Session 15 Summary

General Summary

We caught up with the party at the scene of the explosion as the city watch arrived to seal off the area, preventing anyone from entering or exiting until investigators could arrive.
In addition to our three party members, three other witnesses were being held for questioning: Fala the Druid; a noblewoman; and a young boy of about 12 years.
After initially considering their options for escaping the city watch guards, the party wisely decided to let the investigation run its course and spent some of their time speaking to the other witnesses.
Horus went to speak to the young boy, who was clearly traumatised by the experience of seeing so many people die, including a family of friendly halfings that helped care for him. Had he not stepped away from his two young friends for a drink of water, he might have been caught in the blast as well.
After soothing the boy’s nerves with a brilliantly contrived fart joke and some comforting words, the boy told Horus that while taking cover, he heard a ‘plop’ noise and later retrieved a fancy necklace from the bottom of the rain barrel. Horus recognized the item as a ‘Necklace of Fireballs’, and was able to charm the boy into exchanging the rare magic item for a paltry sum of 5 gp.
Lunchmoney then spoke to the noblewoman, Jezrynne Hornraven, who shared that as she passed through the area before the blast, she spotted a figure on the western rooftop. She said it was shaped like a man, but described it looking more like a puppet, but one without any strings. She thinks this figure may have thrown something into the crowd that caused the explosion.
Then Hawthorne spoke to Fala, who said she was watering plants on the second story of her shop when the blast blew out some of her windows. As she peered down through the smoke, she saw a cloaked man take something from the body of the dead gnome and then limp away east towards the Bent Nail.
After comparing notes and realising that the necklace was a key piece of evidence, the party debated how they might escape the guards with this treasure. Lunchmoney even tried to talk his way past them, but despite his strong effort, could only secure passage for himself.
Twenty minutes after the explosion, a City Watch sergeant named Saeth Cromley arrived, escorting a member of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors named Barnibus Blastwind, and another 20 City Watch constables.
Barnibus quickly took charge of the investigation, examining the bodies and questioning the witnesses, including each of the players. Horus decided not to reveal or mention the necklace and as luck would have it, the boy appeared to keep that to himself as well.
Before wrapping up and letting everyone go, Barnibus mentioned offhand to Lunchmoney that the evidence suggests the gnome was heading directly to Trollskull Manor with what appeared to be several pursuers.
Once released from the scene, the party heads to the east where Lunchmoney’s keen skills track the lone survivor’s path past the Bent Nail and into the sewers; a dead end for any further pursuit.
Back at the Manor, Hawthorne checked the contents of the purse he lifted from the gnome, finding five generously sized red gems. Not sure of their value, the party decided to visit “Book Wyrm’s Treasure” for help with an assessment. The short, strange-sounding Dragonborn proprietor (and Pokémon enthusiast), Rishaal, evaluated each gem to be worth 100 gp, and offered to purchase the lot for 410 gp. He also mentioned that they all share the same cut and are from the same source, so they are likely used as a substitute for currency.
Back at the manor again as their employees prepare for the mid-day opening, the party was visited by Savra, their contact at the Order of the Gauntlet. She had heard about the explosion and came to see what information they could share, and to also check out their new business. After giving her an outline, she suggested a cleric might be able to help the party get some answers by speaking with the dead. She even offered to lend them a member of the Order if they can find out where the bodies are being stored. She also mentioned she might have some new work for them once they wrap up some of their current tasks.
Lunchmoney recalled from his City Watch days that deceased victims were often taken to a local City Watch station, and was able to get Sergeant Cromley’s assistance in recalling the station nearest to Trollskull Alley on High Street.

Report Date

13 Oct 2024