Old Haunts, New Threats

As Rya finished reading her mother's journal, there wasn't a dry eye left in the underground chamber. The group decided they wanted to see what they could learn from the Innesbyr-Lord's Alliance delegation, but needed more information. Ironica went out to sleuth.

In the meantime, Zireael could start to feel the pull of the full moon coming in a few days. He turned to Elgin and asked him if he could perform the very basic remove curse abjuration. Elgin said he could but that they needed moonlight for the spell to work. He brought them up to the surface through the bathhouse, encircled the wererats with a coil of silver and mutter the ancient words. The party watched as the lycanthropes veins flashed a deep blue before a light mist burned off from their skin and dissipated into the air. That felt better.

Ironica returned, having uncovered a little bit more about the delegation's agenda. Between her and D'Luk's contacts in the thieves guild, they learned the following:

29th Ches, today, touring the city with Brosker Dale.

• Breakfast at the Wandering Wolf
• Visiting Old Weir’s cabin and the great oak tree of Silvanus
• Going under the bridge to view the mural and learning about Old Weir's history from Brosker Dale
• Ashwood tavern is preparing a special luncheon
• Visiting Bridge street shops
• Checking out GPS and the training grounds
• Unstructured time
• Wandering wolf show with Kent Brazer, simple, easy, relaxing

30th Ches, tomorrow, heard Roger is planning a visit for them to his orchards; Lucille Runer baking for the event.

• Get up and tour surrounding farms
• Start with special white pumpkin varietal, sauvignon blanche, grows where Percy Daleman had his tunnel
• Bumbleroot farm 
• Main event at Roger’s 
• Tour of the orchards
• Sampling of what’s fermenting now in big barrels in his barns
• Then on to coursed lunch with paired ciders
• Catered by best chefs showing traditional foods
• Old Weir traditional performance
• Lucillle Runer’s pies

1st of Tarsakh, unclear if they have meetings or are leaving this day or the 2nd.

Slothrop ducked into the outhouse and emerged as the boy-next-door, a classic Weiran, he Rya, Ironica, and Nancy set out for the Wandering Wolf to see what they could learn. Nancy had met the barkeep playing for coin on the first visit to Old Weir, and he poured her som classic breakfast wine, the sauvignon blanche. She asked if he could put her on the docket tonight instead of that loser,  Kent Brazer. He agreed that sap's sentimental music would be a real downer tonight and told her he would see what he could do with the boss. He set them up at a corner table. There were a few other guests breakfasting in the tavern area, one well-muscled.

Before long, the delegation came downstairs, attendants and all. While they conversed about nonsense, Slothrop pieced together the following information about the cast of characters from snippets of overheard conversations:

Lord's Alliance delegation

• Tufus Bell, middle-aged half elf male, magistrate from Waterdeep. He referred to himself officially as the "deputy shawsdefer" some sort of title. He wore luxurious, expensive clothing and has an effeminate affect and is quite haughty and seemingly unaware of his privilege and wealth. 
• Partridge Strom, beautiful young buxom female halfling, apparently Bell's "companion." She was doesn't seem to have much to offer upstairs. 
• Draba Gelb, Bell's middle-aged male human advisor or attendant of some sort.
• Reggie, the muscled male human in the corner. Well armed and dangerous looking--Bell's personal bodyguard. 

Vostewylde Alliance delegation

• Olin Parr, human male, Monarch's representative. Soft, but not doughy, and tired-looking. Well-dressed and very practical and pragmatic in his description of relationship between Inns and Old Weir. 
• Haskel Bjerke, Parr's half-elf advisor. Dark eyed and intelligent looking. Soft spoken, observant. 
• Kip Tursus, Parr's half orc bodyguard. Very well-mannered at the table, respectful. 
• Twin 1, guard, dark-haired human male dressed in the VA guard's garb. Didn't say much, didn't catch name. Sat next to brother (identical twin). Seem to have some sign subtle language with brother.
• Twin 2, guard, dark-haired human female dressed in the VA guard's garb. Didn't say much, didn't catch name. Sat next to brother (identical twin). Seem to have some subtle sign language with brother. 
• Guard 3, middle aged human, beat up, scarred, in VA guard attire. Said nothing, didn't catch name. 

Rya saw the following Old Weir delegation approach the Inn and begin the tour

• Brosker Dale, male dwarf, tired looking, reluctant beauracrat, first speaker of the council of peeers.
• Qolan Sell, female elf, secretary council of peers
• Gallus Corm, older human male lieutenant in the Weir Watch, assigned to Brosker and the delegation

Meanwhile, Dala'gse and Safad went Myrtle's Wondrous Items to inquire about the Bulette skin. They learned she had two magical items fresh in from Lakeville. 

Wait, like, fresh fresh in? 

Yes, Hagar Stonemind and Lanelle Bustini had sold them to her yesterday. 

Safad explained that they and the entire town of Lakeville were mind flayer thralls. Myrtle was shocked and dismayed. She showed them some kind of ruby of protection and a simple magical buckler and then said they should ask about the bulette skin armor at the Bridge Street Smithy. She said she needed to go speak with her husband about these terrible events and think about whether she should keep doing business with Lakeville--not likely!

Zireael went to call on his old pal Deelon Cart. He asked if there wasn't a more private place they could chat. Deelon indicated there was, and opened the door behind the counter to a dusty old broom closet an intimate chamber with strange toys, feathers, and some whips. 

Zireael laid out all the cards. He needed Deelon's help to aid and abet murder at GPS later that afternoon. He needed help planning the abduction and torture of some of the delegation, explaining that they were very bad people. Deelon trusted him but feared for GPS and Old Weir's reputation. That was a lot to lay on a fella. Murder in cold blood. Wowsa. Welp, he'd do what he could, he was available, just let him know, Big Z. 

The group convened back at the Copp to discuss their plans and plot their subterfuge. While they were discussing, Rya had a strange enthrallment flashback to Lakeville. She was drilling in the practice yard for battle with a gruff-faced dwarf commanding her. A slim female half-elf was training next to her. Suddenly, she realized she was looking at those faces, at the bar at the Copp, chatting amongst themselves...

Rya alerted the group. It was Hagar and Lanelle. 

Nancy cast detect thoughts on Lanelle and penetrated her minds, probing. 

She felt the following surface thoughts and feelings: 

"Misfit fucking six" 

"Rya the betrayer"

"Nothing matters"

And then Lanelle turned to look directly into Nancy's eye and she heard

"I SEE YOU"

Nancy probed deeper! 

Anxiety

Excitement

Devotion

And a small voice calling out from somewhere deep down that was utterly terrified.