Arc IV - A So Far Recap Pt. III [Sessions 110 - 112]

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Summaries of the following sessions of Ander's Hope, Arc IV, to archive key locations, NPCs, and rp.

Session 110, Untitled

Current Situation

This session takes place 17 Mirtul, 1494
The Trollmates finish investigating Ander's Bunker, then return to Waterdeep to catch up with Maran Blackwood as well as a couple other allies.

Session Summary

Z examines the invisible key and it seems to actually be half of one. Related to Ander's planar abilities and needs to be assembled with another half.
Dhann spends a bit more time in the empty chapel and comes back disturbed about something he's found; he examined the statuette of Shar and found a switch on the back. It dropped the statue forward to reveal a small compartment, and he brings what he found to show the group.
- A dark purple, almost black velvet bag with woven strings of gold drawing it shut. There is weight to it and substance. Inside the bag is some oval-shaped object about the size of a walnut but slightly thinner and almond-shaped. There is a coolness to the bag and its object. It is an amulet connected to a long silver chain. The amulet is not just cool to the touch; it is giving off cold. It is so cold, in fact, that it is almost painful. A wisp of cloud vapor circles around it from the cold.
- The amulet's beauty is only outweighed by its darkness. There is an evil quality to it that makes Dhann shudder. The almond-shaped amulet appears to be made of platinum or some similar metal. The face is covered with intricate filigreed patterns. Swirls of windy silver blowing shining leaves or perhaps wandering and tangled vines around some ancient wall. The design is just detailed enough to be decorative and to suggest a theme but just vague enough to suggest several. Instinctively turning the amulet over to inspect the other side, Dhann discovers that the intricate beauty of what is now obviously the back, is outmatched by the depth and darkness of the front. The filigree continues here around the edge. A frame of beauty surrounds the sheer darkness at the center of the amulet. Crisscrossing the front forming almost a cage, thin bands of metal come together at the center. In an instant, Dhann recognizes the unmistakable suggestion of the Blackwood family crest. And though the metallic tree sparks Dhann's interest, it is what is behind the tree that holds his gaze. The inside of the amulet, caged by the tree, is utter darkness. The inside depth seems impossible and it draws his gaze deep where a glint of light, a reflection of the bright room, flashes back at him. As he focuses for a moment, trying to see something that seems far away, there is a sudden flash in his head. It is bright and painful and nearly causes him to lose his balance.

