Ragnorra Session 25

Start: 11 am, Monday, Flamerule 19, 1396.

Before venturing off further, Ronja questioned Leonard further.

He put up no resistance to the questioning. He revealed there is a passphrase at the Plungepool ruin, and the last one he knew that was in use is "Peer over the horizon". He did not seem entirely sure whether or not it is still in use, or if it would still be in use by the time the party arrived.

Additionally, in their conversation, they found out the supports for the bunker are fragile, although toppling it might have further reaching consequences. Furthermore, "Mary" the voidmind may be present in the ruin. There is a possible doppleganger related to the zhentarim that comes and goes in the ruin. Inside, some of the cultists are free willed, some of which are illusionists. The connecting aqueduct tunnels have been collapsed. He warned the party of alarm spells which have been set outside, and patrols take place during the night. He knows of one egress, the "main entrance".

Perhaps most importantly, he clarified "Vane" was giving orders TO the voidmind's master through the voidmind. This clarified some hierarchal concerns, and surprised Vix.

Leonard offered his assistance, and implied he can cast up to fourth level spells.

They continued on their journey. When they made it to the southern path to Minroe, they spotted some tracks in the mud leading south from Minroe north to Espar, seemingly made by armored boots. After some study, they could tell little more than they might match the make of the boots professional guards or soldiers usually wear, and the tracks were less than a week old.

Around dusk, following the road, they made their way to Espar. They had an awkward exchange with the gate guardsman. He enquired about their business, and reinforced the severity of the town's situation. Cassius somewhat ambiguously showed the letter of introduction from Master commander Hoslow of Suzail of the purple dragon knights to the guardsman. This got them entry to the town.

It was then they realized the man they were speaking with, in the tabard of an Espar guardsman, not a purple dragon knight, was indeed Tilver Longhorn, the commander of the garrison.

He led them to the hastily constructed barrack in town, and into his cramped, dimly lit chambers, all except Vix, who elected to stay behind.

Cassius and Ronja told him much of the current situation and the probably conditions of the Plungepool. Tilver described the rationing and nocturnal raids that occur regularly on the town, and how their supplies and manpower are strapped. They recently received six men from Minroe, and regularly receive daytime shipments of goods from Dhedluk via the portal from Suzail. Times are tough, in short.

Tilver Longhorn thanked Cassius and Ronja. They asked if they could speak with someone who might know more information on the ruin and aqueduct system. Tilver pointed them to a war wizard named Lloyd, who stayed at the Prancing Gargoyle inn.

They left, and rejoined at the wagon.

It was here that they questioned Leonard a bit further, and found out a doppleganger named "Olix Kri", who is an agent of Manshoon, and able to blend into shadows, is possibly Vix's progenitor. Additionally, Leonard knew without a doubt, Olix Kri is a progenitor of many of the cult's breeding subjects. He did not know what the Zhentarim connection ultimately meant, but suspects Olix Kri is the lynchpin. He did not personally interact with the doppleganger.

Cassius decided to head over to the temple of Tymora, and sparred with some paladins to heal wounded and debilitated townsfolk and guards. He was initially met with some suspicion, but they warmed up quickly and asked few questions once he produced results.

Ronja, Vix, Lilly, Leonard, Omen, and Montgomery headed over to the Prancing Gargoyle.

They booked a room and chatted awkwardly with the barkeep, and Lilly went up to the room to have a bath. Vix followed.

Lloyd entered, wearing a pointed red hat, a skullcap, and chainmail. Unmistakably, this was their guy. Ronja chatted him up initially, and told him almost everything they knew about the current situation about the cult. Cassius joined her part way through this conversation, and asked Lloyd pressing questions, many of which he was only able to answer through historical anecdote. Namely, there being an entrance to raumathar aqueducts north of Tyrluk. Cassius and Ronja also spoke of strategies to deal with the afflicted with Lloyd. He was quite perplexed by the deluge of information, but took it in stride, and seemed to want to help how he could.

After that conversation, as he started to leave, Lloyd extended an invitation to the party to assist in the defense of Espar, should an attack happen during the night. They agreed.

XP: 350
Omen and Montgomery must feed in roughly two and a half days.

End: 9 pm, Monday, Flamerule 19, 1396.