Umber Hulk's Shell Inn

The Umber Hulk's Shell Inn is a two-story inn and tavern in Leilon owned by Raphaella Umber.

Campaign Recap

First Night in Leilon (4 Mirtul)

On 4 Mirtul, Collateral Damage and Mystery Sparkle arrived in Leilon and rented rooms at the Umber Hulk's Shell Inn.

That evening, they talked briefly with the bartender Alion Malwyn. Herb Stoner asked Alion if he was familiar with the Wayside Inn on the High Road. Alion said he knew about it since travelers often stayed there on their way to Leilon, and they typically had good things to say about it. Herb then came up with a new slogan for the Wayside Inn, of which he was now a part owner:

"They've always got room for you!"

Later that evening, the group reunited at the inn at the end of the night. Shortly after sitting down at a table for a drink, Herb received a sending spell from Garaele Edermath. In the message, Garaele said:

"Don-Jon told us what happened. Glad you’re OK. Granddad and I agreed to fight dragon with Don-Jon and someone named Harshnag. What’s next for you?"

Herb told the rest of the group about the message, and they discussed what to do next. Shinzon mentioned wanting to visit Barry Brightshine the following day to talk about the adamantine they recently acquired, plus wanting to look for ingredients for potions and poisons. The group also discussed Rayphlárd's cousin Nárthurl and his request for them to join him at the town council meeting on 5 Mirtul to discuss the Cult of Talos.

The group decided to stay in Leilon on 5 Mirtul, take care of some things during the day, then go to the town council meeting in the evening. After that, they would decide what to do next, possibly going to Gnomengarde like Don-Jon had suggested many times. The group retired to their rooms (Rayphlard and Tubby went back to the House of Razaycrynth) and rested for the evening.

Downtime Before the Town Council Meeting (5 Mirtul)

On 5 Mirtul, Herb decided to stay in his room at the inn and spend his day reading Volo's Tome of Understanding while the rest of Collateral Damage explored the town.

They met back up at the inn in the late afternoon when they were done with their daytime activities. Shinzon Greenshadow walked in feeling bad after poisoning himself, so Conor McGregor - for the first time - used his new paladin abilities to lay on hands and restore his health.

Meeting Tommy Cornell

After Conor helped Shinzon, he introduced Shinzon to his new friend Tommy Cornell. Shinzon learned that Tommy was previously being trained to become a member of the Green Claw, the group of elite guards serving the Cult of the Dragon sect under Claugiyliamatar in the Kryptgarden Forest.

Tommy hadn't finished his training before Claugiyliamatar banished almost the entire faction, so he started wandering the region, eventually winding up in Luskan, then the Moonshae Isles, then Leilon. Shinzon asked whom he trained with; Tommy answered, saying someone with a "horse" in his name, but he wasn't sure ... it might have been someone else. Tommy's memory had faded since that time, and he had a lot to drink since then too.

Tommy asked the rest of the group if they also wanted to be on the card for SmackUp! that night. Conor was the only one interested, but the rest agreed to go. Tommy then said he needed to rest up for his title defense that night, so he stumbled into a room behind the bar.

Preparing for the Meeting With Nárthurl

Rayphlárd's cousin Nárthurl arrived at the inn and met the rest of Collateral Damage at their table. He described being nervous about the Leilon Town Council meeting, saying:

"Well, to be honest, I’m pretty worried about tonight. They asked me to be the one to come, but this meeting, these things are open to the public. They want me to talk about what I know in front of anyone who’s there. What if one of those storm worshippers is there in disguise? What if they come after me? I’m not a fighter. I’m not a sorcerer with Razaycrynth's powers. I’m just a fisherman."

The group reassured Narthurl, telling him they would stand with him during the meeting.

As they prepared to leave for the meeting, the group saw the owner of the inn, Raphaella Umber, emerge from the back offices. Herb Stoner recognized Raphaella as a vampire he encountered years ago in Neverwinter. Raphaella whispered something to the bartender Alion Malwyn, signaled to a young man to join her, and she walked out of the inn together with the young man. Collateral Damage and Narthurl then left the inn and started walking to the meeting.

Raphaella Umber and Val Thollo (5 Mirtul)

At the end of the day on 5 Mirtul, Collateral Damage returned to the inn. Before resting for the evening, they decided to stay in the tavern for some drinks, and shortly after that a hooded female dwarf joined them. She whispered to them, saying "It’s me, Amethyst. Don't worry, I just don’t want to risk anyone knowing who I am here, so that's why I disguised myself. I figured I'd come here to see if I could learn any more about that Raphaella Umber person."

Meeting Raphaella

A few minutes later, Raphaella exited her office and went into the tavern area. After speaking briefly with her bartender Alion Malwyn, she walked over to the table occupied by Collateral Damage and their new friend Amethyst.

Raphaella said "I wanted to personally thank you for your service to our town and against those cultists. Anyone who worships a god of destruction should be wiped from this planet. You all are truly doing good for this region."

