Heroes Victorious

Before the crowd subsides in their rapturous roar, Girvis moves to collect the corpse and head of the fallen thief, as well as his blade and belt.  Hoisting the remains over his shoulder and palming the lifeless head the fire giant moves toward the tunnels under the VIP box.

The guardian companions are confused at the outcome, being foreigners in a city with some language barriers.  Gondal calms those in the VIP box, and ensures one of his stewards indicates no harm to come to them provided they forsake arms or vengeance against the Champions of Hillsfar.  Fyrnlocke assists in assuaging any immediate retribution, and they too make their way out of the arena into the common areas beyond the public entrances, melting into the crowd.

In the looming warehouse full of grain and foodstuffs, the giant has pulled the cart with the Serpent’s corpse and possessions into the open area beneath the racks of stores.

Quilro proposes selling the location of the lost wagon and the aurumvorax corpse to adventurers.

DonBrapp encourages this entrepreneurial endeavor as he notes the elf’s spendthrift habits in the great city of Hillsfar.

After withdrawing, DonBrapp makes connection with the fallen elf.  He is shocked and surprised to find the spirit-elf, an image of shadows imbued with the Serpent’s shape and face appear to be sipping wine on a shadowy plane of the many hells.  He is surrounded by lesser demons, and what appear to be the trapped souls of many of the fallen of the thieve’s guild.

“Ah, sacred chosen of Vergedain…  I would submit you have much yet to learn of protective magics and planar travel…”  The shadeform eyes grow intensely purple and the elf-shade hisses “While this banishment is a comfortable aside, I am deeply offended by the trickery you and your cohort effected.  I will not forget.”

“I am very interested in the sanctity of my remains…  perhaps I will share with you some of the knowledge you seek if we can find amenable terms and assurances that superior vessel you now hold is not further molested.”

“Send our regards to D’noush the douche!” DonBrapp retorts.  “If you tell us what we wish to know, I will ensure your remains are returned to Waterdeep.”

The Serpent demurs at the mention of Waterdeep, suggesting instead they be remanded to Melvaunt in the possession of Corkin Markov, the most skilled smith in Melvaunt.  He is partnered with a dwarven wizard Theororus Stoneblood skilled in enchanting weapons.
The banished elf-shade shares information on elven moonblades;  they are incredibly powerful ancestral weapons that are fused with the souls of their bearers once they die.  Each soul adds a powerful enchantment to the weapon, but must be unlocked after the sword selects its bearer.  The Serpent relates this with some attitude as he reveals he was not the chosen of his family’s moonblade.  Sages in elven lore should be able to provide some background on the Eldarym clan moonblade.

Skullport continues to thrive and was intended to grow illicit trade links with the city by way of portals located in the area.

Melvaunt’s nobles look after their own;  the streets within the walls are rampant with criminals.  There are no better smiths in the realms, particularly Corkin.

Rowan and Swipe were the Serpent’s top deputies within the Hillsfar thieve’s guild;  Delnar is likely dealing with the chaos initiated by the “decapitation” of the organization.
The Serpent is ignorant of Harthax and is likely a demonic weapon better found among sages of elven history.

Quilro asks about who would know the proper rites regarding his sword, and the Serpent suggests the Red Wizards might be the best local entities to address his research.

“Know this, usurpers.  Having provided you this knowledge I expect within a reasonable time you will provide proof that you have properly prepared my remains for transfer to Melvaunt.  Should that not occur, I will mobilize my allies from within the Abyss to ensure this agreement is fulfilled.”

The séance complete, DonBrapp lays out his plan for a macabre jolly roger, while Quilro points out the risks inherent in keeping the Serpent’s remains intact.

The group takes account of the fallen elf’s equipment, and then plans to revisit and loot the Three Happy Peppers.

Gondal and Faeranal arrive delivering a read leather tube fastened in fine black silk.
Upon fine gray vellum a message reads: “Myldluk Nerrym, his excellency the ambassador of their most prestigious and meticulous Zulkiirs of Thay requests audience with the astute and accomplished Champions of Hillsfar.  They are invited and welcomed to the re-opened embassy, or in his most Gracious First Magister Mordak’s residence.  May Mystra’s weave favor us all.”

The companions discuss the merits of either location and agree to meet the Thayvians in their embassy.

Faeranal directs the newest men-at-arms to gather up the body and items and cart them back to the Eldarym building quickly and quietly.

Gondal estimates 8K gold likely cleared from the exhibition/assassination, and will deliver whatever final payment is owed directly to DonBrapp.