Dhann relays to the group that when he felt the flash in his head, it reminded him of the flash that knocked him out in the City of the Dead. And when he dropped the pendant as a result, a flash of blue light matching The Blue Lady knocked the pendant away from him. Additionally, after this, he felt an overwhelming sense of dread about the pendant, as if all goodness in his person had been sucked out. He realizes this warning is directly from Helm in regard to the item.Z examines the amulet and he also feels a bit of that "evil void" feeling Dhann described. He also sees the deep, distant glint inside the blackness. It gives Z the creeps. Looking in the Per Historia Arcandor Materia:
- Bane of the Silverymoon. The Historia shows the back of a similar amulet, pictured with a ring of matching filigree. Whereabouts of the amulet are unknown. Brief entry says the amulet was designed to "dismantle" Silverymoon, once the seat of the confederation of Silver Marches. (Similar in its day to Myth Drannor).
Dhann returns the amulet to the compartment under the statue of Shar.
The second half of the invisible key is not in the bunker.
Z spends some downtime weaving, and Dhann asks Ely to prestidigitate the blood off of the mirror wall to eliminate any trace of which mirrors Ander Blackwood used the most. Dhann also spends time properly memorizing the mirror wall. Ely spends some time training with Aiden “Rascal” Windbreaker in the teleplanarportation circle room with their bows. Barrett examines the clean room again and watches a Shadowy rat attacked by one of the suits of armor.
Ely tests the proximity to Dhann and it's uncomfortable to be within 10' of Dhann. She also attunes to the Amulet of Fairy Dawn.
Aiden mentions at one point to Ely that Ander seems to have lost his left arm right above the elbow at some point, but then the next day his arm was back. Ander refused to explain what happened and didn't mention it again. In fact, he tried to hide it from Aiden and brushed off the entire encounter. It didn't seem like an attack or after a battle. Aiden mentions Ander said something about going to Helm's Hall to have his arm mended.
It is deduced that the forge pool runs on a repeating cycle and each of the contents is present for two hours:
- 12, Void
- 2, Fire
- 4, Water
- 6, Air, wind
- 8, Fey
- 10, Shadow
In the morning, Ely does clean all the blood from the mirrors and Dhann is confident he has the wall properly memorized.
Dhann uses Word of Recall to teleport everyone to the Hall and the spell works fine in Ander's Bunker. Rather than what the group feels during teleportation, this spell almost feels like an instantaneous shift of scenery and in a blink, they find themselves in the Hall. Barrett asks a passing child what day it is, and it is the 17th, meaning that time moves normally within the bunker. Dhann's connection with Stout is reestablished.
Z does a quick jog to find the second half of the invisible key and he gets a ping from Trollskull. Going to the tavern, Ely and Aiden are able to find the second half, also invisible. Erky is at the tavern and he says Ander told him not to move the key even though he never saw the key himself. He saw Ander and Maran use the circle once, and Ander's motion made it seem as if he was unlocking a door. The teleportation circle in the tavern rose to meet them, and then faded back down to the floor. She spends some time cleaning her equipment for brewing and setting it back up in the basement. She also visits Aurora to commission a component for Tasha's Otherworldly Guise be prepared.
At the Hall, Barrett asks if Father Evencrest has anyone trustworthy who can identify some magic items. Evencrest introduces Tache Nalren, an extremely tall, slender, regal, studious human acolyte of the Hall. Evencrest has given him a lot of responsibility within the Hall due to Evencrest's strained health.
- Quick Codes Quill - attuning to the item, the user can then have any message spoken to the quill, magically transcribed into nonsensical stories. The user can read anything that they had coded, even if they are no longer attuned to the item. Incredibly rare item and in many cities, considered illegal, including Waterdeep.
- Planar Looking Glasses - two mirrors crafted by Ander, one scrying into the Feywild and the other, into the Shadowfell. On the receiving side, rather than a floating orb, the target would see the mirror. They look to have been repurposed from orginally viewing other planes, judging by the carvings on them.
- Assassin's Dagger - a wicked knife with filigree of snakes. Laced with unconventional poison. Evencrest says the poison is one that is particularly painful and deadly. (+2 dagger and grants adv on any attack that would garner sneak attack damage. The sneak attack damage is an autocrit) There are only traces of the poison left on the weapon at present. As Tache leaves, Evencrest holds Barrett back and lets him know that Tache omitted some information about the dagger, most likely trying to be tactful but not wanting to give potentially dangerous information to a stranger. The dagger is a cursed item. The poison appears if one attunes to the item, and Evencrest warns against attuning to it.
- Shadow's Fist - a pair of leather gloves. [Will add proper stats once settled on]
- The two handaxes and longsword are simply weapons that, at one point, had been imbued with Shadow.
- Hand crossbow +2 - limitless bolts, reloading itself automatically.
- Scroll of Demiplane.
Momma Thatch says she's willing to let Dhann and Z try to heal her arm. Z and Dhann, for the next intense half hour, are able to extract the infection with a combination of Anti-Z and the Glove, with Greater Restoration. The tendrils that come out of Momma Thatch's arm are much longer and more developed than they looked on the surface, showing that the infection was actually much deeper than originally surmised to be. Anti-Z absorbs the Shadow, and Dhann then blasts him with Radiant magic to fry off the tendrils. It's discovered that Z does take damage during this and Dhann heals him. The operation overall seems to have been a complete success. Z asks if it's a high five moment but Dhann takes it to the next level with an exhilarated hug. "Holy shit it worked - we fucking did it, Z!"
Everyone gets back together, everyone updates each other on their separate errands. They investigate on the puzzle of Ander's arm; he did indeed get his arm regenerated at the Hall. Evencrest looks grave and says Ander did this over and over. It was always his left arm, and a very clean, precise, surgical cut above the elbow. His arm became a bit weaker each time it was regrown. His arm was useless in battle by the end.
Ely suggests using Detect Magic or Identify to check on Dhann; Barrett uses the former and glancing around at everyone, Dhann doesn't have any enchantment magic on him. However, this reminds Evencrest of something. He hands over a small box that Ander forgot, and inside is a ring.
Regarding the Bane of the Silverymoon: the ring matches the amulet, platinum colored and clearly a wedding band. Ander always wore it on his left hand, but would remove it before vanishing to have his arm taken, and would replace the ring once his arm was regenerated. The ring glows brightest with restoration magic, followed by illusion and conjuration. The ring feels very powerful. Based on Evencrest's Identify, it feels like a part of a set, absolutely.
Considering the Blackwood Signet Ring, it still registers as "blocked" and Barrett can see that, but not gauge anything else about it.

Session 111, Untitled

Current Situation

This session takes place 17 Mirtul, 1494
The Trollmates continue research and errands in Waterdeep while time permits

