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We D&D- Tyranny of Dragons Part 2: The Rise of Tiamat #24b Strike Team 1 Part 2 A Ton of Undead.
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 7628036" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><strong>We D&D.</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Session #30 Hoard of the Dragon Queen #16 Dead Before Waterdeep.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Brothers of the First Light.</strong></p><p><strong>Lummins (played by Rob) Male Half-Elf Cleric of Lathander Lvl 4</strong></p><p><strong>Lux (played by Sandy) Female Human Warlock Lvl 4</strong></p><p><strong>Watt (played by Jackie) Male Human Bard Lvl 4</strong></p><p><strong>Sgt Bobby Markguth (played by Pete) Male Human Fighter Lvl 4</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Secondary PCs.</strong></p><p><strong>Hotlips Houlihan (played by Sandy) Female Halfling Rogue Lvl 4</strong></p><p><strong>Derek Pilch (played by Jackie) Male Human Druid Lvl 4</strong></p><p><strong>Hard Bonk (played by Rob) Male Half-Orc Monk Lvl 4</strong></p><p><strong>Sgt Harald Hardaxe (played by Pete) Male Shield Dwarf Fighter Lvl 4</strong></p><p></p><p>Note, this is session #30 of our game but only session #16 of the Hoard of the Dragon Queen scenario.</p><p></p><p>Still on the road to Waterdeep, the caravan is approaching Daggerford.</p><p></p><p>The plan to kidnap Dragonclaw Trodd and interrogate him is obviously off the table, Trodd is dead and the Cult wagons are struggling to cope- lacking direction.</p><p></p><p>And this is the new/old/updated look of the caravan-</p><p></p><p>Wagon #1 Owner: Achreny Ulyeltin (Male Human). Cargo: Furs & Hides. On board- Achreny Caravan Master & Sgt Bobby Guard Master + Ralph Little (Male Halfling) Teamster + Eldkin Agetul (Female Dwarf) Guard + Leda Widris (Female Human) Guard + Aldor Urnpolehurst (Male Human) Passenger- a dodgy lawyer.</p><p></p><p>Wagon #2 Owner: Achreny Ulyeltin (Male Human). Cargo: Furs & Hides. On board- Dalton Fix (Male Halfling) Teamster + Ren Stubby (Male Halfling) Teamster + Orvustia Esseren (Female Human) Guard + Sulsedeg the Pole (Male Human) Guard (Very Tall) + Dort (Male Human) Passenger (100% CULT) + Chiggly Vonn (Female Human) Passenger (100% CULT).</p><p></p><p>Wagon #3 Owner: Dragon Cult. Cargo: Loot? On board- Rand Dupe (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Dirk Trumble (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Dragonclaw Trodd (Male Human) Cult Guard- in charge DECEASED + Flerk (Male Half-Orc) Cult Guard - NO PASSENGERS.</p><p></p><p>Wagon #4 Owner: Dragon Cult. Cargo: Loot? On board- Riley Bishoo (Male Half-Elf) Teamster (0% CULT) + Tel Munn (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Rem (Male Human) Cult Guard + Yad (Male Human) Cult Guard - NO PASSENGERS.</p><p></p><p>Wagon #5 Owner: Dragon Cult. Cargo: Loot? On board- Greg Spockle (Male Halfling) Teamster (0% CULT) + Reg Trotter (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Gurp (Male Half-Orc) Cult Guard + Grelda (Female Half-Orc) Cult Guard - NO PASSENGERS.</p><p></p><p>Wagon #6 Owner: Samardag the Hoper (Male Human). Cargo: Porcelain. On board- Samardag Wagon Master & Watt Samardag’s Old/NEW Bodyguard + Gond Bagshaw (Male Gnome) Teamster + Sgt Harald Guard + Trell (Male Human) (100% CULT).</p><p></p><p>Wagon #7 Owner: Lasfelro the Silent (Male Human). Cargo: Unknown? On board- Lasfelro Wagon Master + Gargoyle + Wererond (Female Human) Teamster + Tyjit (Female Dwarf) Guard + Tardol (Male Half-Orc) (100% CULT) + Hotlips Houlihan Passenger + Green Imsa (Female Human) Passenger- with green skin!</p><p></p><p>Wagon #8 Owner: Oyn Evermor (Male Human). Cargo: Exotic Birds. On board- Oyn Wagon Master + Enom Dark (Male Halfling) Teamster + Hard Bonk Guard + Garlik (Male Human) (100% CULT) + Lint Fermund (Male Half-Elf) (100% CULT).</p><p></p><p>Wagon #9 Owner: Beyd Sechepol (Male Half-Elf). Cargo: Beer. On board- Beyd Wagon Master & Lummins Beyd’s Bodyguard + Losvius Dark (Male Halfling) Teamster + Lux Guard + Lasmeer (Male Half-Elf) (100% CULT) Guard + Radecere (Male Gnome) Passenger (25% CULT).</p><p></p><p>Wagon #10 Owner: Ralf Hopscotch (Male Human). Cargo: Lumber. On board- Ralf Wagon Master + Phineas (Male Human) Guard + Foldor (Male Human) Guard + Carlon (Male Human) Passenger- Harper contact.</p><p></p><p>In addition, there are now nine other folk travelling independently, but with the caravan, on their own mounts, including Derek Pilch (Human Druid), Sir Lumsden F’Tang & his two retainers (a Knight and a Wizard)- (all 0% CULT).