they will find Manshoon, when they use the ‘Teleportation Circle’, and put an end to the Zhentarim.
- Amath Seccent senses that the Paladin and Rogue may be no way near to finding things out, and that they are grasping at straws. She stops Praying or Chanting and becomes silent.
- Alley then comes out of the ‘Teleportation Circle’ Chamber and says to asks Amath Seccent where has Urstul Floxin gone.
- Amath Seccent smiles thinking they have no idea at all where they think the Zhentarim Lair is and will not discover Manshoon location at Slop Street.
The effects of the ‘Potion of Mind Reading’ wears off and Merf is still in favour of dispatching Amath Seccent. Vara refuses to just kill her and believes she should be handed over to the authorities of Waterdeep.
Having discerned how the ‘Teleportation Circle’ works, its use and the revelation that a lot of effort has been put into its creation, the Bard would prefer that Amath Seccent is held in custody and she and Zarek can interrogate her later if needed.
This she decides to keep to herself for now, or at least until Zarek returns.
Alley: “With Urstul Floxin just having used the ‘Teleportation Circle’, I would think that they would be on high alert. Amath Seccent had access to a Silver Disc and possibly Avareen Windrivver, the Roguish attacker that fled Yellowspire, too. Which I deduce means, that no one else currently in Yellowspire could travel to see Manshoon. This is a way into the Zhentarim Lair, but today may be too soon to try.” The Bard ponders as she thinks about Zarek.
The Adventurers believe that their job is done here at Yellowspire and that they should all leave for Trollskull Manor. Alley however, has a different idea which would benefit the hunt for the ‘Eyes of the Stone of Golorr’.
Alley uses all her feminine wilds to persuade Merf to see things her way, and hopefully, this will also make Vara think it all a good plan.
Alley suggests that Vara should take Amath Seccent to the closest City Watch Watchpost.
Alley: “Remember to say that you have been sent by Zarek Brightlamp, Gray Hands Badge number (), and that he will provide a full report in due course. As you an upstanding Paladin of Bahamut, you should not have any issues with the City Watch. Then join us back at Trollskull Manor. Oh and, please make sure you are not followed.”
Merf: “I’ll help you make sure everyone’s dead here Alley, and see if there’s anything shinney to acquire too.”
Alley: “Hold on, I think your special services are needed elsewhere, you will be more useful taking the Wagon back to Trollskull Manor and prepare for our arrival. There is still a little mess that needs tiding up and I know you can manage that alone.”
Merf: “Ah, the Wine Cellar you mean.”
Alley: “Exactly.”
The Bard then has to think fast to distract Vara and move the Adventurers on, which would allow her to tidy up things here in Yellowspire. Alley uses her last but one free Spell, ‘Disguise Self’, to change into Zarek Brightlamp.
Alley (Voice of Zarek): “Hand me the ‘Bag of Holding’ Merf, I need to use the Gray Hands Token to persuade any City Watch that arrive that everything is under control and Yellowspire is being locked down. Lucius Bile said he would inform the City Watch and we do not want them here or for Lucius Bile to write about this incident.”
Merf: “I will go and talk to him.”
Alley: “Err, how about we save that for after our rest and Breakfast remember.”
Alley Yaeldrin then rewards Merf with his share of the takings, not mentioning that these trinkets came from other sources and so not a payment, but another distraction so he does not have too much interest in the Grand Game, for now.
- From the Neverluster, an Ivory Statuette of a Monkey (250 gp)
- From Mount Waterdeep Opaque Crimson Coral (3 x Gem 100 gp each)
- From Mount Waterdeep Deep Purple Amethyst (1 x Gem 50 gp each)
Alley: “Well done and do not worry little brother, you have enough to do and we have food and drink going to waste at Trollskull since we are closed today.”
Vara is once more convinced that they both want her out of the way. The Paladin agrees to do as she was asked and makes a mental note to question Alley, Merf and Zarek once she had rested and recuperated.