She then addressed Amethyst directly, saying "I don’t believe you were with these fellows at tonight’s meeting. My name is Raphaella Umber, who might you be?" Amethyst answered, saying "My name is Amber. I’m with them." Raphaella turned to the rest of the group, warmly saying "Anyone who is friends with this group is certainly welcome here."

Raphaella then changed the subject, saying "So, I trust that you heard my plea to the council tonight. Well, it didn’t seem like they thought much of my idea, of going after Old Gnawbone herself. In a previous life, I would hire individuals like yourselves to go and do a thing like that. Tell me, do you all have any experience with dragons? I have some wealthy friends who would certainly be willing to reward any individuals who are up to that task."

The group was vague in their answers, saying they've seen a few dragons, a white and a green one. Raphaella asked where they had seen a green one, and they told her about Venomfang in Thundertree. They continued talking about dragons in general, but the group didn't commit to helping Raphaella.

Raphaella then stood up, saying "If you're ever interested in taking me up on my offer, again, I have very wealthy friends." She then turned to Herb Stoner, winked and said "We should talk." To the rest of the table she said "Enjoy your stay. And again, thank you." Raphaella then returned to her office.

Talking About Raphaella

After Raphaella left, Amethyst said she thought she used to work for the mercenary group Raphaella referred to. She explained that the guild was run by someone named Raphaella, but she never met her. She only worked with someone named Kairos.

Amethyst then told the group that she was going to stay in Leilon for a little while longer to see if she could find more clues that might lead her to Kairos. Since her disguise self magic was about to fade away, she stood up, paid for a room, and went to bed for the night.

Herb then brought up his story about meeting Raphaella years ago. Visit the Herb Stoner page (Personal History section) for more details. Herb then asked the bartender Alion Malwyn if Raphaella was available to talk more, but Alion answered that she wasn't.

Val Thollo Interrogates the Group

... coming soon ...

Amethyst Spies on Raphaella (6-7 Mirtul)

On 6 Mirtul, Amethyst Mountainbender spent a day in Leilon tracking the movements of both Raphaella Umber and Val Thollo. Amethyst spent time at the Umber Hulk's Shell Inn, studying the staff's patterns and looking for opportunities to get into Raphaella's private office.

On 7 Mirtul, Amethyst used what she learned about the staff at the inn and snuck into Raphaella's office. She then cast rope trick and climbed up to an extradimensional space to observe the office without being detected. A few minutes later, Raphaella entered the office with the bartender Alion Malwyn. During their conversation, Amethyst heard Raphaella tell Alion:

• The leaders of Leilon - and therefore Neverwinter and the Lords' Alliance - didn't sound like they would follow her pleas and attack the green dragon Claugiyliamatar. If Taris wanted that dragon dead, she may have to do it herself.
• Ularan told Raphaella that Taris was going to be leaving soon to go after that other dragon, the one that recently made its lair at Icespire Peak.
• Raphaella was thinking about sending someone to Phandalin. She hadn't heard back from Argus Skeel in a while, and she wanted to know what happened to him. She suspected that he may have been killed by the adventurers who were at the town council meeting. Raphaella said she hadn't decided about that yet, since the adventurers may be there now, and she doesn't want another one of her spawn to die.

Raphaella and Alion left the office, and Amethyst descended from the extradimensional space created by the rope trick spell. She snuck out of the office and went upstairs to her room. She decided to go to Phandalin to tell Collateral Damage about what she learned and then ask them to join her in finding and confronting Taris at Icespire Peak.

Raphaella Traps Amethyst (19-22 Mirtul)

On 19 Mirtul, in the early morning hours before sunrise, Amethyst Mountainbender disguised herself in her dwarf persona and went searching for Zana Taylish of the Cult of Talos, hoping to confront her about Thinshu going missing. Amethyst was instead surprised by three individuals who grappled her, put a hood over her head, and carried her away to the Umber Hulk's Shell Inn.

After being taken to the basement of the inn, Amethyst's hood was removed, revealing Raphaella Umber, Alion Malwyn and two other pale-skinned individuals. Raphaella sent the other three away, then began speaking to the disguised Amethyst. "Hello Amber. Or should I say Amethyst? We should talk."

Raphaella Interrogates Amethyst, and Vice Versa (19 Mirtul)

Amethyst dropped her magical disguise, and said "You know, you could have just asked for a meeting." Raphaella then explained why she had captured her.

"Unfortunately, that's not something I could risk. You and I are on opposing sides, but that doesn't need to be the case.

"Amethyst, we haven't spoken before today, but you worked for me many years ago. That mercenary group in Neverwinter, you probably heard people referring to 'the boss.' That was me. And Kairos, the one who led you to the Sunless Citadel, well... he's family.

