🦎20. unexpected visit

session 20 • 03/23/2022 • 4,490 words

『 📜 』 adventure log

🌞 DAY 5 • 📅 ELEINT 26

Retcon: Halfway through dinner, shortly before Hugh's demon fiesta, Colt explains to the group that he is unable to sit around after learning the truth about his former employers, the Arcane Brotherhood.

He bids farewell to the group so that he can return to Luskan to investigate, leaving behind his items but keeping his money. After a tearful farewell, Colt departs.

Garaele's Home

"Where They Keep Candles"

As idle chatter around the table continues, Soren grows increasingly uneasy about the fact that something seems to be taking over the group's personalities and mental facilities occasionally -- the fear from the Oblex, the hunger at the gnolls, the pursuit of "pleasure" at the Alderleaf Farmhouse, and now Hugh's strange desire to consume.

He questions Hugh lightly on the goings-on in his head. Hugh explains that he has eaten dirt before, though when the group reacts with , he explains that it was when he was young and didn't know better. Soren tries to recount what he knows about fiends and demons when Hugh tells the group that it had seemed very angry to get woken up, and complained about the light.

He can only think of one demon that has a weakness to light -- shadow demons, which he tries to recreate in his notebook to show the group:

LMFAO

...The group decides that that thing is probably not inside Hugh's brain. Soren admits that the drow know some information about fiends due to Lolth being a demon queen, but are no experts at it. The group wonders if there are any good sources of information around, and Soren points out that Candlekeep (wincing at this because of the lie w/ Henry) is probably the best source of information, which Garaele and Sildar confirm.

Garaele reminds us that the only way to get into Candlekeep is to provide them with a book that they don't have.

Hugh offers to write his own experiences into a book, and he and Garaele have a conversation about whether he can even write. Lera draws attention to the books in Garaele's room, at which point Garaele says that if anyone takes any of the top-secret, confidential books from her room, she would hunt us down and kills us :D

The party assures her we would not steal from her.

Broken Legs

Soren draws attention to the horrific stories that Sildar has been telling about Garaele.

The group recounts how they met Sildar -- he had also been badly injured but tried to refuse healing past the health potion that Soren gave him. Garaele calls him a stubborn little shit who doesn't know his limits, so Lera tries to change the subject as Sildar begins to glower at them.

Lera inquires why Sildar was so desperate to leave the house. Sildar expresses that he didn't want to remember his siblings, leading the rest of the group to realize that he was likely being self-destructive in that moment shortly after the trauma of losing Vulmar and Aire in Neverwinter.

Insight checks confirm this: Sildar knew that he was badly hurt then, but wanted to be out fighting to take his mind off of his siblings.

Future Plans

To change the subject, Soren inquires about the party's future plans after resolving the Wave Echo Cave issue. He gets a little sad at the idea that the party might be splitting after (Soren sadness ears).

The party assures him that they would be sticking together till Candlekeep -- Hugh needs to research his demon roomie, Lera had made it her personal goal to help Hugh, and Sildar wants to stay with the party until they go to the Underdark. (Soren happiness ears)

The party discusses how far it is to get to Candlekeep -- it's several weeks of travel. Hugh is excited because it means he gets to eat lots of Soren's food. Soren checks in with Sildar about the spice pouch order; he's put in the order with Barthen's.

Double Double Double Agent (Sextuple 😉)

Soren brings up Halia's "secret mission" for him, and Garaele encourages him to go meet her now so that everyone can listen in secretly.

Lera expresses extreme concern over sending Soren into another double agent situation. Soren is a little apprehensive about marching into enemy territory, but is ready to do it for the group. Hugh lightens the mood a little by offering to pretend to be Soren and rolls a 3 on performance in trying to beatbox the sounds of a lute. Soren claps for him 🥺

Sildar tries to reassure Soren that he doesn't have to do this and that he's "done enough". Soren, uncharacteristically brusquely, answers "enough what, exactly? Enough for what, exactly? To atone for my sins?" Which leaves Sildar speechless.

Soren tries to check in with Lera, but miserably fails his insight and assumes that Lera is nervous that he would fail and blow the covers of the party or get himself killed, rather than seeing her guilt.

Sildar takes Soren's hand and restates his valuable-ness to the group, that he is vital and doesn't need to prove his worth. This falls on deaf ears, unfortunately, and Soren manages to trick Sildar with a deceptive smile and promise that he would try to not get hurt. Sildar asks Soren to promise, and Soren does so in the way he usually makes promises to Sildar: a kiss on the forehead.