Vara takes the now tied-up and gagged Amath Seccent to the nearest City Watch Watchpost.
Alley then sees Merf off making sure he heads in the correct direction.
Alley: “Before you go Merf, please let me have the key to the Vestibule door so I can lock it behind me.”
Merf is happy to comply and does so all while looking over all the treasure that Alley had paid him for his services.
A quick look about Turnback Court belays the Bards fears that another Faction may be in the Shadows waiting for them and so, Alley moves the bodies from the Vestibule and locks the door behind her.
The City Watch arrive and Alley, Disguised as Zarek, is able to quickly persuade the City Watch Armar that everything had been dealt with but the scene was too dangerous to allow others inside. The City Watch Patrol Leaves and Alley, Disguised as Zarek, said that he had also arranged to have Shaun Chien brought in for further question and there was no need to follow up.
Alley: “Shaun Chien needs to be brought in for an informal chat and maybe we can offer coin or another story that will persuade him not to print his kidnapping.” The Bard thinks to herself as she looks for a Handsom Cab.
04:10 am
Alley, still ‘Disguised’ as the Tiefling Rogue, then hails a Handsom Cab and rushes back to Trollskull Manor, making sure that she had locked the Outer Door on His way out.
Merf was back at Trollskull Manor first, and he finds that the main door is closed and locked. Merf Knocks loudly and waits. Nothing happens and so he goes to a window. All the windows are also locked and the City Watch are bound to be called if he is seen breaking into Trollskull Manor via a window.
The Halfling Rogue huffs and puffs and goes back to work. Merf picks the lock to the main door and does it so sneakily that even if someone was watching, it would look like he was using keys.
Merf then realises where Lif must be watching over the Drow, and so he makes his way down the stairs to the Wine Cellar. Once there, he opens the secret door and attracts the attention of Lif. The Halfling Rogue is very pleased to see Krebbyg Masq’il’yr still tied-up, hooded and hopefully gagged.
Lif is quick to question Merf. He has trouble with the new member of the team as he had to direct him to the blackboard with tapping. Lif then asked about Alley and Zarek.
Lif: “Alley?”
Merf: “Alley is on her way back and will be here any second. Is there anything to eat?”
Lif: “Yes, Kitchen?”
Lif: “Zarek?”
Merf is making his way to the Kitchen when Lif writes another message.
Lif: “Where Zarek?”
Merf: “Zarek is dead.”
Lif: “What! How?”
Merf is unconcerned and explains to Lif what happened with Aranat, Daisy Shadowfoot, Alley’s Mother and just how rich he was this night.
Merf: “Alley will be here soon and explain everything Lif, now how about helping out a poor Halfling that has a terrible thirst?”
Lif serves the Halfling Rogue, Merf Palmer, and after some 20 to 25 minutes later there is a knocking on the door and it turned out to be Vara Silvershield.
Then, another few minutes later and Alley Yaeldrin unlocks the door and enters Trollskull Manor Taproom. She notes that both Merf and Vara are eating and drinking but both had hands on their hilts.
The three new heroes eat and drink and debate what they should do next.
- Vara is still looking for confirmation as to who and why Harvek Stonebough was killed.
- Vara also wanted to speak with Mattrim ‘Threestrings’ Mereg.
- Merf wanted to continue with playing in the Grand Game.
- Alley, having delt with Aranat and Daisy Shadowfoot, now wanted to visit Zarek.
- Alley then was more intent than ever to recover the three ‘Eyes of the Stone of Golorr’ and make sure that no other Faction did so. Including the Open Lord of Waterdeep.
04:30 am
Vara and Merf agree to watch over each other while they sleep for 6 hours and then reset after a couple of hours researching.
Alley asks Lif to show the Rogue and Paladin up to the Attic Bedroom and there they can rest.
