Faerthorn Keep Showdown

Expedition

The Wardens meet with Marco & Alessandra Tessario, and the steward at the Citadel.  Marco claims that he was assaulted and his signet ring was stolen; the tax bills in his name are clearly forgeries.  The party follow his attackers to Faerthorne Hold and face a grueling showdown against the rogue captain, Alexander Kingsley.

Sage tells the Wardens they are invited to a breakfast meeting meet with Marco & Alessandra Tessario, and the steward, at the Citadel.  Marco, sporting a fresh scar and some bruises, claims that he was assaulted and his signet ring was stolen; the tax bills in his name are clearly forgeries.  Alessandra is tough to read, but it's clear there's some tension with her brother.  
Despite some misgivings, the party agree to go recover the missing Tessario signet ring.  He also offers to pay a 5000 GP bonus if his sword can be located.  
The party re-convenes in the library to have a quick private chat, Gringnir and Morthos decide to stay behind and watch the two heir-apparent.  Alessandra rebuffs Thessalia's attempts to speak privately via sending.  
The party follow his attackers to an occupied Tratian ruin called Faerthorne Hold in pursuit of the rogue captain, Alexander Kingsley.  The former guard has a bunch of brigands working for him-- in fear of their lives, it later turns out.  Additionally, they have a couple of tamed basilisks, one of which ends up quite a nasty threat to the party, petrifying Constantine and nearly killing Thessalia several times.  Lastly, the region is scarred by wild magic, a factor that makes spellcasting increasingly risky throughout the fight.  
Kingsley, known to the bandits as Shadovar, displays more magical abilities than previously shown, killing Redum and nearly killing Glyth.  Eventually, he is defeated (and detonated!) by a heat metal from Constantine, who spent much of the fight petrified, and a ball of lightning from Reginald Forbes McGrapin I.  The party loot the ruins and take a quick rest before continuing.  
Glyth interrogates the one surviving bandit (imprisoned by cabbage as he attempted to flee thanks to the wild magic of the region), finding out that "Lord Shadovar" forcibly took over this group of "unemployed mercenaries" about a month ago, killing their leader.  They also learn that he sent two riders out a few days ago.