Session Summary

Continuing with Evencrest, Dhann tells the group about his share of a mine up north, a trading company, and property in Waterdeep that could potentially be used to benefit the citizens of the city as well as house displaced victims of Shadow infection. Evencrest is greatly relieved to hear about the treatment of Momma Thatch. He reveals that he has been sheltering two children in the basement of the Hall that other members of the clergy would have had kicked out; Dhann and Z absolutely volunteer themselves to see if they can help the children. He also lets the group know that there are other victims of Shadow infection that are within the Hall but are there because they haven't been detected to have the infection yet. Evencrest won't turn them away but other members of the clergy might, or will.
Dhann asks how communication with Helm has been for the other clerics and Evencrest says there hasn't seemed to be any issue. Dhann tells him of The Blue Lady that has been contacting him either faster than, or in place of, Helm in times of dire need or at times Helm seems absent. Dhann has thought hard about the instances of contact and has made the connection that the large, foggy figure that answered his first Divine Intervention in the Ethereal Plane was the same blue that he has been seeing. That was the first contact. While Dhann felt nothing during the second Divine Intervention, the third one had been answered by whatever deity this might be. He describes being knocked unconscious in the City of the Dead and that upon waking, he has since been able to see the lifelights of living creatures. Evencrest asks how he's doing this and Dhann says he's not doing anything, it simply is happening. Father Evencrest says he's not familiar with any power that manifests that sort of way. He asks to be informed of any developments or information that the group discovers. He is not familiar with the color Dhann is describing, or of any deity of that description. Barrett asks about avatars in Waterdeep that he may know of and Evencrest doesn't know of any current ones.
The group asks about Jonas Benedict who has been the only blue person Dhann has seen. The Father knows of him, he's simply a generous and wealthy man who is private, but a socialite, and donates to many houses of worship. He's known in some circles, mainly the wealthy. He hasn't been seen worshipping any deities or attending the services of the temples he donates to. He seems like a kind man and typical Waterdhavian.
Elyana describes casting Protection from Evil and Good on Dhann and how the spell made the lifesight flicker for a moment. Evencrest is concerned by this and asks if Dhann feels any unease or discomfort when this deity contacts him and Dhann can only describe feelings of safety and protection. The only moment of discomfort thus far was the contact in the Ethereal Plane.
The others report they've seen no behavioral changes in Dhann but there's the issue of proximity with Elyana being unable to approach him without significant head pains. This is quite concerning to the Father as well. He wonders if Dhann is exceeding anything in his experience and says that it might be a good idea to consult Tache Nalren due to the man's scholarly inclinations; perhaps he has come across a record of something like this. Evencrest says they should meet and have a clerical chat before Dhann leaves with the group on their next stint outside of Waterdeep.
Dhann takes the Quick Codes Quill, and Z takes the self-loading crossbow. Ely takes the scroll of Demiplane, and Dhann takes the Planar Looking Glasses. Barrett plans to give Mirt the two Shadow handaxes and longsword. Barrett holds onto the invisible bunker key while Ely holds onto the Trollskull one. Aiden takes the assassin's dagger with instructions from Ely to not attune to it. Barrett takes the ring part of the Bane of Silvery Moon and puts it in his quiver.
Ely, Aiden, and Barrett head to Blackstaff Tower to see if it's possible to get any update on Maran. The gates to the grounds are closed. From the outside, all seems fine. They decide to find a nearby tavern and ask if the proprietor might have seen anything. They first head to The Sapphire House. The proprietor is Callip Truecloak. She mentions the tower now has lights in the windows at night and Ely gives her gold with the ask that if anything interesting is seen, to please let the group know by sending a message to Evencrest at Helm's Hall.
They then head to The Flagon Dragon. Ely and Barrett get a table and a tankard. The serving maid's gossip is that she thinks Laeral Silverhand is trying to get into the tower and that accounts for the flashes and lights seen since last night. She doesn't know who cleared the sky but the rumor is that at present, no one thinks Silverhand did it because then she'd have done it sooner.
Barrett attunes to the Shadow's Fist gloves while Ely digs in her journals for information she remembers writing down about Silverymoon:

"I've been there!" Ely gasps, her finger pressed firmly against the yellowed page labeled Spring 1492 in one of her more worn green journals. She'd been thinking that if anything would have jumped out from her journals, it would have been something from years ago. Years. Not "the spring before she arrived in Waterdeep." Not "less than half a year ago." Well it was "years ago" with their strange jump through time, but she was still too shocked to let herself be bogged down by the complexities and technicalities of how long it had actually been versus how long it felt like to her.

"I knew it sounded familiar. SilveryMoon... The Grandfather Tree. I shouldn't have forgotten... but so much has happened since then." The Half-elf sets down her mug of ale and quickly scans the pages before flipping the book over and sliding it in front of Barrett. Between the Arcandor, Renaer and her journal entries, "We have a little more to go on about some of these locations now."

SilveryMoon is quite a surprising place. Not at all what I expected, though I have to admit my expectations weren’t very high since I’d never heard of it before. But it only made sense to pitstop in another town for supplies as I make my way north. This place was involved in the War of the SilverMarches which ended almost 10 years ago. The city sustained damage to its image but has mostly recovered since. The city failed to render as much aid as she could have in the war and the trust between her and the rest of the Confederation of Silver Marches. That being said the city is still quite welcoming. After wars, some cities just don’t welcome strangers in the same way again, but it doesn’t feel like that here. There are plenty of taverns and inns, the one I’m staying in now even has space for DonQui to rest. I was even able to sell and trade a few barrels of moonshine for money and cold weather supplies for the trip going north.