"I know you and your friends interrupted Taris at Icespire Peak. And unfortunately, I now find myself aligned with her. But what I need to know, and why I had them bring you here... I need to know exactly what happened at the Sunless Citadel. First, did you find my husband Gulthias? And second, what happened to our son, Kairos?

"I don't want to hurt you, Amethyst. But I will if that's what it takes. I don't have anything against you personally, but if you hold this information from me, you won't leave this place."

Amethyst sighed and said "The last time I saw Kairos, he was leaving me to die... I'll tell you everything I know if you return the favor." Raphaella agreed. During a lengthy conversation, Amethyst first learned the following:

• Many years ago, before the events of 1451 when Mount Hotenow erupted, the Red Wizards of Thay were planning to expand into the Neverwinter region. They hoped to establish a base of operations there, and they were considering killing or enslaving the dwarven population of Gauntlgrym and using that location. They hired Raphaella's mercenary guild to scout the Neverwinter Wood and relay information back to them about the surrounding area. Gulthias (Raphaella's husband) took the job, but he never came back.
• In 1451, Taris Greenshadow contacted Raphaella's mercenary guild. Taris hired them to find a location called the "Sunless Citadel" and steal a dragon egg. That name "Sunless Citadel" reminded Raphaella of her husband Gulthias. She remembered that Gulthias told her that he had read about a place with that name, that he started having dreams in which his destiny was linked to this mysterious place. After remembering all of that, Raphaella suspected that Gulthias had found the Sunless Citadel and stayed there, so she sent their adopted son Kairos to go find it. Kairos then brought Amethyst, Azrael, Knismizo and Thimble with him on that mission.
• When the volcano erupted, Raphaella feared the worst, but she couldn't confirm it. She sensed that Gulthias still existed somewhere, and she felt the same about Kairos. As time went on, she wondered if she just convinced herself of that as a way to keep going and not lose hope. The eruption destroyed much of Neverwinter, including her mercenary business. She hid away for decades, feeding on the survivors on the surface every now and then, and then retreating back to her grief.

When Amethyst asked Raphaella about what was happening in the present day, she learned that:

• The Red Wizards found her in Neverwinter about five years ago. They told her if she worked for them as a spy in Leilon, they would reveal to her the location of the Sunless Citadel after they completed a long-term project. She agreed, and they paid her to purchase an inn in Leilon (which she renamed to the Umber Hulk's Shell Inn) as her cover story.
• They've been planning an attack on Leilon, and they were close to launching it. Three necromancers (Hamun Kost, Ularan Mortus, and Tsernoth) were planning attacks on the town using massive undead forces, and Taris Greenshadow planned to join the attack from the air while riding her dracolich.
• Taris attempted to turn the white dragon Cryovain into a dracolich on 13 Mirtul, but Collateral Damage prevented the spell from being completed. Taris apparently had a backup plan, but that's all Raphaella knew at that point.

Amethyst then asked a few more questions:

• Do you also have Thinshu tied up somewhere? "No, I wouldn't do that. Thinshu and the dragonborn welcomed me to this town. Her family came here yesterday, asking if we had seen her. My guess is the Cult of Talos has her. Zana Taylish is their dimwitted agent here in Leilon. I did hear... from Zana's thoughts... that they recently discovered a new use for the blue dragonborn, so it wouldn't surprise me if they tried taking her."
• Were you planning to skip town or stay for the siege? "I'll be safe in my quarters."
• Isn't Taris strong enough without a dracolich? Seems a bit overboard to me. "To be honest, I don't know all that she's capable of. And I don't know why the Red Wizards trust her."

Raphaella then abruptly said she had business to attend to, but that Amethyst wasn't allowed to leave yet. Raphaella left, and Amethyst remained trapped in the inn basement for the next three days.

Raphaella Sets Amethyst Free (22 Mirtul)

On 22 Mirtul, in the early morning hours, Raphaella Umber returned to speak with Amethyst Mountainbender in the basement. She released Amethyst's binds and told her that:

• The Red Wizards were planning their attack on Leilon at sunrise on 23 Mirtul. They were planning it for that time because they had intel that the Cult of Talos was planning their own attack on the town at the same time. Both groups were trying to acquire something called the "Ruinstone."
• Thinshu was being held in the basement of Zana Taylish. Zana was not there at that time, but an invisible elemental servant was guarding the location. Raphaella didn't want anyone from the Light of Razaycrynth to get hurt.

Raphaella then told Amethyst "If anyone outside of Collateral Damage ever learns that I provided any information to you, I will hold you responsible. I found you before, and I can find you again." She then rushed out of the room, and her assistants blindfolded Amethyst and led her outside.

Employees

Innkeeper: Raphaella Umber

Bartender: Alion Malwyn

Purpose / Function

At the Umber Hulk's Shell Inn, beds cost 5 SP per night and meals typically cost 1 SP each.

Alterations

The inside of the Umber Hulk's Shell inn notably doesn't have any mirrors on the walls.

Type

Inn

Parent Location

Leilon

Owner

Raphaella Umber