Session 21 Prep

Housekeeping and Updates

Would people prefer some physical notes in folders (of their choice)? Or exclusively digital - it is their responsibility to bring to sessions.
- Are you more likely to read it if I give you a physical copy?
Please have thoughts about what you’re feeling for lunch as we might try and play while eating to make sure we get through the whole session.

Review

The party slept a night in Amylthas before returning to Phandalin
A mysterious Shadar-Kai male; later revealed as Illsaiim Aasthmir, appeared on the southern port of the Elven city before disappearing by jumping off the edge of the port and to the ground below.
Upon arriving in Phandalin, the party noticed changes to the city around them; improvements to structures around the city and detailing across the board - as well as a brand new building no one had noticed.
Leodel comforted his adoptive father over the loss of Halia; a childhood friend of his, before the latter warns him of getting too involved with any of her associates - specifically an organization called Zhentarim.
Leodel found a letter with ZT embossed on the front before hearing an unexpected knock at the door.
What followed was a tense moment between Ander, Leodel, and Illsaiim which resolved with Leodel escorting the Shadar-Kai to see Randall for his payment.
The party explored the town and noted the changes before Adabra asked for their help finding an individual to take on the title of Townmaster’s Hand after the 3 remaining candidates all recused themselves for various reasons.
Fill suggested Randall for the job and was told to escort him to meet Harbin for his approval.
Alberic and Salvador made a deal with an entity called The Gambler and received magical items at a discounted price; however making up the difference with their own essence. They head to the Underground Fun House for rest.
The party find Randall and he helps them get Illsaiim’s payment as well as agrees to meet with Harbin about the position.
Investigating a lead from the letter Leodel had found; Alberic and Illsaiim ran into some Zhentarim agents at the Miner’s Exchange.
Here it was revealed that Illsaiim had been working with Zhentarim for quite some time before taking up work with Halia.
This encounter provides the opportunity of work for the party and after a following up encounter with the entire party present - they learned about a power vacuum in Neverwinter’s criminal underworld and were asked to bring down Oskar Kryme; the leading figure to take Dagult’s place in the hierarchy, within a week.
The party received their reward from Adabra as Randall Bark is the new Townmaster’s Hand.

Bridge

A sudden farewell?

Leodel is peacefully sleeping in his bed after his adventures in the funhouse and is recalling a memory from his days in the orphanage.

”You recall a quiet day in the orphanage. Quinton, the caretaker, is telling you a story about a city with 7 great houses; The Green Frog, The Black Cat, the Brown Bear, The Grey Wolf, The Blue Snake, The White Owl, and The Royal Lion who ruled over them all. He also tells you about a Prince to had to flee the city in its time of need and how an evil man took control shortly after. He says the story ends with a brave and powerful figure reuniting the city and becoming the new king.” - Leodel’s memory, narrated.

He also remembers the first 3 verses of Song of 7 Banners.

Ander suggests heading home

Ander will ask Leodel if he’d be willing to head home together and pick up where they left off. He’s clearly feeling guilt-ridden for the situation his son was put into with his disappearance.

Give Leodel a nice farewell with Ander Give him a chance to say goodbye to the party If Jon heads off with Ander; or looks to be indecisive, talk about Thin Heir and hint at its location.

If Leodel finds Thin Air, detail the 6 linkages with the respective houses on them:

Green Frog
Black Cat
Brown Bear
Grey Wolf
Blue Snake
White Owl

Holding the belt for even a few seconds will show the belt beginning to channel the glow towards the gap in the linkages and a 7th link will appear; The Royal Lion.

Ander; shocked, will suggest they head back to his orphanage to see if the host can provide any details.

At this point, Jon may decide he doesn’t want to see anymore of Leodel’s story. That is ok, it is up to him if he wants to play out the last scene.

The Orphanage

”You see a brown wood cottage with two floors in the woods outside the South-East wall of Neverwinter. The top floor window had been repaired in the time since you left. There’s a few kids of varying ages roaming around outside playing and helping out. You see a familiar human man sitting in a chair drinking what looks to be a cup of tea. As you approach you make eye contact as he nearly spits the tea out in the face of a half-elven kid he was talking to.” - Leodel’s return to the Orphanage, as narrated

Allow for a surprised conversation between Quinton Alagondar and Leodel with Ander filling in any gaps. Ander has an inkling who this man might be but isn’t saying anything that might get him in trouble.

If Leodel shows Quinton Alagondar the belt, Quinton Alagondar will fall back in shock before realising what is in front of him. He’ll be ecstatic for Leodel and give him a big bear hug.

Royal Implications

”MY BOY, YOU’VE DONE IT! Come inside the both of you, there is much to discuss!” - Quinton Alagondar to Leodel and Ander

Quinton will explain to Leodel through RP the story of what happened during The Ruining and will ask Leodel if he remembers the song he used to sing years ago.

He’ll offer to sing the full thing to refresh his memory. Ander will also join in and then get on one knee saying: “It’s good to see you after all these years, my Prin.. I mean my King!"

"I’m flattered you remember me Ander, truly, but I have never been your King and I am no longer your Prince.” - Quinton Alagondar to Leodel and Ander

Ander is confused before Quinton Alagondar points to Leodel and explains the true purpose behind Thin Heir.

Fill’s Holy Symbol

introduce retcon for fill’s holy symbol Instead of the candy cane having a symbol of an hourglass on the side, the red spiral down the candy cane is fading and this is how he can tell the time remaining

Create Item for Holy Candy Cane - allows for an additional D{Cleric Level} to be added to any wisdom based roll once per long rest.

24 hours to decide

The party have 24 hours to decide if they want to take down Oskar or not. Give them opportunities to ask questions and get to understand who they’re dealing with.

Lamoira - Gunslinger, gets weapons from Vaa’ruul but Dagult blocked his shipments for years. Randall - Pretty crazy, known for being reckless/loose canon Elmar Barthen - Heard he’s been #2 for a long time, kinda scary to see what he’d be like now as top-dog.

A call from Kellam

Kellam informs the party to be careful as Dagult’s corpse; which was locked up in their vaults for investigation, is nowhere to be seen.

”I’m worried for the safety of the Prince and my nephew… I’ve sent what guards I can to monitor them. Please watch over Aster for us, Mr Werrell. I’d hate to think what could happen if they got a hold of either them.” - Kellam to Fill

Forwards

A Leonin for a Leodel

Introduce Graxious into Phandalin and provide context on the town as is present (help align perception of the town)

Use this as an opportunity to provide some Divinity lore.

A run in with a familiar… face I guess?

If the party head towards Neverwinter; they’ll run into Dixon Normus and Dagult as Puppet Zombie’s alongside two Arindor. A combat encounter is unavoidable.

Lamoira will remember that…

Worried for her safety; Lamoira will really appreciate some help from the more experienced members of the party and this will help colour her future choices.

Something else

They’ll be able to check the quest board or reach out to their allies for further quests.

Brackdak Olgon > Trouble on the border

Introduce Hockton and talk about some bandits who’ve been disrupting the town.

Randall Bark > Something odd down South

Suggests there might be work down South in Sleeper’s Keep

Notes

Emily gets character art made :D

Bandits

Ponytail, a very pointy goatee, and a scar on the left eye.

Richard

Person from Grenfell, very green eyes. Normally a peaceful people, odd to see a weaponsmith.