Session 17: "No Chalice for Jierdaan" (9 Flamerule, DR 1372)

Quick Summary

• Group leave the dungeon.

• Group discover a discarded backpack, which proves to be a mimic.

• Party track back to the thicket with the horses.

• The horse-hand is waiting, but with no horses.

• The horse-hand is quickly revealed to be an illusion.

• Jierdaan and his entourage are revealed to be in wait.

• Jierdaan demands the goblet.

• Jierdaan parlays for the life of Jeb the horse-hand.

• Jeb is revealed to be a doppelganger -- strangely, arrowed by Graal.

• Group escape using the ruse of an illusory chalice.

• Group return to Felzenheim, and begin to fortify.

Loose Ends

• How do Jierdaan and Co. react when they realize the chalice is fake?

• Why was Graal so quick to shoot the horse-hand/shapeshifter?

• Do Jierdaan and Co. follow?

• Why do Jierdaan and Co. need the chalice?

Kellan uses the healing wand to revive Kelnor, and is then fully-restored by Gaerfinas (after he is made to feel guilty by just standing around while his companion bleeds out on the floor).

Gaerfinas decides to investigate the chimney, discovering a fine Greataxe left behind by the orcs (Stuurk's Greataxe +1). They seem to have escaped for now.

Rio notices a backpack on the ground, but something isn’t right. Kelnor carefully investigates, when suddenly it transforms into an amorphous blob and starts attacking the adventurers. Kelnor narrowly avoids the trap, quickly springing back into action with a dagger attack, but -- being off-guard -- misses. The mimic returns the attack, attempting to latch onto Kelnor. Rio bravely steps forward, heroically driving his longsword through the foe. Rania lets loose a crossbow bolt again hitting home. Artus brings his sword to bear, hacking from every side. A firebolt from kellan sails wide, luckily avoiding the group. Gaerfinas has more effect with his sacred flame. Again, Kelnor unsuccessfully attempts to enter the fray with his dagger, deciding to slink away from immediate danger. The mimic successfully lurches at Artus, while Rio slices again and Rania sinks another bolt. Feeling the recent attack, Artus swings his sword, missing and clattering it against the stone floor. Another stray firebolt from Kellan suggesting his nerves and inexperience have gotten the better of him once again, but his shame is short lived when Gaerfinas finishes off the mimic once and for all.

The remaining pack is divided among the group: some standard adventuring items that will serve the group in the future. Rania steps up to the door and, before opening, spontaneously announces the time to the group before slowly opening the door. It appears around the correct time, although no one feels the need to point this out and nothing obvious is seen in the surrounding area. Kellan receives a message and sends an update. There should be nine attackers whereas the group saw only two. There is no sign of them, and so the group decides to make haste back to the camp.

Kelnor separates from the group guarding the rear in the shadows, the group heads to the horses to return to Lord Morn. On approaching Jeb the horse-hand, Rania feels something is wrong. A voice recognises Rania from the bushes. She cuts him with her words forcing him to reveal himself.

A conversation ensues (key quotations below), resolving in the removal of an illusion revealing dead horses. More foes emerge from the bushes. The horse-hand apparently lives, but his life is in peril. The Zhentarim demand the chalice but Rania denies having it. 

* * *

“I surmise, that you have surfaced, one of you must have the Chalice of Elshar Kurl.”

“It surprises me that the containing magics of Felzenheim have corroded so fully as to let you retrieve it.”

“Tell me, shouldn’t it be that the tools with the greatest power to protect be passed to - and wielded by - the most capable hands? What will you do with this artifact of legend?”

“Did Morn not tell you his family’s story? With the dwarves? You might want to read up on dear Randal’s Great Grandfather, Colderan.”

“Nigh a hundred years ago, Colderan was one of the vainest men alive. His wife Belesaria was vainer still. She demanded the finest jewel of the Brightblades – a prismatic beauty. The dwarves refused. And so Colderan battled and slew Elshar Kurl.”

“But the dwarves retained the jewel so jealously sought by Belesaria. They split it into its four constituent colors. You’ll see them studded on the chalice.”

“Did Morn get you to grave-rob a dwarven clan for him?”

* * *

Jeb makes a break for it, stumbling when he does, falling down the rockface on which he is standing. Kelnor takes the moment to make a distraction, casting an illusion of his own that imitates Jierdaan's voice, and commands him to attack Jeb. In quick succession, the orc fires at Jeb; Kelnor stumbles; and Jeb is struck by an arrow and killed. His form reverts to that of a shapeshifter. (Graal, "You know I don't trust them.")

The momentary violence stops, and Jierdaan resumes his persuasion for the group to hand over the chalice.

The party huddle to decide what to do. They decide to try and trick the Zhentarim, creating an illusion and running back to the dungeon. The offer of the chalice is made; Kelnor materializes the chalice and starts to back away. The group quickly turn-tail and flee back to the fortress, with no sign of Jierdaan in tow.

The group rapidly begin to fortify. They release the blockade on the rust monsters, and Rania uses her feather token to plant a tree behind the door, it grows to its full strength before their eyes.

The group make their way to the goblins to seek an alternative escape -- hoping there is an alternate way out of the complex.

• Artus (75)

• Gaerfinas (75)

• Kelnor (75)

• Rania (75)

• Rio (75+50) - session log