Episode 10 - "Influence" - 8.7.22
Dorugul and Drift attempt to locate Nighthill at the Citadel but instead encounter the Master of the Keep, Castellan Escobert who grumpily informs them that the Governor has retired for the evening. On their way back to the tavern, Drift notices a spectacular display of red lightning in the night sky about a mile away. Concerned about its appearance, he asks that the rest of the party join him to investigate. On location, the group is preview to a display of unparalleled energy as a red lightning bolt cracks open a large boulder, leaving behind a gift of metal bracers that Drift slips on his arms with gratitude to his diety. The party returns to the tavern to rest for the evening, with Dorugul taking Roel's bed for the night, Furret to search through the master suite, and Rowan to begin inscribing new spells into his spell book. The following morning, the adventurers receive coin and a letter from Nighthill asking them to visit his office once they have settled any personal business. On the way to the Governor's Office in the Greenest Marketplace, Furret is stopped by a Firbolg Courier named Geoff who hands him a letter of thanks from Gias, the the prisoner set free during the night of the raid. The group barely has time to dispense with pleasantries with Nighthill before the Governor is summoned by guards to speak with someone outside about a private legal matter. Once alone in the office, the party members take the opportunity to investigate the space while Riggie rigs up an alarm spell on the door to warn the group know when the Governor returns. Furret notices a locked closet that before he can attempt to lockpick is thwarted from a well-timed cough from Dorugul. Drift notices that there is something off about the Governor's desk but is unable in the fleeting time to understand what it may hide; however, Talik immediately pockets a beautiful purple feather pen amongst the desk clutter. Rowan discovers two valuable books on the shelves including one on Magical Fusions. The moment remains calm until Riggie and Drift notice a shiny diamond inside a black box engraved with "Luskan Diamond Partner" and carrying the seal of the mining company of his youth. Next to the diamond rests to a business note signed by Lord of House Bromlin in Luskan. Dorugul and Drift attempt to calm Riggie as he begins to panic, murmuring about the "mines" and that he knew "it wasn't an accident." When Nighthill returns, he requests a private audience with Furret to discuss the halfling's potential involvement in aiding an escaped Citadel prisoner. Suspicious of his intentions, Rowan and Dorugul stay to aid in the conversation, but Furret is arrested when the guards discover a stolen magical fidget spinner on his person. Rowan displays his signet Bromlin ring to influence Nighthill into allowing the party to keep Furret with them for the day, hoping that the Bard will prove valuable in investigating the prisoner and building a defense for the trial set for the following morning. Upon seeing Rowan's connection to a noble family in Luskan, Dorugul grows silent and unfocused in discomfort, but follows the rest of the group back out into the market… |