Chapter 31: Cloak and Saber
Session Date: 1/31/19
Summary:
Spoilers- Varis dissapears into the city.
- The party meet up with Madame Vashar, Myriam, and a mysterious Terrack to form a plan.
- Visiting Stonewall Academy, the group get their magic earings and go on the hunt for Dillaron.
- The group visit the Diamond Orchid, and while inside, they make a few purchases and learn Dillaron purchased all of the Truth Potions and has a home in a nieghboring district.
- The group is tipped off that Dillaron was seen alive at the school, and when they run into him he awkwardly gives them a map of a location and says to meet him later.
- The group rushes there and Khadgar enters to spy it out while the group distracts the approaching Dillaron.
- Dillaron is not who he appears to be.
Plot points/Scenes
Madame Vashar's Estate - Bran Kara District, Citadel of Avalon
Early the next morning, the party awakens and moves to the tavern area. While discussing their plans, Varis glances quickly out the window. Varis: “I’ll catch up with y’all later. There is something I need to take care of.” And he leaves the tavern. With the rest of the party and Myriam awake, they make their way sans Varis back to Madame Vashar’s estate, while 26-Lobsters loses his feather beard along the way. Apparently, 26-Lobsters neglected to put back on his clothes the previous night, so the walk back was quite entertaining to Myriam as a naked Dragonborn walked into the highest tiers of the city with a note requesting he be allowed entry. Stkar once again opens the door and offers to take their coats. 26-Lobsters puts back on his clothes with prompting by the party. Stkar instructs them to wait in the arboretum. Moana: “I never thought I’d have to teach a dragonborn to wear clothes.” Khadgar: to 26-Lobsters “Do you know when it is appropriate to do other things?” Myriam: quickly and wanting to change the subject - “Oh look, here we are the arboretum. Everyone inside.” The party enters the arboretum, where no one is inside and waiting. Early morning light streams in as a peaceful atmosphere fills the space. Khadgar and Gavin roam looking at all of the fauna and flora. The plants seem to be a bit more exoctic and specially cared for to live in this climate. A few areas are native plants and occasionally hybrids of native and exotic plant life. A few trees grow that look to be from a different climate. Gavin and 26-Lobsters backtrack and find Stkar roaming to a side sitting room. Gavin: “So… where are you from.” to which Stkar jumps and quickly turns around, “Hi, I’m Gavin, sorry for sneaking up on you. We’re-” Stkar: “I know who you are.” Gavin: “Right… it’s just that I haven’t seen many Duergar around. Where are you from? Nearby?” Stkar: with a slight chuckle, “I don’t think that’s any of YOUR business.” Gavin: “That’s fair. I apologize for asking. Do you know where Madame Vashar is? Is she expecting us?” At this Stkar goes over and grabs a duster, haphazardly dusting items. Stkar: “She’ll be around.” Gavin: “Thanks, you’ve been very helpful.” and they walk back to the arboretum Glancing back, as they leave, Gavin notices Stkar pretend to dust a bit more, before tossing the duster over her shoulder and walking on to wherever she was going. Once everyone is back in the arboretum, a few minutes pass before an unveiled Vashar enters and gestures for everyone to sit at the table. Myriam and Vashar exchange introductions. There is no shock on Myriam’s face seeing a half-lizard person be who they are meeting with. Gavin OOC: “They did know each other!” 26-Lobsters OOC: “Or maybe she isn’t a racist.” The door to the arboretum opens again, and a middle-aged man in a simple but finely cut attire enters. As he walks, the party notices patches where light seems to reflect partially on his skin. Vashar: “Ah, there you are. Everyone, this is an associate of mine, Tarrack. He has a particular knack for finding connections others might miss.” Tarrack sits down with a smile and overall jovial demeanor. Gavin: “So what do you do for a living, Tarrack?” Tarrack: “Oh, I run a haberdashery down in Port Helen.” Gavin: “Uh-huh… and how long have you been in town?” Tarrack: with a sly grin “Not long at all.” An insight check reveals he is being truthful, he has not been in town long, and while his happy demeanor is not false, there is definitely an element of it where he is hiding everything he knows. The party also notice that the portions of the skin that reflect light look like pale patches of scales. They also try to perceive if there is any illusion but he seems to be a flesh and blood human as he is before them. Moana: “You don’t look like you work in a haberdashery.” Tarrack: “Well I assure you I do. Owned and operated for 20 years now. I’m just a plain and simple tailor.” Gavin: “Well, I know ‘plain and simple tailors’ often travel large distances quickly and help solve mysteries...” Tarrack: “More common than you think.” He says with a sly smile and wink. The group gets to discussion of the plan. Myriam feels she will not be welcomed at the academy, so she will stay behind with Vashar and Tarrack to piece together what other elements from the fire and clues Tarrack and Vashar have found. They will attempt to piece together the source of the fire and if it was intentional, what the purpose was.Stonewall Academy - Citadel of Avalon