Back at Helm's Hall, Dhann and Z are led down into the basement by a cloaked and quiet figure neither of them has met or seen before. It is unclear if it is male or female. They are taken through a storeroom to a very small room deep in the lower level of the Hall. The children are siblings, Ifiry Softkeep and her younger brother, Den Softkeep. Her arm and shoulder are badly infected with the Shadow moving down her side, while the boy is nearly lost to the infection; it runs rampant in his entire system.
Dhann and Z talk to Ifiry about what they'd like to do, and she is nervous at first but warms up to the idea of being cured and with Dhann showing her his Shadow scars, and Z demonstrating with Anti-Z, she is more open with them and readily accepts their offer for help for both her and Den.
Z sets his self-playing harp to the tempo Dhann requests to help him concentrate as well as keep time to help him determine what spells to cast and when he can cast them. Ifiry plays with Anti-Z for a bit and it's clear the isolation of her and her brother has made her lonely; she's quite talkative now and trying to engage as much as possible.
Den is the first child to be treated, and it's a terribly intense endeavor for Dhann, Z, and Anti-Z. After a cast of Greater Restoration to begin the purge, Dhann pulls Shadow out with the Glove, pooling it in the Chalice of Chasms to dimiss as much of the infection as possible while Anti-Z begins to gather as much as it can. However, the Shadow isn't just the tendrils they expected, but is the thick, flowing tar substance. This is the most intense infection case Dhann has seen yet. As they work, the boy's glow begins to fade, which was expected but still concerning. The Shadow inside Den seems "tangled" and incredibly difficult to extract. They stop for the moment and decide to treat Ifiry's arm.
Ifiry's infection is much more what the two of them were expecting, with the same combination of treatments, her infection seems to be cleared completely. There is no tarry substance in Ifiry's case. With an Eye check, she seems to have a bit of scarring but that's it.
Dhann tells Z that he thinks the infection, if left too long in someone, begins to convert their bodies and organs into the tar substance. And that it would be a wild chance to take, but he could potentially remove the Shadow, most likely most of Den's organs, and regenerate the body with a very high spell. Dhann tries a Divine plea but receives no answer. If they try this, Den will, literally, die and they hope his soul answers Dhann's magic.
Z tells Ifiry what will happen, and she gives them permission to try this but she doesn't want to watch. Ifiry goes with the cloaked figure after they are given instructions that Dhann and Z not be disturbed until they knock on the door asking to come out. The figure agrees and leaves with Ifiry.
Back at the Flagon Dragon, Renaer Neverember enters and joins them at their table. He gives Barrett the planar tuning forks (Material and Shadowfell) and Ely and Barrett update him on Maran most likely being in the tower and attuning. He knows a secret entrance to the basement if they want to try that, into the Apprentice Foyer. He confirms that some of the books in Ander's bunker are titles that went missing in his own library. He wonders why Ander would need Waterdeep history books anyway. Renaer offers use of one of his villas should the group need it. He gives them a key and directions to the building.

Turning to Renaer, "Um... speaking of those History books, since you seem be quite knowledgeable about Alustriel Silverhand. You don't by any chance have any books about the Silverhands, do you? We seem to keep running into them."

She pauses for a moment, watching Aiden stuff his face with potatoes and eggs and sausage. So much had been discussed that morning. So many kids who need help. Not enough resources to accommodate them. Shadow-infected or not. "On a different note, something I understood when the group spoke this morning is that Dhann has a lot of plans for the Hall. And I can't imagine he can start making any moves until he has access to the Blackwood...finances, I guess? I know it's still morning, and we didn't expect to run into you, but there may not be a better time to ask. How soon could you get those papers to Dhann at Helm's?"

"I'm sure I do have one or two books about the Silverhands. When Silverhand became open lord after my father a few years ago, of course she became part of Waterdeep history. Books on her and the Seven Sisters though are sometimes riddled with legend and stories that only have a slim resemblance to reality. Is there anything specific you would like to know?"

Renaer continues, "As to Dhann's resources, I believe Mirt is handling most of the estate on his behalf. He would certainly know better about the details. I'm expecting to meet with him on some other matters this evening at the Yawning Portal. I do have most of the real estate holdings that now belong to Dhann, at least those within Waterdeep. Blackwood manor, of course, and a few other properties that Bran had invested in or Lord Blackwood held. I would expect though, that anything Dhann may need could be acquired fairly quickly by Mirt. He tends to have a way about these things. He came by his title honestly when it comes to business affairs."

"Oh! Renaer, I almost forgot to ask; when you stopped by Aurora's for the forks, did they mention if they had either of the items I inquired about? I'm doubtful they would have the Insignia of Claws, as it seems to be impossible to find in all of Faerun despite being a rather common wondrous item, but I'm hopeful about the Eyes of Minute Seeing being available. Those really aren't useful in combat, so maybe they weren't in very high demand during the last few months here in Waterdeep," says Barrett.

