SC.4.2 Thunderblessed

Session Preface

You depart the Hall of Justice, stepping into the early afternoon of grey light, with looming clouds overhead promising further storms. The clouds hang lazily off the coast, meandering westward, sun breaking around their edges, painting the trim in a shimmering gold. Across from the temple, the open-air market bustles with activity and the routines of commerce. Smells of fresh pastry, rich seasoning, and cattle all reach your nostrils in waves.   Determined to discover the Cassalanter's conspirators on the other side of the Script of Sending, you head towards who you believe to be a source of arcane intel and one with the authority to act on it — The Order of Magicists and Protectors, the guild that, among other roles, serve as the Arcane Watch, joining the city guards in preserving the peace and protecting order in Waterdeep. Though each member of the Arcane Watch is registered within the guild, membership is often kept secret to preserve their identities and privacy. Fortunately, you have already established a connection with one member, Xorone of the Libram, an Arcane Watchlord.   You replay the memories of your last encounters back as you walk through the Castle Ward to his favorite haunt, the Elfstone Tavern. When first you met Xorone, it was by recommendation of the flamboyant Avenger contact, Solveliss, when you came looking for someone who could aid in getting out of Waterdeep quickly and quietly. In exchange for his aid, Xorone demanded a simple favor, called upon a year ago. The favor turned out to be a delivery, bringing a mysterious bag of holding into Skullport via the dungeon of the Undermountain beneath the city to a particular drop location. When you finally made your way to Skullport and found Xorone's contact you sought, the additional favor owed by Hawk for also seeing Mya safely to Durindale was revealed. Xorone also demanded you undermine the Xanathar Thieves Guild's grip on Skullport by removing a key lieutenant. This feat you managed too, with the help of the Skumlord, the aboleth dwelling in the deep beneath the city. In fact, not only did the major domo of the Thieves Guild meet his end, but the entire Guild's tower collapsed, scattering their forces and influence, leaving a power vacuum in the criminal underworld of Waterdeep.   These thoughts linger with you as you step into the dim light of Elfstone Tavern. Skylights above let in the overcast clouds, hanging over the living trees growing throughout the wooden structure, their branches dancing around tables and cozy wooden and cushioned furniture. The earthy smell of soil permeates the room, with hints of honey and herbs. Elven servers glide with effortless grace between branches and guests, the clientelle predominantly elven as well.   In a booth towards the back, you find Xorone. He is much the same as in your memory. He wears the robes of a wizard, flowing fabric, but fitting to his form around the chest. His straight, dark hair is braided in concentric figure eights. A look of intrigue spreads across his face as you approach.   "To what do I owe the pleasure of some of my most effective agents returning? In need of another favor, perhaps? Come, sit, and let us discuss how we might serve one another once more."  

Session Summary

  When presented with the map and details of the companion's involvement in recent events, Xorone presses to take the magical artifact with him back to his guild's hall to study. When his request is denied and the party presses him, his defenses unravel. He explains that while he didn't know the Cassalanters were enacting an infernal pact, he could confirm their involvement regarding the disappearances and fencing of stolen magical items because of his own involvement.   In his confession, Xorone reveals he ensured the Arcane Watch and broadsheets turned a blind eye to the disappearances and black market sales, in exchange for a cut, the funds of which were used to maintain the Arcane Watch's garrison in the wake of the siege. Upon finding out, along with the rest of Waterdeep, about the truth of things, he began looking for a way out, particularly because he knew a Raksasha could now, at any time, determine he was a loose thread and cut him out. With no other options, he resigns his trust to the party, hoping that his help will earn him anonymity and protection for his earlier involvement.   As a result of the conversation, Xorone agrees to meet the companions at Trollskull Alley to conduct a ritual in hopes of finding the Cassalanters under the guise of eating dinner there to maintain appearances. He believes they would have snuck off to Skullport where they maintained a presence as part of the fencing scheme, but doesn't know where it is. He also offers his suspicion that Victoro controls the Rakshasa through his Ring of Dominance, a magical item the Arcane Watchlord has seen on his person in the past, though he thought it used for a much less nefarious creature, like an animated armor, at the time.   Following this discussion, Hawk and Thaust come to realize the simple delivery they completed as part of their favor to Xorone was directly tied to the Cassalanter's schemes, their efforts helping in the transit of the stolen magical artifacts.  

The Docks & Aboard The Tempest

  As they depart and discuss dinner options, Thaust senses the looming storm overhead and arrives at a solution for the Raksasha's magical immunity — filling his newly acquired Mace of Disruption with the blessing of Zeus to make its effect more potent. He races to the docks, in search of a ship and crew.   With the surging waves, Thaust finds very few ships heading out, but eventually meets Captain Grimace who haggles to take them aboard for an agreed upon 451 gold pieces and a fine piece of sea-themed weaponry. The deal struck, they set sail with the rest of the crew, Slick, No Knees, Blackmane, Treason, Howler, Splinter, Freebooter, and Norton, who is new, but still wears an eye-patch along with everyone else.   As they sail into the worst of the storm, Hawk and Endriel debate techniques for preparing beef wellington, the proposed dinner for the evening. Their conversation contends against roaring winds, booming thunder, cracks of lightning, and torrential rain battering the ship. Overhead, Thaust prepares himself in the crow's nest, discovering soot and ash from previous lightning strikes.   As the storm reaches its most turbulent, the crew begin to surround the mast, chanting. Thinking it a sea shanty, Hawk approaches, but he and Endriel realize they are instead conducting their own ritual, one to sacrifice Thuast to Talos, the stormlord and destroyer, often seen as the destructive counterpart to Zeus.   A chaotic combat ensues as Hawk and Endriel contend with the crew and captain as Thaust proceeds with the ritual, welcoming lightning to strike his weapons, blessing and charging them. Whereas in the past he has prayed for wisdom and guidance, now his prayers are for power. For strength and might. And eventually, the answer of Zeus comes with a reckoning jolt. Though on the brink of death from the crew's efforts, the surge of lightning rejuvenates and engulfs Thaust, granting him the honorific, Thunderblessed.   Thaust descends the crow's nest. The companions bring a swift end to the fight, offering to leave the captain and his remaining crew alive in exchange for their coin back. When Thaust stands before the captain to show Zeus' victory over Talos, captain questions him, "You may have received Zeus' blessing, but if you are to use all that power for destruction, is that not the will of Talos?" Thaust places a hand upon him and brings him to the edge of death before walking away without a word.   With the storm weakening and with the Mace of Disruption overcharged and now able to break through the Rakshasa's defenses, the party returns to Trollskull Manor to discover what Xorone has learned with their eyes set on chasing down the Cassalanters and through them, finding the fiend they seek.