The party on the other hand, has to deliver the Spectator eyes to the university for Khadgar’s project and are going to ask around about Professor Dillaron. Khadgar activates the gem in the bracelet to receive clearance to the university. The party makes its way up to the highest level of the city, past the central plaza and to the large archway into the mountain itself. Inside, is a large and long cavern carved into the stone. Large vaulted ceilings are held aloft by massive and intricately carved pillars of stone. Once inside the great cavern of the mountain they head off down the stone corridors on the left hand side to the Stonewall Academy of Magic. Khadgar: “I need the three of you to be on your best behavior. Don’t touch anything. I want to be able to come back here and not be kicked out.” After a few minutes navigating the halls, the party arrives at Professor Madeline Smith’s office. Inside is Professor Smith, head of Transmutation magic, and Professor Cassandra Trewal, head of Divination magic. Khadgar: “Good morning! I think I found a suitable reagent for our project.” and he pulls out the Spectator eyes. Professor Trewal: “Oh yes! These will do quite nicely!” in a quirky and nerdy manner she picks them up to inspect the quality and look at the various features. A few moments pass and the party notices an unease on Professor Smith’s face. Professor Smith: “... and where did you find this creature?” Khadgar: “It’s a sad story. A young girl was lured away from home and to its lair. We were looking for her when we came across it in a cavern out past the Eastern Wall.” Gavin: “It was pretty close too. I’d be a little concerned. Creatures like that aren’t very common. At least not this close to the surface.” Professor Smith: “My concern exactly. The fact one could go undetected so close without raising suspicion… I will need to talk to the guards about this.” Gavin: “We didn’t even fully explore those caves, so who knows what else is down there.” Professor Smith: “Oh yes, our Geomancers believe it is quite a labyrinth of twisting tunnels and caves that lead to the heart of the mountain and even down to the underdark. Cassandra, can you see about having some seers attempt to peer into the caverns and see what other creatures might be lurking near the surface?” Professor Trewal: realizing she had been babbling and taking notes to herself now realizes the serious looks on everyone's faces “Oh. Oh yes, we can certainly do that.” Khadgar: “On another note, have either of you seen Professor Dillaron?” Professor Trewal: “I’m afraid not. Last I saw yesterday… or was it the day before that? Anyways he was heading off to the Diamond Orchid.” Professor Smith: “I don’t believe I have seen him yesterday evening or this morning. Why do you ask?” Khadgar: “Being an evocation wizard, I wanted to follow up with him on some things.” Gavin OOC: “Maybe that fire that just happened...” 26-Lobsters: “Would either of you have any feather beard magic, perchance?” The two wizardesses look to each other very confused. Professor Smith: “Uhm, I’m sorry but I don’t think we can do that.” Gavin: “So… he didn't use to have a beard, then all of the sudden he did. Any idea what could cause that?” Professor Smith: looking 26-Lobsters over intently; “You have magic?” 26-Lobsters: “yeah I can do this-” and he casts Bend Shadows and makes the shadows move across the wall. The professors look to each other with concern. Professor Smith: “I see… Yes- well- I’m afraid we do not practice that kind of magic here.” Khadgar: “Ok. It’s time to leave. Thank you have a nice day!” to the group “We are leaving. Time to go.” Gavin: “Bye!” The door closes, and out in the hall a bit away from Professor Smith’s office, Gavin: “Well that was weird.” Khadgar: “Ok, here’s the thing. Wizards here... do not… Do you know why Myriam didn’t come with us?” 26-Lobsters: “I don’t remember who that is.” Khadgar: “The witch from the tower. The one who came with us to Madame Vashar’s? She didn’t come because wizards here disagree and are afraid of magic that is powered by Shadow. So what you did was… not good.” 26-Lobsters: “Oops. I didn’t mean it. Why don’t they like Shadow Magic. I mean it’s just another kind like Light Magic.” Gavin remembers but does not share: the time before The Calamity was known as the Shadow Wars. Very little information survived from that time, but what is clear is that powerful Shadow Weavers and Shadowmancers played a huge role in the events that brought about the Calamity. Even before that, the Wizarding community banned the study of Shadow Magic, deeming it too close to Dark Magic and its dangerous nature of manipulating reality. Gavin: “You’re fine. Just- maybe don’t lead with that.” In hindsight, it the spell was not met with disgust, but it caught them off guard the particular type of magic he decided to use upfront. The party wanders the halls a bit between classes asking about Professor Dillaron. Gavin: stopping a student carrying a bag of