Garaele: PLEASE GET A ROOM, NOT MINE, GET A ROOM

Hugh takes the chance to flirt with her and state that her bedroom was for them??? Garaele is receptive???????

Soren tries to reassure Lera by squeezing her hand and stating that he had full trust in her that she would be the first one to come to his aid if anything was wrong, and that he would depend on her healing if that happened.

Lera is still upset over the idea of sending Soren in alone, and brings up the point that Nezznar might know that Soren had betrayed him, based on the phrasing of the letter sounding like "this drow betrayed me, leave him alive and send him to me (to play with)".

The rest of the group had read the letter in a "this drow is on our side, so don't kill him and send him to me (to play with)" way, but acknowledge that it could mean the other way, which sends Soren into a near-panic-attack over the idea that Nezznar might be actively hunting him down right now.

Lera doesn't notice this and pushes the point further, until she finally realizes that Soren is hyperventilating and backtracks, stating that she was likely wrong in order to calm Soren down. Droop also tries to help by hugging Soren's head, pulling his mouth into a smile, and inquiring about his wellbeing, all of which succeeds in calming Soren down slightly.

Sildar tries to check in with Soren, but Soren pushes past in order to get the Halia operation underway.

Lera asks Garaele what her favorite color and cloth pattern is, in order to get her a rug that she likes. Garaele appreciates the thought, and lets Lera know that she prefers a solid gray. (More convo here, awaiting transcript)

The party, including Garaele, head out to the Miner's Exchange.

Phandalin Miner's Exchange

Blindness/Deafness

As we draw closer to the Miner's Exchange, everyone but Soren hides themselves by the eastern window to try and listen in.

LMAO clown fiesta, aint nobody hearing shit!!!

Soren enters the Miner's Exchange.

What the World Runs On

Halia greets him cordially, though Soren notices a dagger strapped to her calf. Soren sits by the window where the group his hiding, so that they can hear better.

(Because they're right next to the window, the group can still hear everything despite their clown fiesta rolls).

Soren lies that the group is at Stonehill, and that we've been just sightseeing after getting rid of the Redbrands. Halia takes the opportunity to insult the Shrine of Luck, before inquiring how Soren's life has been.

Taken aback by the line of questioning, Soren tries to deflect until she points out that she knows the mark on his face is a drow slave mark. She continually hones in on his insecurities: that he doesn't get to travel and experience what he wants to gain from the world, that he's been chained down all his life, that he is met with bondage in the Underdark and discrimination on the surface, that he has always been forced "under a noble".

Though Soren tries to deflect each point good-naturedly by citing the few passions and pleasures of his life up till this point, he finally cracks and notes that Halia is playing a dangerous game by pushing a drow so far.

Halia concillates the situation and gets to the point: that all this would not be happening to Soren if he had power and money -- which she states the world runs on. Soren acknowledges that if he had "the power of armies and the coin to fund them", he would not be enslaved as he is, showing some genuine interest in her points as he recalls his panic at being found out by Nezznar shortly before.

Halia points out that moral value gets you nowhere except killed. Soren agrees.

At this, Halia offers him a network of "allies" who can provide him with protection, money and power. Soren realizes that she means the Black Network -- the Zhentarim, a morally gray organization who prioritizes profit over any sort of morals. The drow regularly deal with them, as they have no qualms selling to the brutal races of the Underdark.

Soren presses her for her intentions with the Redbrands, now understanding that she means to recruit them. Halia in turn insists on learning his intentions with the Zhentarim, to which he straightforwardly agrees to join the organization, surprising the group outside.

Paperwork

Halia asks Soren to come to the counter so they can finish up the paperwork. At this point, Hugh and Lera can no longer hear them due to their Nat1 Perception rolls. Sildar can hear Sorennar faintly, while Garaele can still hear everything.

Halia makes note of Soren's profession, skillset and appearance, writing it all in a letter, before informing Soren of his mission: to keep an eye on the party and stop them from ruining her future plans regarding Zhentarim matters.

She also requests, when Soren lies that the party may be fighting goblins around the outskirts of the town, that Soren try to keep the leader of the goblins alive, so that she might try to recruit them. Soren insults goblins in an attempt to seem drow-like, to which Halia points out that even "lowly" creatures such as goblins, when shown kindness, will become blindly loyal.

Soren acknowledges this, but continues to insult the party by calling them idiots and "naive surfacers" who would no doubt stay their hand against the "goblin leader" out of foolish kindness. Halia seems pleased at this, stating again that she loves drow (i.e. the attitude that drow have towards completing tasks).

