II.1.1 Darkness Over Daggerford

Session Preface

Our story picks up with our heroes seated around a campfire, keeping the late autumn chill at arms length. The chirping of birds and rustling of grass gives way to the tranquility of twilight. Fireflies flicker in the sky, like tiny fading stars just out of reach. The scent of smoke and the char hang in the air. As the fire crackles, it creates at atmosphere of meditative reflection, the way fire often does as long days draw to a close. Distant memories, present uncertanties, and future worries seem to manifest, depicted within the fire itself, but that is only the imagination's projection.
Within the flames, Pax recalls a vivid memory, the first time interacting with a hemocraft sigil of ancient power. (II.Lore Pax's Memories)

Campaign Preface

The last month has passed in a blur following the defeat of Folio and Tristain's departure for Chult. The first two tenday were spent in Neverwinter as all around the city, preparations and anticipation for the Highharvestide swelled. On the day of festivities and feasting, Pax met with his old Ghost Slayer ally, Tordahr, learning more of the necromancer responsible for the pillaged crypts of Knights across the Sword Coast.
Gristaxadahn the Godforsaken. A lich, reborn in unliving eternity through an ancient rite, invoking the cursed favor of an archdevil of the nine hells. Tordhar's informant could not speak to Gristaxadahn's purpose, but revealed that the infernal lich resides in Dragonspear Castle. Within his stronghold, it is said he guards over a centuries-old portal to the Abyss. One of the ways he defends it is through an arcane lock surrounding the entire keep. The key, Tordahr revealed, is not a physical object nor a spell, but a person. A scholar serving as Gristaxadahn's vassal. The individual's identity is unknown, but they are believed to be in Daggerford and as Pax knows, this means they are likely in danger. Aethuriel and Pax set out for the city the next morning.
Thanks in part to the spreading stories of their daring adventures and the reclamation of Pirate's Skyhold, along with a few rounds of drinks at the Beached Leviathan, the pair of adventurers secured passage across the Sea of Swords aboard the Pestilent Dragon. A trek that would have taken at least two tendays on foot drifts along on the open sea in just four days. Docking briefly in Skullport in the dead of night, the pirate's bid their new friends a fond farewell.
While in Waterdeep, Pax and Aethuriel restocked their supplies and got a lay of the land proper before proceeding southeast along the High Road to Daggerford. The news coming out of the city had been concerning, but mostly full of vague anxieties or ambiguous fears. The roads between the two cities had seen only a trickle of carts or travelers, compared to bustling crowds of previous years, particularly with winter drawing close.

Approaching Daggerford

As Pax and Aethuriel approach the gate of Daggerford, a forboding weight and lingering unease seems to eminate from the city. Overhead, grey clouds loom as smoke rises from chimneys overhead. The smell of soot wafts over the walls, along with the stench of manure and mud. The water in the moat surrounding the wall sloshes as the wind picks up, revealing growing piles of refuse hidden below the surface.
Across the moat, two sullen guards man the bridge, both wearing Daggerford's dark blue coats with the city's symbol, a silver dagger dripping crimson blood, upon their shields and cloaks. Aethuriel and Pax observe from a distance as the guards prod one of the few arriving carts with their spears. After a moment, a terse exchange of coins allows for the cart and merchant's safe passage. Gears creaking and chains rattling, the gate opens and then slams back down with a reverberating thud, sending a flock of crows to flight, circling over the city.

Session Summary

In Waterdeep, Pax and Aethuriel watch the festivities of High Harvestide spread throughout the city. A gnome shares fifteen Gil's Grapeshots with Aethuriel, small firecrackers that explode with sound and light when thrown. They also observe a half-elf bard who seems to be opening a new tavern, the Stone Way Inn, among the ruins of the Dancing Stallion. Pax shares the details of his meeting with Tordahr, confirming not only the name of the necromancer they seek — Gristaxadahn the Godsforsaken — but his location, Dragonspear Castle. Pax explains that the entire keep is surrounded by an arcane lock bound to a vassal of the lich who is somewhere in Daggerford. They set out to find this individual the next morning.
Arriving at the gate, Pax uses his Mask of Disguise Self, a gift from Tordahr, to take on the appearance of Ephen, another Knight of Holy Judgment. At the gate, Aethuriel produces the falsified writ of entry and greases the palms of the guards to allow Delores, a local dairy farmer, entry into the city. She thanks Aethuriel, hints at how the city has become more difficult as of late, and offers a wheel of cheese as a token of gratitude.
Within the market, both Aethuriel and Pax purchase simple cloaks from Gublin's, where they also get directions to Sir Isteval's home. When asked about the state of the town, Gublin responds that he believes the Guildmasters are doing a good job cracking down on crime and external threats, but that the city is just in the midst of some minor growing pains.
Outside the store, the companions watch over the mostly-empty market. They notice guards inspecting and confiscating goods. Upon leaving, Aethuriel discovers his coin pouch is forty gold coins lighter.
Arriving at Sir Isteval's door, the party meet his squire, Korbach, a young woman in her late teenage years with ink-stained fingertips, wearing leather armor. Entering the home, Aethuriel and Pax immediately note the worn dragonscale armor and spear adorning the wall, along with a painting of Sir Isteval alongside Rulidd, Tristain's father.
The party introduces themselves to Sir Isteval, describinging their search for Gristaxadahn's vassal. Pax drops his disguise and tries to explain his innocence regarding his last time in Daggerford. Sir Isteval is hesitant, but Aethuriel makes a compelling case, vouching for Pax as both an individual and someone who has saved his life and served the Knight's cause for months. Pax shares little of his experience in Daggerford except to suggest that he has intel suggesting the duchess is not herself, but rather a succubus in disguise.
Though old friends with Duchess Morwen, Isteval expresses hope that Pax is correct about her infernal nature, because it would be, "easier to believe she has been replaced with a monster than become one herself." They also discuss the recent changes in Daggerford and how Isteval has had to become a legal scholar to try and help those who have been wrongly imprisoned or detained on increasingly minor infractions. He expressed his frustration as the frequently updated regulations continue to thwart his efforts.
A collector of Knights of Holy Judgment artifacts and documents, Isteval offers a small dossier of documents further details about Gristaxadahn. In it, the party confirms that as a Helmite, Gristax Adahn studied lawfulness as a philosphical nature and specialized in infernal contracts. Some contemporaries believed that he had begun partaking in cultist rituals under the guise of his research. Following his departure from the Knights in Sundabar, Gristax traveled to known internal incursion points including Idlyglen, Hellgate Keep, and Dragonspear Castle.
In their discussion, Pax inquires about any information Sir Isteval may have regarding the Blood Hunters and their interactions with the Knights of Holy Judgment. Isteval is able to produce only one document, the bounty and contract for Ehmar, founder of the Order of Profane Souls, in Elturel in 1282, who was accused of murdering men, women, and children while escaping custody by local authorities.
When discussing the next steps in finding the vassal of Gristaxadahn, Sir Isteval can offer little concrete information from his collections. Instead, he points Pax and Aethuriel to the Black Stone Inn where a black market dealer would likely have an idea of where to start in their search.

Session Overview

Date Played:
May 9, 2023
Party:

• Aethuriel
• Pax

Time Passed:
Elient 18, 1493 PM - Marpenoth 19, 1493 PM
NPCs:

• Davan
• Avri
• Delores
• Gublin
• Korbach
• Sir Isteval

Loot:

• Mask of Disguise Self
• Daggerford Writ of Entry
• 2 Potions of Healing
• 2 Travel Cloaks