</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">[ATTACH=full]113036[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p><strong>Day #40 to #41</strong></p><p></p><p>On the Trade Way again, on to Daggerford- and so it goes, no encounters and good weather. Other than the ructions on and around the three Cult wagons, with Guards arguing with Teamsters and vice-versa, the travel is easy.</p><p></p><p>The Players, every now and then, are trying to help the Cultists out- offering advice and chivvying the gang along- they’re also laughing behind their hands, observing the Cult’s trials and tribulations, all the way to Daggerford where things change.</p><p></p><p><strong>Day #42</strong></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">[ATTACH=full]113037[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>Daggerford and a rest day, but there’s lots to do, the PCs achieve the following-</p><p></p><p>a) A variety of PCs meet with a variety of faction contacts, info is given and received, as is advice- keep watching, keep waiting- don’t upset the order of things, everyone wants to find out where the loot is going.</p><p></p><p>b) Several of the sneakier PCs (mostly Hotlips (Halfling Rogue) & Watt (Human Bard)) keep an around-the-clock eye on the Cultists, and here’s the thing- the Cultists have got their own contacts in Daggerford. A hooded and robed figure is spotted on and around the Cult wagons. Best guess the guy’s a Male Human- and clearly, he’s now in charge. This is actually Azbara Jos, a hired hand (sorta) and Red Wizard of Thay; Azbara doesn’t want to be in charge of the Cult contingent but they need leadership and he’s the man on the spot.</p><p></p><p>c) A variety of PCs spend money on topping up their equipment, a couple of them are stocking up on Healing Potions, this after burning through their stock previously, smart cookies.</p><p></p><p>Ralf Hopscotch (Wagon #10) and everyone on board of his wagon leaves the caravan.</p><p></p><p>Last bit of news- Jamna Gleamsilver, a Female Gnome, joins the caravan, a passenger on Beyd’s Beer wagon- also on this wagon are Lummins (Half-Elf Cleric) and Lux (Human Warlock), the pair attempt a bit of chat with Jamna, she seems to be pleasant enough. Is the Gnome a Cultist? The Players suspect as much, but then again they think everyone is a Cultist.</p><p></p><p><strong>Day #43</strong></p><p></p><p>Back on the Trade Way, the last leg to Waterdeep, the weather is fine and the road, in places, is packed with travellers moving between the two large settlements, there’s plenty of trade it seems.</p><p></p><p>The PCs keep an eye on the Cult wagons, things are still a little haphazard but certainly an improvement on previous, the robed male in charge (Azbara Jos) doesn’t leave the lead wagon, he’s out of sight all day, and night.</p><p></p><p>The female Gnome however- Jamna Gleamsilver, is a curious individual- Hotlips observes her getting close to the lead Cult wagon on numerous occasions, she too seems to be interested in the Cultists, and in particular (perhaps) their new leader.</p><p></p><p>The Gnome is also taking an interest in the PCs, and in particular the Brothers of the First Light (Lux, Lummins, Watt & Sgt Bobby (Human Fighter)), it may be time for a quiet chat with Jamna, according to Sgt Bobby.</p><p></p><p>Note, Jamna is a Zhentarim agent, keen to find out what the Cult of the Dragon are transporting- and equally keen to have a chat with Lux, who (remember) is also a Zhent. Prior to this session I contacted Sandy (who plays Lux) and we had an extended chat via e-mail. Some of the following events were helped along (on the down low) by Lux who unbeknownst to her fellow Players was working with me to further Jamna (and the Zhent’s) cause.</p><p></p><p>Lots of chatter from the PCs today.</p><p></p><p><strong>Day #44</strong></p><p></p><p>Still on the Trade Way- another easy day’s travel, and there’s time later on for several of the PCs (including Lux) to meet with Jamna Gleamsilver, the inquisitive Gnome. This after Jamna had visited with a quartet of the PCs at their breakfast, pointing out to Lux the presence of flesh-piercing slivers of bone in her morning porridge, and then casually remarking “Dragon Cultists. Tsk!” before departing.</p><p></p><p>Two things happen after Jamna departs, the first- Lux, then Lummins, and then Watt “there’s hundreds of them!” all find more ‘flesh-piercing slivers of bone’ (aka oat husks) in their porridge- the collective ire of the PCs increases dramatically. And two- Lux volunteers to ‘check out’ Jamna, and if possible arrange a meeting at her earliest convenience.</p><p></p><p>Well done Lux (Sandy).</p><p></p><p>Also, some very nice- by which I mean very low, dice rolls there- searching/identifying the ‘flesh-piercing slivers of bone’ (aka oat husks).