"And while you are thinking about those other questions, Renaer, you told us a few days ago that you and Meloon were once trapped inside Blackstaff Tower on the ceiling of a library. What were you doing there in the first place? Were you accompanied by Vajra or there on your own? Did you run into any other traps?"

Ely leans back in her seat, thinking while Barrett asks about his hard to find items. She doesn't know exactly what information they could benefit from about Silverhand. Anything that could give them the upper hand when they eventually clashed over whatever the Open Lord has planned for shadow magic, or Waterdeep, or maybe even her attempt to usurp Maran's ascension to Blackstaff. There were so many things she wanted to know and more. Like how the story of Alustriel's failure in Silverymoon during the War of the Silver Marches sounded eerily similar to Laeral Silverhand's apparent failure to stop the Siege of Waterdeep and even her lack of action afterward.

"I think it's time to get to know our glorious leader, Laeral Silverhand. What are her potential powers and abilities as a Silverhand, but also where she comes from and why she can be such a bitch sometimes. From what you said, it feels ike Laeral has mimicked Alustriel in her inability to step up for the city she's running. And according to what I wrote in this entry, just like Laeral seemed to look down on us with mistrust because we had gained so much favor and supposed power within Waterdeep, Alustriel might have looked down on this Druid man who protected the Grandfather Tree as well. It could have been just a rumor, but people were saying that he was a chosen of Mystra, which pissed Alustriel off a lot. Anyways, I think a book about Laeral would be helpful. And one about all the sisters as a whole, if said book is one and the same, even better. And if there are tidbits about her and Alustriel's relationship as well three time the fun. Of course any insight you might have into any of that, would be appreciated. And I will relay to Dhann what you've said about the Blackwood holdings. I didn't think you and Mirt had split the duties on that."

"Ah, yes, my apologies. We did find the crystal you were looking for. I'd not heard of this before but one of our team had two in her possession and had no objections to parting with one. I held it to my eye and it really does seem to work well." Renaer holds a small crystal to his eye, gripping it like a monocle and looking closely at his hand through it.

"As to the insignia, that has proven a bit more challenging. Many of the relics of the Cult of the Dragon were destroyed or at least secreted away. I've got some folks looking in Neverwinter where the cult was a little stronger than here in Waterdeep. And now that we are talking about this, it occurs to me that Erky may have one or access to one. Lady Hucrele, his former employer, was somewhat of a collector of cult items. He may not even know what it is. We should check. I would just suggest that if you do acquire it, you keep it well concealed. There are many who lost family to the Cult of the Dragon and the conflicts they were involved in. Lady Hucrele was involved in a particularly frightful evening during one of their attacks. In either case, we'll keep looking."

"I had been to the tower several times safely while Vajra was apprenticing. I had been permitted to use the Apprentice gate. However, when Samark passed, so did his permission. This would have been.. ten or twelve years ago, I'd say. Meloon and a few others of us had gone to find Vajra. She hadn't attuned to the tower yet and as we returned to it, the tower let her in but...imprisoned the rest of us. We weren't immediately harmed, presumably because we entered with her but I was, I admit, grateful to leave. Our way was cleared as long as we were moving toward the exit. The traps, of course, are many. Some real and some, I assume, are only legend. The importance being that most believe it to be well-protected. The belief alone keeps many away. More specifically though, the traps are almost entirely magical and nearly impossible to detect. Vajra told me the tower is responsible for most of them and even she doesn't know about many."

"Well then if rumors of Silverhand trying to overtake the role of Blackstaff were true, it seems the tower would have a decent time defending itself from her attempts... unless she's been granted access before. Damn. I don't like that thought... or that lady."

"Let me look through those books of mine you have again. We may have one with us." Renaer calls out a title for Barrett to retrieve from those Ander had borrowed. "Try The City of Splendors: A Biography of Waterdeep's Most Influential People or perhaps The Crown of the North: The Lives of Waterdeep's Greatest Heroes"

"I'm not sure either of these will have what you're looking for, they are both somewhat older but we can check." Renaer scans through the first of the two books. "Blast, I detest books without organized content lists or indexes. Let's try the next." Scanning through the Crown of the North. "This is the older of the two books but it is worth looking. Here..she.. wait..no, that's..." Renaer's face looks surprised. "I had no idea.." Looking up at the pair, "Well, this is very interesting. Of course, I'd completely forgotten about this part of her story in Waterdeep. Khelben!"

Reading from the book: "The Lord and Lady Mages of the City of Splendors maintained the city's defenses and, at the same time, hardened those of the former Blackstaff Academy." He pauses for a moment in thought, "So, this would mean she is intimately familiar with the tower and certainly has a way in and out if needed."

Eyebrows raise at his outburst. "What? Like she was in charge of Blackstaff Tower defenses at one point?"

"Of course! I'd always remembered Khelben as the creator of the tower but Laerel Silverhand was by his side through its development. Here:" he continues to read from the page before. "..the Lady Mage had been rescued by Khelben shortly before and it was during her recovery that their bond developed... " He pauses to look up and think a bit more. "But, before we jump to any conclusions about her, I would say, she is very well respected, or was before all this. She was chosen by Mystra herself to succeed my father and to keep peace in the city. She is known up and down the coast as the fairest and kindest ruler, second only to Alustriel further north."

