Session 11 - The Silver Diamond
5th Days of the Calm Festival (Fall) 1611
The party returns to Lorcaster from Chateau Brantifax, shortly they are called to Freehold by Zane.
6th Days of the Calm Festival (Fall) 1611
PCs arrive at Freehold
Zane says:
“I have had an audience with an agent of Pholtus regarding the past life of Nidalia the Lamia. She was a compassionate and peaceful soul, intent on collecting and cataloging knowledge. Everything Korvala and the others have said about her is true. Her death is a loss that tips the scales in the favor of evil and would likely contribute to continued unrest on Tycho I. Unrest which has caused the near extinction of native Tycans and thousands of Etolarians. Her resurrection has the blessings from agents of Pholtus, Heironeous, Rao, Ehlonna, Fharlanghn, Pelor, Boccob and Trithereon.”
“However, her resurrection is problematic due to the origin of all Lamia and in particular the knowledge she possesses from her lifetime of study. She, and her kind are the creation of a Demon and former Devil who’s name we will not invoke (Graz'zt). As such there are bonds there which can be exploited, her death and inquisitions have already brought undue interest and attention to her soul. A mortal spell cast with unremarkable materials will offer no protections from exploitation and corruption for those who vie for her knowledge.”
“To resurrect Nidalia a divine agent of Pholtus has been directed to perform the deed if you and her clan can recover an item known as a ‘silver diamond’. There is one here on Etolar that can be confiscated without guilt. It is held by a human spellcaster - I’m told he calls himself The Lord of Lance Rock. He is no friend of ‘the light’, deals in the dark arts, and would use the diamond for nefarious purposes."
“Pholtus has denied all divinations by me into any history or background on this individual - largely because such attention could thwart our efforts, but also… it appears my legacy is tied to this individual in some way. It has been foreseen that if I went on this mission, a personal and emotional decision that I would make.. well, as it was put to me, would ‘alter my legacy in a decidedly negative way’”. It has also been divined that the Amberdune tribe would not likely succeed alone. At risk of saying too much, if this man is who I think he is, he is vile evil - I could be wrong, so use your best judgement.”
“I’m told Lance Rock is a landmark near a town called Red Larch in the countryside of Surland. Finding the town should not be a problem for you. If you choose to go I will do my best to outfit you with suitable magic items and healing droughts.”
“If Nidalia’s resurrection is to happen, it is entirely in your hands. In the event that you are unable to do this, Nidalia’s remains will be held by me to prevent them from falling into vile hands - I expect this will not sit well with Korvala and will, at best, cause them to leave Freehold with a sense of betrayal and at worst lead to open confrontation - but her soul must be reborn or die here at Freehold - no exceptions. If you do obtain the diamond, hold this crystal and utter my name when in a safe locale. We will come to you swiftly to bring her back.”
“On a lighter note, various factions in the Primean System are frequently here at Freehold and are mildly aware of your deeds on behalf of Lorcaster University. They are likely to make contact and generally can offer aid in the form of information at the very least. I also have the sense that your next endeavor deeply builds on your legacy.”
“I’ve had my companion Rhuarc estimate travel times to Red Larch via well traveled and relatively “safe” lanes. This is what he provided:
“Alternatively, I can reach out to an old friend that both Ranala Fane and I know - captain Connor Mullinix. He’s likely off-world moving cargo so it may be some days before he can arrive. I’d also assume it would be a few days before he’d disembark as he typically wants a full load of cargo wherever he goes. He rarely offers a discount even to friends, but he’s very reliable and frankly the only captain I’d trust with something this important - a trait you can’t buy these days. I know that Red Larch lacks a solarport, so Mullinix is not likely to travel directly there - so some overland travel should be expected.”
Zane then introduces the party to Thanatos - A half dragon Paladin who comes from Surland. He can serve as the party’s guide if they opt to seek the “Silver Diamond”
The party opts to use Connor Mullinix’s ship and they have two weeks of downtime. Two of the Amberdune tribe (Jackalwere) travel with them.