</p><p></p><p>The PCs don’t know who Jamna is, or who she works for, but they are (mostly) certain she’s not a Cultist. That’s all it takes to convince them…</p><p></p><p>And so, to the meeting.</p><p></p><p>In short, the PCs learn that Jamna has been hired (by authorities unknown, although hints towards the Lords’ Alliance) to investigate the contents of various wagons being transported to the north by disguised Cult of the Dragon followers. Jamna says more- there have been at least half-a-dozen of these Cult cargo trains heading in this direction in the last three months, also Cult activity is on the increase in the cities of the Sword Coast…</p><p></p><p>The PCs think (helped along by Lux) that they have at last made a friend.</p><p></p><p>You might at this point be asking yourself why doesn’t Lummins cast Zone of Truth about now, he usually does.</p><p></p><p>Here’s the thing, the one thing that 90% of the time happens just prior to Lummins (played by Rob) casting Zone of Truth is this- Lux (played by Sandy, partner of Rob) states- “Cast the Truth spell, you idiot!”</p><p></p><p>Lux (Sandy) keeps schtum.</p><p></p><p>The PCs tell all, or at least every bit of the plot they can remember, including details regarding the contents of the crates (riches!). Of course, Jamna already knows all of this- Lux told her, but the Gnome acts surprised, and very grateful- she may even be able to offer some sort of future reward.</p><p></p><p>Jamna however leaves her trump card for the end- the new Cult leader, he’s a… wait for it- a Red Wizard of Thay. Cue Player explosion- fury and threats of revenge. Remember, a Red Wizard of Thay was seen Fireballing innocents all the way back in Greenest- this isn’t that guy, but… well, he’ll do.</p><p></p><p>Jamna cannot explain how and/or why a Red Wizard of Thay is working for the Dragon Cult, but she’s keen to find out- as are the PCs, now.</p><p></p><p>Note we had a chat, back in the earlier session, for Sandy and Jackie’s benefit (mostly) about who the hell the Red Wizards of Thay are, and the (potential) nastiness they represent. Rob’s summary at the time was something like- “they’re the pantomime villains you hiss at- Ming the Merciless with cranial tattoos.”</p><p></p><p>The meeting ends with promises of future info-sharing and smiles all round.</p><p></p><p>Job done Sandy.</p><p></p><p>Note the Players are desperate to know if the Red Wizard of Thay (Azbara Jos) on the caravan is the fellow they saw back in Greenest, the DM is happy to inform them that they have no idea, because a) they’ve not had a good look at Azbara yet, and perhaps more importantly, b) they also didn’t get a good look at the Red Wizard of Thay spotted in Greenest.</p><p></p><p>The Players are therefore only 85% certain that the bastard on the Cult wagon was the guy that done it. Pete (very effectively) arguing that it would be ridiculous to have two Red Wizards of Thay in the scenario… I’ll let that statement stand. He’s slipping- I thought he had read this adventure.</p><p></p><p>A good day for the PCs, a better day for the DM.</p><p></p><p><strong>Day #45 to #48</strong></p><p></p><p>Three more pleasant days on the Trade Way, although still no sign of the hidden Red Wizard of Thay, Hotlips and Watt have both been for an Invisible sneak-around, there’s nothing to see- the Red Wizard is not coming out.</p><p></p><p>That is until…</p><p></p><p><strong>Day #49</strong></p><p></p><p>Or rather very early in the AM of day #49 and all is not well with the caravan, and in particular with the Cultists, the body of Flerk, a large lump of surly Half-Orc and Cult Guard on their lead wagon, is found. Flerk is dead, stabbed in the back- uproar follows. As do the following events-</p><p></p><p>a) The Cultist Guards are up in arms- Hotlips is accused of the slaughter (the Cultist Guards hate Hotlips). Pushing and shoving with raised voices for a while.</p><p></p><p>b) The wound on Flerk was inflicted by a short sword, Hotlips has a short sword, although she never uses it because she has a +1 Rapier (Sandy is playing Hotlips like a female equivalent of a Fop or Dandy). Clamour for the Halfling’s arrest/skip-straight-to-execution increases.</p><p></p><p>c) At which point the Cultists also discover that at least one (loot) box has been broken in to and items taken. Attempts are made to forcibly search Hotlips. The Halfling eventually agrees to be searched by Sgt Bobby (Guard Master)- nothing untoward is found.</p><p></p><p>d) Impasse- lots of threats and shouting.