"I certainly am aware that people can be corrupted by power and greed but it wasn't until...well, until you all arrived and had your strange dealings with her that...well, she's been great for Waterdeep. After the corruption of my father, she straightened things out. The Zhents and Xanathar are back under control, crime and corruption are nearly non-existent and trade is flowing smoothly again. She's been nothing but good for the city. This matter with Drezlin and her inability to defend the city though.. that's been the troubling piece. And the only scar on her reputation. I'm sure she has her secrets. People of power always do. But would Mystra allow her to come her and harm the city? Elminster trusted her, right? Rumor is he and Khelben were old friends, so he knew her back then."

Ely just raises her eyebrows, giving an incredulous look to Barrett. She won't judge Silverhand's past, but her current actions towards them... she can't understand that.

Barrett had been turning the new magic crystal over and over in his hands as a way to keep them busy during the discussion. It was an old habit of his; keeping his hands occupied to keep his mind focused. But at Renaer's comment about Elminster trusting Silverhand, he can't suppress a scoffing, "Humphf!" Looking up, he says quietly, "I don't know about back then, but they didn't seem friendly the last time - well, the only time - I saw them together. You were there, Renaer. Elminster basically attacked her in front of the Lords, as well as Barnibus, Jundhyl, Xanathar and Manshoon. Nothing subtle or trusting about that."

"I see your point, my friend. He certainly DID trust her at one time. Her response to the storm certainly surprised many. And, Ely, your observation about the similarities between her reaction here and her sister's reaction to the War of the Marches is very astute. Indeed, the only of Mystra's chosen who seems to be fighting as hard as they did in the old tales is Elminster. It is very curious. And based on what you've told me, it seems Ander thought he was in the battle alone. It is curious though, why would he have been so interested in the history? Is there something in one of those books that gave hints about Drezlin or the cloud or...well, anything that might help?"

Barrett lifts his mug and gestures with it at the window nearest the front door to the tavern before draining the remians. "I think the only person in Faerun who can answer those questions is in that tower over there. And even he may not have the answers."

"Well," Barrett acknowledges, after signaling the tall waitress for another round, "Maybe Dhann can reverse engineer some of his journals. We might get something there." He glances at Ely's mug, then changes his order by holding up two fingers.

"You may be right. If his experience is like Vajra's, he'll have most of the knowledge from the previous Blackstaff's at his disposal. He won't have their perfect memories but should know most of what they knew in terms of knowledge. So, if Vajra still trusted Silverhand, he should know. We may also learn a little more about what Ander was up to. If Maran was helping him, as you implied, then maybe he somehow had the clarity to do so. If that's the case, he may have memory of some of that time. Vajra didn't remember everything about our return to the tower, but she remembered some. I just hope it hasn't been too long. I'm worried that he was kept from the tower for so long. He had the staff with him, at least. Ander wouldn't let anyone near him. We could have figured this out and put him in place much sooner if we'd known. We don't really have a choice just now but to wait and see, I suppose."

"Remind me, the last time this happened, when Vajra became Blackstaff, were there lights flashing in the windows of Blackstaff tower, like people are saying now? Is that a normal part of the process?"

"Uh, yeah. It started before we'd even left the building. As I remember it, we entered through the main doors. In the Entry Vestibule, all seemed pretty normal. I was a little surprised, really. But the tower must have recognized her. We accompanied her up the stairs. She could barely walk at the time so it was a bit of a challenge but we managed. And on the apprentice level, things started to go a bit wild. She sat down in one of the chairs and immediately looked as if she was going to sleep. From there, the books began to rattle on their shelves. It got extremely loud, but it didn't seem as though she noticed. As we approached her, that's when gravity seemed to reverse. Meloon and I were on the ceiling with no way to reach her. She, on the other hand, didn't seem to budge. As we made our way back out and down the stairs, there was an explosion. I tried to run back in to save her, but the intensity of the fire was too great. Just as we reached the exit, though, the fire completely extinguished, and the entire ground floor fizzed and sparked as if charged with some sort of magical energy. Basically, it told us to get out. She didn't remember too much of what happened after that, but I know it wasn't peaceful. We watched for the first few days and then went about our business. Finally, she just .. showed up in town, carrying the staff."

"I see. So what's happening now isn't far from the normal proceedings. Hmm." She drinks deep from the last of the ale in her cup, still trying to make sense and order of the several options laid out before them. "Well I don't know if I mentioned, but we paid The Sapphire House proprietors quite generously to watch the Tower for any signs of... anything really. Not sure how long it'll be till Z and Dhann are done and we can visit Blackwood Manor. Till then..." Her voice trails off thinking again.

