As time resumed, our heroes were in Triboar. Having collected everything they needed, they were ready to leave. Othovir came up to Jayr and told him he had some additional information about the family treasures. He opened a black leather notebook and tore out half a page, giving it to Jayr before wishing them luck and that justice may be done.
The party hit the Evermoor road, heading towards Everlund. They travelled a few days and reached the fortified river city, Yartar. On the east bank of the river was a citadel with an inspection point. The lazy half elf, Elluin Holakas, was on guard. He asked the group where they had come from. Everyone was silent, and Mitsui pointed towards Triboar. He asked where they were going. Again the party was silent, and Mitsui pointed away from Triboar. Finally, he questioned whether our heroes would cause trouble. Mitsui looked at the party, then looked at Elluin and shrugged. Elluin thought for a second, then shrugged and allowed the party into Yartar.
Upon entering the main city, the party noticed the docks. Mitsui and Seraphina headed that way. Kida headed off to find some grub at the closest tavern. Xeric skulked off to who knows where. This left Hark and Jayr. Jayr decided since just about everyone else left, he would stay close to their cart and gear and make sure no one took it. As everyone headed out, he told them to meet back at the Waterbaron Inn at sunset.
Hark looked up at Jayr and started discussing the incident at the campground: how all the adventurers that Jayr was with were bad mouthing him, and some even threatened him. Hark asked why Jayr was with a group of that nature. Jayr responded that he was just camping there and not with them, and being a tiefling, he too was often discriminated against. Hark pointed out that Jayr didn’t stand up for him, and wondered if Jayr would purchase him a drink. Jayr agreed, so they went to the nearby inn and started to drink, keeping an eye on the gear and merchandise.
Mitsui went to the docks and just sat down. She stared out at the water. Her focus was intense, yet it almost seemed like she wasn’t staring at the water, but either at something that no one else could see or into another realm altogether.
Seraphina went to the docks, inquiring about the local area. She then went to the Waterbaron tavern. Upon arrival she saw Kida, who was getting some food. She listened around and heard rumours of the Drylund Party, hosted by Lord Khaspere Drylund. Curious as to why people were interested, she gathered more information. She learned that it was full of great tasting food, alcohol, and entertainment; all free of charge. Apparently it was mainly nobles that were being invited, but a few regular folk were invited every now and again, but no one knew why or how though. Seraphina also tried making small talk with the tavern patrons, about fish, journeys, etc. These sailors however only treated this as a job, they had no real interest or love of the sea.
Xeric headed out around town. He had two goals in mind: locating the weaknesses in the town’s defences and finding information on a local thieves guild. It took him a few hours, but he managed to make notes of the town’s weaknesses. He also came across the name of the local thieves guild, the Hand of Yartar. While surveying the town he noticed a tavern called The Hand. Realizing this wasn’t a coincidence, he headed over.
Xeric went in and talked to the proprietaire, an orc named Grat. He immediately asked Grat about the local thieves guild. Grat laughed him off, asking why he would know of such things? Xeric then started using Thieves’ Cant to communicate wanting to know how to offload some merchandise, and was told to come back after hours. Xeric then returned to the Waterbaron Inn, as sundown was approaching.
Seraphina and Kida started to head back to the Inn as well. Seraphina noticed Mitsui, lost in thought, staring at the waters. She went over and reminded Mitsui that they were supposed to meet back at the Inn. Mitsui snapped back to reality and headed back to the inn with the others.
When the group returned to the inn, they noticed Jayr and Hark were completely sloshed, dancing around and just having a jolly old time. Hark ran up to Mitsui and gave her a hug; who then started jumping around and dancing with the other two, without having partaken of any alcohol.
Seraphina took one look at what was happening and with a “Nope!”, slipped right back out to check on the horses and the goods, glad to find everything still there. She then slipped right back inside, paid for her room, and made her way upstairs.
Jayr overpaid, giving a gold instead of a silver, for a room and said he didn’t know if he’d make it up to the room but the table looked comfortable. The innkeeper, Oldar, simply tossed Jayr a bucket, and told him not to make a mess. Jayr staggered over to a table, falling on it. Kida picked him up, reminding him that “Tables are for eating, not sleeping.” She then took him to his room and headed to bed herself. Mitsui and Hark went to bed shortly after as well. Seraphina stayed up late, having noticed Xeric slipped out. She hoped to wait up for his return, but eventually gave up, setting up her bells before going to sleep.