</p><p></p><p>e) Achreny (Caravan Master), Sgt Bobby (Guard Master), and… who’s this- the new Cult leader, the Red Wizard of Thay (although his tattoos remain undercover), eventually quieten things down. There are no tracks to be found, and no evidence to suggest that Hotlips (or indeed anyone else) murdered Flerk. Nothing can be proved.</p><p></p><p>f) The incident will be reported to the authorities in Waterdeep, the caravan eventually sets off- maybe three hours late- there’s still lots of grumbling from the Cultist Guards.</p><p></p><p>g) Nearly twelve hours later the caravan arrives at Waterdeep, late evening- the PCs scramble to keep tabs on the Cultists who take their wagons and head around the city to the northern gate.</p><p></p><p>Sometime between events f) and g) several of the PCs have a chat with Jamna, basically “did you kill Flerk?”, the Gnome is also armed with a short sword, and of course she denies it, but… Lummins remembers to cast his Zone of Truth. Jamna is lying.</p><p></p><p>The PCs are not sure how they feel about this new info, in point of fact it is Lux (Sandy) that manages to head the confrontation off at the pass. Anyone that kills Cultists can’t be all bad… she argues.</p><p></p><p>And so, the caravan makes it to Waterdeep, the PCs get paid and make their hasty goodbyes to their fellow travellers- several of them (including the two Sgt’s) are offered permanent jobs, but alas have to politely decline the offers.</p><p></p><p>It’s the end of the session, almost, just a last-minute scramble by the sneakier members of the group (Hotlips & Watt) accompanied by Jamna, to follow the departing Cultists. The trio discover that the Cultists (and their loot) have moved in to a rickety old warehouse near the north gate, at least another half-dozen Cultist Guards (and others) have joined the group.</p><p></p><p>Jamna states that she is going to continue to follow the Cult cargo, to see where it goes, note she ‘states’ this- she doesn’t ask. The guys are a little wary of the killer-Gnome, but… they’re pretty certain that she’s one of the good guys, just a bit vicious with it. Popular opinion amongst the PCs is that Jamna is a nasty Thief hired by the Lords’ Alliance to follow the loot, she got greedy and decided to help herself to a few of the treasures- hence the murder.</p><p></p><p>They’re remarkably accurate, as usual, although none of them suspect that Lux and Jamna are Zhent, I don’t think anyone even mentioned the Black Network.</p><p></p><p>And that’s all we have time for (it was a fairly short session) except to level up- the journey to Waterdeep is over, the Cult cargo is still in sight, and the PCs are now all Level 5.</p><p></p><p>And this is the caravan at the end of the journey-</p><p></p><p>Wagon #1 Owner: Achreny Ulyeltin (Male Human). Cargo: Furs & Hides. On board- Achreny Caravan Master & Sgt Bobby Guard Master + Ralph Little (Male Halfling) Teamster + Eldkin Agetul (Female Dwarf) Guard + Leda Widris (Female Human) Guard + Aldor Urnpolehurst (Male Human) Passenger- a dodgy lawyer.</p><p></p><p>Wagon #2 Owner: Achreny Ulyeltin (Male Human). Cargo: Furs & Hides. On board- Dalton Fix (Male Halfling) Teamster + Ren Stubby (Male Halfling) Teamster + Orvustia Esseren (Female Human) Guard + Sulsedeg the Pole (Male Human) Guard (Very Tall) + Dort (Male Human) Passenger (100% CULT) + Chiggly Vonn (Female Human) Passenger (100% CULT).</p><p></p><p>Wagon #3 Owner: Dragon Cult. Cargo: Loot? On board- Rand Dupe (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Dirk Trumble (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Flerk (Male Half-Orc) Cult Guard – DECEASED + Azbara Jos, Red Wizard of Thay (Male Human)- Cult leader of some sort?</p><p></p><p>Wagon #4 Owner: Dragon Cult. Cargo: Loot? On board- Riley Bishoo (Male Half-Elf) Teamster (0% CULT) + Tel Munn (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Rem (Male Human) Cult Guard + Yad (Male Human) Cult Guard - NO PASSENGERS.</p><p></p><p>Wagon #5 Owner: Dragon Cult. Cargo: Loot? On board- Greg Spockle (Male Halfling) Teamster (0% CULT) + Reg Trotter (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Gurp (Male Half-Orc) Cult Guard + Grelda (Female Half-Orc) Cult Guard - NO PASSENGERS.</p><p></p><p>Wagon #6 Owner: Samardag the Hoper (Male Human). Cargo: Porcelain. On board- Samardag Wagon Master & Watt Samardag’s Old/NEW Bodyguard + Gond Bagshaw (Male Gnome) Teamster + Sgt Harald Guard + Trell (Male Human) (100% CULT).</p><p></p><p>Wagon #7 Owner: Lasfelro the Silent (Male Human). Cargo: Unknown? On board- Lasfelro Wagon Master + Gargoyle + Wererond (Female Human) Teamster + Tyjit (Female Dwarf) Guard + Tardol (Male Half-Orc) (100% CULT) + Hotlips Houlihan Passenger + Green Imsa (Female Human) Passenger- with green skin!