Laughing, Renaer's eyes brighten for a moment. "Callip? She's a delightful woman. Yeah, you're in good hands there, for sure. And, should you ever find yourself there and in need of a quick escape, just ask her if you can book room 14B. She is a good friend and will help you in whatever way she can."

"Oh that's good. She seemed like a lovely lady. Unfortunately down on her luck with all this war business but staying positive. She reminds me of Erky in that way..." Ely pauses and smirks before saying aloud, "I wonder if there's a Mr. Callip of the Sapphire house. On that notion, I wonder if there was ever a Mrs. Erky either. Never though to ask."

"There was a Mr. Callip. I'm afraid he fell into the cult. He used to be seen occasionally on the streets but I haven't seen him in a long time. I fear the worst. She still talks about him as if he's coming home sometime soon. She still refers to herself as 'we'. I'm afraid, between Drezlin and the cult, there are a lot of families missing someone in Waterdeep. These celebrations, " he points toward the door where revelers are still taking to the streets in celebration of the dispersion of the clouds, "are likely to be short-lived, I'm afraid. But, that's what we do here. This city just...survives. And Erky? Well, I'd never really though to ask. I've known him since the days of the Cult of the Dragon and I've never heard him mention anyone."

Silverymoon was nearly destroyed during the War of the Silver Marches, but Alustriel Silverhand lost favor in her people when she didn't seem to do all she could or should have to defend her territory. People she placed in charge are still there but it is not known if she is or has been at all recently. She is rumored to have upwards of 30 children, including a set with an elven lover. His children claimed to be of her lineage and look down on the rest of her children because of the "status" they deem themselves to have, due to their father being with Alustriel longer than the rest of her lovers. She had twelve children with this one particular man.
The Church of Cyric hasn't changed as far as the location, and the building hasn't had anyone of note come or go. Renaer's had it under surveillance for months. After about eight months since the disappearance of the Maybesitters in Mirida, Renaer lost contact with the resistance's contact within the cult. The church seems more vacated than anything.
Back at Helm's Hall, Z and Dhann prepare to do what they can for Den. After casting Feign Death, Dhann commits to making a large incision in Den's chest to get as much access to Shadow as possible. The tarry Shadow is throughout Den's entire body. The amount of Shadow in his body is almost incredible compared to past cases. So much that the Chalice is constantly full and Anti-Z begins to swarm with the Shadow he's holding.
About twenty minutes in, Den's lifelight goes out completely. The moment the boy is officially dead, Dhann begins to pull Shadow much more intensely. The more that is being removed, the more they seem to see just how infected the boy is. As Dhann removes enough, he is able to see that Den's organs are becoming something else. Changed, rearranged, the makeup of his insides, including bone and muscle, are almost reptilian in their organization. Anti-Z cannot hold any more Shadow so Dhann takes a moment to fry what he's holding, and Z takes some necrotic damage as a result. Anti-Z dissipates, his time limit being reached.
Dhann finally finishes pulling out as much as he thinks he's able and gauges that there is still some tendril infection left but leaves it for the moment. He begins Regeneration, and the hour passes without incident. The cadaver seems to be physically restored as normal. Dhann then spends time and removes what's left of the infection in the body before trying to bring the boy's soul back.
The cloaked figure checks on them through the slot in the door but makes no noise. Raise Dead is cast, and after a few minutes, Dhann feels that comfortable warmth from Helm that informs him his deity approves of this and is assisting in restoring Den's soul back to his body. Den wakes up, very weak, and coughs up some blood and final blackness. Dhann gives him water and quickly turns to Z and tells him to fetch Ifiry.

As Dhann and Z finally finish with the boy, they both find themselves exhausted. But, he lives. He is clinging to life by a thread, even after the restoration but it appears as though he is on the mend. As the two head through the halls to find somewhere. His sister, they are told, is currently sleeping. She only fell asleep an hour ago in the hopes to hear about her brother.

Heading toward a room for a little rest and quiet, the two are interrupted. "Forgive me sirs, a package was delivered for you. It came some time ago but well, you weren't here then. It is of some import and a response was requested urgently." On glancing at the package, there is almost no question about where it came from. It is bound in shiny black paper. The handwriting on the outside is ornate and delicate. The seal holding it closed bears the mark of the Mindflayers.

Session 112, Trouble in the Market

Current Situation

This session takes place 17 Mirtul, 1494
The Trollmates regroup and are called to assist during a sudden disturbance in the Market