books and scrolls; “Hey, I’m taking a class by Professor Dillaron, I lost my badge, my robes got sliced by a plant in the greenhouse, I’m super stressed out. We’ve got an exam coming up and I need to find his office to ask some questions. Can you help me?” The student looks Gavin over considering he has no identifiable attire or items that would signify his attendance to the school, not to mention the lute and crossbow. “I’m gonna fail out man! I can’t fail this test!” Despite having no identification, he appeals to the shared feeling of desperation all students feel. And the student gives directions to his office. Arriving at Professor Dillaron’s office, the party, missing their rogue, attempt to pick the lock after not receiving a response to knocking, but fail. Khadgar: “Can anyone check for traps? Would someone notice if we open it. What if it’s enchanted?” 26-Lobsters: “But do they think about feet when they make those enchantments? I’m just saying.” A few moments of indecision and 26-Lobsters takes matters into his own hands and bashes in the door with a good kick and shoulder jam leaving it visible broken. Khadgar: “Stop! We’re leaving. Nope! Let’s go.” 26-Lobsters: “Don’t we need to get in here. We spent so much time trying to get here.” Khadgar: “Either you’re coming with me or I report you to the guards.” 26-Lobsters: “But the door is open. We’re practically being invited in now.” Khadgar: “Nope, time to leave.” 26-Lobsters: “Ok, but think about it this way: If we leave now, it’s just vandalism.” Khadgar: “What did I tell you when we got here? Don’t touch anything!” Gavin: “Why don’t we just walk down the hall. We sit down and you send Hedwig in. You can look around and if someone comes by and you poof her out.” Khadgar: “I’m fine with that plan.” Moana: “WHAT?! You just wanted to leave and now you’re totally fine with it? Alright.” The party makes their way down the hall for plausible deniability. Khadgar summons Hedwig and she enters the office. Inside is dark, with a large desk and several cabinets of scrolls, crystals and rocks. A small crystal cluster on a shelf gives off a very faint dull red light. There is a map outstretched on the desk. It looks cluttered but not trashed or disturbed. As classes end the halls start to fill, Khadgar dismisses Hedwig and the party quickly exits the school and makes their way to the Diamond Orchid, a high quality cloth, equipment, and enchantment shop in the Bran Kara district, as that is the last place they know Professor Dillaron was heading.The Diamond Orchid - Bran Kara District, Citadel of Avalon
Arriving at the shop is a very fine stone and wood exterior with a sign over the double door with a painted blue crystalline orchid. Inside the doors is a large shop with clothing on one side, a large counter, and racks and shelves towards the back with weapons, potions, magical items, and gems/jewelry. A few associates are wandering the store helping customers find items or answering questions. Behind the counter is an elven man with black hair and a stylized shave wearing maroons, blacks, and dark reds. The party wanders the store, momentarily forgetting why they were there. The cloak of billowing, a cloak that on command can billow behind you dramatically, and the cloak of many styles, a cloak that can change its appearance and material but always remains a cloak, capture the attention of Gavin and 26-Lobsters. Khadgar browses the potions and he and Gavin notice a label for a Truth Potion that is all sold out. Gavin and 26-Lobsters head to the counter to talk to the elven man, the proprietor Tuvir Vulnar. Jovial and inviting he asks what they would like to purchase, and they ask if there could be a cloak of both billowing and many styles. As he enchants all the items himself, he ponders and comes to the conclusion, that a purchase of a regular fine cloak could have both enchantments simultaneously added, to avoid any issues with the 2 enchantments conflicting. Gavin requests 1 and 26-Lobsters asks for 1 as well as a “Pants of Many Fashions”. Tuvir considers this and believes it can be done, though it does have the potential to fail or behave unexpectedly. Those should be ready by late morning the next day. They begin to walk out the store then remember why they came in the first place. Going back they question Tuvir on Professor Dillaron, while Khadgar casts detect thoughts to see if he is hiding something. Unfortunately, Tuvir thinks in a language Khadgar does not understand, so he has to attempt to piece together what little he can and a few brief images that come up. Tuvir asks for some privacy and leads the party to a small room past a bead curtain of dark red beads. Once on the other side, a shimmer runs down the curtain and the beads stand still. Sitting on a cushion Tuvir gestures for them to sit and asks what this is all about? Tuvir: “So, Vashar’s gotten herself involved in another incident. Quite a meddler that one, but I can’t argue with her results.” Gavin: “Uh, what was that? The thing with the curtain? We agreed not to lie to each other.” Tuvir: “Well, I’d like this conversation to be private. I don’t want my customers thinking I