</p><p></p><p>Wagon #8 Owner: Oyn Evermor (Male Human). Cargo: Exotic Birds. On board- Oyn Wagon Master + Enom Dark (Male Halfling) Teamster + Hard Bonk Guard + Garlik (Male Human) (100% CULT) + Lint Fermund (Male Half-Elf) (100% CULT).</p><p></p><p>Wagon #9 Owner: Beyd Sechepol (Male Half-Elf). Cargo: Beer. On board- Beyd Wagon Master & Lummins Beyd’s Bodyguard + Losvius Dark (Male Halfling) Teamster + Lux Guard + Lasmeer (Male Half-Elf) (100% CULT) Guard + Radecere (Male Gnome) Passenger (25% CULT) + Jamna Gleamsilver (Female Gnome) Passenger and fellow investigator/Cultist-killer (CULTIST 0%).</p><p></p><p>In addition, there are now nine other folk travelling independently, but with the caravan, on their own mounts, including Derek Pilch, Sir Lumsden F’Tang & his two retainers (a Knight and a Wizard)- (all 0% CULT).</p><p></p><p>Next time.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 7628036, member: 16069"] [CENTER][B]We D&D.[/B][/CENTER] [B]Session #30 Hoard of the Dragon Queen #16 Dead Before Waterdeep. Brothers of the First Light. Lummins (played by Rob) Male Half-Elf Cleric of Lathander Lvl 4 Lux (played by Sandy) Female Human Warlock Lvl 4 Watt (played by Jackie) Male Human Bard Lvl 4 Sgt Bobby Markguth (played by Pete) Male Human Fighter Lvl 4 Secondary PCs. Hotlips Houlihan (played by Sandy) Female Halfling Rogue Lvl 4 Derek Pilch (played by Jackie) Male Human Druid Lvl 4 Hard Bonk (played by Rob) Male Half-Orc Monk Lvl 4 Sgt Harald Hardaxe (played by Pete) Male Shield Dwarf Fighter Lvl 4[/B] Note, this is session #30 of our game but only session #16 of the Hoard of the Dragon Queen scenario. Still on the road to Waterdeep, the caravan is approaching Daggerford. The plan to kidnap Dragonclaw Trodd and interrogate him is obviously off the table, Trodd is dead and the Cult wagons are struggling to cope- lacking direction. And this is the new/old/updated look of the caravan- Wagon #1 Owner: Achreny Ulyeltin (Male Human). Cargo: Furs & Hides. On board- Achreny Caravan Master & Sgt Bobby Guard Master + Ralph Little (Male Halfling) Teamster + Eldkin Agetul (Female Dwarf) Guard + Leda Widris (Female Human) Guard + Aldor Urnpolehurst (Male Human) Passenger- a dodgy lawyer. Wagon #2 Owner: Achreny Ulyeltin (Male Human). Cargo: Furs & Hides. On board- Dalton Fix (Male Halfling) Teamster + Ren Stubby (Male Halfling) Teamster + Orvustia Esseren (Female Human) Guard + Sulsedeg the Pole (Male Human) Guard (Very Tall) + Dort (Male Human) Passenger (100% CULT) + Chiggly Vonn (Female Human) Passenger (100% CULT). Wagon #3 Owner: Dragon Cult. Cargo: Loot? On board- Rand Dupe (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Dirk Trumble (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Dragonclaw Trodd (Male Human) Cult Guard- in charge DECEASED + Flerk (Male Half-Orc) Cult Guard - NO PASSENGERS. Wagon #4 Owner: Dragon Cult. Cargo: Loot? On board- Riley Bishoo (Male Half-Elf) Teamster (0% CULT) + Tel Munn (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Rem (Male Human) Cult Guard + Yad (Male Human) Cult Guard - NO PASSENGERS. Wagon #5 Owner: Dragon Cult. Cargo: Loot? On board- Greg Spockle (Male Halfling) Teamster (0% CULT) + Reg Trotter (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Gurp (Male Half-Orc) Cult Guard + Grelda (Female Half-Orc) Cult Guard - NO PASSENGERS. Wagon #6 Owner: Samardag the Hoper (Male Human). Cargo: Porcelain. On board- Samardag Wagon Master & Watt Samardag’s Old/NEW Bodyguard + Gond Bagshaw (Male Gnome) Teamster + Sgt Harald Guard + Trell (Male Human) (100% CULT). Wagon #7 Owner: Lasfelro the Silent (Male Human). Cargo: Unknown? On board- Lasfelro Wagon Master + Gargoyle + Wererond (Female Human) Teamster + Tyjit (Female Dwarf) Guard + Tardol (Male Half-Orc) (100% CULT) + Hotlips Houlihan Passenger + Green Imsa (Female Human) Passenger- with green skin! Wagon #8 Owner: Oyn Evermor (Male Human). Cargo: Exotic Birds. On board- Oyn Wagon Master + Enom Dark (Male Halfling) Teamster + Hard Bonk Guard + Garlik (Male Human) (100% CULT) + Lint Fermund (Male Half-Elf) (100% CULT). Wagon #9 Owner: Beyd Sechepol (Male Half-Elf). Cargo: Beer. On board- Beyd Wagon Master & Lummins Beyd’s Bodyguard + Losvius Dark (Male Halfling) Teamster + Lux Guard + Lasmeer (Male Half-Elf) (100% CULT) Guard + Radecere (Male Gnome) Passenger (25% CULT). Wagon #10 Owner: Ralf Hopscotch (Male Human). Cargo: Lumber. On board- Ralf Wagon Master + Phineas (Male Human) Guard + Foldor (Male Human) Guard + Carlon (Male Human) Passenger- Harper contact. In addition, there are now nine other folk travelling independently, but with the caravan, on their own mounts, including Derek Pilch (Human Druid), Sir Lumsden