Xeric returned to The Hand, speaking to Grat using Thieves’ Cant from the start this time. Grant told him the person he was looking for was up on stage and should be ready any minute now. After finishing his last gig for the night, the musician stepped down from the stage and headed towards the bar. The crowd went wild with cheers, chanting the man’s name, “Arsene, Arsene, Arsene”. Arsene ordered a drink. He and Xeric had a conversation using Thieves’ Cant. Xeric mentioned he was looking for a fence, specifically for jewellery. Arsene said he could introduce him, but there’s a 10% finders fee. Xeric tried to negotiate, but when Arsene started questioning his personal life, he agreed to the original request of 10%. He told Xeric to wait a few minutes then meet him ‘round back in the alley’. He quickly finished his drink then headed out.
Xeric slowly nursed his drink and after about 5 minutes, left as well. He was on high alert, unsure whether the mysterious Arsene could be trusted. Arsene was waiting, alone, and spoke plainly, asking Xeric to follow him. They went around some alleys and came to the Dapper Gentleman, a local shop. Arsene knocked on the door and was greeted by the owner, Fudur. They were led inside and to the basement through a trapdoor, where Xeric noticed numerous pieces of jewelry .
Fudur put on a pair of goggles with a built-in loupe and asked if he could see the item in question. Xeric put his hand out, and Fudur began inspecting it. He asked if he could pick it up and received permission. After inspecting it a bit more, he looked in a book for a few seconds, then offered up a price of 12,000 gold. Xeric asked if this included the fence’s cut, and Fudur indicated it did. Xeric asked if he could also do 2 more things, spread rumours of a green eyed vigilante fighting giants, and information on a bounty on a man named Weevil. Fudur agreed, saying he would see what could be done regarding information, and thus bought the ring. Xeric paid Arsene before retiring to the Watarbaron Inn for the night.
Morning came, and Hark did not feel well at all. Mitsui told him if he drank alcohol, he would lose his head, but if he doesn’t he can keep it. Hark gulped and nodded. The party regrouped downstairs for breakfast. At some point, Hark noticed a piece of paper in his pocket. He took it out, and it read “Meet me at the Hand – Assane”. When he had a minute alone with Mitsui, he gave her the note.
The party gathered all their stuff but right before leaving, Mitsui told them “Wait, need robes. Come Hark,” and took Hark leaving the group behind. She twisted and turned to make sure she wasn’t followed by the group and headed to The Hand. Once there, she put the note down in front of Grat and said “Person find”. Grat pointed towards a table of four gentlemen and told her he could find him there. Mitsui went and gave them the paper. One gentleman got up and excused himself, asking Mitsui and Hark to follow him. He pointed to a room in the back while looking at Grat, who just nodded in response.
Once the 3 were alone, he began to question them. He asked them why they hadn’t introduced themselves. Mitsui then proceeded to introduce herself and Hark. Assane then asked them how long they had been in town and where they were from. Mitsui noticed he was wearing the same ring as Hark. She told him she was from Triboar, and Hark said he was from the Ardeep forest. Assane inquired about the ring and Nightstone. Mitsui went on about she found the ring somewhere, not sure where, and that Nightstone had been attacked by giants,then goblins, (but they took care of the goblins), then bad people, (but they took care of the bad people), then bad orcs, (but the elves took care of the bad orcs), then bad goblins in a cave, (but they took care of them too). Finally, they got the villagers back to their village. Assane thanked them and escorted them out. Mitsui then went and bought some red robes and returned to the group.
During this time Xeric also went to The Hand, eager to see if the thieves guild had any information for him. He saw Arsene playing on stage once again. Grat informed him the way to speak with him is to buy him a drink, which Xeric did. Grat yelled out a drink for the bard. Arsene, ever the entertainer, yelled out to the crowds thanking them for the appreciation. He came down and let Xeric know that the wanted poster was still up in Longsaddle, and it was a 5000 gold reward for bringing the dwarf, Weevil, in alive. The last they heard, he was up a bit north of the area. Xeric thanked Arsene and returned to the group as well.
