06: On the Trail

   

Waking in The Watchful Knight in Beliard, the group prepared to journey south in search of the missing Mirabar Delegates. Their morning preparations were interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Lilium, the sorceress they'd worked with in Red Larch. Her family had fled the strange occurrences there, and she rejoined the adventurers, keen to help, especially with the perilous trip south.

As the sun climbed, they began their southward trek along the Dessarin Road, with Joe scouting ahead. Two hours passed before Bessok noticed a large flock of crows and vultures circling a mile to the west, signalling something amiss. Signalling Joe, the group left the road to investigate.

One of the Fallen Soldiers

After climbing a hill, they found what appeared to be a battleground. A dozen fallen soldiers, clad in black surcoats bearing an emblem of red axes, lay scattered. Some were in craters, a few impaled by rocks seemingly forced from the ground, while most bore the signs of conventional combat. On a nearby hilltop, two rock cairns stood sentinel.

A lingering sensation of cruel magic permeated the air, explaining the scavenging birds' reluctance. As they investigated, Rowan noticed several vultures growing larger, revealing Feathergale Knights mounted upon them. Not in the mood for parley, the knights swooped down on their giant vultures, initiating a pitched battle that left Lilium near death and Rowan unconscious. Gark, however, expertly cast a Hold spell on one Knight, incapacitating him for the entire engagement.

Searching the defeated knight, they found a sealed scroll. The cairns yielded further discoveries: Bessok uncovered the remains of five Bugbears and, beneath the smaller cairn, the very golden-masked monk they'd heard about in Beliard, his mask shaped like a snarling gargoyle.

A Secret Message

A New Symbol

Joe, ever the tracker, picked up the trail of about thirty surviving Bugbears and humanoids wearing boots, heading southwest towards the Dessarin River. The trail led to the riverbank, marked with the gouges of several keelboats. Gark transformed into a giant fish and explored the river, spotting a boat with another strange symbol as a flag, but found little else.

Remembering that the book Bessok had bought in Red Larch came from a shady dealer in Womford, they decided it was their next destination. They followed the riverbank for four quiet hours until another keelboat, filled with a cheerful fishing crew, approached from the north. The crew offered them a ride to Womford, which they accepted despite Gark's suspicions. The fishermen were honest folk, though they complained about new "thugs" extorting payments for safe passage on the river.

Map of Womford

Womford proved to be a drab village, its two large mills serving the surrounding farms. The buildings were ramshackle, the inhabitants wary, and shops offered little beyond local essentials—a stark contrast to the Bargewright Inn across the river.

Shoalar Quanderil

At the docks, they found another keelboat belonging to a serious-looking group: a tall, blue-skinned Water Genasi with webbed fingers, a tough-looking Halfling, and two human troublemakers. Rowan and Lilium attempted to purchase books. While Lilium skillfully persuaded her way in, Rowan was met with disdain, the Water Genasi warning the Halfling to watch him closely.

The Water Genasi took Lilium into his deckhouse to discuss the books. He was curious how she knew about them, accepting her explanation. Lilium, in turn, asked about his source, to which he vaguely replied it was "part payment for some recent work" without elaborating. Lilium noticed a river map on his desk with the same new symbol near the keelboat trail markings. Later, Bessok returned with Lilium, purchased the books, and memorized the map's details.

With no suitable lodging in Womford, they crossed the extravagant Ironford Bridge, adorned with two massive stone dragons, and headed for the Bargewright Inn. Due to the late hour, they camped outside with other travellers, as the inn demanded exorbitant fees for late entry. They rose early to the sounds of activity and the opening of the gates.

Bargewright Inn, Rowan knew, was outwardly ordinary but secretly controlled by the Zhentarim, an organization he claimed membership with. It was a place where anything, including magical items, could be acquired if you knew the right people—and Rowan knew them all. The immediate area was a muddy, manure-filled sprawl of small buildings, but the Inn itself was a massive structure with secret tunnels, hidden rooms, and private storage. Inside, they met the innkeeper, Nalaskur Thaelond, who directed them to sources for magical items.

Map of Bargewright Inn

Now awaiting their new purchases, due the following day, the group's target is firmly set on the new symbol they noted on the river map. The realization that the surviving Delegates were likely taken by boat solidifies their next move.