Lane goes on a walkabout and has some insight into seeking allies where none are expected. He also encounters the old man:
“The old man crosses your path one day. “Eh, glad to see no moss grows under your heels.” He goes on… “The signs and portents are clear: nature is out of balance. Fire, Water, Earth and Air normally counter one another - but I get the odd sense that despite their incompatible ways, at present they march to a common destructive goal. Left unchecked, terrible disaster looms. Maybe not this month or the next, but maybe this year if nothing is done about it. To restore the balance of nature, we must travel roads we’ve never traveled, and find allies where we least expect. Look for ways to counter or contain that which is out of control. That and keep your firewood dry.” The old man smiles and disappears into the underbrush.
“Sophie Hamaday tells you one morning she’s been have bad dreams after her father Victor told her about reports of a marauding Medusa… its the same bad dream over and over. In her dream she’s having breakfast. Sometimes in Lorcaster, sometimes abroad at an outdoor cafe. In her dreams the ground splits and a marauding band of snake haired men slither through the city, town or village she’s in. As she flees she makes a wrong turn and comes face to face with a Medusa.. and she slowly and agonizingly turns to stone… she falls and she is left as “rubble” forever. She is apprehensive about going outside or being left alone. Ranala meets with Victor and gets the name of this Medusa… Marlos. The thought of this “dream boy” messing with your girl gets your hackles up for sure, not to mention he is apparently a real threat.
He gets clarification that Marlos was active on the east coast of Tremon, but then nothing after that (possibly hes gone elsewhere?”
Thurgood makes gauntlets of Ogre Power using the sweat an blood from Thanatos’s fighting pit downtime (and other items he’s collected).
As talk begins suggesting a trip to Surland, you of course begin scanning the LU library for helpful lore. You find an ancient dwarven map showing what you think may have been a dwarven kingdom where Surland now exists. The map hints at various underground complexes scattered around what would have been the old kingdom. There is a definite pattern to the placement of the complexes… you’re just not sure what the pattern represents yet. But if you are going there, it can’t hurt to have one more map of the area.
Josef uses his downtime to craft good into money(?). He’s also approached by Captain Tendal Rhimes from Blue Portage.
“Oy me good lad!” It’s the voice of Captain Tendal Rhimes from Blue Portage, he’s made the overland trek to Lorcaster to seek you out. “All ‘em good deeds ya done in Blue P, well they might just pay off! When words got up the the local Lord Belabranta, well he got ta thinking maybe you could bring back our dear wayward Savra B! Yeah! She got all upity and rebellious last year and demanded to be made a knight! Well Lord B about choked on his wine, and said nay! Well she said up yer arse, I’ll go and be a knight on me own! Well she knicked some heirloom whos nots which she sole to fund her special trainin’ ! She joined up with some mounted, flying beast rider group. The poppet would drop in quite often to rub it into Lord B’s sour puss… but she’s well overdue now for a pop in! The Lord consulted with his magical what not advisors and they suspect somit foul is a foot with the lass. I heard ya might be headed over to ole Surland, and well, that’s where her outfit was headed last. If you can look in on the lass and see if she be in good hands Lordy B would be most happy…and if she ain’t in good hands… well, maybe you could fix things like ya did there in Blue P? Anyway, Lord B said he’d grant ya some right valuable land if you can sort it and get her to pop back home.”
Taraxacam - did some gambling (won some) and then when shoping for magic items (lost some, he didn’t buy a potion of fire breathing for 300gp)
you FINALLY get a decent friend, a valuable contact who is well connected. He even invites you to a dinner! When you arrive however you find a smoldering cottage, with constables investigating. You learn your contact is unfortunately dead… and not just dead but brutally murdered. One of the constables is holding a small locked chest (its a bit scorched). He rubs his thumb across the engraved plate and says, “I hate this job, the bloke left a box that says ‘In the event of my untimely death please give this chest to me good friend Arthurian Lath’. You think I got time to find this Mr Lath? Well, I don’t. There are reports of a goat stampede on Blockdrain Ave and a Harpy perched on St Cuthberts bell tower. You look like an ‘Arthurian Lath’ to me, so here! Enjoy your inheritance, ‘Mr Lath’!”. The constable hands you the chest and strides off washing his hand of it all.
