(G502 03/12/2022 via Roll20 - JF(GM), KT, AP) WA103

 

(G502 03/12/2022 via Roll20 - JF(GM), KT, AP) WA103

[And now back into the Underdark with Fenrir and Reinward, who have entered the Lair of Queen Arachnia and defeated her. Now someone must retrieve the mysterious crown of the Prophecy.]

DAY 509(25th Flamerule)(july) cont ...

In the end it was a quick decision. It was left to Reinward to decide as he had done the most to get everyone here (with the aid of Fenrir of course, but he was not one of Ilmater's chosen) and he quickly made up his mind that he should be the one.

He stepped through the portal...
... and ten minutes later stepped back into the Queen's Chamber wearing the crown on his head.

I have since done a little research on the crown and this is what I know:

The Crown of Baleforte

The crown is a powerful artifact known as a 'Legacy Item' - that gains power the more tasks the wearer performs.

Vincento Baleforte was a Monk of Ilmater. He travelled the Dragoncoast and settled in  Westgate hundreds of years ago. He healed the sick and helped the poor, but wanted to  do more. He created the Crown to seek out and help those in need.

He is the patron saint of many guilds and noble houses within the city and his emblem  is seen carved into many buildings. The crown was thought to have been lost, so the (true)  bearer of the crown will be very well respected within the city and command considerable  influence.

Like all Legacy Items there are rituals that must be performed to unlock its power.
They are:

3 rituals related to Ilmater

1. The Blessing of Ilmater - Travel to shrine. Get cleric to cast Commune on you.

2. The Ritual of Learning - Study at Temple for some time.

3. The End of Pain Ritual - Rid the world of a Temple to Loviatar via non-violent means.


After taking all the other treasure they could find, they returned to the ruined castle of the Descendants of Addar.

DAY 510(26th Flamerule)(july)

Xama Niriwin applied Regeneration spells to Fenrir and Reinward. She did not approve of them throwing off the blessings of Ghaunadaur so quickly, but she  respected their wishes.

Fenrir's arm was restored, as were his good looks. The madness was lifted from both him and Reinward.

They spend the rest of the day recovering from their exertions.  Jane, Sir Loric and Pastry remained in their company and later Ishi Snaggletooth came to meet them.

'Congratulations!' exclaimed the friendly little kobold lady. 'You did well. But I do have to ask, do you feel this place is your responsibility now?'

The both shrugged.

''
Well, I'll be around for a while, but then I need to return to the surface. Now that the Queen has gone, the undead will rot away - so there is no reason for this place to remain evil! The Descendants of Addar want to regain control of the city - and perhaps they will - but remember that they are evil to the bone.
When the dark elves dominated this region of the Underdark they built a lot of cities and carved out a lot of roads, but they subjugated all the other races and spread their terror far and wide - even as far as the surface although it was many years ago. At least the Queen kept herself to herself and was content with sleeping most of the time. The Descendants dream of domination and a return to their former glory. It would be a shame if  they did that. Now is an opportunity for something else - a strong ruler could turn this place into something different, maybe even something good.
''

Fenrir and Reinward shrugged and nodded. They didn't want to disappoint Ishi, but they had no desire to come back down here ever again.

Later that day they left the city and met back with Veddic, Raz and their guide Soledad back at Bargold's shop.

They spent the night here. Bargold did not have an rooms, but he did let valued customers sleep in one of his empty store rooms.

DAY 511(27th Flamerule)(july)

Soledad successfully led them back through the Labyrinth, with nothing more than a few undead and skum to take care of.

They arrived back at the Six Ways Inn, but only stopped for a short rest before heading off again.

Soledad led them all the way back up to the surface. It was dark and the stars were out, they had no idea at all what time it was.

They flew back to Westgate via magic carpet and arrived home just  as the dawn light was breaking.


DAY 512(28th Flamerule)(july)

Random came to visit them in the morning and the first thing they  wanted to do was sell all their loot at his generous rate of 60% of 'book price'.

Fenrir looked at the Doomsday Clock for the first time in a while. It was still showing 12 minutes to midnight.

Most of the day was spent digging out loot from bags and laying them out on the dining room table. It all had the value of about 350 thousand gold.

Fenrir negotiated the magical improvement of his mithril shirt - his plan was to make it just about as powerful as it possibly could be.
'Oh, I've got plans for my gear, but it can wait,' declared Reinward with a dismissive wave.
Random nodded and got back to bartering with Fenrir.
'Oh well then,' said Reinward. 'I suppose I could do a few things...'

Many tiring hours later he had negotiated the following:

- a Handy Haversack
- a boost to his Gloves of Dexterity
- a boost to his cloak of resistance
- a vest of resistance
- Belt of Hidden Pouches
- multiple Daggers of Returning of varying power.
- magical Padded Leather Armour
- a boost to his Amulet of Natural Armour
- a Crystal of True Death, Greater
- a Crystal of Demolition

In order to buy this big list of gear he had to sell of some of his other stuff as the recent loot value did not cover it all!

Random told them all their gear would be ready in ten to twelve days. He could lend them some replacements for the time being.

It was evening by the time they were done. Gelly, the rogue in residence had poked her head in the door - drawn by the clink of gold coins.

She told them the latest:

- Sharkchum the pirate had been resurrected and was in Westgate looking for his killer
- several cards had been sent. The most interesting was from Fenrir's girl friend Werren Malavhan who was inviting them to a large festive ball in a few days.
- Merlock Tomes, the Underdark private detective, had worked out that Fenrir was Barry Shit-knees and that he had killed Jorkronas Urdo's daughter Katheera. She was likely to tell Urdo soon.
- City murder rate much higher than usual! Nightmask enemies are turning up dead. Fenrir should go and talk to Portia for more information regarding the Watch.