Session 14 Prep

Review

The party achieved their initial goals of preparing for the election by finding people to act as a council of people to review the nominees, even managing to calm Town-master Harbin Wester down.
After witnessing the nomination ceremony; 4 members of the party made their way upwards to the elvish city of Elrand - a part of Amylthas
The party made their way to the Grand Stadium when an explosion caused concern for the safety of one of the council members.
Last session ended with Fill Werrell running ahead of the party to enjoy an electoral snag; a delicacy that humans enjoy whenever democratic elections are held.

Bridge

The party seen the Grand Stadium; towering taller than any structure most of them have ever seen.
Mike feels an odd sensation at the sight of the stadium
If anyone makes a DC 16 Perception check; they’ll get a whisper of seeing sneaky people darting into the stadium through unconventional means
- Members of “Ember’s Rule” who are attempting to rig the election in Dagult’s favour
The party can either head directly to their location in the stadium OR explore Elrand and have more chances to expose Dagult’s criminal syndicate to the authorities before the election.

Forwards

If the party heads towards the stadium straight away

Provide opportunities for the party to speak with the candidates again
Have Halia present herself as more openly opposed to Dagult than before and see how the party reacts
She offers the party a reward if they manage to prevent Dagult winning (a test of their morals)
Vok offers a gentle nudge that he really wouldn’t mind losing the election and that he’d rather it if the party helped against that
Speaking with Andel (DC 18 Speech related skill) allows the party to gleam information about his identity and why he stood for nomination against Dagult. He talks about how he hasn’t been to grand stadium in over a decade and really wanted to be on the main stage again. He says he’ll hand over the town to Dagult if he somehow wins.
Speaking with Dagult isn’t possible as there are guards outside his door that will not budge. The party may attempt to find a hidden entrance to his room but find it empty if they manage a way in. Check Dagult’s Room for details
Loogan Poole is painting in his room if they choose to speak to him; he seems a little distracted and if the party speak to him after speaking to Halia or leaving Dagult’s room - they can (DC 18 Perception check) a threat being made to him by one of ER’s assassins. If the party give him too much information; this assassin will strike Loogan and the closest party member (DC 19 Dex save). The party here have the option to give chase to the assassin, with the party attempting to use their abilities in creative ways. 4 successes before 3 failures
If the party catch the assassin; they’ll have to intimidate (DC 19) him for any information to press the investigation further or hand him over to Adabra and the officials to end the side quest there. This alone is not enough evidence to prevent Dagult from running in the election, but will reduce his chances of winning.

If the party explores Elrand first

Using Fill as a lens; describe the topology of the city and the entities available to them via Elrand page
The party can speak to Haestus Pickles if they wish, and he’ll mention that the guards are concerned about the explosion earlier; he also threatens them if he finds any connection between it and them
If the party wander long enough - a relevant party member can make a DC 16 perception check to notice they’re being followed.
- If the party manage to corner or expose the trailer; this will trigger a combat encounter with a member of ER
- The combat is either stopped after 2 rounds or when anyone goes unconscious. The Wyng Corp will get involved at this stage, and the party will have to convince the guard of their side of events. 4 successes before 3 failures
- If the party fail to convince the guards; they are taken back to the grand stadium with little time before the election - they are spoken to by Halia with more desperation in her voice.
- The party can decide to trust Halia or not, and inform her of the attack by the assassin figure. She presses the party to search Dagult’s room while she keeps his guards busy. Check Dagult’s Room for details

Dagult’s Room

A set of double doors; dark oak wood make with panelling and steel bars reinforcing their rigidity. The door has an ornate locking mechanism on the front. Two guards with the emblem of “DN” embossed on their pauldrons will be standing there if the party head there via route 1; in route 2 the party can hear Halia leading the guards away to search for a ruffian she swears she saw down there.

Via route 1

The party can attempt (DC 22) to persuade or deceive the guards into leaving the doors; with a 10 gold bribe awarding advantage to one player on the roll. This roll can be assisted with clear direction from the player.

Via route 2

The party will need to unlock the door via a thieve’s tools check if available; Halia will offer them to a player if proficient with them. Otherwise, the party will need to get creative (DC17++)

Inside the room

The room is ornate with gold and red everywhere; Leodel recalls this is Dagult’s personal style, and it seems he called ahead to have them style it to his liking (How vain)

The party can make numerous investigation, perception, and insight checks to find more mysterious letters, a singular sending stone, and an ornate lighter embossed with “ER” on it near an open and content-full letter.

This letter is just an acknowledgement of a shipment of “goods” leaving Neverwinter heading for the town of Halldon in the Hilted Highlands.

If the party use the lighter on the letter obtained from Harbin’s house, they will find it begins to fill out the contents of the letter. (Hand the responsible player the physical letter)

If the players feel they have enough proof to call the authorities

The party at any time can take what evidence they have to Adabra or Harbin, or first attempt to take the evidence to Halia. Taking it to Halia comes with risk because she might be in the midst of distracting Dagult’s guards - or they might run out of time.

Talking to Halia first has the added benefit of making a stronger case to the council.

As part of making a case against Dagult, there is circumstantial evidence, and hard evidence.

Multiple items of circumstantial evidence will make it harder for Dagult to win the election; even if attempting to rig it, and if all the circumstantial evidence is combined with a good argument from one or more party members; Dagult will be barred from the election under grounds of investigation by the electoral guarantor.

Even a single piece of hard evidence; for example, the letter Dagult sent to Harbin threatening him, will be enough to lose Dagult the election - if he can even run at all. Hard evidence and a strong case by the party can even force the hand of Amylthas to treat Dagult as a criminal entity and charge him with attempted murder.

If Dagult is deemed a criminal - he will attempt to flee, only to be stopped by Andel Yon, who had been secretly watching the accusations unfold. The authorities will apprehend Dagult, and he will be investigated for all criminal activity.

The election continues…

The election will continue regardless of how strong a case the party make against Dagult

If no case has been made against Dagult; but some circumstantial evidence was presented to Halia - she will use that in her speech to reduce the effectiveness of his rigging.
If a decent case has been made against Dagult; the electoral council will enforce a triple check of the electoral measures and unknowingly undo the rigging magic of ER.
If a strong case has been made, Dagult might be unable to win the election, but he can still play spoiler to the eventual winner.
If Dagult is found out to be a criminal; then Andel Yon will use the safety that has afforded him to go public with his true identity and perform a wonderful ballad to the audience.

ELECTION MECHANICS

Each candidate may ask 3 question of any other candidate, spread across all
Two candidates are cut based on an initial round of voting
- Dagult always wins this round (his charm is undeniable)
- Andel or Halia will win based on whom the party supports more
- Vok or Loogan will win if the party talks to them and specifically sides with one of them - if the party is split, the voters will make the decision (roll a d20, even == Vok)
- IF Loogan is dead only one person will be cut in the first round. In this instance, Vok always loses unless the party all band behind him and rolls high on his persuasion check.
Remaining three candidates openly debate and the crowd sentiment will determine the result
- Party must describe how they will use their skills to sway their section of the crowd to side for their candidate (if party cannot agree on a candidate they will have disadvantage)
- 4 successes before 3 failures
- If the party succeed in all these checks but have not found or presented any evidence to Halia or the council; then Dagult’s rigging machinations will engage and he will win even if another nominee should have.