The group commented on Mitsui’s new robes, saying how they would be good to hide all the blood, and headed off on the road again. They were travelling for about half a day when they heard the sound of horses coming from the direction of Yartar. Looking behind them, they saw about 13 horses with riders. They got off the road in order to let the group of horsemen pass. As riders started to pass one of them pointed at Mitsui and the entire group started turning towards her.
Seraphina quickly took out her bow and arrow and started shooting at them, realizing the group was under attack. This lonely arrow did not slow them down as they swarmed Mitsui, knocking her unconscious. The leader then turned and yelled, “Get the goblin next!” Xeric hid as Jayr healed Mitsui, who decided to play possum while waiting for a good opportunity to strike. Jayr then yelled out to his companions to get on the wagon and take off, as he jumped on himself. One of the mysterious horsemen however killed the horse, scrapping this plan. Kida protected Hark as he was throwing javelins from within.
As Mitsui saw her opportunity, she jumped up, going Angry Bird on one of the bandit leaders. However, none of her attacks were doing any damage, and she realized that she needed to calm down and take this fight a little more seriously than she had been. She yelled out to Hark, “Let’s do this!”
He jumped out of the cart, and together, they started taking these mysterious men down, with the help of Jayr’s magic and Seraphina’s arrows.
Having a soft spot for Kida, Xeric decided to help her out when he noticed she was being ganged up on. Together, the two took out a few of the men who had been attacking from the rear, knocking one unconscious to interrogate later.
Once the two leaders were down, the remaining riders tried to retreat. Mitsui wasn’t going to let them. Dropping her longsword, she drew her longbow and let her arrows fly. Surprising even herself, every arrow hit their target, killing the fleeing men . During this time, Seraphina rushed up to her horse, Narth, and healed him.
The party rounded up the 12 horses they managed to catch and collected the loot from the dead bodies, including 2 rings identical to Hark’s. Mitsui put them on both her hands and said, “Matching”. As the man woke up, he was questioned and put through torture. He quickly caved and said he was part of the Zhentarhim, sent to kill Mitsui and Hark. After learning that he was of no one of importance to the organization, Xeric then killed him.
The party was at odds as to what to do. Mitsui wanted to apologize for what had happened and return the rings, which were clearly the reason why Mitsui and Hark were being targeted. Jayr wanted peace. Surely they could be reasoned with? Xeric wanted war, or at least, to make the Zhentarhim know they weren’t to be trifled with. Seraphina was just pissed.
Seraphina had heard rumours of what kind of people the Zhentarhim were back in Icewind Dale. Her horse almost died! She was pissed at dumb dumb Xeric for not fighting and being an arrogant jerk. She was pissed at dumb dumb Jayr for saying the plan outloud and getting the Zhentarhim to almost kill her horse, and then wanting peace with the freaking Zhentarhim, of all people?
She was pissed at the bird brain, Mitsui, and dumb dumb Hark for invoking the Zhentarim’s wrath, and then thinking that returning the rings would make everything “All better.” . The only person she wasn’t pissed at was Kida.
Xeric tied one of the bandit leader’s dead body to a horse, ready to send it back to Yartar as a message. Mitsui thought it would be a good idea to include a written message as well and wrote a single word in celestial, “Sorry”, which she tied to the body, as well as the 3 Zhentarim rings. Xeric then smacked the horse, expecting it to return to its owners.
Seraphina, still mad, needed to take out her frustration. She remembered she had bought a sling for just such an occasion. She took it out and slung a stone at Mitsui, who she blamed for the whole situation and was now displaying a devil-may-care attitude about the whole thing. Mitsui’s lightning reflexes allowed her to react, doing a full 360 degree turn, catching it and throwing it back at Seraphina mid turn, before continuing to walk away. The stone hit Seraphina square in the forehead. She tried again, but Mitsui caught it again, stopping this time to throw it back. While this one hit Seraphina’s armor, she had had enough of this unsuccessful rock slinging and returned to checking on the horses.
Our heroes looked out at the long road ahead, ready to continue on only for time to come to a mysterious halt once more.
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