She recommends that Soren work towards rising in rank, rather than choosing profit, for now, so that he can gain more influence and connections, which would naturally lead to more money. This aligns with Soren's true goals, and so he agrees readily.

Before dismissing Soren, she reminds him that she is now his ally, and bids him goodnight. Soren leaves.

Selfishness

(Thank you Chris for writing this!!!! :>)

Soren tries to distance himself from the party briefly while near the Miner's Exchange and walks towards the Shrine of Luck before slowing to let the group catch up.

Lera immediately grabs his shoulders to check if he's OK. He reassures her that he is, and recounts what happened in the room -- as Hugh and Lera missed a huge chunk of it. Proudly, Soren expresses that he's sure that the information he'll get from the Zhentarim would surely help the Lord's Alliance and Harpers in their conflicts against the Black Network.

Concerned, Sildar exclaims about how rash Soren had acted, immediately suggesting that the party intercept the letter Halia might be sending out. Soren protests that he was doing it to save lives -- the group refutes this by reminding Soren that if he's dead, he won't be able to help anyone. They reaffirm that Soren is important to the group, and it was incredibly rash of him to put himself in danger like this. Hugh adds that he has only signed up for another Master, which makes Soren wince.

Soren deflates at hearing all this, as he was trying his best to help Sildar and the Lord's Alliance by gaining information from the Zhents. :(((( Hugh asks that he be "more selfish with his life".

When he says that it's just like what he's doing with the Black Spider the group points out that while they can stop the Black Spider, they can't stop the entirety of the Zhentarim. He mentions that "[doing double agent work] just always seems to fall on me somehow, I wanted to help the party in any way", which makes Lera extremely guilty.

Eventually, it gets through to Soren's thiccccc drow skull that the group cares about him and doesn't want him to risk his life for the greater good. After making Soren promise to never act so rashly again, the group heads to Barthen to get any letter from Halia stopped.

Barthen's Provisions

(THANK YOU CHRIS FOR THIS PART TOO!)

Once the party is there, Sildar goes in to handle the request and the rest stay outside to wait.

Strength in Kindness

Lera talks to Soren during this time, saying that she is concerned and worried about him and his actions. Soren worries that he might have shattered Lera's worldview and trust in others / ability to see goodness in the world. Lera assures him that he has not, that she is glad to have the chance to learn about the world -- why she embarked in the first place -- and says she is not that fragile.

Soren confirms this by stating that it takes strength to be as kind as she is. He recounts that the drow had always taught him that kindness and love are weakness, that he had tried to kill those parts of him in order to be accepted in Menzoberranzan, but he's now learning, thanks to her and the party, how much being good and "human" are testaments to strength.

The two end the conversation in a meaningful and tearful hug. (Very abridged, pls let me know when transcripts!).

THROW THE GOBLIN REAL HARD

Hugh and Droop, who are by the window, also are talking during this time and Hugh promises Droop steak if he gets on the roof to look for gold, which Droop immediately agrees to. After throwing Droop onto the roof, he tries to pull Hugh up, resulting in them both crashing to the ground.

The two decide it might be best to stop.

Soren, while hugging Lera, has been watching this all unfold and maintaining eye contact with Hugh.

Mystery Lyre

Sildar finally comes back outside, saying that Barthen had given them the clear and for them to write a letter in order for him to send it.

He also reveals that someone in the town had bought them a lyre, which was given to Soren. It is concluded that the town sees the group as heroes, and might have thought this would be a great gift for them, though Hugh is upset that the gift was only for Soren.

Soren is overjoyed that he might be seen as a hero, and gratefully takes the lyre.

Babysitter Hugh

Hugh leads Droop inside so that he can go on a shopping spree at his expense, which makes Droop shine with glee.

Droop picks of a multitude of things, from backpacks to a pot, he gets almost everything he needs to travel, only missing food, which Hugh says he will get for Droop later at Stonehill.

Lera concludes the time at Barthens by buying various items, including 10 rations which she gave to Droop. She also learns where to get a rug and a chair from, which is Freda Norle the weaver and the Thel Dendrar the woodcutter.

Lera banters with Sildar lightly, and calls him Sildy, which he doesn't seem to mind.

Soren and Sildar link arms as the party head back to Stonehill Inn for a nice drink and some much needed sleep.