Session Summary

Renaer joins the group to go meet Z and Dhann at Helm's. Dhann and Z do a high-ten after the hopeful success of the Shadow extraction, and are a bit exhausted. The celebrations in the street are still continuing since the storm over Waterdeep disappeared. The two groups catch each other up. The package is the journal of notes on Lythis and the ciphered journal about Drezlin Nandar's plans for the spring equinox, that the group had missed while they were in Miridia.
There is a note inside that says the Mindflayers suspect Lythis was not alone and was not the first Shadow dragon. Everything they could learn about the dragon Lythis they were examining is that the Shadow was programmed to be Lythis. It is very likely another could be easily created, or one had been created before. Z uses his silver wand to communicate and let the Mindflayers know they received the journal. Dhann is able to sus out that a lot of his research is confirmed. The talk of Lythis' brain is that it wasn't a brain so much as the Shadow that made it up. Part just "looked" like a brain. The entire creature was every part of the creature, essentially. Even so, it takes powerful additional magic to make Lythis come into being. The Feywild is mentioned as potentially being unique in that its inherent properties may have made it very easy for the Shadow dragons to sprout as quickly and numerously as they did. As a plane it is closer to the Weave than planes like the Material Plane.
Ely alerts the group that Aiden has told her there's trouble in the market and Erky needs help. The Godcatcher statue is walking in the Market. The group dashes from the Hall to go see if they can help. There is a mass panic to leave the Market as the statue tramples thoughtlessly, heading east. Z, Barrett, and Aiden head to the statue while Dhann works to help people who are injured. Barrett and Erky get up into the statue, and when it swings its held globe, it smashes Aiden for an intense hit, as well as trapping Dhann's let beneath one of its massive feet. Seeing both her brother and the Cleric injured, Ely polymorphs into a tyrannosaurus and charges, slamming head on into the statue. Z is able to fetch Erky, who leads him and Barrett up to the top of the statue. Barrett punches the interior of the statue to reduce its strength with his leather gloves. The statue, while attacking, seems to be attacking in a panicked way. Z alerts the group with the iBone that he has Erky. Leg freed, Dhann sees a large number of wounded folk to the north. He dashes that way, and as he runs, sees Renaer and yells at him to go check Blackstaff Tower. Renaer sprints in that direction. Elyana continues to smash at the statues' legs. Aiden tries to help people out of the tower's apartments via rope, but then runs to catch up with Barrett.
The gang inside the statue make it to a door at the top. Dhann uses Channel Divinity to heal as many people as possible. Ely works to grapple the statue's legs by biting and using her tail. Suddenly, its strength greatly reduced, the statue sways and falls backwards. Ely gets pinned under the body of it. The door Erky pointed out is now broken open. There is a scream and then silence from the room as the statue hits the ground and begins to crumble.
Dhann dashes over to the fallen statue, Sparing as many people as he can hit as he runs. Inside the head of the statue, Erky says he knows "she" is controlling the Godcatcher. There is what looks like a teleportation circle inside the head/room of the statue, and a collapsed woman of the race Unknown. She is crawling with Shadow. Barrett and Aiden help people clamber out of the rubble. Dhann climbs up and is able to view what Erky and Z are seeing. Erky says the woman, a sorcerer, is Aundra Blacklock. Erky doesn't think the circle is one for teleportation. Z is able to deduce it's mostly conjuration magic with some enchantment thrown in. It was most likely being used to control the statue.
Ely is able to wriggle out of the rubble. She climbs up onto it to find Aiden, who is helping people get out alongside Barrett. The statue begins to fall apart in earnest when it suddenly glows with a green shimmer, suddenly stabilized, and a commanding, too loud to be natural voice shouts at everyone to get out. Dhann manages to use the Glove to call the Shadow in the corpse toward him, lifting the body out and Z, seeing this, uses his blanket to help toss the body out. Everyone gets out just in time for the statue to collapse entirely. Unfortunately there were some people still inside but nothing can be done for them now.
Barrett calls for Dhann to try and Spare someone he's pulled from the statue but it's too late for them. He then fries as much of the Shadow as he can off of Aundra's body so he can cast Revivify, but the spell doesn't work. It seems she's been dead for longer than a minute. Aiden and Barrett tend to the injured they can see. In a burst of uncharacteristic fury, Dhann starts fully blasting Aundra's body with radiant magic. This catches the attention of some of the folk still in the area, but for the most part, the majority of people are more interested in leaving the wreckage of the Market. Dhann's reaction takes Elyana and Renaer off guard; it is clear this is not just about Shadow destruction as it is a moment of angrily released tension, using the Shadow as an outlet.
Still somewhat stunned, Renaer then yells over his shoulder, "They're over here!" and from the other side of the pile of statue's dust walks Maran Blackwood. Elyana uses her Mage Hand to clamp down on Dhann's shoulder in a silent message of warning to get his attention, and Dhann responds with one final Radiant Sphere blast on the corpse before he ceases the magical deluge on the corpse. The Shadow is burned away, and the body is in terrible shape.

Maran stands there with the Blackstaff in his hands. His expression is flat. He is breathing heavily and has clearly expended a good deal of energy. He doesn't smile or greet you or even look like he recognizes you. He does, however, look very, very powerful. His eyes are practically glowing with energy.. wait, not practically.. literally. They are literally glowing with a yellowish-green energy. He is alert and his eyes dart from each of you to the other. It is unclear whether he is checking in with each of you or just doing inventory.

Arc IV - A So Far Recap Pt. III [Sessions 110 - 112]

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