All the Serpent’s Men

Reflecting upon his newfound powers, DonBrapp reflects upon his responsibility to the other members of the clandestine Golden Hand of Vergadain.

A working storefront where surreptitious information or waystation could be established is something he feels would appropriately honor Vergadain.

As the population of demi-humans has grown since the fall of Malthiir, the dwarf has been passing marked coins and hidden marks to alert and inform fellow clerics of his presence and intent.

As a result of his advancement the dwarf offers Quilro the ioun green stone.  After clarifying that the item came from the school of Wizardry and was no sacrilege to his forebears, the elf reluctantly accepts the fey magic stone that pops into orbit about his head.

DonBrapp gives Faerenal initial directions regarding staging the men-at-arms at the Quilro/Barla property that is likely to be acquired that day.

Barla notes the pretty magical stone and asks if she might have one as Fyrnlocke nearly spits out his coffee.

Barnal the turtlish realtor arrives with tubes and documents flanked by Red Plumes to finish the deal on Quilro’s property.  After a frosty reception and stiff negotiations the deal is set at far more amenable terms than originally discussed.  The first floor remains the tenancy of the occupancy unless they don’t make their 80gp monthly payments.  After some initial concerns, the heroes agree to allowing the occupants to remain.

Quilro appears anxious and exasperated as the further plans of the companions for his property illuminate themselves in discussions.  DonBrapp tasks the realtor to locate a shopfront with a vault, backroom and basement with sewer access within walking distance so they can establish “Hillsfar’s Rugs of Champions.”

“This home is ours as long as we are together.”  Quilro hands the keys over and Barla quickly departs with Rosvetta to begin furnishing the new home.

The group discusses the shares of the companions, and how much to invest in the Merchant’s Coster accounts to lighten somewhat the logistic burden.

Soon the wagon is shaking with Risparkle’s man Renfro inspecting the wagons.  He and Dwarf engage in some hard bargaining.  After several back and forth Renfro agrees to defer this discussion until back at Risparkle’s wagon yard.

“You go back and tell the Risparkle the Champions of Hillsfar will not be trifled with!”

Rowan approaches in an extremely tight kimono silk dress with a fur overcoat, appearing ridiculously overdressed.

With a grim smile she offers “I am here to extend the Serpent’s invitation to lunch at the Three Happy Peppers, a unique location of eastern fare he has introduced to the city.  As you can see, he expects his associates to dress the part.”

“You know, the elf is married now!” DonBrapp exhorts, and Quilro quickly dissembles a cover story that Rowan appears to buy hook line and sinker.

“The Serpent is genuinely interested in repaying your kind favor along the road…”

“You mean the life-debt he owes us?” The dwarf retorts.

A squad of Red Plumes descend from the city ramp and make a loud and ostentatious announcement of receiving the Cauldron of Szass Tam from the Heroes of Hillsfar, who recovered it from the dastardly Zhents and their insulting and avaricious attacks upon Thayvian sovereignty.  The cauldron secure the squad marches back off toward the city ramp.
“You cannot trust these red robed bastards…”  Quilro mutters under his breath.

Dressed simply, Bosmos approaches DonBrapp for 10gp as he makes arrangements to head east for Elventree.  The dwarf spitefully snaps the coins at the other dwarf and Bosmos humbly makes his way east in the snow lined paths out of Hillsfar.

“Be sure to inform Kandar and Eltak Deepaxe to set aside our accounts when we return this spring;  seek the Rug Emporium should you make your way to Hillsfar to catch up with DonBrapp.”

Faeranal and the men break camp and move the caravan up the ramp;  paying the entry tax while being nondescript about the cargo.

The city is full of diversity that was not present before, and Quilro notes several individuals in the crowd keeping deliberate pace with the wagons while attempting to blend in.

“DWARF!”  Risparkle shouts as the wagons approach.  “My man tells me my labor’s not good enough for your coin!”  The wagon carpenter tells him to step down and point out the necessary upgrades and repairs to the wagons.   Risparkle repeats the current job just includes the upgrades;  the ballistae has yet to be sourced for inclusion.

The two settle on a price and the group remands the wagons to Risparkle’s care and some of the group trundle off to Quilro and Barla’s home;  the share partners head to the Merchant’s Coster to unload some coin.

The Merchant’s Coster has a variety of magical and mundane protections for folks handling coin;  starting with the need to leave magic and weapons outside the walled compound.  A series of tables manned by folk ready to count and double count in the presence of folks eyeing the counts.  To the rear a protected wagon deck affords protected loading of coin and other precious sundries.

After settling the accounts and ensuring the proper control and signature measures are in place for the funds, Kailute and Quilro rejoin the group.

Quilro befriends an elven ranger going by Elnalrath to construct a pavilion.

The smell of exotic spices exude from a squat pagoda building near the edge of the merchant district.

The companions are ushered beyond the common room into a darker room with a long oak table.  The aged yet muscled elf known as the Serpent stands to welcome the party;  Rowan sits to his right and a more dense looking dark haired human sits to his left.  The walls are painted a dark crimson and the area behind the elf are curtained.