🌙 NIGHT 5 • 📅 ELEINT 26

Stonehill Inn

The Black Spider

As the group opens the door to Stonehill Inn, they are met with a rich, noble looking Drow at a table with Pip. As his eyes meet theirs, he says "Sorennar, it's so good to see you".

Soren violently shoves both Sildar and Droop to the side, rushing in and pulls Pip away from the Drow. He demands that Pip get away from him, calling him "iblith riv'in" while pulling him away.

Soren insults him and tells him maliciously to go crying to his father, causing Pip to run away into the kitchen, with Toblen -- who had heard Soren's story and connected the dots with who Nezznar is.

Terrified, Soren approaches Nezznar at his request. Nezznar seems pleased that Soren was cruel to the human child, but quickly hisses instructions at Soren to stop causing a scene, and to act as though they were friends -- though making sure Soren would still show the proper respect to him.

The group instructs Droop to bring Gravy and Truffle to Garaele's to hide. The group discusses what to do while Soren is speaking to Nezznar -- Lera establishes that we likely cannot fight him, though Hugh is frustrated at the idea of letting him go.

Sildar -- surmising from Soren's stories that Nezznar is not unintelligent, therefore that for him to be here while knowing Sildar is alive, means that he has the confidence and means to back it up -- is frightened, especially as he was caught off guard and without his armor. He decides to follow suit in going "along" with Nezznar's facade.

Soren returns to the party, blinking back tears, and shakily invites them to join him and his "generous family patron" at the table. The group complies.

A very, very tense conversation ensures where Nezznar continually taunts Soren with how "kind" the Xorlarrins are to his family, and asks Soren to elaborate on the Xorlarrin's generosity towards him, to which Soren shakily tries to come up with lies to please Nezznar. At some point, Nezznar puts his arm on Soren's shoulder, causing Soren to flinch violently.

The party notices all this but is unable to act on it, much to their vexation.

"Fire Lichen" Tea

Soren eventually turns the conversation towards whether Toblen had offered Nezznar "filthy human food" -- Nezznar acknowledges this, and Soren apologizes for it. Nezznar demands that Soren make him something he "likes", which Soren scrambles to obey.

Lera

Left alone with the group, Nezznar begins to question each one about their "stories". Lera cheerily (after rolling like shit and using inspiration on performance jlsdkfjsdl thank you for EVERYONE's lives) engages in conversation with Nezznar, so as to shield the rest of the group from having to talk to him. She lies that she's from Neverwinter when he asks about her hometown, in order to protect Velprintalar and her family/friends. During this time, Lera is incensed, but cannot act on it, and instead digging her nails into her armor.

Hugh

Rudely, Nezznar cuts her off mid-conversation to question Hugh, who GIVES HIM THE NAME OF HIS RIVAL NEIGHBOR LMFAOOOO when asked for his name. He lies that he's from Mithral Hall -- renowned for their conflict with Drow -- which seems to pique Nezznar's interest. Nezznar questions the name Ogblelocker due to its ridiculousness, and states a thinly-veiled threat towards Hugh's family.

Hugh lets Nezznar know that there is a demon in his brain. Nezznar says good luck with that.

Sildar

Finally, Nezznar moves on to Sildar, who is similarly venting his frustrations by silently digging his nails into his legs enough to draw blood. Nezznar asks for his name, and Sildar, wanting to ensure that if anything happened it was to him, states it honestly. Nezznar repeats Sildar's name and seems to recognize it.

At this point, Soren comes back out of the kitchen with a teapot and two empty, fancy cups. Deliberately, he pours two cups of tea from the same teapot and drinks it in front of Nezznar, who follows suit in sipping the tea.

Almost immediately, Soren and Nezznar both slump over, unconscious.

No You Strip The BBEG BEFORE You Tie Him Up

The party hesitates for just a moment before jumping to action. Hugh and Lera work on tying him up, while Sildar feels for the taggit poison bottle in his pocket before realizing that Soren had stolen it when Soren had shoved Sildar at the doorway -- coming to the conclusion that Soren had poisoned both himself and Nezznar with it.

Being familiar with taggit -- as it had been used on him before -- Sildar rushes to Soren to slap him awake SO VIOLENTLY :(

Sildar @ Soren:

Soren wakes up, ecstatic when he realizes that he may have taken down Nezznar himself, crying out that "he did it!" Hugh is,, meanwhile, stripping Nezznar,, of all his jewelry and fancy clothing, as per common evil mage ettiquette with this group.