gossip about them in my free time.” 26-Lobsters attempts to put his hand outside, which passes harmlessly through. Pulling his hand back in the beads once again quickly go still. Tuvir: with a laugh, “You aren’t being held. You are free to go if you wish, but a conversation like this requires… discretion.” (Basically there is a silencing spell so no one on the other side of the curtain can hear the conversation going on inside.) He reveals that Dillaron was a regular. He had a particular taste for flair and dramatic items, but also enjoyed seeing what gems and potions where in stock as well. Recently he came in and purchased the entirety of his stock of Truth Potions, to which the party wants clarification on what they do. Truth potions are notoriously hard to get right and take time to prepare. When consumed the subject, if it wishes to speak, must succeed on a Wisdom save or it cannot say anything but the truth. There is nothing compelling the subject to speak however. The effect lasts for 5 minutes. Most of the potions sold are made by Tuvir himself and only to qualified purchasers (the Crown, professors at the school, etc). Occasionally, he orders some from the school if he is low and does not have the time to brew them. 26-Lobsters: “If you occasionally purchase some from the school? Why would a professor of the school come here to purchase them?” Gavin: “Good question! Yeah why would he do that?” Tuvir: “... an excellent question. I didn’t question it, like I said: I don’t like to pry into my customer’s decisions. For all I know, the school ran out of ingredients or needed some emergency stock. But yes, it is an interesting question I had not considered.” Gavin: “Did he have any enemies? Do you know where Dillaron might have gone after he left here?” Tuvir: “Unfortunately, that was 2 days ago, and I’m sorry to say recent events have caused more stress and concern than usual so forgive me for not recalling finer details.” (The party connects that the fire stopped not far from here so seeing the districts on fire racing towards his shop would definitely be concerning and stressful) “He has a home in the Kuvora District. He most likely went there.”Burned Building - Citadel of Avalon
Now that the party feels they have exhausted all of the information they can gather here, they plan to find the ruins of Dillaron’s house to look for clues. The house is at the tail end of destruction and surrounded by scorched buildings. The party manages to avoid the guard patrols and enter the ruined house of Professor Dillaron. They look for clues, but it appears whatever remains Vashar mentioned where removed during the initial day of investigations. Inside is an overturned pot of earth, ruined cabinets and shelves that once held glass, gems, rocks, and other instruments. Only the earthen subjects Dillaron was studying or keeping seem to have survived the flames. Khadgar’s detect magic only faintly registers evocation magics on crystals and earth. Not finding anything of note, Khadgar receives a message from Professor Trewal that she saw Professor Dillaron not half an hour ago in case he was still looking to speak with him. Khadgar: via Sending to Madame Vashar “Professor Dillaron was found at his office by a professor this afternoon. We are about to go investigate. Any thoughts?” Vashar: “Ask a few questions, but don’t reveal what we know. Be vigilant and cautious.”Stonewall Academy - Citadel of Avalon
The party quickly makes its way up the city districts and back to the school. Navigating back to his office, they notice the door closed, a light shining underneath, and traces of a busted door handle, remnants of their previous incursion. Khadgar and Gavin come up with the ruse that Khadgar is introducing Gavin to Dillaron because Gavin has heard so much about Geomancy and his main character in a new book he is writing is a Geomancer so he wants to learn more to make sure the book uses it correctly. As they approach, Gavin hears shuffling on the other side of the door and indistinct muffled talking. Khadgar knocks and a startled voice from the otherside calls “Just a moment!” A moment later the door swings open and the doorway is filled with a shorter, slightly pudgy, grey and white furred Tabaxi, eyes widening in surprise. Gavin immediately attempts to see if this is an illusion and even with a high roll, nothing seems unusual. Still not convinced he immediately reaches out for the Tabaxi’s hand. Gavin: “It’s so nice to meet you. My name’s Gavin.” As he shakes his hand he pulls him in to a semi-hug and looks over his shoulder to see if anything is out of place in the office. Nothing seems out of the ordinary. The Tabaxi, Professor Dillaron, quickly drops the hand and backs up a few steps. Professor Dillaron: “Uhm. Yes. uh. Hi, do I know you?” Khadgar: “I’m sorry, this is my friend Gavin. He’s a writer and wanted to ask a few questions about Geomancy. His main character is a geomancer and he wants to make it as realistic as possible.” Gavin: “I knew as soon as I got the idea to use geomancy I needed to talk to an expert and you seemed like the perfect candidate. I think this book is going to be very successful, but I want to make sure it is also true to the magic. But uhm, is there a way we could talk inside. You know, a privately?” Professor Dillaron: “Well I… I wasn’t expecting this… uhm.. You flatter me.” 26-Lobsters casts Detect Thoughts, but does not perceive a consciousness on the other side of the door. He only senses his party members. Professor Dillaron: “Well, I have a few things I need to finish… uhm. I am currently staying in a temporary residence in the Stonewall District. My home unfortunately burned in the fire. Lost everything. But, if you would meet me there, say in about 2 hours time, I would be happy to answer your questions.” 