When in Lorcaster, before leaving for Freehold, Taraxacam brings the chest to the group and rants about not having any friends and throws the chest into the wall, it opens refealing a ledger and a sealed letter. Taraxacam oopens it and it reads:
“Art, if you are reading this then I am already dead. My killer is most likely a man named Bastian Thermander. I know this because well, he is blackmailing me. I took a 5000gp loan from our lending house and lost it all in a game of Dragons. I had intended to pay it back, but I’m being squeezed. The man I lost the gold to is Bastian - he’s bad news Arty. Somehow he’d learned I took the gold - he may have insiders? Trust no one! He threatens to tell the partners and harm loved ones and friends if I don’t flow money to his account (account #BT1078). He demonstrated his willingness to murder one night - right in my own home. Gods it was awful. Do you remember that teller… Anastasia? And how she ceased to show for work? I know why, and it haunts me. All I can say is I’m sorry it got to this point. As of this writing I’d shifted well over 5,000gp to his account, mostly siphoned from the B. Shivers, A Daniels Jr and K. Rackston accounts. I had hoped he’d leave it or met an untimely end and I could shift it all back, but he did a full withdrawal in the spring. So its gone. I pray the original clients don’t show to close their accounts - that would be devastating I know. I’ve done enough harm - you treated me like a son and I bled you like leech. I’ve pissed away my own wealth to that cursed game. With Tildra gone I’ve hit bottom. I haven’t grown a backbone, I’ve simply reached my end. I’ve ceased the illicit transfers, and if you get this letter I’ve either paid the price or died with a dark secret. The ledger contains to the best of my ability a true record of accounts - I know it won’t undo the damage, but with the right judge it will serve as evidence - maybe he can be convicted, or perhaps the money recovered, or maybe back a reward. Sincere apologies for this mess.”
Thanatos - goes carousing and finds him self running through the streets of Lorcaster naked in the first week. In the second week he goes to the fighting pits and wins some coin.
His origin story thus far: A band of raiders attacked, looted and burned a village to the ground. Several of the townspeople were taken captive. You probably have strong ties to the village maybe even some responsibility to protect or avenge.
7th Day of the Calm Festival (Fall) 1611 - thru... Day 13 of Olmis (beginning of winter)
The party regroups and takes Mullinax’s air ship to Waterdeep in Surland. They then travel two days up the long road through Amphail to Red Larch.
They get a common 6-man room at the Swinging Sword and meet Kaylessa Irkell (owner). Later after she’s assessed they are stalwart adventurers she offers the party 50 gp each to investigate Lance Rock and all the reports of disappearances there. (The next morning PCs accept the offer).
After getting their room Lane and Thanatos vist the All-faiths shrine and meet Lymmura Auldarhk - she is an itinerant cleric serving there with Imdarr Relvaunder (not there at the moment). Thanatos does not see the holy symbol he is looking for on the doors and wanders to the edge of town to pray. Lane learns that the weather in the area is unpredictable and wildly irregular, and that there has been an increase in bandit and creature activity, especially in the Sumber Hills.
The entire party groups up in the only Tavern - The Helm At Highsun. they meet the kindly and jolly proprietor Garlen Harlathurl. They learned about:
They party discusses and parses information. They make plans to go to Lance Rock - the main reason for coming here. They will consider acting on the other information later.
Tarxacam who’s had a few too many beers begins getting belligerent with any locals who look at him too long. He does this with Zomit (a half ork female caravan guard who is between jobs). They get a little confrontational, but Taraxacam walks away shouting at her about her inability to find “the Silver Diamond” like he and his friends are doing. The remaining patrons all pause expecting a fight but none ensues.
The group turns in at the Swinging Sword.
Day 14 of Olmis
In the am they have breakfast the Swinging Sword. While eating a group of 4 men one in splint armor the rest in cloaks come downstars give the party a looking over (complete with long stare between the warrior and Thanatos). The group of 4 leaves.
The party packs up and heads out… en route to Lance Rock, the warrior, the three men in cloaks and some other-worldly looking creature block the road… the warrior says “We just want the Jackalweres traveling with you, you can walk way and live”.
It doesn't appear the party is going to hand over the Jackalweres and combat ensues.
Some highlights:
The party does some quick healing on Josef who’s hot armor burned him for a few rounds.
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