F’Tang & his two retainers (a Knight and a Wizard)- (all 0% CULT). [CENTER][ATTACH type="full" alt="39 Journey Map 2.jpg"]113036[/ATTACH][/CENTER] [B]Day #40 to #41[/B] On the Trade Way again, on to Daggerford- and so it goes, no encounters and good weather. Other than the ructions on and around the three Cult wagons, with Guards arguing with Teamsters and vice-versa, the travel is easy. The Players, every now and then, are trying to help the Cultists out- offering advice and chivvying the gang along- they’re also laughing behind their hands, observing the Cult’s trials and tribulations, all the way to Daggerford where things change. [B]Day #42[/B] [CENTER][ATTACH type="full" alt="41 Daggerford.png"]113037[/ATTACH][/CENTER] Daggerford and a rest day, but there’s lots to do, the PCs achieve the following- a) A variety of PCs meet with a variety of faction contacts, info is given and received, as is advice- keep watching, keep waiting- don’t upset the order of things, everyone wants to find out where the loot is going. b) Several of the sneakier PCs (mostly Hotlips (Halfling Rogue) & Watt (Human Bard)) keep an around-the-clock eye on the Cultists, and here’s the thing- the Cultists have got their own contacts in Daggerford. A hooded and robed figure is spotted on and around the Cult wagons. Best guess the guy’s a Male Human- and clearly, he’s now in charge. This is actually Azbara Jos, a hired hand (sorta) and Red Wizard of Thay; Azbara doesn’t want to be in charge of the Cult contingent but they need leadership and he’s the man on the spot. c) A variety of PCs spend money on topping up their equipment, a couple of them are stocking up on Healing Potions, this after burning through their stock previously, smart cookies. Ralf Hopscotch (Wagon #10) and everyone on board of his wagon leaves the caravan. Last bit of news- Jamna Gleamsilver, a Female Gnome, joins the caravan, a passenger on Beyd’s Beer wagon- also on this wagon are Lummins (Half-Elf Cleric) and Lux (Human Warlock), the pair attempt a bit of chat with Jamna, she seems to be pleasant enough. Is the Gnome a Cultist? The Players suspect as much, but then again they think everyone is a Cultist. [B]Day #43[/B] Back on the Trade Way, the last leg to Waterdeep, the weather is fine and the road, in places, is packed with travellers moving between the two large settlements, there’s plenty of trade it seems. The PCs keep an eye on the Cult wagons, things are still a little haphazard but certainly an improvement on previous, the robed male in charge (Azbara Jos) doesn’t leave the lead wagon, he’s out of sight all day, and night. The female Gnome however- Jamna Gleamsilver, is a curious individual- Hotlips observes her getting close to the lead Cult wagon on numerous occasions, she too seems to be interested in the Cultists, and in particular (perhaps) their new leader. The Gnome is also taking an interest in the PCs, and in particular the Brothers of the First Light (Lux, Lummins, Watt & Sgt Bobby (Human Fighter)), it may be time for a quiet chat with Jamna, according to Sgt Bobby. Note, Jamna is a Zhentarim agent, keen to find out what the Cult of the Dragon are transporting- and equally keen to have a chat with Lux, who (remember) is also a Zhent. Prior to this session I contacted Sandy (who plays Lux) and we had an extended chat via e-mail. Some of the following events were helped along (on the down low) by Lux who unbeknownst to her fellow Players was working with me to further Jamna (and the Zhent’s) cause. Lots of chatter from the PCs today. [B]Day #44[/B] Still on the Trade Way- another easy day’s travel, and there’s time later on for several of the PCs (including Lux) to meet with Jamna Gleamsilver, the inquisitive Gnome. This after Jamna had visited with a quartet of the PCs at their breakfast, pointing out to Lux the presence of flesh-piercing slivers of bone in her morning porridge, and then casually remarking “Dragon Cultists. Tsk!” before departing. Two things happen after Jamna departs, the first- Lux, then Lummins, and then Watt “there’s hundreds of them!” all find more ‘flesh-piercing slivers of bone’ (aka oat husks) in their porridge- the collective ire of the PCs increases dramatically. And two- Lux volunteers to ‘check out’ Jamna, and if possible arrange a meeting at her earliest convenience. Well done Lux (Sandy). Also, some very nice- by which I mean very low, dice rolls there- searching/identifying the ‘flesh-piercing slivers of bone’ (aka oat husks). The PCs don’t know who Jamna is, or who she works for, but they are (mostly) certain she’s not a Cultist. That’s all it takes to convince them… And so, to the meeting. In short, the PCs learn