The morning of
Retired to rooms after writing the letter. Yort Li aligned spells with Lorien Painbearer. Tried with Ruasar but immediately left when he started yapping. Cisco released 3 bats into the air with his bag of rats.
Long rest.
Elijah J. Lucas and Fernie left to Lyle’s; the rest waited for Garron Drex.
Garron returns
Forms in order, except for the 3 bats spotted flying around. Yort Li mentioned the letter; Garron Drex asked if the proper form had been filled out to send a letter.
Turned out the form was a joke but he wanted a fee. Cisco convinced Drex to deliver it without a fee — said it was expected and the Lord needed it asap.
Elijah at Lyle’s
Bought 2 thieves’ tools for Cisco and 2 signal whistles. Lyle warned not to use the thieves’ tools in his shop or we wouldn’t like what would happen.
Elijah J. Lucas picked up the enhanced talons from Garric Smith (+1 attack). Tipped 5gp for finishing early.
Lorien Painbearer got his Tome of Ilmater back from Old Briar.
Final planning with Old Briar
In the back room: Old Briar worried we were going to do something foolish.
He warned that even if we got Alric outside, he’d have his personal guard with him — many said to be thralls. The guards had only known fear and seen no path out.
Ivon entered: nobody wanted to help. 20 guards total, 5 per shift. 1 at the gate, 4 patrolling in pairs.
Ivon thought the best option was to sneak in at night — go through the back and take out the one guard, or sprint through the front. (No one wanted to go inside.)
We discussed bribery. 10 months per soldier would convince them. We traded all our gemstones for 350gp for Elijah J. Lucas and 50gp for Cisco.
Ivon, Cisco, Elijah, and Fernie went around to all the guards on duty and off, bribing with half-now-half-after.
The reply
Assembled at the Empty Net when Garron Drex returned with Lord Alric’s response: the Lord was controlled by REDACTED and would meet at twilight tonight.
We told the bribed guards to meet us then. Set up lights around the town center.
The standoff
Headed to the town center, arrived first. Fernie reported a procession on the way.
The procession arrived — all the guards and Lord Alric in the front:
- Gaunt, bones sticking out, flowing robe, rings on hand.
- Blue hue, didn’t look fully human.
- Ivon was among the guards.
- Guards nervous, shifting from foot to foot.
Yort Li and Lorien Painbearer stepped forward.
- Yort Li asked if Alric was in control. “Yes, but who knows for how long.”
- Lorien Painbearer drew his sword and set it on the ground. Took out his Tome of Suffering and pleaded with the Lord on behalf of the town to turn to the light.
- Alric: “It is far too late for such things.”
- The guards in fight-or-flight as Alric’s power rose.
- Cisco used a variation of the “four or five moments” speech to rouse the guards. Cast Suggestion on Garron Drex to stand and fight.
- Suggestion on Drex failed. Persuasion on the rest of the guards succeeded.
- Alric: “I am sorry young man / boy.” Said he wasn’t strong enough to subdue the forces controlling him.
- Ivon rallied the guards.
Combat time.