26-Lobsters: to Gavin via message; “I don’t think he’s actually in the room. Detect thoughts failed. I can’t sense his mind.” The professor scribbles down a makeshift map and address and closes the door. The party move to a neighboring corridor and wait. They hear his door open and close and see him walk down a different hall.Unmarked Home - Citadel of Avalon
They race back down the levels of the city towards the address given. They arrive outside a lower class residence on the western side of the StoneWall district. The party looks around the abode but only find the front door as the means of entry. Khadgar: “I’ll go invisible and look inside. All of you stay out here hidden and message me when you see him.” Khadgar goes invisible and manages to unlock the door and slip inside. Once inside he makes his way through the main entry room and looks for clues. There is a soft knock on the door. Finding nothing in the main room, he goes to the 2 doors on the right hand side. Opening the left door leads to a darkened room he cannot see anything in. At this point he hears the door knob begins to turn, and Gavin shouting “Professor!”. He closes the door and moves to a far corner as the door opens.Immediately after the rest of the party saw the door close as Khadgar entered, they see Dillaron turn the corner down the street walking briskly towards his temporary residence. Hiding in allies, they watch as he approaches, wondering how to delay him, apparently forgetting message is a thing. Gavin casts Mage Hand and knocks on the door and quickly dispels it. 26-Lobsters casts thaumaturgy behind him to make it sound like a fight was breaking out in a nearby ally. Dillaron glances back and then with a bit more concern hastens his pace. He reaches the door, still occasionally glancing back where he heard the sounds of a scuffle and pulls out a key and inserts it into the door. Gavin notices his face scrunch in confusion… then concern as Dillaron realizes the front door is unlocked. Slowly, Dillaron opens the front door and peers in. Gavin quickly approaches from his hiding place and positions himself behind Dillaron. Gavin: “Professor! Professor!” Dillaron, already well inside the doorway, turns and looks back. Gavin: “I thought I recognized you. Did you hear that fight back there? Weird right?” And at this moment, Moana and 26-Lobsters emerge from an alley and pretend to have a street brawl (with a surprisingly good performance score). Gavin: “By the gods, it’s in the street now! Can I come in? I don’t want to be near this.” As Dillaron is quickly trying to shut the door and not let anyone in. Dillaron: “I’m so sorry, but it’s not quite time, and I need to prepare some things before you can come in. Just a little bit longer please.” Gavin: “Oh, I’m sorry. Is it not time? I’m really bad at keeping track of these things. Is there a spot I can wait at...” and other things to keep him distracted to by Khadgar time. 26-Lobsters conjures an illusion of blood on himself and approaches. 26-Lobsters: “Ah! Man my eye, man do you mind if I come in and wash and clean it?” Dillaron: visibly shaken and frightened, “Uh. 1 hour. I’ll be ready then.” and he closes and locks the door, turning his back and heaving a sigh of relief… before dropping the illusion. Khadgar watches from the corner of the room and the Tabaxi form fades and there, back against the door, is Rolan, the Drow from the caverns near Uxena and the one whose fireball destroyed the bridge and sent them all plummeting, with Korrin, to the Underlake. He straightens himself, seemingly forgetting the door being unlocked initially and opens the right door (as opposed to the left) and enters. Khadgar slowly moves to look in, and sees a long dining table and Rolan moving to open another door and enter. Moving to the street side wall of the dining room, he sees Rolan enter what appears to be a storage room, move a rug, and open a trapdoor. A few minutes later, voices and footsteps emanate from the tunnel below as 5 assassins emerge. Behind them is a grey skinned Goliath, and as he emerges, Khadgar notices a large and very ornate Crescent Saber on his back. Finally, Khadgar’s blood chills as a familiar voice pierces the air. “Unbelievable! Running around like sewer rats. (then speaking in a mocking tone) ‘Cannot risk discovery. Until further notice operate without magic.’ This is utterly ridiculous and an insult to my abilities.” And the witch, Zelena, emerges from the trapdoor.
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