KWN.2.6 On Arkmenos' Trail

Session Preface

It is a brisk, bright day as you return to The Gem of the North, the warmth belying the soon approaching winter. Fellow travelers along the road are sparse, mostly those who work the fields of wheat along the rolling hills to the south. Vultures circle overhead in the north, slowly gliding to their next meal. As you approach the city, you simultaneously notice the increased presence of figures marching the walls. Figures stand in solitary patrol with their backs towards you, their gaze tracing the winding streets of Silverymoon. Standing in the shadow of the Sundabar Gate, a queue has formed as individuals speak with the posted members of the Silver Watch, procuring documents while their carts are searched. Eventually, the line thins and you stand before a pair of figures. A dwarf, his rust-colored hair framing his face in a overgrown pair of sideburns, looks towards you and says, "Alright there, well met, Knights. No hard feelings here, but afraid I'll need to see some writ or permit for getting into the city, eh?"

Session Summary

Held up at the gate while Tristain rummages through his packs for his contract, the party learns that the city's defenses have been amplified following another string of deaths matching the description of those they investigated earlier. Once able to enter the city, the party make their way to Grapeshot's office, informing him of Deckon Thar's lieutenant stalking the streets, his demand for the return of the Truesilver Crown, and the Zhentarim's involvement.
At this, Grapeshot informs them that they tracked down Brammus to the Black Network's safehouse, but the Viper refused to give access for questioning without proper documentation, which in turn has been impossible to get during a period of political turmoil in addition to everything else. The Captain also provides each of them amulets he believes will help ward off mental influence, though he admits his ignorance as to the details of how they work. Grapeshot then requests the party return to the Viper and try to use their involvement in his plans as leverage for learning more about the missing artillery from Brammus. With this, Tristain and Aethuriel return to speak with the Zhentarim while Pax lingers with Grapeshot to discuss other developments in the city.
At the Golden Oak, the two Knights inform Viper Hornblade of the Zhentarim tracks they followed to Deckon Thar's Barrows and his claim that Arkmenos had stolen the crown that he required returned. Upon hearing Arkmenos' name, the Viper summoned forth a prisoner, a half-elf by the name of Eli, who he believed had been involved with Arkmenos. Under questioning, Eli reveals that he had in fact worked sparingly for Arkmenos in the Lionshield Coster Warehouse before being asked to go and retrieve Brammus from the safehouse. Not knowing what Arkmenos wanted with him or why, Eli was unable to give much more in the way of direction besides confirming Arkmenos had been wearing a crown during their last meeting.
After regrouping with Pax, the three companions went and visited Brammus who, despite his foul mood, confirmed that he had worked with Dulgram to facilitate him stealing components that were delivered to an empty warehouse where Thanduil, another Silver Watch night shift member, worked to build something with them.
With recent events coming into view, the party tracked down the Lionshield Trading Coster warehouse, scoping out the security and speaking with a shift manager to investigate the property under the pretense of the recent murders. When they could not provide sufficient documentation, the companions were turned away. The party returned to Grapeshot, got the necessary paperwork, made arrangements to meet the Captain and a few of his men who could be trusted at the warehouse the next morning. Over the course of the evening, the companions take turns watching the warehouse for suspicious activity, but don't find any concrete evidence. Of note, however, is Aethuriel's awareness of a subtle tremor rumbling beneath the city streets as he kept his watch late into the evening.
At sunrise the next day, the party along with the Silver Watch approach the warehouse, and upon providing the require documentation, convince the shift manager to lead them to the basement where they can interrogate her in an isolated space. She begrudgingly agrees, calls over two other members to each reveal a key for the three locks on the basement door and leads the party into the dark subterranean chamber.
Upon entering, the party is immediately ambushed by individuals who they discover to be worshipers of Cyric clearly working to waylay and thwart their investigation. The cultists are joined by a pair of constructs who answer the commands of the two veteran figures. With the Cyricists subdued, the party goes above ground to find Captain Grapeshot and his men fending off the warehouse work crew under the mental sway of Arkmenos. Just as this happens, a stronger tremor shudders through the warehouse and Grapeshot orders the companions to go take care of it. Searching for an alternative way forward, Pax discovers beneath a crate a chunk of false floor excavated to allow access to the sewer tunnels running beneath the city. Descending further, the companions press onward to find the source of the isolated tremors before its too late.

sewers

Session Overview

Date Played:
February 3, 2021
Party:

• Aethuriel
• Pax
• Tristain

Time Passed:
Elesias 23, 1493 (AM) - Elesias 24, 1493 (AM)
NPCs:

• Captain Grapeshot
• Viper Hornblade
• Brammus
• Eli
• Lars
• Arkmenos

Loot:

• 2 Potions of Healing