“I have made it my mission to expand the culinary tastes of Hillsfar through my networks in Kara-Tur.  Open palates lead to open minds.”

Kailute selects a seat where he can flip the table and DonBrapp and Quilro sit across from each other.

“Always interesting the way individuals self-segregate.  Come;  let us drink!”  He snaps his fingers and two Kara-turan servers arrive with fluted wine.

The Serpent bemoans his lack of contact with Mordak and the need for information all leaders require.  His intent is to refine the guild into a premier intelligence service for hire, while ensuring the streets of Hillsfar appear free of crime.  The ruthless guild leader describes his organizational improvements in training and accountability.

“Doesn’t formulaic behavior make one predictable…”  Quilro opines during one of The Serpents long-winded soliloquy.

The expresses a disdain for human wizards involved in politics, and the business opportunities inherent in a region where two geographic opponents continue to fight each other.  He also confirms his senior association with the Night Masks, which may still have earned him some ire.  The elf offers his services has a fence for magical items or other goods not wanted to be exposed in the open marketplace.  The Serpent also shares infiltration of Red Wizards into Melvaunt, as well as political upheaval in Damara that is inhibiting the bloodstone trade.

Quilro insults Waterdeep and human development in general;  to which The Serpent counters that it also brings great opportunity for riches.  He comments on how even Myth Drannor was eventually sundered.

After long last DonBrapp notices he can smell the food, and offers to bless the meal.  Quilro also notices the ioun stone has fallen from his forehead to his pouch.

“Brapp bless this food;  with fork and spoon.”  He moves from plate to plate, and feels as though his divination may be blocked somehow.

Kailute smiles and grips the edge of the table, and then grabs some spicy dumplings.
“I have heard the easterners have unique fighting styles.  Have you brought any of them over?”  The half-orc asks chewing on his dumpling.

The serpent offers an exhibition of eastern sword mastery in Gondal’s arena as an exhibition.  He further waives any guild fees for association with his “Dinner Club,” as a token of gratitude for his life-debt.

The Serpent asks for debriefs about the location of monsters, treasures, or hoards;  or any information of military significance that might be of value to him.

Quilro examines the room;  four muscled toughs stand impassively in the corner.  The thief opposite Rowan appears seasoned and grim.

“I cannot in good faith offer fealty;  but as you do or need so long as I am not required an oath of loyalty I don’t have any argument against you.”  Kailute offers.

The Serpent asks perhaps the group could approach Mordak for an entreaty, knowing that he has eliminated many of his prior contacts.

“As an act of good faith, I present to you this miscreant found under one of the hulls of a vessel in the harbor.  Rather than turn him over to the Red Plumes, I offer him up to you as he is clearly one of those Harper types.”

Two toughs emerge from behind the Serpent and throw a confused and disheveled halfling toward the group.

“Stay cool.  Get through this.”  Kailute says quietly, and signals for water when the halfling takes copious bites and then spits out the spicy food.

The Serpent makes his final pitch to be a focal point for the companions for information and fencing in the city and hopes their influence with Mordak could be mutually beneficial.
In elvish the Serpent offers Quilro a visit to one of the two training facilities, and the elf responds about mild queries about undead dragons.

“My only concern is what happens when a wizard is in league with such a powerful creature…”  The Serpent is also aware of the component merchant Pelvis Goodman.

He offers up any information the party requires and is amenable to some share of the wine trade.

Quilro offers up a debriefing at a ridiculously exorbitant price, and the Serpent demurs politely.

The Serpent rises to leave, offers thanks and states that Rowan will be his intermediary, and says otherwise this is his most likely place of business.

Kailute orders a single pot dwarven whiskey for the group, at least 200 years old.  You can taste the fire of the forges.

The group departs back to Quilro’s new home.  A hustle of activity is underway as Faerenal is directing a common room for the soldiers, as well as a meeting room for the heroes.  Sieben is establishing the alchemy lab in another room, while the raucous drinking upstairs is heard punctuated by crashes of furniture and laughter.

Kailute approaches Faerenal, and they discuss his future.  In the meantime he needs to train a replacement for himself, and then fill out the remaining vacancies.  He is keen on ensuring members have the proper amount of discretion.  Kailute encourages him to keep his eye on bigger prizes, perhaps striking out under his own colors.  This brings up the need for a banner, and Faerenal commits to ensuring one is created.  He further recommends staying behind to train newcomers while sending four forward to Barovia.

“It’s certainly more lucrative working for a psychopath.”  Rowan replies to the groups inquiries.  The Serpent has a variety of contacts from the east he has brought with him.  She mentions the two locations;  a training facility and a library both of which The Serpent visits unexpectedly.

The group plans for an eastern swordsmanship display, that will appeal to The Serpent’s worldly chauvinism.  Gondal will promote an afternoon of swordsmanship displays.  Rowan suggests having his food hawked there, appealing to his vanity.

The group agrees to plan an assassination attempt in the Arena.