Session 15 Prep

Review

Fill, Mike, Alberic, and Leodel grouped outside the arena where Adabra let them know that Halia wanted to speak to them.
The Party were offered gold in exchange for finding evidence that Dagult is rigging the election.
Fill and Mike headed to speak with Loogan Poole, and they witnessed an assassination attempt on the artist and political candidate. Fill tended to Loogan’s wounds and call the authorities as best as possible.
Alberic and Leodel spoke with Vok; who shared he wasn’t too keen on winning the election, all things considered.
Leodel was asked by Erolith; nephew of Kellam Oladi, to head back down to Phandalin and watch over Uganda Pickles.
The remaining three members regrouped after some time and attempted to communicate with Andel Yon; the associate of Dagult Neverember - but failed to enter into the room.
Meanwhile, in Phandalin, Salvador and Uganda are sleeping in the Stonehill Inn

Bridge

Describe the sudden fatigue Salvador feels and guide him towards the inn. He falls asleep instantly. (DC 15 Wisdom saving throw will help him later)
Uganda feels a way of reluctance to head back home, remembering the last conversation he had in front of the council. Guide him towards the inn. Perception checks help him get there without injury.
While sleeping; Salvador dreams and falls into a subliminal realm with Drengen - who explains the circumstances of their arrangement and is attempting to seize control of the body.
Uganda is woken an hour or two later by the arrival of Leodel and they both see Salvador sweating and convulsing in his sleep.
Salvador must make 3 successful skill checks to retain control of his body before 2 failures. The better the role-play and creative use of skills; the lower the DC or easier the roll will be.

Forwards

If Salvador fails to retain control

Drengen’s upper half will replace the top half of Salvador’s body - attacking Leodel and Uganda within the Stonehill Inn
Every time Drengen takes damage - Salvador can roll a DC 15 wisdom saving throw to slowly regain control. If Drengen manages to knock one of the two unconscious - Erolith will burst through the door and rescue them with a greater health potion. At the same time; Salvador can make a DC 18 Wisdom saving through to shake off the possession and fall unconscious for a few minutes as his body reverts to its original appearance.

If Salvador successfully pushes back

Drengen’s presence is weakened by the spirit of Salvador, making him more subservient for the meanwhile
Uganda is attacked shortly after by Morrow
Oladi will rescue the party if one or more members is fatally injured by Morrow

Return to Amylthas

If the combat encounter ends without the trigger for the rescue party to arrive; they arrive just as the combat ends.
After either combat encounter, the Phandalin party members will be escorted back to Amylthas by the rescue party.
A short delay is placed on the election as investigations are being executed into any linkages between the attacks on Loogan and the party in Phandalin (Erolith covers for Salvador)

Once the party regroups

Speaking with Andel (DC 26 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

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.

Entering the room

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.

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.