The clerics of Mystra report they are unable to resurrect the companions with the amount of material offered.  They can and will however examine the magical books and provide a research summary back to the group and settle costs upon their return with a 5K gold retainer for the knowledge contained therein.  Tolmar the head cleric agrees to the terms.

Kailute explores the relationships between faiths in Faerun, and DonBrapp requests Tolmar inquire if any of the faithful might be interested accompanying the companions to Melvaunt and beyond.

Their business at the warehouse completed the group trundles through the snowy night, weapons at the ready toward the Three Happy Peppers.

After announcing their intent to collect the Serpent’s rugs, Kotaka is charmed by the dwarf into allowing the group into the elf’s private chambers.  Several rugs and items of artwork are bundled on the largest carpet.  Quilro scans the room and locates a variety of magical items and clandestine caches, as well as a tunnel to the sewers.  He enjoys an unparalleled streak of successful trap discovery.

Fyrnlocke declares “the bed is mine!” and plans to recover the furniture later.

Quilro grabs three of the Serpent’s looted diamonds with an aim toward jewelry making.
The haul includes a trove of information on fencing contacts in Hillsfar as well as the Moonsea region, including silk contacts in Damara.

Kailute puts a hobo backpack from the items and the rugs over his shoulder and the group returns to the Eldarym building.

At the enclave, construction appears to moving apace.  In the square outside the red brick gate the ranger is supervising laborers building an elven style Gazebo to house the marriage altar of Halani Selanil.

Similarly, scaffolds surround the main building of the Thayvian compound visible from the street.  Red robed guards man the gate, but recognize the Champions as they approach.

The guards walk the companions in to the lesser building as the repairs continue on the main building.  They are ushered into a conference room with a table and a map of the realms.
After a five minute wait a stocky Thayvian with typical shaved head covered in tattoos enters the room and offers sincere and gracious thanks on behalf of Szass Tam for the recovery of their cauldron.

DonBrapp presses the issue of upgrades to the wagon.  The wizard confirms that they have already inspected the wagon and were impressed with its base capabilities and it within their capacity to provide the upgrades provided they are provided with magical items of appropriate power.

The Red Wizard also mentions the public spectacle of the Serpent’s demise and reaffirms that as a result of this exchange no further animus exists between the heroes and the Red Wizards and Thay.  There are concerns that the Heroes can be a violent destabilizing element based upon patterns of activity.

DonBrapp reiterates the requests; an extradimensional space, invisibility, flight and a constant identify capability.

The wizards confirm their ability to imbue the extradimensional space and invisibility, but the other capabilities will take more time and magic than currently offered.

With the offering of the dark relic Harthax and Bracers of Defense AC2 for the extradimensional spaces and invisibility for the Gundar Vundark.

The Khazark asks for information on Thayvian laborers and other goings on in Melvaunt following the companion’s travels.

“We hope the civilizing influence of commerce and the arcane power of the Red Wizards will unite the companions in mutual comradery.”  The pact is sealed with a toast of red wine from silver goblets.

“May the shrine to Henali Cenalil bless this city and your gates with the joyous unions of untold masses of fey folk!” Quilro offers as a parting jab, to which Myldluk toasts with a grimace.

The companions return to the Eldarym building, where Sieben sleeps curled in a corner of the apothecary office.

Pyotr, Rosvetta and Barla are several bottles deep on a late lunch and announce they have made arrangements for the sea voyage aboard Capt Garvin’s Imperator, and they might have a line the ballistae.

Quilro sells Rowan the location of the lost wagon and delivers gifts of ridiculously expensive jewelry two the thief and his wife.   Barla is naturally overjoyed;  Rowan is somewhat surprised and distant.

DonBrapp has a coin collector inspect his Underdark and Myth Drannor coins, both of which are valuable beyond their face value due to their unique lineage and historical impact.  He liquidates some of them, and saves the rest.  The Eldarym platinum pieces are several hundred years old.  He also closes on a storefront several blocks from the Eldarym home and allows Faeranal as a power of attorney for the property, with Barla afforded an operating account to being a fine rug emporium.

Quilro clandestinely tasks Reevan to recruit two Harpers to assist on the Imperator, unknown to outsiders.

A portly mage-cleric of Mystra named Tomas reports to assist with the companions as requested.

Kailute locates a human skald Dagnar who agrees to sing and celebrate for free food and drink.

Dimlum Tallfoot and Derry Tacklebaum have found their way aboard the Imperator, awaiting Quilro’s signal.

Their provisioning and admin tasks complete the companions are welcomed aboard the Imperator by Captain Garvin and his First Mate Brummet.  All find their way to their shared cabins after a minor explanation to DonBrapp that he will not have the Master’s cabin.