that Jamna has been hired (by authorities unknown, although hints towards the Lords’ Alliance) to investigate the contents of various wagons being transported to the north by disguised Cult of the Dragon followers. Jamna says more- there have been at least half-a-dozen of these Cult cargo trains heading in this direction in the last three months, also Cult activity is on the increase in the cities of the Sword Coast… The PCs think (helped along by Lux) that they have at last made a friend. You might at this point be asking yourself why doesn’t Lummins cast Zone of Truth about now, he usually does. Here’s the thing, the one thing that 90% of the time happens just prior to Lummins (played by Rob) casting Zone of Truth is this- Lux (played by Sandy, partner of Rob) states- “Cast the Truth spell, you idiot!” Lux (Sandy) keeps schtum. The PCs tell all, or at least every bit of the plot they can remember, including details regarding the contents of the crates (riches!). Of course, Jamna already knows all of this- Lux told her, but the Gnome acts surprised, and very grateful- she may even be able to offer some sort of future reward. Jamna however leaves her trump card for the end- the new Cult leader, he’s a… wait for it- a Red Wizard of Thay. Cue Player explosion- fury and threats of revenge. Remember, a Red Wizard of Thay was seen Fireballing innocents all the way back in Greenest- this isn’t that guy, but… well, he’ll do. Jamna cannot explain how and/or why a Red Wizard of Thay is working for the Dragon Cult, but she’s keen to find out- as are the PCs, now. Note we had a chat, back in the earlier session, for Sandy and Jackie’s benefit (mostly) about who the hell the Red Wizards of Thay are, and the (potential) nastiness they represent. Rob’s summary at the time was something like- “they’re the pantomime villains you hiss at- Ming the Merciless with cranial tattoos.” The meeting ends with promises of future info-sharing and smiles all round. Job done Sandy. Note the Players are desperate to know if the Red Wizard of Thay (Azbara Jos) on the caravan is the fellow they saw back in Greenest, the DM is happy to inform them that they have no idea, because a) they’ve not had a good look at Azbara yet, and perhaps more importantly, b) they also didn’t get a good look at the Red Wizard of Thay spotted in Greenest. The Players are therefore only 85% certain that the bastard on the Cult wagon was the guy that done it. Pete (very effectively) arguing that it would be ridiculous to have two Red Wizards of Thay in the scenario… I’ll let that statement stand. He’s slipping- I thought he had read this adventure. A good day for the PCs, a better day for the DM. [B]Day #45 to #48[/B] Three more pleasant days on the Trade Way, although still no sign of the hidden Red Wizard of Thay, Hotlips and Watt have both been for an Invisible sneak-around, there’s nothing to see- the Red Wizard is not coming out. That is until… [B]Day #49[/B] Or rather very early in the AM of day #49 and all is not well with the caravan, and in particular with the Cultists, the body of Flerk, a large lump of surly Half-Orc and Cult Guard on their lead wagon, is found. Flerk is dead, stabbed in the back- uproar follows. As do the following events- a) The Cultist Guards are up in arms- Hotlips is accused of the slaughter (the Cultist Guards hate Hotlips). Pushing and shoving with raised voices for a while. b) The wound on Flerk was inflicted by a short sword, Hotlips has a short sword, although she never uses it because she has a +1 Rapier (Sandy is playing Hotlips like a female equivalent of a Fop or Dandy). Clamour for the Halfling’s arrest/skip-straight-to-execution increases. c) At which point the Cultists also discover that at least one (loot) box has been broken in to and items taken. Attempts are made to forcibly search Hotlips. The Halfling eventually agrees to be searched by Sgt Bobby (Guard Master)- nothing untoward is found. d) Impasse- lots of threats and shouting. e) Achreny (Caravan Master), Sgt Bobby (Guard Master), and… who’s this- the new Cult leader, the Red Wizard of Thay (although his tattoos remain undercover), eventually quieten things down. There are no tracks to be found, and no evidence to suggest that Hotlips (or indeed anyone else) murdered Flerk. Nothing can be proved. f) The incident will be reported to the authorities in Waterdeep, the caravan eventually sets off- maybe three hours late- there’s still lots of grumbling from the Cultist Guards. g) Nearly twelve hours later the caravan arrives at Waterdeep, late evening- the PCs scramble to keep tabs on the Cultists who take their wagons and head around the city to the northern gate. Sometime