Alley heads for the Cave, where Krebbyg Masq’il’yr was still tied-up, hooded and gagged while Lif watched over her and the Drow Lieutenant.
Merf sleeps first for 6 hours while Vara keeps watch and prays for his soul.
10:30 am
Merf Sleeps for 6 hours and is woken by Vara at 10:30 am. The Halfling Rogue then intends to carry out research for 2 hours while watching over Vara.
Vara will then need to sleep for 6 hours until 16:30 pm, no more needed from her as she had already had 6 hours for light activities.
Merf wakes refreshed and he had been asked to cast his Spell ‘Alarm’ on the only door leading up to the living areas of Trollskull Manor. Merf, has it alert him in his mind if triggered.
All the while, Trollskull Manor remains closed to the public for stocktaking, as announced by the sign on the main door.
The alarm will alert Merf whenever a creature touches or enters the warded area. The Arcane Trickster casts the spell on the door and designates the Adventurers so that they won’t set off the alarm. Merf also chooses to have the alarm be a mental alert. A Mental Alarm will alerted the Arcane Trickster by a mental ping which will be heard by the Halfling Rogue if he is within 1 mile of the warded area. This ping awakens the Rogue too, if he is asleep.
Merf: “The Spell last for 8 hours.”
Vara: “Fine, I will sleep now, please keep watch.”
Merf stays by Vara’s side for a while, but then goes off to find some Breakfast. In the Taproom Merf finds Alley and they break their fast together. Merf wants to find out about his Potions.
Alley: “Your Potions?”
Merf: “Did I say my, I meant to say ours. Sorry I have been an independent operator for too long.
Alley: “The Corellon’s Crown, opersite Trollskull Manor, go and see Fala Lefaliir. They will help I am sure, just mention my name to them.”
Merf thinks Alley’s last statement a bit strange, but he is in Waterdeep now, not Daggerford, and thing are a lot weirder here.
10:40 am
Alley explains that:
Fala Lefaliir, is a Herbalist and a member of the Guild of Apothecaries and Physicians. They operate out of this stately, three-story town house, the third floor of which has been converted into a greenhouse. Its translucent glass walls allow anyone on the street to see the rainbow of flowers blossoming within.
Fala Lefaliir is an outgoing Wood Elf with long, braided hair. Like the elven god Corellon Larethian, Fala Lefaliir is neither male nor female. If referred to as “he” or “she”, Fala Lefaliir gently requests to be addressed by name or as “they”.
In addition to non-magical herbal remedies, Fala Lefaliir sells potions of the types listed in the Fala Lefaliir’s Potions table.
The Rogue makes his way to the Corellon’s Crown.
Merf asks, directly, if Fala Lefaliir can identify the Potions that he had. Fala Lefaliir, not knowing Merf, but having dealt with thousands of customers, is pleasant and polite. Fala Lefaliir asks for the Halflings name, given his appearance, and Merf eventually does.
He also mentions Alley and Zarek and Fala Lefaliir’s tone and hospitality changes immediately. Fala Lefaliir is more than happy to reveal the types of Potions that Merf had, and they also gave the Halfling Rogue prices for some of her own Potions.
Merf: “100 Dragons for a potion of Greater Healing, they may as well be real Dragons.”
Fala Lefaliir identifies the Potions for Merf:
- Potion of Sight of Sin (This potion is stored in a round glass flask. An iron band wraps around the bottle, ornamented with a goat’s skull)
- Potion of Thunder Resistance (This potion shimmers and vibrates slightly with a low hum)
- Potion of Spell Recovery (This potion is made-up of a bright, swirling, semi-transparent luminescent indigo liquid that shifts and moves as if it were alive)
Merf buys a ‘Potion of Greater Healing’, for himself, and takes full advantages of the discount for Trollskull Alley residents. At first the Halfling Rogue thinks he can use his Gems and Items of value for payment, but Fala Lefaliir asks for coin.