As we discuss what to do with him -- with a fear-fuelled kneejerk reaction of "we have to leave town and stop endangering the people" -- Soren begins to realize that some things aren't adding up -- Nezznar is usually extremely careful with his food and drink, given the treacherous nature of Drow. Still, upon inspecting Nezznar, Soren recognizes that there's no doubt that it's him physically.

The group decides to bring him into Tresendar Manor to question, as it's a deserted area that no one goes to. Lera reassures Toblen that they had taken care of the threat but tells him to go home to stay safe. Toblen asks that the party stop bringing about "dangerous people" into the tavern, and takes Pip home after locking up the tavern for the night and sending word to Elsa to not come in to work tonight.

Hugh drags Nezznar's body by the feet all the way to Tresendar LMAO

Tresendar Manor

Art

We put Nezznar in the room with the bunkbeds by the cistern. The group discusses the possibility of this being a fake, but again, this Nezznar seems to pass all physical scrutiny. Hugh ties Nezznar's limbs each to an ale keg so that he can't run even if he incapacitates the party. We shut the door.

The party makes way for Soren to wake Nezznar up with a hit, and Soren is eager to do so until faced with Nezznar, at which point he falters with fear. At the party's encouragement, Soren manages to muster the courage to backhand Nezznar, which wakes him up.

Nezznar seems confident still, but Soren picks up on hints of nervousness under his threats. Nezznar offers to forget this ever happened if they released him right now; Soren calls his bluff and reminds him of what he did to Rizoyn -- which Nezznar seems not to recognize. Soren continues, getting more and more enraged, to the point of drawing Rizoyn's dagger and pressing it against Nezznar's throat in a similar fashion to how Rizoyn was killed.

"Nezznar" seems to drop whatever facade he had going, pleading with Soren in a different, decidedly-non-noble voice that "whoa whoa wait we can talk about this"

Soren, blinded by rage, continues recounting Rizoyn's death, until "Nezznar" desperately starts pleading for his life.

Soren pulls away and demands to know who "Nezznar" is; "Nezznar" says that his name is Art, and that he's a doppelganger. He demonstrates by turning into Lera, which Soren demands that he turn back from. He turns into his true form, which is a humanoid, featureless, lean-muscled figure.

Art explains, during our interrogation, that:

• He lived in a remote cave, persecuted by society for his race, and was one day found by Nezznar

• Nezznar promised him a family and protection, if he lent him his powers

• Art agreed, and months later, Nezznar sent him instructions via spider familiar to

  • Dress up as him

  • Come to Phandalin in search of a "Sorennar" and his party

  • Remind Sorennar of the Xorlarrins' generosity (Nezznar said that Sorennar had been sponsored by the Xorlarrins but betrayed them)

  • In general make Sorennar as uncomfortable as possible

  • Report back to Nezznar and re-enact Soren's fear

To prove the point, Art re-enacts the fear in Soren's voice as per in Stonehill Inn, which bothers Soren greatly, though he tries not to show it. Art promises that he won't do it again, and that he truly believed that he was doing the right thing by helping Nezznar "freak out" the traitor to his family, and that he stopped having fun with it when he realized how terrified Soren was.

The group rolls high on insight and can tell that he's telling the truth. We discuss what to do with him; Hugh suggests prison when it becomes apparent that the party, Soren included, is feeling saddened over how Nezznar had manipulated Art's vulnerability and loneliness.

The group informs Art of his impending imprisonment, which Art is surprisingly bing chiling about -- especially when explained that he would receive food, water, shelter, a bed and company.

During this, Lera ritual casts Detect Magic to ensure they were not being scried, as well as to check in on the items we've obtained so far. The following ping back as magic:

• 1 of the pearls

• The Nothic Shortsword

• Soren's Drum

• The Glass Staff

• The paper birds from Glasstaff's study

Soren opens up to Art out of pity for both of their experiences with Nezznar, and explains exactly what Nezznar has done to him, his family and Rizoyn. He says that he's sorry that Art got roped into all this, and that the Black Spider knows how to prey on vulnerabilities.

Art in turn apologizes for hurting Soren without understanding the full situation. Soren promises to release him after we deal with Nezznar.

Art asks if the party isn't scared of him. Soren says "honey I'm from the Underdark". Hugh reminds Art that there is a literal demon in his brain.

Art wishes him, again, good luck with that.

Hugh asks that Art promise he won't hurt or kill anyone, which Art readily agrees. Hugh makes him carry one of the ale barrels back up so that he can't easily escape, as well as so that we can use the alcohol later.