between events f) and g) several of the PCs have a chat with Jamna, basically “did you kill Flerk?”, the Gnome is also armed with a short sword, and of course she denies it, but… Lummins remembers to cast his Zone of Truth. Jamna is lying. The PCs are not sure how they feel about this new info, in point of fact it is Lux (Sandy) that manages to head the confrontation off at the pass. Anyone that kills Cultists can’t be all bad… she argues. And so, the caravan makes it to Waterdeep, the PCs get paid and make their hasty goodbyes to their fellow travellers- several of them (including the two Sgt’s) are offered permanent jobs, but alas have to politely decline the offers. It’s the end of the session, almost, just a last-minute scramble by the sneakier members of the group (Hotlips & Watt) accompanied by Jamna, to follow the departing Cultists. The trio discover that the Cultists (and their loot) have moved in to a rickety old warehouse near the north gate, at least another half-dozen Cultist Guards (and others) have joined the group. Jamna states that she is going to continue to follow the Cult cargo, to see where it goes, note she ‘states’ this- she doesn’t ask. The guys are a little wary of the killer-Gnome, but… they’re pretty certain that she’s one of the good guys, just a bit vicious with it. Popular opinion amongst the PCs is that Jamna is a nasty Thief hired by the Lords’ Alliance to follow the loot, she got greedy and decided to help herself to a few of the treasures- hence the murder. They’re remarkably accurate, as usual, although none of them suspect that Lux and Jamna are Zhent, I don’t think anyone even mentioned the Black Network. And that’s all we have time for (it was a fairly short session) except to level up- the journey to Waterdeep is over, the Cult cargo is still in sight, and the PCs are now all Level 5. And this is the caravan at the end of the journey- Wagon #1 Owner: Achreny Ulyeltin (Male Human). Cargo: Furs & Hides. On board- Achreny Caravan Master & Sgt Bobby Guard Master + Ralph Little (Male Halfling) Teamster + Eldkin Agetul (Female Dwarf) Guard + Leda Widris (Female Human) Guard + Aldor Urnpolehurst (Male Human) Passenger- a dodgy lawyer. Wagon #2 Owner: Achreny Ulyeltin (Male Human). Cargo: Furs & Hides. On board- Dalton Fix (Male Halfling) Teamster + Ren Stubby (Male Halfling) Teamster + Orvustia Esseren (Female Human) Guard + Sulsedeg the Pole (Male Human) Guard (Very Tall) + Dort (Male Human) Passenger (100% CULT) + Chiggly Vonn (Female Human) Passenger (100% CULT). Wagon #3 Owner: Dragon Cult. Cargo: Loot? On board- Rand Dupe (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Dirk Trumble (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Flerk (Male Half-Orc) Cult Guard – DECEASED + Azbara Jos, Red Wizard of Thay (Male Human)- Cult leader of some sort? Wagon #4 Owner: Dragon Cult. Cargo: Loot? On board- Riley Bishoo (Male Half-Elf) Teamster (0% CULT) + Tel Munn (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Rem (Male Human) Cult Guard + Yad (Male Human) Cult Guard - NO PASSENGERS. Wagon #5 Owner: Dragon Cult. Cargo: Loot? On board- Greg Spockle (Male Halfling) Teamster (0% CULT) + Reg Trotter (Male Human) Teamster (0% CULT) + Gurp (Male Half-Orc) Cult Guard + Grelda (Female Half-Orc) Cult Guard - NO PASSENGERS. Wagon #6 Owner: Samardag the Hoper (Male Human). Cargo: Porcelain. On board- Samardag Wagon Master & Watt Samardag’s Old/NEW Bodyguard + Gond Bagshaw (Male Gnome) Teamster + Sgt Harald Guard + Trell (Male Human) (100% CULT). Wagon #7 Owner: Lasfelro the Silent (Male Human). Cargo: Unknown? On board- Lasfelro Wagon Master + Gargoyle + Wererond (Female Human) Teamster + Tyjit (Female Dwarf) Guard + Tardol (Male Half-Orc) (100% CULT) + Hotlips Houlihan Passenger + Green Imsa (Female Human) Passenger- with green skin! Wagon #8 Owner: Oyn Evermor (Male Human). Cargo: Exotic Birds. On board- Oyn Wagon Master + Enom Dark (Male Halfling) Teamster + Hard Bonk Guard + Garlik (Male Human) (100% CULT) + Lint Fermund (Male Half-Elf) (100% CULT). Wagon #9 Owner: Beyd Sechepol (Male Half-Elf). Cargo: Beer. On board- Beyd Wagon Master & Lummins Beyd’s Bodyguard + Losvius Dark (Male Halfling) Teamster + Lux Guard + Lasmeer (Male Half-Elf) (100% CULT) Guard + Radecere (Male Gnome) Passenger (25% CULT) + Jamna Gleamsilver (Female Gnome) Passenger and fellow investigator/Cultist-killer (CULTIST 0%). In addition, there are now nine other folk travelling independently, but with the caravan, on their own mounts, including Derek Pilch, Sir Lumsden F’Tang & his two retainers (a Knight and a Wizard)- (all 0% CULT). Next time. [/QUOTE]
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