Merf pays her with the coins that he recovered from Arrant and Daisy Shadowfoot. The Halfling Rogue thinks that Fala Lefaliir asked for coin because they may not believe that the items I have, actually belong to me.
Aranat = 42 Dragons (Gold) & 63 Shards (Silver)
Daisy Shadowfoot = 42 Dragons (Gold) & 38 Shards (Silver)
Total = 90 Dragons (Gold)
Fala Lefaliir smiles and returns to her other customers and Merf notes that the shop is busy.
10:55 am
Merf returns to Trollskull Manor and joins Alley in the Trollskull Manor Library, on the second floor. Merf Notes that it is full of books, on the shelves floor and on both tables in the room, as if there were more than could fit.
Lif stays in the cavern and keeps a close eye on Krebbyg Masq’il’yr who is still tied-up and gagged.
Alley and Merf go through their finds, then Alley also shows Merf what she had in Zarek’s ‘Bag of Holding’, which was now in the Bards possession.
Merf: “Our ‘Bag of Holding’, is it not, Alley?”
Alley: “Indeed it is youngblood.”
Alley tries to hide her joy in finding both the ‘Stones of Golorr’ in the ‘Bag of Holding’ and makes sure by using her Magical Purple Crystal to check which one is Magical and which is not.
Alley suggests that they can spend time on a Magical Item if they wish to find out its ability. Merf goes on to explain that he has now learned the types of Potions that he found on Aranat and Daisy Shadowfoot. Alley in turn shows Merf the Potion that she found in Yellowspire, wrapped in a scrap of paper.
Alley: “It looks like a ‘Potion of Healing’ or ‘Greater Healing’, but if you look closer there is a different liquid floating on top, see? There, a clear liquid floats at the top of the container and it also has cloudy white impurities drifting in it.”
Alley explains that mixing Potions can be very beneficial, or dangerous, and offers it to Merf.
Merf: “I’m fine Alley; I have my Raven’s Dagger.”
Merf takes a quick look at the note and reads out the following:
Crumpled Note:
—Seccent—
“I have nothing but contempt for what you have done. I don’t know what foul rites you hope to perform, but the more traditional rites of Brindul Alley would have surely wrung any information this broadsheet publisher might have had. Nonetheless, Manshoon’s word is my command, and so I present to you Shan Chien. May you choke on him.”
– Avareen—
Merf asks Alley if she knows where Brindul Alley is, and she replies:
Alley: “In the trades Ward by the River Gate heading east out of Waterdeep.”
Merf: “Another Zhentarim Location then, not including Slop Street.”
Alley then asks the Halfling Rogue if there was anything else that he was are going to look at and he pulls out the 5 Crossbow Bolts. They are stored in a velvet lined wooden box. Alley wants to see if there were any other clues that Merf may have inadvertently discovered and forgot to mention.
Alley: “The draw back of not revealing everything to Merf means he may keep things that are vital clues. Zarek has told him more than I would have liked, but I am warming to him.” The Bard contemplates to herself.
Alley runs her Magical Purple Crystal over them and the Crystal Glows.
Alley: “They are Magical. Why not try and Identify what they are while we wait for Vara?”
Merf: “Because I have this to look at Alley.”
Merf pulls out a Fantastical Box from his Backpack. The Fantastical Box is covered with Arcane Symbols and intricate filigree work.
Alley: “It looks trapped, both Magical and Mechanical.”
Merf: “That’s what my money’s on. I’ll try and open it. What about you Alley?”
Alley offers to look at the ‘Light Crossbow Bolts’ and Merf is happy to hand them over. Alley, purposely then unclips her personal Light Crossbow from her back and which was hidden under her cloak. Merf notices.
11:30 am
Merf, knowing that Alley was watching over him, took his time while investigating his Fantastical Box.
Alley: “Wait Merf, let me help you with your task, do you know who has the key?”
