Settling Mantol-Derith S02E06 Report

General Summary

As the battle dies down our heroes watch, but they are not alone.
Having tied up the drow assassin, the group confronts her. Having searched her, Mr. Garrick retrieves the stone and slips it into his bag. The assassin reveals that she was exiled from her house, but was recently given the assignment of killing Lorthuun the Zhentarim beholder. Having finished her tasks she expects that she will be fully restored. When asked about the collateral damage, she is unconcerned.
As they wrap up the questioning, a mail hlfl-elf, that was also watching the battle. He introduces himself as Joseph and lets the others know that he is there to meet with Ghazrim in order to find his way to Gravenhollow.
Mr. Garrick points to the dead Zhentarim leader and informs Joseph that it is the body of the person he seeks. Joseph does a quick search of the body and finds a key attached to his necklace and a ring with a sizable ruby. He takes both items.
Bug, having recieved a message about what was happening in Mantol-Derith, joins the party. He casts raise dead on Ghazrim and the party heads to the Zhentarim warehouse.
When the zhents open the slot to see who is there, they recognize their leader and open the door. Bug then explains to the guards that they need to see whoever else is in charge as their leader has been affected by a mind wipe spell.
In the corner of the warehouse, they meet Niso (Solomon ), previously 3rd in charge, but given what just happened, the new leader. The party explains what happened and hand over the assassin. As a reward, they ask for ink and paper.
Solomon asks Mr. Garrick for help maintaining control of the outposts and Mr. Garrick loans him the service of 5 of the Zhentarim thugs traveling as part of the expedition.
Recalling that the stone should be returned, Richter notes that their next stop should be to meet with the deep gnomes and deep dwarves. Mr. Garrick says that their is no need to do so, the stone is in his possession and should remain that way.
Bug suspects that there is something going on with the stone and ask Mr. Garrick to examine it. He's allowed to cast identify, but Mr. Garrick requires that the stone not leave his possession. After casting identify, Bug lets everyone know that it is a simple gem stone, nothing more.
Hearing that the heroes are looking for Gravenhollow, Peebles offer to get them to the vicinity. He says that his master will know the way and is in the direction that they are headed.
The party agrees to follow his lead and set off from Mantol-Derith on their way to Gravenhollow via the home Peeble's master. Graven hollow is about 20 days travel and the master's home is about half way.
As they leave the city, Bug begins to lament their run in with the Pudding King. He's upset about killing the man rather than finding another way to resolve the situation.

Onward

The first day of travel is without incident. On the second day, the party comes face to face with a Behir. They have time to formulate a plan and hope for an easy encounter.
Mr. Garrick offers money to one of the thugs and in exchange poly-morphs him into a giant crocodile. When the battle begins, Joseph and Richter race forward as Bug and Mr. Garrick cast fireball, attempting to quickly dispatch the monster.
There's a little trouble within the troops as one of the fighters runs away yelling that he is being attacked by bees. Likewise, Vincent, the thug that is currently in crocodile form claims that he has been turned to stone and cannot fight.
The Behir makes an attack on Richter as the Shield Guardian charges in. Richter and Joseph add to the damage that is being done to the beast. Rather than take more hits from them, the Behir grabs the Child Guardian and races up a nearby wall.
As arrows from the force rain down, the monster is aware that he will likely loose the fight unless he makes an escape. He climbs down the way and uses his lightening breath against Joseph and Richter - but it isn't enough. Joseph is greatly wounded, but neither fell.
The Behir's escape is no longer possible and with only a few more hits it falls.
The party opts to rest where they are and then continue the journey.
Two days later they encounter a humanoid moving about on all fors. As they apprach he stands upright. His appearance resembles a 6 foot meerkat.
As they begin talking to him, he exclaims, "Oh, I remember you! How is Blurg?"
Confused, the party looks at each other trying to remember if they know anyone named Blurg.
Seeing their confusion, the creature corrects himself, "I'm sorry, it seems we haven't met yet."
Bug questions the man and learns that he does indeed know some of the names of the party. It's clear that while they have not meet him, he has meet them.
The visitor tells them that when they reach the library they will have a better understanding. When questioned father about the library he only responds that the giants will help them understand. After a few more questions attempting to clarify things lead only to more confusion, the party moves on and the man skitters away.

Rewards Granted

• key
• ring
• 8 jars of ink
• 18 pieces of parchment

Character(s) interacted with

Solomon Amos ("Niso")

Campaign

Out of the Abyss

Protagonists

Report Date

12 Oct 2019

• In Attendance
• Korey (Richter)
• Kevin ( Mr. Garrick)
• Christian (Bug)
• Bethany (Joseph)