Session 16 Prep

Review

Leodel and Uganda Pickles helped Salvador recover from an internal struggle with his demonic alter; Drengen, before being ambushed by Morrow; a sister of the Wight.
Morrow managed to down the half-Elven prince before the sudden arrival of Captain Kellam Oladi.
Meanwhile, the group in Amylthas investigated Dagult further and found him speaking to Adabra before determinedly walking away.
The group in Phandalin were rushed to Amylthas where they regrouped and met Cucumber Pickles; Ugandas’s mother and current Queen of Amylthas.
Erolith took the party to Ernie’s milk bar; where the party met three very different versions of the same person named Ernie.
The party head back to their suite as Leodel prepares to talk to Andel alone. Alberic headed to his room to meditate, Fill and Mike headed to visit Loogan Poole in his comatose state, and Salvador and Uganda headed to the entertainment district to kill some time - playing Archery minigames and hitting one bullseye each.
Fill managed to calm Loogan with his connection to Santa Claus and drew the attention of an eager young, Elven woman.
Leodel managed to convince Andel to open his door and the two conversed about music, Ander, and Leodel’s lute.
Andel admitted he knew Dagult was not a good person, as he implored Leodel that he to become a hero and expose Dagult’s true nature before it was too late.

Bridge

The party have all regrouped in their room as we focus on Alberic, who has come to some realisation due to his meditation.
- Roll a DC 15 Wisdom save to get a hint about the situation with Dagult.
Leodel and the rest of the party walk in shortly afterwards, and we are into open space.

Forwards

Once the party regroups

Let them discuss their situation to reassess the state of play.
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 are standing in front of the door.

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 assisting 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.