The Bard then pulls out a ‘Magic Wand’ and gives it to the Halfling Rogue.
Alley: “Just use the command word, “Revelare”, and you will be able to perceive the Magical School of Magic used.”
Merf makes a note as to where Alley stores the Item on her person and uses the ‘Wand of Magic Detection’. Then, in conjunction with his Rogue training, he investigates the Fantastical Box in minute detail.
Eventually, the Halfling Rogue deduces that if the actual key is not used, then any failure in picking the lock would trigger the Trap and Magical protections. It was an all or nothing attempt.
Alley inspires the Halfling Rogue, with encouraging words, as he attempts to open the Fantastical Box belonging to the Zhentarim from Daggerford.
Alley: “I have got a feeling your next move is going to be incredibly lucky, and honestly? I’m mostly just trying to take credit for it.”
Merf takes his time as he notices that Alley was standing by the door to the library, and that, made the Halfling Rogue more determined to not mess-up. Merf’s moves and actions were textbook, no doubt the inspirational words from Alley also helped somewhat.
Merf manages to open the box after hours of patient investigations and the help from Alley. Merf opens the fine wooden box and inside he finds black velvet padded with 3 indentations holding 3 items. 2 glass spheres, the size of an orange containing a yellow gas and 1 orange which was starting to become mushy or overripe.
Merf: “That’s odd, what’s an orange doing in the box?”
Alley: “Merf, you know what they are do you not? It all makes more sense now if you consider all the clues.”
Merf knows Alley enough to wait to see what she had already deduced for herself. No point in showing her that he was thinking about his Second Breakfast.
Alley explains that:
Alley: “Unless it was a extremely improbable coincidence, Aranat and Daisy Shadowfoot were working for the Zhentarim, more than likely Amath Seccent or Urstul Floxin. They stole, or provided, these Gas Bombs and must have kept one thinking they would not be caught for taking one. As a result of their theft, Aranat and Daisy Shadowfoot were working for the Zhentarim once again and they were used to recover the Silver Bars in the Warehouse on Candle Lane.”
Merf: “What Silver Bars?”
Meanwhile, Alley had spent her downtime by spending her Short Rest Focusing on the ‘5 Magical Light Crossbow Bolts’ found by Merf on Daisy Shadowfoot. The Bard explains that her Magical Purple Crystal had shown that they were Magical and that the ‘Detect Magic’, Spell cast by Merf, showed them to be ‘Evocation Magic’.
Alley: “I can now confidently say that theses 5 Light Crossbow Bolts are of ‘Undead Slaying’. What on Faerûn were the pair up to next I wonder?”
12:30 am
Alley and Merf were both refreshed and ready to attack the world once more. Vara however, was still recovering from her many fights and replenishing her Divine Grace. At this point Vara had been asleep for only 2 hours.
Vara will need to sleep 6 hours, until 16:30 pm.
??:?? am/pm
Meanwhile, at the Hospice of St. Laupsenn on Andamaar’s Street.
Zarek wakes in a very comfortable bed and as his vision slowly clears, he can make out the form of a mature woman with silver hair. At first Zarek thought that it was Alley, but many years older than he had left her and the Tiefling Rogue became agitated.
Cassia Yaeldrin: “Fear not Zarek, you are safe and back among the living.”
As Zarek wakes he can make out the sweet smells wafting from this delicately lit room. A great arched window along the west wall is covered by heavy light blue draperies, their golden tassels glinting in the light of three candelabras sitting atop small tables about the room. Tall white candles burn with bright, steady magical light.
The Tiefling Rogue notes that he is lying in a large bed, canopied by silk curtains, as it sits with its headboard against the north wall. Carved into the headboard with great skill is a large “CY”.
Cassia Yaeldrin hands Zarek a glass of water and explains what had happened to him after his death. Zarek asks about Alley and there is a sudden change in the Clerics face.
Cassia Yaeldrin: “I fear that another death in Allegory’s life has brought back unpleasant memories. I also worry she has gone to avenge your passing as she, cannot bring you back herself.”
Cassia Yaeldrin goes on to explain that bringing him back was beyond Alley and so she came to her. Even knowing that we view resurrecting someone from the dead was merely prolonging the inevitable, rather than an unnatural perversion of life. It was difficult and your ancestry fought to try and keep you, but I was able to return you from the inevitable.
Cassia Yaeldrin: “Returning someone to life is just delaying their eventual journey to the Fugue Plane.”
Cassia Yaeldrin explains that Zarek will need to rest and recuperate before he can even think of joining Alley. The Cleric of Kelemvor then laid her warm hand on the Tiefling Rogues’ forehead and whispered a Prayer.
Cassia Yaeldrin: “Sleep and rest, your things and Adventurers will still be here when you wake my brave friend. Alley will be needing your help very soon if the Divinations I have seen are true.”
Zarek slips into a beautiful, restful sleep and dreams of the Countryside, Alexander Brightlamp, Hero his Horse and the days spent with Allegory Yaeldrin, his one and only true friend. Oh, and Iomhar Rackham too.
Zarek is eventually woken by the gentle voice of Cassia Yaeldrin as she calls his name. Zarek wakes and feels refreshed, if not still a bit groggy.
Cassia Yaeldrin explains that Zarek is free to go and that she was happy to help him on this occasion. However, she thinks that it is only fair that he explains what has put her daughter in harm’s way.
Zarek feels it a bit odd that Cassia Yaeldrin is asking about their business, but is more than happy to explain that their endeavours, though dangerous, are undertaken with great care and preparation.
Cassia Yaeldrin: “That is all well and good Zarek, but why do those that want you dead chase you?”
Zarek explains how they were attacked by a pair of mercenaries working for the Zhentarim. They had been neutralised but it resulted in his death.
The pair leave the Bedroom and head to the adjacent room, a library lit by chandeliers and with a fire burning in the far wall.
Cassia Yaeldrin: “So they were looking for something that you had and they were paid to retrieve?”
Zarek again explains that there were after something but they still had it as far as he was aware. Zarek thinks they did not even know that it was in their possession.
Cassia Yaeldrin: “So where is it now, Zarek and who possesses it now?”
An uneasy feeling came over Zarek and he felt that Cassia Yaeldrin had become inquisitive, uncharacteristically stern and abrupt. The Tiefling Rogue then made a point of not mentioning of thinking of ‘The Stone of Golorr’. He decided to see where he was and if this Cassia Yaeldrin was hiding something.
Zarek gets up and makes his way to one of the pair of double doors in the room. He attempts to open the door and finds it locked. The Tiefling Rogue looks down at the lock and decides to pick it. Zarek neither realises that he is fully dressed or that he was searching his backpack for his Thieves Tools.
Zarek kneels down and looks at the lock, only to find that the door no longer has one.
Cassia Yaeldrin smiles and says that he is still suffering from the effect of being brought back.
Cassia Yaeldrin: “Fear not Alley is here Zarek, I am sure that she can explain everything better than I can.”
Cassia Yaeldrin leaves via one of the doors and a few seconds later Alley walks in through the door.
Alley is very happy to see Zarek is alive and asks if he is ready to join her. Zarek is sceptical that it was Alley and so asks her a question that he thinks only they would both know.
Zarek: “What was is again that you said to Rufus and so saved my life when we first met?”
Alley pleads innocence, evades the question and asks the Tiefling Rogue what they should do with the item next.
Zarek: “Something unnatural is going on here.”
Alley smiles knowing that the pair of mercenaries work for them, and so the item will be in their possession very soon. Now, what to do with this meddling Tiefling.
Zarek: “Mans, I know who this is.”
Mans: “Who?”
Zarek: “Manshoon!”
It now becomes obvious to both parties that they had figured out what was happing and that there was no more need for further pretences. Alley smiles again as she changes form and revert back to his true form.
Standing in the place of Alley is a male human of average build (approx. 5’9″ tall). He exudes an air of ruthless arrogance and calculated elegance. He dresses in dark, decadent robes, likely to be magical, and carries in his left hand a glowing, magical Staff. He dresses decadently, favouring dark, regal colours like deep black, purple, and crimson.
He wears a full steel mask that completely covers his head and face, featuring a fixed, cold, or menacing smile. Beneath the mask, he has pale skin and long black hair.
His left arm is a gleaming, elegant, and grotesque fusion of flesh and welded metal.
The Tiefling Rogue was correct, though he now wished he was wrong. Which meant, that if Alley was correct, he was face-to-face with an extremely High Levelled Wizard, with access to 9th Level Spells. Zarek needs to think this out as his second life may depend on it.
Manshoon then proceeds to offer Zarek a deal of sorts.
Manshoon: “Give to me that which you have stolen. It was mine and, in our possession, before it was taken by the now deceased Dalakhar. If you, and all your associates, wish to keep your lives then return the ‘Stone of Golorr’ to me!”
Manshoon and Zarek then step out into the Garden and the Rogue notes that he can hear nothing, no noises, and that there are no others about.
Zarek, feeling emboldened that this was either an Illusion or a Dream, both of which would mean that he would come to no harm. Well at least that was his bet. The Tiefling Rogue begins to reply, show no fear and thinking that he could talk his way out of this situation.
Zarek again pleads ignorance and says he has no idea where the ‘Stone of Golorr’ was. Manshoon was not paying attention to anything Zarek was saying and just stared off into the distance.
Zarek continues to talk to Manshoon and showing the Arch Mage that he is not cowered by his presence, only just then realising that he had been recently killed.
Zarek: “Iomhar would say respect them, but do not fear then Zarek.”
Anger flashes past Manshoon’s face as he turns to Zarek,
Manshoon: “I can see that I will need to deal with you and all your cohorts. You personally have signed their death warrants Zarek Brightlamp, and all for a green stone.”
Zarek begins to talk back to Manshoon but he if left with the insults and threats unsaid as he slowly fades into black and instantly wakes once more finding himself in the Bedroom of Cassia Yaeldrin, High Priestess of Kelemvor at the Hospice of St. Laupsenn on Andamaar’s Street.
12:30 am
Meanwhile, after his huge success with his Mysterious Zhentarim Fantastical Box, Merf feels like he should be allowed to open the lock holding the Gralhund Red Tome shut. Alley explains that it also radiated the Conjuration School of Magic, but it itself was not a Magical Item in itself.
Merf: “Sure.” The Halfling Rogues mutters as he was already investigating the lock.
Merf: “Simple enough lock and by my reckoning, not trapped either.”
Alley: “As far as I can tell, given we also checked using the ‘Wand of Magic Detection’, If the book acts as a portal, a pocket dimension or a summoning vessel, it could be clearly holding something, as it radiates Conjuration Magic.”
“Click”
Too late now, as the Rogue had already opened the Red Tome, having easily picked the lock.
Merf: “Child’s play.”
The heavy red leather cover creaks open, breaking a faint, glowing wax seal. Instantly, a foul stench of sulphur floods the air.
As Merf pulls back the cover, the parchment pages begin to smoke, charring black from the inside out. Three distinct silhouettes of clawed, fiends stretch violently upward from the paper like a pop-up book made of nightmares. With a sharp crackle of Hellfire, the illustrations tear themselves free into the physical world. Three large, thorn-covered fiends stand before you, their needle-like spines twitching with malicious intent as they hiss in triumph.
The screeching Spined Devils (Spinagons) erupt from the pages in a flurry of ash and sparks. Each holds a black, glowing Longsword.
What do you do next Guys?
12:35 am